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Show Schools Smashing pumpkins Webster defines physics as "The science of matter and energy and their interactions." Last Friday, high school students in Mr. Johnson's physics class were faced with a physics challenge. The challenge was to design a safe way for a ten pound pumpkin to be dropped 28 feet from the roof of the high school, and land without breaking. The students were free to choose whatever materials they would like to cushion the landing. Most students used cardboard boxes and some used garbage cans. The boxes were filled with a variety of materials which included straw, water balloons, Easter grass, newspapers, foam and air filled balloons. Many • pumpkins survived the fall and many did not. Mr. Johnson said the students did very well overall this year. He doesn't remember a year that so many pumpkins survived the impact. One thing was evident though, the students seemed to have a great time with this project. Choose your battles carefully except, perhaps the diminished dignity of those who somehow seem to believe that you can leave your huContributed by manity in the car when you Superintendent go to the gym. Donald Hill One of the great lessons A shrill whistle blast that sports should teach penetrated the mid-winter us is that there are certain afternoon. A clenched fist things that are always gowaved in the air while an ing to be beyond our control. accusing finger pointed out Referees, coaches, and players, all make countless decithe teenage transgressor. "Thirty-five!" an author- sions during the course of a itarian voice intoned. "You game. Some decisions are good, some are not. But even are pushing!" when a decision is made The muscular young that is obviously incorrect, man with the number 35 on his basketball jersey agonizing over it is a waste groaned and grimaced, kick- of time and energy. Be honing the ball and stamping" est. When was the last time his foot like a three-year old you saw a referee listen to who does not want to take a the hecklers, blow his whisnap. His coach stormed onto tle and say, "I am sorry, the floor to suggest, loudly I must have been wrong. and crudely, that the official That was not on number 35 who made the call is visu- after all. In fact, it was probally, mentally and ethically ably a foul on the guy from impaired, not necessarily the other team for refusing in that order. Meanwhile, to get out of his way." The the fans focused their wrath most successful coaches and on the referee's physical players focus their attention appearance and ancestry, on responding to events as offering recommendations they happen, not on trying that are physiologically to change them after they impossible and genetically have already taken place. unlikely. The gymnasium The same principle is seemed to rage with vented true in real world settings, anger and released frustra- and it can be viewed from tion. the perspective of a variAnd you know what hap- ety of different contexts; no pened? Nothing happened! amount of yelling can reconNo matter how many tan- struct a carelessly broken trums were thrown, no mat- heirloom; a dying relationter how many ugly epithets ship is not revived with wawere flung, the referee's call ter that has already passed stood: it was a foul on num- under the bridge; a wound ber 35. Nothing changed, will not heal if you keep by JOSEPH WALKER Top: Cami Carlisle's pumpkin did not survive the drop. Right: Kihara McBride with her pumpkin that had a safe landing. Middle school students to honor veterans Gunnison Valley Middle School, in cooperation with the Centerfield American Legion Post, will honor area veterans on Friday, November 10, at 9:30 A.M. in the school gym. The school would like to extend an invitation to the general public and Gunnison Legion Post members to attend the program that day. The high school and middle school have offset their program times in or- Page 5 The Gunnison Valley Gazette Thursday, November 2, 2006 der to accommodate those wishing to attend both programs. In 1953, in Emporia, Kansas, the observance was broadened to include all veterans, not just those of World War I. Congress established Veterans Day on May 24, 1954, making it a federal holiday. Traditionally, the U.S. president places a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery on Veterans Day. Currently, there are nearly 25, 000,000 living American veterans. picking at the scab; and if you want your garden to grow, you have eventually got to stop plowing the same ground. Get the idea! We are imperfect people living together on an imperfect planet. Our success here is not determined by our ability to control the external forces that influence our lives, but in our ability to respond to those forces in a productive and positive way. When bad things happen, as they inevitably will, the successful person will accept the challenge. And instead of wasting precious time and energy shaking a fist at the heavens and raging about the unfairness of it all, they will focus their attention on the most important matter: figuring a way to deal with it. Please do not misunderstand. I'm not saying that' there is anything wrong with protesting injustice when we see it, or fighting for our rights when we truly believe we have been wronged. Clearly that is an appropriate way to respond to certain kind's of challenges. But we have got to pick our battles carefully, and save our best efforts for the fights that really matter. Otherwise we will find ourselves constantly at war with a world that is crammed full of frustrating possibilities at home, at work, at school, at church and especially at athletic competitions. HEAP WEEK • f tfee This week's Heap of the Week goestoSyeBunnell! Sye drives a red 2001 Jeep Wrangler. "It's fun to play in the mud with all my friends." ourtesy Photo Hill's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. wlljed Hill Is Sponsored by: U 528-3988 Last Tuesday, October 24th, 23 students from Gunnison High traveled to Cedar City for "Shakespeareance." The students saw a play at a reduced price, took a back stage tour, participated in an acting class, and asked the actors questions at the end of the play. This year the play was "The Merchant of Venice." Everyone enjoyed it. 150 East 100 North - Gunnison 0TSA MOTSA SPORTS EALENDAR NOW PLAYING Ot 5U Ca^uia Sta* Hfkatxe FLUSHED AWAY Girls Basketball Tue. Nov. 21 Tue. Nov. 28 Thur. Nov. 30 Piute @ Gunniosn Gunnison @ No Summit Gunnison @ Kanab Fr 5:15 JV 5:15 Var 7:00 Fr 5:15 JV 5:15 Var 7:00 Fr 5:15 JV 5:15 Var 7:00 Playing: November 3r4 - 16th PG Wrestling Tue. Nov. 21 Bi-County @ South Sevier Pizza • Calzone Breadsticks • Salad Free Delivery (Limited Area) 528-3792 57 South Main • Gunnison Winter Show Times! Mon-Thurs =7pm nightly Fri&Sat=7pm&9pm Sony! No bargain Night for Premiere Engagement Ticket Prices *500 " Adalts - Children under 12 & Senior Citizens |
