Showing posts with label Special Features. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Special Features. Show all posts

Wildcats in the Swing of Spring and Doing Big Things!

Would we say that we are in the swing of spring? More like fluctuating temperatures, pollen, "Is Noah showing up in his ark to take us to school today?" April showers do bring May flowers, but more accurately, they bring mid-April sinus infections.

It's all good. May is only a couple of weeks away. I can smell the Memorial Day cookout from here...or at least I could if it were not for the sinus infection.

Let's dig into what's making its way into headlines and conversations lately.
  • Congratulations are in order for every administrator, educator, staff member, and student at Eastern Guilford HS. This week, we hosted a visit to welcome AdvancED, a team of professional educators who evaluate schools for accreditation purposes. Through interviews with a variety of Wildcat representatives, classroom observations, and a collection of artifacts, it has been determined that EGHS is an accredited institution of learning through June 30, 2020. This is concrete evidence that EGHS is comprised of talented individuals all working toward a common goal! Tell EVERYONE!!
  • The Occupational Course of Study (OCS) students won 2nd place in the GCS Employability Duel this past Wednesday. Congratulations to these students, Ms. Wilkins, and our fantastic team of teachers who contribute so much to this program of super kids.
  • One of our very own assistant principals, Mrs. Jamisa Williams, is showing exemplary leadership through a service learning project focused on literacy. The focal point of this project is to expand literacy in the community and model its importance to our future Wildcats at our feeder elementary schools. Ms. Jobe's Early Childhood Education classes are visiting McLeansville Elementary and Sedalia Elementary to read books to students. In conjunction with modeling literacy skills, a QR code has been developed for students to take home to their families. This QR code links to parent resources and interactive storybooks. Feel free to scan the code, which is posted by the article. This is such a rewarding experience to everyone who is a stakeholder in this wonderful service learning activity.    
  • Have you received a compliment this week? Maybe someone passed you something you needed to hear, or maybe you picked out something for yourself. Throughout this quarter, expect to see some fun and interesting happenings around our school, as several students and teachers are conspiring to spread random acts of kindness throughout the building through exams. Each week will be a little different and every week will be exciting. Someone might pay for your lunch soon. You might find some treats in unexpected places. Someone may deliver you a message that you have been waiting for someone to say. If you get a compliment, choose a motivation for yourself, or participate or receive something in the movement, please take a picture and post it on Instagram with the hashtag #eghsrak . Who DOESN'T want to feel a little happier? :) Join the movement and I promise you will be changed, just as these two students on the right.
  • The EGHS Travel Club, along with Ms. Canoy and Ms. Laws, enjoyed spring break in France and Italy. This was reported to be a fantastic experience. Please ask these students about this amazing opportunity: Lexi Bridges, Jermaine Martin, Tanner Cagle, Eve Trammell, Webay Jimenez, Matthew Ferris, Dorian Johnson, and Selena Zobro
  • Our students have contributed over 17,000 service learning hours since August of this school year! This number is continuing to grow as spring service learning activities are recorded. We surpassed our goal for this school year, and we will be naming those seniors who will graduate with a service learning diploma very soon.
  • Quayson Williams joins the SoCon as he signs to become a cadet for the prestigious Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina. Quayson has earned a full scholarship to The Citadel as a member of the Citadel Bulldogs Men's Basketball team. What an accomplishment!!
  • Jarius Morehead, who has been signed to play football for NC State in the fall, is very excited for the future, and he plans to share about the hard work and dedication it took to get him to his dream. You can see a video interview from EGHS sportswriter Tre McLean in our last edition. This week, we will be sharing a video about Jarius and what it takes to be successful on the field and in the classroom.
  • If you are still debating on whether or not to go to prom next Saturday, let's make the decision easy: GO! :) We need to sell 50 more tickets, so stop by the prom ticket table during lunch to purchase your ticket for 40.00. You will NOT be disappointed
  • The American Red Cross spring blood drive co-sponsored by Ms. Offhaus and the EGHS Student Council and Ms, Melvin's Nursing Fundamentals II students was integral in providing 47 units of blood to our community!
  • Ask a senior how his or her senior project is coming along! It's starting to get a bit more intense as the paper, board, and speech are coming into fruition. Please encourage these students as they prepare for the final mile of a 13 year marathon!
  • Congratulations to Mrs. Jamila Jones-Watts on the birth of her beautiful daughter. Ms. Jones-Watts had her on April 10. Everyone is just fine! :)
  • Our Wildcat spring athletics are staying fiercely competitive! Please encourage our student athletes!
  • The newest series created by The Wild Times of EGHS journalism students includes an in-depth focus on music. Be prepared to hear some throwbacks from the wayback, as well as receive introduction to some music sure to be in regular rotation. Many EGHS students are featured in this series, so scroll down to check it out!
  • Please let Ms. Crider or lead editor Katia Landeros-Ruiz know of any newsworthy information in the Wildcat habitat as we run headlong towards the finish. Stay tuned for more releases and projects from our publication. Thank you so much for your readership. Please share our link far and wide on social media, email, etc. You have the appreciation of 16 student journalists and 1 very grateful newspaper adviser.

A Part of Everyone... Music

Music is one thing everyone loves. Whether it is making music with fellow band members, or jamming out in your bedroom to your favorite band. Music inspires us to make a change in our world, make more music, and inspires us to be better. At Eastern Guilford I see just about every student with headphones in their ears walking to their next class, myself included; music is just great for everything.

Music has been very frequent throughout my life... Whether I am in the car with my mom listening to it, or I am in chorus singing a solo; music has always been there for me. Growing up I always found an escape listening to music. My style of music has also evolved as I've grown up. I used to listen to predominately pop, or whatever was on the radio; but now I listen to Indie, Folk, Rock, Pop-Punk, and a lot more. Music has always been there for me.

I also created a playlist full of music I love... If you love female singers that are independent at their core then you will love this playlist I have created!

Eclectic Indie Women:
  1. Dollhouse by Melanie Martinez: Dollhouse is a great song, it is about a dysfunctional family and is very truthful. Also the singer, Melanie Martinez, has a great style and voice.
  2. Old Money by Lana Del Rey: Old Money has lines like "My mother's glamour lives on and on,
    Yet still inside I felt alone, For reasons unknown to me." Lyrics like this make an already amazing song, even better .
    For reasons unknown to me.
  3. Never Let Me Go by Florence + The Machine: This is a very emotional song that talks about death in all of it's entirety. This song is very delicate and can bring you to tears.
  4. Tessellate by Ellie Goulding: This song has sick beats, and would be great to dance to. This song also features a lot of different instruments, that highlight Ellie Goulding's voice.
  5. Lockdown by Amy Lee: This song is by the lead singer of the band Evanescence, and is very good. This song showcases Amy Lee's voice, and is a great start to Amy's solo career.
  6. Try by Colbie Caillat: This is a very emotional song that tells a story. The song basically says that you don't need other people to put you down, or other people to tell you you are beautiful.
  7. Light Me Up by Birdy: This is a very upbeat song that is very catchy. With lines like " You light me up. When all I see is darkness" makes the song upbeat and happy.
  8. Glory and Gore by Lorde: This is a very morbid song disguised by an incredible voice and catchy beat. This song showcases "Royals" and "Tennis Court" singer Lorde's voice very well.
  9. The Race by Caroline Pennell: This song is from Caroline Pennell, season 5 of The Voice contestant. This song is very simply amazing in it's entirety.
  10. One Last Time by Ariana Grande: This is a great song about love. Ariana's voice is very clean and beautiful throughout.
To learn more about music art our school I interviewed a musician. I interviewed Tabitha Dillon, a member of Honors Vocal Ensemble and Drama classes, about how her passion for singing began... I started by asking her questions, they were as follows:

 1. What inspired you to become the musician you are today?
"Well, I guess growing up on Disney movies and loving princesses. You know, they all had the most gorgeous singing voices and I would sing along and I just kept singing."
 2. Who inspired you to be the musician you are today?
"Sierra Boggess and Julie Andrews are definite influences. They have the most gorgeous voices and they've both played my favorite stage and film characters while singing some of my favorite songs, but I also have to credit two very important teachers. My middle school Chorus teacher Mr. Graham introduced me to musicals by showing my class West side Story and I was just entranced... And then my freshman year Mr. Goodson was the theatre advisor and he got me into musical theatre and it just put me on my path"
 3. What is your biggest goal/aspiration as a musician?
"My biggest goal is to at least have a featured role in a broadway show, but you know, a lead role would be nice too. my biggest goal is to at least have a featured role in a broadway show, but you know, a lead role would be nice too."
 4. What advice do you have for other musicians that want to be something one day?
"Practice! Oh my God practice so much! That's what it is. Even if you're just singing along to the radio it's practice. Branch out and listen to different musical genres, because you may be disappointed that you don't have a pop voice but find that you have an opera voice, and that's wonderful! Also, be nice to your chorus teacher. Get to know them and ask them for help if you need it."
 5. What is your favorite thing about singing; what makes it so amazing/special to you?
"My favorite thing about singing is that it is a uniquely human experience, that we take our thoughts and feelings and put them to music and all of a sudden you can say things you couldn't say before. There is a fundamental magic to music that really can't be explained because I don't think there are words for it. One person can write a song they think only applies to them, and it can move a crowd to tears because everyone relates to it on an emotional level. I think that's what makes being a singer special to me, knowing that I can write a song about my own struggle with things such as sexual assault, and not only will singing it help me get over what happened, but it may influence someone else who needs help to reach out and find what they need. So... Yeah"


Tabitha has a lot to say about music... She has experienced a lot that has shaped her to be the musician she is today.


An artist that I think is underrated is Melanie Martinez. She was a contestant on Season 3 of The Voice and came in 6th place; that was three years ago though. Since then she has been writing songs and finishing school. Now she is touring on her "Dollhouse" Tour and has an EP out, and hopefully releasing her album sometime in the next few months. One of her songs "Carousel" was featured on the teaser trailer for American Horror Story, which made her popularity go up more. She is a great artist and I highly recommend you listen to her.

I also took a survey, surveyed another student and a teacher. Our responses were as follows:


Will Brummell

Olivia Hood

Mr. Leyboune

First CD Bought:

Halcyon Days by Ellie Goulding

21st Century by Green Day

Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd

First Concert:

Lana Del Rey (Hopefully)

All Time Low (Maybe)

Aerosmith

Bucket List Musician:

Ellie Goulding

Blink-182

Bela Fleck

Number of Songs on Phone:

119

Over 400

630

Can’t Stop Listening to:

Broadripple is Burning by Melanie Martinez

Good Girls by 5SOS

The Beatles… Abbey Road

Favorite Break-Up Song:

Anything Could Happen by Ellie Goulding

Breakeven by The Script

Tuesday’s Gone by Lynyrd Skynyrd

Favorite “Get Hype” Song:

Flashlight by Ellie Goulding

Animal by Neon Trees

Around The World by Daft Pink

Favorite Little Known Musician:

Melanie Martinez

Melanie Martinez

Jens Kruger or John Hartford

Favorite Song EVER:

Explosions by Ellie Goulding

I Miss You by Blink-182

Steam Powered Aereoplane by John Hartford

Instruments You Play:

Guitar and Voice

Throat

Banjo, Guitar, Fiddle, Piano, Organ, Voice, Drums, Bass, and learning other things.

Everyone has that one website they use to listen to music on. Personally I use Pandora Radio. It is a great station and here's why I love it:
  • You can listen to any artist, anytime.
  • They recommend similar artists to the ones you are already listening to.
  • You can put your stations on shuffle so you can listen to as many genres as you want.
  • On the app there is a sleep timer you can set to turn off the music after a certain amount of time.
  • There are advertisements, but they are short.
To learn even more about music at our school I asked someone about music they listen to in a foreign language. I talked to Quentin Goldston about what music he listens to in a foreign language:

1. What is the genre of music you enjoy most in a foreign language?
He responded with a simple "Reggae."
2. What country/nationality listens to this music?
His response was "Jamaica and a lot of other countries."
3. Who are some famous acts in this genre?
He said "Spice and Bob Marley are some of my favorites."
4. Why should people listen to this act, even if they are not familiar with the language?
He then responded "It is calming to listen to, and it's easy to dance to!"


As you can see not just music in our first language are listened to at our school. It is good to have an open mind and experience other culture's music.


Music is a big part of most people's lives; but where do we go to see lived music? A place I have gone is S.W.E.T. (The Somewhere Else Tavern). Although S.W.E.T. is a bar, they do have nights where all ages are allowed to come and listen to great music. S.W.E.T. is a great place to experience great indie/rock/alternative music and I recommend you go check it out!

As you can see; music is a big part of our student body's lives. Music has helped me through so in my life and I hope it can do the same for you.

Everything Music at EGHS!!!

       Everything seems to fade away, you find yourself engulfed in lyrics. The beat that is pounding against your ear drums finds its way to your heart strings. This is the effect music has on me; it can reach the deepest part of me like no other words can. My relationship with music goes far back to when I was a four-year-old trying to match the voice of celebrities. In the beginning music was a part of my life, but it didn’t have much meaning, but as I got older it took on a completely different meaning. Music became a refuge and a rock for all negative emotions and turned it into good and worthwhile.

I spend a lot of time listening to music, but one place I can’t miss having music on is when I’m in the car, so this is why I created a playlist of 10 songs I would have while on a road trip:


1.      Good Fight By Unspoken
This song made my cut because its a very positive song that will easily get stuck in your head. Not only is it an upbeat song, but its also a song that encourages you to stay strong in the midst of tribulations.                                                                                    
2.      Lifeline By Hillsong United
This song would have to be one of my favorites, it speaks of how we begin to see life when we meet God.
3.      Who I am By Blanca
I enjoy this song because it's one of those songs that tells you to tune out all the voices of those people that cause you pain or make you feel unworthy because at the end of the day its not about how others depict you, but of how you see yourself.
4.      Gracious Tempest By Hillsong United
This song is very beautiful in every possible way. It sums up how in the midst of a storm , you don't have to be alone because their is someone greater who loves you through it all.
5.      Hope in front of me By Danny Gokey
This song is a light at the end of the tunnel song. It gets you to understand that you don't have to wait to see the light when you reach the end, but that you have to look to the light that's already there, all you have to do is open your eyes.
6.      Beautiful Love By BJ Putnam
I just recently listened to this song, but it made my cut because the words immediately capture your attention. 
7.      Steady my Heart By Kari Jobe
Steady my heart is a song that never grows old, it’s a song that touches you from the very first few words. This song questions the bad days we're sometimes put through, but at the end of the day, only God can get us through it.
8.      Stars in the Night By Third Avenue North
This song is a recent one that came out from Third Avenue North, it speaks of us fixing our eyes to what we know is true.
9.      The Light in Me By Brandon Heath
This song is definitely one I would listen to on a road trip because it speaks of the new life we receive when we know God and how we instantly begin to change.
10.  King of my Heart By Love & The Outcome
I picked this song because it's very straight forward; it has a way of putting you in a great mood. The main subject of this song is 'war', now, its not the war we're used to knowing. It speaks of a spiritual war.

       Their are lost of music artists, acts, and genres that are underrated because of their lack of popularity. One the music genre's that I feel are very underrated would have to be Christian music. The reason for this, I feel, is because some may find it to be old school, but it seems that people have been getting the wrong perspective. Their is modern Christian music that can be just as good as any other music; theirs pop, rap, rock, and many more. I think this genre deserves to have a spotlight shined on it because it has a way of relating to real life situations, and one of the most amazing parts is that it gives you hope while allowing you to still enjoy the music. A song that I would definitely recommend as a first time listener would have to be More than You think I am By Danny Gokey.

I was also able to interview a student and Teacher at EGHS, and this is what I was able to find out about the same questions I had to ask myself:
Name:
Myself
First CD you ever bought with your own money:
Where I find You by Kari Jobe
First concert attended:
Winter Jam
Bucket list musician:
 Kari Jobe, Hillsong United
Instruments you can play:
Guitar
# of songs on your phone:
K-love Radio
Can’t stop listening to:
Touch the Sky by Hillsong United
Favorite break up song:
By your Side By Third Avenue North
Favorite “Get- hype” song:
God’s great Dance Floor by Chris Tomlin
Favorite Little known music act:
 None
Favorite Song EVER:
Oceans by Hillsong United

     
Name (Student):
Frida Escamilla
First CD you ever bought with your own money:
None
First concert attended:
Sam Smith
Bucket list musician:
Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, John Legend
Instruments you can play:
Piano
# of songs on your phone:
167
Can’t stop listening to:
Rip Tide By Vance Joy
Favorite break up song:
Lay Me down By Sam Smith
Favorite “Get- hype” song:
Sugar By Maroon 5
Favorite Little known music act:
Tori Kelly
Favorite Song EVER:
Wake me Up By Ed Sheeran
  

Name (Teacher):
Shakiri Jones
First CD you ever bought with your own money:
Pink
First concert attended:
Spice Girls
Bucket list musician:
Beyoncé
Instruments you can play:
Piano
# of songs on your phone:
5,766
Can’t stop listening to:
Uptown Funk
Favorite break up song:
Can’t Believe By Maya
Favorite “Get- hype” song:
Why you Effin with me By Lil John & East Side Boy’s
Favorite Little known music act:
None
Favorite Song EVER:
To many to name


       Everyone has their own personal favorite music streaming website, yet if I could choose one it would have to be the K-Love Radio station. I haven’t been listening to K-Love for very long, but the moment I started listening, I couldn’t stop. Out of school you’ll catch me listening to it on my phone whether it be to or from school, if not you’ll catch me singing along to the songs while in my car. I love listening to this radio station because not only do they play songs, but they also have contests, constant public participation, and Pastor’s that you can talk to. Not only that, but what I love most about this radio station is the hosts, they have a way of brightening up your day. I can definitely say that on my worst days they were able to put a smile on my face with the music as well as with the encouraging words of the hosts. What I find to be unique about this radio station is that everything they do or say is positive, which is probably what attracted me to their radio station. I never get tired of listening to this radio station! You will never just listen to commercials all the time or just music, most radio stations have more commercials than anything, but with this radio station you will always feel an interaction with the person on the other side of the microphone, whether it be at 8am or 2am, which I absolutely love. Although it is just Christian music, it is modern inspiring Christian music. When people hear the word ‘Christian music’ they think Gospel, but it isn’t, there’s a difference between the two. This radio station has Christian music for everything, whether it be for loneliness, joy, sadness, brokenness, and more; it has a way of making all of this into something positive, which would have to be the biggest attention getter for me! http://www.klove.com/


       Music is something that everyone has in common. Now, it may not be in the same language, but it is something that everyone would enjoy if they were to be brought together. I was very interested in knowing what type of music other students listen to, but with the exception of it being in another language. Not everyone listens to songs in English, their are others who may listen to it in Spanish, or French, Vietnamese, and more. I was able to interview Maria Chavez a Junior at EGHS. Below are a few of the questions I was able to ask her:

1. What is the genre of music that you enjoy?
-Bachata
2. What country/Nationality listens to this music?
-Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic
3. Who are some famous acts in this genre?
-Romeo Santos and Prince Royce
4. Why should people listen to this act, even if they are not familiar with the language?
-Because it is a danceable type of music, and it sticks to you.

Music, local, and cheap; don't those all sound nice together? Well Haw River Ballroom in Saxapahaw NC has all of the above; it is a music venue where people can host their own private party, but also where bands and soloists are hired to play for the entertainment of the public. Upcoming bands that are going to play would include SwitchPoint, Jenny Lewis, Josh Rouse, Other lives, among many more.  For more information you can visit their website at http://www.hawriverballroom.com/listing/.
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