November 2012

Vol. 89, Iss. 4 • Salina Central High School www.chspylon.com • November 29, 2012

pg 8 Jacked to play Mac

pg 11 Aiming for gun rights

Oh, I despise your existence.

Leave, just leave.

You are so cute.

You’re gross. #forreal Hey, nice makeup, but it’s that’s real classy.

You are ratchet. not Halloween.

I still hate you.

Ew. That was a HUGE turn off.

Get over it, get over it, GET OVER IT. Your face.

You are desperate...STOP TALKING. I’m sure. #subtweet That’s karma, princess.

I can’t do this anymore.

You make me happy.

K tough guy.

Giiirl, you got some issues.

Nobody even likes you.

Shut up you guys are annoying.

You’re You have ratchet teeth.

You’re gross and that’s all there is to it. psychotic.

That’s lovely.

Just know you are special I’ve seen this girl too many times today.

You Stop being mean.

Okay, homie hopper.

WHO ARE YOU? I swear all you do is roast and your girlfriend need a reality check.

I hope you know these tweets are about you.

Well, that was rude...

Hair weave killer.

You’re all ugly.

Why are lol @ yourself.

You. Are. Shady. people so worried about what I’m doing?

I like how everyone refers to you as rat face now #sorrynotsorry.

SHUT UP. Next time you wanna confront me, don’t text it to me. #bemature You’re making me mad.

I’M EXCITED...to see you!

Ha you’re funny.

I’m not gonna feel badSubtweets cause you If I did, would it change arecry... turning into your mind? #subtweet cheater. aYou’re hub fora cyber bullyingAs much as I try, I just really don’t like you.

We weren’t talking Pages 6-7 to you. You make me smile #happytweet ...wow.

Oh shut up already.

Ugh...I need a break Seems like you don’t even care. from this.

Are you kidding me? i.do.not.like.you.

I’m sorry I’m so complicated.

Who says that?

Hope he knows that I hate him.

What I do with my life is none of your business.

I really really hate you.

This is not okay.

Can I Well, so much for that. be in your dreams?

When you smile, I smile.

That doesn’t make any sense.

Girl, you smell like a man.

I hate you.

I’ve lost all respect for you.

She looks like an ogre. #lmao You’re so annoying it makes me want to stab my eyes out.

Not just a social network

What’s inside The directors’ point of view Following the annual tradition, students will be directing the fall One Acts. Their humorous One Acts will be performed on Nov. 30 in the Little Theater.

Page 2

UnSPOKEn commitment

Check out

The only set of triplets in school, the Mosher brothers, have been through thick and thin, but have been by each others’ sides since the beginning.

Page 4

for photos, stories and more.

2

November 29, 2012

Fine Arts Four seniors flip the script for one acts

Emily Wood and Sarah Gage Editor-in-Chiefs editor@chspylon.com

Jorrie Dykes, Afton Miller, and Sara Ingrassia Business Team business@chspylon.com

Student Life MacKenzie Morris, Editor studentlife@chspylon.com

Opinion Sammy Jordan, Editor opinion@chspylon.com

Sports Carson Jett, Editor sports@chspylon.com

Fine Arts Hayley Hager arts@chspylon.com

Feature Emily Wood feature@chspylon.com

Web Editor Brantley Straub, Editor webmaster@chspylon.com

Photography

Bri Chora / The Pylon

Senior director TeeJay Johnson.

By Hayley Hager The Pylon The highly anticipated Fall One Acts begin tonight and this is not only exciting for the audience, but also for the four seniors who finally get to direct them.

“At this point I’m stoked,” senior TeeJay Johson said. “I was just ready to get in there and get things started.”

Johnson is directing the One Act “Artistic Inspiration,” She, along with the other directors, are excited to be the ones

By Hayley Hager The Pylon

Videography Dakota Rowlison, Katie Kelemen, Ruby Garcia video@chspylon.com

Copy Editor

Cartoons Joe McKenna

Staff reporters: Sydney Dauer, Chandler Burris, Bailey Driver, Austin Huynh, Genna Salstrom, Beth Cash

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

The Pylon wants to hear your opinion

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.

ABC

PEST CONTROL & TERMITE SERVICE Termites Roaches Silverfish Spiders Ants Tree Spraying Termite Pre-Treats RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL 2077 Highland Salina 827-4023

Bri Chora / The Pylon

Senior director Joe McKenna.

running the show.

“I’m looking forward to expressing my vision through other people,” senior director of “Good Cop, Bad Cop” Eli Beery said. “It’s going to be a new perspective for me to see things from behind the scenes.”

Most of the directors are familiar with being the ones acting rather than telling the actors what to do, so this has been a learning experience for everyone.

“I’m used to being on stage, so it’s cool I get to be behind the scenes more,” senior Katie

Kelemen said. “I’ve really learned a lot.”

Kelemen is the director of “Nothing Says I Love You Like Bad Poetry.” She and the other directors all feel the same pressure to make sure their plays come out like they want them to.

“When you’re younger you look up to the seniors, and honestly I can’t imagine anyone looking up to me,” Johnson said.

“I’m nervous because I hope this is portrayed the way I want it to be.”

“I can’t believe I’m a senior,

let alone directing a One Act,” director of “Wait Wait, I Can Explain,” Joe McKenna said.

“I’m ready but it’s been pretty hard.”

After weeks of hard work and preparation, the director’s and cast members are ready to take the stage and fill the little theatre with positive vibes.

“I still feel like a kid so it’s weird to be a senior in a director’s position,” McKenna said. “I just hope the end result pleases the audience, along with myself.”

Karlee Burbach Years ago you could find a young Karlee Burbach riding in the car with her mother singing along to the radio. Since then, Burback, freshman, continues to look up to role models to pursue her future in singing.

“When I was six I decided that singing was something I really wanted to do. I’ve always looked up to people like Hannah Montana, Kelly Clarkson and Demi Lovato,”

Burbach said. “My idols are what encourage me to continue singing.”

As she looks up to successful celebrities, Burbach receives a lot of support from her friends and especially her family.

“My mom will always say things like ‘Karlee we need to get you on American Idol,’ but I have to be 16 for that,” Burbach said with a laugh. “I used to get really nervous, but having the support of my friends and family helps a lot.”

A few weeks ago Burbach made her debut in the lunchroom, performing for the entire school throughout the lunches. After receiving nothing but positive feedback, she looks forward to her blossoming future as an artist.

“If singing doesn’t work out for me I would love to be a photographer,” Burbach said.

“But no matter what music will always be apart of my life.”

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.

The Pylon gladly accepts contributions from guest writers on any subject.

Bri Chora / The Pylon

Senior director Katie Kelemen.

Student in the spotlight

Maggie Vernon, Brianna Chora, Paige Johnson, Eli Berner, Sydney Kossow photography@chspylon.com

Anna McHenry

Bri Chora / The Pylon

Senior director Eli Beery.

G o Mu s t a n g s !

Bri Chora / The Pylon

Junior Michael Smith works on his gas welding technique in class.

Learning for the future

By Chandler Burris The Pylon Although most students are busy trying to find out what career they want to pursue, junior Michael Smith is already taking classes in preparation for a career in construction or as a machine specialist.

“I enjoy the feeling of being considered a handy man. When people need something fixed and they come to you first it makes you feel accomplished, like you know the answer to everything,” Smith said.

Smith is currently taking woods and industrial tech to strengthen his skills in welding and woodwork. He has also taken design classes, computer classes and various types of art classes to further his knowledge.

“The skills I have developed from these classes, have taught me to be self-dependent and

to be confident in myself and my work. I’m glad that schools across the nation are giving students the chance to take these classes and widen their skill sets. Hopefully the class choices will continue to expand so even more students can appreciate the education system we have,” Smith said.

One thing that is currently being taught in the industrial tech class is Arc welding, which is an advanced welding concept that many professionals use today. The goal is to teach as many welding concepts as possible to prepare the students for the future.

“Learning how to weld gives a good concept of what is expected in any workplace, which is focus and determination. Welding is very hard to master but if you can weld, then you can pretty much accomplish anything,” teacher Michael Kilgore said.

3

November 29, 2012

News Updates

Using teamwork to get to the top Sham

Wows

Robotics team continues to build confidence from wins

Sydney Kossow / The Pylon

Team 3172’s robot from last year won them many awards and honors.

By Sydney Dauer The Pylon Strike! After senior Kyle Wyant’s bowling ball rolls down the lane, knocking down all ten pins, he turns around to celebrate with his teammates. After the

praise subsides, the strategy discussion continues. Organizing who will be a part of which department and choosing the perfect builders for their robots is the topic of discussion for the robotic team’s summer bowling outing.

Bowling is just one of the activities that the robotics team does to ensure that they maintain the exceptional camaraderie that has propelled them to such a high level of success. The robotics team has only been a team for four years, but has come out on top while competing against the best in the world.

“Robotics is all about teamwork,” sophomore Tyra Grace said.

This is true, as the team is made up of many subdivisions.

Website design, building, marketing and group that focuses on presentations come together in order to compete in different competition segments. Not only do they build winning robots, but their website, team3172.com, has also been recognized and has received awards.

The team must also come together in order to fund their high-priced hobby. The estimated amount of money the team spends per season totals around $20,000. This number includes the money it takes for entry fees, hotels, food and extra parts for the robot.

Fundraisers are routine

for members of the club. They work concession stands, deliver phone books and sell special L.E.D. lightbulbs. The team is also putting on a Brainie Bots clinic for elementary students.

During the clinic, members will teach children how to build and program their own robots.

The team recently received a $4,000 grant from the Greater Salina Community Foundation and are sponsored year-round

by Great Plains, JCPenney, K-State Salina and Pronto Print.

The team’s season will officially begin in January. They will learn the game that their robot must play and then use the next six weeks to construct the robot to play it. During those six weeks, the team will meet on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday evenings to perfect their robot, sometimes working until 10:00 P.M. The team is confident about their future as long as they practice efficiency during those six building weeks.

“We don’t waste any time, we make sure that everyone learns, and we get stuff done,” Wyant said.

Skyward app available for district use

By Sydney Kossow The Pylon

The Skyward application was released to the USD 305 district in early November. Now students, parents/ guardians and staff can check grades, attendance, emergency contacts, missing

assignments, schedule and student information on their smart phone at any time. It also provides health information as well as food service information.

“I like that it has a pass code, so it stays private, and no one can see my grades but me. I think it’s laid out in a way that is simpler than the online Skyward,” sophomore Grant DeMars

said.

Teachers are now able to take attendance and put grades in the system without having to use a desktop computer, creating a convenience for both teacher and student.

Download the app for free from the Android or iTunes app store for your smart phone or tablet.

Board approves construction of alternative school

By Genna Salstrom The Pylon The board has recently approved the building of a new alternative school on Cloud that is to be opened in January of 2014.

In the past ten years, our graduation rates have consistently fallen below those of not only South, but also of the state. In 2007, the state average was 18 percent above what ours was.

“I believe the alternative school will help us meet the needs of the students we don’t meet right

now. It should be a success for all,” assistant principal Reuben Montoy said.

Along with low graduation rates, we also have dropout rates that are consistently higher than others in the district and state. In 2007, the district dropout rate was more than 2 percent higher than the state average, and in 2004, South’s dropout rate was almost 5 percent lower than ours. Until 2010, 62 percent of the district’s dropouts were females. Now, 76 percent are males.

According to “Kansas DropINs

Youth Survey,” the top three reasons teens in Kansas drop out are because of personal or family problems, getting in trouble at school, and the school environment.

In order to address district dropout and graduation rates that are consistently worse than the state average, as well as high school students with greater needs who consistently fall through the cracks, the board has approved the building of a new alternative school. Salina had an alternative school in the past, but

it was closed due to budget cuts.

Rather than being just a “bad kid school,” the new alternative school will be for students that are not being successful in the traditional high school program, primarily focusing on grades 10 through 12. It will have smaller class sizes and will offer students more attention and flexibility.

“I am very excited for the new alternative school. It’s going to be a really exciting thing for students that need something different in order to graduate,” staff member Linda Benjamin said.

Sham Wows are positive and negative words or phrases that describe the month. They were decided through an English class survey for November. If you have a sham or a wow for the December issue, go to chsPylon.com and leave a comment or mention us on Twitter @chspylon to submit your suggestions.

Shams • • • • • • •

Pumpkin pie is seasonal K-State getting beat by Baylor Black Ops 2 Black Friday started at 8 p.m. on Thursday (Thanksgiving) Cost of the holidays Stores are always busy Being in school

Wows • • • • • • • •

It’s almost Christmas One Acts Halo 4 Pie Snow Bel’s Tree Farm is open New Daimaru opening in the first week of December Family time during the holidays

What’s on your t?

playlis

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1. Front Porch Sunrise Forever Came Calling 2. Sink Like Lead Handguns 3. True Hearts Skies 4. #WhiteGirlProblems Hoodie Allen

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7. Holiday Fireworks 8. Lost at Sea Call Your Own 9. Again and Again Fireworks 10. From Mountain Movers to Lazy Losers Fireworks

4 Behind the

scenes:

The Yu-Gi-OH! Club

By MacKenzie Morris The Pylon Started last year by the current president of the club, sophomre Michael Burbach, the Yu-Gi-OH! club has gained around twelve participants and is getting the word out to other schools in the state.

“Our entire lives depend on this.”

Corbin Hotz Sophomore “We are trying to get other schools around the state to start competitions,” Burbach said.

The club meets every friday after school in room 276.

The

dorms (levels)

of Yu-Gi-OH! Obelisk Storm “This is the highest group with the smartest players.

They play 24/7 and make it to every tournament they can.”

Slifer Storm “They are the smartest Slifers and have more experience than the level below them.”

Ra Storm “They have potential.

They are the youngest players and will some day control the club.”

Credit to Michael Burbach for the descriptions

November 29, 2012

Student Life

One of a kind

Freshman triplet, Brett Mosher, bound to a wheelchair at young age

By Beth Cash The Pylon Although Central has its fair share of twins, a set of triplets also roams the hallways.

Freshmen Brandon, Brayden and Brett Mosher could easily be seen as complete strangers, as they are fraternal triplets. If being triplets fourteen weeks premature wasn’t emotionally and physically overwhelming enough for the Mosher family, the rough start to life was prolonged for Brett, the youngest, yet healthiest brother.

Like all newborns, the DPT vaccine (diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus) had to be given.

Brandon and Brayden reacted normally to the shot, but Brett’s status of “healthiest baby” soon deteriorated.

Five hours after receiving the vaccine, Brett was back in the hospital in intensive care where doctors confirmed that Brett had developed an infection in his brain. Although it is unclear if Brett was given a contaminated vaccine or simply reacted negatively to it, he developed three chronic health problems: scoliosis, spasticity and Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy, which bound him to a wheelchair.

“It has been incredibly difficult for me knowing that I willingly handed over a seemingly healthy baby to receive a CDC recommended vaccine and was given back a brain damaged child,” Vonda Hahne, the triplets’ mother, said.

Life in high school is proving

itself to be quite a struggle for Brett, as the mass amounts of people in the hallways are not used to conveniently spacing themselves for a wheelchair.

“Brett has his own key to the elevator,” Brayden said.

Although many students would love to skip the steep stairs to class every day, Brett has a different outlook on the use of the elevator.

“I don’t like it - it creaks, it smells funny, and there are stains on the ceiling.

How does that even happen?

It’s really old; I’m always scared it’s going to break down,” Brett said.

For his own convenience, Brett leaves class five minutes before the bell rings to quickly get to his next hour, but he has terrible back pain throughout the day due to scoliosis, the abnormal curving of his spine.

Brett’s brothers, Brandon and Brayden, are extremely supportive of him.

“Brayden and I help Brett when he needs it. We get him food and help him walk if he’s in pain,” Brandon said.

Despite Brett’s hardships, life is pretty normal for the trio. Brandon and Brayden are both members of Sydney Kossow / The Pylon the freshman football team, Triplets, Brandon and Brayden Mosher, stand over brother, Brett whilst Brett enjoys reading Mosher, who was placed in a wheelchair after deaing with chronic many books such as Harry Potter. Despite their differences, health problems at a young stage in his life.

Brandon, Brayden and Brett are know that I am a better person daily struggles, he continually as close as brothers can get. To for having Brett in my life. amazes me. In conclusion, and them, no challenge is too big to Anyone who gets to know Brett in Brett’s own words, “when overcome. will know what I am talking you are down, just cowboy up,

“Brett is an intelligent, about; he is such a blessing. and carry on,” Vonda said. outgoing and happy kid. He has Even though Brett has many taught me so much about life. I

Syd’s solid sales

By Sydney Kossow The Pylon

Shopping guide to some of the BEST deals in town As Christmas time rolls around the corner, stores and businesses have started everyday sales to benefit shoppers throughout the hectic shopping season.

Target: Best deals:

14 foot trampoline

Was Now

$258.00 $199.00

Walmart: Kohl’s: Best deals:

60 inch flat screen TV

Was Now

$579.99 $379.99

Best deals:

Embellished boots:

Was Now

$99.99 $29.99

5

November 29, 2012

Student Life

Unusual

fashions

While some students

dress to impress Snapshots Other students dress to express themselves of

By MacKenzie Morris The Pylon

Sophomore Heather Alden is not afraid to make a statement with her clothes.

She transitions from dark clothing to a more bright and country style fashion throughout the school year.

“My belt buckle shows I’m not scared to show my religion,” Alden said.

Senior Tristan Drew is not only known around the school for consistently wearing a pink hat on his head throughout the day, but for a rare men’s style of shoe that he wears on his feet: heels.

“I really don’t care what people think about what I wear,” Drew said.

?

Wh“Iytry to show who I am

?

Wh“Iydress like this

through my clothes. ”

Tristan Drew

Sophomore

last?

By MacKenzie Morris The Pylon

Popular apps are constantly changing as new ones are being created and taking over the time of teenagers.

Will bike race stay around or crumble down as time goes on like these examples of “has been” apps?

A breakthrough app rising in popularity for smart phones is called Snapchat. Snapchat allows you to send pictures to users of this app and send captions along with the photo.

because I can. ”

Heather Alden

Will it

Central

Senior

Draw Something:

Temple Run:

Draw Something has users draw pictures to others players, whether they are people around the world or contacts from their own phone and try to guess the certain object they picked to create. This app was a huge deal throughout the school but died off after a couple months.

Words with Friends:

Temple Run puts you in a virtual world full of ancient temples. Players run down walls and along cliffs. As addicting as this game is to avoid obstacles and see how far you can run, this app has started to disappear from the lives of teenagers as time passes.

“TOTEZ ADORBZZ”

Doodle Jump:

Words with Friends was an extremely popular app for a long period of time when iPhones became more popular. Users can play against friends or strangers and participate in a style of game like Scrabble. The app that tests your smarts and vocabulary is still around but has lost the major popularity that it use to have.

In Doodle Jump, players guide Doodle the Doodler up a sheet of graph paper, picking up jet packs, avoiding black holes, and blasting baddies with nose balls along the way. As addicting as this app was, it has lost it’s popularity to the constant new app games being made.

“Mirror pic Monday!”

“Bike Race” becomes new app fad for students

By Austin Hyunh The Pylon The new app, Bike Race, has taken a large interest in our fellow students. As you walk through the lunch room and concourse, you can find students on their phones in a horizontal position and they are steering their phones back and forth, as if they were driving a car.

Bike Race is an app that allows students to race each other in short races that include many obstacles. Unlike other apps, this one seems that it will last longer

than the rest of the “used to be popular” app games that have died off.

“I don’t think Bike Race will die out fast,” junior Thomas Hampton said. “People enjoy beating their friends, like how I always beat Noah Grant.”

Students have been playing this game since the beginning of the year and it continues to be one of the top games in the App Store.

“I will probably keep playing Bike Race for a while, well, at least till I get the Super Bike,” Hampton said.

Locations: 1322 East Iron 785.826.1500 820 East Crawford 785.827.9875

“WE SOOO KUTE!”

Brianna Chora / The Pylon

Students consume their lunch time with playing Bike Race.

November 29, 2012

6

7

In depth

N t just a social

network

By MacKenzie Morris The Pylon Go back to the time of when our parents were teenagers in high school; subtweets weren’t constantly talked about, Facebook and Twitter were non-existent, and photo editing was not around to insult another being. Flash forward to now. Our teenage lives are centered around

“

Suicide rates are increasing so much because our media is all public and glorified.”

Katie Keleman Senior

social media, and this major necessity in our lives is now being used for bullying.

An increasingly popular route to cyberbullying has been through subtweets on

Twitter. Subtweets can be positive or sincere thoughts about someone, however, those kinds are being overtaken by the destructive, rude, and derogative subtweets that fill up tweeter’s news feeds.

“Subtweets are only bad towards people if you have a guilty conscious,” senior Ryan Emme said.

Even though subtweets are used to say something about someone without tagging them in it for everyone to know, it’s becoming easier to understand who they are about.

“People subtweet because they are too scared to admit it to their face,” senior Grant Dodge said.

Subtweets on Twitter are not the only contributor to the high percentage of cyberbullying. Other ways include uploading edited pictures of people that are offensive, name calling, Twitter fights and directly calling someone out through social media.

“I refuse to get on Twitter because of the drama and bullying,” junior Miranda Allen said. “It’s horrible.”

What teenagers don’t realize is that cyberbullying is a huge cause to suicide in the U.S. In 2011, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline revealed that the volume of calls they received between 2010 and 2011 increased by 14 percent.

“Suicide rates are increasing so much because our media is all public and glorified,” senior Katie Kelemen said.

Teenagers need to realize that even though cyberbullying and picking on others through media might be all fun and games to them now, their words and actions towards someone could be the cause of their death later on down the road.

What is a subtweet?

Tweeting feelings about someone else without actually tagging them, could be good or bad.

-Pylon staff

STARTLING

statistics The following are some figures from www.alicetx.com about national bullying in schools

Cyber bullying, subtweets have become a frequent part of everyday social media

Much like in the movie, ‘Mean Girls’, bullying is becoming less physical and more about being judged and not fitting in.

Have you ever been involved in subtweeting?

57%

Yes

43%

134 students responded during a lunch survey.

No

A different look Today’s bullies are no longer the stereotypical guys from movies

By Bailey Driver

How often do you see subtweets on your Twitter timeline?

“

133 students responded during a lunch survey.

67%

160,000

Subtweets are for people that don’t have the guts to say it to someone’s face.

35%

Nathan Poe Freshman

20% Every day Occasionally

Never

8% What’s a subtweet?

*For an opinion on subtweets, check out Editorials & Opinon page 10.

The Pylon When most people think about what a bully looks like, a tall, buff, intimidating football player or jock pops into their mind. But in reality, the movie industry is to blame for creating one bully figure that is so often thought of.

Today, bullies aren’t always this stereotypical figure that could be found shoving a little freshman into a trash can or throwing a nerd into a locker.

“Many of today’s bullies hide behind computers,” sophomore Corbin Hotz said.

Many different cliques

“

of popular girls and boys pridefully walk through the familiar halls of the school belittling everyone they see in sight, like Regina George and her girls did on a daily basis in the movie, “Mean Girls.”

This is why bullying can occur simply by sending a dirty look towards someone that’s dressed funny, or different, as you casually walk past each other in the hallway. These actions aren’t always verbal; a lot of times, it’s snide actions and body language that are clearly recognized. In some cases, derogatory comments are made under someone’s breath in hopes of receiving

some sort of attention from others around them.

Many of today’s bullies hide behind computers on the internet.”

Corbin Hotz Sophomore

“Typical bullies are more realistic today,” junior Aaron Ordonez said.

Breaking down bullying Types of bullying

When I see someone being bullied, I...

Watch & laugh

Did the Phil Chalmers presentation change how you act towards others?

63%Yes No 37%

“

173 students responded during a lunch survey.

Chalmers has spent hundreds of hours speaking to teen killers in prison and learning their story.

He is the author of several books pertaining to juvenile homicide and travels around the country speaking to high schoolers about these

Attention grabbing Phil Chalmers’ all school assembly sparks a new awareness about bullying and hot topics like drugs, sex and suicide in students.

Twitter, Facebook, and phone texting is becoming the easiest way to bully others and to rip apart someone’s reputation. It’s easier to bully others online because you don’t have to see them face to face and you can remain anonymous.

-Phil Chalmers

7%

199 students responded during a lunch survey.

any form of physical attack such as hitting,

Verbal-

Tell an adult Have you ever been bullied?

Yes No Do nothing

39%

195 students responded in a lunch survey

spreading nasty untrue stories about someone else,

Cyber-

73 = 10 responses

name calling, purposefully insulting, saying racial or sexist jokes, making offensive comments, etc.

Indirect-purposefully excluding, spreading malicious rumors.

122

any type of bullying that occurs on a electronic medium like a mobile phone, camera, iPod, computer, etc.

Break it up myself

41%

What type of bullying have you experienced?

Here is what the district says about bullying

The board prohibits acts of bullying in any form, including cyberbullying, on or with school property, in school vehicles or at school sponsored activities or events.

“Cyberbullying” is defined as bullying by use of any electronic communication device through means, including, but not limited to e-mail, instant messaging, text messages, blogs, mobile phones, pagers, online games and websites.”

The board expects students to conduct themselves in a manner in keeping with their levels of development, maturity, and demonstrated proper regard rights and150 welfare of other 0 capabilities 30 with a60 90 for the120 students, school staff and volunteers.

Cyber

22%

19% Verbal

43%

56%

of students have personally witnessed some type of bullying at school.

282,000 students are physically attacked in secondary schools every month.

71%

of students report bullying as a problem at their school.

54/100

of students agree that witnessing physical abuse at home can lead to school violence.

1 in 20

students have seen a student with a gun at school.

47

Indirect

0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0

1 in 7

students in K-12 are either a bully or a victim of bullying.

from www.makebeatsnotbeatdowns.org

Physical--punching, pinching or stealing belongings.

13%

District policy:

Eli Berner / The Pylon

Regardless, bullies walk the hallways of this school everyday - some of them more obvious than others. The fact is, kids aren’t scared anymore about getting run down by a scary upperclassman three feet taller than them, getting their lunch money stolen, or having their head forced into a filthy toilet bowl. Kids are more concerned about being judged and not fitting in. Walking into a school where you’re scared and intimated can only make matters worse.

“In movies, it doesn’t show how much bullying call actually affect someone,” freshman Gracie Truelove said.

the estimated number of students that miss school every day for fear of being bullied.

Physical

16%

269 students responded in a lunch survey. They could choose multiple types if necessary.

the approximate number of teens that are bullied every 5 minutes.

6-10

the grades in which teens are most likely to be involved in activities related to bullying.

November 29, 2012

6

7

In depth

N t just a social

network

By MacKenzie Morris The Pylon Go back to the time of when our parents were teenagers in high school; subtweets weren’t constantly talked about, Facebook and Twitter were non-existent, and photo editing was not around to insult another being. Flash forward to now. Our teenage lives are centered around

“

Suicide rates are increasing so much because our media is all public and glorified.”

Katie Keleman Senior

social media, and this major necessity in our lives is now being used for bullying.

An increasingly popular route to cyberbullying has been through subtweets on

Twitter. Subtweets can be positive or sincere thoughts about someone, however, those kinds are being overtaken by the destructive, rude, and derogative subtweets that fill up tweeter’s news feeds.

“Subtweets are only bad towards people if you have a guilty conscious,” senior Ryan Emme said.

Even though subtweets are used to say something about someone without tagging them in it for everyone to know, it’s becoming easier to understand who they are about.

“People subtweet because they are too scared to admit it to their face,” senior Grant Dodge said.

Subtweets on Twitter are not the only contributor to the high percentage of cyberbullying. Other ways include uploading edited pictures of people that are offensive, name calling, Twitter fights and directly calling someone out through social media.

“I refuse to get on Twitter because of the drama and bullying,” junior Miranda Allen said. “It’s horrible.”

What teenagers don’t realize is that cyberbullying is a huge cause to suicide in the U.S. In 2011, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline revealed that the volume of calls they received between 2010 and 2011 increased by 14 percent.

“Suicide rates are increasing so much because our media is all public and glorified,” senior Katie Kelemen said.

Teenagers need to realize that even though cyberbullying and picking on others through media might be all fun and games to them now, their words and actions towards someone could be the cause of their death later on down the road.

What is a subtweet?

Tweeting feelings about someone else without actually tagging them, could be good or bad.

-Pylon staff

STARTLING

statistics The following are some figures from www.alicetx.com about national bullying in schools

Cyber bullying, subtweets have become a frequent part of everyday social media

Much like in the movie, ‘Mean Girls’, bullying is becoming less physical and more about being judged and not fitting in.

Have you ever been involved in subtweeting?

57%

Yes

43%

134 students responded during a lunch survey.

No

A different look Today’s bullies are no longer the stereotypical guys from movies

By Bailey Driver

How often do you see subtweets on your Twitter timeline?

“

133 students responded during a lunch survey.

67%

160,000

Subtweets are for people that don’t have the guts to say it to someone’s face.

35%

Nathan Poe Freshman

20% Every day Occasionally

Never

8% What’s a subtweet?

*For an opinion on subtweets, check out Editorials & Opinon page 10.

The Pylon When most people think about what a bully looks like, a tall, buff, intimidating football player or jock pops into their mind. But in reality, the movie industry is to blame for creating one bully figure that is so often thought of.

Today, bullies aren’t always this stereotypical figure that could be found shoving a little freshman into a trash can or throwing a nerd into a locker.

“Many of today’s bullies hide behind computers,” sophomore Corbin Hotz said.

Many different cliques

“

of popular girls and boys pridefully walk through the familiar halls of the school belittling everyone they see in sight, like Regina George and her girls did on a daily basis in the movie, “Mean Girls.”

This is why bullying can occur simply by sending a dirty look towards someone that’s dressed funny, or different, as you casually walk past each other in the hallway. These actions aren’t always verbal; a lot of times, it’s snide actions and body language that are clearly recognized. In some cases, derogatory comments are made under someone’s breath in hopes of receiving

some sort of attention from others around them.

Many of today’s bullies hide behind computers on the internet.”

Corbin Hotz Sophomore

“Typical bullies are more realistic today,” junior Aaron Ordonez said.

Breaking down bullying Types of bullying

When I see someone being bullied, I...

Watch & laugh

Did the Phil Chalmers presentation change how you act towards others?

63%Yes No 37%

“

173 students responded during a lunch survey.

Chalmers has spent hundreds of hours speaking to teen killers in prison and learning their story.

He is the author of several books pertaining to juvenile homicide and travels around the country speaking to high schoolers about these

Attention grabbing Phil Chalmers’ all school assembly sparks a new awareness about bullying and hot topics like drugs, sex and suicide in students.

Twitter, Facebook, and phone texting is becoming the easiest way to bully others and to rip apart someone’s reputation. It’s easier to bully others online because you don’t have to see them face to face and you can remain anonymous.

-Phil Chalmers

7%

199 students responded during a lunch survey.

any form of physical attack such as hitting,

Verbal-

Tell an adult Have you ever been bullied?

Yes No Do nothing

39%

195 students responded in a lunch survey

spreading nasty untrue stories about someone else,

Cyber-

73 = 10 responses

name calling, purposefully insulting, saying racial or sexist jokes, making offensive comments, etc.

Indirect-purposefully excluding, spreading malicious rumors.

122

any type of bullying that occurs on a electronic medium like a mobile phone, camera, iPod, computer, etc.

Break it up myself

41%

What type of bullying have you experienced?

Here is what the district says about bullying

The board prohibits acts of bullying in any form, including cyberbullying, on or with school property, in school vehicles or at school sponsored activities or events.

“Cyberbullying” is defined as bullying by use of any electronic communication device through means, including, but not limited to e-mail, instant messaging, text messages, blogs, mobile phones, pagers, online games and websites.”

The board expects students to conduct themselves in a manner in keeping with their levels of development, maturity, and demonstrated proper regard rights and150 welfare of other 0 capabilities 30 with a60 90 for the120 students, school staff and volunteers.

Cyber

22%

19% Verbal

43%

56%

of students have personally witnessed some type of bullying at school.

282,000 students are physically attacked in secondary schools every month.

71%

of students report bullying as a problem at their school.

54/100

of students agree that witnessing physical abuse at home can lead to school violence.

1 in 20

students have seen a student with a gun at school.

47

Indirect

0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0

1 in 7

students in K-12 are either a bully or a victim of bullying.

from www.makebeatsnotbeatdowns.org

Physical--punching, pinching or stealing belongings.

13%

District policy:

Eli Berner / The Pylon

Regardless, bullies walk the hallways of this school everyday - some of them more obvious than others. The fact is, kids aren’t scared anymore about getting run down by a scary upperclassman three feet taller than them, getting their lunch money stolen, or having their head forced into a filthy toilet bowl. Kids are more concerned about being judged and not fitting in. Walking into a school where you’re scared and intimated can only make matters worse.

“In movies, it doesn’t show how much bullying call actually affect someone,” freshman Gracie Truelove said.

the estimated number of students that miss school every day for fear of being bullied.

Physical

16%

269 students responded in a lunch survey. They could choose multiple types if necessary.

the approximate number of teens that are bullied every 5 minutes.

6-10

the grades in which teens are most likely to be involved in activities related to bullying.

8

November 29, 2012

Athletes & Sports How to Huynh Austin Huynh The Pylon

Off season: Just showing up isn’t enough As fall sports end and winter sports begin, student athletes have started to prepare for their next season.

The term “hard work pays off” is used too loosely during the off season. When an athlete’s season ends in a way they didn’t want it to, the athlete tends to gain a drive to work hard for the next season. But exactly how hard do you have to work to achieve success?

Some people think that showing up to conditioning for a sport is enough to be good, but half the time, some of the people who show up aren’t even working hard. No matter

“I can relate to how it feels when my team loses. It absolutely is a horrible feeling.”

Austin Huynh The Pylon how much time they put into becoming a better player, the time they put in won’t make a difference unless they are actually working hard. Not working hard will lead to losses in the season.

I can relate to how it feels when my team loses. It absolutely is a horrible feeling.

It feels even worse when you know the mistakes you’ve made and that they could’ve been easily fixed.

When that happens, there are a lot of opportunities to make yourself better in preparation for the upcoming season.

To coaches and players, all the weight lifting, running, or getting shots up is essential to being the best. But when all the hard work you put into your sport in the weight room or the court doesn’t reach your expectations, you start to wonder what to do next, or who there is to blame.

For one, it is most certainly not the time you spent conditioning or working out.

If anything, that should make you more physically ready than anything else.

From what I’ve observed, a team needs the will to win no matter the circumstances, as well as leadership. Without either of those two things, a team will not advance. You can be the strongest person on the team, but if you don’t have a strong will to win or a leadertype mentality, you will not do much to help your team.

In the end, the preparation that players put into their sport during the off-season is not the only thing that will help them do better. Going the extra mile to achieve the top goal will benefit you and your team the most.

File Photo / The Pylon

Coach Finch strategizes during a time-out in the South game last season at the Bi-Center.

File Photo / The Pylon The girls’ basketball team breaks it down before they play South in the sub-state championship last season. They lost in the first round of state, but look forward to redeeming themselves this season and playing 25 games.

Battle ready Girls’, boys’ basketball starts season off with tough test - McPherson

By Carson Jett The Pylon Basketball season officially started less than three weeks ago, but both the boys’ and girls’ teams will be ready to host McPherson at home tomorrow night for the season opener. This game will show what both schools are made of and set the tone for the rest of the year.

“This HAS to be one of the best games in the state for

opening night! Traditionrich, defending state champs McPherson, versus an upcoming program like us,” head girls’ basketball coach Geoff Andrews said.

“This is only one game but it definitely gives an indicator of how good this team can be,” head boys’ basketball coach, Doug Finch said.

No doubt both coaches agree that this opening game can show the potential for the rest of the year and will give both

teams an intense start. Our teams do have an advantage, though.

“One thing is certain, it is at the Brickhouse and we know we have an advantage with our student-body being crazy!”

Andrews said.

Mental toughness and confidence will play a huge role in the game, with nerves at a high, but fundamentals and techniques will also contribute to the success or failure.

“We need to prepare for

their full court press, match their physical toughness, dominate rebounding and overcome being intimidated by Mac’s tradition,” Finch said.

Andrews agreed, saying his team also needs to be prepared for full court press, and shut down OK-State signee senior, Katelyn Loecker.

“There is no doubt this will be a very intense and high energy game with a packed gym, and both teams will be ready,” Finch said.

Brooke Peters

Jordan McNelly

Position: Guard/Forward Year: Junior

Position: Guard Year: Junior

Position: Forward Year: Sophomore

Junior Tanner Robl is a versatile player who can shoot the three and step inside to rebound. Robl needs to provide a spark off the bench for the Mustangs in order to get a win tomorrow night.

Junior Brooke Peters brings an impressive defensive presence to the floor with her speed and quickness.

Peters was recognized as honorable mention all-league last year and is looking to build on that success.

Sophomore Jordan McNelly looks to get significant minutes as a young player on varsity. McNelly’s mobility and ball handling allows him to be a dual threat from the power forward position.

File Photo / The Pylon

File Photo / The Pylon

up and coming players look to make an Players to watch These immediate impact for their teams this season

Bailey Driver Position: Forward Year: Sophomore

Sophomore Bailey Driver, who got some significant varsity minutes at the end of last year, looks to have an even bigger impact this season.

Driver brings a strong inside ability with her defense and rebounding.

File Photo / The Pylon

Tanner Robl

File Photo / The Pylon

3040 Emulsion Dr. Salina, KS 67401 USA www.bergkampinc.com Business (785) 825-1375 Slurry Seal, Microsurfacing & Road Maintenance Equipment

Athletes & Sports 9 Positive change comes for wrestling By the November 29, 2012

By Beth Cash The Pylon

With wrestling season beginning, a large change has been made from last season: a new coach, chemistry teacher

“We’re a lot more confident going into this season.”

Kade True Senior Shannon Peters.

As head coach, Peters plans on transforming the

wrestling program with harder conditioning and structured practices.

“They’re focusing on mastering a few moves. My goal is just for them to be competitive this year, and I think they will be,” Peters said.

Returning wrestlers are already noticing the changes being made.

“There’s better leadership this year, and practice is way more serious. The team already feels like a family,” senior Chance Blackburn said.

“We’re a lot more confident going into this season; we have a good chance against south,” senior Kade True said.

numbers a quick look at numbers and stats about the fall sports season

78.5

the number of square feet inside the circle on the wrestling mat

Experience to help boys’ swim team

By Chandler Burris The Pylon The boys’ swim team has their first meet tonight, and they are looking to improve on their individual ranks from last season. For senior Chandler Bryan, this is an important meet; it will be the first event of the season and the first race he may be able to compete in since he tore his labrum.

Bryan missed the first practice of the year due to the recovery from his injury; it has set him back from practicing to his full potential.

After not being able to practice at his full potential, he

Athletes in the mix Jordan McNelly Boys’ basketball Easton Ryser Wrestling Hailey Mayfield Girls‘ basketball Madi Carlgren Girls’ basketball Kyler Bell Boys’ swimming

is still confident and is going to do his best at the meet tonight if he is allowed to swim. Freshman Zach Hillbig is also injured with a

broken collar bone and is hoping to be able to swim in January.

“It’s hard to deal with this, but I feel confident I will

File Photo / The Pylon

Senior Chandler Bryan does the butterfly in a meet last season.

On the Spot TV marathon you could watch all day

Favorite midnight snack

“Law & Order”

“Pop-Tarts”

“The Big Bang Theory”

“Pizza”

“Beyond Scared Straight” “Criminal Minds” “Tosh.O”

THOMAS K. WILSON, DMD

ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGEON 520 S. Santa Fe, Suite 240 Salina, KS 67401 Phone: 785-827-9325 Fax: 785-827-6252 www.tomwilsondmd.com

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31

File Photo / The Pylon

Senior Kade True holds down an opponent during a wrestling match last season.

“Bowl of cookie dough ice cream” “Cookie dough ice cream” “3 course turkey dinner”

perform well. The team is really supportive of each other, and we are just a fun group of guys, so that has helped me to get back to 100 percent,” Bryan said.

There are eight letterman returning from last season; among those letterman are swimmers who placed anywhere from twenty-first place to eighth place at state.

“As a coach I just want to see everyone be healthy and be able to swim. It is also important to me that everyone follows the team aspect of the sport. If you can’t act as a team, then how do you expect to practice well,” coach Keith Smith said.

Most listened to song on your iPod “‘Diced Pineapples’

by Tyga” “‘Anything’ by ACDC” “‘Time of Your Life’ by Kid Ink” “‘That’s Why I Roll’ by Barkley Edison” “‘Summer Girls’ by Timeflies”

the number of years Coach Smith has been coaching swimming

1

the number of days until the first basketball game

9

the number of inches between the tallest girls’ varsity basketball player and the shortest

25

the number of games the girls’ basketball team is expecting to play this season.

45

approximately the number of pins Coach Peters has had in his wrestling career

4

the number of miles the boys’ swimming team swims at practice on average

11

The number of years senior starters Mark Vaughn and Justin Bengtson have been playing together.

10

November 29, 2012

Editorials & Opinion

Celebrity Letter to the editor: swappin’ Serious repercussions to Voting “Yes” If you could trade places with any celebrity, who would you be?

George Clooney -Scott Colborn Freshman

Simon Cowell -Rube Ball Sophomore

Steve Jobs -Drew Shamburg

By Jackson Mattek Guest Reporter

There is something that may come as a shock to some faculty and students: I, Jackson Mattek, am gay. This is where you say something along the lines of, “I always assumed so,” or “Duh, I thought everyone knew that,” or maybe even, “No way, he acts so straight!”… Okay maybe not that last one, however I felt it important to make it clear.

Gay activist Harvey Milk once said in an interview: “Gay Brothers and Sisters, you must come out. Once and for all, break down the myths, destroy the lies and distortions. For your sake. For their sake.” I fully believe if every LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender)

Salinian were to have come out LGBT brothers and sisters the right to not be fired or denied a of the closet before November public accommodation based on 6th, they would have the civil liberties they sexuality. deserve.

According to the National People “Gay brothers and Sister, you close to Action Alliance must come out. Once and for all for Suicide them would realize that Prevention, break down the myths...’” the people LGBT youth have the they are Harvey Milk denying highest rates Gay Activist of suicide rights to are attempts. their siblings, parents, About a week ago I posted friends, a status on Faceboook which neighbors, classmates, and teachers. Unfortunately, my posed a question to those planning on voting “yes”. Do hometown decided to make it very clear that I and people like you really want blood on your me are not welcome here when hands? At the time it sounded harsh, but now that my rights they repealed the ordinance are repealed, it is even more which allowed me and my

Voted YES

Junior

Hayley Williams -Michala Todd

Voted NO

Senior

49% 41%

justly asked.

When I first realized I was gay (not when I chose to be gay, by the way) I suffered from severe depression. Luckily, I had friends and family who loved and accepted me. Now, for those who do not have friends and family who accept them, they are also surrounded by a community that declared its hatred of them.

I am aware there are students and faculty in this school who voted “yes”,”and even some who signed the petition to repeal the ordinance.

Those who voted yes hurt every LGBT citizen. Not with a sword, but with a ballot.

268 students voted in a mock election taken by the social studies and history classes. 10 percent abstained from voting on the ordinance.

Staff Editorials: The side effects of Twitter The clog in Twitter newsfeed: subtweets

By Sammy Jordan The Pylon

The following are hypothetical “subtweets” taken from a survey at lunch. Have an opinion?

Tweet @chspylon and you could be featured in our next issue.

Alicia Gonzalez @sophomore Some people need to learn how to take showers. #ew #gross Kiauna Garman @freshman Nice haircut. #not Semaj Smith @junior She’s not yours anymore, bro.

Shekhinah Jones@junior OMG, you wear pajamas to school. You’re so cool!

Mason Brightbill @senior If the bell does not dismiss us, then it should not tell us when class starts.

Jaime Meraz @junior Sorry I’m so swole and you’re not Shea Meyers @sophomore That boy is one fine piece of meat #hottie

The Subtweet. The shortened word for “subliminal tweet,” which is directly referring to a particular person without mentioning their name or directly mentioning, indicating that the Tweet in which the hashtag is used is a subliminal tweet. Example: “Oh. Em. Gee. You look like a wale in your prof pic #baluga.” or “Wipe that thing off your head. Oh wait, that’s your face. #rage” HASHTAG WE DON’T CARE. One scroll of my Twitter feed shows a multitude of these “subtweets.” These posts are a waste of 140 characters or less and clog my feed, resulting

in an unfollow or more work for my scrolling thumbs. #firstworldpains Speculation of who the tweet was intended for or about arises, making everyone feel like Sherlock Freaking Holmes.

Twitter fights are perhaps the more fascinating and exciting of the subtweets. When heated, tweeting responses are sequential, providing that the newsfeed is dead at the time, making the investigation easier. The angry subtweets become so apparent that the name of the person might as well be tagged.

The second category, and

most annoying sub-sect of the subtweets, are the desperate tweets. These Tweets usually appear around Valentine’s day or when the weather is rainy and overcast. Females (and sometimes males)

will Tweet their single

woes in a statement designed to provoke a member of the opposite sex to Tweet back at them. Such as “I just wish you would text me back. I just want to cuddle #cuddleweather #singleprobz.”

The single aren’t the only ones broadcasting their relationship status. Couples are often the worst.

There is this thing. It’s a

really cool concept; it’ has been around since, like, 1998; its a really effective mode of communication: texting. To the couples whose love must be conveyed through emojis and side ways winky facessave it for your text messages.

I get that you are territorial, really I do, but for the general population who are not trying to steal your boyfriend or girlfriend, we do not need the love tweets broadcasted on our timelines. The lovey dovey tweets are just calling for an unfollow. I will not hesitate to click that green follow button, knocking the coveted followers number down a notch.

Nor will I be the only one.

My instant reaction was to pull up the big red “block” button and click it without any consideration. Little did I know that my mom would be thoroughly checking my Twitter on a regular basis.

Therefore, a couple days later she demanded that I “unblock” her.

As her daughter, I was a little frustrated that she had just gained complete access to everything I posted on Twitter. It wasn’t that I was upset that I could no longer post inappropriate or explicit tweets, because that wasn’t

what I was tweeting in the first place.

I was more bothered by the whole concept that she could now view everything I posted, which usually consisted of my daily thoughts that I would never say in front of her.

Now, my mom thinks she has free reign to question and harass me about any suspicious tweets she sees. I know that as my mother she wants to be involved in my life, but some things are better left unsaid - or unasked, in this case.

As a parent, her

reason for following me is understandable. I’m aware that her motherly instincts lead to her worrying about my safety and overall well being, but there is a better way to ensure that I am safe and harmfree. For instance, I would be perfectly fine with sitting down together and having a casual conversation about how my week or day was going.

Yes, I do get that she’s just doing her “job,” as any responsible parent would claim, by holding her child accountable, but LET ME BE A TEENAGER.

#Subtweets

Parents should get off the Twitter Machine

By Bailey Driver The Pylon As an avid teen Twitter user, receiving the notification stating that my mother had just followed me filled me with both rage and annoyance. Not to mention, those furious texts I received from my closest friends, saying that she had followed them too. She had been recently asking me about Twitter and what it was all about, but I never thought she would actually take the time to make an account and learn how to operate on it.

11

November 29, 2012

Editorials & Opinion Versus- Are guns really the problem?

By Gena Salstrom

By Sammy Jordan

The Pylon

The Pylon

Some people justify the killing of animals by saying that a certain amount of hunting is There’s no way around it: necessary so that species, such Kansas is Republican. And as the white-tailed deer, don’t there’s nothing Republicans love become overpopulated. The more than guns, except maybe human species is extremely ‘Merica. overpopulated, but how would The U.S. is ranked number you feel if someone stalked one in civilian gun ownership. and killed you? Humans have I’ve heard every hunted, or pro-gun cliche nearly hunted, in the book: many species Guns were “The right to to extinction used in almost bear arms is a including the God-given right,” 68 percent of great white shark or even better, and the woolly murders in the “Guns don’t kill mammoth, and country. people. People estimates say kill people.” that by mid However, the 21st century 30 truth is that guns are a problem. percent of all species may be They can only be used to bring extinct. harm to the environment, Guns bring harm not only to whether it be by killing animals animals, but also to people. In or by killing people.

2010, guns were used in almost It’s true that hunting 68 percent of murders has been around since in the country. The the beginning of human possibility of being shot existence, but that doesn’t in the U.S. is 40 times mean it needs to be greater than in Canada, practiced. A vegetarian England, or Germany. saves more than 406 Internationally, animals each year, America’s gun saving at least one control problem animal per day. is seen.

Animals were on Dangerous earth way before criminals will humans ever always be evolved, so there able to find is no reason for guns, but there people to feel like it’s is substantial okay for them to go out evidence and massacre animals supporting the for no other purpose idea that legalizing but to have fun. This guns leads to more is not our earth to murders. States destroy, yet so many like California have people seem intent on stricter gun laws doing so. have fewer deaths Every year, 12.5 from gun-related million people over violence. Though the age of 16 go gun control laws hunting. Those 12.5 are not politically million people spend popular, they are around 220 million a necessary step days total engaging in towards a peaceful the act of murdering nation. innocent animals.

The human footprint is clearly expanding. Without doubt, the spread of humans is having malignant effects on the environment.

Unfortunately, not much can be done to stymie the spread of people as urban areas are expanding exponentially.

However, we can regulate the way that we interact with the environment. Suprisingly, hunting, trapping and fishing, is the most effective way to sustain the quality of the remaining natural habitat of these creatures.

Humans have become important factors in the ecosystem. By expanding our habitat, the habitat of free animals such as deer, fox, or quail have also altered. The natural predators of deer have either migrated to a more sustainable habitat for their needs or have been removed from the area. Because the deer population can no longer be controlled by natural means, it is necessary for humans to become the regulators.

Without regulation, the population of deer would increase

substantially. The environment would not be able to harbor the resources necessary to sustain this growth, resulting in starvation. This imbalance would not only harm deer, but also decrease resources for other animals in the area, including humans.

Vehicular crashes due to deer and wildlife are on the rise.

These crashes almost always result in the immediate death of the deer. If not killed on impact, the deer will die from injury, most likely starving to death. Their deaths are a waste, as none of their meat can be consumed.

Hunters used almost the entirety of the deer, selling parts to taxidermies and preserving the meat for food.

For those of you who are vegetarians: awesome, cool, kudos… but I like meat, as does 96.8 percent of the population. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 25 percent of Americans believe that the practice of hunting is wrong. Meaning that 21.8 percent of these in opposition to hunting are regular consumers of meat.

By halting all forms of hunting, the balance of the ecosystem could be put in serious jeopardy.

Upcoming Deer Seasons: Regular Firearm: Nov. 28 - Dec. 9 Extended Anterless-Only Whitetail: Jan. 1 - Jan. 13

Kudos & Call outs The following are situations in which our students and faculty deserve praise for a job well done or to be called out for dropping the ball.

Kudos: -Bill Snyder.

-Clay Commerford for getting a job at Braums. You make that bank.

-Gabby Briggs for officially signing with the Bearcats.

Growl...Rawr? What noise does a Bearcat make?

-Christmas is so close. We can do it. We can make it.

-Thrift Shop by Macklemore.

Go forth and listen.

-The movie Lincoln is doing pretty good in theatres.

Historically, this has not been so. This was stolen from someone’s Twitter. So thanks.

-Taylor Hanson for supporting the local Salina Art Center Cinema at Perks of Being a Wallflower.

- The basketball teams. Time to go dominate and kick some bull pup booty.

-Sydney Kossow for shooting her first duck.

-The election is over. Now there are no tweets from our local political “experts” about the debates. Horray!

-’Twilight’ will be out of theatres soon.

-Smores are so good.

-Creative writing.

-Bel Tree Farm

Call outs: -Fake Twitter accounts.

-’Twilight.’

-Bill Nye the Science Guy doesn’t have a show anymore.

-Construction on Magnolia STILL isn’t done.

-It’s cold. But it’s not even snowing. How is Santa supposed to land?

-Nicki Minaj. Like what are you even saying? HABBAHRA GA RAHHHHHAH! -Bandwagon K-State fans.

-Loud ratchets.

-Last episode of ‘iCarly.’

Tears. So many tears.

-Someone took down the Abercrombie and Fitch posters in the Girl’s bathroom nearest the office.

-On another bathroom related note, the airdryers by the conditioning room STILL do not function.

-The new cheese on the crispito is NOT poppin’. Unless you ask for it on the side and mix it with the beans.

- Avril Lavigne married the lead singer of Nickleback. She ruined her life.

-Rooney: THAT SCUM STACHE. -The Gilmore girls talk so fast.

-They are bringing back ‘Boy Meets World.’ It’s Cory’s daughter and it’s called ‘Girl Meets World.’ Let it die. Just let it die.

-The line at Taco Johns is so long on Taco Tuesday.

12

Senior Mark Vaughn

Courtesy of The Pylon

play with passion

take downs

Senior Kade True

Senior Matt Martin

Photo story

Junior Emily Wood

Winter stars

The season is upon us, and with these athletes leading the Stangs, success can’t be denied

ballin’

November 29, 2012

Courtesy of The Pylon

Courtesy of The Pylon

Photo by Paige Johnson/ The Pylon

2012-2013 Returning boys’ swimmers from left to right. Front row: Kyler Bell, Chandler Bryan, Noah Hadnot, Erick Nilson, Ian Korinek. Back row: Conner Martens, Zach Ketcher, Matt Martin, Shane Davis, Bryen Baker.

splish splash

2012-2013 Returning boys’ wrestlers from left to right. Front row: Sam Allen, Tyler Lindzy, Lucas Berndt, Zak Will. Back row: Trace Cutbirth, Kade True, Dayton will.

Photo by Bri Chora/ The Pylon

High expectations are set from the beginning of the season. Girls’ basketball looks to make another appearance at state and play 25 games. Wrestling, led by new head coach Shannon Peters, is gaining a new confidence and competitive level. The boys’ basketball team will try to continue their success in league play and get a title. The boys’ swim team returns plenty of experience that will strengthen their chances of success in the pool.

Photo by Bri Chora/ The Pylon

2012-2013 Returning girls’ basketball players from left to right. Front row: MacKenzie Morris, Brooke Peters, Emily Wood, Gabby Briggs, Erin Harvey, Shaelyn Martin. Back Row: Marysa Bradshaw, Allie Nowlin, Emily Ewing, Madi Carlgren, Bailey Driver, Morgan Hauserman, Hailey Mayfield.

Courtesy of The Pylon

Photow by Bri Chora/ The Pylon

2012-2013 Returning boys’ basketball players from left to right. Front row: Max Kuhn, Damion Cooper, Mark Vaughn, Justin Bengtson, Treyton Hines. Back Row: Jordan McNelly, Kamen Kossow, Tanner Robl, Matt Grammer.