September PCH Corral

corral

pch

Parkway Central High School 369 N. Woods Mill Road, Chesterfield, MO 63017 Volume 60, Issue 1 Sept. 30, 2015

Security system adopted pg. 3 New principal joins staff pg. 5 Streaming crisis continues pg. 17

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How many activities can students handle? pg. 12

contents

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02 corral Sept. 30, 2015

Photo Issue of the

At 6 a.m. on Sept. 4, while some students were still asleep, a handful of students came out to show support for the football team.

“This morning we got hyped before the game tonight against north and channel five news came out to video us,” Josh Konecek (12) said.

Along with the students, a number of groups around the school showed their support too.

“Cheerleaders came out, Dance Team came out, band came out, along with some fellow students and football players, and we all had a good time before our game tonight,” football player DeAndre Campbell said.

Read more online at: parkwaynews.net/corral

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contents

Parking pass cost increases pg. 4 Teachers added to community pg. 8 Athletes spend summer months practicing pg. 14

Runner ties school record pg. 16

Alex’s Appetite: Pie Five Pizza pg. 18

corral 03 Sept. 30, 2015

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news

Melvin Griffin assumes new security position News

Tidbits

Students awarded national orchestra honors

Leaving school early during the school day

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I will run into Mr. Griffin!

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Coming to school late

Going to my car throughout the day Passing the upper commons during the school day

JP BYRNE AND KAYLA BENJAMIN Staff Writer and Features Editor @Byrne_in_Rubber / @pchcorral

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ttempting to increase and solidify security, the school added a buzzer system at the front door and hired Melvin Griffin to be the new security assistant.

“It’s a brand-new created position, so we’re kind of building it as we go along, and I’m sure at some point the school will be even more secure,” Griffin said. “But I love it, absolutely love it. I want to be instrumental in seeing it take off.”

With people coming and going frequently during the day, the job keeps Griffin busy. He monitors the front doors, making sure everyone who walks in is supposed to be there, and ensures that all visitors sign in.

“This is probably the beginning stages of making the school environment safe for students,” Griffin said.

He also greets people as they come into the building, directs parents to the correct offices, and takes lunches and other forgotten items for students to collect.

“I am doing something I can go home and feel proud about,” Griffin said. “Students are really important to me. It makes me feel good that I did something to contribute to them being safe.”

Griffin’s qualifications for the job include both a background in security and a strong connection

to the school.

He spent six years in the Marine Corps, seven years in the Navy reserves as a military police officer with the St. Louis City Police, and 27 years in executive protection with Anheuser-Busch.

“I never expect trouble, but you have to be prepared and trained if trouble should arise,” Griffin said.

After retiring, Griffin went on to become a substitute teacher at his wife’s suggestion.

“I loved substitute teaching here,” Griffin said.

“I have a son who went to Parkway Central, so of all the schools where I substitute teach, Parkway is close to me. I love it here; I love the students, the teachers, and if they asked me to do this for free, I would. That’s just where my heart is.”

From his years as a substitute, he is wellknown and beloved around school.

“I’m so excited and thrilled, because he was a wonderful substitute and has a great background,” social studies teacher Susan King said. “He is approachable by staff and students alike.”

But there have been some concerns, primarily from the student body, about the implications the new position has for leaving the building during school hours, and about whether the new security is necessary or helpful.

“It doesn’t matter if there’s a new security system in place because people are still going to find a way to leave without checking out,” sophomore Nick Grove said.

Leaving with a Colt Pass during Academic Lab

photo courtesy of Joseph Bradley

Four students in the orchestra were accepted into the National Association For Music Education All-National Honors Orchestra: Sharanya Kumar (viola) Jinghang Zhang (violin) Gajan Kumar (violin) Lucas Shanker (cello)

Picking something up that was dropped off in the front office for me

Griffin says he isn’t surprised by the reaction.

“When you make changes to anything, there’s always some resistance,” he said. “But the world changes; we have to change with it and be proactive.”

Parkway required that a buzzer be put in the front doors of each high school this year. The elementary and middle schools already have the system, and it has been working well there, according to administrators.

“The buzzer was something that the district felt like every school should have, and they asked us to put that in, so we put that in,” assistant principal Chris Dallas said.

The new security measures are certainly an adjustment, but they are a significant step toward a safer building, Dallas said.

“With the farthest door from the office being unlocked for handicap accessibility, people were coming in and out of the far door, and they weren’t necessarily checking in at an office,” Dallas said. “We want to make sure that all our students are safe and we know who’s coming into our building.”

According to Griffin, having information about who is entering or leaving is necessary to keep up with a rapidly changing world.

“Security is a priority in our neighborhood, in our schools, and just in our environment,” Griffin said.

New fan club created “Red Thunder” is the new official super fan club for the Colts. In order to join the club, a $20 membership fee is required.

In return, members will receive a Red Thunder t-shirt and free rides on pep buses for various games throughout the year. The first 100 fans to sign up will also receive a set of thunder sticks.

National Merit Semifinalists named Nine students were selected as semifinalists in The National Merit Scholarship Program, an academic competition for the recognition and scholarships that are open to all high school students.

Gajan Kumar Sharanya Kumar Simran Panwar Eleni Schmitt Abigail Urnes Naomi Urnes Jennifer Wayland Joshua Yang Jinghang Zhang

Fun Run series returns The Parkway Fun Run Series began on Sept. 26 with the Pancake Run at Central.

Each run is designed to encourage physical activity and is open to all ages. Three more races, one each at West, North and South will occur throughout the school year. Each race is $15 or $30 for the entire series. A free dry-fit t-shirt is included for those who complete the entire series.

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features

Luckett Leaps to Leadership SIERRA DOWNING Staff Member @sierraerra__

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Assistant Principal Shenita Luckett talks to student while she watches over first lunch on Sept. 15. Photo by Sierra Downing.

s a new assistant principal supervising sophomores, Shenita Luckett is adapting to the high school setting and kids, as they keep her on her feet.

Luckett initially heard about the assistant principal job -- open with Carletta Harlan’s retirement -- from a district email.

“I always wanted to get into leadership opportunities,” Luckett said.

Even though Luckett isn’t new to the district, she is new to the high school schedule.

Luckett worked as a sixth and eighth grade English teacher at Southwest Middle and then at Northeast Middle.

Despite this change, Luckett said the Central community has been very welcoming to her, showing her how things work and where she fits into the busy daily

schedule.

“Everyone has been helpful explaining different procedures like the CAB schedule,” Luckett said.

Having experience within Parkway but not high school, Luckett has started to set goals for herself as well as the kids she encounters on the daily basis.

“I want to get to know every student, teacher and build relationships along the way,” Luckett said.

Her long-term goal is wanting every sophomore to graduate. She wants to connect to every student on a more personal level to ensure that they feel comfortable talking to her and also understand why she is on top of them and their grades.

“She takes initiative when you aren’t doing something right,” sophomore Haley Johnson said. “She comes to you and tries to see what she can do to improve your grades.”

“She takes initiative when you aren’t doing something right. She comes to you and tries to see what she can do to improve your grades.”

-- Haley Johnson, sophomore.

Freshmen adapt to new phase of school SAMMY WEBER Staff Writer @webers8817

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ew freshmen didn’t know what to expect for their first year of high school, there are big changes from being a middle schooler to becoming a high schooler. Many freshmen have adjusted to high school and they have partially witnessed the full depths of high school in their first couple of weeks.

“I expected high school to be big and scary,” freshman Felina Deck said. A lot of freshmen really saw the differences of middle school to high school. Deck talked about the changes of being a middle schooler to becoming a high schooler.

“High school is so much bigger, there are more things to do, and there are much better ways to get involved,” Deck said. Those are not the only differences of being a middle schooler to becoming a high schooler. One of the many differences is the work that has to be done in class to get good grades and to do well in school so one could graduate.

“There is more work, and there is less teacher one on one help,” freshman Will Peacock said. But many are excited for their first year of high school and they want to see how they will do in their high school career.

“I’m ready for a new experience and a new environment,” freshman Andrew Pottinger said. Pottinger looks forward to getting to know students in other grades and to get to know all the teachers and administration at Parkway Central.

“In high school I am surrounded by many different variety of people,” Pottinger said. Many freshmen this year will get lost in school and/or start to do bad in their classes. That’s where freshmen class principal Chris Dallas comes in to help.

Freshmen Sami Sanderson, Blake Kraizer, Jake Gaby, and Katie Kertzman socialize with other freshman during lunch on September 17,2015. Photo by “I try to make the freshmen feel welcomed and I give them resources to do well,” Dallas said. “I give them encouragement to go get help and to do well.” But Sammy Weber.

Freshmen have a wide variety of what they like in high school and have many different activities he also recognizes that they will have some major challenges throughout the year. that they can do during the time that they are in high school.

“One big challenge is more academics,” Dallas said. “In middle school there wasn’t much home“My favorite thing about high school is having soccer after school because it gets me involved,” work, there is more challenges to do well in High school.” Dallas thinks all in all that the freshmen freshman Blake Kraizer said. Pottinger is liking high school now and is excited for his future to come in have done pretty well in high school so far and they now understand what high school is all about. high school.

“They have done pretty well,” Dallas said. “They understand the policies and they have learned “The freedom is great,” Pottinger said. about school through the class meetings.” Dallas does all he can do to help the freshmen have a super-duper time in high school.

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features

P ARKING PROBLEMS Rise in parking costs raises questions W

ith parking pass prices increased by $10, students began to ask quetions about why there needed to be district-wide conformity.

This summer, all of the top administrators from each school gathered together in order to settle this disparity in prices.

“The group consented to a $10 increase, and I think part of why we were OK with that is just recognizing that with some of the neighboring school districts it is still significantly below,” Principal Tim McCarthy said, “and we recognize it is still a moderately priced expense when compared to other districts.”

McCarthy stated that part of the reason for the cost is what that money is used for.

“Security cost is really the primary expenditure,” McCarthy said.

The school is paying for the increased costs of security workers with the extra money from parking passes.

School budgets from 2012 to 2015 show that the majority of money collected by the parking passes is being put toward a secondary police officer and the physical tags themselves. During the 2014-15 school year, students collectively spent $24,345 for parking passes. However, the school still spent $5,152 more than that on security; a charge of $16 more than last year’s parking pass ($91) would have paid that deficit.

While many students are frustrated with the increase in costs of leaving their car on the school lot each day, one group is even more upset at the amount of money a pass costs.

Students who attend Central for a partial day and spend the rest of the school day at South Tech or another learning venue still pay the same amount for a parking pass as students who are in school all day.

“I go to the Lindenwood campus and come in halfway through the day,” senior Joanna Kolker said. “And yet I still pay $85.”

A small group of students has discovered an alternative to paying $85 a year to park on campus: parking on the Aish HaTorah community center lot.

“We have an arrangement with Jewish Student Union,” the leader of Aish HaTorah said, “that during the day, we have allotted a certain amount of spots for members in JSU, but we do not run the organization.”

JSU students appreciate the perk and state that it isn’t hard to receive the benefit of free parking.

“You have to go to the Jewish Student Union meetings either after school on Monday or Wednesday nights at Starbucks,” junior Zoe Tesser said. “You can also donate money to Aish HaTorah, but they really just want people to go to the meetings to be aware of certain issues -- and you don’t have to be Jewish for it.”

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Pass costs by St. Louis area high school

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100

50

Ch am in ad e$ Ki rk 5 w oo d $2 Pa 0 tto nv ill e$ 20 W eb ste r$ 50 D eS St m .C et ha $5 rle 0 sW es t$ 50 St .C ha rle Pa s$ rk 50 w ay W Pa es rk t$ w 85 ay So ut Pa h $8 rk 5 w ay N Pa o th rk w $8 ay 5 C en tr al $8 5 La du e$ 10 0 CB C $1 M 00 ar qu et te $1 La 80 fe ye tte $1 80

PIPER ROTHER AND JP BYRNE Entertainment Editor and Staff Writer @thepiedPIPER26 @Byrne_in_Rubber

Parking Lot By the Numbers Open Spots

Expired Passes

= 31 cars

= 5 cars

No Passes = 28 cars Key:

= 5 Cars

During the week of Sept.

14-18, we tallied the open spaces in the lot, cars without passes and cars with passes from last school year. This is an average of our count throughout the week.

We recognize that this data may not account for visitor overflow parking, absent students or those who attend Central for only a partial day.

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news

Morning

Movement Groups participate in friday a.m. pep rally for ksdk 1

PIPER ROTHER Entertainment Editor @thepiedPIPER26

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4 1. Sophomore Abigail Flynn plays the marimba during the marching band’s performance at the morning pep rally on Sept. 4 for KSDK News.

2. Junior Nathan Sellers plays the mellophone with the marching band while showing off his Hawaiian attire.

3. Senior Brandon Nathanson holds a poster of fellow senior and football player Tyler Rosen at the before school pep rally.

4. Seniors Mia Knowles, Zoe Raft, Jessie Mayer, and Carlie Burns perform with the varsity cheerleaders.

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5. Varsity dancers junior Alexa Elfanbaum, sophomore Alyssa Kendrick, senior Elyssa Beilenson, senior Jessica Randall and senior Bobbi Throckmorton perform with the marching band.

6. Senior Michael Caradine, freshman Myori Felix and freshman Claudia Sanders eat donuts in the stands while watching the pep rally. Donuts were provided to everyone who participated.

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features

‘Dressing’ for Homecoming DANIEL ROMAN Staff Writer @danielroman1999

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reaking through the ballot for the first time in several years, Salad Dressing is the theme for this year’s homecoming dance.

“I’m really excited because I think it’s a different way to look at homecoming,” Sarah Lueken, Student Council advisor and business teacher said. “It really shows each class’s creativity.”

The theme is a first in school history and has taken around six years to finally be voted on. Each class will have a different subtheme based on a different kind of dressing.

Freshman will take Thousand Island Dressing, sophomores going for House Dressing, juniors doing Ranch, and seniors with Caesar. The different themes will serve as an basis for Spirit Week with how the classes will dress up for their Dressing. The Spirit Week this year will be comprised of ‘Merica Monday, Tie Dye Tuesday, Class Colors (Wednesday), Class Theme (Thursday), and School Spirit (Friday).

“I’m excited to see how people get creative with the House Dressing theme,” sophomore class president Tim Kodner said.

Another aspect of homecoming some students are looking forward to are experiencing the dance in a new way, whether they’re newly upperclassmen or freshmen, or have just transferred to the school.

“Finally being an upperclassman at an event that I’ve been to as an underclassman, it’ll be different,” junior Karis Kim said.

Salad dressing might have received mixed reviews at first, but now it is an upcoming prospect students are excited to experience.

“I thought [Salad Dressings] was a joke… it sounded stupid, but now I kinda like it because you get to dress up as different cul-

tures,” freshman Avery Cooper said.

This year’s theme has also earned reception from areas outside of the school community.

“I heard somebody who had a daughter who went to a different school and they told their parent who is a staff member here, ‘Central’s homecoming theme is Salad Dressing?’ and I heard that and I was like, ‘Yeah!

That’s right,’” Head Principal Tim McCarthy said.

McCarthy, along with others, also expressed his admiration towards the Student Council and the work they do to make school events like this happen and expand school spirit.

“We have such a strong, sound Student Council group that really it shows throughout all of our events,” Lueken said. “Our homecoming week would not be what it is without them.”

Aside from the dance and week itself, there is the Homecoming game and pep rally to look forward to. The Homecoming game will take place on October 2nd at 7:00pm at the school and the homecoming court will also be announced during the game. The pep rally will also be that same day towards the end of school and will feature something special.

“We’re gonna have a surprise at the pep rally,” Lueken said. “Nobody knows but we’re very excited about it.”

Overall, the whole Homecoming occasion is a time to be shared with friends and an opportunity to express school spirit with the help of Salad Dressing.

“I’m happy that it’s finally the theme,” Kodner said. “Now that we’re able to do it I think we’re gonna make the most out of it and there’s gonna be a lot of enthusiasm for it. I think it’s gonna be the best theme in a while.”

Juniors Mathew Whay and Megan Wallace show off their ranch outfits during the fashion show on Sept. 25.

Juniors Zach Goldberg and Rachel Bernstein show their white outfits for color day.

Seniors Brandon Nathanson and Jessie Msyer strike a pose to show off the color for the senior class, black.

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

‘Merica Monday

Tie Dye Tuesday

Class Colors

Class Theme

School Spirit

Class Themes: Freshman - Thousand Island Sophomores- House Dressing Juniors- Ranch Seniors- Caesar

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features

New teachers bring talents, passions to halls Mattie Rudolph gets excited for fresh experiences KAYLA BENJAMIN Features Editor

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nglish teacher Mattie Rudolph joined the staff this year, and her enthusiasm for trying new things translates easily into her love for her new job.

“The students are incredibly intelligent and hardworking from what I’ve seen so far,” Rudolph said. “Also, my co-workers are amazing resources and incredibly helpful and collaborative. I absolutely love it here!”

Though the start of the school year at a new school can be a challenge, Rudolph really enjoys working at PCH because people, especially students, have been very supportive of her transition, so much so that she was even a little surprised.

“I can’t get over how nice everybody is, how kind everyone has been, especially my students-how understanding they’ve been that I’m new,”

Joseph Bradley moves up from middle school MIKE CONGER Staff Writer @mike_unifish

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any of the current freshman will have Joseph Bradley as a teacher for seven years in a row. After teaching at Central Middle for over a decade, Mr. Bradley said goodbye to the middle school and hello to a new era.

“After Mrs. Crock announced that she was retiring, the amount of emails and people in the hallways, truly everywhere people were asking, ‘Would you consider moving to the high school?’” Bradley said. “So after thinking about it, and talking to my wife, and coming to the high school to observe all of the classes, I made the decision to move up here.”

Many new teachers find the beginning of the school year to be a. However, Bradley says the transition has been easier than most because he is familiar with his students already. In fact, all but one of Bradley’s students are his former students.

“It felt like, on the first day of teaching, we could go ahead and start playing,” Bradley said. “The process of spending time getting to know every student and where they are musically, that felt like that’s already taken care of; and that was very, very good.”

Despite the many similarities in his old and new classrooms, Bradley says the biggest difference is in the pace.

“It feels here like we are driving on the highway,” Bradley said. “It feels like in the middle school, I’m driv-

ing down the neighborhood, it’s a little more relaxed; but here, there’s no time to waste -- everything is very very quick. You have to be constantly doing something, doing something to keep up.”

This fast pace can be seen in his honors-level Music Theory class and the capabilities of the advanced students he now teaches.

“I have a theory class, a piano class -- and that’s challenging,” Bradley said. “The theory class is an AP class, and we move very quickly in very advanced material. These are students that are playing at a very very high level, almost better than many colleges and universities. So you have a big challenge as a teacher to meet the standards of that group.”

Bradley is not phased, however. He is passionate about this school year, and all it has to offer.

“I want to learn the job well, and gain that first year of experience here at Central,” Bradley said. There are a lot of truly neat activities that I will get to do. I think it’s going to be a very meaningful year, and a very rewarding experience; I’m looking forward to the whole thing.”

Outside of the classroom, Bradley can often be found with his six kids.

“I have one in college and five younger ones,” Bradley said.

When he can he’s not with his children or his students, Bradley likes to spend his time on the water.

“If I get a break, what I like to do actually is go sailing,” Bradley said. “I’m a sailor, and I have a boat on the Mississippi, and I enjoy that a whole lot.”

Rudolph said. “They’re helping me get used to the new scheduling and Ac Lab; I can’t get over friendly and helpful, even the students, have been.”

Even outside of school, Rudolph has a passion for learning and having new experiences. She has taken an art and a cooking class, and next year will be taking a class to get a higher degree in education.

“I love to go to classes that are outside of my field, so I get to know a little bit more about other things that are just more fun and relaxed than English,” Rudolph said.

Rudolph takes her passion beyond the classrooms and has fun finding new and exciting adventures in sports and around St. Louis with her husband.

“I’m pretty active; I am part of a softball team,” Rudolph said. “I don’t have kids yet, so I spend most of my time with my husband and my dog and our friends. Lately we have been exploring the St. Louis area; we love to go to new restaurants, we love to try new things.”

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features

Facts about the new faces on campus Rick Halteman Math teacher

Before this year: taught at Wright City high school for four years Can usually be found: cooking playing tennis coaching football cheering for the Broncos Excited about: new challenges the opportunity to help students reach their potential

Maureen Ruiz del Arbol Spanish teacher

Before this year: taught at Parkway North

Kemba Metropoulos English teacher

Before this year: practiced law for 10 years taught at McCluer North Can usually be found: running shopping spending time with her 11-month-old son Excited about: starting Mock Trial Club

Paul Hussmann Counselor

Before this year: worked at Wells Fargo for five years went back to school for his Masters in counseling

Can usually be found: doing Spin at the gym getting her three kids to all their activities taking graduate level classes Excited about: working with the other Spanish teachers

Annie Perez Spanish Teacher

Can usually be found: with his dog, Bandit staying active

Before this year: taught spanish in Cape Girardau

Excited about: having a full year in one position

Can usually be found: travelling exercising being outdoors

possibly getting into coaching a sport at PCH

Excited about: seeing excellent grades on all the final exams getting to know her students better Profiles compiled by Kayla Benjamin

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features

Foo fighters perform for students, teachers Libby Archer Staff Writer @libbyarcher1

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he Foo Fighters concert on Wednesday, Aug. 19 at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre was enjoyed by both students and staff.

“Great energy,” Ms. Terri O’Leary said. “I was down in the seats and people were standing the whole time. It was rocking.”

O’Leary has been listening to them for about 20 years and loved the atmosphere of the concert. Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre is separated into the seats, which are closer to the stage and more expensive, and the lawn, a cheaper area people can bring chairs and blankets to.

“It was a little cramped and smelly,” sophomore Eyde Hansen said.

Edye and her twin Carlye Hansen had lawn seats but both said they had an awesome experience seeing a band they had been listening to since they were little.

Right as the concert began the rain began as well.

“When it started raining I thought they were going to cancel it and got really scared,” Hansen said. “But then the rain stopped and a rainbow came out.”

Sophomore Lain Sherstoff wasn’t able to find tickets until it was too late and was stuck watching outside the venue.

“Dave Grohl is my spirit animal”, Sherstoff said. “I wasn’t even tired the next day because I was still so pumped.”

Since the concert was on a Wednesday night the week after school started, it caused a little extra tiredness the next day for most.

“I would rather it be during the weekend,” O’Leary said. “But I love live music so much that I couldn’t miss this experience.”

For most bands, having an injured musician would be enough to stop touring all together, but for the Foo Fighters it was just enough to name their tour after it. During the opening set Dave Grohl, the lead singer and guitarist, opened the show by projecting a video of himself falling off the stage and breaking his leg at one of his concerts this summer.

“My favorite part was when he showed videos of himself falling,” O’Leary said. “He

basically just made fun of himself.”

Grohl played on a “throne” which had lights around it and moved across the stage as he played. Even with an immobilized leader, Foo Fighters still rocked the house.

“I never wanted to leave.” Sherstoff said.

Upcoming STL concerts: Sun, Oct. 4: Ariana Grande Scottrade Center Mon, Oct. 5: Royal Blood The Ready Room Tue, Oct.13: Chance The Rapper The Pageant Mon, Oct 19: Passion Pit The Pageant Wed, Oct. 28: New Politics The Pageant Sat, Oct. 31: Twenty One Pilots Chaifetz Arena Wed, Nov. 11: Sleeping With Sirens Chaifitz Arena

Buy your 2016 yearbook online

yearbookordercenter.com Prices go up Jan. 1 $55 online Order number: 17225

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entertainment

Rapid Responses to Quick Questions ALEX KAISER Staff Writer @AlexKaiser22

Best part of Summer

Go to pump up song

Favorite Breakfast food

Dream job

Jayden Littlejohn (9)

Visiting family in Ohio

“Friend of Me” - Stunt Taylor

Pancakes

Criminal justice detective

Felina Deck (9)

Not having school

“Hit the Quan” - IheartMemphis

Everything bagel

Journalist

Kelli Kinran (10)

Working at camp

“Hips Don’t Lie” - Shakira

Pop-tarts

Dermatologist or Mr. Johnson

Chase Coleman (10)

Going to Orlando

“YOGI” - Burial ft. Pusha T (Skrillex Remix)

Apple Jacks

Youtuber

Ethan Guller (11)

Going to Israel

“No Sleep” - Wiz Khalifa

Bacon, egg and cheese biscuit

“Fireball” - Pitbull

Omelette

Simona Koverman (12)

Going to Mexico

Entrepreneur

Get paid to travel

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cover story

Sept. 30, 2015

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students look for balance in activities, life

KATE MCNEAL AND JEFFREY EIDELMAN Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor @kateisgreat11, @jeffey44

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chool sports practice. Club sports practice. Debate. Robotics club. Three AP classes. Honors societies. Students challenge how much is possible, and reasonable, to fit into their schedules. Where’s the line?

DEFINING INVOLVEMENT

In an effort to do it all, students commit themselves to any number of activities, risking health and the ability to fully dedicate themselves to an activity.

“I’m really stressed all the time,” junior Jessie Goldberg said.

“I don’t sleep. I tell myself I’m not allowed to let my grades suffer and my parents agree that I’m not allowed to let my grades suffer because of every extracurricular I do, but they also see how stressed I am, and they don’t like that because I don’t have time in my life for anything else.”

Goldberg plays softball, is an active member of her youth group, is vice president of International Thespian Society, takes dance classes, is in accelerated math and two honors classes and has several other smaller commitments.

“I like to think I can manage my time,” Goldberg said. “I get my homework done and when sleep comes, it comes - but it’s sort of thrown out the window.”

Senior Kayla Hodge is a drum major of the marching band, an editor-in-chief of the yearbook, is involved with her church and Youth Leadership St. Louis, and takes three Advanced Placement classes. According to Hodge, the commitment for her activities extends past the scheduled time. As drum major, she is a conductor and leader for the rest of the band, which takes more time than being another member of the group.

“I never practiced before being drum major,” Hodge said. “You have to be perfect. You have to lead by example at all times.”

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Balancing act

articipating in so many activities brings the challenge of balancing all of them. There comes a need to prioritize, but deciding what matters the most can also be a challenge.

“I’m not in a position where I can give anything up right now, and for senior year if I’m applying for colleges I can’t be doing all these activities, plus honors societies where I have to get community service hours,” Goldberg said. “It’s not physically possible and it’s too mentally straining.”

When facing the difficulty of prioritizing, Hodge reminds herself to think ahead.

“Sometimes it’s like, ‘Do I want to sleep, or do I want to read this AP Lit homework?’” Hodge said. “You just have to make your decision. I used to beat myself up over getting a bad grade or not being able to do something, and I tell myself, ‘OK, you messed up this time, but you can do better.’ You always have to look forward to the next time and not focus on the present as much because you’re going to mess up, but you have to recover.”

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HOW IT ALL STARTED

variety of factors can play a role in choosing activitie nior Michael Caradine plays soccer, is on Student Co is a Boy Scout working to become an Eagle Scout, an member of the National Society for Black Engineers. Caradi become involved partly as a way to defy stereotypes.

“I don’t want to be seen as just my race; I want to be seen what I do,” Caradine said. “My activities shape me because o things I do and all the people I meet. You get to meet more and become more diverse.”

Hodge attributes her involvement to a goal of being well ed and advises that high school is more enjoyable with lots o activities.

“I wanted to get in where I could and do things that I lik Hodge said. “Just classwork, it doesn’t develop you all aroun person - and it’s pretty boring.”

According to Hodge, while it is hard to balance so many ties, it is worth it.

“I think the biggest impact is that I can say I’m a good le Hodge said. “I love doing these things and when you enjoy s thing you become more passionate about it, and it’s like a do effect. You just put everything you have into it.”

S

STOPPING POINT

aying “no” to more commitments when activities becom overwhelming can also bring a challenge for teens.

“I do say no when I know that I have to say no, but been doing it forever, which in the case of most of these act can’t say no because I want to keep it going,” Goldberg said.

Goldberg has learned to turn down extra commitments w she is unable to keep up with the things that are most impor her.

“I think there are definitely priorities,” Goldberg said. “I where I dedicate the most time, and sometimes other things but I will never let grades suffer or family anything suffer.”

Hodge believes in turning down new opportunities for th of her overall well-being.

“Sophomore year I felt like I had to say yes to everything disappointing people wasn’t the right thing to do,” Hodge sa been saying no to a few things this year, and sometimes it h because you don’t want to get too busy because that’s not a g life either.”

Caradine said he has found a balance in his activities by practical about how much is possible to take on.

“I think as long as you enjoy it, you can always do as man activities as you want as long, as you can handle it,” Caradin “When you’re not able to give as much as you can in each ac it’s too much.”

W

rECOMMENDED INTAKE

hether it be indulging deeply into a few activitie simply participating in many activities, students and often struggle to find the perfect balance in t

corral 13 Sept. 30, 2015

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Jeanie Grimm, an independent college consultant, believes that students attempt to swamp themselves in activities in order to fit into today’s society.

“It’s a way to meet people,” Grimm, who formerly worked for Harvard and Brown as an admission officer as well as a financial aid consultant for Harvard, said. “To have a sense of purpose and belonging, to test out interests, or to acquire some new skill sets.

Sometimes, students do so because they want a fuller application.”

Honors Geometry teacher and assistant varsity volleyball head coach Nathan Wilson agrees with Grimm but also believes in an external factor that influences students.

“I think parents also have a sense of wanting to push their kids so their kids can get into the best schools,” Wilson said. “Kids have a ton of external pressure from parents, coaches and teachers as well as themselves.”

However, Grimm finds that doing a higher number of activities may not be best for students.

“If a teenager is not able to meet her commitments to an activity, or a teenager is finding that such commitments interfere with his academics, it might be time to evaluate and adjust,” Grimm said.

“It is important to find activities that are meaningful, not to fill one’s resume with activities.”

However, Wilson believes it’s better to be on the more busy side.

“It’s a ‘Catch-22,’” Wilson said. “It’d be better to take more activities so you can learn what your limits are and learn time management. It’s better to start off with too many and then cut. I would not advocate for starting with too many and then staying with too many, which a lot of people do. The ideal situation is you learn about yourself through adversity.”

Grimm understands that it is challenging to find activities students are passionate about.

“At the risk of sounding like Goldilocks, I think it is best to strive for just the right balance,” Grimm said. “It doesn’t mean that every day is exactly the right balance. It means that, over time, the students feel they have delved deeply into some activities, and spent a period of time on those, and that they also find time to do the other things in their lives that matter.”

As someone who mainly works with teenagers applying to college, Grimm notices how difficult it is to find a perfect balance.

“Time management is a skill that develops with experience and intent,” Grimm said. “Sometimes students think they have enough time to do it all and discover they do not.”

For students who aren’t as involved in extracurriculars, Grimm believes it is more due to a lack of knowledge of importance rather than a lack of drive or passion.

“Some students do not discover a place in school where they feel they belong,” Grimm said. “Some students, for example, may be unaccustomed to the American model of a competitive admissions process and may simply not know that an extracurricular profile is important.”

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14 corral Sept. 30, 2015 pch

sports

Memorable Moments

Young team stays focused on post-season goals

Swimming Accomplishing a big personal goal, sophomore Brad Stinnett is pleased with his success this swim season.

“I broke a minute on my hundred freestyle,” Stinnett said. “It took a lot of effort and hard work.”

Football Matt Thomas, junior football player, says his favorite moment so far this season is beating Ladue to overcome the team’s slow start.

“Beating Ladue on our home field was important,” Thomas said.

“Everyone was hyped.”

Players run through “Beat North” banner to boost the energy in the team and student section against Parkway North on September 4th. (Photo by Anthony Zuanich).

Despite losing their first two games, varsity football is confident in their ability to compete and win.

ROBERT SHIFRIN and SIERRA DOWNING Sports Editor and Staff Writer @brightfuturerob and @sierraerra__

D

Boys Soccer

espite the adversity the varsity football team faces this season, they are confident that they can accomplish their goals through hard work and strong leadership.

“We lost some depth, but (Coach Mark) Goldenberg always knows how to put people where they need to go,” junior Miles Sanders said. “I expect that we’re going to get better as the season progresses, and really mesh.”

Although the team is carrying six underclassmen contributors, their roster harbors strong instincts and athleticism.

“Even though we’re young, we know the game of football pretty well,” junior Darius Ramsey said. “We are developing and we’re going to improve.”

Given the young makeup of the team, senior captain Nathan Sanders says he leads by example on the field and expects that his teammates compensate for their disadvantages with hard work and preparation.

“A lot of the guys have to start hydrating,” Sanders said. “In our first game everyone cramped up. You have to be prepared for practice and put in your full effort.”

Full effort has been essential for senior Johnny Hall. Hall had not played football since middle school and made the decision to join the team this fall. Working his way into an important lineman roll, Hall has gained a pivotal position with the team.

Opening their season on a competitive note, the boys soccer team bounced back from a very close loss first game with Priory, which junior Imad Chatouane feels was important for the team’s overall success this fall.

“We picked up our heads and just kept going forward,” Chatouane said.

“We didn’t think about the Priory game, we just moved on.”

Compiled by PCH Publications.

“It feels good to contribute because I could have easily just not played my senior year, and said never mind, but I didn’t think about that and just went and did it,” Hall said.

A determined mindset has been key to the team’s success. Therefore, the coaching staff often places an emphasis on the mental side of football. Notorious for delivering motivational speeches in the locker room prior to games is assistant coach Cameron Poole.

“Coaching for a while, you learn what motivates kids and what gets them going,” Poole said. “Based off of that week of practice and what team we’re playing, I concentrate on certain things that will get the kids riled up.”

Along with energy, the team values accountability.

“No matter what happens you always put in as much effort as you possibly could so you can come away saying ‘I tried my hardest,’” Sanders said.

“No matter what happens you always put in as much effort as you possibly could so you can come away saying ‘I tried my hardest.’”

-Miles Sanders, junior

corral 15 Sept. 30, 2015

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Girls Golf Proving herself as a strong competitor, junior Kathleen Cannon remarks that her fondest highlight of this fall’s golf season is claiming the 2nd place title at the Webster Scramble.

“I felt very excited when we won the scramble and it felt nice to be a part of a winning team.” Cannon said.

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Junior Becca Davis anticipates a trip to State for tennis this fall.

When asked about her highlight of the season, Davis answered, “Hopefully it hasn’t happened yet, because maybe we will get to state.”

taying in shape over the summer isn’t hard when you’re playing a fall sport; a few fall sports start practicing as early as June.

“It’s hard to get up early in the summer but it helps us improve and get better for the season,” sophomore Allison Leven, varsity cross country runner, said.

Cross country practices officially start in July but unofficially start in June. Runners are not required to attend the practices in June, but it is strongly recommended as it helps the athletes get into shape.

“I think that all the kids, if they do a spring sport, they should be able to have some time off, so I usually give two weeks off so the can compress and regroup,” head girls cross country coach Ryan Banta said.

Cross country isn’t the only sport that recommends that you attend the optional summer practices.

“They calm me down for the season because I get really nervous and it helps for tryouts,” junior Olivia Currington, varsity volleyball player said.

Senior Josh Konecek, varsity soccer captain, believes summer practices are a good way to get in shape for your particular sport and that it brings the team together.

A requirement to meet Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) rules is that players must have at least fourteen practices before they can compete in any game, meet, or match.

“I would say it’s fair because you shouldn’t be able to skip practice and be rewarded by playing in a game,” Sophomore DeAndre Campbell, varsity football player said.

Summer practices may be a way to stay in shape over the summer but they are time consuming.

“Studying for ACT, homework and fall baseball gets in the way but I try to work around practices,” junior Josh Konecek said. “A lot of hard work goes into getting ready for the season.”

Softball Showing off her fielding ability, junior Paige Wallis looks back with pride on her assistance in a run saving double play against Parkway West in a tournament this fall.

“Turning that double play gave me a spike of energy and the rush fueled our team to have a strong at bats,” Wallis said.

Compiled by PCH Publications.

16 corral Sept. 30, 2015 pch

sports

Memorable Moments Girls Cross Country

Senior Kara Stark was proud of her cross country team for starting off the season on a positive note.

“There are a lot of very fast people on our team so hopefully every week there will be some new people in the front to help our team,” Stark said. “(Coach Ryan) Banta’s goal coming into the meet was to get 3rd and we ended up getting third place which was awesome.”

Volleyball Creating a competitve atmostphere for the season, the girls volleyball team defeated Webster Groves twice in one week, giving senior Madeline Finkelstein a feeling of pride.

“To be able to beat Webster meant a lot to me, having not beaten them my whole time on varsity,” Finkelstein said. “It was a great moral booster for the team.”

Boys Cross Country Incorporating a sense of determination in practice, senior Michael Bean and the boys cross country team have brought a consistent level of intesity to every practice. ““I’m so proud of the amount of effort everyone’s putting in,” Bean said. “We’re building a sense of camaraderie that should correlate to results.”

Compiled by PCH Publications.

NG BREAKI GROUND Junior ties school 5k record KATE MCNEAL Editor-in-Chief @kateisgreat11

R

unning a 15:52 on a 3.1 mile course, junior Charlie McIntyre tied the school record and achieved a personal goal in the Forest Park Cross Country Festival on Sept.

12.

“It was really exciting; I knew I was close when I crossed the line,” McIntyre said. “I saw the time, and there was a smile on my face.”

McIntyre had been looking forward to running that time all season, and even his entire high school career.

“It’s been a pretty big goal of mine, so I’m happy to check that off the list,” McIntyre said.

McIntyre accomplished the feat on a new Forest Park course that was much hillier than the traditional course -- where Eric Sivill set the record in 2011.

“It felt really good the first 800-1000; not everything went well after that, but I’m happy with how I started,” McIntyre said. “You can’t be mad with a PR (personal record).”

Adam Bergeron, head boys cross country coach, said that the team was ecstatic when McIntyre broke the record.

“I raised my arms and yelled, ‘Yay!” Bergeron said. “It was pretty exciting; you don’t see that very often.”

Feeling the need to excel, McIntyre spent time in the off-season preparing.

“I ran 1,000 miles this summer, so that really helped me get a good endurance base,” McIntyre said.

According to Bergeron, the miles McIntyre put in the summer were a big factor in his success, along with the overall effort McIntyre has put in.

blind athlete completes first cross country race KATE MCNEAL Editor-in-Chief @kateisgreat11

P

ushing through his nerves step by step, freshman Seyoon Choi participated in his first cross country race in the Parkway Central Invitational on his home campus on Sept. 19 -- even though he is visually impaired.

“I was very nervous,” Choi said. “It was very competitive and fun. Someone was right behind me.”

Running 2.4 miles alongside guide Amanda Kraft, Choi completed the race in under 30 minutes.

Working out with the team every day after school, Choi has gotten comfortable to the distance as well as to the terrain of the trails behind school.

On race day, that comfort was helped by adrenaline, as Choi admits that the crowd motivated him to not slow down.

“The more they cheered, the more my legs moved.”

Choi ran the race, and runs during practice, with a guide.

“Since I can’t see, she lets me know about turns, dips, and hills,” Choi said.

Choi joined the cross country team just wanting to try it out because it sounded cool, and plans to continue.

“I want to continue getting in shape for next year,” Choi said.

corral 17 Sept. 30, 2015

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entertainment

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Mike’s Music of the Month

The Streaming Crisis

streaming is in danger, but the music must play on NOAH WEIDNER Staff Writer @FUTURTOPIA

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here has always been an appreciation for music, especially in our generation, and in light of recent developments in media, the ability to access content has largely increased. This increase in accessibility has brought us new artists, new business, and in turn: big innovation. The effective growth of new companies and startups based around music has drastically shaped the way we go about viewing anything, whether that be visual content, audio content, or other mediums.

A common theme in music has been the growth of music streaming. These websites and others like it have brought forth new methods to distribute and share music. However, these developments have not been warmly received. Record labels have been quick to dismiss the profitability of streaming, citing their diminishing industry profits and sales. Streaming companies have argued that they are paying their fair share of royalties. In both regards, neither side is giving up their fight.

Since 2013, physical CD and digital album sales have shrunk, on average, more than 10 percent. This has been a constantly declining figure since the early 2000s.

But on the other hand, audio streaming has grown 54 percent in user consumption since the previous year of 2013. Streaming giant Spotify now reports 75 million active users and 20 million paying subscribers monthly.

As you’d assume, this implies that Spotify and companies like it are profitable. However, per-stream payments are still far from equal to the average royalty payment for radio (32 cents).

Yet, in this drastically changed payment model, independent labels and artists have flourished on streaming services and communities. These organizations have proven successful and profitable, and though their model is not as practical as the mass marketing methodology major record labels have employed, it is working.

Music collectives like Hegemon and the AIA actively are assisting artists in building fan presences on large music communities & streaming sites. This trend of music collectives has really taken off in a move to shift the industry’s direction in favour of the artists, rather than the financials.

So, artists and innovators alike back the notion that streaming has potential. It just requires tweaking to make the balance between earnings and listens fair for both streaming sites and labels. However, there is the chance that these financial tweaks won’t be made. The future

of streaming hangs in the balance and it relies simply on major cooperation between labels and streaming companies. So, should it fail, we might be dealing with a consequential demise of accessible streaming. So, of course one has to ask: should we be entrusting our libraries, our music tastes and allegiance to these suites for audio?

If you’d care to be paranoid, then the answer is no.

One might say that uncertainty is enough validation to cage yourself and your “vintage CDs”, and downloaded music, in your basement and avoid all forms of new technology. You might even have a valid point in saying that.

Because, in some regard, we have witnessed a number of sizeable streaming companies like Megaupload and Napster have their heyday and then proceed to collapse soon thereafter. This is not a limited case of incidents: this is the recent history for modern art and the creative industry.

Ambitious innovators set out to give the people easier ways to access content and people don’t realize the consequences of this. There is, understandably, a concern with new technologies and standards. Something that unfortunately plagues labels. Music executives still only see money, earnings and potential for money. But we, as music fans and lovers, see money as just one form of pay-

“There are other currencies through which we can express our admiration for artists’ work.”

Mike Conger Staff Writer @Mike_Unifish

I’m known by many names. “Magic Mike,” “DJ Unifish,” “Big Mike,” but most importantly, “Music Mike.” This is because I listen to more music, and know more about modern music than anyone you’ve ever met. You’re reading Mike’s Music of the Month.

The Social Experiment

Warm Enough

As we all wait patiently for Chance the Rapper’s debut album, he continues to tease listeners with music from his band, The Social Experiment. Chance, J. Cole, and Noname Gyspy lay easy verses across a smooth, acoustic beat.

Chelsea Wolfe

Survive

Chelsea Wolfe, folk-metal artist, released a new album last month chock full of nocturnal tracks. Survive is dark and angry, and the music on this album is a perfect introduction to chilly October nights and the first frost of the season.

FKA Twigs

In Time

Those unacquainted with FKA Twigs need to familiarize themselves with her experimental style of RnB as soon as possible. There’s no easy way to characterize Twigs’ music, but new EP, M3LL15X, is a great place to dive into her world of experimental RnB.

Alessia Cara ment among others. Though money is the most effective form of payment, at least to executives, there are other currencies that are nearly as valuable as money: a thanks, a like, a repost or tweet. An individual investment in the things we love might benefit others enough to convince them to continue entertaining us. Eventually, there might be a point where the executives wake up and adhere to this new era in music distribution.

We’re amidst a digital musical renaissance. Through streaming and the internet, new ways to access music, and other forms of content, are quickly emerging. No doubts linger that this present conflict between labels and streaming companies will persist, as conflict over money regularly does. However, what is of utmost importance is that we, as fans, continue admiring artists by thanking them, by purchasing their work, but most importantly, offering support through the most effective currency: our attention.

Here

Alessia Cara signed to Def Jam Records when she was eighteen years old. Now she’s nineteen and she’s released her debut EP, Four Pink Walls to widespread acclaim. Here is a track that offers solidarity to those who appreciate a tight-knit group of friends.

Josh Mannis

Dream Girl

Parkway Central’s very own Josh Mannis took a trip to a professional recording studio recently, and walked out with a brand new single, Dream Girl. The song has a clean sound reminiscent of Michael Buble, and is undoubtedly the best song he has released to date.

Travi$ Scott

Antidote

Like the climate of his hometown Houston, this new Travi$ Scott track is foggy and heavy.

Antidote is currently in the #2 position on SoundCloud’s trending music. 6 singles, 2 mixtapes, and many months after his intial debut, Scott has released his debut album, Rodeo.

18 corral Sept. 30, 2015 pch

entertainment

Alex’s Appetite

Tuscan chicken

Pie “3”: Pizzeria taste doesn’t warrant five-star label ALEX LANSON Social Media Manager @wutangclanson

P Barbecue chicken

Overall Score: 3 out of 5 pizzas

ie Five pizza has a contemporary ambiance with a slightly urban feel for a restaurant placed in the heart of the suburbs.

The one-room restaurant is somewhat dimly lit, with rustic wooden planks on the ceiling supporting the lights.

Walking in you are guided to the ordering station, walking past large pictures of a variety of pizzas on the wall.

Once you decide on a personal pizza, a friendly employee takes your order and starts to make the pizza in front of you, much like many sandwich shops. Once she is done putting the basics on your pizza, it is passed on to the next employee, who puts on your choice of toppings before it is placed in the oven - moving through rapidly and being greeted by another employee, who puts the finishing touches on it.

While this way of making pizzas is incredibly fast and efficient, it caused all of the pizzas to be just slightly above room temperature, not as hot as it should have been.

The Tuscan chicken was one of the best pizzas Pie Five

has to offer. It comes with the a touch of olive oil, mozzarella cheese, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, grilled chicken and a dash of garlic. The spinach and sun-dried tomatoes harmonized well with the garlic and gave the pizza a Southwest zest taste.

The pizza was clearly missing one thing: sauce. The sundried tomatoes could not make up for the lack of sauce. It made the pizza taste slightly dry without any paste to balance out the solids. Despite the recommendation from the menu to put the creation on an artisan thin crust, I suggest picking a “classic pan” crust. The “artisan thin” crust came out slightly burnt, which took away from the overall flavor.

While the Tuscan chicken was exceptional, the barbecue chicken pizza was mediocre at best. It came with barbecue sauce, cheddar cheese, cilantro, onions and -- of course -grilled chicken. The barbecue sauce was overpowering, taking away from the cheese and other ingredients. It tasted very sugary with a ketchup aftertaste.

The pan crust was superb, and the cheddar cheese mixed with mozzarella was a nice touch. With an improved barbecue sauce, the pizza could have been much better.

corral 19 Sept. 30, 2015

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entertainment

Apple announces new devices, software updates NOAH WEIDNER News Writer @FUTURTOPIA

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Apple also confirmed the ‘push date’ for iOS 9, and their new Macintotsh operating system OS X Capitan, for September 16. It has since then been pushed with a plethora of bugs in applications such as Snapchat and Instagram. Mention of the new WatchOS 2 was made but no date was announced.

The phone is now available worldwide retailing at $200 [iPhone 6S] and $300 [iPhone 6S+] on contract.

Apple and T-Mobile have introduced their own payment plans with the new devices and, for the first time ever, you can pay using the new iPhone Upgrade Program starting at $32 a month or the new T-Mobile plan starting at $20 a month.

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alifornia-based company Apple announced two new flagship phones, the iPhone 6S and 6S+, during an event at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco.

The two all new iPhones include an upgraded iSight camera which packs 12 megapixels (4200 by 2800) recording in 4K, allowing for significantly higher resolution video compared to previous models. Enhancements to the aluminum casing of the phone have also been made and by popular demand, Apple has introduced an all new Rose Gold model.

The new phones benefit from a new hardware update called “3D Touch” which introduces a layer of screen-sensitive options. 3D Touch allows for cool alternative-secondary menus and easy preview popups.

Additionally, three new iPads were announced, including an all new iPad Pro geared toward corporate professionals and industry power-users. Accompanying it is the ‘Apple Pencil’, a new $100 piece of hardware which has garnered attention due to it’s price and functionality. Second generation Apple TV with an iOS-esque design was also announced.

Rob’s Movie of the Month ‘Compton’ displays harsh reality

T

PCHtv on YouTube!

Scan at your own risk.

he audience received a thrilling taste of teen reality in Compton, California’s 1980s upon purchasing a ticket to see “Straight Outta Compton”.

The movie depicts the lifestyle of young rappers, taking the viewer through a series of struggles, as well as triumph.

Main character Eric Wright (Eazy E) steals the hearts of the audience members as he rises beyond his drug dealing, gang related lifestyle and becomes a musical icon. His group of reality rap artists, NWA, originally featured Eazy E, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, MC Ren, and DJ Yella.

The portrayal of NWA as a representation of the shine in an incredibly dark community spoke volumes and realized the struggles behind the scenes. NWA’s music itself, though shown to be controversial, sent a roaring message to those unaware of the harsh reality in Compton and

other troubled neighborhoods.

Jason Mitchell and Oshea Jackson Jr. (Ice Cube’s son) played their roles as Eazy E and Ice Cube, respectively, quite miraculously, fitting the script perfectly.

Though violent and X rated at times, “Straight Outta Compton” was a once in a lifetime view. I’d recommend this movie to any curious viewer with a stomach and heart capable of witnessing the truth.

20 corral Sept. 30, 2015 pch

entertainment

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ALEX LANSON Social Media Manager @wutangclanson

Do you think it’s funny?

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Yes

Do you care if they get mad?



DANIEL ROMAN Staff Writer @danielroman1999

Part 1: “The Disappearance of Katherine Greene”



Is it an inside Yes joke?

hey stepped out of their black station cars as an all too familiar feeling overcame them.

A warm breeze accompanied the partners as they seemingly drifted towards the fields behind the school. Detective Leonard O’Brien, a tall, wide-framed, dirty blonde thirty-something and his partner, Martin Hall, an older version of himself with a stockier build and dark hair, had just arrived at their first case, a missing persons endeavor which seemed relatively textbook from the briefing.

As they approached their team at the edge of the clearing, O’Brien veered off to take in his surroundings and review his prior information.

Katherine Greene, a popular senior in High School had been with her friends and boyfriend, Noah Calvin, their prom night a couple days ago.

By dusk the next day, neither of them had returned home and their friends had no idea where they were. Reports from friends said they last saw the couple walking into the woods around 10:30 that night and staff attending the dance hadn’t noticed anything unusual.

“Who have you talked to so far?” asked Hall, standing with the deputies.

“No one, sir.”

O’Brien walked over to his partner, “Let’s head out, I wanna talk to some of her friends… Amy Palmer specifically.”

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Post it!

Amy Palmer was Katie’s best friend and a relatively good lead to start with. She had been staying with Katherine’s family the past couple days as her parents were out of town and she was extremely frightened by the whole situation.

“She’s with the Greene’s, I guess consoling her. We can take a look at her room while we’re there,” added O’Brien.

They packed up and quickly left the school.

To continue reading this chapter, go to www.parkwaynews.net/corral

“Katie had told me that they might be breaking up. You know, since they were going to different schools in the fall and stuff,” Amy started to explain. “He might’ve been mad or something… we haven’t seen him since the morning after either and his parents have no clue where he is.”

The detectives, diligently writing in their notebooks turned to Mrs. Greene.

Do you think we could take a look in Katherine’s room?” asked Hall, already standing up in a hurried fashion.

“Go right ahead,” Mrs. Greene answered. “It’s up the stairs and to your left.”

Hall and O’Brien made their way up and peered in before opening the door. It was a normal teenager’s room and proved a challenge to find anything of value. They looked through closets and dressers, under the bed and in her desk drawers but to no avail. Hall hurriedly looked over the room one last time, seeming eager to leave, but as they were about to walk out O’Brien noticed something in the top corner of the closet, a chest seemingly hidden away.

The detective pulled it down and opened it, a sign reading “If I Go Missing” was taped to the front. Inside it a series of developed photographs were piled together. The images were composed of abandoned buildings, blurry faces, and dark treelines, mysteriously seeming to fit in with the case.

The pair bagged the chest and left the house, thanking the Greens and Amy, as they headed to back to the station to locate the buildings in the photo, they were one hundred percent sure though that the clearing in the picture was the edge of the woods behind the school.

After locating the building in the photo and observing it, the pair decided not to look too much into it, not finding much there initially, but they did call in a forensic team to investigate further. As the night further rolled on, and paperwork crowded the desk space of Hall and O’Brien, the latter decided to leave for home, a wife and two kids waiting for him...

Stay tuned for Part 2 in October!

corral 21 Sept. 30, 2015

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opinions

fully commit to the activities that matter STAFF EDITORIAL @pchcorral

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ossible activities present themselves all over the place: teachers’ constant encouragement to ‘get more involved’, posters lining the hallways, announcements over the intercom--students are ambushed with all the opportunities to participate in the upcoming pep rally, volunteer opportunity, new club, sport tryout, games, auditions, meetings, concerts, shows, bake sales, and so on. And so on. And so on.

And there are so many reasons to participate. One can get roped in by friends and teachers, or just decide that eight different things look like an awful lot of fun. And of course, there is the all-important, perpetual, and terrifying pressure of how to get accepted to the university of one’s choice. While the opportunities for multiple activities are enticing, the detrimental effects of overburdening oneself tend to outweigh the padding given to college applications.

Teenagers often think they are invincible. Whether they think they are capable of texting and driving, blowing their money on food and clothes, or participating in massive amounts of activities while still maintaining good grades and healthy physical patterns, the result is the same. It just can’t be done.

Some teenagers feel a need to fit in socially, excel academically, and shine athletically. They therefore attempt to do all of the above while also entertaining themselves in various other social, academic, athletic, or religious hobbies. People often fill their schedules with back-toback activities as they strive to do

it all.

In doing this, however, teens often risk both their mental and physical health. An immense amount of pressure is placed on teens who play in high school sports, not to mention the stress added by academics. Throw in debate, dance or youth group, and the tension becomes harmful to health.

When makes too many commitments, the things they are dedicated to tend to suffer right along with the person trying to do them. For example, if a person signs up for two activities that both meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4:00pm, then that person will likely alternate which activity to go to. The student is forced to give both activities only half the time and effort needed to be truly successful in either of them--and now the student has double the stress.

Additionally, a lack of sleep tends to be a large issue for many over-involved high school students. If one has school for seven hours of the day, followed by a two and a half hour practice, followed by something such as club dance for two hours, then not only will that person be physically fatigued, he will be mentally exhausted. Add dinner, homework and studying, then that person has no time to relax or even sleep. As homework piles up, bedtime tends to be pushed back later and later--with the wakeup time staying as unforgivably early as ever.

Study after study have shown that a lack of sleep and high amounts of constant strain causes health issues. It isn’t worth it. As the stress from an activity grows, one’s passion for said activity gradually shrinks until it disappears entirely. When the fun and joy comes out of an activity, and it begins to feel like a burden, one should scale back and focus on the activities that truly bring happiness into one’s life.

corral

pch

if you can’t handle it, drop it

Editor-in-Chief Kate McNeal Managing Editor Jeffrey Eidelman Features Editor Kayla Benjamin Sports Editor Robert Shifrin Entertainment Editor Piper Rother Social Media Manager Alex Lanson Staff Writers Libby Archer JP Byrne Mike Conger Sierra Downing Alex Kaiser Garrett Lierman Daniel Roman Sammy Weber Noah Weidner Sarah Whalen Graphic Designer Dean Randolph Adviser Ms. Tara Stepanek

Students often face the struggle of deciding where to dedicate their time, causing activities to suffer because of lack of dedication.

We want to hear from you!

Tweet at us @pchcorral

The Corral is a student-written, edited and produced publication of Parkway Central High School, 369 N. Woods Mill Road, Chesterfield, MO 63017; 314-415-7978.

The Corral is given away free of charge to students and faculty. Subscriptions and patronships for one year may be purchased, starting at $20.

The goal of this publication is to provide accurate, informative and entertaining information in the true spirit of responsible journalism and to operate as an open forum for students, faculty, administrators and parents.

The Corral is created on Hewlett-Packard computers using Adobe Creative Suite 6 and is published by Missourian Publishing.

Unsigned editorials reflect the views of the majority of the staff. Signed columns and artwork reflect the views of that individual.

The staff appreciates comments and suggestions. Letters to the editor, guest editorials and other correspondence are encouraged but must be signed. The Corral reserves the right to publish or refrain from publishing, as well as edit, all submitted material.

22 corral Sept. 30, 2015 pch

entertainment

Assigned spots could reduce illegal parking trend PIPER ROTHER Opinions Editor @thepiedPIPER26

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haos is something we are all familiar with, especially in the parking lot, but one way we could eliminate some of it is by having numbered parking spots.

Numbering parking spots would create a more organized system, with fewer people who don’t have passes.

As it stands now, there is a good chunk of students who park without parking passes all throughout the lot, and they have even found other ways to make it look like they have a pass.

With students parking all over, it is hard to track down and find the ones who are violating the rules, but numbered spots would make it easier to see who actually has a pass.

Many schools have numbered spots, so when you go and buy your parking pass you are assigned a numbered, and that’s where you park for the year.

This would make finding the people who don’t have park-

ing passes easier. If someone is parked in a space that no one is assigned to, then it’s assumed they don’t have a parking pass.

If there is ever a situation where someone else parked in your spot, you can go to Officer Caswell and report this situation with spot number, your name, and license plate of the car in your spot. As a result, the driver that parked in the wrong spot would be fined a certain amount, with this money going towards the parking fund.

Seniors should get priority on where they want to park and get their assigned spots before everyone else. The juniors would come next to get their spots, and then if there are any spots left over the sophomores can get them on a first come first served basis.

Students would not have to worry about coming in late and not being able to find a spot because they would have their own spot.

Assigning the numbers may be costly at first, but these situations of people parking in the wrong spots and the fines associated with them could be beneficial in the long run.

Over half of students claim school makes them ‘anxious’ GARRETT LIERMAN Staff Writer @garrett_lierman

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recent study of the student population on the way school makes them feel has shown that over half of them have a general feeling of anxiety about school. Some simply can’t feel safe with current events going on, others are stressed, and most have certain ways of dealing with it.

“Anything but happy… it’s mostly because of the stress that comes with class,” sophomore Anusha Manjunath said.

With ‘anxious’ getting 55% of the vote in the survey, it seems many people agree with her assessment. All students have things coming in from several places that make them feel anxious and school was definitely one of them for those surveyed. Scientific studies have shown that stress or anxiety over something that cannot be fought or run away from causes the raised levels of stress hormones to have a toxic effect on the human body. It can also manifest

as physical effects such as headaches, chest pains, and lack of sleep.

“It’s definitely not safe,” Alex Lasarte, a sophomore, said. “With all the school shootings happening you just can’t feel safe.”

74 school shootings have occurred since Sandy Hook Elementary School’s Tragedy. The sheer amount of shootings seem to spook some people as only 6% of students surveyed answered that they felt safe at school. It seems a little disturbing that even in a school that’s never suffered any such tragedy, so few students feel safe.

When asked about how she copes with the anxiety of school, Manjunath said, “time management, if you keep yourself on a schedule and don’t wait until the last minute to do stuff it helps a lot.”

There are many ways that stress and anxiety can be reduced, such as sports, art, or other personal activities. Reducing stress lowers blood pressure, allows for more sleep and generally improves quality of life.

How does school make you feel?

Anxious (71 people) Frustrated (26 people) Happy (17 people)

Safe (8 people)

Sad (8 people)

=10 people n=130

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it’s 12:20 and i’m hungry Third lunch just can’t seem to win JEFFREY EIDELMAN Managing Editor @jeffey44

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eing in school for four years, I have seen plenty of change; the vending machines turned healthy, teachers have come and gone, and even the addition of the two-story science wing. However, one thing that has yet to change has been the treatment of 3rd lunch.

Over a period of seven semesters, I’ve had 3rd lunch at least three of those semesters. And every single time, I’m scraping the bottom of the bucket for ketchup or ranch, eating cold pizza, and not being able to have Chick-A-Fila because there isn’t any left. It’s just not fair.

Is it so difficult to order the right amount of food, keep the hot food under a hot lamp, or refill the ketchup every lunch? I love all

the lunch workers, they make really good food; I’m a personal fan of their wraps. But there has got to be a better way to make the lunches more fair.

I didn’t choose 3rd lunch;it chose me. But why does everyone at 3rd lunch feel like it’s a burden to be there? First and second lunch is, it appears to be, the more sought after lunches for a reason.

People can eat earlier, during first lunch, while the food is nice and warm. During second lunch, people get a nice break from class while still eating warm food.

However, 3rd lunch receives the sub par food. Exactly one hour and 35 minutes passes between the time the hot lunch is set out and 3rd lunch begins. Yet that doesn’t include the time of having to wait in line for the food, and then finding your seat before trying to enjoy the food.

I’m not saying the food is always poor or cold. However there is always something that goes wrong. I, like a lot of folk in this town,

enjoy eating my Chick-A-Fila. But why must it be soggy?

This isn’t even mentioning the fact that roughly ⅓ of the school is dying of hunger before going to third lunch. It has become routine for me around 11:50 to start staring at the clock and counting down the minutes.

This, to say the least, is bad because AP Calc is something I consider to be an important class. I find myself only half concentrated on class due to my starvation, and it’s just not fair.

I’ve asked a lot of questions, and I usually don’t have an answer.

But in the year 2015, one would expect there to be solutions for simple problems like these. We need change, and it’d be nice to have it for my senior year.

What do you want to see more of in The Corral?

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Answer our survey on: parkwaynews.net/corral Twitter: @pchcorral Facebook: Parkway Central Corral

“I have 3rd lunch again!”

24 corral Sept. 30, 2015 pch

spotlight

Something to About

Cheer Male cheerleader joins squad JEFFREY EIDELMAN Managing Editor @jeffey44

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ot once had there been a male cheerleader on the varsity cheer squad until senior Isaiah Dupree broke that milestone this year.

“I have no prior experience,” Dupree said. “I’ve been wanting to be a cheerleader ever since I was in seventh or eighth grade and I watched the movie ‘Bring it On.’ I saw those male cheerleaders and that made me think, ‘I need to do that.’”

According to Dupree, there has been a massive of encouragement surrounding him joining the team.

“Everyone has been very supportive,” Dupree said. “It has been so crazy. It is not what I expected at all.”

Second-year head coach Peyton Bond has also noticed the amount of support that Dupree has been receiving.

“Isaiah brings a breath of fresh air,” Bond said. “I have heard so many positive comments about him during the football games, and the fans love him just as much as we do. He brings so much spirit and enthusiasm. He may be brand new to cheer, but he has such a natural talent for it, that he shines so brightly.”

One of the captains on the team, senior Zoe Raft, said she has been treating the situation like any other new person has joined.

“The team dynamic hasn’t really changed,” Raft said. “He just kind of jumped into it and acted like he was one of us and did what everyone else had to do.”

Bond believes that there’s always a chance team chemistry suf-

fers, however doesn’t believe it has affected this squad.

“The girls have really worked hard to encourage each other to push themselves, and also to push Isaiah,” Bond said. “It is hard being brand new at something. Of course the team does not always get along with each other, but we all want to do our best, and the team chemistry just works itself out sometimes.”

Sometimes, however, Dupree said he feels a little overlooked, when coaches or fans refer to the team as “ladies.”

Although some may believe that one guy would make a cheer team of girls uncomfortable, Bond believes the opposite.

“I think they are very comfortable with a guy,” Bond said, “especially since they have already established a friendship with him outside of cheer.”

When Bond found out that Isaiah was trying out for the squad, she jumped on the opportunity to have a male on the team.

“I was and have always been a huge supporter of Isaiah joining the team,” Bond said. “We encourage diversity and want to show that we are a program that embraces diversity and does not discriminate. Having a guy on a cheerleading team is very refreshing and opens many doors for a squad.”

Currently, Isaiah is looking to create a new culture.

“I am trying to set an example for the future,” Dupree said. “I am trying to get more boys to do it, but I haven’t found any yet.

Hopefully before I graduate there is at least one boy who tries out so I can leave some impact.”

Sophomore Ashley Fogarty and senior Isaiah Dupree practice in Gym C on Sept. 21. Photo by Jeffrey Eidelman.