May 2013 Booster Redux

PAREENTAL ADVICE

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MALAN

THE PITTSBURG

BOOSTER Friday, May 17, 2013 ■ Vol. 97 ■ Issue 10

Pittsburg High School ■ 1978 E. 4th Street ■

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x u d e R

Pittsburg, KS ■ 66762 ■ www.boosterredux.com

The silent side of an unspoken topic

BY LOGAN RINK

The Booster Redux

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eenage sex is inevitable. 47.9 percent of US high school students surveyed by the CDC in 2011 said they had engaged in sexual intercourse. 57 percent of 215 surveyed PHS students said they had engaged in sexual intercourse. From an early age, students are encouraged to abstain from sex and are made aware of the health-related dangers of sex. Unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases are risks outlined in the sexual education portion of health class or during discussions with parents. However, one major component of sex that is often not discussed enough is the emotional risk associated with sexual activity.

While abstinence is obviously important to encourage, knowing that nearly five out of every 10 high school students nationally have had sex, means that stressing healthy emotional interaction in health classes is necessary but does not occur as often as it should.

School Behavioral Health Therapist Lindsay Moss emphasizes how important it is that a student is aware of their emotions as they relate to s e x .

Before deciding to engage in sexual activity, she

encourages students to ask themselves a few questions: “Is their relationship healthy? Do they feel pressure to have sex? Are they emotionally prepared for a sexual relationship and all the possible consequences that arise from sexual relationships?”

Sex should not be a quick and impulsive decision; it should be a decision that is thoroughly considered. Scarleteen.com, a website that calls itself “sex ed for the real world,” gives a checklist of questions an individual should ask themselves before having sex.

“Do I want to have this kind/these kinds of sex for myself, physically, emotionally and intellectually? Do the other person’s physical, emotional and intellectual wants also seem in alignment? Do each of us feel like [...] we care as much about what the other wants as we want for ourselves? Do I want to do this at this time, in this setting, with this particular person? Does the other person want to do what we’re going to now and with me?

Do I have a good sense of SEE TOUCHY SUBJECT 2D

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY HAYDEN PARKS

Nationals in Nashville HOSA students prepare for competition

BY MORGAN PLANK The Booster Redux

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his summer, four PHS students will be packing their bags. Most students do not get the opportunity of competing at nationals, let alone in the country music capital of the world.

This summer, four PHS students will be packing their bags and heading to Nashville, Ten. For the 36 annual HOSA National Leadership Conference. The conference will be held June 26-29.

The students representing the PHS HOSA club include: senior Lizzy Willis and juniors Joban Mendpara, Reece Burns and Caden Yantis. Health Science and HOSA Sponsor Jim Foresman will also be attending.

According to the National HOSA Guidelines, in order to qualify for nationals students must have placed first, second or third at the state competition.

“It is pretty neat; they are very intelligent students and they now have an opportunity to showcase that,” Foresman said.

Senior Lizzy Willis received first place in Nursing Assistance, Mendpara tied for first place in Medical Spelling, Burns placed second in Medical Photography and Yantis placed third in Extemporaneous Writing.

Willis’ category involves taking a test over terminology in the healthcare field along with transferring a patient from their hospital bed to a chair. The judging is based upon how well the SEE HOSA NATIONALS 2D

New year, new handbook

Changes made to adhere to new trends and policies

BY REECE BURNS

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The Booster Redux

he high school will be experiencing several policy changes with the 2013-2014 school year rolls around this coming August.

This year Assistant Principal Chris Garzone organized a committee of teachers to visit a school that uses points in their disciplinary system. According to Garzone, he and committee tweaked the policy to fit our own school and then presented it to the school board, and was approved.

For each disciplinary referral, students will be designed a predetermined amount of a points based on their transgression.

Once a student accumulates a certain amount of total points the administration will take further action.

“The school we visited experienced a decrease in disciplinary referrals due to their policy,” Garzone said.

“The administration will be able to be more consistent with the consequences [in the new PHS system]. Students know the system is more black and white and will know what happens if they get a certain number of points.”

School psychologist and policy committee member Beth Stockard believes that “consistency is

extremely important when dealing with behavioral issues.”

“The expectation is that all staff members deal with problems in the same manner so then there should be consistency when disciplinary action has to be taken,” Stockard said.

The administration will also be implementing a ‘Code of Conduct’ in the school handbook. The Code of Conduct states that “behavior not in compliance with public laws will result in student’s suspension from extracurricular activities.”

If students admit to, are seen by USD 250 staff member, involved in a police or newspaper report regarding public law violations, the student shall lose a minimum of 1 or 10 percent of competition/ activity dates (whichever is more) and on the third offense will lose their activity for one year.

“There are several faculty members who feel that students can misbehave daily in the classroom setting or in the community yet not have any real consequences for extracurricular activities,” Stockard said. “Learning has to take precedence as does being model citizens; the Code of Conduct will address this.”

The attendance policy has also been addressed for the upcoming school year. Every third tardy per

class will result in an absence.

A student is able to miss seven times per class per semester before truancy officers get involved.

Students who are more than five minute late to class from the nurse’s office may be counted absent as well. Absences will no longer be classified as ‘parent verified’ or ‘non-verified.’ In PowerSchool any type of absence besides school activities will be classified as ‘Absence.’

“The whole point of changing the absence policy is that we want truancy to become involved so students don’t come close to losing credits with too many absences,” Garzone said.

Friday Night School (FNS) will also be changing for the new year. FNS will only be one-hour long. The administration feels that the discipline point system (mentioned above) and In-School Suspensions (ISS) will be a suitable replacement for the three-hour FNS. “We felt that FNS has run its course and its effectiveness,” Garzone said. “We want to incorporate more ISS.” The dress code will have a slight change next year as “spandex pants or leggings must be covered by skirts, dresses or long designer shirts/sweaters.”

News

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DID YOU KNOW GRADUATION INFO Graduation will be held tomorrow at 2 pm in the gym. Seniors will need to park in the Countryside Christian Church parking lot and enter through the Megan Mallatt gym.

Parents and others attending will be able to park in the east and south parking lots.

STATE INSTRUMENTAL On April 27, band and vocal students went to Andover for the state instrumental contest and the state solo/small ensemble contest.

The results are as following: Jack Warring(Marimba Solo)

II

Kim Lambert(Alto Sax Solo)

II

Sam Ortiz- I (Alto Sax Solo) Morgan Ebbs(Bass Solo)

I

Daniel Munguia- I (Cello Solo)

STATE SOLO/SMALL ENSEMBLE Boys Ensemble- I Garrett Stalder- I Sarah Walden- II Kaylin Moser- II Jasmine Decker- II Michaela WagnerII

DANCE TEAM RESULTS Emily Baden Shelby Bicknell Katie Phalen Erin Simons Lexi Germann Kyla Massey Rachyl Russian Alli Baden Macy Frasco Morgan Plank Kayla Clark Olivia Joy Coral VanBecelaere

CHEERLEADING SQUAD RESULTS

Nicole Broyles Heaven Critser Sydney Doan Brittney Dutton Jessilynn Hooper Skyler Jones Patricia Kelley Ena Linares Tatum McManis Erica Seal Camille Wallace Michaela Watkins Morgan Wydick

FINALS SCHEDULE Wed., May 22 6th Hour: 1:31-2:55 Thurs., May 23 1st Hour: 7:40-9:15 3rd Hour: 9:25-11:00 5th Hour: 11:05-1:05 7th Hour: 1:10-2:45 Friday, May 24 2nd Hour: 7:40-9:15 4th Hour: 9:25-11:00 Lunch 1st: 11:05-11:45 2nd: 12:25-1:05

LITERARY JOURNAL “Scales and Tales” will now be sold for $10 in the library.

It is a literary journal comprised of art and literary works submitted by students.

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BOOSTER REDUX Friday, May 17, 2013

Breaking the ice for parental advice How students and parents can approach “the talk”

BY MALORY WHITE

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The Booster Redux

urrently, half of America’s teenagers have had “the talk” with a parent or guardian according to a nationally representative survey by Seventeen Magazine and the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.

Discussing sexual intercourse and sexual health can be difficult whether it is from the parent’s point of view or the teenager’s. Fortythree percent of teens had discussed with their parents how to talk to a boyfriend or girlfriend about sexual health issues, such as pregnancy, birth control, and STIs. 52 percent of teens had discussed condoms with their parents, 49 percent had discussed other forms of contraception, 56 percent of teens had discussed HIV/AIDS with their parents and fifty percent of teens had discussed STIs with parents.

Teens indicate various reasons why they may not talk to parents about sexual health issues.

83 percent of teens worried about their parents’ reaction. Eighty percent of teens worried that parents will think they have had sex or are going to have sex. Seventy-eight percent named embarrassment as a big reason. Seventy-seven percent of teens said they didn’t know how to bring the subject up.

Parents and “The Talk” Parental talks about sex and sexuality need to occur much earlier than they do, but that doesn’t mean that parents have only one chance at perfectly executing the talk. Experts say that parents should discuss certain issues with their children at age-appropriate times, and the discussion should evolve as children mature.

To make things simpler, and simultaneously take some of the pressure off the situation, parents should think about sex talks as an ongoing discussion, rather than uncomfortable dialogue that they must cross off their to-do list.

Parents should keep in mind that they probably contain the same discomfort their own parents displayed when they gave them the same talk.

The conversations should not only focus on what the child is capable of absorbing, but also what the child asks about. A complete understanding of the subject will allow children to grasp information easier. A mention of sex or sexuality on a TV show, a pregnancy in the family, sexeducation classes in school or a visit to the doctor around the time of puberty are events that can aid in the explanation of sex and related topics.

However, the talk is executed, adolescents need to be informed. In the latest study on parentchild talks about sex and sexuality, researchers found that more than 40% of adolescents had had intercourse before talking to their parents about safe sex, birth control or sexually transmitted diseases.

Students and “The Talk” Teens who talk to their parents about sex are more likely to delay their first sexual encounter and to practice safe sex when they do become sexually active. Despite the seemingly reluctant behavior, most kids really want to learn about

sex from their parents, according to study after study on the topic. The study involved 141 families enrolled in the Talking Parents, Healthy Teens program, organized by the University of California Los Angeles/Rand Center for Adolescent Health Promotion and overseen by Schuster. Parents and their children, aged 13 to 17, responded to questions about 24 issues regarding sex and sexuality; the questions included how women become pregnant, body changes that occur during puberty, how to use condoms and birth control, and issues surrounding homosexuality. By the end of the study, more than half of the parents reported that they had not discussed 14 of the 24 sex-related topics by the time their adolescents had

begun genital touching or oral sex with partners.

42 percent of girls reported that they had not discussed the effectiveness of birth control and 40 percent admitted they had not talked with their parents about how to refuse sex before engaging in genital touching. Nearly 70 percent of boys said they had not discussed how to use a condom or other birth-control methods with their parents before having intercourse. Parents should not be the only ones pushing to have the talk with their children. If adolescents are curious or interested in participating in sexual activity, they should approach their parents and receive information instead of learning by making a mistake.

A touchy subject: the emotional side of sex Nationals in Nashville: HOSA students qualify

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1D what possible wanted and unwanted experiences and outcomes this can entail? Do I feel pretty prepared for them?

How about the person I’m about to have sex with: are they aware and prepared?”

It is also important that two people have a conversation before engaging in sexual activity. The conversation should involve how they will protect themselves from sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancy as well as what forms of birth control they think will be best for them. But that’s not all.

“Trusting and knowing your partner fully is one way to protect yourself from unwanted feelings,” school psychologist Beth Stockard emphasized.

“Ideally, a conversation will occur between a couple before making the decision to be sexually involved.

This conversation could be regarding the feelings both people are having regarding being sexually active.”

It is important to express to each other comfort zones as they relate to sexual activity and to have an understanding of how engaging in sexual activity will affect their emotional state.

A student who wished to remain anonymous shared how she and her boyfriend had such a conversation and decided that they were not ready to engage in sexual activity.

“We were talking about it and he said, ‘I don’t want you to do this and then regret it.’

He said, ‘I want you to be completely ready, no doubt in your mind.’ And that’s kind of what I’ve based my decision around. I’m not going to do anything until I’m completely ready,” she said.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1D

“If you’re not mature enough to sit down and talk about those things, then you’re not mature enough to be doing it to begin with,” school nurse Lisa Schwob said.

65 percent of the surveyed PHS students didn’t believe that sex was a “big deal” in high school. Because of this, it is more important than ever that parents and

health officials engage the teenagers in their life about this sensitive topic. The emotional aspect of sex can have just as long lasting repercussions as the physical aspects.

“It’s something I’m not ready for, personally,” the anonymous student said. “I have seen a lot of my friends get hurt by doing those things.”

student completes those tasks.

The Medical Spelling event that Mendpara is participating in will be run very much like a spelling bee.

Burns will be taking three photos with him to be judged. The photos must showcase some aspect of medicine; he must also write captions.

Yantis’ category is somewhat different: he does not know the material of his writing until the competition begins.

“He gets in there and they give him a topic and he is to develop a piece of work related to that theme as it relates to writing,” Foresman said. “He has to think on the spot.

You have to develop your thinking in the process and produce something that will be read by a judge.”

Each student has their own way to prepare for nationals.

Willis will be reviewing her CNA notes, Mendpara has been studying a medical spelling book on a nightly basis, Burns is going to recapture more in depth images, and Yantis will be talking with an English teacher to improve his writing.

“I am proud of myself,” Mendpara said. “I’m hoping I do well in Nashville.”

In addition to the competition there will also be guest speakers and breakout sessions that students can tour.

“It is big deal, not many people can say they’ve been to nationals,” Willis said. “I know that even if I do not place at nationals it is just exciting to get to go.”

N ews Taking news to

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BOOSTER REDUX Friday, May 17, 2013

■ Page 3D

the next level Tennis loses Publication students attend state competition its home away from home

BY ALLI BADEN

The Booster Redux

Many students dream of going to state for sports and activities, but for 15 student publication students, that dream became a reality.

On Friday, May 3, student publications students traveled to the University of Kansas for the Kansas Scholastic Press Association (KSPA) state competition.

Those students include seniors Infinity Butcher, Hayden Parks, Logan Rink, Ryan Taylor and Michaela Wagner, juniors Emily Baden, Reece Burns, Parker Matthews, Katie Phalen, and Nicole Striplin, sophomores Miranda Moore and Reagan Rink, and freshmen Sam Bollinger, Kailey Curtis, and Abby Harris.

All of these students first had to qualify for state at the regional competition that was held at PSU. They had to receive a first, second, or third place, or an honorable

mention in order to attend.

“I competed in three carry-in contests at Regionals: I placed in all three,” Wagner said. “Placing in those categories made me more confident in my skills as a designer.”

At the KSPA competition there were 1A-6A schools from all around the state.

They had writing, design, and photo competitions for newspaper and yearbook. Just like the regional competition, first, second, third, and three honorable mentions were given out.

Besides doing timed competitions, students could also participate in contests where the entries had to be turned in before the competition. According to Curtis, was her favorite.

“Entering a competition beforehand kind of gave us an advantage and a little more time to think of how we wanted to approach the competition.” Curtis said.

At the state competition, they competed in 25 events, and placed in 10. Out of these 10 placers, four received first place: Rink/Curtis in Theme and Graphics, Taylor in Newspaper Sports, and Moore in 2 contests; Cutline Writing and Sports Photography.

“It’s a great feeling knowing that all your hard work paid off in the long run.” Curtis said. “I’m also really proud of Student Publication for competing so well as a school.”

As a school, the Student Publications placed second out of 20 schools in the 4A category: only six points behind Bonner Springs. Newspaper and Yearbook advisor Emily Smith was very pleased with the outcome of the state competition.

“I am so proud of all my students,” Smith said, “They have worked so hard this year and it has really showed at state.”

StuGo left sponsorless Willis and Johnson resign from student government

BY REECE BURNS The Booster Redux No one said sponsoring a student government would be an easy task. Math teacher Rhonda Willis and English teacher Melissa Johnson will be stepping down from their roles as PHS Student Government sponsors at the end of the year. Willis is stepping down for justified reasons and therefore sees it as “passing on the torch.”

“I’m on several committees and this year alone those committees have pulled me away from over 30 days of school,” Willis said.

“Something had to go. I didn’t feel I gave StuGo what it deserved.”

Johnson’s reason for leaving is related to Willis,’ however different the reason may be. “..I didn’t want to do it without her, not even with another co-sponsor, but without her specifically,” Johnson said. “However, every year I’ve considered stepping down from StuGo, as fun as it can be, just because it is such a huge responsibility, and I stress out way too easily as it is.”

Johnson and Willis have several different views as far as what was easiest, most difficult and the most rewarding part of sponsoring StuGo. “[The most difficult part was] getting all the StuGo members to be active,” Willis said. “All the work fell on a few students.”

Johnson feels that the most difficult aspect of StuGo was being in charge of so many events with her perfectionist persona.

“Once Mrs. Willis came along, she really chilled me out,” Johnson said. “She helps me not to make little deals into big deals.”

They may not have been easy at first, but according to Willis, Iron Man volleyball and PowderPuff Football always went smooth.

Johnson’s favorite part and the easiest part of sponsoring was chaperoning the school dances. The duo even plan on chaperoning and sponsoring dances in the future.

The people who take Willis and Johnson’s spots as StuGo sponsors will definitely have their work cut out for them. Some of the biggest events of the school year are managed by the organization.

“I would pick someone with good organi-

Melissa Johnson is stepping down from her role as Student Government sponsor. Johnson decided to focus on her classes instead of StuGo after hearing co-sponsor Rhonda Willis also will be stepping down. PHOTO BY MACY FRASCO

zational skills, who cares about the kids and are able to motivate students without bias,” Willis said.

Willis would stress to her future replacements the occasions where Johnson and her fell short.

“Motivation for hall decorating participation was always hard,” Willis said.”

Johnson stresses that any future sponsor should have a co-sponsor who is organized.

“I am so thankful Mrs. Willis kept records of everything,” Johnson said. “Also, [the future sponsors] hold students accountable if some-

thing goes wrong. My third year was particularly stressful as I ended up doing a lot of the students’ jobs myself.

Despite the stresses, StuGo is a fun and rewarding experience to sponsors and according to Willis, people with different interests and personalities work the best together in a co-sponsorship.

“It’s a really fun thing to do,” Willis said. “[Sponsoring StuGo] is not a one person job. There’s lots of time involved. Find a co-sponsor who likes different things to be successful together.”

Pitt State courts are demolished, to be replaced with Fine Arts building

BY KATIE PHALEN

The Booster Redux

For the past several years, the residents of Pittsburg have enjoyed the tennis courts located next to the Weede gymnasium on the Pittsburg State University campus, but no other citizens have benefitted more from the courts than the student athletes involved in the high school tennis program. The players use the courts every day after school during the fall and spring seasons for practices or matches, and additionally practice on the courts often on the weekends and over the summer during camps and hitting sessions.

However, this summer, PSU has made plans to remove the tennis courts in order to make room for the brand new performing arts center that is currently under construction. With the removal of the courts, this will force the tennis teams to find a new home for practices and meets. For the time being, the teams will relocate to the sets of courts located in Lincoln Park, but Athletic Director Doug Hitchcock is hopeful that a plan for the high school to build their own courts will work out, with the cooperation of Pitt State and possible the city.

“We would like for it to start as soon as possible obviously. We would have to get some funding in place,” Hitchcock said. “The university and the school district have committed to that financially but we would still have to have additional funding to have the complete package.”

Hitchcock would like the plans for the tennis area to include six courts, a parking lot, a gazebo or meet management area, a storage facility, and electricity for lighting.

“If we don’t meet the funding level we need, we may have to do things in phases kind of like we’ve done with the track,” Hitchcock said.

Senior tennis player Hank Cloninger spends a lot of his free time practicing and playing on the courts, and their removal will affect his last year on the team quite significantly, but it will not stop him from playing as much as possible.

“I have used the PSU tennis courts just about every day over the summers when I’m in town, and I try and get out there as much as possible during the school year when the weather is bearable,” Cloninger said. “It’s sad seeing the courts go, but there are still other places to go in town.”

Cloninger petitions for the creation of a pyschology club The study of behavior etches its way into the list of extracurricular activities

BY SUHANI MENDPARA

The Booster Redux Learning the different functions and parts of the brain to study the metamorphosis of serial killers as well as many other aspects, psychology explains the brain and mind in the context of real life. Pittsburg High School just recently started Psychology club, which was suggested by junior Hank Cloninger. The first meeting was held Monday, May 13th, and was really focused on being student-led.

“My friend Brad Gaddy had proposed it a couple years ago, so I thought I would try and actually get it started. Psychology and Mr. Moss in a club sounded like it would be a lot of fun,” Cloninger said, “My goals are to let students continue what they learned and talked about in the class, and plan to do some social

experiments and go into depth with the subject. The club did start a bit later in the year, but it was to see how successful this club will be to determine if it was worth having it for upcoming years. “The club is basically for when we run out of time during the semester and we can continue and do some more practical and social projects,” psychology teacher, Patrick Moss said. The class and the club encompasses all the different fields of psychology. Learning about developmental psychology: functions of certain parts of the brain, nature versus nurture, behaviorism, and the impact of parents and the environment to learning about abnormal psychology which they do a great deal of studies on the cases of serial killers and disorders.

Psychology is very telling because it explains a lot about what

Dragons in the crowd

Q: What will you most about the 2012-13 school year?

Connor Spresser

Freshman

“I’ll miss seeing my friends. I probably won’t see them during the summer time because I’m involved in sports.”

Morgan Wydick

Proud sponsor of Pittsburg High School’s

Sophomore

“I’ll miss cheerleading. It’s something that I’ve done since I was 7 years old. It’s always been a big part of my life.”

Tyler Allen:

Junior

“I’ll miss going to the games. I got to watch my brother play in them.”

Megan Lee:

Senior

“I’ll miss the library. It’s just my comfortable place. I love to read and I feel most comfortable there.”

Merle Clark: Faculty Member “I’ll miss the different kids I’ve had in classes this year. I’ve really enjoyed them.”

TRACIE NEWBERRY

ERIN O’DELL

people see, and about how people act. It helps understand how important it is to analyze how people treat other people and their own kids.

“It helps me remember that we are all humans and in some cases that we are all very fragile and we need to be nice to one another. It helps us understand the human condition better,” Moss said, “I have a lot of kids that take this class because they think or hear that it’s just a fun class, but most students actually turn out to be really interested in the subject and some students actually go to college to declare psychology as their major. They see it as a way to help themselves and help other people. I would actually like to see psychology class as a requirement rather than an elective.”

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.

The Booster Redux

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

Espadas’ Worldly Words

O

ver the past year, I have been living in this country, meeting new people, visiting new places, making myself a better person, but, most of all, applying the independence, honesty, respect that my parents taught me.

I would encourage everyone to take an exchange year because you grow as a human being, you learn responsibility, maturity, appreciation of what you have and have been given, and you gain social skills, not to mention you get to learn or practice a new language.

An exchange year depends a lot on what kind of program with which you signed up with.

Some organizations will provide an authentic year by letting you do all the typical activities a resident would do. You could also you find a program where you will have to accept and deal with some rules, such as not driving or not being able to see any family while you are in the exchange year.One of many reasons why a lot of exchange students quit and go back home is because they get homesick.

To me, the most difficult thing about living in another country is dealing with money: you are limited to a monthly budget. A lot of people think it is shopping everyday, but they are definitely wrong. You have to buy everything your mom would normally buy for you. It is definitely not easy for me!

Before you leave your country

you should define what you want to achieve while you are away, socially,athletically, academically, culturally. The key is in your attitude.

While being in the States, I had the opportunity to be part of great groups, such as National Honor Society, Newspaper,French Club, Art Club, giving me a great academic outlook, letting me meet new people, helping the community and more. I am completely thankful to everyone for opening their hearts and doors to me.

When people ask me if I am excited about going home, I honestly don’t know what to answer. Of course, I want to see my family and friends, but I also have a family here that I will miss too.

For me Pittsburg has become a big part in my life my junior year. The year I let myself experience new things, make memories with friends, but, most importantly I reevaluated my values, because being alone in another country without the supervision of your parents can be a little tempting.

Since this is my last article to let you guys know and open a little bit more of who I am, I just want to say, thank you for letting me get into your school, your house, your country, and most of all your hearts, because all of you will sure be in mine. Thanks for letting me teach you a little bit more of my culture and country. Even if we didn’t have the chance to spend much time together, I hope I have shown the values my parents taught me.

I have no words to explain how thankful and grateful I am for meeting every single one of you, teachers, students, and friends. I am going to miss you guys. ¡Adios amigos!

Goodbye Readers

Friday, May 17, 2013

Donde una puerta se cierra, otra se abre

When one door closes another opens

BY REBECA ESPADAS

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BOOSTER REDUX

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

D

urante el año, he estado viviendo en este país, conociendo nuevas personas, visitando nuevos países, haciendo de mi una mejor persona, pero más importante he puesto en práctica la independencia, honestidad y respeto que mis padres me han enseñado.

Yo animaría a alguien en tomar un año de intercambio porque creces como persona, aprendes responsabilidad, madurez, apreciación por lo que tienes y has tenido, ganas habilidades sociales, sin mencionar que aprendes o practicas un nuevo idioma.

Un año de intercambio depende mucho en qué tipo de programa quieres registrarte.

Algunas organizaciones proveen un año auténtico dejandote hacer todas las actividades típicas de un residente, o igual puedes encontrar un programa donde tendrías que aceptar y tolerar algunas reglas, como por ejemplo, no manejar o no poder ver a tu familia mientras estás de intercambio. Una de las razones por las que muchos de los estudiantes han regresado a sus países es por que sufren de nostalgia.

Para mi, la parte más difícil de vivir en otro país es lidiar con el dinero: tienes que ajustarte mensualmente a un presupuesto.

Muchas personas piensan que es ir de compras todos los días, pero definitivamente están equivocados. Tienes que comprar todo lo que tu mam’a normalmente compraría. ¡Es definitivamente difícil para mi!

Is humanity living up to expectations established by our ancestors?

BY MALORY WHITE The Booster Redux

BY LOGAN RINK

The Booster Redux

T

Rink’s reality check

his is the last column I will ever write for The Booster Redux. As I’ve been letting that reality set in, I’ve been thinking a lot about how much I’ve learned from writing a simple opinion column. From the long to the short, from Obamacare to prom dresses, I feel like I’ve gained so much from embarking on the journey that is editorial writing.

I’ve developed my skills as a writer, learned to weather opposition to my opinions (ahem, letters to the editor), learned how to express my opinions in a (civil and) comprehensible manner... but most importantly what I’ve gained most from this amazing experience was the understanding of how important it is to actually HAVE an opinion in the first place.

I hope that, for those of you who read my column every month (shout out to my grandparents) and for those of you who have just skimmed through a few, I have caused you to consider, if only for a moment, the topic of which I was writing. Maybe I helped sway your opinion of something or helped you understand something else... but my true goal was just to get you to think about things. What the endless feedback and even letters to the editors have shown me is that I really am having an impact on my readers. I really am causing you to think and form and even articulate your own opinions. Just to know that is overwhelmingly rewarding.

So, to end my senior year as a columnist, I just want to reach out to my readers- both loyal and occasionaland encourage you to keep thinking.

Keep seeking out interesting opinion articles that help you form your own, keep sending letters to the editor, keep being opinionated! There is nothing more important that knowing how you feel about the things going on in the world around you. Find your opinions and share them. I promise, there are few things more fulfilling.

Thank you again, Booster readers, for an opportunity that will benefit me for a lifetime and one that I won’t soon forget.

Antes de dejar tu país recomiendo definir lo que quieres lograr mientras estés en tu año de intercambio, socialmente, atleticamente, académicamente, culturalmente. En la actitud es la clave.

Mientras estuve en los Estados Unidos, tuve la oportunidad de ser parte de excelentes grupos, como National Honor Society, Periódico, Club de Frances y Club de Arte, ya que me han dado una excelente perspectiva académica, dejándome conocer nuevas personas, ayudando la comunidad y más. Yo estoy completamente agradecida con todos por abrirme sus corazones y puertas.

Cuando me preguntan si estoy emocionada por regresar a Cancún, honestamente no sé qué contestar. Claro que quiero ver a mi familia y amigos, pero tambien tengo una familia aquí a la que voy a extrañar.

Para mi Pittsburg se ha vuelto una parte muy importante en mi vida, mi segundo de prepa, el año que me dejé experimentar nuevas cosas, haciendo memorias con amigos, pero lo más importante es que reevalué mis valores, porque estar sola en otro país sin la supervisión de tus papas puede ser un poco tentador.

Siendo este mi último artículo que les dejo conocerme y abriéndome un poco más quien soy, solo quiero decir, gracias, por dejarme entrar en su escuela, sus hogares, su país, pero más importante sus corazones, porque ustedes están en el mio.

Gracias por dejarme enseñar un poco más de mi país y cultura. Y si no tuvimos una oportunidad de convivir juntos, espero que haya demostrado lo que mis padres me han enseñado. No tengo palabras para explicar lo agradecida y afortunada que soy por conocer cada uno de ustedes, maestros, estudiantes y amigos. Los voy a extrañar mucho. Goodbye friends!

A

White’s wisdom

s time and my age simultaneously increase, I frequently catch myself thinking about my future. What will my career be? Will I get married? Will I have children? If so, what will my expectations be for those children? Did my ancestors have similar expectations?

I see a 5-year-old African-American girl sitting at her desk on the first day of school. The only thing that is on her mind is making sure she stays inside of the lines in her coloring book. She does not know that society is watching her and already judging her every move despite her young age. However, what is even more terrifying is that society expects something of her. Society and the media have set standards of how she will prove herself as a woman.

When I was that age, I was not aware of the already present expectations of not just me as a female, but as an African-American as well.

Currently, I am a 17 year old senior at PHS.

However, according to society’s expectations of me, I am not approved. It seems as though society’s expectations of an approved African-American woman is being half-naked on television; it seems as though society’s expectations of an approved African-American woman is accepting being called degrading names such as a slut or a whore. The media influences such expectations by frequently portraying African-American women half-naked; this image gives society the standards that they have for African-American women and where they should go in life. What makes it worse is the fact that women daily accept the standards and the expectations of degrading themselves by exposing their bodies for attention or acceptance.

“If you accept the expectations of others, especially negative ones, then you never will change the outcome,” Michael Jordan said.

Nonetheless, women of society do not see society calling out their name; their responses to the media and society associating women as whores and sluts is often, “That is not me. I am nothing like that” Today’s society and media have replaced dignity and respect with accepting anything no matter how degrading. Society only portrays women poorly because it is accepted. I am not society approved, however, I approve of myself and that is all that matters.

Letterto the Editor

To the administration, staff, and students of Pittsburg High School: I would like to take this opportunity to thank a few people with whom I have had the opportunity to work and teach with during my years at PHS. Thanks to Mr. Bishop, Mr. Garzone, and Mrs. White for entertaining my many questions and complaints and allowing me quite a latitude with my teaching styles. Thanks to the ladies of the English Department for putting up with me, while allowing me to keep what masculinity I have left. Thanks to Nancy Close and Linda Dunekack for keeping me on the straight and narrow and following their rules. Mrs. Odgers always lets me put in announcements after the due time. Lisa Schwob, thank you for not letting me stroke out. Ray Cornell, I will miss your whistle as I walk down the hall. Deputy Reese makes me laugh. Our cooks are the best and go out of their way

to make teachers and students feel welcome.Tom Burns, you have the happiest room at PHS, thank you for letting me share your students who can always make me smile. Rhonda Willis and the math department are always willing to let me vent to them. Chris Colyer deserves thanks for translating French phrases and feeding me.

Bridgett Lancaster lets me hang out with her during our 7th hour plan. Beth Gilbert for being a sounding board and makes me smile. Thanks to Greg Shaw for allowing me to be in Footloose and to Susan Laushman who has allowed me private concerts with her Encore group. Thanks to Jessica Stegman who I know gets tired of me yelling “Jess” when I enter the counseling office. To Diana Wilson, who has answered a myriad of questions and printed hundreds of lists for me. To the cooking staff for advising me when something

good is coming up. Mrs. Dalton for letting me cook in her kitchen. To Gary Wolgamott for letting me borrow books and answering my history questions. Patrick Moss lets me visit his museum where I always stand amazed at what he has collected. Jenna Pritchett has been my para for ten years.

It’s obvious from being with me for that long that she is the only para who can put up with me. Jenna is an amazing asset and has made my job much easier; whoever inherits her is very lucky. Thanks to the teachers whose classes I have interrupted to talk to students.

A special thank you to Emily Smith who has done much for me and means more to me than may be apparent. Thanks to her journalism and newspaper classes for letting me visit them and always making me feel welcome. They always let me share their snacks.

Finally, a most sincere thank you to all the students for putting up with my many moods and laughing at my jokes. You are a big part of my life. I really do love you all and will miss you more than you know.

Sincerely, Mike Hogard

A rts & Entertainment The world’s greatest detective returns

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BOOSTER REDUX Friday, May 17, 2013

Sherlock Holmes comes back with a modern setting on Netflix

BY JOBAN MENDPARA The Booster Redux

Whether it is murder, theft, or abduction, there is no crime Sherlock Holmes cannot solve. From Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes series, Sherlock Holmes has been brilliantly portrayed in BBC’s Sherlock. BBC’s Sherlock adapts the 19th century novels to a more modern setting. In Sherlock, Holmes lives at 22 Baker Street, solving crimes the London Police Department cannot solve, mainly for pure amusement.

Dr. John Watson, a veteran who has been feeling leg pain ever since he came back from war, winds up working with Holmes. The rush Watson feels when working with Holmes

suppresses the pain in his leg, and continues to work with him, despite Holmes’s apathetic, rude, and selfish manner. Watson is a unique character, because he represents the “normal” mind. Watson comes to conclusions that anyone without Holmes’s mind would make. Because of this, Watson is a very relatable character. Holmes would see a women who shot herself as murder, whereas Watson would simply see it as suicide.

But even more likable than Watson, is Sherlock Holmes. Holmes, the stoic, the antisocial, and the rude man he is, represents the “extraordinary” mind, and is undoubtedly the most unique character on the show. Being a master of abductive reasoning, Holmes

is able to tell one’s story with one glance.

The things he is able to infer from one look is astounding. Another interesting trait of Holmes is that he doesn’t solve crimes in the name of justice, he solves them for entertainment purposes. This trait sets Holmes apart from protagonists in other shows. It is often difficult to relate to Holmes, since he is not an ordinary man. But this foreignness makes him even more engaging.

The most breathtaking aspect of Sherlock are the crimes. The crimes showed in Sherlock are so intricately designed, it is hard to believe an ordinary man designed them. The show tells the audience no more than what Holmes and Watson know about the crime. This lets

great because it lets the audience, experience the journey Holmes and Watson experience when solving the crime. The lack of foreshadowing makes any kind of evidence strike a sense of discovery in the viewer.

Sherlock does a great job in captivating the viewer. Holmes and Watson, the brilliantly portrayed protagonists, do a great job at intriguing the viewer with their humorous bickering and their exceptional ability for solving crimes. But the show’s crime design is where the show excels at. Each crime feels like a challenge proposed to the audience.

Even though only two seasons of Sherlock can be enjoyed on Netflix as of right now, there will definitely be more to come.

An Iron Man experience like never before Third installment continues to sweep box offices after two weeks

BY CADEN YANTIS The Booster Redux

We have witnessed the moment where Tony Stark became the superhero that we now know as Iron Man. We have witnessed his journey to overcome numerous foes and to become a true hero to us all. After waiting three years after the end of Iron Man 2, the moment has finally arrived where Tony Stark’s story is continuing once again.

On May 3rd, Marvel’s Iron Man franchise released its 3rd movie, Iron Man 3 (IM3), which premiered in theaters all around the U.S. Following the weekend that it was released, the movie grossed over 175 million alone in the U.S and the number continues to grow.

The plot of IM3 is about billionaire/ industrialist Tony Stark’s personal world being turned upside down by a formidable terrorist by the name of “The Mandarin” who is responsible for a string of mysterious bombings. As Stark embarks on a journey to serve justice to the terrorist and to others who are involved, Stark finds that his quest will be his biggest challenge yet and that not everything is as it seems.

(Spoiler Alert) The movie starts off

with a flashback to New Years Eve in 1999 where Tony Stark witnesses the first sign of the virus known as Extremis which was invented by his short time girlfriend named Maya Hansen. Aldrich Killian, a disabled scientist, approaches them and offers Tony and Maya a place within his company called Advanced Idea Mechanics (AIM), but is turned down by both of them, or so we thought.

The movie switches back to present day in which we are shown Stark suffering panic attacks after the events shown in The Avengers took place.

His relationship with his girlfriend and close friend, Pepper Potts is more tense than ever and as a result, Stark has been building several Iron Man suits to help with the stress. As all these events are taking place, a string of mysterious bombings caused by “The Mandarin” have recently occurred and so Stark decides to take matters into his own hands. Unknowingly, his journey is just beginning and along the way, Stark is faced with the ultimate decision: does the man make the suit or does the suit make the man?

I went to the opening night premiere of IM3 and I was very impressed with the entirety of the

film. I found myself not wanting the movie to end as the plot of the film progressed and kept my eyes glued to the screen. From the moment the movie started, the movie had a different feel mainly because this third entry of the franchise was taken over by a new director, Shane Black after the previous director Jon Favreau switched to being an executive producer.

High hopes were held for this sequel as it was released because this is the first superhero movie to be released since The Avengers came out last year. Marvel has kicked it up a notch lately over the past couple years due to the release of The Avengers, Thor, Captain America, etc. As a result, DC comics has been attempting to compete against them with movies such as The Dark Knight trilogy, The Green Lantern, and the Man of Steel movie coming out later this year.

IM3 was awarded 7.8 out of 10 stars on the Internet Movie DataBase (IMDB) and received mainly positive reviews among movie critics. With the release of IM3, Robert Downey Jr’s contract for playing as the character Iron Man has expired. However, there have been talks that not only will he be back for The Avengers 2, but pos-

Dead Island Riptide drowns

BY EVAN RAJOTTE The Booster Redux

Dead Island Riptide (DIR) was a huge disappointment to me. When most game developers create a sequel, they always update the graphics and create a more intricate storyline to keep the players hooked.

Dead Island left off with four characters getting off of the island via helicopter, and Dead Island Riptide picked up right there. The four characters landed on a military vessel, just off the coast of the island, Banoi. As soon as the Characters set foot on the vessel, they were arrested for the safety of the crew on the ship so the virus did not spread any further, and also some testing. The characters were drugged and put into room, on the bottom of the ship. They woke up with a new character sitting in the corner of the room. After they established the name of this mysterious person, they all then passed out. This is where the game starts off. The character of your choice wakes up from a guy screaming on the overcom, “mayday, mayday.

The ship has been overran and we need help.”

The captain of the ship is killed so its up to you

to put the ship back on course, but its to late. The ship ends up hitting a rock and you pass out and wake up on the shores of a new island, Palanai.

DIR did not update the graphics in the game, and the storyline is the same as the previous game; get off the island. The textures of the zombies are different, such as skin color and they way the look, but the sound they make and the way they act are the same. There are no new zombies in the game. Every zombie that was in the first, is also in the second.

The storyline is simple, too simple. You start off in one place, then go talk to someone to get something, and they need help. So you help them and it requires you to talk to someone else, and--- they need help. This pattern continues on so you talk to approximately five people before you start doing what you needed to do in the first place. Once you get back to the beginning person, they make you go to another place and start the process all over again.

All in all, this game is not worth playing, unless you are completely bored out of your mind and have nothing better to do in your life.

Like music, like Daughter

“If you leave” leaves fans wanting more ★★★★

Daughter’s “If you leave”

BY ABBI EPPERSON The Booster Redux

Indie music may not be for everyone, but “Daughter”’s new album “If you leave” certainly is. The hauntingly beautiful voice of Elena Tonra mixed with the masterful guitar playing of Igor Haefeli and the smooth rhythmic beats of Remi Aguilella are sure to have anyone who listens instantly hooked.

The album has an eerie beginning with “Winter” and “Smother”. It really picks up with “Lifeforms” which may be faster, but still has the wonderful lyric and tone quality of the earlier tracks. The album slows down again shortly after with both “Touch” and “Amsterdam”.

Most of the earlier tracks are meant to show off Tonra’s vocals while the latter songs let Haefeli’s abilities really show. The last track of the album, “Shallows”, leaves you wanting more as Aguilella’s percussion talents finally have a chance to shine through.

One of the band’s greatest strengths is the power of their lyrics. Songs like “Still” and “Shallows” leave the listener in awe of their stunningly

poetic words. Also, pieces like “Amsterdam” and “Tomorrow” get down to the root of music with simple, yet very well played melodies, and moving lyrics that any listener can easily connect to.

Some of the album’s few downfalls include the fact that it does not show almost any variety from one song to the next. While the songs are great, somebody could listen to one song and already feel like they have listened to the whole album. Also, few of the songs were balanced with both vocals and instrumental backing. The entire time, it feels like both are trying to overpower one another and that causes a few tonal problems.

The album was released to the United Kingdom on March 18 and to the United States on April 30. Prior to the album, they had released two singles, “Smother” and COURTESY PHOTO “Human”, of which both are featured on the album.

While the album has reached the top 25 on several charts throughout Europe, it has yet to top the charts in America. Although it may not be recognized yet, it is definitely something to listen to. “If you leave” will leave anyone wanting more.

COURTESY PHOTO

sibly for another Iron Man movie as well. All in all, this movie is definitely worth seeing in my opinion. With all its nonstop action and sus-

COURTESY PHOTO

pense, witty humor, and its surprising twists, what more could you ask for in an Iron Man movie?

First battle of the brushes

Art program attends first art competition

BY PRISCILA RUIZ The Booster Redux

Art teachers Liz Darling and Rebecca Lomshek attended an art competition in Labette along with other students from their art classes. This was Darling and Lomshek’s first time taking part in Labette’s art competitions as well as their first year teaching art in PHS. Labette provided a variety of competitions and challenges to students attending which included a wide number of surrounding schools. This gave the students an opportunity to look at artwork made from other students of their own age group. Jessica Switze and Luis Pavon were among some of the many honorable mentions given at Labette.

“For a small college, like Labette, there was an abundance of art,” Switze said. “The most memorable event to me was a photographer who came to

speak about tips and tricks for other photographers. Photography isn’t my forte, but I found the event really interesting.”

Some of the workshops provided hands-on activities while others were just presentations from local speakers. Among some of the activities were print making and ceramics. Ceramics was Lomshek’s favorite, but notable for Darling.

“It was a good experience and provided an excellent presentation of print making,” Darling said. “It was a great idea to expose the students to two different ways of working with art.”

Art classes also attended one other much different competition. One of the main things that made that one unique was the fact that one of the competitions required the contestants to create some kind of piece of artwork out of “junk”.

Feature From A+ to musical composer, Malan lives a double life

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Friday, May 17, 2013

High school teacher has a broad skill set

BY MALORY WHITE The Booster Redux

O

n most occasions, it only takes mere seconds for human beings to categorize other individuals’ appearances.

Most of the time, walking throughout the halls of PHS only gives you just that: an appearance. But what about the hidden lives and personalities of the students and faculty in those hallways?

The girl you pass by each day before third hour could be a famous author that goes under a pseudonym.

The boy you sit next to in dragon time could have the voice of an angel. Janice Malan, the A+ teacher, is one of these individuals and has, in fact, composed music for various shows and professional musicians.

“I arranged 16 Spanish songs for a Las Vegas show called the Golden Days of Tango,” Malan said. “I had to listen to recordings and orchestrate all the instruments by ear. I have

also composed three songs for the movie The Greatest Comeback, arranged all of the songs for the Lonza Family Argentina Tours and I am the official arranger for stargatemusicproductions. com as well as the big brass bands in Anneheim California.”

Malan began her involvement in instrumental music as a third grade student. Since then, she has constantly been participating in some form of instrumental music, ranging from teaching lessons to composing pieces.

“I started learning musical instruments when I was in third grade and I’ve played ever since,” Malan said. “My main instruments are piano, violin and viola. I started giving lessons when I was in junior high and I studied music all throughout high school and college and I got a master’s degree in music composition. I started writing and arranging music after that. Currently, I play viola in a professional quartet.”

Despite the amount of musical background and experience Malan had acquired over the years, eventually, she decided to become the A+ teacher at PHS. “I think this is my seventh or eighth year as the A+ teacher. After you do things for 20 years or so, you just need a change,” Malan said. “I got my principalship and I studied at-risk kids and I thought, ‘that would be a good change for me.’”

Because of this change, taking one glance at Janice Malan only reveals her appearance and occupation as the A+ teacher. However, behind those characteristics lies an individual who has an understanding of music that you cannot tell just by merely observing physical features.

“Music is so emotional.

I’ve taught band and orchestra and vocal music in all grade levels through college; I’ve tried to convey emotion through

Music composer Janice Malan has shared her music in many various shows and professional musicians have sang her music. To this day she still writes music for herself and others, while teaching at the high school. Malan’s interest in music peaked at a young. PHOTO BY ASHLEE BEITZINGER

the music that either they’ve performed and I’ve conducted or written,” Malan said. “Ultimately, you lose yourself in writing or playing and it is just a good

release for me. Whether you’re professional or not, you can enjoy music all your life. It is just an enjoyment you can have forever.”

More information about Janice Malan and her accomplishments and compositions can be found at centercreek. com.

Seniors say Senior journalists share their experience their last Publications staff say goodbyes words Regrets of the graduating class of 2013

Infinity Butcher

Logan Rink

Hayden Parks

Andie Casper

BY MICHAELA WAGNER The Booster Redux

With their last year of high school at an end, seniors are faced with the realization that they may have not lived their high school years to the fullest. They wish they were involved in more clubs, played more sports, attended more home games or dances, or involved themselves with more people.

“I regret not trying my hardest every year of sports,” senior Lizzy Willis said. “My freshman [through] junior year[s] I was just going with the flow and [I was] okay with being mediocre, but my senior year, it finally hit me and I was like, ‘woah, I only have one last year to leave my mark.’”

Throughout high school, being involved can help you, or hurt you in the long run.

Senior Christian Rossback says that being involved in cheerleading hindered her from being involved in other activities.

“I regret not being involved in more clubs,” Rossback said. “Being a cheerleader really consumed all of my free time; I love cheer, but I wish I would have been more involved.”

Senior Shannon Dial says that he has nothing to regret about high school.

“I have enjoyed my high school career.,” Dial said. “I have tried lots of new things, and made new friends where I never thought I would. With the many different things that I have tried, I always seemed to excel in some way.”

Keeping up good grades all throughout high school is difficult, but many colleges look at grades in consideration for specific scholarships.

“I also regret not taking classes more seriously, I received several scholarships, but I know if my grades would have been better I could have gotten more,” Rossback said.

High school is a time in every student’s lives to make friends and to learn about themselves.

“My favorite thing about high school would be the friends that I have made; they have made an everlasting impression on my life and shaped me to who I am today,” Willis said.

School activities held a special place in many seniors’ hearts.

“My favorite part [of high school] was attending games; everyone gets so involved and the crowd is awesome too, especially during football and basketball [season],” senior Paige Murphy said.

Whether it was attending games, dances,or involving themselves in more clubs or activities, it seems that most seniors regret something about their high school careers.

“Don’t be afraid to get involved in sports or other activities,” senior Ivan Beasley said.

“If you’re interested in something go out and get involved in it. Maybe it might not be your thing, but you never know until you try it.”

Ryan Taylor

Michaela Wagner

LOGAN RINK “Being in newspaper has allowed me to overcome a lot of what once was my ‘shyness.’ I definitely created my new comfort zone in room 312 and what once used to be a quiet me quickly dissolved. I feel so at home in the publications room and I feel like all the pub students are like my giant, dysfunctional family. I’ve made so many meaningful friendships and truly come out of my shell since my sophomore year.

Not only have I found my voice literally, but I’ve found my voice in writing as well. I love being able to express my opinion every issue and that the entire Booster staff is so encouraging to me (even when they don’t agree).

I’m going to miss absolutely every bit of being on The Booster Redux staff-- except deadlines and story boarding and layout week and running out of snacks.

My future, however, is looking pretty groovy and the publications staff definitely deserves a shout out for that. I’ve learned lessons-- both practical and impractical-that are truly priceless to my future as a [fill in the blank here]. There’s no doubt at all that my experience on staff will have an affect on wherever I end up in life. Thanks Smith and all of the rest of the pub kids. The amount of love and appreciation I have for you is immeasurable. I miss you already. Meow.”

MICHAELA WAGNER “Student publications has become a sort of home for me, even a creative outlet. From bouncing back and forth between writing and not writing, the staff has always been supporting of me and of each other. I have gotten to know many amazing people that I never would have met had I not been in publications.

It’s definitely tough, and stressful at times, but I love it. The staff is great and we’re like a big, dysfunctional family. I know I’m going to miss everyone.

I can’t wait to see what they produce next year and all the years after that. Thank you to Mrs. Smith for teaching me, pushing me to do my best and always being there to kick me when I need it, I owe a lot to her. I love you ‘Mom!’ I am very proud to say that I was on the staff of the Booster Redux.”

HAYDEN PARKS “The skills that I’ve learned have helped me get a job in a field that I enjoy. To be honest, I‘m going to miss Smitty, and I’ll definitely miss having all the equipment on hand.

Being in publications in high school has set me on the career path of something that I enjoy, the skills that I have learned have already proven to be beneficial, I just have to make sure the skills that I’ve learned in publications keep growing. This class has set a foundation of who I am going to become.”

Malory White

DUNCAN WILLIS “Being in this class has helped expand my creative abilities when it comes to drawing illustrations for peoples articles.”

ANDIE CASPER “Being a part of PHS Student publications not only provided me with a variety of different skills but it gave me a home in the high school. Room 312 was always a place that was comfortable for everyone. I was only on the yearbook staff for two years but what I learned from those two years will help me throughout my life. Being able to be a part of the production of two amazing yearbooks has been an awesome experience. There’s no other feeling that matches that extreme excitement mixed with awe as you hold the book that you have been working on for countless hours in your hands for the first time. I know that the requirements of time management with meeting deadlines as well as having people skills will be essential as I go on to study business. Before being on staff I was incredibly quiet and honestly avoided having to go out of my way to talk to my peers or ask them questions. Being of the yearbook staff has helped me come out of my shell and gave me the confidence to perform interviews and work in a group.

I can’t really pinpoint one item or aspect that I will miss the most about being in Yearbook, I honestly will miss it all. The atmosphere, the people, and just the class overall are all things that I will truly miss.

Mrs. Smith was the glue that held everything together, we wouldn’t be anywhere as successful as we are without her. Thank you for everything, we love you!

MALORY WHITE “My biggest accomplishment in newspaper is the fact that I got to help produce a quality publication that is distributed to the entire school and the community. Even though the environment is often stressful and hectic, I’ll probably miss that the most. I’ll miss racing against the clock to meet deadline for each issue. I’ll miss the close family atmosphere that has developed over the year.

Newspaper has allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and take part in something that I never thought I would participate in.

Because of newspaper, I have improved my writing and interviewing skills as well as the ability to meet a deadline. I hope to continue my journalism career in college, however, I don’t think the experience will have the same effect that high school journalism did.”

RYAN TAYLOR “While being involved with the newspaper staff, I met and became friends with people I probably would not have even met under other circumstances. While on staff, I became managing editor and then became co-editor-in-chief, where I took a big leadership role.

Duncan Willis

Nick Vacca

The best accomplishment for me is winning state for sports writing and also receiving an honorable mention for headline writing. I’m going to miss the family bond we built the most. While being on staff I became so comfortable with everyone.

Personally being on staff has prepared me for the real world better than anything I could even imagine. I’ve learned to manage time and meet deadlines, while also holding a leadership role.”

NICK VACCA “My biggest accomplishment is taking part in the production of three yearbooks.

There isn’t anything quite like the feeling you get the first time you get to hold the new yearbook in your hands. After putting in countless hours in creating, editing, and doing it all over again several times, it’s an amazing feeling of seeing how all of your work has paid off.

I am going to miss the relaxed, laid back, family feeling of the class. Everyday I look forward to coming into yearbook. It starts my day off right and always puts me in a good mood. Everyone likes each other and we all get along so good, its easy to work together.

I’m going to miss all of my fellow yerds next year.

Being on the yearbook staff has really helped my people skills. I have learned how to talk to people and learned how to interview without it being uncomfortable or awkward.

It has helped my time management skills also. Having to meet deadlines gave me exposure to what it will be like in college and the real world.”

INFINITY BUTCHER “I think the skills that I have learned about communicating, getting my idea across and working as team to get a finished product are going to help be a lot with the career I want. My biggest accomplishment would have to be being able to help the yearbook staff create a awesome 2012-2013 yearbook.

Room 312 is sort of a comfort zone for everyone in student publications, it’s where we can all come and just be around each other and enjoy each others company while at the same time learning a lot of necessary skills it take to survive in the real world. I am definitely going to miss the open learning environment Mama Smith has created for everyone in publications. Most of all though I think I am going to miss the group of amazing students that have become some of my closest friends and Mom, of course.

I definitely think it will help me a lot with what I am interested in as a career. I plan on being an interior designer and with that I have to be able to communicate my ideas and work together with others to get a product that the owner or buyer will like and that’s pretty much EXACTLY what we do in yearbook.”

Feature

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BOOSTER REDUX Friday, May 17, 2013

Setting sail

BY ABBI EPPERSON The Booster Redux

24 French club members get to spend part of this summer in style as they travel to Europe.

They will be leaving June 6 and returning on June 18. For some students, such as senior Kevin McNay, this will be a second chance to go on the trip.

McNay went to France two years ago with French club, and is looking forward to having this opportunity again. One of the big differences between this trip and the last trip is the places they will be traveling.

Two years ago, the group just explored all of France. This time, however, they will be going to Paris, Switzerland, and several cities in Italy. While McNay is excited for the whole experience, he is most excited for the cultural effect of the countries.

“I’ve seen a lot of things in Paris, but I’m really excited for the cultural and historical

aspects of Italy,” McNay said.

“It’s going to be really cool getting to see Venice, Florence, Rome, and Piza.”

While McNay’s trip is about the history, some students are excited for current food and fun. Junior Mariah Monsour, one of only two girls going on the trip, is most looking forward to eating traditional Italian food.

“I’ve always wanted to eat real spaghetti and pizza in Italy. I can’t wait,” Monsour said.

Whether they are looking forward to the buildings, the travel, the culture, or just the delicious food awaiting them, all the students are thankful for what they believe to be an amazing chance to go.

“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I’m going to take advantage of every second I have,” Junior Josh Schooley said.

Anchors away

BY ABBI EPPERSON The Booster Redux

Pen twirling has become a habit of many students. Sitting in Mrs. Gilbert’s room, freshman Dillon Williams listens twirls his pen as he talks to friends. PHOTO BY MACY FRASCO

A new trend twirling around

BY CADEN YANTIS The Booster Redux

T

ake a moment and look around the classroom sometime during the day when you are in class. You might notice your classmates may be doing various things which may include sleeping, doodling, texting or even pen flipping. Pen flipping AKA Pen twirling is a form of object manipulation of a writing instrument with one’s hands. It’s considered to be a form of contact juggling and even classified as a sport in some cases.

Pen flipping originated on YouTube and quickly became a new trend after it was discovered. However, not only has Pen flipping has traveled outside the virtual internet world, but it has been taken on as a form of entertainment by people of all ages.

Debate students were one of the few who

discovered pen flipping on YouTube and took on the process of attempting to learn how to flip their pen. As a result, many other students have taken on trying to learn the tricks of Pen flipping.

“I’m not exactly sure how it started, it just sort of started by itself and all of us in Debate found that it was easier to concentrate when we pen flipped,” sophomore Chad Baker said.

There are numerous videos on YouTube that show viewers step by step on how to flip a pen around their fingers. It seems that some people have found it to be impossible to accomplish while others flip their pen across their fingers with no trouble at all.

“It was very challenging when I first started to learn” Baker said. “I think it annoyed some of my teachers because I would drop the pen on the floor a lot while attempting to learn.”

While summer for many students may consist of staying at home and relaxing or going to the pool, some get the chance to spend their summer a little farther away from home.

Junior Betty Noonoo will be spending most of her summer out of the country. Noonoo’s father is going on a sabbatical with their church so her whole family is going to go to Spain, France, Italy, and Greece for a month. Then they will go to Ghana to visit her father’s family for a month. She will be getting back two days before school starts next year.

“I was really excited when I first heard,” Noonoo said.

“Then, when I heard when we were getting back, I was wondering when I was going to shop for school, so I was kind of sad. Still, I’m really excited for the great opportunity.”

Unlike Noonoo, Sophomore Phoebe Waring will not be leaving the country for her trip, but for Waring, her trip is more about quality than quantity. At the beginning of the summer, she will be traveling to New York to

see her sister graduate from Columbia University.

“I’m going to New York City in about two weeks,” Waring said. “We’re going to be there for five days. I’ve been there once when I was in 7th grade.

I’m very excited to go. Most of all, I’m looking forward to shopping.”

Some seniors, like seniors Klair Parsons and Jordan Redd are taking this summer as an opportunity to have their own senior trips. Parsons and Redd are going to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Florida then going on a cruise to the Bahamas.

“When I first found out about it, I asked Jordan if this was real life,” Parsons said.

“We’re all graduating, Jordan, her sister, her fiance and I, from high school and college this year and we really wanted to make this a great summer.

They’re really into Harry Potter, so we figured while we were there we would go to the Bahamas.”

Whether they’re going across the world, across the country, or across town, students all over PHS are excited to get away for some summer relaxation.

You-Me-Go! An old school card game hits high school again

BY PARKER MATTHEWS The Booster Redux

An old way to kill time has re-emerged. A select few of students have taken a liking to the card game Yu-Gi-Oh, a game based on a television series where competitors would challenge their deck of cards- composed of monsters, magic spells, and trap cardsagainst the opponent’s deck.

Sophomores Kaegan White and Mark Weaver and freshman Jack

Warring all agree that the original television show was a success and a reason behind their involvement with the game.

“I got started after my sister brought home a pack of cards,” White said. “Once I realized how much fun it was I got hooked on it and now it’s one of my favorite shows.

Those who partake in Yu-Gi-Oh realize the strategy and competition involved with the game.

This, along with the fantasy of monsters and magic becoming real either interest the player or push them away. Weaver thinks that people who have not played it categorize Yu-Gi-Oh as a nerd’s game.

“People who play enjoy it, but people who watch seem to look down upon it like it’s nerdy or something,” Weaver said. “You get into [Yu-Gi-Oh] and it’s almost addicting.”

Spending his extra time in class dueling, sophomore Mark Weaver plays Yu-Gi-Oh. PHOTO BY HAYDEN PARKS

Trips to campus; helpful or hurtful in decision making?

BY EMILY BADEN

attended for an excused absence. After an appointment is set up, the admissions office sends the student a As the school year comes to a close, this year’s confirmation of their appointment and a parking pass juniors and sophomores begin to think about plans with instructions. Students are allowed two campus after graduation. With 66.2 percent of high school visits per year. graduates enrolled in colleges or universities by Once a tour is scheduled there are many activities October 2012, according to bls.gov, high schoolers that go on during a visit. planning on furthering their education might begin to “All college visits are different, but you can guarantee consider which college to go to. a trip to the admissions, the dorms, the financial aid To help these students make a office, and a general tour of decision, the first step is touring a campus,” Ulbrich said. “If college. you have a major in mind, “I believe campus visits help kids “Colleges want you to attend they pay special attention make the determination of where they their campus, and they know a to the building where that campus visit is the best way for ultimately go to college.” major is housed and [they them to advertise,” Guidance may] allow you to speak with counselor Gina Ulbrich said.

- GINA ULBRICH professors in that program, “Going on campus visits is really and maybe sit in on a class.” the only way to solidify your choice Ulbrich says that there are of colleges because you will be able not any drawbacks to these tours and recommends that to determine which one felt more like home.” all students take their college visits. She said that even Students can set up a college visit on their own if they want to attend a school that is nearby, there are through the admissions department at the college, several schools within a 50 mile radius, and they need or they can come and see the counselors. There is a to check several out before making a choice. Another form in the counseling office that the student can take reason is because “campus visits are fun.” with them on the tour for documentation that they “I believe campus visits help kids make the The Booster Redux

determination of where they ultimately go to college,” Ulbrich said. “Many times students like the idea of a particular college, but when they actually go for a visit, they find it’s too big, too small, aesthetically unpleasing to them, too laid back, or too fast-paced.

Those are the kinds of things you can’t experience by looking at pictures on the internet.”

Senior Shannon Dial is one example of a student who had a successful college visit.

“The visit solidified my choice to go to K-State because I could picture myself living on that campus,” Dial said.

Senior Isis Ruiz visited Kansas University. She did the regular orientation where they met at the Student Center and watched a presentation. A bus then toured her around until it dropped her off for a tour guide to lead her around campus. Thanks to her visit, she ultimately decided to apply, and was accepted into KU. “Make sure you go to a campus visit with encouraging people,” Ruiz said. ”Not necessarily your buds, because they can change some of your decisions whether you realize it or not. But at the same time, you need someone who will encourage you to ask more questions about the school. [You] might also consider taking a group of people who are thinking about attending that school.”

Sports

■ Page 8D

DID YOU KNOW

The Booster Redux

Varsity boys beat Baxter Springs in the first round of regionals on Monday.

Their season ended in the second round against Frontenac yesterday with the final score being 5-1. Seniors include: Spencer Bernhardt, Nick Vacca, Tanner Ellis, Evan Owen, Todd Keller and Dylan Crozier.

Friday, May 17, 2013

Signings show silver linings

BY RYAN TAYLOR

Baseball

SECTION D

BOOSTER REDUX

Two weeks ago, senior big men, Stefon Rich and Fedor Lomax became the first Dragon boys to commit to a higher skill of basketball this year, after signing to play at the college level.

Rich signed his letter of intent to play at Coffeyville Community College, while Lomax will continue his career with Fort Scott Community College.

“Very happy for them and very proud of them,” head coach Kiley Roelfs said. “I think anytime one of our

student athletes has the opportunity to continue their education and playing careers at the next level I think it’s a very positive thing for them, for our school, for all those involved.”

With Rich’s size and Lomax’s speed and vertical, the pair were a force inside, causing problems for teams all season.

“I don’t think there is any question that every time we took the floor, our opponents had to figure out a way to deal with our guys inside and a big reason for that is because of Stefon’s and Fedor’s productivity throughout the season,” Roelfs said.

Lomax a four year veteran in the basketball program received a starting role as forward his junior and senior season averaging 13.1 points a game.

Rich moved to Pittsburg his junior year and immediately became a force with his presence down low, towering over defenses with his six-foot-eight stature.

“As the year went on I think they took the senior part of it and the leadership part of it seriously and I think they both tried to bring teammates along and try and do the things we needed to do to try and advance as a basketball team,” Roelfs

said.

Recently Lomax played in the seventh annual KSEK/KLKC Via Christi High School Basketball AllStar game, a game setup for the top local senior basketball players. Senior Tanner Ellis was also selected to play.

Varsity goalie Gershom Avalos is the first member of the soccer team to commit to the next level after signing with Labette Community College on May 8.

“It feels great to sign with Labette,” Avalos said. “I just want to do very well and have good grades in all my classes.”

Softball Varsity girls ended their season with a record of 6-15.

Monday they lost to Fort Scott in the first round of Regionals.

Seniors include: Alaura Short, Kylie Wilber, and Andie Casper.

Boys Golf Boys varsity placed 7 out of 10 teams in the Class 4A Regional Golf on Monday. Varsity members include: junior Calvin Thyer, sophomore Justin Wuerdeman, and freshmen Jake Austin, Jon Commons, Alex Smith and Gregory Hurt. All will be returning except senior Jordan Daniels.

Wi ndi ng down with regionals

BY PARKER MATTHEWS The Booster Redux

Track

TRACK

The varsity girls team placed first in SEK, which names them the 2013 SEK Champs. The boys placed second in SEK; runner up to Coffeyville.

They will be competing at regionals today in Iola.

Those who qualify will advance to state on May 24.

Boys Tennis All boys varsity members qualified for state. They took 10 place as a team at state. Sophomore Adrian McAfee placed 13 in singles along with junior Hank Cloninger who placed 15. Sophomores Nick Powers and Micah Hashman received 11 in doubles, and senior Jake Creech and freshman Logan Benham placed 16 in doubles. Seniors include: Jake Creech and Kevin McNay.

Pittsburg hosted the SEK League track meet last Thursday, making it the first track meet held by the Dragons in over a decade. The girls team won the SEK title.

Dominating the meet, the girls scored 170 points. To put that in perspective, second place Chanute tallied 105 points.

Senior Andie Casper placed first in long jump. Junior Sarah Jewett placed first in the open 800. Junior Chelsea Baker placed first in 100-meter hurdles and triple jump. Freshman Ashlee Beitzinger placed first in pole vault.

Just as individual events, the relay teams were on track too.

The 4x800-meter (Jewett, senior Lizzy Willis, freshman Morgan Plank, junior Katie Phalen) and the 4x400-meter (Jewett, Casper, junior Nicole Striplin, Willis) placed first.

The boys team placed second only to Coffeyville. The 4x800meter relay (senior Garrett Stalder, junior Braden Brown, senior Jeremiah Jones, freshman Lukas McConnell) placed first.

Field events were the backbone for the boys. Brown went on to win the pole vault event.

Sophomore Alex Barnes took first in triple jump. Senior Gershom Avalos took the gold in shot put.

Both teams intend to put on a solid performance in today’s Regional track meet, held in Iola.

BASEBALL

Baseball’s postseason began Monday with the Regional playoffs. Pittsburg earned the four seed, which made their opponent the five seed, Baxter Springs Lions. After defeating the Lions 7-3, Pittsburg moved on to play the Frontenac Raiders Wednesday in the Regional semifinals.

Pittsburg finished the season off 10-11, while Baxter Springs recorded two wins throughout the entirety of the season, both of which came from the Lions sweeping Pittsburg. Sophomore Dante Richardson pitched the entire game against the Lions, throwing a shutout up until the 7th inning.

Pittsburg lost to Frontenac 5-1.

Senior Spencer Bernhardt started the game; after giving up three runs in the first inning Bernhardt settled down. The Dragons did not earn a hit until the 4th inning when Bernhardt smacked a line drive up the middle for a single.

Later in the inning, senior Todd Keller hit Bernhardt in on a single to score their only run.

GOLF

The Regional boys golf tournament was held Monday, May 13 at Parsons Katy. Pittsburg

did not have anybody place individually to move onto state, nor did they qualify as a team.

The order of team finishers is as followed: Labette County High School, Independence, Field Kindley High School, Columbus, Ft. Scott, Parsons, Pittsburg, Frontenac, Baxter Springs, and Girard.

The boys golf team consists of a majority of underclassmen.

Sophomore Justin Wuerdeman led the pack as the one seed, followed by freshman Jake Austins, Jon Commons, Alex Smith, junior Calvin Thyer, and freshman Gregory Hurt; respectively, the scores were 96, 98, 104,115, 115, 136.

At golf tournaments, the top four scores are the only scores used to rank teams. Pittsburg totaled 413, with it seventh place.

Labette County’s team score of 340 placed them one stroke ahead of Independence’s team score of 341.

TENNIS

Coasting through the regular season, the boys tennis team finished the year undefeated.

Paralleling the success of the regular season into the postseason, all members of varsity squad qualified for the state competition at Regionals, held May 2. The State competition was held May 10-11.

The doubles team of senior

Jake Creech and freshman Logan Benham earned a bye through the first round at State due to their success at Regionals.

The duo finished 16th at State.

Sophomores Micah Hashman and Nick Powers placed 11th, with this came All-State honors.

Both junior Hank Cloninger and freshman Adrian McAfee competed at State in the singles competition. Cloninger placed 15th while McAfee placed 13th.

At the end of day, the boys tennis team finished in 10th place. There were 20 teams which attended the 4A State competition.

From the success of younger players, the bar is set high for next year’s boys tennis team.

SOFTBALL

The softball team played the Fort Scott Tigers in the first round of the Regional competition.

Pittsburg lost 0-6, after holding on to a scoreless game until the 6th inning. Fort Scott was the two seed and Pittsburg was the seventh seed out of nine teams.

Pittsburg finished the regular season 6-15.

Junior Mercedes Vogel started off pitching for the Dragons. She pitched a shutout up until the 6th inning, when she gave up two runs. Senior Andie Casper replaced Vogel with two outs left in the inning. Casper pitched the remainder of the game.

BY RYAN TAYLOR The Booster Redux

For 20 years Merle Clark’s boys golf team has been a dominate force in Southeast Kansas League play, sending at least one member to the state tournament yearly. With regional play less than a week away, the team will look to continue the achievement.

Clark has been playing golf for 50 years and coaching at PHS for 21 of them.

“Golf is one of those lifelong

sports that you can always play,” Clark said.

After losing a key group of seniors the team has become moderately young taking four freshmen, Jake Austin, Jon Commons, Alex Smith and Quentin Sams, sophomore Justin Wuerdeman, and junior Calvin Thyer to varsity tournaments.

Wuerdeman has been leading the team, placing the highest of the six in league play.

“I have not played to my full potential,”

PHOTO OF QUENTON SAMS BY HAYDEN PARKS

Wuerdeman said. “I need to improve on my consistency of hitting good shots and dealing with tournament pressure.”

Wuerdeman became interested in golf after playing with his dad, and has now been playing for four years and quickly earned a spot as a varsity starter.

“I would like to qualify for state whether it be as a team or an individual,” Wuerdeman said.

Austin also became involved in the sport after encouragement from his dad. He began the year with a starting position and created bonds with his

teammates.

“It’s fun because we are all friends and get along,” Austin said. “We are also excited for the next three years to see how much we can accomplish together.”

Overall the team finished last in SEK, with Clark encouraging the team to continue to play over the summer to improve to build their experience.

“It’s just like any other sport if you’re going to be good, you need experience and the team does not have it,” Wuerdeman said. “I think that if we had experience we would be a very good team.”