The Black and Gold Volume II: Issue 10 January 27, 2023

THE BLACK AND GOLD

"Have a pawfect day!"

January 27, 2023 | Volume II: Issue 10

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWS SOURCE OF BUCHANAN COUNTY R-IV

Newspaper Staff

NATIONAL GUARD VISITS DEKALB

BY: MARSHALL JONES

On Tuesday, January 17, the National Guard came to De Kalb. When they came here, they worked with the PE classes by coming up with lesson plans. They led them through some warm-ups and other activities, such as scrimmages, relay races, dodge-ball, and other games.

The goal of all this was to get the National Guard in front of our students and to kind of show them who they are. Counselor, Penny Powell says, “I think it was pretty successful. The students seemed like they really enjoyed the activities that they were doing.”

One of the students there was Kyle Funk, who says that “It was fun. We played dodge-ball and then we played sharks and minnows.”

Those interested in learning more about the National Guard can visit their website at https://www.nationalguard.com/ .

Helaina Geoffroy | Marshall Jones | Abigail Miller | Anna Sampson | Tricia Simpson

Pictured: Kyle Funk

Photo Credit: Marshall Jones

Photo Credit: Tricia Simpson

WORK, WORK, WORK

BY: ABIGAIL MILLER

Every student has enough to worry about between classes, homework, activities, and chores, but what about those students who also have a job?

For the 2022-2023 school, year about 41.5% of De Kalb students have a job. "I manage by doing homework during my break, or I plan ahead and do it before or after work,” says Sophomore Shyann Nowak.

Not only do most students have jobs on top of school, but they also have an after school activity or a sport. "It doesn't feel that hard to me,” says Junior Kaylee Layton.

There is a reason why someone would juggle all of this. “I like the experience,” says Layton.

Overall, most of the students who have jobs and multiple activities manage pretty well. And not only do they get to learn a lot in class, but after school they get to learn important life lessons such as time management, work ethic, and customer service skills.

Pictured: Shyann Nowak

Photo Credit: Abigail Miller

Pictured: Kaylee Layton

Photo Credit: Abigail Miller

FOUR-DAY WEEK A POSSIBILITY AT DEKALB

BY: TRICIA SIMPSON

On January 19, our district had a community meeting about whether to move to four-day school weeks. With over 50 rural schools moving to four-day school weeks, people are wondering if it is helpful or not.

Rural schools often face problems that fourday school weeks could help, such as financial problems, staffing, and retention. In addition to helping attract and retain staff, a four-day school week would save money for small schools on expenses such as buses, meals, and utilities

Another benefit of four day weeks could be the attendance rate going up. Many teenagers feel as if going to school five days a week is too much. If teenagers went to school four days a week, their stress rates could drop, and they could feel more motivated to show up. Studies haven’t shown yet, but academic achievement may go up as well. A teenager would have more time to do their homework over threeday weekends.

People may argue that students aren’t spending the same amount of days in school, and that student’s won't be learning as much. However, when schools move to four-day weeks, schedules are revised so that students would still spend the same number of minutes in school as they would during a five-day school week, and they would learn all the same material.

Overall, four-day school weeks can be beneficial to not only students, but to schools as a whole

What to Watch

BY: HELAINA GEOFFROY

The most popular genre of shows is drama, all the way from soap operas (Days of Our Lives) to crime shows (Law & Order). Drama is what keeps the shows interesting.

Ginny and Georgia is a comedy drama (dramedy) that first aired February 24, 2021, on Netflix. On January 5, 2023 Netflix aired the 2nd season.

Georgia (30) is the mom of Ginny (15) and Austin (9). Georgia lived with abusive and drug-addicted parents. She yearned for a better life for her and the kids, even if that meant moving from town to town or even covering up her reckless past. In the first season, a lot of making friends and enemies happens. But, in the second season, Georgia’s past catches up with her.

The series is really good. For those who like shows about real life situations with a little bit of teenage drama, it is a very good show to watch.

STANLEY CUPS FOR THE HYDRATION WIN?

BY: ABIGAIL MILLER

After Christmas break, everyone was so excited to wear their new shoes and their new clothes, but some were most excited to bring to school and share their new cups, or more specifically, their new Stanley cups.

Why was everyone so excited for this new cup? “I really like the handle and the straw,” says Mrs. King.

Now this love for these cups didn’t come from just anywhere. “Coach Reagan started it all,” says Mrs. King.

Overall this is a pretty awesome cup and everyone's excitement about them is totally understandable.

You can buy all sorts of different colors ranging from pinks to blacks, and they can be bought online or at Dick’s Sporting Goods for $48.

Whatever bottle or cup you choose, though, remember to stay hydrated!

Pictured: Mrs. King

Photo Credit: Abigail Miller

Courtwarming Dress-Up Days

TUE 2/7: House Dressing (wear your PJ's)

WED 2/8: Ranch Dressing (dress country)

THU 2/9: Thousand Island (tropical attire)

FRI 2/10: Honey Mustard (represent in Black and Gold)

“Yourtimeislimited,so don'twasteitliving someoneelse'slife."

~AlexisNell

Quote of the Week

MIDDLE SCHOOL SCHOLAR BOWL ENDS SEASON IN HOME MEET

BY: HELAINA GEOFFROY

This year's Middle School Scholar Bowl team competed in 4 meet at Stewartsville, Osborn, West Nodaway, and De Kalb.

This last Thursday, January 26, was the Middle School Scholar Bowl team's last meet of the season. “This year's season went kinda bad, but we all tried our best, " said 8th grader Lynzie Crockett.

The team won 2 games this season. This year's season was the first for most players, but some plan to continue on. "I plan on doing Scholar Bowl next year because it’s fun and positive. And you get to go places,” said Gunner Delp.

This was Mrs. Miller’s first year coaching. “I would enjoy coaching again if the need arises," said Mrs. Miller. “The season went pretty well, all things considered. We faced some great teams who gave us some tough challenges, which is an excellent way to sharpen our skills,” said Mrs. Miller.

Pictured: Middle School Scholar Bowl

Photo Credit: Helaina Geoffroy

Pictured: Middle School Scholar Bowl

Photo Credit: Helaina Geoffroy

Photo Credit: Helaina Geoffroy

Photo Credit: Helaina Geoffroy

Pictured: Middle School Scholar Bowl

Pictured: Middle School Scholar Bowl

MEET OUR NEW SRO

BY: HELAINA GEOFFROY

This is Joanna Mayer’s, our resource officer's first year with De Kalb. She had worked at Smithville for 2 years previously, though Officer Jo has been a Law Enforcement Officer for 16 ½ years.

Before entering Law Enforcement, her first job was being a “carhop at sonic for one day."

She later pursued a career in Law Enforcement in college. "I was gonna go to Law school. Some of the classes overlap, and the teachers were local cops, and I just fell in love with the idea of Law Enforcement."

Officer Jo's favorite moment at De Kalb so far is “probably dancing at the pep assembly."

"I like working here," says Officer Jo. De Kalb is “a great school.Everybody is very real. I don't feel like anybody is very pretentious. Most people are very honest."

We are lucky to have Officer Jo here with us. Welcome to the team, Officer Jo!

Pictured: Officer Joanna

Photo Credit: Helaina Geoffroy

WEIGHT LIFTING BENEFITS

BY: TRICIA SIMPSON

De Kalb High School built a new weight room a few years ago. Many people have used it for after- or before-school workouts, but in the past few years, there has been an entire class dedicated to lifting weights.

Lifting weights is beneficial in many different ways. Coach Dice says weights are beneficial because “you get to activate your muscles, build your strength, build your agility, and overall become better.”

Junior Koda Morey thinks “Weights class is good. It helps me build strength and muscle.”

On a typical day in weights, the class does their stretches and then starts their workout for that day. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, the class is downstairs lifting weights. On Tuesday and Thursday, they are either doing agility workouts or playing a game in the gym.

Coach Dice would like to add “More people need to be in the weight room overall, school wide, whether it's during a class, or before and after school.”

Pictured: Koda Morey

Photo Credit: Tricia Simpson

BY: MARSHALL JONES

TO PLAY OR NOT TO PLAY?

More than 90% of teens in the US play video games, according to Healthline.com. In our school, 72.5% of students surveyed play video games.

Someone who doesn't play video games is Coach Wardlow. He says he can’t play video games because of “Kids, coaching, life, etc. There’s just not enough time."

Out of all the students surveyed, the game that was most-played was Minecraft. 7th grader Lillian Wagner says, “I play Minecraft because to me it's calming and there is no limit to what you can do."

Another popular game at De Kalb is Call of Duty. Senior, Landon Williams likes Max Payne(2001). "It had just the right mix of the Play-Station 2 era nostalgia, a gritty , well written story, excellent game-play that is both challenging and very enjoyable, and fantastic comic style cut-scenes."

WHAT TO PLAY

Into the Radius is a VR survival-horror game that puts you in an alternate reality in 1987 in a quiet Soviet mining town The world is distorted and scattered with the memories of what used to be You work for an agency that is trying to figure out a way to fix what happened. Your job is to go out into the Zone and collect artifacts and other objects to help with this process. But as you go, you find out someone is still out there trying to contact you through the echoes of memories. You have to survive through the different areas of the Radius as you collect artifacts, battle new enemies, and try to find out what happened to the girl lost in the radius.

Nathan Lance says that he would “would describe the game as desolate, barren, and destroyed. I like the routine of always needing to survive and having to go into the Zone to find supplies and find things that make survival easier I feel Into the Radius is done very well You are always dreading something you might find in the Zone. It makes you feel always on edge when you are in the zone and you feel so much relief when you get back to the safe zone I also like all the things you see that you can’t explain A tip to the people that might play it to stay calm ”

WHAT

TO READ

BY: ABIGAIL MILLER

BY: MARSHALL JONES

This past week I read a book called Boundary Waters by William Kent Krueger. Boundary Waters is number two in the Cork O’Conner mystery series, which consists of 19 mystery books where you follow Cork and his wife Jo in a third person point of view.

The book follows Cork, two FBI men, an ex criminal, and a ten year old boy, as they try to find a famous country singer Shilo before the people who have been after her do. On the way they have to overcome challenges set by the people trying to hunt Shilo down…. And not for her autograph. All while Jo, Cork’s wife, is trying to uncover the truth back in town and make sure they all come home safe.

Overall this book had a 4.6 out of 5 stars on Thriftbooks. This book probably got this rating for its amazing story line and the way Kruger always keeps you guessing on what's going on; he's always adding in new information and he even throws a few curveballs in there. I will say my only complaint is how quick I figured it out, even though Krueger did throw a few curve balls and kept me guessing, I still had it figured out from the second chapter. But this doesn't mean it isn't a good book. I still loved it, and I hope if you decide to read this book, you love it and all the characters as much as I do.

JUNIORS GIRLS

Favorite Memory: When Lathan sang Moana

Sports and Activities: Softball, Basketball, FFA , and Stuco

Vote for me because: I'm involved in a lot at school.

Favorite Memory: When I teased Wardlow about his participation medal

Sports and Activities: Basketball, Scholar Bowl, FBLA

Vote for me because: Because I'm cool.

Abigail Miller

Favorite Memory: When I gave Wardlow a jug of milk for no reason

Sports and Activities: Newspaper, FBLA

Vote for me because: Because I can walk on water.

Rachel Reagan

Kaylee Layton

JUNIORS BOYS

Devin Hall

Favorite Memory: When Jayden got dunked on

Sports and Activities: Baseball, Basketball, and Football

Vote for me because: Because Tiger pride!

Rawley Mydland

Favorite Memory: When Nate bullied a McDonald's worker

Sports and Activities: Stuco, FBLA, and ScholarBowl

Vote for me because: Because I have a dog names Zorro.

Carl-J Ranada

Favorite Memory: Playing basketball with my teammates.

Sports and Activities: Baseball and Basketball

Vote for me because: Because I'm nice.

SENIORS GIRLS

Favorite Highschool Memory: Wardlow calling Landon a Communist.

Sports and Activities: FFA

Vote For Me Because: Because I like talking to people.

Favorite Highschool Memory: When we lost 4 pickle balls in 15 miutes.

Sports and Activities: FBLA, Stuco, Scholar Bowl, Cross Country

Vote For Me Because: I am so so nice.

Favorite High School Memory: When Zander Chatman ran onto the football field with a wig on.

Sports and Activities: Softball, Basketball, Track, FFA, and Student Council

Vote For Me Because: I do a lot for the school.

Olivia Fisher

Rylie Johnson

Gracie Hanshaw

SENIORS BOYS

Favorite high school memory: When Howie got the sack at our district game

Sports/Activities: Football, Basketball

Vote for me because: I'm gonna be famous one day.

Favorite high school memory: Playing in the mud at Orick.

Sports/Activities: Football, FFA

Vote for me because: I'm making De Kalb great again.

Favorite high school memory: The atmosphere after the districts game

Sports/Activities: Football, Basketball, Baseball, FFA

Vote for me because: I'm gonna grow my mullet back.

Chris Weinman

Brayton Sybert

Wyatt Miller

TERRIFIC TIGERS

7th Grade: Blayne Cline

Favorite Fast Food: Dairy Queen

Favorite Part of Winter: Christmas

Favorite Movie Genre: Disney

Favorite Candy: Snickers

8th Grade: Maggie Hall

Favorite Fast Food: Chick-Fil-A

Favorite Part of Winter: Christmas

Favorite Movie Genre: Horror

Favorite Candy: Twix

9th Grade: Miley Phillips

Favorite Fast Food: Taco Johns

Favorite Part of Winter: Ice skating

Favorite Movie Genre: Action

Favorite Candy: Reeses

TERRIFIC TIGERS

10th Grade: Mekayla Boydston

Favorite Fast Food: Chick-fil-a

Favorite Part of Winter: The snow

Favorite Movie Genre: Horror

Favorite Candy: Sour gummy worms

11th Grade: Lathan Goddard

Favorite Fast Food: Arby's

Favorite Part of Winter: The cold

Favorite Movie Genre: Mystery

Favorite Candy: Butterfinger

12th Grade: Landon Williams

Favorite Fast Food: Taco Bell

Favorite Part of Winter: Christmas

Favorite Movie Genre: Action

Favorite Candy: Airhead