The Patriot Oct. 2015

THE

PATRIOT VOLUME 50

ISSUE 2

OCTOBER 2015

THE ALPHABET SOUP COMMUNITY As the LGBT acronym evolves, millennials prepare to take on gay rights issues post-DOMA. SHAWNEE MISSION SOUTH 5800 W. 107th ST, OVERLAND PARK, KS, 66207

(913) 993-7500

EDUCATION INSPIRES DREAMS. WE PROTECT THEM.

American Family Mutual Insurance Company, American Family Insurance Company, 6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI, 53783, Š2014 006441 - 7/14

Kathy Wegner Agency 4591 Indian Creek Pkwy Overland Park, KS 66207 (913) 649-7200 kathywegner.com

RED WING STORE 8920 W 95TH ST OVERLAND PARK, KS 66212 913-648-7860

ON THE COVER PHOTOs BY JENNA FACKRELL Lovingly nicknamed by the Gay Straight Alliance as “the alphabet soup community” for its addition of more and more letters and identities over time, South’s LGBT+ community presses onward in the fight for equal rights.

STAFF

CONTENTS

NEWS

4 Interdistrict GSA Meeting

News Briefs

A&E 20

Bigger than Hair

21

Street Style

5 Homecoming Festivities

22

The Local: Lawrence

24

Twitter Contest

6

Band & Orchestra

25

Reviews

7

Early Decision

8 @ Seminar Photo Essay

OPINION 9

Staff Editorial

10

Debate: Pledge

12

Guest Column

FEATURES Memorials

14

Cover Story

18

Q&A w/ Connor Hill

MISSION

13

SPORTS

26 Nothing But Net Volley’Fall’ 27

Q&A w/ Mitch Brock

29

Weight Room Moves

30

Use Your Head

28

Winter is Coming

THEN AND NOW 32

Generation Gap

For extended content, reviews and photo galleries, check out http://smsouthnews.com.

Emily Wilkinson Editor-In-Chief Opinion Editor Lauren Rosenstock Assistant Editor-In-Chief Sports Editor Rose Pollina Features Editor Infographics Editor

Jenna Fackrell Photo Editor Savannah Morgan Photographer Maxie Crimm Photographer Hannah Carter Photographer

Amelia Holcomb News Editor

Michael Castellon Staff Writer

Kate Anderson A&E Editor

Mark Holland Staff Writer

Jacob Cox Web Editor

Max Holmes Staff Writer

Sophia Belshe Ads Editor

Jacob Robertson Staff Writer

Kendall Barker Copy Editor

Joe Stoermann Staff Writer

Casey Mispagel Editorial Cartoonist

Keeli Ward Staff Writer

The Patriot is a news magazine that aims to objectively present topics affecting Shawnee Mission South High School, as well as connect with readers on issues concerning the student body. Staff members reserve the right to express their views in the Opinions section. These pieces are labeled and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the staff as a whole, except the Lead Editorial, which represents the views of the editors.

Under the First Amendment and Kansas Law, The Patriot staff is entitled to freedom of the press and neither the school nor district is responsible for any content or coverage. The staff encourages letters to the editor, but they will only be published if signed. The editor-in-chief reserves the right to refuse or edit any letters for reasons of grammar, length and good taste.

CONTENTS OCT. 2015

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During a Gay Straight Alliance meeting, senior Mona Jahani leads a discussion on the LGBTQ community in the media. The club talked about recent films and the controversy surrounding them. photo by Jenna Fackrell

NEWS BRIEFS

This month’s mustknow news stories by joe stoermann Staff writer

>>> WORLD

More than 9 million Syrians have fled their homes since March 2011. More than half of these refugees in Europe are children.

The mass of refugees is so vast that 14 percent are being kept in shelters and most of them settled in northern areas such as Irbil and Nineveh, which are the closest cities to the Syrian border. “It’s a tragedy and we shouldn’t be letting it happen.” Arabic teacher Annie Hasan said

>>>

NATIONAL

Nine people were killed and at least nine were injured during the Oct. 1 shooting at Umpqua Community College located in Roseburg, Oregon. All 14 weapons that investigators uncovered were purchased legally over the last three years by the shooter and members of his family. This is just the latest shooting that has raised questions regarding gun control.

“I think it’s just another reminder that gun control laws need to be reformed because innocent people are dying and we could easily save them,” senior Leah Thomas said.

>>> SCHOOL

Because of feedback from parents about Tuesday non-student contact days, the school calendar has changed for the 2015-16 school year. Staff development/teacher workdays for mid-quarter reports will be moved from Tuesday to the previous Friday. The changes are as follows: 2nd Quarter: Tuesday, Nov. 17 to Friday, Nov. 13; 3rd Quarter: Tuesday, Feb. 2 to Friday, Jan. 29; 4th Quarter: April. 19 to April. 15. For most students having either Friday or Tuesday off of school is good. “I like having them both,” senior Mallory Reynolds said.

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NEWS OCT. 2015

DISTRICT’S GSA CLUBS TO MEET FOR FIRST TIME

Gay Straight Alliance clubs will have an interdistrict meeting later this season.

by Michael castellon staff writer ith the Supreme Court’s decision to institute marriage equality across the U.S., the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) decided it was time to unite and have an interdistrict meeting. The GSA interdistrict meeting, something that has never before taken place, will be held at Shawnee Mission Park sometime this fall.

“I think it’s just going to be a chance for people to get to know each other and have friends at other schools and we can plan more school events like field trips to other schools to attend other meetings and vice versa,” senior and co-president Mona Jahani said.

The South GSA leaders met with Shawnee Mission North, West and Northwest to plan a meeting. The GSA club has been a part of South on and off for the last 10 years. This year it’s stronger than ever with an estimated 30 members. Anyone who’s interested in the LGBT+ issues or needs support can be a member.

The members of GSA are excited that this event is taking place.

“I think a GSA interdistrict meeting would be a really great experience for members of the club, especially for those in the club who really don’t know anyone in the LGBT+ community outside of our little club at South,” senior Lena Molteni said. “It would be nice to talk to other people about their

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GSA MEETINGS ARE...

Thursdays after school Room 378 or 362 sponsored by Leigh Rysko and Natalie King led by Mona Jahani and Emily Wilkinson experiences. [We can talk about] how their schools handle LGBT+ issues and just to talk about how we all relate to each other.”

It’s also a good chance to have a nice meet and greet with all of the other schools. With all the high schools getting together, it’s a way to provide more support for each other.

“Something we want to do is like a bonfire/cookout where everyone can get some food and make friends and just be together,” Jahani said.

GSA meets in either Room 378 or 362 every Thursday under the cosponsorship of Natalie King and Leigh Rysko. They have discussions and give advice and plan lots of activities depending on what people want to do.

“At the end of the day, it’s just about educating people about the LGBT+ community and a support group for when people are just having a bad time,” Jahani said.

The 2015 Homecoming court consists of seniors (left to right) back row: Matthew Vohs, Jesse York, Joseph Stokes, Daniel McGee, Matthew Cashman, Zachary McQueen, Lawson Yang front row: Gretchen Fiebig, Isabel Holcomb, Rachel Dukes, Katie Heeter, Casey Mispagel, Abigail Conner, Emily Wilkinson, Hannah Waldorf, Erin Bunker, and Mia Duncan. Not pictured: Remy Gordon, Jerry Kim, and Adric Tenuta. Photo by Francie Wilson

HOMECOMING FESTIVITIES BEGIN

Many various activities to celebrate South are planned for today.

F

BY MAX HOLMES STAFF WRITER or the first time in 50 years, Shawnee Mission South will have a new tradition with a Homecoming parade, complete with marching band, trucks and even a sailboat.

“I think it will maximize school spirit,” student body president Emily Wollard said. “It gives the opportunity to be in the parade, but also the people who are not as involved will be on the side watching.”

The parade will begin at roughly 1 p.m. today. It will start in the staff parking lot, move to the main entrance, turn right onto 107th, then another right on Lamar,

and eventually end up on the other side of the school in the sophomore lot.

“It’s a short parade,” Wollard said. “But since it’s our first time, we’re starting small and then we can work up to something bigger in the future.”

Forty of South’s sports, clubs, performing arts and even faculty members will be participating in the parade. The fire department will also be there, along with a few elementary schools. Some groups will have trucks or trailers, more than likely covered in green and gold, or they will just walk the parade.

The amount of walkers and riders are about half and half.

“Among the vehicles,

though, there’s a variety too,” Student Council sponsor Cynthia Hartwell said.

“We’ll have everything from convertibles and pickup trucks to tractors, trailers and sailboats.”

The homecoming dance itself will be a throwback to the year South was founded. The main focus is on the media, so everything will be in black and white, even the photo booth. StuCo is in the process of working out the dance’s details and setting up for the dance.

The cost of tickets is $15 for one and $25 for two.

Besides the parade and dance, there are more events this weekend to attend. There is an Open House and Oktoberfest after school today followed

TODAY’S EVENTS Parade - directly after seventh hour, starts at roughly 1:00

50th year open house 4:30 inside the school Oktoberfest - 4:30 in gym lobby Crowning ceremony 6:40 on the football field Football game -7 by the homecoming celebrations. Another open house will be tomorrow morning from 10 to 1.

“People love to celebrate their high school,” athletic director John Johnson said.

“I love to celebrate mine.”

{____________} ><><><>< To CoNgRaTs ><

Seniors Hannah Hall, Mona Jahani and Leah Thomas for earning a letter of commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Program.

The Rompin’ Stompin’ Raider Band and Pacesetter Drill Team for placing 1st in their division and 4th overall at The Heart of America Marching Festival held at KU’s Memorial Stadium.

Andrew Duffy and Hannah Hall for taking third at the Olathe North Debate Tournament.

NEWS OCT. 2015

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Band and orchestra students practice during class. Both groups will put on separate fundraisers this fall to raise money for various expenses. photo by hannah carter

BAND AND ORCHESTRA ORGANIZE FUNDRAISERS FOR THEIR PROGRAMS Music groups have been planning Oktoberfest and 5K for months. by jacob robertson Staff Writer

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UR O Y K MAR NDER! E CAL

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Oktoberfest. They have good food that is all homemade, and the pretzels are amazing. The music is really fun to play. We all have a really good time.

The music isn’t even that hard so we can stay focused and sound really good, like personally I think we sound really great,” Smith said.

The band 5K, a fundraiser, will be held Nov 7. The entry fee is $25 in advance and $30 at the door to participate. Band members have many opportunities to participate and do not have to run. Junior Alexandra Rutkowski plans on bringing people to participate in the run while she volunteers to help set up and take down the 5K. “I usually don’t run in the 5k but I always help out by volunteering like setting up tables,” Rutkowski said.

On average 100 to 200 people participate in volunteering to help

October

ith Autumn rolling right in, Shawnee Mission South’s performing arts programs hit the ground running while finishing up plans for fundraisers. The band is holding a 5K run Nov. 7 and orchestra is hosting a rendition of Germany’s classic Oktoberfest tonight. Skits will be performed, German music will be played, and homemade German food will be served. The planning for Oktoberfest started at the beginning of the year “We start right at the beginning of the year practicing the music we play and planning everything that’s going to happen,” orchestra president Victoria Smith said Money raised through sales at Oktoberfest will go to orchestra to help pay for trips and other expenses it needs to grow.

“I always look forward to

NEWS OCT. 2015

in the 5K or running in it. However, most of the money raised doesn’t come from the participants’ entry fee but from donations from corporate sponsors. The event’s sponsors receive publicity and can set up tables showcasing their products during the run. The money that the 5K raises goes towards trips and other expenses.

“The money goes to boosters. It helps the marching band drill design, our percussion instructor, the drum major camp we send students to, instruments, [and it] helps fund the Germany and Orlando trips,” band director Steve Adams said.

Both the 5K and Oktoberfest will hopefully garner additional funds for their respective programs so they can continue to reach musical students at South.

No School, Conferences

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Hairspra y Musical 28, 29, 30, 31

South Area Choral Festival 27

TIME IS RUNNING OUT

Early decision and early action deadlines are approaching quickly.

BY ROSE POLlINA FEATURES EDITOR

T

November

ime is quickly running out for students to apply for early decision and early action.

Students need to know that early decision is a binding contract.

WHAT’S THE If a student commits to early decision, they are agreeing that regardless of what DIFFERENCE? other offers they receive, even if they get a full ride, they have to attend the school they applied early decision for. If the students’ early decision schools say they want them, but Early decision is a agreement the college still plans to have the students pay money, the students still have to attend. binding Early action is not binding. It’s not restrictive in the way early decision is. to attend a school if Many students apply for early decision and early action to get direct admittance into you are accepted, but certain departments such as senior Bailey Cook, who used early action. early application “I’ve applied for the journalism program at MU to get directly admitted, otherwise flexibility to you have to go through a two year process of waiting and you don’t get straight into the gives evaluate options and [journalism] school,” Cook said.

Direct admittance is not the only benefit to early action and early decision. The benefits consider scholarships. come from making colleges aware of a student’s interest in them.

“A school doesn’t really know that you’re interested in them until you apply,” counselor David Mesh said. “The earlier that you apply, the more money they have available to offer you. It’s really just a matter of timing in those situations. The early action itself can help you get not only scholarships but into honors programs and scholarship halls, and it does give you the consideration for scholarship money. Once the scholarship money is allocated and given out to people, it’s pretty much gone. The earlier you get in, the more able you are to take advantage of the scholarship money.”

There are other reasons students apply early such as trying for in-state tuition costs. For most applications there are also requirements, such as an essay or a certain ACT score.

“The one thing we’re aiming for is in-state tuition for Mizzou, because it’s a big and expensive school,” senior Alyssa Pavlu said. “The difference between instate and out-of-state is like a $15,000 difference. My parent were like ‘if you can’t get the in-state you can’t go there. It’s because to qualify for the in-state you have to have an alumni parent, my dad went there, I’m in the top 25 percent of my class and I need a 27 ACT score.”

Help comes from many places, including parents, when it comes to applying for early action, as was the case with Pavlu, whose mother assisted her.

“My mom has been leading me in everything for college stuff,” Pavlu said. “She’s been telling me ‘you need to meet this deadline’, ‘make sure you get on that now’.

She’s the one who’s like ‘you need to apply to more than one school as backup’. She’s been the one to tell me ‘it would be helpful to do this and this’. Because I really don’t know, I didn’t have any older siblings to watch go through this. So she’s been the one helping me. She’s the one who led me to do the early action.”

Parents aren’t the only place to seek assistance. Counselors photo by are available every day to help students in the counseling center. jacob cox

NHS

Initiation

2

Evening of Cabaret 6

Band 5K Run 7

Mr. Am

eriCAN 11

NEWS OCT. 2015

07

@SEMINAR

It’s more than just sitting in a classroom listening to music and doing your homework. Students find activities and projects to work on during the hour and 30 minutes. photos by jenna fackrell

2 1 3

4

1. Taking a selfie on stage at the political debate, seniors Mia Duncan and Adric Tenuta argued on the side of the Young Democratic Socialists (YDS).

2. Debating against YDS, junior and treasurer of Young Republicans (YR) Briley Buckley, takes some notes before the debate to be prepared.

Both YDS and YR are clubs at South.

3. A new addition to the halls is the “Spread the Love” wall where students can write uplifting messages and positive comments on sticky notes. Here, senior Erin Bunker adds hers. The wall was started by juniors Cinthia Romo and Jackie Stidham.

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NEWS OCT. 2015

4. Senior Joe Stokes hangs out in Dr. Dain’s office to film a video to promote spirit week.

STAFF EDITORIAL EDITORIAL CARTOON BY CASEY MISPAGEL

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or some, the June 26 legalization of same-sex marriage was considered the finish line for the gay rights movement, the grand prize for running the marathon for civil rights through a history of oppression, alienation and disenfranchisement. Marriage equality is a landmark decision that affects the lives of everyone in the LGBT community, but to claim this as the only civil right worth fighting for shortchanges those who helped build the movement in the first place.

For countless members of the LGBT community, the race toward equality has only begun.

There are no hate crime laws in the state of Kansas that protect against crimes relating to gender identity. Only 18 states have laws such as these in place, and when you take into consideration that the rate of hate crimes against transgender people has risen 13 percent within this past year alone, we are left with the realization that the physical safety of the LGBT community continues to remain in jeopardy.

The most vulnerable members of the LGBT community were not “saved”

by marriage equality. According to a 2015 report from the Human Rights Campaign, transgender women of color suffer 67 percent of all hate crimes suffered by the LGBT community as a whole, and are largely excluded from various forms of help. Transgender women of color are six times as likely to suffer physical violence from the police, and are nearly twice as likely to experience violence in shelters than non-transgender members of the gay community. With roughly 27 percent of black and Latina transgender women suffering homelessness at some point in their lives with no place to turn to for help, it is not uncommon for those affected to be forced into sex work or a life of crime.

The manner in which society and members of the gay community itself turns a blind eye to such violence is appalling, and these voices crying out for help are not as remote as we may hope. Out of the 19 reported murders this year in the United States against transgender women of color, two of them occurred within the Kansas City Metropolitan area. On June 23, Jasmine Collins was stabbed, and

Aug. 15, Tamara Dominguez was killed in a gruesome confrontation involving a car. This level of brutality is inexcusable, and when it victimizes members in our own neighborhood and community, something must be done to stop this contagion of hate from spreading any further.

Yes, marriage equality is law of the land, and it’s historical significance cannot be refuted, but to behave as if it is the only pertinent issue relevant to the gay rights movement is to dishonor the role in which the transgender community has played in the gay rights movement from the start. Same-sex marriage cannot be defined as the finish line for gay rights if the rest of the community isn’t even able to finish the race.

9/9 editors agree with the views expressed in this editorial.

OPINION OCT. 2015

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THE

DEBATE YES:

BY Keeli Ward STAFF WRITER e are now going to be saying the Pledge of Allegiance during third hour every Monday. I believe that saying the Pledge weekly is better than not saying it at all. Students are not required to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, but if they choose not to, they are required to stand or sit quietly and respectfully for those who are reciting it.

There are 36 states that require students to say the Pledge of Allegiance, including Kansas.

Some states have no laws requiring schools to recite the Pledge, and six states have an option on whether or not they want to recite it.

Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance is important, and every school should recite it.

When we recite the Pledge of Allegiance, we are showing our thanks to the people who have fought for this country and still are fighting for it. We said the Pledge of Allegiance every day from the time that I was in kindergarten until I was in the fifth grade. When they told us that we would not be reciting the Pledge of Allegiance daily, like in elementary school, I was disappointed because that was something that I took pride in, and I always felt a sense of joy when we would say it.

When I say the Pledge of Allegiance, I feel like that is one way that I am saying, “Thank you,” to those who have served our country. Having grandparents and uncles who were in the military has influenced me to think that saying the Pledge of Allegiance is a good thing. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but not saying the Pledge of Allegiance in school implies that we do not have to thank the veterans and people currently serving our country.

While there are other ways that we can support our troops and veterans, such as just saying, “Thank you for your service,” or writing a letter expressing gratitude, saying the Pledge of Allegiance is a really big deal for some people. I believe that we need to say the Pledge of Allegiance not only to honor our troops and veterans, but also to show our respect for our country.

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THE RESULTS ARE IN...

YES 28%

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OPINION OCT. 2015

NO 72%

Students voted on whether or not South’s dress code is beneficial to the student body.

Visit The Patriot Online at smsouthnews.com to vote for your opinion in this month’s Debate.

SHOULD STUDENTS BE REQUIRED TO RECITE THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE?

NO: T

BY AMELIA HOLCOMB NEWS EDITOR

he bell rings, students make their way to their desks and the daily announcements start. If it’s a Monday, the class stands up and recites the pledge of allegiance before slumping back down in their seats, waiting for the announcements to finish. This weekly routine is something new for the school that was just adopted about a month into the school year, but stems from a law that has been in place for years.

Article 53 under Miscellaneous Provisions in the Kansas state statute reads that “...The program of patriotic observation of every school district shall include: (1) A daily recitation of the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America; (2) instructions relating to flag etiquette, use and display; and (3) provisions relating to the observance in public schools of Lincoln’s birthday, Washington’s birthday, Memorial day, and Flag day and such other legal holidays designated by law. (b) The state board of education shall adopt any rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of subsection (a).”

This law is unnecessary. Saying the pledge of allegiance every day (or week) doesn’t make me feel any more patriotic or loyal to my country than I felt last year without saying it. Chanting memorized words while staring at a colorful piece of cloth doesn’t inspire a sense of national unity or pride, it just serves as another routine that must be calculated into the schedule.

Although the law is unnecessary, I don’t fault the school or district for wanting to adhere to it. The problem is that the school still isn’t actually following it, so justifying this slight reduction of class time by saying that they are just following the law cannot be backed.

The law clearly says that a “daily recitation of the pledge of allegiance” is required. The school seems to be picking and choosing which parts of the law they want to practice, and at least in my experience, the district has altogether ignored the second part of the law which requires every school district to teach instructions relating to “flag etiquette, use and display.” I have been a part of Shawnee Mission School District since kindergarten and not once have I had a school lesson of how to properly use and display a flag. This all seems like a half-hearted attempt at following the law, but not actually sticking to it.

I’m not unpatriotic; I just don’t think that requiring students to say the pledge is worth the time it takes in class and the resources it took for it to become a law. Instead of coming up with ways to take away from class time, Kansas legislatures should be investing time and money into education and students that will soon shape the nation.

OPINION OCT. 2015

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“DEAR ALLIES...”

PHOTOS BY JENNA FACKRELL

By MONA JAHANI CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST

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hat does it mean to be a good ally to the LGBTQIA+ community?

First and foremost, please realize that none of the A’s in the acronym stand for you, the ally. This may sound harsh, but

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OPINION OCT. 2015

that’s far from my intention. In a community where the plus sign at the end of the acronym stands for more identities, orientations and labels than can always be remembered, the small spotlight devoted to the “A” can’t afford to be shared with allies.

Asexual, aromantic, agender, androgynous and so on: these crucial parts of the LGBTQIA+ community are already so severely underrepresented and misunderstood as it is. To have someone ask what the “A” in the acronym stands for, only to be told it represents allies is disappointing and hurts the community. More often than not, the cause is being misinformed rather than malicious intent, but it does damage all the same.

To be a good ally is to understand that you stand for a community that isn’t really your own.

While you may research the history, keep in touch with current events and advocate for equal rights, that doesn’t mean you have to live through the struggles and hardships that come with being a part of this minority group. If you are straight and cisgender, you have the luxury of being the majority.

You have the luxury of not worrying whether your parents

will kick you out if they find out about your sexuality or gender identity. You have the luxury of not losing your job because your employer doesn’t agree with your “lifestyle choices.”

You have the luxury of not being harassed, attacked or killed just for being you. While your contribution to the community is not only greatly appreciated and deeply needed, please understand that you have the privilege of always being accepted in a society where others do not.

To be a good ally is to choose to be one. Choose to learn about the history of LGBTQIA+ triumphs and downfalls.

Choose to be informed with current events in your community, state, country or world. Choose to keep an open mind, and always keep learning.

Support a friend who comes out of the closet to you, and don’t ever tell others without your friend’s clear permission. Respect someone who asks you to use a certain name or pronouns when talking to or referring to them. Call someone out if they are being rude, stand up for someone who is being bullied and teach anyone who has been misinformed or doesn’t know any better. To be a good ally is to be a good teacher, a good advocate and a good person. To be a good ally is to be a good friend.

IN

MEMORY THE

OF

HALLWAY MEMORIAL

The cafeteria h a l lw ay memorial, dedicated to three students who died, has been up for 23 years. Each student has several items in the memorial dedicated to their memory.

PHOTO BY SAVANNAH MORGAN

BY SOPHIA BELSHE ADS EDITOR

Front hall remodel will likely include the changing of longstanding memorials.

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he bulletin board collages outside the cafeteria, the plaque in the courtyard and the tree in front of the school. Memorials for students and staff are scattered throughout the school, hiding in plain sight. Students pass by them every day, yet don’t really take the time to think about why they’re there. The memorials have been part of the school for so long, but would anybody really realize if they were suddenly gone?

The district stated in a policy ratified April 27 that “school sites should not serve as the main venue for permanent memorials for students, staff or other persons.”

The memorials currently on campus are likely going to be consolidated to one location in order to be in alignment with the district’s policy.

“Part of it is finding the best place... to put it all together in a way that honors them, but is simplified, clean

and structured,” Principal Todd Dain said.

The relocation of the memorials is also part of the redecoration of the entire front hallway. In addition to the moving of the memorials, the trophies, principal portraits, plaques, etc. will also be relocated or redone. It is unclear at press time when exactly these changes will be taking place, but plans are in the works.

“We want that entry to be about what students and staff are doing now,” Dain said.

But the physical memorials are not the only way South recognizes students who have passed away.

Several scholarships, such as the Meghan Taylor Memorial Scholarship Fund, have been put in place in their memory.

Taylor (1975-1992), one of the students featured in the case outside the cafeteria, was a flute player in the band during her years at South.

Taylor’s scholarship is available to female students in the top onethird of their graduating class if they demonstrate financial need, certain ideals or traits and have an interest in certain areas of study. This scholarship among others help local

students every year afford higher education.

“We hope that we can continue building on those [scholarships],” associate principal Nicholas Platko said.

There is also a JV boy’s soccer tournament held in honor of Brandon Clendening (1974-1971), a student featured in the memorial outside the cafeteria, who was a member of the soccer team. All proceeds from this annual tournament go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Several academic honors such as the Mark Holt Art Memorial Award have also been discontinued in recent years, according to librarian Debra O’Brien.

O’Brien has had ideas in the past about what should be done with the memorials if the school decided to take them down, but it is unknown at this time what exactly will actually be done.

“What do you do after you get to the point that nobody knows who those students are anymore, and yet you want to handle all that stuff with utmost dignity,” O’Brien said.

FEATURES OCT. 2015

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FEATURES OCT. 2015

At the end of each meeting, members of the Gay Straight Alliance join hands and recite the pledge, “We live, we accept, we are.”

PHOTO BY JENNA FACKRELL

THE

ALPHABETSOUP CO M M U N I T Y As the LGBT acronym evolves, millennials prepare to take on gay rights issues post­ DOMA.

BY EMILY WILKINSON Editor-in-chief, OPINION Editor ome of them cried. Others were overjoyed beyond words. However each member of the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) reacted to the Supreme Court’s decision on marriage equality, it was unanimous amongst them that the course of history as they knew it would be forever changed.

“I was extremely happy when I heard about the decision. I think that this is only the beginning of the gay rights movement and I think that it really marked a huge milestone and a bigger push for gay rights,” sophomore Tara Phillips said. “Political decisions like these are the start to a social norm which will make it so much more open for kids who are still in the closet.”

Over the summer, June 26, the Supreme Court ruled the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which prohibited same-sex marriages, unconstitutional. This decision was lauded by LGBT students, and provided a new sense of hope to carry on for more gay rights issues to come. “[Now that same-sex marriage has been legalized,] I think there are a lot of different issues that could be focused on now, especially transgender rights,” senior and

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co-president of GSA Mona Jahani said.

Despite this symbolic victory for youth in the LGBT community, members of GSA are quick to recognize that marriage equality is only one step out of many toward full equality.

“It’s important to understand that just because people can marry the same sex now, that doesn’t mean that all problems have been taken away for the LGBT community.

For example, such a high number of homeless youth are part of the LGBT community, and yet the issue never gets any support,” Jahani said. “The fight is not over. There’s so much more than just marriage in regards to the gay rights movement.”

According to the Williams Institute, 40 percent of all homeless youth are LGBT. Frequently, this phenomenon is caused by family members who refuse to emotionally and financially support their LGBT family member. A survey conducted by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) found that, when asked about the most important problem facing their lives right now, 26 percent of LGBT youth identified “non-accepting families” as their main fear, compared

FEATURES OCT. 2015

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Asexual: does not experience sexual attraction.

Intersex: a person with a biological/ sexual anatomy that varies from the norm.

to 25 percent of non-LGBT youth who identified “classes, exams or grades.”

“At school, LGBT students have to worry a lot about everyone else’s opinion of them and be aware of the fact that they may face certain obstacles, such as discrimination, that other non-LGBT students may not have to face,” Phillips said. “As for home, many families don’t approve of the LGBT community, and so [these students] may have to hide essentially who they are as a person, or if they want to be themselves, they may have to face whatever hatred they receive because of it.”

The HRC’s survey also found that while one in three LGBT youths say that their family is not supportive of gay rights, nearly 56 percent of LGBT youth are out to their parents.

Some students, like freshman Gabriel Myers, never felt much pressure in regards to coming out.

“I never really realized I was LGBT until I got a crush on my best friend when I was 12, which was pretty rough.

After a month, I told my parents, and they were totally cool with it,” Myers said.

Questioning: also used for “Queer” is used to describe people who are uncertain of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Transgender: often used as an umbrella term for variances in the gender binary.

LG B TQ I A Myers, who identifies as a transgender male, often felt different from his classmates.

“I was kind of an outcast. People thought I was weird because I’d cut my hair short or shave my head,” Myers said. “I guess you could say people always thought of me as queer.”

Entering high school this year, Myers and other LGBT freshmen were pleasantly surprised by the acceptance that they felt from the student body, and felt like they had a home within GSA. “South is way more accepting than I would’ve imagined.

It’s way different from the stereotypes I’d read about high school from books. There are still ignorant people, but I never would’ve expected this level of acceptance.” Myers said. “It’s nice to go to GSA, because it’s been a safe place to help me figure out who I am. It’s nice to have such a supportive community to validate me.”

Upperclassmen who have frequented GSA all four years of high school have watched this acceptance evolve firsthand.

Stonewall Riots

AIDS Ep

1981: Deep mistrus the LGBT community as the “gay cancer,” beg the U.S.

1969: Riots between the gay community and the New York City Police Department were sparked in the early hours of June 28 at the Stonewall Inn.

Gay Pride

1970: On the anniversary of Stonewall, the first gay pride marches took place in New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago.

16

FEATURES OCT. 2015

TIMELINE OF

Genderqueer: identifies as many genders.

Two-­ spirit: a term adopted by some Native American tribes to describe someone who fulfills mixed gender roles.

P a n s e x u a l : attracted to all genders.

Asexual: does not

AP2G+ “My freshman year, GSA was a very, very small group.

We rarely had new people come to meetings, and there was never more than six or eight of us,” Jahani said. “Now, we have a much bigger group with a few new faces every meeting. I think more people are open about being a part of GSA and come into high school a little more curious about the community.”

Many upperclassmen members of GSA are quick to notice that each year, more LGBT students enter the club already out of the closet, a phenomenon Jahani contributes to better awareness and representation.

“I think in just the last few years, having society as a whole become more accepting of the LGBT community has helped kids come out of the closet at younger ages, and more representation in pop culture has given kids the confidence they need to not feel like they’re different,” Jahani said.

“While it isn’t perfect, the culture surrounding the LGBT community has changed to be more accepting and a more normal part of life.”

Though GSA has changed tremendously over the years,

and counting...

one thing has remained the same: a sense of community.

“GSA really provides a safe haven for a lot of kids who can’t be out yet, because of their parents or their friend groups,” senior Lena Molteni said. “It’s a place for everyone to come and talk, hang out and have snacks and really be open about whatever issues they want to talk about.”

As the LGBT acronym changes over time to encompass more and more identities, the issues that these communities face, however unknown and far between these identities are perceived to be, are ever changing as well.

To meet the evolving needs of this still-vulnerable community, the members of GSA stand altogether to tackle these issues head on. To provide a family for those who are insecure of their place in society.

To live, to accept, to be.

Same-­Sex Marriage

pidemic

st formed against y as AIDS, once labeled egan to spread through

2015: As the Supreme Court deemed The Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional, same­ -sex marriage was legalized nationwide June 26.

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

1994: This policy kept gays and lesbians from being discharged from military service, provided they don’t openly discuss their sexual identity.

The policy was repealed in 2011.

GAY RIGHTS

FEATURES OCT. 2015

17

A &

Q with

CONNOR HILL

BY JACOB ROBERTSON Staff Writer PHOTO BY MAXIE CRIMM

18

FEATURES OCT. 2015

B

etween the responsibilities of being a pep exec, like planning assemblies and going to games, while also playing basketball , senior Connor Hill manages to stay focused and organized.

How long have you been in Pep Club, and what made you want to become an exec?

I’ve been in Pep Club all four years, I wanted to become a pep exec because I saw how much fun the pep execs had during the assemblies, and I thought I could make the assemblies better.

How did you become a pep exec?

The sponsor, Travis Gatewood, has a form and you fill it, and on it, you put basic ideas and the overall theme you want for the year, and he reviews and elects who is going to be the pep execs this year.

How long does it usually take to plan for an assembly?

It normally takes two full seminar periods. We first think of all the sports involved and homecoming is coming up so we have to figure out how to incorporate that and we go to the gym and work out a script and we just walk through it until we can get it right.

What are you most excited for this year?

I’m really excited for basketball season and the games. It’s my senior year and I’m ready to go out with a bang.

What is Pep Club doing for the parade?

For the parade, Pep Club and KSMS are teaming up on a float together, so Pep Club is going to help build the float and then ride on it.

What are things Pep Club does during games?

During games, we try to get the crowd involved. At school, we really try to promote the games, and whenever crowd control can’t make it, Pep Club definitely tries to be involved.

What other activities are you involved in and is it hard balancing your schedule?

I do basketball and you know, right now, it’s not that hard because it’s not basketball season yet. So it’s only a couple days after school, but during the season, it’s not even that bad because basketball is after school and Pep Club is during school.

Do you personally do anything with Pep Club during basketball games?

During basketball, I’m just on the court. I’m part of the team, so it’s my main focus. At any other sporting games, I am always there helping out.

FEATURES OCT. 2015

19

By Kate Anderson A&E Editor PhotoS by jenna fackrell

Fall musical ‘Hairspray’ addresses bullying, fitting in and racial discrimination.

I

t might be hard to believe that “Hairspray,” the fall musical, could portray anything more than bright voices and colorful costumes, but stage productions are often relevant to more meaningful events. For senior Rachel Field, being cast as the main character, Tracy Turnblad, was a way to step out of her comfort zone. “[Tracy] doesn’t care what other people think,” Field said, “and that’s something I need in high school. You don’t see a lot of people that really don’t care what other people say.”

The stage is a way to become someone completely different for an evening.

“It’s like you come to this theatre and you turn into this character [on stage] and I can do the most awkward dance moves, and no one’s going to judge me,” Field said, “because that’s my character and now that’s me.”

Much like the musical itself, the 1960s were gilded with good music and beautiful clothes, but underneath lay a darker story. Racism and discrimination was prevalent and is still a relevant issue in today’s society. Theatre director Mark Swezey reflects to a time when he did a production of Hairspray.

“At the time [I did “Hairspray”], a lot of the issues taking place in society were different but still tied into that whole idea of acceptance and bullying…” Swezey said. “And now, there’s violence in Baltimore…a lot of it’s tied into the same kind of ideas that are tied into the story.”

The events in Ferguson last year shocked the country and spurred a vigorous debate about racial profiling and discrimination in America. Racial tension is alive in this country and “Hairspray” reinvents those issues intertwining them in a lighthearted story about a danceloving teen just trying to fit in.

Senior Mona Jahani is well-versed with time period pieces. Her repertoire includes being head costume designer for West Side Story over the summer. As head costume designer for “Hairspray,” Jahani is in charge of what everyone is dressed in, including colors and silhouettes. Keeping with the time period sometimes proves

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A&E OCT. 2015

difficult.

“The difficulty is that even though we have an extensive costumes closet, we don’t always have that exact thing you’re looking for,” Jahani said, “so it becomes difficult trying to compromise knowing that this is what you need...but you only have so many things to pull from and only so much money to go buy what you want.”

Even though there is a large cast, the musical is coming together well.

“I think [“Hairspray”] is a next-level show in comparison to the stuff we’ve done before,” Jahani said. “We have a really strong team of people working on this including choreography, music, and directing. We have talented people and some really good resources.”

Don’t miss out: >>>Hairspray

opens Wednesday, Oct. 28 and will run through Oct. 31.

>>>Doors

open at 7p.m. and curtain is at 7:30p.m.. The matinee Oct. 31 starts at 2p.m. and doors open at 1:30p.m..

>>>Tickets

are $10 at the door and South students are free with an ID.

>>>For the two shows

on Oct. 31 anyone who comes dressed in a costume will only be charged $5 for their ticket.

junior SHIRT | TARGET

JEANS & SHOES | PLATO’S CLOSET

street style

SHIRT & JACKET | PLATO’S CLOSET LEGGINGS | FOREVER 21 SHOES | DILLARDS BRACELET | GIFT

“

Photos by savannah morgan

>>>

SABRINA SWARTZ

Being able to express myself with what I wear brings me so much joy.

A&E OCT. 2015

“ 21

a look at

Lawrence

By Kate Anderson A&E Editor Photos by jenna fackrell

L

awrence is an oasis in the painfully flat landscape that is Western Kansas. Located directly on West K-10, the Kansas University college town is full of hidden gems. Lawrence Antique Mall and Arizona Trading Co. harbor old treasures and memories. Local boutiques are around every corner. Massachusetts St. is iconic for great shopping and dining and it pretty much makes up Lawrence arts and entertainment district. Plus, the amazing thing about a college town is the reasonable prices, playing into the truth that college students really are broke. I would wholeheartedly recommend taking a mini-trip to Lawrence and exploring the friendly town for a day.

Lawrence Antique Mall

830 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS 66044

The Dusty Bookshelf 708 Massachusetts Lawrence, KS 66044

22

St,

A&E OCT. 2015

Restaurant: FUZZY’S TACOS

1115 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS 66044

T

here is no better way to sum up a college town than with a divey taco joint on the corner. Fuzzy’s has quick service, a nice selection of food, and a strong following in Lawrence. To those generally skeptical of Tex-Mex cuisine: Fuzzy’s proved itself as a worthy competitor in the fast food chain race and is well worth the trip to Lawrence (even though there is a more convenient location at 13386 Metcalf Ave.).

Fuzzy’s is a pay at the counter and wait for your number kind of place, which obviously deems it as more causal. I ordered a grilled vegetable taco place which included two sides and two tacos all for a little over $7. We enjoyed Fuzzy’s signature fire-roasted warm salsa with unlimited chips, which is always a plus. The food itself was delicious and the atmosphere was fun and light which made for a great end to a lovely day in Lawrence, Kansas.

Coffee: Z’S DIVINE ESPRESSO 1800 E 23rd St # A, Lawrence, KS 66046

T

wo components go into a good coffee shop: the coffee itself and the atmosphere. Walking into Z’s Divine, I immediately felt vibes of warmth and productivity. Although the space itself is small, it makes for an intimate environment perfect for studying, reading, or catching up with a friend. Now I didn’t actually order coffee when I was there because of the awkward time of day, but my iced chai latte was delicious.

The menu has a wide array of items and all for a very low place. While walking through Lawrence I noticed a surprising lack of coffee shops. This puzzled me because Lawrence seems like the kind of town that would be a hub for obscure coffee shops. That being said, Z’s Divine is a great choice for any coffee lover.

Store: ARIZONA TRADING CO. 736 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS 66044

F

inding nice clothes for half the retail value is perhaps the most amazing feeling in the world. It honestly feels like you’ve cheated the system while looking awesome. While Arizona Trading Co. is not native to Lawrence and there are multiple locations around Kansas City, the Lawrence location is said to be the best. Although it tends to lack in the men’s department, the women’s section is full of eclectic clothes that can accent any wardrobe.

I personally have no experience with the “Trading” part of the store, but from what I have heard, they tend to only take very lightly used clothes. This makes sense because every item of clothing I looked at was in great condition and didn’t look worn much at all. If you want to find some interesting items for a Halloween costume or even to incorporate into your everyday wardrobe, Arizona Trading Co. is the place to go.

A&E OCT. 2015

23

TWITTER PHOTO CONTEST Students tweeted @smspatriot awkward pictures of their family, biological or otherwise, and The Patriot staff picked the top four photos.

The next contest theme is “your favorite part of fall.” Tweet yours to @smspatriot for a chance to win a gift card.

2

1

4 3

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A&E OCT. 2015

1. Tegan Goodson @TeganGoodson 3. Brittany Kulla @kullathanyou

2. Sadie MacLeod @Sadie_Dear 4. Bailey Obersteadt @b_ober34

REVIEWS ALBUM REVIEW: IMMORTALIZED New Disturbed album gives band their fifth #1 hit.

By Max holmes staff writer

A

fter a one year hiatus, David Draiman and the other members of Disturbed dropped their new album Immortalized. And it is awesome. Disturbed has always been known for having heavy songs that still have a deep message. In the past, most of their songs’ subjects were about insanity, and other dark topics. In this new album, their topics vary, in a good way. The opening track, rightfully titled “The Eye of The Storm,” is a melodic instrumental song, slowly building in volume and intensity, until finally it fades into the title track, “Immortalized,” a “battle song” that can stand with likes of past songs, like “Indestructible” and “Warrior.” The rest of the album covers topics such as love, loss, hope and hate, among other topics. Their sad songs, such as “Save Our Last Goodbye,” cut deep, and their powerful songs, like “Tyrant,” which is only available on the deluxe version of the album, make you want to rock out and break stuff. All in all, Disturbed has made yet another album that will last throughout the years, and maybe even for all time. I guess you can say that it will be…immortalized.

All clever puns aside, I highly suggest the album to anyone; from classic Disturbed fans to those who don’t even know their name.

BOOK REVIEW: LIBRARY OF SOULS Dark fantasy series chronicles the adventures of a group of peculiar children.

L

By Mark holland staff writer

ibrary of Souls, Ransoms Rigg’s new novel is an exciting, fantastical and creepy adventure that began with the bestselling novel, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. The series tells the story of 16-year-old Jacob Portman who grew up hearing his grandfather, Abraham Portman, tell him stories of a group of peculiar children with strange powers who lived in a home on an island where they were protected by a lady named Miss Peregrine.

Jacob naturally dismisses the stories as fairy tales when he gets older but when a horrific and mysterious tragedy shakes his home he begins to think that maybe there is more to the stories. He gets his father to take him to the mysterious island that his grandfather told him about where he investigates the truth. What follows his investigation is a thrilling adventure that spans three novels in which Jacob will discover strange children, terrifying monsters and incredible secrets from his grandfather’s past.

Unique is the best word that describes this story because of number one, the original and fascinating storyline, and 2, the strange photos that are sprinkled throughout the books that make the story and lovable characters seem real. They are old photos that the author has come across in his life and they give the story an overall creepy mood. The series is so popular a film adaptation of the first novel will be released Dec. 25, 2016. The film’s director is Tim Burton and it will star Asa Butterfield as Jacob and Eva Green as Miss Peregrine. You can currently find the first two novels in the series in the school library.

A&E OCT. 2015

25

VOLLEY’FALL’

BY KENDALL BARKER COPY EDITOR

Lady Raiders take on fall season with four seniors, hope for State

A

s they transition to the middle of the season, the Raider Volleyball players are working as hard as ever to improve. In the time between tryouts and now, South’s volleyball players have competed in a series of away games, home games, tournaments and they’re not ready to slow down yet.

“We’ve been doing good. We’ve been making each practice focus on each team, like how different teams play, and so we’ve done decent. There are some teams we should have beaten, but we’ve also come out with some good wins,” senior Katie Heeter said.

Heeter is one of nine varsity players this season.

Heeter has played volleyball since fourth grade and has been playing volleyball at South all four years of high school.

Varsity player, sophomore Mackenzie Anderson, has been involved in volleyball at South for both of her years at South thus far. “[We practice] every day. Five days a week. [The

The varsity volleyball team gathers before practice for a pep talk and overview of places of improvement.

PHOTO BY JACOB COX practices are] good. They’re pretty long,” Anderson said.

However, the hard work and the wins are not the only unique aspects of playing on a volleyball team at South. “[While I’ve played volleyball at South], I’ve met a lot of people and I’ve had a lot of great memories,” Anderson said.

Other varsity players are seniors Sophie Belusky, Tegan Goodson and Gabby Stein, junior Rosie Briggs, and sophomores Dottie Powell, Karoline Shelton and Courtney Spaulding.

The volleyball team plans to continue their work for the season. “[You can expect] for us to just get better and hopefully for us to make it to State,” Heeter said.

NOTHING BUT NET

Varsity soccer looking toward Lawrence, results of Fat Cat Soccer Tournament.

PHOTO BY MAXIE CRIMM Varsity soccer sets up goals for practice after school.

O

n Oct. 20 the boys soccer team will take on the Lawrence Free State Firebirds. With a record of 3-6 (at press time) the soccer team is hoping to gain a major victory over Free State. Even though South has a team made up of mostly underclassmen, they are still dominating not only physically but mentally. “[Our games have been] great. The outcome and score hasn’t been what we always wanted, but I think we have a better style of playing than other schools. We have a young team but we are physically outstanding,”

26

SPORTS OCT. 2015

left wing and center defender, sophomore Angel Guzman said.

The soccer team has bonded over this season and they want to become even closer. With their new coach, Matt Gordon, the team was hoping to learn new skills from the coach to become better players. “[Our team is] really close we’ve had some team bonding moments and there are a lot more to come. We all have really good chemistry with

BY KEELI WARD STAFF WRITER

each other and it is growing every day,” Guzman said.

Early in the season the varsity team participated in the Fat Cat Soccer Tournament. The team won the first two games against Topeka West and KC Christian. Following that game, they played Blue Valley Northwest and fell 0-5.

Despite the losses, the team is still learning how to become better players. The soccer team learns from their mistakes after losing a game and then they come back for the next game ready to dominate. “[I have learned] how to be more of a teammate and how to interact and help others in need,” freshman goalie Wiley Kirk said.

Whether the soccer team wins or loses their game against Free State, they are going to come out with their heads up and are going to learn from their mistakes. Even if they lose, the team is always going to be there for each other.

Q&A WITH JUNIOR

MITCH BROCK

Junior Mitch Brock elaborates on his routine for practices, preparation for meets and his running career.

What do you do for practice?

No, I did football my freshman year and I just decided to quit that and do cross country. I have no idea how that came about but it just did.

What do you do to prep before a race?

Weirdest thing that’s happen during a race or practice?

Do you have a secret to running so fast?

At Iowa I elbowed some kid in the sternum on accident, and I looked back and told him sorry, but I kept running, and I felt kind of bad.

Eat a lot of food. Like lots of carbs and things to give you energy so you don’t get tired as fast.

What what have you accomplished during your cross country career?

What are you thinking about when running?

Nothing is going through my head, but you can’t really think you just have to run.

Do you have a goal you’re working towards?

For next year, I would say to get my 5k around to 15:30.

Senior Mitch Brock on his way to the finish after a long run.

Did you ever think you’d be at this point?

Usually Monday is a hard workout with mile repeats and the next day is an easy day and the rest of the days are usually four or five miles.

I usually do a 2 mile warm-up, pretty easy, then do drills and I should be good to go.

BY MICHAEL CASTELLON STAFF WRITER PHOTO BY JACOB COX

My first race was the South Quad I got first [place] in that and my second race was Emporia, I got fourth in that and pretty much those are my only big accomplishment so far. It’s a medium sized race and I’m going to try to go to State this year.

PHOTO BY JACOB COX Amongst his teammates, Brock rounds this turn for his third lap.

PHOTO BY JACOB COX Mitch Brock (middle) running the track during practice.

What is it like when you see the finish line?

I just want to finish so I just try to use a final burst of speed and run as fast as I can.

SPORTS OCT. 2015

27

WINTER IS

COMING

BY MARK HOLLAND STAFF WRITER

The basketball team conditions in the new weight room to prepare for the 2015-2016 season.

PHOTO BY JACOB COX

Students and coaches talk about ways in which athletes should practice their skills.

S

ports: a force of school spirit and athleticism that drives students to practice hard and cheer the teams on. The upcoming winter season will refocus student energy.

Basketball tryouts will happen in November, and for students who want to tryout prepared, there are several options for how they can go about doing so.

“Participate in weights, play in open gym, work out on your own,” head coach Brett McFall said.

Students who were on the team last year have set plans recommended by their coaches for conditioning this year. This plan, according to senior Bailey Obersteadt, has changed some athletes since last year.

“I feel like last year we did a lot more conditioning. I haven’t talked to coach much,” Obersteadt said.

“We basically do the same thing every Monday and Thursday,” senior Samuel King said. “We work out after

28

SPORTS OCT. 2015

school. McFall leads us those days and most people every other day work out on their own.”

According to the KSHSAA (Kansas State High School Activities Association), off season conditioning is open to the whole student body, but the school can only do one conditioning program at any time.

This conditioning is limited to: “Weight training and agility drills- not sportspecific drills and general running conditioning.”

Not only are students practicing ahead now, but they also prepared in the summer.

“In the month of June we had practices at least twice a week and in the first week of June we had a camp, we had a few tournaments here and there,” King said.

Obersteadt also had his own plan for success in summertime.

“I played on a summer team and went to a trainer too,” Obersteadt said.

He also knows how often a student should practice during the school year to get better.

“I go to a trainer every day, we have open gym and weights. I’m doing something every day,” Obersteadt said.

King has a similar plan.

“Just go to the gym and do shots every day,” King said.

Junior Adam Bendrick does bench jumps during basketball conditioning.

PHOTO BY JACOB COX Any student who wants to be prepared for the tryouts has several options to pick from.

The open gyms that students were talking about are practice sessions that happen occasionally and are supervised by Coach Kent Thompson, who, like McFall, recommended weights and doing personal workouts.

Basketball players are not the only ones doing pre-season prep. The wrestling team also has special prep plans. Coach Joel Rios has a plan that he recommends his students follow.

“We’re gonna start having open mats a couple times a week, so come into the open mats to condition and get some skills in. It’s from about 3-4:15 p.m., two times a week,” Rios said.

“I went to a couple wrestling camps this summer,” senior Zach McQueen said.

McQueen is not only going to camps and open matts, but he is also in another sport that allows him to get the practice needed in order to wrestle.

“I’ve been playing football this fall,” quarterback and offensive linebacker McQueen said.

Students are continually building schedules to excel at their sports.

Coaches are simultaneously trying to give their athletes the best experience. Together they are trying to elicit the best winter season yet.

WHERE

DID

WEIGHTS

GO?

BY MAX HOLMES STAFF WRITER

District staff prepares to clean the walls of the old weight room. The tough cover was also removed so the floor could be buffed.

PHOTO BY MAXIE CRIMM

With recent changes to the location of the weights room, students wonder what will take its place.

R

ecently, the athletic wing has undergone movement and additions near the locker rooms, trainers office and now, a new weights and wrestling room.

The wrestling room and the weight room have swapped places, with the promise of a dance area sectioned off in the new wrestling room. These plans were brought up last spring and are now being put into action.

The overall goal is to provide more space for everyone.

The weight room was a bit undersized, while the wrestling room was a bit oversized. By switching places, and removing the office area from the former weight room, each activity is getting more room to use.

“The new areas fill the needs better,” associate principal Nicholas Platko said.

This new location, wrestling head coach Joel Rios said, will provide not only more space for the wrestling team, but other things, such as a projector, among other unspecified items.

“That will benefit us,” Rios said.

“If I recall...it was just trying to provide the school with getting more people involved in lifting weights and more of a physical activities program. Across board, just trying to make all sports better.”

- WRESTLING COACH JOEL RIOS

Though everyone is getting more space, it may not be enough for the wrestling team. With the addition of the dance studio, and the possibility of a higher number of wrestlers this year, practices may be affected by this ‘change of venue.’ Though the likelihood is that there will be enough room for everyone “When we were in a smaller room, we had staggering practice schedule,” Rios said, “just because there wasn’t enough room, but now I don’t think it will change much.”

All this moving and classroom additions does not go without cost. While the exact price is unknown, all of the cost is being paid for by the bond issue that was passed last year by the local voters.

“If I recall,” Rios said, “it was just trying to provide the school with getting more people involved in lifting weights and more of a physical activities program. Across board, just trying to make all sports better.”

Though nothing else is expected to happen this year, there is possibility of more changes coming in the later years.

“There might be some more things moving forward with the bond project at some point,” Platko said. “but they haven’t really let us know from a district standpoint.”

The whole project is moving forward very smoothly.

Both rooms should already be set up and ready for use.

Open mats for wrestling have most likely begun, and weights has been going on for a while. These changes are expected to enhance the sports program.

SPORTS OCT. 2015

29

USE YOUR HEAD What new benefits might the new football helmets present for South football players?

BY LAUREN ROSENSTOCK ASSISTANT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, SPORTS EDITOR

Polycarbonate Shell

A hard plastic case to compact foam and keep the head secure in case of impact.

PHOTO BY SAVANNAH MORGAN

Foam Liner

Facemask

A protective mask covering the nose, mouth and eyes.

Jaw Pad

A soft spongy foam that lines the jaw and is fit for comfort for each athlete.

Expanded Polypropylene Substructure A very stiff foam for protection and cushion surrounding the skull.

30

SPORTS OCT. 2015

T

More soft spongy foam fit for comfort used to surround support.

Front Pad

A stiff foam for protection of the forehead and brow

he helmet is the initial support for the head and upper neck while athletes are in action. As requested by the NFL, “To lower their [athlete’s] aiming point on another player,” can reduce concussions and other head injuries from 76.8 percent to about 64 percent.

“The dense foams used in football helmets work well for impacts that can cause fatal injuries, but have been less successful at reducing concussions (RichardHowe.com).”

According to statisticians at Head Case Company, “High school football accounts for 47 percent of all reported sports concussions, with 33 percent of concussions occurring during practice. After football, ice hockey and soccer pose the most significant head health risk.”

Statistics gathered from Head Case Company (Sports Concussion Statistics).

Visit Pitt State!

Schedule your visit TODAY!

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2016 Senior Year Heritage Yearbook Attention: clubs, sports, seniors!

Final deadline is Dec. 11th

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Make a lasting memory.

Pittsburg State University 800-854-PITT (7488) â&#x20AC;˘ Pittsburg, Kansas

For more information, contact smsyearbookads@gmail.com or 913-993-7664

THEN 1980

After school or in the halls, students find ways to relax and have fun.

Scan this QR code to see more photos from the 1980 Heritage

GENERATION GAP NOW

Sophomores Kate Spencer, Reagan Christie and Audrey Reynolds form a pyramid at lunch in the courtyard.

During gymnastics practice, seniors Kate Gawlick and Tara Anderson hold up freshman Bergen Cooper out in the halls. photos by savannah morgan and hannah carter

32

GENERATION GAP

OCT. 2015