Seventh graders create family trees

By Morgan Christensen
Staff writer

Seventh graders recently created family trees for their social studies classes. Students asked their parents and their grandparents where they were born and where past generations were from. They filled out a family tree to show the information.

Seventh-grade students have been studying immigration in the late 1800s and the early 20th century. Some family members came to the U.S. during this time period, and the different stories are really part of what students are learning in American history.

“You would be surprised to know that many students didn’t know that their family came from Italy or Ireland or Germany,” seventh grade social studies teacher Mrs. Anderson said. “This project puts them in touch with what their ancestors went through to get here and what they did to survive when they arrived.”

Students have learned a bit from their family trees. Cactus Canyon students have families from all over the world.

“I have learned that I have a lot of people in my family named Mareo,” said seventh grader Tim Boardman.

Athletes help out at Lost Dutchman Marathon

By Paige Mace
Staff writer

Cactus Canyon Junior High athletes helped out at the Lost Dutchman Marathon on Sunday Feb. 19. They handed out water to thirsty runners and distributed medals at the finish line.

The volunteers not only helped promote a positive community image for CCJH, it helped raise a little money for the athletic department.

“Our participation in this event promotes CCJH and our athletic programs,” said Athletic Director Tanya Loftis. “The Lost Dutchman Marathon often donates money back to organizations that give of their time. Any money donated back to CCJH will go to athletic fund and be used to buy equipment, assist athletes with fees or gear they may need to participate.”

“I am helping out CCJH athletics so they can use the money for equipment,” said eighth-grade volleyball player Kaylee Marshall.

Loftis thinks it’s good for young student-athletes to see adults that have continued to be involved in sports long after their high school or college careers have ended.

“This is a great opportunity to expose our athletes to what being a lifelong athlete looks like,” said Loftis.

Girls find creative ways to ask boys to Sadie Hawkins dance

By Ashley Renowden
Staff writer

At a traditional dance, the guy asks the girl and it usually means that they’re dating. This year at Cactus Canyon Junior High, Student Council decided to mix it up a bit. The group made the Valentine’s Dance a Sadie Hawkins dance, where the girls ask the guys.

Since girls are determined to out-cute the guys, they are finding creative ways to ask their crushes to the dance. One of those creative girls would include Mikaela Coppinger and how she asked her now-boyfriend, Alejandro Valenzuela.

Valenzuela was walking back from his sixth hour at the high school, when he saw how Coppinger had set up Post-It notes with arrows leading to individual paper that said one by one, “Will you go to the dance..” and at the end of all of it, she was holding a sign in one hand that said, “with me?” and a teddy bear in the other. Alejandro, of course, said yes.

“When I saw the set-up, I thought ‘this is amazing,’” said Valenzuela. “I was really happy.”

Larry LaPrise, school principal of CCJH, witnessed some of this creativity, and for the most part thinks there’s nothing ab-normal about it.

“I think girls are getting more creative and using the technological tools that are available,” said LaPrise. “I personally do not have a problem, but for some reason it is ‘against’ our society norms.”

Coppinger saw other people doing unique things to ask their dates to the dance, and she wanted to so as well.

“I didn’t just want to ask him because everyone was asking their dates in cute, special ways,” said Coppinger. “So I decided that I wanted to make it special, too.”

Seventh grader Sarah Rose Salvhus made a video and posted it on Facebook for her crush, Kyle Gering. Since she’s a cheerleader, she did four high kicks, spelling “K-Y-L-E will you go to the dance with me?” Gering replied with a yes.

Eighth grader Isabelle Cruz put a letter inside of a balloon asking her boyfriend, Billy Apodaca, if he would go to the dance with her. She made him pop the balloon, which he did with his key, and read the note.

While Coppinger said she likes the Sadie Hawkins format because it’s a change from other dances.

“Guys don’t usually do anything special to ask girls to the regular dances,” she said. “When there’s dances like these, they tend to make people do special things.”

Spirit week begins with red, yellow, and green

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By Christal Canejo
staff writer

This week is spirit week at Cactus Canyon. Students will be able to show enthusiasium for their school by participating in some new days, as well as some familiar favorites.

Student Council is sponsoring the week to go with the Valentine’s dance, which is Wednesday. The group has been encouraging students to participate with posters, announcements, and a video on YouTube.

“We made a video, as we always do, to promote the week,” said Student Council adviser Jason Davis. “It got a lot of people talking and laughing and I hope it means we get a lot of participation in the week.”

The week started out with Love Light, which is a Valentine’s version of Stop Light Day. Students with a date to the dance wore red, while single students wore green. Those who found their situation a little more complicated wore yellow.

Tuesday is Tie Dye Day, where students can wear their funkiest tie dye.

“I like Tie Dye Tuesday because, even though we’ve done it before, it’s something a lot of students dress up for,” said Mr. Davis. “I like to see all the crazy colors on shirts and socks.”

Wednesday is Love Struck. On this romantic day, students are encouraged to wear Valentine’s Day colors like pink, white, and red.

StuCo has also created a new spirit day for CCJH students to participate in. Mr. Davis thinks it will be popular, especially since Thursday is the day of the benchmark writing test.

“We have a new one on Thursday, which is Lazy Day,” said Mr. Davis. ”That is just a day to be comfy and wear sweatpants and sweatshirts. No pajamas though.”

The week will end Thursday for CCJH students since there will be no school on Friday.

Eighth grade girl makes traveling football team

Eighth grader Danielle Moore plays wide receiver, special teams, and cornerback for the Cougar football team. (Photo by Kylee LaPrise)

By Ashley Renowden
Staff writer

Many people think that football is a just boy sport, but eighth grader Danielle Moore decided to challenge that stereotype and tryout.

Some of the players didn’t think she was serious, but after she made the traveling team, they realized the value she had for the squad. Moore said trying out was not easy, and neither are the practices, but the daily workouts are making her a stronger person.

“I’m getting a lot faster at running and a lot stronger,” said Moore. “But besides the normal, I’m not procrastinating as much on my school work.”

Moore said didn’t try out for the team as a seventh grader because she wasn’t sure she was going to make it and she was worried that she wouldn’t be welcomed by the older players.

“I decided to play football this year because now I’m an eighth grader,” said Moore. “And I don’t have to deal with older students, such as eighth graders last year when I was in seventh grade.”

Offensive and defensive coach, Rich Milligan, has seen girl football players before, so he tried not to act too shocked about seeing Moore try out and make the team.

“It’s not the first time I have seen a girl play football so it wasn’t a big deal,” said Milligan. “But now, she’s just ‘one of the guys.’”

On the field, Moore is just as valuable as any of the guys. She shows no fear, makes no excuses, and that makes her a better player, athlete, and person.

“A team is a collection of individuals who choose to work together toward a common goal,” said Milligan. “And she most certainly does that.”

Since Moore is the only girl, she changes by herself. She is not allowed into the boys locker room, so she changes in the 700 building on her way back from her last class of the day the Apache Junction High School. But she is not separated from the boys in any other way, which is just fine with Moore.

“We have players out at practice, not boys or girls, or fast people or slow or short or tall – we have players,” said Coach Milligan. “They all get coached with the intent of improving in the areas of their greatest needs, individually, and collectively.”

“I love playing football, but I always have to push myself so that no one can say I didn’t try my hardest or that girls can’t play football,” said Moore.

Eighth graders get a glimpse of high school during orientation

By Thayne Jackson
Staff writer

Cactus Canyon Junior High’s eighth grade class went to Apache Junction High School on Feb. 1 for its freshmen orientation. The orientation was an opportunity for students of the class of 2016 to catch a glimpse first hand at the wide variety of electives that will be offered.

Student can choose from a wide variety of electives that can fit each person’s needs and wants. From business to athletic conditioning and culinary arts, AJHS has an elective or extracurricular activity for most anyone.

“Student and parents (were) introduced to their high school experience,” said AJHS Principal Heidi Golemon. “We have a great deal of elective classes offered. Many include fine arts electives, foundations classes, foreign languages, athletics, etc. We have something to offer for everyone while helping you meet your graduation requirements and getting you ready for year 13 and beyond.”

This group of eighth graders will be an innovative generation to the high school because they will be the first group of freshman to carry netbooks onto campus for online learning.

“We are ready for the netbooks,” said Golemon. “Every teacher is currently going through professional development so that we can be sure the one-to-one learning continues as students transition to high school. I’m really looking forward to what our ninth-grade teachers will come up with for our students coming in.”

Students are beginning to gain the freshman mindset. For some, it is not hard because many are already taking ninth grade classes.

“I think it will bring new challenges and stories,” said Lanae Wilson. “Some classes have already integrated the technology. I’m glad to not carry around textbooks like my brother.”

Eighth grade promotion will be on May. 23 at 8 a.m. at Davis field.

Cactus Canyon students celebrate the Centennial by learning a little bit of history

By Thayne Jackson
Staff writer

Cactus Canyon Junior High eighth grade students are celebrating the Arizona Centennial by learning a little bit about Arizona’s history and finishing it off with a project.

As Arizona nears its centennial, eighth-grade social studies teachers Angie Cave, Sheryl Anderson, and James Gibson are preparing the students to learn about Arizona’s history because it is not a major topic covered in class.

The end project will be displayed in a gallery walk and will be viewed by elementary and high school kids. Groups get to choose what their project will be on from a wide variety of topics, including important historical dates, ghost towns, Arizona’s five C’s (Copper, Cattle, Climate, Citrus, and Cotton) and many more.

“This is our first year at CCJH to combine the social studies classes to participate in the Centennial project,” said teacher Angie Cave. “I personally think this is a great opportunity for students to learn about the great state that we live in. The students do not have very many opportunities in school to discover the important people, places and things from (Arizona).”

This project is really widening the learning horizon for students and allowing them to explore areas they don’t get to.

“I think this is an interesting project,” said eighth grader Brady Shade. “It is fun to get to show our creativity and how we get to learn about our own state.”

The gallery walk will be Feb. 9 and will be held by all three social studies classes.

“I hope that the community as well as CCJH will come and enjoy the gallery of projects that our Social Studies students will be sharing.”

Yearbooks on sale now, aim to go behind the scenes

By Christal Canejo
Staff writer

Cactus Canyon yearbooks are on sale now. This year’s book – with its Behind the Scenes theme – will be for sale for $23 until Feb. 17 by yearbook students.

After Feb. 17, the cost will be $28. There are other incentives to purchase early, including the chance to find a “golden ticket,” which is is good for a $20 Visa gift card.

“The best time to buy is early,” said Mr. Davis. “Those who order by Feb. 17, not only get a $5 discount, but they’ll be able to get their yearbook before everyone else and have a chance to find a golden ticket in their book.”

The class has been working on improving the overall quality of the yearbook from from photography and design to adding features stories on many pages.

“My expectation is that this will be our best book ever,” said Mr. Davis. “Our theme is Behind the Scenes, and we’ve worked all year to get photos that show what goes on at CCJH when no one is watching.”

“I think that the yearbooks last year were fantastic, but I can honestly say that this year’s book will be fantastic,” said Julia, editor of CCJH yearbooks.

Yearbook students have been advertising the book and handing out flyers. Students will be rewarded with prizes depending on how many sales they make.

While the price of each yearbook will rise to $28 after Feb. 17, presales will go until March 23. Any books not sold after that will be available on a first-come, first-served basis when they arrive in May.

StuCo holding Soup-er Bowl drive for Project Help

By Layla Heninger
Staff writer

Cactus Canyon Junior High is using the Super Bowl as a reason to have a canned soup drive. The drive began Jan. 23 and ends on Friday, Feb. 3. Student Council is in charge of the drive.

StuCo is donating the soup they get to Project Help, which helps families with children in the AJUSD schools. If every student and teacher donated one can, that would be about 800 cans.

“Part of our job as leaders in Student Council is to help people out and encourage other folks at the school to do the same,” said Jason Davis.

This drive wasn’t necessarily planned. Davis said he and assistant principal Joyce Gingrich only e-mailed each other and briefly talked about it in person. Members of StuCo didn’t even know it was happening before it came over the announcements.

But Mrs. Gingrich said she thought it was important to show students that people in the community need assistance.

“I have always tried to help students be aware of others in their community and aware of the needs of others,” said Gingrich.

As incentive to bring donations, StuCo will provide the top two homeroom classes with a pizza party.

StuCo had its first food drive of the year in September when it donated about 500 items to Project Help. Those items included cereal, pasta, and baking goods.

“When we had the last drive in September, we asked for a lot of items, but soup wasn’t one of them,” Davis said. “It’s a way to use the excitement of the real Super Bowl to do a little bit of good in the world.”

PTO seeks players for golf tournament

By Kyle Sanor
Staff writer

The parent-teacher organization’s annual golf tournament is coming in March and the group is seeking players and volunteers.

All proceeds from the event will be donated to Cactus Canyon Junior High to support programs like band and the arts.

The tourney will be Saturday, March 3, at Apache Creek Golf Club, and the entry fee is $70 per player or $280 per foursome. The fee includes golf, cart, practice balls, and dinner. There are various prizes for the tournament winners, as well as contests like longest drive and longest putt.

Many raffle prizes will also be available. They will include gift certificates for restaurants, golf and travel packages, passes for entertainment venues, and even a couch.

PTO president Terri Hensen is looking for players, volunteers, and hole sponsors to participate.

“We are looking for volunteers for helping us with the raffle ticket booth,” said Hensen. “All ages are permitted to enter the tournament. The winners will receive prizes. The cash will go to the school.”

The game takes place at the Apache Creek Golf Club and all ages are permitted from elementary students to senior citizens. All players will be in the same tournament and will play at the same time.

Visit www.cactuscanyonpto.com for more information.