March 27th, 2014

the

PRiDE

Harrisonville High School | hhsnews.com | Thursday,March 27,2014 | Volume XVI, Issue IV

DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE HAS LASTING EFFECTS. Story on page 3

Photo illustration by, Lara Floyd

Information about the Pride

Editor-in-Chief: Crystal Warden

Managing Editor: Madi Dahn

Copy Editor: Brently Probasco

Opinion/News Editor: Mackenzie Eisel

Sports Editor: Joe Cramer

Feature Editor: Lara Floyd

Online Editor: Kayley Brock

Photo Editor: Cassie Long

Video Editor: Amy Roach

Adviser:

Brad Lewis

Staff Members:

Alison Schmidt

Ashton Taber

Bethany Travis

Elizabeth Thayer

Emily Priesendorf

Tyler Cardinal

Brittany Starr Myers

Videographers:

Casey Ambrozi

Coressa Ervin

Jacob Ross

Photographers:

Cody Hart

Harrisonville High School 1504 E. Elm Harrisonville, MO 64701 Phone: (816)380-3273 Follow us on Twitter @ HHSwildcatnews The Pride is written, edited and published by the newspaper production class at HHS. The paper is an open forum, distributed to the students, faculty, parents, alumni, and other members of HHS. All decisions concerning grammar, layout, content, and photography are made solely by the editors themselves.

Our mission is to report news truthfully and accurately and to act as an open forum for student expression. Opinions in editorials do not reflect the views of the Cass R-IX school district, its staff or the adviser.

All comments, concerns, and complaints should be forwarded directly to the Editor-in-Chief. If readers would like to submit letters to the Editor, they can do so in room 304.

the pride

Ukraine, Russia conflicts affects former graduate, family Story by, Emily Priesendorf- Staff Writer emily.priesendorf@hhsnews.com

When it comes to events going on throughout the world, students tend to look in the other direction.

But, in the country of Ukraine, citizens are fighting for freedoms that Americans take for granted each and every day.

Harrisonville graduate Sasha Gubina was born in Ukraine and grew up there. When Gubina was 10, her mother and she moved to the United States while the rest of her family remained in Ukraine.

“We didn’t think it was going to be that bad at first,” said Gubina.

“My family wants Ukraine to have closer ties with the European Union and they think the economy would be better that way. All of their neighbors are pro Russia, so my family is afraid to speak out.”

Though Gubina’s family is caught in the middle of circumstances that are not ideal, there is no immediate danger to her family for now.

“Right now my family is fine and there is no major threat at this moment.” said Gubina. “We are worried that Russia may send

troops to our town or a nearby city.

A lot of people aren’t rich enough in Ukraine so they can’t just move away to remove themselves from the situation.”

The crisis began halfway across the world when Ukraine broke away from Russia and became an independent country in 1991. The newly founded country changed 19 years later when Viktor Yanukovych became the new president of Ukraine. Yanukovych withdrew its negotiations with the European Union and created ties with Russia, according to BBC News.

Recently, protests broke out in Ukraine because Yanukovych abandoned trade deals with the European Union. In January, the protests became violent and resulted in casualties among Ukraine civilians.

The situation escalated in February when President Yanukovych disappeared. Supporters of the European Union gained control of the government for a short period of time. Yanukovych was found in Russia claiming that he was still president of Ukraine.

The citizens of Ukraine are now paying close attention to Crimea

as Russian troops are annexing the autonomous region. According to CNN, Crimea is a crucial part of Ukraine because of the access to the Black Sea which is a major source of trade.

“The peninsula, Crimea, used to be a part of Russia during the time of the Soviet Union, and they gave it to Ukraine,” said history major Andrew Monrean. “Now, the citizens of Crimea are going to vote whether to be a part of Russia or not. Most of the people of Crimea identify more with Russia.”

Crimeans voted on March 16, and 96.7 percent chose to be a part of Russia and leave Ukraine. This vote was said to be illegal by Western powers, including the United States.

The conflict has the United States baffled on how to handle these circumstances.

“This has been closely watched around the world and there is a disagreement about how to respond, either sanctions or a more aggressive approach,” said history teacher Andrea Eagle.

Though there are many uncertainties about the future of Ukraine,

Gubina believes that paying attention to the events taking place around the world is imperative.

“It is important for students to be aware about what is going on,” said Gubina. “People here don’t realize that we have so many rights compared to those in Ukraine.

Students need to pay attention to this situation because Russia and the U.S. are two power houses and another cold war could be coming.”

Photo courtesy of, Sasha Gubina Gubina and her family in Ukraine.

Dates to know, April through May April 1- Scholarship Due Date: FarmHouse Builder of Men Scholarship April 1- Scholarship Due Date: Cass County Farm Bureau Scholarship April 1- Scholarship Due Date: Ralph Fidler Jr. Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship April 1- Scholarship Due Date: Peculiar Charitable Foundation April 2- Scholarship Due Date: Jan Perry Scholarship April 4- Scholarship Due Date: Dr. Harold E. Kirsch Memorial Scholarship April 4- Scholarship Due Date: Elvin S. Douglas, Jr., Scholarship Program April 4- Scholarship Due Date: Wanda Brown Scholarship Program April 4- Scholarship Due Date: Alma Brown Scholarship April 4- Scholarship Due Date: East Lynne School CTA Scholarship April 10- HHS Spring Play M*A*S*H April 11- HHS Spring Play M*A*S*H April 12- HHS Spring Play M*A*S*H April 12- ACT April 13- HHS Spring Play M*A*S*H April 15- Scholarship Due Date: Agrilegacy Tomorrow Agricultural Scholarship April 15- Scholarship Due Date: Helen Morse Memorial Scholarship April 15- Scholarship Due Date: Rotary Club Scholarship April 16- Scholarship Due Date: Cass County Association of Educational Office Professionals Scholarship April 16- Scholarship Due Date: George McCleave Scholarship April 18- Good Friday (No School) April 20- Scholarship Due Date: Shane Dean Voyles Memorial Scholarship April 20- Scholarship Due Date: Lillie Lois Ford Scholarship Fund April 20- Scholarship Due Date: M.D. “Jack” Murphy Memorial Nurses Training Fund April 20- Scholarship Due Date: Joseph J. Frank Scholarship April 20- Scholarship Due Date: Charles L. Bacon Memorial Scholarship April 20- Scholarship Due Date: Erman W. Taylor Memorial Scholarship April 25- Scholarship Due Date: Alpha Gamma Sigma Fraternity, Beta Chapter - University of Missouri April 26- Scholarship Due Date: V.F.W. Scholarship

May 2- Mr. Wildcat Pageant May 3- Prom May 5- Chemistry AP Exam May 7- Calculus AP Exam May 8- English Literature and Composition AP Test May 9- English Language and Composition AP Test May 9- ACT Deadline for 6/14 Test May 12- Biology AP Exam May 13- United States Government and Politics AP Test May 13- French Language and Culture AP Exam May 13- Spring Show Choir Concert May 14- United States History AP Exam May 16- Graduation May 26- Scholarship Due Date: B Davis Scholarship May 27- Last Day of School (Half Day)

2

news

Alcohol, drugs create regrets, hardships

Story by, Ali Schmidt, Staff Writer alison.schmidt@hhsnews.com Wasting the night away while emptying a keg or popping pills on the streets is often an enticing way for students to spend their weekends, but they tend not to see what this could mean for their future.

According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) the average age of first marijuana use is 14, and alcohol use can start before age 12.

When getting involved in alcohol and drugs, most students do not think about the long-term effects. It is seen as a recreational activity that they can quit at any time.

“Getting drunk for the first time is fun, because you get the feeling where all the weight has been lifted off of your shoulders and you're just this carefree person,” said an anonymous source.

Although the jaunty feeling is tempting, it comes with a price.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, alcoholism can cause a higher absence, failing grades, lack of participation, arrest, illnesses, disruption of normal growth, higher risk for suicide and homicide, memory problems, changes in brain development, abuse of other drugs and/or death.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the brain is still developing while in high school.

Drugs have the power to alter the

normal developmental pattern and can have the same effects as alcohol.

A habit that has effects like these, does not form right away. It starts by putting yourself in the situation and becoming comfortable in it.

“I got started smoking through the old cliche, peer pressure,” said former student Andrew Mackay. “ I know, that is exactly what every poster, song and DARE officer we have ever heard or saw warned us about.

Frankly, the people you surround yourself with have a huge influence over you, regardless of if you think so or not.”

Students start out being told that it is wrong and to stay away from drugs and alcohol, but their views can change as they start to break away from their parents and begin living on their own.

“While in high school, I didn't necessarily think negatively towards alcohol in high school, because a lot of people in my family have dealings with alcohol including my dad and my brother,” said anonymous.

“When I got to college, my view towards alcohol was more open because so many people drink when you get into college. It's like the social norm to drink and party while in college.”

A social norm is not always the way to go though. With it being acceptable to go out and drink (many underage drinkers do not take the risks into account.)

Photo Illustration by, Cassie Long Not knowing the consequences of drug and alcohol use can affect students further down the line.

“I’ve been in a lot of fights that I don’t remember because I was drunk, some were even with my best friends,” according to another source. “When you get drunk, the other things like drugs don’t affect you.”

Past students have also noticed how this recreational use can affect them once they are surrounded by a typical college atmosphere.

“The A+ Scholarship specifically states no drug or alcohol offenses on or off campus,” said school counselor Andrea Laughlin. “When I was an RA at UCM, I know of a few students who lost their A+ funding because they were caught with drugs and/or alcohol in their dorm rooms and they were not 21.”

Even after quitting substance abuse, your past recreational use can determine whether or not you are

offered positions within a company.

“Many companies will now ask for hair follicles for a drug screening prior to employment,” said Laughlin.

“Drug usage can be traced back for several years on a hair follicle, even if the person is not currently using.”

With every wild night that students give themselves in high school, it is just giving them another shot at getting caught.

“One night, I got put in handcuffs and almost arrested; that was the night I decided that I was done drinking,” said anonymous. “I got everything out of my system before I got to the real world; most people don’t.”

Students, such as Mackay, wish that they could take away their past decisions.

“I wish I had known that I was strong on my own, I didn't need other people to validate me,” said Mackay.

“Luckily, I stopped smoking soon enough that most of the long- term effects were negligible; however, lying to my family and sneaking around took its toll.”

If fellow students are having trouble dealing with these addictions, remember that there is always a way out. Many friends and adults will be there to help stop this habit before it becomes permanent.

“My peers are now more positive influences on me,” said anonymous.

“Since that last time my parents

found out, I've had no dealings with alcohol, because my peers and I are usually more busy doing safer, smarter things that don't involve drinking and partying. I've realized I'd much rather stay in and play video games and chill with my friends than go out and drink and make dumb decisions that I will later regret.”

Students that were once involved are now finding it important to look for a way out.

“You may not realize it now, but every little decision you make now will affect your entire life,” said Mackay. “Maybe not in a huge way, or immediately, but I can guarantee as a person who walked in those same halls and sat in those same desks that the smallest decisions you make can come back to haunt you when you least expect them to.”

For students who are just starting to get involved in drugs and alcohol, remember that things will have the ability to escalate without a warning.

“Many students think they are ‘recreational’ users; however, they are often addicted,” said Laughlin. “If you can't have fun without a drink or a high, then you have an addiction.

Sometimes, a student is less inhibited after recreational use and then he/she has regrets on Monday morning after finding out from others about the behaviors while under the influence.”

forward,” said Neill. “It wasn’t as bad this year, but we were prepared for it this time. None have been worse than our first winter. We had no idea what we were doing. We do now though.”

The main issue that the Morelands have had to deal with is how much the land has been affected by the weather and moisture that has come with it.

“With all of the snowfall melting after each time, everything gets muddy,” said Moreland. “The tractor has been tracking all over the fields but that’s really the only problems we have had.”

Coming off of the winter, farmers must look forward to the upcoming spring and summer seasons. After facing unpredictable weather on both end of the spectrum in the past few years, the Neills have taken this into

account in planning for this year. “[The rain] will make things a lot easier since it’s what we are set up for,” said Neill. “But we are prepared for droughts and extreme weather since we have been through it before.”

The Morelands are planning to stay on track and hope for their land to dry out in the near future.

“So far so good,” said Moreland.

“As long as we can get the crops out in time we will be good. That all depends on when the fields dry out though.”

Moreland does not foresee prices changing greatly anytime soon.

“Prices always flux, you can’t always tell what they are going to do,” said Moreland. “I don’t think it will change dramatically in the upcoming year.”

Long winter poses threat to local farmers

Story by, Joe Cramer- Sports Editor joe.cramer@hhsnews.com Farming in general can be considered a tough profession to partake in.

With various hidden costs and problems, the job can become even more stressful. But for local farmers, going from a drought this past summer to a long winter has presented a struggle that they have had to meet head on.

After dealing with a drought this past summer, local farmers were forced to face the exact opposite of what they had just finished fighting against; a long, cold winter. With subzero temperatures and precipitation on the ground, farmers were forced to compensate for the abnormal conditions that were put before them.

Senior Carter Neill, who works on his family’s dairy farm in Freeman, explained that a large amount

3

Photo by, Cody Hart Harsh weather conditions leaves an impact on farmers’ fields.

of planning was done in anticipation for this past winter.

“In the spring of last year, we chose our crops that we would be using to feed the cows based on what would be beneficial to use over the winter,” said Neill. “We used some different kinds of baleage, prairie hay, mixed grass hay from our own farm and corn silage from the Morelands.”

Junior Austin Moreland says that his family’s farm prepared in advance

as well for the upcoming winter.

“We baled a lot of hay over the summer and that preparation helped,” said Moreland. “We now have extra hay that we can sell for profit.”

Although this winter was tough for farmers, Neill’s farm had only minor setbacks, and felt more prepared than they were in earlier years of farming.

“We have moved calving season

the pride

News

Tanning cons may outweigh the pros Story by, Emily Priesendorf- Staff Writer emily.priesendorf@hhsnews.

Desperately wanting that dark complexion to compliment a ravishing prom dress is the ideal for teenage girls. With prom around the corner, the annual parade of bronzed students in the hallways will be starting again soon.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, nearly 70 percent of tanning salon clients are Caucasian girls and women, primarily aged 16 to 29 years.

For some students, a tan complexion completes the “perfect look” for prom.

“I am going to tan because the color of my dress makes me look pale,” said junior Kerinne Murray.

Recent studies have found a 59 percent increase in the risk of melanoma in those who have been exposed to UV radiation from indoor tanning, and the risk increases with each use.

Despite the risks, the Hot Tan Cafe is facing its largest group of customers of the year.

“This is our busiest time of the year,” said Hot Tan Cafe employee Angie Hardwick. “Everyone should come out and get a beautiful bronze for prom. We are busy, but be patient

Photo by, Lara Floyd With Prom coming up around the corner high school girls use different methods of tanning for a desired look. Nearly 30 million people tan indoors in the U.S. every year; 2.3 million of them are teens.

because it will be worth while.”

Kari Scott has a contrasting opinion about tanning. She was diagnosed with basal cell, a type of skin cancer, six years ago.

“I had a little spot right below my nose,” said Scott. “After that I went to the doctor, and I did not think it was anything bad. The dermatologist did a test on it. A few days later they called and said it was cancer.”

Basal cell cancer is a less severe type of skin cancer compared to melanoma. Scott received treatment, and six weeks later, the cancer was gone.

“I am very thankful that I did go

through it,” said Scott. “Now I always wear sunscreen all the time. Even in the winter or in the car, I still wear sunscreen.”

As a teenager, Scott spent countless hours in the sun without putting on sunscreen. She believes her exposure to the sun without protection has caused the consequences.

“I think the reason I got the cancer was because the sun damaged my skin,” said Scott. “I had lots of sunburns when I was a little girl. I didn’t got to tanning beds much, but for prom I did once and I ended up getting burned for prom instead.”

Not only does the fear skin cancer

stop some students from using tanning beds, but some believe indoor tanning takes a toll on appearance.

“If you tan in a tanning bed before you are 18, the risk of melanoma increases,” said junior Sarah Cass. “I also don’t want to look leathery when I am older.”

All the money being put into prom can be exuberant, especially tanning. Junior Ashley Underwood feels that tanning is a waste of money.

“I’m not worried about tanning,” said Underwood. “I just think my money could go to something more useful.”

Missouri is working on passing legislation that would prevent teens under 17 to use tanning beds without parental consent. Kansas is also working on a similar bill that would require teens under the age of 18 to have their parent’s permission to use a tanning machine. Both bills need to go through the Senate before the legislation can be taken into affect.

The bill has caused some conflicted feelings among students and tanning salon workers.

“They have tried to pass it before and it never passed,” said Hot Tan Cafe employee Jennifer Fleming. “It is better to do indoor tanning and get

a base tan than to go outside unprotected and burn.”

Some students feel differently about the tanning legislation and believe it will protect young adults from ultraviolet rays.

“I think the bill is a good idea,” said senior Haley Hyaget. “Some 16 year olds get super dark and it so dangerous. I think it is okay to get a tan for prom but don’t go all year because it could give you cancer.”

For those students that do not want to use a tanning bed, there are some alternatives that are safer.

“At the Hot Tan Cafe, we also offer spray tans, bronzer lotions and intensifiers,” said Hardwick.

Scott has a different perspective and offers advice to students going to prom and wanting that tawny glow.

“Just be yourself, other than that, don’t do anything at all,” said Scott.

“I wouldn’t recommend tanning without sunscreen and avoid the tanning beds.”

Ultimately, it is up to the students to decide if obtaining the trendy skin with a sun kissed glow is worth the risk.

then they’ll open all the bids so everyone gets to see their bids at the same time,” said Gibbs.

“It’s going to be a little over a $13 million project; that’s what the engineers have estimated. What we are hoping is then a contractor will come in at or below that price.”

During construction, the workers hope to keep traffic moving. That exit is expected to stay open throughout most

of construction, only having to close once for around 15 days.

During that time, highway drivers will have to exit at one of the Commercial Street exits to get into Harrisonville. Through the duration of the renovation, traffic on Highway 291 will most likely be slower than ever. While it will still be possible to navigate through the construction zone, it is advised that you try and avoid it.

Plan for Highway 291 ramp underway Story by, Bethany Travis- Staff Writer bethany.travis@hhsnews.com As horns honk and cars line up around the street, traffic clogs the roadways surrounding Highway 291 as it enters Harrisonville. Sighting this conundrum that takes the form of stop lights and idling vehicles, city officials have gone through extensive planning and fundraising in hope that they cannot only make the drive safer, but faster as well.

The hope is that by putting in a different road system, traffic will move on slowly and daily Highway 291 travelers will not pull out so many hairs in frustration.

“The 291 project is a project that will do some improvements on Cantrell Road, which is over by the Ford dealership and MilWalk Mall,” said Jerry Gibbs, Public Works Director for the City of Harrisonville. “It’s going to install what’s called a diverging diamond intersection. This

the pride

“It’s going to be a little over a $13 million project; that’s what the engineers have estimated. What we are hoping is then a contractor will come in at or below that price.”

-Jerry Gibbs is where the traffic lanes switch over the bridge and you pull on the opposite side. What this does is facilitate left turns so that you won’t get the stacking. When you’re pulling up to the light on the current overpass you have everyone stacking up and its hard to make a left turn.”

The efforts of the contractors hired by the city will not stop at the overpass. The plan is to expand the project to lighten up traffic throughout that whole area.

“The project moves farther

north on 291 near the Wal-Mart traffic signal and it also extends onto Commercial Street and Rockhaven Road,” said Gibbs.

The 291 project will also lighten the traffic going to the hospital making it easier for emergency personnel to access Cass Regional Medical Center.

No official start date has been set yet; however, according to Gibbs, the earliest it will start is August. For now the city has set the bid date on May 16 “Multiple contractors have to submit their bids by May 16 and

Photo by, Cody Hart With no official date, the Highway 291 project is set to happen within the next year.

4

Students feel sex should be cherished

Story by, Bethany Travis-Staff Writer bethany.travis@hhsnews.com Maybe it started out like one of those cheesy romance movies where you saw her across the room and your eyes locked and true love was instantly in the air. Or maybe you both just loved that one band and you could not stop talking to each other about it and then fell hopelessly in love. Or maybe you were old friends that never realized you were into each other until now, while everyone else saw it coming.

However they come together, relationships are a major part of high school life. After the first dates, first kisses and countless other “firsts”, things between two people can get intense. Where the line should be drawn is constantly debated by the adults around us, but “too far” is different for every teenager.

A lot can play into the decision making process that a couple goes through when discussing physical boundaries. There are religious or personal morals that play similar parts.

“I personally don’t believe in having sex before marriage because I want to save myself for that special person that I get married to in the future,” said anonymous. “I think if you do it in high school it could be a

53% of freshman females think it’s okay for people to have sex before 55% marriage of freshman males agree

58% of sophomore males think that the sexual status of a person affects their veiw of the person 75% of sophomore females agree.

22%of male juniors agree

31% of female juniors think that it’s ok to have sex after a certain time in a relationship

The average senior male thinks it’s okay to get married at 20 Compared to female seniors’ 21

big mistake. I believe what I do because I’m a Christian and that really dictates my choice.”

Junior Jacob Murray’s beliefs line up with anonymous source’s for similar reasons.

“Being in a committed relationship [is okay] as long as you're married of course,” said Murray. “That’s a biblical concept: being married before having sex at all.”

Other factors involve themselves in this debate. Some high schoolers believe that the maturity of the people involved as well as the maturity of the relationship plays a part in whether you “are ready” or not.

“Personally I think teenagers shouldn't really have sex yet because if you think about it our bodies are

still developing,” said junior Trish Price. “We’re still children and we’re going to keep developing until we’re in our twenties. Why would you want to do something that is for ‘adults’ while you're still in the body of a child?”

While Price sees the logic in an undeveloped body, senior Alison Krenzer regards the logic in the undeveloped relationship.

“If you’re in a relationship and you both trust each other and both of you think that you’re ready for it [sex] then I think that it can be ok,” said Krenzer. “However, I think that if you’re not in a relationship and you’re just doing it just to do it, I think that a lot of people can regret that.”

Sophomore Leah Shocklie aligns herself more towards Price’s view.

“I dont think that teens should [have sex], but if they're adults and they're old enough it’s okay.” said Shocklie.

Each individual is entitled to their own opinion and many do not wish to thrust their viewpoints on other people.

“I feel very strongly about it for myself but not necessarily for other people,” said anonymous. “I don’t want to force that on other people.”

Sophomore Austin Hastings agrees with anonymous in keeping his notions to himself.

“I dont do it [have sex], but I don't see a problem with it,” said Hastings. “I don't agree with it but

While technology has become a necessary component for some, others still view technology as a novelty.

“I am able to find information quicker, which is nice,” said chemistry teacher Roseann Hoffman. “But if I had to, I could solve any problem without technology. All I need is a stick and some mud to work it out.”

For students like freshman Ben Gerke, a lack of technology would seriously limit the amount and extent of communication that he partakes in.

“It’s a lot easier to talk to people with technology like cell phones,” said Gerke. “It is really good in emergency situations, but it also makes it easier to talk to women because the face-to-face fear factor no longer exists.”

Gerke believes that without technology there would be more time, and possibly more motivation to do other things that may not be as much fun.

“When I would get home, there would be nothing to do because I wouldn’t have anyone to talk to,” said Gerke. “That would mean that there would be more time for chores.”

Because people have become so dependent on technology, it is easy to imagine newer and better forms of technology to make every day life easier.

“If something were to be invented where I could have all the instruments and technology for lab work, that would be awesome,” said Hoffman. “I would love to have all the tools to do real world labs.”

Hoffman pictures a newer technology that would make her teaching easier, but for others, the possibilities and dreams are endless.

“Flying cars would be so cool because you would never have to worry about traffic,” said Gerke.

Math teacher Bill Kay agrees with Gerke that the ultimate futuristic technology would be the flying car.

“Duh, if I had to pick what I would want for technology, it would be flying cars,” said Kay. “You wouldn’t even need roads, so you could just take off and go anywhere you wanted whenever you wanted.”

The common theme for ideas of futuristic technology is transportation. Willson also dreams of a world in which technology makes transpor-

tation much easier.

“I would love to have the ability to teleport to wherever I wanted,” said Willson. “It would make going places so much easier. In fact, if I could make myself instantly be in Hawaii right now, that would be absolutely great.”

Kay pictures a life far less civilized if we did not have technology.

“I would be living in a cave

news

let people do what they want.”

However, Krenzer’s indifference is conditional, with simple qualifications that she thinks should be met.

“I’m not going to have sex until I'm in a relationship and I think I'll be with that person for a really long time but for other people I think it can be ok as long as it’s protected and mutual,” said Krenzer.

Murray, worries not about the people around him, but that one extraordinary girl he hopes to spend the rest of his life with.

“Not to sound corny or cheesy at all, but I think that it would actually be better if I waited [to have sex] for my wife and that would make it much more special,” said Murray.

There are numerous reasons why people decide whether to have sex or not, but senior Timmy Johnico holds that the world we live affects our sexual decisions as greatly as any other factor.

“We live in a world where sex is advertised more than it should [be],” says Johnico. “It teaches younger people, in some ways, that it is okay [to have sex] as long as you use protection, but in reality, contraceptives are not always reliable. There are consequences with a large decision such as sex.”

What would you do in a world without technology?

Storyby,MackenzieEisel-OpinionandNewsEditor mackenzie.eisel@hhsnews.com

As technology continues to advance, people become more and more dependent upon it, even in the simplest forms, to accomplish everyday tasks. Students and faculty are hardly able to imagine living in a world without it.

For some, technology is no longer seen as a fresh innovation, but more of a necessity for daily function.

“I can’t go anywhere without my cell phone,” said math teacher Allison Willson. “I’m constantly playing Candy Crush or Googling things. I love to be a ‘know it all,’ so if someone doesn’t know something, I immediately want to look up the answers.”

Willson goes on to explain just how easy it is to become addicted to technology.

“I would probably shrivel up and die without technology,” said Willson. “What’s so crazy though, is that I didn’t grow up with technology, but I’ve become so addicted. I can’t even go without DVR-ing my favorite shows just to make sure I don’t miss them.”

5

because even building a house is technology,” said Kay. “Now it seems so simple, but at one time, it was a novelty. Without technology, we would still be hunting for food with our hands and teeth.”

Photo by, Cassie Long Senior Joe Chadwick uses a Chromebook in class to work on an assignment.

the pride

Features

Teachers by day, students by night Story by, Brently Probasco-Copy Editor brently.probasco@hhsnews.com

Students often complain about how homework and school interfere with everyday life. Little do students realize that many teachers throughout the building are struggling with the same, everyday complications.

Many teachers throughout the building are continuing on with their education. Though many have received their Master’s degree, some are still working towards it. Special education teacher Carol Cunningham is just one of many.

Cunningham attends class both online and at the University of Central Missouri at the Summit Center, where she is expected to be present for a two hour class every other Thursday. She is currently working towards her Master’s in Literacy.

Cunningham is also a mother and wife while being a teacher and must deal with the ramifications that come with being a student.

“Being a student definitely affects my daily life because it eats up all my free time,” said Cunningham.

“I take my homework everywhere I go. I try to get as much done on the weekends as I can since the week nights are so busy. The good thing is that everyone in my house is doing homework at the same time. My family is very supportive of my education. My husband is the one who has always pushed me along. He knows the value of it and the model it is to our girls.”

Though it may hold these many effects on her, Cunningham feels that being a student helps her with her own teaching.

“Honestly, still being a student is really good for me as a teacher,” said Cunningham. “Sometimes I feel

like I am not smart enough to do the level of work [my professors] are requiring. I just have to break bigger assignments up into smaller tasks and complete them that way. I tell my students when I am asking them to do something challenging that I feel their pain. I explain to them how I get overwhelmed with my school work as well. So I think it really helps me be more empathetic.”

Cunningham is not the only teacher going to school on the side of her work and family. Several teachers are going to school for their administration degree.

Math teacher Allison Willson attends class with social studies teacher Eric DeVenney, and they are both currently working towards their Education Specialist in Secondary Administration.

After attending five hour classes every Wednesday for the past seven semesters, the two are expected to graduate this upcoming summer.

Though their classes are not exactly like those high school students experience, they do have their challenges.

“There are a lot of PowerPoints, papers and group projects, and maybe one or two tests,” said Willson.

“You don’t really have homework like in high school, you just have projects you have to get done.”

DeVenney, like Cunningham, feels that these classes have strengthened him in his own career.

“It has helped me be a better teacher from the content that I have learned but it has also helped me be a better teacher because I have had to remember what it was like to be a student again,” said DeVenney. “I talk to my students about being nervous about asking questions in class,

study methods and test taking skills which are important life lessons as well.”

Willson finds that the hardest struggle is managing her time with work and family.

“There are times I have to take off from work,” said Willson. “That sounds bad, but you have to do whatever it takes to get through the course. There are also times I wake up early on a Saturday or Sunday when my family is sleeping in and go somewhere to work. It also helps to have good friends.”

DeVenney’s secret to staying on task and getting it all done he accredits to his spouse and kids, along with changes in his sleep pattern.

“I am blessed to have a great wife and wonderful family that have help support me in this program,” said DeVenney. “It sometimes causes our schedule to be crazy and sometimes means that we can't fit things in but we try to make everything work. I don’t sleep much and my wife has super powers.”

Willson did not necessarily have a long-term goal in mind when she started but in time since, that has changed.

“I got into the program because my friends were doing it,” said Willson. “I figured if they could do it, then I could do it. Now, I’ve been teaching for 16 years and when I first started I never thought I’d have what it takes to be a principal.

They’ve since developed a leader in me.”

Social studies teacher Emily Terwilliger just recently began the path to receive her Master’s in Administration, along with special education teacher Matt Hague.

“It’s something I’ve always seen

myself doing,” said Terwilliger. “I just feel like I make an impact on students’ lives as a teacher and doing it in the administrative role feels like the next step.”

Terwilliger also feels the pull Willson feels between family, work and school.

“I feel like my time is more valuable than it has ever been,” said Terwilliger. “I feel like I don’t do justice to my family if I spend a lot of time lesson planning for school and doing homework for my degree, so I try to commit my weekends to my family.”

Terwilliger has had to find ways to stay on top of her busy schedule.

“I make a lot of lists as well as use my paper and Google calendar,” said Terwilliger. “I’m quite effective at the reminder feature of the Google calendar.”

Hague also uses lists, along with using any available time to his advantage.

“Any time I have that is ‘free,’ I make sure I am doing what I need to do,” said Hague.

Hague not only deals with the typical family and work, but coaches on the side.

“It’s tough, especially coaching basketball,” said Hague. ‘I know there are nights my wife and I miss each other and it’s hard. It’s about time management and you have to fit everything you need to do into 24 hours.”

Hague’s inspiration started from within his own family.

“My brother is a principal and I see that he enjoys it,” said Hague. “I also like responsibility and being a leader and motivating people to do their best. I also like the business aspect like budgeting and the idea of

be those he is most in tune with.

“I like being at the football field and basketball court because those are the only two sports I have been around,” said Wil’E. Though Wil’E enjoys both basketball and football, there is one particular sport he enjoys most.

“I like football because I get to hang out and have a blast with the fans,” said Wil’E. Beyond being active within the school and its events, Wil’E has his general items that he enjoys.

“My favorite foods are raw fish

and chicken, especially Pleasant Hill Roosters,” said Wil’E. “It makes me feel like I am dominating P-Hill all the time.”

Wil’E’s favorite foods seem to take a toll on his favorite place to eat as well. “[I eat at] Kentucky Fried Chicken because it makes me think of Pleasant Hill,” said Wil’E. Wil’E’s most embarrassing moment was at a school wide event for the entire student body to see.

“I was doing a trick during an assembly but I fell down; I got re-

ally embarrassed,” said Wil’E. Wil’E’s favorite time of the year comes around twice in the high school.

“I really enjoy both homecoming and courtwarming, because that’s when a lot of people show up for the sporting events,” said Wil’E.

building relationships with students, teachers and other staff.”

Hague’s idea of going from teaching the class to being the student is, in a way, nice.

“It’s honestly kind of fun,” said Hague. “Being a teacher you have to be serious so it’s nice to be a student and sit back and learn. It’s also nice to joke around and tell stories with your peers who are teachers just like you.”

Special education teacher Jonathan Benson is also in class with Terwilliger and Hague.

“I wanted to continue my education and while I like being a teacher now, I’d like to be a principal one day,” said Benson.

Benson’s latest strategy to deal with the craziness is setting aside one night a week for his class work.

“I have started trying to do all my homework on Sunday nights so that when we come back to school on Monday or Tuesday I don’t have to worry about it,” said Benson.

Though these teachers are still involved in the course, personal finance teacher Mark Rorvig received his degree in administration in the summer of 2011.

“First of all, I got it done before I had a family,” said Rorvig. “Second, as a teacher, and by getting it earlier, I have more time to observe between being a teacher and an administrative.”

Rorvig’s advice for those who plan on getting their administration degree is basic.

“To anybody that does it, I’d say start early and get as much help as you possibly can,” said Rorvig.

Wil’E Wildcat spreads school spirit Story by, Austin Royal-Staff Writer austin.royal@hhsnews.com

Since 1987, Wil’E the Wildcat has been sharing his team spirit at Harrisonville sporting events.

Within these last 27 years, and even more so recently, Wil’E has grown and transformed.

“During the beginning, I thought it was going to be easy but now I know how hard it is,” said Wil’E. “Like if our team is loosing, it’s hard to pump up the crowd.”

You can usually find Wil’E at only two places, which happens to

the pride

Photo by, Cassie Long

6

Features

“April showers brings May flowers�

Complete List of Necessary To-Dos Before Graduation

Pass out Senior Pictures

Pick out perfect outfit for under gown

Finish scholarship applications

Survive senioritis

Senior prank

Plan graduation party

Pick a college

Mail graduation announcements

Prepare for and enjoy last prom

Senior skip day

Compiled by Mackenzie Eisel- News and Opinion Editor

d

7

Comic by, Starr Myers- Cartoonist/Illustartor

the pride

Behind the scenes of planning prom

Story by, MacKenzie Eisel- News and Opinion Editor mackenzie.eisel@hhsnews.com

Students may think that picking out the perfect prom dress and finding the matching shoes and accessories is hard, but the members of prom committee are under even more pressure as they prepare for one of the biggest school events of the year.

Members of the junior class gather together to make the decisions that are essential to pulling off a successful prom. Prom committee is responsible for planning all of the decorations, the theme and creating both invitations and tickets for prom.

“Right now at the meetings we are counting the votes for the Senior Who’s Who awards,” said junior Hannah Eberle. “We also have been working to pick out decorations and tickets.”

Junior Trish Price believes that the most difficult part of planning comes when it is time to pick out the decorations.

“The most extensive part of planning prom has been the decorations,” said Price. “You want the night to be elegant and magnificent, but sometimes you don’t realize how many little details it takes to build up the perfect prom.”

Eberle agrees that the decorations have been one of the toughest parts to planning.

“There are a lot of strong opinions in the committee,” said Eberle. “So, sometimes it makes it hard because one person is dead set on a certain thing, but another person wants something else, and we can’t have both because of our budget.”

While many prom attendees will be spending the day getting ready and perfecting every last detail of their appearance, the members of prom committee will have other responsibilities before they can even think about getting themselves ready.

“We will be gone all day setting up that Saturday,” said Price. “We will be putting up all the decorations that day, so I had to make my hair appointment for after two o’clock that afternoon. I may be rushed, but it will be worth it.”

Even though decorating prom may take away from the time members of prom committee have for personal preparations, students like Price are excited for the turnout and happy that they get to be a part of preparing.

“Getting to be involved in something that kids are going to remember forever is really cool, especially for the seniors,” said Price. “No one forgets their high school prom.”

the pride

Everything you need to know abou

DO

“D and h

“Wear comfy shoes.”

“Do othe dres

-senior Sam Bowers

Promposals make prom memorable Story by, Elizatbeth Thayer- Staff Writer elizabeth.thayer@hhsnews.com

“Promposals,” big or small, are necessary for the full extravagant experience only the select few can exploit. With prom only once a year and for some, once in a lifetime, asking or being asked can be forever remembered.

For most girls, this can be a “make it or break it” for the entire date.

“A lot of girls have said that they’re not going to prom unless they get asked out in a cute way,” said junior Baileigh Selemaea.

Asking someone to prom can be crucial, especially when it is with someone you really care about.

“I feel like [boys] need to have a little creativity when they ask a girl to prom,” said senior Kennedy Davis. “They know it’s a big deal to girls.”

For Davis, she wants a private helicopter to write the message in the sky and for Selemaea, she wants the proposal to be with food.

Although most students cannot afford private helicopters, they may still have hope. Junior Brice Renner asked his significant other with a well planned out, grandiose surprise.

“Well, she went prom dress shopping so while she was gone I went to her house,” said Renner. “I blew [the balloons] up there and wrote “Prom?” on one of them.”

Despite the lengthy process of blowing up the balloons, her reaction said it all.

“She didn’t know I was there so she was excited or at least acted like she was,” said Renner. “She came and gave me a hug, just like a love story.”

Their prom story was a little more expected due to their relationship but in the case of senior

Brance Neal asking junior Melissa Watson, his “promposal” was unforeseen by Watson.

“[He] asked me to prom and it was a total surprise,” said Watson. “I was in complete shock. I gave him props for that.”

Succeeding in surprising Watson was somewhat easy because, according to Neal, they had not talked in months. Luckily for him and his elaborate way of asking her, she said yes.

“Basically, I bought her a dozen lavender colored roses and set them in Doc. Hoff ’s room because I knew what hour she had chemistry,” said Neal. “So I went in the room, grabbed the flowers while Doc. started playing Take My Breath Away

by Berlin and came up behind her and asked her.”

Even though she said yes, the moment of thought that came after the proposal gave Neal a little twinge of doubt.

“She first said, ‘Are you serious?’ and there was a long pause and I thought she was going to say no,” said Neal. “Then she said yes so I did a fist pump, gave her a hug and went to calculus.”

Fortunately for Neal and Renner, they were told yes with the help of their memorable ideas.

Getting ideas can be obtained from family, friends, the internet and for Neal, a cheesy 80’s movie.

Places like http://www. wikihow.com/Ask-a-Girl-to-Promor-Homecoming-in-a-Cute-Way and Seventeen Magazine show a great deal of “Promposals” during this time of year for ones who want to go that extra mile to make an enduring memory for their better half.

“Going with a friend is great and all but this made it a little more special and I feel like I’ll remember this for a long time,” said Watson.

Prom 2014

Features

-junior

“Pay for your girl’s ticket, dinner and ride to prom.”

-junior John Kusmec

“Dance even if you’re bad at it; it’s more awkward if you don’t dance.”

“Do

-sophom

-senior Zach Davidson

“Do

“Take your date to a nice restaurant.”

-Senior Chris Hilton

“Do pare

“Put a napkin over your dress when eat.”

-junior N

-senior Olivia Styron

“Do

“Take pictures with your date.”

-junior Dalton Ferguson

“Dress appropriately.”

-sophomore Payje Ripperger

D

8

ut prom

Don’t just sit around d do nothing; try to have a good time.”

-senior Brock Kliewer

on’t talk bad on er people’s sses.”

Meghan Scott

“Don’t skip after prom.”

-senior Kyle Hix

on’t come wasted.”

more Emma Frye

on’t ask teachers to dance.”

-teacher Jennifer Rhoney

on’t have your ents take you.”

Nick Kreimeyer

on’t take your date to McDonalds.”

-teacher Jake Kohl

DON’T 9

Features

Students deal with prom stresses Story by, Ali Schmidt- Staff Writer ali.schmidt@hhsnews.com

Dressing up and dancing the night away is what most students imagine their prom will be like.

What many do not realize is that with that boisterous night, comes stress and expenses.

The months leading up to prom can be a difficult time for any student. It is important to make plans and shop, but it is hard to know where to start. Many students find it easier to start by first deciding if they are just going with a date or as a group.

“You need to make the decision of going with friends or a specific date ahead of time,” said senior Kayla Marks. “I recommend just going without a date because there is a lot less stress involved.”

A common decision is to go with a group that is made up of couples.

By doing this, students are able to have more options on what to do.

“I like going with a group of friends along with our dates,” said senior Jessica Nichols. “It allows you to spend time with your close friends, but also gives you a guy to dance with.”

While choosing a date, senior Abe Dick recommends finding someone you get along with.

“Make sure you find a good date,” said Dick. “It makes it less enjoyable if you don’t take someone you’ll have fun with.”

It is important for all students to remember that it helps to look for a dress and tux months in advance. As a couple, it is common to match the two and it is hard to accomplish that in a short amount of time.

“It’s smart to make a deadline to buy your dress,” said Marks. “As a couple, your date has to wait on you before he orders his suit..”

Going from store to store can be seen as tedious work. Women struggle with finding a store that holds their perfect dress at a reasonable price. “[I recommend going to] Windsor at the mall,” said Marks. “There are a lot of long dresses that are below $100 and they are still really pretty.”

On the other hand, men have to find a way to match their date while incorporating their own style. Men do not have to shop so hard, but they do have a bit of work to do by match-

ing them.

“I like going to Men’s Wearhouse,” said senior Aaron Schrock. “I like to go with a nice suit instead of a tux. I recommend a two button with a nice vest and tie. Your tie should match your date’s dress exactly, while the vest can be slightly off.”

By looking for coupons online and finding materials that families can provide, it is possible to create a night to remember without breaking the bank.

“Keep in mind that this is really a special night,” said Schrock. “If you’re looking to save money, ask your parents or your date’s if they could make the corsage and boutonniere. They often don’t mind and it still looks nice. You can also take a nicer car instead of a limo or party bus.”

By saving up money and booking plans in advance, students find ways to reduce the last minute stress that envelopes them in the final weeks.

“While making your final plans, make sure you know everyone that is going in your group,” said Nichols.

“It is important to have a final number so that you can get the right size limo and reservations for dinner.”

Recently, the prom theme was revealed to be a Night in London. This year will be spent at the Bordner in Raytown, rather than Arrowhead Stadium like past years. Prom will be on May 3, and will start at 8 p.m. and continue until midnight. Following the dance, after prom activities will be put on by NETT and SADD advisers at the Mill-Walk Mall in Harrisonville. There will be karaoke, prize drawings and many more activities.

Tickets are currently $40. After April 18, they will be $45. You can buy tickets from Susan Michon or Kelly Lewis. If you are bringing an out of school date, make sure to sign them up in the attendance office with Cynthia Livingston before April 25 to ensure there is no problem with their attendance. If your date is 21 years or older, they will not be able to attend. the pride

feature

Wildcats

Wildcats

Wi ldc

ats

s t a c d l i W the pride

10

Wildcats

Wildcats

feature

Wildc at

s

11

s t a c d l Wi

Wildc at

s the pride

sports

Referees: where do they come from?

Storyby, Kayley Brock- Online Editor kayley.brock@hhsnews.com

Whoot! A bright gold colored flag lands in the middle of the field, a splash of black and white meeting closely in a huddle, whispering in hushed tones to discuss the possible penalty at hand. When they break you feel a pang of nerves and hope. They cross their arms and hold their wrist to signal that the call was a holding. “Holding on offense, number 73, two yard penalty, second down.”

According to Activities Director H.T. Adams, the school and coaches do not actually hand pick the referees that officiate the activities and sports games.

“We are a member of the MRVC west conference [which] mandates by the By Laws [that] we get our officials for activities and sporting events from the Kansas City Officials Association,” said Adams. “They have assignors for each activity and sport we compete in because the demand dictates that.”

Former Head Umpire Scott Maid

used to be in charge of assigning umpires for Harrisonville’s youth baseball/softball league.

“I also assigned umpires for several other area communities,” said Maid. “My duties would include teaching and/or assisting with umpire mechanics, interpretation of rules, handing out pay and fielding questions from coaches/parents.”

According to Adams, once the activities and sports get a schedule complete, Adams sends the schedule to each assignor, complete with of list of preferred officials in the area.

“We give them a list of officials that are not desired based on previous occasions,” said Adams. “We know fairly well in advance who the officials will be in case if those who are not desired can be removed in time.”

When making those lists of preferred and not so desired referee’s, that responsibility mainly goes to the coaches or directors of those activities and sports.

“Once we enter district plays, it is our coaches responsibility to

recommend the officials they want and the officials they don’t want,” said Adams. “Then choices for officials are based on the coaches.”

According to Head Coach Todd

Mercer, the Athletic Director asks him if there are referees he would like to use or not use. Adams then contacts the “officials assigner,” and gives him this info.

“I have had issues with refs before, but most coaches have who have been coaching very long usually do,” said Mercer. “The biggest thing I look for in officials is consistency and hard working.”

Coaches like to make sure that the referees have a certain level of consistency in their officialing.

“I like officials that are consistent,” said Head Coach Mark Rorvig. “If they are consistent and friendly, then I usually don’t have a problem with them. There are a couple of officials that I don’t really like having officiate our games. It usually stems from them being inconsistent, and calling certain calls for one team and not for another. Consistency, effort and communication abilities. When it comes down to it, I just want officials that want to be there, work hard, and keep the game under control.”

On top of getting the list of

officials and making sure that the non-desired officials are chosen, Adams also tries to make sure that the officials do not come from surrounding areas.

“We try to make sure the referees aren’t picked from Harrisonville, Pleasant Hill or Oak Grove so we have mostly good officialing,” said Adams.

Recent mandates have caused the officials to be increased. There were only four referee’s for football then it was mandated to five a couple of years back as well as the number changing for soccer and basketball to three. They increased the number of officials because it will help ensure safety and security. It will also catch more fouls and allow for safer competitions.

“We also use MSHSAA and conference to increase officials at events,” said Adams. “Which does cost us more, and it makes us want good officials because we are paying for it.”

young freshman class, many of which will be playing for varsity. The future is looking bright for them.”

Coleman is gaining an understanding of the women’s style of play through observing them in practice.

“I am really enjoying watching the girls scrimmage right now and that gives me a pretty good idea of what to expect once games begin,” said Coleman. “It is looking like we will have a much more potent attack this year. I am excited about the season. Our goals year to year stay pretty consistent; we are competing for conference and district, and I expect us to compete well.”

The track team is looking to be strong in many events and get everyone up to speed. Head Coach Chuck Lliteras is happy to see the athletes be able to get out on the track and is encouraged to see them putting in a lot of effort.

“Practices are going well and mother nature is cooperating,” said Lliteras. “Which is better than last year. Kids are running hard and getting used to it; we had a lot of multiple sport athletes. The rookies are trying to get used to what is going on at the high school level.”

Lliteras feels that all of the events are going to be successful this season.

“We should be very solid on boy’s and girl’s on all events,” said Lliteras.

“I really like the effort and attention to detail our triple and long jumpers

are showing.”

Lliteras believes that there are some specific people that will bring the team ahead this year.

“Ben Spencer and Melissa Watson are going to be strong on the middle distances,” said Lliteras.

“Matt Prindle and Wyatt Schenker should be pretty good in the sprints.

I think we are gonna get a lot of help from freshman Izaac Jordan. Chance Chamberlain is new and should be very good in the [long and triple] jumps.”

Despite the challenge of no freshman going out for the team, the men’s tennis team is trying to go through this season with a lot of wins.

Head Coach James Norman feels that the team has progressed since last year and will try their best.

“It is always tough to tell this early in the season,” said Norman.

“I would always like the guys to play more in the off-season. That being said, we can only move forward. I expect us to finish the season better than last year. I think we have a good shot to finish near the top in districts.”

Many of the returners to the team played varsity last year and Norman hopes for them to be successful this season.

“We are lucky to have several returning to the varsity roster this year,” said Norman. “Nathan Morse

has played throughout the off-season, and will return to the number one spot. I expect Nathan to compete at a high level throughout the season.”

Norman sees the team as being ready to take on the St. Pius X Warriors in their first match.

“We are still getting everyone back up to speed,” said Norman.

“Many of these guys haven’t played much since last season. I am trying to see where everyone is at and begin putting the rank order together. Our first match is scheduled for Monday at home. I expect us to be ready to compete.”

Golf ’s will play their next match on Mar. 31 against the Smith-Cotton Tigers. Baseball played their Jamboree on Mar. 20 and they will play their next game on Apr. 1 against the Pleasant Hill Roosters. Women’s soccer had their jamboree on Mar. 13 and won two games and tied the other, they will play their next game on Apr. 1 against the Clinton Cardinals. Track will be holding their first meet in the Brutus Hamilton Invite tomorrow. Men’s tennis’ first match is on Mar. 31 against the St. Pius X Warriors.

Photo by, Cody Hart When playoffs begin, referees are requested by the coaches of the home team. Bias is prevented in many ways, as surrounding referees are often not chosen.

Spring sports’ coaches predict strong seasons

Story by, Tyler Cardinal-Staff Writer tyler.cardinal@hhsnews.com The crack of the bat, the kick of the ball, and the fire of a gunshot starting the race. These are all indicators that the spring sports season is underway.

For a few weeks now teams have been finding their way and hoping for a successful season.

These sports are baseball, women’s soccer, golf, men’s tennis and track.

Head Coach of the golf team, Mark Rorvig, feels that all of the returning golfers are playing up to his expectations.

“Ronny Baker played really well and a lot of our varsity returners have done really well,” said Rorvig.

Along with the varsity golfers, Rorvig has seen a lot of skill in some freshman and other new additions to the team.

“From what I have seen, Tucker Quinn shot really well and he did not play last year,” said Rorvig. “A freshman that did really well was Josh Verstraete.”

Rorvig is already thankful for the few weeks of practice the team has been able to have, because of the delay they had last year from the snow.

“All I can say, at this point, is we have had good weather and actually have got to go out and play, which is leaps and bounds better than last

the pride

year,” said Rorvig. “If we can all stay eligible and perform up to our potential, we have a chance to do really well.”

A team that is chasing after success this season with strenuous conditioning and multiple changes to it is the baseball team.

Head Coach Joe Rohlfing feels that the team is handling the conditioning very well and he is proud of that. “[My favorite part] has been seeing everyone finish that three mile run at 5:30 in the morning,” said Rohlfing.

Rohlfing is anticipating a lot of success this season and is trying to bestow this to the players.

“Hopefully we are going to win a lot of games,” said Rorvig. “We are trying to ensure a winning mindset.”

Sometimes, good team chemistry is the way to attain triumph at the end of the season. This is one of the approaches the women’s soccer team is taking to this season.

“The preseason is going well,” said Head Coach Dan Coleman. “We are focusing on building chemistry and fitness. So far, I like what I see.”

Coleman is seeing a lot of potential in the team as a whole, especially the freshman class.

“Everybody shows promise; clearly we want to get better and we have a nice foundation to work from,” said Coleman. “We have an exciting

S i

12

SPORTS

Baseball team takes on new look Story by, Tyler Cardinal- Staff Writer tyler.cardinal@hhsnews.com

A new look, a new coach, and new opportunities.

Change can be a positive thing for a team trying to make a successful season, and the baseball team is taking this approach to the 2014 season.

The changes made include: new uniforms, a jamboree before the first game, the coaches making cuts to the team and a new head coach. The man taking on this responsibility is former assistant baseball coach and current assistant women’s basketball coach, Joe Rohlfing.

Rohlfing is hopeful that all of these changes will make an improvement to the team’s style and ability.

“Hopefully I will help the team as a new head coach,” said Rohlfing. “Hopefully we will look good with our new uniforms, and the jamboree will be good because it

allows us to get our feet wet before the season starts.”

Catcher and Senior Kenny Baker feels the jamboree is a great opportunity for the team.

“I think it will be a lot of fun,” said Baker. “It will be a good chance to see some good competition.”

The team will also be doing fundraisers in order to make some improvements to their field.

“We will be selling popcorn through Fundraising U, and we do our yearly youth clinic, which is another fundraiser,” said Rohlfing.

As much as Rohlfing dislikes making cuts, he feels that it is necessary in order to have a successful team, especially when a large number of players try out.

“Sixty-four kids tried out, that is a lot for three teams,” said Rohlfing. “So we had to. We had no choice. But I guess that is a good thing at times because that means kids are interested.”

Baker is also disappointed

Students, teachers participate in March Madness Story by, Austin Royal- Staff Writer austin.royal@hhsnews.com

Starting with 64 teams and narrowing it down to a single team in only a matter of weeks is the definition of March Madness. The NCAA Championship began on Mar. 20 and the final game will be played in Arlington, TX on Apr. 7.

“I think it’s the best time of the year outside of Christmas,” said senior Luke Cooper.

Personal finance teacher Mark Rorvig agrees with Cooper that the March Madness tournament is one of his favorite times of the year.

“I love it because it’s nonstop basketball for two weeks and it’s good basketball as well,” said Rorvig.

A part of the NCAA tournament is the challenge of creating a perfect bracket. There are both teachers and students that take place in this competition.

“My wife and I usually compare brackets and I also compete with coaches and athletic directors around for bragging rights,” said Athletic Director H.T. Adams.

A part of the bracket challenge is picking the teams that will move on.

Both Cooper and Rorvig believe

13

that they will have an advantage.

“I pick the best teams,” said Cooper. “Because I have a better knowing of teams that I think will go far in the tournament.”

For Rorvig, part of his picking is depending on one major aspect of the tournament.

“It depends on the brackets but I watch a lot of college basketball during the season so I know how some of the teams play but I also look at the matchups,” said Rorvig.

While Rorvig and Cooper take deep consideration into which teams will have a greater chance and are most likely to move ahead, senior Samantha Geier takes a different approach.

“I pick teams based on their mascot and team colors,” said Geier.

Social studies teacher Andrew Rives does not base his on the team’s abilities, but more focuses on the faculty the athletes are working with.

“I usually pick the teams with experienced coaches,” said Rives “Since I know the coaches more than I do the actual teams.”

Photo by Cassie Long Newly appointed Head Coach Joe Rolfing throws a pitch during practice.

about the cuts, but agrees that they were needed.

“We do not like to see anyone not make the team, but I feel it was necessary to find the best team that we had,” said Baker.

So far in the season, Rohlfing has picked out a few moments that he has especially enjoyed. “[I have enjoyed] 5:30 a.m. practices, and the run to Family Video and back on a daily basis,” said Rohlfing. “Because I love waking up early and I love running.”

Baker feels that the team is enjoying the changes that have been made and are predicting many victories for the season.

“I think we all really like the changes, and we like the way the program is headed,” said Baker.

As far as having a new head coach, Baker feels that Rohlfing is a great fit.

“I think he is an easy guy to work for, and I think that is essential for our success,” said Baker.

Rohlfing is honored to take this title, but understands that he can not do it without a little help from his coaching staff.

“I have seen it done well,” said Rohlfing. “Being head coach is a title, but you still rely a lot on your assistants. We all work well together to achieve a common goal.”

Spring Sports Calendar Date Sport Opponent Location Time 03/28 Track Brutus Hamilton Invite Home 4:00 pm 03/31 Men’s Tennis St. Pius X Home 4:30 pm 03/31 Women’s Soccer Excelsior Springs Away 5:00 pm 03/31 Golf Smith-Cotton Away 4:00 pm 04/01 Baseball Pleasant Hill Home 4:30 pm 04/01 Women’s Soccer Clinton Home 5:00 pm 04/01 Golf Exc. Sps, GV Tri Away 4:30 pm 04/02 Track Smithville Jv Invite Away 4:00 pm 04/03 Men’s Tennis Belton Away 4:30 pm 04/03 Golf Clinton, Warr, St. Pius Away 4:00 pm 04/03 Women’s Soccer Truman Home 5:00 pm 04/04 Track Smithville Invite Away 4:00 pm 04/04 Baseball Oak Grove Away 4:30 pm 04/07 Golf Grain Valley Invitational Away 8:00 am 04/07 Women’s Soccer Marshall Home 5:00 pm 04/07 Baseball Excelsior Springs Away 4:30 pm 04/08 Men’s Tennis Excelsior Springs Home 4:30 pm 04/08 Baseball Odessa Away 4:30 pm 04/08 Women’s Soccer Oak Grove Home 5:00 pm 04/08 Golf Oak Grove, Odessa Tri Home 4:30 pm 04/09 Baseball Skip Schultz Tournament Away TBA 04/10 Golf Clinton Away 4:30 pm 04/10 Men’s Tennis Odessa Home 4:30 pm 04/11 Track Kearney Classic Away 4:00 pm 04/11 Women’s Soccer Smithville Invite Away TBA 04/15 Golf Grain Valley, Oak Grove Tri Home 4:30 pm 04/15 Women’s Soccer Warrensburg Away 4:30 pm 04/15 Baseball O’Hara Away 4:30 pm 04/15 Men’s Tennis Grain Valley Away 4:30 pm 04/17 Men’s Tennis Clinton Home 4:00 pm 04/17 Baseball Oak Grove Home 4:30 pm 04/17 Women’s Soccer Notre Dame De Sion Home 5:00 pm 04/17 Track Excelsior Invite Away 4:00 pm 04/18 Baseball Clinton Home 4:30 pm 04/21 Golf MRVC Tourney Home 8:00 am 04/21 Baseball Pony Express Away 4:30 pm 04/22 Golf Exec. Sps, Odessa Tri Away 4:30 pm 04/22 Women’s Soccer Grain Valley Home 5:00 pm 04/22 Men’s Tennis Warrensburg Away 4:30 pm 04/24 Men’s Tennis O’Hara Away 4:30 pm 04/25 Track Mineral Water Classic Away 3:00 pm 04/25 Golf Richmond Invite Away 9:00 am 04/25 Women’s Soccer Smith Cotton Invite Away TBA 04/26 Men’s Tennis HHS Invitational Home 9:00 am 04/26 Baseball Hillcrest Away 1:00 pm 04/29 Men’s Tennis Excelsior Springs Away 4:30 pm 04/29 Baseball Grain Valley Home 4:30 pm 04/29 Women’s Soccer Oak Grove Away 5:00 pm 04/29 Golf Pleasant Hill Home 4:30 pm 04/30 Women’s Soccer Pembroke Hill Away 5:00 pm

the pride

opinion

Sex education needs some serious improvements

Story by, Madi Dahn- Managing Editor madi.dahn@hhsnews.com Every student is required to take health in order to graduate; this includes a week or so about everyone’s favorite subject: Sex Education.

While most ignore their questions to avoid the embarrassment of a red face or other people knowing you have actually thought about sex before, this could potentially have a massive effect on the future.

According to health teacher Nicole Ortiz, legally the school is required to promote abstinence,

and talk about sexually transmitted diseases/infections, but that is as far as they can go.

According to Planned Parenthood, by age 19, seven out of 10 teens have had sex. In 2010, there were 74,181,467 people under the age of 18 in America; that is approximately 51,927,027 students across America who have sex before they graduate high school.

A more local example; there are 932 students in this school currently, 652 of them will have sex before they graduate. Obviously this whole “promote abstinence” thing is not working here, or anywhere else in the country.

By this logic, students are not going to wait to have sex if they do not want to. No school abstinence program, the awkward sex talk, or even sending them to a nunnery is going to stop them. The parent who expects their kid not to have sex simply because they told them not to is a naive one.

Briefly skimming the surface about what all types of birth control and contraceptives there are, but never actually really talking about

how to get them or how to properly use them does more damage than good.

You can tell a kid that the pill gets less than one girl pregnant each year and that it is a safe way to have sex.

There is a good chance that same kid will not read the fine print and find out that that statistic only applies if the pill is properly taken each day; once a pill is missed or recklessly taken, that chance increases to nine out of every one hundred girls who get pregnant. I never learned that in health class because, apparently that goes too far against promoting abstinence.

But that kid is not going to be able to even get ahold of the pill in the first place if they are never taught where to get it. No one ever told me in health class where the closest Planned Parenthood or gynecologist where I could get the pill or a pregnancy test is if I needed it. Their best chance is an understanding parent who would rather be an “irresponsible parent” to the other soccer moms than a grandparent.

Most students do not have Internet access that their parents do not

check up on. Googling these things because you do not know where else to find out and having them show up in the browser history would probably start World War III in a lot of houses. Parents: WAKE UP! There is a 70 percent chance your kid is going to have sex before they graduate; someone needs to teach us.

I am not saying bombard them while they are home and tell them you would rather they become a nun, but if your kid needs to find out these things and their best option is plannedparenthood.com, do not scold them. If you scold them now, you can also scold their child while you are babysitting as they are at school finishing up senior year.

In all the cheesy movies about what high school is “really” like, there is the popular scene of putting a condom on a banana. An applause of giggles usually ensues during the scene, blowing off the idea as something that would just be too awkward to do in front of anyone, let alone the opposite gender. But the entire concept of you know, actually teaching someone how to do something seems to be doing pretty well

considering we are all at school. That awkward day in health spent being shown how to do something (which everyone would mutually agree to never speak of again anyway) is well worth not having those 70 percent of students pregnant.

Anyone would think a government would agree; better to teach these things than have 52 million of their citizens pregnant before they hit 20. The most credible reason I could conceive would be that our country was based on freedom of religion; sex before marriage is a big no-no in most religions; it connects somehow.

However, even if that is how we are basing this, I do not still see 13 stars on the flag, so we are obviously capable of making some modern progress here.

If neither schools nor parents will teach young adults how to have safe sex, who will? One of the two needs to step up and accept the fact that “their little babies” have the potential to have sex if they want to and realize that just repeating the word “abstinence” makes most high schoolers shut down from overload then do it anyway.

U.S. should stay out of Russia, Ukraine conflict

Story by, Bethany Travis- Staff Writer bethany.travis@hhsnews.com Lost sentiments of the Cold War have been stirred up recently as Russia advances on Ukraine. These emotions have escalated to panic as

whisperings of global conflict predict World War III. These mentioned whisperings are making mountains out of molehills. Nothing has arisen out of the current Ukrainian unrest and I do not predict that anything will.

Russia has recently placed troops in Crimea, a country just south of Ukraine without cause, other than imperialism. Turmoil in Ukraine consists of civil unrest as civilians protest against their government and Russian involvement in government.

The United States has to decide whether they will step in to defend the Ukrainians resisting against their government, like the world defender we try to pretend we are.

The United States gets themselves into too many conflicts too quickly, all in the name of democracy, of course. If we do insert ourselves into the middle of this fray, it will not be to start a war. Even radical Republicans, infamous warmongers like John McCain, agree that this conflict should not end in violence. If it does end in violence on America’s part, it will be in the name of oil, not democracy.

The media has a habit of blowing up instances that are not as big of a deal as they are portrayed. I am calling the media’s bluff. Publishers took the chance they saw to stir up some excitement. You can not type in the word “Ukraine” in any news search

engine and not get at least two pages of articles on the conflict. I admit that today’s media is a far cry from the yellow journalism days, however, today’s news sensationalizes everything they can get their hands on.

If Russia were serious about invading Ukraine, they would have by now. Russia practically announced to the world that they had their sights set on Ukraine. They came out guns blazing. That is not the most efficient strategy there is when it comes to invading other countries. My theory is that Russia was just testing the waters, seeing what the world would do if they were to make a similar advance. This is not a bad tactic. As of now, it is easy to see what courses

of action would be taken if Russia were to seriously invade.

The rest of the country might be excited or even panicky as they envision distant war cries; however, the war they seek will not be born from this conflict.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

the pride

14

opinion

sCyrus, Bieber’s stunts for attention fall short

t

Storyby,MackenzieEisel-NewsandOpinionEditor mackenzie.eisel@hhsnews.com Stardom is all about pushing the limits. Any limit, every limit. Knowing the difference between getting people’s attention without crossing the line is key to being famous. Pop icons like Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber push boundaries and press people’s buttons every single day, but in doing so, there is a good chance they are risking the love of America, who once adored these two teen sweethearts.

Cyrus and Bieber both have fallen under the all too famous, but

all too false, line: “All press is good press.” In a recent interview with Jay Leno, Cyrus advised Bieber, “You’ve got a lot of money. Pay people to make sure you don’t get in trouble and party at your house.”

Yes, Bieber may have gotten in trouble because he was drag racing in the streets, so a simple house party would definitely be a step in the right direction, but taking advice from Cyrus may not be the greatest idea for Bieber to win back the hearts of America.

Cyrus and Bieber have spent the last year begging for attention, doing crazier and crazier things to be in the spotlight. But now, with Beiber’s newest option for a Twitter avi being a mugshot, and Miley’s ticket sales plunging, we have to wonder, was it really worth it?

As Cyrus travels the United States on her Bangerz tour, ticket sales are proving that while yes, people will watch a YouTube video of her on a wrecking ball naked, not as many are willing to pay for even a nosebleed

seat at her concert.

According to Forbes, the ticket prices for her tour are dropping quickly. On the secondary market, the average price for a ticket is $182 as opposed to the shocking $225 that people were paying just two months ago.

As ticket sales drop, Cyrus’ fifteen minutes of fame as an internet sensation is slowly falling, too. In the same Forbes’ article, research shows that the week of Aug. 25, Miley was topping Google searches, but by the time tickets actually went on sale, Nov. 12, 2013, the “Miley Cyrus” searches had dropped by at least 80 percent, almost equivalent to what they were over a year ago.

While Cyrus loses popularity, we do have to commend her for her ability to walk the line, without having ended up with criminal charges.

Bieber, on the other hand, barely escaped deportation only a couple months ago.

On the official White House website, a petition for the Obama

administration was created, reading, “We the people of the United States feel that we are being wrongly represented in the world of pop culture.

We would like to see the dangerous, reckless, destructive, and drug abusing, Justin Bieber deported and his green card revoked. He is not only threatening the safety of our people but he is also a terrible influence on our nation’s youth. We the people would like to remove Justin Bieber from our society.”

With so many jumping off the “Beiber/Miley” bandwagon, it seems that these stars are still in serious denial of their actions, and seemingly, wish to blame anyone and everyone else for their own actions.

Bieber has even gone so far as to express his lack of ownership for his actions for the whole world to read on social media, tweeting that he wishes “the world would learn to believe in the goodness of people.”

Umm, newsflash Justin, your “Beliebers” are not too fond of drag racing on public streets and being

arrested for charges of a DUI. If the goal of these teen stars is the public eye, they got it. Everyone is watching and waiting for the next stupid thing that these two have up their sleeves. They have the attention.

The “Wrecking Ball” YouTube video got over 573 million views. The day Justin was arrested, there were more than 6,100 tweets per minute about the scandal.

The real question is, what was so bad about the American sweethearts before that they wanted so badly to kill their previous images? At this point, they have done it. When we think of Cyrus and Beiber, we thinkg of twerking and mug shots. We no longer think of Miley as the sweet girl on Hannah Montana, and we no longer picture Justin singing “One Less Lonely Girl,” while winning the hearts of girls nationwide. What is not known though, is just exactly what extremes these young stars will go to in order to indefinitely delete those “sweet” images.

parents treat me like an adult, I expect to be able to come to school and get through my day without being compared to a kid.

Dear teachers who constantly leave their rooms, you have a five minute passing period; use it. You do not let us go to the bathroom during the class period and complain that we need to use our passing periods responsibly. Then, do not leave in the middle of the class to go make copies, use the bathroom, or even to go next door to gossip to another teacher. Guess what? You have a five minute period, so I will repeat this.

Use your five minutes responsibly.

Dear people that stand by my locker, please move. When I go to my locker the few random times a day, I do not want to constantly ask you every time to move. I am simply grabbing a book and putting my water bottle in my locker, but you act like the world is ending because you have to move. Take a few steps to the left or right and BOOM! Now was that hard? No, I did not think so.

Dear people who stand in the middle of the hallway, Why? Why would you just stop right in the middle? Personally, that gives me permission to run you over and I am not going to stop. You are annoying and for some reason you just do not

get the point. There are walls and places for you to stand off in your own little bubble. So, please, do not make an extremely stupid decision to stand in my way.

Dear kids who complain about their “bad” grades, maybe you should do the work to get the grade you want? Or a big shocker here, ask questions. Go up to the teacher at the end of the day or even after class and just ask. Now if you are the student that wants to fit in with the “bad” group of students, stop complaining.

Just stop. What is more important to you? Being able to say you hung out with the cool kids or being able to get into college? I know, it is a really hard decision.

Dear try hards in gym, oh yikes.

You are over there doing those mountain bikes like a pro and then just glance at me. I know, stop laughing. Gym is not a class where you try hard and give your full attention. It is merely there as a simple “A”. It is a class that you can be completely stupid in and no one will judge you.

Dear kids with backpacks that are a mile wide, what in the world do you put in your backpack? I seriously want to know. Your backpack is like 50 pounds, and when you turn a corner I am always surprised that you do not just start to tilt and BOOM!

down she goes. There is absolutely no getting around you in the hallway because not only do I have to maneuver around you I have to get around that backpack.

Dear annoying couples, face the facts. No one wants to see you touch each other and make out. Have some self control. You do not have to push up one another against my locker and make out for the entire passing period while touching each other in extremely inappropriate places. Even if you only see your significant other once a day, keep it classy not trashy.

Dear cute couples, I hate you.

You make it so obvious that I will forever be alone. Everyone around you is completely jealous. Do not get me wrong, you are obviously a cute couple for a reason. Now when I mean cute couple, I mean the people that just simply hold hands in the hallway and make little gestures towards one another throughout the day that makes you say “awe.”

You guys do the little things that just make everyone want to hug you because you are both just so stinking cute.

Dear girls who crave attention, one, please pull your shirt up. Two, stop yelling and making a scene; no one cares. Three, your pouty face is not cute, you look like a dying whale.

Four, everything I say is not towards you, please do not be like “Why is she talking about me? I can’t believe she thinks she can talk about me.”

See, that is just down-right annoying.

Dear technology people, you block everything like you are at a party and you just can not control what you are doing. You block things that do not even make sense to block.

As a student journalist, I know that when I say this most student journalists will back me up. When you block news websites, the site where we get our referees from and then you block websites that have valuable information. Yet, you do not block Wikipedia, it makes you look ignorant.

At some point in your high school career you just realize that high school stinks. It always will and you find a way to cope with it. Whether it is through being the trouble maker, jokester or even the teachers pet, part of the reason for those actions is to take away from the train wreck that comes along with being in high school. Just remember that, although you are trying to change your experience, you could be the reason for someone else to have an atrocious high school experience.

Newsflash: highschool is brutal for a reason

Story by, Kayley Brock- Online Editor kayley.brock@hhsnews.com Every high schooler, at some point in their high school career, complains about something. You have the secret list of things you would say to people if you had the guts. The things you constantly see or deal with on a daily basis that just push your buttons. That one group of people you just wish would disappear. All these things are the things that make high school atrocious.

Dear teachers, I am not a child.

Teachers constantly say we are young adults and we need to act like it.

Well, news flash, it is hard to act like an adult in this school when we are constantly being treated like children. I am not a child and I do not act like a child, so I do not want to be treated like a child. If my own

15

the pride

feature

Singing in the shower

Do you believe that your shower voice would be ready for a big stage performance?

English teacher Ryan Peters When my wife hears me, she joins in and we create the most beautiful duet that is heard around the world. P.S. My voice is a kitten’s purr.

What is your strong point when you sing in the shower?

Junior Cole Welhoff Playing the guitar solos with my voice. the pride

Are people around when you sing in the shower?

Senior Kyle HIx Sometimes I invite people over for my shower concerts.

What is your favorite shower sing along?

Math teacher Alisha Schutz Titanium, it’s the first song that always comes to my mind.

16