Dear Santa...high school style

by Calli Zimmerman

Dear Santa letters are seen and received at Christmas time every year, but for some reason the tradition of writing the letters fade after kids hit junior high. This week the journalism students were challenged to write a letter and here is what was returned. 

Dear Santa,

I have been trying to be good this year, even if my parents tell you otherwise. So please grant me everything on my Christmas list. My list consists of: makeup, makeup bag, cranberry grape juice, dark brown slippers from Aéropostale, a laptop without a virus, a memory card for my phone, zebra phone cover and a scrapbooking set. I will leave you cookies and milk so you do not get hungry or thirsty. 

Sincerely,

Andrea Farrington

Dear Santa,

All I want for Christmas is my family, friends and a warm place to spend Christmas day with them.

Love,

Cami

Dear Mr. Santa,

I’m sorry I haven’t written you a letter since I was a kid. I’ve put a lot of thought into my Christmas list for this year and I promise I’ve been good. I want a new laptop computer for college next fall, the movie Despicable Me, some clothes, old Disney movies from when I was a little kid, colorful socks, a new pair of Nikes and lots of candy in my stocking. 

Your friend,

Teona Sutfin

Dear Santa Claus, 

How is everything at the North Pole this year? How are the reindeer and Rudolph especially? I don’t want much this year just a few things, I am wanting a new Coach purse and wallet, skull candy iHome, Army Wives season 4, a new Mac laptop for college, some clothes from American Eagle, gift cards, a new pair of shoes and a new North Face jacket. 

Love, 

Alexa Wheaton 

Dear Santa,

This year I’d like an iPod touch and seat covers for my car because mine don’t stay on. For my brother I’d like you to bring two Wii Controller Pro. For my mom, please bring her a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee because she deserves a nicer vehicle, preferably blue. For my dad, could you help him not to have anymore issues with the house so he can finish it stress free and relax? I know he has been very stressed for the past about four years and I would like you to help him not to have it be for another two years also. I will be sure to leave you the customary chocolate chip cookies and milk and mini carrots for the reindeer. I hope you aren’t too stressed up there in the North Pole this year! 

Love, 

Morgan

Dear Santa,

This year, as you may know, I have been really good. On Christmas morning, I would like to see a couple of presents from you under our family tree. I would like a puppy, a puggle to be exact, that will keep my parents company next year when I am at college. I would also like my mom to receive some new earmuffs to keep her ears warm at recess duty, and for my dad, new scissors for him at the Iowa Barber Shop. That is all for this year, have a safe trip!

Happy Holidays,

Bryan

The best gift is peace

by Jered Engelking

In 1914 British soldiers met German soldiers on a battlefield of trenches. Millions of lives were lost in the first year of the war. 

However, Christmas giving really shined through when German troops offered a truce to the Allied Army that no shots would be fired on Christmas Eve and Day. 

They even celebrated together, singing carols, trading goods, and playing a casual game of soccer. Most truces lasted for three days while in some parts it lasted for two weeks.

These men show that no matter what you have to compromise and set all differences aside, then you will see that the so called enemy is not that much different from you. You will also see that you can get along and celebrate with them.

 In the present, we could really learn something from these great men. Just as both sides gathered around the Christmas tree to sing Silent Night in different languages for one night, we should accept other people, not just for Christmas, but also for all of time. 

Braves suffer a tough loss

by Alexa Wheaton

The Montezuma JH Braves started the 2010 season with a close eighth grade loss of 31-30 and the seventh grade team struggled in a 36-23 loss against BGM on Dec. 6. 

Jake Hasley, Joe Peck and Mitchell Stevens led the eighth grade team. Peck and Hasley had 7 points, while Stevens had 5. 

Peck also led the team with a total of 4 rebounds while Luke Goodman had 3 rebounds. Hasley and Stevens also paced the team with each having 2 steals. 

Tyler Thompson and Brody McKeag led the seventh grade. Thompson had 11 points while McKeag had 6. 

Bobby McCulley and Thompson also led the team with 5 rebounds each. Thompson also guided the team with 3 steals. 

Coach's philosophy guides young Braves

by Bryan Stanford

The JV Braves earned their first victory in their 59-29 win against the Iowa Valley Tigers. 

Offensively, the Braves were aggressive in the first half with 32 team points. Kane Barker and Siraj Thomason led the JV squad in scoring with 10 points each, while Tyler Swenson was close behind with 8.

Defensively, the Braves were able to hold the Tigers to under 16 points in each half without getting into foul trouble.

Coach DeJong commented, “Our guys continue to crash the boards hard. I think the guys have really bought into Coach Schulte’s philosophy of defending, rebounding and valuing the basketball.”

Two wins vs. the Hawks

Megan Baker grabs the loose ball during the 7th grade game at home against Lynnville-Sully.

by Cami Shaver

The seventh grade basketball girls pulled out a close 21-20 win against the Lynnville-Sully Hawks on Dec. 13.

Katie Maschmann paced the team with 9 points and 5 steals. Aliya Pargeon added 14 rebounds, while Maschmann and Megan Baker had 6 each. 

The eighth grade girls racked up a big 30-17 win later that night against the Hawks. 

Mackenzie James led with 10 points and 4 assists. Alex Brenner had 8 steals and Vanessa Minner had 7 rebounds. Brittany Bender also scored 9 points and had 8 rebounds. Both teams are currently 2-1.