Last year, I really liked MathCounts and loved that the competition was challenging, because I personally think challenging things are very fun. This year, there weren’t many members participating in the club, and only two people, myself included, participated in the main competition. Nonetheless, I found the competition fun yet again. I was also kind of surprised since I and my fellow Mathlete, Austin Geisler, both found the practice competition meant to simulate the real competition easier than the actual event.

While I was kind of sad that we didn’t have the full riding-and-chatting-on-the-bus-while-we-passed-around-a-bag-of-Cheetos experience (that’s just a vivid image I have of last year’s competition), I am glad that we were still able to participate in this amazing club and its competition!

If you’re interested in showing off your great math skills, this club is definitely for you! Good luck to the next group of Glen Meadow Mathletes next year!

If you want to join the Art Club, here are some things you can look forward to. It’s a mainly student-driven club where you can learn lots of art techniques and many different styles of art. Some of these styles include anime, realism, cartoonism, painting, sculpting, and even crochet!

After an interview with Mrs. Hirkaler, I learned that a lot of students were making gifts for their family and friends for the holidays! I also asked an art club member what they like about the club and they responded saying, “What I love about the Art Club is that you can make whatever you want and with whatever supplies you want."

One last thing that you need to know is that Mrs. Hirkaler supplies everything you need for the Art Club, so you don't have to worry about buying art supplies!

I hope that with this information, you’ll find interest in joining the Art Club!

This year has been extremely crazy and our school’s theater group wasn’t sure if they would be able to perform this year. When it came to the musical, everything was up in the air. Since they weren’t able to purchase a show, they will be writing their own.

Mrs. Sandler, the production director shared this, “So, instead, we had to get creative. I believe this was actually a benefit, and will produce the best musical production our school has ever done. Why? Because it is written and performed by the students, from their hearts.” The theater class has decided to write this year's musical Dear 2020: Memoirs From Middle School this show features songs from all different musicals, movies, and TV shows, the show will be written by students about their experiences happy, sad, and uncertain.

Because of Covid, auditions this year were done virtually, students were asked to send in their auditions via video. This was vastly different from how auditions usually take place, past auditions would be done in person after-school. Mrs. Sandler also said, “They also didn’t have to stand in front of a scary panel of teachers staring at them, which could scare anyone away!” Students are split about this year's audition process, some believe this is better because they can re-watch and re-perform their audition and know that they are sending in their best take, others feel that they work better under pressure and would rather do it live and get it over with.

Looking for a spring sport? Track and Field has something for everyone. This year’s track and field season may look a little different, but it will still be just as much fun! In New Jersey, middle schools run 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1600 meter races. If you aren’t much of a runner, they have other events you may want to try, like throwing or jumping. Middle school track and fielders in our state throw shot-put (a heavy sphere) and discus (similar to a heavy frisbee), and they also do high jump and long jump. In addition to all these events, when our team competes in NY, they add on the triple jump, hurdles, and steeplechase. This year’s Track and Field season will begin mid-March and run through May.

Interview with Coach Davenport and Galante

How do you think this season will be different from previous seasons?

Coach Galante: Just the “social distancing” alone will be a task. We have had over 100 athletes on the team each of the past 4 years. Having meetings, pre-season workouts, etc...means a change in structure. We will most likely be starting out with virtual meetings to let athletes know the who, what, where and whens of the season. We will also orchestrate virtual practices for the pre-season due to having too many members to workout in small areas such as cafeterias or hallways. During the regular season, the difficulties will be in transportation. Similarly to how we bus kids to school right now; we can’t put 50 runners on a bus. The only other thing that may work against us is other schools not competing due to Covid requirements.

What would you want to say to students interested in track and field?

Coach Davenport: I’d like to say that Track and Field is SO diversified….there’s an event for everyone. We generally have all students try out and test at every event: that’s where many surprises pop up...where kids will say “you think I’m good at that?” Because it’s more of an individual sport, you are competing against your own best performance. But yet, it’s still a team that tends to surround its fellow athletes with friendship and support. It’s a place to make new friends, often for life!

What is your favorite memory from coaching track and field?

Coach Galante: I am not sure that I can pick just one, but my favorite thing from every season has been when any number of athletes, unprompted by anything other than the quality of their character, step up into a leadership role. When I see an athlete help out another, giving pointers or even some emotional support, it is an awesome reminder of the fact that teamwork is more important than times or distances. I love seeing the care the team has for each other and that a maturity develops into the understanding that positive leaders help the whole team meet its goals.

What are some benefits to joining track and field?

Coach Davenport: First, we teach Good Sportsmanship…We might see other teams ‘bend’ the rules, but we don’t! The most noticeable benefit is the fitness level that everyone will achieve. During the season, I record their times and performances every chance I get; at practices as well as meets. I’m able to show everyone their improvements from the last time, and even from the previous year if they are returning to the team. The best though, is learning each events, and acquiring real self esteem as they become aware of what’s possible! More importantly, the friendships formed can be for life.

We Want to Hear from You!

If you would like to be featured in a future edition, please let us know! Whether you want to be interviewed for a club, share exciting information or pictures about something like your favorite hobby (this is just an example and may not be something we do), create a comic, write a riddle, or read a poem you really like. Please let Mrs. Stigler (kstigler@vtsd.com), or one of the main editors, Kaylie Orlando (kaylie.orlando@vtsd.com) or Noelle Hernandez (noelle.hernandez@vtsd.com) know and we'll be happy to consider your contribution!