Issue 7

Clarion The

“A Clear Call Summons All”

InsideNow Online

April 24, 2014

Opinion

Feature

News

- p4 Show horses

- p2 Senioritis

- p3 Plant sale

- p4 Skateboarding - p5 Prom fashion

Connersville High School • 1100 Spartan Drive • Connersville, IN 47331 • www.chsclarion.com • Volume 100 • Issue 7

Technology gets personal School plans to adopt Oneto-One Initiative with iPads

Seth Winstead

with textbook fees.

The bond, called QZAB (Qualified Zone Academy Bond) is a proposal is in the federal bond through the United works that will proStates Department of Education vide each student that the school corporation applied and teacher with their for and was approved for. own personal iPad to The bond, worth $2 million, will use for educational purposes next be used to pay for building renoyear through a program called the vations and will cover about twoOne-to-One Initiative. thirds of the iPad costs. The remaining third, or $200,000, will come from textbook rental fees, according to Director of Finance Jane Kellam-Tollett.

It’s predicted that the rental cost paid per student for the iPads will be around $30-$40, according to Kellam-Tollett.

Receiving the device will be very similar to being issued a textbook, according to technology director Terry Miller. The devices will be distributed at the beginning of the year, then turned in near the end of the year.

Since the iPads will be in students’ possession, there are plans for if a device is lost, broken or stolen. are working on optUsing iPads, sophomores Blake Highlander, Cody Chappelow and Ty Bowman work on papers using the Pages word processing app in out“Weinsurance coverage their English 10 class. Prior to committing to the One-to-One Initiative, English 10 classes and one English 11 class received class sets of iPads in a for the devices. If students pilot program. Seth Winstead photo

A

Co-Editor in Chief

The One-to-One Initiative aims to provide a wireless device for each student at the high school.

The Indiana Department of Education supports the idea to help boost college and career readiness.

Funding for this project, which will cost around $600,000 for approximately 1,100 iPads, will come from a combination of a bond and charging rental for the iPads in

Play debuts tomorrow at 7 Kara Dye

T

Staff Writer

he spring play The Butler Did It will debut tomorrow night at 7 p.m. in the Wise Center. Additional shows will be held April 26 at 7 p.m. and April 27 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the bookstore or at the door. Tickets will cost $7 for adults and $5 for students.

This particular play was chosen because the selection committee thought it would be fun for the students. It also has a smaller set, which is easier for production, according to play director Suzi Brown. The play is a comedy murder mystery about a murder at an English dinner party.

Played by senior Brandon O’Brien, Jenkins is the butler who is accused of killing a guest. Trevor Barstow, played by junior Jor-

dan McGraw, is one of the guests who is murdered.

Kat Covington, played by senior Suzanne Seibert, is the fiancée of Trevor Barstow. She is also the daughter of Lady Miranda Covington, played by sophomore Ashleigh Poe, and Colonel Nigel Covington, played by senior Michael Klein.

Three juniors and a freshman round out the cast. Autumn Mengedoht plays Sarah Jane, Charles Precht plays Father Timothy and Sarah Repp plays Edwina Corry. Freshman Cassie Frye plays Gram, an elderly woman.

According to Brown, the play is interesting because it is a comedy murder mystery and it is more intimate than the other plays.

“People should come see the play to support fellow classmates and to have a good time,” Brown said.

Cast members antici-

don’t participate, they’re responsible for the entire cost,” Miller said.

One-to-One Initiative implementation has been planned for about two years. During this time, the technology team has built a foundation for the new technology by adding campus-wide Wi-fi last summer. Along with this, there were other improvements.

“

I’m excited because iPads will drastically reduce the size and weight of textbooks. Clayton Smith, English teacher

”

“A lot of infrastructure had to be worked on,” Miller said. The server had to be improved and fiber-optics were added. Three factors made this the time to move forward, according to Miller.

First, it made sense financially; second, Apple’s prices aligned with funding; and finally, it was time to replace English textbooks.

Given that everyone has to take English, it made sense to implement now, Miller said.

Tech continued on page 8

Choir plans spring show

Gill McDonald Staff Writer

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he spring choir concert will take place May 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the Wise Center.

The cost is $4 at the door.

The concert’s theme is “Our Generation,” and it includes songs students picked. Music varies from contest pieces to songs from “Frozen” and “Pitch Perfect.”

Concert treble, vocal jazz, men’s choir, intermediate choir and barbershop groups will perform and soloists will be featured.

“We choose seven to nine soloists. We bring in judges to pick the soloists [since] about 40 people will try out,” choir director Roger Tyler said.

Tyler expects a great show. “Both of my advanced choirs will get into State finals, so I think it’ll be a really good show,” he said. During a dress rehearsal April 11 in the Wise Center, Gram, played by freshman Cassie Frye, “[It will be] a big celebration because reaches out to the butler Jenkins, played by senior Brandon O’Brien, as she hallucinates that he is her when all the choir students get together, deceased husband. Suzi Brown photo it’s just really fun,” advanced treble choir pate opening night. “I’m all of the cast to get together sophomore Cassie Bright said. looking forward to it be- and do something fun for “[I look forward to singing] the ‘Frozen’ ing a successful play, to everyone,” Frye said. medley because I love ‘Frozen’. It was a cast bonding, making new The cast has been prac- wonderful movie, and the songs fit the stofriends and having some ticing for seven weeks on ry perfectly,” said freshman Joe Chasteen, new people being interest- Mondays, Tuesdays and who is in the men’s choir. ed in theatre,” sophomore Wednesdays for two hours. “[I’m nervous about] choreography...

Rachel Jones said. Jones is Leading up to the play, mostly because we’ve been focusing on an understudy for Kat Cov- the cast will practice imme- contest pieces,” said sophomore Cameron ington and Gram. diately after school until 9 James, who is in the men’s choir and vocal “[The play] is a chance for p.m. throughout tech week. jazz choir.

Opinion

page 2 ‹ Clarion

April 24, 2014

A R.I.C.H.E.R. disconnect

Wanted: support for smaller clubs and activities Staff Editorial

W

ouldn’t it be a good thing if fans filled the stands for the defending Sectional champion track teams the way they do for the football team or if the entire basketball cheer block showed up for one night of the Drama Club’s spring play?

Yet, this doesn’t happen, so it seems that if a student isn’t involved with football or basketball, that their activity, sport or club does not matter to the rest of the students. Despite administration’s efforts to curb this feeling, students in “under-rated” clubs and sports feel as if they are invisible to the student body. This belief has led to a decline involvement with clubs, sports and extracurriculars.

The administration and staff strive to teach students cooperation and respect. With the R.I.C.H.E.R. principles they encourage CHS to get along as a “family,” but something is getting lost in translation.

Even though CHS should be

GO SPARTANS!

Katie Bailey photo illustration (Talon Moore photo; Ash Ripberger, subject)

united, it is not. Instead, it can seem like a playground for a bunch of disconnected cliques and groups.

Groups formed by common interest are natural and to be expected; when one spends extensive amounts of time with a group of people, they become one’s extended family--like students who are in band or on the speech team or those who are in sports together.

Although all of these groups at CHS coexist peacefully, these groups should support each other more than they do.

Students in these groups should never disparage one another or bring each other down. Even though staff members try to stop bullying among individual students, it is hard to detect the “bullying” against a club or sport.

It is almost impossible to count how many times one can hear in the hallways things like, “You’re in Drama Club. Drama Club sucks,” or “You run track. Running isn’t a sport.”

The demeaning comments go on and on, and these comments have affected almost every club, sport or activity in one way or another.

This lack of support and unity paired with critical comments can

negatively impact that sport or club, whether it is through a decline in membership or a lack of student support at events.

To eradicate this problem and help unify the school, students should try talking to people who are involved in clubs or sports that they themselves are not involved in.

Students need to be more aware of what they say and how it

affects others.

Also they need to support these smaller groups by going to a game, meet, competition, match, event or performance to show everyone that at CHS our students are there for each other.

Tonight students can support the track teams at home.

Students can support Drama Club Friday, Saturday or Sunday by attending the play The Butler Did It. Students and staff can still help Team Lead by donating gently used books. Team Lead will collect books until May 2 for the Ronald McDonald House at Riley Hospital.

Students could also cheer on the girls tennis team at the Richmond Invitational Saturday.

In the next couple weeks they could support spring teams as they play at home. JV baseball plays May 1, and varsity plays May 6. The varsity softball team plays May 3.

If students are unable to attend events, they can still acknowledge student successes in person or by placing a note on the under-utilized graffiti board outside the art rooms in Lower Jackson. This is a great way to thank people and congratulate people; however, it isn’t used as often as it should be.

For more upcoming events, check the weekly calendar and listen to CHS Today each day.

As end of year draws near, apathy comes with it

Seth Winstead

W

Co-Editor in Chief

ell ladies and gents, we’re in our final stretch of school before we’re out for summer, and for some people, out forever.

With spring in full force and the weather getting warmer, a contagious, diabolical disease begins to manifest inside some of us, even teachers. No, it’s not mono, but something worse: Senioritis.

Senioritis is a slang term that is used to describe the sudden apathy and laziness that seniors have as the last day approaches. While it just says ‘senior,’ it applies to those ranging from freshmen to teachers, as well.

Once this treacherous disease appears in people, they begin to slack off on their work, not pay as much attention in class and

Clarion The

Connersville High School 1100 Spartan Drive Connersville, IN 47331 www.chsclarion.com

in some cases, for seniors in particular, feel as if they’re above the rules.

This is problematic because as students begin to acquire these characteristics, such as losing focus and ignoring their work, their grades begin to plummet.

Some students don’t mind scraping by with a D- in a class, just as long as they pass. But, for those who are looking forward to college, or those hoping to impress an employer, second semester grades are still important.

A college can and possibly will deny students admission if their grades have declined, which is most certainly not something one would want to happen.

For students, now is not the time to fail a required class and lose credit.

For seniors especially, nothing would be worse than having to come back an extra semester or year

Sarah Repp illustration

Staff, students: Avoid the ‘plague’

because you got lazy and felt above everyone else.

Makes sense, right?

Another problem is that the Algebra 1 ECA, English 10 ECA and the Biology ECA are all tests that will be approaching soon for students in those classes.

If students fall victim to

“A Clear Call Summons All” The Clarion is a student publication serving as open forum for student expression at Connersville High School, where it is distributed to all students, faculty and staff. While the staff aims to provide a balanced account of news, opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of faculty, staff, administration or school board. The editor is solely responsible for the content.

senioritis and just blow off classwork and paying attention, they may not pass these tests, which the state says students must pass in order to graduate.

With the end of the year getting closer and the weather becoming nicer, spring fever is setting in.

Editors in Chief

Katie Bailey

Seth Winstead

Principal

Randal Judd

Adviser

Lisa Morris

Staff

Kara Dye Dakota Firsich Cara French Jordan Harris Ali Hostetler Gill McDonald

So, losing focus and blowing off work now won’t be good for you in the long run.

We must batten down the hatches, do our work, stay focused and keep working up until the very last day.

Otherwise, there can be severe repercussions afoot.

Michael McMillan Megan McNally Katie Moffitt Lilli Stinger Erica Valentine

News

April 24, 2014

Clarion › page 3

Speech season wraps up Dakota Firsich

S In third period horticulture class, junior Demetrius Franklin adds pot- Preparing for the annual agriculture plant sale, junior Garrett Beaty waters plants in the greenhouse during Michelle

Plant sale held May 2-3

ting soil to a plant. Lilli Stinger photo

Rexing’s third period horticulture class. Lilli Stinger photo

Lilli Stinger

E

Staff Writer

very year, horticulture classes host a plant sale to fund the greenhouse. The sale will be Friday, May 2, 3:45 to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 3, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

“For this event, all we sell are annual flowers and vegetables,” agriculture teacher Gabe Nobbe said.

Flowers will be sold in hanging baskets, patio pots, 4 ½ inch pots, 6x6 trays and six-packs. Types

include geraniums, petunias, marigolds, begonias, gerbera daisies, million bells, impatiens, vincas, osteospermum, coleus, lobelia and dianthus.

Tomatoes and peppers will be sold in 4 ½ inch pots, 6x6 trays and six-packs.

Preparing for the plant sale is no overnight task.

“We start [preparing for the plant sale] in October. We pick the seeds and order them. A lot of the second semester goes toward managing and planting everything,” Nobbe said.

Proceeds will fund the maintenance and upkeep of the greenhouse and will purchase supplies. ”We haven’t set our prices yet; typically though, we’re very competitive with Walmart,” Nobbe said.

“We usually generate between $5,000 and $6,000 in income. We usually profit by about $2,000.”

Sophomore Shawntel Selby knows firsthand of the preparation that goes into the sale. “Before we start planting we take a list of ideas and pick popular

plants and a few interesting ones. Then we [choose] what we plant,” Selby said.

“I think the hardest part is making sure all the plants will be grown right in time for the sale.”

“I like being outside in the greenhouse watching what we plant grow,” Selby said.

“I hope [the plant sale] is a huge success, and I hope we sell everything we plant. I think people should know the sale saves them money and [the plants are] all grown locally by us,” Selby added.

Staff Writer

peech team ended the season with all seven of their members going to State after qualifying at the Sectional.

State qualifiers were juniors Ashley Rader, Sarah Repp, Kat Gillis and Justin Newhall and sophomores Rachel Jones and Jake Crain. Junior Jordan McGraw went as an alternate. While none of the members placed at State, this didn’t stop them from enjoying the season.

“The highlights of the competition are just being with the team. We spend so much time together, it’s like we become family, and all the other competitors become your friends,” Rader said.

Many meets were cancelled because of weather, and the team was only able to compete in four meets. They tied for third against Rushville. They had a fourth place finish at New Castle and another fourth place at Floyd Central.

With only seven students competing at Sectional, the team was small compared to most. “The biggest obstacle for the coming year is that we need more kids to join. The team would like to see more interest and have the speech team become a formidable force to be reckoned with in the upcoming years,” Coach C.J. Scott said.

Team members feel the activity is beneficial. “I enjoy the people and the competition. It’s just a really hectically wonderful place to be. The best part about speech is the insane amount of connections you make. I have met wonderful people and learned from them,” Repp said.

Talking the talk: Students visit France Katie Moffitt

F

Staff Writer

irst it was bon voyage and now it is bienvenue to the nine students from third and fourth year French classes and their two chaperones who traveled to France for Spring Break, March 2230. While there, they visited various attractions in Paris and the Loire Valley.

“I liked the countryside in the Loire Valley. It wasn’t as crowded as Paris and you could enjoy it,” junior Olivia McMillan said.

“Chateau de Chenonceau was my favorite place. It was beautiful and truly amazing,” senior Will Austerman said.

“My favorite place we visited was a little town called Loches. It was perfectly quaint and it seemed like something you would see in the movies,” junior Morgan Geise said.

They also visited Normandy and the D-Day beaches.

“I enjoyed going to Normandy. There were so many American flags there and at Omaha Beach. There is an American cemetery for the soldiers lost in World War II,” junior Becca Seeley said.

To prepare for the trip, students made checklists, ran assorted errands and learned to pack efficiently. “I had to get my passport and change all my money to euros,” junior Brayton Johns said.

Before leaving, students felt nervous but eager. Only three had been out of the country before. “I was most afraid of getting lost or wandering off and not finding my way back,” Seeley said.

Only four had flown before. “I was most terrified of flying. Taking off in the huge jetliner made my heart race, but I really enjoyed flying,” Johns said.

French teacher Judith Echano-Medina and chaperone Japanese teacher Sachiko Kawakubo gave the students as much advice beforehand as possible. “They told us not to stress out and stay calm,” Seeley said.

Students were also told to pay attention. “When you travel to another country, things are not like they are at home,” Echano-Medina said.

“One difference is that the Europeans know tons of languages, and they know them well,” Seeley said.

At dinner in France,

junior Jack Reed tries escargots, otherwise known as snails. They were served with parsley and garlic butter. Judith EchanoMedina photo

While touring

Normandy, juniors Morgan Geise, Hettie Dalrymple, Brayton Johns and Jack Reed collect sand from Omaha Beach. .Judith EchanoMedina photo



In front of Azay-le-Rideau, students stop for a quick photo. Front row: Hettie Dalrymple, Becca Seeley, Sachiko Kawakubo, Jack Reed. Row 2: Rainie Grant, Olivia McMillan, Morgan Geise, Judith Echano-Medina, Brayton Johns, Will Austerman, Lexi Isaacs. photo courtesy of Judith Echano-Medina

Though Kawakubo had been out of the country multiple times, this was her first time being in Europe. “Paris was like Tokyo--a big city and lots of people. The countryside was a lot like Indiana. I will definitely go back,” Kawakubo said.

Kawakubo’s favorite sites were the Eiffel Tower and the cathedrals. “[The Eiffel Tower] looked like jewelry at night. The stained glass windows in the cathedrals were beautiful,” Kawakubo said.

“The Eiffel Tower was beautiful, especially at night.

Going all the way to the top and looking out over the city was breathtaking,” Geise said.

Even Echano-Medina saw new sites. “Once we were

out of Paris, everything was new for me, too. That was the first time I had visited some of the castles in the Loire Valley, and I had never been to Normandy,” Echano-Medina said.

Everyone was able to try a variety of foods including snails and crepes. “The snails were so good I ordered an extra order just for me,” junior Hettie Dalrymple said.

“The worst part was getting over the fact that you are eating a snail. The taste wasn’t really that bad, and the texture was like a mushroom,” McMillan said.

Some longed for a taste of home. “Stopping at the McDonald’s was a lifesaver for some of us,” Johns said.

There will be another chance for French students to

go to Paris, in two years. The trip cost around $3,000 which covered the hotels, all breakfasts and dinners, the tours, plane tickets and some of the Metro tickets.

In order to raise money, they had a boot drive which yielded $360. Family members and jobs provided additional funds. “I work in the summer and I had extra money left over,” Geise said.

“This trip was my 17th birthday present, my 18th birthday present and my Christmas present for this year and next,” Dalrymple said.

One thing they all agree on: “It was a great trip. It was definitely worth the money. It was the experience of a lifetime,” Geise said.

Feature

page 4 ‹ Clarion

April 24, 2014

Student saddles up to show “

Abby Gettinger earns local, national honors

I show because this is a sport for me. I work hard and practice, and when I go to a show, I get to see the outcome of my hard work. Abby Gettinger, 10

”

Presenting her first place award for showmanship, sophomore Abby Gettinger celebrates winning at the Connersville Free Fair in 2011. That was the first year Gettinger showed with her main horse, Ollie, who is a quarter horse. photo courtesy Abby Gettinger

Megan McNally

O

Staff Writer

n most weekends sophomore Abby Gettinger can be found in the show ring working with one of her three horses.

Gettinger began showing at the age of eight after buying her first horse. Since then she has gained the needed knowledge from her mom, who showed horses as a kid, as well as from individuals at The Pines Stable in Centerville, where she stalls her horses.

Gettinger owns and shows three quarter horses.

Ollie is her main horse. She shows him in Showmanship, Trail and Horsemanship. In English Pleasure and English Equitation she shows Mac. Carl, her newest horse, competes in the Reining classes and Ranch Horse Pleasure.

To improve her skills, Gettinger participates in Horsemanship and Equitation classes, where she is judged on her ability to control her horse when completing a pattern.

She also takes trail classes, where she rides her horse through an obstacle course consisting of poles, a mailbox, a backing obstacle

or a gate. She competes in Showmanship, where she is on the ground leading her horse through a pattern, and pleasure classes, where her horse is judged on certain qualities such as movement and consistency.

Gettinger recently decided to expand her capabilities and compete in Reining classes. Reining demonstrates the rider’s ability to guide the horse through a precise pattern consisting of circles, stops, spins, backing and lead changes.

She will also begin showing in Ranch Horse Pleasure. “In this class the horse needs to be the kind

you would use on a big ranch. So the horse needs to be able to get to places, and be able to sidestep and go over logs while staying calm,” she said.

Showing horses requires a lot of work and is a year round sport. Although Gettinger only participates in a few larger shows in the winter, she constantly works with her horses to improve. Gettinger rides a minimum of two times a week but sometimes up to five times, for around an hour and a half each.

She also takes lessons from others to better herself, as well as her horses.

“For practice I ride as many times a week as I can, for as long as I can. I also spend a lot of time at shows just learning and trying to figure out how to make myself better,” Gettinger said.

On top of all the practice hours Gettinger puts in, she also has to wash, clip and band her horse and pack the trailer before leaving for the show.

“Banding is putting the

mane into small ponytails.

Banding the mane makes the horse look more professional,” Gettinger said.

Once at the show Gettinger must warm-up her horse, memorize her patterns and make sure she and her horse are presentable before entering her class. At shows one doesn’t have a specific time to show or a certain ending time, so one must be constantly aware of the schedule and the pace of the classes.

“When I go to a show they might last all weekend or all week,” Gettinger said.

Over the years Gettinger has been the 2010 Region 4 Champion, 2012 AQHA World Qualifier and has placed in the top 10 at the North American Livestock Expo. More recently she was named the 2013 Novice Youth Showmanship, Indy Circuit Champion, 2013 AQHA World Finalist.

Her team was a finalist in the 2013 AQHA Congress Team Tournament.

Showing has given Gettinger the chance to express her love for horses, while developing life-long friendships. “It’s a great learning experience to go through. It is fun, and it gives you the chance to make many new friends,” Gettinger said.

“I show because this is the sport for me. I work hard and practice, and when I go to a show, I get to see the outcome of my hard work,” Gettinger said.

Skateboarding soothes the soul Despite injuries, students partake in skateboarding Ali Hostetler

T

Staff Writer

ypically when one thinks of skateboarding, they don’t see it as a sport. For those who skate, however, not only do they think it’s a sport, they say it’s a mode of transportation and a great way to hang out with friends.

“It’s a fun way to hang out with friends and have a good time,” sophomore Seth Gossett said.“It’s pretty much like how some people connect to football or basketball: I connect to skating, and you can always get better at it.”

Some skate because they find it soothing. “I skate because it’s relaxing, and it

helps me clear my mind,” sophomore Caulin Bunzendahl said.

There is some risk to skating, though. Gossett and Bunzendahl have only obtained some minor injuries. “I’ve only had a couple of gashes and scratches,” Bunzendahl said.

For sophomore Kyle Rader, however, injuries have been pretty serious.

“I’ve sprained both wrists.

I’ve fractured my arm, and I have long-term knee damage,” he said.

The ideal part of skateboarding is something everyone defines differently.

“The best part of skating is the feeling you get when you’re speeding down a hill or recovering from a wipe out,” senior Darren Pass said.

According to Gossett the best part of skating is hanging out with friends.

“I skate with Jake Frasher,

“

“

A trick is never Skating’s a fun perfect. Even if you land it way to hang out with constantly, you can still try friends and have a good and go higher with it. time. Brad McGuire, 10 Seth Gossett, 10

” ”

Brad McGuire, Kyle Rader and Rodney Crawley around town whenever it’s warm,” Gossett said.

Learning how to do and to perfect tricks on a skateboard takes time, according to Gossett. “It takes about a month to perfect a trick,” Gossett said.

Some tricks include kickflips, heelflips, 180s, varials, big spins and ollies.

“A trick is never perfect. Even if you land it constantly, you can still try and go higher with it,” sophomore Brad McGuire said. “The trick I am most proud of accomplishing is

the kickflip because it took me the longest to learn and it led to learning a lot more tricks.”

“The trick I am most proud of accomplishing is the double kickflip because it’s a double, which is harder than a normal kickflip, and it took me a long time to get the hang of it,” Gossett said.

“The thing about skating is there is no opponent, and there are no rules,” McGuire said.

“You can skate at anytime you want by yourself if you don’t have anyone to skate with.”

Performing a 360-flip on the steps of the First Presbyterian Church, sophomore Kyle Rader practices his skateboarding tricks. Rader usually skateboards three days a week. photo courtesy Kyle Rader

OLLIE: a jump performed by tapping the tail of the board on the ground; the basis of most skating tricks. KICKFLIP: a variation on the ollie in which the skater kicks the board into a spin before landing back on it. FAKIE: when the skater is standing in his or her normal stance, but the board is moving backward. www.exploratorium./skateboardingglossary.com

Prom brings fashions forward Latest spring fashions tips, trends revealed in time for 2014 prom

Cara French

Kayla Sears illustration

W



At the the April 5 band dinner dance, senior Marissa Maggart shows off her prom dress while dancing with her date, graduate Jordan Limburg. ”I chose this dress because it came closest to what I wanted. I saw it in the shop and I had to have it,” Maggart said.

Katie Bailey photo

Staff Writer

ith prom coming up May 10, it’s time to plan and pick out attire.

Everyone wants to look their best for the big night. This means choosing the perfect dress, shoes, hairstyle, makeup, manicure, tuxedo and corsage.

DRESSES Finding the perfect dress and tux are the biggest and most difficult decisions for prom. Standing out is important, but no one wants to do that by drawing the wrong kind of attention or by having an outdated style.

On promgirl.com, one can determine one’s body shape and see which dresses compliment that shape. According to Mac Duggal, the owner of a popular prom and pageant line, popular styles that work with almost any shape are ball gowns and trumpet dresses, which are snug in the chest area and flare at the waist.

A popular style that compliments a busty or hourglass shape, according to macduggal.com, is a mermaid style dress which is snug in the chest and the waist but flares at the knee or shins.

COLORS According to harpersbazaar.com, the new hues for spring 2014 are pretty pastels, metallics and intense primary colors. A blingy dress will definitely make one stand out, and it’s what is trending, according to David’s Bridal’s website. Illusion panels, daring backs and cut-outs are the latest prom

dress trends that are sure to get one noticed, according to the site.

ACCESSORIES & SHOES As for accessories, instyle.com says that the hot trends for spring 2014 accessories are beaded or lucite necklaces, platform sandals and fringed bags.

While accessories are optional, shoes are necessary. Deb’s store website says that there are three prom shoe trends: ankle straps, gladiator sandals and lace heels.

“

My girlfriend is wearing an orange dress, so I am thinking about wearing an orange tux to match her. Michael McMillan, 12

”

HAIRSTYLES An article on latest-hairstyles.com gives the 15 hottest prom hair ideas. One suggestion is “Fishtail Fun,” which has fishtail braids leading into a braided bun.

MANICURES Hillary Timlin on alyceparis.com offers the top 10 prom manicures, including a solid color with silver glitter and pastel colored fingernails.

TUXES & SUITS Choosing men’s attire can be tough.

Some choose tuxes, while others pick suits.

The main difference between the two is the presence of satin. Tuxedos typically have satin facing on the lapels, buttons, pockets and trim, as well as a satin side stripe down the side of the pants. Tuxedos are typically more popular for prom.

Most guys try to match their date, according to David’s Bridal. “My girlfriend is wearing an orange dress, so I am thinking about wearing an orange tux to match her. If I can’t find an orange tux that is the same shade as her dress, I will wear a black and white tux with an orange flower on it,” senior Michael McMillan said.

From bow ties, to textured shirts, to tails, there are many ways to customize a tux. Prom is an occasion worthy of cuff links, cummerbunds, top hats and canes.

Prom & After Prom PROM Prom will be held May 10 from 7-11 p.m. in the Miller Building in Roberts Park. Senior Council members decided the prom theme will be a mixture between Old Hollywood and The Great Gatsby and will use colors of black, gold, red and white.

“I like the theme. I think it’s classy and elegant,” Senior Council member Ellie Branson said.

According to sponsor Holly Dunn, tickets will be $10 and can be bought two weeks before the dance at the bookstore.

Students will vote for Prom Court a week before the dance.

According to Dunn, the prom budget is around $10,000. Senior Council plans to spend around $300 on food and $500 on party favors. The favor will be a CD with songs from all four years of high school for the Class of 2014. The cost of deejay is approximately $3,000 and the cost of cleanup is $200. AFTER PROM For the past six months senior parents have been planning after prom, which will take place May 11 from 12-3 a.m. in the high school gym.

Although in the past after prom has been free for students, this year it will cost $10. The price includes an after prom t-shirt. Students must register for after prom and purchase tickets beforehand.

They may do this at the bookstore.

Activities will include laser tag in a maze, a wrecking ball, a 40x40 foot maze, a Segway obstacle course, music and carnival games with prizes.

Door prizes will include an Anytime Fitness membership, oil changes by Gough Automotive, a family pass for the park pool, small appliances for college, hair care essentials and tanning sessions.

Food will be provided by Buffalo Wild Wings, Little Caesar’s and Pizza King.

Desserts will also be provided.

by Katie Bailey

It takes two to tango, foxtrot, waltz Staff couple bonds by ballroom dancing Megan McNally

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Staff Writer

AG teacher John Kitlinski and his wife, special needs teacher Madelynn Kitlinski, were brought together by their shared passion for dancing. Dancing has given the Kitlinskis time to spend together, while also expressing their love of moving to the music.

Mrs. Kitlinski grew up dancing and has taken ballet, jazz and tap lessons.

When she was a junior in high school she started dating Mr. Kitlinski and began ballroom dancing.

“John would come home [from college] and teach me swing dance, and we would go swing dancing on the weekends. Swing

dancing is an upbeat style of dance. It involves lots of turns and fast moving,” Mrs. Kitlinski said.

Mr. Kitlinski began dancing for other reasons.

“I began dancing because I moved to Florida to go back to school and I didn’t know anyone,” Mr. Kitlinski said.

He was looking to meet new people while enjoying something he loved. He started dancing at a nearby studio where he took introductory lessons and loved dancing right away.

Throughout their college years the couple still participated in dancing. Mrs. Kitlinski took her first ballroom dancing class during her freshman year at Butler, and Mr. Kitlinski became a dancing instructor.

Mr. Kitlinski began dancing in order to gain confidence and to learn how to better interact with people.

Throughout the years he has taken and taught classes and even competed.

He competed with a professional dance partner from 2009 through 2011.

Preparing for the competition took many hours of practice.

“To start off, you find a partner, then decide whether you want to dance American Smooth, International Smooth, International Rhythm or American Rhythm,” he said.

Mr. Kitlinski competed in American Smooth which consists of tango, foxtrot and the waltz. He then decided whether he would compete in Open, where dancers can make up their own routine, or Closed, where dancers must base their routine off of a list of patterns given to them.

Usually it would take about four months to prepare, and they would prac-

tice six days a week, two hours before work and three hours after work in order perfect the routine.

Mr. Kitlinski last competed at the Fred Astaire National Competition in Las Vegas three years ago.

Although Mr. Kitlinski and Mrs. Kitlinski have trouble trying to find the time to dance now, they have both gained lifelong lessons from it. “[You can apply] ballroom dancing to your life in a lot of different ways.

[Dancing] gives you the confidence to tackle something you don’t think you could do. It makes you interact with other people; you get better at communicating with people,” Mr. Kitlinski said.

“Dancing is a great way to express yourself, but also to share memories with someone you love,” Mrs. Kitlinski said.

Putting their ballroom dancing skills to good use, teachers John and Madelynn Kitlinski take a turn on the dance floor at their wedding, July 25, 2011. Ian Borgerhoff photo

Sports

page 6 ‹ Clarion

April 24, 2014

Track girls race to the finish

Megan McNallly

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Staff Writer

oming off 6-1-1 record last year, the girls track team looks to defend their Sectional title. The team hopes to have strong performances thanks to many returning faces and captains Makayla Gaines, Emma Ross, Katlyn Bottomley and Morgan Hamilton.

“I think that we will be very competitive again this year, and we should be capable of winning the Sectional meets again. We have many returning athletes who played a big role in our success last year,” Head Coach Steve Klemme said.

“I feel, for both teams, our strength lies in the distance events, but we have athletes who will do well in almost every event. Weaknesses are in the throwing events,” Klemme said.

“The primary goals for each team are to replace graduates from last year, mainly in the hurdles and middle distance, and to become more competitive in the throwing events,” Klemme said.

“We will accomplish this by adding new faces to the team and by shifting some athletes to events other than what they did last year,” Klemme said.

Ross, a long-distance runner, hopes to finish her senior year successfully.

According to Ross, she expects to break her personal records, as well as help the team win Sectional again.

Others, like freshman Mikalia Taylor, wanted to be part of the team because they had an enjoyable experience on their middle school team.

Taylor said she wants to have fun with the team and hopes to beat the freshman record.

Each member of the team has different challenges. Some must overcome mental blocks, injuries or lack of time due to the longer school day.

“Some days running is hard. Sometimes there is a voice in my head that tells me to quit, and it’s a challenge to push through. The biggest challenge is mental. The hardest part is remembering what matters and why you do this sport, even when you feel hopeless,” Ross said.

“A challenge of the sport is going against the seniors and trying to beat them,” Taylor said.

The team competes tonight against Greensburg at home at 5:30 p.m. The team’s next home meet is Monday, May 12 at 5 p.m. against Union County and Oldenburg.

Participating in a track meet against Centerville, sophomore Kelsey Barrett and junior Riley Stegner compete in the 100m hurdles at home on Thursday, April 10. Michael McMillan photo

Golfers set goals, hit the greens Question “ &Answer ” Jordan Harris

With high expectations, a new EICA Conference to compete in and four returning seniors, the boys golf team hopes for a great season.

“My expectations are to be competitive and make a run at another undefeated match season. We’ve done that the last two out of three years. Also, we hope to win our Conference and our Sectional,” Coach Doug Fischesser said. “[I would like to] go undefeated and make it to State as a team,” senior Jake Hackleman said.

“We are also looking forward to competing in the EIAC Conference after three years of non-conference play,” Fischesser said.

The team has experience returning to encourage, help and support their teammates. “We have four seniors back this year with two juniors right behind them with varsity experience. Our top

three players from last year returned, and the next three players all have at least two years of playing time,” Fischesser said.

While the team hopes for a great season, they will work to improve.

“We would like to improve in a couple of areas of our game. First I’d like to see us lower our individual match averages and our scoring consistency in tournaments, which supports match and tournament wins. Also, we need to work on our individual short games, specifically our chipping and putting which will lead to better scores and overall scoring consistency,” Fischesser said. “[One challenge] is making contact with the ball every time,” Graves said. “[Golf is] completely different from other sports. It’s 80% a mental game,” Hackleman said.

For some, the love of golf began at an early age. “I have been involved with golf for over 50 years. I grew up

prove their competitiveness in throws and hurdles.

The athletes will work to perform to the best of their ability. “[I hope the athletes] improve on speed and distance. We will improve that through hard work,” Coach Jeff Cooley said.

The challenges for each athlete are different. Overall, the team will work on improving their weakness, and individually, each athlete will work to overcome personal challenges.

“For distance runners the challenges are in running a smart race. It’s difficult to find the right pace and to know when to stick with an opponent and when to let them go,” Gragg said.

The team practices every day after school for around an hour and a half and some members practice in the

mornings as well.

The team begins practice with a discussion of upcoming meets or changes in activities. Next, the team stretches and warms-up before splitting into specialized groups where they practice according to their individual events.

“We will have a good season. The kids will be prepared and ready to win,” Coach Kelli House said.

According to Klemme, the team’s goals for the season are to be undefeated in dual meets, to be Sectional champions again and to send several athletes to State.

The team competes tonight against Greensburg at home at 5:30 p.m. The team’s next home meet is Monday, May 12 at 5 p.m. against Union County and Oldenburg.

Staff Writer

What are your expectations for the golf season?

“I want us to be Sectional Champs, Regional Champs and for us to make it to State.”

Chandler Creech, 12

“I definitely want us to make it to State as a team because I don’t think we have ever done that. And [I want us to] win the Regional. “ Jake Hackleman, 12

Boys track prepares to run fast or be last Megan McNally

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Staff Writer

fter winning the Sectional title last year for the first time in 23 years, the boys track team looks for a repeat.

The team finished with a 7-1 record last year and has many returning athletes.

Seniors Bryan Hicks, Grant West, Matt Hill and Sam Gragg are the team captains, who will help lead the boys on the track as well as off the track.

“They are good role models for their team and have shown dedication to the sport,” Head Coach Steve Klemme said.

With around 40 boys on the team, there is a strong line-up in most events.

The team will use their power in the jumps, sprints and distance events to ensure wins. The team hopes to im-

[I would like to] go undefeated and make it to State as a team. Jake Hackleman, 12 around the game. My father was a golf club professional, so I learned the game at an early age. I played golf in college and have played competitively for many years. I wanted to pass on to the players on the high school level some of the great things about the game,” Fischesser said.

“I started playing golf when I was four with my grandpa. I continue to play because I moved next to the golf course and I love the game,” senior Chandler Creech said.

The team’s next match will be Friday, May 2 at home against New Castle at 5 p.m.

Competing in the 200m dash, junior Elijah Williams tries to pull out a win in the event against Centerville on April 10, at home.

Michael McMillan photo

Sports

April 24, 2014

Clarion › page 7

Softball slides into season Ali Hostetler

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Staff Writer

oftball added five new coaches for the season: Head Coach David Ellis, assistant varsity coach Tina Rader, assistant JV coach Frank Sarmiento and assistant coaches Kelly Rusterholz and Kendra Rusterholz. There’s one returning coach this year: head JV coach Jessica Nead.

The first varsity game of the season was a double header at Franklin County, April 5, and the girls came home victors with a score of 8-6 for the first game and 10-7 for the second game.

The new head coach is a firefighter who’s always thought about coaching girls softball.

“I’ve always had an interest in coaching CHS softball,” Ellis said. “I have pride in Connersville, and I love the game of softball.

I have learned a lot, especially in the past couple of years, and I am eager to share that with the players.”

Goals for this season are set high. “Some goals for this season are to have

a winning record and be in the top half of EIAC. I want to have every player prepared for tournament play,” Ellis said. “My expectation for the team is for every single player to compete at their highest potential every pitch of every inning of every game.”

“My personal goals for the season are to have a high batting average and a low earned run average,” junior Destiny Ruch said.

Senior Kelsey Kroger has a similar goal. “My personal goal for the season is to improve my batting average,” Kroger said. “[I think the team will be] better. We have a new coach with a new philosophy and a lot of returning varsity players,” Kroger said.

Freshman Emily Reese agrees. “I think we will do really well because we have been working really hard, and we have a big coaching staff, so we will have more people to teach us one-onone,” Reese said. “[I’m hoping to improve this year by] keeping teams to a low number of runs per game, working hard every day on defense and back-

“

My personal goals for the season are to have a high batting average and a low earned run average. Destiny Ruch, 11

”

ing that up with good at bats,” Kroger said.

There are different reasons to be excited about the season. “I’m looking forward to the season because I think we have a really good team and coaching staff, so I can’t wait to see how we do during the season,” Reese said.

Everyone finds something different to love about a sport, and softball is no exception. “The mental part of softball is a great part of the sport. Being one step ahead of the play is crucial. Every position has a job for every play of the game,” Ellis said.

The next game for the varsity girls will be a double-header April 26 at Lawrenceburg at 11 a.m. Their next home game will be

a double-header against Greensburg, May 3.

The JV coach has high hopes for the team, too.

“My expectations for the season are for all my players to give 100% on the field, in practice and in games,” Nead said. “I also expect to see improvement in my players from where they are now in their skills, and I also expect to win games.”

“A strength of the team

are the positive attitudes of the girls,” Nead said.

“Also, a strength this year will be the amount of girls returning from last year and the experience they will bring.”

The next game for the JV squad will be held at Franklin County, on April 30 at 5:15 p.m. The next home game for the girls will be May 1 against New Castle at 5 p.m.

Prior to

the April 17 game against Shelbyville, junior Katelyn Risch warms up before she goes onto the field to play. The team won this game 16-3. Seth Winstead photo

Baseball season underway Jordan Harris

B Up to bat at the April 16 game against Centerville, JV player freshman Nathan Clark prepares to strike the ball. Seth Winstead photo

Staff Writer

aseball season is underway. The first game of the season was April 7.

The team had open gyms in the fall and winter to get back in the swing of things before starting the season.

Now, the team is practicing two to two and a half hours a day.

Expectations are set high. “I expect us to get better as the season progresses and be playing our best

baseball at Sectional time,” Coach Scott Sargent said.

“I expect us to finish well in our conference and get back to the Sectional championship,” sophomore Matthew Watkins said. “[Expectations are to] come out with a lot of wins and just do a good job,” junior Jordan Clark said.

The team was eager to get back on the field. “I’m looking forward to playing ball and winning games with my friends,” sophomore Cooper Cox said.

“I’m looking forward to

getting back on the field with the team,” Watkins said. “[I’m looking forward to] warm weather, watching the players get better every day and playing for a Conference and Sectional championship,” Sargent said.

For many, the reason they play is simple: the love of the game. “Baseball is the best sport ever,” Watkins said.

For others, baseball runs in the family. “My entire family has played baseball,” Cox said.

With every sport comes

difficulties. “[The hardest part about baseball is] being ready to play and to be on top of your game every day,” Sargent said.

The next game for varsity is Saturday, April 26 at Anderson. The next JV game is Tuesday, April 29 at New Castle, while the freshman boys next game is Tuesday, April 29 at home against Hagerstown.

JV will be at home tonight against Union County at 5 p.m. Varsity’s next home game is Tuesday, May 6 against Greenfield-Central.

Girls tennis season officially in full swing Ali Hostetler

D

Staff Writer

espite losing their season opener against Batesville April 10, the girls tennis team and their coach look forward to successful season.

“We didn’t do too well. It was our first match and the weather conditions weren’t ideal. We’ll do better in our next match and continue to improve throughout the season,” new Head Coach Chris Diercks said.

Even though this is his first year as their coach, Diercks has tennis experience. “I have played tennis since I was five years old, and I hoped I could share my experience and expertise with a younger generation who also show an interest in the sport,” Diercks said.

The coach’s goals for the season are

high. “My goals are for the team are to have a winning record against conference opponents and to improve on last year’s overall record,” Diercks said.

“The biggest challenge is that it’s an individual sport,” Diercks said. “You cannot rely on someone else’s performance to carry you to victory. Even with playing doubles, each girl needs to perform her role, or the duo will have little chance of winning.”

There’s only one senior on the team and seven returning varsity players. This inexperience will be a challenge.

“Honestly, I’m not setting my expectations too high for the team this season because we only have seven returning players, and we don’t have a solid varsity,” senior Halley Crum said.

“We lost the majority of our team last year because they all graduated, but it’s

been that way for the past few years,” Crum added.

Improvement comes with time. “Hopefully, I can improve my backhands and get really good on my serves, and I plan on practicing and working on a lot this season,” junior Emiley Fox said.

She’s not the only one looking to improve, however. “I am looking to improve on my forehand and versatility this year.

My net game is okay but not as efficient as I would like it to be,” Crum said.

Freshman Rylie Joy plans to boost her skills. “I’m hoping to improve on my game all-around, and I’ll work hard every practice and take in every win and loss I have as a step to keep improving,” Joy said.

The girls’ next match is tonight at Lincoln at 5 p.m. Their next home match will be April 29 against Rushville at 5 p.m.

Ready to

return the ball, junior Olivia Holm competes in the home meet against Greensburg April 8. This was Holm’s first year playing full-time varsity as the number-two doubles player with either junior Morgan Geise or freshman Shelby Brown. Rustina Raines photo

The Final Word

page 8 ‹ Clarion

April 24, 2014

‘App’licable tools for student devices App suggestions pair entertainment with education Gill McDonald Staff Writer

W

ith the One-to-One Initiative on the horizon, here are some apps for students to download onto their mobile devices. While some are educational, others are ones just to have fun.

Splashy Fish Since Flappy Bird was taken out of the App Store, Splashy Fish has tried to fill the void. Splashy Fish is just like Flappy Bird, but with a fish under the sea. It’s a free app and available to anyone who has a tablet, iPad or smartphone.

Cookie Clicker People with a nervous habit absolutely love this game, which is pointless

but addictive. Spending hours doing nothing but clicking to get cookies is surprisingly entertaining. One can buy things with those cookies to get more cookies. It’s free for all tablets, iPads or smartphones.

Happy Jump There’s nothing like an adorable game and jumping on platforms. Being a cute, little jello makes one feel totally childish, but it can fill time, if one is bored. Just tilt the screen back and forth to move from platform to platform and to also avoid the flies that will end the game. Free for mobile devices.

Wattpad Love reading and writing?

Wattpad is the app for that. All of the books on there are completely free and written by teenagers all around the world. These are not published books, but some might think they should be.

People who have Wattpad accounts can also write stories of their own and post them so other Wattpad users can read them. All genres -- including fan-fiction

-- are available. Free for tablets, iPads and smartphones.

EverNote Have a problem keeping track of papers and losing notes? Try EverNote. This app saves all notes. It can take pictures, and it can be used as a voice recorder. It can be accessed from school, work -- anywhere.

This app organizes so it’s easier to access the things one needs. One can also share notes with friends. It can be used on the computer, smartphone and tablet for free.

DropBox This is the perfect app to save pictures and research projects and share information. Simply upload a paper after DropBox is installed onto a computer. Afterwards, it can be accessed on any mobile device. It is for free from the app store.

Google Chrome The usual internet web browser apps that come with any device are slow.

Google Chrome is fast and

easy, taking only a couple of seconds to load. Buffering isn’t as common while using Chrome, and it’s free from any app store.

EasyBib Works cited pages are so much easier to do with EasyBib. There’s no need to log onto a computer and go to a citation website. Instead, if one needs to cite a book, just take a picture of the barcode on the back of the book and BOOM, completely cited. It is free of charge for iPads, tablets and smartphones.

Apps used for education Microsoft Office apps including Word, Excel and PowerPoint are all are offered for moblile devices, but they may come with subscription fees. iOS devices use similar apps like Pages, Numbers and Keynote.

With the One-to-One Initiative on the way, it would be worth checking out the apps for My Big Campus, Notability and Study Blue.

Pocket poetry seizes the day Cara French Staff Writer

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pril is National Poetry Month, and Poem in Your Pocket Day is being celebrated across the country today--April 24.

For four years, English teacher Carla Beard has encouraged participation in this day by handing out candy to students who show her they have a poem with them.

Though she retired in 2012, Beard came back today to pass out candy once again.

“I love that students actually have poems in their pockets for one day, at least. I love that people enter into the spirit of fun for the day.”

All English classes were encouraged to participate in Poem in Your Pocket Day. “It is important to celebrate poetry because good poems offer a creative and

thought-provoking vision of the human condition,” English teacher Paula Shouse said.

The poem doesn’t have to be original, it can be taken out of a book, from a movie or even a website.

“Anything from haiku to an epic counts, and with our devices, it’s not hard to put an epic poem in your pocket now,” Beard said.

“I love that students who write their own poems will share them with me. I love when people will recite a poem from memory,” Beard said.

For some, there is a mystery behind poetry. “My favorite poem is ‘A Valentine’ by Edgar Allan Poe because it’s romantic and describes his love for a woman who is in the poem itself, hidden. One must decipher the poem to decide who the woman is,” junior Brooke Bunch said.

Others enjoy the spiritual connection with the words.

“My favorite poem is ‘Footprints’ by Mary Stevenson because it shows that God is always with you, even if it feels like you are alone,” junior Mindy Swango said.

Some students enjoy poems with sentimental value.

“My favorite poem is ‘The Raven’ by Edgar Allan Poe because it was my Grandpa Jennings’ favorite poem and he used to recite the entire poem to me as a child. He passed away last November,” senior Jessica Jennings said.

“My favorite poem is ‘If’ by Rudyard Kipling because it was in a frame in my old house while my mom and dad were together, and now that they’re divorced it has sentimental value,” senior Steven Myers said.

April has been National Poetry Month since 1996, but National Poem in Your Pocket Day wasn’t celebrated till 2008.

Writer’sCorner Question&Answer

Sully by Lezza Blanton

You were my best friend through thick and thin We were like family, closer than kin I told you secrets no one else will ever know They will die with you buried in the ground under the snow Your coat so red and your mane so soft Your gallop so perfect brought me happiness no amount of money could have ever bought People said you were too small, too weak, too young, but you proved them wrong and made me proud When you and I raced around those barrels The roar of the crowd made a beautiful sound We’ve had good years and we’ve had bad Now my best friend in the whole world is gone and that makes me sad I can remember the two of us riding through wind and rain I pray every day that you’re in a better place with no more pain I pray you’re galloping across a pasture that has no limits not even the sky I think of you every time someone says your name or another horse passes me by We’ve been together ever since I could remember And now the cross on your grave says beloved horse and best friend SULLY 2005 October to 2013 December

What poem did you bring to Poem in Your Pocket Day? “I brought the poem ‘The Raven’ by Edgar Allan Poe. “ Kadin Sebring, 09

“ I brought the poem ‘What is True’ by Ben Ropel. “ Kenzie Wilson, 10

“I brought the poem ‘The Broken Heart’ by William Barnes. “ Nathan Terry, 11

“The poem I brought was ‘Sour Cream’ by Ernest P. Worrell. “ Brandon Townsend, 12

To submit to Writer’s Corner, students should attend Writers’ Club meetings in Paula Shouse’s room in W165. For more student work, visit chsclarion.com or scan this QR code with a QR reader app, like ScanLife, for your smart phone or tablet.

Tech

Continued from page 1

To pilot the One-to-One concept, the English 10 classes and one English 11 class had their desktop computers removed and replaced with iPads at the beginning of the year.

“They’ve been a tremendous benefit,” English department chairperson Clayton Smith said.

“It has allowed my classroom to be more flexible; I’m no longer confined to a computer desk that’s anchored to the ground.”

While this is a technological advance for the school, the ultimate goal is to help students prepare for the future. “What this is really about is the implication of blended learning. It’s not a conversation about a device; it’s a conversation for preparing students for college and career readiness,” Miller said.

Using these devices will teach students problem-solving skills, according to Miller.

The initiative was slated for approval at a special April 22 meeting of the school board, and people were eagerly anticipating it. “I think it would help with paper-work amongst students.

With everything being digital, it saves space in the room and it makes things easier with grading, because everything is in one place and allows for a quicker turn around,” English teacher Ray Engle said.

“I’m excited because it will drastically reduce the size and weight of textbooks,” Smith said.

Upon its approval, and if the funding is feasible, the initiative should go into effect for the 20142015 school year.