THE CREST ONLINE

   When schools close for the summer, students have an abundance of free time and, for the most part, little to do. For this reason, many students take advantage of their brief reprieve from academic demands and begin the search to find ways to earn extra cash. However, when it comes to job searching, people don’t know where to apply. 
   Junior Lindsay Blouin says, “Job searching is tough.”  
   Coach Belou states, “It’s good for kids do have jobs and make their own money.” 
   While some wouldn’t mind physical labor, others might prefer a less demanding job. Here are just some of the local businesses that may strike your interest:

Athletic clubs: Franco’s, Pelican Athletic Club, and Stone Creek are always good places to search for employment. Whether you’re looking to be a life guard, receptionist, or daycare sitter, these athletic clubs provide an endless amount of opportunities.

Boutiques: For the fashion-inclined students, a variety of stores have been popping up around Mandeville. Some of these stores are Posh, Charming Charlie’s, and Ulta. Other stores that aren’t necessarily new to the region are: All About me, Bora Bora,Paisley, Mode, and Arigato.

 Runners: Those who enjoy running might also enjoy working at an athletic store such as Varsity Sports or Runner’s Choice.

Outdoors: During the summer months, blueberry farms become a hot spot for families to come and visit. This is also a great job opportunity. The local blueberry farm, called “Blue Harvest Farm,” in Bush is a fantastic place for outdoorsy people to look for employment. It's relaxed environment, but it's only for people who can stand to be in the heat!

Restaurants: There are multiple restaurants around Mandeville where you can search for employment. Depending on the hours you want to work, you can search for a breakfast-only restaurant or an evening-only restaurant. With so many places to work, the only trouble you’ll have when applying is choosing which one you want to work at.

   So whatever your interests are, there are plenty of employment opportunities in Mandeville where you can fill the boring hours of summer.

by Kayla Miller

by Sophia Parandian 

The Peyton Manning sweepstakes came to an end Monday when the free agent quarterback informed the NFL teams pursuing him that he intended to sign with the Denver Broncos. The resolution of where Manning, one of the most high-profile free agents in pro football history, will play next immediately rippled through the ranks of NFL quarterbacks.Denverwas an unlikely winner of the sweepstakes in the eye of fans but fit Manning’s requirements perfectly. It was said that Peyton Manning did not want to go to a team in the N.F.C because he did not want to potentially rob his brother, Eli from a Superbowl appearance. Manning has the ability to transform decent receivers into standouts. Manning will have to do much of the same in Denver. His wide receiving core consists of Demaryius Thomas, Daniel Fells, and Eric Decker. This is a young cast of receivers, none of whom have made a pro bowl. When asked about what Manning will be able to do in Denver, football fanatic Nick had this to say. “With Manning on the Bronco’s roster, they have a real shot to come out of the A.F.C and play in the Superbowl. They have one of the best defenses in the league and with the addition of, arguably the greatest quarterback of all time, they will be a force to be reckoned with.” With this trade came the trade of another fan favorite quarterback, Tim Tebow. Tebow was traded to the New York Jets a day after Manning signed with Denver. These series of trades sent a shockwave through the N.FL. No matter what team you are rooting for, the N.F.L will certainly be a different and exciting.

               Louisiana’s own Moonbot Studios won an Oscar in the 84^thAcademy Awards on Sunday, February 26. Based out of Shreveport, the studio, open for barely over a year now, has been the center of excitement for Louisiana as the Awards approached. The win of the Oscar by their very first film,The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore, is monumental for the studio as well as the community.

               In an interview with KSLA News, artist of the film Adam Valker said about the Oscar win: “The Oscar’s really great to have the critical acclaim, but the things that move us the most as filmmakers are when an eighth grade teacher comes up and says my students want to read books now because of your film.”

               The Oscar won was for “the Best Animated Short Film.” It was accepted by founder and writer of the film, William Joyce, and co-director Brandon Oldenburg. Joyce, who previously worked for Pixar Studios, was astonished by the win, and was quoted saying as he held the award, “We’re just a couple of swamp rats from Louisiana.”

               Though the Oscar is by far the most prestigious award the studio has won, Moonbot has been no stranger to awards with their heartwarming film.The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmorehas won thirteen awards overall, including “Best Animated Short” and “Audience Award Winner” at Austin Film Festival and “Best Animated Short” at Cinequest Film Festival. The film, a tale of a man who gets swept away by Hurricane Katrina and winds up in a world of friendly flying books, was the compilation of many filming techniques with a blend of not only traditional hand drawings, but also computer animation and stop motion (according to the Huffington Post). It’s a truly touching film that draws inspiration from Hurricane Katrina, the “Wizard of Oz,” and the love and wonder that books contain. On top of that, it starts out in our very own New Orleans, Louisiana.

               “I was glad to see a Louisiana film nominated,” says sophomore talented drama student Patrick Flanigan.

               Joyce, owner of Moonbot, has another film in the works with DreamWorks. “Rise of the Guardians” is set to be released in November of this year. As for Moonbot, there are plans for convertingThe Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmoreinto a story book and an app for phones. The book is scheduled to come out sometime in July. There is great hope for the future success of the studio.

               “If there’s a will, you’re gonna see an outcome. If there’s inspiration, if there’s belief, if there’s hard work, it’s gonna pay off no matter where it comes from,” said the film’s lead animator Jamil Lahham to KSLA News.
ABBY JENNINGS

   Mandeville High School is currently participating in The Unforgettable Prom Foundation. This foundation’s mission is to provide the ultimate prom experience for teens that have been affected by cancer.

           Prom night is a highlight for most teenagers; unfortunately kids battling cancer hardly ever get to have that experience due to their illness.  The foundation’s goal is to provide teenage cancer victims with something incredible to look forward to and also give them an experience much like the healthy teens in our school.  The Unforgettable Prom is an event that helps provide hope, strength, and inspiration.

           These teens are treated like movie stars arriving in limousines, walking the red carpet, and dancing all night long. Everything from tuxedoes for the boys, dresses, hair and make-up for the girls, limousine transportation, prom photos, food and entertainment are all provided for these courageous teens. In order to make this event unlike any other, the foundations needs the help of sponsors and donations. To do our part in helping this organization the Mandeville students are asked to donate any prom dresses to the affected teens. Some clubs are even taking the donations as service hours. “It’s a great opportunity! I have so many dresses that I never wear and don’t know what to do with them,” says Junior Abby Gardner. “It’s an excellent cause and hopefully it’s something the kids at Mandeville High will get behind and support their peers who are going through a rough time,” says Mr. Belou. Every donation is appreciated, so hurry and drop off your donations in the box, by the blue wall in the commons, before the deadline ends!

Kayla Miller

   `After fourteen months of matrimony, British comedian Russell Brand has filed for divorce from his wife, pop sensation Katy Perry, on December 30^th2011. Many have suspected that the couple was growing apart for a few months now. The issue came to light in a video posted by Brand two weeks after their anniversary, in which he removes his wedding ring. While the up-coming split has shocked the couples’ friends and fans, some say that it’s been a long time coming.

           Accounts from many different sources give differing views on the reasons of the break-up, most of them more ready for magazine covers than the real world. To all appearances, the couple seemed to be very happy. One friend of theirs said to PEOPLE magazine that "They were always laughing. They were very affectionate, always holding hands. They seemed like they were really in love." On the other side of speculation, some are claiming that Brand and Perry were constantly bickering, and that Perry’s partying life-style didn’t mesh well with Brand’s life as a recovering drug addict. Another says that Perry just wasn’t entertaining enough for Brand, who was often very unsupportive of her and her work.

           More cynical critics of the situation just say that the divorce was to be expected. With all the touring and the stress that comes with being celebrities, the couple was doomed to fail from the start. Being constantly apart from each other takes its toll on a marriage, as has been seen with many Hollywood marriages in the past.

           Rumor says that Perry is seeking to save her fragile marriage, planning flights to the UK in order to talk her estranged husband into marriage counseling. Both have kept mostly silent, though Perry has made statements telling her fans not to believe any rumors concerning her divorce or any opinions on the matter given by her parents. A post on Twitter from Perry gave her thanks to her fans. 'I am so grateful for all the love and support I've had from people around the world. You guys have made my heart happy again.'

           While not much else has really been revealed about the sad situation, some have given it a positive (though slightly heartless) spin in hoping that Perry will be able to draw inspiration from this experience. A source told the Huffington Post, "Ever since problems started to emerge, she penned her thoughts in a diary which she goes back to, to draw upon for lyrics for her songs."

Abby Jennings