Newspaper is Back!

 Hi YMS staff and students! Watch this space for articles, art, and photography by your very own YMS Happenings Newspaper Staff. If you have an idea for content for our blog, let a YMS newspaper reporter know or email Mrs. Andrews at Michelle.K.Andrews@k12.sd.us

(cartoon by Quelby B.)

YMS Holiday Concert

by Berta G.

As Christmas approaches, the school's band is preparing for its Christmas concert. I interviewed Mrs. Belgum, the middle school band director. I asked her questions about the 6th-grade band, the jazz band, and the 7th- and 8th-grade band. Questions will go from her favorite pieces to whether there was a particular theme.

The first question I asked was, "What is your favorite piece that the 6th graders are doing?" Mrs. Belgum answered with, "A Joyous Christmas, by Randall Standridge." I would then ask her, "What's your favorite 7th/8th grade piece?" The YMS band combines the seventh- and eighth-grade bands. She answered with, "It's a tie, honestly. I like "Now The Winters Come to Stay," by David Shaffer, but I also like "A Winter's Journey", by Randall Standridge." The third question I asked her would be, "What's your favorite piece that the Jazz band is doing?" After a few moments of thought, she'd respond with, "Merry Gentlemen," but she didn't specify who composed it, so I won't include that part.

My fourth question for her was, "Is there any particular theme for this concert?" Her answer was, "No, but I realized recently that a lot of the pieces had the word Christmas in them." Which I did realize, as I am in the band as well. My second-to-last question was, "Do you have any particular favorite group overall?" She responded with, "I tend to like jazz bands' Christmas music the most. If I could have a just jazz class, I definitely would."

As I was wrapping the interview up, I asked her if she wanted to add anything, and she responded with, "If you can, come to the program. It's really fun this year, and they have been working really hard." If you wish to come, it's on Tuesday, December 9th. It'll start around 7 pm, with sixth grade going first, then Jazz, followed by seventh and eighth grade. It'll be in the old gym.

When to Decorate?!

by Aria H.

This November, I made a survey about a growing argument of when to decorate for Christmas. I picked one person of each grade including one teacher to average out and see the most picked answer. In 6th grade I picked Remi S., 7th Hattie H., 8th Allison I., and finally teacher, Mrs. Blaha.

The first question was “Do you decorate for Christmas?” They all said yes! The second question was: Do you decorate for Christmas on November first or wait until after Thanksgiving? The three choices were, “As soon as Halloween is over, Wait until Thanksgiving is over or somewhere in between Halloween and Thanksgiving. The average was after Thanksgiving. The third question was: Do you think it's understandable to decorate for Christmas before Thanksgiving? The most answered was yes.The fourth question was: Do you put up other decorations before the Christmas tree or all at the same time? The choices were: Other decor first, At the same time, and Christmas tree first. The average was tree first! Las,tly the last question was: Which one is better, Christmas or Thanksgiving? The most answered was… Christmas! Happy Thanksgiving!

Indoor Marching Show

story by Max A., photo by Mrs. Andrews

On November 3rd, the first Monday of the month, the YMS 7th and 8th-grade bands and the YHS bands participated in this amazing event. YMS played “I’m Still Standing,” and also did a combined piece with the high school, “Louie, Louie”. YHS always performs skits to express their likes. The student teacher for Mrs. Belgum is a clarinet in the YHS band, doing a skit somewhat related to the show, where he is the king but is overthrown by his people. Almost every year, the trombones do a skit where they turn and extend the slide over the heads of their fellow members, over and over again. This year, there were some technical difficulties with the music, which unfortunately affected some of the skits. All in all, it was a great performance, and you might be in the show next year if you are in the 6th-grade band.

Changing of the Seasons

by Sloane H. 

It is no surprise that summer break is over and done with, no need to remind us. The fall is growing with every passing day, and I’m sure you’ve noticed too. A change in the weather, leaves falling off the surrounding trees, or even a change in festive decor.

I noticed it everyday this season. I have some examples, and I’m here to share them. As you read, I want you to think if you have noticed any changes too.

One cold October morning, my dad dropped me off by the sidewalk. When I began to walk, a shiver ran down my back, even with my winter coat on. The weather was already getting colder. I kept walking, and I cut through the grass. A small layer of frost covered the top.

The trees that day were a mix of colors. Some were yellow with a little of green. Others were darker shades, mainly of oranges and browns. They all blended together like paint on an empty canvas.

As I got closer to the door, the reflection of the trees behind me showed, and for a split second, it looked like a rare beauty.

The next day, I walked to the doors again. This time was different. I saw people by their front lawns, setting up decorations for the winter and Christmas days. It was a couple days before Halloween. In my opinion, I thought it was a little too early. In my family, we decorate in mid-November.

The leaves on the ground twirled in the wind, they made satisfying crunches as they landed. Some fell into a puddle and made no noise. Most of the leaves are so fragile, they might crumble if you hold them in your hand. The others were hard to crack.

Another day, in November, it had snowed. The thick, flat layer of white covered the ground and rooftops. The snow sprinkled as it fell to the grass. Buried underneath, it still was visible, brown and colorless.

A winter wonderland was just appearing, very early though. The year before, barely any snow fell. Only three times in December did it come at all. This year, I don't think that will happen again.

In the conclusion of this article, the season is changing fast and the weather is getting colder. So keep warm, notice how it’s changing, and have a great year!!

Fall into a Good Book!

story by Cate H., photo by Mrs. Andrews

So the first book I am rating is called Thanksgiving on Thursday. In my opinion, it’s a really interesting book, but the Book cover makes it look unappealing to the actual story plot. I think if you want to read a Thanksgiving book, it should look appealing and have a good story plot. So far I give this book a 7/10. I would definitely recommend this book if you want to read about a Thanksgiving adventure.


The next book I will rate is another book connected to the last one. It’s called Pilgrims, and it’s a factional book connected to the last one. It tells facts that the last story may have missed. So for anyone who wants a non-fiction Thanksgiving book I recommend this book. I give this book a 9/10!

150 Book Challenge

Teachers log books and then 
the books appear on the bookshelves
in the display case by the office's lost
and found table. 

story by Kenley S., photo by Mrs. Andrews

The 150 book challenge is a challenge for teachers to read more. It is also a way to celebrate 150 years of YSD. 

I interviewed two staff members of YMS, Mrs. Andrews and Mrs. Buechler to find out what they think. I asked both teachers if they were excited for the challenge and they replied “Yes, it’s good for staff that love to read.” I also asked about their favorite author and favorite book. Mrs. Buechler replied, The Lord of the Rings is my favorite book and my favorite author is Sarah J. Maas.” Mrs. Andrews replied, “My favorite book is To Kill a Mockingbird and my favorite author is Anthony Doerr.” Then I asked the teachers how many books they think they will read and they both expect to read ten. Finally, they both added that they hope the challenge will encourage students to read by showing them that teachers read for fun, too!