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
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