Scars from the Tornado

by Randy Turner

  A WONDERFUL YEAR

  BY SARAH PETERSON

  Before school started, in seventh grade, I was terrified. For eight years, I had attended a small private school, where I knew everyone and had plenty of friends. Suddenly, I was changing to a new school, where I knew no one at all. To make matters worse, the real school had been hit by a tornado. The building I was going to was a warehouse that had been fixed up to function as a temporary school until the new one could be built. When I thought of my warehouse school, I imagined a big, empty building with stone floors and a few temporary walls put up to serve as classrooms. Needless to say, I wasn’t looking forward to starting the new school year.

  On the first day of school, my mom dropped me off early in the morning. The school was a big white building with the words “East Middle School” painted on the side with wobbly letters. There were a lot of students already there, so I followed the crowds of people in to the building, anxious to see what the inside was like. When I passed through the doors for the first time, I nearly gasped in amazement. The floor was carpeted, and the temporary walls were indistinguishable from normal ones. Everything was perfect, showing no evidence that the building had ever been anything but a school. Eventually, I tore my attention away from the walls, and looked down at my schedule. It read, “First Hour: Mrs. Hale, Science, Room 702.” With some difficulty, and a lot of help from the maps posted on the walls, I located my first class. I found a desk near the back of the room, and sat down. Soon, class began. Mrs. Hale turned out to be a funny, joyful teacher who loved doing activities with her students. She announced that for the first few days, we would be working on projects in pairs, and that we could choose our own partners. Most people immediately rushed to pair up with one of their friends. I looked around nervously. I hoped that someone would ask me work with them, but was too shy to ask anyone myself. Thankfully, the girl sitting behind me asked if I would like to be her partner. I agreed gratefully. We had a fun time working together for the rest of the hour. She was really nice, and she was new to East, just like me. At the end of the hour, the bell rang, and I let out a sigh of relief. I had survived my first class at a new school. Actually, it had been kind of fun. Throughout the rest of the morning, I attended FACS, advanced math, and social studies. They all seemed like neat classes. The social studies class was especially fun, because there were only six students, and the teacher, Ms. Stamper, was very enthusiastic and funny. I was starting to think that this new school might not be so bad after all, when the bell rang for lunch.

  When I entered the lunchroom, it was already crowded. Tons of kids were waiting in line for their lunches, or sitting down at the tables with their friends. I was overwhelmed, not knowing anyone who I could sit with, and not willing to sit down by someone I didn’t know. For a while, I walked around the tables, pretending to be looking for my friends, but really just trying to find a table with no one sitting at it. I looked everywhere, but all of the tables were full. I was honestly starting to wonder if I could eat my lunch on the floor, when Ms. Stamper saw me and gestured for me to come and sit by her and a few other kids from my social studies class. I sat by them, and, thanks to Ms. Stamper, lunch turned out okay.

  In the afternoon, I went to technology, reading, and comm. arts. I was still shy and hesitant to raise my hand, but the teachers were really helpful and tried to include me as much as they could. Finally, the bell rang at the end of seventh hour. My first day of school was over at last. I went outside to wait for my mom to pick me up. Before too long, she arrived, and I got in the car. “So, how was your first day?” she asked. I thought about the question for a while. I had been nervous and had some problems, but I’d also met tons of nice people and some great teachers. The school had looked nice, and the classes had been both fun and educational. Finally, I decided on an answer, “Wonderful,” I replied.

  Sarah Peterson was a seventh grader during the 2011-2012 school year.

  FIELD DAY A SUCCESS

  BY MEGAN HICKEY

  This year the teachers of East Middle School decided to do an experiment. This year unlike the past few years at East the students earned their right for a field day.

  "I like how the students earned the amount of time by keeping the lunchroom and hallways clean," said eighth grader Jennifer Nguyen. This year the eighth graders came out on top by earning an hour playing the fun-filled games, and an exclusive game that no other grade received.

  In honor of the eighth grade teacher, Mr. Brian Neugebauer because of the stuffed animal angry bird named Pepe. Mrs. Crystal Stokes' class created the very green pigs out of a hula-hoop covered in green plastic and homemade faces. The point of the game was to toss three beanbags through the hole in the green pig. This game seemed to be the most popular out of the five choices.

  "My favorite was the egg relay," says the sixth grader Brianna Hickey. The eighth graders also received a special treat of ice cream sandwiches which was Jennifer Nguyen's favorite part of the of the field day event.

  Overall, this was a success and hopefully it will be a recurring event.

  Megan Hickey was an eighth grader during the 2011-2012 school year.

  QUIZ BOWL ENDS WITH FAMILY FUN NIGHT

  BY AMY KOCH

  Last Tuesday, the Quiz Bowl had its last meet. It was parents against teachers against students.

  The six rounds of questions frustrated and annoyed the contestants, but with each correct answer, they let out a whoop of excitement.

  After the rounds were over, the final scores were tallied and announced. All the teams waited in anticipation as first place was announced.

  “The Misfits!” one of our parent groups let out cheers as they accepted the “Nobel East Prize.” Our other two parent groups and one former student group took second, third and fourth place and the teacher group took fifth. In sixth place, our own Quiz Bowl kids cheered sarcastically and high-fived each other on their 26 points.

  Jennifer Nguyen said, “It was very exciting and mind-blowing at the same time! I’ll definitely miss the EMS Quiz Bowl next year.”

  Overall, the night was a blast and all the contestants are excited to come back next year for another shot at the “Nobel East Prize!”

  Amy Koch was an eighth grader during the 2011-2012 school year and served as Journalism Club co-editor.

  TECHNOLYMPICS

  BY JENNIFER NGUYEN

  Last Thursday, April 26, the first ever East Middle School Technolympics were held in the EMS gym! Students attended the technology related event throughout the school day. From first to third hour, eighth graders took turns playing the cool, tech games set up. From third to fifth hour, seventh graders had their share of fun in the gym. And lastly, from fifth to seventh hour, the sixth graders continued battling for total victory in the different events/games.

  When students arrived in the Pitt State remodeled gym, they were divided into groups of twenty-four. From there, they were divided into teams of twelve from the twenty-four people. Each team was assigned a team captain and a team card, stating the team color and number. After this, the fun began.

  The teams traveled together from event to event, rotating every few minutes. The overall goal was to get a better score than the other teams and conquer a medal in the events for your team. Different events included wheelchair racing, hover crafting, and boat racing.

  At the end, a ceremony was held in which a third, second, and first place medal was awarded to team captains for winning or scoring the highest in certain events. Overall, the time spent in the Technolympics was very exciting, fun, and informing at the same time. Eighth grader Chris Springer commented on the event saying, “It was pretty cool.” Christi Montgomery, another eighth grader said, “It was really interesting.”

  EMS EXCELS AT JOPLIN TECHNOLOGY FAIR

  EMS CAPTURES THREE AWARDS AT JOPLIN TECHNOLOGY FAIR

  East Middle School had its best showing ever at the Joplin Schools Technology Fair Monday night, winning two first places and one second plac
e, in competition with the other two Joplin middle schools and Joplin High School.

  The East Middle School Journalism Club took first place in the communications category with this website, East Middle School Roundabout, as well as the club's Facebook page, YouTube channel, and the book the club is putting together about the Joplin Tornado and our first year attending school in a warehouse.

  The Journalism Club was represented by co-editors Jennifer Nguyen and Amy Koch, eighth graders Karly Weber, Darin Clark, Alize Iverson, and Megan Hickey, and sixth grader Katy Brown.

  The other first place came in the collaboration category, thanks to the work done by eighth graders in Mr. Randy Turner's eighth grade communication arts class on the third quarter civil rights research project. Keisha Grunden, Stella Ndauwa, Jamie Sullivan, Megan Hickey, and Jennifer Nguyen represented the class, showing the internet research, e-mail contact with those connected with the civil rights movement, and their work on the website Room 210 Civil Rights, which features research papers and videos from the project. The technology aspect of the project was also represented by Stella Ndauwa's power point on Brown v. Board of Education.

  East took second place in the creativity category, thanks to Ms. Lara Stamper's first semester drama class, with its horror movie "From the Pond." The movie was initially shown to the student body at an assembly in the commons area Nov. 4. Cassie Williams represented the cast of "From the Pond," at the show.

  FIGHTING FOR THE BOND ISSUE

  East Middle School eighth grader Jennifer Nguyen spoke to more than 100 area business and community leaders and parents during a celebration breakfast at the Holiday Inn shortly before Joplin School District voters went to the polls to decide the fate of a bond issue which would provide the money to rebuild the schools destroyed in the May 22, 2011, tornado, including East Middle School.

  In addition to her presentation, those attending heard updates on rebuilding efforts from Dr. C. J. Huff, superintendent; and Dr. Angie Besendorfer, assistant superintendent.

  The breakfast concluded with words of support for the upcoming bond issue from Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce President Rob O'Brian and Mayor Mike Woolsten.

  The text of Jennifer Nguyen's speech is provided below:

  Hello, my name is Jennifer Nguyen. I am an eighth grader from East Middle School, and today, I came to talk to you about why I think the bond request should be passed. I remember coming to East Middle School for the first time when I was in the sixth grade. I remember seeing the huge hallways and thinking to myself that I would never make it out alive. After a few weeks, though, the building became home, and I could easily navigate my way around. I was one of the lucky people that got to go to the new school. East soon became home to many others, as well: the students and staff. When the tornado came by last year, no one expected to find East as it is now. Nobody expected to find a pile of rubble in place of our beloved school.

  Luckily, we found a building to use as a temporary school. As many of you know, we are now located on East 26th Street. Everybody is very thankful to have a place to go to continue learning, but those that went to the old East, miss it dearly. The warehouse provides a place to learn, but it just isn’t the same as the old East.

  The building we are in now is much smaller and crowded, and getting from class to class can be hard some days when you are trying to beat the crowd. At the old East, we had a beautiful auditorium where we held all our assemblies. Now, we are crowded into the cafeteria for any assemblies or pep rallies, and we have no space in the current building for an auditorium. Instead of a gym, we have a blown up, tent-like structure beside the warehouse. We are restricted from having any home games at our school, whether the sport is volleyball or basketball. Replacing our outside basketball court and field is a parking lot. Now, whenever students go outside for some fresh air after lunch, they are kept inside the boundaries of the parking lot, and even that is not much space. After school, students waiting in the parent pick-up line have to wait quite a while because of the slow progression in the small area of the back parking lot.

  These are just a few of the many disadvantages that occur at the warehouse. The largest disadvantage of all, though, is the lack of spirit in our school. In the minds of many, the building we are in now is not truly East; it is just a temporary building, a warehouse. And even though East is now at a new location, to me and many others, the old East will always be home. The old East will be remembered as our true middle school, not the warehouse. Hopefully, East will soon be returning home. Thank you.

  Joplin School District voters passed the bond issue and there will be a new East Middle School in January 2014.

  NEW MEMBERS INDUCTED INTO JUNIOR NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

  BY JENNIFER NGUYEN

  The induction for the East Middle School National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) was held on March 8, 2012, at Missouri Southern State University’s Billingsly Student Center Ballroom.

  The induction lasted around an hour, including a reception at the end of the ceremony. The program started off with an opening processional and the Pledge of Allegiance. After that, opening remarks were made by Mrs. Kathy Howerton, Mrs. Tina Guiles, and Mr. Bud Sexson, and an introduction to guest speaker Mrs. Becky Gardner, the National Honor Society (NHS) adviser, was also made. While Mrs. Gardner was speaking, four members of the NHS helped with the lighting of the pillars: Alyssa Farney, Miriah Johnson, Joseph Loden, and Taylor Mann.

  Next, all of the NJHS candidates were required to take the Pledge of the NJHS. After the pledge came recognition of all candidates and closing remarks. The following reception had cake provided by Mrs. Mary Blackburn-Freeman and plenty of opportunities for pictures! Ms. Melanie Epperson and MSSU made the facilities possible. Overall, the induction was very nicely put together; it was a night to remember!

  2011-2012 NJHS Candidates:

  EstrellaArreola, Maggie Baker, Anna Blue, Jonah Caldwell, Aubrie England, Madeline Fichtner, Bailey Gardner, Keisha Grunden, Mackenzie Gunderson, Desiree Hawkins, Megan Hickey, Ethan Holz, Kylie Howerton, Kara Hulsey, Bonnie Johnson, Audrey Kanan, Abigael Killinger, Amy Koch, Janet Lopez, Elimo Lounis, Cara Marshall, Ashton McGehee, Madison Meinhardt, Stella Ndauwa, Jennifer Nguyen, Dakota Osborn, Abigail Randall, Jillian Rentfro, Molly Ritter, Miranda Sanders, Aiden Stahl, Austen Still, Amelia Street, Annie Strickling, Jamie Sullivan, Quionte Tidwell, James Tupper, Karly Weber, Shelby Welton, Logan Whitehead, James Willerton, and Ishman Wilson.

  STUDENT COUNCIL FURNISHES CHRISTMAS FOR KIDS

  BY JENNIFER NGUYEN

  The EF-5 tornado that ran through the southwestern Missouri town of Joplin might have destroyed many of the town's businesses, schools, and homes, but there was one element of the town against the storm that was indestructible, almost untouchable. Yes, Joplin was not a very pretty sight after the raging winds of the May 22nd tornado took course through the town, but the spirit of Joplin, held deep inside each Joplin citizen, was still very much alive and in sustainable condition. When the heart of America seemed torn and in pieces, who was there to pick up the sections and patch them up again? The people. That's what took immediate action after the mere minutes of destruction.

  Seconds after the treacherous clouds passed, Joplin citizens could be found scattered around the many disheveled neighborhoods helping, simply just helping. Helping collect personal items, helping treat injuries, basically helping with whatever needed to be done. Hearts seemed to reach out to other hearts as members of the town put others' needs before themselves. Neighbors helped neighbors, families helped families, and friends helped foes. People helped people that they didn't know, that they just met up the street. The list continues on and on. The sight of this functioning, of the progression of help being offered was incredible and tremendously heartwarming. Truth be told, this organization of helping is what dragged Joplin out of the destructed, mourning phase and into a more hopeful, rebuilding phase. All the help, including the huge help from out of city volunteers, made a huge impact. An impact
that is still being felt today due to the rebuilding of this once torn city.

  While the impact is being made, what must not be forgotten is who is making the impact and who is contributing to it. Just as said before, volunteers contribute greatly to the impact, but they're not the only ones.

  Different schools and organizations from all over the world have also been kindly generous in their donations of different items needed for Joplin's citizens and care. Joplin has not only received donations of money, but also clothes, toys, and many other things used in everyday life. Most importantly, Joplin has received a gift that can never be lost. Love. Joplin has received loads and loads of love, care, and kindness in the months that have passed since the disaster. But yet again, this is not all that has made the large impact. Citizens of Joplin of all ages and sizes came together as a community and did different tasks and certain small things that made all the difference. Together, these incredible people charged through the destruction and found buried beneath it, the true meaning of Joplin; a city that stands united as one even in the worst of time.

  And that is honestly one hundred percent true. Even in their time of desperate need and sadness, Joplin stuck together and is continuing to do life-changing things for the benefits of others. This act of pure samaritanism is displayed in operations of charity through schools and city organizations, such as a program referred to as "Christmas 4 Kids" ran by the Joplin East Middle School Student Council and Joplin Fire Department.

  "Christmas 4 Kids" is a program in which money is raised to buy toys for kids that are less fortunate. The Joplin Fire Department distributes these toys to the children, and the money is raised and used to buy toys by the East Middle School Student Council. Mr. Rocky Biggers, the student council sponsor, has been running this program ever since he first took charge of the student council, which would have been about fifteen years ago. Some past fundraisers for this event have been running concession stands for different after school activities, organizing car washes, working with corporate sponsors, and even just asking for donations for this charitable deed.