Pittsburg High School's The Booster Redux, March 2016

The Booster Redux Pittsburg High School 1978 E. 4th Street Pittsburg, KS 66762 Vol. 98, Issue 8 www.boosterredux.com

Thursday, March 31, 2016

@PHSStudentPub

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Pittsburg High School Student Publications

L i fe a fte r

February 28 On Monday, Feb. 29, students gathered at the baseball field behind PHS to release balloons as a tribute to senior Derek Brumbaugh. Brumbaugh passed away the day before from injuries sustained in a car accident. The balloon release was organized by students and took place on the first day of spring sports practice which would have been Brumbaugh’s first day of baseball practice. Photo by Maddy Emerson

How one event linked two families together GINA MATHEW & KALI POENITSKE @GMMathew13 & @Kali_Poenitske

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fter stumbling out of the wrecked car, junior Aspen Lloyd opened the door to the backseat.

Instantly, she knew he

was gone.

On Sunday, Feb. 28, Lloyd was returning home from an afternoon showing of the production ‘Newsies’ in Kansas City with her boyfriend, senior Derek Brumbaugh. Derek was driving his Pontiac Grand Prix when he crossed the center line and collided with a Chevrolet Silverado on Highway 69 north of Arma.

Both drivers were fatally injured and Lloyd was the sole survivor.

“After I woke up, my body knew it was in an accident,” Lloyd said.

“I saw the airbag in front of me.

[When] I looked over, Derek wasn’t there. He had his seat belt on, but the impact was on the driver’s side, so he got thrown to the backseat. I knew I wasn’t supposed to, but I got out of the car because nobody else was.

When I opened the backseat, I looked at him and his head was open. I didn’t touch him because I didn’t want to hurt him more. He started gasping for air, but I could tell he wasn’t there anymore.”

Because her injuries were not lifethreatening, Lloyd was able to get out of the vehicle.

“Honestly, I didn’t feel any pain. I didn’t cry until I got to the hospital. It hadn’t hit me yet.”

Lloyd was transported to Via Christi Hospital via ambulance. On arrival, she felt overwhelmed with a sense of déjà vu. “[When] we got to the [hospital], I was put in a trauma room,” Lloyd said.

“It was actually kind of weird because the bed they put me in was the bed that Derek took pictures of me in two weeks before for a photography contest. [After settling in], I realized I knew where I was at.”

Multiple tests and scans later, doctors determined Lloyd had suffered a broken heel along with a floating bone chip and torn ligaments in her ankle.

“Not only am I the sole survivor, but I only have a broken ankle and nothing internally hurt. I didn’t have any whiplash. My neck and back didn’t hurt from the impact and my seat belt didn’t leave a mark. It’s just crazy that I barely had scratches on me [besides] a broken bone. It is just crazy how little I had, but everybody else was so bad that they didn’t live.”

Derek’s mother, Tami Brumbaugh,

was working in the ER as a nurse at the time of the accident. She overheard a call on the scanner and suspected her son’s involvement.

“I initially heard the call go out at work right after it happened around 6 p.m.,” Tami said. “I have worked in the ER for about 35 years, but that was very frustrating to be on the other end and not having any idea where [the ambulance] was taking him. [My] first instinct was to go to the scene, but I knew better than that, so I left work and [went] home. At that point, I just had to sit and wait.”

Despite premonitions, the Brumbaughs did not receive official notification of Derek’s passing until almost 8:30 p.m.

At the same time, Aspen was receiving treatment at the hospital.

She and her family were notified shortly after.

“It was probably 9 p.m. before the doctor came in to tell Aspen that Derek had died in the car accident,” said Deana Thompson, Aspen’s mother. “[Doctors] told us not to tell her specifically, even though it was pretty obvious to her and I both that he probably had died. As soon as we all came in there, she said, ‘I know you’re going to tell me bad news.’

She was pretty sure of it.”

Looking back, Lloyd is still able to recall her last words with Derek.

“We were talking about the rumble strips on the side of the road,” Lloyd said. “I was wondering how they were made, so I got out my phone and was typing. That’s the last thing I remember.”

Regardless of the cause of the accident, Tami remains comforted by one thing.

“Aspen [told me] that he was not impaired while driving, which was very important to me,” Tami said. “That is something that has bothered me. Most people hear that a seventeen-year-old was in an accident and think they were drunk, on drugs, texting or fell asleep. He was a good kid, but I have no idea why he would cross the center line and, to this day, we have no idea.

It was just at the last second [that] he went over and killed them both.”

After receiving overnight medical attention, Lloyd was discharged from

“

the hospital on Monday in time to attend a student-led balloon release at the high school in Derek’s honor.

“I was glad to be there instead of still in the hospital,” Lloyd said. “I cried when I wrote my note on the balloon, but I was really happy to see everybody. I was just happy that I was there.”

Aspen and Derek’s immediate families attended a private burial later in the week. The following Monday, a Celebration of Life event was held at Memorial Auditorium for the community to attend. “[Our family] talked about it the night [of the accident] at 3 a.m.,” Tami said. “As a family, we did not want to have a traditional funeral.

Derek would never have wanted that.

We all knew that the only thing for Derek would be a celebration. It made him sad to see people sad and he did not want unhappiness associated with this.”

The attendance at the celebration surprised the Brumbaughs.

“I never would have expected so many people to come,” Tami said.

“We were initially just going to have it at the school, but it wouldn’t have been nearly big enough.”

According to Tami, Derek’s - ASPEN LLOYD influence extended farther than his life. His organ donations could potentially help 50 to 60 individuals.

In his honor, the Derek Curtis Brumbaugh Scholarship was established and will award $500 to the recipient. He or she must be in good academic standing and involved in one or more of Derek’s many passions such as theater, vocals, photojournalism or baseball.

In addition to this, more than $1,100 was raised for the SEK Humane Society.

“I have heard from people I don’t even know who heard or read about Derek,” Tami said. “It is just amazing.

It is just unbelievable to me that people would be able to do that. That is way over and beyond what people need to do.”

Another community contribution came from a local business. Over the course of three days, Piece of Cake Nutrition raised $850 for the scholarship fund by selling malts in

Even though his time stopped, my seconds are still counting on.

”

Derek’s name.

Lloyd also experienced outreach from the community.

“My friends, teachers and people I didn’t even recognize showed up at my house,” Lloyd said. “I was never alone.”

Having a strong support system has been beneficial to Lloyd’s recovery. “[Going back to school] hasn’t been too bad,” Lloyd said. “I just couldn’t get everything off my mind. People weren’t asking me questions, but you could tell they wanted to. I had a fairly good week, but I was just so tired and exhausted.”

Lloyd feels Derek’s absence daily. “[My routine] has been different because [Derek and I] were together a lot. He always took me to school in the morning because he lived [so close], and we’d ride home together in the evening because we were in the same activities. We shared a locker, and I still use it. He always had jackets or his camera bag in there because he’d forget to take them home. I opened the locker the other day and it was just,” she paused. “Empty.”

Derek’s family is also adjusting to his absence.

“It will never be the same,” Tami said. “Never. You have your life preFebruary 28 and post-February 28. It will never be the same life.”

Lloyd and the Brumbaughs remain close.

“She is just like one of my kids, and I think I’ll always be that way with Aspen, no matter what,” Tami said. “I hope she always considers us her extended family. She will always be part of ours. We have shared something so huge, you just can’t forget that.”

“We’re like a family,” Lloyd said.

“I still go over all the time and spend the day with them. I went with the family and they got matching tattoos the other day. It was the one that Derek wanted really badly when he turned 18: a treble clef with a cross embedded into it.”

Lloyd feels looking forward is necessary for her recovery.

“Even though his time stopped, my seconds are still counting on,” Lloyd said. “It’s not really a thing you think about, especially at such a young age, but it was meant to happen. Life is still going to keep counting.”

As for the future, Tami added, “Hopefully, Aspen will find her life partner. I hope I will go to her wedding someday and see her children. Derek wasn’t her life partner. She was his, but he was not hers.”

2 NEWS

Thursday, March 31, 2016 www.boosterredux.com SECTION D

faculty proposes tardy policy change After several policy changes, tardiness still a concern LILY BLACK @PHSStudentPub

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espite the tardy policy changing every year for the past five years, Principal Jon Bishop believes tardiness is still a perpetual problem.

Administration has been re-working the tardy policy, in attempt to make it more concrete, which will ensure no reasons for tardiness and rational consequences for those who are. It will become active during the 2016-2017 school year.

There have been proposals from faculty members to enhance consequences regarding tardies. These include: starting consequences after three tardies, reducing passing time back to four minutes, tardies equaling absences which will impact student’s attendance and teachers sweeping the halls.

As of now, the tardy policy states at six tardies a student will receive a Friday Night School (FNS), after nine they will receive one day of In School Suspension (ISS) after 12 the student will receive three days of ISS and after 15 the student will receive a Student Improvement Team (SIT) referral as stated in the student handbook.

After receiving one day of ISS for being excessively tardy, junior Devon Nelson believes the current policy is efficient in keeping tardiness limited.

“Tardies add up really fast, and I ended up with ISS,” Nelson said. “[The policy] is pretty good, it is rational, and it helps students stay in check.”

A few of the changes consist of the amount of tardies before any disciplinary action is taken and what

the ramifications of excessive tardies will be. When a student has three tardies, the first 30 minute detention will be served, and another one at four tardies. Five tardies will result in a FNS and a letter home, but it is undetermined what will occur after the fifth tardy.

According to Bishop, the policy has been changed numerous times but this will be the last time it is changed.

“Whatever is finalized is the way it is going to be. We are not going to change it as we have done the last few years,” Bishop said. “So whatever it is we are going to hammer it home and make sure all students know.”

Last spring, passing periods increased from four to five minutes, aiming to reduce the total number of tardy students. Although administration has considered going back to four minutes, their final decision is to keep it as it is. However, English teacher Emily Rountree does not agree. “[The amount of tardies] has gotten worse, in my opinion. Four minutes is plenty of time to get from one class to the next, even if you are in the 600 hallway coming to my room [in the 300 hallway],” Rountree said.

Nelson believes instead of punishing the majority of students who are on time, the reigns of the policy should be tightened.

“Just because some students are not

“

doing what they are supposed to be doing, does not mean all of us should have to go back to four minutes,” Nelson said. “[Consequences should start at] five tardies, because after you get a detention you should not be late again. You should try to stay on track and not be late to class.”

Rountree believes students need to be held more accountable for their lack of punctuality. Having more austere consequences will motivate students to get to class on time.

“One of the reasons s t u d e n t s continue to be tardy is because there are not very stiff consequences,” Rountree said.

“It is not an unrealistic expectation.

- PRINCIPAL JON BISHOP Students will either adapt [to the policy changes] or they will face the consequences. Maybe they will adapt after that.”

In addition to the other changes in the tardy policy, every three tardies will amount to one unexcused absence, which ties in with the attendance policy. If a student is absent too many times, they can be counted truant.

“Truancy laws can take effect if you have three absences in a row or five overall unexcused absences,” Bishop said. “We are going to tighten down when kids are at the point of truancy.”

Students who are habitually tardy

Whatever is finalized is the way it is going to be.

”

may not only face the consequences of their tardiness, but may also lose course credit from classes they are enrolled in.

“When it starts affecting their ability to graduate, that is when they are going to take it seriously,” Rountree said.

In addition to the revisions of the policy, administration is looking at introducing hall sweeps. Teachers would lock their doors at the bell, and staff members would congregate the late students to mark them tardy. This is to guarantee all tardy students will be counted tardy.

Rountree would only want to turn to hall sweeps as a last resort.

“I think more problems would arise rather than good things. If given the enforcement of stiffer consequences, and it is still a problem, then yes,” Rountree said. “But let’s try everything before we go to this jail-like setting.”

The tardy policy is being changed to stress the importance of punctuality and attendance.

“We are doing this to put an emphasis on attendance being important, not to threaten students,” Bishop said. “It is important to be in class.”

“I think more problems would arise rather than good things. If given the enforcement of stiffer consequences, and it is still a problem, then yes,” Rountree said. “But let’s try everything before we go to this jail-like setting.”

The tardy policy is being changed to stress the importance of punctuality and attendance.

“We are doing this to put an emphasis on attendance being important, not to threaten students,” Bishop said. “It is important to be in class.”

Legistlature fails to appeal common core NICOLE KIONOPELKO @PHSStudentPub After six years of debate surrounding the controversial Kansas Common Core Standards, also known as the Kansas College and Career Ready Standards, a bill to repeal these standards passed through the Kansas House Education Committee and failed by a vote of 44-78 in the Kansas State Legislature House.

The bill called for a new set of standards to be presented to the Legislature before implementation in 2017.

The original Kansas Common Core Standards were created in 2010. The standards endure students who graduate high school are prepared for education at two or four year colleges or to enter the workforce.

“The Kansas Common Core Standards are very important in preparing our kids to think critically, be able to learn how to read, understand the material that they read, be able to articulate [the material] and be able to listen critically,” assistant principal Rhonda White said.

“The standards focus on the premise of being college and career ready.”

Furthermore, the standards seek to establish consistent education across state lines.

“Across the nation, we can agree that we want kids to learn to read and have educational skills that are similar from state to state,” superintendent Destry Brown said. “That’s what the standards are really set out to do.”

As states moved into the implementation of the Common Core Standards, the standards became controversial. This controversy led to the passing of the bill to repeal the standards.

Part of the decision of repealing Common Core is accredited to misconception.

“There is a lot of misinformation and a lot of inaccurate information about what Common Core is. It’s got people all stirred up and upset for no reason. It’s just a common curriculum,” Brown said.

Likewise, Brown believes the true purpose of Common Core is misunderstood.

“For some reason, Common Core has been made into something that it’s not,” Brown said. “Some people think that we’re trying to track kids inappropriately or that we’re doing something shady. That’s just not what’s happening at all. [Common Core] was really formed to just strengthen the curriculum and make it more consistent across state-lines.”

Senator Jacob LaTurner, a firm opponent of the Kansas

“

Common Core Standards, would like the standards to be under local control rather than national control.

“We ought to trust local school boards to make decisions,” LaTurner said. “No one cares more about the education of students than the people in that student’s community. We ought to allow decisions to be made locally as much as possible. Common Core is the polar opposite of that. It’s a big standardized mandate.”

Part of LaTurner’s concerns stem from numerous parents opposing the standards.

“Parents tell me about their thoughts,” LaTurner said.

“Parents from around my district tell me all the time that Common Core is having an adverse impact on their kids.

That’s the big picture that we need to see.”

The repealing of these standards would have a financial effect on the school.

“The curriculum that we’ve purchased is aligned to Common Core Standards,” White said. “This bill would cause every school district in Kansas to go and purchase

allows students to take courses in their high school in which they can earn college credit and/or qualify for more advanced classes in college.

“Studies show that students who take AP courses are much more prepared and much more likely to not need remedial courses in college and complete college within a six year time period,” White said. “There are a number of studies that have shown that students who do take AP courses are far more likely to finish college.”

Senior Reyna Valenzuela has taken and successfully completed a total of four AP classes during high school.

“AP classes really did help me get the starting courses out of the way,” Valenzuela said. “That way when I reach college I can jump ahead again and be in more advanced classes.”

AP Literature and Composition teacher Melissa Fite Johnson believes banning AP classes would harm students when it comes to applying to colleges.

“A lot of my AP students are applying to really big-time schools and it’s not just their GPA that gets taken into account,” Johnson said. “It’s the classes that they’re taking. If we don’t even offer those classes, then what a disadvantage that is to our students.”

Although AP classes are aligned to Kansas Common Core, the classes are paced faster than regular classes.

Valenzuela believes banning AP classes would have taken away students’ opportunities to challenge themselves in school.

“Banning AP classes would seriously take away the experience of having a college-level class in a high-school setting, that way those who are more advanced than others have the opportunity to prepare through that or so that anyone who wants to be ready for college can take those,” Valenzuela said.

Along with the challenge, rigor, and preparation for college they provide, AP classes also bring joy to both the teachers teaching them and the students taking them.

“In AP classes, we get to go very deeply into the literature,” Johnson said. “Our discussions are so rich and so interesting. I’m really grateful to it.”

“I absolutely love AP classes,” Valenzuela said.

“Whenever I’m sick or whenever I’m not able to be in school I’m always like, ‘Dang it, I’m missing my AP literature class or my AP government class.’ I love being in those classes. The discussion and the work that we do is always a lot of fun.”

It’s the classes they’re taking. If we don’t even offer those classes, then what a disadvantage that is to our students. - MELISSA FITE JOHNSON new curriculum, new textbooks and new material, which would be an insane cost for districts to try to put into place. Everything we’ve purchased has been designed to support the standards. So what they’re saying is we would have to replace everything.”

Another factor contributing to the repealing of Common Core is its tie to the Barack Obama Administration.

“Anything that seems to be tied with President Obama’s administration seems to be very controversial and I don’t understand why, but it is,” Brown said. “A lot of people see the standards as coming from the Obama administration, though it really started with the Bush administration.”

Before being stripped out, part of the original proposed bill included the banning of Advanced Placement (AP) Classes.

According to the College Board, AP is a program that

”

Derek Curtis Brumbaugh 1998-2016 Derek Curtis Brumbaugh, 17, of Pittsburg, died at 5:45 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 28, in an automobile accident north of Arma on U.S. Highway 69.

He was born on June 17, 1998, in Pittsburg, to Curtis and Tami Albertini Brumbaugh.

In addition to his parents of Pittsburg, he is survived by his sisters, Taylor Brumbaugh and Lindsey Kling and her husband Trent, all of Pittsburg, his paternal grandmother, Jerry Brumbaugh of Pittsburg, his girlfriend of two years, Aspen Lloyd, who was in the accident with him, and his teachers, cast, choir, and team members.

He was preceded in death by paternal grandparents Bill Brumbaugh and maternal grandparents Henry and Wilma Albertini of Arma, and by a cousin, Sara Welch.

The family suggests memorials to the Derek Curtis Brumbaugh Scholarship Fund or the SEK Humane Society. Donations may be sent to or left at Bedene Funeral Home, 517 E. Washington, Box 621, Arma, KS 66712.

SECTION D

Booster Redux staff and policy Editors-in-Chief Alli Baden Molly Graham Megan Munger Morgan Plank

Managing Editors Kali Poenitske Journey Jaramillo Trina Paul Gina Mathew

Design Editors Kailey Curtis Jake Webb

Staff Maddie Baden Meghan Baker Connor Bathazor Alivia Benedict Lily Black Justin Blythe Katy Brown Nic Burk Mataya Cook Caleb Dial Sophie Graham Journey Jaramillo Nicole Konopelko Josh Lee Trina Paul Maddy Robison Caleb Stradley Patrick Sullivan Ivan Walter Julie Wilson Kaylah Wilson

Adviser Emily Smith

3 glamourization of grades

www.boosterredux.com

OPINION

Thursday, March. 31, 2016

Blythe voices importance to take advantage of learning justin blythe @jdblyt “I only have to get a 67% on this test to keep an A.” These are the words I hear too often when a big test is on the horizon. Sound like you? Well I can admit that I, too, am wired to this dangerous strategy of learning.

There is a dilemma facing our generation’s view on education.

We tend to do the bare minimum required in order to receive the grade we desire.

Thoroughly learning curriculum is more valuable than simply passing a class. Striving to place value behind your high marks is more important in the long run because it prepares you for your future and guarantees you the ability to be successful.

Believe it or not, there is a reason we go to school everyday, a reason there are teachers within our school working hard everyday, and that is to accomplish the one simple task of educating their students.

We as students need to understand our learning experience is solely for our benefit.

Understanding our lessons is key in order to have the ability to apply it following the end of our educational journey, whether it be secondary or postsecondary is totally up to you.

It is important that, when able, we go the extra mile and acquire the understanding that is sure to come when effort is exerted.

School has become more of a competition of good grades rather than a facility of understanding.

Questions such as, “Who can get the highest GPA?” or “Who can get the highest ACT score?” are becoming more important than who is attaining the best preparation for life.

Practicing deep learning is something every student should, and must, do.

According to Julian Hermida, professor of law at Algoma University, deep learning entails “the critical analyses of new ideas, linking them to already known concepts and principles so that this understanding can be used for problem solving in new, unfamiliar situations.”

This engaged learning is certain to leave you with something much more valuable than a high grade.

Our success in life means more than grades, yet our grades seem to be a reflection of our probability of success in life.

Finding the connection between deep learning and the joy experienced when receiving high grades is something we all must do to gain the knowledge to succeed.

Let us change our perspective on what is important about our education together. Sure, our grades carry some importance but become worthless, insignificant letters unless they carry value behind them, value carried within us throughout our lives.

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.

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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.

Looking for the right influence Stradley finds inspiration in rapper Eminem

caleb stradley @PHSStudentPub Ever since I was little, I have always had the same role model.

He is a man I have never met, yet I know almost everything about him.

He is someone who has helped me through tough times, despite never directly speaking to me.

This man is famous, however controversial. He is known to be violent, hateful and about as offensive as a person can get.

This man is the Detroit rapper Marshall Mathers, better known as Eminem.

For a child as young as I was, Eminem probably wasn’t the best

choice to have as a role model. I mean, the man himself has repeated numerous times that he is not a role model and did not want kids looking up to him. He even made a song in his second studio album, “The Slim Shady LP,” which tried to convince people that he is not a good role model.

However, for whatever reason, I decided he was the guy I wanted to look up to.

Eminem’s songs are violent, much too violent for a young child to be listening to. He also curses like a sailor, which might have negatively affected me, because I use foul language a bit more than I should.

Having a role model like Eminem means I understand he is not a perfect person. He has made many mistakes throughout his life, and through him I am learning to not make the same mistakes.

While I don’t doubt that I have got some bad habits from him, he inspires me and helps me. Thanks to him, I will never doubt if I can be something. I imagine being an artist trying to cross cultural divides was quite difficult. He still never

gave up, and that motivates me to never give up on my dream of being an author.

At many low points in my life, in times of extreme stress and sadness, his music has always helped me carry on and feel better.

Take right now for example. As I sit here writing this story, I am all kinds of stressed. My grades are bad. I am scared about my future. I cannot get hired for a job for the life of me. Even writing this is stressing me out. But his lyrics are speaking to me, telling me everything will be okay and that I should not worry so much.

Through Eminem I have developed some sort of “who gives a damn” attitude. But sometimes, not caring so much about all my issues helps me overcome them.

Without him, I am scared to think about what I would do during those stressful times. I have other people to help me feel better, and while some people have made me feel as good as he does, I have yet to meet a person who can make me feel better.

giving up to get in Staff Student decides between countries for citizenship JOSH LEE @iAmTheJoshLee It’s interesting how much significance one document can hold.

I was born in Aurora, Colorado to parents who are both citizens of the Republic of Korea.

Translation: because I was born in the United States, I am an American citizen and because my parents are citizens of South Korea, I am a citizen of Korea as well.

Dual citizenship: that’s neat.

That dual-identity brings some problems to the table, though. All male citizens from the ages of 18-35 of the Republic of Korea are required by federal mandate to serve in the Korean military for approximately 24 months, depending on which branch joined.

Here was my dilemma: I faced a crossroads that seemed more extreme than I’d hoped. I grew up knowing that I’d eventually to haul myself over to Korea to serve in the military and keep my citizenship, but as I turned 18 and that scenario became more real than ever, I had to choose between keeping my citizenship and pursuing an uninterrupted college education.

This past weekend, I had to make the decision to cut the strings which came with holding a Korean citizenship.

It was a tough call to make. Both choices had its respective advantages and disadvantages.

First of all, holding a citizenship to both of the countries I belong to held a significant importance for me. There’s something about being counted as an official member of a nation, and after all the struggle I’ve been through discovering my identity, the documents that made me a somebody to the Republic of Korea became that much more important to me.

On the flip side of that coin, however,

was the responsibility of serving in Korea’s military. I’m all for serving my country, don’t get me wrong; but if I was to do so, I would have to find a two-year gap in my plans for the future. And frankly, my future isn’t the most flexible and resilient thing in respect to time.

In the end, my decision boiled down to my parents’ concern for my health. My initial thought was that I could handle the physical rigor of the Korean federal mandate, but it seemed my parents were more worried about my psychological well-being.

Fun fact: the social environment in Korea can be, at times, quite callous and blunt.

Couple that honesty with my unfamiliarity of the informal norms of Korean society, and you’d get one scramble-brained Josh Lee. So, as of last week, I am no longer a citizen of the Republic of Korea, and that opens up a box of internal conflict for me.

This situation hasn’t done me any good in solidifying my belief of who I am, but the biggest issue for me has been loyalty to my country.

The social norm among Korean males is that they serve in the military. If you don’t, then it’s almost as if you’ve failed as a citizen. So, here I am in the eyes of my fellow Koreans, camping out in America and neglecting to fulfill my duties.

But even though I may not be happy with my decision at this point, I am satisfied with it. Government papers (or lack of them, I suppose) do not dictate who I am, and I know there are many ways to serve both of my countries.

In the end, I am happy and grateful for this opportunity to think about what my heritage, citizenship, and loyalty means to me. I may have legally lost half of my identity, but after emerging on the other side of this situation, I know better than ever who I am.

editorial: Brownback strikes again BOOSTER REDUX STAFF @PHSStudentPub The recent legislation proposed by the Brownback administration seeks to tear down the institution of education we have followed for the last two years; the Advanced Placement courses we’ve taken not only provided us with the opportunity to truly encounter what being stressed feels like, but it has also given us the opportunity to learn how to learn.

Granted, many non-AP classes can teach students to become better learners.

However, with the college-level material AP classes provide, students can become more college-ready than those who don’t take AP courses.

In a society which stresses the importance of a college education, we find it counter-productive to rid students of the opportunity to receive this preparation early on.

As students who have experience with AP classes, we editors disagree with the new bill proposed by Kansas. And while we commend those who didn’t pass the bill, in the big picture, we feel Kansas should help further education instead of tearing it down.

Instead of creating bills which will only hurt us in the long run, they should be creating bills which will improve the quality of the education.

Too frequently in the news, we see instances in which Kansas legislators are trying to pass bills which, over and over again, hurt teachers with allegations their teaching methods are ineffective or that schools receive too much funding.

The problem is Governor Brownback does not value education in Kansas like he should. With a governor in office who does not appreciate education as a fundamental part of a balanced and effective state, the legislation which passes cannot help but reflect poor prioritizing.

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Thursday, March, 31 2016

www.boosterredux.com SECTION D

Highly ANticipated Game delivers Connor balthazor @PHSstudentpub As you wander what’s left of mid-town Manhattan, victims of a deadly virus line the streets. Different factions were formed after the virus and control most of the city. Any remaining civilians have lost hope. After a virus was spread on Black Friday using dollar bills, Manhattan fell into anarchy. The objective of the game is very simple: save what remains of the city.

Arguably, the most well done part of “Tom Clancy’s: The Division” is the atmosphere. The creepy feeling of the game is established almost immediately when you reach Manhattan, as body bags piled on top of each other line both sides of the streets. When you walk around the map, the game is eerily quiet. In real life, Manhattan would be bustling with traffic and pedestrians, but in “The Division,” the only cars left are either burning or abandoned. The remaining citizens scrounge for food or join gangs to impede your progress through the game. Also, the map is insanely similar to Manhattan in real life, and it includes locations such as Times Square, Broadway, and more.

A key part of “The Division” is the loot. Loot items can be anything from weapons to armor to clothes. Loot can be found in two different ways. The first way is if an enemy that you kill drops loot upon death. The second way is by searching containers that can be found around Manhattan.

Since “The Division” is a third-person

tom Clancy’s The Divison «««« «««

shooter, one of the most important aspects of the game will be the shooting mechanics. While the game doesn’t do anything particularly new, it manages to get the job done.

The story in “The Division” is one of the most heavily criticized parts of the game. While at points, it can get repetitive, towards the end of the story it picks up pace. The game also has a very open ending, allowing future missions to be added or to make an entire

new game.

One of the most unique things in “The Division” is “Dark Zones.” “Dark Zones” are multiplayer areas in the game that can be entered through various doors throughout the map.

“Dark Zones” include other computer controlled enemies to battle as well as the other players. The “Dark Zones” also contain better rewards to find throughout the map, however, these rewards must be extracted by a heli-

copter before they can be used by the player. This adds to the risk of going to the “Dark Zone,” because if another player kills you while you have loot that needs to be extracted, the loot can be stolen.

Overall, “The Division” is a game that delivers in many ways, especially in atmosphere. It has been anticipated for several years, and had high expectations. For the most part, it met those expectations.

new location brings new clientele Student enjoys Jo’s Gyros, tries Greek cuisine patrick sullivan @PHSstudentpub There’s a first time for everything and I can say that eating at Jo’s in Pittsburg was my first experience trying Greek food of any sort.

I visited Jo’s on March 15 for dinner with mixed feelings about trying a different style of food.

Pittsburg is more well-known for its fried chicken than Greek eateries, but I decided it was worth a shot.

Jo’s is located across from Russ Hall on South Broadway.

I scanned the menu only to be more confused on what to order than before I walked in. I asked the kind woman that took my order what she would recommend and she said the basic gyro would be good to try at first.

For those who don’t know what a gyro is, it is a mix of either beef and lamb or chicken folded into a sandwich made of pita bread, generally served with fries.

I followed her advice and ordered a plain beef and lamb gyro with the fries. This meal was shared and it went down quick. The meat was very flavorful along with the soft bread. The fries that came with it were fried perfectly and I wish I would’ve gotten

more.

I decided that in order to get the full experience I should sample at least one more thing off of the menu. I wandered up again not really knowing what else to try on the menu.

This time a man was working behind the counter and he provided me with a sampler of Greek dishes, free of charge. I was delighted that he did this for me so I could try more of this foreign cuisine.

The plate consisted of falafel, pita bread with hummus, grape leaves, rice with chicken, a couple of other sauces and, my personal favorite, baklava.

Baklava was one of the only things I had tried before visiting Jo’s and was excited to try theirs. My girlfriend and I tried all of the different items on the sampler and I began to find myself enjoying all that I tasted. All of the food was cooked well, very fresh and had lots of different flavor. I liked that no foods tasted alike and were all satisfying.

I am very grateful for the hospitality Jo’s showed me and I greatly enjoyed my meal. It provides a unique place to try new foods you wouldn’t get anywhere else in town.

“ ” All of the food was cooked well well, vvery fresh and hadd lots of different flavor.

- PATRICK SULLIVAN

Trying the Jayden Burger Basket, sophomore Natalie Harris eats at Jo’s Gyros. Jo’s serves Greek food. “The food was really delicious. I had never tried lamb before and it beat my expectations,” Harris said. PHOTO BY MADDY EMERSON

‘allegiant’ needs to phone a friend Wilson voices a negative opinion about the new Divergent movie Julie wilson @JL_Wilsonn For those of you who haven’t seen the previous movies, Allegiant is the third part of the Divergent series.

This means we are going to see the usual characters.

There is the hero ‘slash’ heroine, the hunky love interest, the best friend, the likable kid who dies, the comedy relief and the third wheel.

Tris (played by Shailene Woodley) is our heroine, and she has just finished overthrowing Jeanine who ruled the Erudite faction and ended the faction system.

In this movie, the new challenge in the city is there is nothing keeping the peace between the people. Tris does not want to lead, so other people are stepping up and causing all sorts of problems.

Unhappy with what is happening, Tris and her friends decide to go over the wall in search of something better.

What they find was something completely unexpected. Some of it is terrible, or as the comedy relief Peter (played by Miles Teller) says, “The sky is bleeding!”

Some of it is wonderful, like when they discover a futuristic city hidden by an invisible wall filled with people who admire Tris.

The leader of this city is David (played by Jeff Daniels), who claims to have been watching Tris and her friends their whole lives. He tells Tris she is genetically pure and her friends and everyone else are ‘damaged’, meaning their DNA is not pure. She is also told Chicago was set up as a place where damaged people could live while their DNA ‘heals’ and hopefully this will lead to people with pure genetics.

“

David reveals he actually works for the Council, which is located in the city of Providence. He tells Tris if she helps him study her perfect DNA, he can convince the council to make Chicago better. Tris finds out the hard way that David is not being truthful with her.

I did not like this movie very much, mostly because these movies are all alike. The adults are the bad guys and liars while the teenagers are trying to figure out the truth and save the world.

Even though this film was set in the future, it seemed very unrealistic. Right now, everyone has a cell phone, but in the perfect future no one does, not even the people who have all the science stuff. At one point, David and Tris have to travel by future plane to talk to people because somewhere along the way humanity has lost all ways to communicate over long distances. They have radios in the movie. They have drones with real-time video, but no one knows how to pick up a phone or make a conference call?

I thought Tris was not a very good main character. Her hunky love interest, Four (played by -JULIE WILSON Theo James) is a much better hero, making all the decisions and doing most of the dirty work.

One thing that bothered me was the occasionally shaky camera. It was bad enough at times to make me a nauseous.

To make a teenage dystopian story, you have to take bits of other stories. This movie reminded me a lot of Maze Runner. If you look around, you will find something that reminds you of other stories. Movies are like modern life; nothing is really new, it is all just repackaged.

I did not like this movie very much, mostly because these movies are all alike.

”

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Thursday, March 31, 2016

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russian to make things greater Secretary performs essential functions at school with welcoming attitude molly graham @molllygraham

I

t is 8:10 am and secretary Susan Russian is reading the daily announcements. While giving these announcements, students are walking in late and signing the attendance log.

The phone is already ringing and phone calls are being transferred to different offices.

This is how Russian starts her day, every day.

“I’m constantly on my toes. When I come in the next day, it’s boom, all over again,” Russian said. “The front office is like Grand Central Station.”

Russian has been the secretary for three years.

Prior to the high school, she was the secretary at the middle school. And while most of the duties stayed the same between the schools, the high school caters to more students.

“Things run very similar, I just have more responsibilities. Over there, I had a lot less students,” Russian said. “We have a couple more hundred students [at the high school], which means a couple hundred more parents, a couple more hundred phone calls.”

Every day since she has started at the high school, not a single day has been the same.

“Unexpected challenges occur every day. I have to be a detective. I have to email or call to figure it out. There are so many variables.

Multitasking is definitely a must,” Russian said.

“There are 100 different things I have to enter and write up.”

The only consistent factors Russian encounters include updating absences and tardies whenever she finds available time and constantly answering the phone.

“I know for a fact, I answer this phone more than 200 times a day,” Russian said. “Rarely ever is there a quiet day.”

After the school day ends, Russian is limited to 35 minutes to finish entering all absences, tardies and doctor notes. Because of how busy the day is, she finds herself at times putting in additional time to ensure everything gets finished.

“I don’t put anything off, because then I have 10 things coming forward,” Russian said. “It helps to stay on top of tasks by finishing them immediately so I don’t wait to get started.”

Russian’s job entails specific tasks which must be done on daily basis, but she also places personal expectations upon herself.

“When kids come in and they sign-in, I don’t know what kind of car they got out of, if I can just be that positive person and tell them to have a good day, I’m gonna be that person,” Russian said. “I have worked in other places, not in this building, and people are just grumpy, and it doesn’t make for a very welcoming place. I just want to make sure everyone has a good experience and they feel welcome.”

According to one of her student aides, senior Jordan Eller, Russian does everything she can for the student body.

“She has just about anything a person needs.

She also gives great advice, and knows how to make people feel better,” senior Jordan Eller said. “The school would not run without her.”

Although Russian plays a big role in the school running smoothly, she believes without the help of the administrators, she would not be able to do her job.

“Everyone always says, ‘you know everything.’ It’s not me. It takes a village, and I’m just part of that village,” Russian said. “The most rewarding thing is being able to work with teachers and students and admin. We have wonderful administration and they’re all easy to work with. It’s a team.”

Hanging up the phone, Sussian Russian answers a student’s question. Russian has been the secretary at PHS for three years.

PHOTO BY MACY FRASCO.

entering into the world of Stem TSA offers students opportunities to hone skills, leadership nicole konopelko @PHSStudentPub Developing digital videos, designing video games, creating 3D computer models, building airplanes and designing software are not things that students get to do everyday in their classes.

These are only a few of the things that students do in Technology Student Association (TSA).

“A lot of times [students] come down to their classes and do [things], but they don’t get to show that off or compete with other students. [TSA] gives them the opportunity to show what they know how to do,” said Andrew Brennon, Foundations of Technology teacher and sponsor of the TSA Chapter.

According to the organization’s official website, tsaweb.org, TSA is a national, non-profit organization of middle and high school students who are engaged in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

TSA covers a variety of topics ranging from working with computers to even fashion design. Members compete in several events of their choice at state competition.

Students will also compete in advanced challenges and competitions that feature STEM at the Great Gorilla Games. The 2016 Great Gorilla Games will be on April 16 at Pittsburg State University.

According to Brennon, the purpose of the Great Gorilla Games is to promote STEM-oriented curriculum, collaboration, teamwork, and the practical application of STEM concepts to “real world” scenarios and problems to all high school students. “[TSA] really covers a large area of technology so we can get everyone from any block of life to find something they can do in TSA,” Brennon said.

Students in TSA travel to Salina to compete in the Kansas State TSA Conference. The 2016 Kansas State

TSA conference will take place from March 24-27.

There are currently 31 students in TSA, with 15 actively participating in events and attending meetings. “[Students] meet at least once a week,” Brennon said. “Sometimes they meet more than once a week just depending on how well their projects are coming along and if they need more time to work after school.

They put in a lot of time to work on their events.”

Along with teaching students the foundations of technology and concepts they can incorporate in their daily classes, TSA also teaches students skills that they can use outside of the classroom.

“I think the biggest skill learned in TSA is problem solving just because [students are] always running into problems with their event[s] whether it’s just a time change while at state and [they] have conflicting [events] or something’s going wrong with [their] airplane,” Brennon said. “[This is very beneficial] in the real world because if you can’t solve problems, you’re going to have a lot of issues that really falter in your life.”

President of TSA, sophomore Meghan Hess, is in her fourth year of TSA but first year as an officer.

“Being a sophomore and being an officer in a club is unusual, considering I’m an underclassman, but I think it’s also a good thing in its own way because I have these freshmen that I’ve met before so I’ve built relationships with them so they can look up to me a bit more and so we can start getting this new blood in,” Hess said.

Hess spends 23 hours a week working on her projects. Her role as president is to run the club, work with Brennon and make sure everyone is on task.

Hess has been influenced by TSA. “[TSA] has inspired me to break the barriers and diversify the whole realm of science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” Hess said. “You can do all

working for the future: maddy robison @maddyrobison19 While other students are at basketball games and pep rallies senior Rachel Folk is cleaning up popcorn and selling movie tickets.

Folk works 30-40 hours a week at Pittsburg 8 Movie Theater while also attending classes at Labette Community College (LCC) and a college algebra class at the high school.

“I’m saving for college because I have to pay for it on my own,” Folk said, “It can be stressful [balancing school and work] at times especially with my classes at LCC packed on top of that. But I just take it one day at a time.”

Folk has been working at the movie theater for about nine months. While she enjoys her job, Folk has had to give up some of the high school activities that she would normally attend.

“I’ve had to sacrifice friendships and sometimes even being happy. I have had to miss a lot of sporting events, dances, senior activities and memories that I should be making,” Folk said. “It’s hard but in order to get ahead in my life and with my future career I have to do it.”

Alongside her, Folk has her friend senior

Tyler Lynn, who also works at the movie theater, supporting her, and who also helped Folk get her job.

“Rachel is a hard worker, she has really good initiative and gets stuff done. She’s a good leader and isn’t afraid to let people know what they need to do,” Lynn said.

“She needed a job and you need a good recommendation to get hired, so I thought it would be easy to get her the job. I also thought It would be fun to work with my best friend.”

F o l k a g r e e s with Lynn, she understands the challenges that come with working while still in school.

“I think all the hours we have are preparing us for adulthood,” Lynn said.

Folk has learned that having a job and balancing school can be difficult, but it will all be worth it in the long run.

“It’s difficult, but I have to do it,” Folk said. “[My advice to lowerclassmen would be] enjoy being young, make mistakes, have fun with the people around you. Don’t rush to be an adult because it’s not everything they say it is.”

“”

these different things within [TSA]. You can learn the mechanics of a computer, you can build things and it’s just awe-inspiring. I just really like to think that anyone who has a mind of their own can join and find something unique to do.”

TSA has taken Hess out of her comfort zone and broadened her interests.

“I’ve kind of expanded my horizons and learned to love something from each one of the STEM categories: science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” Hess said.

Vice president of TSA, sophomore Andrea McCloskey, is in her third year of TSA. Like Hess, this is her first year being a TSA officer. Her job is to make sure people are on task, see that people have everything they need, and see that people are in the right events they should be in.

“I have learned a lot of leadership skills,” McCloskey said. “I’ve learned how to work with a group. I’ve learned how to write effective essays. I’ve learned a lot.”

McCloskey is excited for the Kansas State TSA Conference. “[Competing is] definitely really fun, but [I’m also excited for] all of the things that we do when we’re not competing like going to eat lunch [and] meeting new people,” McCloskey said.

Hess feels like her experience this year will be even better than her earlier experiences. “Since I am an officer this year, I will be an influence of what TSA and the state of Kansas will be. I have more influence this year and more of a role to play,” Hess said. Hess wishes to continue TSA throughout her entire high school career.

“I take pride in what I do in TSA,” Hess said. “I really take pride in the club. I just love it so much. I can’t get enough of it.”

Folk balances job, school to prepare for college

It’s ha hard, but in order to get ahead in my life and with my future career, i have to do itit.

- RACHEL FOLK

Working at the movie theater in Meadowbrook Mall, senior Rachel Folk gives a customer her popcorn. PHOTO BY ABBY HARRIS.

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Above: Practicing for Junie B. Jones, senior Will Jewett and members of the cast run through a number in preparation for show. Below: Applying finishing touches, senior Will Jewett choreographs a number for the performance. The play was a Pittsburg Community Theatre production. PHOTO BY ABBY HARRIS

student sets sight on the big stage Jewett performs, choreographs PCT production of Junie B. Jones Kali Poenitske @ @PHSStuentPub In order to prepare for his future, senior Will Jewett has choreographed productions, taken dance classes and visited New York.

While in New York, Jewett confirmed his plans for the future.

“I was pretty sure I wanted to move [to New York] about a year ago,” Jewett said. “[Then], I went to New York [over] Christmas break [and] saw a couple Broadway shows.

[After] being there, I knew [that is where] I wanted to live, and that is where I want to be when I perform.”

Jewett has expanded his skills by choreographing three shows.

He has been choreographing since 2014, where he began by working on a trio for his dance studio. During the summer of 2015, Jewett choreographed ‘High School Musical Junior.’ In the recent months, Jewett has been choreographing the Pittsburg Community Theater’s musical ‘Junie B. Jones’. Senior Alli Baden has assisted him with two of these productions.

When Shaw asked Jewett to choreograph ‘Junie B. Jones,’ Jewett gladly accepted.

“I love everything about dance and musical theatre,” Jewett said. “So, I decided why not give it a try.”

Jewett plans on pursuing a career in musi-

cal theatre once he arrives in New York. He developed a passion for dancing at a young age, and has been dancing for six years.

“I was 11 when I started [dance classes.]

It was about an hour each week, and we mostly did hip hop stuff, but our teacher, Shelley Van Shaar, would throw in some ballet,” Jewett said. “It always kind of interested me.”

Throughout his years of dance, Jewett has had many people help him along the way.

“He was around eight years old when we started working together,” Maggie Stephens, Creative Director of Y Academy of Dance, said. “I met Will when he was a member of Showbiz Kidz, which was a musical theatre program coordinated through the Y Academy of Dance, where I was a student at the time.”

Stephens is also one of the choreographers for the school’s theatre productions. Y Academy of Dance director, Jordan Tincher, has also been a part of Jewett’s journey.

He has had a strong support system since the beginning.

“Everyone who has been a part of me dancing has helped me,” Jewett said.

“Shelley got me into it, and all of my friends that were there, [including] Casey VanShaar, helped me stay [in dance.] All of my teachers have been great. My parents [have supported

me by] coming to all of the competitions.”

Jewett has an alternate plan in mind in case his aspirations go astray. He will take online courses through Pitt State during his first few years in New York.

“If I get a job, I will perform as long as I can,” Jewett said. “If nothing works out after one or two years, I will [move back to Pittsburg] and finish my four years in business. Then, I will move to the city of my choice and open, or take over, a traveling dance company.”

Tincher is looking forward to seeing what Jewett will accomplish in New York.

“Will is destined for greatness,” Tincher said. “I know he will continue to make myself, and all his peers, proud. I hope one day he doesn’t forget us ‘little guys’ when he is becoming a star and making all his dreams come true.”

Stephens agrees Jewett will accomplish many things in the future.

“Will doesn’t take himself too seriously.

His open mindedness combined with his work ethic could take him very far,” Stephens said. “I wish him all the luck in New York and I have no doubt that he will turn heads in a city with thousands of talented people. But, I also know that if New York isn’t suited for him, he will go and do something else great, because greatness is inside of him.”

student moves up the ranks Ortega elected to state office meghan baker and kaylah wilson @meghanbaker11 @wilsonkaylah

Senior Noah Braun runs through some chords during a guitar club meeting. The clubs meets after school in Jason Susnik’s room. PHOTO BY SAVANNAH JONES.

Turning inspiration into music Braun crosses genres to create music influenced by video games Caleb Dial @PHSStudentPub For some people like senior Noah Braun, music is more than just listening to the radio in the car. Since middle school, Braun has been making music.

He has two albums in the books, an album to be released, and many more songs to come.

Braun’s musical inspiration came from old video games.

“Well, first it was simple stuff like Déjà Vu on Nintendo, but then you have these insane master works by people like Tim Follin and Tommy Tallarico,” Braun said.

Tim Follin and Tommy Tallarico write music scores for video games. Follin has written scores for several game systems including the Playstation, the Game Boy and the Atari ST. Tallarico is most commonly known for music on games such as Pac-Man World, Spider-Man (2000) and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater.

Braun was a member of both the middle and high school bands. Playing

the baritone and tuba, Braun developed a feel for music. After being inspired to make music, he then, in about seventh grade, started making his own music.

“I had a MIDI keyboard and free music software, so I began messing around with piano music and sampling chiptunes,” Braun said.

Chiptunes are synthesized electronic music commonly used in arcade games.

Braun frequently works on music at his house. Though Braun may not have a recording studio but he does have his bedroom that he refers to as “The Cave” which after all, has all of his equipment and his bed. By writing songs Braun has made content for three albums.

Braun feels that there is no specific genre that truly represents his music.

A tour was planned by Braun, but that fell through due to family problems and venues falling out of contact. These disappointments only fuel Braun’s aspirations to book live shows sooner rather than later.

Several hours are spent working on

each song before Braun is satisfied. His process takes anywhere from three to eight hours. Two of Braun’s favorite songs come from his latest albums: Noxzema from the album Resident Windex and Funk Series Q from his album Mutant Butterfly.

In creating any of Braun’s music he says he always works backwards.

“I come up [with] names then basic riffs then whatever until it either works or it doesn’t,” Braun said. “My process is very trial and error.”

Braun aspires to further his musical career by simply continuing to make music. He has already made money from his music by selling albums and wants to eventually tour and do concerts.

With the release of his newest album Resident Windex on March 30, Braun hopes to gain experience and become better known. The only way to purchase one of Braun’s albums is at frikobraun. bandcamp.com where all three albums will be made available.

After being in Family, Career community Leaders of America (FCCLA) for two years, sophomore Angela Ortega has become a state officer.

Ortega had intentions her first year in FCCLA to just be involved and make new friends. However, her goal changed on a whole new level, to a state level.

“A good leader is not someone who only wants to lead, but also wants others to join and follow. I want to be able to have students come to me, like chapter wise and if I see potential in someone, I want to push them so they can run for district officer,” Ortega said.

Last year, Ortega was an officer at the district level of FCCLA and this year with being at the state level, she is the vice president of public relations and vice president of recognition.

“Vice president of public relations I will deal with all of the social media websites, I’ll deal with Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and update them,” Ortega said. “Then vice president of recognition I just go through applications and award students, advisers and chapters.”

To become a state officer, Ortega had to present a speech, be interviewed by a panel of judges, take a FCCLA facts test, write a business letter and participate in informal type work.

This is FCCLA adviser Krystal Henderson’s first year at PHS, but she was in adviser for five years at her previous school.

“I will continue to be an FCCLA adviser as long as I am teaching Family and Consumer Sciences, which I foresee to be a very long time,” Henderson said.

At some points Ortega feels overwhelmed, however, she is glad to have such an opportunity.

“I will forever be thankful to Ms. Dalton for encouraging me to become a district officer because if it wasn’t for her I don’t think I would be here, and now I have plans for the future to run as a national officer,” Ortega said. “That would never happened or occurred to me if it wasn’t for her.”

Give us your feedback!

Art by Alivia Benedict

@PHSstudentpub

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The power of the mind

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necessary to know all of the ways to calculate things. We have all the information at our fingertips, it takes a Google search and you know almost anything,” Mengarelli said.

“Math and science are extremely important, but so are art and creativity.”

Mengarelli has had difficulty with various aspects regarding the different teaching styles, structures and requirements.

“I’ve really struggled with the repetitive teaching style and any style that stifles my creative ideas and limits my ability to choose for myself. Following strict guidelines is always challenging and having only one way to do things is dull and frustrating,” Mengarelli said. “I am slightly stronger in creative-based classes because I’m not limited. There is freedom to make choices. The curriculum isn’t as strict as the math and science courses.”

Mengarelli also suffers another issue regarding time and scheduling.

“I struggle with the lack of ability to make my art to the quality I would like it to be.

I don’t get enough time to hone my -KARIS MENGARELLI skills and practice because I’d have to work after school, but at that point I have a mountain of homework for other classes,” Mengarelli said. “I’ve also been frustrated with being unable to fit any art classes into my schedule because it is filled with classes that teach me how to follow rules rather than think for myself.”

Benedict has a similar perspective For Benedict, focusing in structured classrooms filled with her peers is difficult. She learns best in one-on-one environments, or alone, and that opportunity is more readily offered through art and fine arts classes.

“I don’t feel like anything should be required. It depends on the student and what they are going to do with their life. If it involves math, then of course they should take math. For me though, I already have the basic math skills,” Benedict said. “I need to

Math and science are Ma extremely important, but so are art and creativity. vity.

“

ance to have stressful classes and those you can relax in.”

However, Lomshek believes the two are different, yet still very connected and necessary.

“I land on the analytical side of art. It is difficult for me to not seek structure in a class that is often considered a free-for-all and anything goes. There is structure and order to everything, we just need to look a little to find this structure,” Lomshek said.

“My hope in the art room is for my students to receive instruction on a new art skill in such as way that they understand and then make it their own.”

Because of this, Lomshek teaches and learns math in a creative way.

“I have a tendency to rely on what math looks like in terms of a picture. An example would be using Pascal’s Triangle to remember patterns for squaring, cubing, etcetera,” Lomshek said. “For myself, I make up stories to help me remember certain concepts and many of the stories have evolved out of struggling to learn concepts.

Radicals, parentheses and other grouping symbols are like traps or dungeons that numbers need to escape from in order to reach their full potential.”

Lomshek shares her stories with her class if the concept or idea is covered.

For Mengarelli, art is a form of selfexpression, and she believes more art classes should be required.

“Art classes are really good at teaching creativity, which is an important life skill,” Mengarelli said. “Learning art skills not only teaches how to appreciate art and culture, but patience and self-expression. Everything can be connected to art.”

Mengarelli also believes less math classes should be required and the requirements should be more balanced.

“With the technology we have, it isn’t as

take as many art classes as possible so that I can improve my skills because that is what I am going into.”

“I love art and art is my whole life. It is all I think about, all I do. Art is a talent, I should focus on it, not put it off for something that I don’t need or don’t enjoy,” Benedict said. “Some people don’t need math. Some people don’t need art. It just depends on the person and I believe that they should go after what they need and want in life.”

Being an artist and struggling with math, Benedict understands art is not always easy for everyone.

“You somewhat do have to have the natural talent for art. Some kids struggle with it, but it’s the same kind of thing with math,” Benedict said. “I just feel like people need to work on themselves and do what will help make them happy. I’m not happy sitting in those math classes.”

Along with Benedict and Mengarelli, Lomshek has a unique teacher’s perspective on which it easier. Though, as always, it varies from student to student.

“Art is easier for most to perform because it is flexible in terms of the outcome,” Lomshek said. “Hands on activities in which you are actually manipulating a material has an immediate reward and allows us to involve our critical thinking skills in a different way than other content areas.”

Also, Lomshek has a wish for the way structured classes are run, such as math.

“I wish that teachers and students had the time to really learn and master a skill before tackling the next task,” Lomshek said. “I wish that we had the luxury to spend time with this connectedness [of art and math] without worrying about the next big test.”

However, Mengarelli has one-of-a-kind insight on the subject of creativity becoming limited by worries of tests and curriculum.

“Not everyone is good at art and not everyone can follow the techniques that come with it. But just because you aren’t skilled doesn’t mean that you’re not creative.

Creativity shows in many ways,” Mengarelli said. “My dad, math teacher Kris Mengarelli, is creative in the way he solves math problems and how he teaches. He can’t draw, but he is creative. That is what needs to be taught, what fine art classes teach. Think for yourself, the world won’t always give you specific instructions. In fact, it rarely does.”

Students embrace creativity through individual strengths Megan munger @Dragontwirler

C

ontrary to popular belief, the theory of being “left-brained” and “right-brained” is a misconception.

According to a Psychology Today article by Christian Jarrett, Ph.D, the left brain is dominant for language, while the right brain is stronger in emotional processing and representing the mental states of others.

“However, the distinctions aren’t as clear cut as the myth makes out,” states Jarrett.

“For instance, the right brain is involved in processing some aspects of language, such as intonation and emphasis.”

Therefore, with creativity, it is a much more complex process than simply being centered in one section of the brain. Multiple parts of the brain are being used simultaneously and neurologists are still perplexed by the process.

However, juniors Karis Mengarelli and Alivia Benedict still feel they are more creatively minded and art-based.

After having a day of stressful, structured classes, a wave of relaxation washes over them when they walk into the art room.

“I immediately feel relieved. I’m comfortable and I know what I’m doing in there,” Benedict said. “I get to do what I enjoy most, have time to myself and embrace my passion.”

The teaching styles of structured courses, such as math and science, vary from the way art and fine arts classes are taught.

“For me, mathematics feels more teacher centered. Daily classes are structured around lecture with ‘leftover’ time as guided practice with students,” art and college algebra teacher Rebecca Lomshek said. “In art, more of my time is spent guiding students through art as a form of self expression.”

Therefore, students experience the classroom environments differently.

“In art classes, I’m able to be independently minded,” Benedict said. “In math and science classes, my freedom is limited and I’m not able to express myself.”

Along with Benedict, Mengarelli feels more comfortable in art classes.

“This is nice to some extent. I appreciate both styles and I believe both are necessary to create a well-learned student,” Mengarelli said. “In this case it’s also a necessary bal-

Thursday March 31, 2016

In-depth

7

8 sports

Thursday March 31, 2016

www.boosterredux.com SECTION D

Catching a new Wall creates new coach bonds within softball LEXI PALMER @lexipalmer1022

T

he softball team experienced a shift in leadership as a new coaching staff took the field.

Sarah Wall, the new head softball coach, quickly established a bond with her players.

“We have a really good relationship with Coach Wall,” sophomore Madison Vogel said. “You can go to her for anything and she’ll help no matter what.

Our team is like a family; we even put ‘Ohana’ on our shirts to represent that we are a family on and off the field.”

According to Vogel, with a new coach comes a new view on how they come together as a family. This year, Wall created implemented an additional program.

“We established ‘sisters’ in our program so that our younger players have good mentors and can hold each other accountable for their actions,” Wall said. “Plus, they get to know someone better. They can encourage each other and just have someone to go to if they need someone to talk to.”

Junior Caitlyn Burdick believes the program has allowed the team to get along well.

“Coach Wall has is making sure as a team we are all bonding,” Burdick said.

“We recently had a lock-in and were PHOTO BY SAVANNAH JONES

given ‘sisters.’ As a sister you have to remind each other not to forget to put balls up or leave equipment out, make sure they are on time or both ‘sisters’ will have to deal with the consequence.

We just have to trust each other and our coaching staff.”

Aspiring to win state, Wall is preparing her team for obstacles this season.

“We expect them to work hard every day, be dedicated to this team, and committed to being successful team players. We don’t do average. We also expect them to be training in the weight room,” Wall said. “Excuses will get us nowhere. Success doesn’t happen by accident.”

Agreeing with Wall, Vogel feels this change could be for the better.

“Coach Wall has high expectations for each player and expects us to do amazing things,” Vogel said. “She will never gives up. I feel that this year is going to be a lot better than last year.

Not only will we win more games, but our overall sense of the game will be improved.”

With the first two games under the belt, the varsity team won its first against Columbus 10-5 and lost its second 9-6. In addition to being the new coach, Wall will be transfering from George Nettles to the high school to be the new P.E. and Health teacher.

“Success doesn’t happen by accident.”

Winter sports wrap up @ivanthehoss56

Senior Adrian Scroggins

Boys Basketball This season the boys basketball team won the SEK Championship outright for the first time since 1975. This has only been accomplished fourteen times in school history.

“It’s one of those things where you don’t realize how long 35 years is,” senior Spencer Turnbull said. “It’s a good feeling for us seniors to leave that as our mark on the program.”

The team, however, could not carry that success into the postseason, losing to Harmon High School 50-61 in the first round of the substate tournament Mar. 2.

“Everyone gave their 100 percent effort every day and it paid off with the SEK title. Although It ended earlier than everyone wanted, that’s the reality of athletics,” Turnbull said.

At the beginning of the season the boys started out 0-4. However, the team went on a winning streak which included six wins.

Head coach Kiley Roelfs was awarded SEK Coach of the Year.

“Coach Roelfs came in every day and gave us his best and expected our best in return. He never gave up on us and kept pushing us to be the team he knew we could be,” Turnbull said.

“When we started the season 0-4, it would’ve been easy to give up, but he didn’t and he made sure we didn’t either.”

The boys ended the season with a 12-7 overall record and a 9-3 record in conference play. Senior Dylan Untereker received first team All-SEK honors and an All-State honorable mention. Sophomore Marque English received second team All-SEK honors and an All-State honorable mention, and seniors Sherrick Rogers and Adrian Scroggins received All-SEK honorable mention.

PHOTO BY HAZEL HARPER

PHOTO BY SAVANNAH JONES

PHOTO BY SHANNON O’HARA

IVAN WALTER

Members of the varsity team.

Sophomore AJ Lair

Girls Basketball

Wrestling

This season the girls basketball team transitioned into a new coaching era. The team’s new head coach Eric Flaton, who was previously the Coffeyville head coach, improved the team’s record.

“It was a very productive season. We beat a lot of good teams but most importantly I had a lot of fun and I think the girls did too,” Flaton said.

“They enjoyed it because they were competitive at all times. These girls showed how tough they were this year and I am very proud of that.”

Last year, the girls finished with an 11-11 record. This year, the girls finished with a 15-6 record.

“I felt the season went pretty well, our team was always having fun and you can credit that to Coach Flaton,” senior Mary Garrett said. “He turned the entire basketball program around.

He changed all of our attitudes due to past experiences, and gave us a light to follow. He not only made us better people, but better athletes.”

The girls finished second in the SEK with a 9-3 record in the conference. The season ended with a loss to St. James by a score of 52-37 in the first round of the sub-state tournament.

“I am proud of this team for overcoming adversity,” Garrett said. “We were ranked lower than we thought we should have been, but we proved that we were capable of winning any game because we always left it all on the court.”

Players awarded with All-SEK honors were junior Taylor Muff, with a first team honor, and Ashlee Beitzinger, with a second team honor.

Flaton earned SEK Coach of the Year.

“It’s great that Flaton won coach of the year,” Garrett said. “He’s a great person and even better coach. He deserved it.”

The wrestling team’s season ended with eight athletes competing for a state title in their respective weight class. Freshmen Ben Brinegar and Reece Watson, sophomore A.J. Lair, juniors Christian Hyde, Deveron Duncan, Dylan Prince, Joseph Tallie and Kayne Hutchinson traveled to Park City on Feb. 26 and 27 to compete for a state title.

Three finished within the top three of their weight class. This included Duncan who received a third place finish, Prince with a second place finish, and Hutchinson who took home the state title.

“It feels amazing, being a state champion, it has been a goal of mine since I started wrestling and to finally win it was a great accomplishment,” Hutchinson said. “In the past, I have wrestled bigger tournaments, but the state tournament has always had a special meaning to it.”

This season the team itself took home the SEK title.

Along with the SEK title, there were nine wrestlers who made the All-SEK team. Watson, sophomore David Green, Tallie, Hyde, Prince and Hutchinson all received first-team honors and Lair, Duncan, and junior Keyth Waltrip were awarded honorable mentions.

Wrestling coach Scott Rieck was awarded SEK Coach of the Year after leading the team to the SEK title.

Hutchinson is already preparing for next season.

“The next goal for the team is a top three finish in the state tournament. We did not make it this year and next year being a senior it would be nice to leave with that accomplished,” Hutchinson said. “Even though I won state this year, I still have goals that I want to accomplish.”

The USD 250 Foundation’s 8th annual fundraising event, Feast and Follies, is scheduled for Wednesday, May 4, 2016 The Feast and Follies Silent Auction and Dinner begins at 6:00pm followed by the Scholarship Awards and the Variety Show at 8:00pm.

Held at Memorial Auditorium The variety show includes performances by PHS students from Musical Theatre Jazz Band, Encore Choir, Forensics, and Dance Team.

All proceeds support student scholarships and teacher mini-grants.

For ticket information see visit our web site www.usd250Foundation@usd250.org