JOURNALISM


 * GPA article**

//Grade Point Average Reorganization// As the Sheehan High School 2008-2009 school year begins, a new GPA system has been implemented based on 4.8 points, rather than the previous 4.4 points. This new change is beneficial to the Advanced Placement classes because the board of education recognizes that these students deserved a reward because of the difficulty of the courses. During previous school years at Mark T. Sheehan High School, the honors level classes were weighed the same as advanced placement. This extra grade boost towards AP students is seen as an incentive to children who are willing to put in extra effort; however, it also can be damaging for those students below the academic course level. The grade boost will allow AP students an advantage over honors students who were formerly getting an equal amount of credit towards their GPA. Fifteen years ago, Sheehan High School was only offering about four AP classes. The number of students enrolled in these classes was minimal. However, as the amount of AP classes offered increased, the number of students enrolled also enlarged greatly. In fact, if a student is daring enough to take three or more AP courses and decides to take the AP exam for each course, the Wallingford Public School system will subsidize their third test taken. Even though this grade boost can be effective and rewarding towards honors and AP students, it can impact students taking academic, general and basic classes negatively. The only way to achieve a perfect GPA at Sheehan High School is by filling your entire course load with advanced placement courses. However, this can be quite an overwhelming task to many students. Ashley Cei, freshman at Sheehan High School, felt the pressures of the heavy task load. On the first day of school, Ashley explained, "we were assigned to read a 40 page chapter and answer five focus questions. The teachers have very high expectations for their students." These intense and constant pressures caused Ashley to drop her AP World History class and move down to honors instead because she was not able to keep up with the fast pace. In these rigorous classes, the work may take many hours and much dedication to complete. The extra boost is seen as a way for this time and dedication to go notices. However, as a students drifts farther from the AP course level it becomes a challenge to reach an high GPA and honor roll. In order to achieve high honors at Sheehan High School, a student must obtain a GPA of at least 3.6 and have no mark lower than a C-. To reach honors, a student must earn a GPA of at least 3.2 and have no grade lower than a C-. The GPA system at Sheehan makes it very difficult for any student below the general level to reach high honors or even honors. In order to reach high honors in an academic class, the student must have at least an A-. For a general level student, they must receive an A+. On the other hand, a student in a basic course has no way of obtaining high honors because an of this new system. The highest mark a basic student can reach is honors because of the way this system is weighted. It also prevents many general and basic students from reaching their goal of honors. However, Ms. Eaton, a guidance counselor at M.T.S High School, disagreed that the grade boost was unfair because the school system believes that this system is geared fairly towards abilities. If a basic level student was taking an honors course just to earn quality points towards their GPA, their grade would be around a B or C whereas in a basic level course they can get the gratitude of receiving an A.


 * Interview**

Why did you decide to start playing music? My parents got a divorce when I was 10 years old and It was a pretty rough split, Instead of keeping my thoughts internalized I began to keep a journal and began writing songs to express the way I was feeling. I started playing venues when I was in the 9th grade and continue to do so today. How long were you a part of a band? My brother and I started our band in The 9th grade and we still play on a regular basis. We have put out 10+ albums and toured the US multiple times and also did some playing in Europe. We shared the stage with many well known performers and continue to play music because we enjoy writing songs together. Furthermore I personally enjoy the community and friendships that are birthed from traveling and playing music. What status did your band reach? People seem to love our music or hate us. And we have been on several record lables and sold thousands of albums

While you were playing music, were you worried about your future? No I only worry about today and do my best to love the people around me ...tommorow has enough worries for it self. While you were in a band, did you plan for your future?Why or why not? I am a very focused and driven person. I focus on one project at a time and try to do it the best I can. I would have just been spinning my wheels and acomplishing much less if I were thinking about the next phase in life (see my last response) After you were finished playing as a touring musician, how did you feel and why? Burnt out ready for a change ....I continued to write songs and started thinking about things of permanance such as spirituality, Hope, Love and community What was the next step in your life after you returned to normal life after touring? My life has never been normal !!! and never will be !!! after touring for 6 years straight I joined a Christian Missions organization called Youth With A Mission where I had a time of rest, Traveled to Bosnia & Eastern Europe to work in a summer camp with children affected by War. It was a powerfull time for mepower-fulltly changed my view on the world. I came back to the states with a much greater appreation of what weoperation and I also decided to do my best to make a positive change in my community..... I also met a very lovely girl and then married her..we have been happily married ever since. we also have a little daughter named Fable Jane ...she rules!!!

Did you think you were prepared to get an actual professional job, and were these your intentions? I was a professional booking agent and also an A & R person for a record lable. I have always hadlabelry strong work ethic. I have never expected anything to just come to me and I have worked intensely hard for anything I have been involved in. i worked for corporate america a couple of timeAmericaealized that it just wasn't my thing. What makes this country great is mom and pop businesses, Creativity and small town community...and that is what I always wanted to be a part of.

Before I opened The Space I worked for a Antique and Art Restoration company ... I loved the Job I learned alot of "old world" skills and ended up doing some fairly gross demolition jobs. Fixing toliets is character butoilets

Did you think it was a hard transition into life after being in a band? I had a tough spot for few months in my mid twentys. I had put all of self value into the success of my band. The ups were amazing and the downs were really tough. I love playing music but the music dosen't define who I am. What are some lessons being in a band can teach today's teenagers? This could be a whole seprate interview... I do thiseparate kids who are just starting out should really focus on how they play together and not as much on the fashion and scene. I think kids should play as many gigs as they can when they are starting out and make sure to bring all their friends to every show. I would love to see more kids being trend setters rather than just immitating what they are hearimitatingand Radio. I know that I learned vital life skills from touring as well as tons of practical stuff...forinstance I can READ a map.for instancetandpoint of personal taste i also wish that young bands would work more on melody and lyrics. There is alot of screaming in present day rock music and while screaming has it's place screaming breaks in songs would be much more powerful if they followed a catchy melody and memorable lyrics.