Wednesday, October 25, 2006 · Page 18 Kyle Walker / Free Press ROCK STARS Matt Shaheen, left, and Luc Gallant wait nxiously, while making final touches on their performnces for the talent show held on Oct. 19 at EDHS. The wo gave up their lunchtime to perfect their guitar riffs hile waiting for their chance to wow the students. Red Raider News BY KYLE WALKER SPECIAL TO THE FREE PRESS The junior girls' basketball team played the Riverside Rebels Oct. 17 at EDHS. Essex Raider Kelsey Balkwill led the scoring with 13 points, 9 steals and 5 rebounds. Amy Bjorkman also returned in a big way to serve up 10 points and 3 steals. The result of the game was a 4415 win for the Raiders, giving them a record of 6-0. The senior girls' basketball team played a challenging game against Riverside Oct. 17 at EDHS. The Raiders came back from a 16-point deficit, but missed opportunities and the loss of one raider to a knee injury did not make things better. The final score was 57-48 for Riverside. The senior boys' volleyball team played a two-day tournament in ChathamKent Oct. 14-15. The team lost to Waterloo Collegiate, putting the Raiders into the consolation round. Despite the loss, the team gave one more go at victory and became consolation champs. Mike Ferguson and Kyle Williamson were named tournament MVPs. On Oct. 17, the senior boys won three straight sets against Riverside with scores of 25-9, 25-21 and 25-16. The Raiders now have a record of 20-1. The team is having an amazing season this year. "It is their first year competing in the AAA division and they are clearly making the statement that they can compete with the best of the best," reported coach Lindsay Miller. The team is currently tied for first with Brennan and competed at the EDHS Invitational last weekend to conclude the regular season in preparation for the playoffs. The junior boys' volleyteam defeated ball Riverside two sets to one Oct. 17, with scores of 2513, 25-17 and 20-25. Adam Connel, Mike Roelens, Jean Marc Lappan and Brooks Myer were star players of the game. The junior boys' football team played and lost a game Oct. 17 against Amherst on Raider Field. The score was 26-0. The game was said to be a mud bowl due to the uncooperative weather. The school's swim team is starting up with practices on Thursdays at the Essex Aquatic Centre. The curling team is also starting up, coached by Mr. Van Wijngaarden. Mr. Loncke is coaching the school's cross-country team this year. Six runners from EDHS participated in the WECCSSAA crosscountry meet Oct. 19 at Malden Park. The top 30 runners will advance to SWOSSA in Petrolia later in the year. Peer councillors attended an anti-bullying workshop Oct. 17 at the Ciociaro Club to improve their knowledge of how to solve bullying situations around the school. Every person at EDHS participated in the second of many Raider DEAR days. During the "drop everything and read" period, students put away their books and brought out a novel, magazine or newspaper to read for 20 minutes. The purpose of the program is to improve the literacy level in the school. Mrs. Belcastro is currently in the process of starting up the EDHS Art Club. The club meets in room 119. The Canadian Forces visited EDHS at lunchtime Oct. 19. They promoted over 90 career choices offered by the army, navy, and air force. The annual Academic Awards Banquet was held Oct. 19 at the Ciociaro Club. Along with subject awards, 191 students were recognized for attaining honours standing (80 percent average or higher), 29 students made the principal's list (90 percent or higher) and four students received proficiency awards for the highest average obtained in the 20052006 academic year. Proficiency awards were presented to Derrick Rogers in Grade 9, Craig Taylor in Grade 10, Michael Simard in Grade 11, and Richard Bos in Grade 12. Mrs. O'Neil, the drama teacher, is holding auditions for an upcoming musical performed by the students. The musical is still a surprise but you can expect it to be a good one. On Oct. 20, EDHS held its first-ever Tiger Day. Students were allowed to wear anything related to the Detroit Tigers. Lessons in fire safety SUN PARLOR JUNIOR SCHOOL NEWS The firefighters and Sparky came to our school yesterday and we learned when we hear the smoke detector go off we run out the door. And if you want to be a firefighter you have to have boots shiny pants or jeans and they have to be waterproof same with the shirt and breath tank and some gloves and a breath mask and a helmet with a flashlight superglued to the helmet and if there was a real fire you crawl under the smoke or if there's ever a bad guy or your mom breaks a bone or there is a fire you call 911 and the firefighters will come to rescue you and then they put out the fire and you are safe. Owen, Grade 2 Gosfield North Cougar News Well, here it is October already. Time sure has flown by and in that time a lot of different things have taken place at Gosfield North Public School. We would like to share a few of them with you. Our music programme so far this year has been great, as usual. Both junior and senior bands have already been chosen by Mrs. Dalley. The junior band is starting their first concert music. The senior band has been working hard learning some Christmas songs. As well, 18 hard working students have been selected for stage band. Gosfield North already has a choir on the go thanks to Mrs. Robinet. There has been a good turnout and 50 students are working very hard learning material for Remembrance Day. The choir will sing a classic song entitled "Danny Boy". Practices occur twice a week at lunch recess. As well, a grade 4 choir has begun. Those fortunate students will be singing with Music Express in the "Wonder of Christmas" on December 2. 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