1. education
2. school

Volume 1, Issue 1
January 19, 2012
Cedar Creek Middle School
Jaguar Journal
Teacher Spotlight:
Mr. Walters!
Mr. Walters, a 7th
grade Language Arts
teacher at CCMS, has
been selected for the Jaguar Journal’s first Teacher
Spotlight! He has been
working at CCMS since
2000. He likes teaching
because he loves the
kids, and because he
used to be a kid at one
point too! He loves literature and likes to make it
less boring to teach. If
Mr. Walters could recommend any book to a student, it would be Percy
Jackson because he says
it has the perfect blend of
contemporary writing with
ancient mythology. His
quote to all students is,
“There is more to life than
just living and dying; there
is more to this life than
getting through the day.” Samuel Curtis Chapman.
- Savannah Johnson
Teachers VS Students Volleyball Game!!
Attention all students!!
Cedar Creek Middle
School will be hosting a
wonderful event where
students and teachers will
compete in a volleyball
game against each other.
Come on Wednesday, February 15th, 2012, and see
your favorite students and
teachers go head-to-head
in this all-out battle! The
game will be held in the
CCMS gym.
The cost to attend this
event is three dollars. In addition,
the concession
stand will be open
during the game.
Pizza, popcorn,
hotdogs, soda, candy, etc… There may
even be a raffle to
win some very cool
prizes! All of the
profits raised from
the volleyball event
will help print and
publish our Jaguar
Journal (which isn’t
cheap to produce),
so please tell your
friends and families to attend!!
Last, but DEFINITELY not least,
there will be a special guest making
an appearance at
the game. Trust
me when I say the
students will go
nuts when this person comes through
the door!! He or
she will be participating in the game
and is very excited
to attend!
The students who
don’t come will be
missing out! Ms.
Adamek is already
predicting a teacher victory, so come
on out and support
your Jags!
-Destiny Cannady
Talent Show Creates Big Buzz Throughout CCMS
The Cedar Creek Talent Show was filled with outgoing and creative performers. There were dancers, singers,
musicians, and so much more. Each talent had a unique way of performing that kept everyone watching and entertained. Jazlyn Montague sang an eye-opening song with great confidence. Josh Bass played a heart-touching
piece on the piano titled, “Mary Did you Know.” Britney King was spectacular when she sang “Butterflies.” Logan
Hornyak played a beautiful French piece on the piano called “Comtpine un Autre Ete.” One of the most entertaining groups of the entire night was the “The CCMS Shuffle Kings.” They shuffled and jerked to a mix of the Party
Rock Anthem and Tool Time. The most comical talent of the night was the “YouTube Gone Wild” performance by
our very own Mrs. Sheriff, Ms. Adamek, Ms. Ford, Mrs. Baker, and Mr. Southerland. I don’t think anyone that was
there is ever going to forget that rap battle! Overall, the talent show was amazing and very well performed!
- Ma’Kayla Ropchan
PAGE 2
JAG UAR JO URN AL
Artist Spotlight:
Wiz Khalifa
I’m pretty sure most of CCMS knows who the one and only Wiz Khalifa is. But how well do we all really know
him? I tested my knowledge and ventured off into the world wide web to see if there was anything we missed
about this new rapper. Check your own understanding of Wiz, you’d be surprised at how much this young man
has accomplished!
Wiz Khalifa, born Cameron Jibril Thomaz, was born on September 8th, 1987 to two loving parents who divorced in 1991. His hometown of Minot, North Dakota didn’t offer much of a home. Due to both parents’ military
service, Wiz was always moving around the globe. When Wiz sprung out of a high school in Pittsburgh he gave
himself the stage-name Wizard Khalifa. Wizard in Arabic means “success.” Soon after his release of his first mix
tape, “Prince of the City: Welcome to Pistolvania,” he became very popular. In his perspective, it was the best
time for him to release a commercial song, which it was. Wiz released an album “Show and Prove” on okayplayer.com. This album soon led to a Warner Bros record deal. While with Warner Bros, Wiz scored “Say Yeah” which
hit the Top 40 on the Billboard Charts. Although he was gaining popularity, the rapper decided Warner Bros was
not the label for him. Luckily, Atlantic Records nabbed him right out of the game as soon as they heard word that
he was in search of a label.
In November 2009 “Deal or No Deal” reached #25 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. It also broke
into the Top 10 on iTunes within the first week of it being released. Overall I conclude that Wiz Khalifa should just
keep breaking those records and keep our speakers booming! Keep it up Wiz, we’ll be watching! Until next issue!
- Rebecca Payne
CCMS Food Drive
Opinion: Do We Really Need A Dress Code?
The Cedar Creek Middle
School food drive was a huge
success! We appreciate all of the
donations from students and
teachers, which benefitted the
less fortunate of Franklin County.
The school collected over 2000
items for the needy!
The top homeroom for sixth
grade was Ms. Sledge’s class
with 291 items. Ms. Wise’s homeroom finished just behind with
285.
For seventh grade, Mr. Cox’s
homeroom claimed the top spot
with 262 items.
Last but not least, for eighth
grade, Mrs. Craven’s homeroom
collected the most with an astonishing 277 items. A very special
thanks to Mrs. Craven and the
Beta Club for another successful
event at CCMS!! Go Jags!
- Shaniece Jones, Samantha Moran, & Jahmirah Smith
Let’s talk about the dress code issue. Students at
CCMS are having a real problem with this matter. It
isn’t just going to go away by itself, so please take these thoughts into consideration.
Students dislike the dress code mostly because
they have to tuck in their shirts. I think the major problem is students not having a belt and teachers make
them tuck their shirts in. Why not have belts in the
office or school store for rent or purchase then?
Have an opinion?
Tell us what you
think! Submit an
opinion piece to
room 405 and be
heard!
Uniforms: The Alternative to Dress Code?
I’ve decided to publish this article anonymously, so I
don’t offend anyone with a subject as intense as the
dress code, but before I moved here, my old school
made us do the unthinkable: wear uniforms to school.
I have mixed feelings about having to wear uniforms. They take the stress out of figuring out what to
wear each morning, and almost completely eliminate
bullying. On the other hand, I do see the need for students to express themselves through what they wear.
The students here are quick to complain about tucking
in a shirt. It’s not really a big deal to tuck in a shirt or
wear a belt, so my advice to the complainers would be
to just do it. The people in charge at my old school
didn’t tolerate the whiners, so just remember before
you start complaining what the alternative could be!!
VO LUME 1, ISS UE 1
PAGE 3
Student Opinions
Tech News: Tablets
Ghost Rider Spirit of
Vengeance
Nicolas Cage returns as
spirit of vengeance Johnny
Blaze, who sold his soul to
the Devil (Ciaran Hinds), and
now goes after the darkened
souls of hardened criminals.
The sequal has a solid cast,
adding Idris Elba and Christopher Lambert for a thriller
that shifts the action to Eastern Europe.
- James Crudup
Think Before You Type!
We all hear about the dangers of
Facebook: how people can pretend
to be someone they aren’t, lying
about your age to create a profile,
and cyber-bullying. We never think
it can happen to us, but what if it
does happen? What can we do?
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What’s With All The Feathers?
One of the newest teen
trends is the feather. It started
out from local fishing shops.
The feathers are from Roosters. These hair accessorites
are becoming the latest “Big
Thing.” Feathers are what
most teens love to wear. They
can be brushed, straightened,
or blowdried like regular hair
extensions. They can be found
at most malls. They come in
several different colors and
patterns. The peacock style
includes beautiful and vibrant
colors and look fabulous with
most hair colors. Get yours
today!
- Allyah Walker
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Over half of adolescents and
teens have been bullied online,
and about the same number
have engaged in cyber-bullying
More than 1 in 3 young people
have experienced cyber-threats
online
Over twenty-five percent of
adolescents and teens have
been bullied repeatedly
through their cell phones or on
the Internet
Over half of young people do
not tell their parents when
cyber-bullying occurs
Around half of all teens have
been victims of cyber-bullying,
but about one in ten actually
tell their parents, and less than
twenty percent are reported to
law enforcement
If you have been the victim of cyber
-bullying, tell someone: a parent,
teacher, counselor, or officer.
Don’t let bullies win!
- Amberly DeLaRiva
Tablet studies found that more tablet
buyers would rather use Wi-Fi and not
cellular data (such as AT&T, Verizon,
etc…). Users of Android devices are starting to see ads that urge consumers to
upgrade battery devices, but these devices are not battery-saving programs. They
endanger your privacy and wallet. Tapping the ad even by accident will open the
phone’s web browser which initiates the
download.
Computers recently announced the allin-one desktop, which features multitouch
resolution, large hard-drives, loads of RAM
(memory) and faster processors. They
cost around $750.
The Hottest Electronics
We are not talking about Legos or
movies, we are talking electronics! The
hottest laptops, tablets, and printers
Looking for a laptop? Well you came
to the right newsletter because we’ve
got it! First place goes to the Sony VAIO
Z-Series (4/5 stars). Second place
goes to the HP Envy 17 (4/5 stars).
The Asus G73JW came in third (4/5
stars).
The hottest tablet, is you guessed it,
the Apple IPad 2. It’s expensive, but
it’s the best tablet out there! In second
place is the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.
In third place is the Samsung Galaxy
8.9 for about $450 ($50 less than the
IPad 2).
The hottest printers we found were
the Epson Artisan 725 Arctic Edition
with 4/5 stars. In second place is the
Dell 2350DN Laser Printer with 3.5/5
stars. The third and final printer is the
Canon Pixma MG5220 with 3.5/5
stars.
- Nick Rudd
PAGE 4
JAG UAR JO URN AL
Student Spotlight
Cedar Creek’s got some pretty talented writers!!
“Life”
“You Don’t Even Know Me”
Why do you judge me? You don’t even know me. I’m
tired of crying and tired of hiding from you. Sitting
here, trying to figure out what I did to make you do
this to me, darling you don’t even know me. I just
want peace in this world of mine. I’m tired of the
fighting and tired of the crying. Why can’t it go back
to the way it was, before you came along? I don’t cry
like I do now, I smile every second of the day! People
ask me how I live this way and I say, “I’m alive right
here, but darling I’m dead inside.”
- Madelynn Renee Phillips
Life is what you make it
So make it yours.
Still be able to smile when rain pours.
Life is what you make it
So make it yours.
‘Cuz you never know what life stores.
Life is what you make it
I’m gonna make it mine.
I’ll never be shaded, I will shine.
“Facebook”
- Jeremy Brown
It’s one of those things,
That everybody has.
All people talk about it seems
On the phone or in class.
It can destroy a life,
But sometimes come in handy!
It can get you a husband or wife,
Or reunite you with your family.
“Number Three”
“Jags”
Bouncing off the wall
Hair, crazy, like a big bush
Not that bright at all.
Jaguars are fierce animals
We don’t care
What you say about our school,
We get our work done,
So we can have fun.
We like to party,
but we’re never tardy.
Get to class on time
So our teachers don’t mind.
Who is this person?
- Anonymus
People might think you’re boring,
If you don’t dare to take a look,
Because someone will ask you the next morning,
“Hey, did you see that thing on Facebook?”
- Aqueyah B.
- Dasia Latham
Dress Code
It’s the dress code that got me feeling
like I’m in a black hole. They keep buggin’ me
about my graphic tee’s it’s too short, it’s too long.
What’s the problem? We pre-teens don’t be mean
We got our own style that makes us smile.
- Aqueyah B.
Hey Students!!
Want to submit your own creative writing for the student
spotlight? See Ms. Adamek in
room 405 or any editor!
VO LUME 1, ISS UE 1
PAGE 5
Ask the Jag...
Dear Jag,
Lately my parents have
been on my case about
what I can and cannot
wear. How do I get them
to let me wear what I
want?
- Justwannabeme
Dear Justwannabeme:
If you’re trying to get
your parents to let you
wear what you want,
first you have to know
that it probably won’t
work. I would attempt to
compromise with them.
As long as you stay
calm, things might actually work in your favor.
Your parents said NO
when you asked, right?
If they don’t change
their minds, I wouldn't
keep asking them. Follow the rules, be good,
and maybe they’ll eventually lighten up on you.
Dear Jag,
My friends keep trying to get me to break
up with my boyfriend.
How do I deal with
them?
- Confused & Committed
Dear Confused,
If your friends are
trying to convince you to
break up with your boyfriend, you should simply tell them that you
don't want to. Ask for
their reasons why they
want you to break up.
Give them reasons why
you don't want to break
up with him. If they really are your friends they
will try to be happy for
you and be there if anything bad happens. If
you think he is worth it,
go for it. Just remember
that you are the one
dating him, not your
friends. If any of this
doesn't work then
change the subject or
just ignore them.
Dear Jag,
What can I do to get
a girl I like to notice me?
- Sheepish and Shy
Got a question for the Jag?
Drop it off in Room 405 and see
if your question gets answered!
Dear Sheepish,
To get a girl to notice
you, first thing is to not
show off around her. Try
to talk to her like she is
a person and be yourself
around her. Don’t lie, or
pretend to be someone
you’re not. Be kind and
sweet to her
(compliments go a long
way). If she can’t see
how good you are to her,
then she probably isn’t
worth it. I would then try
to find someone else.
Meet The Editors!!
Sydney Harris
Sydney is the 8th grade editor in chief. She is sweet, funny,
and incredibly nice! Sydney is a
great leader, which makes her a
very strong EIC! Make sure to
see her if you have any great
article ideas or questions about
the Jaguar Journal (or to say hi)!
Shayne Greer
Shayne is an 8th grade editor
who oversees the Student Spotlight and School News sections.
Shayne can be found in the red
hall on the Comets team. If you
have an article suggestion or
want to submit your own work,
talk to Shayne!
Brooke Harp
Brooke is an 8th grade editor
in charge of the Shoutouts section of the Jaguar Journal. She
is also a cheerleader for CCMS.
Her favorite color is pink. See
Brooke for to send a Shoutout to
your friends!!
Samantha Brame
Samantha is our 7th grade
editor in chief. She is a good
leader & a wonderful listener.
Being EIC is a good job for her
because she is nice to everyone
& works well with others. If you
see in the hallway, be sure to
say hi!
Brendan Connors
Brendan is the sports editor
for the Jaguar Journal. He is a
7th grader on the Dolphins
team. He loves to play football
and is a huge Pittsburgh Steelers fan. Brendan is a great
friend and is loved by most
teachers and students!
Kimmee Vernelson
Kimmee Vernelson is a 7th
grader who is in charge of the
opinions and teen trends sections. She absolutely loves to
read, which makes her a perfect
candidate as an editor! If you
have a great article idea or new
fashion trend, see Kimmee!
To: Brooke Moore
From: Allison B
Hi — yaa there cool person! :)
To: Tykima, Tasia and Taliah
From: Kaitlyn J
I <3 you best friends!
To: Haley Williams
From: Allison Burkett
You taste like a beaver
spiced latte!
To: Tyler Williams
From: Ms. Sledge
Congrats on your pin!
To: Sydney Harris
From: Reid Wheeler
I love your middle
name!!
To: Mariah Caldwell
From: Kathryn Weese
...hai...!
To: Haley Williams
From: Allison Burkett
I love you! :)
To: Kyler Folmar
From: Ms. Sledge
Congrats on your pin!
To: Patience Newton
From: Mackenzie Oakley
ILY gurl ur my best friend!
To: Brooke & Sheldon
From: Brooklyn Mason
Brooke ur my BFFEL and ILYLAS.
Sheldon I’m glad I have you in my
life!!
Shoutouts!
To: Dillon Sykora
From: Ms. Sledge
13 seconds! Congrats!
To: Geneva
Hunt
From: Morgan Braddy
Geneva is
awesome!
To: Everyone
READ THE HUNGER GAMES! BEST BOOK EVER!
To: CCMS
From: Ms. Adamek
Come watch the teachers dominate
at the Vball game!!
To: Mrs. Kershner
From: Abigail Roberson
Mrs. Kershner you’re amazing!
To: Brooklyn
From: Brooke Harp
You’re my BFFEL!! ILY!
To: Robin Hamilton
From: Kaileigh Boggs
Hi!
To: Charkayla From: Sierra
Bestie 4 life!!
To: Darion
From: Christian Watson
Don’t worry D I’m still on the
AAU team and we are going to
win and go to Florida!!
To: Ashley
From:
Fantasia
To: Makenna
From: Ally
Ur cool, I <3
u! From ur
best frand
To: Danielle Kennedy
From: Kaileigh Boggs
HI!
To: Jorge Rivera
From: Richard Cardona
Amigo tromposo!
To: Darion Green
From: Israel Lockamy
How r u doin? Too bad I’m not
playing on the same AAU team
To: Mr. Perry & Ms. Adamek
From: Taylor, Brittany, &
To: Timmy Wilson
Kayla
From: Jason HurYou are the bestestest
ley
coaches ever!!
Hi I miss you!
Do you play AAU?
It’s a basketball
league
To: Brittany From: Darius
I love you
To: Geneva
From: Ms. Adamek
It tastes like pickles… but it’s not… but it is!
To: Avery Wilder
From: Ally Burkett
Heyyy!
To: Reid Wheeler
From: Ms. Sledge
Congrats on your first pin!
To: Siamy Ardila
To: Newsletter Staff
From: Mom
From: Ms. Adamek
Love u have a gr8 day
You kids rock!!
To: Anjelica Goode-Green From: Ciara
I love you!
To: Sydney, Samantha,
Shayne, Kimmee, Brooke
& Brendan
From: Ms. Adamek
To: Ms. O’Neal
To: Adres Ardila
You guys rock! Thanks
From: Ally B
From: Mom
for all of your help!
You’re my favorite teacher ever!! I love you, and have a great day!
To: Geneva Hunt From: Ms. Sledge
You’re awesome, come see me more!