Michaela Copeland
Assistant Editor-in-Chief
Bella Beems
News Editor
Laci Burnett
Reporters
Katlyn Boydston
Grayson Moore
Photographers
Lauraly Lane
Josephine Long
Designers
Ashlynn Bowen
Gunner Delp
Guest Writer
Brayden Massengale
Learn about the DeKalb Band’s 10 Annual 5K - p. 3 th
Hear about the girls’ fight against Stanberry at Districts - p. 5
Check out this spooky original story by Bella Beems! - p. 7
By: Laci Burnett
Red Ribbon Week is celebrated annually from October 23 through October 31st. This week brings awareness to the harmful effects drugs and alcohol can cause on your life if you allow them into your system. Red Ribbon Week reminds children, teens, and adults alike of why they should resist drugs and alcohol for their own betterment
Drugs and alcohol can severely harm a child’s developing brain DeKalb Counselor Mrs Powell reinforces that when you use drugs and/or alcohol, “You have more chances of an addictive personality, which dampens what outlooks you have for your future because you're altering your thought process; it can make you more moody, it can alter your sleep patterns, it can bring depression, suicidal thoughts, and the list can go on ” There are too many negative side effects that come from drug and alcohol use that harm your quality of life in the present and future
This week is a reminder that drugs and alcohol are not the answer; there are many resources available to help you out if you are going through something, and drugs are just a temporary answer with long-term side effects Stay drug and alcohol free, and celebrate Red Ribbon Week responsibly
By: Grayson Moore
If you are looking for a funny movie to watch for Halloween, I recommend the movie Scooby-Doo
Scooby-Doo, starring Matthew Lillard, directed by Raja Gosnell, and written by James Gunn, came out in 2002.
It has received a 32% on Rotten Tomatoes, which is the percentage of positive reviews by professional film critics, so technically it's not a good movie, but it’s definitely enjoyable to watch.
It follows the Mystery Inc group after they split over a disagreement. All of the members received a letter to visit an amusement park so they all try to solve the mystery without the help of the other members They eventually realize that they will need to work together to solve the mystery on the island.
By: Laci Burnett
The Tiger Pride Band had one of its busiest weeks of the year last week: performing their halftime show at the previous home game Friday night, running a 5k at Rushville Saturday morning, and marching in the Atchison Parade Saturday afternoon. Thanks to the hard work of Band students and their families to tote them around, the week went without a hitch.
Last Friday marked the end of the marching season for the DeKalb Tiger Pride Band, and Mrs King believes, “It was a drastic improvement from the first show to the last.” Now all that is left for the Band is the concert season and playing at High School Basketball games.
The next afternoon, after the 5K, the Band headed out to Atchison to march in the Atchison Parade They played their show tunes Shut Up and Dance and Ex’s and Oh’s, much to the crowd's enjoyment. They faced the small obstacle of light rain for the entirety of the parade, but Mrs. King says, “It went very smoothly, and we stayed dry for the most part. Everybody showed up, did their job, and the people seemed to really enjoy it, so I call it a success ”
You can watch this movie on HBO Max, Amazon Prime, and Hulu
If possible, you can come to see them at their next performance at the Rushville Elementary Veterans Day Assembly on November 11th.
By: Gunner Delp
The DeKalb Tiger Pride Band hosted their annual Haunted Hustle 5k at Rushville Elementary last Saturday on October 25th With this being the band’s 10th annual Haunted Hustle, they were met with around 60 participants!
In the spirit of Halloween coming up, people decided to dress up in costumes! There is no official winner of the 5k Haunted Hustle, but 7th Grader Meredith Sawyer states, “In my opinion, the winner was Zylar”
“The 5k is a fundraiser for both the DeKalb and the Rushville band,” says Band Director and 5k host Angie King. The Haunted Hustle is an opportunity for people to participate in a 3.1-mile run/walk in order to raise money for the Bands to purchase and repair equipment, buy supplies, etc.
The Haunted Hustle 5K run is held annually at the Rushville Elementary school The Haunted Hustle has been hosted by our lovely Band Director Angie King every year since 2016 Show up next year to the 5K to show your appreciation and support for our DeKalb Tiger Pride Band!
By: Brayden Massengale
Fifteen years after the sci-fi, evolutionary horror video game Dead Space hit the shelves and left the world terrified, Electronic Arts Motive presents the newest update to the franchise in Unreal Engine 5. Released on January 27, 2023, Dead Space was reintroduced with amazing graphics, new mechanics, and fresh gore for the vicious-minded, leaving hardcore and recent fans stunned in terror and begging for more.
Setting the stage inside the repair ship, USG Kellion, following a distress signal from the planetcracker class USG Ishimura orbiting Aegis VII, informing of a communications blackout. Aboard the USG Kellion is CEC captain Zach Hammond, starship engineer Isaac Clarke, computer specialist Kendra Daniels, and others. Upon arrival, you and your crew find the flight deck strangely deserted; eventually, you come to learn that there’s much more than communications offline, and the ship is less deserted than you thought…
The immersive survival-horror experience puts you in the rig of engineer Isaac Clarke, a man born in the North American sector of the Earth colonies Isaac’s mother had major anxiety issues, which caused her to turn into a faithful, possibly fanatical, member of the Church of Unitology Following her increasing problems as well as dementia, she was appointed to a psychiatrist named Nicole Brennan. Isaac and Nicole had begun forming a partnership before she took a medical role aboard the USG Ishimura, with Isaac’s encouragement.
Dead Space can be found in the marketplace of any current console for an initial price of $59 99 If you’re interested in exclusive cosmetics, then turn your attention to the Digital Deluxe Edition for $79.99. Dead Space is a great choice for players who love a great story in the form of a horror experience, such as the famous Resident Evil series, as well as people who love zombie-monster slaying games like Dying Light or Dead Island
Reason: his sass
Reason: his responsesto Mrs.Miller
By: Katlyn Boydston
By: Ashlynn Bowen
On January 31st, 2025, The Weeknd released his new album, Hurry Up Tomorrow, which was released through XO and Republic Records.
The new album talks about the end of his “The Weeknd” persona, blending themes of personal redemption, fame, and a journey through death and rebirth His new album is a synth-pop and R&B album that incorporates hip-hop elements alongside other genres The Weeknd stated that Hurry Up Tomorrow is the “last hurrah” for his persona.
Songs on this album are The Crowd, Cry For Me, How It Feels, Take Me Back to LA, Open Hearts, Timeless, Africa Runaway, Red Terror, and others
The most popular song on this album is Cry For Me
My personal favorite from this album is Timeless because I used to listen to it a lot, and I know it’s not a bad song to listen to.
The DeKalb High School Football team played their last normal game before districts on Friday, October 24
They played against Tarkio at home and sadly lost 6 - 64. While they may have lost, the boys tried their hardest and “they had a couple really good opportunities with tackles for losses and our opportunities for picks,” said Assistant Coach Jonathan Wildhaber
To prepare for their first game of Districts, “they need to be in the right spots, in my opinio. That's the hardest part,” Wildhaber
Their next game is tonight at Stewartsville if you want to come out and support!
By: Bella Beems
Went the first sound of the gunshot Jude let off, a straight shot through the deer’s head. Jude winced as the rifle recoiled and the butt hit her in the cheek; that was going to leave a mark later. The blow didn’t hurt as much as usual because Jude’s face had become numb do to the cold.
Jude’s boots made a crunch under the thick, white snow as she approached the snap dead deer, his crimson blood staining the pure ground. She grabbed the deer by his antlers, dragging him through the thick wood; letting her father’s rifle dangle by the leather strap on her shoulder. snap.
CRUNCH! CRUNCH! CRUNCH! Went her boots. SHIFT! SHIFT! SHIFT! Went the deer she dragged. RATTLE! RATTLE! RATTLE!
Went the rifle as it made contact with the buckle of her belt. Snap.
Jude hated this part, the endless dragging of the prey. She hated how her dark bangs fell in her face. Snap. Her arms were growing sore from the dragging, but they were also numb from laying down in the snow with her thin coat. Jude used one gloved hand to rub her reddened blue eyes, snap trying to protect them from the frigged, dry wind. Snap. went a branch from afar.
Jude Paused.
No more CRUNCH! from her boots
No more SHIFT! from the deer being dragged across the ground.
No more RATTLE! from her father’s rifle making contact with herSnap
Jude had hunted these grounds alone since she was fourteen, things didn’t go snap. on their own.
She looked around her surroundings, left, right, behind, snap. Infront
Jude’s eyes snapped to the thing behind the tree. Jude’s breath caught in her throat, no longer coming out in puffs of cold, icy air.
It was smiling. A human smile, but an offputting one, stretching It’s mouth from ear to ear. It’s eyes glistening with pure joy, so happy that the cold had simply froze the expression for eternity.
Jude was frozen by a similar cold, but hers was with fear. In all 16 years of living she had never known a fear this terrifying. It was the fear that climbed into your stomach and made It’s bed in your bones, causing her hands to shake.
It’s skin was a sickly pale, almost as white as the snow that fell, and It was only covered by dirty rags. Nothing protecting it from the freezing cold weather. No wonder Jude didn’t see it.
Jude’s eyes began to water from dryness. Her mouth lay open but no air would come out. She felt as if she couldn’t, shouldn’t, look away. What was it? What was she going to do? Jude needed to get home, bring the food to her starving little brother. But It was in her path.
Jude’s chest tightened with worry and more fear. It didn’t look like what you’d think a monster to look It looked human, but too human. Human enough to maybe greet, but too human to want to carry a conversation with. Something was just off, maybe the way It was standing? Or maybe the smile? Blink. Snap.
Jude finally blinked and by the time she opened her eyes again, It was now in front of the tree.
Jude wanted to scream, yell for help but she knew nobody would hear her and nothing would come of it.
Jude’s shaking hand tightened on the deer’s antler. Flight or fight, no time for freeze. She has a gun, but what if she missed? There wouldn’t be any time to reload.
Blink. Snap.
Went Jude’s eyes and another fallen branch. Now It was getting closer, It’s limbs twisted and turned in unnatural ways Long, greasy black hair fell in It’s face, but Jude could still clearly see It’s unnaturally wide, colorless eyes looking straight at her with It’s undearing smile.
Blink. Snap.
Now ten feet away.
Jude couldn’t help but blink, the cold wind was only getting stronger and her eyes were getting dryer.
Blink. Snap. Snap
A big gust of wind made Jude blink longer this time. She held up her rifle instantly, pointing the barrel straight in front of her, expecting It to be there. But when she looked, nothing was there
Jude drew in a deep breath, it was all in her head. She let her guard and rifle down; she really needed more sleep.Snap.
Every muscle in Jude’s body tensed just as an icy breath blew on the back of her neck, “Run.”
Was the only thing It said with It’s wheezing, raspy voice and Jude took off. She let go of her deer and ran, ran, ran as much as she could. Snap. Snap.
She stumbled out of the last bit of trees and fell into a patch of snow across the treeline. But as soon as she fell, snap. .she was up; running to her small log house, only a few yards away now. Snap.
Jude almost slipped running up the iced over porch steps. Stumbling into the house, she slammed the door, locking it behind her. Her brother jumped up from the lonely dining table shivering as he opened his mouth, probably to ask Jude how the hunt went, but Jude quickly ran up to him and covered his mouth. BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM!
Went the front door, causing Jude and her brother to jump He looked at Jude, scared and confused, Jude only held him close as the banging on the door continued. BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! After about an hour, the banging began to slow until Silence. No CRUNCH!, no SHIFT!, no RATTLE!, no BAM!, and no Snap. Just silence.
But Jude remained frozen, her little brother pressed tightly against her out of hear It might get him. And out of the same fear, her little brother hugged her with the little strength he had left.
They stayed like this until the sun met the tops of the trees outside. Finally, Jude stood up, loading her rifle, and approaching the front door slowly.
Her brother, out of fear for his sister, grabbed the sleeve of her thin, blue coat Jude turned to him and gave him a soft look, telling him to let her go with her eyes, a telepathic conversation only siblings understand. With hesitation, he complied.
Jude smiled at him then nodded at him to stay back before cracking the door open, letting the rifle peek out first.
Not any sign of It. No smile, no heap of jet black hair, no twisted limbs. Nothing. Jude let a sharp breath of cold air from the outside in as she looked down.
Her deer, still bleeding, laid at her front door.
Her brother approached from behind her, a smile shining on his face as he saw the big deer. Jude was shocked, what had just happened? Was it even real?
Jude’s mind shifted to thoughts of sleep and rest, oh how she yearned for it, but her little brother was hungry
Jude quickly prepared the deer and made dinner; a now luxury they hadn’t had in weeks. Jude and her brother ate until they were full, and with full bellies comes drowsiness Jude’s brother fell asleep at the table, the soft smile still on his face; Jude picked up his small, sickly frail body and carried him to their bed.
Jude smiled down at her brother as he slept, her eyes beginning to droop as she brushed his thin hair with her fingers She snuggled close to her brother for warmth on this bitterly cold night.
Then came the noises of night. The sound of the wind against the walls of the small house The sound of ice hitting the windows as a blizzard began outside. The sound of her brother’s breathing as he slept beside her. All a simple lullaby that was putting Jude to sleep. Jude let her eyes slowly begin to close, allowing the sleep she so desperately longed for to take over her body
Creak.
Jude’s eyes drifted slowly open, looking over at her sleeping brother
Then down to the foot of the bed through the darkness of the room, Jude could make out a sickly pale face, two glossy wide eyes, and a too human smile, peering perfectly still up at her.
By: Bella Beems
Monday was a busy day for students, teachers, and parents alike. October 27 marked the first parent-teacher conferences of the school year.
“Conferences help students by allowing them to chat about their grades and their future plans,” says Guidance Counselor Mrs. Powell.
For the past few years, DeKalb’s parent teacher conferences have been student-led.
How this happens is that the Principal, Mr. Chisam, makes a slide show with prompts and questions for the students to answer, such as “What do you want to do after high school?”
These student-led conferences allow for students to take responsibility and accountability for their own grades and futures
By: Lauraly Lane
One book I recommend for Halloween is Long Live the Pumpkin Queen The novel is based on Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.
The book follows Sally after she marries Jack Skellington and becomes the queen of Halloween Town, feeling overwhelmed by her new royal duties and questioning who she is She accidentally releases a villain from another realm called Dream Town
During all of this, she has to embark on this quest to other holiday realms to save Halloween Town and make discoveries about her past. I like this book because I like Tim Burton movies.
This book also has a graphic novel for those who don’t like reading novels
By: Josie Long
While many know the spooky holiday for the extravagant costumes and free candy, Halloween has been around for centuries.
Traditions date back to the Celtic times, where they would celebrate their ancient holiday, Samhain.* Then, people would light bonfires and dress up in costumes to ward off bad spirits and ghosts
During the eighth century, Pope Gregory III assigned November 1st to be the day to honor all saints. Before Halloween became known as Halloween, it was called All Hallows Eve,* which marked the evening before All Saints Day.
By the ninth century, as Christianity began to spread, a new tradition began Poor people would visit wealthier families where they would pray for dead family members in exchange for soul cakes This “souling” practice would be taken up by younger kids, who would go door to door asking for various treats.
While now, Halloween is known for costumes, movies, and candies, it is always fun to know where different traditions derive from
*Hallow- Derived from the Old English word hālgian, meaning “to make holy ”
*Samhain- A pagan religious celebration to mark the end of the harvest
