By Indiana J.

AVID is back, if you didn’t know, and it’s better than ever. As some may know, AVID only started out with one high school and had only 32 students.

AVID now has grown bigger than ever, now allowing schools to become AVID demonstration schools. Stonewall Jackson Middle School is the only AVID demonstration school in Orange County. Howard Middle School becoming an AVID demonstration school means that Howard is an exemplary model of the program. To learn more about AVID, I went to the king and queen of AVID at Howard:  Ms. Duran and Mr. Seger. I asked the following questions to truly gain information about their thoughts:

FN: How did you feel about becoming an AVID teacher?

Ms. Duran:  Very excited to try to learn something new.

Mr. Seger:  Excited when I got the chance.

FN: Did you want to be a teacher your whole life?

KD:  Yes.  I almost went into the medical field though because I thought money was more important than happiness … wrong.

MS:  I always wanted to teach, but thought there was no money in it.   I thought I wanted to be a lawyer, but I realized I was meant to be a teacher.

FN: Did you wish that you had AVID in your schools?

KD: Yes,  for the note taking.

MS:  Yes, because I could have used the skills and organization.

FN: Do you like how AVID deals with things?

KD: Yes, I love the structure + innovative strategies!

MS: I love the structure, the family-like atmosphere, and the fun.

FN: Did you know anything about the high School students’ AVID program and were you interested in it?

KD: I know more now and think it is important so we can help you guys be better prepared.

MS:  I did not know of AVID until I started at Howard in 2006.

FN: How do you feel about Howard having the chance to become a national demonstration school?

KD: I am very excited because I know we have the best program in the county and deserve this status so that the kids will see that they are the BEST of the BEST!

MS:  I feel confident we will attain demo status. We have the best AVID students in the county, and I’m a pretty good teacher as well!  We do AVID nearly perfect so we should be recognized for it.

This is how our beloved AVID teachers felt. They are all confident in their students and believe we all can make it. So, Howard is on the right track and only going up. If we believe in each other and work hard we can be an AVID demonstration school soon.

- Fitzroya N.

The fate of civilization lies in the hands of rag dolls. Now that’s scary.

The movie 9 is a classic “robots take over the world,” post-apocalyptic scenario where all that’s left of humanity are these nine rag dolls who are trying to destroy what robots are left to survive in this world.  In the movie we follow 9,  the newest of the group, each named after a number, who talks a fellow rag doll into saving a friend taken hostage by a robot.  But in their valiant efforts, they awaken the biggest, most powerful robot of them all: The Brain.  Now with the determination of 9, they try to destroy the brain and save their kind.

Sam’s opinion:  I thought that the art was fantastic. Shane Acker (director) and Tim Burton (producer)  paid attention to every detail.  But I was very disappointed by the story itself.  It’s an hour and a half movie that would have worked out better as a thirty minute T.V. show.  Also, it’s a very dark movie.  There is a lot of death and destruction.  The fact that these rag dolls are all that’s left in the world is depressing enough, but then they flash back to when the robots are destroying everything and that just tops it all off.

I give it 2 stars.

Alex`s opinion: My thoughts on the movie are simple.  The artwork was good but at points went to the extreme.  Shane Acker and Tim Burton made a movie that at any point in the movie was predictable except for a couple parts, in which me and my colleague were surprised. So be cool and don’t jump.

I give it 2 stars.

by  Sam H. and Alex V.

Health Care: it’s like insurance for your car… only for you.  If you get seriously injured and need to go to an emergency room, that’s where it comes in handy, but also for shots and other medical practices. America has a system in which most people are eligible for this care, but not everyone. It’s the health care provider that can decide to drop a patient due to having things like diseases or cancer. In our 44th President Barack Obama’s campaign, he promised to reform health care, making it universal to everyone.

Now I know it’s not the topic of everyday middle school conversation, but bear with me. The reform of health care could affect us too, even if we already have health care. When your parents are old, even if they are now, this change could  help you, and them. The reform helps prevent them from being dropped due to old age, and discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions, making it so they get their health care when they need it most.

Most importantly among the changes for health care is the new system for purchase.  A new market for health care is created so you can buy what you need at competitive prices.  An option for businesses is in this market too, letting them buy health care for their business, supplying you with it in your job, but again at competitive prices.  A turn for the better for health care, in my opinion.

 

-Harrison T.

What do the shoes at Howard Middle say about the people that wear them? I am here to tell you just that! It seems that a lot of kids are wearing Nikes, Vans, Chucks, and flats (babydoll shoes, flip flops and sandals). Nikes and Vans make a person seem creative… don’t you think? The people that wear Nikes are usually a lot like people that wear Vans, but nobody is alike. Students who wear Vans are usually chilled, laid back, and they don’t really make a big deal about things. But some say students that wear Nikes aren’t as laid back or chilled, but they have their calm moments.  This is a person that owns tons of Vans or Nikes, not the people that have a couple pairs in their closet, because there IS a big difference.

Two more shoes that have something in common: Chuck Taylors and flats. Yeah, I know you’re probably thinking those shoes have absolutely nothing in common with each other, but you are wrong!  You should really think about it; when you get a pair of Chucks, do you or do you not wear them with any and every outfit that matches? The same thing with Flats. The only difference is probably when your Chucks get old and dirty you’ll still be wearing them. But with Flats, as soon as they mess up, you go buy some more. Not saying that you’ll never go buy some more Chucks, but you still wear the old ones.

Style facts: Chuck Taylors and Nikes are shoes that were worn by some of our parents and grandparents.  Ms. S told me that her dad wore them when she was in elementary school!  So if you think you’re starting a new trend you’re really not. You are just going with the flow of a style that’s been around for a LONG time, I am starting to wonder if they will ever grow old!!!

-Alexis R.

On September 9, 2009,  the band had its first concert with Boone High School.One of the band students,  Alexyz, said it was really awesome! I also asked the band teacher a few questions about how she felt about the band:

Q:What was the purpose of a concert so early in the year?

A: The concert, only for the Ranger Advanced Band, was not only to motivate the band members to practice, but to also give them an extra opportunity to perform fun music for their friends, family and teachers.

Q:How do you think your overall  performance with Boone  High School went?

A:  The students who went to Boone HS to perform with the marching band had lots of fun! They got to perform some high school level music and learn about the marching band while enjoying the fun atmosphere of a high school football game.

Q:What are your future plans with the band?

A: My future plans with the band include: playing a lot of music, performing often, and learning new things. We hope to perform and visit new venues this year in the form of field trips as well.

Q: How do you feel about being a band teacher?

A: I LOVE teaching band! It combines two of my favorite things: teaching and music. I, who loves music just as much as [they] do. I especially enjoy helping students become successful musicians.

Q: Are there certain requirements a student needs to be in band?

A: All a student  needs to be succesful in band is, an interest in making music and a willingness to work toward their goals.

Q: When is the next performance?

A: The next performances include:  The Fall concert for the Ranger Band and Ranger Chorus on Tuesday, November 3rd and the mass band performance at the “Citrus Bowl” on Saturday, November 7th. (Mrs. Sandusky says this is one of her favorite performances because the students get to perform the “Star Spangled Banner” with students across Orange County in the “Citrus Bowl”).

Q:Were you in band when you were in school?

A: YES! I began playing the flute in 6th grade at Discovery Middle School. I continued playing through high school. When I graduated from University High School, I went on to get music and academic scholarships from UCF, where I majored in music education.

Q: What are five words that would describe the band so far this year?

A: Fun, Exciting, Musical, Rhythmical, Challenging!

Q: What is your favorite instrument?

A: My favorite to perform on is, of course, the flute. It’s my best instrument. I love to listen to any instrument that has a great musician performing on it.

Q: How does someone join band?

A: The easiest way to sign up is to simply choose it on their elective selection sheet at the end of the school year. You may also speak with a guidance counselor, or me, if you have scheduling problems.

Q:Do you have anything you want to say to your future and current students?

A: Keep working hard, make goals for yourself, and never give up. You have the ability to be successful!

By Ashleigh B.