The Black and Gold Volume II: Issue 11 February 10, 2023

THE BLACK AND GOLD

"Have a pawfect day!"

February 10, 2023 | Volume II: Issue 11

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWS SOURCE OF BUCHANAN COUNTY R-IV

Newspaper Staff

DE KALB STUDENT, CANCER SURVIVOR

BY: TRICIA SIMPSON

Samara Martin is a sophomore at our school, and she has been through more than most people her age.

At the age of three, Samara was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. This cancer doesn’t have stages. It’s a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow that affects white blood cells.

Samara doesn’t really remember her time during cancer, but her mom Julia does. Julia says “Watching Samara lose her hair, the times she would get sores in her mouth from the treatments, and her not eating and turning into skin and bones was the hardest part of the cancer.”

Samara’s mom knew she was strong and could get through it. For Julia, the fact that it was the type of cancer that Samara could beat and fight through is what gave her hope.

She beat cancer near her fourth birthday. Samara’s last visit for Leukemia was almost six years ago.. Samara is now an “outgoing, humble, and fun girl” in her best friend’s eyes.

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

Photo Credit: Samara Martin

Photo Credit: Samara Martin

BOYS BASKETBALL PREPARES FOR COURTWARMING

BY: TRICIA SIMPSON

On Friday, February 10th, the high school boys basketball team will take on the Union Star Trojans. This game isn’t like a normal game because it’s Courtwarming! The boys have had a good season so far, but this game is going to be more intense because the Trojans are rivals. The Trojans have beat the boys before this season, so now our boys are even more determined to win.

The boys have been doing more in practice to get prepared for the Courtwarming game. Since there are going to be more people at the games than usual, the boys are working on the mental game “There are going to be more distractions, so we are working on getting the boys more focused,” says Coach Dubs.

Chris Weinmann is getting more focus d practice to prepare for the game. He there are more people and the cheer louder. In practice, Dubs is takin different approach. Weinmann says “C is playing music and yells (in a good while we're running plays, so we ca prepared because Courtwarming is goi be loud.”

The Courtwarming game is one of the important games besides Dist Weinmann wanted to add “Come out support. We really appreciate it.” The game starts at 6, and the boys follow that.

Pictured: Coach Dubs, Chris Weinmann, Wyatt Miller

Photo Credit: Tricia Simpson

GIRLS BASKETBALL PREPARES FOR COURTWARMING

BY: HELAINA GEOFFROY

February 10th is Courtwarming at De Kalb The Basketball teams have 2 more games and then Districts are next.

The girls team has prepared by working on refining skills and the little things that will help them continue to improve. “We have struggled at times, and have had many competitive games, but we continue to work hard and keep improving on the little things that will help us compete when Districts arrive," said Coach Reagan. The rest of the season includes a couple more games and then they begin districts. Lainie Vogan who is a senior basketball player said, “This season has kind of been a roller coaster… The team needs to work on moving when we don’t have the ball in our hands. But, I mean there are only six of us rotating "

Junior Kalyn Hartman said, “We have watched film for the Courtwarming game, and we will go over key things about Union Star during practice. Right now, we are just focusing on the little things we need to work on to prepare for the rest of the season.”

What to Watch

BY: HELAINA GEOFFROY

When people think about the month of February, they think about Groundhog Day or Valentine’s Day. And that is fine. Valentine’s Day is a day of love. A day of showing those you care that you are thankful for them.

So, every once in a while we all enjoy a good, cheesy romcom. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is about high schooler Lara Jean. Somehow secret love letters get mailed to each of her five crushes. Lara’s high school life is turned upside down.

If you do end up watching the movie and you like it, Netflix has the whole trilogy.

Photo Credit: Tricia Simpson

DE KALB STUDENTS DRESS UP THE HALLS FOR COURTWARMING

BY: ANNA SAMPSON

De Kalb students decorated the hallways for 2023 Courtwarming. Each class has their own take on this year’s theme: “dressing.”

7th grade made posters for the staff members that are playing in the faculty-students game, and 8th graders are making posters for the students.

9th graders chose French dressing. Their theme will be everything French. The 10th graders chose house dressing, which they interpreted as “home sweet home.”

11th and 12th grade chose to do a Thousand Island theme, and each grade had their own take on this tropical theme.

Valentine's Day, Anyone?

During Valentine's Day, there are many people who spend time with the ones they love or just celebrating love itself, people like Shelby Pinaire, Rawley Mydland, and Natalie Griffin.

Shelby says that, “I may not have a valentine, but at least Taco Tuesday at Taco Johns is that day.” Rawley says that, “I celebrate because I have a girlfriend and I’m going to get her flowers and some chocolates.” Natalie says she celebrates Valentine’s day "because there isn’t much to do in February and I'm going to eat some candy and watch Supernatural. ”

At the same time, there are also people that don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day, people like Abigail Miller and Mrs. Miller. Abby says that” I don’t celebrate because I don’t have anyone to celebrate with. I’m probably going to eat a tub of ice cream and cry.'' Mrs. Miller says that, “we don’t celebrate because Valentine’s day was invented by jewelry companies to promote sales. I will probably watch a movie at home and eat some chocolate.”

Whether you do or you don’t celebrate, you should always spend time with the people you care about, and chocolate is always a good reason to celebrate any holiday.

Pictured: Abby Miller

Photo Credit: Marshall Jones

Pictured: Shelby Pinaire

Photo credit: Marshall Jones

FBLA

ATTENDS DISTRICT LEADERSHIP COMPETITION

BY: MARSHALL JONES

On February 1st, a group of FBLA students went to DLC day 1 (district leadership competition) which was at Northwest Missouri State University. The students competed in preliminary rounds with projects they presented. Haley Horr said that, “Our students did a really good job at representing our school and they all made it to the final round.”

Along with the competition, there were also workshops that students could attend to learn what other FBLA chapters in the area do. A goal that Mrs. Horr has is, “I hope that they learn something new whether it be meeting a new chapter member, an idea for a new fundraiser for next year, or learning about a new small business.”

During DLC day 2 on February 8, FBLA students went back to Northwest for a state-wide FBLA meeting There was also voting for new officers During day 2, there was a lock-box type game where students had to use their business knowledge to answer questions and solve puzzles to unlock the box and get the prize. Mrs. Horr says that, “I think that all the students worked really hard working for their competitions. A lot of them stayed after school or came in early or during lunch to get feedback and to practice. I think they all had a breath of fresh air coming back on the bus knowing they did well and made it to the finals.”

To finish up, Haley says, “Be sure and push yourself, I know some people stepped out of our comfort zone for competition, and I’m really proud of them, so I want members to always be pushing themselves to make themselves better humans as well as better members."

What to Listen To

As Valentine's Day approaches quickly, we all want to listen to the classic love songs or even the new ones. Now for a , we all know and love "Love Story by Taylor Swift, a song of the Romeo and Juliet romance but in modern times. Or, we can go the heartbreak route and listen to Matt Shuster's song "Haunted House" as a song explaining the aftermath of a break up and the pain of adjusting to the single life. Either way you go, these are two amazing songs to get you through this Valentine’s Day.

Pictured: De Kalb FBLA

Photo Credit: Mrs. Horr

DE KALB "DRESSES" UP FOR COURTWARMING

Teachers and Students Face Off

De Kalb staff and students voted last week for who they thought would win in the staff v. students game. Students won 63% to 27%. Sophomore Mekayla Boydston voted De Kalb students would win “Because the students cheat”. Staff member Kaleb Wardlow said staff would win because “Seniors are scrubs."

As it turned out, the game was much closer than anyone could have imagined, and teachers just about edged out a win, until suddenly, the scoreboard updated, and the seniors had suddenly won 99-0. Go Tigers!

JANUARY STUDENTS OF THE MONTH

Middle School: Kale Cassity - 7th Grade

Underclassmen- Miley Phillips - 9th Grade

Upperclassmen - Kaylee Layton

WHAT TO PLAY

BY: MARSHALL JONES

Pavlov is a VR, military-style, first person shooter that you can play online with your friends. You can get in on Steam and there is a ported version of it on the Oculus Quest 2. On Steam, it is about $25. On the Quest version, it is free. There are many game modes you can play like zombies, pvp, free for all, one in the chamber, gun game, and many more. There are also a variety of maps and even custom maps. On Steam, it is rated 9/10 and on Quest it is rated 4.5 out of 5. Personally, I really like the game because it's not like the other military style games. You don’t have to be serious and you can actually have fun and mess around. I would rate this game a 9/10.

WHAT TO READ

BY: MRS. MILLER

I picked up Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center after hearing a BookTuber rave about it, and I must say, I was hooked from the opening scene when firefighter Cassie purposely knocks a presenter at her own awards ceremony unconscious and is basically forced to resign or be fired.

From there, it's a roller coaster of love, laughs, and forgiveness as she moves in with her estranged, ill mother, struggles to fit in as the first female firefighter at a new small town station, and sorts through her unexpected feelings for the rookie on her new squad.

If you enjoy a feel good book with small town, comedy, romance, and cozy suspense vibes, this is the book for you.

Kaylee and Gavin

How long have you been together? 1 year and 3 months

Favorite thing about each other?

Kaylee: He has a good sense of humor.

Gavin: She is also funny.

Favorite Memory Together?

The Shinedown concert

Who approached first? Gavin

Mekayla and Grayson

How long have you been together? 2 months

Favorite thing about each other?

Mekayla: His personality

Gavin: Her personality

Favorite Memory Together?

Ice skating

Who approached first? Grayson

TERRIFIC TIGERS

7th Grade: Gunner Delp

Favorite Teacher: Mrs. Taylor

Favorite Restaurant: Chili's

Favorite Sport: Basketball

Favorite Animal: Panda

8th Grade: Josie Long

Favorite Teacher: I don't have one

Favorite Restaurant: Texas Roadhouse

Favorite Sport: Basketball

Favorite Animal: Cat

9th Grade: Grace Downing

Favorite Teacher: Mr. J

Favorite Restaurant: Boudreaux

Favorite Sport: Softball

Favorite Animal: Dog

TERRIFIC TIGERS

10th Grade: Alexis Nell

Favorite Teacher: Mr. J

Favorite Restaurant: Lopez

Favorite Sport: Volleyball

Favorite Animal: Dog

11th Grade: Allison Bramble

Favorite Teacher: Coach Roberts

Favorite Restaurant: Olive Garden

Favorite Sport: Softball

Favorite Animal: Rabbit

12th Grade: McKayla Chatman

Favorite Teacher: Coach Wardlow

Favorite Restaurant: Red Lobster

Favorite Sport: Softball

Favorite Animal: Dog