Review: "American Honey"

“American Honey” by Lady Antebellum

By Bekah Sanderson

“American Honey” sung by the band Lady Antebellum is country anthem. As a band, drinking whiskey and having a good time they started a three person melody, making up lyrics with the sound of the guitar reminiscing on easier times of life.

This song is in the album “Need You Now.” While other albums, winning them several awards and being nominated for others. The band has won 8 grammy awards, 5 CMT music awards, 1 people’s choice awards, 2 Billboard awards and been nominated for over 128 awards. Their most famous albums are “Own the Night” “747” and “Golden.”

An inside on the song is that “American Honey” is based on the alcohol whiskey, that contains a little honey. The band knew it would be a perfect title to the song, while drinking it and singing but had it have the meaning towards the life of a girl.

The song “American Honey” is about a little girl growing up in small town “where the church bells ring and strong love grows” but as she was ready to get away and start her life, growing up wasn't as easy. She explains that she “Gets caught in the race of this crazy life, Tryin' to be everything, Can make you lose your mind I just wanna go back in time, To American Honey.” After listening to the song and knowing the meaning it is much easier to understand that she misses the summertime, drinking whiskey and being back to much simpler times.

I think that high schoolers and young adults who have experienced this same issues would really like this song. It isn’t exactly a upbeat dancing song, but singing and hearing the melody it is fun song to listen too.

Review: "Church Bells” by Carrie Underwood

By Becca P.

“ Church Bells” sung by Carrie Underwood may start with a marriage, but the narrator Jenny finds another way to make those church bells ring. Carrie Underwood, a country singer and songwriter, has written yet another toe-tapping, story-telling song.

Carrie Underwood has produced many number one songs. Some of her best known works are “ Before He Cheats,” “ Cowboy Casanova,” and “Last Name.” “Church Bells” her new number 1 song is from her album “Storyteller.” Underwood has been in the music business since 2005, when she won American Idol and is now known as one of the most successful female music artists in any genre.

The song “Church Bells” first tells about a little about a girl named Jenny and how she grew up. It then goes on to tell us about how she meets a rich man and she thinks it's all, “roses, dripping in diamonds, sipping on champagne.” As the song progresses, it tells us that the perfect guy “was always getting way too drunk.” Jenny was always, “bruises, covered in makeup, dark sunglasses.” Then Jenny finally gets fed up with all the abuse and, “slips something in his Tennesse whiskey no law man was ever gonna find.” Underwood and fellow writer Zach Crowell very strategically lay out the entire song for us, as if it was a story and not a song. When they lay it out in such a way it's easier for the listener to better understand what the meaning of the song is.

The song argues, never allow a man to overpower you. If he tries to overpower you in an abusive sort of way, get out of the relationship as fast as possible. Never allow it to be able to get to that point. Never allow it to get to where you have to take matters into your own hands and doing something that can get you into major trouble if anyone ever happened to find out.  

High school and college-aged females would really enjoy this song. They would especially enjoy this song if they are in to upbeat country music that has a strong deep meaning to it. This song would be a good one for someone who doesn’t have a super strong personality and who doesn’t think that they have the power to stand up for themselves and get out of tough or bad situations on their own.

Do you want to learn how to draw some pretty good animals?

By Trinity Amador

Do you want to learn how to draw some pretty good animals? If you are unmotivational about drawing and you want to excel in drawing then this book is great for you. Now if you're not good at shading or starting out with figures to make into something, this book gives you tips in the beginning of the book on how to shade and other useful techniques for your drawings to look more efficient.

If drawing animals isn't your thing  Jack Hamm makes other books too. My writing teacher told me she just isn't into animals. But she is into wonder woman, which is a good thing because Jack Hamm made a book called Cartooning The Head And Figure.  It's a book that opens the field of cartooning to anyone who enjoys to draw. I personally never read this book but i did look up a review and it has four and a half stars. It says “This book should be titled "The Encyclopedia of Cartooning the Head & Figure" since it not only demonstrates a variety of techniques, but it also thoroughly catalogs eyes, noses, mouths, expressions, and positions to name a few. Whether you use this book to learn to draw or to get ideas, you will use this book. ( )” Library Thing.

How To Draw Animals by Jack Hamm has the basic fundamentals for a beginner. The simple step by step instructions have over one thousand illustrations to visually show you how to draw the specific animal you wish to draw. This book is really good for beginners or even those who are experienced. I drew a couple of animals and they turned out amazing.

So take it from me, if you wish to improve in drawing then you should check his books out in your local library or even school library. If you don't really like to draw and u have no dedication to it then don't even waste your time with reading Hamm's books. There the type of books that you want if you're trying to improve or need tips for your drawings.

Basketball’s Best Shots Review

By Jordan Black

In the book “Basketball’s Best Shot’s”, Frazier shows some of the best and most iconic pictures in the history of the game. The book shows some of the best shots taken on and off the court. Also, it shows some of the grace, passion, and the energy the players have for the game. It also show a tribute to the game by highlighting some of the best moments in the game of basketball.

Walt “Clyde” Frazier attended Southern Illinois University and is one of the top 50 players that have ever played in the National Basketball Association history. Frazier currently now works for the Madison Square Garden as an announcer for the New York Knicks and also as an analyst. Frazier has two NBA Championships with the New York Knicks in 1970 and 1973. He is a 7 time NBA All-Star and All-Star MVP. He is in the NBA Hall of Fame, and has the number 10 retired for the Knicks as well as number 52 retired retired for Southern Illinois University.

The book shows no apparent order in the way it is organized. It just shows the iconic photos of importance in the history of the NBA.

I think any avid basketball, or sports lover would like this book . Along with iconic picture is has captions to go with every picture so that the reader know what is going on. This is a great book that show a lot of the history of the game of basketball, a tribute to the 50 greatest players in the history of the game. This is a great book for all ages. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

The Steady Incline of Fortuna Arts

By Zalie Padilla

   In the Fortuna High School’s art building featuring diverse art classes like Drawing 1 and ceramics, the dreams of advancing their building is becoming a near reality. However, the art building has a tradition of keeping the assigned art very open to creativity. “I like to make student connections.” says Daniel Holmes, one out of two of the art teachers.

   Over years of both Daniel Holmes and Keirsten Escalante working, they noticed the traditionality of art being swept out the door by modern art. Escalante sees it as a mild tragedy with her views that modern art has become lazy and less captivating. Holmes however, encourages different levels and  challenges in art. Whatever their opinions, they both agree that keeping up with how art is viewed is crucial for relating with the students. Holmes says, “The class is always fluid. It changes techniques and flow. I always try and keep it running smoothly.”

  While keeping up with the arts, they both have exciting plans for the art building and community. More art fairs and public art displays are on the way of this school year. They want coffee shops to keep their walls and shelves clear for the students’ divine art. Escalante has also worked with the school constructors on a plans that will be boosting the art building physical looks. The plans are realistically expected to take action over the course of the next five years.

Fortuna High's new basebal coaches

 

                                                                                      

By Holden Palmer

Casey Emmons and Saul Lewis were hired as the new Fortuna High Baseball coaches. Lewis is the head coach, and Emmons is the assistant coach.

When asking Emmons what makes him want to be a coach for the huskies, Emmons  wants to coach because it's a great group of kids that are willing to learn and give 100%. Also Emmons believes that Lewis and him would make a good coaching team.

Emmons has coached for about 11 years. Emmons goal this year coaching is to make better ball players mentally and physically.

When I asked Emmons if he believes in equal amount of playing time on the field his response was “no because we play to win”. Emmons has been playing baseball for 13 years.

Meditation with Alvarez

By Brenda

    Meditation is a strategy to relieve stress, anxiety, depression,  and improve healthier body, immunity, and focus. Alvarez does meditation with her students because it's something that Alvarez was taught and did in her daily life.

    Alvarez wanted to share with her students because it had a lot of benefits for students with special needs. Alvarez meditates 3-4 times a week for about 5-7 minutes. Alvarez has meditated for as long as an hour. I asked Alvarez how often should one meditate and her response was “it really is up to the person.”