PLUS: OCCUPY WALL STREET Holiday 2011 pgpost.org
STRANGE TRENDS: PLANKING SEASON OVERVIEWS: VOLLEYBALL & FOOTBALL
Emily Coor’s Battle with Diabetes
on the cover features
7
19 contents Senior Night
4
Lights of the Ozarks
9
Live Music in the Library
10
Majorettes Turn up the Heat
11
Occupy Wall Street
14
Strange Trends: Planking
16
NHS Angel Tree
17
FFA Grows Future Leaders
18
10
6 11
5
Senior Night: A Final Farewell
When asked if he was happy with his last football season, senior Daniel Schrock stated, “Yes I’m satisfied! I couldn’t ask for a better team and group of friends.”
by Sidney Jaro After nine years of school, and four high school years devoted to extracurricular activities, senior students finally receive appropriate recognition for their hard work and dedication. The much anticipated Senior Night is a ritual held on the last home game of the season. This year, the senior class of 2012 was in the spotlight. Senior Dalton Curtsinger says football is the only reason he likes school. “I’m definitely going to miss Friday night football games.” Curtsinger admitted.
4
Webb Pierson commented on what the team will be like next year without the graduating seniors. “The upcoming boys will do well because they are well put together,” says Pierson, “We have great guys to fill up leadership roles.” Although graduation is an event to look forward to, senior football players, as well as the rest of the seniors, are going to have a lot to miss.
photo by Shelley Williams Senior night captains Michael Bond, Weston Bartholomew, Dalton Curtsinger, and Daniel Schrock.
CODE BLUE
by Casey Wilken A seemingly typical Wednesday morning at Prairie Grove High School soon turned into pandemonium after a “Code Blue” lockdown was abruptly issued during 1st hour on October 26. Reports say that an individual was rumored to be carrying a gun across campus. The individual turned out to be free of firearms and posed no threat to the school. This did not prevent school personnel and students from taking extra precautions. Many students were able to let their parents know of the situation immediately using their cell phones. Sophomore Valarie Shepherd sent a particularly alarming text to her mother about the incident. “When some things happen, my mom is the first person I go to,” Shepherd reports, “If we were in danger, I would want her to know!” Shepherd was in one of the more dramatic emergency precautions going on in the school. “In Mr. Chandler’s first hour we were told to grab biology textbooks, huddle in the corner, and be ready to throw them,” she says. Sophomore John Whitley also sent an alarming text to his mother about the threat. “I was scared out of my mind and thought I was going to die,” says Whitley. “I really wanted my mom to know I loved her.” However, while the name “Code Blue” was used during the incident, it is not actually an official school warning code. “There is no such thing as Code Blue,” says biology teacher Darren Chandler. “Code blue was the quickest way Bond could relay the severity of the situation”. This instance was the first time the school was to use their new emergency situation policy, named ALiCE. The program was instructed to all faculty by school resource officer Jeff O’Brien. According to ALiCE, faculty should not try to disarm the shooter, but to fight back instead for survival. “The idea of the new program is ‘time’ plus ‘distance’ equals ‘safety’. The farther you are able to get from the threat, the better your chances for survival.” The new emergency program differs from the former program, which consisted of staying in classrooms and hiding under desks. “This time we were taught not to be passive in these situations. People that take action have a higher rate of survival”.
Sophomore Valerie Shepherd, left message, and Sophomore John Whitley, right message, texted their mothers quicky during the fear of a crisis.
5
Equal Rights Campaigns Bring Equality to Northwest Arkansas Adam Bouska and partner Jeff Parshley, to Fayetteville, Arkansas. NoH8 is a form of silent protest against Proposition 8, which banned same sex marriage in the state of California.
by Becca Cole On October 12th a group of around twenty people gathered on the Union lawn at the University of Arkansas, candles in hand, to honor the lives that were brutally taken in the name of hate, and to talk about their own struggles with hate. The group hosting the event, P.R.I.D.E., which stands for “People Respecting Individual Differences and Equality”, has always been a
big supporter of equal rights. This year, the group was successful in bringing NoH8, a national campaign, which was founded in November 2008 by photographer
6
People from all over Northwest Arkansas gathered at Hog Haus on Dickson Street to have their photo taken in support of the NoH8 campaign. Through the years the campaign has not only been a voice for those living in California, but also nationwide; bringing attention to Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and helping bring awareness to discrimination in the work place. In the phophotos by Jackson Lafargue tos individuals wear all white People gathered on the Union lawn at the University of Arkansas to honor with the NoH8 logo painted on the lives of victums from hate crimes. their face and gray duck tape kansas to have a registry for domestic partnerships, and in 2010 The day before the vigil was Eureka Springs became the first National Coming-out Day in which and only city in Arkansas to provide P.R.I.D.E. set up a Coming-out infor- city employee health insurance mation booth where they gave out coverage for domestic partnerfree cupcakes, and balloons along ship. This means that both same with information about the group. sex couples and traditional couples The vigil was held in honor of Mat- who are in a committed relationthew Shepard and others who lost ship but do not or cannot get martheir lives because of hate crimes. ried will be provided health care. Matthew Shepard was a student at the University of Wyoming back in It’s no coincidence there 1998 who was murdered because have been more and more equal of his sexual orientation. This act rights groups rallying in and among of hate and violence sparked a Northwest Arkansas. Arkansas nationwide legislation to end hate is among the 35 states where it and educate people on what the is perfectly legal to fire someone LGBT community is all about. based on their sexual orientation, across their mouth symbolizing and even more states have little to their voices being silenced by Prop- In September the equal no protection for those who strugosition 8. Members of P.R.I.D.E. rights campaign came to Eureka gle with sexual identity. In addiat the University of Arkansas, Springs after switching its original tion, Arkansas is one in 18 states and volunteers from The North- plans to go to Little Rock. The tour that has no hate crime laws rewest Arkansas Center for Equality decided to switch route after learn- garding sexual orientation or idenhelped bring NoH8 to Arkansas, ing about a very unique situation tity, and one of four states that has and helped to make sure things in Eureka Springs. In 2007 Eureka no hate crime laws whatsoever. ran smoothly at the photo shoot. Springs became the first city in Ar-
A Gushing Success
by Samantha Roper Approximately every five minutes, someone in Northwest Arkansas is in need of blood. To do their part to help this cause, Prairie Grove High School helps the Community Blood Centers of the Ozarks by holding a blood drive twice a year in the high school library.
Students gave over 70 pints of blood, making the fall blood drive a big success. A little over 80 people signed up to donate. The library, where the event is housed, was a busy scene, with students and teachers alike giving their time and veins to donate. Even though the Community Blood Center needs as much blood as possible, not everyone was able to donate. Donors must be at least 16 years old and weigh more than 110 pounds. In addition, the donor must have healthy blood to share. The donor may feel faint, lightheaded or dizzy during or after the donation process. However, every donor needs to take precautions so symptoms don’t affect them. A good night’s sleep and drinking plenty of water is advised for donors. There are many perks to giving blood. Not only do you get the joy of giving life to your community, but giving a pint also gets you free food and a t-shirt. For the people that don’t give blood, one question remains on their minds, “Does it hurt?” Not according to high school librarian Jeanine Woods. Woods knows the hardships of having a short blood supply, having worked for the Red Cross in Korea.“It would hurt more to me if I didn’t give blood.” she remarks.
photos by Samantha Roper and Emily Cole Top Left: Zak Galligan and Chad Battles wear the infamous blood drop costumes. Top Right: Sammie Cameron and Danielle Smith give blood. Bottom Left: Daniel Schrock braves the needle given by Nurse Robbie.
7
What Goes into theNewspaper by Makayla Terry
Newspapers have taken a major hit from the economy. Causing many newspapers to stop or decrease production. This has also affected high school Journalism programs like PG Post. For the remainder of the school year, PGHS students will be able to read and learn about school happenings without paying for the materials. There are two options for the future of the newspaper here at PGHS. The first option would be to charge the students 50 cents per issue . The sencond option is to go completely online, since the cost of printing is the largest expense of the Journalism program. Like many other high school newspapers in the area, the PG Post is professionally printed at the Arkansas Democrat Gazette headquarters in Springdale with 1,000 copies of the PG Post printed per issue. Approximately 100 copies go to the paper’s subscribers while the rest are passed out for free to the students and faculty of PGHS. “If we keep giving newspapers to students for free, we will be broke by Christmas,” says Journalism instructor Andrea Parnell. “To subscribe to our newspaper this year, we charged $10, but next year this will likely increase,” says Parnell. The journalism staff worked feverishly to raise funds for the newspaper through ads and subscriptions. However, only $1,500 was raised, barely enough to cover printing. Other expenses included postage for mailing papers to subscribers, which costs $1.28 per issue, which added up quick. “We had to resort to merely hand delivering papers to some subscribers to save money”, Parnell adds. “It is definitely a costly endeavor, but well worth it”.
PG Post Staff Editors: Emily Cole Philip Shepherd Assistant Editor: Jackson Lafargue Co-Editors: Megan Gerwig Sidney Jaro Nikki Fant Eli Rose Samantha Roper Business Manager: Casey Wilken Reporters: McKenzie Evans Rachel Hays Bayli Bradley Dillon Cates Becca Cole Jade Nixon Payton Sapp Joe Birmingham Codie Wertens Makayla Terry Photographers: Da-Eun Jung Mary Jameson Kyle Hunter Graphic Designer: Stephen Silva
Lights of the Ozarks Kicks Off Annual Tradition
by Philip Shepherd Saturday, November 19th was the annual unveiling of the famous Lights of the Ozarks at the historic downtown district of Fayetteville, Arkansas. The lighting of the square was kicked off this year with the annual “Fayetteville Unites with Holiday Lights” parade. Civic clubs, businesses, and organizations are represented in the parade with cars, floats, and characters. The parade was organized by the Hospitality Management students from the University of Arkansas with help from the Fayetteville Visitors Bureau who also helps make Lights of the Ozarks
a success each year. The parade ended with the guest of honor, Santa Claus himself. All proceeds raised from the parade, including vendor fees and donations, benefit the Fayetteville Animal Shelter. Located in the heart of downtown Fayetteville, the Town Square houses over 450,000 Christmas lights each year, attracting people from all over the area. These beloved holiday lights are strategically draped over trees, landscaping, and pathways, transforming the Fayetteville Square into an amazing array of Christmas lights. Each year, Fayetteville Parks and Recreation workers spend over 2,000 hours decorating the Downtown Square with the lights. The romantic and breathtaking display of half a million twinkling lights is cherished by the locals and visitors that stroll or drive through the Lights of the Ozarks each year.
Last year’s lighting event
photos by Philip Shepherd Fayetteville’s annual Lights of the Ozarks is a desired destination for residents and tourists in the Northwest Arkansas area.
was nearly a no-go when it was discovered that the city’s budget wouldn’t allow for the lights to be displayed. Thanks to the generosity of anonymous, last minute donors, the lights continued for another year. Fayetteville Parks and Maintenance Superintendent Byron Humphry said last year’s Lights of the Ozarks festival was made possible through a collaborative approach. The Fayetteville Advertising and Promotions Commission donated about $18,000 to purchase a portion of the lights, while Wal-Mart provided a $10,000 grant to purchase 250,000 LED lights. Lights of the Ozarks has been around for more than 15 years and will continue as long as funds and support from the community are there.
Lights of the Ozarks is Fayetteville’s most popular attraction during the holiday season. However, it hasn’t always been as entertaining as it is today. For years, the lights have been something to see, but when Fayetteville stepped it up back in 2008, adding more lights and color to the old Post Office building and trees surrounding it, Fayetteville outdid herself. This improvement greatly increased the number of visitors to the square which soon gave way to the introduction of vendors and services to the celebration. Recently added camel and pony rides, horse-drawn carriage rides, and vendors selling funnel cakes, corn dogs, and hot chocolate can be found at each corner. In addition, the square houses a number of establishments to stop for dinner or a hot drink like Tiny Tim’s Pizza, Jammin’ Java Coffee House, Taste of Thai, Damgoode Pies, and Hugo’s Restaurant to name a few. The lights will remain on the square through Saturday December 31st.
9
Live Music in the Library according
to
Shepherd.
Live music is now being performed in the most unlikely of places: a high school library. Thanks to the help of seniors Philip Shepherd and Jackson Lafargue, as well as librarian Jeanine Woods, Prairie Grove High School students now have an outlet to showcase their musical talents. The idea was originally intended to show off the talents of the seniors before they graduate, however, students of all grade levels are welcome to perform in the library.
The acts were selected through an interview and audition process, judged by both Lafargue and Shepherd. The first performance was that of Senior Kyle Ates, who had amazed everyone at last year’s talent show with his cover of 33 Miles’ “Hold On”. He was both excited and a little nervous to perform for his peers once again. However, the highly anticipated performance did not disappoint, “It made me feel really good. It’s always fun when you can do what you love and enjoy and have everyone enjoy it with you,” Ates says. He admitted that he was more excited to perform his original songs, but he knew everyone would enjoy his cover of “Hold On” because it was familiar to them. “If I were given the chance, I would definitely do it again.” Ates said.
“Music in the library is a chance for students to perform music for their peers,”
There has been speculation about bringing other types of performances into the library, such as po-
by Mary Jameson
COME HANG OUT WITH US COOL ELDERS PRAIRIE GROVE SENIOR CENTER 479-846-2794 prairiegrovearkansas.org
10
photo by Mary Jameson Prairie Grove Senior Landon Jordon performing during lunch for Music in the Library. etry readings and standup comedy. However, Woods has said that it will strictly be limited to music to prevent it from becoming a “talent show”. The library was chosen for the location of the live music stage. “The library fosters a mellow, cozy, and welcoming setting that is perfect for live music”, Woods says. It is the only fitting environment for the students to perform their music. It
provides perfect acoustics and a wonderfully cozy and welcoming setting. The performers don’t have to worry about interrupting a class and the audience gets to experience new sounds. Students are free to wander in the library during both lunches to watch and listen. “The library is usually packed at each performance,” Lafargue says. The students enjoy this new addition to their lunches on Fridays. “It’s a great idea. Students can showcase their talent and feel famous for a day,” said Senior Leslie Peoples. “Every performer is unique in their own way,” said Woods. Junior Neil Luck is a prime example, with his recent performance featuring his unique style of guitar playing. “I expected surprise and hoped for interest,” confessed Luck. Unfortunately, live music will not be performed in the library in the second semester. However, if all is successful, hopefully the live music stage will make a comeback in the next few years.
Choir Spreads Holiday Cheer at Town Square
Majorettes Turn up the Heat
Senior Kyle Ates, agrees with Young. “It’s always fun to do something you love and enjoy,” Ates says, “It’s such an amazing experience when you get to share your love of music with others.”
by Kenzie Evans For about 12 years, the Prairie Grove Choir and Honor Choir have been going to the square in downtown Fayetteville to spread some of Prairie Grove’s finest voices all throughout the beautifully lit streets. “Viewers love to hear beautiful voices and see
“Being able to sing with my friends and being able to see smiles on viewer’s faces is the best thing about being in choir,” sophomore Morgan Cary states. “Everyone in honor choir is a blessing to me,” junior Lori Dobbs adds. The positivity continues with Leslie Jones, a sophomore at PGHS, “I don’t think I could have grown in my music the way I have with a different director,” she says, “singing is my life and I have Mrs. Young to thank for that!”
Although everyone seems prepared, Aubrey Pesch, a sophomore at Prairie Grove, admits that singing in public can be scary. But she says, by photo by Mary Jameson the middle of the first song, it is so PGHS Choir sings at the Fayetteville square. much fun to see people’s faces and how they react to your singing. The sweet faces singing,” choir director, Katie Young says, “We talked same opinion is also reflected by juwith a couple after we sang, and nior Katlin Asbill and senior Stephthe man had just proposed to his anie Blakemore. Both explained girlfriend while we were singing!” that they love to sing. “I’ve been in choir ever since seventh grade,” Mrs. Young loves taking Blakemore explains, “it would feel the choir there every December weird if I dropped out of it now.” to help spread Christmas cheer.
by Casey Wilken Prior to last year, the Prairie Grove Marching Band did not have majorettes, otherwise known as “baton twirlers”. However, sophomore Viv Haney changed that. She successfully jump started the majorette program for the Prairie Grove High School Band. This year, sophomore Madi McMillen joined Haney in twirling for the band, thanks to a fascination with being a majorette during her photo by Da Eun Jung 8th grade year. “I would mess with her batons in Sophomore Madison McMillen twirls the class,” McMillen says. new fire baton for the first time infront of fans at Tiger Stadium. This year, however, Haney and McMillen ing fire, but I believe it is a great decided that they wanted to bring contribution to our band program.” something new to the Prairie Grove High School Band: fire batons. The Being talented majorettes, girls have done several mesmeriz- Haney and McMillen twirl many ing performances with the batons different items. “As majorettes, we throughout the year, astonishing the twirl knives, batons, and ribbons.” crowd with their deftness and skill. “My favorite is twirling knives,” says McMillen. It will be interest Haney and McMillen have ing to see what Haney and McMilno concerns with twirling fire; they len will bring to the field next year. find it easy and fun. “We had a lot of help from our coach Mrs. Johnson”, Haney remarks. The Prairie Grove High School Band Director Gerry Nichols says, “I was surprised to see them twirl-
11
Winter Weather Safety Tips
With the winter season comes cold temperatures and icy roads, so the PG Post staff has some safety tips to keep your holiday season a safe one. 1. Driving on icy roads: • Drive more slowly, allow plenty of room to stop. • Allow three times as much room between yourself and another car than you would on a normal day. • Brake easily. Braking quickly causes skidding on the ice. • Make sure your headlights are on. • Keep windshield and lights free of snow and ice. • Don’t ever try to pass someone. • Don’t assume your vehicle can handle the weather conditions. Even 4-wheel drive vehicles have trouble.
2. If your vehicle gets stuck: • Take your foot off the gas. Spinning the tires will only dig them deeper. • Turn your wheels side to side to push snow out of the way. • Press gently on the gas to ease your car out. • Keep a bag kitty litter, sand, or gravel in your car to pour on the snow to create traction.
3. If you become stranded: • Make sure you know where you are before leaving your car. • Keep flashlights and possibly road flares in your car in situations like this to attract attention. • Crack your car windows. Ice and heavy snow can seal a car shut. • Make sure to keep warm. Run your car’s heater and engine at least 10 minutes every hour if you have enough gas. This keeps your car from freezing also.
Christmas Playlis
1. Low- Just Lik 2. The Kinks- Fa 3. Sufjan Stevens Lights On The Tr 4. Julian Casabl It Was Christma 5. The Raveonett In Cleveland 6. Darker My Lov Falling 7. My Morning Ja time is Here Aga 8. Bears- Merry Me 9. Vampire Week 10. Bright EyesA Merry Little C
Music st
ke Christmas ather Christmas s- Put The ree lancas- I Wish as Today tes- Christmas
ve- Snow Is
acket- X-Mas ain Christmas To
kend- Holiday Have Yourself Christmas
Holiday Favorites Top 10
things to do on a Snowday 1. Sleep 2. Have a snowball fight 3. Play MW3 4. Have a movie marathon 5. Sled at Battlefield Park 6. Bake cookies 7. Make a snowman 8. Take pictures 9. Drink hot chocolate 10. Read a good book
Top 10
Gifts wanted by PGHS Students
1. iPad II 2. iPhone 4S 3. Xbox 360 Kinect 4. Laptop 5. Call of Duty: MW3 6. New Car 7. Camera 8. House 9. Buckle Jeans 10. Big Screen TV
The Commoners are Restless
by Jackson Lafargue All throughout history, common people have kept their ruling bodies in check through the power of revolutions, peaceful protests, and in some unfortunate (but necessary) instances, violence. It’s in the human nature—we know when we’re getting the run around. The months-old Occupy Wall Street movement is the latest of instances where people band together as a whole to stop unjust and inequality between them and their government. In case you’re wondering what exactly I’m talking about,
area as evidenced by the large turnout to the rally and march held on the town square October 15. People are mad, and the longanticipated awakening of the general population is finally here. To understand why this movement is happening, it is necessary to provide a little background information. The corporate tax rate was fairly low in the first half of the 20th century. Due to the labor movements of previous years, work weeks were reduced to a mere 40 hours. Reasonable vacation was allotted. Owning a home photos by Philip Shepherd three-bedroom Occupy Fayetteville protesters marching in Fayetteville near the square and right was not out of reach. Neither was owning a car on Highway 71 by the old Washington County Courthouse off Center Street. or sending your child to college. Retirement was “Occupy Wall Street” promised. The middle or simply “The 99%” class was what drove the counwas conceived by try forward and gave the country the anti-consumerism the reputation of prosperity. Howmagazine AdBusters. ever, with the Reagan administraThis past summer, the tion introducing “trickle-down ecomagazine suggested nomics”, things began to change. a September 17th rally and march on Wall Trickle-down economics is Street, and it caught the idea that businesses and coron. Since the initial porations will invest more money protest in September, into the economic infrastructure the march has spread if they are taxed less. This would, like wildfire across in theory, ultimately help out the the United States with middle and lower classes by crechapters popping up in ating jobs and lowering prices on many areas including many consumer items. However, Northwest Arkansas. big business has been using the Occupy Fayetteville money for personal luxuries and has already gained a gain, rather than creating jobs. strong following in the continued on page 15
Thailand’s Massive Flood Destroys Industry
The Commoners are Restless As a result, the economy is in a free fall. Unemployment is at a staggering 9.1%. People are being evicted and foreclosed out of their homes. Homeless shelters are filling up. College education is mostly out of reach without student loans. Health care benefits are unaffordable and out of reach to many Americans. Many citizens will never be able to retire and will work for the rest of their lives for barely substantial wages. Keep in mind; this is AMERICA, (supposedly) the greatest country in the world. Why are we letting our people go hungry and perish? However, the American population is finally realizing that they’re getting the run around from big business and corrupt politicians. Enter the Occupy Wall Street
movement. It encourages people to shop locally, live consciously, and to only patronize local banks in hopes that they can reverse the damage done to the highly fractured system over the last 30 years. The rally and march in Fayetteville was powerful, featuring moving speeches, humorous (but true) poster messages, and one common bond of humanity The working class finally is waking up and realizing that we, as a country, are moving towards a plutocracy, and it’s time to unite as one to stop it from becoming an overwhelming reality. If big business and corrupt government isn’t afraid, they should be.
Make Wall Street Pay. Signs like this one could be seen held high by protesters in downtown Fayetteville during the Occupy Fayetteville march.
by Da Eun Jung
Honda and Toyota, global Japanese companies, also had great damage. In Thailand, they have manufacturers which make parts of an automobile but now, because of this damage, they had problems sending parts of an automobile to their North American factories. Now, Honda was informed that they cut
Thailand is suffering from trouble because of an unprecedented massive flood. They have lots of problems like a lack of water, inflation rate up more than 4 percent, and massive damage to the rice industry. Thailand is the largest rice producer in the world. As Thailand grows, it is a big problem. However, damage due to flooding is not the photo by the Associated Press only problem in Thailand. Lots of factories, which Homes in Bangkok Thailand left in stagnet are foreign factories, are flood waters for days after the massive concentrated in around flood. Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. Therefore, these factories also had great damage. production by 50% their factory. Especially automobile and electronic industry had severe damage. Thailand is the largest rice Thailand is the second most larg- producer in the country. The exest country to produce Hard Disk tent of damage is very large as Drives (HDD). But because of this much as the largest rice producer. massive flood, most HDD factories As a result, countries that eat on had damage. As a result, experts a diet of rice, like Korea, Japan, say computers with HDD electronic China will make a loss because products’ cost will increase more of an increase in price of rice. and more. One HDD manufacturer, Western Digital, shut down their The affects of Thailand’s factories in Thailand for a while. flood are felt all over the world. Most PC companies predict that problems with HDD will continue.
15
Strange Trends: Planking What is Planking? “Planking”, a strange craze that has recently taken the world by storm, has made it’s way into Prairie Grove High School. What is planking, you ask? UrbanDictionary.com defines it as, “...the art of lying horizontally across any object or the ground with one’s arms by their sides, aiming to occur in daring/awkward situations or brotherly displays of core-strength.” However weird it may seem, planking has become increasingly popular among people of nearly all ages. Plankers can be found on top of signs, train tracks, fire hydrants, motorcycles, and even clotheslines. Planking was recently featured on NBC’s show “The Office.” Characters planked on top of desks and even in bathrooms. We caught students like Faith Smith planking in some creative spots around our very own high school.
Planking: The art of planking is to lie horizontally across any object or the ground with their arms by their sides aiming to occur in daring situation or a brotherly display of core strength.
story and photos by Philip Shepherd Top left: Smith planking on a roof at Tiger Stadium. Top right: Smith planking in the Janitor’s closet. Bottom left: Smith planking on the Tiger in the entrance of PGHS. Bottom left: Smith planking on the Secretary’s desk in the office.
What’s the Issue? Is there anything wrong with planking? Some claim that planking reveals a need for hobbies in today’s youth. Others argue that planking is innocent fun and does no harm. Of course, as the saying goes, it’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt. Unfortunately, someone did get hurt. One death due to planking has been reported since the craze’s start. A twenty-yearold Australian man, Acton Beale, plunged to his death after attempting to plank on a seven-story balcony railing in Brisbane, Australia. Soon after, police became intolerant of the dangerous new fad. If you’re caught planking dangerously in Brisbane, Australia, you’re looking at up to $300 in fines; and in extreme cases, even jail time. Ironically, his death triggered a world wide spike in the number of people trying out planking for the first time. After his death, the number of planking photos on social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr reached an all time high.
Angel Tree Tradition Continues knew needed gifts. “The Angel Tree benefits children that are part of our school system or their siblings at home,” Cummings says.
by Emily Cole The Angel Tree has been a tradition for the Prairie Grove High School’s National Honor Society for several years, but this year came as especially difficult for the club. “We’re now up to 108 members,” NHS sponsor Mary Cummings remarks. This alarmingly high number might not sound like a bad thing, but when there are only twenty-one angels on the tree, it becomes increasingly hard to divvy out angels. Each year, Cummings receives names and wish lists of children in our school district from the elementary counselors. This year, because of low numbers, teachers from the high school provided names of those who they
Members and Cummings are nervous about how the project will turn out this year, considering the low number of angels and the high number of members, but NHS officer Alex Khang feels otherwise. “This little kid is going to be so happy. I’m going to spend so much money on them!” Along with Khang’s gift, the child will be receiving one from five other individuals. The fact there are 108 members in the club means that about six or seven members will have to be assigned to each angel; That only guarantees the child an even better Christmas. The Angel Tree project usually gets members very excited because it’s one of the few projects they get involved in each year. Cummings has always enjoyed being a part of the Angel Tree. She has been the NHS sponsor for fourteen years now and says NHS has been doing the project for over 20. So recently, when a group in EAST wanted to take on an Angel Tree
project, Cummings quickly reacted. “Angel Tree is our thing. It’s our big project every year,” Cummings says. When confronted about it, they were very nice about it and dropped the project immediately. Angels range all the way from kindergarten to 15 years of age and can include a variety of gift options. With so many members, Cummings estimated that members usually spend anywhere from $1500 to $2000 altogether on gifts.
photo by Emily Cole Senior Webb Pierson helps NHS decorate the Angel Tree in Mrs. Cummings Chemistry classroom.
FFA Grows Future Leaders 10th overall. Team member Loren Gragg was recognized as the 2nd highest individual in the contest and received a $1,000 scholarship.
by Rachel Hays During the week of October 19 through October 22, 2011, students from every state across America poured into the heart of downtown Indianapolis, Indiana to attend the 84th National FFA Convention. Attendance this year was nearly 50,000 people, with National FFA membership reaching 500,000 members this year.
The competitive events are just the tip of the iceberg. Behind the scenes, in conference rooms seemingly far away from the action, delegates from every state make the important decisions needed to
In addition to business and competition, the National FFA Organization’s main goal during convention is to train new leaders for the future of agriculture and the future of our country. During sessions, whenever large numbers of attending FFA members gather in Conseco Field house, members listened to seasoned keynote speakers encourage them in this year’s
Vice Presidents Tiffany Rodgers and Shannon Norris, as well as National FFA President Riley Pagett. Aside from the serious exterior, National FFA Convention also boasts great entertainment, this year featuring 2011 CMT Music Award Winner and 2010 CMA Male Vocalist of the Year, Blake Shelton, as well as three-time Grammy nominee and 2011 CMT award nominee for Group Video of the Year, Little Big Town and 2011 CMT award nominee for Duo Video of the Year, Steel Magnolia. Homegrown talent included this year’s National FFA Band and Chorus, and many hopefuls ready to perform as National FFA Talent.
Prairie Grove FFA members attending During the week the convention all have of convention, competiexcellent reports, and tive career development are eager to earn the events (CDEs) are held requirements enabling for state-winning teams them to another opand individuals with high portunity to attend next hopes of going all the way year. “I’m totally stoked to the top. Prairie Grove about next year,” says FFA has a long history of Jeana success, taking a statephoto submitted Sophomore Mathias, “our team winning team or individual FFA members attended the 84th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indian. [ n u r s e r y / l a n d s c a pe] to compete in the national will have more expericontests almost every year keep the National FFA Organizatheme: “I believe, We believe, We ence by then, and hopefully we can for the past twenty years. This tion functioning; most important of are FFA!” The target focus of the move up from 2nd, win state, and year, Prairie Grove’s Ag CommuFFA’s idea of true leadership is all, the choosing of the upcoming rock Nationals!” When asked if she nications team, trained by Clint and Sarah Hale, got the chance year’s National FFA Officer Team. serving others. Some of the key- would recommend the trip to other to exhibit their talents, placing This year, former Prairie Grove FFA note speakers this year included air FFA members, she replied without President and current Arkansas force veteran Vernice “Flygirl” Ar- hesitation, “Absolutely! ConvenState FFA Officer John Coffey rep- mour and Vietnam veteran and co- tion was an amazing experience, resented Arkansas as a delegate. median Dave Roever. The students and anyone who can, should try also had the opportunity to hear the to earn their work points and go!” retiring addresses of National FFA
18
Student Feature: Emily Coor’s Battle Interviewed by Makayla Terry
Q: What was the reason behind putting you in ICU? Why did you have to stay in the hospital for an entire week? A: They put me in ICU because my body was spilling ketones into my blood. When you have diabetes, your body constantly burns off sugar. But when you’re sick your body produces ketones*. If you don’t take insulin, those ketones start eating your muscle tissue. I had to stay in the hospital all week until the ketones were out of my blood.
Prairie Grove High School sophomore Emily Coor, was in the ICU at Washington Regional Hospital for the entire week of November 7th through November 11th. Coor is among the several Prairie Grove High School students living with diabetes as well as the millions of high school students in America with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Her friends and family are incredibly glad that she’s back in school and doing well. “I was extremely heartbroken,” says PGHS student Hailey Carothers. “I went up to the hospital and just about broke into tears. It was like she was on her death bed just about to die.”
Q: Are you glad to be back at school? A: I am so happy to be back in school! I missed everyone so much and I really missed chicken day! (Hospital food is TERRIBLE!!) I really appreciate everybody’s prayers too.
Carothers is one of Emily’s closest friends. “Even though she hated me in 4th grade, she is still my best friend and I’m just glad she’s okay.” expresses Carothers. “Hopefully she won’t die again,” Carothers says, jokingly. We asked Coor about her recent experience as well as her battle with diabetes. Q: How did you feel when you were first diagnosed with diabetes? How old were you? A: I was first diagnosed with diabetes when I was twelve. I was pretty scared at first because many of my family members have diabetes, and I’ve seen them take insulin injections. The whole thought of shots really freak me out! Q: Do you feel different than kids that don’t have diabetes? A: I don’t feel any different, and sometimes I use it to my advantage! If someone has candy or something sweet that I like to eat, I usually will say something like, “Can I have a piece? My blood sugar is low.” That usually does the trick! It’s kind of evil, but what can I say, I’m a Ninja!
“It was like she was on her death bed just about to die.” -Sophomore Hailey first saw Emily Coor in the hospital.
Q: There are different types of diabetes. What type of diabetes do you have? Type 1 or Type 2? A: I have Type 1, which is usually passed on in the family. Type 1 also means your body can’t produce insulin, so I have to take insulin shots to control my blood sugar. Q: What was it like in ICU? A: It was really exciting! They hooked up a bunch of medical junk to me. They left my room door open, so every night I would hear them yelling at the old man next door. Things like, “Get back in bed, sir!” or “Put your robe back on please!” Q: In the beginning, why did you go to the hospital? What happened? A: I was sick the weekend before, so Monday I went to see my doctor and he knew that with all my symptoms, (high blood sugar, fever, and no appetite) that I had ketoacidosis*.
photo by Ms. Andrea Parnell Emily enjoying her first day back in Sophomore English class after a one week stay in ICU in Washington Regional Hospital.
Editor’s notes: * ‘Diabetic ketoacidosis’ is a problem that occurs in individuals with diabetes. It occurs when the body cannot use sugar (or glucose) as a fuel source due to a lack in insulin in the body. It is a serious condition that can lead to diabetic coma (prolonged unconsciousness) or even death. Source: NY Times * ‘Keytones’ are the remnants of an acid in the blood when the body burns its own fat. The presence of ketones in the bloodstream is a common complication of diabetes, which if left untreated can lead to ketoacidosis. Source: http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-and-k
19
Football Season Comes to a Close by Eli Rose The Prairie Grove Tiger football team had a successful season this year. Our Tigers secured 8 wins with only 3 losses, as well as making it to the second round of the state playoffs. With only 6 Senior players returning to the team this year, this was a great feat. Due to the small number of seniors on the team, some were skeptical about the team’s 2011 season. Others, however, were optimistic and confident in our team’s ability to succeed. The 2011 football season included some big wins. Key match-ups against Farmington and Shiloh Christian were deemed most memorable as well as a controversial win against Mena in the first round of the playoffs. Beating Farmington is always an accomplishment. The win against Farmington gave the team and the town high hopes for the playoffs. The Tigers secured a 28-21 victory for the famous Battle of Highway 62. For Prairie Grove’s Homecoming game, they went up against Shiloh Christian, a team that has a reputation for being the best team in the 4A division, making them the team to beat.
20
Our Tigers wasted little time outplaying the Saints for a 34-14 win, securing the team for a trip to the playoffs. We asked Cooper Winters, the team’s quarterback, about how it felt to finally beat both teams his junior year. “It really felt great to win those games. We really stepped it up this year, especially since this was our last year to play Shiloh.” explains Cooper.
games, two of which were away games. The season looked promising when the winning streak continued for another two games, defeating Pea Ridge in a shut out with a final score of 13-0 and Gentry on their own field with yet another 42-7 away-game victory. Unfortunately, the winning streak came to an end with a 38-28 loss to Gravette, ending the regular season record of 8-3, which granted
photo submitted by Deana Brown Prairie Grove Tigers battle the Malvern Leopards. The Leopards defeated the Tigers 42-14. Weston Bartholomew stated, “It was amazing. Anytime we beat Farmington or Shiloh, it’s good, no matter what sport it is.” Cooper and Bartholomew both gave astounding performances this season. Both third-year players earned the title “Frenzy Phenom”, the local player-of-the-week award awarded by 4029 News. Our team remained humble as they trekked to Berryville and pummeled the Bobcats 42-7, extending their winning streak to 3
them a definite spot for the state playoffs, and better yet, the top number one seed in their division. The first round of the playoffs were underway on November 11, 2011 as Prairie Grove hosted the Mena Bearcats. The tigers did their jobs, made the plays, and were on their way to the second round of play-offs when an argument broke out between the Tigers and the Bearcats. It was a physical game start to finish, but as the game neared its end, let’s
just say Mena got a little wound up. Senior player, Dalton Curtsinger explains the confrontation that broke out between that night on the feild; “All game long they had been playing dirty. When we lined up in victory formation, number 77 jumped over the line and hit [sophmore] Jacob Storlie. Then someone tore off Weston Bartholomew’s helmet,” Curtsinger claims. “Everyone was tired of Mena’s poor sportsmanship and we were just sticking up for our teammates.” Our Tigers closed it out by scoring 47 points, with the Bearcats scoring a disappointing 27. In round two of the play-offs, the team wasn’t as successful. The Tigers took the 6 hour trip down to Malvern to play a rough and talented squad. The Malvern Leopards triumphed, scoring 42 points while the Tigers scored 14, ending the team’s 2011 campaign. Malvern is currently competing in the state playoffs, and are looking to win it all. Despite a rough and unfortunate ending, our team had an overall successful season this past year. As expected, the senior players aren’t ready to say goodbye, but the junior stars are eager to take their place at the top. Junior players Winters and Bartholomew are expecting conference championships and state title rings next year, and look forward to a chance to say, “We told you so.”
Lady Tigers to Raise Standards Next Season of us after one mistake, and you can’t let that happen at state.” With the 2011 season at a close, the Lady Tigers are already looking ahead and getting geared up for next season. “We are going to be unstoppable next season!” Gragg excitedly exclaims.
by Megan Gerwig The Prairie Grove Lady Tiger volleyball team has had a season of ups and downs for 2011. With a final record of 7 wins and 8 losses, head coach Hannah McDonald wasn’t disappointed. “I think we had more close calls than any team has ever experienced in a season.” During the season, the Lady Tigers went into four nailbiting five-game-matches, losing by two points in all of them. “We felt robbed of our hard work,” Junior Ashton Tidmore states, “If we had pushed ourselves above our limits, I believe we could have taken anyone down.” Despite those loses, the team breezed their way through the first match-up in the district tournament, defeating Berryville in a three-game-match, which earned them the golden ticket to state.
Even though the girls’ goal was to be conference champs and ultimately state champs this season, they got a bigger, more rewarding prize.
Above: Lady Tigers Volleyball team huddle up before the State Volleyballe game against Pulaski Academy. Left: The team ready to hit the road to Jonesboro.
“We may not have been state champions but we found what it took to become a state champion,” Senior Laken Marshall explains, “We pushed together and found champions in ourselves and what it really means to be a family.”
Below: Caleigh Moyer and Megan Gerwig waiting for the serve. Photos by Karen Gerwig.
Once in Jonesboro for the state competition, the girls were up against the Bruins of Pulaski Academy and faced a heartbreaking loss which bumped them out of the state tournament far earlier than anticipated. “We played well when we had our heads in the game, but we just weren’t mentally there,” Junior Loren Gragg explains, “We had so much potential to beat that team, but we let them take advantage
21
Tigers Shatter Saints 42 Straight Conference Win
by Bayli Bradley The night of October 7th, 2011 was a big night in the small town of Prairie Grove. Not only was it homecoming at Tiger Stadium, but the football players were getting ready for their second biggest game of the year: The game against the Shiloh Christian Saints. At kickoff the Tigers were ready to sack the Saints. The Prairie Grove Tigers played an incredible game the whole time. At halftime the score was 21-7 with the Tigers taking the lead. They had scored not one but two more touchdowns by the end of the game. Quarterback Cooper Winters threw two touchdown passes, one to Landon West, and one to Weston Bartholomew. We averaged six yards a play on offense. Fullback Daniel Schrock ran three touchdowns during the game.
just couldn’t keep up with the Tigers. The final score ended up being 34-14 with the Tigers taking the victory. By winning the game that Friday night, the Prairie Grove Tigers broke the Shiloh Saints winning streak in conference games. Beforehand, Shiloh had won 42 conference games in a row, but the Tigers broke that winning streak by beating them. The Tigers didn’t just beat the Saints though, they slaughtered them. “Shiloh obviously isn’t the team they used to be,” Winters stated. Head football coach Danny Abshier felt a mixture of confidence and nervousness going into this game. One player that really stood out to him was Dalton Faulk. “He was tearin’ it up! ten tackles, an interception, a sack, and knocked a pass down,” Abshier raved. In general, Abshier felt good about the over-all performance of the Shiloh game. “We’ve improved; Less big penalties and more big plays. We are still improving. Our best is yet to come!”
Cooper Winters wins 40/29 Football Frezny
High player to win the title of Frenzy Phenom, after fellow Junior Weston Bartholomew took home the title just a few weeks before. “It felt pretty awesome to win, says Cooper. “It really showed the small-town support.”
by Payton Sapp This past season, another deserving Prairie Grove High School athlete was chosen for 4029’s Player of the Week Award. Junior Cooper Winters was nominated for Player of the Week and was voted “Frenzy Phenom” by his community. “I felt proud and humbled to be nominated.” says the junior quarterback. It was a big deal for a student from our small town school to be nominated, much less, win an athletic award of such significance. Cooper was the second Senior
Cooper competed against other senior high football players from much larger schools for the title, which made winning that much more of an achievement. “I honestly didn’t think I would win,” Cooper admits. “I thought it would be Tucker because he goes to a huge school.” It just goes to show that bigger isn’t always better. Prior to winning the award, the Tigers had won the long anticipated game against the Shiloh Saints. “Shiloh obviously isn’t the team they used to be,” Cooper explains. “It felt great to beat them, but let’s move on to the next game now.”
W h e n time had run out, the Saints
22
photo by Shelly Williams Colby Elkins breaks through for a Tiger victory 34-14.
photo Shelley Williams
The Chosen One
cross country coach. He has been the coach for the past 4 years, and plans to continue coaching for at least a few more years. “Jeff is dedicated and self-disciplined,” Chandler says, “He runs outside of times when I ask him to, and is always looking to get better running times.”
by Eli Rose Jeff Frerking, a Junior at Prairie Grove High School, is the only returning runner to this year’s senior high cross country team. Meaning, the team has only one shot to medal at this year’s conference championship meet. With only one chance to succeed, that’s no easy task.
In addition to being the lone runner, Frerking’s hair style helps
“19 minutes and 59 seconds at Shiloh,” as stated by Frerking, was his best running time. “It was the five-kilometer conference championship,” he explains, “I scored 9th place and medaled.” For those who are unfamiliar, a kilometer is equal to about a half of a mile which makes a 5 k run a little over three miles. Frerking comes photo by Stephanie Frerking from a family of runners, Jeff Frerking running the 5K State Chamand has been running lon- pionship race at Harrison. ger than he can remember. To the surprise of most of his peers, he is quite the athlete. “I play make him stand out in the crowd. basketball, and have also done He is one of the only Prairie Grove Martial Arts since I was six years High School students sporting a old,” Frerking explains. “I have a stylish mullet hairstyle. What’s his green belt in Shotokan Martial arts.” secret to maintaining head-hair perfection? “I comb it the same way Mr. Darren Chandler, the every day and it just stays that way.” high school Biology teacher dou- Couldn’t have said it better, Jeff. bles as the senior and junior high