Decathetes Torch

H C R O T S ’ E T LE H DECAT DECATS at ST. LAURENCE CATHOLIC SCHOOL 2630 Austin Parkway Sugar Land, TX. 77479 281-980-0500 www.decats.net SUMMER 2012

DECATHLETE’S TORCH REPORTERS Miss Montalbano Mrs. Gutierrez Arshia Batra Faith Brown Talyn Burgess-Jimenez Kendall Couch Patrick Frain Isabel Hoffmann Lexi Kadi Katherine Kunkel Jean-Paul Nguyen Mae Malek Jenelle Pinnock Lena Shadow

DECATS RULES 1.

2.

3.

COME PREPARED RESPECT YOUR RIGHTS AND THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS 4.

5.

BE ON TIME

WORK AT LEARNING

ASK FOR SUPPORT

Our 2012 theme: Go for the Gold!

HONORING OUR FOUNDER, MR. MANUEL DEBUSK Manuel DeBusk passed away peacefully on October 24, 2011, at the age of 97. We especially remember and give thanks for him. His foundation's financial generosity has made DECATS possible for these past 18 years.

We honor him, a true DECATHLETE in our eyes. The scholar aides developed their top 5 reasons that Mr. DeBusk was a Decathlete….they are: 1. He had the creativity and initiative to fund the program and showed responsibility for the funding of the program!

2. Mr. DeBusk has allowed others to enjoy learning new skills.

3. Mr. DeBusk has helped all the scholars discover new things about themselves and others because of the DECATS program.

4. During DECATS, scholars learn in the real world….thanks Mr. DeBusk!

5. DECATS would not be possible without YOU, Mr. DeBusk—THANK YOU for giving your life to greater causes like DECATS!

SPECIAL GUESTS Dr. Diane Cooper, founder of DECATS, and Dr. Marty Webb, founder of DECATS in Houston, were our special guests this summer! What an honor!!

We appreciate all your work for DECATS!!

“DECATS has meant a lot to me because it always brings good memories and lots of fun. It is challenging but you have to persevere to complete these challenges. DECATS has always exceeded what I expected it to be. I always enjoyed every course I received, even if I didn’t want it. I appreciate your work Mr. Debusk, Dr. Cooper, and Dr. Webb!”

Patrick Frain—DECATS Scholar

Page 2

DECATHLETE’S TORCH

Dance Until You Drop!

By: Isabel Hoffmann

Do you love to dance? Do you like to move to the groove?

Then this is the right place for you! Dancing through the Decades is a fun way to learn new dances from the past and present! Mrs. Hernandez, the mentor, taught her scholars the Charleston, Disco, Jitterbug, the Swing, Hip Hop, the stroll, and some country dances! This year Ms. Winski came to the course with her dancing partner to teach the different styles of swing dancing. Everyone had a great time! The scholars left knowing new dances and hopefully will continue practicing them. They even performed what they learned to the DECATS community. This course is one of a kind! If you like dancing you will definitely not regret taking this course. Are you ready to dance?

The Apprentice…DECATS Style

Mary is getting skittles for her team to start a Minute to Win It game.

The scholars are striking their ending pose for the Charleston for their big performance!

By: Isabel Hoffmann

Are you successful? If you are, do you want to become even more successful? If you do, then Junior Apprentice is the right course for you! The scholars in this course faced challenges and learned to work together as a team. They were challenged to make banners, create a team name, provide a service for the mentors, decorate a cake, and create their own product and sell it! Most of the scholars said that decorating a cake was their favorite challenge. There were four teams of five scholars in this course. The team that wins the challenge receives the most points, and the team leader gets two more points. Mrs. Walpole, the mentor of this course, hopes the scholars will enjoy working together, sharing responsibility, and learning how to communicate with their teammates. At the end of this course Mrs. Walpole adds all the points, and the person with the most points is crowned “the Junior Apprentice”. Everyone has strengths to offer their team and this course provides an opportunity to share with other scholars. Are you up for the challenge?

DECATS GO FOR THE WORLD

Page 3

MMMM…Chocolate!

By: Faith Brown and Arshia Batra

Do you like chocolate? Do you enjoy learning in a FUN way? If you do, come on down to Cocoa. Motion! In this course, the scholars tried new treats and performed different taste tests that were sweet, bitter, sour, spicy, and more! Scholars of any age at DECATS would love this course. Ms. Thompson said ,“I want everyone in this class to leave DECATS knowing a lot about chocolate and be willing to try new things.” Some favorite recipes prepared in this course were cake pops. (made for the first time last year), chocolate oatmeal cookies, rocky road pudding, chocolate bars, fudge, and the last project, chocolate sculptures! The scholars also learned about what the different types and locations of taste buds on our tongue. Some ingredients used in almost every recipe were flour, vanilla, and cocoa. This course involved creativity, fun, and lots of chocolate! So come on down to Cocoa Motion to have some chocolate fun! Are you up for the experience?

JUST SCRAP IT!

Ashley D. and Leah Anne M. are just about to eat their homemade no bake chocolate oatmeal cookies that are just out of the freezer.

Alex is stirring the ingredients to make some yummy chocolate pudding.

CHOCOLATE!

Sarah F. puts a paper flower on one of her pages in her scrapbook.

Stroll Down Memory Lane

Claire C. cuts one of her pictures to fit with all the other things in her scrapbook.

By: Faith Brown

This course, Just Scrap It, is a creative course that helps you to express yourself by making scrapbooks in any way you want. Throughout this course, scholars will make many pages in their scrapbook each specializing on a certain thing.

Some scholars have made pages about their family, their friends, events like their baptism or birthdays, and activities that have been or will be done by them over the summer. The scrapbook will help to preserve the memories of their life so they can cherish them forever. One of the scholars, Sarah F., who currently goes to John Paul II Catholic School said, “We get to use many tools and colors that we want to improve our scrapbooks and make them unique.” Mrs. Powell says she wants the scholars in Just Scrap It to leave DECATS knowing how to use the artistic and creative tools used in this course at home, in school, and in everyday life.

“ DECATS makes me feel special and talented.”

Nicole Fleishman— DECATS Scholar

Page 4

Creative Minds In Action

DECATHLETE’S TORCH

By: Kendall Couch

Have you ever heard the saying two heads are better than one? This is what the scholars of Outside the Box have begun to understand. They have learned how to use their logic and critical thinking skills to solve word problems, optical illusions, and puzzles. The scholars have also discovered different solutions and strategies used by the other creative thinkers in our past and present such as Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, and Leonardo Da Vinci. During the course, the scholars practiced developing and using some of their techniques and strategies so they can be more successful when they try to solve different kinds of problems in the future on their own.

The mentor, Miss Ranalli, enjoyed teaching Outside the Box and wanted her scholars to see the value in others’ ideas and learn better ways to communicate. In this course, the scholars took part in activities that required them to turn their minds on and think about new ways to solve problems.

Her goal was to teach her scholars that when they work as a team they use each other’s strengths and weaknesses which will be the key to improve their creative ideas.

After teaching this course, Miss Ranalli expects her creativity to grow with her scholars. She is encouraged by the amount of material she is able to cover during the three weeks of DECATS. The activities usually involved creative minds of the past who have set an example for all the creative thinkers for the future. When asked the question “what knowledge do you want your scholars to leave this course with,” Miss Ranalli quickly responded, “I want the scholars to feel comfortable and let them know and understand that they matter as a person.” Get your minds ready for action because this class has been blown up with creativity!

Got Game?

Four students from Miss Ranalli’s Outside the Box couse are working to solve the puzzle of the day using each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

The scholars in It’s a Ball World After All were competing in baseball games together.

By: Kendall Couch

Do you like playing sports, hanging out with friends and competing against each other? If so, make sure to check out It’s a Ball World After All next year when walking from course to course. If you thought one of your courses this year was fun wait until you participate in a soemthing just made for you to have the best time of your life. What’s more fun than that? In my opinion, nothing!

Miss Guedry, who teaches Perspectives 1 and Design with the Times, chose to teach this course because her favorite things to do are compete in sports and be creative. She wanted the scholars to leave her course with a better understanding of world-wide sports and the qualities of respect, sportsmanship, and courage. In the past, Miss Guedry has also taught Ready, Set, Fit. In It’s a Ball World After All, the scholars learned about different sports such as bocce ball, volleyball, badminton, soccer, tennis, cricket, baseball, and even croquet! Before each day the class reviews the sport’s rules and instructions. Each day they practice on a certain sport and try to make each other better by giving them tips on what they need to work on. Nicole F. from St. Laurence Catholic School said, “It’s not always easy to learn something new, however the harder you try, the better chance you have to succeed.” Miss Guedry also agreed with that statement adding that each scholar has a unique way to present a sport and help their fellow scholars learn in a better way. Make sure you remember to stop by the gym because it is full of action and competition.

Page 5

Old History New Artists

By: Lexi Kadi

Anyone can be an artist! All you need is some creativity and imagination. Mrs. Feagin teaches Art In History. In that course, you learned about Native Americans and how they created their very own art. As well, the scholars learned what Christopher Columbus might have seen when he was on his voyages and lots of Texas History! They also painted and drew while she showed them different techniques and methods of creating art. One day they were painting the Texas state flower, the bluebonnet. I loved seeing a mentor so passionate entices me to love history!

Jessica F. from John Paul II Catholic School said, “You don’t have to be an artist to understand art.” To me anyone can be an artist, but you need to have passion for art. It has to come from within your mind, heart, and spirit! As this is Mrs. Feagin’s first year at DECATS, she truly taught the scholars in her course that art comes within no matter what you create! If you choose this course you will enjoy it and have lots of fun creating Art In History!

Mrs. Feagin’s scholars completed their bluebonnet painted picture!

Isn’t it spectacular?

Scalpel Please!

Isabel R. and Christina O. are dissecting a cow eye.

They had lots of fun while learning cool science at the same time.

Mimi K. and her partner Kayla C. are in the middle of dissecting crawfish. They are very focused and are keeping steady hands!

By: Lexi Kadi

Do you like to dissect things that live in your environment? Miss Glaser taught The Cutting Edge, which is a course where the scholars dissected different specimens. They learned the anatomy of each organism before they dissected and they watched videos about them too. Also, the scholars learned more about the scientific method and what it felt like to be a scientist! The scholars dissected earthworms, crawfish, perch, cow eyes and frogs. They also learned the tools for dissecting. Doesn’t it sound like lots of fun?

Miss Glaser has been at DECATS for two years. She taught Mythbusting, Discovering Science Secrets, and The Cutting Edge. Miss Glaser loves teaching science. She strived for her scholars to leave with responsibility, to think outside the box, and to work well with other people. In The Cutting Edge, the scholars had to work with a partner. They also had to talk together and discuss different material on the organism they were dissecting that day!

Christina O. from St. Thomas More Catholic School learned some life lessons like “Respect the dead specimens…just because they are dead doesn’t mean we should disrespect them.” They are all part of God’s wonderful creation. She has also learned that a worm has four aortic arches, and that a frog breathes through its skin! She enjoyed this course because she has never dissected before! If you choose this fun and interesting course next year, you will surely love it!

Page 6

DECATHLETE’S TORCH

Serve and Care with DECATS in Action

By: Talyn Burgess-Jimenez

Mr. Masterson has been working at DECATS for two years and taught DECATS in Action, Perspectives I, and Iron Chef DECATS. Mr. Masterson says, “The whole group has a blast serving others.” Their goal was to serve two agencies, The Sugar Land Health Care Center and East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry. While they were at the Sugar Land Health Care Center, the scholars helped the residents get ready for their Fathers’ Day cook out and also visited with other patients. With the East Fort Bend Human Needs agency, the scholars learned their day-to-day operations and also sorted food and clothes. Mr. Masterson thinks “service begins at home.”

The scholars also made a chain of service. In DECATS in Action, you put your faith into action by collecting items for people in the two agencies. Mr. Masterson believes “To whom much is given, much is expected.” He also shared “I want the scholars to share their talent with others.” If you like to help people, this is the course for you.

Box overflowing with supplies for The Sugar Land Health Care Center and East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry.

The scholars pose for a picture with employees of the Sugar Land Health Care Center.

Meet DECATS 2012

Page 7

Ooo... What’s that sound?

By: Arshia Batra

Ooo… what’s that sound? That’s the sound of all different types of music in Ms. Winski’s Music to My Ears course!! Ms. Winski got encouraged to teach this course was because music has always been a part of her life and she wanted to help people learn new things. In this course, scholars got to do really cool activities. They get to make a guitar out of cardboard, glue, popsicle sticks, and rubber bands! Wow, they only had to use a few items! They got to make Garden Hose Trumpets with a garden hose, tape, and a funnel. Awesome Maracas , only made out of paper maché, balloons, and beans. In this course, they got to make instruments out of household items, and they got to make new, exciting things everyday!

This was Ms. Winski’s first year teaching at DECATS and she enjoyed it a lot and so did her scholars. This is “Music to My Ears” first year at DECATS. In this course, they got to see how sound travels through an instrument. Ms. Winski thinks this course is so unique because connects arts and crafts with science! Ms. Winski wants her scholars to leave DECATS with a basic understanding of the science of how different instruments produce their music!

Sydney G., Anna Katherine M., Beatriz E. are blowing into their garden hose trumpets.

MIND

HEART

Camille A. working on her cardboard guitar.

SPIRIT

Page 8

DECATHLETE’S TORCH

Leaders in Training

By Patrick Frain

In Mrs. Thompson’s leadership course, Leading by Example, (which has originated from her Teen Leadership elective from the school year) scholars have learned how to achieve self-confidence, speak in front of a large group, and to use God’s leadership gifts to the best of their abilities.

One of the activities the scholars did in this course was the Trust Activity. Four scholars knelt across from each other and held hands while 1 more scholar puts his/her hands in a bowl shape. Then one scholar from the audience stood.

Facing away from the “trampoline” of scholars behind him/her, the person crossed on arms across their chest and said, “I’m ready to fall”, and the trampoline of scholars replied, “We’re ready to catch you.” Then that person fell back with their eyes closed.

To help the scholars’ public speaking skills, Mrs. Thompson had the scholars write a speech that they presented to the scholars on an assigned topic. On the day of the speech, instead of standing up alone and saying their speech, Mrs. Thompson had two other scholars sit in chairs (1 on each side of the speaker) so the scholar presenting their speech wasn’t alone.

If you plan on returning next year, this is the course to join!

Dylan and Joe P are the “support chairs” for Gabriel D who is giving his speech about “What DECATS means to him”.

Going in a clockwise circle: Jacqueline K , Hodges C, Joe P, Michael N catch Claire N as she is participating in the Trust Activity.

WHAT DOES DECATS MEAN TO YOU? “It means that I’m special and talented. I can share it with others and they can share their talents with me.”

Isabel Hoffman – Scholar

“It teaches me to think outside the box.”

Bradley Burgess – Scholar Aide

“DECATS is a great opportunity for gifted scholars to learn and work in a unique environment with other gifted scholars. The mentors are enthusiastic and open to new ideas. All in all, DECATS is a wonderful experience.”

Mrs. Feagin – Mentor

Page 9

I’m Greek and I know it!

By J-Paul Nguyen

If you came into a course called “It’s All Greek to Me”, maybe you would see scholars practicing plays, or making a hero journey/quest. You could even see Miss Corte or Ms. Williams teaching about Greek Mythology. I bet you would see great plays about ancient Greek life, from Persephone, to the Big Three gods (Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades). There is much to learn and there are many books to read like Percy Jackson and the Olympians. “Why do some scholars apply for this course?” you would ask. Some of the scholars said that they read Percy Jackson Series and they like Greek Mythology. Some activities that the scholars in that course like to do are symposiums because there’s food, plays, and readers’ theater. Ms. Williams said that for all of her courses (Perspectives 3, DECATS Detectives, and It’s All Greek to Me), she wants them to be “good, cooperative players, creative, and to learn something new each day when they leave”. There are many awesome and fun things to do in this course! I hope you join this course next year!

Olivia G., Ashley D., and Mary E. M. are making their hero’s quest.

Alex G., Alex C., Jonathan R., and Michael D. are making their hero’s quest.

A BIG THANK YOU! THANK YOU to our Scholar Aides this summer: Sharyn Bristol, Bradley Burgess, Rebecca Carlson, Emily Ellis, Caroline Fogarty, Alex Grider, Elena Irvine, Lauren LoBue, Nicole LoBue, Palmer Montalbano and LeeAnne Williams. They worked hard since DECATS started, helping mentors and working in the office. After being scholars at DECATS for four years, they came this one last time to volunteer for the program, and we are excited and grateful for the help! “ DECATS has been such an enriching experience for me! It was what I had hoped it would be, as I was in awe of these wonderfully talented scholars and their gifts :) Working with them and watching them learn, work together, grow, and take challenges was inspiring to see. Most of all, I hope they took with them a gift they discovered they have that they did not know they possessed prior to this great program. Other mentors and admin staff were awesome and inspiring as well...to be around others as passionate about education as I am was fulfilling to be around each day! Thank you, Mr. Debusk, for chartering this wonderful experience for all!”

Beth Dodson - DECATS Mentor

Page 10

DECATHLETE’S TORCH

Project: Get Slime-ified!

Aiden P. and Adam J. putting skewers in the bag of water.

By: J-Paul Nguyen

If you walked into “Super Slime”, you would see a lot of kids smiling and laughing while they were testing fun experiments. One of the experiments was called a “Carbon Dioxide Cannon” in which carbon dioxide was produced and caused an explosive reaction. The other experiment involved making orange slime in a cup with chemicals. They also performed an experiment where they put skewers into a bag full of water. If they did it carefully, the water would not come out, but if they did not do it carefully, the water would come pouring out. A lot of scholars agreed that they joined “Super Slime” because it is a lot of fun and they like solving science problems that they could bring back to school. They also said that it is very challenging. Mrs. Rebillido said that when her scholars leave, she wants them to have confidence, self worth, and understand teamwork.

Mrs. Rebillido also taught a course called “Project: X-35”. This course was all about rocketry and Newton’s Three Laws of Motion because they did two projects called a “Pop Can Hero Engine” and a “Rocket Car”. The “Rocket Cars” were powered by a balloon and the races were held on Friday, June 15.

There was also an experiment that was called “3, 2, 1… POP!” where the scholars put an antacid tablet and water inside a capsule attached to a paper rocket. When they set it on the ground, it would fly (sort of)! They also did an experiment called “Antacid Race”. They put antacid tables in two beakers. One tablet was crushed and another tablet was not., the two beakers were at the same temperature. They did another experiment like the “Antacid Race”, except the beakers were not at the same temperature. All their projects looked EXTREMELY fun! Make sure you sign up for these two courses next year!

Baking with a Buddy

By Mae Malek

Baking: is it a science or an art? Mrs. Dodson’s first words were “baking is not the same as cooking.” She also says baking is a science and cooking is an art! In baking, everything has to be exact but in cooking if it doesn’t taste good you can add or take out some of the ingredients. Mrs. Dodson wanted to instill the love of baking she has with the scholars. She emphasized the importance of helping others; like teaching others how to bake: whether for charity or just for the fun of it. During the three weeks, the scholars made candies, soda bread, cake in a cup, monkey bread, cupcakes, cake pops, cookies, brownies, and The scholars were testing their monkey cobblers. This was the first year Mrs. Dodson mentored at DEbread with their scholar aids CATS. She got involved because she is a pre-school teacher Sharyn and Elena. at St. Laurence and thought it will be fun. She is impressed with the scholars’ giftedness, manners, creativity, and individuality. She said this puts smiles on her face! She picked to mentor this course because being the fifth child out of seven, her mom and grandma baked and cooked a lot, so she and her brothers and sisters are all fabulous bakers and cooks. One of her brothers is a chef in New York City!

The scholars loved baking and planning for their bake sale on the last day of DECATS.

Page 11

A Fake Life vs. A Real Life

By: Mae Malek

Do you like your real life or would you rather have a virtual life? Well, in virtual reality you get that chance! This course was not just about having fun, it was also about the responsibility to get on the right track to the future. During the three weeks, the scholars used computer technology to create certain situations. In the game, the scholars lived in an apartment, pursued a higher education, got a job, worked with a budget, paid bills, bought insurance, got robbed, got sick, and socially attended or hosted a party. They “virtually lived’ interesting lives while watching their personal finances come and go. They learned about managing time wisely, understanding the importance of sleep, choosing healthy foods and learning to strike a balance with work, education, play and rest. They understood the difference between a job and a caScholars open a checking account reer, created a resume, discovered the process of finding a job, and during their Virtual Reality game with maintained a successful on-the-job attitude. They also learned that their scholar aide Palmer. budgeting and saving were the cornerstones of money management.

Scholars estimated their monthly income and expenses, and they also developed a budget and set up a basic savings account. Choosing and living in an apartment was a big financial commitment and they needed to understand all of the different costs involved in order to make a wise selection. The scholars learned that a checking account was the way you paid bills and saved money, and they learned the advantages and disadvantages of using credit and online banking which lets you keep track of your money all the time. Mrs. Gutierrez has been mentoring at DECATS for four years and she does not just mentor Virtual Reality; she also mentors Scholars Around the World and Extra Extra Read All About Us. She mentored us with a broken toe so the scholars say thank you. They really enjoyed their course and learning about the real world!!

The Art in Photography

Robert B., Thomas R., Micah R., and James K. are making their own stop action film.

By: Jenelle Pinnock

Mrs. Santos has been involved with DECATS for 9 years. This summer she taught Iron Chef DECATS, Picture This, and World Travel Inc. In Picture This, the couse made different projects like movies, ads, and commercials.

She chose to teach this course because she always loved movie making.

The scholars loved this course because there was always something different that she planned each week. In the course the scholars would use different pictures and rearrange them to make something new. I was in this course so I can tell you how to make a stop action film. First, you have to choose if you want it to be focused on people or objects. I chose objects and it was about an alien and a whale on adventures. Mary Clare and I chose our objects, a camera, and a tripod (a 3 legged camera holder). Now it’s camera time! Lastly, you have to move your objects just a little bit and repeat until you are done with your stop action film. It’s amazing they can do this with just cameras and computers!

At the end of DECATS, the scholars left with the experience of doing the best they can at a job they want to do. They now have a new way at looking at things with a new perspective.

Page 12

LEGOs with Minds of their Own!

DECATHLETE’S TORCH

By Patrick Frain

One of Mr. Maklary’s courses is LEGO Robotics NXT. He built with LEGOs when he was a kid so that’s where this course came from. Scholars have become better problem solvers, better critical thinkers, and got to build with LEGOs! In LEGO Robotics, scholars have learned the different aspects of motors, sensors, and how to program the robots to fight each other, dance, and interact in other ways. Scholars also experienced 5 different sensors: the light, sound, distance, touch, and color.

The scholars also experienced a “Robo War”. In this “war”, scholars designed robots to fight each other with lots of interesting weapons. Neville T. confessed his strategy was “the best defense is the best offense.” Scholars hoped to put LEGO weapons on their robots like a spinning hammer and a long Lego rod to “chop” its opponent.

Everyday Mr. Maklary had the scholars complete a different challenge. One challenge was programming their robot to draw the outline of a square on a mat. It may seem simple, but it’s not! You have to program the light sensor to sense the line! That means you have to go on the computer, go to LEGO Mindstorms and program the robot to do this.

If you get to return next year, this course is the one to join!

Zachary B is watching his robot battle its opponent.

Two LEGO robots are battling each other.

Weird Science

By: Katherine Kunkel

You might wonder what course Mrs. McLaughin taught during DECATS 2012?

She taught WEIRD SCIENCE, which is a course about creating different science experiments, working with microscopes and equipment, doing research, and making product presentations. She planned lab work every day for the scholars. She loves science, and that is why she chose to teach WEIRD SCIENCE. On the first Friday of DECATS, the scholars got DNA out of a strawberry, tied yarn around it, and wore them as necklaces. Soon after that, the scholars performed an experiment to discover the magnetic force around the Earth. “My scholars are the best!”

Mrs. McLaughin says, “They say please and thank you.” She wants the scholars to leave DECATS knowing the patterns that underlay all of science and the connections between all things living and non-living.

Caroline K. and Sarah S. are working on a convection current experiment.

Page 13

Do Re Me Fun

Scholars loved playing free style with percussion instruments.

By: Lena Shadow

In DECATS there is a course called Compose Yourself.

The course is all about writing and creating their own musical compositions with Ms. Bonno, an awesome third year mentor. She decided to teach this course because she thought it was a great source of imagination and creativity.

“I want my scholars to leave DECATS being interested in music,” she admits. Ms. Bonno has been mentoring this course for 1 year. All the scholars in Compose Yourself were very excited about making their rap. Scholar Grace R. said herself “I enjoyed all of the musical excitement in this course.” If you have a song just bouncing inside of you and you always wanted to play music, this course is for you!

What’s Up with Sewing?

In DECATS there is a course called ‘’Sew What.’’

The course is mainly about how to design and sew with Ms. Share, a very nice mentor. She decided to teach this course because her mother taught her how to sew and she wanted to share the experience with others. ‘’I want my scholars to leave DECATS being able to sew, stitch, find and cut the right fabric,’’ she says. She has been mentoring this course for 12 years. All the scholars in Sew What were very excited about going to Joann’s fabric store to pick out their fabrics for the purses they are making.

Scholar Katherine K. said “I enjoyed all of the fun and excitement in that course.’’ If you have creativity just bouncing inside of you and you always want to learn how to sew, this course is for you!

By: Lena Shadow

Scholar Erin B. enjoyed cutting her fabric for her purse.

Page 14

DECATHLETE’S TORCH

Right now or Write now?

By: Jenelle Pinnock

Blogging Write Now was taught by Miss Corte who has been here for two years. She also taught It’s Greek to Me and Perspectives. Miss Corte mentored this specific course because she always loved to write. In this course they wrote their own short stories, essays, character sketch, and script. The knowledge they gained by the end of DECATS was that they could accept constructive criticism. They used dictionaries, thesauruses, and computers.

Miss Corte wanted the scholars to leave this course loving to write and they did.

In It’s Greek To Me, the scholars learn about Ancient Greece. The scholars learned about the mythology of gods and goddesses. They used different books and computer websites to find out more about their chosen god/ goddess. She chose to teach this course because she wanted to learn more about ancient Greece.

At the end of DECATS, Miss Corte’s scholars have left with a desire to write more and appreciate more about ancient Greece.

Carson S. is working on a story to add to his class blog.

Juggling Markers and Crayons

By: Katherine Kunkel

Mrs. Smith taught It’s Alive It’s Alive, A Cut Above, and Math Juggling. In her first course, the scholars learned that making art creations “come alive” and is really fun. In A Cut Above, the scholars cut, tore, and glued paper together to make art. The third course that she mentors is Math Juggling. The scholars learned different ways to solve math problems, advance their math skills and lessons in math. The reason why she taught Math Juggling and It’s Alive It’s Alive is because she loves art and math. She wants to make her students remember that if you make mistakes, you can always fix them.

Evelyn A. and Chloe I. carved soap for their underwater scene.

Scholars from It’s Alive It’s Alive posed when they finished their fruit faces.

Page 15

DECATS Challenge

WORD SEARCH

M

H

K

D

C

S

R

P

U

T

C

J

P

G

E

D

C

W

E

A

M

M

L

T

Y

R

L

N

N

V

X

R

L

C

A

A

H

N

E

S

A

I

T

A

H

O

O

W

A

D

R

S

T

M

D

T

O

J

H

P

Q

T

E

T

E

T

M

W

E

I

R

C

H

C

L

G

O

N

S

F

F

L

M

C

S

G

S

T

E

S

T

A

J

U

F

S

P

X

Q

E

A

E

G

A

M

E

S

N

U

U

R

E

R

A

R

N

T

S

C

I

P

M

Y

L

O

M

U

C

I

I

E

E

W

J

M

U

L

O

A

U

R

R

O

H

R

H

L

E

B

X

A

Z

X

Q

J

N

U

F

T

T

R

H

K

S

U

B

E

D

S

C

O

U

R

S

E

S

T

K

J

S

F

M

X

W

L

W

Z

H

M

A

R

A

B

A

Y

P

ATHLETES DECATS GAMES OLYMPICS SCHOLAR TORCH DEBUSK FUN MENTOR RINGS SUMMER

COURSES EXCITING MEDAL PRESENTATIONS SMART

ACROSS 1 Object lit before the Olympics 4 Five colored circles to symbolize the Olympics 7 A 3-week summer program for gifted and talented scholars 8 Fun activities in DECATS

DOWN 2 International sports event that happens every 4 years 3 Teachers at DECATS 5 Children that go to DECATS 6 Gold, silver, and bronze awards given to decathletes

Page 16

DECATS MENTORS TEAM 2012

DECATHLETE’S TORCH REPORTERS To read the DECATS 2012 newspaper, Decathlete's Torch, please visit the DECATS website at www.decats.net.

FUTURE JOURNALI STS Miss Montalbano Mrs. Gutierrez Arshia Batra Faith Brown Talyn Burgess-Jimenez Kendall Couch Patrick Frain Isabel Hoffmann Lexi Kadi Kathe rine Kunkel Jean-Paul Nguyen Mae Malek Jenelle Pinnock