A sixth grade class from Brookside Elementary gets a tour from SJHS student council members Katie Bair and Mindy Stapel (back row, left side).  The administration (Mr. Darrel Rolfe, Mrs. Courtney Johnson and Mr. Dave Knudsen–back row) hopes that visiting the junior high will help the sixth graders feel more confident about changing schools next year.

Kara Dunn
SJHS Staff Writer

On March 2nd, 4th, and 5th, sixth graders from elementary schools all around Springville to spend a day at Springville Junior High, learning what it was going to be like next year.

The sixth graders went to an assembly where they are introduced to the faculty, their new counselor, some of their options for next year, and the way things work around Springville Junior High. After the assembly, the students were given a tour of the school and then ate lunch before going back to their elementary school.

Everyone at Springville Junior High got into helping the sixth graders feel welcomed and give advice on how to succeed. Some classes gave presentations during the assembly on what their class was like, and what activities they could participate in. The seventh grade English classes created survival guides that were handed out to the sixth graders, giving them advice on how they could succeed next year.

Springville Junior High is excited about having these sixth graders attend next year.

SJHS Staff Writers

Front row, left to right:  Jack Setzer, Spencer Duncan, Jacob DeRosia and Cody Woolsey.  Second row:  Jacob Simmons, Brooke Seaton, Morgan Bowser, Hayde Blanco and Christopher Taylor.  Third row:  Cheslea Ricks, Kenia Martinez, Julie Barbosa, Katya Wagstaff and Sarah Jensen.  Back row:  Max Schreiner, Andrew Garza, Jose Martinez and Kara Dunn.

Kenia Martinez
SJHS Staff Writer

This week is the last week that journalism will be available this school year. Students have enjoyed writing about different events from around the school. From student and teacher spotlights to school-wide happenings, the journalism students have covered nearly everything.

Ms.Tiffanie Miley has taught journalism this year. Ms. Miley enjoyed teaching the class and described her Journalism students as a group of great writers who are motivated to do good work. “I’ve been really impressed with what my journalism students have written this year–both in quantity and quality,” said Ms. Miley. The journalism students have done so well that Ms. Miley cannot think of a way that the students can improve in their writing.

Andrew Garza is an eighth-grade journalism student this semester. Andrew is sad that these are his last days as a journalism student. He’s had fun writing a wide variety of articles for this class. All the students in the journalism class can agree that their writing has improved since they’ve taken this class. “I think my writing has improved. I can be more descriptive when I write,” said Andrew. Andrew’s favorite article was one he wrote about what students were planning on doing for Christmas.

Sarah Jensen is another eighth-grade student in the journalism class. Her favorite article was one she wrote on Mr. Booth because it was fun to learn about band. “Yes!” Sarah said, explaining that the journalism class has indeed helped her in her writing, “I write tons better!”  Sarah isn’t particularly happy about leaving Journalism this semester because she enjoyed getting published, and she thinks that the class is really fun.

This semester will not be the end of news from SJHS, however. Next semester, a couple of former journalism students may end up writing articles. The scheduling is still being worked out, and Ms. Miley really hopes it happens. There will also be a journalism class next year for eighth and ninth grade students.

It’s on the Utah License plates- “The Greatest Snow on Earth.” Mrs. Kaycie Sorenson, SJHS math teacher, agrees with that statement. “Utah ski resorts rock!” said Mrs. Sorenson. In the winter, many Utahns, and others from across the world, go up into the Utah Rockies and ski up at any of the several resorts.

“Hills are split,” said Spencer Duncan, an eighth grade SJHS student. “From hardest to easiest: Double Black Diamond, Black Diamond, Green Square, and Blue Circle.”

What do people like about Alpine skiing? “You can go super fast, but slow as well,” said Spencer. Mrs. Sorenson said, “There is no greater feeling in this world than the cold air rushing across your face as you fly down a steep slope covered in fresh powder.”

Springville Junior High just finished a food and clothing drive.  Natalie Shaw, Liz White, Taylor Martin, Shawnee Henderson, and Thalia Berriel, members of the service learning class, were in charge of the drive.

The drive went from Monday November 29 through Monday December 7.  The winning class gets a donut party from Reams in Springville.  According to Natalie Shaw, the party is used to encourage students to donate.

Mrs. Bird, service learning teacher, said, “The purpose of the drive is to help people less fortunate than us.”  Tyler Ercanbrack, a first period student in Mrs. Rebecca Murdock’s class, said “It helps other people.”

The food and clothing donations are being sent to the Food and Care Coalition.  Some of the shoes may go to Deseret Industries.

Mr. Kindrick and some of the logos his students created.

Cody Woolsey
SJHS Staff Writer

This week in Mr. David Kindrick’s eighth-grade science class, everyone is looking a little bit greener. Mr. Kindrick is teaching his students about the environment and how important it is to us living on this earth. “We impact the environment,” said Mr. Kindrick, the eighth grade science teacher at Springville Junior High.

A part of this unit is for students to design and create their own logo. Students will then pick the best logo out of all Mr. Kindrick’s classes, and it will be printed on a T-shirt. “Students are very creative,” said Mr. Kindrick, “I expect quality work.” Students then have the option to purchase a T-shirt for three dollars.

By making these T-shirts, Mr. Kindrick hopes that Springville Junior High will help the environment, as well as display the creativity that the SJHS students wield. “It’s good to know that SJHS is doing their part to go green,” said Katya Wagstaff, an eighth grader at Springville Junior High. Who knows, maybe SJHS could change the world by showing off their new go green T-shirts!

When you walk by the SJHS Choir room during sixth to eighth period, you will hear melodies and harmonies. On December 11th, elementary school students will be able to hear these harmonies and melodies without leaving their schools. “All of the elementary schools in Springville will be visited (by the Master Singers and Knightingales),” said Mrs. Leslie Walker, the SJHS choir director. The Master Singers is the ninth grade audition choir; the Knightingales are a mixed chorus of eighth and ninth grade girls.

The Master Singers will be presenting four pieces one with “Choralography—movement on the risers” and another one with a full dance; while the Knightingales will perform three, one with “choralography.” The choralography for the Knightingales was taught by Mrs. Courtney Johnson, an SJHS Vice Principal, who once performed with the BYU International Folkdancers.

For the eighth grade Knightingales, this will be a new experience. According to Krystena Robbins, an eighth grader, she is excited because little kids love songs. Her favorite song they’re performing in “Santa Claus is coming to Town.” She has a younger sister who attends Sage Creek Elementary, whom Krystena will get to see in the afternoon.

Brother Clegg and his seminary class.

Chelsea Ricks
SJHS Staff Writer

During the years of high school, students have the opportunity to take seminary. Seminary is a class where students get to learn about the L.D.S. faith. The Objective of Seminaries and Institutes of Religion section of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ website says that, “Seminary is to help youth and young adults to understand and rely on the teachings and The Atonement of Jesus Christ, qualify for the blessings of the temple, and prepare themselves, their families, and others for eternal life with their Father in Heaven.”

Brother McLay, seminary teacher at SJHS, said, “I love the spiritual feeling in the building at seminary. I love the countenance increase. It is very rewarding to see someone learn a new principle and decide to live it.” The youth love seminary too.  Kali Condie, a student in seminary, took the class because she loves to be in a place where she can be loved and accepted. She also enjoys learning about the gospel.

The Church’s website also explains that some of the things teachers and students in seminary should do in making seminary a good experience is, “learn and teach by the Spirit. They should cultivate a learning environment of love, respect, and purpose. Explain, share and testify of gospel doctrines and principles.” In seminary the students in the class do the devotional to get the class started. The students read a scripture of their choice, sing a hymn that they like, and they have the opportunity to pray.  The lesson the teacher gives their students for the day could be about principles, doctrines, scriptures, or anything else the teacher feels like the students should learn.

Seminary is a good experience for everybody, the students and the teachers. Brother Clegg, another teacher in seminary, said, “Seminary continues to make an incredible difference in the lives of the youth of the church. We invite all to come and be a part of it, members or nonmembers of the church.”

The annual Make-a-Wish Carnival was held at Springville High School on Monday, November 9 from 6 to 8:30. This carnival helped raise money to make Jessenia’s wish come true. Jessenia has ALL Leukemia, and her wish is to go to Disneyworld and meet all of the Disney princesses.

This carnival had games like pie throwing, an ice cream eating contest, miniature golf, face painting, standing long jump, skateboard races and pin the tail on the devil. Springville Junior High’s service learning class had the chance to help out in some of the events. The events that service learning helped out were skateboard races and standing long jump. Participants sat on the skateboard and pushed off with plungers for the skateboard races. Then for the standing long jump people stood on a line and jumped as far as they could. The further participants jumped, the more candy they won.

Springville Junior High is hoping to raise $1,000 for Jessenia.  If they do, Josh Buhler, a member of the Springville High School student council, has volunteered to help motivate people to buying more stars by shaving half of his hair off. Mrs. Diane Bird, service learning and sewing teacher at SJHS, said, “It would really be nice to see Josh Buhler’s head shaven.” Haley Norman, a seventh grader here at Springville Junior High said that her favorite games were miniature golf and the face painting. Haley also said, “This was a really good way to earn money for Jessenia.”

With the end of the term quickly approaching, one of the biggest concerns parents and students face is grades.  Nebo District uses S.I.S., an online program, to track student attendance and grades.  Springville Junior High is hosting a training program for parents all throughout Nebo district on October 21, at 7:00 p.m. at Springville Junior High (165 South 700 East). This training program should be an easy walk through with two translators handy to answer questions or concerns.

Bilingual posters have been placed around Springville to inform parents about this meeting. It should be very informative and a lot of help to anyone who is struggling. Springville Junior High is excited to teach and help parents understand how easy this process is to check up on their students.

Badger cheerleaders holding up their banner for the football team to rip through at the beginning of the footbal game.

Hayde Blanco
SJHS Staff Writer

“G-O Lets Go! Springville, G-O Lets Go!!!!!” These words are very familiar to the Springville Junior High football players. Here at Springville Junior High we have cheerleaders supporting and gathering the crowd for the football players.

According to Cynthia Esklund, Springville Junior High cheerleader, cheerleaders help the football players. Cheering gets them “pumped up.” Alyssa Nance, another Springville Junior High cheerleader, said “Heck Yes!” cheerleading is a sport.

Some things that cheerleaders do at football games are dances during half time, tumble, and pump up the crowd. A unique thing that Cynthia Esklund and her team, the Badgers, do is make a banner and then hold it up while the football players run through it at the beginning of the game.

Max Schreiner, eight grade student and football player at Springville Junior High, likes having the cheerleaders at the games because they are “cute,” but when they do their dance during half time it is hard to hear his coach. Kaleni Neiufi, seventh grade football player, said, “It gets the crowd and a lot of people cheering for us.” But according to Kaleni, his team mates pay more attention to the cheerleaders than the game.