The song was a hit, but the high-end car manufacture hasn’t been. Daimler AG lost at least $439,000 US dollars on each Maybach it built since reintroducing the car brand in 2003. Daimler AG, best known for being the owners of the Mercedes-Benz Corporation, has spent more than a reasonable amount of their earnings trying to hold their weight in the Ultra-Luxury Car market. Their two main competitors are BMW’s Rolls-Royce, and Volkswagen AG’s Bentley.

In 1908, Wilhelm Maybach built his first car. He took a new Mercedes and made it better. His best creations are considered the 1929 Zeppelin DS 8 Cabriolet, the 1936 SW 38 Limousine, and the 1939 SW 38 Roadster. To understand Maybach, you have to understand its heritage; Designed to be a low production, high quality company, Maybach was always going the extra step (and four more after that) to make things better in nearly every aspect than the competition. The cars were faster, quieter, smoother, roomier, and more luxurious than anything else. Of course, they came with a price. Only the extremely wealthy and royal blood had these cars. The cars were treated as family jewels, and were passed through the generations. They were more than just machines, they were artwork and often indicative to a royal family –much like a family crest. A diary traveled with the car, from owner to owner, and documented things such as: who previous owners were, destinations to which the car had traveled, and special occasions in which the car had been involved. These cars have become heavily sought after items; they are a piece of history.

In 2003, under Mercedes-Benz, Maybach was resurrected after over 50 years. They aimed to re-establish the name Maybach had come to represent the many years before. The ultra-high luxury machines were highly customizable, and things such as reclining rear seats, built-in refrigerators, and sky lights came standard. The base price ranged anywhere from $400,000 to $750,000. 600 Maybachs were sold in 2003, and that number has trickled down to only about 200 per year now. Over $1.3 Billion has been lost on “Project Maybach Resurrection”, so plans to cut production by 2013 comes as no surprise. In return for Maybach closing shop, Mercedes is fully expected to come to offer its own line of ultra luxury cars to continually give Bentley and Rolls-Royce competition. A new era for Mercedes is coming.

This is a program for children with special needs ranging from a learning disability all the way to being mentally handicapped. Special Olympics  were at Midland Valley High School this year on April 13, from 9:00 to 12:30. Basically every student either gets a student with a special need and they stay with them all day, or a person will work at a booth for arts and crafts. It is such a good time and it really made an impact on the kids and students this year.

The Newspaper Staff is in charge of buddying up partners and giving each student the chance to choose a buddy going from all ages. TYJ works with students from Wagner Salley and Will Harris, a senior had a great and impacting experience this year. He had a five year old buddy named Sir Joseph Walker. The most impacting experience that he had with Sir Joseph was watching him play and enjoy the sports so much. “I wondered if he got to do these sports and activities at home so I was happy that he had a lot of fun.”

Some of the kids that came to Special Olympics may not have the best home life so whenever students get to interact  and make a difference on a child’s life, it can be life altering. One of the younger girls that came from Wagner Salley cried when it was time to leave at 12:30. Not only because she was sad to leave her buddy, but she may not get that type of attention at home and she enjoyed being with her buddy all day who was constantly giving her attention.

Some of the activities that go on during Special Olympics are events which include running, jumping and throwing different items, usually these are for children who are in middle school. For the younger children, ages from Pre-K to third grade, they got to do arts and crafts.

Everybody at Special Olympics got a medal because they are all winners. Everybody that participated in Special Olympics deserved to be recognized, they are all special in their own way. The volunteers will never forget their buddy and cherish the time that they spent together that day.

The email read:

“Cost to operate a Chevy Volt

Eric Bolling (Fox Business Channel’s Follow the Money) test drove the Chevy Volt at the invitation of General Motors.

For four days in a row, the fully charged battery lasted only 25 miles before the Volt switched to the reserve gasoline engine.

Eric calculated the car got 30 mpg including the 25 miles it ran on the battery. So, the range including the 9 gallon gas tank and the 16 kwh battery is approximately 270 miles. It will take you 4 1/2 hours to drive 270 miles at 60 mph. Then add 10 hours to charge the battery and you have a total trip time of 14.5 hours. In a typical road trip your average speed (including charging time) would be 20 mph.

According to General Motors, the Volt battery hold 16 kwh of electricity.. It takes a full 10 hours to charge a drained battery.

The cost for the electricity to charge the Volt is never mentioned so I looked up what I pay for electricity.

I pay approximately (it varies with amount used and the seasons) $1.16 per kwh.

16 kwh x $1.16 per kwh = $18.56 to charge the battery.

$18.56 per charge divided by 25 miles = $0.74 per mile to operate the Volt using the battery.

Compare this to a similar size car with a gasoline engine only that gets 32 mpg.

$3.19 per gallon divided by 32 mpg = $0.10 per mile.

The gasoline powered car cost about $15,000 while the Volt costs $46,000.”

From the start, this comparison is heavily influenced by the region of where you live. Gas prices and electricity usage costs vary depending on location. But to show an easy breakdown of costs for those living near North Augusta, South Carolina, I have completed the math below.

2012 Chevrolet Volt                                               MSRP: $31,645

16kwh x $0.12 per kwh = $1.92 to charge the battery.

$1.92 per charge divided by 25 miles = $0.077 per mile under battery

270 miles under gasoline range extender divided by a 9 gallon fuel tank = 30mpg

$3.63 per gallon divided by 30mpg = $0.12 per mile under gasoline

TOTAL:

9 gallons at $3.63     = $32.67

Charge                       =$1.92

$34.59

$34.59 divided by 295 miles = $0.117 per mile

Average US Yearly mileage of 14,000 = $1,638.00

2012 3^rd Generation Toyota Prius                      MSRP: $24,000

 Averages 50 mpg @ $3.63/gal = $0.0726 per mile

Average US Yearly mileage of 14,000 = $1,016.40

2012 Volkswagen Jetta TDI                                 MSRP: $22,775

 Averages 38 mpg @ $3.94/gal = $0.104 per mile

Average US Yearly mileage of 14,000 = $1,456.00

2012 Honda Civic EX                                            MSRP: $15,955

 Averages 34 mpg @ $3.63/gal = $0.107 per mile

Average US Yearly mileage of 14,000 = $1,498.00

Here I have taken four very similar sized cars, but with different drive terrain platforms, and compared them on a cost per mile scale. Surprisingly, the Volt can be eliminated automatically from the comparison. Not only is it by far the most expensive upfront, it is more expensive per mile too. Even the electricity cost per mile is more expensive than the Prius’s cost using gasoline.

The rest can be looked at from different angles of course. While the Toyota Prius is cheapest to operate on a daily basis, it is only cheaper by less than $500 than the Honda Civic, which costs nearly $8,000 less. It would take 16 years, at these prices, for the Prius to break even with the Civic. Falling in the middle is the Volkswagen Jetta TDI. I wanted to show that even though diesel is more expensive at the pump, it is more efficient on the road (even when compared to the famed gas sipper Honda Civic).

For a break down of how the Volt operates, read my article concerning it and other Electric Vehicles.

*I based my numbers on: 1) my most recent energy bill from SCE&G, which shows I pay $0.12 per kwh. 2) I-20’s Shell Gas Station price of fuel at $3.63 for regular unleaded and $3.94 for diesel. 3) Eric Bolling’s mileage results for volt. 4) EPA ratings for others

Concepts and Realities: Boom or Bust

Bust:

Bentley had a great display this year, with the attention focused around its newly offered V8 Continental GT. With the idea of efficiency, the V8 will get 40% better fuel economy than the 6.0 litre W-12, that will continue to be offered. The numbers are impressive in the sense that a drop of 4 cylinders and 2 litres can still produce a 0 to 60 launch in 4.6 seconds, only .2 seconds behind the W-12. What Bentley does not mention upfront though is that a good portion of the efficiency increases comes from external parts, like the newly refined dual-clutch 8-speed transmission. My question to Bentley, Will there be enough “going green” buyers, that truly believe driving the more efficient, 4000 pound Bentley is the answer, which still only has a 15 mpg rating, to offset the expense to developing the new engine? I think not. What I do see happening is a focus on weight reduction, and the attachment of the new transmission to the W-12.

Cadillac has worked at brand remodeling over the past few years, and no doubt has it worked. Cadillac refined its line up, while keeping with the same models, and truly transformed the V-series. Of course, most of the improvements in the V-series can pay tribute to the LS engine it uses and GM’s race development team for the production of the Corvette ZR1. Cadillac however may be looking to add a car to the line up, that is unlike anything it currently offers. The Cadillac Ciel is a newly released four-seater, convertible concept that aims to bring back the American gentleman’s car. It is long, low, and has perfect proportions. However, I do not see the Ciel being produced in its current form, but I do imagine Cadillac redesigning it in a hard-top form, either to replace the DTS or under its current name to potentially compete with high-end luxury- with the styling of a Rolls-Royce.

Boom:

The Porsche Cayenne is unlike anything else currently offered. It has doubled Porsche’s sales and profits since its release, proving that there is definitely a demand for high performance, luxury SUVs. Now years after its introduction, Maserati and Bentley are making plans to release their version of an SUV. Being well known for both luxury and performance, this could potentially be a huge success for both companies. The Cayenne Turbo has a price tag just over the $100,000 mark, but does not keep buyers away because of its performance numbers. It has 500 horsepower, launches 0 to 60 in 4.4 seconds, has a top speed of 174 mph, and has a 22 mpg highway rating. Mercedes has not bothered attempting to compete, and BMW tried, but failed, with its M-series X5. If Maserati will stick with the sensational 4.7 litre Ferrari V8 it uses in it’s cars, and can develop a solid suspension platform, I see it being a worthy contestant of the Porsche. The Bentley, on the other hand, I do not see truly competing with the Porsche head-on, but will definitely draw its own crowd, likely from the Hollywood elite type. Bentley has the resources, being a part of the Volkswagen group, to no doubt create a solid platform for it, with techniques from the Audi Q7 and Volkswagen Touareg at hand. Its price will be closer to double that of the Porsche, but I still see it being a huge hit in the land of money, where Land Rovers and $100,000 Porsches are not good enough. I foresee a huge hit for both companies, as long as they build their SUVs with the same quality and performance measures taken on their cars.

It would be impossible to cover the 2012 NAIAS without mentioning the alleged return of the Honda/Acura NSX.  In fact, I am certain you will not find any article on the Show without mentioning it. No booth could compete with the crowd the Honda/Acura booth drew when it unveiled its NSX prototype. Since the ending of the NSX in 2005, many have been awaiting its return. The NSX was introduced in 1991 and was a huge success from the beginning. Its 12 pound per horsepower ratio, equal to that of the Ferrari 358, made it very attractive to buyers looking for the best value in a sports car. Over time, Honda’s racing development team become preoccupied with other projects, failing to give the NSX the remodeling it needed. Now, they think they are ready to get back in the game, and have a bigger crowd awaiting the return than when Chevrolet was re-introducing the Camaro. Honda has been reported to say they aim for a 6 pound per horsepower ratio, putting it in the same ratio class as the Ferrari 458 Italia. The always powerful, always reliable VTECH engine, matched with Acura’s new SH-AWD system, will make for a successful return of the NSX.

On January 27, 2012, North Augusta High School’s Future Business Leaders of America attended Mossy Creek Elementary School under Project TAB. TAB is an acronym that stands for “Teaching Adolescents and Adults about Bullying”. Through performing skits and presenting power points, the FBLA did just that for the students at Mossy Creek Elementary School.

It was the first school out of the many the FBLA has already attended including: Belvedere Elementary School, Hammond Hill Elementary School, North Augusta Middle School, and Paul Knox Middle School.  Mathew Larry is one of the presenters for FBLA and he describes bullying as “an epidemic that is infiltrating our schools”. He expresses that he wants nothing more than to cure this. The visits have been very successful, and the representatives of FBLA have been awarded with a lot of praise. Brandon Abbott, a keyboarding teacher at Paul Knox stated his thanks saying, “They [The FBLA students] were very well spoken and obviously did their research on the topic. I truly believe that the students of PKMS  found value in this presentation”.

Project TAB will continue to make a difference in upcoming presentations to North Augusta Elementary School, on North Augusta Service Network, and through the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce AM Connection at North Augusta Community Center. Will Harley, also a presenter for FBLA, states his personal goal for the project. Coming from a strong-built senior at North Augusta, it’s hard to imagine when he reveals that he was bullied in elementary school. Because of this background the he explains, “Bullying can have a lot of harmful effects on kids, an the idea is to inform them about the types of bullying and how to prevent it. I just want to stop kids from experiencing that kind of hurt”. Certainly the Project TAB can’t fix all the bullying problems in schools. That starts with the student. However, it’s beyond doubt that FBLA has given schools across North Augusta a brighter future.

The mitochondria was there all along but doctors relied on the gylcolysis method to fight cancer. They believed that all of the mitochondria were damaged, therefore leaving them helpless against the cancer cells. The truth is that the mitochondria cells were not turned on.  With the mitochondria cells triggered, they produce less lactic acid. With less lactic acid, the bad tissue around the cancer cells do not break down and seed new tumors.

Current cancer treatments, like chemotherapy, can harm the patient. If there’s a cure to help cancer recipients, why are the major pharmaceutical companies blowing it off like it’s no big deal? The thing is that the DCA drug cannot be patented therefore the companies would not be making any profit off of the drug. Without a patent, major companies will not invest in the drug. The question is which is more important to them and which should be more important.

Sophomore Josh Grubb says ” Wouldn’t it be more profitable for them to help people.  They shouldn’t be worried about money so much”.

The reality of it is that the process costs more than $1 billion for potential treatments and medications to pass through stages on the way from a research lab to the pharmacies shelf.  So is it that they can’t afford it or they don’t want to afford it?  ” They need to think about saving people’s life’s instead of the dollar. Give cancer recipients a chance.”  Says study hall teacher Mrs. Johnson who is  a cancer survivor herself.

Scientists are hoping for some small companies to grab the idea and produce the drug because of the major companies are not interested.  Some believe that DCA is just a ‘potential treatment’. That maybe why there is not as much interest on the subject. To good to be true is what some people say.

This includes weightlifting and physical education as well, the main area that students are complaining about. Ryan Stephens, a senior, who thinks that “it is just a waste of time to write a prompt in P.E. but then again I know that our school
has a good reasoning behind doing this.” An example of a prompt to discuss this would be writing paper about the health of running in P.E. or a paper on obesity.

After meeting with Mrs. Day on Writing across the Curriculum, she shed some light on why this addition is going to help the students at school. She says that the goal of the new curriculum is to “produce better writers and better writers are also better thinkers, and good writers also have better standardized test scores.” One of the hopes is that we’ll see the effects of the program in North Augusta’s SAT and ACT scores.

Why now though? Why this year? Starting next year all schools will be using a Federal Curriculum and all schools will have the same core standards in the United States.  North Augusta High will adopt this curriculum and so to start off early and get students in the habit, this is where the writing portion will come into place.

Adam Parlor, a junior, thinks that writing across the curriculum will be “a good start to help students improve standardized test scores, and I know I am definitely in that category of needed improvement.”

So where is the Freshmen Academy going to be located? The good news is North Augusta has already designated an area for the academy inside the high school, so there’s no need for seniors and juniors to fret about whose parking lot will be replaced with a giant circus tent. The designated area will be set for all the classrooms on the cafeteria side of 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd hall.

“The freshmen will also have their own set of teachers”, says Mr. Bornscheuer, “The goal is to give the teachers a chance to connect with the students”. Teachers will be able to work as a team while they focus on each individual student to assist them with problems, weaknesses, and the goals they are striving for.

Mr. Bornscheuer speaks from experience. Before coming to North Augusta High School, he was influential in assisting to create a Freshmen Academy as Principal of Silver Bluff High School. Silver Bluff’s Freshmen Academy was the first within Aiken County Public Schools. At NAHS, some teachers have already volunteered to teach. Mr. Bornscheuer confirms that the academy will still offer the Honors Program, and the freshmen can still have the electives that are placed in other parts of the school. The academy will also have a separate administrator and guidance councilor. There is no doubt that Mr. Bornscheuer has planted high hopes on how this will give freshmen a strong start in high school.

Mrs. Carrick, a guidance councilor at North Augusta, also relays her high hopes to parents stating confidently, “I can’t think of why any parent wouldn’t want this for their children”. It’s one of the most important years for high school students. All most all administrators agree that the freshmen year has a major impact on whether an individual student will graduate.

So are there any negatives to the Freshmen Academy? It’s possible some upcoming freshmen may not be in favor of it, but it will give them a benefit they won’t regret. For upperclassmen, it will only be sad to know that witnessing the humorous scene of a senior giving a freshman direction to the swimming pool on top of them gym will now become less frequent. Until the School Board Meeting on the 24^th, the Freshmen Academy is only a proposed program, but plans have been made to make sure that once the school is given a go, they will be able to have the academy ready for next year.

If upcoming freshmen or their parent guardians would like to learn more about this benefit, they can attend the 2012 Freshman Expo on February 13^th. It will be put on by the NAHS Transition Team and the school’s Guidance Department. Besides the opportunity to learn about the Freshmen Academy, there will also be opportunities to get flyers and learn from students about clubs.

For updates on the results from the school board meeting, check this article after the 24th.

From separate auditions for elementary, middle and high school, students from each school will be chosen to perform in the show.

There will be many talents performed for the show. Talents are categorized into vocal, instrumental, and dance. One talent that stands out from the rest is reciting poetry. Senior Kwashane Robinson says that he plans to recite poetry as his talent. “I’m not going to say the name of it yet, I want it to be a surprise.” Robinson so far is the only poet auditioning for the show. This is his first year auditioning.

For junior Mary Tabor, this is not her first year and doesn’t plan on being her last. “This is my eighth year doing NA Idol, I’m not nervous.”  Tabor is going to dance to “Waiting on the World to Change” by John Mayer.

Talents are limited to three minutes and during the auditions the finalist will be timed. If you are a finalist and your performance goes over the limit you will be asked to shorten your performance. Not all performances can be summed down to  three minutes and still be polished and superlative. The three minute rule is to give other performers a chance to perform.

Another performer, Alexandria Allen, who is a senior, also plans on singing a song for the idol show. This will be her second year in performing but she is still a little nervous. She plans to sing  ‘All I Could Do is Cry’ by Etta James.

The first audition will be in January and another in February. The show will be March 20th.

Even so, some students have been breaking school code and eating in the hallways, dropping food crumbs or even leaving opened bags in the hallway that contain food. As a result, the school had bugs and roaches. Pest control got irritated with having to come out and exterminate them so frequently, so Mr. B contacted A&A Vending, the vending company that is in charge of the vending machines, to see if there was anything he could do to resolve the issue. A&A told Mr. B about the timers, and he decided to install them to reduce the problem.

Since the timers have been enacted, the vending machines no longer accept money except for during lunch hours (11:05-12:30). If a student puts in a dollar ten seconds before the machine cuts off and doesn’t make their selection before the machine cuts off, it will “steal” the money and someone else will be able to use the dollar once it resumes the next day, according to an A&A Vending informant. “It irritates me when they won’t take my money,” said freshman Kumar Reynaldo. For those students with health issues, like diabetes, Mr. B’s advice is go to the nurse’s office and get a snack from there since the nurses have food for the specific purpose.

The vending machines also caused a problem after school with the bus area.  All the students are trying to get into the lunchroom so that they can hear when their bus is called, but when you have students standing in line in front of the vending machines, pushing and shoving occurs and could potentially cause a fight.

These timers help to enforce the school policy of ”no food or drink in the building.”  If a student can only buy food during their lunches than they have to eat the food in the lunchroom where there are proper trash receptacles and janitorial staff to effectively clean the areas in order to reduce any problems with pests.