Bear Facts 25¢

Volume 1 Number 2 November 2010 700 S. Morrow St., Mena, Arkansas 71953

The

A PUBLICATION OF MENA HIGH SCHOOL

by Dani Lindsey

The Mena High School Marching Bearcat Band received all first divisions at their Region Marching Contest on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2010 at Lakeside, Arkansas. The MHS Band began preparations for these contests in late July, coming in 5 days a week to brave the sweltering heat. The band’s show for 2010, entitled “Aztec Fire,” features the songs “Aztec Fire,” “Oye Como Va,” and “Latin Closer.” By the time school started, the band almost had the show down. They continued hard work throughout the days and weeks to perfect the performance. The band used every performance, whether at football games or other activities, as a practice, preparing them for Region competition. After many half-time shows and other sponsored events, the MHS Band considered themselves ready. On Tuesday, Oct. 26, the band traveled to Lakeside, Arkansas to compete. With

a performance time of 6:15 p.m., they prepared to get out on the field and “show those judges what we are made of,” said Senia Garcia, a junior member of the Bearcat Band. After the performance, the band gathered everything up and hit the road to travel home. While on the bus, Band Director Charles Morgan asked for silence. “Everyone knew what was coming next,” said Garcia. Morgan finally announced that the band received straight ones. At a previous competition, the MHS Band received all first divisions in the five judging fields: color guard, drum line, pit, drum major, and entire band. This competition was held in Charleston, Arkansas. Overall, this was a very successful marching season for the band. They look forward to a great concert season for the 2010-2011 school year.

Band receives straight ones

by Morgan Fletcher

Each year a group of Future Farmers of America members from Mena High School makes the 14-hour drive to attend the National FFA Convention held in Indianapolis, Indiana. For the 2010-2011 school year, Mike Collins, MHS FFA Adviser, traveled with 12 members: Britain Morris, Justin Wiseman, Charlie Williams, Taylor Hale, Cheyenne Anderson, Courtani McCauley, Hannah Bell, Lane Pounds, Keegan Tatsch, Derek Cox, Andrew Coburn, and Lucas Head in order to join almost 55,000 FFA members and guests in one of the largest student conventions in the country. This year’s convention theme, ‘Infinite Potential,’ was based around the many opportunities available to today’s agriculture students. Mena members participated in many activities, including touring the DOW

Agrosciences Center along with attending educational sessions, workshops and career shows. In addition to all of the learning experiences, the convention also provided many enjoyable activities, such as a Lady Antebellum concert featuring Easton Corbin that was held at the Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts. An ice skating rink, a hypnotist and the FFA mall were also available for members’ entertainment while in Indianapolis. Members and advisers from all across the United States flocked to Indianapolis. The signature navy blue jackets with gold insignia boasting thousands of different state and city combinations appeared at every turn. Annually Indianapolis renames one of its busiest streets “FFA Way” to show support for the National Convention. Taylor Hale, a junior at MHS, said, “This was a great learning experience, and I’d love to go back again.”

Mena’s FFA attends the 83rd Annual National Convention

MHS BAND PERFORMS their Latin-themed show for halftime. The band competed in a contest at which they received straight ones in all categories. (photo by Molly Lindsey)

TWELVE FFA MEMBERS proudly represent Mena at the national convention held in Indianapolis. (photo by Monica Griffin)

Bear Facts 25¢

Volume 1 Number 2 November 2010 700 S. Morrow St., Mena, Arkansas 71953

The

A PUBLICATION OF MENA HIGH SCHOOL

Thanksgiving polls are on page 3.

See page 4 for the feature article.

Check out the Senior Night story on page 7.

Page 2 November 2010The Bear Facts - Editorial

The Facebook addictionIs it worth dedicating your life?by Flannery Wilson

Facebook—it’s a simple word and almost everyone knows its meaning. Whether you have one or not, you know what the concept of it is. It’s so huge, it even has over 500 million users. There’s already a movie about it! What exactly is it? Facebook is a social networking website created in 2004 by Harvard grad Mark Zuckerburg. Sitting in his college dorm one night, this extremely smart student came up with the term and site “Facebook” (then called TheFacebook). Now 6 years later, this super popular website is running people’s lives—from constantly checking for updates with their cell phones to logging onto a computer every 10 minutes to see who’s trying to be their friend. So you ask yourself, is an addiction to a website really possible? If the fi rst thing you do when you wake up and last thing you do before going to bed is look at your Facebook, then the answer is yes—an addiction is possible, because you’ve got one. In my opinion there are several kinds of Facebook addicts. There are the people who update their statuses to completely unimportant information such as “I just got a coke at a gas station!” Well that’s just awesome, but nobody really cares. These people also look at others’ profi les, constantly analyzing their every move and learning about their whole lives’ stories. You could call these people “creepers.” Then there are the regulars, who just look at their news feed and might occasionally look at a peer’s profi le, just to see what’s new in his or her life. Finally, you have the normal Facebook user, and while the term “normal” may seem like it could be the majority of users, it’s not. It simply means the people who occasionally update their status and might, on a rare occasion, look at others information. Actually a large number of Facebook users are under the category of “creepers”. So documenting your every move in the form of Facebook stats may seem like a harmless move, but it’s actually quite annoying to others. Now I’m not saying it is bad because it’s not entirely. Actually, it’s a good way to keep up with distant family. At the same time though, it’s a great way to bug them. The bottom line is, if you’re going to be a creeper, don’t make it apparent. Don’t let Facebook become an addiction in your life.

Advertising rates are $10 per column inch. For advertising or subscription information, address all correspondence to Bear Facts, Mena High School, 700 Morrow St., Mena, Arkansas 71953.

The Bear Facts, a publication of Mena High School, is published monthly October through May by MHS journalism students and is printed by the Mena Star. The Bear Facts is a member of the Arkansas Scholastic Press Association, the American Scholastic Press Association, and the Southern Interscholastic Press Association. Editorials and letters to the editor refl ect the views of the authors and do not necessarily refl ect those of the staff or school. All letters must be signed, and all published letters will include the author’s name.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Morgan Fletcher; NEWS EDITOR: Kyle Saulsbury; NEWS REPORTERS: Heather Eikenberg, Morgan Fletcher, Haily Guire, Manda Ham, Dani Lindsey, Mat Meade, Justin Sattler, Kyle Saulsbury, Leonna Smith, Flannery Wilson; EDITORIAL COLUMNIST: Flannery Wilson; FEATURE PAGE EDITOR: Kyle Saulsbury; VARSITY SPORTS EDITOR: Mat Meade; SPORTS COLUMNIST: Mat Meade; SPORTS PAGE EDITOR: Mat Meade; CLUB PAGE EDITOR: Dani Lindsey; ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR/COLUMNIST: Haily Guire, Heather Eikenberg; CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER: Justin Sattler; ASSISTANT PHOTOGRAPHERS: Heather Eikenberg, Morgan Fletcher, Haily Guire, Manda Ham, Dani Lindsey, Mat Meade, Kyle Saulsbury, Leonna Smith, Flannery Wilson; ADVERTISING MANAGER:

Manda Ham; CHIEF TYPIST: Dani Lindsey; ASSISTANT TYPISTS: Haily Guire, Flannery Wilson; EXCHANGE EDITOR: Manda Ham; CIRCULATION MANAGERS: Manda Ham, Leonna Smith; STAFF ARTIST: Flannery Wilson; PAGE DESIGN by Desktop Publishing Students: Eric Arce, Alex Atchley, Nicole Bobo, Ethan Campbell, Nick Crawford, Jasper Davis, Aly Decoux, Melody Dedmon, Cassie Gear, Katelyn Graves, Manda Ham, Bradley Howard, Jennifer Howard, Aaron Johnson, Dani Lindsey, Ashley Maechler, Megann Matejek, Jordan Newman, Alexis Null, Megan Richardson, Kyle Saulsbury, Kaitlyn Schoeppey, Phillip Schuller, Leigha Smith, Sammie Talamantez, Cecilia Thulin, Stephanie Vidrine, Daniele Williams, Makala Williams, Marissa Willis, Flannery Wilson, and Tiffany Wise; ADVISER: Lisa Schuller

Editorial: What about the turkey?Thanksgiving is the most overlooked holiday in America. Most families go from

Halloween to Christmas, but what about the good old juicy turkey and delicious dressing? Many people still eat on Thanksgiving, but most have forgotten the actual meaning of this meant-to-be, family-oriented holiday.

Thanksgiving is the only time of the year when everyone is supposed to just slow down from their everyday lives and recognize for what things in their lives they are thankful. I know it may sound a little corny, but it’s the truth. People have totally forgotten about the meaning of the Thanksgiving holiday, and they just look forward to the mouth-watering food. The food is great, but it’s not the real meaning of the season. Everyone should just take a break from everyday life and give thanks for what they have. Families should spend time with each other throughout this holiday season and tell each other how much they really mean to them.

Thanksgiving is one of the biggest football game days of the year as well. It is a great opportunity to sit around watching TV and socializing with family and friends. This is a day that everyone in the family gets along great because of feeding their appetites. Thanksgiving is one of the biggest holidays at which family members are reunited.

The time of year Thanksgiving falls into is right in the middle of the modern gun hunting season so many people are hunting during this time. Most avid hunters are still in the woods until it is time for the turkey to come out of the oven. The hunters are not afraid of missing the feast because most of the time there is enough food to last a family all week.

Turkey contains an amino acid called tryptophan. That amino acid is the cause of everyone wanting to take a nap after they have eaten their share of the Thanksgiving turkey. Whenever you start to sit down and eat that turkey this Thanksgiving holiday, just please think about everything that you are thankful for. There are more important things in life than just good food. I am most thankful for my family during this time of the year as well as the rest of the year. Happy holidays and keep your family close to heart!

November 2010 Page 3

Lunch and Dinner Specials

1100 N. Highway 71 Mena, AR 71953

Phone: (479) 243-0822Fax: (479) 243-0727

Open

Sun-Thur11am - 9pm

Fri & Sat11am - 10pm

MENA FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH501 Ninth Street, Mena, Arkansas

479-394-3051Visit our website at http://www.gbgm-umc.org/menafumc/

MENA FORD, INC.1103 Hwy. 71 North Mena, AR 71953(479) 394-2214 anthonyefird@sbcglobal.net

F-150ANTHONY EFIRD

Sales Manager

KING RANCH

Coffee, cookies, and entertainment sell for cheapby Justin Sattler

Jessica Kropp, the Mena High theatre department director, and Judy Kropp, the Mena High media specialist, recently introduced a new tradition to MHS: Café de la Kropp. Café de la Kropp is a get-together for Mena High School students as well as the public. Jessica Kropp provides coffee, the MHS drama club members provide homemade cookies, and MHS students provide entertainment such as piano pieces, guitar pieces, vocal pieces, poetry, monologues, and skits, for all to enjoy. This all takes place in the MHS library and always on Saturdays. It costs four dollars to attend.

“I started Café de la Kropp because I really wanted to encourage more students to express themselves creatively,” says Jessica Kropp. “I’d hope that having an outlet to perform their own works would encourage them to write, sing, and act more often. I also feel it gives the parents a chance to become more involved as well.” This program also helps raise money for the theatre department so the drama club and the theatre arts/drama classes can have more funding for props, productions, and activities in which both groups participate. However enjoyable to the public, the next Café de la Kropp won’t occur until the second school semester, but many participants say it’s defi nitely worth the wait.

Thanksgiving Poll

For what are you most thankful?Senia Garcia-tacos and burritosHeather Madison-my best friend and wonderfulBrenden Daniels-football and KFCJosh Harper-McDonalds $1 sweet teaAdrienne Rose-my best friend TannerTanner Hooper-my best friend AdrienneSasha Zavala-being the original zombieJoseph Cabello-my girlfriend Dani Lindsey and my mom’s tacosPhillip Schuller-diesels!! Lucas Head-being an American and having the freedoms that come with itAustin Stroud-my incredible boyfriend, MichaelJulian Scheurs-being an exchange student in the USATori Tackett-my best friend Kaitlyn MitchellChad Willms-waking up againTiffany Sides-my family and friendsTaylor Hale-AMERICAN BANG!Gina Barker-Amber Lane and Megann MatejekAmber Lane-Gina’s laugh and Megann’s big hair

ANNE BECKEL AND Allison Austin play the guitar and vocalize at the most recent Café de la Kropp meeting in the MHS library. (photo by Judy Kropp)

The Bear Facts - Entertainment

by Heather Eikenberg

Twelve Mena High students were asked about the weirdest foods that they have had on Thanksgiving. Decide if any of these foods holds a special place in your heart.

Samantha Grahn -“The weirdest food I had for Thanksgiving was lobster.”Justin Sattler-“Fried butter! But don’t judge me; I’m sure it’s a delicacy in some foreign country…”Michele Zimmerman -“Cranberry stuffi ng”Sarah Cook- “For Thanksgiving I had sandwiches.”Sam Talamantez - “Chinese food was what I had for Thanksgiving.”Amber Perrine -“The weirdest thing that I had on Thanksgiving was vinegar pie.”Michael Zimmerman -“Chocolate pizza”Kimmi Hanners-“The weirdest food I had on Thanksgiving was ketchup and mustard with vegetables.”JD Westfall-“Egg nog with turkey is the weirdest food I have had on Thanksgiving.”Damien McCauley -“Eggplants are the weirdest Thanksgiving food that I ever had.” Courtney Morris-“Green eggs and ham is what I had for Thanksgiving morning.”These are the weirdest foods that these students had, and for the most part, these

students liked the odd dishes.

Students share their tastes for weird Thanksgiving foods

Page 4 November 2010

Martin & Cindy Knittig, Owners

Northside Shopping CenterMena, Ar 71953

Take Out or Dine In(479) 394-6201

Vaughn Engineering, Inc.

DESIGNING TOMORROW TODAY

Consulting Engineers

403 DeQueen StreetMena, Arkansas 71953 (479) 394-2885

Greg A. Vaughn, P.E.President

office@vaughneng.com

Beasley-Wood Geyer-Quillin Funeral Home

611 Janssen • Mena, AR 71953(479) 394-1310 (479) 394-2261

Fax (479) 394-2984

Lindy’s Jewelers

Seiko WatchesClass RingsJewelry RepairFine Jewelry

1000 Mena St. Mena, AR 71953

(479) 394-3289Closed Mondays

by Kyle Saulsbury

This school year will be the last for the Bear Facts paper to be churned out of this building, which for the past 34 years has been known to this community as Mena High School. As a tribute to MHS, the journalism staff takes a look back at the school’s history and recounts the changes it has seen over the decades. Among the many changes in curriculum, staffi ng, and architecture that have been implemented at MHS throughout its years, are changes in policies, and while the concept of changing rules might sound uninteresting at fi rst, such evolutions in policy mean radical changes in what students can or cannot do. Take tobacco, for instance. In the early years of MHS, students, teachers, and other staff members were permitted to use tobacco products during out-of-class time. This was permitted under the condition that such substances be used outside under a small pavilion formerly situated between the current agricultural buildings and the parking lot. The reason for this tolerance was simple, yet almost absurd to today’s society: tobacco wasn’t illegal to minors. Research in the medical fi eld hadn’t unearthed any concrete health hazards that connected tobacco to certain illnesses such as cancers, and thus it wasn’t legally labeled as a drug. Gerald Bates, who has taught at MHS for over 32 years, says that during his earlier years at Mena High, approximately one out of fi ve students and staff members used tobacco on school grounds. He also recalled how fi nding someone lighting up in the bathroom or surreptitiously dipping in class was commonplace. However, this trend was destined to change, thanks to medical progress that linked tobacco to health hazards, and resulted in the passing of a state statute in 1987 which made the presence of tobacco on school property illegal. This was a drastic change for many and even an easy escape route from school for some. Students discovered to be in possession of the newly-established drug on school grounds were expelled from school after their third infraction. This procedure was changed later on to allow schools to keep students in school and still enact disciplinary action. While the use of tobacco at school is still evident today

Then and now

Policies of past conflict with presentby the bits and butts left in the parking lots, bathrooms, and even the occasional classroom, there is no doubt that it is nowhere near as prevalent as it was 30 years ago. Another example of Mena High’s evolution in policy was not so much of a change as it was an installation: the installation of a dress code. According to the handbooks for Mena High School for 1986 and 1987, up until the ’87-’88 school year, there was no such thing as a “dress code.” That was due to the fact that there simply wasn’t a need for one. Common sense and modesty were all that were required from students, and for the great majority this posed no problem, but it’s common knowledge, that as times change, so do fashions. There’s no question that over time, fads in clothing determine how revealing they are. During the summer of 1987, the school board felt that it was necessary to establish rules and interpretable guidelines that included no shorts (anything not covering knees), no suggested obscenities, and nothing that “advocates or insinuates illegal activity,” according to the 1987 Mena High School Handbook. While these were the only mentioned conditions of the dress code at the time, other rules would continue to be added as fashion evolved. This can be seen with the rules in today’s guidelines for student behavior that prohibit spaghetti straps, hoodies, bandanas, mesh leggings, etc. Mena High has seen many drastic changes in its days, and high school students of the future can surely look forward to more changes in policy as they inherit a new high school building that commences a history of its own next year.

WARNINGS AGAINST DRUG use today govern the MHS campus, but just over 20 years ago, tobacco ran rampant here and other public places. (photo by Kyle Saulsbury)

The Bear Facts - Feature

November 2010 Page 5

by Justin Sattler

Mena High School juniors were required to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, or ASVAB, a test that is required for entrance into the armed forces, on Nov. 9. However, the ASVAB has much more to offer students than just an entrance requirement into the United State military. “We use the ASVAB for many different reasons,” commented Pamela Gross, MHS counselor and facilitator for the test. “We mainly use it to help give the juniors a helping hand deciding their careers. It’s true, it also helps with entrance into the

military and helps the students study for the ACT, but the ASVAB is very benefi cial to students who have not yet decided their career choice,” Gross added. During December following the test, the juniors have a chance in their history classes to receive their scores and consider career options that specifi cally suit them. The ASVAB program uses their scores to judge certain career fi elds they might enjoy and excel in later on. Many students in the past have used the information received from the ASVAB Career Exploration Program as a key element in deciding their college classes and careers.

ASVAB program to help MHS juniors

by Manda Ham

Judy Burnett, English teacher and literacy specialist moved from Mena Middle School to join the high school faculty at the beginning of this school year. At middle school she taught 6th grade reading and 8th

grade literature. Prior to that, she taught grades 7-12 at Hatfi eld High School, and also taught at Rich Mountain Community College and Southern Arkansas University as an adjunct faculty member. Burnett graduated from RMCC and Henderson State University where she received her Bachelor of Science in Education, Master of Science in Education, and reading specialist certifi cation. Mena is her home town, and she has lived here her entire life. In Burnett’s free time she enjoys reading, family, and writing. Her husband’s name is Vance; she has 4 children: Patrick, Myla, Alex, and Marsha.

Patrick and his wife, Rachel, provided Burnett a granddaughter named Emma. She has not been many places, but Berkeley and San Francisco, California are her favorite places she has visited. Burnett said, “There were no bugs and it was neither hot nor cold.” One of her favorite experiences was the ride on the BART, which is a fast underground subway, running from Berkeley to San Francisco. When asked about an interesting fact about herself, she replied, “Joe Fields, a distance cousin, was part of the Lewis and Clark expedition. He got bitten by a poisonous snake. In their journals they wrote about how they didn’t think he was going to survive.” “One more time,” by Paul Gray, Sr., and “When you are right, no one remembers, but when you are wrong, no one forgets,” said Burnett, are quotes she tries to live by.

Burnett switches schools

JUDY BURNETT READS to her 2nd period ninth grade class. (photo by Manda Ham)

The Bear Facts - News

Enabling readers

Mena School Parental Involvement Center hosts Bearcat Book Buffetby Haily Guire

In order to put books in the hands of students and families alike, the Mena School Parental Involvement Center hosted the second annual Bearcat Book Buffet held Tuesday, Nov. 9 in the Mena High School gymnasium.

Tonya Thacker, Mena High School counselor, consulted with Dr. Robert Anderson, Director of the Arkansas Delta Regional Living Academy, in order to have the books, along with snacks, delivered to the high school in order for those interested to browse through the selections and take the books they wanted at no charge. Students, parents, teachers, and interested community

members took advantage of the gift of literacy and carried books by the boxes to waiting readers.

Books available ranged from textbooks, children’s books, travel and hobby books, and even some DVDs and other media. Highlighting the evening, Dr. Anderson spoke on the importance of literacy and presented a ‘book of the month’ he wanted all audience members to read. Approximately two hundred people attended the event, and over a thousand books were given away.

Mena High School looks forward to hosting the 3rd annual Bearcat Book Buffet next fall and increasing literacy for our community and surrounding areas.

YANKEE CLIPPERFull Service Salon

394-2374Mena, AR 719531411 Hwy 71 N

Mena, AR 71953479-394-3737

Friday - Saturday 11 AM - 10 PM

Monday - Thursday 11 AM - 9 PM

Page 6 November 2010The Bear Facts - News

Medi Shop PharmacyArkansas CompoundingPhamacy for You and Your Pet

479-394-3254OUACHITA EQUINE CLINIC, INC.

Dr. Randy J. Burgess D.V.M.

Serving All Your Small & Large Animal

Needs

479-394-7185 Mena, AR 719532920 Hwy 71 North

by Leonna Smith

Cecilia Thulin and Julian Schreurs jumped at the chance to come to the United States in an exchange student program. Thulin, an eighteen year old student from Sweden, and Schreurs, a fifteen year old student from Germany, will be spending the entire school year away from their hometowns and families for this great learning opportunity. Schreurs lives in Dusseldorf, Germany, with his parents, Jngo and Dorothea, brother, Johannes, and sisters, Viktoria and Theresa. In Germany, he attended Annettes Von Droste-Hullshoff Gymnasium. Schreurs is currently staying with his host parents, Steve and Michelle Cole. “I have been to the USA for vacation when I was six, and I liked it very much. Some of my friends came to the US as exchange students, and they told me how great it is,” explains Schreurs as his reasoning for choosing the United States. He says the main differences between

Mena High welcomes foreign studentsArkansas and his home are the weather and population. Thulin’s home is Gothemburg, Sweden; her parents are Bjorn Thulin and Lnger Samuelsson, and she has a brother named Tobias. “I chose the United States because I have been to the US twice before; New York and Miami, for vacation, and I think this country is awesome!” says Thulin. She now lives with her host parents, Tammy and Mickeal McCravens. “Some of the differences between Arkansas and Sweden are what the people do in their spare time, and it’s smaller,” she explains. Two of Thulin’s favorite things to do here in Arkansas are shop in Ft. Smith and hang with her friends. When she completes high school, she says, “I want to take a year off and just have fun and travel with friends. After that I’m going to college.” Thulin and Schreurs both say they are enjoying their stay in Arkansas very much, and they plan on returning to the United States.

PONY EXPRESS PRINTING

479.394.7377FAX 479.394.2881

ponyprint@gmail.com

906 A GILLHAM ST. MENA, AR 71953

Limetree Inn804 Hwy. 71 N

Mena, AR 71953(479) 394-6350

www.limetreeinn.com

Marty B. Harvey - General ManagerFor Reservations Only - 1-800-536-4366

by Manda Ham

Bringing 13 years of education experience, Lisa Schuller unites with the English department at Mena High School this year. For the 2010-11 school year, she is teaching 11th grade English, pre-AP 11th grade English, and journalism. “Every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day. Just look at the alternative,” says Schuller. This is a quote that she tries to live by. Schuller graduated from Henderson State University where she received a Bachelor of Science in Education degree, Master of Liberal Arts degree, and educational leadership certification. Mena is her home town, but she has taught and worked in both south and west Arkansas. Junction City, Horatio, and Acorn are homes of her past teaching jobs. At

Schuller joins MHS facultyVan-Cove she was the Director of Federal Programs and Instruction, and at Wickes she served as the Instructional Facilitator. In her free time, she loves to travel, garden, and read: the usual. When asked about her family, Schuller said, “My husband Brian teaches high school science courses at Wickes High School. I have two sons, Cory, a pipeliner in Kansas, B.J, a sophomore here at MHS, and a beautiful three-year old granddaughter who’s going to be a football player for the Bearcats when she grows up.” Schuller has been many extraordinary places, but she would have to say her favorite is, “Kenya—there is such an appreciation of life amidst dire circumstances. Also the natural beauty and plentitude is incomparable.” An interesting fact about Schuller is that her great-grandfather was a “business associate” of the outlaw Jesse James.

CECILIA THULIN AND Julian Schreurs show their appreciation and fondness for Mena High School. (photo by Heather Eikenberg)

LISA SCHULLER IS happy to be back in the classroom at Mena High School. (photo by Cathy Haynes)

November 2010 Page 7The Bear Facts - Sports

HOWARD L. HALL, O.D.Optometric Physician

HALL EYE CARE

701 Gillham Ave.Mena, AR 71953

479-394-7771877-739-2020

Skyline CafeOpen 5:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Breakfast served all day!HATFIELD MENA WICKES

4545 Hwy 71 South870-389-6813

303 Hwy 71 North479-394-2211

118 Hwy 278 East870-385-2211

www.unionbankofmena.com

ATM LOCATIONS

MENA WICKESMember

FDICEstablished

1934

www.adventuretrailsretreat.com(479)-394-5505

by Morgan Fletcher

An impressive 35 seniors took their places on the field Nov. 5 before the 10th game of the regular football season to receive recognition from the home crowd. Band members, cheerleaders, and football players all played a part in commemorating this season for its highlights: a dazzling new field, a pristine 7-0 run, All-American recognition, and a superior band rating. The band received straight ones at the Region Marching Contest. The band consists of 48 students, including the ten seniors for the ’10-11 school year. The seniors are Holly Brewer, Emily Callahan, Alex Castro, Jordan Fuchsburger, Jennifer Howard, CJ Mos, Jordan Newman, Lake Philpot, Rachel Roberts, and Taylor Rook. Mena High’s cheerleaders attended cheer camp and returned with four All-American Cheerleaders: Celina Walker, Makenzie Davis, Alexa Craig, and Flannery

Senior night 2010

Seniors prepare to say goodbyeWilson. Five seniors lead the 2010-2011 squad; Celina Walker, captain; Makenzie Davis, co-captain; Kaitlyn Graves, Jocelyn Gray, and Maggie O’Neil. The 2010 Bearcat football team boasts an astounding 20 seniors. The team finished the regular season with a record of 7-3 and the opportunity to attend the state playoffs for the first time in five years. Jacob Maechler, Reed Mendoza, Damon Newman, and Daniel Wood served as captains for the squad, and the other sixteen senior Bearcats were Weldon Beaty, Jasper Davis, Justin Drager, Dylan Foster, Justin Grasman, Josh Harper, Jeremy Harrison, Josh Lochala, Jordon McDaniel, Joseph Mathews, Aaron Miller, Channing Moore, Shane Pinkerton, Nick Ryan, Jarret Thompson, and Ty Venable. Senior Night ended with a disappointing loss from the Boonville Bearcats, 38-8, but the MHS Bearcats have a season and accomplishments of which to be proud.

BEARCAT SENIORS DAMON Newman (#65) and Ty Venable (#68) are escorted by family members for senior night festivities. (photo by Lauren Shufelburger)

Bearcat and Ladycat basketball prepares for upcoming seasonby Mat Meade

Head Bearcat basketball coach Bobby Tedder feels that this year will have positive results. He declared, “We have quite a bit of experience as well as guard and post play.” Tedder said, “Mena lost a few seniors last year, but most of the team is returning with talented athletes.” Coach Tedder is expecting a spot in the playoffs this season. He explained, “We always have to expect a spot in the playoffs. Every game is going to be tough. Mena will just have to take it game by game. I am glad Mena has switched divisions. It is a tough division with well prepared teams.” He also stated, “Every game the Bearcats play this year is going to be important. State wise there really is no telling about the teams we will face.” Head basketball Coach Bobby Tedder and the Bearcats are excited for a successful year. The Ladycats, under the leadership of Coach Heather Clark, are preparing for their

upcoming season as well. Mena has several key players as well as senior leadership this year. Coach Clark mentioned Jordan Johnson and Brittany Moon as the key scorers this year. She stated, “Marissa Willis played excellent last year in JV games. We expect a lot of scoring from her, and she needs to bring some intense fire to the games she plays in. Kristen Manasco is going to have to do a lot inside for us.” Coach Clark and the Ladycats are excited about switching divisions this year. The Ladycats switched from the South to the West Conference. The teams are all different and have more players like Mena with a similar style of play. Coach Clark declared “We have nothing to do but get better as the season goes on. The conference we are in now is a taller, more physical division. The younger Ladycat players are going to have to step up and earn some playing time this season.” Good luck Ladycats and Bearcats in the upcoming season.

MENA HIGH SCHOOL celebrates the playoff-bound Bearcats. The team beat the Marianna Trojans by a score of 14-6 to advance to round two of the state playoffs. The Bearcats will face the Dumas Bobcats at Dumas this Friday night. (photo by Justin Sattler)

Page 8 November 2010The Bear Facts - Entertainment

400 G CRESTWOOD CIRCLEMENA, ARKANSAS 71953

(479) 394-7979 Fax (479) 394-7667

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Pen

ny PincherHome of the Brown Bag

Special!

•Deli Sandwich•Chips •Coke

$3.99

Surplus Foods1604 Hwy 71 South

Mena, AR 71953

(479) 243-9000

SHELTERINSURANCECOMPANIES

205 North MorrowMena, Ar 71953-0867Bus: (479) 394-1181Res: (479) 394-0820tmontgomery@agent.shelterinsurance.comwww.shelterinsurance.com/telissamontgomery

Telissa MontgomeryAGENT

S J O M I T C H E L L CH A H I T I Z Z F B F SB P U O O D L D S U X BE M E N W L I E S E G BW R E E S A E H O C N RH J I N R T R K Z C F EE H E U D S A D C L K LE F C H G O O I H E Q LL E N E Q B Z N R H B IE D J M G E P A U E K MR O Z D A N D I K A R YL R O B I N S O N O J H

Reed Mendoza 11-02 Jacob Fedor 11-04Cheyenne Peerson 11-08 Anne Beckel 11-09Brad Howard 11-11 Kenna Robinson 11-11Kaitlyn Mitchell 11-13 Aaron Miller 11-16Haley Wheeler 11-17 Haily Guire 11-19Kendra Saustaire 11-19 Michael Dandikar 11-25

SeniorsFr

eshm

enJu

niors

Sophomores

D V I N Q R T L H C G YE I A A W R E B R A B UA S K M I P T Z N T P CX N H R L V L F G S H DM I C E L U F G J C Z CQ L S M I J L H R E B MU L A M A M F A N Z M IK O L I M R W O P P K TA R B Z S F T D A B I VE Y R C O S R O B M D VF G B R W H I T A K E RR Y D S M M L W E R D Z

Kayla Stone 11-01 Victoria Rollins 11-04Tyler Williams 11-06 Bradley Crawford 11-08Presley Blaschka 11-10 Laine Barber 11-15Michael Zimmerman 11-15 Shawna Drew 11-26Jared Whitaker 11-28

D O S T A G G S Y H C KQ R T U O T S U S O H NT S O A H B T B O E H OR J D F T T L K N P G RY F G J W B I D V E N EH Z B I B A E M S R O MA O K O N R R I S R S AL B D A S O D C N I R CE E P O W E S T X N E WM Q N A S M S B E E T GF A C L L E W D I T E TA N N J C O O K R G P G

Mariah Henderson 11-01 Leonna Smith 11-03 Quest Cameron 11-05Nick Crawford 11-08 Amber Perrine 11-12 Tiffany Sides 11-12Taylor Hale 11-15 Heather Peterson 11-16 Jeffrey Tidwell 11-16Autumn Cook 11-18 Chris Gibson 11-19 Dereck Staggs 11-19Sarah Cook 11-24 Timothy Stout 11-27

L R W H V R Q Y A M F DH U M J L E L D U T Z IC S X E C K V L S W Y KZ S K W C A R R T M Z BH E C E N T S X I P U FU L E L I I S B N N R XA R C L T H R O Y I R GL I R E R W G A L P H WF A A Y A T R V I T Q KE F E Z M D X P T B P OV O P Y C H A M B E R SN X R E C N A D V H L Q

David Chambers 11-03 Brooke Pearce 11-03Tashiana Dancer 11-04 Jazmine Whitaker 11-08Allison Austin 11-15 Morgan Bunyard 11-20

Allen Jewell 11-20 Mason Martin 11-24Cheyenne Fairless 11-28