By: Taylor Cauldwell

With Love, From Broadway is a senior project being completed by one of our own high school students: Mary Conlin. It is a musical event held at the historic Star Theater. There will be two separate shows at 7 p.m., one February 18 and the second on February 25. The tickets cost $5, and you can buy them from Serghei Iacovlev or Mary Conlin.

This production is directed by Mary. She has been assisted by Kristi Cunningham and Ryan Smith. It will consist of live music and performances by Josiah Collins, Hannah Venn, Natalie Patterson, Ms. LeEtta East, and many more. Mary told us that she has put a huge amount or hardworking hours into her project. She has stayed after school from 3:30 to 10:30 at night some days and worked on the project during weekends as well. She also told us that she has learned new leadership skills and time management. Come out and support her on February 18 or 25. Good luck Mary!

by Jessica Smoot

Everyone likes music, from little children dancing to Disney songs to your grandparents enjoying…well, whatever it is your grandparents like. Here are some nearby concerts coming up that might have something you can enjoy.

Here are a few concerts coming up in the next several months that will be in Springfield, Missouri.

Brad Paisley: JQH Arena, Saturday, February 25

Steven Curtis Chapman: Gillioz Theatre, Sunday March 4

Kelly Clarkson:  Drury University, Wednesday, March 14

Winter Jam 2012: JQH Arena, Monday, March 26

Casting Crowns: JQH Arena, Tuesday, April 24

Music is the laguage of the world, and while everyone has their own appreciation for different types of that language, music always has a way of reaching that one piece of humanity called the soul.

The Willow Springs High School Spring blood drive will be held on Wednesday, January 25. All students that are 16 years of age or older can sign up to donate at Ms. Tina’s office window. Sixteen year-olds must turn in a parent permission form unless they turned one in at the last blood drive.

 Girls need to keep their iron levels up with multivitamins, fortified breakfast cereals, spinach, and white beans. Donators will be given snacks and drinks after they have donated along with a free “Angry Blood” t-shirt. Check them out on the blood drive posters or in Mr. Knapp’s room by his whiteboard.

by Jocy Vitela

Anorexia nervosa is a disorder that causes you to eat little and exercise a lot, forcing yourself to lose weight from the fear of being fat. A person with anorexia will go to extremes to lose weight such as starving themselves and exercising too much.

Anorexia will make a person think she is extremely fat when that person is actually very gaunt. The cause of anorexia is unknown. Researchers have noticed that anorexia can manifest itself after severe trauma. They also believe some people may like the attention this disorder gives them.

 Anorexia usually begins during the teen years or young adulthood. It is more common in females but may also be seen in males. Anorexia is seen mainly in women who are high academic achievers and who have a goal-oriented family or personality. The main treatment for anorexia is making the person realize  that they have an illness. The goal of treating anorexia is to achieve a healthy body weight.

Here are the December Pawsitive Bears in Willow Springs Elementary. Congratulations to all of the students who earned this honor by showing good character!

Front row from left: Madelyn Fair, Wyatt Honeycutt-Newton, Cade Roberts, Katelyn Brixey, and Gracie Cauldwell

Second row: Drake Marshell, Pavel Fursov, Austin Anderson, Claire Clarkston, Isabella Davis

Third row: Brenden Furguson, Landon Crudgington, Tucker McKee, Austin Tooley, Ashlyn Jones

Fourth row: Ashley Kelley, Jonah Smith, Kendall Siegrist, Taylor Reese, Marie Bowen

Fifth row: Zoe Sharpe, Shauni Olmstead, Wesley Picard, Adailia Stillwell, Olga Dudko

by Jessica Smoot

The Civil War began on April 12, 1861, when Confederate rebels fired on United States troops at Fort Sumter, South Carolina. The war lasted four years, ending when Robert E. Lee signed a peace treaty, surrendering to General Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865. Tour days after that, on April 14, 1865, John Wilkes Booth fatally shot president Abraham Lincoln.

These are just a few of the facts learned by the Civil War class at the Willow Springs High School. Over the past semester, the class has learned valuable information about the Civil War, and the students have been involved in different projects that have broadened their horizons and encouraged the class to enjoy history. This year, the class is involved in something a little bit different than the usual classroom work.

On Monday, December 12, the Civil War class took turns dressing in complete Civil War uniform, including uniforms, canteens, bullet pouches, and a rifle and bayonet. These ensembles were loaned to the class by Mr. Lou Whemer and Mr. McGarry. Students were photographed in the Civil War soldiers’ style of old-time photograph. The pictures will be photoshopped into one single picture. The Civil War class of 2011 will resemble a Civil War Union regiment and a Confederate regiment.

While the Civil War ended 150 years ago, the lessons learned and the history passed down is still affecting people across the country today. The Civil War class, taught by Mr. Wickens, has learned many of the stories and morals from the Civil War and their last project will live in their memory for many years.

by JJ Cox

Did you know that our school has a chess team that practices every Thursday after school? There are 25 members. On December 17, the members participated in their first tournament at West Plains High School. Eleven students attended this tournament. Here are the results:

Elementary school team: 4th place finish

Austin Tooley – 1 win, 1 draw

Chandler Phillips-Traver – 1 win

Cody Ward – 2 wins

Alexis Barrett

Middle school team: 3rd place finish

Zeke Webb – 2 wins, 1 draw

Chase Garrison – 2 wins

Michael Coonts – 2 wins

High school team: Honorable Mention (split 4-6th place)

Zac Detrick – 3 wins

Dillon Walker – 3 wins

Ethan Hale – 2 wins

Trent Bourassa – 2 wins

Shelby Robb – 1 win

Sarah Coonts

by Jocelyn Vitela

The Elks Lodge has selected Brittany Ann Tooley as January’s Teenager of the Month. She is the daughter of Scott and Christi Grogan.

The clubs and activities in which Brittany has been involved include the following: varsity football cheerleading, Spanish Society, Lady Letterman, varsity volleyball, Student council, FBLA, Club Interact, and National Honors Society.  Brittany earned the most improved award in volleyball and the most spirited award in cheerleading.

After graduation Brittany plans to attend MSU in West  Plains in the fall. She is undecided on her career path but plans to work with children.

by Nicole Maloy

Name: Jimalee Lynn James

Birthdate: November 23

Favorite beverage: Sweet Tea

Anniversary: June 16

What were you considered in High School? Jock, Geek, Prep, Ect? Why?

She said, “Friendly, Energetic and Involved.”

What made you decide you wanted to be a teacher, how long have you been teaching & what subjects?

Mrs. James said, “I love learning new things and helping others.” She has taught 24 years total: 9 years FACS, 2 years A+ and 7 years curriculum coordinator.

If you could relive your high school days, what’s one thing you would change?

“I would pay more attention to my grades and study habits!”

Do you have any kids? If so, how many?

She and her husband have two girls: Megan, age 22, and Lindsey, age 20.

What was your first car? 1976 Red Vega Stationwagon

What were some previous jobs you’ve held?

Mrs. James had jobs such as pumping gas at a filling station, waitress, dental assistant, optometrist’s assistant, teacher’s aid and receptionist.

What is something you think is unique about you? Her first name.

What is one quote you live by? “The Golden Rule!”

by Brittany Dickman

- Full name: Payden Lee Newman

- Nicknames: Pay, Padro, Paydo, Newman

- How long have you attended WS School: k-12

- Plans after high school: Attend college in West Plains and then transfer to a school of dentistry.

- Favorite quote: “Don’t give up. Don’t lose hope. Don’t sell out.” -Christopher Reeve

- What is your fear or phobia: Heights and spiders

- The best thing that happened to you in high school: It sounds funny, but I met my girlfriend Mykayla Pringle.

- In one word, describe how you want to be remembered: Gentleman

- What clubs, activities, sports, or other programs do you take part: Spanish club, Pep club, Iron Bear, Football, Green team/Recycling.

- Where do you see yourself in 10 years: Graduated from dentistry, working in that field, and married to Mykayla.

- Most exciting thing you have ever done: I went on a church float trip, and we stopped and explored Jam Up cave.

-What is one thing you want to do in your lifetime? Go on a cruise

- What would you tell the senior class if you had the chance? I can’t wait to see all of you again at our reunions…

- Who has influenced your life the most: My dad and Grandpa Newman

- Favorite Song: Crazy Girl by Eli Young Bond

- Favorite Movie: The Other Guys

- Obsession: Hunting, fishing, and anything that has to do with outdoors.

- I would love to read the mind of: Coach Mumaw, so I would have the answers for most math problems.

- Splurge: Knives

“When you get pushed down in life, you gotta get back up and go even harder the next time.”