The art of expression

From artwork to essays, area students are finding ways to express their thoughts. The following essays were among those submitted by Jackson High School students.

Hey, quiet during the movie!

Why are theaters so popular? Why do people just have to see the latest films on the big screens? Don't you get tired of those people who seem to know everything about every movie ever made while you just stand there saying, "Uh, yeah, that one was great. ... I think. ..."

Everybody loves movies, and somehow over the years, movies have been the centerpiece for dates, parties and shindigs -- but of course, theaters seem to be the favorite place.

But why? I mean, what is so amazing and fun about sitting there and staring at a screen for two hours? Could it be the annoying guy behind you with that stupid laugh? Or maybe the sound of everybody eating expensive popcorn and then getting up for a refill and walking right in front of you during the best part of the film? Personally, I think it's when your friends are cuddled up together holding hands and smiling at each other while you, the third wheel, twiddle your thumbs and think about your pathetic love life.

Oh, the joys of the theater.

Obviously there are some great things about theaters. For example, the Wehrenberg Theaters theme song right before the movie. For many a year, that theme song brought a smile to my lips and a tear to my eye. Even if we're not at a Wehrenberg theater, my friends and I never fail to sing the tune as loud as we dare, except for the whispered "Wehrenberg ... Wehrenberg ... Wehrenberg."

Yeah, we're idiots, we know.

There is one thing that I love about the big screen: It is just downright awesome when a classic is brought back for a midnight show. I believe I speak for many when I say the greatest of those classics is "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." A year ago it was shown at the midnight show, which was a full house, I might add. Oh, it was a Python fan's greatest moment. The subtitles during the credits were right in front of my eyes! So if you're looking for the best time to see a movie, try a midnight show, they're great. Nothing beats a full house of die-hard fans watching their favorite movie and quoting the best parts. When I left that building, I felt like I had a whole new family!

So, basically, there are good things and bad things about theaters. You've got to watch out for those bad things. But eventually that annoying laugh will fade away, everyone will tire of popcorn and those crazy lovebirds, will ... well ... actually, that probably won't go away for a while. Even if everything isn't perfect, a trip to the movies always gives me a little happiness, even if it's only for two hours. And for some unknown reason, they always keep me coming back for more.

I guess we'll never know why movies amaze us so much, but hey, that's the point.

Kami Miinch

Jackson High School

Music: Can you really hear it?

What is music? I find myself asking that question often. Is music just rhythms, notes, key signatures and chords that, if I'm lucky, sound good together? According to Webster, music is an agreeable sound. In that case, my dad's idea of music is a song about a man sitting at a bar, drinking alcoholic beverages and whining about his wife who recently left him. That definitely doesn't sound like music to me. Nor does the sound of machine guns blasting from a TV screen, a sound my boyfriend would prefer to hear over my voice.

Although the dictionary may give a logical definition, music isn't just an agreeable sound.

Music comes from the deepest chambers of a person's heart. The beating of the human heart is a constant pulse, a constant rhythm that sings its song until death. When listening to a song, I often find my heart beating to the rhythm of the song. The heart finds the rhythm to music. Whether you're blasting music when driving down the road, or listening to music when trying to go to sleep, you have to find the beat of the music with your heart. Feeling the music enables you to enjoy the music.

Being able to produce my own music is something I cherish greatly. I love to sing and play instruments. I love the capability to write my own music, to sing and play my own music. I can't write on paper what it feels like to have music playing through my soul. I would be completely lost without my ability to sing and play music.

Music often accompanies a person's mood. When I'm having a bad day, I'll listen to or sing or play a song that's gloomy, fast or angry, depending on the reason for my bad day. When I'm happy, I'll listen to something upbeat or happy. Songs like these just make my mood even better. A person's mood, whether it be good or bad, can be modified by a small feature: music.

Music may be paper with symbols that a lot of people can't read, but everyone has music inside of them. Everybody has the ability to enjoy music. Everyone can feel the vibration of music. Don't be discouraged if you can't read music or can't keep rhythm. Take your time and concentrate; the music is internal. If you have never tried to play an instrument or sing, then try it. You'll be amazed at how music can change your life. I know it changed mine in ways I can't begin to express.

I can hear the music in my heart. Can you hear it?

Katy Farrow

Jackson High School

Code for dress: a necessary evil?

"Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech." This is in the First Amendment to our nation's Constitution. Freedom of speech. What's included in this? Writing the articles we wish, protests, expression of individuality? Who is to decide what is considered our freedom of speech?

I believe the way we dress, or expression of one's individuality, is a part of our freedom of speech. So what are dress codes for? To protect us from fights? To keep us from being distracted while in school? Or are dress codes more for administrators -- those who feel uncomfortable with today's fashion?

"If it means that teenagers will stop killing each other over designer jackets, then our public schools should be allowed to require the students to wear school uniforms," former President Bill Clinton once said.

Sure, that's a great idea, but I have two complaints with that statement. One: How many teenagers do you know who have killed somebody over a designer anything? Two: If clothing is cause for murder, or any violence, why are there dress codes only in school?

Why does the law not enforce the same dress code for everyone? I know Britney Spears' latest outfit turned me momentarily hostile. ...

Many school administrators have claimed the reason schools enforce a dress code is not only to prevent violence but to keep students from being distracted while learning. My only complaint is this: How do the administrators decide what distracts the students? Is there a poll at the end of the year? They must have skipped over me, knowing that I wouldn't complain about the choice of a fellow student's clothing. I guess I just don't believe in others deciding what is good for us students. We know what we can handle.

Now, I don't want people believing I'm all about bashing the administrators' choices in our education. I know they are looking out for our best interests, but I do have a slight insight that they are also uncomfortable with the style as it changes. These "distractions" are all about fashion to us.

I may just be spouting off my discrepancies, but at least they are now heard. I know I'm not the only one who can find complaints. I guess it's just my job now to go back to complaining about inconveniences with the school system. Don't pretend you never have.

Rebecca Grant

Jackson High School

Teens behind the wheel

My father raises his eyebrows a bit and clenches the steering wheel with a white-knuckle grip as we meet one of my classmates on the morning drive to school. Knowing the girl's scatterbrained tendencies, we agree that she could quite possibly end up careening into a ditch while searching for the ever-elusive ringing cell phone somewhere in the backseat.

Teens and their driving habits have been the cause of concern for parents and lawmakers and should be more carefully considered by teen drivers themselves.

As my 16th birthday fast approaches, driving becomes woven into more and more conversations with my parents. When riding in the car and my parents witness an incapable driver, I then learn how they should have handled the vehicle. I am often questioned on the driving abilities of my friends, their friends and then their friends. But in truth, who can blame my parents? The driving habits of teens -- not all teens, but a respectable number -- are questionable.

Plenty of teens groan when they hear rumors of possible legislative limits on the number of passengers in their car or driving while on a cell phone. However, many inexperienced drivers don't realize how poorly they block out distractions. Being able to drive with distractions like cell phones, radios and a carload of your best friends takes a level of maturity that every teen does not possess. However, a blanket law banning all teen drivers from having teen passengers seems unfair to the drivers that can handle the responsibility.

Perhaps the solution to incompetent teen drivers needs to begin with teens. As inexperienced drivers, teens need to take responsibility and limit the distractions in the vehicle. By using our own discretion, we can eliminate more laws restricting teen driving privileges. After witnessing driving habits around a high school campus, I can appreciate the concern of parents and lawmakers. This concern should be curbed, however, if teens practiced a little more common sense when driving.

I am, of course, growing more and more anxious to experience the freedom of taking the wheel with no parental supervision. I have confidence that I will be a safe driver. Hopefully, I will be able to filter distractions and concentrate on the road and the drivers around me. I plan to heed my own advice and use common sense with the hope that teen driving privileges do not become more restricted. If all teen drivers could sit behind the wheel with a little more maturity and common sense, our lives could be a little safer.

Sarah Hinkebein

Jackson High School