FFA Week is one of the best weeks that we have here at SJHS. FFA (Future Farmers of America) members did something called FFA week at SJHS on February 29-March 4 where they would do a different theme everyday. 

So what is FFA week for?  According to Mr .Rowley, the assistant principal, FFA week is to raise awareness of FFA and to have some fun as well. Mr.Rowley said that he enjoys FFA week because of the fun activities they do. “FFA is a very fun program at our school, and it is also at the high school as well,” said Mr.Rowley.

The Valentine's Day dance happened on Thursday, February 11 in the main gym. It had a 50´s theme and was for all students at SJHS. It cost four dollars without a school I.D. and was three dollars with a school I.D. 

Haylee Carpenter, a student a SJHS, said, “It was fun to be with my friends.” According to Ammon Elzinga, another student at SJHS, students could dress up in 50’s clothes. 

On Friday, February 12, the no tardy party was held in the SJHS cafetorium during seventh period. Students enjoyed the final moments of the school day eating pizza, singing karaoke, conversing with one another, and overall just living the good life. 

The no tardy party is a special activity reserved for students who went all term without a tardy. According to Mr. Rowley, the assistant principal at SJHS, no tardies are a big deal and something to celebrate. No one can argue otherwise! To celebrate their huge milestone, students gather in the cafetorium and for a party. 

SJHS has decided it is time to take a step towards the future. SJHS has decided to participate in NJHS (National Junior Honor Society). The NJHS is a program for junior high students in eighth and ninth grade. According to Ms. Dunn, an English teacher at SJHS and the NJHS advisor, NJHS is a program where students get together to perform service projects, and go on outings and field trips. NJHS is NHS(National Honor Society) just for junior high students.

It’s Friday! Not only does this bring the long awaited weekend, but this particular Friday means something else. Friday, February 5th, also known as job shadow day. 

Job shadow day is a special day where seventh grade students follow an adult through their occupation, and learn about what they do. “Job shadow day is a structured career activity where students play an active role in learning,” Mr. Rencher, the CTE/Workshop teacher at SJHS, said. “[It helps] students understand connections between education and careers.”

“I think it’s helpful to find out what you want to be when you grow up,” Daniel Harrison, a seventh grader at SJHS, said. Daniel job shadowed a Reams associate, saying that it was a good opportunity.

Choir is an elective at SJHS, and probably one of the most popular ones.  Mrs. Utrera is the choir teacher here and she is amazing.  Haylee Carpenter, a Knightengale Singer, said, “Mrs. Utrera makes you want to sing.  She is very patient and energetic, and I love the way she teaches us. We learn so much!”  Every day at school Mrs. Utrera teaches kids how to sing and increases their love for singing.          

Have you ever wondered who the special education teacher is? Well, her name is Ms. Merrell. She teaches all grades here at SJHS. “She is hilarious!” said ninth grade student, Katrina Britt. Not only does she teach special education, but she is also the girls basketball coach! 

“Merrell is great at everything,” said Mrs. Porter, the assistant basketball coach.

How would it feel to be one of the eight people selected to sing with 30 schools from all across Utah and be conducted by a world famous conductor? Thanks to Ms. Utrera, the choir teacher at SJHS, eight lucky ninth grade students were able to have that experience, singing in the Utah Honor Choir. These students were Abigail Smith, Laura Reina, Vanessa Goodman, Michelle Miller, Adam Kreiger, Luke Gleave, Shane Staple, and Christian Small. 

Before Christmas break, they received the sheet music and a CD with the soundtracks for all of the songs they would sing and were able to practice on their own time for most of January. 

Moving from eighth grade to ninth grade is a big step, but a heads up never hurt right? Registration papers for soon to be ninth graders will be given out on February 25th. To go right along with registration, what is better than a look at the Utah Scholars college prep presentations?Recently in the SJHS science classes students were given a presentation about a college prep program called the Utah Scholar program. This program has a series of requirements that are only a few credits more than are required to graduate high school.