December 2020

Volume 2 Issue 2

Notes from Orr Rosie Staff Reporter/Photographer

One of the big questions on middle schoolers minds is, are we going to have a school dance this year? Principal Orr says, “the school dance is one of my favorite events. I would love to make the dance a reality and will continue to hold out hope that it could happen in late spring. However, it may be one more aspect of our school life that looks a bit different this year. I know how difficult it is for us to lose out on fun traditions. Counselor Corner But I also know that our school still keeps so much of our culture alive with our kindness campaigns Ella and our willingness to find new ways to Staff Reporter/ Photographer celebrate.” Some things that Mrs. Orr would like to Mrs. Chedwick wants us to practice habit 5, tell you, “keep family and friends close over the seek first to understand, then to be understood. “I break by reaching out electronically or by phone if listen before I speak, I consider other people’s you cannot see one another in person. It’s also feelings and see things from their viewpoint. I am incredibly important to find time to be a kid and confident and look people in the eye.” We should think about kid things. This year has included a lot practice kindness, be kind to someone and do a good of anxieties, but the holidays should allow us to deed. On world kindness day we filled buckets by remember our values and celebrate the ones we doing good deeds. love. I hope there is snow for playing in and

opportunities to enjoy favorite movies with hot

chocolate. Everyone should take out a board game Rosie or puzzle and get off of their devices for a while to Staff Reporter / Photographer remember how fun it can be.” Grace Staff Reporter Mrs. Confer

“You can always, always give something, Ella even if it is only kindness!” – Anne Frank. This Staff Reporter quote means that even if you think you have nothing to give you can always give kindness. So, kindness Have you met our advanced PE teacher? Mrs. is key. Confer Teaches Advanced P.E. and works in the office as a student coordinator. She was born August 11, 1983 and has been in Reno since the age of 4. Mrs. Confer loves it here at Doral Academy. In her spare time, she likes to go on runs and spend time with her family. If she could go anywhere, she would choose Florida. Friendly Reminders Christian Staff Reporter

Hey Dragons, here are some more friendly reminders for all of you! Remember that all of you are awesome! If you ever have problems, remember to talk to someone. Do not keep things to yourself. If you keep things to yourself, things will get worse, so remember to talk to someone! If you ever make a mistake, mistakes happen, mistakes help you learn and improve! You are amazing, do not forget that! You are unique and super!

Christmas Holiday Treat: Mila Marisa Editor Staff Reporter Sleighs When you decorate the Christmas tree, celebrate Ingredients: Your favorite candy bar (bite size), with family, and open presents, you’re continuing a mini candy canes, teddy grahams, chocolate tradition that is over a thousand years old. Christmas is a chips giving day that has been changing ever since it has become a holiday. There are many perspectives on what 1. Melt the chocolate chips the holiday is about and there are many ways to celebrate 2. Use the melted chocolate to glue two your Christmas. In the earlier centuries, (way before our candy canes to the bottom of the candy current time) people would hold winter solstice bar gatherings to come together and celebrate that the worst 3. Cut a small hole out of the top of the of winter was now over and they could look forward to candy bar towards the middle longer days and more hours of sunlight so they had the 4. Pour some melted chocolate in the hole opportunity to get more work done during the day. People and place a teddy graham inside still do that presently, and it’s a fun way to celebrate your 5. Enjoy! winter solstice. The Roman Citizens celebrated Saturnalia, (the roman holiday originally known as Kronia) the god of agriculture. This was a month-long celebration that included a feast that would seem to last a century. Two additional events that would also be happening during this time were festivals held for Juvenalia, a feast honoring the children of Rome, along with the birthday of Mithra, the God of the untouchable sun. By celebrating Christmas during the period of time that the festivals were held, religious leaders hoped their version of this holiday would be more openly embraced. However, it continued, by many, to be celebrated with lots of food, drinks, and partying. This holiday has a lot of history that is important, but it's your choosing of how you wish to celebrate it. (information about Christmas found from https://www.makeitgrateful.com/living/celebrate/christmas/non-religious-christmas- historical-timeline/)

Jakob Sports Reporter

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The Winter X Games are different from the Winter Olympics. Why are they different? While the X Games are held in the U.S.A., the Winter Olympics is an international competition that is held all over the world. The Winter X Games are made up of competitions such as the following:

• Ski Knuckle Huck • Men's Snowboard Slopestyle Final • Men's Snowboard Superpipe Final • Snow Bike Cross Elimination and • Women's Snowboard Big Air Final Final • Snowmobile Freestyle Final • Women's Ski Superpipe Final • Women's Ski Big Air Final • Men's Snowboard Big Air Final • Men's Ski Big Air Final • Snowboard Superpipe Final • Men's Snowboard Superpipe Session • Women's Ski Slopestyle Final • Women's Snowboard Slopestyle • Snowboard Slope Rail Jam Final • Snowboard Knuckle Huck • Snow Bike Cross • Men's Ski Superpipe Final • Men's Ski Slopestyle Final • Snow Bike Best Trick Final • Adaptive Snow Bike Cross

This year's event will take place during the week of January 28-January 31, 2021. The X Games are held in Aspen, Colorado at a mountain called Buttermilk Ski Resort. For this event to happen the people who are hosting the X games must pay the sponsors. The people who are hosting the X Games to advertise their products and brands. The sponsors for the last X games were Jeep, Wendy's, Monster Energy, Pacifica Beer, Great Clips, The Real Cost, and GEICO. The advertisements will include onsite advertising and these products will be used during the X Games.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2873265-winter-x-games-2020-full-results-medal-winners-and-best-trick-highlights

Are Doral sports coming back? Yes, they are! Volleyball: Is coming back in January.

Boys’ Basketball: Is coming back in February.

Girls’ Basketball: Is coming back in March.

X-Country: Is coming back in April.

Track: Is coming back in May.

Food Drive Teacher Spotlight: Ms. Kutz

Ashley Ryann Staff Reporter Editor

Our teacher spotlight this month is Ms. Kutz.

Ms. Kutz is one of our 5th grade teachers here at The food drive was put together by Lauren Hayes, one of our Social Studies teachers and the leadership teacher at Doral. Her favorite thing about teaching is that she has an impact on her students' lives. She also enjoys Doral. The Food Drive ran from October 12- November 16, teaching because her students are funny and keep during that period 2,174 POUNDS of food was collected. her up to date with the latest trends. Ms. Kutz This equals 2,609 meals for families in our community. As decided to teach 5th grade because last year she you can tell this Food Drive was highly successful. taught 1st graders and realized that littles was just The donation helps us feed more than 106 ,000 not for her, when given the opportunity to teach 5th children, seniors, veterans, and families in our region every grade she took it, and so far, 5th grade seems like a month. Why did we have a Food Drive? 1 in 5 families are perfect fit. Ms. Kutz feels motivated by the amazing “Food Insecure,” which means they often do not have access teachers here at Doral. Ms. Kutz wanted to be a to nourishing food. Our school partners with The Food Bank teacher because she had so many influential teachers of Northern Nevada because they work tirelessly in our in her life and she thought that it would be special if community to support seniors, children, veterans, and she was that person to her students. She values and families in need. appreciates students when work and assignments Something very small like sharing a couple of cans of are submitted on time. Before Ms. Kutz was a food can make a huge impact on our community. Our school teacher; she worked as a nanny, an accounting clerk decided to do the Food Drive because it is a way to help the at a law firm, and at a restaurant. Some of Ms. Kutz community while still social distancing. In conclusion the favorite things to do as a kid were to play sports Food Drive was highly successful with many donations, our outside, she tried to do all her schoolwork on the bus school spent the time doing this for a very good cause. IT so as soon as she got home she could go play outside. WAS WORTH IT! Some things she likes to do in her free time are outdoor activities like golfing, skiing, and snowboarding. She also likes to spend time with her cats. Ms. Kutz favorite food is mainly Mexican food and she also loves desserts. Ms. Kutz has only been teaching for two years so she is sure that she will still be teaching in five years. Lilyana Staff Reporter

Every year on one day near, Santa comes to spread some cheer. Comic On this day you would say, I hope there is some snow for us to play, Lily Staff Reporter Christmas cookies for Santa to eat And hope that we shall finally meet. A family sitting by the fire, Soon Santa will be coming down the chimney spire. Christmas tree shining bright Hope you light up my house tonight.

Justin Business Reporter

How to Check Your Resources for Marketing

Have you ever looked on the internet when you see a shocking headline that is too shocking to be true, but it looks so real? If you are not sure that it is true, use these tips to check your sources to make sure that you are looking at a reliable source. First, look at websites' domains because .edu and .gov are generally considered to be reliable. Next, look at if the web site is a well-known website or not and if you are still skeptical, search elsewhere to find the same article in a more reliable site. Then, check the date of the article to make sure the information you are about to read is not out of date or misleading. Finally, if it is an individual user who is posting information on Twitter or Facebook, make sure they have a blue checkmark next to they're name which means that Twitter or Facebook has verified that the user is the real person or organization that matches their username.

10 Tips on How to Negotiate

Have you ever wanted an ice cream sandwich for lunch, but your mom and dad said no? Well, here are 10 good tips on how to negotiate to get that ice cream sandwich. First, tough guys do not win because they have deals that are not win-win deals. So, do not be a tough guy who shoots a deal down. Second, the key to a successful negotiation is to listen to what the other party wants. Third, have some coinage in your negotiation so it means a lot to the other party and not so much to you, so you are luring them into a good negotiation. Fourth, prepare for a negotiation so you know that everybody is on the same page before the negotiation. Fifth, set the scene for the negotiation because the scene plays an important role in a negotiation. Sixth, set the tone for the negotiation so that everyone has a respectful time while bargaining. Seventh, use your bargaining power to know what you want and what the other party wants. Eighth, sometimes deals do not work so do not try to keep bargaining for the same deal. Next, have a fun time negotiating so you do not become grumpy that you did not get a deal. Finally, remember that you need to have a win-win situation otherwise you cannot sell a deal.

Local Business

A new ice rink is coming to Reno! Reno Ice is an ice rink that is supposed to be open in 2021. The rink will be an Olympic quality and NHL regulation ice facility. The ice rink will have programs such as public skating, ice hockey, learning to skate, and figure skating. The ice rink will be located in South Reno near the South Valleys Library and the South Valleys Regional Sports Complex. Once this ice rink is built, go visit the rink! It will be a lot of fun for you and your family!

Celebrity Spotlight: Mariah Carey Lily Student Reporter

Baby all I want for Christmas is you! Such a Christmas classic but who made that song? Mariah Carey! Mariah is a singer, songwriter, and even an actress. Well, she wasn’t always loved, she had some troubles while growing up. She had a hard time discovering what she wanted to be. Now, Mariah is a great role model to many people across the world. Mariah had a hard time growing up in New York with her parents, being a mixed-race couple and living in a white neighborhood. Mariah’s mother was actually a vocal coach and former opera singer. Sometimes when people have a hard childhood they turn into bad girls or boys. Mariah, in high school, liked to skip classes. Mariah went to Greenlawn New York high school. In 2001 Mariah suffered a physical and emotional breakdown. She has had so many tough times in her life but that has not stopped her yet. Mariah had a hard time finding her passion growing up, she had to get a lot of jobs to pay the bills after high school. Mariah got a job at a nightclub as a backup singer, then she worked her way up. Mariah wrote her own songs; Mariah never used other people’s songs. She thought it was wrong and most people don’t give the person who did it enough credit. She is a Christmas star because she wrote the song “All I want for Christmas is You” and she starred in the movie “All I want for Christmas is you.” She has acted in many movies and shows; like The Butler, The Lego Movie Batman, WiseGirls, A Christmas Melody, and Glitter. She has been in so many shows and movies. Mariah is a great role model to many kids and adults around the world. She had a hard childhood, but she pushes through it and sings her heart out to the world and tells them how she really feels.

DIY Holiday Craft

Elizabeth Editor

For this DIY project we will be making Cupcake Liner Garlands. These are not actual food, but they are in fact the wrapper of the cupcake. Supplies: o Cupcake liners (20 or more) o Elmer’s Glue o Twine or String o Small Stickers (Stars are recommended)

Directions: The first thing you want to do is take three cupcake liners and push them flat (as seen in the picture above). Next you will take one and put a dot of Elmer’s glue on the tip, push it on the back of the first liner. Repeat the steep with the third liner and let it dry for eight minutes. Repeat this process for the rest of the cupcake liners, using 3 liners to complete each tree. After they dry, take the twine or string and cut as long as you want your garland to be. After that take the tip of the cupcake liners and glue the tip onto the twine. Put a sequin/sticker on the tip. Hang the garland wherever you desire and most importantly, HAVE FUN.

Craft project from https://www.diys.com/christmas-crafts-for-kids/

Chris Staff Reporter

We had another great response to our art contest! Thank you to all who participated. The winners of the Evolution of Eevee Pokémon contest are Kindergarten-2nd grade: Ali in 1st grade; 3rd-5th grades: Alaina 5th grade; 6th- 8th grades Piper 7th grade.

Ali- 1st grade Alaina- 5th grade Piper- 7th grade

Our next art contest will be to draw and color your favorite cartoon character! Do not forget to include your name and grade on the back. All drawings need to be entered by February 12, 2021.

Ask Elliot! Elliot DaVinci School Mascot

Need an answer to a question? Just ask Elliot!

“Dear Elliot, do you know when all the cohorts will be together again?” I cannot wait for us all to be together again too!

“Dear Elliot, do you play Minecraft? How do you feel about the caves and cliffs update?” I like playing games! I have heard of the caves and cliffs updating and it sounds really cool!

“Dear Elliot, how many friends do you have?” I am so glad you asked! Everyone in the school is my friend!

“Dear Elliot, how do you grow? How do you fly?” I grow just like all of you! I get exercise, eat healthy, and get lots of rest! I can fly by using my wings to lift me off the ground even, if I like to walk more than fly!

“Dear Elliot, do you help the community?” I love to help the community! I’m so impressed with all the money we raise and the food we collected for people in need!

PlayStation - Future Aiden Staff Reporter

In this day in age video games are so improved its hard to tell it from reality let’s talk about one of these groundbreaking consoles, the PlayStation 5 (PS5). The design of the PS5 is so compact and small you would not believe it to be a video game console. Along with the design of it, the vast amount of game options is too many to count. The console seems to be the biggest gaming system of all time. The design and compact size of the PS5 are so good it is hard to compare it to any other console. The compact size of the console is much better than the new Xbox console which can be compared to the size of a computer. While most consoles would have bigger bulker designs to have more storage space the PS5 has 325 GB more than the last console and there is barely any difference in size. The controllers have also been upgraded, with them having more sensitivity when using the trigger key. This console design is groundbreaking to the industry of video games. The memory and games selection beats any game console yet. This console will have many games people have loved throughout the years and were available for the last console. One of these games No Man's Sky is a space exploration game where you get in a spaceship and go to randomly generated planets. One of the newest games out is Marvels Spiderman Miles Morales, a game that is a sequel to the original Marvels Spiderman game, with this one exclusive to PS5. The final game I will be mentioning is Call of Duty Cold War, this game like the title says is placed during the cold war, this is the 24th game in the series. These games will make a great console for everyone to enjoy. In conclusion, this console will be a great addition to any kid’s video game collection. The design compared to the amount of memory it has is very significant. The video games on it are revolutionary and to the highest standards. This is a great console that is going to make an impact on the gaming world.

Heroes of Doral

Ava Staff Reporter

This issue's Hero of Doral is Kaylee, a middle school student here at Doral. Kaylee decided to start the toy drive because she knows how hard it has been this year and there are a lot of kids out there who are not as fortunate as we are. So, she had the idea to start a toy drive and give them to the kids who may not have as much for Christmas. She feels that it is heartbreaking to think that some kids do not have anything for Christmas. So, she wanted to change that by coming up with a way to give them at least one gift so that they could open it on Christmas Day! Kaylee’s mom helped her organize her toy drive because she luckily came in contact with where to give the toys and once she was cleared from the school the amazing teacher Ms. Hayes helped spread the word. She is giving the toys to the Family Resource Center of Northern Nevada and The Children's Cabinet. She said both are nonprofit organizations that help families and kids that are in need. This way she will know that kids are having a good Christmas with all of the toys that she provided them. Kaylee was able to provide 175 kids with toys! Thank you to everyone who supported Kaylee’s toy drive.

Wild Mustangs of Western Nevada Tanith Staff Reporter Dad Jokes Mila Staff Reporter Our state of Nevada is home to most the nation’s wild horses. That is pretty amazing! Finding a herd of wild Q. What happens if you eat Christmas decorations? horses out in the wilderness can be tricky, but we get to A. You get tinselitus! see it as much as we want. The best place to spot a wild

horse herd is in Nevada in the Virginia Range, right here Q. What does an elf study in school? where we live. There are about 2,000 wild horses, and this A. The elfabet! magical area is home to the most famous herd of wild horses. These horses were the ones that inspired Wild Horse Annie to lead a movement to protest the cruel way Q. What is a cow's favorite holiday? that the wild horses were being rounded up for commercial A. Moo-years Day! purposes. Her movement led to the passing of the “Wild Horse Annie Act” in 1959. The bill prohibited the use of Q. What kind of music do elves like? motorized vehicles to hunt wild horses on all public lands. A. Wrap Music! Today, these horses are known as “Annie’s Horses”, and they are so incredible to see. That is why we see all sorts of visitors who have traveled far and wide just to see Q. Why didn’t Rudolph get a good report card? Annie’s Horses. “These horses are one of the last A. Because he went down in history! remaining symbols of the wild west. They represent all that is wild and free in the state of Nevada” (onlyinyourstate.com). It is important that these wild Q. What did one snowman say to another snowman? horses will be protected so people can continue to enjoy A. You're cool! these wild mustangs of western Nevada.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nevada/wild-horse-herd-nv/ Q. What snack should you make for the Snowman

Holiday Party? A. Ice Krispy Treats

Q. What does an elf work on after school? A. His gnomework.

Q. How much did Santa's sleigh cost? A. Nothing! It was on the house. Q. Why wouldn’t the Christmas tree stand up?California Wildfires A. It had no legs. Ashley Staff Reporter Jokes From https://redtri.com/funny-christmas-jokes- for - kids/slide/4 The California wildfires are a chain of wildfires that burned across California. There have been 9,065 fires in California, and they have burned 4,359,517 acres of land. The California wildfires have caused 32 deaths and 37

Non-fatal injuries. Many of the California wildfires were man made, they either did it on purpose or it was an accident. Climate change is also a big factor in starting the fires, climate change is causing California to have a risk for drought making the land dryer and more prone to wildfires. Not only California was affected by the wildfires, but other nearby states were also affected. Nevada had bad air quality and some schools did not let their students go outside also some schools switched to online school. Additionally, Some of the California fires spread to Nevada and some people were told to evacuate.

Fashion Life♡

Genesis Staff Reporter

Fashion is art, unique, different, and more. You can do so much with clothes, shoes, pants, and more. Designers make designs for celebrities, or just for regular people like you and me. There are many different companies like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga, Prada, Tiffany & Co, and more. Here are some great pieces of advice o You can freeze the gum then remove the gum freezing the gum works but it does not always work. The gum has special polymers that react to the change in temperature quickly.

o Another way that you can do to remove gum, or a stain is washing the clothing, then you can get soap and white vinegar and try to remove as much as possible.

People all around the world are bringing back old fashion trends, including mom jeans, round glasses, chunky sneakers, Scrunchies, bike shorts, and more. Here are a few pieces of advice for you! Gucci has mostly sold clothes for adults, but they do sell baby clothes as well. Chanel also mostly sells clothes for adults, but they also sell newborn clothes, kid’s clothes, and teens clothes.

Be sure to check back for more fashion advice and styling tips!

Cuphead New Series on Netflix! Skiing or Snowboarding?

Ronald Brooke Staff Reporter Staff Reporter

The MDHR studio finally has officially announced Skiing and snowboarding are fun winter a Cuphead Netflix series. There are going to be 11 episodes sports to do with friends and family. Skiing is a sport each 10 minutes long. It is going to be released in 2021 so that requires one ski on each foot. You have to use we can watch it in the new year, also there is a new both skis in order to stand up. Skiing dates back to extension of the game Cuphead. In this extension there is a the late 19th century in Sweden and Finland. The skis new character called Chalice. If you do not know the two were meant for transportation and amusement to main characters of this game, their names are: Cuphead (the people. Skiing evolved and was introduced into the red one) and Mugman (Cuphead’s brother and the light Olympics in 1936. Skiing comes in many different blue one) the show was released at Annecy International types like Nordic, alpine, and telemark. Each type is Animated Film Festival on June 15, 2020, but the used for a different purpose and in a different way. animation of the characters will be different than the game, Snowboarding was first made in 1965 and the name of this new series will be “The Cuphead show!” was referred to as a snurfer. The snurfer was the first The production company is currently meeting with writers model to slide in the snow like a surfboard on water. and animators for the project. The animation of the game is The snowboard was also taken to the Olympics in drawn by hand but in “The Cuphead Show” the animation is made of digital drawings, this because it is easier and 1998. The snowboard is a single piece of wood with faster to do it digitally than hand drawn. straps to keep your feet on the board. Just like skiing the snowboard has many varieties, not with the style but with the board itself. Both skis and snowboards have boots and bindings to attach the feet to the board or skis. Both sports are amazing and challenging in their own ways and varieties.

Aries Leo Grace Chris Staff Reporter Staff Reporter

March 21-April 19 - This month your July 23-August 22 - Today is the day to take a patience will be tested, but a good friend will help you risk; get up and do something. Your future lies in your learn to be more patient. hands and only you can change it. What can go wrong will not because it will all be fine; anything could happen today but if you are in a bad spot it can only get better and you can only be heading into the best of times from here. Taurus Virgo Grace Chris Staff Reporter Staff Reporter

April 20-May 20 - Your stubborn attitude will August 23-September 22 - You should try new cause a fight between you and your friend, fix this now things, take the spotlight, and make your voice heard. and all will be okay. Do not worry about the things that can go wrong, take

a breath, and take a leap to try new things, you’re always so shy and quiet and now is the time to make Gemini new friends and talk to others don’t be afraid of the unknown. Grace Staff Reporter Libra May 21-June 20 - You hate being stuck inside, you should go in your backyard and enjoy the Chris beautiful changing landscape Staff Reporter

September 23- October 22 - It is hard to stay optimistic and stay sunny side up, take a step back and breathe. It will be fine, do not stress it. It is alright to Cancer ask for help if you ask and for others' opinion on your Grace situation, who knows you might have a spark of Staff Reporter creativity and it will all turn up on the right side, even

if it all goes downhill it will turn around at some point. June 21-July 22 - This month you will feel a bit overwhelmed, try to spend more time with family and friends to help you calm down.

Scorpio Chris Aquarius Staff Reporter Grace October 23 – November 21 - Be creative and Staff Reporter express yourself, build new bridges; create new January 20-February 18 - This year has been crazy friends, it is never too late to make new old friends. Let loose, say what you feel, and be heard, you are for you; do something you want to do to feel like yourself truly unique, and you can never forget that. It is never again. too late to make a statement. The spotlight is overdue for you and it is time for you to make yourself seen

Pisces Sagittarius Grace

Chris Staff Reporter Staff Reporter February 19- March 20 - This month you feel a bit November 22- December 21 - You've been moody with all of the festivities around you, maybe pushing yourself so hard for a while now, it is time to volunteering at a local shelter will help you join in on all take a break and let time go without you for a the fun. moment. It never hurts to take a second and breathe, you are in a good spot and deserve a break. Slow down and take a step back and think for a second it will be fine if it cannot be done in one go then get it done one step at a time

Capricorn

Chris Staff Reporter

December 22- January 19 - You need to stay with the positive people, it never hurts to be optimistic and happy. Watch the people who are happy and follow the person's steps. You could be the person to light up another day; spread joy and compliment someone, always wear a smile, you are never fully dressed without one.