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April 2003
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The war on Iraq
Kary Westphal
Seemingly, it all started on September 11,
200. The terrorist attack on the US. The
day when the safety of American citiz*ens
was questioned. The day when everyone
realized how precious his or her freedom
really is.
President Bush had not given the
ok to go to war sooner because he was trying
to consider all of the possibilities before
taking action. There are several-countries
against war that were not willing to support
the US if that decision was made. On
February fifth. Secretary of State Colin
Powell’s address to the United Nations
changed many views on going to war.
During his speech Powell, revealed that Iraq
broke Resolution 1441, which stated that if
any weapons of mass destruction were
found in Iraq by UN inspectors, the US
would go to war. Powell gave evidence that
proved Iraq was hiding lethal, chemical, and
biological weapons. Every time the UN
inspectors were due to arrive, the Iraqis
evacuated everything overnight. Powell
played tapes and showed satellite pictures
proving that banned materials had been
removed from a number of Iraqi weapons in
mass destruction facilities. The Iraqis
removed all items so that when the
inspectors arrived at the facilities, they
found nothing.
Saddam Hussein is the leader of
the Iraq regime. Hussein and his regime are
not only trying to conceal weapons; they
are also trying to hide people. Saddam’s
regime has been experimenting on humans
and animals to make their biological and
chemical weapons more effective. Sixteen
hundred death row prisoners were brought
to a special unit in Iraq in 1995 for such
experiments.
After Colin Powell’s speech, the
military took action, sending troops from
all over the United States to Iraq. An
estimated 140,000 military personal had
reported to the Persian Gulf region as of
February fourth. The number increased in
the following weeks.
photo courtesy of cnn.com
On March 17, at 8:00 pm, President
Bush made a speech telling Saddam
Hussein that he had 48 hours to surrender
himself and his sons or the war would begin.
On Wednesday, March 19, at 8:00pm
President Bush announced that the war
would begin as soon as he said to take
action.
At press time, war is in complete
effect; the “Shock and Awe” campaign
began Friday, March 21, at 1:00pm. The
Military’s main goal is to capture Saddam
Hussein and take control of all lethal
weapons. There are report that Hussein was
injured in the attacks. US troops bombed
the building he was thought to have been
hiding in. Satellite pictures from the UN
show Saddam or his look alike being carried
out on a stretcher. The Coalition Forces
also bombed the place where his sons were.
Casualties thus far have been at a
minimum, though they have not been non
existent. One Coalition helicopter crashed,
killing eight British troops and four US
marines. Also, one of our own soldiers, a
Muslim, was so upset about going to war
that he threw a grenade into a tent in Kuwait,
killing two US leaders and severely injuring
20 of his own men.
There are many people who are
against this war. There have been protests
in several of the large cities all over the
world. However, no matter how many
people are for or against this war, fact
remains: the Coalition forces are still at war
with perhaps one of their most formidable
Induction held
Justin Oswalt
On March 25*, the National Honor Society
inducted the first members of the class of
2004. The ceremony, held in the auditorium,
began with an introduction by Assistant
Principal Tracey Warren, followed by NHS
President Ashley Hagans leading the
traditional induction ceremony. Each new
member was “tapped” in the time-honored
tradition. The ceremony ended with the
reading of the National Honor Society
Pledge. The new members and their parents
were then treated to refreshments provided
by community sponsors and Ms. Mary
Mooring’s culinary classes.
These honored students are
representative of RMSH’s best. They will
be called on for service projects around the
city, to marshal and usher school events
and ceremonies, to tutor other students, and
for other valuable projects. It takes many
hours of personal time to meet the
requirements,'but the students are willing
to take the time to help others.
Congratulations to the new inductees!
Keep up the good work.
Writers awarded
Staff contributions
Two of our very own Gryphon writers were
recognized for their efforts on The Gryphon.
Sports writer Kareem “Remy” Gantt and
news writer Caitlin Johnson were recognized
by the North Carolina Press Club at an
awards luncheon at Raleigh’s Clanton Inn
on April 5"’. Gantt won an Honorable
Mention in News Writing and Johnson won
an Honorable Mention in the Opinion
category. Numerous stories were entered
from across the state; a school newspaper
in Manteo brought home most of the
awards. The award winners were also
treated to a tour of the Governor’s Mansion
and a chance to see “Everest”, a movie, in
the IMAX Theater at Exploris Museum.
Congratulations to Caitlin and Remy from
RMSH webpage
Lindsey Battle
New teachers, principal and new students,
with such addition to our school there is
something even better added to the mix.
Rocky Mount Senior High School is one of
the first schools in Rocky Mount to have
it’s own official web page, featuring School
Schedules, Maps, the Nash-Rocky Mount
Lunch menu (through PDF file), and Daily
Announcements. Announcements will be
current at all times between 2:30 pm and
2:35pm. There’s a place for students, par
ents, faculty, and the community. Under the
student section there’s in season sports
schedule, student awards, grade reports,
scholarships and the student handbook.
The parent section that includes faculty e-
mail and teacher bullet board.
Other items included are Emails
address of the principal the Vice principals
and Guidance Guidelines. So check it out at
www.nrms.kl2.nc.us/schools/nnsh
Bus ride
gone bad
Kimber Sikes
On the morning of April V*, Bus 246 began
its usual route. The ride, however, would
not end exactly as planned. Instead of
dropping students off safely in front of the
Nash Street entrance, the bus driver, along
with six students, was taken to the hospital
after being hit by an automobile. Mr. Wanen
stated, “A witness said that the driver of
the other automobile ran the red light at the
intersection of Franklin and Western.”
Rumors that several students were
hospitalized as a result of the accident were
proven false; however, some were taken to
the hospital for the treatment of minor
aches. Their parents were phoned and the
students were taken home. Mr. Warren
added that a routine police investigation is
underway and the driver of the other vehicle
received a citation for failing to stop at a.
Teen violence trends
What today’s music
From RMSH to the
City on the Rise? Or
are rising
has done
Hall of Fame?
Comunidad?
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