Ms. Smith Goes to California

By Cody Thompson
One of Cookeville High School’s own, Ms. Julie Smith, recently had a well-deserved vacation to California. Ms. Smith left Nashville on Saturday, November 11th. Accompanying her on this trip was her best friend of 35 years, Kelley Hudgens, who resides in Atlanta, Georgia. Upon her arrival in Los Angeles California, the first place Ms. Smith visited was California’s famous burger stop, In-N-Out Burger. Ms. Smith commented on this burger stop saying that, “It was delicious…I ate there three times, out of the four days I was there.” After her delicious meal, Ms. Smith took a delightful Beverly Hills tour. On the tour, she saw an abundant amount of celebrity homes. These homes include: Michael Jackson’s house, Paris Hilton’s house, Dr. Phil’s house, and many more.
Ms. Smith was also on two TV shows, Jimmy Kimmel Live with guest appearance by Robert Pattinson, and The Price is Right. Ms. Smith got to the Price is Right studio at 5:30 A.M. to be accepted into first 300 people. She stood in line until 8:30 and waited in the studio until the show started at 1:00 P.M. While waiting, Ms. Smith had a 15 second interview with the show’s producer to see if she could be on the stage with Drew Carey! (The host of the Price is Right) Ms. Smith was chosen to be one of the lucky few to be on the stage. I asked Ms. Smith if she won a prize, she stated “Yes, I can confirm that I did win something, and that I got to spin the Big Wheel, but I cannot tell you what I won, because of contract reasons.” If you are interested in what she won, you can watch the Price is Right on January 8th to see Ms. Smith on this popular television show.
I asked Ms. Smith what her favorite thing she did on the trip, and she said it was being on the Price is Right. She said she and her friend Kelley have been wishing to be on that show since they were little girls. I went on to ask her how her vacation was, she said, “ It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had… It exceeded my expectations.” She also said if anyone has the opportunity to visit the west coast, that they should!

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Parent Teachers

By Alex Camuti

There are many Cavaliers whose parents also spend their days at CHS.
I discussed with Bethany Bray, junior, what she thought about having parents that work in the same school she attends. She told me that it is pretty convienent because she can always find them when she needs help on something or wants to ask them a question. Bethany also told me that she might have mixed feelings towards having parents who work at the school if students did not like having them as teachers.

I asked her what her parents thought about having a child in the school, and she told me this. "They think it's very nice because if they need to talk to me about something they always know where I am and can come see me in a matter of minutes." She also said that it is nice because if her grades ever start slipping or a class isn't going too well, her parents can always come and talk to the teacher about what's going on and usually get it straightened out in a short period of time. 
When I talked to Mr. Teeters about what his thoughts regarding having a child in the same school that he works in, he said,"It's a lot less of a hassle than when Cameron used to go to a different school. I can always find him if I need to talk to him and it's nice to not have to drive to another school after work and pick my son up. But I doubt he would say the same thing." So overall, the students who have parents that work at Cookeville High School like it because it makes certain things a lot easier. The kids enjoy being able to eat in their parents rooms and talk to them whenever they want to.

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WARNING! New Teachers

By Rebecca Kane and Kayla Hardin

Having a new schedule necessitates new teachers. During the school year of 2011-2012, we were on an abbreviated schedule. This year we have changed schedules again. Block schedule? Yes indeed , and changing schedules calls for new teachers.

Mr. Powell was born in England and lived in Canada . His life in Canada was very successful. He owns a furniture company which supplies many retail stores like target and sears. Mr. Powell has been married for 22 years, a significant accomplishment to be proud of. He and his wife have also raised three wonderful children and have recently taken in a foster child . He went to school in Winnipeg, Canada, and graduated with a mechanical engineering degree.

We asked Mr. Powell a few questions about when and why he became a teacher. ”I decided I wanted to become a teacher two years ago,” Mr. Powell informed us. “I wanted to teach somewhere in Cookeville because I coach the Cookeville ladies lacrosse team. When asked “ How are you liking it here?” He responded, “ So far so good.”

In addition to Mr. Powell, Ms. Campbell is also a new teacher. Ms. Campbell grew up in Florida but moved to Knoxville and attended her last three years of high school there. From Knoxville, she went to college at Tennessee Tech University where she got her bachelor’s degree in secondary education . Currently she is in school working towards a masters of arts in curriculum and instruction. She will be graduating on august 11th of this year! Since the 5th grade she had a majorette in baton twirling .She also twirled at tech for five years.” Why did you want to become a teacher?” we asked. Ms. Campbell replied,” because I really like helping people learn, I like learning myself and the content.” When asked, “ When did you decide you wanted to teach?” She answered, “In middle school.”

Last but not least we interviewed Ms. Phillips. Ms. Phillips went to Cookeville High School , and played basketball during her four years as a Cavalier. In all four years at CHS Ms. Phillips never missed a football game, home or away, she even went to a game in Memphis “ We were hardcore fans,” she said Ms Phillips also coached the girls’ freshman basketball team while studying at college, though sadly she’s not doing it this year. She also went to Tennessee Tech for four years and graduated with a secondary education English degree. During her years at CHS Ms. Phillips had Mrs. Rebecca Payne and Mrs. Johnson. “They were both wonderful teachers,” she said. We asked her old she was when she knew she wanted to become a teacher. “I was 17 years old when I started thinking ,Yeah! I could do that!” Mrs. Phillips recalled when asked about her satisfaction she replied, “I love it! I could not have picked a better career.” It seems like most of CHS’s teachers are loving teaching here!

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