Quarter 2 Edition Soldier’s SwordDecember 13, 2017

The 24th Annual Banquet — By Kayli Baker KEEP UP WITH EHS ONLINE: It’s women’s ensemble will sing our songs. We’d also like to thank Banquet “There’s Still My Joy.” Tabitha and Cheri Phillips for OFFICIAL WEBSITE: https://sites.google.com/a/ time again! Finally, the drama class will preparing the menu and the food millardk12.org/ehs-gss/ This year, perform “The Mayor who Banned this year. Not to mention all the EskDale Christmas.” Jorge Saucedo plays volunteers who helped cook and EHS FACEBOOK: High is hosting the frustrated Mr. Robinson who helped students serve the food. www.facebook.com/ our 24th annual decides to run against Mayor Thank you to Crystal Eldridge EskDaleHighSchool Christmas Banquet. Holiday in the upcoming mayoral for creating the set and to Janene The banquet will be on the 14th election. Mayor Holiday creates so Eldridge for the costumes. Most of EHS YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/ and 15th of December. many new holidays that everyone all, we’d like to thank Lois Faber EskDaleHighSchoolUT The night starts off with all is too busy partying to work. Mr. for the countless things she does the Orchestra classes combined to Robinson wins the election and to make this banquet happen and play “Adeste Fideles” and “Hark decides to ban Christmas. The to make the kids be the best they the Herald Angels Sing”. The Jr. town revolts and his can be. And for making her Orchestra will leave and the high wife and three kids have to find a delicious black licorice. Thank school group will play six songs way to keep him as mayor and you, Lois! and then proceed to play two keep Christmas. Thank you to everyone that numbers on hand bells called A big thanks to Dean came to our banquet this year! We “Angel Carols” and “O Come, All Hayward, Shauna Lewis and Jami appreciate all of your constant Ye Faithful”. Weight for setting up and running support, and we hope you had an Then some of the students the lights and the sound. Thanks amazing time. Remember to come will do special numbers and the to John Paul Hayward for helping again next year!  choir will sing seven songs. The with the backup tracks for some of

Elementary Christmas programs — By Rylee Elmer I love going to the Baker and this year, and he is so excited for his Great Big Holiday Bake Garrison Elementary School plays. I very first play! Tayvin, my second Off!” written by Andy Beck and participated in the Baker plays youngest brother is sad to say it is Brian Fisher, and directed by their myself in grades 4-6, and I’m excited his last year in Garrison Elementary. wonderful teacher, Heather to see them this year as a proud However, he is excited to move on to Yacapraro. spectator. Baker Elementary and make new I am excited to go see the plays, It is always nice when you see the friends, have new classmates, and and I hope many of you will also Kindergarteners up on the stage for move on to new challenges. come to see them. Make sure to the first time and also see how much The play that the Garrison bring all the kids so they can meet the older kids have learned from Elementary (K- 2) is performing this at the end of the This issue of their past years of acting in the year is named “Shopping in plays. Come have refreshments and The plays. I love how much effort and Oldenville: a blast from the past!” It sit on Santa’s lap to get a goody bag! Soldier’s Sword time is put in by students and was written and will be performed The Garrison and Baker Elementary was written and teachers alike. by Cecelia Phillips and her Garrison plays will be held at Baker Hall on produced by the This year, I have two little Elementary Class. Tuesday, December 19th, beginning Language Arts brothers in the plays. My littlest Baker Elementary (grades 3-6) at 6:30 PST/ 7:30 MST.  students of brother Leelend is in Kindergarten will be performing the play “The EskDale High School Girls’ Basketball — By Fatima Villarreal This year EskDale has a girls’ basketball this year are Morgan Smith, Kylah Smith, been a long time since they have had one. In team! Go Lady Hawks! West Desert and Ashly Terry, Fatima Villarreal, Tiauna Allred, fact, our coaches Kayla Christensen and EskDale High School have once again joined Emer Murphy, Kayli Baker, Kara Conrad, and Elizabeth Perea were part of the last girl’s students together to create a basketball team, Haylie Reil. Morgan Smith, Kylah Smith, and basketball team at West Desert. but for the first time for girls. Our players Ashly Terry are seniors this year, and we’ll One of the first problems we had to miss them next year. tackle was getting new uniforms. During the The coaches this summer our basketball team participated in year are Kayla some fundraising activities to raise money to Christensen and buy new uniforms. Elizabeth Perea, Another challenge our team faces is the who push us to distance between the two schools. However, perform our best. with a coach on each end, we’ve been doing This is four combined practices a week , two at each EskDale’s first girls’ school (Monday and Tuesday at West Desert basketball team, and and Wednesday and Thursday at Baker Hall). we are more than Friday, we do separate practice on our own. excited to be apart We’ve been working hard, and our of and support the basketball team is now ready to compete team. This is not against other teams, work hard, play hard, West Desert’s first and have good sportsmanship. We wish the girls basketball best of luck to our Lady Hawks this season!  team, but it has

Snow College Experience — By Jami Weight It was August 23, 2017: EHS juniors Dallas things, where his workload became Jami Weight—I took American Hayward, Melanie Heckethorn, Megan Baker, manageable and we were able to focus on the Government. I thought it was pretty good. I Dilzia Villarreal, Jami Weight, Jorge Saucedo, learning instead of just homework. Once really liked the professor and the way he and the one Senior Ambre Moorhouse started everyone got the hang of how things worked, taught, so I felt like I learned a lot from it. their Snow College classes: American it was smooth sailing from there, and now Ambre Moorhous—I took English 1010 Government, Financial Literacy, and English the Snow College classes are over. Overall it and American Government. I really liked 1010. was a great experience for everyone. English 1010 because I’ve always had an Everyone took American Government, but Q: What class(es) did you take? affinity for English. It also helped that English three people did not take Financial Literacy. What did you think of them? 1010 wasn’t a hybrid class so I was able to sit Only Ambre took English 1010. in on the class and able to interact with my Everyone loved Professor Young who Melanie Heckethorn—I took Financial teacher. I’m glad it’s over. I feel as though taught American Government. Everyone all Literacy and American Government. Umm, this has been a valuable experience for me. thought he was really funny in his lectures. taking two college-level classes at a time was Dallas Hayward—I took Financial literacy Some memorable moments with Professor a lot of work, and I didn’t like taking it and American Government. American Young was on one of his Wednesday lectures, hybrid. By the end though I was really glad I Government was easy and Financial Literacy he was wearing a pink shirt and he referred took them. was hard, but it will probably end up helping to Mean Girls and said, “On Wednesdays, we Megan Baker—I took Financial Literacy later in life. wear pink.” Everyone who had seen Mean and American Government. They were a little Girls started laughing when he said that. stressful at first, but after a while they weren’t Jorge Saucedo—I took Financial Literacy and American Government. Ummm, I would Professor White who taught Financial too bad.” rather not say... Ha ha, no, ummm, I liked Literacy was a really good professor. This was Dilzia Villarreal— I took American them. I liked how you don’t have to pay his first year teaching so it took a several Government. Umm yeah, I thought it was much attention to the lectures just the weeks before everyone got into the flow of a’ight. assignments. 

Page 2 Quarter 2 Edition Backstage at Delta’s Cinderella — By Kara Conrad On November 18th a few students from props are made. Inside there EskDale High School went to Delta to watch were art supplies, wood, and the Delta High School’s musical, Cinderella. many Jami Weight, Melanie Heckethorn, Kayli and other building supplies. After Megan Baker, and Kara and Jenna Conrad all the backstage tour they went up went to watch the play in Delta High School’s to the balcony, where the lights new theater. and sound systems were located. But before the play started the kids were They got to talk to the student lucky enough to get a backstage tour, given light technician and play around by one of the co-directors. They looked at the with the lights and speakers. stage layout, props, dressing rooms, and Once the tour was over some of the actors. On the stage they got to they were all very excited for the see the pulley system and how props were play to start. In 2016 EskDale High School see what they did differently and what they lowered. They also looked at many curtains, had done this exact same musical, so the did the same in their performance. The EHS backdrops, and props. After they looked on students knew the script. Cinderella was students might have had a bit of stage envy stage they went into the hall that connects to played by Lexi Callister and Prince Topher however. the stage. Off the hall were many dressing was played by track star, Dallin Draper. The After the play ended they got to meet rooms for the actors. The kids got to go into Delta students were very good at acting and and take pictures with some of the actors. the girls dressing room where they saw portrayed their parts well. They also did a The EskDale kids had a great time and would Cinderella and some of the other actors. great job singing together and on their solos. love to go to another one of Delta’s Then they went into the garage where It was interesting for the EskDale students to performances. 

The Great Mail Race — By Sam Roberts Near the end of September, the English Jr. Wisconsin, and then wrote to Texas. The rest to on her own, so the rest of the class got class received a letter from a school in of us picked schools across the country to drafted into helping her reply. Wisconsin called Einstein Middle School. write to. Rylee wrote to Hawaii, Carlos wrote Daisy, unfortunately, happened to pick a They were doing something called the Great to Idaho, Danielle wrote to Alaska, Sam school address that was no longer being used. Mail Race, where a student writes a letter to a wrote to Washington D.C., Burklie wrote to Her letter got sent back with VACANT school somewhere in the country, tells them Arizona, Jenna wrote to Montana, and stamped on the front of the letter. about where they live, and then asks for a Yudnely wrote to New Mexico. So, not, counting that, only Yudnely has reply, in which the recipient tells the original Then something unexpected happened. gotten a reply from her school, besides sender about where they live. Burklie had written to a school in Arizona, Burklie. The rest of the class is still waiting.  The English Jr. class decided to get in on and she got replies. Ninety of them, to be the act of this letter-writing relay. Daisy precise. It took three days to read them all. wrote the reply to the original school in This was clearly too much for Burklie to reply

“How the Mayor stole Christmas” - Banquet Play — By Carlos Saucedo As many people may know, EskDale elected out of office. When another town in character in order to High School puts a on a Christmas Banquet resident finally challenges him in an election, make this every year. A lot of people from around the the townspeople vote him in as their new performance as area come and enjoy the students’ mayor. Then the new mayor cancels all the perfect as it can be. performances in the choir, orchestra, and official holidays that the former mayor We all had a lot of fun and a lot drama class productions. This year’s banquet declared, including Christmas! An of laughs while putting this together despite is going to be a good one. entertaining time follows. many mishaps and hilarious backstage goofs The play takes place in the 1800s in Over many weeks, the students in drama and crafting disasters. England. It's about how the mayor of the class have put intense work acting, We hope you enjoy it!  town keeps making holidays and never gets memorizing lines, and practicing how to stay

The Soldier’s Sword Page 3 Featured Teacher—Lois Faber — By Melanie Heckethorn helping with Orchestra and teaching private Christmas song? lessons. A: I’ve always liked “Ring Christmas Bells” Q: Why did you become a teacher? because it always works in Choir or Orchestra. A: I became a teacher because I love kids and I It’s always fun. My least favorite Christmas love music, and I wanted to merge the two. song is Jingle Bell Rock. I hate that song. Q: When did you start playing the violin? Q: What is your favorite/ least favorite thing about teaching? A: I started when I was eight at Crest View Elementary School in Salt Lake City. My A: My favorite thing is helping students find teacher was Mr. Jacobson. their individual talents and encouraging them to develop them. I consider myself the Q: When did you become the choir and Encouraging Fairy. My least favorite thing is orchestra teacher? the politics. I just want to teach my students A: I became Choir teacher in 1990, and I took and help them learn. over Orchestra in 2001 after it became a public Q: Do you plan on retiring soon? Lois Faber teaches a myriad of subjects school. I had previously helped with Orchestra A: That’s like asking me if I plan on dying here at EskDale High School. She is the and had a beginning strings group, but I didn’t soon. I plan on retiring when I am no longer Driver’s Ed, Drama, Choir, Orchestra, Guitar, fully take it over until it was a public school. effective while teaching. and Junior Strings teacher. She even teaches Q: What was your major in college? beginning strings over at Baker Elementary Q: Is there anything you would like to say A: Music Education. School. to your students? Q: How do feel now that this is the 24th In past years she has also taught AP A: Dream big and work hard. You can do Christmas Banquet? music theory, English, Math, and a whatever you set your mind to. multitude of other subjects. Lois is an A: I never dreamed that it would be this big of In closing, the students of EskDale High invaluable pillar in our community and a tradition, and I can’t believe how much it has School would like to thank Lois for all her brings music and joy everywhere she goes. improved over the years. efforts she puts in for us—from making Recently an interview was conducted Q: Why did you start the Christmas licorice for endless hours into the night to with Lois: Banquet? sell for the banquet, to helping us all find our Q: How long have you been teaching? A: It was to fund our choir trip. We had no talents in music, which can be buried quite A: I started teaching in 1976. I helped with idea how we would fund $300 per person. My deep inside. We thank you from the bottom Orchestra, gave private lessons, taught brother Dean, and I came up with the idea of of our hearts. To quote Dumbledore from the English, and some math. Then in ‘84 I took the Banquet. beloved Harry Potter, over the Montessori, and then again was “Music, a magic above all we do here.”  Q: What is your favorite/least favorite

Holiday Cards for the troops — By Yudnely Avelar This year, our school participated in All of the kids were them with the school’s cards, Congressman Chris Stewart’s “Holiday Card happy to make cards and she said yes. The kids had to Drive.” Together, we made a lot of Christmas and show their support give all their cards to Sharon cards, which will be combined with others for the troops. Some of before Thanksgiving break so from around the state and sent to Utah’s the kids made trees and she could mail them to the National Guardsmen who are deployed in the others made reindeer Congressman’s office in time. Middle East. and elves on their cards. EskDale students were It was sad to hear that the troops that we They were so adorable proud to do anything that might mailed the cards to can’t go home for that you would love to brighten the troops’ Holidays Christmas. They can’t see their families for see them for Christmas. overseas, and we are all so proud Christmas, but they are working and fighting Some kids even asked of the brave, hardworking men hard for us and for their families in the their teacher Sharon Conrad if their family of the military who fight and defend our Middle East. We are grateful. members could make cards at home and send great country. 

Page 4 Quarter 2 Edition Thanksgiving Break — By Daisy Torres This year’s Thanksgiving break (22-26 of Dilzia - “I went to Sandra’s, we ate, and I As you can see, these people have many November 2017) everyone did something to spent the night. I was sick, and I puked. Then different traditions and ways to celebrate this celebrate this Thanksgiving holiday. Many I ate food, thinking I was better, but I puked Thanksgiving. From eating out with family, students traveled with family, some just it out, too.” doing nothing, and traveling away from gathered together in their homes and ate Melanie-“I rode my horse, went to Delta home to visit other friends and family, it is dinner, and others just stayed home and for Thanksgiving dinner with my fam, and always good to get away from school for a rested while being thankful for everything then I worked.” time and just be thankful for your family and that is around them. Fatima- “I got an awful henna, and I went everything else that surrounds you. Many people have different traditions and to work.” There are a lot more traditions and different events for Thanksgiving. Here are some Mollie- “I don’t know, not much, I made ways to celebrate the holidays, but now you samples of what the EHS students did for a .” Fatima interjected here to have some idea of what our their vacation from school and how they clarify for the record that Mollie had made a students from our school do celebrated the holiday. pumpkin cheesecake. for theirs.  Andrea - “Nothing, I just stayed home. It Sam- “I went to Seattle and we stayed was nothing special.” with a friend of my parents from Morocco.”

Thankful List — By Dallas Hayward This year for Thanksgiving, we asked the Boo (Jami), where I go to school, my car Kayli: I’m thankful for my Lebrons students and faculty of EskDale High what which I have named Vicky, and Sharon. (shoes) they were thankful for. The following are Jorge: I’m thankful for Trump and for Kara: I’m thankful for everything, I don’t some of their answers: pens. know, cows?

Sam: I’m thankful for , Sharon: I’m thankful for my students Fatima: I’m thankful for friends, Andrea, family, and blacksmithing videos. (said with a wink). and cheese. I’m very thankful for cheese! I love cheese. Ambre: I’m thankful for sleep, money, Jami: I’m thankful for the military, my peace and quiet, and NOT Daisy most of the dog, food, family, and I’m very, very thankful Andrea: I’m thankful for everything but time. for my neighbor, Dallas Hayward, because he Fatima. helps me with my physics and math when I Melanie: I’m thankful for my horse, Teresa: I’m thankful for family, friends, be “losted.” music, family, my nephew McCoy and niece hot coffee, and my students.  Kaisley, ramen noodles, my job (even though Jenna: I’m thankful for my family, my I complain about it), my ukulele, friends, my cat, my dog, food, and friends.

Everybody Has a Story—a profile on Ben Conrad — By Jenna Conrad (SVCH) Shiloah Valley Christian School Ben has made many accomplishments in which is what became our current EskDale his life, but his most important one is his High School. family of loving kids, with Jenna (the author He then went to college at Azusa, a of this article) being his favorite, and college in California, Southern Utah definitely the most important child. University (SUU), which is located in Cedar Q: Ben, is Jenna really your favorite? City, Utah, and last, but not least Utah State A: Yes, Jenna is my favorite baby goat! University (USU), located in Logan, Utah. In Ben enjoys hobbies such as riding his total, Ben went to college for roughly six bike in the valley, fixing bikes, playing Ben and his herd years. He graduated in 2000 with a major in basketball, and playing with his favorite son Dairy Herds Management, and a minor Kunz (A.K.A. the family dog). Another one of Ben Conrad was born on September 10, in Physical Education and Exercise Science. Ben’s friends is the family cat MoMo, whom 1975. He has lived in Snake Valley his entire Ben Currently works at the EskDale Dairy he so dearly loves. Ben is currently living a life. Interestingly enough, Ben went to fulfilling his dairy management career. very nice life in Snake Valley. 

The Soldier’s Sword Page 5 Local — By Megan Baker In our small valley, everyone celebrates people can celebrate Christmas and the Jami: We always go to brunch and then Christmas in their own ways with traditions holiday season, here are a few family open presents when we get home. Sometimes and customs unique to each family. While traditions of classmates. we’ll decorate a random plant in the house each family has their own individual instead of a tree and then play games Dilzia: We spend time with a lot of traditions, there are many annual events together all Christmas afternoon. family and then on we stay up where the valley comes together to celebrate. Jorge: We do everything on Christmas until midnight and then open presents. We EskDale High School hosts the Banquet, and Eve that you normally do on Christmas, eat a lot of . Baker and Garrison Schools hold their annual because my mom says that Christmas is for Danielle: We always watch While You Christmas program with musical numbers sleeping. Were Sleeping sometime around Christmas, and plays. The Border hosts a and we also open all of our presents on Though Christmas is the most widely- house decorating party and also a Christmas Christmas Eve, so that we can sleep in before known holiday in this season, many people Party on Christmas Eve. There is a Nativity brunch the next day. celebrate Hanukkah or other holidays Play at EskDale every Christmas Eve that is Carson: We try to go sledding on instead. Though there are many different followed by a Candlelight Service and Christmas if there’s snow outside and then ways to celebrate the holiday, spending time refreshments. These annual events bring we have a big . with family is the most common factor. So valley residents together during the holiday Yudnely: We make a huge feast for spend time with your family and enjoy your season. breakfast, open presents around noon, and holiday season!  With all of the different ways that then it’s just a normal day.

Christmas Around the World — By Mollie Eldridge All around the world Christmas and its cheese or . money. It is also where children began to many variations are celebrated differently. Germany—As part of their winter hang stockings by their bedpost or a Some may sound familiar as many of the solstice celebrations, many German families fireplace. traditions we celebrate today came from would decorate evergreen trees. They were Australia—Christmas comes in the these different places. Still others can be only named “Christmas trees” after the middle of the summer in Australia. completely different than what we know. Christian holiday in the beginning of the Considering the season, beach time or Sweden—St. Lucida Day is a holiday seventeenth century. outdoor barbeques are not uncommon for celebrated in most Scandinavian countries, Mexico— flowers have Christmas day celebrations. though it began in Sweden. It is considered become a very prominent symbols for Ukraine—Traditionally Ukrainian as the beginning of the Christmas season and Christmas. This was after Joel R. Poinsett, the families prepare a twelve course meal for can be called “little .” The main theme of American minister to Mexico in 1828, Christmas. The youngest child of the family the holiday is light. This is because its name brought the plant to America from watches out a window for the first evening was derived from the Latin word for light, Mexico. Not long after stores began selling star, which means the feast can begin. lux, them at Christmas. It is traditional for paper Greece—In Greece gifts aren’t and Lucida was the patron saint for the blind. mache sculptures, pinatas, to be filled with exchanged until January first It is traditional for the oldest daughter in candy so that children can take turns trying which is St. Basil’s day. There are each family to rise early to wake her family to break it open. When the pinatas break also people who believe in the members. For the day she is called “Lussi” or they race to pick up as much candy kallikantzeri, which are goblins that “Lussibruden.” as they can. cause mischief during the twelve Norway—Most people have at least England—Plum pudding days of Christmas. heard of a , which originates from is a popular English dish Central America—The primary Norway. It was used by ancient Norse in their that dates back to the decoration in most of Central America is the celebration of the return of the sun during Middle Ages and is eaten manger scene. In 1224 the first living nativity the winter solstice. Norse Yule logs are the primarily at Christmas time. The tradition of scene was made by St. Francis of Assisi to reason the family fireplace has become such a caroling also began in England where help explain the birth of and his central Christmas image. It is also responsible musicians would travel from town to town followers.  for the popularity of log shaped foods such as and perform in return for a hot meal or

Page 6 Quarter 2 Edition Singing at the Care Center — By Jorge Saucedo On December 20th, the EskDale High positive remarks about the event. Daisy said, that we have been rehearsing for the School choir will be heading into Delta to “I think it’s cool; I think we’re inspiring and Christmas Banquet. There will also be a duet sing for the residents of the Millard Care and are going to change the world someday.” from Jami Wright and Fatima Villarreal Rehabilitation center. This will be the first Dilzia said, “It warms my heart because we and a solo by Dilzia Villarreal. The orchestra time in many years though hopefully not the are giving back. It may seem like such a small will also be performing a song done last that we do this sort of performance. gesture but, for the senior citizens, it will completely on bell bars. Everybody is excited to sing for the make them smile.” This should be a great experience for senior citizens, and several students shared We will be performing many of the songs everybody involved, and we are all excited!  Christmas “Fire” bells— a Christmas memory — By Danielle Hayward A few years ago my family and I went to During the middle of the concert, some was panicking a lot! There was no actual fire: one of my brother’s choral concerts at the blue lights started going off. My brother, the fire alarms were broken, so the firemen University of Utah. Before we left to go to Dallas and I thought they were part of the came to fix them while the concert went on. the concert, my brother John Paul told us concert, until accompanying the blue lights The fire alarms went off yet again, but this that the building’s fire alarms were having was the overhead announcement, “The time we did not evacuate. Instead, the trouble. After he told us that, my natural building is on fire! Please evacuate the conductor of the concert said, “I guess it reaction was to panic, but my family was as building!” didn’t like our music!” Everybody laughed at calm as ever! My panic instantly returned and I started that, and it also lightened the mood. Finally We got to the concert hall a few minutes freaking out! Everybody in the concert hall the concert ended, and we all went home.  before the concert was going to start, calmly went out of the building… well, and by then I was beginning to calm down. everybody except me. I went out too, but I Letter to Santa — By Dilzia Villarreal Dear Santa, heavy sleigh? Do you did you take it so late, old man? I have one extremely important question. I take more than one trip? It took you that long to figure know for a fact that you’ve been in this whole Are there various Santas out this youth potion your entire gift-giving business for years—to be exact, you and reindeer? *GASP* Also village lives on apparently... ? If began in 280 A.D. When are you planning to what’s up with Rudolph? Why you made the potion, does that mean that retire? And when you do, who’s taking over? does his nose light up, and what you’re an alchemist? Nicholas the Alchemist has Alright I have some smaller questions that happens when he and all the other 7 a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? My lordie! I almost need answers, too. When do you start the whole reindeer stop listening? I did a bit of forgot: how do you defy the laws of gravity? gift assembly? There are so many children research and I’ve learned that reindeer Enough of this “magic”— I want answers! around the world, so it must take a very huge have a lifespan of, at most, 15 years! Do you Sincerely, team of elves or you would never stop making replace the reindeer every 15 years or is there A Very Curious Child gifts. Is it a year round job that never stops...? some potion of youth similar to Rapunzel's hair A.K.A. Dilzia Villarreal  Also, how do all eight reindeer lift that you have to give them? And if that exists, why New Year’s Resolutions — By Carson Wright People make New Year’s resolutions to try gods to pay their debts and return any objects In today's world, resolutions are mostly to improve their lives in some aspect in the they had borrowed. These promises could be focused on self improvement. About 45 percent next year. Some resolutions consist of people considered the forerunners of our New Year’s of Americans make resolutions but only about trying to make better health habits such as to resolutions. 8 percent actually keep them. At EskDale High, quit smoking or to stop drinking soda. The A similar celebration happened in Rome only a few people even care to make them, and ancient Babylonians were the first recorded when the emperor Julius Caesar modified the some just gave a reason why they didn't want to people to celebrate the new year and make calendar and named January 1st the beginning make a resolution. resolutions some 4000 years ago. During a of the new year. The first day of the new year My New Year's resolution: to stay the same. massive 12-day religious festival became the traditional occasion for thinking Jorge: ”I don't make any; they disappoint me.” known as Akitu, the Babylonians crowned a about one’s past mistakes and resolving to do Dilzia: “to finish all my classes.” new king or reaffirmed their loyalty to the and be better in the future in most early Dallas: “to stop making New Year's resolutions. reigning king. They also made promises to the Christian religions. Ambre: “to get more sleep.” 

The Soldier’s Sword Page 7 Calendar of Upcoming events Winter  December 19, 2017—Garrison and Baker Elementary Christmas Programs, Baker By Melanie Heckethorn Hall, 7:30 MST / 6:30 PST. Winter, oh winter, you are so cold,  December 20, 2017—EskDale High School choir performs at Millard Care and With frosty white snow, Rehabilitation Center, Delta, 10:00 AM. And winds that are bold  December 21, 2017—January 3, 2018—Winter Break!  January 4, 2018—School reconvenes after Winter Break However this year, you are quite mistaken,  January 12, 2018—End of 2nd Quarter For it’s been 70 degrees,  January 15, 2018—No School! Martin Luther King, Jr. Day! And there’s no precipitation  January 23, 2018—Girls’ Basketball away game @ Wendover You see now winter, it is December,  January 25, 2018—Girls’ Basketball away game @ Tintic It’s time for Santa and Jesus,  January 30, 2018—Girl’s Basketball home game vs. West Ridge Don’t you remember?  February 1, 2018—Girl’s Basketball home game vs. Milford  February 8, 2018—Girl’s Basketball home game vs. Wendover So now Winter, if you would please,  February 13, 2018—Girl’s Basketball home game vs. Tintic Get your act together, I want Christmas, you tease!  February 15, 2018—Girls’ Basketball away game @ West Ridge  February 19, 2018—No School! Presidents’ Day!  February 22, 2018—Girls’ Basketball away game @ Milford  March 2018—EHS presents the musical Thoroughly Modern Millie! What’s Christmas to you? By Dilzia Villarreal

Is it the snow, the , or perhaps the cocoa? Maybe the elves or the reindeer that travel through snow. Ooo, maybe the lights that twinkle all around town. No, it’s just fat, old santa coming downtown. Downtown? What about uptown? Timmy said with a frown. Alright, alright uptown as well, Snowflake Craft tutorial Here comes Mr. Santa ringing his bells By Burklie Wright But it’s not about Santa, but more about presents. Coffee filter snowflakes are fun, and it’s nearly impossible Actually no, it’s about family and friends, including the peasants. to make the exact same one twice. They are easy and cute, and for this reason, they have nearly taken over Sharon’s classroom! It is really easy to get carried away and make a ton of them. You don’t have to follow Steps 3-5 if you don’t have water color or just don’t want to use it. They’ll be cool either way. Have fun! Christmas Time Materials Needed: By Danielle Hayward • Coffee filters The candles burn brightly as • Scissors The snow falls lightly. • Water color paint (optional) You go out of the house all • Paper towels Warm and cozy, waving as Step 1- Fold a coffee filter in ½, then in ¼, then in ⅛. Singers pass by. Step 2- Cut out any designs you want. You go by the town square Step 3- Keep Snowflake folded and dip it in water color Breathing icicles in the air. paint. Singing a Christmas lullaby. Step 4- Lay on paper towel (still folded), cover it with the rest of the paper towel, and smush all the wet paint out of it. Step 5- Unfold it, and if you used paint, lay it out to dry. Then, hang it up and enjoy!

Page 8 Quarter 2 Edition