The Black and Gold Volume II: Issue 13 March 9, 2023

THE BLACK AND GOLD

"Have a pawfect day!"

March 09, 2023 | Volume II: Issue 13

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWS SOURCE OF BUCHANAN COUNTY R-IV

Newspaper Staff

BASEBALL SEASON GETS UNDERWAY

BY: MARSHALL JONES

On March 27, the De Kalb baseball team started practicing for the upcoming season. There are many new players, and we are excited to see how this year goes for them.

Junior Brayden Bowen says “I started playing baseball my freshman year. My favorite position to play is center field. I am looking forward to playing and my goal is to win. My favorite memory was when Landon got mad and stomped on his glove.

Coach Aaron Matthews is hopeful and “looking forward to being outside. We have a lot of new players that haven't had much experience with baseball so teaching them the fundamentals will hopefully improve the game for them.”

One of Coach Matthews’ goals “is hopefully to be competitive in all our games. There is a lot of young, inexperience so we have a lot of work to do, but it should be a fun ride.”

The team’s first game is March 20th at South Harrison at 4:30. Be sure to show up and support Tiger Baseball.

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

Photo Credit: Marshall Jones

Pictured: Brayden Bowen

GIRLS PLACE 2ND IN DISTRICTS

BY: TRICIA SIMPSON

The highs chool girls basketball team competed in Districts on February 25th, 2023. They first competed against Osborn/Stewartsville to advance to the semi finals. They then competed against Stanberry to advance to the District Championship. Finally, they took on King City, who they have competed against in the past, and placed second in the District Championship.

Overall, the girls played a really good game offensively and defensively. Senior Gracie Hanshaw says “There was a girl from the other team who had a 73% in threes that game, so they could’ve guarded her more." Coach Reagan says “King City had good shots that night and sometimes there is nothing you can do about it.” She also said that the girls moved up and down the court well while on defense.

While on offense, the girls were putting shots up and moving the ball. Gracie Hanshaw thought it was a very good offensive game, and Coach Reagan agreed.

Throughout the season, the girls went through some hardships, but they didn’t give up. They played three months of basketball and as it appears, all their hard work paid off. If you see the girls or Coach Reagan, make sure to tell them congratulations on a great season!

Quote of the Week

Pictured: High School Lady Tigers

“Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just show up and get to work.”

-Chuck Close

~ Mrs. K

BAND PREPARES FOR SPRING CONTEST

BY: HELAINA GEOFFROY

On March 14, 2023, the High School and Middle School will be participating in the Small Schools Band Festivals. There are 7 High schoolers and 18 Middle schoolers, who are participating.

In August, almost half of the band was new to DHS and to the expectations involved when performing at different athletic events. All 7-12th graders had to work together to play the music. The band is still working on notes, rhythms, and musical skills like playing at different volume levels and speeds, and other dynamics that make the music more interesting to listen to.

Band Director Mrs. King explains that “We have been working on our two songs for a couple months. We started after returning from Christmas break. The judges for this competition have very high expectations. Right notes and rhythms are just a starting point. They want to hear the music. Judges all receive a copy of the music we are playing and can see what each instrument is supposed to be playing”, says Mrs. King.

On the band’s preparation strategies, Drum Major Jayden Schneider says, “We have come into class prepared, wanting to learn new things from Mrs. King, so we can play the songs better. We are paying attention, listening, and being prepared to learn things and to remember them.”

MENTAL HEALTH MONDAY

BY:TRICIA SIMPSON

Mental Health Monday is something Mrs. Taylor started for kids who have her class to help kids with their confidence, self esteem, and other issues. Mrs. T knew she wasn’t qualified to do all the “counseling” things, she is just “Mama T."

She has noticed quite a change in the classroom. Her students are starting to understand that words hurt even if you use the saying “just kidding." They now get onto each other when they start to hear negative things, which is another change that has gone on.

You probably have also noticed that around the school there are sticky notes posted everywhere. It’s something Mrs. T and Mrs. Powell put together to practice positive self-talk and encouragement. Some of the notes have made people emotional, especially Mrs. Taylor. “I walked into the building and saw the note, and it almost made me start crying."

Sometimes as teenagers, or even adults, we don’t realize that sometimes people just need a lift of encouragement. Sometimes one small compliment can make a big difference in a life.

Mrs. T would like to continue doing Mental Health Monday for as long as she’s here because she wants people to be able to acknowledge the mental health issue without it being a stigma.

What to Listen To

On February 10th, Paramore released their new (6th) album This Is Why. Paramore decided to release a new album after a -six year hiatus. As the band Paramore ages, so does their lyrics and style of their music.

Paramore music is a mix of pop punk, and emo. Growing up I liked listening to Paramore. My favorite albums include Riot!, and Paramore (Self-Titled). When I got the time to listen to music, Paramore was usually on the top of my mind. I definitely think that others will enjoy Paramore.

Photo Credit: Anna Sampson

MAKING SOMEONE'S DAY

BY:ABIGAIL MILLER

Over the past couple weeks, I've been doing random acts of kindness just to see how it could affect mine and other people’s days, and here is how it went.

For my first week, I decided to start off small, like when I paid for my friend's drink while we were hanging out. This is something small but even the smallest thing can brighten up someone's night. By doing this she ended up buying my drink when we hung out the next night.

The second thing I did to try and make someone's day was to wash the dishes and load the dishwasher for my mom. By doing this I not only made the kitchen cleaner, but it also helped out my mom, so when she got off of work, she didn’t have to worry about the dishes. When my mom got home, she looked stressed, but when she saw the clean kitchen, she looked relieved.

Another thing I did was pick up the food for everyone at work. We usually order out, and nobody ever wants to drive, so I offered to go pick up lunch for everyone. By doing this, my coworkers were happier, and I got a lot of appreciation from it.

Doing these random acts of kindness made me feel good because I get to make my friends and family happy and make everyones life a little easier. All in all doing something for someone else can make someone's day no matter how small the thing is.

STUDENTS OF THE MONTH

Middle School: Laci Burnett - 7th Grade

Underclassmen- Michaela Copeland & Presli Punzo - 9th Grade

Upperclassman - Lainie Vogan - 12th Grade

WHAT TO PLAY

BY: MARSHALL JONES

Subnautica: Below Zero is an open-world survival actionadventure video game developed and published by Unknown Worlds Entertainment. It is the second game to the Subnautica series and is set two years after the first game. It can be played on PC, Playstation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. Return to Planet 4546B to uncover the truth behind a deadly cover-up of an alien virus. Survive the harsh conditions by building habitats, crafting tools, and diving deeper into the world of Subnautica. The ratings of the game are 9/10 on IGN, 82% on Metacritic, and 83% on OpenCritic. I enjoyed playing the game a lot and would give it a 9/10.

WHAT TO READ

BY: ABIGAIL MILLER

I recently finished reading A Court Of Thorns And Roses by Sarah J. Mass. A Court of Thorns And Roses is the first in a series of fantasy books written by Sarah J. Mass. This book follows from the point of view of Feyra Archeon as she struggles to hold her own in the faerie world of Prythian while also trying to save the lives of humans and faerie as well. I would give this book a 4 ½ out of five stars because it has an amazing storyline and a few suspenseful moments and just due to the few plot holes that pop up at the end of the book although they are filled in in the next book of the series, A Court of Mist and Fury.

TERRIFIC TIGERS

7th Grade: Logan Weller

Favorite Movie: Star Wars

Favorite Holiday: Christmas

Favorite Class: Math

Fun Fact: "I have 2 cats and 3 dogs."

8th Grade: Kylee Dexter

Favorite Movie:

Lion King

Favorite Holiday:

4th of July

Favorite Class: Math

Fun Fact: "Idk"

9th Grade: Presli Punzo

Favorite Movie: Lyle Lyle Crocodile

Favorite Holiday: Valentines Day

Favorite Class: English

Fun Fact: Favorite color is pink

TERRIFIC TIGERS

10th Grade: Lexi Gore

Favorite Movie: Elf

Favorite Holiday: Thanksgiving

Favorite Class: "Dubs"

Fun Fact: Has a three legged cat

11th Grade: Devin Hall

Favorite Movie: Ghost Rider

Favorite Holiday: Christmas

Favorite Class: History

Fun Fact: Plays basketball

12th Grade: Brody Knorr

Favorite Movie: Home Alone

Favorite Holiday: St. Patrick's Day

Favorite Class: English

Fun Fact: Shot 100 in trapshooting