The Jag Rag -- Berry's Student Newspaper

Members of the Berry theater department pose for a photo at this year's ThesFest. By Mason W., Jag Rag staff writer Drama, drama, and more drama! This year’s state thespian festival, commonly known as ThesFest, was filled with fun dramatical acts and turned out to be a big success for Berry, with many students receiving high ratings for their performances. This year’s festival was held Saturday, Feb. 16 at Vestavia Hills High School. Forty acting troupes performed at the event, with eight of them being junior (middle school) troupes. The following students received a superior rating on their monologue performance: Sydni T., Sadie G., Garner S., Ellen J., Adie C., and Caroline F. Caroline F., along with Kaycee L., also received a superior rating in the musical solo category. Zoey H., Miriam G., and Cordelia F. received an excellent rating for their monologues. Cordelia F., along with Ameer E., also received a superior rating for her musical solo. The the...

By Alex Roberts, Jag Rag staff writer Berry Middle School once again honored veterans who have and are currently serving in the military by holding its annual Veterans Day Assembly last Friday. Ms. Ward, the social studies teacher on team 7-3, organized the event, which included speeches from members of the student council and performances by the choir and band. Students then introduced family members who have served or are currently serving in the military, and a slideshow featuring photographs of veterans related to students and faculty members was played. Faculty members who have served in the military were also recognized. Mr. Chris Darden, a retired major general in the U.S. Army Reserve, was the guest speaker at this year’s assembly. Darden, who served in the military from 1966 until 2004, now owns a real estate and construction company in Birmingham, Alabama. A reception was held afterward in the media center for the veterans who attended the assembly as well a...

The cast and crew of Berry's fall drama production, "Once Upon a Mattress" pose for a photo. By Jayden Watson, Jag Rag staff writer Berry Middle School students, with the help of drama teacher Mrs. Rowe, choir director Mrs. Gruenenfelder, and student teacher Mrs. Peyton, put on a performance of Once Upon A Mattress for the 2018 Berry Middle School fall musical. The cast and crew began practice on the play, loosely based on the story “The Princess and the Pea,” shortly after the start of the school year. When asked about the choice of production for this fall, Mrs. Rowe stated, “ We chose ‘Once Upon a Mattress’ because it's a fun twist on a story most people know, and because it had lots of roles for our very talented theatre students here at Berry.” The play, starring Ameer El-Fallah as Prince Dauntless and Kaycee Lark as Princess Winnifred, was performed three times during the weekend of Oct. 19-20 at the Spain Park Theater. Mrs. Rowe said...

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)