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While speaking to the students of Landmark High School, Chris Crowe shows a picture of Emmett Till. Photo by Sadie Hansen

Chris Crowe an Author and Professor from Brigham Young University took time to speak to the Cornerstone Senior class at Landmark High School on November 16, 2009. His presentation was on a novel he wrote titled “Mississippi Trial 1955,” A book about a 14 year old Negro boy that was kidnapped and brutally murdered in Mississippi in 1955.

Crowe talked to the class of 16 seniors about segregation and how things were in Mississippi during 1955. While he was giving his presentation he was cut off by the schools P.A. as students were asked to stand for the National Anthem and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

“Liberty and Justice for all,” Crowe repeated after the pledge, “Isn’t that interesting?” Crowe Commented stressing “Liberty and Justice for all.”

The students were very respectful as they sat in the “Dragons Lair,” a room surround by the history of Landmark High School.  The students sat around a table and listened intently to Crowes stories. He told about how, while writing his book on Mildred D Taylor she mentioned Emmett Till during one of their interviews. He then researched the story of Emmett and discovered a very interesting story. 

“Mississippi Trial 1955” is a fictional story based on the true events of the Emmett Till case. Crowe uses real life experiences from a trip he took to Greenville, Mississippi in August 1998. Exactly 53 years after the murder. Crowe turns the Bed and Breakfast he stayed at into the house of the main character, Hiram Hillburn. He also uses names of people he knows and names from a cemetery in town. All the facts about the Emmett Till case however, are real.

Crowe told the students, about the process of being a writer and publishing a book. He has his editor, publisher and his wife read through the book before it is published for sale. He wrote 15 revisions of Mississippi Trial before it was ready to be sold. Crowe went on to tell the students how he will think a book is done and pass it along to be revised, only to find out there were a lot of mistakes that need to be fixed.

When asked why Professor Crowe as invited to speak, Sue Ann Harding said, “We were dealing with race issues in class, so this was a good platform to discuss it.”  The Cornerstone senior class has just recently finished reading the book and learning about the case. They were all very excited to have Chris Crowe answer their questions and go into detail about what he knew.  After his presentation to the students, Sue Ann presented a gift card for chocolate to Chris Crowe.

Chris Crowe is also the author of “Getting Away with Murder: The true story of the Emmett Till” case, A Biography about Mildred D Taylor, and other short stories, novels and poems.

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Special guests and honored veterans. Left to right Wallace Knuetson, Richard Banks, and Fern Lindley. Photo By: Sadie Hansen

On Wednesday November 11th, Spanish Fork’s Landmark High School, in remembrance of Veterans Day, held a special ceremony to honor those who courageously fought before us.  Scott Carson, Assistant Principal, and retired Army Major, conducted the ceremony. Mr. Carson had presented a slideshow, sang a few songs which he had written, and honored several special guests who were invited to attend.

Among these special guests were Wallace Knuetson, Richard Banks, and Fern Lindley. Wallace Knuetson, a Navy veteran of 30 years. Seven of which was served in the Vietnam, two of those years as a Navy Seal. After 30 years in the Navy he finally retired a Chief Petty Officer. The second veteran honored was Richard Banks.  Banks was an Infantryman who served on the front lines in the Battle of Bulge.  He was captured and became a Prisoner Of War until VE-Day, The end of the war in the eastern front.

Third and finally honored was Spanish Fork’s only living Gold Star Mother, Fern Lindley. A Gold Star Mother is one who child was Killed in Action on the field of battle.  Her son Marvin Lindley, served in the Vietnam War and was decorated with the Silver Star for his heroism after carrying one of his fellow soldiers back to safety only to be killed while trying to bring back a second soldier.  “Such acts of heroism will not be forgotten.  It is brave acts like this that keep our freedoms alive,” stated Scott Carson.

These two veterans and Mrs. Lindley, Gold Star Mother, were made honorary LHS Dragon, and awarded the Dragon pin for all the contributions that they have made for this school, this community and this nation.

We are reminded to never forget our very own veterans here at LHS.  First we have Sergeant First Class, Howard Bonzo, who served in Iraq from 2005 – 2006.  He was stationed at Camp Ramadi with the Field Artillery unit as head of communications.  Second, we have Scott Carson, a Military Intelligence officer who also served in the Iraq, with the 513^th and 205^th MI brigades as a battle Captain in the operations command posts.

 “This was a very well done assembly, although I don’t think that Veterans quite get the credit they deserve.  Hopefully, this ceremony has helped the students and faculty of LHS realize the sacrifices these veterans and their families have made to protect our freedoms.  We need to make sure these veterans know that we are thankful for what they’ve done.  So if you happen to know a veteran, pay your respects and let them know you’re thankful.  They definitely deserve to hear it.” Said Student Council member Chelsea Chlarson

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Patrick Hogle helps Jackie Sauter with planting a tree.

Students of Landmark High School in Spanish Fork took time from their busy day to help plant trees around the school to help beautify the school and the community.  The students felt that this project of planting trees with help provide shade for the students to enjoy as the years go by.

The project was headed up by Patrick Hogle and  Jeff Bauman, both are teachers at LHS.  They then involved members of the schools Student Council and Student Senate to help plant the trees.  According to Patrick the idea of the trees is to “provide shade for the students, and to show the students that we can take part in trying make the environment better.”

“I am glad that we are planning these trees, because it will make things look better, and help the environment,” stated Chelsea Chlarson member of the student council.   “We wanted to plant the trees so it did not look like a patch of grass, and the make things look pretty,” stated Sadie Prewitt, member of the student council.

We wanted one tree that will represent every graduating class for the past 34 years.  Every senior class will raise money and plant a tree.  The other benefit will be the addition of benches and an outdoor classroom where teachers can teach outdoor while the weather is good.  “We like the analogy of planting, watching and nurturing a tree grow, because it is like watching our students grow,” stated Patrick Hogle.

Part of the reason for the students planting trees is to “Help the students take pride in their school and set an example to the rest of the student body about working hard,” stated Jeff Bauman.  He also stated that the students had complained about the view from the classrooms of the road, fields, and the business around the new school.  So the students working with school officials, decided to plant the trees. 

“It will make Landmark prettier, and make things better than looking at the empty fields and cars,” stated Danielle Distefano, member of the LHS Senate.   “We are planting trees for the future of Landmark and the students that will go here in the future,” stated Landon Brown also a member of the LHS Senate.  According to student senate member Jake LeGrand, “The goal is to eventually have benches and turn the area into a place for the students to relax, and enjoy the beauty of the school.”

Many members of the student senate and student council feel that their efforts of planting trees help them take ownership in the school, and are helping out the environment. According to student council member Erich Egles, “I feel really good about helping out the school and the environment.”

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Walter Hoffman makes a great catch during the Landmark Kickball Tournament.

On October 09, 2009 the students of Landmark High School, in Spanish Fork Utah, participated in their annual kickball tournament, and  BBQ.   The idea of the tournaments was to provide an opportunity for the students to show off their talents, social skills, and good sportsmanship. 

The school was divided into teams by their home room, or “advisory,” class. It divides us, into teams to unite us in our efforts.  Without fail, tensions seemed to arise between classes as the tournament drew closer.  Students got excited, like at every other high school sporting event, teams lay down their emotional wrath on each other and participated well and showed off their good sportsmanship.  It shows us all at Landmark why the competition and drama at other high schools is so undesirable among both staff and students. 

As the kickball tournament falls on the shoulders of the winning teams, and teams are eliminated from the running, the tension and the excitement rose exponentially to the point every one was excited for the final game of the day.   Midway through the day a break was worked into the schedule of the tournament to pause and bring all together for BBQ.  This was a chance for the students to forget about their teams, but a chance for them to join back as friends to have a great meal.

This year, a good slew of teams won and loss, and for the first time in three years, Brian Davenport’s team, the reigning champions, was defeated.  The winning team this year’s tournament was the Kristie Krause’s class, with Sterling Ludlow’s class taking second place.  Both teams did a really great job   and played excellently in every match during the tournament.  The last match between the two teams was a very close and well played game.  Each team is currently making plans to for next year’s tournament.

The winning team consisted of José Mendez, Shawn Warr, Michael Chance, Luis Carrillo, Dillon Tabbee, Alonzo Duran, Nick Yorgason, Triniy Martinez, Allen Susaeta.  They were coached by Kristie Krause, Dori Woollard.

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Joe Kelly Principal of Landmark High School Prepares to break brick for the schools annual Mix-It-Up Assembly. Photo by Trevor Gonzalez.

     Tuesday September 29, Landmark High School, in Spanish Fork Utah, held their annual Mix-it-Up assembly. The assembly was meant for breaking down the bricks and getting rid of cliques in schools. During the assembly Principal Joe Kelly, showed the students an example on using your inner strength and your inner power to break the bricks. Joe is a 3rd degree black belt, he put down four bricks and told everyone how he has only broke three before, never four.

     Joe gave an amazing speech on how the power you have and how you can do anything you put your mind to it. Then Joe walked over to the bricks, as the audience went quite, you could see that he was concentrating very hard, when he finally swung his arm at the bricks and broke all four of them, the whole school cheered for him. It showed how much power one individual person can have, even if you feel like you can’t do it, if everyone doubts you. Believe in yourself.

     Once you find the power in yourself to break the bricks of all aspects of life. You can start building your foundation of life. That foundation is called wisdom. A good way to help you find wisdom is through education. That’s what Joe is trying to do. He is here to inspire each and every one to break your bricks through education and inner strength. To break the bricks you must have faith in yourself and know you can do anything you put your mind to, to step out on to nothing and land on something is true faith, so don’t be afraid to make a leap for your goals. Find your inner strength and show the world that you are strong.

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Howard Bonzo member of the Utah National Guard and Faculty member of Landmark High School speaks to the Students of Landmark High School about the importance of the American Flag, and the Soldiers who have carried the flag into battle.

On September, 11th 2009 the United States Flag flying high on the flag pole in front of Landmark High School, in Spanish Fork, Utah was to be retired.  Joe Kelly Principal of LHS, wanted to start a new tradition of retiring the US Flag, so he invited members of  the US Military, the student council, faculty, staff and student body to help retire the flag during a special ceremony.

Trevor Bradford, student body president, spoke first about why we retire the flag, and in the manner that is should be retired.  Jackie Sauter, student council member, spoke about what the flag represents and why it should be retired when it is tattered and worn. Chelsea Charlson, student body publicist, then spoke of the event that happened on September, 11th 2001, and why we should remember this day. 

Howard Bonzo a faculty member that has served in Iraq and is a member of the Utah National Guard, talked  about all the soldiers over in Iraq and what they were doing for our country, and told us how he had the chance to go over to Iraq and protect our country, the flag and everything we stand for.

The US flag was lowered by Corporal Nutters and Staff Sergeant Schmidt both are members of the Army Reserve unit located in Salt Lake City. While the flag was being lowered and raised the student body and invited guest were standing, with hands over their hearts and were silently admiring the work done by these two members of the US Military.  While Nutters and Schmidt tried to lower the flag it got stuck on one of the lights and pieces were ripped off and left behind.

Then with the assistance of Trevor Bradford they folded the retired flag and presented it to Principal Kelly.   The flag will be put in a special case, where it will be displayed for all that enter the school, to view the first flag to fly over Landmark High School.  Then corporal Nutter and Staff Sergeant Schmidt raised a new American Flag, which was president to them by Alena  Samora, Senior Class President.

Once the new flag was put back in place atop the flag poll the student body was lead in the Pledge of Allegiance by Erich Egles, student council member. Principal Kelly was very pleased with how the ceremony went, and how most of student body were quite and respectful while they were taking down the flag and putting the new one up.

Later that day Principal Kelly address the student body, saying how he noticed that a part of the flag got caught on the lights of the flag poll, and how it made him feel,  like the flag didn't want to retire, that it wanted to continue to be part of the LHSS and the wonderful student body. He also mentioned that, "it wanted to stay up and keep going strong."   He told the students how much that this meant to him. And that the flag would be in his office for any one that wanted to come down and touch it, and see it up close.

This is the first year that LHS has done anything of this sort, and now it will be a long standing tradition.  The flag that was retired will be put in a case and put in the cabinets for everyone to see. The students are excited about creating a new tradition for us here at LHS. Although however next time the flag will be incinerated and not put in the case.