The Voice of Veritas
Eighth Grade Journalism
Volume 2, Issue 2
Quarter Two - December 2020
Christmas Edition
Collaborative Writing:
Favorite Food Recommendations Houston and Veritas are blessed with beautiful and uniquely diverse populations. Houston is the most racially and ethnically diverse city in Texas and the 7th in the country! According to visithousotntexas.com, there are more than 10,000 restaurants in the Houston area that represent more than 70 countries and American regions! Wow! If you remember from Family Day last year, here are Veritas, we have 31 different nationalities represented in our student population! How cool is that? Our differences enrich us when joyfully shared with others. Just like our people are diverse, so are the foods and restaurants here in our diverse City. The Voice of Veritas staff wanted to share their favorite dishes in hopes that maybe you would be inspired to try something new! I hope you’re not hungry while you read this because these dishes are bound to make your mouth water and your belly roar!
Eden Droog Stroopwafel My favorite non-american snack is stroopwafels. This super thin waffle filled with a rich carmel is a Dutch delicacy. The waffles are made by pressing the vanilla and cinnamon dough in a waffle iron. It is tradition to place the cookie on top of your tea or coffee cup to allow the caramel to melt and become soft. If you ever get a chance you should try one!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mikayla Villafuerte Chinese Duck Noodle Soup My favorite non-american meal is Chinese Roasted Duck Noodle Soup. The duck is roasted and perfectly balances the spices and vegetables and noodles in the broth. It is a delicious savory meal that is very comforting during the cold or even if you’re just in the mood for soup.
very yummy. This dessert is very delicious especially when warm.
Mirabelle Streger Spaghetti My favorite non-american dish is spaghetti. It is so good if you’re craving something savory. I love when my mom does it as she adds a delicious meat-sauce and I top it with a bucketload of parmesan. This meal is very scrumptious and you can eat it year round!
Olivia Nicholas Phở My favorite non-american dish is Pho, a Vietnamese soup consisting of broth, rice noodles with herbs, and meat, usually chicken or beef. Pho is considered Vietnam’s national dish. If you love spice, you could sprinkle some sriracha on it or if you like tang, you could sprinkle oyster sauce on it. Pho is one of my favorite meals during the winter and fall season. Pho is that type of meal where once you eat it, you are full for the rest of the day.
James Finch Sweet Potatoes and Bacon Sweet potatoes and bacon surprisingly go together creating a delicious combination. Small cubes of sweet potatoes with chopped up bacon covered with different spices create a delightful, holiday-themed side dish. Cook this for a yummy southern addition to your Christmas dinner. Matthew Mejia Bilo-bilo A native filipino dish consisting of glutinous rice, cassava, sweet potato, tapioca pearls, and jackfruit. The chewy rice balls are
Jonathan Jacoby Chicken Fried Rice One of my ideal non-American dishes is Chicken Fried Rice. It’s a Chinese originated meal. It’s the absolute BEST. You can make it quick and easy and customize with any of your prefered mixins. The taste of all the veggies, rice and meat are appetizing.
Mr. Villafuerte Lechon (Whole Roasted Suckling Pig) A staple for any Filipino celebration, including Christmas. Slow roasted over a pit - which produces juicy meat and a crispy, crunchy skin! Great on its own, but even better when paired with steamy white rice and “Mang Tomas” sauce. If a whole pig seems too much to handle, lechon can also consist of just roasting a rolled up slab of pork belly (this is a great substitute for smaller parties).
Mrs. Marshall Jamaican Oxtail My absolute favorite dish is something I thought sounded disgusting at first, but it is the most delicious, melt-in-yourmouth food you may ever eat. Jamaican oxtails with rice and peas is a deliciously savoury meal that is sure to leave you wanting more and more. The meat is tender, the rice is sweet, and the gravy is heavenly! You have to try it! A great spot to grab Jamaican food in our area is Cool Runnings Jamaican Grill!
Samaritan’s Purse by Matthew Mejia
This Christmas season we participated in the Samaritan’s Purse’s Operation Christmas Child. The Samaritan’s Purse is a non-profit organization that has focused on sharing the Word of God and giving toys, toiletries and school supplies to children in need.
Veritas Middle School Student Council wanted to find a way for us to serve the community despite our limitations during this time. With the leadership of the Student Council, we successfully filled 100 boxes with amazing gifts and necessities for children in need. Our boxes weren’t just filled, they were stuffed with goodies! These items are going to bless children in
the greatest need with necessities that we often take for granted and some special gifts! Students were humbled to find out that many children do not have basic items that we take for granted every day
like socks and toothbrushes. Thanks to the generosity of our Veritas community we were able to achieve our giving goals. Thank you, Veritas, for helping these children and for helping us to be a part of spreading God’s love.
How Students and Teachers Feel About this Different School Year by Matthew Mejia
On the first day of school, many of us started on campus and others started online through Google Meet. This year has definitely been different from last year and we wanted to highlight how students (online or on-campus) and teachers have felt about this year. How have you felt about this school year? What has been the best part of this school year? What have you learned this school year? What has been the hardest challenge? I think it has been good. It is not as fun during recess because of social distance. Band is harder due to wearing masks. Because of needing to use computers more, I learned how to touch type. - Aaron Lin Social distancing and masks feels strange. I am getting used to it. Especially in math, there is less hands on learning. The technology is hard to use because of the internet. I learned how to learn online and use computers better. - Krista Ivy Pierre liked getting to spend more time with family. Getting good grades was his highlight of the school year. He didn’t like not being able to see my family which he was usually able to see.
Mila got to visit my cousins in quarantine. Not able to go anywhere. I have felt weird because of all the instructions even though we have face to face learning. I also like having the choice between both. This year is more challenging because things are online instead of on paper. I learned how strict the restrictions are in this school. - Jeremy Thomas I felt weird during the beginning of in-person school, but as the year has gone by, I got used to it and felt more safe. I like in-person school more than online learning. Seventh Grade class party for the auction and spirit week were the highlight so far of the school year. More grace because of wifi issues. The new normal includes six feet and masks. Assigned seating is strict so I learned more about other people. - Anonymous Seventh Grader I have been closer to my friends this school year. Wearing a mask all day, washing my hands all the time, and staying six feet away has been difficult. I want to talk to my friends but also abide by physical distancing rules. I learned the spelling, pronunciation, and definition of pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis. - Jonathan Jacoby Continued on page 2.
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Continued from Front Page. How Students and Teachers Feel About this Different School Year I have loved this school year. It has been so much fun teaching because I enjoy challenges. I have experienced the challenge of how to balance online and in-person teaching, and how to make all students feel included. I am really grateful to be back on campus. The hardest thing with this school year is the internet going down because I like to always be in control and unfortunately, I can’t control the internet. - Mrs. Marshall
ADVICE
in with in-person school. I have coped with the anxiety by realizing I can only do so much and focusing on my relationship with Christ through prayer. Among many other challenges, the loss of internet connection has created additional frustrations. - Mr. Chace
Seeing all the students every day, hearing them laugh, and watching them have fun while learning has made this a great school year. I miss seeing the online students, having our families come on campus for events, and actually seeing the students’ full faces! - Mrs. Berger
I have felt anxiety because of needing to mix online school
Devotional Bible Verse of the Month by Mikayla Villafuerte
James 1: 2 - 4 says: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” This was written by James, (not the apostle) the half-brother of Jesus. James was not a believer during the time of Jesus’s ministry but became a follower when Jesus rose from the dead and revealed himself to his disciples and other followers. Because he was a Christian, he went through persecution, like all the Christians at the time. It was and will always be a challenge to be a Christian. Christians are not of the world in the sense that we do not think as unbelievers do. And, because we have a different
mindset, the world will not treat you like them. They will treat you worse. This is to be expected, but we have joy in these times of trials. These trials are when our faith is being tested to help us grow as a stronger Christian and person. And, because of your growth in these trials, we can expect to become closer to our goal of doing the best we can for Christ. So, remember the next time a trial comes up in your life, no matter how small or big, to follow this verse’s advice. That’s my challenge to you today. Go and count it all joy, and help others count their trials as joy as well, because in the long run, it will benefit you in your walk in Christ.
How to Stay Active Over the Holidays: Eat the Trimmings and Trim Down by James Finch
During the holiday season, it can be easy, especially during this time, to just sit around on a screen, eat food, and just be plain lazy. Quarantine, while helping with the spread of the Coronavirus, it is not helping with people’s fitness and overall health. Watching movies with your family and having screen time is not bad, but when that is all you do over the two week break, it has become a problem. This problem is not hard to fix, but it does take some self-control and dedication. You need to be able to get away from the screen and get outside. Most of the time, nobody is going to tell you to go outside. You can choose to remain inactive. Though it is mainly screens, they are not the only things keep us from being more active. To some people, books, games, or even food can keep them in one spot for extended periods of time. Increasing time being active can improve how you feel and affect your mood. Exercising for just 30 minutes a day for five days a week, an average of 150 minutes a week, improves your cognitive skills directly after and lowers feelings of anxiety. Here are a couple idea to get out of the house: Bike Rides: Bike rides not only get you out of the house and moving but they can also be social. Invite a friend or go with family around the neighborhood whether it is daily, short ride, or a long, fast ride bike rides are a great way to connect with others
Conversations with Yourself
by Mirabelle Streger
Self talk is basically you talking to yourself, sometimes known as your conscience or “the little voice in your head”. Self talk can be both positive or negative, and it’s important to try to box out the negative kind. If you feel yourself having more negative self-talk than positive, here are a few verses to remind you that YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL! Ephesians 1:4 - Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. Psalm 139:13-16 - You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before
I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
1 John 3:1 - See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! Romans 5:8 - But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Psalm 18:19 - He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.
As someone who has struggled with confidence/ negative selftalk, I have some advice on how to become the best version of you: • read positive quotes • find something that you like about yourself, and when the negative talk comes in, think of that thing! • try your best not to compare yourself to other people (especially not celebrities) • take care of yourself (self-care night!) • everybody is beautiful. there is no such thing as perfect and beauty cannot be defined • don’t surround yourself with people who make you feel unworthy or like you aren’t good enough • embrace your true self. • be brave and do things that you have been nervous about • reach out to family and friends as well as teachers. (they are here to listen)
and move your body. You can explore the city and discover new, fun routes around your area.
Walks: Like bike rides, walks are social and physical activities, but, unlike bike rides, walks require no equipment. Low impact exercises like walking are a good way to begin a healthy exercise routine.
Runs: While walks are great, you can burn double the calories in the same amount of time running. Going on a short run in the morning, about 2-3 miles, is a refreshing way to start off your day. Find a running buddy and go before the sun comes up or after it has gone down, running is one of the most common ways to improve physical health and ability. Swimming: Swimming is my personal favorite way to exercise. Swimming doesn’t put pressure on your joints and it works out all of your muscles. What’s not to like? Another important aspect of physical fitness is what you eat. Over the holidays it is way too easy to just eat, and eat. I’m not going to tell you to not eat your favorite dishes and desserts, what I am saying is to pace yourself. Don’t fill yourself up past your limit. When your stomach tells
you no more, LISTEN!! Enjoy the tasty food and consider a few of these healthier options to classic holiday foods: Turkey over Ham: Generally, white meat is better than red and this is true for turkey and ham. Turkey is just plain better for you. It contains almost double the protein of ham, more
nutrients, and less sodium. Desserts: There are so many healthy recipes out there for deserts. Some of the best ones only contain a few ingredients! The most common are things like brownies and cookies but you can find many good, low sugar holiday recipes out there. It is as simple a google search. Sweet Potatoes over White Potatoes: I like sweet potatoes more than normal potatoes but many people don’t prefer them. Give it a try before you decide. Don’t decide after one bite. Experiment! Sweet potatoes have more vitamins than normal potatoes are the less common, but healthier option. Over the holidays, eat your favorite foods, see family, and have fun despite circumstances. Stay safe, stay active, and stay healthy!
I Can Use Positive Self-Talk! Directions: Write negative thoughts that you sometimes have in the boxes on the left. Reframe and rewrite the negative thoughts into positive thoughts. Practice your self talk throughout the day using the positive thoughts as your script.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
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Join These Reindeer Games: family, with one person, or alone
Playing board games and card games is important for many reasons such as exercising your brain, increasing brain function, helping enhance creativity and patience, and most importantly it brings laughter and joy. The holidays are approaching and people have a lot of free time, what better way to use that time for playing games instead of staring at a screen all day.
and playing games can help bring the different personalities out, especially those who are a bit more shy. When playing games you often have to set a goal or maybe there is already a set goal on the directions of the game. Next time you play a game, set a goal for yourself; during the game take your time being creative and don’t get frustrated if things don’t go as planned.
by Eden Droog
worry you can still play even if you’re not the most talented artist, I know I’m not. Everybody gets their own little white board and you pass it around the circle as the game goes on guessing and drawing at the end you flip through and see what people have drawn and guessed.
Lastly, playing games should bring laughter and joy. Get together with friends and pick a game everyone likes, or try a new game. Make conversation when it’s not your turn and everyone will get involved in some way. Before you know it people will be laughing and joking around. First, let’s start on how games help exercise your brain and increase your brain function. Most games make you think. When you play games you are actually exercising your brain, just like you are active in order to exercise your body, in playing a game you are working your brain therefore causing it to exercise. Playing games help you practice essential cognitive skills and gain decision making, strategic thinking, and problem solving abilities. Playing games helps to enhance creativity and patience, and helps you learn how to set goals. In order to win you have to play strategic and be patient. Each person has their own personality
My guess, and from what I have observed, is that most people will spend more of their time staring at a screen than they will playing games. This holiday season, I encourage you to stop yourself and ask yourself, have I played any board or card games yet on break? If you have, or have not, I encourage you to play at least one or two. If you have no idea what to play I have some suggestions, and if you don’t have them but they look interesting to you, that is something for your christmas list. Here is a game that is fun to play with large groups of people and wide ranges of ages. Telestrations - A game that will make everyone laugh. Don’t
fun twist. It comes with a little tile dispenser where you grab the tiles, say the name of the picture, and place it on your board. First to fill the whole board wins!!!
Go grab some friends, 3 others to be exact or maybe some of your family members. Codenames - 2 against 2, one person from each team is the codegiver the others job is to guess. 25 cards are out in front and the first one to guess all the cards under your color wins. This game is fun and challenging. Great exercise for the brain and will keep your wheels turning. Here is a game to play with a smaller group of people like 3. You will like this game if you are into strategic games that make you think.
Only have one other person to play with at the moment or maybe it’s only you who’s available? Try out the game, The Genius Square - Comes with 7 dice, 7 little round wood placers, and shapes to fill in the extra space. Roll the dice, put in the round little pieces according to the dice, and fill in all the shapes without moving the round pieces, making sure to fill all the spaces. First to finish wins, or if you’re the only one, playing try to beat your best times.
spend some time with the people you love, be it family or friends. Get those brains working and have some fun. Take this holiday season, that might not be like normal, and make it enjoyable. Just remember to be a good sport, no matter the outcome, win or lose, it’s for fun. Online Resource: https://buckslib.org/ benefits-of-playing-boardgames/#:~:text=Playing%20 board%20games%20 increases%20brain%20 function.&text=Playing%20 stimulates%20brain%20 areas%20that,strategic%20 thinking%2C%20and%20 problem%20solving.
Remember there is a lot more to games than you think, so I challenge you to go play any game of your choice, as long as it is not on a screen, and just
Settlers of Catan - In Catan you build roads and settlements and trade and buy materials, but watch out for the robber you don’t want him around.
If you have little siblings or maybe for the teachers with little ones, this game is for you and your family. Zingo - It is a picture version of bingo with a
Christmas Movie Recommendations by Jonathan Jacoby
Over the holidays there might not be many activities or traveling due to Covid-19. One thing you could do during Christmas break is watch Christmas movies either with your whole family, siblings, or friends if you can. These are a few recommendations for the holiday season. ***(Parents, you can always check the age-appropriateness of a book or movie at commonsensemedia.org) Home Alone (PG)
A Charlie Brown Christmas (NR)
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (NR)
Elf (PG)
Home Alone is an amiable, although silly, family film comedy that both children and adults will enjoy if they’re ok with violence. It has a runtime of 103 minutes and was released in 1990. (Even though this is rated PG, it’s not recommended for younger children.)
A Charlie Brown Christmas is a classic that everyone can love, any age can watch it. Charles M. Schulz released it on December 9, 1965. It’s the original TV special based on the comic strip Peanuts. The movie has a runtime of 30 minutes.
Rudolph’s tale has a great message about non-conformity. It is an old-school, heartwarming classic for all ages. It has a runtime of 53 minutes and was released in 1964.
Elf is a sweet and hilarious movie. The elf-reared Buddy has a heart as great as the frozen north. It was released in 2003 and has a runtime of 90 minutes.
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ACTIVITIES
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Guess Who? Baby photo guessing game with teachers How well do you know our Veritas teachers and staff? I asked a couple of middle school and elementary teachers to share their baby photos with me. The first 5 students to successfully guess the identity of all the baby photos and turn it into Mrs. Delgado gets a surprise! Answer Key Mrs. Gallegos • Mrs. Chace • Mr. Sewell • Mrs. Arrazolo • Mrs. Olmos • Mr. Chace • Mrs. Delgado • Mrs. Prestera Ms. Naddaf • Ms. Evans • Mr. Villafuerte • Mrs. El-Issa • Mrs. Marshall • Mrs. Swicegood • Mrs. Culp
Christmas Scavenger Hunt
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Clue #1 Use quick feet! Hurry and go to a place where we used to eat.
Your Newspaper Staff
Eden Droog
James Finch
Jonathan Jacoby
Matthew Mejia
Olivia Nicholas
Mirabelle Streger - kidsturncentral.com
Mikayla Villafuerte
Mrs. Marshall
Mr. Villafuerte
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