This section is for students to post their news story submissions. Publications include Independent Newspapers, Arcadia News, Bear Essential News, In the Zona, Midtown Messenger and other community newspapers.
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Stacey Lane
Adviser
About Me
- Stacey Lane's Blogspot.com
- I have taught Journalism, Creative Writing and advised Young Reporters throughout the Valley for the past 12 years. I am a freelance writer for the Education, Social and Community Pages with Independent Newspapers. My students write and submit stories to Independent Newspapers' Write to Report Program, Bear Essential News for Kids -Young Reporters Program, EduKid Newspapers and In the Zona. I enjoy teaching, photography and watching writers grow as they master their new found skills... Explore the Power of Personal Expression - visit, Write On! Creative Writing Workshops on Facebook
Anchorwoman-In-Training
ReplyDeleteby Sarah S.
Rancho Solano Private Schools
Advisor: Stacey Lane
We’re live in three, two, one, action! This is Sarah Sakha reporting for FOX 10, My 45, and Bear Essential News. Do you want to let your imagination loose? Do you want to see your story in the newspaper, and even report in the limelight and on camera? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Bear Essentials News is on the scour for ingenious and witty young writers to let their knack for writing shine. Have a riveting topic you want to write about? Then don’t hesitate and pick up a pencil now! Who knows, maybe you’ll see your story on the front page of the newspaper, or better yet, your face plastered onto the television screen!
Journalism is a great way to let your mind roam free. One can take a stand, report on an exciting current event, or share information about something that intrigues them. Submit your story...and just wait and see! I, myself, have had three of my stories published, and I’m still writing. Bear Essential News, the Scottsdale Independent, and Be Uplifted Magazine are just a few places where your story could be published. Flaunt your writing prowess to family, friends, and peers of all ages, and help spread the word of young writers soaring to great heights.
Some people are even lucky enough to be invited to FOX 10/My 45 Studios in downtown Phoenix...like me! You get to have an unbelievable experience as you step foot where Phoenix anchors do their renowned news updates. Fasten a “mic clip,” sit up straight, smile, and you’re set to go. Just read off the teleprompter, and you’ll be in tip-top shape. Not only do you get to be on TV, but you also get a mini tour of the studios.
Time Well Spent
ReplyDeleteBy Trystan and Tatum Y.
Arcadia High School
Christ Lutheran School
This summer my sister, Trystan and I volunteered at the Children’s Angel Foundation Thrift & Boutique, 4648 North 16th Street in Phoenix. The Children’s Angel Foundation, is an affiliate of Hacienda HealthCare, and is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds that benefits kids with special needs. We sorted and tagged clothes, set-up displays, and processed donations, cleaned and stocked inventory and yes, shopped there.
There were a lot of people coming and going, donating, volunteering and shopping. We also learned that there are many opportunities for young people to help those in need. For example, there is the Thrift and Boutique Store where even just shopping there helps because all proceeds from the Boutique directly help the infants, children and young adults cared for through the Hacienda HealthCare.
Interested volunteers can also donate their time directly to the Hacienda Care Facility. We had the opportunity to tour this facility July 15 with Volunteer Coordinator, Tara-Ann Buettner. Ms. Buettner explained to us that the center offers a variety of programs to children and young adults with special needs. Programs include providing a home for chronically ill children and young adults.
“Children come to us for a many reasons such as automobile accidents, near drowning, abuse and diseases such as cerebral palsy, “ Ms. Buettner said.
Volunteers are welcome to come and share their talents with residents, such as playing an instrument or singing. We saw volunteers reading to residents, playing games and an arts and crafts room for fun projects. You could also help with weekend activities, outings or decorate for events held at the facility. Holidays are celebrated, with Easter egg hunts, Fourth of July Barbeques and Valentines Day parties. This year a sixth annual prom will be held for the young adults. Donating a prom dress or suit is welcome too. “You can also be a Child’s Angel by becoming a big/little brother or sister with one of the residents,” Ms. Buettner added.
We met many people and volunteers over the summer and it has been very rewarding. We are also looking forward to continuing with the upcoming school year because it is fun to make a difference and we always felt welcome.
“We believe healthcare is a very personal business and it is through our relationships both personal and professional that we are able to continue our mission. We are so grateful to have such wonderful volunteers at Hacienda HealthCare. It is through the generosity and kindness of our volunteers that we are able to continue our efforts of enhancing the lives of the infants, children and young adults we serve. It truly is all about providing the best quality life possible and our volunteers become part of the Hacienda family in providing that quality of life,” Staci Glass, Director of Marketing & Development said.
To volunteer, contact Tara Buettner at 602.243.4231 ext: 126 or via email at tara@haciendahealthcare.org, to learn more visit www.haciendahealthcare.org or www.childrensangelfoundation.org
Travel Comments
ReplyDeleteBy Kaitlyn
RSPS
Grand Cayman:
When I went to Grand Cayman I went to a turtle farm but… everyone else held a turtle and I didn’t. I love turtles but I don’t like to touch them I just like to look at them and name the turtles that I see. Turtles are my second favorite water animal. My first favorite is a dolphin. I will tell you more about my love of dolphins later when I talk about Cozumel, Mexico.
Jamaica:
On my cruise I went to Jamaica … when I was there I went on this excursion and we first took a tour bus to the top of the mountain. And guess what K.F.C. stands for there? It stands for keep the fat coming. Here in the U.S.A. it stands for Kentucky fried chicken. Anyways when we got to the top of the mountain there was this little hangout spot so we hung out there for a while. There was this cute little old guy playing the guitar and singing too. He sang to my mom and me. There was this really good watermelon citrus flavored water it was really good. So we got on this train like thing and then our tour guides came and so we went on our tour. We got some mint leaves and sugar cane and more but I just can’t quite remember them. Then this guy opened coconuts right in front of us and he gave us some coconut milk. That same guy also climbed a tree and he chose a little girl to climb the tree, she tried and tried and then finally got it, but she came down when she was up maybe 60 inches.
Seal the Bobcat
ReplyDeleteBy Thomas R.
RSPS
You probably know someone who has a cat. Either that, or you have a cat yourself. Well, I have a cat. My parents and I think there is some bobcat and Maine Coon in him. A Maine Coon is a large cat that lives in Maine and hunts raccoons. However, if not, there is most definitely something wild in there. Our bobcat, as he most commonly called, is named Seal.
I don’t have just one cat. I actually have three, 2 tabby cats, named Katie and Maggie and a bobcat named Seal. My parents and I will often call Katie and Maggie by their nicknames, Katers and Maggers. There are more nicknames, but it would take me a long time to list them all. As for the bobcat, he is often called Bobcat or Seal. There are many other nicknames for him as well. The bobcat is very furry and loves be petted. Whenever we pet him, my parents and I always comment on his “fluffy, pretty tail”. Hey, it’s true! Seal has a very pretty tail. He is about the size of a normal cat, and he is only 8 or 9 months old!
When we first got him, he was a wee little thing. My mom drove up with this two week old kitten in her hands. When I held him in my palms, he looked up at me and tried to meow. He looked small and delicate I was afraid to breath for fear I’d hurt him. When we got him home, we made a last-minute shelter for him in a bath tub. The other two cats weren’t impressed. We quickly gathered all close friends in the neighborhood to ask for names and to let them see him. My friend Jack had recently read a book from the point of view of a cat, named Seal. So we officially named him after the cat in the book. He never told me what the book was called.
Now, we have two ferrets that Seal loves to play with: an albino female named Samantha, or Sami for short, and a raccoon faced male named Rikki Tikki Tavi or Rikkers for short. These three get along so well. Seal will chase Sami up and down the hall and will scare Rikki under an object. Now, it is nearing Seal’s Birthday sometime nearer the end of September.
Now, however, Seal is a cute, furry, well-built little Bobcat who gets along well with most of the animals in our house. All except the two Diva cats, Katie and Maggie. Sometimes they’ll be tolerant, but he’ll bat at them and they’ll get all mad. That’s the only real relationship problem in our zoo.
Seal may be cute, but since he’s still young, he’s not that bright. He’s very curious. When Bunyip, my lizard, escaped from his cage and hung at the top, Seal sat there and howled at him. It was hysterical. Anyway, that is all I have to tell so far about Seal. I hope to write more about this beautiful but silly cat.
Mustangs: Icons of the Wild West
ReplyDeleteBy: Tara S.
Rancho Solano Private Schools - Greenway Campus
Hoof beats make the ground vibrate, whinnies shatter the silence and a stampede of mustangs thunders past. This isn’t a scene from a movie about the Wild West, rather its real life, because, in some places in the United States mustangs still roam free.
Today, the Bureau of Land Management, which is in charge of the wild horses and burros, estimates that there are 33,100 mustangs living on the range. There are also an additional 34,000 horses and burros in short term holding corrals, and long term pastures. According to the BLM (Bureau of Land Management), because mustangs have few natural predators, they are capable of doubling their population in 4 years. To create space for other rangeland uses, the BLM takes thousands of horses of the range and places them for adoption using helicopter gathers. In the fiscal year of 2008, the BLM captured 5,008 mustangs from the range, and adopted out 3,213. Starting December 28, 2009, the BLM plans to gather 2700 mustangs from the range. Many people accuse the BLM of selling mustangs to Mexican slaughter houses, killing orphan foals, and managing mustangs into extinction using inhumane gathers to make room for cattle. According to them, the BLM shot one horse they thought wouldn’t survive, and ran one foal to death. The BLM denies all these claims. When asked who she believed, local mustang owner Anup Rai answered, “I want to believe the BLM, but when they’re so secretive, it’s hard to keep from being suspicious.”
Mustangs are very versatile animals who can survive on low quality food in droughts, and other tough times. “They have strong, hard feet, and are very sure-footed,” said Rai, “We haven’t had to call the vet for our mustang even once!” They also currently have the highest level of genetic health of all horses. Many people use them as endurance horses, because of their incredible stamina. To conserve energy, they tend to spook less than other horses. They can also be used for trail riding, harness racing, and arena competition. Wells Fargo uses two mustangs in their team of horses to pull their famous stagecoach. The U.S Marine Corps Color Guard uses palomino mustangs.
New studies question whether mustangs were indigenous to North America, or if they were brought over by early explorers. If they were native, the next question remaining is whether they went extinct during the Ice Age, or if they survived through. If they did go extinct, it’s unclear whether the first people to re-introduce the horses to the Americas were really the Spanish. Regardless, during the Great Pueblo Revolt thousands of Spanish horses were released to live in wild herds.
Educator Ends 40-Year Career
ReplyDeleteBy Nadia K. and Daniella T.
RSPS - Greenway Campus
For many years, Dennis Cass has had the pleasure of inspiring young people to learn. This year will be Dennis Cass's 40th and last year as a teacher. Mr. Cass currently teaches seventh grade humanities at Rancho Solano Private Schools. He began his career in Oregon teaching seventh and eighth grade English in a small rural school in Heppner. From there, he spent the next thirty plus years teaching both middle school and high school students.
His two inspirations were his 6th grade teacher, Mrs. Inman and the Dean of Education at his college, Mrs. Snodgrass. He enjoys seeing children learn and that is the main reason he became a teacher.
"I have had joy in seeing the kids learn," Mr. Cass said. "The greatest satisfaction a teacher can have is when former a student comes back and says thanks for helping me become who I am today. I have had that experience many times."
Mr. Cass attended Eastern Oregon State University, where he received his education degree. Before attending college, he graduated from Bountiful High School in Utah and attended Helen McCune Junior High in his home town of Pendleton, Oregon. After graduating from college, he taught grades seven through twelve in various towns in Oregon and Washington. One of his most memorable experiences, however, was spending a year teaching English in Finland as a Fulbright exchange teacher from 1995 to 1996.
Mr. Cass has taught electives at Rancho Solano, such as Study Skills and Greek and Norse Mythology. In addition to teaching English courses during his career, he also taught journalism at the high school level at La Grande High School for eight years. He is now sharing his journalism skills this semester with Rancho students, working together with Advisor Ms. Stacey Lane teaching a Young Reporters class.
Students share a fondness for Mr. Cass and have enjoyed his classes. "Mr. Cass is serious and loves what he does," Rancho Solano student Megan Grewal said. "He is an inspirational, loving and great educator."
He will be missed by staff and students and all those who continue to benefit from his knowledge. "He is a good teacher, and I'm sorry to see him leave," seventh-grader Jessica Gallagher added.
Advisor: Stacey Lane
The Scube on Diving
ReplyDeleteBy Rami A.
Scuba Diving
Your forty feet under water and your only lifeline is a flimsy tube connected to a pressurized air tank. Your vest, tank and regulator altogether are called S.C.U.B.A. Scuba stand for self-containing underwater breathing apparatus. When you hop in the water after carrying a more than fifty-pound load. The pain disappears. You have now entered the weight-less underwater world. You get a rush of adrenalin as you enter a sunken ship or pass a coral reef. It feels good once you know that when you go to the beach it isn’t just sand and waves.
Scuba was born when Emile Gagnan and Jacques-Yves Cousteu compressed air into a tank. They were able to use a special hose that feeds the right amount of air needed because of the pressure. In side the tank is nitrogen and oxygen. The mixture is what you breathe. Do you know that there are more than 25 types of diving!
An interesting fact is that one percent of the hole ocean has been explored. After more than a fifty years of scuba diving and submarine explorations one percent has been discovered. An example of an addiction for scuba diving is you just bought a puppy. You want to play with it all the time. For Scuba diving you can never stop “playing”. A great saying is, “Scuba is my favorite drug.”
Warning! Scuba Diving is a very dangerous activity. If going diving consult a doctor for certain medical problems. It is very dangerous to use non-legally approved equipment. Please dive with an expert unless you have a special; license. Be careful of pressure and air usage. Your lungs can explode if you stop breathing. Please take all precautions.
For more information visit www.padi.com
Arizona Cardinals
ReplyDeleteIt Takes a Team of Coaches to Coach a Team
By Matthew Y.
RSPS – Gilbert Campus
Have you heard the news that a new wide receivers coach for the Cardinals was hired in February 2009? Mr. John McNulty is one of the newest members of the Cardinals coaching staff. The wide receiver coach is one of many important coaches the Cardinals have working for the team. Mr. McNulty is a team coach amongst 16 coaches, including Head Coach, Ken Whisenhunt of a little over three years.
The job of a wide receiver coach is to teach the wide receivers on the football team. Wide receivers are some of the fastest and most coordinated players in the game. The wide receiver coach usually works with the Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt and Assistant Head Coach Russ Grimm. During games a wide receiver coach is usually in the coach’s box, and sometimes running game coordinator, Mr. Grimm.
Mr. McNulty has been a football coach for 19 years. He started his career as a coach by helping the wide receivers at the University of Michigan as a graduate assistant. His experience includes coaching for the University of Michigan, Uconn, Jacksonville Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys and Rutgers. The latest move in his career was being hired to coach for the Arizona Cardinals.
Mr. McNulty stays very busy coaching the Cardinal team. The work schedule translates into no days off for about half the year. “During the season its seven days a week for about six months,” Mr. McNulty said.
Mr. McNulty loves being a coach and the game of football. “I really like the players and the competition,” Mr. McNulty said. He gets along well with the team members and enjoys working with everyone. “They are really good guys,” Mr. McNulty added.
It is clear that Mr. McNulty loves the game of football. It has been part of his life since he was a young kid. Mr. McNulty started playing football in 3rd grade and he played the sport up through his college years. His advice for kids who love the sport and hope to become a coach in the future:
“Be willing to work very hard and find someone to teach you how to coach.”
You can read more about the Cardinals at the kid zone on www.azcardinals.com
Music Magic at Rancho Solano Private Schools
ReplyDeleteBy: Poorvi D. and Rachel D.
Have you ever thought of expressing your thoughts and feelings through music? Well, that’s exactly what happens, here at Rancho Solano Private Schools.
At Rancho Solano we have band and choir, also many Fine Arts programs. Some of which are dance, theater and art.
Band can be fun for everyone! If you love what you are doing, nothing can stop you. When you perform a piece of music, the people who listen to you will know what will happen in the story that you are trying to tell by the style of your sound. “Music helps you put pictures in your mind of things you have seen and helps you experience them a little better,” Elementary Music Director Mr. Greenberg said.
Choir is also an amazing class to take. Everyone has a beautiful voice and can sound like a professional singer, they just have to find that voice inside of them. “Passionate expression is important because it takes simple concepts to a synthesis of emotions,” middle school Band and Choir instructor, Mrs. Kreykes said. One reason some kids choose not to join choir, is that they are afraid that they might become embarrassed, because they made a mistake in class. But Mrs.Kreykes always says the worst that could happen is that you make a mistake in front of the people you know. Practice makes perfect!
Theater and art programs are loved by many students at Rancho Solano. They are both ways to express what happens in a story. Art is really cool because you have the canvas to yourself and you can make whatever kind of picture on it. It’s your way of showing other people what’s happening in your life or somebody else’s. Theater is especially fun because you get to act like somebody else and experience everything that goes on in their life.
All of the Fine Arts teachers at Rancho Solano have devoted their time and hard work to these students which has truly impacted both the students’ and teachers’ lives. They have taught help us understand discipline, self confidence and express our thoughts through the eighth wonder of the world, music.
On October 9, 2009 Kenton Knepper enchanted the Rancho Solano Private Schools Missouri Campus with his magical Singing Bowls. Bowl Sounds are deeply massaging vibrations masterfully created by Mr. Knepper through the use of ancient Tibetan and Quartz Crystal Singing Bowls. Students experienced a magical concert of symphonic sounds as they listened to the unique and harmonious playing of his mysterious bowls.
ReplyDeleteThe class was intrigued and described the experience as sacred, secretive and something you have known your whole life but never understood….
Sixth-grader, Hannah E. reflects;
I felt like I was entering some forbidden, ominous and yet magical place. A forest. It felt like I wasn’t exactly there. The noise seemed too loud for my ears; it went through my whole body with a vibrating feeling. Part of the time I was terrified about… something. I could almost hear the exotic birds chirping, and when I closed my eyes – a dense green, lush, amazing forest. It made my heart thump as though something terrible was about to happen. Then it got better, although I was still somewhere forbidden. I feel honor and respect for Mr. Knepper for playing such unique instruments. It made my stress and worries fly away – and I was…. carefree. All my attention was now on the music...
Sensational Sunrays
ReplyDeleteBy Camille H.
Arizona Sunrays is a great place to do gymnastics, dance, cheer, birthday parties, camps and special events! It is owned by Dan and Julie W.
Arizona Sunrays' motto is "Where every child feels like a champion." The gym has two foam pits, two large floors, 12 bars, two vaults and much more equipment. They teach gymnastics for kids from 16 months to 18 years of age.
Arizona Sunrays has been represented around the country with over 36 gymnasts on full scholarships at major universities around the world.
I have been attending Sunrays for about four years. From my experience Arizona Sunrays is a great place to learn gymnastics. the camp is also very fun to do. You get to do gymnastics, dance, karate, and arts and crafts. The kids night out is also a fun way to spend your Friday night!
"I love gymnastics," 10 year old gymnast Jaquelyn Swartz said. It is also important to learn the right way to do things and Arizona Sunrays teaches us that. "Gymnastics is fun if you do it safely," says eight-year old Alex Lebel. For more information visit www.arizonasunrays.com
June 19, 2009 2:15 PM
Magical Summer
ReplyDeleteBy Camille H. and Alex L.
There was magic in the air this summer at Christ Lutheran’s Summer Camp. Enrichment classes were offered and we took a class called Young Reporters for Bear Essential News. In this class we learned about writing stories and journalism. Our advisor, Ms. Lane and editor, Mr. Gin spoke to us about the Who, What, Where, When, Why and How of journalism, interviewing and story ideas. These fun facts help us prepare for our stories.
We also had a surprise visitor, Christopher Weed, aka Christopher the Magician and since the age of ten the world of magic has been his oyster.
Mr. Weed learned magic in the fourth grade when he took an after school class and he has been doing magic ever since. Some of Christopher the Magician’s favorite tricks are these tricks that he learned in the fourth-grade. He learned most of his tricks by reading books, watching videos, and researching on the computer.
Christopher the Magician was a good student and received a full scholarship to college. “It is very important to be educated, no matter what job you have,” Mr. Weed said. “Reading, math and science are all parts of being a magician,” Mr. Weed explained.
Mr. Weed believes that being a magician can also be a great opportunity to engage people and practice communication skills. Mr. Weed told us that magic can be a great ice-breaker. “If there’s a kid you would like to meet and you just don’t know what to say, you can always do a magic trick,” Mr. Weed remarked.
Mr. Weed passed out Magic Goodie Bags filled with Mind Reading Crayons, Magic Fish Fortune and a Magic Coin Case. All the campers also received a black magic wand with two white tips. “The white tips are used for misdirection, because the hand is quicker than the eye,” Mr. Weed explained. Christopher the Magician’s performances are filled with comedy and he allows the audience to help with a lot of the show. Each student was brought on stage and had an opportunity to participate in a magic trick. “He was very fun and funny,” St. Theresa School student, Jaquelyn Swartz said.” “Christopher is a good magician and very funny,” Christ Lutheran School student, Steven Kujawski added.
Christopher is a one man show, he does about 400 birthdays yearly and visits schools, libraries and events throughout the year. Christopher Weed is an entrepreneur, and has to be organized, prepared and on-time for his clients.
Being a magician isn’t the only thing he has up his sleeve. Mr. Weed’s newest venture is an antique fire truck that he recently purchased and is now preparing to show. Mr. Weed also works with a magic snow system that currently brings snow to all sorts of places. To learn more about Christopher the Magician call (602) 493-9700 or visit www.ChristopherTheMagician.com
June 26, 2009 9:44 PM