The Black and Gold Volume 5 Issue 37 May 28nd, 2026
Newspaper Staff
Editor-in-Chief
Laci Burnett
Assistant Editor-in-Chief
Bella Beems
Reporters
Katlyn Boydston
Photographers
Lauraly Lane
Josephine Long
Designers
Ashlynn Bowen
Gunner Delp
Summer Weights
Find out about what DeKalb athletes endure during summer break to help them be prepared for their upcoming sport seasons! - p. 3
Field Day
High School students travel back to Rushville
Elemtary to help make the last few days of school fun! - p. 6
Summer Plans
Find out what DeKalb students plan to do with their summer break! - p. 8
THE BLACK AND GOLD
Track Athletes Go to State y: Lauraly Lane
Last week, two track athletes went to Jefferson City to compete at the state level on Thursday, May 21st. Coach Rumpf says, “I was excited for both of them, being a freshman and a sophomore. I think it’s really cool that Brinkley went because she’s worked so hard; so has Easton.”
On Friday, May 22nd, Easton Matthews competed in two prelims, one for the 400-meter and one for the 200-meter. Unfortunately, Easton didn’t compete in the 400 finals, but he placed eighth in the 200 on Saturday. “I felt like it was a very valuable experience being down there, especially as a freshman medaling. It makes me really excited for what's to come next,” says Easton
On Saturday, May 23rd, Brinkley Frakes competed in Pole Vault, placing second in the state with a jump of 9.10 feet. This is the first time DeKalb has had a female Pole Vaulter, and she currently holds the school record. “I felt very honored being one of the sixteen girls every year that gets the opportunity to go,” states Brinkley “I wish I could have jumped higher, but I put it all on the line, and it feels really good to get rewards for it.”
“ I will be advocating for you all as much as possible in the stuco team. I will make sure to bring your ideas to our meetings.”
Goals:
Don’t repeat unwanted dress-ups
Repeating loved dress-ups
Help students stay well-informed
Treasurer
Kyleigh Black
“We don’t get to do many activities during our school year, so I believe the more that students get involved, the more we’ll get to do and have fun instead of sitting in class.”
Goals:
Improving prizes for bestdressed
Add more raffle prizes
Get better prizes for birthdays
Get a better vending machine that works during school hours
Vice-President
Josephine Long President Cole Kovac
“I believe that a great school and great ideas aren't built or based on one person’s voice, but the voice of many As Vice President, I would ensure that events and activities reflect the majority's preferences and consider compromises along the way.”
Goals:
Help events like the bonfire, best dressed, dances, and the STUCO social media account grow.
Support the school in succeeding even more than before.
“That bonfire was one of my favorite things we were tasked to do. Getting everyone out there, building that energy before the game? That’s exactly the kind of thing I want Student Council to be about Not just doing the announcements in the mornings or doing meetings, but bringing people together and making school something we all look forward to.”
Goals:
Adding a murder mystery dinner
Encouraging a students’ section at games
Sponsoring fun events like the volleyball tournament
Third Grade Hosts Wax Muesum Summer Weights Starts Soon
By: Laci Burnett
By: Gunner Delp
Every summer, DeKalb holds summer weights for those who wish to stay in shape or get bigger and stronger over the summer.
Third graders in the elementary school hosted a wax museum, full of multiple of their favorite famous historical figures who have changed our world in so many ways
They first hosted it on Thursday from 12:45 to 1:45, then again on Tuesday from 8-8:30 and 10-10:30.
Third-grade students were led by Mrs Byergo at the elementary school, who helped motivate them to do their very best, and the experience was fantastic. One of the parents who attended was our own Ms. Cagle, who was “very impressed at how much the third graders were able to memorize and how well some of them stayed in character”
This was a great learning opportunity for the students, and it was a fun experience for all who attended. Good job, third grade!
“In summer weights we lift, which is good for strength training, and we do a lot of agility, which is good for the tiny muscles that help with rotation or explosiveness,” says Softball Coach Haley Horr. Anyone who attends DeKalb is allowed to attend summer weights. The best part of summer weights is “Watching yourself get better,” says Coach Roberts.
Summer weights not only help you physically but also mentally. By watching yourself get bigger, healthier, and more agile, you will feel way better about how you are performing overall.
For the boys, summer weights begin on June 9th, Monday through Thursday from 8:009:30 AM, while the girls go from 7 - 8 AM. Show up to maintain peak physical fitness throughout this summer and be ready for next season.
Photo Credit: Ms Cagle
Pictured: James Faulkenberry Huxton Clemens, and TJ Larabee
What to Listen to This Summer
By: Ashlynn Bowen
If you are looking for a new alternative R&B artist to listen to, then I recommend Malcolm Todd
So far, he has released three full-length studio albums, with his first one, Sweet Boy, in 2024 and his most recent album, Do That Again, coming out on June fifth, 2026.
He started making music in 2022 with the release of his first EP, Demos Before Prom, but he started his actual musical journey in 2020, when he started teaching himself bass and guitar during lockdown
“I like his good beats and riffs that he puts into his music,” said Junior Josie Long.
Art House and Mr. Incorrect are some of his most popular songs due to their catchy upbeat rhythms and relatable lyricism
You can stream any of his songs on Spotify or Apple Music
Photo Credit: Pinterest
Pictured: Malcolm Todd
DIVA of the WEEK
Mr. Chisam
Reason- Put up with us for the school year
Marlene
Reason- Keeping our school clean
COMING THIS SUMMMER!
By: Bella Beems
Title: The Backrooms
Release Date: May 29
Genre: Analog Horror
Title: Moana
Release Date: July 10
Genre: Fantasy/Musical/Adventure
Title: Toy Story 5
Release Date: June 19
Genre: Adventure/Comedy-Drama
Title: The Odyssey Release Date: July 17
Genre: Mythic/Action/Fantasy
Title: Supergirl Release Date: June 26
Genre: Adventure/Action/Superhero
Title: Spider-man: Brand New Day
Release Date: July 31
Genre: Superhero/Action/Adventure
DeKalb’s Summer Plans
Go on vacation with my family!!-Kyleigh Black
Summer projects around the house. We are also taking a vacation to Colorado to see family. -Mr. Wardlow
FavoriteSummer ActivityPoll
Going to New Hampshire with family. Lots of fun outside time with my kids. -Mrs. Garvey
My family and I are traveling to Panama city, Florida. -Aiden Bramble
What to Read this Summer
By; Katlyn Boydston
If you’re looking for a summer book to read, then I recommend The Lowe Job by Grace Alexander. This book will be published on June 16, 2026 The Lowe Job is her first primary fiction book Grace lives in London, very close to her own family of sisters. Before writing The Lowe Job, Grace spent a decade working in the private equity industry.
This book starts with Lili Lowe, a satirical novel about the Lowe family, who turn a public scandal involving their eldest daughter, Lili, and a married politician into a media empire with the help of their mother, Lydia, a former talent agent.
The book follows the four sisters as they navigate fame, sisterhood, and scandal, blending humor with commentary on celebrity culture, power, and feminism.
I haven’t read this book, but it looks interesting The novel follows a family of sisters in the wake of a public scandal.
I think this book seems interesting, and there are several mixed reviews about it Some say that it is super interesting, while others say it was underwhelming.
Photo Credit: Pinterest
Pictured: The Lowe Job book cover
KCCH Summer Comedy
Concert Series
Date: june 6
LOCO: Farewell Venue, KC, mo
Live Comedy and music show!
Summer Events Near You!
By: Bella Beems
If you also read the summer plans everyone has planned and realized: “I have nothing planned!”
Then look no further! Here are some events happening this summer near you!
FIFAWorld Cup 2026 Matches
Date: June 15
Loco: Kansas City Stadium, KC, MO
Historic tournaments with top tier international teams.
Arts in the Park
DATE: June 13
Location: Macken park, KC, MO
Enjoy this 2 day festival with 60+ artists, food, and live musical arts!
Post Malone and jelly roll
Date: July 15
LOCO: Kauffman Stadium, KC, mo
team up for an amazing musical concert!
Brookside Patio Fest
Date: June 11
Loco: Brookside Shops, KC, MO
Live music and local food in the beautiful weather!
KC Royals
Baseball
DATE: June 13-21
home baseball game for the KC Royals against St. Louis Cardinals.
Location: Kauffman Stadium, kc, mo
What to Play this Summer
By: Gunner Delp
While there have been many games that have been released during our amazing school year, such as Crimson Desert, Lego Batman: The Legacy of the Dark Knight, Ghost of Yotei, and many others, there are still plenty to hit the shelves.
Among these highly anticipated games are two that I have heard many good critics speak about What are those games, you may wonder? Those games are 007 First Light and Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynched These games have had lots of hype built up around them, seeing as they are both very popular among their own franchises.
007 First Light, released on Wednesday, May 27th, follows the story of a young spy by the name of James Bond (who I’m sure we are all familiar with), whereas your goal is to uncover his heroic backstory as to unlocking his “Double-O” (license to “unalive”) status within the M16 (Military Intelligence Section 6).
Many fans, myself included, have been looking forward to a “re-make” of one of the most popular Assassin’s Creed games of all time; that being Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag. That wait will be drawn out a little longer, with the release date for the resynced version being scheduled for July 9th of this year. Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag follows the story of a young pirate by the name of Edward Kenway Your goal throughout the story is to build up your pirate empire while also learning how to give up your selfish ways to follow in the footsteps of the Brotherhood.
007 First Light, available on all platforms, retails at $69 99 for the standard edition, $199 99 for the collectors edition (includes base game, deluxe content, and physical items like a steelbook), and $299.99 for the Legacy Edition (includes all digital and collector goodies along with bonus legacy content).
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced is priced at $59 99 for the Standard Edition and $69 99 for the Deluxe Edition There is also a Premium Collector's Edition available that costs $199.99 (though this version has frequently sold out at major retailers).
