Student Contribution

A long-time reader, one of the few we first had, recently wrote an interesting term for you all. Enjoy!

Dearest TBN (ToddBeamerNews@gmail.com),

  I have noticed that in past articles, when reffering to Todd Beamer Students, at times you call them "students" and at others, "titans". It got me thinking -- what's the difference between a student and a titan? Or are they the same?

From Webster's New World Dictionary:

  Student: n. 1 One who studies, or investigates 2 One who is enrolled for study at a school, college, etc

  Titan: n. Any person or thing of great size and power

Now, in TODD BEAMER terms...

  Student: n. One who attends any class in Todd Beamer.

  Titan: n. A Todd Beamer Student with great pride in their school,
  who passionately does the best they can to make it a BETTER one.

I hope that in the future, perhaps you could use these terms...for instance, a guy who is enrolled in Beamer and attends all the football games, even if his friends aren't going or the team might lose, would be referred to as a "Titan" and not just a "Student".

Thank you for the great submission! We will be sure to take the definitions into effect from now on.

It has been asked several times before, and answered on a more individual basis, on what "TBN" really is, how it became, etc etc.

TBN, or Todd Beamer News, is an individually run news source created by and for Todd Beamer Titans (Todd Beamer High School Students.) The idea came from another Middle School, Illahee Middle School, which had a Journal Site-esque school news source. However, the creator rarely updated and gave up. It was the writer's intent to provide a constant, free, updated and interesting news source for all Titans to read and share.

This was put on the chipping block, however, when the "Hate List" popped up and caused a major Website-Phobia with Todd Beamer staff and students. Little than a week later, this site was created, the fiasco now diminished. It was small at first, and it's only form of advertising was it's membership in the Todd Beamer Titans blogring. Word was soon spread, however, and while TBN is NOT very popular as far as school-wide, every day we are growing in readers and commenters.

We do not want this site to be any sort of Beamer "Myth" or "Legend". As long as there are willing and talented writers at this school who can keep up with the flow of gossip, there will be a TBN. We only hope to serve a few out there who don't have time in their busy schedules, juggling homework, friends and sports, and if more than that reads, than great.

As a result, it can be said that perhaps TBN is more popular than the school-endorsed official Titan Tablet. The Titan Tablet can miss a due date. The Titan Tablet can take weeks to make. The Titan Tablet can be burned, sogged, stepped on, ripped, shredded, and lost -- yet TBN can be found on any computer, any internet, any place in the world -- and is indestructible. Choose your poison.

It is advisable that you not take that comment to heart. TBN has no plans on trying to "take on" the Tablet in any way, nor do we believe ourselves to be a better news source -- at times, we ARE more interesting.

The Tablet must watch what they say in articles, drastically reducing the amoutn of controversy and opinion that goes into such things. Their topics can be described sometimes as slack and boring. TBN is free-run, thereafore we may say what we would like. That doesn't give us the excuse to bad-mouth anyone, and we never would. We don't take advantage of these freedoms, we instead USE them to our advantage.

The Tablet is run by a Journalism class, and written ONLY by members in that class - TBN ideas for articles can be IMed to TBNews4U on AIM (AOL Instant Messenger). We are easier to use, easier to read, more enjoyable, and student-run -- what more could you ask for?

Students can submit Advice Questions, Suggestions, Comments, and Article Ideas to ToddBeamerNews@gmail.com . We want only to provide News that YOU are interested in you -- so tell us!

African Assembly -- A little lost lamb or a

crocodile in the water?

Yesterday, Todd Beamer High School's BSU (Black Student Union) put on a sort of follow-up assembly to January's disurptant MLK Day. It was expected to be an hour and a half of poetry, speeches, and moral. However, the end result became a sort of slap-in-the-face, ironic justice to "White" kids.

In the MLK Day assembly, where a few choice rows of students began yelling and laughing at each other during a Guest Speaker's speech, controversial mayhem ensued, starring not only fellow students, but the school's newspaper as well. Irony was blown up extravagantly, with many taking the comedic route and commenting at the racial profile of the students who had provided the disturbance. Many Black students felt hurt and angry, while Newspaper students rushed to explain their unintentional mistake in the last issue of the Tablet.

One member of the Dance team was scared that the outfits were too revealing, and didn't want to wear them. No one knew what to expect. Skanky hip hop shorts? Low-riding tops? Not exactly.

Female Dance members, clad in tank tops and long tie-dye skirts, "leaf" arm cuffs and barefoot, began a series of African tribal dances upon the gym floor. Many were amazed. Throughout the amazing performance, controversial topics such as slavery were brought up in a presentable manner that moved Titans and Teachers alike to tears.

Says one senior, "It was amazing...I've never seen anything like it. I can't believe how much work they put into this. I wasn't expecting much of anything."

With fire dancing in their eyes, black dancers played out a series of routines with passionate motions unseen of yet. "It was like a real broadway play or something," says Junior Ashley. "Just...wow."

However, not even five minutes after the entire assembly ended, seemingly "White" kids were complaining about the performance. "They should NEVER be able to do that." said one Freshman, accompanied by an agreeable Sophomore. "Saying God is black, I'm so offended right now..." One unknown grade female was spotted outside crying because of the way White people were presented.

One Freshman, however, had this to say: "It's effing ridiculous. I'm so angry right now at all of those so-called 'friends' of mine, complaining to Hell and back and saying how this will never happen again because of it...it's ridiculous. It's effing ridiculous."

Will there ever be a chance to provide beautiful controversy without some students getting upset? Said one dancer, "No. Not ever. They won't be happy, no matter how hard we try to entertain them, it won't do it. Whatever. They can just sit on their asses and complain all they want...that's all their race ever did anyways, right?"

It is hoped, not just by one but by the majority, that there will be a day much like the abolishment of slavery, where we were all free. For once and for all.

"A Change Is Gonna Come"
Sam Cooke

I was born by the river
In a little tent
oh And just like the river
I've been running ever since

It's been a long, long time coming
But I know a change gonna come
Oh, yes it will

It's been too hard living
But I'm afraid to die
I don't know what's up there beyond the sky

It's been a long, long time coming
But I know a change gonna come
Oh yes it will

I go to the movies, and I go downtown
Somebody keep telling me,
don't hang around

It's been a long, long time coming
But I know a change gonna come
Oh yes it will

Then I go to my brother
I say brother help me please
But he winds up knocking me
Back down on my knees

There's been times that I thought
I wouldn't last for long
But now I think I'm able to carry on
It's been a long, long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come
Oh, yes it will

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day!

"There are no ‘white’ or ‘coloured’ signs on the foxholes or graveyards of battle." Message to Congress 19th June 1963.

"If man hasn’t discovered something that he will die for, he isn’t fit to live." Speech in Detroit 23rd June 1963.

"Today the choice is no longer between violence and nonviolence. It is either nonviolence or nonexistence." Stride Towards Freedom 1964.

We urge you to take control of your rights and yourself. Look around you. For every student in your class, white, black, hispanic, asian, Martin Lutehr King fought for. He died for you. Many Christians, or whatever your religion may be, cannot understand the great thing that Jesus Christ did for them hundreds of thousands of years ago. 40 years ago, Martin Luther King did it.

He did it all for you, so you could stand in line next to a minority or fellow minority and feel united, without having to worry about being teased or taunted or beaten up or ridiculed for the pigment of your skin or race of your background. You are truly lucky. All of you, every single one of us. EMBRACE YOURSELVES. Remember that the bullies will be gone in a few years -- but you'll be stuck with yourselves forever. So make sure every day you tell YOUSELF that you love you no matter what. It's precious.

Lockdown Proves That High School Drama Never Ends In A Good Way

Today was scary. Today was dangerous. Today was eye-opening, long, and overall....strange.

In the beginning of the year, dedicated readers will remember our story about the Eddie/Keoni fight. We stated that it was the "..first of many fights in the year...a head start." While not big, it was noticeable, even moreso after we reported it with a posed hypotheticall question on what we'd call, "Academic/Morality Favoritism".

But this. This was bigger. Bigger than anything we've ever had.

Tiera, or Tiara, depending on if you HEARD or READ about the incident, was normal. She was said by fellow classmates to be nice, friendly, just like anyone else.

During third period, it was assumed that Tiera, who probably was coming back from 1st Lunch or in the middle of 2nd, cornered her ex-boyfriend just outside the school Library. From what we know about relationship fights/arguments, and what psychology leads us to believe, is that it usually starts out small. They might see her each other, pass by, maybe make a comment that spins a web of insults, vulgar remarks and personal attacks.

Relationships are hard to keep and gain. We all know that. Deep inside we want to find someone we fit with like a mold, someone we love truly than anyone else in the world. When we don't, or when the feeling is not mutual, it attacks not just the mind or the body but the SOUL. Love leads to love, but also hate. Hate leads to hate, but also love. It's a balance.

Of course, we don't know about Tiara/Tiera. We only know why this may have happened. We don't have specifics. But, regardless, the fight escalated and Tiera pulled out a small, sharp-edged steak knife and swung it at her ex in rage. He ran down the halls for his life, literally, screaming, "SHE'S GOT A KNIFE! SHE'S GOT A KNIFE!"

It ws said by a few students that Tiera/Tiara began banging on locked classroom doors. A few heard what they described as "girl screams".

Normally, in an article, TBN would ask for comments/information. But we aren't now. Send them if you will, no one is going to stop you, but we'd rather not make another article on this. Students were hurt, scared, and lost trust in their once proud school.

The msot we can do is remind you all that if you're feeling bad, if you're feeling ANYTHING, whether it be anger, depression, hate, etc, to see one of our school's counselors or talk to a friend. It's like holding your breath for a minute. When you bottle everything up inside, you'll have to acknowledge that somehow you're going to have to take a breath, whether it be on your own or by force.

Take care, be safe, and enjoy your years. They're truly the best you'll have.

~TBN Staff