Grace Materne | journalism

Art is more than just a canvas

A painting is not just a splatter of paint across a blank canvas, a statue is more than a jumble of clay, and a song is more complex than words simply flowing together. That painting and statue and song are all various forms of art, and art is the window to the artist’s soul and perspective of themselves and the world around them.

Through painting, singing, dancing, writing, or other forms of art help both the artist and the viewer alike lose themselves just to rediscover their true nature. Thomas Merton wrote, “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.”

The importance of art is not limited to self-discovery. Various forms of art help people to escape the horrors of reality and use their imaginations and creativity to be whomever and whatever they desire to be. In addition, the human soul can be soothed and scars can be healed.

Although art forms all over the Earth differ from one another, the passion for the arts unites all of humanity. No matter where anyone goes, they can view the impact the arts has on every being. Art is the great equalizer that every one of different tongues and heritage can understand and relate to.

High school athlete comes out of coma speaking fluent Spanish

Rueben Nesmith of Georgia survived a life-threatening head injury after being hit in the head with a soccer ball, and woke up from a coma speaking fluid Spanish. Reuben Nesmith, a 16-year-old goalie for his soccer team at Brookwood High School, had three concussions during his soccer career and went into a coma. He was not expected to survive, but miraculously, Nesmith woke up from the coma three days later. However, Reuben was not speaking English when he woke up, he was speaking fluent Spanish.

With extreme efforts, Nesmith learned how to speak English again. After the teen was able to speak English again, he told a local radio station he may have learned to speak Spanish from his friends and brother. The boy said his friends would always talk to him in Spanish and would try to teach him, but he was never able to apply the language.

Reuben said he wants to return to playing soccer once he recovers and is able to go back to school. Reuben’s coach says he will allow Reuben to return but will make him wear a helmet to prevent further injuries.

Jacuzzi of Death

Jacuzzi of Death, a salty lake at the bottom of the sea, was discovered deep under the Gulf of Mexico. Crew members from a research ship have often referred to the undersea lake as the “Jacuzzi of Despair." This lake is actually a brine pool, a body of water which has a salinity three to five times greater than the surrounding ocean. For deep-sea brine pools, the source of the salt is the dissolution of large salt deposits through salt tectonics. This means that this brine pool results in death for undersea animals because there is a low amount of oxygen.

The pool of death is roughly 82 feet wide and is thousands of feet below the surface of the ocean. While the lake might be hazardous to most sea life, it is fascinating to look at. This lake has a different coastline than the rest of the ocean. The coastline’s edges have “a jewel-like rim,” according to the Nautilus Exploration Program (NEP). The water in the lake is oddly warmer than the rest of the sea, too, hence the nickname “Jacuzzi.” When marine creatures fall in, they die, get pickled, and become preserved.

A student from Buckhannon-Upshur High School was asked if “Jacuzzi of Death” was a good name for this lake. The student said, “When I heard the name of the lake, I immediately thought it was a little harsh. After learning what happens to the marine creatures when they swim into the warm lake, I realized why the research team named it this.” Even though the warm lake is harmful to living things, it is pretty interesting to look at.

Historic World War II boat heads home

Recently, a historic World War II boat that has survived dozens of operations finally began its journey home. The destination- where it began its journey more than 70 years ago. PT-305, after surviving a restoration project at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, is traveling atop a barge set to reach the Industrial Canal near Louisiana’s Lake Pontchartrain.

The boat, nicknamed the U.S.S. Sudden Jerk, operated in the Mediterranean along the coasts of southern France and Northern Italy. PT-305 conducted more than seventy-seven offensive operations, fought in eleven separate actions, and sank three German ships during its fourteen-month deployment. After WWII, PT-305 took on a civilian role as a tour boat in New York Harbor. It also spent some time as a fishing charter and an oyster boat before the beginning of its restoration in 2007. A volunteer crew worked to restore it back to its original state of glory.

A student was asked if restoring the historic boat was a good idea. The student responded, “I think that restoring the boat was a great idea. This is part of our history and if anything can be saved, that’s what we should do. If I were a veteran and if I were able to see the boat again, I would definitely go visit it.”

The boat was moved outside its holding and restoration facility before making its 1-mile trip to the Mississippi River. PT-305 arrived at a time when no cruise ships were docked in the New Orleans port, so maneuvering it was easier. The boat was then moved onto a barge which traveled down river. PT-305 is now heading back in the other direction toward Lake Pontchartrain. The boat is scheduled to be placed in the lake on December 10. Until then, last-minute adjustments will be made to the boat before it is time to be placed into the water.

Home and Garden Television stars are bashed for their religious beliefs

Chip and Joanna Gaines are the stars of the HGTV show “Fixer Upper.” They are Christians and attend a Texas church whose pastor believes strongly in traditional marriage.

Many people have shamed the couple for their religious beliefs and for attending church. The controversy started on November 29, 2016, when Kate Arthur, a Buzzfeed reporter, published a piece titled, Chip and Joanna Gaines’ Church Is Firmly Against Same-Sex Marriage. In her article, she calls out their church’s pastor for his “hard line against same-sex marriage,” and for promoting conversion of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) people.

Aurthur said she does not know the Gaines’ opinion on same-sex marriage but that HGTV refuses to say whether they ban LGBT people airing on their shows. HGTV was asked if they allow LGBT people on their shows and their response was, “we don’t discriminate against the LGBT community in any of our shows.”

A student from Buckhannon-Upshur High School was asked if the stars should be bashed for their beliefs. The student responded and said, “I believe that they should be allowed to have their own beliefs just like everyone else does. It doesn’t change them as a person because everyone has their own opinions about something.”

In the end, stars take the hits for showing their own beliefs and views when they contradict society’s outlook on those matters. As long as Chip and Joanna provide entertainment and show off some cool houses, it shouldn’t matter what their individual beliefs are.

Lady Antebellum's hiatus is over

The break between the country band, Lady Antebellum, was much longer than anyone expected, especially the band themselves. The break was the longest the band had been apart in a decade. After coming back, they spent as much time in the studio together as possible. They lived together for two months, half spent in Florida, half in Los Angeles, where they wrote and recorded music.

On Thursday, the vocal group released a new single, “You Look Good,” from their new album “Heart Break,” which will be coming out on June 9, 2017. This album will be the band’s first new album since their 2014 album, “747.” It reflects the sunny days in the Hollywood Hills and the white sandy beaches in Florida. Lady Antebellum says they wrote nine songs in basically three days because they were so motivated after being apart for so long. After grinding for a decade full of five albums and numerous arena tours, the break was exactly what the band needed.

A student from B-UHS was asked if they were excited the band was back together. “Of course I am excited! Even though it was a long break, I think it was exactly what the band needed. I couldn’t go a decade full of tours without having a break,” the student said. They were also asked if they plan on listening to the new album when it comes out. “As a huge country fan living in Buckhannon, I definitely plan on listening to the new album,” the student replied.