Hoofprint

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit." -Aristotle

MMS has some crazy kids and we heard that Mrs. Cleveland has some of the craziest, so we went to investigate. She said there are too many crazy students to pick one but, she said the sixth graders definitely are the craziest kids. According to Mrs. Cleveland her craziest students have included: Vince, Manny, Ryan, Clifton, Christy, Diana, and Val.

Mrs. Cleveland shared some of her stories:

“One day, Clifton said, ‘I ate a giant meatball!’” “Manny’s nickname was seatbelt because I had to get a seatbelt and clip it to his chair.” “Christy literally bounced off the walls because she was so full of energy! Sometimes it would seem like she would bounce while she walked!”

Those are just some of the stories that happened in her classroom! Those are some crazy kids!

A couple of dance classes here at MMS will be performing in the upcoming play about Precious. During the play they will come out during the scene and do their performance. There is also another performance coming up later in the year for all the dance classes from first and second semesters. I spoke to Mrs. Current the MMS dance instructor, and found out more about the performance. “The theme is going to be peace, taking care of the earth, and the four seasons. There is going to be four larger than life creatures to represent the four seasons.” (Mrs. Current).

If you’re thinking about signing up for a dance class here are some reasons other students have signed up. Morgan said she signed up for dance because “I like it and it helps me be crazy and excited and get out what I’m holding in”. Laura said that she signed up for dance because “I really like Mrs. Current. Also I feel comfortable and I really love to dance”. Deianeira said that she signed up for dance because “I like being creative”.

We hope to see you out there joining the dancers, either on stage or watching the performances!

"It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live." -J.K. Rowling

“I think this could be the best team [MMS] has ever had.” Says coach Vickery. The returning 8th graders have improved a lot and the new 7th graders have great potential, making Coach Vickery think that they can shock the world this year.

This team is not just first-come first-serve. The players were all fighting to get in during tryouts. The most dreaded day of a coach’s career is deciding who’s in and who’s out. It’s obvious they were tough or I doubt Coach Vickery and Coach Hamrick would think that they have such a great team. “It’s always hard choosing.” Coach Hamrick says.

This well-chosen, star-studded group of players include…

• Martha • Jenine • Mia • Jessica • Teyiah • Erin • Clara • Allie • Brianna • Kendall • Caroline • Celia

It seems the team thinks the same way. After speaking with a few players I learned that was obvious and if anything was wrong it was that the 7th graders need a little experience. Allie’s thinking the same way as the coach saying “They will do very well and they will win the championship.” The team has skilled and experienced players along with a very experienced coach that has been coaching for nine years at MMS. With this kind of talent and dreams on our one MMS volleyball team I think that this is the year we win it all.

"I believe in everything until it's disproved. So I believe in fairies, the myths, dragons. Who's to say dreams and nightmares aren't the same as the here and now?" -John Lennon

It is time to kick off the MMS football season! The first home game of the season is Wednesday, October 5 against North Garner. Kick-off is at 3:45 pm. Mark your calendar now! Admission is $4.00 or free with your Big Red Booster Club pass.

Practice is in full swing under the direction of Coach Evans. Coach Evans loves coaching football. He played football as a kid and has loved it ever since. According to Coach Evans, “Football is a mind-over-matter sport.” He advises his players to work hard in the classroom and on the field.

To be on the MMS football team, players must have earned passing grades in Language Arts, Math, either Science or Social Studies and in 50% of their elective courses during the previous semester. Players must also keep their behavior in check. To be eligible to try out for the team, students have to be in 7th grade and must meet the academic and behavioral requirements.

Two new seventh graders who made this year’s team are Vince and Clifton. Vince plays cornerback and wide receiver. He finds the coaches very helpful during practice, which is 4-5 days per week. Clifton plays quarterback and halfback. He says, “Football is a lot of hard work, but worth it!” Good luck to Vince, Clifton and the rest of the team as they get ready for the season!

Coach Evans is still looking for the “twelfth man,” so join me in the stands on October 5th to support the team! Go Mustangs!!!

"Nothing is ever impossible. The word itself says 'I'm possible'. " -Audrey Hepburn

Going into middle school is a tough transition. Everything about it is totally different from elementary school. You have many different classes and many teachers instead of one class and one teacher. That means that you have many different classmates throughout the day. You have electives which should be fun classes that you choose and you have more homework. You go from being the oldest in fifth grade to the youngest in sixth grade. So, we asked a few sixth graders what they are nervous for this year. We also asked eighth graders what they suggest to them.

What sixth graders said they are nervous about:

- Being late to all of my many classes - School work will be too hard for me to manage - My teachers not liking me - Having trouble making friends - Being on the bad team - Eighth graders making fun of me - Forgetting my locker combination

What advice the eighth graders give to the new kids on the block:

- Do not waste time in the hallways. Use your five minutes wisely. - The school work won’t be too hard as long as you pay attention in class, and ask for help when you need it. - Make sure that you get on the teachers’ good sides, and do extra work to make up for bad grades. These things will make teachers like you more. - You will not have any trouble making friends. Just be outgoing. - You won’t be on a bad team because there are no bad teams. Every team is fun. - The eighth graders will be very nice to you. They are really nice, and will not to anything to harm you. - Everyone will forget their combination sometime. Just write it in your agenda, and look at it if you need it.

Middle school will be fun and enjoyable. Make the best of it, and don’t be nervous!

"People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw anyone out." -Audrey Hepburn