Vol. 2, Issue 9 February 9, 2015

The Bridge

Ms. Judy Lawson: a life remembered by Isabella DeLong

OBI’s beloved Ms. Judy Lawson was diagnosed with Stage 4 pan-

creatic cancer in early November of 2014. Her cancer had spread to

her abdominal cavity. Sad news, yes. However we all know she is

now and forever will be in

a better place as of January

27, 2015. The Bridge staff

dedicates this article and

issue to Oneida’s one and

only Judy Lawson.

Ms. Lawson was born as

Judy Lynn Perrigo, daugh-

ter of Gerald and Muriel

Alexander Perrigo, on June

2, 1947. Ms. Lawson is the

mother of Linda Decker,

grandmother of five

grandchildren (oldest to

youngest) Mary Decker

Brown, Deborah Decker,

Daniel Decker, Amy Deck-

er, and Rebekah Decker.

She soon was to expect her

great-granddaughter later

in the year.

Ms. Lawson put her

daughter here at Oneida as

a freshman in the year of

1986 to give her daughter

the best experience of education and Christian exposure. Ms. Law-

son, being a single mother then, also had trouble finically. Oneida

gave Ms. Lawson the best opportunity to help her then to become

the amazing woman she was. Oneida not only helped Ms. Lawson,

but provided stability in her life. Soon,

Ms. Lawson fell in love with Oneida and

became a part of the Oneida family. She

was Baker Hall’s houseparent for the

middle school boys. Most of the boys

looked up to her as a mom, as she would

call them the “rug rats.” She also

worked in admissions and her latest job

was Dean of Students.

“She was the most loving, joyful

woman here at OBI. She had a huge im-

pact not on only kids but adults, said

president Larry Allen Gritton. “I knew

when I would speak to her I would

laugh. She was full of joy, and not the

emotional joy, but joy of the Lord.” Grit-

ton also says that “she was dearly loved

and will be missed by many on Oneida’s

campus. She was a major role in Onei-

da’s school system. Oneida is and always

will be a special place to Ms. Lawson.”

Ms. Judy Lawson’s funeral was held

on February 1, 2015 in the Melvin Da-

vidson Chapel.

Death has been swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law, but thanks be to God! He gives us the vic-

tory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work

of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. —I Corinthians 15:54-58

Academic Team advances to regional meet

The Bridge 2 Vol. 2, Issue 9

by Serenity Littlejohn

Last Friday, January 30, 2015, OBI’s very own Academic Team attended this school year’s district competition at Clay County High School in Manchester. The compe-tition included quick recall and competitive testing results. Alt-hough districts were delayed for an entire week before the teams were able to meet, OBI’s team managed to work through the struggle and place fairly well. The Academic Team placed third in quick recall, following Knox Central and Clay County. Unfortunately during the testing part of the competition some of OBI’s varsity players were not able to test due to senior night, an event they’d been looking forward to all year. Despite the loss of some very valuable individuals, overall OBI’s team placed extremely well with the help of some intelligent newcomers to the team.

Senior Kidus Shiferawe, who placed second in science last year, was able to place fourth in science and second in social studies. Awarded second place in sci-ence, stealing Shiferawe’s spotlight, was newcomer and junior Eyerus Ayele. Freshman Erin Cushman, a returning member, took third place for Arts and Humanities. Lastly, sophomore Alex Chavarria placed fifth in Language Arts. “I was sur-prised that I had placed,” exclaimed Chavarria, “I didn’t think I would be able to.” “I’m extremely proud of them,” says sponsor Ms. Cheryl Monroe, “we only won two medals last year, so winning five this year is a huge improvement. Also Kidus placed in both of his categories!” OBI’s team will be advancing to regionals. They will be competing on February 14, 2015.

Photo credit: OBI Publications

Rent-a-Senior raises funds for Lawson memorial

by Fre Bentz

Oneida Baptist Institute lost one

of its most beloved workers, Dean

of Students Ms. Judy Lawson. She

was friend, teacher, mother, and

sister to many. Therefore, OBI held

its first annual Rent-a-Senior. The

event occurred on January 29,

2015 to help pay for Ms. Lawson’s

medical expenses. Students got out

of class during seventh period to

participate in the auction. The

National Honor Society came up

with the idea with the help of their

advisor Mrs. Noel Cordle and Mrs.

Bonita Robinson. Twenty-five sen-

iors signed up to be a part of it.

Whoever bid the highest got three

seniors or less. The event was a

success and altogether NHS raised

$1013. Seniors Tolu Sola-Adeyemi

and Luke White said, “It was em-

barrassing having to do the things

we did but we also knew it was for

a good cause so it was all worth

it.”

OBI’s Academic Team improved over last year at the district com-

petition. They took third place in quick recall and earned several

individual places in the testing competitions.

Aaron Grinnell shows off his muscles while auc-

tioneer Mr. Todd Parkhouse calls for bids. Aaron

was rented by teacher Mr. Daniel Slusher for the

day. Sam Elendu and Addison Fry escort their

“owner” junior Madison Kehler to class. In addi-

tion to cross-dressing, Sam and Addison were at

Madison’s every beck and call throughout the

day.

The Bridge 3 Vol. 2, Issue 9

Administrator for a Day fundraiser a success

by Madison Stewart

OBI’s National Junior Honor Society held

a fundraiser to raise money for diapers to

donate to the Heart and Soul Life Center in

Manchester, Kentucky. Instead of a typical

bake sale or cookie dough sale, NJHS decid-

ed to be a little bit more creative and fun

and let students buy tickets to be entered in

a drawing for the chance to get out of

school and take the role of their favorite

administrator for a day. The administrators

that they had the chance to be were: athletic

director Mr. Stratton, middle school princi-

pal Dr. Wilson, high school principal Mr.

Robinson, a boys’ dorm houseparent, and a

girls’ dorm houseparent. Six students were

chosen and NJHS ended up raising $372.80.

Freshman Talia Geerlings was selected to

be the school’s athletic director with Mr.

Stratton. Talia said that she really enjoyed

taking on the role of Mr. Stratton, but her

favorite part was being able to walk around

with the swat paddle, scaring people into

obeying her. Talia explained that she

learned about how hard it is to be the ath-

letic director, and that Mr. Stratton is very

hard working. She does believe that he

should be fired and that she should be

hired.

Eighth-grader Teegan Parkhouse had the

opportunity to be high school principal for

the day. He said that his favorite part was

being able to spend time with Mr. Robinson.

He said that they got really close and practi-

cally became one person. He entered the

drawing for high school principal because

he wanted to be able to give swats. Junior

Austin Gatza, who got to be the boys’ house

parent, said that he had a very relaxing day

and that he would enjoy doing it again.

Junior Jordan Cochran got to be the school’s

president. He said that it was a very inter-

esting opportunity and that he enjoyed do-

ing it.

Spring drama cast prepares for Altar Egos

by Kirsten Frazier

The OBI drama cast is preparing for a new play produced and directed by Mrs. Tamara Cochran along with assistant direc-tor Miss Emily Kelley. The play, titled Altar Egos, is about a young couple getting en-gaged and all they want is a simple wedding, but when they tell their families, everything gets kind of crazy. Mrs. Cochran thinks that the play will be a good one. She hopes that more people will want to see it and join the drama productions. She has been directing at OBI since 2003, and this will be her tenth year. She also has new cast members that have never acted before until now.

New cast member eight-grader Sierra Dunzweiler says that she likes to act because plays are a lot of fun, and she also likes get-ting to hang out with her friends. In the play she is the bride’s little sister. They are lower-class type of people, and the only reason she is happy about the marriage is because she gets her sister’s room, but she also has to fight with her parents for it. Her biggest fear is forgetting her lines or doing the wrong

thing. She plans on trying out for all the rest of the plays. She says the funniest thing about rehearsing is the accents the guys use when they are saying their lines. Junior Alex Reed says that she chose act-ing because it gives her a chance to branch out and keep friendships, and also for three days she can be someone that she isn’t. This is her fourth play and she plans on trying out for all the rest of them. She says one fun-ny thing about rehearsing is the one day the “peek” was created. Stage manager freshman Chloe Monday says she manages the plays because she likes hanging out with her bud-dies and she makes everyone laugh while their trying to get their lines right. It’s her third play, and she also plans on being in the rest of them. She likes that she’s one of the most important people in the play. She says she doesn’t like acting, but she will if she needs to. Junior Olivia Nelson says that she first started doing plays her eighth grade year, and her first play was Murder by Indecision. She says that her mom motivated her when they moved here, and she had the oppor-

tunity to do it, so she went for it and got her very first part. Now she’s playing the mother in Altar Egos who doesn’t want her daughter to get married because she doesn’t like the guy. She says after being in the plays so many years she has gotten better in every aspect and she’s stretched herself a lot and grown to be a better actor and leader. She feels like she’s had to step up a lot since the seniors graduated because “in every group or club you always need a leader to give advice and encouragement so they can lead others, and as seniors leave I’ve had to fill their spot,” she commented. Actors Jordan Cochran, Olivia Nelson,

and Tucker Parkhouse all went to EKU and

stayed in the dorm for a week this summer

to practice role playing an how to be strong-

er actors. Olivia says that EKU benefited her

because it made her a better actor. She com-

mented, “We did yoga a lot and learned how

to be someone else. It strengthened us to

work together and be better actors togeth-

er.”

“Principal” Teegan Parkhouse tries out the

paddle. He took Mr. Robinson’s job for the

day.

The Bridge 4 Vol. 2, Issue 9

Mountaineers and Lady Mountaineers

dominate Red Bird Cardinals

by Noble Zika

On January 26, 2015, OBI had a double header game against Red Bird. The boys played first. OBI took

a large lead against Red Bird, finishing the game with a score of 54-28, and the highest scorer was fresh-

man Shevon Anisca with 11 points.

After the boys’ game, OBI honored the seniors by recognizing them in front of the school for the annual

Senior Night. Then the girls’ game started off intense. They ended up blowing Red Bid out with a score of

71-39. The highest scorer was junior shooting guard Madison Kehler with 18 points.

Sports

Stats Girls’ Basketball:

12 — 12

Boys’ Basketball:

10 — 13

OBI alumnus profile: Mr. Joey Jaspersen

by Redeat Amare

Mr. Joey Jaspersen was born in Fremont, Nebraska and lived

there until the eighth grade, when he moved to Oneida, Kentucky

with his parents who got a job at OBI. He joined the school as a staff

student and attended from 1998-2004. Mr. Jaspersen was involved

in all kinds of activities such as student government, Beta Club,

baseball, cross country and golf. Even though Mr. Jaspersen was

only a day student, he said that he had learned about cultures and

different religions. He also said that the most important thing that he

would ever learn was the grace of God and that he had learned it

from his role models, people like Blake Godbold. Soon after graduat-

ing, Mr. Jaspersen attended EKU where he met his beautiful wife

Mrs. Megan Jespersen. During his college years, he studied criminal

justice until he graduated in 2008 and followed it up with his Mas-

ters degree in 2009. Then he returned to OBI in 2010 so he could be

closer to God. In the fall of 2010, he and Megan were married. Dur-

ing his time at OBI he taught Health, and PE and also coached the

track and cross country teams.

Sophomore Mardorie Flahn defends the ball

against Red Bird. The Lady Mountaineers

defeated the Lady Cardinals 71-39.

All senior athletes

were honored

during the break

between the two

games against

Red Bird. OBI

was victorious in

both of their

games that night.

Mr. Joey Jasper-

sen, left, pictured

here with his family,

graduated from OBI

in 2004. He has

since come back

twice to work, and

recently filled in for

two weeks in the

Math department

due to Mr. Kelley’s

absence.

The Bridge 5 Vol. 2, Issue 9

by Spencer Montgomery

Mr. David Robinson

Where are you

from? Cincinnati

Favorite holiday?

My anniversary

How long have you

been a principal?

19 years

How long have you

been coaching? 25

years

Favorite movie?

Star Wars and Lord of the Rings

Favorite sport? Basketball

Favorite place you have been? California

Something most people don’t know about you? I love classical mu-

sic.

What changes have you noticed since going from teacher to princi-

pal? Kids have changed, a lot less respect.

As the boys basketball coach what is your biggest accomplish-

ment? Seeing my boys get more mature and grow up

Q and A with Mr. David Robinson and

Emmanuel Gibson

Emmanuel Gibson

Where are you from? Liberia, Africa

Favorite holiday? Christmas because

it is a time for families to get togeth-

er

Favorite food? Pepperoni pizza

Favorite movie? Scarface

Favorite sport? Football

Favorite place to visit? Africa

One thing most people don’t know

about you? I color butterflies

Favorite color? Red

Birthday? February 14

Favorite restaurant? Chinese

Favorite brand? Nike

Favorite subject? Art

by Fre Bentz

Losing someone you love or care deeply about is very painful. Even if you don’t know them, it

is still hard because you have to watch the people around you get hurt. You might feel all kinds

of pain and sadness you have never experienced before, and it might feel like the pain will never

leave you. It’s also painful watching somebody you love experience such things. At the end of

the day, what you need to realize is the person is in a better place now. They don’t have to suffer

in the earthly things and have to be in pain. If you ever go through such a thing, be strong. I

know losing someone hurts in the worst way possible, but there is always a light at the end of

the tunnel. If you see your loved ones go through such pain, encourage them to do better and be

there for them as a friend.

What Fre has to say.. .

The Bridge Staff

The Bridge 6 Vol. 2, Issue 9

Fre Bentz—Editor-in-Chief

Spencer Mont-

gomery—Assistant Editor

Noble Zika—

Sports Editor

Redeat Amare

Aisha Biyo

Isabella DeLong

Kirsten Frazier

Serenity Littlejohn

Madison Stewart

Mrs. Noel

Cordle—adviser

What do you want for Valentine’s Day?

If you could change one OBI rule,

what would it be?

by Spencer Montgomery

Anna Higgins: Social

Weifu Jones: Dresscode

Stephen King: gum

Jeremiah Taiwo: slides

Jamark Cox: gum

Grace Sink: dresscode

Chloe Monday: dresscode

Destinee Stampley: dresscode

Jayden Giblin: social

Talina Brown: cellphones & camera

Chevy Anisca: swats

Joey Logue: social

Amelia Smith: dresscode

Deborah Mboma: dresscode & slides

Madison Brown: joggers

Rahel Robinson : swats

Deidra Agbim: away games & campus & dress

& social! & bedtime

Shekinah Taylor: social

by Serenity Littlejohn

Destinee Stampley: A HUGE TEDDY BEAR!!!! And maybe some chocolate and roses. Posi Asaolu: For everyone to just be happy. Jordan Risper: Love, peace and happiness Nirina Walters: A teddy bear, twelve roses, and chocolates. Maddie Geddes Skelding: A stuffie and chocolates. Jason Chun: Nothing at all. Weifu Jones: A space suit so I can be in love in space. Julia Smith: Snow Abu Jalloh: Chocolates and a yellow zebra!

Anastasia Higgins: A candygram

Fre Bentz: The Weeknd to love me