THE BLACK AND GOLD "HAVE A PAWFECT SUMMER!" MAY 17, 2022
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VOLUME I: ISSUE 18
THE OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWS SOURCE OF BUCHANAN COUNTY R-IV
Newspaper Staff Members:
Mekayla Boydston | Helaina Geoffroy | Jaxon Harris | Abigail Miller |Tricia Simpson
COMMUNITY HONORS CLASS OF 2022 GRADUATES BY HELAINA GEOFFROY
On Sunday, May 8th, the Senior Class of 2022 graduated. The event was filled with speeches, scholarships, flowers, tears, laughter, and celebration. Before the ceremony, some of the Seniors were nervous. Ashton Crockett was feeling “sad, very nervous and not ready to move on.” No one was ready to leave their memories behind, but Brenna Bowen was “very excited” to be moving on. The Valedictorian of the class of 2022 was Natalyn Killoren, and the Salutatorian was Rebekah Gunter. Both ladies gave speeches that had their classmates laughing and crying. Mrs. Hansbrough gave her speech wearing a funny hat to remind students not be afraid to be seen. By the end of the event, there were tears everywhere. “My speech went good. I didn’t mess up. I feel pretty good and excited,” said Natalyn Killoren. Congratulations to the graduating class of 2022, and good luck in your future endeavors!
Photo Credit: Amy Miller
SPANISH WORD OF THE WEEK
verano Definition:
summer Use it in a Sentence:
Las clases terminor, y el verano empieza.
MRS. MATTHEWS CHANGING CAREERS BY ABIGAIL MILLER Mrs. Terri Matthews has been teaching at Rushville Elementary for 17 years. Working here for so long means you have to have a favorite part. Mrs. Matthews says, “My favorite part of the job is being able to watch the growth in my students from the beginning of the school year to the end and fostering relationships with my students.” After spending so much time with the students and staff, you begin to make relationships and form bonds. “I will miss working with students and staff,” says Mrs. Matthews. “I have too many wonderful memories to mention!! My fondest memories have been watching the staff come together and help one another during difficult times”
Pictured: Mrs. Matthews and her class
Now that she's retiring, Mrs. Matthews is planning on running her wedding business on their farm. Mrs. Matthews would also like to add, “I have been blessed to work with so many wonderful teachers. I have also been lucky enough to have some wonderful students over the years. I will always hold Rushville Elementary in my heart.” She will be greatly missed by everyone here in De Kalb and Rushville .We will all miss her alot and if you happen to see her wish her luck on future endeavors. MAY 17, 2022
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RUSHVILLE'S MRS. CROUSE RETIRES BY: ABIGAIL MILLER
Mrs. Christina Crouse started teaching at Rushville Elementary in 1992 and then moved to Iowa for a couple of years but ended up coming back in 1995. In total, Crouse has worked at Rushville elementary for 27 years. Mrs. Crouse says, “My favorite part of the job is building connections with my students. I see my students every day, and many of my students I will have for several years. I love that they enjoy sharing their lives with me.” After spending so much time with the students and staff, you begin to make relationships and form bonds. “I will miss the students and the staff at Rushville. I will miss sharing in the progress that the students make and celebrating their accomplishments. I will miss the staff at Rushville. We have a staff like no other that truly cares and goes above and beyond to make sure that everyone (students and staff
included) are successful,” says Mrs. Crouse. “I have so many memories that I could not name one. I wish I would have kept track of some of them so I could write a funny book! Kids can say the funniest things and always make me laugh!” Now that she's retiring, Mrs.Crouse is planning on teaching preschool. Mrs.Crouse would also like to add, “I hope that all of my students now and in the past know that it has been an honor to have been their teacher. I hope that I have developed a love for learning and built a foundation for a life-long love for reading. I am going to miss them so very much, and I am looking forward to visiting next year.” We will all miss her alot here in De Kalb and Rushville. And if you happen to see her, wish her luck with her future plans.
Pictured: Mrs Crouse and her students
MAY 17, 2022
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INTRODUCING DE KALB'S NEW 20222023 STUDENT COUNCIL OFFICERS
Pictured: Rylie Johnson, Kayln Hartman, Rachel Reagan, Harlie Hall, Rawley Mydland
MRS. PUNZO'S BOOK OF THE WEEK BY TRICIA SIMPSON
Despite being busy with grading and teaching, many teachers still fit in their time to read. Mr. Punzo loves to read in her free time, and right now she is reading The Judge's List, by Josh Grisham. Mrs. Punzo says she recommends the book because "It's interesting and has a cool story. Mrs. Punzo also adds that the author is good and she usually reads his books. Mrs. Punzo also gave insight about the book. "It's judges judging other judges. MAY 17, 2022
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Quote of the week brought to you by:
Daniel Griffen
"Stay away from wasps!" MAY 17, 2022
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Girls Track Team Speeds to State BY JAXON HARRIS
The last few weeks of Track have been eventful. The team has had their District, Conference, Sectional and State meets. Those three meets were very important for the De Kalb Track team. Each meet determined who would advance to the next level. Junior athletes Gracie Hanshaw and Lainie Vogan have had a very exciting few weeks. Gracie Hanshaw placed 1st in the Mile and the 400, and 2nd in the 800 in the Conference meet, while she placed 1st in the 400 and 2nd in the 800 in Districts. Lainie Vogan also placed 2nd in Triple Jump and 3rd in the 100m Hurdles and got a new personal record in the Triple After the recent Sectional meet, the girls had multiple people advancing to State, where awards went to the 4x4 team, 4x8 team and then Gracie Hanshaw in the 400 and Lainie Vogan in the 100 meter hurdles. MAY 17, 2022
The De Kalb Middle School Track team also had an eventful couple weeks. Bode Griffin placed 2nd in three of his events, the 100, 400, and the long jump. He claimed he got a couple personal records in some events throughout the season because this is his first year of track. Rylie Burdette also placed 3rd in Discus at the District meet. She said she thinks she had a good first season with placing in multiple meets and also getting a bunch of new personal records. They both think that they both had a good first season. Coach Reagan, the coach of the De Kalb High School Track Team, said “I think that we have had a good season with people getting new personal records and winning in their events.” She said that she is happy with the turnout of the season so far, but she always wants more people to come out to try track. PAGE | 6
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What is De Kalb doing over summer? Playing sports
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MAY 17, 2022
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THE STATE OF OUR LOCKERS At De Kalb, as the year goes by it’s hard to keep your locker tidy. Based on surveys taken by the students at DHS, junior DJ Johnson has the cleanest locker in the high school. Everyone says DJ’s locker is very clean. DJ only keeps two things in his locker because he is an organized person. DJ says “I never clean my locker because there are only two things in my locker. DJ keeps his trapper keeper and a book in his locker. DJ claims “it’s easy to find stuff in my locker”, so we tested this theory. We asked him to find a marker and it took him 8.59 seconds to find a marker. If you want locker cleaning advice, ask DJ.
Pictured: Anna Sampson Photo Credits:Tricia Simpson
MAY 17, 2022
Pictured: Junior DJ Johnson Photo Credits:Tricia Simpson
The winner of the dirtiest locker for high school was freshman Anna Sampson. Anna says the state of her locker is “very messy.” When asked how she organizes her locker, she stated “I don’t.” Most people don’t have to clean their locker everyday because they can keep it clean, but for Anna she probably should take it into consideration since she only cleans her locker once every three months. In her locker she keeps “everything.” Anna said it’s terrible trying to find something in her locker, so we put her to the test. We asked her to find a math worksheet she has done. On her first try, she pulled out a packet that wasn’t hers. So besides all her papers in her locker, it also appears that she keeps her friends' things safe for them. It took her 21.70 seconds to find a math worksheet that was hers. PAGE | 08
THE STATE OF OUR LOCKERS - CONT'D The middle school has larger lockers than the high school, so it may be harder to keep it organized, but seventh grader Maggie Hall does it. According to fellow classmates, Hall has the cleanest locker. Maggie says the state of her locker is “clean.” Maggie organizes her locker whenever need be. In her locker, she keeps perfume, school supplies, her bag, and her water bottle. Overall, Maggie says “It’s easy to find stuff in my locker.” We had asked Maggie to find a colored pencil in her locker. It took her 15.40 seconds to find, but only because it was at the bottom and she never uses them. Pictured: Maggie Hall Photo Credits:Tricia Simpson
The middle school decided eighth grader Landon Crockett had the dirtiest locker. When asked to describe the state of his locker, Landon said “It’s alright.” Landon doesn’t organize his locker. He just “throws stuff in it.” Landon has not cleaned his locker since the beginning of the year. He keeps everything in his locker from school supplies to the most random things you could think of such as books, cologne, papers, and water bottles.. When asked how hard it is to find something in his locker, Crockett said it was pretty hard sometimes. Landon was asked to find his science book, and because he had just had science class, it ended up being on the top of the pile of everything. It took Landon 6.75 seconds to find his book despite it being on top of the pile. In conclusion, it is better to keep your locker clean so you don’t have to scramble to find things. Pictured: Landon Crockett Photo Credits:Tricia Simpson
MAY 17, 2022
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A SPECIAL LETTER FROM THE EDITORS
Dear De Kalb And Rushville Community, As the year comes to an end, the newspaper staff for the Black and Gold would just like to thank the community for supporting us and helping us improve in the best ways. We would like to thank all of the teachers for letting us interrupt classes to do interviews and take pictures. We would also like to thank all of the students for letting us interview you and take your pictures and last but not least we would also like to thank the staff for also letting us bug you. As we look back and reflect on this year and how much we have improved, we decided we wanted to share our favorite stories from throughout the school year. We hope you enjoy them just as much as we do. Wishing you a great summer! The Black and Gold News Team
MAY 17, 2022
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2021-2022: A RETROSPECTIVE ABIGAIL'S PICK Hello! I am the Editor-in-Chief of The Black and Gold. My favorite story from this year was "The Mouse Before Christmas" from Issue 8. This is my favorite story because it was super fun to write and I think it was also the easiest one to write.
MAY 17, 2022
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TRICIA'S PICK Hi, I’m Tricia! I am the Business Editor of The Black and Gold. My favorite story that I have written from this year would be the story about when my dog, Odin, visited the school. Enjoy "Odin Visits De Kalb" from Issue 16 below.
MAY 17, 2022
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MEKAYLA'S PICK Hi, I’m Mekayla and I’m the photo and art editor of The Black and Gold Newspaper. I picked "De Kalb Dopplegangers" from Issue 14 as my favorite story from this year. This story is my favorite because it was really interesting and I had fun writing it.
MAY 17, 2022
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HELAINA'S
PICK
My favorite article this year that I have done was when I did the profile on Mr. Jenkins, And after that how many times we need to interview him for other things. But, now I get to know something about my teacher.
MAY 17, 2022
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JAXON'S
PICK
My favorite article this year that I have done was my most recent article, "The Baseball Catch-Up" from Issue 17. My favorite part was when I interviewed Brandon Griffin and Coach Wardlow, and they told me a couple of their funny nicknames.
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