The Howl Unscripted: Day Creek in Quarantine
By Ashley P. and Azam E.
April 8, 2020
This story was originally published on The Day Creek Howl on April 7, 2020....
COVID-19 virus shuts down Kingsport schools
By Meredith Mooney, John Sevier Middle School
April 6, 2020
People all over the world are buying massive amounts of toilet paper to protect themselves against a world-wide fear: COVID 19. This massive illness has shut down schools all around the world, including Kingsport City Schools. COVID-19, or coronavirus, is a respiratory illness that develops through...
Students, teachers handle switch to online classes
By Paris Lawson, Altoona Area Junior High School
April 3, 2020
School has been closed since March 16 with an original return date of April 6 due to the Covid-19 virus. Now, it is not supposed to resume until at least April 30 under Governor Tom Wolf’s newest order. Since this is a long lapse of time out of physical classes, the junior high and high school have...
Joe Biden Commits to Choosing a Female Vice President
By Ashley P. and Azam E.
April 1, 2020
This story was originally published on The Day Creek Howl on March 31, 2020....
Local student becomes a champion in new sport Disc Golf
By Camille Carter, John Sevier Middle School
March 27, 2020
If travel, playing your favorite game and winning sound fun, then take a look at the life of Dakota Benton, a disc golf champion. Benton is 14 years old and attends the 8th grade at Sevier Middle. He has also been playing disc golf for six years. Disc golf is an unknown sport and not many people...
No one eats alone
By Angel Zheng, Cannon Falls High School
March 25, 2020
Awkward stalls in conversation abound as the middle schoolers walked toward their tables. Entering into the lunchroom on February 21, middle school students were met with unusual circumstances. Colored cards decorated the tables and student council members marked the hands of everyone in attendance with...
Hartsook looks back on her season as a female football player
By Anna Harrington, John Sevier Middle School
March 24, 2020
Football is a physically demanding sport that is most often played by boys. It’s fairly rare for a girl to join a football team, but not completely unheard. In the past, there have been girls that occasionally tried out for the football team at Sevier Middle. This year, Katie Hartsook did, too. ...
Robinson Middle tests “Harry Potter” inspired house system
By Adyn Smith, John Sevier Middle School
March 18, 2020
In the “Harry Potter” stories, the school of Hogwarts is divided into houses. Students are sorted into these houses based on their traits and their own wishes. In the House Cup challenge, houses face off against each other for the most points at the end of the year. Now, a school in Kingsport has...
A divided nation continues to grapple with the death penalty
By Michael Fanning, John Sevier Middle School
March 17, 2020
Michael McCormick was sentenced to death for murder in Chattanooga in 1985. He was convicted due to a strand of hair found at the crime scene. After twenty years awaiting his execution, however, the DNA of the hair turned out to belong to another person. In 2018 alone, 25 people have been executed...
KCS sports mascots are part of a national controversy
By Meredith Mooney, John Sevier Middle School
March 17, 2020
The football players walk onto the field, the wet grass on their cleats. Sweat trickles down their backs as the crowd erupts in cheers. Their cries echo across the stadium: “Red-skins! Red-skins!” The lights flash. The horns blare. Their team spirit is crushing millions of spirits across the country. ...
Former orchestra teacher leaves a legacy of love
By Anna Harrington, John Sevier Middle School
March 9, 2020
You can lose a part of yourself and never know it. Former Sevier orchestra teacher Ashley Guice recently passed away after a brief struggle with cancer. Guice has taught many students in the Kingsport school system, since she taught at several different schools. Likewise, lots of teachers have had...
Bus behavior affects drivers
By Maddie Cowfer, Altoona Area Junior High School
March 5, 2020
Riding the bus to school is a part of everyday life for many students. The student code of conduct establishes rules and guidelines for behavior on the buses. Some students might not think anything of what they are doing on the bus, but misbehavior can lead to distracting the bus driver. ...
Student hairstyles cause controversies across nation
By Aubree Puckett, John Sevier Middle School
March 5, 2020
In New Jersey, a referee forced a high school wrestler to cut his dreadlocks before he could participate in a match. In Texas, a 4-year-old named Michael Scott had to cut his long hair before he could go to school. These cases are part of a national trend; students’ hair choices are increasingly criticized...
Earning His Wings- Sean D.
By Addison M. and Kaylee L.
February 17, 2020
A California driver's license can’t be obtained until the age of sixteen, but what about a pilot’s license? You’d have to ask eighth-grader Sean D. who has been drawn to the idea of flying since he was a little kid. “(When I first took an interest in flying) I was six and we always went...
Dancers share love of art form
By Sufana Hamid, Altoona Area Junior High School
February 10, 2020
Students are involved in other activities outside of school such as dancing. Dancers must make a time commitment daily. “I’ve been in the same studio since I was three or four years old. I took small little classes. As the years continued, I took more classes and joined the competition team. It...
Masses of Masks?
By Ashley P., Day Creek Intermediate School
February 6, 2020
The recent headlines of the Wuhan Coronavirus outbreak have become a part of the conversation at Day Creek Intermediate. However, the bigger picture at Day Creek seems to be on the faces of our classmates: masks worn in order to prevent the onset of the virus. Despite the fact that there haven’t be...
Tennessee needs to get rid of prior review
By Kylie Moore, John Sevier Middle School
January 29, 2020
In 2005, Oak Ridge High School principal Becky Ervin took all 1,800 copies of the student newspaper before they could be handed out to students. According to the Student Press Law Center, she was not happy about several articles in the newspaper, including one about body art and piercings. So far,...
New members elected to KCS board
By Chloe McConnell, John Sevier Middle School
January 29, 2020
Jim Welsch and Julie Byers were elected earlier this year to serve a four-year term on Kingsport’s Board of Education. They are both first-time members and join returning members Carrie Upshaw, Eric Hyche and Todd Golden on the board. The Kingsport Board of Education makes many decisions that affect...
Should DCIS Revive After-School Sports Teams?
By Shivani R. and Mikah C.
January 27, 2020
Crowds of parents and fans gather at Day Creek Intermediate School. They wait eagerly for their children to enter the gym, and when they do, the crowd roars with excitement. Let the games begin! There’s only one problem with this scenario: our school doesn’t even have any competitive sports teams. ...
Livewire nominated as Crown finalist
By Paris Lawson, Altoona Area Junior High School
January 6, 2020
The Columbia Scholastic Press Association has nominated the Livewire student newspaper for a crown award. This isn’t the first time the newspaper has been nominated. This time though, the Livewire is the only junior high or middle school to be nominated for a Gold or Silver Crown award in the c...
Kiera’s dream concert scheduled for this weekend
By Sufana Hamid, Altoona Area Junior High School
December 20, 2019
On Dec. 8 at 3 p.m, the youth orchestra will perform a concert honoring Kiera Chirdon, an orchestra student who passed away in her sophomore year. The concert takes place at the Mishler Theater. “I think it’s a great way of getting a lot of donations and money for the organizations. I think...
Half a Heart Didn’t Stop Her
By Addison M. and Carolina A.
December 17, 2019
She enters school, greets her friends and goes to class. Typical Day Creek student, right? Or so it seems. Except she has half a heart. Carlie M., an eighth grade student, has a medical condition called Tricuspid Atresia. Tricuspid Atresia is a rare heart defect that was detected in an early ultrasound. ...
More Time to Sleep
By Kaylee L., Day Creek Intermediate School
December 12, 2019
When you heard about the School Start Time bill that was recently signed by Governor Newsom, your immediate thought probably had to do with sleeping in. Until students think about the law apart from their pillow, the conversation probably won’t make it too far. Senate Bill 328 was introduced...
Editorial: video game addiction is real and must be fought
By The Editorial Board, John Sevier Middle School
November 26, 2019
They can’t fall asleep. Their palms are sweaty. They can’t stop thinking about their obsession. It consumes their thoughts and everyday life. They are suffering from an addiction. This addiction hides itself in an activity widely accepted and encouraged around the world: video games. Cam Adair...
Procrastination frequently strikes middle school students
By Aeriaunna Tucker, John Sevier Middle School
November 22, 2019
In middle school, procrastination affects many students and their ability to get work done. Procrastination is when someone puts off a task until the last minute. Procrastinate comes from the latin word “procrastinare”, meaning “to put off until tomorrow.” This habit usually affects grades...
Halloween Through a New Perspective
By Riley G. and Christine L.
November 20, 2019
Costumed kids seem to be everywhere, smiling and laughing as they walk around the neighborhood, knocking on door after door asking for candy. A smaller group appears to be loitering in front of the first house on the street, watching others to see what they should do. Excited, yet hesitant, the smaller...
KCS discovers lead in water fountains
By Aubree Puckett, John Sevier Middle School
November 14, 2019
Recently, lead was found in Kingsport City Schools water fountains. These water fountains were located at Dobyns-Bennett High School, as well as the elementary schools Jefferson, Johnson, Kennedy and Roosevelt. Overall, thirteen water fountains tested positive for lead levels that are simply too high. Jaycee...
KCS teacher pay change coming soon
By ShayLeigh Honaker, John Sevier Middle School
November 11, 2019
For the last few years, Kingsport City Schools has based teacher pay in part on students’ TNReady scores. Next year, this is set to change. TNReady scores will no longer count towards teachers’ overall pay. “Several years ago, the Tennessee Department of Education laid out rules that some school...
Harriet Tubman’s $20 bill delayed
By Ellie Jackson, John Sevier Middle School
November 6, 2019
In 2016, the Treasury Department proposed that the seventh president of the United States, Andrew Jackson, would be replaced with an accomplished black woman, Harriet Tubman, on the $20 bill. Although many citizens believed this would be a positive change, the current Secretary of the Treasury, Steven...
NBA’s Controversy with China
By Shivani R., Day Creek Intermediate School
November 4, 2019
On October 4, general manager Daryl Morey of the Houston Rockets sent out a tweet about the recent conflict between China and Hong Kong. He tweeted in support of the Hong Kong protestors. Some people agreed that Morey was trying to voice his opinion, while others thought that the tweet was absurd. He l...
Shelters vs. Breeders
By Carolina A. and Mikah C.
October 29, 2019
60.2 million U.S. households own a dog. But how many of them were adopted from a shelter? According to the 2019 Woof Stats, an estimated 6.5 million animals are taken into an animal shelter every year. About half of these animals never find a permanent home, as they are either euthanized or unending...
World Health Organization declares gaming addiction a health disorder
By Chloe McConnell, John Sevier Middle School
October 24, 2019
Video games have been slowly taking over the world. They are played frequently and are becoming a problem. About 67% of Americans, or 211 million people, play video games on at least one type of device, with more than half of them playing on multiple devices. The World Health Organization, or WHO,...
“Vaping” becomes a dangerous trend among teens
By Olyvia Flemming, John Sevier Middle School
October 9, 2019
Tobacco has been an epidemic around the world since it was first harvested and used. The cancer-causing plant, filled with addictive nicotine, has had a major negative impact on the world. Alternative methods to smoking tobacco have been produced, such as vaping, juuling and smokeless tobacco. Vaping...
Schools continue to evaluate safety measures
By Micah Maynard, John Sevier Middle School
October 8, 2019
School safety: a common topic among students, parents, teachers, and even politicians. Teachers, students, police, and government officials have been debating new safety procedures to keep students safe in schools. Holly Flora, the principal at Sevier Middle, makes sure that the school is safe and...
Students sing their way to upcoming chorus concert
By Destiny Montgomery, Altoona Area Junior High School
May 14, 2019
On May 3, eighth and ninth grade varsity chorus members will be performing for their spring concert. Choral director and teacher Jessica Connell has been preparing the students for their concert. Students have a period of chorus everyday. Eighth grade has it first o...
Pennsylvania System of School Assessment tests get closer
By Zakary Hicks, Altoona Area Junior High School
May 14, 2019
The seventh and eighth grade PSSA's are here. These standardized tests include reading and mathematics for seventh and eighth grade, writing for eighth grade and science for eighth grade. These tests require early planning. “There just never seems to be enough time to get in all the different...
Sen. Scott visits DMS
By Whitley Brown, Duncan Middle School
April 11, 2019
Oklahoma Sen. Paul Scott of Duncan, paid a visit to Duncan Middle School Friday, taking the opportunity to hear from teachers about their concerns with education in Oklahoma. Throughout his time at the middle school, Scott took time to talk with teachers during the three lunch period, took a tour of the...
Seventh, eighth grade track and field kicks off
By Brayden Adams, Altoona Area Junior High School
April 2, 2019
The seventh and eighth grade track and field team began practice on Monday, March 4 at the junior high with an informational discussion about what athletes will do in track and field. The track and field team will be having a total of 12 eighth grade meets and nine seventh grade meets. Four of these...
Teachers decide between buildings
By Destiny Montgomery, Altoona Area Junior High School
April 2, 2019
With the new high school coming during the 2020-2021 school year, teachers in the junior high faced the decision to move to the high school or stay at the junior high. Teachers could either stay and teach sixth, seventh or eighth grade, or they can move and teach ninth, tenth, eleventh or twelfth. Since...
Indoor teams take wins in Portage
By Destiny Montgomery, Altoona Area Junior High School
March 21, 2019
On Feb. 17, the indoor silks and majorettes traveled to Portage, PA to compete in a TU competition. Indoor majorettes The indoor majorettes won first in the “Junior High Majorette” category. Indoor adviser Samantha Cessna brought the girls to the competition and was eager to win. “Goi...
Family Fitness Night 2019
By Alisha G. and Ashima G.
March 4, 2019
Day Creek’s P.E. teachers are scattered throughout the gym, darting around on scooters alongside students and teachers alike. Music plays in the background, but not loud enough to drown out mixed sounds of laughter and frustration that fill the air. On Wednesday night, Day Creek’s Family Fitness...
Pairs of seventh-grade twins share birthday
By Whitley Brown, Duncan Middle School
February 24, 2019
For seventh-graders Callen and Emersen Villagrana, Feb. 21 is an important day. It's their birthday. And while sharing a birthday isn't unusual for twins, what's different is they share their birthday with another set of twins at Duncan Middle School, Alexandra and Daniella Agular-Ortiz, both of whom...
Flu season continues at DMS
By Whitley Brown, Duncan Middle School
February 15, 2019
The flu has returned once again, only this time early. Flu season normally happens starting around September or October. However, flu is in full swing at Duncan Middle School and surrounding areas. Flu a viral infection caused by contact with someone else who has the illness. School nurse Kristen...
Longest-ever government shutdown affects local citizens
By Alexa Davis, Freedom Area Middle School
February 12, 2019
On Friday, Jan. 25, President Donald Trump signed a bill to reopen the government for three weeks after a 35-day shutdown. A partial government shutdown started in the United States on Dec. 21, 2018. A partial shutdown is the result when Congress fails to pass a budget for the country. When a shutdown...
PDE identifies FMS as Additional Targeted Support and Improvement School
By Mason Geibel, Freedom Area Middle School
February 12, 2019
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is a Federal Act that provides guidelines for the education of students throughout the United States. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), ESSA requires each state to develop a plan to identify schools in need of support and improvement....
Do we Really Need a Border Wall?
By Jason M., Kraemer Middle School
February 8, 2019
President Trump is demanding $5.7 billion for a border wall, which he believes will stop the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs through the southern border. However, will a simple concrete wall, used since the 10th century, solve the 21st-century border crisis? The southern border is nearly 2000...
Students invalidating the term “gay” at WMS represents a microcosm of a larger issue in America
By Gianna Graffeo-Seda and Nisha Hodgins
February 4, 2019
According to WMS students, the term “gay” is often used with a negative connotation. Throughout the school year students frequently used this word to tease others. This is not a problem that is limited to WMS, but is an epidemic that goes on throughout the country. “It’s very sad I don’t...
Depression and anxiety: How simple gestures can solve an epidemic
By Chloe Monsanto, Woodbridge Middle School
February 1, 2019
When the term “mental illness” is spoken of, many people automatically think of depression and anxiety. But, how can these mental illnesses be stopped? Depression and anxiety have taken over the mindsets of young students. The Center for Discovery article ‘Why Today’s Teens Are More Depres...
Trees on the playground removed due to disease
By Joanna Odebode and Samantha Young
January 8, 2019
Six trees on the playground behind the middle school have been removed and others are dying. Mr. Ron Miller, fifth grade math teachers, and Mrs. Tina Boyd, fifth grade English language arts teacher, planted these trees as an Earth Day project. They are Bradford Flowering Pear trees and Oak trees. ...
Freedom High School Girls Soccer Team becomes first team in school history to make the PIAA state championship
By Dylan Scheel, Freedom Area Middle School
January 8, 2019
The 2018 season for the Freedom Area High School Girls Soccer team was one to remember. The team was the first ever Freedom High School athletic team to advance to the PIAA State Championship in any sport. The team ended up losing in the State Championship 3-2 in overtime to Southern Columbia on Friday,...