Vol. II, Issue 4 Union Grove JH/HS Newsletter December 2020

GROVE GAZETTE The

JH All-Region tryouts begin November 30 and end December 2. This year, students must record their auditions rather than perform a live tryout, which may relieve some anxiety but also lessen the excite-ment of the process.

“Recorded auditions will be new and different,” JH band director Andy Thomp-son said. “The nervous thrill of playing All-Region music for a panel of judges will be non-existent this year.”

There are around 20 students trying-out for a spot in the JH All-Region band. This will include recording both their slow piece and fast piece, along with their scales. The students will know the results by Sunday, Dec. 6.

Taylor See

To Record All-Region JH Band Members

The JH girls basketball team will compete at home against Beckville December 7. To prepare, the young athletes have been working the same drills as the high school team.

“We practice every day and learn some-thing new each day to improve our perfor-mance on the court,” seventh-grader Na-talie Pritchett said. “We have done a lot of fast running drills to build up our speed and accuracy with the ball.”

The girls also have away games against Overton on December 3 and Hawkins on December 14. Both seventh and eighth grade girls’ teams will play all three match-es, each scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.

Sydney Pritchett JH Girls Make Gains

The high school band will continue the festivities with their concert, beginning at 8 p.m. Each band member will receive four tickets; any additionally-required tickets will need to be obtained prior to the event. The band is also offering a live stream of the concert on the UG YouTube channel.

The high school band will play several Christmas favorites, including “Feliz Navi-dad” and “All the Bells Shall Ring”, in ad-dition to medleys that include various Christmas songs.

“We have one piece that will feature our trombones and a fun closer that I think will be a big hit,” band director Brandon Garmon said. “You'll have to wait until the concert to find out what our last song is going to be!”

The usual auction will not take place due to Covid-19. Nevertheless, the band is excited to partake in the joy of the Christmas holiday by doing what they do best.

“Just being able to share some Christmas music with our parents and community is a special part of the Christmas season for all of us,” Garmon said.

The 6-8 bands will perform their Christ-mas concert on December 3 at the Lions Center with the 6th grade band starting at 6 p.m. and the JH starting at 7 p.m.

The 6th grade band will play “Beethoven’s Ninth”, “Name that Christmas Carol”, and “Jingle Bells”.

“It’s always a challenge teaching the fun-damentals of music to 6th graders, but I enjoy it,” director Andy Thompson said. “There is so much to learn as a new musi-cian, and our 6th graders this year are doing well learning these new musical concepts. They enjoy playing their instru-ments and will be very prepared for their Christmas concert.”

The JH band will play “Celebrate the Sea-son” (Fanfare on Joy to the World), “Holiday Flutecake” (Flute trio with sever-al short Christmas Melodies), “African Bell Carol”, “Angels in the Bleak Midwinter”, and “Polar Express”.

“I am super proud of the progress that the junior high band has made this year,” Thompson said. “We had a wonderful fall concert, and I am looking forward to the potential that this band has for future performances.”

Faith Woodall Olivia Hudgens

The Most Wonderful Tune of the Year Bands Crank Christmas Carols

Tryout Process

The band recorded their performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner”, “Veterans Salute”, “America the Beautiful”, and “Taps” on November 4. The pre-recorded program also included the posting of the colors and performances from the majorettes, cheerleaders, and theater department.

Freshmen Members

Sydney Pritchett The FFA program will attend Greenhand camp at Timberline Camp in Lindale on December 11-12.

“This camp is for first year FFA members and designed to teach them leadership skills that they can use as future leaders of our FFA chapter,” FFA and Ag teacher Alan Wright said.

Each FFA chapter in the area is allowed to send six students to the camp. Jeremi-ah McGee, Vance Aaron, Cole Barkley, Will Wilson, Allie Calhoun, and Rowdy Williams will represent Union Grove. These students will participate in work-shops provided by district and area offic-ers, learn about etiquette, and celebrate each chapter’s local community service projects.

HS Band Members

Olivia Hudgens High school all-region auditions will be virtual this year. Student’s will record and upload between December 7-9.

Judges will listen to and evaluate record-ing for the instruments to which they’ve been assigned beginning at midnight December 12 and continuing the 13th. After all five judges enter their scores, the results will immediately be posted online.

“We have some very talented individuals in our high school band that have been successful in the all-region audition pro-cess before,” high school band director Brandon Garmon said. “I feel that if our students put in the work to prepare, we will once again see quite a few students earn a position in the all-region band.”

Last year, senior Maya Huffman and sophomore Colter Fowler advanced to the state contest.

“Making it to State in All-Region [last year] was really exciting and rewarding,” Huffman said. “I’m grateful I got the full experience, and I hope to again.”

Audition for All-Region

Attend FFA Camp

The junior high academic teams will com-pete for the UIL district championship on Wed., December 9.

Events consist of art memory; calculator applications; chess puzzle; dictionary skills; editorial writing; impromptu speaking; lis-tening skills; maps, graphs, and charts; mathematics; modern oratory; music memory; number sense; one-act play; oral reading; ready writing; science; social stud-ies; and spelling.

Although UIL continues, there are some regulations COVID will change. For exam-ple, for speaking events, a video will be sent to judges to watch and score. Ballots will be returned at a later date.

“I am preparing [speakers] to be in front of a camera and to have energy with their pieces even though no audience is pre-sent,” Sandy Spears, UIL Coordinator and speaking events coach said. “Our expecta-tion for this year is, of course, to come in first. Even though less schools are com-peting, the goal is to do the best you possi-bly can.”

Each year, students in grades six through eight have the opportunity to try out for UIL teams and represent UG in the junior high contests. This year, seventh grader Brianna Carrion joined six different teams.

“I have previously participated in art memory, dictionary skills, and writing. [Last year] in art memory, I placed first, and in dictionary skills I placed second,” Carrion said. “My hopes are to place this year and to keep going. Even if I do not place, I will still be happy because I attempted it.”

Payton Haley

JH UIL Competes for

The band competed at the regional march-ing contest November 17, where –for the 31st consecutive year- they advanced to the state contest, this year by earning two first divisions and one second division from the judges. State will be December 9 at Pine Tree High School Stadium. Winners and their places will be announced after the finalist bands have competed.

Katy Parman

Band Marches to State

District Title

Drama Dept.

Daytona Vaughn The high school theater class will produce “Grease the Musical” December 6 and 13.

Students may not be familiar with the plot, as the original movie came out in 1978, but the story follows the teens of Rydell High as they navigate love and peer pressure. The theater class has been preparing the production since September and have high hopes for the performances, although there have been a few bumps in the road. The primary issue facing the cast, crew, and director was, of course, COVID.

“We have been practicing a lot during the period at school. It's been really fun,” jun-ior Mireya Evans said. “We weren't sure how we were going to be able to perform for an audience, but we have come up with [social distancing guidelines] to safely put on this show for the community.”

In addition to wearing masks and following other rules that have become our “new norm”, the class also had to adapt when lead actor sophomore David Branscom, tasked with playing Danny Zuko, sustained multiple injuries during a football game.

“I got the ball off of kickoff return and hit a guy very hard, and I had a concussion and two compression fractures,” Branscom said. “I couldn’t really do a whole lot in the theater because it hurt to turn my back and the lights were too bright for my head, which gave me a huge headache.”

While the class practiced without Brans-com during his recovery, he has now healed well enough to perform. The group expects no further setbacks but also feels confident that they can prevail through any tough circumstances to come.

“We are doing our best to make this a great performance,” junior Katelyn Vaughn said. “Despite all that's going on, we will continue to push through.”

The group has few practices remaining before the first performance but will re-hearse the Sunday following Thanksgiving after a friendly dinner and fellowship.

The Show Must Go On

Overcomes Obstacles

12/1 — HS Girls Basketball @New Diana 4 p.m., HS Boys Basketball v. Quitman @Home 5 p.m.

12/2 — JH UIL Speaking Events via Zoom

12/3 — Band concerts: 6th grade @6 p.m., JH @7 p.m., HS @8 p.m.)

12/4 — Early Release, FFA @State LDEs (SHSU) 8 a.m., JH Band @ATSSB Region Auditions 4 p.m., HS Girls Basketball @Hughes Springs 4p.m., HS Boys Basket-ball v. Hughes Springs @Home 4 p.m.

12/5 — FFA @State LDEs (SHSU) 8 a.m.

12/6 — Grease the Musical 2p.m.

12/7 — JH Girls Basketball v. Beckville @Home 5p.m., JH Boys Basketball @Beckville 4:30 p.m.

12/8 — HS Boys Basketball @Marshall Christian 5 p.m., HS Girls Basketball @Quitman 5 p.m.

12/9 — HS Band @State Marching Con-test (Pine Tree), JH UIL Academic Meet @Home

12/11 — FFA Greenhand Camp 8 a.m., HS Girls Basketball v. Harmony @Home 5 p.m., Varsity Boys Basketball @New Di-ana 5:30 p.m.

12/12 — FFA Greenhand Camp 8 a.m., HS Band @ATSSB Region Auditions 8:30 a.m., HS Boys Basketball v. Ore City

@Home noon, Sabine Debate Tourna-ment

12/13 — Grease the Musical 2 p.m.

12/14 — JH Girls Basketball @Hawkins 5 p.m., JH Boys Basketball @Home 4:30 p.m.

12/15 — HS Boys Basketball @Waskom 5p.m., Varsity Girls Basketball @Campbell 5 p.m.

12/18 — Early Release, HS Boys Basket-ball @Troup 5 p.m., Varsity Girls Basket-ball v. Carlisle @Home 5:30 p.m.

12/19 — HS Boys Basketball @Gary noon

12/21 — HS Girls Basketball v. Big Sandy @Home 11 a.m.

12/22 — HS Girls Basketball @Troup 2 p.m.

12/28 — Varsity Girls Basketball @Harmony noon, HS Boys Basketball @Harmony 2:30 p.m.

12/29 — HS Boys Basketball v. DeKalb @Home 1p.m., Varsity Girls Basketball @Queen City 1 p.m.

12/30 — Varsity Girls Basketball v. Car-thage @Home 5 p.m., Varsity Boys Bas-ketball @McLeod 2p.m.

Upcoming Events

High school boys’ basketball have 11 pre-district games scheduled for December. In preparation, the team has been practicing 3-4 days a week for an hour and a half to two hours, as well as open gym at 6:45 a.m. They have been focusing on defense.

“Our defense is what will win us games. Offense will come as the season progresses,” Coach Cody Wilson said. “These guys are a special group and looking forward to bring-ing home the first playoff game win on the boy’s side for basketball!”

The junior high boys’ team practices four days a week from 7:30 to 8:30 in the morning and has a game once a week. The practices were drill-heavy the first couple of days, and now the teams are starting on installing offensive and defensive plays. The boys will have their first game against Big Sandy.

“Hawkins and Beckville are usually our best competition,” Coach Chad Halcumb said. “But we will have to really focus on Big Sandy next week with such a short time frame to prepare.”

Ava Wightman

Lions Drill Defense

The Lady Lions face Harmony December 11 in a pre-district game that should help them prepare for the district matches against Carlisle on December 18 and Big Sandy December 21.

Although a win won’t directly help the team win a district championship, the Har-mony game will still be a special night.

Each year, the high school varsity basket-ball girls choose favorite educators to hon-or for Teacher Appreciation night. This year’s teachers will be announced shortly after the JV game ends, before the varsity game begins. The JV game begins at 5 p.m.

Katy Parman

Girls’ Basketball Honors Teachers

This semester, FFA participated in several competitions that fall under LDEs and CDEs, which stand for leadership and ca-reer development events. Fall competi-tions included wildlife, forage, quiz, and radio.

“This is great motivation for our future farmers,” Reed Cooper, sophomore and member of the wildlife team, said.

The wildlife team, consisting of Brayden Pirtle (10), Reed Cooper (10), Josh Baker (10), and Josh Kessler (11) made it all the way to district, and the quiz team of Pirtle, Jeremiah McGee (9), Baker, and Josh Joyn-er (11) competed at area.

“I’m really proud of all the work these kids have put in, and I’m really looking forward for next year,” Ag teacher Mr. Alan Wright said.

Caden Handorf

FFA Competes in Career Events

Junior high

mascot Moriah McTyre

waits for the Nov. 5 game against

Hawkins to begin.

Cross Country Team Takes on State

Dandy Lions The Jack of All Trades

Mr. James Moye’s history in construc-tion, the gas indus-try, sales, coach-ing, and education administration brings a wealth of useful knowledge to his current posi-tion as English III

teacher.

However, since he’s new, most people haven’t learned much about him yet.

“Most people don't know I am a twin,” Moye said. “Since my twin lives in another city, most folks around here never see him. They are all surprised when I do mention that fact.”

Moye also has many interesting hobbies, including karate, bowling, fishing, and traveling. He even officiates basketball and fast pitch during his spare time.

“These activities keep me occupied most of the year,” Moye said.

Taylor See The Budding Actress Eighth-grader Bailey Baird competes in editorial writing, ready writing, impromp-tu speaking, and One-Act Play.

Baird recently learned she will play Sche-herazade in “Aladdin and the Magical Lamp”.

“I did not expect to be playing this part at the beginning of the year,” Baird said. “I was shocked when Mrs. Spears pulled me aside and told me I had to play the part. It put me un-

der a lot of stress, but I know I can do it.”

Baird also sings and plays the ukulele in her free time.

“I don't really know why I like singing,” Baird said, “I guess it's just a good way to express my feelings. I also like to play uku-lele and write songs. I do this when I feel down; it's a way to make me feel better.”

Daytona Vaughn The Leader

Junior Kennedi Gordy partici-pates in NHS, FCA, rocketry, and band. Gordy has been a lead-er in almost all of her extracur-ricular activities, including serving

as head majorette, drum major, and FCA President, and takes initiative when say-ing the prayer before football games and making motivational speeches before performances.

“I believe all these leadership positions will help me in the future,” Gordy said.

After high school, Gordy plans on attend-ing Lamar University to pursue her dream of becoming an engineer. She credits the rocketry program for inspiring her plans.

“We learn a lot about the different types of engineering, and Coach Park really challenges us to think through things,” Gordy said.

Gordy lists her proudest achievements as “being part of the band that made histo-ry two years ago” and “going to state and getting fourth in the finals.”

“It's a feeling I will never forget,” Gordy said.

In her spare time, Gordy enjoys playing the bass guitar as a member of the wor-ship team at Grace City Church and spending time with friends and family.

Faith Woodall

The cross country team, led by Coach Littlejohn, ran the state meet at Round Rock on Tuesday, November 24. Kole Burns (12) and Preston Woodall (10) repre-sented the boys’ team, each running their best times of the year. Burns placed 33rd, 25 places better than last year’s perfor-mance. Woodall finished 59th. The girls’

team placed ninth, with Macey Alston (12) earning 67th, Gracie Stanford (10) 76th, Sophie Pyle (9) 87th, Ava Wightman (9) 92nd, Gracie Winn (10) 93rd, Jenna Scott (9) 108th, and Analeice Jones (10) 109th. Both divisions had 124 run-ners.

STAFF

Daytona Vaughn (9), Kyler Littlejohn (10),

Mireya Evans (11), Emily Melton (11), and Hope Rogers (11) act among other theater students

in the Veterans’ Day performances “Bring the

Boys Home”, “A Letter to a Soldier”, and “We

All Fall Down”.