The Insider is an ALC student publication.  The articles reflect the opinions and views of

  ALC students and do not necessarily reflect the views of either the ALC or of ISD #518.

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Happy New Year from the ALC

   Insider    

Volume 3, Issue 12                         January 3, 2006

Facing the Dragon…

     Students from the Worthington Area Learning Center (ALC) recently had the opportunity to hear David Parnell speak about his battle with methamphetamine addiction.  Parnell speaks to schools, churches, jails, rehabs, and community groups to warn about the dangers of meth.  ALC students attended a presentation given at Worthington High School.  Below are some of the students’ comments:

 

Erick Lopez

     I think it was a really good speech because we learned how things happen when using meth and other drugs.  It was also a good speech for those who are into meth because maybe they will decide to stop.  At least they will know that if they continue they will have a big problem.  For the people who never have done meth before maybe it will help them say, “no.”

 

Michael Jimenez

     I think it was a good presentation because it told us and showed us that we should not get into meth because we could do stupid things.

 

Annie Keosaksith

     I think it is sad what happened to him.  His life seems hard for him and his family.

(Continued à)

 

David Parnell before his battle with meth

 

Everything he talked about was real and he actually went through it.  Meth is really bad and all the speeches he’s doing can get kids not to do drugs.  I truly believe that God saved his life.

 

Sing Shady

     I think it sucks what happened to him.  His life seems hard.  I think the teachers should think about letting the junior high kids watch the presentation.  I think they might not get the point and end up actually trying drugs.

 

Miguel Moreno

     The presentation by the meth guy is good stuff for people to know.  It will help a lot of people think before they do it.

 

Student comments continue on page 2

 


 

The ALC Insider                          January 3, 2006                               page 2

 

(Meth Speaker – Continued from page 1)

 

David Parnell recently spoke at Worthington High School about his battle with meth addiction

 

Bounthavy Keosaksith

     I liked the presentation because people that I know have this type of problem.  Some people need help to stop taking meth. I think people should listen because maybe someday they might need it and it could help them.

 

Desiree Briski

     I thought that the presentation was okay.  I liked that he admitted that what he did was wrong.  I thought where we had to sit was unfair.  It seemed like everyone else could sit wherever they wanted.  It would have been better if we were more comfortable.

 

Read about David Parnell’s struggle at  Facingthedragon.org

 

 

ALC Students record music…

 

     ALC students Steven Van Lo and Somkhith Xayphantho keep busy when not in school by producing music.  In fact, the pair has recorded a number of songs that are listened to by friends and peers here in Worthington and elsewhere in the country.

 

    Steven and Somkhith use computer technology to generate musical soundtracks. They then write rap lyrics to go along with these soundtracks. Vocal tracks are added to the existing soundtracks in their studio, also with the benefit of computer technology.

 

     Steven and Somkhith call their group OCT or “outta control talent.”  A number of friends have contributed to the vocal tracks and can be heard on OCT recordings. 

 

     Steven recently acquired space on a website named Soundclick.com that host up-and-coming musical talent.  By clicking here, you can connect to Soundclick and hear the latest jams by OCT.

 

     More recently, Steven and Somkhith tried their hand at making a music video of their tune, “Do That Walk.”  You can watch this video by clicking here.

 

     The Insider wishes the pair all the best with their musical endeavors.

 

 


 

The ALC Insider                          January 3, 2006                               page 3

 

ALC Students receive letter from Sen. Dayton

 

     When ALC paraprofessional Myrtha Workman found a letter from Senator Mark Dayton in her ALC mailbox recently, she almost didn’t open it.  “I thought it was junk mail,” said Workman.  

 

     But when Workman opened the letter, she received a pleasant surprise.  Inside was a personal letter from the Senator thanking her and the ALC Middle School students for their recent visits to Crossroads Care Center.

 

     “The residents have truly received gifts,” wrote Sen. Dayton, “not only physical gifts such as the crafts your students have made, but the gifts of friendship and companionship.”

 

     Workman involved the middle school students in making Christmas decorations for Crossroads Care Center residents.  She and ALC math teacher Patty Moser then delivered the decorations to grateful residents.

(Continued à)

 

Sen. Mark Dayton recently sent a congratulatory letter to ALC middle school students

 

     Workman, Moser and the students later returned to Crossroads Care Center to do residents’ hair, nails, and to visit with them.  Additional visits are planned for the future.

            

Students of the Week

 

                                                                                                                     

 


 

The ALC Insider                          January 3, 2006                               page 4

 

Poet's
Corner

Elegantly Wasted

 

High heels strapped on curious legs

Toe nails painted with a blood red

I know she’s out there, tonight.

 

Fluorescently decadent with a silver smile

Knife in hand, she’ll only feel for a little while

I know she’s out there, tonight.

 

Screaming with a frightening delight

Blood streaming from aching fingers

It’s funny how life just lingers

Keeping me away from you,

My head spinning off just to know that

Cold, dead blue.

 

I know she’s out there, dying tonight.

 

-- By Shanna Dehning

 

ALC New Year’s Resolutions…

 

Idania Lopez:  To eat healthier.

 

Cec Burchill:  To send one note a month to someone who’s important.

 

Michael Jimenez:  To build up and get a “six pack’ by summer.  (He’s talking about abs, not beer).

 

Mr. Iverson:  To start a diet and stick to it.

 

Erick Lopez:  To get richer.  (He’s apparently already rich).

 

Mr. Strouth:  To get my work done in a timely manner.

 

John Spillman:  To quit smoking.

 

Manuel Garcia:  To get to school on time and get rich.

 

Mr. Knapp:  Try to stop smoking.

 

Alie Paine:  To dye my hair instead of just saying I’m going to.

 

Paula Ahrens:  To get organized!

 

 

Rick 'n Ray                     By Manuel Garcia

 

       

 

 


 

The ALC Insider                          January 3, 2006                               page 5

 

Top 10 stories for 2005

By Lety Heredia

 

The events start from what I considered from the least talked about to the most talked about stories. I hope that you enjoy them and agree on what I think.

 

10.   Across Minnesota record corn and soybean harvests piled up outside grain elevators that were full mostly due to Hurricane Katrina, which snarled traffic on the Mississippi River all the way up to Minnesota.

 

9.   An “American Idol” claimed to that he had sex with Paula Abdul.  ABC news found this story to be false, but it did cause some scandal. 

 

8.    Throwing a phone at a hotel concierge caused Russell Crowe to spend time in court after pleading guilty.

 

7.    On the Red Indian Reservation, a teenager killed ten people and I’ll bet he will be spending some time in jail.

 

 

(Continued à)

 

 

 

6.    Hurricane Katrina really did a lot of damage in the Gulf Coast.  A lot of people were giving aid to all of the people that needed it after being without electricity for many days.

 

5.    Eighteen Minnesota serviceman were killed in Iraq in 2005, raising the state’s toll in connection with the war to 31.

 

4.    Tsunami spurs massive relief effort.  People throughout the world mobilize financial assistance after massive tsunami devastates parts of Southeast Asia over Christmas of 2004.

 

3.    Michael Jackson was acquitted for molesting a child, while Robert Blake was acquitted of murdering his wife. 

 

2.    In Cold Spring, Minnesota, a youth was convicted for killing two classmates at Rocori High School in 2003.  The judge sentenced him to life in prison for killing classmates Aaron Rollins, 17, and Seth Bartell, 14.

 

1.     Pope Benedict XVI succeeds John Paul II.

 



 

The ALC Insider                          January 3, 2006                               page 6

Predictions
for 2005

 

Aries (March 21-April 19)

People of your life might to try to lead you down a strange path that you won’t know.  Follow your intuition, not what others tell you, when making big decisions this year.  Spend a little extra time on education this year.  It will pay off in the long run.

Ryan White

 

Taurus (April 20-May20)

A new year brings new surprises. This year is your year so start out fresh. Spring will be your greatest season so enjoy. You can’t depend or trust others with your secrets so don’t tell. Summer will bring excitement and changes whether you like the changes or not.  The fall will bring sudden changes so beware! Enjoy the year and celebrate as much as possible.

Desiree Briski

 

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

This year will be unique for all you Geminis.  You show everyone your talents and what you can really do, especially those jealous people who didn’t believe in you.  Love will be at your door when you least expect it.  Someone will break your heart, but don’t worry, that person is not worth it. Don’t worry about money matters, you will have all the money that you need.  You might even win the lottery.

 

(Continued à)

 

Jobs will come from nowhere and you can choose the one you feel most comfortable with. At the end of June you will get to see all of your loved ones.  Party all you want and have fun but be careful.

Leticia Heredia

 

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

You will have a lot of fun this year.  People may try and tread on you, but don’t fret.  Nobody can get you down this year.  Your friends will be there for you, so ask them when you need help.  Be sure to freak out when you party and enjoy this year.  It will be a long year, but a good one.  Your nightlife will be exciting no matter how many people are involved.

Sergio Chaparro

 

Leo (July 23-August 22)

Stop and take a breather sometimes.  Being a worrywart isn’t going to help anything, especially in your love life.  During this new year things will all fall into place when it is the right time for them to do so.

Shanna Dehning

 

Virgo (August 23-September 22)

You should go out and enjoy life.  Try new and different activities.  This year, don’t run out and try to find new relationships.  Just fix the good ones that you’ve got.  Work hard on being a peace keeper.  It will make the world a better place.

Bounthavy Keosaksith

 

Horoscopes continue on page 7

 


 

 

The ALC Insider                          January 3, 2006                               page 7

(Horoscopes from page 6)

 

Scorpio (October 23-November 21)

This year you will be energized beyond belief.  Use this new found energy to better yourself.  Beware, your lust for a little stardom will consume you.  Try not to be worried about what others might say about you. 

Shanna Dehning

 

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)

This is the year something bad might happen.  It might be with an authority figure or someone you are planning to take a trip with.  Just be on the lookout and stay cool.  Be careful with your mouth this year and don’t say something that you will regret later.

Ryan White

 

Capricorn (December 22-January 19)

This year is your year to show what you can make out of life.  Your job should be in good shape.  You won’t lose it even though some of your co-workers want you out.  Love won’t come like it did last year, but if you are with someone, your relationship will be stable.  You will have to work really hard to get what you want.  Money will not really come easy this year.   You  won’t  have  to  worry 

 

(Continued à)

 

about your health.  You should do just fine if you don’t mind a couple of colds.  Enjoy you New Year.

 

Leticia Heredia

 

Aquarius (January 20-February 18)

This will probably not be your best year, but try to enjoy it any way. A love interest will surprise you. It might strike you as kind of odd so expect it. If you cannot put aside your worries and enjoy your life it will put you under tremendous stress.  This will cause a serious need for professional help. Fall will probably be your best season, but watch out for spring.

Desiree Briski

 

Pisces (February 19-March 20)

It should be a good year for you.  Your “love” life should explode.  The opposite sex will flock to you.  Money should be no problem, however you may have to steal it.  Watch the rearview for flashing cherries.  This may be the year that you pay back a past debt to society.  Good luck.

Shea Meier

 

 

 

 

 

This Week’s Separated-at-Birth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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