Wood, table saws, and fun

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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!

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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?

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

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.

Basketball Players Reach for Glory at SJHS

Zachary Nemelka
SJHS Staff Writer

Coach Blakey has started to look for players for the SJHS 9th grade boy’s basketball team on Nov. 10 the day of tryouts. He was looking for players that will help his team reach the championship games of the Nebo and the Alpine Tournaments. He had two days to come up with a roster of 12 boys. These boys will have to be able to work as a team for the next four months through fourteen or more games, to be able to reach the goal of a championship.

As these young men tried to show their worth by going through challenging drills and scrimmaging with each other, they were trying to catch Coach Blakey’s eye. They must know one thing. Nothing can stop a basketball player other than himself when he is on the court. “You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them,” Michael Jordan said.

Coach Blakey is getting ready to start his first year as the Springville Junior High School Basketball Coach. It is different this year because it’s not a teacher being the coach of the team; Coach Blakey is a counselor being the coach. One thing that made Coach Blakey’s job hard is that he will have to cut the kids he is supposed to help. But that is a challenge he must go through to have a team that is willing to work hard “The offense and the defense will be hard to set up,” Coach Blakey explained. This is because he has 12 days to set up an offense and defense. He will still have an enjoyable time because he loves to help people improve in areas of life.

As the team will be picked hopefully by the 13th of November, the players waited with sweaty palms hoping to be on the final list. The players that made the team are Jordan McCann, Mitch Maye, Alex Cloward, Steven Bate, Zachary Nemelka, Ryan Schultz, Jalon Miyasaki, Trevor Allen, Andrew Clyde, Sean Sly, Zera Staheli, and Jordan Davis. These players will need to practice hard before there first game against Pleasant Grove these first games might be the toughest they face before the Alpine Tournament because these school are mostly 5A, while SJHS is a 4A school. Good luck.

Let’s Talk Hair!

Alex Tarin, Mr. Booth trying to be serious, and Jacob Willmore

Abi Santiago
SJHS Staff Writer

From red hair to black, short and long, and even shaved, Springville Junior High has miles of styles for hair! “Your feelings sometimes show on your hair. If you put it down maybe you feel wild, if it’s up you might feel relaxed,” Brandi Murray explained. Students say it expresses their personality and shows who you really are. “Depends on how you do it, that’s how you feel. Some days I spike it and other days I just have it down,” Jacob Willmore said.

“It’s a different way for people to have confidence in themselves; through their hair,” Shayla Witney said. Who invented hair styles? We don’t know, but what we do know is that everyone gets up every morning and does something different. “We get hairstyles from the media, everyone just wants to look like movie stars,” Maddie Patten said. At Springville Junior High, we got style!

Kate Baxter is skilled!

Darryl Barnes
SJHS Staff Writer

Every so often a student named Kate Baxter grabs her pencil (and various other art tools), sits down at her desk, and creates art. She is an artist of great skill they say. Now we will see the methods of her greatness.

Kate Baxter is a 9th grade student who is an artist. “I’ve been drawing as long as I remember,” Kate explains. She really enjoys it and loves to draw. Kate uses a Japanese-style of drawing called Manga (pronounced Monga).

Kate gets inspiration from many sources, some of which include books, magazines, pictures, stories, and comics. She has found it enjoyable to read and write books and short stories. She has great talent in writing and drawing both.


The process in creating her drawings is usually the following: First, she will come up with the idea and visualize the drawing in her head. Second, she sketches the outline. Third, she sketches the inside. Fourth, Kate finalizes the drawing. Fifth, Kate decides what to do with the drawing (keep it or give it away).

Kate also loves to show off her ability to her friends. She likes to hear their opinion on her work. With their opinion in mind, she’ll make changes to benefit the drawing and make it look better.

With all of this in mind, many students feel that Kate Baxter is an outstanding artist! Many enjoy her work and envy her ability to manipulate a pencil and paper to make greatness. You ought to check out her art!

Zach Nemelka Shares Experiences

Zach Nemelka, a ninth grader at SJHS

By Mitchell Rose
SJHS Staff Writer

At Springville Junior High, most students would agree that there are a lot of interesting people at this school. One on the list would be Zach Nemelka. Zach Nemelka is a 9th grade student from SJHS and just recently came back from living in Germany for 15 months. He and his family went there to just take a vacation and to learn European customs.

Zach lived in Starnberg, a small town in Bavaria Germany, which is south west of the city Munich. He ate a variety of food including bratwurst, which is a type of meat composed of pork, beef, or veal. He also ate schnitzel which is an Austrian cuisine that is a slice of veal coated in bread crumbs and then fried.

Zach liked to play basketball and volleyball. He also enjoyed eating lots and lots of food. “There isn’t a lot you can do there you can’t do here,” Zach explains.

Zach went to 33 other countries last year as well which include England, France, Spain, Austria, and Russia. He traveled a lot, and he found his way around by using the Subway to get into the city.

“School was pretty much the same in Germany as it is here, except for we only had six classes a day and we had a hour and a half for lunch,” Zach says. “I liked to go swimming in lake Starnberg. I saw tons of castles including Neuschwanstien. I liked to be with friends, go to cities, and eat food,” Zach continued.

Zach says he would like to go back, but not quite sure when. He is very excited about going back to Germany.

Father and Son Reunited

The Biesinger Family--Jay, Emma, Lauren, Katie Jane and their dad, Lt. Will Biesinger

M. Dayton
SJHS Staff Writer

What started out as a normal Thursday turned into a once in a lifetime Thursday for Jay Biesinger and his 5th period class. Jay was in for a big surprise, one that he’ll remember for the rest of his life. It all started with a knock on the door.

“Mr. Bake walked in the door and said ‘Can I interrupt?’ Then a man walked in wearing an army uniform. The second he walked in, Jay ran over to him saying ‘Dad, dad you’re back!’” recalled Ian Lindsey, a 7th grader in Jay’s English class. Jay’s dad, Lt. Will Biesinger, is serving in Afghanistan with the Utah Army National Guard. Many others in the class remember the moment as heartwarming, touching, and amazing. “It was one of the sweetest things that I have seen since becoming a teacher,” Ms. Rachel Neeley said. It was a memorable moment for anyone who saw it. There were few dry eyes as the father and son walked off down the hallway together for the first time in a long time.

Jay, his three sisters, Emma, Lauren, and Katie and his mom, Julie, were thrilled to have Jay’s dad, Will Biesinger back. He was taking two weeks R&R, but the family didn’t expect him until later on in the week. “My dad is one of the fun parents,” Jay proudly reported. While Lt. Biesinger was in Utah with his family, he put up a basketball hoop and hung out with his family. When he gets home, Jay has plans to play lots of basketball on the new hoop with him.

“Jay’s dad joined the Utah Army National Guard after the events of September 11th. He is a great patriot, and we are so proud of him,” Jay’s mom Julie proudly stated. “He is my hero, for leaving his family to protect them,” Jay Biesinger happily claimed.

While in Afghanistan, Will does a variety of things such as digging wells, working with the Afghanistan National Army to help fight the Taliban, and helping build schools for children. “Will says that the key to Afghanistan becoming a stronger country is education. Most of the women living in Afghanistan are not allowed to go to school, and then they are not educated to teach their own children. 90% of the people in Afghanistan can’t read. Their lives are mostly about basic survival,” Julie Biesinger explained.

Lt. Will Biesinger with members of the Afghanistan National Army

The price that the Biesinger family is willing to pay to fight for our country is great. We are indebted to Will and his family for their daily sacrifices for us and our country. Because of honorable, courageous men like Will, we are able to wake up every morning in a free country and enjoy the blessings of liberty day after day. What would the world be like with out our soldiers, our National Guard, our Navy and our Marines and most of all, without the extraordinary people like Will and his family?

Utah Jazz

Jacob Simmons
SJHS Staff Writer

They were knocked down last year in the Western Conference Semi Finals by the Los Angeles Lakers, so now the question becomes, can they pick themselves up? Can the willpower of the Utah Jazz send them on another great journey to the playoffs this year? Or will the reminder of the last two losses in the playoffs keep them down?

The Jazz look to be in good shape this year after their strong performance against the Denver Nuggets in their home opener. They won 98-94 without the help of their super point guard Deron Williams, or amazing bench player Matt Harpring. The high point man for the game was Carlos Boozer, who had 25 points and 15 rebounds.

As for what the students at SJHS think about this team, “They are awesome. If they play like a team, I think they will have a good shot at going all the way,” Jantzen Dalley, an eighth grade student at SJHS, said.

“They need to watch out for the Celtics, Lakers, and the Suns,” Jantzen continued. The Celtics were the NBA Champions last year, and the Lakers their competitors. Both teams have very deep benches and almost two people at every position. The Phoenix Suns are very tough as well. In the past years they have done very well and have been one of the top five teams in the NBA; however, there are many questions on their success this year with their new coach, the former Piston’s assistant, Terry Porter.

For the 2008-2009 NBA seasons, the Utah Jazz kept their two rising stars Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer, the recently appointed captains of the team. Along with Williams and Boozer they added the twelve year point guard Brevin Knight. The Jazz also brought back most of their previous team including Mehmet Okur, Andrei Kirilinko, Ronnie Brewer, and Matt Harpring.

Red Ribbon Week and Halloween Day - a Big Success

8th and 9th graders dress up for Halloween. Left to right: Jaqueline Fry, Brooke Caswell, McKenna Gleave, Sarah Fawson, Maddie Patten, Abi Santiago, Kristi Hatch, Ethan Trunnell, Whitney Norman, DJ Barnes and Eric Mageno.

Shelby Anderson
SJHS Staff Writer

The week of October 27th through the 31st was Red Ribbon Week, the students and teachers got to dress up all week long. Each day had a different theme. Students got to wear there pajamas on Monday. Tuesday was Spirit Day, which meant that students and teachers wore blue and red, the school colors. Wednesday was CRAZY day, when students got to wear their craziest clothes. Thursday was Sports Day; students and teachers got to wear their sports gear. Friday was Halloween day; students and teachers got to dress up in their costumes.

This is the first year of allowing costumes in school, and some may say it was a big success. Ms. Hamilton gave her opinion, “I would think that more students dressed up for Halloween day more than any other day,” she stated. Mahana Andersen let us know how she felt about it being the first year of dressing up, “I like how they are letting us dress up, even though I won’t be dressing up, it still makes it fun to see all the different costumes!” Students and teachers were really happy about getting to dress up, “I have campaigned every year for nine years to get this to happen! Thank you night of the round table!" Mrs. Lori Caras, a science teacher, exclaimed. The students were very happy that they got to dress up.

Halloween day fun at SJHS

Seventh grader Kevin Payne dressed as a woopie cushion on Halloween.

Sammy Curtis
SJHS Staff Writer

Halloween has always been an exciting day for everyone, but this year was extra special for Springville Junior High. October 31st was the first time costumes were allowed at SJHS. Although no masks, fake blood or any type gore was allowed, everyone was still very excited. “This year was so much fun,” Mahana Andersen, 9th grader and Halloween lover, said, “It’s always fun to see people dress up!”

We had everything from vampires and witches, to fairies and whoopee cushions show up to school on Halloween day. Not only did the students have fun seeing their friends and classmates dress up, they also got to see some of their teachers dress up too. Everyone had a great time!

Springville Junior High Gets “High” Off of Sports Rather Than Drugs

Mr. Jethro Gillespie, SJHS art teacher, intercepts a pass at the student-faculty football game

Maddie Patten
SJHS Staff Writer

Last week SJHS celebrated Red Ribbon Week. Red Ribbon Week is a way to increase drug awareness and have fun at the same time. Each day of the week, students dressed up according to the theme of the day. For instance, Monday was Pajama Day, and everyone came to school in their pajamas. Thursday was Sports Day. The message of the day was “Stay Fit and Stay Free.”

On Thursday after school, the students played a competitive flag football game against the faculty. The faculty was, once again, undefeated, although one game ended in a tie. “My favorite moment was when Jethro Gillespie leaped up and over a student into the end zone for a touchdown,” Mrs. Kelli Manwaring, SJHS science teacher, said.

“Sports day is a day when we promote students to get ‘high’ off of sports rather than drugs,” Mrs. Kathryn Crandall, Service Learning teacher, expplained. So whether it’s kicking balls or kicking drugs, students at Springville Junior High vow to stay drug free.

Don’t be crazy! Say NO to Drugs

Brooke Caswell
SJHS Staff Writer

At SJHS every year there is a week devoted to saying no to drugs--it is called Red Ribbon Week. There was a theme for each day of the week for October 27-31. Wednesday the 29th was crazy day. All the students dressed up as crazy as they wanted. Some teachers said that crazy day is the students’ favorite day of the week.

The theme of crazy day is, “Don’t be crazy! Say NO to drugs!” This day is devoted to staying away from drugs.

On this day during lunch in the cafeteria, the school brought in a karaoke machine and large speakers. Students got to choose a song and all their friends went up to the machine and sang away. “Crazy day is always fun with our karaoke lunch,” Mrs. Kathryn Crandall, Service Learning Teacher said.

8th graders singing on Crazy Day: Kali Condie, Katie Bair, Kayla Robertson, Mindy Stapel, and Abi Santiago.

Students dressed up on this day to have fun and show school spirit. “We have cute posters all over the school, and students each have a reminder note. We periodically give treats for those who participate,” Mrs. Crandall explained. “If they feel like dressing up to show their school spirit, they do it. Otherwise, that’s them missing out on the fun,” Michael Bartholomew, student council member at SJHS, said.

Thank you to everyone who dressed up. Remember, stay drug free!

9th graders singing karaoke: Eric Bird, Matt Fitzgerald, Delon Lier, and Susan Watson.

Wake Up and Stay Away From Drugs

Sarah Fawson
SJHS Staff Writer

Drugs are a never ending nightmare, so on Monday at Springville Junior High students got to wear their pajamas to school. They didn’t have to wake up and decide what to wear that day, they just came to school. “Yes it was fun and comfortable not to get ready in the morning and come to school later,” Abi Santiago said.

The students were encouraged to dress up to show off their school spirit. Some of the Service Learning students and Mrs. Kathryn Crandall, who organized the week, put posters all over the school to remind us to dress up. They also gave all the students reminder flyers, and students who dressed up they got candy.

The reason we have Red Ribbon week is for the students to be aware of how harmful drugs can be and to stay away from them. All of us at Springville Junior High made a promise to be drug free and to not get involved with them. So let’s be happy and have a drug free year at Springville Junior High.

SJHS says no to Drugs

Service Learning students Mike Bartholemew, Mindy Stapel, Caroline Krieger, McKayla Murdock, and Nathan Bingham preparing for Red Ribbon Week.

Shelby Mason
SJHS Staff Writer

Pajamas day, Spirit day, Crazy day, Sports day, Halloween. Springville Junior High shows they stand against drugs with Red Ribbon Week. “Red Ribbon Week is a great way to show students a great natural high without ever touching drugs,” Mrs. Kathryn Crandall says. Mrs. Crandall is organizing Red Ribbon Week and is helped out by Mike Bartholomew, Ali Udall, Aldana Miloni and Nathan Bigham, a few Service Learning students.

Pajama Day was on Monday, October 27. This is a day where students to remind students that “drugs are a never-ending nightmare.”

“Drugs take away your spirit!” Spirit Day was on Tuesday. Students wore red and blue to show their school spirit. Students went outside during lunch and drew on the sidewalk with chalk to “chalk out against drugs.”

Crazy Day was on Wednesday. Crazy day was definitely the students’ favorite. Students wore their craziest clothes to school, and then went into the lunch room and “voiced out against drugs” by singing karaoke. Crazy day’s theme was “Don’t be crazy! Say no to drugs!”

Thursday was Sports Day. Students dressed up as their favorite sport and vowed to “stay fit and stay free.” For sports day students played flag a football game against the faculty after school.

Happy Halloween! Friday, October 31 was when everyone could dress up in their Halloween costumes and “said boo to drugs.” This was also one of the first times in years that students were allowed to wear Halloween costumes to school, they were all very excited.

School Community Council Meeting on November 5th

Springville Junior High School's Community Council will meet Wednesday, November 6, 2008 at 3:30 in the media center. We will be discussing last year's Trust Lands plan and the new School Community Council Protocol. The public is welcome to attend.

New Knight Mural Promises School Pride

The knight mural painted by art students under direction of Mr. Gillespie.

Ethan Trunnell
SJHS Staff Writer

Last year Mr. Darrel Rolfe, the principal at SJHS, asked Mr. Jehtro Gillespie, the art teacher, about replacing the meadow mural with something more SJHS-centered. Mr. Gillespie liked the idea of the students painting it. The next day he asked for volunteers, and over the course of a month six to eight kids replaced the former mural with a picture of our school mascot, the SJHS knight.

Our school goal is to become like knights and to be effective communicators, responsible citizens and successful learners. If we see the representation of these goals every day, big as life, it will help inspire us to become what our teachers and administration are teaching us to grow up to become.

This mural is painted with house paint. Yes you read right, house paint! Mr. Gillespie went to Lowes and bought mismatched clearance paint. It is fairly cheap, very durable, and super long lasting. These characteristics ideally suited the artists’ needs.

A grid system was the solution to the dilemma of making a small picture nearly ten times the size it started out as. First Mr. Gillespie copied a picture of the school mascot (the knight) and applied a grid to the picture. Then the students drew a giant grid over the older mural and carefully worked on each box. Then they drew what was on the small picture onto the wall and moved on to the next box eventually the whole picture was completed.

It took them a month, and the final product was a great new picture of our symbol and mascot. The new mural represents what the teachers and students of Springville Junior are striving to and accomplish.

SJHS Receives Grant from the Esther Foundation

Linda Hales of Nebo Foundation, Darrel Rolfe, Principal of SJHS, and Bud Bate of The Esther Foundation

The Esther Foundation donated $2000 to be used to upgrade technology in the Springville Junior High auditorium. This donation matched with the $2000 donated by the SJHS PTA, which allowed the school to purchase a 16' motorized projection screen and a 3500 lumen projector. The projector will be mounted to project across the large screen, enabling students sitting in the back part of the auditorium to still see detail in any presentation made. "We appreciate the generous contributions and are excited because these donations have the potential to impact 100% of SJHS students," Mr. Darrel Rolfe, SJHS principal, explained.

Service Learning, Service Rocks

Nikki Clausen working hard on a poster for Service Learning.

Carolyn Brown
SJHS Staff Writer

Service learning is a class about “creating a positive school and community spirit and environment,” as Kathryn Crandall, the Service Learning teacher, put it. The class does all sorts of service. Some of the service is helping with the Hershey Track meet, cleaning the Diamond Canyon walls of graffiti, decorating the senior citizen center, and setting up the gym for school dances. They even help make money for an orphanage in Africa. As you can see, Service Learning does a variety of good works.

With the school, the class is helping to earn money for new tennis courts. Last year they helped get new balls for the P.E. classes and earned money for a new screen in the auditorium. The class also puts on a Christmas assembly for the whole school. The class helps with Make-A-Wish Foundation and they clean up the trash in parks throughout the community. They also collect clothes, food, and many other items for Humanitarian Aid.

“Some people don’t want to do service on a daily basis, but I think it is good to take a class that teaches you to do just that,” said Nikki Clausen, a Service Learning student. The class is helping out in many different ways, and most of the community doesn’t even know. Good job Service Learning!!!

Long-time teachers: Mr. Hatfield

Mr. Hatfield teaching 7th grade science.

Darryl Barnes
SJHS Staff writer

There are some teachers at SJHS who have been around for quite awhile. One of those is Mr. Hatfield. He has been teaching here for a long time, and is one of the favorite teachers SJHS.

Mr. Hatfield has been teaching here for 18 years. Almost every student that has had him as a teacher agrees, he is one of the coolest teachers around the school. Mr. Hatfield has taught every grade at one point or another. He has taught over six different classes! These classes include biology, 7th grade science, 8th grade integrated science, 9th grade earth systems, and computer multi-media.

Mr. Hatfield is great. On a 1-10 scale 2 out of 3 students claim Mr. Hatfield is a 10, the other claimed he was an 8. “Mr. Hatfield is a good teacher. But good doesn’t mean normal. He is crazy, but a fun teacher!” Steven Valencia. Others agree with Steven. “He’s funny. A good teacher, but he tends to be weird sometimes.” Michelle Welch explained.

He also can handle rowdy kids well. Some days he treats them nicely, but then other days he might get mad at them and you could get a call. He doesn’t do anything without good reasoning though, if he get’s mad it’s because they have given out an extra dose of rowdiness.

“It’s hard to understand his sarcasm, in the beginning. But, farther in the year you get used to it, and find it funny.” Devynn Shields expressed. As explained, Mr. Hatfield also loves to lay on the heavy sarcasm. It makes him a unique teacher in the way that he expresses the sarcasm, different than any other teacher. He tries to make it unnoticeable by placing it in the middle of a sentence and doesn’t emphasize it.

Mr. Hatfield loves his students and the other kids here. He thinks that teaching here is totally worth his time. He loves teaching here and enjoys most of his time with his students. Everyone has bad days. Even Mr. Hatfield, but if it’s you having a bad day he has the power (and the jokes) to turn it around.

Students that have had him claim he’s a great old-timer teacher. Mr. Hatfield is the definitely one of the best teachers arond.