The Spartan Voice
Edition 2 Cascade Middle School Student Newspaper May 3rd,2006
Cascade News
WASL Completed!
By Anthony Whittle
As you know, this year all grade levels at Cascade were required to take the WASL, or Washington Assessment of Student Learning. Whether the subject is math, science, reading, writing or any combination of the four test subjects, I believe we can all say that we are happy it is over for another year.
“The WASL went very smoothly,” said Mr. Grad. “This is the first year we have all three grades taking the WASL test and with a common schedule, the students all worked at around the same time.” Mr. Grad said that he felt as if every kid worked hard.
“Each year the students understand the test better,” said 7th-grade teacher Mr. Heinen. Both Mr. Grad and Mr. Heinen agree that the goal for the school is to see a consistent improvement on school-wide WASL scores. Nice work Spartans!
Mesopotamian Marketplace
By Anthony Whittle
This winter meant a trip back in time for the students in the sixth grade. The annual Mesopotamian Marketplace is when the sixth grade receives a roll and must dress up to play that roll and follow the lives of people who lived in ancient Mesopotamia. Students must participate in this activity. I know from my personal experience that this is fun and educational project.
”I made this project because in order to really teach a student something, they need to experience it themselves,” said Mrs. Luettgen, creator of Mesopotamian Marketplace
The project went very well. This is an experience that will last a lifetime.
Rockwall
By Jenny Luong
This year, Cascade Middle School has a new addition to its physical education department. You may have seen the rock wall as you pass on your way to lunch or to physical education class. It’s new this year for your use.
Former P.E. teacher Mr. Walker who’s now at Auburn Mountainview High School, went to a curriculum meeting and heard about the wall. He thought it sounded great and made inquiries about obtaining the wall. After tracking one down, he and other teachers to bring the wall here at Cascade at a cost of around $5,000!
“It is a great way to build strength and have fun at the same time,” said Mrs. DeBruler, physical education teacher. “It’s important to have the rock wall because it is perfect fun in P.E. class and it also motivates you to do fitness too.”
The rock wall is used mainly in physical education classes. It is also available for students to use with an adult supervisor. So go out and enjoy your new rock wall and be fit at the same time.
A Cascade student enjoys the wall during a recent incentive day.
Talent on Display
By Anthony Whittle
The talent show at Cascade was a wondrous sight.
“The talent show was fun but hard work,” said 7th-grader Lindsey Gurney
The show consisted of two performances taking place right before spring break. Students involved first got a chance to showcase their talents in front of the student body during a school-wide assembly and also a performance for parents and friends.
“At first I was a little nervous but once I got out there it was fun having all the attention,” said Lyndsey.
Travis Anderson, Lindsey Burgess, and Chealsea Rees belted out a full helping of harmony! As well as Erin Fischer, who also did a tremendous job, and what about Rachel Pack?!
8th grader Rachel Pack wows the crowd.
Leadership Class Steps Up
By Kate Leyda and Ali Lundberg
Dances, posters, incentive days, WASL week, and manuals, these are the projects the eighth grade leadership class works on everyday. This group of thirteen students works so hard to make the average school day extraordinary. They plan everything from the dance decorations to the new student manuals.
“The manual was such a huge job! We had so much information to cover and a very close deadline!” said Taigan Conway. The new student manual will be printed and available next year along with a power point presentation for all of the new students.
The leadership class also took a trip to the KeyArena for a conference held by the Seattle Sonics and the Pike Place Fish Market. Some of the keynote speakers included the Pike Place Fish Crew and Seattle Sonics coach Bob Hill.
“It was really inspirational and you walked away with a lot.” said Ali Lundberg. The four things that everyone walked away with and is applying to the school everyday is the Pike Place motto, choose your attitude, play, make their day, and be present.
The conference proved to be beneficial to the school as well. Now we have a school mascot.
Leadership practices lots of skills throughout the day. Communication is key!
“If someone has an idea and another person doesn’t like it, we put them together so everyone agrees,” said Michelle Tanco.
Working with a group and motivating others is also very important. Leadership student Loni Mundell agrees. “When you motivate others everyone works together more efficiently.” Mundel added.
Having managerial skills and self awareness is a great personal skill to improve on. In order to be a good leader you have to believe in yourself and manage your time. Most important, all good leaders have good human relations skills. You need to develop trust and model care and compassion for all members of the school.
Our whole school needs to get involved and leadership is a great way to persuade more people to join clubs or go to dances. All people should feel like they are a part of the school not just a student.
Cascade’s leadership class focuses on improving the school.
Phobia Fest
1. A very rare phobia is the fear of having peanut butter stick to the roof of your mouth. Name this phobia.
2. “Triskadekaphobia" is an exaggerated fear of what?
3. "Plutophobia" is an exaggerated fear of what?
Sports
Wrestlers Get Stronger
By Matt Arquitt
7th grade wrestler Tanner Wilson gets ready to take down his opponent.
The Cascade Spartan Wrestling team is under new management. Mr. Lee, a special education teacher, has taken over the team this season, and is bringing a new attitude.
“We are realistically looking for team experience,” said Coach Lee. “We’re also looking to exceed academically.”
This year Coach Lee and the other wrestling coaches have implanted a grading policy to ensure kids excel in the classroom and on the mat.
“We have a no ‘F’ policy on are team,” explained Coach Lee. “To us, an ‘F’ is a failure to try. We want maximum effort from all of the wrestlers on the team.”
As the season wrapped up, the team struggled to a losing mark. However, their record was not a refection of their effort; the team won over 75 percent of their matches this season. Although the team did great, they lacked enough wrestlers, to win meets.
“We have came a long way, and are work is starting to show,” commented Coach Lee. “Many of the guys are doing great academically now, and they also excelled on the mat.”
Varsity Girls Get Defensive
By Matt Arquitt
This year the 8th grade girl’s basketball team found out that two heads is better the one.
Mr.Petrie, a school counselor, and Mr. Webb, an 8th grade science teacher, co-coached this year’s squad.
The season record wasn’t as spectacular as the coaches hoped for but their effort was tremendous. ”We had one win, but we were in several games and had a chance to win,” said Coach Petrie, “Our win over Rainer Middle School was the highlight of the year.”
Anna Thunderhawk and Ally Clarkson were offensive leaders, while Clarkson spearheaded the defense.
Even thought they had some ups and downs, the girls were able still to become better basketball players.
“We improved as a team, became more of a team, we learned to play together on the court, and became a family off the court” Mr. Webb added. “We learned to play great defense.”
In all, their main goal was to become better players, better people, and to represent Cascade in a positive way.
Gymnastics Takes Off
By Anthony Whittle
The seventh and eighth grade girl’s gymnastics season can be summed up in one word “unbelievable.”
That is how Coach Nesper described the unity and effort that the Spartans displayed this season.
Spartan gymnasts demonstrate their skills.
“Cascade gymnastics has been in a downfall recently,” Coach Nesper said. “We all worked hard this year.”
Coach Nesper pointed out that a solid group of eighth graders helped lead the team while the talented sixth and seventh graders hope to continue the dream next year. Led by Sara Limerick, Kara Lewis, and Michelle Tanco, the squad got better every meet.
“My favorite part of gymnastics is floor,” said 7th-grade gymnast Shelby Whittacre.
Congratulations to all the Spartan Sports Teams!
Cascade Life
Mystery Teacher
By Georgia Norg
Do you really know who’s teaching your classes? How well do you really know your teachers? All of our teachers have intriguing backgrounds in their life. Can you use these small and simple clues to discover who the Mystery Teacher is?
The mystery teacher was born in Dallas, Texas on June 26, 1973.
He/she went to Twin Lakes Elementary, Lakota Jr. High, and Decatur High School. While in high-school, he/she played football, basketball and baseball. He/she moved from his hometown of Dallas, Texas to Washington. From there he/she moved to various places around Washington. He/she attended Washington State University to become a teacher. This teacher has three brothers and a son.
The mystery teacher says that the best thing about being at Cascade is the fun and smart students he/she teaches. However, if he/she could have any other job in the world it would be to be a professional golfer. What would the mystery teacher want with her/him if she/he was stranded on a desert island? He/she would bring her/his son. If the this teacher could only choose one meal to eat for the rest of her/his life, it would be Kobe beef with a side of sunflower seeds and plain pasta and cheese. To top things off, he/she would have Bananas Foster and she/he would drink a Diet Coke with a splash of vanilla.
Did these clues give away the answer to who the mystery teacher is? Or, were they a little too vague? Do you know who the mystery teacher is?
The first ten people to identify the Mystery Teacher win a prize. Write down the name on a piece of and give it to Mr. MacDougall.
Summer Fashion
By Elisha Tidd
Winter has come to an end and spring is slowly creeping into summer. The days are getting longer and soon the weather will start to warm up so that we can put our warm coats and sweaters away. Then the question is what shall we wear? In effort to learn more about the hottest summer fashions, we took to the malls to find out what every teenager should have in their closets this summer.
The first person that I interviewed was Darnell who works at Pac Sun. Darnell said that the biggest fashions for girls are stretchy pants for wearing under skirts.
“It’s a trendy look but still allows you to be active which is what you want in the spring and summer,” Darnell added.
For the hot accessories it’s time to bring out the sun glasses. Another hot look is a trendy tank tops and leggings or Capri stretchy pants.
I also talked with a couple of salespeople from Hot Topics for the boys’ fashion. They said that it was button up shirts with blazers and fitted pants. You can add a knit cap that some people call beanies but boy’s like to call them skull caps. Another hot look is the rugged looking torn cloths or jeans.
Auburn High School sophomore Holly Tidd said it would be T-shirts and more fitted pants or jeans are also expected to be a great hit.
“Blue jeans and a T-shirt and hooded sweatshirts are always great,” said Holly.
Leslie Hartell from the Body Jewelry store said that the hot thing for girls will be the peasant skirts and the “hot” accessories were body jewelry and your cell phones.
“For boys, the must have is motorcycle jackets,” said Hartell.
The spring and summer fashions are about lighter cloths, bright colors and there are a lot of accessories like sunglasses that are really cool to wear. Spring is here and summer is right around the corner. Time to get those fashionable cloths.
Cascade advice column
If you are having troubles, don’t be afraid to ask for advice!
All you have to do is write your problem down, (don’t forget to write a cool name like Awake at Night, or Dating Problems) and place it in the advice box located in the library.
Newspaper Staff
Jenny Luong
Peyton Prothero
Elisha Tidd
Georgia Norg
Anthony Whittle
Matt Arquitt
Mr. MacDougall – Advisor
Phobia answers: 1-a, 2-c, 3-d