he OCCURrENC
Bryant Junior HigH|October 2023|Vol 5 Issue 1
Section
01
Design By NAME NAME
Table of Contents Pages 5-7.....................................News Pages 8-10...................................Features Pages 11-12.................................Opinion Pages 13-14.................................Sports Pages 15-18.................................Lifestyles Page 19........................................Special Page 20........................................Photography
Design Info Cover art by Nate Barnes, art editor. Fonts are Helvetica and Colabero. Art is produced digitally in the IOS app SketchesSchool and designs are produced with Adobe InDesign 2023. Photographers shoot with various Canon Rebels and multiple lenses; photography edits are done through Adobe Photoshop 2023.
LETTER FROM
T
THE EDITOR
COEDITOR-IN-CHIEF & Alexis Holley Reporter
02 Design By NAME NAME
XOE HAWKINS
Section
his issue of The Occurrence is greatly focused around the fall and Halloween seasons. We are so excited for you to read our first issue for the 2023-2024 school year. From polls on what the best Halloween candy is to weather Halloween or Christmas better we have something for everyone. With students from every angle of the school we hope that everyone feels included in each of our stories. We chose to focus on the upcoming seasons and events because we felt that it would be a great way to try and include students’ lives outside the school setting. This school year we hope to be able to compete with not only our newspaper but our website. We will be entering into not only state awards, but into national competitions. This year we hope to be able to bring home a second All Arkansas award from the Arkansas Scholastic Press Association. Between all three staffs, The Occurrence, Swarm Productions, and The Blue and White yearbook, we have gained over 200 awards. Our staff worked so hard to be able to get this issue out for everyone. We were able to get this paper out on a short budget, with the help from the whole Bryant Jr. High Media staff. We hope that you enjoy this spooktastic issue of The Occurrence.
Design By Gabrielle Smith
03 Section
Staff Members Gabrielle Smith and Xoe Hawkins:
Alexis Holley: Reporter and Designer
coEditors-in-Chief
Isabella Durfey: Reporter and Designer
Bella Luper: Managing Editor
Meag Abo: Adviser
Nate Barnes: Art and Design Editor Erin Wright: Photography Editor
To join staff, email mabo@bryantschools.org or fill
Alex Wharton: Business Manager
out the application on the website:
Brayden Rowe: Web Editor
https://bjhsjournalism681058946.wordpress.com/
Leila Brown: Photographer
bjhs-journalism-staff/
Taylor Blake: Reporter and Designer
Section
02 Design By NAME NAME
News
05
Design By bella luper
Lettuce enjoy this moment Cafeteria
introduces
new
story: Brayden Rowe The cafeteria has added a new lunch line: a sandwich line. Students may find the experience familiar to some restaurants. “I like it and would eat there because it has delicious options and reminds me a lot of Subway,” Keller Hilt, 8, said. To get this entree, cafeteria workers get in the line closest to the windows and have their ID scanned. From there, patrons wait for an open spot at the counter. Only four to five people are allowed to be at the counter at a time. An administrator usually runs the line. The server gives options between different types of bread, meat, and cheese. “When I go I usually get a steak, pepper jack cheese, cheddar cheese, with peppers, onions, and mushrooms. The line does take a while, but it makes sense because we get to customize our sandwiches and it is toasted,” Tucker McDade,
sandwich
line,
students
have
choices
8, said, “I would go regularly because it is better than any line, and the line reminds me of Firehouse Subs.” The bread options include croissant, flatbread, boule, and soft sandwich bread. For meat, you can pick steak, chicken, turkey, or ham. The cheese choices allow you to select either American, pepper jack, cheddar, and shredded cheese. After the choices are made, the meal is placed in a toaster oven for 15 to 20 seconds. When it is out, you have the option to add vegetables. The sandwich is typically served with a bag of chips. “My opinion on the sandwich line is that it is good just tastes like you would make it from home but it just takes too long for the people to say what they want and them to toast it,” Laney Glymp said. Kaleigha Nelson, freshman, and Mike
Juarez, 8, agree with Glymp. “The sandwich line is okay and I like the food, but because it takes too long to actually get your food, I wouldn’t eat there often,” Juarez said. While it does take a while to actually get food, students still choose this lunch option. “My honest opinion on the sandwich line is I love it so much. I get to make a favorite kind of sandwich every day and it’s so good,” Riah Williams, 8, said, “I would eat there on a regular basis because they make the sandwiches just how I want it and it reminds me of Subway sandwiches which is my favorite.”
tailgate party held at the school. “I am excited to be able to hang out with friends and Tailgating have fun,” Aiden Sharp, 8, said Students will have a Celebration becomes chance to socialize, have windannual student incentive down time, participate in interactive activities, and have a for math, English variety of snacks and drinks. story: Brayden Rowe “It’s a party and parties The tailgate party is an an- are fun,”Irvin Hernandez, 8, said. nual event and is awarded to stuStudents only get to pardents for their effort and for try- ticipate if they don’t have any ing their best. This is the second write ups, have three or more
unexcused tardies, or any D’s or F’s on the report card passed out on October 12. “I am excited for the tailgate party because my friends are going to be there and I get to have outside time,” Brayden Johnson, 8, said. Students will receive a wristband indicating that they can participate. Snacks and drinks including hotdogs, cookies, chips, and bottled water will be served.
Traditional
a pinch that leads to happiness
School
hosts
shot
clinic
S
t a t
e
S
t a t
s
Arkansas statistics as reported by the Department of Health for October 7
• Arkansas reported 160 influenza-related deaths in the 2022-23 flu season. Of these, 76.3% were not vaccinated or had unknown vaccination status. No flu deaths have been reported in 2023-24 season. • In 2022-23 flu season, twenty-one (21) nursing homes and other congregate setting institutions have reported influenza outbreaks. No reports so far this flu season. • Nationally, the proportion of deaths reported to the National Center for Health Statistics attributed to pneumonia and influenza is above the epidemic threshold this week.
“We get to skip class. It’s gonna have fun games and food,” Edvin Giron, 8, said. There will also be a variety of activities and games to play. Students can play soccer, gaga ball, nine square played in the air, kickball, and cornhole, or just have fun with friends and socialize. The party lasts all the way through fifth period.
06 Design By bella Luper
dents, nurses who volunteered, and the school nurses. According the CDC website, in 2022, influenza was associated with 9 million illnesses, 4 million medical visits, 10,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths. Flu season accounts for many absences from school, but flu shots will help decrease that number. The nurses plan to help students and staff who are needle shy. Whittington said, “I will bring some candy.”
News
story: Taylor Blake It’s October, and that means school flu shots are coming up soon. The forms were sent out October 6 through English classes, a few weeks before the flu clinic will be held on October 25. “We will send out flu forms two weeks prior to the flu clinic,” Sarah Whittington, school nurse, said. During the clinic, there will be six or more nurses set up in the library to administer the flu shots. The nurses giving out flu shots will be nursing stu-
flu
Infographic: Taylor Blake
Features
07 Design By Taylor Blake
On
Wednesdays We
Wear Pink
08 Design By Taylor Blake
Students are encouraged to wear pink every Wednesday in October, but how many actually know the meaning behind it? “Doing pink Wednesdays helps raise awareness because people ask ‘Why are you wearing pink?’ Then they learn why we do it, then they wear pink to bring awareness too,” Aven Blackerby, freshman and finance committee leader of student council, said. In the early 1990’s Charlotte Haley came up with the idea for a peach ribbon for breast cancer awareness and began hand making ribbons at the age of 68. Haley’s sister, grandmother and daughter all also fought breast cancer so this cause was close to her heart. When companies began trying to buy the idea of a peach ribbon from Haley she refused and they started talking to their lawyers on what they could do instead. They ended up choosing pink ribbons. Focus groups called this color soothing, comforting and healing, and soon the pink ribbon became a world wide symbol for breast cancer awareness. Breast cancer is the second most popular cancer in women in the U.S.. Each year around 240,000 women are diagnosed. For the month of October, Student Council is hosting a “Pink Wednesday’’, where they are asking students to wear pink on Wednesdays to support breast cancer awareness. “I think that pink Wednesdays help with awareness because it makes it more fun and exciting for students,” Hadley Titsworth, freshman and president of student council, said. Some students show support by simply wearing a pink shirt. “I participate in pink Wednesdays by just wearing a pink Nike shirt,” Blackerby said. Other students go all out. “I participate in the Pink Wednesdays every year. I go all out with a pink shirt, pink shoe laces, and pink jewelry and accessories,” Taylor Lease, Freshman Vice President of Student Council, said.
Art by Gabrielle “Pheonix” Smith
Features
Wear Pink to Support Breast Cancer Awearness on Wednesdays in October
Fall Break Guide
Feature
9
Design By Alexis Holley
Keep it Local People don’t have to look far for ways to spend their extended weekend. Here are ten ways to enjoy fall break without leaving the state. story : Alexis Holley and Alex Wharton
1
Arkansas State Fair Gate admission goes from $6-12 and ride bands are $35. Located at 2600 Howard Street in Little Rock.
2 3
Reaper Haunted House Admission price is $20. 15310 MacArthur Dr in North Little Rock. Admission price is $20. Opened October 20-November 1 at 7pm. Magic Screams This is hosted by Magic Springs in Hot Springs where admission is $34.99. Open Saturdays 12PM-11PM and Sundays.
4
Royal Haunted House Located at 111 South Market in Benton. Cost is $10 to get in and it’s open from 7pm-9pm.
5
6 7 8
Crystal Bridges Art Museum Located in Bentonville, admission is free. Check the website at crystalbridges.org for hours for the specific day you want to visit. Eureka Springs Zipline Go online to eurekaspringszipline.com to see current rates and hours. Use the code pumpkin10 for 10 percent off. Crater of Diamonds State Park Located in Murfreesboro, you can dig for diamonds. Admission is $13 and the gates open at 8 am until 4 pm. Pinnacle Mountain Located in Little Rock, there are free trails, cook out areas, and playgrounds.
9
Here Be Dragons Book Club Hosted through the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library in. Cost is free. Saturday at 2 pm.
10
Open Maker Hours Hosted through the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library in. Cost is free. Saturday at 9 am.
What are your plans for fall Break?
Students weigh in
“I’m going to Orange Beach in Alabama and spending time with my family.” Colton Morgan, freshman
“I’ll be watching lectures on biology and reading papers on quantum mechanics.” Keaton McCombs, 8th
“I don’t plan on doing anything.” Ian West, freshman.
“I think I’m going to my grandma’s house. My cousins from Hawaii are staying there.” Adrian
Jeffers,
8th
The people have spoken! PPC adds spring to
Design By ALEXIS HOLLEY
clean my house,” Bo Lee, science teacher, said, “I hope that they do it again. It’s a new thing, and a nice change of pace. I think that it is very well placed in the year. Our schedule the first two nine weeks almost mirrors a yearround school schedule.” While the school doesn’t have plans for a year-round calendar, the PPC committee also added a day in April for the sol a r eclipse. School
10
Art by Alex Wharton
Tanner Moore, math teacher and PPC committee member
will be out April 8. Lexie Metheny, freshman, is excited about not being in school during the eclipse. “It’s good because I’m traveling to Texas,” Metheny said, “Where my nonna and poppa live is the closest I can get to the path of totality.” Moore is one of two teachers who represent the junior high campus in PPC. PPC stands for the Personnel Policies Committee. The committee is made up of teachers and faculty from each school. Employees from each school vote for their representaitves. Nathan Castadli, civics teacher, is the other member. “We discuss different policies such as salary schedule, calendars, bonuses, sick leave, etc. If anyone has a policy question then they tell the representative of their school and they bring it up at the monthly meeting so we can give them an answer,” Moore said. story : Xoe Hawkins
FEATURE
T
he PPC met in the 2022-2023 school year and added fall break to the school calendar. They presented two calendar options to the district for vote. “A fall break is something many teachers have always asked about. The fall break option was pretty unanimous,” Tanner Moore, PPC member said. Many teachers are using the new calendar break to be productive in some form. “I love it. My plans are rest, relaxation and to
fall break, extra day in calendar after staff vote
11 Design By Xoe hawkins
Editorial
Halloween urban legends researched, busted
opinion
Parents are warned to check their children’s Halloween candy before letting them eat it, but what threats are real, and which ones are myths? Many people have been warned to watch out for razor blades, drugs and other dangers inside of their treats. According to Fox News, poisoned candy is not a worry. Last month, Fox News did an investigation on the subject. They found only one incident where a death from poisoned
Fact
OR
Halloween candy was confirmed. In 1974, Ronald Clark O’Bryan took out insurance claims on his 8-yearold son shortly before poisoning him with a potassium cyanide-laced pixie stick. He was given a death sentence and executed in 1984. No incidents have been reported since. Another threat trick-ortreaters have been told to watch out for is metal objects in candy. However, Joel Best and
myth Gerald T. Horiuchi deem this as just another urban legend. “There are no reliable official studies on Halloween sadism,” they said in their study on urban legends. However wild or rare these are, precautions should still be taken. The National Neighborhood Watch advises people to “throw away any candy that is not sealed with a wrapper and avoid homemade treats from strangers.” Stay safe!
Ghouls
gifts
OR
opinion: Noah Adkinson Santa, elves, ornaments. These are all things that are typically associated with Christmas. The celebration of Christmas is thought to originate from early Roman and other European festivals which marked the end of harvest. In the Christian religion, December 25th is believed to be the birth of Jesus Christ. Since other celebrations outside the Christian religion were already happening during this time, the celebrations have evolved into the holiday we now know as Christmas.
Christmas is one of the most popular holidays in the world today. A lot of people would argue that Christmas isn’t important, or that there are other holidays that mean more to them. One of the holidays that some might argue is better than Christmas is known as Halloween. While Halloween is celebrated by many across the globe, Christmas is in the top 3 most popular holidays in the world. Why do some argue on Halloween’s behalf, knowing that half the world doesn’t even know what it is?
chopaths, ghosts, you name it. This also applies to decorations. You get a lot more freedom with decorating your house. Christmas? A tree and some lights, maybe an inflatable penguin. Halloween? Ghosts, goblins, skeletons, bats, spiders. I could go on for ages. In general, Halloween allows for more fun traditions loved by many. There’s the opportunity to dress up as anything you want without any weird looks, not to mention the free candy. I’m running out of room to fully explain why Halloween trumps Christmas.
12 Design By Xoe hawkins
All ages can participate in different kinds of fun Halloween activities. It also isn’t as commercialized. The weather is much more pleasant and there is less stress surrounding this season. Halloween also has more creative movies dedicated to it. Sure, Christmas movies are heartwarming and sweet, but they’re almost always about the same thing and have the same plot. Meanwhile, Halloween movies can revolve around a multitude of things. Slashers, psy-
opinion
opinion: Alex Wharton Halloween started as a religious pagan festival to celebrate the harvest and the end of summer. During the festival, it was thought that the dead would roam the earth. A very prominent tradition is dressing up. In the 1800s participants of the festival would take part in dressing up and wearing mortifying masks to ward off spirits. “Trick-or-treating in costume as my favorite characters is the best part of the best holiday.” Maggie Jones, 8th grade, said. “In my opinion, even 8th graders and freshmen aren’t too old for it.”
Students debate which holiday is superior
Christmas traditions aren’t the only thing that makes Christmas special. “I love the music”, Bella Luper, 8th grade, says. Christmas is a time where gifts are given, trees are trimmed, and memories are made. Halloween lovers, you can have your trick-or-treating out in the cold and loads of candy that most children don’t even finish eating. Christmas still remains a joyful holiday, and one that will continue to be ranked higher than Halloween.
Design By Alex Wharton
13 Sports
Flying aces Archery
team
tryout
results
announced
Everyone faces a challenge in their life, and some come out stronger when they pass the obstacle. For some people, archery will fill that space. Archery is defined as a sport that “takes skill, dedication, and a lot of practice” by Michelle Alverio, head coach for Bryant Archery. In the past, Bryant Archery has competed in ANASP. They scored 3234 as a team, ranking one out of three. Their highest archer scored a 279 and ranked one out of 41 in the high school category. “My returning shooters are great at shooting bullseyes,” Alverio said, “We are hoping to increase our overall shooting and place in the top five for the state this year.”
High School Team Maranda Allen Christopher Boone Jaiden Brown Jace Cerney Ryleigh Cerney Alorah Cox Keira Evans Dakoda Fleeman Jayden Floyd Kayla Floyd Xoe Hawkins Reyan Hogue Ava Kempson Zan LeBaron Abby Lee Muntadher Malik Ryker McGraw Alexia Metheny Harper Owen Jack Pinto Christopher Poole Lilly Schoneck Jordan Street Aubrey Upton Addyson Wright Taylor Wright Jackson Yarberry
Bryant Blue (BeMS) Anderson Acklin Westlynn Anderson Abby Aulenback Brooklyn Baker Scarlett Borchert Liam Elkins Drew Fisher Ivanna Flores Kenadie Garner Keira Grimmett Joshua Guillot Chevy Hicks Aiden Hill Brooklyn Hudson Lyla Kempson Brooks Lewis JaVon Lowden Makenna MacIntire Bensen Martin Joleen Roggasch Quinn Rousey Caleb Sanders Drew Shelby Derek Thomas Bailey Wright Collin Wright Jingyi Zheng
Bryant White (BMS) Brayden Armstrong Emory Arnold Waylon Barras Easton Begoon Amber Bergren Isaac Bowen Kaylie Bradford Milagros Celestino Kendall Doan Alec Fleming Benjamin Glover Jacob Glover Kaley Harris Madisyn Ikiliagwu Kyle Jones Ira Lasiter Avery Long Steven Martinez Jacob Richmond Randi Rickard Madison Rohl Jordan Spencer Ford Stehle Spencer Stehle Anthony Weaver Jaci Whitfield Aiden Wooten
Sports
14
Design By Alex Wharton
Design By Gabrielle Smith
15 Lifestyles
On September Third Thursday.
21st This
in downtown Benton, a event normally has live
live artist
artist preforms at the playing for the crowd.
Third Thursday Thrill Benton hosts annual downtown event
16 Design By Gabrielle Smith
People gather to watch a live performance at the Third Thursday of September. This was an event in downtown Benton where there is live music, food, games, and other booths.
LifeStyles
Third Thursday is an event that takes place in downtown Benton with food, music, shopping and vintage cars. It happens every third Thursday each month and goes from six to eight thirty pm. Vendors serve fish and chips, fried chicken, burgers and barbecue. For dessert, they have snow cones, popsicles and ice cream. During the festival, they have live bands playing with plenty of seats to watch and listen with enough room to dan ce. While walking through the festival, you will find cars from the 1900s up to the 70s. All of these cars are owned by individual people. Before leaving the festival, feel free to go shopping. Some stores even have sales during the event. These stands and stores are perfect for thrifting clothes, music, decorative items and more. Overall, the Third Thursday festival is an enjoyable event to eat, dance, shop and have fun. story: Isabella Durfey
19 Design By Isabella Durfey & Taylor Blake Special Feature
School Host
All-Regio
C said.
hoir All Region auditions were October 14th many people are excited with there results. Their teacher, Jordan Murdock, has helped them prepare by giving them many tools to learn their music including having them work in groups to practice their part. “We all just practice the music together just hearing out voice part only,” Dia Bird, 8th,
The workshop here was a great learning experience for them to practice in groups and learn about how All-Region is going to be set up. “You get to learn how to like sing properly and how to sing like properly, but with your own twist to it.”Jael Martinez, 8th, said. The auditions are going to be held here October 14th with around 105 kids from our school auditioning and around 15 other schools here to audition. “I just want everybody stepping outside of the box and doing something that is not normal for them.” Jordan Murdock, the choir teacher, said. story: Taylor Blake All-Region Tenor 2 Noah Akers Luke Elrod Brian Parker Carson Cole Dawson Hoover Taylan Nguyen Owner Sawyer Ace Aldridge Diego Perez Sage Russell Miguel Hernandez Gavin McManigal Bass Carter Sullivan Brayden Armstrong Tucker McDade Bryan Guydon
Choir
Student
Dillon Serrato Keeran Williams Trenton Moore Soprano 1 Ashlyn Guzman Maddie Welch Alex Wharton Ayla Paredes Peggy Dang Ava North Jadyn Heiderscheidt Kendall May Micah Tate Kinley Henderson Dia Bird Bailey Adkins Soprano 2 Alexis Koon
Magnolia Vincent Madison Campbell Avery Noel Mia Hall Bailey Wright Raelynn Savage De Niece Green Alexis Holley Kenzie Kling Samantha Collins Isabel Morris Claire Fenton Gabriell Pankey Sophia Linenfelser Jaelyn Rivera Alto Victoria Stockman Kathryn Oppenhuzien
Results Sydney Patton Isabella Simoneaux Bella Luper Harper Keith Nyla Newton McKenzie Cox Maison Fells Ja’Shirra Brothers Jae Landrum Maggie Jones Isabella Estrada-Atkinson Aileen Romero Erin Thibeau Xoe Hawkins Kara Rowell Addison Warner
sts Choir
Choir all-region students celerbrate with pizza. photo Taylor Blake
20 design by isabella Durfey
Choir students gather in the blackbox during all-region. photo: Taylor Blake
Photography
on Tryouts