You have the option of rooming by yourself or rooming with another person in college.  Some people prefer to room by their self and then others would love to find that perfect roommate.  When most upcoming students look for their perfect roommate they look for people who have the same common interests as they do, and some look for people who have the same style or personality as they do.  Others look for people who are the complete opposite as them, and some students could care less who their roommate is.

When you do find your perfect roommate, they might not be as perfect as you think they are.  They could end up being your new best friend, or they could become your worst enemy.  If your roommate does become your worst enemy then that could make college the worst experience of your life.  Thats why when it comes to finding a roommate make sure you spend time to get to know them before you actually agree to be roomies! You don’t want to spend your first year in college being a miserable new student with a crazy roommate.

May 7^th starts the beginning of a two week span of AP exams. While this doesn’t necessarily affect all seniors, it does affect some. Also, on May 7^th some seniors will present their Graduation Project to a panel of judges… A task previous seniors have regarded as dreadful.

Following the Graduation Project presentations on May 10^th is the famous Scholarship Review Board. Scholarship Review Board affects seniors that applied to go before a panel of community members and teachers to present themselves worthy of a scholarship.

All three of these events can cause a GREAT deal of stress for students, and senior Macelyn Batten who is partaking in all three came to WHS High Times with her feelings. “I don’t typically get too stressed, but as these three major events approach I’m finding myself a little overwhelmed.”

WHS High Times looked into how some students are handling stresses. Senior Jacqueline Rapeyle said, “I’m just time managing – getting it all done at a reasonable pace so I’m not completely shocked that week”. However, the thought of speaking publicly and “presenting” themselves is still quite scary to many seniors.

Although AP Exams do not affect the vast majority of seniors, they do effect a select handful of them. Many of the seniors involved with the AP testing have around 4 or 5 tests that week. That alone is difficult!

What are the perks of the senior stresses and events? All three of these events are important for college next year and aiding the students in getting there. The real question is, can they make it through it? The second week in May is the tell all… So wish the Seniors good luck!

Senior Colton Reaves told WHS High Times, “Prom was real good this year. I liked the sunglasses I got too.” The prom was decorated with Paris decor and students were given Ray-Ban Wayfarer-style sunglasses as party favors.

Dr. Brooks was the DJ, and an awesome one at that! He had a big screen in which he played music videos all night. Beginning at 7:00pm, students danced the night away until approximately 11pm.

One of the highlights of the night was the crowning of the prom king and queen, an honor voted on by the senior class for two seniors. Crowned King was Zanary Adams and his queen was Macelyn Batten. Batten told WHS High Times, “It was such an honor to be titled Prom Queen. I’ll never forget that moment! I am proud to have been selected by my senior class. Not to mention my king is pretty awesome!”

For the seniors, prom is their last big formal in high school, something very bittersweet. Although the juniors have next year to look forward too, prom this year is a memory no one will forget.

With flashing lights, false smoke, and the big video screen, prom was the best yet. All participants were grateful to the coordinators for making the night so memorable.

ROCAME, Region O Council for the Advancement of Minorities in Engineering, has been absent for a number of years at Whiteville High School. Under the advisement of coaches Serena Smith and Rashad George, the club has gotten off to a new, tremendous start this school year.

ROCAME is a club that allows students to explore the career of engineering. It allows students to show knowledge as well as learn something new. Many adults who were in this club as a child have went into the field of engineering.

On Saturday April 21, 2012 Whiteville High School’s ROCAME Club traveled to Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, North Carolina. They competed in the annual ROCAME Jamboree against 5 other schools.

Students who competed where Jada Harkins, Devin Cokley, Akil Greene, Adairius Melton, Tia George, Jamilia Jones, Darius Bunche, Quantavius McKoy, Jasmine Mckiver, Kianna Washington, Shae Cokley, Frances Menser, Ciara Wilcox, Elliyah Bell, Meshonta Robinson, Gary Vereen, and Cheree Mclaurin.

Out of ten events, the Pack placed in eight and placed second overall.

Mrs. Serena says, ” We are excited to have ROCAME back at WHS and are so proud of what our students accomplished at this past competition. Next year we plan on bringing the trophy to Whiteville. GO PACK!!!!!”

Although there were many tough challenges, the pack showed academic skills as well as athletic abilities as they made their way to the top three.

With this club missing from WHS as long as it has, the students have made a huge improvement early in the clubs return.

“Hopefully next year we’ll have even more students to participate” says junior Kiannna Washington.

The 2012 Special Olympics was a huge success and involved participants from schools all over Columbus County including Whiteville High, South Columbus, East Columbus, and more. Many participants accomplished great things in their individual events, such as participant Michael Ryans, who came out with the fastest 50-yard dash time.

Students from the Whiteville High School track team volunteered as event coordinators for the day and enjoyed the wonderful experience. After the competing was finished, participants enjoyed a lunch provided by Burger King, while Volunteers enjoyed hot dogs and various other finger foods. The event, as usual, was a great success and allowed many to indulge in a day of fun and fellowship.

Here are some tips on how to beat exam stress.

1. Avoid stressful people.  When it is getting close to exam time, sometimes it is best to study alone because stress is contagious.  If one of your stressed out friends wants you to study with them before an exam tell them you can’t because you really have to buckle down.  When you study with someone who is stressed out then you are more than likely to get stressed out too, and that is not what you need before a big exam!

2. Take breaks. Taking breaks can help you way more than you think it can.  You might think that you have to CRAM CRAM CRAM but cramming can sometimes make you forget more.  If you take breaks and pace yourself with studying then you are more likely to learn twice as much.  Take a break and go get a healthy snack and then go back and study for a little while.  That is way better than just stressing yourself out by cram

3. Exercise and get plenty of sleep.  Exercising regularly can get your mind and body into shape, and sleep helps rest your mind.  Studying right before bed helps you remember more the next day.  Your brain remembers more from the night before than any other time of the afternoon.

4. Say No to distracting events.  If a friend asks you to go out to eat or to go with them somewhere then just politely say no.  Tell them that you have to stay home and study for your big exam.  Im sure they will understand.  You may really want to go, but in the long run it will pay off and you will be glad that you didn’t go out.

5. Get some Confidence.  When you know that you have studied really hard for a test then get some confidence and know that you have done your best.  If you think that you will do good, then I’m almost 99% sure that you will ace your final exam.

I hope this tips will help you when you are studying for that final exam!

The Marshal’s were inducted by the 2010-2011 former Marshal’s (currently seniors) over a nice breakfast with their families. The ceremony consisted of a few congratulatory words from Mr. Sealey, a welcome and induction by a former Marshal to a new Marshal, and a brief tutorial on Marshal duties from Mrs. Gurkin.

Senior Macelyn Batten told WHS High Times, “it was an honor to induct this year’s Marshal’s. I got to introduce one of my good friends Kendall Bush and it was really special to me.” The Marshals will be present at every senior event to seat people and honor the seniors.

This years Marshals are: Maleah Murray (chief Marshal), Carly High, Olivia Butler, Jordan Ray, Sarah Moody, Ryan Ciamillo, Noah Bastug, Hunter Faulk, Bailey Allen, Zack Ward, Kendall Bush, Jourdan Priest, Meghan Worthington, Tanner Morningstar, and Ben Conner.

The Marshals were selected because they are ranked the top 15 students in their junior class. Congratulations Marshals!

Springtime is when flowers pollinate, causing bright, yellow, dusty pollen to cover anything outside. For most people, pollen causes allergy symptoms such as itchy red eyes, nasal running and congestion, sinus pressure, headaches and other cold like symptoms. To ensure that you have a happy and fun filled spring, use this tips to keep yourself healthy.

• Boost you immune system by getting plenty of Vitamin C.
• Take a daily allergy pill such as Zyrtec, Claritin, Sudafed, etc. before you have symptoms to prevent them
• Keep hands washed
• Keep the thermostat below 75 degrees and humidity levels low in you home
• Use an air purifier and keep you filter changed
• Vacuum and wash bed sheets regularly

“Following these tips will definitely help you stay healthy in the allergy season,” says WHS HOSA member Oliva Watson.

“What I do to prevent allergy’s during the springtime is take a daily pseudoephedrine pill. I prefer Aleve cold and sinus because it seems also help with headaches. Taking theses precautions help me enjoy Lake Waccamaw on warm spring days and my track season during allergy season” says senior Madison Gaskins.

Allergy season is here, will you be defeated by allergies? Don’t let your itchy, red eyes and pounding headaches keep you from enjoying your spring season. Get informed, defeat your allergies, and start making the most of the spring season!