April 2013 by Booster Redux

News

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Friday, April 26, 2013

Seven students journey to Alabama for national competition Forensics and policy debate will represent school in Birmingham BY MIRANDA MOORE The Booster Redux

he Pittsburg High School forensic team has been busy. In the past month they have hosted a tournament, fine tuned performance for state, and most recently qualified four people for nationals. “Kids try for four years in high school to get to qualify and we have seven students this year that are making that journey, three of them are seniors and four of them are sophomores,” forensics coach Julie Laflen said. This past weekend the South Kansas National Forensics League tournament was held at Augusta High School. Haley Uttley and Jason McDonald competed against students from ten other schools and both qualified for the national competition this summer in Birmingham Alabama. “The best part was being relieved after the final round, having Mrs. Laflen come grab me and saying

‘You’re going to nationals!’” Uttley said. Uttley qualified in original oration, a persuasive speech, and McDonald in foreign extemp, a speech over foreign relations that only allows thirty/30 minutes to prepare. Joseph Matthew also qualified, but is already attending the tournament in policy debate so passed the spot down. McCauley Windsor placed third in humorous interpretation and was only one point away from placing second and is first alternate. At a separate national qualifying tournament earlier this year for congress events senior Bryan Stebbins placed first in senate and has a result will also head to Alabama. All in all PHS will be taking seven students to nationals, four in policy debate and three in forensic events. “These kids have worked really hard and this is a top honor for them to go to this tournament,” Laflen said.

At a tournament earlier this season, senior Bryan Stebbins prepares a speech over gun control. For Congress Stebbins placed first at that tournament and a few weeks later qualified for the National tournament in Birmingham, Alabama in Senate in Independence. PHOTO BY MIRANDA MOORE

Teenage abuse packs a punch: dating violence CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1D

According to Moss, abuse, both emotional or physical, can occur in any type don’t look for guidance, violent relationships can lead to higher risk of substance of relationship, whether it is the male abusing the female or vice versa. However, abuse, eating disorders, risky sexual behavior, and further domestic violence, Moss said that when it is the female abusing the male, it goes under reported according to loveisrespect.org. Another problem, Moss says, is that parents and other adults aren’t seeing the because there is “kind of a stigma that they do not want to tell anyone that violence as an issue. According their girlfriend is hurting them to loveisrespect.com, 81 percent or emotionally being abusive.” of parents believe teen dating Abuse also occurs within sameviolence is not a problem or admit sex relationships. they don’t know if it’s a problem. “I think the first step [in getting “I think people would like out of an abusive relationship] to think it doesn’t necessarily would be recognizing that ‘okay happen in teenage relationships,” maybe this isn’t the healthiest Moss said. “Adults kind of have relationship for me,’ and seeking these blinders on that ‘oh that help or advice from someone.” doesn’t happen, teenage dating Moss said. “Depending on how is wonderful and lovely,’ but in violent or how significant the reality, that is when abuse starts abuse is, there are lots of safety happening. That’s really when measures that people need a lot of abusive relationships to take care of and make sure begin and we start to build those everyone’s protected.” patterns is when we are teenagers Moss suggests that if someone and we are learning how to have is involved in dating violence, relationships.” they need to tell somebody. Even “At first, everything was fine. It started out Resource officer Mike Reese though everybody’s situation small with shoving and things like that, so I also agrees that adults are not is different, she recommends aware of how serious dating talking to a parent, a school kind of just blew it off.” violence is. He feels that there counselor, a teacher, a coach -AMY GALLAGHER needs to be better education or someone they can trust that on the topic for parents and will lead them in the direction to students. Considering there is no seek more help. law particularly concerning teen violence, he “My advice is to talk to people about says informing teens would be the best way to it, don’t hide it and don’t be ashamed,” prevent it. Gallagher said. “It’s not your fault. It’s “It would be tough to write the wording [for really easy to get Stockholm Syndrome a law] to say that this act is specifically for teen and think there is a reason there is dating violence,” Reese said. “I don’t think nothing wrong with it, but it is definitely there will probably be any laws regarding wrong. Tell somebody about it. If you it, I think if there is violence it would just tell one person then most likely they be charged as battery. I think there should are going to convince you to tell more definitely be more education on it though.” people. That is how it was with me, I told Gallagher reported her abuser to the police one person and they convinced me to tell and he was later charged with a misdemeanor. a bunch of other people, which helped She said she hasn’t let what happened in me get out of [the relationship.]” the past control what she is doing now. For There are also local resources that example, Gallagher has been in a relationship people can utilize if they find themselves for almost three years and describes it as in a violent situation. Those suffering “great example of a healthy relationship.” abuse can contact the SafeHouse Crisis “It’s never as bad as you think it is, telling Center of Pittsburg; the Pittsburg State people,” Gallagher said. “He or she can University Office of Violence Response threaten you with a bunch of different things and Prevention; the Kansas Crisis but a lot of the time, the bigger the threat Hotline; and the local police. is, it’s just to scare you. The healing process Gallagher was fortunate enough to wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be and I seek help and get out of the relationship managed to get over it pretty well.” without experiencing the damaging effects of abuse and even getting away *Name has been changed to protect the from negative alternatives. However, privacy of the student* other teenagers aren’t as lucky. If teens

Performance with a purpose Repertory theater students put on social issues play BY KATIE PHALEN The Booster Redux

The repertory theater class is in the midst of their performance week for their sixth annual social issues play. This year, the class is focussing on the topic of abusive relationships with their show You Belong To Me. The cast gave the world premiere performance on Wednesday morning to an audience of local high school students and an evening show later that night, which was open to the public. Two other performances were given yesterday morning and afternoon for hundreds of other students from area schools. You Belong To Me will be shown for the last times today at 9:00 and 12:30 for two more groups of students, one of which will be the high school student body. The performances for the students are immediately

followed by a question and answer session with the cast that allows the audience to discuss the topic and express their point of view on the issue depicted in the show. “The social issues play is nothing more than bringing a topic to light and hopefully continuing a conversation,” Theater Director Greg Shaw said. “I am, and most people are, a believer in the fact that theater can entertain, it can educate, and most importantly, it can get people thinking.” Senior Gracie Spencer, who has performed in three social issues plays, says that these shows are always very unlike the other shows she is in. “I really like doing these shows because they’re so different than all of the rest of our shows throughout the year, but my most favorite part is getting to perform for the

area schools and also getting to talk to them during the talk back sessions after the show,” Spencer said. “It’s great for other schools to see what we do at PHS.” To prepare for her role as a victim of relationship abuse, Spencer drew from her own relationship experience, but had to conduct some research in order to portray the part of her role that involved the abuse. “I’ve actually done a lot of research on signs that someone is in an abusive relationship to know how to act and I’ve also looked on YouTube of videos of girls explaining their personal stories of being in an abusive relationship and that’s helped me a lot.” The performances given today will be the last of the theater departments for this year.

Nashville Bound: FCCLA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1D to get the material memorized”. In order to start preparing for nationals, Foresman will be spending her dragon time with Dalton every day to go over her results from state and try to improve her presentation skills. Even though this has been Foresman’s first year with FCCLA, she said that the club itself has helped with her critical thinking and creativity skills over the course of the year. Accompanying Foresman this year at nationals, will be Malory White, Christian Rossback and Dalton. “I am very excited to go but I am more excited about the trip itself” Foresman said. “There is a water park we will be going to and we will also be sightseeing the city.”

Applebee’s: Student work CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1D talking about how Applebee’s has changed and how I’ve helped make that change.” Parks is the photo editor for the Booster Redux, the Purple and White Yearbook, has also taken pictures for the Morning Sun, and is a parttime videographer. He has won numerous KSPA monthly contests, Parks received an honorable mention in editorial writing at 2012 4A Regionals, and received 3rd place for his commentary writing at the 2012 JEA National Convention. This year, he received an honorable mention in student life photography at the 2013 4A Regionals and will be attending State on May 3, 2013. He received an honorable mention for his photography portfolio through JEA at the National Convention in November 2012. “My awards reassure me that the work I am doing is quality work,” Parks said. “Seeing other people’s work is at times intimidating and being noticed for the good work that I’ve produced is reassuring.”

Opinion

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Booster Redux staff and policy Editors-in-Chief Ryan Taylor Bethanne Elliott Katie Phalen Managing Editors Michaela Wagner Malory White Copy Editors Parker Matthews Logan Rink Photo Editor Hayden Parks News Editor Reece Burns Sports/Activities Editor Miranda Moore Feature/Opinion Editor Abbi Epperson Art Editor Duncan Willis Graphic Designer Reagan Rink Staff Emily Baden Caden Yantis Alli Baden Ashlee Beitzinger Macy Frasco Morgan Plank Joban Mendpara Suhani Mendpara Priscila Ruiz Evan Rajotte Rebeca Espadas 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 620-235-3200. 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.

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Music influences choices Vulgar language affects life decisions increasing number of teenage individuals drinking alcohol and using drugs, the influence is evident. What is the solution to eliminating negative musical influence? Musical artists cannot be told to censor their lyrics and BY MALORY WHITE teenagers cannot be told what music to listen The Booster Redux to. Ultimately, hearing an explicit reference White’s wisdom is as easy as turning on the radio. In 2011, a song entitled “Young, Wild and An article entitled “A Dangerous Melody: Free” was released that contained lyrics including, “So what we get drunk, so what we How Music Lyrics Affect Teens” discusses how a song resembles a story. smoke weed, we’re just having fun, we don’t “Today’s popular care who sees...That’s music lyrics tend how its supposed to to follow the same be: living young and story, that is: wild and free.” overdosing on drugs The average and alcohol which teenager listens referred to then leads to sex to about 2.5 hours alcohol with a stranger and of music daily. finally concludes According to a new with drunken-rage report in The Archives violence or some of Pediatrics and self-harm,” the Adolescent Medicine, article states. “Who one in three popular listens to this story songs contains every time they turn explicit references to referred to on the audio? Teens. drug or alcohol use. marijuana use Teens are exposed It was determined to songs that that kids are receiving will change their about 35 references to future potential substance abuse for and opportunities. every hour of music It doesn’t matter they listen to. which channel is referred to A music review unspecified on, stories that one performed by substances or would find in the The University of drugs other adult section of a Pittsburgh revealed than alcohol book store are at that out of the 279 just the click of a most popular pop, button on the radio. rock, rap, R&B/hipThis is the danger of hop and country music.” songs of 2005, 24% 2,500 years ago, referred to alcohol Plato offered a use, 14% referred referred to suggestion. to marijuana tobacco “Any musical use, 12% referred innovation is full of to unspecified danger to the whole substances or drugs state, and ought to other than alcohol, *according a The University of Pittsburgh study be prohibited,” Plato marijuana, or tobacco said. and 3% referred to Although I do agree music is potentially tobacco; many songs portrayed substance dangerous, I do not think it should be use positively. completely prohibited. Teenagers should be To me, this seemingly provocative music aware the stories portrayed in songs should is simply something to dance to; a majority remain just that: as stories. Teenagers should of the time, I am not even listening to the simply not base their actions off of negative lyrics, just the rhythm and the beat. To me, references they hear in songs and partake music is music no matter if it mentions in potentially life-threatening activities. marijuana, alcohol or anything influential. I Besides, those activities are not necessary; am not influenced by the negative behavior demonstrated and mentioned in the popular according to the Beatles, “All you need is love.” songs of today’s society. However, with the

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24% 14% 12% 3%

Technology gets us together but pulls us apart BY REBECA ESPADAS The Booster Redux

Espadas is a foreign-exchange student from Cancun, Mexico. Her column is printed in English and Spanish.

Espadas’ Worldly Words

f you did not know, I am an exchange student from Cancun, where I radically transitioned from coexisting everyday with my family and friends to just texting and skyping with them. This has made me realize the importance of face-to-face communication. The modern way of socializing is based on texts, calls, and emails. We use technology as our social tool and underestimate the power of communication, frequently using free time to check our mobile devices. I think it is difficult to find out the tone of a text or email that someone sent you, or vice versa, and sometimes not even emoticons or emojis can help. Not to mention how disrespectful and impolite it is to be on your phone while you are talking to someone, or should I say, while that person is trying to talk to you. Yet, technology has helped us in many ways; medicine, science, economy, etc. However, it has also torn many marriages and relationships apart. Personally, I think that relationships these days are losing their essence. Individuals are determining how official

their relationships by updating their Facebook status, fighting because they liked someone else’s picture, breaking-up by adding someone else, or ending friendships because they posted something a friends misunderstood. It is something we are getting used to, something that is getting normal and colloquial. We are letting technology do everything for us. We are not thinking, we are just looking for answers and sometimes, we even want the questions done for us. Our new generations are spending more time online thinking about updating their status, tweeting what happened at lunch and reblogging a post and watching their favorite video. It is not about what you do with technology. It is about how you are spending minutes, hours, days and years using an electronic device, while not letting you see how wonderfully you can live and realize the greatest things in life. I’m not saying throw away all the technology you own, because it is not about not being able to use it, it is about learning how to use it, with moderations and wisdom, not letting a computer live for us. One day you will realize how you spent your life. People will be gone eventually and you will regret those nights you didn’t ignore your phone at dinner time. So disconnect with technology, and reconnect with life.

Look for the helpers BY LOGAN RINK

The Booster Redux

Rink’s reality check

he beloved and timeless Mr. Rogers once said, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers — so many caring people in this world.” Last week was a mess. From the Waco, Texas, fertilizer plant explosion to the attempted ricin poisonings on lawmakers and the president to the tragic bombing at the Boston Marathon, I think Americans have had just about as much as we can take. Especially after the bombing in Boston that left three dead and hundreds injured, we as Americans seem to be a little exasperated. How do we move on from that? How could we possibly move on from such a horrible catastrophe? The same way that we moved past the Oklahoma City Bombing and the attack on the World Trade Center on Sept 11, 2001: we look for the helpers. Just over a week since the bombing, we keep hearing stories and seeing footage of the helpers who were present at the Boston Marathon on April 15. We hear stories like that of the former Patriots player Joe Andruzzi carrying a woman to safety and of Costa Rican immigrant and peace activist Carlos Arredondo, who lost his son in Iraq, helping the injured to safety. One of the most remarkable heroic acts at the Boston Marathon bombing was reported by the NBC Sports Network Twitter: “Reports of Marathon Runners that crossed finish line and continued to run to Mass General Hospital to give blood to victims.” When you take a moment to think about it, you realize that those heroes had just finished running 26.2 miles (a miracle in its own right) and kept going to save their fellow runners and spectators who were injured. Over the next few weeks, we will continue to hear similar stories of the many heroes who ran toward the site of the bombing instead of away to help their fellow citizens. Heroes from past tragedies like Chris Gross, who donated an entire year’s salary to children orphaned by the Oklahoma City bombing, and the first responders of the attack on the twin towers are our road to recovery. They are how we make peace with the most trying times in our country. And so, the helpers at the Boston Marathon bombing not only helped the injured... they will help America move on.

Tecnología nos ayuda a estar juntos pero a la vez nos separa BY REBECA ESPADAS The Booster Redux

Espadas es una estudiante de intercambio. Su columna está impresa en Inglés y Español. Espadas y sus palabras mundiales or si no sabias, soy una estudiante de intercambio de Cancún, donde literalmente cambie de convivir con mi familia y amigos a simplemente mandarnos mensajes skypear, lo que ha hecho que me de cuenta lo importante de comunicarse cara a cara. Hoy en día nuestra forma de socializar es a base de mensajes, llamadas, correo, usamos la tecnología como forma de una herramienta social cuando minimizamos el poder de la comunicación, usando en nuestro tiempo libre nuestros aparatos electrónicos. Sin embargo, la tecnología nos ha ayudado en muchas maneras, ciencia, economía, e infinidades de cosas, pero también ha destruido amistades y relaciones. Yo creo que es muy difícil averiguar el tono de un mensaje que alguien te mandó o vice versa, y lamentablemente los emoticones o emojis no ayudan. Personalmente yo creo que las relaciones hoy en día han perdido su esencia, relaciones están siendo determinadas por el tipo de estado de relacion que tengas en Facebook, peleando porque le dieron me gusta a una foto, terminando relaciones por

agregar alguien, rompiendo amistades porque escribieron algo sus amigos no entiendo, etc. Sin mencionar la falta de respeto y falta de educación el usar el celular mientras que habla con alguien, o debería de decir, mientras que alguien intenta hablar contigo. Es algo que no estamos acostumbrados, algo que se está volviendo normal y coloquial. Estamos dejando que la tecnología haga todo por nosotros, dejamos de pensar, y escribimos por respuestas, y en ocasiones hasta queremos que nuestras preguntas sean hechas. Nuestras nuevas generaciones están desperdiciando más tiempo en línea pensando que estado escribir, “tweeteando” que paso en recreo, “reblogeando” una imagen y viendo su video favorito. No es por lo que haces con el internet, es sobre cómo utilizamos esos minutos, horas, días y años, frente a una máquina que no te va a dejar nada positivo, que no te deja ver lo grandioso que es vivir, y las maravillas de la vida. No digo que tires toda la tecnologia que tengas, porque de eso no se trata, es acerca de como aprender a usarlo, con moderación y siendo inteligente, no dejando una computadora vivir por nosotros. Un día te darás cuenta cómo viviste tu vida, eventualmente la gente se va a ir, y lamentaras esas noches que no dejaste el celular a la hora de comer, así que desconectate de la tecnología y conecta con la vida.

A rts & Entertainment Two new faces for T.W.O.

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Friday, April 26, 2013

The next game console

Army of Two adds another game to franchise BY PARKER MATTHEWS

partnership between the two made the game play more fun, The Booster Redux especially more fun to play with a friend. Compared to Rios and he Mexican drug cartel has been a serious insubordinate Salem’s relationship, Alpha and Bravo are seemingly peers, of world issues for several decades. Many different nothing more. The Devil’s Cartel lacks dynamic charactersorganizations have tried their luck at defeating drug cartels, only one character has a first and last name- it lacks the fun whether they are government agencies or mercenary that co-op games offer. organizations. In Army of Two: The Devil’s Cartel, two I was an avid fan of the Army of Two franchise before The mercenaries which work for Trans World Operations (T.W.O.) Devil’s Cartel. Now that the story line is all jumbled up, the tale fight a specific branch of the Mexican cartel: La Guadana. of Rios and Salem is dead, with it my passion for these games. Offering a unique take at partnerships, Army of Two games Along with the new game play so reliant on cooperation with are very fun. your partner, there is an armory full of In this action-packed third-person customizable guns. The 40th Day took the shooter, the main character is Alpha, an customization a step further by adding a American operative under T.W.O., he Army of Two: The Devil’s Cartel new assortment of attachments, such as works with his partner Bravo. While in bayonets or pop can silencers. I figured Mexico, Alpha and Bravo meet many companions, all of the Devil’s Caftel would add even more attachments and whom are killed by La Guadana. These casualties include customization of the weapons; however, I was mistake, for the fellow T.W.O. operatives and the main consultant, Fiona. only improvement lied in the weapon camos. Eventually, Alpha and Bravo take out Estaban Bautista, the Overall the game play of The Devil’s Cartel was fun, the leader of La Guadana. Along with disbanding this particular graphics were fairly good, and the customization saw a few faction of the drug cartel, Alpha and Bravo capture El Diablo, a improvements, though each aspect could have been much rogue mercenary who works for La Guadana. better. However, the story line was a tragedy, plus it brought Tyson Rios and Elliot Salem were the two originating back the beloved Rios and Salem duo, only to have it split up characters of the Army of Two franchise. Throughout Army of by a twisted turn of events. Also, the ending is confusing due to Two and Army of Two the 40th Day the relationship between events which transpired in the previous game. Army of Two: Rios and Salem was evidently very deep. They relied on The Devil’s Cartel is a game worth renting, but there is no need one another, each put their lives in the other’s hands. The in purchasing the game.

★★★★★

BY EVAN RAJOTTE

The Booster Redux

Ouya is a new gaming console that is designed for people that are more into independent games, also referred to as indie games. Indie games are developed by people like you and I. Indie games are basic games that have a simple goal and can be very addicting. The goal just depends on the the type of game. Super Meat Boy is a side scrolling, popular indie game with one goal: save your girlfriend from the antagonist Dr. Fetus. There are more than 300 levels and every level has the same goal. Another indie game would be Slender: The Eight Pages. Slender is a first-person gametype and the goal is the walk around in a pitch black forest with a flashlight and collect the eight pages that are posted around the forest, while being followed by a tall man that wears a tuxedo and has no face. There are millions of indie games out on the market place. Ouya is designed to take these games and put them onto a console where people can play them on their television. The Ouya will be released on June 4 at a start-up price of only 99 dollars. Every game on the market place has a free demo, so you are not dedicated to buy the game before you ever play it for the first time. The Ouya has the ability to get online so you can play with other people, or connect four controllers together and play split screen. With all of this cool innovative technology, I really want to see what the community will do with this new console and see how it will progress.

PHS holds fifth annual poetry contest 1st place

2nd place

Cherrybomb a villanelle Haylee Moore

A Woman’s Ode to Bras Isis Ruiz

A cold dark evening deemed full of regrets, fake smiles, rude thoughts; each person a fraud with black coffee and half-smoked cigarettes.

To be lifted and caressed; restricted from all movement.

Practicing their lines on little brunettes, who have bloodied memories that are flawed. A cold dark evening deemed full of regrets. She’ll pop another, hoping she forgets the longely nights that left her stomach gnawed with black coffee and half-smoked cigarettes. Angry because his life is filled with frets then lights flash and no pulse, he prays for goda cold dark evening deemed full of regrets. Little boys and girls paying thier full debts for just another moment to be awed, with black coffee and half-smoked cigarettes. After a rush the pain never resets, thought they’d give it all for that shamed facade A cold dark evening deemed full of regrets with black coffee and half-smoked cigarettes.

Sinking Down While Floating Up Jeremiah Jones

My Apocalypse Logan Rink The end of my world cannot be predicted by Mayans or Evangelics or Crazies. My world ends when your moon-face no longer lights up my sky with freckle-stars. The end of my world cannot be exacted by me, at least. My world will end when your tree-limbs no longer entangle my body, when your wind-whisper no longer tickles my ears, when your earthen-heart no longer quakes upon my breast.

Let them be saved by the load pulled by heartless gravity. Distributing the burden, bringing the pride and delight. Bras shall never lose our trust for pushing and nudging us. Ah the hopeful sensation to walk in and feel no shame. To extend those anxious hands and fumble over blindly.

Honorable Mention

Gripping pleasant cold metal, so as to release the trapped.

The Holy Trinity Ryan Crews

Unleash those beauties that call, and thank the guarding stronghold. And when it is time to go, bless the fortiﬁcation.

Honorable Mention

3rd place

Oh how precious and divine, this garment, this rescuer.

Some men are searching for the righteous path. Well, then I ask what is wrong with flawed men? ‘Cause two-plus-you in heaven’s just flawed math. A written letter can spawn a blood bath. Does this mean that evil seeps through all pens? Some men are searching for the righteous path. Add it all up and subtract their math. When you-plus-me equals heaven, what’s sin? ‘Cause two-plus-you in heaven’s just flawed math.

Breathing in this water, I realize I am slowly sinking deeper. I know your name doesn’t belong in my lungs, But my frantic heart tells me that’s where it belongs. Getting lighter as the weight from my problems slowly ﬂoat away, While I slowly drift further from the bay.

History can lead right men down wrong maps. So I suppose you beleive in God then? Some men are searching for the righteous path. Stick ‘em up, punk. Stick up those ﬁsts of wrath. Show me where original sin has been. ‘Cause two-plus-you in heaven’s just ﬂawed math.

And as my lungs ﬁll, Your name is pushed out as they overspill. And oh what impossible luck, I’m sinking down While I’m ﬂoating up.

Miracles call for threee men to a bath. And then some men just aren’t made to ﬁt in. Some men are searching for the righeous path. ‘Cause two-plus-you in heaven’s just ﬂawed math.

Dragons in the crowd

Attention

Q: What is your favorite subject that you have taken/taught at PHS? Why? Trevor Pierson:

Freshman

“Art. It’s one of the things that interests me.” Sydney Lenati

Proud sponsor of Pittsburg High School’s

Sophomore

“Band. Everyone is just so upbeat and it’s a good family environment.” Courtney Douglas: Junior “Band. I like playing my flute; I’ve played ever since I was seventh grader and its a good way to express yourslef.” Luis Pavon:

Senior

“Art. You don’t have to focus on anything. You can just expres what you’re feeling.” Merle Clark: Faculty Member “Health classes. I’ve taught weights, biology and physical science but in health, I can talk to students in an open forum about anything that impacts their life.”

LINDA DUNEKACK

MIRANDA DARNABY

! ! ! ! ! !

“Make A Difference Club” Members The Character Education Trait of the Month for April is

Integrity

Integrity is a concept of consistency of actions Make a difference by acting upon positive beliefs. Have integrity of character.

We are still collecting shoes to donate to Soles4Souls until the 5K run on Saturday April 27th www.soles4souls.org

! ! ! ! ! !

A rts & Entertainment Television bests motion pictures over time

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Movies cannot compete with new improvements in TV shows BY JOBAN MENDPARA The Booster Redux

Television series and movies aim to accomplish the same goal. They both attempt to tell a story that captivates the viewer and makes the viewer want to watch more. But both, television and movies, have their own strengths and weaknesses. In this generation of cinema, movies have appealed to the general audience by adding trivial things, such as big explosions, high-speed car chases, and the occasional out of context sex scene. Even with a larger budget than a TV series, many movies are unable to match the

sheer captivation that a TV series has to offer. However, not all movies are a victim of this problem. Movies like The Lord of the Rings, The Prestige, and Life of Pi tell a story that make it easy for the viewer to relate to the issues the characters in the movie face. What many movies lack is a strong story. Due to the short time frame a movie has, it is difficult to create a captivating story that only lasts approximately two hours. This short time frame greatly influences the content that is included in the movie. The time frame of a movie often affects the story of the movie. Had Lost been a movie, Lost would

have lost around 95% of the character development and story. This short time frame does not always hinder on the movie’s ability to interest the viewer. The time frame allows movies like Harry Potter to omit the superfluous moments of the book. Not all movies are an unfortunate product of a short time scale, and a weak story. Movies like Titanic, Avatar, and Inception hold the viewer’s attention so long, they forget to blink .Some movies are able to create a world so fascinating and vast, it makes the viewer yearn to be a part of that world. A television series can also have this effect

on viewers. The many seasons a television series is allowed to have increases it’s ability to expand the story of the series. Both Game of Thrones and The Borgias tell a story of a family’s or families’ political struggle to achieve and maintain power. And both require more than two hours tell a captivating story. Although great, television series are not perfect. Many times the makers of the series will often include an episode that is meant to simply pass time rather than progress the story. But even with the unnecessary episodes, a television series is able to create a more dynamic, and lovable story that will make the viewer watch the series for a long period of time.

Previously on Walking Dead... A graphic third season draws to an end BY CADEN YANTIS The Booster Redux

nother long and very treacherous season of American Movie Classic’s The Walking Dead (TWD) has finally passed. The beloved characters of this show have indeed come a long way by having gone through much bloodshed between both humans and zombies, fighting for survival, and most important of all, dealing with the deaths of group members. T W D recently wrapped u p i t s third season on March 31 with its finale. The finale d r e w in 12.4 million viewers, despite going against t h e premiere of Game o f Thrones on the same night. (Spoiler Alert) TWD’s finale starts off with the Governor repeatedly

punching Milton in the face after having found out that Milton sabotaged the Governor’s plan to attack the prison with his captured zombies. The episode quickly escalates after a few minutes in and it soon appears to us what diabolical plan The Governor has in mind for Milton and Andrea. As for the prison group, they are shown preparing to leave the prison, as if they are fleeing in hopes of avoiding further bloodshed. Later on, we the viewers are shocked to uncover that the prison group’s departure was all a ruse in order to ambush the Woodbury group by surprise. Tension is higher than ever between the group as the episode progresses, especially between leader Rick and his son, Carl. Rick is still trying to get over seeing the ghost of his late wife Lori, while having to deal with Carl who is constantly changing and making decisions that no kid should ever have to make. Eventually, Rick comes to the conclusion that Carl is still just a kid, which can be hard to forget in the zombie-infested world they now call home. Needless to say, a lot of events occur in this last episode, including the tragic deaths of two main characters of the show. I personally enjoyed the finale. I had been looking forward to seeing it in hopes of seeing

a final showdown between Woodbury and the group at the prison. However, the last episode did not turn out quite as I had hoped due to the events that transpired. As the episode ended, I found myself wanting to see more and it drove me crazy knowing that I would have to wait seven months for TWD’s story to continue. Since the last episode was aired, there has been much hysteria caused by fans of the show saying that this last episode of the season was the weakest or that it didn’t meet their expectations. When it comes to a show or even movies about zombies, viewers expect to have constant blood and gore, but TWD is not a show about constant action. It is about how people attempt to maintain their humanity in an apocalyptic world, while having to deal with loss, which is something I think many fans don’t stop to realize. TWD is said to be returning back in October 2013 with its fourth season, that once again, will consist of 16 episodes. Several characters will be reprising their roles and new characters are going to be introduced as well. This upcoming season is sure to have many more surprises in store for viewers, and it simply cannot get here fast enough.

Mosquito album creates a buzz

Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ new album hits the shelf BY PRISCILA RUIZ

throughout the track. I did not have much to say for “Slave”. It The month of April presented us the Yeah was rather simple and just flowed well with Yeah Yeah’s new album ‘Mosquitos’. The album everything else. Everything in this album flowed begins with “Sacrilege”, a great beginning choice smoothly with the exception of “These Paths”. I to open up to. There was definitely a hint of wasn’t particularly fond of it--it was too confusing playfulness and childish moments, but at the and messy. Karen’s vocals were all over the place same time mellowness. I think the Yeah Yeah especially with Brian’s unorganized bear getting Yeahs have the incredible ability to change up the in the way just about everywhere. style for each individual track, but never leaving “Area 52” was more of the punk type with the the mellowness touch opening guitar. The song of it all behind. is very surreal especially The Yeah Yeah for achieving the outer Yeahs are an American space theme. “Subway” Indie Rock band. The had a different twist to three member band the album. consists of Karen O on And then we return piano, Nick Zinner on again with the imitated guitar, and Brian Chase Gwen Stefani voice in on drums. Karen O is “Buried Alive” and a also the main vocals hint of rap. It was a bit for the entirety of unexpected so I wasn’t “Mosquitos”. Karen too impressed with it. has become one of my From here on, most favorite female singers, of the songs are just which doesn’t consist tied in together and go of many considering I along with the same prefer male singers by style. The first half runs a long shot. Yeah Yeah COURTESY PHOTO excellently well, but gets Yeahs tunnel their vocals kind of unorganized in the throughout the beginning middle. Towards the end, of the album, making Karen and Brian tone down Mosquitos it through a smooth the excitement. It all would start. The second half of depend if you prefer upbeat Mosquitoes was mostly dubbed. music or mellow music. Either way, Yeah Yeah “Mosquitos” has it’s albums name so obviously Yeahs’s Mosquito did an great job in bringing giving it superiority over the rest. I was vaguely something fresh and new to the plate. impressed with Karen’s vocals in this one. Karen Mosquitos is not the type of album to listen to quickly reminded me of a Gwen Stefani in the al all times. Instead, I’d prefer it when I’m working nineties. on a book report or essay. The whole album Yeah Yeah Yeahs were hoping to slightly overall is just very creative and will make the imitate Ragae’s song with “Under The Earth”. gears in your head turn, but After perhaps three I enjoyed it, but I cannot say it is one of my or four months of continuous replay probably favorites--I felt the same beat was being played half of Mosquito will be disregarded. The Booster Redux

★★★★

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“To Kill a Mockingbird” lights up the stage

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Friday, April 26, 2013

USD 250 students to give back to community on May 1 Area schools will participate in a city-wide clean up

BY SUHANI MENDPARA

BY REECE BURNS

The Booster Redux

To Kill A Mockingbird is one of the most well-written book ever and has become a classic of modern American Literature. Schools all around the country are making their students read this book to teach their students about dialect, figure of speech, allusions, and other literary devices. The story is very touching and teaches students many lessons they may not get anywhere else. The play of To Kill A Mockingbird is also a classic piece of Theatre Literature, and recently the Pittsburg Community Theatre did a play on To Kill A Mockingbird on Tuesday, April 9. “I love the play. I think it tells an important American story,” said Theatre Teacher Greg Shaw, “If you are a young , you see that you can change things and that things really can get better. If you are parent, you are reminded that children watch and listen to everything you do, and there is huge responsibility in that.” It teaches about many life lessons that could be especially useful to young students. “One of the things it teaches is that you should never judge anyone that you don’t know,” said freshman, Maddie Weidert. It also teaches many other things that are very important to life. It teaches about standing up for your beliefs, and if your beliefs are moral that is might end up in a satisfactory direction. “I think it is extremely important to see plays like this. I believe that these kind of plays can influence the way that we think and feel about our own lives and encourages us to take a hard look at ourselves, our values, and our behaviors. At the very least, it puts a face or image to an important historical time,” said Shaw.

On May 1, over 3,000 students from the Pittsburg area will be taking to the streets to purge the city of its litter. According to Superintendent Destry Brown, architect of the cleanup plan, every street in Pittsburg will be covered with the help of area private schools such as St. Mary’s Colgan and Countryside Christian Church schools. Brown has had previous experience with similar projects with Frontenac and Chanute school districts. “The City of Pittsburg asked if I had any ideas cleanupwise, which I did, and ‘Pittsburg Beautiful’ wanted to do a ‘Don’t Litter’ campaign so we are partnering with them and we are going to do it all together,” said Brown. “It was their [Pittsburg Beautiful and The City of Pittsburg] brainchild in the first place.” Brown has been keeping his eyes out for heavily littered areas during his recent travels around town. “There are some areas that are really bad,” Brown said. “You get out around Wal-Mart there’s trash everywhere; anywhere that doesn’t have housing along the street is bad. Each high school and middle school seminar (homeroom, dragon time) class will be covering about a mile of roadsides while the elementary schools will be covering their surrounding areas and dividing up the city parks. The participants will be receiving gloves from Via Christi and trash bags from Pitt Plastics to help with the process. Once the trash is bagged, the teams will leave it on the side

of the streets and the teachers will call in their location so the city can pick it up. Once the trash is picked up it is to be temporarily stored on the PCMS tennis courts. A photograph will be taken to showcase the collected garbage. Despite the 12.5 square miles of Pittsburg that is to be cleaned, Brown maintains that with over 3,000 students participating, the total time that each team puts in will only be an hour to an hour and a half. Students are expected to start by 9:00 AM and be finished and back in classes by 10:30 AM. Senior Bryan Stebbins feels this is a good opportunity for students to give back to the community; Brown’s overall goal. “I think it’s a strong initiative giving the students of USD 250 a real appreciation for the city we live in,” Stebbins said. “I will be in attendance.” After the cleanup, every building in the district will be having a cookout to celebrate the work and effort put into the activity. “We are going to try to make it into a fun event,” Brown said. “We can even tie it into health and wellness.” Senior Emily Hicks thinks the health, wellness and fun of the cleanup will improve her city. “I think it’s good because it’s going to make our town look better,” Hicks said. Junior Emily Ebbs feels that this will be a good opportunity to come together as a student body. “I think it’s good we are helping out our community,” Ebbs said. “I will definitely be going.”

Working to make a difference MAD Club partners with GBL Foundation BY MORGAN PLANK

The Booster Redux

his year The Dylan Meier Get Busy Livin’ (GBL) Foundation is celebrating their third annual GBL 5K and 1 Mile Friendship Walk on tomorrow, April 27. It will start and end at Hutchinson Field. The course is run in the shape of the number “9” to honor Meier. Meier sported this number throughout his football career at PHS and Kansas State University. Opening Announcements will begin at 8:45 a.m., and the kickoff for the 5K and Friendship Walk will be at 9 a.m. “The decision to do a 5K was based around the fitness aspect of the foundation and simultaneously doing something for the community. We have been able to get people of all ages to come out and participate. Our hope for the event is that we get more people active in their lifestyles and take the message of the foundation with them when they leave,” said Tyler Scifers said, one of the GBL’s representatives of the foundation. In addition, there will also be a Kids Fun Run. “We hope that young people understand how important it is to be passionate about things,” Scifers said. “To see that their individuality is an asset as they go through life and understand that any activity that is pursued with passion can yield results that can take them places they never would have thought possible.” The top three male and female finishers in the 5K will be given prizes. All participants will receive a 2013 GBL number 9 t-shirt and wristband, and be treated to fruit and refreshments at the finish line. The Meier family will be among many of those attending. “It’s a special thing because they are spread out across the U.S. but all make the time to come back to their hometown to celebrate the foundation,”

The Dylan Meier Get Busy Livin’ Foundation is requesting shoe donations to send to Haiti for children in need. Shoes can be dropped off at Pittsburg High School, Jock’s Nitch and MAC Fitness. The annual 5K is Saturday, April 30 at Hutchinson Field. PHOTO BY ASHLEE BEITZINGER

Scifers said. For the second year the GBL Foundation has paired up with the organization Soles4Souls to participate in a shoe drive. Soles4Souls is a charity that collects new and gently worn shoes from footwear stores and anyone willing to donate shoes in good condition. This year, the Make A Difference (MAD) club is pairing up with the GBL Foundation to take part in that. “We wanted to support the Get Busy Livin’ foundation’s annual shoe drive. It was a way to join forces with an amazing organization that reminds people to live life to the fullest by being socially responsible,” MAD club sponsor Chrystal Patrick said. All shoe collections this year will be going to Haiti. The GBL Foundation’s goal is to collect 999 pairs of shoes. Projects such as this embody the spirit of making a difference that Meier lived out. This weekend pays tribute to that very special young man that lived his life with passion and continues to inspire others to do the same. Dylan Meier was a PHS alumni that died in a tragic hiking accident in 2010. To remember Meier’s life and the inspiring things he did, his friends and family set up a foundation in honor of him, The

Dylan Meier GBL Foundation. According to the foundation’s website, the GBL Foundation was established in 2011 to provide support for individuals and groups that embody the values that Dylan pursued; adventure, fitness, curiosity, generosity, and a daily zest for life experiences. “Adventure. That is what he was all about. It was his passion,” said Merle Clark, health teacher and assistant football coach. Throughout his years, Meier traveled all around the world to live out adventures of a lifetime. “Most pictures you would see of him, he would be skydiving over the Alps, sailing around New Zealand, and running with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain,” Clark said. That is why the name of the foundation is so appropriate in relation to Dylan’s life. “The world is full of experiences and activities, and we wanted to show people all the possibilities out there if you’re just willing to put yourself out there and go for it,” one of the GBL’s representatives of the foundation Tyler Scifers said. Meier’s next big journey that he had planned was to travel to Korea to teach English. He did not know a word of Korean or a single person in Korea. “Get busy livin’. It is something that we can all draw from,” Clark said.

Singing their way to state

Opportunity knocks: 10 soloists and ensemble qualify for contest Jazz band performs at Relay For Life BY MALORY WHITE Warring, a member of both band and choir, had to The Booster Redux

10 soloists and one ensemble will be representing PHS at the state solo/ensemble contest on April 27 in Andover. Five vocal music students, five instrumental music students and one vocal ensemble received a I rating at the district solo/ensemble competition on April 13. Vocal music soloists that received a I rating at contest include seniors Jasmine Decker, Kaylin Moser, Garrett Stalder, Michaela Wagner and Sarah Walden. Accordingly, instrumental music students that received a I rating include seniors Morgan Ebbs and Sam Ortiz, sophomore Daniel Munguia and freshmen Kim Lambert and Jack Warring. The ensemble was comprised of seniors Mason Bayliss, Ryan Crews, Jordan Daniels, Shannon Dial, Luis Hernandez, Jeremiah Jones, Kevin McNay, Garrett Stalder, Bryan Stebbins and Dakota Taylor, juniors Josh Dial, Nate Finney, Cole Hamblin and Josh Schooley, sophomore Kagen White and freshmen Jon Commons, Hunter Cress, Ethan Jewell, Kenton Piatt, Will Schindler, Jack Warring and Jared Wilde. “I’m pretty proud of myself,” Warring said. “I’m surprised I got a I. I thought I was going to get a II because I had a hiccup in my [solo] performance.” Individuals were rated on a scale of I to V, I being the highest rating a participant could receive. Three instrumental music soloists, senior Lauren Geiger, junior Zach Lambert and freshman Ryan Amick, as well as two vocal music soloists, seniors Kylie Wilber and Brittany Wilde, received II ratings. Two instrumental music soloists, junior Andrew Woodburn and freshman Andrew Studyvin, received III ratings. Soloists received their pieces throughout both semesters within the school year. The selections ranged from Woodworks by Jared Spears to The Green Dog by Herbert Kingsley.

juggle preparation for the large ensemble pieces and his solo selection. “As soon as the musical ended and a little bit during the musical, I had to work on my solo for at least thirty minutes to an hour a day because of how long the piece was and the high caliber of it,” Warring said. Various amounts of practice, depending on the difficulty level of song selections, went into preparing each individual solo and large ensemble piece. “For me, solo contest is all about students having the experience of preparing music on their own and not so much being guided by me during rehearsals. A lot of the work has to be done on the student’s own,” said instrumental music teacher Cooper Neil. “With large ensemble, I rehearsed a lot of notes and rhythms in class which is a necessary thing.” Encore, Boys’ Ensemble, and Girls’ Ensemble, received a I rating, Band received a II rating and Orchestra received a III rating at the large ensemble contest held on April 18. These ratings are almost identical to last year’s ratings, however, last year, the Boys’ Ensemble received a II. “My goal for each year is improvement,” Neil said. “Our intonation was better, our expression was better and we were playing a higher level of music this year. It was a different band this year, it was excellent.” Improvement and rating are important components of the large ensemble contest, however, they are not the only ones. “While you do want to do well, and I would like us all to strive for I performances all the time, it’s also about having fun and enjoying what you’re doing,” Neil said. “That’s the number one thing that I want young musicians to understand. You can still have fun while doing hard, intense work. Ultimately, it’s about enjoying what we do as musicians.”

BY KATIE PHALEN The Booster Redux

The high school jazz band performed at the Pittsburg State University Relay For Life, a charity event that raises money and awareness for cancer research, at Carnie Smith Stadium on April 19. The band played a 30 minute set that consisted of several funk songs, including Chameleon by Herbie Hancock, Georgia on My Mind by Hoagie Carmicheal, and several other tunes. “I am very excited that the jazz band got to play at this event,” band instructor Cooper Neil said. “Not only did we get to perform in front of a large audience, but we got to give a little something back to the community.” The jazz band was asked to perform by Ginger Bayliss, mother of senior band member Mason Bayliss, and Neil took her up on the opportunity. Bayliss, who has played in the jazz band for two years, has an aunt who is currently battling cancer, so the performance meant a lot to him. “She’s not doing too well as of recent, so this performance means much more to me than publicity, it means I’m helping my family. I love knowing that.” Bayliss said. “It was very exciting. It was something new and fun, and helped a great cause,” Bayliss said. Neil shares Bayliss’ excitement with the new opportunity. The jazz band has performed at one other community performance this year at Piece of Cake Nutrition, and Neil hopes that the new exposure will result in the jazz band doing more performances over the next few years. “I want to see our jazz band do more and more community outreach events like this in the future.” Neil said. Senior Sam Ortiz says that performing in the community has been his favorite part of jazz band since joining his freshman year. “It gives us all a chance to get out there and show what we’ve got,” Ortiz said. “Sure playing in class and for formal concerts are fun, but there’s an element of live community performances that give you that rush. It’s like getting to live out your fantasy of being a rockstar.”

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Friday, April 26, 2013

Old-school rivalry officially comes to an end BY ABBI EPPERSON The Booster Redux

Everybody has their little rivalries in the workplace, but some are a little fishier than others; literally. Every April Fool’s day, as part of an old French tradition, the french classes descend on the halls of the high school putting paper fish on everyone. The idea of the tradition is to get the paper fish on people’s backs without them noticing however, their actions do not usually go unnoticed. While they try to “fish” everyone and everything, French teacher Chris Colyer takes even more enjoyment in pranking social science teacher Gary Wolgamott. “We decided one year, I don’t remember when, that we would fish Mr. Wolgamott and his room because he doesn’t like the French,” Colyer said. “ When we did it, it caught Mr. Wolgamott off guard. He had a good time with it and we all laughed. So every year since then, he comes back and I get fished. We just go back and forth and we have a lot of fun doing it. My class loves it and they love fishing Wolgamott because he’s the most fun to do.”

Wolgamott and Colyer’s friendly rivalry has been going on for as long as both can remember. The rivalry was originally based on Wolgamott’s apparent dislike of the french and turned into a friendly, entertaining rivalry. “We have a friendly rivalry that started years ago when we were both first teaching here,” Wolgamott said. “I teach world history so we deal a lot with French history and I would tease her a little bit about things that the French have done wrong. It has just grown over the years. I always tell my classes that I don’t like the French because I know it irritates her. Then, she does what she can to irritate me back.” Although they may tease each other back and forth, at the end of the day, all the joking stems from the fact that the two are actually very good friends. “It’s just kind of a friendly irritation and she does what she can to irritate me back,” Wolgamott said. “ We just joke with and irritate each other, then we kind of laugh and go on. We’re really good friends.” Posing for a photo, French teacher Chris Colyer and History teacher Gary Wolgamott playfully express their rivalry. Colyer holds a white piece of paper, representing the surrender of her April Fool’s joke on Wolgamott. Every year, Colyer repeatedly fishes Wolgamott’s room on April Fool’s day. PHOTO BY HAYDEN PARKS

As retirement approaches, six faculty members say goodbye BY MORGAN PLANK The Booster Redux

ll good things must come to an end. The current school year will be the last one at PHS for six of our faculty members. Math teacher Dave Hudson has been teaching for almost four and a half decades, 10 years being at PHS. During those years, Hudson sponsored the Math Club and Math Relay competitions along with coaching the middle school boys’ basketball team for four years. His favorite part of teaching was seeing students learn mathematics and the improvement they made. “I will also miss the interaction with the students, teachers, and administration,” Hudson said. After he retires, he plans on working on his farm and spending time with his wife and their first grandchild. S c i e n c e teacher Mike Wilbert has been teaching within the school district for 39 years. He first taught at Lakeside Junior High School for six years and then switched to PHS when the building first opened in 1980. Outside of the classroom, Wilbert has coached football for 20 years, baseball for 32 years, and some girls’ basketball as well as sponsoring proms, clubs, and other various activities. “It’s hard to say what I will miss the most as I have enjoyed and continue to enjoy many aspects of

teaching,” Wilbert said. “Coaching was also a huge part of my teaching experience and I will miss that as well.” Upon looking back, Wilbert realizes that teaching is a rewarding occupation. “The thing I will miss most about teaching is that ‘lightbulb’ moment when you know as a teacher that you have helped a student learn something new,” Wilbert said. Wilbert has a variety of hobbies that he will use to fill his time after retirement including hunting, fishing, gardening and raising cattle. Since 1989, English teacher Mike Hogard has been a part of the PHS faculty. Hogard has been involved with the school by being class sponsor and Key Club sponsor. “My favorite part about teaching is the students,” Hogard said. “I love to see them engaged and enjoying learning. I hope I have, in some small way, contributed to their love of learning and made their stay at PHS happy.” Throughout his years teaching, Hogard has developed a love for the school and community. “PHS is a wonderful place for students and a great place to work,” Hogard said. “The community should be proud of the hard work and dedication that the teachers have for their children.” Upon his retirement, Hogard will not only be leaving behind PHS but also his beloved students.

All they want to do is dance Seniors attend prom four years in a row BY ABBI EPPERSON The Booster Redux

Prom is generally considered to be a high school right of passage, a few students just happen to pass sooner than others. The experience of prom is typically allowed only to juniors and seniors. There are, however, a few seniors who have had the opportunity to attend all proms during all four years of high school. “I had a great time and made so many memories,” senior Brie Moore said. “We don’t have formal dances throughout the year, so prom was something I had the chance to look forward to every year.” For Moore, although she did enjoy every year, her favorite was her freshman year prom. “It was my first prom, so it was really exciting,” Moore said. “There was really good food and music and we were in the Pitt State Ballroom so everything looked really nice.” Other students who went all four years enjoyed the experience, but felt that four years may have been a little too much. “I’m really glad I got to go all four years because I had the opportunity to get all dressed up, but it made my junior and senior prom much less special,” senior Gracie Spencer said. “If I could do it all over again, I would only go to my junior and senior prom.” Senior and 2013 prom king Garrett Stalder could not have been happier to get to attend all four years. Still, he had a favorite year. “My favorite prom was my senior prom, just because I’m a senior,” Stalder said. “I just kind of hung loose like it was my senior year. I didn’t care what people thought about me. I wasn’t worried about drama. I just went there and danced like crazy. Afterwards, I got to hang out with some good friends on the party bus and go to IHOP. I just had a great time.” Stalder considered his four years of prom to be wonderful and something that he would cherish as a great part of his high school career. “It’s an experience that a lot of people don’t get,” Stalder said. “And I was blessed enough to get to go all four years.”

Back to basics: Gray enlists in boot camp BY ALLI BADEN The Booster Redux

To be successful in any career, there must be some training involved. Some job training takes days, others take months. For a military career, however, training is a great way to find out if you are fit for military life. Senior Tyler Gray plans to complete this training and someday become a major in the army. “I have wanted to join the military my whole life,” Gray said. “Everyone in my family has done it, and I just want to do my part for the country.” In order for Gray to become a soldier, he must first complete Basic Combat Training(BCT) which he aims to attend in the summer. According to the United States Army’s website, the BCT will take place over the course of ten weeks. During this time, recruits will learn what it takes to be a soldier and how to work as a team. They will also have to go through intense physical training to become a soldier including push-ups, range training, weapon training, and physical endurance. However, there is more than just physical training during the BCT. Over the course of the ten weeks, recruits will also learn the Seven Core Army Values: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, personal courage, and how to use them while defending the country.

From meeting new people to learning how to defend himself, there are many things that Gray is looking forward to for the BCT, but, he does have some things that he is not as excited about. “I won’t be as close to home as I usually am,” Gray said. “It is still a mystery to where the boot camp will be, but I know it will be out of state.” There a r e five BTC locations all over the United States. These locations include Fort Benning, Ga, Fort Jackson, S.C., Fort Leonard Wood, Mo, Fort Sill, Okla, and Fort Knox, Ky. After all the hard work Gray has put up for training for the BCT, he knows that it will all be rewarding in the end. “I believe it will be worth it,” Gray said. “I will be out there defending other people and doing what I think is right for my country.” PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MACY FRASCO

Sports

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DID YOU KNOW

Baseball

Varsity baseball is 5-8, and JV is 4-1. Both JV and Varsity played double headers yesterday at Parsons. JV has a tournament tomorrow at home, and they play on April 29 along with varsity.

Softball Varsity softball is 3-11, and JV is 0-2. On April 9, Mercedes Vogel pitched a no hitter in the first game against Coffeyville. Yesterday, varsity and JV played a double header at Parsons. JV will also play in a home tournament tomorrow.

Boys Golf Varsity golf improved 45 shots from their first tournament to their second. They competed yesterday in a tournament at Labette County. To end their season the JV golf team will be competing in a 18 hole finale at Independence April 29.

Track The girls varsity team placed second in the last meet at Ft. Scott. Chelsea Baker is ranked third in the state for triple jump and fifteenth in the 100 meter hurdles. Lizzy Willis stands in fifth in the 800 meter run. Brianna Maxwell ranks thirteenth in shot put. The boys varsity team placed third at Ft. Scott. Danilo Pinheiro is ranked tenth in the 400 meter dash. Dakota Taylor is ranked tenth in discus. In shot put, Chris Huyett stands in thirteen followed by Gershom Avalos in fourteenth. The next varsity meet is today at Girard. JV will compete in their last meet on April 30 at Independence.

Friday, April 26, 2013

Ace in the hole

Tennis team remains undefeated BY RYAN TAYLOR The Booster Redux

In some ways coaching is everything and for the tennis program this statement holds true. Both boys and girls tennis programs have seen a turnaround in wins and player participation since head coach John Seal took over. “The numbers have been there and the quality has also improved,” Seal said. Seal has been involved in tennis for 50 years now. He began playing at eight and has been coaching for 35 years. While coaching Seal has produced 15 state championships and has over 500 wins. “Tennis is a lifetime sport and I love it,” Seal said. After Seals playing days were over he transitioned to coaching getting his first coaching, giving credit to one of his mentors and former football coach Larry Garman. “I love to teach and coaching is teaching,” Seal said. “I came home to teach and coach. Since taking over the tennis program Seal has had boys and girls make the trip to the state tournament, with the most recent

being sophomore Katie Short. “His coaching involves teaching you the form and basics over the summer at camps and then drilling and playing matches during the season, junior Hank Cloninger said.” Cloninger started playing tennis in seventh grade after his brother and former varsity member encouraged him to play. “I met Coach Seal in eighth grade and my first thought was “how old is this guy?’ Cloninger said. “He loved that I already had the form down and I liked how he was still way better than me and would play tennis with me if I just called and asked.” Coaching wise Seal likes to keep practice focused but fun. When temperatures are low the teams can sometimes be found in the underground tennis courts in Carthage. “Coach Seal has definitely turned the program around,” Cloninger said. “His summer camps have helped kids to start playing younger which makes next year always look better.” The undefeated boy’s tennis team (22-0) next tournament will be May 2 for regionals.

Returning a shot during a rally, sophomore Micah Hashman continues play with a Parsons double team earlier this season. Hashman and his partner, sophomore Nick Powers are the PHS varsity double team coached by John Seal and competed in the SEK tournament yesterday in Parsons. PHOTO BY MIRANDA MOORE

Lomax and Rich sign letters of intent BY RYAN TAYLOR

The Booster Redux

state championships and has over 500 wins. “Tennis is a lifetime sport and I love it,” Seal said. After Seal’s playing days were over he transitioned to coaching, giving credit for his decision to coach to one of his mentors and former football coach, Larry Garman. “I love to teach and coaching is teaching,” Seal said. “I came home to teach and coach.” Since taking over the tennis program Seal has had boys and girls make the trip to the state tournament, with the most recent

and would play tennis with me if I just called and asked.” Seal likes to keep practice focused but fun. When temperatures are low the teams can sometimes be found in the underground tennis courts in Carthage. “Coach Seal has definitely turned the program around,” Cloninger said. “His summer camps have helped kids to start playing younger which makes next year always look better.” The undefeated boy’s tennis team (22-0) next tournament will be May 2 for regionals.

Swinging for success Dual athlete balances softball and track

Boys Tennis The varsity tennis team is undefeated with a record of 22-0. They have placed first in six out of seven tournaments. Yesterday, they competed in Parsons for SEK. Logan Benham and Jake Creech are 13-1 in doubles. JV has placed first in two tournaments and second in three tournaments. The next tournament is April 29 at Coffeyville. Zach Dee has placed first twice and is the only JV player to beat Independence.

SECTION D

BOOSTER REDUX

BY PARKER MATTHEWS The Booster Redux

ual athletes are a rare occurrence, but every few years there comes an individual who pushes through the wear and tear of two sports during the same season. Senior Andie Casper is currently a member of the softball team as well as the track team. This is the first year Casper is a dual athlete. Softball is her primary sport, making track her secondary sport. Participating in two sports can pose a physical and mental struggle, but Casper strives to end the season on a good note. “Sometimes I just say to myself, ‘just get through it’ just because it is so mentally and physically draining,” Casper said. “My main goal is to be successful and give it 100 percent every single day. All my life has been about sports and this is my last semester of high school, I want to leave here knowing I gave it everything I had. So besides being in awesome shape, I hope to be successful.” This is Casper’s first year as part of the track team. She is currently a solid contributor to the varsity squad: Depending on the meet, she runs in a variety of events ranging from running open sprints to being a member of relay teams. Along with those events, Casper also competes in long jump. As of now, she is ranked 7th in 4A state at long jump. “She contributes a lot of leadership, even though it’s her first year she has generated a lot of respect,” coach Gary Ausemus said. “[We are] fortunate Andie chose to do both sports.” Everyday there is practice, Casper completes the same workout her track teammates have, then hustles over to the new softball field and practices with the softball team. In the past, dual athletes who chose to participate in softball and track were faced with a bigger obstacle: the softball team practiced at the Don Gutteridge Sports Complex located in Lincoln park,

rather than practice at a field a short distance away. Shortstop is Casper’s main position, but she has recently taken up pitching due to the lack of pitchers for the softball team. She has been shortstop since her freshman year, on a team consisting of a majority of seniors. Prior to this year Casper had pitched only before high school. At the plate, Casper poses a threat due to her ability to bat left- and right-handed, depending on the situation. “This is the first year a dual athlete chose softball [as their primary sport],” coach Mary Packard said. “She is confident [enough] to be the lead off batter. She can be a left or right hitter depending on the situation. [All of the players] are important, the ones we have out there we need. We’ve got to have the girls that are the most skilled out there.” In the past, girls are more likely to commit to two sports at the same time. Recent dual athletes include senior Brianna Maxwell and alumnus Kristina Willis, both of whom chose track as their primary sport over softball as their secondary sport. Dual athletes go through a lot of stress, with balancing two sports as well as school work. Casper is handling the backand-forth of the class work, softball, and track. “Andie seems to be handling the stress of the two sports well,” Maxwell said. “She has the confidence and ability to compete in [softball and track] and still handle school work just fine. I know from experience that dual sporting is no easy task while trying to keep up with school work.” Both of Casper’s parents were college athletes. Her father played baseball in college at Missouri Southern State University and went on to play in the minor league for the San Francisco Giants. Her mother ran track in college at Pittsburg State University. While Casper does not consider her father’s participation in baseball and her mother’s participation in track a reason for her involvement in both sports, she does use their accomplishments as a standard to exceed. “Once I decided that I was going to do both [softball and track] I felt that I needed to meet [my parents’] standards... I am aiming to exceed those,” Casper said. “Without their guidance I wouldn’t have accomplished what I have, they have taught me all I know.” After high school Casper will play volleyball at PSU; she signed a letter of intent on Apr. 17.

“Once I decided that I was going to do both [softball and track] I felt that I needed to meet [my parents’] standards... I am aiming to exceed those. Without their guidance I wouldn’t have accomplished what I have, they have taught me all I know.” - ANDIE CASPER