November 22
Vol. 2, Issue #5
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In This Issue:
Creative Connections 2024
Creative Connections 2024
By Anna K
Do you have any artistic talents? Would you like a break from school to have fun creating art? If so, you should consider applying for Creative Connections next year! This is a week-long camp in Germany where students from all over DoDEA Europe come together to hone their artistic skills. There are eleven different workshops that any highschool student can apply for: drawing, mixed media, fashion, photography, acting, dance, modern band, strings, show choir, short film, and live video.
This year, twenty students from Stuttgart High School attended the camp, which was from the 17th to the 22nd of November. These students applied in October and were some of the 163 people who made the cut out of over 350 applicants. To apply, you need to send a picture or a video related to the workshop you want to apply for and write a short essay on why you should be selected, your experience, and anything else your potential instructor would want to know about you. Every student worked tirelessly during the camp to create a final project that was showcased at the art show/performance on Thursday the 21st. The final results of all that hard work were amazing and highlighted everyone's unique talents.
A typical day at the camp starts with breakfast at the cafeteria from 7:00am to 8:15am. Breakfast is optional, which is helpful for people who would like to skip the meal and sleep in. Workshops begin at 8:30am and end around 12:00 pm for lunch. Then there are about two hours of free time, during which you can do homework, talk with friends, play games like foosball or pool, or take a walk around the beautiful campus. Classes start back up at 2:00pm and you will work until dinner at around 6:00 pm. After dinner, there is an open studio where you can continue working on your project if you wish, or you can go back to your apartment. You share your apartment with a roommate, who you can request, and other people in separate rooms. There are apartments with as little as three occupants and as many as eight. Lights out is typically by 10pm.
Creative Connections is a wonderful and fun opportunity that is not to be missed. If you love art or want to improve your skills then you should seriously consider applying next year. Lydia P, a senior from SHS, has been to Creative Connections two years in a row. She says her favorite part of the camp is “playing music in the orchestra with people from other DoDEA schools, because they are all so good!” This applies for all of the workshops, because you will be interacting with some of the best artists and musicians in DoDEA.
Images courtesy of Anna K and DoDEA Europe Student Activities & Athletics.
School Events
School Events
Veterans Day Performance Honors Our Country's Servicemembers
Veterans Day Performance Honors Our Country's Servicemembers
By Julia M
The Veterans Day performance put on by Stuttgart Elementary School and the Stuttgart High School Music Department turned out to be phenomenal. Nearly every elementary schooler either sang their hearts out or spoke moving words in parts of a speech thanking all of the veterans that have served our country. Additionally, every high school student in the advanced band and the choir performed a medley of the Armed Forces themes. Veterans and servicemembers seated in the audience walked down to the front of the auditorium to stand in front of the elementary students when their branch’s song was played.
Mr. Held conducted the band and Mr. Mitchell conducted the choir. Together, they put on a performance that moved everyone in the audience, parents and children alike. Ms. Moss-Beaman, the principal of Stuttgart Elementary School, sang the national anthem beautifully. At the first note she sang, people looked around at each other and their jaws dropped. Pride was brought to every citizen of the United States present in the auditorium.
Featured Artist
Featured Artist
Ellyanna T is a very talented 15 year old sketch artist. She makes a range of realistic to hyper realistic still life pencil drawings. While usually she only uses black and white mediums, particularly graphite pencils, she occasionally uses color in parts of her pieces. This wonderful piece was born from an "Inktober" prompt last year, which she drew a few maps for. However, later the piece evolved further. “I wanted to stir a sense of adventure and excitement, but also to remind people of the many paths in life.” To achieve this, she made a more realistic backdrop, and Introduced the many trinkets and items that can be seen placed throughout the piece. When asked if there was anything she would change or continue to work on, she chose the candle, saying, “I want to make it more realistic, more 'melty'.” It is worth noting that this piece only took 3 or 4 hours of work over the span of a week or so. This impressive turnaround reflects her multiple years of experience with the graphite pencil. It is easy to tell she started making art in middle school and has stuck to her medium since, steadily improving over time.
Image courtesy of Ellyanna T.
Opinion
Opinion
Christmas Spirit in November
Christmas Spirit in November
By Presley C
As the weather gets colder and colder, it’s become prime time to transition into the holiday spirit. Although some argue that the Christmas season doesn't officially begin until December, there are many reasons as to why it's a great idea to begin celebrating in November.
One reason to begin getting in the Christmas spirit during November is the music. Christmas songs have been a staple of wintertime ambience for centuries. They have a way of lifting people’s mood and taking their minds off whatever stresses they’re facing. Take "Last Christmas" by the band Wham!. Not only is it an enjoyable holiday song to listen to, but it’s also been a number one hit on and off music charts for decades. There are many other Christmas songs by some of the world’s greatest musicians, such as Paul McCartney, the Ramones, Elton John, etc. Missing out on listening to these tunes simply because they’re holiday hits would be a waste.
In addition, beginning to set the holiday mood in November can help people who struggle with seasonal depression during the winter months. The shorter days and longer nights can make people feel more down than usual, so having something to look forward to, like Christmas, can help brighten people's mood. The decorations and festivities make a cold, dark November a little more cheerful. These festivities also make social events much more exciting. Hot chocolate, heavy blankets, and Christmas cookies are sure to make any event feel cozy.
Lastly, Thanksgiving is a holiday that doesn't have the same purpose or significance as Christmas. Christmas is a time of celebration, giving, and hope, whereas Thanksgiving is a holiday that focuses on a not-so-celebratory historical event. Thus, it makes more sense to start getting into the Christmas spirit instead of waiting for Thanksgiving to pass.
Taking everything into account, there is good reason to get into the Christmas spirit in November instead of waiting for December. Between the music and bright decor, it makes the switch to wintertime much more bearable. If you're looking to start your holiday celebrations early, November is the perfect time to do it!
Corporations and Social Media
Corporations and Social Media
By Tadek N
Social media platforms have transformed the way customers interact with corporations, offering a host of benefits that enhance convenience, transparency, and engagement. From improved customer service to personalized shopping experiences, businesses’ use of social media has significantly elevated the customer experience.
One of the key benefits for customers is easy access to support and information. Companies now use platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram to provide real-time assistance. This immediate response allows consumers to cut out the most annoying aspects of communicating with companies, bypassing long holds in call centers, and long response times with emails.
Social media also allows corporations to communicate openly about their values, practices, and initiatives, giving customers deeper insights into the brands they support. Customers can easily learn about a company’s sustainability efforts, ethical practices, or social contributions, helping them make informed decisions or rally to make change. One company able to move towards sustainable goals using social media is Ben and Jerry’s; the ice cream company has used various marketing campaigns on social media to raise money in support of fighting climate change.
Finally, social media creates opportunities for customers to connect with a like-minded community. Oftentimes when a product is recreational it attracts many to take up its use as a hobby, and thus people end up sharing their ideas online. Companies using social media allow for an easier connection by having a ready platform where customers can easily go to find other like-minded people.
By leveraging social media, corporations not only drive their success but also deliver significant value to their customers. They can provide quick and helpful responses, rally support for movements, and create thriving communities.
Sports Roundup
Sports Roundup
By Gabby F
Sports of all varieties from all over the world captivate onlookers, inspire young players, and bring people together. Communities are united under their favorite teams, and unexpected friendships and bonds are built through sports. Whether one is a viewer or a player, there is no denying the power of sports and the skill athletes at the top possess. There are several sports currently in season all around the world, with some recapped below.
Local sports like our Bundesliga soccer team's season are in full swing in Stuttgart. VfB Stuttgarts current record is 3-4-3. Stuttgart’s remarkable second-place Bundesliga finish last year landed them a spot in the Champions League, which they haven’t been in since the 2009-2010 season. The team's top scorers this season are Ermedin Demirovic and Deniz Undav, each with five goals so far. Maximilian Mittelstädt leads the team in assists with three. Bayern Munich currently leads the Bundesliga with eight wins, while VfL Bochum sits at the bottom of the ranks with zero wins.
Across the pond in the United States, the NFL season is now over its halfway mark, with 11 of 18 weeks having passed before playoffs start in January. The four-time Super Bowl Champions the Kansas City Chiefs were playing an undefeated season until their loss against the Buffalo Bills this past weekend. This is the third time the Chiefs have been the last undefeated team under Coach Andy Reid, also seen in 2013 and 2017. While they are strong Superbowl contenders, teams such as the Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills, and the Baltimore Ravens are kept in consideration. The Raven’s quarterback, two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, is having a great season, having thrown 2,876 pass yards and 25 touchdowns, with talks from ESPN of his consideration for MVP once again.
In hockey, the NHL 2024-2025 season started last month with the New Jersey Devils vs. Buffalo Sabres in Prague. The Winnipeg Jets, with fifteen wins, and the New Jersey Devils, with twelve, are the current top NHL teams. According to the NHL, players such as Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid and Colorado Avalanche alternate captain Nathan MacKinnon are the top-ranked players. MacKinnon was last year's Hart Trophy winner, and McDavid finished third. Before the beginning of the NHL season, the cover for NHL 25 was revealed to be the Hughes brothers. Quinn Hughes is the Vancouver Canuck captain, and Luke and Jack Hughes are New Jersey Devils; Jack is their alternate captain. The Hughes brothers have made their mark on the NHL, gathering much media attention when their teams play each other, dubbed the “Hughes Bowl.” It has also been announced that in NHL 25, all six PWHL teams will be available within the game. The PWHL continues to expand, with two new teams coming next season.
With twenty-four races across five continents, Formula One is a remarkable sport. With only three races left, the stakes are high for drivers and teams alike. Though Max Verstappen currently holds the lead for the Drivers Championship, Lando Norris has had an opportunity to steal the title from the three-time winner. If Verstappen finishes ahead of Norris at the upcoming Vegas Grand Prix, he will win the championship. Mclaren currently leads the Constructors Champions, with Ferrari not far behind. With the unexpected news of seven-time Drivers Championship title winner Lewis Hamilton switching from Mercedes to Ferrari, big things are expected from the team in upcoming seasons. Next year's grid will have four confirmed rookies, with one seat for Visa Cash App RB still unconfirmed.
These are just a few of the many sports currently in season. Sports everywhere have huge effects on those who watch them, and each sport has its own story to tell. As the seasons progress for these sports, teams and players will rise and fall, and new memorable moments will be made.
Information courtesy of ESPN. Image of Deniz Undav and Ermedin Demirovic courtesy of Baumann and Stuttgarter Nachrichten.
This article was published on November 22, and more information may have come out by the time of reading.
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