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| News April 2004, Volume 7, No. 4 |
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By Amy E. news editor
This year, the annual Scholastics Art Contest was held and three of Peacock's own were selected to participate.
Ernie K., David Z. and Joanna M., all eighth graders, were recognized at the contest this year. Ernie received the Silver Key award, which is second place, and David and Joanna both received honorable mentions.
Mrs. Dengler was interviewed to get a basic view of the art show. The Scholastic Art Contest is the only art show of its kind. There were over two thousand entries this year alone.
Peacock is involved in the West Suburban Consortium of Schools, which sponsors the contest. It was held at the Elmhurst Art Museum this year. This contest is available to seventh and eighth graders. Mrs. Dengler was allowed to enter only twenty pieces of art.
The judges came from many different art backgrounds including college professors and professional artists from all over the Chicago area.
Some of the things that the judges looked for in the many pieces were creativity, thought behind the artwork, the artists emerging style and craftsmanship.
"There are many areas of art covered in the contest such as drawing, photography, both digital and normal, fibers, sculpture and print making," said Mrs. Dengler.
All of the artwork was displayed at the Elmhurst Art Museum for two weeks.
Joanna M. made a colored pencil drawing of hands. "I didn't think it could be an award winning piece of art," she said. Joanna's artwork received an honorable mention from the judges.
David Z. took a picture of a cat. When asked if he thought it was an award winning piece of art, he replied, "No, I did not." David's artwork received an honorable mention in the contest.
Ernie K. made a print of a toucan. "I thought it would do well in the contest because it was well made and Mrs. Dengler said it was good," he stated. Ernie's artwork received a second place award.
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Students excited about Annie
By Emily W. sports editor
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| Left to right, sixth graders Elizabeth R. (Tessie) and Colleen B. (Kate), and eighth grader Laura D. (Pepper) rehearse choreography for Annie. | |
The Lynchs chose Annie for the many parts, fantastic music, and the good story. "Annie is definitely an audience pleaser. No matter how many times someone sees it, they always go away really loving it," said Carol Lynch.
Auditions for the production were on Monday, February 16. "I was very impressed with the students when they came out for auditions. Everyone seemed to sing on pitch and had wonderful music techniques," said Ms. Lynch.
Callbacks were held on February 17 and 18. Audrey J., sixth grade, received the namesake role of Annie. "I've always wanted the part of Annie, it is very exciting," said Audrey.
Eighth graders Claire Z. will play Miss Hannigan, Acaisha B. will play Miss Grace Ferrel, and Ernie K. will play Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks.
Annie has many different parts, and everyone who tried out received a role. The taller students will play maids/butlers and Hooverites or bums
The shorter students will play orphans. Many of the actors received speaking parts as well.
"So far, the practices have been going very smoothly," explained Carol Lynch. The cast has been enjoying the practices too.
"The play is so much fun right now. I think the show's going to be really good," said Claire Z.
Ernie Krause is excited for the up-coming Annie performance. "It should be a lot of fun, especially because this is my first musical," he said.
The show will take place on April 29 and 30, and May 1, 2004.
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Peacock hosts district choir contest
By Jessica L. Op-ed Editor
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| Peacock hosted the District #7 Chorus Contest on Saturday, March 13, 2004. | |
The first performance started at 8:30 in the morning and the last performance didn't start until 3:00 in the afternoon.
Three judges listened to the choirs and rated each choir a division one, division two or division three, with a division one being the highest. The judges were Ms. Nancy Alban, Mr. Patrick S. Barnett and Ms. Jen Tompa.
"I like to sing in chorus because it's fun to sing with my friends and Mr. Travis makes it really fun," commented Kali A., an eighth grade alto.
Peacock choir members, parents and teachers helped work at the contest. Many of them were choir guides. Each guide was assigned a choir and greeted their choir when they arrived.
The guides took their choirs to their homerooms, warm-up room and to the gymnasium, where the choirs performed. After performing, the choirs were led to the cafeteria, where food was sold and contest ratings were posted.
"I was a choir guide," said eighth grade soprano one, Joanna M., "One choir came two hours early and I was stuck guiding them around. I didn't like that."
Mr. Travis, Peacock's music teacher, directed Peacock's choir and the choir's piano accompanist was Mrs. Roberta Moraz.
The choir, consisting of over seventy-five students, performed at 1:00pm. They sang a total of three pieces titled Joyfully Sing, "Alleluia!", Snow, and Festival Cantate.
After singing, the choir continued to the cafeteria, where they anxiously awaited to find out what their rating was.
"It was kind of scary singing for the judges," commented sixth grade soprano one, Tessie F., "because they were staring at us and it was really quiet."
"It was pretty nerve wreaking," agreed eighth grade soprano one, Acaisha B.
Westmont Junior High's Choir, from Westmont, finished in first place, followed by Hadley Junior High's Choir, from Glen Ellyn, and Peacock's Choir finished in third place.
Director Mr. Travis said, "We finished in third place and beat out some of the choirs that have choir as a class during the day."
He is very proud of the choir. It took a great amount of effort to organize the contest and Mr. Travis said, "I don't think I will host another contest for several years."
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Annual auto show delights fans
By Celsey B.
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| Aston Martin V12 Vanquish | |
My father told me lots of information about the car show, because he has been there so many times.
Some of the new hot cars that will soon be coming out are the Mazda 2004 RX-8, BMW R-8 and the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish.
He also told me that when he got there, it was packed with a lot of people. He said that he really liked going there to see all the new cars.
Next year should be an even better car show.
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Peacock students vote "Yes" for spirit days
By Colleen B.
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| Student Council president Kevin H. and Vice-President Evin S. support a Spirit Week. | |
Many students have different opinions about these days. Some people think that Hat Day is really boring and there should be something more exciting.
Meghan R., a sixth grader, thinks it would be really neat to have a Crazy Hair Day. This idea was brought up in Student Council meetings but didn't gather enough votes to be passed.
Peter D., on the other hand, thinks that the spirit days are great and nothing needs to be changed.
One of the questions asked was if Kevin H. and Evin S. would support a Spirit Week. They replied that it would be voted on in a Student Council meeting.
Everyone interviewed said that they would participate in a whole Spirit Week. After being asked, the president and vice president stated they would vote on what the days would be.
Kali C. thinks that there should be more Pajama Days. She replied "They were fun and that it is cool to have them."
Some of the students think that there aren't that many different themed days. Eighth grader Andy K. declared "There need to be more categories to choose from."
In Mrs. Laughlin's language classes it has been brought up to activate "Switched Day." This is when a teacher has the privilege to teach another class for the day. It is also possible to have a selected student teach the class for that day. This has not been talked about in the Student Council meetings yet.
Most of the students involved with this assignment decided that Hat Day was not very popular. They thought that it wasn't very fun to just wear a hat. They stated that it was better to have a bigger Spirit Day.
Kevin and Evin don't yet know what the rest of the year's Spirit Days will be. That is something to be voted in the upcoming Student Council meetings.
Earlier in September there was poor input on the Spirit Days. The president and vice president agree that it was probably because of people not knowing about it.
Lately there have been many people participating and it has become a fun thing to do.
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