The passage above is a sneak peek of the Yearbook… For further details, you will have to purchase one!

Howard Middle School has shared so many memories throughout the year! The moments we share varies from school work, sports, clubs, student life… but through it all, the Yearbook Staff has continuously snapped pleasurable photos. The Yearbook artwork has to do with our theme “Bursting with Pride”. The colors has to do with our school now being a Visual Performing Arts Academy which is why we are also a Magnet school. School ideas for red and blue which we have been doing for years were low on thoughts. The Yearbook is basically a display to show our improvements, fun and hardwork we’ve had this past year. 

General Advice: I strongly believe that 8th graders should really consider purchasing a Yearbook because it is their last year, and later on in the future it would be nice to reflect back on your 8th grade year with the inclusion of the cool memories.
 
The spreads consists of Student Life which shows students having fun outside of academics. Superlatives, where students cast votes on a student in a particular category. All about the Boys and All about the Girls shows a bit of competition between why they have pride in their gender. There is also the Academics spread just to name a few.

Currently there are about 85 Yearbooks left (if that), so make sure to cop yours A.S.A.P!  The 2011-2012 Yearbook of Howard Middle’s Visual Performing Arts Academy displays cool graphic that shows pride. Yearbooks are available upstairs in room number 202 which is Ms.Sfalanga’s. Books are set at the price of $30 dollars. If you’re not first then you’re last. Therefore, don’t wait to the last minute to get yours. Once we’re out of Yearbooks thats all their is to it. First come, first served! Purchase your Yearbook NOW!

Overall, teachers are very caring people. A teacher must attend college for a minimum of four years. After that, they can become interns.  An intern is when a teacher basically becomes an aid for another teacher, coming two or three times a week.  After this time consuming work, they have to wait for a school to hire them as a teacher. 

Teacher Appreciation was thought of by a massive campaign of parents, who were on the schools PTA. They decided teachers weren’t givien the attention nor the positive reinforcement they deserved. The parents then spread the word, throughought the school, and since then… as you can see, it has spread immensley.  As it looks, the teachers enjoy it.

The gifts kids give the teachers vary. If you are in a quick and desperate search, you can buy them a classic red apple.  But if you have spare time and money on you, you can buy them a box of chocloates with a card. And if you really are going to do it big, ask  them what their favorite food or snack is, then get it for them.

So, after an explanation of what Teacher Appretitation Week is and how you can celebrate it, you know what to get for your teachers. Here at Howard Middle School, I have a favorite teacher… Her name is Ms. Speight, and she teach’s Language Arts.  Ms. Speight is my favorite teacher because she is always in an exciting mood and it makes me motivated to see her so motivated… So, thanks Ms. Speight!!!  GO GET YOUR TEACHERS PRESENTS or JUST SAY “THANKS”… FAST!

 The Hunger Games is a movie set in the future,where the characters have to fight for their lives through multiple tests. The last one standing is the winner.

 What I liked about the movie is the great action scenes,the actors who played their part so well, you feel like you are part of the movie.  Some of the actors in the movie include: Josh Hutcheedon, as Peeta and Jennifer Lawrence, as Katniss. One other thing I loved about the movie is the picture quality.  The color was bright and the picture was super clear.

My overall feeling of the movie is that it is awesome I would totally advise you to see this movie and read the book (which is even better than the movie!) because if you go to Howard Middle School, we are having a field day on May18 and you can be in the “HMS Hunger Games”!  The schedule is as follows: 8th graders will be out on the field 1st and 2nd period, 7th graders 3rd and 4th period, and 6th graders have 5th and 6th period… and 7th is clean up.

My conclusion is that this is a movie you should watch because of the great story it tells, the talented actors, and the great picture. If you were in the Hunger Games… would you win?

On that day there is a lot of drinking and amazing costumes. There is music playing everywhere. Its really nice when you bring something even if they say they’ll bring it -you should bring something. Mardi Gras is the last day to feast before ash Wednesday. Everyone wears green, gold, and purple on that day. Purple symbolizes justice, green is faith and gold is power.

Even though Mardi Gras has been around for a while no one does it better than New Orleans! Masked people on sticks were the 1st few traditions in the early 1900s. Mostly people wear big colorful masks. You also have to dress up because there’s no fun if you don’t. They also wave flags everywhere to represent where they are from.

There are millions of cups and toy coins. People always try their best to catch what they’re throwing. Some people even dress their children in attention grabbing clothes, with baskets so that they can catch the goodies. There are usually marching bands and loud playing music most of the time like the sounds of Jazz. You will probably see wild unique make up.

In conclusion every one enjoys Mardi Gras. People dress up and eat a variety of food best known in New Orleans, like steaming hot Craw fish and Jumbalaya. The folks of Mardi Gras wear big masks in green, gold and purple beads. It’s the day before Fat Tuesday and has such a large following every year, it’s a staple in history!

For school, what you need is:  pencils, erasers, notebooks, rulers, glue, tape, colored pens, white out, dividers, binders and a bookbag. Having these items will help you succeed in school. Though it has to be organized. That way you know where everything is. If you have these things i bet you’ll never have to bother friends, peers or teachers.

When you have your school supplies your life is easier. You don’t have to stress trying to remember if you brought a pencil or not. Also if you mess up writing with a pen, you have your OWN white out, not having to ask your teacher. And it helps you have responsibility so that you don’t loose your things. When you have responsibilities that teaches you not just to keep track of your stuff but also to take better care of them.

When you’re not prepared from school, that’s just horrible. Some teachers will deduct points, other would actually give you a detention. Just think about how long it would take looking for white out or something, that right there makes you have to interrupt the teacher. Also what if it happens to be a day where you’re just out of luck and none of your friends want to lend you a pencil or your teacher. That won’t make you so successful. What if you don’t have a sharpener and you have to wait in line so that other kids that were infront of you get their pencils sharpened 1st. If you would of had a hand held sharpener to begin with then you would have had more time to get ready.

In conclusion, it is very important to have your supplies. There are consequences if you don’t have them. Having your supplies will make your life easier. You won’t waste time or annoy your teachers or classmates\peers. Also you don’t really need much, just the basics.

To start off, most people will try to get back into shape so they can have the body that they always wanted in life. Most people may want to get into shape just so they can impress a person that they have feelings for who didn’t like their body shape before.  I believe that if you really want to get into shape, do it for yourself not for someone else who probably doesn’t even know that you exist in their own little world. Also if you actually live up to getting back into shape, maybe you can do it to prove others wrong who said you would not be able to do it.

Another resolution some may begin to try is eating healthier foods. Some do this because they don’t like or appreciate what they’re eating and may think it’s bad for them and ruining their body. Others may eat healthy because they’re fed up with all the sweets that they have been eating and come to realize that it’s time to put a stop to it. In my opinion most people eat healthy because they see their friends and family members doing it, and they don’t want to be left out of the crowd.

The last resolution that I’m going to talk about his helping others. One reason people may want to help others is because they feel like giving back to those who helped them in life, or those who taught them that life isn’t just a game that you can start over and over again because you made a mistake. Also they may help others because they might actually enjoy it, and it makes them feel alive inside and out. When you have a resolution to help someone in need, maybe you should actually stick to it and don’t put it on hold because one of your friends told you to.

Most people may actually live up to their resolutions to make them a better r. Maybe you have a resolution that you want to start to make yourself better or the world a better place. I believe that if you stay true to yourself then just maybe you can do it and feel great about it.

Stevenson Bassy is an 8th grade student at our very own Howard Middle School.  He has played every sport so far this year and is looking at a very successful future.  Stevenson was voted to be most likely to succeed by our students.  As of right now Steve helps Ms.Lee’s son Trelawney S. with basketball skills at school and on his own time.  He also helps local kids in his neighborhood with sports and homework.  I won’t say any names, but Steve also helps students at Howard with their Algebra homework.  I won’t lie… Steve helps me with basketball sometimes, too, like how I shoot, when to release the ball, etc.  Steve is the perfect student to win this award. He helps everybody in every kind of way.

The Humanitarian Award is given to people who help their community in every way possible.  Last year, the award was given to Billy Flowers, also an 8th grader at Howard.  The award has been given out across our wonderful country. It’s always nice to know that one of our students have been given this award. That goes to show you if one of our students can win it then anybody can.  All you have to do is try to help your community in any kind of way.  The little stuff matters folks–everybody must help to make our country a better place to live in. This award shows that Steve is one of those people that help our community. Orlando is known as “The City Beautiful,” so let’s try to make it stay like that. Everyone needs to help. Let’s stay BEAUTIFUL !

The lockout couldn’t end at a better time, with Christmas just right around the corner.  While I am talking about Christmas let me tell you, there are going to be some outstanding games on Christmas day, including some of the best players in the league.  Some match ups will include the Miami Heat vs the Dallas Mavericks in a NBA finals rematch. Then you have Derrick Rose and the young Bulls vs Kobe and the wise old Lakers. For our hometown Magic and Dwight Howard takes on Kevin the “Durantula” Durant with his young and electrifying OKC Thunder.

With the lockout being done and over, the free agency has opened up and trade talks have already begun.  Some players have been traded already, like, Lamar Odom- the Lakers 6th man.  He was traded to the Dallas Mavericks, the champions of the 2011 season. There have been rumors of Dwight Howard our hometown hero being traded to either the New Jersey Nets, the LA Lakers, or the 2011 champs Dallas Mavericks. Speaking of the Mavericks, their center who was a big part of their defense, Tyson Chandler, was a free agent and signed with he New York Knicks to join Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire.

David West, who was a New Orleans Hornet last season was recently signed to a 2 year deal worth 20 million dollars  with the Indiana Pacers.  The Hornets franchise player Chris Paul is on the move to LA, but to the Lakers. He’s going to play with the Clippers and young breakout star Blake Griffin.

The NBA has been on blast since the lockout was unlocked. People getting traded from left to right. Free agents getting signed like nothing. It’s crazy. I would assume our generation is new to a lockout.  Not our parents or grandparents since there have been lockouts before, but this one is full of drama. Just think of Dwight leaving us… Well, let’s just hope there won’t be another lockout for a long while.

About her health problems: when my sister was born doctors saw no problems health wise but what they did not know is that she had two muscular VSD’s in her heart. She went home but two months later she was rushed to Tampa General Hospital to have open heart surgery. They had to put a pulmonary band on her pulmonary artery to slow down the blood flow to her heart until she was strong enough to patch it up. At the age of one she once again had open heart surgery to patch them up. The VSD’s she was born with still effect her daily life like she cannot have things that have caffeine in it, she can’t lift weights, and etc. She also has to get a heart monitor to see how she’s doing every six months. About three years ago my sister was thirteen years old and had serious migraines constantly everyday so she had to go see someone about this two times a week for a whole year to get them to go away and luckily it worked.

My sister attends Boone High the home of the Braves. Part of her hobbies include dancing. She is a Bravett, a name for a dancer on the team. They do a show every halftime and before the game. She also dances in several classes like ballet, hip hop, and many others. She has a recital every year at Bob Car theater. She also participates in runs and all kinds of things to help raise money and to show that she cares for the kids who are sick all across the world.

Many people often take shoes for granted. There are children around the world who walk barefoot and can’t afford shoes or are either really torn or even do not have the money to buy new ones. Walking around barefoot can cause many infections such as swelling to the foot or podoconiosis. Blakes idea is not only to give shoes to those in need but to also understand why wearing shoes is so important.Blake Mycoskie is very inspirational about making tomorrow better. The name Toms is derived from the word “tomorrow”. Blake is made of such great character and spirit . He lives on a boat in Los Angeles. His favorite quote is by Ghandi…”Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Movember is an annual event where men come together in November and grow their mustaches out. The Movember Foundation charity is to raise funds and awareness for men with health issues. The men are not to shave for a month during November. Toms is involved with this charity they even have designed shoes established for the Movember Foundation.

Imagining the kids without shoes around the world,is like living with misery. A pair of shoes can change someone’s entire attitude or even the way they look at life. Smiling from ear to ear and shouting with exultancy. I can just imagine the look on their faces thanks to Toms support. These children whose days are fulfilled with darkness. I know they appreciate what is given, hopefully in just a matter of time their days will enlighten.This makes me sit back and think about life, what it has offered me. I am grateful for what I am and have. There should always be something to be thankful for simple as life itself, tomorrow isn’t promised to anybody.
Toms has an event consisting of going barefoot for a day. Its an event to spread awareness on how giving a child a pair of shoes can change their life ! Reflecting on my life, me spending a day without shoes would be horrible ! Imagine trying to visit different places without shoes . Basically there’s no where that you’re allowed to visit . There’s almost always a sign that says “shirts and shoes required”. The scarce stares as your walking by fault-finding people is an ugly situation. Being so used to shoes and going a day without can be really sensitive to our feet. The fact that we aren’t adapted to the feeling. Besides visiting places with clothing requirements and

being surrounded by critical people , I’d love to spread my awareness for children in need across the world.
A few years back , I remember my Great Grandma gave me a blanket ! I have since kept it and treated it with care. I always take it with me when I travel. The nice warm fur snug against me fulfills me with joy ! I was grateful for my blanket and will cherish it forever because I know my Great Grandma is becoming of age. I’m glad I have ”Blanky,” it’s something to have of her when she’s gone. Sometimes I am well-acknowledged of how blessed I am to have caring people surround me. When I want something new , I try not to be bratty. When I go school shopping every year I go through my closet to find what I no longer want anymore and I’ll donate it to those in need ! I am a person that understands people’s situation and if not I try not to be so critical because you never know what people go through. If someone is in need of a hand, I am a free hand always willing to give someone comfort.
“You have to give, in order to receive.” Is something I’ve always been told and believe are words to live by.