HarmonyBuzz

What's News at HSA-Waco, according to the 9th Grade Journalism Class

Archive for the month “January, 2012”

31 Jan 2012

UIL: What’s it all about?

UIL Competition Heats Up

We learned from Ms. Smith, Harmony’s UIL coordinator that “UIL was created at the University of Austin”. She also told us that “UIL provides educational extracurricular academic, athletic, and music contests”. She also told us, “UIL competes once a year; there are lots of different types of teams. There are calculator applications, writing, social studies; current events etc…the number of students that enrolled are between30 or 40.”

UIL shows Students that teamwork is important and it also gives them the opportunity to represent one’s school. They learn to get self motivated and intellectual curiosity and learn to win and to loose and still be proud which is one of the things that is important for the students. It’s also for student to reach their goals in education and expands their horizons. To be a leader and a citizen are to prepare students for a bright future. So we thought we would interview the UIL students and a few teachers.

One of our very own seniors told us UIL stands for “University Interscholastic League. I’m in computer science, we practice once a week. It’s a little challenging. Yes UIL can be very fun. I’m not to sure how long the competitions last. I honestly don’t do anything to prepare.”

One of our junior friends said “I’m in Current Events, and Calculator Applications. For Current Events I practice every Monday and for Calculator Applications it’s not consistent. In Current Events I learn about current events that are happing in the world, in Calculator Applications I just learn how to do short cuts on calculators. It’s challenging, but very fun and I prepare by studying outside of practice.”

 One of our Sophomore buddies said, “ I’m in Calculator Applications, we practice once a week, we learn about the calculators and how to use shortcuts, we learn a lot in UIL, yes UIL is challenging but it also can be fun, I don’t know how long the competitions will last. I prepare by studying on my own making sure I understand what we are learning.” A freshman said,  “UIL stands for University Interscholastic League. We haven’t had any practices yet, a lot of stuff in UIL Calculator Applications is a lot more advanced, it can also be challenging at times, but it is fun. I’m not for sure but I think the competitions last a couple minutes. I prepare by studying on my own time.”

 Our  teacher Mr. Ocampo told us that his social studies UIL class practices once a week for about 30 to 45 minutes, it depends on the contests how long they last. They study by discussing the information they have read about.

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31 Jan 2012

Coat Drive for Caritas

     Caritas is an organization that gives back to the community whether it is with clothes or food.  The mission of Caritas is “to provide emergency support to people in need in our community.” Over 98% of every dollar given to Caritas comes from “public support.” Approximately 86% of all contributions go into providing direct assistance. Caritas is supported by various faith communities, civic and social clubs, service organizations, charitable foundation, area businesses and individuals. HSA donates to this organization regularly; currently we are doing a coat drive that the student council organized.
      We interviewed a few students and teachers about how they felt about the organization. Miss Ventresca is the mentor for Student Council so we interviewed her first, we asked how it felt to give back, and she answered saying “it’s a primary function, it’s very important for the students to learn.” Then we asked what else are they planning on doing year, she replied “we are doing a blood drive February the 3rd, also we are selling carnations for valentines and I’m trying to set up a 5k run.” Then we asked what reaction you normally get after donating to caritas she responded saying “Caritas is very grateful, they appreciate that we are supporting their organization.” Also we asked why they chose Caritas and not any other organization; she answered saying “they are local so whatever donations we give stay in Waco and in our community.”
      Also we interviewed Jasmine Kirk and Laura Vallejo who is head of the student council we asked them how it felt giving back they both answered saying that “it feels great I’m helping the community, and putting my best efforts towards it.” Then we asked why they liked doing it, the replied saying “it feels like I’m making a difference and someone else might need it more than I do.” Also we asked what other organizations would they like to work with, and they answered saying “the Salvation Army and Habit for Humanity”.
     We interviewed Josh Pravel we asked how it feels to give back and he said “if it’s something I care about then I put more of an effort in to it but if I don’t then it doesn’t really matter to me but this is something I care about.” Also we asked why they chose caritas and not any other organization and he answered saying “they meet the basic need for people, we are helping keep the people alive, if there could be a way that we could give them shelter that would be great.” Lastly we asked him what other organization he would like to work with and he said “Mission Waco and Red Cross.”
Lastly we interviewed Mrs. Williams, we asked her how she felt about giving back she answered saying she is “proud, having the ability to do. I think we should all help in some way.” Also we asked what else does she plan on doing in the year, she said “Rachel’s Challenge; it’s a program that if you do something nice, as small as opening a door that person will pass it along opening a door for someone else.” Then we asked what reaction she gets after donating, she answered saying “very appreciate, no matter how much it was.” Lastly we asked what organization she would like to work with, she answered saying “one that mentors with kids; like a Big Brother Big Sister program.”
     Students who bring in a new or gently used coat, hoodie, hat, scarf or gloves to their homeroom will recieve a free dress on Friday, February 3rd.
—Garrett and Desiree
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31 Jan 2012
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Superbowl XLVI: Who Will Win? Enrique and Mercedez Make Predictions.

Who Will Win Superbowl XLVI?

Well we’ve been looking at both teams (NE Patriots and NY Giants) stats and they both seem to be very equal offensively. Both teams have an elite quarterback with 5,000+ passing yards, more than 550 attempts, 350+ completions, and 30+ touchdowns. Both teams have very explosive receivers such as Victor Cruz (NY), Wes Welker (NE), Hakeem Nicks (NY), Rob Gronkowski (NE), Mario Manningham (NY), and Aaron Hernandez (NE). But the advantage for the NY Giants is the defense. They have an amazing pass rush and big playmakers such as Osi Umenyiora, Jason Pierre-Paul, and Justin Tuck.  It’s very hard to decide which team will win, but we think that the New York Giants will win Super bowl XLVI with a score of 34-27. We also predict that Super Bowl XLVI M.V.P will be Eli Manning and he will throw for 329 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception.

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27 Jan 2012

What Really Bakes My Cake: Proper Grammar

 Do you know what really bakes my cake? Proper Grammar.

 Proper Grammar really bakes my cake. I don’t understand the point of it. Nouns, verbs, commas, and apostrophes, are all very useless and pointless. So what if it’s a run-on sentence? It makes sense doesn’t it? As long as you get my point, does it really matter if I don’t have a comma between some words?

Plus, it is so annoying to remember where commas, apostrophes, and quotation marks go. Even as I write this my teacher is making me use proper grammar. I have to write this whole article with proper grammar to even get a chance of this online.

If we don’t speak with proper grammar then why do we write with it? No one says,” I went to the store yesterday and brought bread, comma, milk, comma, and Twinkies period.”  So why do we need it? You failed tests because you forget to edit your paper using proper grammar. It just doesn’t make sense. Yes, I know that if you don’t have commas in the sentence,” I went to the store yesterday and brought bread milk and Twinkies,” it doesn’t make sense to the super grammar people that probably don’t have lives. However if you honestly think there is such an item as bread-milk, you are seriously disturbed.

So in the end, I see no point in the usage of proper grammar. It’s just a waste of time and effort.

—Lacy

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27 Jan 2012
2 Comments

Word of the Week: Askance

Askance is an adverb that means with a side glance or with disapproval or distrust.

Example sentence: We looked askance at Miss Ventresca’s suggestion that we pose for a photo.

The girls are looking askance at the camera.

Posted in Word of the Week and tagged , ,
27 Jan 2012
2 Comments

Book Review: Memoirs of a Geisha

Read this book!

What does it mean to be a geisha? Do you know? You might find yourself asking this question while reading the book Memoirs of a Geisha, I know I did. Before I read the book my view of life as a geisha was entertaining men and looking pretty. I understand now that I was very wrong. This book is like a guide to the world of a geisha; it shows both the good parts and the bad. Being a geisha is like being an artist; in this case they’re dance artists.

In the book the main character is a girl whose name was Chiyo but her name changes to Sayuri. After being sold into slavery and disgracing herself, Sayuri falls in love with the devastatingly handsome Chairman. To her dismay, she is forced to show fake interest in the unsightly Nobu instead. Sayuri’s life takes an unexpected turn as war break out and she is forced to leave the life she is used to into a life of labor.

After war subsides and Sayuri becomes a geisha again she finally finds her true place in the world. I would recommend this book to all of the people who think life as a geisha is extravagant and easy.

—Katherin

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27 Jan 2012

HSA Sports: Basketball

Mercedez and Jasmine interviewed Coach Meza & Coach Hall first we talked to Coach Hall about her girls basketball team. Her girls are all in 7th grade. Coach Hall says “my girls are progressing nicely”. Since many of them just started playing basketball for the first time  she says “they are getting better and better”.

Schools they are going to play against are:

  • Waco Baptist
  • St. Louis
  • Parkview Christian Academy
  • St. Mary’s
  • Vanguard

The girl’s basketball team has an upcoming game on January 30th in West against St. Mary’s at five-thirty  and the guys are playing at six-thirty. On February the third  they are scheduled to play against Waco Baptist boys at five pm  and girls at six pm.

Support the tigers!

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27 Jan 2012

Spanish Olympiad

Amir practices his competition piece

This year we are hosting the first ever Spanish Olympiad at Harmony Science Academy-Waco. Spanish Olympiad is just like Turkish Olympiad but with Spanish events. The categories are singing, dancing, and poetry all have to be done in Spanish. The first event will be here at Harmony Science Academy of Waco  on the 31st of January. The second event will be February 4th, the following Saturday.

On 1/24/12 we caught up with Ms. Lee and asked her some questions about the Spanish Olympiad. Ms. Lee says, “For our first year this is turning out great!’ She was really excited with it only being only one week away. The Spanish Olympiad is taking place here (HSA Waco), Dallas, then Houston. The categories are singing, dancing, and poetry.

Mrs. Aguilar  said, “This was a good turnout for the first year” and that she, “enjoys Spanish Olympiad it teaches people about the culture more.” She also mentioned that “the kids in the Spanish Olympiad are talented and can make it all the way to the finials and represent our school.”

We also interviewed some of the students in Spanish Olympiad and they said’ “It’s fun but can get difficult sometimes remembering the poem.” Another one had said,”he is not a quitter and will try his best on getting on the top.” One of the girls in the competition said, “I can make it to the finals because I am talented and have a lot of courage!” This is a great event and we, personally,  can’t wait to participate in future Spanish Olympiads.

Justin, memorizing his competition piece

—Justin and Jessenia

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24 Jan 2012

Entertainment Review: “Pretty Little Liars”

This has to be my favorite show on earth! It is about these 5 popular girls at Rosewood High School, Aria, Emily, Spencer, Hanna (my favorite) and Ali. Ali being the prettiest and most popular, one night mysteriously disappears one night without a trace. Now, one year later, the police find her body under her house. The girls started to get strange text messages of their secrets—secrets only Ali knew.

I love this show because it amazing. All of their lives are in danger as they inch closer to the truth. It just so good– watch an episode and you will be hooked!

—Lacy

Lacy gives "Pretty Little Liars" 5 out of 5 stars

 

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24 Jan 2012
2 Comments

Poetry: “Life” by Mary Maldonado

“Life” By Mary Maldonado

“Life is too short to not live it,

Life is too long to live it with regrets,

Life is not something you take for granted,

Life is something you live so live it right,

It’s okay to make mistakes just not regrets.”

Posted in Poetry and tagged , ,

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