The

by Victoria Johnson
C hanging schools is not that hard when you’re a little kid, but it’s tough when you’re a student in high school.
Coming to a new school in the middle of your high school years is very difficult. I should know; it happened to me. I am not the only student who has had to change, but that does not make it any easier.
I had to learn how to adjust to a new school, new lifestyle, and then make new friends.
Making new friends is the hard part.
I had grown up with everyone that I went to school with; we had all started kindergarten together and had planned on graduating together.
When coming to a new school,
I had no idea what to expect; all these thoughts ran through my mind. I just had to hope that I would fit right in with the new school.
I didn’t want the kids at my new school to judge me, or think different of me.
When I first started here at
CHHS; I was scared, I didn’t know anyone or where any of my classes were. Being the new person is not the best feeling, but slowing I began to warm up to my new school.
My first day I met my best friend; she stepped up and spoke to me and showed me where everything was.
Here’s a little advice: when switching schools, don’t be afraid. It’s really not that terrible, just embrace it, Start being social, take a deep breath, and enjoy your days at your new school.
by Patricia Westfall
The views, ideas, and opinions in this newspaper are exactly that, opinions.
They are the opinions of the Colonial
Courier staff and in no way represent the administration. Prior to being posted, the school principal previewed the paper
Chivalry is dead! Or is it?
Chivalry was a knight’s code of honor during the Middle Ages. You have heard of it if you have ever read Beowulf, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, or any other romance novel from the Middle Ages.
Many of the older generations will say that the current teen generation has no sense of chivalry. I can
beg to differ.
Yes, our generation has our nose stuck in our phones and we are a bit socially awkward at times, but we still have as much respect for others as any other generation.
I do admit that there are some kids who feel entitled and can’t simply hold a door open for people, but they are part of the minority.
Chivalry is just as alive as it was back in the day, but I think it just goes unnoticed since this isn’t something most people talk about :it’s more difficult to spot it out when it does occur.
As a young lady, I find it important for a male to open the door for me and let me walk through first-- and I’m rarely disappointed.
No matter how old you are, 15 or 50, man or
woman, you should hold the door open for someone if they can’t open it themselves. It’s the little things that are important.
Chivalry is not bringing a woman flowers every week
(although
no one I know would complain) but it’s showing respect.
Opening the car door, letting an elderly person go in front of you, paying for the meal (especially on the first date), and allowing ladies to go first are all signs of chivalry and respect.
My biggest pet peeve is when someone thinks they are entitled. When they see someone struggling, they just shrug and move on. I have seen it too often.
Instead, take the time to make someone’s day. Those few minutes of showing respect and displaying what your parents have taught you will go a long way and even help to make that person’s day.
Now don’t let me fool you, chivalry still exists today. It puts a smile on my face
seeing the generous acts of chivalry everywhere I go.
Just the other day, I was walking out of the grocery store and someone stopped and asked an elderly couple if he could put their groceries in the car for them. If that doesn’t restore your faith in humanity, I don’t know what will.
All it takes is little random acts of kindness. Each time you show generosity towards someone or a simple smile, they can go a long way. The little things are what will make a person’s day and have a massive impact on that person’s life.
Long live chivalry.

Above: Ashleigh Rush and her dad.
Secnod top left: Kari Johnston
2018 Class Princess, Morgan
Leigh, and her father.
Third top left: Savannah Couch
Homecoming Queen 2013 and
Andrea Nadeau Homecoming
Queen 2014.
Fourth top left: Erin Page and
Blake Cox, first runner up Queen and King nominees.
Bottom left: Homecoming King
2014 Brain Gwaltney and Andrea
Nadeau.
Photos courtesy of Axionfoto
Art Club
BETA
Zoe McGrady Andrew Walker
Taylor Banty Marquis Smith
Cadre Bailey Rivero Sam Korb
Cheerleaders Hannah Warren
CHHSAmbassadors Bailey Driskill Jonathan Hartson
Class of 2015 Elizabeth Magnusson
Colonial Courier Patricia Westfall Omar Alkhadra
Colonial Players Kayla Banks Chandler Glenn
Crime Solvers Jessica Bryant Kit Barnes
DECA Alli Foulkrod Zach York
Diversity Club Lindsey Nowland Kendrick Pruitte
FBLA
FCA
Austin Jackson
Erin Page
FCCLA-Child Care Sherae McRae Scott Dando
FCCLA-Culinary
French Club
Freddy Soto
Valerie Knapp
German Club
HOSA
ITS
Key Club
Alexis Payton
Blake Cox
Christopher Rodolfo
Latin Club
Madrigals
Elizabeth Gates Isaac Galloway
Colleen Smith Josh Kim
Michelle Moran Christian Davis
Morgan Leigh
Marching Colonials Andrea Nadeau Stephen Zaruba
Model UN Robin Akers
Mu Alpha Theta Kelly Spaine
Greyson Pierce
Yaser Qazi
NHS Brandy Williamson Thomas Cooke
Omnibus Staff Bethany Kocik
SCA Kayla Boyd
Science NHS
Max Haynie
Ashleigh Rush
SkillsUSA-ICT Alexis Almany
Nickolas Anderson
SkillsUSA Electricity Blanca Hernandez Cruz Jayson Maitland
Ryan Haydon
Monica Becerra Brian Gwaltney SODA
Class Of 2016 Princess Janell Armstead
Class Of 2017 Princess Lindsay Harris
Class Of 2018 Princess Kari Johnston

Students:
Kerry Akers, Cassie
McBryde, Kim Newton, and Morgan Reamey
Jessica Bryant
Cami DiSanto and
Tamara Bowen
Teachers:
Day

Bailey Rivero
Jessica Bryant
Mrs. Thomas
THURSDAY: DECADE THAT YOU GRADUATED
Mr. Smielecki
THURSD
THR
THURSD
AY:
AY
Zoe McGrady
THURS-
Alyssa Restom
Dequawn Pyer, Raymon Ares,
Tim Ragland
Lindsey Nowland, Sherae
Mcrae

by Thomas Metcalf
N
Over the years, this game has become a show of pride and determination. The girls from both the Junior and Senior classes go out to try and prove who is the better class.
The rivalry between the
Junior and Senior classes has always been present, but never more so than during the day of
Powderpuff.
The girls take the game very seriously, and it is one of the most competitive events between the two classes of the entire school year.
Both teams practiced multiple
Above: The Juniors and Seniors anxiously await the snap of the ball so that they can play. times before the game (every girl had to go to at least two practices) The coaches, football players, decided where they would put their best players to give them an advantage during the game.
It is known that the Seniors win almost every year, and this past year was no different.
The former Juniors suffered a hard loss last year after a close call that went in favor of the former Seniors. That meant that they were out to win their senior year, and there was nothing that could stop them.
The Seniors got an early lead on the Juniors and kept the lead for the entirety of the game.
The Seniors were using many running plays, and taking advantage of their running back
Erin Page, who scored two of the
Seniors’ touchdowns.
The Juniors also succeeded during their running plays. The only problem was the lack of completed passes. The Juniors attempted many passes with only two completions.
Both teams had adequate defense, but the experience of the
Seniors definitely gave them the edge over the rookie Juniors.
The Juniors did succeed in scoring one touchdown with only four seconds left on the clock by allowing the running back, Janell Armstead, to take the ball the last seven yards.
After scoring the touchdown, the juniors attempted a two-point conversion and accomplished it.
This was when the game was called with the final score being
26 to 8, a senior win.
Both teams showed good sportsmanship, with only a few minor disagreements the entire game. Sportsmanship is a very important quality in every sport, but especially in Powderpuff due to the intense rivalry of the
Juniors and Seniors.
The game was refereed by the Vice-Principal Mr. James
Burnett and Mr. Kyle Krupp, a teacher at Colonial Heights High
School.
The game attracted many fans, including parents, friends, and teachers. All of the money raised from the tickets of the
Powderpuff game is split to help both the Senior and Junior classes.
top: Junior Janell Armstead runs the ball in to get the Juniors a touchdown bottom: The girls high five and say good game after the ending of the game.
to left: seniors Elizabeth
Magnusson, Erin Page, and Patricia Westfall below: seniors pose for a victory picture while junior coach Brian Madl jumps in

by Kate Barnes
Colonial Heights High School was originally at the site of Colonial
High Middle School in 1957. It was moved to 3600 Conduit Road in
1964. The current location was built in 1964 although it has been modified slightly.
The mathematics hall was added to the building in 1970-71 and was added to the main the building. Just 10 years later in 1980-81 the technical center was built. It contains Child Care, Culinary Arts, ICT,
Marketing Education, Technology, Auto Mechanics, Business, and
Building Trades.
Homecoming was added to the school in 1961, so technically it’s older than the math hall. Students elect a Homecoming Queen and she is crowned at the annual Homecoming Football game during halftime.
She then reigns over the dance the following night. The first ever
Homecoming King was Mr. James Burnett in his senior year.
The football team used to be much larger than it is presently with a team of 41 players. We have not beat Thomas Dale since Mr. Burnett was on the football team. Powder Puff used to be much more vicious than how we play it today. Girls used to egg each other and get into physical fights over the sport. There were also boy cheerleaders.
In the 80’s there were not that many options for higher education.
The class sizes were larger than ours today. You would switch English classes every 6 weeks. There were not nearly as many AP classes, honor classes, or dual enrollment.
Our school is a fully accredited high school. It was selected to be on the Virginia’s Top Ten Academic High Schools in 2004 by the Virginia
Association of Secondary School Principals.
by Kate Barnes
Jesse Bryant, 9- High, I use social media to talk to friends.
Hunter Smith, 10- Low, I use social media because I get bored.
Jacob Bradford, 11-
Moderate, I want to see what people are up to.
Sam Korb, 12 Low, I want to see what’s going on.
Mr. Ron Spedden, History-
Low, I want to see what my friends are doing. I check my messages. I also use it to check if Eric Clapton accepted my friend request.
Sarah Gallent, 9- Low, To see what is going on.
Raelyn Shelton, 10- Moderate,
I have nothing to do.
Coby Hackett, 11 Low, I have limited ways to use social media.
Arnold Andoson, 12 Low, I don’t know why I use social media.
Mrs. Tabitha Strickler,
English- High, I use social media to stay in touch.
Emily Bishop, 9- High, I like to see what’s happening.
Shawn Williams, 10 High, I use social media to talk to my friends.
Nathan Byrd, 11High, I don’t want to leave my house to see my friends.
Trey Brant, 12- Low, To keep updated on what is going on around me.
Mrs. Jamie Wulfekuche, French-
Low, I have no time at the moment to be on social media.
Aleah Kenndey, 9 High, I like to see what’s going on.
Patrick Davis, 10 High, I use social media to listen to music and to ignore people.
Joseph Missak, 11 Moderate, I use it to talk to my friends.
Kit Barnes, 12 Low, I use social media to see if anyone needs me.
Mrs.Genese Gee-Schmidke,
Drama Low, I’d get addicted if
I used it.
Jaden Mitchell, 9- High, I like to communicate with my friends on social media.
Christian Loran, 10 High, I use it because it’s cool.
Brenay Johnson, 11 High, I just like to check it.
Danielle Williams, 12 High, I use social media to waste time.
Mr. Bill Ryan, Science- Low, I have a life. When I want to talk to someone I go and talk to them

by Victoria Johnson
Bailey Rivero feels that it is a great honor to have been chosen for senior of the month of Septemember 2014.
She plans on attending James Madison
University after high school.
Some of the extra-curricular activities she participates in are SCA, band,
CADRE, NHS, BETA, Model UN, and she’s an ambassador. She plays varsity soccer and basketball along with playing in the marching band.
Bailey has been playing soccer since she was five, swimming since she was nine, playing basketball since she was ten, and has been running all her life.
Her favorite sport is basketball because she says “it is the only sport that I enjoy both playing and spectating.” Having that “it” feeling in the marching band, after they finish a show when the crowd goes wild; would be her favorite sport memory.
Biology is her favorite subject because of her previous teachers and because the body is such a mystery.
When she was a child, she had dreamed of becoming a librarian because she had practically lived in and had explored the library as a child.
In her free time, Bailey enjoys being around the people that mean the most to her along with watching Disney movies, going to work, cleaning and organizing, volunteering, shopping, exercising, running, and relaxing.
Her biggest accomplishment would have to be loving and being comfortable with who she is. She does not care what others care or think about her.
She looks to God for all of her answers, questions and advice. “He inspires me every day to make today even better than yesterday; he lets me know when
I am doing wrong and reminds me of whom I really am.”
Bailey says that high school has really affected her. Her exact words are “High school has completely changed me; it has brought me out of my shell.”
Bailey said she would not change anything because even though she may not be happy with some of her decisions she has made, she fully believes in learning from her mistakes.
Her favorite high school memory would be during her junior year. Her
SCA president speech is her favorite because public speaking is her forte and is one of her passions.
The roles she plays are student, a shoulder to cry on, role model, teammate,
Christian, voice of difference, sister, daughter, volunteer, club member, best friend, section leader, defender for soccer, SCA president, Band president, and CADRE president.
Out of all 12 years she has been in school, her favorite teacher is Mr.
Flohre, because he has trusted her with being president of the best program available at the high school and it has brought her out of her shell.
Her advice to under classmen is to not care what other people think of you because in the long run, you probably
photo by Bob Nash won’t remember them, get your work done before you have fun, and get involved.”You will not regret it.
When asked why she thinks she was chosen as senior of the month; she answered “I believe I was chosen because I am very involved in our school, am a good student, have made a difference within my time at
CHHS, am a good-hearted person, am different than others, and am a hard worker”.
by Kate Barnes
Jonathan Hartson received senior of the month for October 2014. He said, “It feels good to know my hard work has paid off. Hopefully my teachers have a good impression of me and that’s why I was chosen.”
Once he graduates he plans to carry on his education at college and major in business. His favorite subject is math. He said, “I like math because there’s always a definite answer.”
He participates in many clubs including National Honor Society,
JOOI Club, Beta, Ambassadors, and
Spanish National Honor Society.
High school has become more enjoyable and less stressful for him over the years. Jonathan has no regrets on anything that he’s done for his high school career.
Mrs. Karen Scott is his favorite teacher out of all of his 12 years of school because of her teaching style and attitude.
Besides excelling at school, Jonathan plays varsity tennis. Tennis is his favorite sport because it’s challenging and very exciting to play.
He has been playing tennis for eight years now, and winning almost all of his school matches. Jonathan also travels to participate in various tournaments.
The first tournament he ever won was at Westwood country club. It took him two years of practice and hard to work to win his first tournament.
When he was a child he wanted to be a professional baseball player.
Once he found out about tennis and started having fun on the court he changed what he wanted to do for a career.
When asked who is the person he most looks up to he said, “My first tennis coach Darius Uzzell because he not only taught me tennis, but also taught me life lessons.”
Besides school and extracurricular activities he finds the time to spend time with his friends and his girlfriend.
His advice for underclassmen would be,” Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself.” photo by Candid Color

8
1.
5.
2.
S
CARY
3.
Photo by : Axionfoto
7.
8.
4.

1) When did you decide you wanted to be a teacher?
After getting my B.A. in History,
I became a substitute; I realized I liked working with students.
2) Tell us about your family.
I have been married to my wife,
Angela, for 21 years. We have a son, Zachary, who is 16 years old. My mom and dad are retired and live in Maryland. My brother teaches in Chesapeake and my sister teaches in Maryland.
3) What’s your favorite hobby outside of school?
I have several: Listening to music,
Barbeque, Disc golf, going to UVA football games and reading about music and politics.
4) What’s your favorite sport?
Why?
Soccer. I used to coach it and my son plays on his varsity team.
5) What’s your favorite era in history? Why?
U.S. in 1980’s Ronald Reagan rescued our economy and restored our faith in ourselves. He got government out of the economy and it grew rapidly. The Cold War was won because of his leadership.
6) What’s your favorite museum you’ve been to? Why?
International Spy Museum in
Washington D.C.- It has many
Cold War artifacts, James Bond memorabilia and interactive missions you can go on.
7) What kind of music do you like to blast?
Classic Rock: Eric Clapton, Jeff
Beck, Rolling Stones, Beatles,
Allman Brothers band.
8) What kinds of music do you consider ‘ear splitting’?
Rap and country music are like torture.
9) Why do you like teaching
World History?
I like 9 th graders; they aren’t jaded and don’t know it all. I like trying to prevent the mistakes of the past.
10) What’s your opinion on the economy?
There is too much debt and wasteful spending in the budget.
The economy will not grow rapidly until people get to keep and spend their money as they choose. Taxes are too high as are incentives for not working.-
Government has as much business in health care as I do in brain surgery. This is a drag on hiring and costs will escalate.
Name a government program that has come in under budget.
YOU CAN’T! We should look to the founding fathers and the constitution instead of ignoring them!

High
by Jasmine Webb
Mrs. Sonya Lee is the new 10th and 11th grade English teacher. She graduated from Longwood University where she majored in English and secondary education. She has a B.A. in English and M.S. in literature and culture.
Mrs. Lee was born and raised in Emporia, Va; she now lives in
Chesterfield County with her husband Mr. Witt Lee and their two kids
Jake and Charlotte. Before working here, she was working at Prince
George High School.
She came here because of all the good things her friends have told her about this school.
Between CHHS and PGHS she says it is a huge difference. It’s a thousand kids more there than here; also there is an extra grade here as ninth grade for Prince George is taught at another campus.
After teaching for 12 years, this is her 13th year being a English teacher.
Before coming here, a teacher told her to “ be flexible “ and that
“everyday’s a new day to start over.” For Mrs. Lee, this is the best advice coming from another teacher.
Before becoming a teacher, she was working at CVS pharmacy, a job she entered right after college.
During Mrs. Lee’s free time she likes running behind her two children, reading, or attending a baseball game. Music from the 80’s is her favorite, but she also like different varieties of music.
The Carolina Panthers is her favorite NFL team and the Baltimore
Orioles is her favorite baseball team.
Mrs. Lee was hoping one day she could write a young adult novel. She hasn’t accomplished her dream, but that was always her backup plan if she wasn’t a teacher.
by Corey Cowart
Mr.Cox is a happy-go-lucky, fun teacher who loves to joke around. He has been teaching for four years before coming to
Colonial Heights.
Even when a student thinks he is done with his lesson plan,
Mr. Cox pulls something out of his desk. Mr. Cox knows how to make learning fun, while helping students learn more.
If not for his job as an educator, his dream job would be that of a fireman.
Mr.Cox teaches World
History I. The reason he became a teacher is the same reason he went to college at VCU and
Hampden Sydney College.
He likes history. While studying at the colleges he received his Bachelor’s
Degree of History at HSC while getting his Master of
Education with a secondary degree in social studies from VCU.
Alongside his teaching career, Mr.Cox is the coach of the Boys Cross-Country team. Mr.Cox is a funny guy outside of the classroom as well; even before school starts he is always cracking jokes.
by Ethan Carr
“Quitters never prosper” is the best advice that Miss Dawn Hillard has received. Her dad had told her that when she was a young child and explained that quitting is not an option in life.
Miss Hillard teaches keyboarding and finance in the CTE department.
She loves teaching because in a way it helps her feel and stay young and she believes it helps you become a lifelong learner.
She was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and lived with her family there.
Being from a small town in Pennsylvania, Miss Hillard attended a farmlike high school that was really involved in the FFA, the Future Farmers of
America. She remembers that her craziest high school memory was they had a “drive your tractor to school day,” where all the students borrowed a tractor and drove to school.
After graduating high school, Miss Hillard attended James Madison
University, where she earned a bachelors’ degree in political science. She also earned her teaching certification out of Shenandoah University.
But before becoming a teacher full time, she worked in non-profit management for seven years. She got her first teaching job for Washington and Lee High School in Westmoreland County.
She remembers that last year during one of her classes she had the challenge of catching a live mouse in her class room with a shoe box.
Growing up, Miss Hillard enjoyed watching Star Wars because it was the first movie she saw that transported her to another world.
She explains that her idol is her “Gram” because she is in perfect health and living life to the fullest at 82 years old. She also looks up to her because she has been married for 62 years now.
If she was not a teacher she would either want to be an ESPN Sports
Center broadcaster or a travel agent. In high school she played four sports, including basketball, softball, cross country, and field hockey.
In her free time she helps coach field hockey
and is currently training for a half marathon coming up in November. She also enjoys spending time with her friends and family.
by Omar Alkhadra
After having been a student, parent, and aid, Mrs. Beth McBryde is now a
Special Education teacher at Colonial
Heights High.
She started off as a Texas native then transferred to Colonial Heights.
She really enjoyed her experience here at Colonial Heights; she was in many clubs such as sorority, Key
Club, Latin Club, and Drama Club.
She also ran track and played field hockey.
The best part about high school was when she met her husband, Danial.
Not only that, but the many of people she grew up with in high school are now teaching with her at Colonial
Heights as well.
She went to college at JMU and she is currently taking online classes at
ODU. Before she became a teacher, she was working for the Warner Cable
Company. She’s been teaching for t h r e e years as a paraprofessional, and then switched to a
Special Education teacher; she helps teach math.
She has five children;the two twins,
Amanda and Matthew, Shannon,
Joshua, and Cassie. All attended or are currently attending CHHS. Working with her kids influenced her to become a teacher.
Ever since then, she has loved teaching and helping kids, especially ones who are in high school.
If she wasn’t teaching, she said she’d probably be a stay at home mom. She’s very busy, but in her free time she likes to read. A teacher once told her to do her best and enjoy every day of high school, because life goes by faster than you know it.

by Jordan Booth
Mr. Wayne Dixon is the new addition to the staff. Working as a paraprofessional, he can be found in
Automotive and helping in ALC.
Mr. Dixon’s family is from Cape
Charles, VA. Growing up, Mr.
Dixon’s idols were his parents. His teachers, who were also supportive, told him to always do his best.
Mr. Dixon attended high school at
James River and John Marshal, then went to VCU for his college years.
In high school, Mr. Dixon played basketball and various other sports throughout the four years. Being a sports fan, his favorite movie was “Remember the Titans.” The funniest thing about high school was when he was dancing as the school mascot and his head fell off.
Today, Mr. Dixon works to help kids be successful. All his students have enjoyed working with him and they all think he is hilarious.
by Shae’Ana Johnson by Jill Mauro
Mrs. Carrie Lee Gates is the new tenth grade Biology teacher. She is a fun and very energetic woman who has a strong passion for teaching.
She is from Covington, Virginia and has a wonderful husband, along with two children; Jonathan (age7) and
Claire (age 5).
In high school, she was a very committed and focused student, as well as athletic. She ran cross-country and track, while at the same time she was a cheerleader.
During high school, she worked as a dental assistant at her father’s dental practice. She then went to Roanoke
College where she received her
Bachelor Degree of Art in Science.
Mrs. Gates was inspired by her high school biology teacher, who led her to the great world of teaching.
After college, she became a teacher for 6 years before coming to Colonial
Heights. She enjoys working here and decided to transfer here because she likes the area and lives close by.
She hopes to retire at the age of 50, so she can travel, spend more time with her family, and listen to some rocking tunes by Kenny Chesney.
If she was not teaching at the moment, she would most likely be a marine biologist.
Mr. Ashmore is working as a paraprofessional in the Art and English departments.
He grew up with his mom and little brother, Ashani, in the Virgin Islands. At his high school, he played wide receiver on the football team. He says that he was
“pretty decent player; not the best, but not the worst.”
The things he misses most about being back at home are the amazing weather and his family. “Christmas in St.Thomas is such a positive vibe and it’s my favorite time of the year.” He also misses the soft sanded beaches and the beautiful sunsets.
He wasn’t much of a party animal during his freshman and sophomore years, but he did spend a lot of his time just hanging out with friends and playing video games. Some of his favorite video games were Madden and Grand Theft Auto. He was always very friendly and the jokester of the class.
English was always his go-to subject. His favorite book in high school was
“Things Fall Apart.” Although reading was a big part of his love for English, writing was his favorite.
He always knew that he wanted to teach because he loved being around kids and
“I wanted to be a positive influence on them.”
After high school graduation, Mr. Ashmore received a scholarship from Virginia
State University and decided to pursue it. Although he wasn’t very much into athletics in college, he did join a fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, a college step team.
His biggest inspiration is his mom because “she is a good role model and a positive woman.” The thing that inspires him to do better is accomplishing his goals.
His most important life goal is to become a screen writer and he wants to write comedies and dramas.
He’s a lover of all music, but some of his favorites are Reggae and Rap. “The type of music I listen to just depends on my mood.”
He also is a huge fan of Grease. He grooves out to “Hopelessly Devoted to You” and “You’re the One I Want.”
Mr. Ashmore has a killer sense of style. Some of his favorite places to shop are H
& M, Urban Outfitters, and Zara. Something he would not leave the house without is his iconic bowtie, “I like them because they’re different.”
He’s very spontaneous when it comes to traveling. He’s been to many places including The British Islands, Tortola, Venezuela, St. Kits, and Puerto Rico.
Although the best place he’s traveled is Canada, “I loved it because it was different from the places I usually go.”
Mr. Ashmore enjoys being part of the Colonial Team. “I love getting up in the morning and coming to work. It’s only my second year, but it’s still such a family environment at Colonial Heights High,” he says.

CHHS
by Kate Barnes
by Grace Kim
Mr. Thomas Brandon is one of the many new teachers this year at our high school. He decided to become an English teacher because of his love for literature and kids.
Because of this, it was an easy progression to enjoy his job as an
English teacher.
Some of his favorite hobbies outside of school are surfing, horseback riding, and rock climbing. He has also been to a lot of different countries. He has lived in Costa Rica, Hawaii, and most of Central America.
When asked why he likes to travel, he answered by saying that he loves the culture and the beaches. His next upcoming trip will hopefully be Africa.
Mr. Brandon teaches sophomores and seniors and he does not know which grade he prefers better yet.
He has found that, because seniors have a higher level of `maturity he can talk about some things to them, but he does enjoy exposing the sophomores to various world issues and concerns.
He and his family lived on a
Mrs. Wulfekuhle-
Zaweski by Lanie Byrd
Mrs. Jamie Wulf is an addition to the lot of new teachers this year at the high school. She has been married for two years.
She graduated college at Western
Washington University, with a degree in German and French.
She has said what she misses most about college is that there are a lot of neat, and uniquely available opportunities outside of the classroom; she learned more from them than she did in the classroom.
High school however, was a different story. She said that she doesn’t miss it at all.
It’s a funny thing how she ended up being a teacher since her childhood longing was to be a hair dresser.
She decided to teach French because throughout jobs she learned that she enjoyed teaching, and she is qualified for French.
Her out-of-school hobbies vary, but all keep her active and happy.
For some regular things to do, she enjoys yoga, cooking, and various crafts.
big farm in Dinwiddie and his parents are now retired. His mom was a banker and his dad was a firefighter.
Outside of school Mr. Brandon is an assistant coach for the Colonial
Heights swimming team; however his favorite sport is soccer. In his spare time (which he rarely has) he likes to garden.
Author, Charles Dickens is his role model, because: “… he represented every man from every walk of life with oftentimes painful accuracy.” His favorite book currently, is Midnight in the
Garden of Good and Evil because it has a large array of dynamic characters. The Royal Tenenbaums is his favorite movie.
His least favorite thing about teaching is that we do not have in- depth open discussions like the
Greeks did in their time period. The ability to expose new philosophies to students is his favorite thing about teaching.
Look forward to Mr. Brandon’s class when you are a sophomore and a senior, because he sure has an interesting background to share.
Another favorite hobby of hers is hiking in the outdoors to take in the nature.
Her music taste is exciting and fun to hear. The genres of music she listens to include classic rock, and alternative pop.
Her favorite place to go during the summer, among many of us, is the beach. Because who doesn’t love soaking up the sun, or reading under an umbrella, or just swimming around and enjoying the waves?
This Alaska-born teacher has moved around a LOT. She moved around a lot as a child from state to state, but the real interesting fact is all the countries!
She has travelled to: Canada,
Chili, Germany, France,
Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden,
Italy, Netherlands, Rwanda,
Ethiopia, and even Korea.
After all that, she also wishes to travel to India, Senegal, and
Cambodia.
Her first job out of high school was working in a Mexican Market.
That in no way relates to what she’s doing now, or even what she would be doing if she wasn’t a teacher. When asked, she said that she would be a professional artist, photographer, and travel writer.
One interesting event in her teaching career happened while she was teaching elementary children in Korea. That day, instead of having class, some of the teachers took their students outside to build a snowman.
While the children worked on theirs, the faculty tried to build one that was so big, it would be even taller than the biggest teacher outside.
Then, an unfortunate and rather chilly thing happened. Her pants ripped!
She ended up having to wear a pair of her faculty members’ sweatpants.
Eventually the principle told them they had to go inside, but they had a really fun day.
Mrs.Cornutt graduated from the
University of Alabama in May
2014. She has her bachelor’s degree in Secondary Math Education.
She was born in Tennessee and then moved to Alabama when she was a child. She moved to Colonial
Heights because her husband is a youth pastor so they go where they are needed.
If she was not teaching she thinks she would be doing statistics and data analysis. Some of the best advice she has gotten would be in the words of Taylor Swift, “Shake it off.”
She became a teacher because she likes teenagers and math. She wants to make a difference in the world by teaching. In high school she was in show choir and color guard.
One of her old jobs was a prescreemer for the Air National
Guard. She would have to ask questions like if you had been to prison and why. She said that she hated that job and is glad that it is over.
Mrs.Cornutt likes to go to parks and play with her dogs when she has free time. Her favorite movie would either be Frozen or Mean
Girls. Taylor Swift inspires her life every day.
The best advice she could give to any students was from one of her professors that said, “Cool points redeem for nothing.”

By Shae’Ana Johnson
Get your high waisted shorts, crop tops, and sunglasses ready.
We’re going to the 50’s.
Back in the 50’s, the rules were a lot stricter, believe it or not.
You may think your school has tough rules, but our grandparents had it worse.
Today, just like in the 50’s, we like to stay in style ,even if that means breaking a few rules.
Many of the same school rules apply, but many have changed.
The most oblivious one is that girls in the 50’s could not wear pants. (This did not happen until the 70’s.) Today we might be wearing a skirt that may be long enough when standing (but not when sitting) or sporting the perfect crop top to show off a new belly button ring. This certainly would have drawn the wrong kind of attention in the 1950’s. Back in those days, you would have been shunned by your friends and called a “floozy.”
Skirts then had to be knee length and loose enough to fall freely. This means the pencil and long tight maxi skirts would not have been considered school worthy or ladylike.
Unlike now, when jeans are in our daily dress wear, blue jeans were not considered school appropriate for girls.
They also had to be worn above the hip or you were getting sent home. Your favorite Levi’s and
Hollister jeans would have been a no-go.
You can forget about tie dye t-shirts and halter tops.They were not going to fly. All shirts had to be opaque and your bra was to be flesh toned and not see-able through the shirt. Boys had to wear button ups tucked in with only one button undone.
Not only were your clothes being judged, but also your hair and makeup. Nowadays hair and makeup is used to express yourself.
Everything from Mohawks and teal hair, to a simple bob or the notorious top messy bun can be seen in the hallway.
Back in the 50’s girl’s hair had to be cut at the neck and straight. Radical colors and half shaved heads were not even an option. Gel, and lots of it, were used by the boys.
The only other option for boys was to have it clean and cut at the ears.
Are you the kind of person who likes to have a favorite jewel that must go with every outfit, or do you like to switch it up based on what you’re wearing that day? Lots of teenagers wear wrists full of bracelets, hands full of rings and ears full of piercings, but in those days if you did that you were considered a “Greaser” or a delinquent.
The only thing girls could have were one pair of ear rings and one ring per hand. Pearls were in--just like now.
Back in the 50’s, creativity was low on the list when it came to learning.
It was more about the education than who looked the best because everyone looked the same.

There are a lot of potholes and bad roads out there so it’s always good to make sure that your tires are properly inflated. Also try dodging the potholes and bumps on the road so your tires will last as long as they should.
Make sure you learn to check your fluids such as: antifreeze, power steering, and your coolant. If you’re running low, add more. This keeps your engine and radiator at the right temperature. Most importantly, NEVER ignore a leak.
Make sure you use enough oil and check the oil pressure as well. No one wants a seized engine, which means you weren’t using adequate oil. This will cause your car to stop running and without it your car won’t go far or run quietly if you do not do these regular checkups.
I know it does not seem like that much of a problem but your visibility is important.
If you here a streaky sound, clean them inside and out. Don’t wait until you can barely see through your window to replace your windshield wipers.
Make sure you clean your windows inside and out, this will prevent your windows and also if you wash your lights, from fogging up. Foggy windows are due to the drop in the temperature and the moist air in your car can’t hold the moisture so it goes towards your windows. A regular spray and wipe for your windows should be enough. Make sure you put wet or damp things in your trunk. If it ever snows , make sure you smack your boots or shoes together before swinging your legs inside the car.
Photos from
Google images

by Patricia Westfall
Kayla Boyd is “killing it” on the court this season as she has completed a rare feat.
Boyd, a captain for the Lady
Colonials volleyball team, has exceeded 1000 kills in her high school volleyball career.
She has been playing for the
Colonials for all 4 years.
She has only been playing volleyball for five years, and she has already exceeded this rare feat. She started playing travel ball in the eighth grade for the Mid-Atlantic Volleyball Club, which is currently known as Two Rivers Volleyball Academy.
Kayla, who is 5’11”, uses her height to her advantage as an outside hitter for the Lady Colonials. It is her job to attack the ball (that is set to her by the setter) by spiking it to the opponent’s side of the court.
If a spike cannot be returned by the opposing team, it is considered a kill.
She achieved 213 kills her freshman season, 336 sophomore season, 330 her junior season, and 317 her senior season so far. She has overall achieved 1196.
Thursday, Sept 18, the atmosphere in the CHHS gym was exciting and full of spirit. In the stands stood friends, family, and supporters of Boyd.
“It was so exciting, and I was so happy that I had all of my friends, family, teammates, and coaches there to support me,” said Boyd.
As the game played, Boyd’s mom Kim and Kayla’s best friends Ashleigh Rush and
Brandy Williamson had a countdown to her 1000th kill.
Her father, Mr. Tracy Boyd, was in the media stand recording the special moment.
Once the countdown hit
1000, the crowd went ballistic. The game was paused and
Mr. Chris Martin, husband of the team’s coach, Toni Martin, came over the speaker to award
Kayla with the game ball.
“I could not stop smiling! It was such an amazing feeling to reach my goal that I’d been working towards for so long.
I was so thankful that I could share it with my teammates as well…It was really crazy, and it was so amazing when our whole fan section stood up and cheered for us. The support from family and friends was incredible and made the experience like no other.”
Kayla hopes to continue to “kill it” with volleyball in college.
Courtesy of Kevin Hood
Courtesy of Kevin Hood
Kill-
a spike that is not returned by the opponent
Spike
- when the ball is hit almost straight down onto the opposing team’s court with a powerful motion very close to the net
Setter-
the person who helps assist their teammate spike the ball by setting the ball high up into the air close to the net
Libero-
person who wears a different color jersey from his or her teammates and is specialized in defensive skills, without notifying the officials they can replace any of the back row players
Courtesy of Kevin Hood

by Jordan Booth
Doing nothing can sometimes be the biggest mistake, as the NFL recently learned.
Ray Rice, former Baltimore Ravens football player, was released from the team because of police charges.
The incident occurred in May but no action was taken until August.
Rice, a popular running back, was seen fighting, and then hitting his girlfriend violently to the head. He knocks her out, and then drags her body out of the elevator. A video of this happening in a hotel casino elevator in Atlantic City was seen by over 10 million people, most of who were outraged by the video.
The assault was seen from a camera on the elevator and was posted on
TV and social networks.
The two, who ironically got married, are in court about the incident.
At first the commissioner of the
NFL did nothing. He and the Ravens were made aware of the fight within a day. The Ravens suspended Rice for two games, but the commissioner did not take action until fans saw the video, then because of their outrage the NFL commissioner was forced by the public and the media, who demanded action.
They got it when the Ravens suspended Rice indefinitely.
This seemed like a small punishment for such an incident.
Rice punched his wife and knocks her out-- and who knows if this is the first time. This just happened to be the only one shone on tape. Right or wrong, people looked up to him.
The NFL is getting a black eye about the incident, but it is certainly not the first.
Ray Lewis, also from the
Ravens, was charged with being an accomplice to murder. Michel
Vick, now with Jets, was sentenced for dog fighting.
Other players have been involved in racial issues like bulling and violence.
While the majority of NFL players who are good men and support their families and fellow players, the NFL needs to clean up the mess.
The teams and the NFL need to take action sooner rather than later.
While time is needed to gather facts, verify information, review police reports, this certainly does not take months.
It seems that only once fans and media were exposed to the situations and demand action, something gets done.
The teams, the Commissioner, and all involved with professional football know this needs to change.
The time is now.
NFL
1
by Jill Mauro
One way you can help out your sibling is to check in on them when you see them, even if it’s only for a brief moment. If they are having a bad day, a simple ‘hi, how are you doing,’ will go a long way.
Next, do not avoid your sibling.
Say, for instance, your sibling is a complete embarrassment at home. That is no reason to avoid them like they have The Black
Plague, or something. So, no matter what the circumstances, do not shut them out.
You definitely should not tease your sibling. If you are around friends, or want to look cool, doing this will not make you even remotely close to being cool.
Your sibling may or may not be getting picked on elsewhere, so you joining in on the cruelty will only make things worse for them.
Now, when, and if, you see your sibling, give them a high five, a fist bump, or maybe even a hug. You are never too ‘cool’ to show your sibling some love and compassion. So, remember, just one of those little actions can, and will, make their day a tad brighter.
Lastly, show your sibling that you care. Nothing will make them happier if you just give them a smile, or ask how their day has been. Knowing that you care will make coming to school slightly easier and more enjoyable. Also, it could possibly strengthen you and your siblings’ relationship in general.
Jonas Biermann and Victoria
Biermann
By following these few pointers, you will put a smile on your siblings face and keep them motivated throughout the day.

by Grace Kim
Teenagers need their sleep.
Have you ever fell asleep during your class? You are so tired and just need a short nap.
Perhaps last night you were up late doing homework or late returning from an extra curricular activity. Perhaps you had a job, played video games, or busy texting. For some, it was simply that you were not able to fall asleep.
Because you could not fell asleep, did you fail a quiz or a test the next day? Not having enough sleep can have a huge effect on your studying and attention span, not to mention your mood.
In addition, it is also believed that teens do not tend to go to bed early enough because of hormonal changes.
It has been proven by many reasearches that test and quizes drops if you do not get enough sleep. A past experiment shows that a school with a later start time did
3% better on a math and reading test than another school which has an earlier school start time.
Breakfast is a big problem too. Students do not want to wake up early for breakfast so they do not have it. Breakfast is the most essential and important meal to eat. Students feel more irritated and stressed if they don’t have it. Some don’t eat because they are not hungry while others don’t eat because it is so early.
Mornings at school would be really tiring and irritable.
Sleep deprivation could also lead to major health issues.
Many teens are not used to sleeping early so they usually stay up late at night and only get about 5-7 hours of sleep.
According to most research, the minimum hours of sleep an individual teen needs is about 8 ½ to 9 hours of sleep.
Most teenagers are quick to admit this simply does not happen. While most may want to go to bed at 9 or 10, the reality is that the average teenager does not go to bed until 11 or 12. With a wake-up time on weekdays between
5am and 6am, that means hours of important sleep are missing.
Admittedly, the hours of sleep on a weekend are drastically different as teenagers may not climb out of bed till later.
For some, that means sleeping until 9 while some high schoolers admit to not rising until 3 pm.
There have been some schools that have changed their starting school times so kids could be more awake and alert during school. However, there are many pros and fewer cons to having school start later.
Pros
Cons
research link: h�p://educa�onnext.org/do-schools-begin-too-early/

by Omar Alkhadra
• Less Shifting: If you live in a small city or town, automatic might the better option for you.
You won’t have to shift all the time and makes it easier for you to drive
• Less Pedaling: With an automatic, you only have two pedals, so you won’t have to keep pressing the clutch, which makes it more comfortable.
• Cruising: If you like enjoying the view and relaxing while you’re going on vacation, then automatic will be great, rather than shifting throughout the whole trip.
• Free Hand: With an automatic you have a spare hand in case you need to get something or a phone call emergency.
• More Attention: Unlike a manual you’ll be paying more attention to the road rather than worry about shifting or pressing the clutch all the time. It’s also less stressful for some people.
• Less expensive: Manual transmissions generally have less parts and components to replace, making it easier to fix than a automatic transmission
• Have control: The advantage with having a manual is that you get to control when to shift.
Rather than a automatic when it shifts for you at certain times, with the manual you get a better feel of the car.
• More fuel: Since manual cars have fewer parts, that mean they weigh less, making fuel economy better. A manual can up shift sooner at top of a hill or end of acceleration, and downshift on an uphill.
• More Expensive: If you ever run into engine work or problems with your car, automatic are usual more expensive to fix and to buy in general. Also, the actual cost of car is generally more expensive.
• Consumes more fuel: Automatics also use up to
10% more fuel than a manual, depending on the size and weight of your vehicle.
• No control: With an automatic you can’t control the gears as you would shift when you would like with a manual.
• Harder to fix: Since automatic transmissions are increasing their number of moving parts, it will be more complicated to fix.
• More Pedaling: With a manual you also have to the clutch to press and shift as well, possibly making uncomfortable or more stressful depending on the driver.
• Less attention: Also with manuals you have a clutch to press and shifting to do as well, making it harder to pay attention to things.
• No free hands: Depending on the experience on the driver with a manual car you can’t really talk on the phone or do things while driving because you will be shifting all the time.

by Thomas Metcalf
Watch out! A shockwave is running through the nation. The
Michael Vey book series is now a New York Times Best Selling
Series .
The series is about a group of teenagers who have the power to manipulate electricity.
Michael Vey leads a force of teenagers into some of the most dangerous places in the world to stop the plans of Elgen Power, a multibillion dollar corporation bend on world domination.
Elgen Power’s plan is to take over the world’s economy by providing free, sustainable power.
After they control a country’s power, they can stop production any time they want to force the country do their bidding.
The first book , Prisoner of the
Cell 25 , is the introduction to the series. In this book, Michael
Vey goes from being the loner schoolboy with no friends to being a runaway with a group of friends called the Electroclan and having an amazing girlfriend.
Michael and his friends end up being kidnapped by the Elgen.
Michael is then put in the infamous
Cell 25, a prison cell with the power to suck the electricity out of the body. This includes the electricity that is required by the body for life.
Rise of the Elgen , the second book in the series, is involving Michael
Vey and the Electroclan traveling to the Peruvian jungle to rescue
Michael’s mother, who has been kidnapped by the Elgen.
While trying to find a way to
Peru, the Electroclan is contacted by a mysterious person known only as The Voice. The Voice aids them with the financial struggles of their mission, leading to the Electroclan becoming aware of a resistance, who are trying to thwart Elgen
Power’s plans.
The only bad part of The Voice’s help is that he asks the Electroclan to destroy the Elgen powerplant where Michael’s mother is being held.
The “Starxource Plant,” as the
Elgen call them, is one of the biggest in the world and is guarded by the
Peruvian Army.
The Electroclan is captured while trying to sneak into the plant. After they escape, the Electroclan find
Michael’s mother and blow up the plant.
The only problem is that Michael was lost in the Peruvian jungle while his friends and mother escaped.
The third book in the series is Battle of the Ampere . The Electroclan is again called upon by The Voice to destroy a high value target of the resistance. This HVT is later identified as the Elgen Megayacht,
The Ampere.
While the Electroclan is being called upon, Michael is just escaping the jungle with the help of another electric child and the native
Amacarra tribe.
Right before the Electroclan is going to attack the Ampere, some of the members decide that they have had enough of the dangerous life and go home.
The mission almost fails due to the lack of half of the Electroclan, but right before Michael self-destructs a bomb on the Ampere, the rest of the Electroclan show up and help complete the mission.
The book ends with The Voice telling the Electroclan that the Elgen has kidnapped an eight year old
Chinese girl named Jade Dragon, who has uncovered the secret of how to create more electric children.
Hunt for Jade Dragon is the most current book available.
It centers around the Electroclan going to Thailand to intercept the trade of Jade Dragon to the Elgen.
A party is what starts off the book.
This is the first time that Michael and his friends have seen their parents since book one.
While waiting for the trade in
Thailand, the Electroclan are again captured by the Elgen and are sent to the Thaiwanese Starxource Plant.
After they escape, they use a trick taught to them by a crook to outsmart the Elgen and rescue Jade Dragon.
The book ends with the Electroclan getting word that the site of the party with their parents has been destroyed by the Elgen and that The
Voice has been compromised and is now in hiding.
The Michael Vey series is written by
Richard Paul Evans. He is currently working on the fifth installment in the series with the release date set for fall of 2015.
These are great books for young readers interested in close calls and adventure.
Almost all of the Electroclan pair up or have some sort of past relationship with one another, making it a good read with romance and drama for young ladies as well.

vs Xbox by Corey Cowart
People have been arguing about what console is better since Xbox and
PlayStaiton came out.
While the systems are very similar, they also have many differences.
There are many people who are on the side of Xbox and the side of Playstation.
Personally I am for Xbox, seeing as one of my two large game consoles is an
Xbox.
The most notable difference for most game enthusiasts is the prices.
While the Xbox One sits at $499.99, the PS4 sits at $399.99. The most notable similarity is the fact that both run on an 8-core
AMD processor.
The Xbox One also features an 8 GB DDR3 memory unit, as well as a 500 GB hardrive. The
Kinect 2 features a 1080p camera, as well as the well known Xbox Live online service.
While it lacks bluetooth, the new Blu-Ray feature makes up for that by allowing blu-ray discs to finally be played on the Xbox. In my opinion the Xbox One revolutionizes the gaming systems of
Microsoft.
The PS4 features a multitude of new features including a 500 GB hardrive similar to the
Xbox One. The configuration of the
Playstation Network defines the online service of the PS4, while still being entertaining.
Like the PS3, the PS4 has the same bluetooth capabilities. Like the Xbox
One , the PS4 has 4K support, as well as a built in Blu-Ray system.
The new Dual Shock 4 and PS4 camera enable excellent motion control and at the same time make the PS4 more enjoyable for the whole family.
There are many differences between the
PS4 and the Xbox One, as well as many similarities.
The choice is yours which one you play. Choose your system.
The Xbox’s newest game
Halo 5 is a supreme form of gaming, as well as beaing an adventure game, it is also a shooter. The
Halo series has always had expansive maps and a multitude of weapons, as well as an easy to follow story. That game is the reason I would choose
Xbox over Playstation any day.

Being prepared, organized, and active for the school year can make all the difference.
Little things can greatly influence your year.
First, get organized.
Organization during high school is a very important key to success. Having spiral notebooks and a binder for each class makes keeping up with all of your papers so easy. Spiral notebooks are a place where you can take and keep notes instead of scattered pages of notebook paper that can get easily lost.
Binders for each class help you keep your subjects from mixing. That way it’s easier to find what you need for each class.
There are some of the generic items you will want for any class no matter what it is.
As writing utensils go, mechanical pencils are very easily manageable. With plain wooden pencils, you have the hassle of sharpening them, and what if your teacher doesn’t have a sharpener; you also don’t want to disrupt the class. It’s just easier to have pencils that you can easily refill with lead when you need to.
Some other
‘must haves’ are pens, highlighters, and bar erasers. Pens help a lot of students with note-taking.
Multi-colored pens are a big hit because the color change is refreshing, and helps kids to remember what they’re studying. Highlighters are useful especially with vocabulary, where you need only to memorize certain words.
Bar erasers are
by Lanie Byrd very helpful in classes. So many students will run out of their pencil’s eraser before the day is even halfway done. Bar erasers last a while depending on how much you erase, and they definitely get the job done.
Studying can be frustrating and confusing for a lot of students. Some become overwhelmed with all the words grouped together that they give up.
That is why the popular website named ‘Quizlet’ is a great resource for students of any age. It is an online database where you can make index cards for yourself, test and quizzes for yourself, and little challenges that combine both. Quizlet ultimately prepares you in a neat and enjoyable way.
Some also prefer to study manually, especially if they do not have internet access.
Paper index cards are great way to go. They are as neat as you make them, and are very spaced out. It’s an effective way to study for quizzes, test, and exams.
Remember that studying a little everyday helps, instead of trying to cram in everything from a whole week at one time.
Homework may seem to you as just some annoying piece of paper the teacher wants to force home with you, but it helps you with your quiz and test- taking. It enforces what you learned in class that day and helps you to remember it. That daily grade will help your average.
Clubs are something that the majority of students join. They help you to participate, and get involved in your school.
Plus, they look great on college applications.
Do not be afraid to get into something that interests you because you are a freshman!
You should not be intimated out of doing something that you want.
Volunteering can also be a big part of clubs.
There are many you can get involved in to meet the volunteer hour requirements by your graduation. Check outside room one for ideas.
One last thing to be reminded about is talking to teachers.
Do not be embarrassed about needing help. Ask for help if you need it. However, there is always the option of seeing them before or after class.
They want to help you and will do whatever they can for you.

by Grace Kim
The #1 bestselling book, The Maze Runner by James Dashner, has finally come out as a movie. It was outstanding.
My eyes were glued to the screen during the whole two hours of the movie. Even though I had read the book and knew the plot, the movie was still suspenseful and thrilling. Not knowing if Gally would kill
Chuck or wondering if the Grievers would kill the main characters, made the audience become emotionally involved. The actors were beyond amazing and demonstrated their character really well.
Dylan O’Brien (Thomas) was perfect for the main role. His acting was very credible and also made girls swoon because of his handsome features.
The other actors were, of course also good looking and showed great acting skills. My personal favorite actor was Ki Hong Lee (Minho) because of his role with charisma and leadership skills.
There was one thing I was disappointed in though; the movie wasn’t exactly like the book. Other than that, I never got bored and the ending actually made me cry. I almost never cry when I’m watching a movie.
I would rate the movie 4 ¾ stars if I was a critic.
The Glade was beyond what I expected and it was amazing how the director, Wes Ball, made the movie so detailed. The scenery was exactly like the book and how I imagined it. The glade was surrounded by a gigantic maze.
You should definitely take the time and go watch it; it is worth your money too!
If you love action and suspense movies, you will love this movie. Overall, I thought this movie was well produced and worth watching!
https://www.google.com/search?q=maze+runner& https://www.google.com/search?q=maze+runner&biw
by Jill Mauro
Photo Credit to Google Images.
The TMNT movie was released in theaters on Aug 8 all across the nation.
The movie was thought to be completely out of context from the original movies and comics, but ended up being one of the greatest films this year. It made a staggering 65 million dollars on opening night.
Michael Bay, the director, did an outstanding job and made the theatre experience quite memorable.
The characters consisted of Pete
Ploszek, Alan Ritchson, Jeremy
Howard, Noel Fisher, Megan Fox,
William Fitcher, and, last but not least, Will Arnett.
Pete Ploszek, who characterized
Leonardo, did a wonderful job and was great at acting as the leading ninja turtle.
Playing the role as the hot headed mutant, Raphael, Alan Ritchson, did an excellent job at being the red masked turtle and brought the action into the film.
Jeremy Howard, the actor of Donatello, was fantastic as playing the nerdy turtle
Noel Fisher, the actor of the silly turtle, Michelangelo, surely did not disappoint. His fun, energetic, flamboyant personality fit Mikey perfectly and was the main source of the laughter in the film.
There were many people who were skeptical about this actress playing the role as Miss April O’Niel, but
Megan Fox definitely blew us away.
Her persistence and spunk matched her character and the two seemed like twins, and she could not have done any better at playing the red headed journalist.
William Fitcher did a very nice job and definitely added the action and drama into the movie.
Though, he only played a small character in the movie, he made us laugh and just so happened to become a hero at the end. Vernon
(Vern) Fenwick was characterized by Will Arnett.
The movie was supposedly going to be an awful film, but ended up blowing everyone away. There was a ton of action, mind boggling graphics and effects, and fantastic actors and actresses. This movie was breath taking, and it is greatly recommended.

by Shae’Ana Johnson
Murders Gore, and Blood
Curdling screams! All pouring from your TV screen for the month of October. What kinds of movies do you like?
In 2007 came the start of the
Paranormal Activity or “found footage” series.
Two people, Micah and Katie, feel a presence in their home and after multiple various mishaps they decide to record it.
After the incidents intensify they decide to call the demonologist who coincidentally is unreachable.
That night while Micah is sleeping he hears a blood curdling scream and runs downstairs.
After a few heart stopping moments you see Micah’s body flung at the camera and it knocks the camera off of the tripod.
Then Katie smiles at the camera.
As her face transforms into something demonic, she lunges-- then the screen goes to black.
The scariest moment has to be when Micah goes downstairs and although you can’t see anything going on ,horrific screams are heard.
Another great movie to get your blood pumping is Oculus.
Its about a supernatural mirror with the ability to make hallucinate.
Marie, Alan and their four kids move in and the hallucinations begin.
Soon Marie and Alan start to lose their minds, causing Alan to shield himself in his office more.
This causes Marie to become more and more depressed.
The family takes a turn for the worst.
Alan and Marie get so bad that they attempt to kill their kids.
During this ugly battle Marie is released from the hallucination but is then killed by Alan. When Alan gets a brief moment of clarity he tells his son Tim to shoot him, and he does.
11 years later Tim is released from the psychiatric facility when he meets his sister at the house to take down the killer mirror.
First Kaylie, the daughter, wants to have proof that the mirror killed their parents.
While trying to beat the mirror, the mirror creates hallucinations for them. Kaylie looks in the mirror and sees her mother calling her to come closer.
Tim, believing he’s in the room alone, release the kill switch they created to kill the mirror.
The anchor is released and it slices through Kaylie, killing her.
Tim is hysterical when the squad car arrives to take him away now for the murder of his sister. He looks back to see the ghosts of his mother, father, and sister looking back at him.
The scariest moment was when
Alan and Marie try to kill their kids.
Beware: these movies are not for the light-hearted.

Wishing you could carry your favorite TV shows on the go? Netflix is the thing for you! Where you can watch thousands of TV shows and movies anywhere you go and in
40 countries.
Netflix works either on a bus, train, on a field, and even a plane. For only a monthly fee of $7.99, you can stream your favorite shows and movies right off your smart phone or tablet and even better, the first month is free!
Believe it or not, customers actually switch from cable TV to Netflix because of how easy and cheap it is. They will even deliver DVDs straight to your house with no delivery fee.
Also, unlike Red Box, Netflix has no late fees. Netflix even has its own TV series that they come up with exclusively for Netflix only. For example they took the movie Turbo and made it into their own series.
The only downfall is that you have to have internet to watch Netflix and it takes a little longer for new seasons or episodes to update, but there’s always plenty of shows you can watch while you wait!
Now, wondering how to access Netflix? There are multiple ways. For instance, if you have a computer, you can simply go to their website at www.Netflix.com and make your own account and enjoy your Netflix journey.
Another way is if you’re on the go all the time or go on trips, you can download the app on your smart phone. Go to the app store on your iPhone or the Google play store for Android users and download the app right onto your phone. Consoles such as Xbox and Wii also have Netflix on them for those who use gaming consoles a lot.
If you have a smart TV then Netflix should already be on it when you look at the apps.
You can use your Netflix account on multiple devices at once but you’re still limited to how many devices you can use. If you would like to find out the limit, just go to the change plan information in the “Your Account” page.
Congratulations to the Marching
Colonials who had a fantastic season! They earned many high ranking recognitions.
First the Colonials received
SUPERIOR rating at the State
Assessment – the highest rating possible.
Then the Colonials competed at the Powhatan Classic and received the following recognitions:
-1 st place Drum Major
-1 st place Music
-1 st place Visual
-1 st place General Effect
-1 st place Guard
-1 st place Percussion
-1 st place Band- Class AAAAA
(5A)
In addition the Marching
Colonials had the highest score of the day, making them Grand
Champions!!!

R
the
Flag
is one of the most elite teams in the NFL. They have dedicated a flag to their most productive helpers, the 12th Man. The 12th Man is Seattle’s loud fans, which give them a home field advantage.
Seattle’s fans are known as some of the loudest in the league, which could be the reasoning behind their winning ways. On December 2,
2013, at CenturyLink Field, against the New
Orleans Saints, Seahawks fans registered a decibel reading of 137.6, a Guinness Book World
Record. The Seahawks average 2.36 false starts per home game. The 12th Man, without a doubt, have paved the way for Seattle to win. In fact, the Seahawks could possibly have went undefeated at home in 2012 because the fans helped them in such a way, it impacted the game.

C H F
by Ethan Carr
Colonial Heights football is ranked as the fourth most improved 3A team in Virginia.
After losing 27 straight games, the Colonials won two in a row to turn it around to start the season. Victories were over
Thomas Jefferson and Park
View.
Having an outstanding defense, the Colonials often set their high powered offense up with good field position and a shaken opponent.
This is the season that the
Colonials believe they will prove everyone wrong. The team looks forward to a good season and continues playing with great attitudes.
Head Coach Remus James has declared that they will not only make the playoffs, but they plan on hosting them here.
“Mentally and physically tougher than everybody else,” is what the coaches relay Tyriq Anderson (above) runs the ball to the outside .
Brian Gwaltney (below) looks downfeild for a reciever.
Keon Graves breaks a tackle for the Colonials.
through the heads of the players at practice every day. It goes to show that they can win if they have that mindset to do so.
The hard work that the team put in during the off season is starting to pay off, but they show no signs of slowing down.
After making it their goal to win a game, they started making new goals to achieve. They are striving to make the playoffs to show that they are a better
Colonial Heights football team than ever before.
All photos courtesy of Axionfoto

b y
P a tricia
Westfall
The Lady
Colonials are undefeated in the central district.
They have pulled off major wins against
Thomas Dale, Matoaca, and Prince George.
Their current record is 11-
8-0. They have 8 losses in the
Conference 25. Five of those losses came within the weekend tournament they played on Oct 4.
The leadership skills on the team are what hold it together. The seniors and captains, Kayla Boyd, Erin Page, Lindsey
Nowland, and Taylor Banty, work together and lead the rest of the team.
The leadership shows on the court. They continue to help each other and praise each other after every individual play.
Kayla Boyd, outside hitter, is a weapon against any opponent. She has exceeded 1000 kills in her high school career, currently equaling 1164 kills overall.
Lindsey Nowland, libero, has 228 digs in her senior season alone. She has 580 since sophomore year.
Erin Page has 55 aces in her only two years on the team and
176 digs.
Taylor Banty has 20 assists and 233 digs in her four years on the team.
It is obvious that the leadership on the team is crucial to the team’s success.
The girls look to Kayla, Taylor, and Erin for serves.
Ava Adenauer, sophomore, has proven her skills as setter. She had to follow ’14 graduate Savannah Couch, and prove her own skill set to the position.
Coach Toni Martin pushes the girls as hard as she can. She doesn’t take defeat lightly and wants nothing more than to have the best team in the area.
The team puts forth all of their effort during practice so that they can be their best out on the court. As they all say, practice makes perfect.
The chemistry within the team has a massive effect on the team’s performance as well.
The girls click with one another perfectly.
With leadership, practice, a determined coach, and unbelievable chemistry, the team is one to beat. They make it tough for opposing teams during each match.
With a young team, consisting of mostly sophomores, the team is going to be stronger every year.
Erin Hood, who plays middle, said “We have gotten better and closer. We will miss the seniors and the leadership they have shown.” by Patricia Westfall
The boys’ volleyball team is having an unbelievable season as they are currently undefeated in their regular season.
The boys have won every regular season game against their Central
District opponents.
They have come out with huge wins against Thomas Dale, Matoaca, and Prince George. They have defeated every central district team in 3 sets with the exception of Dinwiddie (3-1) and Monacan (3-2).
The boys currently ranked fifth in the state.
“It’s crazy, almost unimaginable. Playing with these guys for the past three years has given us the experience we need to overcome the central district and maybe more,” said senior Max Haynie, explaining what it is like to be undefeated.
The chemistry within the team has taken them to great lengths this season. “Many teams have skill, but it takes teamwork and years of working together to get where we are today,” Max said. Haynie also said that he wouldn’t want to play with any other group of guys.
The team has had certain obstacles that they have had to face, but one in particular stands out to the team. “It started with our first game against Monocan, where they took us to five games.
But we kept our heads and have been smart ever since,” Max explained.
The team’s ultimate goal this season is the state title. They are on the right path to achieve it.
All photos are courtesy of Kevin Hood

C
H
CH by Ethan Carr
The Colonials girls’ field hockey team is having a great season so far. The team has improved quite a bit from the start of the season.
Playing well as a team has helped form a great playing squad. Despite having no seniors on the team, they have managed to win.
The team fights to force the ball into the goal. All photos courtesy of
Axionfoto.
An upside to not having any seniors is that the team will
Casey Ridpath and Rebecca Barklow celebrate a win for the Colonials.
have experienced players for seasons to come. Younger players get a lot more playing time against older teams forcing them to play at a higher level, which in turn will help build an overall better team.
The team is very close; they all have formed a very special bond with each other. They genuinely enjoy being around one another, and have made strong friendships.
Coach Hillard has described them as loud, fun goof balls.
She and Coach Pulskamp both enjoy the team and they both also participate in the practices, to make it interactive and more fun for the team.

by Elizabeth Magnusson
You would be amazed at some of the things people have in their sports bags.
Whether it is from morning practice to school or from school to practice, the items in people’s bags vary from one end of the spectrum to the other.
What are the typical items you would expect to be in a sports bag? Depending on the sport there are many different things people need in order to be successful.
One item that will probably be the same for most is a water bottle. Water is a big thing for all sports. No matter what sport you are a part of, staying hydrated is very important.
Also eating a big and healthy meal before a game or meet is very important. A balanced diet and eating right will help you be successful in whatever you do. Having a small snack or possibly a meal before practice is definitely helpful.
This is Brian Gwaltney’s football bag.
He has cleats, a girdle, knee pads, practice pants, a jersey, shorts, an extra shirt for after practice, Nike compression shirts, and socks.
This is Jonathan Hartson’s tennis bag.
He has towels, bandages, water bottles,
Pedialyte, tennis racquets, and extra grip.
This is Kelly Spaine’s cross country bag.
She has her uniform, practice clothes, a sweatshirt, socks, and water. Like it was stated earlier, it’s definitely important to stay hydrated in all sports especially while running a 5K.
This is Erin Page’s volleyball bag. She has her warm-ups, water bottle, shoes, knee pads, wristband with warm up list, and a granola bar. “I use a soccer bag so I can put my shoes and knee pads in the ball pocket for better ventilation,” she said.
by Elizabeth Magnusson
The fast flying Colonials have a new high scoring teammate on their boys’ team.
Nate Jennings, a seventh grader at Colonial
Heights Middle School, is number one for the boys team.
Nate has run a sub-20 minute 5K and continues to improve his time. This is an execptionable time in high school cross country.
The shoes are flying over on the girls’ side at Fort Clifton. The cross country girls’ team is undefeated so far this season, as well.
The boys’ and girls’ cross country team started training in the beginning of August.
They have been putting in hard work and many miles. This work has really shown in the races this season.
The team just got a new coach on staff, history teacher Coach Brian Cox.
The team’s home course is still at Fort
Clifton which they now share with the brand new Appomattox Regional Governors
School’s (ARGS) cross country team.
Cross country is both a very physically and mentally demanding sport. Runner
Kelly Spaine points out that it is not easy to run 3.1 miles for a meet or practice or to get the endurance to run 3.1 miles.
Some of the team’s strongest aspects are, “We all try our hardest,” said Natham
Cabrera, and “Our team relationship. We are a very close-knit team. We have no drama,” said Christopher Rowe.
Both have very good advice for people who may want to join but don’t know if they can run 3.1 miles or not. Cabrera said,
“You have nothing to lose. You can only gain friends and get fit.” Rowe said, “Just do it. Even if you think you can’t do it, you can always push your body farther.”
Cross country is a very good cross training sport. It helps both your upper body and lower body, “It’s a very good work out for my other sports,” said Rowe.
Rowe has been running Cross Country since sixth grade and one of his favorite memories of this sport is, “My sixth grade year, the day before districts we had a one hour long run, we went down to the
Adenauer’s dock and went swimming.”
This team has been working very hard this year. Many people have been going personal records including Cabrera who ran a 20:16, dropping a minute off of his old best time.
Coach Ralph is the head coach for the
Cross Country team this year, “[They] look out for one another. The strong push the weak. [They] challenge each other.”
Cross Country is a challenging sport, but with encouraging teammates and supportive coaches it can be easier to push yourself and continue to improve.
This is Alison Page’s field hockey bag.
She has her mouth guards, cleats, knee socks, shine guards, goggles, field hockey stick, and water bottle.
by Thomas Metcalf
Golf is the only sport where the lowest score wins.
The Colonial Heights High School golf team tried its very best this year with their final standings being three wins and ten losses.
The golf team has a total of 11 players with the main competition players being
Alex Waltman, Stuart Crinkley, Blake
Cox, Ashton Tudor, Whit Spivey, Alex
Gabbert , Jordan Parker.
The team has competed in eight matches this year, and would have competed in ten, but two of the matches were rained out.
Golf has a stereotype of being a very lazy sport for wealthy people, but it is in fact anything but.
The golf practices are very laid back and relaxing, but the competitions are very serious. There is a very competitive nature to golf.
The team is a very welcoming group, and has this to say to people thinking that golf might be for them. “The golf team always welcomes players that are willing to be dedicated enough to put in the practice to get better. Golf takes a while to get good at and it requires patience through the high and low points of the game, “ said junior Alex Waltman.
The golf team of CHHS plays in the new Conference 25 against teams like
New Kent, Southampton, Park View,
Lafayette, Poquoson, and Warhill. The courses that they play on include Dogwood
Trace, Cardinal at Fort Lee, and the South
Hill and Petersburg Country Clubs.
Coached by the former Honors World
History II teacher Mr. Jim Crinkley, the team holds a large amount of respect for the coach because of his desire to help the players turn into better players and people.
Mr. Crinkley is a very good role model for the players because of his attitude towards the opposition. He always shows the opposite players and coaches the utmost respect and kindness.
Nobody knows exactly how long Mr.
Crinkley has been coaching the golf team.
He had to stop for a few years due to his obligations to the girls’ varsity basketball team, but he came back to coaching golf as well.
Junior Alex Waltman said, “He has been coaching…….a long time.”
Junior Stuart Crinkley - Axionfoto

How do you feel about being athlete of the month?
I feel incredibly blessed to be given this honor.
What rank are you in Cross Country
(XC)?
ime outdoors running with my team.
How do you balance school and sports?
Making time for both school work and sports can be challenging. As soon as I get home from practice or meets, I eat dinner and get started on homework right away. I try to call it quits on the studying before it gets too late at night so that I will get enough sleep to do well in school and practice the next day. It is better to get more sleep than extra study time, you will remember more of the material.
to get a PR (personal record time). Cross country is a mental sport. Unlike other sports, you are the only person that can determine your performance and show what you can really do. The stopwatch does not lie. I love getting to run in the woods and enjoy nature. Cross country has improved my overall fitness and given me a stronger sense of self-esteem.
How do you mentally prepare yourself for a race?
I am number two for the girls.
How long have you been running XC? Do you want to run XC in college?
I have been running cross country since freshman year. I hope to run intramural or club cross country in college.
How do you feel about being athlete of the month?
What are your favorite memories?
One of my favorite memories is my very first meet. Everyone was so welcoming and encouraging. Another one of my favorite memories is our team went to the Ashland Berry Farm. It was hilarious seeing everyone grabbing on to each other whenever a costumed person popped out.
Those moments right before the gun goes off are the most nerve-racking. I pray before every race to get myself mentally ready.
Praying helps me calm my nerves, get focused, and feel strengthened. I steady my breathing and focus on what I need to do.
What do you feel most confident about in XC?
Do you have any pre-race rituals? If so, what are your pre-race rituals?
I drink lots of water and pray before every race.
How many hours do you practice a week?
I practice about ten hours a week.
Why did you choose to run XC?
At the start of my freshman year, one of my best friends who was running cross country encouraged me to join the team. I was hesitant at first because I had been playing basketball since childhood and I did not think I had potential in another sport. After seeing me run the mile in my P.E. class,
Coach Ralph asked me if I would come check out the team. I attended my first cross country practice that very afternoon and have been running ever since.
Do you play any other sports?
I also play basketball.
I feel confident when I achieve a PR or come in as a top finisher in a race. Cross country has made me a more confident person and a stronger person both mentally and physically.
Does the crowd the effect how you run?
What role do you play on the team
(leader, motivator, etc.)?
I enjoy leading stretches and helping keep everyone on task. I often lead my teammates in prayer before a race to get everyone motivated and encouraged.
Does the team hangout outside of the sport?
Do you play any other sports?
I also run winter track and spring track.
What are your favorite aspects about
XC?
How many hours do you practice a week?
I am always encouraged to push my limits when I can hear friends and family cheer me on. On one occasion, I could hear spectators from the opposing team yelling at the runner behind me to pass me, but it only spurred me on to fight to stay in front.
The crowd definitely helps me push myself.
I have met some of my best friends through cross country, as well as my boyfriend!
Our team is super close-we are more like a family. Several of us spend time together outside of practice. My boyfriend
Michael and I double-date with two of our teammates a lot. My teammates are my best friends.
I like that cross country is a mental sport. It is up to you to push yourself to improve. I like that this sport makes me physically and mentally tough. I enjoy spending a lot of
Why are you so passionate about XC?
I love that cross country is both a team sport and an individual sport. You want to be a top finisher to help your team score points, but you also have to push yourself
What keeps you excited during the race?
Races can be long and exhausting, but I keep myself motivated by aiming for a personal record time and trying to pass as many runners as possible as the race progresses.
What are the best characteristics of the team?
One of my favorite things about our cross country team is that we are small and we feel like a family. Everyone works together to help each other improve. We work hard, but we still have a great time.
How do you mentally prepare yourself for a game?
I practice from 9-11 and from 5-7 in the summer, from 3-5:45 during the school year, and from 12-2 on the weekend.
I have my headphones in, sit in the corner of the weight room for about 30 minutes and then after that I walk the track by myself a couple of times.
I feel great. It shows a lot, I worked hard over the summer to get where I am at this point and still trying to progress to get better.
What are your favorite aspects about playing football?
What do you feel most confident about in football?
What position do you play in football? Do you like it? Would you rather play another position?
Scoring, the contact, and the atmosphere the game gives.
How do you balance school and sports?
I feel most confident about the way I play the game. You have to be in a good composure, play hard, play smart, and play hungry.
Does the crowd the effect how you play?
I play tailback, and I love it. I wouldn’t change it for any position on the field.
Right after school of course we have football, but the time after that goes to school work.
How long have you been playing football? Do you want to play football in college?
What are your favorite memories?
No it doesn’t, but we all would love to have a nice crowd. You can’t let people judge your game.
The growth from minor league to where
I am at now playing varsity football.
What keeps you excited during the game?
I have been playing football since the age of six. I started with flag with the recreation department and worked my way up. I want to play in college that is the goal I am working towards.
Do you have any pre-game rituals? If so, what are your pre-game rituals?
Why did you choose to play football?
I grew up around the game watching my uncle playing and my father breeding me to play the sport.
What keeps me excited is having the hunger of wanting to win the game.
What role do you play on the team
(leader, motivator, etc.)?
Yes, before the games came in the summer, every Thursday night we would eat Buffalo Wild Wings.
What are the best characteristics of the team?
Why are you so passionate about football?
I am one of the team captains, the workhorse of the team.
For my pre-game rituals I pray to God and my grandmother. The reason I say my grandmother is because when she passed away, she wore my jersey.
My love for the sport just grew over the years.
Does the team hangout outside of the sport?
We all work together as a team this year, we are a family. We play as one and we all play for the same reason. To Win!