Timeless Tigers

The original Cedar Bluff Newspaper "The Bluffer"

The Newspaper Makes a Comeback

By: Natalie Teat

As you now know, after our second publication, Cedar Bluff has revived its newspaper through a virtual publication, The Tiger Tribune. The paper covers school life, athletics, organizations, class events, and after-school activities, as well as community news.

However, this is not the first time Cedar Bluff School has had a newspaper? One of our former students, Mrs. Sue Young, was a part of the very first newspaper, The Bluffer, first published in the late 1940’s.

In fact, it was first published April 3, 1946.

Steve Bishop, mass communications teacher and newspaper sponsor, actually was a part of the The Bluffer staff during high school. Upon becoming a teacher at Cedar Bluff, he launched a printed, tabloid-size newspaper, The Messenger.

"The Messenger was an award- winning community newspaper developed in conjunction with the University of Alabama's PACERS program," said Bishop. Consequently, those newspapers came to a halt due to the lack of teacher units..

Since the administration has hired full English units, the school has been able to expand elective offerings. Bishop could not be more thrilled.

“Thanks to the administration’s foresight in hiring full English teacher units instead of half units, the English Department was able to offer elective courses, something that has not happened in many years,” said Bishop.

Seeing as how technology has become more advanced, it has made the newspaper-production process easier. Bishop loves how “today’s technology allows for versatility, innovation, and outreach that far surpasses printed newspapers.”

Although today’s staff is utilizing various technologies to aid in the development of the newspaper, it was not always that easy.

“We had manual typewriters, Young said. “We would type the newspaper, and put the papers in a duplicating machine to make copies, and then we would staple them together.”

Principal Thrasher is excited for the return of a student publication to Cedar Bluff in the form of a virtual newspaper.

“I’m hoping this will bring some excitement [to our school and community] and encourage the students to be more involved with school events,” stated Thrasher.

According to Thrasher, he believes that if students see their names in an article, whether it is online or an actual newspaper, it will inspire them to become a more active student.

He also believes it will open doors for the students that have more of an interest in the creative arts.

“Students will have an opportunity to embrace their creativity through this newspaper,” says Thrasher.

Thrasher has been wanting to fill voids in the school’s artistic offerings any way he can so that Cedar Bluff students have more art and technology electives, and this year’s mass communication technology course is a first step in doing so.

Considering that we have students who are interested in music, visual and performing arts, graphic design, videography, creative writing, photography, and journalism, students hope it will allow more various art electives to be included in our curriculum.

Even though it has been many years since the school has published a newspaper, the Tiger Tribune hopes to reintroduce a new virtual bridge between school and community.

Students, school staff, and community members are encouraged to participate in the new newspaper experience by sharing story ideas with The Tribune staff.

An Old Tradition Brought to a New Generation

Tradition is the passing down of customs, statements, and beliefs from generation to generation. It may not seem significant to some schools; however, when it comes to Cedar Bluff, tradition is a major component of our school’s history.

Sue Young, president of Cedar Bluff’s Alumni Association, describes Cedar Bluff School as “one of the best [she] knows in Cherokee County because we still hold onto values from long ago that a lot of schools have changed.”

Frequently, the Cedar Bluff Alumni Association tries “to make a donation...towards something, a needed project.” According to Young, the alumni association, as long as they are active, wishes to also be a part of Cedar Bluff life.

Reminiscing about her own experiences at Cedar Bluff as a student,

Young recalled the memorable tradition of springtime Easter egg hunts.

“Students brought real eggs and [would] look for them.”

Young also described many other memories, such as the opening of the first lunchroom and being able to bring produce to pay for lunch.

Moreover, students that lived on farms brought mill, flour, eggs, and anything

they could find to help the school feed the student body.

One tradition of note that has been lost over time is the importance of Cedar Bluff’s alma mater; however, according to Principal Rusty Thrasher, that is changing this very year.

“I think the school’s alma mater is very important,” Thrasher said. “It brings back some of our old traditions of our school that has been lost for a while.”

School alma maters, a Latin term evoking the endearment of one’s school or college, fosters feelings of appreciation and devotion.

Young remembered just how integral the Cedar Bluff Alma Mater was in the school’s life, as it was a part of almost every event at Cedar Bluff. “We sang it at general assemblies, football games, and other gatherings,” Young said.

Senior Natalie Teat sang the Alma Mater in Mass Communications class recently. She recalled, “Mrs. Cathy May (beloved former teacher at Cedar Bluff) taught us the Alma Mater in first grade, and I have never forgotten it.”

Cedar Bluff staff all recall how Mrs. Cathy May was a staunch supporter of returning the Alma Mater to school life.

According to Thrasher, Cedar Bluff is working toward that goal. “To start with, I want it as part of our pep rallies, as well as possibly after football games.”

Thrasher also sees how it could be an important part of our Veterans Day and Graduation ceremonies.

“I envision our students, after they turn their tassels, singing the Alma Mater because at that moment they are the new alumni of Cedar Bluff School.”

Upon hearing of the new interests of staff and students in the Alma Mater, Young said, “I am so glad they are returning the tradition of the Alma Mater to our school.”