Welcome to our March Newspaper! This is one of our last issues, and we have loved reporting and writing all of these stories!
Why Are Four-Leaf Clovers Lucky?
Lucas Marsan, reporter
Four-Leaf clovers are probably some of the most lucky icons in the world. But why? Of all the lucky things to choose from, why did we choose a mutated plant? Well, we actually have to start with its normal counterpart, the Three-Leaf clover. On this type of clover, each one of the leaves has a positive symbolism associated with it, being faith, hope, and love. Four-leaf clovers, however, get luck because of the fourth clover.
This is because Celtic priests in early Ireland thought that having a three-leaf clover on hand would let you see evil spirits. If you had a four-leaf clover, they thought you would have magical protection and be able to see fairies! (I don’t think they can do that.) Clovers eventually got the modern symbolism they have now, and with there supposedly being more four-leaf clovers in Ireland, (creating the term, “Luck of the Irish,”) the fourth leaf eventually became a symbol of luck!
ASTROS
Delysise Hunter
Go Astros! If you didn’t know, the MLB season starts March 28. So beforehand they have to practice! The Astros normally practice at Minute Maid park located in Houston, Texas. This team is a member of the American League’s West Division. It was established in 1962 as the Houston Colt. 45s and began playing as the Astros in the 1965 season after moving to the NRG Astrodome, the world’s first multi-purpose, domed sports stadium. Jim Crane has been the team owner since 2011. Some popular players on the Astros are Jose Altuve, Josh Hader, Alex Bregman, and Justin Verlander. Their manager is Joe Espada and led them to 2 World Series championships wins in 2017 and 2022. They also have won a whopping 4 AL(American League) pennants. In 1970 the Astros called up outfielder César Cedeño, who went on to earn All-Star honors four times and become arguably the team’s first superstar. He was joined by fellow All-Star outfielder José Cruz in 1975, but the Astros remained relatively unsuccessful throughout the 1970s, finishing higher than third in their division on just one occasion in the decade (second place in 1979). In 1980 the Astros signed pitching ace Nolan Ryan, who helped the team to its first postseason berth the following autumn. Houston was eliminated that year by the eventual champion Philadelphia Phillies in a dramatic five-game NL Championship Series (NLCS) that featured four extra-inning contests, including the deciding game. The Astros returned to the playoffs in the following strike-shortened 1981 season, but they fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in another series that extended to the maximum five games. Future Cy Young Award winner Mike Scott was acquired in 1983, and he teamed with Ryan to give the Astros one of the most formidable pairs of starting pitchers in the NL. In 1986 Houston earned another berth in the NLCS, where it was defeated by the New York Mets in six games. The series was notable for its LCS-record 16-inning game six, as well as for the fact that Scott was named Most Valuable Player of the series despite having played for the losing side. In conclusion, the Astros have done a lot to get to the point where we are so the next time the Astros come around ask your parents to take you to Minute Maid park!
Why Did We Start Watch D.O.G.S
By: Molly Hamilton and Ivy Winn
Clark has recently started doing “Watch D.O.G.S” (Dads of great students) So we decided to interview some people to see why we started this.
What is a “Watch D.O.G.?” “Watch D.O.G.S” is a family and community engagement educational initiative where fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and other father figures volunteer for at least one day each year in their students' school.
First we decided to interview Mr Shields,
#1. Why did we start “Watch D.O.G.S”?
“It was a way to get more dads involved and give them a chance to see and interact with their students.”.
#2. Is this a district wide thing?
“Not all of Conroe is doing this. It's mostly the Grand Oaks feeder, (Clark, Hines, Snyder, and York might do it soon) but other schools might be starting to do it.”.
“We are tremendously excited to see it thrive at Clark!” -Mr. Shields
Next we interviewed Mr. Taylor (has been a Watch D.O.G several times)
#1 Why did you sign up to be a “Watch D.O.G?
“I signed up so that I could support the school by volunteering, and so I could spend the day hanging out with my kids at the playground, recess, and P.E.”
#2 Do you enjoy it?
“I do I have a lot of fun being a “Watch D.O.G” especially with little kids they are lot of fun to play with on the playground.”
#3 What do you enjoy about it?
“I enjoy getting to spend extra time with my kids and not having to be at work that day.”
#4 Would you recommend it?
“Yes I would recommend it to anybody.”
How to join:
Step 1: Complete the Conroe ISD volunteer background check
Step 2: Order a Yellow or Purple “Watch D.O.G.S: shirt
Step 3: Sign up for a time
March Madness
By Harlow Champion, Reporter
How It Started And How It got Its Name
The term March Madness was first used in reference to basketball by an Illinois high school official, Henry V. Porter, in 1939. Henry V. Porter wrote an essay titled “March Madness” in the Illinois Interscholastic in 1939 to commemorate the tournament. Other Basketball programs started using the term in the 1940s and it still lives on today.
Brackets
64 teams start off in March Madness. This year it starts March 19th. March Madness goes from 64 teams to 32 teams. The final 16 teams are called the Sweet 16. The final 8 teams advance into the Elite 8. Next 4 teams head to the final 4. Finally the last 2 teams face off in the National Championship and then we have a winner! You may be asking what even are Brackets? Well Brackets are pages that you print out or you can do them online. With the Brackets you can fill out and make a competition with your friends.
Fun Facts
It is not only a men’s competition it is a men and women’s competition!
Houston has hosted many rounds of March Madness 13 times!
Who is going to be the winner of your bracket this March Madness season?
Texas Independence Day
By Aria Stronks, Reporter
History
We all know 4th of July to be the Independence Day of America, but did you know that Texas has an Independence Day too?
Texas Independence Day is on March 2nd. The first one was on March 2nd, 1836, when the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed by 59 delegates. Texas was officially broken apart from Mexico on this day.
How do People of Texas Celebrate?
Texans celebrate this holiday by making 1836 come back to life. There is a lot of music, crafts from the olden years, food of all kinds, and lots of history presentations. They even fire cannons and muskets!
Surprisingly, no other state in America has a special Independence Day! By how proud Texans are, this historic holiday is one of the most important holidays in the year.
Why is this Holiday Important?
First off, this holiday is very important to Texas culture. That is why no other place celebrates Texas Independence Day. This is so important because it is part of the structure in Texas history.It’s such an important part of Texans!
🐮 The Houston Livestock Rodeo🐴
By: Evelyn McIver
I and many Texans strongly believe March is the best month. For one main reason the rodeo. After the Civil War, with the abundance of wild cattle in the Southwest and a market in the East, the era of the cattle drives, large ranches, and range cowboys began. Skills of the range cowboy led to competitive contests that eventually resulted in standard events for rodeo.
Rodeos Are Fun for Everyone
Many rodeos have kid-friendly events, like tractor pulls, pig races, mutton bustin' and pony rides. Then there's the food scene and live music that can serve as great breaks between the main attractions.
Why do people like rodeo?
The adults in your crowd will enjoy the excitement of barrel racing and bull riding.While the kids will enjoy rodeo clowns, a petting zoo and a mechanical bull they can try their luck on.
After you go to the rodeo you want to go every year! It's a tradition waiting to start.
Women’s History Month
By Harlow Champion, Reporter
Every year, March is designated for Women’s history month by presidential proclamation. The month is set aside to honor women’s contribution in American history.
Did you know? That Women’s History Month started as a week…..
Women’s History Month began as a local celebration in Santa Rosa, California. The Education Task Force of the Sonoma County (California) Commission on the Status of Women planned and executed a “Women’s History Week” celebration in 1978. The organizers selected the week of March 8 to correspond with International Women’s Day. February 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the Week of March 8th 1980 as National Women’s History Week. Presidents continued to proclaim a National Women’s History Week in March until 1987 when Congress passed Public Law, designating March as “Women’s History Month.” Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women’s History Month. Since 1995, each president has issued an annual proclamation designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.”
Some Amazing ladies in Women’s History Month include…..
Amelia Mary Earhart was an American aviation pioneer and writer. Earhart was the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.
Malala Yousafzia is a Pakistani female education activist and the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize laureate at the age of 17. She is the world's youngest Nobel Prize laureate, the second Pakistani and the first Pashtun to receive a Nobel Prize.
Sacagawea was a Lemhi Shoshone woman who, in her teens, helped the Lewis and Clark Expedition in achieving their chartered mission objectives by exploring the Louisiana Territory.
Ruth Badder Ginsburg Joan Ruth Bader Ginsburg was an American lawyer and jurist who served as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1993 until her death in 2020. She was nominated by President Bill Clinton to replace retiring justice Byron White, and at the time was viewed as a moderate consensus-builder.
And last but not least,
Harriet Tubman Harriet Tubman was an American abolitionist and social activist. After escaping slavery, Tubman made some 13 missions to rescue approximately 70 enslaved people, including her family and friends, using the network of antislavery activists and safe houses known collectively as the Underground Railroad.
An Intresting Fact
The colors for Women’s History Month are purple, green, white, and gold!!!
Spring Break Poll
Otis
Otis is a three year old orange tabby and is very unique. Otis will drag pieces of pizza across the carpet, he will also steal chicken nuggets from containers and plates. Otis also likes tackling the dogs Howard and Owen. Otis is always sneaking out to the garage and going in the engine of the car. How crazy is that!? Otis really enjoys boxes and is always sleeping on them whether its a pizza box, cookie cake box, or even filled with puzzle pieces. Isn’t that insane!? Otis enjoys sleeping and trying to steal food from the trash can. He certainly lives the dream.
Tilly
Tilly is a one and a half year old Beagle who does some special things. Tilly will jump off of the couch to the counter then she’ll run outside any time you open the door. Tilly will also push her owner off the chair or the couch so that way Tilly can put her bed there. She will also start growling at you if you move slightly. Tilly enjoys sleeping and digging in the mud. Tilly is really special.
Butterball
Butterball is a one and a half year old turkey and really mean. If you go near her she will bite you. Butterball can also be very weird. If something attacks Butterball she will just sit there and let whatever it is bite her until her owner comes to rescue her. Isn’t that insane!?! Butter Ball will also chase her owners and run after them even if they are driving a four wheeler! Butterball spends her free time sitting around and doing nothing. Butterball is definitely one to remember.