A Different Perspective by Melodie Lettkeman

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03/19/10--10:57: Talkin' Tigers need your help! (chan 2539644)

As many have heard, the Talkin' Tigers speech and debate team qualified nine students for the national tournament June 13-18 in Kansas City, Missouri. Getting to the tournament and staying for a week has put a pretty hefty burden on all of the students and chaperones, and as plane ticket prices go up, we cringe a little more at the price we'll have to pay. I know financial times are hard, but we have to ask the community for their help. Last year, transportation, lodging, and...


04/08/10--08:32: Update on National Qualifiers' Fundraising (chan 2539644)

We have some dates and some informantion available now. On __May 5__- The Talkin' Tigers will be having their awards night, and debate-a-thon. The debates/speeches will begin at about __7 p.m.__ The two weeks or so leading up to the event, team members will be given sponsor sheets. Even a dollar or two adds up if we get all of our students to participate. Donation jars will also be in front of all debaters. __May 8__- Car Wash/Bake Sale/Yard Sale/Silent Auction __May 12__- Spaghetti...


04/14/10--13:12: WWJD? Apparently, nothing. (chan 2539644)

I'm not going to pretend I know everything about politics, but I do have a problem I'd like someone to explain to me. From what I gather, the GOP was formed under Christian values, correct? Well, following that old mantra, What Would Jesus Do?, I would have to see maybe the GOP has fallen a bit far from that beginning moral. One would expect a moral person to want to help, knowing full well that there will be those abusing the system. Unfortunately the right is against all help. They scream...


04/23/10--12:46: This is a call to both MHSD and the voters (chan 2539644)

Today as I sat on the floor of the foyer against the wall eating my lunch, I watched the roof leaking a few feet from me. When I walked to the stage this morning, I saw an entire section of the roof sitting precariously. This portion will probably fall off in the next year. I had to tread carefully in the costume closet, because the floor is so weak it can only hold 75 pounds per square inch. Our director gets hit with sports balls frequently during rehearsals, because we have to...


04/29/10--18:34: How would a levy failure affect YOU (chan 2539644)

__Consider This__ If the levy fails the following can/probably will happen: Eight receptionists now unemployed, competing for already scarce local jobs. A Gifted/Talented teacher unemployed. Educators, some who are married to other educators, expected to live through the possibility of quarter of their salary taken away. With this posibility, it brings up the also-likely possibility of losing quality educators who can (and have been offered) better opportunities. ...


06/03/10--13:51: Maybe it's just because I am young (chan 2539644)

As my debate team prepared for the national tournament, we took a look at the public forum topic (Miss Bott and her partner, James McGovern, have been qualified). And it got me thinking. The topic states Resolved: Current trends in American political dialogue compromise meaningful democratic deliberation. Some would be interested that the "current trends" are not so new to the political world. Some food for thought- Why do we mudsling and use scare tactics? Why have the...


07/14/10--15:30: 2010-2011 MHHS Student Council Update (chan 2539644)

Well since I am ASB Secretary, I figured I'd update the town on our activities here as well as every where I else I feel important to post such things on. This Saturday (July 17), ASB/Senior Class council is hosting a car wash to raise money for various Homecoming activities. If you're looking for a cheap car wash, I encourage you all to come down to the Sears parking lot between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to get your car washed. There is no set price, just bring over any donations. We hope to see...


07/31/10--10:07: What do you think? (chan 2539644)

This is my last year in high school debate, and I think the topic is one that some of you may enjoy discussing with me. Since it is summer, I haven't done any research on it yet, but with the school year approaching, I figure I should start. But while I do my research and prepare cases for and against these countries, I wanted to get the opinions of those involved in the military (or those who just have a strong opinion of the military (: ) So what are your thoughts for/against this...


09/28/10--18:01: Thank You's are in order (chan 2539644)

September...wow. What a long, hectic, stressful, and fun month it has been. With the help of the student council and Tiger Tribune staff, our school pulled off homecoming, and I managed to push out my first paper as editor-in-chief. I'd like to thank a few community members for their help in everything I was responsible for. First of all, Mr. Vogt, the P.E. teacher at East Elementary. Mr. Vogt kindly lent the senior class a parachute that we used to decorate the hallway with. We...


02/28/11--18:30: They do not speak for us all. (chan 2539644)

I'd like to start off with announcing __the students who protested were NOT representative of the school__. They were lead by a student who does not even attend public school. Teachers did __not__ condone their walk-out. Whether a teacher marked the student truant was his/her own personal dilemma (I happen to know at least ONE student was marked truant). The behavior of those students has taken away much of the voice the students have in this matter. While we may not be taxpayers, we are...


03/30/11--10:23: If only I could win the lottery (chan 2539644)

I love live music. I cannot completely describe the feelings I get when I go to concerts. Whenever my friends and I have a few bucks to spare, we like to go catch one at whatever venue is hosting a good set. The problem for us now is that gas prices are climbing. Working sparse hours and also having to account for other expenses, it is becoming less and less viable to go to concerts. This bugs me about our town. There is hardly a good place to have concerts. I have seen a few live...


05/10/11--10:48: And the countdown begins... (chan 2539644)

With 16 days until I walk across the stage, I can't help but feel extremely nervous. I'll be heading off to Oklahoma in July for college, and shortly after my parents pitch me out of the truck/nest, they'll be taking off to Japan. I just wanted to say thank you to all of you on the blogs for giving me some interesting debate online- I don't plan on debating in college so I'll probably stick around to banter with you all and give you some insight into what's going on in the south. ...


08/21/11--09:55: Professionals, please don't discourage amateurs. (chan 2539644)

Amateur - noun a person who engages in a study, sport, or other activity for pleasure rather than for financial benefit or professional reasons. --- Recently, I've noticed a professional I know (who shall remain unnamed) ranting on Facebook about there "not being any market" for people new to this person's field. This person discourages others from using their friend's amateur services, claiming that those "green at the gills" people are not going to give you what you're wanting. ...


08/24/11--19:07: The healing process begins.. (chan 2539644)

A few weeks ago, the class of 2011 lost a valuable classmate with the death of Linzi Dudding. We join several other classes that have lost much loved members- a club no one is the slightest bit happy to join. Fortunately, Linzi, one of the best debate partners I ever had, is not going to go forgotten. I received this note in a link today. I hope you will donate, even if it's just buying some cotton candy at the game. Linzi was such a bright and wonderful person- my heart is still broken...


09/11/11--10:38: Where was I? (chan 2539644)

Up until then, I'd always believed that nothing bad could ever happen in my country. We were invincible. We protected the weak and we defeated the evil. The bad guys didn't come to America. They stayed in far off places Daddy sometimes went to.Mom wakes me up at 7:30, right on schedule. The itinerary tells of an 8 a.m. takeoff, right on schedule. I walk into Mrs. Everett's third grade class, right on schedule.Mrs. Everett tells us our itinerary. Today the blue group will be in reading first,...


10/16/11--16:38: It's been a while... (chan 2539644)

While I've been sleuthing about at least once a week to see what's going on in Mountain Home, I haven't had much time to sit down and blog. Life in Oklahoma is great. I love school, and OU has so much to do (and plenty of awesome football games to watch!). I'm working at the photo desk of the school's paper and having an absolute blast with it. Just last night I photographed a volleyball game and a concert sponsored by our union programming board. The photo I attached is one of 400 I...


12/06/11--22:18: Thought I'd do a little sharing (chan 2539644)

Howdy Mountain Home! My family's home finally sold and is in the process of closing! They've been trying to sell it since they moved to Japan and it is a huge burden off our shoulders! OU is doing well...getting hit by some nasty weather and I'm thankful I am well stocked on winter supplies and driving-in-inclement-weather skills from Idaho. I think I'm the only owner of an ice scraper on campus. :p Semester is over next week, then I'm off to Arkansas to see the boyfriend before...


12/13/11--01:37: Budget Restructure as a Method of Education Reform (LENGTHY) (chan 2539644)

I wrote this for my Freshman Composition class. It received a "B" and I may or may not have written it between midnight and 4 a.m. the day before it was due, but I think it is pretty good and has a few good points..." Critics of the American education system are quick to blame lack of funding for the problems. They are quick to blame poor teachers for students' poor performance in tests, college, and in the international economy. While funding public schools is important, the amount is not...


12/31/11--21:54: If people would just look it up themselves... (chan 2539644)

...and learn how to read the WHOLE SECTION including all bullet points, we would only have to calm the people who are illiterate. The National Defense Authorization Act was signed into law today. Cue the fire alarms all over my facebook feed. Go here. http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=s112-1867 Then go to the full text thomas version. Look at the way the sections are set up in bullet and sub-bullet format. Section 1031 Bullet (b) says who it applies to and (e) says...


01/03/12--07:27: No place like home... (chan 2539644)

I will be back in the United States soon! It's been quite a journey and I am so thankful I received this opportunity. Quick side note: If any of my readers find themselves stationed overseas and have children in college back in the states, the military provides one ticket a year to bring your children overseas. I have had some wonderful experiences this Christmas break, and if you feel like sifting through a few zoo photos,...