March 13, 2017
The News of Southwest Middle School
And the Award Goes to...
By Britney Pitman and Ashley Luna
Kenneth Krzyzanowski is a technical educator at Southwest, and just recently was named the “West
River South Dakota Technical Educator of the Year”. This isn’t the only time he has won this award.
He won this award twice in the past one in 2007 and the other in 2010. Now including his new award,
he has a total of three awards.
Krzyzanowski was nominated and didn’t know he was going to get the award. He was nominated by Tim Snethen from South
Middle School. When he got the award, he was surprised and happy. Krzyzanowski said it “makes me feel appreciated by my colleagues”.
He said to get this award he had to “be an exemplary teacher.” he said. He was not working for it and it was a surprise when he learned
that he would receive the award. Kryzanowski’s award was celebrated with cake and ice cream after school last week.
History of the Chicken
By Hayden Widvey and Samantha Mueller
You may have seen the chicken at the pep assemblies or the new “Ugly Chicken Race” trophy in the
eighth grade hallway, but do you know the history of it? There are many people who do not know
what the Ugly Chicken Race is. It is a race where each grade competes against each other for the title
of the Ugly Chicken Race winners and the trophy.
Scott Sebbo, physical education teacher, said, “I personally do not understand the ugly chicken. I don’t understand where the
rubber chicken came from, and I don’t understand the history of it. I don’t understand why we give out a rubber chicken.” Sebbo feels
that way because, “I don’t get anything about the rubber chicken race. I guess it would be nice if people understood something about the
history of the rubber chicken”. The Ugly Chicken Race first started here at Southwest in 2001, so it has been a tradition for 16 years. You
may have seen the “Ugly Chicken” mascot at pep assemblies. The school bought a hawk mascot for the pep assemblies, but it looked like
a chicken. When they started the races, they decided to name it the “Ugly Chicken Race”.
There are many views on the race. Eighth grade student Kailey Brannan said, “I think it’s a fun way to show school spirit. I
guess its creative.” Brannan has participated in the Chicken Race and said she liked it. Seventh grade student Emily Helgeson said, “It’s
fun to watch because there is competition between the grades.” Sixth grade student Brionna Holso said, “I think it’s cool how we get to
compete against each other, but it’s for fun, and I like how it’s not too competitive and how everyone gets along.” The Chicken Race has
been around a long time and is planning to be around many more years to come. The next pep assembly is on March 31 st.
Strings in Concert
By Hunter Tillery, Kyle Danley, Alexah Gough
The orchestra has a concert Saturday March 18 th, 4:00 P.M. to 6:30 P.M
at the Rushmore Civic Center. Some say the highlight of the concert will
be “seeing all of the kid’s hard work pay off.” said Joseph Weseloh, 4 th
through 8th grade orchestra teacher. This year’s theme is Battle of The
Strings. Last years was String Wars. All the schools in the district participate.
February’s Spirit of the Hawk Winners
March 13, 2017
Regional Dance Competition
Olivia Harding, Sammy Record, and Ashley Luna
Saturday the 25th there was a regional dance competition that included some Southwest students.
The competition included Sioux Falls, Wyoming, North Dakota, and Rapid City. Students Sarah
Smith and Allison Zellmer, both in seventh grade, competed. Smith is “13 and I’ve been dancing
at Dance Elite for seven years. My favorite type of dance is pointe’’. Saturday she competed in
three dances: pointe, jazz, and tap. Zellmer is also “13 and I’ve been at Prima for ten years; my favorite type of dance is lyrical”. She
competed in two dances: jazz and contemporary. They also both competed in group numbers.
Dance is both painful and rewarding. Each student received many injuries at the recent competition such as bruises on upper
backs, thighs, and knees. Smith said, “As I’m doing pointe it’s like balancing all my weight on my big toes, like your walking on bricks. It
gives me a great workout and good stamina and discipline”. Zellmer said, “My pinkie toes rub against the inside in my pointe shoes and I
get blisters afterward. Otherwise it really helps me express my emotions”.
Both of their companies competed against each other. The competition took place at the Civic Center. Dance Elite placed first
and second in large group and overall teen. Prima placed and second in overall junior and overall senior. Junior division is ages 11-12,
teen division ages 13-15, and senior division is 16-18.
Sick Days
By Walker Roetzel, and Joe Sarica
Its flu season again and you know what that means, sicknesses are spreading rapidly. The school nurse Kerry
Leighty said, “We’ve had between 20 and 30 students out sick per day for the past 3 weeks.” On February 17 th
there were 150 students absent due to sickness and sports. Throughout the sickness, they can vary from strep
throat and influenza A. Leighty has said, “Using good hand washing and staying home if you’re sick.” Those are her tips on how to prevent being sick. Which everyone should be doing especially this time of the year.
Lunch is
Served
Monday
Chicken Patty Sandwich & Baked
Beans OR Lasagna & Breadstick
Tuesday
Spaghetti & Meatballs OR Pulled
Pork Sandwich
Wednesday
Super Nachos OR Baked Potato
& Breadstick
Thursday
Primero Pepperoni Pizza OR
Cuban Pork Sandwich
Friday
BBQ Meatballs & Fries OR
Hawaiian Chicken Wrap
Everyday
Oriental Orange Chicken Salad
OR a Baked Potato & Breadstick
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Upcoming Chorus Contest in Hill City
By Britney Pitman, Ella Barnard, Jessa Simpson
Chorus students at Southwest have a chance to participate in an event called Contest. Contest is a choir
competition is Hill City, April 22, where chorus students sing a solo, duet, ensemble, or play the piano in
front of a judge to get a score. Kelly Heflin is an eighth grade chorus student that
participated in Contest last year. Heflin said she plans to attend Contest again this
year. She said that performing in Contest was “scary at first but it was a good
experience”. She also said that her favorite part about Contest was “learning and
getting used to the music”.
Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade chorus teacher Kari Tucker, said she
has been helping students prepare for Contest at Southwest for seven years.
Tucker said that she sees contest as an extra boost of confidence for Southwest singers to move up into
high school choral activities. “The Contest we go to in Hill City is very well run and gives students a
positive performance experience in a true Contest setting”. She said she looks forward to working with
all of the talented small groups and individuals that sing at Southwest. The deadline to register with
Tucker is March 1, and the deadline to register with the contest administration is March 28th.
Congratulations to this week’s Southwest Sleuth Elliot Basso. This week’s mystery person was Rick Hatzenbeller, our school custodian. The clues were that this person has
two tattoos that relate to his favorite album, always wears blue, and helps everyone everyday. For correctly guessing this week’s clue, Basso received 10 Hawk Awards and a
Whatchamacallit candy bar.
March 13, 2017
Character Counts!
By Chase Messinger, Annika Enevoldsen, and Abbie Grupe
Have you ever wondered about Character Counts? Character Counts is a program that rewards students for positive choices every month
the pillar changes. Teachers pick students that embody the different traits. In November, citizenship was the focus. December was
dedicated for caring. January was focused on responsibility. Soon, students will be nominated for fairness (February), respect (March),
and trustworthiness (April).
Seventh and eighth grade social studies teacher Meressa Fletcher, who is one of the many teachers that nominate students, said,
“I look for students who exemplify the pillar for that month.” Eighth grade student Haiden Studer, who was nominated for caring. He
said, “I liked winning because I got breakfast and a certificate.”
School counselor Julie Nelson organizes the efforts to recognize student through Character Counts. She thinks everyone should
see how the winners are being rewarded and hoping that other students will try to win as well. Nelson said, “Just being nominated is a
huge honor.” For every month, there is a minimum of six students and a maximum of 15 students who are nominated by your very own
teachers. Nelson would like to thank the Character Counts sponsors, which are the National American Business Partner, Gordon
Brooks, and the Chiesman Center for Democracy.
Eye on the Classroom: Rube Gold-
Artist Showcase
berg Machines
By Eighth Grader Grace Hagel
By Dylan Holst, Kaleb Oleson, and
Rylan Wilson
This week’s Eye on the Classroom features the
eighth grade science classrooms developing
Rube Goldberg machines. A Rube Goldberg
machine is an overly complicated machine designed to perform a simple task
like popping a balloon or filling a bucket with water. Teresa Olson, science
teacher, stated, “If you were to walk in my room you would think it’s just mad
chaos, but they’re actually coming along quite well.” The students are required
to make a blueprint regarding their machines. They must also use at least four
simple machines while building their project. There are six different types of
simple machines such as pulleys, inclined planes, and levers.
Student Rex Wiebe stated, “It’s pretty fun to build and to work with
a partner, coming up with ideas.” The students can use anything ranging from
dominos to car tracks. Olson said, “Students are being very creative and coming up with good designs.” Students must have seven to 10 steps ideally. A
step would be like a ball hitting dominos or a
car rolling down an inclined plane. Olson said
Rube Goldberg machine unit teaches good
building skills to students along with being able
to redesign and improve when necessary. Students will present their machines today.
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Thank you to our editor Adam Stone and Julia Wiedmeier