Kara Dunn
SJHS Staff Writer

Valentine’s Day is a holiday that is celebrated throughout the world. It has never been confirmed as to where this holiday originated, but there are, however, many speculations. The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine that were martyred, but the real origin has never been confirmed.

Springville Junior High school is celebrating Valentines Day this year in a few different ways. The Service Learning class is creating Valentines that students can buy and give to other students. These Valentines will cost one dollar, and the service learning class will deliver them to the appropriate student during the students’ sixth period class.

Springville Junior High is also hosting a school dance for students at Springville Junior High. The dance will be February 11th from 7:00 to 9:00 and will be four dollars without their student I.D. and three with. Students are asked to wear best dress, but still follow the dress code found in the student handbook.

Katya Wagstaff
SJHS Staff Writer

Every Christmas morning, little kids and others who wish they were little kids, wake up early to rush downstairs to see what presents are peeking out from under the Christmas tree.  They tear the wrapping paper off as fast as they can, after all, who cares about the wrapping paper, right?  This would describe everyone who completely loves Christmas and can’t wait to see what they received.  Coming back to school after the Christmas break is when many students compare what they got and what their friends got.  Every year there are certain items that it seems everyone has received for Christmas.

Among Springville Junior High students, some of the most popular gifts this year are iPods, cameras and, as every year, clothes.  According to Jamie Devenish, a seventh grader, her favorite gift this year was an iPod Touch because they have tons of things you can do with them.  Katelynn Marshall, an eighth grader, loves her new iPod touch because she has been “wanting one for a long time!”  According to Cynthia Esklund, another eighth grader, her favorite gift this year was a Nikon digital camera.

Other Christmas gifts aren’t as common, but still well-loved this year for SJHS students, for example, Bailey Cox, an eighth grader received a laptop.  According to her, it was her favorite gift because she can now take her computer wherever she wants.  A seventh grader, Morgan Dunn received a bow and arrow.  He loves it because, as he said, “It makes me feel like a hunter.”  Zoe Baldwin, a seventh grader, loves her new Wii because you “get a workout while playing video games.”

Teachers are big fans of Christmas as well.  Ms. Josie Jarvis, the SJHS Business CTE teacher said, “I love Christmas and always will!  The only thing that has changed is that I am more excited to give my gifts than receive gifts.”  Though she loves to give gifts, according to her, she loved a cute orange purse from Buckle given to her by her mom.  That just shows that at any age, SJHS loves Christmas, along with everyone else.

Katya Wagstaff, Krystena Robbins, Darby Farr, Aaron Stoddard, and Spencer Duncan participated in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s Christmas concert.

Katya Wagstaff
SJHS Staff Writer

Many may not know it, but Mrs. Leslie Walker, the SJHS Choral Director, also is a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  For the recent Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert, The Wondrous Gift of Christmas, there was a children’s choir consisting of many childrens’ choirs from Utah.  One of those choirs, Hobble Creek Singers, is from Springville and is directed by Mrs. Walker.  Five of the ten children participating in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir concert are students at Springville Junior High.

Students Krystena Robbins, Darby Farr, Aaron Stoddard, Spencer Duncan and Katya Wagstaff were the five participating.  The concert was December 10th through the 12th, and Music and the Spoken Word, on the 13th.  During the week of the rehearsals and performances, the students left Springville at about 4:00 in the afternoon and didn’t arrive back home until 11 or 12 at night.

“When you’re on stage, it’s a lot better than when you’re just watching,” said Krystena.  According to Aaron, the best part was the performances.  Darby had a different opinion, according to her, meeting Dr. Mack Wilburg and singing in the LDS Conference Center was the best.  Spencer simply enjoyed “being able to sing with friends and MoTab members.”

Being in the concert required making sacrifices; if you wanted to be in the concert, it was required that you participate in every single rehearsal and performance.  According to Krystena, she sacrificed part of the time that she normally would’ve been asleep.  According to Darby, she missed her first ballroom concert with BYU.  Aaron had to miss a swim meet.

Performing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir was a learning experience.  Spencer said, “[The concert] helped me appreciate what the MoTab members go through every week.”  According to Aaron, it improved his singing voice and his confidence.  Confidence is needed if you’re performing in front of up to 21,000 people, and being filmed for a DVD to come out the next year!

No matter how many sacrifices were made, all the kids agreed that it was worth it, even though they were wearing black turtleneck sweaters with long sleeve, baggy lilac shirts with a violet bow over, a purple beret tipped to the left, and either a black skirt or black pants.  Talking about the costumes, Darby said, “I looked like a French painter, but I wish I could do it again.”  According to Krystena, she’d love to as long as she’d be able to get more sleep.

Mrs. Gleave’s geometry class sings math Christmas carols to a seventh-grade English class.

Jacob Simmons
SJHS Staff Writer

A new tradition has sprung at SJHS in Mrs. Corrin Gleave’s most advanced math classes. A unit she started just last year is her Christmas caroling unit, which she has decided to revive again this year.

Last year Mrs. Gleave had her students take a little bit of time from math, and had them rewrite words to the tunes of familiar Christmas carols. The words the students wrote all had to relate to math formulas and theorems from their book. This year the students are required to do the same thing.

Once the masterpieces have been written by the students, the whole class learns each others songs. They then go around to different teachers throughout the school to sing their formulas and theorems.

“Last year was our first caroling event, but I immediately knew it should be an annual tradition,” said Mrs. Gleave. The unit has also proven to be a great way to help students remember the formulas; students from last year remember the songs, and even those who were sung to remember them.

“The slope formula set to ‘Feliz Navidad’ and the Order of Operations set to ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’ were both exceptionally hilarious!” Mrs. Gleave commented, “It is really difficult to choose favorites because students are amazingly adept at “spoofing” songs!” She continued.

Chelsea Ricks
SJHS Staff Writer

Every year around this time Springville Junior High has their Christmas Dance. This year the dance was on Thursday, December 17, 2009. The Service Learning class made posters for the dance, and the student council decorated. The dance was filled with Christmas lights and Christmas posters to help with the Christmas spirit. The D.J. at the dance played Christmas songs, old songs, and new hip songs.

“The dances at SJHS help support the school with the money the students paid to get in. So everybody should come!” said Sara Ripley, a member of the student council. The people who chaperone the dances are, teachers, parents, and PTA members. Carson Giles said, “ My favorite part of the dance was dancing with the ladies.”

Kara Dunn
SJHS Staff Writer

Christmas time is all about traditions, and one of the traditions held at Springville Junior High School is that the service learning class hosts a Christmas assembly. This year the assembly will be a Christmas Game Show.

“We’re going to have student council hosting, special judges, and people from the audience all interacting,” Katie Bair, a member of student council explained. “This is going to be a lot more interactive with the audience than usual,” Katie went onto say.

The assembly is full of surprises and lots of contests for the audience to get to be involved in. “Hopefully it will put everyone into a Christmassy mood.” Katie explained.

Maddie Patten
SJHS Staff Writer

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

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

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

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!”

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

McKenna Gleave
SJHS Staff Writer

For as long as any of us can remember, SJHS has had a strict no costume policy when it comes to dressing up for Halloween. This year, however, the students were determined to change that.

Knights of the Round Table is weekly meeting with students, one representative from each homeroom class, where they discuss the issues of the school and make and brainstorm plans for the student body. Lately their main focus has been directed to changing the school’s policy of no costumes in school on Halloween.

Students wrote persuasive essays to the administration in an attempt to convince them to bend on the old rule. It seems to have been delightfully effective. Not only did it reach out and help activate the students of SJHS and show great school spirit and involvement, but it also achieved its goal. Students will now be permitted to dress up on Halloween and show off all their unique costumes at school.

Principal Darrel Rolfe encourages the idea of inviting a little fun amidst the regular school schedule. He believes that when everyday rolls by same as the one before that you need a little break to switch it up. However, structure must be maintained. There will be several rules along with this great privilege. “No face paint, no masks, no fake blood, and students must follow the dress code for modesty and decency.”

The students of SHJS are all looking forward to sharing their personalities through festive costumes on this upcoming fantastical Halloween holiday!

Shelby Anderson
SJHS Staff Writer

There will be a Halloween dance on October 30 at Springville Junior High in the boy’s gym; it will start at 7:00 p.m. and end at 9:00 p.m. The cost of the dance will be $4 without student ID and $3 with student ID. There will be costumes allowed, but students must not wear masks, blood, or any type of gore. There will be spooky decorations, fun costumes, and maybe even a food drive…

There are some consequences for the students that have tardies and sluffs. Mrs. Wimmer, the skill building teacher, said, “If any students have Morning Enrichment time, they need to make it up by the morning before or the morning of the day of the dance, or they will not be able to go.”