Thursday, January 5, 2012

Angel Tree


Angel Tree
by Will DeViney
Sports Writer, Flyer Flash


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Christmas is a time of giving. Every year, kids count down the days of Christmas in excitement, until December 25th, when they can receive they're precious toys.


Unfortunately, a handful of kids never get the chance to experience the excitement of Christmas. 


Their parents just don't have the money to get them the gifts that they had been longing for. Fortunately, Angel Tree is there to save the day. Their fundraiser helps raise money, so that these less fortunate kids can also have a memorable Christmas.


Angel Tree was started at Dixie by Burke Staheli in 1998. Dixie High School has donated thousands of dollars to needy children every Christmas since that time.


Angel Tree at Dixie High School has also become somewhat of a competition between teachers. Teachers have set up bribes for students, in order to get donations. But the teachers still insist that Angel Tree is “for the kids”.


Mr. Christensen has been the most successful, winning four times in the last six years. But what makes Mr. Christensen so successful at getting Angel Tree donations?


“So Angel tree; I've always done so well and always wondered why. And then I just look in the mirror every morning and know why. This face, these teeth, this hair, these muscles. Angel Tree is mine and will never be anyone else's. Don't try; you have no chance.”


Despite the ego of Mr. Christensen, many other teachers are confident that they can bring home the Angel Tree crown. Out of those is Mr. Myers, who brought home the crown last year.


So go out there Dixie High School,and donate for a good cause, so less fortunate kids can also have a memorable Christmas!

Wrap the Season Up with Love

Wrap the Season Up with Love
by Brandy Kraiprai
Staff Writer, Flyer Flash


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Presents seem to get better and better each year. From the first I-pod to the white I-pod they now have, all the presents are what everyone’s always wanted.


Have you ever gotten a present you’ve been hoping for, or something that seemed to beat all the other presents you’ve received in your life so far? Or there are also times when you feel generous, so you give a gift that outdid all gifts others have given to someone, even if you made it yourself.


Electronics, clothes, toys, or even those small cards that were hand made seem to make your day the best, or you made someone else have the best day, it’s all thanks to the gifts you receive and give during Christmas that make the holiday so joyous.



Saturday, December 24, 2011

Kissy Kissy!

Kissy Kissy!
by Samantha Aldrich
Editor, The Sports Hangar


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Christmas mistletoe is a tradition that has brought kissable moments to couples around the world.


During Christmas time there’s a story that comes with this parasitic plant. Whichever two people that are caught under the plant are supposed to kiss. It is considered to bestow life and fertility.


Senior Austin Barker said he hopes to take advantage of the mistletoe’s cupid like powers, “I want to kiss Bethany Farr under the mistletoe and just make it happen.”


Thursday, December 1, 2011

Pinning for Points

Flyer Wrestling faces off against Snow Canyon High School in the 2010-2011 season. | Photo Credit: Shaun Smith, The Dixie Blog
Pinning for Points
by Mack Peterson
Sports Writer, Flyer Flash


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Wrestling is a sport that requires an incredible amount of dedication and determination to excel at all levels. The workouts and training become the lives of the Dixie wrestlers from the moment tryouts begin and when the season ends in middle of February. Everyone is on their game at all practices and the strive for dominance in region will carry our team far.

December 1st is the magic day for all wrestlers. It marks the first match up of the year against Hurricane High School. "We've lost some key kids this year, but with the way our practices have been going the past couple weeks our team should be competitive", said veteran, senior wrestler Justin Crapo.

Dixie is known for their speed on the mat and knowledge of their opponents. Having a strategy against the individual opponent gives Dixie an upper hand on what moves to exercise and what moves to avoid.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Seniors lead team to an exciting year


Dixie High School Boys Basketball begins the 2010-2011 season in the Opening Game last December. | Photo Credit: Shaun Smith, The Dixie Blog

Seniors lead team to an exciting year
by Samantha Aldrich
Sports Editor, Flyer Flash


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This year’s Boy’s Basketball teams is stacked. It must be hard to wait to destroy every team that goes up against Dixie’s Flyers. 


The strong team has a great blend of sophomores, juniors, and seniors with the seniors leaders excited for this season and the opportunities to unite with the younger players.


Senior Deshon Brown shares this excitement of being a senior leader, “It’s got a lot of high expectations attached to it.”


But, like most teams, Brown said winning will define how fun this year's team has, “Win. Fun. It’s fun to win.” To make a team great it requires dedication, team work and effort, and a good attitude about everything thrown at the tightly knit basketball team. 


Thursday, November 24, 2011

Is "Black Friday" worth it?

Is "Black Friday" worth it?
by Samantha Aldrich
Sports Editor, Flyer Flash


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Shoppers are getting their credit cards and cash ready. 


Black Friday and Cyber Monday are fast approaching and no matter what age, all need to buy gifts for loved ones.


Mrs. Gifford said, “I try to avoid shopping on that day. It’s too crazy. But my favorite store is Target.”


Black Friday is always the Friday after Thanksgiving, which means that Cyber Monday is always the Monday after Thanksgiving.


People are out in droves looking for deals trying to get their shopping done early and cheaply.



Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Exchange Student Views

Students from around the world come to Dixie High as part of a foreign exchange. | Photo Credit: Will DeViney, Flyer Flash
Exchange Student Views
by Heidi Harris
Staff Writer, Flyer Flash


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Ever wonder what it would be like to go to a new place out of your country? What kind of cultures do other people have? Here at Dixie High, students from all over the world visit as apart of the exchange program from Japan, China, Norway, Italy, and Moldova.
 

Natalia Cojuhari, an exchange student from Moldova, says that everything here is so different. There is lots of good food such as ice cream but everyone is eating fast food and she is not use to it.

When asked why she came here she replied, "To have a good experience, see different people, different education-[there are] no uniforms, and [there is] more freedom. Everyone is friendly." In Natalia's country she was unable to choose her classes and the teachers are much more strict. 

She was asked what she thinks about Thanksgiving she said, "Good but strange." They don't have a holiday like Thanksgiving in Moldova. They do have Christmas, Birthdays, Valentines Day, and New Year's. 

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Arts department stuns audiences again


The cast of Les Miserables after a performance. | Photo Credit: Sophia Ford, The Dixie Blog
Arts department stuns audiences again
by Shaun Smith
Editor, Flyer Flash


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Opinion | Upon arriving to the school for Les Miserables, there was an aura of anticipation and excitement as audiences waited for the doors to the auditorium to open. The Dixie High Arts Department has created a standard that has yet to be matched by any school in the state of Utah. For a high school drama department, their performance was stunning, professional, and engaging for audiences.


As a student at Dixie, I’ve observed for over a year how the plays encapsulate the entire school. Students and teachers alike are involved in putting on the play, and countless hours are spent perfecting the details. Having heard much about the performances at Dixie, last year I attended Phantom of the Opera with much indifference, anticipating that it would be similar to other high school plays.


It’s clear now, however, that the arts department here is not to be compared with any other high school. The hard work put into the plays is evident in the details of the sets, the emotion of the characters, and even mood put into the entire evening.


One of the most intriguing areas is how efficiently the stage is used by performers. From the rotating platform to the various backdrops, the stage is used to tell the story of Les Miserable in a unique and satisfying way for audiences.


Having the opportunity to sit closer to the stage, I was also surprised at how much emotion the actors and actresses put into the characters. The students we recognize in the hallways disappear into much more complex and mature characters. The leads were particularly able to engage the audience and create an entertaining environment.


It’s exciting to think that as an audience, we may be witnessing some great entertainers embarking on a career. The talent that was brought together to produce the play was superb for high school, and these students have potential for success later on.


For only having seen a small number of performances by the arts department, I’m anxious to see what they will do in the future. I’ve yet to be disappointed, as the talent and work put into the plays seems to only get better. Congratulations to the cast and crew of Les Miserables for their outstanding success.

Friday, November 11, 2011

"Leads" Miserables

"Leads" Miserables
by Sara Jewkes
Staff Writer, Flyer Flash


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From a seat in the Dixie High auditorium love appears real as Marius (Tanner Hafen) and Cosette (Avonlea Dalley) share multiple kisses.


Although it appears to be real, the Dixie High junior, Hafen explains “It was great working with a friend, it made it much easier to 'fall in love' on stage when you're good friends.” On the other hand Junior Avonlea seemed to think it was harder, “It was very hard to get into character because he's like my brother and I've known him for so long.”


When asked about funniest moments during rehearsal some things were left unsaid. One moment in which Tanner, Nate, and Avonlea  all agreed upon but said the moment will stay under lock and key, “Let's just say it was something that Mr. Saxton said to Nate that I won't repeat.”


Janae Klumpp mentioned that her funniest moment was “when Casey (Hobson) was creepin' on me in 'Lovely Ladies,' and when I went to hit him he missed my arm and we had a weird hitting fight.”


The Perfecter Director

Mr. Saxton has produced numerous plays at Dixie High, including Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables. | Photo Credit: Will DeViney, Flyer Flash
The Perfecter Director
by Brandy Kraiprai
Staff Writer, Flyer Flash


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Directing a play is more than just putting on a good show. It's also more than giving the audience a play to remember or even expressing your love for the arts; Putting on a play is all about the people you’re around.

Mr. Saxton doesn’t do plays just to satisfy his love of theater, he does it because he loves working with the students and making a positive difference in their lives, “It’s who I am.” he said.

The point is obviously clear on how much he loves his career.

On Friday night during the play, some students crashed the stage and did cart wheels across it, disrupting the play. Mr. Saxton was angry and chased the students but still has no idea who the culprits are.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Life in the Pit


Students in the pit spend hours working on the play to provide the background music that enhances the actor's performances so much. | Photo Credit: Sophia Ford, The Dixie Blog

Life in the Pit
by Mack Peterson
Staff Writer, Flyer Flash


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Dixie High School is known for its drama and music. It is a lead competitor with local Tuachan school for performing arts. The amount of work and effort put into the play is difficult to comprehend, yet Mr. Saxton, Mr. Stucki and Mrs. Snow accomplish it every year with perfection. 


Although the actors receive almost all credit for the spectacular performance little thought and applause is given to the music department. The pit is what makes the play pop and come to life. Their music is rehearsed continuously until every participant has the notes mastered. 


Imagine watching Les Miserables and closing your eyes to picturing what is happening up on stage. This is exactly what the musicians in the pit deal with every night it is performed. “To tell you the truth, I've never seen any play by Dixie High School. I'd love to, now that I have every line memorized of every character,” said Pit musician Chris Flinders. They can only perceive what is going on up above, but it is a sacrifice they are willing to make in order to exceed in music. 


Many think the pit is the best seat in the house with the music playing so loudly. Some tend to sing along with the actors. All of the pit musicians at Dixie find something enjoyable to do while listening to the amazing vocals and melody of the mini orchestra. 


In a survey only about five percent of pit participants would rather be in the play, which definitely shows their dedication and camaraderie developed throughout their experiences together. While many are wishful that Dixie had an open pit, the musicians are truly grateful to be a part of this play and contribute even with the sacrifices they have made.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

The thought behind the Walk-a-thon

The thought behind the Walk-a-thon
by Tyler Johnson
Staff Writer, Flyer Flash

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Dixie's Walk-A-Thon this year has a powerful idea and a great amount of emotional effort put into it.

This powerful idea was created from a beloved teacher that Dixie lost one year ago to breast cancer.

Paula Freeman is deeply revered as an amazing person who touched the lives of all those she came in contact with. The Walk-A-Thon was organized to honor her by raising money for the Paula Freeman Scholarship, which directly helps her children.

Students and faculty donated their own money along with getting pledges from various people and businesses around the community.

Mrs. Peterson, one of the wonderful staff members who helped set up the Walk-A-Thon, helped to clarify what exactly the sponsorships were a bit further, “you could get a donation for so many laps depending on the person giving the money, but we just wanted everyone to walk whether or not they had sponsors.”

Mrs. Paula Freeman was a great person who will always be remembered because of the life and joy she brought to the school.

Kelly Andrews, a senior who took a class from Mrs. Freeman, said she will remember how she was always full of life, even up to the very end. She also remembers the support she gave her family, “Probably last year towards the end was what I remember most. When she was sick she came to 'Phantom' because her daughter was in it, she also came to support the kids too, and that is what kind of teacher she was.”

Even though she was sick she would put out a great amount of effort into every aspect.

This is why Dixie would like to remember Mrs. Freeman and the spirit she brought to each person she knew.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Story behind the characters

The character of Javert in the opening scene of Les Miserables. | Photo Credit: Shaun Smith, The Dixie Blog
Story behind the characters
by Evan Albright
Student Life Editor, Flyer Flash


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Les Miserables is a story of unmeasurable struggle, hate, misery, and love.

Often referred to as Les Mis, it was written in 1862 by a Victor Hugo. The play was written by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg. Les Miserables was largely acclaimed as the greatest novel of the 19th century as it follows seven french characters over a 17-year period that ended in 1832 with the June Rebellion in the French Revolution.

Our very one Dixie High produced Les Miserables as it’s latest spectacular production!

These students spent most of their time the past few weeks working every day after school to put this production together for Dixie High students, and for what? Is it to be in the spotlight, have a moment of fame, or just have fun? Do the students in the production even know where this play came from?

When Senior Nate Myers was interviewed about his part as Jean Valjean he expressed, “Um, the thing about Les Mis and my part is for me it's all about redemption. How one man can do a good deed to another and receive redemption. I really wanted to portray the struggle he had. Like when the bishop gives Jan Valjean the silver and basically he becomes a saint if you will.”

Monday, October 31, 2011

Halloween Myths


Halloween Myths
by Evan Albright
Flyer Flash, Student Life Editor

ST. GEORGE - Halloween is a time for scary stories. One might see little children jumping for joy at the sight of a full cauldron of candy on the front porch of some stranger, and the occasional scream when a live statue jumps out.

Now this holiday isn’t all about fun and candy. People try and spice things up with scary stories and that’s where myths come in.
Some myths are interesting or scary and some are just flat out lame and make you wonder what kind of person came up with that!

So here is one that might be silly or just pee your pants terrifying.

When talking to Dixie High Senior Jordan Christiansen about his favorite/scariest Halloween myths he told me a story about a man named Jack and the Devil. It went like this.



Is It Scary... Or Not?

Is It Scary... Or Not?
by Heidi Harris
Flyer Flash, Staff Writer

ST. GEORGE - What is the scariest movie? Is it The Haunting in Connecticut, The Ring 1 and 2, When a Stranger Calls, or The Roommate

A recent survey at Dixie suggests that The Haunting in Connecticut which is a movie based on real life stories of the Snedeker family who lived in a Haunted former Mortuary (funeral parlor) in the 1980s, but also a book by Ray Gorten called In a Dark Place: The Story of a True Haunting. This movie is about a family who moves because of the son's health problems, finding that their new home has supernatural problems and coming to find out that their house was a former funeral parlor. 

Are scary movies like they were a few years back? 

Mrs. Johnson, consumer science teacher said, "My favorite scary movie I watched as a teen would have to be Wait Until Dark. It scared me because of how realistic and how jumpy the movie was!" Wait Until Dark is about a woman, played by Audrey Hepburn, who was recently blinded and gets terrorized by three thugs who happen to believe that there is a heroin stuffed doll in her apartment.

The Truth Behind Halloween

The Truth Behind Halloween
by Tyler Johnson
Flyer Flash, Staff Writer

ST. GEORGE - One of the most controversial holidays, Halloween, has become more popular with years to come.

Dressing up, trick-or-treating, giving out candy, decorating, carving pumpkins, being with friends, and even praking, but was this always the traditions of Halloween as we know it.

The answer is no. Halloween's beginnings are thought to have originated over 2000 years ago from Ireland with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in).

The night before the Celtic New Year (October 1st) was thought to open up a gateway and the boundary between the world of the living and the world of the dead would connect.


Thursday, October 27, 2011

Splash Attack

The Flyer Swim Team for the 2010-2011 season. Many students from last year's team are returning to compete this year. Photo Credit: Brogan Crockett, Yearbook Staff 2010-2011


Splash Attack
by Mack Peterson
Flyer Flash, Sports

ST. GEORGE - For most people, swimming is an activity of leisure and entertainment. It’s a social relaxation period and an excuse to soak up extra sun rays, but the swimming team is a different story. An average swimming practice consists of 6,000 yards (about 240 laps) and 30 minutes of dry land running exercises. 


The cardio and resistance is so elevated, compared to other strength training, that it is rated one of the top workouts to maintain a healthy metabolism and physique. Competitive swimming is arguably one of the most difficult sports that our high school has to offer.


Practices usually run about two hours from 3:00 to 5:00pm Monday through Friday. "Every so often we will do some weight training on Saturday mornings, but time in the pool is the most important thing", says Andrew Gonzalez. Most people overlook the difficulty and dedication that the swimmers have for the sport. From a recent survey, surprisingly 3 out of 10 people didn't even know that Dixie had a swimming team.



Saturday, October 22, 2011

"The Ride of Our Lives!"

Students attend the Sadie Hawkins Dance at Dixie High on October 22, 2011 in the Breezeway. The dance was sponsored by the FCCLA Club.
Photo Credit: Sydney Jenkins, Yearbook Staff

"The Ride of Our Lives"
by Brandy Kraiprai
Flyer Flash, Staff Writer



ST. GEORGE - High School students are young, naive, stay up late, and most of all they are full of energy; they need a release. Where else would they rather put that energy besides Sadies?


Sadies, The Ride of our Lives, was a theme that pulled people into it with all of it’s attractions. Music filled the Dixie Plaza while people danced, took photo booth pictures, visited the kissing booth, and much more.


Student’s day dates were fun no matter what they did including going to the movies, roller skating, bowling in Mesquite, hiking, skim boarding, or doing a scavenger hunt. “It was fun! Only ‘cause of the people we had in our group,” Shaylee Niel, a junior, said. No matter what they did for their day dates, they never would’ve known what was waiting for them at the dance.


Who is Sadie Hawkins?


Who is Sadie Hawkins?
by Sara Jewkes
Flyer Flash, Staff Writer



ST. GEORGE - Have you ever wondered who Sadie Hawkins was and why we have a dance named after her? Is she a real person or just someone made up?


Dixie High senior, Abbey Eyre said, “Sadie Hawkins was a girl who thought it was dumb that only guys ever got to ask girls to dances so she petitioned and got a girls choice dance started.” Senior, Mary Bringhurst said “I think it was a girl that hunted hawks.”


If you thought that Sadie Hawkins was a real girl or she was a girl that hunted hawks sorry, you are wrong. Sadie Hawkins came from the idea of the comic, Lil’ Abner, written in the 1930s, when unmarried women could chase bachelors around the town in hopes of catching them for marriage.


Friday, October 21, 2011

Sadies Week Activities

Students dress up for Clown Day as part of Sadies Week. Photo Credit: Austin Hodges, The Dixie Blog
Sadies Week Activities
by Kestra White
Flyer Flash, Staff Writer

ST. GEORGE - During this week students got to participate in many of the activities that were put together by the FCCLA club. The activities went throughout the week and a lot of new activities went on this year.

Monday's activity was to wear pink for breast cancer. Tuesday was a day for students to dress up as clowns. Wednesday, Dixie High students were allowed to wear hats during school hours. Thursday, many students came to school in their pajamas. Friday's activity was crazy hair day and a blue out.

"I look forward to this week being over but my club is excited to dip caramel apples tonight for the dance,” was Mrs. Johnson's reply when asked what she looked forward to this week.

The FCCLA also sold about 100 tickets for this years Sadies dance.

There was also going to be a assembly for the Sadies royalty but  that got canceled because it was allegedly rigged.

The Flyer Flash. October 2011