Mrs. Brenda Bales: one superb secretary

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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"

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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.