3.99 A GALLON!!!

Ugh…3.99 A GALLON! When you are driving to school and work everyday, these prices are breaking the bank. The sad thing is that in Tennessee and Kentucky the gas prices are at least forty cents cheaper! One trick to getting more gas for your money is to fill up when it is cold or during the nighttime. During the hot day, the gas gets hot and you are only paying for fumes. When gas gets hot, it loses energy. That means your car gets fewer miles per gallon. Fill it up at 60 degrees and the typical car can go 500 miles. But fill it up when its 90 degrees and you get 10 miles less out of that same tank. In Canada, they've been planning the technology for nearly two decades. Ninety percent of gas stations use pumps that measure and adjust for temperature. When it's hot, they'll give you more gas for your dollar. Consumers say you get what you pay for there, no matter the weather. Gas is typically higher in the end of April and beginning of May so hopefully by summer, I can save enough for next April and May.



By: Kendra Mounsey

Summer

The school year is slowly dwindling to an end. For seniors, the summer is our last chance to see some of our fellow classmates filled with graduation parties and time with friends. And for under classmen, the summer entails vacations and more. But for most of us, our summers will be filled with the smell of livestock and the hustle and bustle of preparing for our 4-H fair. This year the fair will begin on July 14th and will end on the 19th. If you aren’t a part of the organization make sure to get involved next year! If you are a part of 4-H make sure to keep involved and to stay aware of the recent happenings.


By: Kendra Mounsey

Food on the 13th Friday

There are many superstitions about Friday the 13th, here are five of the most popular food related superstitions.

1. Bananas On a Boat: Bringing a banana on a boat has long been thought to be unlucky. The superstition started with fishermen who believed that the presence of a banana would bring bad luck for that day's catch. Others take the myth more seriously, thinking that a banana on a boat will bring death.

2. Salt: Spilling salt is possibly the most popularized food superstition. Luckily, this one has an easy remedy. While spilling salt is thought to be unlucky, throwing a pinch over your left shoulder is said to counteract the bad luck. It's thought that the toss over the left shoulder is based on historical mythology that the Devil sits on your left shoulder and an angel sits on your right. Thus, tossing salt over the left wards off evil

3. 13 People at a Dinner Party: Having 13 guests at a dinner party is also thought to be unlucky. The superstition has been a part of French culture throughout history. According to the Huffington Post, there are French socialites called quatorziens (fourteeners), who are available to fill in as a 14th dinner guest to rescue the other 13 attendees from bad luck. Franklin Delano Roosevelt also believed in this superstition, and refused to have 13 guests at dinner parties.

4. Cutting Noodles: While noodles are thought to bring good fortune and a long life in Chinese culture, cutting those same noodles brings about a different fortune. Apparently, cutting noodles (especially those served on the New Year and at birthday parties) causes bad luck and a shortened lifespan.

5. Hot Peppers and Friendship: While there are several versions of this myth, many believe that pepper (the spice) or hot peppers can bring discontent among friends. One version of the superstition says that spilling pepper can cause disagreements between friends. It would seem that, when working in the kitchen, handing a hot chili pepper directly to a friend will cause disagreements in your relationship. However, the bad luck can be avoided by putting the hot pepper down on a surface and allowing said friend to pick it up as a separate action.

Just so you know, we are shcheduled to have 3 Friday the 13th's this year. One in January, one today in April, and one more in July. Just make sure to keep the salt at arms reach.

15 year old saves 25 lives

Do you ever think that you could be a hero? I don’t mean being like Superman or Spiderman. Instead you can be a hero to a younger kid or an elderly person. 15 year old Madison Wallraf of suburban McHenry, Illinois reportedly ran into burning stables saving 25 horses. The fire raged for about two hours. With no hydrants, water had to be trucked in to fight the blaze that consumed the 25,000 square-foot metal barn. The teen is now suffering from injuries. "I got kicked in the shoulder by one of the horses in there and I got knocked down a few times, but my adrenaline was so high at the time that it didn't phase me," said the 4-foot, 10-inch teen. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. This goes to show that not everyone can save 25 horses’ lives but everyone can make a difference.

By: Kendra Mounsey

Texas

Everything is bigger in Texas… or so they say but Wednesday April 11 an area north of Amarillo Texas got over 4 feet of hail in one storm! Not to mention its in April but this photo of a fire fighter standing in a melted spot were the flood waters washed a trail through the ice is throwing everyone for a loop. Some say its boulders some say its just frozen water that had already accumulated but local weather reports and the Amarillo’s sheriff departments have confirmed that this is all true! The temperature dropped below zero several times through out the night and the wind caused the hail to form giant drifts that blocked a local highway! So I guess even the weather is bigger in Texas!

By: Chet Owens

New Books

Now that the edge of the Hunger Games series and Twilight series has died down a little, what else is there to read? Now I know it’s not ‘cool’ to read but truth is is that you will score better on tests and be able to focus better in class. If you are wanting to find some interesting reads heres a top list from Barnes and Noble.

Bitterblue
by: Kristin Cashore

City of Lost Souls
Cassandra Clare

The Last Echo (Body Finder Series…)
Kimberly Derting

The Golden Lily
Richelle Mead

For more books that you may like visit http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/teens-teen-books/379003056/

By: Kendra Mounsey

Levi Sherman

Levi Sherman #31 of Southern Wells High School has been named to the North All-State Team and will be playing in the Junior’s North/South All-Star game at Lebanon High School on April 15th at 9:00 a.m. Levi averaged 19 points and 14 rebounds per game this year, which was among the leaders in the State of Indiana. Congratulations to the Shermanator on a great Junior year, and best of luck for a successful Senior year.

By Lucas Miller

New Movies

Five new great movies have hit theaters in the past two weeks and all of them are worth seeing! First off we have “Hunger Games” based off a book series with a running time of 2hrs 22min its an amazing plot and story line that keeps you enthralled and entertained the whole time its running!
Next up is “Wrath of the Titans” an exciting sequel to the movie “Clash of the Titans” based off of legends of a Demi-God named Perseus and his battles and adventures with Medusa and other mythical greek creatures. This is a fast paced film that keeps you sitting on the edge of your seat as Perseus battles fierce creature.
Then we have a hilarious comedy called “21 Jump Street” a funny new movie based off the 1980s-90s TV show about an under cover cop that busts teens and criminals through entering a public school system as an everyday teenager.
Finally we have “Titanic 3D” an epic romance story based off the sinking of the R.M.S. This is a classic film that has been re-done in stunning 3D and will be as amazing as it was when it first came out in 1997.

Well those are my movie suggestions for this month enjoy!

By: Chet Owens

Fallen Angels

On Thursday April 11, 2012 Miss Parton and Mrs. Shoaf’s English classes will be traveling to Indianapolis to see the play ‘Fallen Angels.’ Fallen Angels is set in early 20th Century England. The comedy is about two upper-class women whom get themselves into trouble while their husbands are on a golf trip. If you are going on the trip remember to be there at 7:30 Thursday morning!


By: Kendra Mounsey

Spring Sports Have Officially Begun

All spring sports are now ready to get in full gear. Both Baseball and Softball have already begun and Track and Field has their first meet today. Baseball was defeated by Norwell 0-3 and Softball also fell in their first game to Lakewood Park Christian. The Track and Field team faces Eastbrook as usual for their first meet of the 2012 season. Baseball faces Wes-Del at Home and Softball faces Yorktown at Yorktown tonight as well. Baseball and Softball begin at 5 P.M. while Track and Field begins at 4:30 P.M. at home. Good Luck to all three teams.