December 2008
Monthly Archive
Students create themes for different holidays
By Raymond Castile
Amp editor
Instead of a jolly, fat Santa with a Christmas tree, a plump, smiling Buddha under the Bodhi Tree greeted students outside art teacher Amy Roesslein’s classroom door.
The papier-mache Buddha formed the centerpiece of a three-dimensional tableau illustrating Bodhi Day, a Buddhist holiday usually celebrated Dec. 8. It commemorates the day Buddha attained enlightenment while sitting under a pipal tree 2,500 years ago. The tree became known as the Bodhi Tree.
The scene was one of 34 entries in a holiday door decorating contest Dec. 8-12 at Francis Howell Central High School. Students chose holidays from 12 cultures and religions, then created doorway scenes illustrating them.
(more…)
Tags: Bodhi Day, diversity, Francis Howell Central High School, Raymond Castile
By Lauren Steinmeyer
Amp writer
The Conspiracy Corner began as a joke article in Fort Zumwalt North High School’s student newspaper, the Panther Press. It became one of the paper’s most popular features. Now the Conspiracy Corner has been “revAMPed” as part of the Suburban Journals Amp teen section. Please be aware that Conspiracy Corner is a satire. These are mock articles. That means they are fake. Do not take them seriously.
Christmas is “the most wonderful time of the year,” according to a famous song. But for teenagers, Christmas just isn’t what it used to be.
As children, we believed in fairy tales, magic and wonder. But once puberty hits, we learned the horrible truth. Santa wasn’t going to be giving us presents anymore. He and the other holiday creatures – the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy – had forsaken us because we hit our teen years. We were devastated. Slowly, we passed through the stages of grief until we came to accept that magic and wonder just didn’t exist for us anymore.
(more…)
Carrey gets back in the swing of things with “Yes Man”
By Kevin Reape
Amp writer
This past year has been full of great films. Fortunately for moviegoers, the last few weeks of 2008 will be full of some of the best yet. We have seen some great comedies this year, like “Tropic Thunder” and “Step Brothers,” but the best one hits theaters this weekend. It stars one of my favorite actors, Jim Carrey.
“Yes Man” is his first comedic starring role since 2005, when he did “Fun with Dick and Jane.” Some thought he would possibly retire from his usual movie genre, but his latest film definitely shows that he is back and better than ever.
(more…)
By Alyssa Walker
Amp writer
Will Smith was in St. Louis Wednesday for a red carpet premiere of his new movie, “Seven Pounds,” at AMC Creve Coeur 12.
The event was sponsored by many radio stations, including 100.3 The Beat and 93.7 The Bull. 100.3 The Beat was broadcasting live from the theater and throwing T-shirts to the crowd. The DJs were running up and down the red carpet to find out who could scream the loudest and gave away prizes to winners.
Canned food also was collected at the event for the St. Louis Area Foodbank, and 300 turkeys were donated for Thanksgiving dinners. The fans who donated a can were put into a drawing to win tickets to see the movie that night.
The event brought out many stars, including Rams players, Mickey Carroll from “The Wizard of Oz,” Chingy and Nikko Smith.
(more…)
Tags: Alyssa Walker, Chingy, Mickey Carroll, Nikko Smith, Seven Pounds, Will Smith
By Hannah Ross
Amp writer
Students at Francis Howell High School were so excited about the presidential race that they spent little time discussing a Nov. 4 ballot issue that directly impacted them.
But a month later, they are realizing the passage of Proposition B will bring major changes to their school. Some students have mixed feelings about those changes.
Voters approved a $78.5 million bond issue to finance renovations throughout the district, including $68.9 million to replace most of Francis Howell High School.
Portions of Howell High are 50 years old. Under the plan, all but the school’s newest sections would be torn down and replaced. There will be 106 new classrooms, a gymnasium, a media center, a cafeteria, sports fields and additional parking.
(more…)
Tags: Francis Howell, Francis Howell High School, Hannah Ross
By Raymond Castile
Loading ...