Every year the school puts on a pep-rally specifically for cheer tryouts. This is an especially nerve-wracking day for many sophomores and juniors trying out. On Friday March 28, 2008, many girls had the courage to get up in front of the school and dance hoping they would be one of the select few chosen to be a cheerleader. This years cheerleaders that wanted to participate in the next years squad were required to try out as well as the others.
Next years cheerleaders are Abby Stark, Ashlie Palmer, Aubry Richards, Hadlee Housley, Hayley Kanski, Jacque Andersen, Julia Spencer, Kaylia Roemer, Kayshia Roemer, Larisa Bingham, Mariana Ochoa, Marquel Wildman, Paige Watterson, Rylee Burbank, Tausha Nye, Tawna Nielsen, Tia Twitchell and Whitney Collins.
Before the pep-rally the contestants first had to make it past the judges. With only two days and one review day to learn the dance and cheers, the girls had to perform everything in front of judges on Thursday, March 27. Getting past judges meant one more audition, but this time in front of the entire student body.
The pep-rally began with this year’s cheerleaders demonstrating the cheers and dance the girls trying out had to perform. They first had to perform two randomly called cheers, and then perform the dance they had learned.
To be a cheerleader the girls have to meet certain academic requirements and have the physical ability to participate. The girls willing to try out must have a 2.5 GPA, and no F’s. Cheerleading is all year long with practices every day for their third hour class, and then one practice every week for a few hours after school. If any of the girls are late or absent from practice they get points taken away.
The squad tries hard to make it to every sporting event possible. They can be seen at wrestling, basketball, and football games cheering on the sidelines, but they also go to sporting events like swimming and soccer to watch and support their peers, since cheering is not so convenient at these activities. Sometimes the girls have to be split up into two groups because two sporting events are occurring at the same time on one night.
Besides the busy work, cheer is a great opportunity for the girls to make new friends. Tawna Nielsen, a current cheerleader who will also be on next years’ squad, said, “We had the chance at judges to sit down and talk with all of the new girls, and it was really fun to talk to them. I’m looking forward to spending time with these excited and committed girls.”
Congratulations to our new 2008-2009 cheerleaders!
By the end of this school year, every math classroom at Logan High will be equipped with a new tool Ban interactive whiteboard called a SMART Board. The SMART Board is a whiteboard that possesses computer capabilities.
It is made up of a screen, computer and projector and acts as an output as well as an input device. It enables teachers to create and display visual lesson plans and to access, edit and save conceptual multimedia software. It also behaves as a traditional whiteboard that teachers can write on with a digital ink pen or a finger and has the capability to translate handwriting into text. The board is controlled by a touchscreen and provides teachers with many new opportunities.
Administrators are excited to see the SMART Boards installed. "I think that Logan district is very supportive in providing teachers with the newest technology, " remarked Principle Pat Hansen. "The fact that they will be in every math classroom in the school, including classrooms at South Campus, is just phenomenal. " Hansen hopes the new technology will help engage students and improve the classroom experience.
Math teachers are equally enthusiastic about the addition of boards. "We are so thrilled to have this as an option for teaching in our classrooms, "said Mrs. Smart. "And I can't wait to write with my finger! "
The boards will be installed over the course of the next six weeks. Some have already been installed. Mr. Weeks' classroom was the first to have a SMART Board and thus far, he has enjoyed having the technology.
"This is fun to use, " he commented, adding that he feels the SMART Board has really helped engage students, especially in his geometry classes.
Teachers have received some training in the basics of using the SMART Board, but as Mr. Weeks explained, there is much left to explore. "We have barely scratched the surface, "he remarked. "We 'll get better as we go along. "
Weeks is excited about the device. " Everyone needs at least two or three of these, " he said. "These are neat. "
Honorable Mention Award
Jacob Morris
March 1-20 at Weber State University an art exhibit took place which showed art from all over the state of Utah. The art was created by imaginative and many talented students of local high schools. From Cache Valley, Both Logan High and Sky View had students’ work in the exhibit.
Among the artists is Logan High senior Nicol Williams. Early in March, before the art work was open to the public, Logan High received a phone call from the director of the show, informing photo teacher Roger Rigby that Williams was going to be awarded the Honorable Mention Award for the photograph that she had submitted.
The photo is of a section of an old run down building with smooth wood panels in the background and rough splinters of wood covering it in an abstract form. The blend of texture and contrast in this piece is brilliant.
AP art teacher Judy Lloyd said that “with other judges she might have” received a better award.
Rigby, who has taught Williams almost everything she knows about photography, stated, “Awards in art exhibits are very subjective, so awards don’t always mean who’s the best, but it is an honor to be included in the show.”
Though Williams was the only Honorable Mention from Logan High, many other students participated in this exhibit. Congratulations to Williams and all who participated.
Phil String Choir Gets Past Region
Craig Blackburn
This is the season for music competitions which are taking place in public schools all around Utah. After a long school year, chamber music groups and others are working to perfect their different pieces of music, from classical Beethoven to more contemporary pieces such as the works of Debussy.
Of these different music groups that have performed, the Logan Philharmonic String Choir did particularly well at the region orchestra competition down in Morgan. Out of the three different string ensembles which competed, only the junior/senior chamber orchestra advanced to state, leaving the freshmen and sophomores behind.
For some it might be considered a blessing that they did not go any further than region. Erin Eves, a senior who qualified for state with both a solo and in the Philharmonic String Choir on her violin said she was under a lot of stress at the time. However, after it was over, she said happily, “No stress. I’m excited to have another chance at performing.”
Many others also qualified for state with solos or in group ensembles. The Sunshine Boys Quartet, made up of violinists Konlin Shen and Duyun Chen, violist Jeff Budge, and cellist Paul Kang, also went on to state after a spectacular performance.
Budge, a senior, said of the region competition, “I think they should hold it here (at Logan High School) so we don’t have to travel so much, but the judges gave constructive comments, which was good.”
Despite the traveling, however, they were given a superior 1 rating, even though they said they felt like they did a horrible job. Nevertheless, the Sunshine Boys Quartet is viewed by many as the top quartet at Logan High. “The Sunshine Boys play with precision and accuracy. They’re the best quartet in the school,” Eves said, when asked how she felt about their abilities.
Their superior rating at the competition is evidence that Logan High School has one of the best, if not the best, music department in Utah, which doesn’t just include the orchestra. Good luck to all those participating in upcoming musical events, and congrats to the orchestra students who are going on to state!
Grace Saul