“If you give a mouse a cookie, he’ll want milk. When you give him the milk, he’ll probably want a straw. When he’s finished he’ll probably ask for a napkin.” And so on.

Madeline Pena

Throughout my life, I’ve processed every thought like that mouse. You can look at me while conversing and never know that I not only understood your idea, but my brain also created an additional five.

The day I was named online editor-in-chief, I felt an overwhelming surge of ideas. These thoughts poured out onto my spiral notebook and carried through the rest of my upperclassmen years. They fueled me to push for something great. I became determined to make decaturjournal.com a reflection of what our staff was capable of. Together, we earned our first Silver Star award, ranking us among the top online publications in the state.

During my senior year, I wanted more. The summer before, I decided to brainstorm new ideas for our site. I found myself facing a blank page. Nothing! Where was my if-you-give-a-mouse-a-cookie brain?

All of a sudden, it turned on. However, my thoughts were not focused on newspaper.

“I can’t come up with ideas. What if I can’t come up with ideas for college and scholarship essays? What if I don’t get accepted to my dream school? I would be so sad. But if I did get accepted, then how would I pay for it? What if I don’t do well this year?” And the mental battle continued for another 30 minutes until tears streamed down my face.

This year, I met McKenna Waddill. She looks at the cookie, breaks it apart and analyzes it. Whenever I launched into my if-you-give-a-mouse-a-cookie rant, she would look me in the eye and say, “Madeline, just look at the problems you have now; don’t come up with new ones.”

I kept this thought in mind as I applied to colleges. As I filled out applications and essays, I didn’t complicate things. Instead, I just told them my story. (Thank you, McKenna.)

Thankfully, after years of hard work and lots of support, I’m attending my dream school. I am so excited to see what is in store at Texas Christian University, along with the rest of my life. There, I hope to apply both thinking skills.

Like every 2013 graduate, I’m beginning a new chapter. At the beginning of the year, I feared theses changes. Now, I’m embracing them.

Now I realize it’s OK to formulate multiple ideas. However, on some occasions, I have to take a step back and look at the whole cookie.

Madeline Pena is a senior graduating from Decatur High School. Columns by other Youth Spoken reporters Cristin Morgan and Paris Walther appear in the graduation special section inserted in today’s Messenger.

To top it off, I wasn’t really sure what breed he was. I think I should have known from the beginning that a free goat wasn’t going to be a blue-ribbon goat. But he was healthy, and he was free. And his little face kind of stole my heart, so he became my new “show goat.”

Paris Walther

It all started when I began to dive deeper into the ag classes I was taking my freshman year of high school. Approaching my ag teacher, I told him I wanted to get involved with the FFA, and I wanted to start by showing an animal.

He was eager to assist me and asked if I needed help buying a goat.

“No,” I said proudly. “We found one for free, and I think he’ll do pretty good.”

He smiled and told me that he would help me any way that he could. I didn’t think that was necessary. Having already owned horses, cattle and dogs, I thought I knew what went into raising and caring for animals. And I did. I just didn’t know what went into raising and caring for a spoiled, entitled “show goat.”

My dad sat me down one day and told me some things I needed to start doing with my newly named goat, Felipe.

“Paris, you have to start exercising this goat every day,” he said. “He needs to learn to be led, and you need to help him build up some muscle, too.”

I thought this was reasonable, and so the next day I got Felipe out of the pen and began to happily drag him up and down our driveway. “He’ll get used to it,” I thought. “This is just the transitioning period. By next week, we’ll be skipping around the yard.”

Day after day we worked. When teaching him to lead, I used a pressure and release technique that works well on horses, but poorly on Felipe. He would mostly scream into my face as I put pressure on the little show chain around his neck. I’d get so mad that I would do reasonable things like scream in his face, too. As a result, he would typically just slip out of the chain and make a run for the nearby highway.

After a couple of fun-filled weeks, my dad sat me down again and told me that the next step to showing a goat was teaching Felipe to “set up” in front of the judges at the show. This is a technique that people do to make the animal stand still and straight in order for the judges to take a closer inspection of the animal.

At the time, I wasn’t really sure what all of this entailed, and so I did what any respectable American citizen does when they’re unsure about something – I Googled it. “How to set-up a goat in front of judges at a show.” Needless to say, I was pretty pleased with myself as I printed out a How-To page and quickly headed outside to work with Felipe.

The county show was approaching, and I was more than a little excited to show Felipe for the first time. We had been working hard, and I felt like we were ready to compete. I had purchased a special shampoo that would make him look nice and shiny for the judges and had even bought myself a new shirt to wear in the show ring.

One of the things that needed to be done before the show was to take Felipe to the high school ag barn to have him weighed so that we could determine what class to put him in.

As I walked my goat into the barn, I couldn’t help but feel a little intimidated by all the other large and muscular goats in the pens. I knew Felipe wasn’t the largest goat there, but I felt like he would do well in a class of goats his size. I pushed him onto the scale and watched the numbers crawl to a pathetic 45 pounds. Figuring this would put him in the smallest class of goats, I started to take him out.

“Paris, this goat is too small to show,” one of the men at the scales said. “He needs to be at least 70 pounds to make weight.”

This was a surprise to me. My goat definitely wasn’t underfed with his plump little belly poking out at the sides.

“What’s the matter then? How could he not have made weight?” I asked.

One of the men, trying not to hurt my feelings, looked at me and quietly said, “I think he might have some Pygmy breed in him.”

If I had a nickel for every time I failed at something I attempted, I could pay for my college education. It is difficult to work so hard for something and realize that it falls short of something else or of others.

But I also think that comparison is the thief of joy.

Comparing your downfalls to someone else’s highlights is a recipe for disaster. If I had spent a large sum of money on a good show goat, things would have turned out much differently. But honestly, what good does it do to be upset about an event in your life that taught you something?

It might have been pretty embarrassing walking out of the ag barn that day with my little goat, but I was also kind of proud.

We did the best we could with what we had and what little we knew, and I was finally able to lead my goat out of the building without screaming at him.

Paris Walther is graduating from Decatur High School.

I have never been the type to fit in, but I am one to stand out.

Cristin Morgan

My journalism career started when I walked into Room A201 freshman year. I sat down thinking I was taking Journalism 1 just for an extra credit on my transcript. I didn’t know that would be my safe zone, my passion and my life in high school.

With many ups and downs throughout high school, journalism has always had my back. My talent in journalism is something I am proud to share because it’s one of the things in life I enjoy and can accomplish.

Now, for dancing. My life took a 360-degree turn at the end of sophomore year. I started dancing in seventh grade and fell in love with it. I always imagined myself captain of the Eagle Dolls, not editor of the print newspaper.

I took some winding roads along the way and realized God has a different path for me. I still get my fix for dancing in every week through Zumba, a dance game on the Wii or freestylin’ it in my living room.

At home I am known as the drama queen because I love acting. I have different personalities and characteristics to go along with my wannabe acting career.

If I try to act in public, it never works, just like in the eighth grade when I was in the One-Act Play, “The Terezin Promise.” To this day I remember the one line that I forgot was, “He’s bleeding.” Yep, that is the line that caused us to skip a whole scene. After that performance I told myself, “Never again.”

Not only am I a wannabe actress, but I am also a jokester. People never expect a prank to come from me, and that’s why I love it. I get people all the time. I am not the quiet girl I appear to be at school; I am surprisingly loud and outgoing.

That’s where hard work comes into play. I go to class to learn, do my work and respect my teachers. I have never been the one to be obnoxious during class. I wait to be my jolly self after school.

I do believe one of my top qualities is my work ethic. I won’t stop until the job is complete. I won’t turn it in or call the customer until it is done right, and until it is beyond expectations. I will admit my school projects have been lacking the perfection I look for in my work, but I still go over and beyond to please the receiver to make their job easier.

God has been on this long journey with us. Through blood, sweat and tears, I think we can say that some amazing things have happened in our lives. I never envisioned having the friends I have, the teachers I’ve gotten to know, running the newspaper and changing my personality from a shy freshman to an outgoing senior.

People go through many trials and errors, but anyone can look back and remember all the good, hard and difficult times. Every person goes through the process of having the wonderful feeling of walking across the stage and accepting the diploma he or she has been working hard for. And it’s finally our time.

I am heading up to Durant in the fall, not to go gambling, but to attend Southeastern Oklahoma State University, where I will pursue another four years of school with a communications major in advertising and a double minor in journalism and graphic design. I’ve learned through responsibility, dedication, determination, a willingness to always improve and, most of all, optimism that anything is possible.

Wherever you may be headed I wish you the best of luck. God has changed my life, and I hope he blesses you just as He has blessed me.

Cristin Morgan is graduating from Decatur High School.

“I want my name to relay a message,” Decatur High School senior Kyle Hubbard said. “I was praying and the word eko kept coming back to me.”

BIG SHOWING – Decatur High School senior Kyle Hubbard, who wishes to pursue a career as a Christian rapper, will perform 3 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at the House of Blues in Dallas during a festival for unsigned artists. Record label representatives will be in attendance. Submitted photo

The meaning behind his stage name is to take what God says and echo it back to the world in a newer form, rapping.

“I love music, and music has always been there for me,” Hubbard said, “especially when my parents were going through a divorce. Music would calm me down or give me inspiration.”

Hubbard’s goal is to reach out to kids who’ve gone through the same thing and give them hope.

BEYOND THE LIMITS – Kyle Hubbard of Decatur is a Christian rapper who hopes his music reaches out to teenagers facing adversity. Submitted photo

“I want to give them something to hold onto that isn’t money or girls, but something they can carry with them throughout their lives,” he said. “It is a blessing that God would choose me to use something that I love so much and put it into action.”

His first album was released last June, under the name Rebelyoung.

“Every day for lunch I went back to the high school greenroom and put on an instrumental beat and freestyled,” Hubbard said. “From there I went and watched videos on how to perfect this craft.”

After watching the videos, he met Christian rapper Danny Cooper, known as Da Paperboy.

“Danny is my mentor,” Hubbard said. “I met him at the beginning of sophomore year. I talked to him after a show, and it wasn’t until he came down the second time that we freestyle battled. And he was like, ‘Hey, man! Give me your number, and we can keep in touch.’ From there, we became friends.”

Cooper continues to mentor Hubbard as he prepares for the next step in his music career.

“Kyle has a genuine desire to help encourage people through his music,” Cooper said. “He is an ambitious young guy, passionate about God and his family. It means a lot to me that he sees me as a mentor. Knowing that and seeing his growth pushes me to strive to be better.”

Once Cooper started helping Hubbard, Hubbard realized this is what he wants to do the rest of his life. He didn’t have money to record, so he met up with friends Jaaron Wingo and Matthew Britt in the band, Xaos.

“I told them if they will let me record one song I will pay them back, but I really just want to try this out,” Hubbard said. “So, my first song was recorded sophomore year in November. Now I have six out, not including the three new ones I’m recording.”

Performing two to three shows a month, his reputation is growing. His next performance is 3 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at the House of Blues in Dallas.

“A big thing is just exposing my music to a whole new, different crowd,” Hubbard said. “I have done a bunch of small-town shows, which is cool. I love it, and I love getting to use the gift God gave me to reach people, but I have never done a show in Dallas.”

The House of Blues is hosting a festival 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday for all unsigned artists.

“I will get the stage for 25 to 30 minutes,” Hubbard said. “And I am the only Christian performer. A big difference between Christian and secular artists is secular talk in between songs about random stuff, and in the Christian world of music you actually give a small, condensed lesson.”

His last concert was in March at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and he talked about striving to be better and reach more toward God and away from material items. At the House of Blues he will perform five to six songs with one or two condensed lessons in between.

“If I can record in time, I’m hoping to do two, possibly three new songs,” Hubbard said. “What I want to do is get these three songs recorded and get them released via Facebook for people to see because they are more mature, more advanced and better sounding than my original stuff.”

To get on stage at the House of Blues festival, an unsigned artist must be referred by someone else. Hubbard’s referral was anonymous.

“I know not everyone will agree with what I have to say, especially after all the other performances,” Hubbard said. “So being able to reach maybe 500 people and say, ‘Here is my music, check it out,’ is awesome.”

Record label companies will be there the day of the festival, watching Hubbard. If they like what they hear, the labels will contact him and discuss further details for a potential career.

“It’s important to get exposure and get my feet in the door, because if they like us they will invite us back,” Hubbard said.

After this big show, Hubbard hopes to start working on his first music video. He wants to send out a biography and sample songs to different churches so he can start performing at least once a week.

“This is awesome and this is something I want to do the rest of my life,” Hubbard said. “It’s a true blessing.”

OK, I take that back. I would also like a new truck, but that’s beside the point.

Congress passes a Farm Bill every five to seven years in order to tend to affairs in the agriculture industry. It is a bundle of legislation that deals with anything from agriculture subsidy programs to international trade. It is just about the most important piece of legislation that impacts anyone involved in agriculture.

Paris Walther

There are 15 parts to the Farm Bill. Many of them help protect the farmer from risks such as weather, plant disease and insect infestations.

The most current version of the bill, called the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008, increased food stamp benefits, grew support for the production of cellulosic ethanol, and raised money for research into pests, diseases and other problems. It expired Sept. 30 and was not renewed.

So now we don’t have one.

OK, that’s technically not true – we are running on an extension of the previous bill. Congress decided to extend parts of the expired 2008 Farm Bill through Sept. 30, 2013, as part of a last-minute package to avoid fallout from the “fiscal cliff.”

But that bothers me.

The extension does not include disaster aid for farmers or mandatory funding for the energy component of the bill, specialty crops or beginning farmers and ranchers.

This leaves a major chunk of the industry waiting for relief, and the only way to catch these stragglers is to pass another bill addressing their issues.

As 2012 wrapped up rather brokenly from the fiscal cliff business, there was talk that Congress would delay further action regarding the Farm Bill until the spring of 2013. This left seven months of down time in between.

I threw a bit of a hissy fit.

This partial extension already leaves more than 30 programs unfunded, but on top of that they left these programs abandoned for almost seven months.

I have a hard time with the fact that these programs are being pushed to the side. Regardless of the fiscal cliff, or the end of the world for that matter, these programs needed to be addressed in the beginning, before the extension was hastily put to work.

One of the more disheartening facts about delaying the Farm Bill is that this hinders farmers’ ability to make sound business decisions for the next five years. With the extension lasting only one year, farmers and ranchers can’t exactly plan ahead as they typically would.

But don’t worry, the story finally gets better.

On April 8, 2013, after being approved by the American Farm Bureau Federation directors, a Farm Bill proposal was sent straight to Capitol Hill.

This proposal:

• offers farmers a choice of program options;
• protects and strengthens the federal crop insurance program without reducing its funding;
• provides a commodity title that works to encourage farmers to follow market signals rather than making planting decisions in anticipation of government payments;
• refrains from basing any program on cost of production; and
• ensures equity across program commodities.

One of the popular features of this new plan is that the AFBF says it will save $23 billion compared to the cost of continuing the current program.

Of course, this is merely a proposal and has a chance of being knocked down, but I feel like this is a step in the right direction.

At least it’s action for goodness’ sake.

This means that we may not have to ride the extension much longer, and that’s enough to make anyone slightly giddy.

Or maybe it’s just me.

Obviously not everyone will be happy with the Farm Bill when all is said and done. It is much too large a legislation to satisfy everyone, but I think that’s OK. If we aren’t happy with it, it means we’re paying attention to what it’s doing. That puts us in a better position to fix it – and that’s enough to change an industry.

My ag teacher likes to say that without agriculture we would be hungry, naked and homeless.

If I’m not mistaken, I think we could say similar things about the Farm Bill.

Paris Walther is a senior at Decatur High School. To read more from our Youth Spoken reporters, visit WCMessenger.com/youthspoken.

Chris Woodruff, a 2002 graduate of Decatur High School, joined Bat Conservation International (BCI) in August 2009.

DIFFERENT KIND OF BATMAN – Decatur High School graduate Chris Woodruff traveled to Kenya in February to aid in the establishment of a bat conservation network in Africa. Although the organization for which Woodruff works – Bat Conservation International – is based out of Austin, he’s traveled all over the world to coordinate summits and conferences and kickstart projects as BCI’s international programs and development coordinator. Submitted photo

“Bats are fascinating and misunderstood around the world,” Woodruff said. “It’s inspiring for me to work for an organization that is dedicated to changing the world’s perceptions about bats, while at the same time safeguarding the vital ecosystem services that bats provide through the three Ps – pest control, pollination and dispersal of seeds.”

Before starting with BCI, Woodruff earned bachelor’s degrees in international studies and Spanish from Texas A&M in 2007, then attended the University of Texas and earned a master’s degree in Latin American studies in 2009.

“I went to Colombia in December 2012 to represent BCI at the 2012 annual meeting of the Latin American Bat Conservation Network,” Woodruff said.

In Spanish, this annual meeting is called “La Red Latinoamericana para la Conservaci n de los Murci lagos” (RELCOM).

“The RELCOM annual meeting is conducted in Spanish, so my ability to speak Spanish is one of my most valuable skills,” he said.

In early 2012, BCI and RELCOM signed a memorandum of understanding, which allowed them to launch joint projects and collaborate on regional bat conservation efforts in at least 19 countries.

“The RELCOM meeting took place over four days,” he said, “with lots of discussions about the ongoing projects and progress of different RELCOM countries, planning for future projects, and decisions about strategic priorities for the future.”

BCI is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to conserve the world’s bats and their ecosystem to ensure a healthy planet. More about their mission can be found online at www.batcon.org.

“My participation at the RELCOM meeting helped to further this budding partnership, as I shared details about the strategic direction of Bat Conservation International in Latin America,” Woodruff said. “I learned a great deal about the progress and priorities of the biologists and educators working hard in RELCOM’s 19 member countries.”

Working as the international programs and development coordinator, Woodruff plays a valuable role in this worldwide organization.

“I’m not a biologist, so I don’t work on the science end of conservation, but rather the partnership building, fundraising and contract management end of things,” he said.

BCI and RELCOM are working more closely now to leverage funding and design conservation projects that will make the most sustainable impact.

“I communicate with different partners from RELCOM in Latin America on almost a daily basis about the status of projects, future plans for workshops or other training events and writing grant proposals to raise funds,” Woodruff said.

A few months after his trip to Villa de Leyva, Colombia, he traveled to Kenya this past February to assist in setting up a new bat conservation network in Africa.

“BCI raised the funds, arranged for the travel of 30 conservationists from 19 African countries to attend what we called the African Bat Conservation Summit,” Woodruff said. “The Summit was an incredible, week-long meeting, held at the Kenya Wildlife Service Training Institute in Naivasha.”

Woodruff was heavily involved in the planning and execution of the Summit. He remains in contact with all of the participants as Bat Conservation Africa continues to grow.

“This type of international capacity building is extremely important for Bat Conservation International because we aren’t big enough to send our own scientists around the world,” Woodruff said. “It is better to help train and provide the necessary resources to local conservationists so that they can ensure the long-term success and sustainability of the projects.”

Woodruff will travel to Costa Rica this August. Between trips, he sets up partnership agreements, writes grant proposals with partners to raise funds for projects and manages contracts with partners in other countries.

“In Costa Rica I will be representing BCI at the 2013 annual meeting of the Latin American Bat Conservation Network,” he said. “My favorite part of traveling is helping diverse groups of people, from dozens of countries, unite behind a common issue, bat conservation, that is so important and yet so under-prioritized by most of the world.”

BCI, based in Austin, owns the property surrounding the world’s largest bat colony, Bracken Bat Cave. BCI is a membership-driven organization, and anyone can join for $35 per year at www.batcon.org.

“Although here in the U.S. bats are largely out-of-sight, out-of-mind, bats are more prominent in the everyday lives of people in many parts of the world,” Woodruff said. “I hope that my work in partnership building and fundraising leads to greater awareness and greater action for bat conservation around the world.”

Cristin is a senior at Decatur High School. To read more from our Youth Spoken reporters, visit WCMessenger.com/youthspoken.

“My goal is to show others the beauty of Spanish culture, dismiss negative stereotypes and associate Spanish with good taste,” flamenco sponsor and Spanish teacher Terry Stewart said. “I want the flamenco team to be synonymous with our Spanish department.”

The idea of sponsoring a flamenco team came in 1992 when Stewart worked at James Bowie High School in Arlington.

CULTURAL BEAUTY – Decatur High School freshman Hannah Solis prepares for the flamenco team’s performance outside the Hemisphere Tower in San Antonio. The team danced at the Pan-American Student Forum at the Lila Cockrell Theatre in the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center the preceding night. Photo courtesy of Allie Davis

“We were celebrating the 500th anniversary of the new world,” he said. “The whole school was putting on a carnival. Each department had to create something related to that.”

Stewart’s high school friend, Linda Quinn, choreographed the routine. From there, the program was established. The team even sold chocolate bars to purchase costumes.

“I’m like the producer,” Stewart said. “I’m really not cut out for the fine arts because I’m too anal. I like for everything to be on time, and I like things to be perfect.”

The original Bowie High School flamenco team competed in Sherman at Foreign Language Weekend.

“We usually came home with wins; blue and red ribbons,” Stewart said.

In 1999, Stewart moved to DHS. One year later, a co-worker told him about the Pan-American Student Forum (PASF) in San Antonio – a Spanish convention where various schools come together and showcase their talents. Stewart organized a new team and called Wise Dance Center owner Karen Smith for help.

“Senor (Stewart) contacted me, the only dance teacher in the area,” Smith said. “Teaching the flamenco team is a nice departure from my usual classes. It does make my day longer, but it is always rewarding.”

Since last October, this year’s team has met weekly.

“People don’t realize how much work we put in to our routine,” junior Garrett Bowen said. “We’re struggling to make sure everyone learns the routine in the midst of students missing rehearsals.”

Last weekend, 16 flamenco dancers continued the 13-year-tradition.

“Not many high schools have a chance to dance for PASF,” junior Savanna Seckel said. “We also have the opportunity to experience the Spanish culture. I’m very grateful for this experience and the people I share it with.”

The students traveled to San Antonio and performed Friday, March 22 at the Lila Cockrell Theatre in the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.

“My head swells. I love going to San Antonio,” Stewart said. “I dress up, the students dress up and everything feels clean and perfect. Going to the Lila Cockrell and seeing all that transpire makes all the work worthwhile.”

The following Saturday, the team performed outside the Hemisphere Tower.

“By the time we perform, it’s like muscle memory,” junior Gabe Guia said. “We’ve spent so much time working and perfecting our dance that it just flows.”

They returned Sunday with two blue ribbons from each show and memories they’ll always cherish.

“Being a part of the flamenco team is like being part of another family,” Guia said. “You meet new people, new friends and you bond.”

While the trip allows the students to experience the Spanish culture, Stewart wants the program to leave an impression on the community as well.

“I want it to be impressive, and I want people to take notice of it,” Stewart said. “Flamenco is a symbol of what I want people to see in our department. I want people to admire our department, be impressed with it and respect it. I think the flamenco dance team helps in that mission.”

DANCING DUOS – Partners senior Will Cryer and sophomore Christy Mahaffey and juniors Gabe Guia and Savanna Seckel were among the 16 flamenco dancers who represented Decatur High School at the Pan-American Student Forum March 22 and 23 in San Antonio. In addition to two performances, the students were treated to a riverboat dinner cruise. Photo courtesy of Allie Davis

FROM THE WRITER

My final performance is just two character-shoe stomps away. The music plays and I instantly become absorbed in Charo’s “Espana Cani.” Moments slip away, and before I know it, I’m taking my final bow. This is my fourth and final year to dance with the flamenco team.

I remember watching them dance when I was in sixth grade. I fell in love with the beautiful dance, costumes, makeup; everything about it was perfect. At the time I didn’t know who “Senor” was or that my involvement with the Spanish department would become a significant part of my high school career. Karen sparked the interest to dance while Senor stressed the cultural importance of flamenco. Along with Lupe Guia, these instructors consistently work to produce a quality team – a team in which any participant can look back and recall how proud they were of their participation. I couldn’t count how many compliments we received from strangers, friends and family.

Flamenco holds a special place in my heart. I’ve developed relationships with friends and teachers that I will carry on in life after high school. While it’s bittersweet to leave something I truly love, I know others will take advantage of our unique program and enjoy it for the same reasons.

LOS MADRILENOS – The Decatur High School flamenco dance team includes Madeline Pena, Mirtha Camacho, Jessica Velazquez, Garrett Bowen, Will Cryer, Robert Davila, Baylie Gilbert, Gabe Guia, Emily Howdeshell, Alexis Little, Christy Mahaffey, Baley Phariss, Josh Santos, Savanna Seckel, Tim Slimp and Hannah Solis. Photo courtesy of Allie Davis

Madeline is a senior at Decatur High School. To read more from our Youth Spoken reporters, visit WCMessenger.com/youthspoken.

Three students’ show goats need to be trimmed during class before a horse team practice at lunch. His dual-credit advanced animal science class took an exam that needs to be graded before he goes into a meeting with a parent to discuss the next major stock show.

The floral and landscape team has practice after school until 5, but Allsup stays past 6 to load the trailer for the plant sale on Saturday. There are still students who need help with their record books, so he helps them calculate their hours. After completing some paperwork, he finally drives home a little after 8.

GOING NON-STOP – Decatur High School agriculture education teacher and FFA adviser Jim Allsup (right) and students Shelbie Chandler and Brittney Hubbard prepare for the broiler show Monday at the Wise County Youth Fair. Messenger photo by Joe Duty

“The man never stops going,” Tarleton State University student-teacher Lauren Petree said. “I’m 22 years old and get tired, but I have to stop and think that this man is 45 and is like the Energizer bunny.”

Born with cerebral palsy, Allsup visited many doctors and endured four major surgeries between the seventh and 12th grades. These procedures left him in braces and recovering for up to three months at a time.

“My parents were told by doctors when I was born that I would never walk,” he said. “My father put me on a horse when I was 2 1/2, and I was walking when I was 3.”

Growing up with his family in New Mexico, Allsup never felt separated from his family and peers by his disability.

“My parents and sisters never treated me any different,” Allsup said. “My father worked hard to keep any of that from happening. I got my butt busted with the best of them, and I had just as much chores as my sisters.”

As he grew up with cerebral palsy, Allsup always felt that his family drove him to achieve large goals and not be restricted by his condition.

“My parents never really told me ‘no.’ I was always encouraged to do everything I wanted to do,” he said. “My sisters were really my driving force behind it, too.”

As a young student in high school, Allsup became deeply involved in FFA and never looked back.

“My ag teacher in high school inspired me to teach agriculture education,” he said. “He was a great influence to me, and FFA was my escape.”

Now a seasoned educator of 23 years, Allsup has taught agriculture to students in Calallen and Decatur.

“I love getting students in agriculture and the FFA program,” he said. “I feel like if I can take any student and show them one thing and inspire a small interest to catch on, that’s what inspires me to keep going.”

When new ag teacher Mark Goggins met Allsup, he was excited to start working with such an inspiring individual.

“I think it is awesome that he is able to teach such a demanding field,” Goggins said. “He makes results when others make excuses.”

Petree, who is student-teaching at DHS this semester, hopes to model Allsup’s actions when she becomes a teacher as well.

“I’ve learned so much from him already in the four short weeks I have been in Decatur,” Petree said. “But I have learned how to balance life by watching him. People always tell me that this job I’m going into is rough on life. But I’m learning how to manage my time between family and friends and still do what I love.”

When she began her student teaching, Petree noticed how Allsup manages to earn students’ respect but also befriends them on a certain level.

“A lot of times, all kids want is to be respected,” she said. “I’ve learned to not only be a teacher, but someone the students can come talk to when they have no one else to listen.”

Participating in FFA for three years, junior Caylla Cotton values all of Allsup’s life lessons.

“He inspires me to keep going no matter what,” Cotton said. “Whatever I go through, I know I can’t be put down by life.”

Cotton feels Allsup has become a major role model in her life.

“He just helps you and treats you like you’re his own kid,” she said. “He’s always happy, and you never know when he’s having a bad day.”

Though he still has physical limitations, Allsup refuses to feel sorry for himself.

“I’ve had someone tell me, ‘You think your problems are bad? You ought to ask your neighbor.’ I like to keep to myself and not go through a pity party.”

Paris is a senior at Decatur High School. To read more from our Youth Spoken reporters, visit WCMessenger.com/youthspoken.

“Let’s do it.”

Busy conversations bounce off classroom walls as Decatur High School honors economics students partake in a 10-week computer-simulated stock market activity titled “The Stock Market Game.”

“This is a virtual stock market game designed for students that allows them to get a real ‘feel’ of the stock market without any real risk,” DHS economics teacher Della Stallard said. “It also provides curriculum that will allow a teacher to incorporate the stock market into an economics class.”

The program lets students compete against each other to see who has accumulated the most money at the end of the 10 weeks. Students are in teams of two to five, and each team starts with $100,000 in virtual cash to buy stocks. They are also allowed to borrow another $100,000 to buy stocks on margin.

“The students buy stock on real time, meaning they buy stock at the current stock market price that real brokers are buying at on three different exchanges,” Stallard said.

The competition is statewide, but the students only compete against teams in their region. The North Texas region is made up of 336 teams. Winning group members each get $50 and a plaque. There is also an essay contest open to the students at the end of the class, where they have an opportunity to write about their experience in the stock market.

“Each day, the students can see where they are ranked and how their stock purchases are doing,” she said. “The online game offers current stock news and updated charts and reports for the students to use in making their stock decisions.”

At the beginning of class each day, students check on their stocks and make necessary adjustments. They are given the opportunity to ask questions and discuss with group members what their team’s next step should be.

“They have class time every day, some days longer than others,” Stallard said. “They also do a lot of checking throughout the day on their own time.”

Helping to lead one of the highest-ranked teams in the region and state, senior Max Junkert and his team, The Honeybadgers, came into the game as inexperienced rookies.

“I didn’t know that much,” Junkert said. “I just looked at it and tried to figure it out myself.”

Junkert, along with Dewey Dovel and Herman Mancilla, currently sit at fourth out of 280 teams in the region and 23rd out of 1,250 teams in the state. With only three months to observe the market and play, their team decided to take a faster approach to acquire more money in less time.

“I’m looking for cheap stocks that are sure to rise over a short period,” Junkert said. “I would be buying different stocks if I was looking to hold onto them for a year, but we only have 10 weeks.”

Interested in the dynamics of the game, Mancilla feels the activity gives him a closer look at the strategies and risks involved.

“It’s pretty cool,” Mancilla said. “It shows you how in the real stock market, you could gain money or lose it all.”

Knowing that there is no risk involved with their virtual money, the Honeybadgers don’t mind playing on uncertainty.

“I think if it’s showing a promising increase, take a chance. Look at all the facts, and if it looks good, go for it. Take a risk,” Dovel said. “Set a bar, and if it drops below that point – sell it.”

As he continues to learn how the stock market functions, Dovel feels confident about playing in the future.

“This game has given me a better idea about if I want to invest in the future,” he said. “I probably will; it’s going to take a lot of seeing how it looks, but if it looks to be in good shape, I will probably get involved.”

As she watches the different teams experiment, Stallard hopes to convince students to take more risks to help them learn what can happen with different purchases.

“Some of my students are being so cautious that I am about to force them to use up more of their money,” she said. “I want to encourage them to see what they can do, as this will be the only time they will ever get a chance to play the stock market in such a real way without actually losing any real money. So this next week I will have some new incentives to ‘ramp up’ the competition amongst our 10 teams.”

Excited with the results, Stallard feels that the hands-on learning application has already begun to give students a small taste of the stock market.

“This game has made many of my students realize how much risk is involved in the stock market,” she said. “And perhaps has instilled a bit of fear about throwing some real money at the market in their future.”

“Horticulture is a growing part of our agriculture programs throughout the state,” he said. “We have quite a few students that have an interest in it, and I want to implement it in our county.”

BLOSSOMED IDEA – In addition to animal and baked good projects, this year’s Wise County Youth Fair will include a new horticulture category with four divisions – Floral Arrangements, Container Grown Plants (combination of three or more plants), Hanging Baskets and Single Grown Plant (foliage or flowering). Messenger photo by Paris Walther

“I’m hoping it will spark some interest for others besides just the livestock kids, and I think it will,” he said. “I still think there will be some livestock exhibitors who will also have a plant.”

The four divisions include Floral Arrangements, Container Grown Plants (combination of three or more plants), Hanging Baskets and Single Grown Plant (foliage or flowering). Projects will be judged 80 percent on plant material and 20 percent on the container.

“I went to my pool of ag teachers that are really good in the horticulture area around North Texas and selected my judge,” he said.

A student new to horticulture, Decatur High School junior Laura Nicholson developed an interest in the contest after taking Allsup’s Floral Design class at the high school.

“I found out about the new department in Mr. Allsup’s class,” she said. “I’m not sure which division I want to do, but I may do more than one.”

Planning to start her arrangement soon, Nicholson will rely on the assistance of her peers and Allsup.

“He knows so much more than I do, and if I want to place, I could sure use his help,” she said.

Students have the opportunity to win premium money for placing, Overall Grand Champion and Overall Reserve Grand Champion. The entry deadline is Feb. 9. Late entries are Feb. 10-15, at an increased fee.

Anyone with questions can contact Jim Allsup at 940-393-7286.

Over the Christmas break, Morse accepted a job offer for MJM Creative. His last day as a teacher at DHS is Friday, Jan. 18. Before he leaves, he wants to direct one last performance with his students.

“I realized over Christmas break that shows are what we do, and I didn’t want to just leave,” Morse said. “I wanted us to have one more production together.”

The play he chose, “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot,” is one he has been wanting to do for a long time.

“I think the story is really interesting,” Morse said. “I’m drawn to scripts that make you think from a perception that perhaps you haven’t thought of before.”

The play is the story of Judas and Jesus. It opens with Judas’ mother doing a monologue about her troubles and what her son is going through, and it closes with the final moments we see of both.

“What I like about it is, it takes the story and really humanizes the few facts we know about Judas,” Morse said. “It’s quite funny.”

He decided to do this play when returning from the break, so the cast had two weeks to rehearse.

“It’s grueling and tediously furious,” Morse said about the process. “They signed up, and I cast them according to who wanted to be involved.”

Rehearsals are every day after school and included a double rehearsal Saturdays and a single Sunday rehearsal before the one-time performance Saturday.

“It’s going to be a really pretty show,” Paige Dickinson, junior and theatre technician said. “We are his creations, and we will be the last generation of his creations.”

Morse knows it will be an emotional evening.

“We’ve worked together for a really long time to build this department and its reputation for productions, and it’s very difficult to know that’s coming to a close,” he said. “I love taking my craft and seeing them become compassionate about it; in that way I know my craft will carry on.”

For a look back at the various productions Morse directed at Decatur High School, visit www.thedecaturjournal.com.

Madeline Pena

When the apocalypse did not occur at 12:12 p.m. on Dec. 21, people tweeted or posted on Facebook their realization that the world appeared unchanged. I scrolled through countless tweets with “#2012survivor” and Facebook posts that said, “The Mayans were wrong,” and I came to a realization. The “Mayan calendar” legend gained Internet hype. People researched and shared the events through the World Wide Web.

Other than the “2012 Apocalypse” Internet buzz, the use of social media played a crucial role this year. Just last week, Korean pop star PSY made YouTube history by reaching a billion hits for his music video, “Gangnam Style,” making it the most viewed video on YouTube. Parodies of this video seem to appear daily, and people can’t get this Korean song out of their head.

Speaking of catchy music, remember the song “Call Me Maybe?” Another song that found success through the Internet and climbed Billboard charts. Artist Carly Rae Jepsen made multiple appearances singing this hit and in interviews included her gratitude toward YouTube in aiding her current success.

This year, photo-sharing sites such as Instagram and Pinterest allowed people to share ideas and inspiration instantly. Businesses began to use these sites to promote products and ensure traffic to their sites.

Hash tags made an appearance in Twitter feeds. Hash tags create a feed of all the tweets using the same hash tags. Companies asked for opinions of products using the feed from a particular hash tag. We took this symbol and maybe enhanced our latest tweet with adjectives or made it seem like parenthesis that contradicted what the tweet said and depicted what we truly meant.

Social media changes make gaining information faster and easier. Maybe this is why the last print edition of Newsweek printed recently. Just a couple of months ago, the publication announced it was changing to an online-subscription based source.

As an aspiring journalist and editor of our online publication, decaturjournal.com, this news was huge. This publication took a huge step in news delivery. The Internet is the fastest way to receive information; Newsweek will put all of their energy into an online publication that posts news within minutes of its occurrence.

I remember discussing this news with people, and they thought this was sad. I think this change is amazing and groundbreaking. The idea of news being a few keystrokes away is simply remarkable. I love holding a magazine or newspaper in my hands as well, but it’s important to take advantage of these changes. An all-online publication will help us stay better informed. We can literally access this forum anywhere at any time.

I was on my Facebook profile and noticed a link that said, “Review 2012.” I clicked on it and Facebook organized a feed of some of my biggest moments and events throughout 2012. Photos of journalism workshops, prom, senior activities and friends brought back many memories and smiles. I used Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to share some of my happiest moments with friends and family. This social media site opened my eyes to how grateful I am for 2012. So many positive changes and experiences happened, and I wouldn’t take any moment back.

I’m looking forward to new social media changes in 2013. Whether it be a YouTube hit or a new way to gain information and communicate, I believe these changes challenge our ideas on selling a product or sharing new information. Our world is constantly changing, and I’m glad the apocalypse didn’t occur because I want to share, comment and post about bigger events in 2013.

Madeline Pena is a senior at Decatur High School and is a Messenger Youth Spoken reporter.

Paris Walther

At 16 years old, Gabby Douglas and her gymnastics team won the team all-around gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics. She then went on to become the first African-American woman to achieve an individual all-around title.

In 1993, Timothy Ray Brown of San Francisco tested positive for the HIV virus. In 2007, he decided to undergo an experimental blood stem cell transplant with an HIV resistant gene mutation. In 2012, Mr. Brown no longer carries the HIV virus, making him the first man to become completely cured.

On Oct. 29, when Hurricane Sandy hit his town of Manasquan, N.J., high school football coach Jay Price rallied a local ladder company to search for people stranded in their homes in the middle of the storm. He saved dozens of people and later assembled his football team to aid the relief effort.

Jennifer Livington, a Wisconsin news anchor, received a letter from a viewer stating that her obesity hindered her from acting as a good role model to the public. Feeling that she needed to address this, Livingston bravely spoke out on her morning broadcast to viewers, advising them not to “let your self-worth be defined by bullies.”

On Oct. 14, Felix Baumgartner took a plunge from 24 miles above earth. His body reached speeds of up to 700 mph, piercing the sound barrier. He landed nine minutes later safely on the ground and became the first man to break the sound barrier with his body alone.

Victoria Soto stood teaching her elementary school children at the front of her classroom when she received the warning about a rampant shooter in Sandy Hook Elementary. Hiding the kids in closets and cabinets, she stared down the barrel of a gun and told the gunman the students were in the gym. The gunman shot and killed Victoria, never suspecting that there were young children trembling behind the cabinets.

I don’t know if it’s that I’m older and beginning to see more that’s going on in the world, or if 2012 truly was the courageous year that I think it was. I’m guessing that it’s a little bit of both.

I feel that as more significant events occur, good and bad, we as a world become a little braver every day.

I know people worry about the nation and our economy. We agonize over the natural disasters and tragedies that seem to relentlessly torment our planet. But as much fear as there seems to be these days, there seems to be quite a few people brave enough to face it, and that motivates me every day. These were ordinary people who didn’t know they were destined to encourage a wounded world, and they did it by facing their personal demons head-on. That is what I believe makes 2012 so courageous.

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” – Nelson Mandela

Paris Walther is a senior at Decatur High School and is a Messenger Youth Spoken reporter.

Cristin Morgan

I’m sure 2013 will bring more memories. I am looking forward to graduation and starting college, a huge step that will determine how I am going to spend the rest of my life. I want to major in mass communication and journalism and minor in broadcast journalism. This year I will also become an official adult – the big 18.

Enough about what I am ready to accomplish for myself. Most of what I want to achieve in 2013 isn’t for me, but for others. My New Year’s resolution is to do at least one good deed a day that will benefit and bless someone else. There is a challenge going around that says, “Everyone should do 27 good things for others in memory of those lives lost in Newtown, Conn.” Why stop at 27? Why not shoot for 365 a year?

I don’t want people to know what my deeds are because that’s just it. It’s not about me, and it’s not about who can brag about who did the best deed. I want to bless others and let them know God is on their side, that anything is possible with God and to never give up. Just smiling can make a difference in someone’s day.

I am also looking forward to watching my brother, Brandon Mullins, grow in his walk with God. We pray as a family every night before bed, and I have a feeling this year will be the year he accepts the Lord. I am looking forward to my sister, Casie Morgan, finishing her second year of college at Tarleton State, and I am really excited about my sister and brother-in-law, Amber and Jeremy Congo, having their first baby boy. That makes my new title “Aunt Cristin.” I am ready to see good things happen to the people around me.

There is so much to look forward to each day. I know this year will be greater than any other, because as I wake up each morning, I am going to thank God for another wonderful day. I am going to thank God for all the blessings he has provided for my family and me.

I know He has big plans for me, and I am ready to start today and put those plans into action. I am ready to live each day as if it were my last. I am ready for all the obstacles and all the blessings in 2013.

Cristin Morgan is a senior at Decatur High School and is a Messenger Youth Spoken reporter.

On Dec. 17, the local police department picked up around 100 toys from DHS and will donate them to families this Christmas Eve.

“This drive actually supports all the police departments in Wise County that operate Santa-Cop,” principal secretary Susie Benedick said. “They interview families and find out who is in need of Christmas presents, and then they find the toys that best match each family and distribute them.”

The drive not only allows children to experience the surprise of Christmas morning, but also alleviates some of the Christmas shopping stress for local families.

“I think this gives kids an opportunity to have their own gifts on Christmas,” Benedick said. “It takes away an extra financial burden, and parents can put their money toward something else.”

Organizations such as NHS provided students with an incentive to donate by giving them an hour of community service.

“I just hope that my gift brightens someone’s Christmas morning a little bit,” NHS member Mallory Miller, a junior, said. “It makes me feel good to give to others because I feel like I have helped them out some.”

Benedick views these services as not only a way to give, but a family tradition.

“Every year, we as a family adopt an angel,” she said. “We know it helps someone, and it makes you feel good.”

The Spanish National Honor Society (SNHS) also served the community by singing Spanish Christmas carols at The Hills Nursing and Rehabilitation Dec. 16.

“I think it’s nice to visit people in nursing homes this holiday season,” senior and SNHS president Hannah Alling said. “Most of them aren’t able to get out much, so it’s good for them to see young faces.”

In the late afternoon, the SNHS members sang Christmas carols, passed out candy canes and visited with residents of the nursing home.

“I think it was nice for them just to have some Christmas spirit because I think a lot don’t get any Christmas cheer but decorations,” SNHS member and junior Laura Nicholson said.

Alling believes community outreach should be a year-round job.

“During the holiday season, people tend to think more about what they can do to help the community,” she said. “I think it should be thought about more often; I don’t think this time is different from any other time.”

His vision is to give students the opportunity to be a part of something they didn’t have a chance to do in the past.

“When I was in school, there was never anything geared toward kids here and that is my attempt to give back so there is actually something for kids to do,” Shredderz said.

He started skateboarding around age 10 and has loved it ever since. The Skate Shop and Indoor Park opened in February 2009 and just moved to its new location last December at 2150 E U.S. 380 in Decatur.

“We were never given anything while growing up,” Shredderz said. “So I came up with the idea of opening up a skate shop and indoor park, and instead of my dad giving me money to help get it started he said, ‘figure out how to make it work.’”

If Shredderz can start up a club with the high school he will hold meetings and other events at his shop. Members must:

• be a Decatur High School student,
• attend 90 percent of the meetings,
• have a skateboard (or purchase a skateboard) and
• have a Facebook account to receive updates.

“You have clubs for groups and whenever I was in school it was more sports and no clubs,” Shredderz said. “The club I want to start is more for the outcast kids who think they don’t belong somewhere. It gives them something to do.”

In order for Shredderz to start the club he needs a volunteer faculty member as a sponsor.

“[The only quality they need] is to want and be willing to help out kids,” he said.

Members of the club will also receive 15 percent discounts in the skate shop, a T-shirt and free entry to the indoor skate park.

“This is the easiest club ever,” Shredderz said. “It’s different, me going to the principal and asking to start this club, compared to 100 kids going in his office to say we want a club.”

Shredderz wants to create a safe environment for boys and girls to come, be involved and have fun while doing something they enjoy.

“If you have any questions I’m always on Facebook,” he said.

For more information, contact Shredderz at pj@shredderzshop.com, (940) 627-1930 or Shredderz Skate Shop on Facebook.

INTERPRETING – Courtney Cantu translates to the youth group a scripture Zachary Kao memorized. Messenger photo by Paris Walther

As The Community Church youth group begins Wednesday night worship, among the throng of kids is a young boy with intelligent eyes and quick hands. He taps the shoulder of Decatur senior Lindsey Provan and greets her. She does the same, neither one saying a word.

As the music dies down and the youth return to their seats facing the stage, senior Courtney Cantu takes a chair facing the opposite way in front of the boy, Zachary Kao, while Provan takes the one next to him. The three are already engaged in a seemingly amusing conversation, giggling and enjoying each other’s company. It isn’t until a speaker takes the stage that they become serious. Cantu still isn’t in a position to see the stage, but she is in a position to hear what is being said.

She begins to relay what she hears to Zach through her hands.

Zach uses sign language to communicate with his family and peers. After he and his family began attending The Community Church of Decatur in 2006, the youth group and members of the congregation decided to learn to sign, bridging the communication gap.

“At first I did the signing and then after about a year-and-a-half I had people start asking if I could teach sign language,” Zach’s mom, Jeri Kay Kao said. “It was mostly adults, but then as they got better, I handed the reins over, and then more youth wanted to learn.”

Cantu and Provan took the classes their church offered and further committed themselves to translating for Zach.

“I honestly just tried it out and automatically loved it; I kept going, and Zach was the reason,” Provan said.

As she converses with Zach throughout the services, Cantu finds that her favorite part about translating for him is finding that special bond and connection.

“I like getting to know him and his family better and seeing the excitement when everything clicks and he understands it,” she said.

Watching both girls sign with Zach, Jeri Kay enjoys knowing that her son is no longer hindered from communicating with kids his age.

“The best part about Courtney and Lindsey doing this is that they are his peers, not just his mom signing for him,” she said. He’s always had to be dependent on us and for him, to communicate and talk and have fun with kids his age, it’s been an amazing thing to watch. It’s helping him learn to interact with other teenagers. For a while, adults were the only ones who could sign to him and now kids his age can talk to him. That’s neat to be able to watch that.”

Youth pastors Chris Wann and Michael Hinson know that it was the girls’ selflessness that drove them into a serving attitude.

“They know that there is no personal gain in this except the joy of serving the Lord by serving Zachary and his family,” Wann said. “They were excited from the beginning to jump in and study and prepare to talk with him through sign language.”

Wann sees their dedication as a sign of love and admires the character in their actions.

“I’ve watched them both grow tremendously through doing this,” he said. “They don’t see this as an ‘opportunity’ per se. They see this as a part of their lives, something they want to do to help Zachary and others from now on.”

Seeing others in the church with disabilities, Jeri Kay appreciates that they are treated respectfully and equally.

“It’s so amazing to watch teenagers volunteering and taking the time to learn how to interact with these kids,” Jeri Kay said. “There are several special needs children in the church, and they are treated like everybody else.”

For Cantu and Provan, learning to sign has impacted their career choices as they prepare to graduate this year.

“It’s changed my life,” Provan said. “Ever since I learned to sign, I developed a passion for Zach and now I want to be a special education teacher. They look for people who know sign language.”

“I want to go into nursing,” Cantu said. “There are people who sign for the elderly, and I think it would be cool to incorporate that into what I want to do.”

Both youth pastors see everyone in the youth group displaying their love for Zach, not only through sign language, but also through actions as well.

“It is such a privilege for Michael and I to see our youth and adults serve and love on Zachary and so many other special needs kids and their families,” Wann said. “It will, no doubt, change all of our lives. We consider everyone here to be family, literally. And so we cry together and we celebrate together. We stick it out together and don’t give up. We walk through everything together just as a family is called to do.”

BREAKING BARRIERS – Zachary watches as Lindsey Provan translates the Wednesday night lesson. Messenger photo by Paris Walther

THANKFUL – Since being diagnosed with cancer almost three years ago, Benedick has welcomed her first two grandchildren, saw her son get married and traveled plenty. Messenger photo by Joe Duty

“I knew. Why else would she be calling me at 8 at night, other than this is not good news?” Susie Benedick, Decatur High School campus secretary recalled. “My first reaction is ‘Oh my gosh, I don’t think I am ready to die.’ It is scary, and it’s very overwhelming.”

In November 2009, Benedick had gone for her yearly mammogram.

“They called me back and said they saw something, so they wanted me to come and do a sonogram,” Benedick said.

After the sonogram, the radiologist looked at the results that day and did a needle biopsy, where they draw out tissue.

“They said they would call with the results,” Benedick said. “About a week later, the doctor called and said it had come back as carcinoma in situ, which is basically breast cancer.”

After reviewing her options, Benedick scheduled a surgery with her team of doctors.

“I decided to go ahead with the surgery on Dec. 27, 2009,” she said.

After the surgery, there was no radiation involved. The oncologist did recommend chemotherapy to reduce the risk of reoccurance from 30 percent to 11 percent. She then completed six rounds of chemotherapy, one every three weeks ending May 15, 2010.

“It was a no-brainer to do the therapy,” Benedick said. “The doctor told me it was like hitting a home run and stopping at second base; why would you do that?”

From day one of hearing the words “you have cancer” to the last day of therapy, emotions change like a rollercoaster.

“For me, it was hard to tell anybody because you don’t feel sick, you don’t feel like there is anything wrong with you,” Benedick said. “At one point you’re like ‘OK I can do this’ and at another point, you are like ‘Oh, my gosh. I can’t. I don’t have time for this.’”

Benedick worked for the school before she found out about her breast cancer in November. She didn’t continue working after the holidays, but after two years away, she returned as the school campus secretary.

“[During the two years], we had a Relay for Life team friends started for me after I was diagnosed,” Benedick said. “I also had my first two grandchildren; my son had a wedding; and we traveled a lot. Doing treatments and recovery took about a year out of my life.”

She decided to come back to work because she enjoys the people she works with and the working environment.

“You get up in the morning, and you just have to get through it,” Benedick said. “People around you make you feel better.”

Once she was diagnosed with breast cancer, the school and community stepped up to help in any way they could.

“I can’t tell you how many cards I got from people, emails, food coming to the house. It was just amazing,” she said. “People came out of the woodwork to help, and that’s an awesome feeling.”

During the two years, Benedick realized all the things she used to think were a big deal, aren’t. But the small things are what count.

“It has changed my life tremendously,” she said. “You don’t take things for granted. I try to do everything that’s good health-wise, because the first thing you think of is what could I have done differently to not get this. My doctor said there is nothing you can do; it just happens to people. So, I try to live every day to the fullest.”

This wasn’t a horrible experience for Benedick.

“I look back at the people in the treatment center, and they are so sick. They look sick. I never looked like that,” she said. “I lost all my hair, but that was just a very small thing I had to deal with. It saves 30 minutes of getting up and getting ready in the morning.”

One person who inspires Benedick is her sister, who was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis cancer at the age of 23, right after having her son. This cancer causes tumors all throughout the body. When she was pregnant with her little boy, her hormones changed and the tumor started growing. She had to leave the baby and her family to go receive treatment at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

“She is my hero,” Benedick said. “She had chemo and radiation treatments. She kicked it. She would get up every day, and she was happy and very positive.

“I really recommend not missing your appointments,” she said.

If Benedick had waited to get her yearly exam, if she’d skipped a year of screening, her story would be different.

“I was at stage one, almost stage two,” she said. “I suggest to women to trust in your doctors. The medical community out there is amazing. Don’t read every little article on the Internet. Pick specific websites to get your information from, and always go to your screenings. If you don’t have the money or the insurance, there are resources that will pay for the mammograms and things like that. Don’t wait.”

Cristin is a senior at Decatur High School. To read more from our Youth Spoken reporters, visit WCMessenger.com/youthspoken.

WISE COUNTY IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC – Jennifer Dorsett, Laura Hammack, Hannah Walden, Keygun Beaver, and a student from the English camp, Ivana, tour through Prague. Submitted photo

The Methodist church of Decatur asked Hammack to travel across seas to help teach an English-speaking camp along with Alvord junior Keygun Beaver, Boyd sophomore Hannah Walden and her mother, Jennifer Dorsett.

“We have a sister church in Straznice,” Hammack said. “With the relationship we have with that church, we send two youth and two adults there every other year. It’s to strengthen our relationship with them.”

During the first week, the group spent their time teaching natives to learn and read English.

“It felt fantastic to know that I could help them learn something that would possibly help them later in life,” Walden said. “I had a good time reading books like Dr. Seuss to them.”

Coming from all different age groups and backgrounds, the pupils attending the camp came for one reason – to enhance their second-language skills.

“The incredible people we met came from all walks of life,” Hammack said. Some spoke English, and some were barely fluent. It was just about building relationships with people across the world.”

As she spoke and taught the curriculum, Dorsett felt grateful for her everyday blessings.

“I just feel really blessed to have everything that I have like my health,” she said. “It just makes you realize the non-essential stuff you have.”

Toward the end of the camp, the small group began to realize the impact they made during the week.

“On the last day of the English camp, everyone was hugging us and giving us gifts and just saying thank you,” Walden said. “You wouldn’t expect so much from people you hardly know. I cried, Laura cried and Mom was even tearing up.”

After spending a week teaching, the preacher from Straznice, Petr Spirko, acted as their guide on a whirlwind trip through Europe.

“I feel I have a new sense of adventure,” Hammack said. “We went off the beaten path a few times, which was sometimes a little scary, but it was always worth it.”

Traveling to Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France and Germany the second week, the group began to see subtle differences between Europe and America.

“This trip made me think about how we live over here,” Beaver said. “Everyone is really serious and stressful over here, and people are more laid back over there.”

“Here we are all so busy,” Dorsett said. “It’s like we live to work, and they work to live.”

Finding a true love for the people and landscape, Beaver loved seeing the entire experience.

“I liked teaching English, and I love Prague. If I had the chance to live there, I would,” he said. “My favorite place was Switzerland because of the mountains and just being outside.”

As the second week began to draw to a close, Hammack felt that the small group grew closer and stronger in their faith.

“I think after you spend two weeks teaching and traveling together, you definitely develop a pretty fantastic bond,” she said. “We were able to grow together as teachers, Christians and foreigners in a new place.”

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED – The English-speaking camp students finish their last day of the program. Submitted photo

It all started at iCopy. I worked with an 18-year-old named Audrey. One day she asked me to hang out with her and her friends, Lizzy and Stuart.

The first time we hung out they took me to see my first R-rated movie, “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter,” at the movie theater. That night Stuart had already left an impact on me with the way he viewed life and with his personality. I have a fear of scary movies, and Stuart told me I needed to be brave, take risks and trust my true friends.

Ever since that night my life has been different because I have continued to achieve the three life lessons. I then found myself hanging out with them the next week, and the next week, until I just became a part of their “group.”

I also remember the time we all went to Southlake Town Square to celebrate Audrey’s birthday. After we ate dinner at 10 at night, we went to the top of the parking garage and hung out for a couple of hours. It was again, a first for me. We ran around, danced, had a spitting contest and enjoyed life. When I am around our “group,” I am myself; I am embracing every second of life and learning lessons that will change me for the better.

After weeks went by and summer came to an end, I had to start preparing for school. I became busy, and I was not able to hang out with them as much. Stuart stopped by iCopy on Saturday, Aug. 25. He was coming to pick up Audrey and say hi to me. He told me even though school was starting, we all needed to get together again.

A week later on Saturday, Sept. 1, I got a message saying my 24-year-old friend, Stuart, died in a motorcycle accident on his way to visit his newborn nephew. I was speechless, traumatized, terrified and shocked.

With his death, I look back at all the great memories we had. I realize how much he impacted my life from the first day we met. He taught me to live every day to the fullest, to take risks, be brave and trust my true friends.

He taught me to not care what others think of me and to be myself and to laugh, to go for it and know anything is possible with God. I learned that it’s OK to make mistakes and to learn from them.

When I was around Stuart and our other friends, I felt happy and welcomed. I am so thankful that God put Stuart and the “group” into my life because I feel closer now to God than before.

Even though Stuart is not here anymore, I still reflect on the times we had fun together. Even though I will never get to share first moments, such as my first R-rated movie, with him, I know he is in heaven looking down on Earth at our “group” watching over us.

I will miss him, and I greatly appreciate the short time `God let me know Stuart.

Cristin is a senior at Decatur High School. To read more from our Youth Spoken reporters, visit WCMessenger.com/youthspoken.