April 2014

The Booster Redux

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Pittsburg High School 1978 E. 4th Street Pittsburg, KS 66762 Vol. 97, Issue 9 www.boosterredux.com

Friday, April 25, 2014

@phsstudentpub

How much is too much?

Students and staff weigh-in on where to draw the line on public displays of affection in the hallways you want to get to class on time and you do not @Allibaden have to be embraced for long periods of time.” alking through the hallways of Boyd feels that the PDA regulations should the school, sophomore Tanner be lifted.

McCauley spots a student kiss“I think the PDA rules should be less strict,” ing his girlfriend goodbye before Boyd said. “I think couples should be able to class. McCauley, like many other students, kiss before they go to class, but not make-out.” sees this Public Display of Affection (PDA) Although not a single Friday Night School every passing period. was given to students who were kissing in the Appropriate PDA is in no violation to the hallways, Garzone had other means of probstudent handbook. However, students and lem solving. teachers alike agree that some PDA shown by “I believe that if the issue is solved by talkstudents in school can be too much. ing to the kid and they agree to work According to the student handbook, “stu- on it and they show that they are dents should guard against excessive public working on it then I do not think a display of affection during the regular school Friday Night School day and activities. Kissing and long embrace- is necessary,” ment are not appropriate school behaviors and consequences I THINK WE WERE ranging from Friday Night School to susJUST TRYING TO pension may occur.”

Assistant principal REEMPHASIZE THE Chris Garzone does IMPORTANCE OF not believe PDA to be a big problem at the JUST TRYING TO school.

KEEP YOUR HANDS “I realize that relationships are imporOFF EACH OTHER R tant, especially in high -CHRIS GARZONE ZONE ONE school,” Garzone said.

“As long as the kids are respectful and realize where they are then I am okay with the minor Garzone said. things I see.”

McCauley Some of the displays of affection that t h i n k s Garzone mentions are holding hands, hugs, that more and even kissing does not bother him. enforceFreshman Gabby Boyd also believes PDA is ment on acceptable in school. the PDA “I think it is fine as long as it does not go too r u l e s far,” Boyd said. should be However, math teacher Rhonda Willis has put into another opinion. place.

“It is just not something I want to see, there “I underis a time and a place for it and this is not the stand it could be time or the place,” Willis said. “If my husband a little awkward for were a teacher here, it would not be appropri- teachers and adminate for he and I to show that kind of affection istrators to enforce and I do not think it is appropriate for students the PDA rules. But either.” for the sake of other McCauley shares similar thoughts with people, I think the Willis. rules should be “Well I think if you are going to show PDA, more applied,” you just shouldn’t,” McCauley said. “I think it McCauley said. is perfectly fine to hold hands and hug but if “It makes peoyou are going to see each other next hour and ple uncomyou are making out in front of the door, that is fortable and ridiculous.” quite frankAdministration has made efforts to help ly, I do not control PDA. Last semester, an announcement think anywas made that if students were reported to be body enjoys kissing in the hallway, a Friday Night School w a t c h i n g was to be given. p e o p l e “I think we were just trying to reemphasize m a k e - o u t the importance of just trying to keep your in the hallhands off each other,” Garzone said. “But ways.” more so, I think it was just reminding kids that

BY ALLI BADEN

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PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

BY MIRANDA MOORE

Committee evaluates state of district facilities

District collaborates with Wichita architects to look for potential building updates all ‘Borderline’ rating. @reeceburns1 and @iamthejoshlee Unfortunately, the road to improving the he high school has not undergone any ratings will not come easily.

“Most of the things that need to happen major renovations or upgrades since its construction in 1978. This makes it one are pretty expensive,” Superintendent Destry Brown said. “Right now we are just going of the most outdated buildings in the district.

USD 250 invited the Facility Study towards ‘here’s the issues and what are our Committee (FSC) to walk through all of the options.’”

According to a chart shown by Milbradt, a district’s buildings earlier this month to start a plan for additions, upgrades and renovations. final report isn’t scheduled to be reported to The district officials hoped to show the FSC the Board of Education until January of 2015.

Milbradt and those speaking at the April of 30 community members, parents, teachers, administration and board members some strengths and weaknesses of each respective SINCE OUR PATRONS ARE THE SI building.

Principal Jon Bishop feels the FOLKS THAT WOULD VOTE ON A increase in enrollment is one of BOND ISSUE IT IS ESSENTIAL TO the primary issues.

“The population of Pittsburg HAVE THEIR SUPPORT schools is growing,” Bishop said.

-JIM NEWELL LL “We’ve seen it at lower levels for a while, now we are starting to see it filtered into the high school.”

According to Bishop, the high 15 meeting expressed the importance of the school is “physically running out of room.”

PBA Architects, a company based in upcoming community forums. It is here that Wichita, is currently at the head of the effort everyone will be invited to come and voice to diagnose USD 250’s needs and form a plan their opinions. The forum dates have yet to be determined but they are expected to be of action.

Allan Milbradt, PBA Architects Partner, scheduled for the early fall.

District Maintenance Director Jim Newell gave a presentation to the FSC on April 15 that addressed buildings’ statuses from an archi- told the FSC at the meeting that in his 21 years of working for the district, he has seen how tectural and design perspective.

Milbradt found that PHS was, overall, in vital community approval can be in a situation a ‘Borderline’ criteria. The high school was that could require a bond, such as this one.

“It has been my experience that getting given a “Poor” rating for the ‘Environment For Education’ category. Each elementary school the general public to attend informational and the middle school came out with an over- meetings concerning our facilities is the tough

BY REECE BURNS AND JOSH LEE

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thing to accomplish,” Newell said. “If our patrons attend our meetings and hear our message they generally become supporters of our needs. Since our patrons are the folks that would vote on a bond issue it is essential to have their support.”

Some of the things Brown would like to see is the replacement of the original heating and air system at the high school and general updates to the high school.

“We really need to go through every classroom and just update it,” Brown said. “I would like for us to do maybe a - and I’m really getting out there - state-of-the-art science wing.”

The classrooms on the south side of the science hallway were the only rooms originally constructed for science classes. The classrooms on the north side of the hallway, now used as science classrooms, were originally built for business classes.

Science teacher Jeff Johnson sees the differences on a daily basis. Johnson’s classes were so large this year, that an extra table had to be placed in his room so all his students could have a seat.

“It’s really small,” Johnson said. “The gas pipes don’t work, I have to run extension cords across the room for experiments. I’d rather have what they have across the hall for experiments, it can be hard with big classes.”

Junior Jena Hart says a new science wing would be a great update for the school, especially for the anatomy and physiology classes.

“We’ve learned to adapt, but it’d be a lot better if we had a science wing,” Hart said.

“It’d give us more room and resources to use for dissections.”

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destry brown’s top concerns PHS auditorium expansion H-Vac systems PHS science wing Classroom renevations Old section of PCMS

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Passing the baton to freshman, Skylur VonWinklepleck, fellow freshman Isaac Tyler practices his leg of the 4x100m on the two-year old track. Activities Director Doug Hitchcock helped plan, organize, and facilitate the track before he formerly resigned Mar. 2 of this year. PHOTO BY PARKER MATTHEWS

Hitchcock resigns: leaves mark on facilities Activity director says his farewells after 13 years at Pittsburg High School

BY EMILY BADEN AND REECE BURNS @EmilyBaden and @reeceburns14

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hen the class of 2014 began kindergarten thirteen years ago, Doug Hitchcock started his career as the Athletic Director for the high school. When the seniors graduate and say their goodbyes, Hitchcock will say his own.

Hitchcock’s formal letter of resignation was accepted on Mar. 2 by the Board of Education. Hitchcock will be moving on to a new school district at the start of next year. He will be starting a new job as District Activities Director of Bonner Springs/Edwardsville.

Throughout his career with USD 250, Hitchcock considers two things his greatest accomplishments in his time as activity director. One, having helped athletic groups and clubs improve their overall programs and, second, increasing the number of organizations from 18 to 30.

“I think by providing more opportunities for kids, we are obviously going to increase our numbers,” Hitchcock said. “We all know research indicates that when kids are active in school, they are much more academically involved in

school as well.”

“I have enjoyed working with all parties Wrestling coach Scott Rieck has known involved in these endeavors,” Hitchcock Hitchcock since he first started at the said. “I truly believe I have been asked high school and is sad to see him go. to do many things under my scope and “For those that have been here over the beyond my scope of Athletic/Activities last thirteen years they have seen a positive Director in Pittsburg Community transformation in the activities and athlet- Schools. I have performed them to the ic programs,” Rieck said. “Mr.Hitchcock best of my ability and to the satisfaction will always do a great job because he is of many.” a very hard worker, supportive and fair.

A physical sign of his work, the softHe is leavball and ing PHS bettrack comter off than plexes, give ALWAYS LEAVE THINGS A AL when he Hitchcock LITTLE BETTER THAN YOU arrived. Mr. a reason to FOUND THEM, Hitchcock be proud -DOUG HITCHCOCK has left his for his confootprint on tributions this place.” as he sees When Hitchcock came into the district them utilized on a daily basis. he was expected to fulfill the existing Senior Ethan Paul Davis was one of needs of the high school. He led the first to run on the new track complex. charge on the installation of the new “I appreciate everything he’s done, but wood gym floor, the Megan Mallatt gym- I’m sad he’s leaving because he’s helped nasium, new field turf on Hutchinson the school out a lot,” Paul Davis said.

Field and new track and softball facilities.

Hitchcock still remembers watching The most recent task was creating a plan the first day of practice on the new facilfor a 10-court tennis complex at the high ity. school. “[The feeling] is hard to describe,”

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Hitchcock said. “The first day I saw the track team practice, I was in awe. I went home and I still remember calling community members that were very instrumental in putting that together and telling that person what I saw on those kids’ faces and telling him what I felt like at that time; I was sharing excitement and looking for great things to happen because of that.”

Junior Molly Lundberg has played softball since her freshman year and has seen the physical changes the softball program has undergone. She credits Hitchcock to playing a role in it.

“Some of us were upset when we found out because he helped us get the softball field and it’s a great thing,” Lundberg said. “He made a great impact on the softball programs and other sports programs and I think he will be missed.”

Hitchcock doesn’t dwell on the past, instead he looks towards the future.

“Don’t ever look back and ask that question ‘What if?’ What if I tried harder in school, activities, or athletics? What If I would have tried a sport or activity?”

Hitchcock said. “Always leave things a little better than you found them.”

Class ranking not deciding factor in college acceptance Students, staff partial to current classification system due to lack of importance in admission’s eyes

BY JOSH JARVIS @JJarvis52 The last time a high school student can address his or her class, his or her school, or his or her community is at graduation. This is usually done by the valedictorian, a student who has worked hard enough to be the number one student in their graduating class.

PHS, however, does not have a valedictorian. Instead, students are ranked by their GPA which is calculated through a formula that considers both weighted and unweighted classes. The ranks are also affected by completed courses and college courses. The ranks are updated periodically throughout the semester.

Counselor Jessica Stegman thinks not having a designated valedictorian is better for the final speeches given at the senior banquet and graduation.

“I like the way PHS [ranks students]. Having to try out for the class speech, it seems it makes the speeches more memorable and more individualized,” Stegman said. “Anybody can try out, whether you’re the number one student or the two-hundredth student, you have the opportunity to try out. The student who has the lower ranking might have a fantastic speech that never would have been heard.”

Many high schools, though, abandoned the class rank system so students will focus on learn-

ing instead of rankings and recognition. According to a 2012 report by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), more than half of all high schools no longer report student rankings.

Some of the faculty members, however, are not ready to give up the ranking system.

“The top 10% is a prestigious group of students who have accomplished quite a deal over the course of their four years of high school. I think that provides a very positive recognition,” Assistant Principal Rhonda White said.

Senior Harley Burch is near the top of his class, and appreciates the rank he earned.

“I value [my class rank] a little bit. It’s not the biggest thing but I do like the fact that I’m near the top of my class,” Burch said.

Registrar Diana Wilson also likes the system in place.

“I don’t believe we should do away with the ranking system because a lot of other agencies require and ask for it,” Wilson said. “I also like the way we do it because we include a larger number of students rather than just one student.”

If a student has a high rank, he or she may not want to drop from that spot by getting a B in an AP or Honors course. This will cause students to take less stressful courses in order to stay in the best position they can.

White believes, though, that students at PHS aren’t intimidated by harder classes.

“Most students are willing to take that risk because they are wanting to take on the challenge of learning and the challenge in themselves academically,” White said.

When applying for a post-secondary education, colleges and universities will look at a student’s class ranking, but it

isn’t the only factor in deciding to accept a student.

“I don’t think [class rank] hurts a student’s chances for college because they look at multiple things,” Stegman said.

“They look at [the student’s] GPA, the amount of community service that the student has done. Of course, they look at what type of classes the student has taken in school and if they are well rounded students.”

When it comes down to it, Burch thinks class rank isn’t too important.

“I think [class rank] affects [the chances of getting into college] a little bit. Colleges look more to brighter students to be in their college so I guess being near the top helps,” Burch said. “I think how you are in the classroom and how your attitude is more beneficial than just your class rank.”

No matter what rank a

student holds, a sufficient standardized test score is required by many colleges.

“I think colleges look more at ACT and SAT scores than class rank. I think that students care a lot more about class rank than universities do,” Wilson said. “I think a student that wants to go a prestigious university needs to feel some stress and will feel stress, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing for them.”

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Booster Redux staff and policy Editors-in-Chief Emily Baden Reece Burns Bethanne Elliott Parker Matthews Katie Phalen Online Editor Evan Rajotte Art Editor Alivia Benedict Staff Alli Baden Shelby Bicknell Katy Brown Kailey Curtis Kylynn Collins Molly Graham Josh Jarvis Josh Lee Karis Mengerelli Miranda Moore Megan Munger Morgan Plank Reagan Rink Rachyl Russian Erica Seal Caden Yantis Cooper Wade Ivan Walter Adviser Emily Smith The Booster Redux Pittsburg High School Student Publications 1978 E. 4th St. Pittsburg, KS 66762 PHS Student Publications Department and newspaper class produce The Booster Redux.

Please call us with comments at 620235-3200. The Booster Redux’s purpose is to inform, educate, enlighten and entertain readers fairly and accurately in an open forum.

Opinions expressed in editorials or opinion columns do not necessarily reflect views of all members on the Booster staff. Digital photos have not been altered to manipulate reality.

Photo illustrations are labeled to reflect any technical alternations.

Anonymity may be given in the following cases: the information is unable to be presented another way, the information warrants anonymity, the source’s privacy and/or reputation requires protection and the source must be protected from damages.

A student or faculty member death during the coverage period will be covered with a short obituary.

The Booster Redux is a member of Journalism Education Association, National Scholastic Press Association, Kansas Scholastic Press and International Quill and Scroll. The Booster Redux encourages letters from students, teachers and community members under 300 words and signed with a valid signature only.

The Booster Redux reserves the right to edit contributions if they are libelous, obscene and for length. Any grammatical errors at the fault of the writer will be printed. Corrections of errors printed at the fault of the Booster staff will appear in the appropriate section of the next issue.

OPINION

Friday, April 25, 2014

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Normal girl in a Barbie world Doll inspires girls to reach for the stars

BY KATY BROWN @KatyLady22 arbie has been attacked for her unrealistic proportions, but Barbie’s size is not the most important thing about her.

18 years before Sally Ride, the first woman astronaut, went into space, astronaut Barbie was released. She became an example for girls everywhere that they can be anything.

Barbie has been everything from President of the United States to a McDonalds cashier and even a street rapper. She is showing everyone that girls can achieve anything they put their minds to. Barbie has recently released dolls that show more representation for different races and women from different countries.

While it would be great if Barbie would release dolls with more body types, what the toy company is doing now is great. However, girls are still being shot down for wanting to pursue their dreams.

Barbie could be any size and still have all these careers. As a feminist, I respect people of all body types because beauty is not the most important thing. Just as I wouldn’t fat shame someone, I refuse to skinny shame anyone. We shouldn’t focus on Barbie’s size because she is a doll. Barbies that represent more realistic body types would be amazing, but it would cost more. By using more plastic the company would have to charge more for the dolls. I feel that quite a few people would still buy the doll because it reminds them of themselves and promotes healthy body image.

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success than showing one size, in my opinion.

However, we should not be focusing on Barbie’s image. We should be glad that she has acquired close to 150 careers. Barbie gives girls options and will continue to do so for who knows how long. She shows girls that they can be anything and they can do it in heels if they want to.

Barbie is more than just a doll whose clothes can be changed, she is empowerment for all the girls who have been told they can’t.

The United Kingdom Ministry of Justice released a statistic showing that there a r e 3 billion women who don’t look like supermodels and only eight who do. Women don’t find themselves identifying with models in magazines, but they might if there were more body types. An ad campaign that shows girls of different sizes would have more

Cramped: school out of room Enrollment leaves classrooms at maximum capacity STAFF EDITORIAL @PHSstudentpub As the enrollment number at the high school continues to grow, so does our need for more space and resources. Though the facilities at the high school are far from terrible, there is still room for improvement.

Classrooms are filled to the max, teachers are being forced into rooms not designed for classes and hallways are as crowded as ever.

Personally, as a staff, we have far outgrown our small classroom. If you walk into room 312 at the high school, the first thing you will encounter are piles of storage boxes stuffed under tables. The tables themselves are covered with textbooks, AP style books, and old editions of The Booster Redux. Compared to other high school journalism programs, our workspace is very primitive. Our row of old dysfunctional computers are nothing in comparison to the mas-

sive computer labs and workspaces that newer-constructed schools enjoy.

To be up to par with the other large high schools in Kansas, something needs to be done about our facility situation. As the district enrollment numbers grow, our quality of facilities needs to be growing along with it. Even though a large portion of our staff consists of seniors, we would still like to see the school improve for the underclassmen, and future dragons.

Dear Staff: As a graduate of PHS in 1944 I must say I take a real pride in reading the Booster as I think it exemplifies the best in high school newspapers.

I think my sense of enjoyment and admiration stems from the fact that I was such a poor verbal communicator partially as a result of being so young at high school graduation (16) and being more mathematically inclined.

I enjoyed each issue and though I don’t read all the articles, I read enough to detect the high quality of writing Keep it up!

Sincerely, George E. Nettels

What’s the matter with Kansas schools?

Recent education bill leaves teachers questioning their job security

BY KATIE PHALEN @kphalen5 At the beginning of this month, the Kansas State Legislature in Topeka passed a bill that will greatly impact the public education system.

The bill stripped public school teachers their right to tenure, and their right to due process in the event that they face being fired. The bill also subsidized private education by creating a income-tax credit for corporations who give scholarships to students in order for them to move to a private school. The passing of this bill is another way that state lawmakers and Gov. Sam Brownback have tried to deteriorate the public education system in recent years.

By passing this legislation, Brownback and the Kansas Legislature have made it clear that the well-being of the state’s public schools is not of interest to them. Public education is the backbone of our society. It provides an equal opportunity for success to every single citizen, regardless of race, gender, or family background. Public schools make it possible for everyone to receive a quality education. I don’t understand why our state government is not making the interests of the public education teachers and students of Kansas a priority.

I have attended public schools Kindergarten through senior year, as did my older brother and both of my parents. I have several family members who are currently public school teachers, or have been in the past. I owe so much to public school teachers. Some of them have changed my life, and have had a huge impact on making me the person and student that I am today. So when I hear people criticize the job that public school teachers are doing, or talk down about public education in general, I get offended.

In reality, public schools are a lot more than the test scores that are sent to the state every year. There are positive and exciting things going on in public schools that organizations like the Kansas Policy Institute, who openly disapprove of the current education system, don’t realize are happening. Programs at the high school are giving kids opportunities to learn and experience new things.

This past fall, myself and several other students from Student Publications had the chance to travel to Boston to attend the National Scholastic Press Association’s Fall Conference.

For some of these kids, it was their first time on

an airplane. We got to see one of our nation’s oldest and most historic cities, as well as meet students from all over the country.

If Brownback continues to cut funding for public schools, programs like Student Publications may cease to exist, and future students will not be able to have these kinds of experiences in the future.

The biggest misconception about the tenure system is that its only purpose is to protect bad teachers. But that is not the case. Tenure allows teachers to make their own decisions and conduct their classroom in the way that they see best benefits their class and their students, without having to worry about what administrators think. Taking away tenure from teachers will do nothing to protect students from abusive teachers. Before this bill was passed, there were already procedures in place to remove a tenured teacher in the case of misconduct, abuse, or failure to perform up to standards.

Stripping teachers of tenure will have no posi-

tive impact on students.

Public school teachers are some of the most passionate people I have ever encountered. I can truthfully say that all of my teachers at the high school genuinely care about my education and are more than willing to help me learn the material. I wish that the state government would recognize the fact that these teachers deserve the absolute best treatment. Instead, the passing of this most recent bill was sketchy at best. It was passed in the middle of the night, with hardly enough debate or consideration, and without taking any constituent feedback into consideration whatsoever.

The constitutionality of this process should be questioned, and hopefully the actions of this bill will eventually be reversed. But until then, I want the state government to realize that public education is a key part of society. By passing legislation with the goal in mind to harm our schools, they are harming our students, teachers and, overall, the future of our country.

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School groups harbor victims of

Clubs, extracurricular activities available to students

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BY EVAN RAJOTTE @ERajotte7

itcoin is a digital currency used exactly as United States Dollar (USD) or any other currency, except that it is not mandated by a central government. There are approximately 100 different types of digital currencies. Formally known as cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin is the most valued cryptocurrency and is the most traded coin on the internet. One bitcoin, as of this writing, is valued at 509 USD. The value of the coin goes up and down every second of the day, similar to stocks; if people buy bitcoins, then the price goes up and if people sell bitcoins, then the price goes down.

Since bitcoins are becoming more popular, some websites have begun accepting bitcoins as a payment option. Some websites such as tigerdirect. com or overstock.com. There are even physical places that accept bitcoin, like restaurants such as Little Caesars in Olathe, Kansas. Most restaurants that accept bitcoin are independently owned. Coinmap.org shows a bunch of places around the world that accept bitcoin.

Bitcoin started out in 2009 and is used as a peer-to-peer payment system. To obtain bitcoins you can either purchase it with a real currency or you

can mine for it. Mining for cryptocurrencies work a little like this: people with high end PC’s give their processing power to decrypt a block; a block contains 50 coins each. A block is a transaction made online that needs to be verified. An example would be, buying something online using a debit or credit card. Once bought, the transaction is now pending and you have to verify that transaction to make it legitimate. The block is encrypted and you have to decrypt it; it’s similar to finding a needle in a hay stack.

Mining for any cryptocurrency is a gamble. Enthusiasts mine either alone or in a pool.

Mining alone is not very popular due to the fact that it is very expensive and it could take at least a year before you see a paycheck. Mining in pools is what most enthusiasts prefer because they pitch in their computers processing power and they receive a payment within a few hours of starting. The payment goes to an online wallet.

From there you can see deposits and withdrawals, how much was transferred, and where it was transferred from/to. The only down fall to mining in a pool is that the pool is operated by a stranger that you don’t know, so once you and your pool decrypt the block, the

operator can take all the coins.

This has happened a few times in the past and nothing can be done about it since it is not mandated by a central government, but it does not happen often.

There are approximately 12,624,325 bitcoins left to be mined and it is going to take a long time before all of them are mined.

To me, I think t h a t bitcoin will one day be the currency of the internet.

Disecting ‘Anatomy Respawn’s titan of a game shines Titanfall brings fast-paced, unique action to next-gen of a Single Girl’ Plotless novel leaves reader dazed, confused about all

BY MOLLY GRAHAM @MolllyGraham In ‘Anatomy of a Single Girl,’ the protagonist, Dominique Bayor, is a medical student at Tulane University in La. She visits Fort Myers, Flo., for summer vacation to visit her best friend and parents.

Dominique has an internship at a hospital over the break where she meets Guy, her newest love interest and a junior in college.

A “summer romance” starts almost immediately. While ‘Anatomy of a Single Girl,’ was a quick read, it was also very dull. Reading it, I kept asking myself “What is the point?” in regards to why author Daria Snadowsky chose to write this book. It wasn’t clear at all what the

actual plot of this story was.

Dominique was annoying and hasty. She was dense, keeping the idea in her mind that she couldn’t and wouldn’t be happy unless she had a boy at her side.

Dominique didn’t have any regard towards missing her family fishing trips or cancelling plans with her best friend just to hangout with a boy she wouldn’t see again after summer break.

Throughout the entire book, Dominique kept whining about her ex and never shutting up over the fact that was going to be, gasp, attending one of her friend’s wedding single. ‘Anatomy of a Single Girl’ is not really a book I’d recommend, but if you like stories about complaining, overdramatic teenage girls, this is the book for you.

The Anatomy of a Single Girl

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BYY JJOSH JARVIS @JJarvis52 Whether battling head to head on the ground or jumping along rooftops, Respawn Entertainment’s brand new first-person shooter (FPS) brings fastpaced action to the table. Titanfall pits giant war machines against each other while pint-sized pilots cause havoc from below and above. Some of the developers of the Call of Duty series left and formed their own company in Respawn Entertainment. The result was an awesome next-gen shooter that rivals the Call of Duty series in many categories.

Titanfall’s balanced combat is what makes it so much fun to play. Titans might be giant, shielded and well-equipped, but this doesn’t mean they have the advantage over pilots. Not only does a Titan have to be worried about enemy Titans, it also has to watch out for the hidden pilot locking on to it with a rocket launcher.

Pilots, equipped with the necessary weapons to take down a Titan, also have a jump kit that allows them to get around the map with unreal quickness. They can wall run, double jump and even “rodeo” a Titan in order to shoot at its delicate interior to take it down.

The camouflage perk allows a pilot to become nearly invisible and the stim perk gives pilots gazelle quickness.

The “burn card” system is a nice change of pace from traditional shooters. These burn cards, amassed by completing challenges, are available for use during matches to give pilots and Titans a slight advantage in combat. They also only last until a pilot dies or until the game ends. Though they cannot drastically affect the outcome of a game, burn cards can

give a player a needed boost to improve their score.

However, Titanfall, bringing an immense amount of excitement and thrill, is somewhat of a disappointment. While it is a ton of fun to play, the game feels unfinished. The arsenal is limited to ten primary weapons for pilots, and six primary weapons for Titans. Grenades, sidearms and anti-Titan weapons are added to a pilot while a Titan is allotted another rocket-based weapon built in.

The customization of Titans, pilots and weapons are also very limited. Few choices are given for added abilities and character customization isn’t allowed.

Many of the perk options are unnecessary or unhelpful and can go without notice. As for the weapons, each has a maximum of four modifications with a few enhanced sights and, again, can go without notice.

As for the campaign, it is almost nonexistent. The nine-mission multiplayer campaign features the Interstellar Manufacturing Corporation (IMC) battling the Militia Forces for peace in the case of the IMC or for freedom for the oppressed Militia. Unfortunately, I never figured out either side of the story because it was too hard to follow during the intense multiplayer combat, and frankly, it is uninteresting. The only reason I played the campaign was because the completion was required to unlock two different Titans for customization.

Still, for a bare shooter I could play this game for hours on end. The thrill of calling in a Titan is electrifying every time it crashes into the earth at warpspeed. The dynamic fast-paced action keeps the game feeling fresh and gives off that just-onemore-game feeling that a shooter needs.

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The Captain strides into theatres Captain America: The Winter Solider

BY CCADEN YANTIS @CJYantis95

COURTESY PHOTO BY DEADSHIRT.NET

America’s first avenger, Captain America, has returned once again and faces a new threat in the latest installment in Marvel’s superhero universe. Marvel’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier (CATWS) was released on April 4 and has been raking in millions of dollars since its debut in the box office.

As of now, CATWS has earned a rating of 8.3 on Internet Movie DataBase (IMDB) and 89 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. It has earned 192nd place on the IMDB’s list of top 250 rated movies of all time.

CATWS has grossed over $ 586 million worldwide and the number continues to increase.

CATWS introduces a wide variety of characters, some old and some new, all of whom play a significant role throughout the film. Upon reading blogs and reviews, I have found that some of these characters will

be fighting alongside pirates led by a ruththe original Avengers less mercenary. Midensemble in Avengers: Mission, Rogers discovAge of Ultron set to be ers Romanoff to be purreleased in 2015 which suing a different mission for SHIELD’s director, has left me intrigued.

CATWS takes place Nick Fury, which leads two years after the battle Rogers to suspicion. in New York that took Upon completion of the place at the end of “The rescue mission, Rogers Avengers”.

(Spoiler confronts Fury where he alert) CATWS finds Steve learns about Operation Rogers, aka Captain Insight which is three helicarAmerica, riers adapting to linked to life in the 21st century The Winter Soldier satellites in order as he works to eradifor the govcate any ernment future agency, SHIELD, in Washington threats.

As one thing leads to D.C. Here in D.C. is where Rogers is intro- another, Fury discovers duced to ex military that SHIELD has been pararescueman, Sam compromised and races Wilson, aka The Falcon, against time to warn his who later plays a sig- allies. He is ultimately nificant role in the film. ambushed by assailJust when everything ants led by the mysteriseems to be at ease, ous soviet assassin, The Rogers is assigned a mis- Winter Soldier, a familsion alongside Natasha iar face from Roger’s Romanoff, aka Black past.

Barely escaping Widow, to infiltrate a SHIELD vessel which with his life, Fury goes has been hijacked by to Rogers’ apartment

Captain America:

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where he warns him of SHIELD being compromised and is then suddenly assassinated by The Winter Soldier. With few allies to trust and with The Winter Soldier hot on his heels, Rogers realizes that this is bigger than he could have ever imagined.

With this installment, Marvel goes above and beyond by intermixing superbly crafted fight scenes, wise cracking humor, character development, and suspense, which the first Captain America movie needed more of. Surprisingly, CATWS is one of the strongest installments in Marvel’s franchise to date. The bar has certainly been raised with CATWS’s release which has led to higher expectations for the third Captain America movie and even for future installments in Marvel’s franchise.

CATWS is sure to be a movie to be talked about for months or even years to come.

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FACES

Friday, April 25, 2014

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Three girls find common ground over a unique hobby Adamson, Powell and Davis cowgirl up for competitive barrel racing

BY MEGAN MUNGER @DragonTwirler For three girls at the high school, being a cowgirl means a lot more than wearing cowgirl boots and loving horses. Competing in barrel racing involves family tradition, passion and a competitive drive that people may not expect.

Starting at a young age freshman Kara Adamson, sophomore Aubri Powell and senior Megan Davis all discovered their love for horseback riding.

“I have always loved horseback riding. I ride whenever I can and whenever the weather is nice,” Adamson said. “I love feeling free and relaxed with the horse, and I enjoy the feeling of the horse’s power beneath me.”

After realizing this hobby had other aspects to it, the girls found themselves competing in barrel racing.

“To barrel race, the three skills that you need are balance, strength, and control,” Adamson said. “You need balance because you need to be able to sit and stay on the horse properly, strength because you need to be able to control the horse and control so that you can have power over the horse.”

In addition to having these skills, the barrel racers also have to be focused, and extremely dedicated every day of the year.

“It is not a seasonal thing.

Barrel racing is a year round thing because there are indoor and outdoor arenas to compete at. I compete more in the summer than I do in the winter because there are more outdoor arenas than indoor ones,” Adamson said. “I mostly compete on the local level which is in Frontenac and Weir, Kansas.”

In barrel racing, the racers do not only win belt buckles. If they place first through third, then they receive another prize as well. If they win first place, that other prize is usually a saddle.

“I perform, compete, and have won some honors for

Bonding with her horse, sophomore Aubri Powell prepares for her upcoming races. Powell has been riding horses since a young age.

PHOTO BY CALVIN THYER

barrel racing,” Powell said.

“Most of what I’ve won has been in belt buckles and things like that. I have never won a saddle, but I have come close to it a few times.”

Like Powell, Davis has won her own set of honors for barrel racing. She has won first place a few times and her most memorable accomplishment is from her very first win.

“I have been doing rodeos and riding horses for as long as I can remember, since I was really little,” Davis said.

“My family has always rode horses and my grandma got me into competing.”

Throughout Davis’s competitive career, it has been more about the experience than the winning.

“I find it a lot of fun and it is nice because you get to meet a lot of people,” Davis said. “You do not really realize it, but you do end up meeting a lot of people that you would not get a chance

to meet otherwise.”

In addition to having fun and meeting new people, barrel racing also has given Davis the chance to learn things.

“It is so exciting when you go out there, run really fast, and end up winning. You get this rush and it is like no other,” Davis said. “Barrel racing has taught me better sportsmanship because I can work better with people and I do not get near as mad whenever I lose as some other people do.”

Like other kinds of competitors, the three girls all have people that they look up to.

“My idol is Stacy Westfall because she is amazing with horses,” Adamson said.

“Also, my mom was Rodeo Queen for many of years throughout her childhood so that has inspired me.”

Adamson also has a unique way of viewing her hobby. She feels that it is more of a sport than it is

Laughing while riding their horses, Kim Fraker and Aubri Powell take advantage of the weather as they stroll through a pasture. Fraker and Powell both enjoy riding horses. PHOTO BY CALVIN THYER

credited for.

“People think that barrel racing is not a sport but, I disagree. It takes just as much work as any other sport and you have to use all of your muscles,” Adamson said. “Many people do not think of it as something that is hard to do but, you use just as much strength and you do just as much work as a person playing other sports does.”

Although Adamson is only a freshman, she expects a lot from herself and her barrel racing in the future.

“I have four first place buckles and two second place buckles. When I get

Lauren Angermayer

Emily Wood

logan benham

Isaiah Harris

Dragon Highlights:

out of high school, I plan to go to college and hopefully get a scholarship for barrel racing if at all possible,” Adamson said. “After graduating, I will still continue to compete in the National Barrel Horse Association.”

For Adamson, Davis and Powell, being the only three barrel racers at the high school doesn’t affect them much.

“I do not think it makes me different, it just means that I have different hobbies, which is kind of weird because not many people here barrel race or ride horses,” Davis said. “I think that sometimes you have

better stories to tell whenever you come back injured.”

Barrel racing and riding horses has managed to make an impact on all three girls’ lives. They agree that barrel racing has given them many opportunities and it has encouraged them in multiple ways.

“Barrel racing has given me a unique experience that not many others get.

I am thankful that I get to enjoy it as a hobby and a part of my life. It’s made me feel stronger and more independent,” Adamson said. “Being able to ride a fast, beautiful horse makes me feel like I could live forever.”

A look into students hobbies of video games, tennis, kick boxing, knitting

“I usually play old 90’s games on emulators or on my computer,” Harris said. “Or sometimes games on my Nintendo Wii or DS.” Harris would rather keep it old school and play games, such as Super Mario Brothers, Super Mario World, all other Nintendo games and all of the Pokemon games. Downloading these games online to his PC makes it easier to have them available to play his favorite

games.

When Harris isn’t playing video games, you can find him on the track. He runs the 400 meter dash, the 4X400 meter relay and he is thinking about doing the 800 meter run as well as the 4X800 meter relay. Track is an option for Harris in the future. He plans to focus more on academics but is also wanting to run at the same time.

Taking the court by hand and working towards success, sophomore Logan Benham has been playing tennis since sixth grade.

Earning his spot on the varsity team as a freshman, Benham has kept his place as a sophomore.

“I just keep playing and always try to improve my game,” Benham said.

With the help of Coach Jack Johnson, Benham says Johnson never lets him say the wrong thing or put himself down. Benham has been competed in tournaments like USTA tournaments, A-future and seasons tournaments.

“When I practice with Jack he will have points set up for me to lose and have to figure out how to win them,” Benham said. “If I don’t win the point then he has me learn how to control my emotions and stay calm.”

With practice outside of school, he gets about two to four hours in a day or more. He plans on working towards a scholarship in tennis and playing in college. Benham hopes to use that scholarship to study vehicle design in school. Though he has not been exposed to his interest in the actual design of cars.

“I’ve always liked cars and drawing them,” Benham said “I haven’t had anything published because I haven’t entered any into a contest.”

BY SHELBY BICKNELL @shelbbick As Junior Emily Wood’s foot makes contact with the heavy bag, she strives to improve her self-defense skills. Wood, made an agreement with her father to learn self defense before arriving in Costa Rica last spring break, not knowing her feelings for kick boxing would grow so strong.

“I got really into it because it’s really fun and a good way to exert your energy,” Wood

said. “It can be exhausting and you’re working a lot of different muscle groups you don’t usually use, but the more you do it the more stamina you build up.”

Wood took kick boxing at Mac Fitness, in a class dominated by women also in an attempt to learn self defense. “[My mom and I] did it together. It was good bonding time and we got closer from it, we would go home and talk about it and my dad and brother kind of knew what we

were talking about, but they wouldn’t be able to replicate it or do anything from it,” Wood said.

Wood does feel more secure after taking self defense classes.

“What you learn from it is you can be independent and go places and learn how to protect yourself,” Wood said.

Wood plans to continue kick boxing later on in life.

BY MEGAN MUNGER @DragonTwirler

Even though Angermayer has not been knitting for long, she has managed to share her newly found passion.

“I have been doing it since the beginning of this past winter so I really have not been doing it long at all,” Angermayer said. “I have shown a few people how to arm knit and they have started doing it too.”

Angermayer has enjoyed arm knitting since she began, but she did not get the idea

herself. Her mom got the idea from a craftshow and Angermayer learned from YouTube.

Arm knitting is also faster than traditional knitting.

“I can do it pretty fast, I can make a decent size scarf in about twenty minutes. Plus, they are really warm,” Angermayer said. “I have made some for other people and I made a lot this past Christmas. All together I have made at least 15 since I have began.”

BY RACHYL RUSSIAN @rachylrussian Freshman Isaiah Harris learned how to play the Mega Man X for super nintendo at the age of five, and now being 15 years old still plays the same game. His mother started his love for playing. Their favorite game to play together is Mario Kart.

BY KYLYNN COLLINS @kylynn_c

The typical knitting kit consists of needles and thread. Senior Lauren Angermayer, however, only uses her hands.

“I like to arm knit. Instead of regular knitting where you use needles, with arm knitting you just use your hands and arms,” Angermayer said. “I have knitted a lot of infinity scarves this way.”

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Peer pressure warps students’ lives Teenagers worry over how their classmates perceive them

BY MORGAN PLANK @momoplank

H

e did it because he wanted to seem cool. He did it because he wanted to impress his “friends.” He did it because he wanted to fit in. He did it because of peer pressure.

“When I was younger I tried a whole lot to fit in and be cool and I ended up doing a lot of things that I probably shouldn’t have,” senior Garrett Harmon said. “[I was] around people [along with alcohol and drug use] that were really dangerous to me and I put myself through some heartache and some pretty scary stuff because I was trying to impress a group of people.”

These are the results of negative peer pressure. Negative peer pressure can influence destructive decisions and can be expressed in a variety of ways.

“A lot of the time, I think it’s not so much what people say or what people do but it’s how we act when we think people are thinking a certain way of us,” Harmon said. “When we are in front of people I think a lot of the time we’ll imagine what they’re thinking about us.”

Assistant Principal Rhonda White categorizes peer pressure as either being verbal or nonverbal.

“A person can be pressured over time and it may not be a one-time conversation where somebody is pressured into doing something,” White said. “It could be over time that there’s constant nonverbal or verbal kinds of efforts from a person or a group of people to get somebody to give in.”

Luckily for Harmon, he no longer puts himself in those situations.

“I had a friend that just really wanted to encourage me and get me out of that thing. He gave me the comfort that I didn’t have to be accepted by that group of people,” Harmon said. “He was my rock.”

Harmon’s friend was, and still is, senior Hank Cloninger.

Building supportive friendships is

important for staying on a positive path. oping their identity of who they are “Good friends are not going to pres- and who they want to be,” White said. sure you to do things that you do not “They are discovering things about want to do even if they are making some themselves, establishing routines, patchoices that are unhealthy,” School terns and beliefs, and the perceptions of Based Behavioral Health Therapist others is a very important factor in how Lindsey Moss said. “A good friend is they feel about themselves. Trying to fit in is also part of that identity.” going to respect your boundaries.”

It is scientifically proven that teenHarmon says he is fortunate to have a group of friends that respect his deci- agers are not fully developed in the decision-making part of their brain dursions.

“There’s other people that place a ing adolescence. According to Stockard, value on not making destructive deci- this process is not complete until they sions and have fun without putting reach their 20s.

“Some people are a lot more secure at yourself in harms way,” Harmon said.

Finding a place to belong without wor- that time in their lives but others are just so insecure rying about and not sure negative peer of themselves pressure is IH HAD A FRIEND THAT JUST that they’ll one way to REA REALLY WANTED TO ENCOUReasily be led ensure posiin a good way tive choices.

AGE ME AND GET ME OUT OF or a bad way,” “If you can THAT THING. HE GAVE ME Stockard said. get hooked THE COMFORT THAT I DIDN’T There are up with a HAVE TO BE ACCEPTED BY two sides of group of teenTHAT GROUP OF PEOPLE. E. HE peer presagers that sure; negative make positive WAS MY ROCK. -GARRETT HARMON and positive. choices and Although peer feel strongly pressure is about those positive choices then you’re going to commonly thought of as being negative, do the exact same thing,” Psychologist peer pressure can also prove beneficial. “[Peer Pressure] is usually considered Beth Stockard said. “You’re going to feel accepted, you’re going to feel like you negative but it might be the pressure to belong, you’re going to feel like you are be a better person. The pressure to rise above the awful things in your life, and where you should be.”

Freshman Morgan Grotheer knows so that’s how it manifests and exhibits how important it is to surround herself itself,” Stockard said. “You might have teachers who pressure you into belongwith positive influences.

“If you don’t have the right friends, ing to a certain organization or club, you can have bad peer pressure. I have yet that’s a good thing at the end of the friends that give me the positive peer day.”

Positive examples can make an impact pressure; trying out for the plays, singing in encore, having my own style, because inside and outside of the classroom.

“In a positive sense, definitely in sometimes it isn’t easy when you are the sports, it’s a big encouragement to work new kid on the block,” Grotheer said.

The reason why peer pressure is such harder when you have a role model. a big deal during high school is because When everyone else is working harder teenagers are still trying to define them- you really want to put all your effort into it,” Harmon said. “Even in class selves.

“It’s a time when teenagers are devel- when everybody else is working hard

“

”

you want to try and you want to do what they’re doing as well.”

Learning how to interact with others is part of the teenage experience, as well as learning how to handle the negative and positive pressures.

“It’s human nature to find people that can support you. We are not a loner by nature, we want to be with people and be connected to people and have relationships with people,” White said. “So when kids are wanting to make those connections and build relationships with another person or group of people they are subject to those pressures whether they are positive or negative.”

Sometimes it is not as easy to say no, so instead teens follow others.

“Every once in a while there is a teenager who feels very comfortable in their own skin and marching to their own beat. They will very easily be completely resistant to any type of peer pressure,” Stockard said. “But most of the time teenagers don’t want that to be the case.”

Harmon believes this proves true.

“Whether it’s positive or negative, it’s a lot easier to just go with the flow,” Harmon said.

Going along with the crowd can become the typical thing to do when following current trends.

Whether it is using humor or strictly saying no, there are ways to stand up against the negative peer pressure.

“I know that we can all find ways to resist negative peer pressure,” Moss said. “Or find ways to decide how much we are going to allow other’s thoughts, what they think, and what they want, to impact our lives.”

Moss believes adults can help build on a positive network to ensure future success.

“We want to teach kids, and we want to surround ourselves with people who help us be better,” Moss said. “An ultimate goal for anyone is to want to surround yourself with friends, family, and people who help you do better, be better, and achieve your goals.”

Ford/AAA Auto Skills State: William Capps & Marcous Fischer - Fourth

Technology Student Association State Results: FASHION DESIGN TEAM - 1ST

DIGITAL VIDEO GAME DESIGN TEAM - 1ST

Bailey Bennett Patrick Biggs Kristen Geiger Seth Snider Priscila Ruiz

Sebastian Johns Ethan Jewel Alex Madl

ANIMATRONICS 1ST

DEBATING TECHNOLOGICAL ISSUES - 2ND

Harley Burch

Sebastian Johns Josh Lee

Vocal/instrumental results:

DISTRICT SMALL GROUP AND SOLOS:

Instruments: Jess Frasher, violin - One Kim Lamber, saxophone - One Amanda Hoffman, flute - One Jack Warring, timpani - One

Vocals: Davina Retz - One Hanna Wade - One Ashley Hall - One Erin Simons - One

MUSIC PRODUCTION

Priscila Ruiz - 2nd Alex Madl - 11th

Anthony Verga - 8th Jack Winzer - 7th Noah Braun - 6th

WEBMASTER TEAM SECOND

SYSTEM CONTROL TEAM 1 - 5TH

Priscila Ruiz Lydia Winters

Patrick Biggs Sebastian Johns Seth Snider

SYSTEM CONTROL TEAM 2 - 7TH

SYSTEM CONTROL TEAM 3 - 5TH

Jack Winzer Anthony Verga Noah Braun

Kirsten Geiger Lydia Winters Alex Riley

DIGITAL VIDEO GAME DESIGN TEAM 3 - 2ND

DIGITAL VIDEO PRODUCTION TEAM 1 - 2ND

Alex Riley Patrick Biggs Seth Snider Violet Biggs

Violet Biggs Ethan Jewell Bailey Bennett

ON-DEMAND VIDEO TEAM 1 - 4TH

ON-DEMAND VIDEO TEAM 2 - 6TH

Violet Biggs Bailey Bennett Kristen Geiger Jack Winzer

STATE QUALIFYING ENSEMBLE Girls Glee - One Men’s Chorus - One Encore - One State Large Ensemble - Two

DESKTOP PUBLISHING

Pecussion - One Sax - One Quartet - One

Lydia Winters Sebastian Johns Noah Braun Alex Madl

PROMOTIONAL GRAPHICS Alex Riley - 15th Sebastian Johns - 9th Priscilla Ruiz - 7th

Bailey Bennett - 10th Violet Biggs - 11th Ethan Jewell - 16th

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FEATURE

Friday, April 25, 2014

Piano prodigy practices whenever possible

7

Even without being enrolled in the class, Wehrman is dedicated to her passion

BY MOLLY GRAHAM

students taking the class.

“I thought it would be big smile pushes fun since it’s a new class,” its way onto Chase said. “I’m excited to sophomore Clara learn new things.”

Wehrman’s face as she says Laushman, who has piano is “Definitely,” a very been playing the piano for big part of her life.

48 years, will be teaching For the past ten years, students how to read music Wehrman has been playing and will be helping them the piano. She has been with basic music theory and taking private lessons since daily piano playing. she started and has “It’s for students entered numerous that might not competitions. be interested in PLAYING PIANO IS SOMEPL “Even to just sit singing, might down and play a THIN THING THAT I LOVE. IT’S not be interested song,” Wehrman in playing INCREDIBLY EASY FOR said. “It’s kind of instrumental music ME TO FIND TIME FOR IT. stress relief.” in the band,” EVEN ON DAYS WHEN N II’M M When Wehrman Laushman said.

INCREDIBLY BUSY. was younger, she L a u s h m a n -CLARA WEHRMAN was caught many currently has 13 times banging on keyboards which piano keys. When she was “[Playing piano] is would determine how many six, her mother asked her something that I love,” students would be allowed if she had an interest in Wehrman said.

“It’s to take the class. Because playing. incredibly easy for me to of this, Laushman has been “It just kind of went from find time for it. Even on days working on a grant proposal there,” Wehrman said. “I when I’m incredibly busy.” to try and get up to 20 knew I loved music.”

For other students keyboards for Piano Lab. She has even accompanied wanting to learn how to play “[Piano playing] is a skill Susan Laushman for two of the piano, a new Piano Lab that once you get to high the school’s productions. class will be offered and school, if it hasn’t been “I knew that she was taught by Laushman next developed yet you’re almost good,” Laushman said. “I year. Piano Lab is a non- too late,” Laushman said. started out by asking Clara auditioned music class for “I hope to persuade the if she would be interested in students who are interested committee that it’s a really doing some music theater in in beginning piano. great thing to be able to the pit with me. So last year, Freshman Heavyn Chase offer piano lessons in the she started playing in the is just one of the many middle of the school day.” @molllygraham

A

musicals with me.”

Between playing in musicals and taking lessons, Wehrman is involved in the school’s theater and encore programs, as well as swimming on a competitive team for the past eight years.

In the middle of all that, Wehrman gets to practice by herself for at least half an hour to an hour a day.

“

”

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ABBY HARRIS

Pitt State hosts on-campus event, promotes ingenuity, creativity Physics, technology classes take 56 to compete in science, technology, engineering, mathematics

BY JOSH LEE

@IamtheJoshLee

On April 4, 56 students from both the science and technology departments took part in multiple science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) related events for a chance to compete against students of other schools. The first annual Great Gorilla Games was comprised of various types of events, whether individual, team, prepared or on-site.

The school had participated in a more local form of the Gorilla Games for the past two years, but this is the first year in which the Great Gorilla Games, which includes schools from all over the SEK region, has

been conducted.

“There has been a smaller version of the games in the years past for just the technology students, but this is the first year that we have gone with the science students,” Technology Teacher Larry Dunekack said. “And we are very proud to have won the first one.”

Science Teacher Larry Downing is also enthusiastic about the collaboration between the science and technology departments.

“The events used to be what we called more ‘hands-on’ education, but it is really more of STEM now, science and technology,” Downing said. “My students get to take the theories that they’ve learned in class and they get to go and apply it.”

The students were very successful. Multiple students got first place in their respective events, and many other students placed within the top three.

When it comes to building structures, assembling robots and testing mousetrap cars, a lot of dedication and diligence is required, according to junior Seth Snider. He has put a lot of hard work into all of his events.

“This is a really big competition, and we have to start preparing from early on in the year,” Snider said.

While some of the events at the Games may be on-site, many others are prepared events, meaning that students like Snider have had to invest many hours into their projects. Snider

has had to prepare a robot, build a bridge, and even learn how to operate different types of software.

At the competition, students have various chances to solve problems, brainstorm ideas and test their knowledge. Not only do they work, but they have different opportunities to experience what it is like to live in today’s technological world. The science and technology students received the opportunity to drive tractors, test software and operate different types of machines.

“We learned a lot of things and got to use what we learned,” junior Sage Mahnken said.

“It was a great experience and I look forward to participating again next year.”

Fischer, Capps place in autotech competition Ford-sponsored AAA competition tests students’ abilities to build, repair broken Ford Fiestas

BY ERICA SEAL

@sealgirl0603

Seniors Marcous Fischer and William Capps competed at the American Automobile Assocation/Ford State Contest located at the Kansas Speedway last week. They faced ten other teams, where they had to diagnose and repair a rental 2014 Ford Fiesta.

The whole auto tech class had to take the American Automobile Association (AAA) test in February that over 300 students in the state took as well. Both students scored high enough to qualify for contest.

“Mr. Nunn really drilled in the information we needed for the test this year and that helped me,” Capps said.

The students made top 20 in the state and placed in the top ten.

“It’s not an easy contest to qualify for,” said auto tech teacher Adam Nunn.

On the night of April 16, the students attended the opening ceremonies where they ate dinner with the AAA executives and other contestants.

“I felt kind of spoiled that night” Fischer said.

The contestants also stayed at the Great Wolf Lodge in Kansas City and received water park passes. The students prepared by working on a car provided by Columbus Ford, preparing for any situation and studying.

“Mr. Nunn bugged the car by doing simple things that we might encounter at contest,” Capps said. “I find this helpful because it is sometimes just the simplest thing and Mr. Nunn is making sure we are ready for any of it.”

After all of this preparation, Fischer and Capps felt ready for the competition. The students had an hour and a half to fix the car based on a sheet of customer complaints and a list of problems with the car.

“I welcome the challenge, but you never know what can happen,” Capps said.

The two seniors placed fourth and only the top four could go to final judging. Each received an air hose accessories kit, recommendation for employment at Ford, $2,000 in scholarship and a fourth place trophy. They mainly had to work on things like unplugged connectors, break positioning switch that was out, etc.

“I think it kind of made us ready for the real world,” Fischer said Staying calm was the hardest part for Fischer because of the limited time and rushing around to get the car fixed. Unlike 15 other teams that the boys competed against, their car actually started. In the past, auto teach students have competed in this same competition, however they have not placed higher than eighth.

Fischer and Capps placed the highest out of any students since Nunn has taught auto tech at the high school. Both students plan to further their skills to college, Capps plans to attend Pitt State University automotive and Fischer plans to attend college for automotive as well.

“It was a really good opportunity for me to further my learning and get scholarships and bring publicity to Pittsburg High,”

8 SPORTS Sports Updates Boys Tennis The varsity has conquered the Mill Valley, Independence, Topeka, Hayden and home tournaments. They have won four out of the six tournaments as a team.

Thursday, May 1, they will participate in the SEK league tournament in Independence.

Boys Golf The varsity golf team has competed in four tournaments so far this season, three of which were counted towards their league rank. Coach Merle Clark has seen considerable improvement in their total scores at each tournament.

Depending on the outcome at their last league tournament this Tuesday, in Columbus. Four golfers have the chance to earn SEK league titles.

Baseball The varsity baseball team was faced with a hard start to this season. With four wins out of seven games halfway through the season, the baseball hopes to end their season well with hard work. The coaches have already seen improvements during practice. The next game will be against Baxter Springs on April 29.

Softball Pittsburg’s varsity softball team has won six out of eight games so far this season. They have 2 wins out of the four league games played. The team is working towards their goals. The softball team will face their next opponent, Parsons, on May 1 at home.

Track and Field Varsity girls and boys track teams each took first in two meets so far this season. Their next meet is April 25, in Fort Scott. The track team hopes to continue their winning streak for the rest of the season.

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Field of juniors With only one senior on baseball team, juniors step into leadership roles

BY ALLI BADEN @Allibaden @ It is gameday and the varsity baseball team takes the field. In a normal season, the starting lineup is a variety of seniors, juniors and occasionally sophomores and freshmen. This season, however, when the game begins nine juniors make up the starting lineup.

With only one senior on the team, head baseball coach Keith Matlock needed the junior class to step up.

“We are depending heavily upon them,” Matlock said. “Our philos- ophy is we are going to put the best kids on the field that are going to give us the chance to win and right now that is nine juniors.”

Although it is coincidence that all nine starters consist of juniors, it did not happen by chance.

Each junior individually had to earn their spot as a starter. Junior Lucas Redd believes that the worked he put into practice helped him to be the starting second baseman.

“I have came to practice everyday, worked hard and tried to get better each day and so did a lot of the other players,” Redd said.

Matlock agrees with Redd.

“They are a hard working group,” Matlock said.

“They have been since I was here last year.”

But with a younger team comes challenges. Out of the nine starters, six have had varsity experience before this year. And with that inexperience comes errors. The team is currently 4-7.

“The games that we lost we just had a couple of mistakes that come from inexperience in youth,” Matlock said. “The games that we won we played well and I think overall we have seen a lot of good things and a lot of things that we can build on.”

There have been occasions, however, when sophomore Connor Spresser makes the starting lineup. Spresser believes that the juniors have pushed him to become a better player and have made practices more enjoyable. “[The juniors] work really hard every practice but also make it fun,” Spresser said.

And with all nine starters returning for next season, Matlock has high hopes.

“Returning next year we will not have that inexperience that we are faced with this year,” Matlock said. “If these guys continually work in the off season it will be a very good year for us.”

Redd agrees with Matlock.

“I think this season is just kind of a trial run for us but I think next season we will really be able to put our potential to the test.”

Matlock believes that the upperclassmen have also provided a great leadership role to the younger players.

“They are doing a really good job with talking with the freshman and sophomores and are trying to be the example so they have really done everything that we asked them to do,” Matlock said.

Varsity tennis tramples opponents throughout season Dynamic duo’s 23-1 record leads the way for rest of team heading into post season

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BY PARKER MATTHEWS @pspongebob

urpassing even their own expectations, the number one tennis doubles team of juniors Micah Hashman and Nick Powers currently have a 23-1 record.

The pair’s one loss came against Independence at the team’s tournament in Arkansas City. Since then, Hashman and Powers have defeated Independence to earn them “most recent win” which will ultimately earn the duo a higher seed than their league rival.

“I got in a little rough patch, and it threw me and Micah’s game off, especially in our loss to Independence,” Powers said. “But since Jack Johnson helped me out, I’ve been doing extremely well.”

“Extremely well” perfectly describes the already-impressive 23-1, and to add to their resume, the dynamic duo has defeated the number one doubles teams from Mill Valley, Bishop Miege, Independence, and Morrisville.

“Nick and I just play well together,” Hashman said.

“We’re usually in sync which helps us beat some of the harder competition.”

The pair of juniors first picked up a tennis racket their freshman year. After fellow junior Zach Dee persuaded them to attend the tennis meeting, Hashman and Powers realized they both enjoyed the sport.

“Zach Dee said it’d be more fun than track, and it was; coach Seal was really cool, too.”

Powers said. “We got into tennis. Micah and I are pretty competitive already. And since we are doubles partners, we can push each other, and play one another.”

With the help of the pairs team of Hashman and Powers, the varsity team will enter the SEK tournament, hosted in Independence, with expectations to place first.

“We have a good shot to win SEK, our main competition is Independence,” senior Hank Cloninger said. “Coach Seal says whether we win or lose comes down to how our two’s play.”

As number two doubles, Cloninger and fellow senior and partner Josh Dial may hold the key to the varsity’s success.

On the singles side, the number one is junior Logan Benham and the number two is junior During the Varsity boys tennis match, Junior Nick Powers hits the ball over the net to his opponent. PHOTO BY MACY FRASCO Adrian McAfee.