The Black and Gold Volume II: Issue 2 September 23, 2022

"Have a pawfect day!"

September 23, 2022

NEW CONSTRUCTION PLEASES SPORTS FANS

BY: TRICIA SIMPSON

In the spring of 2022, De Kalb built new bleachers for the football games, and a new softball/baseball field. The old bleachers for football were wooden stands, so metal bleachers are definitely an upgrade The new softball/baseball field has new bleachers, a new scoreboard, and new dugouts, a definite upgrade for players and observers

Stacy Downing and Cali Punzo are frequent sports viewers. They both have daughters who play softball, and Mrs. Punzo has a son who also plays football. They both enjoy the new upgrades to De Kalb. Mrs. Downing states “The field is nicer than last year and the dugouts are nice, and there are also all new stands to sit on.”

Mrs. Punzo thinks the new bleachers are nice and they feel better to sit on than last year. Junior Abby Miller likes the new bleachers because “it is more spacious and comfortable.” Many students enjoy coming to the games because the new bleachers are in better condition than in recent years

If you would like to see the new bleachers or softball / baseball field, come out and support the De Kalb softball and football teams!

Newspaper Staff

Helaina Geoffroy | Marshall Jones | Abigail Miller | Tricia Simpson

Pictured: Football Bleachers

Photo Credit: Tricia Simpson

Pictured: Baseball Field

Photo Credit: Tricia Simpson

MIDDLE SCHOOL FOOTBALL HAS HIGH HOPES FOR THE FUTURE

BY: TRICIA SIMPSON

Middle school football had their first game on September 6th, and since then they have been training hard for future games

Coach Wardlow, the head coach of the high school football team has been filling in for Coach Roberts. Coach Wardlow says, “Middle school is when you learn all the fundamentals and see if you like the game, so you are ready for high school.” With there only being two 8th graders on the team, Devlen Cline and Hemi Donaldson, it’s hard to have an experienced team, but they are making it work.

7th grader Kale Cassity says he has high hopes for the future of their team, but there are still things they need to work on. Devlen, Kale, and Porter Karns came to a collective agreement that they need to work on their offense and defense. With most of the players having this be their first year of football, it’s good because they still have many years to learn.

In practice they do lots of conditioning and they run through plays to be prepared for the game, and they also mentioned that it helps them a lot. Wardlow’s hopes for the season are for “the boys to grow and be ready for their high school years.” With more games they will learn more.

Come out and support your middle school football team against South Nodaway on September 26, at our home field!

Pictured: Kale Cassity Photo Credit: Tricia Simpson

Pictured: Coach Wardlow Photo Credit: Helaina Geoffroy

Pictured: Porter Karns & Devlen Cline Photo Credit: Tricia Simpson

MIDDLE SCHOOL SOFTBALL WARMS

UP FOR A NEW SEASON

BY: HELAINA GEOFFROY

This year's coach is Katie Crockett, who also teaches Title 1 Reading at the Elementary School Crockett has 13 players on the roster, including Eight 7th graders and five 8th graders

The team is focusing on knowing different situations during the game and being positive to lift the team up even when they get down “We played very well and are starting to see our fundamentals and skill really come together,” says Mrs Crockett Crockett adds, “I have really enjoyed being a first year coach this year with these girls! They are a great, funny, skilled group of girls and I can’t wait to see where the rest of the season takes us! I am proud to be their coach!

7th Grader Lauraly Lane has been playing softball since she was in T Ball. “I felt great because I got to be catcher, but the other ones I felt bored.” Lauraly also wants to add that “Besides the uncomfortable pants and loud bus rides, softball is fun.”

8th grader Isabella Beems has been in softball since she was in T Ball. “For our next game, I am definitely going to focus and get a full night’s sleep for that game.” Bella also wants to say “Go De Kalb Lady Tigers!”

The middle school softball girls play next at Jefferson (Conception) with South Nodaway on Tuesday, September 27th.

On Thursday, September 15th the Middle School

Softball played against Northeast Nodaway Nodaway won with a score of 9 8

Pictured: Isabella Beems

Photo Credit: Helaina Geoffroy

Pictured: Lauraly Lane

Photo Credit: Helaina Geoffroy

Quote of the Week

“Team success comes from everyone working together, but failure can come when one member of the team neglects their responsibilities.”

~ George Baugh

CROSS COUNTRY RUNNERS BACK ON THE ROAD

BY: ABIGAIL MILLER

As the year begins activities and sports begin to start up again such as cross country. The high school cross country team consists of Seniors Rylie Johnson , Tucker Estes, and DJ Johnson. The middle school team includes only 7th grader Natalie Steele. Middle school and high school cross country had an event September 13th at Cameron, and they have an upcoming event on September 23rd at Benton .

We have a small team but the members such as Senior Rylie Johnson are excited and pumped up for this season. “I think this season is going well. At the first meet, we all had pretty good times,” says Rylie. Additionally, everyone is setting goals. “My goal for the team is for one or all of us to go to State, and a goal for myself is to beat my personal record from Districts last year,” says Rylie.

We also have a middle schooler, 7th grader Natalie Steele, who is super pumped up for this season. “A Goal I have set for myself is to get a speed like Rylie’s, or at least close to her speed,” says Natalie.

Not only is cross country good for your health, it is fun as well. “ were all a pretty tight knit group seeing as how there's so little of us so we get to joke around and have fun.” If you have any questions or would like to do cross country next year talk to Coach Dice.

What to Watch

BY: ABIGAIL MILLER

Pictured: Mekayla Boydston

If you ever have a little downtime after sports or work and you need something to watch Netflix #1 series is Stranger Things. It is about a group of kids trying to save their town of Hawkins when strange things pop up. According to Sophomore Mekayla Boydston, “I recommend Stranger Things because it has this 80’s horror movie vibe.” With that being said, if you're ever bored and in need of some 80’s horror vibes, just head to Netflix and watch Stranger Things.

Pictured: Natlie Steele & Rylie Johnson

Photo Credit: Abigail Miller

Photo Credit: Abigail Miller

DHS WELCOMES NEW COUNSELOR

BY: HELAINA GEOFFROY

Mrs. Penny Powell is the new counselor at DHS. She lives in Saint Joseph with her husband, two little boys, and two dogs.

Mrs. Powell graduated from Chillicothe High School. Mrs. Powell wanted to become a band teacher because “I had an AMAZING teacher!” But, in High School, she switched from band to choir because she fell in love with the dancing and singing in show choir (dancing and singing).

Mrs Powell’s favorite job that she had in school and college was being a lifeguard “I have always loved swimming since I was a little kid. It made sense to get paid for something I loved.”

Before coming to De Kalb, Mrs. Powell was a choir teacher at Chillicothe for four years. She worked at Spring Garden Middle School in Saint Joseph and Bode Middle School as the music teacher.

After years of being the music teacher at three different schools, she realized that she could start working with those who needed more help than what she could provide as a teacher.

So far, “working at De Kalb has been a blessing to me and my family! I am loving my job,” says Powell. Mrs. Powell also would like to say “I am excited to continue to meet and learn about the students here at De Kalb. My door is always open for anyone who needs me.” Welcome to the Tiger Family, Mrs. Powell!

Pictured: Mrs. Powell Photo Credit: Helaina Geoffroy

WHAT TO PLAY

BY: MARSHALL JONES

Juniors Brayden Bowen and Nathan Lance have conflicting opinions about what is the best game to play. Brayden thinks that people should play Blade and Sorcery. This game is a VR combat game set in medieval times. You can use spells and magic powers. Brayden says “you can eviscerate ‘AIs’' and it's a really good game to take out stress.” Nathan thinks that people should play Fallout New Vegas. This game puts you in a post apocalyptic world that is full of mutated creatures and people trying to rebuild society in how they see fit. Nathan says “there is a giant death ray you can shoot and you can recruit a funny robot dog ” Choosing which game is better is very difficult Guess you’ll have to play both to see.

WHAT TO READ

BY: MRS. MILLER

As the school year started, I picked up a random book off my shelf to read on our first Friday SSR day. It was okay, but Junior Brayden Bowen saved me the next week with his copy of Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry.

The first in a five book series, Rot & Ruin follows the life of 15 year old Benny Imura, who has to find a job in his post apocalyptic, zombie infested world.

This book is full of adventure, excitement, and tons of twists and turns, especially once Benny joins his legendary bounty hunter brother, Tom Imura, out in the ruin for lots of zombie slaying and more.

I've read the first three books in the series so far, and I'll definitely be reading the final two as soon as possible. Thanks for forcing me to read this incredible book, Brayden!

If you want to join Benny on his zombie slaying adventures, you can find the entire series in the De Kalb school library.

Nathan Lance(Left) Brayden Bowen(Right)

NEW FACES AT DE KALB

BY: MARSHALL JONES

It's not everyday someone gets to ex being a 7th grader for the first time but f lucky people, it's their time to shine.

De Kalb’s new 7th graders had mixed about their first day. Brinkley Frakes s here, we are treated like adults a responsibility for our actions.” Another 7th Lillion Wagner, says the first day “was stre fun to learn new people and their Joslynne Bailey says “The first day was really like it here.”

Some of the things that the 7th graders challenging about starting middle sc sharing lockers with people, finding cla making a good first impression. They said the best parts of starting middle school friends, freedom, and meeting new peopl

If you bump into one of the 7th grade sure you give them a warm welcome to D

MEET A NEW FRIEND AT DE KALB

BY: MARSHALL JONES

Lillian Wagner (Right) Brinkley Frakes (Left)

Photo credit: Tricia Simpson

Pictured: Joslynne Bailey Photo credit: Tricia Simpson

TRAP SHOOT BEGINS FOR 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR

BY: ABIGAIL MILLER

As the year begins, so do a bunch of fun activities such as trap shoot.

Sponsor Mr. Medsker notes that there are “three things we are going to be focusing on this year are to be safe. We want to be safe first and foremost. We also need to Have fun. I want students to be competitive and work to improve themselves, but I also want them to enjoy the sport. Not everybody is going to have the same goal, but as long as students are trying their best to improve each month, then I’m happy So individual goals are the most important thing ”

Students participating in trap shoot this year include Seniors Brody Knorr, Brayton Sybert, Landon Williams, and McKayla Chatman; Sophomores Jacob Vogan, Riley Piles and Luke Miller; and Freshmen Landon Crockett, Miley Philips, and Connor Graber. “ We have a great group of students with a wide range of abilities this year,” says Mr Medsker

There are a few new faces joining this year such as Freshman Landon Crockett. “I joined trap shoot because I like shooting and I like duck hunting,” says Landon.

And, we have some veterans participating again such as Senior Brody Knorr, who is participating for his 4th year “I've learned to be very disciplined, and what I enjoy most about trap shoot is striving to get a 50 out of 50,” says Brody.

If you would like to learn more about trap shoot or join next year, or if you have any other Ag event questions, talk to Mr. Medsker.

Pictured: Landon Crockett

Photo Credit: Abigail Miller

Pictured: Brody Knorr

Photo Credit: Abigail Miller

TERRIFIC TIGERS

Favorite Subject: Gym

Fun Fact: “I’m funny.”

Superpower: Making the world safe

Favorite hobby: Riding

8th Grade: Shay Coffelt

Favorite Subject: English

Fun Fact: “I don’t like PE.”

Superpower: Invisibility

Favorite hobby: Listening to music

9th Grade: Blake Norton

Favorite Subject: American History

Fun Fact: “I like riding dirt bikes and football.”

Superpower: Flying

Favorite hobby: Riding dirt bikes and SXS

7th Grade: DJ Clark

TERRIFIC TIGERS

10th Grade: Riley Pyles

Favorite Subject: Math

Fun Fact: “I like to hunt ”

Superpower: Flying

Favorite hobby: Riding dirt bikes

11th Grade: Davyn Humes

Favorite Subject: Math

Fun Fact: “I do stupid stuff a lot.”

Superpower: To make anybody laugh

Favorite hobby: Joking around with friends

12th Grade: Tucker Estes

Favorite Subject: Gym

Fun Fact: “I’m incredibly funny.”

Superpower: Super speed

Favorite hobby: Video Games or youtube