Last Week at SBEC

On April 16, band members and chaperones arrived back on the SBEC campus from a 5-day trip to Washington, D.C. where the band marched in the 100^th annual Cherry Blossom Parade. We were chosen as a result of band auditions from around the country. Marching in the parade was a lot of fun and I even met some new friends at the practices for the parade. Although this is my freshman year at SBEC, the students in the band and color guard have helped to make this a great year.

Although all of my classes this year have helped prepare me for college, Computer Applications 1 has been particularly important. My computer teacher, Mrs. April Mahony, has helped me and the other students do excellent work on the numerous projects we have during her course. One of our projects was to write a business letter to a welcome center. I chose to write to the welcome center in San Bernardino, California. In my letter, I asked several questions about their town and what attractions I should visit. Last week, I received a Visitor magazine and brochures about the city. I thought this response was really cool.

SBEC is a great school to attend; they offer many interesting and helpful classes.

Lauren T.

This Week at SBEC- Senior Edition!

As a senior who has spent thirteen years of her life in these hallways, it’s extremely difficult to imagine graduating any time soon. However, the “Senior Countdown” has under thirty days left! It’s absolutely crazy.

For the majority of the students, this week at SBEC will be business as usual: tests, homework, quizzes, practices, games, you name it! While I might be doing some of the same things, for me, the remainder of this week will be very surreal.

This Friday, I, along with the rest of my graduating class, will be filming a portion of our senior video…in our caps and gowns! We’ll do things like form the number 2012, throw our caps in the air, and walk down the aisle similar to when we leave the sanctuary after graduation. Words cannot describe the immense emotion accompanying this filming day!

Another senior tradition takes place this week: the turning in of the “Senior Wills.” At the end of the year, all the seniors write notes in the form of a legal will to their underclassmen friends as a way to say goodbye. Filled with silly jokes, funny memories, and exciting plans, these wills are so much fun to write! Reflecting on all these memories makes me gladder that I came to SBEC.

I’m so excited to finally partake in the senior activities this week. I think I’m finally ready to graduate, but I don’t think I would be if I hadn’t gone to school here! The teachers, students, and administrators that surround me daily have helped shape who I am today. I couldn’t possibly imagine attending any high school besides SBEC. I’m so thankful my parents, under God’s leadership, placed me here!

I’ll leave you with a piece of encouragement: excel in all you do. It is worth far more than you could imagine. One day, you’ll be in my shoes, reflecting on all you’ve done and been taught here, and words won’t be able to describe the feeling of joy that overcomes you in that moment.

“I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14

Megan G.

The Beginning of Spring at SBEC

            Upon our return from spring break, all of my friends were sharing about the exciting trips they had taken. This spring break was very special for me because I spent it with the International Biblical Studies mission team in Costa Rica. In reality, International Biblical Studies (IBS) is a class at SBEC that is geared toward missions and prepared us to share the gospel abroad.

            On this trip, my classmates and I were able to help clean up a local church, and my team in particular helped to build office space. Additionally, we were able to share the love of Christ with Costa Rican children through Bible studies and crafts. This time was very special for us because we were able to witness the Lord being worshipped in another language. This experience showed us His sovereignty over all nations.

            I am very thankful that I was able to participate in this mission trip because of the numerous opportunities I had to serve Christ throughout the past week. I am extremely blessed to have teachers and administrators who were willing to give up their spring break to spend it with us, and this trip would not have been possible without our fantastic faculty. This was just another not-so-normal week in the life of SBEC!

Jakin D.

My Normal Week at SBEC

The title of my blog is a little deceiving since this past week was no ordinary week for me or the school. Last week our drama department presented Oklahoma! The Great American Musical. I am a thespian and very involved in the theatre productions. For this show, I served as the costume mistress. I have had so much fun working with my friends and our fearless leader Ms. Judy DeFrehn, the high school drama teacher, to present a fantastic show!

Except for Wednesday, we had performances every night beginning at 7:00 p.m. This schedule meant that we arrived at the school at 5:00 p.m. and left at 10:00 p.m. every night. In addition, we presented a matinee performance on Friday morning and again on Saturday afternoon. The amount of time spent together allowed the entire cast and crew to become very close. We now think of each other as part of one big family. I am very thankful for a school that provides me with an opportunity to participate in extracurricular actives such as the theatre where I can get to know so many people that I otherwise probably would not have known well.

In addition to being involved with the drama department, I am also the secretary/treasurer of the student council. One of my job responsibilities is to sell snacks to the student body every morning between second and third periods. This is one of the highlights of my day since many random and interesting conversations can occur at the snack cart.

Kelsey D.

Last Week at SBEC

Last week at SBEC we enjoyed getting a short break due to Presidents’ Day. After having the day off, we returned on Tuesday and got right back into the swing of things. Here are a few of the things I did in some of my classes last week.

We are reading The Scarlet Letter in Mrs. Anderson’s 11^th grade English class now that we have finished another short story unit. I have enjoyed reading this book by Nathaniel Hawthorne and the class discussions that we have had on it. The question so far has been: “Who da Baby Daddy?” I’m sure this will soon be answered as we read the next few chapters of the novel.

In American History with Mrs. Tapp we just finished studying World War 1. Now we are moving right on into the Roaring Twenties! I enjoy Mrs. Tapp’s class and have enjoyed learning history from her this year as we take notes, watch videos, and discuss different eras of history.

Those are just some of the cool things we are doing and studying right now in my classes. A lot of the students are putting much time and effort into the musical Oklahoma! All of the students in the play seem to really be enjoying it and having fun with Ms. DeFrehn! I know I had fun with her in Speech class last semester, and I am excited about seeing my friends and fellow classmates in the play. I have never seen Oklahoma! before but I have enjoyed every play I’ve ever seen at SBEC.

Sarah G.

This Week at SBEC

Since my fellow students have already written volumes about their extensive involvement with all the different organizations in which they are members, I’ve been left at a slight disadvantage. Not because I have nothing to share, but simply that everything that sums up a week at SBEC has already been written.

No week passes that isn’t jam-packed with events: study sessions for the Pre-Calculus test the morning of the test, a presentation in Economics and American History, a synthesis essay in AP English, a Pre-Calculus test, a quiz on Latin vocabulary, and play practice after school. What is intriguing about this schedule is it wasn’t a daunting task at all to juggle all those events.

The teachers prepared us to use what time we had to our advantage. Sure, it may seem like it is almost too much to give an 11^th grader, but they know that college isn’t going to be sunshine and rainbows all the time (even though it may sound that way to all of us). Each week is an accumulative lesson, using every little thing we have ever learned to our advantage.

Truthfully, I enjoy the workload. Yes, I may complain about it when it seems especially heavy one week or another, but when I’m in college I’ll be thankful for my time-management skills. SBEC’s purpose is to prepare us for college, and that’s what I feel it’s doing for me.

Hunter G.

Last Week at SBEC

Last Tuesday morning I served as the iceman for the drinks available for purchase before school in the band concession stand. As a result, I was running a bit late to my first period class. I walked into my Economics class where Mr. Brad Gentry was explaining the business world to us in an easy going pace as a result of his banking and nonprofit experiences. In second period, Ms. Judy Defrehn continued to influence our literary minds with her love of British poetry. Calculus and Physics were both challenging and exciting at the same time. In seventh period, Director of Bands Michael Berryhill made us play our music with more emotion. It was just a regular day for me at SBEC.

One special event happened on Thursday. Together with three other students and Mr. Berryhill, I left school early to participate in the Mississippi State Honor Band tryouts. Since we were in Starkville, our group ate at one of the favorite restaurants of the Mississippi State students. While trying out for the Honor Band, I was able to audition for the college band next year, since I currently am a senior. Following the tryouts, we listened to a special performance of the Mississippi State Maroon Wind Symphony. It was a most exciting day.

Matthew D.