HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS
Philip Barbour High School
From our Newspapers
Students Prepare for Future
With Advance Placement English
By JASON C. HATHAWAY
Heavy books, lengthy readings, extensive compositions and gargantuan notebooks are a familiarity to eleven seniors at Philip Barbour High School. These students are enrolled in Advanced Placement English, a course which is becoming a vital part of many college preparatory programs across the nation. Not only does the class prepare students for success within a rigorous college environment, but it also provides an opportunity to accelerate mental aptitude.
AP English consists of intense study and interpretation of the different genres of British literature, as well as developing a working knowledge of literary techniques. There is a heavy emphasis on writing; students have timed writing assignments regularly and become
acquainted with various rhetorical devices in order to improve the level, maturity and overall artistic nature of their work. The course at Philip Barbour is like that of all other schools, with one exception: students have the class an hour and a half each day for the entire year.
This aspect of the course is very much contrasted with the approach of
other schools, where AP English is offered one semester only, or just
fifty minutes a day all year.
Philip Barbour has never offered AP English before this year.
During the summer, there was much debate about how the schedule
would be treated. Some students wanted only a half-year course, while
others simply desired an honors level class. However, after three
months, students are adapting well to the high expectations of the
course. "My writing skills have greatly improved," said Jami Woodford, a student in the class. "And, even better, the small-group atmosphere leaves room for open discussions and increased personal attention on a concept that I don't understand."
"Spending such an enormous amount of time in class compensates for the inexperience of both the students and teacher in dealing with
the Advanced Placement approach to English," replied Julie Scott, the
program's instructor. "It also permits us to engage in intense study of
British culture and see the effect of history on literature," continued
Mrs. Scott.
Despite many late nights of homework, taking this AP course in
sures great advantages. Many students are planning to take the AP
English National Exam in May, hoping to earn possible college credit
for the course while still in high school. Aside from vocabulary tests
and grammar exercises, this class broadens horizons. Each student
develops the thought processes crucial to mastery of the indispensable
art of communication.
PBHS Celebrates Homecoming
By AMANDA HONCE
Throughout the week of September 30, many events took place
during Philip Barbour's Homecoming Spirit Week. With the theme
"Just Kickin' It," the week began with the Powder Puff Football
game, an event were the girls play football while the guys lead the
cheers. During the game's half-time ceremony, senior Mike
Hymes, escorted by Denise Kroll, was crowned the 1996 Powder
Puff Queen. The sophomore/senior team came away with the win.
The student council designated particular activities for each
day. These included crazy sock and hair day, hat day, inside-out
day and come as you are day. On Friday, students showed their
support by wearing blue and white.
Homecoming wouldn't be complete without a parade. This
year's was held in Belington and was packed with class and club
floats, princesses and their escorts as well as community entries.
At the conclusion of the week, everyone was ready for the football game against South Harrison. It was going to be the best game ever, and during school there was a pep rally in which the sophomore class was announced the first place winner of the hallway
and float competition. Half-time brought the crowning of Renee England as 1996 Homecoming Queen. She was escorted by Drew Mulneix. As the game ended with PB losing 22-39, students left for
home looking forward to Saturday night's dance.
The dance, held in the Philip Barbour gymnasium, was sponsored by the Student Council. DJ Loring Phillips made for a lively
evening of dancing and fun. It was a beautiful night everyone
would remember for a long time to come as the 1996 Homecoming
Week came to a close.
Terri Branstetter
Attends Program At
Marshall University
By AMANDA HONCE
On October 15, the Scholastic
Journalism Program at Marshall
University selected, from a large
pool of nominees, 13 high school
journalism students from West
Virginia and Kentucky to introduce to university life. Terri
Branstetter, a senior at Philip
Barbour High School, was one of
the 13 who was selected. The program was developed by the W.
Page Pitt School of Journalism
and Mass Communications.
Ms. Branstetter was nominated
by Mrs. Carmen Henninger because of Ms. Branstetter's involvement in journalism and
school publications including being a yearbook management
staffmember, co-editor of the
Philip Barbour Equestrian Yearbook (95-96) and volunteering on
Mondays and Wednesday at WQAB, the Alderson Broaddus
College radio station.
At Marshall University, the students spent three days on campus
attending classes, working on university publications and rooming
with a college journalism student.
This was a greet opportunity for
the students who participated as
it helped prepare them for future
endeavors in journalism. Ms. Branstetter commented that the
program was beneficial to her and to all those who attended.
English Classes Visit Theater
By JENNIFER SCHOONOVER
On the morning of Friday, October 18, eleven members of Mrs. Christina Moneypenny's tenth grade Honors English class and ten members of Mrs. Julie Scott's twelfth grade Advanced Placement English 12 class attended a series of plays at the Rose Garden Theater in Clarksburg.
The plays, "The Open Window" and "The Interlopers" by Saki, "A Retrieved Reformation" by O. Henry, "The Pit and the Pendulum" by Edgar Allen Poe and "Lamb to the Slaughter" by Roald Dahl, were performed by the Chamber Repertory Theatre Company from Boston.
When asked about the plays, Mrs. Moneypenny said, "I thought it was a very interesting, educational experience." Most of the students and chaperones thoroughly enjoyed the performance. The chaperones included Mrs. Diana Bibey, Mrs. Judy Maddix, Mrs. Christy Branstetter, Mrs. Scott and Mrs. Moneypenny.
Rebecca Poling, a student from the tenth grade honors class stated, "It was more fun to actually see the plays than to just read them."
Campus Undergoes Changes
By SABRINA CLEAVENGER
As the students, faculty and staff returned to Philip Barbour in
late August, they noticed changes not only in schedules and staff, but
also changes in the physical structure of the school.
By September, construction workers stood atop the school as the roof replacement got well underway. Next, the city of Philippi donated
spirited signs labeled "Colt Lane" and "Horseshoe Drive" for the school's
access roads. Soon thereafter, the morning fog cleared to reveal state
road workers diligently adding a turning lane for traffic approaching
the high school from Philippi.
All these exterior changes are accented by the addition of eleven
foreign exchange students and several students who formerly attended
Belington's Special Services Center who moved to PB when the center
closed.
Each change, whether large or small, added to PB's uniqueness
and served to bring students, faculty and staff member together in an
even better learning environment.
Key Club Chips in at Adaland Mansion
By CHAD HALLER
The Adaland Mansion was built by Augustus Modisett, an early
farmer, businessman and politician who served as sheriff of Barbour County. After his death his family occupied it until 1916 when Judge Ira E. Roberts purchased it.
Robinson named it after his wife, Ada. She was known for using the house for social galas.
In 1995, the Adaland Mansion was donated to the City of Philippi by the Philippi Development Corporation for the purpose of
historical preservation and development for the community's use.
Since then, it has become a community project.
In restoring it, Philippi hopes Adaland can again be a place of social gatherings. Many local citizens and groups are actively
working to restore the windows and sand the steps.
The Philip Barbour Key Club has committed to helping with this project and has already worked many hours scraping wallpaper, sanding and painting. As one of PB's primary service organizations, the Key Club maintains its purpose of helping better not only our school, but our community as well.
Students Selected
As Natural Helpers
By TRACIE STUART
and
AMY PROPST
Natural Helpers, a new organization at Philip Barbour, is
composed of a small group of
the school's most helpful students. Nominated by their
peers to attend a retreat training camp, these twenty individuals visited Canaan Valley
Resort from April 24-26, 1996,
and learned how to help their
peers deal with problems.
Some of the most prominent
issues covered at the conference included peer pressure,
drug abuse, relationships,
school work, academic activities and eating disorders.
After returning to school, the
group worked to provide a support network for all students.
Hovatter Named Boy of the Month
By SABRINA CLEAVENGER
"I feel it is a great honor to receive this award; it's really nice to get such recognition through doing things I enjoy," said Gene Hovatter upon being named September's senior boy of the month.
Gene, son of Ira G. and Carol S. Hovatter, is a member of NHS, Who's Who's, N.E.M.A., Friends and Fellowship, Adopt-A-Highway and many volunteer services. Hovatter has also served as F.F.A. treasurer (95-96) and F.F.A. president (96-97). He placed first in the state in Entomology and Dairy Products, and first in the county in the Chemistry Olympiad. Hovatter plans to major in Agriculture Education and pursue a minor in Biology while attending WVU.
'Pride' of PB
Changes Look
By KELLY ANNON
Fans of the Philip Barbour High
School Marching Colts were
caught off guard this marching
season. Under the direction of
Jeffery Caplinger, the band underwent a complete makeover.
Rather than the traditional blue uniforms, the band was sporting
short-sleeved, fuchsia shirts, Panama Jack hats and sun glasses.
These new uniforms, along with
the dancing palm trees in the
background, really set off this
year's theme, "Caribbean Carnival." Selections from the show included: Miami Sound Machine's
"Conga," "Hot Hot Hot" by Buster
Pointdexter, "St. Thomas" and
"Day-O." The unique show also
featured a solo vocalist, rainbow
colored drum covers and the
sound of a steel drum playing
throughout the presentation.
Needless to say, this was a successful year for "The Pride." The band received many awards,
among these, winning its class at
the Forest Festival and receiving
second-runner up over all. Congratulations to the '96-97 March
ing Colts.
Fans, be sure to prepare for the
'97-98 marching season _who knows what could happen next!
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