OCR Text |
Show -N A W S- Spanish Fork Covering what matters most WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2007 • B7 Trieste Bills / Spanish Fork News Courtesy photo CELEBRATING THE NATIVITY: Chelsea Taele and Eric David play Mary and Joseph at The Spirit of Christmas presentation at American Leadership Academy. GEOGRAPHY CHAMPS: Nathaniel Parker receives his certificate for first place in the Geography Bee with Ricky Cooper (front) taking third, and Zac Foster (back) taking second place. ALA celebrates season SFJH holds Geography Bee The performance was more than just a pageant. A full size orchestra played music for it. When Christmas comes with a prelude by the ALA around, we often act like the concert band. The narration narrator in The Best Christ- was done by Nathaniel Sackmas Pageant Ever: please, ett and Tristcn Houghton and don't let us see another they set the scene for BethleChristmas pageant; we've hem, i he shepherds and the seen them all before. But angels, Mary and Joseph, the American Leadership and those who came to adore Academy's nativity pageant, Christ. The Spirit of Christmas, is a Part of the uniqueness was unique, refreshing look at the due to the fact that it wasn't Christmas story. just an angel choir—there Trieste Bills STAFF WRITER was the choir, the actors, the musicians and the dancers. It was a celebration unlike any other. As the shepherds, the innkeeper and his wife, the baker, the weaver, ancl other Bethlehmites came to worship, their wondering adoration brought the audience to adore; their performance was magic. It was a complete success, bringing the true spirit of Christmas to the minds and hearts of their audience. Scott Carson SFJH Nathanael Parker, an eighth grade student at Spanish Fork Jr. High, won the school-level competition of the National Geography Bee on Dec. 14, moving a step closer to a $25,000 college scholarship. The school-level Bee, at which students answered oral questions on geography, was the first round in the 20th annual National Geography Bee. Nathanael Parker finished the competition in first place with Zac Foster finishing in second place and Ricky Cooper finishing in third place. Congratulations to our school finalists! School winners around the country, including Nathanael, will now take a written test to be eligible to compete in the state Geography Bee on April 4, 2008. State winners will receive an allexpenses paid trip to Washington D.C. to participate in the National Geography Bee and a chance for a $25,000 scholarship. In order to participate in the Bee, eighth graders had to pass a written test with a high qualifying score. There were only 30 seats available for the entire eighth grade, so being able to participate is an accomplishment in and of itself. The following students qualified and participated in the school competition: Zac Foster, McKay Bennett, Erik Sealander, McCrea Malkovich, Benjamin Hardy, Asa Andersen, Kyle Adams, Chandler George, Mikkel Olson, Corbin Gentry, Cardon Tanner, Matthew Strong, Brittany Jones, Nathanael Parker, Connor Olsen, Monika Lewis, Casey Reynolds, Spencer Rogers, Whitney Millstead, Henry Stanworth, Hayden Redd, Devan MacCabe, Whitney Downard, Collin Steadman, Evan Krupa and Ricky Cooper. Courtesy photo HANSEN'S HEROES: Pictured, back row, left to right, are Emily Wilson, Mrs. Hansen, Kiera Hiatt and Brayden Critchfield: front row, Emily Rowley, Mark Rawle, Brady Argyle and Braxton Hiatt. Hansen's Heroes announced at Brockbank Elementary Brockbank Elementary is happy to announce this month's Hansen's Heroes. From first grade is Brady ArgylefromMrs. Noorda's class. ' Mrs. Noorda said,"Brady is truly a wonderful friend to everyone. Brady always notices when someone is feeling sad, hurt, or needs a friend. He quickly tries to help. Brady is sensitive to others feelings and always tries to do the right thing. I am glad to have Brady in my class!" Second grade is Emily Rowley from Mrs. Pack's class. Emily is a great helper and friend. She is kind and shows empathy and is very helpful. Third grade is Mark Rawle from Mrs. Argyle & Mrs. Muirbrook's class. Mark is always willing to do whatever is asked of him. He is kind and helpful on the playground 'and in the classroom. Mark can be heard encouraging and complimenting others. He is an excellent example of a Hansen Hero! Fourth grade is Brayden Critchfield from Mr. Oyler's class. Mr. Oyler said, "Brayden is compassionate and kind to everyone. He always has a smile on his face, He shows empathy in many ways. He looks for students that may be sad or lonely and cheers them up by giving of his time." Also from fourth grade is Braxton Hiatt from Mrs. Quispe's class. Mrs. Quispe said, "Braxton is nice to everyone. He is a very hard worker and I am glad that he is in my class." Fifth grade Hansen Hero is Kiera Hiatt from Mrs. Hatton's class. Mrs. Hatton said, "Kiera is a wonderful, kind, and caring person. She has been observed comforting others in the classroom who have been down and in need of comfort. Kiera always reaches out to those who need a friend and is always helping out others in my-classroom with their work and encouraging them to do their best. I am happy to have Kiera in my class!" Sixth grade is Emily Wilson from Mr. Murray's class. Mr. Murray wrote, "Emily is a great example to him and her classmates of how students should treat each other. Emily is always willing to help those around her, she shows a genuine concern for her fellow students. Emily has been ovserved putting others feelings ahead of her own. She makes the school and especially her classroom a better place to be!" Courtesy photo OFF TO BE THE WIZARD: Spanish Oaks students performed "The Wizard of Oz." Wizard of Oz visits Sp. Oaks Sherry Eaton SPANISH OAKS Spanish Oaks Elementary recently performed an elementary version of the show "The Wizard of Oz." With a cast of nearly 200 first through sixth graders, it was a tremendous undertaking, and a great success. The role of Dorothy was played by six actresses who switched places throughout the show. Other main roles also had multiple actors, and there were large groups of munchkins, flying monkeys, talking trees and villagers. The students tried out for the show at the end of October, and had six weeks to practice before they performed. Almost 1,000 people came to watch the two showings-on Dec. 6, 2007, and the students performed again for the elementary school the next day. Maria Oka, a teacher at Spanish Oaks, volunteered to direct the play, hoping that it would help build confidence in many of the students. "In that way," she said, "the show was very successful. The students did a marvelous job performing for large groups of friends, family, and strangers. I was amazed to see the confidence of these students grow as the practices went on. I really hope this will serve as a springboard for them to continue to participate in theatre and other extra-curricular activities throughout middle school and high school." Another group of about \ 50 students helped design and paint the set. Cassie Wells, a third grade teacher, helped those students to use their artistic talents in wonderful ways. Many teachers and parents helped make the show a success. Special thanks to Sherry Eaton, Rachel Hughes, Kim Philbrick, Celeste Peterson, Anna Marie Bass, Theresa Johnson, Rindee Sannar, and Janna Zahrt for making the show possible. Thanks also to the Spanish Fork TV station who < filmed the performance. Copies of the show can be purchased for $10 at Spanish Fork High School Finance Office. Also, watch for the show to be aired on Spanish Fork station 16, or Comcast station 17 sometime after Christmas. V |