High School Christmas Spirit

The Christmas season is here, and the teachers here at Worthington Christian High School have started wearing their own Christmas style. Also, they have decided to decorate their home rooms to share the Christmas spirit with the students, Even here in the Mac lab, Mrs. Wheat had her student decorate the Macs with red bows and ribbons. She even put up Christmas lights around the doorframe. The A and P room has Christmas tunes playing while the students are dissecting, on Friday they were enjoying the viewing of the movie Elf starring Will Ferrell as Buddy. Mr. Stoll, the librarian, has set up a tree in the library where the students can put up their own ornaments. Mrs. Kanzeg, the math teacher, has started to wear sweaters to class displaying Christmas scenery like a snowman or Poinsettias; also, when her students were hard at work on their homework she got out the CD player and played instrumental variations of her favorite Christmas carols.

Along with Mrs. Kanzeg, Miss Bell wore one of her Christmas outfits one day last week; but not only she has she worn her Christmas spirit she has taken a step up and started assigning speeches about Christmas fiascos, or the strangest gift received or given. Miss Bell told us that her most memorable Christmas fiasco was when she had to direct some kind of production. So she decided to help the younger children with prepare for their Christmas play about the birth of Jesus. She said that “when it came time for opening night, everything that could have gone wrong did. The little angels couldn’t find their halos.” She remembered that the shepherds, who were a little older than the rest of the other children, as she put it, “roughly rounded up the sheep.”

Mrs. Galbraith is getting into the giving spirit with what she calls the event Empty Bowl, which is where students can purchase a bowl made in the ceramics room, for five dollars and fill it with as much ice cream as the student wants. The funds from Empty Bowl go to charities for unfortunate children. Mrs. Montgomery, the Spanish teacher, is having her students write letters of encouragement to unfortunate children to cheer them up for the holidays by showing them the love of Jesus. Mrs. Heath the Photography teacher, has a mini silver Christmas tree. The bus driver for the high school shuttle bus has placed a wreath on the front of his bus. Also, the bus driver for the Olentangy bus hands out goody bags to the kids that ride the bus. As you can see, the Christmas spirit is something to be embraced: share the warmth of the Christmas spirit.

Lunch Menu

The school’s lunch menu is far from a fancy meal, but it does just fine when you have been starving all morning. The lunch menu such offers items from muffins and side salads to full pizzas and breakfast meals. The lunch ladies have listened to the requests and feedback from parents and teachers quite a lot, and taken the advice to heart. Many changes have been made to the menu in the past four years that I have been here. I remember my freshman year that there was a soda machine where you served yourself. It was removed, through, after Mrs. Galbraith’s crusade to remove all carbonated soft drinks from our school. The pop was replaced with juices and other non carbonated drinks. This is believed to be healthier for the students, but is it? The fruit drinks we have in our lunch room and vending machine contain a lot more sugar than the soda we had in previous years. There is a choice for water, but most students do not want to pay a dollar and twenty-five cents for something as bland as water, so they buy the flavored drinks jam-packed with sugar. PowerAde is another drink option. It is a great drink after or during sporting events, but while sitting at school, it can be slightly unhealthy. All the carbohydrates within Powerade that gives energy to the body to be burned up while you are active is good; the key phrase however is, “while you are active.” While sitting in class, all those carbohydrates are just building up inside turning into fat.

The nutritional valued of food is another concern some parents have with our lunch services. We have a wide variety of different food from different categories of nutrition that students can purchase. Candy has been removed recently in the lunch room as an effort to boost the health standard of the available choices. There are, however, some snacks that students can buy if they want something sweet to eat. Chips, cookies, and sometimes pie are all available in small servings to make sure students do not overindulge in too many sweets. The main entrees are also carefully planned out with nutritional values in mind. We have fish sandwiches, vegetable lasagna, tomato soup, and sometimes corn and green beans. They are not such hot sellers as pizza or chicken fingers, but are there all the same. The entrees are all meals that any mother would be glad to serve to her children.
I think the school is doing a great job with handling lunch. The administration has listened carefully to parents, and made changes to its menu; and will listen to constructive criticism gladly.

Wing Night!

2007, Bronson Chambers Duke, Ben Cronin, and Jordan Snyder started a tradition that would unite fellow Worthington Christian students on a weekly basis. This tradition is known today as wing night.

Bronson had never been to Buffalo Wild Wings. Jordan couldn’t let this happen, and decided that Bronson needed to try it out for himself. So Jordan, Bronson, and Ben went out to Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner. They all had fun, and enjoyed the exciting. atmosphere. Bronson was hooked. He admitted that at one point in his life, he was going almost every night, with graduated alumni Tad Inboden who also shares the love for the cheap wings. The boys started a tradition that, little did they know, would last most of their senior year. The group grew through time, mainly consisting of a core group of senior guys. The group usually ranges from two to twelve people, and has been in strong progress for a few months now. “I am real big on wing night. It’s the highlight of my week. When you are having a bad day, it is great to know you got wing night that night with the guys. It’s a pretty big deal and we are serious about our wings. I am so glad this tradition started. It is one of those things I will remember later on in the years. All those great times with the guys: unforgettable.”-Bronson Chamber Duke

On September 13,
Mr. Roads also enjoys the fellowship of the guys. He enjoys hanging out with them because he is close in age tothem, and they easily share many of the same interests. “It’s a great way to have good fun in an entertaining environment with a group of solid guy,” he reports the senior guys have seen all sorts of people join them for wing night: juniors guys, sophomores guys, junior girls, senior guys, a old friend from Colorado, friends of friends: and the list goes on. But the regulars are still committed to the nights. They meet Tuesday and Thursday nights at the Buffalo Wild Wings at Polaris. “It’s a convenient place for most of us; once in a while we even go to Gibby’s, but it is no big, because it is just as close,” says senior Tyler Joseph, who has been in the core group of wing night guys for a while now. The prime reason for the guy’s going on Tuesdays and Thursdays is the ridiculously cheap wings. On Tuesdays, it is forty cents for one wing. On Thursdays, it costs fifty cents for one wing. Bronson tells us that “one of the reasons I got hooked was the price of the wings; it is unbelievable.” The wings are cheap but all the guys agree that the fellowship is reason enough to go. Ben Cronin has a lot to say about wing night, being an original; “well, if you want to have some real fun, come to Wing Night. It is pretty sweet; plenty of cheap wings to go around, and, of course, hanging out with the seniors never lets me down.”

Senior Rivalries

At the beginning of the year, the class of 2008 went on their last class retreat ever. They went to a camp close to Cincinnati, and there were many things to do to keep them busy. On every retreat, there is some kind of competition between the boys and the girls. For the class of 2008, it seems to be volleyball every year. The girl’s volleyball team gets together and takes on the boys, who don’t have a single player that has ever played organized volleyball. The Girls have the technique, fundamentals and organized plays that they run for each other. The boys hit awkward shots, run into each other, but most importantly argue. Judging by this you would think that the girls had a complete advantage, but that was not the case.

The volleyball court was made of dead grass mixed with dirt and rocks. The lines were made by people’s shoes and sandals, and the teachers were the line judges. The guys formed their fake plays before the game, such as “red velvet” and “Tonka truck.” The game was close at first, but then the girls started to pull away. The girls were doing their set plays and they weren’t making a single mistake. The girls were like a perfect machine moving and working together, while the guys were confused and shocked.

The score was 21 to 15 and the guys were beginning to get a sick feeling in their stomach. They have never lost to the girls on the retreat and they felt their perfect record slipping away. It was gut check time for the guys, and they started to get extremely focused and emotional. After every point won, the boys would go crazy by yelling, chest pumping, and talking trash to the girl’s team. The girls could hardly believe that the boys might actually come back and beat them again.

The score was 24- 22, in favor of the girls, and the boys’ team was down to their chance. Before the ball was served, Tyler Joseph was yelling at his teammate Nick Thomas because of Nick’s poor play through out the game. When Tyler was not paying attention, the girls served to the boy’s side. The ball hit the ground, and the girls thought they had finally beaten the boys. Then their celebration was stopped as they saw the entire boys’ team get in Mr. Crary’s face arguing the call. The ball was served before they were ready so the point was overturned and the game lived on.
The boys then scored four points in a row, and knocked off the girls for the fourth year in a row. The girls couldn’t believe that they had been beaten at their own game again; but they needed to keep their heads, because they didn’t get beaten by the boys because the boys are more talented, but because the guys are better at yelling at the judges. This, in the boys’ eyes, is a recipe for success.

You may be wondering why I am telling you this now, since the retreat was four months ago. The senior trip is coming up soon; and now you know how competitions can get between the girls and the guys. In the end its only fun and the seniors laugh about how competitive it can get. Clash of the classes is coming up,, and the girls and the guys, will be on the same side for a change. We will be competing for bragging rights against the underclassmen. I can only imagine how competitive we will get when that time comes.

Santa's Advice

Dear Santa,
This year for Christmas I want something different than what I normally ask for:
It is a gift that will not need a ribbon or a bow.
You cannot fit it through the chimney, window, or door
It’s not so much the size that would be a problem, though;
Or really the fact that you can’t buy it in a store.

This is my last year at home for Christmas;
I do not know what the years to come will entail,
This Christmas I must do something special for all,
Because future holidays might be done through phone or email.

I need that one perfect gift that will be unforgotten;
Something that no one will want to return.
Clothes go out of fashion, games get old, and food can go rotten;
I need something new that will make heads turn.

~WC Senior seeking Santa’s advice

I appreciate your coming to me and asking what I think you should do for this most-needed advice. There are many others just like yourself struggling with this same problem. As much as everyone wants to receive good gifts, most know that they want to give the best gift possible. Giving something to an acquaintance, a teacher, or a Christmas party’s gift exchange is usually so much easier than trying to give a sentimental gift. So what do you do as a young person trying to give something to close friends that you might not see after graduation, or to family members that you only see once a year; or even to your mom and dad that mean too much to you to possibly know what to get them?




Baked goods, gift certificates, or a sweet smelling fragrance may be a good option for you if you need to a quick gift. Homemade cookies, snacks, and other sweets can be a fun way to share with those whom you see on a regular basis, but might not be as close with. These goods are most always appreciated because people know how much time is put into making these. Gift cards are always an easy gift to pick up for someone. Places like Starbucks, Target, or even the mall in general are simple gifts that anyone will put to great use. Little things like candles also make for great gifts; everyone can use more candles (and do not be fooled, ladies; guys like them, too!).






When it comes to those who mean a little more in your life, and when you want to do something bigger than a candle or more personal than a gift card, this can be tricky. As cheesy as this advice may sound, though, homemade, well thought out gifts sometimes make the best ones. With all the programs and technology we have these days, it can be so simple to make a personalized calendar, cute scrapbook, or even a dinner out. Parents and grandparents like reflecting on memories; and giving a photo album of pictures of you all together or making a movie of things you have done together is something that can be kept forever. Just be creative and put your heart into it; and I can guarantee that you and those you love will have a great holiday!

HOHOHO ~Santa

HO, HO, Hanukkah?

When you were young, did you lie awake on Christmas Eve listening for the tapping of reindeer on the roof? Or perhaps you lay in bed holding your eyes shut and trying to sleep for fear that if you didn’t, Santa would never come. I look back now, remembering that the few weeks before Christmas seemed to be the longest out of the year. Filled with anticipation and excitement, I would always count down the days until Christmas, the holiday which my entire year seemed to revolve around as a child. It remains one of my favorite holidays still today; the only difference now is that I have found the importance of Christmas to be in the miracle of Jesus’ birth, and not the measure of presents under the tree. Christians find the significance of Christmas to be in the birth of Jesus Christ, but have you ever thought about the many ways in which the meaning and celebration of this holiday can differ?

Christmas is repackaged, renamed, and redecorated in many different ways, one of the most common being Hanukkah. Many people, Jewish and non-Jewish alike, have chosen to throw out their Christmas trees and light up Menorahs in honor of the holiday season. Like Christmas, Hanukkah, also known as the Jewish Festival of Lights, has been built on a religious foundation. This holiday originated in 165 BC when the Maccabees reclaimed the temple from the Syrian army. However, when the people relit the Menorah, they found only enough oil left in the temple to enable it to burn for one day. Miraculously, the Menorah is said to have burned for eight days, giving rise to the eight day festival of Hanukkah. Accompanied by prayer, singing, and gift giving, a candle of the Menorah is lit for each of the eight days of Hanukkah. It is seen as a family celebration where Hebrew songs are sung, and children play games of dreidl.

Here at Worthington Christian, there are a few people who celebrate Hanukkah in their own unique ways. Whether it be exchanging Hanukkah gifts at lunch or lighting up Menorahs, the spirit of Hanukkah has been found woven throughout WC right along with the spirit of Christmas. “We wanted to learn about Jewish culture, so we decided to celebrate Hanukkah to kick off the holiday season,” said Reid Groth, who is part of a small group of Hanukkah celebrators who gather at lunch to exchange presents. Every day of the eight days of Hanukkah, the girls come together during their lunchtime to give and receive gifts for which they had previously set a .50 cent spending limit. One day, someone even brought a Menorah in to further the holiday festivities. “Amy McClure had a Menorah, and we were going to light it, but we thought it might be against fire code,” says Reid. The Menorah was brought to school, but sadly was never lit. The girls also attempted to continue their Hanukkah celebration with a game of dreidl which was found unsuccessful because they did not know the rules of the game, but still fun to attempt. However, if you ever find yourself becoming bored with your usual holiday festivities, take a lesson from your classmates here at WC, and light up a Menorah!

Living Christmas Trees

The Living Christmas Trees concert has been a longstanding tradition at the Grace Brethren Church of Columbus, more commonly known as Big Grace. Many students at Worthington Christian participate in the concert every year, and it continues to be a spectacle year after year.

This year, the plot of the concert follows the inner-workings of a swanky New York hotel during the early 1900s. Dwayne Smith appears as Huston, a hotel manager with a vision for his life – power, prestige, and prosperity. Mark Price is the bumbling doorman, Murray, who makes up for his lack of intelligence with his big heart and insight into Christianity. The story opens on the hotel as an African ambassador arrives as trouble is brewing. The world-famous recipe for the hotel’s Christmas dessert is missing! Dave O’Roark plays the charming (though not entirely couture) French chef whose job is on the line if the recipe cannot be found. And in the midst of the craziness, a mysterious stranger comes to the hotel and quietly performs good deeds. After leaving and paying the bill for the entire hotel, Mr. Godson sparks a conversation between Murray and Huston discussing what is important about Christmas and life. The gospel is clearly presented through their ongoing conversation while Jesus’ life is played out for the audience.

As usual, Living Christmas Trees was a spectacle of music, dance, and acting. There was always something interesting happening on stage. The animals made their usual appearances – camels, sheep, and a donkey – and there were a few new arrivals on the scene as well. A snake wound itself around a girl’s shoulders as she led the three kings’ procession and an angel rode through the aisle on a white horse. The angel scene this year took a departure from the traditional LCT style: the hanging angels were absent from the proceeding and were replaced by male angels with war paint and flaming swords. The change was drastic, and received mixed reviews. Some people thought that the change was needed, and that the new angels were inspired, but others looked back on the hanging angels – which always looked like decorations until the audience realized there were people inside – with fond nostalgia. By far the most popular scene in the concert was the twelve days of Christmas, in which over sixty actors climbed from a giant trunk to represent the many presents of the song. The presentation of Jesus’ life also made a small deviation from previous years. Rather than the main characters of the plot “falling” into Biblical times, a conversation between two characters sparks the memory of the Gospels. It is during this conversation that the gift of salvation is most clearly portrayed. The writers took special care this year to avoid clichés by making one character a skeptic who, in the end, does not go the whole way to accept Christ.

Many students at WCHS got involved with Living Christmas Trees this year, though there are too many to list. Many students participated as actors, a handful sang in the choir, and many more helped with production and pre-show entertainment. As a result, they produced a winning Christmas concert that will be remembered for years to come.

Winter Activities

The weather outside is frightful, which must mean the winter season is rolling around; time to break out those heavy coats, mittens and hats. Along with the cold weather comes snow and that can occasionally bring snow days. Some people, when their schools close for the day or when winter break comes around, call up their friends and have them come over and play outside in the snow sledging, having snowball fights or making snow forts. Around this time of year, families are closer together and are looking for every opportunity to spend extra time with each other. The most typical thing people think of is having neighborhood sledging or making a snowman. Others stay inside and drink hot chocolate and only outside for a short period of time. The most popular activity would most likely be snowboarding or skiing at Snow Trails or Mad River Mountain. I was talking to some students about what they were going to do after school ends for the Christmas break, other things that come with the winter snow and cheerful moods the snow covered drive ways. A student I talked had a story about his snow covered driveway “I remember two years ago that my Dad and my brothers spent 4 hours clearing the driveway of all the ice and snow.” A survey I did about the most popular winter activity I got three major answers. One was they were going straight outside to play in the snow with their friends. Other students said they were going to do homework they have fun. Also with the winter weather for those who like to stay inside there are the Christmas specials on TV like the classic Frosty the Snowman, How the Grinch Stole Christmas. On the side of sports the Winter Olympics are coming soon, this year the Olympics are being held in Torino, Italy. Other activities during the winter are making a snowman or making a snowman family and going to the mall with your family for gift shopping. Some families decorate their homes with Christmas lights inside and outside. Most people you say Christmas tree, to automatically imagine the traditional light and ornaments’. Some of the students I have talked to said their families often put ornaments on the tree together with the whole family. Also along with putting up the Christmas tree some families have ornaments for individual people in their family symbolizing certain things or even ornaments they made when the children were younger. Others families decorate their roofs outside with lights. Now there are the inflatable Christmas figures like Frosty and the Grinch which makes taking down the decorations after the winter season. Some families who enjoy just going out to see the lights people have on their homes. There are Christmas lights in Downtown Westerville; there is also the Nutcracker ballet you can go to see in the theater. The Columbus Zoo also puts up Christmas lights that decorate the whole Zoo. There are even things you can do after the Christmas season like visiting all the stores with Clearance sales getting great sales and on the gifts you didn’t get for Christmas.

Winter Driving

Winter is here, and so is harsh winter driving.Whether it is snow, sleet, or ice, driving in the winter can be a problem, especially for young,inexperienced drivers that come to and from school,practice, and work. Thus if the roads get so unbearable that we can’t drive to school, or the buses can’t come, we have a snow day. However, if we don’thave a snow day, we are definitely going to have a tough time getting to school in the dangerous conditions. So I am here to discover the safest way to school. A huge rumor is that four-wheel drive makes you invincible to the roads. Four wheel drive helps,but you still need to be extremely careful. People tend to get cocky with four-wheel drive, and drive normally and then crash, so avoid being overly confident. The next best thing behind four-wheel drive is front wheel drive. Since all the power from yourengine to your wheels is also helping you steer, you have more grip and control. Obviously, the least favorable of the three choices is rear wheel drive. It often leaves you struggling to keep control, and you may spin out a lot. However the most important thing to do is to be careful and take your time. Drive more slowly than normal, and keep your distance from the car in front of you. If you can, try to keep extra weight in your car to weigh it down for more grip.Look out for black ice, which is ice that has a very low visibility, and that can set you off course quite a bit. Unfortunately all of these important things still may not be enough; other drivers can be an issue. So the key ideas to keep in mind are patience,staying calm, and safe driving. Some students have it a lot worse than other people that live in the city where the road is plowed before they even wake up. David White travels over thirty miles to get to school each day. Often times, the roads he travels on are not plowed and salted. He says it is scary to drive sometimes not just because it is a hard drive, but because of other people in rural areas. “They have large trucks or SUVs that have four-wheel drive and they think they can handle the icy roads.” Couple that with the wildlife that lives in the country and David has a pretty dangerous drive. Winter driving is a pain that everyone has to go through and can be dangerous sometimes. So be patientand calm and try to drive safely on the roads and watch out for other drivers.

December Movies

The Holidays are always a good time for new movies to come out. If you really take the time to think about it, not to many good movies come out over the summer, and even if they do, people are too busy with lying out by the pool, going on family vacations, or working overtime to save up money for their college funds. However, after the rush of high quality November movies, it is finally the month of December, and there are many more movies that are on popular demand to see.

Many Worthington Christian students and staff say they want to see the movie The Golden Compass. Some say that they grew up liking the books and want to see how the movie compares. Others want to see it for the sheer reason of knowing more about it. There has been much controversy over this movie, and many people want to see it for themselves to have their own opinion about it.

National Treasure: Book of Secrets is the sequel to the popular movie National Treasure that came out in November 2004 (another holiday movie!), this movie starred Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, and Sean Bean. The same actors will also be in the sequel, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, except Sean Bean who played Ian Howe (the bad guy). The movie comes out December 21, 2007.

Will Smith is a world renowned movie star, comedian, singer, main character of what is still a popular TV show, a husband, and dad. He has been in over twenty five movies, all of which consist of different and challenging roles. Will Smith is a household name and now has just one more movie to add to his list. I Am Legend is a movie where Will Smith plays the last possible person on earth. Senior Anna Hranilovich says, “It looks intense and like a top notch Will Smith movie, I can’t wait to see it. Smith is such a thriller!”

“I thought it was going to be a horror movie from the first commercial I saw of it” says Sarah Slemons. “When I saw that movie was coming out the only thing I thought was who would actually go see that?” says Courtney Beyer. Such strong and negative opinions concern the new movie coming out on December 14, 2007 called Alvin and the Chipmunks. This movie is about on the 1980’s cartoon based on three chipmunks who have an undeniable talent for music and vocals. If you are looking for a good family movie to go see, or you want take a younger sibling/cousin to see a classic, Alvin and the Chipmunks would be a great choice!

More great movies to see this month may include Atonement, Awake, Bucket List, or Sweeney Todd. 2007 has had a great list of movies and this month really helps to wrap it all up.

If you go and see any of these movies, I would love to hear your feedback!
-Amanda Keusal

There's no place like home...

“There’s no place like home for the holidays”- no matter how much people enjoy traveling during the holidays, the common idea of being home always brings warmth and comfort. Many students here at Worthington Christian enjoy the adventures of traveling across the United States and around the world during the Christmas season; yet each student agrees that being home beats the beaches of Costa Rica or the busy city of New York.

Senior Courtney Beyer is thrilled for her upcoming trip to Cayman Islands with her mom, dad, and her sister. She has been long awaiting this trip. “My family normally doesn’t go anywhere for Christmas break, but this year we are going to Cayman for a week. At first I panicked. I thought we were going to be gone for Christmas day, but thank goodness we are coming back a couple days before. I can’t imagine spending Christmas anywhere else but in the comfort of my home.” Courtney says she loves being home for Christmas for multiple reasons: “I like spending the day with my whole entire family; I love the atmosphere of my home during Christmas: and what would Christmas be without my moms fabulous cooking?”
Along with Beyers, the Helmuths enjoy a bit of traveling during the Christmas season. Tiffany Helmuth describes a vivid Christmas: her family took a week long ski trip to Vermont. “I really enjoyed going and skiing in Vermont for a week. It was nice to get away, although, it was strange being away from home for Christmas. I prefer being home for Christmas day. I consider myself a homebody. I enjoy the comfort and festiveness of my home.” Although she enjoyed the experience of skiing in Vermont, she has loved staying home for Christmas ever since. Her brother Luke does not share her opinion on being away for Christmas. He loves snowboarding and would be thrilled with a trip to Colorado during the holidays.

Amanda Keusal says she is a huge fan of being home for Christmas. “My family has a tradition of going to Akron on Christmas Eve. We visit my aunts, uncles and cousins. It’s nice to be able to see them all in one setting. We don’t get to see each other very often. There is always plenty of good home made food. With about thirty of us in a small house, there is always a high level of noise and craziness. I am so thankful that my family has been able to spend Christmas day in the familiarity of our home.” Amanda says she can’t imagine spending Christmas anywhere else but at home. “There’s no place like home for the holidays”: this statement holds true for most of the students here at Worthington Christian. No matter how much people enjoy traveling; Christmas day is not a good day to be away from home. There’s just something about being home for Christmas that adds comfort and warmth to each person’s heart.

Halfway Through

The seniors of Worthington Christians are almost half way done with their last year, so I decided to stop and look back at the beginning of the year, and ask students about their experiences so far.

I asked Billy Seib how his senior year has been and he had an interesting response: “this year has been a lot harder than I thought it would be.” What Billy said is very true with many seniors. A lot of us expected this year to move quickly and easily right up to graduation. That has not been the case: the classes the seniors take, such as World Views, English, and Gov Econ, are much harder than we anticipated. The term “senioritis” means that students have checked out mentally and are ready to be done with high school. This can be a serious problem with some students because they can let their grades slip in major classes such as senior English. I myself have a problem with senioritis, and I find it hard to focus sometimes because I just want to be done with high school and to graduate. You just have to buckle down and get your work done, and if you do that then you will enjoy your senior year.

Senior year is not all bad, however; many students are enjoying their last year here in Worthington Christian. Amanda Keusal has some very positive words towards senior year: “If you’re going to be in high school be a senior.” I partially agree with Amanda on that point because this year has been the most active year in high school, whether it has been the classes we have to take, the college applications, or the anticipation for graduation. Those things are all pretty good but they are also very stressful and it takes up a lot of your time. College applications can take a lot of work, and you anxiously wait for a letter to see whether you have been accepted. At the half way point, 34 seniors have been accepted to at least one college. For the remaining students who do not have a college written in blue marker next to their name, it makes them nervous.
Seniors are also starting to think about not seeing many of their classmates ever again. In the past, you leave for three months and come back and see everyone again. Now, when the summer hits, we are going to move on to many different schools so that we can go on and accomplish things in life. It is strange to think of never seeing some of your good friends again because those people have been around you for so many years.

We still have half a year left, and I hope that we can all manage our distractions and graduate. College is the next thing on our plate but for now we need to enjoy the people around us and have fun with the remaining six months of high school.

Holiday Hoopla

Everyone knows that once the cold weather rolls around the best thing to do is stay inside with a cup of hot chocolate and a good movie; but did you know that there are an abundance of great holiday attractions around Columbus? If you want to get bundled up and brave the cold, or even if staying warm and indoors is more your style, there are many things to get out of the house to see and do. Stroll through a winter wonderland of lights at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, or stay cozy and comfortable inside your car as you drive through Alum Creek’s annual Fantasy of Lights. Both create a great opportunity to get off the couch and enjoy a scintillating display of the finest Christmas lights in town. Also, be sure to check out the talented dancers performing in BalletMet’s The Nutcracker, which the Columbus Dispatch calls “a special, heartwarming experience.” This event is held at the Ohio Theatre where, year after year, it is preformed with the utmost precision and talent. Venture to entertain your brainy side at COSI where you can experience a tour of their amazing holiday lights show. Complete with fiery explosions, liquid nitrogen, and over ten thousand twinkling light bulbs all powered by “reindeer generators,” this event is sure to leave you breathless and a bit more science savvy. Last, but not least, don’t forget that the gallery hop is still going on in the Short North. Brave the cold and get out on the first Saturday of every month to enjoy great food, music, and art under the golden arches.

• Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium:
Where? Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 9990 Riverside Dr.
When? Wednesday November 22, 2006 through Monday January 1, 2007
Sunday – Thursday 5-9 p.m. and Friday – Saturday 5-11 pm
Closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Cost:Adults $10, Seniors $8, Children 2-11 $6, and Children under 2 free
For more information you can visit www.columbuszoo.org or call (614) 645-3581
• BalletMet: The Nutcracker
Where? Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State Street
When? Saturday December 9th – Saturday December 23rd
Thursday and Friday 7:30 p.m.
Saturday 2:00 and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday 1:00 and 5:30 p.m.
Cost: Prices range from $17.50 to $57.50
For more information, call (614) 229-4848
• Science of the Season
Where? COSI Columbus, 333 W. Broad St.
When? Fri., Nov. 24th - Sun., Dec. 31st
Wed. - Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., noon-6 p.m.
Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Cost: Adults, $12.50; Seniors, $10.50; Children 2-12 $7.50
For more information visit www.cosi.org or call (888) 819-COSI
• Fantasy of Lights
Where? Alum Creek Marina
When? Sunday – Thursday 5:30 – 9:30
Friday – Saturday 5:30 – 10:30
Cost: $10.00 a car Monday – Thursday
$15.00 a car Friday – Sunday
• Living Christmas Trees
Where? Grace Brethren Church, 8225 Worthington Galena Rd
When? December 12th – 16th
with performances at 7:30 and a 2:30 matinee on Saturday and Sunday
Cost: with a 10 ticket limit per family, there is a $2.50 per seat charge
with a $3.00 per order transaction fee.
For more information visit www.gracebrethren.org

Traditions for the Holiday

Family traditions are very important because they are centered on the way we spend our time with our family. When it comes to Christmas time, many WC students have some memorable holiday traditions. Some can be as simple as waking up bright and early to open presents, to those traditions as crazy as making a birthday cake for Jesus.

A few students shared with me what some of their family traditions are for the Christmas holiday. Some of the favorite traditions that students shared were making a bunch of cookies and of course finding that perfect Christmas tree for their house. “We have a special spot that we go to every year to find our perfect Christmas tree” said senior Alli Berlin. “It’s a big open field with a bunch of pine trees on the edges of the land. We find one that is big enough to fit into our living room and that is thick enough to fit a bunch of ornaments on.” Tiffany Helmuth shared that every year her family awakens really early to make fresh squeezed orange juice. Tiffany commented that “Even though we don’t really like it, it’s a tradition that we have done every year so we do it anyways. We also make cinnamon rolls in the shape of Christmas trees.”
The first snowfall is always a fun time with family for WC students. Amanda Keusal says that every year on the first snowfall, her family gets together to watch a Christmas holiday movie. This year, her family watched the Christmas comedy Elf.

Making food, especially desserts, is a favorite tradition for students in getting their families together. “My family makes a ton of cookies on Christmas Eve. Then we eat them all on Christmas Day! We give them to a lot of our friends and family as well. We also make some homemade chocolate from scratch” says Alli Berlin. Sarah Slemons also has the family tradition of making cookies for the Christmas holiday. “On Christmas Eve, my sisters and I make cookies in the shape of Christmas decorations. Then, on Christmas Day, my mom makes us go around the neighborhood and deliver the cookies to our neighbors,” says Sarah. Sarah’s family also bakes a birthday cake for Jesus on Christmas day. “We sing happy birthday to Jesus on His birthday! It’s a silly tradition, but we have done it ever since I was little. We can’t break the tradition now!” comments Sarah.

Bobby Condon and his family go to his grandparents’ house to spend Christmas Day with his entire family. “Being able to spend time with my family is very important to me” says Bobby. “It’s a tradition for us to go there every year. I love being able to see some family that I’m not able to see during the year.”

Some students such as Tiffany Helmuth and Kyle Schmidt observe advent during Christmas. “It is something that we have done every year so we consider it a tradition,” comments Tiffany.
Although these traditions are what make the Christmas holiday such a fun time, we can’t forget the true meaning of why our families come together for this day. It is a blessing that most of us can enjoy this wonderful holiday that we are able to celebrate together as a family.

Art at Worthington Christian

Each person is influenced everyday by millions of things such as other people, nature, or the media. The realm of art functions on inspiration. Many great artist like Van Gogh and Monet have been inspired by life and have produced breathtaking pieces that have lead on to the inspiration of millions of novice artist. Such inspirations are clearly found in many art student’s work at Worthington Christian. This semester, the beginning painting class students where asked to create a portfolio that reflects an idea. This opened a broad spectrum of ideas for the art students. For some, their idea came quickly and they were able to buckle down and begin their painting. Others needed a spark from either some object, scene, or person that struck them and awakened them enough to create a painting about it.
Senior Rachel Walton was one who needed such a spark. She is not one to take the first idea that comes to her. Rachel wanted to make sure her project was the best it could be. Therefore, she spent a bit of extra time searching for inspiration. She declared that “I am not one of those people who think of great ideas all the sudden. It takes me a little time to find the perfect idea. Sometimes I turn to a more experienced artist for inspiration, such as Mrs. Heisey [the Worthington Christian art instructor] or Mrs. Heath [ Worthington Christian photography teacher]”. Rachel eventually discovered her inspiration. It was something that has been in her life forever and has affected who she is today: her family.
Recently, Rachel took a family trip to Colorado. She enjoyed the scenic nature and the quietness of the wilderness. She and her family went on many hiking trips while in Colorado. On these trips, she took her camera and took numerous pictures of her mom, sister, aunt and cousin walking on the trail and exploring. Rachel states that “I was really inspired by the relationships within the women of our family. I was inspired by their strength and freedom. Later I decided to do this semester’s art project on the pictures I took of my aunt, mom, sister and cousin exploring.” Rachel took many pictures of her sister on a rock, or her cousin exploring the river, or her mom and aunt talking. Out of about thirty pictures, Rachel chose one of her mom, aunt, sister and cousin ahead of her, each exploring while walking along a trail.
Mrs. Heisey thinks very highly of Rachel. She declared that “Rachel has demonstrated a hard work ethic. I have enjoyed seeing her develop into a fine artist. Her ideas are strong and clear.” Rachel has enjoyed her semester in art and is eager to see her piece come to completion. She is very pleased with her idea and is excited to turn it in and have it be critiqued. “I highly recommend taking an art class here at Worthington Christian: even if you think you have no art talent, it’s a great way to express things you feel strongly about”.

Optional Chapel

A few weeks ago students had the option of going to the gym for study hall instead of attending chapel. The gym surprisingly wasn’t too full. I say surprisingly because of the amount of people that complain about going to chapel and how it should be optional. I guess that some were still guilted into coming for fear of being seen as “unchristian” by the teachers. The idea of optional chapel is a good one for several reasons. People who do not want to be there and while there talk to others and cause a distraction to those who want to listen would be in the gym free to talk with their friends without upsetting teachers and students. There have been many times where students have been moved, and caused even more of a distraction to other students who are listening because they were talking to their friends during chapel. People who need time to get homework done will have time in the gym to do so. The people who really want to listen will be able to listen and worship in peace without those who talk the entire time. The minor cutback is that there would have to be someone watching over the gym who would miss chapel and that’s about all. However, the teachers could alternate and would be doing a service to the students and other staff in the chapel. Open Chapel is a good idea that will cut down on distractions in chapel and that will lead to deeper, more personal chapels. I believe we are not implementing open chapel right now because parents want their kids to go and because they believe it is good for them. Although I believe it is not a big of deal as people make it; you are not a bad person if you want to talk with your friends or get some homework done. What I am wondering is how we could start doing this: has anyone asked any of the administrators for the option? That’s where we need to start; bringing the issue to the administration in a respectable, professional way without whining about having to go to chapel. I think kids are too afraid to ask this because they might look unchristian to the administration and may get into trouble. In conclusion, I believe it would be a great idea for the school to implement an optional chapel; it would benefit both the students that attend and those who choose to go to the gym for a study hall.

Open Lunch

Seniors at WCS have endured the same lunches for 4 years straight. Don’t get me wrong: they were good for the first two and a half years but now they are getting a little old. They are also going up in price every year even though the quality of the lunches stays the same. Consequently, I believe that seniors should be allowed to have open lunch in order to drive somewhere and get something to eat.

Eating off-campus would enable the students to be more selective for lunch than eating the typical bland lunches that the school has for sale. I know that a reason for not having it might be for liability reasons for possible car accidents for example but if the student signs a waiver form to accept all responsibility, then the school cannot be liable. I understand that the school might lose some profit if the seniors are allowed to have open lunch, but it would not take that big of a hit. Not all seniors buy lunch anyway, because they are sick of the menu, or just pack from home. Also, the under- classmen will still bring in a lot of profit in the lunch lines.

When the only thing to look forward to for lunch is pizza on Mondays, then a change needs to be made in our schools policies about open lunch. When it’s finals day, the students are allowed to leave after they are done with their tests, and they usually come back on time for the next class. If students show up late, then their punishment will be the same as if they showed up to class late currently. The threat of detention will hurry seniors into getting back on time and not going out to far to grab something to eat. For the most part, seniors are mature enough to go out during the day and come back on time safely, and if they do not do that, then the waiver form will protect the school from any law- suits parents may make if a student is injured. By making open lunch a possibility it will make seniors happier around the campus because they won’t have to eat the same thing every week. I am not trying to insult the lunch ladies food, I’m just saying that after almost 4 years of experience, the food gets a little boring and gross. Even though there are many different combinations every week, when you have been here this long everything is over made.

In conclusion, I don’t see any harm in letting 17-18 year old seniors have an option to go out and eat where ever they want as long as they are back on time. Sign a form with a parent’s signature to erase liability from the school, and there is no real problem. I know the school may think it’s a lot safer to keep the students on the campus, but if the school cannot get blamed for it, then the students should be allowed to leave.

Amanda's Advice

Q: Dear Amanda,
There is this guy that I’m totally in love with. He is super cute and really talented. I’ve known him for a while now and admire all there is to him. We seem so right for each other. I write him often because we live far apart. He hasn’t been writing me back and I’m starting to worry that he doesn’t even know I exist anymore. Our first encounter was magical; he even sang me a song. He is family- oriented and very close to his older and younger brothers. I know these siblings of his, and they are just as sweet as he, but none can compare to him. I feel like Joe and I are growing apart; there is even a rumor of his seeing other girls. He is also on the road with Hannah Montana and it is getting harder to keep tabs on him because of the “fame.” Joe Jonas is the love of my life; what is there to do?
Cali Mennja
(This concerned lover’s name has been changed due to certain privacy rights)

A: Dear Cali Mennja,
Well, it definitely sounds like you are a little love struck. Now, the fact that your love is Joe Jonas does make things a little more complicated than most situations because of his growing fame. However, if you have known him for a while now and are close with his siblings too, then that does help. There are thousands of girls who would love to know him and have the encounters with Joe that you have had, and the truth is, there might be others who have had those “moments” with him. The rumors that you have heard could be just that: rumors. If you do not know for certain, then I would simply recommend asking him yourself; and tell him to be completely honest.

I can understand that it must be hard for you to keep in touch in with someone who lives far away and is constantly traveling. Maybe you can try talking more over the phone. Sending a quick text to someone simply to tell them that you are thinking of them can really make their day and help them not to lose sight of how much you care for that person. The fact that he is family-oriented is a positive quality to have and something that is not as common nowadays. Try showing him the ways that you and your family are close, this will be attractive to him, just like it is for you. Relationships are definitely more complicated when one or both of the people is famous, but it is manageable. You just have to learn to be strong and not let what others say affect what you know is true. Don’t forget that even if things don’t work out, you will have plenty of time to find love again. It sounds like you go for the guys who are musical, outgoing, and love their family. There are many guys out there like this, so if Joe isn’t the one for you, be patient because love can find you, too. Just remember this; stay honest with him and stay honest with yourself.

Worthington Christian High School Art Class

Here at Worthington Christian High School there are many art classes taught by excellent teachers who love what they do. If you are a person who really enjoys art, then one of these many classes would be for you, whether you like get your hands messy in Ceramics or Drawing and Painting or if you have not decided yet upon an art class, then this might help. One of these classes is the Ceramics 1 class, who is taught by Mrs.Galbraith. Ceramics 1 class is where you begin to learn the basics of molding with clay. In Ceramics 1 is taught by Mrs.Galbraith who loves teaching students to work with clay and to start learning to use the potter’s wheel. A student in the Ceramics class, a Nathan Deskians finished making his first pot in his set on the Potter’s Wheel. Reily Means has completed making several pots on the wheel. Also the in Ceramics 1 class the students are working on a project of having pots in a set which is when all the pots have at least one thing in common. Others in Ceramics 1 are working on a drape pot, where you place a piece of clay over a pot and let it drape and take the texture of the bowl or plate. In Digital Art, they are working on digitally editing pictures relating to the Christian culture. The Digital Art class more recent project is where they define art: some people define art as beautiful as another person may view art as one’s life portrayed on paper. One student, Seth Jacobus, is working on an image of the band Slayer that he and Billy Gram edited together. In the Beginning Painting class their current project is a painting somehow relating to conflict. One particular student, Seth, who has completed the project painted a scene of a young girl in a gas mask, in the background is a yellow sunset. In the Beginning Drawing class, a project they had was to fill the fronts of a full deck of playing cards with images they printed of the computer. After they had finished, the students had to draw a series of pictures using all the images on the cards. The Ceramics 2 class is working on making a pot with some kind of texture. For the students who have finished that project started working on a drape pot like the Ceramics 1 students. Advanced Ceramics is the most relaxed of all the Ceramics classed where you make all kinds of different pot that you have learned about or seen in magazines. In Advanced Ceramics Ben Cronin is working making a ceramics tree which he saw in one of the ceramics magazines.

Boys' Basketball Preview

The Worthington Christian Warriors basketball team is coming off a pretty successful season in 2006-2007. They managed to reach the regional finals but unfortunately lost to Harvest Prep. The Warriors lost seniors Brooks Price, Ethan Houts, and David Gauch but we still have a lot of our main players returning. The starting five maybe but not for certain Brian Hecker, Tyler Joseph, Zach Joseph,, Brady Beals, and a fight for the fifth spot between Josh Sinclair, Bobby Condon, and Nick Thomas. Coach Weakley has a very good offensive team this year that will be able to run and gun opponents out of the gym. The only concern that I can see is depth and the lack of size.

The team has four seniors being Tyler Joseph, Nick Thomas, Josh Sinclair, and Bobby Condon. So they have a good seven players that are experienced at the varsity level. Coach might have to rely on some younger players to fill in some minutes so some of the starters can stay fresh. We are always conditioned pretty well because that’s necessary when you have a run and gun team like we do. When the fast break isn’t open however the Warriors have many 3- point shooters and Brian Hecker down low so they can score very easily against most defenders.
The Warriors always have a pretty tough schedule playing in the CCL because every team will play us close. The first home game this year is against Desales which is turning into a little rivalry after we split games with them last year. They didn’t believe that we had a chance we came in to there gym with there great starting five. We won in the upset but later lost at home to them later in the year. Watterson, St. Charles, Ready, and Hartley are all pretty good as well and they can beat us at any time. Since we play most conference teams twice it will be interesting whether or not the warriors will be able to beat these teams twice. Tyler and Zach are very clutch 3- point shooters and that will keep us close in all our games this year. Brady does the little things whether it’s playing good defense, diving for loose balls and making baskets at key points. Bobby, Josh and Nick are also going to be key for a good season. Nick will have to be a factor down low whether it’s on offense or defense. He will use his height advantage for collecting rebounds and collecting easy points near the basket. Bobby will have to use his athletic ability to run the fast break and finish either with a basket or a foul. Josh who decided to play at last second will be another three point threat for the team and he also adds some height which is needed.

Coach Weakley has a pretty talented team in 2007-2008 and I believe that he will coach them to a very successful season. Hopefully this year we will get through regional’s and get to states but that’s far away from now. I’m sure he is only concerned with one game at a time.

Sharing the Joy

Here at Worthington Christian, we have so many possessions and opportunities. For the most part we always have access to food, water, clothing and shelter. It’s a true blessing that we even have the opportunity to go to school, on top of that a Christian school. Thousands of kids across the world would give anything to attend a school. They desire to learn about the things we take for granted every day.

All students at W.C. the holiday time. Senior Courtney Beyer described her favorite holiday joy,” I really enjoy the festive atmosphere, the time with family and friends, and, of course, all the delicious holiday food. ” Students at W.C. enjoy the cheery atmosphere and the warmth of the indoors. Unfortunately the holidays are just like any other day for millions of kids across the world. The day goes by with hunger pains and the usual daily work load. Operations like Samaritan’s Purse developed Operation Christmas Child which was formed to “bring joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes and the Good News of God's love” (http://www.samaritanspurse.org/OCC.asp?MPGID=1).
Senior Luke Montgomery has participated in the Operation Christmas Child program since first grade. He declares that “It makes me realize how much I take for granted compared to people in third world countries that have next to nothing.” Our school’s Ministry Team has arranged for the student body at W.C. to be able to participate in Operation Christmas Child. They encourage students to share some of their time, money and holiday joy with kids who don’t experience the warmth of the holidays.
The process of making a shoe box gift for a child is simple. Start with an empty shoe box and wrap the lid and box separately. Then determine whether your gift is for a boy or girl, and the child's age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Go next to the local dollar store and fill the box with items that will bring the child delight. Recommended items are: hard candy, brushes, fun hair accessories, and gum: be sure to check out the posters around the school to see other gift ideas. Make sure to stay away from war toys and candy that can melt. Next, include seven dollars in each box you make, this helps with shipping fees. Lastly, bring your box or boxes to the high school office and give them to Mrs. Dunn.
Senior Tiffany Helmuth describes to us her previous Operation Christmas Child experience: “Every Christmas, my church organizes an Operation Christmas Child box collection. As a youth group, we get together and make a few gift boxes. I really believe that it’s a good experience to provide a little bit of Christmas cheer for people who don’t have the means. Its definitely a humbling experience for me, and is a great way to bring the youth group together”. If you have any concerns or questions, be sure to contact Lisa Scott or Amy McClure, leaders in the Ministry Team. They will be more than happy to help you out.

Top 10 favorite movies for Worthington Christian High School Students

Top 10 favorite movies for Worthington Christian High School Students
1. American Gangster
2. Across the Universe
3. August Rush
4. Hit Man
5. Enchanted
6. This Christmas
7. Dan in Real Life
8. Good Luck Chuck
9. Gone Baby Gone
10. The Bee Movie

American Gangster was a favorite for most of the WC students. Many would agree that Denzel Washington did a fabulous job in this movie and would recommend people to go see it. Some downsides of the movie were some graphic scenes and the length of the movie being a little too long. Another favorite of the students was the movie Across the Universe. A film taking place in the 1960’s, was a musical journey of people and what they went through during this time. The students loved all of the remade songs of The Beatles. In the movie August Rush, a young runaway boy finds his passion of playing and writing music, and performs his pieces on the streets of New York City. This amazing film shows the journey of this boy and how he gets to the top of his performance. Many agree that this movie is not for everyone but only for those that truly appreciate music and the difficult tasks of performing. Another action packed thriller that was enjoyed by students is Hit Man. It is described as being like a video game because of the gore and action within it. Something to keep in mind is that this film is filled with violence and some scenes that people may be offended by. A movie that will bring back memories of your childhood is the film Enchanted. It is a new Disney movie that goes around the magical fairytale theme that many students remember from their past. Students agreed that This Christmas is a great holiday movie for students to see with their families. Another favorite by the WC girls is Dan in Real Life. This is a movie about a single dad going through the difficulties of raising his teenage daughters. The girls found themselves being able to relate to the funny things that they went through. Comedian Dane Cook and actress Jessica Alba teamed up in the comedy Good Luck Chuck. This was a movie that students enjoyed seeing with each other because of the comedy that attracts to a teenage audience. Gone Baby Gone is another action filled movie that students enjoyed seeing with each other. The Bee Movie was surprisingly a popular movie for WC students. This funny movie was created for a young atmosphere but was enjoyed by many students.

The Golden Compass Review

The Christian community has been all abuzz at the coming release of the newest addition in the fantasy movie trend, The Golden Compass. While the movie has stirred up fresh outrage at the anti-Christian elements in the plot, the story is hardly a new arrival on the literary scene. The book, written by Philip Pullman (boldly proclaimed agnostic and critic of C.S. Lewis), upon which the movie is based, has been around since 1995.
The story follows eleven year old Lyra Belacqua as she endeavors to save her friend Roger from the mysterious, child-snatching Gobblers. With the help of gypsies, a giant arctic bear, witches, and a golden compass, called an alethiometer, that always reveals the truth, Lyra sets off for the Arctic North to rescue her friend. Her adventure draws her into something much larger than anything Lyra could have imagined. At the center of the conflict is the mysterious Dust, an extraordinary particle that is drawn to adults, but not children, and may have the power to unite the many worlds in the universe. Many people seek to destroy it, and their struggle to do so takes on a horrific taint.
The Golden Compass is the first in Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy. It takes place in a vibrant world, not so unlike our own, where the Church is the highest authority and every human has a dæmon, small animals that are the physical embodiments of the humans’ soul. Perhaps the most touching aspect of the book is the relationship between a human and his or her dæmon; Pullman portrays the bond so well that when it begins to be violated, it is heartrending. The world they inhabit is as well developed as the characters themselves, and although it mirrors our Europe, the difference is stark. The story is engaging, magical, and exciting as it keeps the reader engaged through every twisting story plot.
But the aspect of The Golden Compass that has so many Christians up in arms is its underlying agnostic themes. The book's portrayal of Christianity is obviously colored by Pullman's theology. Because the world in which the story is set is very similar to our world, but not quite the same, Pullman was easily able to reconstruct a religion that vaguely resembles Christianity, yet that suited his plot. The religion is similar only in name; though there are mentions of clergymen, original sin, God, and prayer, Jesus and salvation are never mentioned.
Though the world is colorful and imaginative, the moment that Pullman begins to inject the underlying theological statements it becomes forced. Unlike C.S. Lewis' Narnia series, which seamlessly weaves Christian allegory into the story, Pullman's blatant statements are jagged in their placement. For instance, near the end of the book - after the reader has been informed that Dust is actually the physical form of sin - Lyra and her dæmon come to the conclusion that Dust is actually good. The idea is drawn out of midair so abruptly that it almost jars the reader out of the story. Lyra’s reasoning is childish (appropriate, since she is a child): if the Church and all of the people who have been doing terrible things say Dust is bad, it must obviously be good. Many of the major theological "twists" in the story occur in the same way. The scenes in which Pullman is not trying so hard to impart his views upon the reader - such as the scenes detailing the deep bond between a human and his daemon, or the fantastic fights between the witches and the bears - are far more engaging. To parents and students considering whether or not to see the movie, it is important to mention that The Golden Compass does not have as much heresy in it as the final two books. The statements are not so much dangerous as they are wrong. Instead, they might lead to interesting discussion on the role the church should play in society, the dangers of legalism, and the lengths to which people should be allowed to go in the name of progress.

WC Worship

Almost every year at Worthington Christian, we have a new worship team encompassing students who perform usually at the beginning of every chapel. However, this year is the first year in a long time that we have had a teacher lead worship in our chapels. A majority of teachers here at Worthington Christian take on many responsibilities at the school as well as their teaching job; and Adam Heath is a teacher who does just this. In addition to being the track and field coach; the junior varsity and assistant varsity basketball coach; and one of the history teachers here at WC, he also helps out on the worship team for chapel.

Mr. Heath can also be found leading worship at Vista, a church that meets on Sunday night on a regular basis. Although we all know he is a very talented musician, because we have heard him play in chapel and at random times in class, he says he has never really felt completely comfortable because he still gets nervous before he plays. Despite his nerves, Adam Heath still takes the stage every week along with Seth, Hayden, Bronson, and Nathan to deliver a great worship time. The band has even gone so far as to prepare an entire chapel entirely focused on worship and music, which everyone seemed to love.

In the midst of leading worship at youth groups and churches, Mr. Heath says that he has found most of his song ideas from none other a place than Worthington Christian. He takes these ideas to other places where he is part of the worship team. He says he enjoys the contemporary sound here at Worthington Christian and finds a lot more concern and thought is put into the music here. “We have had such a talented worship team this year, it makes me look back and see how our music has grown since I was a freshman,” says Amanda Keusal, a senior at WC.

Throughout the year many people have made comments made about whether or not the worship team is planning on making a CD to complete their great year of music. “This year’s worship team has gotten a lot of positive feedback. I know for myself I would buy a CD if they made one; it would definitely be worth their time,” says Amanda Keusal. Positive and exiting feedback is the norm here at WC when students are talking about the worship team. “A lot of people really want them to make a CD; I hope they do,” responds Courtney Beyer when asked what she thinks about the prospect of a worship CD.

There are already many copies of Adam Heath’s CDs floating around campus, which are often heard playing on students’ iPods and in their cars. Now that we have such a great worship team, everyone at WC wants to be able to take a piece of that music with him or her after chapel and after school to be able to listen to whenever he wants.