Embedded Files
The FALL Into the Holidays Edition
November 2022
Inside the PRIDE
Diversity & Culture
A Band POV
"Shower" Thoughts
Hogwarts House Poll Results
Thanksgiving/Fall
Favorite Foods
Macy's Parade
Football
Activities
The Wildcat Diversity
The Wildcat Diversity
by Rebecca Kim
We all know that there’s a lot of diversity at Wester Middle School. The different cultures from different countries of our students is one of the many aspects that make our school so special. A culture includes, but is not limited to, the customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, region, or other social group. But how well do we actually know our peers and their roots? I asked some of our Wildcats where they came from and about their cultures.
Vagmi Polavarapu, 8th Grader
Q. Where are you and your family from?
A. My family is from Telangana, India.
Q. What are some interesting facts about your country?
A. Hinduism, which is the main religion in our country, is one of the oldest religions alive right now.
Q. What is one tradition you enjoy in your culture?
A. I enjoy an Indian tradition called Holi, which is where people come together on the streets and they throw brightly colored powder on one another. It’s kind of like the Color Battle, except an Indian version of it. I love it because it’s always very fun and everyone just comes together to throw colors at each other and many people celebrate it in different ways.
Ella Min, 6th Grader
Q. Where are you and your family from?
A. My family is from South Korea.
Q. What is one tradition you enjoy in your culture?
A. One tradition I enjoy is Chuseok, where we dress up in our traditional clothes, Hanbok, and visit our families. We also eat really good food like songpyeon,
Image Credits: Harvard Business Review | To Drive Diversity and Inclusion, Ask Tough Questions and Listen to Tough Answers
which is rice cake filled with some sweet nuts, seeds, and beans.
Parsa Basiri, 7th Grader
Q. Where are you and your family from?
A. My family and I are from Iran.
Q. What are some interesting facts about your country?
A. Some interesting facts about my country are that one, we are one of the oldest countries to ever exist and second, we are mostly known for poets and poetry.
Q. What is one tradition you enjoy in your culture?
A. One tradition we enjoy in our culture is Norooz. It’s kind of like Christmas but it’s about a kid who works with coal, and so everyone basically gets some coal and puts it over some presents as a tradition and gives it to someone.
These three interviews taught me a lot about our fellow Wildcats! Even though we got an insight on these cultures, there are still dozens more that are scattered all around the world, each with their own traditions, food, and way of life! It was surprising how much I didn’t know about the people we go to school with everyday. Hopefully this was a learning experience for all of you, as well as an inspiration for you to seek and learn more about your classmates!
Image Credit: Denver Experience
band experience
band experience
by Carli Olvera
I stared at the flaxen tuba laying beside me on the gym floor. The lights on the white ceiling illuminate the luxurious instrument. A miniature, shaky sigh escapes my mouth, the cold breath tickling my lips. A small droplet of sweat trickled down my spine, feeling like an ice pack against my burning back.
“Now we will begin with a lovely march, Photo Finnish,” the band director, Mr. Smith, announced enthusiastically.
I lifted my head to stare at the inky music stand in front of me. The piece, Photo Finnish, seemingly staring back at me with a dull stare.
I exhaled the vast amount of air in my lungs, and turned my attention back to the tuba that lay on the floor. I reached down and wrapped my fingers around the long, brass tube. I grunted as I hoisted the tuba into the air. Gently, I lay the instrument in my lap, settling my left hand along the top tuba of the tuba. Then, I let my right hand reach over to the front of the tuba, letting it rest upon the valves.
“Get ready,” the person next to me, a euphonium, whispers, gesturing to the band director.
I glanced over and gave him a short nod, turning back to the music sheet in front of me. I gingerly lifted my lips to the large mouthpiece, the large ring resting along my philtrum.
The band director raises his hands, the conductors baton gleaming in the harsh lights of the gymnasium.
I exhale, readying my lungs for the large intake of breath about to enter my body. My fingers nervously twitch on top of the valves, preparing to push them down at a seconds notice.
The band director moves his conductors baton upwards, signalling the beginning of our piece. The small flick to the right motions for us to take our large breath, so I begin my inhale.
It seemed as though all the nerves in body flew out with first note I began to play. A rush of excitement and exhilaration filled my veins, and I began to play with a familiar passion, a happiness I only felt when I was performing.
This moment came a realisation that would affect me for as long as i remember. Band is my forever passion.
Shower Thoughts
Shower Thoughts
by Ak Srivastava
Sometimes, your mind just goes crazy, and thinks of such insane things that you yourself can’t comprehend. Here are some of our favorite shower thoughts -
Why are deliveries on a ship called cargo, but in a car, it’s called a shipment?
Are oranges named oranges because oranges are orange, or is orange named orange because oranges are orange?🤓
The word “nun” is just the letter “n” doing a cartwheel.
Taxes are just a yearly subscription to the country that you live in, and childhood is the free trial.
Your eraser slowly dies because of your mistakes.
If you’re waiting for the waiter, aren’t you the waiter?
Actors pretend to work.
People who need glasses, just got bad graphics.
You have to pretend to sleep to fall asleep.
Younger generations get judged for being on their phones by a generation that had pet rocks.
“Don’t take sweets from strangers,” yet on Halloween it’s highly encouraged.
Since dollar bills are made of paper, that technically means that money does grow on trees.
You can’t stand backwards on stairs.
Every letter in the word “rounded” is rounded.
If Earth is the third planet from the sun, doesn’t that mean that every country is a third world country?
Lightbulbs were such a good idea, they became the symbol for a good idea.
Lawyers hope you get sued, doctors hope you get sick, cops hope you’re a criminal, mechanics hope you have trouble with your car, but only a thief wishes you prosperity.
When you say forwards or backwards, your lips move in that direction.
The letter “X” has more uses in math than in the English language.
If Apple made a house, would it have Windows?
I wonder what it smells like underwater.
A mattress is just a really big pillow that you sleep on.
Broken clocks are still correct twice a day.
You drive in parkways, but park in driveways.
If I weigh 99 pounds and eat 1 pound of nachos, am I 1% nacho?
I think I really need to stop before I make everybody reading this mentally insane. Thank you for your time.
HOgwarts House POLL Results
HOgwarts House POLL Results
by Serena Mercado
Have you ever wondered what Hogwarts House has the most members? I can’t answer that question for the entire world, but here are the house results from Wester Middle School! Drumroll please…..
Gryffindor - 38.4 % of the School
Hufflepuff - 24 % of the school
Ravenclaw - 23.6 % of the school
Slytherin - 14 % of the school
It looks like most of our school is part of Gryffindor!
Did you know that if you are in the Gryffindor house, you are most likely brave and daring? Hufflepuffs are said to be loyal and hardworking. Ravenclaw people are mostly clever and creative. Lastly, If you are in the Slytherin house you are said to be clever and resourceful. Whichever house you are, you have amazing and unique characteristics.
I hope that you enjoyed reading. Be sure to ask your friends and family what house they are in!
Image Credit: Wizarding World
Thanksgiving Favorites
by Landon Barnes
November is the prime time for turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and many other Thanksgiving Favorites. Even though most of the food we eat is delicious, we all have our favorite Thanksgiving dishes. That said, Here are some Wildcat Teachers and Students and their top picks in the turkey day world.
Heather Nembaware, 8th Grader
Q: What is your favorite food at Thanksgiving?
A: My favorite food would have to be mashed potatoes
Edwin Carter, 7th Grader
Q: Rank Your top 3 favorite desserts at Thanksgiving?
A: Cranberry Sauce, Pie á la mode, Pumpkin Pie
Mrs. Lynd, Librarian
Q: Is there any food at Thanksgiving that you do not like?
A: Stuffing
Image Credit: Osceoala News Gazette - Tips for a Safe Thanksgiving Feast
Vivian Matos, 6th Grader
Q: What’s your favorite food at Thanksgiving?
A: Turkey
Arham Truaab, 8th Grader
Q: Is there any food at Thanksgiving that you do not like?
A: The bones
Most of the people I spoke to liked pie a lot, so much that they said it twice during the interview, which was nothing surprising. Apparently, bones are not so good as well :). I am happy it is fall now and I hope you are too! We are so close to the end of the first semester!
I hope you have a good Fall Break Wildcats!
Image Credit: Time Out
Macy's thanksgiving day parade
Macy's thanksgiving day parade
by Macey Black
Who invented the parade and who is in it?
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade originated in Newark, New Jersey by Louis Bamberger. After he sold his distinctively successful department store, Bamberger's, to Macy's, the Macy’s employees decided to advertise their addition of the Bamburgers Store by starting a parade in New York.
What is the parade?
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is an annual gathering that occurs on every Thanksgiving in Manhattan, New York.
Where did it originate?
The idea of a Thanksgiving parade was first proposed in 1920 by The Gimbel Brothers department store, Or just Gimbels, in 1920, 4 years before Macy’s. Gimbels used to be a large rival of Macy's, before unfortunately shutting down because "lack of potential in increased profitability", as stated by Martha Groves in the Los Angeles Times.
When is the parade hosted?
The Macy’s Thanksgiving day parade is hosted each year on Thanksgiving, which occurs on the fourth Thursday of November. The parade is held for three hours each year, from 9 a.m to 12 p.m.
Why do we do the parade?
It was first held in 1924 as the Macy’s Christmas day parade. It was originally hosted by store employees who wanted the celebration to advertise their shop for the Christmas season. Even though this was true originally, it’s now hosted mainly to bring the viewers a joy whilst they watch. The advertisement piece, though, is still one of the main purposes for organizing the parade.
Football On Turkey Day!
Football On Turkey Day!
by Thomas Conant
The new football season has arrived, and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. There will be 3 games played on that Thursday. These teams are the Detroit Lions and the Buffalo Bills (FOX, 12:30 ET), The New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys (CBS, 4:30 ET), and the Minnesota Vikings and the New England Patriots (NBC, 8:20 ET). FOX and CBS always “flip-flop” every year and NBC always gets the night game. But first let me throw some facts at you.
In 1933, the Lions hosted their first game against the Chicago Bears. Even though they lost, the Lions got a bunch of money and viewers out of the game. They have hosted a game on Thanksgiving ever since. This year is their 83rd Thanksgiving game. In 1966, the Cowboys hosted their first Thanksgiving game against the Cleveland Browns. The Cowboys have played on Turkey Day ever since. Enjoy your Thanksgiving and football Wildcats!
Image Credits: (Top Image) Creator: Big_Ryan | Credit: Getty Images
(Bottom Image) By: For The Win-USA Today
Fall Activites!
Fall Activites!
by Jinwoo Sok
With the start of the Autumn season, the season of colors and refreshing weather, fun, as well as new pastimes are on the minds of everyone! From harvests of pumpkins and corn, to the millions of red, orange and yellow leaves, and warm, delicious pies to the fall Holidays such as Thanksgiving, there is a plentiful abundance of exciting and interesting activities to par-take in! Here are some of our favorites to spice up your chilly day!
# 4 Shopping
Starting off our list is something that is a priority this time of year and it’s going shopping! As the holidays draw closer, we can lift the spirits of ourselves and others by going to complex malls and commencing on a shopping spree! Some of our favorite memories from fall and the winter are spending an entire weekend with your friends and family going into outlets and buying some goods, and best of all, Black Friday(Nov. 25), Is a perfect time to do this, justifying this gratifying activity even more. Buying gifts for others is also a great way to show gratitude to others!
#3 Sports
The Autumn season brings with it a utopia for watching or playing sports. From the NBA to the NFL seasons, from electrifying soccer matches to the ATP tennis tour, dozens of different sports seasons either start or continue in the fall, and with a very good reason as the weather in Autumn is favorable for most outdoor sports, with it being neither too hot nor too cold. Come on! Gather some friends and let’s go outside!
Image Credit: The Guardian
#2 Pumpkins
Hold up, wait a minute. Pumpkins aren’t just about picking and harvesting, although that’s still incredibly fun! Pumpkins are a perfect symbol of the Autumn Season and they can be used for dozens of different, enjoyable applications. One of the most common utilizations of these are the things we all know and love, the delicious, mellow and creamy pumpkin pies! Pumpkin pies take a bit of time to fully bake but the vibrant flavors you’ll be rewarded with afterwards will be well worth it, making it an amazing activity that you can do with your family!
#1 Thanksgiving
The classic Thanksgiving traditions our country upholds every year this time around takes the number one spot for the best fall activities to do! Thanksgiving is a generous reminder to spend more of our precious time for our families and to not take too many things for granted. After all, November is the prime time for exemplifying gratitude! And don’t even get me started on the appetizing, and quite frankly overwhelming Thanksgiving Dinner! One of the only times in the year for most where you can gather your entire family and enjoy a nice and long meal together. From brined Turkeys to Mash potatoes, to Gravy and Mac and Cheese, the preparations for this monumental event is an hours long activity by itself, and a very enjoyable one at that!
Editors - KATZ Live Krew
Page updated
Report abuse