The BlueXpress
May 2016 Volume 13 Issue 1
MILLBROOK HIGH SCHOOL NEWSPAPER • 251 FIRST WOODS DRIVE • WINCHESTER VIRGINIA 22603 • 540-545-2800
Image by | Michaela Blankenship
Traditions Old and New Story by | Eliza Grigsby As Millbrook grows older, its traditions grow stronger. Each year the school holds events such as the Powderpuff, Homecoming and Bricksquad games, the Homecoming pep rally and dance, athletic signings and the Veteran’s Day ceremony. All these traditions come together to form Millbrook High School and what it stands for. This year’s Powderpuff game had an outstanding 480 attendees. Junior and Senior football players coach those who sign up to play for the teams the week leading up to the game. When the juniors and senior
girls went head to head, the seniors remained victorious, although all of the 50 girls who played had fun. 30 Advanced Sports Marketing students organized the event, under the supervision of Mr. Pendleton. Along with this annual event, there was a tailgate before the game which had cornhole, refreshments and great music, making old traditions even greater. Homecoming is a big time of the year for many high schools, but Millbrook makes this week special in its own way. Our spirit week had great participation and everyone enjoyed mismatching, twinning and taking
part in the other theme days, as well as decorating the halls. At the pep rally, students signed up for competitive games. The student body watched the cheerleading team perform, as well as the band and Powderpuff cheerleaders. Nazeeh Johnson made this pep rally especially memorable by asking his girlfriend, Octavia Sharp, to the Homecoming dance with help from the rest of the football team. The football team went on to beat Rock Ridge at the Homecoming game 54-0. Colin Hood and Taylor Linder were crowned Homecoming King and Queen. See Old and New, Page A6
Fight Cancer Week Story by | Eliza Grigsby
Image by | Kiara Torrey Millbrook Fight Cancer week culminates with the Go Pink game and ceremony on Friday night. The girl’s basketball players present survivors with pink carnations. Junior Julie Davis hugs her mother, Beth Andres, a one-year breast cancer survivor.
Story by | Sammy Burke Pictures by | Kiara Torrey
Along with Millbrook’s lasting traditions, the school also revisited an older event this year, hoping to reestablish it as a Millbrook staple. Last held three years ago and led by Ms. Sanders and Ms. Madden, Millbrook High School Fight Cancer Week came back this year. MHS Fight Cancer Week is a week dedicated to cancer support where the administration and student body help raise money for cancer research. Many events were held the week of February 1st-5th. Throughout the week, students were asked to dress in colors symbolizing different types of cancer. Monday was purple for all cancers, Tuesday was gray for brain cancer, Wednesday was orange for leukemia, Thursday was prostate can-
cer with light blue and Friday had everyone wearing pink for breast cancer. During lunches each day, Millbrook’s clubs organized a carnival in the cafeteria. The clubs decorated tables and each had different games students could pay to play, such as cup stacking and cornhole. All games raised money for cancer research. Along with the carnival, the clubs made themed gift baskets to raffle off, including a Valentine’s Day basket, a Millbrook basket, a movie and a book baskets. Administration sold Millbrook Fight Cancer tshirts and raffled off Mrs. Butler’s parking spot as well. Thursday night, Millbrook held the Coffee House in the cafeteria, where students performed their musical talent or recited poetry for anyone who
See Fight Cancer Week, Page A6
Shrek the Musical
From Thursday, April 7th to Sunday, April 10th, Millbrook students performed Shrek, the Musical. The show was quite different from anything the students have performed here before, but they were willing to take on the challenge. Over 1,100 people came to see the show, easily proving that this was one of the best shows Millbrook has produced. According to director, Mr. Brian Kelly, “The turnout for the musical was great. I thought the performances went really well.” The students rehearsed each day and took their roles in the show very seriously. They also managed to make many great memories together. The students are already excited to prepare for another musical next fall.
“The show was a lot of fun to perform. I loved that there were many people whose talents shone regardless of their role.” --Mellany Groll
came to enjoy. The admission was free and refreshments were sold, as well as wish lanterns with proceeds benefiting cancer research. Everyone headed outside after the performances to the practice field to light and set off the wish lanterns in remembrance of those who are fighting, survived or have passed away due to cancer. During the week, DECA held a door decorating competition. Study halls decorated their classroom doors for cookies, and each door decoration was displayed at the basketball game on Friday. Mr. Campbell’s study hall won the competition, with Mrs. Henshaw’s class coming in second. On Friday, both the boys and girls basketball teams played a doubleheader with a ceremony
“It was a great experience. I’m really glad I got to do it because everyone was a big family.” -- Nerys Apple
“Shrek, the Musical is really relatable to people our age. They don’t really know what their place is in life.” -Chad Adams
“My part got tedious at times and even painful, however I think we pulled through and had an enjoyable show.” --Ethan Russel
Take Us With You
Mobile Xpress www. blue xpre s s . ne t Two Sections, 24 Pages Editorials Columns Community/Traditions Reflections Sports Entertainment
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Senior Life Collage Senior Map Memories Sports Faculty Farewells
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