Springville Junior High School News

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2009-03-23T13:52:00.003-06:00

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Service Learning class visits the Humanitarian Center

2009-03-16T12:28:00.005-06:00

Kaydie Kerby
SJHS Staff Writer

The SJHS Service Learning class went on a field trip February 27 to the LDS Humanitarian Center. Humanitarian Center employees and volunteers put hygiene kits together for people all around the world. The students spent two and a half hours packing 3,000 sanitation kits. The kits had four toothbrushes, tube of tooth paste, two towels, two combs, and two bars of soap. Sanitation kits go to people who are homeless or have had a catastrophe in their area such as earthquakes, tornados, or hurricanes.

Service Learning students assemble hygiene kits at the Humanitarian Center.

When our students went to Salt Lake City for the field trip they took ten quilts. Shelby Kendall was in charge of the quilt making. Mackenzie Morris and Amberly Austin where in charge of making sure all the students were on the buses and ready to go.

The Service Learning class displays the quilts they made and donated to the Humanitarian Center.

Every student learned something new or important when it came to service for other people. The Service Learning students had so much fun with the service that they performed.

“We had so much fun working at the Humanitarian Center,” Mrs. Kathryn Crandall, the service learning teacher, said. “Everyone loved doing the service and when it was time for the tour of the of the Humanitarian Center, no one wanted to quit working.”

Shelby Duke, a service learning student, said, “I learned all about the needs of other people all around the world. I learned that even though I’m only one person I can help many people have better lives.” Mackenzie Morris, another service learning student, said, “We made hygiene packets for people all over the world. We did it because it made us students feel like we were doing something good.”

Everybody that participated thought it was really fun to go and help out at the Humanitarian Center.

Kelli Manwaring – exciting, fun, and she’s a teacher

2009-03-16T12:27:00.002-06:00

Madie Dockstader
SJHS Staff Writer

Mrs. Kelli Manwaring is a science teacher here at Springville Junior High School. This is her second year teaching. Mrs. Manwaring wanted to be a teacher since she was a little girl. She took anatomy and physiology in high school and loved it. “It made me think about going to the medical field for a while,” said Mrs. Manwaring, “I finally decided that I would rather teach and work with kids than be in the medical field. I thought it would be fun to work with student council groups and also coach sports."

Mrs. Manwaring is from Idaho Falls. She says it’s a lot like Utah except it’s windier and has smaller mountains. Her husband’s family is also from Idaho Falls, so they go and visit often.

Mrs. Manwaring attended Utah State University in Logan, Utah. She was an ambassador for the university, so she helped put on leadership conferences for high school students and recruit for the university. “I absolutely loved it!” said Manwaring.

Mrs. Manwaring loves being active. She played basketball, volleyball, and did track in high school. She and her husband go camping, backpacking, rock climbing, and biking all summer. They both love the outdoors, and they have a goal to do a triathlon together this summer.

In addition to teaching science, Mrs. Manwaring is also one of the track team coaches. The end of the school year will be a crazy one for Mrs. Manwaring because she is expecting a baby in the middle of may, around the time of the district track finals.

Kaydie Kerby, a student at Springville Junior High School, said, “I think Mrs. Manwaring is a great teacher because she helps you understand, and she is fun to be around.”

Mrs. Bird: A New Teacher at The Junior High

2009-03-16T12:24:00.001-06:00

Halley Rencher
SJHS Staff Writer

Mrs. Diane Bird is SJHS’s newest career and technical education (CTE) teacher. She teaches the Family and Consumer Science area, which includes child development, clothing and textiles, nutrition and food science. “Nutrition is probably my favorite area to teach, and I feel it is probably the most important,” she said, “If we are healthy we have a much better chance of being successful and happy.”

Mrs. Bird grew up in Mapleton, and went to Springville Junior High. Here she met some of her best friends, and, in her opinion, had a lot of fun.

When asked why she decided to teach, Mrs. Bird stated, “I had an excellent teacher in high school that taught Family and Consumer Science. She was enthusiastic and enjoyed her job. I thought she was the greatest, and I wanted to do exactly the same thing.”

Why would one want to teach CTE? For Mrs. Bird the reasons are clear: “I enjoy getting to know the students. I feel the subjects I teach can impact all of us.”

Please help us welcome Mrs. Bird to the staff at Springville Junior High.

Spring-A Season of Green

2009-03-16T12:23:00.000-06:00

Robin Anderson
SJHS Staff Writer

Spring is on its way! Snow will melt, birds will sing, and flowers will bloom. Lots of students at SJHS are excited for spring to come. The first day of spring is coming up on March 21st.

“Spring is my favorite season!” said Alyssa Payne, a student at Springville Junior High. Many students at SJHS, when asked, said they love spring and are sick of winter. The most popular reason for loving spring was all the green things growing.

Many people in the world have fun traditions they do around springtime. The most common ones are egg hunts on Easter and April Fools Day on April 1st. There are some people who have small traditions they do individually, such as Miranda Grigg, a ninth-grade student at SJHS. “My friends and I love to hike in the Hobble Creek,” she said. “Then we sleep under the stars on a trampoline.”

Many people have small traditions, such as spring cleaning, or starting a small garden, but we all love spring, and we are glad it’s on its way.

We are United

2009-03-16T12:22:00.002-06:00

Springville Junior High's Model United Nations team

Makaiah Williams
SJHS Staff Writer

On January 26th fourteen Springville Junior High School students went to Brigham Young University (BYU) for a Model United Nations conference. Before the conference each school was assigned a country to represent. Springville Junior High represented the country of Azerbaijan.

“One of my favorite parts of the conference,” said Rebekah McClain, a student at SJHS, “was meeting all the different faces and being able to work with them.” The conference was a learning experience for everyone including the teachers. KresLynn Knouse, another SJHS student, said, “I thought using parliamentary procedure was interesting, because it was like learning a new language.”

After the conference students got awards for their success and hard work. Jason Haymond won the award for best position paper for the General Assembly Plenary Committee.

Alyssa Payne and Delon Lier won honorable mention for their work on the Economic and Social Council Committee. Springville Junior High won honorable mention for outstanding work as the Azerbaijan delegation.

Mr. David Hansen won the award for outstanding faculty advisor. Teachers and students are excited to be doing the competition again next year. If you are interested please, contact Mrs. Carpenter at Springville Junior High.

Indoor Soccer Intramurals Start March 16th

2009-03-16T12:20:00.002-06:00

Rylee Vest
SJHS Staff Writer

Springville Junior High is starting afterschool intramurals March 16th. Indoor Soccer! Anyone and everyone can come. The soccer games are going to be held after school in the boys’ gym. The games start at 2:45 pm and ends at 3:45 pm.

Parents, if your child needs to make up absences or earn extra credit in any of their gym classes, indoor soccer is the solution. Not everyone going has to be there for extra credit, most people just go for the fun of it. Indoor soccer is a good way for your child to have fun, boost their grade, and be active and social. When asked what is needed to play, Coach Michael Parker said, “We provide the indoor ball. A pair of good tennis shoes helps, and that’s it. Oh, and a good attitude!”

If you need any other information about what is going on with the soccer intramurals you can always contact the school; also if needed, you can talk to the teacher in charge of the intramurals, who is Mr. Michael Chipman. We are all very excited for indoor soccer and can’t wait to see your children there.

National Foreign Language Week

2009-03-16T12:20:00.001-06:00

Jantzen Dalley
SJHS Staff Writer

The week of March 3rd was National Foreign Language Week. The Chinese and Spanish classes at SJHS worked hard throughout the week creating posters and decorating the halls. The other day, the Chinese class designated it “Chinese Day,” and all of the students in the class went through the day wearing “I speak Chinese how about you?” stickers, and teaching their friends a phrase of Chinese. Whenever someone learned a phrase of Chinese, they gave that person a Chinese buck (fake paper dollar bill) and the student could exchange it for a candy bar.

In Mr. Glen Beebe’s Spanish class, the students also prepared posters and decorated the halls. Some Spanish students sang a song in Spanish through the intercom.

When asked how Foreign language Week worked, Mr. Beebe replied, “it is just a week when we celebrate foreign language, and it also gives students an idea of what the classes are like, in case they want to take a foreign language class.”

“This is the first year we have done National Foreign Language Week,” Mr. Beebe said. “We were able to do it this year because there is now more than one foreign language teacher.”

Deseret First Duel Champions!

2009-03-16T12:19:00.003-06:00

Jeremy Schanderl
SJHS Staff Writer

We have new Deseret Duel Champions! But there are still rivalries to be settled so just because the duel is over the games still rumble on with 12 games against the two rivals left. The duel rivalry of Brigham Young University and University of Utah has been rated fourth best in the country by The Wall Street Journal. The trophy is able to switch owners every year. But this year Utah has claim over the Deseret duel trophy.

The Deseret First Duel is to see which school exceeded the other in sports that year. With 12 different sports played each worth points so it represents the overall performance in the schools athletics and sports. University of Utah has already scored the majority of the 65.5 points possible, with the current score Utah 34 and BYU 13. So officially, Utah is this year's duel champions.

University of Utah gained an early lead with the win against BYU in football on November 22 2008 at Rice-Eccles Stadium, earning them 10 points. Then they had a good winning streak from then on and the Deseret First Duel trophy was awarded at the BYU Utah Women’s basketball game. That win gave the University of Utah the majority of the points to win the duel.

Boys Tennis Tryouts on March 23

2009-03-16T12:19:00.001-06:00

Brittany Blackmon
SJHS Staff Writer

“Whatever brings them, I’ll take them,” said Mr. Brian Rice, the coach of the Springville Junior High tennis team and a teacher at Springville Junior High. When boys tryout for the team, he said he looks for somebody who wants to have fun; somebody who is reliable because he understands that some players may have homework or may also be in another sport so they might be a little late. Tryouts are afterschool on March 23 in the tennis courts across the street from the school.

Tennis is a lifelong sport that involves technique, skill, effort, and fun. Mr. Rice likes his players to learn, but to also have fun. His goals for this year’s tennis team are to create better players and to have fun. As he quoted, “Lose, yet still have a successful day.”

Two students from Springville Junior High that play tennis said it’s a fun sport; they like to win and get better every time. Ethan Trunnell’s opinion was, “It gets you into shape and enhances your coordination.” To play tennis correctly, you have to have the right equipment, the skills, and, as Sean Sly says, “Don’t quit cause it’s never over.”

Who Rocked the Battle of the Bands?

2009-03-16T12:17:00.000-06:00

KresLynn Knouse
SJHS Staff Writer

The Battle of the Bands took place on February 27th in the Springville Junior High School auditorium. The cost of admission was five dollars, and the money earned served as a fundraiser for the girls basketball team. Many different styles of bands performed, including two rock bands, one screamo band, and one acoustic band. Forty dollars went to the first place winner, a band called One Man Short, and $20 went to the second place winner, Intricate Antics.

Audri Petro, a ninth grade student at SJHS, said “My favorite song was ‘May I ask who’s Calling’ by One Man Short. I am so glad I went to Battle of the Bands.”

Most students and teachers at SJHS that attended Battle of the Bands said that it was a fun-filled, deafening, amazing night that they would recommend anyone should attend next year. All bands are given a 20 minute slot for their performances, making the Battle of the Bands a great way to advertise local bands.

“We would love to have all junior high bands perform next year, it's a great opportunity for those that love music to get a feel for playing in front of others,” said Mr. David Kindrick, an eighth grade science teacher nad basketball coach at SJHS.

The Battle of the Bands was a great success this year, and any band that would like to perform, or music-lover that would just like to listen, should attend next year.

A Knight’s Club

2009-03-16T12:16:00.000-06:00

Emily Regan
SJHS Staff Writer

Head, heart, hands, and health are the ingredients that make up a 4-H Utah State Youth Council. At Springillve Junior High School the Knights of the Round Table are student representatives that stand for the student body and meet every Monday, voting on and discussing issues that might affect our school. Recently, the Knights have been talking about beginning after school clubs at SJHS.

There would be a large variety of clubs that would be available to just about anyone. Some of the clubs that might be offered are things like karate, cinematography, interior design, skiing/snowboarding, fashion design, yoga, bowling, robotics, and many others. Parents and citizens are also welcome to suggest any ideas that they might have for clubs. Teachers or community members would supervise these clubs, and there would be a permission slip that parents would have to sign, but the fun and excitement of these after school activities would be worth it.

“I think anytime a student can have fun in an extracurricular activity is important,” said Mr. David Knudsen, vice principal at SJHS.

The Knights have been discussing this for about the last month, but there are still things that need to be done to put the idea into action. First, they have to finalize the details of the plan, then they have to wait for a Utah State Grant to receive a budget for the after school clubs. Many things, like cost and off-campus trips, are still in the very early stages of planning.

The chance for SJHS to come together after school to have a good time and learn cool things sounds exhilarating. Many of the students are very excited and looking forward to the opportunity.

“It would be great to keep the students busy after school in a fun way,” said Zach Hansen, a seventh grade member of the Knights of the Round Table.

The school holds its breath in anticipation for the closing decision of the Knights of the Round Table on after school, 4-H clubs.

Track and Field Meeting TUESDAY

2009-03-09T09:15:00.000-06:00

Who: 7th, 8th & 9th graders and their parents

When: Tuesday, March 10th at 2:45

Where: SJHS Auditorium

Why: Find out the details about this year's track and field season

Our Amazing Art Teacher

2009-03-09T08:38:00.002-06:00

Mr. Gillespie helping seventh grade students with their still-life drawings.

Sariah Morris
SJHS Staff Writer

Mr. Jethro Gillespie, SJHS art teacher, loves what he does. He became interested in art when he was a small child and that interest increased throughout high school. He said that family members and friends encouraged him and he loves to make art.

When Mr. Gillespie was in school, he said that he had good art teachers and he hopes to be a good teacher too. He decided to teach junior high students because he loves to be with kids, and he likes to see what different type of things his students make.

Carson Giles, a student of Mr. Gillespie, said, “I love Mr. G’s class. He has a really good attitude, and he is a way cool teacher. I also love that he lets us do our own thing. We are able to express ourselves.” Another student of his, Hannah Collings, said, “I like his class a lot, and it’s so cool with the projects we do, I especially love the collages.” According to his students, Mr. Gillespie is an amazing teacher.

In Mr. Gillespie’s class he does lots of different types of projects. The students learn painting, drawing different type of faces, photography, sculptures, and collages. He lets them do their own thing. “Right now, I am working on a series of small (6” by 6”) oil paintings for a show in the May Provo gallery stroll,” Mr. Gillespie said. “This show will be downtown in Provo on the 1st of May. The place is called Mode Boutique.”

Mr. Gillespie is awesome, and everyone at SJHS hopes he will keep teaching here for a long time to come.

SJHS Students Participate in the State Math Competition

2009-03-09T08:36:00.000-06:00

Rylee Vest
SJHS Staff Writer

The state math competition is a fun and exciting chance for students to test their math skills for on behalf of Springville Junior High. The students will participate in the competition on March 18th at Utah Valley University (UVU). Mr. Jim Anderson, the math teacher in charge of the competition said, “At the competition, the students work on the 30 problem test. The teachers receive a copy of the test, and discuss with each other the teaching of mathematics.”

Seventh, eighth, and ninth grade students will compete at UVU. The students attending have been given a set of former state math exam problems to review their skills. “These problems are challenging, so it is exciting when you can solve at least some of them,” said Mr. Anderson.

When one of the students attending the competition, Mitchell Murray, was asked if he thought the competition was going to be challenging, he said, “From the past it looks like it was hard, and so I am assuming that it’s going to be hard this year also.” The school wishes the best to the students competing and good luck for all!

Exploring the World of Foods with Ms. Younger

2009-03-09T08:34:00.001-06:00

Makaiah Williams
SJHS Staff Writer

At Springville Junior High School there are a lot of new and older faces. These faces are those Brigham Young University students. These students are studying to become teachers. All of the BYU students at Springville Junior are very close to becoming teachers; student teaching is the final exam.

Now every student teacher is special, but there is one that stands out from the rest. She has been to six different countries and three different states. Her name is Ms. Katie Younger. Ms. Younger was born and raised in a little town in Texas called Midland, "Where everyone eats, sleeps, and breathes football."

Now Ms. Younger is studying to become a foods teacher. As she got older, she had the opportunity to study abroad in London and to intern in Washington D.C. She also had the privilege to visit Guatemala, Italy, France, Germany, and Austria. She said that her favorite place to visit would have to be London because it is full of culture.

Sadly, most good things come to an end. The student teaching is the final exam before the students can get their degree, and student teaching only lasts three months.

Ninth Grade Genius?

2009-03-09T08:32:00.001-06:00

Emily Regan
SJHS Staff Writer

Unbeknownst to the regular, every-day students at Springville Junior High School, there is a student among them that is very special. Fourteen-year-old Jonathan Bassett is far beyond the general standards of his generation. Jonathan is currently a full time student at BYU.

From kindergarten through the fourth grade, Jonathan went to a public school, but was home-schooled after that. While learning at home, Jonathan was able to skip two grades, and in the tenth grade he took the California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE). The CHSPE is the equivalent of a General Educational Development test which allows him to graduate high school early with a diploma. He is now attending BYU on a regular basis, only coming to first period each day at SJHS.

“The workload is just right,” Jonathan said. “The pace is good and I don’t feel like I’m learning the same thing over and over again.”

Jonathan is very excited about his chance to go to BYU. His family is very supportive of him and encourages him to keep going in a positive direction. Since Jonathan hasn’t been to high school, though, he is still trying to learn how to manage his time in a way that will allow him to balance school work and his growing social life at SJHS. Of the many things that might be problematic for him, this is the only real trouble he’s had.

Currently, Jonathan is majoring in physics, and he is already planning on his Master’s degree. He enjoys what he’s doing and is thrilled about the direction in which he is venturing.

When asked what advice he might give to others in his situation he said, “Learn to be independent.” He recommended trying to provide for yourself as much as you can, and taking charge of your school career.

The life of a college student as young as Jonathan must be stimulating but also very complicated. We are very glad to welcome Jonathan Bassett to Springville.

Mrs. Gleave Makes Math Fun

2009-03-09T08:30:00.002-06:00

Corieshae Nunley
SJHS Staff Writer

Here at Springville Junior High School, we have some amazing teachers. One of them is Mrs. Corrin Gleave; she is a math teacher here at SJHS--a truly outstanding teacher!

Mrs. Gleave enjoys learning new things and wanted to become a math teacher because of the not so great math teachers she had. She thought, “there’s got to be a way to have a little fun!”

Mrs. Gleave also enjoys dancing. She has a bachelor’s degree in dance and had done some professional dancing and theater, and now she enjoys doing choreography.

Mrs. Gleave said that Springville Junior High School is her dream job and she loves it here and hopes she sticks around for a very long time!

Spanish 2 - Is it For You?

2009-03-09T08:28:00.001-06:00

KresLynn Knouse
SJHS Staff Writer

Spanish 2 is a class Springville Junior High offers to ninth grade students who have successfully completed Spanish 1 and would like to improve their fluency in the Spanish language. Students taking this class will work on conjugating verbs, memorizing vocabulary words, and putting sentences together. Most universities require two years of foreign language, and successful completion of both Spanish 1 and 2 can fulfill this requirement.

When asked about the activities the Spanish 2 students do, Mr. Glen Beebe, the Spanish teacher at SJHS said, “We play a lot of the same games as Spanish 1, and do a lot of similar communication activities, but we also do a lot more grammar stuff. When we learn about the past tense, you get to take home a stuffed bunny (also known as the 'conejo') and write about what you did during the day as if you were the bunny. It’s kind of like a class pet.”

Mr. Beebe recommends that students take this class if they did fairly well in Spanish 1 and enjoy learning. Most careers value an employee that speaks Spanish, so it would be a good choice for the future.

“I love Spanish 2,” said Mckell Metcalf, a ninth grade student at SJHS currently taking the class, “It’s awesome to bug some of my friends by speaking Spanish in front of them. It’s good practice putting sentences together, and it’s hilarious because they don’t know a word I’m saying.”

Spanish 2 is a fun class, and also counts for two years of foreign language credit at most universities. Any language-lover should take this class in ninth grade.

Student Teacher Spotlight: Ms. Seegmiller

2009-03-09T08:27:00.001-06:00

Madie Dockstader
SJHS Staff Writer

Ms. Kortni Seegmiller is currently a student teacher for Mr. Rob Bentley, geography teacher at Springville Junior High School.

Ms. Seegmiller wants to become a teacher because she wants to help teenagers realize how amazing the world and the people in it are. Ms. Seegmiller said “What could be better than hanging out with ninth graders all day and talking about the social sciences?”

Ms. Seegmiller is from Henderson, Nevada. She said, “It’s dry, hot, and brown, but it has really nice sunsets.” She is attending BYU and is taking some education classes, like Adolescent Development, Classroom Management, and Teaching students with disabilities.

Some interesting things about Ms. Seegmiller are she worked at the Bean Life Science Museum where she gave animal shows. She would get to show people snakes, lizards, frogs, tarantulas, turtles, and hissing cockroaches. She also speaks Spanish, and she likes to travel. She said “My dream vacation at the moment is Cuba.”

Yearbook--Get it now!!!

2009-03-02T18:46:00.002-07:00

Yearbook students Leksi Rosenberg, Emma Graves, Sammie Schroeppel and Alli Udall sort student surveys. In the background, Aleks Newman, Kyle Gashler and Alyssa Payne work on the online yearbook creation program.

Robin Anderson
SJHS Staff Writer

It’s that time again! Students who want to get a yearbook need to get it now. The price for a yearbook is $20.00, and students need to take the money to Mrs. Murdock in the front office. Students should definitely get a yearbook. Looking through a yearbook is a fun way to remember the year.

“Some of us are too lazy to do scrapbooking, or don't have a camera, but the yearbook has a whole bunch of pictures from the year laid out for you!” said Kreslynn Knouse, a ninth grade student at SJHS.

The yearbook has other uses too. Ms. Rachel Neeley, the yearbook teacher at SJHS, says it is fun to have all your friends write notes to you at the end of the year in your yearbook.

The yearbook staff worked really hard to put together this year’s yearbook. They have tried hard to include as many students as possible in the yearbook. When asked about getting everyone in the yearbook, Aleks Newman, a member of the yearbook staff said, “It’s pretty hard. You have to take tons of pictures. Some people want to be in them, and some people don’t.”

Order your yearbook before we run out! Bring $20 to Mrs. Murdock in the front office as soon as possible!

Excitement for the new sixth graders

2009-03-02T18:45:00.000-07:00

Kaydie Kerby
SJHS Staff Writer

On March fourth through the sixth, sixth grade students from elementary schools will visit Springville Junior High School. When the junior high students are in class, the sixth graders will walk around and tour our school and learn the different types of things that go on. The student council members will be taken out of class to show the sixth graders around.

Student council will explain what’s going on and what fun things there are for the students to do around our school. During the visit, the sixth graders can begin to understand where to go and what to do.

Mytch Smith, a student council member at Springville Junior High, said, “With new students coming to our school it brings new opportunities and new kids to brighten up our school, and that brings success and chances to shine.” Hopefully, new students that come to our school should have a fun time to learn and understand things a little clearer. When the students come next year they will see familiar faces and not be so scared not knowing where to go, or what to do.

Mike Bartholomew another student council member at Springville Junior High gave some advice to the sixth graders, “Stand tall and just be yourself.”

In addition to the school tour, sixth grade students will hear musical numbers by the band and choir, eat lunch in the junior high cafeteria while junior high students are in class, and receive "How to Survive Seventh Grade" flyers from the current seventh grade students.

Mr.Kindrick: Science Teacher and Basketball Coach

2009-03-02T18:42:00.002-07:00

Mr. Kindrick always has a smile.

Nikki Drake
SJHS Staff Writer

Mr. David Kindrick is a SJHS science teacher, the girls’ basketball coach, and a former body conditioning teacher. He enjoys teaching science, because science changes every year so he learns new things every year too. He would like to think he inspires students for the good, and not the bad.

He is the girls’ basketball coach, and his team has played 21 games, and won around half of their games. Great job girls! Most of the girls think he is an aggressive leader that knows how to have fun.

If Mr. Kindrick could have any other job, he said he would be a pro athlete, a movie star, a dentist, or maybe even an artist. Mr. Kindrick is interested in sports and he is all about being active. He mentioned that he misses teaching body conditioning. He misses watching students get healthier. “It was cool to see the little dudes and dudettes improve,” Mr. Kindrick said.

Megan Mortenson and Taya Spencer, two eighth grade girls at SJHS were asked about what it was like being in Mr. Kindrick's class. Taya said that "Mr. Kindrick always makes us laugh and stuff. He is a cool teacher.” Megan agreed with Taya, “He always tries to be funny, and he is nice.”

Mr. Kindrick helping Cami Sumsion on her test.

New School, New Kid

2009-03-02T18:41:00.000-07:00

Brittany Blackmon
SJHS Staff Writer

New students transfer to Springville Junior High School throughout each school year. According to eighth grade counselor Mrs. Monica Distefeano, when students are new to a school, they experience difficulties such as making new friends, finding their ways around the new school, and not being able to have a friend there to help them. It’s hard making new friends after having many friends in one place. It’s also hard not knowing where to go or who to talk to when having trouble, unless you meet someone friendly enough to help you around.

While students faced these difficulties, they’ve acted nervous and shy at first. They don’t know anyone, have some trouble getting used to the new surroundings, and have a little trouble socializing with unfamiliar faces. Some tend to just be really friendly and eager to make new friends without getting shy. Mrs. Distefano said, “Students are shy at first and a little bit nervous when they first come here.”

The way that students can handle these difficulties is with time and patience, and trying to getting out of their comfort zone and start socializing with others. Some students may not want to socialize, but others tend to start speaking up and ask questions when they needed help and make new friends by doing so.

Other ways that new students made friends are meeting with counselors to try to find a person within the same gender and age group to help show a new student around.

There are at least 20-30 new students that enter the junior high each year. That’s a lot of new kids to socialize with and befriend. If you are new to the school, do not feel like you are alone, but along the same ride with many others just like you.

Advanced Math at SJHS

2009-03-02T18:37:00.002-07:00

Mrs. Corrin Gleave teaching her algebra 2 class at SJHS.

Robin Anderson
SJHS Staff Writer

At Springville Junior High, there is one particularly small class- this class is algebra 2. All the students in algebra 2 are ninth graders, yet they are learning eleventh grade math. How is this possible?

The students in algebra 2 got to where they are by taking a test and skipping pre-algebra. By doing so they were able to take algebra in seventh grade, geometry in eighth grade, and moved up to algebra 2 in ninth grade.

Although it may sound like a hard class, the students say it isn’t hard. There is not much homework, and Mrs. Gleave explains things really well, which makes it easy to understand.

“If you don’t get it, you ask,” said Kenzee Hargett, a student in algebra 2.

“It’s my favorite class,” said Makenzie Milner, another student in algebra 2. In Algebra 2 they do interesting activities. One time they made up Math carols by taking Christmas carols and putting algebra equations as the words, and caroled in classes around the school.

The students in algebra 2 like it very much. According to the students, Mrs. Gleave makes it fun.

Ms. Kate Whiting teaches us our past and our present

2009-03-02T18:36:00.001-07:00

Madie Dockstader
SJHS Staff Writer

Ms. Kate Whiting is currently a student teacher for Mr. Rob Bentley, a geography teacher at Springville Junior High School. She loves learning, teaching geography, and she loves kids. Mr. Bentley said “I think Ms. Whiting will be an excellent teacher. She has great enthusiasm and interest in history and culture. She also has a positive attitude toward all students with a commitment to helping them learn and progress.”

Ms. Whiting grew up in a small beach town, in Hawaii, called Kailua. She went to Kailua High School, home of the Surfriders. She was involved in a student government class and almost every club Kailua High could offer.

Right now she is attending BYU. She is done with all her classes because she is student teaching right now, but her favorite classes at BYU were Floral Design, Art History, and International Political Economy. She said, “I am a little sad about graduation in April because I love being a student.”

Ms. Whiting served a mission in Taipei, Taiwan, where she learned to speak Mandarin Chinese. She studied it for three months and lived in Taiwan for a little over a year. Then she took a year of Mandarin Chinese at BYU. She has been to the world’s tallest building, Taipei 101, and also ate some of Taipei’s interesting foods.

Amazing Foods Teacher at SJHS

2009-03-02T18:31:00.003-07:00

Mrs. Natalie Luke teaching her seventh period foods class.

Autumn Hathaway
SJHS Staff Writer

At Springville Junior High School the students have an amazing food’s teacher, Mrs. Natalie Luke. She has been teaching for six years. “I never intended on teaching junior high kids--I thought they were too wild and crazy. But then I realized I was wild and crazy too, so it just fit,” Mrs. Natalie Luke stated.

She first became interested in teaching from her father. According to Mrs. Luke, it was just in her family genetics. Some things she wishes she could change about her job are spending more time to get to know her students better, such as attending their games and outside social life. She’d also like to have more time for new recipes in class.

Students shared their thoughts about her. Natalie Shaw, an eighth grade student in her foods class, said, “She’s the best teacher here, really nice.” While according to Jacob Davenport, a last semester student, the only word to describe her is awesome.

If you’re wondering what a teacher’s point of view is on what they think of their job just listen to this opinion of Mrs. Luke, “Are there days I dream of a nice quiet job? Absolutely! But I get the chance of spending my day teaching kids a life skill they can use. And I share in the ups and downs of teenage life… what could be more exciting then that?”

Mrs. Natalie Luke clearly loves her job, but what are some of her out of school hobbies? According to her, she loves to read, sew, and spend time with her family. She also loves throwing parties, playing in the leaves in fall and blowing bubbles.

It's obvious to anyone who meets Mrs. Natalie Luke that she loves and cares for her students.

Knightingales are Back

2009-03-02T18:30:00.000-07:00

Sariah Morris
SJHS Staff Writer

The Knightingales, a Springville Junior High School choir, finished doing their classes during school, but they aren’t finished singing. Thirty three eighth-grade girls and Mrs. Leslie Walker, the choir director, take their own time to get up early in the morning to go to choir. Clearly these girls and Mrs. Walker love this class.

It takes a lot of work and dedication for these girls to do this, not to mention all the work that Mrs. Walker does to come up with the songs, teach them to the girls, and set up performances.

The Knightingales sing all sorts of songs. Cami Sumsion, an eighth grader in the choir, said, “I like this class. I enjoy the songs we sing because they are a little bit harder than the other ones we used to sing.” Cami also said, “If you like to sing, then join this class. It is fun and exciting.”

The early morning choir starts at 7:00 A.M and ends when school starts. When asked about future concerts, Mrs. Walker said, “We will be singing for the school at our end of the year choir assembly and for our parents on May 13. We will also be singing at the district festival on April 5."

Maddi Dayton, also an eighth grade girl in the choir said, “I really like going to choir, it helps me a lot. And it’s only one day a week, so it’s not too time consuming. We also have a wide variety of songs so everyone gets to do what they want. My favorite songs are the hard ones.”

Students Elect a New Student Council at SJHS

2009-03-02T14:52:00.000-07:00

This semester's student council, left to right: Morgan Murdoch, Dallin Droubay, Matt Fitzgerald, and Josh Buhler

Kara Dunn
SJHS Staff Writer

This year we have been busy with our presidental election, and now Springville Junior High is preparing for the election of the student council for 2009-10. Students who wish to participate in student council for next year must be going into ninth grade next year. Students will be able to pick up a packet containing information on March 6th in the front office. Students who wish to apply must have a 3.0 GPA or higher.

Student council members are the student leadership of the school. They are in charge of getting ready for the dances, Red Ribbon Week, and Random Acts of Kindness Week. They are the leaders and examples in the school. Student council members also have the opportunity to give input about our school.

Students who apply and get elected to student council will have to sign a contract saying that they will do their best to keep order in the halls and throughout the school. “They are the youth leaders of our school,” Mr. Knudsen, vice principal at Springville Junior High, explained.

Mr. Knudsen went on to say, “I encourage anyone who is willing to work hard and wants to make a difference to apply.”

When asked why he applied, this year's Vice President Mike Bartholomew said, “I thought it would be a fun thing to try out for, plus I wanted to try and help make the school a more fun place to be.”

Intramurals at Springville Junior High

2009-03-02T13:57:00.001-07:00

Kayla Price
SJHS Staff Writer

Junior High is a place where if you don’t like sports then you have come to the wrong school. Springville Junior High has many offers sports during intramurals like badminton for the next two weeks, indoor soccer, volleyball, weightlifting, pickle ball, and power lifting.

You might be thinking what kind of grades do I have to have to get on a team? “You don’t have to have the best grades,” Mr. Parker, the P.E teacher,said, “Everyone is invited to come and have fun!” Even the teachers play with the students after school in small teams just for the fun of it.

There are no fees for intramurals. Students can get credit for P.E absences by going to intramurals. So if you like sports then you have come to the right school.

School Community Council--March 4

2009-02-27T08:56:00.000-07:00

The next School Community Council Meeting will be held on March 4 at 3:30 in the Media Center. We will be discussing the following items:

School Improvement Plan Update
Professional Development Plan Update
Safe Routes Plan Update
4-H Program
Trustlands Proposals for the 2009-10 school year

The public is welcome to attend. Contact the school prior to Monday, March 2 if you would like to add an item to the agenda. For more information, please visit the School Community Council Website.

Parent Teacher Conferences--February 26th

2009-02-20T15:01:00.000-07:00

SJHS Parent Teacher Conferences will be held from 3:30 to 8:30 on Thursday, February 26th. Please come meet with your child's teachers in the boys' gym. We look forward to seeing you then.

The Gifted, the Talented, and the Future Lawyers Visit Capitol Building

2009-02-20T08:32:00.004-07:00

Representative Francis Gibson from District 65 met with SJHS students during their visit to the capitol.

KresLynn Knouse
SJHS Staff Writer

On Wednesday, February 11th, Springville Junior High School’s Government and Law class, accompanied by the seventh grade Gifted and Talented, visited the Utah State capitol building. Students took a tour of the capitol, were able to watch The House of Representatives and the Senate vote on important issues, and spoke with the Attorney General’s assistant.

Mr. Hansen, the Government and Law teacher at SJHS, said, “Going to the capitol building will let the Government and Law students see what it’s like to work for the government.”

During the tour, the students got to see every beautiful room and painting in the capitol, learned about lobbyists, and got to see the amazing “gold room.” The “gold room” is a room they use exclusively when meeting with important government officials.

Students admire the beauty of the artwork found in the capitol building during the tour.

“It was way fun,” said Alyssa Payne, a ninth grade student at SJHS, “My favorite part was watching the House of Representatives vote. They had a flat screen T.V. hanging up for us to see which house member voted ‘yea or nay’ on the bills.”

Meghan Paynter, another ninth grade student, also enjoyed watching the house vote. “Watching either the House or the Senate vote was actually pretty cool. The senators were below us, and we would watch them from another floor.”

Every student enjoyed taking a tour of the capitol and being able to see how bills pass through our government. Some SJHS students might even end up working there someday.

Boys Basketball Finishes Strong

2009-02-20T08:21:00.007-07:00

The 2008-09 ninth grade boys' basketball team

Front, left to right: Manager Tom Setzer, Steven Bate, Mitchell Maye, Zach Nemelka, Alex Cloward, Jordan McCann
Back, left to right: Coach Blakey, Manager Cason Acor, Trevor Allan, Jalon Miyasaki, Zera Staheli, Jordan Davis, Andrew Clyde, Sean Sly, Ryan Shultz, Manager Josh Buhler, Assistant Coach Kelly Giles (not pictured: Manger Trevor Church)

Jantzen Dalley
SJHS Staff Writer

A lot of people were wondering how the Springville Junior High Freshman basketball team would do this year, especially because they had a rough season last year. The team went seven and three in the district, and won seven out of their last nine games.

Springville also played in the Alpine tournament towards the end of their season. They played well, but were beaten by Timpview High School in the end and were no longer able to move on in the tournament.

One reason for the Knights’ newfound success this year is Coach Shaun Blakey. Coach Blakey has been working as a counselor at SJHS, and is now the head coach of the basketball team.

“The team has gotten a lot better throughout the season,” Coach Blakey said, “ They have gotten much better working as a team and have gained more confidence.”

“Spanish Fork is probably the hardest team we played.” Coach Blakey recalled. And he was right. Unfortunately, Spanish Fork defeated Springville 65 to 53 in a great game.

The combination of the new coaching staff, and the aggressive play of the team is definitely what has made this season so successful.

Valentine's Dance at Springville Junior High

2009-02-20T08:18:00.001-07:00

Students dancing the night away at the Valentine's dance.

Autumn Hathaway
SJHS Staff Writer

Love was in the air at Springville Junior High with our Valentine’s dance on February 19, 2009 from seven-nine. Music, friends, fun, boys, girls, and laughter abounded. Teachers and students a like boogied the night away.

If you’re looking for a good time then the dance is the place for you. We asked Elizabeth White, your average, everyday eighth grade student at SJHS and she said, “Yes I think they’re very fun!”

As you can tell, the students enjoy them, but what are the teacher’s perspectives? Mr. David Knudsen, vice principal at Springville Junior said, “I like the dances because it helps students learn to handle a social situation that they will have to deal with in high school and beyond.”

Parents, if you’re worried about the music that they play, do not stress about what goes into your children’s ears. The school has to follow and maintain the rules about the content of the music that is allowed such as the music may not swear, talk about drugs, alcohol etc. The teachers in school supervise the dances and the dancing, and parents are welcome to come and chaperone the dances and maybe even have a good time with your child.

If students are bored and looking for a good time, come to a dance and shake the night away.

Springville Library: Expanding Our Knowledge

2009-02-20T08:16:00.001-07:00

Halley Rencher
SJHS Staff Writer

As most Springville citizens know, the library is becoming a bit outdated. There are leaks in the roof, and there is not enough room for new books. With the recent election, a new library was approved. The mission for a place where books can be read and respected was started.

“The biggest problem,” said Sheri Britsch, Springville Librarian, “is the space.” Which is true, there is no space for book displays, comfy chairs, or any other things that could make the library not just a place to pick out a book, but a place where a you would want to read that book as well.

The new library is planned to have more room for everything, from program rooms to more space for the staff to work, new equipment, and a space separate from the city building. Pam Vaughn, Library Director, hopes that it will be more inviting to families as a whole and individually.

“When you walk in it has a childish feel, which can make less inviting for people of an older age,” Vaughn said. Trying to make the library more likable to people of every age is a goal that they hope to reach. The library is an important part of the community and most can’t wait to see what it becomes.

SJHS Track and Field Starting Soon

2009-02-20T08:14:00.001-07:00

Kaydie Kerby
SJHS Staff Writer

At Springville Junior High School our track team season starts on March 16, 2009. Students need to attend a meeting about a week before that so they can sign up and get ready to go. In order to participate, students need to bring red or blue shorts and running shoes. Students need to get a physical in order to do track meets and participate in the events.

Track is not just about running; that’s why it is called track and field. The junior high track team participates in the shot put, discus, high jump, and long jump out. Students will pracice for both running and field events on the PE field at the junior high right after school.

Mrs. Kelli Manwaring, one of the coaches, said “It is really important that all participants have running shoes. These are different than skateboarding, basketball, Converse, or street shoes. Kids who don’t have running shoes often have problems like shin-splints and other pains.”

According to Manwaring, "The type of shoes may not seem like a big deal, but they make a big difference! Running causes a lot of pressure on your joints. Running shoes are made to absorb the pressure and spread it out. Running in street shoes, skateboarding shoes and any other types of shoes often causes people to have a lot of pain in their legs."

If students decide to sprint then it may help to have a pair of shoes that have spikes. These shoes help the runner get a better start and help them run faster but they are not required to have.

In order to participate at track meets, students need to come to four out of five practices during the week. This helps the teammates practice together during the week. If students need to miss a practice because they’re practicing in a different sport, they need to talk to the coaches and they will work something out.

The Men’s Choir

2009-02-20T08:06:00.001-07:00

The SJHS Men's Choir, directed by Mrs. Walker, warms up at the beginning of class.

Andrew Farr
SJHS Staff Writer

Springville Junior High has a class for those men that have changed and unchanged voices and an interest in singing: Men’s Choir. Men’s choir consists of eighth and ninth graders. Eighth graders sign up for the class because they think it’s just like seventh grade choir; and they’re right. It is just as easy, fun and relaxing. “The songs aren’t hard to learn,” Jantzen Dalley, an eighth grade student in men's choir, said. “The class is and an easy A, all you have to do participate.”

The men in this class have learned seven songs. Barbra Ann, Sweet Betsy from Pike, Aura Lee, and In the Jungle are four songs the choir can name off of their heads.

Mrs. Leslie Walker, the choir teacher, said, “Eighth grade is a great time to work with all men because many of them are dealing with voice change. It’s easier to fix problems without girls there! Plus, it’s just plain macho when the boys sing together.”

The Awesome Band Class at SJHS

2009-02-20T08:05:00.000-07:00

Jaqueline Fry
SJHS Staff Writer

This year at Springville Junior High School, Mr. David Booth teaches band classes every school day. He teaches six different classes, which include grades seven, eight, and nine. Mr. Booth prepares the classes for concerts and festivals every year.

Mr. Booth teaches all three grades at the junior high, and the students enjoy his classes. Students could say that being in band is like a concert every day, but you don't have to sit still the whole time. “I love band! It’s my favorite,” SJHS student Abi Santiago said. “You get to play music and hang out. Mr. Booth is the best,” SJHS student Afton Brown said.

Mr. Booth has been teaching band at SJHS for thirteen years. “I really enjoy helping students learn how to play instruments, and hopefully also increase their love of music,” Mr. Booth said. “Like most anything-hard work, dedication, practice, and teamwork are necessary for success in band,” he continued. Whether you’re in band or not, you'll agree that this class is a great addition to our school.

City Softball Sign Ups

2009-02-20T08:04:00.001-07:00

Rylee Vest
SJHS Staff Writer

Looking to sign up for city softball? Find out how now! Sign ups have already started, but do not worry, you have until March 21 to get registered. To get signed up you can go register online at www.Springville.org, or you can also go to the community services building at 443 South 200 East. Kids interested in playing can go to the Community Services Building between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

The cost depends on what grade and league you are in. T-ball is for kindergarteners and costs 25 dollars. Coach pitch is for 1st and 2nd graders and costs 35 dollars. Falcon & Mustang are for 3rd and 4th graders and cost 35 dollars. Filly & Pinto are for 5th and 6th graders and cost 35 dollars. Fox & Pony are for 7th and 8th graders and cost 45 dollars.

Now you know everything you need to know about registering for softball. So have fun and see you there!

SJHS Super Citizens

2009-02-13T13:52:00.002-07:00

SJHS Super Citizens for first semester

Front row, left to right: Darby Farr, Jessie Wimmer, Owen Gardner, CJ Kanzee, Kat Smith and Irisa Hutchings
Second row: Bronson Bartholomew, Jeremy Anderson, Tyler Oman, Zach Droubay, Amy Tingey, Leksi Rosenberg, Elizabeth White
Third row: Emily Regan, Lily Girot, Emily Jay, Yamina Castro, Jordan Gage, Tyler Ercanbrack, Kyrsten Anderson and Payton Seamons
Fourth row: Michael R. Bartholomew, Abraham Lugo, McKenna Gleave, Delon Lier, Rebekah McClain, and Samuel Larson
Top row: Dustin Brinton, Seth Chipman, Zera Staheli, Forrest Markham and Sean Sly
Not pictured: Katie Anderson, Nancy Gomez, Kayla Price, and Ria Swapp

Springville Junior High is a school with an outstanding student body. Although all of our students are spirited and fun, every semester we honor students who are especially SUPER. Teachers nominate students whom they believe should be recognized for their SUPERior citizenship. The faculty then votes on the nominated students to come up with the group which is deemed Super Citizens.

In April, the Super Citizens for first and second semesters will be excused from school to go spend the day at Trafalga where they will be treated to pizza, drinks, and fun. We want to thank these students for the great example they set at our school. They truly are SUPER!

Spotlight: Mr. Michael Chipman

2009-02-13T13:50:00.001-07:00

Mr. Chipman teaching one of his 8th grade U.S. History classes.

Carolyn Brown
SJHS Staff Writer

This year the Springville Junior High School has gotten many new teachers, and one of them is Mr. Michael Chipman. He teaches U.S. History for the eighth graders. He teaches Geography first semester and World History the second semester for the ninth graders. “I love working with all of the kids. It is amazing to see how they can change and improve,” said Mr. Chipman.

The students that have him are very glad that they were able to be in his class. “He helps me to get better grades, and I really like that,” Afton Brown, one of his students, said. Another student, Rebekah McClain, said this about the way he teaches, “If any of the students have a question he talks with them personally, I think that is really cool.”

One of the most popular things that he does is a Current Events Day; every Tuesday he takes time away from normal class lessons, and he and the students have a discussion about the things that are going on in right now in the USA. Sometimes the students have to read a news article or watch a news program and write half a page on it, but most of the time they just discuss the event as a class. Since the class has been studying the Revolutionary War he sometimes has the students get in groups and do presentations on things like important people or major battles. “I like how he is able to make history fun and interesting for me,” said Rebekah McClain. As you can see, Mr. Chipman is a great addition to the faculty here at Springville Junior High School.

SJHS Mock Trial Competition

2009-02-13T13:31:00.001-07:00

Kara Dunn
SJHS Staff Writer

Schools around the US have put together a competition in which students who wish to participate may take part in the school’s mock trial team. According to Mrs. Rice, one of the teachers involved in the mock trial, ever since 1980, a volunteer attorney writes out a legal case involving issues that youth would understand and get a feel for. Students are given a handbook containing the facts and legal information involving the case.

The mock trial team for Springville Junior High has put together a team involving witnesses, attorneys, and clerks. Each student has chosen a position in which they wish to participate. Mr. David Hansen, one of the mock trial directors, and a teacher at Springville Junior High, explained his reason for participating in the mock trial. “It gives students opportunities to decide what they want to do with their lives when they grow up.”

Schools participate around the US and compete for the opportunity to make it all the way to Atlanta, Georgia in May for the final case. Our mock trial team is already preparing for their big case with having practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school.

When asked why she signed up for Mock Trial, Susan Watson, one of the members says, “My uncle is a lawyer, and it’s fun.” We are cheering you on Springville Junior High!

Body Conditioning

2009-02-13T13:23:00.000-07:00

Zach Nemelka
SJHS Staff Writer

Body conditioning is an elective class available to students at SJHS taught by Ms. Carrie Parker. This class is a semester class and is worth half a credit. In body conditioning, students learn about certain muscles and how to improve these muscles safely through a strength program which they write themselves. “ This class is for everyone and anyone,” Ms.Parker stated.

“This class is for anyone who wants to get in shape because you are able to work on your physical shape in this class,” said Jordan Davis, a body conditioning student. Body coditioning is for anyone, not just people who play sports. So if you just want to get in good physical shape and build a workout program you can use for years to come, you should register for body conditioning.

Love Is in the Air at SJHS

2009-02-12T10:01:00.000-07:00

Maddie Patten
SJHS Staff Writer

Now that Christmas and New Years are over, students at SJHS are already looking forward to the next holiday: Valentine's Day! "I love Valentine’s Day! It is the love holiday, and it always involves chocolate! What more is there to life?” said Mrs. Kathryn Crandall, teacher at SJHS.
A fun Valentine's Day tradition at Springville Junior High is Valigrams. Valigrams are little notes with candy attached. You can send them for fifty cents. "I love Valigrams! They are the best!" said Maddi Dayton, eighth grader at SJHS. "It is fun to see people get one," agreed Brooke Caswell, also in eighth grade.

Another fun Valentine's Day event at SJHS is the Valentine's dance. It is one of the few formal ones. Students come dressed in their best clothes, ready to dance with the guy/girl of their dreams and have a lot of fun!! "The Valentine's Day dance is great," said Audri Petro, ninth grader at SJHS. "The gym is always decorated so pretty!"

"I love Valentine's Day! Everything: candy, cards, the whole nine yards!" said Sarah Fawson, eighth grader at SJHS. So whether you celebrate with a special someone or with a group of great friends, Valentine's Day offers something for everyone at SJHS!

Student Registration for 2009-10

2009-02-06T10:04:00.002-07:00

The counseling department is happy to answer any questions students and parents may have about registration.
left to right: Joy Maughan, secretary; Monica Distefano, 8th grade counselor; Monica Linton, 7th grade counselor; Shaun Blakey, 9th grade counselor

Kara Dunn
SJHS Staff Writer

For the next few weeks, students, parents, teachers, and the faculty at Springville Junior High and High School will be busy preparing for registration for the upcoming school year. Students will have the opportunity to meet with their counselor and go through a class in which the counselor explains classes that are available for them next year. Parents are welcome to attend these classes.

Seventh graders at Springville Junior High will have their SEOP’s during their CTE class on February 9th and 10th; their registration forms are to the counseling office on February 12th.
The eighth graders will have their SEOP’s during their history class on February 13th; their registration forms are due to the counseling office on February 18th.

Mrs. Monica Distefano, a counselor at Springville Junior High, gave her advice on choosing classes, “I recommend that you should explore your interests and not just go into the classes that you think all of your friends will be taking. Think of you.”

New seventh graders coming into SJHS next year are required to take English, math, science, history, PE, and CTE. They will also be given 1.5 credits in which they can choose from a selection of electives such as music, art, creative writing, reading for enrichment and physical education classes. They will also be given tours of our school in April to learn their way around.

Seventh graders going into eighth grade are required to take math, history, science, PE, health, and English. They will be given two credits in which they can choose from a selection of different electives including foods, sewing, creative writing, reading for enrichment, journalism, woodshop, and more.

At Springville Junior High there are many different electives. There are music classes, art classes, a Spanish class, and a Seminary class for ninth graders. There is however, a ten dollar fee for a few of the art classes, as well as music.

Mr. Shaun Blakey, another counselor at SJHS, gave seventh graders a few tips. “Don’t be afraid of the different classes or of the eight and ninth graders. Try your best to have fun and engage in school activities.”

SJHS Takes Action Against Criminal Acts

2009-02-06T10:02:00.000-07:00

Jacob Simmons
SJHS Staff Writer

Springville Junior High School has decided to implement a new program for students who choose to break the rules. From now on students might have to report to Peer Court. There are various offenses that could get a student referred to Peer Court: bullying, swearing, butting in line at lunch, or picking on someone. Students will be put on trial, where a “judge” will decide their punishment, which could range from a week worth of cleaning the lunchroom, to just apologizing and writing a paper to the court.

Peer court is run by the students of the Government and Law class at SJHS. Mr. David Hansen oversees the court as his students defend, prosecute, and decide punishments for the criminals.

“We try to run a real court,” explained Mr. Hansen, “We have judges who make the decisions, and attorneys who give opening statements, and research to argue for their side.”

To sue someone, students can go to the office and pick up a referral form, which they may fill out and give back to Mr. Hansen for their chance to have their day in court. Once Mr. Hansen receives the referral form, he will decide whether it is valid or not, and then he will try and find a spot on the calendar for a trial to take place. Once your referral form is approved, a case will be passed on to a lawyer from the class, who will begin to research the situation, interview witnesses, and find people to who they can use to testify.

In the court, students go through the whole process of a real court, including an opening statement, a closing statement, settlements, punishments, etc. It allows students in the class to learn about government and law. Peer court has been very helpful to keeping the peace at SJHS.

Peer Tutors at SJHS

2009-02-03T10:11:00.009-07:00

Keylee Gavin and peer tutor Kinsely Foster

Darryl Barnes
SJHS Staff Writer

Sometimes students in Springville Junior High’s self-contained special education class need a little extra help, which is why SJHS created a peer tutor class. “This class is designed to help kids who have disabilities to fit in with other kids in a safe and comfortable environment,” Dallin Droubay, ninth grade peer tutor, explained.

At the beginning of each semester, Mrs. Claire Mills, a special education teacher at SJHS, explains her goals for the peer tutors. “Peer tutors are encouraged to get to know the students, help them with individual work, and be a friend.” Peer tutors help Mrs. Mills’s students with assignments from their electives classes and also model appropriate behavior when out in the community on class fieldtrips. But this learning goes both ways. “The class is designed to aid in overall learning of both the peer tutor and students within the class,” Mrs. Mills explained.

Each day the tutors are assigned to help a different student; some of peer tutors help students with their homework, some take students to other classes, and some just to be friends. That is one key factor in this class, be a friend. One of their goals is to make sure that the students in Mrs. Mills’s class have friends throughout the school.

Students hard at work in Mrs. Mills's class. Left to right: Jasmine Corona, Joseph Serrano, technician Becca Byron, Caleb Eliason, Mrs. Mills, Ale Ruiz, technician Stephanie Benson, and Cassandra Garcia

“It’s my favorite class of the day! The students are hilarious, I love working with them!” Madison Nichols, an eighth grade peer tutor, said. All of the tutors agree that this is a fun class. Each student in the class has a different perspective on different things. Each has their own personality, which makes them shine in different ways. “These students make my day at school worth while! I love this class!” Mariah Snyder, eighth grade peer tutor, said.

Jessica Drazan and technician Janine Johnson

The importance of this class is definite; the students in Mrs. Mills’s class and the peer tutors both enjoy it. Those two added factors result in a successful class for encouraging these kids. “My students learn lots of life and job skills, how to live on their own, and many academic skills. Sometimes friends can be hard to find, but not in this class. This class is full of students who like to have friends, be friends, and help friends,” Mrs. Mills explained.

The peer tutor class is an amazing program that does a lot of good to our school. This class is fun and enjoyable, and all the peer tutors love it.

Adam Stinson shows off his muscles for technician Stephanie Benson.

Joseph Serrano and technician Becca Byron

WELCOME Spring Journalism Class '09

2009-02-02T15:22:00.003-07:00

The second semester journalism class.
Front row, left to right: Rylee Vest, Robin Anderson.
Second row: Nicole Drake, Emily Regan and Kayla Price.
Third row: Sariah Morris, Autumn Hathaway and Halley Rencher.
Fourth row: Madie Dockstader, Jantzen Dalley and Kresslyn Knouse.
Back row: Kaydie Kerby, Kara Dunn, Andrew Farr and Makaiah Williams.

Maddi Dayton
SJHS Staff Writer

As the semester comes to a close for the fall journalism students at SJHS, a new door is opening for seventeen other students. These new journalism students will have the opportunity that only 23 others have had this year. They are getting a chance of a life time. They will have the opportunity to try a type of writing that is not taught in standard English classes, they will learn to be journalists.

“I think it will be fun,” said a student in second semester’s class. According to current journalism students the word fun is an understatement. “Journalism is not only educational but enjoyable at the same time. You get to learn and do something enjoyable all at once,” Brooke Caswell, a first semester journalism student, said. Many of the first semester students agree with Brooke’s statement.

“I just hope they get as much out of this class as I have,” Sarah Fawson reported. Sarah’s hopes will not be in vain because many future students like Jantzen Dalley, plan on learning “everything.” Others, like Autumn Hathaway, hope to find their “inner journalist.”

Journalism is a class that is great for students and that gives them skills that they’ll use their whole life. “I am excited to teach next semester’s group of students,” Ms. Tiffanie Miley said, and from the look of things next semester’s students are excited to be coming in.

Christy Burnett, Office Lady at SJHS

2009-02-02T15:19:00.001-07:00

Mrs. Christy Burnett at SJHS

Jaqueline Fry
SJHS Staff Writer

Throughout Christy Burnett’s life, her work has involved schools, and her job this year at the SJHS is being an “Office Lady,” which she says that she loves, and she loves the students she is around.

Christy Burnett was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and she lived in Nebraska during her teenage years. She and her husband have five kids, one girl and four boys.

Mrs. Burnett loves SJHS and working here. “It’s my home away from home, and has great staff,” she says. “I love my job! I work with wonderful people and learn something new every day!”

Others enjoy Mrs. Burnett’s company as well. “She is always happy and positive,” Brenda Bales, school attendance secretary, said. Mrs. Burnett’s daughter, KateLyn Burnett agreed with Mrs. Bales, “She has a fun personality that is crazy, but good. I can just be myself with her.”

Mrs. Burnett works at the SJHS as the morning secretary, and she helps Mrs. Bales with the attendance. Her main responsibilities are to record and print off the morning enrichment lists, check in all of the substitute teachers, and answer the phone. “I take every little job very seriously and do it the best I can,” Mrs. Burnett explained.

Mrs. Burnett enjoys things like scrapbooking, organizing, and reading. Her favorite books are any Jane Austen books. She dislikes rude behavior and disorganization, and loves peace and harmony.

Aerobic Conditioning at SJHS

2009-02-02T15:06:00.002-07:00

Abi Santiago
SJHS Staff Writer

Aerobic Conditioning is a fitness class where you work on your strength. The two teachers who teach this semester are Ms. Carrie Parker and Mrs. Katie Abrams. Ms. Parker teaches it first period and Mrs. Abrams teaches it fifth period. “I love to teach it! I love all the fitness classes that I teach,” Ms. Parker said.

In aerobics, students do a lot of work outs and they also work on their flexibility or stretching. They do steps, kick boxing, and for four to five minutes they do a warm up jog. “We do really good work outs, I like having it first period because it keeps me awake,” Leksi Rosenberg, an eighth grader in Ms. Parker’s first period Aerobics class, said.

At the beginning of the semester, the students do one exercise for two weeks. Then at the middle of the semester, they started to alternate everyday. “It gets my heart pumpin! We can chillax, but only a little. It’s pretty much an amazing class,” Erik Young, an eighth grader in Ms. Parker’s first period aerobics class, said. A new semester just started, which means new students get the exerience of Aerobic Conditioning.

Mrs. Brenda Bales: one superb secretary

2009-01-23T14:48:00.001-07:00

Maddi Dayton
SJHS Staff Writer

One of the coolest people at SJHS isn’t even a student; it’s Mrs. Brenda Bales, the attendance secretary. “I admire her. She does so many things at once. It amazes me!” Sarah Fawson, an eighth grade student, reported. Many students, teachers and parents agree. She is always so willing to help, and she is always kind and understanding.

“She loves her work and is always happy,” Holly Sumsion, an SJHS student, happily stated. Mrs. Bales’ enthusiasm shows when she works. “She is just cool and always happy about everything. I’ve never, in my experience at the junior high, heard her speak an unkind word,” Hannah Packard, an SJHS student, stated. “I’m never afraid to ask for help because she is just so nice,” Maddie Patten, an 8th grader, admitted. So many other people share Maddie’s same view. Mrs. Bales is definitely one of the coolest people in the school.

“We are so lucky to have her at our school,” Sarah Fawson said. Indeed we are. There is no way SJHS could properly function without her and the other office ladies. She takes care of the attendance, she keeps track of all the kids checking in and out, plus she makes the morning announcements and mans the intercom.

Mrs. Bales has the unique ability to stay calm under a lot of pressure and multi-task multiple things. “We are really lucky to have her. She is so nice, cool & kind. I just want her to know how grateful we are for her and all the hard work she does,” Maddie Patten said. And who could say thank you better than one of the students that Mrs. Brenda Bales serves every day.

Helping out in the SJHS Library

2009-01-23T14:46:00.000-07:00

Shayla Tanner
SJHS Staff Writer

Springville Junior High School students have the opportunity to be a teacher's assistant (T.A.) as an elective class. Some students choose to T.A. for Mr. Gary Brimhall, the school librarian, as library assistants. Helping out in the library is more of an on-your-own class. It is the perfect opportunity to catch up in things you’re missing in other classes if there isn’t anything to do. Mr. Brimhall likes having students help out in the library because there is a lot of work for one person.

Library T.A.’s get to make copies for teachers, check out books for students, put books back on the shelves, check books in, sort papers, staple and deliver things to teachers. If there is nothing to do T.A.’s can catch up on homework, read, or surf the internet. “I love being a library T.A. because I love making copies for teachers!” Mckenzie Graham, ninth grade library T.A., said.

There are some limits on things the Library T.A.’s can and can’t do. The student assistants can’t print papers off then copy them in color, hand out supplies, accept late book fines from students, leave class without asking, use the laminator, or supervise other students.

Even though being a library T.A. doesn’t count as a credit, the students that T.A. in the library all agree that it is worth taking still. “I love being an library T.A. even though it doesn’t count as a credit. Students should still take it because you can use it in your everyday life,” Mckenzie Graham explained. “It’s fun to take library T.A. because you can catch up on any missing homework if there isn’t anything to do.” Shawnee Henderson, an eight grade library assistant, said.

A Step towards a Business with Technology

2009-01-23T14:45:00.000-07:00

Matthew Fitzgerald
SJHS Staff Writer

Looking towards being a business leader in the future? At SJHS, Ms. Josie Jarvis, the business teacher, is offering a computer business class. As you know, many businesses involve the use of the computer, although the programs may vary. The computer business class is only offered in the second semester.

"Computers in Business is a class that teaches the students all about running a successful business using technology such as computers,” Ms. Jarvis explained. As a class project, each student will open a fictional amusement park. Ms. Jarvis said that they will create a website for the amusement park, hire the staff, make business cards, and so on. The entire semester will be based around the fictional amusement park. In the end, the students will be able to evaluate what went well and what didn’t.

When asked why he wanted to take the class, Ethan Trunnell responded, “I think that the class will help me in the future.” Ms. Jarvis said that these skills really are helpful in later years. The computer business class teaches the students all about financing and lets them get some experience in the business world. It also teaches the students what all business owners do on a daily basis. “This is an exciting class for students who want to explore the business world and want to be an entrepreneur some day,” Ms. Jarvis stated.

Jogging Class

2009-01-23T14:42:00.001-07:00

Courtney and Keegan Taylor enjoy the jogging class at SJHS.

Abi Santiago
SJHS Staff Writer

At Springville Junior High, there is a jogging class. It’s an elective, which means that the students get to pick their classes. “We run A LOT, everyday with occasional running games,” Ms. Carrie Parker, the jogging class teacher, said. The class is designed to help the students to strengthen their running skills and distance. Ms. Parker helped the students to increase their ability to run further and faster.

"It’s not tough enough,” Ms. Parker said, “but it depends on who you’re asking.” So it’s not too tough according to her, and students said it’s really fun. “She always pushes us to do our best. It’s definitely harder than PE,” Braden DeFreese, an eighth grader in Ms. Parker's class, said. The students in that class think it’s pretty hard, but really fun. Ms. Parker can get kind of tough though. “Sometimes when we do push-ups and we fall, we have to start all over again,” Courtney Taylor, a seventh grade student, said.

They have certain days when they do their exercises. “We run on Mondays and Wednesdays, lift weights Tuesdays and Thursday, and we play games on Fridays,” Keegan Taylor, an eighth grade student, said. They lift weights to strengthen their arm and leg muscles. The class is only during sixth period. The semester is almost over, so its time for different students to start the class.

Fall Semester SJHS Journalism Staff Says Farewell

2009-01-16T15:42:00.002-07:00

The Fall Journalism Staff
Front row, left to right: Jaqueline Fry, Sarah Fawson, Brooke Caswell, Abi Santiago, Ethan Trunnell, Zach Nemelka, Alondra Lopez
Middle row, left to right: Maddie Patten, Shayla Tanner, Shelby Mason, Whitney Norman, D.J. Barnes, Matt Fitzgerald, Carolyn Brown
Back row, left to right: Tori Jones, Mitchell Rose, Jacob Simmons, McKenna Gleave, Maddi Dayton, Eric Mageno, Sammy Curtis, Kristi Hatch, Shelby Anderson

Brooke Caswell
SJHS Staff Writer

As the end of the semester comes, the Springville Junior High Journalism staff must say goodbye. After two terms, the last day for the journalism group is January 15, 2009. Springville will be getting a new staff on January 20, 2009.

This is Ms. Miley’s first year of teaching journalism, and she hopes to teach journalism next year as well. “I really enjoyed teaching journalism this term. There were great kids in the class, and they worked hard to get articles published in the Springville Herald. They were also a lot of fun to teach. I'll miss them next semester,” Ms. Miley said.

Students enjoyed this class as well. “I liked journalism a lot. It was a lot of fun,” Sarah Fawson, eighth grade SJHS journalism student, said. “I think it is a really interesting class, and Ms. Miley is really nice,” Abi Santiago, another eighth grade SJHS journalism student, said. The students in Journalism enjoyed this term and are sad to leave the class.

“I'm excited to teach next semester's group of students. They have big shoes to fill, and I hope they can live up to this semester's group,” Ms. Miley said. Good luck to the new journalism staff!

Science RULES

2009-01-16T15:41:00.000-07:00

Ethan Trunnell
SJHS Staff Writer

This year at SJHS, science enrichment classes have taken learning about science to a whole new level. Mrs. Kelli Manwaring has been given the task of teaching the science enrichment class.

The main objective of the science enrichment class is to broaden the students understanding of science, and since there is no state core for this class it is very open to things like egg drops and bottle rockets. The class has learned about the solar system, the human body, and many other cool projects.

The students shot off bottle rockets, teaching them about air pressure and how space shuttles work. Then on to things about astronauts, like an astronaut egg drop involving eggs. The egg drop required the students to safely protect their astronaut (one large egg) as he reentered the atmosphere (from the school roof). If the egg cracked, too bad for the astronaut, thus teaching the students how space missions are achieved.

Seventh grader Cooper Fullmer shows off the rocket he made for Science Enrichment.

Another fun project that the class did was to do physical exercise such as push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups etc. to find out their muscular capacities thus beginning the study of the human body during which they dissolved the calcium off of animal bones leading to their discovery of how rubbery bones are.

There are three periods of Science enrichment, sixth seventh and eighth. This semester, and seventh and eighth periods in the upcoming semester. It lasts for 45 minutes for two terms or one semester, before the class switches and the new group of students continues for the next semester. The elective science enrichment class is worth .5 of a credit.

Utah Utes 2008 Season Review

2009-01-16T15:40:00.002-07:00

Mitchell Rose
SJHS Staff Writer

The Utah Utes went to a 13-0 season after playing in and beating the SEC powerhouse Alabama in the Sugar Bowl on January 2, 2009. The 31-17 victory over the Crimson Tide raised eyebrows to other BCS schools who don’t even know where Utah is because nobody expected them to win. The Utes also finished as the only undefeated team in the country, and some ask “Why aren’t they in the national championship game?” In the final AP poll, Utah finished at number 2 in the nation, behind Florida, who won the national championship game against Oklahoma.

Though Utah did not finish as the number one team in the country, Utah fans were excited about this season because of the National exposure and beating a team that had only one loss that was against Florida.

Utah has won fourteen games in a row, which is the longest winning streak in the nation, and they have the longest bowl streak in the nation at eight. Utah is 11-3 in all-time bowl games which is the best percentage in the nation by teams that have played in at least 10 bowls.

Fans have games that excited them the most. Zach Nemelka, a ninth grader at SJHS, said that his favorite game to watch was the comeback game against Oregon State. Brian Johnson led the runnin’ Utes down the field and scored a critical two point conversion, after doing nothing all game long. Louie Sakoda then kicked a field goal as time expired to win the game. Alex Creer, an eighth grader at SJHS, said that his favorite game this season was the BYU win 48-24.

Jeremy Schanderl, an eighth grader at SJHS, said that his favorite player is Louie Sakoda (“King Louie”). He is one of the top kickers and punters in the NCAA. He has made 22-24 of his field goals and has punted for 2357 yards this season. He is a secret weapon for Utah and could be one of the biggest losses this season because he is a senior.

Alex Creer’s favorite player is Brian Johnson, Utah’s Quarterback. In his final year at Utah he had to make sure that he made it meaningful, and he did. 68% of his passes were complete and he threw 27 touchdowns. He has also won more games as a starting quarterback then anybody that has ever played for the University of Utah.

SJHS Orchestra Students Wow Audience

2009-01-16T15:40:00.001-07:00

Kristi Hatch
SJHS Staff Writer

On Tuesday, January 13, Springville Junior High’s Sinfonia and Chamber orchestras performed at SJHS. The orchestras are made up of eighth and ninth grade students who play the various stringed instruments (violin, viola, cello, and bass), and are directed by Mr. Samuel Tsugawa.

The students had different emotions before the concert. Emily Daybell, a bass player in the Chamber orchestra, said “I am excited and nervous because I want to impress my family, but I am very nervous to play for them.” Mike Bartholomew, a viola in the Chamber orchestra, was excited. “I know the music well, and I’m hoping my friends can come see us play,” he explained.

The students also have opinions about the music. “I think it is fun to play and it sounds good,” said Eric Mageno, a bass player in the Sinfonia. Mike Bartholomew also said “Most of it is fun, and it’ll be nice to show others how fun it is to listen.” Mr. Tsugawa, the conductor, said, “I think the students have enjoyed the music. I think the thing students like about music is the rhythm, and all of the songs have good rhythm.”

The students were also looking forward to the music and being able to perform it for an audience. “I think that they will like it because we’ve put a lot of work into it to make it really good,” said Elizabeth Elliott, a member of the Sinfonia.

Prior to the show, Mr. Tsugawa was also looking forward to the concert. “The students are sounding very good, and I enjoy listening to the orchestras and watching them become better musicians.” He also said that he thought the parents would enjoy it, not just because they’re the students’ parents, but because the students will sound good.

The Sinfonia performed first, followed by the Chamber orchestra. Then they combined and played three numbers together. There were a total of fifty students in the combined numbers, but Mr. Tsugawa didn’t think it was hard to bring them together to practice. “It was quite easy because I have good students. They are very professional and cooperative. The all like each other and there are no bullies, so everyone likes being here. I enjoyed putting them together.”

SJHS Choir Teacher Enjoys Being a Part of "America's Choir"

2009-01-12T15:03:00.002-07:00

Maddie Patten
SJHS Staff Writer

Not many students outside the choir class know that we have a star in our midst here at SJHS. Mrs. Leslie Walker, choir teacher at Springville Junior High, is a long-time member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

This Christmas season, the Choir did a special four-day Christmas program from Thursday, December 11th, to Sunday, December 14th. They sang a wide range of songs, from the sacred "Angels from the Realms of Glory" to the secular "Sleigh Ride." They were joined by soloist Brian Stokes Mitchell, who wowed the audience with his warm personality and rich tenor voice. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir practiced about sixteen hours to prepare for their Christmas concert. Mrs. Walker said about being in the Choir, "I love the sound around me when I'm singing. It's so beautiful!"

Mrs. Walker thought the choir did a great job this year, and that the guest artists that sang really added to it. "The concert is over now, but I was really excited because of the amazing guest artists we had!" she commented.

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is now preparing for a tour around the Midwestern states. They will travel to St. Louis, Missouri; Cincinnati, Ohio; Des Moines, Iowa; and a few others. With a schedule like this, there is never a dull moment in Mrs. Walker's life!

PE classes Snowshoe at SJHS

2009-01-12T14:52:00.004-07:00

Coach Parker helps a student get ready for snowshoeing.

The physical education classes at SJHS are introducing new ways to stay active. Boys in Mr. Michael Parker's PE classes learned how to snowshoe last week. One of the main purposes of physical education classes, according to the Utah State Core Curriculum, is that "Students begin to see the relationship between proper nutritional choices and physical activity for the maintenance of a lifelong healthy lifestyle." Coach Parker hopes that his students will be active for life, and explained that snowshoeing "adds variety and is fun!"

Church Bells Chime, School Bells Ring

2009-01-12T12:10:00.003-07:00

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Shurtz

McKenna Gleave
SJHS Staff Writer

Glittering white dresses, promises that last a lifetime, and happily ever after with prince charming. Every girl’s dream. On November 22 Natasha Gee upgraded her initials when she went through the Salt Lake City Temple and became Mrs. Shurtz.

At 24 years old, Natasha finds herself in a blissful state. A brilliant college graduate, a wonderful junior high math teacher, and adorably newly-wed.

Swapping stories of engagements and first encounters seems to be a favorite among past times of modern couples. Well, Natasha’s story is fairytale-worthy. The husband of her best friend Megan just so happened to be brothers with a man named Michael, who as fate would have it, turned out to be Natasha’s beau. Natasha married Michael, becoming officially related to her best friend, and the couple is now living happily ever after.

One amazing counseling secretary!

2009-01-08T12:09:00.004-07:00

Shelby Anderson
SJHS Staff Writer

If there is someone you needed to talk to or just someone to hang out with, Mrs. Joy Maughan will be at her desk waiting for you. Mrs. Maughan is the Springville Junior High counseling secretary. Mrs. Maughan has been at Springville Junior for seven years. “I love my job; it’s a great job to have,” she explained.

Mrs. Maughan is married and has five kids, and lives in Salem. Mrs. Maughan started with her job as a part time in elementary schools and really enjoyed it, so she wanted to work at Springville Junior.

Mrs. Maughan has the responsibilities of enrolling students, withdrawing students, report cards, and scheduling SEOP’s. As you can see, she has a lot of responsibilities. “Mrs. Maughan is the nicest person in the school,” Ms. Miley, an English teacher, said. “Mrs. Maughan is someone you can talk to easily, you can talk to her about anything and not have to worry about being judged,” stated ninth grade counselor Mr. Shaun Blakey.

“Mrs. Maughan is an amazingly kind, helpful, and patient person,” said Mrs. Monica Distefano the eighth grade counselor said. Mrs. Linton, the new seventh grade counselor, said “Since I am new here, Mrs. Maughan has been so helpful and patient with me as she teaches me how to use the computer programs and how everything works at SJHS.”

Whether it’s at home or at work, Mrs. Maughan is always 100% nice. Whether she’s having a bad day or not, she always shows that sense of fun, loving and caring person she is.

Scientist of the Month

2009-01-08T12:07:00.003-07:00

David Kindrick
SJHS Science Teacher

Batbileg (Max) Sunjidmaa is an outstanding student who considers himself someone who likes to explore and seek new thing to learn and enjoy. He has many hobbies and activities that he likes to do. But he’s mainly interested in architecture and engineering. He loves to design things like buildings and mechanical objects. His favorite subjects are science of course and math. But he really likes woodshop/technology as well. Max is a great student who really shows an excitement for learning. He loves a challenge, studies hard and always does his best. Max will go on to be great at whatever it is he wants to do. Thanks Max for being an awesome addition to the class and always showing an excitement for whatever we are doing.

New Semester: New Beginnings

2009-01-05T16:13:00.001-07:00

Kristi Hatch
SJHS Staff Writer

On Thursday, January 15, 2009, Springville Junior High School’s second term comes to an end. The next Tuesday, January 20, the third term begins. This brings about many changes. The students have some classes that they only take for half the year, and when the semester changes, students have to memorize a new schedule.

When students change classes, confusion can occur; they have to work hard to remember where they are going and when they need to be there. Even though each student only has about two or three elective classes, or classes they only have half the year, some schedules have to be rearranged. So even though they have the same classes, they are during different periods.

There are some pros and cons of changing schedules. Kathryn Crandall, who teaches sewing and food exploration, said that one of the pros of teaching half the year are being able to have two sets of students, but some cons are having to re-teach skills to the new students that the old set of students have already mastered.

Some teachers like getting new kids each semester. Jethro Gillespie, an art teacher, is one of them. “I like meeting new kids, getting to know them, and seeing which ones care about art. I like seeing what different students bring into their projects,” he explained.

Although many changes have to occur each semester, every student starts with a clean slate. No tardies, and they’re passing every class. It’s a new beginning, and they have another chance to make SJHS a place of learning and accomplishment.

Having fun in Sewing Class

2009-01-05T16:10:00.003-07:00

Mrs. Kathryn Crandall helps Cyle Montag with his guitar.

Shayla Tanner
SJHS Staff Writer

Have you ever had a hands-on class? Sewing is a class offered at Springville Junior High. Eighth and ninth graders can elect to take sewing. The ninth grade sewing class is called Clothing 1; which counts as a high school class, and the eighth grade class is called Clothing Exploration.

Each sewing class has different projects. Some of the ninth grade projects are making pajamas, and then the students get to choose their projects for the rest of semester. The only requirement is that they do a project with a zipper, and a sleeve. The ninth graders also have the chance to enter the Make it with wool contest. “Sewing class is a lot of fun and not really hard because Mrs. Crandall is really helpful,” Mckenzie Graham explained.

Eighth grade sewing classes make bags, pajama pants, a quilted pillow, and a stuffed animal of their choice. “There is always time to sew any project of their choice too,” Mrs. Kathryn Crandall, the sewing teacher explained.

Angel Lazenby works on her quilt blocks during sewing.

Teaching sewing isn’t the easiest class to teach. “When the students need help it’s hard to get around to all of them because there are so many of them and only one of me” Mrs. Crandall explained. Students write their name up on the board when they need help, and then Mrs. Crandall helps them according to the order their names are in.

“Sewing is SEW much fun. It is really fun to come in and have a ‘hands on’ class after focusing so much on thinking in other classes. It is just enjoyable to come in and work on your own project at your own pace. It is one class that it’s ok to talk during class as long as you’re working faster than you talk. I wish everyone would give it a try. This is not a ‘girl’ class. Some of our boys that have taken sewing have been winners in our region contest. Boys are great at hands-on classes like this one,” Mrs. Crandall explained.

Seminary: Spiritual Learning

2009-01-05T16:09:00.002-07:00

Brother Clegg, a seminary teacher at Springville Junior High

Carolyn Brown
SJHS Staff Writer

At Springville Junior High School we have seminary for the ninth grade freshmen. It is a class that goes all year and teaches students about the L.D.S. Church. The students learn from the “standard works” which are the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and the history of the church, the Old Testament, the New Testament. Students are encouraged to share, explain, and testify. “We try to get as much student involvement as possible,” said Brother McLay, one of the seminary teachers.

The purpose of seminary is “To help strengthen youth by inviting them to come unto Christ. I want to deepen their faith, testimony, and conversion in a way that they will never depart from it,” said Brother Clegg, another seminary teacher.

Seminary is a very popular subject, and the enrolment among L.D.S. students at SJHS is from 82-92%. Even though some people come unwillingly at the beginning they soon learn to love seminary. “After the first class I realized that I was going to love it, and I do,” said Eric Mageno, a ninth grader. Most of the time you don’t ever have to do homework, the only homework you do have is to read in the scriptures daily for ten minutes.

Even the eighth graders are excited to go to seminary. “I have heard many great things about it. I can’t wait!” said eighth grader Maddi Dayton. When I asked what the students thought they would learn, they said, “I think I’ll learn about lots of life’s lessons so I’ll be better prepared for the stress of a high school and college student,” said Kristi Hatch, an eighth grader.

Wood, table saws, and fun

2008-12-19T15:21:00.000-07:00

Mr. Rencher, Sarah Patrick, Derek Black making the tops of their boxes.

Tori Jones
SJHS Staff Writer

At SJHS, there’s a class taught by Mr. David Rencher, where students are allowed to use power tools and wood to make boxes or, if they’re in ninth grade, and took the class the previous year, anything they want. The class is woodworking.

Most students that take this class say they like woodworking because they get to learn to use power tools and make cool stuff. “I like the speed and accuracy of the machines, but I really like the creativity of hand tools. Power tools are loud and hand tools are usually quiet,” Mr. David Rencher, woodworking teacher, explained, “I started with power tool like my students, but the more I work with wood the more I like the feel and satisfaction I get from using hand tools.”

Most students say they love woodworking and would recommend that other students take the class next year. “Classes like woodworking and drafting in junior high and high school are where I found I had some talent, and I would like others to see that talent in themselves. One of my goals is to teach my students the satisfaction that comes from a job well done. In a class like woodworking, it is there for everyone to see,” Mr. Rencher stated.

Students' Grades Hit the Web

2008-12-15T15:23:00.006-07:00

The Student Information System allows parents and students to access grades and attendance at any time--just start at the district website.

Jacob Simmons
SJHS Staff Writer

The Student Information System (SIS) has helped students, parents, teachers, and administrators alike to know where students stand, and it has made it easier for teachers to enter scores and assignments. Nebo School District first started using this system in the fall of 2000.

SIS is a program that allows teachers to enter their students’ scores online. Now students can see their grades online, their missing assignments, their attendance, the whole shebang. “SIS can be very beneficial,” the Springville Junior High assistant principal Mr. Mark Bake said.

Students and parents were mailed a username and a password to access this program prior to the beginning of the school year. This is all that you need to access SIS, aside from a computer with internet access. If you have lost or simply forgotten your password or username, you are in luck! Mrs. Joy Maughan, the counseling office secretary, can access passwords and usernames for each and every student in the school, and would be very happy to help you get your information.

SIS makes things much easier for teachers as well. Gone are the days of the old grade books and roll sheets. Now teachers can enter all of this information straight into the computer. “It's definitely better than the way we used to do things. It has the potential to be very helpful, but it is a great challenge to keep it current,” Mr. Bake commented.

SIS has made things much easier, and is a great program, with the potential to become even better.

New Year’s Eve Traditions

2008-12-15T15:18:00.000-07:00

Whitney Norman
SJHS Staff Writer

New Year's Eve is one of the greatest times of the year. When everyone gets with their family, and either watches the news to wait until midnight, or just do family traditions and activities. Students at Springville Junior high explained that New Year’s Eve is a fun time to get together, and to just be with family and friends.

“We get together with our friends and stay up, and we dance to Mexican music. It’s just really fun!” Abi Santiago, an eighth grader at SJHS, explained, “Its very fun to see the New Year, and to spend the first day of the year with our favorite people.” Abi has a very special tradition that she does for New Year's. She and her family get 12 grapes, one for every month. Then they eat them all, and they make a wish after each one that they eat. They also like to drink apple to go with the grapes.

Eighth grader Shiri Stewart’s tradition on New Year’s is that her family gets to go over to her house, and they get to play games. One of her most favorite memories from New Year’s was when her uncle came down from Kansas to spend New Year’s Eve with her family.

“For our family traditions, friends and family comes over, and we do fireworks. It’s a lot of fun,” Trevor Bartholomew, another eighth grader, explained what his traditions were. “Once, my brother bought a whole bunch of fireworks, and when we lit it, it flew back into my house!”

SJHS Choir Concert a big success

2008-12-15T15:17:00.000-07:00

M. Dayton
SJHS Staff Writer

On December 3, 2008 Springville Junior High School’s choirs took the stage with grand articulation. SJHS has three choirs, the seventh grade Apprentice Singers, the eighth and ninth grade Knightingales, Ladies Chorus, and the ninth grade Master Singers. Each choir had 15 to 20 minutes to showcase what the had been working all semester long. “I was astounded by the sound of the three choirs,” Kristi Hatch, an eight grade student, said. Many others share her same view. “The songs were so pretty,” Brooke Caswell, another SJHS student, reported. Over all, people are seeing the night as a big success.

“I was really proud of my choir [the Knightingales] and all the other choirs,” Maddie Patten reports. There was an array of songs ranging from classic carols to unheard melodies. Many family members and friends were thrilled with the program. “I loved the whole thing, especially seeing my sister and all her friends sing the songs,” said Camden Dayton.

The night was a success in large part because of SJHS’s choir teacher, Mrs. Leslie Walker. “Mrs. Walker always does an amazing job with the kids. She makes them work hard and it shows,” said Jill Dayton, parent of a SJHS student. Many parents, teachers, and students all agree that they are very lucky to have such a wonderful lady directing the choirs.

It was a great night that the performers and on lookers all enjoyed. “Mrs. Walker and all the chorus students should be commended for an excellent performance!” Arynn Patten, parent of a SJHS student, happily reflects. “Over all, it was a great performance and I’m looking forward to the next concert,” Camden Dayton readily commented. Camden is not the only one. Many parents, students, friends, and teachers also await the next performance in January. But more than anyone, the performers are looking forward to the next concert so once again they can enhance the lives of others through the gift of music.

SJHS Is Going Green—and Wants YOU!

2008-12-15T15:16:00.001-07:00

Kristi Hatch
SJHS Staff Writer

At Springville Junior High School, Mr. David Kindrick’s eighth grade science students are “going green.” For a classroom assignment in the month of November, Mr. Kindrick presented the idea to design T-shirts that promote being environmentally friendly. The assignment started out as just a design on a piece of paper, but it quickly grew throughout the day. The students wanted to actually make the T-shirts and give them out throughout the school. Their first idea was to have every student bring three or four dollars to Mr. Kindrick to pay for their shirts, but it grew to find sponsors to support the cause.

A couple of weeks ago, Mr. Kindrick gave the assignment to design a logo that could be put on a T-shirt. The students reacted very positively, so Mr. Kindrick presented the option of actually getting the best logo put on a T-shirt. “I just thought a T-shirt would be a great way to get the going green idea out there. Plus using my contacts, I knew it would be possible to do for a low price,” Mr. Kindrick explains.

Students think that it’s a great idea and that it will promote being environmentally friendly. “Everybody will have a T-shirt and they’ll think it’s cool to go green,” said Hannah Packard, one of Mr. Kindrick’s eighth grade students. Holly Sumsion, also an eighth grader in Mr. Kindrick’s class, agrees with her. “People will be interested in it and be more aware.”

Mr. Kindrick did this assignment for the first time this year. “During the section on the environment I noticed that a lot of students didn’t even know what the recycling symbol looked like, and I realized it was because we don’t recycle much here in Utah and they never see it,” Mr. Kindrick said.

SJHS is going green already. “We recycle papers, and we’ll use milk cartons for projects,” said Samantha Child, a seventh grader at SJHS.

Students at SJHS think it’s a good idea to “go green.” “[The students] need to do it, and they are trying,” said Zach Hansen, a seventh grader at SJHS. McKenzie Prothero likes the idea of going green. “I think it’s good because [students] want to recycle,” she explained.

If you would like to sponsor this assignment, you can do so by going to www.nebo.edu. Click on “Departments” and go down to “Nebo Foundation.” When you click on “How to donate,” it will tell you how. Donate under Mr. David Kindrick’s name from Springville Junior High and help SJHS go green!

English as a Second Language at SJHS

2008-12-15T15:15:00.000-07:00

Brooke Caswell
SJHS Staff Writer

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to speak English as a second language? It is difficult to communicate with the teachers and learn the information presented in class for those students who speak other languages. This year Ms. Josie Jarvis, Mrs. Lise Carpenter and Mr. Trent Mikesell, teachers at Springville Junior High, are taking Teaching English as a Second Language classes at Riverview Elementary School.

The teachers learn a lot of great information at these classes. “We basically are learning how to be better teachers to our ESL students. We are learning how to incorporate language activities into our lessons, so that our students can learn and not have to worry about a language barrier,” Ms. Jarvis, Springville Junior High computer teacher, said.

The teachers who are taking these classes really enjoy taking them. “They are very educational and very meaningful. It is a great opportunity to make myself a better teacher for my ESL students,” Ms. Jarvis explained.

These teachers have worked hard to improve their teaching ability. Great job and keep the good work!

SJHS Brings the Christmas Spirit to the Christmas Dance

2008-12-15T15:14:00.000-07:00

Brooke Caswell
SJHS Staff Writer

Guess what students of SJHS? It’s that time again! It is time for the Christmas dance! The dance will be at Springville Junior High on Thursday, December 18th from 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm. For this dance and the Valentines dance it is best dress. It will cost three dollars with your ID card and four dollars without your card.

The Christmas dance is decorated to be sparkling and stunning. “I like the dance because everyone was pretty with their dresses on,” Taylor Earnshaw, SJHS student, said. “I like how the dance is best dress, except it stinks in heels but other than that it’s fun being in dresses,” Taylor explained. By dressing up the dances are very elegant and fun. “Dressing up makes the Christmas dance a little more special,” said Maddie Patten an eighth grade student at SJHS.

“Everyone should go to the dances because they are a blast and everyone has a good time,” said Sarah Fawson, another eighth grader. The Christmas dance is going to be a lot of fun this year so come and attended it.

Seventh Grade English with Mr. Robbins

2008-12-15T15:07:00.000-07:00

Mr. Robbins and his students participate in a class discussion.

Carolyn Brown
SJHS Staff Writer

Here we have taken an inside look into Steven Robbins's seventh grade English class at Springville Junior High School. The class is two periods long, so Mr. Robbins splits things up. In the first period they do things that concern reading. The students read for a while and then Mr. Robbins reads to them. Right now Mr. Robbins is reading the novel Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain. Soon they will have turned in their fist book report, and the next one is coming up soon. They will then have five more to do.

The second part of the class is writing and literature. The students have journals where they keep a record of the things that happen to them in seventh grade. For literature, the students have to do spelling lists through the week. The students have to do a worksheet called “4 and 1's.” Students look up a set of twenty words in the dictionary and find the words’ definition and etymology. They will also be writing autobiographies by doing papers throughout the year.

Mr. Robbins has very few rules. “Be quiet, be prepared, be productive, be honest, and show respect. Those are my only rules and they are very easy to follow,” explained Mr. Robbins. “They are very important and they help to keep the class in order.” Being quiet helps the students so that they can focus on their work and get the most out of it. To be prepared you must have a book, pencil, and paper. Being productive helps the students so they don’t have to have homework. Being honest speaks for itself, and showing respect helps the student work well together.

SJHS Movie Night--Girls Basketball Fundraiser

2008-12-08T15:42:00.001-07:00

The 9th grade girls basketball team will host a fundraiser movie night this Saturday, December 13th. Kung Fu Panda will start at 6:00 p.m., followed by Elf at 7:45 p.m. The cost is $3 per person, and the movies will be shown in the auditorium of the junior high school. Concessions will be sold. Families are welcome to come!

The movies are both rated PG, and since it is a school sponsored event, students must have parent permission to watch the movies. So send your student with a signed permission slip. Permission slips will be given out in each second period class, and will also be available at the door. The girls basketball team is looking forward to a fun night!

The Power to Fly

2008-12-08T15:25:00.002-07:00

McKenna Gleave
SJHS Staff Writer

Have you ever wondered what it’d be like to flip through air on your own power and momentum? To have to ability to push yourself to do the incredible? John Anderson has studied and trained, tried and succeeded, determined and accomplished. He’s become master in his skill, and gymnastics is the name of the game.

Similar to many of histories great musical prodigies, John Anderson discovered his calling at a young age. “When I was five or six, I did crazy stuff on the trampoline, so my parents put me in gymnastics so I wouldn’t kill myself,” John said.

After all the hard work he’s put in, John Anderson definitely deserves what he is able to achieve. He’s been practicing for seven and a half years, four hours a day, five days a week, testing himself in six extreme areas. Pommel horse, rings, vault, parallel bars, high bars, and flour tumbling.

John’s accomplishments are astounding. He’s a three-time state champion on floor; he’s placed first at level seven two years in a row, and first last year at level nine. He qualified and competed in nationals where he then made finals on parallel bars. Unfortunately John was unable to compete due to problems with airline tickets. His future is unlimited. Possibilities, endless. The world will never forget the August Bejing Olympics where Michael Phelps earned his place in history. Who knows, John Anderson could be next in line.

SJHS Band Concerts on Dec. 11

2008-12-08T15:24:00.001-07:00

Zachary Nemelka
SJHS Staff Writer

On December 11th the Springville Junior High Band will be having three concerts--one for each grade's band. The bands will play in the SJHS auditorium. The seventh grade concert will start at 6:00 p.m. The eighth grade band will begin at 7:00, and the final performance will be the ninth grade at 8:00. The band will play six pieces of music, which will all be different types of music.

The music the band will be play is holiday music, traditional band music, cultural music, an African folk song, music from movies and classic rock music. The pieces will be played with ten different types of instruments: flutes, clarinets, oboes, saxophones, French horns, trumpets, trombones, baritones, tubas, and all kinds of percussion instruments. Please and support the SJHS band classes by going to the concerts.

It is important for the performers to have fun while playing in the concerts or else they might make more mistakes then usual. “We practice for two class periods during school, and then we perform for our parents that night. I like seeing my parents proud of me,” Michael Martinez a 9th grade band student, commented. He is never nervous during the concerts he is always calm because he is with his friends

Students learn woodworking in SJHS intro to manufacturing class

2008-12-08T15:18:00.001-07:00

Mr. Rencher watches Dustin Brinton carefully as he uses the table saw.

Shelby Anderson
SJHS Staff Writer

Some may say fun, but others may say scary. Why scary? High-powered machines, hands-on working, this class is taught by Mr. David Rencher. This year will be Mr. Rencher's 17th year at Springville Junior High. Mr. Rencher teaches three different classes: Introduction to Manufacturing (Woodworking) and CTE Introduction (TLC), and Exploring Technology.

The Intro to Manufacturing class is for hands-on working. The first thing students in the classes make is a small wooden chest. “The students that take the class again get to come up with their own project and plans,” Mr. Rencher explained. Before the students even get to work with the high-powered machines they have to take the safety test and the general safety test. Each student must get 100% to even begin working on their chest or working with any high-powered machine.

You may think that the high-powered machines scare away the girls. Even though there are more boys that take the class, there are still some girls that take it. Some girls think it would be fun, and it gives them a chance to meet boys. “There are not very many girls that take the class. I would like to see more take it. The girls that do take it do a very good job,” Mr. Rencher said. One of Mr. Rencher's hobbies is woodworking. “If I had to pick a class that I like the most, it would probably be woodworking because it’s one of my hobbies,” Mr. Rencher stated.

Hands-on working, learning to work with tools, and learning to build things out of wood. Why is it so scary? Maybe if your student takes it, they might like it so much that I becomes one of their hobbies too!

Jazz Band to Swings into Action!

2008-12-08T15:15:00.000-07:00

Matthew Fitzgerald
SJHS Staff Writer

Jazz band, two words most of us love to hear. So full of solos, drum beats, and jazzy piano riffs all in one to create a fun piece of music. After Christmas break, Mr. David Booth will swing his SJHS jazz band into action.

“Jazz band is an after school performing group made up of ninth grade band students,” Mr. Booth explained. The group plays jazz of course, but they also play other genres including Latin, rock, and funk. About twenty ninth grade students fill the instrument positions of trumpets, trombones, saxophones, bass, piano and drums. (Only one student apiece may play bass, piano and the drums.)

Jazz band will begin to play their melodious tunes after Christmas break. They will continue until their concert in the spring. “The concert is always held sometime in April or May,” Mr. Booth said.

Thoroughly Modern Millie

2008-12-08T15:13:00.001-07:00

Ethel Peas, played by Genevieve Belknap

Whitney Norman
SJHS Staff Writer

Springville High School has brought great amusement to their school. Thoroughly Modern Millie was a huge hit that everyone loved. The play was based on a country girl who moves to the city to get a life and a job. She bumps into a small number of people, and later on, they become her friends.

“It was great! I loved all of the actors, and I thought that they all did very well,” Eric Mageno, one of the viewers of the play, said. “It was really worth the money.” On a scale one through ten, he rated it an absolute ten.

Viewers loved the play, but what about the cast and crew? Genevieve Belknap played Ethel Peas in the play. “It was a lot of fun, but it took up lots of time,” she explained. She said that it was so excellent that she couldn’t find anything wrong with it, and wouldn’t change anything. On a scale one through ten, she rated it a definite ten.

At Springville Junior High school, Mrs. Gleave was one of the choreographers for the high school play. “It was fun. You get to blend ideas. I only choreographed dances for the China men and Sweet Mystery of Life,” Mrs. Gleave explained. “It was a blast! The students were excited to go to rehearsal, and create something for their friends to go see.” Mrs. Gleave couldn’t find anything to change about the play, because the students helped to choreograph the dances, and worked very hard to make it happen. Mrs. Gleave also rates this play a ten. Thoroughly Modern Millie was one of her favorites.

So, there you have it. The SHS school play was a huge success, and filled with fun entertainment, Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Photography Books for Brookside

2008-12-08T15:10:00.001-07:00

Ethan Trunnell
SJHS Staff Writer

On Thursday, November 20th, Mr. Jethro Gillespie’s 6th and 7th period photography classes went to Brookside Elementary to talk to the kids they would be creating books for. Groups of three students will work together to create a children’s book for a Brookside student.

The photography students will use a program called Gimp 2. Each photo album is four inches wide, and six inches long. The albums contain 36 pages, and were fairly cheap in cost.

The books will be centered on the student’s level in reading, learning discerning shapes, etc. Many books are alphabets with a picture and name for each letter of the alphabet. Some are full of shapes colors and letters. Mr. Gillespie’s photo students' creative ability has been greatly challenged.

The books should take several weeks to complete and must be 20 pages minimum. The project is worth a whopping 200 points on the students' grades. However, Mr. Gillespie hopes that it will be more than just another assignment. “I think it helps my photo students to be motivated to come up with a tangible product for a real, cute, little kindergartner,” he explained.

As for publishing cost and technicalities, the books will be printed at Costco for about five dollars each. The books will be paid for with the photography budget. A ten dollar fee that the students paid at the beginning of the year created this budget.

This project is sure to be a great success, and the students at Brookside will appreciate their books for a long time into the future.

Game Show Fun

2008-12-08T15:07:00.000-07:00

Carolyn Brown
SJHS Staff Writer

In October the Springville Junior High School sold cookie dough as a fundraiser. The reward for selling four tubs of cookie dough was the opportunity to participate in an ultimate game show! The game show was a way to reward students with something that everyone wants, MONEY!! The game shows took place in the auditorium. “I am always changing the reward 'show' to keep the things different and mix it up,” Alan Anderson, the game show host and representative of the Great American Fundraiser Company, said “and I thought that it would be cool to give away cash prizes."

The students loved it. At the beginning of the year the school had a assembly that introduced the fundraiser. When the students learned that they would be getting money during the game show, everyone yelled and screamed. “It was really exciting to go and win money,” said one student that went to the game show, “it was also really easy. All you had to do was sell four tubs of cookie dough.”

There was a lot of work that went into the game show though; the schools had to provide all the money for the game show, and the Great American Fundraising Company had to provide the actual game show. SJHS provided six hundred dollars and gave it all away. There are about 30 other schools through out the Box Elder and Utah counties that participated in the game show.

Chinese 101 at SJHS

2008-12-01T16:17:00.003-07:00

Maddi Dayton
SJHS Staff Writer

There is no better way to start the school day than in what is no doubt the most unique class at SJHS, Chinese. This class may be hard, but learning to speak another language is a fun, satisfying and a great life skill. “I think that studying a new language is very mind-expanding thing to do,” explains Mrs. Debra Wells, the Chinese teacher. Most students in that class agree.

Many students in the class find it challenging and fun. Ninth grader Illiana Monico says she likes to do hard things that make her think. That’s why she and many others chose to take this class.
Many people, like Kevin Dayton, parent of a SJHS student, as well as future SJHS students, feel that Chinese is the language of the future and says it would be wise for young adults to study this language, in order to position themselves for a competitive place in the new world market. As China branches out and opens businesses throughout the world, foreign trade increases the need for people who speak Chinese will also increase.

Preparing kids for future is one thing that SJHS does well. Whether it is teaching kids reading, writing, and arithmetic, or giving kids a life skill such as the ability to speak a foreign language, SJHS is on the cutting edge. The world gets smaller every day as technology connects us with each other. Students in Mrs. Debra Wells’s Chinese class will be prepared for the future.

WARNING – no snowball throwing!

2008-12-01T16:17:00.001-07:00

Matthew Fitzgerald
SJHS Staff Writer

We all know the one rule that is the most tempting to break - the snowball policy. At Springville Junior High you can’t throw any snowballs, at any time. That includes everyone, teachers and students alike.

“We feel throwing snowballs is unsafe and should not be done,” Mr. David Knudsen, assistant principal, stated. SJHS has had some injuries in the past. “We have adult supervisors, including administrators, actively watching students anytime there is a large group on the school grounds. Assistant Principal Mark Bake said. “We also have cameras recording activities on a constant basis.”

For throwing a snowball, you could be punished by suspension, fines levied by judges, and criminal prosecution in a court of law. Mr. Knudsen said that there could also be personal injury lawsuits, medical bills to pay, and monetary judgments issued. “Always think this: 'What's the worst thing that can happen if I throw this snowball?' Picture that worst possible outcome, and we might think twice about throwing a snowball,” Mr. Bake advised.

Chivalry in Action at SJHS

2008-12-01T16:16:00.000-07:00

Kristi Hatch
SJHS Staff Writer

At Springville Junior High School, students are achieving excellence by being effective communicators, responsible citizens, and successful learners. These qualities are in SJHS’s motto. SJHS teachers give out slips of paper called “Chivalry in Action” awards. They award students with these papers when the students achieve something academically or things that you don’t normally learn in school.

Teachers give Chivalry in Action awards out to students when they are doing something without being asked. “When someone cleans up or helps someone else on an assignment without being asked, this can be a motivation for some students to be more helpful or chivalrous,” explained Elizabeth Bass, an English teacher at Springville Junior.

SJHS has Chivalry in Action awards to award students for good behavior. It helps students feel good when they do something right, so they will want to do it again. Mr. David Knudsen, a vice principal at SJHS, explained that the Chivalry in Action awards have been around for five years. “The Chivalry in Action notes were thought up by a coalition of teachers and Brigham Young University professors that were studying the positive impact of teaching social skills in school,” he continued.

The students like the positive effects of the Chivalry in Action awards as well. “It helps you to be motivated and you can have something to look forward to if you do something good,” said Carolyn Brown, an eighth grader at SJHS. Millie Brady, a ninth grader, explained that it’s a good way to enforce rules because kids get awarded for their positive actions.

All in all, the Chivalry in Action awards have improved SJHS a lot throughout the years. It helps motivate students to do good actions and have academic progress. The students at SJHS are moving forward and making the future of America bright.

SJHS Sings for the Christmas Season

2008-11-22T16:37:00.002-07:00

Sarah Fawson
SJHS Staff Writer

Here at SJHS there has been some beautiful music coming from Mrs. Leslie Walker’s choir room. The junior high choir concert will be on December 3rd at 7:30 p.m. in the SJHS auditorium, and Mrs. Walker and the choir students hope to see you all there.

This Christmas, the the ladies choir, known as the Knightingales, are going to sing many different songs. Two of the songs are Christmas carols from Puerto Rico: "At the Hour of Midnight" and "Los Reyes del Oriente." They will also sing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "Lullay Alleuia," and "Up, Up, Up in the Sleigh."

The advanced choir, known as the Master Singers, will sing "Only a Baby Came," "Stille Nacht" (Silent Night in German), "Masters in this Hall," and "Fruitcake." They will dance and sing "Happy Holiday." Both the Knightingales and Master Singers have been working on these songs since August and are very excited for the performance.

The Knightingales and Master Singers will also be going to the elementary schools in the area. The schools they will visit are Art City, Sage Creek, Brookside, and Cherry Creek. The junior high students are very excited to go and sing to the elementary students. The elementary students have loved to hear our choir in past years, and this year won’t be any different.

Welcome to Springville Junior High, Mrs. Linton!

2008-11-21T16:52:00.004-07:00

Mrs. Monica Linton, new counselor at SJHS

Whitney Norman
SJHS Staff Writer

Springville Junior High has a new counselor this year. Mrs. Monica Linton lives in a small town called Mona (close to Payson) and comes to SJHS to be a 7th grade counselor. She moved to Mona because of her husband. He loves Mona, and she does too. Mrs. Linton grew up in the small town Kanesville, UT, and was a proud Weber High Warrior!

Since she moved around so much during the time she was in college, she ended up going to four different colleges, (Weber State University, Mt. San Antonio College, Cal State Fullerton, and Cal State Stanislaus), to get her four year degree. Thirteen years later, she got her Master’s at Utah State University.

She has taught math at elementary level, kindergarten through 6th grade. One of her most favorite classes that she was able to teach was a 7th grade class called The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens. Aside from her counseling job here at SJHS, she also used to help an after school program for disabled youth, teaching them how to swim.

Since she has come to SJHS, she has been very pleased. “I have been so impressed with how the students and faculty at SJHS really care about and watch out for each other. I love the atmosphere at this school and the people I've been able to associate with,” Mrs. Linton enthused.

She likes being a counselor because she gets to know the students. “There are so many people with individual personalities, strengths, and abilities. I can always see something I really appreciate and admire in each one.”

Welcome to Springville Junior High, Mrs. Monica Linton!

Thanksgiving Traditions among Springville Citizens

2008-11-21T16:48:00.000-07:00

Jaqueline Fry
SJHS Staff Writer

Springville Citizens always celebrate Thanksgiving traditions because they love them. On Thanksgiving, they eat turkey, say what they’re grateful for, participate in a soup kitchen and many other traditions as well.

Family traditions are very common and important among families in Springville. “When we eat, we talk about what’s going on in our lives and some of the things we are grateful for,” says SJHS teacher, Elizabeth Bass. “Thanksgiving and spending time with those you love is really important, and you should always treat every day like Thanksgiving and think about what you’re thankful for. It makes you in a better attitude and have a happier life,” says Nicole James, a SJHS student.

Many people and families also enjoy going to soup kitchens, and other acts of service. “One of my traditions is sending a box of food to the soup kitchen and feeling thankfulness in the air,” says SJHS faculty member, Joye Wimmer.

Some of the common traditions are having a feast with turkey, and watching football on TV, and so is telling everyone what you are grateful for. “My wife hangs up a ‘what-we’re-grateful-for’ poster, and everyone that passes by can write on it the things for which they are thankful,” said Assistant Principal Mark Bake.

“On Thanksgiving, I find myself reflecting on all the blessings that I have in my life. For example, that we have food to eat and a warm home to live in, a healthy family and being close to them,” said Toneta Holmes, faculty member at SJHS. “It’s great to be able to celebrate with friends and family,” said Maddy Fry, SJHS student. Whatever your traditions are, make sure that you spend time with those you love and remember what you are grateful for this Thanksgiving!

Twilight Fans Rejoice!

2008-11-21T16:46:00.001-07:00

Abi Santiago
SJHS Staff Writer

The Twilight series by Stephanie Meyers has been made famous by millions of teens and romance fans. The entire series has sold over seventeen million copies worldwide. Over 1.3 million copies of Breaking Dawn sold in the US in one day. It’s also the #1 New York Times Bestselling Series. “I think it’s amazing that she is able to sell all these books that are so popular!” Perla Lagunes said.

Twilight is a book about a vampire named Edward Cullen that is in love with a regular teenager named Bella Swan. She has another friend whose name is Jacob Black and he too is in love with her. She becomes the target of three bad vampires, and Edward and his family have to protect her. “It’s so intense; it’s just a fast read,” Camille Sumsion said.

The movie “Twilight” came out on November 21, 2008. The famous actress Kristen Stewart plays the part of Bella. She was also in a horror film called “The Messengers.” The part of Edward is being played by Robert Pattinson who was in the movie “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.” “I want to go see it because I want to see if my visualizing relates to the movie,” Whitney Norman said.

But not everyone is exited for the movie. “There’s too much romance, and it’s boring and drives me crazy!” Abram Blanco said. Everyone is talking about the movie, good or bad, and it's today’s hot gossip.

Astronauts Blast Off in the Form of Eggs

2008-11-21T16:40:00.006-07:00

Mrs. Kelli Mawaring and her 8th period Science Enrichment Class

Jacob Simmons
SJHS Writer

On November 7th at Springville Junior High School, Kelli Manwaring’s science enrichment class held an astronaut drop.

Mrs. Manwaring gave her students a simple plot not to long ago saying, “You are a NASA engineer. You and your team of engineers must solve the following problem: How can you return your astronaut (egg) safely to the Earth after his trip to space (the roof)?” The students “space ships” could be no larger than 1’ x 1’ x 1’, and they could use whatever trinkets and gadgets they had at their disposal to make their astronaut survive.

In her 7th period class, Mrs. Manwaring reported that 9 of 14 eggs survived, and that in her 8th period class, 10 of 12 survived, totaling up to 19 of 26 eggs surviving, or 73%. “It was funny to watch. Some of the creations just plopped to the ground,” Nathan Leatham, a 7th grader at SJHS, commented.

Seventh graders Gregg Davis and Jackson Averett show off their successful "Space Shuttle."

The purpose of the Egg drop was to finish up their units on the solar system, space, and its affects on the human body. Now the classes are discussing the process of reentry. “We discussed how NASA engineers have to design every detail of their ships because if anything goes wrong, the ship will disintegrate or burn up on re-entry,” Mrs. Manwaring said.

“We hope we can do it again very soon,” said Megan Negus and Madisen Joyner. Unfortunately, the students will not be holding another egg drop, but will be doing some other fun experiments in the future.

In-Class Elections

2008-11-21T16:39:00.000-07:00

Darryl Barnes
SJHS Staff Writer

On Election Day, Tuesday November 4th, most history classes at the junior high had the opportunity to vote and the candidate they felt was most qualified to be president of the United States.

On Election Day Some of the history teachers decided to hold an in-class election where the students decided on the next president of the United States. The students each cast their vote and decided who they wanted to win.

In most of the classes, it was by popular vote. But not in Mr. Shields class. In his class they did it by the Electoral College vote. Each student was given a piece of paper with a state on it. They would write the candidate they were rooting for, and left the paper with the teacher. Mr. Shields then read each states vote, and using his computer, clicked on the appropriate state, and it would automatically count that states vote.

In all but one of Mr. Shield’s 8th grade classes, John McCain and won. In the other class, it was a close race between John McCain and Barack Obama. In Mr. Bentley’s 9th grade class, the election was by popular vote and went as follows: John McCain received 135 votes,and Barack Obama received 80. Of Mr. Hansen’s 9th grade classes, only 1st and 3rd period had Obama elected.

For the most part, the history teachers say that the students enjoyed the elections. Of course there are always a few students who don’t really care, can’t decide, or are just messing around. In that case, the results aren’t completely solid. But the students had a good time and learned a bit more on how our government functions.

The teachers all agree that the majority of the students followed their parents’ example, and voted for the same candidate. That means that students look up to their parents a lot. Sometimes more than they like to let on.

The elections also led to great discussion and debate. In many classes, the teachers had to quiet down a few of the discussions that had a messy potential. The teachers agree that the students showed a lot of enthusiasm on the subject.

The mock elections were a big hit with the students, and the history teachers didn’t expect Democrats to win in a Republican state. Overall, students have a new understanding on the subject of election.

“Wow!” - Reflections

2008-11-21T16:35:00.000-07:00

Carolyn Brown
SJHS Staff Writer

“Wow!” is this year's Reflections theme. “Reflections” is a national contest of art, where students from kindergarten through twelfth grade can choose a medium and create a work of art. The media are literature, musical composition, photography, visual arts, choreography, film/video, theater, and three dimensional art. The PTA have the contest so that students have more opportunities to have fun doing art and have it recognized. The contest begins at a local level in October, then goes to a regional contest in December and January, and finally goes to the state contest in March.

The rules to the contest are very simple; students are put into four separate groups. The primary group is for kindergarten through second grade. The intermediate group is for third grade through fifth grade. The junior/middle group is for sixth grade through eighth grade. The senior group is ninth grade through twelfth grade.

The general rules are pretty basic, students must submit their entries only through a PTA or PTSA in good standing, all of the entries have to be the original works, students have to do it solo, no groups, and students should do their best.

New VP Completes SJHS Admin Trio at SJHS

2008-11-21T16:33:00.001-07:00

Mr. Mark Bake, Assistant Principal

Ethan Trunnell
SJHS Staff Writer

SJHS just got a new administrator and professional teacher of teachers in… Mark Bake. He was invited to work with Darrel Rolfe and David Knudsen and jumped at the chance to work with experienced and the seasoned administrators and faculty. Working with all of the students and members of the faculty presented a great opportunity for him. He took the job.

Mr. Bake watches over students in the school with the last names A-K. He helps these people with counseling and other questions they have. Another part of his job though is to help the teachers improve their craft through collaboration. Every Wednesday the admin team (of which he is part) directs the teachers’ collaboration meetings. This is where the teachers meet and figure out good ways for the students to be taught, quizzed, and tested.

The biggest part of his job though is to help the students learn. He takes care of and helps to remove any behavior problems that get in the way of students learning.

Every teacher is a person too. They have lives away from school and every day they go home. Well, Mr. Bake has been going home to his wife, Rhonda Bake, for thirty-three years and counting. They have five children, three of which are married. They also have nine grandchildren, and five of them live in Springville. All five of Mr. Bake's children attended and graduated from Springville schools.

“Hobbies,” Mr. Bake says, “are a break from my daily demands.” Things like ATV’s, hiking, and carving take up much of Mr. Bakes’ free time. When he wants a quiet relaxing change, he’ll pick up a book and get settled. Or perhaps he'll find a soft reclining chair and a remote for some enjoyable sports TV on ESPN or Fox Sports Network.

We appreciate Mr. Bake and his efforts to make our school a better place, and we welcome him to our school with open arms. Welcome to our school Mr. Bake.

Make it with Wool Contest Tonight at SJHS

2008-11-20T15:52:00.001-07:00

Brooke Caswell
SJHS Staff Writer

As leaves fall, the season brings new challenges. It’s time for the Make It with Wool contest! Springville and Mapleton Junior High students are putting on a fashion show on November 20th at 7:00 pm. It’s free and open to the public in Springville Junior High’s auditorium.

Make it with Wool is a contest where students from Mapleton and Springville Junior Highs have the option to make an outfit out of wool and compete for a prize. “On our level, the students will win various prizes. They all win wool fabric from Pendleton Woolen Mills and the top winners win various prizes from fabric stores. On the state level, they can win a sewing machine if they are the top person,” Mrs. Kathryn Crandall, clothing teacher, said.

There are nine students from Springville Junior High participating in the contest; eight girls and one boy. They have been working on their outfits since the beginning of September and have put in many hours, and their outfits are sure to be amazing.

“It is not required and can’t be required. Those who wanted to put forth the extra effort have been doing it. Beginning students can’t do it until next year,” Mrs. Crandall explained. The students have been working extra hard and want people to come to the show. They hope to see you all there.

Art Teacher Received Grant for Document Camera

2008-11-20T15:51:00.001-07:00

Reese Brunson, foundation board member; Kristina Christensen, foundation board member; Jethro Gillespie, art teacher; Lana Hiskey, foundation executive director, and Ken Money, foundation board member

Alondra Lopez
SJHS Staff Writer

Mr. Jethro Gillespie, SJHS art teacher, recently received a grant for the Nebo Foundation for a document camera. This document camera helps him to show his classes demonstrations using authentic materials, “if I try to show students how to shade with charcoal, I can now show everyone in the class.”

Mr. Gillespie explained that with the camera he can show the students how to do the different techniques on the big screen on the front of the class. Not all teachers have a document camera right know, but Mr. Gillespie hopes that soon all teachers will have them in their classrooms.

Mr. Gillespie is happy to have the projector in his class because has been very beneficial to his class.

Admirable Bilingual Teacher at SJHS!

2008-11-20T15:50:00.000-07:00

Shayla Tanner
SJHS Staff Writer

Springville Junior High’s outstanding teacher, Mary Rice, was awarded bilingual teacher of the year by Utah Association for Bilingual Education (UABE) on Friday, September 27. She has been teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) for six years in public schools. ESL is a class for students who are learning English as a second language.

Mary Rice was inspired to be a teacher for ESL for many reasons, “There are many roads that led to teaching and they all converged,” she explained. She had a lot of experiences with teachers who were really good to her. One of her teachers paid for her to participate in a law competition that she won. So she always thought of teachers as people who care about kids.

When she was in high school, she heard about a kid named Stefano from Italy who was in trouble in the counselor’s office, where she was a student aid. They were considering kicking him out because they thought he was becoming defiant. Afterwards she went to find him and talk to him about English. She found him some books that he liked in English and Italian that he could read, and she helped him with his homework and sat by him in class.

“Teaching is a one-way charitable relationship from teacher to student; you have to care about people that don’t have to care about you, you have to do things that you don’t think you should have to do,” Mary Rice said. She says that especially the ESL students are going to give back even though they owe you nothing. “They are going to want you to be there at important moments in their lives; when they get married, when they get jobs, when they advance in their religious training; they are going to serve you an extra ice cream when you go to Hogi Yogi where they are working their first job and always keep your water glass full at IHOP; they will write you kind notes and draw you pictures and sing you songs and offer to scoop the snow out of your driveway in the winter,” Mary Rice quoted.

She loves meeting families and visiting students and being recognized at the store or being asked to do important work like judging skate boarding competitions. She feels honored to have taught so many high quality people.

When her students found out that she was awarded teacher of the year by UABE, her students wanted to come to the dinner to honor her in Salt Lake. She was really touched when one of her students introduced her and he told the crowd that she was a person who could have done anything, but she choose to teach.

Springville Junior High School: History

2008-11-20T15:49:00.003-07:00

Springville Junior High School

Whitney Norman
SJHS Staff Writer

How would you describe the Springville Junior High School? Just an old school or… is it a building filled with history and facts? Springville Junior High school is definitely worth something. It has history, and great stories from the past, and more for the future. SJHS was built in 1957, and its first principal was L. Lynn Hanks. Principal Darrel Rolfe is the tenth principal at Springville Junior.

Springville Junior High School has also had some ‘fame’ in its halls. Back in the early 1980’s, Clayton Brough, (a meteorologist ABC 4 News) used to teach science at SJHS. “He did some crazy things!” Mrs. Anderson said. Mrs. Anderson is a girls P.E. teacher at Springville Junior High, and she has been working here for 25 years. She has had a lot of great memories about SJHS and her teaching years.

“I have enjoyed wrestling some of the kids,” Mr. Hansen, another teacher at Springville Junior High, shared some of his prized memories. “I loved just messing around with the students, and when they think they can beat me, they don’t,” Mr. Hansen explained. The SJHS building has a lot of history inside of it. Some students may think that we have to tear down this school and get a new one. But others do not think so.

“I love the building. I know it’s old, but I think it has a lot of character!” Mrs. Anderson said. “Some parts remodeled, yes! This is a great building. I just think it needs to be updated.” Mrs. Anderson also stated something very inspirational. “I also think we could have two junior highs in Springville. This could be a smaller one, and it should have a smaller and limited enrollment.”

“The important thing is not the school itself, but the people. It’s the memories that keep the school,” Mr. Hansen stated his wise opinion.

So, what do you say? An old school that has been here since 1957, or a school filled with history and adventure?

Can you speak in two or more languages?

2008-11-20T15:49:00.002-07:00

Matthew Fitzgerald
SJHS Staff Writer

How often do you see a teacher working with bilingual or multicultural children? Not too often, which is why Mrs. Mary Rice, a teacher at Springville Junior High School won the Bilingual Educator of the Year award. Awarded on September 27, 2008 and announced by her own student, Delon Lier at a dinner in Salt Lake City is something worthy to be proud of.

The Bilingual Educator of the Year award is given by the Utah Association of Bilingual Educators for teachers who demonstrate exceptional acumen for working with bilingual and multicultural children, Mrs. Rice explained. The word bilingual means that they speak at least two languages. So in simpler terms, Mrs. Rice teaches bilingual or multilingual children that speak English as well as Samoan, Spanish, French, etc.

“The act of helping young people from all backgrounds negotiate their identities is a fascinating and rewarding odyssey,” Mrs. Rice explained. She runs programs for raising money to give books to kids that they like. She is also involved in advocacy for bilingual students in government and with organizing the bilingual community to self advocate. “I guess this impressed the UABE members.” Mrs. Rice added.

Boxes of Secrets

2008-11-20T15:45:00.003-07:00

Kristi Hatch
SJHS Staff Writer

This year during the middle of October, the 7th grade art classes at Springville Junior High School folded, wrote, and burned their secrets. Jethro Gillespie, the art teacher at SJHS, told the students that they would be doing a project that involved writing down their secrets. The students brought colorful paper to school and they folded origami boxes. They then wrote down some of their secrets that they didn’t want anyone to know, put them into the boxes, and then they burned them out in the courtyard of SJHS.

Mr. Gillespie decided to repeat this activity this year because “the students responded very positively.” He liked doing it last year, so he decided to do it again for the enjoyment of the students and himself. “It’s a conceptual approach to art, which is very new to many seventh graders,” he explained. He continued to say that it helps empowers the artist, in this case the student, to be thinkers, instead of just listening to the assignment and doing what the teacher assigned. They get to think outside the box.

Students formed a heart out of their boxes.

The students also liked it a lot. “It was really fun,” Courtney Taylor, a 7th grader at SJHS, said. She found that folding the boxes was difficult, but she liked it when they got to burn them.

Seventh grade students standing around the garbage can where they are burning their boxes.

Mr. Gillespie wants to do it again next year. “The kids responded well to this activity, especially the fire,” he pointed out. The students also suggested it for future seventh graders. “They’ll enjoy it a lot,” Courtney Taylor explained.

The students and teacher really enjoyed this activity. The teacher enjoyed showing the students how to make oragami boxes, and the students enjoyed burning them. They loved knowing their secrets wouldn’t be read by other eyes, and that gave them a sense of security and love for art.