Issue 4

PT panther’s tale newsmagazine feb issue volume 64 issue 4

ghosting your significant other disappears, never to text you again pg. 14 polictics are seeping its way into social media pg. 4 “It’s so convenient to have my own money when going shopping because I can get what I want when I want,”

pg. 13

I enjoy being a DJ a lot, being able to do what I love, and getting paid for it is nice, too.”

pg.31

PT panther’s tale newsmagazine

ON THE COVER

The cover for this issue is talking about our topic on “Ghosting.” Ghosting is an issue where teens and adults are simply “disappearing” from relationships.

Online people will avoid confrontation and avoid just telling the person “I’m not interested” They will stop replying, block and ignore people just so they won’t have to deal with the relationship.

PT panther’s tale newsmagazine feb issue volume 64 issue 4

ghosting polictics are seeping its way into social media pg. 4

“It’s so convenient to have my own money when going shopping because I can get what I want when I want,”

pg. 13

I enjoy being a DJ a lot, being able to do what I love, and getting paid for it is nice, too.”

pg.31

CONTACT US @derbypublications @Panthers_Tale derbypublications@usd260.com pantherstale.com

PT

Photo by Kori Tullis Design by Cole Drees Modeled by Lindsey Webb

ive

r on d nels

community the sou

fernell st

BREW

16 year old salon still reigns with status in town

lvd tB as

head to toe

w greenway st

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ric Fisher and Paul Mitchell are some of the more well known salons, but how about Head to Toe? Located right off of K-15 in Derby, Head to Toe has been open for 16 years. Head to Toe is a locally owned salon.

Customers describe the styles as “nice, clean, fun and trendy” and the color as “the best color in town.”

These aren’t the only things that make this salon so special. Calie Mockry, one of the stylists at Head to Toe, proved this when talking about the owner, Tiffany Megli.

“Her nails she does are sculpted; she does not use a drill. Everything is done by hand file,” Mockry said.

Research shows that drills are not only harmful to the customer’s nails but to the technician’s health.

The use of drills has shown signs of overkill on the nails, causing more damage and prolonging the healing process. Drills also cause health problems for the technicians using them.

They create finer dust particles that can be dangerous to breathe in all day. Megli’s salon is one of the few salons in Derby that still hand sculpt nails.

Mockry has worked at the salon for six years and loves every minute of it. She explained that she first got the job because of the location, but the great management was a huge bonus.

Head to Toe just got a new look with a nice change of the interior. The salon has a very casual yet sleek design.

Megli explains why she felt the need to open the shop in Derby.

“I was having a hard time finding somewhere nice to get my nails done, and the tanning salon was next door,” Megli said.

This is Megli’s only salon, and she is all about the quality of work.

“Because we work for ourselves, we can be more personable. We care about our clients,” Megli said.

story by Juliana Karagianis

Head to Toe salon is location right off of K-15 in Derby. They are open from 9am to 5pm monday through friday. Photo by Taylor Dunbar Head to toe has plenty of chairs and stylist and have been named by some locals “the best color in town.” Photo by Taylor Dunbar

Political

Preferences Technology promotes political awareness, changing the election game in 2016

“W

e the people.” Those three words could be the most important three words in United States history.

They give U.S. citizens their freedom, their laws and their rights, but one of the more important rights it gives them is the right to vote.

The election is coming up fast, and in time, juniors and seniors are going to be able to put that right into action. It is now easier to be involved in politics with the candidates’ thoughts and opinions right at students’ fingertips via social media.

Janine Wollenberg is currently working on Bernie Sanders’ campaign in Wichita. The group she is working in is called “All Together for Bernie” and includes individuals in Wichita and surrounding communities.

“Twitter messages are indeed powerful for shaping public opinion; once something has been widely shared and believed, even if it’s false, it is virtually impossible to counter,” Wollenberg said.

When in doubt, the millennials turn to social media such as Twitter and Facebook.

However, one big problem people may be overlooking is that the tweets are not being checked by the candidates’ campaign to see if they are true or false. Every short, unexplained, critical thought is being said in 140 characters or less.

Still, there are positives to politicians using social media; for many young people, it is the only way they truly pay attention to where the candidates stand on major issues. Knowing background on who is running or even what stations people are watching for the news is just as important because most sources are biased.

Lee Kinch is a Wichita attorney who was also just appointed a chairman for the Kansas Democratic party. He explained how the media is making political parties not as important because of how biased news stations are. He went

on to explain the only unbiased information that can be found is on public radio and TV. “Media provides all the information. Political parties have become not nearly as important,” Kinch said.

Politicians are able to get their beliefs out to millions of people with the push of a button, but once it’s been said, it can never be taken back. Donald Trump has served as an example of this. “#JebBush has to like the Mexican illegals because of his wife,” Trump said in a tweet.

He inevitably deleted the tweet but not soon enough. It is still all over the internet with backlash.

“Modern media and technology keep personality in the forefront; a candidate receives a massive amount of attention for being ‘different’, simply because this provides interesting sound bytes and lively discussion by reporters and analysts,” Wollenberg said.

Candidates are starting to say racey things on social media in order to get attention needed in the media, and it shows in the polls.

Junior Mitchell Elmore expanded on how anything can be said on Twitter, regardless of the truth.

“One time I saw a tweet that Hillary Clinton had a cousin in ISIS, which is obviously a lie,” Elmore said.

There are many ups and downs with the way elections are changing, but the most beneficial change has to be that the social media generation is now more involved in politics.

“Millennials are critical in the outcome of this presidential election and have the most to lose should the nation elect an inferior candidate as president. It is most important to research and think for yourself. Anyone who will turn 18 on or before the November election date can register to vote. Voting is an opportunity not to be wasted,” Wollenberg said.

story by Juliana Karagianis

pop culture | febuary

Q & A

How do you think social media has positively affected the presidential election?

“They’re making candidates be more popular. They’re just posting on social media now,” sophmore Kenni Henson said.

“It’s gotten youth more involved,” sophmore Dakota Bastin said.

How do you think social media has negatively affected the presidential election?

“People make fun of politicians in a bad way,” Bastin said.

“Made the candidate have an advantage because of entertainment level,” junior Dakota Taylor said.

Overall do you think social media will have more positive or negative changes to the presidential election?

“Negative because candidates bash each other all the time over social media. They subtweet like teenagers,” Henson said.

Derby Choice Awards Favorite Movie Avenger: Age of Ultron

Favorite Movie Actress Anne Hathaway Melissa McCarthy

Furious 7

Meryl Streep

Inside Out

Sandra Bullock

Jurassic World

Scarlett Johansson

Pitch Perfect 2

Favorite TV Show

Favorite Movie Actor Channing Tatum Chris Pratt Johnny Depp Robert Downey Jr. Will Smith

The Big Bang Theory The Panther’s Tale administered a poll that was taken across the school to show what Derby High School students thought deserved awards in 2015. The poll includes the biggest categories from the People’s Choice Awards along with the nominees. Here it shows the results of Derby High compared to what the nation thought.

Favorite Female Artist

Game of Thrones Grey’s Anatomy The Voice The Walking Dead

Favorite Male Artist

Demi Lovato

Ed Sheeran

Lana Del Rey

Justin Bieber

Madonna

Luke Bryan

Selena Gomez

Nick Jonas

Taylor Swift

The Weeknd

People’s Choice Derby’s Choice

Shop the best!

Derby Family MedCenters

速

1101 N. Rock Rd. in Derby (316)788-6983 Thank you for serving as a SPONSOR for Derby High School publications!

Go Panthers!

Derby High Ad_quarter pg.indd 1

9/15/2014 2:30:59 PM

opinion column

Teens need to watch what they say on the internet and stop dehumanizing others.

On the internet, we have endless oppurtunities. Buying clothes and watching movies are easy feats accomplished in just a couple clicks.

One of the more popular things teens use the internet for is social media. Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr are tools widely used to share ideas and information.

Every teenager has heard the same thing. “You guys are obsessed with the internet” or something along those lines.

Most teens are sick of adults trying to tell them what’s wrong with their generation.

It has become redundant, and everyone belives all we do is sit inside and play on the internet.

However, that isn’t what this opinion column is about.

Plenty of accounts on Twitter share same goal of mak-

ing people laugh. They reach thousands and sometimes millions of people on the internet.

What is troubling is that people easily retweet photos and tweets that insult and demean people. People celebrate tweets and vines of people who don’t fit into their definition of “socially acceptable.” It’s easy to dehumanize people on Twitter.

Teens and socialites forget that just because you post something on the inter net

about someone doesn’t mean that person won’t ever see it.

Being a viral joke for thousands of people to see doesn’t bode well with anyone.

We all know people who act differently online. They feel as if there is a barrier between the people they tweet viciously about and themselves. Frankly, in today’s society, people don’t speak so cruelly in person. We are less confrontational than we used to be; we are afraid of immediate reaction.

What would happen if people started attaching a face, a life and feelings to each meme and joke? Internet users need to act with more compassion.

Think next time you’re about to post something that could be considered discriminating online.

opinion column

by Cole Drees editorial staff cole drees sierra bauman

general staff

editor in cheif copy editor

anthony allen

mallorry girton

taylor baer

dawn mullen

taylor henry

jordan cornell

sasha lewis

taylor dunbar

justin pechanec

website editor

myah coberly

design editor

erik nenortas

kori tullis

photo editor

evan read

owen berk

assitant sports editor

alyssa soel

maryah whiteman

social media manager

kenyon tabor

sports editor

brianna cleveland

indepth editor

james thompson kaitlyn werth juliana karaginas erin kooser

editorial

Young adults should find joy in meaninful, non-materialistic things.

Fast food and clothes. Most teens today spend their money on material things that don’t last and don’t matter.

They covet; they want; they envy; they crave. Instant gratification is easy as Derby continues to become a home to many new restaurants and more citizens take to shopping online.

Eating and shopping are activities that make people happy, but happiness is based on circumstance.

What happens when the food’s been digested and the clothes have become worn?

Happiness has to be constantly fed. Therefore, many youth today thrive off of constant stimulation.

They can’t stand being alone with themselves and their own thoughts for more than ten minutes because they become bored.

Again, happiness is based on circumstance. Happiness is expensive.

But what about joy?

Joy is something internal and eternal. It’s choosing to be satisfied through other, more significant means. It’s maintaining a hope for

the future even in difficult and unhappy times without the need to be incessantly entertained and distracted.

Relying on joy rather than happiness will save a lot of heartbreak and money. It’s looking out for oneself in the long run rather than in the moment. Things that satisfy in the here and now will eventually stop being satisfying, and on continues the race to find something else that will fill the hole in the human heart.

Young people should restrain themselves from buying little things now so that they will build up willpower to prevent themselves from purchasing inessential and bigger things later in their lives.

In his book Fight Club, Chuck Palahniuk described the way in which humans are bound by the things that give temporary happiness, things they actually have no ownership over.

“The things you own end up owning you. It's only after you lose everything that you're free to do anything,” Palahniuk said.

Teens deal with not living in a stable home and reach out to friends and others for a place to sleep.

C

ouch surfing — verb 1.) to stay temporarily in a series of other people’s homes, typically making use of improvised sleeping arrangements.

About 20 students at Derby High are homeless or couch surfing, district social worker Ragan Snyder said.

One senior male student currently has a stable home life, but that was not always the case.

“At the time, I didn’t realize it because I was so young. I didn’t actually have a bed until the safe house. A couple nights I stayed in a car or on couches. It was so unstable,” senior Heath Johnson said. Our source’s name has been changed to respect his privacy.

From staying at his grandmother’s house and his mother’s friends’ houses, Johnson finally had a bed to sleep in at the Harbor House shelter in Wichita. Johnson, his mother and his siblings stayed at the shelter for almost a whole year.

“It was because my mom was smart and finally moved out be-

cause my dad abused her and my brothers and me,” Johnson said.

At the young age of seven, Johnson already had witnessed so much. He had stayed at four different places and slept on anything that would get him through the night.

He said he was only in first grade when his mom moved them out of his dad’s house. He was still enrolled in school, although his attendance was spotty.

“There was a point where I got called into the office because I missed 32 days of school,” Johnson said.

Often, homeless students’ grades and attendance are at risk due to the stress or threat of being homeless, Snyder said. It may be difficult to have a social life or participate in school activities while living in an unstable home.

Johnson’s mom worked hard to earn money and eventually provide a home for her children.

“It makes me more appreciative of my mom and how hard she worked to get us out of that bad situation,” Johnson said.

“Contact an adult they trust,” Snyder said.

“They are not alone.”

If you or someone you know needs assistance, contact Street Outreach. wch.org/services/street-outreach.

If you are 21 years or younger and in need of immediate help, call (316) 262-HOME(4663) or text the word SAFE and your location to 69866.

You can also go to any QuikTrip and the clerk to call Street Outreach.

Johnson said he and his family have had a stable home environment for years now. Today, Johnson received a large scholarship to a college in a major metropolitan city.

Unlike Johnson, 20 students in the high school are still homeless, staying in shelters, living at a friend’s or significant other’s house. Some don’t let on that they need help, and others cry out for it.

“Don’t be afraid to reach out to people and don’t be ashamed in asking for help because help is important,” Johnson said.

Snyder gave some insight on how she is able to help out teens in need.

“I help find clothing, shoes, basic needs, resources and help to refer the family to a shelter and possibly set up transportation if they qualify,” Snyder said.

Snyder offered some advice to students who are facing homelessness, being kicked out of their home or thinking of running away.

story by Brianna Cleveland

COUCH

SURFING

in depth

11

CASH IN on materialism

Students spend money on expensive, name brand items and complain about having no money.

When the subject of life is brought up to teenagers, their comments are usually about being stressed and not being ready to become adults. High school students seem to have a lot on their plate.

Homework, extracurricular activities, sports, college classes, family activities and jobs are all pieces on that plate. Many of the students at Derby High have jobs.

Money is such an importance to teenagers. Some teens work multiple jobs while going to school just to make money.

Even with multiple jobs, teenagers are still complaining they are “broke.” Where does all this money go then?

Some students take on responsibilities by paying certain bills or working on a college fund. Others choose to spend the money rather than save it.

“I save half of my paychecks most of the time, and I usually spend most of the second half if not all of it,” senior Allison Hightower said.

Spending money is such an

easy thing to do. When money is put in teenagers’ hands they, end up spending their money more on things they want rather than need.

“Usually I spend more money on things I want like clothes,” junior Robert Richey said.

Having material things plays a huge role in how teens spend their money. Everybody wants the nicer things in life.

This might be the problem though. Students are spending more of their money buying name brand items just to have that more expensive brand.

“Most times, it means better quality of product,” Richey said.

Spending money on the better quality or brand does not stretch money. Buying the nicer things in life leaves students short to buy things they actually need, like gas money or bill money. Being so young, it is nice to teens to have money to spend on things they want rather than need.

“It’s so convenient to have my own money when going shopping because I can get what I want when I want,” senior Samantha

Matthews said.

Most parents of teens are still helping pay bills or costs of schooling. Getting used to paying bills is an essential key for the future. By having jobs at a young age, it prepares teens to work hard for their money.

In life, there is no way around having a job. Rent, car payments, college, family and other bills are all things students need to learn how to take care of on their own.

Spending money on things you want now might last for awhile, but saving money for the future will ultimately better teens financially.

Saving money for college allows to attend better colleges, earn a better degree and obtain a better job.

Having a nice paying job from that college degree will enable aperson to have money to spend on things they want.

“Have fun while you are young, just be smart with your money,” Matthews said. story by Brianna Cleveland

Be a Better Spender f each Ten percent o ngs check in savi

Keep a bud get for yourself

Try to only buy necessities

Eat at home

Keep an ey e out for sales

Don’t be afraid to buy ch eaper brands

13

G GH

Junior blayeen tullis and senior Lindseyy webb ghost away from each other. Ghosting is the act of dissapearing through social media and text to avoid a relationship. Photo illustration by Kori Tullis

ING GHOSTING GHOSTING

Social media affects the way teens date.

D

isconnected, irritated and confused. How would you feel if someone you’re talking to suddenly blocks you or stops texting you? This is what some call ghosting.

When someone stops messaging someone else out of nowhere, whether it’s during a fight or while talking to that special somebody, it’s referred to as ghosting.

When their reads receipts are on, and you’ve seen they have read it without answering, it can make matters more confusing. Do you text them again, or do you ignore the fact that they have ignored you? Nothing feels good about getting disconnected.

When students were asked if they had ghosted or had been ghosted by others, several students’ answers were the same.

“I have ghosted people, mainly because they annoy me,” sophomore McKenna Murray said. “They just kept texting me, and I just kept ignoring them.”

Murray confessed that she has been ghosted by someone else before.

“When they didn’t answer, I just didn’t text them again,” Murray said.

Students have many different reasons for why they have ghosted others.

“Yes, I’ve ghosted people because I have nothing to say to them,” Kosmicki said.

“They kept texting me, and it’s annoying when they text you when you're busy.”

When junior Darrah Walker ghosts people, they usually don’t text her again.

15

“I know it’s bad to say, but I don’t even think twice about it,” Walker said.

Junior Hunter Fager admitted to ghosting somebody, and it doesn't phase him when he’s ghosted.

“I ignored them because I was busy, or I just didn't want to [respond]. They just didn’t send anything after that.” Fager said. “I have been ghosted, and it doesn’t bother me. I mean, maybe they are just busy.”

Fager may not be offended when people don’t reply, but others like junior Mariah Miller may feel a bit uneasy.

“I’ve also been ghosted, and I just ignored it and went on with my life ... [However], it affected my mood. I was just a little annoyed and frustrated,” Miller said.

Walker didn’t enjoy her experience being ghosted either.

“I’ve been ghosted, and it does effect my mood a little.

I just want to punch them because I feel like it’s just a waste of my time, to try and talk to them,” Walker said.

Kosmicki admitted to being ghosted and said, “I didn't really care, and it didn’t mess with me because it really doesn’t matter.

It doesn't make me think any differently about that person.”

Ghosting is something that happens now that almost every kid in high school and college and even some parents have smart phones. It’s a growing problem, and it does hurt people.

“Try not to do it. Try to reply because I know how it feels,” Miller said. story by Mallory Girton

STAGES OF GRIEF DENIAL “No, this isn’t happening. It can’t happen.”

ANGER “This isn’t right.

They didn’t deserve this!”

BARGAINING “Why did it happen to them. Why couldn’t it have been me?”

DEPRESSION “I feel so alone ... empty.”

ACCEPTANCE “I miss them, but they lived a good life, and I’ll always remember them.”

photo by Erik Nenortas

BROKEN

Students, teachers deal with or have dealt with the pain and agony of losing a loved one.

I

just froze at first. I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t know how to react. I just didn’t want to believe it,” junior Elizabeth Osborne said.

Osborne’s fiancé died October 4, 2015, falling asleep behind the wheel one night after dropping Osborne off at her house. As he was heading back to his home in Fredonia, he swerved into the opposite lane, got hit by a semi and crashed into a ditch, where his car caught fire.

Osborne didn’t fully believe he had died until a week after the fact, and even now she continues to go through cycles of grief. Ragan Snyder, a counselor who tends to be in the lecture hall when there’s a great need for grief counseling within the school, defined the term grief.

“Grief is a deep sorrow that somebody experiences. It can be triggered by situational things or by someone’s death or by something that has happened in their lives,” Snyder said.

The death of her fiancé, William Jones, was the first time Osborne had dealt with such an intense grief.

“With me, since it’s my very first time actually being so close to the person, it’s harder. I’ve never really full on dealt with grief. Yeah, I’ve lost people in my family, but I wasn’t close to them,” Osborne said.

“I didn’t know them or anything.

When I found out that they died, I cried, but then I was fine because I really didn’t know them know them.

I guess it’s just different for everybody.”

The order of the stages of grief people go through are also different. Snyder studied the stages of grief while earning her bachelor’s in psychology and master’s in social work. One person in particular she studied was Elizabeth KublerRoss, whose five stages of grief are listed to the left.

“Elizabeth Kubler-Ross is the grief guru,” Snyder said. “She came

grief guru,” Snyder said. “She came up with the cycles of grief.”

Snyder admitted not everybody grieves on the same cycle. There may even be instances in which some re-grieve.

“I think everybody tends to go through that cycle, but you might start with one stage and go back to another one. It depends. Everybody’s different, so we grieve in our own way,” Snyder said.

Snyder explained that some research, including the Adverse Childhood Experience Study, has shown that someone has experienced traumatic events as a child has a brain that tends to function differently than those who have had an untraumatized childhood; conditionally, he or she is more susceptible to grief.

Snyder offered her own personal advice to those dealing with grief.

“I would recommend if you are feeling like the sadness never goes away or [if] you might be dealing with some depression or anxiety to talk to a mental health professional,” Snyder said. “Come in and talk to someone in the student support services, or talk to your parents.

See if they can take you to a doctor or a therapist.”

Some decide to take medication for depression caused by grief, but a little mindfulness, physical activity and changes in diet can also relieve someone of the symptoms of grief.

Osborne admitted she hasn’t always handled her own grief correctly.

“Honestly, it’s gotten to the point now [that] I’m not even handling it the correct way. I lock myself in my room,” Osborne said. “I won’t do anything with the family.”

However, Osborne also has advice for those who are grieving.

“I would mainly probably try to gather yourself with friends … Stay strong. Move forward. Try to live for [those passed] and what they would want you to do,” Osborne said.

Because grief is a physical as well as an emotional loss, Snyder believes people will experience its cycles no matter what they believe about life after death. Osborne described the difficulty of understanding why people die.

“It’s hard and complicated, and you don’t really understand, but as you move forward and try more to understand and more to figure it out, then maybe the answer will come,” Osborne said. story by Sierra Bauman

If you or someone you know is struggling with how to deal with grief, feel free to contact Comcare Crisis Line at 316-660-7500.

JUNIOR Simon Abou-Faissal

swims at a home meet Jan. 19. Photo

by Mallory Girton

JUST KEEP

swimming

Swimmers encourage student body to join swimming and diving.

A new swim season has started, and the next one will be here before we know it. Senior Danny Smith gave advice to incoming freshmen.

“Swim is a great sport for incoming freshman. The coach is great and will work with you on learning the different strokes and things like that,” Smith said. “I do consider my team my family. I love my team; without the people on my team, swimming wouldn’t be fun. The practices are long and intense, and without someone there to keep pushing you, it gets hard.”

Smith described the reasons why he started swimming.

“I wanted to get a good workout, and it seemed like a sport that called for you to work really hard the whole time, and that sounded appealing to me,” Smith said. “I wanted to look like Michael Phelps.”

Smith also swims for the Wichita Swim Club, and in between seasons, he swims on the Derby Dolphins. As a result, Smith swims all year round.

“I’ve made huge improvements from last year compared to this year. Anything and everything you can do helps you get better,” Smith said.

Everyone has their own passions, but in Smith’s case, his passion takes place in water.

“Swimming is definitely my passion.”

Smith said.

Junior Brad Mcallister has been swimming for two years.

“I started swimming because the guys on the team talked me into it. They made me

feel like part of one giant family, and that’s what we are,” Mcallister said.

Mcallister encouraged incoming freshman who are interested in swim to try out.

“I highly recommend trying swim out.

It’s a great way to stay in shape and tone your body, and also it’s a lot of fun,” Mcallister said.

Mcallister provided further advice to students already in high school interested in swimming.

“It’s never too late to be a part of our swim family, even if you’re already a senior.

We had a lot of guys join this year that were first year swimmers, and they turned out to be huge assets towards the team,” Mcallister said.

Every sport is different. Some take more work than others, and Mcallister gave some insight as to what swimming requires.

“Swimming is one of those sports that if you don’t work hard, you won’t get any better. As coach says, its shows on meet day. You’re going to have to want to work hard. Coach does a great job at pushing us to make us better … This is only my second year swimming, but with all the consistent hard work, I have come a long way.”

Mcallister wanted to give a shout out to his coaches.

“Since I swim and dive, I have two coaches,” Mcalister said. ”I’d like to thank them both for pushing me to do my absolute best and never give up. I know I drive them crazy sometimes, but they never give up on me, and I appreciate them more than they could ever imagine.” story by Mallory Girton

Sophomore Forrest Hummel swims

Jan. 19. Photo by Mallory Girton

Senior jacob Prickett swims at a

home meet at the Derby Rec Center on Jan. 19. Photo by Mallory Girton Junior Bradly McAllister attempts a

dive at the Derby Rec Center. Photo by Mallory Girton

number32

J

Senior Justin Harrison looks onward during a home basketball game. Photo

by Owen Berk.

Derby Senior through trials and tribulation, fights for a spot on the varsity basketball team

ake Harrison has played basketball since he was in the 6th grade.

He played in Upward for two years and played all the way through middle school. Harrisonwanted to play for the high school, too. To play high school basketball had always been his dream.

Freshman year he got a taste of what high school ball was like. Harrison made the freshman team, and even though he came off the bench, he loved it, and he wanted more.

So during the spring and summer leading up to his sophomore year, he played basketball at the YMCA in Wichita and also played in the high school’s summer league, hich was created to give coaches a chance to see what type of talent will be joining the team and see if any former players have made strides to be better players.

However, in November of his sophomore year, his dreams were smashed when he was cut during tryouts. At this point he had two options; he could either feel sorry for himself and beat himself up about being cut, or he could do something about it. He decided to do something about it.

Harrison went under a major transformation that not even his closest friends saw coming. He almost became a different person. Almost anytime that he wasn’t at school or sleeping was spent on the court.

Whether it was the YMCA, the DRC or the hoop in his driveway, he was constantly working on his game.

“My friend Tony who moved away last year helped me out a lot. When we both got cut, we just said to each other, let's just go play everyday and get better, and that's what kept me going even after he moved away,” Harrison said.

With junior year tryouts right around the corner, Harrison felt confident about his chances.

“They added a c-team this year, so I knew i would make one of the teams, but I was still shooting for a varsity spot,” Harrison said.

Once again he was disappointed. He was named to the c-team. The c-team was created for talented freshman and sophomores that just made the cut, so for him to be the only junior on the team definitely hurt his confidence.

After being named to the c-team, Harrison was discouraged but wasn’t about to give up.

“I knew that I had to keep working, and maybe I’ll get called up to JV during the season,” Harrison said.

He did get called up to junior varsity for one game but was demoted back to the c-team after only getting to play during the last minute of the game.

After a year of nonstop training to get back onto the team, he was put onto the c-team. Needless to say, now he was considering whether to go out

senior year or not. “I sat down recently and really thought on whether I wanted to go through a whole nother year of training for senior year, or if I should just hang it up,” Harrison said.

After giving it some serious thought, he had finally decided. He wasn’t going to play basketball his senior year.

When Harrison told his mom, she was in shock and said that he didn’t have a choice, that she was going to make him go out. When he broke the news to his friends, they were also shocked.

“When I told my friends, I was surprised by how much they were shocked. I didn’t think any of them would care, but boy was I wrong. They told me I shouldn’t give up, and I need to keep working, and I could make it next year. I didn’t really buy any of what they said until one of them said they would go to the DRC with me everyday, so we could work on my game and his. [It] reminded me a lot of what I had went through last year with Tony. After some more convincing I finally agreed with him,” Harrison said.

After getting cut sophomore year and working all year with his best friend Tony just to be put on the c-team was rough. Harrison has been tested but still refuses to give up on his dream of one day playing varsity basketball at Derby High School.

story by owen berk

Senior Justin Harrison shoots a 2 point basketat against northwest. Photo

by Owen Berk.

Senior Justin Harrison blocks a shot from number 30 from northwest. Photo

by Owen Berk.

21

Engineering teacher

Tammy Kuipers works with juniors Anthony Mazzara and Preston Keasey. Photo by Erin Kooser

it’s rocket science engineering teacher demonstrates wide variety of skills, interestiing hobbies.

Tammy Kuipers is not your typical high school math and engineering teacher. In fact, she is far from it. Her past is very unique, and it has made her into the teacher that she is today.

“My first job was working at General Dynamics out in California as an aerospace engineer, and we were contracted by the military quite often to build various weapons for them,” Kuipers said.

She never planned on being a teacher, but her family life introduced her to it.

“I quit working as an engineer so that I could spend more time with my kids during the week and the summer,’ Kuipers said.

In retrospect, she’s very glad that this career change happened.

“Teaching was an accident but a happy accident at that. I never thought about teaching, but once I got into it I found that I really loved it and that I was good at it,” Kuipers said.

Her students seem to agree that she is good at her job, because many of them enjoy getting to go to classes that most students would dread.

“She is very energetic and finds a way to make Calculus fun, which I didn’t expect coming into this year,” senior Kaleb Kelley said.

Kelley isn’t the only one who loves having Mrs. Kuipers as a teacher.

“I really like her, she enjoys what she does, and she definitely knows what she’s doing, and those things really rub off onto me,” junior Braeden Cooper said.

Kuipers says that the students are a large part of why she loves teaching.

“I love the students and the interaction. They feed off of my positivity, and I feed off of theirs. I pride myself on keeping my classroom upbeat and fun because it makes it more fun for everyone involved, and the students end up learning and retaining the information better,” Kuipers said.

She keeps the environment joyful by telling humorous stories that tie in with the content she is teaching so that the students have something to remember besides a bunch of formulas and concepts.

Her students already think that her stories are great and will have a lasting impact in their education.

“I think the thing that I will remember the most about Kuipers will be her awesome stories,” Kelley said.

Kuipers wouldn’t change any of her career decisions if given the choice.

“I wouldn’t take back becoming an engineer or a teacher; I’ve loved them both,” Kuipers said.

She is a little bit disappointed that she didn’t pursue her original dream more.

“I wanted to be a pilot for the Air Force since I’ve always been fascinated by planes, but when I was planning on joining, women couldn’t fly combat or reconnaissance planes, so I decided against it. A few years later, women could fly on those missions, so I ended up missing out. I wish I would’ve stuck with it even back when it was looking bleak,” Kuipers said.

This disappointment has given her some advice that she thinks is valuable to students who are trying to decide what occupation they want to pursue.

“Find a passion and evaluate your skills and find a job that can mix your passion with your skills. Also, don’t let anyone tell you what you can and can’t do, because you’re the only person that can actually do that.

Pursue your dreams, and if you work hard enough, you will obtain them,” Kuipers said.

Mrs. Kuipers’ history and her students’ success are both remarkable, and many people can find something to learn from her.

“The thing I’ll remember the most about her is that she was the greatest math teacher I ever had,” Cooper said.

story by justin pechanec

Dr. Nelsen, Dr. Colt, Dr. Barker, and the DDC staff believe in providing the best quality of care and comfort for their patients, while integrating the latest advances in dentistry.

1120 N. Rock Rd., Suite 100 in Derby (316)789-9999

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SOMETHING EXTRA OUT OF THE YEAR??

BUY YOUR YEARBOOK FOR $55 GO TO THE FINANCE office or purchase online before April 1 23

Junior Theresa Wilkinson runs at the local derby middle school track field. Wilkinson has never shyed away from something exciting or challenging, she has even sky dived. Photo by Owen Berk

A

Teresa Wilkinson

lot of cross country runners go out for track. Most of them will run the mile or the two-mile because they’re already trained for distance, but there are a couple of runners who will test themselves with a total change of pace for this track season.

Junior Teresa Wilkinson trained for a good part of the summer to prepare for cross country season in the fall, but she is doing a whole new type of

training for the spring.

Instead of running long distance like most cross country runners do, Teresa has decided to run sprints and do pole vault. Both sprinting and pole vaulting require a burst of speed and the ability to keep that speed going to 100 to 200 meters. That is a lot different from pacing yourself to make it through three miles of nonstop running.

To prepare herself for the change, instead of running nine miles a day, she is taking strength and conditioning at the school to make her stronger for pole vault. She has also started doing Insanity workouts and running sprints at Panther Stadium to prepare her for a different type of race.

“I did sprints and hurdles in middle school, so I have experience in the events, but after training for long distance running for so long, it’ll definitely be a challenge, but I’m up for it,” Wilkinson said.

She started doing Insanity in December and has started to train more outside of her house as the weather has gotten warmer.

“Pole vault will be a somewhat of a challenge for me since last season I sprained my ankle, so it’s going to be difficult trying to get back into it. [It] will take a lot of practice and focus.” Wilkinson said.

Teresa wants to go to the University of Kansas after high school but doesn’t know whether track or cross country are in her future. ”I’ve been a KU fan for as long as I could remember, so of course I’d like to go there, but I want to keep my options open just in case,” Wilkinson said.

story by Owen Wilson In position, Teresa Wilkinson stares down the track with eyes ready

to hit the ground running. Getting ready to run, track students start on one knee and then set and move their body up with bothhands on the ground and both feet stationery. Photo by Owen Berke

Teresa likes Ku, Running, and Rock ‘N Rock

25

LIFE in

Courtesy Photo

Greek

Students imagine while teachers remember living in sororities and fraternities throughout college.

S

igma Kai, Fidel and Theta and Beta Theta Pi. Seniors joining Greek life next year are about to be tested on their Greek letters.

Senior Makenzy Fortner has wanted to be a part of a sorority since her sophomore year after watching a movie that had to do with Greek life, possibly Pitch Perfect. She has reasons specific to her as to why she wants to join Greek life.

“The friendships, the family …

You learn how to open up and be more confident and how to make friends with people who are like you ... because you can’t be shy when you’re living with ten plus other people,” Fortner said.

Some teachers at the high school have been involved in Greek life, which may encourage other students to consider living in a sorority or fraternity as well.

Biology teacher Pat Paske roomed in the Beta Theta Pi house during his years at Kansas State University. His chapter has not only been the one of the top five houses at K-State for over 70 years but also is among the top five Beta Theta Pi chapters in the nation.

His father bunked in a fraternity during college, so Paske had always thought he would do the same.

“I had grown up knowing that there were benefits that went with it and got a chance to go into one that was very strong academically,” Paske said, “which is one of the main reasons I went for it and also [because it] was well respected for the leadership positions a lot of the older guys in the house held.”

Greek life mainly refers to housing, but if a student is accepted into

a fraternity or sorority that specializes in academics or another subject, he may receive extra help and training in that area from his fellow members.

“You learned to sacrifice your individualism for the good of the group, which is what made it successful,” Paske said.

Paske’s class members in the fraternity are still so tightly knit that they contact each other every few months and get together at least once a year.

Traditions played a large part in bringing the men in the Beta Theta Pi house together, even the men who had already been in the house four years and couldn’t live in it anymore.

“We had probably twenty-five or thirty guys that lived in apartments and around that were finishing up their masters … Most of them, even some of the married ones, would come to dinner on Sunday,” Paske said.

While Paske was an undergraduate, the Greek life groups conducted sports competitions, handed out academic awards and held dinners and dances. One tradition prevalent in Paske’s mind is the enticing of the girls of nearby sororities through song.

“We prided ourselves in our singing. We had quite a few members of the glee club, and the whole house sang,” Paske said. “We sang at every meal and everything, and so we would go serenade the various sororities that were in the area.”

Paske’s participation in his fraternity has allowed him to make connections with others he never would have.

“If you were in the same fraterni-

ty, you’ve got something that binds together you right there. There’s a lot of times that that happens. It’s really kind of funny when it does, but immediately you’ve got somebody you can contact, somebody you can talk to, somebody who’s gone through the same things you did, even if it might have been at a different school,” Paske said.

Anyone can join Greek life, and it exists at all four-year schools, but there are usually steps of hazing that those who want to join have to go through. However, most hazing does not consist of what popular movies today tend to portray.

Paske’s hazing consisted of predominantly mental tasks; he and other members of his class participated in team-building activities. Fortner explained the process through which she is joining a sorority at the University of Kansas.

“You do need recommendations of people who have been in Greek life … You have to appeal to the women. I think they have an interview process,” Fortner said.

Some Greek life chapters come and go. Although they began as independent social orders, most now don’t work outside the university.

Fortner only brought up one disadvantage to living in a sorority or fraternity.

“It typically costs more, so that’s the downside of it,” Fortner said.

However, Paske believes the extra cost is more than worth it.

“It was an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything,” Paske said.

story by Sierra Bauman

αΓ∆

Senior Sierra Bauman sits like any

sorority hopeful would in her graduation gown.Greek houses are offered at almost every university. Photo by Taylor Henry

27

photo by taylor dunbar

Upperclassmen strive to receive scholarships while college tuition prices continue to increase incessantly.

The cost of college is rapidly increasing, but some high school students are preparing themselves to pay the high costs that are in their near future.

“I’ve been taking a lot of the general courses for college while in high school. I’m going to head into college with 15 credit hours already completed, and I’ll have saved $10,000,” senior Haley Mills said.

Junior Ryan Palmer is really focusing on building a good resume for college applications.

“I’ve trying my hardest to keep good grades and to get involved as much as possible with extracurricular activities,” Palmer said.

Palmer isn’t the only one who’s focusing on his or her academic progress.

“I’m going to be taking the ACT a few more times to try and qualify for more scholarships. I’m also going to

apply for a lot of mini scholarships,” junior Michaela Ensor said.

Some students feel extra pressure in high school because they know they have to do well now to lower costs later.

“I’m trying to have one of the highest GPAs in my class by getting As in a lot of honors and AP classes, and that is very stressful on me when added to all of the other things that I have to do,” Palmer said.

DHS counselor Joaquin Zapata has advice for those who want to lower their future costs.

“Take college classes if you can during high school or do a CTE program during high school and use that knowledge to help pay your way to college. Taking college classes now costs about a third of the price for the same class at a four year university,” Zapata said.

Mr. Zapata doesn’t think the sit-

uation is going to get any easier for students.

“Colleges are businesses, and they are out to make money. The cost of college is going to continue to rise,” Zapata said.

Zapata said he is disappointed with the lack of effort some students are showing in regards to planning to pay for college.

“I have had WATC and Butler here during homeroom and in the evenings with little attendance from students and parents. We have also had financial aid night with low attendance,” Zapata said.

Many students may need to rethink their plans for the future, or they may end up in a ton of debt.

“Americans owe more money in college debt than they do in credit card debt,” Zapata said. story by Justin Pechanec

In 1982-1983, it costs on average of $4,400 to go to a four year college, which includes room, board, tuition and fees.

An average of 71 percent of college students graduate with $29,400 in debt.

Don’t let your

In 2012-2013, it costs an average of $23,875 to attend a four year college, which includes room, board, tuition and fees.

VALENTINE slip away!

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illustration by anthony allen

You may know senior Zachary Frazier, but do you know

DJ Nova Ajax Z achary Frazier, also known as DJ Nova Ajax, works as a for-rent DJ who usually works small parties, clubs and even the school prom.

“About two and a half years ago one of my friends asked me to work for this company; eventually I left to start my own company and started to DJ,” Frazier said.

Being both a student at Derby High School and at a community college while working as a DJ can be taxing. However, Frazier is able to balance his job and his education.

“I usually [DJ] on the weekends,” Frazier said. “It is not very time-consuming. I just get some songs together and remix a few of them.”

Frazier said DJing is more than simply a paycheck to him.

“I enjoy being a DJ a lot,” Frazier said. Being able to do what I love and getting paid for it is nice, too.”

However, Frazier explained that being a DJ is difficult sometimes because some customers can be fickle, and their wants are many. lt also takes work to keep up with the ever-changing music tastes of the audience, and he knows this all too well.

“I can’t make everyone happy,” Frazier said. “Some people complain that I play the wrong music or that I should’ve picked an entirely different album or genre of music to play.”

story by erik nenortas

$764.4 million at the box office In its first month

STAR WARS VII FORCE AWAKENS

13/20 Have seen the previous movies Have seen the new movie

Are excited for the next movie

18/20

17/20 32