Though Blanco’s elementary school life proves to be a fun time for her, filled with popularity and sleepovers, her social status takes a turn for the worse when she starts volunteering with the deaf students at her school during lunch. She meets a kind, young girl named Marianne in the deaf program and they soon become great friends.

Though Jodee enjoys spending time with Marianne, her “normal” friends shun her for it. Finally, her best friend, Jo Ellen, gives her an ultimatum–Jodee can either quit talking to Marianne for good and keep her friendship with everyone else, or stay friends with Marianne, who everyone else deems “a stupid loser.” After an inner struggle, Jodee’s conscience wins out, and she decides to keep volunteering with the deaf children.

Jodee’s first experience with doing the right thing, and the ones that follow her in years to come, cause her friends to deem her a wuss. Throughout junior high and high school, Jodee’s seemingly harmless decisions to be a good person make her school experience a living nightmare. She is emotionally abused when her classmates yell obscenities at her in the hall and is even physically harmed when other kids throw pieces of cement at her and kick her in the shins.

Though her parents try to help her through it, they cannot understand why their only child is a misfit. They set up appointment after appointment for Jodee with psychiatrists and counselors, but eventually they realize Jodee is not the problem, but the bullies. Over time, others start to see what an intelligent, caring person Jodee is, and she goes on to do great things, though the memories of being bullied haunt her.

Blanco proves to be an exceptional story teller and does not sugarcoat any of her experiences or what she is feeling. She is extremely honest, and there is no doubt that it took strength and courage to tell her story. Any student or adult who has ever been bullied or been the bullier should read this tale that provides inspiration and hope for the future.

Estell has played football and competed in wrestling all four years of high school. He is a four time letter winner in wrestling and a three time letter winner in football.

As a wrestler, Kevin has been to state twice, as sophomore and a junior, and he is on his way to his 3rd state tournament appearance this year as a senior. His junior year he placed second in state and earned a spot on the first team all-state team.

This wrestling season Estell said he plans on winning state. He has an impressive record of 32-4 and has won 5 tournaments.           

“There will be a few tough matches in the state tournament,” Estell said. “I will have to turn it up, but I know I can win.”

This football season, didn’t go very well as a team for Belton, but Estell had a great senior season on both sides of the ball. He was an all-state offensive lineman and an all-conference defensive lineman, and even led the team in tackles. He was also an all-conference lineman his junior season as well.

Estell said that the team didn’t win as many games as he would have liked this season but that they improved as a team. He said he hopes that he helped the younger players get better and show them how to work. He also said he thinks the program will continue to get better with the coaching staff that Belton has.

“The thing I learned most from high school football was to just have fun playing,” Estell said. “When you play you just got to have fun, and pick up your pace at the same time.”

Line Coach Justin Hamilton said that Kevin’s best trait as a football player is his strong work ethic and hunger to win. He says Kevin will do what he has to do to win and that is important in football.

“It makes it easy as a coach to have someone like Kevin on the team,” Hamilton said. “He is willing to do whatever you ask him to do, and he does whatever he can for the players around him to achieve greatness.”

Kevin said he is really looking forward to attend Western Illinois next year. He said he is really excited to start playing football and meet new people. He also said that he thinks he will really enjoy the university he has chosen.

“Football is my life,” Estell said. “I’m very excited to get to play in college, and I’m going to take advantage of this opportunity and get as much out of it as I can.”

Estell said that he enjoyed his visit very much and that he thinks he will really like playing for Western Illinois.

“The coaching staff at Western Illinois seems amazing,” Estell said. “The players I’ve met were really cool as well.”

Estell will begin working with the team in late summer before the fall semester begins. He says he has been working very hard to improve his strength and speed as an athlete. He has made a big impact on Belton as an athlete and he plans to do the same in the future with Western Illinois University.

Of all the sports she plays, Giacone says that softball is her favorite, without a doubt. She said that it is her favorite because she has played it the longest and she just loves playing the game. Giacone practices for softball year-round, so that she will always be on top of her game.

“I practice two times a week with a team and also in my free-time at home,” Giacone said, “I love softball.”
              
Along with softball, Giacone is on varsity for both soccer and swimming. This was her first season as a swimmer, and she has excelled and made the state cut for her 50 yard freestyle. State-qualifying time for girls 50 yard freestyle is :25.99. Giacone’s time was a :25.76, which is very impressive for someone who swam her first race a mere three months ago.                

Giacone also enjoys school, and keeps her grades up throughout the year, even with all of the sports she participates in. She said that English is her best and favorite subject. She said that she really enjoys Mrs. Brown and it is not a stressful class.

“I feel like I should keep my grades up because I want to get into the best college I can and I need to keep good grades for that,” Giacone said.

Giacone said that during her free time, she plays softball, reads, and attends her youth group. She said that even at home, softball is a huge part of her life.

“I can’t help it,” Giacone said, “I just love the game.”

Giacone said that one of the most important things in her life is her family. She said that she enjoys spending time and hanging out with them and that she appreciates all that they do for her. She said that her family helps her out by always supporting her, taking her to practices, and scheduling things around her as best they can.

“My family really helps me out,” Giacone said. “My dad even helps me train when we have time.”

Giacone is one of the best athletes and students that Belton has. She is currently finishing up her swim season and vigorously training for the upcoming soccer season. Many people are supporting her as she heads into a new season, and we wish her all the luck.

After finally announcing her release from Macy’s to her family, Stephanie must let go of the little dignity she still grasps onto and accept a job at her cousin Vinnie’s bail-bond business. She quickly fights for her first assignment: bringing in Joe Morelli (Jason O’Mara), a cop suspected of killing an unarmed man and a romantic fling from Plum’s past.

After finally snatching up the case, she goes out looking for revenge. However, she finds she may have gotten more than she bargained for as she gets caught in a game of one-upping each other with Morelli. On top of that, she comes to realize that Morelli might be the least of her worries in his case as her hunt to bring him in lands her resources in trouble. 

But don’t get those hopes up about a fast-paced thriller. Though classified as action, the film lacks much active dash or eye-opening violence. And the romance doesn’t make it much further than the ashes of Plum and Morelli’s unresolved short burst from the past until the closing scene. However, the film does set the mood for some laughs.

Much like how fans say the characters busted the seams of the book, they are overflowing with life and busting off the screen, while busting up the viewer’s gut, too. While Heigl and O’Mara do a decent job of filling their roles and interacting with their added chemical attraction, Sherri Sheperd and Ryan Michelle Bathe as strippers Lula and Jackie, as well as Debbie Reynolds as Grandma Mazur, truly lead this film. They surely are a riot.

“One for the Money” is one of those films that doesn’t live up to the print. It will most likely leave fans of the book disappointed, but it is an enjoyable two-hour excursion for those who have not placed their hands on Janet Evanovich’s original. Only time will tell if Evanovich’s additional tales will follow this one onto the screen.

The truth is that having a ton of money doesn’t equal to being successful all the time. There are millionaires out there that didn’t EARN a penny of the money they have. Many of the young icons today are living off of mom and dad’s money.

Is that the example that should be set for children today? No, being successful means making a difference in their lives and most importantly, in others’ lives. Accomplishing the goals that they set for themselves is success. If they make a ton of money fulfilling what they love, then great, but money is not the most important thing to focus on.

Kids usually say that they want to make their tons of money by being a movie star or a singer. Why? Why can’t they gain their fame and fortune by discovering a cure for cancer or HIV? That’s because they see movie stars on television. It’s not very often that a child will pay attention someone truly inspirational on television.

Part of this issue is the strong and vibrant belief in the American Dream.  Americans strongly believe that with a little hard work and effort, anyone can achieve anything they want.  The story of rags to riches always pulls on the heart strings. Unfortunately, that isn’t true for everyone. Of course there are exceptions to the rule, but going from rags to riches is usually just luck.

Studies have shown that children born to poverty stricken parents will more than likely live in poverty for the rest of their lives. A depressing realization, yes; but it’s reality.

The American dream was more feasible earlier in American history, but today the middle class is shrinking. The poor get poorer and the rich get richer. Isn’t that what they say?  Money today is everything, money gets people places. It shouldn’t be that way, but it is that way.

Parents like to hide the ugly truths of the world from their children and it’s only natural. They want to protect them from things that may harm them, but that’s not adequately preparing them for what they’ll eventually have to face when they grow up.

So many celebrities say they want to be treated like everyone else, yet they still welcome special treatment. For example, a famous hot dog joint in California lets all celebrities cut the line. How is that fair? They’re not capable of waiting in line like everyone else? They are very capable of waiting their turn. The customers there should have thrown a fit.

What is it, their fortune or fame that makes others become puddy? Who knows, they obviously become star-struck. Of course, not all famous people act like that, but plenty do and it’s about time someone does something about it.

Sadly, another example of unforgivable behavior is Beyonce and Jay- Z. A few weeks ago they had their first baby at Manhattan’s Lenox Hill hospital. Beyonce and Jay-Z spent millions of dollars to remodel a suite in the hospital for her to give birth in. They also requested to have a whole floor to themselves. Oh wait, but it doesn’t end there. Beyonce demanded that all staff who would be taking care of her to turn over all cell phones and even ordered the hospital to cover the video cameras with tape.

The whole floor she had to herself was protected by bodyguards. This floor just so happened to be the NICU floor. A father of two premature twins who were on that floor was stopped by Beyonce’s security team when he tried to visit his new born children. He was refused access to his own sick children by a security team that wasn’t even employed by the hospital. There is something seriously wrong with that.

It’s understandable for Beyonce to have a few bodyguards and for her to request that there be no cell phones. However, keeping a father away from his pre-mature babies just because she was giving birth is wrong. Covering the NECESSARY video cameras with tape was wrong.

Hospitals have video cameras for a reason. If anyone else requested the video cameras to be covered the hospital would have called them crazy. I suppose the fact that Beyonce and Jay-Z forked out millions of dollars to remodel a suite had nothing to do with the the hospital meeting every one of their outrageous demands? Yes, it did. The sad truth is that they did it because they got tons of money out of doing exactly what Beyonce wanted.

The behavior of Beyonce, Jay-Z and the hospital makes me sick. They should all be ashamed of themselves. First of all, Beyonce and Jay-Z owe that father of the premature twins an apology, and secondly, that hospital should be sued for covering the video cameras.

One instrument that students seem to enjoy to play and even seem to enjoy listening to is the ever famous guitar. There are plenty of both guys and girls who play guitar, and plenty of others who are willing to sit back and listen, as long as what they’re hearing is good. Within Belton, there are plenty of students whose musical abilities shine.

Junior Shane Helm says that he has tried to play other instruments is the past, but no other instruments can compare with his love for his guitar.

“It’s my favorite thing to do,” Helm said. “It’s one of those things that will never grow old or boring to me. I like just messing around and playing whatever I want to play at that moment, but I mostly do all my rocking out for Jesus.”

Senior Pt Mahoney says that besides playing out of the football field, his favorite things to do is play on his guitar.

“It’s just a really cool talent,” Mahoney said. “It never gets repetitive, even though you have to practice over and over and over again to learn the songs really well. There’s always more things to learn and there’s always more opportunities to get even better than you were before.”

Junior Tanner Cornwell says that he’s grown up with guitars and music all around him through out his entire life and it’s something that has always been there and will continue to stay constant for the rest of his life.

“It’s something that I picked up on and  started to learn when I was really little,” Cornwell said, “And now I don’t think I’ll ever be able to stop. I love playing for people who are willing to listen. I play for people because I want them to hear the passion behind the playing, not just my ability to play.”

All in all, there are many hidden interests and talents behind the students and fellow classmates. Having the talent and dedication to play the guitar is just one of the many.

Farr fell in love with singing herself many years ago. She got involved with the school choir and often sings along to her piano at home. Singing is not just a hobby for her though, but a way to forget a bad day and express herself.

“I take singing lessons every week and I love singing because it helps me work out emotions and work through problems. I really think it’s important that everyone has something they love and are good at because it just makes you feel great about yourself,” Farr said.

Along with singing, Farr is involved in debate and forensics, the art club, and theatre. Being involved in so many conflicting clubs has been difficult. Farr says she has had to do some prioritizing this year because she doesn’t have enough time for everything.

“I’m in debate, choir, art club, and most of the time theatre. I had to take a break from theatre this year because I need to work on other things,” Farr said.

Though Farr has had to cut back on the time she spends in theatre, she’s happy with her decision because she values being happy over being an overachiever.

“I value happiness over anything else and I think it’s really important that we spread happiness and just be happy ourselves,” Farr said.

Outside of school, Farr enjoys playing with her pets, going to her family’s cabin and hanging out with her friends, all while singing any chance she gets. She is also a strict vegetarian, and has been since elementary school.

“I became a vegetarian because I hadn’t liked the idea of killing and eating animals since I was three and found out what meat was, then I finally got the will power to actually stop when I was seven,” Farr said.

Though Maya is only a sophomore, she is already planning for a career in the arts.

“I plan on going to school for vocal performance though I haven’t decided where yet,” Farr said.

In the meantime, Farr plans on enjoying her high school years while they are here and continuing to be a happy person.

It seems like a fairy-tale land, where one can go home after school and relax, without constantly being updated on who-did-what-when. Teens today don’t realize though, that they can make the choice to turn off their cell phones or not get on the computer as soon as they get home. Or maybe we do realize it, and just choose not to. Maybe we all secretly like the drama, the anticipation, the excitement of waiting to see what’s going to happen. As long as it isn’t happening to us, that is.

Although we deny it, I don’t think that there is any doubt that everyone loves a little drama. As long as it isn’t directly affecting us, it’s fun to watch. Why else would people go home and spend countless hours on facebook and watching the television? If somebody can point out one TV show that doesn’t have drama in it, many people will stand corrected. Why do all shows have drama? Why is Facebook so popular? Why are we constantly tweeting? It’s because all of the human population thrives off of drama.

I can’t help but wonder what it must have been like, years ago, when the drama stopped until school the next morning. I wonder if families were closer, if there were fewer break-ups and getting back together. I wonder if people treated each other with more respect, and if less feelings were hurt.

One of the biggest problems with Facebook, Twitter, and texting is that people say things that most would never have the guts to say to somebody’s face. We are more open with our feelings, but not necessarily in a good way. Many people believe that one should never hold an argument over a screen, because people say things they don’t mean and then they publicly humiliate themselves and the other person. If someone have a serious problem with someone else, handle it face to face. If you can’t, try just letting it go.

I think that people would be a lot happier, and there would be less family problems if we all cut our screen time in half. I know that if I put my phone away for a few hours each night and play with my siblings or hang out with my family, I will live. I won’t have withdrawals and I will be more relaxed, not having to deal with all of the other stuff that goes on in teenagers lives.

Everyone should take a night, just one measly night, and put away their phones, laptops, iPods, anything that has Facebook, texting, or Twitter on it. Take one night and see if it changes the way that you sleep that night. Or how you feel the next morning, if you are more relaxed, calm, or more rested. Everybody should try to take just one night and see if it makes a difference in the way you see things.

Resolution features 14 full length tracks including the new single “Ghost Walking.” The album also contains more songs on it than any other Lamb of God album, making it the longest running release. Critics have given Lamb of God much praise saying that it has straight forward metal with no smoke and mirrors.

Track after track, Resolution brings an onslaught of pure metal that many bands lack today. “Straight for the Sun” starts off the album with a slow but heavy intro that builds the tension going into the next song, “Desolation”. This song contains all of the unique Lamb of God elements that give them their distinctive sound ranging from fast-paced chugging guitar riffs, technically complicated thunderous drum beats and the unmatchable vocal talent of Randy’s screams.

It quickly becomes evident that the L.O.G. guys brought their A-game when recording this album. “Ghost Walking” displays the guitarist’s remarkable talent on both the acoustic and electric guitar. “Guilty” certainly stands out as the highlight of the entire album because of the non-stop punishment of absolute heavy metal. This remains pretty constant throughout the rest of the album.

In an effort to step out of their comfort zone, Lamb of God recorded “King Me” with a progressive flavor thrown into the mix backed by an entire orchestra. The style of this song strays from L.O.G.’s usual sound of pure metal.

Resolution has become Lamb of God’s heaviest album to date. Being received well by both critics and fans, the band will most likely continue doing what they do. Lamb of God have not lost their touch like a lot of bands have today and one listen to Resolution will prove this true. Lamb of God will hit the road this year in support of both the album and Randy’s presidential campaign.