Photos provided for 9-11 performance

A tribute to those 
who died on 9-11

Photos by Jessica Crabb

The following photos were taken in the East Middle School Auditorium Thursday, September 8, 2010, during the drama classes' 9-11 tribute.

EMS volleyball falls in opener at North

By RYLEE HARTWELL
Staff Writer

The East Middle School eighth grade volleyball team opened its season with a pair of losses at North Thursday night.

The A team lost 25-8, 25-5, while the B team fell 25-10, 20-5.

The seventh and eighth grade teams will be in action tonight at Carthage and will play at College Heights Thursday. The first home match is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 21, against Carl Junction.

(Photos by Valerie Royer)

Drama students offer inspirational tribute to 9-11 victims

By KARLY WEBER
Staff Writer

In honor of those who died in the tragedy that occurred Sept. 11, 2001, East Middle School drama students held a performance Thursday, Sept. 8.

Under the direction of Ms. Lara Stamper, the students put on footage of 9-11 and a reenactment of what some of the people might have gone through that day.

The audience was impressed and emotional and the teachers were proud of the respect the students showed.

"The reason we do these performances," Ms. Stamper said, "is so we don't forget. We shouldn't forget all the great volunteers and people who risked their lives to save people they'd never met."

Ms. Stamper also told students about a program the school is doing where it will "adopt" troops in Iraq. The students will start by sending letters to the troops.

(Video by Rylee Hartwell)

First deadline for EMS fundraiser is Friday

PHOTOS BY RYLEE HARTWELL
The first of three deadlines for our magazine sales fundraiser is Friday. Prizes will be given to top salespeople from all three grades.

(Photos- Top, Seventh grade math teacher Miss Areke Worku shows how the money machine operates. A trip to the machine will be one of the prizes students can win by selling magazines. Bottom, EMS Principal Mr. Bud Sexson explains the fundraiser during the assembly Friday, Sept. 3.)

Journalism Club begins for 2010-2011 school year

The first East Middle School Journalism Club meeting was held Thursday, Sept. 2, in Mrs. Angel Mense's classroom. Students began by learning some of the basics of journalism and were given the opportunity to write an article about the first meeting. Two of those articles are featured below:


By VALERIE ROYER
Staff Writer

Have you ever wanted to write for a newspaper? Here is your chance. Journalism Club is run by Mr. Randy Turner and Mrs. Angel Mense. It meets every Thursday after school until 4:30 p.m. in Mrs. Mense's room, Room 205.

Journalism Club has been offered for seven years .

We expose what is going on at the school, inform our readers about events and help build pride in our school. Even if you don't want to be in journalism, you can check out our website, East Middle School Roundabout at www.room210news. blogspot.com.

By KARLY WEBER
Staff Writer

On Thursday, Sept. 2, East Middle School held its first Journalism Club meeting of the 2010-2011 school year in Mrs. Angel Mense's room. The club is sponsored by Mrs. Mense and Mr. Randy Turner.

The club will meet every Thursday after school. Journalism Club lets others know what is going on at the school, while teaching students the basics of journalism.

While at first Mrs. Mense, Mr. Turner and eighth grader Valerie Royer will handle assigning the articles, later the assignments will be almost completely made by the students.

First Quiz Bowl meeting held

By ALEXIS GIFFORD
Staff Writer

The first East Middle School Quiz Bowl meeting was held Wednesday, Sept 1. Though it was a dark and rainy day, that did not keep students from thinking. Nineteen showed up, including returning eighth grade veterans Rylee Hartwell, Hannah Huffman, Valerie Royer, Evan Blue, and Alexis Gifford.

For those East Middle School seventh and eighth graders who want to participate, but could not show up for the first meeting, Quiz Bowl sessions are held Wednesdays after school in Mr. Randy Turner's room, Room 313. For those who are involved in other activities on Wednesdays and are unable to make it, practices will also be held Friday mornings at 7:45 a.m. in Mr. Turner's room.

Magazine sales fundraiser begins at East

By KARLY WEBER
Staff Writer

East Middle School is having its first fundraiser of the new school year.

Students are selling many items, including magazine subscriptions and renewals, and gifts. The fundraiser's motto,TTIN (The Time is Now), is particularly appropriate for the Sept. 4-Sept. 6 weekend. Many out-of-town family members might be seen and students will have more sales opportunities.

The order forms are due in three weeks. Principal Mr. Bud Sexson says that he prefers this fundraiser and has used it in the past.

Items from the fundraiser can be ordered online, through sellers and through coupon books, which are explained in the students' packets. Students were told to be safe and only sell to people that they know.

Prizes that top sellers may win were shown to students during the kickoff assembly Friday, Sept. 3.

(Video by Alexis Gifford)

PTO holds first meeting of 2010-2011 school year

The Joplin East Middle School PTO held its first meeting of the 2010-2011 school year Thursday night in the library.

Principal Mr. Bud Sexson gave an update on the opening of school, the district's Bright Futures program, the clothes closet, the school newsletter, the upcoming magazine drive, the new PBS (Positive Behavior Support) program, and the Encore program.

PTO President Mrs. Lucretia Huffman conducted the meeting. Meetings will be held 5:45 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month in the library.

East Middle School PBS works on improving lunch room behavior

As part of East Middle School's PBS (Positive Behavior Support) program, drama teacher Ms. Lara Stamper presents a lesson during the first week of school on proper lunch room behavior:

Cheerleading squad prepares for busy year

Volleyball team prepares for first match

Football practice underway

2010-2011 school year begins at East

The first day of classes for the 2010-2011 school year was held Wednesday at East Middle School. For most of the first day, students learned teachers' rules and classroom procedures. The first full week of school begins Monday.

Large crowd attends EMS Open House

Parents and students filled the halls of East Middle School Tuesday night for Open House.

Students were able to pick up their schedules and parents met with teachers to find out what supplies their children would need and what would be taking place in their classes.

More videos from the Talent Show

In the accompanying videos, eighth grade history teacher Mr. Rocky Biggers and eighth graders Cayley Hardison, Kenya Schmidt, and Mackenzie Shamblin perform during the talent show Friday, May 28.

Job Fair held at East Middle School

East Middle School eighth graders had an opportunity to learn about various occupations during a job fair May 5.

Fifth and sixth hour classes were canceled and the students went to 20-minute sessions with representatives from three job. The placement of the students was based on forms they filled out earlier in the year.

Citizens of the Year named during Awards Assembly

By LAELA ZAIDI and

CELESTE GRAVES

Editors

Citizen of the Year awards were presented during the Awards Assembly Friday, May 28, in the auditorium.

Those receiving were the awards were sixth graders Logan Whitehead and Justin Shyker; seventh graders Ashley Youngblood and Ethan Crider, and eighth graders Haleigh Hawkins and Oswaldo Gomez.

Reception held for Jean Williams

Longtime East Middle School secretary Jean Williams, who is retiring, was honored with a reception following the close of school Friday, May 28.

Goodbye, Mr. Mitchell

By KAYLA JOHNSON
Staff Writer

Our dear beloved principal, Mr. Ron Mitchell is leaving to become principal at Lamar High School.

The times we have had with our principal will never be forgotten. He puts a smile on all of our faces and he will do the same thing at Lamar. It all started when he decided to become a principal.

As a teacher he was able to reach 25 students, but as a principal, he gets to educate all students.

He has been our principal, first at South, then at East, for nine years. and we have had so many memorable times, especially the reading promotions. He has dressed like a cheerleader, danced to "Thriller," had his legs waxed and his head buffed, and this year, dressed in a pink gown with a blonde wig, all to encourage students to read books.

We will all miss Mr. Mitchell, but we wish him happiness and good luck in Lamar.

(Photo: Mr. Mitchell with Mrs. Jean Williams and Ms. Sue Macy at a surprise celebration at El Charro's Friday, May 21. The accompanying videos are from the same event.)

Drama class performs at talent show

Teachers win annual competition with quiz bowl team

The teachers' team pulled away in the second half to defeat the seventh and eighth grade quiz bowl team during an assembly Wednesday in the school auditorium.

The teacher team included Mr. Rocky Biggers, Mrs. Angel Mense, Mr. Mike Wallace, Mr. Brian Neugebauer, Ms. Areke Worku, and Mr. Jarrett Cook.

Playing for the quiz bowl team were Drew Cox, Laela Zaidi, Jaired Collins, Celeste Graves, Megan Walls, Kenya Schmidt, Rylee Hartwick, Evan Blue, Hannah Huffman, Alexis White, and Alexis Gifford.

In the preliminary match a different group of teachers defeated the sixth grade quiz bowl team.

Taryn Parker performs during Talent Show

Jordyn Ganes rocks the show

Communication arts, writing, journalism awards presented

Awards for top students in communication arts, writing, quiz bowl, and journalism were presented by Mr. Randy Turner during the Talent Show/Awards Assembly Friday at East Middle School:

Top Communication Arts students- Cayley Hardison, Ian O'Flaherty
Top Writers- Chanci McGowen, Katey Rhodes, Nicole Walker
Top Researchers- Celeste Graves, Taryn Parker, Adison Wright
Most Improved Writer- Mikayela Richey
Outstanding Achievement in Quiz Bowl- Drew Cox
Outstanding Achievement in Journalism Club- Laela Zaidi
Outstanding Achievement in Writing- Madeline Webber

Courtney Huggins presented Mr. Ron Mitchell with the Inspirational Principal award, while Taryn Parker presented Mrs. Kim Frencken with the Most Inspirational Teacher Award.

Neugebauer, Weaver make bid for stardom in teacher skit

The annual teacher skit/dance was a highlight of the Talent Show/Awards Assembly today with star-marking turns by eighth grade math teacher Mr. Brian Neugabauer and seventh grade reading teacher Mrs. Linda Weaver.

(Video work and information provided for Talent Show/Awards Assembly by Jaired Collins, Celeste Graves, and Laela Zaidi)

Kim Frencken named most inspirational teacher

Sixth grade block teacher Mrs. Kim Frencken was named Most Inspirational Teacher at East Middle School during the Awards Assembly/Talent Show today. The award was presented by her former student, eighth grader Taryn Parker, who wrote the paper nominating Mrs. Frencken for the honor.

Mrs. Frencken is the first teacher at East Middle School to receive the honor, which began three years ago at the old South Middle School. Previous winners at South were Mr. Rocky Biggers, Ms. Kathy Weaver, and Ms. Debbie Moore.

Drama class puts on final production

The drama class, under the direction of Ms. Lara Stamper, put on its final performance of the 2009-2010 school year Monday during seventh hour.

The production, "Snow Yellow" was a parody on the famous fairy tale.

Eighth graders tour Joplin High School

East Middle School eighth graders had a small dose of the future today as they toured Joplin High School. Four buses took the students there following first hour. After a performance from a rock band that included South Middle School alumni Chase Cox and Colby Ritter, both of whom graduated from JHS Sunday, the students had an opportunity to meet with representatives of various high school organizations, and then ate lunch in the cafeteria, before returning to East in time for fourth hour.

Twenty-nine inducted into National Junior Honor Society

Twenty-nine East Middle School students were selected as charter members of the National Junior Honor Society during candelight ceremonies this evening in the auditorium.

The program began with an introduction by Assistant Principal Jarrett Cook, followed by a speech from Joplin R-8 Board of Education member Jim Kimbrough and explanations of the five pillars of NJHS, character, scholarship, citizenship, service, and leadership by sponsors Mr. Rocky Biggers and Mrs. Brandi Davis and Faculty Council members Mrs. Julie Yonkers, Ms. Cheryl Mitchell, and Mrs. Karensue Hensley.

The prospective members lit candles and then pledged to the society and received certificates from Mr. Cook.

The charter members of the East Middle School chapter of the National Junior Honor Society are Whitney Bass, Sriharshini Chitluri, Ethan Crider, Paige Earl, Jonah Ellman, Celeste Graves, Tess Harmon, Cayley Hardison, Ethan Holz, Amy Koch, Chanci McGowen, Madison Meinhardt, Miranda Murphy, Jennifer Nguyen, Christina Ochoa, Taryn Parker, Brittany Patterson, Gannon Purdy, Kymbre Resler, Valerie Royer, Kenya Schmidt, Amelia Street, Kyla Underwood, Kelli VanLoon, Blair Wallace, Alyvia Warstler, Shelby Welton, Adam White, and Logan Whitehead.

Alumni team wins first EMS Quiz Bowl Extravaganza

By MACKENZIE SHAMBLIN
Staff Writer

Ninth grade alumni of the 2008-2009 South Middle School Quiz Bowl team took home top prize at the first East Middle School Quiz Bowl Extravaganza Thursday, May 13, in the school commons area.

The team, which included Joey Capehart, Danielle Doerr, Calvin Alumbaugh, Sierra Bartholomew, Elaina Warren, and Lisa Bromley defeated a teacher team, consisting of Mr. Mike Wallace, Mrs. Angel Mense, Mr. Brian Neugebauer, Miss Areke Worku, and Mrs. Jamie Washburn, by one question in the championship match.

The annual Faculty-Quiz Bowl team matchup is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Monday, May 24, in the auditorium.

Spring band concert held Monday night

By LAELA ZAIDI
and CELESTE GRAVES
Editors

The first East Middle School Spring Band concert was held Monday night in the school auditorium.

The Beginning Band played five numbers, with the Seventh/Eighth Grade Concert Band following with five more.

Beginning Band members- Taylor Beaver, Hannah West, Amy Hembree, Tanner Bartholomew, Christian Montgomery, Stella Ndauwa, Blake Stearnes, Josiah Garcia, Austen Still, Tokumatsu Platt, Steven Townsend, Justin Armstrong, Adrianna Bland, Erica Ward, Tyauna Robinson, Angelica Suskey, Bonnie Ardrey, Courtney Hunt, Desiree Hawkins, McKinsey Cottle, Chris Geier, Cody Chollet, Tyler Viles, Jimmy Willerton, Ethan Crider, Ryen Downing, Jakob Simrell, Madelynn Martin, Dalton Hill, Austin Lewis, Trace Neihdholdt, Reed Campbell, Danyel Fowler, Cameron Bailey, Ethan Kramer, Blake Lewis, Darin Clark, Matthew Coulston, Damian Abrams, Natal Bay, Harrison Carpenter, Alex Garton, Tristen Howell, Christian Owens, Devin Puckett, Alex Hurrell, Tanin Toland

Seventh/Eighth Grade Concert Band members- Brittney Hamby, Amber Swager, Mikayela Ritchey, Heather Devore, Tess Harmon, Dajhana Porter, Evan Blue, Hannah Huffman, Zach Consier, Brandon Ruark, Ashton Parker, Terrell Gilmore, Denton Williams, Preston Immon, Adam White, Zach Figueroa, Samuel Belnap, Courtney Huggins, Dylan Castillo, Joseph Tate, Delshaun Garth, Zach Anderson, Jeremiah Martin, Greg Lamp, Whitney Bass, Abbie Reynolds, Justin Thomas, Alec Welch, Dakota Ballard, Jordan Bond, Carter Lybarger, Ailan Eldred, Trevor Conrad, Jesus Zaniga, Tony Steppe, Jordaan Nelson, Keiondre Adams, Valerie Royer, Jennifer Schulze, Sevren Eldred, Cannon Jones, Hunter Blanton, Anthony Grubb, Alonzo Byers

The band was directed by Mr. Nicholas Moore.

Drama class plans spectial presentation for Talent Show

Ms. Lara Stamper's drama students are on stage now as tryouts continue for the East Middle School Talent Show, which is scheduled for Friday, May 28, in the school auditorium.

The number features a medley of different dance styles, performed by Ms. Stamper and her students.

Stamper-choreographed dances have been a highlight of SMS talent shows for the past few years and it seems certain the tradition will continue as she takes the act to East Middle School.

Tryouts for talent show held in EMS Auditorium

Eighth graders Mackenzie Shamblin, Cayley Hardison, and Kenya Schmidt are entertaining the judges with their rendition of "Boondocks" as tryouts are being held at this moment for the first East Middle School Talent Show.

The show, which had been an annual event at South Middle School, is combined with the presentation of academic awards.

The tryouts began shortly after school ended and appear destined to last another hour.

Courtesy Week on tap for eighth grade communication arts students

By MACKENZIE SHAMBLIN
Staff Writer

Mr. Randy Turner’s eighth grade communication arts classes are having Courtesy Week Monday, May 3, through Friday, May 7.

The students watched the 1967 movie  “To Sir With Love" last week. In that movie, the teacher conducted the same courtesy experiment which the East eighth graders will try.

  The students will show courtesy to other students and teachers,  calling adults “Sir or Mam” and calling each other by their last names if they are boys or by Miss ___ if they are girls.

“I will call everyone sir_last name or ma'am_last name, and talk in a British accent.” said eighth grader Brooklyn Vickers.

“It's going to be great!” said eighth grader Cayley Hardison.

“I’m just going to go with the flow, so I’m just going to do what they tell me to,” said eighth grader  Jordyn Ganes.

“I’m going to have fun with that,” said eighth grader Preston Carpenter.

“This is always one of my favorite times," Mr. Turner said. "it gives us something fun to do after MAP testing and shows studnets how easy it is to be polite. We have had years when it works beautifully, and some years when it has not worked as well. It’s going to work this year.”

Kessler, Miller receive I ratings at state

Former South Middle School students Sarah Kessler and Mary Jean Miller sparkled during the all-state orchestra competition last week.

Miss Kessler made a I rating on her violin solo, while she and Miss Miller were part of a violin quartet which also received a I rating.

East Middle School officials have an internet block party

Commentary
By LAELA ZAIDI
Editor

            Have you ever tried to work on a school project in our computer lab? Your teacher says you need to find movies, and some good links? You search it on Google, find a good link, and try clicking on it. Then, the fateful words come up…”you have been restricted.”

            With our brand new building and brand new technology comes a price. Our school officials have been blocking websites right and left. Of course, the usual social networking sites such as YouTube, Facebook, and MySpace, and naughty pages have been blocked. However, it goes deeper than that.

            During the eighth grade third quarter research project in my communication arts class, many kids ran into roadblocks in finding resources. Trying to watch videos from the time period was impossible. Mrs. Thomas, the eighth grade reading teacher, even had a hard time downloading the "I Have a Dream" by Martin Luther King, Jr.

            “I was unable to fulfill my research needs at school because they were blocked for entertainment purposes, when really all they were was educational videos.”  Said Celeste Graves.

            Lots of kids at the school believe on that blocking educational sites can also be a kind of censorship. Just because sites having streaming media, don’t mean that they don’t have educational things that we can use.

            So what’s your opinion on the subject? Whatever it is, at this rate school officials definitely won’t stop their “block” party anytime soon!

"Are You Smarter than a Map Tester" fun event for students, parents

BROOKLYN VICKERS

Staff Writer
The parents of East Middle School students received an introduction to what MAP tests are all about during the school's first ever "Are You Smarter than a Map Tester? last month.

Parents and students were treated to a spaghetti red meal, then parents were shown what the MAP tests were all about, actually taking questions from the ACUITY preparation tests. While they were doing that, middle school students participated in math and communication arts activities in their classrooms, and younger children played games in the gymnasium.

(Photo: Mrs. Clara Ervin, instructional coach, hands out prizes at the conclusion of the activity.)

New principal to meet East Middle School teachers

East Middle School faculty and staff will officially meet new Principal Bud Sexson 7:15 a.m. Wednesday, May 5.

Breakfast will be served.

Mr. Sexson will take over as principal for the 2010-2011 school year. Mr. Ron Mitchell, current principal, is leaving to become principal at Lamar High School.

First-ever EMS Dodgeball Tournament held

By CAYLEY HARDISON
Photographer
The first-ever East Middle School Dodgeball Tournament was held after school Friday, April 23. Information about the winners will be featured in an upcoming post.

Offset Sunset, New Rebel Flag perform at EMS Assembly April 20

By BROOKLYN VICKERS
Staff Writer

Christian rock groups Offset Sunset and New Rebel Flag performed at an assembly in the East Middle School Gymnasium April 20.

"It was fun and they got the audience into it and they talked about real problems that we could all relate to," said eighth grader Mackenzie Shamblin.

New principal hired for East Middle School

The Joplin School District has hired Mr. Bud Sexson as East Middle School principal for the 2010-2011 school year.

The following release was issued by Assistant Superintendent Stephen Doerr:

We are very excited to inform everyone that we have hired James (Bud) Sexson as the new principal at East Middle School.  Bud has 20 years of administrative experience in the Bartlesville Schools.  All of his experience has been at the junior high/middle school level.  He is very knowledgeable of middle school student and has a wealth of experience, knowledge and skills in helping to focus the buildings he has lead on the needs of the kids.  Bud will be coming up during various times between now and the start of school, so if you have the opportunity to meet him please be sure to welcome him to our district and to the community.

Sexson replaces Mr. Ron Mitchell, who will be principal at Lamar High School.

Mitchell to become Lamar High School principal

Mr. Ron Mitchell, principal at East and South middle schools for the past nine years will become principal at Lamar High School for the 2010-2011 school year.

More about Mr. Mitchell's move will be featured later on this website.

Show Choir Auditions held April 21st

By: BROOKLYN VICKERS
STAFF WRITER
Picture this: Music filled up the room. A nervous smile breaks through from the young girl’s face. She quickly pushes away her negative feelings, knowing that this is what she wants. This is her whole high school career, thinks the girl. She opens her mouth, and, oh, this girl’s voice was strong. She started to sing. She smiled then lost herself in the song. Her life is to entertain. She’s here to perform.
The date is April 21. Middle School students blossoming into High School students try out for The Joplin high school’s show choir. There are different types of choir that the people have to try out for. They are: Sound Dimension, Touch of Class, The Choral Concert Choir, and the treble choir. They had to start with a dance. Difficult? Definitely not! Well, for the JEMS anyway. Everyone had to go to a secluded room and sing-NOT ACAPELLA!
There is tension creeping behind kids as they walk from class to class, waiting to find the news of their audition. Good luck girls…and Khristopher Daily!

DodgeballTournament set for Friday

By CAYLEY HARDISON
Staff Writer

The first ever Dodgeball Tournament will be held at East Middle School in the auditorium at 4:30 on Friday and will last until all teams have competed.
There is no admission fee and the concession stand will be open.

Winners announced in EIghth Grade Poetry Contest

Winners in the annual East Middle School Poetry Contest have been selected.

The winners, whose poems will be published in a national book are Dani Wildcox, Janessa Jones, and Meagan Camden. Their poems are printed below:


EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE OKAY
By Dani Wilcox

The little girl I knew,
grew up confused and abused.
This innocent child was frequently used.

She had no one to guide her,
and no one to hide her,
causing pain and fear to grow inside her.

She never ran,
and she'd never hide,
she'd just sit there confused inside.

She never told until one night,
he was coming back
and she was filled with fright.

"I should have been there,"
her mother said,
as crazy thoughts filled her head.

But the little girl did not wish him dead
she was confused,
and prayed the news would not spread.

Somehow it did,
and she was protected,
but in several ways she was also rejected.

Rejection confused her,
she did not want to lose her,
her former best friend now thinks she's a loser.

A liar, a slut,
anything but,
the confused little girl she was.

Down the road she took the wrong path,
you do the math,
she took the WRONG path.

She'd use and abuse,
and she tried to refuse
the help that she needed to get.

The help was forced upon her,
and she'd start to wonder
if everything would soon be okay.

A SLAVE TORN
By Meagan Camden

A slave torn and beat,
he could never truly break free.
He is a slave,
a slave who was beat and abused,
a slave who was always used.

It ain't his fault.
He was a slave, torn and beat,
who could never truly break free.

COCKROACH
By Janessa Jones

I went into the kitchen
and turned on the light.
"Hello" came from the cockroach
with kindness and delight.

She said, "Have you seen my children.
I had them them here tonight.
Watch where you step,
you'll give them quite a fright."

I turned around and saw her kids
running the other way.
She said not to leave.
I told her I couldn't stay.