ANCHOR IN THE NEWS

in the districts. What remains of Mitch is the havoc it wreaked on the high school‰s football field, coconut trees, piers and the beach and almost 50% of the school population not reporting for classes on Monday, November 2.

From among traditions, myths and legends comes the word "Halloween". To many Belizeans who have adopted the American culture, Halloween means kids going out in costumes for a "trick or treat" and returning home with bags of candies. In Belize, in general, a blend of two cultures are celebrated: Halloween and Los Finados or Day of the Dead. This mixture is celebrated on the 31^st of October.

The Day of the Dead is celebrated differently in different countries. In many Latin American countries, particularly Mexico, there is a funny side to the Dia de los Muertos. Mexican poke fun at Death. Most leading newspapers carry humurous poems about an important personality and his being carried off by Death:

Lástima de Don Manuel Que se piensa muy persona Más no sabe que desnudo Lo llevará la Pelona.

Special "pan de muerto" and candies in the form of skulls and skeletons can be bought at the markets and street corners. But there is a religious (called it pagan if you wish) part to the festivities. Many Mexican families will create an altar at home and offer food and drink to their dearly departed. The belief is that on the 31^st of October the dead return to visit their loved ones and supposedly are hungry. In the Mexican cities the cemeteries are lit with thousands of candles or veladoras. The faithful keep vigil and pray at the tomb. Food is also taken and placed on the tomb of a departed loved one.

In Belize, especially among the Mestizo, food is placed on the table for the difunto, but no elaborate ritual is carried out at the cemetery. On the altar table in the home, Mestizos and Mayas will include ixpasha, pumpkin sweet manjar blanca, cigarettes, rum, tamales, bollos and other niceties that the departed enjoyed in life.

Where Halloween is concerned, the Belizean child retrieves the flesh from a grape fruit and carves a skull from the outer rim. She then, places a lit candle in the center, and goes into the street at night shouting:

She is recompensed with sweets, bollos, tamales, ixpasha and oranges.

It appears that most, if not all, cultures celebrate the Day of the Dead. We can be certain that as long as there is a Halloween, on one day of the year when we are gone, our friends and relatives will remember us.

MID TERM REPORT

By: Daryani Perez & Adriana Vasquez

OUR PEACE CORPS TEACHERS

BY: Mr. Angel Nuñez

During our third year as a high school, in 1974, we applied to the government for a volunteer teacher. This had two main advantages for us. First, it ensured us with a qualified teacher, and secondly, it saved us money as we did not have to pay that salary - the US government did.

At the time, Belize was receiving about 40 Peace Corps Volunteers every year. These were all American citizens who served underdeveloped countries like Belize for a 2 year program. Peace Corps volunteers came with qualifications in teaching, agriculture, health, the arts, etc. and were deployed all over Belize.

Our first Peace Corps teacher was Jerry Doetzer, who taught science, biology and chemistry. Past students remember him fondly as a workaholic. During his stay with us he taught well, coached basketball, tutored drams, drilled the choir, staged Christmas plays, constructed a science laboratory, chaperoned the graduates, arranged the church for graduation and even cooked for the prom, danced carnivals, sold books, wrote school rules, repaired typewriters, fixed broken doors, organized fairs and took time to dance with his students at any school function.

Thereafter, we had some 12 to 15 more volunteers, none like Jerry, of course. He was too much. It is difficult to ask any one teacher to be all of that, but he did serve as an example of a teacher who did much and enjoyed what he did. He had professional pride.

When his 2 years were over, he never told us the exact date of his departure. He did not want a farewell. Then one day he suddenly disappeared without giving us his address. Anyway, "Thanks Jerry." We love you and remember you for what you are worth. Many other volunteers we have forgotten, but you are truly outstanding.

Letters to the Editor

October 14, 1998

To: Mr. Apolinar & Miss Conchita

+ / + / + / + /

October 14, 1998

Dear Mr. Angel Nuñez

Be it resolved that the new Student Council of San Pedro High, having conferred with the Moderator, Executive Body and class representatives at a special meeting held on Friday, 2^nd October, intends to fulfill the following programs for San Pedro High in an effort to uplift the quality of academic and social life for the faculty, staff and student body.

1. Installation of telephones to serve the student body.
1. Acquisition of a cafeteria booth - to be negotiated with Bowen & Bowen.
1. Installation of basketball backboards - to be negotiated with Coca-Cola and Bowen.
1. Building of two (2) cabañas at convenient location on school compound to assist in study hall.
1. Promotion of Guest talks by distinguished or well-trained members of the community to enlighten the student body or relevant issues and topics.
1. Creation of Exchange Programs with Student Associations of other academic institutions

The above listed projects are subject to the Principal‰s approval and will be implemented on a month to month basis.

Signed

Dear Editor

The school year has just begun but four students have already been suspended for drinking offenses.

These students were seen on campus working for a few days, then they were re-admitted for classes.

Is this about the only rod of correction that the school can use or is it that we are too lax on students who seem to be repeating this type of behavior over and over?

Do teachers plan or organize well their class trips or are their objectives mainly for fun rather than to help the students learn from such exposures? Whatever the case, I am imploring that a more rigid punishment be applied and , yes, perhaps the monthly retreats started last year can also help the students to restore their pride and decency.

San Pedro High deserves better. However, we a cannot continue to use the "straw on the camel‰s back" to correct a grievous offense.

A very worried student

Monthly Horoscope

(Dec 22-Jan 20)

This month you will have a lot of extra energy. Take advantage of it; start a regular exercise program.

(Jan 21-Feb 18)

(Feb 19-Mar 20)

Take time out of your schedule to get caught up in those killer classes. It will give you time when you really need it, and it could improve your grades.

(Mar 21-Apr 19)

Be money smart this month; you never know when a bargain will fly by your eye. Don‰t let the opportunity to make a great purchase pass you up.

(May 21-Jun 21)

You will be in high spirits this month, so don‰t let anything bring you down. Walk away from negative atmospheres.

(Jun 22-Jul 22)

Respect other people‰s property and privacy. This month "the golden rule" should be your motto.

(Jul 23-Aug 22)

There may be a backstabber in your circle of friends. Watch what you say, your deepest and darkest secrets could end up being tomorrow‰s headlines.

(Aug 23-Sep 22)

There may be some problems at home. Try to think things over and make rational decisions; it could effect your future.

(Sep 23-Oct 23)

A problem will arise between you and that special someone. Take time to work things out and not jump to irrational conclusions.

Lucky Numbers: Series of 6

Day: Friday

Colour: Light shades

Gem: Sapphire

(Oct 24-Nov 22)

Keep an optimistic outlook on life. Although things aren‰t going as well as you would like, this could change and shock you.

Lucky Numbers: Series of 9

Day: Tuesday

Colour: Scarlet

Gem: Bloodstone

(Nov 23-Dec 21)

Don‰t let jealousy get the better of you. Helping people out this month will help you feel better about yourself and others. It is also contagious!

Gem: Topaz

Dr. Love

Dear Doctor:

There is a particular teacher who has been making my life miserable. The teacher tends to practice favoritism and gives high grades to certain people and miserable grades to others.

Dear Miserable

I recommend you study and work hard. What you have learned will never be taken away from you. If you are wise, you will try to get wiser and not waste time looking at what others get since that does not make you a better person. Furthermore, I bet you that if you strike a high grade, no teacher will be able to give you a low mark. I‰ve checked the teachers at S.P.H. they are good staff. Be more wise and less miserable.

Dear Doctor

Confused but Not Hopeless

Dear Confused,

The minute you speak about "he/she", I know this is not a real case, or you would have a male or female teacher specifically.

Hey, try to change this teacher, if it is true. Treat him kindly, with love and respect and he/she will certainly do the same. Remember that teachers who are strict and give home works are the ones that truly care and you will love them long after you leave school - whether you graduate or are kicked out.

Dear Doctor:

I have a friend that enjoys to tease me with a boy, but I don‰t like that boy. What shall I do to my friend?

Concerned

Dear Concerned

Love is very close to hate. Do you find that this boy stones you with chalk or pulls your hair? Aha! He likes you. And if you smile, you like him too.

As for the friend who teases you, she likes the same boy. Be careful with that girl. If I see you break with that girl, that means you like the boy. I know who you are. I took a course in interpreting "handwritings."

FUN CORNER!J

A horrified father, watching his daughter select a costly wedding dress, said to his wife: "I don‰t mind giving her in marriage but must she be gift wrapped?"

n

A Minister was asked to inform a man with a heart condition that he had just inherited a million dollars. Everyone was afraid the shock would cause a heart attack and the man would die. The minister went to the man‰s house and said, "Joe, what would you do if you inherited a million dollars?" Joe replied, "Well, pastor, I think I would give half of it to the church." And the minister fell over dead!L

n

POINT TO PONDER

**Free Ride**

Attention teen-agers! If you think you have it bad at home with parents, here is something to think about. You have: Free food, free telephone, free electricity, free laundry, free water, free sewage, free TV, free money, free snacks, pop etc., free shampoo, soap and other personal items. And to pay for all of this free stuff, all you are expected to do is something that is distasteful to some young people: Love and respect your parents and the home that they have worked hard to provide. If you don‰t think it‰s a fair bargain, you could pay for all of those items on the list that are free to you. It would cost you about $500 a month. The next time you ignore your dad when he tries to tell you something or respond to your mother in a disrespectful way, just remember how bad you have it at home and how easy you would have it if you just moved out.

*********************************

Work faithfully eight hours a day, don‰t worry. Then, in time, you‰ll become the boss and work twelve hours a day and do all the worrying.

***********************

ALGEBRAIC PROBLEM

First Term Final Examination

by: Mrs. Nathalie Sedasey

First term examinations for all forms will begin on December 14, 1998. This examination period will continue until the 16^th, 1998. We are advising all students to take these days as an extremely valuable opportunity to review and study for any up-coming examinations. Until this final week arrives, we are reminding all students to ensure that all daily work is handed in on time. While at home, review and study notes constantly. Read ahead. Make extra notes for yourself. Highlight main points. Define unfamiliar words. Draw webs and maps. Make visuals. Always review difficult and new material. Take ownership of your work. The rewards will be greater success and more disciplined study habits.

After first term examinations are over, the second term will begin on January 11, 1999. We will begin our Christmas break on December 18^th, 1998. Until the, keep reviewing and revising your daily work, notes and tests. The hard work and dedication will lead to a greater good.

BY: Esra Al-Dabbagh

SPORTS UPDATE!