Scars from the Tornado (11 page)

A TOUCH OF
NASCAR COMES TO EAST

BY
A
MY
K
OCH

A little touch
of CO2
Nascar
came to East Middle School when Pittsburg
State University students raced their CO2 cars against those built by East
Middle School students.

During a
seventh hour assembly that day, the speeds of the East cars were demonstrated
with cars built by students in Mr. Brandon Teel's industrial arts class racing,
as well as cars built by Mr. Teel and Principal Mr. Bud
Sexson
,
who at one time taught industrial arts.

“FROM THE
POND” TERRIFIES EAST

BY
A
MY
K
OCH

East Middle
School drama students, under the direction of Ms. Lara Stamper, entertained and
terrified the student body during Encore Friday with the premiere of their
annual scary Halloween movie, From the Pond.

The cast
received a taste of Hollywood when they were introduced prior to the movie, led
down the red carpet, and then were seated in a special section.

VETERANS
DAY

BY
M
EGAN
H
ICKEY

The audience’s
emotions seemed to float through the crisp, cold air. Love felt for our fallen
soldiers was almost tangible during the Veterans Day observance at Missouri
Southern State University.

Members of the
East Middle School Student Council and National Junior Honor Society called out
the names of fallen soldiers, one by one,
In the middle of
the roll call, we took a break for the national moment of silence, a time to
reflect on all of the people America has lost in war and to help us to never
forget how much they gave for us to help us have a safer home and country to
live in and love.

Not very many
people die for what they believe in, but these soldiers did and we need to
honor their precious memory through Veterans Day every year.

NO MORE
WAREHOUSES, FEMA TRAILERS, AND MALLS

BY
A
NNIE
S
TRICKLING

When the
2011-2012 school year started at East, less than three months after the
tornado, we were shocked at how much the warehouse looked like a school.

I am a
cheerleader, so when it came time for us to have our first pep
rally,
we were stumped on what to do. The gym, which is a
giant tent, was definitely big enough, but when it gets loud in there,
everything echoes, so 25 cheerleaders screaming along with
kids
wasn’t
exactly a good idea. Our cheer coach and principal decided we
would have it in front of the school and the kids would sit in the grass and
watch. It worked great and everyone seemed to enjoy it.

But we were
not able to have choir concerts and drama performances had to be taped and
played from a projector.

When track
season came around, we were bused over to our stadium to practice. We were in
the middle of a track meet at our stadium when the announcer said that the bond
issue for our new schools had passed.

Our fans
literally jumped out of their seats and cheered. It was the best news we could
imagine.

Even though
the high school won’t be finished until 2014, it is good knowing Joplin won’t
be warehouses, FEMA trailers, and a mall forever.

Annie
Strickling
was an eighth grader during the 2011-2012 school
year.)

SCARS OF
THE TORNADO

BY
S
TELLA
N
DAUWA

It has been an
interesting year at East Middle School.

East was one
of the buildings damaged by the May 22
tornado.
The
students, teachers, and staff are in a warehouse that smells like dog food, and
this is where our story begins.

Approximately
one year ago, I thought that I knew how my eighth grade year would be. But at
that time, I was too focused on when summer would come and get me out of school
and into freedom.

In a way, my
wish came true. An EF-5 tornado came and the rest of my school year, a whole
two weeks, was cancelled. But I wasn’t happy, far from it.

One hundred
sixty-one people dead, thousands of buildings damaged and lives changed
forever. I guess that saying about being careful of what you wish for is true.
But I had one more wish though- to start school on time for my eighth grade
year. Fortunately, Superintendent C. J. Huff agreed with me, and that wish came
true for the both of us.

So this is
where I am now, nearing the end of my eighth grade year, here at the warehouse
building that I call school. Warehouse aside, it has been a pretty average year
with the usual mix of drama, fighting and detentions. But if you look closely,
then you will still see the scars of the tornado lingering.

You will see
children who still frown with worry when thunderstorms strike and who
practically panic when tornado watches and warnings are issued.

But we are
strong. Joplin strong. And even though we still carry the scars from the storm,
we are stronger because of it. So as the anniversary of the tornado grows ever
closer, we remember those who became heroes, and for us East Middle School
students, we remember Zachary Williams. But this anniversary is also a
celebration for how far we have come and how far we have yet to go.

Stella
Ndauwa
was an eighth grader during the 2011-2012 school
year.

A HOLE IN
MY HEART

BY
M
ELINDA
A
DAMS

The May 22
tornado changed everyone’s lives dramatically, but it hit the kids harder than
anyone. Being an 11 going on 12-year-old middle school girl at the time, I took
it to heart. By going to a new building, new surroundings, then a year later,
having to go to another new, unfamiliar building, but this time in the middle
of nowhere, it had a great effect on me.

I would be
lying if I said it did not change the way I thought about school, about grades,
and how I treated people.

That first day
of school in the new building after the tornado I didn’t have any interest in
anything. Halfway into the year, I started flunking, missing a lot of school. I
was at my lowest point. My mom started worrying, but beyond worrying, she was
scared.

Toward the end
of the school year, I started opening my eyes, and realizing I was better than
that, that I was still alive, still breathing. I started thinking about my
future. I got my grades back up, stopped missing school and started acting
happier.A

nd
even though I still feel a hole in my heart, I will never
let myself go that low again.

Melinda
Adams was a seventh grader during the 2011-2012 school year.

A FINAL
FAREWELL TO EAST

BY
J
ENNIFER
N
GUYEN

School's out!
It has been for about eight hours now, but I couldn't leave
East
without a proper closure. I know I speak for most, if not all eighth graders,
when I say East will never be forgotten, especially after all the school has
been through!

The class of
2016 was the first class that had the opportunity of going to the real East
Middle School, not the warehouse, as sixth graders. We were lucky enough to
call the site of East our home for a whole two years. Memories of the old
building are still etched in the minds of many. Students still recall images of
being in the hallways, classrooms, and auditorium. They will be carried in our
hearts forever.

Due to the
damage from the May 22, 2011,
tornado,
East was moved
to a temporary warehouse. Nobody knew what to expect of this year. The class of
2016, serving as eighth graders of the middle school, had no idea what living in
a warehouse would be like; we were terrified!

As the year
progressed, adaptations were made, and the warehouse felt like just another
normality in our lives. Not quite our
home, like the old
East, but more like
an apartment you would rent while being away from
home. Classes were still continued. Activities were still operated. Life was as
it should be. Even though we were in a new, unfamiliar building, East was with
us. In our students, staff, and faculty.

Of course with
all the schoolwork and pressure of succeeding in behavior and attitude, came
the urge of students for summer to come. I remember thinking for countless
hours how I couldn't wait for summer. I couldn't wait to be out of school, to
just be lazy! Many eighth graders were especially looking forward to the joys
of high school! The time for relaxation and vacation was definitely
anticipated...and soon enough, the time came.

This school
year went by like a breeze, and before we knew it, the end of school was soon
approaching. This meant the end of middle school for the eighth graders, and
the beginning of high school as freshmen. You would think we would be happy for
summer, for a break.

Yes, we were
happy, but we were also sad. The school year just went by too fast!

The Last Day
Assembly soon approached and so did the time for the farewells and goodbyes.
The lasting minutes of the final day were filled with bittersweet moments.
Shouts of joy rang through the commons area for the fact that school was
finally over, and we survived! But among the joy, were many tears and remarks
of sadness, of goodbye. Not only were the eighth graders bidding the year
good-bye, they were also giving their last farewells to their fellow peers,
teachers, and most of all, their school.

As the class
of 2016 follows the path of life towards high school, I would like to take this
moment to say good-bye to East not as the co-editor of the East Middle School
Journalism Club, but as a student. I would like to thank East for all the great
memories it has provided us with, all the things we will cherish.

Thank you to
all the teachers and faculty of East. In some way, you have touched our lives,
and your effect has been impeccable! I would like to give special praise and
thanks to Mr. Turner, the Journalism Club sponsor and mentor, for making all
this possible. Thank you to all our fellow schoolmates, the sixth and seventh
graders. You have made great peers, and more importantly, friends. Thank you to
everything that makes
East
what it is, East! As the
saying goes, "East is beast!" So thank you, thank you,
thank
you.

Tears spring
to my eyes as I close with my final bid of farewell to East. Through all the
good times and the bad, we have overcome and made this school truly
unforgettable. This is why I will always remember you.

Goodbye East.
I love you.

SNAPSHOTS

Randy Turner’s classroom
following the tornado.