The Bluffer - Red Bluff, CA
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/49940
December 9, 2011 Feature 5 A view from the eagles' nest S Students prove their character and attitude by attaining the rank of Eagle Scout Carson Dunbar Staff Writer Here at Red Bluff High the slogan is "Attitude is everything" and what better determination of attitude and character than a student attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. For those of you unfamiliar with Boy Scouting, the rank of Eagle Scout is the highest rank in Boy Scouting and is recognized internationally as one of the highest honors a young adult can earn. At Red Bluff High school there are three current Eagle Scouts. These fellow Eagle Scout recipients are Eddie Spidle and Michael DeFonte. Both are from Red Bluff Rotary club Troop 154. There are many requirements to become an Eagle Scout including; the earning of at least 21 merit badges, holding leadership positions in the troop, and many hours of community service. Still the greatest obstacle of an Eagle Scout candidate is the planning and carrying out of a Photo courtesy of Red Bluff troop 154 Michael DeFonteʼs Eagle Scout project this last August. community service project. Projects from these Red Bluff High School Eagles have included, installing trails on the BLM, laying concrete for the volunteer fire department, installing and repairing picnic tables, and laying sod at Jackson Nathan Rebol Award recieved by senior Ashlan Brunello Feature Editor For the past six years, Red Bluff High has given out the Nathan Rebol Award to a "special" Cross Country runner. This award is given to the runner that goes out of their way to go above and beyond and does extra things to be the best that they can be. "This award is a way to recognize a kid that goes above and beyond, we give it to the athlete that is a leader and that works the hardest," said Wes He n d r i c k s , coach. Hendricks. This year the award was given to senior, Eric Espinosa. Espinosa has been running with cross-country for three years, excluding his freshman year. "I didn't join my freshman year because I didn't think cross-country would be the thing for me," said Espinosa When he found out he was "This award is a way to recognize a kid that goes above and beyond." - Wes Hendricks Opportunities to go above and beyond are presented on weekends. On Saturdays, cross-country runs from Mill Creek to Mineral and they go up and over the Mineral Summit. "It's an opportunity for the kids to do their best and to get a good workout. If they want to be competitive they should run at least six days a week. It's better to run with the group rather than running alone," said receiving the award, Espinosa had felt "honored". "I was pretty excited because only a few people have received the award and they all were great runners," said Espinosa. W h e n asked about E s p i n o s a , Hendricks had nothing but positive remarks. "He has made my life easier this year because his leadership created an atmosphere where everyone wanted to do their best," said Hendricks. With all of the league races added up together, Espinosa only lost to one other person, making him second. Espinosa is unsure if he will be able to run in college. "A lot of community colleges Heights Elementary School at Ridgeway Park. When asked about his project Spidle said, "My project was quite difficult at the beginning due to lack of money but once funds were acquired it went very smoothly. It also made me eligible for many scholarships." Out of all the youth that join Scouting, only 2% of them ever reach Eagle Scout. In fact the Eagle Scout Association is such an elite group that most Eagles end up in the upper echelon of their community, state and nation. The first NASA astronauts were Eagle Scouts and many hold seats in congress. Before his campaign for president John McCain stated, "There are few precursors to future success in life, attaining Eagle Scout is one of them." There are many opportunities in Red Bluff for youth to take part in Scouting. With three troops and over 100 active youth Scouting manages to give countless opportunities to youth who might not otherwise get them. Along with the current Eagles, there are a few up and coming Eagles at RBHS. Garrett Spangler recently completed his Eagle Scout Project by installing a frisbee golf course. Greg Espinosa is yet another student who is working on his Eagle. For his project he helped plan and carry out a mass flag retirement here in Red Bluff. These outstanding examples of character bring leadership and a sense of care for the community to our campus with what they have taken from their Scouting experience. Choir Concert draws crowds year after year Bailey Patchen Staff Writer Every year, Red Bluff High's choir put's on a Christmas concert for all faculty, students, family members, and residents of Red Bluff. This year's choir concert was on Thursday, Dec. 1 at 7pm and it turned out to be a great show and turned out very well despite the small amount of time choir had to prepare. "The p e r f o rma n c e went better than I expected because we only had three days to actually prepare," explained junior Stacy Stone, who has been in choir her freshman and junior year. Each year, choir puts on a Christmas concert although each year it is a little different than the last. This year they did different songs and had different styles. Even with the few differences from years past, this year's concert went very well and met everyone's expectations. It also met the crowds expectations. "I expected everyone to pull it together at the last minute and the crowd to be pleased, and it met my expectations," said junior Lexi Mitchell, who is doing choir for the first time this year and who sang her first solo in the Christmas concert and shocked everyone with her talented voice. The crowd was shocked because very few people knew that Mitchell could sing so well. "Based on the three days we had, the night of the show was when we got it done and it turned out great," explained Stone, speaking for the choir class. T h i s y e a r ' s "My favorite part was preforming my solo," said Mitchell. "My favorite part was probably the outfit's and the fact that everything came together in the end," said Stone. The outcome of this years Christmas concert turned out to be unexpectedly well, because of the small amount of time the class had to prepare, and the crowd was very pleased. This year, the RBHS choir is wanting to go to a competition in Anaheim. To raise the money necessary to go on the trip, they will be doing many fund-raisers. One of these frundraisers is selling suckers, which is currently happening. After the sucker fund-raising www.clker.com/clipart-71543.html is over, the class will be doing other fund-raisers, such as selling See's Candy, car washes, and Apple Bee's is donating money. The Apple Bee's Christmas concert did not only turn out to be a great show and to meet everyone's expectations but everyone had their memorable moment's on stage during the performance. "My favorite part was singing Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree," said sophomore Tiffany Jensen, who has done choir both year's of high school. fund-raiser is on Dec. 10, and everyone that get's a flyer and eat's there, Apple Bee's will donate 15 percent of the purchase to the choir class. Make sure to try and help out the choir and help with their many fund-raisers they will be doing. Cristobal Ubaldo (12) "Going to the basketball games." Sound Off/ Ashlan Brunello Tana Laurence (11) "I like it all because itʼs ʻChristmasyʼ and we get to go to the rally and do fun things" Daisy Brose(9) "Watching how good all of the teams are." partan ound off Whatʼs your favorite part of Holiday Classic and why? Tim Dohem (10) "When the teachers do their skit because itʼs entertaining." 905 Walnut St. Red Bluff *Ice Cream *Gelato *Sandwiches *Energy infused drinks 528-1698 facebook.com/scoopsofredbluff *Rock Star *Milkshakes *Smoothies *Wraps *Create your own sundaes *Amps