March Madness takes over Boundary County Middle
School
in more ways than one |
|
March 28, 2018 |
by Ashley Guttin
March Madness is the biggest collegiate
basketball frenzy of the year, and the Boundary
County Middle School leadership students make it
a school wide event! From March 13 to April 2,
68 NCAA basketball times all join in a bracket
and compete until there is one remaining
champion. People all over the country predict
who the final teams will be, but Boundary County
Middle School takes it to a whole new level.
To start off March Madness, each
homeroom/advisory class in the school is
randomly assigned one of the top teams in the
bracket. Then the advisory classes are given an
allotted amount of time for the students to
completely decorate their classroom doors and
portions of hallway to show their team spirit.
The middle schoolers’ competitive side is in
high gear as they go all out to represent their
colleges. They research facts, interview alumni,
and decorate their doors with their best
artistic ability. Everyone in the school
contributes. The lucky advisories that had
Robotics members incorporated their tech savvy
side by including self-controlled moving
machines on their doors. This competition also
helps the students to start thinking about
colleges, and educate them on all the options
out there.
These elaborate decorations don’t just stop at
the doors. Students decorate the entire hallways
from floor to ceiling in vivid colors
representing their colleges. The adornments
include lights that illuminate the long halls,
and thumping music that keeps the students
excited and adrenalized. Along with collegiate
themed doors, hallways, lights, and music, there
is also snacks. Many students fill out brackets
and predict who will win.
(Story continues below this photograph)
Now that we are down to the Final Four, the
leadership students have their winners narrowed
down. Josh Pinkerton and many other students
think Villanova is going to win, but some
students like Rayne Martin are going for Kansas.
BCMS leadership teacher Mrs. Hinthorn is willing
to take a bet on the Michigan Wolverines this
year. We will see who is right in a matter of
days. March Madness turns BCMS into a party that
excites all staff and students.
Once all the students have finished their
ornamental decorations, community members are
invited into the school to judge the winner with
the best embellishments. A combination of school
board members, principals from around the school
district, and a variety of other community
volunteers all donate their time to come in and
listen to the students’ presentations on why
their decor is the best.
This year Mrs. Stolley won the competition for
the 6th graders with her theme revolving around
the superstars from Xavier University. For 7th
grade, Mrs. Kerttu’s advisory won decorating
their portion of the hallway with Texas Tech
gear. And finally, the 8th graders in Mr.
Bonnell’s advisory dominated the competition
with the favorite local team, Gonzaga. Thank you
to all the community members who helped with
judging the competition.
The leadership students are doing so much for
these events, and they are having so much fun
while doing it. Some of the following leadership
students described their favorite parts of the
week. Dyani Wortley says that she “Loves the
competitiveness of all the classes and the
colors that are everywhere!” Katie Smith “Had
the most fun putting up the decorations.” Some
students like Eika Willis enjoy “Doing the doors
with all the students and then seeing the judges
come in. I also like the last day because there
is so much excitement in the school!”
The BCMS Leadership students put on a variety of
other events to go along with March Madness. A
tradition created over 3 years ago, March
Gladness, spreads positivity all over the
school. Teachers are anonymously put into a
bracket and secretly enter nice quotes weekly
for all students and staff to see. The most
favorable quotes move on in the bracket until
there is only one winning quote left. Because
the competition stays completely anonymous, the
winner is only revealed after the competition is
over. Every week there is a category to guide
the staff members to choose their quotes.
Categories include Minion quotes, pick-up lines,
and even memes. March Gladness puts a smile on
everyone's faces.
The middle school also puts on a Student vs.
Staff game in the spirit of March Madness. For
each quarter, a different grade plays staff
members (With the 8th graders playing 2
different quarters). Every middle schooler is
nervous for Mr. Rice’s dunking skills! Just
before tip-off, Ken 'doc' Toulene will be
awarding a plaque to the students of BCMS for
their ongoing support of the local veterans'
organizations. This year alone the students
awarded over $400 to each of the following
groups: the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign
Wars, and Disabled American Veterans. Each year
the student body, coordinated by Mrs. Hinthorn's
Leadership class, raises money to help
vets-in-need
The Boundary County Middle School leadership
class is so involved in their school and our
community. We want Boundary County to be aware
of their involvement. The middle school is
assisting the Hope House with a clothing
giveaway in mid-April. The leadership class is
also applying for the High Five Grant, which is
a $10,000 fund for the middle school to use for
building a new multi-purpose court in front of
the school in order to encourage kids to be
healthy to fight childhood obesity.
The Middle School Talent Show is coming up at
the end of the year, and many gifted students
will be performing in front of their peers. And
finally, coming up in May, is the Forget-Me-Not
Walk at the Bonners Ferry High School track.
This amazing event is meant to bring the
community together and walk as friends to
remember those loved ones we have lost,
something all of us can relate to. It raises
money for scholarships available to our local
high school students as well. So, let’s support
Boundary County Middle School and their
outstanding leadership class by supporting their
involvement and events they put on!
|
|
Questions or comments about this
article?
Click here to e-mail! |
|
|
|
|
