Features

Hand sanitizer vs. hand washing

Which is more effective?

Compiled by Henry Robinson

Hand Sanitizer

• Active against all bacteria and most clinically important viruses, yeasts, and fungi.
• More than 20 published studies prove alcohol based hand rubs are more effective than soap in reducing the number of bacteria on hands.
• Instant hand sanitizer combines 62%-65% alcohol with a special blend of moisturizers to kill germs on hand and softening hands.
• The alcohol breaks down the germ cell walls causing them to die.
• Purell hand sanitizer kill up to 99.99% of most diseased germs.

Hand Washing

• A person should wash their hands for a minute under warm water rubbing ands together.
• While washing hands a person should rub knuckles, palms, fingers and fingernails together.
• Dry hand with a clean paper towel or a towel until hand is dry

• Unwashed or poorly washed hands are very common of spreading many diseases, such ass colds, flu, ear infections and strep throat. 
• Bacteria and viruses that cause diseases can get on your hands in many ways, such as handling food or animals, touching doorknobs, shaking hands, using phone receivers or computer keyboards, and using the toilet.

Grizzlies go international

Students spend spring break in France

Words by Brianna Bartholomew

“My spring break was amazing, it was beautiful there and I experienced a once in a life time trip,” freshman Heather Nutt said about her recent trip to France.

Over spring break French teacher Lisa Devore took a group of students over seas to explore France.

“It was by far the most adventurous trip I’ve ever taken,” junior Lauren Nutt said. “Paris is known as the ‘city of love’ so my expectations were high. The middle of the city at night was the best thing I’ve ever seen. All the monuments were lit up and beautiful.”

But not all trips can go off without a hitch. The flight to Dallas was cancelled on the first day and the trip got a late start.

“The Unexpected is always part of the adventure,” Devore said about the flight cancelations.

After paying a lot of to money see France, some were upset about the delay.

“We were all so worried that no one would get to go,” Heather said.

But the next day things got back on schedule and the group left for Paris. The flight from Dallas to Paris was about 9½ hours.                 

“I sat next to my sister and some French guy who was coming home from Cozumel. The food was surprisingly really good,” Lauren said.

The flight arrived in Paris in the morning leaving no time to catch up on sleep. The group was awake for 36 hours on the first day.

“It is so exciting and so different, you almost forget that you’re tired. Sleeping becomes a waste of time when there is so much else to do! Sleep can always be made up later,” Devore said

As soon as the plane landed hopes were high and people were excited to be in a new country.

“It was different than the movies make it out to be,” Heather said. “I didn’t really have too many expectations since I had no idea what it would be like, but I was really happy and excited for the way it ended up.”

The group went to many different sites and got a weeklong crash course in French culture. They toured Paris and other surrounding French cities.                 

“We went to Amboise (a city a couple hours Southwest of Paris) it was like Heaven. There were brick roads, green grass, sidewalk cafes, and castles everywhere,” Lauren said.

The group also visited Versailles, but the Nutt sisters missed out when they got stranded at the Eiffel tower.

“At first I panicked. We started running towards the buses looking for [the group] and when we realized they had left, we knew our best bet was to run towards the metro and catch up with the North group,” Lauren said. “It would have been amazing to see Versailles, but we still had a blast going to Lafayette with the North Group.”

After shopping at the world-famous Lafayette, they caught up with their group at dinner.

Another experience in France is getting to meet the locals.

“It was crazy how many of them could speak English. Their accents were harsh and shop owners were the rude ones,” Heather said.

Although some were rude, the city itself didn’t take much notice.

“The city is so fast paced and busy, so lots of people didn’t bother us. They stared, of course, but that’s because we looked different,” Lauren said. “I definitely would [go back], it was really cool because we not only saw the monuments but also learned what they were.”

The experiences of France will last a life time thanks to dedicated and determined French teacher.

“I was so proud to be with such a friendly and responsible group of students from Northwest. I loved getting to share a common interest with my students. We made great memories,” Devore said. “I would have planned more for 2 more days”

Overall the trip went well and Devore is looking forward to going back in the future.

“Every trip is better than the last! When you fall in love with France, your connection grows deeper every time. France is a part of me, and with every visit, I get in touch with a piece of me. This trip was the best because I got to see a love for France blossom in other people,” Devore said.

Shelby Huxtable demonstrates a typical forensic event

Compiled by Alex Perry

Prose, one of the several different acting events that students can try in Forensics, consists of performing a selected piece of work with incredible speech skills. Here, junior Shelby Huxtable is practicing her Prose selection, “Politically Correct Bedtime Stories,” by James Finn Garner. Check out the video of Huxtable’s performance by clicking here. To learn more about Forensics, read the April 23 issue of the Northwest Explorer.

The Explorer goes for a new look

Tell us what you think!

 

Student volunteers his time for community

Words by Victoria Devereaux

Via-Christi Regional Medical Center. American Red Cross. Bone Marrow Foundation. Big Brothers Big Sisters. Trees for Life. Special Olympics. All of these foundations are places students and adults can go to in order to offer their support by volunteering. Sophomore Saajan Bhakta is one student that has been helping out at not just one, but all of these places.

“At the hospital, I work with nurses and staff and help them out,”

Bhakta said.

The tasks differ at each organization, but Bhakta is always working directly with people.

In the sixth grade, Bhakta decided to offer his assistance to these organizations, and has enjoyed doing so ever since.

“I hope to gain insight on potential careers, feel good, encourage others to volunteer, and someday start an organization about the importance and benefits of volunteering,”

Bhakta said.

Bhakta has three careers he is considering; oral and maxillofacial surgeon, trauma surgeon, and dental subspecialty.

“I am volunteering in a medical setting which has been helping me decide if dental medicine is the best choice for me. I learn a lot from volunteering,”

Bhakta said.

So far, Bhakta has given over 265 hours of his time to these foundations, and it is his intention to continue to do so.

“It will make me a better person and it will allow me to see the world through an entirely different perspective,”

Bhakta said.

Seeing the world with a different outlook has affected Bhakta in a positive manner.

“It makes me feel good inside to know that I am helping others. It also has allowed me to learn about my true self and make friends,”

Bhakta said.

Bhakta doesn’

t just volunteer to feel good, but also to spread joy to others.

“Volunteering means so much to others,”

Bhakta said.

Volunteering for organizations can help students who are planning to go to college.

“I believe that it has so many benefits, from the great feeling [you get] to scholarships,”

Bhakta said.

As the years go on and the hours of service add up, Bhakta will continue to have better chances at scholarships, make new friends, learn new things, help others, and feel good about himself. Bhakta suggests that others should volunteer as well.

“It is the best thing to do with your free time,”

Bhakta said.

Scholarships tips to help get you started

Compiled by Austin Smith

1. Be involved in your school and community. Most scholarships are based on community service and leadership roles. If you have none you wont be a top candidate no matter how strong your GPA is.

2. Don’t assume you wont qualify for a scholarship just because you aren’

t at the top your class. There are scholarships for ALL students.

3. Develop a good, solid essay to use. Lots of scholarships require essays wanting to know about you and your future goals.

4. Dedicate one day/night a week to working on scholarship applications. Treat it like a job. Be persistent.

5. Find three people who can write a letter of recommendation for you. These people should be able to discuss your leadership capabilities and your character.

6. Create a resume. This will save you time in the application process. Scholarship applications will ask you to list your extracurricular activites and work history.

7. Plan ahead. Scholarships take time. Don’

t wait until the last minutes to work on them.

8. Be persistent. Don’

t give up. Appply for any scholarshio that you qualify for.

9. Create an account at www.fastweb.com . It is FREE and scholarship opportunities will be emailed to you.

10. Utiliz the CCC for help. Youre not alone in completing scholarship application. The CCC will help you with any questions that you have.

For more information, check out these websites:

www.fastweb.com

www.meritaid.com

www.brokescholar.com

Homecoming candidates revealed

Compiled by Victoria Devereaux and Brianna Bartholomew

Shelby LeFever

Q: Were you surprised when you were nominated?

A: I was extremely surprised when I found out I had been nominated

Q: Did you want to be nominated?

A:I think it’s a HUGE honor to be nominated, but it’

s never really been something I wanted.

Q: What are you going to wear to homecoming?

A: I’

m probably just going to wear a nice shirt and jeans

Q: Why do you feel you should win?

A: I don’

t think I deserve to win anymore then the other nominees. Both Brianna and Caitlyn would make wonderful homecoming queens.

Q: What is your favorite part about homecoming?

A: My favorite part about homecoming is all the school pride and excitement, and defiantly the dance!

Q: What is your favorite color?

A: My favorite color is yellow!

Q: Favorite food?

A: I am a huge fan of cheese on toast.

Q: Favorite animal?

A: My favorite animal is a Llamony. Ask Josh McDaniel about it, it’

s pretty epic

Brianna Watkins

Q: Were you surprised when you were nominated?

A: Yes, I was surprised a little bit especially that both me and my boyfriend got nominated.

Q: Did you want to be nominated?

A: I’

m glad I got nominated my senior year.

Q: What are you going to wear to homecoming?

A: I have no idea yet, something cute though!

Q: Why do you feel you should win?

A: It’

s not a big deal if I win or lose, I will still be them same Brianna

Q: What is your favorite part about homecoming?

A: My favorite part about homecoming is getting ready then dancing with friends

Q: What is your favorite color?

A: My favorite color is pink

Q: Favorite food?

A: My favorite food is spagetti-o’

s.

Q: Favorite animal?

A:My favorite animal is Hello Kitty.

Caitlyn Kirkpatrick

Q: Were you surprised when you were nominated?

A: Yes, I was surprised.

Q: Did you want to be nominated?

A: I handy really thought about it.

Q: What are you going to wear to homecoming?

A:I am wear jeans with a black shirt and silver jewelry.

Q: Why do you feel you should win?

A: I don’

t really know that I should win, but it will be really cool if I do!

Q:What is your favorite part about homecoming?

A: My favorite part about homecoming

Q: What is your favorite color?

A: Blue

Q: Favorite food?

A: Chinese food

Q: Favorite animal?

A: Dolphin

Markell Oliver

Q: Were you surprised when you were nominated?

A: No because I was nominated before.

Q: Did you want to be nominated?

A: It doesn’

t matter

Q: What are you going to wear to homecoming?

A: Polo, Jordan’

s, and jeans

Q: Why do you feel you should win?

A: I don’t feel like I should win. I’

m not picky or a competitive person when it comes to stuff like this.

Q: What is your favorite part about homecoming?

A: Music and dancing. If the music is right which hasn’

t since sophomore year.

Q: What is your favorite color?

A: Blue

Q: Favorite food?

A: Pinapple and ham pizza

Q: Favorite animal?

A: An alligator

Bob Arens

Q: Were you surprised when you were nominated?

A: I was a little suprised. I knew people nominated me but I did not know I received enough votes

Q: Did you want to be nominated?

A: It is nice to be nominated but it was not super important to me

Q: What are you going to wear to homecoming?

A: I’

m going to wear clothes

Q: Why do you feel you should win?

A: It does not matter if I win, just being able to be apart of homecoming is cool

Q: What is your favorite part about homecoming

A: The week of homecoming. I think it’

s a great way to promote school spirit.

Q: What is your favorite color?

A: My favorite color is blue

Q: Favorite food?

A: My favorite food is chicken wings

Q: Favorite animal?

A: My favorite animal is a platipous.

Top movies of 2009

Words by Sarah Nolan

2009 brought us some great movies, some pushing the limits of blockbuster history. But among all these movies, Iv’ve put together some of my favorites and why they are at the top of my list.

Up

Pixar does it again: Up is a light hearted, if somewhat melancholy, tale of a man who begins to live adventurously in memory of his late wife by using millions of helium balloons to transport their home to South America. Ed Asner shines as curmudgeonly Carl, as does nine-year-old Jordan Nagai, who plays Carl’

s eager, if unwanted sidekick Russell.

Adventureland

One of the most underrated comedies released this year, Adventurelands tells the story of a college graduate in 1987 slaving away in a New Jersey amusement park to save money for a trip to Europe. Set to a stellar soundtrack, Adventureland doesn’t ring of director Greg Mottola’

s last project, Superbad, but instead portrays the tender and sometimes hurtful side of finding your own way in the world.

The Hangover

The sleeper hit of the summer, The Hangover is an outrageous comedy about a “wolf pack”

who must piece together the events of a raucous bachelor party when they wake up to discover the groom has gone missing. Zach Galifianakis is easily the highlight of this movie as oddball Alan: his performance will have you quoting him for the rest of your days.

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

Stop scoffing. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, based off a children’

s book of the same name, is a brilliant, sharp family comedy that tells the story of Flint Lockwood, a budding inventor eager to impress his stern sardine-fishing father with a machine that converts water to food. Bill Hader and Anna Faris are adorable as the nerdiest couple of 2009. This movie definitely should not be overlooked.

(500) Days of Summer

A heartbreaking dramedy, (500) Days of Summer explores the highs and lows of Tom Hansen’s relationship with the achingly beautiful Summer Finn. Though it’

s seemingly disguised as an indie chick flick, (500) Days of Summer explores the hopeful romantic in everyone, and gives them pause to think about their role in relationships.

Jennifer’s Body

If you’re like me and despise Megan Fox, this is the movie for you: a small town beauty (Fox) is sacrificed for the sake of an indie rock band’s success, but when the ritual goes wrong, Fox comes back to life to feed on the teenage boys of the town. The script, written by Diablo Cody, is wonderfully kitschy, and Amanda Seyfried stands out as Fox’

s fiercely loyal best friend. A must see for those who love gore, and laughs.