The Williston Sun 2024 Volume 2
Fall Issue
Witching You a Fang-tastic Halloween!
-You can't tell which witch is which!
đHow do you mend a jack-o'-lantern?
-With a pumpkin patch!
đ»Find more goofy Halloween jokes here
Meet Our News Team!
Hey there! We are the 2024 Williston Sun News Team! We are so excited for this school year with you all! This year, we have an all new eighth grade news team. Here is our team: Max, Maite, Julia, Jack, Jaden, Rashaad, Aileen, Alejah, Aniya, Mackenzie, Millie, Jeremy, Logan, Narriya, Charles, and Kellum. Our teachers are Mr. Sullivan, Mrs. Diehl, Dr. Gist, and Ms. Gray. This news is historic and we have modernized the paper and have some upcoming improvements as well.
Later in the school year, our team will become a multi-media news team, which means we will have a newspaper, and a podcast that we will share with the whole community. The team will be collaborating with NPR and New Hanover High School Journalism teachers.
If you have any news-worthy articles that you want shared, be sure to email Mr. Sullivan at: matthew.sullivan@nhcs.net or Mrs. Diehl at: kathleen.diehl@nhcs.net
A Peek in Our Community!
The Williston Oak Project
Students will be working with a local farm and this agency to discover the history of our Trees at our School. Here is information about our historical trees:
The Williston Oak is a mature Live Oak standing off the east side of 10th Street in front of the gap between the historic 1938 Williston High School building and its successor, the 1952 Williston High School building. Today, the former houses Gregory International School and the latter Williston Middle School. Based on historic photos, this tree was likely planted at or shortly after completion of the 1938 building and is approaching 90 years of age. During its life, it has been a
prominent part of the campus and witness to much of Williston High Schoolâs significant history.
The ultimate goal of this project is to recognize the significance of that history, tell its story, and
build appreciation of this tree, and all trees, in the community. This project will culminate with the
give-away of 200 âWilliston Oaksâ in the fall of 2025 or 2026 (Wilmingtonâs tree planting season
runs from November to February).
Project elements:
â Fall 2024: Harvest acorns from the Williston Oak in conjunction with Penderlea Farms as
part of an educational event with the two schools. Penderlea Farms harvests and cultivates
the acorns of many notable Wilmington Oaks (the Airlie Oak, for example).
â Summer/Fall 2024: Research the history of the school and oak in cooperation with the
Williston High School Alumni Association and compose a narrative celebrating the Williston
Oak and Williston High Schoolâs history.
â Fall 2024: Nominate the Williston Oak for Wilmington Heritage Tree Status.
â Fall 2024: Planting/distribution event at the site of the Williston Oak or across the street at
Robert Strange Pool (although these wouldnât be the saplings from the Willison Oak
mentioned above, we can give away/plant other trees, present the Williston Oak/High
School history, teach about trees, and build excitement for the event the following year).
â Spring 2025: Potential tour of Penderlea Farms to see the Williston saplings being grown in
their greenhouse. This could be an educational tour for students of Williston and/or Gregory
and/or the general public.
â Fall/Winter 2025 or 26: Give away 200 1-gallon size Williston Oaks to the community at an
event celebrating the tree and hopefully announcing its new status as a Heritage Tree.
Many students were interviewed and here is a clip from the news:
https://www.wect.com/2024/10/17/local-students-help-gather-acorns-be-planted-penderlea-farms/
(WETC News)
By: Mackenzie Cuba
Student Survey!!
This month's student survey is asking you which awards you want for PBIS/ ROAR celebrations! Our first one is in November.
Have Fun and take your time and complete this survey for School's Data Plan.
By: Millie, Aileen and Logan
Happy National School Principals Month!
Every October, National Principals Month spotlights the transformative power of our school leader. We are not sure if you know but our school is no longer a failing school and we are moving up to be "The Greatest School Under the Sun." Thanks, in part to our leadership team, teachers, parents, and mostly us as students. Thank you Ms. Mcdonnell and thank you for being our Principal.
By: Mackenzie Cuba
MAG
Math at Gregory or MAG for short, is when we go to Gregory to take extra math classes twice a month. We participate in these classes along with other students from 1st to the 8th grades from both schools, and the lessons are taught by professors from UNCW. It's a program that teaches us more abstract concepts that can help us understand the selected subject better and expand our logical knowledge.
When doing these classes we can gain social connection and interact with new students, while also learning interesting new math topics.
While doing these activities, we also receive bonuses such as snacks and other food options which boost morale and motivate us.
Overall itâs a fun and experimental way to learn methods of math, eat snacks, and connect with a great environment with different people from both schools.
By: Julia and Maite
Williston Staff Shout-Out!
Questions
How long have you been at Williston?
Kelly: Years
Vines: 8 years
Were you born in North Carolina?
Kelly: Yes, Wilmington, North Carolina
Vines: Wilmington, North Carolina
How long have you been a teacher?
Kelly: 22 years,14 years (teach assistant for 8 years)
Vines: 4 years
What college did you graduate from?
Kelly: Cape Fear - associate in accounting, Shaw University - minor in accounting, UNCW -
k-6 teacher from UNCW
Vines: Shaw University
What is a typical day as a teacher for you
K:Trying to calm the kids down in the morning, make sure theyâre settled mentally, make sure we listen to Stevie Wonder before class begins, working on study sync, being a counselor, judge, and police officer.
V: Planning to challenge my students, trying to help my students be successful.
Do you have any hobbies or hidden talents?
K: Play baritone, trombone, piano, and drums
V: Shopping and traveling when I can.
How or why did you become a teacher?
K: Because I couldn't find a job being an accountant
V:Because she loves working with children and seeing them be successful
Any fun facts about you that you would like to share?
K: Once married to Cam Newton one, loves to travel, has a one year old granddaughter
Love teaching at Williston
She plans to retire at Williston
V: Favorite food is seafood, favorite color is orange
This Interview shows insight on a little bit of what made them who they are today!
By: Nariyya Nelson
Animal of the Month
This month's animal of the month is the Cape Rain Frog. The Cape Rain Frog or Giant Rain Frog can grow up to 2 inches or 45mm.The Cape Rain Frog is the most common and largest rain frog in the species. The Cape Rain Frog is endemic to South Africa Where they are close to extinction.
When threatened or angry Cape Rain Frogs inhale air to make themselves look much bigger than they actually are they also use this mechanism to float in water. However, if they do not reach land in enough time they might drown. Something else they do for protection is emit a high pitch chirp to ward of predators.
This species of frog borrows for protection, and food; their main diet consists of worms and insects usually found underground.
Their role in the environment is aerating the soil (making holes to allow more rain water to quickly reach plants roots). Their name comes from the fact that they seem to come out of their borrow right before it rains; however this is just a coincidence/myth.
By: Logan Goins
Music Clubs
Clubs: Rock band
A rock band club will start sometime this school year, and will include percussionists, bassists, guitarists, and singers that are interested in creating and playing rock music. Email Charles Morris or Kellum Beck for more information about the club. Music Genres include blues and rock. If you want to join Rock Band club you will need your own instrument.
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Kellumâs inspirations: Jimi Hendrix, Stevey Ray-
Vaughn, Polyphia, Van Halen, The Beatles, and RuKus
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Charlesâs inspirations: Nirvana, Metallica, Buckethead, Jimi Hendrix, and The Beatles
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School clubs play a vital role in enhancing the educational experience by fostering a sense of community and belonging among students. They provide opportunities for students to explore their interests, develop new skills, and engage in teamwork outside the traditional classroom setting. Clubs promote diversity and inclusion by bringing together students from different backgrounds, encouraging collaboration and understanding. Additionally, they can boost school spirit and create a more vibrant school culture, ultimately contributing to a positive learning environment.
Here are club suggestions: Pick what you like: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/13SrTMIYsYEmhIZp1k3q1piCZV4UUuewO-sAI-k4LB1o/edit
By: Charles and Kellum
Williston Fall Sports Update
Currently our football team is 2-4 and they are working hard to finish the year strong and at 500. Our softball team is young and improving their skills. Currently, we are win-less, but improving in our efforts to play better as a team. Our cross-country team came in 5th place in 3 races. They came in 6th in another. We had 2 of our team members interview their coaches this year. Let's hear from our softball team first!
Coach Thompson
(How long have you played softball for?) "I started playing when I was 12 years old."
(What's your favorite part about the team?) "How much they have improved this season."
(What are your hopes for the team this year?) "That we win a game."
Thank you coach Thompson for all that you do!
Coach Wilson
(What is your favorite NFL football team?) "My favorite team is the Dallas Cowboys."
(How much football experience do you have?) "I played football from 5th grade to 11th grade, so 6 years."
(How long have you been coaching?) "I have been coaching football for two years."
(What are your hopes for the team this year?) "
Coach Ty
(What are your hopes for the team this year?) "My hope is that they learn about discipline and structure and that they also learn about brotherhood."
Thank you to all the football coaches!
Coming up in the winter, we have girl's soccer and boys basketball. The cheer team did an amazing job at our home games and supported the Williston fan base. Make sure to come out and support our Williston Tigers!
By: Jack, Rashaad, Jaden Lorek, and Mackenzie
IMPORTANT DATES!
Nov 1: Designated teacher Workday
Nov 4: Report Cards
Nov 5: Election day/undesignated teacher workday
Nov 7: Boys basketball vs Noble (AWAY)
Nov 7: Girls soccer vs Noble(AWAY)
Nov 11: Veterans day holiday
Nov 13: Boys basketball vs Virgo (HOME)
Nov 13: Girls soccer vs Virgo(HOME)
Nov 14: Boys Basketball vs Myrtle grove(HOME)
Nov 14: Girls Soccer vs Myrtle grove(HOME)
Nov 19: Boys Basketball vs Trask(AWAY)
Nov 19: Girls soccer vs Trask (AWAY)
Nov 21: Boys Basketball vs Roland Grise - Home
Nov 21: Girls Soccer vs Roland Grise - Home
Nov 26: Boys Basketball vs Holly Shelter - Home
Nov 26: Girls Soccer vs Holly Shelter - Home
Nov 27: Undesignated Teacher Work Day
Nov 28: Thanksgiving Holiday
Nov 29: Thanksgiving Holiday
Editors: Diehl and Sullivan
It's time to ROCK THE VOTE 2024. Students, please click the link below to vote for the next president of the United States of America. Before you VOTE enjoy this song!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFJwoqrr7bU (Enjoy this Voting Song)