That time of year again: March Madness at BCMS
BCMS students sing the UCLA fight song to judges at the BCMS March Madness Door Competition.
(Photo by EMILY BONSANT)
Mrs. Shculte's class with their Kansas themed door.
Mrs. Kerttu's class with their Auburn themed door.
Mrs. Gebauer's students with their Villanova themed door.
Mrs. Hinthorn's class with their USC themed door.
BONNERS FERRY — Boundary County Middle School is mad about March — March Madness that is as students recently competed in the annual door competition where they did research on the universities and colleges competing in the NCAA tournament.
During “Badger Time,” students worked in their flex classrooms to decorate outside their doors.
This is always an exciting and competitive time of year for students and staff at BCMS, Kelly Hinthorn, eighth grade language arts and leadership teacher, said. BCMS really focuses on preparing students for college and life after high school.
In addition to college and career readiness, BCMS includes language arts, math, geography, and science, technology, engineering and math components into the rubric. Mr. Garrison’s class was assigned to Duke University and showed off their STEM skills displaying working robotics.
Hinthorn said she was impressed with the artistic ingenuity her class brought to the challenge.
“We knew we’d get out of the bracket early due to drawing USC, so we did what we could to have the best decorations,” she said. “I was impressed with one of my students that made the lion mascot entirely out of duct tape.”
Hinthorn’s students embraced the Hollywood theme of USC and went into full costume when the judges came by.
Other flex classes honed in on other aspects of the competition. Students in Mrs. Vannoy’s class used their speech skills to explain why they wanted to attend Providence after researching the school’s academic programs.
For Mr. Arthur’s flex class drew the University of Arizona. One student went into detail on the research and science opportunities at the university they were assigned.
Mrs. Solum’s flexFlex class drew Texas Tech. The sixth graders put on a full rap song at the university.
Mr. Rice’s class drew Wisconsin and had a Badger mascot ready to wow the judges and any passer by.
Mrs. Roemer’s class drew Gonzaga made up with true Zag spirit and beads.
Mrs. Lucas’ class drew University of Houston and were pinned across from the Zags. They knew one of the best ways to stand out from the crows was to have some sweets fresh on hand.
Community members and Boundary County School District staff participated as judges for the competition. BCSD Jan Bayer was in attendance and said that she was so impressed by the students taking the time and energy to research the universities and decorate their doors.
Winners
Eighth grade: - first place, Mrs. Hinthorn, USC; second place, Mr. Garrison, Duke; third place, Mr. Arthur, Arizona.
Seventh grade: - first place, Mrs. Roemer, Gonzaga; second place, Mrs. Solum/Mrs. Miller , Texas Tech; third place, Mrs. Kerttu, Auburn.
Sixth grade: first place, Mrs. Westbrook/Mrs. Burt , UCLA; second place ,Mrs. Anderson ,Purdue; third place, Mrs. Warren, Baylor.
Overall - first place, Mrs. Hinthorn USC; second place, Mr. Garrison, Duke; third place, Mrs. Roemer, Gonzaga.
Best Use of Technology: Mrs. Schulte, Kansas.
Best Swag: Mrs. Hinthorn, USC
Best Song/Skit: Mrs. Solum, Texas Tech.
