The Black and Gold Volume II: Issue 6 November 17, 2022

"Have a pawfect day!"

November 17, 2022 | Volume II: Issue 6 THE OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWS SOURCE OF BUCHANAN COUNTY R-IV Newspaper Staff

TIGER PRIDE BAND ATTENDS 275 CONFERENCE

BY: HELAINA GEOFFROY

On Monday, November 7 the High school Band went to Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville and participated in the 275 Conference Band. “The purpose of the 275 Conference Band is to give students the chance to play with a large band,” said Mrs. King.

Every year the 275 Conference switches between band and choir. So, next year there will be a large choir group. This year there were around 120 band kids. A lot of schools in our conference have small bands and many students do not get the experience of playing with a group that has all of the appropriate instruments This group gives that opportunity “We got to meet new people and get to make new friends from other schools,” said Nat Griffin.

“I thought the entire day went well. Our concert performance was very good. Students worked really hard to learn three pieces of music in one day and then performed them for family and friends that evening,” said Mrs. King. Different bands teachers went and did sectionals.

Sectionals is where you work with an instrument group and work on specific problems with the music that they were having.

Helaina Geoffroy | Marshall Jones | Abigail Miller | Tricia Simpson

Pictured: 275 Conference Band Photo Credit: Mrs. King

Pictured: DHS Tiger Pride Band Photo Credit: Brittany King

BY: TRICIA SIMPSON

Thanksgiving is a time of thanks throughout multiple countries. The most common tradition is gathering with your family and making a huge meal, but everyone does it differently, including here at De Kalb.

Junior Abigail Miller’s Thanksgiving tradition is having all the women in her family cook, then eat, and then play lots of games. They also plan out Christmas with their family. Junior Marshall Jones’s Thanksgiving tradition is making food, and his grandma makes carrot cakes and hands them out to people.

Sophomore Tori Hawk’s Thanksgiving tradition is going to her grandparents’ house and having a feast. Brooklyn Frakes’s Thanksgiving tradition is going to her grandparents and helping her mom cook. Lexi Gore goes to her grandparents’ and eats only mashed potatoes. Boston Burdette’s Thanksgiving tradition is going to his grandma's house and he eats a bunch of good food with a lot of his family members. Kasey Steiner’s Thanksgiving tradition is going to his grandma’s and eating food. Nolan Huffman’s Thanksgiving tradition is going to his grandparents house and playing football with his siblings. Kaylee Grable’s Thanksgiving tradition is going to her cousin's house and eating food with her whole family.

Mrs. Miller’s Thanksgiving tradition is cooking a huge meal from scratch and having her whole family come to her house and eat. Mrs. Downing celebrates Thanksgiving by having her sister cook and the rest of her family brings extras. Mrs. Powell celebrates multiple Thanksgiving with her whole family on her mom's side. On her dad's side of the family they also celebrate. She has multiple days of multiple eating. Coach Dubs Thanksgiving tradition is going to his wife’s parents house and they all cook a big meal. Mrs. Matthews Thanksgiving tradition is going to her grandmas and then goes to her husbands moms and has a big feast. Coach Dice’s Thanksgiving tradition is going to his parents house and stuffing his face with food along with his dog Emma’s face.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and remember to give thanks!

HS BOYS BASKETBALL PREPARES FOR 2022 SEASON

BY: MARSHALL JONES

On November 22nd, The De Kalb basketball team will be facing off at a home game against St. Joe Christian. The game will happen a few days after the season kicks off with the Basketball Jamboree at St. Joe Christian.

To get ready for this game, Coach Wildhaber says that “We just have to get a lot of practice in, working on some fundamental stuff, and as we get closer to the game, we can get more and more game stuff ready.” Wildhaber hopes the team "can keep making the advanced strides we made at the end of the season last year carry over and just be a really fundamentally sound team that really competes defensively and are in a lot of close games this year.”

Chris Weinmann has been playing basketball for a long time. He says that “I have played year round since I was five." To prepare for the game, he says that “Lots of mental reps, lots of physical reps on the court and off the court, you got to pay attention to coach and do what he wants us to do.” Some of his hopes for this season are “have at least a 500 record or above 500 record, and I want to, as a team, go deep in the playoffs, but not just that, just become better people on the court and off the court.”

Come on out to support them on the 22nd. Go Tigers

Pictured: Chris Weinmann

Photo Credit: Marshall Jones

BY: ABIGAIL MILLER

This year's girls basketball team consists of Seniors Lainie Vogan, Marin Moore, Gracie Hanshaw, and McKayla Chatman; Juniors Rachel Reagan, Harlie Hall, Kalyn Hartman, Kaylee Layton, and Allison Bramble; and Freshmen Grace Downing, Ceci Sherlock , and Rylie Burdette.

Tuesday, November 22, is the first home game against St. Joe Christian, following Friday night's Basketball Jamboree at St. Joe Christian. “We have a new team this year so we're just working on figuring out where everyone works best and everyone's strengths," says Coach Reagan

This year, the team lost some amazing seniors, but they also gained some hopeful players. “My goal is to get better at basketball and to have fun," says Junior Kaylee Layton.

Pictured: Lady Tigers Basketball Team

Photo Credit: Coach Reagan

Veterans of the team have goals of their own. Senior Lainie Vogan wants to see the team "be able to come together and make it to several championship games in tournaments."

Make sure to come out to the Jamboree Friday and the first home game Tuesday to cheer on your De Kalb Lady Tigers!

UNIQUE MATH TACTICS

BY: MARSHALL JONES

Mr. Hoffman, the new middle school math teacher, has been using a unique form of math to teach his students. He has his students show other people the process they used to solve the equation. He does this because he says “If you remember it, you can teach it to other people.”

Mr. Hoffman says “A teacher will help you as much as they can, but ultimately, your education is your responsibility. I found different ways to learn mathematical concepts. Maybe they weren't traditional ways to learn those things, but just different ways so that it is stuck in my head.” He uses these different concepts so that other students can easily remember how to do it.

It may take time to plan these kinds of lessons, but Mr. Hoffman thinks it's worth it. He says that ”I think my approach serves the needs of the students, It's their time to be successful and that's what my focus is."

What to Listen To

BY: HELAINA GEOFFROY

Taylor Swift is a 32 year old American singer songwriter. Taylor has made a total of 9 albums including her new release. Including her newest album Midnights. Along with 2 rerecords of her previous albums Fearless and Red.

Taylor’s new album Midnights has 13 songs. But, Taylor came out with a 3:00am addition where 7 more songs were added, making the album a total of 20 songs.

I LOVE her new album. It expresses her thoughts and this is her way of getting her feelings out. All of her 9 albums are masterpieces, and I can’t wait to see what Taylor has in mind for next time.

Pictured: Mr Hoffman

Photo Credit: Marshall Jones

MEET DE KALB'S NEW CUSTODIAN

BY: TRICIA SIMPSON

This year we have a new custodian at De Kalb High School for the 2022 2023 school year, Charlie Pritchett.

Charlie is from the St. Joseph area and has previously worked as a custodian for 6 years. Before he came to De Kalb, he worked with a tree service company.

So far, Charlie thinks that De Kalb is more laid back than most places.

Some people may think that being a custodian is super easy or super hard, but Charlie tells what it’s like from both sides. “The hours are good,” but the hardest part is keeping up with “all the messes.”

If you see Charlie in the halls, he is usually jamming to his music through his headphones and working hard.

If you see him during your free time, tell him thank you because our custodians do more for us than most think.

Welcome to the De Kalb Tiger family, Charlie!

Pictured: Charlie Pritchett Photo Credit: Tricia Simpson

DE KALB GETS HYDRATED - AND PIED

BY: HELAINA GEOFFROY

During the week of November 8th through 11th, Nurse Chelsey had a challenge for all students. If, in 1st hour, you had a full water bottle, then you could get a prize, such as a sticker or a cute duck for your water bottle.

“I am proud of the amount of kids in the hallway that show me their water bottles and are excited about it now,” recalls Nurse Chelsey.

Water is 70% of your body. It prevents headaches, helps your skin (which is the largest organ in your body), and helps your body function.

The hydration challenge was extremely successful. “I think last week went really well. Nurse visits were down by 38% and total headaches that required medicine in the building were down by 33%. So I think it proved to us that if kids were hydrated, they would feel better,” said Nurse Chelsey.

Those who participated all week, they were able to vote for a staff member to pie in the face. The lucky winners were Mrs. Miller and Mr. Chisam.

Nurse Chelsey wanted to add that you should read the flyers above the water fountains. There is a lot more information about water there. And,

Pictured: Nurse Chelsey Photo Credit: Helaina Geoffroy

Pictured: Mr. Chisam & Chris Weinmann Photo Credit: Helaina Geoffroy

Pictured: Mrs. Miller Photo Credit: Helaina Geoffroy

WHAT TO PLAY

BY: MARSHALL JONES

Bonelab is an experimental physics action sandbox You are put in a mysterious lab where you are pitted against enemies, puzzles, and elements of the unknown. The game is super fun, and it almost feels like you are actually there.

You can play the game on PC and on the Meta Quest. The game is single player and it costs $39.99, but it's worth it. The game is full of action, adventure, and secrets. There are many game modes to choose from like parkour, arena, and sandbox.

The game also supports mods so you can add your own fun. Whether it be surviving in an arena or jumping from rooftop to rooftop in parkour, you'll always have a heart pounding experience.

WHAT TO READ

BY: MRS. MILLER

Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney is one of those books that someone (Mrs. Faulkenberry) hands to you after raving about it, so you read it during SSR on a Friday and take it home and don't stop reading until it's done.

In case you can't tell, I highly recommend it. The novel follows a couple who are making a last ditch effort to save their marriage by going on a getaway weekend in a secluded rental house in the Scottish Highlands Once they arrive, things start getting weird, and spooky. Obviously they do because, Scottish Highlands, duh! Long-held secrets also come to light as the couple navigates crisis after crisis in an attempt to survive.

This book is a real page turner, full of relationship history, twists, turns, danger, and extremely shocking reveals that you will not see coming.

If you like a gripping thriller with tons of character development, you'll love Rock Paper Scissors.