November 2015

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Red & Black Newspaper 11.10.15 • Volume 85 • Issue 2 Jefferson City High School Jefferson City, MO

The weight on our shoulders Students and teachers share their opinions on the 10-block schedule

p. 18-19

CONTENTS

SPORTS

OPINION

11.10.15

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How does a team get to state?

NEWS

13

MLB wrap-up

13

Pick ‘em

14

Jays football recap

15

What does it mean to be a team captain?

15

Softball wrap-up

16

One goal in mind: soccer recap

16

Golf season is a hole in one

17

Volleyball recap

28

How to draw a Jaybird

17

Featured Athlete: Zach Brooks

28

Fashion Club photo shoot

FEATURES

29

Billboard top 5 vs.

JCHS top 5

29

Things to do in the fall

30

Reviews: Shryock’s Corn Maze, Scream Queens, The Last Witch Hunter

31

Addams Family play

31

Instagram contest

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Students go on college visits with the school Band competes in Bands of America

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Library Board holds Halloween writing contest

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Paint the People 5k rescheduled for April

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Shakespearian actor performs for students

8

Entrepreneurship B sells with success

9

JCHS holds college fair

SPOTLIGHT 10

18

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Jack-O-Lantern Jam spooks the school

IN-DEPTH

Evaluating JCHS’ new 10 block schedule

20

Once a Jay, always a Jay

21

Students have plans to serve their country

22

An author is in our midst with Tristan Dotson

23

Gavin DeWitt gets used to the change of coming to JCHS

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Editorial: should we have switched to the 10-block schedule?

25

Head to Head: late starts or early releases?

26

The new ID policy

27

An analysis of F.A.S.T. classes

27

What is the purpose of Halloween?

A&E

which we feature through a photo essay in our Spotlight section.

At this point in the year, we are all mainly settled into the pattern of our new academic lives with the new schedule format. Now that we have had a few months to fully take in the pros and cons of all of the changes, we decided to do an In-Depth evaluation of the new schedule and the different arguments surrounding it. This can be seen in our In-Depth section on pages 18 and 19.

Overall, I am so very happy with the Red and Black staff for the amount of effort and time they put into informing the students and the community of the things that are happening within the halls of JCHS. If you ever have a suggestion or comment for the staff come see us in 5th block in room 141.

Have an amazing day!

FROM THE EDITOR

Welcome back!

Thanks for picking up our second issue of the school year.

We began working on this issue immediately after our first paper day, as we had a shorter window to complete it. We distributed our first issue to all of the FAST classes, at lunch, to Simonsen, to the middle schools, the elementary schools, and to many places around the community. If you would still like a copy, come to room 141.

Thanks to everyone who read our first issue and gave us feedback. We appreciate the positive as well as the negative, as we are constantly striving to improve our paper and make it the best it can be.

The end of October and the beginning of November was a busy time for many people.

Midterms came and went (we are already 1/4 of the way through the school year??) and many school events took place, such as Jack-O-Lantern Jam

-Jacob Worsham

Students go on college visits with JCHS Madi Baughman

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ll throughout this semester, students have the chance to visit their potential college choices by going on college trips organized by JCHS and the respective colleges. Some of the trips available include Missouri State University, Columbia College, and University of Missouri - St. Louis, as well as many others.

Students leave school early in the morning and spend the whole day visiting two or three colleges for a few hours each. On these trips, students are provided lunch by one of the schools, and they spend their time at each college watching a presentation from the staff and touring the campus. “[My favorite part was] looking at the dorms and getting a feel for what it would be like to walk around campus,”

junior Taylor Porter said.

The representatives from each school’s staff talk to students about important subjects regarding their futures, such as acceptance requirements and the cost of attending school there. In addition, they are open to questions that any student or teacher may have. Though not all students at JCHS will end up attending the colleges they visit, it gives them a chance to scope out their options beyond senior year.

“I have been on an individual college visit before and it was a bit scary being on campus for the first time,” junior Karina Esquivel said. “I like going with the school because some of your friends are there with you so you can have a good time, and you have a sense of independence for being at college without a parent.”

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November 10, 2015 Volume 85, Issue 2 Red & Black is a student led newspaper that serves as a public forum for the school and the community. Opinions expressed in the paper are not necessarily those of JCHS nor the faculty, staff or administration.

Editors: Jacob Worsham Madi Baughman Erica Overfelt Mackenzie Allen Website Manager: Brooklynne Propes Staff Reporters: Brandon Eigenman Brenna Duncan Claire Shipley Dalton Wheeler Maddy Bergstrom Madeline Moats Megan Cassels Megan Newton Taylor Johnson Veronica Townsend Advisor: Timothy Maylander Jefferson City High School 609 Union Street Jefferson City, MO 65101 (573)659-3193 redblack.jchs@gmail.com

@jcredblack 11.10.15//NEWS 3

NEWS

[photo by Kenna Pridgin]

[photo by Maddy Bergstrom]

[photo by Melissa Hammers]

Top: Students in band and color guard gather around to talk about the competition in Indianapolis. This year, the Super Regional competitions they attended took place Oct. 16 through 17 and Oct. 23 through 24.

Left: Members of color guard apply their performance makeup while on the bus during the ride to the competition in St. Louis.

Right: Band practices their routine before their performance at the Edward Jones Dome in BOA St. Louis.

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[photo by Melissa Hammers] The woodwind feature performs together during the ballad “Salvation Is Created” for the judges in St. Louis. The other three pieces performed at competition were “Harrison’s Dream,” “Psycho Sweep,” and “Flying.”

Band marches to success at BOA Madi Baughman

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very year at the end of the normal band season, the JCHS marching band and color guard have been given the opportunity to show off what they have worked hard to create during the summer and the school year. This year, the band traveled to compete in Bands of America in St. Louis and Indianapolis, which took place Oct. 16 through 17 and Oct. 23 through 24.

Bands of America is a program created by the organization Music For All. In these competitions, high school bands can compete in anywhere from regional to national championships.

The events that band traveled to this year were two of the organization’s four annual Super Regional competitions, with 65 bands from all over the country attending.

Over the course of the summer and the school year, the band met every morning to work on their routine.

During the school year, they also had practice for their first block, with afterschool practices contributing to their experience as well.

“Sometimes a lot of people don’t realize how much we practice to get where we are,” junior Benjamin Scott said.

For the competition in St. Louis, they traveled to the Edward Jones Dome, performed, and returned to Jefferson City all in a single day.

However, in Indianapolis they traveled to Lucas Oil Stadium on a Friday and performed on a Saturday, which gave them more time to mentally prepare.

Despite how much they have practiced, nerves still run high on competition day. When they head into the stadium, they are allowed time to run through their routine while waiting their turn to perform for the judges.

“We were all hyped up,” Scott said.

“It was a serious matter, but I ignored that because we all do better when we just want to have fun.”

Before their performance, they warmed up in a designated room one last time, then marched onto the field together. The competition is judged based on three aspects: musical performance, visual performance and general effect. After they perform the

routine, judges score them in each aspect, and those scores decide their placement. At St. Louis they placed 10th in their class and 24th overall, and at Indianapolis they placed 13th in their class and 25th overall.

Though they placed better at the competition in St. Louis, some band members felt that they did better at Indianapolis, due to the fact that they had been able to run through their routine in that level of competition before.

“It was just a better run overall,” junior Tim Campbell said. “The only reason we got a lower score was because we were judged harder.”

While they did not place high enough to make it to finals this year, the band placed higher than they did last year at both competitions, and next year they aim to make it past prelims.

“When performing, I feel like I own the whole stadium,” Scott said. “From when we hit the first note all the way to when we march off, it’s an amazing feeling. It’s like you are on top of the world.”

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JCHS Library Board holds Halloween-themed writing contest Veronica Townsend

A

s part of their mission to promote literacy around the community, the Jefferson City High School Library Board hosted a Halloween themed short story contest that lasted through the month of October.

The story qualifications were that the story had to be a certain format, related to Halloween, less than five pages and submitted to the library by Oct. 29 to one of the board members.

From there, the submissions were judged based on the content of the story.

The main officers of the Board,

junior Alison Riggs, junior Michaela Martin, junior Stephanie Scott, and advisor Lisa Scroggs, were the ones who decided the winner.

“We believed that giving students an opportunity to show off their writing powers would be beneficial both for the school and for the students individually,” Scott said. “I chose the winner I picked because I believe the writer demonstrated a phenomenal ability to build and develop characters and left me with something to ponder after finishing it.”

This year, the Library Board

members made posters and announced the contest every morning to promote the event. The contest was so successful that the officers want to do it again next year and hope that more people will participate.

“I really hope that we get to hold the Halloween short story contest again next year because we received some really awesome stories this time and I look forward to seeing what stories students next year come up with,” Riggs said.

Paint the People gets washed away Jake Worsham

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he Paint the People 5K, which was originally planned for Oct. 31, has been rescheduled for Apr. 16. The event planned by Key Club had many students excited throughout the month of October. Unfortunately, because of weather conditions, the event had to be postponed for April.

News of the rescheduling broke through an email sent to those who had already bought their tickets for the event. The weather at that point showed a 90 percent chance of rain starting on Friday evening and continuing throughout the day on Saturday.

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“It is not like running through a street,” Key Club advisor Christopher Johnson said. “It would ruin the ground. It could also ruin the powder and you could not have photography or music.”

Key Club is offering a free T-shirt or a free pair of sunglasses at the Apr. 16 event for those who had already registered prior to the rescheduling.

In addition, anyone who registered already is automatically registered for the Paint the People 5K in April.

The event in April will take place on the south side of Binder Lake and will still have 8 color stations throughout

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the course. The event will raise money for United Way to help reach out to those in need in the community.

Despite the rescheduling, those who were excited for the upcoming run can still look forward to the event on Apr. 16.

“Our goal is to get 1,000 people out there to have fun and raise some serious money for United Way,” Key Club advisor Shane Williams said. “The weather simply doesn’t allow for either to happen.”

“Ty the Shakespeare Guy” acts for students Maddy Bergstrom

[photo by Maddy Bergstrom]

T

he line “first thing we do, let’s kill the lawyers,” is only one of the bits of history regarding the playwright Shakespeare that Tyrus Lemerande shared with the Jefferson City High School student body on Oct. 26.

Having performed at JCHS two years ago, Lemerande contacted the school to see if they would be interested in another act. His offer was accepted and many English students enjoyed his retellings of some of Shakespeare’s finest works.

“Having performed at JCHS a few years ago while in Jeff City on business, I was eager to get back,” Lemerande said. “The students are extremely receptive and provide an electric atmosphere.”

Students attended the event with their English teachers, enjoying and even sometimes participating in the act.

“The students are what make any performance special. Having the kids come up to help me explain ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ was particularly fun,” Lemerande said.

There are many elements that play a role in acting. One of these is the theme of the play. Throughout his act Lemerande shared Shakespeare’s four main genres: tragedy, romance, comedy, and historic. He would explain bits of the acts while performing them with his own twists and humor to make

[photo by Maddy Bergstrom]

[photo by Maddy Bergstrom]

Shakespearean actor Tyrus Lemerande performs for English classes gathered in the Little Theater. The performer made an appearance at JCHS a few years ago, and was eager to return to teach the students.

the plays relatable and fun, doing his best to engage his audience.

“I enjoy the interaction with the audience. Every audience is unique and finding a way to connect with them is a fantastic challenge with huge rewards,” Lemerande said.

After graduating with degrees in the theater arts and touring with a Shakespeare group, Lemerande met his wife, Amy McLaughlin. Both shared a love of acting, most particularly Shakespeare, and decided to open their own business called The Knighthorse Theater Company. They travel to different places to perform and educate people about Shakespeare and the art of performing.

“At Knighthorse we want to make Shakespeare fun. If I can get my audience laughing, that’s the best you

can hope for,” Lemerande said.

Lemerande began his professional acting career in 1999 when he studied at Penn State University and graduated with a M.F.A in Theatre Arts. After graduation, he dubbed the roles of Ferdinand and Lucentio in two of Shakespeare’s well-known plays, ‘The Tempest’ and ‘The Taming of the Shrew,’ while he traveled with Shenandoah Shakespeare’s Brave New World Tour.

“I have loved Shakespeare since I was a junior in high school,” Lemerande said. “So when I met my wife and we decided to start our own theatre company, we went with Shakespeare because we love his works, his characters and his timeless themes.”

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[photo by Veronica Townsend]

[photo by Veronica Townsend]

[photo by Veronica Townsend]

[photo by Veronica Townsend]

Entrepreneurship B students and teachers all take part in making Jay Pride shirts widely available to students. Both shirts were available for purchase to support the class.

Entrepreneurship B sells success Veronica Townsend

O

ver 700 people purchased the new shirts Entrepreneurship B has been selling. Shirts were sold at all of the schools in the Jefferson City Public School district, grocery stores, and sporting events. Here at JCHS, students had a chance to buy one during lunch and before school.

To decide what to sell, the class used one of their sales techniques and created a survey to see what potential customers would be interested in buying.

“We did a marketing survey and we interviewed 500 people to see what items would be popular,” teacher

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Nathan Redcay said. “We chose the most popular item on the survey, which was a charcoal gray Jay Pride t-shirt.”

The Entrepreneurship B class sold these shirts by word of mouth and through their social media pages. This is the first class to have a Twitter account used to advertise. In addition, the individual sales record was broken

by Joseph Bustamante, who sold 142 shirts.

Most of the 720 customers seemed satisfied with their shirts. Many customers bought the shirt because they want to support Jefferson City and the class itself.

“They were very persistent,” senior Lydia Allen said. “With me being a

11.10.15//NEWS

senior, I am willing to buy that sort of stuff because it is my last year.”

If students did not buy a shirt from Redcay’s Entrepreneurship B class, they still have another chance to support the school. Mrs. Kelly Grunden’s Entrepreneurship B class is selling $20 white crew neck sweatshirts from Oct. 16 until the end of the semester. The front of the shirts says “Jefferson City Jays” in black, and a picture on the back has the traditional Jaybird and says “Creating Traditions Since 1905.”

“Anyone that’s proud to be a Jaybird should definitely invest,” Entrepreneurship B senior Jayme Baumgartner said.

JCHS hosts annual college fair Jake Worsham

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tudents piled into the Fleming Fieldhouse on Oct. 12 for the annual Capital Area College and Technical School Night. The event lasted from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and gave students a chance to talk with many schools that they might be interested in attending. Schools that were present at the fair included those in Missouri as well as a variety of outof-state schools.

Almost all of the colleges and technical schools in Missouri had representatives there, such as Truman State University, University of Central Missouri, University of Missouri, Webster University, Lincoln University, Missouri State University and State Fair Community College, among many others. Out of state schools that had representatives at JCHS included Drake University, University of Arkansas, University of Tulsa, and the University of Kansas.

There were also many opportunities available for students who are interested in the armed forces, as there were representatives from

many university ROTC programs, the Missouri Army National Guard, the United States Army and the United States Air Force. “[The college fair] is great for students to be able to see what options they have and to be able to compare different schools,” Ashley Youngblood, a representative from the University of Arkansas, said.

Before students entered the college fair, they were given a packet which included a list of colleges present and a map of where they were all located.

The packet also included a college comparison worksheet with three columns where students could compare different schools in terms of their location, size, environment, admission requirements, academics, expenses, financial aid, housing, facilities, activities and campus visits. There was also a list of suggested questions that students should ask the representatives and a notes page.

“I think college fairs are really important so that students can shop around and see what the different schools have to offer,” Ciara Smith, a representative from Southeast Missouri

State University, said. “They have a chance to get a foot in the door and learn new things about different places in the state.”

Schools lined the gym floor as well as the stage floor. Each school had a booth with representatives who could answer questions and had informative material to hand out. For 90 minutes, Fleming Fieldhouse was loud as the many conversations of Jays talking about their future filled the air.

For students who were not able to attend the college fair, it would be beneficial to talk to a counselor or look online to determine what is out there in terms of higher education.

As the school year progresses, many applications are closing, so seniors are urged to seriously consider what is next. The college fair gave students an opportunity to see the multitude of options that are available to them and compare them all at the same time.

“I think the really cool thing about this fair is that, from sophomores to seniors, students have a chance to further along their college process,” Nate Bleadorn, a representative from Drake University, said.

Students and parents attend the College and Technical School Night to get more information about potential options after high school. The event had representatives from both in-state and out-of-state schools available to talk to.

[photo by Jake Worsham]

[photo by Jake Worsham]

[photo by Jake Worsham]

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JACK-O-LANTERN JAM

[photo by Madeline Moats]

[photo by Madeline Moats]

Taylor Johnson

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[photo by Madeline Moats]

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11.10.15//SPOTLIGHT

pook-tacular, fun, special, fang-tastic and the awesomest are a few words that the children at Jack O’ Lantern Jam used to describe their experience.

This night is an annual Halloween event that the JCHS Student Council puts on for elementary school kids around the community. This event was from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on October 27.

Around fifteen JCHS clubs came and set up classrooms full of activities such as a maze, a petting zoo, a cake walk and many more. At the end of every activity the children always received a candy prize to fulfill their sweet tooth. “[It was] super fun,” participant Macee Rademan said.

“I got candy for having fun.”

The rain and cold may have prevented people from celebrating the holiday. Having this event indoors made it more convenient for everyone to kick off the Halloween festivities. Not only was it fun for the children but the parents could take comfort knowing they were in good hands.

“This night provided a safe and fun environment for my kids to enjoy,” parent Brianne Rademan said.

Jessica Edoho is the community service chair for Student Council and ran the Jack O’ Lantern Jam. One of her duties as chair is to plan this event.

“I had to review all the notes from previous years,” Edoho said. “I started working around September on this.”

Many students from Jefferson City High School remember going to this event as a kid. For years parents have brought their children to enjoy an early Halloween that is safe for everyone.

“My favorite part is how the students run this and connect with not just the kids but the community,” parent Andrea Smith said. “I think everyone enjoys this event not just the children.”

[photo by Madeline Moats] [photo by Madeline Moats]

[photo by Madeline Moats]

[photo by Madeline Moats]

[photo by Madeline Moats]

11.10.15//SPOTLIGHT 11

SPORTS

How does a team get to State?

Brenna Duncan and Erica Overfelt

Team

Softball, Basketball, Volleyball, Tennis & Baseball Districts District Semifinals District Finals Quarterfinals Final Four State Championship

Soccer Districts District Semifinals District Finals Sectionals Quarterfinals Final Four State Championship

Football Districts

District Semifinals District Finals Semifinals State Championship

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ach sport students at Jefferson City High School compete in various sports, and this makes going to Districts, Sectionals and State different for each sport as well. Some sports are based entirely on a team, like football, soccer, or basketball.

These sports must have an entire team working cohesively together to bring home the wins to be the post-season champions.

However, there are also some sports that only rely on each individual, such as track. Track requires a runner to be in the top four at the District meet in their event to advance to Sectionals, and the same with State. The top eight individuals at the State meet are “All-State.” For tennis, the player must win enough matches against their opponent to advance to the next round.

Believe it or not, there are even some sports that use both, like cross-country and golf. In cross-country the top four teams advance to the next round. The top five individuals on each team’s place are added up and the lowest scores win. Runners can also advance on their own by placing in the top thirty individually. In the State meet runners can go “All-State” by placing in the top twenty-five.

The top four teams also get a plaque at the State meet.

In golf the player can advance to Sectionals and State by being in the top fifteen, excluding those whose team placed in the top two teams, whom already advance.

Four of the five golfers, the four lowest scores, and each team’s score is added up, with the lowest score winning.

Sports are all different, making it harder for some sports and easier for others to “survive and advance.”

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Individuals

Cross Country, Tennis, Golf, Wrestling & Track Districts Sectionals State Championship

Tennis Districts District Semifinals District Finals Quarterfinals Sectionals State Championship

Wrestling Districts State Championship

Kansas City is officially MLB royalty Veronica Townsend

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he St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals had division clinching regular seasons in Major League Baseball. During the post-season, the Cardinals were eliminated in four games, and the Royals were crowned the 2015 World Series Champions.

“Missouri has some good professional baseball teams on both ends of the state after thirty years,” Social Studies teacher JR Simmons said.

The Cardinals had set backs that started at the end of last season when right-fielder Oscar Taveras died in a car accident. Fans did not think that the Cardinals could replace the quality of Taveras in the outfield, but they were able to it find with a lot of talented outfielders in the minor leagues. The St. Louis Cardinals had a lot of other key players like Adam Wainwright, ace pitcher; Matt Holliday, top hitter at the number

Pick ‘em:

three spot in the lineup; and Matt Adams, their clean-up power hitter, to injury. The Cardinals had a lot of backup players in the minor league system that produced enough offense and defense needed to maintain a winning season. This made it possible for the St. Louis Cardinals to have 100 regular season wins, which was the most of any MLB team. However, the Chicago Cubs, the wild card winner, eliminated the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Division Series.

“Any loss to the Cubs is hard, but the Cardinals had a lot of injuries this season,” junior Morgan Mueller said.

“I will miss going to the games and watching the fun young team they had this season.”

If not already Royals fans, most fans of the St. Louis Cardinals shifted their attention to the Royals. The Royals hoped to get one better than last year where they made it to the World Series but were runner-up. The first task was

Each issue a random JCHS student, faculty member and Red & Black staffer is asked who they think will win the sporting event. The record is kept all year to see which group wins overall.

Mizzou Football VS. Tennessee Volunteers

JCHS Student

to qualify for the playoffs as League Central Champions and the Royals did that with 95 regular season wins.

The Royals continued their success by winning the American League Division Series by winning three of five games against the Houston Astros. After the ALDS, they faced the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League Championship Series taking 4 of 6 games. Next stop was the World Series.

The Royals won their second World Series ring after thirty years against the New York Mets taking four of five games.

“I think that the Royals win was awesome because thirty years ago they won,” sophomore Veronica Alison said.

“My expectations for next season are really good, especially if we keep most of the players that we have right now.”

St. Louis Blues VS. Chicago Blackhawks

Student Record 2-0

JCHS Staff

Damani Winters Staff Record 2-0

Red & Black

David Gale R&B Record 1-1 Brooklynne Propes

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[photo by Madeline Moats]

[photo by Erica Overfelt] Senior Daniel Ellinger hugs his Varsity Receiver Coach Myers as his final moment on the football field fades away. Blue Springs South ended the Jays season with a win of 48-21 in the Quarterfinals.

Defensive lineman Austin Kleindienst gets in position on the line of scrimmage against Rockhurst.

A season to remember Madeline Moats

A

s the football season comes to a close, the team took some time to reflect on this year. They had many accomplishments this year including giving Rockhurst their second biggest loss in team history, sweeping every Columbia team, and taking three homecoming wins--including our own.

“Our team chemistry is great,” senior wide receiver Daniel Ellinger said. “Everyone relies on each other in a sense that we can trust the people next to us to do their jobs.”

The team finished regular season play with a record of 8-1 and went to round two in postseason play, after beating Rock Bridge on the Jays home turf for the first time in years. The Jays then went to Blue Springs South and fought hard, but lost and ended their season. This year proved to be one full of hard work and persistence, bringing home one of the best records in years.

“I think the regular season went pretty well,” junior outside linebacker Tate Borgmeyer said. “We just kept getting better, we never really stayed at the same level week after week.”

The football players will use the things they have learned for the next step in their lives and will always carry the memories and traits learned through the football program.

“It has taught me to be accountable,” senior offensive lineman Cole Heidbreder said. “Everyone has to rely on each other to do their job and everyone is counting on you to

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[photo by Madeline Moats] Cornerback Rashuan Woods follows the ball after the snap against Rockhurst. The Jays had an easy win of 55-20.

do your job.”

Along with many accomplishments for the team as a whole some individual accomplishments were noteworthy as well.

Jay’s quarterback Gunnar See became all-time leader in touchdown passes for a single season. Running back, Denzel Wilson had 11 rushing touchdowns and cornerback Dennis Barnes currently has the most interceptions in the state this season. The team as a whole has been one of great interest and made for a very eventful and exhilarating season for not only the players but fans as well.

“I’ve never been apart of a team where everyone has been so focused on a set of goals and worked so hard to make each other better,” Barnes said.

Get your head in the game: A captain’s perspective Brooklynne Propes

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ood leadership, positive attitude, and willingness to go the extra mile is what Lady Jays basketball coach Ben Hays looks for in a captain. In almost all team sports, there are team captains. There is a constant debate on whether or not captains play a significant role at Jefferson City High School. People need to understand that captains have various roles on and off the field/court.

The title of a team captain is frequently honorary, but in some cases the captain may have significant responsibility for strategy and teamwork while the game is in progress. For instance, the point guard in basketball calls the plays based on the opposing team’s defense, and the defensive captain in football points out assignments for coverages based upon the offense’s alignments. Captains are crucial to creating a team atmosphere and making the most out of the players they have.

“I think captains are important because they have to lead, especially when the team is losing or struggling,” senior soccer captain Logan Horn said.

In most sports, captains have no set terms. The football team captains change every week, while mostly every other team has set captains for the season. Captains are chosen differently for each sport. In volleyball and girl’s basketball, the team votes for who they think fits the position the best.

However, the boy’s basketball, soccer, and baseball teams coaches pick their captains. But regardless of how they are chosen, each of the captains all have similar characteristics. These leadership characteristics often include a good head for the game, the ability and willingness to follow the coach’s instructions, and the communication skills necessary to turn a group of people with different ideas into a team with a single purpose.

“A good captain can really make your team gel to work together and help them get to that next level.”Hays said,

“Without leaders mostly everything falls apart. You need a good leader on and off the court to benefit the team.”

Contrary to popular belief, the captain is not always the star player or the biggest name. The captain must have the respect of teammates and coaches because they represent the values, dedication, and attitude of what the team stands for.

“Coach likes to remind us that we are the leaders and as captains on varsity we do not only set an example for our team, but for the entire volleyball program,” senior volleyball captain Megan Bleidistel said. “We also have to keep our attitudes in check, because when your captains are down, so is the team.”

The responsibility of a team captain cannot be summed up any better than the words of junior Cross Country captain Jackson Schwartz: “The job of a captain is to inspire greatness from his or her team. No great team has ever lacked a great captain.”

Lady Jays Softball season full of peaks, valleys Claire Shipley

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inter approaching means many fall sports are coming to a close. The Lady Jays Softball team finished their season with a loss against Blue Springs. The season ended in mid October, which changed everyone’s daily routine.

“I’ll miss the routine of getting to play softball everyday after school,” junior Gabi Mcginty said. “I’ll also miss the seniors playing ability and them being a big part of the team.”

The softball team had to overcome a rough patch halfway through the season in which they lost to Helias, Camdenton, Centralia, Lees Summit North and Oakville.

“The season started off great, winning 5 in a row, then we turned right around and lost 5 straight,” softball coach Zachary Miller said. “During that time, we realized the importance of timely hitting and working though adversity as a team.”

Even though the Jays came out with a district title, it was not quite a follow up to their Final Four appearance from

last season.

“Our season was really good, but it wasn’t what we had hoped for,” Mcginty said. “We all had to figure out that if we wanted to play a good game we had to wipe everything off and we didn’t figure that till the end.”

The post season is the biggest part of the season. This year the team came out with the District 10 Championship Title. The Lady Jay’s final season record was 19-9 with a great win for the District Title.

“The most memorable moment of the season was beating Camdenton in the district championship after they had beaten us in the regular season,” Miller said. “The girls set the tempo for the game from the start and continued to control all aspects of the game.”

The end of season was a tough one with losing to Blue Springs 10-0.

“We were very proud of girls. It was tough to end a season the way that it did, at Blue Springs and not having a very good showing. We just didn’t do what we had done in previous games to get us to the sectional game. But even though we didn’t play the way

we should, still very proud of their accomplishments they made this year.”

One of the biggest rivalries at JCHS is the Columbia schools: Rockbridge, Battle and Hickman. This year, the softball team swept the Columbia schools in wins.

“It was a great feeling beating all of the Columbia teams,” Dey said. “Its always our biggest competition.”

This year the team had six seniors with only one currently verbally committed to play in college. Emily Williams committed to Culver Stockton. The team will have a new structure next year with all of them starting on the field.

“We will miss the high energy, competitive nature of the seniors,” Miller said. “With so many of them, each had a positive characteristic that they brought to the team that will be missed. Looking forward to next season, there are so many spots to fill. I will be looking to younger girls to fill those vacancies. Each will have to continue to work hard to fill those spots.”

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One goal in mind Taylor Johnson

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s the varsity soccer boys stood on the field looking into the crowd, they realized they could not be more proud of the team around them and their season. The margin separating the wins, the losses and ties had been close. The boys ended their regular season with a 12-9-3 record.

The team faced a tough loss in the season opener at CBC where they were defeated 0-2. The beginning of the season continued with more ties and losses but, the setback helped the team persevere through with hard work and practice.

“Every day is a ‘setback’ of sorts,” head varsity coach Eddie Horn said.

“If you are not trying to improve daily, then we have taken a step backwards.”

The records show that the team typically lost by one or won by two or more goals. This shows that they can compete with anyone at any level.

“The first goal usually was hard to achieve,” varsity soccer captain Jason Myers said. “But after that it seemed like we all got in a rhythm and the rest of the goals were sure to follow.”

In the middle of the season, the team won 1-0 at home against cross-town

[photo by Taylor Johnson] Senior forward Jordan Carron attempts to keep the ball from Rockhurst opponent on Oct 21.

The Jays lost this last regular season game 1-2.

rivals Helias Catholic High School.

Forward Jordan Carron got on the board about 10 minutes into the game scoring the only goal of the night. The crowd raved in excitement for the team scoring early and putting another win in the record book.

“The boys jumped on them and scored early, so JC definitely had the upper hand,” soccer fan Brendan Bena said.

“It was awesome to see us come out on top against such a rival.”

A big role in winning games is connecting as a team to reach a certain goal. Spending almost everyday from summer to fall tends to form close relationships on and off the field throughout the athletes.

“What stands out the most about the team is the leadership,” varsity soccer captain Zach Brooks said. “We all connect well and trust each other which I think is a good quality to have.”

The soccer team stopped at nothing and ended the regular season with a huge win against Waynesville by a 4-1 score. The team had a major goal in mind and they completed it. Playing as a team to the best of their abilities showed improvement throughout the season.

“It is not all about one person in winning a soccer game,” Myers said.

“It’s all about the team connecting together like a family.”

Golf season is a hole in one Erica Overfelt

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s the Lady Jays Golf team had their final swing, they left the course satisfied. With a fairly young team and many being on varsity for the first time ever, the golf team placed in the top half of the several tournaments they attended.

“Overall, we had a decent season. It was about like we expected,” varsity senior Blair Michael said. “We finished in the top half of most of our big tournaments, some with 12-15 plus teams.”

For varsity freshman Samantha

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Swinfard, her experience with the relatively small team was one to remember. Swinfard was the only freshman on varsity and this was her first year competing.

“It was scary at first, but the seniors were really nice,” Swinfard said.

The sport aspect of golf involves a lot of mental game, from shaking off the nerves to strategizing the next stroke an athlete plans to take.

“The hardest part is staying positive,” varsity junior Maggie Noble said. “If you’re having a bad shot or hole you have to completely forget about it and move on by the time you swing again.”

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At State Championships this year, Jefferson City had two of their very own golfers representing the high school. Seniors Michael and Ellie Severance made the trip down to Springfield to participate in the two-day tournament. Michael finished at 55th and Severance at 79th.

“It was a neat experience to be surrounded by people who enjoy the sport just as much as me,” Severance said. “It was a blast going with Blair. I feel like we had been working toward this goal for the past four years and we finally made it.”

FEATURED ATHLETE

Spikes and sets through the season Megan Newton

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Zach Brooks

Sport: Soccer Grade: 12 Years on team: 4 Background: “I’ve played soccer since I was 4 years old. It’s been my favorite part of high school.”

Favorite part: “Getting really muscular legs.”

Role model: “Logan Horn, he is a beautiful man.”

Favorite memory: “Beating the number 3 ranked team in the nation, SLUH, sophomore year.”

Least favorite part: “When Coach Horn says good save, but it’s not a good save.”

Fun fact about the team: “7 players on the team are exotic dancers.”

Interesting fact: “Follow me on instagram @Zach_Brooks1 and on twitter @ZachBrooks0.”

Future: “Study physical therapy at Missouri State University or play soccer at State Fair Community College.”

Awards: 2 time All-District, 2 time District champs, 4-year letterman, and most career shutouts in school history.

Best game: “SLUH (St. Louis University High School) sophomore year because we just simply balled out that night.”

fter a long summer of practice and preparation for the season, the Lady Jays volleyball team kicked off the season on August 21 at St. Joseph’s Academy. The game ended in a loss, but they took things away from that game that would help them later on in the season. The season started off on a slow roll. After that, the girls picked up a bit and started winning. The team this season had both strength and weaknesses, like a team always does. The team had a lot of talent and potential. However, junior Madisyn Stone feels most of their weaknesses seemed to be a mental state of mind.

“I think we only struggled when we were losing by a couple points because we would just give up and think that since we were losing then, that meant we were gonna lose the whole game,” Stone said. “We stopped thinking like that toward the end of the season and we played a lot better.”

Out of all 33 of their games, most of the girls agree that the best game this season was the game against Helias. Their fifth game this season was against Helias, and so was their last game. The first round did not go as they hoped it would. But after working hard during the season and improving,

they were able to bring a much more competitive edge to this game and keep it a lot closer. The second time they faced Helias, it was the last home game and also the last regular season game.

The Lady Jays played a great game, and junior Cameryn Campbell thinks that the fans made the game more fun by providing a lot more hype.

“I want to give a big shout-out to our fans; you guys are the real MVP’s and made the student section live every game,” Campbell said. “Our team really enjoyed having you guys there every game and made us want to play, I really hope next year is as good as this year was.”

The Lady Jays are disappointed that their season has come and gone this year, but they are also anxious to see what next year will have to offer. They know they will have to work hard and fill the shoes of the seniors this year who will be leaving. Stone and Campbell are optimistic that if they continue to work hard and not give up, that they will be able to beat anyone if they all want it and if they all work hard.

“I cannot wait to see what next year’s team will have in store for us. I believe we can and will do big things,” Campbell said. “I am already excited to spend the season with you girls.”

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The ten-block schedule: burden or blessing?

Megan Newton and Megan Cassels

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very day, a Jefferson City High School student walks into school wondering if it is an A day or B day. Should they head to their first A day block or their first B day block? This new schedule change has caused controversy among the nearly two thousand students and teachers attending JCHS. Over the past years, the JCHS schedule has always been four-blocks with 90 minute class periods. This year, the administration decided to change from four blocks to ten blocks every two days with 75 minute class periods.

Many students appreciate it, and many do not.

What many students do not know about the ten block schedule is that it was changed because of the increased graduation requirements and academy integration. From counselor Diane Clayton’s perspective, the new schedule

has both pros and cons.

“Scheduling use was effective. There were fewer conflicts, but some students are having a hard time balancing their classes,” Clayton said.

In addition to the ten block schedule, F.A.S.T. classes were added, allowing many students to have a full block of work time to catch up with their other classes. The acronym for F.A.S.T. stands for Focused Academic Study Time. Students with this class are allowed to go to another teacher and ask for academic help with a subject. Senior Lexie Stull, who has ten academic classes and no FAST class, finds herself struggling to stay organized and keep up with her work.

“I definitely wish I had one, I only think it would help,” Stull said. “It’d still be very overwhelming if I did.”

Some alterations may occur to next year’s schedule, but nothing is certain. Junior Olivia Jungmeyer is very optimistic about the idea of the possible changes. She believes it is hard to keep track of all ten classes and their

The Anatomy of a Backpack Whether for note-taking or doodling, some sort of paper is needed every single day.

Many classes at JCHS require students to carry books with them everywhere they go, such as math and AP classes.

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different assignments.

“It’s difficult to remember which assignments are due for what class, on top of staying involved in FFA and other extra curricular activities,” Jungmeyer said.

Although there are many people who do not like the ten block schedule, there are some that do.

“It gives me an extra day to finish my homework and it was the same schedule as my middle school, Lewis and Clark, so not much of a difference,” junior Kyle Mitchell explained.

Whether it’s liked or not, there are multiple ways to cope with the ten block schedule. Counselors advise students to use their planner, stay organized, and to not procrastinate doing their homework. To relieve stress, just remember it is only the first semester and there is over half a school year to adjust to this new schedule.

Almost every class requires that students keep track of things, so they must keep binders that increase in size as the year goes on.

Students carry pencils so that they do not have to be that kid who is always asking for one.

Camelbaks are popular waterbottles for everyday school use.

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Headphones, the most important item in a backpack for many students.

Do you like the 10-block schedule?

Students

Yes, I like it I am indifferent A random sampling of 100 JCHS students were asked whether they liked the new schedule or not.

86 said no, 7 said yes, and 7 were indifferent.

I am indifferent

Teachers

A random sampling of 40 JCHS teachers were asked whether they liked the new schedule or not. 35 said no, no one said yes, and 5 were indifferent.

No, I do not like it

No, I do not like it

“A lot of classes are every other day so you have a lot more time to do homework and get help.”

-Noah Gernander, 10

“I like it because all of your classes are more spread out so you are not trying to cram everything in all at once.”

-Jarrod Henry, 11

“I like the schedule because it does not put a big demand on students and we have more time to do homework. FAST classes help out a lot.”

-Nia Dunbar-Tanon, 12

“I like it because if I don’t have a chance to do homework one night I can do it the next night. I have more freedom.”

-Michaela Thomson, 12

“When we had the 4-block schedule, I was not studying for so many tests, but now I am studying for 10 tests and it is stressful.”

-Addisyn Henley, 10

“With the new schedule, there is too much going on and not enough time to do it all.”

-Seth Ward, 11

“I do not like it because it is hard with classes being every other day.

You have to think about homework being every other day.”

-Joy Epps, 12

“It puts too much stress on kids and takes away from extra-curricular activites.”

-Andrew Warbritton, 12

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FEATURES

[photo by Erica Overfelt] Social Studies teacher and Assistant Varsity Basketball Coach Jordan Chapman attended Jefferson City High School and graduated in 2005.

Chapman is sporting the Jasper mascot that was used when he attended JCHS and is still currently being used.

Jay Pride: Once a Jay, always a Jay Maddy Bergstrom

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hen entering Jefferson City High School, there is a strong sense of pride and tradition.

Hanging on the walls are various banners showing the Jay Pride that lives within JCHS. Every student and faculty member who has passed through this school knows what it means to be Jay, but the words “once a Jay, always a Jay” have a different meaning to every Jaybird. “[It means that] even when you graduate you’re still apart of the Jay Pride,” freshman Bethany McCullaugh said.

“Jay Pride never dies” is something many take to heart. From singing the Alma Mater during assemblies to coming back and teaching at the school you once attended, Jaybirds remember their ties and take pride in their traditions.

“High school kids and relationships,

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that’s the part I love the most,” history teacher Jordan Chapman said. “ I get to be around some awesome high school kids and some great co-workers. Unless you have worked somewhere else or have gone to school somewhere else then you really don’t understand how awesome of a place JCHS is. There really isn’t another place like it.”

Many things have come and gone over the years, one of the most recent being the gym changes to showcase Jay Pride at its finest. The Alumni that still get to participate in the lasting traditions are proud to still be apart of the school spirit.

“The lack of Jay Pride and then Jay Pride fighting its way back,” history teacher Lerone Briggs, who was both a student and a teacher at JCHS, said when asked about changes he has noticed.

Above the library hangs a banner

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reading “Through these halls walks the finest students in the nation, JC students.” Jefferson City High School takes pride in its traditions as well as its students. So what does “once a Jay, always a Jay” really mean for those who come back to their roots and for those who move on?

“It means that even though you move on from high school days there is still a sense of pride from what you’ve accomplished as well as the accomplishments of those before and after you,” sophomore Abigail Bennett said.

The pride of being a Jay lives in the generations that have passed through the halls of this school and will live on through those who still are.

“Once you go to JC High School you will always have the pride of being a Jaybird,” senior Sierra Tackett said.

In their image

[photo by Erica Overfelt] Senior Jacob Haake poses in front of the decorated window for Salute to Service week. Haake is one of many Jefferson City High School students who plan to have a career in the Armed Forces.

Erica Overfelt

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nyone walking the halls of Jefferson City High School may have noticed the Salute to Service decorations hanging throughout the halls. However, have students noticed that their very own peers will be honored for years to come for their service to our country?

JCHS is currently sponsoring a time dedicated to those who have served or are currently serving our country.

From sophomores to seniors, there are many students in each grade who plan to serve our country. With Veterans Day approaching, this subject is brought up much more than any other time of the year. Making the decision to serve our country can come from family roots, or wanting to be a part of the Armed Forces can be spontaneous.

Almost every student is tied to a veteran, from a great grandpa who served in World War II to a cousin who was sent over to serve in Afghanistan in the recent years, Veterans Day incorporates almost anyone in our

country.

“I chose the Marine Corps, because I wanted to do something different from most of my family,” enlisted Marine Jacob Haake said. “I also chose the Marines because it is said to be the most difficult.”

Haake is not the only student planning on having a career serving.

Senior JoAnn Timmons hopes to join the Army while senior Blake Allen plans to join the Marine Corps.

The five major branches of the Armed Forces include the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Marine Corps. Each of these branches are vastly different from the other. The Navy is working primarily at sea, the Coast Guard deals with domestic/ international waterways, the Army is the dominant land power while the Air Force is the dominant air and space power, and lastly the Marine Corps is known as the ‘rapid reaction force.’

Enlisting to any of the five branches is a major commitment for anyone. The Armed Forces take years of someone’s life, but people who wish to join do not

see it as a straining commitment. Most people believe they could never do what it takes to be in the Armed Forces, from the physical exertion to months without seeing their family.

“I feel like it is something I can do for my country and it is something I thought I would never be able to do,” Allen said.

To honor Veterans Day, Military Leadership is putting on an assembly and hosting parents from the soldiers that the movie “Lone Survivor” was based off of. Student Council is having an Ice Cream Social after the operetta on Friday, Nov. 6. They are also selling shirts throughout the community with all proceeds will be going to the Veterans Ticket Association. While the entire school is celebrating this holiday, what does it really mean? While some students see it as a time to be patriotic, others see it as a time of honor.

“The best thing about Veterans Day is that you are able to acknowledge everyone who fought for our country,” Timmons said.

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Not your average author

Tristan Dotson poses with his book The Handicapped Vampire that is available in the Jefferson City High School Library.

Madeline Moats

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efferson City High School students may find themselves picking up a book titled The Handicapped Vampire and think nothing of it, but the book was actually written by someone who roams the same halls that they do.

The author, Tristan Dotson, was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at the young age of two months old. Cerebral Palsy is terminology for several palsies. Palsies are disorders that impair the dominance of movement due to damage to the developing of the brain. Dotson has never allowed this to stop him.

“He’s a very hard worker and one of the toughest kids in this high school, even with his disability,” Dotson’s aid, Russell Eickmeyer said.

His book begins with an explanation of how he developed Cerebral Palsy, and then goes on to explain how he was granted one wish by a vampire. He wished to become free of his CP for just one day. Full of humor and action, Dotson goes on to describe his day as he hides that he can walk and do other things he normally might not be able to do with CP from everyone around him, including his mother. The book was about 40 pages long and was something he worked on for a long time. “[When it was finished] I felt excited,” Dotson said. “It took about a year to write with the help of my father.”

Another cool twist to The Handicapped Vampire is that he was able to feature some of his fellow friends in the book, [photo by Madeline Moats] including Adam Wieners and Jasper Phillips who also attend Jefferson City High School. If you see Dotson you can The Jefferson City Public Schools assume to find Wieners close behind, want to stay in touch with you! so it was only right for him to be an addition to this book.

“It felt good to be featured in Search “Jefferson City Public Tristan’s book,” Wieners said. “I was Schools” on Facebook and “like” Twitter our page. You’ll see photos, Follow us on our one of his first friends in public school videos and the latest updates in Twitter account @ JCPSTweets back in seventh grade.”

FACEBOOK your news feed, plus you can share your thoughts on school Overall, this was one of Dotson’s issues and programs.

EMAIL UPDATES proudest moments and can be highly KEY admired by many. He is proof that TEXT ALERTS COMMUNICATOR Get text updates and alerts through anyone can do anything they put UPDATE our “TextJCPS” site. their mind to because even with the Each h weekk d during i the h school h l year, Go to our website and click on the District posts a subscriptionlimits his disability put on him, he did TextJCPS. Sign up for messages based newsletter. Sign up for news from your child’s school, specific something extravagant. from across the district as well as sports and programs, and get emergency updates. Visit the JCPS Key “He struggles with communication special district-wide updates.

Communicator page, click “Subscribe.”

District Website: but he has so many thoughts and good ideas in his head,” special services Subscribe to our teacher Kamala Moriarity said. “So Follow us on our Pinterest @ YouTube channel @ pinterest.com/jcschools it’s awesome and notable to see him youtube.com/JCPSVideos formulate those thoughts into a book.”

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Wrestling with change

[photo by Erica Overfelt] Gavin DeWitt poses in a wrestling stance with his favorite teacher, Ms. Thurman. DeWitt moved to Jefferson City from Ozark at the beginning of the year and is adjusting to the changes with a smile on his face.

Brandon Eigenman

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or most students, moving is hard enough. Having to leave a place you called home and move to a new one, and in this case, transfer schools and leave all of your old friends behind your senior year is incredibly difficult to do. Unfortunately it’s a major problem for many students today, including some that you may pass in the hallways while walking.

If you know senior Gavin DeWitt, then you know that these problem are a reality. DeWitt recently moved from Ozark, Missouri, a town slightly south of Springfield. DeWitt is a star wrestler and was verbally committed to going to Iowa State University. He even faced off against some of the Jay wrestlers when he was still on Ozark’s team, a strange change for both parties now that they’re wearing the same insignia on their singlets.

“I’ve known Gavin since, I’d say, freshman year,” senior wrestler Jalen Martin said. “We didn’t go to the same high school at that point, but we wrestled against his team.”

While DeWitt states that his previous school was newer, it had a much smaller population of students, and that he misses all of his friends that were there. However, he also states that the welcoming atmosphere between the teachers and the students at JCHS really helped him with adjusting to the move. One thing he really does miss is some of those little details that he left behind in Ozark.

“I used to go to this little chinese restaurant with my friend Andrew Holzer after school,” DeWitt said, “The food was great and I just miss having that time with him.”

While DeWitt has adjusted to the move, the school has adjusted to having another Jay wrestler and quite the character at that. DeWitt has been described as very humorous, but hard working, and easily able to make friends and make classtime a lot more lively. In the weight room, he encourages his teammates to reach new heights and pushes them further and further towards the goals they

have. While Dewitt has left many things behind in Ozark, he and JCHS have both gained something out of this move. For DeWitt, this is new friends and a place on one of the top teams in the State. The school, has gained a top tier wrestler that will push what was already one of the top in the State.

DeWitt’s favorite teacher, Kristen Thurman, feels he makes a great Jaybird for other reasons.

“My little brother is a wrestler with him,” Thurman said “He helped out my little brother when he broke his collarbone, he was there to be Dr. Gavin. I thought that was great. I think that’s a good quality to have in a Jaybird, to help out your teammates.

Since it was my little brother, I really noticed that, and it was really nice of him to do.”

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Opinion

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The Red and Black Editorial: Tackling the 10-block schedule

s this school year progresses, a few things have been on my mind: why am I so tired all of the time? Why am I constantly stressed out?

I am in the same extracurricular activities as I was last year, and I have the same job. However, this year seems to be taking much more out of me, physically and mentally.

As I sat at my desk around midnight on a Monday night, staring at the pile of homework in front of me, I realized exactly what it was: I am currently keeping up with 10 classes instead of 4. My homework load has more than doubled each night.

Students who went to the high school last year are used to having term-long or semester-long classes, with only 4 at a time. This meant that on any given night, they only had to worry about attending four classes the next day.

With the new schedule, they have 10 classes on their mind. This means that they are juggling the homework load and have to deal with the added stress of 6 more classes than they are used to.

Think about it. This means that a student could have more than 10 tests in a single week. Or 10 major projects due within a single week. Or 5 tests and 5 major project due on the same week.

Although each student differs on the kind of classes (every day or every other day) and the difficulty of those classes, the possibilities of where the 10-block schedule can go wrong are being experienced by every student in

exactly the way it is� option.

There have been many changes at the school, and I think many of them are for the better. However, the new schedule has put students and teachers under much more stress than they are used to.

If you walk through any hallway at the high school, you will hear the whisperings of students s worried about their e d a r G grades and their GPAs, Tests Jobs as they should be. This College Sp is the rest of their lives orts they are talking about. k r o w e While I think the act Hom 10-block schedule is not impossible to manage (as other schools across the country have the same model), I think the faculty and the students should have had more say (as in a fair vote) to what the schedule should be.

It was truly a decision that effected the careers of teachers and [Cartoon by Ainsley Grey] the futures of students.

It was not a decision that should have been taken lightly. It to teach what they need to teach has was a decision that should have been even been shortened by the new class commonly accepted by a majority times. They have a lot more on their before it was implemented. plate as it is, and still need students JCHS students and faculty to do work outside of school, even are competent people, so we are all more than they did last year. dealing with the added stress in our If the administration did not own ways. Who knows, maybe it will like the 4-block schedule because of be good for all of us in the long run the restrictions it put on students in to have to deal with this. Maybe it terms of how many classes they could will prepare us for college and for any take, they could have considered future careers we would like to take. many different options and had However, at this moment, as we the faculty vote on them. For some look into the distance and see finals reason, the ten-block schedule was approaching, the 10-block schedule the only option and everything the truly just feels inconvenient. faculty could vote on included a 10-block schedule. There was no “stay some way.

I do not blame the teachers for this at all. They should not be expected to lessen their workload for students in anyway. They still have their classes to teach, and their time

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head TO head Early Release helps with students’ mindset

Early release/Late start

Dalton Wheeler

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his year JCPS administrators decided to have early releases instead of late starts. Most of the changes made to the school should have been left alone, but this change, however, was a good one.

In previous years, the late start was presented as a time to catch up “academically” when it was actually used as a time to catch up on sleep.

Very few people used this time to actually do class work or get help from their teachers. This was actually impossible due to the meeting that all teachers went to for the two extra hours we had to get to school.

Certain students are driven to school in the morning by their parents, and the late start conflicts with this. Just because school starts later, doesn’t mean these parents can show up to work an hour late. This did not affect a very large number of students, especially the ones that rode the bus or drove to school.

The change to early releases fixed most of these problems. Students don’t have to worry about what time they have to wake up and get to school, and this time, they can actually use this time for academics. You can stay after to take tests or catch up on classes and still be able to make it to other responsibilities, such as sports or jobs.

An early release is also better than a late start just because the mindset of students is better. Waking up two hours later and still drudging yourself to school seems a lot more gloomy than waking up at your regular time and getting out of school two hours earlier. People say that either way it is two hours taken off of school, but what are you more likely to use more effectively, two hours before school or two hours after school?

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Late Start gives students’ movtation during the day Megan Cassels

n years past, the Jefferson City school district made school start two hours later than usual in order for teachers to plan and have meetings. Students used this time to sleep in, hang out with friends, or even take the rare time to go out to eat breakfast before class started. This year, the administration changed from a two-hour late start to a twohour early release.

The new system is unfortunate compared to previous years because students will no longer have these freedoms. Instead of sleeping in, they will wake up and go through their normal, everyday procedure. That being said, freedom will be put off until the end of the day, leaving us students restless to leave school early and giving us a harder time to pay attention in class.

Another flaw about early release is it doesn’t really give motivation to many students. Late start makes students productive and sets students to focus on school for the rest of the day. Early release makes students not driven to do anything after school.

Early release also seems to procrastinate teacher’s meetings until the end of the day. Some would [photo by Erica Overfelt] much rather finish them in the mornings and complete their days off like a typical day, opposed to waking up early, and still make it to a meeting on time.

This new system also does not fix the problems with getting a ride from a parent because we are released two hours early. It draws conflicts with a parent who would need to pick up their child after three. Chances are, they would need to take off work early to pick up them up.

Overall, the idea of early release is great and students will have free time to do whatever they want for the rest of the day; however, they will look forward to leaving school early rather than waking up later than usual. Students like to be able to wake up later than usual to catch up on sleep and begin their day rejuvenated and ready to start the day off, making the teachers proud and ready to teach.

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ID-ing the good: Our lanyard policy Mackenzie Allen

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CHS is known to be one of the biggest high schools in the state.

Therefore, it only makes sense to make each student are given a photo ID at the beginning of every year for all identification purpose at the high school. You need them for lunch, walking the halls, and even unlocking doors.

With so many students, it is impossible to know who all the students are, especially for the administration and for the certain staff that doesn’t teach students everyday.

This being said, it has always been a policy at JCHS for students to wear their ID around their neck. When the school year started, the policy was more lenient, and students were not required to wear ID’s around their necks at all times. However, IDs were still required for all of the same identification purposes. This made it easier for the students, mostly because they do not like to wear a lanyard every day.

But, I think it is frustrating to many of the students in the lunch line when they

have to wait for the students who do not have their IDs. I do understand that it is hard to always remember your ID when you do not constantly wear it around your neck, but since IDs are still needed for several things at the high school, students should always make sure to have their ID close by. Also, if it becomes an issue and students begin to never have their IDs ready for use, the administration could change the policy back, and nobody would want that.

I personally find this new policy good because I don’t have to worry about ever forgetting my ID. It is in my backpack at all times and I can grab it whenever I need it. Students just have to remember their IDs each day, so that the policy does not go back to how it was. As a student at JCHS, I know that most of us do not like to wear a lanyard every day.

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[photo by Erica Overfelt]

On the F.A.S.T. track to success Dalton Wheeler

T

his school year JCHS administraton decided to incorporate a new study hall type class called F.A.S.T.. This class is intended to be used as a time to catch up on homework or to study for a test. The F.A.S.T. class is a great idea with only a few minor problems.

A study hall style class is always a great thing to offer at a high school but it should not be a required class. Yes, I understand that F.A.S.T. is not exactly “required” but they just slap it on your schedule if it fits so only a handful of students do not have a F.A.S.T. class. A class like this should be offered and should be available for students to voluntarily take, just like any other elective class.

F.A.S.T. class also does not fit with our new schedule. It works well with classes you have every other day, but with classes that are everyday, F.A.S.T. doesn’t help that much.

Having F.A.S.T. everyday would be a big improvement and would actually be stress relieving.

F.A.S.T. is also a great time to go the Intervention Rooms that teachers have set up specifically for F.A.S.T. time. This is really beneficial in the aspect of catching up in classes that you may have fallen behind or just figuring out things that you may have not understood fully.

The biggest problem with F.A.S.T. is that some people rely on it to do their homework, even if that homework is due the very next class period. An hour seems like a long time, but it can pass by quickly and might not [photo by Mackenzie Allen] necessarily be enough time to finish homework. F.A.S.T. should be used to get ahead and stay ahead in a class or to catch up in a class you fell behind in, not as an excuse to be lazy.

A sweet change in Halloween Brooklynne Propes

I

n the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints and martyrs.

The holiday, All Saints’ Day, incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows’ Eve and later was named Halloween.

Costumes, trick-or-treating, pumpkin carving, and lots and lots of candy-these are a few thing that come to mind when we think of Halloween. Halloween is about family, fun, traditions, haunted houses, hayrides, and all about the costumes. My favorite part is always seeing what people come up with to wear. Some of the kid classic costumes like Disney Princesses or Superheroes are always fun, but my favorites are more unique ones like Lucy from “I Love Lucy” or the group themed costumes like the cast from “Friends.”

Halloween is most kids’ favorite holiday because of the

excitement of dressing up and going trick-or-treating. It’s every kids’ favorite part of the holiday to dump the candy bucket out after his or her night of trick-or-treating and see what they got. Halloween reminds me of fall and the leaves changing. Everything is pumpkin and apple-cinnamon flavored or scented. I think Halloween is important to me because I remember how much I looked forward to it when I was little. Halloween is a significant part of many people’s lives: you go from dressing up and trick-or-treating as a kid, to going to Halloween parties as a teenager/young adult, to dressing your own kids up and going trick-or-treating with them as an adult. Halloween brings people of all ages together with fun-filled activities to get you ready for fall.

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Arts & Entertainment

How to draw a Jaybird

Ainsley Grey

Fashion Club Photo Shoot

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[photos by Mackenzie Allen]

VS

jchs Students

#1 Hello- Adele

#1 Hello- Adele

#2 Sorry- Justin Bieber

#2 Stitches- Shawn Mendes

#3 Hotline Bling- Drake

#3 Hotline Bling- Drake

#4 The Hills- The Weeknd

#4 Good For You- Selena

#5 What Do You Mean?-

#5 Like I’m Gonna Lose You-

Justin Bieber

Gomez ft. ASAP Rocky

Meghan Trainor ft. John Legand

‘Fall’ing into a fun-filled season Mackenzie Allen

F

all is always an exciting part of the year. Leaves are falling from the beautiful colored trees and all the warm clothes come out from the bottom of your closet. With this season, come many activities for ages of any kind to participate in.

Personally, this season is my favorite.

I love the wardrobe acceptable for this temperature. Not too cold, not too hot. With many of the nice, sunny days that fall gives us, it is always fun to go to the Shryocks Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch. This can be a fun event for a family day or just simply

with your friends. Also, if you are willing to drive a little, the Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival is a good attraction to attend during the fall. If you are looking to shop or eat some pretty good food, the Pumpkin Festival is the place to go. If you are hoping for something scarier, the haunted houses are always a big hit in the fall. There are two haunted house attractions: Fearfest and Necropolis, both located in Columbia. These attractions are made to help teens get in the mood for the scary month of October. That being said, all of these exciting attractions

all lead up to the main holiday that started it all: Halloween. This holiday is meant to be scary and fun, but also a sweet night for all ages. Halloween is a night where it’s acceptable to dress up like anything you want and celebrate a holiday that does not have much meaning. Meanwhile, you get to eat as much candy as you want. I mean who doesn’t love a holiday where eating candy is the way to celebrate? I know I do.

11.10.15//ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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Did you see a good movie? Read an interesting book?

Hear a great song that’s stuck in your head?

reviews

Stop by room 141 with your suggestion.

Brenna Duncan

O

nce again, Shyrocks Callaway Farms Corn Maze had a new theme for the year and as always, it did not disappoint. This year’s I-70 Series theme featured one side of the field made into the elaborate STL logo for the St. Louis Cardinals, while the other was planted in the crown logo with KC in the middle for the Kansas City Royals. There were eight checkpoints throughout the maze, each with a question to answer and a differently shaped hole-punch for the answer sheet. At the end you could put your

Jake Worsham

W

hen I watched the pilot episode of the new ABC series, “Scream Queens,” I was not sure what to expect. The creator, Ryan Murphy, has also created shows such as the teenage musical “Glee” to the disturbing horror anthology “American Horror Story,” so I was not sure which end of the spectrum this show would land on. What I found was a mix of each of his earlier shows.

The plot by itself sounds like a classic thriller: a serial killer starts taking his/her victims at a university

answer sheet into a drawing for various prizes. When visiting the maze myself, I thought it was hard and confusing. I only found five of the eight checkpoints in the nearly three hours I spent inside. Even though I was cold, confused, tired and irritated, I still had a great time.

The “Fun Barn” was a moderate amount of fun. There was a pit of corn kernels, a wooden cow to milk, ropes to swing on and a large slide.

Overall my experience went well, and I will definitely go back next year. sorority. However, once you start watching the show, you will find that it is less of a thriller and more of a parody. The show escalates quickly and often in ridiculous manners.

When watching, do not expect to be moved or scared. The content, at least at this point, is not deep or meaningful, but rather meant for laughs and a few cheap thrills. I cannot seem to keep my eyes off this trainwreck. I honestly have no idea where they could possibly be going with the plot, but I am excited to see how it ends.

Brandon Eigenman

T

he Last Witch Hunter proves once and for all that action, by no means, makes a good movie. The movie attempts to be new and emotionally raw and engaging It stars Vin Diesel as Kaulder, the brooding and emotionless protagonist whose family was killed by the plague unleashed by witches. He ends up killing the generically all powerful villain known as “The Witch Queen”, and was cursed with her immortality.

Kaulder continues to hunt witches

for over 800 years before the Witch Queen is miraculously revived and attempts to kill all humans in order to have witches resurge as the most powerful race.

The cast is far too dull and boring for their background stories, making them dislikeable and not believable as characters. The story is dumb and cliche as stated before with several moments that will leave the viewer asking: “Why did I bother watching this?”

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INSTAGRAM CONTEST Just tag @jcredblack and #jcredblack on your photo to enter Theme: Halloween [photos by Brooklyne Propes]

1st

A show JC is dying to see @athira_ace

Veronica Townsend

J

CHS students auditioned for The Addams family play on Sept. 16. The students had to read a cut from the play and sing in front of the directors.

After the students were chosen, they began to spend every day to practice. Their practices often lasted from an hour and a half to hours. During the last two weeks students spent up to four hours each day putting the final touches on The Addams Family. They performed the play Nov. 6 through 8.

“We want to do a rotation, one musical that is Disney oriented, one that is popular, and one that is kind of off the wall like the Addams’ family that is relativity new and something for everyone,” director Beth Dampf said.

Viewers should expect a lot of laughter, singing, dancing, and iconic characters. Students get in for $5, and adults get in for $10.

Two of the characters students might expect are Morticia Addams, played by Junior Karen Turner, and Alice Beineke, played by junior Samantha Banks.

Morticia is the mom with a dark soul and Alice is a cocky wife from Minnesota with a poetry obsession.

“People will be surprised about how funny it is because most people do not think of the Addams’ family as humorous,” Turner said.

The character’s favorite line’s subject matter ranged from playing with Monsters to playing with tools. Also the most difficult scenes for the actors to perform include the opening number to dinner with the Addams Family.

“It is a great opportunity for JC students,” Dampf said. “Plus, who doesn’t want to see the Addams family?”

2nd

@elliesev

3rd

@baileyyyconrad

Next Issue: Things to be thankful for

11.10.15//ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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