By Kathryn Peters

Ms. Rain in front of the Champs Elysees in Paris, France.  Courtesy of Ms. Rain.

Every month, journalism students select one Ensign teacher for special recognition of their dedication and hard work. This month, after careful consideration, we have chosen Algebra 1 teacher, Ms. Rain!

Seabee Buzz: What first interested you in teaching?

Ms. Rain: “I like to share my knowledge and love for math with others.”

Seabee Buzz: What is your favorite part about Ensign?

Ms. Rain: “I like many things about Ensign. We have wonderful teachers and staff who are committed to provide the best education for all students. The campus is located so close to the beach and if you are in the parking lot you can see the ocean. What a nice way to start the day.”

Seabee Buzz: What is the best part of your job?

Ms. Rain: “I like to see how students evolve throughout the year in math. We start with easy concepts of Algebra 1 and by the time school ends they are able to factor polynomials and graph lines and parabolas. Students are also amazed about how much they learned and progressed.”

Seabee Buzz: What are your hobbies?

Ms. Rain: “I like to practice yoga and Pilates. I also have a passion for traveling and discovering new places and cultures. This summer I was fortunate to spend three weeks in Paris and live like a native Parisian. I also had the opportunity to travel to Normandy and visit the D-Day beaches."

Seabee Buzz: What about math made you want to teach it?

Ms. Rain: "I love math because it’s logical and there is always only one answer to the problem. It just made sense to me."

Seabee Buzz: Why did you choose to teach middle school?

Ms. Rain: "Before teaching at Ensign I taught high school math at Newport Harbor High School for three years. I love teaching at Ensign because of the age of the students. I like the fact that I am able to teach the kids not only math but also structure, organization, and discipline they will use in high school and beyond."

By Jessica Woodruff

On Thursday, September 20, 2012, a man named Keith Hawkins came to speak at Ensign. First, he did an assembly in the gym during fourth period for the whole school. After that, during SSR, there was a leadership workshop where 50 students were selected by their teachers to participate.

At the assembly Mr. Hawkins talked about respect and culture. He told stories about his three kids and of other places he had spoken. One story that stood out to some people was about Mr. Hawkins’s son, who went to one of the places where Mr. Hawkins was speaking, and went up to everyone he could, looked them in the eye, shook their hand, and introduced himself.

Another story he told us referred to a previous school he had been to. At that school he had pulled up a group of boys and asked them each how they would feel if he was their father, and he told them that he would die for them. Most of the boys said something along the lines of “good” or “loved,” but one boy said that he wouldn’t feel any different. Mr. Hawkins then explained that most of the boys he had called up didn’t have a father who would die for them, but that one boy did. That one boy just didn’t appreciate how lucky he truly was to have a dad who would die for him. The moral was we should all appreciate parents like that if we have them, because not all of us do.

At the leader workshop after lunch, he told more stories, but also talked about what makes a good leader. One of the stories was again about his son. He said that when his son was little, he used to tell him all the time to take initiative, but since he was so little, Mr. Hawkins wasn’t expecting him to actually figure out how to do that. But, one night, Mr. Hawkins was standing at the end of the hallway talking to his wife while his son was in the bath, which they believed he could not get out of on his own. Mr. Hawkins all of a sudden noticed something moving at the other end of the hallway, and thought that it was a raccoon. Then they realized it was their son. They called for him and he came out.  To their disbelief, he was dressed in his pajamas, and had a robe and slippers on that he had put on all by himself. When he came out and they asked what he was doing and how he got out of the bath, he said “ I took initiative!”  That is pretty amazing. Even some high school students don’t know how to take initiative.

Lastly, he also talked about how your energy affects the others around you and how to have confidence.  Students who participated in the leader workshop gained many more tips for leadership that they can use in the future.

By Kathryn Peters    

Every month, journalism students select one Ensign teacher for special recognition of their dedication and hard work. This month, after careful consideration, we have chosen seventh grade history teacher, Ms. Curtis!

Ms. Curtis first became interested in teaching after she saw how much joy it brought to her parents, who were also teachers. Then, when she taught in Japan, she realized how much joy it brought to her as well. Now, working at Ensign, she says she loves the school because of her colleagues, its caring and supportive staff, and it gives her the opportunity to work with “energetic and curious youth who care about the world and want to make a difference.”

Of course, Ms. Curtis also has a life outside of teaching history. She loves to play soccer, rock climb, and take her dog to the dog beach. Over the summer, she went to Poland for three weeks and to Colorado and London. During the school year, she will be coaching various school sports, as well. So, if you want to get a chance to work with an amazing teacher, try out for volleyball, cross-country, and hopefully track and field. Boys can try out for the soccer team, which Ms. Curtis will also be coaching.

Ms. Curtis is an awesome teacher. If you have her for history, you are one lucky student!

By Maddy Wiesner and Katie McAllister

One Direction, Train, Ed Sheeran, Florence and the Machine, Jesse J, and Coldplay.  Have you heard of them? These are all amazing singers and bands. We’ve asked students (7^thand 8^th) what their favorite singers or songs were, and these were the results. These people have been awarded many famous awards and are known around the world. They have wonderful voices and everyone should hear their music.

They are British and Irish. They are hot. And they are the most popular boy band of all time. Yep, it’s One Direction. Every girl screams their names. Louis, Liam, Harry, Niall, Zayn. We went around talking to a few 7^thgrade girls, and every single one said that their favorite artist was One Direction. I have to agree with them, seeing how they have the best voices I have ever heard. But, of course, I am biased, because I am a girl, and every girl is mesmerized by them. Their harmonies are amazing. I know, I know, it’s a boy band, which I know all you guys would never listen to, but for all girls, including me, it makes their day to hear their voices.

Train is a band based in San Francisco, California. They were formed in 1994. Their members include Pat Monahan (vocals), Jimmy Stafford (guitar), and Scott Underwood (drums). Their debut album was entitled Train, released in 1998. In 2001, they made another album, entitled Drops of Jupiter, with the hit song “Drops of Jupiter,” which won two Grammys. They are an amazing group, with a great guitarist and drummer. Their songs have catchy lyrics anyone can sing along to.

Ed Sheeran is an English singer, songwriter, and producer. He is originally from England, and recently became popular in the U.S. He’s been singing since he was 14 and learned guitar at a young age. So far, he has won two BRITs, the Grammy equivalent of England. His freshman album is called +. Although his songs may not always be upbeat, they’re still filled with touching lyrics. He is one of my favorite singers, and I would love to see him in concert one day.

Florence and the Machine is an English indie rock band, consisting of lead singer, Florence Welch, Isabella Summers, and a collaboration of other artists who provide backing music. Their first album was entitled Lungs, released in July of 2009. Their second album was entitled Ceremonials, released in October 2011. The band won a BRIT award in 2010. At the 53^rdGrammy Awards, they were nominated for Best New Artist. They performed at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards and the Nobel Peace Prize Concert.

Jesse J was born Jessica Cornish in London, and studied at BRIT School before signing with Gut Records. Her first single was called “Do it Like a Dude,” which peaked at number two. In 2011, she released her debut album, called Who You Are. She is set to release her second album, Nice to Meet You, in late 2012 or early 2013. Aside from her musical career, she served as a coach and mentor on The Voice UK. She won an award from the Arquiva Commercial Radio Awards this year. Also, she won a BRIT and three awards from the BT Digital Music Awards. In total, she has won 20 music awards, with more to come.

Coldplay is a British rock band formed in 1996. The members include Guy Berryman as a bassist, Jonny Buckland as lead guitarist, Will Champion as drummer, and Chris Martin as lead vocalist. They first started out as Pectoralz, but changed their name to Coldplay in 1998. Their first EP was entitled Safety, and came out in 1998. Their second and third EPs were entitled Brothers & Sisters, and The Blue Room, both released in the same year. They’ve sold over 55 million records worldwide. Coldplay has won 52 awards, and have been nominated 144 times. I personally love Coldplay and hope they win many more awards.