Flu season strikes early this year

Flu plague strikes early this year

By Denise Rasche ‘13

            It seems like everywhere I look someone is sick. I was watching TV when I saw a story on the flu and if the flu shot is effective. During the program they flipped over to footage from a New York hospital where the trauma unit was crowded with victims of the flu. They ran out of room so they started moving patients to the hospital lobby, which was also flooded with flu patients.

Badin’s school nurse, Mrs. Amy Bonham, shared her thoughts: “The flu is early this year. It usually starts in January or February but this year it started in late December.”

 Although Mrs. Bonham has seen a lot of the patients, I talked to senior Morgan Walker, who experienced the flu last week. “I rested most of the three days I was absent," Morgan said, "but I also watched the Harry Potter series three times.”

Mrs. Bonham says that to avoid the flu, you should wash your hands regularly and especially before eating. You should also try to keep your hands away from your face particularly your eyes and mouth because germs mostly spread through the hands.

If you have the flu, get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids. The symptoms of the flu include a striking fever that persists for at least three-to-five days. That is the difference between the flu and the common cold, according to Mrs. Bonham. The cold can last from seven-to-10 days and does not include the same fast-hitting fever.

Whatever the case, stay healthy!

Colleen Monaghan unplugged

Ten Questions with Colleen Monaghan ‘13

By Alisha Bradbury ‘13

We asked Badin senior Colleen Monaghan to talk about her BHS experience.  She is president of the Pro-Life Club, an Ambassador, an iMentor, a member of the Liturgical Music Group, and plays soccer and softball.

1.      Why do you like Badin?

When I shadowed, people were always coming up to me welcoming me and seeing how I was doing. I've never felt so invited my whole life and it was a great feeling. The student-to-teacher ratio was also comforting.

2.      How was your soccer season?  Do you want to play in college?

My soccer season was anything but enjoyable. While the very beginning was fun, the rest of it was the exact opposite. Nothing good happened after I suffered a concussion. I was released to start therapy, and a week later I was in a car accident, setting me back another few weeks. I ended up playing 7 out of 19 games, and didn’t get to play in our district championship game.

It was heartbreaking knowing my whole life I prepared for the big games and college, but in one day, it was ruined. I am most likely not going to play soccer in college, but I'm going to try for college softball. It'll take more focus since it’s a new dream, but I'm determined as ever to make it happen.

3.      What are your college plans (school, major)?

I plan to go to Thomas More College, even though I haven’t submitted my application yet. I meet all the requirements and then some, so I’m not too worried about that. And eventually, I hope to earn my MBA (Master in Business Administration).

4.      Give us one great memory for you at Badin?

Spirit Olympics. They are great every year, but the feeling you get when you run out to the middle of the gym to get everyone pumped makes the challenges through the year worth it. It’s when you can really see your class unite as one to get many things done, and hopefully win big.

5.      What has been your favorite class, and why?

I would say it’s a tie between Speech/Drama, and any of my Art classes. I love how in Drama class, you can express yourself in front of many, and just become a new person on stage. It also has helped me a lot with my public speaking. I don't feel like I'll pass out any more!

And my whole life, I have created many things, but never really trying to make it look good. With Mrs. Palmer’s help mainly, I have learned many new techniques and that it’s okay to completely focus on one thing at a time to make it the best you can. With art, my OCD can be a good thing.

6.      If you could meet anyone, anywhere, anytime, who would that be?

Definitely my Great-Grandfather. When he was in his 20s or 30s, he moved himself and his wife from Ireland to here. I applaud that type of courage, risking everything you have to live a new life. Many know I am in love with the culture over in Ireland and that I plan to go back permanently sometime, but it’s all because of the hope he has given me. I know it’s possible because of him.

7.      If the world was going to end in December, what’s the last thing you

would have done?

I think it’d be amazing to go skydiving or bungee-jumping. I’ve never done either, but I've always wanted to. I can just imagine the rush it would give you and it is fascinating.

8.      If you could be an animal, what animal would it be? Why?

A red panda. I don't know what it is about that animal, but it is like an obsession of mine. First, they are a half “ginger” animal. Not much gets better than that! Also, they get to sleep around all day like a panda, but are adventurous like a raccoon. Look up red pandas playing and you’ll see why I love them so much.

9.      What three words best describe you?

Adventurous. Daring. Childish.

10.  Tell us one thing we don’t know about Colleen Monaghan that helps

make you interesting?

An example of just how childish I can be is that I have a huge collection of bouncy balls at home that I've collected since I was 2. I could be entertained for hours at one time with them.

Sandy Hook shootings: Terrifying

Opinion:

Hard to fathom the tragedy of Sandy Hook

By Denise Rasche ‘13

            The attack on Sandy Hook Elementary was an event that no one can even fathom because it was just so bizarre and scary.

On Friday, Dec. 14, a mentally ill Adam Lanza entered Sandy Hook Elementary School and open fired on 26 unsuspecting students and teachers. It is hard to even describe this terrifying event with words … terrifying was just the most accurate word I could think of. All of the photos associated with the event pretty much speak for themselves.

The terror is almost palpable on the children’s faces when they were walking/running out of the school. They were told to put their hands on the shoulders of the person in front of them and close their eyes so as not to see the carnage of the attack.

Lanza’s body was also present because after the attack, he committed suicide. That’s the thing that scares me the most about this story -- the young man who decided to pull the trigger on this seemingly regular day. I wonder how someone would even think of killing innocent people, or especially the little kids. Why would he do this?

 Lanza killed the children and teachers and took his own life after killing them. Why would he hurt them when it won’t affect him at all?

I know people say that Lanza had been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, but what is wrong that would make him do this? I can understand making food a different way or something simple, but this is such a radical reaction. What made him think to do this?

On the other hand, my hat goes off to the first responders and the brave teachers who did above and beyond for these children. I admire the woman who hid the students in the bathroom and also the little boy that told his teacher it would be okay because he knew karate.

Out of all this tragedy, the things that really matter can still be seen in the teachers, families, and the church that offered the mourning and remembrance services in honor of the victims for comfort from the rest of the community, including the families of the deceased.

My prayers are with the entire town in this time of mourning.