A note from the editor

     Hello, everyone! I don't know about you, but to me, February has been pretty great so far. To name a few things, a new student named Jessi Sherman started attending OBBS early this month, we had lots of fun at the Valentine's Day party, and the Ping Pong Tournament has been exciting, as it started just a week ago.
     I must say sorry that the Patriot's Pen newsletter has not gotten out monthly this year, but hopefully we'll get back on track soon.
     The end is near! We are now over half-way through the school year! Keep working hard in your PACEs, and don't slow down.
     Have a great rest of the month!
     (Don't forget to check out the interviews on the Interviews page to the right.)



     --Garrett Burr--

Depressed? by Amanda Coulter

     Depression: many people have trouble with it, whether they are actually diagnosed or just have a tendency of feeling that way. I did a survey to see why people feel depressed. The choices were: for a little reason, a big reason, or you don't even really know why. I had 7 say a big reason, 8 say they didn't really know why, a couple said it varies, and 2 said many little reasons. From this survey you can see people get depressed for many different reasons. I believe no matter what reason, there is usually a pretty good way to cure it.
     Now of course, a very few may actually have depression, a very real disorder. Most people, though, are merely focusing on things they shouldn't be. They are focusing on their weight, clothes, popularity, or other minuscule things in life. I must admit I can be one of these people at time. When people begin to feel down over one of these things they try to make it go away. They may go to their favorite song, TV show, movie, or book. Some may even go to more drastic measures. I want to ask these people: "How much have those things ever really helped you?"
     I think the only way to really fight off those feelings is to go to God. Go to His word, and then pray and ask God to help you fight it. The Psalms can be a good book of the Bible to go to when down, or maybe you favorite verse or passage. Now, these things won't work if you haven't been faithful to God. You must confess and repent your sins. You have to talk to God and read His Word daily. If you do these things and really look for encouragement from God, I guarantee you will rarely feel depressed.

Bible Devotional by Jordan Neahring

      Do you ever have that feeling that you want to give up and not finish? The excuse may be that you’re too tired or too weak, but with God, there are no excuses. A verse I’d like to use for this topic is Philippians 4:13. It quotes: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

     God is there to be our power source of our lives.

     Read the full devotional in the Bible Devotionals page.

2011 Christian School Invitational by Amanda Coulter

On November 30-December 2, most of the Upper Level went to the Northwest Christian School Invitational, a two day extravaganza with athletic, musical, artistic, and academic competitions. We had many students enter a variety of categories, and a good amount even placed! We didn't have one type of category there we didn't have a say in!
   Our basketball team entered the basketball tournament, and though they didn't win any games, we were all very proud of them.
   We also made new friends at the Invitational. Making good Christian friends is one of the greatest blessings of the Invitational and other activities like it. I know altogether, everyone had  a wonderful time and I hope it's just as great next year!

                                            December Bible Devotional

                                                  With Jordan Neahring

      I will talk on the common story in I Samuel 17:44-50. This common story is known as "David and Goliath." If you haven't read this story, I ask that you read it sometime.
     David and Goliath... Doesn't it sound like one man against one giant? Well, in this case it is so. David stood up for Israel, because he knew God was on his side. This is faith and courage that David displayed before God, and we can also follow his example.

Read the full devotional on the Bible Devotionals page.

9/11: The Story of Flight 93 by Amanda Coulter

     10 years ago, September 11, 2001, something horrifically tragic happened, most know it as "9/11". Many know what happened that day when planes piloted by terrorists crashed into the twin towers and the Pentagon. Another plane crashed that day that sometimes doesn't get as much attention: flight 93.
     Flight 93 left from New Jersey to Pennsylvania, and 46 minutes into the flight, was hijacked by 4 terrorists who names were: Ahmed al-Haznawi, Ahmed al-Nomi, Saeed al-Ghandi, and Ziad Jarrah. The passengers at first did not realize what this meant, but the twin towers were being hit and they'd soon find out. As the passengers began to contact their families and hear of the attacks, they realized what was going on. They were most likely going to crash into a prominent building in Washington D.C.
     Knowing the terrorist plans, they couldn't let it happen, so a group including Jeremy Glick, Mark Bingham, Todd Beamer, and Tom Bernett decided to rush the terrorists and regain control of the plane. While putting this heroic plan into action, the plane crashed in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. There were no survivors. Those brave men and women possibly saved hundreds of lives. We should all remember what they did and pray for their family and friends.

A Trip to the Capitol

By Garrett Burr

There were many interesting things that we saw at the State Capitol on September 16^th, 2011.

   When we arrived at the Capitol building, one of the first things we noticed was the gleaming figure of the golden Oregon Pioneer on the very top of the building. He looked small from the ground, but when we ascended up from inside the building and arrived to the top, the Pioneer, we realized, was more of a giant than we thought. The tour guide told us he was about 23 feet tall!
   We also saw a sewer cap that was designed to look like the Oregon State seal! It was decorated with many random objects found from the sewer. There were marbles, toys, and even a retainer!
   We went inside the vault there, also. There wasn’t really anything in there, but the door was amazing to see! It was huge!
   I hope you get the opportunity to visit the State Capitol someday.