The Charger, Volume 8, Number 3

VOLUME 8, NUMBER 3
JANUARY 2005
WWW.THECHARGER.ORG
Wristbands: Fashion or Funding
B Y: J U L I A W.
In early spring 2004, yellow wristbands
swept the nation from a new program by Nike
and the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Cancer
survivors, grieving relatives, and people just
interested in the cause have all purchased
yellow, LiveStrong bands.
Lance Armstrong began his foundation
in 1997 after a long, seven-year battle with
cancer. The foundation provides emotional,
practical, and physical help for those affected
by cancer. This synthetic silicon rubber band
is yellow with the words “LiveStrong”
sketched on it. The band is the same color as
the leader’s jersey in the Tour De France bike
race, a jersey Armstrong has worn many times.
Supporters wear yellow as a sign of hope and
to show others that they are not alone. Cancer
patients can be survivors. .
A Trend Is Born
The wristband has become a hot trend
among the famous. Everyone from President
Bush, to Ben Stiller, to reality TV participants
show their support. As of October 9, over
17 million were sold at $1 each. This is almost
Inside
Charger Challenge . . . . . . . . 2
New Year's Resolutions . . . . 3
Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Writing Competition . . . . . . 4
Choral Concert . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Ask Chief Heher . . . . . . . . . 6
Reviews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Charger Challenge . . . . . . . . 8
Games Corner . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
There are also bands to show support
for Iraqi troops, AIDS, and lupus. Many
bands are also available online, but buyers
should beware. Only the bands purchased
directly from the organizations themselves
support the cause. On other sites, like
EBay, people try to resell their bands for
their own profit.
A variety of stretchy, plastic wrist
decorations are available – not all of them
raising funds for worthy causes.
three times more money than the $6 million the
foundation had expected to raise.
Since the wristband has been doing so well,
other organizations have begun to sell wristbands
too. There are three different types of pink
wristbands for breast cancer and a tie-dye one
for breast cancer research.
The Trend Hits Peacock
LiveStrong bands have been around
Peacock for months. But is it for the
cause or just a fashion statement? Sixth
grader Kaitlynn Nelson thinks the reason
is both. "Some people buy the wristbands
because they want to help the illness," she
commented, "but others buy them just to
be part of the trend." She added, "Girls
wear the LiveStrong bands more than boys
because they think of fashion more,"
Seventh grader Kara Field differs. "I
think people buy them because they think
LiveStrong is cool and it helps people," she
stated. "Both boys and girls wear the bands
because they are aware of the cause."
cont. on page 6
Family Tree Fest Returns to Community Library
B Y: M R . P E E L
The 25th Annual Family Tree Fest is
appearing at the Itasca Community Library
during the month of January. Through a popular
7th grade project, students research their own
family backgrounds.
The students collect photos, memorabilia,
and certificates of record to assembly in a
notebook. One student, Amanda Busljeta, was
the first person in 25 years to track all 32 greatgreat-great grandparents!
These notebooks are carefully displayed
in the glass cases between the atrium and the
circulation desk of our local library. As part
of the project, students are recorded on
video as they turn through the pages of
the notebooks, explaining various relatives
and where they had gotten the information.
This video is edited to an hour and runs
in a loop with earphones for libary visitors
to enjoy
Come and see one hundred-year-old
photos, immigration papers from Ellis
Island, baptism and birth certificates,
and unique old family photos. This is
HISTORY! All students did an incredible
job on their Genealogy Albums.
2
THE CHARGER
JANUARY 2005
The Charger Challenge!
The Charger Challenge is a paper & pencil game or brain teaser that will be in each issue.
The first two people to correctly complete it and bring it to Ms. Smith will recieve a prize. The
puzzles will be different each issue. We hope you will participate. Good Luck!
“The more challenging
the climb, the more
rewarding the view.”
In 1990, during an adventure
through the Alaskan
wilderness, our founders
journeyed to the top of Sable
Mountain. After a strenuous
climb, they reached the
summit and were rewarded
with a sensational view: the
boundless mountains, a clear
blue sky, and a herd of caribou
thundering throughout the
valley.
Escape
the Deadly
Maze!
That panoramic view became
a vision for a company that
believes excellence is a product
of hard work, and that life is
too short for anything less.
We invite you to enjoy a
moment, or several, filled with
the highest- quality coffee and
unparalleled service.
Caribou Coffee Company, Inc.
1649 Algonquin Rd.
Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
847-734-1007
Illustration by Megan Z.
Providing an experience that
makes the day better.
JANUARY 2005
THE CHARGER
3
Don't Forget Those New Year's Resolutions!
B Y: TA R A B .
Happy New Year! Families and friends
all around the world gathered together with
one another to celebrate and count down the
turn of the year from 2004 to 2005.
Many people watched the crystal ball fall
in New York City on TV and made a new
resolution for the year to come when the clock
struck midnight. Some New Year’s resolutions
were to make a certain sports team, to get
better grades, make new friends, spend more
time with family, and to reach new heights.
Good luck and I hope your New Year’s
resolutions come true. I hope you enjoyed
celebrating your Winter Break and that you’ll
have a fresh start in the days to come.
Get more
A's and B's
Survive
until summer
Vacation
Drink
more water
Better
grades
Not to have
a New Year's
Resolution
Be nicer
to my sister
4
THE CHARGER
JANUARY 2005
Editorial and Opinion
Writing
Contest
Bring High Tech to Peacock
B Y: D A N I D .
It is important for students to record
assignments daily. What they record in them
is debatable.
Adults have many choices for how
they record what they need to do daily.
Unfortunately Peacock students must use
the assignment notebook that is provided
for them. There may be some better options
out there, but we are never asked.
At the beginning of each year we are
given a handbook which is then duplicated in
our assignment notebook, making them very
large and thick. Most of the time I even have
trouble fitting it into my backpack.
There are many daily planners out there
that are just as good, are much smaller, and
cost less. One is exactly the same as our
assignment notebook but is half the size. Even
better would be the use of Palm Pilots. We
are a technology-based school, and they could
Write a new episode for
your favorite TV show.
300 to 500 words
Times New Roman or
Tahoma font
12 pt.
Double-spaced
Prizes awarded!!!
interact with our computers at home. They
could help us keep track of those long-term
assignments more accurately. They would
even complement block scheduling too.
Teachers and principals are allowed to
use computers and Palms. It would be great
if the students were allowed to enter the
Information Age too!
Due March 3, 2005
(no later!)
to Tricia Moersch or a
member of the writing club
Itasca Park District
TEEN EVENTS
• In House Soccer registration starts January 22nd, 2005
• Crop-Paper-Scissors – Scrap Booking Class
February 11th 6-8pm
• Teen Dance Friday February 11th 7:30-9:30pm
$5, $4 with a Lounge Card; bring ID’s & parent permission slip
• Lounge Hours
Mon 4-7pm
Thur 3-7pm
Tue 3:30-7pm
Fri 3:30-7pm
Wed 4-7pm
JANUARY 2005
THE CHARGER
5
Features
District Choirs Welcome the Season
B Y: A S H L E Y P.
Mr. Travis, director, presents The Peacock Middle School Choir in acknowledgement of well deserved applause after an entertaining
number in the All District Choral Concert. Much needed funds were raised by the sale of poinsettia plants that decorated the stage.
The lights dim as Kaitlynn N. walks up
to the microphone. With an empty stage
behind her, Kaitlynn is the first soloist of the
night singing The Gift to be Simple. The next
soloist, Joe P., joins her in the song. They did
a fantastic job. As the rest of the choir walked
up onto stage, they finished singing the song.
They sounded really good.
The next song the choir sang was
called Elijah Rock. This was a snappy song
with a great beat and was well done. It was
a traditional gospel song written by Roger
Emerson.
The third song was entitled The Duel. This
was about the relationship between a gingham
dog and a calico cat. It was based on a poem.
It seemed to be a difficult song for the choir,
but they did a great job with it.
It’s a Classic followed. It was a song
combined with classical music and new
lyrics. It was a very interesting piece. It was
well preformed by the Peacock Choir.
The fifth piece, Ding Dong , almost
sounded like a Hanukkah song, upbeat and
interesting.
To complete their holiday program, the
Peacock Choir sang We Wish You a Merry
Christmas. It was the last song for the Peacock
Choir. They did a wonderful job.
The Franzen Choir sang a number of
traditional Christmas songs. These included
Jingle, Jingle, Jingle Bells, A Seasonal Madrigal, and
Happy Winter. They sounded very good.
For the grand finale the choirs of
Franzen and Peacock joined together to
sing the traditional holiday song, Silent Night.
They sang it in American English, German,
and American Sign Language. They did an
exceptional job that night.
Holiday Toy Drive Was a Big Success!
B Y: M A R I S A G .
The Toy Drive was a big success. Many Peacock students donated
toys and games. All of the Advisory teachers had lists of what kids at the
Children’s Memorial Hospital wanted for Christmas. The list of children’s
ages ranged from infants to teenagers. The organizers of this event were Mrs.
Jomarron, Mrs. Laughlin, and Miss Heppeler. They worked very hard so that
the sick kids at the hospital could get what they wanted for Christmas. After
all the toys were collected, the total was fifteen large boxes filled with donated
items. Thanks to all donations, many sick kids had a better Christmas.
6
THE CHARGER
Ask Chief Heher of the Itasca Police
JANUARY 2005
Wristbands
cont. from page 1
A N O C C A S I O N A L C O L U M N B Y WAY N E R .
Why were some police officers here at Peacock before Winter Break?
They were walking around the school talking to teachers and staff.
They have been working with Dr. Nickish on the traffic from band
practice and athletics on Tuesday trying to make it safer. There were
also a few alarm problems.
What is your opinion of the skate park?
It’s popular with kids and an asset to the community. Everyone obeys
the rules. It’s great recreation and exercise.
What kinds of things do the police do all day if they have a desk job?
Quality living, help residents, and help at schools.
What kinds of things do you need to get done around town?
Send other’s in the right direction, and have a team of people do
many things.
Because some people try to make money
by selling the bands instead of donating
the money, it is unclear whether the bands
are helping sick patients or not. “I think
the wristbands will help the patients, but it
depends on where people purchase them,”
Kaitlynn. Kara said that she tries to wear both
her breast cancer and LiveStrong wristband
everyday; Kaitlynn does the same. Both
students ordered their LiveStrong wristbands
from the Internet.
A Show of Support
But whether it's just fashion or a huge
amount of caring, the number of people who
wear these bands shows the success of the
Lance Armstorng Foundation program. Real
supporters show cancer patients that they are
not alone, that they can be survivors. Peacock
students can also show this support and give
hope to many sick patients around the world
if they "Wear Yellow"!
ITASCA POLICE DEPARTMENT
Drug Awareness and Recognition Seminar
Wednesday, January 19, 2005, 7:00 p.m.
Board Room, Village of Itasca Municipal Center
550 West Irving Park Rd.
The Itasca Police Department, in cooperation with the DuPage Metropolitan Enforcement
Group (DUMEG), will be hosting a drug awareness and recognition seminar entitled, “Not My
Kid.” The two hour seminar, which includes ample time for questions and answers, will be
facilitated by DUMEG Director Michael Cooke and is designed to assist parents, educators,
law enforcement personnel, and other concerned citizens in recognizing warning signs and
symptoms of potential unlawful drug abuse.
Participants must be at least 18 years of age. It is anticipated that the presentation will
be extremely well attended and, as seating is limited, participants are being requested to call
the Itasca Police Department (630.773.1004) to confirm attendance.
JANUARY 2005
THE CHARGER
Review:
Off the Shelf
It's Raven's Time
B Y: R O B I N F.
Raven Symone is crazy about love. On
her new CD, This Is My Time, the songs include:
"What is Love," "Overloved," "Mystify,"
"Backflip," "Alice," and seven more. This Is
My Time is a mixture of pop music with R&B
beats. "It's a whole new sound for me," says
Raven. On the song "Backflip," she goes into
a smooth dance groove.
"I wanted to make an album that mixes
new sound with alternative and hip-hop. I
enjoy different music, from Alanis Morissette
to Janet and Jay-Z. I love the freedom to mix
it all up, to create my own sound."
Raven boosts her career with this album
because she co-wrote five songs including
the title track. She writes positive messages
to women saying that they are stars in their
own way and don't have to show themselves
to attract attention. "Your personality, the
way you portray yourself, what you say, being
intelligent; that's what 'Mystify' is about."
Check out her fan club web site, RavenSymone.org. There is a poll asking whether
she should go on tour or not. So far, 88% have
voted "yes." In my opinion, I would vote "yes"
also. How would you vote?
Review:
Go Ask Alice
7
Novel News from the
Itasca Community Library
By Lori Craft
The library is pleased to have a spot
in the Charger in which to recommend
great books and to let you in on any
upcoming library activities for teens.
Young Adult
Collection Revamp
Review:
Jesse McCartney
B Y: J A C K I E S .
After being in the boy-band Dream
Street, Jesse McCartney put out his debut
album called Beautiful Soul in late September.
Jesse’s album contains songs about love and
heartbreak. It also has many slow and poprock songs. But the title song is the catchiest
tune on the record. Jesse McCartney says his
songs are autobiographical, and he sings about
all his relationships. If you like pop-rock and
some slow songs, you’ll love Jesse McCartney’s
“Beautiful Soul”.
Review:
B Y: R A C H E L B .
Waiting for Gwen
I f yo u wa n t a
book that’s filled with
adventure and close
calls, Go Ask Alice is the
book for you. This is a
true diary of a teenage
girl who falls into the
world of drugs when
someone slips her LSD
at a party. Her life prior
to drugs was good, and
once she takes drugs,
that life no longer exists.
This book allows the reader to feel like
they know someone like Alice. Her diary
entries follow about one year in which she
talks about every aspect of her life. Once you
start reading, you don’t want to stop until the
book is done. So, if you want a thrilling tale
of drugs and deception, read Go Ask Alice by
Anonymous.
B Y: M A D D Y J .
Gwen Stefani’s new single, "What
You Waiting For?", has been a big hit. It is a
fresh, new song. It is on her first album since
she has been without her band, No Doubt.
Gwen has progressed tremendously in her
career. This CD shows how well she has done
independantly.
She also has a new song out called “Rich
Girl,” which is a remake of “If I were A Rich
Man” from the musical, “Fiddler on the Roof.”
Her record “Love, Angel, Music, Baby” scored
a bigger opening week than any No Doubt
record ever has. Her album debuted in the
top ten for weeks and sold well over 300,000
copies in 2004.
I personaly love No Doubt and Gwen.
I recommend this CD to anyone who loves
them too. Gwen Stefani is an amazing singer,
and her songs are new and different, which is
why I love What You Waiting For?
The Itasca Library’s Young Adult
fiction section will be looking a little
different the next time you come to
the library. This collection will now
be divided into two sections:
HIGH SCHOOL Y – fiction books
specifically written for the high
school audience (with some 8th
grade overlap) and books frequently
on high school reading lists
JR HIGH Y – fiction books
appropriate for grades 6 – 8.
New to the Collection
Here are some items of interest that
have recently been added to the
collection:
Music CD”S
Nelly: Sweat and Suit (edited
versions)
Eminem: Encore (edited version)
Switchfoot: The Beautiful Letdown
Various Artists: The OC Mix 2
Lindsay Lohan: Speak
Books
Zodiac P.I. (vol. 1 – 3). This manga
series is about Lili, a high-schooler
who solves crimes with the help of a
magical ring containing the spirits of
the zodiac signs.
Child of the Dark Prophecy by
T.A. Barron. The peaceful world of
Avalon is suffering and its fate rests
with three young people. One is the
true heir of Merlin, the only person
who can save Avalon--and one is the
dreaded child of the Dark Prophecy,
fated to destroy it.
8
THE CHARGER
JANUARY 2005
For a Pizza in the Teachers' Lounge, I'll Take Door #3!
First Prize: Ms. Gimbel's Advisory
Honorable Mentions:
Mrs. Engel's Advisory
Mrs. Ahn's Advisory
Photos by Sarah Z.
Mrs. Gimbel's door, First Prize!
Mrs. Engel's door, honorable mention
B Y: S A R A H Z .
Ms. Smith's door
Mr. Anderson's door
In a time of school spirit and the coming
holidays, a door decorating contest was
announced on December 6th. What was there to
motivate Peacock students to cover their doors in
bows, lights, and wrapping paper? School spirit?
The drive to win? Holiday cheer? When I asked
8th grader Molly Christine what she thought was
the main reason for all this Christmas-colored
choas, she summed it all up with two simple
words: “Duh, pizza.” So it seems that the free
pizza party was a great idea.
On the last day of decorating,
students scrambled to put finishing
touches on doors with lights, bows,
more lights, handmade objects, and
even more lights. Dr. Kenneth Cull,
our Superintendent, was dazzled as he
judged all the doors for the contest.
But in the end, he had to choose
one winner. First place was Mrs.
Gimbel’s advisory with Ms. Ann and
Mrs. Engel’s advisories as runner-ups.
So congratulations to Mrs. Gimbel’s
advisory and to all the advisories that
participated in the contest.
Mrs. Fults' door
Ms. Ahn's door, honorable mention
News Reporters
Tara B., Ashley P., Marisa G., Sarah Z.
Op-Ed Editor • Dani D.
Feature Writers
Aziza H., Elizabeth R., Wayne R., Julia W.
Creative Writing Editor • Rachel B.
Entertainment Reviewers
Robin F., Maddy J., Rachel K., Jackie S.
Games Editor • Michael S.
Sports Writers
Tess F., Meghan R., Kaitlynn N., Michael
S.
Art Editor • Megan Z.
Photographers
Wayne R., Matt H., Sarah Z.
Finishing Editors
Melissa S., Sarah Z.
Layout Editors
Callie S., Molly C.
Advertising • Wayne R.
Circulation Manager • Carmen Z.
Faculty Advisor • Ms. Smith
The Charger is published quarterly by Peacock
Middle School, located at 301 E. North Street,
Itasca, IL 60143.
Phone: (630)773-0335
Email: staff@thecharger.org
Web: http://thecharger.org
Write the editorial board with questions or
comments. Correspondence must be signed.
JANUARY 2005
THE CHARGER
Games Corner
by Michael S.
Here are some of the newest and best games on sale. Halo 2 is one of the best games
you can buy right now if you have X-Box. Halo 2 along with Half Life 2 has some
of the best graphics you’ve ever seen. Half Life 2 is only on the PC right now
and should be coming to the PS2 in a while. Both of these games are rated M for
violence and blood.
So first you should check with your parents to see if it is OK or you can just
buy them if you have other games like that. If you don’t have these games, they
should be near the top of your birthday list! Now here are some descriptions of the
games along with some other best sellers and a game you should stay away from.
Halo 2 This game has improved a lot overHalo 1. Now the warthog takes battle
damage and you can hold up to two weapons in your hands. For the warthog you
can damage the windshield, bumpers, wheels and even make it explode. In Halo 1
you would just turn the warthog back over. So like I said, this game has a lot more
graphics than the first one. This game overall was given a 9.4.
Half-Life 2 You may have never heard of this game, but if you just saw its graphics,
you would want to play it over and over again. Kind of like Halo, you are killing
aliens and some people but not as manypeople. Also you are able to pick up
anything on the ground in front of you, behind you, and even in the air.
The main objective is to stop this factory from making all these new objects
that are going around killing people. While they're making this stuff, something
goes wrong, and a bunch of these aliens start coming out attacking everything. So
this is a game you should definitely try out. Half-Life 2 was also given a 9.4 by the
creators and the people who have tried it.
Need for Speed Underground 2 This is another game that has improved a lot since
the first one. It’s rated E for everyone because it has dropped some of the language
in the songs. This time there is one thing which enables you to go anywhere in the
city. If you want to go wherever you want, you need to unlock it by winning. Now
there are more cars to choose from. You can even get trucks like the Escalade.
you are customizing your car, you have more
B Y: MAnother
I C H A E Limprovement
S A N TO R S OisLwhen
A
features like spinners, speakers in your trunk and some other great stuff. Yet, most
of the people who tried it said you should rent it first. This game was given a little
bit lower score but is still good with a 8.7.
Godzilla Saves the Earth This is a game you should definitely stay away from.
Its graphics are horrible, the sound isn’t great and neither is the game play. So this
is a game you should rent or just forget it. With a rating of 6.0, you know why you
should stay away.
Game
Halo 2
Half-Life
Need for Speed
Underground 2
Godzilla Saves the Earth
T = Teens
Advisory Rating
M
9.4
M
9.4
E
8.7
M = Mature
??
6.0
E = Everyone
9
10
THE CHARGER
JANUARY 2005
Sports
Does a Bear Play in the Woods?
B Y: M I C H A E L S .
The Bears have been having a rough strong safety to free safety (the position Mike
The Bears also have bad luck. Once
season this year. They have had many injuries, Brown plays). The Bears' injuries have made the almost won the game and needed to
many bad games, and bad luck. The Bears them very disapointed with their season.
kick a field goal. Then the kick was blocked.
were starting to regain the potential of their
The Bears also have had many bad games. The other team returned the block for a
team and were in playoff contention for a They do so well but make one mistake and touchdown. That touchdown was the one that
while. Unfortunately, their record (as
put the other team in the lead. They
W L PCT Home Road Streak
of January 13) is 5-11.
lost that game.
2-6
3-5 Lost 4
The Bears have had injuries to their Chicago 5 11 .312
The Bears have been having
starting quarterback, Rex Grossman,
a bad season. They’ve had injuries,
and second string quarterback, Craig
bad games, and even bad luck. If
break the whole game into pieces. They have
Krenzel. They also had injuries to defensive had many games where they are winning but they wanted to they could easily get into the
stars, Mike Brown for the whole season and make a bad pass or fumble the ball which turns playoffs and maybe even win the Super Bowl.
Brian Urlacher for 4 games. Right now they the game over to the other team. Then the However, the odds this year are are unlikely.
are using a third-string quarterback, Chad other team has the confidence of winning the But as we Chicagoans say, “There's always
Huchinson, and moved Mike Green from game by the mistake done by the bad play.
next year.”
There's More than Christmas in December
B Y: E L I Z A B E T H R .
This past holiday season many people
celebrated Christmas. What about Kwanzaa
and Hanukkah? There are also many people
who celebrate those holidays.
Honoring African-Americans
Kwanzaa, an African-American holiday
created in 1966, means “first fruits of the
harvest” in Swahili. It starts on December
26 and ends January 1. Families decorate their
homes with Kwanzaa symbols. Corn and other
foods are placed on a mkeka, a special straw
mat, to remember earth’s abundance.
Each day of Kwanzaa, a candle is placed
in a “kinara,” a wooden candleholder. A black
candle is placed in the center as a reminder of
the richness of African-American skin. Three
red candles placed in the kinara represent
struggles; three green candles represent a good
future. The black candle is lit first, then the red
and green candles are lit alternately.
There are seven principles of Kwanzaa,
one for each day. They are Umoja (unity),
Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima
(collective work and responsibility), Ujamma
(cooperative economics), Nia (purpose),
Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith).
Jewish Traditions
Another holiday celebrated is called
Hanukkah. Hanukkah, which means
“dedication,” is a Jewish festival also called
“The Festival of Lights”. It begins on the
Hebrew date of the 25th of Kislev and lasts
eight days, through the 2nd of Tevet. This
past year, those dates were November 30th
and December 7th. This holiday remembers
the victorious revolt of the Maccabees (led by
Judah) over the Hellenistic Syrians.
Lighting the “menorah,” a special
candelabra, is a key ceremony. The middle
candle, called the “shamash,” is used to light
each of the other candles and is lit every night.
On the first night of Hanukkah, two candles
are lit (the shamash and the candle for the first
night), three the next night, and so on, with a
total of nine candles lit on the last night.
Common Hanukkah foods are potato
latkes and “sufganiot”(jelly doughnuts).
Another tradition is playing with the “dreidel,”
a four-sided top with a different Hebrew letter
on each side. Each letter represents a different
amount of money (or anything else) won or
lost. Another common tradition is giving gifts
or money to children.
Big World, Many Holidays
Other cultural holidays take place in
December as well. It’s interesting to learn
the different ways that people celebrate
around the world.
Washington Post
SNIGLETS
Sarchasm – The gulf between
the author of sacastic wit and the
person who doesn't get it.
Hipatitis – Terminal coolness
Karmageddon – It's like when
everybody is sending off these
really bad vibes, right? and the
earth like explodes and it's, like,
a serious bummer
Beelzebug – Satan, in the form
of a mosquito that gets into your
bedroom at 3:00 in the morning
and cannot be cast out.
Caterpallor – The color you
turn after finding half a grub in
the fruit you've just eaten.
Arachnoleptic fit – The frantic
dance performed just after
you've accidentally walked
through a spider web.
JANUARY 2005
THE CHARGER
11
12
THE CHARGER
JANUARY 2005
Hooping It Up at Peacock!
Seventh grader, Eric C., leaps high to make the score against Medinah in the first game
of the season. Despite a valiant effort, the team lost 42 - 38.
graders made it to the second round and the
8th graders got to the semi-fi nals. Then at the
Lake Park Holiday Tournament for the feeder
schools, the 8th graders took it all. And we
have a huge trophy to prove it!
The coaches and players are having a
wonderful season and are looking forward
to putting a banner on the wall.
Illustration by Emily B
The year has been going by very quickly.
With our sports teams, we have already gone
through crosscountry and girls' basketball, and
now we have the boys' basketball season.
The boys' try-outs were held on Thursday,
December 2 and Friday, December 3. They
were grueling, many students tried out, but,
unfortunately, not everyone can make the
team.
Eighth graders Tim Boezio and Mark
Burgos said that try-outs were not that
competitive because there were not that
many people who tried out. Tim also said,
"Try-outs were hard because there was a lot
of running." Sixth and seventh grade try-outs,
on the other hand, saw a lot more boys going
for the team.
The coaches, Mr. Anderson and Mr.
Poremba, looked for players with a positive
attitude toward the game and a lot of
leadership for the rest of the team. They are
looking forward to a great season.
The teams are made up of sixth and
seventh graders on one team and eighth
graders on the other. The boys that made the
team for sixth and seventh grade are seventh
graders: Billy T., Tony DeS., Ryan C., Eric C.,
Peter S., Zac C., George H., Nick R., and Brian
K. The sixth graders are: Brendan F., Kyle L.,
Chris M., and Zack Z. The eighth graders are:
Patrick P., Adam A., Charlie J., Ben C., Peter
D., Tim B., George M., Chris W., Brian M.,
Alex S., Mark B., and Kevin T.
Forward Mark B. said, "Being on the
team is a lot of fun but also a lot of hard work
and effort." He added, "Coaching a team takes
a lot of hard work. Mr. Anderson and Mr.
Poremba really contribute a lot of their time
by coaching."
When asked what he thought of the
games, guard Tim Boezio said, "It's much
more exciting when you're actually playing
than when you're sitting in the stands. You
can really get into the game."
The boys' first game was held against
Medinah on Tuesday, December 14. The sixth
and seventh graders suffered a great defeat.
The eighth graders unfortunately lost, 42-38,
but they all had a great game.
Over the winter break, both teams
participated in local competitions. At the
Driscol High Holiday Tournament, the 6th/7th
Photo by Micael S.
B Y: T E S S F.