The Jag Rag -- Berry's Student Newspaper

One of Mr. Strong's interests outside of the classroom is traveling. Here, Mr. Strong (center) is touring PNC Park in Pittsburgh with fellow teachers Mr. Potts (left) and Mr. Carey (right). by Cecilia Pagan, Jag Rag staff writer As students we are surrounded by teachers, but what are some things teachers do besides teaching? The Berry Jag newspaper staff got the opportunity to interview one of the school’s many teachers, and received very interesting responses in return. The following questions were answered by 8-4 social studies teacher Mr. Strong. Q: What are some interesting hobbies or interests you have outside of school? A: “Target pistol shooting, the American Civil War.” Q: How did you get into the hobbies you do now? A: “Service in the U.S. Navy where I qualified as expert pistol marksman (when I was much younger), and a lifelong interest in reading about the Civil War, visiting battlefields, etc.” Q: Are there any hobbies you would like to try out? A:...

By Mason W., Jag Rag staff writer Time flies fast! The school year is almost over, but Berry Middle School is already looking toward next year, especially when it comes to the new crop of students who will call Berry home next year. Next Monday, the school will host its second annual transition night, which is aimed at helping new students and their parents learn about life at Berry. The first transition night was held last year.  These new students and their families will find out about the opportunities that students have to get involved at Berry, learn about school expectations, and meet the school’s counselors and principals. They will also get an opportunity to hear the school’s choir and band. The incoming students will also get a chance to take a tour of the school with Berry teachers and student helpers. Setting up the transition night event takes a lot of planning and work, said school principal Dr. Robbins. “We have a team of principals, counselors, and thirty teachers ...

The Berry   Girls'   Golf   team captured the Metro South championship this past Monday at Highland Park.  Eighth-grader Taylor T. was named most valuable player of the tournament. The team finished the season undefeated despite being the smallest team in the Metro South.  Pictured from left to right, Coach Pughsley, Haley L., Taylor T., and Riley A. 

The Berry boys' tennis team won its third-straight Metro South championship Monday night. The tournament was played here at Berry. In addition to the team's championship, Devin E. won the No. 2 seed championship, Walker J. won the No. 4 seed championship, and Sam W. and Taylor K. won the No. 5 and No. 6 seeds respectively. In addition, Brenton C. was the runner-up in the No. 1 seed championship. Pictured, front row, left to right, are Brand A., Walker J., Fox D., Rohan K., and Jack H; second row, left to right, Brenton C., Taylor K., Devin E., Sam W., and Coach Bowden. (Photo courtesy of Coach Bowden)

Kate C., left, and Morgan W., right, show off their medals from the recent Science Olympiad state regional competition. (Photo courtesy of Ms. Mangina) by Mason W., Jag Rag staff writer Lights! Camera! Science! Several young scientists from Berry Middle School definitely put on a show by competition in the Science Olympiad state regional competition on February 24. The competition was held on the University of Alabama campus in Tuscaloosa. Despite going up against stiff competition, Berry students placed in several competitions. Morgan W. and Kate C. teamed up to take home the gold medal in “Crime Busters,” bronze in “Mystery Architecture,” and fourth place in ”Write It, Do It.” Kate C. also took bronze in "Rocks and Minerals" with her teammate Sam C., and Morgan W. and J.P. A. also won the bronze medal in “Ecology.” Kyla M. and Julianna C. placed fifth in “Anatomy and Physiology,” and Shawn M. along with J.P. A. and Sam C. came close to placing in the “Expe...

by Cecilia Pagan, Jag Rag Staff Writer Author K.B. Hoyle will be visiting Berry Middle School this Friday. Hoyle is the author of The Gateway, a fantasy series, which includes the novels The Six , The Oracle , and the White Thread , as well as the dystopian science fiction series The Breeder Cycle. Hoyle was a r ecipient of the Literary Classics Gold Award for YA Series and Seal of Approval in 2016 for The Gateway series and the recipient of the Bronze Award for YA Science Fiction and a 5-Star Review Seal from Readers' Favorites for The Breeder Cycle in 2016. What is it like being an author? What are the challenges? What inspires an author? The Jag Rag caught up with Hoyle before her visit to Berry to ask her those questions and more. Q: What is the most challenging or demanding thing about writing a book? A: To be honest, what is most challenging about writing a book, and what is most demanding about writing a book are two different things entirely. Most challeng...

Members of the Berry Sparklers dance team proudly pose after winning first-place in the hip-hop competition at the National Dance Alliance Bama Spirit Championship. Picture, front row, left to right, are Ayre C., Sabrina T, and Mia M.; back row, left to right, Jadah B., Olivia S., Cadon B., Mary Ashlee W., Iqra L., Kayla M., and Makayla H. from  Jag Rag staff reports The Berry Sparklers dance team out-danced other middle school and junior high schools from around the state to take first place in the hip hop category at the recent National Dance Alliance Bama Spirit State Championship.  The competition, which was held on February 17, featured middle school, junior high,and high school teams from around the state. In addition to hip hop, dance teams also competed in categories including jazz, kick, and pom.  Dance team sponsor Ms. Lee said she was proud of the hard work and teamwork her girls put into preparing for the competition. "If you've ever heard the say...