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.

On a list of new badges, the Boy Scouts added a ”Video Game” badge (AWESOME!!!) to their list in December.  The badge’s requirements include: playing a video game for an hour (hardest requirement ever) and even buying a new video game!  The badge is for the Cub Scouts (the stage before Boy Scouts) and they first have to go for the Belt Loop before going for the Academics pin (see above picture).

Silly Bandz! What are they? Oh, I don’t even have to tell you! It’s probably all over your school. You see people walking down the hallways wearing these squiggly rubber bands on their wrists and even before they became a sensation in schools you might have wondered: what on Earth are THOSE?

Well, you’re probably wondering why these things are so popular. In my own opinion they are popular because they come in all shapes and colors. They include: Pets, Zoo, Sea, Basic, Dinosaurs, Western, Alphabet, Princess, Rockbandz, Spring, Fantasy, Baseball and Rainforest themes.

Some schools have even banned Silly Bandz because students would only pay attention and admire their collection on their arms rather than pay attention to their teachers.

 Silly Bandz probably started becoming popular because one person started to wear them and then another and so on. Or because they are really colorful. They also have rare ones that you can sell or trade to your friends for like  two or more of their Silly Bandz!

The top 10 rarest bands are the Phoenix, Hedgehog, Dragon, Dollar sign, Anteater, Genie lamp, Unicorn, T-rex, Sun and a Star. So if you have any of these…your lucky!

-Stephanie (Kimmy) L.

Last Tuesday, the 19th, our Cast and Crew of the Musical “Into the Woods” preformed for the entire school. The Stephen Soundheim play you saw was only 1 act of many. The other acts weren’t in “junior” versions. The members of the Into the Woods production worked very hard, and needless to say, the work payed off.

For those of you who didnt see the play, you missed a lot, and it’s essentially your average collage of everyday Fairy Tales: Jack & the Bean Stalk, Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, and anything else they found in Disney’s arsenal.

The purpose was to entertain you, often at the expense of some of the casts’ dignity. Just know it takes an enormous amount of courage to get on stage in front of the entire school to preform. If you see a fellow peer you recognize from the play, give them a pat on the back, tell them it was a great preformance. ‘Cause hey, at least you got out of two periods of class, right?

Neon colors, rompers, wedges, and plaid. All styles that originated in the 70’s through the 90’s and are now reappearing in 2010. The last time these styles dissapeared we thought we’d never see them again, but they’re back and all the rage.

This is one trend that won’t die. Colors that nearly blind you first made their appearence in the 80’s. Nail polish, clothing, even hair, you name it and it was neon. (click)

Rompers are the new jumpers. A blouse and shorts in one, what more could you ask for? Rompers are not for everyone but they’re comfortable and stylish. It’s like having a pajama day while still looking cute.

Wedges are the most comfortable high heels you will ever own. They’re as stylish as your other high heels in your closet yet you can wear them with any outfit to any occasion. Your grandma loved them and so will you.

From five year old girls to scruffy old men, plaid is a classic. It can be worn at any time of day while doing any activity. Add a white belt and you’ll be the bell of any ball.

Neon colors, rompers, wedges, and plaid are styles just won’t go away. They will probably still be around when we have children so enjoy it while it’s your time to wear them.

-Ivanna M.

Going dirt bike is one of the most exciting  things ever! When you go dirt biking, you will get the biggest adrenaline rush of your life, if you do it safely!

I ride dirt bikes myself, and I strongly believe that riding a dirt bike can be very dangerous. I know several  people who have broken bones from what appeared to be just a small fall, sometimes before the bike had even been turned on!   Safety is one of the most important things to practice when dirt biking. If you don’t wear gloves, you can get callouses. Callouses that are developed from biking are the worst! They can be painful and they don’t go away for a long time. Wearing a neck brace is one of the most important parts of being safe while riding. If you don’t wear a neck brace you could break your neck and end up paralyzed for life.

Riding a dirt bike can be dangerous, but if you now how to ride well and you practice safety, you’ll have the most incredible time ever! As a dirt bike rider, I have fun every time I start-up my bike. When I ride, I feel free and full of excitement. It’s a great experience to challenge yourself to learn how to do new jumps and explore new courses and trails. If you are looking for something different and new this summer, I highly recommend dirt-biking for thrills! 

-Carl 

   ‘Lockout’,  this single word has evoked fear throughout Howard Middle School.  For the past couple of weeks, at random class changes, a sound that is very similar to the old style school bell, now rings.  When this bell rings, the remaining students in the halls run as fast as they can to their next class, as a last effort to avoid a detention.  If these student are late, they are not only the lucky winners of a detention, but they are also locked out of their class by their teacher. 

 But why start now?  Why didn’t it start earlier in the year?  Why did it start at all?  There have always been late students.  So what is so significant about now.? 97%of public school students in the state of Florida have been late to class at least once (real statistic).  But apparently, lateness in this school, seems to have  increased approximatly 58%.  So bottom line, tardiness has greatly increased in this school.  Therefore, the lockout is needed to remedy the problem. 

So what do the students think?  Hannah Butler said, “It doesn’t affect me much because when I’m late, I choose to be late but I don’t like how the kids are running through the hallways like it’s the end of the world.” 

Will this be the end of tardiness at Howard Middle School? Let us know your thoughts and give us the reasons why you are late to class.

There is such a big variety of hats out there! There are different colors and sizes. There are even hats that are only worn on holidays, special occasions, or for religious reasons. Some hats are just worn when you’re hanging out, or for fashion statements.  Hats are everywhere and there popularity is re-emerging in a big way!

Hats have changed styles and evolved throughout the years. For example, in the 1900’s, bigger hats were  worn by most on a daily basis. However, today, people wear baseball hats more commonly than any other hat and they come with designs that are usually advertising the designer brand or sports team. 

Today, kids are not allowed to wear hats to school . But why ? Well, because wearing hats inside are very impolite . Also they block and disturb others from learning. The list goes on and on.

by Ashleigh B.

 When we were younger all we cared about were our toys, cartoons, and many other things that seem meaningless to adults. Now, times have changed and all that seems to be in most of our minds are things middle-aged people do most of their lives.

In 1987, the legal drinking age was raised to 21 years of age. This law did not stop most of America’s adolescents. In 2007, Surgeon General Kenneth Moritsugu says 11 million Americans were underage drinkers. (click) The average age a female begins drinking is 14. As for males, on average, it is three years younger. The problem continues to grow as years pass. Annually, 5,000 deaths are reported to be caused by underage drinking. (click)

Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, and ten other states have a law permitting fifteen-year-olds to drive. The word responsibility is not in most fifteen-year-olds’ vocabulary, yet they are trusted with a vehicle on the road. Car crashes are the leading cause for teenage deaths. Statistics say 5,000 teenagers between the ages of 16 and 20 die due to fatal car accidents; 400,000 are severely injured. Males are more likely to be involved in a fatal car accident as opposed to females. Teenagers, in general, are more likely to not wear seatbelts. (click) 

To combine the two seems like something you hear a celebrity serve 45 minutes of jail time for, but it happens to us normal people too, mostly underage drinkers. Between the ages of 15 and 20, 23% have died in a car accident due to underage drinking. In a survey, teenagers admit they have been in a car as a passenger with an intoxicated driver or  as the intoxicated driver.(click)

Drinking and driving: a deadly mixture that will seem to never go away.

-Ivanna M.

2-4-6-8 who do we appreciate!  It’s teacher appreciation week.  The time of year where students and the PTSA show their appreciation for our teachers!  Without teachers where would we be?  Teachers here at Howard deserve all the love and appreciation they can get!  So do teachers everywhere.   On Monday the PTSA had a breakfast for the teachers.  On Wednesday, after school, they’re having a little ice cream party for the teachers. They’re also going to have a raffle to give away gifts.  Then on friday they’re going to have a luncheon.  Have you shown your love and appreciation for your teachers?  Well, if you haven’t you can buy them gifts like chocolate, cards, balloons, and other things that show your affection.  But if you can’t afford these things you can write a nice card yourself–handmade things are appreciated that much more.  Or you can leave a comment telling your teacher thank you and that you appreciate all their hard work!