You can spot them on book bags. Some wear them on their jackets. Others attach them to their belt buckles or phone cases.  Even celebrities like Kylie Jenner, Kendall Jenner, and Khloe Kardashian are wearing them.

Puff ball key chains have become the latest craze at STMS. The puff ball key chains come in different sizes like small, medium, and large, as well as different shade of colors. And they’re not just for girls either. Boys have been wearing them too.

Taylor Walker, a 7^th grader, has a hot pink and black puff ball key chains. Taylor said she spotted other students around STMS wearing them and decided to buy one for herself. Walker said she purchased hers from Rue 21 for 5 dollars. “I just think they are cute,” said Walker.

Ja’bri Agurs-Feaster, another 7^th grader agreed.

“They are Soft, fluffy and cute,” said Agurs-Feaster who wears them on his belt and jacket. “The come in nice colors and they are very easy to wash.” Agurs-Feaster said he purchased most of his from Walmart and Rue 21.

While these have become a great accessory,  some teachers have found them to be a little distracting.

” I have never experienced them being a distraction (in class), said Mrs. Madden, a 7th-grade math teacher. ” I’ve  seen people in the hall hitting each other with them,” she said. “I do think they could be a distraction in class if students play with them and don’t get their work done.”

Ms. Ulmer, the 7th grade principal models a puff-ball key chain. Photo by Emma Hudspeth

On Friday November 11th, team 8-1 students got a taste of the real world. The teachers on this team held a Mock Interview Day for their students. The students were paired with professionals who gave them mock, one-on-one job interviews.

Mrs. White, the ELA teacher on the team, said this was the fourth year that her students had participated in the mock interviews.  It was a part of a unit that was based on language arts and math.

Mrs. White said this year was a major success. “Everyone was well dressed, practiced and very prepared,” said Mrs. White.  She said each student that participated got to create a resume which included their accomplishments and skills.

Another part of the unit included research. Mrs. White said the students got to research their dream job and see what it was like.  They also had to create a budget.

“I was really nervous,” said Eli Davis who was interviewed by Ms.Quannie Johnson for the position of environmental engineer. “I have never done anything like this.”

Mrs. White said several speakers were brought in. One of this year’s guest was a music manager who was former wildcat. Mrs. White said her first performance happen to be at an STMS talent show which inspired her to do what she does.

Students on Team 8-1 got a taste of real life when they participated in Mock Interview Day.

Do you love creating your own works of art?  Don’t mind trying new things? Well, I have the club for you!

Introducing Art Warriors.  Art Warriors is Saluda Trail’s art club that meets after school. The club’s advisor is Mrs. Copley. It is open to students in all three grades.

Now if you’re wondering “Do they do the same thing as Art Class? “ Well, your answer is no. In Art warriors, students get to explore a lot of different things that are not usually done in their  art classes like tie-dye. They do a little bit of everything like draw,  paint, and sketch.

“My favorite thing was inking in pictures with Plexiglas and Sculpting tools,” said Lawson Veale, a  7th grader.

“I joined because I like to draw,” said Cierra Rice, another 7^th grader.

So when is Art Club you’re asking? It’s every other week on Thursdays after school. So if you still want to join you can. They’re always open to new artists. So if you’d like to join then go right ahead.

So if you like art and want to join a club then stop by at Mrs. Copley’s room on related arts hall after school for Art Warriors.

There is a new addition to the lunch choices at STMS. Chick-fil-A sandwiches are now being sold every Thursday for $3.00 each in the canteen. According to STMS Principal Elissa Cox, about 600 sandwiches have been sold each Thursday since the sales began in September.

The sandwiches, which have been a hit with both students and staff, have Wildcats craving for more. The sales helps to raise money for the school, according to Principal Cox who came up with the idea for the sales.

“I like them” said Lacie Cease, a 7^th grader. “They should sell them on Wednesday and Friday.”

Emani Brown, a 6^th grader, agreed. “They are good,” said Brown. “They should sell them every day.”

Mrs. Pruett, 7^th grade counselor said the Chick-fil-A sales has been a “positive change” for our students and faculty. “It brings excitement on Thursday,” Pruett said.

Mrs. Johnson, the 6^th grade counselor agreed. “The students seem happier on Thursday,” Johnson said.

Although students are requesting more days, Principal Cox said Thursdays are the only sale days for now.

Chick-fil-A has been around since 1946 in Hapeville, Georgia and was founded by S. Truett Cathy.

Daryn Questelle is ready to enjoy her Chick-fil-A sandwich during lunch.

Thought you might have recently seen Captain America taking a stroll around Saluda Trail or Peter Pan flying around?  You were not dreaming.

Students and Staff were excited to take part in a recent character day where they had the opportunity to dress up as their favorite character.

“Mr. Robinson was the best costume I’ve seen all day,” said Koriyahna Douglas, a 7^th grader.  Mr. Robinson came dressed as Captain America.

As students and staff walked down the halls it was like a magical wonderland because of all the wildcats dressed up in costumes such as Inspector Gadget, the mouse from If you give a Mouse a Cookie, the Cat from The Cat in The Hat, Thing 1 and Thing 2, Casper, and Batman. The staff members talked about how creative the students were with their costumes.

Student were especially happy because Saluda Trail hasn’t had a character day in years. Throughout the day students were overheard talking about which teachers and students stood out the most.

“Monster High is my favorite costume” said Yazmen Douglas, a 7^th grader.

Saluda Trail’s staff members were also very creative. One of the most creative staff members was Mrs. Beck who oversees technology. Mrs. Beck came as Rapunzel.

Students and staff are looking forward to next Character Day.

Ms. Lengel, Macy Davis, Hannah Austin enjoyed dressing up as their favorite character.

All of the girls who attend this club are pretty and brainy.  Saluda Trail’s’ G.E.M.S. Club, which stands for Girls in Engineering,  Math and Science, is an all girls club that meets at 7: 45 a.m. every other Thursday in the media center.  It is open to girls in all grades. The sponsors say there is an equal balance between pretty and brainy. “One week they will do an activity with something pretty and then the next week brainy,” said one participant Kaylynn Strain.”

At a recent G.E.M.S. meeting Mrs. Lengel, 7th grade science teacher and one of the sponsors, could be heard saying, ” When I say pretty, you say brainy.” The participants excitedly chanted along: “Pretty Brainy, Pretty Brainy.”

G.E.M.S. participants say they enjoy not only coming together to learn about engineering, math and science, but to have fun doing girly stuff as well.

“One week the G.E.M.S. made prizes for the girl’s night,” said Emma Westmoreland, a 7th grade participant. Westmoreland said the girls enjoyed the arts and crafts. “We made really nice flower pots,” she added.

Seventh Grader Rageligh Sullivan agreed.”It’s an activity that I will never forget,” Sullivan said. “It was a time where we bonded and laughed and got a lot accomplished.”

G.E.M.S. plays a major role in helping to expose students to careers in the areas of Engineering, Math and Science . “It’s our job as G.E.M.S to make sure there is more female scientist and engineers,” said Leeann Miller, a 6th grade G.E.M.S. participant .

G.E.M.S. participants say they are “Pretty Brainy!”

One of the first things that Miss Fulmer noticed about Saluda Trail when she arrived was that STMS is more than a school, it is a family. “Everyone was welcoming and they would always say welcome to the family,” said Miss Fulmer, a first year guidance counselor.

Miss Fulmer started her new job back in August as the 7^th grade guidance counselor. Mrs. Depinto, the previous grade level guidance counselor, left last summer after her husband landed a job in Raleigh, NC.

Miss Fulmer, who  grew up in Greenville, South Carolina graduated from Mauldin High School. She later attended Winthrop University where she graduated her Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Education for Counseling and

Mr. Moton and Miss Fulmer show their school spirit. Fulmer, a new counselor, said she has enjoyed being a part of the Wildcat Family.

Development.

Mr. Moton, the 7^th grade administrator, said Miss Fulmer has adjusted well. “This is Ms. Fulmer’s  first full time job as a guidance counselor, and you can’t tell it,” said Mr. Moton the assistant principle. Students and teachers say they have enjoyed working with her. “I like how smart and how charismatic she is,” said Mrs. Ford, a 7^th grade ELA teacher. “She has a lot of energy” said Mrs. Copley, Saluda Trail’s Art teacher. “She is funny and sarcastic and is a nice guidance counselor,” said Jaylen Douglas, a 7^th grade student.

During her free time, Miss Fulmer enjoys long distance water swims.  She swims at Winthrop and is practicing for a five mile race into the ocean. She enjoys eating at her favorite restaurant Ru San’s, a sushi restaurant in Charlotte. Her favorite place to visit is Costa Rica. Miss Fulmer is a pet lover. She has two cats named Cooper and Ambrose.

Miss Fulmer says she loves Saluda Trail. She enjoys the Problem Base Learning (PBL) that takes place here as well as the fact that it’s a Science Technology Engineering Arts and Math (STEAM) middle school.

She said there are some challenges, however. “It’s sometime stressful making sure I’m reaching every kid during the school day,” said Miss Fulmer.