Aleeshba Basil
Legend Book
Review By: Aleeshba Basil
The United States of America is no more. In its place now is the Republic which is constantly warring with its neighbors. As the Republic’s famed prodigy June was born into one of the wealthiest district and has her future lain in front of her. Day is the country’s most wanted criminal and was born into the slums. Since they are from two very different worlds they have no reason to meet until the murder of June’s brother Matais and Day is the main suspect. Day is fighting for his family’s survival and June is hunting for revenge. June becomes torn between her feelings and what she has always believed and together she and Day discover the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets. Filled with action, suspense and just the right amount of romance, Legend by Marie Lu is a must-read and the story is continues in Prodigy and Champion.
Insignia
Review By: Aleeshba Basil
Set in a world where World War III is being fought virtually on other planets to eliminate fatalities, Insignia by S. J Kincaid is an action packed novel that is brimming with suspense. Tom Raines’ biggest desire was to be important. But with his father’s shadowy life and their drifting from casino to casino Tom doesn’t even have time to go to school. He games for their survival with a combination of skill, con artistry and staying invisible. Everything changes when he is offered a place at the Pentagonal Spire, an elite military academy when someone notices his virtual reality prowess. Suddenly he has a life, and an opportunity to make something of himself fighting for his country in the Intrasolar forces. It offers him everything he has ever wanted but the price may be too high. This futuristic thrill ride is an excellent debut to this series which questions the melding of humanity and technology. The series is concluded with Vortex and Allies.
Night of the Living Dead
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The Drama department has done it again! This year’s musical, “Night of the Living Dead’s opening night is October 24th and following show times are Friday the 25th, and Saturday the 26th. The show is said to be “horrifyingly hilarious and full of, you guessed it, zombies! The main leads are full of energy and the whole play is full of witty references and knee-slapping puns. Tickets are only 5 dollars apiece and the funds go the drama club. I’ll see you there!
Clubs
Aleeshba Basil
Ridgeview High School is the home of many diverse clubs, from Drama Club to The National Honor Society. In the wide collection of clubs Ridgeview provides, there is something for everyone to get involved in and enjoy. The Academic Team, for example, goes from school to school to show their academic prowess and compete for Ridgeview. It is a very good club for educationally inclined people and helps strengthen students’ general knowledge. Ridgeview also has an extensive list of clubs that provide service to better the world locally and worldwide. Interact Club, Beta Club, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and the French Honor Society are only a few of Ridgeview High School’s prestigious service clubs focused on bettering the community. Interact Club is a worldwide organization that helps people in need and is a group that has helped almost eradicate the disease Polio. Beta Club is a society that promotes the ideals of good character leadership, and morals. It also provides service and rewards meritorious achievements. The National Honor Society, The Spanish Honor Society and the French Honor Societies all require a certain level of GPA to be a member and are a great motivation to keep grades up. They provide a service called “gleaning” were the clubs go to fields were they harvest fresh food and donate it. Service clubs like these are looked very highly upon by colleges on applications. These are only a sample of the wonderful clubs Ridgeview has to offer. For specific information about each of Ridgeview’s Clubs, go to www.clay.k12.us/rhs/.
Germany and France’s Outrage at Phone Calls Being Monitored
By: Aleeshba Basil
Germany is sending in intelligence officials to Washington D.C. as a result of the outrage at the monitoring of German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s cell phone. A certain German magazine cited a U.S. intelligence file that said Merkel’s phone had been monitored for over 10 years before her current job position. This is viewed by Germany as a serious infringement on their personal privacy. The U.S. and Germany have had several conferences after which they have agreed to cooperate. Also, France is pursuing similar claims stating that more than 70 million calls were intercepted over a 30 day period from France. The two countries are discussing America’s past actions but their main priority is finding a solution for the present and future.
Take Me Out To the Ball Game
Oscar Taveras could be the future of the Cardinal’s baseball team. At 20 years, Taveras is Taveras is turning into one of the most complete hitters in the minors. He rarely strikes out, and almost always makes contact and drives the ball. He has many awards and won a lot of titles in three minor leagues including the Midwest league. Currently, Taveras is not in season due to an ankle injury, which required him to undergo surgery in August. His doctors say that Taveras will probably be back in action by 2014 spring training.
Insignia
Review By: Aleeshba Basil
Set in a world where World War III is being fought virtually on other planets to eliminate fatalities, Insignia by S. J Kincaid is an action packed novel that is brimming with suspense. Tom Raines’ biggest desire was to be important. But with his father’s shadowy life and their drifting from casino to casino Tom doesn’t even have time to go to school. He games for their survival with a combination of skill, con artistry and staying invisible. Everything changes when he is offered a place at the Pentagonal Spire, an elite military academy when someone notices his virtual reality prowess. Suddenly he has a life, and an opportunity to make something of himself fighting for his country in the Intrasolar forces. It offers him everything he has ever wanted but the price may be too high. This futuristic thrill ride is an excellent debut to this series which questions the melding of humanity and technology. The series is concluded with Vortex and Allies.
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
When you think of the name Cinderella you immediately think of fairy godmothers, happily ever after’s and glass slippers right? Well, Marissa Meyer’s book Cinder is a dramatic twist on the classic tale set in in New Beijing, China after World War 4. The protagonist of the novel, Cinder, is a gifted mechanic and a cyborg living in a world where she is shunned and segregated for who she is. She lives with her stepmother, who forces her to work as a mechanic, and her two stepsisters, Peony and Pearl. Her only friends are Iko, an android with a vivid personality, and Peony, her kind stepsister. One day the handsome Prince Kai comes to Cinder’s shop and her life takes a drastic turn. Cinder has no idea of her true worth, but the Lunar Queen, Queen Levana, has a suspicion. Levana is plotting to take over the world and Cinder may be the only one that can stop her. Cinder’s character is a clever mechanically savvy individual brimming with sarcasm. The author cleverly mixes a unique and different idea into the classic tale known by everyone to make something wonderful. I highly recommend this book to all you book lovers out there because it really is an enjoyable read. This book is also classified as a Sunshine State book for 2013-2014. Cinder’s adventures continue in the second book, Scarlet, the third book, Cress, and the dramatic conclusion, Winter.
Fashionista
School is back in session and along with it comes a whole new set of fashion trends. Loose shirts and tops are in right now as well are loose flowing dresses and skirts in pastel colors. Skinny jeans, as always, are popular; however, a new twist on them is emerging. Skinny jeans or pants with patterns on them like flowers or animal print have recently became very popular. Another fashion that uses animal patterns or tribal patterns or even leather is backpacks. Jansport is another backpack brand that is popular. Loose shirts often have animals, tribal patterns, and skulls on them. A style that has recently become popular is loose tops made with a sheer, flowing, chiffon material which often has a tail behind it. Sometimes these blouses have batwing sleeves and other times they have long, tight sleeves. These tops need a fun matching tank top underneath which can sometimes show through the top. A great outfit for fall can consist of skinny jeans, a loose sweater and riding boots or combat boots. For summer and spring however, chiffon blouses in pastel colors, skinny jeans with flowery patterns and pastel colors with flats or sandals are popular. Also, for spring, floral cardigans with tank tops underneath and skinny pants with floral patterns or pastel colors with flats or sandals makes a great every day outfit. Lace shirts in pale colors are stylish as well are bows for your hair and cute rings. Vans are very popular with both boys and girls. Many boys are wearing Hollister and Abercrombie tees as well as khaki shorts and jeans. Varsity Jackets are in as is the ever popular converse. Shoes made out of canvas such as Toms and Bobs are also in style. The most important thing about fashion is to let your creativity flow and where what you like not what others like. Remember that your clothes should not need to make you beautiful- your beauty should come from within you.