October 17, 2012

StudentS Speak
iS
The 2012-2013 year for Calvin High has so far been one of its best years for new students, new friends, anda new schedule? Its true! The administration has changed the schedule for the 2012-2013 year and students are still questioning why changes have been made and what the benefits are. Students have gotten into the new routine of the schedule, but some think that things were better the way they were. Many wonder why the changes took place. Matt Johnson, a sophomore, says It seems that there is more homework because of the shorter time periods. Trevor Bartz, a junior, says I would keep it the same, keep the shorter periods, But both say, But I feel like there isnt time to build community. Matt elaborates, saying, The shorter advisory time doesnt allow a lot of building. We had breakfast in the mornings, and that was great. So far, students have gone along with the new changes the sched-

Vol. 6 Issue 2

over

Schedule Switch
for the student body. But dont worry, just because of the time changes, it doesnt mean that some of last years activities couldnt happen, like school breakfast. Mr. Schaap is open to student and teacher opinions. If students would like to see a change, it would have to come from them. When comparing the schedules, this years isnt that much different. Its just the fact that the schedule has experienced time changes for students to have an easier schedule with more opportunities, and teachers not to be in two places at once. Marta Vander Top, a senior, sums it up, I suppose its a bit different. . . . but it really hasnt made that dramatic of an impact on the community. We can adjust. And as seen, the Calvin community has adjusted well to the schedule and is continuing in everyday education.

thiS Switch StreSSing StudentS? By Andrew Thomas

ule has brought and are now just going one day at a time. The new schedule has shortened classes, but that was to add more classes per week, Mr. Schaap explained. It was created with part-time teachers in mind to have them teach more effectively with their schedule; part of why advisory is now at the end of a day. It was also built to accommodate other classes such as math, science and Spanish so that they could be taught throughout the entire year. Along with those subjects, students wanted their artistic side to be portrayed, and art classes have been added to three days out of the school week, another change

Student Council Corner

By Nathan Bonnema Hi everyone and welcome to the first edition of the Student Council Corner! We are excited about whats in store for this year and we hope you are too! We have been planning out the events for the year starting with the annual leaf raking in the local community on the afternoon of October 26th. Everyone will be asked to bring a rake and we will be split into groups. From there we will either take the bus or walk to our assigned places and do whatever leaf raking is needed. This is a good way to make our school known throughout the local community, and is also a way for our school as a whole to show Gods love by aiding those who cant rake their leaves themselves. In addition, we encourage all of you to come out to the final volleyball and soccer games as they head into their respective playoff games.

Editor: Lydia Marcus

Ian Krueger, Andrew Thomas, Nathan Bonnema, Tom Gall, and Lydia Marcus

Staff

Airsoft And Co.

taking Airsoft to a new Level

By Gabe Modder

Writers: Gabe Modder

Advisors: Miss Branderhorst Contact: thecougarstale@gmail.com The Cougars Tale is a publication of Calvin Christian High Schools journalism class. Students get the experience of interviewing people and writing articles for viewing by others. Questions, comments, or publications should be directed to Miss Branderhorst and will be relayed to the journalism class.

The Cougars Tale is now online. To find more news articles about events around CCHS, please check out our blog at: http://thecougarstale.blogspot.com/

New!

A new kind of independent project has been introduced to Calvin Christian High School. Austin Bartz a senior, and Josh Scherrer a junior, have taken it upon themselves to start an airsoft business for their independent project. People have done a number of things for their independent projects before, from the Jonestown Massacre to learning a new language, but no students have ever started a business. There are many things that need to come together before they are ready to launch their business. Their first step is to find a warehouse. They will open this warehouse to the public to use for airsoft at a price. When asked what got them interested, Austin said I love airsoft, and I always wanted to do an Independent Project on airsoft, and one day I thought it would be a great idea to try a project on opening an [airsoft] warehouse. The warehouse will be designed to conduct battles in. Along with the trouble of finding a warehouse there are other troubles they will face, like the cost, referees, employees, 1

promotion of their business, and getting customers to walk in the doors. Making a website and promotional videos will be used to promote business as well as other airsoft businesses. Cost brings up the issues of how to pay of employees and referees, along with how to purchase the warehouse and equipment. They will continue after school because as Austin said, If it works out and it shows we can make money then we will continue to work and run the warehouse. Josh and I both enjoy playing airsoft and it would be a great way to make money and have fun. Austin and Josh will have a lot to do before they are finally ready to open up shop. They still are finding answers to questions, like, how do we make fun but safe rules? How much do we charge? And how do we promote/make deals? In the words of Josh Scherrer, we still have a lot of things to figure out. In all of these things, excitement mixes with fear as new challenges arise for Austin and Josh.

Lydias Soapbox

Editorials
ElEction Day
How to Vote Ethically
By Ian Krueger Every vote matters. Despite how insignificant or small a voter may feel in the enormous field of votes, there is no doubt that what is put in the ballot has the potential to affect millions of people, negatively or positively. However, it is shocking how few people actually think How can I vote to positively affect the world today? Many American voters prefer to follow the crowd or simply vote for what looks good. Few, however, actually attempt to put an effort forward to find out how to vote ethically for the greater good. One of the first things a voter should think about when voting is How can I vote for the greater good of America? One of the biggest mistakes a voter can make is voting to help a very specific group of people. Of course, it isnt evil to help a specific group of people, say, homosexuals or racial minority groups, for example. However, if voting for a candidate will only help these people and not the common good, it isnt worth voting for that candidate. Voters also have to look beyond their own interests, and see that of the good of others. A voter may have decided that he has picked a candidate that supports the greater good. However, if he cant back this claim up with solid evidence, it isnt worth voting for that candidate. Not being able to back up your claims about a potential electee, whether these claims are positive or negative, means that they are probably wrong. A voter voting for a runner he believes supports the common good, but doesnt have any evidence to support that claim, is not voting ethically. Voting ethically means to put aside our own personal interests, see beyond narrow-mindedness, and then amass plenty of research to back up our claims. Once we do this, we will be voting ethically.

We live in a fast paced culture. There seems to be no time for dawdling or waiting; we must keep moving. There are things to be done and places to go; time waits for no man, after all. Our culture is striving to become more efficient, as we have invented all sorts of products to accommodate our brisk lifestyle. Today, everything from messaging to making rice is an instant affair. If a web page takes longer than a minute to load, we grumble and grow impatient. We have the capability to accomplish tasks more quickly than ever before; our swift lifestyle may be decreasing our capability of patience. This impatience is often attributed to the fact that we live in the age of instant gratification. Workplaces have experienced the expectation of instant gratification in the incoming workforce. Certain employees feel entitled to the use of Facebook or cell phones while working. This is frustrating for those employers. The employers pay the employees to do their job. If the employee spends their time checking Facebook instead of working, they are cheating their employer. Yet, when the employer makes rules banning texting and Facebook, the employees feel wronged. I wonder if indulging in instant gratification takes the gratification out of things. Consider potatoes. When a person makes instant mashed potatoes, they simply add water and heat; there is minimal work involved. However, when you make mashed potatoes the traditional way, you must peel them, wash them, dice them, boil them, drain them, and mash them. It takes a lot more time and effort to make this sort of potatoes, yet it is certainly more rewarding. When you have finished preparing those potatoes, you are proud of them. There is a sense of accomplishment when you have to work at a task. Instant tasks are more convenient but it is more gratifying to work hard to complete a chore. Our culture encourages us in our quest for instant gratification. We are designing newer, better, faster technology at a rapid pace. This may be dangerous, when instant gratification becomes so instant, we begin to lose the gratification.

Freshmen Highlights
Zhao Hao Jiang
Birthday: March 23, 1998 Biggest fear: Spiders Bucket list: Relaxing everyday Favorite TV show: Black Cat If you had a time machine, where would you go? To the future Describe yourself in 5 words: Lazy, boring, relaxing, indoor, smart If you could vacation in one country which would it be? England

Jacob Koppendrayer
Birthday: February 7, 1998 Biggest fear: Becoming a hoarder Favorite Quote: Two people can keep a secret, if one is dead. Bucket list: Going down Niagara Falls in a barrel Favorite TV show: Big Bang Theory If you had a time machine, where would you go? To the first flight of the Wright brothers Describe yourself in four words: Fun, crazy, annoying, tall If you could vacation in one country, which would it be? Canada

Nathan Mateer
Birthday: April 13, 1998 Biggest fear: Snakes Favorite quote: I dont know - Nathan Mateer Bucket list: To go to he Caribbean Favorite TV show: The Office If you had a time machine, where would you go? To Germany during the 1930s Describe yourself in five words: 9th grader, athletic, musical, upbeat, lovable! If you could go on vacation in one country, which would it be? Jamaica

Marissa Lindsey
Birthday: April 7, 1998 Biggest fear: Cotton balls and vacuums Favorite quote: Dont ask questions -Will Hendrickson Bucket list: To go to Uganda Favorite TV show: White Collar If you had a time machine, where would you go? Back to sixth grade Describe yourself in five words: Hungry, ninja, nice, funny, happy If you could vacation in one country, which would it be? Brazil 2