Junior Players' "Beauty and the Beast"

By Brooke Burgess

Have you ever heard of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast?" Maybe you have even noticed that West is putting on a “Beauty and the Beast” of their own. That's right, the Junior Players are putting on a production called "Beauty and the Beast Jr." You can attend on March 3 and 4 at 7pm. and March 5 at 2 and 4 pm.  The actors, actresses, directors, and backstage crew spent (and are spending) much time, effort, and money to make this play the best it can possibly be. This play provides students with the ability to express who they are through participating in the production. There is much talent being displayed through "Beauty and the Beast Jr." that you can go see on March 3-5 at West Middle School.  

Artsy Smartsy

By Cami Palmer and Ella Kemp

                Mrs. Mellenbruch started the Art Club because she saw a need for the school to be “dressed up spiritually.” She believes the Art Club members come because they want to make a positive change in the school’s appearance. The Art Club’s current project is called the “Diversitree” in the Warhawk Café, and all students will help create it by having their thumbprint put on the tree. It will be in the southeast corner of the cafeteria, by the water fountain. The Art Club members put in a lot of effort and work to make the school more artsy. The Art Club works to be inspiring and creative for everyone who sees potential in a blank wall. 

What It Takes To Organize A Dance

By Audrey Hoey-Kummerow

          

As most West students know, there was a dance at West Middle School on February 12 from 6-8 pm. However Student Council was there at 5:00 pm to organize the dance. Student Council is a group of leaders that help organize things such as dances, talent shows, and charities. Organizing a dance can be tricky because things can get stressful if something doesn’t get done. Some things that need to be set up are the photo booth, balloons, lights, disco balls, karaoke, air hockey, and much more. If this doesn’t get done in time people won’t be let into the school until it is done. In other words the pressure is on!

Another thing Student Council decides is the theme.  For example, the last dance was a glow dance. Students were encouraged to wear white or neon colors to stand out in the black light.

Organizing a dance is a group effort. That’s why Student Council had the help of Ms. Holaves, chaperones, and Free State students. Ms. Holaves is a sixth grade teacher who runs Student Council. She played a big part in organizing the dance because she directed students and chaperones.

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

By Brooke Burgess and Lucia Nelson

Stumped on what you should get your friends for the upcoming holiday, Valentine's Day? Don't worry, because I have some creative ideas for you. Ready for some inspiration?

First, mailboxes! Just get a mini desktop mailbox and fill it with all kinds of valentines and sweet treats. You can decorate and personalize the mailbox and they are very cheap.

You might also want to try making booklets. First, take a stack of notecards, a hole-puncher, ribbon, and a pen. Make holes in the notecards using the hole-puncher. Make sure the holes are lined up with each other between the cards. On each card, write a personalized note (example: reasons why you love/like them). Now, weave the ribbon inside the holes of the cards, tying the cards together. For a finishing touch, decorate each page of the booklet.

Make Valentine’s Day smoothies!  Here’s a recipe:

Ingredients:

o   one and a half cups milk

o   one ripe banana

o   half cup pomegranate

o   one cup frozen berries

Preparation:

o   add the milk, frozen fruit, and banana to your blender

o   blend until the smoothie reaches your desired consistency

o   if too thin, add fruit. If too thick, add milk

Valentine's day smoothie source:  paleoleap.com

What Restaurants Are Coming To Lawrence?

By Cami Palmer

                There have been rumors around town that Lawrence is getting some more restaurants. The restaurants are all different from each other, and they will add to the Lawrence pizzazz!

                There is word on the street that Pie Five will be coming to Lawrence. Pie Five is like a Subway, only with pizza. Pie Five makes personal sized pizzas in under five minutes. You can choose to have “magic dust” that seasons your pizza, if you want it. You choose your own crust, sauce, cheese, and toppings.

                Popeye’s Fried Chicken is for-sure coming to Lawrence. Popeye’s is a fast-food Louisiana fried chicken joint. They can also cook up seafood, sandwiches, and wraps. They have “signature sides”, consisting of Cole slaw, Cajun fries, Cajun rice, mashed potatoes, red beans and rice, green beans, applesauce, and you can’t forget the biscuits!

                Crema Dolce is a brand new dessert shop that will be located on Mass Street. The new dessert shop will be above Rudy’s Pizza. They serve Italian ice cream, like gelato, sorbet, and cannoli. They are have said to have about sixteen flavors, and they will also offer gelato in malt and shake forms.

                Which Wich is going to be coming to Lawrence as well. This sub joint is to be located at the Town Plaza, near First Watch and next door to Applebee’s. Which Wich has a unique concept where you write your order out with a sharpie. They will have many different meats and toppings.

                Lastly, Texas Roadhouse, which is a steak house, is coming to Lawrence. They allow you to throw your peanut shells on the floor. There is also all you can eat rolls, and the staff will sporadically start line dancing! They have steak, chicken, pork, baked potatoes, deep fried pickles, and French fries.

                To see more restaurants coming to Lawrence, you can visit Lawrence Journal-World’s Town Talk Blog. 

WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL’S Boys’ Basketball

By Madison Seelye and Ella Kemp

                                                                          Photo by Madison Seelye

On Tuesday, January 26, the boys at West Middle School had a basketball game vs. Southwest Middle School.

          Within 27 seconds of the game Southwest scored, but West never lost hope! Our West cheerleaders were encouraging them on.  It seemed to really help because within four minutes the score was 3 to 6, with West at 3. Then the 1^st quarter ended 3 to 9.

          In the second quarter West was determined! Two minutes and 30 seconds into the quarter, the score was 5 to 11, with West at 5. Then West scored two points at the free throw line! The 2^nd period ended 10 to 14. West was catching up.

          The second half is when all the action started. There was a lot of scoring. At the end of the game it ended up to be 33 to 37, West with 33. Such a close game. SO EXCITING!

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

By Nathan Ma

Have you seen the new Star Wars movie, The Force Awakens? If you have, keep reading please. If you haven’t, and want to watch it on your own, don’t worry. This review is completely spoiler-free. If you don’t care about the movie, hopefully this review will convince you to watch it.

To me, this movie was cool. I give it a 4.8 star rating out of 5 stars because it surprised me how exciting Star Wars can be. I never really liked Star Wars. This movie inspired me to start reading the comic books, novels, and movie reviews. (Like this one). I totally recommend this movie to anyone. It is filled with action, anticipation, and more!

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Pet World Grand Opening

By Cami Palmer

                In May of last year, there was a tragic fire at Pet World. Many of the animals died for inhaling too much smoke. The Pet World fire was an electrical fire, and the store was not equipped with sprinklers.

 On January 23^rd, 2016, after remodeling, rebuilding, and cleaning up the Pet World, they re-opened! Many people gathered on the 23^rd to check out the new and improved Pet World. Many people were happy with the results.

The Pet World shop owner, Sherry Emerson, wanted to keep the open top cages so that way kids can still interact with the animals. The hamsters, guinea pigs, bunnies, hedgehogs, and birds all have open cage tops.

                When I visited Pet World on the 24^th of January, there were still tons of people swarming the open cage tops, wanting to hold the small bunnies, hamsters and guinea pigs. Everyone wanted to get toys, bones, food, and other stuff for their beloved pet. Everyone seems to agree that they are glad to see Pet World back.