Editor-in-ChiefAshley Guillory

Managing EditorJessica Parker

Productions ManagerOlivia Normand

Layout EditorsHeather Hartdegen

Anna Whitaker

Copy EditorRyan Sartor

Opinions/ Entertainment EditorNicole Foerstner

Sports EditorSean McGuire

Ads ManagerEmily Frame

Web AssistantJacob Ross

AdviserThomas Curran

Irish EyesVolume 43 No.1

Irish Eyes is a monthly publication in conjunction with the journalism program at Grace King High School. It is a member of the Quill and Scroll Jour-nalism Honor Society, the Columbia Scholastic Press Assocation, American Scholastic Press Association, National Scholastic Press Association and the Louisiana Scholastic Press Associa-tion. Letters to the Editor are welcome and should be submitted to room 20-G. Irish Eyes reserves the right to edit any submissions.The views expressed in columns are those of the columnists. The views expressed in the editorial are those of the Editorial Board.

OpinionsThursday, September 30, 2010 10 Irish Eyes

Summer job reinforces seniors pursuit of major

Independent senior ready for college, taste of freedom

King defies labels of stereotypical local high schools

This summer I was granted the opportunity to work at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Never in my wildest dreams had I ever conjured the idea that I would one day work for the government, much less at the age of 17. It also never occurred to me that the government would actually want me working as one of its student employees.

It was all rather spontaneous. On what seemed like any other morning, my friend Kayla, who had worked at the establishment the previous summer, asked me if I was interested in working at the establishment.

Thinking it was not so bad of an idea, as I was growing increasingly tiresome of my mediocre part-time job at a local movie theater, I decided that it couldnt possibly hurt to send in an application.

Not more than a month later, I received an unexpected voice message from an unknown caller. To my surprise, when I dialed the number back, the caller turned out to be a research scientist by the name of Si-Yin Chung who, as I later discovered, would serve as my future supervisor.

Needless to say I was excited more than ever that I was actually hired and would be working in a laboratory as a biological research aid, especially since my desired college major at the time fell within the vast expanse of biological sciences. And, to my fortune, I never for a moment grew bored of what awaited me for the duration of those two months.

Looking back, the experience is among my most valuable and worthwhile. I was

able to learn how to conduct real-life scientific experiments and was able to get a taste of what working in the science field is really like.

I have to say, it was the only job or job-like activitiy that I ever recall enjoying. It didnt require me to stand on my feet all day or have to look at a thousand demanding and often ill-mannered customers. And although I normally worked a good nine hours daily and woke up at around the same time I would for school, the job itself was relaxing, stress-free and something I sincerely looked forward to, not to mention the fact that my supervisor and fellow technician were two of the sweetest, most pleasant people Ive encountered. All in all, I have to say that working as a biological research aid has been such a privilege. It has further encouraged me to pursue a career in biological sciences, and I hope that I will be able to work there again in the near future.

having to rely on anyone but myself. While growing up, my parents have shown me how to be independent and be ready for what the world has in store for me so it wont be such a huge shock to me.

Preparing and paying for bills, such as monthly insurance, phone bills, gas and personal expenses have all been a priority in my life since I have had a job for more than two years now.

Along with my work schedule I have to manage my time efficiently for extra-curricular activities. These include student council, newspaper and maintaing my social life. Being able to participate in all of these has given me an advantage in learning how to multi-task and figure out what comes first in life.

With all these life lessons and experiences, Im looking forward to seeing how I am on my own versus other students where their parents have held their hand through life.

Im used to being independent because I am confident with my decsions and have never really relied on others.

Even though I may not have loved my mom refusing to give me money to waste on fast food and clothes, I have realized her method has taught me reliable spending and how to save my money for more important necessities in life. Maybe I thought my parents were strict on me but I believe now that parents do know best and that in the long run their methods will guide me for being on my own in college and there after.

So after my senior year is where the true test begins. Im ready for the challenge to be a mature, organized college student rather than the sloppy, barely-getting-by student. Just a thought to all you out there who actually think life is easy and parents are only out to get you, learn from your elders because they truly know best.

Its finally my senior year and Im anxiously awaiting the day I walk across the stage and get my diploma.

My parents have always told me to never rush life and to cherish every moment because time will fly and before you know it the real world hits you. Regardless of what they told me, I was still under the mindset to grow up fast to gain more freedom, privileges and to be out of high school already.

Now that Im almost graduating, I am looking forward to the college life and not

Jessica ParkerManaging Editor

Ashley Guillory Editor-in-Chief

What makes Grace King better than other academically challenging schools in the parish? Is it the spirit, academics or athletics? Most would agree that there isnt an answer because all three categories stick out in their own way.

When it comes to spirit, King doesnt exactly fill the bleachers at football games like Rummel or John Curtis, but anyone that has been to any of the last football games this season has seen that more and more students, teachers and parents come to cheer on the team. Getting a new football coach and a bigger cheerleading team has helped put more emphasis on spirit and gets us more pumped for our invigorating pep rallies, sports and daily school spirit activities-with help from our student council of course.

Kings Executive Board and class boards also play a very large part in school activites. As of last year, our schools student council was the Parliamentarian of Louisiana Association of Student Councils, and Walter Sologaistoa, our Student Activities Coordinator and Executive Board sponsor, was recognized as Advisor of the Year at Southern Association Student Council conference. In additon to preparing pep rallies, our student council organizes and executes fundraisers and schoolwide activities like Homecoming week.

King used to be that school that everyone chose over such schools as Bonnabel and East Jefferson because we used to be known as the school with the a wealth of highly qualified teachers and the all-around best school in the parish until dreaded magnet schools, like Haynes and Patrick Taylor opened. Some could argue they took our gifted math and English teachers and our best students. The redistricting of the parish also left us a little worried of what to expect.

It is true that we are in School Improvement I partly because the results of the GEE scores show that 54 percent scored Basic or lower in the English portion. Even though our scores may be low, we have the second largest AP course selection in the state.

What makes our athletics program distinguishable is that we have sports that arent offered at other schools such as swim team and ultimate frisbee. When it comes to our football team, it is known that we arent the best. Last season we were 0-8, but with our new coach, things are looking bright for the future.

Since the spirit is rising in the school it helps the football team and other sports teams play better. The more attention they recieve, the higher the level of confidence they will have. In our schools case, we dont live and die by the success of our sports, but we are defined in so many more ways, both through academics and spirit.

Excuse me, but I think that

academics define our

school!

Nah, athletics definitely define our

school!

No way! Spirit defines our school.

DUHH!