SC Scoop!

Amaya Duncan| May 2024

When most people think about Journalism in a school aspect, they think of the yearbook. Which is what the newspaper team thought they were signing up for. On the first day of school, Ms. Ramsey told us what she expected from the class and then she said that for the first time in years,  the Scott County High School Newspaper was being brought back. For a little history recap, the original SCHS newspaper was published on a website called SNO Productions around 2015 or 2016. This website is still used today by schools all over, including other local schools in the county. The newspaper ended up not really being a priority or getting any real attention and eventually, it was forgotten and our account was deleted. Ms. Ramsey has built the school website from start to finish so now we can post all the news for the school, links, calendars, and the newspaper. This year the newspaper has been taken more seriously by the teacher, along with the students because we are passionate about it. The lovely Mr. Logan prints each monthly issue and then they are passed out in the lunchroom. Not only is the newspaper printed but it is also published on the school website mentioned earlier, so it doesn’t limit access. Even though the newspaper was forgotten about back then, now, 8 years later it has been brought back to life and this time it’s better than ever. The newspaper team has worked so hard this year to bring this newspaper to life. On that faithful first day of school, Ms. Ramsey proceeded to give the class a rubric and a writing prompt. Along with that writing prompt was a choice, newspaper or yearbook. Now, who’s to say whether or not the newspaper team got placed where they wanted to be, but for me, the decision wasn’t hard to make. Journalism was the first class I had my eye on because writing has always been something I found fun and I thought that getting to write my thoughts and opinions for others to read was an opportunity that could help me decide what my passion is, and it has. Writing has such a broad and beautiful spectrum and all of those aspects shine through in each piece written this year by the lovely people who wrote them. Every member from the Dear, Scotty team, the article writers, and even the proofreaders/editors. Everyone in this class has a different viewpoint and ideas to share. The newspaper is a team and every decision is made by that team. The layout, the pictures, the placement, the articles, ideas, everything. The team  does a really good job at working together and respecting each and everyone’s opinions and ideas. Each and every one of them is unique in their own way and because of that, the newspaper isn’t just one thing, it’s a million little things. The newspaper is built out of the thoughts of 18 talented smart writers who put their all into these papers and they should all be proud of the growth they’ve made this year. Next year the hope is that new arriving freshmen and returning students see how fun and special it is to be a part of something like this and want to join. Ms. Ramsey says that her hopes are that everyone rejoins the class and as we grow in ourselves, we grow with the club. As we advance grades we can advance positions. Her hopes are that the upperclassmen could act as mentors to the underclassmen, show them the ropes, and teach them all that they’ve learned. This newspaper couldn’t have been made possible without Ms. Ramsey and she really helped me find my passion, which is writing. And on behalf of the entire Newspaper class, I say thank you Ms. Ramsey for creating a family.

Fashion Inspiration For Graduation Day

Autumn Miller-Hayes| May 2024

Hi besties, I’m baaaack! It’s been a looong time coming. When you *finally* get up to accept your diploma, you should feel empowered to treat that aisle (and the stage) like it’s your runway. Even though you’ll likely be rocking an itchy polyester gown when you do it, knowing that you have an EATING graduation outfit underneath will put an extra little pep in your step when they call out your name and snatch that diploma. But with or without a dress code, that calls for anything but a boring white dress or the same tux you probably wore for prom unless you listen closely. You can still serve up your own personal style beneath your robe! Some ideas:

Lulu’s You’re My Type Lavender Satin Jacquard Midi Slip Dress- you can never go wrong with an elegant slip. Plus, this embossed rose detailing has big Bridgerton energy.

Princess Polly The Rolla Romper- I know I said that wearing white is boring and an old tradition, but this mini romper is modern and pretty. The ruffled hem makes for a super cute style and will keep you from sweating it out under your gown.

Summer Fun!

Mckayla Simpson| May 2024

Are you excited about summer coming with all the cool activities, all the fun fairs water parks, and all the freedom with no school work? What would you do for the summer? If you don’t know yet, there are plenty of options for you to choose from:

A summer job, going out with friends, taking a camping trip with family or friends, or going to a summer camp. The important thing is to have fun and don’t worry. If your grades are poor, I would say to consider summer school, but sign up soon! You can sign up on the Scott County High School Homepage. It can help you pass your classes so you can continue to graduate. If your grades are good but you want to get ahead, you can actually also take classes in summer school so you can bump up your grade! Most of all, I hope everyone has a great summer.

Senior Week 2024

Addyson Adkins| April 2024

This year’s senior week is coming up and we all have mixed emotions. From siblings that are graduating to some friends who helped us when we got here, it is a sad time for most. Our seniors are preparing to leave and we are doing everything we can to make their last couple of weeks of school fun. This will include a full week of senior-only activities, preparation for graduation, and making sure they’re ready for their last summer and college prep. Senior week is all about making sure their last week of school before graduation is fun and entertaining before they are done with high school! The lineup is the same as past years with activities including, the senior sunset, the throwback trip, a free day for elections, senior breakfast and a parade, field day, a graduation practice, and finally, graduation. Below, I will present to you all of the senior activities and days they will be held. To begin the week, Sunday, May 19th, will hold the senior sunset. It will be held at 7:30 with the location to be determined. Monday, May 20th, will be a jam-packed day. Starting at 9 am in the SCHS Gym there will be a graduation practice. After this has concluded, they will begin their throwback trip. This is where they will go and walk back through the halls of their chosen elementary/middle school for one last time. To end this Monday night, they will have a senior recognition night starting at 6:30 in the auditorium. The following day, Tuesday, May 21st, will be a free day because of elections. No one has to come to school. Wednesday, May 22nd, will be senior breakfast at Posh Affairs Venue around 9 am and buses should be back by noon. Seniors will receive Regalia at breakfast. They will end the day at the senior parade at 6:30 on Main Street. Thursday, May 23rd, will be senior field day from 9:00-12:00 at Scott County Park. Friday, May 24th, will be a mandatory graduation practice. Seniors will be called to buses around 9 am. Saturday, May 25th, will be the final day of senior week and will be graduation. It starts at 10:00 am at Birds Nest Stadium. The rain date is Sunday, May 26th, at 4 p.m. at Birds Nest Stadium, and if the weather prevents the ceremony from being outside, it will be moved to SCHS Gym. (Seniors will receive tickets from this on Friday, during the mandatory practice. We love all of our seniors and we are so sad to see them leave but so excited to see what will come after high school for these lovely individuals! We have made sure that these last couple of weeks have been fun and we wish all of our seniors nothing but the best! We love you all. Happy Graduation guys. You will all be missed! 🙂

Stress Awareness

Amaya Duncan| April 2024

Stress is a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. It is a feeling any person of any age can feel. Such as me for example, writing this article the night it was due. Procrastination is the act of putting something off, intentionally and habitually. We all do it whether we acknowledge it or not. It’s easy to do and hard to get rid of once you pick up the habit. School is a big way many of us procrastinate with homework and due dates but so do adults just with things like bills and payments, we think we have time but it’s creeping up and sometimes we miss it. Procrastination is a big way we undergo stress. It’s important to have a schedule to keep yourself on track and hopefully get rid of the habit. Though it is common, procrastination  isn’t the only way stress can be felt. Though it isn’t healthy, stress is a common thing that many of us feel and it is caused by the things in our lives that make us worry the most. Simple things such as not knowing if you unplugged the curling iron or if you did the assignment right can all trigger stress but it can also be caused by more serious topics and events that unfold in our everyday lives. Seniors are graduating high school in less than 2 months which can be something fun and exciting but also be stressful because their adult lives are just beginning and they’ll be on their own. Optimism is the only advice I have for that, don’t stress about the unknown, live in the present. There is a month to bring awareness to stress because it’s such a popular emotion and it’s important for people to know that they are not alone. Stress can be caused by big changes in our lives and though there’s nothing we can do to control those changes we can control the way we react. We can control our emotions and reactions and let ourselves grow and evolve from them or let them control us. Having someone like a family member, friend, or even counselor to talk to is also good and can take the stress off because getting those feelings off your shoulders will feel like a weight has been lifted and it’s healthier than keeping them inside till they explode. You probably hear all the time how someone is going to release stress maybe through exercise or just alone time, but the ways we cope with things such as stress mustn’t lead to more serious and dangerous topics like drug and alcohol abuse. It’s never a good idea to harm yourself or others around you just because you’re going through something. Don’t make permanent solutions to temporary problems is something that should resonate with all of us. There are so many alternative ways to release stress such as hanging with friends, listening to music, reading, art etc. Respect yourself and boundaries, knowing yourself and your limits can help keep your stress levels under control, and needing a break doesn’t make you selfish or a bad person! Be safe out there and Happy Stress Awareness Month!

The Importance of Spring Break

Addyson Adkins| March 2024

How excited is everyone for spring break? Hang out with friends, or maybe even plan a trip. All of which sound like so much fun, but did you remember that this is the last break until school is over? This is our last week to ourselves before we have to push through the last two months. School is almost over and while some are still reeling from the beginning, we should start thinking about what the end of the year will bring and what we can utilize spring break for. One way you can start the break is by taking it for yourself. Start the day off with a shower and a nice breakfast. Maybe read a book if that’s something you enjoy. Watch a movie with your brother or sisters, even your parents! Go outside if it’s nice out. Maybe call or text a friend and plan a hang-out time. It is important to try and take time for yourself over this last break. I often find myself neglecting my room and even fun things like preparing for summer around this time of year, and I know others do as well, so spring break is an excellent time to get organized and prioritize things for the end of the year. If you need to take the break for yourself to recharge, do that! Another way you can spend the break is by preparing for the next school year. Depending on what grade you’re going into, you can prepare for different things. If you’re a freshman, you can start preparing for sophomore year! You can look at the classes you picked out, see what the syllabus contains, and see if you need to prepare anything for the class. You can talk to your counselor about different opportunities that are available for your grade level, and this pertains to all grades. Another way you can spend the break is by preparing for summer or the end of school. If you’re a senior there are so many things that you could do to get ready for college or a gap year. You can look at college tours and do so many other things in that same vein. If you want to prepare for summer, then I would recommend starting your shopping now. A lot of places have really good deals before and after summer. You can make bikini boxes with your friends by just painting wooden boxes, or make a summer bucket list with a poster and markers for you and your friends, both are really good ideas. So just to sum everything up, this break is crucial for all of our sanities and finishing off the year strong. Don’t take it for granted, do something fun, take time for yourself, or prepare for summer. Enjoy your week and do the stuff that makes you happy. This is our last break and if you need to spend it recharging for the last two months of school, do it! There is nothing wrong with being cozy and watching shows or just sleeping. Hang out with your friends, have people over, and bake new recipes. Do whatever you need to push through the end of the year. Happy spring break.

April Fools!

Brileigh Lodal| March 2024

April fools, the first day of April filled with hoaxes and practical jokes. The holiday where no one knows its origins or how it became. But what should you do to tease your family a bit? Whether you’re an experienced trickster or just getting the hang of April Fool’s, there are plenty of wholesome pranks that will leave memories. First, we should start with a classic. Toothpaste in Oreo. If your budget is tight, fear not, all you need are some Oreos, scoop the delicious filling out and replace it with a thin amount of toothpaste. You can watch as your victim takes a bite and spits it right out in disgust. Simple but effective. Secondly, surprise someone special with a bowl of chocolate. Or…grapes? That’s right, buy a bag of small chocolate eggs, unwrap some from the foil and fill half of them with a grape! It’s a 50/50 chance they will get chocolate or a grape. Either way it’s a delicious treat! Lastly, make a thoughtful sponge cake. Literally. Buy a small dish sink sponge, coat it in a thick layer of  your preferred icing, maybe add your own little design, make it cute! If you want to go over the top buy candles. Give it to someone as a treat, depending on how they react you may need to buy them an actual sponge cake to make up for it. 

Prom 101

Addyson Adkins & Camaryn Douglas| February 2024

This year’s prom is coming up and everyone is excited, yes, we know. Did you really think we wouldn’t cover it? Prom is a thing that every girl and guy dreams of, and it’s stressful trust us, we know. So this year, we decided to do a prom article with everything you could need, from what to eat, to what to wear, to what to say. We know the struggle, and we want everyone’s prom to go excellent and for there to be as little stress as possible. So hopefully, this can ease your mind and you can refer to this if you have any questions. To start off, we interviewed the prom committee and we got answers to some frequently asked questions. First off, date and location. Prom this year will be on April 20th, from 7 pm-11 pm and it will be at Alltech arena! The theme this year is Cloud 9 and it is the first year that our prom won’t be at Scott County, so make sure to bring money to purchase tickets; they are $40!  So now that you have the basic information that you need to know, we can talk about fun things! We will address dresses, tuxes, shoes, food, and any other FAQs. To start, we have some really good online options for prom dresses this year! We’ve gone through and sorted out the following websites based on the following; prices, quality, reviews, and shipping. We tried our best to find cute, affordable dresses that still maintained that good prom dress quality while not taking three months to ship, and these were the sites we found! We found that Nordstrom has such great quality dresses that will ship within a week or so, depending on what you purchase, and the only downside is they can be a little pricey. If you like the style of Nordstrom but can’t afford to spend over 150 dollars, Lulus is a really good alternative. They have beautiful dresses that are almost all under 200 dollars. Plus, they have such amazing reviews while still being a cheaper alternative, especially for prom. If you want to have an in-person experience, a local place that is pretty well known is Windsor. It’s located at the mall and they have all kinds of dresses, all almost under $100. In case you were wondering where to get a tuxedo for prom this year, we have you covered on that front as well. If you’re looking into purchasing a tuxedo online, “tuxedos online” has very good reviews and prices. You can customize your tie, bow, and your whole tuxedo suit. If you pay over $200-$300 you will get free shipping and shipping will take 2-3 business days after placing the order. If you’re looking into buying a tuxedo from a store that’s close by there are some very good options in Lexington. Some of the most highly rated ones would be Tom James Company, Jameson Douglas Clothing, and Logans of Lexington. All three of these in-store places will help work around your budget and make you look young and fancy. If you were looking into renting a tuxedo instead of buying there are a few good-rated ones close by like Geno’s Formal Affair and the Men’s Wearhouse. 

What is Your Love Language?

Amaya Duncan| January 2024

There are approximately 8,118,835,999 people in the world and of those 8 billion people, there are 6,500 languages as of today. Due to these statistics, it would be impossible for us to all learn another 6,499 languages and cultures to fluently communicate. Even though we all grew up in different places, learned different norms, and spoke differently we all have one thing in common and that’s our ability to love. Due to this love gene we all have, it gives us the ability to find small ways to communicate through different things such as movies, music, art, books, fashion, nature, etc. We may not all speak the same way or share the same hobbies, passions, or desires, but we are all fluent in the language of love. Love can be spoken in a million beautiful ways, and everyone has their own way of expressing and consuming it. Love languages are the ways we can communicate our love. Though everyone has their own individual ways of showing love, there are 5 main love languages. Those include words of affirmation, gift-giving, acts of service, quality time, and physical touch. Love is a feeling, meaning you can experience it in all sorts of ways and for all sorts of reasons. We as humans are given the opportunity to discover what love is and what it means to us.  We also get to choose who we love and how we show our love for that person. Love is such a unique and beautiful feeling that grows within you. Because there are no rules, no one gets to tell you how you’re supposed to love; it’s something you discover on your own through trials and tribulations. There’s a misconception that love is something you have experienced depending on the number of people you’ve loved, but love isn’t a race; take your time. Love is a feeling that grows within everyone and no matter what, people will always have a love for something or someone; it’s an individual thing that can’t be controlled. The feelings are going to change because love is something that grows as we do. We will all experience love and loss in our lifetimes. It’s inevitable. It’s what we do in those moments of love, and the person we choose to be in between and after it that matters. The definition of love is, “strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties.” Love is, and always will be, the way people communicate. It’s undeniable and can’t be covered up. When someone loves something or someone, they can’t contain it and it flows out through love languages. Love is so innocent and kind and patient and soft like a cloud (assuming clouds are as soft as they look). When clouds fill up with a certain amount of water they can no longer hold it anymore so that water overflows and falls, like love. Once our love for someone gets so heavy, we must then share the weight of the love and take on the journey of love together. Love is something that can be shared and become stronger once acknowledged. Out of all of the people in this world each and every one of those people will discover love on their own terms and timeline, and everyone’s terms will be different. They may not show their love in the way you want or expect, but it doesn’t mean that their love isn’t there. Sometimes love can be a very bumpy road, but it’s so special and magical that everyone should get the opportunity to feel it. So whenever and however you can, always put forth your best effort to keep that magic alive. And no matter how bumpy that road may get, keep on cruising because love was never meant to be easy, it’s supposed to be something you work at and sometimes fight for. Although that fight may become the fight of your life, always remember that at the end of that windy road is a beautiful sunset over a field of flowers with your person waiting on the other side. So go out and find that person who makes you smile and makes those cheesy sparks fly because love is cheesy and it isn’t perfect but it’s the beautifully crafted feeling it’s meant to be and it’s yours to have and to cherish so don’t be afraid to love or to be loved. Happy Valentine’s Day.

New Years Resolutions!

Raegan Brown| December 2023.

So far, the year 2023 has had some amazing accomplishments, but new year’s resolutions are notoriously slippery and hard to keep up with. So stay tuned to get a grip on some realistic goal points to reach and some ideas on what you want to accomplish for the new year.

 A new year’s resolution is something a person resolves to continue good practices. Some Scott County staff and students have some really good new year’s resolutions for the upcoming year, here are just a few: “Start to put myself first”, “Expect disappointment and you’ll never be disappointed”, “ Be more honest”, “Start eating healthier”, “Develop confidence”, “Stop procrastinating”, “Start focusing on school more”, ”Start making better decisions”. Next, here is what some Scott County students and staff members think about new year resolutions, “If your gonna do it, do it”, “They’re great but they usually don’t last”, “They never usually happen”, “It’s a good thing to have if you’re actually gonna do it”. Everyone mainly agrees or thinks the same way about new year’s resolutions, it is a very good thing to have, but make sure if you make one with the plan to continue with it. Some tips on how to keep your new year’s resolutions are to plan your resolutions, set very specific rules, when you’re deciding a new year’s resolution don’t be hard on yourself, and make sure you give it time to become a habit. Statistically speaking, only about 9% of Americans actually do their new year resolutions and about 23% of people quit their resolutions by the end of their first week and 43% quit about the end of January. Most people don’t complete their resolutions because they have a lack of time or motivation, but also because people encourage a goal-oriented, rather than a process-oriented, approach.

Holiday Etiquette

Brileigh Lodal| November 2023.

The holidays are near, and that means family gatherings are as well. That means the big family dinners with turkey, ham, pies, casseroles, and more, are right around the corner. But, do you know how to set a table correctly, or how to eat politely? Maybe even know which utensils to use for certain things? Well, I’ll show you everything you need to know in this article!

When arriving at dinner, you never want to be the person that’s late. It’s rude and tells others that you simply don’t care. You will also want to show interest when others are talking, don’t be disrespectful and scroll on your phone while someone is trying to talk to you. Table settings. This is often confusing and hard for people to remember, the guideline is: “Start at the outside and work your way in.” it can’t get more correct. That’s precisely what you want to do: start with the silverware on the outer sides and keep going forward with each meal. When eating, never talk with your mouth full, which is disturbing for others at the table. You also want to keep in mind that you shouldn’t rest your elbows on the table; rather, you want to rest your wrists if you need to. Don’t ever put your phone, purse, or anything else on the table to rest while others are eating; instead, set it on your lap or next to your chair.

That’s all you need to know to start etiquette off, and I hope all your Holidays are cheerful and fun with these etiquette skills!

Ms. Kennard

Brooke Hamilton| November 2023

Ms. Kennard is one of the new teachers here at Scott County High School. Although teaching wasn’t her desired plan, she ended up teaching due to a neck injury from playing soccer in high school. She originally planned to be a nurse, but due to the injury, it restricted her from getting her desired degree. Due to this devastating news, she did the next best thing she could think of, which was teaching. Ms. Kennard currently has a Bachelor’s Degree in English and is working on getting her Masters Degree. She spent two years at the University of Ohio and then at University of Kentucky, and is now currently taking classes at University of the Cumberlands. This is her first year teaching classes but she has past experience with assistant teaching younger kids. She says that she expected SCHS to be more country-esc then it is, but that she loves the students here and the environment of SCHS and she’s glad she ended up as a teacher here.

In Ms. Kennards personal time, she likes to read, run, and go to the gym. She is currently reading Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides. As of right now, she doesn’t have a favorite genre, but she used to be obsessed with reading the Harry Potter series, and mysteries intrigued her a lot as a kid. Ms. Kennard states that she runs a lot, “I have always loved running, it helps clear my mind and makes me feel better in the morning.” She also goes to the gym everyday, very early in the morning before coming to school. She boasts “ I love to make the guys in the gym look weak.” A little more about Ms. Kennard is that she grew up in Dayton, Ohio on the south side.

The Three Steps to Budget for the Holidays

Amaya Duncan| November 2023

The average person, when asked, claims that Christmas is the best holiday ever, but others may disagree. The holiday season is a beautiful and magical time to celebrate and has many different meanings to different people; some say it’s about family or the birth of Christ, and others may say it’s about the gifts. Those who don’t have to watch that huge chunk of money leave their bank account may love it even more. The average amount parents spend in a year during the holidays is roughly $800, which opens the topic of saving. Saving money can be a struggle for everyone, which is why planning ahead to take extra shifts at work or asking neighbors or friends if you can do small jobs for some extra cash is a great idea. Now, onto the planning process. Step 1: Figure out how many gifts you need to buy and begin your research. Knowing how many people you need to get presents for eliminates the stress of having more or less money than you need, which helps make the research process a lot easier. Managing gifts is hard because you may go over the limit on one gift, forcing you to start the saving process all over. Step 2: Budgeting. Having a budget is a very safe way to ensure that everyone not only gets a gift, but that your money isn’t overspent on one person. Another good idea is to start shopping ahead. By shopping early, you can beat the rush and demand for the products you may need or want. Shopping ahead also opens up the possibility of coupons, sales, free shipping, and Black Friday! Black Friday is the Friday after Thanksgiving that kicks off the holiday shopping race. It’s a day when all major stores host huge sales for the holidays, so parents head out to get as much as they can before the sale is over. Once the demand for the item grows, the prices go up, making it more expensive. Shopping can be fun, but it is also a huge race of who can buy it first, and if you procrastinate and put it off until the last minute, someone may buy it before you get the chance. And without any further adieu, Step 3: Homemade gifts. Homemade gifts are always appreciated. Making a homemade gift is more sentimental because the gift takes more heart and imagination, putting that extra bit of effort into a card, jewelry, art, etc.; it shows you care more and put thought into it when you could have just purchased a store-bought card and gift. In the end, anytime you spend time or money on someone, it shows your willingness to make them feel happy, appreciated, and loved letting them know how much you care about them. The race is about to begin, start saving!

Scholarships

Carly Allen| October 2023.

For those of you who are considering college as an option after high school, did you know there are many scholarship options available? It can be very hard to find a school that is affordable for anyone and to know how and when to apply. On the SCHS website, Mrs. True has streamlined this process and provided students numerous scholarships as well as various college options. She has also listed deadlines for said scholarships and made it a much easier task for students. She maintains this website, and it is updated regularly. It is easy to get overwhelmed about trying to find the right school in time, but this makes it much easier. The options include many different passions and pathways to ensure you can find something you enjoy to further your education. To access the website and different possibilities, go to:
https://www.schs.cards/counseling/scholarships/

Mr. Dotson

Raegan Brown| October 2023.

Mr. Dotson has been teaching now for 17 years. He used to teach art at Bourbon Middle School, butMr. Dotson chose to switch it up from teaching art at a middle school to a high school. He lives in Scott County and has lived here for the past 12 years. One of Mr. Dotson’s favorite things about teaching at SCHS is the school’s culture. He loves how everyone treats each other, and the school spirit. He also loves the staff of SCHS! He thinks it is a lovely teaching environment, and adores teaching here

Mr. Dotson is an experienced artist who thoroughly enjoys art. He particularly loves making masks and portrait drawings in his free time. He chose this pathway as an artist because he has a passion for creating art, he said, “Art is really just an escape for me that gives me peace.” He says that he would make his world in art if he could. 

Besides art, Mr. Dotson loves to watch movies, read comic books, and watch sports. He enjoys watching football and basketball specifically. Mr. Dotson also loves cooking, hunting animals, camping and off-roading, and pretty much anything outdoors. He loves anything involving nature He splits his college time between attending Morehead State and Georgetown College.