HERO Bulletin
February Edition Volume 5 @ VHES 2021
Be sure to check out the Creative Writing Contest (PRIZE Opportunity), Delicious Recipes, Cutest Pet Contest & Kindness Challenge Results
Black History Month by Madison Barnes
Every February, African Americans celebrate Black History Month to acknowledge their role in U.S. history and their cultural roots. In 1915, half a century after the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery. Carter G. Woodson and Jesse E. Moorland founded the the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) created to acknowledge and promote the greatness and achievements of Black Americans. In 1926, the association sponsored national negro week choosing the second week of February to go along with the celebration of Frederick Douglass’s and Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. In the years following, mayors of cities began to celebrate Black History Month. In the late 1960’s, thanks to the Civil Rights Movement and Black Uprising Negro History Week eventually, turned into Black History Month on many college campuses. In 1967, President Gerald Ford said calling to the public “seize the opportunity to honor the oft-too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history” recognizing Black History Month and Black Americans. Every Black History Month has a theme. 2021’s theme is “Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity” identifying and celebrating the African diaspora, the stereotypes of black families, representation, and the greatness of black families and their importance. Black History Month is meant to celebrate honorable Black figures that have helped to fight for Black rights, change the game for Black Americans, and to pay homage to what Black Americans have been through in history. Happy Black History Month! Here is a list of honorable Black figures:
HONORABLE BLACK
FIGURES
Martin Luther King Jr. -spokesperson, minister, & activist
Rosa Parks-Activist
Robert Abbot- Author
Alvin Ailey-Dancer
Muhammad Ali- Boxer
Mae Jemison- Astronaut
Maya Angelou- Poet
Ella Baker- Activist
James Baldwin- Novelist
Jean-Michel Basquiat- Artist
Mary Mcleoad Bethune- Educator, activist
Shirley Chrisolm- Politician
Malcolm X- Activist
Fredrick Douglass- Abolitionist
Duke Ellington- Musician
Aretha Franklin- Singer
Jimi Hendrix- Musician, singer, songwriter
Jesse Jackson- Civil rights activist
Katherine Johnson- Mathematician,Physicists
And many more……...
Strength, Resilience, & Courage Exemplified: Strong, Black Females in US History
Abolitionist & Women's Right Activist
Political Activist & Abolitionist
Journalist & Women's Right Activist
Arizona Fun Facts: by Giovanni Barroso-Freitas
There are 22 National Parks and Monuments in Arizona.
Arizona chefs and restaurants have received more than 50 James Beard nominations since 2010.
Arizona’s Sonoran Desert is the only place on Earth where the iconic Saguaro Cactus grows.
The Arizona Trail is 800 miles long and is dedicated to hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and cross country skiing.
Arizona has 35 skate parks and natural areas preserving the state’s natural and cultural resources.
Two of the top-rated waterfalls in the United States are located in Arizona.
The Grand Canyon National Park is one of the Seven World Wonders and the only one in the United States.
According to Travel + Leisure, three of the ten world’s best spas are in Arizona.
10. Arizona was founded February 14, 1912. (Valentine's Day)
Some Fun Ideas to Pass the Time: By Bailey Gustafson
During Covid-19 it’s harder to see friends and lots of things are closed. Here are some fun things to do during quarantine.
Take a virtual tour of a museum, aquarium, or zoo.
Make an online club.
Complete a puzzle.
Start a journal or blog.
Learn a foreign language
Learn calligraphy
Write poems
Video chat with your friends
Draw or color
Write a story
Make a fortune teller
Make a photo album, online or real.
Scavenger hunt with your family
Build LEGO structures
Play board games with your family
Learn origami
Plant a garden
Play with your pets
Learn magic tricks
Play games with your siblings
These are just a few of many things you can do at home during quarantine. Here is a link to a website of even more things to do https://www.todaysparent.com/family/activities/fun-things-to-do-at-home/
Unmask a Hero by Tionne Ward
Favorite Season: Spring
Favorite Flower: Rose
Favorite Actress/Actor: Denzel Washington
If you were able to go anywhere in the world where would it be? Australia
Favorite Holiday: Christmas
Favorite Color: Purple
Hobbies: Watching movies
Favorite Candy: Jolly Ranchers
Favorite Drink: Lemonade
Favorite Food: Teriyaki Chicken
Birthday: May 10th
Where From: Kingston Jamaica
Music Preference: All Genres accept Heavy Metal
Can you guess the masked HERO in the picture above? If you have a guess, email Mrs. Fain fain@lesd.k12.az.us.
Last month's HERO was Mrs. Carberry, our Student Advisor! If you guessed correctly, nicely done!!!!
"Cupid" Creative Writing Contest by Madee Guy & Bailey Gustafson---Deadline March 5th
Finish this story about how Cupid lost his bow and arrows by explaining how he found them.
One morning when Cupid woke up he was thinking it was just going to be a normal day. With a gasp, he realized his arrow and bow were gone! Cupid looked all through the sky but couldn’t find it. Cupid was so stressed out, he needed his bow and arrows. Where could they be?
Make sure to include some dialogue and lots of fun characters.
The best story will be featured in the Hero Bulletin AND will win a gift card to Starbucks, Culvers, or Taco Bell.
Email fain@lesd.k12.az.us with your stories. Deadline: March 15th
Kindness Challenge Accepted
HUGE shout out to Tyler Custer, a 1st grader, who delivered Play-Dough to his neighbors. Way to show kindness to others buddy! (featured below)
Astrology Happenings in February by Madee Guy
February’s Zodiac Signs:
Aquarius (January 20-February 18) Free-spirited, goal-oriented
Pisces (February 19- March 20) Creative, empathetic
Moon Phases:
Last Moon’s: February 4, March 6
New Moon’s: February 11, March 13
First Moon’s: February 19, March 21
Full Moon’s: February 27, March 28
LINK TO MOON PHASES:
https://www.moongiant.com/calendar/february/2021/
Major Constellations:
Auriga, Camelopardalis, Canis Major, Columba, Gemini, Monoceros and Puppis.
LINK TO CONSTELLATIONS: https://www.constellation-guide.com/constellations-by-month/february-constellations/
The History of Holidays- Valentine's Day Origins: by Tyler Tryon
Valentine’s Day, a day filled with love and affection. It's not known exactly how it began, but most suggest that the Christian church put St. Valentine's feast Day in mid February in an attempt to Christianize the celebration of Lupercalia, a festival celebrating the Roman god Faunus. At the end of the 5th century, the pope declared February 14 to be St.Valentine's Day. This day eventually became associated with love. Some time after 1400, people started writing valentines to the person they love. By 1800, it was common for friends and people who loved one another to share tokens of appreciation/affection. Eventually, Valentines day became the holiday that it is today, full of love, affection, and lots of chocolate.
If you want more information click this link:
Make Every Day Like Valentine's Day With this Craft by Ari Herrera-Airitam
Ciao Grazie's Food Review by Sean Threlkel
Ciao Grazie’s is one of the few restaurants actually located in Verrado, and currently as of now, is the only pizza place on Main Street. If you haven’t eaten there, this article is probably for you.
For starters, when you walk in, you can either eat inside or outside (like any other place that serves food) but in this case, eating outside actually adds to the experience. Now, let’s get into the best part of it: the food. For this review, I got the Garlic Bread, an Americana Pizza, and an Affogato. The Garlic Bread is as good as appetizers get, even without the house-made marinara sauce, and will fill you up if you’re not watching how many you’re putting on your plate. Upon eating my first bite of the pizza, it was everything I expected but somehow even better. You can really tell it is fresh house-made just by being near it. To wrap things up, I actually was able to eat the desert and boy it didn’t disappoint. It was one of the few things that are coffee flavored that I actually enjoyed (that's saying something) Grazie’s is a uniquely great restaurant, with its atmosphere and house-made food and service as good as you can get for a sit-in dining experience.
Rating: Overall: 9.99912 out of 10.
Website: https://ciaograzie.us
Address:
21055 West Main Street
Buckeye, AZ 85396
Phone: (623) 853-1717
How to Plan the Perfect Picnic: by Matias Del Moral
For starters, take your picnic to the next level and have fresh flowers and a cozy blanket. Now, it's time to get creative and plan the perfect picnic!
If you wanna go on a picnic, this is the way to go!
Bring your favorite snacks, like a charcuterie board with some fruit
Order takeout food from your desired restaurant
You might be parched, so take along homemade lemonade or limeade
And for dessert something trending right now is getting a cake, and instead of cutting it into traditional slices, place in a fancy glass and eat out of it instead of using a plate
The perfect location is easy, especially if you live in Verrado--the mountains are abundant and they have great views from which the sunset looks amazing!
Have Fun!!!
What's Cooking with Leslie Cruz Santiago
Red Velvet Cake
My Recipe!
Cake Mix:
2 ⅔ cups sifted cake flour
¼ cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
½ cup canola or vegetable oil
1 ounce of liquid red food coloring
2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar
1 ⅓ cups buttermilk
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350℉, and spray two 9-inch cake pans with non-stick spray, or you can do parchment paper, set aside for later.
In a large bowl whisk together all of the dry ingredients and sift to get rid of lumps.
In a mixer (or by hand) cream together the butter and sugar, then add the eggs until they are fully combined. After that mix in the oil, food coloring, vanilla, and vinegar, make sure to stop and scrape the sides of the bowl as needed.
Mix in the dry ingredients, and buttermilk, make sure to alternate starting and ending with the dry ingredients. DON’T overmix the batter :)
Distribute evenly into your prepared pans, make sure you get out any/all air bubbles.
Bake in your oven for 28-32 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Make sure to cool completely before frosting.
Helpful Hint: Cream Cheese frosting pairs with this cake the best.
Cake Pops:
My Recipe!
You can and should use my Red Velvet Cake for this recipe!
*Please note for this recipe you will only need ¾ of the cake*
Ingredients / Essential Items:
One box of cake mix or cake recipe from above
One 16 oz tin of frosting, this can be store bought or homemade
Skewers (with a sharper end)
White chocolate or candy melts
Sprinkles and Food Coloring is optional
Instructions:
Place your freshly baked cake into the fridge for at least two hours, overnight is what I usually do.
After your cake is completely cooled, maybe even a little hard you will want to crumble your cake with clean hands.
Add a small amount of frosting to the crumbled cake and mix with your hand into whatever cake pop shape you want, you can do hearts or spheres.
Melt your chocolate, you can add food coloring and stir if you want, make sure it is a little runny, get your skewers and dip the sharper end into the chocolate, and stick it into the cake pop.
Let the cake pop stand vertically and let the chocolate drip down and harden in the fridge for at least an hour.
After about an hour, reheat your chocolate and carefully dip the pops into the chocolate, then sprinkles if you want, and allow it to vertically stand again. You're Done!
What Happened on this Day in February? by Evan Wagner
The Month of February was a month in which many important historical events took place. Feel free to see what happened on your February Birthday, some notable birth dates are bolded! Here are some of the most important events.
February 1, 1960: The Greensboro sit-ins begin at a North Carolina lunch counter, when 4 African American students who are refused service, remain sitting at the counter.
February 1, 2003: Space Shuttle Columbia breaks up over Texas, during the trip returning the Astronauts to Earth.
February 2, 1848: The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is signed, officially ending the Mexican-American War. In which the United States acquires; Arizona, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Wyoming, Colorado, and later on Texas, and California.
February 3, 1870: The 15th Amendment is ratified, allowing those of color, and different races to vote in American elections.
February 3, 1943: 4 U.S. Army chaplains give up their life vests to frightened young soldiers aboard; choosing to go down with the ship, after the U.S. Army transport ship Dorchester was torpedoed and sunk by a German U-Boat.
Birthday! February 4, 1913: Rosa Parks, Civil Rights activist
February 6, 1788: The State of Massachusetts votes to ratify the new Constitution of the United States.
Birthday! February 6, 1911: Ronald Regan, 40th President of the United States.
February 8, 1910: William Boyce founded The Boy Scouts of America.
Birthday! February 8, 1820: General William Sherman, Union general responsible for many military successes in the American Civil War.
February 9, 1943: U.S. Troops take The Solomon Islands; Guadalcanal after 6 months of fighting in the Second World War.
Birthday! February 9, 1773: William Harrison, 9th President of the United States.
February 10, 1942: A Medal of Honor is awarded to Alexander Nininger, for the first time in World War Two.
Birthday! February 11, 1847: Thomas Edison, American inventor credited to over 1,200 patents.
Birthday! February 12, 1809: Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States.
February 15, 1898: The Battleship Maine is sunk outside of Havana, beginning the lead up to the Spanish-American War.
Birthday! February 15, 1820: Susan B. Anthony, Women's rights activist known for her campaign for voting rights.
February 17, 1865: Union troops take back Ft. Sumter after a year and a half of Confederate occupation during the American Civil War.
February 20, 1962: John Glenn is launched into orbit, becoming the first American to do so, as well as the third American in Space.
Birthday! February 22, 1732: George Washington, General in the Revolution, and 1st President of the United States.
February 23, 1942: Japanese submarines attack an oil refinery off the coast of California. This is the first attack on the American mainland in WWII.
Birthday! February 24, 1885: Admiral Chester Nimitz, Commander of Allied Land, Air, and Sea forces in the South Pacific Theater of the Second World War.
Cutest Pet Contest- WINNER Revealed and Top 5 Pets With the Most Votes!
Here are the final results........
1st Place, Basil, the Hedgehog!!!!! Owner: Callie E. in Mrs. Kelly's 1st Grade Class
Fluffy Puppy- 2nd Place
Lola
Owned by:
Kai S.
6th Grader
Stark- 3rd Place
Owned by:
Dawson R.
5th Grader
Penny- 4th Place
Owned by:
Charli W.
Mrs. Weaver’s
4th Grade TA
Previous HERO Bulletin Newspaper Club's Newsletters
October: https://www.smore.com/2yx74
November: https://www.smore.com/agdbw
November A HERO Thanksgiving Recipe Edition: https://www.smore.com/24pbv
December: https://www.smore.com/c8fyt
January: https://www.smore.com/r08bm