No news is good news… or maybe not, but we sure won’t be reporting on anything this summer. School is out, so go pick up a New York Times and check back in August for more current events.

The only HMS News that matters right now is that it’s summer. Check back in August for more articles about the goings on at Howard.

Well, the Magic lost to the Celtics in the NBA conference semi-finals. We’re too sad to write any more about sports this summer. We’re also out of school, so check back in August for more sports articles.

Dear Howard Hype Reader,

We are taking a break for the summer and will be back with more stories when the school year starts up again. In the meantime, your options here are limited. You can:

1. Read about the many uses of duct tape, or watch the Hype’s first video blog, on the Entertainment & Style page.

2. Browse the goodbyes, best wishes and advice for incoming 6th graders on the Opinion page.

3. Look through the archives of poems and art on the Art & Words page.

4. Take one last look at the 2009-2010 Hype writers before they are replaced in August.  That would be on the Staff page.

5. Take our summer poll, over to the left of this page.

6. Scroll down just a bit and read a brilliant article on summer jobs.

7. Think about getting a summer job. After all, you’re sitting here reading a school newspaper in the summer!

Thanks for reading and we’ll see you next school year!

Sincerely,
The Management

We have had the greatest time here in our three years at Howard Middle School. If only we had known then what we do now, life would have been a little easier. And so, as we move on with our lives and off to high school, we leave you with our words of wisdom and advice…

1. Friends should always come before any boy. Don’t let a guy come between you and your friends because your friends are forever and boys are whatever. 2. Girls: Be cute, but mysterious. Guys: Don’t try too hard to be cool because 9 out of 10 times, you aren’t. 3. Middle school can be the best three years of your life, so make the most of it and don’t get involved in lots of drama!

Xoxo- Stephanie L.

Don’t do drugs, listen to your teachers, and don’t say that you have gum.

-Stephen M.

Don’t listen to the scary voices in your head. Stay safe. Stay safe in every way.

-Harrison T.

Dear 6th graders, you’ll need a few things to survive, Don’t start the school year off as a slacker. Don’t get on the bad side of any administrators or teachers, especially Ms. Katner, Mrs. Rich, Ms. Payne and Mr. Darden. Lastly, STAY OUT of DRAMA!!!

Good Luck- Alexis R.

Always think before you say things, it will always help you to be more mature.

If you have to question it-DON’T WEAR IT!

-Fitzroya N.

Never announce that you have gum, unless you would like to be mobbed! Never wear rainbow shorts to school, it’s just bad!

-Sam H.

Go to class and get your work done on time. For the girls: don’t let boys distract you. Also, know who your real friends are, and don’t fall into peer pressure.

-Ashleigh B.

There are bullies, gross lunches, back stabbing, know-it-alls, etc. The best advice I can give you is to be home schooled! No I’m just kidding, keep your head on straight and push forward.

-Ivanna M.

Dear Howard Middle School ,

This letter is for everyone that goes to Howard Middle School or is coming here in the fall. I have enjoyed my three years here, with my friends and  passer-byers in the hallways. I have enjoyed getting to know the  creative minds that I didn’t notice, when I first began here. I have learned that people change, and as part of life, I should just put my hands down and accept that. People aren’t always going to like you. If you’re a new  middle -schooler, it’s best that you understand that now, as it will save you a lot of  pain later. There were some tough time here at Howard, but there were some awesome times too! Like the awesome field trips and all of the laughs and good memories with my friends. During my time at HMS,  I’ve learned a lot about myself. I’ve learned that I sometimes I need to control my anger and realize that it can come across as rude, but it’s something I’ve gotten better at. My point is, I’ve grown, and I had a great time here. I would say I found myself, and learned what I’m made of.

To my teachers, at first the toughness was hard to accept. But, in the end I am grateful for the journey, the memories and the discipline. To my friends, STAY great and keep me in your hearts. And to the future HMS 7th and 8th graders, be nice to the 6th graders because you were once there too! Remember that maturity comes with time and experience. Thank you HMS!

P.S. I will come and visit!

-Fitzroya N.

Dear Howard Middle School,

For the three years that I have been here, I have been through so many things, from losing a best friend to heartbreak. I also had my firsts right here at Howard. I had my first detention here, my first ISS day here and my first kiss. I won’t ever forget anyone that has made me laugh or cry, because when I move on to high school, I’m going to look back on those days and smile because that person has impacted my life in some way or another. I’m definitely not going to forget about the teachers. Especially Mrs. Johnson, my former Algebra teacher. She was and still is, the coolest and funniest math teacher that I’ve had. Howard Middle School, you were the most dramatic 3 years of my life and that is what made me who I am today.

-Stephanie L.

Video games have changed a lot over the years! From Mario to Halo, video games have gone from sitting in your room by yourself, to playing and talking with friends in online gaming networks . Games have changed so rapidly through the years, that I cant even remember my first video game!

All video games start with an idea that eventually transforms into a world of creatures, characters and story lines that play out a lot like a movie. Some creators get there ideas from world wars, novels, or even  movies they may have personally seen. Video game creators get ideas from everywhere. Some of the greatest games of all time have gotten ideas from real- life news stories and events.

Some of the most popular games today, can be played on Playstation or X-Box. A few of the hottest games are: Cod MW2, Halo and God of War. Basically, with so many options and fast advancing technology, video games have become one of America’s greatest past times. If you have stood clear of the video gaming world all these years, you may want to venture in and see what’s new. Who knows, you may find yourself falling victim to the addiction!

-Carl K.

With this economy being so tough, it’s going to be hard to find a good summer job. But, with summer right around the corner, a lot of teenagers are going to want to get a job despite these low odds. The desire to have new school  clothes, enjoy a day at DisneyWorld or just to have a little extra spending money,  is worth the challenges of the economy.

I have personally decided to get a summer job so that I can have money of my own and maybe even a little savings. The tough thing to remember is that jobs are not just handed over or given, you have to earn them and be deserving of the opportunity. How do you do this? You do this by being prepared and well informed!

You must show up to a potential place of employment in clothing that is respectful and reflects the type of business that you are applying to. In addition to proper clothing, be prepared to fill out an application and have a well written resume with you too. You can research resume styles online or have one of your peers help you.

Here are some quick Do’s and Don’ts to get you started once you land your interview!

Do’s: Make eye contact, smile and offer a handshake before and after the interview. Express yourself clearly with  good grammer. Show self-confidence, good manners and attentiveness. Make sure that you take constructive criticism with grace and stay eager to learn new things. Have questions prepared ahead of time and be sure to bring paper and a pen to make notes. Thank the interviewer for his or her time and be sure to follow-up in 3-4 days to see if a decision has been made.

Dont’s: Do not show that money is your main purpose for the job. Don’t have gum in your mouth. Don’t be tired or groggy from just waking up. Dont emphasize the things that you don’t like (homework for example). Don’t expect too much too soon, remember that you must start out at the bottom sometimes, but that just means you have a foundation to build from. Don’t make it seem like you are desperate for the job. Don’t bring up personal issues. Don’t answer questions with a yes or no, give an explanation for every question. And most important, DONT BE LATE!!!

Now you have some of the very basic tools to get you started in the working world this summer. Good luck!

-Ashleigh B.

                          Dear Howard Middle School,

I’m leaving this school but I promise I’ll come back and visit.  But my time is over and I’m sorry I have to go.  I’ve had good friends and bad friends and, with them, good times and bad.  There were people I wish I never met but oh well, it was a learning experience. 

The 7th graders will now hold our legacy of being on top!  I now officialy pass the torch and give them the 8th grade phrase, “6th graders these days… ugh.”  The upcoming 7th graders will realize what this year’s 7th and 8thgraders had to go through with them. 

I’ll miss the teachers: all of them.  The administrators especially!  From my old 6th grade teachers to my recent 8th grade ones.  I’ll remember them all the same way.  The teachers that never gave up on this here young’n.  Although I’m constantly talking about how I’ll never miss this school, but  I promise on my life that these were the best years so far in my 14 years. 

        Going to Howard has inspired me a lot.  The decisions I make have changed. The way I make those decisions have changed.  The type of people that I associate withhave changed.  My eating habits have changed, hanging with my friend Shi-dazusha.  I hope that by the end of your middle school life you will have or that you have had a friend that’s absolutly positivelyin love with FOOD. 

Also, being that middle school is the mid-point of your life, most people leave having have done a complete 360 because they’ve found themselves.  Don’t let anybody hold you back from being you.  Always stay 100%, because if you’re not yourself then someone else will be.  Don’t let anyone take advantage of you.  I hope you take my letter into deep consideration.  On that note, have an awesome time while you’re still here. 

                                   Sincerely Alexis R.

Summer is near. A time to go into a 16- hour coma each day; wake up, eat everything in the fridge and go back to sleep to start the routine all over again.  But there is a small period of time where you will be bored out of your mind.  Below I have compiled (wow, big word) a list of helpful things over summer vacation. 

1.  If the back of the TV remote falls out, make a new back out of duct tape. 

2.  If there is a hole in the couch, fix it with some duct tape.

3.  If you’re really bored, make a sheet of duct tape and slide across a wood or tile floor using it.

4.  If your parents make you clean up your room, use duct tape in some creative way to do so.

5.  If you can’t think of any way to clean up your room using duct tape, duct tape your door shut so your parents can’t see the mess.

6.  If your little brother or sister is annoying you, duct tape your ears shut so you don’t have to listen to them.

7.  If your little brother or sister is still anoying you, duct tape them to the wall in the next room.

8.  If you don’t have any bread, hold together the sandwich with some duct tape.

9.  If your game system spontaneously explodes, build a new one out of duct tape.

10.  If the back of your TV remote falls out; you find a hole in the couch; you become bored with the sheet of duct tape idea; you’re trapped out of your own room because you duct taped it closed; you can’t get your little brother or sister down from the wall; your sandwich fell apart after making duct tape bread and your new duct tape game system explodes… make a passport out of duct tape and move to Mexico. 

-Samuel H