Headline: Competition Dance Team

By: Megan Eagerton and Rachel Popwell

Cutline: The Moody Blue Diamond Dancers took home first place in their division and the Grand Champion award overall at the recent competition February 10.

 

Everyone knows who the Moody Blue Diamonds are, but new to MHS is the Diamonds competition dance team. Sponsored by Ms. Brandi Duhaime, she decided to form a dance team because it gives the girls a chance to dance all year around and the opportunity for the dancers to be more competitive.

             To add more members to the team, grades eighth through twelfth were allowed to tryout after school. The members are Elise Atkins, Nikki Howard, Megan Eagerton, Dakota Kydle, Savannah Slater, Cassie Waites, Hannah Amberson, Katie Layton, Whitney Hardeman, Amanda Motes, Rachel Popwell, and Nicole Whitfield.

             Practices were three days a week, after school, and members had to be dedicated. On February 10, 2008, dancers competed at the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center. With their first time competing, the Moody Diamonds won first in their division and Grand Champions in dance with a final score of 232.

             In the future, there will be two more competitions in Birmingham and another one, but the location of that competition has not been set yet. Ms. Duhaime said she hopes for the squad to do well at all the competitions and to build interest for the Moody Diamonds and in the community.  “If the team continues to show dedication and involvement, then I expect we will do well at our next three competitions,” said Ms. Duhaime. Next year, Duhaime would like to hold tryouts and plans to start earlier so they can go to more competitions.

 

 

 

Every child deserves a Chance to play Baseball

By Emily Sims & Katie Tackaberry

 

             The Miracle League was formed in 1998 as a youth baseball league for children with mental and physical disabilities. The Miracle League is a charitable organization that provides challenged children with the opportunity to play baseball and be part of a team in an organized manner.

Baseball brings joy to a child not depending on if it is a boy or girl. However for children facing mental and physical challenges, that opportunity can be often a difficult task. The Miracle League gives these children the opportunity to get out and be a part of something that they will never forget while being able to be in the sunshine and enjoy the game of baseball with others.

The Miracle League of Moody, Alabama will be the first “Special League” as some call it in the State of Alabama and will serve children in the St. Clair, Etowah, Jefferson, Shelby, Talladega, Blount, and Calhoun counties.

             The Miracle League gives the children the opportunity to suit up, step up, and be everything they can be. It is a dream of most of these children because they would not be able to play as members of a traditional youth league. These games are the same except for a few additional rules: every player gets a hit, gets on base, and crosses home plate. No one keeps score, but you would never know it listening to the cheers from enthusiastic parents in the stands or teammates in the dugout. Each player is paired with a "buddy" who helps them play the game to the best of their ability and protects them from getting hurt.

However, getting hurt is nearly impossible due to the design of the facility. It has cushioned synthetic turf that allows wheel chairs and other walking assistance devices to glide along with ease. The stadium restrooms are completely accessible to people with disabilities. The dugouts are designed so wheelchairs can easily make their way to and from home plate. Even drinking fountains were designed with these children in mind.

             Just like the school systems have “No Child Left Behind” ballparks have provided their children with Miracle Leagues. Every child deserves the chance to play baseball, and the Miracle League allows every child to have that wonderful opportunity.