Editor-in-Chief

Tee Reh looks like a typical high school junior. He sits in the back of Ms. Whitbeck’s classroom, wearing a striped hoodie and skinny jeans, laboring over the intricate doodle on his manila folder that he’s been working on all day. During the lecture he listens intently, soaking in every word. After all, Reh has only lived in the United States for two years, and he is determined to learn as much English as he can.

Before moving to the States, Reh lived in Southeast Asia. His people, the Karenni, are native to Burma, but the federal government oppressed them there. When Reh was very young, his family’s farm was burned and his animals stolen by government soldiers. His family fled to Thailand, where they lived in a refugee camp for ten years.

“The people there were very poor,” Reh said. “The houses were very small and close together, so that if one was on fire, the fire would spread all around.”

Reh said that his family was determined to leave the refugee camp to find better opportunities for housing, education, and employment. They registered to immigrate to the United States and finally arrived in California two years ago, where Reh attended Oakland International High School. He was overwhelmed at first because of the language difference, but he says he caught on quickly.

In California, Reh’s parents did not have jobs. But that soon changed thanks to local chicken producer Pilgrim’s Pride. At the beginning of the school year, Reh and his parents, brother, and two sisters came to Nacogdoches so that his parents could work at the factory. Reh is now one of fourteen Burmese high school students whose parents work at Pilgrim’s Pride and whose siblings attend schools throughout NISD.

“I like this school,” Reh said. “It’s big, I can get a good education, and everyone speaks English here.”

Echo Staff

The cost of going to see movies in theaters has steadily increased and has recently concerned local avid moviegoers.

According to the New York Times website, the executives of the Regal Entertainment Group, the nation’s largest theater chain, predict an average price increase of 3 percent or more by the end of 2011.

According to The Los Angeles Times,“The average ticket price at theaters in theUnited States last year rose to an all-time annual high of $7.89, up 5 percent from $7.50 in 2009.”

Inflation is usually the cause of price increases; however, the movie industry has outpaced the effects of inflation since 1999, according to the National Association of Theater Owners.  So, what are the factors that contribute to the rising ticket prices?

According to The New York Times, theater chains have recently turned to price increases to pay dividends to shareholders or to pay off debt. Another contributing factor is the increased production of 3-D movies that ads an average $3.00 surcharge to movie tickets, from which the theater owner, the studio, and the technology provider each receive a portion.

According to Mr. Blakely, manager of Carmike 6 inNacogdoches, local movie prices have increased about $.50 in three years.

He said Carmike 6 recently began “Super Bargain Matinee” at the theater, which lowers the prices of all tickets to $5.00 for show times between 4 and 5:30 to provide financial relief to consumers.  Several years ago, the theater started “Stimulus Tuesdays” which lowered concession prices to $1.00 for popcorn and drinks and $2.50 for candy on Tuesdays.

Blakely of Carmike 6 says that movie ticket prices have not affected attendance and that it remains “about the same.”  Nationally, however, movie theater attendance has decreased an average 10 percent in the last twelve years, according to The New York Times.

NacogdochesHigh Schoolstudents have noticed the price increases at movie theatres recently. Senior Blake Nichols said he feels irritated by the high prices at the local movie theater. Students like Nichols seek alternatives to avoid paying high prices.

Senior Renee Jamar and junior Dagon Gosesaid they rent movies from Red Box or attend the SFA movie theatre because these options are cheaper. Junior Blair Madkins waits until movies are released on DVD. Senior Xavier Fowler has resorted to similar measures. “I just go [to the movies] if it’s a really good movie that I want to see.”

   In the beginning… no too far back… A long time ago… too Star Wars… from the dawn of man there has been knowledge, and since that time there have been those who seek to record and spread it.  I seem to be one of those people, not to worry I won’t find out about that crazy thing you did last weekend… maybe, but I am always happy to be able to bring you the news of Nacogdoches and the world here on the web and on the original Dragon Echo®.  I first discovered this ambition to, “spread the word”, when I covered the assassination of Caesar and then solidified it when I wrote about Napolean’s advance into Russia.

*Disclaimer:  “The Dragon Echo” is not a registered trademark.