Thursday 18th December 2025
Grinnell-Newburg High School was unable to fill an open high school Spanish teacher position for the 2025-2026 school year leaving Mr. Backlin as the only full-time high school Spanish teacher. Because of this, Mr. Backlin’s teaching schedule wasn’t finalized until less than a week before the school year started. He graciously switched one of his classes from a standard class to an accelerated class very last minute to allow for the incoming 9th graders to have a path towards AP Spanish. He is always willing to do what is best for the students and the school even if it creates more work for himself. He is always smiling and willing to help a student. In addition to his Spanish teaching, he assists with high school debate and was selected by the students as a commencement speaker in 2024. He also helps lead a trip to Spain once every three years. He is a positive, engaged, welcoming, hardworking part of the school and the community who makes an impact inside and outside of the classroom.
What fruit is traditionally placed in Christmas stockings symbolizing gold coins from St. Nicholas' ?
Welcome to The List,
Sad news from the soap world. General Hospital icon Anthony Geary has passed away at age 78 due to complications from surgery in Amsterdam. Fans knew him forever as Luke Spencer, one of the most legendary characters daytime TV has ever seen. His longtime on-screen partner Genie Francis said, “No star burned brighter than Tony Geary,” adding that working with him was always unpredictable and exciting. A true original, and a massive loss for television history.
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Radar Online says Mariah Carey is allegedly stressed that her Christmas anthem All I Want For Christmas Is You might not dominate the charts this year. Apparently Gen Z is flirting with other holiday jams. An insider says this song is basically Mariah’s financial Super Bowl. If it underperforms, the brand wobbles. Somewhere, Mariah is warming up her whistle register and threatening December itself.
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Riley Green had a moment onstage when a fan tossed leopard-print granny panties at him mid-show. He kept singing like a pro while the internet absolutely did not. His tour crew has now started collecting bras, panties, and even hair extensions thrown on stage. Riley said they were going to donate the bras once he learned how expensive they are. Country concerts really are built different.
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Blake Shelton told People magazine that Gwen Stefani is the head chef at home, especially when it comes to Italian food. Blake says her lasagna takes all day to make, but he’d eat it for the rest of his life. Somewhere, an Oklahoma grill is quietly weeping, but love is love. And apparently love tastes like lasagna.
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