Just when the juniors of Bigfork High School ACT testing was over…
Bigfork High School Counselor, Tyson Roe, works with activities director David Creamer to fix a mishap that occured in March. Unfortunately for the junior class, ACT testing is far from over.
We can all relate to the inevitable dread of standardized testing, initially starting in third or fourth grade. The stakes rise with our ages once we get closer to high school graduation. When we enter high school, we are given a healthy-helping of stress from tests. These unfavorable appetizers, exclusively labeled SAT and ACT exams, sit on our table of the many things we must complete before we “begin” our lives. For the Bigfork High school Class of 2019, juniors had to endure ACT testing the week before spring break. On the morning of Tuesday, March 20th, 2018, juniors filed into their respective rooms in order of last name to tackle what would be one of the most important tests they would ever take: the ACT. Sitting down and immediately being overwhelmed with the sudden realization of how crucial the next few hours would be, the students began to prepare for staring at a packet of paper. Little did they know that enduring those awful tests for almost a full school day was just the beginning. According to activities director David Creamer, “There was a mishap with the [ACT] tests.” “We are unable to find all of the tests,” Creamer admitted. The activities director believes that the tests were lost when “[they] were ready to send for grading.” “For the moment, we have no idea where [the ACTs] are.” Unfortunately, “it looks like [the juniors] will have to re-do their [ACT] tests,” said the director of technology Beau Wielkoszewski, “either over the summer or in [the fall of 2018].” Currently, there is discussion over setting up a day in the summer for re-testing, but for now, it looks like the Class of 2019 will have to start off their senior year with the ACTs.
Falling Flat
With the recent state basketball tournament, some misunderstandings have caused the pep band to be left out.
Band director and pep band leader, Randi Tunnell displays her new band shirt design for 2017-2018 pep band. As the band teacher, Tunnell has had to witness the drama within her class.
Without a doubt, having both the Viking and Valkyrie basketball teams enter the 2018 Class B state tournament as the first seeds is a big celebration. After last year’s upset where both teams were unable to qualify for state, it is nice to come back this year as some of the best basketball teams in the state. The Class B state tournament began on Thursday, March 8th, 2018 for Bigfork basketball. They trained all season for this weekend. But all of the success could not have come without the support of the Bigfork pep band and cheerleading team. There were difficulties two weekends before the state tournament, when divisionals were held in Ronan, because “between school and playing,” said pep band teacher, Randi Tunnell, the band “put in over 40 hours” of their time over the course of the divisional tournament. Although, the band was required to drive back home every night and attend school after multiple nights of driving home at 11pm to midnight. “We were exhausted,” admitted Tunnell, “but [they were] so excited to be a part of such a great weekend.” Despite Tunnell’s positive attitude about the bus situation, some of the band members, like sophomore Aubrey Halverson, were bugged about their accommodations for the band. “I feel that it is unfair that they allow cheerleading and basketball to stay overnight because of how [the teams] need to rest and prepare for the games,” said Halverson. “Band works equally as hard and makes up the majority of the student section,” Halverson disclosed. “Our school seems to be biased and puts basketball, or any sport, over band or the other activities of the school.” While it is clear that there was tension between the basketball teams and the pep band, Tunnell believed that “[band is] not the same as the teams. We are there to support the teams and [they] wouldn’t be there without their time and hard work.” Senior band player Olivia Martel has been in the pep band for the past four years, but with this year’s conflicts about the band lodging at state, she’s “trying [her] best” to stay positive. “Honestly, I think the biggest way it affects [the band] is it makes us emotional,” admitted Martel. “As a band, we get frustrated, which probably isn’t the best way to enter into the [state] tournament.” “[The band] no longer has the school’s spirit that we should have for our basketball team,” said Halverson. Even though this situation is degrading for the band members, Martel said that “students obviously don’t know every little thing that’s going on behind the scenes in the administration and everything they have to deal with.” “I guess what causes [the band] to get frustrated [are] misunderstandings,” said Martel.
According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, quitting is “released from obligation, charge, or penalty.” With all of the stress teenagers battle daily, why is quitting still a stigmatized idea?
Sophomore Aubrey Halverson is fed up with all of her daily tasks. Things would be a lot easier if we were more open to saying “no.”
If you were to go up and ask someone in the hallway of Bigfork High School how they were doing, they might respond with “fine,” but inside, they are probably running through all of the obligations that they needed to do before class. As a generation, teenagers seem more stressed than ever. Having to deal with passing grades, participating in sports, filling up resumes with volunteer hours, all while maintaining a social life outside of that, can cause even the reader of this to panic. If we are not seen going “above and beyond” in every aspect in our lives, teenagers as a whole can be considered “lazy,” even if that means that we only sleep for five hours a night trying to exceed expectations. Some students are so stressed to set themselves apart from the crowd that they sign up for multiple clubs, like student council, plays, sports, jobs, receiving good grades in all classes, that it can be easy to leave mental state of mind behind everything else. What good comes from not giving yourself a break? It is okay to not do everything, to take a step back and realize that you have limits that are personal and only subjective to you. It does not matter if you get the highest SAT/ACT score as long as you learn the subjects you were taught. Your entire self-worth will not be based on whether or not you maintained a 4.0 in high school, but rather what you do with your life afterwards. So, if being healthy means leaving these extracurricular inn order to finally have a break, do not let the fear of “not being good enough” keep you from thriving.
As of September 18th, 2017, SBG opened another location right in our hometown of Bigfork, Montana.
For anyone interested in their program, you can call 406-420-2888 to schedule a consultation and free private lesson.
Cody Bessette and his class after another day of learning the art of jiu jitsu in the new Bigfork Straight Blast gym. His gym is the first of its kind in Bigfork, Montana.
If you have passed through downtown Kalispell, Montana, you may have seen Straight Blast Gym (SBG) plastered on the side of a building. SBG is a martial arts gym that now has a new location right in Bigfork, Montana. Instead of driving to Kalispell, head over and meet Cody and Mya Bessette of SBG Bigfork. Cody Bessette is the owner and head coach of SBG Bigfork and he is “training under owner and head coach of Kalispell SBG Kalispell, Travis Davison.” Bessette has also been “practicing martial arts for three years,” he said. The new business provides a program for all ages, including a teen class curriculum. “Our classes and instruction are age appropriate so every student can get the most out of class,” he added. Bessette and his team at SBG Bigfork want the community to know that their martial arts classes are “very different from traditional [...] programs. [They] focus on life skills components that help both kids and adults navigate today's world,” he said. “Our training methodology and philosophy are easily understood and can be learned by anyone willing to dedicate their time,” Bessette said.
With all of the hubbub going on in the Flathead Valley, it can be easy to miss out on things that are going on. These are just four small snippets of latest news.