Breaking Dawn: Lives up to expectations

Movie review --

By Kelly Cassano ‘12

The opening premiere weekend of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn raked in a whopping $283 million, and it continues to draw huge audiences. The fourth movie of the series, saga to Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse continues on with the supernatural world of love and hatred between werewolves and vampires. Breaking Dawn begins with the wedding of Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) and Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson). The movie continues on with the honeymoon on Island Esme. The honeymoon is cut short by the realization that she is pregnant with a half-vampire child.

I would rate this movie with 4 out of 5 stars. The characters in this movie have been built up since 2008 and I believe that this movie characterizes them well, growing up since the first movie. With four changes of directors, each movie has its own little twist to it. Breaking Dawn, under the direction of Bill Condon, switched up locations from rainy Forks, Washington, to the sunny Caribbean. With the change of locations, there was a bit of a brighter disposition to the movie. The first three movies were set in a dark and dreary rain, but this movie brightened up the series a bit more.

From a Team Edward perspective, you get to look into the trials and tribulations he faces in the fear of losing his new wife. As Bella disagrees with the family and decides to have the baby, Edward realizes how quickly it is killing her from the inside out. It is not until late in the movie that he shares the same love for his new baby girl, Reneseme. Not only does he have to save Bella's life by injecting her with venom during child birth, but he has to face the werewolf pack that is coming to kill the child.

From a Team Jacob perspective, you see his struggle with letting go of his love for Bella. Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner) tries leaving continuously but always finds his way back. Knowing of Bella's plans for the honeymoon, Jacob and his pack prepare for the battle that they are ready to attack. But Jacob soon comes to the realization that he can't attack Bella. He can't kill her. Finding out she's pregnant, he leaves his pack and joins the Cullens.

While some scenes seemed a bit cartoon-like, such as the wolves arguing with each other, I think that director Condon did a great job in expressing the different aspects of this supernatural world. The hatred between the vampires and the werewolves is shown very clearly in the beginning with the pack's only girl, Leah Clearwater, and of course the leader of the pack, Sam Uley. But as time goes on, Jacob, Leah, and Seth Clearwater make their way to the other side to protect Bella. The attack ends with the realization that Jacob has imprinted on Reneseme. There is one major rule in the pack: they cannot hurt anything that any of them have imprinted on. Imprinting is almost like love at first sight. But it comes down to wanting to do anything and be anything for that person. You can't fight it off. That person will be a part of you for the rest of your life.

The movie's ending was a bit gory. I think director Condon did the best he could do in having to show the child birth part. Once the baby is born, Jacob realizes that Bella isn't breathing. He works together alongside of Edward to bring her back to life. There is a big emphasis on the fact that Bella is dead. The director focuses the camera throughout the last final scenes on Bella. To see how it ends, you'll have to watch it. But in my opinion, it's definitely worth the time and money.

Breaking Dawn is very persistent in living on the legend that the first three movies set up. It lives up to the expectations it was given. Part 2 will be coming out to end the five-movie series in November 2012. It will continue on the lives of Bella, Edward, and Jacob, and you will continue to see the trials and tribulations they have to go through living in a supernatural world.

Well worth your time ...

Three Reviews
By Caroline Beckman '13

TV: Terra Nova
I'm going to be realistic here; when I turned on the television to watch Terra Nova on September 26, I honestly did not think I would like it. After all, science fiction is just not my favorite genre by a long shot. But Terra Nova features one of my favorite actors, so I decided to tune in out of loyalty.
I was pleasantly surprised.
Terra Nova, the tale of a group of people who travel 85 million years back in time to save humanity, has something for everyone. It has astounding special effects and first-rate gadgets for the science fiction fans out there, and dinosaurs out the wazoo for lovers of all things prehistoric. But if you took out the special effects and dinosaurs, Terra Nova still has all the makings of a hit TV show. It features romance, drama, and witty one-liners you'll find yourself quoting days after an episode airs.
It also features an entertaining cast of characters portrayed by several talented actors: police officer-turned-security officer Jim Shannon (Jason O'Mara); his doctor wife Elisabeth (Shelley Conn); their children, Josh, Maddie, and Zoe (Landon Liboiron, Naomi Scott, and the painfully adorable Alana Mansour, respectively); Skye (Allison Miller), an orphaned resident and possible love interest to Josh; and tough-as-nails Commander Taylor (the ever-fabulous Stephen Lang).
Even if you think you won't like Terra Nova, just tune in on FX one Monday evening at 9 p.m. It just might turn out to be your new obsession.
***
MUSIC: Laura Marling, A Creature I Don’t Know (Virgin Records)
Laura Marling won Best Female Solo Artist at the 2011 Brit Awards, and for a good reason. This girl can sing. It's no surprise, of course, that this English folk songstress is talented. Her mother was a music teacher, and her father ran a recording studio. Music is in her DNA.
She's not just talented, however. Her lyrics are timeless and inspired. (The inspiration for “Salinas” came from a John Steinbeck book, and “Sophia” was influenced by Robertson Davies' The Rebel Angels.) Her voice is strong and can range from soft and husky to clear and high, as demonstrated in “All My Rage.” Her voice, lyrics, and guitar-playing all contribute to a folksy-country feel that manages to harken back to an earlier time without coming across as archaic. The stories told in her songs could have happened on the American frontier in 1850. Or they could have taken place last week in London.
The songs on A Creature I Don't Know are low-key and perfect for curling up with a good book. Fans of the Civil Wars and Mumford and Sons (the lead singer of which is Laura Marling's former flame) will enjoy this album.
***
BOOKS: The Daughters Join the Party by Joanna Philbin
Joanna Philbin writes from experience when she chronicles the lives of teenage daughters of the world-famous. After all, her father is television host Regis Philbin. She knows exactly what it's like to be famous by an accident of birth, so it's not surprising that the fictional stories of Carina Jurgensen (progeny of well-known media mogul Karl Jurgensen), Lizzie Summers (daughter of prize-winning columnist Bernard Summers and supermodel Katia Summers, also known as “The Most Beautiful Woman in the World”), and Hudson Jones (only child of pop superstar Holla Jones) are so realistic. However, Carina, Hudson, and Lizzie are also teenagers, and have to deal with typical teen problems such as boys, mean girls, and parents who just don't understand them.
The fourth book introduces a new character: Emma Conway. Emma is the daughter of New York senator Adam Conway, but doesn't fit in with her preppy, political family. She prefers skinny jeans to sweater sets, and would rather take photographs than pose for them. When Emma is taken out of boarding school, after she incurs the wrath of her principal one too many times, and is put into her brother's ritzy school, Chadwick, Emma thinks her life can't get any worse. Naturally, she's wrong. Her father is running for President! Emma's life is about to do a completely 180, and there is nothing she can do about it.
When Emma accidentally announces her father's plans at a party, she finds out that she's a natural at public speaking. But being a teen in the public eye isn't as easy as it sounds. Emma – and her so-called “perfect” brother Remington – find out that there's a price to pay for fame and prestige.
This book is the latest in a series of excellent and realistic stories of four girls who are just like you and me – with the exception of their famous parents. The stories focus on friendship and honesty, and the four main characters are likeable and easy to relate to as they deal with the price of fame, teen problems, and learning who they are.

New! iMentor program at Badin

By Molly Ehrnschwender '12

This year a freshman mentoring program is coming to Stephen T. Badin High School. Also known as iMentor, the program was created to get freshmen more involved and comfortable with the goings on at Badin High School.

Mrs. Angie Bucheit, freshman and sophomore counselor, created iMentor in response to the cliques in past classes as well as freshmen not knowing what any of the sports, clubs, or mid-terms were like. The idea is to give the freshmen someone they can go to and it is also a way for seniors to reach out and welcome them into the Herd.

“We are Ramily," iMentor's motto, is already beginning to shine at Badin. Seniors met in mid-September to decide on what would be good for the freshmen to "interact and learn more about each other and have a good time," Tommy Saurber, BHS senior mentor, said.

Students, as of now, will meet every first Friday of the month during homeroom. However, many have voiced that they hope to meet more than that. "It (once a month) is honestly not enough to do what the program is meant for," Saurber said.

The difference made by iMentor is already being felt through the halls of Badin High. Senior mentors have been sitting with their freshmen at lunch as well as getting to know them. "You really make a connection," Kelly Cassano, BHS senior mentor, said. "Some of the freshmen are coming to me outside of school for advice."

There are 14 to 16 freshmen with five or six senior mentors and one teacher adviser in a group. Teachers do not come to the group sessions. They are there to help guide freshmen with their classes and possible bad grades.

Seniors are planning to have a freshmen night of dancing, corn hole, and a cookout in the Pfirman Center. This night will be only for the freshmen and their mentors to have a great time. "That will really help them feel involved because they aren't allowed to go to homecoming and stuff like that," Saurber said.

The new program is still just getting started but both students and teachers hope to have a great year getting to know each other and getting a better feel for what Badin is all about.

Seniors will be interviewing juniors for next year's mentor program in March.

Mr. Brown's tremendous career

By Matt Estridge ‘12

Mr. Ken Brown is best known around Badin for being an assistant coach for the Badin varsity baseball team, but now he will be known as a school faculty member. After teaching for 37 years, Mr. Brown has let go of the main teaching reins but still holds onto the substitute teaching reins. Being a 1968 graduate of Badin High School, it's like being home for him.

Mr. Brown has wanted to be a teacher ever since high school. It was a dream come true for him and one that he is so grateful for and would not ask for anything different.

When asking about what he was going to major in college after high school, Mr. Brown responded, “I was set to major in Social Studies at Miami University but there was a Saturday tutor program for elementary kids at the university at the time, so I started attending. I enjoyed helping the kids, so right there, I knew that I was meant to teach elementary students.”

Mr. Brown later switched his Social Studies major to an Elementary Education major at Miami University. After graduation from Miami, Mr. Brown was drafted into the armed forces. In 1974, Mr. Brown returned from military service and right away his teaching career began. Three days after returning, to be exact.

When asked about starting to teach right after returning from the service, Mr. Brown said, “I was ready for it. It was on Sept. 3 when I got a call to teach seventh and eighth graders at St. Mary's on High Street.”

For one year, Mr. Brown taught the seventh and eighth graders at St. Mary's but then transferred to the Talawanda School District to teach. He taught for four years at Talawanda and then came back to the Hamilton City Schools, where he spent most of his teaching career.

Mr. Brown started his career for the Hamilton City Schools at Jefferson Elementary School. He spent three years at Jefferson and said that it was a “challenge.” Asked why it was a challenge, he said, “It was a challenge because I received all the undisciplined kids in the sixth grade. For the three years that I was there, I worked on reading with the kids. It's amazing when one of the students that I helped thanks me every time I see him when he umpires our varsity baseball games.”

Mr. Brown then moved his career over to Hayes Elementary, where he spent 27 years. He made the switch because he could walk to school and the school was close to his home. Mr. Brown taught every subject at Hayes but enjoyed teaching science and social studies the most.

“I taught for the kids,’’ he said of his love for teaching. “I didn't teach the subjects because I had to, I taught them because I did it for the kids.”

When Hayes closed because of the new schools opening up, Mr. Brown moved his teaching to Linden Elementary, where he spent the past two years before retiring.
During the summer after retiring, Mr. Brown came in contact with Badin principal Mr. Pendergest and began talking about a “teacher academy” at Badin.

The only problem with that is that there had to be enough students interested in the program. Unfortunately, not enough students were interested, but that didn't close the door on Mr. Brown.

Mr. Brown was then offered a job as the Resource Center monitor and as a substitute teacher as well. When asking Mr. Brown why he came to Badin he said, “Because I love this place. Badin is like a second home for me and I love it here. I love seeing the students succeed.”

Mr. P for principal of Badin

By Raphael Grollmus ‘12

Mr. Brian Pendergest, most commonly known as Mr. P, has just begun his first year as principal of Badin High School. After serving four years as vice principal for Badin, then going down to McNicholas High to serve as principal for two years, and returning to Badin to serve as vice principal for two more years, he has taken the helm of Ram-nation.

When asked if he was ready to take the helm of Badin, Mr. P responded, “Being vice principal for six years, I know the staff well, how the school operates and try to stay connected with students by interacting with them.”


The daily role of principal may seem hard and stressful work but he tries to make the best out of it. In a typical week he will attend meetings with the school board, Rotary Club, and the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. He also tries to interact with students as much as possible, whether just saying “hi” to students in the hallway or talking to them at sporting events or even outside of school.


Another role that he plays is talking to parents, whether it be Meet the Teacher Night or major problems that the students may be having during school. He has plans for the near future to sit in on several classes a day to observe the teachers as they do their duties.


The strengths of Mr. Pendergest are that he knows the history of the school, not only from being vice principal of Badin but also as a graduate of Badin, which helps boost his knowledge. The ability to relate to the students is critical, knowing what it is like to sit in the classrooms with 90 plus degree weather with no air conditioning. And to know how much Badin puts an emphasis on not only sports but also a top-of-the-line education.


The rewards of the job have been good for him. He enjoys working with the staff and seeing the students mature and excel in school.


With every strength there is a weakness and obstacles that he must overcome. Mr. Pendergest says that some of his weaknesses are making sure that he understands the job, and how the choices he makes may not only affect him but the whole school. Another hardship is trying to meet the needs of the students. With 450 students at Badin, people may think that's not a lot compared to other schools, but it is a handful trying to keep them happy with change.


Mr. Pendergest has taken the Rams by the horns starting late summer of 2011, hoping to start his career as principal off with a bang and to set the stage for many more enjoyable years to come.

Jessica Simpson visiting Badin!

By Caroline Beckman '13

Jessica Simpson is paying a visit to Badin High School.

Not Jessica Simpson the singer, of course, but Jessica Simpson the senior at Miami University. (She's in the black top in the middle of the second row at right, with the Badin journalism staff.)

“I'm used to it,” the statuesque brunette said when asked about sharing a name with the well-known starlet. However, the name is all the two share. This Jessica Simpson majors in English education, and may be interested in teaching journalism.

After graduating from Hoover High School in North Canton, Ohio, Simpson started out as a business major, but ultimately decided it wasn't for her. She had always loved reading, writing, and working with people, leading her to her current major. She cites journalist writing as her favorite style.

“I love Miami,” Simpson said. She loves the classes, the beautiful campus, and the professors, whom she described as “helpful” and “passionate.”

In addition to schoolwork and helping out at Badin, Simpson is also a star on the Miami softball team, where she is the No. 1 pitcher. She describes the softball team as her “favorite thing about Miami.” She loves playing and competing. She has set records for career wins, single-season wins, single-season shut-outs, single-season strike-outs, and was fifth in the nation for shut-outs last year. “I had a really good year last year,” she said with a laugh.

Softball and schoolwork eat up much of her time. On a typical day, she practices for four hours, making it hard to do other things, such as tutoring or volunteering. When she travels, she must take her homework on the road. However, she says, the professors are “good about working with you.”

Simpson is not exactly a student teacher, but she is here for field experience. She will stay at Badin for two weeks, and then move on to middle school. She did not have her choice of schools, but is glad she was assigned Badin. “Everybody is friendly here,” she said.

She knows she wants to go into education, but is not entirely sure what she wants to do. However, she knows one thing: She wants to coach softball.

Mr. Imhoff Returns to Badin

By Kelly Cassano '12

When Mr. Sid Imhoff went to Badin High School back in the mid-1980s, he knew what he wanted to be when he grew up: an educator. After being the assistant principal at Hamilton High School for four years, Mr. Imhoff made his way back to Badin for the vacant assistant principal's job.

“When Mr. Pendergest stepped up as principal, he called to ask if I would be interested in being assistant principal,” Imhoff said. “We discussed the future of Badin and what direction it was headed, and I realized how important the success of this school was. After that, it wasn't hard to decide to come here.”

Why education? It has always been very important to Imhoff. He said, “There were many people that I looked up to through my years as a student. I wanted that opportunity to have a positive influence on kids, and coming to Badin has given me the chance to positively steer kids in the right direction.”

As a graduate of the Class of 1988, Mr. Imhoff believes that not much has changed. He believes that the same values are being taught, and that Badin is a very important place. Also, that there is a very “Welcome to the Family” environment through these halls.

“It's an environment that never goes away,” Imhoff remarked. “And that's the environment I'm trying to create for everyone else. Badin was so good to me when I came here as a student, and I'm so glad that I can give back professionally.”

When asked about the switch from Hamilton to Badin, Imhoff replied, “I don't have anything negative to say about Hamilton, it was just the right place and the right time. The city of Hamilton overall is very important to me. The success of the schools here is very dependent on the success of this town. Badin is a lot smaller-scale and close knit than Hamilton is. There are more opportunities to get involved traditionally and this is my chance to focus my energies on bettering this community.”

Mr. Imhoff's son, Austin Webb, also attends Badin High School. “It's really not that weird,” Imhoff said. “I've tried to give him his space and not cramp his style. I know how I would have felt as a student having my father here, so I made sure to ask his opinion before I took the job. But it's definitely been good for us coming to school together and we definitely have a lot more in common.”

When asked about Mr. Imhoff's return, Webb didn't think it was weird. “Nothing's really changed,” Austin said.

As principal of Badin High School, Mr. Pendergest is always in close contact with Mr. Imhoff. He emphasized that Imhoff was his No. 1 choice. When the position became vacant, there was really only one phone call to make: to Mr. Imhoff.

“I've known him for about 20 years now, and I really respect his approach to the students. His style in educating is a perfect fit for Badin. He has a lot of passion for helping the students become adults and I think he's done a tremendous job,” said Pendergest. “He has the ability to joke with the students, while keeping that level of respect with them. He was definitely our number one choice. He works well with me, and Mrs. Heinrich as well, and I'm glad to have him here. We have very similar styles, and that's just an added benefit.”

Mr. Imhoff plans to end his career at Badin and looks forward to the future success of this school.