From school to school, the set-

http://mitchieville.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/danville.jpg

up, curriculum, and homework load changes. 

Coming from Danville High School, I was accustomed to being in one of the three houses into which they have split the school: ACE, for the artsy people, GLOBAL, for the environmentalists, and NEWTECH, for the technologically inclined.

ACE house administrator, Phil Cox, said “The Houses of Danville High School were designed to (a) create smaller learning environments where students can build relationships with teachers easier and where students feel like they are an important part of something and, (b) to meet individual students’ learning styles and interests. In that sense, I do believe that the Houses help students by meeting their learning styles and creating an environment in a large school that is more personable.”


Myself, a creative person and a lover of art, I was in the ACE house. We based all of our classes on one main topic, for example: The Taj Mahal or Frida Khalo. We then related all of our subjects to the main topic, for example: Finding out how the Taj Mahal relates to chemistry or geometry. 


Therefore, all of our classes were somehow linked together and made everything coincide. Yet, coming from Danville High School (otherwise known as DHS), with its houses and linked classes and then arriving at Urbana High School was a new experience for me.


At UHS, we do not have houses, main topics or linked classes. I was surprised to see that every class was completely different and were not at all interconnected. 
At DHS, it seemed to me that we made deeper connections with the teachers and got more teacher-student time, not teacher-entire-class time.



UHS is definitely more challenging and prepares you better for college. The teachers at UHS are more about teaching what needs to be taught, and then getting connected to the students.
DHS also had an exceptional athletic program. The DHS football team had gone to the state playoffs for two years in a row, coincidentally the two years that I attended the school. The team had gone undefeated all through the season. The only loss of the season was the last game of the season.


Of course, football was not the only sport in which Danville excelled. The teams for both girls and boys soccer were also very talented. The soccer players had very good seasons and the players cooperated and worked very well with each other. 


The sport that I personally participated in was cross-country. I joined the squad in my freshman year; the guys and girls on the team were like family to each other. While we ran, we encouraged each other and pushed ourselves to our limits. 


Swimming at DHS was also a popular sport. Both boys and girls swimming were really dedicated to the sport, through all the morning practices and tough meets, the team stayed close as ever. 


Aside from main sports like football and soccer, tennis was also an interesting sport. The tennis squads were devoted and enthusiastic throughout the entire season.

However, sports were not the only extracurricular activities that DHS offered. Many of my friends, and majority of the students, spent countless hours of singing and dancing to audition for show choir. 
Whether it would be Contemporaries, Delegation, or just Show Choir.

The participants worked all school year towards the spring competitions. 
Last year, the singers travelled to Washington D.C. and ultimately New York to perform before thousands of people. Big hair, big eyelashes, and big makeup makes show choir what it is.



On a different note, students of UHS are much more accepting to new students. DHS was quite cliquey and snotty to those who weren’t ‘in.’ 
At UHS, financial status doesn’t seem to have that much affect on your popularity.

For example, at DHS, you could walk into the lunchroom and easily pick out what groups were ‘hot’ and what groups were ‘not.’ UHS, having off-campus lunch, doesn’t have that kind of separation.


It also seemed that at DHS, everyone tried to be like one singular person or group of people, unlike UHS. Here, people are all individuals and have their own personal style.




Another factor at DHS that was outstanding and very helpful was the amount of ACT preparation they gave. During every math class, on every other Friday we took little mini-quizzes that consisted of 10 actual questions from previous ACT tests. We kept a log of our progress over the 10 tests and saw how we improved over the course of the semester. 


We also had mini-quizzes in our science classes from time to time, helping with our preparation.



Aside from all the drama the new school year has brought me, I have adapted well to UHS in the past few weeks. I have accommodated myself with the teachers and students and got my priorities straight.


I no longer feel like the new student that’s helpless and has nowhere to go. Instead I work towards what I want and at UHS, that’s really the determining factor of your grades.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/10/evanstons-saggy-pants-ban_n_607760.html

Sagging pants are everywhere, not just the halls of Urbana High School. According to a New York Times article, people are going to jail and getting fines for sagging. The fines could get up to $500 and six months in jail.
Back in the 1970’s men who wore long hair would get harassed for it. They never went to jail or got fines for it. Some state officials see sagging as a worse and more harmful trend. The Mayor of Delcambre, Los Angeles had long hair back in his days as following the trend and didn’t see anything wrong with that trend. However, he speaks out against sagging.
Senior P.J Blissit said, “I really don’t think anything is wrong with sagging but old people think that because their clothes were really small.”
One thing Blissit does point out is a difference in the generations.
Teacher Erin Ludwick said, “I do not think it is right to profile someone based on clothing, but it happens and it is important students understand that. I’m thinking about job interviews.”
Ludwick is right because I didn’t get many jobs based on the way I look and dress.
Junior Robert Brown said, “Bro it ain’t nothing wrong with sagging at all. Although it did come from jail we take it and look at it in a much different way. It’s just like how Snapbacks are back, we just sagging our pants.”
Brown’s answer was really good because sagging pants is a choice and not a statement to be judged by.
In the hallways of UHS students are always asked to pull their pants up, even if they have shorts underneath their pants. People don’t want to see people sagging their pants because some think it makes them look bad. Yet, the person sagging their pants obviously doesn’t care how they look- it’s all about what their opinion is of themselves.

http://drumsongstory.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/bully-pic-2-GettyImages_200181253-0011.jpg

Acceptance
By Hannah Burnett

I am an outcast at Urbana High School. Not because of my race. Not because of my age. Not because of where I came from in the world. Not because of the clothes that I wear. Not because the shoes on my feet. Not because of my size. Not because of my academic status. I am an outcast because of my faith–what I believe. I am an outcast because of my actions based on these things.

I am told that UHS is one of the best schools in the terms of acceptance and bullying. While this may be true, it is only true in certain cases. For anyone who is of a different race, for those with disabilities, for those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, questioning, or for anyone who is a feminist, this is school is completely safe. But what about the 16 year old, European-American, Christian, girl? I have had people talk about me behind my back and I have had jokes made about me. I have gotten left out of party invitations and out of groups, and when I sat at lunch with a group, there were many days when I thought that those I was sitting with didn’t even notice I was there. I have been ostracized because I am not afraid to speak up when I think something is inappropriate or unnecessary.

Contrary to popular belief, most Christians are not stuck up religious freaks who condemn those who are not Christian. While there are a few who may do this, most Christians are very accepting and understanding, because as humans, we make mistakes too, and are not perfect. I listen to the same music as most of you. I wear the same clothes. And I do most of the same things. I just don’t believe the same things as you.

I believe that abortion is wrong, and that the death penalty is just. I believe that guns are good. I believe that our society needs a total makeover. I believe that everyone was made with a purpose. I believe that people have vast possibilities they they never considered, mostly good. I might not like people sometimes, but I love people and I would never condemn anyone.

Maybe you have never thought of this, and maybe you have, and just don’t care. Maybe you didn’t want to stand against the crowd. Or maybe you, like me, just didn’t know how to speak up, or were scared that no one would hear you, that you couldn’t change anything. But I have learned enough to know that one person speaking out could change an environment very much, so here it is.

Accept me, don’t just tolerate me, accept me. Don’t roll your eyes when I speak about what I believe, listen–just as I would do for you. Don’t take the name of the Lord in vain. Please don’t swear. I wont say “That’s gay” or “That’s retarded” if you wont swear or say “JESUS CHRIST” or “Oh my God” when you are angry.

For those of you who want to change this school to make it a better place for everyone, start with a new cause, one that hasn’t been overdone. While those causes are important, more people accept them, and those who don’t probably never will. Stand with me, because I believe this school can be a safe place for everyone, but we have to try, and we have to accept everyone. Not just different races, different sexual orientations, different mental states, or different stances on women’s rights, but different religions and belies. We learn from and with each other, but you have to accept me as I am, and I will do the same for you. I wont try to change you, but I will love you as you are.

Acceptance
By Hannah Burnett
Blurb by Abigaelle Ngamboma

“I want people to think about what they say, and how that could affect someone. Anything people say can be taken offensively by one group or another.”

Senior Hannah Burnett writes an article titled “Acceptance” and talks about the inequality that goes on in Urbana High School.

“I am an outcast in this school. Not because of my race. Not because of my age. Not because of where I came from in the world. Not because of the clothes I wear, or the shoes Ion my feet. Not because of my size. Not because of my academic status. I am an outcast because of what I believe. Because of my faith. Because of my actions based these things.”

“I had some issues last year dealing with my beliefs,” said Burnett, “This article was a way for me to express myself, without accusing anyone.”

When asked what she would do if she was given the chance to change UHS, Burnett said that she would, “change the way people approach social injustices.”

Burnett believes that students would be able to relate to her because, “even if they weren’t bullied, pretty much everyone has been harassed about something. No matter how big or small.”

http://www.bookswim.com/title/Heaven_is_for_Real_A_Little_Boys_Astounding_Story_of_His_Trip_to_Heaven_and_Back-68078.html

Have you ever wondered what happens after you die? Do you think you go somewhere, as in Heaven or Hell? Or do you reincarnate to an animal or another person? Many people believe that the Holy Bible says that salvation is through Jesus. However, many religions don’t believe that Jesus is what other people say the bible says he is.
I am participating in an internship every Sunday morning for my church, we have a meeting about studying the Bible and being leaders in our church and community. A few weeks ago, my Youth Pastor and Intern leader, Jason Epperson, talked to us about a book called “Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back” by Todd Burpo.
The book is about a young boy named Colton Burpo who had a near death experienced when he was three. Sonja and Todd Burpo (the author), a Wesleyn minister, are the father and mother of Colton. They both suffered while their son was extremely sick and close to dying because of his appendix burst. Colton was poisoned for five days of the sepsis, then was sent straight to surgery for the cleanup. Colton then recovered and got sent home peacefully.
Todd also had some medical problems before Colton’s medical situation. He first broke his leg, and then the doctors found out that he had kidney stones, and to wrap it all up he had breast cancer. Todd was wondering why everything was happening to him and why was everything going the wrong way,
A few days later, while at a funeral, Colton asked his father about the dead man and asked if the man had Jesus in his heart? (Colton was asking his father whether the man who had died was a Christian who had accepted Christ as his Savior.) Todd didn’t know the man very well and told that to his son.
Colton’s faced bunched up and screamed that he had to have Jesus in his heart or he can’t get into Heaven. Todd talked to the man’s family members and they said he did. Todd told his son that but he wasn’t entirely convinced, but his face relaxed a bit. Todd was surprised that Colton had known this and he was just thinking to himself, man, those Sunday school teachers sure are doing a really good job.
Later on, the Burpo’s noticed that something special happened in the hospital. Colton said he went to Heaven during his surgery. During the following years Colton’s parents asked simple questions about visiting Heaven. Colton had mentioned that he was in Heaven for three minutes. Colton experienced a lot of things in just three minutes. The Bible teaches with the Lord, “a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” I think this line really fits in what Colton referred to when he was in Heaven for three minutes like how he said.
Todd always joked around with Colton by showing him different pictures Jesus to see which one is accurate. But Colton always nodded his head. After a couple of years, Todd came across a young girl named Akiane who claimed to have a vision of Christ and Heaven. She was an artist who had painted a picture of Jesus. She said that God gave her the power to draw. She was only eight when she painted her masterpiece which she calls the Prince of Peace. Todd found the painting and showed Colton. Colton said, “That is it! That is Jesus.” Out of all the different kinds of paintings and pictures of Jesus he finally agreed with his father. Jason Epperson showed me the painting and it was incredible on how it looked. People might have seen many different pictures of Jesus, but this one is different and looks legitimate.
“I believe that it is a painting that she drew from her vision of Heaven and I also believe her story is real,” Senior Kolton Williford said.
Not all UHS students agree with the ideals in this book. Junior Alex Zachery said, “I believe Heaven is in your heart and mind, you can go where your mind takes you.”
I personally think this book is great and recommend it. It’s really touching and it’s surprising how Colton’s parents fought through the miserable point of their life when they almost lost their boy. What Colton experienced is awesome, in my opinion, but the pain that Todd and Sonja had to go through is something they don’t like to remember.
“Heaven is for Real is a great book. It really was an eye opener for what to believe because what Colton was saying it was along with the Bible, so it is acceptable as truth, said Senior Morgan Cooper. “While I was reading it, I looked up the picture that was painted by the girl and it was beautiful. The first thing that popped out were His eyes, they were gorgeous and now that I’ve seen it, it gives me a visual of Jesus when I think about Him or talk to Him.”
So readers, what do you think of this book? Have you read it and what is your opinion of the story?
EDITOR’S NOTE: The views reflected in this editorial do not reflect the views of all Echo staff members or the staff and administration at Urbana High School.

http://www.souljazzfestival.com/

On Friday, May 13 at 7 p.m., the assorted jazz bands of the Urbana School District gave their last hurrah during the 2010-2011 school year.
Starting at promptly at seven o’clock, the Urbana Middle School Jazz Band started off the extravaganza with a strong horn based tune reminiscent of the late 1970′s jazz revival.
After playing another set, the middle school students quickly left the stage and the lights dimmed low. The group that everyone was waiting for was about to arrive on stage, in the flesh: the Urbana High School jazz band!
The event was full of excitement, rhythm, and groove, and it was really taking hold of the audience. During a couple numbers towards the end of the show, a few brave souls even ventured out to dance.
When asked about this seemingly random change in attitude from appreciative audience to swinging night clubbers, Sophomore Jordi Paki-Rodrigeuz, a member of the jazz combo which played latter on in the show, shrugged and told the Echo “I don’t know. I think jazz and rhythm is universal. You just can’t hold it in for too long without exploding.”
Amongst performances of classic jazz anthems and rhythmic melodies one gem stood out in particular: a duet of Bing Crosby’s “Oh What a Wonderful World” by Freshman Hannah King and Senior Cierra Steward. Both stole the show, and a hush fell over the audience, which was usually very vocal in its musical opinions.
There was no doubt that King and Steward where the best. Steward made everyone’s head turn when she opened her mouth and sang the first few opening lines of the song, with King following, surprising everyone in the audience with her far reaching voice that didn’t need a microphone.
“Oh my god Hannah can sing!” said Freshmen Sophia Gehrmann. Needless to say, the jazz band went out of the 2010-2011 school year with a rhythmic, copacetic BANG!