Annie Jr. Is Sure to Be a Hit

By Mackenzie White and Maggie McDowell

Each year the fifth grade class has their play. This year the play is

Annie Jr. On October 27th 2011, the fifth grade class received the cast

list. Right away the cast got to work. The first scene we worked on was

the Hard Knock Life, the beginning dance with all of the orphans. The

second routine was NYC, which is the scene with Annie, Daddy War

bucks and Grace in the big city, which took a long time to rehearse.

Most recently we finished Easy Street, the funny scene with

Miss.Hannigan, Roster and Lily.

Recently we got to interview Ms. Bridget and Mr. Willy. Both of

them said if they were in Annie they would want to be Miss.Hannigan

(even Mr.Willy.) Both teachers also rated Annie a 10! This also means

that they think the play will be fantastic. They also agreed that the num-

ber of people in the grade was just right for our play and one more or

less would not be as good. This year, because we are doing the play An-

nie, we are using a real dog. Ms. Bridget agreed that she loves the idea of

using a real dog, but Mr. Willy says there are some difficulties in using a

real dog. In the play this year we will use some recycled costumes from

the past years and some new costumes. We are still working very hard

during school and we are also practicing after school. All of the fifth

graders are working very hard and we hope it pays off. This year’s day-

time performance will be on May 9th for the school, and May 10th and

11th are the evening shows for parents and friends.

I ns i de t h i s i s s ue :

T h e S p i r e C r i e r S t . T h o m a s E p i s c o p a l P a r i s h S c h o o l

School & community

news

2-3

Ask Lulu & Robotics

news

4-5

Reviews and surveys 6-7

New Lunch program

and tech stories

8-9

Entertainment 10-

11

Fourth grade special

interests

12

Humor page 13

M ar c h 2 0 1 2

Vo l u me 2 4 , I s s ue 1

P a g e 2

Ins id e S to ry Head l ine

Father Milian, Our New Rector

By Anna Bauer

Father Mario Milian recently became the new rector of

St. Thomas Episcopal Church. The meaning of being a head

priest to Father Milian is humbling because you enter a posi-

tion that someone else held for so long, although he knows that

all will be well. He was 11 when he decided that he wanted to

be a priest when he grew up. Father Milian found out about

this job here in Miami because a good friend of his told him.

On October 16, 2011 the search committee decided that

he was the new head priest of our church and school. Then on

January 29, 2012 the church and school had a mass and a big

party in celebration of Father Milian. Also on December 7,

2011 Mario Emilio Milian was born. The Milian family must

be very excited about all the wonderful changes in their life.

Giant Snail Invasion: Ahhhhhhhhhhh snails everywhere!!!

By Philip Staeding

Giant African snails are causing big problems. They can

grow up to 10 in. long and 4 in. wide. They can also lay 1,200

eggs - that’s a lot. Another problem is they eat at least 500

plants. They are from Africa. The Miami authorities are trying

to wipe them out. People can catch them then freeze them in

bags or poison them with snail bait. Years ago there also was

another snail invasion when two boys came to Florida and

brought 2 to 5 snails. Then the snails bred to 18,000 in just a

couple days.

“He knows all will be well.”

T h e S p i r e C r i e r

Fifth Grade’s Ellenton Bond

By Anna Bauer

Ellenton was a great way for our 5th grade class to

bond. We did so many fun things like Canoeing, Tree Climb-

ing, Ropes Course, and Stations of the Cross run by Mrs.

Rogero. We also did other fun things like a Crazy Hair Con-

test and an Improv Show which made the whole grade laugh.

We also went to Henry Ford’s and Thomas Edison’s Houses.

Both of these amazing scientists made incredible inventions.

Learning about them was a great way for us to bond. I know

we all had a good time. I hope that the school will continue

the Ellenton trip tradition with next year’s fifth grade class.

P a g e 3 V o l u m e 2 4 , I s s u e 1

It’s a relief for us

to know the truth.

Why No St. Augustine for Fourth Grade?

By Olivia Byrd

There is no trip to St. Augustine this year because the 4th

grade teachers are now teaching about agriculture instead of

Florida history. So the teachers chose to go to Flamingo

Gardens, Paradise Farms, Teena's Pride, and a well known

grocery store instead of St. Augustine. If this trip was part of

the curriculum we would have gone at the end of January.

The administration decided not to do this field trip because

of the content of the curriculum. When the 4th graders heard

about the change, they thought it was their fault because they

didn't hear the truth. It's a relief for us to know the truth.

We did so

many fun

things...

Ask Lulu: Help With Your Problems

T h e S p i r e C r i e r P a g e 4

Write to Lulu by putting your questions in The Spire Crier mailbox in the office.

Dear Lulu,

My parents yell at me when I get a grade lower than

an A. I don’t know how to deal with it. Please help.

Sincerely, Gets B’s

Dear Gets B’s

I think you should say it is a good grade and that not

every grade can be perfect but do not be scared to tell

them. Or, you might tell the parent that’s nicer that

you would like a tutor.

Love, Lulu

Dear Lulu,

In school there are 3 kids who are always picking on

the other kids. The only person who they are nice to

is me and they won’t leave me alone. They are mak-

ing everybody think I am a bully too. What should I

do?

Sincerely, Not a Bully

Dear Not a Bully,

I think you should just try to avoid him or her and if

they don’t leave you alone tell someone.

Love, Lulu

Dear Lulu,

My friend and I went shopping at the mall. She lent

me money to buy some things. But later that day,

she lost the bag that had my things in it. Now she

says I still owe her the money. But I don’t think I

owe her anything. Who is right?

Sincerely, Sad Shopper

Dear Sad Shopper,

Lulu thinks you are right because she lost your things

so it is like they never existed. But maybe next time you

should carry your own shopping bag!

Love, Lulu

Dear Lulu,

My best friend and I have been really close ever

since we first met but this year something changed

between us and I'm not sure if it's something I did. I

don't want to lose her. What should I do?

Sincerely, Losing a Friend

Dear Losing a Friend,

I think you should ask why you aren’t friends anymore.

Or, I think you should laugh at his/her jokes, sit next to

them at lunch, ask them if they want to have a play date

and hang out with them.

Love, Lulu

Dear Lulu,

My mom is about to have a new baby. Everyone

expects me to be really excited, but I’m not. I’m

afraid everyone will love the new baby more than

me. What can do to feel better?

Sincerely, Likes Being an Only child

Dear Likes Being an Only child,

Ask your parents if you could set up a “date night.”

On date night someone could take care of the baby

while you and your parents can watch a movie or go

out to dinner to a place babies can’t go to.

Love, Lulu

Dear Lulu,

In soccer I am new on the team. This one kid is try-

ing all he can to not pass to me, even in games. I

don’t know what to do. Please help me!

Sincerely, Never Gets Passes

Dear Never Gets Passes,

I think you should stand if the middle of the field and

wave your hands and yell pass pass!!!!!!

Love, Lulu

P a g e 5 V o l u m e 2 4 , I s s u e 1

Robotics Competition Was a Great Success By Anna Bauer

This year St. Thomas had four robotics teams participate in

the First Lego League Carrollton Competition on January 7, 2012.

All of our groups did well and got at least one trophy. The girls ro-

botics team, The Candy Energizers, got a technical knowledge

award. The Five Dollar Foot-Long Energizers got a robot perfor-

mance award. The other 5th grade group, The Llamas Energizers,

got an award for having the most fun doing their skit. The fourth

grade team, the CCLLAPP Energizers, did very well especially for

their first year. They got an against all odds award because their

leader could not make it to the competition. The competition lasted

a whole day and we had lots of fun.

Students in the First Lego League Competition had to have a

programmed robot that could do the course. Students also had to

have a project board, a script and a song if they wanted. When it

came to the end of the day, the time had finally come to say who

got what award and who got to go to the regional competition. The

three groups that got to go to the Regional Competition were Car-

rolton’s Cantacrazy’s, Carrolton’s Don’t Mess With MEat, and last

of all our very own St. Thomas Five Dollar Foot-Longs. Killian

Smith, Nicholas Rojas, Connor Bass, Antonio Ruan, and Michael

Macrae are on this amazing team that gets to go to regionals. So

let’s wish the Five Dollar Foot-Longs good luck on their trip to Re-

gionals.

Mystery student #1

By Luis Mendez and Sarah Steinhour

This person’s favorite color is green

This person’s favorite sport is soccer

This person was a chick magnet for Halloween

This person loves pizza

This person’s favorite animal is a turtle

Good luck at Regionals,

St. Thomas Five Dollar

Foot-Longs, and con-

gratulations to everyone

who participated.

T h e S p i r e C r i e r P a g e 6

Fashion in Every Season For Boys and Girls

By Cornelia Ehlebracht

For Boys In Fall and Winter: The New Look Is The Rock Star Look,

Like Baggy Pants, Denim, Mish Mash of Badges and Scarves.

For Girls In Spring and Summer: The New Look Is The Preppy Style,

Like Plaid and Stripes.

For Boys In Spring and Summer: The New Look Is (For Hair) The British

Rock, Indie, and Short Curls.

For Girls In Fall and Winter: The New Look Is Accessories Like Adding

a Belt To a Plain Dress To Make It Interesting.

Pizza 24%

Steak 16%

Tacos 8%

Macaroni 4%

Cheese 4%

Ice Cream 4%

Tortellini 4%

Lobster 4%

Fried Shrimp 4%

Ribs 4%

Swordfish 4%

Fajitas 4%

Chips and

Guacamole

4%

Rice and

Chicken

4%

Sushi 4%

Hamburger 4%

What do you

love to eat?

These are the favorite

foods of 25 St. Thomas

students.

Survey by Luis Mendez

P a g e 7 V o l u m e 2 4 , I s s u e 1

The Mystery Movie By Luis Mendez, Sarah Steinhour, and Olivia Byrd

This movie is about puppets

They are fluffy

Some have big noses

They are trying to make money to save the studio by putting on the

show.

Inspired by Joyful Noise By Nathalie Han

In the small town of Pacashau, Georgia, times are rough for every-

one. Everyone is counting on the Divinity Church Choir to lift their spirits

by winning the National Joyful Noise Competition. Everything is working

out fine until Vi Rose Hill played by Queen Latifah and G.G. Sparrow

played by Dolly Parton have a disagreement of what style they should sing

in. Vi wants to stick with the traditional songs while G.G. wants to shake

things up a little. When G.G.’s grandson Randy played by Jeremy Jordan

hears Vi’s daughter Olivia, played by Keke Palmer, singing he gets inspired

and joins the church choir. Randy encourages the church choir to do their

best. Joyful Noise is a very inspiring movie because it shows you to never

give up and to try your best.

The DaVinci Code is Worth Reading

By Carter Freeland

This wondrous book by Dan Brown focuses on Harvard sym-

bologist Robert Langdon who is called to look at a curator, Jacques

Sauntière who branded himself with the pentacle, a 5 pointed star

resembling the “Divine Maiden” Mary Magdalene. Along with So-

phie Neveu, he goes on a heart-pacing adventure through France

against the Vatican and time. They have to find the keystone and

unlock the secrets of Mary Magdalene before the Vatican. But, little

do they know, treachery is around the corner. Rated by me, five

stars!!!

T h e S p i r e C r i e r P a g e 8

New Lunch Provider Stirs Controversy

By Jacob Murphy

Recently, the school introduced a new lunch menu known to the

world as Bon Appétit Kids. One warm day tortellini was being served;

“looks like road kill” claimed one student. But the food is not without its

admirers: “I love the soup” a group of pupils exclaimed. The top three

choices that I’ve observed are: number one sliders, number two hot

dogs, and number three chicken noodle soup. The program even states

that there may be nuts or traces of nuts in their meals endangering chil-

dren allergic to almonds pecans etc. Researching the bon appétit kid’s

website revealed a startling fact; the cooks sneak vegetables into food,

forcing the consumers to unwittingly eat spinach brownie, squash spa-

ghetti, and other hidden veggie foods. On a similar subject they replace

all sugar with a concoction of agave nectar and vegetables which means

that brownie that you ate yesterday was no brownie. I personally am a

fan of the food, especially the Swedish meatballs and citrus fish. On a

more comical note a student wanted to test the stickiness of the pasta

and turned it upside down. The food spilled all over the table; “now it

really looks like road kill” the same boy said. Out of ten students sur-

veyed only one enjoys the food; this means that’s 10%. Even if some

people don’t enjoy the food it is still a more healthy and wholesome al-

ternative to the greasy and unhealthy Popeye's. So if we should get rid

of bon appétit is really undecided.

Mystery student #2

By Carter Freeland

He/she loves dogs,

Loves passion fruit,

Was a ghost for Halloween.

His/her locker number is #11.

P a g e 9 V o l u m e 2 4 , I s s u e 1

Words with Pen-Pals

By Olivia Byrd

One afternoon 4th grader Olivia Byrd was playing "Words with

friends" on her ipad. She had just finished her old game and her mom couldn't

play against her so she pressed random opponent. It couldn't find one so she

turned it off. The next day she woke up and pressed random opponent again.

Before you could say "SHOTGUN" a bubble showed up on the screen read-

ing: Your new opponent is Paigegerardi3272.

"Hold on," Olivia thought to herself. "Where have I heard that name

before...OH MY GOSH!!! That's my pen-pal!”

It was! Olivia and Paige have been pen-pals for the past two years.

"It's pretty amazing to think my pen-pal, Paige (who lives in Pennsylvania)

and I could play a game together from this far apart," Olivia says.

What are the most popular apps?

By Nathalie Han and Anna Bauer

To all of you app lovers out there, have you ever wondered what

the most popular apps are for your phone and itouch? Well here

are your answers!

Where’s My Water

Scramble

Paper Monsters

Fruit Ninja

Angry Birds RIO

NFL Kicker

Cut the Rope

Bejeweled

Tiny Wings

Doodle Jump

T h e S p i r e C r i e r P a g e 1 0

Lt. Ward

Andres Chiossone

Oliver Warbucks

Justin Lopez

Bert Healy

Jojo Bolduc

Drake

Antonio Ruan Radio Announcer

Grant Dill

Star-to-be

Miguel Franco

Rooster Hannigan

Killian Smith

Sound Effects Man

Konrad Slaman

President Roosevelt

Michael Hannan

Louis Howe

Nicolas Rey

Man in Brownstone Window

John Whiting

Policemen

Connor Bass & Ricky Martin

Additional Orphans, Servants,

and New York City Crowd

Marian Alcantara

Olivia Anguita

Mila Kuylenstierna

Martina Maietto

Additional Sellers, Servants,

and New York City Crowd

Marcelo Arteaga

Ricky Chee-A-Tow

Nicolas Fernandez

Carter Freeland

Michael Gomez

Sebastian Lopez-Ibanez

Michael Macrae

Jacob Murphy

Dylan Poliakoff

Nicholas Rojas

Annie

Emily Turner

Molly

Maggie McDowell

Pepper

Carly Wood

Duffy

Abigail Roberts

Kate

Julia Johansson

Tessie

Ada Hevia

July

Julia Irvin

Miss Hannigan

Mackenzie White

Apple Seller

Mattson Barreira

Grace Farrell

Nathalie Han

Cecille

Coco Sell

Annette

Brezlan Malina

Mrs. Greer

Isabella Del Rio Acevedo

Mrs. Pugh

Carolina Alegrett

Usherette

Victoria Leal

Lily St. Regis

Anna Bauer

Bundles McCloskey

Kevin Hernandez

Dog Catcher

Wesley Cusack

Annie Jr. Cast List

Cast list provided by Maggie

McDowell and Mackenzie White

Hard at work in rehearsal.

P a g e 1 1 V o l u m e 2 4 , I s s u e 1

Legoland Florida: A Lot of Fun!

By Carter Freeland

On January 29, 2012 I went to Legoland. Legoland is a

fun made for kids. There are fun events such as The Battle

for Brickbeard’s Bounty. I will start in the Land of Adven-

ture. When you are in, you should go to the ride, Lost King-

dom Adventure. You will pick up your gun and shoot the evil

skeletons and get out of the trap. Another great ride is the

Coastersaurus. It takes you on a gut-jumping, fun ride. There

is the X Factor, in which you go up in a Lego Technic car

and go up, side to side, and down very fast. You can shop for

merchandise at Minifigure Market, The Garden, and the fa-

mous Big Shop. If you go, I guarantee an AWESOME time.

Whitney Houston: A Fallen Star

By Cornelia Ehlebracht

Whitney Houston was born on August, 9, 1963 and

died on February, 11, 2012. She died sadly, leaving our

country miserable. The notes she reached in her songs will

never be met again; she set the bar for all singers. She died

in a Beverley Hills Hotel. Her daughter had a nervous

breakdown after her death. Bobbi Brown (her ex-husband)

rushed to her daughter’s side to help her grieve. Houston

was at the top of the charts then she dropped down because

of inconsistent performances, probably because of her drug

abuse. Her voice became groggy and uneasy.

The cause of her death is still unknown but it will hit

the news soon. Recently the Grammys Show did a tribute

to her by having Jennifer Hudson sung one of her songs,

but no one will ever again have such a lovely voice like

her.

T h e S p i r e C r i e r P a g e 1 2

Taylor Swift, The Inside Story

By Mia Williamson, Sarah Steinhour, and Olivia Byrd

If you don’t know who Taylor Swift is, you will now.

Taylor Swift is an appropriate woman for young fans, not like

Lady Gaga. She grew up on a Christmas tree farm, her favorite

colors are white and purple, she loves cozy stuff, and she has two

cats. She is most famous for her country music. Her most famous

song is Love Story. She is now twenty two; she turned this num-

ber on December thirteenth. Last, her concerts are the best! Now

you know about Taylor Swift.

Moving On

By Mia Williamson

The person you know as Mrs. Orban has moved on from

Little Chapel to the Learning Center. She still misses teaching

kids about Jesus and God but she wanted to do something new.

She still teaches first communion on Sundays. She loves teaching

kids about reading, writing, verbs, and more. She has children,

Laura Orban who is in second grade, and some boys in upper

grades. It is so great to move on.

Life in Germany

By Philip Staeding

Life in Germany is cold the way I like it. The language is

different; the alphabet has about 6 more letters than the English

alphabet. There are lots of forests in Germany. There are less

strict seat rules, like you can be five years old and allowed to sit

in the front. People visit Germany to go skiing. You should also

go to Germany.

The Spire Crier announces its

first ever ART

CONTEST. Sub-

mit your color or

black and white

drawings to the

Spire Crier box

in the office.

Winning draw-

ings will be cho-

sen by the 4th

grade staff and

published in the

next issue.

P a g e 1 3 V o l u m e 2 4 , I s s u e 1

Poor Yorick

By Jacob Murphy

Make Her Laugh At That!

By Jacob Murphy

One day a man named Benny was visited by his fairy godmother. She said “you will

live as long as you don’t shave your beard.” Benny thought this was a very splendid idea

and never shaved. Eventually he reached 175 years old. He met a girl at 63,878 days of his

life and she promised to marry him as long as he shaved his beard. He reluctantly shaved

and his fairy godmother was so enraged she turned him into an urn. The lesson of the story

is a Benny shaved is a Benny urned.

* * *

A book never written: “Precious Stones” by: Day Mond

* * *

What did the pigeon get as a golf score?

A birdie

* * *

“I’ve beaten eggs, whipped cream, and mashed potatoes, but I’ve never harmed an onion,

so why do they make me cry?”

This newspaper is published by the fourth and fifth

grade Journalism students for the students of

St. Thomas Episcopal Parish School.

Fifth Grade Staff: Anna Bauer, Carter Freeland,

Nathalie Han, Maggie McDowell, Jacob Murphy,

Mackenzie White.

Fourth Grade Staff: Olivia Byrd, Cornelia Ehlebracht,

Luis Mendez, Philip Staeding, Sarah Steinhour,

Mia Williamson.

Journalism Advisor: Mrs. Katrina Murphy

Thank you to Mr. Peters and former Spire Crier

Advisor Mrs. Christina Mayo for your support.

Thank you to Danny Vega of Palmer Trinity School

and Jacob Murphy for your layout expertise.

W E ’RE ON THE WEB

AT S TEPSMI A . OR G

5692 North Kendall Drive

Coral Gables, FL 33156

(305) 665-4851

Email us at

spirecrier@stepsmia.org

T h e S p i r e C r i e r

V o l u m e 2 4 , I s s u e 1

S t . T h o m a s E p i s c o p a l

P a r i s h S c h o o l

A Note from Spire Crier’s New Advisor

Answer to Mysteries:

Student #1: Gaby Anez

Student #2: Michael McCrae

Movie: The Muppets

Thank you to the St. Thomas administration for encouraging me to volunteer to revive the Spire

Crier after the departure of Mrs. Mayo, whose hard work for many years built a beautiful founda-

tion for the journalism class and this newspaper. Congratulations to all the fourth and fifth grade

staff writers for their work on The Spire Crier since class started in January. All the reporters

worked hard in class after school, and sometimes on weekends, to meet their writing deadlines.

Their responsibility and determination are to be commended. A complete list of the Spire Crier

fourth and fifth grade reporters this semester appears above in the Staff Box. — Katrina Murphy

To watch for in our next issue:

Espanol Ole, Microscope Fair, Diocesan Festival, Dance Recital, and more!

Mystery Teachers

A feature on the legend of Atlantis

Winners of the new Spire Crier Art Contest; to enter, submit a black and white or color drawing

to the box in the office.

P a g e 1 4