The Perfect Season

 

            The Bucs accomplished what has never been done before at Beech High School, a perfect football season, 15-0.  There was only one team that could come off that field Friday night and be champions, so the Bucs decided that they were going to be that winning team.  The game against Columbia Friday night was not even a close one in the end.  The final score of the game was 56-35; over 20 points of a gap.  The Beech Bucs have now won the State Championship an incredible two times in a span of four years.  The Columbian defense couldn’t stop one fast and great player, Jalen Hurd.  Hurd, who broke the state record for most rushing yards in a season, was insane Friday night, getting 394 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns.  Hurd had this to say after the game, “I give them all the credit – without the offensive line I couldn’t do anything.”  What he means is even though he is an all-star player; he could never accomplish any of it without the hard work of his teammates and their support.  The Beech football team was and still is unstoppable.

            Although the guys did great on the field, let’s not forget about the stellar fans.  The bleachers at Tennessee Tech were filled to the max with young and old fans.  Tons of people from Hendersonville were there to support the Bucs; even if they were from Hendersonville High School or Station Camp.  The student section was as loud as ever Friday night, while the Columbian student section started to die down with every touchdown.  Another factor on the sidelines (literally) was Coach Crabtree and his amazing skills as the Buccaneers head coach.  After getting his second State Championship win, Coach Crabtree had this to say, “I tell people all the time, I know guys who have coached 30-plus years that haven’t sniffed a state title.  We have won two in four years. To me, that’s incredible. We are unbelievably blessed.”  There are no other words for Friday’s game but superb.  There was the undefeated and unstoppable football players, the pumped up and wild fins, and last but not least, the devoted and amazing coaches of the team that all made Friday night an unfathomable game.  Beech will soon be ready to start practicing for another great year of football.  Only time will tell if Beech will have another great season that will lead to a State Championship like this year did.

- Connor Starks

 

Pep Rally Does Not Disappoint

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NA0c7HEmSZI

As the Beech football team prepares for the State Championship, students and teachers come together to send their team off with cheers and good luck wishes.

As students filed into the gym, they weren’t quite sure what to expect. After all, its not everyday your team and school has the honor of going to State, so this pep rally should have maybe just a little extra something than the  previous ones. As things got started, the student body was welcomed by cheerleaders doing their routines to get the students pumped up, and the dance team, who performed their winning dance. Dressed in cut up clothes, and doll themed makeup, they danced their heart out and never once broke character from the freaky dolls they were supposed to be.

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any more interesting or scary… many of Beech’s very own teachers joined the floor. The music started and the students erupted into laughter and cheers as the teachers began their dance routine to the currently famous song, “Gangam style,” with math teacher Mr. Thompson in the front, wearing an orange suit and sunglasses, much like the lead singer of PSY in the music video. It was adored so much, that the teachers performed it once again soon after.

Although it had to come to an end, many Beech High School students are in agreement that this pep rally was the best they have ever experienced and hope to experience again, when Beech goes to state next year. With a football team like ours, there is no doubt that we will go far next year as well.

- Brittney Mace

Buccaneer Basketball

Another year at Beech High, another round of sports seasons, and with the Buccaneers dominating the football league, it is time for the Buccaneers to rise up for basketball season to claim their rightful place as champions of this league, too. Although the first match—against Brentwood—was a defeat with a score of 70-38, there is still more than enough time to turn this around into another conquerous rampage. The defeat came from the lack of experience the players had, four members filling in as substitutes for those who were actually scheduled to play, but couldn’t due to being occupied with the football team. This lack of experience comes from a sudden drop in varsity members (most of whom graduated) and an influx of fresh, new jr. varsity players to work with. The plus side is that these new players are able to gain a bounty of experience they otherwise wouldn’t receive, and with basketball try-outs still on-going for those on the football team, it’s hopeful that additional players will make the team. Coach Joines, head coach of the men’s Buccaneers basketball team, also denied feeling any pressure coming from the success of the football team, but rather looks at it as a beneficial factor, claiming that the boost in school spirits will boost the team’s spirits. With the experience issue likely to br quickly smoothed out as the games are played and the experience is gained, and while keeping a watchful eye on Wilson Central, the team to beat, Joines is certainly optimistic about the games to come. Stayed tune and support the Buccaneers!

- Matteen Mansoori

Future State Champs?!

The Beech football team has had a great season; perfect so far.  That winning streak will be tested this Friday as the Bucs will play a challenging game.  The Bucs beat Jackson North Side this past week which has moved them up to the State Championship game, the 5A BlueCross Bowl which will be held at Tennessee Tech on Friday.  The game with North Side was a close one in the first half of the game, but our Bucs knew what had to be done and knew how they would feel after the win.  So the Bucs came back and won the game by 33 points; the final score was 64-31, Beech.  Now that the game was over, the team had to focus on a new enemy to beat to become the State Champions of Tennessee, Columbia High School.

            Columbia is the same team we played in the State Championship in 2009.  Although we beat them 47-33, that doesn’t mean that the team can just go into the game thinking they will win.  The boys are going to have to put everything they have into this game in order to beat Columbia, who will be doing the same as them.  Coach Crabtree has a tough game coming up and he better prepare himself and his team for what lies ahead.  Yesterday, on Monday 26^th, Jalen Hurd received the award for Mr. Football, which boosted the team’s confidence and pride up a notch.  Players like Ivan Adame had this to say, “Jalen wining that award has given the team so much confidence that I think we are all ready for Friday.”  Columbia definitely noticed this and hopefully got a little downed and nervous about it, knowing that they play Jalen and the unstoppable Bucs this Friday night.  Whether or not you are a big football fan, support your Bucs as they are going to be playing the toughest game of the season.  And if the boys prevail, Beech will be State Champions for the second time in four years.  Let’s go Buccaneers!

- Connor Starks

Will Columbia Have Revenge?

After a long, grueling season full of hard work and determination, the Buccaneers have done it: they made it to the 2012 State Championships. This Friday they will be up against Columbia Central, which for that team must feel something like a rematch. The Bucs defeated the Lions back in 2009, the last time Beech went to State. The Lions are eager for vengeance, but the Bucs are confident they will win again.

While Beech is ranked 141 in the nation and 7 in the state, and running back Jalen Hurd has just won the title of “Mr. Football,” Columbia Central has some impressive statistics of their own. They are undefeated this season, and ranked 24 in the state. They were the district champions from the years 2000 to 2004, and again in 2011. In 1997 they won the state playoffs.

The head coach for the Lions says that he “Really stresses team work and commitment.” This game is sure to be a tough one. Hopefully the Buccaneer’s winning streak won’t end this Friday.

- Savannah Bent & Megan Samples

Beech Participates in the 2012 Election

 

Students at Beech High School raised their voices and voted for who they wanted as President of the United States in a mock election on Monday.   Bret Meets said, “The mock election will give people an open eye on how people vote and it will make them aware that their vote counts.” The Election was a success as far as running smoothly and Governor Romney came out on top. 

            InterAct organized the mock election and during second block students voted using their cell phones. Each class represented a state and at the end Mr. Whitfield’s class calculated the percentages to see if states would go Republican or Democrat. “Based on the results so far I think Romney will win and since we are in Tennessee we are more Republican”, predicted Miquela Williams.

            Beech High School’s election did not reflect the way the authentic election played out. While the election was very close, Romney took a slight lead until the results from Florida and Ohio shot Obama’s electoral votes up. Obama won the electoral votes and was re-elected as President.

- Megan Samples
If you are interesting in viewing the map, click on the link below.

http://ElectoralMap.net/2012/myPrediction.php?d=enrxnnnneknwnzwko

 

What is the 99?

Halloween is right around the corner, and haunted houses are something that many people enjoy this time of year. This Halloween season, there is a different kind of attraction open here in Nashville called the 99 – a simulation of the bad choices that teenagers make and how they can affect their lives.

            The 99 travels all around the country and is open year-round, but it is especially popular near Halloween. It includes terrifying scenes from crack houses, car accidents, suicides, and domestic violence. Its name is based on the statistic that, on average, 99 teens die each day from poor life choices. The realism factor of this haunted house is more frightening than any fictional horror story ever could be.

            The 99 has a reputation for being considerably more disturbing than a run-of-the-mill haunted house. There are warnings on the coupons and tickets that strongly discourage those who are pregnant, have heart conditions, or weak stomachs from entering. No one under the age of 11 will be admitted at all.

            For those that do not fall into those categories, however, the 99 might be something interesting to check out this Halloween. It is located on 594 Collins Park Drive in Nashville.

- Savannah Bent

ACT or SAT?

                High school, for students, is a place of learning, friends, and teenage experiences. It is also one of the major foundations of a student’s future life. However, preparing for that future life can be stressful, with worrying about GPA, applying to the college of your dreams and doing well on the ACT or SAT. Here are some tips and advice to stop the worry, and let you take that test with confidence in yourself and your future life.

            The first thing you need to do is decide which test suits you best. How do you decide that? Well, it all depends on what subjects you personally excel in, and what your talents are. The SAT tests your knowledge on reasoning and vocabulary. It is an aptitude test, while the ACT is an achievement test, testing your skills in not just english, but science and math as well. There are more questions on the ACT than the SAT, but while the ACT’s questions are quick and straight to the point, the SAT requires you to think about what exactly the question is asking. The SAT also is designed to make guessing hurt your score. If you can eliminate at least one of your choices, go ahead and guess. If not, leave it blank. The ACT does not do this.

            Both tests have an essay, which is optional on the ACT and required on the SAT. The subjects differ between the two. The ACT usually asks you to comment on a current controversial issue and give your counter argument, while the SAT gives a broad issue that you need to discuss using supportive details from your personal life experiences, history, or literature. The scores of these tests also differ. It is possible to get a total of 36points on the ACT and 2400 on the SAT.

            If you still can’t decide which test suits you best, take both! By taking both, you will have the option of choosing which one to send to colleges by choosing whichever one you did better on. When you finally do decide, make sure you are prepared! Take practice tests online or in books. They will give you an idea on your strengths and weaknesses and what areas you need to improve on. The night before the test, gather everything you will need such as, the admission ticket (if given one), a photo identification, a high energy snack, a watch, and if needed, a calculator. Once all that is finished, get your beauty sleep! Cramming and staying up late is one of the worst things you could do. When you wake up, eat a big breakfast! It can make all the difference during the day. On your way, look over your notes to review, and make sure you arrive early and confident! Know that no matter what score you make, your future will be a bright one.

-Brittney Mace

Beech Takes the Title of "Big Brother" Over Hendersonville

Watching Friday night high school football is a part of the fabric of America, but something about  last Friday night’s game between Beech High School and Hendersonville High School sparked the interest of thousands. The intense game between the long time rivals was packed full of students, alumni and supportive residents from Sumner County and the surrounding areas. Even students from other schools came wearing either a BHS or a HHS shirt. Out of everyone, all would agree that emotions were running high.

            The game started off great as Jalen Hurd scored the first touchdown for Beech. The field goal was good and The Beech Patrol (BHS student section) went wild with streamers, baby powder and confetti as seven points popped up on the scoreboard. Not long after, the Hendersonville Commandos scored once and a little later again bringing the score to 7-14. The determined Beech Buccaneers bit back and left the score at 14-14 at halftime. During the second half Beech scored twice and Hendersonville scored once bringing the score to 28-21. BHS won.

            Seconds before the clock ran out Beech students erupted and sprinted toward the field. The clock hit 0:00 and the ecstatic students victoriously ran down the field, met in the middle and in unity started chanting “Big Brother”. It was the most amazing feeling for the students and players to beat their trash-talking rivals.  “I am so happy we beat HHS because I really don’t like them”, says Conner Starks, a student who painted up for the game. The whole town watched as Beech High School won the title “Big Brother” to their “Little Brother”, Hendersonville High School.

- Megan Samples

Rivalries and Battles

 

This week, Beech students have turned more diehard than ever for their teams due to the latest sensational struggle for football supremacy--the Beech High Buccaneers going up against long-time rivals, the Hendersonville High Commandos, in what is to be the biggest clash of armies this season. While it is no secret that both teams perceive each other as sworn rivals, there are probably those who are wondering, “WHY in the world are we sworn rivals to begin with?” Well the answer to that may be more relevant to all of the students of both schools than most previously thought, and is deeply rooted within the histories of both schools.

Over thirty years ago, Hendersonville High School had, at one point, reached maximum capacity. Soon after, they went over. In a dire overpopulation problem, with yet more students coming in, the decision was made that another school must be built in order to properly take care of the influx of new students and those who could not get the education they needed at Hendersonville. Thus, Beech High School was born. That’s right: Beech High is the younger brother of Hendersonville High. From then on, ever since the inception of this school, a natural “sibling” rivalry of sorts was established, and school spirit (as well as ticket sales) thrived off the rivalry.

However, this rivalry is looked upon to be a healthy dose of added competitive spirit, not at all being violent though far from friendly. It strikes just enough of a balance so that each school takes the rivalry seriously, though stray from going overboard and causing any bodily harm to each other. It makes the players play harder, the tickets sell faster, the students prouder to be students of their school, and the games fought harder. At the end of the day, the students of both schools are still neighbors and friends, and are mature enough to not let a long-standing rivalry get in the way of that. To sum it up simply in the words of Mr. Cardwell, “The rivalry is healthy, school students keep it in perspective. I don’t notice lingering hard feelings.”

- Matteen Mansoori

Ready to Get Wired?

If a Beech student ever hears mention of Wired Coffee Company, they may have heard the name, but not many are very familiar with it. Wired is a small coffee shop in Hendersonville that is slowly but surely gaining popularity as a hangout for teenagers and young adults. It is usually a fairly quaint, relaxed environment, but frequents of the shop know that every Monday night they will find live music and hours of fun.

            Every Monday local bands like Pencil Flower and The Bleating Seamen are booked to perform at Wired. A five dollar cover is all you need to stay and listen to every set while you relax with your friends and enjoy some of the shop’s amazing coffee and snacks.

            Hana Garcia, a senior at Beech and one of the managers of Wired, loves her job and hopes that the coffee shop will become more well-known around town.

            “I’d really like more people to know about this place,” Hana says. “It’s amazing. It’s not just a place for teenagers, it’s great for anyone to come and hang out.”

            Wired is open seven days a week from 4pm to 1am. It is located on 699 West Main Street in Hendersonville, only minutes away from Beech High School.

- Savannah Bent

Flashback Field Day

Students who qualified for Old School Field Day last Friday were given the opportunity to have a blast on the field and in the stands, by competing in classic field day games or cheering for their fellow classmates.

 It has been a successful few weeks for the schools magazine drive, and to say thank you for the student’s cooperation, the school hosted a field day for any student who brought in at least twenty-five dollars the previous turn-in day. Miss. Greer was in charge of the event, which was held last Friday during second and third block. There were games such as water balloon toss, sack race, football, toss, and even a pie-eating contest! Whatever the game was, it was clear the students were having a great time.

 Almost all of the participant’s opinions about the event were positive. When asked if he would like to do this again next year, sophomore Braden Sloan replied with, “I would love to do this again next year because it is a lot of fun and we have earned it.” Junior Paige Kelly could not agree more! Her favorite game was the water balloon toss and she loved the fact the students were able to hang out with friends and be outside instead of in a classroom.

 Although the activities of the day were being enjoyed, one common complaint was the food, which was cheeseburgers and hotdogs. Many students, including Junior Jaime Manning, stated that the food was “cold and bland” and the school needs to provide “more variety in the chips” because not all students may like that one brand and she hopes that is something that will be proved on in the future.

 Besides the fact that the food didn’t uphold some of the student’s wishes, they all seemed to have a day full of fun and good times as their reward for their hard work and selling skills eventually came to an end. This field day was only one of the many rewards the students have been given and there are only a couple more turn-in days left! Go out and sell as many magazines as you can in order to qualify for the next fun reward, which hopefully, will be just as exciting and exhilarating as this one turned out to be!
- Brittney Mace

Welcome to the Daily Buc

  

 “I want the blog to be something student-driven, student-written,” these were the very words of Mrs. Burton--teacher and editor-in-chief of the journalism class—when asked about The Daily Buc, Beech High’s own weekly-updated blog supervised by the journalism class. This blog is meant to serve as the reincarnation of the school newspaper and is the next level of reporting and story-telling, bringing news and information to the reader through a new and modern medium. With the use of the internet, everyone can view the blog from their laptops, iPads, and smartphones--anywhere and at anytime. Since there is relatively little printing and paper used, this blog is free! It is all of the convenience of having the school newspaper whenever you want it, with no fees or payment needed.

The idea of a blog as opposed to a traditional newspaper came to Mrs. Burton as a way to let students creatively express themselves and their concerns, as well as the concerns of the school, in a fresh, experimental way. The blog, of course, “Will depend on attitude and participation,” says Savannah Bent, a member of the journalism team. The general attitude of the class seems to be rather optimistic. When asked about how the blog will turn out, Alexis Varsakelis—another journalism member—said, “Great, we have many creative people, including me, not to brag!” While the project may still be in its infancy, The Daily Buc is up and running, with high hopes and bright folks ready to take it as far as it might go.

- Matteen Mansoori      

New Beats

 
 If you like the radio, then you will definitely enjoy the new Beech Beat!  Mr.
Hylton, the chorus teacher, has started the new Film and Music class that has never
been done at Beech High.  This class is a combination of the two classes Film
Music Study and Audio and Video Production.  At the start of the year the class
began the project (some may say), for the new ‘radio station’ called the Beech
Beat.

The class has already started broadcasting. You can listen to a small portion
of it before school on the intercom, or you can download the podcast on iTunes-
for free!  Tune in this Friday for the fourth broadcast on iTunes!

Mr. Hylton said that the project has been great for the students, and that it
has been very fun for all of them, including himself.  Most of the time the students
work on the project by themselves, and broadcast alone too.  Mr. Hylton is
counting on them to be responsible for their work, not only for the grade, but for
the students in the school.  It’s their responsibility to finish each broadcast by every
Friday. 

 The students on the Beech Beat are waiting for your participation by
listening to their station. Don’t keep them waiting, listen to the podcast on iTunes
now!

- Justin Hopkins

The Season of Success

It is that time of the year! Students at Beech break out their fall clothes and school spirit as the volleyball and golf teams achieve victory once again.

 The volleyball team has had an extraordinary season so far. The team has played 22 games and has won a total of twenty, which makes their current record 20-2. Many of the girls on the team believe playing against Portland was the most intense game; however, others included their input by stating that winning the Coyote Clash Tournament was their favorite part, even though they played for an exhausting ten hours! The team played against Wilson Central this past Friday and came back with another win.

With two to three matches a week, the golf teams dedication and hard work is paying off. The girls have won all but one of their games and have made it to regionals as a team, along with one of the boys. They placed 2^nd at districts this past Monday and hope to move to 1^st when competing at regionals this upcoming Monday. Junior Kendall Bell states that her favorite part of being on the golf team is “being with the girls and my friends and playing with other teams.”

While it seems like the Volleyball and Golf season just started, games have flown by and Beech teams have the trophies and medals to prove it! Before it is too late, get out, support the players, and help make their last few games the greatest they have ever had!

- Brittney Mace