The Black and Gold Volume II: Issue 7 December 2, 2022

December 2, 2022 | Volume II: Issue 7

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWS SOURCE OF BUCHANAN COUNTY R-IV Newspaper Staff

ENTIRE DISTRICT SHOWS TIGER PRIDE

BY: HELAINA GEOFFROY

Tuesday, November 22, was the first home basketball game. Every year the basketball teams, the cheerleaders, and the band go down to the elementary to explain why the basketball game is important and why they should come watch the game.

This year, instead of going to Rushville, the whole elementary school came up for a pep assembly at the high school.

During the assembly, the DHS band played some basketball pep songs, a couple players from both the girls' and boys' teams played a basketball game with the 6th graders, followed by a gym wide scavenger hunt. To top it all off, the cheerleaders performed a dance with the teachers, and then the elementary students won the spirit contest.

Mrs. Powell who was in charge of the scavenger hunt said, “I think it was new and different. It was a great way to include everybody. From the little ones through … even though most of the older kids were reluctant to volunteer. But, I think they still had fun.”

"Have a pawfect day!"

Helaina Geoffroy | Marshall Jones | Abigail Miller | Tricia Simpson

Photo Credit: Helaina Geoffroy

Photo Credit: Helaina Geoffroy

Photo Credit: Marshall Jones

BY: TRICIA SIMPSON

Kyleigh Black - 8th grade

Kyleigh decided to join cheer because she wanted to have fun. Kyleigh’s favorite part of cheer is stunting. Cheer has taught Kyleigh to always trust your teammates. This is her second year cheering, but she plans on cheering in future years. Kyleigh’s advice for the younger girls who want to cheer is “Be loud.”

Kelsey Chatman - 8th grade

Kelsey decided to join cheer because she wanted something else to do.. Kelsey’s favorite part of cheer is having the ability to have a crowd stand up and cheer with you. Cheer has taught Kelsey that you have to work together. This is her second year cheering, but she plans on cheering in future years. Lillian’s advice for the younger girls who want to cheer is “It’s all about working together.”

Gretchen decided to join cheer because she wanted to have fun and show school spirit. Gretchen’s favorite part of cheer is getting to be with her friends. Cheer has taught Gretchen to always have a positive attitude. This is her first year cheering, but she plans on cheering in future years. Gretchen’s advice for the younger girls who want to cheer is “Stay positive and don’t let anyone take you down.”

Alivia Hall - 7th grade

Alivia decided to join cheer because she wanted to have fun. Alivia’s favorite part of cheer is making memories. Cheer has taught Alivia to always stay positive and don’t give up. This is her first year cheering, but she plans on cheering in future years. Alivia’s advice for the younger girls who want to cheer is “Work Hard.”

Gretchen Bowers - 7th grade

BY: TRICIA SIMPSON

- 7th grade

Brinkley decided to join cheer because she’s always admired how positive the cheerleaders are and she loves supporting her team. Brinkley’s favorite part of cheer is stunting. Cheer has taught Brinkley that you have to trust the process. This is her first year cheering, but she plans on cheering in future years. Brinkley’s advice for the younger girls who want to cheer is “Have confidence in yourself because if you put your mind to it, you can do it.”

Delaney decided to join cheer because it sounded like fun. Delaney’s favorite part of cheer is being around her friends. A skill Delaney has picked up from cheer is responsibility. This is her first year cheering, but she plans on cheering in future years. Delaney’s advice for the younger girls who want to cheer is “Don’t give up and do what you want to do.”

Shaylee decided to join cheer because her older sister does cheer. Shaylee’s favorite part of cheer is being around her friends. A skill Shaylee has picked up from cheer is responsibility. This is her first year cheering, but she plans on cheering in future years. Shaylee’s advice for the younger girls who want to cheer is “To make sure you’re loud.”

Lillian decided to join cheer because it sounded like fun. Shaylee’s favorite part of cheer is stunting. Cheer has taught Lillian that you have to trust your teammates and you can’t do everything by yourself. This is her first year cheering, but she plans on cheering in future years. Lillian’s advice for the younger girls who want to cheer is “Don’t be scared to be loud.”

Brinkley Frakes

Delaney Frakes - 7th grade

Shaylee Phillips - 7th grade

Lillian Wagner - 7th grade

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

BY: ABBY MILLER

From 9am to 10am on Tuesday, November 22, there was a career fair at De Kalb High and Middle School. It was held throughout the school in places such as the gym, library, commons, and the band room. “The career fair was an opportunity for students to learn about local job opportunities, not only in the community, but also in surrounding areas,” says Mrs. H.

At the career fair, there were 4 jobs represented by a total of 5 speakers. They were two supervisors from AGP, a State Trooper, a Nurse Manager, and an Engineer from Altec.

The morning of talks gave students a chance to start thinking about what they want to do after high school and what they want to do with their life. “This is a great opportunity for students as long as they take it seriously and invest in it,” says Mrs. H.

The career fair was an amazing experience for students and a great opportunity for them to see some of their options in the career fair. If you have any questions about any of the jobs or a career choices, let Mrs. Powell or Mrs. H. know.

What to Watch

BY: ABBY MILLER

On November 23 the new adaptation of The Addams Family, called Wednesday, aired and a lot of people have been enjoying it. “I enjoy the new series because every episode is something new and it has a lot of twists and turns in it,” says Sophomore Tricia Simpson. The series follows Wednesday as her family sends her to Nevermore Academy while she struggles to master her new psychic ability, thwart a killing spree and solve the mystery that embroiled her parents 25 years ago. So if you're ever bored and need something to watch, check out Wednesday.

FFA LEARNS THE IMPORTANCE OF HELPING

BY: ABIGAIL MILLER

On November 16th FFA took a community service field trip to the 2nd harvest food bank According to Mr.Medsker all of the students that are apart of FFA got to go and help do amazing things at 2nd harvest such as bagging sweet potatoes and unboxing turkeys that were going to be given away to families in need for Thanksgiving They packaged senior boxes that go out to older people in need and sorted and packaged food drive items which were bagged into campus cupboard bags that are given out to school aged students in need.

This is an amazing opportunity to teach students the importance of giving back to the community Not only did these students get to have a fun field trip with their friends they got to experience first hand how 2nd Harvest helps out those in need. “As FFA members, it’s important that we serve others, and I hope the students learned that by helping others you are also helping yourself,” says Medsker

Another thing that students got to recognize is how fortunate they are to have what they do. Its important to always remember that even though you might not know it, someone could be going through something. “I wanted students to recognize that not everyone is as fortunate as them and it’s important to help those people out,” says Medsker.

And lastly, the most important thing a field trip like this can do is show students a resource for the future. “I learned to be thankful for the things I have,” says Freshman Rylie Burdette

If you ever feel a spark to help out those in need this year the way that the FFA students did, 2nd Harvest food bank is always taking donations for food and NHS is getting ready to put up their Angel Tree in the Commons to help local students get the Christmas they deserve

Photo Credits: Mr. Medsker

TO DECORATE OR NOT TO DECORATE

BY: MARSHALL JONES

Every year, there is a debate about whether to decorate for Christmas before or after Thanksgiving.

Some people think you should decorate before Thanksgiving. One of them is coach Roberts. He thinks that ”Christmas time is too short and it's a great time of year for giving.” Another person that agrees with him is Mr. Hoffman. He says that “Christmas is a state of mind, you have to be good to people year round and celebrate it one time of year.” Mrs. Powell concurs as well and says, “ I always decorate before Thanksgiving because the lights and decorations make me warm and fuzzy on the inside."

On the other hand, there are some people that think you should decorate after Thanksgiving. One of them is Mrs. Downing. She says that “I think it's best to honor all holidays.” Mrs Punzo says, “I decorate after Thanksgiving because you need to give each holiday its own time.” Mrs. K says that she feels "very strongly about decorating for Christmas after Thanksgiving because you have to cherish each holiday and enjoy them while they're here and not try to jump ahead.”

There are many other people that would stand for either side. Which do you do?

~ Mr. Wildhaber

"Be safe! Make good decisions!"

Quote of the Week

STUDENTS OF THE MONTH

Middle School

Cooper Wachtel is an 8th grader who is always working hard in class and helping other students. Cooper was surprised he got Student of the Month.

Underclassman

Miley Phillips is a 9th grader who always has her work done on time and helps other students.

Miley felt suprised when she heard she was the Student of the Month.

Upperclassman

Kaylee Layton is a junior who always works hard in class and is always respectful. Kaylee was surprised to earn Student of the Month because she wasn't expecting it.

WHAT TO PLAY

BY: MARSHALL JONES

Stray came out on July 19, 2022. You can play it on the Playstation 4, Playstation 5, and PC. In Stray, you play as a stray cat. The cat gets separated from his family after falling from the lush outside world and you end up in a cyberpunk city. The city has a giant wall meant to protect the last of humanity, but all the humans have moved and left behind their robots, who imitate the lifestyles of their former owners, including the class systems that led to humanity’s downfall You have a drone that helps you as you make your way from the slums to the upper class. On your way, you solve puzzles, perform side quests, and learn the history about the world before. Once you start, you'll be dedicated to it.

WHAT TO READ

BY: MRS. MILLER

Last year, I read The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab (highly recommend by the way), and as soon as I gave it 5 stars on Goodreads, I searched Amazon for other of Schwab's books. Thus, my exposure to Gallant, a young adult fantasy novel that follows Olivia Rider on supernatural journey.

We meet Olivia at a boarding school, Merilance, where all she has are her thoughts and her mother's journal. Unable to speak, Olivia has no friends, and her teachers are less than friendly. Out of the blue, she receives a letter from a long lost relative inviting her to a home she didn't know existed.

When Olivia arrives, she is not exactly welcome enthusiastically and is warned away from going beyond the garden wall. The rest of the story follows Olivia's journey to uncover secrets from her past, and from the other side of the garden wall

Gallant is a quick and fun read definite 4 star read for me!