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Irish Joy

The sound of Irish music and the beautiful costumes fluttering around the stage can be overwhelming to the average eye.

Currently at the age of 17, Shea Cullen is living a much fulfilled life. With school, family and Cullen’s Passion of Irish dancing, she is quite the busy girl.

"I've been dancing for 11 years and am a five regional, two year national and a world champion," Cullen said.

While Cullen loves to dance, she also has to perform and compete often. Cullen has competed at Universal, Downtown Disney’s Raglan Road and performed at various weddings and pubs.

"Being a world champ, I feel like I’m at the top of the world," Cullen said. “Every practice, injury, failure and success has led up to that event. It doesn’t get much better than that.”

Shea goes to dance four or five times a week in Ocoee, Fla. Cullen just reinjured herself so she hasn't been going that often. Her favorite part of competing is doing dance drama, which is a story that's expressed through costume, props, dancing and setting but talking is prohibited.

Back in 2010 Cullen started to have problems with her left knee. A while after that she twisted her knee in gym playing soccer. It took about a week for Cullen to go back to dance class. During a practice of one of her solos she twisted her knee again.

“I was on crutches for two days and got an MRI,” Cullen said.

Cullen had cartilage damage, a lateral tracking of her kneecap and bone brushing. Eventually Cullen just quit dance because she couldn’t do anything with her injured knee. Cullen has had five MRI’s since she started high school. One of her ankle, two on her left foot, one on the ball of her foot and one on her back.

“I hate being injured so I had a tough time just dealing with the fact I couldn’t dance rather than the actual pain of my injury,” Cullen said. “I think it’s made me stronger in a sense. I’ve learned patience and how to take care of myself.

Cullen is not the only one her family who has ever Irish danced. Eileen Cullen, 10, used to stand right behind in the footsteps of her older sister. “It was nice knowing that, because of me, my sister had a nice feel for Irish dancing also,” Cullen said.

While the music can make her feel something, so can her three younger sisters, Eileen Cullen, Claire Cullen and Erin Cullen who go to Divine Mercy Catholic Academy. Eileen and Claire are her biological sisters, but Erin is her cousin who they adopted.

"It was always really nice to see my sister happy as ever after she had won a competition," Eileen Cullen said.

For Cullen, Irish dancing is a second life. She is always at practice and is even practicing when she doesn’t have to. Most of Cullen’s life has always revolved around Irish dancing, maybe a few breaks here and there, but Irish dancing has always been her top priority.

"Irish dancing was my life. I lived, breathed and danced Irish,” Cullen said. “Even though I’m leaving it behind it will always remain in my heart. I have learned so much about being a better person, acting professional and dealing with stress. I feel that even though it’s over, I’ll keep dancing in my own ways.”

Samantha Miller

Story and photos by Mya' Madeux

Try stopping your life in the middle of your high school career and moving over 1000 miles away from home. Then go to a brand new high school filled with people you have never met, Samantha Miller, 12, did just that.

Miller is an 18-year-old high school senior who is originally from Northampton, Mass. She moved away from her hometown in July 2010 and now she lives with her grandma in Merritt Island.

“I moved to Florida to get a better education for myself and to have better opportunities,” Miller said.

Sam was born on Oct. 13, 1993. She lived in Massachusetts for a total of 14 years and she has a younger brother named, Zakary, who still lives in Mass.

She moved to Florida in July of 2010, just before the beginning of her junior year of high school.

“It was difficult moving to a new school, but it was worth it in the end,” Miller said.

Moving over 1000 miles away has given Miller a different outlook on life. She is going to attend Stetson University in the fall after she graduates from Edgewood.

“My major is integrative health sciences, which I hope to turn into an acceptance into med school,” Miller said.

School is the biggest reason why Miller moved to Florida and Edgewood has been the perfect place for her to finish up her education.

“School is very important to me because it sets you up for the rest of your life. I tend to enjoy both English and science classes,” Miller said. “I just find them the most interesting.”

Miller came to Edgewood not knowing anyone but soon after starting she started creating great friendships.

She met Sarah DiLello, 11, in her physics class last year and they have has wonderful friendship ever since.

“My first impression of her was ‘Who's that girl with the incredible fashion sense?’” DiLello said.

DiLello and Miller have two classes together this year, Pre-Calculus and AP Biology. Having those two classes has allowed them to become closer.

“Sam is bright and energetic; she always has something witty to say,” DiLello said. “She is extraordinarily talented when it comes to all things beauty and makeup.”

Traveling is one of Miller’s favorite things to do. She has been all over the United States, as well as out of the country.

“I've been to the Caribbean several times. Last spring break I went to Ireland and this summer I'm going to China. I've also been to several US states,” Miller said.

Traveling allows Miller to see different aspects of the world and different cultures that she does not experience in Florida.

“My favorite place to travel so far was Ireland because it was so different and it was my first time in Europe,” Miller said.

Traveling isn’t the only thing that Miller enjoys doing. She also likes going to the movies and volunteering at the hospital.

“My favorite movie is probably ‘The Princess Bride,’” Miller said.

Miller recognizes that Florida has its benefits but Miller doesn’t plan on staying here for the rest of her life.

“My favorite city is New York City. I want to live there someday,” Miller said.

Miller is graduating from Edgewood very soon, and it means that she is going to have to start all over again at a new school but she will never forget the great opportunities and friendships that she had.

“Sam has become very close to me in these past couple years, and we've had a joke where every time she mentions that she's graduating I'll pretend like I don't know what she's talking about and that she's not leaving,” DiLello said. “I realize that soon it'll be time for her to leave Edgewood and I know she'll do great things, but I'll miss her very much.”

Senior Fever

Story and photos by Candice Severine

Mercedes Martines, 12, the fashion conscious senior who wants to go to beauty school to help others gain the fashionista persona.

“I’m your typical girly-girl because I can embrace my girliness,” Martines said.

Martines loves to dress up and be a whole different person with every outfit she wears. Helping others pick their outfits and making them look beautiful has always been a passion of Martines. Now as it’s time for Martines to move on and go to college she has decided to go to beauty school to pursue her lifelong dream.

Going to beauty school was always something Martines thought about but she never thought it would get her anywhere. Soon Martines realized she could do whatever she wanted to do as long as she was happy.

“I realized that I’m the only one who can make my dreams come true,” Martines said.

Martines sees her life as always getting better and that never giving up on her dreams has got her to where she is today. Being at Edgewood has made Martines go to beauty school and challenge herself. Edgewood has drastically changed Martines because she got more focused on grades and where she wanted to go in life.

“My sister will go far in life, she’s a great, caring person,” Gabi Martines, 10, said.

Her other passion in life is soccer. While she’s not dressing up and doing peoples' makeup she’s playing on the soccer field.

“Soccer is one of those things in life I can’t live without,” Martines said. “It’s such good exercise too!”

Martines played soccer for many club teams and for Edgewood. She grew close to many of the girls on the team. Soccer is her escape from all the problems in the world. Soccer lets Martines be herself and be totally calm.

“Soccer lets me go to another world where I can just have fun and be totally myself,” Martines said.

Playing soccer for Edgewood is how she met many of her friends at school. Soccer has played a huge role in how she met her very loving boyfriend Rocky Johnson, 12.

“Being with Rocky has made my last two years at Edgewood very special,” Martines said.

Her boyfriend has been her rock for a couple years now. She says that her junior prom was one of her happiest moments at Edgewood because that was the first real dance she and Rocky got to go to together.

“She’s a blessing and I’m lucky to have her in my life,” Rocky Johnson, 12, said.

Martines has said that she wouldn’t have made it through her years at Edgewood without the people she loves most to care and support her through her life choices.

#senior #love #beauty #sisters #family

Getting a Word In

Luke “the Duke” Warrensford keeps the catchphrases coming.

Story and photos by Dain Simpkins.

Everyone has a role in life. Some people are born leaders, poets or mathematicians, and some are class clowns or storytellers.

Luke Warrensford, 12, has a role that is difficult to identify, even to his closest friends. There is something about this tall, short-haired senior that somehow evades definition. By technicality, he is easily – but incompletely – described as an athlete.

"I swim," Warrensford said. "I like it – it's fun, and I really like the team. I [also] play Ultimate Frisbee."

Some might say that he's a natural second-in-command to one of his friends, Garrett LaMontagne, 12 – the "fearless leader," as he's known to his peers – when leading his group of pals in their adventures.

"Luke's willing to lead the pack with confidence," Jesse Bottemiller, 12, one of Luke's best friends, said.

Of course, being in a "pack" of friends means that Warrensford has to have a nickname, especially considering that many of his friends do. As such, a rhyming nickname was devised sometime down the road for this confident leader: Luke the Duke.

"I don't really know how I got the name," Warrensford said. "People just started calling me it, so I just went along. I don't remember who it was, but it might've been Luis Domenech [12]."

Warrensford spends some time more or less every week talking to his friends over Skype, oftentimes while playing the game "League of Legends." As such, some say that his natural role is in the unique way in which he interacts with his friends digitally.

"He's a beast at all video games and he doesn't let you forget it," Bottemiller said.

Others don't necessarily concur – Warrensford is valued for other reasons, as well, and among them is his sense of honor when it comes to interpersonal relationships, along with an aptitude at forming them.

"The fact that he can fit into both of the major cliques of our grade really stands out," Moros said. "He participates in league with some of the more popular kids but is also definitely friends with a lot of the rest."

He gets along nicely with many of his friends on a daily basis, largely dwelling in groups of them in person or online, and is often considered approachable and reliable, a constant in a perpetually changing social environment.

"He's comic relief," Nathan Coyle, 12, said. "He's a good friend that you can rely on for anything."

Comic relief seems to be a bit common as a descriptor of the enigmatic eldest of three children, a man inclined to be amusing and almost comforting to talk to casually.

"Five days a week we have lunch together and a PE class together," Jacob Moros, 12, said. "He's a social guy. He knows how to talk to people – he's fairly good at it."

This is the true nexus of that abstract definition of Warrensford that's missing: that of the raconteur and casual entertainer. Warrensford, whether on Skype or in school, has a precocious ability to keep people talking and keep people smiling.

"He's there to better everyone else, to carry the conversation along," Bottemiller concluded, gesturing. "He makes people feel good."

Warrensford may be a natural talker and storyteller, but perhaps his most-used asset when it comes to keeping his friends chuckling is his wide variety of catchphrases. Warrensford has a plethora of phrases at his command that he calls into play with variety, so as to not overdo them.

"He's most definitely famous for his catchphrases," Moros said. "It's probably the biggest part of Luke that you get to see."

Warrensford employs the catchphrases in their own unique situations and in a variety of cases.

"There are so many catchphrases," Bottemiller said, eyes widened as he laughed. "[He says them] whenever something reminds him of them or we have an inside reference."

Indeed, with those two conditions as the rules for engagement with Warrensford's words, he barely ever starts firing, especially considering how many circumstances over the years have leant him material.

"We have a lot of inside things," Bottemiller said. "We've had a lot of experiences."

Ultimately, the fond experiences Warrensford has shared with his friends form his repertoire of mottos and slogans, and those mottos and slogans, as much as anything else, serve to define the Duke.

"These past few years have been great, and I don't know how I'll live without him," Bottemiller said. "Don't quote that."

Shocking Shockley Kristina Shockley, 12, has a side to her personality that not many would see at first glance. Story by Veronica Hall, Photos courtesy of Kristina Shockley

You may know her from her shocking green car, or maybe from her shiny dark brown hair. Perhaps you remember her as one of the Avatar girls from Spirit Week in November, or maybe she's in a bunch of your AP classes. Whatever the case may be, you probably know Kristina Shockley, 12.

In school, Shockley is simply a girly girl who makes good grades, but what many people don't know is that she lives for adventure.

Shockley owns a "limerock green" Genesis Coupe that she drives her and her sister, Erin Shockley, 9, to school in every day. Before Shockley ever got her license, her parents took her car shopping.

"Every time my dad says 'car shopping,' we always come home with a car," she said while laughing.

Originally, Shockley wanted a Ford Escape.

"I wanted a car I could run things over with," she said. "And my dad wouldn't get me a Hummer."

Shockley and her family visited a Hundai dealership that day when she and her mother set their eyes on the rather, shocking, Genesis Coupe on display. The car salesman had them test drive it, and from there, it was set in stone.

Shockley's electrifying green car suits her rather adventurous personality.

"I'm not afraid to get down and dirty," Shockley said.

Shockley likes being able to throw her surfboard into the back of her car and head down to the beach.

"I surf," she said smiling. "Not well, but I do it because I love it. The feeling of being pushed by water is amazing."

Last year while Shockley was in Cocoa Beach with her long-term friend Chris Schroeder, 12, she picked up a rather obscure hobby - glass blowing.

"I made Chris pull over, and I was like 'I'm going in there!'" she said.

Once inside, she befriended the workers almost immediately, and glass blowing because one of her major hobbies. In fact, Shockley chose to career shadow the studio and loved what came out of it.

"It was a different art form that you don't see all the time," she said.

After her career shadowing experience, Shockley spent five to six hours, every weekend, in the studio for about a year until it closed down - right before she was going to start her senior project on glass blowing.

But all was well, because Shockley is known for changing her hobbies often.

"Kristina is by far the most multi-faceted individual that I have ever had the pleasure of knowing," Shockley's Best Friend Savannah Travers, 12, said. "She is a human chameleon. She changes her hobbies and interests often, but the stuff that she's made of never changes."

After the studio closed, Shockley focused more on her school life during her senior year. When Shockley is not out surfing or trying desperately not to run things over with her Genesis Coupe, she is, in fact, very studious in school. This year, Shockley is enrolled in five AP classes including AP Microeconomics, AP Macroeconomics, AP Literature, AP Government, and AP Biology.

"It's a lot of pressure," she said. "But I don't regret it."

Shockley hopes to become an ambassador after styding at FSU where she hopes to major in foreign relations and minor in political science. One day, she would like to travel to Australia and Greece to help the citizens get back onto their feet.

"They're all really happy people," she said. "They just need help."

Shockley turns 18 this summer and genuinely hopes to go skydiving on that day.

"It's only $100 in Titusville," she said. "I'm so gonna do it."

Shockley is no doubt like no other, between her shocking green car and her love for glass blwowing, but it seems that it's what everyone loves about her.

"There's never a dull moment with her," Travers said. "And that's why I love her."

#senior #2012 #profile senior #Kristina Shockley

Ending Hunger

Key club helping students over the summer overcome hunger.

Photo and Story by Candice Severine

The Key Club and Mrs. Sharon Gillette have made it their duty to help all the hungry kids in Brevard County. The Key Club has been asking everyone to deliver canned goods to Mrs. Gillette, for the kids who may only get two meals a day from school lunches.

"I think they're doing a good thing by helping the community," Mara Boubry, 9, said.

The Key Club is taking donations so that Mrs. Gillette can deliver the canned goods to students all over Brevard who don't get enough food.

"Young students go hungry over the summer because their only food source is the school lunch and breakfast," Mrs. Gillette said.

#hunger #key club #helping #students

Run, Run, Run!

Cross-Country prepares for next year.

Story and Photos by Melody Wolf

Cross-country. The opportunity to run for miles and miles while maintaining a steady pace and trying your best not to collapse from heat exhaustion. For those brave souls who dare participate in this type of running, it is best to learn just what you may be getting yourself into.

On Tuesday, May 15, those interested in cross-country attended an informational meeting after school in Mrs. Sierra’s portable. The meeting was meant to coach students on how to prepare for the running season over the summer and what to expect when joining the team.

“Cross-country is pretty serious,” Sarah Hammond, 9, said. “You have to know what you’re doing.”

As said by Mrs. Sierra at the meeting, students who wish to join the team next year should start training over the summer. This rigorous activity includes constant running, logging your progress, weight training, and managing aches and pains.

“If you don’t run a step over summer, you’re going to die,” Mrs. Sierra said.

Throughout the meeting, there was mention that those who do not have a valid physical in possession can’t partake in cross-country. It is also important to keep note that those who do not show up for practices will be sitting on the bench that particular week at the meet.

“If you’re not dedicated to running, then this really isn’t the sport for you,” Hammond said.

For those who wish to learn more, handouts are available in Mrs. Sierra’s portable. The first meeting of next year will be held the first Wednesday that school is back in session. It is vital to prepare beforehand, however, if you wish to participate.

Last Meeting of the Year Interact Club held their last meeting the year. Story and Photos by Melody Wolf On Friday, May 11, the Interact Club met for their final meeting this year. With the attendance being minimal due to the infamous AP exams, those who did show didn’t have much to say. “Not many people showed up because everyone is in testing,” Chelsea Richards, 11, said. “We didn’t have that much to talk about anyways.” With the year drawing to a close, it’s important to get any final topics out on the table. Former senior club officers step down and let their fellow students take the reigns, while the teachers discuss what will take place next year. For this club, however, the future can not be planned out and all they can do is wait. “We don’t have any plans for next year because we don’t know what lies ahead,” Mr. Linde said. The Interact Club consists of a group of students striving to improve today’s community by participating in various service learning projects. The club is sponsored by the well-known Rotary Club, who gives them a set of standards. The students who participate, however, do have a say in each project. “I’m just an advisor,” Mr. Linde said. “I let them run the club.” The Interact Club is in need of students so those who are willing to give a helping hand should find Mr. Linde next year. The first meeting is open to anyone. “I hope more people step up to the plate next year,” Richards said. “It’s a great way to help your community in a fun way.”

Mr. Moore's Memes

Students show their creativity in an unusual way.

Story and Photos by Ali Valerio

There's been a strange occurance surrounding the math wing.

For the past several weeks, students have been walking into Mr. Jeremy Moore's classroom with smiles and giggles, all because of a few sheets of paper hanging outside the door. Why? These aren't just papers, they're memes. And they're quite funny.

A meme has been defined by dictionary.com an element of culture or behavior that may be passed from one individual to another, usually through the internet. The memes hanging around Mr. Moore's room are composed of funny pictures and sayings, mostly related to Mr. Moore himself. Few people know who the culprits are, least of all the teacher himself.

"I don't know how it began," Mr. Moore said. "The first was a Lord of the Rings meme, and I didn't know what it meant because I hadn't seen the movies (and didn't know what memes were). Josh Wade had to explain it to me."

The first one had a witty message, saying, "One does not simply walk into Moore's door" with the character Boromir in the background; LOTR fans will appreciate the humor. After that, kids kept making new ones and the fun continued. Eventually the memes were taken inside and placed on the wall for everyone to enjoy.

While Mr. Moore had not actually taken part in any of the activities, he enjoyed them as well.

"I think it's clever," Mr. Moore said. "It's fun to see the way students express themselves artistically. It's interesting and creative."

The action has recently died down, but perhaps one day another student will carry on the small legacy. It's certain that these peculiar happenings are just another part of what makes our school so great.

"It's Edgewood, so I guess it's normal," Aubrey O'Shaughnessy, 11, said.

AP Exam

It has come the time for the AP students to put all their knowledge forward.

Story by Candice Severine

According to Sharon Gillette’s board in her class room there are six more days until the AP History exam starts. The three-hour exam will cover everything that Mrs. Gillette has taught her class.

“I have done my job and now it’s up to the students to put forth their best effort,” Mrs. Gillette said.

Mrs. Gillette has had practice exams where the students had to come to school on a Saturday so that her students would be prepared.

“Mrs. Gillette really has prepared us for this exam, I’m confident that I will do well,” Mikey White, 9, said.

The students have had many days to practice and Mrs. Gillette would often tutor her students after school so they could understand the material better.

#ap #exams #school

Driver's Ed is coming up!

Watch out! There are students on the road!

Story and Photos by Emily Craddock

Starting next school year for first semester is Drivers Ed. This course tends to fill up quickly because of all the new coming drivers in high school. You have to have your permit by the time school starts and it costs money.

"It is a really good experience for the kids before they get out on the road," Mrs. Debbie Woodside said.

Students would start class at 7:30 a.m. and the cost is $80. Driver's Ed is held on the track where cones are in certain mazes for the car to move around.

"It was so funny watching all of my friends running into all of the cones," Peyton Sorenson, 10, said, who was in Driver's Ed in ninth grade.

Driver's Ed is for anyone with a Learners Permit and is offered both first and second semester.

"I really liked Driver's Ed because I was learning how to drive better and I got to be with a few of my friends at the same time," Jake Hamilton, 10, said.

Saying Good-Bye

Mrs. Patricia Tatum is leaving teaching to pursue her love of music.

Story and photo by Mya’ Madeux

(Performance photo provided Mrs. Tatum)

With teaching 10 years of English, teaching over 1200 students and being a part of many student activities around school, Mrs. Patricia Tatum is leaving her teaching job to be a traveling musician with her husband.

“My husband and I have a music business,” Tatum said. “We got married two years ago and the past two years I have been doing both school and music. We are ready to focus on the music.”

She is in a band with her husband and it is called the Sound Traveler Band. They play classic pop and rock covers, light jazz and as well as their own music.

“We have a recording studio in the house and we play music at weddings, restaurants and many other places,” Tatum said.

Tatum has been working for Brevard Public Schools for 10 years and she has taught well over 1200 students. She has been apart of the future problem solvers middle school team, the middle and intramural bowling team, spelling bee and many more. She is most well known for having a time capsule reunion every year for the graduating seniors.

“Yes, I am coming back four more times for the time capsule,” Tatum said.

Tatum has had the opportunity to enrich students' lives by teaching them not only English, but to look at life in a different way.

“Mrs. Kunze [Tatum] opened my mind to a whole new aspect of writing, and future students will be missing out on a truly brilliant teacher,” Sarah DiLello, 11, said.

Mrs. Tatum will be leaving a big spot to fill, but she will be back in the future to have poetry and music seminars.

“Enjoy your time in school, don’t wish your time away, be creative, try new things, make memories and enjoy,” Mrs. Tatum said.

You can also check out Mrs. Tatum's band's website: www.soundtravelerband.com

Make Room Edgewood!

Mrs. Mosley helps out with testing, while adding her own flavor to the mix.

Story and Photos by Melody Wolf

With silenced bells and textbooks promptly popped open, there could only be one sure explanation: AP testing. Throughout the year, teachers have been preparing their students for the huge tests that come along with such challenging courses, but Mrs. Mosley was given just one quarter to ensure a solid pass rate among her students.

Being new to such a divine school, this teacher has been adapting to the environment extremely well.

“I love it here,” Mrs. Mosley said. “Everybody works together and all the students are always trying to do their best.”

With hardworking students sitting at her desks, Mrs. Mosley made sure to provide them with what they needed in order for every single person to succeed.

“I try to make sure everybody gets what they need,” she said. “I enjoy hands-on active learning.”

When it comes to work outside of school, she makes sure to keep the work load at an appropriate amount.

“I give homework as needed,” Mrs. Mosley said. “It depends on the day and what we’re studying.”

With all of her classes in the process of reading "Romeo and Juliet," Mrs. Mosley tries to make the old story come alive. For many, her methods have proven to be beneficial.

“Mrs. Mosley makes boring things come to life,” Tia Noble, 9, said. “I can tell that she wants us all to do well, but she still makes learning fun.”

As for the test her AP classes will encounter soon, her advice is simple.

“You’ve prepared all year for the test,” she said. “ Have faith in yourself.”

Cheer Tryouts!

Story by Candice Severine

Cheer tryouts are making everyone nervous.

On Tuesday, May 8, AJ Lyle hosted the second day of cheer tryouts for those who wanted to be a part of the Junior Varsity or Varsity cheer teams.

"I had such a good time, I still need to learn the dance routine but I love it!" Danielle Carbee, 7, said.

Tryouts are being hosted all week long from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the cafeteria. Coach Lyle will teach each girl the dance and the cheer he will want them to audition with on the last day of tryouts.

"I'm sad I won't be on the team next year, but I wish all the girls luck!" Brittany Dunaway, 8, said.

#cheer #auditions

End of Course Exam

A week full of EOC'S for all middle school students.

Story and Photos by Emily Craddock

Starting on Monday, May 7, the Algebra 1 End of Course Exam started. Testing was done in the Media Center and was taken on the computers with a full testing time of 180 minutes.

"It's so hard to sit still and do math problems for the entire time," Maddy Conklin, 8, said.

Students have been preparing for this exam for a few weeks. Going over review during math class and having a lot of extra homework to help them study. Some thought that what the teachers have been assigning is a little bit ridiculous.

"We shouldn't have so much homework because we could be studying for the things we don't understand instead of doing what we already know how to do," Ryan Preston, 8, said.

The testing for the Algebra 1 EOC will be from Monday through Friday. Every day except for Tuesday. There has been a lot of chatter going around about how the exam is easy or hard or in between.

"It wasn't as hard as a thought it was going to be," Taylor Butler, 8, said.

Many of theseventh graders that are taking Algebra 1 this year were very nervous for this test because most of them have never taken anything like a final before. It was all new material to a lot of them.

"I was really scared because I felt like I was going to fail even when I knew I was not," Kyle Eastman, 7, said.

Solar Oven Movie Theater

Students in Ms. Nicole Scala’s physics classes build solar ovens

Story and photos by Mya’ Madeux

On Wednesday, May 9, students in Ms. Scala’s physics classes got to attempt to cook cookies by using one power source: the sun.

Students had a week to build a solar oven out of whatever materials they thought would be most effective for trapping the sunlight and heating their ovens.

“We Googled a bunch of ideas and put them all together,” Mandy Moss, 11, said.

The physics students were able to set up their ovens before school so that they could “warm up” before they put their cookies in to bake.

“The cookies better bake!” Ms. Scala said.

The materials of the ovens really made the difference for how effectively the cookies were going to bake.

“At first we didn’t have a very good oven, so I realized that I should go home and build one,” Kolten Ellis, 11, said. “We are doing construction at my house so I had all the available materials.”

Throughout the day students walked around the solar ovens that were placed between the science building and portables.

One student described the scene as: “A solar oven movie theater.”

By the end of the day, only some students' cookies baked but it was definitely a fun learning experience.

Hawaiian Breakfast

With Teacher Appreciation Week at its halfway mark, teachers enjoy a PTO-sponsored breakfast.

Story and Photos by Kelsey Graves

Teacher Appreciation Week is one of the greatest reminders of how much students and parents alike love their teachers.

On Wednesday, May 9 the PTO sponsored a breakfast for the teachers at our school. The breakfast had a Hawaiian theme, with decorations and trivia for the teachers to enjoy while they ate their breakfast.

“I can tell that the PTO is putting a lot of effort behind this,” Senora Mimi Louzao said. “I look forward to the next day to see what the new theme is and what they have prepared for us.”

The breakfast was only one day’s worth of fun for the entire week. Teacher Appreciation Week is annual, and each year the PTO has worked hard to make sure it is great.

“I greatly appreciate how much they think of us,” Mr. Ryan Cilsick said.

The Teacher Appreciation Breakfast also came with a round of good news: Edgewood had been named the 46th best school in the nation. The news gave teachers another good pat on the back, for without them we would not be sitting in that position today. However, some teachers feel they aren’t the only ones to thank.

“We are very blessed to have parents and students like we have here,” Senora Louzao said. “It’s wonderful to see how much they all love and care.”

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