Volume 2

Issue 3

VIKING VOICE NEWSLETTER

Huffman High School

Bullying : What is bullying ?

By Dalicia Johnson and Lanissi Brown

Bullying is when someone keeps doing or saying things to have power over another

person. Bullies can be anywhere, but there's no place they show up more than in schools, and

no time more than in September. Once the academic year starts, the complicated social hierar-

chy of a campus — popular kids, nerdy kids, ADHD kids, nerdy ADHD kids who are popular be-

cause they sell Adderall — gets reinvented. But this fall, the casual brutality of the schoolyard

seems particularly bitter. In the past few weeks, several students across the U.S. have commit-

ted suicide after being bullied. And, on Sept. 22, a freshman at Rutgers University, Tyler Clem-

enti, threw himself from the George Washington Bridge in New York City. His roommate had

secretly recorded a video of Clementi kissing a guy. Another, 10 year old honor student at

Ridge Farm Elementary School in east-central Illinois committed suicide Friday by hanging her-

self. It was prompted, her parents say, by bullying at school and in the neighborhood. And then

there’s Seth Walsh, a 13-year-old who liked Pokémon, dance music and reading the Bible —

and who had (somewhat reluctantly) acknowledged to understanding family members and

friends that he liked other boys. Seth had been teased relentlessly; it started when he was in

fourth grade, according to his grandmother Judy Walsh. "By sixth grade, kids were starting to

get mean," she says. "By seventh grade, he was afraid to walk home from school." Seth hanged

himself in his backyard on Sept. 19. His mother Wendy, a 44-year-old beautician, found his

body. Seth was unable to extend her the mercy of dying quickly: a helicopter came, and he was

on life support for nine days until he passed away.

Ways that you can prevent bullying:

Everyone has the right to feel safe in their school and community. If you see some-

one being bullied, you have the power to stop it. By standing up for someone who is being bul-

lied, you are not just helping someone else; you are also helping yourself. It is important to help

others when you can.

•Take a stand and do not join in. Make it clear that you do not support what is going

on.

•Do not watch someone being bullied. If you feel safe, tell the person to stop. If you do not feel safe saying something, walk away and get others

to do the same. If you walk away and do not join in, you have taken their audience and power away.

•Support the person being bullied. Tell them that you are there to help. Offer to either go with them to report the bullying or report it for them.

•Talk to an adult you trust. Talking to someone could help you figure out the best ways to deal with the problem. Reach out to a parent, teacher

or another adult that you trust to discuss the problem, especially if you feel like the person may be at risk of serious harm to themselves or others.

John C. Lyons,Jr.

Important Dates/Events

Last day for students-Dec. 15

Christmas-Dec. 25

New Years Day-Jan. 1

Teachers Return—Jan. 2

Students Return—Jan. 3

Quote of the Month:

Christmas is forever, not for just one day, for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf. The good you do for others is good you do yourself... ~Norman Wesley Brooks, "Let Every Day Be Christmas," 1976 ~Norman Wesley Brooks, "Let Every Day Be Christmas," 1976

Pay Someone A Compliment Today! By Tiero Harris and Courtney Jones

Why not take the time to compliment someone today. Flattery will get you nowhere,

they say. Well, "they" say a lot of things. And too many times, "they" are sorely mis-

taken. Paying compliments has never been more strategically important than it is to-

day. Not because people expect them, but precisely because they don't. While every-

one is wrapped up in their own performance, people hardly take the time to recognize

the work of others.

That's where you come in. Whether you're dealing with your parents, teachers, or

peers, a well-placed compliment will make you valuable, noteworthy and better suited for leadership. And while your

peers may get the occasional, "good job," from teachers, encouragement and motivation is seen as part of their job.

Who really better to stroke another peer’s ego than one of their own?

When you recognize people's skills and achievements, it makes you seem more selfless. Your attention to detail is ap-

preciated. And if you believe what some scientific studies have to say on the subject, people who pay others compli-

ments are seen as smarter. And since you're such an honest, selfless person, your peers may spare you from vicious

school bullying!

Q: Dear Vicki,

My boyfriend and I have been dating for six months, and we enjoy spending time together. Last weekend, however, we had an argument over a text message from a female friend of his. He got so angry when I asked why she was texting him. We argued and then he grabbed my arm very forcefully and yelled “Just leave it alone!” I was very hurt and shocked by his behavior. I really like him but refuse to be mistreated. What should I do?

Confused and Hurt

A: Dear Confused and Hurt,

Wow! This is a potentially serious problem. Unfortunately, it’s not so rare among teens now-adays. First, take a deep breath. If you are being abused by your boyfriend, you may feel confused, afraid angry or even trapped. But you should know that you are never responsible for the other persons actions towards you. If your boyfriend can lay his hands on you in an abusive manner, then girl, he doesn't love you. We should never be made to feel afraid trapped or battered. My advice to you is to get help immediately and get out of the relation-ship. Believe that somebody is going to love you better!

Advice Column “Ask Vicki”

Have a pressing issue you want help solving? Need advice? Look no further. The “Guidance Girls” of the Viking Voice are here to help you. Just follow these simple steps to solve whatever crisis you may be facing. 1. Write out your question or dilemma. 2. submit it to the “Advice” box in the Huffman High School Media Center (at the service desk). Questions are strictly anonymous and will be answered in the next issue. Remember, address each question with “Dear Vicki:” You may ask questions pertaining to the following: School, Dating, Relationship Advice, Family, Work, or any “Teen Issues” in general!

We look forward to solving all the world’s problems!

Viking Page 3

In Loving Memory of Malehia Pruitt

Top 10 Christmas Dishes:

1. Collard Greens

2. Mac & Cheese

3. Cornbread Dressing

4. Yams

5. Sweet potato pie

6. Ham

7. Red Velvet Cake

8. Fried Turkey

9. Potato Salad

10. Chitterlings

Christmas on a Budget? Try These recipes

Cheesy Chili Casserole

1 box Macaroni and Cheese

1 can chili

Make the macaroni as normal. (Read

the box if you don't already know how to

do it.)

Add the chili before serving.

Note: As a crockpot owner, I always use

leftover chili instead of a can of chili, but

it is just as tasty and cheaper.

Potato and Spam Salad

1 (12-ounce) can SPAM® Classic, cut into bite-size

pieces

1 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup sweet pickle relish

1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper 4 red new potatoes, cubed, boiled and cooled Directions In large bowl, stir together SPAM® Classic, mayon-

naise, relish, salt and pepper. Add potatoes; gently

stir. Refrigerate until chilled.

Spam-urkey: Spam Turkey

Head down the processed food

aisle, and you will see a gold colored tin

next to the familiar blue Spam tins. Yes,

it’s Spam Turkey!

Directions

Plop the Spam Turkey out of the tin.

Consider washing off the gel, unless you

want to experience

the true essence of Spam Turkey. Other-

wise, consume the gel as well.

Slice the Spam, according to the direc-

tions on the side of the tin.

'Lightly brown' the Spam Turkey, accord-

ing to the directions.

There may be a bit of pan sticking, but

you can't blame the Spam for that.

Carefully flip the slices to ensure they are

evenly browned (lightly, of course)

Spam turkey is the perfect combination

of turkey taste and Spam convenience.

You may make sandwiches or eat as –is.

Fashion &

Entertainment

An Interview with A Huffman

“Fashionista” Interviewer: Where do you like to shop?

Keyshayla: Well, I’m really not a picky person when it comes to shopping. I love

shopping everywhere and anywhere that has

clothes. I have different varieties if clothing’s so I

Mix & Match a lot! I shop almost everywhere in-

cluding the Thrift stores!

Interviewer: When you get dressed in the morn-

ing, what do you want people to think when they

see you?

Keyshayla: Confidence, Swag and “Why pay to be

like someone else? ROCK YOSELF!”

Interviewer: Overall, how would you best describe the way that you dress?

Keyshayla: I sit around and try to answer this question all the time and I still haven’t

come to an answer. The way I dress is undefined, different & versatile it’s very hard

for me to explain, I haven’t found the exact words to explain my swagger but I like to

call it Hollyhood!

Interviewer: Exactly where does your sense of fashion come from?

Keyshayla: My sense of fashion comes from me, myself, and I. My grandmother

loved clothes too so I guess she also has something to do with my sense of fashion.

Interviewer: What is your style, what do you like to wear the most?

Keyshayla: My style is my own style. I’m not picky with clothes I’ll wear just about

anything and still make it look good! We should feel comfortable with whom we are

and what we wear, but at the same time you know if you look a fool. Be opened-

minded about who you are and what you like!

Picture

need-

Out on DVD

The Smurfs– Dec. 2

Hangover II—Dec. 6

The Help— Dec. 6

Transformers: Dark of the Moon—Dec.

13

Rise of the Planet of the Apes—Dec. 13

Kung Fu Panda II—Dec. 13

Columbiana—Dec. 20

Final Destination 5– Dec. 27

New CD Releases

December 6, 2011

Robin Thicke—Love After War

T-Pain—rEVOLVEr

Naughty By Nature—Anthem, Inc.

Bow Wow—Underrated

December 13, 2011

Juvenile—Rejuvenation

Snoop Dogg x Wiz Khalifa—Mac + Devin Go To

High School

December 20, 2011

Common—The Dreamer, The Believer

Young Jeezy—Thug Motivation 103

December 31, 2011

Waka Flocka Flame—Triple F Life: Friends, Fans,

and Family

Events Around Town

"Holly Jolly Holidays"

Red Mountain Theatre Company

12/01/11

"Festival of Trees XXII"

Dec 1 10:00 am

The Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts

UAB Jazz Ensemble

Alys Stephens Center

12/02/11

Scream Tour

Dec 28 7:00 pm

BJCC (Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex)

Ringling Bros. And Barnum & Bailey Circus

Jan 28, 2012 3:30 pm

BJCC (Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex)

The AD Department of the Viking Voice Newsletter

We the AD Department of the Viking Voice Newsletter

would like to thank all who participated in the Thanks-

giving dinner!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Happy Holidays!

Principal’s Corner:

Huffman JROTC Battalion Marching in the Veterans Day Parade.