Internet, which is a daily commodity for people today, was thought to be a bogus idea at one point. In the video about the history of the internet, I learned that it was Leonard Kleinrock that first showed that computer communication could be a reality. At first, computers could only perform one task at a time, so the internet wasn't a great buzz in society. When Paul Baran was hired to create an indestructible network that couldn't crash during outside attacks, he chopped up the messages traveling through computers so that more could be sent at once with less build up. Although the idea was out in 1962, the first computer network that made time sharing available wasn't created until 1969. Using IMPs, or mini computers, workers went on the create the common computer network that we use today.

Kyle Akin has been a pivotal part of the TCA Lions' offense since his freshman year. When Akin joined the team in 2011, he was not the starting quarterback, but many people involved in TCA's football program knew that Akin would be eventually. I still remember the shock that Akin's family experienced when head coach, Blake Butler, told them that their 14 year old son would be starting on a Friday night only a couple weeks into his freshman season. Butler said of Akin, "He just has natural abilities that you can't coach in a kid, and now he's got the experience of a third-year quarterback, and that makes him even more dangerous." After working for and earning the starting position, Akin has continued to get better each season, leading his team to more wins each year and grabbing the attention of state-wide football fans and college football programs.

Kyle definitely has paid the price of working up to a current record of 8-1 throughout the years. During his first year, the Lions won only three games, and Kyle ended the season with a broken clavicle in Week 9. The next season started out rough as TCA lost the first three games of the season. Although it appeared to be a repeat of the previous year, with the encouragement of Butler and the leadership of Akin, the Lions went on to win six of their last seven games in the regular season, and they landed a spot in the play-offs. The Lions worked and learned a lot during those years, leading to their phenomenal 2013 season so far.

Throughout his career, Akin has had the honor of receiving several awards and recognition from people everywhere. In 2011, he won All-West Freshman of the Year with over 2000 passing yards in seven starts. In 2012, Akin was named first-team All-West quarterback after throwing for 3,145 yards and 32 touchdowns. So far this year, Akin has thrown for 2,180 yards and 28 touchdowns, and he is the third-leading rusher on the team with 404 yards and five touchdowns. People in the local area, college recruiters, Akin's proud girlfriend (yours truly), and others are extremely impressed and proud of Akin's abilities and his accomplishments through his years as quarterback, as well as by his work and accomplishments on the basketball and soccer team.

TCA vs. ECS- Kylie Kuykendall

Many people around the area are tuning in to the battle in Memphis tonight as TCA and ECS both fight to maintain a perfect record. Although the two teams are in different divisions and will not be defending a district title, it is still one of the biggest games of the year for multiple reasons. 

The game against ECS is a personal event for TCA, especially the head coach, Blake Buter. As a former assistant coach and teacher at ECS, Butler is anticipating the game with a group of players that are determined to win for him. 

Although ECS is a team with a more favorable size than TCA, the linemen and defensive players for the Lions are prepared to be explosive and effective on every play. In light of ECS's powerful rushing game, the Lions are ready to make strong group tackles and big stops, led by senior linebacker, Lucas Rogers. 

Because of the extraordinary meaning tied to this game for the two teams, I think that they will both be especially passionate tonight. While I think that TCA is going to win, I predict both teams being on top of their game, showing possibly their greatest performances of the season. I anticipate phenomenal leadership, accuracy, and precision by Kyle Akin, as he plans to lead his team to victory on his own birthday. I know that Butler, Akin, and the rest of the team are going into Memphis tonight ready to return to the Lion's Den 9-0.

The game tonight is not only a priority of TCA and ECS fans, but it is on the radar of football fans state-wide. Come support TCA tonight! WHITE OUT!

The Trinity Christian Academy football team will make history tonight at Rothrock Stadium as they face off against the JCM Cougars for the first time in regular season game. The Lions (5-0) are going into the game realizing that the Cougar's outstanding athletic ability and incredibly fast running backs could pose a threat to their perfect record.

The Cougars (3-2) are also aware of the talent of Trinity's team. JCM's coach, Orentheus Taylor said that the Cougars will have to play at their best and be extremely focused to be able to hang with the Lions.

Both teams have put in excessive amounts of work preparing for tonight's game in hopes of improving their season records, but only one team will prove victorious. Tonight's historical game is an opportunity for both teams to prepare for actual district games later this year.

How would I respond if I was convicted of plagiarism like the students at Piper High?
If I was convicted of plagiarism, I would be upset that I got caught and punished-- like any person would. Even though I would be extremely distressed about failing, I would know that my argument wouldn't be valid since I had signed a contract to not plagiarize on the assignment.

How would my parents respond?
My parents would be angry and disappointed that I went against my word and the law and plagiarized. I don't think that they would disagree with my punishment, but they would want to find a punishment that still made it possible for me to pass the semester.

Do I think I would deserve a passing grade because my parents pay tuition?
I don't think I deserve a passing grade, regardless if my parents are paying, if I don't put in the work to receive that grade. Getting a passing grade without putting in the effort teaches people that they can act the same way when it comes to future jobs or responsibilities, and it wouldn't be fair to the students that did try.

Does this story affect your views of plagiarism?
Yes. It makes plagiarism seem more like an issue that is active in schools and the lives of everyday people, and it shows plagiarism as a means to cheating.

What do I take away from this narrative?
Because of this story, I will be more cautious when doing projects and assignments so that my work will definitely be honest. I learned about some everyday consequences and affects of plagiarism.

A wind of controversy has been blowing in our society due to multiple video games that have questionable underlying messages. One new game in the spotlight today is Grand Theft Auto V.
Although I am not typically involved in the video game world, I am willing to voice my thoughts on the topic.

First of all, is playing this game endorsing it? I personally don't believe that if I were to see someone playing this game and I were to try it out that I would have to believe that violence, even in a virtual world, is acceptable. When it becomes someone's desire to afflict pain on virtual people by playing the game, then I think that that action is being endorsed. When playing this game becomes a lifestyle and a habit, I think that it is more of a heart issue than when playing was just a means of seeing what the game was.

Next, what do you get from playing it? I think that while even this game could be fun for a while, that it is dangerous to satisfy our desire for vengeance or theft or murder through the game. I think that this game could cause us to give up Christ's healing of these dark areas in us and rather kindle the fires of our sinful nature.

Next, who in your life in playing? I think that teens get easily jaded when it comes to these games because they see people they love, respect, and are friends with playing them. What seems like something funny-- a way to bond and spend time with their buddies-- can actually be something much more without teens even realizing it. I don't necessarily think that playing this game occasionally will pull people out of the real world, but if it consumes a person's thoughts and a majority of their time, it could be a detriment to that person's family, friend, and spiritual life.

Fourth, do you know when to quit? When it comes to playing any video game, you have to know how much is too much. I don't really agree with the playing of this game if the scenes that appear are incapable of positive influence on a person. I think that playing a game like this could quickly become an obstacle for an individual as it becomes a priority or a hobby.

Lastly, should Christians who are indwelt by Jesus Christ have moral issues with killing people in a virtual world? I think that as Christians, people should be concerned with the message that this game projects. I don't think that cruelly killing people-- even virtual ones-- paints a correct image of who Christ is, the Giver of life. Because Christians are one with Christ, I believe that we should project His Love to the world, even in subtle ways such as this. Although, I think it is just as important to be careful in our tendency to judge or separate ourselves from those who do choose to play this game. Condemning those with play GTA V isn't a good way to share Christ's Love either.

Perhaps one of the most anticipated college football games of the 2013 season is approaching quickly; the Alabama Crimson Tide is taking on the Texas A&M Aggies in Texas this Saturday. After Johnny Manziel stormed the college football world last year, he left the Tide with a 29-24 loss against the Aggies-- Alabama's only loss that season.

Despite its shocking win against the Tide last season and its numerous talented players--especially Manziel-- the Texas A&M team is predicted to fall to the Tide this time around. Although the teams both stack up extremely well, I am betting on the Tide of Alabama to take the field Saturday with a vengeance. Born into a "Roll Tide" yelling family, I hope that the Aggies are unable to live up to last year's unbelievable performance against the Tide, but I am definitely expecting a nail-biter this weekend.

Coming from an Indianapolis Colts-loving family, it is difficult for me-- and really anyone-- not to admire Peyton Manning. Even though Manning hasn't been a part of the Colt's team for a while, he hasn't stopped being a phenomena in the football world, and if you saw his season opener Thursday night against the Baltimore Ravens, you can support easily support this claim.

After returning to the NFL scene as quarterback for the Denver Broncos, Manning started off the first half with a couple bullets for touchdowns, but with a final winning score of 49-27, it is obvious that Manning and the Broncos were just getting warmed up. Manning ended the night with an NFL-record-tying seven touchdown passes, proving that his previous injury was not a detriment to his performance on the field.

Needless to say, Denver fans-- and Peyton Manning fans-- are looking forward to the rest of this NFL season and to witnessing what Peyton, as a valuable addition to the Broncos roster, has in store.

As college football kicks off, people all over the nation are scouting out the condition of their favorite teams, and of course, preparing for the outcome of their team's opening game. As for my family and I, our sights are set on the Alabama Crimson tide as they take on the Virginia Tech Hokies.

To my pleasure, the Hokie's coach, Frank Beamer, said that, as the team prepared for the Tide on Saturday, they could find no Alabama weaknesses to exploit through their game plan. The Virginia Tech Hokies, coming from last years slump, are positive of the strength of the Crimson Tide team; Beamer said, "They are as solid as the day is long."

Despite the Tide's current championship title, Saban and the team are not discrediting the ability of the Hokies and are coming into Saturday's game very cautiously. Going head to head with the number one winningest coach in college football, Saban is aware of the toughness and superior competitive character and the old fashioned principles of Virginia Tech. Saban is simply hoping that his team is ready for the opener despite the injuries of Amari Cooper (star receiver) and starting cornerback, Deion Belue that were an obstacle during practices leading up to this week's game, in addition to the various other changes and  hurdles that the team has faced during pre-season.

Looking at the conditions and previous seasons of both teams, I am in favor of the Crimson tide-- not only because of family tradition-- but because of the solidity of the program. Despite my presuppositions, the final of Saturday's game will simply be a matter of who comes most ready to play.

Roll Tide!

Kylie Kuykendall TCA 4 Blog 2

A lone wolf's howl has long been a symbol of melancholy and loss. Researchers have recently discovered that this thought is accurate. Instead of a wolf's howl being caused by its stress level or the prestige of the departing wolf, the best prediction of a wolfs howl is the closeness of the relationship between the howling wolf and wolf that is leaving it. Although howling is present during any time of separation, a wolf's howling clearly increased when it was separated from a close partner, according to the journal, Current Biology. There is no question that man and animals are extremely different, but love is something belonging to every creature.

With new discoveries about wolves, there is also new ravings about the moon. The night of August 20th saw the month's full moon. Usually a blue moon is defined as the second full moon of the month, and because this was only the first, there has been confusion as to why the full moon of August is being called a rare phenomena, but according to the original almanac definition, it was in fact a blue moon. It can be said that strange things occur under a full moon in the sky, so I ask, did you witness anything that would happen "only once in a blue moon"?

In 1979, Jimmy Carter installed solar panels at the  White House that would later be removed because of the orders of Ronald Reagan in 1986. Although in October of 2010 administration at the White House announced that a re-installation of solar panels would take place, many delays prevented the equipment being installed until this week.  In an effort to increase the building's energy efficiency, solar panels, along with updated building controls, high speed fans, and solar generators are being installed.  In agreement with various environmental activists on the topic, I think that the change to solar power at the White House is a positive thing.  Although solar energy compromises only a small piece of the United State's energy market, the amount of solar power utilized in 2011 is predicted to double in 2014.  I believe that the White House's switch to solar energy will encourage multiple organizations, businesses, and families to become for energy efficient and environmentally friendly.