Students Give to the Underprivileged

By Grace Harding and Rachel Casdorph

Around Christmas, the 10^th and 12^th grade students in Mr. Hadley’s Bible classes raised enough money to send some Christmas gifts to those less fortunate. These gifts, however, were not of the ordinary kind: no toys or gift cards or electronics- nothing we in the United States are used to being given on Christmas. Instead, the gifts were: a pig, a goat, and a mosquito bed net—the perfect presents for those who were to receive them. With the money given voluntarily by students, the two animals and the bed net were bought and sent to poor families in need, located thousands of miles away in third world countries. Through the World Vision Program, animals and other supplies were handed out to poverty-ridden families; the animals and supplies were a welcome gift that will aid them greatly in bettering their lives. When the animals are given to their new owners, the World Vision volunteers also train the family in need on how to care for the animal, in an attempt to get the most out of their precious gifts. Liberty seniors and sophomores were asked to give what money they felt called to give, no matter how small or large an amount. Mr. Hadley instructed his students that he wished for them to “give up a few of their everyday pleasures or small, common buys, so that they might know what it means to truly sacrifice something for another person”… instead of simply asking their parents for the donation, so that the fundraised money would have an impact on them. Indeed, the fundraiser was a success, and Liberty students were able to rejoice in the knowledge that even the smallest of sacrifices can aid in further a greater good.

Homework Computer Club

By Michelle Sears

If you have homework to type or a project to make on the computer (and since this is school who doesn’t?), you can now go to the new homework computer club right here on campus! Located in the Liberty Christian computer lab, the computer club is a place where students can have access to computers, do computer generated work, and even receive some tech help while doing so - For FREE! This club is run by Liberty alumni, John Marcotte (class of 2011) and is convenient for students who don’t have certain computer programs or even a computer at home. This new homework computer club will open the first week of the new semester. All Liberty Christian students are able to come as long as they have scholastic computer work to do. Examples would be if they need to type book reports or essays, or create power points and other media projects. Students can go to the computer club on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:20 to 4:30 p.m. Said John, “Mrs. Yates started the computer club because she wanted the students to do well in school. The computer club will help the students to finish their homework and go home knowing that they accomplished something that day.” If you would like more information on this please contact the office.

Imagine You Live in a Library

By Micah Blalock

Recently, there was an event called “Imagine You Live in a Library”, and all second through fifth grade students entered and participated in this creative event. The winners of the contest were Lily Stokes and Madison Wilkerson (great job!). Mrs. Wessels said about her winning fifth grade participants, “The reason we wanted to do this event was because we wanted to participate in a fun community contest” (which was  sponsored by the Huntington Beach Library). What did the elementary students have to do in this contest? Well they had to either draw an illustration; write a story, poem, letter or essay; or both! Madison Wilkerson drew a picture of her bedroom, while Lily Stokes drew a picture of a three eyed green monster. Also, the winners received a Barnes & Noble gift card. This contest encouraged children to write and/or illustrate-thus putting emphasis on creativity.  All submitted illustrations were due back on December 10, 2011, and there will be an awards ceremony for the winners, which will take place at the Huntington Beach Public Library on Tuesday, January 31, 2012, where their winning submissions will be displayed.

History Up Close and Very Personal: The Holocaust Museum

by Karrie Comfort

                This past Thursday, the 12^th of January, the junior class visited the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles. Chaperoned by Mr. Boctor, the junior’s American History class began their journey with a long bus ride into LA. The tour was started off by a museum guide with an informative talk about the idea of prejudice.  Each junior was given a real picture of a child who went through the Holocaust, giving the teenagers a sense of reality, as though they were living in the moment. They then were lead on a guided tour focusing on the Holocaust, seeing pictures which often provoked an emotional response. German exchange student Katja Keiselbach shared that, “It was very interesting… most museums in Germany are boring.”

                There was not only a spoken tour, but a silent one as well. This tour was set up in a quiz like format, educating the participants in a user-friendly way, and involved many interactive exhibits. Carlee Hackett said the event was a, “Great experience, really an eye-opener… It brought our class together and made us look at the world more dearly for what we have.” This field trip was not only a welcome break from the every day class work, but also a new, compassionate, insight on the Holocaust.

New Year’s Resolutions for the Junior High

an editorial by Paige Hansen

              There are many traditions people have, and one yearly tradition is having a New Year’s resolution. Rosa Nguyen in the seventh grade, like many, don’t actually make a New Year’s resolution though because “I will just break them” she says.  Though we do agree with Rosa that for those junior highers who do make New Year’s Resolutions, one of the most common “would be to get better grades in school.”  Some junior highers may what to get better grades because they recognize they have not been trying hard in school.  Or, the desire to get better grades might come from knowing their parents will get mad if they do not have that good of grades at the end of the semester in January. Another common resolution for a junior higher is to read more books. Some kids may want to read more books just for a challenge, but on the other hand, some kids do not read much at all and would like to read more since reading a book of your choice can be fun- plus it usually impresses your parents!  Another popular resolution for a junior high student may be to worship God more. Sometimes junior highers feel God heavy on their heart and realize they could and should have a better relationship with Him. So although Ryan Wilkerson’s (sixth grade) resolution is to “get better at water polo so I can get a scholarship in it” and Cameron Griffin’s (eighth grade is “to make more friends” the most common are to read, get better grades, and grow in Christ. Whether you think they are silly or not, or make ‘em or break ‘em, offers Micah Blalock in the sixth grade, “It is good to make a New Year’s resolution so that you have a goal to try to reach.”

The Liberty Christian ESLRs in Review: Acadmic Achievement

 part 2 in a 3 part editorial series by Rachel Casdorph

This three-part series will focus on the explanation of the Liberty Christian ESLRs (Expected School-wide Learning Results) which consist of Academic Achievement, Personal Growth, and Christ-like Behavior. The following series of articles will discuss why we have the ESLRs, what they mean, and what purpose they serve in Liberty Christian’s student’s lives.

                What is “academic achievement” anyway? For some people, maybe for most, their definition may be getting straight A’s and exemplary SAT scores. Many students agree with this statement, such as Lauren Torres, a freshman, who explains: “Academic achievement is simply getting good grades—because its purely academic.” Eric Eisenor, a junior, agrees, saying an academic achiever is “someone who dedicates their time to schoolwork.” Certainly this idea of academic achievement is true, and is subjective to everyone, but is there any room for exception? Could there possibly be a more profound sense of the title “academic achiever”? And could the definition even be different for everyone?

                In the eyes of some students and teachers, sound character plays just as substantial a role as scrupulous hours of studying and top-notch grade marks. Jacob Mercer, a junior, explains his own opinion of academic achievement: “Character plays a role, because when you have good character, it shows your Christ-like ability [and through that you are achieving].”  Phoebe Urbina, a senior, gives her take on the definition of an academic achiever: “It means good grades--but also respecting others. Basically, good studentship.” Hard work also plays a  role--and teachers agree! Mr. Boctor explains his opinion of “good studentship”: “The most important thing is respect--a lot of students don’t know how to handle respecting authority. Something that I also like to see in students is motivation, drive, organization...and the desire to actually do a good job on all work; basically, the desire to improve oneself.” However, we all know those rare students who procrastinate and blow off school as being unimportant and a waste of time--yet they still get good grades! Certain subjects just come easy to them, so even while they are barely making an effort, their grades appear as though they spend countless hours studying and working hard. However, most teachers would agree that they have much more respect for the student who--though they may struggle very hard in subjects, and not always get a perfect grade--gives each and every assignment their best shot, takes it seriously, and turns it in on time. Natalie Small, a sophomore, agrees that academic achievement means giving each and every part of schoolwork your ultimate effort: “[An academic achiever] is someone who tries their best and takes academics seriously.” Going that extra mile on assignments and taking time to really devote your greatest effort shows your teacher that you care--you care about school, you care about the subject matter, and you care about the teacher’s opinion of your work. A few other aspects teachers like to see in their students? Resident math teacher Mr. Fero says “Working really, really hard.” Mr. Hadley offers up a tip for students struggling with homework: “Do your assignments before they’re due; that way, you can turn them in in advance, and get your teacher’s input on what to change before the assignment is actually due.” If you take the advice of respecting authority, putting all your effort into your schoolwork, and working ahead of due dates, you have a good chance of turning your grades around--and making your teacher proud.

                Now, let’s get real here. We often fail to see how crucial our endeavor and application to school now will affect our future later.  Especially when you’re a freshman or a sophomore, high school seems like this whole new big adventure, and while you’re still trying to figure out how to fit in and make a good impression, you often lose sight of the possible main goal ahead in your academic future: getting into a college of your choice to peruse your dream career. Students often hear that the junior year at school is the time when your grades count most; the time at which college becomes a reality that must start being worked on--and good grades (at least one component of academic achievement) suddenly become very important. When students at Liberty Christian were asked if they spent a good amount of time striving to academically achieve, some answered no, but most answered yes—that they at least try to. Paul Ishizaki, a senior, gives his personal input, saying, “Yes, I try hard to get good grades and work hard—that’s why I’m so grumpy all the time!”  If you have been setting bad habits of letting your grades slide all throughout freshman and sophomore years, you simply cannot expect to suddenly change your ways and automatically be a completely different person academically. Eventually, those scary SATs will come around too. Being a test that can potentially change your plans for the future indefinitely, taking what you have learned throughout high school seriously and studying as much as you can leads to the possibility of a big payoff. Depending on how you plan to pursue your academic future--community college, university, trade school, tech school, et cetera--your past level of participation in learning and schoolwork often becomes the deciding element. Easily, big dreams of your own perfect, affluent career can be demolished as a sad reality comes in. So do not let your past mistakes and lack of effort be what divides you from attaining your aspirations--whether you’re a freshman just starting high school, or a senior ready to graduate, it’s never too late to change for the better and accomplish the school’s ESLR of “Academic Achievement”.