Athletic Schedule

Monrovia's Christmas Spirit!

Senior vs Freshman Poll

If Santa leaned his ear your way, what would you tell him?

Senior	Freshman
“I’d ask him what he wanted!” “I don’t believe in you.” “How many cookies can you eat in one sitting?” “How does your nose not fall off if it’s always that cold?	“I’d ask him if he wants a cookie!” “Could I have one of your reindeer?” “Can I mount your reindeer on the wall?” “I’d tell him to back off”

Staff Reporter Garrett Wertz

Merry Christms and a Happy New Year from the Bulldog Fetch!

5 Books to Read

1. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Dr. Seuss)
2. The Polar Express (Chris Van Allsburg)
3. The Elf on the Shelf (Chanda Bell, Carol Aebersold)
4. Eloise at Christmas (Kay Thompson)
5. Merry Christmas Mom and Dad (Mercer Mayer)

Staff Reporter Camryn Bradford



What Not to Get Your Secret Santa

When you are buying a Secret Santa remember to think of the other person. Try to remember they are very excited and will be looking forward to the secret surprise. Do not get humorous or private jokes as this will ruin the surprise and not be the cute gift they would love! Remember to get something that is very general so they cannot guess that is it you. Get someone else to write on the tag so they cannot tell it is you! It will ruin the careful illusion ignited by the game.

Staff Reporter Gabi Ritter

Sing-along

Top 5 Christmas Songs

1. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Judy Garland
2. Christmas Time is Here Again - The Beatles
3. Christmas All Over Again - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
4. Thank God It’s Christmas - Queen
5. Santa Claus is Coming to Town - Bruce Springsteen

Decorating the Christmas Tree

There are many ways to decorate a Christmas tree. Different individuals have different opinions on what they want their Christmas trees to look like and how their trees should represent their own Christmas spirit. Christmas trees can have themes like a Dr. Seuss themed Christmas tree or a sports themed Christmas trees. Others can be made to look like Santa Clause or Frosty the Snowman. Other Christmas trees can be all one color and some Christmas trees even come in different colors. Some people though, still do the traditional multi-colored lights and multi-colored ornaments.  Although, on the complete other end of spectrum some people put their Christmas trees upside down. People have many different ways to decorate their Christmas trees. The best way to decorate your Christmas tree is to show your own Christmas spirit.

Staff Reporter Ally Brown

Mint Cinnamon Cookies

       

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1-3/4 cups sugar, divided
• 3 large egg yolks
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon honey, divided
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 8 ounces white baking chocolate, chopped

         Directions

1. In a large bowl, cream butter and 1-1/4 cups sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolks, 1 tablespoon honey and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt and cream of tartar; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.
2. Shape a heaping tablespoonful of dough into a 6-in. log. In a shallow bowl, combine cinnamon and remaining sugar; roll log in cinnamon-sugar. Loosely coil log into a spiral shape; place on a greased baking sheet. Repeat, placing cookies 1 in. apart. Sprinkle with remaining cinnamon-sugar.
3. Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes or until set. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. In a small bowl, melt baking chocolate with remaining honey; stir until smooth. Drizzle over cookies. Let stand until set. Store in an airtight container. Yield: about 2-1/2 dozen

Staff Reporter Alex Realey

Senior vs. Freshman Polls

Do you think people should say “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays” around this time? Why?

Senior	Freshman
“Happy Holidays, because there are other holidays than Christmas in December and not everyone celebrates Christmas. So Happy Holidays satisfies all of them.”	“Happy Holidays because not everybody celebrates Christmas. I think that it’s kind of unfair to those who don’t, but hear it a million times. I know that it would annoy me. I know not everyone is going to switch to saying happy holidays but hopefully we can get at least some to.”

Keeping the Animals Safe

    Suffolk County is the first to activate an animal abuser registry in the United States! The address, photograph, and names of convicted animal abusers will be available on the registry. Animal shelters, breeders, and pet stores will not adopt or sell animals to anyone on the registry. The Animal Legal Defense Fund is attempting to make the registry of Suffolk County a nationwide law that will not only affect animals, but people. Many states and counties are evaluating similar registries and/or establishing them. Hoorah for the animals!
Staff Reporter Lauren Frentz

Monrovia v Eminence Basketball Victories

The Lady Bulldogs Bucket has never left our campus after being captured in 2007. 

Boys hold on to the Powder Keg.

Athletic Schedule

Why Do People Get Offended by Christmas?

Staff Reporter John Bennett

Why do people complain so much? Is it trendy? What compels people to complain so much? This season has made the people of the internet become unhinged over the dumbest things.

The first event that triggered the eruption of stupidity was Simon Malls replacing the “Christmas”-themed Santa display with a North Pole-themed display. They replaced trees and lights with a slick futuristic glacier and arctic scenery. People planned to boycott the mall chain and refuse to shop there. That would be pretty hard… 90% of malls are Simon malls.

           

The second and likely the most monumental event was the cups. The red cups that turned the world off its axis. The cups that are still seasonal but somehow upset people because they were not bombarded with trees and snowflakes. You would think that Starbucks committed some unholy crime and made all hell break loose, when in reality they released a cup that was just red instead of the normal white cup. Why were people so upset? This is America where every person becomes offended by everything and has a strong well-written opinion about it.

           

The third and most recent event was over candy. Yes over candy. Reese's is known for having seasonal-themed candies, but this year they have offended people. Offending people is not hard to do, but over candy? People have become upset saying their candy doesn’t resemble a tree closely enough. They are complaining over the shape of the candy. While people are dying and terrorism is a very real threat, people have chosen to complain about Christmas tree candy not looking enough like a tree.

Top 5 Ugly Christmas Sweaters

 

Have you ever wondered what the qualifications were for an ugly Christmas sweater? Well, if you have any of these (or anything like these) in your closet, then I’ve got news for you...

1.                                                                           2.

 

 3.                                                                       4.

5.


Staff Reporter Garrett Wertz

Christmas Candy Cane DIY

Easy Christmas decorations to make with your family. Materials: Pipe cleaners and beads. Staff Reporter Daisy Bennett

5th Annual Cookie Stroll

This year the 5th Annual Cookie Stroll will be on Saturday, December 12.  This event will occur in downtown Martinsville from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. This event is hosted by Rediscover Martinsville to raise funds to preserve Martinsville’s history.

Staff Reporter Maddie Wright

Is Black Friday Dying?

    Statistics show that Black Friday shopping is dropping in popularity. Instead of braving the lines and the cold, shoppers are turning to the internet. Online sales were about $11 billion this year, a 15% increase from last year. 28% of online sales this year were purchased on smartphones and tablets. Sales are also dying because sales are starting earlier and lasting longer. More people are shopping Thanksgiving Day and the days following, lowering the sales numbers for Black Friday.
Staff Reporter Alex Realey

25 Christmas Movies to Get Into The Holiday Spirit

    Having some issues with finding a good Christmas movie? Well here are 25 movies to help get into the holiday spirit!

1. Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas
2. Polar Express
3. Home Alone 1,2,3
4. Elf
5. Santa Claus
6. The Christmas Story
7. A Christmas Carol (2009)
8. Frosty the Snowman
9. Scrooge
10. The Nightmare Before Christmas
11. A Charlie Brown Christmas
12. The Year Without Santa Claus
13. The Little Drummer Boy
14. Scrooged
15. A Charlie Brown Christmas
16. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
17. Frosty the Snowman
18. Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town
19. A Christmas Carol (1938)
20. White Christmas
21. The Santa Clause (1994)
22. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
23. Miracle on 34th Street
24. A White Christmas (1954)
25. The Little Drummer Boy

Staff Reporter Camryn Bradford

5 Natural Ways to Stay Healthy This Winter

1. Raise your vitamin D levels

Without sunlight or vitamins, if you lose 5% of your body fat, your vitamin D levels soar.

2. Protect your skin

Using Moisturizing Sunscreen even in the winter will protect you from wind chaffing and keep your skin from drying out.

3. Get a flu shot

Promote the concept of “herd immunity” and protect yoursef, children and others.

4. Keep your mind sharp

Seasonal depression is a real issue in the winter from the cold and dreary weather. Take a class with a friend to stay sharp.

5. Eat more plants

Plants are high in omega-3 fatty acids and promote mental health, protect skin, and have anti-inflammatory effects.  

www.prevention.com

Staff Reporter Izzy Prodan

Football Stats

The Bulldogs had an amazing year of football, but you need more. How about 15 pages of statistics about the state championship game? Enjoy!

Urban Outfitters: Guilty or Not?

                Many big-name companies have been under fire but have they been in trouble fourteen times? Urban Outfitter’s definitely has! Is it just ridiculous heat from sensitive people or justified complaints? Click on the link and decide for yourself!  http://theweek.com/articles/480961/14-urban-outfitters-controversies

Staff Reporter Lauren Frentz

Christmas Activities Downtown

    If you missed the Christmas Tree Lighting downtown, like me, due to the rain not to worry! There are plenty of other activities just as magical to participate in!! You can play in the lights at Christmas at the Zoo or dance around the circle with the nutcrackers! You could pop into the City Market for warm gingerbread and hot chocolate. There is a Christmas exhibit and activities at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, the Indiana Museum of Art to play with. You could see The Nutcracker in the Scottish Rite Cathedral or take a carriage ride downtown!!!!!!

Staff Reporter Gabi Ritter

ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas Schedule

Who loves watching Christmas movies?! Everyone, of course! ABC Family is playing all the classic Holiday movies of this season all month! Check out the full Christmas schedule.
Staff Reporter Allysen Brown

Day 2: Wednesday, Dec. 2

• 7 a.m. -- “The Christmas Shoes”
• 9 a.m. -- “Frosty’s Winter Wonderland”
• 11 a.m. -- “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas”
• 12:30 p.m. -- “A Miser Brothers Christmas”
• 1:30 p.m. -- “Jack Frost” (1979)
• 2:30 p.m. -- “Rudolph’s Shiny New Year”
• 3:30 p.m. -- “Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory”
• 6 p.m. -- “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas”
• 8:45 p.m. -- “The Santa Clause”
• 12 a.m. -- “Snow”

State Football Championship DVD

Purchase your DVD copy of the 2015 State Football Championship Game.  

Championship Apparel

The Athletic Department has 2015 IHSAA Football State Champions Apparel for Sale! They are selling Green T-shirts, Green Long-Sleeve T-Shirts, Green Crew Neck Sweatshirts, and Green Hooded Sweatshirts! They will be taking orders for Green State Champions Apparel until 3:00 P.M. on FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4TH!  State Champions Apparel can be picked up beginning on WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9TH.  Please turn in your order form and money to the Monrovia High School Athletic Office.  Make Checks payable to Monrovia Athletic Department. Thanks and Go Bulldogs!  

Terrorism Safety

Three major things to do if you’re caught in a terrorist attack; by the U.K National Counter Terrorism Security Officers.

Step by step instructions to reduce the number of potential casualties.

1. Run- if you have the option of escaping, it will always be the safest option.
2. Hide- Just because you can't see them doesn't mean they can't see you.
3. Silence your phone- Avoid drawing any attention to yourself.

The guidelines do NOT suggest playing dead, you are 25% less likely to survive that way than running. While one Parisian woman was successful, statistically, that isn't always reliable.  

http://www.cosmopolitan.com  

Tess Koman

Staff Reporter Izzy Prodan

Canned Food Drive

    The past two weeks Monrovia High School' National Honor Society hosted their annual can food drive. This year the high school partnered with the middle school for the duration of the two weeks. The elementary school participated in the second week of the can food drive. The food collected will be split up into three different groups to be given to three local churches' food pantries.  The three churches are Gasburg Baptist Church, Monrovia Christian Church, and United Methodist Church.  There has been an estimated 2,400 cans collected this year.

Staff Reporter Maddie Wright

Terrorrist Attacks in France (Victims)

Three teams of the terrorists staged coordinated attacks at 6 different locations throughout Paris late Friday. Including the Bataclan concert hall, the Stade de France, at least 2 restaurants. The attacks killed at least 129 people, and wounded 352 more. ISIS claimed responsibility saying that 8 of its militants were involved on an online statement. 7 of the 8 known terrorist were killed. Portrait of the victims who were killed in the attacks are slowly starting to emerge.

 

Things to Bake for Good Photo-Ops

With Thanksgiving coming around the corner, it is important to remember not everyone can actually cook! But no need to feel left out!! There are baked things that may taste wretched but look super cute. This is called a photo opportunity, you  can photograph your disaster maybe wearing an apron. One of these these opportunities are cakes and baked goods. Generally keep away from meats and lean towards pastries. Pastries are going to look good and be a good picture even if you screw up the recipe it will still look excellent on camera and you’ll never be able to tell they are rancid.
Staff Reporter Gabi Ritter