Radiation in Tokyo

Radioactive iodine detected in the capital’s water supply spurred a warning for infants and the government issued a new estimate about the costs of rebuilding from the earthquake and tsunami that slammed into the northeast of Japan this month.  Ei Yoshida, head of water purification for the Tokyo water department, said that infants in Tokyo and surrounding areas should not drink tap water.  He said that iodine-131 had been detected in water samples at a level of 210 Becquerel’s per liter.  The recommended limit for infants is only 100 Becquerel’s per liter.

            High levels of iodine that can be absorbed through the milk can accumulate in the thyroid gland and cause thyroid cancer.  High levels of cesium can damage cells and put many people at higher risk of developing other kinds of cancer.  Japan has already placed restrictions on foods, including spinach and milk that were produced in two plants near the Fukushima Daiichi plant.  Food inspectors detected iodine and cesium in the food, two of which are more dangerous radioactive byproducts that are feared to have been released from the reactors in Fukushima.

            The announcement added to the growing anxiety about public safety posed by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station.  The Health Ministry said in a statement that it was unlikely that there would be negative consequences to infants who did drink the water, but that it should be avoided if possible and not be used to make infant formula.  It was not clearly why the levels of iodine were so high and the prevailing breezes seem to be pushing radiation out to sea, said a senior western nuclear executive.

Friends of Rachel Club

The committee presidents (Taylor, Cliff, and Jeffrey) of the FOR Club at Chapmanville Regional High School presented Mrs. Karen Varney with $630.00 for the Robert L. Varney Memorial Education Fund.  The scholarship was set up at Southern West Virginia Community College in memory of Ms. Varney's son, Bobby, who recently passed away following an extended illness.  Bobby was a graduate of SWVCC and greatly enjoyed his time there.  The monetary donation was collected from the students and staff at CRHS. (CRHS website) They have also completed a toy drive at West Chapmanville Grade School, they rung bells for the Salvation Army while working at Christmas in the Park, raised money for other various scholarship funds and charities, and next year a mixer is planned between CRHS and MHS.

-Tyler

History of April Fools

Unlike most of the other nonfoolish holidays, the history of April Fool's Day, sometimes called All Fool's Day, is not totally clear. It is not like Halloween, where despite an interesting history, most people just put on Halloween costumes, get candy, and leave it at that. There really wasn't a "first April Fool's Day" that can be pinpointed on the calendar. Some believe it sort of evolved simultaneously in several cultures at the same time, from celebrations involving the first day of spring.
The closest point in time that can be identified as the beginning of this tradition was in 1582, in France. Prior to that year, the new year was celebrated for eight days, beginning on March 25. The celebration culminated on April 1. With the reform of the calendar under Charles IX, the Gregorian Calendar was introduced, and New Year's Day was moved to January 1.
However, communications being what they were in the days when news traveled by foot, many people did not receive the news for several years. Others, the more obstinate crowd, refused to accept the new calendar and continued to celebrate the new year on April 1. These backward folk were labeled as "fools" by the general populace. They were subject to some ridicule, and were often sent on "fools errands" or were made the butt of other practical jokes.
This harassment evolved, over time, into a tradition of prank-playing on the first day of April. The tradition eventually spread to England and Scotland in the eighteenth century. It was later introduced to the American colonies of both the English and French. April Fool's Day thus developed into an international fun fest, so to speak, with different nationalities specializing in their own brand of humor at the expense of their friends and families.

The Byran Herald

School Lunches/Nutrition

The food currently provided through the National School Lunch Program has not kept pace with what we know today to be truly healthy and nutritious food. Rather, the foods provided in the program under the guise of good nutrition. Chili cheese dogs, pepperoni pizza, cheeseburgers, and pork chops are there to prop up farm incomes and are part of the problem that has created a generation of overweight children.

The Byran Herald

Chapmanville High School Tennis

The 2011 Chapmanville Tennis Team has finally started. The tennis team consists of one senior, eleven juniors, Five Sophomores, and two freshmen. The tennis team has already played 2 games. On the 18^th of March they traveled To Poca, to play the Poca Dots. On the 21^st they had a home game against the Man Hillbillies. On March 25, 2011 the Chapmanville Tigers will be traveling to Spring Valley to play the Timberwolves. So, hopefully the tigers will go up there and kick butt. Go Tigers!

Lady Tigers #1 top #3 Sissonville, 3-1 in Thursday Nights Showdown

The Lady Tigers stand strong defending their #1 spot as they beat #3 Sissonville 3-1 on a cold Thursday night.  The Lady Tigers were led by Junior Allison who was 2-4 at the plate.  Senior Samantha, Junior Jenna, Freshman Lauryn, and Sophmore Talya all had hits as well.  Jenna had an earned RBI knocking Lauryn in to make it 1-0. Then, Talya had a two run homer against Junior Dee Dee to make the score 3-0.  Sissonville scored in the 7th inning as a runner got on base by an error then stole second. Then Dee Dee knocked her in with a single.  Allison had 13 strikeouts allowing two hits and three walks. Dee Dee had 10 strikeouts allowing 6 hits and 1 walk. Chapmanville advances on the season with an undefeated record 3-0. They will be away at Logan Monday, March 27th to face #1 Triple A Logan.  Logan has beat them in the past 2 events, but hopefully Chapmanville will pull through on this one.  Good Luck Lady Tigers!

-Allison

Tiger Health Center

     This year, our school has added a new addition.  The Tiger Health Center has been placed downstairs for the student's and staff's medical needs.  Nicole Ellis is the provider.  The dental hygienist is Jamie Adkins, the nurse is Rebecca Adams, and the dentist is Steve Beckett.  The health center is open Monday thru Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  The medical staff is certified and has attended replicable colleges to achieve their degrees.  Before you can officially receive and benefit from the service at the Tiger Health Center, your legal guardian is required to fill out an enrollment form.  This is so the health staff is aware of your current health records and most recent visits and so on.  After the form is filled out, your parents are notified each time by the staff on the phone that you've stopped by the center.  The Tiger Health Center was places for us to use it. So let's take full advantage of this great opportunity. 

-Halie Jo

Upcoming ACT

     The time is just around the corner.  On April 9^th, 2011 the ACT test comes to Chapmanville.  This test is crucial to get into a college.  You must score a 21 to get admitted.  You have to apply as soon as possible to guarantee yourself a spot in the testing room.  This is the month that the school pays for the ACT.  It’s mandatory to be at the school by 8:00 am, and it’s crucial to be on time.  Not all schools are testing sites, so you need to sign up ASAP to ensure that you can test at a site closest to you.  The dead line to sign up is March 18, 2011.  Be as prepared as you can and study hard.  The ACT online website offers practice tests to better prepare you.  For more questions, visit www.act.org .  Just relax and be prepared!

Hoops For Heart

Hoops for Heart

                The American Heart Association holds an event titled Jump Rope for Heart every year in local schools, to help support good health and prevent Heart Disease. Students make donations to participate in activities usually held in the school’s gym, that include: jump roping, basketball, and few other smaller activities. The American Heart Association is known for being very generous in their support for a healthier America and in particular the prevention of Heart Disease. West Virginia is known for obesity in our youth and the unhealthiness they posses, therefore, Hoops for Heart is counteracting these major problems by encouraging physical activity and being active with allowing kids to be exempt from class to participate in this event while also providing funding to go towards the greater good.  Here at Chapmanville Regional High School, we take great pride in our youth and this event is a great example of our community’s effort to become healthier and maybe encourage our neighboring schools to do the same.
 ( http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Giving/ForIndividuals/JoinanEvent/jump-rope-sub-home_UCM_315609_SubHomePage.jsp)

-Tyler

Earthquake

The Earthquake of Japan on Friday March 11th

The most powerful earthquake to hit Japan in recorded history struck off the island nation's shore on Friday, collapsing buildings, touching off widespread fires and unleashing walls of water up to 30 feet high.

The waves swept across rice fields, engulfed towns, dragged houses onto highways, and tossed cars and boats like toys. It reaching as far as about six miles inland in Miyagi, hundreds of people were dead and hundreds more missing, Japanese media reported, citing local and national police. Tens of thousands of people were displaced, according to Japan's Kyodo News agency.

Prime Minister Naoto Kan said the "enormously powerful" earthquake had caused "tremendous damage over a wide area."

The 8.9-magnitude quake prompted the U.S. National Weather Service to issue tsunami warnings for at least 50 countries and territories, although initial reports as the waves reached locations outside of Japan indicated no damage.

Japanese government officials said large tsunami waves are still a risk to coastal Japan, and urged residents in coastal areas to move to higher ground.

The Byran Herald

Chapmanville Girls face off with #1 Summers County for First Round of the Girls State Basketball Tournament

The Chapmanville Regional High School girls’ basketball team are huge underdogs in Thursday’s state tournament game. Chapmanville seeded 8th place with a 15-9 record. The odds are against them because they are matched up with #1 Summers County. All Summers County has done has been to capture the Class AA state championship for the last four years and win 93 straight games. The No. 1 seed Lady Bobcats are 25-0 heading into the state tournament. Summers County has not been beaten in a game since 2008. The Lady Bobcats have destroyed teams this year regularly by 50 points or more. Summers County has broke 100 points for 2 games on the season, 90 points on 9 games on the season, and 80 points on 6 games of the season. They were only held to 50 one game this year which was the game they won to break the record for most wins in a row in the state of WV. Summers County is 7 games away from breaking the National record held for boys/girls basketball for most wins in a row.

Chapmanville girls have no seniors while Summers County loses 4 of their 5 starters. Chapmanville is led by its trio of gaurds, Kelli Garrett and twin sisters Allison and Jenna Evans. All three  are juniors and can handle the ball well and can shoot 3 pointers acceptionally well. All three stand 5'2. Garrett averages 14.6 per game. Allison averages 10.4 per game while Jenna averages 8.5 per game. The lady Tigers are also led by post players sophmore Katelynn Hall, junior Kaylee Maynard, sophmore Talya Berry, and freshman Kristin DesRocher. Hall stands 5'7 averaging 8.1 points per game. Maynard stands 5'11 averaging 3.8 points per game. Berry stands tallest at 6'0 averaging 2.1 points per game. DesRocher stands 5'8 averaging 6.5 points per game.

Summers County is led by 6'0 senior Hallie Gunnoe averaging 22 points per game. Next comes 6'0 senior gaurd Leslie Mack averaging 21 points per game. Hallie's twin sister Hanna follows at 6'1 averaging 14 points per game followed by 5'9 junior Candice Brown. Last comes 5'10 senior post player Kelsi Lively who averages 10 points per game. A sixth player, 5'7 junior gaurd Keri Hudson comes in averaging about 7 points per game.

Chapmanville last made the state tourney in 94. This is a tough matchup for Chapmanville, but anything can happen! Congratulations on making it and we wish you the best of luck!!!!

By: Allison

 




For more info visit http://www.loganbanner.com/view/full_story/12166864/article-Lady-Tigers-savor-state-berth?instance=secondary_sports_left_column

St. Patrick's Day

            St. Patrick's Day is a holiday celebrated internationally on 17^th of March. It is named after Saint Patrick, the most commonly recognized of the patron saints of Ireland. It originated as a Catholic holiday and became an official feast day in the early 17th century. It has gradually become more of a secular celebration of Ireland's culture. The national color of St Patrick’s Day is green.