December 2012

“I am thankful for my family,” said Paige Cook, an eighth grade student at SJHS. Nicole Metler, another eighth-grade student at SJHS, agreed and said, “I am also thankful for my friends.” During the month of November, students and staff members shared what they were thankful for.  “I am thankful for a wonderful family, freedom, good health and a beautiful world!” said Mrs. Carpenter. 

Students also shared how they show their thanks. Paige Cook said, “Some of the ways I show my thanks at home I try to help make, and clean up dinner.” Nicole Metler said, “When showing my thanks at school I try to be quiet and respectful during class.”

At Springville Junior High, the administrators have established something that students can strive for--a monthly virtue. Lucas Delgreco, a seventh-grade boy, said, “To me, tolerance means that you should always accept someone for who they are, no matter what they look like, how they talk, how they dress, or where they are from.”  The administrators have chosen tolerance as December’s virtue at SJHS. The dictionary definition of tolerance is: “a fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward those whose opinions, practices, race, religion, nationality, differ from one's own; freedom from bigotry.” Mr. Mikesell, the Dean of Students, said, “Tolerance is being kind to others NO MATTER WHAT.

Joining the Springville High School swim team is a great way to get in shape, set goals, and make friends according to a several ninth graders at Springville Junior High. At SJHS, only ninth graders can join the team, but it is worth the wait. Matt Duncan, a ninth-grade swimmer, said, “It’s fun, and you get buff!” The practices are after school at the Springville pool. The swimmers are working hard to make sure they are ready for their upcoming meets. 

At Springville Junior High School on December 13th, there will be a Christmas dance that students from seventh through ninth grade may attend. At these dances there is music that students can request, bleachers for when students need a break from all the fun, and food and drinks that students can buy for when they need a refreshment!

“I am looking forward to the Christmas dance because I love having fun with my friends after school,” said Destinie Higgins, an eighth-grade student at SJHS. “The school dances are great ways to meet friends. At dances, students can show their real personalities so others could possibly relate and become friends.”

On October 23, the Springville eighth-grade football teams and Salem Skyhawks had a super bowl. Springville Reams Badgers defeated Salem Skyhawks in the super bowl. At the end of the game, the score was 19-6. Everyone playing for Reams was really happy when their team won. Mikinna Mchoes, a football player on Reams at SJHS, said, ”When my team won, I was really happy because all of my hard work really paid off.” The seventh-grade teams from SJHS also won their super bowl. 

At Springville Junior High School, there is a teacher that is a really hard worker and has worked at the school for quite some time. Mrs. Caras has been a science teacher at SJHS for 13 years, and is still teaching. 

Out of all of the teachers Springville Junior High, there are two teachers who have served the longest who still work here today. Those two teachers are Mr. Krebs, who teaches math, and Mrs. Anderson, who teaches girls’ PE. Mr. Krebs said, “I started teaching at SJHS in 1984 and this year will be my 29th year here at SJHS.”  Also, Mrs. Anderson, said, “Twenty nine of my 30 years teaching have been right here at SJHS.” This goes to show how much both of these teachers love their jobs. 

Mr. Mikesell is the amazing dean of students here at SJHS. He became the Dean two years ago. Before that, Mr. Mikesell was an English teacher for five years until he started working on a master’s degree in Educational Leadership. According to Mr. Mikesell, he wanted to become an administrator so he could have a chance to help a lot of people and become a bigger influence. 

There is a person at Springville Junior High School who seems to always be there for the students at the school. Mrs. Bales is the attendance secretary at the school, and has been here for 17 years and is still going strong. She enjoys her job at the school and she loves to chat with Mrs. Murdock, the finance secretary. Mrs. Bales worked for Meadow Gold Dairy in Orem before she came here. Mrs. Bales said, “About 17 years ago, my oldest daughter was killed and about a month later this job came open.  I really felt like I needed to be close to my other two daughters. They both were in school here in Springville. One was here at the junior high and the other was at Brookside Elementary.

“It’s cool to think you can help a little kid with just some pennies,” said Kenzie Keane, an eighth-grade girl at SJHS. This year at Springville Junior High, we partnered up with Springville High School to raise money for the Make-a-Wish Foundation.  

Make-a-Wish is a foundation that help kids with cancer have their lifetime wish come true. This year SHS and SJHS are helping a seven-year-old boy named Connor. Connor has leukemia and has had many different treatments. When you're on these treatments your body hurts so bad, so Connor wished for a hot tub. SJHS  helped the cause by doing Penny Wars.