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Wednesday, October 18, 2006 · Page 18 SHOPPING FOR A CAUSE ­ Kathy Stockwell, left, and Kim afferty look through the assortment of items for sale uring Essex District High School's yard sale Oct. 14. housands of items including furniture, toys, appliances, lothes and games were sold to raise funds for the chool's athletic association and extra curricular prorams. The school raised about $2,400 from the sale. Red Raider News BY KYLE WALKER SPECIAL TO THE FREE PRESS Starting off on a good note, the schools senior boys' volleyball team battled it out during a tournament on October 7 at the University of Windsor. In the championship game, the Raiders defeated St. Joseph's 25 to 16 to become tournament winners. The junior boys' volleyball is currently undergoing a transition to the AAA division and has competed in two tournaments earlier this year. They came in second in one tournament and lost the second-place game in another. The Red Raider hockey team returns to the ice Oct. 17 to prepare for defending their SWOSSA championship. Coaches Don McDermott and Tim Nighswander are looking d d forward to a successful season. The hockey team has also moved into the AAA division this year. The junior girls' basketball team has a 4-0 record this season, and expects to keep the success coming. New this year, Mrs. McClouskey has started the EDHS Planeteers. The group analyzes reasons for global warming and other issues involving the Earth. They meet at lunch to discuss possible solutions to these problems. On Oct. 11 and 13, a few classes went on a field trip to Fighting Island. Located on the Detroit River near LaSalle, the island is designed for environmental studies and even has live animals moving about during the hunting season. The students took soil samples and analyzed environmental con- ditions on the island. The Academic Awards Banquet takes place Oct. 19 at the Ciociaro Club. Ring Days are back. Rings were on sale outside the cafeteria from Oct. 1- 11. Jostens a website has (www.jostens.ca) where you can design your own ring. On November 1, the Grade 9s will be given the opportunity to go to work with their parents during the annual `Take your Kids to Work Day'. The purpose of the day is for students to learn safety in the workplace. It also gives students an opportunity to figure out if they want to follow in their parent's footsteps or create their own. An auction is being held on Oct. 25-27 in the school. It allows Grade 9 and 10 students to buy senior students for a day or two. The highest bidder will be given the privilege of making their senior carry their books from class to class and humiliating them by dressing them up in funny, yet appropriate clothing. The auction takes place in the cafeteria during lunchtime. As the school year moves on, more information about the Marine Biology field trip pours in. The trip will take place in Big Pine Key located 120 miles southwest of Miami. Senior biology students are eligible to go on the trip. The cost of the trip is about $1050 per person, and for this price, students get to observe water specimens and dissect squid, jelly -fish, and other creatures of the sea. Students also get to use their knowledge to observe the Florida Keys. Hot off the press, the EDHS Grade 12 Writer's Craft class is in the process of preparing the first newsletter of the year. Parents will receive the newsletter as soon as it is published. Colchester North School News A readathon is underway at Colchester North. Students are having fun challenging each other to raise money and looking forward to Readathon Day when they will be able to get cozy in their pjs to read. Money raised will be put toward school supplies and resources, as well as funding for field trips. The girls' soccer team finished up their season demonstrating great enthusiasm and sportsmanship despite having to play in sleet and cold temperatures. The boys' team still has one game left after beating Belle River 3-1. Their last game will be against Maidstone in the Tier 2 Championship. Good luck boys. The volleyball season has started and we now look forward to hearing news about our teams. Maplewood Tiger Tales Leadership Camp Leadership is a valuable trait. Some show it, some don't. On Oct. 12 and 13 two Maplewood students, Vicki VanGent and Mackenzie McGowan, attended leadership camp at Gesstwood. Approximately 35 students from schools around Essex County gathered at the camp to learn and develop leadership skills. They spent all day Thursday at Gesstwood, spending night in the freezing cold cabins and then went to the Ropes at the Chelsea Spa and Retreat on Friday. The group was housed in cabins and food was prepared by the "Kitchen Krew". Six high school peer advisors volunteered their time to help supervise and lead the groups. "Leadership camp was awesome!" says Vicki and Mackenzie. The camp was well organized and lots of fun. Kudos to the organizers, adult staff, "Kitchen Krew" and peer advisors. ­ by Vicki VanGent Maplewood Dodgeball Duck! Dive! Jump! These are only a few of the words that filled the Maplewood gym last week at lunch time. Students from grades five through eight competed for the title of "Dodgeball Champions". Every day at lunch recess students would go to the gym to compete in Maplewood's first dodgeball tournament. Teams consisted of six players ­ girls, boys and co-ed. Students had to take the initiative of putting their own teams together on their own time. The purpose of this tournament was to show teamwork, sportsmanship, skill, strategies and to get active. There were two separate tournaments, one for grades five and six and one for grades seven and eight. Teachers also took part in this event. There were two teacher teams in the 7/8 division with one being a "mystery" team. Teams were listed as Team A through Team M. Students had a blast and learned a lot too! Champions in the Senior division were the Mystery Teacher Team and Team B in the Junior division. Congratulations go out to all competitors who participated these past weeks. Grade five student Jarrett says, "I'm glad our team finished second place and got to go on to the final match. I had a lot of fun!" A special thanks goes out to Mrs. Murray for organizing the event. The next intramural activity will be volleyball. More information will be coming soon. ­ by Nicole Nantais The Essex Optimist Club's First l Annua at the Essex Arena Baseball Diamonds OCTOBER 20 & 21 TH ST FROM 5:30 P.M. - 10 P.M. ADMISSION: $4.00 per person $12.00 for a family of four Includes: Haunted Walk, hot dog, pop & chip (must be accompanied by an adult)