Ben Mikaelson, Author, Visits Nome Public Schools

By: Kellen & Katie

Ben Mikaelsen, author of the book “Rescue Josh McGuire” which we read in class, paid a visit to Nome Beltz Jr./Sr. High School on December 2, 2002. He enlightened the students of both the Junior High and the Anvil City Science Academy with the story of his strange, yet interesting life. He told us of his early start in Bolivia and his move to Minnesota in 7th grade. He also told of his passion for cliff diving, flying small airplanes, and skydiving to escape from problems with the other students at school.

In college, he had to write a short story for his English class. After getting it back, he thought it looked like a pizza with all the red marks on it. You see, Ben didn’t start school until the fourth grade in Bolivia and had to transfer from Spanish to English when he moved. He still had a hard time with spelling and grammar. His professor called him into his office and told him that he had never met a more talented writer. He arranged for Ben to get a tutor to improve his grammar, spelling, and handwriting.

Soon, he was writing nonstop and sending his stories to various publishers. After 127 rejections, his first book, “Rescue Josh McGuire,” was finally published. After that, many more of his books, such as “Petey” and “Touching Spirit Bear” were published. Ben Mikaelsen had truly risen above everyone’s expectations.

Ben Mikaelsen’s life truly didn’t sound like that of an award-winning author. His books are read and checked out all the time from the libraries. He is currently finishing up his latest book, “Tree Girl”, and is beginning the 3 year writing process on another book called “Funny Boy.” Ben Mikaelsen is truly a great author and more importantly, a great person. We were very lucky to have had him visit us here in Nome.

Nanooks Welcome Visiting Teams

By: Jesse & Jessica

During the week of November 15-16, 2002 the following teams visited Nome for a Co-ed Volleyball Tournament: Stebbins, Nome, Galena Junior Varsity (JV), Galena Varsity, Golovin, and White Mountain. Nome pulled out strong with only one loss to Galena Varsity. After the last game, the teams got to enjoy themselves at a dance hosted by the Nome Beltz Spanish Club.

The games were played either two out of three, or three out of five depending on the teams playing. On Friday, the first game was Galena JV vs. Nome Varsity. Was won by Nome. Galena won the second game, Galena Varsity vs. Golovin. The third game, Stebbins vs. White Mountain was won by White Mountain was won by White Mountain. The fourth game, which Banner , said was “ an extremely intense game!” was the only game in which Nome was beat: Galena Varsity vs. Nome Varsity.

On Saturday, Galena Varsity and White Mountain played the first game of the morning. White Mountain won three sets out of five. The second match, Galena JV vs. Golovin was won by Golovin. Nome Varsity and Stebbins played the third match. Nome Varsity won. The final game of the morning, before lunch, was White Mountain and Golovin. The winner of this match was White Mountain.

The first match after lunch was played by Galena JV and Stebbins. Galena won five sets out of five. Nome and White Mountain played the final game of the tournament. Nome won three sets out of three.

Not only did Nome do a wonderful job, but also they impressed the visiting teams and other members of the community. Congratulations to all teams and to the Nome Varsity Nanooks.

Winter Sport

By: Mason & Jesse

It’s 5 on 5, two opponents battling out to get the most points in 4 quarters. There are 6 minutes in each quarter. Yes, that’s 5th and 6th grade basketball. The basketball federation has the following teams: the Raiders, Nuggets, Bulls, Sonics, Blazers, and the Eagles. The basketball started on October 12th and lasts until December 14th. Kids in grades five to six have been hustling the last 6 weeks to get 1st place, out of six teams.

Even though they’re pretty much in the same grades, they’re all different: For an example, there are kids who can jump high, kids who are pretty tall or short, and some that are average. Not only are they learning about teamwork, and also learning about ballhandling too. The worst part about basketball is playing against your friends, because you know one of you is going to lose.

Players also have two practices a week that they’re supposed to attend. Besides the kids are having fun, it seems like the referees and coaches are also having a good time teaching the rules. Although it is already almost over, you are still able to have a good time anywhere that has a hoop and a basketball, just start shooting and have a good time.

Bulletin Board Madness

By: Kent

Pulling staple after staple, students are using Social Studies and Language Arts classes back to back. From 9:40 to 11:30 was the time fifth to eighth grade was doing their bulletin boards. People were running from classroom to classroom getting information for their boards. The students were putting really cool stuff and information on the boards. The names of the boards were Solar Power, Nuclear Energy, Chemical Reactions, Kinetic and Potential Energy, Weather and Climate, Hydroelectric Power, and Simple Machines. Students worked hard and nobody felt bad about their board. Everybody participated and there was a lot of color on every board.

Get to the Point, with Power!

By: Jeremy H.

During the past quarter students at ACSA (Anvil City Science Academy) have been working on power points that are based on Alaska’s history. They did these for the potluck on November twenty second. The power points were done in this procedure 1) read 2) written summaries 3) typed summaries and 4) start your power points. Most resources used by the students were books and the Internet. Some people made theirs completely from interviews.

One of the easiest parts of the Power Points is the reading part. The reading part was done first. This was the easiest part for students because all they had to do is open the book and read it. This reading part only lasted about a week.

The next step was to write your summaries. This is done by including the 5 Ws and how (who, what, when, where, why, and how). If students do not do this it is nearly impossible to start their Power Points.

This typing step also took about a week, (Or an hour to two hours if typing the whole time). The students did this during class once you were done with this you are ready to start your power point.

The final step was to do your Power Point, which took the longest. This step ranged from 1-2 weeks and was definitely the most important and hardest part.

The Power Point projects took about a month long, which is a very long time. I did a survey on whether or not the students enjoyed the Power Points and the results were half and half. And who knows maybe there will be another Power Point project in the future.

October's Outstanding Students

By: Natalie & Kelsey

Do you know who Anvil City Science Academy’s outstanding students of October were? Lauren O. and Rachel were! Congratulations you girls! “Both Rachel and Lauren try to do their best work consistently,” says Mrs. Leeper.

Lauren is 10 years old, and she likes going to Anvil City Science Academy. She has one brother and two sisters and is in the 5th grade. Her favorite class is Art.

Rachel is 12 years old, and has one brother and one sister. She also likes going to ACSA. Rachel is in the 6th grade. Her favorite classes are Art, Reading, and surprisingly, Algebra. Rachel has liked every school that she has gone to.

As you can see, the ACAS's two outstanding students are really outstanding, and the ACSA is full of people just like them. I wonder who the next outstanding students will be…..