The Voice of Veritas
Eighth Grade Journalism
Volume 1, Issue 4
Quarter Four - May 2020
Quarantine Edition
Things Teachers Wish They Knew in Middle School What is something you wish you knew in middle school or one thing that you would change about your middle school experience if you could? Job 12:12 says, “Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days.” As students, we often think we know better than our parents or teachers because right now it’s hard to grasp the big picture of the true challenges and struggles of life. But we have to begin with the end in mind. Our goal is to become more like Jesus, to love and serve others like He did. And how do we do that? It starts with having an attitude of humility, a teachable heart, and a willingness to learn. God can use that eager spirit as you soak up His word, communicate with Him in prayer, and, yes, listen to the advice of godly men and women in your life.
Mrs. Marshall: I wish I knew that sometimes things just are NOT about me. For example, if a friend seems grumpy or mad, it may have absolutely nothing to do with me. They could be going through something at home or just be struggling with something at school. I wish I knew that I should ask people how they are doing and really listen to what’s going on with them instead of being defensive or talking about them behind their backs. Basically, I wish I learned to “consider others first” earlier in my life. Today, when friends, family, coworkers, or students are acting in a way that is not typical, I try to consider why they might be acting that way. Sometimes it is about me, but most of the time, it’s not, and they just need me to listen or
by Audrey Finch and Brooke Kern
give them time!
Mr. Chace: As best as I recall, during the Middle School years and beyond I would try to utilize any free time or class time to do my homework. This way I took little to none home. You need to understand that my mom was a stickler for homework completion before I could hang out with my friends or watch TV. Thus, using my time wisely during school allowed me time to play with my friends and enjoy different kinds of after school activities that otherwise I would have missed because of choosing to waste my time just chatting or goofing around in school.
Mrs. Arrazolo: I wish I had realized that everything that seemed like a huge deal in middle school was just ONE PART of their personality and their adult lives - that a lot of the mean or shallow kids were either going through a hard thing at home or inside themselves or would develop way more depth later in life and a lot of the picked-on or awkward kids would be just fine and have really interesting lives. I wish I had struck up more random conversations with kids I didn’t even know, who seemed too cool or too angry or mean to talk to, because I could have learned something from them and also helped them feel less alone.
Mrs. Olmos: Words Matter! Sometimes we joke and think that it’s ok to say things to be funny but in reality, it’s not funny at all. Especially since someone usually gets hurt in the process. We need to think about the consequences that come from what we say. The advice I give is to subtract hurtful words from your vocabulary and choose to say uplifting words so that you can encourage someone instead.
Ms. Evans: I think I would focus more on finding my identity and value in what God, not other people, said about me and on treating people based on their value to God not other less important things.
pray, don’t forget to tell your parents you love them, and laugh because there is always something to smile about.
Mr. Sewell: If you are disciplined day-by-day, you will be amazed by what you can achieve. I would have also spent much more time reading in my middle school years. You have less time and more responsibility as you get older. Invest early in reading and building your knowledge. Mrs. Schultz: I was 14 when I gave my life to Christ Jesus. Looking back, I would have sought out stronger christian youth groups and peers to help strengthen my resolve to walk out my faith amongst the peer pressures of middle school. I needed more positive christian influence in my daily walk. It proved to be too hard to stick to living for God and not myself over time as a teenager and I walked away from giving God my all. It was years of on and off again Christianity until I was a young adult and returned whole heartedly to Jesus.
Mr. V: Don’t settle for just good enough. Thinking about my time in middle school I could have accomplished so much more. I didn’t push myself to get straight A’s and a 4.0, although I could have and was more than capable. At that time I only settled to be good enough instead of Ms. Naddaf: The one thing I pushing to be the best that wish I knew in middle school I could be and to reach my is that not everything is the full potential. Now, I know end of the world. Time is that to glorify God means awesome because it’s free and we all have it, so take the time that I should push myself to when you are young and full of my fullest potential and put life to be purposefully joyful to the work in to do that. all around you! Don’t forget to
Food!
What’s not to like? by Ellie Veeningen During a national pandemic, the one (well, two) things people can agree on is that they need both toilet paper and food. Good luck finding two-ply at any of your local grocery stores, but we can help with the latter!
Cooking takes a lot of effort though, which none of us seem to have while we are in quarantine. So, we have compiled various types of cuisine and different ways to cook them, starting from good-old-take-out, to popin-the-microwave, and (for you over-achievers) even homemade recipes! Enjoy (at least try please)!
Chinese Takeout: Ah, yes. When ordering takeout in my family, our first instinct is Chinese! It’s delicious, wonderful, magnificent, glorious, superb, ect. (ran out of synonyms). Below are five different restaurants which serve mouth-watering good food! Bellaire: Panda Garden While I haven’t been here, the pictures look promising enough (especially the sesame chicken). Meyerland: Happy Lamb - A friend highly recommends the place, and I can see why. The food looks delicious! Pearland: Silverlake HunanGuys, this food looks really good (check out their fried rice *externally shrieking*). Continued on page 2 ▶