The Black and Gold Volume II: Issue 12 February 24, 2023

THE BLACK AND GOLD

"Have a pawfect day!"

February 24, 2023 | Volume II: Issue 12

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWS SOURCE OF BUCHANAN COUNTY R-IV

Newspaper Staff

DE KALB CELEBRATES NATIONAL FFA WEEK

BY: ABIGAIL MILLER

National FFA Week is February 20-24, when all the students get to experience the wonders of FFA.

The first big event was an FFA lunch. The Missouri Sheep Council paid for our FFA chapter to buy lamb meat for their member lunch in an attempt to encourage people to eat more lamb meat De Kalb students had varying opinions. “I enjoyed the lamb meat. I liked it better than beef,” says senior Brody Knorr. But, some students, such as sophomore Shyanne Nowak were less enthusiastic.

Our chapter is also hosting a food drive with proceeds going to the local blessing boxes. "It helps solve world hunger,” says freshman Rylie Burdette. On Friday, the whole chapter went on a field trip to the Farm show in KC.

Overall these should be super fun experiences for the students and they will learn so much from it

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

Photo Credit: Mr. Medsker

Photo Credit: Mr. Medsker

VALENTINE’S DAY AT THE ELEMENTARY

BY: HELAINA GEOFFROY

On February 14th, Valentine's Day, Rushville Elementary held their annual classroom parties. Each class got together at the end of the day with their homemade boxes. Then, they all had snacks, played fun games, and passed out cards and candy to each other.

Mrs. Black, Principal at the Elementary, said the parties are “a chance for the kids to have a little bit of celebration of different holidays and to let our parents come in and enjoy the parties with their students, just have some fun, and create that atmosphere and culture for those kids that want to be here and give them something fun to do.”

Preschooler Wayde Jackson’s Valentines Day box was a dinosaur. “My favorite candy is gummy bears," says Wayde. He also wanted to add that he “loves everybody.e love you, too, Wade! Kindergartener James Faulkenberry's Valentine's Day box was a TRex. “My favorite candy is Skittles," says James. Fifth Grader Boston Zabel’s box was a memorial to the late basketball player Kobe Bryant. “My favorite thing to do on Valentine's Day is to get candy."

Lindsey is one of multiple parents who help put this classroom fun together. “ They have played a dice rolling game for candy. And whoever gets to 10 pieces of candy first wins. I love and enjoy watching the kids play, they have so much fun at these parties," says Lindsey.

DE KALB EXCITED ABOUT CHIEFS SUPERBOWL WIN

BY: MARSHALL JONES

On Sunday, February 12, The Kansas City Chiefs went against the Philadelphia Eagles during Super Bowl LVII in Phoenix, Arizona. The Chiefs won 38 to 35 and there are a few opinions about how it went.

Coach Wardlow says that, “I’m happy that the Chiefs won. I think the refs were fair because it doesn't matter if it was the beginning of the game or the end of the game, if it's a penalty, it's a penalty. I think Patrick Mahomes is really good. When it's all said and done, he may be one of the best that's ever played.”

Student Ryder Hawk also has an opinion about it. He says that, “I thought it was a really good super bowl. Best we’ve had in a while. I personally think the refs were pretty fair.”

Many of us hope they’ll have a chance for next year. Go Chiefs!

Game Day Food

One of everyone's favorite parts about game day is the game day food.

Some of De Kalb's favorite game day foods include Coach Wardlow's "2 large cheese balls and a large vanilla shake from Fords."

Junior Devin Hall's favorite game day food is pizza and wings.

Mr. Chisam's favorite game day food is buffalo chicken dip.

Sophomore Tricia Simpson loves her homemade chocolatedipped strawberries.

Whatever it is, game day food adds another level to any game day party.

De Kalb Students Attend Superbowl Parade

On February 15th, the Chiefs hosted their traditional parade for winning the Superbowl. This year's parade had an estimated attendance of over 500,000 people. Many people have seen the parade on the news, in pictures, or were actually in person to see it. From the screens, it may not look like there were many people, but in person, it was a whole different experience.

I went to the parade, and I arrived around 7am. At 7am, there were already roughly 200,000 people there. Half of the people there were at the Union Station where the team goes after the parade for a rally. In my opinion, it should’ve been more thought out because there was a mob of people. From Union Station there was only one road you could take to get to the parade. On that road, it was almost impossible to get anywhere. For some people, a .3 mile walk took around an hour because of how many people were there.

Sophomore, Jacob Vogan also attended the parade. Jacob arrived at around 7:30 am and he said “there were already too many people.” Jacob couldn’t find a spot to hang out because everything was so crowded. Overall, he had a good experience, but there were just too many people.

The Chiefs parade was a success, but it was just too crowded. With an attendance of over 500.000 people, it was hard to find spots, but mostly everyone is glad the Chiefs won the Superbowl.

LEARNING

ABOUT AMERICAN HEART HEALTHY MONTH (AHHM)

BY: HELAINA GEOFFROY

American Heart Healthy Month (AHHM) is about “focusing on how to stay heart healthy and bring attention to heart conditions (especially preventable ones)”, says Nurse Chelsey. If you do your best to be heart healthy you can benefit by having better sleep, more energy, less medications (as you age), better lung health, longer life span, and more quality of life.

There is plenty we can do, even at a young age, to prevent heart disease later on in life. “The best way to keep your heart healthy is to drink water and stay active! Your heart is a muscle. Use it or lose it! Exercise your heart, do some cardio. Making good food choices, low fat and salt, also helps keep your heart healthy and prevent blockages," says Nurse Chelsey.

It is important for people to about being heart healthy “so you can take charge of your own health! Learn the symptoms to watch for with heart conditions, and learn healthy practices to keep your heart healthy”, says Nurse Chelsey.

If anyone is worried about their heart, come see Nurse Chelsey to talk about it!

Pictured: Nurse Chelsey

Photo Credit: Helaina Geoffroy What to Listen To

“Work hard in silence let success make the noises.” ~ Frank Ocean

Nate Bowen

Quote of the Week

DE KALB’S HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT SECTION

BY: ANNA SAMPSON

The De Kalb student section, led by Tricia Simpson, on Courtwarming got really loud

Tricia said she wanted the student section "loud and proud" for the Courtwarming game. Tricia's famous saying was “If you ain't lit, you can't sit." When asked how she got the student section so loud her response was “ I walked around the lunch room telling everyone to go ”

Did the De Kalb student section help the players? Simpson says “Yes, because the players sitting were getting hype to our cheering.”

COMMIT RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS

BY: ANNA SAMPSON

February 14 to February 20 is Random Acts of Kindness week, but we think that it should be something you should do year-round. Even one small act of kindness can mean a great deal to somebody. Performing random acts of kindness can even go as far as making the world a better place. By doing a random act of kindness, it can boost feelings of confidence, make people feel in control, and increase happiness and optimism. They may also encourage others to do random acts of kindness, Which could then encourage even more people contributing to a more positive community Some examples of random acts of kindness are randomly complimenting people, buy a meal for someone in need, pick up trash, give random gifts, encourage others, hold things for people, open doors for people, and so much more Being kind can also make you feel better about yourself So if you are kind to people, you can make the world we live in just a little bit better

Photo Credit: Mrs. Black

Photo Credit: Marshall Jones

Pictured: Lexi Gore & Mekayla Boydston

SENIOR BASKETBALL PLAYERS

Gracie Hanshaw has played basketball all four years of high school. Gracie’s favorite memory was her junior year when Ashton Crockett went to save a ball from out of bounds and threw it backwards and scored. Gracie’s favorite thing about basketball is the intensity and the adrenaline of it. Gracie is going to miss when the games are close.

Chris Weinmann has been playing basketball for fourteen years. Chris’s favorite memory from basketball is the team dinners at Coach Dubs house. Chris’s favorite thing about basketball is the game itself. “It’s a different environment. It’s so fast paced.”

Chris is going to miss the family aspect of it the most and doing things as a team. Chris would like to thank everyone for a good four years.

Lainie Vogan has been playing basketball since she was in 3rd grade. Lainie’s favorite memory from all her years of playing basketball was when they were at practice and a baby mole fell out of the wall. Her favorite thing about basketball is staying in shape. Lainie is going to miss the games most.

Gracie Hanshaw

Chris Weinmann

Lainie Vogan

SENIOR BASKETBAL

Zander Matson has played basketball all fou years of high school. Zander’s favorite memory i when Davyn got dunked on. Zander’s favorit thing about basketball is that you get to spend time with your “buddies.” Zander is going to mis Christmas parties at Coach Dubs house the most.

n Moore has bee year. Marin’s etball is the close about basketball ring during close g g g the close games the most.

Wyatt Miller has been playing basketball since his freshman year Wyatt’s favorite memory from basketball is the Christmas parties. Wyatt’s favorite thing about basketball is playing with his teammates. Wyatt is going to miss his teammates the most.

Zander Matson

Wyatt Miller

WINTER WEATHER LEADS

TO AMI DAYS

BY: ABIGAIL MILLER

On Thursday and Friday, February 16th and 17th, De Kalb had an AMI day in place of a school day.

On Wednesday night we got a little bit of snow and a whole lot of ice, and Thursday dawned with some stilltreacherous roads, so instead of risking everyone getting out, we had AMI days.

An AMI day is a aday of Alternative Method of Instruction where classes meet online via Google Meet.

Every class did something different. Mrs. Miller’s students wrote Shakespearian-style sonnets to a snow day and worked on grammar skills. Mrs. Hansbrough had students go on a mathh scavenger hunt. Mrs. K had students taking photographs and doing video research for upcoming art projects. Overall, everyone had fun learning from home for a couple of days.

What to Listen To

BY: HELAINA GEOFFROY

On February 10th, Pierce The Veil released their new (5th) album The Jaws Of Life. This album is different from their old ones. Usually their albums consist of a hard-hitting sound. The Jaws Of Life has a softer, more delicate sound.

Pierce The Veil’s music is a mix of pop punk, rock, emo, and metalcore. Personally, I really love Pierce The Veil. Their music relates to life and its rollercoasters.If you like this type of music and like to explore different genres this is the band for you.

Pictured: Mr. Wardlow's Class

Photo Credit: Abigail Miller

WHAT TO PLAY

BY: MARSHALL JONES

Have you ever been stranded on a deserted world surrounded by nothing but water? In the game Subnautica, your ship, the Aurora, mysteriously crashes on the planet 4546B. You are the only survivor of the crash, and now you have to find your way off the planet alone. You start off in the shallows A safe and comfortable place surrounded by small alien sea creatures and lush reefs. But the further you go, the more you realize how dangerous the planet is. In the deeper parts of the water, there are massive leviathan-like creatures that roam. You must discover the secrets of the planet and venture deep into the unknown for a chance at making it home, or die trying.

WHAT TO READ

BY: MRS. MILLER

I’ve recently read the book The One by John Marrs, and to put it plainly, it had the biggest plot twist ever.

The book is a romance that follows multiple characters after they have taken a new DNA test to meet their “soul mates.”

While the book starts out slower, halfway through, everything starts to fall apart, and the plot twist begins.

Overall, I would definitely give this book a 4 star rating due to the way it starts because it is harder to get into, but having everything start to fall apart and figuring out the problem, it gets a lot more interesting.

TERRIFIC TIGERS

7th Grade: Ivan Bowen

Favorite NFL Team: Chiefs

Dream College: "I don't want to go."

Favorite Month: October

Favorite Color: Red

8th Grade: Kaylee Grable

Favorite NFL Team: "I'm a bandwagon."

Dream College: LSU

Favorite Month: March

Favorite Color: White

9th Grade: Kyle Funk

Favorite NFL Team: Broncos

Dream College: Northwest

Favorite Month: September

Favorite Color: Purple

TERRIFIC TIGERS

10th Grade: Tori Hawk

Favorite NFL Team: Cowboys

Dream College: TSU

Favorite Month: August

Favorite Color: Grey

11th Grade: Shelby Pinaire

Favorite NFL Team: "I don't like football."

Dream College:

Dartmouth

Favorite Month:

September

Favorite Color: Blue

12th Grade: Lyndon Gore

Favorite NFL Team: Chiefs

Dream College: LSU

Favorite Month: May

Favorite Color: Pastel Yellow