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December 12th, 2025
MS Girls Basketball
Hear about how the Middle School Girls fought hard against East Atchison! -p. 5 MC is a bad girl
Door Decorating
See the study hall Door Decorating competition outcome!- p. 8-9
Christmas Lights in Rushville Read about the 8th annual Rushville Ballpark Lighting ceremony! -p. 12
MC eats her boogers
MC’s bus is here
THE BLACK AND GOLD Volume 5 Issue 15 December 12th 2025
is st
inky
Newspaper Staff
MC is cray cray
MC
MC hates Christmas
MC is smelly
Editor-in-Chief
Michaela Copeland
Assistant Editor-in-Chief Bella Beems News Editor Laci Burnett
Photo Credit: Tigers Booster Club Photo Caption: Grace Downing playing basketball.
High School Girls Never Quit Going By: Laci Burnett
Reporters Katlyn Boydston Grayson Moore Photographers Lauraly Lane Josephine Long Designers Ashlynn Bowen Gunner Delp Guest Writer Cane Delp
MC bites me
The High School Girls’ Basketball Team has had a busy two weeks with the PVI championship game against Nodaway Valley on Friday, December 5th, as well as games on the 10th and the 12th. The Lady Tigers worked hard in the PVI Tournament to earn second place after facing off against Nodaway Valley at Northwest Missouri State University, with a score of 35-36. Although they did lose, it was a fantastic game that was hard-fought. After working hard on Friday, the girls played a tough game against Northland Christian. Although they fought to win, they sadly fell behind and lost 32-41. Coach Rumpf says, “We’re only halfway through the year, not even halfway, we are five games in, and there's a lot of potential, but we just have to keep working hard and good things will happen.” To finish off the week, they played against King City. Although they faced another loss, the girls never gave up and continued to play hard until the final buzzer. Come see these girls work hard at their next game on our home court against North Platte and cheer them on.
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December 12th, 2025
What to Read By: Cane Delp
MS Boys Never Quit Fighting By: Katlyn Boydston
Photo Credit: Pinterest Pictured: Ember in the Ashes book series by Sabaa Tahir.
Have you been looking for a good read? Something to keep your eyes glued to the offwhite pages for six to seven hours? Look no further: An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir is a great option to fill your seemingly endless hours. This book is part of a four-book series following the two main characters, Laia and Elias. The main character, Laia, is a Scholar girl in the desert. The Scholars are a group of people, primarily focused on: you guessed it- scholarly things. However, the students at Blackcliff Academy are not a fan of these things. The Empire, the group that runs the Academy, would rather focus on making the deadliest soldiers in all of fiction than actually get smarter. This is due to their dumb religion, but you can find that out for yourself. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone looking for a good read, something fun and thrilling to fill their free time. This book, while long, is definitely worth the time. This book took me around a week to read, only reading in my free time in school, which we all know is none with my late work, and I enjoyed all of it.
Photo Credit: Tiger Booster Club Pictured: Bobby Clemens fights for the jump ball.
On Monday, December 8th, the Middle School Boys’ Basketball team played against Stewartsville/Osborn. The Middle School Boys Basketball team unfortunately lost against the WildCards with a score of 12-33. Seventh grader Bobby Clemens said, “We did better than any other game we played.” “We didn’t do the best, but we could have done better and made good passes,” said eighth grader Tucker Lane. The boys played on Saturday, December 6th, against East Atchison for the 275 Conference Tournament. The boys play on Thursday, December 11th, for the 275 Conference Tournament, so come out and support them!
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December 12th, 2025
What to Play By: Gunner Delp
Photo Credit: Steam Pictured: ARC Raiders video game cover.
For those who have started to get tired of Player vs. Player games, there is a game that was released fairly recently, which caught a lot of people’s attention. The name of said game is ARC Raiders. ARC Raiders was released on October 30th. ARC Raiders introduces a unique system called PvPvE, which means player versus player versus enemy. This means that player-versus-player is an option. The other combat option is the enemies known as ARCs. ARCs are robots that try to take the player out in each match. In ARC Raiders, your goal is to go into maps such as Dam Battlegrounds, Blue Gate, Stella Montis, and more to look around for loot to upgrade your character, acquire better guns, or even help out others. On the other hand, some prefer a more aggressive playstyle where they kill other players, grief, and hunt down ARCS. ARC Raiders is on platforms such as PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. As of currently, ARC Raiders has a peak of 700,000 players. Amongst them are streamers such as TheBurntPeanut and Myth. Many YouTubers, streamers, and gamers in general have been enjoying the game to its maximum potential. I highly recommend checking out ARC Raiders!
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December 12th, 2025
DIVA OF THE WEEK Leighton Servaes He is super nonchalant
Michaela Copeland
She only has 16 days ‘til she can have Facebook
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December 12th, 2025
Trapshoot Braves Cold in December Shoot By: Laci Burnett
MS Girls Complete 275 Tournament By: Ashlynn Bowen
Photo Credit: Mr. Medsker Pictured: FFA Traphsooting for their meet.
On Saturday, December 6th, DeKalb Trapshoot had a meet in Fall City. Although it was a frigid one, they still did what they did best and came out on top. Trapshoot experienced the slight challenge of the freezing temperatures on Saturday, but Medsker says that the “team went from 5th place in the standings up to 4th place in the standings, and [they] are only two points behind Mound City.” The boys and girls on the team have been working hard, and their scores reflect it. Multiple members shot very well, such as Sophomores Garret Marriot, who scored 45 out of 50, and Kale Cassity, who shot 43 out of 50. On top of this, Freshman Gage Hartman scored an impressive 42 out of 50. These members are continuously improving more each and every meet, and will continue to do so. Come see them at their next meet on Saturday, January 10th, at the Kansas City Trapshoot Association.
Photo Credit: Tigers Booster Club Pictured: Khloee Weinmann passing the ball.
On Saturday, December 6th the middle school girls basketball team started the 275 tournament against East Atchison and they sadly lost 30-27. They played their second game on Monday, December 8th against Stewartsville-Osborn and lost again 23-19. “We need to talk to each other more,” said Avalee Servaes. They finished up their tournament on Thursday, December 11th, with a win against North Nodaway, with a score of 13-25. “The girls did very well in defense and forced turnovers in the press,” said coach Twilah Carrasquillo. To prepare for their next game, “ We need to work on driving to the basket,” added Coach Carrasquillo. They play their last game of the season on Monday, December 15, against North Platte at home if you would like to come out and support.
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December 12th, 2025
HS Boys Show Resilience on the Court By: Josie Long
Photo Credit: Joslynne Bailey
Photo Credit: Tigers Booster Club
Photo Credit: Joslynne Bailey
After their busy week during the PVI tournament, the DeKalb Basketball boys were able to get a bit of a break, only playing two games this week. On Tuesday, they played a tough match against Northland Christian with a score of 49-33. During the game, the boys showed lots of determination, took many shots, yet still came up short in the end. One of the ways Kale Cassity prepares himself for a difficult game is by listening to some music while also remembering and going over plays. On Thursday, they had the opportunity to play King City, but sadly came out with a loss. The score was 20-65. The boys' next game will be on Tuesday, December 16, against OSHS. Make sure to show support to these boys and all the hard work they have been putting in!
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December 12th, 2025
DeKalb Welcomes Golden Oldies By: Michaela Copeland
Photo Credit: Mrs. Powell Pictured: Community members enjoy lunch at DeKalb.
On Wednesday, December 10th, the Golden Oldies group travelled to the high school instead of eating lunch at the community center in DeKalb. Typically, groups from the school go to the community center to serve the lunch that Vicki Sampson and others prepare once every month. Our National Honor Society members served up a lunch of ham, mac and cheese, and cranberry salad, followed by the choice of carrot cake or red velvet cake for dessert. After the Golden Oldies had their lunch, they went into the gymnasium to watch the middle and high school band perform their music, which they had been preparing for the Winter concert that will take place on Wednesday, December 17th, at 7:00. Our school was grateful to host the Golden Oldies this month and we can’t wait to host again!
Photo Credit: Lauraly Lane Pictured: Mrs. King directs Winter Concert after Golden Oldies lunch.
Door Decorating By: Bella Beems
Dear DeKalb Students, It’s that time of the year again folks! Christmas doors are back in season! This is the third year DeKalb Middle/High School has done this fun and festive activity. I believe that everywhere should be decorated for Christmas, inside and outside. These doors give the students a chance to have creative freedom and have some fun before the school lets out for break. While also decorating our halls for the holidays.
Mrs. Hansbrough
But while this is “all fun in games”, there is still competition to be had. Mrs. Powell will be sending out a google form on Wednesday December 17, to vote on your favorite door, so make sure to check your email. Remember this season is the season of giving, so give your honest vote! Sincerely, Santa Claus
Mrs. Baker
Door Decorating
Mrs. Holder
Mr. Newsted
Mr. Dubs
Mrs. H
Mrs. Garvey
Mrs. T
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December 12th, 2025
Student of the Month By: Ashlynn Bowen
Cole Kovac 11th Grade
Alivia Hall 10th Grade
Meredith Sawyer 7th Grade
Favroite Subject : Anatomy
Favroite Subject : Ag
Favroite Subject : English
Advice on being a good student: Try hard because it helps set you up in life.
Advice on being a good student: Do your work and listen.
Advice on being a good student: Turn your work in and be nice to everyone.
Gold Card Winners
Lane Hall 7th Grade
Bobby Clemens 7th Grade
Why citizenship matters: It’s good to help people.
Why citizenship mattters: So we don’t harm others and to help each other out.
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December 12th, 2025
What to Listen to By: Michaela Copeland
What to Watch By: Grayson Moore
Photo Credit: Pinterest Pictured: Rango and Beans as shown in Rango
Photo Credit: Pinterest Pictured: The Smiths
Recently, I’ve been listening to The Smiths, which is an English indie rock band that was primarily popular throughout the 80s and 90s, known for their poetic and melancholic feel. I personally enjoy their songs, How Soon is Now?, Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now, and Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want. I first started listening to The Smiths because they were mentioned in an important scene of 500 Days of Summer. The band split up due to artistic differences, but tribute bands like The Smiths Ltd. are currently touring in the UK. The original band broke up in 1987 and has stated that they have no plans of reuniting, but Morrissey, the lead singer-songwriter, is touring for his solo career. If you enjoy melodramatic music, you can find The Smiths on all listening platforms. I would mostly recommend The Smiths for autumn or winter, but they are a good listen year-round.
If you are looking for a good movie to watch, I recommend watching Rango. It opens with a pet lizard traveling with his owners through the Mojave Desert. Something runs out into the road, causing the car to swerve and the lizard’s glass cage to fall out of the car and shatter in the road. After this the lizard, who is very indecisive on who he is, is abandoned, he wanders off in the desert in search of his own purpose. He comes across a small town of rodents and other small animals called Dirt. Upon finding this town he enters the saloon for a drink and reads a label on one of the bottles, “Durango”, but his thumb was covering the “Du” and decided his name was Rango, so Rango decides to make up a big story as to who he was. Everyone believes his story and decides to make him the sheriff of Dirt. Rango has to figure out how to protect the town as sheriff without any idea how to do so. I like this movie because of the cast, the unique animation style and the plot. If I had to rate this movie I would give it a 9/10.
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December 12th, 2025
RCC Youth Hosts Seventh Annual Christmas Ballpark Lighting Ceremony By: Lauraly Lane
Photo Credit: Andrew Johnson Pictured: The annual Christmas ballpark lighting.
The annual Christmas Ballpark Lighting at the Rushville ball field happened on Sunday, December 7. This is the 7th year that the Johnson family and the Rushville Christian Church, with the help of volunteers from the Rushville Christian Church Youth, have put together this amazing display of lights. People have enjoyed watching this be put together and seeing it finally lit up since 2018. Senior Miley Phillips says, “I think it was a lot of fun to see a little bit of light in a small community,” when she helped set up the lights with Andrew Johnson. The Christmas season is for giving, and several volunteers have given their time to the community to brighten their day. Just like Paul McCartney’s song, people are simply having a wonderful Christmas time. This all helps with the Christmas spirit in Rushville and with the heart of Christmas.
Week in the Life: 12/9-12/12