Things looking up for Climbing Club

By TYLER SHIFKOWSKI and CHRIS WEST
 Staff Writers

 Now kids aren’t just climbing the walls in school and now they’re climbing the walls after school.

 Climbing Club is a way for kids to have a fun activity, climbing the rock wall in the commons area.

 After a long hard day of work. Climbing Club helps our students by getting stronger and exercise in a fun way.

 (Photo by Tyler Shifkowski)

Next year's eighth graders get iPads

By ANNA NGUYEN 
Staff Writer
East Middle School eighth graders get iPads next year.

 The recommendation came from the Joplin School District Tech Department and is for all Joplin seventh grade students  moving on to the eighth grade during the 2013-2014 school year. All three Joplin middle schools will be participating in this experiment.

 Just like the high school students who get to keep their laptops, we also get to keep our iPads “24/7” according to our principal, Mr. Bud Sexson. This idea came from another program called “Project Red,” which is an abbreviation for “Revolution Education."

The iPads will be mostly only used for schoolwork at school, but we will find out more later about how we will be able to use them. Now that we have the idea of personal iPads for each individual student we won’t be using laptops anymore, because there will be no need! So hopefully, this all works out and the responsibility kicks in to keep the brand new iPads shining for the next set of eighth graders.

 (Seventh grader Anna Nguyen holding an iPad similar to the one she will receive as an eighth grader. Photo by Bailey Merriman)

EMS Benefit Talent Show to raise money for Joplin Fire Department toy project

(From East Middle School Roundabout)

A full afternoon and evening of entertainment are on tap 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, December 1, when the East Middle School Student Council presents a benefit talent show to raise money to buy toys for the Joplin Fire Department's annual Christmas for Kids project.

Holiday gift baskets, including the ones in the accompanying photos, will be up for silent auction throughout the day. A concession stand will be open.

The entertainment is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. with a performance by the JEMS Show Choir, under the direction of Ms. Julie Yonkers, followed by EMS teacher Randy French showing rope tricks, and then the crowd will receive a welcome blast of holiday spirit, courtesy of the EMS cheerleaders.

Other acts that are set for definite times at this point include the Cady family, including Joplin High School senior Hannah Cady, which will perform at 5 p.m., EMS counselor Karensue Hensley at 5:30 p.m. and the evening will end with one-hour shows from the nationally-known gospel group, the Victorymen, featuring eighth
 grade history teacher and Student Council sponsor Mr. Rocky Biggers at 6 p.m. and oldies/country/rock group Natural Disaster, featuring eighth grade communication arts teacher Mr. Randy Turner at 7 p.m.

Other acts scheduled to entertain between 4:30 and 6 p.m. include EMS students Audrey Hampton, Desirae Orlaski and Melinda Adams, Alley Gemser, Michaela West, Carly Ball, and Abigail Russell, Joplin High School students Kenya Schmidt, Mason Finnell (doing his famous unicycle routine), Taryn Parker, and Brooklyn Vickers, and Joplin High School graduates Sarah Kessler, Mary Jean Miller, and Skye Smith.

A complete schedule will be posted tonight on East Middle School Roundabout.

Cost of admission is $1.

(Top photo- Melanee Day and Taylor Goff show one of the gift baskets containing items collected by seventh and eighth grade students. The other photos show baskets created by classes, teachers, organizations, and employees at East Middle School.)

Complete video- Academic All-Star celebration

This Jet 14 video features the complete Academic All-Star celebration held Nov. 15 at College Heights Christian School. Students from East Middle School and Duquesne/Duenweg, Eastmorland, Kelsey Norman, and McKinley elementary schools were recognized for receiving advanced and proficient scores on the 2012 MAP tests.

Academic All-Stars honored

Students who performed in the top two categories of the MAP test were honored during the annual Academic All-Stars ceremony held Thursday night at College Heights Christian School. (A photo album from the ceremony can be found at the Journalism Club's Facebook page.)

The program included speeches from Superintendent Dr. C. J. Huff and Joplin Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Rob O'Brian.

Also honored during the ceremony were Academic All-Stars from Eastmorland, Kelsey Norman, and McKinley elementary schools.

East Middle School students who were eligible for the honors are listed below:

 Sixth grade- Megan Andrews, Lauren Ball, Zachary Barnett, Kaley Belcher, Bryant Beehler, Joshua Bennett, Adam Berray, Mya Bewley, Mary Biastock, Kareesha Boyington, Gavin Briddle, Vincent Brownlee, Jaqueline Castruita, Delevan Chambers, Kya Chaplin, John Coates, Brayden Connett, Cameron Copher, Dylan Copher, Mason Corl, Cameron Danley, Deondre Davis, Gabrielle Emmert, Raymond England, Nevaeh Gilstrap, Tayler Gore, Logan Hankins, Trinity Hawkins, Isaac Hubbard, Kaitlin Hininger, Matthew Holmes, Bryce Howell, Elisabeth Huffman, Shaylyn Hurley, Alexis Hurrell, Ethan Hutchins, Presley Jacobson, Peterson Johannes, Steven Johnson, Stran Johnston, Abigail Keith, Addison Koch, Sophia Kralik, Samantha Kraner, Nakiya Lamb, Adyn Lamberth, Keith Logan, Melissa Mancipe, Jonathan Manuel, Jeremiah Martin, Joshua Martin, Cole Mauldin, Dyllon McIntosh, Riley Mitchell,. Kenden Moore, Lyle Moran, Sean Moran, Allisyn Moser, Zavier Neal, Grayson Neidholdt, Jessica Nguyen, Abbiegale Nielson, Julianna Pal, Preston Parksr, Rachel Patterson, Jaxmine Peck, Mercedes Peeples, Sheridan Perkins, Maxwell Persson, Austin Phillips, Aidan Potter-Chaligoj, Stephanie Reed, Claire Richins, Brooklynn Robertson, Kathyrn Roush, Presley Ruch, Braeden Sanders, Julia Sease, Graycie Sexton, Ethan Shaw, Anna Shofler, Kiana Smith, Kian Stahl, Hailey Stamper, Parker Sullivan, Linda Switzer, Madison Thorne, Allison Tillman, Erin Tyler, Keagan Vermillion, Kayden Vickers, Emma Weber, Rily Welch, Maggie White, Logan Yates

 Seventh grade- Jack Adams, Sydney Alejandro, Logan Allen, Kelsey Anderson, Donald Archer, James Ardrey, Ambie Armstrong, Madyson Barber, Kristian Bethel, Brooke Biastock, Jerrod Bivens, Sarah Brott, Kathryn Brown, William Burden, Mariah Burleson, Corbin Chaffin, Christal Comstock, Sydni Cornman, McKenzie Crouch, Elijah Curtis, Lucas Danner, McKinley Davis, My'Journie Fantroy-Slaughter, Gabriel Faul, James Freed, Ashtyn Friend, Katelyn Gilbreth, Virginia Gormely Heater, Bailey Greninger, Kayley Hall, Brianna Hickey, Chad Hudspeth, Sara Iseli, Drake Johnston, Ashley King, Elizabeth Kingery, Corbin Leeper, Daniel Miller, Landon Moore, Seth Moore, Trace Myers, Anna Nguyen, Jordan Nguyen, Breanna Pace, Kiara Patton, Elizabeth Peterson, Mason Peth, Noah Pinjuy, Gage Schemet, Carson Smith, Mikayla Soard, Isabelle Sparlin, Taylor Stewart, Nicole Tate, Amber Thornton, Cydney Vickers, Amber White, Emma Willerton, Cian Wilson-Keeler, Jacob Yarnell

 Eighth Grade- Cameron Adams, Melinda Adams, Ryan Ball, Lisa Boykin, Austin Brand, Michaela Brewer, Mykah Campbell, Angelea Capehart, Jordan Case, Kaitlyn Collins, Elijah Conner, Korbin Copher, Chayton Crout, Emmalea Dailey, Brittany Davis, Melanee Day, Taylor Detter, Samantha Dorsey, Elizabeth Dulinsky, MacKenzie Dunn, Brittany Dutton, Jackson Earll, Amber Fleming, Elizabeth Fowler, Joseph Fry, Alexandra Genser, Justin Gray, Tyler Green, Lydia Greenwood, Zane Grimss, Audrey Hampton, Sean Harrison, Shae Hogan, Carrson Hopper, Emmilia Hudson, Katelynn Hurrell, Bridget Ingham, Caeli Johnson, Faith Jones, Makayla Keene, Chloe Konwinski, Cierra Kosilla, Annie Le, Bailee Lewis, Ashton Logan, Quincy Logan, Kateri Mace-Canterbury, Alexis Maturion, Aubrey McIntosh, Alexandra Monasco, Malcolmsly Nason, Desirae Orlaski, Jessica Pal, Brooke Parker, Benjamin Perkins, Sarah Peterson, Madison Riddle, Taylor Robinson, Grace Roush, Lydia Routledge, Macie Routledge-Smith, Abigail Russell, Devin Sales, Camden Sanders, Carissa Scalia, William Schwarzenberger, Justin Serrano, Nicholas Shellenbarger, Kerry Stadler, Justine Staten, Victoria Stehm, Alexandra Stelts, Jade Sterken, Taylor Sullivan, Drew Thompson, Ilah Wallace, Amy Walser, Jacy Welch, Michaela West, Kaitlin Wilcox, Andrielle Wilson, Morgan Wilson, Garrett Wilson, Nathaniel Workman, Jacob Young, Jared Zumwalt

Eighth grade girls basketball playing well

Academic All-Stars to be honored tonight

 (Photo by Bailey Merriman)

East Middle School Academic All-Stars will be honored tonight during 6:30 p.m. ceremonies in the College Heights Christian School Auditorium.

 Sixth grade- Megan Andrews, Lauren Ball, Zachary Barnett, Kaley Belcher, Bryant Beehler, Joshua Bennett, Adam Berray, Mya Bewley, Mary Biastock, Kareesha Boyington, Gavin Briddle, Vincent Brownlee, Jaqueline Castruita, Delevan Chambers, Kya Chaplin, John Coates, Brayden Connett, Cameron Copher, Dylan Copher, Mason Corl, Cameron Danley, Deondre Davis, Gabrielle Emmert, Raymond England, Nevaeh Gilstrap, Tayler Gore, Logan Hankins, Trinity Hawkins, Isaac Hubbard, Kaitlin Hininger, Matthew Holmes, Bryce Howell, Elisabeth Huffman, Shaylyn Hurley, Alexis Hurrell, Ethan Hutchins, Presley Jacobson, Peterson Johannes, Steven Johnson, Stran Johnston, Abigail Keith, Addison Koch, Sophia Kralik, Samantha Kraner, Nakiya Lamb, Adyn Lamberth, Keith Logan, Melissa Mancipe, Jonathan Manuel, Jeremiah Martin, Joshua Martin, Cole Mauldin, Dyllon McIntosh, Riley Mitchell,. Kenden Moore, Lyle Moran, Sean Moran, Allisyn Moser, Zavier Neal, Grayson Neidholdt, Jessica Nguyen, Abbiegale Nielson, Julianna Pal, Preston Parksr, Rachel Patterson, Jaxmine Peck, Mercedes Peeples, Sheridan Perkins, Maxwell Persson, Austin Phillips, Aidan Potter-Chaligoj, Stephanie Reed, Claire Richins, Brooklynn Robertson, Kathyrn Roush, Presley Ruch, Braeden Sanders, Julia Sease, Graycie Sexton, Ethan Shaw, Anna Shofler, Kiana Smith, Kian Stahl, Hailey Stamper, Parker Sullivan, Linda Switzer, Madison Thorne, Allison Tillman, Erin Tyler, Keagan Vermillion, Kayden Vickers, Emma Weber, Rily Welch, Maggie White, Logan Yates

 Seventh grade- Jack Adams, Sydney Alejandro, Logan Allen, Kelsey Anderson, Donald Archer, James Ardrey, Ambie Armstrong, Madyson Barber, Kristian Bethel, Brooke Biastock, Jerrod Bivens, Sarah Brott, Kathryn Brown, William Burden, Mariah Burleson, Corbin Chaffin, Christal Comstock, Sydni Cornman, McKenzie Crouch, Elijah Curtis, Lucas Danner, McKinley Davis, My'Journie Fantroy-Slaughter, Gabriel Faul, James Freed, Ashtyn Friend, Katelyn Gilbreth, Virginia Gormely Heater, Bailey Greninger, Kayley Hall, Brianna Hickey, Chad Hudspeth, Sara Iseli, Drake Johnston, Ashley King, Elizabeth Kingery, Corbin Leeper, Daniel Miller, Landon Moore, Seth Moore, Trace Myers, Anna Nguyen, Jordan Nguyen, Breanna Pace, Kiara Patton, Elizabeth Peterson, Mason Peth, Noah Pinjuy, Gage Schemet, Carson Smith, Mikayla Soard, Isabelle Sparlin, Taylor Stewart, Nicole Tate, Amber Thornton, Cydney Vickers, Amber White, Emma Willerton, Cian Wilson-Keeler, Jacob Yarnell

 Eighth Grade- Cameron Adams, Melinda Adams, Ryan Ball, Lisa Boykin, Austin Brand, Michaela Brewer, Mykah Campbell, Angelea Capehart, Jordan Case, Kaitlyn Collins, Elijah Conner, Korbin Copher, Chayton Crout, Emmalea Dailey, Brittany Davis, Melanee Day, Taylor Detter, Samantha Dorsey, Elizabeth Dulinsky, MacKenzie Dunn, Brittany Dutton, Jackson Earll, Amber Fleming, Elizabeth Fowler, Joseph Fry, Alexandra Genser, Justin Gray, Tyler Green, Lydia Greenwood, Zane Grimss, Audrey Hampton, Sean Harrison, Shae Hogan, Carrson Hopper, Emmilia Hudson, Katelynn Hurrell, Bridget Ingham, Caeli Johnson, Faith Jones, Makayla Keene, Chloe Konwinski, Cierra Kosilla, Annie Le, Bailee Lewis, Ashton Logan, Quincy Logan, Kateri Mace-Canterbury, Alexis Maturion, Aubrey McIntosh, Alexandra Monasco, Malcolmsly Nason, Desirae Orlaski, Jessica Pal, Brooke Parker, Benjamin Perkins, Sarah Peterson, Madison Riddle, Taylor Robinson, Grace Roush, Lydia Routledge, Macie Routledge-Smith, Abigail Russell, Devin Sales, Camden Sanders, Carissa Scalia, William Schwarzenberger, Justin Serrano, Nicholas Shellenbarger, Kerry Stadler, Justine Staten, Victoria Stehm, Alexandra Stelts, Jade Sterken, Taylor Sullivan, Drew Thompson, Ilah Wallace, Amy Walser, Jacy Welch, Michaela West, Kaitlin Wilcox, Andrielle Wilson, Morgan Wilson, Garrett Wilson, Nathaniel Workman, Jacob Young, Jared Zumwalt

(Photo- Principal Mr. Bud Sexson explains to EMS students what will happen tonight during the Academic All-Star ceremonies at College Heights Christian School.)

Seventh graders take their math skills to the halls

By MELINDA ADAMS
Staff Writer

Seventh grade math students showed off their math skills in the Duty Drive Hallway at East Middle School.

The teacher, Mrs. Megan Jones, laminated math problems and put them on the floor. The students worked their problems on separate sheets of paper.

(More of Melinda Adams' photos of the math project can be seen on the East Middle School Facebook page.)

Science class learns muscles and bones

Students in Mr. Mike Wallace's eighth grade science class have been learning about muscles and bones this week.

The students traced each other on paper, then drew in the muscles and bones in the correct places, working from an internet model.

Obama, Nixon, McCaskill win EMS election

East Middle School students went with a straight Democratic ticket at the top of their ballots today, with majorities voting for President Barack Obama, Sen. Claire McCaskill, and Gov. Jay Nixon.

President Obama received 226 votes to 191 for former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, and 11 votes for Libertarian Gary Johnson.

Gov. Nixon polled 183 votes to 168 to businessman Dave Spence in the closest race, while Sen. Claire McCaskill defeated Congressman Todd Akin 205 to 179.

Eighth graders debate the electoral college

As part of the eighth grade election unit Friday, students debated whether the electoral college should be abolished.

The team of Audrey Hampton, captain, Ryan Ball, Quincy Logan, and Morgan Wilson advocated eliminating the electoral college and replacing it with direct popular vote for the president, while the team consisting of Ilah Wallace, captain, Sarah Peterson, Taylor Robinson, and Amy Walser, favored keeping the electoral college.

EMS students cast ballots in 2012 election

East Middle School students are voting for president, U. S. senattor, governor, and other positions this morning.

Students are being taken down during their social studies classes and some other classes are also being taken to make sure the votes can be counted by this afternoon. The students are voting in booths used previously in Jasper County elections.

The election has been organized by the Election Club, under the supervision of Mrs. Karensue Hensley. On Friday, Jasper County Clerk Bonnie Earl and Deputy County Clerk Mary Lou Teel helped the students prepare for the election.

All Joplin eighth graders to receive IPads next year

All East Middle School eighth graders will receive IPad tablets next year.

The Joplin Board of Education approved spending $174,744 to buy the computers Tuesday night. Currently, all Joplin High School students have laptops.

More video from EMS Halloween Dance

More photos from the Halloween Dance

Photos by Serenity Pietrzak and Carissa Scalia

Savannah Goad, Joey Braun crowned Halloween Dance royalty

By SERYNITY PIETRZAK and CARISSA SCALIA
Staff Writers

Sixth graders Savannah Goad and Joey Braun were crowned East Middle School Halloween Dance king and queen during ceremonies held a few moments ago in the commons area.

The two were chosen by a vote held earlier today.

Candidates for king and queen are listed below:

6^th grade queen: Jackie Castruita, Savannah Goad, Tayler Gore,  Addie Koch, Jessica Nguyen, Mercedes Peoples, Emile taylor

6^th grade king: Joey Braun, Gabe Carter, Julian High, Adyn Lambert, Braeden Sanders, Nick Soria, Lee Wilson

7^th grade queen: Catherine Bogan, Katie Brown, Sydni Cornman, Ashtyn Friend, Jennifer Villa

7^th grade king: Jamie Ardrey, Stoney Burleson, Trace Myers, Franklin Queen, Garret Severs, Carson Smith, Jake Yarnall

8th grade queen: Angel Capehart, Brittany Davis, Gina Rosales, Alexandra Stelts, Michaela West, Andi Wilson

8^th grade king:Lucas Jobes, Braden Land, Tyler Shifkowski, Chris West, Pavin Winkle

Halloween dance set for Friday night

By DESIRAE ORLASKI and SERYNITY PIETRZAK
Staff Writers

East Middle School Student Council is sponsoring a Halloween Dance on Friday, October 26th, from 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. in the Commons.

The cost is three dollars, and costumes are optional, but they must be school appropriate.

Iing and queen candidates are listed below:

6th grade queen: Jackie Castruita, Savannah Goad, Tayler Gore,  Addie Koch, Jessica Nguyen, Mercedes Peoples, Emile taylor




6th grade king: Joey Braun, Gabe Carter, Julian High, Adyn Lambert, Braeden Sanders, Nick Soria, Lee Wilson




7th grade queen: Catherine Bogan, Katie Brown, Sydni Cornman, Ashtyn Friend, Jennifer Villa




7th grade king: Jamie Ardrey, Stoney Burleson, Trace Myers, Franklin Queen, Garret Severs, Carson Smith, Jake Yarnall




8th grade queen: Angel Capehart, Brittany Davis, Gina Rosales, Alexandra Stelts, Michaela West, Andi Wilson




8th grade king:Lucas Jobes, Braden Land, Tyler Shifkowski, Chris West, Pavin Winkle

A quarter of art and Ms. Hardee

By JESSICA NGUYEN
Staff Writer
(Note: The following is a column written by sixth grade Journalism Club member Jennifer Nguyen during the last week of the first quarter.)
It’s been a long 4 weeks and sadly we all have to face that it’s the end of the quarter. Students will be switching electives except if they have gym. But I’m not going to talk about that, what I really want to talk about is Art. 
Everybody loves art and if they don’t, they will now after they have a whole quarter of art with the loving Mrs. Hardee. I currently am in her class and sadly I, and her other students, will soon have to say goodbye. But before all of that happens something fun and phenomenal is happening, we are having an end of the quarter party!! It’s not just an ordinary party, no. We party Hardee!! We don’t party Hardee one day, we party two days! What we are currently doing is we are watching a movie and anybody can bring in snacks and drinks. It’s super fun! I promise you that Mrs. Hardee is an excellent teacher! She’s funny and loveable.

Parent-teacher conferences continue today

Parent-teacher conferences began after school Thursday at East Middle School and will continue this morning from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. The conferences offer parents an opportunity to talk with teachers about how their children did during the first quarter.

Eighth grade carnival ends shortened week of school

Photos by Mackenzie Collins East Middle School eighth graders ended a shortened week with a reward for their work during the first quarter. A Talon Ticket Carnival was held sixth hour Thursday in the commons area. Students participated in a number of fun activities. The rewards program, which is run by PBIS, will continue with one celebration being held each quarter. Sixth grade and eighth grade held their carnivals this week. The seventh grade carnival is scheduled for October 26.