These juniors showed their school spirit on Wacky Tacky Day during Homecoming week. For more coverage of school spirit at two city schools, see the November issue on sale tomorrow for $1-- while supplies last!

New Teachers

More teacher features from our November issue

by Shakira Mills

Science teacher Gary Bergthold voted most likely to go to war

With age comes wisdom. A new science teacher and Vietnam War veteran, Gary Bergthold is full of wisdom.  This humorous Navy offspring said he became a teacher because he loves sharing his experiences with students. “Getting others to look at their world differently and helping young people build their background” gives him joy as an educator. As an outdoorsman, Bergthold enjoys woodworking, camping, mineral collecting, and traveling to foreign countries. Not only is he well rounded, but his sense of humor is more than average for a teacher as well. When asked if he had any piercings or tattoos, he simply responded, “Do bullet holes count?” A graduate of Cupertino High School, Bergthold was voted most likely to go to Vietnam, and he did. He has been everywhere from Vietnam to Germany. Ever want to know what it was like to actually fight in a 14 year war? Ask Mr. Bergthold and he is sure to tell you in a way so passionate, you'll feel like you were there.  

English teacher Alden Lawrence connects class to other curriculums, humor 

Born in upstate New York, “in a farmhouse on the frontier, during the third year of the war against the Colonies,” English teacher Alden Lawrence uses the floundering U.S economy as inspiration to teach. Along with perfecting students' writing skills, Lawrence enjoys coaching, watching, and playing soccer, following politics and reading. Lawrence's favorite repast is “a boiled hot dog that is longer than the bun and covered in condiments.” You may find him relishing one while watching Star Wars, “before George Lucas destroyed it,” and listening to rock and roll. In Pennsylvania, Lawrence graduated most likely to “live a life void of stagnate air.” Lawrence said, “Public education needs a national champion . . . soon.”

US history teacher Diana Christy pays it forward, surprises her graduating class

U.S History teacher Diana Christy is an absolute home run hitter. In addition to her day job, the active teacher coaches high school and little league softball and is a huge fan of NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon. Back in the 80's, her hair was her biggest fashion fad. An alumni of Chaparral High School Christy was voted class clown as well as most likely to “not be a teacher.” Christy credits her turnaround to a teacher who made school feel like a haven. She said, teaching is the best way for her to offer back what was given to her as a student. If you ever have dinner with Christy, know that her favorite foods are “steak and baked potatoes” and jelly beans. She may be new to Bethel, but she said she is “really enjoying it.”

Family and Consumer sciences teacher Michelle Collins manages numerous activities

Born in New York City, Family and Consumer sciences teacher Michelle Collins was inspired to teach by her “experience in the business world.” Collins enjoys the training aspect of management. Outside of Bethel, Collins volunteers at her church, spends time with her children, and loves photography and reading. Graduated from Kempsville High School, Collins was involved in swimming and hiking. Like her contemporary Diana Christy her biggest fashion fad was big hair. The great outdoors is a major part of her life.  

World History teacher Victoria Walsh is athlete, writer, dog-lover

Running five miles each day after school, it's a wonder how the History teacher Victoria Walsh has the energy to teach. Originally from New Hampshire, Walsh has “always loved being with kids,” from her first babysitting job to working for the YMCA summer camps, which she still does. Inspired by a former history teacher of her own, Walsh admired how her teacher “made class so entertaining and fun,” which is something she accomplishes daily. Aside from showing her students where they've been, Walsh is an all-American athlete. She played varsity soccer all four years of high school and later in college, wrote for her school newspaper, coached middle school track and field, ran in the rock 'n' roll Half Marathon, and still plays soccer once a week. “Other than that, I just love hanging with my dogs and reading a good book,” said Walsh. After teaching sixth grade history at Syms Middle School, Walsh is happy to be back in high school teaching what she loves most—World History.

  

Villians and heroes

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies
 hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction....The chain reaction
 of evil--hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars--must be broken, or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of 
annihilation. 

- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Strength To Love, 1963.

When given the choice between villains and heroes, heroes are always the better teachers.

Osama bin Laden is dead and everyone is reacting differently. He was the leader of the terrorist group al Qaeda, which planned the 9/11 attacks, and he’s been on the FBI most wanted list since 1999. He has been the leader of several attacks around the world, targeting U.S. embassies and naval ships. He was an Islamic extremist who carried a deep hatred for the United States. U.S. Naval seals in Pakistan killed him in his compound. 

“The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our nation's effort to defeat al Qaeda,” said President Barack Obama, when he announced the raid on Sunday night. People all around the country are feeling relief, joy, caution, doubt, and regret.

Some students are divided on their feelings about this historic event. Some agree with former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, who said, “Welcome to hell, bin Laden.” Others feel guilty for celebrating the death of another human. Still, others found the event as a time to make jokes.

So how should we feel? We should be relieved that such a violent man cannot hurt future generations. But we should also be sensitive about the jokes we make. Many American students don’t feel that his death is a big deal because he didn’t affect our lives directly. Now that he is dead, he can no longer be the propaganda figurehead of al Qaeda. We should be relieved, but also remember that al Qaeda is still alive and we should not let our guard down, as retaliation is possible. 

Most importantly, though, let us remember what Dr. King said, "Hate multiplies hate." 

-The Bear Facts Staff

Varsity Baseball BHS v Woodside

The Varsity boys Baseball team played Woodside High School on Saturday. The final score was 14-4, with Woodside taking the victory.

 Junior Connor Henderson is the pitcher.

Henderson slides into second base.

Senior Miguel Ortiz is the catcher. 

Senior Nate Hudgins at bat.

Sophomore Ian Benner at bat.

Senior Ryan Huey at bat.

Seniors Ryan Huey and Nate Hudgins on the field.

Photos by Lauren Pell

Lil’ Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross - I Am Still Music Tour March 23, 2011

Opening Wednesday’s show of the “I Am Still Music Tour” at the Hampton Coliseum with drummer Travis Barker and his DJ definitely got the energy in the arena right, and when Nicki Minaj brought a Bethel alumni on stage, she made the night particularly memorable. Although Minaj, Lil’ Wayne, and Rick Ross were the headliners, Barker and his DJ put on a show that I won’t soon forget. After a change of set, Rick Ross came out and performed his singles while promoting his new album “Self-Made” which will be on shelves May 24. Afterwards, the crowd was expecting Nicki Minaj, but Lil’ Wayne surprised them and performed half of his set; opening up the floor to femcee, Minaj, who came out and performed her hit single “Roman’s Revenge” along with other songs off of her album Pink Friday. The DJ played Sean Kingston’s song “Letting Go,” in which Minaj performed her verse, involving the crowd by bringing up Bethel alumni Rob Jones [‘10] for a seductive dance. The crowd went crazy and after a lot of facial expressions, multiple close ups of Minaj’s hind parts, and amazing dancers, she left the stage. Wayne returned, completing his set, bringing out various members of his group Young Money along the way.

The concert was a hit. Whether the fans were there to see Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj, or Lil’ Wayne, it is doubtful anyone left disappointed. Lil’ Wayne let the crowd know multiple times that he was nothing without them, and all of the performers were more than thankful for the fans. These performers found a way to unite the diverse locals in ways that others only dream of doing. 

Kiana Glover

Alumni at Ohio State gives advice

During spring break, several BHS alumni dropped by to say ‘hi!’ to some of their teachers and to talk to underclassmen about what to expect in college. William DeShong, Class of ’10 and current student of the Ohio State University studying wildlife science, has a few tips for underclassmen at Bethel.

According to DeShong, having a solid background in any subject makes college classes easier. “I walked into the second half of Calculus with an AB Calculus background. I had already known what the teacher expected me to know, whereas other students struggled because they’ve never seen it before,” said DeShong adding that the amount of homework in high school is very little compared to the work in college classes. He had to spend over 25 hours a week in just chemistry alone. DeShong also said that having a good background in AP English helped him know the correct format and grammar, such as comma usage. “So far, I’ve had to write a two-page paper for Biology, and a 5-page paper for environmental resources, both of which I received a 100% because I was able to edit it,” said DeShong.

Steven DeShong

Staff Reporter

Reader appreciation contest

Comment on this blog with your first and last name. We will randomly select one commenter from all of those who post comments between now and March 24th. The winner will receive a $10 AMC 24 gift card.

Keep coming back to the Bear Facts Blog to stay updated on current events happening at BHS! Post story ideas and news sources,  questions and comments.