Farmer’s Market Palooza

Madison Evans

On Friday, December 16th, Stacey’s Garden Club had a farmer’s market holding the key to success while trying to raise money for their new shed.

At the market, they had succulents, lettuce and kale arrangements, and lemons. There were large pots of multiple small succulents inside, each sold for $7. There were also medium and small succulents; the medium for $5 and the small for $3. All of the pots were hand painted by AVID and garden club students- decorated with Christmas colors, solid colors, and so much more. The kale sold for $3 and the lemons for $1.

Garden Club’s goal was to get enough money to buy a shed so they can store their important supplies- like shovels, rakes, etc.-  by the end of 2018, or before winter break. At this farmer’s market, they raised $170. Many people bought succulents while the garden club members advertised by chanting cheers and saying, “Come and get the perfect Christmas present for your family!”

The Uplifting Ukulele Club

Madison Evans

Ukulele Club is a club that calms your senses while playing beautiful music, taught to you by one of Stacey’s physical education teachers. Mr. Thorsen has been playing the ukulele for many years, and he has an amazing story to tell how it all started for him.

It all started with Mr. Thorsen when he was eight years old when the librarian at his school gave him a box of old and broken ukuleles that he “glued back together and started to teach others.” Mr. Thorsen then started teaching students and his own children as he got older. Mr. Thorsen still loves to play his ukuleles on his lānai, which is Hawaiian for “deck,” or “balcony,” at his house in Hawaii. He finds the ukulele a very relaxing instrument to play; especially when he’s teaching others.

Meet the Thriving Garden Club

Jolie Phan

Gaming, cooking, dancing, and reading are all hobbies. But have you tried gardening at Stacey? Gardening is a great hobby to help you relax and learn. It’s an entertaining and satisfying experience.  

All Garden Club meetings are at 2:45 – 3:30 in room D3 after school on Fridays, rain or shine. The supervisor is Ms. Thach. “A funny, straight-forward, and amazing teacher who always likes to get to the point of something,” is what Madison Evans says about Ms. Thach. She likes to be in the warm climate and see her children grow. Ms. Thach thinks the purpose of the Garden Club is to “get your fingers and hands dirty in the sun.”

Presently, there are 34 students attending the Garden Club. During the meetings, they discuss the updates of the garden and tell others about it. Mrs. Thach hopes there would be more students to share her hobby with. There are currently three gardens growing away in Staconia. There’s one at the next to the A building, E building, and one in front of the G building.

Mr. Ginex Orinion and Coding Club

Savannah McVey and Dylan Weber

Mr. Ginex Orinion, otherwise known as Mr. Go, the new eighth-grade science teacher at Stacey middle school, is already improving our school. What path did he walk that resulted in him teaching here? Interestingly,  Mr. Go has never had an official classroom before making his way to SMS. He has been a digital learning coach, meaning he studied and learned about the technology teachers use for students. He then taught the teachers about the technology, like Chromebooks! He then moved onto teaching here as a science teacher, instructing chemistry and physical science to his pupils. Being at Stacey for only about two months, he already loves it.

Mr. Ginex Orinion, otherwise known as Mr. Go, the new eighth-grade science teacher at Stacey middle school, is already improving our school. What path did he walk that resulted in him teaching here? Interestingly,  Mr. Go has never had an official classroom before making his way to SMS. He has been a digital learning coach, meaning he studied and learned about the technology teachers will use for students. He then taught the teachers about the technology, like Chromebooks! He then moved onto teaching as a science teacher, instructing chemistry and physical science to his pupils. Being at Stacey for only about two months, he already loves it.

“The students and fellow teachers are all amazing, I truly love teaching here. Everyone is engaged and ready to learn.” Mr. Go finds that SMS scholars are increasingly more interested in learning, and they have drive and dedication in them. He loves teaching, molding the next generation, and educating them to be the best student they could be.

The Eliminate Project through UNICEF – Builders Club

Annabelle Lona

Builders Club members raised money to support The Eliminate Project through UNICEF collecting donations from houses whilst trick-or-treating. Each member was given a box to keep the change they collected. The club’s goal was to raise at least $75.

The Eliminate Project aims to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus around the world. The donations will provide a series of vaccine doses to protect pregnant women and newborns from this devastating disease.

Every 15 minutes, a newborn baby dies from tetanus. Their short life is marked by pain, extreme sensitivity to light, sound or contact that prevents even a mother’s touch.

The Gaming Club Scandal

Gavin Mercado and Isabella Gonzalez

At Stacey, we have two gaming clubs, the original Gaming Club, and the… Original Gaming Club? It happens to be that there are two clubs claiming that they are both original.

One of the first Gaming Club members explains that this could be extremely confusing to potential new members. The Original Gaming Club that was introduced this year, is much different than the first Gaming Club. The fact that members there are calling it original, is upsetting to some of the members of the older gaming club.

When asked if members of the first Gaming Club would wish for the new Gaming Club, or Original Gaming Club to be removed from the list of clubs,  they said, ¨They shouldn’t be able to call themselves the Original Gaming Club because they are not the Original Gamer´s Club. However, I don´t want them to leave Stacey´s list of clubs. I just want them to change their name to something like Classic Gaming Club.¨

Anime Club

Jolie Phan

Are you interested in watching Anime, dressing up as your favorite anime character, or reading manga? Well, there’s an anime club at Stacey Middle School!

All of the meetings are on Friday after school starting at 2:45 and ending at 3:30. At the first meeting, there were over 40 students. Mrs. Valverde is hoping that more and more students will join the Anime Club.

The students were asked what the club members wanted to do throughout the year. Most kids wanted to play games and watch Anime. Mrs.Valverde doesn’t want them staring at a screen for hours, so she played a game to get to know everyone.

Welcome to SMS VFC Club

Adrian Nguyen Dinh

Are you interested in learning about Vietnamese culture? Well if so, you´re in great luck! Stacey is hosting a Vietnamese Cultural Club called VFC.

VFC first met on October 5th and there was a great turn out. The club´s next meeting will be October 19, so if anyone hasn’t already joined, they need to come on by.

The club meets every other Friday in Mrs. Phan’s classroom.  This year, the club will be teaching different folk games, listening to Vietnamese music, and trying out different food.

Meeting attendee Aden Nguyen said, “The club is amazing and has a sense of Vietnamese people.  I think it will help others to learn about the Vietnamese society.”

Girl Power

Madison Evans

This year, Girl Power takes place during lunch, on Wednesdays, where girls from all grades can come to eat lunch and explore the life of girls today. They meet at G2A with friends while they discuss what is going on in their lives.

Girl Power stands for goals, individuality, respect, loyalty, potential, optimism, will,  empathy, and responsibility. In Girl Power, they watch videos on bullying, beauty standards, and the reality of a girl.

The participants also do art projects, give each other compliments, and keep everything positive. Members stay honest with everyone and talk about what is yet to come in the future.

GSA Is Back!

Gavin Mercado and Grace Baer

Have you heard of GSA?  Well, it may be the perfect club for you!

The first meeting will be October 24th. GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance), is a club for gay, straight, bisexual, pansexual, transgender, gender non-binary, confused, etc.  students to talk about LGBT related problems. Members don’t have to be in the LGBT community to join.

This year, the club will be hosting a board consisting of a President, Vice President, Secretary, and a Spirit Officer. To apply, just come to the first Gay-Straight Alliance meeting.

Mrs. Gates, the club’s advisor,  says she’s, ¨very excited about the meeting,¨ and also to advise GSA this year. Mrs. Gates is straight herself, however in the informational meeting she discussed, ¨my sister is married to a woman, and I am 100% supportive of it.¨