THE UTE SALUTE Volume 1, Issue 2 January 2018

California Disaster Inside this issue: by: Natalie Erickson

#meToo Movement 2

The coast of Cali- include all the businesses mudslide, the people living Lavar Ball 2 fornia is reeling from dev- that were affected too. in are losing astating mudslides that Thousands of people have food quickly. A lack of GRS Boys 3 took the lives of twenty- nowhere to go or live and vegetation is beginning to one people earlier this are staying at shelters become a problem for Science Olympiad Heats Up 3 month. After battling wild- across the area. people to stay healthy fires in the area for much As they try to dig since the floodwaters have WONDER Movie 4 of November and Decem- out from this mess, now ruined fields and other VIPS Re-opens! 5 ber, the mudslides came residents are dealing with garden areas. in early on Tuesday, Janu- a new problem. Due to all ary 9th, hitting parts of the damage from the Tide Pod Challenge 6 southern California with tremendous force. Fire- fighters and rescue work- ers found many people Important Dates to Remember: trapped under the mud and have had a difficult  GRS Volleyball @ IW 1/25/18 time reaching others due  GRS Dance 1/26/18 6pm-8pm to the blocked off roads and washed away areas.  GRS Boys Basketball Region- als 1/27/18—2/1/18

65 homes have  President’s Day NO been destroyed and anoth- SCHOOL—2/19/18 er 462 homes have been damaged and that doesn’t A Montceito, CA home is almost covered by massive boulders and debris. Image courtesy of http:// www.cnn.com

There will soon be dogs. According to CNN, very important wedding bells Meghan was so excited that ringing in England, because she wouldn’t even let Harry Prince Harry recently got finish the proposal before engaged. Harry popped the answering him. The pair has UTE SALUTE Staff question to girlfriend, Amer- planned to be married in St. Editors: Raegann Kochel, Caitlin Cor- ican actress Meghan Markle, George’s Chapel on May zine, and Rachel Brammer on November 27th, in their 19th, 2018. Prince Harry is Photographer: Haven Barrett home at Kensington Palace. the son of the future King of Sports Editor: Jobey Grant The couple has been dating England, Prince Charles and Sponsor: Mrs. Curry for a little over two years and the late Princess Diana of have many mutual interests, Wales. Picture courtesy of vanityfair.com such as different types of charity work and a love for #meToo Movement by: Natalie Petersen, Kylee Shoemaker, and Elizabeth Wittenborn

Though the men that sexually harassed Lauer, who was recently fired #meToo movement start- them. In quick succession, from his position as a host on ed decades ago, it wasn’t many men of power in Holly- the TODAY SHOW for alleged- until this year that women wood and other industries, ly having various extramarital really began using it to such as Kevin Spacey, Ben Af- affairs with staff members and accuse others of sexual fleck, various ESPN employees, sexually harassing coworkers. harassment and miscon- former NFL Do- Many of these men duct. When Hollywood novan McNabb, and others are now facing criminal charg- Hollywood actress Alyssa Milano walks the red carpet. (photo courtesy of billboard.com) actress Alyssa Milano were being accused of sexual es thanks to the #meToo used with the harassment. movement that allows women hashtag #meToo to call Two of the more nota- to feel like they can openly out any women who have ble big names to be accused are share whether they have or are faced sexual harassment, Hollywood director Harvey being sexually harassed with- the #meToo movement Weinstein, who has been ac- out fear. immediately became cused by more than 28 actress- something many women es of rape, sexual assault, and used to stand up to the sexual harassment, and Matt

NYC Terrorist Attack by: Taylor Stillman In New York City, on De- rectly, only causing minor wounds to cember 11th, 2017, there was a sus- Ullah. pected terrorist attack at a bus terminal, This is the third attack in New and a man by the name of Akayed Ul- York City since September 2016. This lah stands accused of the crime. attack appears to be a “lone-wolf” ter- one apart of the terrorist attack. After Akayed Ullah chose this area because rorist, which means he was the only this attack, attacked the of its Christmas themed posters, so as current immigration system that allows to gain more power for the Islamic “Today’s attempted mass murder attack in New York for extended family members, and not just spouses or minor children, to re- State. Akayed Ullah carried a hand- City — the second terror attack in New York in the last made bomb strapped to his abdomen, ceive green cards, saying these types two months — once again highlights the urgent need threatening to blow not only the terminal of incidences are what can occur if we up, but himself as well. He was arrested for Congress to enact legislative reforms to protect the do not protect our country’s borders. after the bomb failed to detonate cor- American people.” - President Donald Trump

Lavar Ball is Balling Up Controversy by: Caden Curtis

If you are a fan of the NBA, then exclusively promote his sons’ ability. Just recently, the you probably know about Lavar Ball. Lakers formed a rule that the media is call- Lavar is the dad of a rookie super star, In late 2017, his son LiAngelo Ball ing “The Lavar Ball Rule”. The rule “bans , who plays for the . Ever since Lonzo entered the store during a UCLA basketball team trip to league, his dad has always had something China. Ball was disciplined by the school to say. and indefinitely removed from the basket- games”. ways talking to people about how much ball team. As a result, Lavar Ball has taken the careers of the three Ball brothers play LiAngelo and his younger son, LaMelo,and out. has signed them to a Lithuanian basketball ball shoe company, BIG BALLER BRAND, to team.

Page 2 Volume 1, Issue 2 GRS Girls Basketball Enjoys Stellar Season By: Raegann Kochel

The Glenn Raymond SA 8A State Tournament in Ger- girls basketball team once again mantown Hills. At the state tour- had a very successful season. nament, the Lady Utes fought Our 7th graders had a great sea- hard and only lost to Teutopolis son and competed well in the by 7 points by a score of 20-27. Twin County Conference, even- The Lady Utes were tually losing in regional play. coached this season by Josh Our 8th grade team also enjoyed Rushbrook and Barry Bauer. a stellar season, finishing with a With the 8th graders moving on record of 22 wins and 2 losses. to high school, we hope to see Despite starting off the season more successful seasons in the with a loss, the Lady Utes fin- future of Lady Utes basketball! ished strong, losing only one oth- The 8th grade Lady Utes finished the season with a 22-2 er game and advancing to the IE- record, falling to Teutopolis in the IESA State Tournament.

GRS Boys Basketball by: Janelle Arenibar DID YOU KNOW? The very first game of official “basketball” was played in Springfield, Massachusetts on Dec. 21, 1891 at a YMCA in boys’ teams have faced some tough Springfield. Twin County Conference opponents, but the 8th grade took third place in The boys basketball season the conference tournament and won at GRS is winding down and the first place in the county tournament. boys have enjoyed a good season. The 7th grade lost in the first round The 7th and 8th grade GRS teams of regionals at Iroquois West and the have been working hard and in prac- 8th grade team will host this year’s tices and have improved in their regional. Good luck to our 8th grade games. Coached by John boys as they enter regionals! Hutchinson and Eric Starkey, the

GRS Science Olympiad Begins by: Caitlin Corzine

Science Olympiad is a compe- sity squad. The JV squad takes about tition in which students from different 20 students, while the Varsity team schools in our region compete at sci- consists of about 15 members. Last ence related events such as rocks and year, the GRS team came in 7th at minerals, crime busters, meteorology, state. This year’s Regional competition ecology, and anatomy. Coached by Mr. is set for Saturday, February 17th at Simpson, Mrs. O’Brien, and Mr. Har- Parkland College in Champaign, Illi- vey, over 70 students in our school are nois and if the team qualifies, will head currently trying out this year, trying to back to state at the University of Illi- gain their spot on either the JV or Var- nois. Good luck to all the participants!

The UTE SALUTE Page 3 GRS Speech Team Wrap-Up by: Lydia Schroeder

The GRS Speech team com- grade is welcome to try out and partici- pleted a successful season, participat- pate. They begin preparing their ing in the County competition in Cissna speeches in early September, working Park in October and then traveling to on memorization, facial expression, the IESA Speech Contest in Clifton in physical comedy, and other techniques. November. More than 70 Glenn Ray- Each entry is then judged and given a mond students participated in mono- rating. This year’s judges had helpful logues, improvisations, duets, and comments and suggestions for all of small group acting. our participants. Coached by Mrs. Mueller, Mrs. Congratulations to all of our Simpson, Mrs. Curry, and Miss John- GRS Speech Team contestants! son, any GRS student in 5th—8th GREAT JOB! GRS 5th and 6th grade Movie Day! By: Ayden Anderson

This year on December 13, whole life. When he is ready for middle 2017, GRS 5th and 6th graders who were school, he decides to go to regular school on UTE STATUS were treated to seeing and the movie explains how he gets picked the fantastic book and movie, on a lot, and the challenges he faces. But, “WONDER” on the big screen. Mr. for every bad kid who is mean to him, there Welch set up a great movie morning at is a good kid and some kind people who the Paramount Theatre in Kankakee so befriend him. The story of Augie Pullman we could see “WONDER.” If you have- teaches a great lesson about bullying and n’t read this book or seen the movie, it’s how important it is to nice to everyone. Just basically about the main character, Au- “WONDER” stars Owen Wilson and Julia Roberts and has like the theme of the movie, “Choose Kind.” grossed more than $150 million since its release on Novem- gie, who was born with facial deformi- ber 17, 2017. (picture courtesy of movie insider.com) ties and has been homeschooled his

EDITORIAL: Too Cold for Recess by: Natalie Erickson During the winter, the weather Due to our 5th graders having PE our school are so hot. This makes it ex- outside can be very brutal in Illinois. Often, in the gym, we have to go outside after lunch tremely bad for the teachers because they we will get snowy weather and temperatures for recess, which is very cold! Some kids have to hear whining. Teachers are now will fall to below twenty degrees. These low don’t bring coats, jackets, or hoodies to go letting kids stay inside for recess sometimes, temperatures shouldn’t really affect us during outside after lunch and so, they are freezing but what we really need is an inside space to the school day when we’re inside, but it cold for at least ten minutes each day. To play every day to not be cold and burn some does, because there are days when we have make matters worse, some kids wear short energy. to go outside for lunch recess! sleeves because some of the classrooms at

Page 4 Volume 1, Issue 2 Watseka Christmas Parade by: Almendra DeLeon The annual Watseka whole town enjoyed the parade Christmas Parade was held this DID YOU KNOW? Many Americans decorate their homes with outside lights year on November 24, 2017 and year. was outstanding. Former for the holiday season, but no one surpasses a family in LaGrangeville, New Watseka mayor Bob Harwood York, who put out a Guinness Book of was the Grand Marshal. World Record 621,000 Christmas lights The weather was not on their house each year! very favorable, but in my opin- some. My favorite float was the rade got all of the people's show choir from WCHS. All of the lights and the colorful pa- down on Walnut Street. The

A Watseka Classic Returns by: Travis Milligan

A little over a year ago, a 1987, when he opened the restau- and more food variety. We hope Watseka classic restaurant, VIPS, rant here in Watseka, offering VIPS is a successful addition to abruptly closed. After sitting American comfort food. They the food scene here in Iroquois empty for many months, new have done some redecorating in- County. owners Louie and Chris side the restaurant and have put Kantzioris, have reopened VIPS together a menu of all of and are looking to offer great Watseka’s favorite foods. They're food to our community. reopening because they found a Louie Kantzioris is the good opportunity and Watseka one who created VIPS back in needs more sit-down restaurants

HAM RADIO FUN by: Baylee Huggins

Mr. Simpson, our sci- radio where you can contact address is W9KVR. Students ence teacher at Glenn Raymond schools and other people with love making contacts with Middle School, is also a leader frequency signals. It’s also kind schools all over the United of the Glenn Raymond Science of like a competition because States. Currently, there are Club. As part of Science Club, you see how many places and more than 717,000 ham radio Mr. Simpson also does the am- schools you can contact. There operators in America! ateur radio at the Ham Radio are radio handles or addresses School Club Round-Up. for each ham radio unit and An amateur radio is a Glenn Raymond Middle School’s

The UTE SALUTE Page 5 2017 Holiday Fads and Crazes by: Moriah Pueschell

in different colors too. In 2017, there have been so many phone up and it will turn on, instead of using Another hot fad was the adorable crazes and fads, it’s been hard to keep up. the home button. One more thing that is squishy toys. These cute little toys come in From fidget toys to insane makeup to new new is the camera is a drop down camera. It all sizes you can imagine. These toys are IPhones, the year 2017 was definitely one to takes much better pictures. The volume hand held and are super squishy. All you do remember. Here are five different items that buttons and off buttons are a little bit bigger. with these toys is SQUISH! These simple we think were the most impactful crazes of The next thing on our list is fidget toys are really fun and cool. You could use the year. toys. You probably know that there are fidg- them for stress relief or if you just want to Most of you reading this are aware et spinners and cubes. If you don't know squish something. Lastly, an old toy has that the new IPhone X is out. But do you what fidget spinners are, they are little hand gained new popularity— Lego sets are back know all of the new features? The most held circles put together by bearings. You in style. There are so many different kinds, talked about option on the IPhone X seems hold it in one hand and with the other you such as starters, flexible tracks and more. to be the no home button portion. I think turn the circle poking out. Fidget cubes are a There are even landscaping designs and Lego that this is really cool. It’s one more thing cube with little buttons, switches, and balls mats. you don’t have to pay for when it breaks. to move. Next on our list is slime. Slime is I hope that you liked our list of the There is still a passcode that you could set kind of like silly putty. There are tons of top 5 toys of 2017. Who knows what the up, but the faster way is to face scan to get different types of slime. Kids love to make craziest fads will be in 2018? into the phone. Also you can just tilt the different types of slimes and it can be made

NFL Playoffs By: Jobey Grant and Shannon Woods It seems as if the NFL season just now find themselves as the NFC champions kicked off, but now we are into the playoffs! after beating the Vikings 38-7. That loss was The playoff pairings have been very interest- particularly hard to swallow for the Vikings, as ing so far and four teams remained to battle Minnesota is hosting Super Bowl LII. The Jagu- it out for the AFC and NFC titles—the New ars and Patriots met in the AFC championship England Patriots, the Minnesota Vikings, the game, where Tom Brady and the Patriots were Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Philadelphia the clear favorite. Jacksonville took an early Eagles. lead, but Brady and the Patriots were too much There are many stories floating to stop in the second half, as they won 24-20. around the sports universe, but Philadelphia Now, the Patriots will meet the Eagles on Feb. 4 is the real eye-catcher. Having a phenome- in the Super Bowl. Whether a wild card team nal year, their star quarterback Carson wins or a clear cut favorite, Super Bowl LII in Super Bowl commercials are always one of the Wentz tore an ACL in the regular season, Minneapolis is going to be one to remember! highlights of the game. 30 second commercial but the Eagles have continued to battle and slots will cost companies almost $5 million!

TIDE POD CHALLENGE by: Natalee Bruens

So it started with the ice bucket and even the potential of having seizures. same year, nearly 220 teens were reportedly challenge, then to the bath salt challenge, and Laundry detergent pods are made to clean exposed, and about 25 percent of those cases now there is the Tide pod challenge. The chal- clothes. They should not be played with, what- were intentional. So far in 2018, there have been lenge involves kids biting into brightly colored ever the circumstances, even if meant as a 37 reported cases among teenagers; half of them liquid laundry detergent packets, or cooking joke. Like all household cleaning products, intentionally ate them. Children who have been them in frying pans, then chewing them up they must be used properly and stored safely. exposed to the capsules have been hospitalized before vomiting or spitting out the soap. The It is not certain how the Tide pod laundry detergent packets are dangerous challenge got started. But what is surprising is consciousness and the consequences may be because children and teens can aspirate on the the number of older children and teenagers much worse. YouTube said it would “work to liquid by inhaling it into their lungs, or they who are putting the packets in their mouths. can become ill by ingesting it. Some of the side Last year, U.S. poison control centers received policies” as some teenagers have posted videos effects include experiencing a change in blood reports of more than 10,500 children younger of themselves doing this “challenge.” pressure or heart rate, losing consciousness, than 5 who were exposed to the capsules. The Page 6 Volume 1, Issue 2 2018 Unit Nine Schools “State of the District”

long-term goals. On Friday, March 16th, Members of the Unit #9 2018, Iroquois County Community community are encouraged to at- Unit School District #9 will be host- tend and see what new and exciting ing a “State of the District” night at things are happening in our Watseka Community High School. schools, as well as learn about the This night will showcase various future plans of our district. Notices programs, classes, and activities and reminders will be placed in the that are available within Unit #9 Times-Republic newspaper, as well Schools, as well as give the commu- as the district’s webpage and other nity an update on building condi- social media outlets. Mark your tions, curriculum planning, technol- calendars now! ogy integration, and the district’s

GRS Newspaper Thank You As we mentioned in our That need was fulfilled in No- first edition, the GRS newspaper vember, thanks to the Unit Nine Aca- made a transition this year from demic Foundation, who graciously pur- being completed by the 8th grade chased a Canon Power Shot ELPH 360 Communications class to being an camera for our students to use to take extracurricular activity for any 6th, high-resolution photographs to ac- 7th, or 8th grade GRS student. company our articles. Many of the Many GRS students have jumped at photographs you see in this month’s the chance to investigate news top- edition are courtesy of our new cam- ics and write meaningful articles to era. The Ute Salute wishes to thank the submit to our quarterly newspaper Unit Nine Academic Foundation for editions. The only thing missing their generosity and continued support was a camera that was dedicated to of our students. THANK YOU! the newspaper department.

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