Final Feature!

Brittany Conolly

Final Feature

12-11-11

Shots can be heard in the distance growing closer. Richard Rawson, an United States army soldier, is getting ready to make a dash through a bullet-riddled valley. His job is to be a decoy while his snipers watch his back from the sandy hilltops behind him. As the mission comes to an end he gets to enjoy a granola bar in a lean to tent against a cavern wall in the middle of the Afghanistan desert.  When asked what they were doing after high school, most 17 year old high school boys wouldn’t say going to war, and being a live decoy in a gun fire battle. For Richard Rawson his future after high school was decided when he signed his papers for the army in 12^th grade.

Richard Rawson, called Richie by his friends, was a doe eyed, naive senior at North High School. The United States army’s recruiters at school tempted him, along with other students. They brought with them t-shirts, backpacks, gift cards, and the idea that any boy or girl could be brave and fight for their country. Swept up by the “performance” and prizes Rawson signed the next 6 years of his life to the United States Army.

May 2010 was his deployment date, and he would be shipped off to Afghanistan. When the day came for him to say goodbye to his family and friends, pride and fear filled everyone’s mind, including Rawson’s. “The idea of not sleeping in my own bed made me uncomfortable,” said Rawson. Before leaving for the death filled wasteland Rawson purchased one important item. An international cell phone. With this he could call home to his friends and family on a few occasions.  “Those telephone calls kept me from going crazy,” said Tammy Rawson,” I couldn’t sleep at night without worrying about my youngest son overseas.” He kept in touch with everyone, but the calls started coming less and less as the months went on.

After a year had passed Rawson was sent back to the states. He had finished his first tour of duty on May 18, 2011. He flew home on a military airplane to the air force base in South Dakota. Awaiting his arrival were his parents Lawny and Tammy Rawson, his sister Jenny Rawson, brother Brad Rawson, and his close family friends Linda and Kelly Conolly. “I didn’t want to show it but I had tears in my eyes when I saw my family,” said Rawson. Back in Sioux City his friends and other family members were waiting for him. The night of his return there was a huge family feast.

Rawson didn’t act the same. Those close to him thought that maybe it was just jet lag and trying to adjust to his surroundings. However, this was not the case. Rawson was not the same outgoing, boyish, rowdy boy he had left the states as. He became quite and solemn. He didn’t like to go places overly crowded or to bigger areas. He kept mainly to himself and didn’t like to talk much.

After a few weeks of this unusual attitude friends began asking him about overseas, and why he acted so different. At first he was reluctant to talk to anyone, including his family, about his tour of duty. He gave vague details, and clammed up when he started to talk about things.  After months of keeping to himself, Rawson finally opened up to his best friend Kyle Lesline. Once the stories started they wouldn’t stop. He told Lesline story after story. “Hearing the stories of what he had to go through was tough,” said Lesline,” but I knew he needed a shoulder to lean on because that was some tough sh*t he went through.” Pretty soon Rawson began opening up to his other close friends and family.

Now, 6 months later Rawson is an active young man in the Siouxland environment. He is getting more involved in a social life of a young male. He is going out to the bars, going to parties, seeing movies with friends, and getting a part time. Rawson’s life is less pressure filled now that he is home. He only has basic for the army once a month. He is happier now that he has opened up and is able to have fun with his friends.

From sleepless nights in a foreign country to sleeping in his own bed at home. Rawson is glad he did a tour of duty, and is glad he learned to cope with a life changing experience. He said,” Having great friends helped me deal with anxiety of being home, and without them I would be mess still.” After being recruited at such a young age, Rawson has overcome fighting for his country and growing up in the process from a young boy to a man.

First Draft…so far: Final Project

When asked what they were doing after high school, most 17 year old high school boys wouldn’t say going to war. For Richard Rawson his future after high school was decided when he signed his papers for the army in 12^th grade. Richard Rawson, called Richie by his friends, was a doe eyed, neive senior at North High School. He along with other students were enticed by the United States army’s recruiters at school. They were accompanied with t-shirts, backpacks, gift cards, and the idea that any boy or girl could be brave and fight for their country. Swept up by the “performance” and prizes Rawson signed the next 6 years of his life to the United States Army.

May 2010 was his deployment date, and he would be shipped off to Afghanistan. When the day came for him to say goodbye to his family and friends, pride and fear filled everyone’s mind, including Richie’s. (insert quote from Rawson) Before leaving for the death filled wasteland Rawson purchased one important item. A international cell phone. With this he could call home to his friends and family on a few occasions. He kept in touch with everyone, but the calls started coming less and less as the months went on.

After a year had passed Rawson was sent back to the states. He had finished his first tour of duty on May 18, 2011. He flew home on a military airplane to the airforce base in South Dakota. Awaiting his arrival were his parents Lawny and Tammy Rawson, his sister Jenny Rawson, brother Brad Rawson, and his close family friends Linda and Kelly Conolly. (insert quote from family) Back in Sioux City his friends and other family members were waiting for him. The night of his return there was a huge family feast. (insert quote Rawson)

Rawson didn’t act the same. Those close to him thought that maybe it was just jet lag and trying to adjust to his surroundings. However, this was not the case.

News Comment 12-1-11

So this isn’t a “news article” but this is well worth the watch. It also is a huge argument in today’s society! Here, is a video to watch about what happens when two lesbians raise a kid. Enjoy.

This video goes to show how people fire back at the “haters” who discourage, scrutinize, and hate the idea of union between two men or two women. The man in the video is the result of two lesbians raising a young boy. He turned out just fine and is not afraid to say it. Making his point in suave way, and without any reservations! Not only is this newsworthy because of how big of an issue this is in today’s society but it is a viral sensation video. This video is on youtube, facebook, pinterest, stumbleupon, and many more websites that are looked at daily.

News Comment Extra Credit

Ad companies around the world use provocative images, sexy images, dry humor, sad displays, and so on. Wodka Vodka’s billboard that displayed over a NYC street used the images of dogs. Not only were they dogs but a dog dressed as a Jew and a dog dressed as Santa. Cute? Maybe. But the Wodka ad campaign went a little further. Next to the dogs was a statement. It said Christmas Quality Hanukkah Pricing next to the dogs and a bottle of vodka. WOW!! The sign was taken down in no time due to distraught, enraged people who saw the billboard. Brian Gordon, head of MMG, the advertising company, released a statement saying it was suppose to be a “ha ha quirky” message not anti-semitic. Further investigation of Gordon’s twitter account is taking place due to other “questionable” phrases and ads.

Wow! This shows how far an ad agency will go to be the most talked about! This link, shows the story and picture of the billboard, and I can’t see how this would come off “quirky and funny”. This is totally anti-semitic. I am not even Jewish and I am disappointed in how blatantly rude they are pointing out money and being cheap.

Broadcast MP3

Story here!

Bullying: Teacher vs. Student News Comment #11

Every week it seems that we hear about bullying between two kids or two teens. Rarely have I heard about a student bullying a kid. In the particular article a special education student was being bullied by his so called “mentor”. The teacher was breaking him down, degrading him, and cursing at him. All of the abuse was un-needed and for reasons unknown, done to someone who did not deserve it! The kid decided to take a stand and record his whole abusive treatment on his cell phone. What he caught led to an investigation and the teacher being put on leave. His viral bullying spread across the internet and made it to the big names for publishing virally on the web!

I say GOOD FOR HIM!! No one should be treated like that especially from a mentor. Not only was this teacher treating him wrong, but degrading him in front of people. No one believe the young student until the video was released. Does this mean a cell phone actually was used for a good reason in class?! Well this is worth the read and the video can be seen here along with the news article, here.

Broadcast Stories

By giving blood you can save up to three lives. The process only takes about 20 minutes. The registration is quick and the actual act of donating goes by fast. Everyday around the world there are blood drives. You can contact your local blood bank to find out when they are having a blood drive. Become a member and save lives . For Morningside students and Siouxland residents they can contact two blood banks. Siouxland Community Blood Bank at 712-252-4208 or Siouxland Blood Bank at 712-224-6208. Brittney Schindler a student at Morningside says, “donating blood is easy and is super rewarding!” (Insert quote) All blood types are needed, and the special needs blood types are needed year round.

Donating your time and blood is only one-way to help people. Every year the Red Hat Society and Pink Hat Society put together fundraisers. These fundraisers are to help low income and underprivileged families. They put together days of fun for families, and help raise money for lots of people. You can become a Red Hat Society member or Pink Hat member by going online. The website is www.redhatsociety.com. Anyone can open up a chapter in their local area. If one is already open in a surrounding area you can become a part of the existing one by contacting them. Betty Aufenkamp, a local Red Hat member, says,” Becoming apart of this movement helps so many people. It is an easy, fun way to be apart of something bigger then myself.” All chapters can be seen on the website along with contact information.

Along with donating time and your blood, donating money is an option. The Children’s Miracle Network is a network of fundraising for hospitals. Hospitals all over the United States inspire people to become apart of the network. People can donate their money to help fundraise for different programs and needs the hospital may have. Then the hospital puts that money towards helping improve kids lives. Linda Conolly a nurse said, “One small donation makes a huge difference is a kids life.” (Insert Quote) Anyone who is interested in donating their money can go to www.cmnwi.org for the guidelines. Also, Sioux City’s local website is www.childrensmiraclenetwork.org.

Penn State… WTH!

The Penn State scandal not only blew veteran Paterno out of the water, but many of the colleges employees. Molestation, riots, and scandal rocked Penn State this week. Every news station and news source has this story as the front page or near the front. Flipping through news channels or sports channels has this story broadcasting. Bizzare, newsworthy, timely, and interest describes this story by far!

ROUGH Draft of 3 Broadcasts

By giving blood you can save up to three lives. The process only takes about 20 minutes. The registration is quick and the actual act of donating goes by fast. Everyday around the world there are blood drives. You can contact your local blood bank to find out when they are having a blood drive. Become a member and save lives.

Donating your time and blood is only one-way to help people. Every year the Red Hat Society and Pink Ladies put together fundraisers. These fundraisers are to help low income and underprivileged families. They put together days of fun for families, and help raise money for lots of people.

Childrens Miracle Network…..

Audacity Project

Comm- Shootings