BRADLEY, HOCKMAN TAKE FIRST AT STATE HISTORY DAY COMPETITION

   Diamond Middle School eighth grader Alicia Bradley and seventh grader Kasey Hockman took first place in the state History Day competition Saturday in Columbia.

   The Diamond team qualified for state by finishing second at the district History Day competition at Missouri Southern State College March 7. Only Neosho did better. "That was tough," Alicia said. "My first thought when they announced the winners was, 'Neosho beat us.' The Diamond squad got its revenge Saturday.

   The difference was in the video, Alicia said. "When we went to district, our video wasn't as good as it should have been. We just kept working on it."

   Kasey and Alicia began working on their project in December and will continue to improve it until the national competition at the University of Maryland at College Park June 15-19.

   The sponsor for the Diamond History Day team is Mr. Tom Danner. 

It was the second straight year that Alicia has qualified for the national tournament with a first place win at state. It is also the second year she has teamed with a Hockman. Last year, Alicia and Luke Hockman, now a freshman at DHS, finished in the top 21 in the country with their presentation on Huckleberry Finn.

   The backdrop for this year's entry is the civil rights movement of the 1960s, particularly in Selma, AL.

MIDDLE SCHOOL CHOIR DOES WELL AT NEO

   The Diamond Middle School Choir received a II+ rating at the NEO Middle School Contest April 9.

   Many schools from Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas participated in the contest. The Diamond choir has 10 soloists and two ensembles that also participated.

   Those participating and their ratings were:

   Trio- Jacob Nelson, Kevin Harrall, Aaron Johnson-II

   Sextet- Kacee Baldwin, Dana Bridges, Jessica Harrison, Alyshia Bowles, Kayla Ching, Chelsie Baker- II

   Soloists with II ratings- Dana Bridges, Sheena Chung, Jessica Harrison.

   Soloists with I ratings- Katie Dodson, Kayla Ching, Krystal Morgan, Jacob Nelson, Casey Welch, Kacee Baldwin.

   The choir received extra training from Bill Tucker of Neosho. He helped critique the choir and gave helpful hints.

   The choir will compete again at Branson on April 24. Spring concert is scheduled for 7 p.m. May 8.

THIRD QUARTER HONOR ROLL RELEASED

   The third quarter honor roll has been released at Diamond Middle School.

   Those making the list were:

   Eighth Grade- Alicia Bradley, Amanda Brashear, Carrie Castor, Alex Chavana, Ryan Clouse, Kacie Cooper, Katie Dodson, Jake Edge, Shane Gallagher, Cameron Harrington, Jackie Lasater, Clint Myers, Michelle Nickolaisen, Clay Norwood, Lydia O'Donnell, Kevin Ortega, Leanne Ross, Alyssa Simpson, Spencer Snow, Zach Towers.

   Seventh Grade- Jennifer Buening, Ron Byrd, Lacey Carneal, Caitlin Carter, Amanda Cupp, David Dodson, Tim Enayati, Levi Forest, Cody Harris, Kelsey Henson, Eli Hicks, Kasey Hockman, Lee Hollars, Jayma King, Laureano Kuri, Krystal Morgan, Amanda Morris, Cody Palmer, Kaci Scribner, Tanner Seward, Courtney Sweet, Sarah Sweet, Stephanie Taylor, Michael Turner, Courtney Wall, Rebecca Warthen, Jessica Webb, Kayla Webb.

   Sixth Grade- Eris Baker, Jason Beckett, Josh Bentley, Skylar Callis, Sheena Chung, Whitney Cosby, Garrett Cox, Chris Cupp, Emily Edge, Lindsey Gilbert, Toshia Grissom, Macy Harp, Garrett James, Rikki Jump, Sharon Keefer, Zack Kettner, Crystal Lane, Kirsten Lee, Samantha Morgan, Ashley Nickolaisen, Samantha Olson, Shaela Smith, Brett Starr, Michael Testerman.

BOARD APPROVES SCHEDULE CHANGE

By Lydia O'Donnell

Diamond Daily Staff Writer

   The Diamond R-4 Board of Education has approved a new schedule for middle school for the 2003-2004 school year.

   The new schedule will eliminate a teaching position, will have sixth grade inclusion, and will increase class size in both the seventh and eighth grades.

   "For the sixth grade students, they sometimes have a hard time adjusting to middle school. The schedule will be good in that respect," said Denise Mounts, middle school principal.

   The sixth grade will be split into three groups and will switch into classes taught by three teachers. The classes are tentatively scheduled to be taught by Mrs. Nancy Berry (social studies and math), Miss Merri Brummett (language and reading skills) and Mr. Joe Douglas, (science and P.E.)

   This schedule means that these teachers will not teach seventh or eighth grade students. "I want her in eighth grade," Amanda Morris said, referring to Mrs. Berry. With the schedule change, she will not have her as an eighth grade teacher.

   One of the main concerns that most of the teachers have is overcrowding in the seventh and eighth grade classrooms. The seventh and eighth grade classes are now divided into four groups. With the new schedule, they will be divided into three groups. This will add an average of five students to each class, a number that could increase due to some classes that are fixed on the schedule, such as band and choir for eighth graders.

   "I think that kind of puts more pressure on the students," said Mr. Grant Reed.

   With more students in the classroom, students will get less individual attention and the larger class size will be harder for teachers to handle.

   "I have a very serious concern about the number of students that are going to be in the seventh and eighth grade classes," said Mr. Randy Turner, current issues and reading skills teacher.

   The schedule change is prompted by the school's budget problems. Because the schedule will eliminate a teaching position, Superintendent Mark Mayo told the teachers at a recent meeting, it will save about $25,000.

   The position that will be eliminated will be that of sixth and seventh grade social studies teacher Rachael Madden. Mrs. Madden is expected to move up to the high school, to take the social studies position that will open up with the retirement of Mr. Larry Doennig. Mrs. Madden has mixed feelings about the reassignment. "I like the idea of sixth grade inclusion," she said. She added that she doesn't like that it means she will move out of the middle school.

   Mrs. Nancy Berry also expressed concerns about the new schedule. "They're thinking about dollars, not students," she said.

ACADEMIC TEAM TIES FOR CONFERENCE TITLE

   The Diamond Middle School Academic Team defeated Purdy 320-185 March 19 to clinch a tie for the Ozark Eight Conference title. The match was held in the Middle School Library.

   The win avenged Diamond's only conference loss, which took place at Purdy in December. The A team, which consisted of Alicia Bradley, Michelle Nickolaisen, Chase Sexson and Zach Towers, answered the first five tossup questions and never trailed.

   Purdy pulled within range after the third quarter, trailing by only 80 points, but Diamond pulled away during the final 10 bonus questions.

   The Wildcats fell to Purdy in the B game. Playing for Diamond were Lacey Carneal, Jake Edge, Shane Gallagher and Daniel Stone.

   The DMS Academic team is coached by Mr. Larry Augustine.

NICKOLAISEN NAMED TO TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE

   Eighth grader Michelle Nickolaisen will represent Diamond Middle School students on the district's Technology Planning Committee, which will hold its first meeting 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, in the high school library.

   "We have a lot of students who would have been excellent for that committee," current issues teacher Mr. Randy Turner, who also serves on the committee, said, "but I can't imagine anyone who could contribute more than Michelle. She is intelligent, hard-working, knowledgeable about technology and she is genuinely concerned about the things that affect her education and the education of her fellow students. She has a lot to offer to this committee."

   The middle school will also be represented by language arts teacher Miss Merri Brummett, Mr. Turner, and Mrs. Mary Jean Hockman, mother of seventh grader Kasey Hockman. Mrs. Hockman will provide a parent's voice to the committee.

   Every three years, the R-4 School District must update its technology plan and submit it for approval to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The committee will examine the strengths and weaknesses of the district's present technology program and determine what needs to be added or changed.

   The committee is headed by R-4 Technology Director Mr. Larry Doennig.

ACADEMIC TEAM PLACES SECOND AT CARTHAGE

    Carthage- The Diamond Middle School Academic Team placed second during a meet against bigger schools Thursday at Carthage Junior High School.

   Coach Larry Augustine's team received a big lift from the number two team, which knocked off Carthage, preventing a tie for second place.

   The Carthage and Carl Junction teams, both of which have classes during the day which are used to practice for academic meets, were the only ones to beat Diamond's number one team. Both of them won by one point. Diamond One recorded wins over Neosho, Joplin, Lamar, Monett, Carl Junction 2, Carthage 2 and Diamond 2. Diamond is the smallest school in the tournament, which moves to a new site each month and covers a different academic area. Thursday night's match was over history.

  During the three years of the traveling competition, Diamond has finished first once and second twice. The final match in this year's competition will be held next month at College Heights.

   Members of the Diamond 1 team were Alicia Bradley, captain, Shane Gallagher, Michelle Nickolaisen and Zach Towers. Those playing for Diamond 2 were Lacey Carneal, Jake Edge, Chase Sexson and Daniel Stone.

INDUSTRIAL ARTS PROGRAM USEFUL TO DMS STUDENTS

By LYDIA O'DONNELL

Diamond Daily Staff Writer

  In Diamond Middle School, grades six through eight take industrial arts for nine weeks as one of their wheel classes.

   In the industrial arts program, the students get a chance to get "an understanding of the industrial process of designing and manufacturing a selected project," said Mr. Jim Hettinger, industrial arts teacher.

   In the class, he said, students walk out with a finished project that they can keep for many years.

   All of the students learn how to use equipment in industrial arts. Besides using the equipment, students learn how to draft, sand, measure and design their selected projects.

   "I think that the skills that kids get from the industrial arts are really important," said Middle School Principal Ms. Denise Mounts.

DMS HONOR ROLL STUDENTS TAKE TRIP

By LE ANN DARDENNE and THIA WIGGINS

Diamond Daily Staff Writers

   Sixth grader Emily Edge loves the trip that DMS students take when they make the honor roll. "It was fun," Emily said about the first honor roll trip of the year, which she took in October. She and other top students in the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades took the second quarter trip to Northpark Mall and Carl Richard Bowl Feb. 6.

  "I think the trip's pretty cool," seventh grader Cody Palmer said.

   Emily and Cody may love the honor roll trip, but it's not on the top of eighth grader Paul Holland's list. "I hate it," he said. "I can't ever make it."

   Honor roll trips have changed dramatically since they first started. On the first honor roll trip, sponsor Mr. Larry Augustine remembers, the students walked to an old restaurant on the corner of Market Street called "The Wagon Wheel." After eating, the students walked to Diamond Christian Church and listened to a woman who looked as if she were 80 years old. She told the students about a woman who lived alone in the Roaring River area.

    After her presentation, the woman went into the bathroom and removed her costume, came back out and shocked the students. She was only about 25 years old, Mr. Augustine said.

   "Now we go bowling and miniature golfing," Mr. Augustine said. "I think it's a rewarding experience for the academic achievers here at Diamond Middle School.

   Those attending the second quarter and first semester honor roll trip were:

   Second Quarter

Diamond Daily Editor

   The winners of the second quarter Project CAT (Citizenship, Attitude and Teamwork) chose their poison and their sentence was carried out 5 p.m. to 12 midnight Jan. 31 at the school.

   The lock-in featured a karaoke contest, beach volleyball, dodge ball, a movie, make-your-own-taco, ice cream and other activities, according to Mrs. Nancy Berry, one of the sponsors.

   Curtis Russell enjoyed the lock-in. "It rocked," he said, "but we should have paintballed. Russell and other seventh graders, including Casey Youngblood and John Fountain, said they think the lock-in should have been held all night instead of until midnight.

   Project CAT is a program designed to encourage good behavior and academics. Winners were chosen at the end of the first and second quarters (eighth grade won first quarter). Students receive points for grade point average, extracurricular activities, least referrals, hallway cleanliness, behavior in the halls and volunteerism.

   The final standings for the second quarter were: Seventh grade 1,614, eighth grade 1,598, and sixth grade 1,431.

A DIFFERENT LOOK AT THE IRAQ SITUATION

By JOSEPH CARPENTER

Diamond Daily Staff Writer

   (Editor's note: Joseph Carpenter, the author of this commentary, recently transferred to Diamond Middle School from London, England.)

   The recent situation involving a possible war with Iraq has become one of the most studied and important events in the last few years.

   President Bush is pushing for a war with Iraq.

   But Bush isn't alone.

   The prime minister of Great Britain, Tony Blair, is well behind Bush in the push for war with Iraq. I personally believe we should take of the threat that Saddam Hussein brings.

   I remember watching the news on BBC and being proud when Bush was in some kind of meeting and telling of how America's greatest ally was Great Britain.I hvae noticed how despite the U. S. being in greater danger than Great Britain to a certain extent, I would personally say that a greater percentage of Great Britain's population is supporting President Bush.

   I understand why some may not want to enter war with Iraq, but to diminish the danger that Hussein brings, we have to get rid of that danger with force.

   Great Britain will never leave such an ally's side. Together, along with our other allies, we will prevail in the end.

DRUMMING IS THRILL FOR PAUL HOLLAND

By CLAY NORWOOD AND KEVIN ORTEGA

Diamond Daily Staff Writers

   Battery acid in your veins.

   That's how local drummer boy Paul Holland, an eighth grader at Diamond Middle School, describes the thrill of playing in front of an audience.

   "While I'm playing music," Paul said, "I get so into the rhythm of the music that it feels like a wild dream."

   Paul loves his drums and dreams of being a professional drummer. He also says it can get boring after playing them for hours. The most fun thing about the drums, he says, is taking them apart and putting them back together in weird positions so they are harder to play. That makes it more of a challenge for him, he said.

   Paul plays in a band with Diamond High School students Jason Little, David Forest, and Patrick Beckett. They try to practice every weekend in Paul's basement. Paul has played for many events including the Tim VanLue benefit and the Eighth Grade Project CAT lock-in.

HIGH SCHOOL HONOR ROLLS RELEASED

   The first semester and second quarter honor rolls have been released at Diamond High School.

   First Semester A Honor Roll

Seniors- Adam Alford, Stephanie Barwick, Deke Beckett, Amanda Brown, Ana Carvalho, John Cendroski, David Forest, Matt Harp, Kathy Harrell, Isabel Jaramillo, Cheryl Johnson, Rebecca Jones, Justin Lane, Mark Neidert, James Riediger, Ashley Shelton, Candace Stebbins, Rusty Stewart, Zachary Testerman, Denelle White, Addie Whitehead, Rachel Whiteley, Sean Wiggins.

   Juniors- Krystle Allan, Ashley Beegle, Ashley Brummett, Robin Bullis, Nicki Bunn, Stephanie Darr, Melissa Gallagher, Brittany Gilliam, Andrew Hoffman, Julie Johnson, Brenda Leuellen, Falicia Phipps, Dezarae Powers, Jesse Sweet, Meagan Wirth, Jessi Youngblood.

   Sophomores- Cara Ablett, Josh Beckett, Patrick Beckett, Zach Billings, Kyle Bridges,l Whitney Brushwood, Graham Cox, Aaron Garbet, Kristen Hicks, Courtney Payton, Anthony Shipman, Sarah Simpson, Lendi Stirewalt, Matthew Sutherland, Jolene Topham.

   Freshmen- Taunie Brewer, Brittany Busse, Ryan Cosby, Michelle Darr, Stephanie David, Lauren Fetters, Luke Hockman, Amanda McKee, Casey Patterson, Darci Price, Carra Shaffer, Brittney Stevens.

   Second Semester B Honor Roll

   Seniors- Christopher Atler, Kristina Buerge, Isaac Drake, Kevin Filarski, Carla Garoutte, Charlene Gibson, Rachelle' Gilliam, Ashley Parker, Ashley Richardson, Elliot Sutherland, Robert Taylor, Lyndsey Tuter.

   Juniors- Andy Bradley, Candace Clouse, Casey Crane, Greg Fetters, Renee Forest, Kenzie Greenwood, Jamie Holford, Casey Holland, Tracy Killion, Kelli Price, Saori Yamamatsu.

   Sophomores- Jonathan Cook, Joshua Gill, Sarah Hoffman, Genoa Johnson, Susan Johnson, Megan Kinney, Cristina Kirk, Justin McLees, Jerrett McNett, Korey Scribner, Brandon Webb.

   Freshmen- Kayla Bass, Casey Brown, Courtney Ching, Nicki Dame, Greg Dodson, Tia Finley, Ricki Fountain, Jeffrey Morris, Brittany Musial, Rachel Turner, Jacob Youngblood.

Second Quarter A Honor Roll

   Seniors- Stephanie Barwick, Deke Beckett, Amanda Brown, Ana Carvalho, John Cendroski, David Forest, Matt Harp, Isabel Jaramillo, Rebecca Jones, Mark Neidert, James Riediger, Ashley Shelton, Candace Stebbins, Rusty Stewart, Zachary Testerman, Denelle White, Addie Whitehead, Rachel Whiteley, Sean Wiggins.

   Juniors- Ashley Beegle, Ashley Brummett, Nicki Bunn, Melissa Gallagher, Brittany Gilliam, Andrew Hoffman, Brenda Leuellen, Falicia Phipps, Dezarae Powers, Jesse Sweet, Meagan Wirth, Jessi Youngblood.

   Sophomores- Cara Ablett, Zachary Billings, Whitney Brushwood, Kristen Hicks, Courtney Payton, Anthony Shipman, Sarah Simpson, Lendi Stirewalt, Matthew Sutherland, Jolene Topham.

   Freshmen- Taunie Brewer, Ryan Cosby, Stephanie David, Lauren Fetters, Luke Hockman, Amanda McKee, Casey Patterson, Darci Price, Brittney Stevens.

   Second Quarter B Honor Roll

   Seniors- Adam Alford, Isaac Drake, Charlene Gibson, Rachelle' Gilliam, Kathy Harrell, Cheryl Johnson, Justin Lane, Ashley Parker, Ashley Richardson, Elliott Sutherland, Robert Taylor.

   Juniors- Krystle Allan, Robin Bullis, Candace Clouse, Casey Crane, Stephanie Darr, Greg Fetters, Renee Forest, Kenzie Greenwood, Casey Holland, Julie Johnson, Tracy Killion, Kelli Price, Saori Yamamatsu.

   Sophomores- Josh Beckett, Kyle Bridges, Graham Cox, Aaron Garbet, Susan Johnson, Dustin Newsum.

   Freshmen- Ryan Baker, Casey Brown, Brittany Busse, Nicki Dame, Michelle Darr, Greg Dodson, Ami Epperly, Ricki Fountain, Jeff Morris, Carra Shaffer, Rachel Turner.

AGENDA BOOKS NOT ALWAYS USED

By LYDIA O'DONNELL

Diamond Daily Staff Writer

In Diamond Middle School, you are supposed to have an agenda book to go anywhere besides to your regular classes. If a student is caught in the hallway without it, that student can get as much as two days of in-school suspension.

However, these requirements vary depending on the teacher.

As an experiment, this reporter stayed in the hallway for 15 minutes straight (and 24 minutes overall) without an agenda book before she was asked by Mrs. Missy Snow, middle school secretary, "What are you doing?"

It was the third time I had waved at Mrs. Snow, but she was the only one out of several staff members who I passed who said anything to me during the time I was in the hallway.

In the place of the agenda book, I carried a neon orange copy of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing Well," and it wasn't exactly hidden either.

Do teachers check the agenda books?

Out of four teachers asked, two said they would check for students' books if they are out in the hallway, one said no and another one said he used to do it, now he checks them sometimes.

Mr. Grant Reed, social studies teacher, said he does not check and that "in order for students to be compliant, rules must be enforced by all faculty and administration." Mr. Reed indicated that when many of the teachers are not using the agenda books, it makes it hard for them to be effective.

Mr. Randy Turner, current issues teacher, said he "always requires students to take a book with them" when going into the halls.

Mr. Joe Douglas, science teacher, said he didn't allow his students out of his classroom without the agenda books, but "never thought about checking them," when in the hallway.

If in the hallways, Mrs. Rachael Madden, social studies teacher, checks the agenda books. She replied, "No, never", when asked if she would let students out of her class without the agenda books.

The agenda books do have an important purpose. "We want to know that students have permission to be out of class,"said Ms. Denise Mounts, middle school principal.

ART CLUB SELLING VALENTINE BOXES

By COLTON DRAKE, CLAY NORWOOD and KEVIN ORTEGA

Diamond Daily Staff Writers

The Diamond Middle School Art Club will sell valentine boxes until Feb. 12.

Art Club members are raising the money for $200 shelves for the kiln so they can store their pottery, according to Ms. Kay Graves, sponsor.

"There will be a limited amount (of boxes)," Ms. Graves said. "We will be selling them for $5 to $7.

Art Club membership varies between five and eight, Ms. Graves said, due to sports. "They drop in and out." The club also has one member who is home-schooled.

The Art Club meets three times a week.

CANCELLING SCHOOL TAKEN SERIOUSLY

By CLINT BLIZZARD and NICK LONG

Diamond Daily Staff Writers

When weather is at its worst, Diamond R-4 officials are at their best.

Mr. Mark Mayo, superintendent, and Mr. Eddie Jones, tranportation director, stay up and watch the news. If these two heear anything about bad weather, they go to bed, wake up at 4 a.m. and drive around, starting at separate ends of town.

Mr. Mayo and Mr. Jones drive around to check to see if any roads have deep snow or just to see if the roads are slick.

Even though there have been a few close calls, neither of the two officials has ever slid off into the ditch.

CURRENT ISSUES STUDENTS STUDYING JOURNALISM

By KYLE LOWRY

Diamond Daily Staff Writer

The journalism unit is in effect for eighth grade current issues classes during the third quarter.

The students take notes on the basics of journalism, then Mr. Randy Turner, teacher, sneds them to do interviews and write articles on teachers and students.

"The journalism unit is designed to teach students the basics of journalism, to increase their critical thinking skills and to help publish information on the website and the newspaper," said Mr. Turner.

"It's a good way to teach us how to write better," said eighth grader Zach Towers.

"It's fun," said eighth grader Amanda Brashear.

EIGHTH GRADERS READY FOR SERIOUS WRITING

By AMANDA BRASHEAR and JACQUE LASATER

Diamond Daily Staff Writers

Diamond Middle School eighth graders are facing a new writing challenge.

Mrs. Renee Jones, language arts teacher, has assigned each student to write a novel. "I am amazed with the students' novels and the quality," Mrs. Jones said. "Overall, I am very pleased." She said none of the students have come to her with any complaints yet about the assignment.

"She is trying to teach us to write better," said eighth grader Genaro Rangel. "So far, I have three pages. It's a surprise what I am writing about. I'm not too excited about the outcome, just excited it will be done."

Eighth grader Zach Towers said, "I know she (Mrs. Jones) is donig it to teach us to write better. I plead the fifth about how I feel about the novel. So far, I am only on my third page. My novel is about stuff. I will be glad when the novels are done. I won't have to worry about it any more."

Mrs. Jones plans on having all eighth graders write novels. One page is due every week and the due date for all novels is May 2.

SOCIAL STUDIES STUDENTS DOING PORTFOLIOS

By BRYCE DAILEY and WADE YOUNGBLOOD

Diamond Daily Staff Writers

Eighth grade students in Mr. Grant Reed's social studies class recently finished doing portfolios. The due date for them was Wednesday, Jan. 29.

"I wanted to give the students a better understanding of the Revolutionary War," Mr. Reed said. The studnets have to research different aspects of the war.

Eighth grader Amanda Brashear said, "This is a great way to do something other than take a test."

TUTORING PROGRAM HELPS STUDENTS

By GENARO RANGEL and COLTON GRIFFIN

Diamond Daily Staff Writers

The tutoring program, run by Mr. Grant Reed, is held after school to allow students to get help with their homework or to just get their homework done.

"We are here to work to raise your grades and not to just mess around," Mr. Reed told his tutoring students.

"Tutoring is helping my grades and many other people's grades," said eighth grader Bryce Dailey.

NEW BOOKS COMING TO LIBRARY

By CALEB LUCAS and JOSH MATTHEWS

Diamond Daily Staff Writers

The Diamond Middle School Library is spending $2,000 on books, $600 on magazines and local newspapers, $200 on supplies, $400 on videos and $5,000 on a new automation system.

"We were slow to add new books," said Mrs. Kristi Harp, librarian, "because we had to catalog each book that was donated. Parents also purchased books and donated them to the Middle School Library this year." Mrs. Harp was referring to the more than 3,000 books that were donated during the two Middle School Student Council book drives.

"I like the idea of having new books and hopefully, getting some new reference books for social studies," said Mr. Grant Reed, social studies teacher.

Mr. Joe Douglas, science teacher, is also in favor of the new books. "It's a great idea. I'm all for it."

"It will be good for the students," sixth grader Lindsay Gilbert said. "It's great that we are spending money on books."

HOLLAND, LANE CROWNED HOMECOMING ROYALTY

By KACI SCRIBNER

Diamond Daily Staff Writer

The six female Diamond Basketball Homecoming royalty candidates who stuttered to say they weren't nervous Saturday stood up straight and smiled to everyone as the coronation ceremony began.

The advice given them by the 2002 queen, Amanda Farley, seemed a distant memory. Amanda had told them, "Don't slouch, walk straight...and don't fall."

The six, freshman Brittney Stevens, sophomore Megan Kinney, junior Ashley Brumett and seniors Lyndsey Tuter, Ashley Parker and Jenna Holland took their places centercourt, standing beside the king candidates, seniors Deke Beckett, Bubby Farley and Justin Lane, junior Josh Miller, sophomore Chase Green and freshman Blake Broaddus.

Everyone was on the edge of their seats as the announcer prepared to name the 2003 Basketball Homecoming king and queen, the first ever crowned in the new high school gymnasium.

"The 2003 Homecoming king is Justine Lane," the announcer said. His escort, Jenna Holland, said a simple word of congratulations to him. Now that the king had been announced, the queen candidates were trembling.

"The 2003 Homecoming queen is Jenna Holland." Jenna's chin dropped and her knees were slightly bent. She walked toward the newly crowned king and he returned that simple word "congratulations," to his queen. Then Justin gave her the traditional kiss.

Queen Jenna, in her purple strapless dress, had an ear-to-ear grin and cameras were pointing at her from every direction. Justin had to leave quickly so he could continue playing in the second half of the Diamond boys basketball team's 82-18 win over Exeter.

Jenna, who said earlier that she wasn't nervous at all, had received a complete shock. She had always wanted to be the homecoming queen and remembered going to her first homecoming game when she was in the third grade. Her older sister, Alisha Holland, had been crowned Prom Queen in 2000.

Now the crown rested atop Jenna's head. In one magical moment, her dream had come true.