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comprehension. The NIE program helps motivate and teach students with a textbook as fresh as each day’s news.
The Virginia Gazette and Newspapers in Education present Kids Count- The Next Generation in News & Advertising, an opportunity for students to think independently, write creatively and constructively and challenge their artistic talents. We are happy to say that we had over 150 students from kindergarten to 12th grade participate. Inside this special section you will get to read and enjoy their work. We hope that the students and teachers that participated enjoyed the assignment as much as we enjoyed reading them. We had classrooms that submitted journalism entries including illustrated headlines, writer’s choice, news articles and editorials. We also had classrooms that teamed up with area businesses to design their ads. They all did a tremendous job and showed us that there is a generation of up and coming writers and graphic artists that have a lot of talent. The Virginia Gazette has long been a supporter of Newspapers in Education (NIE), which is an international program that promotes and increases our children’s literacy by using the newspaper as a teaching tool. NIE is a unique way for schools, businesses and the local newspaper to work together in a partnership that benefits all of us - now and in the future. Through the use of news, editorial, features and advertising, students at all grade levels can learn math and cost comparison skills, geography and meteorology, history and current events and how they shape our world, all while improving reading and
The goal of The Virginia Gazette’s NIE program is to reinforce a positive lifetime reading habit in students by engaging them in reading a newspaper, a life skill that will benefit them into adulthood. It also provides them with an opportunity to have their work published, something few school-aged students have the opportunity to do.
Kids Count The Next Generation in News & Advertising A Supplement to
The Virginia Gazette 216 ironbound Road, Williamsburg, VA 23188 Phone 757.220.1736 • Fax 757.220.1766 • www.vagazette.com
Business Developement Manager Melissa Orendorff Cover Design Kathy Sturgeon Layout & Design LouAne M. Sexton Design Support Peter Dewey • Kathy Sturgeon • Sandy Xander
Design-an-Ad winner: Ny’Aijah Wallace • 1st grader at J.B. Blayton Elementary School • Mrs. Kelly, teacher
3 — A supplement to The Virginia Gazette • KIDS COUNT • May 16, 2015
Kids Count
May 16, 2015 • KIDS COUNT • A supplement to The Virginia Gazette — 4
Illustrating Headlines (Grades K-1) Waller Mill Elementary School
1st PLACE
2nd PLACE
Abbie Sheldon
Peter Henderson
1st Grade Elizabeth Heath, teacher
1st Grade Elizabeth Heath, teacher
3rd PLACE
4th PLACE
Elyse Moore
Liam Ferguson
1st Grade Elizabeth Heath, teacher
1st Grade Elizabeth Heath, teacher
J.B. Blayton Elementary School
1st PLACE
2nd PLACE
McKenna Kramarik
Wyatt Underwood
Kindergarten Mrs. Hrkman, teacher
Kindergarten Mrs. Hrkman, teacher
3rd PLACE
4th PLACE
Bryan Sheppard
Maureese Andre Cutler
Kindergarten Mrs. Hrkman, teacher
Kindergarten Mrs. Hrkman, teacher
1st PLACE
2nd PLACE
Ian
Olivia
Kindergarten Lauren Malone, teacher
Kindergarten Lauren Malone, teacher
3rd PLACE
4th PLACE
Caleb
Ethan
Kindergarten Lauren Malone, teacher
Kindergarten Lauren Malone, teacher
Design-an-Ad winner: Marie Major • 11th grader at Williamsburg Christian Academy • Mrs. Florimonte, teacher
5 — A supplement to The Virginia Gazette • KIDS COUNT • May 16, 2015
Mt. Vernon Elementary School
May 16, 2015 • KIDS COUNT • A supplement to The Virginia Gazette — 6
Writer’s Choice (Grade 3) Walsingham Academy 1st PLACE
2nd PLACE
Aiden Chamblin • 3rd Grade • Mrs. Miller, teacher
Grace Terry • 3rd Grade • Mrs. Miller, teacher
Barrett
The Worst Christmas Ever
My name is Aiden. I was at my grandparents apartment house when my little brother was just born. Me and Caleb and my grandpa were so happy we went to the pool. I did a double front flip underwater. Caleb did a double back flip underwater! My grandma sent us a picture of Barrett. He looked like an alien. He’s face was bright red. He’s eyes were blue. His head was a cone! Luckily for me he doesn’t look like that anymore.
It was Christmas Eve and I was having a great time with my family. Suddenly the lights went out! It was pitch black. We couldn’t see a thing because it was nighttime. My parents told me that the roads were icy so somebody probably had a accident. Luckily my dad had a flashlight app on his i phone, so we were able to find candles. After about 30 minutes the lights went on. We were so thrilled! Then, the weirdest thing happened, the lights went out again! I was so frustrated! I played with my sister for a long time in the dark, by then it was time for bed. When I woke up it was Christmas morning and the lights were on and everything was working!
3rd PLACE Elizabeth Hamner • 3rd Grade • Mrs. Miller, teacher
My First Panda Once upon a time my parents went on a business trip and they got me something special. While they were on their business trip my grandmother took care of my sister K.A and me. I was
in kindergarten when this all happened, but I never knew I was going to get a panda. My parents came home and they gave me the panda. The next two years I went to the same museum and I got another one at the gift shop. I now have eight pandas. I never knew I liked pandas until my parents got that one special panda.
Tabb Elementary School 1st PLACE
2nd PLACE
Amaya Huskisson • 3rd Grade • Kim Gault, teacher
Ella Autrey • 3rd Grade • Kim Gault, teacher
Ella
Reading
Hi, I’m Amaya and I’m going to tell you about my best friend Ella. One thing about her is she is so creative. She comes up with awesome, amazing, and spectacular games to play!
Reading can be very fun. You can read books about vampires, octopuses, magic, and more amazing things. Also you do not need any equipment to read. Reading is a great way to pass time. Reading is also a great way to learn. There are different types of books to read. Nonfiction books are really good to read if you want to know facts about people, animals, and buildings. Fiction books on the other hand have made up stories so if you want some books on traveling in time or monsters taking over the world then that is your kind of book. Reading can be fun but you need just the right book to get you interested. So go to the library, find a book, and start reading!
We have known each other almost our whole lives. We met in kindergarten. We met in kindergarten because we live near each other and sat next to each other on the bus. We got to know each other pretty well. We have things in common and have differences. She likes cheese pizza and I like pepperoni but we both like pizza. Ella and I are great friends.
rd
Home School
3 PLACE
1st PLACE
Christopher Nicholas Hilborn
Alexandra Black • 3rd Grade • Denise Black, teacher
3rd Grade • Kim Gault, teacher
Baseball My favorite activity is Baseball. I love baseball so much I might run out of paper to explain! I have played baseball ever since I was four years old. This year I’m on the L.A. Dodgers. We have one win and one loss. I usually play Right Field and Second Base. My favorite position is Second Base. One, because that is where most of the balls go. Two, if the ball goes into the outfield it is usually thrown back to Second. Do you like Baseball? I wonder how many people in the world like Baseball? I might never find out! My life goal for baseball is to make it to the MLB (Major League Baseball). I have a long way to go since I’m only nine. Do you think I will make it to the MLB?
Astronauts Over a year ago, I went to the Hampton Air and Space Center for a homeschool day. We did experiments and picked up NASA mission photos. My dad’s friend knows the astronaut in my picture! So I had dinner with astronaut Gorie! He has been into space four times, always as commander or pilot of the space shuttle. Before meeting him, I watched a You-tube video of his mission and came up with questions for him. He floated around in the international space station and ate upside down. He said before a space mission, you choose your space foods. You try everything, and then decide what to eat in space. Mr. Gorie wrote down brownies and M&M’s. Then his wife made him change it, so he ordered healthier foods. He said the scariest part of every mission is when taking off, because your whole body is shaking. Next to your space shuttle on both sides of you are million pound rockets! Mr. Gorie gave me an STS-123 mission patch that actually went into space. It went five miles per second! And he signed my photo of him and the other six astronauts from that mission, which is on my wall.
Design-an-Ad winner: Briana Carlsen • 6th grader at Toano Middle School • Nancy Tatum, teacher
NEW EXHIBITION • MAY 16 - SEPTEMBER 7
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7 — A supplement to The Virginia Gazette • KIDS COUNT • May 16, 2015
Tabb Elementary School
May 16, 2015 • KIDS COUNT • A supplement to The Virginia Gazette — 8
J.B. B Blayton Elementary
Waller Mill Elementary
Mrs. Hrkman, Kindergarten Teacher Jordyn Gardner Maureese Andre Cutler McKenna Kramarik
Elizabeth Heath,
1st Grade Teacher Jon Zickel Peter Henderson Bella Holt Liam Ferguson Aidyn Kohlndorfer Andrew Lee Erick Meija-Aparicio Spencer Miller Lara Rembert Elyse Moore Abbie Sheldon Erik Dereix
Richard Jaeger Demarion Lawernce Noah Piatkowski Heidi Kovacs Malak Khadrane Christoph Schweitzer Ryan Hill Peyton Patterson Xyrus Gregg Savannah Gately Bryan Sheppard
Mt. Vernon Elementary Lauren Malone, Kindergarten Teacher
Wyatt Underwood Chip Walker Amirah Weddington Adam Nowak Jonathan Humphrey
Olivia Julia
Abram Arthur
Ian Samantha
Tandi Caeley
Caleb Jonathan
Keagan
Blake Ethan Cody
Peyton Nathan Bryce
Kim Gault, 3rd Grade Teacher Finley Payne Ryan Sabourin Daniel Broome
Mrs. Butchello, 8th Grade Teacher
Caroline Fairchild Raymond Thompson Justin Martak Eldin Harbas Ayden Spence
Dana Morrison Demma Hassan Emily Boyle Emma Tolley Erin Allison
Luke Story Taylor Ross
JanLou Lawson Jaxon Sanford
Duaa Ali-Qureshi Chasity Babrow Christopher Nicholas Hilborn Ella Autrey
Justin Cooper Laura Deloso Mackenzie Flannigan Sydney Berlin
Amaya Huskisson
Taylor Baldwin
Alaina McKnight Alena Fagan Anna Buscher
Amelia York Oliver Sherwin Jazzlyn Rivera Madeleine Storch
Maeghan Christie, 10th & 11th Grade Teacher
Hannah Chen Alisha Pillai
Carmen Oquendo Carson Smith
Home School
Mrs. Miller, 3rd Grade Teacher Anastasia Torchik Grace Terry Chancellor Hoover Carter Hudgins
Toano Middle
Jamestown High
Julia Maggio
Walsingham Academy Max Lubsen Natalia Hanks Elizabeth Hamner Colin Knickle
Tabb Elementary
Denise Black Aiden Chamblin Ozan Yilmaz Jeylah Hamrick
3rd Grade Home School Teacher Alexandra Black
JJ.B. Blayton Elementary (Hudgins Holiday Chevrolet Cadillac ad) Mrs. Kelly,
1st Grade Teacher Ny’Aijah Wallace Caroline Gartland Taleah James Simon Lampert Mason Hibbard Dylan Horton Ellie Kidd Kionta Roby Claire Dellinger Ny’Kiraha Jones Delaney Kirkpatrick Elliott Ricker Ari Sheldon Aidan Reardon Aidan Johnson Sadie Hoyt
(The Mariners’ Museum ad) Nancy Tatum, 6th Grade Teacher Alyssia Trost Amber Jones Briana Carlsen Emma Kreis Isabella Jones Julia Meador Kaylee Gosselin Layla Andress Maggie Froehlich Samantha Venable Stephen Smith
Williamsburg Christian Academy
Warhill High Kathleen Adams, 10th & 11th Grade Teacher Alyssa Buchite Kelly Fisher
Walsingham Academy
Toano Middle
(Starling Guttering ad) Karen Florimonte, 11th & 12th Grade Teacher Marie Major Miranda Christy
(Heritage Commons ad) Mrs. Kourtenay Plummer, 5th Grade Teacher Joshua Morris Alex Ambrose Samantha Leftwich Elizabeth Norsworthy Preston Marshall Ronnie Littman Jason Vail Rachel Owens Alexandra Simmons Joshua Desimone Nadia Visuttisathong Cooper LaCasse
(Ace Hardware ad) Mrs. Kourtenay Plummer,
Lily Flannery Skylar Allburn
5th Grade Teacher Catherine Lageman Elias Carr Jordan Horne Jack Plifka Jacob Davenport-Durant Luke Mowry Paul Williams
Michael Kokolis Gracie Moulton Julia Wilson Victoria Bliley Caleb C. Madison Plank Everett Digges Emma Lobash
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9 — A supplement to The Virginia Gazette • KIDS COUNT • May 16, 2015
Design-an-Ad Entries
Journalism Entries
May 16, 2015 • KIDS COUNT • A supplement to The Virginia Gazette — 10
News Feature (Grade 8) Toano Middle School 1st PLACE Anna Buscher • 8th Grade • Mrs. Butchello, teacher
My Father: My Inspiration Back in the summer of 2010 my family and I were new in the small town of Toano. We had just moved and had not made much of a big deal of ourselves as we were still exploring the area. The next month in September we had all started at our new schools. Back home in Illinois my father had been a substitute teacher at our school, Woodland High School. Many of our friends at the school had talked to us about how much they loved our dad when he subbed in their class, my dad had loved the compliments but as for my sisters and me, it was starting to get annoying. My dad had of course continued his substitute teaching job here in Virginia since he had been given such great praise. He started teaching at Warhill High School after about a year of living here in Toano.
After living in Virginia for a while, us girls had made plenty of friends at school and my dad had been subbing at Warhill multiple times a week and had been quite popular around school. Many of our friends had him in their classes and they couldn’t stop talking about how great of a sub he is and how they love his life lessons and lectures. He had been known very well and many students say that his stories are the “highlight of their day” and his life lessons are very “inspiring”. Although it is weird that more people at school know my dad than me or my sisters, I’m quite proud of him for being such an inspiring figure for students. I am glad to have him as my father and to see how he inspires and helps others and is such a great guide to help me through my own journey in life.
2nd PLACE Emily Boyle • 8th Grade • Mrs. Butchello, teacher
School House Rock Whatever happened to Schoolhouse Rock? Those catchy songs on during commercials on Saturday mornings. Most of us remember them as commercials during our Saturday cartoons but some remember teachers using them to get kids to pay attention in class. Schoolhouse Rock came out in the 70’s stopped airing In the 80’s, came back out in the early 90’s stopped airing again in the late 90’s, and more recently the crew making Schoolhouse Rock with new episodes in 2006 but they were never shown on television.
Schoolhouse Rock has many different songs touching all different topics including science rock, grammar rock, and math rock. Well, this year at Toano Middle School they have brought back the old singing lessons from the seventies. Including a good mix of songs including Interplanet Janet (Science Rock), I’m just a Bill (America Rock), and Nouns (Grammar Rock). The students from Toano Middle School brought them back to life with help from director Starr Cortes.
3rd PLACE Sydney Berlin • 8th Grade • Mrs. Butchello, teacher
Superior Since the beginning of the school year, the Toano Middle School orchestra had been working hard to learn and perfect three songs that they would soon be judged on. After school rehearsals, many class hours, and at home practice prepared these students for greatness. On Saturday, March 7th 2015, students arrived at TMS and soon filed onto busses. Not long after they were on their way to Passage Middle School. Here they would be tested on their ability to play, intonation, how they presented themselves, being able to perform a piece after seeing it for seven minutes (sight reading), and the ability to play in sync with one and other.
After playing in front of all four judges, the students as well as the director, Mrs. Kristen Prokopchak, awaited their scores. After 5-10 grueling minutes, the judges were finished grading and discussing what they heard. Then the results arrived. Once the letter was opened, and results were read, everyone erupted into hoots and hollers. They had received ones in EVERY category. Meaning they got four superior ratings. This topic is newsworthy because even with all the school these children missed due to snow, they still did the best they could and pulled out a big win.
11 — A supplement to The Virginia Gazette • KIDS COUNT • May 16, 2015
Toano Middle School
Design-an-Ad winner: Gracie Moulton • 5th grader at Walsingham Academy • Kourtenay Plummer, teacher
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May 16, 2015 • KIDS COUNT • A supplement to The Virginia Gazette — 12
Editorial (Grades 10 & 11) Jamestown High School 1st PLACE Carmen Oquendo • 11th Grade • Maeghan Christie, teacher
Raising the Permitted Dropout Age to 18 Today, the average graduation rate is only 81 percent when it should be 100 percent. Dropping out of high school is a major cause of a less than perfect graduation rate. What determines whether a person drops out of high school can range anywhere from the lack of parental engagement to the student’s emotional state. The student drop out age should be raised from the permitted age of 16 to age 18, because at 18 you are legally considered an adult and able to make your own decisions. At age 18 the state legally holds you accountable by giving you responsibilities, such as being able to sign yourself out of school, buying your own property, buying a lottery ticket and being able to sue someone in court. At age 16, you are able to make a few decisions for yourself. Even obtaining your driver license requires a
parental consent, along with getting your ears pierced and to open a bank account. By allowing students the option to dropout at age 16 schools are giving students a premature opportunity to give up. Many students go through rough patches in their high school experience, and end up making irrational decisions, like dropping out. If it is not legal to dropout until age 18, then the student will be forced to stay in school until they can make a decision as a more mature individual. If they WJCC school board changes the legal high school dropout age, students will have no choice but to persevere and will have a higher chance of fulfilling their dreams they once doubted, by staying in school and receiving the education necessary to make their dreams come true.
2nd PLACE Carson Smith • 10th Grade • Maeghan Christie, teacher
Driving into debt Driving to school is a convenience that many students rely on when they are old enough to get their licenses. Driving allows these students to be free of a structured transportation system, such as taking the bus, and it allows students to be more independent. However, the high schools in Williamsburg-James City County public schools have been charging an outrageous price for parking passes, inhibiting this freedom of driving to school, due to the unreasonably high cost. At 100 dollars a year per vehicle, this price seems to take advantage of students who choose to participate in after-school activities or the students that cannot access the bus stops. Since after-school activity busses are not always available, and because of the slew
of after-school activities that carry on after these busses have left, some students have no choice but to drive to school. In addition, students outside of their school’s zoning area do not have the option of taking the bus to school in the mornings. One hundred dollars is far too much to pay for a car that will sit in the middle of a blacktop all day. Hundreds of cars are parked at WJCC’s high schools each day, meaning the schools should be able to afford to let go of some of the revenue earned from the overpriced parking passes. Fewer than $20 for a parking pass, as opposed to $100, is much more reasonable, allowing students to maintain the flexibility in their schedules, while still allowing the school to earn a profit.
Design-an-Ad winner: Alexandra Simmons • 5th grader at Walsingham Academy • Kourtenay Plummer, teacher
1st PLACE Alyssa Buchite • 10th Grade • Kathleen Adams, teacher
We Aren’t All Couch Potatoes A Teenager’s Life through a Teenager’s Eyes When people think of teenagers, it’s likely they think of doors slamming, music blaring, and hormone-crazed, rebellious beings. The teenage years are almost always depicted as the worst years of a parent’s life. All teenagers do is sprawl out on their beds in their messy rooms, surrounded by empty soda cans, and talk back to their parents. But is that all we do? The answer is no. Most teenagers may not even spend a full nine hours in their bed. Most of their time is spent at school, at work, or on a field, a basketball court, or track. Teenagers spend five out of seven days a week at school, taking four classes a day, most likely leaving with homework to go along with them that night. They also have financial responsibilities. Most teenage drivers are expected to pay for gas and other vehicle expenses. So, most teens have jobs where they work anywhere from one to seven days a week.
On top of that, many have a hobby or special talent. This can include practicing on a sports team, being a member of a band, or being a part of a club. “Education is always the main priority,” my parents say. They aren’t alone in that either, ask any parent or teacher, their response for you will be the same. High school is where you cannot make mistakes. What you do now will shape your future forever. A simple solution would be to just give up something to make time. However, that isn’t realistic considering the extreme competition for getting into a college; good grades are no longer enough. It gets to the point where all teenagers wish they could be the couch potato that so many think them to be; the truth is far from it.
13 — A supplement to The Virginia Gazette • KIDS COUNT • May 16, 2015
Warhill High School
2014 – 2015
NEWSPAPERS I N EDUCATION needs your donation THE VIRGINIA GAZETTE has placed thousands of newspapers in area schools. These newspapers help promote literacy and raise SOL scores. We want to thank those who have made this possible through their generous donations.
Special Thanks to our Sponsors
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If you would like to contribute to NIE, please mail your check to:
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2nd PLACE Kelly Fisher • 11th Grade • Kathleen Adams, teacher
Teens Need New Outlook on The Burg If a tourist were to hear the name Williamsburg, they would generally think of our country’s birth and history. Williamsburg is the heart of our country and where many tourists visit, at least four million according to Virginia Polytechnic and State University. They find plenty to do and see. However, this is not the mentality for most teenagers living in Williamsburg, or as many call it The Burg. Occasionally referred to as The Dirty Burg, it is evident that many high school students do not enjoy living here. Many complain there is nothing to do. Teenagers believe that Williamsburg is lacking in the area of places for teenagers to hang out. “You have to make your own stuff to do,” Jacob Answine said. Busch Gardens and other places such as Water Country USA, Go Ape and Go Karts Plus are tourist traps that many people avoid because they are
so crowded that it is nearly impossible to enjoy yourself. When people are asked to hang out, they always are concerned about where they will go. In Williamsburg, the majority of people who want to go out go to New Town. New Town is a small shopping area that consists of stores, restaurants, and Regal Cinemas. After going so many times, this place has become old, and people don’t want to go anymore. What Williamsburg teenagers need is a change of mind. People need to realize how fortunate we are to have these places and how many people come here just to visit them. Williamsburg has nearby beaches, parks and museums. If teenagers were to open their minds a little, they would see that Williamsburg is a great place to live, and there are reasons why so many people come to visit each year.
Design-an-Ad winner: Daiana Riquelme • 12th grader at Jamestown High School • Mrs. Robin Cornell, teacher
15 — A supplement to The Virginia Gazette • KIDS COUNT • May 16, 2015
Warhill High School
Hudgins Holiday 543 Second Street, Williamsburg, VA 757-253-1960 In business since 1982 Chevrolet • Cadillac Dealer holidaychevroletcadillac.com Design-an-Ad winner: Caroline Gartland • 1st grader at J.B. Blayton Elementary School • Mrs. Kelly, teacher