Sailors On the ScenenewsmagazineJanuary 2011 | Volume 5 | Issue 3

MONA SHORES MIDDLE SCHOOL I 1700 WOODSIDE I MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN 49441

On the InsideSeventh grade basketball defeats West Ottawa Macatawa Bay

XBOX Kinect brings gaming to anew generation

Students participate in “Hat Day” to help local charities

www.sailorsonthescene.com

sai lors on the scene ~ staff

PAGE TWO2

On

The

Cover

courtesy photo

The competitive cheer team completes their final pyramid during round two of their final competition.

staff writers:editor-in-chief:rylee georgequinn kendra

photo editor:abigail petersonzoe stenholm

section editors:nichelle hulkajoseph vanarendonkdaneille warren

taylor dewittkatherine dubucjessica gaskintyler hagnerchelsea horvathjohn huntjoeley jazdzykleyanna brownbriana klugjustin nunnerymorgan robertsmaddie stenholmemily swiatekhayley towersjoey walton

adviser:mike phillips

editorial board:marie bettenken byardshelly dykstrajacey ecclestoncheri kimballkathy miszecarol mogdismichelle phillips roxanne schanermatt schuchardtcharlotte scottcindy soyarsamy stielstralori veurink

Mona Shores Middle School provides great opportunities for students with the wide selection of electives offered.

Some electives allow students to participate in a higher

level of the subject in the high school. For example, Spanish 1 provides students with a

high school credit, allowing them to go directly into Spanish 2. Also, advanced art allows students to take higher art classes in high

school, such as jewelry or pottery classes. Other electives give students experience if they plan on taking a similar class later in their school career.

Many of our electives give students the opportunity to learn and still have fun. Life Management 1 and 2 provide students with cooking and babysitting skills, while also teaching them many other impor-

tant lessons. Other classes such as digital design and digital film teach students about the film making process and design, while allowing them to have fun while making videos or working on the computers.

The students are lucky to have the op-portunities the electives provide. With the selection we have, students pick and choose which electives fit them best, therefor mak-ing a better school day including what they want to do.

Mona Shores Middle School students are very fortunate to have the great opportu-nities that the electives provide.

IN THE LEAD 3Middle school electives provide opportunities for students

Our Voice

Beginning the new semester, it is criti-cal that students stay on track. Starting fresh with second semester gives students the chance to end the second half of the year strong. If students do not end with good grades, it could change their overall average. Towards the end of the year, some students tend to go off track due to the

change to warm weather. If students start the beginning of second semester strong, it could increase their chances of improving towards the end of the semester. Because most all students want to succeed in making good grades, a fresh start would better their chances for doing well in school. With a better attitude and determination, students

could make the last semester count. It is easier to start fresh and continue doing well in all of your classes. Overall, starting strong is a better choice, and will leave you satisfied in the end.

A new semester means a fresh start

Our Voice is the opinion message selected by the editors of the Sailors On the Scene newsmagazine.

— A.J. Ringelberg ~ 8th

“ Spanish 1 provides good opportunities because you can get started earlier and get a high school credit.” Top: Seventh grade students roll

out dough to bake cookies in Life Management.Above: Eighth graders Lexi Carlston and Morgan Deruiter finish painting their projects in art class.

photos by: rylee george

RyleeGeorge

— Raelyn Balcom ~ 8th

“ When you’re in digital film, you don’t even realize you’re learning because you’re having fun.”

Mona Shores Middle School participated in the annual Toys for Tots drive that lasted from Monday December 6th, to Wednesday December 15th.

The middle schools’ student congress organizes the drive every year and has done so for many years.

“Our class did very well, and we came in second place,” seventh grade science teacher Cheryl Brink said.

A competition is held to see which third hour class could collect the most toys, with the winners receiving a pizza party.

The winner this year were sixth grade math teacher Kathy Misze in first place with a total of 50 toys and a 2.08 average per student.

In second place was seventh grade sci-ence teacher Cheryl Brink with 49 toys and a 1.81 average per student and in third place was physical education teacher John Brain-ard with 31 toys and a 1.55 average.

“Its my girls P.E. class and Ms. Murphey and I just put the challenge out there and had them just bring in the toys. There was also a good sum of money that came in too,” physical education teacher Mr. Brain-ard said.

Mona Shores Middle School had a goal to get a total of 800 toys to give to the Salvation Army in hopes to give a family a chance at a great Christmas.

“I chose to participate in toys for tots because I knew it was going to help a lot of families and give some kids a great Christmas,”seventh grader Tera Strandberg said.

The students at the middle did not reach the goal that was planned, but still managed to bring in about 600 toys.

“I think that the it went great, and col-lecting toys during sailor celebration was a very positive experience,” Spanish teacher Senorita Barnett said.

Mona Shores Middle School got a top ranking at the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association Awards, on Decem-ber 4th that took place at Reeths Puffer Intermediate School .

Some students got their performance music a week beforehand, while others got as little as 2 days to rehearse.

“My group only had 2 days and we had to work a ton to pull it off,” seventh grader Abby Olsen said.

The first solo ensemble started at 8:08, each solo was a minimum of 1 minute, 30 seconds and a total of 27 soloists performed from Mona Shores.

“I thought I would be really nervous going up and preforming in front of the judges, but I really wasn’t,” seventh grader Jennie Peterson said. “I just did my thing.”

The band and orchestra students are judged on tone, intonation, rhythm, tech-nique, and interpretation. Judges rate the performances in divisions 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, with 1 being the best and 5 the worst.

“After the students preform, the judges talk to the students personally,” band teach-er Greg Nimtz said. “So it is a educational opportunity to the students as well.”

Mona Shores rocked the house, with 88% of the band students receiving medals and 36% of those students earned division 1 medals, while 64% received division 2 awards.

“Even though it felt good to win a divi-sion 2 award, I was disappointed because I was 1% away from getting a division 1,” seventh grader Paul Young said.

As it shows through the MSBOA awards, Mona Shores Middle School has one of the top ranked band and orchestras in the state.

“I think the students did a good job,” Mr. Nimtz said. “They all put in a lot of extra time. We even have teachers come in and help them.”

by: joseph vanarendonk I section editorMona Shores gets good grade at solo and ensemble festival

www.msbandparents.org

by: leyanna brown I staff writerMona Shores Middle School participates in annual Toys for Tots drive

The Toys for Tots anchor proudly shows our total of toys collected.

photo by: leyanna brown

www.msboa.org

FEATURES4

Mona Shores Middle School principal Greg Helmer eliminated Channel One from the middle school schedule over winter break, the decision was made after many surveys were taken and several weeks of carefully seeking to understand the priority if Channel One.

A small number of staff at the middle school believed that Channel One was es-sential and should have continued on with it.

“I like the fact that Channel One was eliminated because it gives me time to rehearse the choir classes,” Mona Shores Middle Choir director Mr.Cain said.

Students took part in a survey asking how many shows they remember because Mr.Helmer felt that it would be a good choice to involve the students in the deci-

sion and hear their voices.

“I remember four to seven shows. I nor-mally just write stuff down,” Seventh grader Marilyn Rockey said.

Mr. Helmer decided that a survey should be given to other middle schools in the county to see if they watched Channel One and of the ones that replied, none of them were using Channel One as part of their daily schedule.

“It was my idea to survey other schools in the county and other top preforming middle schools. The answers helped to confirm our decision,” Mr.Helmer said.

Channel One was eliminated for many reasons, the final decision was made and will stay.

Mona Shores Middle School’s Ken Byard is known as the dean of students and ath-letic director at Mona Shores, but now he is taking the floor as a dancer.

The difference between the two shows, Dancing With the Stars and Dancing With the Local Stars,are the votes. The votes are based on the amount of money the dancers raise.

“We have raised a lot of money by selling tickets.” Dean of Students Mr. Byard said

Mr. Byard is on the show because the women’s division of the Muskegon Cham-ber of commerce called and asked if he was interested in doing it. He will be dancing with his lovely and talented partner Fran-cine Sagan.

“Mr. Byard is always ready to practice when i ask him, and his enthusiasm!!!” Francine Said

This event will be held at Muskegon Harbor Holiday Inn on Friday February 25th and Saturday February 26th of 2011, the cost being $35.00 per seat. All proceeds go to the Muskegon county food shelters.

“I would donate a little money because I think it would be fun,” 8th grader Lexi Carlson said.

Here at Mona Shores Middle School Mr. Byard is know as the dean of students and athletic director, but now he is also known as a dancing machine.

“I think its great to have a Mona Shores Sailor doing something for a good Charity,” middle school principal Greg Helmer said.

by: emily swiatek I staff writerDean of Students dances to help a charity

Top: Mr. Byard and Francine practicing their hopefully winning routine.Bottom: Mr. Byard and Francine snapping their way to victory.

courtesy photos

by: morgan roberts I staff writerChannel One eliminated from middle school schedule

Jessica Kumari, a Channel One News anchor is getting ready for another show.

photo by: clichecosmetics.blogspot.com

FEATURES 5

Mona Shores Middle School staff and stu-dents of all grades raised money for Toys for tots, hats Wednes-day, and the canned food drive to raise money for charities.

Toys for Tots helps kids get Christmas

present with donations of a toy or five dollars. The money Mona Shores Middle School students and staff raised helped Toys for Tots, the money and the toys that were donated went to charity. The toys and money go to under privileged children for them to have a good Christmas. Christmas is the time for giving and helping people get a good Christmas.

On the two Wednesdays before Christ-mas Mona Shores Middle School students participated in Hats Wednesday. For Hats Wednesday students could bring in one dol-lar to their first hour teacher and you could

wear a hat for the day. The money was collected and is being used for good purposes.

October 20th through the 29th the Mona Shores Middle School had a canned food drive for the soup kitchens. Students and staff raised 1,700 cans of food in the nine days and all the canned food went to the Muskegon Rescue Mission. The canned food help the people who can’t afford food everyday to get a nice meal. The feeling of giving ensures others get a good meal is also a gratifying feeling its nice to be apart of giv-ing to a charity.

The charities that Mona Shores Middle Schools staff and students participated was a success along with past charity events.

Talent shows at Mona Shores Middle School are a time for students to showcase their musical, theatrical, and dance abilities.

Many students look forward to the talent showcases because it

gives them a chance to show off their abili-ties to the whole school and many parents.

Several of the students who participate in these shows are not a part of the band, choir, or orchestra. This means they

would not have a chance for people to see or hear them preform without the talent shows.

Shows help the audience to see the perform-ers in a different

kind of light other than their locker partner or the girl in their third hour. Students now have an opportunity to see their fellow class-mates have their golden moment doing some-thing that they love.

Musical ability is one of the many things Mona Shores is known for. Talent showcases may give the better preforming students confidence to sing out, or try harder in musical electives without being embarrassed of their ability.

Showcases at Mona Shores are a time for students to show every-one their musical and theatrical talents.

Talent show gives student’s their chance to shine

illustration by: abby olson

Middle School takes the time to help local charities

Mrs. Cooper’s first hour class wearing hats.

photo by: joeley jadzyk

JessicaGaskin

JoeleyJazdzyk

— Mr. Byard ~ Dean of Students

“ Talent shows give the student body a chance to appreciate the talent of their peers.”

— Pervinder Kaur ~ 8th

“ I wish I could sing like Justin Bieber.”

— Mrs. Betten ~ Staff

“ I donated to Toys for Tots because its the right thing to do at Christmas time and makes kids happy. When I donated it made me smile because I impacted a child’s life for Christmas.”

OPINIONS6

Wikipedia, a website on the Internet owned by Jimmy Wales and started in 2001, has had many controversy over the website being inter-esting, but a negative resource for teachers and students alike.

Wikipedia is a free, worldwide encyclopedia and is a very popu-lar website worldwide. With over 17 million articles, and hundreds of millions of readers such as students working on projects and adults using it for work. It is ranked eighth

among all web-sites on Alexa, a website on the web that points out and rates good websites on the Inter-net, and and is rated along side YouTube, My

Space, and even Facebook, it’s no wonder why it’s so popular with such a wide variety of viewers.

The only con is the websites own mem-bers. Being a member of Wikipedia allows you to change articles as you please, this

members of the website have the ability to change the articles for the better or worse.Wikipe-dia’s resources can sometimes be inaccurate

because of this. Wikipedia is fixing its resources by locking articles from members that would occasionally be abused, but that doesn’t fix the website as a whole. Even though the resources can be inaccurate, most students use Wikipedia before any other website because of it’s variety.

Because of this, Wikipedia is improv-ing it’s website by informing you which articles are the most accurate. Founder of

Wikipedia, Jimmy Wales, is helping his own website by asking his own readers to raise 16 million dollars to help make Wikipedia a better resource. Does the new features on Wiki-pedia make it an accurate resource, or is their many things that still make it an inaccurate resource? The truth is, Wikipedia will always have inaccurate articles, and this is not Jimmy Wales fault. Kids will almost always use Wikipedia even though it should only be a last resort on projects. Wikipedia is a free, worldwide encyclopedia and as you know many teachers and students are against and towards Wikipedia as a resource.

The majority of students use Wikipe-dia regularly and most teachers agree that Wikipedia is a positive resource as long as you know your information and understand when it’s appropriate or inappropriate to use Wikipedia.

Hundreds use Wikipedia for their many projects not knowing how accurate it really is

Left: Jimmy Wales, owner of Wikipedia, shows off his website. Right: Wikipedia logo, a puzzle of information, is now a logo most are familiar with.

www.visionarymarketing.wordpress.org

— Lori Veurink ~ Staff

“ I think Wikipedia is an outstanding website for sharing information and is okay to use depending on the project or assignment.”

TylerHagner

www.wikipedia.com

— Holly Frederickson ~ 8th

“ Wikipedia has good information as long as you only use the information you know is right.”

— Brandon Lang ~ 6th

“ Sometimes it’s not accurate and I don’t really use it very much.”

OPINIONS 7

Let it Snow

Cannonsburg

Snowman

Snow forts

Whats your favorite thing to do in the Winter season?

“I like Snow Boarding because its fun and active.” -MacKenzie Lund 7th Grade

“My favorite

activity in

win-

ter is ice ska

ting because

my

grandpa taug

ht me how

to.”

-Samantha Hu

lbert 7th gr

ade

“I like sledding down hills

because it is fun to go with

my friends.” - Amanda Hichue

6th grade

“I like ice skating because its a lot of fun and it helps your pos-ture.” -Emma Tjapkes 8th grade

Center Section8

by: zoe stenholm I photo editorby: chelsea horvath I staff writerby: abigail peterson I photo editor

by: nichelle hulka I editor by: joe walton I staff writer

Ice skating

Snow Fights

SnowmobilingTop Five Favorite actives

in the Winter:

* Hockey

* Sledding

* Snowboard

* Skiing

* Ice Skating

“I like sno

wball fig

hts

because i

ts fun to

be with

my friend

s and hav

e a good

time.” -Case

y Walukon

is 6th

grade

“I like to go sledding because it is fun and I go sledding so much.” - Simon Karel, 8th grade

“I like building snowmen because it

s fun to

decorate them.” - Raelyn Sells 7th grade

“Play hockey because it

is fun to be out-

side and its a good wor

kout and be with my

friends.” - Mr. Kyle Bake

r, Student Teacher

Center Section 9

Would You Rather....?

voices

Jason Cloutier6th GRADE

“I would eat spiders because I hate things without legs.”

“Kesha because Lady Gaga has a nose the size of a hot dog.”

Ashley Kim7th GRADE

“Marry a monkey cause you can divorce him.”

“I would have a freakishly huge smile so then everyone

will think I am happy all the time.”

hallsfrom the

Mitchell White8th GRADE

Mr. Bush7th Social Studies

Olivia Panici6th GRADE

“I would rather eat worms cause I hate spiders.”

“Lady Gaga because she has extravagant outfits.”

Mikey Kresnak7th GRADE

“Lick peanut butter off of a hobo’s foot because you can

wash your mouth out after that.”

“I would have a huge smile because I feel good when I

smile..”

Emma Tjapkes8th GRADE

Mrs. Yonkman

Austin Jones6th GRADE

“I would rather eat worms because they don’t have eyes or legs.”

“Kesha because she is cool.”

Kendall McKinley7th GRADE

“Marry a monkey because they used to be my favorite

animal.”

“I would have a huge smile so then my class will stay happy

and I will be.”

Demonta Campbell8th GRADE

Mr. Wahlberg8th Science

StaffThis Secret Sailor has been teaching for two years. The Secret Sailor attended high school at Orchard View. The Secret Sailor would be a sticky note if they were a school supply because they are always using them. The Secret Sailor would be writing children book’s if they were not a teacher.The Secret Sailor’s favorite artist is Lady Gaga. The Secret Sailor’s funny word is onomatopoeia. This Secret Sailor attend college at GVSU. Who is this Secret Sailor?

6th GradeThis Secret Sailor loves the Twilight Saga. This Secret Sailor’s role models are their step mom and dad. This Secret Sailor loves to play music in their spare time. This Secret Sailor’s favorite holidays are Easter and Halloween. This Secret Sailor’s favorite type of music is pop. This Secret Sailors has a fear of spiders and being hit. Who is this Secret Sailor?

7th GradeThe Secret Sailor’s favorite color is orange. The Secret Sailor’s nickname is Yo-Yo. The Secret Sailor’s favorite class at MSMS is Life Management. This Secret Sailor has lived in China. The Secret Sailor’s favorite candy is Butterfingers. The Secret Sailor has a cat, dog, and a fish. This Secret Sailor is afraid of nothing. Who is this Secret Sailor?

8th GradeThis Secret Sailor’s most embarrassing moment was when he fell off his bike and broke his arm. This Secret Sailor’s favorite actor is Will Smith. This Secret Sailor’s favorite type of food is Italian. This Secret Sailor would love to vacation in England. This Secret Sailor love to play their acoustic guitar. This Secret Sailor’s favorite ice cream favor is chocolate. This Secret Sailor’s favorite type of middle name is Edward. Who is this Secret Sailor?

S e c r e t - S a i l o r s

Secret Sailor Answers: Teacher: Mrs. Butterfield / 6th Grader: Madison Cirner / 7th Grader: Maddie Burda / 8th Grader: Logan Jancek

S e c r e t - S a i l o r s

e c r e t - S a i l o r

e c r e t - S a i l o r

SAILOR DAYS10

5TO HEAR

TO SEE

TOPMovies Downloads

1. Inception

2. Toy Story 3

3. The Social Network

4. How to Train Your Dragon

5. Tangled

1. “California Gurls” - Katy Perry

2. “Love the Way You Lie” - Eminem

3. “Nothin On You” - B.o.B.

4. “Need You Now” - Lady Antebellum

5. “Just the Way You Are” - Bruno Mars

Students of the Month

Student-Athletes

of the Month

CheerSwimming

7th Grade

7th Grade

Dava LakatosKyle Moffett

Shayna HochSam Tardani

SAILOR DAYS 11

of 2010

The seventh grade Mona Shores Sailors geared up for their final game of the season on December 15, 2010 against the West Ot-tawa Panthers.

Although West Ottawa scored the open-ing bucket of the game, Jared Pittman led the Sailor attack with accurate passing and a 12 - 0 run before the Panthers called their first time out.

“We started off the game so well by prac-ticing hard and having good teamwork,” Pittman said. “Our coach prepared us to be athletic.”

The second quarter was filled with excite-ment when Samuel Karel scored his first basket of the entire season.

“When I scored my first basket of the season, I was extremely happy,” Karel said. “I was in the mood when your freaking out and you could throw things.”

The crowd went absolutely crazy as Linwood Lee continued to hit three pointers throughout the game.

“When I scored all of those 3 pointers, I was just trying to win, and keep the game going good basically,” Lee said.

The Sailors ended the third quarter trium-phantly with a score of 43-17 and entered the final quarter bracing themselves for a win.

“As a coach, it is great to have your last game be your best,” head coach Jeremy Andres said. “I thought they did great. We had an injury to one of our starters, so I was very happy with how the other guys stepped up.”

The seventh grade Sailors crushed the West Ottawa Panthers with a final score of 44-21, ending the season with a record of 11-1.

“The athletes improved over the season and you can’t ask for more than that,” Andres added. “I was very happy with this group of young student/athletes.”

On December 14th the Mona Shores competitive cheer team took another first place finish at Ceder Springs Middle School.

During round one, the competitive cheer-leaders took the lead with great timing on all their skills, strong voices, and amazing attitude.

“The timing has to be perfect and voices have to be low and deep and I think we have good voices,” eight grader Julia Mocere

Before performing the second round, the team replaced eighth graders Lauren Marine and Emiley Bertapelle with seventh grader Kaitlin Maycroft and eighth grader Emily Swiatek due to injury.

“I was upset that I didn’t get to compete in the competition,” eight grader Lauren Marine said.

While performing, one of the four groups did not go up during the mountain climber stunt. Even with this happening, the team didn’t get a deduction to their overall score.

“I was scared and I was freaking out,” seventh grader Brynne Wilcox said. “I was scared we wouldn’t get first place.”

They recovered from near disaster to stick

the Superman and finish with a round two score of 235.

Even though the team missed one of the stunts, the Mona Shores Competitive Cheer team still managed to come home with a first place victory.

“It was amazing and exciting because we can tell everyone that we got first place,” eight grader Mackenzie Sabin said.

by: maddie stenholm I staff writerCompetitive Cheerleaders take the lead again

Top: Seventh grader Brynne Wilcox closing the superman at the Reeths-Puffer competition during round two. Above: Competitive Cheer team gets ready to do jumps during round one.

photos by: megan amrhein

by: quinn kendra / editor-in-chiefWest Ottawa won’t slow down the seventh grade Sailors

Seventh grader Spencer Stube goes up for the shot as West Ottawa defenders guard him.

photo by: abby peterson

SPORTS12

by: katherine dubuc and taylor dewitt / staff writers

The eighth grade volleyball team went 9-3 this season and their toughest competitor was Reeths-Puffer, whose matches always came down to game three to determine the winner. Their most memorable team moment was when the players wore Halloween costumes for practice and went Trick-or-Treating for drills and candy. Coach Hall's final thoughts on the season were "Be tenacious."

EIGHTH GRADE VOLLEYBALL

The swim team's overall record this season is 0-8 and Coach Barnett said "(they are) An awe-some group that improved a great deal and that

is learning a lot about the sport." Coach Barnett’s most memorable moment was seeing swimmers

take risks and do things that they didn’t think that they could do. The team's most improved players

are Dava Lakotos , Leyanna Brown, Cole Fritz, and Scott Gleason. Some of the key players on

the team are Brooke Studabaker,Chase Ledsworth, and John Hunt.

SWIM

The cross country team had a winning ending record and their most memorable moment was taking home the huge team trophy at the Fruitport invitational. Their most difficult meet was at the Oakridge Invitational because it was an early start and was very cold. Some of the key players on the team were Jackie Seward and Morgan Den-nison. Some of the most improved players were Cole Emery and Cal Peliotes. Coach Helsen’s final thought were, “This was the best season that I have ever coached.”

CROSS COUNTRY

Seventh grade football had a 6-0 ending record this season. It was hard to pick their toughest

competitor because there was a lot of kids who just flat out wanted to win! Some of the key

players on the team included Hunter Broersema, Kobe Burse, and Kentrell Eason. Some of the

most improved players were Anthony Mikesell, Austin Byers, and David Woodrum. The coaches

final thoughts were, “They worked very hard to get better as a team, and that lead them to their

goal of going undefeated.”

SEVENTH GRADE FOOTBALL

The eighth grade basketball team finished with a 6-6 record this season and their most difficult

game was against Bunker because they were very athletic. Every teammate played a key role in

the team’s “family”. Some of the most improved players included Glen Kastelic, Noah Dykstra, and Justin Crawford. Coach Volkmann’s final thoughts on the season were, “You are only as

good as your last game.” Which they won 34-27 against West Ottawa.

EIGHTH GRADE BASKETBALL

Their teams overall score was 11-1 and the most memorable moment was when they played the

last and best game of the season (as a coach you love this to happen ...shows progress.). The most difficult game was against Bunker because they

took them out of their game. All of the play-ers contributed to the team and they all were

improved. The coach’s last thought on the season was “This group has some great potential.”

SEVENTH GRADE BASKETBALL

The seventh grade volleyball team finished with a winning record and their most memorable game was winning first place in the Reeths Puffer Tournament. Some of the key players on the team included Kennedy Potts, and Raelyn Sells. Some of the most improved players were Tera Strandberg and Nilla Dowdell. The coaches last thoughts on the season were, “The seventh grade team showed a great amount of ability and progress of skill; if they continue to work on their skills and athletic abilities, the class of 2016 could be watching a State Championship team in the making!”

SEVENTH GRADE VOLLEYBALL

Sports in BriefThe eighth grade football team dominated with a 6-0 record this season and a 12-0 record through their middle school careers. Every player had a key role in the team’s success, and no one player was any more important than another. Some of the most improved players on the team were Peyton Lafever, Noah Dykstra, Tyler Diffel, and Ryan Waz. The coach’s final thoughts on the season are “Good things come to people to who work hard, are honest, and play as a team.”

EIGHTH GRADE FOOTBALL

SPORTS 13

The X-Box Kinect is the newest way to play video games, instead of using a controller you use your whole body.

It works by collecting your image and recog-nizes you when you are playing. The X-Box

Kinect contains microphones, cameras, and software that can change you into the game character to make the game more interest-

ing.The X-Box

Kinect is fun because you can play video games

without sitting down and using just your hands. Also if it is raining or there is bad weather outside you can play the Kinect

just like you are outside.

When you are playing the Kinect you are exercising with-

out trying. During every game you are mov-ing your whole body. In Kinect Adventures there are many mini games you can play. One example is River Runners, you ride a raft and have to jump to get over obstacles and collect “Pins”.

The new X-Box Kinect is a fun game experience that is also healthy.

Today’s technology is moving rapidly, includ-ing software such as video chatting.

One software that allows us to do this is Skype, one of the most popular video chatting programs. They also offer instant messaging

and cheap mobile calls. Skype is world-wide, so you can keep in touch with anyone anywhere, as long as they have a web cam, or the app. for their iPhone.

One of the features of the fourth genera-tion of the iPhone and iPod touch is called

Facetime, which also is used for video chat-ting. It is easy, free, and comes programmed into the iPhone or

iPod. For example, if you’re already talking to someone on a voice call, you just have to tap a button and it switches to video. There are two cameras built into the iPhone 4, one on the back and one on the front that is especially for Facetime.

No matter which video chatting web-

site, app, or program you decide to use, it won’t make that much of a difference. Yes, they have different titles and maybe some different features. But, as far as the actual purpose of it goes, they do the same thing. Another constant be-tween them is that in order to video chat with someone, they must be using the same program as you. For example, if you’re using Skype you cannot video chat with someone us-ing Facetime.

Today’s technology has gone to the extent of being able to see someones face, even if they’re on the other

side of the world, right on your computer screen.

Many different video chatting programs are available - but all are virtually the same

illustration by: danielle warren

X-Box Kinect a Fun Exercise Game

An up close picture of the microphones, cameras, and other software.

photo by: quinn kendra

— Claudia Johnson ~ 7th

“ It’s good to see their face instead of a text.”

DanielleWarren

JohnHunt

—Sophia Gossett ~ 7th

“ It will effect living choices because they can get up and move.”

— Madeline Maxim~ 8th

It’s an easy way to connect with my Grandma in Connecticut,

— Cameron Erndteman ~ 6th

It’s awesome because you don’t need a controller.”

ENTERTAINMENT14

Which game is more popular Modern War-fare 2 or Black-Ops?

Both Call of Duty Black Ops and Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 are first person shooter games. That means that

you can not see yourself you can only see things around you. That gives you an advan-tage because you can see things in front of you you don’t have to see your self in the

way.More people

like Black-Ops because it sold

5.6 million copies on the first day in North America and U.K. while Modern Warfare two sold 4.7 million copies on the first day.

Black-Ops made $360 million which is $50 mil-lion more than

Modern Warfare 2.When playing Black Ops multi-player

on split screen or on the Internet you can customize a class which means you can pick the face paint, non-lethal grenades, and talents.

More people like Black-Ops because of the new things that are in the game.

From the guys that

couldn’t sit through

another vampire movie,

bring you Vampires

Suck. A entertaining

spoof of the Twilight

Saga that opened in

theaters on August 18th and is still a big hit.

It all starts when Becca Crane moves to

Sporks, Washing-

ton to live with

her sheriff father.

After starting in

her new school,

she sees, the Sul-

lens. Becca slow-

ly falls in love with the vampire, Edward

Sullen. Edward and Becca soon became a

couple. After meeting the rest of the Sullen

clan, Edward brakes up with Becca because

he sees what a threat his family is to her.

Vampires Suck is a entertaining movie

that keep you laughing until you can’t

breathe. As soon as you think it can’t get

any funnier, it does. This is a movie has

some side - hurting scenes and is a must see

movie. If you want to watch a movie full of

laughs, this is the movie to see.

I would not recommend the movie to

young kids because of some gestures and

some of the things that people are saying is

inappropriate for the kids.

From entertaining to unusual, this movie

is a must see if you are looking for good

times and some laughs.

Vampires Suck, a must see movie

Top: The evil vampire is putting hot sauce on Becca before he trys to suck her blood. Above: Jacob White dropping off Becca’s new truck that Frank Crane bought for her.

www.imdb.com

Black-Ops vs. Modern Warfare 2

Shows Sgt. Gary Roach Sanderson going to climb the mountain.

www.news.com

HayleyTowers

JustinNunnery

— Ryan Quigg ~ 8th

“ It is more fun and better graphics.”

— Meghan Lawton~ 7th

“ My favorite part of the movie was when Becca ran through the red - cape prom and the girls started the fight over Team Edward or Team Jacob.”

— Christian Brooks ~ 6th

I dislike the missions.”

ENTERTAINMENT 15

16 PHOTO STORY

For the Love of the GameGirls work on improving their

skills during the inaugural Winter Instructional Basketball League

for sixth, seventh and eighth grade girls.

From top: Sixth grader Katelynn Gappa runs with the ball with many players follow-ing. Eighth grader Kelsey Wolf-fis is guarded by eighth grader Chniece Houston, as she tries to cut to the basket.

Jordan Walker is guarded by Miranda Schafer, while Jordyn Vilneff, Chniece Houston, and Nikki Spoel-man wait to back her up.

Eighth grader Kayla Sava-cool doing the elephant walk during one of the drills.

Clockwise from top: Seventh grader Madison Hronek runs towards the hoop with the ball in hands.

Sixth grader Madison Dunn goes for a lay-up while trying to block the other players.

Sixth grader Courtney Dunn shoots and scores.

Eighth grader Sami Pyman drives down the court getting ready to shoot a basket.

Sixth grader Jordan Walker and eighth grader Miranda Shafer go for the tip.

Coach Gauthier gives the girls tips on their shooting form.