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CONTENT
CONTENT PAGE
04 08 10 12 14
News
From Apple to Ammo Erasing the Misconception
In Depth
Therapy Animals
Arts
Audrey Burgoon becomes International Thespian Officer
In Depth
Call of the Taxidermist
Student Life Roll The Film
16 20 24 26 28
22
Feature
Distorted Reality
Sports
Bringing Home the Cup/Sports Briefs
In Depth Brunch
Infographic
The Hard Hitting Truth
Opinion
Race for Governor School Schedule Changes Movie Review
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14 08
PYLON September 28, 2018
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CONTENT PAGE
PYLON September 28, 2018 Soccer V & JV vs Hutchinson Home game @5 p.m.
02
Golf JV meet Away @3 p.m.
04
Oct.
End of 1st Quarter
05
06
Oct.
Volleyball
Tennis
12 Oct.
09 Oct.
08 Oct. Junior Varsity AVCTL away @8:30 a.m.
Varsity 5A State Away @9 a.m.
13 Oct.
Parent teacher Conferences
2018-2019 Pylon Staff
No School
Oct. 18-19
17 Oct.
10 Oct. Soccer
Josten’s Senior Graduation Meeting
Varsity & Junior Varsity vs. Newton @5 p.m.
@ 2 p.m.
15 Oct.
Oct. 17-18
16 Oct.
halloween
Madeline Paradis
News Editors
Isabella Rubino
Sports Editors
Malcolm Berkley Holly Sanderson Saria Taylor
Arts Editor
one act auditions
Varsity @ 7 p.m. Theme: Hunting/ Camo
Editor-in Chief
Student Life Editor
18 Oct.
Football Game
19 Oct.
PSAT
Oct.
XC V&JV Home @10 a.m.
Oct.
Picture Retakes
No School
Teacher Inservice Workday
3
@3 p.m.
30 Oct.
Social Media Twitter: @chspylon Instagram: @mustangsofcentral Snapchat: chspylon Web: chspylon.com The Pylon is the official student newspaper of Salina High School Central. Volume 95 of the Pylon was created by 13 staff members using Creative Cloud CC. Our fonts this year include GoBold and Gravity.
31 Oct.
We want to hear your opinion The Pylon serves an an open forum for students to express their opinions on topics that affect the school or community. Students are protected under the Kansas State Bill 62 as well as the first amendment. Editorials do not represent the opinion of our entire school, staff, or administration. If you have a letter than you want to published, e-mail your submissions to pyloneditors@gmail.com. Submissions must contain a full name for inclusion, and we will contact you to confirm you are the author of the letter. Letters may be edited to clarify
Montana McCullum
In-Depth Editor Concha Campa Marlie Coleman
Copy Editor
Maria Gutierrez
Reporters
Anlyn Arb Makelti Hastings Sydney Raman Avi Taylor
Adviser
J.D. Garber
FROM news updates
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PYLON | september 28, 2018
APPLES TO
AMMO | PHOTO BY MAKELTI HASTINGS
news updates
PYLON | september 28, 2018
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STUDENTS, STAFF DO NOT AGREE ON TEACHERS CARRYING FIRE ARMS SYDNEY RAMAN| PYLON REPORTER
In at least 10 states right now, there is a gun stored away in a classroom. Next to bullet vests and safety handbooks. Guns are what administrators and politicians think are the solution to the rapid amount of unfortunate school and workplace shootings. Some students like sophomore Madelynn Nash believe that “it would not prevent shooters, it would only influence them more I think.” But other students like sophomore Olivia Moore argue that it would make her feel safe and that “guns should never be taken away from our citizens.” An online New York Times survey done this year shows that 75 percent of teachers are opposed to the idea of being trained to carry guns in school. “I would not feel safe,” said Nash. “I don’t really know a specific way that we could prevent school shootings but that’s definitely not their job to have a gun, it could cause more problems with students.” But Moore argues quite the opposite. “I think that it might prevent someone from coming to shoot up the school, it would be like a sign to them that what they are doing is stupid and will be stopped,” Moore said. “It would make me feel safer and more secure knowing that my teacher has a gun and could stop a shooting easily. But regardless there are still many mentally ill people who will still act and continue to do bad things no matter what.” Moore thinks though that there should be more done about gun safety today and how we acquire guns. “There should definitely be more background checks, that is one of the main problems with purchasing a gun. There are never enough background checks done behind people when purchasing a gun, which has gotten it to land in the wrong hands.” According to President Donald Trump, we need teachers to be armed and have a policy put into place. ¨An attack has lasted, on average, about three minutes. It takes five to eight minutes for responders and for police to come. If you had a teacher who is adept at firearms, they could very well end the attack very quickly,¨ Trump said in a listening session where he talked with survivors and family members of
school shootings after Parkland. Choir teacher Ryan Holmquist does not agree with Trump. ¨That is not a safe option, guns exist for one purpose, they only do one thing, the more of them that we have around the more likelihood that there is going to be someone who is hurt and there’s a lot of research that says that, that is not a safe option for schools,¨ Hollmquist said. Holmquist believes that when kids are exposed to guns they are simply ¨kids exposed to guns.¨ In any setting if they are exposed to guns it could expose them to anything else relating to guns and either the good or bad use of them. Holmquist believes that there are other options to ending gun violence in school. “I think that you target the kind of weapons that are being used by people, they are called
to take a life, especially the life of a student assailant,” the article reads.. “Firearm skills degrade quickly, which is why most law enforcement agencies require their officers to practice on a shooting range frequently (as often as once per month), under simulated, high-stress conditions. Anyone without such frequent, ongoing practice will likely have difficulty using a firearm safely and effectively.” Principal Nate Showman believes that an effective way to end schools shootings is to create a supportive environment for a student who may feel alone or feels like they need to shoot up the school. He believes setting things up like our new ELO system will improve this. “With ELO, we are trying to build communities and have smaller groups so that if somebody’s upset or frustrated to point where they think “I have to do this,” they have a good relationship IT WOULD MAKE ME FEEL with a teacher or staff member SAFER AND MORE SECURE that we would be able to help and see what’s wrong,” KNOWING THAT MY TEACHER them Showman said. HAS A GUN AND COULD STOP A Mr. Showman however believes that guns are not the soSHOOTING EASILY. lution. “I think there are so many - SOPHOMORE OLIVIA MOORE variables throughout the day when you’re working with students or large groups of adults AR15’s, certain styles of what are commonly that I don’t think it helps make the building called assault rifle’s. They often go by some safer, I think if anything it gives the building other names as well like “street sweepers,” he more of a feel of a prison or a maximum said. “Those kinds of things should not be ac- security type of place. From a school stand cessible, for, I don’t think anyone. I don’t see point guns don’t have a place. I would not why anyone has to have a street sweeper to feel comfortable saying all my teachers lets go hunting, the kinds of automatic weapons be armed because I think when your in a that can do mass damage shouldn’t be ac- classroom it could be a distraction and all cessible to anyone in this country, I think this the students would just be thinking about is where you start.” “my teacher has a gun.” If teachers carried guns, could they actualShowman also believes that by having ly “end an attack?” An article by the New York more security in terms of the structure of the Times states that even for the nation’s lar- building. gest, best trained police force, The New York “I think the best thing we can do to protect Police Department, the average hit rate was are teachers, to protect our students, to proonly 18 percent for officers in gunfights. This tect our building, is to have secure entrances was between 1998 and 2006. and exits like we have now, but also to proThe Atlantic Journal Constitution has an mote “here’s where you go if you hear soarticle and findings from the National Asso- mething and here’s the proper channels for ciation of School Resource officers opposing reporting something so somebody knows arming teachers, stating a list of reasons why. so that we can kind of jump in and start our “Anyone who hasn’t received the exten- work and investigating.” sive training provided by law enforcement officers will likely be mentally unprepared
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News Updates
PYLON | SEPTEMBER 28, 2018
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Erasing k
the
Misconception
PYLON | SEPTEMBER 28, 2018
TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS WORK TO BREAK THE STIGMA OF ADVANCED PLACEMENT CLASSES ISABELLA RUBINO | PYLON NEWS EDITOR
News Updates
Many students will avoid taking AP classes because of the stigma that they need to be a certain type of student to be successful in them. The staff at Salina Central High School is trying to prove this stigma wrong and show that all students can do well in an AP class if they put in the effort. History Teacher Deirdre Hoff wants to encourage all students to take AP classes whether or not they get perfect grades. “I think a lot of times AP classes just kind of get a ‘well it’s for this certain group of kids and it’s not for everyone’ and I think that we need to break down that idea that that is not the case,” Hoff said.“ I think we need to make sure that all students realize that they can be successful in AP class. It may be more of a chal-
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Exams to get college credit. The class work and grades do not effect whether or not students get college credit. However, not all teachers agree with the AP exam being the sole determinant for whether or not students get college credit. English teacher Katrina Paradis believes that the students’ class work should also be a contributing factor for getting college credit. “Personally, I think that sometimes AP kind of has a racket going and by that I mean is if these kids don’t get a certain score on the test, they don’t get the credit for college. There are a lot of colleges who don’t take anything below a 4 and I think that my kids put in the work comparable to a college class last year and I think they all should
WE WANT TO HAVE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE STUDENTS ARE CHALLENGING THEMSELVES.
- PRINCIPAL NATE SHOWMAN lenge than they are used to, but they can be successful.” AP classes, or Advanced Placement, are college level classes that lead to a big exam at the end of the year. The exam is broken into 2 parts: a multiple choice section, and a writing section. Your score on the exam determines if you will get college credit for the class. Principal Showman believes that more than anything AP classes benefit the students. “We want to have an environment her where students are challenging themselves and taking risks, so AP is a great way for them to do that so they can dive into an advanced course, see what a college level curriculum should look like, and still do that with the safety net of a high school environment where you have a teacher that knows you by your name and is wanting you to be successful,” Showman said. For most universities, the magic number is at least a 3 on the AP ILLUSTRATION BY MARLIE COLEMAN | PYLON IN-DEPTH EDITOR
have gotten some credit. I think AP being the gatekeeper through this exam is kind of elitist,” Paradis said. AP classes are very demanding and time consuming. Students will often have to spend hours after school finishing work for the AP courses. For senior Gage Burmaster his AP courses were not always a walk in the park. “Last year there were a couple of times I would stay up until midnight to do reading or homework for AP Lang, then I would wake up at 5 and do more of it, then finish it in W2, then turn it in during W6. It was just a workload thing, lack of sleep and all that,” Burmaster said. Although AP classes can be challenging, students shouldn’t be intimidated by them. AP classes prepare students for college and are worth it in the end.
in depth
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PYLON | September 28, 2018
CALL OF THE TAXIDERMIST JUNIOR AMAYA SVENDBLAD SHARES HER STRANGELY UNIQUE INTERESTS MARLIE COLEMAN | PYLON IN DEPTH EDITOR
Svendblad on the hunt for her next project. | PHOTO BY MARLIE COLEMAN
in depth
PYLON | September 28, 2018
Taxidermy is what some would call a strange career choice, or even an out of the ordinary hobby. However, this is not the case for one talented junior. Her name is Amaya Svendblad, and she has worked with all kinds of animals in some of the most interesting ways imaginable. Svendblad does her own form of taxidermy, and the school’s interest in her pass time has quickly become well known. Rarely seen as an art form in public places, it is especially uncommon to see someone so young pursue an interest in taxidermy. “When I happened upon animals, at the time I had been watching the crime shows where they do autopsies and stuff,” Svendblad said. “Because I watched it, I wanted to try and do it on animals instead.” Proper taxidermy is a long and dedicated process that takes time and a lot of necessary materials to complete it properly. Svendblad, on the other hand, has her own methods. “At my house we call it ‘ghetto taxidermy’,” she said. “Conventional taxidermists will skin an animal and put it over a mold of their body. Where as what I do is not skin the animal, but I take the organs and preserve everything else. Organs I simply can’t preserve.” With this interest comes the questions on what in particular she works with. Whatever Svendblad comes across she will use, as long as they are in good condition. As for her most common animals, typical birds and squirrels you see in towns and cities are what comes the most to her. Occasionally there are some on the more rare side, like rabbits and mice. However, she does have one animal that is one of her most prized possessions. “Probably my ‘Pretty Lady’ my coyote. I can wear her!” said Svendblad. Pretty Lady is by far a favorite of her bunch. Receiving her from a close friend of the family, she worked tirelessly and constantly to make her as best
as she could be. Now, Pretty Lady is priceless, and she won’t be heading anywhere anytime soon. Such an interesting hobby, of course, comes with a lot of supporters. 2D Art teacher Larry Cullins likes her taxidermy so much that he allowed it to be entered into last year’s art show. “She loves animals, and loves to make them look alive again. I think her passion needs to have an outlet for that. I wouldn’t think twice, just don’t put it in my desk,” Cullins said. Having a teacher who loves art in the many different art forms she does is a godsend for both of them. They can encourage each other in extraordinary ways. With Cullins allowing her passion to expand to others with his cooperation, And Svendblad bringing her unique abilities to light for him to expand his horizons even more at her side. With those encouraging words brings her more and more joy, knowing that there are people close to her to back her up.
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A collection of Svendblad’s favorite animals, including “Pretty Lady” the coyote. | PHOTO BY MARLIE COLEMAN
“SHE’S AMBITIOUS, I’VE NEVER HEARD OF A TEENAGER DOING THIS BEFORE.” - ART TEACHER LARRY CULLINS
In addition to her taxidermy, Svendblad has experience in 2D art as well. | PHOTO BY MARLIE COLEMAN
fine arts
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PYLON | SEPTEMBER 28, 2018
FOCUSED ON THEIR
STAGE
Senior Audrey Burgoon works with her group during a fall thespian conference. | PHOTO BY MADELINE PARADIS
PYLON | SEPTEMBER 28, 2018
fine Arts
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BURGOON EARNS INTERNATIONAL POSITION, ACTORS WORK TO PREPARE FOR NEXT SHOW MALCOLM BERKLEY | PYLON SPORTS EDITOR
Up until recently, the theatre department had been pre- by Mr. Nulik. Instead of an audition, he would choose the paring for an important show, one that had previously ne- cast based on who he felt fit the best in certain roles. Anver been done. ticipation and eagerness for how it would play out was felt “The Laramie Project” was supposed to be the first play by those participating. Yet, it didn’t pan out as most had performed at the school in the 2018-19 academic year, one hoped. For junior Erin Flax, most of those involved experithat was historically surrounded by controversy. In 1998, enced quite the disappointment. an openly gay student at Wyoming University was tortu“I think we were all disappointed because we were all red, beaten and eventually left to perish in the small town excited to do the show,” Flax stated. “It’s a really powerful of Laramie, Wyoming. Although he was found by a cyclist, show and we were all thrilled to be a part of it.” he later died from his injuries and the two assailants were For now, the theatre department is only going to do one both sentenced to life terms. The 30,000-small town was fall show. As the students wait to begin preparations for left shocked and divided by the hate crime: churchgoers the next play, they have been honing their skills working launched anti-gay protests (even going as far as to picket on varying dialects. Their attention is also concentrated the funeral), whereas numerous friends of the victim used on finding that next show. Yet, both the teachers and their own tactics to challenge the religious peoples’ views. students alike hope that someday they have successfully The town’s plight received conquered “The Laramie national interest and was Project.” THE PLAY WASN’T SOMElater made into a play ba “ I think it’s a great piesed on countless interviews ce that tells a good story,” THING YOU COULD JUST with the inhabitants. Howesays Mr. Nulik. “I hope we BREEZE THROUGH. THESE ver, for the theatre dept., it can do it sometime in the wasn’t to be; concerns over PEOPLES STORIES NEEDED future.” a shoulder injury for Mr. NuThe theatre department TO BE TOLD CORRECTLY. lik convinced him to cancel is still doing great things the show. in the theatre community. “I have to have shoulder This summer Troupe pre- SENIOR AUDREY BURGOON surgery and, when you take sident Audrey Burgoon on something controversiwas elected to serve as an al, you have to be able to do it 100 percent,” he said. “Not International Thespian Officer (ITO). She serves with five being able to do that is why I made my decision.” other thespians from all over the country to plan the interThe challenge the show offered, especially one focused national thepsian festival in Nebraska. on such a sensitive topic, was huge. In such a conservative This is a big deal for the theatre department because school within a very republican Kansas town, the process only four students from Kansas have become ITO’s The of planning out the piece had to be very delicate. last student from Central to became one was in 2009. According to senior Audrey Burgoon, the margin for error On August 25, the theatre department held a theatre stawas slim. te board meeting. Schools from all over Kansas brought “The play wasn’t something you could just breeze students who were interested in being on the student stathrough,” Burgoon stated. “These peoples’ stories needed te board. Audrey and the other Kansas Thespian Officers to be told correctly.” led these students in group games and activities. Students As a result, Burgoon felt that her teacher’s decision to also split into groups to help plan the Kansas Thespian withdraw from doing “The Laramie Project” was justified. Festival that will take place in January. “It just as well had to happen,” she said. “It was probably Burgoon just recently went to New York to attend an Inthe right choice. ternational Thepsian Conference. There she was able to In order to be chosen for a role within the production, meet with the other ITO’s to continue planning the Interstudents had to be in the two Rep. Theatre classes taught national Thespian Festival.
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES FOR TROUPE 639 -FALL PLAY OCT. 25-29 “MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING” -ONE ACTS NOV. 29-DEC.1 -MUSICAL JAN. 24-26 “HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL” -ONE ACTS FEB. 21-23 -SPRING PLAY APRIL 4-5 TBA
in Depth
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Oso, therapy dog in training, smiles for a picture with his owner. | PHOTO BY MARLIE COLEMMAN
PYLON | september 28, 2018
in depth
PYLON | september 28, 2018
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CLOSE COMPANY STUDENTS, TEACHERS ACCECPT UNUSUAL PETS MARLIE COLEMAN | IN-DEPTH EDITOR
Animals of all shapes and sizes are making their owners’ lives sweeter by simply being there for them, but it’s not just your typical dog or cat you find in all sorts of homes. More and more individuals are starting to turn to other animals, like reptiles, birds and even your typical fish for emotional support. These animals are starting to have a comeback and making their way into more homes, questioning if every animal can truly be man’s best friend. With these animals comes many opinions on who really believes that just being in the presence of them can help us feel better and more relaxed. “I have not, so I can’t share much on something like that,” psychology teacher Linda Jones said. “I know people who have them as just pets, but I do not know about them bringing comfort to them.” On the other hand, professional therapists have worked with some who do appreciate their unordinary companion. Jenna Kriebel, a local therapist of Salina, Kansas, is one of those few. “I have met a few individuals who have found comfort in animals other than feline or canine,” Kriebel said. “I’ve also heard of monkeys, pigs and horses.” Despite all of these benefits, there are also a few problems that arise with it. Due
to the confusion of a “comfort animal” with a “therapy animal,” there are more and more unofficial assistance pets weaving their way into situations they should not be in. A therapy animal or service animal is a pet that travels and aids a person with special needs through everyday activities. These animals can go anywhere and everywhere with their owner, as long as they have some sort of identification stating that they are there for a special purpose. Most of the time you will see the animal with a vest with words similar to “THERAPY DOG. DO NOT PET.” The problem being, vests like these can be obtained and put on any animal a little too easily. “Anyone can go online and buy a vest for their animal that indicates ‘service animal’ and there is no system of checks and balances, So many people are taking advantage of this so their animals can accompany them into places they really probably shouldn’t be,” Kriebel said. Often times, you can tell the animal is not there for legitimate service by its behavior. For example, if you see a dog in a vest jumping up to greet a passerby and barking at those that are near, it is best to assume that dog is not of official service.
“I DEFINITELY THINK AN INDIVIDUAL COULD FIND COMFORT IN ANY OF THESE ANIMALS.” - JENNA KRIEBEL Checkers the corn snake. | PHOTO BY ANLYN ARB
student life
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PYLON | September 28, 2018
Roll The Film SARIA TAYLOR | PYLON REPORTER
Back to school dance, homecoming help to build on improved school spirit
Homecoming Photos taken by Alex Morales, Kaydn Cobb and Gavin Sutton.
student life
PYLON | September 28, 2018
Homecoming, a time of the year where students, family and friends go to football games to watch their team score some touchdowns or they go just to hangout with friends and see the halftime show. It’s also the time of year when people go out and get all dolled up for the big homecoming dance, where they anxiously await the announcement of this years Homecoming King and Queen. But what is the real meaning of the word “homecoming”? Homecoming is the time of year where past graduates come back to celebrate their alma mater and relive the good old highschool days with present students. . “If we are all on one accord we will show a lot of school spirit”, Senior Matt Goldammer said. Coming into the new school year, Goldammer feels that if the students of Salina Central put all their differences aside and come together as a student body the school will be a happier and a more memorable place for everyone.
On the other side Freshman Vidhi Bhakta states how her class has less of a school spirit and that it will take time for them to warm up to all the upperclassman, and once they get used to their new surroundings they will open up more and start to show their true mustang color. “Once our grade
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drive. This drive gave the students an opportunity to help the community and to get into the dance where they could have had a really fun time. This dance was a major success and had everyone dancing to the beat on the gym floor. Mostly everyone who attended this dance left sweaty, tired, and voiceless. “The back to school dance was really fun HOMECOMING IS A TIME OF REMEMBERANCE. THE ALUMNI COME BACK TO REMEMBER OLD HIGH SCHOOL for everyone I seen or talked too, and it was EXPERIENCES; OLD TEAMS, TEACHERS, CLASSES, GAMES AND DANCES. THIER MEMORIES FOREVER LIVE amazing to see how WITH THEM AND HOMECOMING IS SOMEWHAT A TIME everyone was enjoying TO RELIVE THEM. themselves and how everyone was involved - JUNIOR JACQUI DYSON. with everything”, Junior Jacqui Dyson said. gets used to the upperclassman and This time of the year is a big time for change our pre-existing reputation we the students but mostly it’s a big time will start to bring more spirit”, Bhakta for the community because they get said. to come back and see how their school To begin this year, Central threw a has changed and they get to feel C-Rave this was a casual dance where young again. “Homecoming is a time all students could easily participate of remembrance. The alumni come in the theme and get to know their back to remember old high school classmates and upperclassmen a experiences; old teams, teachers, little better. The dance was not just to classes, games and dances,” Dyson start the school year off; it also was said. the starts of the schools first food
feature story
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PYLON | september 28, 2018
distorted distorted reality reality FINSTA ACCOUNTS ALLOW TEENS TO SHARE THEIR TRUE FEELINGS MADELINE PARADIS | PYLON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
For Chloe Pettijohn, a senior with nearly 2,100 Instagram followers, there are some things she wants to share but doesn’t feel comfortable voicing to everyone, which is why she posts them on her finsta. Short for “fake” Instagram, a finsta is used for sharing things with only your closest friends. “It gives the young generation a place to express their true selves and vent or release stuff they want to talk about if they are having a hard day. It gives people a safe space where they feel like they’re not being judged,” Pettijohn said.
Finsta first started out as spam accounts. A place to post less-edited, low-quality photos that you wouldn’t want on your real, more followed account. As the spam progressed, it became more private and users began posting riskier things, such as photos of them drinking, smoking or partying, things they wouldn’t want everyone knowing about. Today, finsta’s popularity has grown and a broadened its purpose. In April 2017, NBC News aired a story advising parents about the content their children might be posting on their spam or finsta
feature story
PYLON | september 28, 2018
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66% aFollowing of students follow a finsta account 109 students were surveyed using Google Forms during September.
account. Students were later interviewed and explained that the main use of a finsta was to connect with a tighter circle of friends without the high expectations of their real account. “Sometimes a post can involve things that they don’t want their parents to know about but mostly so they can rant to people that might relate to what they’re going through, people like their close friends,” Senior Annie Taggart said.
TRUST
Because teens are sharing deeply personal content, trust becomes an issue. “There have been a few times where I’ve had to ‘purge’ and remove some of my followers because I’ve had someone who is telling people about what I post or showing them screenshots,” Pettijohn said. Although the contents of a finsta can be shared by its followers despite how private the user makes it, it still serves an important purpose. Having a finsta allows teens to release what they need to
say without the pressure of their real account. Pettijohn explained that with the highly judgemental and harsh state of our society, teens are sometimes afraid to share their true feelings, “Their finsta is a good place because it is behind a screen,” Pettijohn said. For the most part, finsta users are only receiving positive, helpful reactions online and negative reactions are held back. According to an article written by New York Times reporter Lisa Damour, kids believe that if they tell their parents why they’re upset or what’s causing their distress, the consequences will be far worse than not talking about it at all. Teens fret over a negative reaction and loss of trust, which is something that doesn’t come with making an online post to a few close friends. “If you post something online, you don’t have to do anything in person. It is less scary and you feel less judged because you’re behind a screen and not face to face,” Pettijohn said.
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private snapchat
PYLON | SEPTEMBER 28, 2018
pressure to look perfect
After watching all of her friends make finstas, TagBefore posting a photo on their rinsta or “real” acgart created her finsta to post funny, light-hear- count, users will edit it using preset filters on apps ted content but after having the account for a few such as VSCO and Afterlight. months, she deleted it. Making your account look cohesive and having an “I started seeing a lot of negative stuff coming attractive overview now holds a higher importance from finstas and I didn’t want to get wrapped up in than the content being put out. Photo editing for it so I deleted it before anything ‘wrong’ could be Instagram can in some ways be seen as a form of posted.” artistic expresSoon after, Taggart creand holds IF I POST SOMETHING ON MY sion ated a private Snapchat a considerable story, a place on SnapFINSTA THAT SEEMED SAD I appeal for phochat that airs your photos and GET A LOT MORE TEXTS AND tographers or videos to a selected teens wanting to group for a day and then express themSNAPCHATS. disappears. Private stoselves through - SENIOR CHLOE PETTIJOHN pictures. ries seem similar to finstas, but for the users, For Instagram there is a lot less worry with each post. users like Taggart and Pettijohn, hundreds of peo“It’s not a profile or permanent post. I’ve never ple have constant access to the content they’re seen a negative light being put on private snap posting and with so many people looking at their stories and they weren’t as popular as finstas so I photos, pressure to look a certain way is created. thought it was a good alternative.” “I do feel pressured to post the perfect picture Since private story posts can only be viewed for a day, and have it flow nicely with the layout of my profile. there is much less stress around a post being shown So I guess there is pressure to look perfect in my to someone it wasn’t intended for. With finstas, pictures. Even if they’re not perfect, I edit them and however, followers can like the posts and are more make them look perfect,” Pettijohn said. likely to comment which raises a different appeal.
86% 77
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Edit Profile
of students have an Instagram account
PYLON | SEPTEMBER 28, 2018
feature story
Sharing a message
If you scroll through Pettijohn’s finsta, you will find posts mentioning suicide and the importance of taking the topic seriously. With only her close friends having access to her account, it is easier to share a message without backlash. “I think that it’s easier to spread a message or awareness about something on your finsta because you don’t have to follow a certain layout,” Pettijohn said. “Especially on my rinsta I feel like I can’t make a long post about suicide because there’s 2,000 people following it. I feel like your finsta is a place where you can have your own voice because it doesn’t matter what you post on it.” Before finstas were popularized, many teens wanted to share their opinions and feelings but had a hard time voicing what they felt to hundreds of people. With finstas, a safe space has been created for positive learning and progressive discussions. Teenagers can make a post to their friends and receive a broad range of advice and information from the people they trust the most.
An extra checkup
that day I get a lot more texts and snapchats asking how I’m doing or if I’m okay or if I wanna talk about anything,” Pettijohn said. For teenagers who are dealing with something troubling and feel that they need to release the feelings burdening them, their finsta is the perfect place to share it. In some ways, finstas have become an interactive diary between the account owner and their friends. “I think that people get a lot of feedback when they’re able to put out what they’re actually feeling because people then know how they’re feeling and can confront them and comfort them if possible. I also think its valuable that they can put it out there so people know and are aware that they aren’t happy and perfect like they put off to be,” Pettijohn said. Whether it be a post on their rinsta or finsta, or simply a conversation with a close friend, teenagers must be allowed a safe environment to share their feelings and talk about their day. No matter how happy someone appears, a check in every now and then is appreciated. You will never regret asking someone about their day or reaching out to help them when they need it.
“I struggle with depression and anxiety and suicide and I know that if I posted something on my finsta that seemed sad or that I was really down
65% 152
posts
83
followers
47
following
Edit Profile
of students have a finsta or spam account 109 students were surveyed using Google Forms during September.
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sports briefs
| 20
PYLON | September 28, 2018
Bringing home
the Cup
j
TEAM ENDS 7-YEAR LOSING STREAK AGAINST CITY RIVAL, SALINA SOUTH
fall sports briefs
FEEDBACK FROM SOME OF CENTRAL’S TOP ATHLETES
“The best part of the season has been to play with my brothers and kill it on the field. I would tell our fans to come out with their friends and show some Mustang spirit.” -junior Justin Bartholomew
“Our season has been good! We have a very strong team this year and, even though we lost a few good players, everyone in general has started to step up.” -sophomore Callie Sanborn
sports briefs
PYLON | September 28, 2018
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THIS IS SOMETHING US SENIORS CAN CHERISH FOR THE REST OF OUR LIVES. - SENIOR TAYLON PETERS
Salina South Coach Sam Sellers gives the Mayors Cup trophy to the football team after the game on Sept. 14. The Mustangs won 23-7. | PHOTO BY GAVIN SUTTON
“So far, the season has been exciting and fun. We’ve done really well and the majority of us have been placing. I’m looking forward to regionals and hoping to qualify for state.” -junior Bri Torres
“The season is not going exactly how we planned, but we are all looking really hard to finish strong. The upper classmen have so much experience and I’m just trying to soak it all up.” -freshman Hampton Williams
“So far, the season’s been going great. We’re all having fun and keeping it together, just like a big family. What I’m I’m most forward to in the season are the fun car rides to away games.” -sophomore Bridget Conway
sports story
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football wins their first game after 18game losing streak MONTANA MCCULLUM | PYLON ARTS EDITOR
It was towards the end of the pep rally on Friday, August 31, when new head coach Mark Sandbo recieved the microphone and proceeded to talk about one of his favorite history lessons. Goddard Eisenhower may “Awaken the giant,” Sandbo said. Sandbo’s reference to Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto’s reaction to their attack on Pearl Harbor turned out to be a foreshadowing as the pressure was on for the Mustangs. All eyes were on them as they played their first game of the season - hoping to return to dominance or at least win that one game. With the student section packed full of school spirit and the stadium full of cheering parents and long-time Mustang fans, the football team proved their doubters wrong against Goddard Eisenhower with a 44-7 victory, breaking their 18-game losing streak. Senior running back Taylon Peters, THIS WAS A HUGE DEAL. one of four captains for the WHEN WE RUSHED THE Mustangs, was excited for his FIELD ALL I COULD THINK teams first win. WAS ‘GO STANGS!’ “It feels good to finally get a dub. We have - SENIOR TANNER LOEFFLER worked so hard this summer and it feels good that all of our hard work has finally paid off. As a captain, it is my responsibility to keep everyone in high spirits and lead the team in the right direction,” Peters said. The football team worked through a rigirous summer program put on by new head coach Mark Sandbo. The camp was held from June to July at Salina Stadium, with practice lasting from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The players practiced Monday through Thursday every week and woke up for Coach Sandbo’s “SC pride” weight lifting program from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. “Anybody should feel pretty lucky to coach at Salina Central, being the history of what it is and what it has been.” Immediately after the game students stormed the field. Celebrating a much needed victory and incredible boost in school spirit. “This was a huge deal. When we rushed the field all I could think was ‘Go Stangs,” said senior Tanner Loeffler.
PYLON | september 28, 2018
sports story
PYLON | september 28, 2018
Coach Mark Sandbo | PHOTO BY GAVIN SUTTON
awakening the
Student section | PHOTO BY GAVIN SUTTON
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Senior Jere’ Thomas | PHOTO BY GAVIN SUTTON
giant
Students storm the field after the football team defeated Goddard Eisenhower. | PHOTO BY GAVIN SUTTON
in depth
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PYLON | SEPTEMBER 28, 2018
| CARTOON BY AVI TAYLOR
70.4% of students like the new schedule change but some are having mixed emotions about the lunch times.
John Doe @johndoe01 I like having ELO at the end of the day but the lunch schedule is whack.
John Doe @johndoe01 Lunch at 10:30 is bad. I don’t like eating chicken nuggets at 10am.
John Doe @johndoe01 Lunch is to early for my liking.
John Doe @johndoe01 I think we need more time to eat. Also I don’t necessarily like the shortened classes.
109 Students were surveyed through google classroom in September
in depth
PYLON | SEPTEMBER 28, 2018
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NEW SCHEDULE GETTING MIXED REVIEWS FROM STUDENTS AND STAFF CONCHA CAMPA | PYLON IN-DEPTH EDITOR
In the last four years, students and staff at Salina Central have had three schedule changes, and Mr. Showman believes that this could be the last one. The new schedule has made the classes about 13 minutes shorter and students now have ELO at the end of everyday, along with other smaller changes. One of the most impactful changes for the students was the change of the lunch times. Lunch now begins at 10:30 a.m., or what many students are now calling “brunch.” “It was really either looking at do we have first lunch start at 10:30 a.m. and essentially get a brunch, or do we not start until 11:00 a.m. and last lunch isn’t going until 1 p.m.,” Showman explained. Showman also mentioned that they could possibly embrace the brunch aspect by bringing in a breakfast option for students. According to some students having lunch early has its pro and cons. It depends on what hour lunch students have, and what extracurricular activities students participate in. But for the students that participate in sports and don’t get home till after 5 p.m., it’s rough for them. At the end of the day Showman and Curtis Stevens, Salina South’s principal, had to pick an option and they decided to pick the slightly better option. The reasoning the schedule from last year was put into place was because it was more cost efficient which helped the state through its financial crisis last year. “In the collaborative stand point for teachers it wasn’t a great schedule,” Showman said Which then lead Stevens and Showman to change the schdedule. During
the past two years, both principals from South and Central have thought about changing the schedule, but didn’t take it seriously until last semester, where they actually started to put their plan into action. They began with presenting their new schedule ideas to Dr. Hardy, the school board and the staff. It took multiple meetings and going back and forth until their idea was accepted. Along with the new changes, Showman wanted to incorporate a more consistent ELO. “Rather than having it every other
can’t think about what’s happening here, we also have to think of what’s happening outside of the building,” Showman said. Not everyone likes this new addition to ELO. “I think ELO is meant for a study hall not really a volunteer hour, talk about our feelings hours,” junior Nicholas Rost said. Another addition was that teachers from the same department now have their planning period at the same time so teachers are now able to work together, research data and prepare if needed. “It doesn’t feel like we got HAVING FIRST LUNCH another planning period since we got another class,” MAKES ME EAT FOUR medical investigation teaTIMES A DAY. cher Peggy Kleiber said. Although Kleiber didn’t - JUNIOR KATHLEEN RHODES feel like she was getting an extra planning opportunity she likes how students are able to explore electives day, we have it every single day con- and take a class that they actually ensistently. We switched our logistics on joy. how we did it, where we did it, by graThe final change to the schedule was de level so now you have a team of stu- that classes were shortened by 13 midents that you consistently meet with nutes. every single day from the time you This was especially difficult for those are here until the time you graduate,” teachers that could barely fit their lesShowman said. son plan into 93 minutes. This also means that for the four Showman believes that the 80 minuyears you are in high school students tes is an “optimal time’’ where teachers will have the same ELO teacher which and students can still get a lot done. will allow students to have a reliable “I think what this does is allow the teadult in their academic life. acher to be more purposeful with what ”The goal is that ELO would be more they’re doing and reflection becomes consistent and could provide a better very important because then you can connection for students and teachers see how much time do I really need to with the building,” Showman said. spend on this to prepare for students,” Another addition to this year’s ELO Showman said. is that students will now be given the Showman also believes that these opportunity to receive community ser- shortened classes would benefit the vice hours. Showman wants students students because students aren’t sitto be more “civically engaged” and ting in class for longer periods of time. believes that “We as Mustangs, have a role in the community where we just
info graphic
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PYLON | SEPTEMBER 28, 2018
the hard hitting truth
= the nicotine in one juul pod is equal to one pack of cigarettes
57%
how often
nicotine in each pod
i
of students have juuled before
5%
46%
30%
tried it once
more than once
18%
6%
at parties
every day
*Statistics from JUULfacts.com | 109 students were surveyed using Google Forms during September.
FUN & GAMES
PYLON | SEPTEMBER 28, 2018
HOW MUCH OF A MUSTANG ARE YOU? Do you know all things Central? Are you a professional when it comes to Mustang knowledge? Take this quiz below to find out where you fall.
DUH!
it has a name?
NAH.
of course!
When singing the Alma Mater can you recite the whole thing from memory?
what’s that?
you know it.
If asked when Salina Central was founded, could you answer correctly?
i wasn’t alive then.
that’s easy!
mini mustang
mediocre mustang
mega mustang
Do you go to school here? Are you a human? You need to definielty brush up on your Mustang knowledge. Go through your student handbook, you might learn a thing or two from it.
You seem to know a decent amount about what it means to be a Mustang. You could still use a little help though. Your next test will come when you have to sing the “Alma Mater” tonight at the game.
You are the ultimate Mustang. Maroon and white flows through your veins. When in the student section, you are the one that people will look at to be a leader. Your school spirit is appreciatied.
KUDOS 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 created by the Editors-in-chief with the help of the staff.
CALLOUTS
Do you know the school colors?
Could you greet the mascot by name?
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KUDOS -To all the door decor - the school looks so awesome right now. -Teachers aren’t drowning us in homework. - To Sandbo and the football team for winning. - To the teachers for enforcing a single file line at lunch. -The football team for making the games fun to watch again. -The soccer team for absolutely killing it. CALLOUTS - It’s way to hot in here. - I love doing GIZMOS everyday - All of the circles in ELO, please stop - we get it. - Sweat. Why am I always Sweating? - Thank you to the mass of students who stand in the middle of the hallway by the sceince wing, blocking it, and making it virtually impossible to get to class. - People need to pick up after themselves outside - People who stop in the middle of the parking lot where people are trying to drive.
EDITORIALS OPINIONS
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PYLON | september 28, 2018
GOING FOR GOVERNOR WHY KOBACH IS NOT THE ANSWER THIS NOVEMBER MARIA GUTIERREZ | PYLON COPY EDITOR
For some of us, myself included, this November Kansas General Election is going to be the very first election we’ll be able to participate in. Currently, there are three legitimate candidates in the running for the governor position. There’s Kris Kobach, Kansas’ Secretary of State since 2011 and the Republican candidate. The Democratic candidate is former Kansas senator Laura Kelly. Greg Orman,
the Independent candidate, has no political experience as of yet, but is an entrepreneur who has worked to help improve failing businesses. With such a wide variety of candidates to choose from and the power to vote in our hands, we now find ourselves with a serious question on our hands: who should we vote for? Well, I took it upon myself to check out their websites, and the answer soon became clear: the next governor should not be Kris Kobach.
KRIS KOBACH For transparency’s sake, I do three that I personally scrutinize in any candidate: illegal immigratitend to favor Democratic candi- on, life versus choice, and the 2nd Amendment. And, spoiler alert, I dates because their ideologies don’t agree with him on any of them. typically coincide with mine. But Illegal immigration, I will agree, is an issue that needs to be addresI’m more than willing to vote sed, but I’m also the last person who thinks weeding out offenders against my party if the other and immediately deporting them is morally sound. Compromise is party’s candidate was better sui- needed, discussion is needed, and a civilized debate is needed. Koted for the job. bach, however, simply states that it takes “leadership and political But I noticed something frus- will”, and that he will “get the job done”. If his tone is indicitive of anytrating while browsing Kobach’s thing, he’s not going to be very forgiving or open to conversation. website: he didn’t go as in depth Then there’s the topic of abortion. I’ll be the first to admit that aborabout his issues as the other tion troubles me and I’m saddened that it exists for multiple reasons. candidates. Both Orman and But I firmly believe that it’s up to the woman to make that decision Kelly had individual pages de- for herself because I know the circumstances around any abortion dicated to topics such as health aren’t always black and white. So forgive me if I’m a little annoyed PHOTO FROM KRISKOBACH.COM care, public safety, education, the 2nd by the idea of a possible governor - regardless of gender - who Amendment, and so on. Each of those then cover different aspects claims it’s an important issue personally to restrict a woman’s right of each and go on to explain their positions in to choose for herself what she wants. Not only detail. does it infringe on her choice, it also limits the KEY POINTS: Kobach doesn’t go into much detail regaravailability of places where these operations can ding his stance on the few issues he’s chosen 1. ANTI-GUN CONTROL be performed safely. to draw attention to. It’s a little worrisome 2. PRO-LIFE And the last is the 2nd amendment. To be when a candidate has such a short list of what clear, I do support the right to bear arms, even he stands for when his opponents have more 3. ANTI-IMMIGRATION if I personally dislike guns. However, I’m not space dedicated to more topics. going to pretend that there isn’t a serious issue But I digress. I still looked over the seven topics he had written that needs to be solved regarding gun control. Whether this is solabout and came to a conclusion based on what he presented to me. ved by restricting access, improving background checks, bettering Education is, thankfully, still something he is concerned about. If mental health, or a combination of those things, all I know is that he’s elected governor, he plans to ensure 75-percent of education there needs to be some sort of compromise. Kobach, however, does funding is spent on classroom necessities such as teacher pay, books not talk of compromise or taking action to ensure that wise people and computers. gain access to guns. He only talks of “anti-gun forces” to “restrict” our The next two topic points concern political corruption and right to bear arms, and states that he will veto any bill that restricts tax-spending, which Kelley and Orman didn’t go very in-depth on, this right in any way. What’s the issue with restricting gun use if it’s only specifying that they wanted to undo the damage done by done on terms both parties can be content with? His statement is Brownback. Kobach has promised to fight stealth tax hikes and push erasing several factors that make gun violence the widespread issue for term limits, which I will agree seem like good promises. However, it is today. I don’t know if I like the sound of reducing the tax property owners I value a candidate who is willing to seek compromise with oppohave to pay and capping appraisals. nents, regardless of their party. If Kobach is unable to do that, then I But then we get to the last three topics he takes a clear position on, can’t vote for him in good conscience.
EDITORIALS OPINIONS
PYLON | september 28 201
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In case you couldn’t tell, I’d considered myself to once budget cuts are introduced. I like this idea be more left-leaning than right-leaning. But I still in theory, but I don’t know how much money she wanted to take a closer look at where Kelly stands plans to dedicate to these new works, or if they’ll to make sure that I wasn’t making a misinformed even see much use in a student population where decision. we bottle up all our feelings. Already she One of the last issues that earned some I felt was important to know KEY POINTS: good favor with where she stood on gun control. 1. PRO-2ND AMENDMENT me because of her I’m not very big on guns, but I stance on women’s 2. PRO-CHOICE would consider myself pro-2nd reproductive right. amendment within reason. I was 3. SUPPORTS STUDENT Instead of restricpleased to find that Kelly was in ting them, she a similar boat as myself, saying MENTAL HEALTH wants to them by that she wants to take precauallowing women tion to implement safeguards to make decisions for themselves about their own - banning bump stocks, requiring background health, which includes being pro-choice. checks, and limiting weapons used in warfare PHOTO FROM LAURAKELLYFORKANSAS.COM But beyond that, she also brought up a concern while also letting families keep guns for protection that never crossed my mind: students’ mental and recreation. What’s more is that she is willing health. She’s a staunch advocate for more psychoto sit down and reach a compromise with the logists and social workers in the education comopposing side, which shows a diplomatic side to munity, especially since they’re usually dropped her that I greatly respect.
LAURA KELLY
GREG ORMAN
PHOTO FROM ORMANFORKANSAS.COM
Orman is the odd one out of the three, seeing how and reach an agreement between Democrats and he’s the only candidate who has never had a career Republicans in politics prior and is instead an entrepreneur. However, there’s one prime issue that he made While this definitely isn’t a clear indicator that he’s mention of that Kelly did not: the authorization of going to be bad at his job, I’d prefer having a candi- industrial hemp and medicinal marijuana. date who was experienced in politics before becoNow Orman makes a good argument for the ming the governor approval of both: hemp could of our state. serve as a new cash crop and KEY POINTS: But I still gave cannabis as an effective pain him a fair shot, and 1. PRO-2ND AMENDMENT reliever for those who need it, I found that he held like chemotherapy patients. 2. PRO-CHOICE a similar stance to From both of those standpoints, Kelly on several 3. PRO-MEDICINAL MARIJUANA I would say that I’d agree. But issues. To avoid reI also have to worry about the hashing what I said possibility of this being abused earlier, he supports the 2nd amendment but wants by people chasing a high and the marijuana being similar restrictions put in place, wants to improve produced not used for its intended purpose. mental health, improve the education system in Whether or not it’s something that would discouKansas, and is pro-choice. Most importantly, he rage me from voting for him is still up in the air, but also expresses a need to not stick with party lines it’s certainly something that’s been on my mind.
CONCLUSION At the end of the day, I still believe I have much more research to do. But I believe this first round of it has given me a good idea of how I feel about each candidate. Orman has no prior experience when it comes to political work, and that genuinely does make me less inclined to trust him with control over our state government. His proposition to approve hemp production and medicinal marijuana is admirable and could be beneficial, but it could also become a future problem if passed. But at the end of the day, he appears to have an openmind and a willingness to cooperate with others, free of party lines. I could see him being a decent governor. Kobach I likely won’t be voting for. Asides from not providing enough information about his issues, what information he does
provide demonstrates somebody unwilling to make compromise about important issues like abortion, gun control, and illegal immigration. Rather than wanting to take time to fix the issues so they quit growing, he wants to just cut off what’s already happened and try to stunt it. I can’t support a candidate like that. Kelly is so far the best candidate in my eyes. While I am concerned about some of her plans to fund her projects, she seems open to discussion about various problems and is open-minded, which I value highly. If you’re able to vote this year, then make sure you go get registered. If you aren’t, make sure your parents do. Either way, make sure you cast your vote this November for a candidate that’s open to have a conversation - not Kobach.
Editorials Opinion
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PYLON | September 28, 2018
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: ARTISTS DESERVE MORE BY RAYMOND MADERA | SENIOR
I understand that we all have our things we like: mine is art and Central’s is sports. I personally feel like the art department isn’t appreciated as much as sports. When I walk through the halls, I see posters and photos everywhere about sports - football, soccer, volleyball, etc. I mean, we literally have huge photos of our team members on big flags and we hang them up in the lunch room and at sports games. Everyone sees them: teachers, students and parents. But for art, we have a little display case in front of the classroom door and a gallery
that you have to physically go into the art room to see. I feel like we should have framed artwork from students on the walls or display cases with artwork inside. We have posters for sports and for art we make little flyers on paper and hang them up, hoping that they get seen. I’m tired of the artists in this school being hidden in the shadows of the athletes. We have powerful artists in this building and we need to be recognized. We have students in this building who
can do absolutely amazing pieces of artwork. Put it in this perspective: would you want to walk into a school where the walls are plain, flat colors; or a school where they have artwork displayed everywhere? I’m not saying art is more important than sports, but we’re definitely not less important. We need kids in this world who are creative and colorful.
THE PYLON PICKS APART ‘TO ALL THE BOYS I’VE LOVED BEFORE’ MARIA GUTIERREZ | PYLON COPY EDITOR
WHY THIS GUY AGAIN? I’m self-aware enough to realize that I’m not the target demographic for this movie, mostly because I’m incredibly cyncial about love, but even I appreciate a good love story done well. That being said, I don’t understand the appeal of the main love interest, Peter Kravinsky. Asides from him going to the far side of the town to get her favorite snacks and being super nice to her little sister - both points I found adorable - I didn’t find myself that impressed with him. He wants to fake a relationship with Lara Jean to get back at his ex-girlfriend, which is a concept I find immature and mean-spirited.
Then there’s the fact that he hits on his ex-girlfiend while still in the fake relationship mind you. When he and Lara Jean get into an argument about how much he’s talking to his ex, he gets angry at her for not wanting to sit with him on the bus. This would be less of a problem if we got to see them hang out just one-onone, but we rarely get to see them hanging out when they’re not at a party or not pretending. Moments where it was just the two of them being friends would’ve made their chemistry more believable, and it’s a real shame that we’re only shown this twice before they began making out in a hot tub.
THE LETTERS LEFT UNOPENED The main hook of the movie is that Lara Jean, our lovable protagonist, has written love letters to all of her crushes but has never sent them. This idea is what sold me on the movie in the beginning, and I was really excited to see how these would be used to develop the plot. But to my dismay, I found that they were mostly just a plot device and weren’t really explored in-depth. The letters could’ve been a clever
device to show how Lara Jean’s perception of love changed as she grew older, we could’ve seen flashbacks of why she liked all these different boys, and it could have been a great way to make the story feel more unique and stand out from the rest of the love stories. Instead, the letters are only really used to kickstart the main plot and fall by the wayside during most of the movie. I even forgot how the letters got out in the first place!
CLICHES, CLICHES EVERYWHERE There’s nothing inherently wrong with the plot, but it’s certainly one of the most cliche-riddled ones I’ve seen in quite a while. A little while into the movie, I started keeping track of the different cliches that popped up. There’s a fake relationship being started to make another girl jealous; your high school bully that used to be your childhood best friend; the huge argument towards the climax
of the movie that’s eventually resolved; a love triangle; the love sick character who’s afraid of an actual relationship; the main character having only one parent left - and those are all the ones I can think of off the top of my head. Cliches themselves aren’t terrible when used sparingly, but it becomes a problem when the movie’s conflict becomes predictable.
RATING: YYYYY PARTS I ACTUALLY LOVED 1. Kitty, Lara Jean’s youngest sister. She’s the perfect snarky comic relief and I laughed every time she was on screen. 2. Lara Jean is a great protagonist. She’s got a good head on her shoulders and behaves like an actual teenager would. 3. The diner scene with Lara Jean and her dad where they’re listening to “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”. 4. It’s a cute movie that’s very easy to watch, and it becomes a lot more fun if you watch it with others.
PYLON | September 28, 2018
Spilling the tea
|31
spilling the tea with the The following quotes were heard around the school by members of the pylon staff
“COUNTRY ROADS. TAKE ME HOME. TO THE PLACE. I BELONG! WEST VIRGINIA. MOUNTAIN MAMA. TAKE ME HOME.” “are you Jewish?” “no I’m athiest.”
“SANDBO SZN!” “people need to stop peeing in the juul room.”
“My mom is taking my phone away because i got a D on my vocab test.”
“Do you assign a gizmo every class period?”
“What do you call a cow with a twitch? Beef Jerky!”
PYLON | DECEMBER 15, 2017
page title
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Students and coaches gather around the student section to sing the “Alma Mater” after the first football game of the year. | PHOTO BY GAVIN SUTTON