Home run for Jackie Robinson

Black History Month is this month. Since 1926, Americans have celebrated this month. At first they called it “Negro History Week” but later they changed it to Black History month. 

African-American history is a big part of America’s history.

It shows what the African-Americans went through and how they were treated because the color of their skin.

Some African-Americans have accomplished things that we could not live without. With that being said, a true African-American integrated major league baseball.

You may have heard about Jackie Roosevelt Robinson.

Robinson was born in Cairo, Georgia in 1919. His mother raised him and four other children by herself.

They grew up being the only black family on their block. From this beginning, Robinson grew up being one of the best blacks to make it to major league and broke the color barrier that existed for more than fifty years.

Robinson out-shined his opponents early in all sports and learned to get through life on his own.

At UCLA, he became the first to win varsity for all four sports: track, football, baseball and basketball. Because of financial difficulties, he was forced to leave college and eventually decided to enlist for the Army where he earned the rank of second lieutenant.

After leaving the Army, Robinson played one season in the Negro Baseball League, but greater challenges were in store for him.

In 1947, Branch Rickey, the president of the Brooklyn Dodgers, approached Robinson about joining the Dodgers. The major leagues had not had an African-American player since 1889, when baseball became segregated.

At the end of Robinson’s rookie season, he became National League Rookie of the Year with 12 homers, a league-leading 49 steals and a .297 batting average. In 1949, he was chosen as the NBL’s Most Valuable player of the Year. As a result of that, he was eventually selected to be into Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.

Robinson's life and legacy is a big part in African-American history. In 1997, United States Postal Office honored Robinson by making a stamp with his picture on it.

Also, former President Bill Clinton paid tribute to Robinson at Shea Stadium in New York, in a special ceremony.

Robinson is a big historian in black history. He changed the minds of many people and integrated Major League baseball.

By: Sarahbeth Loper, 7th

Trash-n-Treasure

The GSMS PTSO is currently planning a Trash-n-Treasure Sale for March 7, from 8 a.m. to noon. 

The sale will be set up in the GSMS car rider drop off area. We will utilize the bleachers and picnic tables to display your donated items. 

We are asking that all items be dropped off March 6, from 3:15 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Volunteers are needed to help separate and price items Friday evening, as well as volunteers on Saturday during the sale. 

This is your chance to unload some unwanted household items, furniture, school uniforms, tools, bikes, toys, books, etc. 

There will also be other clubs and organizations set up selling drinks, cookies, sandwiches and more.  Please e-mail Shari Hansonat sharihnsn@gmail.com if you have any questions or would like to volunteer. 

Shari Hansonat

SGA going green

The GSMS Student Government Association has decided this year’s main project is to go green.

The student representatives have worked to organize events to help the environment by doing things such as recycling or reusing items.

They have put recycling bins in all the classrooms to collect extra paper and to make some profit. SGA has also held school wide events like go green for Christmas door-decorating contest. Mrs. Stringfield won with her creative door design.

They have also planned on doing many other things like a booth at Dolphins’ Street Festival to sell pizza and soft drinks. They plan to use the money to buy hemp and tied dye Y-shirts to sell.

By: Olivia Helms; 7th

FCCLA gives back

Families Careers and Community Leaders is a national organization that meets every third Thursday of every month at 7:30 a.m. in Ms. Carpenter’s room.

This year they have organized a canned food drive and all the proceeds went to the local Christian Center. Also, for Christmas, they donated $100 to the Wilmer Hall Children’s Home. The officers are president Heather Scott, eighth grade; vice president Alina Meyer; secretary Meribeth Hogg; treasure Todd Stehr.

They also will be holding a chocolate cook off on Feb. 5. The dishes will be judged during first period. There will be a first, second and third place winner. The fist place winner will go to the county cook off on Feb. 11 at 4 p.m. in Spanish Fort. For more information please see Ms. Carpenter.

By: Sydnee Lee; 7th