Technological difficulties

The computers at General Amherst High School have always caused a great deal of aggravation for both students and staff. There is always some problem with the computers ranging from log in difficulties and saving errors to non responsive printers.

Numerous students have lost weeks of hard work when projects erase themselves after saying that they’re saved. This results in a great deal of frustration as it causes students to have to redo whole assignments and teachers have to wrack their brains trying to solve the problem. Once things are completed students attempt to print work only to have the printer lock up. This seems to occur everyday in every lab at the school, and the tech people don’t seem to have any idea how to fix it.

Other problems come in the form of slow load times, resulting in assignments being incomplete as programs refuse to load. This also occurs with certain word programs, which refuse to open for the first few weeks of school.

The school is in desperate need of new equipment and more up to date operating systems, however the school board is likely unable to afford this as they would have to replace the equipment in every school across the board, which would be quite expensive.

In short students and staff will just have to deal with the problems the best they can until the board decides to replace everything. — Rob

Underdressed? You’re under arrest.

With prom right around the corner, many of you are just dying to show off your once-in a lifetime, spectacular dress. However ladies, you may want to reconsider what is appropriate and what is just crossing the line. Unfortunately, after Marche Taylor of Madison High in Houston, Texas was told her dress violated school dress codes, her senior prom turned into a frenzy as she was handcuffed and escorted out by police.
Like any other girl, shopping for her prom dress was a season’s highlight. Marche had found the perfect dress and was sure she would be the spotlight of the night. When the night arrived, Marche had only got as far as the lobby because when she tried to enter the ballroom, at the Sugarland Marriot, an official stopped her and told she was not permitted to enter and even after offering to provide more coverage, she was still denied access. At that point, Marche was furious and argued that if she couldn’t get in, she at least wanted her money back.
“She shook her head, she was like you are not getting into this prom,” said Taylor. “We were arguing back and forth because I wanted to know why I can’t get into my prom.”
Things ended up so bad, that someone had called the police. Officers showed up, handcuffed her and escorted her out of her own prom.
Although some argue that there was nothing wrong with her prom dress, others disagree and beg to know “what was she thinking!?” What do you think?
J.H

THE LATEST FASHION TRENDS FOR PROM 09’

The anxiety sets in as prom is just around the corner. Every girl wants that perfect dress and by following the hottest trends and styles, you will definitely add some sizzle to the evening.

This year, ‘bling is the thing’ as metallic fabrics and colors are popular and dresses with sequines are worn by all the celebs. If you’re looking to be the spotlight of your prom, a sequined dress is perfect for you. Not only will it catch the light perfectly but it will catch the eye of everyone else. Another look this spring is beading detail. While hand beading isn’t exactly bling, it is simple but still glamourous as it glimmers in the light.

Deep V-necklines on floor length gowns are ‘in’ for prom ’09 as it creates a very long and lean silhouette giving you a fabulous figure. Mermaid dresses, as seen at the Oscar’s and worn by numerous celebrities, are back in! This look will also create an incredible hour-glass figure and is great for showing off your curves.

Accessories such as silver stillettos or t-strap heels and a clutch purse will match perfectly with your glittering prom dress. However, stay away from a monocromatic look and play around with the colours that accent your dress through accessories.

Hair trends this spring include the classic chignon style (a fancy term for a bun at the back of your head), the halfway up hairstyle, the wavy beach-look and the classic French twist. Hair accessories are very popular this season as seen on the red carpet so try adding a flower or tiara, fancy clips, rhinestone combs or a ribbon headband to instantly spice up your hair-do.

By staying trendy and knowing that you look your best for your prom will help you make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime       experience.                 JH

Questions, Poisons and Sad Facts

Questions, Poisons and Sad Facts

By: KM                   February 21/’09

Today I was just sitting around watching the clock fly through it’s sixty minute cycle when I decided to turn on the t.v. Eventually, after a long period of mind-numbing exposure to the insane images flashing before my eyes, I turned off the screen and started to think. Why do people watch these shows? Why do people sit around and waste thier time gazing into this mind-trap at all? As I pondered, I stepped back mentally and peered into a question I tend to think about on a very regular basis.

Why do people do what they do? This is a pretty vague question and anyone reading this is probably thinking I’m baked or just thinking too much. The truth is, I know why I do things, but I’ve always found it a pleasant adventure trying to figure out why other people do/say the things they do. Does one person do something for attention, for a virtuous cause, to see if they can get away with it, or just because they were bored and not really sure what else to do with their time? Contrary to popular belief, I like people and am constantly interested in seeing what they do when faced with difficult decisions. Will they muster up the courage to express themselves or shy away from anything that’s a tad bit too taboo for their tastes?

Personally, I think that people are afraid. No one wants to be ostrasized because they don’t think like everyone else. You can deny it all you want, but it’s human nature to want to be the puzzle piece that fits just right in society. This little article isn’t meant to pick and stab at the flaws that have kept mankind together for centuries, it’s about a question. If I may repeat myself. “Why do people do what they do?”. The next time a friend or stranger is caught between a rock and a hard place, pay attention and try to figure out why they did what they did to get past it. Can you justify their decision to the point of doing it yourself or would you have done something completely different?

We’ve all walked down a street on a random day and found ourselves heading towards a stranger on the same sidewalk. This person could be just about anyone! They could be a librarian, a barber or even much less likely, a deranged serial killer. You don’t know! But nevertheless, you just walk by and either look past them or look down and hope they’re not going to talk to you. It’s awkward and weird, but nearly everyone does it. There isn’t a polite nod of the head or even a “hi there”. People just can’t be bothered to show even the slightest acknowledgement of a stranger’s existence. It’s either that or people are scared from the news force-feeding them that strangers are rapists and murders. When did the human race decide that it was a good idea to scare the hell out of itself with self-destructive media? Who knows, who cares, it has nothing at all to do with YOU… right?

I’m just scared that people are becoming too anti-social and untrusting of people they don’t know anything about. It would be nice to walk down the street and say good morning to a stranger without them giving me a startled look before shuffling away quickly. I have a wish. It’s simple and modest, but more than likely impossible. I wish that people would learn to trust each other and not place stigmas on randoms and stereotypes on people they don’t know. It would be intersting to see every student in General Amherst walk up to one person they don’t know and ask them to tell something about themselves.  It makes me wonder, what would happen?

There are a great many who have faith in mankind and see the importance of being social. With so many television programs poisoning the minds of people everwhere, it’s hard for alot of folks to trust thier own neighbour. It’s truly a sad fact, but a fact it remains… And so I’m left pondering, Why do people do what they do? Why oh why…

Insight on Twilight

Insight on Twilight by KM

An interesting phenomenon has struck our generation and is holding our attention with controversy and drama. One would thinksomeone important was shot, a war broke out or even that a star decided not to wear underwear one day, but no! People are going insane over a series of books! I can’t seem to find one person who hasn’t heard of or even read the Twilight series and I’m pretty convinced I’m not going to any time soon. I’ve heard some say they can’t get enough of the characters and just love reading the modern vampire spin-off of Romeo and Juliet and then there’s some that just can’t seem to control their hatred for the books and find the movie to be retarded! Honestly, this is the most ridiculously fun thing I have ever heard people argue about! I couldn’t control myself from laughing when I witnessed two students spitting vulgar insults over something so trivial.

As for the series, I have no interest in reading them. I have no intention of sugar coating it, I read different books, it’s as simple as that. The problem with this whole controversy is that people are criticizing others for reading… books! If this romance novel aimed at pre-teen girls is getting the younger generations excited about reading then I stand behind that novel. I would go so far as to give it my not-yet-patented-award for “making something not-stupid popular”. I would have to say it deserves this award and I hope that it gets people expanding their reading tastes to incorparate many more very well-written novels! What I want to say to those looking at Twilight as a dumb trend is this: Would you rather have people swooning over some fictional, novel relationship or would you rather have people rotting away in front of televisions? People are reading, why is this bad ?

“Edward!? Oh my god! He’s so handsome and perfect! I love him!” Yeah, this is usually what any person will hear when the book is in question or it’s beloved Edward comes into conversation. You’ve heard it, I’ve heard it and there isn’t a young man who isn’t just a little annoyed by it. Guys are always explaining that he’s a fictional character and just isn’t real, but the explanation just dosen’t have the wanted effect. I’m going to take a shot in the dark here and target a majority of the anti-Twilight folks. Are young men jealous of Edward? Are living, breathing human beings jealous of a character that was created by a lonely old woman and written into a book!? I’m sure that someone or multiple people are reading this and getting all defensive and preparing some kind of argument but just stop and think about it.. He’s composed of paper and ink and it’s not like he’s going to come out of the pages and steal away anyone’s girlfriend.

[x]I’m going to end this article with an angry public anouncement![x]

Enjoy.

If YOUR girlfriend is fantasizing about a pansy vampire freak then maybe YOU’RE doing something wrong! Not Her! Take a break for a few years, grow up a little and then try dating again because obviously you just aren’t ready for it yet! Don’t you worry, the ladies have Edward to keep them company until you decide to pick up your game. Have a wonderful day! 

Children in College

Another thought provoking article on issues relating to students from KM, our man with a view. As usual comments and responses are welcome.

I would like to begin this article with a short rant about children. They’re annoying as hell but we deal with it. Little kids whining that they aren’t getting one toy or another, getting upset that they aren’t getting a treat that some other kid is getting. It’s a normal part of a child’s life to want something that they don’t necessarily deserve. It infuriates a lot of people off and what not, but we understand because the kid is young and doesn’t know better. One would think this nasty habit would cease to exist as the child grows up, but apparently we have no such luck concerning the young adults in our college level education. It’s a sad thought to think that the leaders of tomorrow are acting like kids on a time out. If you’re thinking, ‘Where is this jerk going with this???’, then you should most definitely read on my jerk of a friend.

I recently came across an article that went into more detail than I would like to get into, about college students believing they are entitled to high marks for showing up and trying hard. At first my thoughts were, sure why not, if they’re putting in an effort, who’s to say they don’t deserve good grades. This thought quickly crashed and burned when I started to really ponder about this. Giving a student a high grade for coming to class and doing the assigned work is one thing. Giving a student high marks for coming to class and doing their best to stay awake is absolutely re-freacken-diculous!

Being a student who has played the slacker part in the past and has many bad habits because of it, I know the consequences of my behavior. That fact is I screwed up and I was repayed with bad marks and a lot of regret. I was thoroughly pissed at how everything turned out, but I quickly realized that if you don’t play the school’s little game, it’s going to screw you over. My question is: How are these lazy young adults actually even getting into college!? I would assume that it would take a decent amount of academic integrity to get up to that point. Then again, maybe I AM being a jerk and am too harsh on these individuals. But honestly, I sincerely doubt it.

One argument I was presented with was that giving bad grades is discouraging to these students and it’s giving them disorders or some such nonsense. The truth is, that teaching kids that they can get anything they want if they complain enough isn’t exactly great for mental growth! Come on now, these ‘kids’ are eighteen years of age or older! If they’re getting discouraged, I would think they should learn from their failures and put a little more into their academic career. Simply being in class, isn’t going to give them that ‘A’ their looking for. Doing the work and handing it in is where the marks are.

Really, all in all, I was pretty disgusted by what I read about these ‘entitled’ students and the little tantrum their having. What really needs to change in regards to post-secondary education is the maturity level of these students. Life isn’t going to be handed over on a silver platter just because you want it to. In my opinion, success is built upon effort, dedication and a little bit of luck. Sitting on one’s lazy arse and pouting unrelentlessly is a guaranteed one way ticket to absolute failure.  KM

Popular Politics

One of our ongoing contributers likes to share his opinions, (and we welcome his thoughts), but what do you think ! Send us your views (in a civilized manner) to barkingdog.gahs@gaggle.net

General Amherst High School. As a student at this school, I can say it’s not that bad of a place to attend. We are blessed with a wide variety of interesting students with a solid grasp on the world around them, a teaching staff who is aware that students are not just a bunch of delinquents, hell bent on causing mischief and inconveniencing everything and the food in the cafeteria isn’t half bad. Stepping back and looking sideways at our little community proves to paint a lovely picture. Sadly, not all is peachy keen in wonderland.

Recent school elections have proven that any student can be school Prime Minister. Whether that student be academically gifted, a sports captain or even a blundering idiot. My point is, it’s great that the student body has a choice who they want to vote into ‘office’. But… Are we voting for someone because that person will benefit the students or is it that they’re(and I use this word sparingly), entertaining.

How many times have the students of this school looked up at the speakers in their classrooms and squinted at the nonsense that spews forth from them? How many times have the students looked down the hall and saw a madman doing some sort of cheap antic? How many times will the young adults of this school have to put up with such childishness from an elected student official? It’s my solid belief that the position Prime Minister is one of dignity and pride. The school Prime Minister is a reflection of the the schools population and it worries me that the wrong impression at times has been made of our school.

I ask you to think for one moment. For half a moment if you don’t feel your full attention is worth this request. What kind of person do you imagine when you think about a Prime Minister? Do you see a silly, overzealous clown? I’m not going to lie, I most definitely do not. I imagine a human being who tips the balances of the needs of the students against social recognition. I imagine some one we can trust! Someone who will show the world General Amherst High School knows what’s going on and we’re damned proud of it! Next time you give your vote to someone, be sure they’ll do their job and not sell us out for their own petty amusement. KM

THIS IS IT

b will be touching base with barkingdog readers throughout the year to let us know what the last year of high school is all about.

Grade 12

I am really trying to make the most of this year. My grade 12 year, my last year in high school. I don’t know whether to fear those words, or embrace them. But I know I can’t run from time, no matter how much I may ever want to, because even though I could live in a moment forever, the clock keeps on ticking. I guess it’s a good thing I don’t have an option, because if it were up to me, I think I would stay seventeen forever.

I’ve seen a lot this year so far. I’ve seen friends eating lunch together, and I’ve seen them fight. I’ve seen couples sitting close by their lockers, and I’ve seen them breakup. I’ve seen so many smiles, tears, bright eyes and lit up faces, the odds of me walking on water are greater than possibly keeping track. I’ve been there, too. I’ve been single, had boyfriends, high hopes, and a heavy heart, on and off all throughout the year. I wouldn’t erase two seconds, not a single moment. Good or bad, I always learned something.

My friends are going to be everything this year, and as horrible as it may sound, my schoolwork has already became runner up. My grades aren’t suffering, though. My sleeping habits on the other hand, are. I would much rather be with my friends, hanging out around town, watching movies, going to the mall, or even just sitting together and talking. I could handle coming home at 10:30, starting my homework at 11, and going to bed at 2. That appeals to me much more than coming home right after school, only to continue with homework, going out for an hour after dinner and being in bed by 10. Sleep is something I can get back, I’ve got memories to make and better things to do than dream of fairies and chocolate.

Everywhere I go I make sure my camera is only an arms length away. I burned memories onto paper and my computer screen. Sometimes my batteries have died, but I guess that’s life. Things aren’t always how we plan them to be, and we’ve got to make due with what we’ve got. So what if my friend couldn’t hang out that one day I really wanted to see them. I made other plans and saw them the next day. So what if I don’t want to grow up. I’m going to whether I like it or not, and I’m going to make the best of it. So what if my batteries died. The memories never will.

I can’t believe this is it. So many endings to a whole new world of beginnings. It’s weird to think about. How we have to go on and makes lives for ourselves after thriving off of what everyone else has been able to provide for us until now. I know that it’s going to be up to me to stay in touch with my best friends, and I won’t be able to see them an almost guaranteed five days out of every week. I don’t know if I’m up to it, but I know I’ve got to try my damned best. It’s kind of sad, how the year is only one quarter of the way done, and I know I’m already looking at the end. I hope I’m not the only one. I know some people that plan on jumping blindly off a cliff and into their future after graduation, and some that have had their map drawn up since grade nine.

There are still a lot of things I’m looking forward to this year, and sometimes knowing that these are my last chances brings me down, but not enough to stop living it as much as possible. Prom is going to be amazing. Graduation is going to be tear-filled. Everything else along the way is going to be good enough for me. Sure, this is the end. But it’s also the beginning. ——b

High School

I happen to live in a mystical place, where high school girls aren’t horrible, cafeteria food is actully pretty good, and most of the football players are quite intelligent.

Now if you think about it, reading all the books, watching all the movies and TV shows, high school sounds like a death sentence. It’s really not. You don’t get shoved in lockers, because by the time you’re in highschool you’re probably over three and a half feet tall, so you won’t fit in the lockers. If you ask someone which way to a class, they’ll tell you the correct place. Teachers do not bite, they just make you copy out alot of notes. You don’t get horribly lost everyday, and you don’t have to make a mad dash to your locker before every class, five minutes is more than you think. Orientation helps, but you forget things. But so far high school isn’t a torture chamber where only the beautiful and strong survive. Anyone can make friends and do homework, personally, I get less homework then I did in grade school. You’ll lose some friends and gain some new ones. You’ll hate teachers and love some. But in the end unlike life, you make it out alive, without remembering a thing you “learned”.

-Morgan