February 2014 Vol. 90, Issue 7

February 27, 2014

2013 All-Kansas Newspaper

Salina Central High School Vol. 90, Iss. 7

Sarah Brown/ The Pylon

Sadie’s in pictures

Hannah Schulter/The Pylon

pg4

pg9

Wrestling wrap-up

Confession Accounts

300 INSECURITIES

500 LIES

1,000 REASONS TO STOP 1d

@anonymousstudent

All these confession accounts create hate. #We’veHadEnough #KillThisTrend

@Confessions_SK @Probs_Central @SalinaDimes @SalGalProbz @LetsBeReal_KS

Rumor mill turns into social media nightmare pg 6-7

Looking ahead

1

Days until the state wrestling tournament

February28

4

Days until spring sports practices begin

March3

6

Days until boys’ basketball substate

March5

7

Days until girls’ basketball substate

March6

7

Days until the end of the 3rd Qtr.

March6

11

Days until the band & orchestra concert

March10

16

Days until Spring Break begins

March15

2

February 27, 2014

Fine Arts

Editors-In-Chief Mackenzie Morris & Emily Wood editor@chspylon.com

MarchCOPES! Bringin’ home gold Many students accepted into Wichita HOROS Scholastic Art Show, several win awards

Aries

News

March 21 - April 20

Emily Wood news@chspylon.com

This month is going to bring great joy to you and those around you. Use your positive vibes to spread happiness through the air! Your efforts will be rewarded.

Business Team

Taurus

Afton Miller, Sara Ingrassia & Rachel Bevans business@chspylon.com

April 21 - May 20

Things have not been going your way lately.

The good news, your luck is about to turn around! February 30 you’ll get the news you’ve been waiting to hear!

Student Life

Gemini

Jera Richardson studentlife@chspylon.com

Opinion Genna Salstrom opinion@chspylon.com

May 21 - June 20

Photos Courtesy of Mr. Pahls

Seniors Austin Bieberly, Alex Dominguez and Noah Wellbrock-Talley won awards at the Wichita art show.

By Eryn Hassler The Pylon

Sports Bailey Driver sports@chspylon.com

Fine Arts Eryn Hassler arts@chspylon.com

Feature Mackenzie Morris feature@chspylon.com

Staff reporters Austin Huynh, Travis Bigler, Trey Cullins, Casey Rayas, & Hannah Schroeder

The Wichita Scholastic Art Show is like the annual super bowl for art students.

Students from all over the state enter their best art work from the last calendar year.

Most pieces will not make the cut so it’s a great honor to be one of the few chosen. We as an art program did very good this year. Sixteen pieces were chosen from Central which is the most that’s ever gotten accepted.

All students who enter

artwork are then eligible to go on an all day field trip to Wichita. The field trip was lead by Mr. Cullins who took the students to the Wichita Art Center where the chosen pieces were displayed, as well as the Wichita Art Museum.

Out of the pieces that were chosen, some received honorable mentions, some received a higher award of a silver key, and some received the highest award which is a gold key. Of the few gold key pieces that were chosen, just a select few of them will be picked to go to an art show in

New York City.

Last year senior Austin Bieberly’s 3D piece of a giant outlet was awarded a gold key and then chosen to go to New York City. Although there are many talented art students who did well this year and got their work into the show, three seniors did just a little better than the others.

Noah Wellbrock-Talley was awarded one gold key and two honorable mentions. Austin Bieberly was awarded four silver keys. Alex Dominguez was awarded two gold keys and two honorable mentions.

news@chspylon.com

Photography Carniecia Robertson, Eli Berner, Ian Johnson, Lindsey Wood, & Sydney Kossow photography@chspylon.com

Show Times

Thursday, February 27, 7 p.m.

Friday, February 28, 7 p.m.

Saturday, March 1, 7 p.m.

We want to see YOU at Spring One Acts!

Videography

Leo

July 21 - August 20

Have you noticed yourself being the center of negative attention? The stars may be to blame.

Just remember, it’s not your fault people are obsessed with you.

Virgo

August 21 - September 20

Your love life is about to change. Maybe for the better, maybe for the worse. Whatever happens, take comfort in knowing it’s already been planned by the stars. Just let it happen.

Libra

September 21 - October 20

Plain and simple, March is not you month.

Sorry. Expect mayhem because it’s coming for you. Be extra cautious of the people you trust.

Someone will betray you.

Scorpio

October 21 - November 20

If there was ever a time to find a hundred bucks on the ground, it’s now. Things are going to be going your may this month. Take advantage of your good luck!

Sagittarius

November 21 - December 20

Your love life’s about to get a whole lot more exciting! The powers of Venus are in your favor! So stop waiting on the sidelines. Take a chance, it might just work out for you.

January 21 - February 20

So you’ve been having trouble with a loved one lately. You need to fix this because you will need them in the future. Aquarius are good at extinguishing flames so use your talents!

Cartoons

The Pylon is the official student newspaper of Salina High School Central.

It is produced entirely by students of the newspaper production class, daily on chsPylon.com and monthly in print.

You’ve been feeling extra pressure on yourself lately. Take a chance to relax and remember not to take life too seriously.

Avoid fire March 3.

Aquarius

Eryn Hassler, Sam Beck & Alexis Karabinas

Email your letters, preferably limited to 500 words, to editor@chspylon.com. Submissions must contain a full name for inclusion and we will contact you to confirm that you are the author of the letter. Letters may be edited for clarity.

June 21 - July 20

December 21 - January 20

Copy Editor

The Pylon gladly accepts contributions from guest writers on any subject. Please email your submissions to editor@chspylon.com.

Cancer

Money may either be an issue for you this month, or you may find your self with unexpected cash. The stars are cloudy so you’re on your own.

Malina Barber-Regier

The Pylon wants to hear your opinion

Let’s be honest, your love life sucks. Sorry to tell you, this isn’t your month. Tough it out and keep your head up. Your time will come!

Capricorn

Dakota Rowlison, Connor Martens & Casey Campbell video@chspylon.com

J.D. Garber, Adviser jd.garber@usd305.com (785) 309-3578

In a world of confusion, let the stars be your guide

Pisces Carniecia Robertson/The Pylon

Freshman Rosy Ruiz and Sophomore Noah Parks point at the audience.

Carniecia Robertson/The Pylon

Junior Noah Beery, Freshmen Riley Rundell and Kendra Cole share a moment on stage.

February 21 - March 20

This month will bring drama. Just stick to the truth and you’ll make it through! March 19th is going to throw you an unexpected curve ball so be ready!

3

February 27, 2014

News Updates

What would

YOU

?

do with

$110 million

The Weekly Stang comeback The Weekly Stang Staff: Anchors- Cody Ade and Rachel Bevans Crew- Eryn Hassler, Andrew Guise, Kilian Guillouzo and Andy Guise

Alexis Lough / The Pylon Left: The crew records anchor Rachel Beveans. Above: Eryn Hassler and Cody Ade act out a clip in the concourse.

By Connor Martens The Pylon In the fall of 2010, a group of students began producing video broadcasts for the sole purpose of entertainment.

Today, six people are working to rekindle the lost flame for the betterment of the student body. That flame is the Weekly Stang.

The broadcast series consists of random segments, many which offer

uncontrollable laughter to viewers.

“There isn’t really a purpose; it’s just for fun,” said anchorman junior Cody Ade. Others involved include anchorwoman senior Rachel Bevans, reporters senior Killian Guillouzo and junior Aislinn Jones, cameraman junior Andy Guise and last but not least is manager of goods, junior Eryn Hassler.

“I thought it was super funny when the people did

it my freshman year and I just wanted to make people laugh,” said Bevans, who has done certainly that. The time and effort that goes into making it all happen has already paid off.

“It has actually been really funny. They’ve done a good job,” said sophomore J.D. McHenry.

The team is working hard to come out with a new video roughly once a week.

Robotics team finishes robot; anticipates competition

By Travis Bigler The Pylon In March, the robotics team will be taking their robot, who can throw a two-foot- wide ball eight feet in the air, to a competition in Kansas City.

The team has put in many hours in the last couple of months, to build the robot and, now, apply the final touches on their robot. Recently, they worked until midnight to “bag” the machine. “Bagging” means finishing the robot and putting away so it can’t be touched anymore.

“This year, I feel like we have a really good chance to do great at the competition,” junior Manny West said. Last year the team did not do so well at the competition and look forward to the opportunity to come back

If the bond issue passes in a few weeks, 110 million dollars will be spent on remodelling and upgrading the district facilities.

Some serious changes can be made with that much money. So, we asked you... What changes would you make to our school with $110 million?

stronger.

“The big difference between this year and last year is that we actually got the robot finished in time,” West said. The mind set this year is different because they know if they want to win, then they need to not only improve,

“This year, I feel like we have a really good chance to do great at the competition.”

An indoor stadium, restaurant food, and add a 3rd floor with an escalator.”

Jeremy McDuffey Jr., 10

New books, supplies, the student section, computers, expanding, and sports, in that order.”

“ “

Cheyenne Mallinger, 12

I would spend it on chrome books for all classes.”

Manny West Junior but also get it all finished.

The team should be able to put up a huge fight this year with their new and improved design.

“ “

Mario Zepeda, 12

Sarah Brown / The Pylon Freshman Jesse Mayer launches a ball with the robot during a test throw.

Tristin Hynes, 09

I would build a better cafeteria with a McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Panda Express, and for the loners: an Applebee’s.”

“

Zane Heigele, 11

The orchestra/vocal room, lab equiptment, and rebuild/ reuse the basement area.”

If you are 18: Don’t forget to register to vote before the March 7 deadline to receive ballot by mail and March 18 to obtain a ballot in person at the County Clerk’s office.

4

February 27, 2014

Student Life Syd’s Sermon Sydney Kossow Sophomore

Unreasonable

resolutions

To avoid disappointment set reasonable, attainable goals So who remembers those new years resolutions…No one… okay.

Who actually followed through….(crickets)…sweet.

S/O to those of you who stuck with those resolutions though, you rock.

Personally I didn’t commit to any resolution regarding not eating junk food, working out all the time or anything concerning fitness, only because we know there was absolutely no way that was going to happen, no way.

I feel like students set these unreasonable goals and resolutions for themselves that they cannot maintain, and then they become disappointed with themselves when they can’t go through. That’s one of the reasons I don’t set unattainable goals for myself, and sometimes because of laziness, well mostly because of laziness.

Any ways, here’s some friendly advice, start small then work up to bigger goals because otherwise some type of failure is bound to happen. Now I’m not saying you shouldn’t set goals that will make you work, I’m just suggesting something that is challenging yet reachable.

Have fun doing whatever you’re doing.

And, thank God for goals and junk food.

Alexis Louah / The Pylon Junior Jetta Greene poses for a picture.

Alexis Louah / The Pylon Junior Tanji Lewis and senior Ian Johnson smile during a slow dance

Alexis Louah / The Pylon

party

Seniors Octavio Arias and Kilian Guillouzo give a thumbs up.

PICTURE PERFECT

See more Sadies photos

@chspylon.com

New DJ pumps up students at Sadies dance

AM I ALONE ON THIS? according to a Jan. 2014 survey by stageoflife.com

13.4 %

OF TEENS SAY THEY ARE “NOT SUCCESSFUL” AT FOLLOWING THROUGH WITH NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS

Alexis Louah / The Pylon King Taylor Hanson, and Queen Rachel Bevans dance together during candidate dance

Alexis Louah / The Pylon Juniors Omar Hernandez and Jessie Plante strike a pose for the camera

65.2%

OF TEENS SAY THEY MAKE NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS

80.6%

OF TEENAGERS ARE MORE “HOPEFUL” FOR 2014 THAN “FEARFUL”

Alexis Louah / The Pylon Friends, sophomore Holly Taylor and junior Sarah Bartz smiling enjoying the dance

Alexis Louah / The Pylon Juniors Josh Claybaugh and Riley Gates slow dance

5

Feburary 27, 2014

Student Life Rumors surround release of new iPhone

By Casey Rayas The Pylon Though the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 5c have only been available for a couple of months, rumors about the next generation iPhone have been surfacing since long before Apple’s newest iPhones debuted.

The majority of iPhone 6 rumors have focused on the screen size of the device, which is expected to increase. The size of the iPhone’s display grew from 3.5 inches to 4 inches with the iPhone 5, and with the next generation iPhone, the screen could grow even larger.

The release for the iPhone 6 has not been set yet, but is

believed to come out during the fall of 2014. Others think the new generation phone could be available as soon as summer sets in. If apple decides to repeat history of the iPhone 4s where it decided to upgrade to 64 GB storage facility from iPhone 4’s 32 GB, then for those who love storage be ready for 128 GB on the new and improved device.

The price range involving the iPhone 6 can be anywhere from $229-$929.

A lot of changes can be made by the time the phone officially releases but for now these are the biggest and most important differences from previous iPhones.

57%

Yes

42%

No

A poll was taken during M7 on Friday February 21 out of 127 people

Top 5 things to wear for your Spring Break tropical destination

Top 5 things to wear for your Spring Break mountain destination

• Swim suit

• Heavy coat

• Tank tops, shorts

• Snow pants • Snow Boots

• Sunglasses

Flappy bird suddenly removed from app store

Ian Johnson / The Pylon

A student loses a game of Flappy Bird.

By Trey Cullins

Spring break fashion

• Towel

over

If you could, would you purchase the iPhone 6 over the iPhone 5’s when it comes out or just stay with the iPhone 5?

Getting another week off school could mean it’s time to hit the slopes or the beach, either way make sure you prep for little vacay.

• Flip flops

Game

• Water resistant gloves • Hat

CAN’T WAIT A MONTH? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER FOR DAILY UPDATES.

Send your spring break pics to @chspylonfor a chance to see your photo in our March issue or in the 2014 trail yearbook @chspylon

The Pylon If you were one of the lucky (or unlucky) ones to give “Flappy Bird” a download before its creator made the decision to take it off of all digital stores, you know of a level of frustration unlike any other. The game is simple; tap your way through an unlimited count of Mario-like green tubes.

But its lack of complexity may have been it’s downfall, as the majority of its players began to lose their minds with rage and anger. As phones began rampantly flying at walls faster than the Flappy Bird itself, the free app transformed into a wallet vacuum.

“I’m addicted to this game.

It’s a ton of fun to beat my score and improve; but in the end, I’m just wasting what little battery my phone has left trying to get a stupid bird through a bunch of dang, unfair tubes,” sophomore Mason Venard said.

With “Flappy Bird” gone for most, this annoyingly popular genre of simplistic frustration has continued with knockoffs and variations including “Splashy Fish” and “Ironpants.”

The cursing, shattered phones and deep breaths were only the beginning.

Are you still into (playing) Flappy Bird?

57% Yes 44% No A poll was taken during M7 on Friday, February 21 out of 127 people

6

7

February 27, 2014

In depth

Defining who peers are...

“

Delay’s Deliberation

Assistant principal, Mrs. Delay, speaks out about the trouble with the new confession accounts, problem with social media

”

Social media can be a really positive thing, but I don’t like the way teenagers and even adults use it. It makes everything more challenging because people are not afraid to post things when they can stand behind a computer screen or behind an anonymous account.

In this past

Tip’s from Delay:

two weeks,

1.

2.

more students have come to the administrators about twitter confession accounts

than any other high school conflict or

a fake account

of those called out. I don’t care who you are, no one deserves to be publicly humiliated by harsh comments that are displayed by someone who thought it would be “funny.”

The Pylon Surely and not so slowly, Twitter has escalated into another social media site used to hide behind a digital screen to harass and bully numerous teens. The product of this new form of cyber bullying has been anonymous accounts. These popular anonymous accounts known amongst Salina teens on twitter are @ConfessSK and @Confessions_SK. They start their accounts by asking other twitter users to direct message their “confessions or callouts” to them.

Common tweets callout individuals that involve inappropriate slander revealing deep personal accounts that are not meant for the public eyes. Rarely are these tweets true, but the ignorance of most users on twitter is too great to recognize that they aren’t true.

The tweets that are posted all over users timelines from the anonymous accounts are explicit and hurtful enough to ruin lives

“

I don’t think they’re helping anything.

They’re a nuisance and they start a lot of unnecessary drama.”

Madison Lewis Junior

“They can be funny at first, but once you see something about someone you know or something about yourself, then it gets to a point where it’s really mean,” freshman Emma Cain said.

What the owners of these anonymous accounts don’t

realize is that high schoolers already thrive on drama. At some point, all high schoolers have complained about the amount of drama school has, so it’s unreasonable that these accounts were created because all they have done is create more drama.

“I don’t think they’re helping anything. They’re a nuisance and they start a lot of unnecessary drama,” junior Madison Lewis said.

These anonymous accounts are consuming high schoolers minds and time. They are becoming the root of all conversations. The owners of the anonymous accounts clearly have nothing better to do but stir up more drama that is completely unneeded. Not only do they need something productive to do with their time, but they need a reality check. Creating fake accounts on twitter does make you more powerful, cooler or funnier.

Instead, put yourself in the shoes of the people you are posting about: how does it feel.

Have you ever been called out by a fake account?

20% No

80%

“The accounts are just simply stupid.”

Akiyaa Hagen-Depusoir

Allie Nowlin

Sophomore

Senior

Twitter suspension

breakdown Threats/Violence

Yes 161 students were surveyed during random M7 classes on Friday Feb. 21

Cyberbullying Definition: “To bully online by sending or posting mean

messages, usually anonymously -Dictionary.com”

Posting direct, specific threats or violence against others on your account can lead to you being reported and suspended.

Tweeting out other people’s personal pornographic images can get an account suspended. Several Salina accounts put pictures on.

Subtweets

Tweeting about someone using their personal name instead of their twitter “@” attempting to harrass them can get you reported and suspended.

regulate social media if it disrupts learning in any way. If accounts or tweets are created during school hours or cause disruption in a class that is when administration can step in.

regulate social media if it is outside of school. The school does not have jurisdiction over twitter or facebook regulation, so ultimately the administration are hands off when it comes to problems on social media.

“I’ve heard about the things that these accounts say and it’s horrendous.”

“It’s a way for people to say things and hide behind them, which creates chaos.”

Brittney McNett

Nick Goldsmith

Senior

Senior

@Replies Tweeting about someone using their twitter “@” purposely abusing them can be reported and have your account suspended.

Suspension If your account has been suspended you can retrieve it by agreeing to terms that you will stop any aggressive and abusive behavior.

WARNING: The administration can and have made twitter accounts to follow activity of students. Mrs. Delay has recently made one to follow the recent occurences with the confession pages to be more aware of the situation. Be careful and smart about what you post on social media.

official twitter account BAD ACCOUNTS:

SUSPENDED ACCOUNTS:

@confessSK

@confessions_SK This account was made under the same system as “Confess SK” but has continued to stay running because it mixes confessions between compliments and harsh call outs. The account has gone through one suspension but has not been taken off of twitter completely. It still regularly tweets every day and is gaining more followers.

Termination

After going through several suspensions and retrieving processes and your account is still being reported, it can be terminated and gone forever.

This was the first account that blew up the “confession” scene. Followers could send in dirty or funny confessions about their own lives, people they know, or talk bad about others anonymously. Confess SK was suspended multiple times before it was ultimately shut down. This account caused the most controversy with all teenagers in Salina.

@SalinaPennies

SK Call Outs was made shortly after Confess SK and copied the exact same concept as the original account, just added another Salina account for talking trash. This account lasted a couple of days before it was suspended completely off of twitter due to its cruel call outs.

Other accounts: Salina_b*tches, @SalinaSTDs

NICE ACCOUNTS:

Salina Pennies was created immediately after Salina Dimes as the opposite account for people to send in name’s of others that they seem to find “ratchet” or “ugly.” This accounted lasted approximately two hours before it was shut down.

Other accounts: @SalinaSTDs, @SalinaPotheads, @Truths_Salina, @LetsBeHonest_SK

KANSAS ACCOUNTS:

@BeNiceSalina

The official Twitter breakdown of what and how accounts can be suspended, ultimately terminated

Pornography

Administration can’t

@SKCallOuts

Student perspective: “To me, they are hilarious to read.”

Administration can

Don’t participate in it; be the bigger person.

The

Rise in Salina twitter confession accounts enable bullying; contest reputations

By Bailey Driver

problem

Don’t give attention to these accounts to get them to stop.

@LetsBeReal_KS

This was the first “nice” account made after the harsh confession accounts that would tweet at followers giving them compliments.

Followers could also DM the user with a positive comment about someone and they would share it on the account. However, this account does not tweet anymore.

@SalinaDimes Salina Dimes was created for followers to DM the account with a person’s name that they considered a “dime.” This account became more humorous as names were being sent in of teachers, church youth leaders and parents.

Other accounts: @SKWordsOfWisdom

This account was started for all teens and schools in Kansas, not just Salina, but has been shown to have just gotten attention from Salina and surrounding towns. It has the same concept of sending in DM’s to the user about people for them to post. Even though the account has had a greater amount of compliments than disses, it has still tweeted bad things about others. The account is still around but has not been tweeted from in a couple of weeks.

@kshsfessions Kansas High School Confessions shortly began after the account “College Confessions” was made and created a big buzz. This account is for any high schools in Kansas to send in call outs or compliments about their own school or other schools, with the name of the school written behind it. This account has not been suspended and has reached over 8,000 followers on twitter.

Even though this account has mean intentions, it has became very popular.

6

7

February 27, 2014

In depth

Defining who peers are...

“

Delay’s Deliberation

Assistant principal, Mrs. Delay, speaks out about the trouble with the new confession accounts, problem with social media

”

Social media can be a really positive thing, but I don’t like the way teenagers and even adults use it. It makes everything more challenging because people are not afraid to post things when they can stand behind a computer screen or behind an anonymous account.

In this past

Tip’s from Delay:

two weeks,

1.

2.

more students have come to the administrators about twitter confession accounts

than any other high school conflict or

a fake account

of those called out. I don’t care who you are, no one deserves to be publicly humiliated by harsh comments that are displayed by someone who thought it would be “funny.”

The Pylon Surely and not so slowly, Twitter has escalated into another social media site used to hide behind a digital screen to harass and bully numerous teens. The product of this new form of cyber bullying has been anonymous accounts. These popular anonymous accounts known amongst Salina teens on twitter are @ConfessSK and @Confessions_SK. They start their accounts by asking other twitter users to direct message their “confessions or callouts” to them.

Common tweets callout individuals that involve inappropriate slander revealing deep personal accounts that are not meant for the public eyes. Rarely are these tweets true, but the ignorance of most users on twitter is too great to recognize that they aren’t true.

The tweets that are posted all over users timelines from the anonymous accounts are explicit and hurtful enough to ruin lives

“

I don’t think they’re helping anything.

They’re a nuisance and they start a lot of unnecessary drama.”

Madison Lewis Junior

“They can be funny at first, but once you see something about someone you know or something about yourself, then it gets to a point where it’s really mean,” freshman Emma Cain said.

What the owners of these anonymous accounts don’t

realize is that high schoolers already thrive on drama. At some point, all high schoolers have complained about the amount of drama school has, so it’s unreasonable that these accounts were created because all they have done is create more drama.

“I don’t think they’re helping anything. They’re a nuisance and they start a lot of unnecessary drama,” junior Madison Lewis said.

These anonymous accounts are consuming high schoolers minds and time. They are becoming the root of all conversations. The owners of the anonymous accounts clearly have nothing better to do but stir up more drama that is completely unneeded. Not only do they need something productive to do with their time, but they need a reality check. Creating fake accounts on twitter does make you more powerful, cooler or funnier.

Instead, put yourself in the shoes of the people you are posting about: how does it feel.

Have you ever been called out by a fake account?

20% No

80%

“The accounts are just simply stupid.”

Akiyaa Hagen-Depusoir

Allie Nowlin

Sophomore

Senior

Twitter suspension

breakdown Threats/Violence

Yes 161 students were surveyed during random M7 classes on Friday Feb. 21

Cyberbullying Definition: “To bully online by sending or posting mean

messages, usually anonymously -Dictionary.com”

Posting direct, specific threats or violence against others on your account can lead to you being reported and suspended.

Tweeting out other people’s personal pornographic images can get an account suspended. Several Salina accounts put pictures on.

Subtweets

Tweeting about someone using their personal name instead of their twitter “@” attempting to harrass them can get you reported and suspended.

regulate social media if it disrupts learning in any way. If accounts or tweets are created during school hours or cause disruption in a class that is when administration can step in.

regulate social media if it is outside of school. The school does not have jurisdiction over twitter or facebook regulation, so ultimately the administration are hands off when it comes to problems on social media.

“I’ve heard about the things that these accounts say and it’s horrendous.”

“It’s a way for people to say things and hide behind them, which creates chaos.”

Brittney McNett

Nick Goldsmith

Senior

Senior

@Replies Tweeting about someone using their twitter “@” purposely abusing them can be reported and have your account suspended.

Suspension If your account has been suspended you can retrieve it by agreeing to terms that you will stop any aggressive and abusive behavior.

WARNING: The administration can and have made twitter accounts to follow activity of students. Mrs. Delay has recently made one to follow the recent occurences with the confession pages to be more aware of the situation. Be careful and smart about what you post on social media.

official twitter account BAD ACCOUNTS:

SUSPENDED ACCOUNTS:

@confessSK

@confessions_SK This account was made under the same system as “Confess SK” but has continued to stay running because it mixes confessions between compliments and harsh call outs. The account has gone through one suspension but has not been taken off of twitter completely. It still regularly tweets every day and is gaining more followers.

Termination

After going through several suspensions and retrieving processes and your account is still being reported, it can be terminated and gone forever.

This was the first account that blew up the “confession” scene. Followers could send in dirty or funny confessions about their own lives, people they know, or talk bad about others anonymously. Confess SK was suspended multiple times before it was ultimately shut down. This account caused the most controversy with all teenagers in Salina.

@SalinaPennies

SK Call Outs was made shortly after Confess SK and copied the exact same concept as the original account, just added another Salina account for talking trash. This account lasted a couple of days before it was suspended completely off of twitter due to its cruel call outs.

Other accounts: Salina_b*tches, @SalinaSTDs

NICE ACCOUNTS:

Salina Pennies was created immediately after Salina Dimes as the opposite account for people to send in name’s of others that they seem to find “ratchet” or “ugly.” This accounted lasted approximately two hours before it was shut down.

Other accounts: @SalinaSTDs, @SalinaPotheads, @Truths_Salina, @LetsBeHonest_SK

KANSAS ACCOUNTS:

@BeNiceSalina

The official Twitter breakdown of what and how accounts can be suspended, ultimately terminated

Pornography

Administration can’t

@SKCallOuts

Student perspective: “To me, they are hilarious to read.”

Administration can

Don’t participate in it; be the bigger person.

The

Rise in Salina twitter confession accounts enable bullying; contest reputations

By Bailey Driver

problem

Don’t give attention to these accounts to get them to stop.

@LetsBeReal_KS

This was the first “nice” account made after the harsh confession accounts that would tweet at followers giving them compliments.

Followers could also DM the user with a positive comment about someone and they would share it on the account. However, this account does not tweet anymore.

@SalinaDimes Salina Dimes was created for followers to DM the account with a person’s name that they considered a “dime.” This account became more humorous as names were being sent in of teachers, church youth leaders and parents.

Other accounts: @SKWordsOfWisdom

This account was started for all teens and schools in Kansas, not just Salina, but has been shown to have just gotten attention from Salina and surrounding towns. It has the same concept of sending in DM’s to the user about people for them to post. Even though the account has had a greater amount of compliments than disses, it has still tweeted bad things about others. The account is still around but has not been tweeted from in a couple of weeks.

@kshsfessions Kansas High School Confessions shortly began after the account “College Confessions” was made and created a big buzz. This account is for any high schools in Kansas to send in call outs or compliments about their own school or other schools, with the name of the school written behind it. This account has not been suspended and has reached over 8,000 followers on twitter.

Even though this account has mean intentions, it has became very popular.

8

February 27, 2014

Athletes & Sports Hannah Schulte / The Pylon

Senior Kyler Bell bites his medal like an Olympian after taking the 5A state diving championship in Topeka.

Connor’s Conference Connor Martens The Pylon

Hall’s departure could spell disaster, Wichita State still very good

By Connor Martens The Pylon The only thing between his eyes and the National Championship game was his pair of goggles…and Louisville, just barely.

His passion was an untamed flame, scorching everyone in his presence. He is Carl Hall, who helped lead Wichita State Shockers through five rounds of play in the NCAA tournament in 2013.

I know I am not the only one wondering if the flame went out with the goggles, or if the torch was simply passed.

Cleanthony Early and Ron Baker have definitely helped fill the leadership roles this year, leaving many asking: “Is this their year again?”

I guess you could say it has been their year, so far anyway.

They’re good and they’ve proved that.

Mediocre teams don’t finish seasons with perfect records. This is a special squad; potentially the best to ever call Koch Arena home. Slowly making their way up the national rankings, the Shockers have gained numerous fans, as well has many doubters.

Truthfully, we haven’t seen Wichita State face much competition. So yeah, there is legitimate reason to question whether they deserve to be considered the second best team in the country.

On the flip side, this is a capable team who has just as much of a drive to win as anyone. Yes, the goggles are gone; but I think we’ll see a lot of the Shockers in late March if not early April.

Do you think Wichita State mens’ basketball is worthy of a number 2 national ranking?

33% of students

answered NO

67% of students

answered YES

156 students responded to a survey during M7 on Friday Feb. 21.

Hannah Schulte/ The Pylon

Senior Kyler Bell performs one of his dives at state.

STATE STANGpart 2

Bell becomes second state champ of the year next to golfer Alissa Kim

By Trey Cullins The Pylon Last weekend, Senior Kyler Bell triumphed with a first place diving win at state. Going into state with the highest seed score of 563.8, he seemed to have the confidence needed to pull out the win.

With all divers tied up, Bell nailed his last dive with a score of 350.9.

“I knew from the second I finished I

had won, the dive just felt great,” Bell said.

Finishing with 41.2 points more than Jacob Stockton of Bishop Miege and breaking the school and league record, made the end of his senior swimming career the best it could have been.

“Walking up to the podium to receive the state title gave me a rush like no other.

Working all through high school to finish this way was the all I could ask for,” Bell said.

“I knew from the second I finished I had won, the dive just felt great.”

Kyler Bell

Behind the mottos

Winter sport athletes share their perspective of their team’s motto

Swimming “Swim fast! Annihilate!”

“Saying this at the meets before we swim gets all the guys hype to represent SC. It motivates us to race hard and improve our times.”

Zach Ketcher Junior

Girls’ Basketball “Will it help us win? Is it good for the team?”

“It’s not all about personal goals. It’s about the team as a whole and what we can do for each other on and off the court.”

Hailey Mayfield Senior

Your Yourdream dreamisisout outthere. there.

Your dream is out there.

Go Get it.

We'll protect it.it.

GoYour Get it.

We'll protect Your dream dream isWe'll out there. there.

Go Getisit.out protect it.

GoGo GetGet We'll protect it. it.

We'll protect it. it.

Daran Neuschafer Agency, Inc. DaranDaran Neuschafer Agency, Neuschafer Agency, Inc. Inc. 1528 E Iron Ave 1528 E Iron 1528 E Iron Ave Ave Salina, KS 67401 Salina, KS67401 67401Inc. Salina, KS Daran Daran Neuschafer Neuschafer Agency, Agency, Inc. Bus: (785) Bus: (785) 827-5150 Bus: (785) 827-5150 1528 1528 E827-5150 Iron E Ave Iron Ave dneuscha@amfam.com dneuscha@amfam.com dneuscha@amfam.com Salina, Salina, KS 67401 KS 67401 Bus: Bus: (785)(785) 827-5150 827-5150 dneuscha@amfam.com dneuscha@amfam.com

Boys’ Basketball “No excuses.”

“I try to be the best teammate I can be.

I put my teammates over me, no excuses.”

Max Kuhn Senior

Wrestling “Battle for greatness.“ “It means working hard in the wrestling room to do the best that we can.

We want to fight to be the BEST there is in our weight class. ”

Vince Johnson Senior

9

February 27, 2014

Athletes & Sports

By the

“Winning league was my best wrestling experience I’ve had so far. It felt great to make history at Salina Central. This is the first time the wrestling program has won a league title and it gives us confidence going into state.”

numbers a quick look at numbers and stats from the winter sports season

4200 the number in square feet of the basketball court

Kyle True Sophomore

Kaylee Matthews/ The Pylon The wrestling team poses at Newton to take a championship picture after winning the tournament 35-32.

Wrestling wins AVCTL title for first time in history League victory builds momentum for nine state qualifiers

1 85 47 32

the place senior Kyler Bell received at the 5A state diving meet

“Since there’s nine wrestlers going to state this year instead of the five last year, it’ll be more fun to bond the number of combined wins with them this weekend for all basketball teams at state wrestling. I think there’s more wrestlers going this year because of the learning experience we got last year.”

File Photo The wrestling team has nine state qualifiers. Not pictured: Gunner Rairden

Dalton Peters Sophomore

Preparing for substate basketball competition

By Travis Bigler The Pylon Boys’ basketball, with a very even spread in substate this year, have one team to keep an eye on: Wichita-Heights. They are the ultimate treat. Andover is solid and could be in a serious battle with Kapuan and the boys basketball team for the other one seed.

Although it’s hard to beat a team three times in a row, South would be a safe team to see because they’re 2-0 against them in league play, The boys know

they can do better in all aspects to guard home court, unlike last year’s substate championship when South hit a 3-point buzzer beater to go to state.

“As long as we get back to playing as a team we shouldn’t have to be to worried in substate,” junior Rashun Allen said.

Newton is another team that could end up making some serious noise with their ability to defend and score down low.

The girls’ basketball team is continuing with their undefeated season ranked number one in

Substate basketball records:

Boys

Girls

Wichita Hts 14-4 Salina Central 18-0 Kapaun 14-2 Andover 12-6 Andover 13-5 Kapaun 9-8 Salina Central 10-8 Valley Center 12-6 Salina South 7-11 Newton 10-5 Wichita Hts 9-7 Newton 8-10 Valley Center 7-11 Salina South 4-14 Ark City 4-12 Ark City 1-17

On the Spot Coach’s Edition

Athletes in the mix Coach Finch Boys’ Basketball Coach Burgardt Swimming Coach Andrews Girls’ Basketball Coach Peters Wrestling

5A. They should have no problem landing a one seed if they extend their dominance into the post season.

“We need to continue to win so we can host substate games.

We’ll need to be ready to come out and play some solid teams,” senior Shaelyn Martin said.

Unlike the boys, their substate has many standout teams. These teams including Kapaun and andover. Newton girls could come up and upset any team in the substate if they gain momentum in the next couple of weeks.

What is your dream date? With who?

“Be on Fox News with Megyn Kelly.”

“Riding my bike through the countryside of France to stop at a cafe for lunch and coffee with my wife, of course!”

“A Diners, Drive Ins & Dives roadtrip with my wife... or Justin Timberlake. ”

“Spend a day hiking in the mountains with Sandra Bullock.”

Who will win March Madness?

“Syracuse” “I don’t really care. I think Chris Froom of team Sky will win the Tour de France. ”

“Syracuse” “Wichita State”

Before I die I want to ______________. “go to Alaska and fish for salmon”

“attend a game at the Cameron Indoor Stadium. “ “travel with my wife and watch my grand kids be as ornery as my kids are now.“

tuition.

Pittsburg State University www.pittstate.edu

Pittsburg, Kansas

Pittsburg State University www.pittstate.edu

•

•

Pittsburg, Kansas

programs.

the number of wrestling matches junior Dayton Will has won

94.7

the percentage of junior Rashun Allen’s made free throws on the boys’ basketabll team

“It was a great season, and I’m really going to miss the seniors.”

Erick Nilson Boys’ Swimming

“reach my full potential, whether in sports, academics or service. ”

Flat-rate Flat-rate tuition.

More than More 150 programs. than 150

the made field goal percentage of the girls basketball team inside the arc

$5.55 Classic LARGE Pepperoni, Sausage, Beef or Cheese 645 E. Crawford 785-452-9999

5:52.17 the time of junior Erick Nilson’s 500 freestyle performed at the state meet

9

the number of state qualifiers for the wrestling team

10

February 27, 2014

Editorials & Opinion

Genna’s Grudge

By Genna Salstrom The Pylon

iPhone 6 anticipation: the waiting is unecessary, selfish It seems like every six months some new version of the iPhone is released, but how different are they from each other?

The iPhone 5 is virtually the same phone as the 5s and the 5c, only the 5c is more affordable, and the 5s is fancier. Apple literally changes one or two things, like color or width, and automatically the phone is worth hundreds of dollars more than the older ones.

As consumers, we buy into this notion that we have to have the newest gadgets, that without them we have less worth. This is the hogwash that corporations have brainwashed us into believing.

The new iPhone is rumored to have a bigger screen as well as more hard drive space.

The most heinous rumor I’ve heard about it is that it will have holographic keyboards.

Like, who seriously believes that? We as a people believe anything corporations tell us; it’s pathetic.

What I’m trying to say is that we need to start thinking for ourselves and prioritizing our lives. Is having the newest phone really worth the money you could be saving for when you’re on your own? People need to stop worrying about material objects and focus more on peace and love.

5

iPhone 6 rumors

1

no home button

2 larger screen 3

health-tracking software

4

holographic keyboard

5 more gigabytes

Staff Editorial:

Girls’ basketball is incredibly hard to get excited about, but it’s time for us to get behind them

By Austin Huynh The Pylon WARNING! Before you read any further, this article isn’t appointed to or affiliated with the girls’ basketball team.

We love what you all are doing, and I’ll most likely be taking a trip to see the team play at state. Keep winning, and please don’t take any offense to what you’re about to read. Thanks. Now back to business.

I’m just going to go out on a limb and say it; girls’ basketball in general might be the most empty sport that I’ve ever been exposed to, including college and the WNBA. For some odd reason, it just doesn’t spark an interest in me when I catch myself watching it.

As I began to figure out exactly why the sport is so bland to me, I realized that it’s not all on how the game is played. Personally, I don’t think that girls’ basketball is covered well in today’s media. I mean come on, how many of you can tell me who won the last WNBA championship? Exactly.

Another strong point that makes people not interested in watching the sport is that there are always a couple teams that just blow out almost every team they play. If you take a look back at the bracket from the last NCAA Division 1 Women’s Basketball Tournament, you could observe that there are numerous blowouts. For example, UCONN, one of the 1 seeds, beat 16th ranked Idaho by 68 points. The game just isn’t as competitive as it would be in the men’s division. When there is a streak of blow outs, it gets hard for the crowd to get into it. Junior Ty Brull has a strong opinion supporting this point.

“For me, I love watching sports in general, but the thing that really gets me into it is the crowd. A lot of the times, the crowd is a lot more into the boys’ games than girls’ games since they’re closer in scores,” Brull said.

Many of you may be thinking that I am just being biased. There isn’t a doubt that I prefer watching men’s basketball over women’s basketball any day, but the reason for that is not because I am a guy, it’s just because it’s flat out more entertaining. The competition is way more intense, and the games are usually nail-biters. Also, if you get lucky, you get to see a dunk or two a game. The game just moves a lot more faster and it just entertains me more. Senior Addie Justus

also seems to see through the same prospective.

“I’m not taking anything away from our girls’ basketball team. I think they’re doing great this season and I enjoy going to their games mainly because I’ve been good friends with a lot of girls on the team, but if I had to choose which sport to watch regardless who was playing, it’d be boy’s basketball,” Justus said.

By this time in the article, all who are reading that are affiliated with the womens’ basketball program probably want me to fall off a cliff, but hear me out. This article has nothing against the school program of womens’ basketball.

It’s obvious that they’re performing at an incredible level, and there should be no reason why someone would talk negative about the program itself, but the sport in general just doesn’t compare to the excitement that other sports like men’s basketball would.

To be honest, it was difficult for me to write this article mainly because of how much success the girls’ basketball team is having.

Lately, they’ve been blowing out their opponents by a wide margin and the student section is still empty.

It’s time for a change.

This is going to be the only time we get to see a girls’ basketball team that is THIS dominant. The students can’t make up for the absence during the regular season games but it’s a given that the girls’ team will make a huge run for state. It’s time to buckle down and support them. With the support from a large student section, the wins will be so much more memorable and exciting to watch.

Come on Stang Nation.

It’ about that time.

Cartoon by Alexis Karabinas

TIME TO LET US GET CRAZY

February 27, 2014

Editorials & Opinion

Kudos Callouts

&

Not so political Evolution of Flappy Bird

By Sam Beck

The following are situations in which our faculty, students and others deserve praise for a job well done or to be called out for dropping the ball. They are made by the opinion editor with the help of the rest of the staff.

Guest Cartoonist

Here is where you usually find a political cartoon.

Sometimes, though, you have to step back from all the seriousness in life and have some fun. So, sophomore Sam Beck illustrated this not so political cartoon for your enjoyment.

Kudos:

Valentine’s Day a corporate agenda What are we celebrating anyways

By Genna Salstrom The Pylon Every year on Valentine’s Day, people of the world spend copious amounts of money buying into the commercial holiday. CNN actually states that the average amount one person spends on Valentine’s Day is $130.97 and the total amount spent on the holiday is around $18 billion.

I appreciate that Valentine’s Day is a day to show love to those close to you, but I believe the holiday itself is frankly a little dumb. People shouldn’t need a day to dedicate to spreading the love. They should

express their love every day.

Now, I’m not one of the cynical Anti-Valentine’s Day people. On the contrary, I think love is an amazing experience that is essential in order to live a full life. I just don’t see the point in spending so much money on chocolate and flowers for one simple day.

The history of Valentine’s Day is foggy itself. According to the history channel, one legend says that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius outlawed marriage for young men, Valentine defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages

for young lovers in secret, for which he was put to death.

Other legends say that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons or that, while imprisoned, Valentine actually sent the first “valentine” greeting himself after he fell in love, signing the letter “From your Valentine.”

In reality, the holiday was actually created in an effort to “Christianize” the pagan celebration of Lupercalia, a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture.

Money-hungry corporations capitalized on consumers’

ignorance and made the “holiday” out to be more than it is. Since people believe everything the television tells them, they buy into the idea that they have to do romantic things for their loved ones on this day when really they should be showing their appreciation every day.

VS Valentine’s Day a day of love This day gives us an opportunity for excitement, romance

By Sara Ingrassia The Pylon Every year, I wait for Valentines Day. It’s the holiday of love, and who doesn’t love love? It gives people the courage to approach their crushes and let them know how much they care for them. Otherwise, let’s be honest, some people are pansies. Valentine’s Day gives them the opportunity to give their loved ones gifts and express how they feel. Yes, I certainly believe that love should be shown on a daily

basis; however, for the new love birds, it can be the perfect way to get a romantic and fabulous relationship started.

Valentines day is fun! There are so many opportunities for cute dates and exciting activities to do with your valentine. Not only are the romantic dates important, but so are the gifts. I love being creative, and making something from the heart for my honey is the best part.

Apart from your boyfriend or girlfriend, Valentine’s Day is celebrated with friends, parents, siblings, teachers and

11

anyone considered special. Not to mention the candy and treats; how can you not enjoy this?

I’m Italian, and the history of Valentine’s Day is from an ancient Italian society, making it extra special to me. Roman Emperor Claudius had banned the idea of marriage because he felt that his warriors would be distracted by family and reluctant to leave for battle.

Bishop Valentine, fortunately, had the heart to secretly marry the soldiers for the sake of love.

He was then caught, arrested and executed soon after.

Because of his devotion to love and the importance of it, we now celebrate love every year.

-Three weeks ‘til Spring Break!

-Freddy’s fries and fry sauce... yummm -The DJ for Sadies’; thanks for getting us all hype.

-54 days of school until the end of the year. Summer come faster!

-The swimming and diving, wrestling, and girls’ basketball teams for dominating. And to Kyler Bell for becoming a state champion diver; you go dude.

-Sonic ice is what’s up, all crushed and what not.

-Dancing Jesus, again. Go Jesus!

-Olive Garden salad dressing makes life worth living.

-Kevin Gates goes hard.

-”That Awkward Moment” is a hilarious movie. I highly recommend it.

-All of our art students for gettin’ those awards in Wichita.

-Ibelievethathewillwin...go Gaddy.

-Girls’ basketball for beating everyone by 20 or more - it’s not boring, it’s awesome.

Callouts: -These Salina Confessions accounts are nothing but wastes of time and hurtful.

They need to stop. Grow up and worry about yourself rather than what everyone else is doing.

-This bipolar weather we’ve been having. I know it’s Kansas, but come on.

-How early Sadies’ ended... buzzkill.

-Apple for discontinuing Flappy Bird. You crushed the dreams of America’s youth.

-Facebook is all weird videos now..what happened?

-”Friday Night Lights” for giving me false expectations of high school.

-More snow? Really? Please stop, now.

-Not only is this school freeeeezing, the tissues we have are so rough. It’s like rubbing sandpaper on my nose.

-Curling and Luge...are these really sports? I don’t think so.

-Jump drive bracelets. The dorkiest things ever made.

-Thanks TOMS for charging me like $50 I don’t have for a pair of shoes...I don’t care if you buy another pair for someone else.

2015

6:30-11:30 p.m.

Salina Country Club

April 5, 2014

Presents

tEscape S SweetEscape

Class of

Salina Central

Prom invites coming soon

& Seniors

Juniors

12 February 27, 2014

the Pylon