East Middle School Roundabout was a publication of the East Middle School Journalism Club, formerly the South Middle School Journalism Club, which was sponsored by eighth grade communication arts teacher Mr. Randy Turner. Mr Turner taught in the Joplin School District from 2003-2013.
By LAELA ZAIDI and CELESTE GRAVES Staff Writers East Middle School students had a rare sight Friday as Principal Ron Mitchell and Coach Kasey Pliler wore pink dresses during a seventh hour assembly.
The pink dresses were a reward to East students who read more than 1,600 books during a six-week period, shattering the goal of 1,200.
The promotion was sponsored by the EMS Reading Department, under the direction of Mrs. Linda Weaver.
Phillip MItchell, a former South Middle School student and host of KSN's Hometown Today, served as the host of the ceremony. Video will be shown during his show Monday from 5:30 to 7 a.m.
Few seats were available Thursday night when East Middle School vocal groups under the direction of Ms. Julie Yonkers performed their first winter concert.
The concert choir opened with eight songs, including solos by Khristopher Dailey, Riley Ingram, Megan Jacobs, and Jordan Jensen.
The sixth grade choir performed five numbers with a solo from Annie Strickling.
The evening concluded with two numbers from the JEMS (Joplin East Middle School) Show Choir.
BY LAELA ZAIDI Staff Writer Who knew pennies could make a difference? This Christmas, East Middle School is going to do just that! EMS Student Council has put together a Penny Wars fundraiser to help under privileged children get toys for Christmas through a program called Toys for Tots. Penny Wars is a competition, or war, to see which grade can get the most pennies. Putting silver coins and dollars in anybody’s jar takes points away from them. In the end, the grade with the best score wins! The winner receives one amazing extra Eagle Time in the morning. Mr. Rocky Biggers, Student Council sponsor, said South Middle School has been doing Penny Wars for over ten years; it was practically a tradition. Kids have always been giving money, but this year even with the economy in turmoil, kids have been giving more than ever. In order to pick the families that receive the toys, EMS buys the toys from Wal-Mart, Target, or Toys ‘R’ Us, takes them to the fire department, and then the fire department takes the toys to the families. Mr. Biggers explained that STUCO does not take them directly to the families in order to keep confidentiality of the kids who receive the toys, since some of them might be from East. Other school activities that help fund Toys for Tots are concession stand, candy grams, and the new 50/50 Raffle during girl’s basketball games. The winning grade will be announced Friday, December 18th. East Middle School is definitely going to make this a new tradition! “Raising money for our community makes you feel like you’ve done something good,” said Drew Cox, member of Student Council.
Only three minutes remain in the first season for East Middle School eighth grade basketball team. The team is trailing 29-9 in the third place game of the annual Tri-State Tournament. A Mustang turnover with 2:30 left has given East the ball. A bounce pass from Leigh Ann Craig to Kristen Tyler resulted in a basket, putting East into double figures.
The score is 29-11 with less than a minute remaining. East has the ball with 37.1 seconds left. Corinna Padilla has just subbed in for Kristen Tyler, who received a round of applause. The final score- McDonald County 29, East Middle School 11.
Top scorer was Kristen Tyler with six points. Leigh Ann Craig had five. Others playing included Celeste Graves, Alexis White, Corinna Padilla, Shelbie DeWitt, Kelsey Johnson, Mikayela Richey, and Marissa Shofner.
In the last game of the inaugural season for East Middle School eighth grade basketball, the home team is trailing McDonald County 25-9 beginning the fourth quarter. The winning team will capture third place in the Tri-State Tourney.
Third quarter is just starting now with McDonald County holding a 15-4 advantage. Kristen Tyler banked in a 15-footer to trim the margin to 15-6 to open the period.
A Leigh Ann Craig basket from a Celeste Graves assist doubled East MIddle School's scoring output, but still left the Eagles trailing McDonald County 11-4 in the third place game of the Tri-County Tournament. A little over two minutes is left in the first half.
A highlight of the beginning of tonight's game against McDonald County was the singing of the National Anthem by Mr. Rocky Biggers, eighth grade social studies teacher. Sadly, we are such a new school that we do not have an American flag up yet, but I am certain that will be taken care of shortly.
The score at the end of the first quarter is McDonald County 9, East Middle School 2.
By KAYLA JOHNSON Staff Writer "Slim to none, closest I’ve come to pink is someone wearing pink next to me." Coach Pliler said. All together East has read 425 books. Students at East Middle School have until the end of next Thursday to read a total of 1,200 books. If they do, Coach Pliler will wear a pink dress. Most teachers think East can make the reading promotion. But gifted teacher Ms. Cheryl Mitchell thinks that the students are not going to be able to read the rest of the books needed by next Thursday. Most of our teachers want to see Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Cook, and Coach Pliler in pink dresses. "I want to personally put a tiara on each of them!" Mrs. Nina English said. In Mrs. English’s block classes, they are so excited they are trying to read The Giver and some holiday books. In her class, they are counting their pink slips everyday, also trying to read 400 books by next Thursday. The reading assembly will be held Friday, Dec. 18.
By PRESTON CARPENTER Staff Writer With the East Middle School Science Fair coming up in the third quarter, there has been some stress on the students from the teachers to do better than before since, like everything else we do here, this is our first ever science fair. Mr. Wallace, eighth grade science teacher, said, “The best science fair project I ever saw, was one about how a student saw how different densities of liquid affected light rays by shining a laser through different densities of liquid.” To some people, it would seem better to turn in everything at once, but Mr. Wallace said that although that would make his job easier, eighth graders need to be reminded constantly that they need to turn stuff in at a certain deadline. The science fair would be made a lot easier for students and teachers if students could use the computer. “That would be great for the teachers,” Mr. Wallace said, “but it would only be good for teachers to check and grade it, because on a public scale, it would be better for everybody to come and view the projects in the commons area than it would be to check it online.” The first East Middle School Science Fair will be Feb. 23.
A benefit variety show to raise money for books for the EMS library and supplies for Ms. Kathy Weaver's special education classroom was held Saturday, Nov 21, in the school auditorium. Performers included students, teachers, Joplin High School students, and supporters of the school.
East Middle School sixth graders are shown enjoying Eagle Time. Students who did not make any D's or F's on their midquarter reports are allowed to participate in Eagle Time one day each week. Different activities are available, including basketball, volleyball and different Wii stations. (Staff photo by Kenny Braun)
Eighth graders Emily Merritt and Nicole Walker hang up forms outside of Mrs. Andrea Thomas' reading class showing books students have read. East Middle School students have one week left to reach the goal of reading 1,200 books during the annual reading promotion. If they achieve that goal, Principal Mr. Ron Mitchell, Assistant Principal Mr. Jarrett Cook, and Coach Kasey Pliler will have to wear pink dresses.
The East Middle School Holiday Band Concert was held tonight. Some of the songs that the Beginning Band are "Jingle Bells", "Good King Wenceslas", "Jolly Old St. Nicholas," "O Tannenbaum", "Up on the Housetop." Some of the songs that the Concert Band are scheduled to play are "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," "Sounds of the Season", and "Holly Jolly Christmas." The Band members are as follows:
Beginning Band
Hannah West, Ethan Crider, Amy Hembree, Ryen Downing, Taylor Beaver, Dalton Hill, Tanner Bartholomew, Austin Lewis, Nathan Lewsader, Madelynn Martin, Bonnie Ardrey, Jakob Simrell, Justin Armstrong, Addie Bland, Cameron Bailey, McKinzie Cottle, Reed Campbell, Joshiah Garcia, Ethan Kraner, Courtney Hunt , Trace Neidholdt, Sherry Jordan, Stella Ndauwa, Darin Clark, Tokumatsu Platt, Blake Lewis, Tyauna Robinson, Blake Stearnes, Damian Abrams, Austin Still, Natal Bay, Angelica Suskey, Harrison Carpenter, Steven Townsend, Alex Garton, Erica Ward, Tristen Howell, Alex Hurrell, Cody Chollet, Malik Ore.
Concert Band
Heather Devore, Brittney Hamby, Mikayela Richey, Amber Swager, Tess Harmon, Whitney Bass, Abbie Reynolds, Justin Thomas, Dakota Ballard, Jordan Bond, Dajhana Porter, Jayson Brockett, Evan Blue, Alec Welch, Zach Consier, Hannah Huffman, Ashton Parker, Brandon Ruark, Allanf Eldred, Terrell Gilmore, Jesus Zuniga, Preston Inman, Adam White, Jordaan Nelson, Denton Williams, Tony Steppe, Zach Figueroa, Alonzo Byers, Severin Eldred, Anthony Grubb, Sam Belnap, Cannon Jones, Dylan Castillo, Valerie Royer, Courtney Huggins, Jennifer Schulze, Zach Anderson, Delshan Garth, Greg Lamp, Jeremiah Martin
By MEGAN WALLS Staff Writer A surprise celebration was held Friday, November 13, for East Middle School Principal Mr. Ron Mitchell's 40th birthday, which was the following day
Photos, Video By MEGAN WALLS Staff Writer If East Middle School students read 1,200 books in six weeks, they will be treated to something never before seen in the Joplin School District.
Principal Mr. Ron Mitchell, Assistant Principal Mr. Jarrett Cook and Coach Casey Pliler will wear pink dresses to celebrate the students achievement.
The announcement was made this morning during an assembly in the EMS Auditorium. Serving as master of ceremonies was KSN Hometown Today host and former South Middle School student Phillip Mitchell, with the assistance of EMS Reading Department Chairman Mrs. Linda Weaver..
Photos by ELI TAYLOR The East Middle School eighth grade girls basketball team won their home opener (the first in school history) Monday night, defeating North 16-8.
The Eagles grabbed a 9-0 lead at the end of the first quarter, held an 11-2 advantage at halftime, and kept the same nine-point lead, 13-4 after three quarters.
Leigh Ann Craig led all scorers with eight points. Kelsey Johnson and Celeste Graves added four apiece. Also playing and helping shut down the North offense were Kristen Tyler and Brittnie Hunter.
The eighth grade B team lost 28 to 16 to North with Shelbie DeWitt and Alexis White scoring six points apiece, and Celeste Graves and Corinna Padilla dropping in two each.
The teams will be back in action tonight in the East Middle School Gymnasium.
Thursday, November 05, 2009
By: AMARA PENDERGRAFT Staff Writer Winners in the East Middle School Pumpkin Decorating Contest winner: Scariest Pumpkin-Mrs.Stamper, Most Original Pumpkin- Mrs. Titus, Prettiest Pumpkin- Mrs. Moore, Most like a TV/cartoon character- Mr. Biggers
The mother of East Middle School sixth grader Tanner Bartholomew was killed in an accident. Anita L. Lizotte is 46 and a mother was killed by a Noel man facing manslaughter and that was drunk driver in an accident on East Fifth Street near Murphy Boulevard at 1:01 am on October 13.
When she was driving down the rode she didn’t know that a Noel man was on a chase from the police and was going to crash into her. A corporal police officer Chuck Niess said Lizotte was a passenger in a GMC Yukon driven by Francisco Espinoza, who was 22, he allegedly led police officers on a pursuit in the downtown area when they tried to pull him over for allegedly running a red light at Fourth and Main Streets. The pursuit ended when Espinoza sped up and lost control of the vehicle crossing the railroad tracks in front of Missouri Gas Energy operations, than he became airborne and crashed into a ditch. Then, the car burst into flames and the police officers were able to extinguish the fire. Lizotte, died at the scene. Police have yet to indicate if either driver were wearing a seat belt. The driver was taken to St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Joplin. On Monday Espinoza remained in the hospital but the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department custody on charges of first-degree manslaughter, driving while intoxicated and driving with a revoked license, his bond on all three charges were totaled $85,000, Involuntary Manslaughter in the First degree is $75,000, Felony driving while Intoxicated $5000.00, and felony driving while Revoked $5000.00. Espinoza and Lizotte were the only occupants in the vehicle. The Missouri State Highway Patrol was called in to assist police in a reconstruction of the accident.
Ms. Lizotte was born Oct. 1, 1963, in Kansas City, Mo and passed on Oct 11, 2009. Her parents are Roscoe and Frieda (Becker) Stovall, of Quapaw, Oklahoma. Anita graduated from Quapaw high school and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Pittsburg State University. She worked for a Missouri Career Center, AT&T, and was currently employed in Economic Security Corporation in Joplin. She was a member of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church and was on Board of Director’s at the Independent living center. Anita was preceded in death by her father, a brother named John Stovall and her grandparents. Survivors are her four daughter’s Chelsea Bartholomew age 19, Micaela Bartholomew age 16, Sierra Bartholomew, age 14, and Tanner Bartholomew age 11. Their father Ken Bartholomew; Her mother Frieda Stovall Bowers, her husband, Dean Quapaw, four brothers and many more have had their hearts broken. Tanner’s sisters are all former South Middle School Students. Although these kids lost their mother they still have her in their heart to show them the way, and to guide them if they are ever hurt and need someone to talk to.
Halloween has always been a holiday filled with mystery, magic and superstition. The Celts were the ones who invented Halloween. Celts believed that on the night before the New Year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred.
On Oct. 31, the Celts celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. The festival of Samhain is a celebration of the end of the harvest season in Gaelic culture.
By A.D. 43 the Romans conquered the Celts and kept the traditions the Celts had but added their thoughts. The first was Feralia, a day in late October when the Romans traditionally commemorated the passing of the dead. The second was a day to honor Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. By the 800s, the influence of Christianity had spread into Celtic lands. Pope Boniface IV designated November 1 All Saints' Day, a time to honor saints and martyrs. It is widely believed today that the pope was attempting to replace the Celtic festival of the dead with a related, but church-sanctioned holiday. The celebration was also called All-hallows and the night before it, the night of Samhain, began to be called All-hallows Eve and, eventually, Halloween. In A.D. 1000, the church would make November 2 All Souls' Day, a day to honor the dead. It was celebrated similarly to Samhain, with big bonfires, parades, and dressing up in costumes as saints, angels, and devils. Together, the three celebrations, the eve of All Saints', All Saints', and All Souls', were called Hallowmas. The superstitions of Halloween are that we avoid crossing paths with black cats, afraid that they might bring us bad luck. This idea has its roots in the middle Ages, when many people believed that witches avoided detection by turning themselves into cats. This superstition may have come from the ancient Egyptians, who believed that triangles were sacred; it also may have something to do with the fact that walking under a leaning ladder tends to be fairly unsafe. People mainly forget what Halloween was mainly about, it was about the future instead of the past and the living instead of the dead. Halloween to a lot of little kids is mainly a day were you go around house to house getting candy while, parents try to keep them safe by checking every piece of candy to make sure their was no poison or anything bad in it, it is also many traditional activities that include bonfires, costume parties, visiting "haunted houses" and carving jack-o-lanterns. The activity is popular in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, and due to increased American cultural influence in recent years, imported through exposure to US television and other media, trick-or-treating has started to occur among children in many parts of Europe, and in the Saudi Aramco camps of Dhahran, Akaria compounds and Ras Tanura in Saudi Arabia.
Have you heard of the teacher committee called A.L.L.?
Well if you haven’t it stands for Advanced Leadership Legacy and involves teachers all through the Joplin School District.
At East, the A.L.L members are Mr. Ron Mitchell, Mr. Randy Turner, Ms. Lara Stamper, Ms. Joyce Hale, Ms. Clara Ervin, Ms. Brandi Davis, and Ms. Areke Worku. What do they do during A.L.L. meetings? It is almost like a student council for teachers. The meetings are held once a month at Joplin High School. The purpose of the meetings is so make sure every building is on the same page, so one school doesn’t fall behind. The group also comes up with new ideas for our schools.
By PRESTON CARPENTER Staff Writer Friday October 15, its Crazy Hat Day.
On this day everybody is invited to wear any hat they choose, as long as its school appropriate. Masks, hoodies, and other items worn on the head that aren’t considered a hat will not be allowed.
One of our journalists will come around and take pictures of your hats, so smile for the camera and come see your pictures, here at The East Middle School Journalism Website.
By VALERIE ROYER Staff Writer The East Middle School is playing in the Carthage Maple Leaf Parade 9 a.m. Saturday. The parade starts on the west side of the square, heads south down Grand Ave., turns east on Centennial, and ends at the Carthage Middle School. To look at the route more closely visit http://www.carthagechamber.com/mapleleafparaderoute.html
By:STESHA HIEBERT and CAYLEY HARDISON Staff Writters Mr. William Hedrick’s technology class is engulfed in projects, including mousetrap cars, water rockets, and washer games.
“They enjoy the hands-on projects. They also enjoy working with the tools.” Mr. Hedrick said.
The accidents have been so few and far between that Mr. Hedrick can joke about them. “Some minor cuts, but nothing serious. Everyone still has all of their fingers, all nine of them…” he said with a smile
