Any office aide whom is appointed to help one of the head officials or secretaries can expect to be on task at all times. The rest of us, on the other hand, are left with one of two options: study hall—oh, but wait, our math teacher did not assign any homework the night before—or sitting there, watching people pass down the hallway while waiting to run our one errand for the day.

               Occasionally, the phone may ring, and then another problem arises—the door to the counselor’s office is locked, which is also where you left your pass. Before you have a major Homer Simpson moment and try to break down the door, however, know that it is best just to wait the situation out. The counselor will usually be there in about 40 minutes.

               Before agreeing to the job, one has to be aware of a few things. Office aides do not have special privileges. We do not get to listen to our music, text or eat unless we sneak it in. If we need to take a restroom break, it is advisable that we tell our office aide assistant  or supervisor beforehand. 

               The most fun we probably get is talking to random passers-by, tossing rubber bouncy balls and trying to scout out candy from the counselor’s desk. Other than that, it’s strictly organizing paperwork for school events and other simple tasks.

               Keeping the school in order and managing counselors who are about to retire is what an office aide does best. It is a difficult responsibility, but someone has to do it, otherwise the school could not function.

                Looking outside at six in the morning and seeing nothing but darkness is not my cup of tea.  When I wake, I prefer it to be bright outside. Walking into my dresser in the morning is not the greatest feeling in the world, especially when I am not used to waking up with it being pitch black.

                One of the nation’s Founding Fathers, Benjamin Franklin, decided to propose the idea of rationing candle wax to citizens in the summer, along with ringing church bells so they would not be able to sleep too late in 1784. Franklinwas not the one who actually thought to move the clocks forward an hour.  George Vernon Hudson was the man who proposed the idea of springing the clocks forward in 1895. AlthoughArizonaandHawaiido not observe daylight saving time, the rest ofAmericahas to spring their clocks forward.

                Having longer afternoons is enjoyable when the weather permits, showing upsides and downsides to daylight saving time.  Children like having time to play outside when they get home from school. During the weekend, some do not even know the difference because it should be light outside when some awake during the afternoon.

                Despite the feelings about daylight saving time, it is something we must live with.

               “I’m here as a cultural ambassador from Pakistan. My goal is to exchange cultures,” Arkam said.

               Arkam has come to the U.S. on a scholarship funded by The Department of State through IREX, a US-based nonprofit organization committed to international education in academic research.

               “I came here on January 3 and I will be leaving on May 4,” Arkam said.

               Arkam’s goals while in the states are to give cultural presentations. Arkam shared his stories about his culture in Pakistan to classes like Coach Trey Jennings’ psychology class.

               “I tell people about the food we cook, how we go through our days, and I also get to learn about the American culture. It goes hand in hand,” Arkam said.

               “Don’t criticize what you can’t understand.  Your sons and your daughters are beyond your command.  Your old road is rapidly aging.  Please, get out of the new one if you can’t lend a hand.  Oh, the times, they are a’ changing,” Bob Dylan said when asked about the issue.

                A tense silence consumes the audience as they watch “The Artist”. Generations brought up in movies where the sound blows out the speakers are unsure of how to act in a movie devoid of sound other than the brilliant score, composed by Ludovic Bource. The stark film is enough to cow any potential movie goers, but, eventually, the audience loosens up and begins to laugh at the over-the-top, yet fitting comedy.

                This romantic comedy shines with emotion- something that is hard to do when the only words appear on screen and the only sound is clinking glass. This is a credit to the lead actors, Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo, who plays the young ingénue Valentin falls in love with.

                Even though the film is saturated with blacks-and-whites, the set design and costumes transcend the screen. The audience can see the glamour of the late twenties and early thirties. The design has gained many accolades, but perhaps the greatest part of this movie is the smallest- the dog Uggie. A scene stealer, Uggie is a terrier who is Valentin’s constant companion who performs tricks on cue and even saves lives.

                This film deserves every award it has received and then some. Do not be intimidated by the silence, “The Artist” is a must see for every movie-goer, film buff and “Hangover” aficionado alike.

               In the middle of all of the buzz on Super Tuesday, presidential candidate and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich made a surprise visit to the Space and Rocket Center. About 300 supporters gathered at the Davis Center of Exploration to cheer Gingrich on at his rally. Social hour started at noon, and Gingrich spoke around 12:45. The social hour was full of excitement.  Vendors were selling right wing t shirts, buttons, bumper stickers, yard signs and other materials.

               The speech was fairly short, and was extremely centered on Madison County and Huntsville. Gingrich bombastically praised NASA and their importance to the nation. He believes that the nation needs to invest more in NASA research exploration and development. From the beginning of his campaign, Gingrich has been very pro-NASA. One of the biggest issues on his platform is expanding the space exploration program. One part of this space exploration bulletin on his platform is that he wants to establish a colony on the moon. He wants this colony to ensure our national defense and test out human controlled living conditions on the moon.

               Bottom line, Gingrich needs Alabama and Mississippi to stay alive to receive the Republican Nomination. If he can pull out a win in Alabama, he will be on a roll in the Deep South, winning Georgia and South Carolina. This will be very difficult for him. While the Deep South holds many delegates at stake, the Deep South alone cannot win a candidate the nomination alone. From Alabama, Gingrich will have to invest all of his campaign energy in Texas.  A Gingrich Presidency is not likely, but a lot can happen from now until March 13.

               During March 13-17, eight reporters and editors will be hustling and bustling through the Big Apple.

               “I am ecstatic to be a part of this wonderful program, and the overwhelming amount of success we have had serves as a testament to all the hard work and dedication of the newspaper staff,” copy editor Jason Frost said.

               With publications from last year placing in the top 41 out of over 4,000 publications for a Columbia Scholastic Press Association crown award, students from the Crimson Crier will be able to visitColombiaUniversity among other students throughout the country competing for the award.

               “Our newspaper staff pulled through for one another so many times.  We worked hard together to make it possible, and team effort is one of the most important parts of being a journalist.  Everyone has to do their part which Mrs. Coggins is sure to enforce on a daily basis.  If it wasn’t for her and our willingness to cooperate together, none of this would be possible,” reporter Amber Brettel said.

               Crown Awards are the highest awards Colombia Scholastic Press Association gives to student publications and media.  Each school who becomes a finalist is acknowledged as a winner.

                Several teams made a splash in this year’s free agent frenzy, including the Los Angeles Angels, who picked up the prize this year- Albert Pujols. Pujols accepted a 10-year deal worth $254 million to go to LA instead of staying in St. Louis, his home for the last decade.

               The Detroit Tigers also pulled tons of money out of their wallets when they signed former Milwaukee Brewer Prince Fielder, who also accepted a deal worth $214 million for nine years. This deal was surprising because the Tigers already have a great first person in Miguel Cabrera.

               The New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox are also teams who could make a run to October. Both teams have added pitching, making rotation and bullpen better. If the Red Sox stop eating fried chicken and drinking beer in the dugout, they might have a shot to win the World Series.

               We all cannot forget about the St. Louis Cardinals, who made the historical run last year to win the World Series. Even though they probably lost the best player who has ever put on a Cardinal uniform, with the addition of Carlos Beltran and getting Adam Wainwright back from Tommy John surgery, the Cardinals are still fit to get back to the World Series

               This season is going to be crazy with so many old people in different uniforms, like Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder, and with Prince moving to Detroit, maybe he can find some of that Detroit BBQ because it takes a lot of food to keep him happy.

                “It was intense. I think everyone was frustrated,” junior Sammi Hart said.

                The soccer season is in full swing with 13 games and just over one month left. With last night’s loss 0-10, the team has their work cut out for them.

                “We have a very young team- four freshmen,” junior Katey Frederick said.

                Fortunately, the team has a few days to rest and get ready before their next game at Hazel Green on Saturday, March 10. They meet every day with the exception of Thursdays and Sundays. For those who also play club soccer, their focus has narrowed to the school team as the club soccer season has come to an end.

                “We just have to show them that we’re Sparkman. We’re not a pushover. We’re there to represent our school,” junior Jessica Joye said.

               With the duration of the trip lasting but four days, a small group of students, primarily drama club members, will tour one of the world’s largest cities, shopping, seeing sights and going to a couple of Broadway shows along the way.

               “I’ve never been before. I’m really excited, especially to see ‘Wicked’, and definitely for the shopping,” sophomore Cassidy Eastham said.

               The group will see “Wicked”, a twist on “The Wizard of Oz” and “Memphis”, based on the true story of the first white DJ to play black music in the ‘50s. Throughout their time-consuming exploration, they will manage to squeeze in a series of three acting lessons from Broadway stars. Eastham hopes to learn how to perform better in front of bigger audiences.

               “The trip cost $1,500, which is a lot, but I think it’s going to be totally worth it,” Eastham said.