This season, the Hornets are reaching new heights both on the stat sheets and in the community, continuing their competitive dominance in the TSSAA while fostering an inclusive, high energy environment on the practice lanes. With the girls team fresh off an overwhelming 24-3 victory over Karns and elite individual players dominating local leaderboards, Carter bowling is cementing its legacy as one of Strawberry Plains most thrilling athletic programs.  Harper Smith, a senior in her 4th year of bowling, said “her high score in practice is 113 and bowling game is 115.”Ray Wynn says “In 2019 two students asked him to start a bowling team at Carter High School. I told them I can’t just start a team; they would have to ask Mrs. Messer, the principal. Keegan and John went straight to Mrs. Messer and she told them that’s a great idea.”Their first year they played CMA in their very first game with only one practice, boys and girls won 23-4 on October 1, 2019 at Fountain lanes. Ray Wynn says “The inaugural season was a huge success” So far into year 8 the girls are undefeated at 7-0 and the boys 7-2. Timmy Smith, our freshman, is in his first year. He is doing amazing. At the beginning of the season he struggled but he is getting alot better but Timmy said he cheers on his teammate by saying “good job.”

Should students be required to take two foreign language classes to graduate? Many students are already very busy with required classes, homework, extracurriculars plus some have jobs. It is unnecessary to require students to take two foreign language classes.Students should have the choice to study foreign languages, but shouldn’t have to take two to graduate when they could be studying classes which could prepare them better for their future.

Students shouldn’t have to take two foreign language classes because not all students plan to use foreign language in their future career. Some students want to be business owners, mechanics, teachers,vets, nurses, or electricians. While knowing another language can be beneficial in many careers, students would benefit more from taking classes related to their future career goals. By giving students more options they will be able to focus on skills that are useful after graduation.

There are many requirements to graduate from high school. Students already have a lot to balance with  maths, science, English, History, and other required subjects. Adding two foreign languages can limit the time they have to take electives, career and technical education classes, or other classes that interest them. Students should  have more opportunities to try different subjects to find what they want to do after high school.

Some people may argue that it helps students communicate with more people and understand different cultures.While this is a valid point, knowing another language can be useful in daily life and work. Students should be encouraged to learn foreign languages but shouldn’t be required to take two. By making an option subject students who are interested in languages will still be able to study while having the freedom to pick different classes.

Overall,students shouldn’t be required to take two foreign language classes.While there are benefits to knowing another language every student has different interests, career goals, and educational needs.The schools should give students more freedom to choose classes that prepare them for their futures. Graduation requirements should help students to be successful, rather than stopping them from learning skills they care about.

Mr. Crawford’s yearbook class has continued to dutifully work on the ‘26-’27 yearbook. Other than performing periodic check-ins, Mr. Crawford allows students to independently work on assigned pages that focus on specific classes, clubs, or events. Students are also responsible for taking or collecting pictures so that the yearbook is a true documentation of Carter High School.

While advertised as a fun class, obstacles often impede yearbook progression. “We’ve definitely faced technical difficulties,” Mr. Crawford said. With it being his first year overseeing the yearbook, he has had to troubleshoot a plethora of problems, specifically regarding the website they use to format the yearbook. However, he added, the amazing yearbook staff has been vital in defusing these issues.

Despite the workload, yearbook member Bernard Barton stated, “The environment is good. We get the job done.” Their job is making sure that each page has perfect color, text, and pictures, so that a quality yearbook is produced.

Though the yearbook is not complete until the final day of school, Mr. Crawford emphasizes that the student body should be participating in yearbook creation, whether through submitting pictures or filling out periodic Google Forms, such as the one for senior quotes, before that date. Overall, Mr. Crawford would like to thank parents, students, and staff for their continued interest in the yearbook, and he asks that everyone consider buying one.

Have you ever met someone who can switch between two languages quickly? Johana Turner a senior at Carter High School speaks both Spanish and English, this allows her to communicate with different people. Being bilingual is important to Johana because she understands both languages. Her ability to speak Spanish and English helps her communicate with people and understand them. Johana learned Spanish while growing up because her mother spoke it. She learned English through school in fifth grade. She said “Being bilingual is helpful because I get to help people if they need to understand anything no matter where I am”. “The most challenging part about being bilingual is having to switch back and forth between Spanish and English to communicate with people, I often get my words switched up sometimes and it just gets confusing”. Johana friend Amaila Godinez, also a senior at Carter High School, says “I have seen Johana use Spanish to help other people. She assists students who are new to the United States, those who have arrived and do not yet know English. She explains things very well, gives good translations and shows them what they need to do”. Johana’s ability to speak both Spanish and English is an important skill that allows her to connect with different people. She uses her bilingual skills to help others, especially students that are new to the United States and are still learning English. Although switching between languages can sometimes be difficult, Johana shows how being bilingual can make a positive difference in other people’s lives.

Rebecca Pollard, also known as Mrs. Pollard to all students, is a Health Science teacher at Carter High School. I asked her a little about what she did before her job and this is what she said “Before I started teaching at Carter High School, I worked as a registered nurse at University of TN. I worked there for 6 years.” While Mrs. Pollard was a RN, she had a daughter that she didn’t get to see much because she worked a 12 hour shift 3 days in a row which only left time to see my daughter at night when she would already be asleep. Mrs. Pollard stated “Not seeing her daughter much would not work for me so I quit there.” Mrs Pollard went on to work at Bearden High School before Carter. She claimed she likes Carter more and she likes that it’s closer to home. Mrs. Flatford is the cosmetology teacher right next door to Mrs Pollard’s class. They are very good friends. This is what Mrs. Flatford said about Mrs. Pollard: “She’s my bestie. We have been friends since I started working here, so about 16 years. We have a lot of similarities and some differences but I think that’s what makes us work best together. We do a lot of school events together such as awards, graduation, and senior night. Her daughter was a cheerleader when I was the cheer coach as well.” Mrs. Pollard has come a long way since her tough years at UT. She always knew she wanted to do something with health care, and now she gets to do it with her best friend.

Carter High School hosted the  winter formal this year at Holston Hills Country Club after students voted for a dance outside of school through a survey that was sent out. The idea came from students who wanted another opportunity to enjoy a school dance in a different location since prom was not allowed at Holston Hills Country Club because it is not available in may.  And  Carter high school has had a winter formal for the past several years.  Previously it has been held at various locations such as the school cafeteria, the Titanic in Pigeon Forge, and the Jubilee in Powell.  And according to Mrs.Wilson, she is a principal at Carter High School and she is the one organizing the winter formal. The school sent out a survey asking students whether they preferred a homecoming dance or a winter formal, and whether they wanted the event to take place at the school or somewhere else. The results helped school staff plan out this year’s winter formal. Many students, especially seniors, were interested in having a dance from school. Mrs. Wilson explained that the school wanted to listen to what students wanted and give them options outside of school events.”We sent out a survey a couple of weeks, maybe a couple of months ago at this point, “Mrs.Wilson said. They chose winter formal The school asked students whether they preferred to have the dance at the school or at another location. Students expressed interest in having the event somewhere else, which helped lead the decision to host it at Holston Hills Country Club. One reason for choosing Holston Hills Country Club was because it’s located near the school. Msr.Wilson explained that there are not many nearby places available for school events, making that place a convenient option. The location also gives students the chance to experience a formal dance outside of the school building, something they had expressed an interest in having. Ms. Wilson said that she was excited that the school offered the students these opportunities, especially seniors. Mrs.helton, a teacher at Carter High School, said that she believes students and giving students a voice in school activities is important. Mrs.helto says  she says “I love seeing everyone so excited to come together for a night of fun, and seeing everyone get dressed up.”  With the decision based on what the students’ feedback, Carter High School’s winter formal offers a chance to enjoy the dance and a new setting the event also shows students’ opinions can help shape school activities and create opportunities that the students want to participate in. As winter formal approaches, students can look forward to an event planned around their preferences.

When I talked to Addie Lowery, a student who attended a geometry course taught by Mrs. Haun, a week ago, she expressed her satisfaction with this decision as well as with the fact that her principal decided to teach the course for a week. Although it was quite unusual, Addie really enjoyed the experience since it allowed her to see another side of Mrs. Haun and experience how she teaches classes. In general, she appreciated having Mrs. Haun teach geometry for a week. On the other hand, although Addie enjoyed having her principal teach the geometry course, Mrs. Haun stated, “it has been quite challenging and somewhat difficult to adjust too.” First of all, it means that besides fulfilling her regular principal responsibilities, she had to teach a week long. Consequently, it required her to manage her time effectively and fulfill all tasks efficiently. Moreover, being away from teaching geometry for such a period of time, she probably felt a bit rusty doing it again. Nevertheless, Mrs. Haun expressed her satisfaction with this experience since she found it quite interesting. She mentioned that the fact that other people could help her to do her principal job allowed her to teach better during this week. Therefore, with some help of her colleagues, she managed to combine both jobs successfully. This experience allows to see another side of Mrs. Haun as a teacher who is willing to change her routine to teach classes. It also shows how important team cooperation and support is in the life of a school since it allowed Miss Haun to change her work a bit. As for Addie Lowery stated, “it allowed me to get a unique experience of studying geometry from a principal.’’

Go inside the CDC clasrooms to see how students with developmental disabilities thrive through hands-on learning,life skills training and dedicated peer support. Behind the closed door of room 626A;there is what inclusive education actually looks like,spilled coffee,three sensory meltdowns and a breakthrough in math;just your average Wednesday. While high schoolers down the halls are prepping for college entrance exams,the students in the CDC program are preparing for something much bigger: the real world. A closer look into their daily routine reveals a dynamic mix of functional academies, vocational building, and the essential life skills required to thrive after graduation. The classroom expands out into the local community to practice public skills like grocery shopping: navigating aisles,locating items from a list,and interacting with cashiers.One of Mrs Tiffany’s students said that his favorite class is English and his special olympics sports are basketball and track, while their goals include learning a new job skills, figuring how to buy things independently and working harder on math word problems because their peer tutors help him learn. Education is importment because it helps students prepare for life after high school. However,many students graduate without learning some essential skills,such as managing money,finding a job, cooking, and solving everyday problems. While schools often focus on academic subjects like math and reading, students also need practical skills to become independent adults. Learning these skills can help students succeed in college,the workplace, and their communities. Teaching life skills alongside traditional subjects can better prepare students for the challenges they may face after graduation. Z’s responses include focusing on math, working hard on math,learning how to talk to customers, learning how to locate items in a store,His favorite special olympics sport is bowling and peer tutors help with his data.

After staring at whiteboards all day you think you can use your phone at lunch because the only way you can get a break is lunch. We should have our phones during lunch to get a mental break,handle personal communication,and manage non-academic tasks allowing students to check in with family and friends to solve personal problems at home or school, letting them use them during lunch giving them a break so when they go back to class they can focus better. Some students might have after school events that are canceled and they need to figure out how they are getting home after school. Emily Sloan said Knox County Schools says we can’t have them during class time they didn’t say anything about during lunch time. While Knox County Schools  restricts phones use phones during class time to keep students focused but they didn’t say during non-instructional time that lunch gives us a break from 1 and 2 period classes you might have a test during those time periods and you need relief after those tests. Lunch is a non-instructional break,and phones help students unwind, listion to music, or briefly disconnect from acadmic pressure.