by Randy Turner
This year's student council, however, had to change some of the plans intended for the fundraising part of the cycle. Since East Middle School was demolished, or somewhat damaged during the tornado, the students and faculty were moved to a temporary building, former warehouse. The warehouse was designed to fit the school's needs, but sporting events are not held at the temporary building, meaning that concession stands are no longer available or needed. Much of the past student council's money came from working the concession stands, but since this was no longer a fundraising option, other ideas and projects had to be put into action in order to make up the money usually raised by the stands. Thankfully, a donation of nine hundred dollars was given to the student council from a hair salon in Texas. This money, along with what was raised from a student council sponsored dance and small fundraisers, helped buy tons of toys for tons of kids.
After all that has been done for Joplin, the East Middle School Student Council felt that it should give back to the community by continuing this heartfelt event. Since the tragic tornado, everything was handed to them, and they wanted to return the favor. One of Mr. Biggers' favorite parts of the event is watching the students shop for toys. He commented that they really take it to heart and try to stretch the dollar as far as they can to satisfy the many children counting on them for toys.
The impact made on these children is unknown for confidentiality reasons, but every year, the East Middle School Student Council can expect a phone call from the Joplin Fire Department asking them to continue this beneficial tradition. Not only does it benefit the children, but it also benefits Joplin's community as a whole; because, what is Joplin without its people?
ACADEMIC ALL-STARS HONORED
East Middle School Academic All-Stars were honored during November ceremonies at College Heights Christian School.
In the past, the ceremonies have been held at Joplin High School, which was destroyed by the May 22 tornado.
Students who received advanced or proficient scores during the MAP tests last spring were honored.
Highlights of the ceremony included the presentation of a $1,000 scholarship to eighth grader Casandra Williams, speeches by St. John's CEO Gary Pulsipher and Missouri Southern State University President Bruce Speck, and the presentation of certificates to students from East Middle School and Duenweg/Duquesne, Eastmorland, Kelsey Norman, and McKinley elementary schools.
Missouri Southern State University President Bruce Speck presented a $1,000 scholarship to East Middle School eighth grader Casandra Williams at the conclusion of the annual Academic All-Star celebration held Monday night at College Heights Christian School.
Miss Williams' name was randomly selected from the Academic AllStar list. To qualify for Academic All-Stars, students had to score in either the advanced or proficient levels during the 2011 MAP tests.
East students who qualified for Academic All-Stars are listed below:
EIGHTH GRADE
Damian Abrams, Meggi Augustofsky, Taran Augustofsky, Jaylon Baert, Maggie Baker, Natal Bay, Anna Blue, Jonah Caldwell, Mercedes Cardenas, Caden Carlin, Harrison Carpenter, Adam Cavaness, Zachary Cavaness, Darin Clark, Elijah Cornman, Michael Crouch, Lorenzo Dailey, Marcus Damrill, Jackson Divilbiss, Aubrie England, Ethan Fannan, Tajee Fantroy-Arrington, Madeline Fichtner, Mason Finnell, Willow FrazierCrow, Edward Garcia, Bailey Gardner, Haden Garten, Christopher Geier, Donovan Graham, Keisha Grunden, Mackenzie Gunderson, Desiree Hawkins, Amy Hembree, Jayden Hetiback, Megan Hickey, Kagan Hoffman, Ethan Holz, Tristen Howell, Kylie Howerton, Kara Hulsey, Serena Hunt, Abigael Killinger, Amy Koch, Ethan Kraner, Gabrielle Logan-Downey, Shyann Long, Janet Lopez, Elimo Lounis, Cara Marshall, Ashton McGehee, Madison Meinhardt, Christi Montgomery, Kaley Moser, Stella Ndauwa, Jennifer Nguyen, Dakota Osborn, Kiah Poulson, Abigail Randall, Jillian Rentfro, Faith Reynolds, Callah Riff, Molly Ritter, Treyton Rowden, Alexa Ruddick, Miranda Sanders, Justin Schweickert, Bryce Schwarting, Alexis Shields, Evan Shofler, Courtney Shryock, Jakob Simrell, William Sinclair, Aiden Stahl, Casey Stewart, Austen Still Amelia Street, Annie Strickling, Jamie Sullivan, Quionte Tidwell, James Tupper, Tyler Viles, Jesse Walls, Karly Weber, Shelby Welton, Alyssa Wescoat, Logan Whitehead, James Willerton, Casandra Williams, Ishman Wilson, Kaitlynne Wilson, Katelynne Yonkers
SEVENTH GRADE
Melinda Adams, Sophie All good, Ryan Ball, Megan Black, Jerry Bland, Lisa Boykin, Austin Brand, Michaela Brewer, Anthony Burton, Mynah Campbell, Angelia Cape hart, Jordan Case, Anastasia Cline, Caitlyn Collins, Elijah Conner, Nichole Cox, Clayton Croat, Lilly Curtsinger, Emalia Dailey, Tristan Danielson, Brittany Davis, Melanee Day, Taylor Detter, Elizabeth Dulinsky, Matthew Dumas, MacKenzie Dunn, Brittany Dutton, Jackson Earll, Amber Fleming, Joseph Fry, Tyler Green, Lydia Greenwood, Ashlyn Griffberg, Zane Grimes, Audrey Hampton, Sean Harrison, Shae Hogan, Joshua Hulsey, Katelynn Hurrell, Dakotah Hutchens, Bridget Ingham, Lucas Jobes, Caeli Johnson, Faith Jones, Makayla Keene, Chloe Konwinski, Cierra Kosilla, Annie Le, Dorothy Lee, Bailee Lewis, Quincy Logan, Kateri Mace-Canterbury, Alexia Maturino, Aubrey McIntosh, Alexandra Monasco, Desirae Orlaski, Jessica Pal, Brooke Parker, Mycah Parker, Benjamin Perkins, Thomas Reynolds, Madison Riddle, Taylor Robinson, Kendrick Rooker, Othellis Roper, Grace Roush, Lydia Routledge, Abigail Russell, Camden Sanders, Carissa Scalia, William Schwarzenberger, Sierra Schweitzer, Nicholas Shellenbarger, Kerry Stadler, Tyler Stanley, Justine Staten, Victoria Stehm, Alexandra Stelts, Jade Sterken, Taylor Sullivan, Ieane Suskey, Ilah Wallace, Amy Walser, Jacy Welch, Michaela West, Andrielle Wilson, Cory Wilson, Keithen Wolf
SIXTH GRADE
Nicholas Abrams, Harris Allen, Donald Archer, James Ardrey, Ambie Armstrong, Madyson Barber, Kristian Bethel, Jerrod Bivens, Lilliana Black, Matthew Black, Kody Blevins, Madison Boyer, Kathryn Brown, William Burden, Stoney Burleson, Corbin Chaffin, Christal Comstock, Sydni Cornman, Xavier Cottle, McKenzie Crouch, Elijah Curtis, Lucas Danner, McKinley Davis, James Freed, Ashtyn Friend, Eryn Garcia, Brandon Garten, Katelyn Gilbreth, Virginia Gormely Heater, Bailey Greninger, Kayley Hall, John Hardin, Brianna Hickey, Chad Hudspeth, Robert Ingram, Sara Iseli, Drake Johnston, Zachary Kennedy, Miriam Kissinger, Ashley King, Elizabeth Kingery, Abigail Lewis, Hailee LoganDowney, Daniel Miller, Landon Moore, Bobby Murphy, Trace Myers, Anna Nguyen, Jordan Nguyen, Breanna Pace, Kiara Patton, Elizabeth Peterson, Noah Pinjuv, Chloe Poulson, Kimber Powell, Gage Schemer, Jarod Schwarzenberger, Alexander Seeman, Emma Simon, Carson Smith, Mikayla Soard, Landon Sturgis, Austin Tallent, Nicole Tate, Nicholas Taylor, Amber Thornton, Ethan Vang, Cydney Vickers, Amber White, Faithlyn Whitehead, Emma Willerton, Thomas Williams, Cian WilsonKeeler, Jacob Yarnell
A TOUCH OF NASCAR COMES TO EAST
BY AMY KOCH
A little touch of CO2 Nascar came to East Middle School when Pittsburg State University students raced their CO2 cars against those built by East Middle School students.
During a seventh hour assembly that day, the speeds of the East cars were demonstrated with cars built by students in Mr. Brandon Teel's industrial arts class racing, as well as cars built by Mr. Teel and Principal Mr. Bud Sexson, who at one time taught industrial arts.
“FROM THE POND” TERRIFIES EAST
BY AMY KOCH
East Middle School drama students, under the direction of Ms. Lara Stamper, entertained and terrified the student body during Encore Friday with the premiere of their annual scary Halloween movie, From the Pond.
The cast received a taste of Hollywood when they were introduced prior to the movie, led down the red carpet, and then were seated in a special section.
VETERANS DAY
BY MEGAN HICKEY
The audience’s emotions seemed to float through the crisp, cold air. Love felt for our fallen soldiers was almost tangible during the Veterans Day observance at Missouri Southern State University.
Members of the East Middle School Student Council and National Junior Honor Society called out the names of fallen soldiers, one by one, In the middle of the roll call, we took a break for the national moment of si
lence, a time to reflect on all of the people America has lost in war and to help us to never forget how much they gave for us to help us have a safer home and country to live in and love.
Not very many people die for what they believe in, but these soldiers did and we need to honor their precious memory through Veterans Day every year.
NO MORE WAREHOUSES, FEMA TRAILERS, AND MALLS
BY ANNIE STRICKLING
When the 2011-2012 school year started at East, less than three months after the tornado, we were shocked at how much the warehouse looked like a school.
I am a cheerleader, so when it came time for us to have our first pep rally, we were stumped on what to do. The gym, which is a giant tent, was definitely big enough, but when it gets loud in there, everything echoes, so 25 cheerleaders screaming along with kids wasn’t exactly a good idea. Our cheer coach and principal decided we would have it in front of the school and the kids would sit in the grass and watch. It worked great and everyone seemed to enjoy it.
But we were not able to have choir concerts and drama performances had to be taped and played from a projector.
When track season came around, we were bused over to our stadium to practice. We were in the middle of a track meet at our stadium when the announcer said that the bond issue for our new schools had passed.
Our fans literally jumped out of their seats and cheered. It was the best news we could imagine.
Even though the high school won’t be finished until 2014, it is good knowing Joplin won’t be warehouses, FEMA trailers, and a mall forever.
Annie Strickling was an eighth grader during the 2011-2012 school year.)
SCARS OF THE TORNADO
BY STELLA NDAUWA
It has been an interesting year at East Middle School.
East was one of the buildings damaged by the May 22 tornado. The students, teachers, and staff are in a warehouse that smells like dog food, and this is where our story begins.
Approximately one year ago, I thought that I knew how my eighth grade year would be. But at that time, I was too focused on when summer would come and get me out of school and into freedom.
In a way, my wish came true. An EF-5 tornado came and the rest of my school year, a whole two weeks, was cancelled. But I wasn’t happy, far from it.
One hundred sixty-one people dead, thousands of buildings damaged and lives changed forever. I guess that saying about being careful of what you wish for is true. But I had one more wish though- to start school on time for my eighth grade year. Fortunately, Superintendent C. J. Huff agreed with me, and that wish came true for the both of us.
So this is where I am now, nearing the end of my eighth grade year, here at the warehouse building that I call school. Warehouse aside, it has been a pretty average year with the usual mix of drama, fighting and detentions. But if you look closely, then you will still see the scars of the tornado lingering.
You will see children who still frown with worry when thunderstorms strike and who practically panic when tornado watches and warnings are issued.
But we are strong. Joplin strong. And even though we still carry the scars from the storm, we are stronger because of it. So as the anniversary of the tornado grows ever closer, we remember those who became heroes, and for us East Middle School students, we remember Zachary Williams. But this anniversary is also a celebration for how far we have come and how far we have yet to go.
Stella Ndauwa was an eighth grader during the 2011-2012 school year.
A HOLE IN MY HEART
BY MELINDA ADAMS
The May 22 tornado changed everyone’s lives dramatically, but it hit the kids harder than anyone. Being an 11 going on 12-year-old middle school girl at the time, I took it to heart. By going to a new building, new surroundings, then a year later, having to go to another new, unfamiliar building, but this time in the middle of nowhere, it had a great effect on me.
I would be lying if I said it did not change the way I thought about school, about grades, and how I treated people.
That first day of school in the new building after the tornado I didn’t have any interest in anything. Halfway into the year, I started flunking, missing a lot of school. I was at my lowest point. My mom started worrying, but beyond worrying, she was scared.
Toward the end of the school year, I started opening my eyes, and realizing I was better than that, that I was still alive, still breathing. I started thinking about my future. I got my grades back up, stopped missing school and started acting happier.A
nd even though I still feel a hole in my heart, I will never let myself go that low again.
Melinda Adams was a seventh grader during the 2011-2012 school year.
A FINAL FAREWELL TO EAST
BY JENNIFER NGUYEN
School's out! It has been for about eight hours now, but I couldn't leave East without a proper closure. I know I speak for most, if not all eighth graders, when I say East will never be forgotten, especially after all the school has been through!
The class of 2016 was the first class that had the opportunity of going to the real East Middle School, not the warehouse, as sixth graders. We were lucky enough to call the site of East our home for a whole two years. Memories of the old building are still etched in the minds of many. Students still recall images of being in the hallways, classrooms, and auditorium. They will be carried in our hearts forever.
Due to the damage from the May 22, 2011, tornado, East was moved to a temporary warehouse. Nobody knew what to expect of this year. The class of 2016, serving as eighth graders of the middle school, had no idea what living in a warehouse would be like; we were terrified!
As the year progressed, adaptations were made, and the warehouse felt like just another normality in our lives. Not quite our home, like the old East, but more like an apartment you would rent while being away from home. Classes were still continued. Activities were still operated. Life was as it should be. Even though we were in a new, unfamiliar building, East was with us. In our students, staff, and faculty.
Of course with all the schoolwork and pressure of succeeding in behavior and attitude, came the urge of students for summer to come. I remember thinking for countless hours how I couldn't wait for summer. I couldn't wait to be out of school, to just be lazy! Many eighth graders were especially looking forward to the joys of high school! The time for relaxation and vacation was definitely anticipated...and soon enough, the time came.
This school year went by like a breeze, and before we knew it, the end of school was soon approaching. This meant the end of middle school for the eighth graders, and the beginning of high school as freshmen. You would think we would be happy for summer, for a break.
Yes, we were happy, but we were also sad. The school year just went by too fast!
The Last Day Assembly soon approached and so did the time for the farewells and goodbyes. The lasting minutes of the final day were filled with bittersweet moments. Shouts of joy rang through the commons area for the fact that school was finally over, and we survived! But among the joy, were many tears and remarks of sadness, of goodbye. Not only were the eighth graders bidding the year good-bye, they were also giving their last farewells to their fellow peers, teachers, and most of all, their school.
As the class of 2016 follows the path of life towards high school, I would like to take this moment to say good-bye to East not as the co-editor of the East Middle School Journalism Club, but as a student. I would like to thank East for all the great memories it has provided us with, all the things we will cherish.
Thank you to all the teachers and faculty of East. In some way, you have touched our lives, and your effect has been impeccable! I would like to give special praise and thanks to Mr. Turner, the Journalism Club sponsor and mentor, for making all this possible. Thank you to all our fellow schoolmates, the sixth and seventh graders. You have made great peers, and more importantly, friends. Thank you to everything that makes East what it is, East! As the saying goes, "East is beast!" So thank you,
thank you, thank you.
Tears spring to my eyes as I close with my final bid of farewell to East. Through all the good times and the bad, we have overcome and made this school truly unforgettable. This is why I will always remember you.
Goodbye East. I love you.
SNAPSHOTS
Randy Turner’s classroom following the tornado.
Mr. Nick Moore’s band students perform at the first EMS pep rally of the 2011-2012
school year.
East students sign their names by the mascot drawn by students in Ms. Rachel Hardee’s art classes.
National Junior Honor Society and Student Council members practice for the parts they performed at a Veterans Day ceremony at Missouri Southern State University.
Students capture a group photo before the Veterans Day ceremony.
The EMS cheerleaders, under the direction of Mrs. Alana Maddock, prepare to perform at the first pep rally.
Ms. Lara Stamper’s drama students practiced for their production of Cinderella at East, but the actual performance was held at another middle school building.
The change in location did not prevent the continuation of an East tradition, the last day talent show and awards assembly. Among the performers was seventh grader Angel Capehart.