The opening school assembly was filled with laughs, sighs, snores, and some occasional snarls. However, students sat up in their chairs when they heard the announcement that the highly anticipated homecoming dance was to be held in the cafeteria. Who made this decision? This may remain an unsolved mystery.
Mr. Delporto, our school's athletic and activities director, stated that he had nothing to do with the decision. If the school's director of this sort of thing had nothing to do with it, then who would? I continued my search.
My next stop was Mr. Beisel. In short, he told me that the dance studio was way too unstable to hold around 750 people. As many students know already, a couple of years ago the ceiling in the weight room caved in during the homecoming dance. Needless to say, this was and still is a safety issue. So, this information helped a little, but still the question remained: whose call was this?
I decided that if no one else, our new principal Mr. Bartman would know. So I headed on down to his surf inspired office and took a seat ready with some questions. But apparently I was wrong and the decision was made prior to his arrival. But he did shed some nice light on the subject. Everyone is complaining about having the dance in the cafeteria, but is it really going to be that bad? "The cafeteria is the only place with central air conditioning so I don't see why students are complaining." Mr. Bartman told me. It's true, the dance studio gets so hot and it might be nice to dance without the dewy, or as some might say "reduce the sweat factor".
Still, it doesn't seem like the cafeteria is going to be able to meet students' standards. " This isn't High School Musical. The cafeteria is a place for eating not a place for dancing." stated sophomore Mikelle Mancini after hearing the news. Mancini is not the only one upset about this change. Students from each grade are questioning the reasons behind this recent switch and a question on many students' lips is " why not the gym?" The gym is considered a very important place to some people at our school and for good reasons. But isn't the dance studio just as important? In the past the dance studio's floor has had to suffer from 4-inch stilettos clanking on its panels but no one seemed to notice. Now that the dance studio is out of the question, maybe it is a time to compromise. We all want what's is best for our school but, sometimes it seems as if no one really knows what's best. There seems to be nothing that we as a student body can do except show up and have a good time.
-by Cricket Oles
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Dancing in the Cafeteria? A True High School Musical Moment
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Amnesty International meetings
Far away from the SmartBoards and laptop carts of Judge, people are suffering. Whether it's prisoners in Argentina or impoverished children here in the U.S. all people need food, shelter, and justice. But Amnesty International is here to change all that.
With over 2.2 million members in over 150 countries worldwide, AI is nonviolently attacking injustice around the globe. With the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights as their guide, their millions of volunteers come together to promote and protect human rights.
All this might seem far away from your Judge classroom, but it isn't. Every Wednesday morning in the Campus Ministry room members of the Judge chapter meet. You can have donuts, juice, and help change the world – all before school starts.
- by Madelyn Machon
Monday, September 10, 2007
Dance II: The Stage is Set
With 37 eager girls, Jeanette Sawaya and Natosha Washington have the duty of molding these young talents in Dance II into Dance Company material. Though you may be misguided by the notion that Dance II is an easy A, don't get too comfortable with that idea. Boasting the most intense curriculum of the dance department, the girls not only are tasked with memorizing intricate choreography, but are also drilled on precise technique and even on the history of modern dance. However, this is all in preparation of the celebrated Judge Dance Company.
The Dance Company is a performance-oriented group of the highest level. Comprised of Juniors and Seniors, they compose such shows as the Dance Concert and the Homecoming half-time show.
According to Ms. Sawaya: "Usually if they survive [Dance II] then they are ready to move on to higher levels". She believes that perseverance commands high respect and will determine their rate of success in Dance Company.
Friday, September 07, 2007
Girls Soccer plays Union on Tuesday
Girls soccer has started region play and is contiuning to try and cope with the many changes they have faced this year. They not only have a new coach but Jenna Sliwinski, one of their key players, is still out with a severe collarbone injury suffered in the early season. The team's next game is Tuesday Sept.11 against Union at home and then they travel to Uintah to play the Utes.
Football team faces #1 Logan tonight
Friday, September 7, 2007- The Bulldogs claimed their second victory of the season defeating class 4-A Woods Cross 41-18. Five Bulldogs put points up on the board including 2 touchdowns from Bruce Garlinghouse, and one each from Lewis Walker, Tyson Moll, Jordan Benson, and Keenyn Walker. Keenyn also had three interceptions.
The Bulldogs remain undefeated but face a tough schedule down the road. They play the #1 ranked Logan Grizzlies tonight in Logan. With the Bulldogs being ranked #2 it is going to be a classic showdown and will prove to be the game of the week.
Thursday, September 06, 2007
National Honor Society Holds First Meeting of the Year
On the afternoon of September 5, the National Honor Society held its first meeting of the school year in Mr. Van Orden's room. Despite the briefness of the proceedings, important information regarding upcoming events as well as the plan for the whole year was discussed. Members are already signing up to volunteer at "Back to School Night" as well as declaring the first nominations for the organization's officers. "Back to School Night" is Wednesday, September 12. The next meeting, in which officers will be selected, is scheduled for Wednesday, September 26.
Music news
Lady Bulldogs swat the Wasps
Tommy Beat
The British band, The Who, is considered to be the best live performance rock band of all time, consisting of lead guitarist Pete Townshend, lead singer Roger Daltrey, bass guitarist John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon. Although Entwistle and Moon are deceased, Townshend and Daltrey still perform live in concert. The Who are notorious for smashing their guitars into amps and Townshend's guitar trick "the windmill".
In 1969, The Who released the very first rock opera, Tommy. A rock opera is an album or collection of songs that has a story behind it.
This November, the Judge Memorial drama department will be performing Tommy. The performances will be held on Halloween and the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 9th, 16th, and on the 17th of November. The musical will be directed by drama teacher Mr. Darin Hathaway, music teacher Mrs. Ramona Mayer, and dance teacher Ms. Jeanette Sawaya. Junior Thomas Tsuruda will play the lead role, Tommy.
Cast List
Tommy Walker: Thomas Tsuruda
Captain Walker: Sean Abel
Mrs. Walker: Riley Kate Nelson
The Lover: Sean Sweeney
Uncle Ernie: Chris Voss
Cousin Kevin: Stuart Ford
The Hawker: Eric White
Acid Queen: Erin McKennon
Sally Simpson: Lieren Allen
Ten-year-old Tommy: Matt Gray
Drama and Tech Gear Up for Tommy
At 77 pages, the script for Tommy is not the longest production the Judge Theatre Department has ever undertaken. However, it is certainly one of the most intensive. The entire rock-opera of Tommy, by The Who, is an almost unpausing collage of songs and dances. Together, they tell the story of Tommy, an english boy whose life is one of initial hardship and suffering, but then fortune, and finally the result of the two. While the entire show takes only about two hours, it never stops during that time except for an intermission, meaning lots of lines, lots of dance steps, and lots of room for error. Rehearsals for Tommy have already begun, promising a serious attempt at perfection and excellence and a wonderful show. Tommy will be performed on November 1-3 at 7 p.m. and a matinee on the 4th at 2:30 in the Judge auditorium.
-By Geoff Burlew
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Cheerleaders Looking Forward to a Year of Change
While the vets are getting used to the changes during and outside of practice, the rookies are learning the ropes for the first time. Everything from the coaches to the mascot has taken a change for the better. The new coach Megan Lindsey has been a guest choreographer for Judge dance company. In addition to her hip-hop pieces she is now she's choreographing dances for the cheerleaders. Because of the lack of returning seniors, the captains of this year's cheer squad are seniors Jenny Dabrowski, Brie Marron, Makyla Grovenburg, and junior Kristi Brown. There is no specific captain for one job, instead it's a group effort for the dances, cheers and stunts.
Contrary to last year's squad the seniors of this year's squad are the minority. There is less seniority and the squad as a whole is a lot closer. Every girl is a full time cheerleader; there are no alternates and the mascot is not going to be a cheerleader. For basketball season Lewis Walker will be Brutus the Bulldog and with Mele Vaisima in Idaho the school needs a volunteer with as much enthusiasm and spunk as her. If you're interested in being the school's beloved Bulldog, talk to Natosha Washington.
- by Christina Niemann
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Anime Club
Last year the Anime club wasn't very organized and didn't really have a point, but this year the improvements are spectacular. Keawe Kali is the President of the club and she's done an excellent job of turning the Anime club into a club that anyone would want to join. The participants in the anime club will be learning and teaching each other new things that deal with the Japanese animation world like drawing, movies, dancing, conventions and so much more. If you're interested even in the smallest bit about the anime world, email Keawe Kali at moonpuzzle@gmail.com and let her know you want to join in the fun.
- by Sarah Fitzpatrick
Judge Baseball, Preparing For Another Run At State
Judge baseball had a successful summer with some promising freshmen playing on the summer Varsity Prep team. The 17-and-under team had a good season, with some wins, but they battled with 4A and 5A teams. Right now Judge is participating in a fall-ball league to get players more game time experience. The off-season is just around the corner and soon you will be able to hear the sounds of metal on leather coming from the Weigrand Dance Studio.
- by Riley Ashton
