February issue 2016

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Red & Black Newspaper 2.09.16 • Volume 85 • Issue 5 Jefferson City High School Jefferson City, MO

The History of Valentine’s Day

p. 18-19

CONTENTS

SPORTS

2.09.16

NEWS

13

The figure skaters of Jefferson City

3

Red and Black introduces our new website

13

Pick ‘em

5

Key Club holds Kids’ Day at YMCA

14

Rec-League Basketball

6

Symphonic band goes to MMEA state conference

15

NFL season review

16

Color Guard open gyms begin

16

Track season is off to a running start

17

Featured Athlete: Hunter Swanigan

17

Freshman girls basketball dominate

7

Principal Advisory Board is created

7 8

iPads to be introduced to Class of 2017 Debate team hosts Capitol Classic

9

Attendance desk gets auto-call system

9

Common scholarship application for seniors

20

International Thespian Society

Arabian Nights came to JCHS for our Winter Sports week

21

Students who work for charities

IN-DEPTH

22

Teachers who have to change classrooms everyday

SPOTLIGHT

10

18

2

FEATURES

Take a look at the history of Valentine’s Day

23 Chinese New Year

2.09.16//CONTENTS

OPINION 24

Editorial: Should high schools still use the court system?

25

Head to Head: Chick Flicks vs. Horror Movies

26

PDA in JCHS hallways

27

A look at the school’s bathrooms

27

The policy of dropping classes

A&E 28

What is a perfect Valentine’s Day date?

28

Unique Valentine’s Day Gifts

29

The controversey over the Oscars

29

Keeping up with the Cost: Winter Sports Edition

30

Reviews: Kevin Gates, Panic! at the Disco, Kung Fu Panda 3

31

JCHS Crossword

Best Picture: Spotlight Best Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio Best Actress: Brie Larson Best Director: George Miller Best Supporting Actress: Alicia Vikander Best Supporting Actor: Mark Ruffalo These are my opinions, but things might go in a different way, especially for the Best Picture.

I thought I would end with a quote about independence because I know some people will need it this month.

“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will.” - Charlotte Bronte Be yourself and do not let anyone else hold you back.

You are an independent man/ woman.

Have an inspirational day!

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FROM THE EDITOR

Hey now.

Hey now!

Thanks for reading the February issue of the Red & Black newspaper. This is a big issue for us because it is the first one where we are unveiling our website (for more information see the story below) and it is also the first issue where we had help from our newest staff members: Abbigail Gierer, Ariana Pauley, Gillian Burks, Kaylee Klosterman and Makenzie Baldwin. It is nice to see new faces in the newsroom and to be able to utilize the talents that they all brought.

For the Spotlight this month we covered the activites and court of Winter Sports. For the InDepth, we have the inside scoop on the history of the day of love.

In other news, the Oscars are this month and I made it my goal to watch all of the best picture nominees before the show, and my opinion on how it should go are as follows.

February 9, 2016 Volume 85, Issue 5 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.

-Jacob Worsham

Red and Black: Now online Brooklynne Propes

W

hile Red and Black has a few new additions to our staff, it also has a new, more convenient addition for our readers. We now have a website (www.jcredblack. com). On the website we will have every story that is in print, but we will also feature some web exclusives that are not available in print.

This issue, we have many photos from sporting events and club meetings that we plan to add to the website.

We will be using the website to get information to our readers faster and more conveniently. For example, if there is a basketball game at 7 p.m. that is over by 9 p.m., we hope to have photos and the score up on the website by 10 p.m. that night. If it is a big game, there might be a news brief

informing people who couldn’t make it to the game.

We hope our readers will love the website just as much as we do and that soon it will be a place people go to look at things about the school instead of Twitter or Instagram. There are many different pages to the website, and you can even go to the staff tab to learn a little more about the writers and editors of Red and Black. We also have a “polls” section where you can vote on some important and some light hearted things in Jefferson City and at JCHS. We hope our readers will take a look at and appreciate the hard work we do in print and see how it transfers over to our new website.

Editors: Jacob Worsham Madi Baughman Erica Overfelt Mackenzie Allen Website Manager: Brooklynne Propes Staff Reporters: Abbigail Gierer Ainsley Grey Ariana Pauley Brandon Eigenman Brenna Duncan Claire Shipley Dalton Wheeler Gillian Burks Kaylee Klosterman Maddy Bergstrom Madeline Moats Makenzie Baldwin 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 2.09.16//NEWS 3

NEWS

[photo by Christopher Johnson]

[photo by Christopher Johnson] Top: Both kids and mentors participate in a fun activity with balls and a colorful parachute.

Bottom Left: Everyone participating in Kids’ Day waits to hear the schedule of how the day will run.

Bottom Right: Kids and their mentors stand in line with their props to get their pictures taken.

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[photo by Christopher Johnson]

Key Club holds Kids’ Day at YMCA Maddy Bergstrom

Kids, mentors, and Key Club members gathered at the YMCA for the Mentor Celebration Day with the JC Champions Mentor Program on Jan. 21.

“This event is meant to be an opportunity for the mentors and the mentees in the program to bond and get to know each other in a fun and engaging environment,” Spanish teacher Christopher Johnson said.

The event began five years ago with the creation of Key Club. Jefferson City School District came to Key Club advisors because of the club’s focus on service to the community.

“The event [Kid’s Day] is for kids who have mentors; they come, have a good time, and get to know each other,” senior Unique Allen said.

One Key Club member, Dakota

Grotoff, talked about the different events they put on for students of a variety of elementary schools. These events included bouncy house, “butt” bucket game, coloring station, a parachute game, and a Scholastic store.

He noted that the kids’ favorite event was probably the bounce house.

“The Key Club members that are not needed to host or manage an event station take on the responsibility of finding those kids that don’t have a mentor, or look like they might be having trouble assimilating in a group, and become their mentor and friend,” Johnson said.

Key Club hopes and believes that the event will continue for many years to come as long as the JC Champion Mentor Program is around.

Left: Kids work together to construct things out of foam building pieces.

Below: Kids and mentors participate in the “butt” bucket game together.

[photo by Christopher Johnson]

[photo by Christopher Johnson]

2.09.16//NEWS

5

Symphonic band goes to MMEA Madi Baughman

O

n Jan. 28, students in symphonic band had the chance to perform at the conference for the Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA), which is a conference of every music teacher in the state. This conference features different lectures and classes from instructors in the state, as well as performances from the All State Bands and other select programs around the state.

Ever since marching band ended last fall, they have been preparing to perform. This is one of the biggest performances of the year for band - over the lengthy history of the program, the Jay Band has only performed there seven times.

“This performance shows us that the state is recognizing our hard work and

dedication,” senior Gracie Fitzsimmons said. “It’s what made me realize what our music program is really about.”

Because of how long they had practiced for the event, many band members were tired of rehearsing the same songs over and over since October. However, they know that it really pays off when they see the crowd respond well to their performance. Not only is it an honor to be invited, but it also gives the students a chance to showcase the hard work they put in every day to prepare.

“At the end of the performance, we had a standing ovation that seemed to be infinite,” Fitzsimmons said. “The crowd’s appreciation made me proud of how far we have come.”

Though the Jay Band has only

[photo by Beckie Gierer]

attended for seven years, the band directors are able to attend the conference every year. Though the band has gone through lots of ups and downs over the past few years, the direction of those leading the band has remained constant. Along with the directors’ support, playing in front of hundreds of people who love music as much as the band does made the event an experience to remember.

“Personally, playing at MMEA proves to me that our band is moving in the right direction,” senior Andrew Warbritton said. “When I came into the high school, the band program was kind of a mess. Seeing how far we’ve come in just four years lets me know that we’re in good hands and have a bright future ahead.”

[photo by Beckie Gierer]

Left: Symphonic band warms up right before their performance at the MMEA state conference, which the Jay Band has attended for the past seven years.

Right: The woodwind section warms up by running through their songs before taking the stage. They practiced these songs since the end of marching season, which was in October.

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James creates Principal Advisory Board Megan Cassels

N

ew head principal Robert James’ hunger to reach out to JCHS students is one that many people around the school district appreciate.

This year, James created the Principal Advisory Board for students to join.

This board has meetings set up to create a voice for students to the principal about current issues going on at JCHS. “It just made sense,” said James.

“Young people aren’t confined to the constraints of practicality and purpose intended to very readily think of things.”

Often, students come to James and tell him issues that happen in school, and expect him to alter them. This year, James took a stand. Instead of only complaining about things that seem almost impossible to fix, the Principal Advisory Board Meeting gathers to better the school.

“With this board, things from schedule change, to display of consequence is possible,” James said.

James found interests in his JCHS students opinions and concerns about school. His outreach to the students was not only because education and

school is one of the main seeds to success, but because he believes the younger generation is advantaged to have a different mind-set than the faculty. This comes with thinking differently and maintaining different ideas that would be thought of outside the box.

“I wanted to have a bigger impact on how the school is run and, makes me feel like I’m part of the school opposed to just attending,” junior Brittany Patrick said.

A technologically savvy school year Kaylee Klosterman

R

umor has it that the 2016-2017 school year will have students adapting even more. Not only are the amount of academies offered being reduced to three, but more technology will be purchased in order to meet the technological needs of the students and faculty. As of next year, the class of 2017 will be the only grade which has not been issued an iPad from the start; however, many thoughts have been composed regarding next year’s senior class receiving iPads as well.

There are an immensely large amount of pros to harboring away iPads in every student’s backpack, allowing an entire high school student body access to iPads at all times.

“Some advantages are that now in the digital age, where most anything requires knowledge on technology, it gives students a good foundation to start with,” junior Carson Ridgeway said.

Faculty member Kelly Gruden explained that with the easy access of Google classroom, students will be able to be more organized and responsible for their learning as well as saving on paper.

Although providing every student with an iPad seems like a good idea, there are some obvious cons to such an astonishing privilege as well. “iPads are distracting,” junior Sarah Hirst said. “Kids are always blocking the hallways because they are watching a movie or playing a game while walking down the hall, or they are not paying attention in class for the same reasons. Also, the money used to buy iPads could go towards other school funds.”

Grunden opposed her previous statement by saying, “Dealing with student employers in the community, my only concern is students not getting any exposure to Microsoft Office, which

the industry is still using.”

Many juniors feel strongly about whether or not having an iPad is necessary for their last year at Jefferson City High School.

“I feel like most kids in the junior class don’t want them,” junior Arielle Guitard said. “Probably because it’s our last year, so why should we change our learning style now?”

However, Ridgeway states, “I feel overall it is a good idea because it makes all classes an even playing field and it should be easier for teachers to grade.”

The school board has been hard at work to make sure Jefferson City Public Schools are immaculate when it comes to providing a well rounded education for all students. Chances are it will not be an easy adjustment for everyone, but the class of 2017 will be experiencing a new way of learning.

2.09.16//NEWS

7

[photo by Veronica Townsend]

[photo by Veronica Townsend]

Above: Debaters Brooke Reinsch and Elizabeth Vasko look over the ballots returned by the tournament judges.

Left: Debaters Kelsey Bartlett and Katie Liu sit in Nichols to help give directions to competing schools.

Debate team hosts Capitol Classic Veronica Townsend

The tables have turned for JCHS Speech and Debate, as the team did not compete in a different city for a tournament on Jan. 29-30th, but hosted the annual JCHS Speech and Debate Capital Classic. At the event, 20 to 30 teams competed in front of judges to win the tournament sweepstakes.

Ladue, Kickapoo, and Carthage took the top three places respectively.

The Capital Classic featured 20-30 teams that come from all over the state. Teams like Jackson High School stayed the night and brought nine people, while teams like Battle High School in Columbia, MO made it a day trip.

“It is a large tournament that is in driving distance,” Battle head coach Lauren Dotson said. “It has a lot of competition that we do not see a lot, and we do not have to stay the night at

8

2.09.16//NEWS

a hotel.”

While hosting the tournament, attendees can still see the team calling judges until the event is over, collecting ballots at tables around the school, tallying up scores in the Tech Center, making directional posters, and ushering the tournament attendees.

The Speech and Debate team uses SpeechWire to keep track of everything at the tournament like judges, rooms, and debaters at the tournament.

“Every school that competed last year came back this year,” JCHS head coach Jordan Hart said. “We return about 80% of the schools, and the other 20% are new schools that come to our tournament.”

Judges are recruited by the Speech and Debate team in advance and ranged from teachers, doctors, parents of the debaters and more. The line of

judges stretched from one end of the cafeteria to the other. Judges were sat in a room to judge one to two rounds and placed their ballots to the ballot table to be tabbed.

“Presentation is everything and competitors should look and sound like they know what they are talking about,” judge Abigail Nahlik said.

Although it is a very vigorous and long process, the Speech and Debate team takes pride in being on time and having a successful return rate. They also learned a lot about management and hope that everyone has a good experience and comes back next year.

“There is nothing more enjoyable as hosting a tournament itself,” debate co-president Kyle Craft said. “For the seniors, it is an enjoyful, melancholy, and bittersweet event because it is our last.”

Attendance desk gets auto-call system Ariana Pauley

T

he new semester is in full effect and with it came a new attendance desk feature for Jefferson City High School and Simonsen. The new automated attendance call system, implemented on the Jan. 5, is the most recent way the high school is attempting to cut down on the high number of student absences.

The system makes note of unexcused absences at the beginning of first period. If a missing student is not excused by 9:20am, the system sends out an automated message to the primary number on the absent student’s account. This message lets the parent or guardian know that an absence has been marked for their student and asks them to clear the absence by calling the attendance desk.

If nothing has been done to clear the absence by the end of the school day then another call is placed to the same number. This message goes out at 7:05pm and includes all of the blocks the student was counted as absent for then repeats the request for the parent or guardian to clear the absence.

Jefferson City High School’s

attendance secretary Debbie Branson says the new call system is a much simpler way of keeping parents and guardians aware of their student’s

absences. Before the call system was put in place, the attendance desk would make every call by hand which sometimes took a lot of time out of

the day depending on the number of missing students recorded.

“Just the other day, there were about seventy five calls home that the system made for us,” Branson said.

“Hopefully [the call system] will make more parents concerned about their student’s absences.”

Dr. David Wilson, a Jefferson City High School assistant principal, says the main goal of the new system is to improve the overall attendance rate of students. ”With a school this big, sometimes if a student misses school and the parents don’t know about it and they are not notified, then that student may fall through the cracks that day. This system is set up to help us prevent that,” Dr. Wilson said. “We want everyone here every day.”

While it is too soon to tell what the effects of the call system will be, Dr. Wilson is hopeful that the impact will be a positive one.

“When you start anything new is takes some adjusting. We will have to wait and see,” said Dr. Wilson.

Seniors complete common scholarship application Claire Shipley

I

f you are a senior thinking about college, then you have probably heard of the common application scholarship. This list of scholarships is a huge help in finding out how to get more money for college, and many seniors applied this year.

There are more than 70 scholarships available to choose from, and they are funded through local individuals

and organizations. Some of these scholarships come with specific requirements. For example, students who are interested in nursing can apply for certain scholarships in that field.

The common application scholarships were due to the school no later than the morning of Jan. 22. Once students selected which scholarships they wanted to apply for, they had

to write an essay. The essay topic dependsed on what scholarship you were applying for. For many students, the scholarships can be a long and carefully thought out process.

“All of the essays that you had to do took a lot of time and effort,” senior Camilla Ryan said. “It was really difficult to get through it all.”

2.09.16//NEWS

9

Arabian Nights

[photo by Madeline Moats]

[photo by Erica Overfelt]

[photo by Madeline Moats] [photo by Brenna Duncan]

[photo by Erica Overfelt]

[photo by Brooklynne Propes]

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2.09.16//SPOTLIGHT

2016 Winter Sports Court

If a genie granted you one wish, what would you wish for?

“Unlimited Nike Apparel.”

-Queen Megan Foster

“I would wish for Miami Hurricanes college basketball team to win the NCAA tournament this year.”

-King Tim Nahach

“For 100 more wishes duh?

Or Troy Bolton.”

-Jayme Baumgartner

“To free Gucci Mane.”

-Cole Heidbreder

“I wish to have the ability to travel anywhere I would want to go with the push of a button.”

-Savannah Bopp

“Well I would wish for a real genie instead of this fake one over here that’s trying to rob me of two wishes. I mean it’s proper genie etiquette to give three wishes. This one is being straight rude.”

-Daniel Miller

“To reach A-list status on the Kim Kardashian game.”

-Mara Busch

“To break all the rules and have unlimited wishes so I could get anything I ever wanted.”

-Michael Ray

“Another season of Scandal on Netflix and for endless meatball subs.”

-Blair Michael

“Hmmmmm… I would wish that Donald Trump wasn’t a presidential candidate.”

-Jamal Stevenson

2.09.16//SPOTLIGHT

11

SPORTS

[photo by Erica Overfelt]

[photo by Erica Overfelt]

[photo by Erica Overfelt]

Top: Skaters lace up their skates before hitting the ice.

Middle left: Skaters practice flipping another skater for their upcoming competition.

Middle Right: Junior Anayah Gilson listens to Skating Director, Rachel Bruemmer before practice.

Bottom: Junior Brittany Patrick and sophomore Grace Christian attempt to lift up fellow skater.

[photo by Erica Overfelt]

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2.09.16//SPORTS

Lacing up the skates, not sneakers Erica Overfelt

T

ripping, falling and slipping are all associated with ice skating - for the amateurs at least.

However, flipping, speed and twirling are all associated with the Capital Classics Synchonized Skate Teams.

With this year being the 20th year of Capital Classics the team has a lot to look forward to with upcoming competitions and shows.

The biggest event the team has is it’s Ice Show that will be showcasing many Jefferson City High School students. Skaters on the Advance Capital Classics Synchronized Skating Team are all high school students. This is a great opportunity for anyone in Jefferson City to see the team on ice.

“Several JC skaters have spotlights in the Ice Show,” Skating Director Rachel Bruemmer said. “It recognizes more

Pick ‘em:

than just one [skater].”

One can imagine themselves watching the Winter Olympics and being amazed by the professional figure skaters gliding on the ice gracefully. Skating is an art that tells a story through the movement and placement of the skater; however, imagine sixteen skaters telling the same story all in an identical synchronized program. This sport requires the use of the entire body.

“I think people see skaters on TV and those people make it look easy,” Bruemmer said. “How physically challenging it is can be overlooked due to how beautiful it is performed.”

Traditionally this sport has been dominated by women, but barriers have been broken with the increased involvement of men. Washington Park Ice Arena only has a few boys throughout all the age programs, yet there is much optimism in the idea more will join. Many American skaters

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.

Lady Jays Basketball VS. Rockbridge

JCHS Student

have been inspired by skaters from Russia and Japan, since the sport is much more popular in those countries.

“This sport is not restricted,” Bruemmer said. “More and more boys have started to do synchronized skating due to how physically challenging it is.”

To become a successful skater, many skaters in this program started at a young age. Some have grown up spending their winters in the ice arena while others have done it as a hobby.

The Capital Classics have teams for all ages. Some even say they learned how to skate before they could even walk.

“I came to a an ice skating birthday party in the third grade,” sophomore Grace Christian, who is also a member of the Advance Capital Classics Synchronized Skating Team said. “I signed up for lessons the following season.”

Jays Basketball VS. Rockhurst

Student Record 4-4

JCHS Staff

Diamond Hardy Staff Record 4-4

Red & Black

Mark Caballero R&B Record 3-5

Kaylee Klosterman

2.09.16//SPORTS

13

[photo by Madeline Moats]

[photo by Erica Overfelt]

[photo by Erica Overfelt]

[photo by Erica Overfelt]

Top Left: Senior Cole Heidbreder watches his team, Whole Grain, play with ref.

Top Right: Senior Saxon Teubner, member of the team Perks, climbs up to get a basketball that got stuck during his game.

Bottom Left: Senior Sydney Vogel, member of Basketstreet Boys, keeps the ball away from the opposing team, Granny Shot.

Bottom Right: Senior Jack Pervinich takes a shot during his game. Pervinich didn’t make this shot and the Perks lost.

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For the love of the game: Rec Leagues Dalton Wheeler

M

issouri Parks and Recreation hosts a basketball league that began in January. Many high school students enjoy participating in to have the experience of playing basketball without the high school competitiveness. This league has become much more popular over the years with many people signing up each year, some for the fun of the game, and some for the feeling of the wins.

Even if some people signed up to take it serious and be competitive, this league is meant for fun. Teams are required to have at least four people

at the game to be able to play. Teams normally consist of large groups of friends that came together for the fun of the game, while a few teams united to win the league.

“I joined last year because a lot of my friends were on the team,” Natalie Vance, member of Goodwill Hunters, said. “It seemed fun.”

Rec League is not a joke to all the players though. There are teams that never practice, and there are also teams that practice multiple times a week, and even set up drills for their team. The biggest difference is that this league is supposed to be fun with the possibility of being competitive.

“Our team is competitive,” Joel Breedlove, member of Hillbillies, said.

”We still like to have fun with it.”

Whether your team is undefeated or has never won a game, the environment that Parks and Rec creates with this league is a positive one. Rec League gives you a place to go with friends and have fun, whether you win or lose.

People often join this league just to have something to occupy their free time. Rec League is the possibility of playing basketball competitively which is something that not everyone gets to be a part of in high school. “[Rec League] is a lot of fun and laid back,” Bailey Conrad, member of The Basketstreet Boys, said. “We have only won one game, but we still have a lot of fun.”

A look back on Missouri’s NFL season Brenna Duncan

F

or years, the St. Louis Rams have talked about moving back to their home city of Los Angeles.

As of Jan. 12, their proposition has been accepted by the National Football League. This will be the first time in 21 years that Los Angeles has had a professional football team.

The San Diego Chargers and the Oakland Raiders have also requested to move to Los Angeles.

In the 2015 season, the St. Louis Rams finished with a 7-9 record. They started the season with four losses until they were able to defeat the Seattle Seahawks in overtime 34-31.

The next time they faced the 2013 Super Bowl Champions they also won 23-17.

These are their most defining wins of the season against a well-ranked team who played in the Super Bowl 49 in 2015.

The Rams ended the season with a loss in overtime to the San Fransico 49ers in San Fransico.

On the other side of the state, the

Kansas City Chiefs, who had not been a well-defined team until the 2013 season when they won the first nine games of the season, set the record for the loudest NFL stadium, and finished with a 11-5 record. Since then they have only gotten better.

“It was very exciting for me because, like always, it looks like we’ll have a shot at the Super Bowl before being tragically stomped,” sophomore Tom McCarthy said.

In the 2015 season, they once again finished with a 11-5 record, the first play-off win in 22 years in a wildcard game only to lose to the New England Patriots the next week. The Chiefs started the season with a win against the Houston Texans, then proceeded to lose the next five games. Before they lost to the Patriots, they won the previous 11 games, including the wildcard game against the Texans.

“Making the playoffs and winning a playoff game was a great experience for all Chiefs fans since they haven’t won one in like 20 years. It was cool seeing a team I love so much experience a little bit of success. Hopefully there’s a lot more to come, “ senior Jack

Pervinich said.

Safety Eric Berry, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at the end of the 2014 season, was cleared to return to football on June 24.Only seven months after his diagnosis, which was two months shorter than his return to the game in 2011 after he tore his ACL. His return to the Chiefs Kingdom was instrumental to the Chiefs success this season.

Throughout the season, injury did not avoid the Chiefs.. The star running back, Jamaal Charles, tore his ACL when playing the Chicago Bears week 5. Then his replacement Charcandrick West got injured and they had to bring in his replacement Spencer Ware.

When West healed and began playing again, quarterback Alex Smith split his handoffs and passes between the two running backs.

“When the Chiefs started off 1-5, I never lost faith in them. Jamaal Charles got injured again and the team wasn’t playing so well,” Pervinich said.

“Eventually they got back on track and played like the team they should be,” senior Jack Pervinich said.

2.09.16//SPORTS

15

Color Guard Open Gyms begin photos by Abbigail Gierer

The color guard kicks of their 2016 season with rehearsals to teach incoming members the basics to prepare for try outs taking place March 8th. People interested can come to any open gym to get their hands on a pole. These photos display a typical color guard open gym, that take place every Tuesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at either the First United Methodist Church or Capital West Events Center.

Pictured below is Sophomore Audrey Warbritton and eighth grader Alex Scott.

Track season gets off to a running start Madeline Moats

A

s spring quickly approaches, so does track season and the team is beginning to get hyped. Every year, the track team works very hard during the offseason to prepare and become a strong team before meets even begin. This year the Jefferson City High School track team has been working even harder because the state meet is going to be on their home track.

“I’m really looking forward to this track season; we’ve been putting in a lot of work this winter,” junior Jacquelyn Walker said. “We’re really excited to be hosting the state meet on our own track this year.”

Track is a sport like no other offered at this high school and has at least 150 students that participate. The events range from triple jump to the 100 meter

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dash and many runners can be in more than one event. Although the group must work as a team they are also working as individuals.

“It’s fun because you have more freedom to challenge yourself to new heights,” senior Daniel Ellinger said.

“Not only with your teammates but with individual goals as well.”

Of course the team has high expectations for this season and will work hard against any opponent that comes their way, but this year they really hope to go far in postseason.

Track goes through districts, then moves on to sectionals and the ultimate goal is to wind up at state. To qualify for these meets you must be in the top four for your event.

“We feel like this will be a successful season with another district championship,” senior Lexie Stull said.

2.09.16//SPORTS

“Then hopefully placing in top four at state.”

Track has been successful in the past years. Lady Jays Track has won districts two years in a row and the boys also had many qualifiers. Last year Haley Watson set a record at state for 300-meter hurdles and the girls 4x200 meter relay broke a school record. The team lost a lot of state qualifiers and placers a few years ago and the team feels like this year is a big one for them.

“When I came in as a freshman we had just lost a lot of talented seniors and it has been somewhat of a couple of rebuilding years for us,” junior Brendan Bena said. “This year our team is finally going to have a lot of upperclassmen with a lot of talent though, and the plan is to be high up in the Class 5 state ranks.”

FEATURED ATHLETE:

Hunter Swanigan

Lady Jays freshmen team dominating the basketball court Ariana Pauley

T

he Lady Jays freshmen basketball team is well into their season and are leaving it all on the court. Undefeated after fourteen games, the girls are preparing for their last few games of the year and are striving to keep their winning streak alive.

Benjamin Hays, Lady Jays freshmen basketball coach, praises the girls highly on their ability and work ethic as a team.

“They came to me with a lot of skills and they work very hard. They make my job pretty easy,” Hays said. “They listen really well and I never have to tell them things more than once.”

The high win margins for this Sport: Basketball team have a lot to do with the Grade: 12 team’s defense, according to the girls Years on team: 4 freshman basketball point guard and Background: “My parents said my first JV player Greta Haarmann. word was ball. I was always tall for my “Winning starts on the defensive age so it just made sense to hoop.” end, as well as getting steals and Favorite part: “I love hooping because offensive boards,” Haarmann said. it doesn’t matter where you come from or “We can execute on both offense and what you look like, at the end of the day it defense which is very important for a is all about getting buckets.” strong team.”

Role model: “Either Pete Maravich To become even stronger during the or Bill Russel. Pete was the original season, the freshman team spends show time basketball and Bill has more some practices working with the JV championship rings than he can fit on his and Varsity teams. This practice time hand so I can relate to both of them in allows the freshmen to become better some way.” as a team while also working on their Favorite memory: “When we beat individual skills.

Helias my junior year in double overtime.

Some people say they go to crazy parties, but nothing will compare to that locker room after the game.”

Least favorite part: “Running.”

Fun fact about the team: “Since everyone on the team has either taken or is in Spanish II now, our practices are about 95% Spanish speaking.”

Interesting fact: “I have never missed a three-pointer.”

Awards: 3-time Scholar Athlete, 2-time best beard, Most Triceps Dips Best game: “It is hard to look back on my long career and think of one game that stands out. Probably when one time in Upwards I banked a half court shot at the buzzer.”

Future: “I think I will hang up the J’s after this year. I still don’t know where I am going to college.”

“There are always things to improve on. Especially in practice when we go against JV and Varsity, I really see things for them to improve on,” Hays said.

The bond between the girls has played a part in their season as well.

Haarmann says that the bond is one of the reasons they work well together.

“My team is very unique and can always make practice fun. We work extremely well together, and we have a great connection with each other on and off the court,” Haarmann said.

The team only has two more home games this season before wrapping up their first year with JCHS at Parkview on Feb. 20. The team and their coach are looking ahead with an optimistic mindset.

“The freshman class has a very big potential for doing great things for the Jefferson City program,” Hays said.

“The sky is the limit for this group.”

The opportunities for the girls freshman basketball team are plentiful and Haarmann is looking forward to seeing how it all plays out.

“I hope to see my team finish our season undefeated, and continue to grow and develop as players. We have a bright future as a team and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the years to come,” Haarmann said.

[photo by Madi Baughman]

Freshmen Halle Kate Bohlken goes for the three point shot at their game against Ozark.

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IN-DEPTH

A History of Valentine’s day

A quick look at the holiday of love, which no one knows why or how it even started.

Erica Overfelt

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alentines Day: a day for love, a day to spend a few hundred dollars on a fancy dinner, a day to stuff one’s face with assorted chocolates, and a day spent inside watching romantic movies. This holiday has changed greatly throughout history, much like many other holidays people celebrate; however, who started this holiday? When did it even start?

What is even the purpose?

In circa the 5th century the Ancient Romans celebrated “Lupercalia.” This festival was to celebrate fertility and was held each year on Feb. 13-15.

The pope at this time, Pope Gelasius I, renamed the pagan festival as a Christian Feast Day in 496. He deemed Lupercalia too “un-Christian.” He proposed Saint Valentine be the patron of this new celebration to replace the old festival. He declared Feb. 14 St. Valentines Day. Hundreds of years later Geoffrey Chaucer wrote his poem, “Parliament for Fowls” which contained the first ever reference of St. Valentines Day to romance. This comparison then guided the celebration of this holiday to a romantic context.

By the 18th century exchanging gifts and handmade cards became a common practice of this holiday in England.

This practice then started to spread to the American colonies.

Today, some people see Valentine’s Day as a day only for those in a relationship. When looking up how people celebrate this day it is said to be, “a festival of romantic love.” Society may have lost the St. in St. Valentine’s Day, but the meaning of love behind this holiday will hold forever true.

Single people might find this holiday to be a nuisance, and the holiday is often criticized for being over commercialized. The true meaning of the holiday is up to the individual, however, and can either be just another day or a day of love.

Who is CUPID?

Cupid is the god of desire and love; however, he is seen as mischievous with his arrows. He is known for being the son of the goddess of love, Venus, in Roman mythology. He is the son of Aphrodite, goddess of beauty and love, in Greek mythology.

Cupid wasn’t always portrayed as a baby.

Throughout history, Roman painters started to paint him as a chubby angel to form the cupid we know today. They depicted him as a “putto” which is a pudgy, human baby, with wings.

The arrows symbolize desire of love. Cupid aims these arrows at Gods and humans causing them to fall in love. Cupid arrows can be seen as posionious, but the only side effect is falling greatly in love.

[Cartoon by Ainsley Grey]

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WhAT DO YOU THINK Is THE PURPOSE OF valentine’s DAY? “To make girls happy.”

-Kyle Lasley, Faculty

“The purpose of Valentines Day is to show the people you love that you care about them.”

-Karen Turner, Junior

“I don’t think there needs to be a holiday for couples, it has lost its’ purpose of love.”

“To cherish someone you love dearly by showing how much you care for them.”

-Cullen Willman, Senior

-Addison Neal, Sophomore

“The purpose of Valentines Day is basically just a commercialized holiday to sell overpriced ‘lovey dovey’ things. On premise it’s great, in practice not so much.”

-Daniel Hall, Sophomore

“I guess it has different meaning if you are single or if you are not.

Ultimately it’s a day to show your significant other you appreciate them.”

-Bethany Bax, Senior

I am indifferent Yes, it should

We asked a sample of 65 students whether or not they thought Valentine’s Day should be a holiday.

No, it should not

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FEATURES

[photo by Erica Overfelt] Actors pose with their script of The Murderous Mansion of Mr. Uno which will be performed at the upcoming Evening of Drama. International Thespian society puts on the event. Anyone is welcomed to watch for $5 and it will be held in the Little Theater on Feb. 10, 11 and 12.

High school drama: The good kind

Brandon Eigenman

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very high school has it’s drama; that’s just high school in a nutshell. Some people are more dramatic and others, and while in some cases that’s a bad thing, for those in the International Thespian Society they use this drama to put on creative shows and be the best performers they can be. Students join the club to practice both technical theatre and performance theater.

“We attract anyone who’s creative and puts themselves out there,” club director Zachary McKinney said. “Just someone who has a love and passion for creating.”

Members of the club put on shows and other fundraising events, like the talent show earlier this school year, bringing in students to show off their talent, whether it be singing, dancing, or an instrument. While they were not the only driving force behind it, many

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of the members were also involved in the production of the Addams Family musical back in November. “[The Talent show] was made enjoyable because of the people that have these amazing talents, that were able to share them with their peers,” sophomore Matthew Raymer says.

“Peers that may have issues coming out of their shells, if we were able to make one of those individuals smile due to those talents, that’s a mission accomplished to us.”

The club is soon to be performing the play “Alice in Wonderland” in April and casting was held in January. The play is to fit the Drama department’s theme of “JC goes dark” in reference to the darker themes that they are trying to push, such as murder and death.

“The play is about the character going through a terrible depression and needing an escape,” Raymer says, “I know a lot of people who are like that in life, and they’ll really relate and

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connect with the performance.”

To become a full-fledged member of the club, interested students need to begin helping and trying out for parts in the play whether they be technical or performance wise. This all culminates into a point system; once a student receives a certain number of points, they’re inducted into The International Thespian Society via a ceremony. The club has been building up numbers in the past few years; it was originally called the drama club before receiving a name change. The numbers are growing as well as the diversity of the members, which McKinney feels is a good thing, and hopes to attract people who weren’t originally interested in theatre.

“Just give it a shot. You may not be Meryl Streep and you may not be Johnny Depp,” says McKinney. “Just try something new and experiment, that’s what theatre is, just have fun.”

Students give their time to give back veryone has heard how rewarding volunteering can be, but it’s another thing entirely to experience the joy firsthand. That’s what happened to Salvation Army Manager Jeanne Bart who helped a sixteen year old girl’s family go from homeless to getting back on their feet.

The non-profit organizations helped her and her family by providing them food, shelter, clothing and helping her mom find a job.

Stories like these could not be possible without the work and donations of volunteers, many of whom attend Jefferson City High School. Students like senior Gordon Kluttz, junior Savannah Farris, and junior Maggie Noble volunteer their time to help at the local places like the Salvation Army, the Red Cross, and local Vacation Bible Schools.

Kluttz’s willingness to volunteer his time at Salvation Army will save them money that it cost to employ someone to do it. Salvation Army will give that money to help people in need. Kluttz is currently repairing a big hole on the

side of the Salvation Army Thrift Store.

Kluttz chose to volunteer through his Boy Scout troop’s encouragement and inspiration. In return for his efforts, Kluttz hopes to receive his Eagle badge, and create an impact on his community in a positive way.

“Volunteering has taught me how to work with people,” Kluttz said.“[I suggest] volunteering time at the thrift store and see if they want anything done in the future.”

Although some JCHS students volunteer for temporary projects, other students chose volunteering as a new adventure. Even though Farris just started working there, she can be found signing people up for blood drives. The opportunity came at the spur of the moment while Farris’ uncle was giving blood and gave Farris’ email.

“I wanted to volunteer at Red Cross because it is where I plan to go with my career,” Farris said. “It’s worth it, and it’s fun.”

Noble was a camper at Vacation Bible School, but in sixth grade, she signed up for the opportunity to become a camp counselor. Noble signed up with an age group and works the younger campers. With the younger kids, Noble

is responsible for transporting them to activities. Noble’s volunteer hours are three hours a day during a five day span in the summer.

“The kids make your day,” Noble said.

“I once had a kid that loved dinosaurs and everyday the camper would try to involve dinosaurs in everything like reading dinosaur stories, making food into dinosaur shape, and including dinosaurs in the activities.”

Most volunteer places like Salvation Army are always in need of volunteers.

There are not many requirements to most volunteer jobs, but volunteers still have to follow guidelines and basic instructions. Students can volunteer to do jobs like working the store floor, handling donations, doing odd jobs, processing payments, pricing clothing, or dressing mannequins. Students can have the chance to make a difference in a person’s life like the volunteers who helped the sixteen year-old girl and family get back on their feet.

“You do not realize how big the community is and what the needs of the community are until you work on the front lines,” Bart said. “You could be donating to someone you know, without even knowing it.”

Junior Savannah Farris is employed at the American Red Cross. She signs up people who would wish to donate blood.

Senior Gordon Kluttz volunteers at the Salvation Army. His every day tasks include repairing a giant hole in the wall.

Junior Maggie Noble is a camp counselor for her church. She works with kids everyday and does activities with them.

Veronica Townsend

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English teacher Brian Hodge poses with his cart full of all his supplies for his next class.

Hodge has to move to three different classes throughout the school day.

Claire Shipley [photo by Erica Overfelt]

Places to roam, but no place to call home Claire Shipley

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ome students may know the struggle of having to track down a teacher as they move to various rooms throughout the day. Many teachers change rooms throughout Jefferson City High School or must go back and forth between JCHS and Nichols, making it hard to remember all of the necessities for the classroom.

Math teacher Becky Turner is fortunate enough that she just moves one class during the day, but the struggle is still real.

“I have to pack up all my teaching stuff to move it to the new room, including my backpack, computer, lesson plans, graded work, etc.

Sometimes this takes 3 trips,” Turner said. “I also have to leave a clean area for the teacher who comes into my main room, which means I have to put away anything that I am not taking. This total process takes about 7 minutes.

I timed it every day for a week. It’s a good thing I move at lunch.”

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One of the biggest things to deal with as teachers is forgetting something in their last class and having to take time to go retrieve it. The teachers also have to meticulously plan for their every move after class.

English teacher Brian Hodge starts his day in room 116 then spends the next two periods in room 140 and finally ends his day in room 104. With moving rooms after almost every class it can be really inconvenient.

Teachers who move throughout the day are taking over another teacher’s personal classroom for the period.

Each teacher has their own classroom, meaning whenever a teacher has to move rooms they take over another teacher’s room which can cause chaos.

“I feel like a guest occupying someone else’s space, and sometimes setting up the lesson, distributing documents, and engaging the students can be hectic,” Hodge said.

With the thought of having to move

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all of their supplies to the next class period, it can disrupt their thought and maybe even distract their teaching.

After the class they have to pack up their entire room and move it to a different part of the school “It is very disruptive to have to frantically grab all of my stuff at the end of class so that I can move to another room,” Turner said. “It breaks my train of thought. I am very thankful I don’t have far to go, or else I would never make it.”

A good addition to the classroom changing is that you get a new scene throughout the day. A new atmosphere while changing rooms is something that the other teachers don’t get to experience.

“A positive thing is having changing environments throughout the day,” Hodge said. “The teachers I share with understand my situation and try to accommodate me.”

Chinese New Year Erica Overfelt

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ith over billion people celebrating Chinese New Year, it has become a globally known holiday much like New Year’s.

The biggest difference between these two holidays is what their calendars are based off of. Chinese New Year is based on the lunar (moon) calendar and New Years is based off the solar (sun) calendar. Chinese New Year also brings a new zodiac for that year.

The zodiac signs are twelve different animals that rotate each year. Each animal has a different meaning. This year the world will be welcoming the year of the monkey; therefore, anyone born throughout the period of the monkey will grow up to be clever, yet full of jealousy.

Junior Yunxing Liao, who also goes

by Lucy, has experienced Chinese New Year in China and America. Liao grew up in the Jiangxi Province in southeast

China. Senior Jiating Wang, who also goes by Ceci, grew up in Beijing for 15 years before moving to America.

“In China, it is a lot different than the United States,” Liao said. “Their winter break is around Chinese New Year unlike the United States’ that is around Christmas.”

Chinese New Year is the largest celebration in China. A lot of the population will be off work to celebrate with their family. They give each other red envelopes full of money. This is a tradition the holiday holds. Red is the main color of this holiday and most decorations are full of red.

“Only elderly (grandparents and parents) give red envelopes,” Wang said. “It means blessing.”

Much like America, China broadcasts a television show for the countdown to the new year.

“The Chinese government actually

hosts a show the night before the new year, a lot like the ball drop in New York that is state sponsored,” Liao said.

“They have dancing, singing and a lot of skits.”

The purpose of this holiday is to celebrate the past year. From hard work to events, this is a time to reflect.

It is also a holiday full of wishes on an upcoming year of luck. One may have heard of the folks tale to eat black eyed peas for good luck. Liao comments that she eats dumplings that look like gold coins for luck. Staying up to midnight can be a daunting task to some, but almost a requirement to celebrate this holiday. It is not only about the excitement to be awake for the transitions of the years, but the good fortunes to come.

“The longer you stay up the night before Chinese New Year,” Liao said.

“The longer you will live.”

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Opinion

The Red and Black Editorial: Does it really matter to be on court?

A

senior girl sits in the stands of her high school gymnasium.

She is in attendance of one of the three school dance assemblies that occur every school year.

Although every high school differs, her school has the Homecoming, the Winter Sports, and the Prom dance. For every dance, the school votes for the top 10 senior girls and the top 10 seniors boys. This is narrowed down to five, and then to one. The lights dim, the orchestra starts playing, and the girl’s court begins being escorted to their thrones.

The girl watching from the stands knew that she would not make it on court, but the hope still lingered in the back of her mind before they made the announcement weeks earlier. As the top 5 girls parade across the gym floor, they seem to epitomize everything that the girl in the stands does not have. The voice listing their accomplishments over a filtered slideshow seems to agree. The girl in the stands begins to think of all of the reasons why she was not good enough to be voted onto court.

Was it because she was not pretty enough? Was it because she was not extroverted enough? Was it because her parents did not have enough money? She goes home that night with a sharp tear in her selfesteem.

In this situation, which has happened thousands of times to thousands of girls in our school’s history, many would believe that the girl should just get over her feelings. They would disregard them as childlike and jealous. But why should she just get over it? Should her emotions about not feeling good enough be discarded simply because of tradition? The school shows these

and it is completely supported by the school. If someone is in the “top 5,” it puts them above everyone else in their class. This is based totally on written votes (a system which can be easily manipulated by those with an extreme drive to win) and not on things such as academic vigor.

Supporters of this system usually point to tradition. Some girls need to be queen because their mother, grandmother and great-great grandmother also earned this title.

Because the school, and schools in general, have always done this, people think that we definitely need to continue. However, as history has shown us, just because they did something one way 50 years ago does not mean that it is still the right thing to do. There comes a point where we need to think about being progressive, and instead of focusing on the egos of the “queens,” we should focus on the mental health of all of the other students.

The system is cruel for both those who make it on court, and for those who do not make it on court. When the top 5 is announced, people have a tendency to talk ruthlessly about the ones who they “can’t believe made it,” especially if they are jealous that they didn’t make it themselves.

The high school court system truly sounds like something plucked [Cartoon by Ainsley Grey] out a dystopian novel. If it is not socially acceptable to rank ourselves informally, then why in the world is it okay for high schools to do it formally?

5” boys and girls in the school. A Courts mean so much to so many ranking system usually occurs people (even to the ones who roll naturally and informally within the their eyes and say they don’t care) peers groups, but the school makes and that is why this is a problem it official with these “top 5” lists. It worth discussing, if not in our is a popularity contest that ranks community specifically then in high the students in our school based on schools in general. the amount of votes they receive,

young people multiple times a year reasons why they are not good enough, and expects them to be okay with it.

The flaw of this system is literally in the name. They elect the “top

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head TO head Chick flicks gives the idea of what romance should be Abbigail Gierer

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Chick flicks or Horror movies?

alentine’s Day is the only time of year when it is not just socially acceptable to be sappy, but it is encouraged. The hearts and mini cupids hanging in every aisle of the grocery store, the large boxes of chocolates and teddy bears that say “I love you” in a swirly font, and the buckets upon buckets of roses. So, why not take advantage of the holiday and indulge in everyone’s favorite guilty pleasure: chick flicks.

Chick flicks are entertaining and, when you are watching it with your significant other, it could give them ideas for romance. As the starcrossed lovers lean in for the forbidden kiss, you make eye contact with your date and, like you have just been hit with cupid’s arrow, watch sparks fly.

I’m sure many of you, like me, are single this Valentine’s Day, and chick flicks just seem like a depressing option.

You would much rather sit at home and watch some guy in a mask stab people with plot twists that you have seen coming the entire movie. Well believe it or not, chick flicks may be even better for you!

Valentine’s Day is all about love and romance, and what better way to celebrate when single than watching a romantic comedy with large quantities of snacks? While others may be expressing their love to things that are more temporary, like significant others, you could be expressing your love to things that are more concrete like ice cream, potato chips or pizza. These passionate relationships are even better while sitting back with a great chick flick and mocking all of the ridiculous couples that are probably going to break up in a week.

While horror movies may cause you to lose your faith in humanity, you can leave chick flicks with a restored faith in love, or at least in comfort food.

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Horror movies bring in the honeys for Valentine’s Day Brandon Eigenman

alentine’s Day is the time of year when couples get together and snuggle in a dark room while watching a good movie. What movie should you put in though?

The chick flick about finding out that love was right in front of them all along, or the horror movie where the psycho killer slaughters stupid teenagers who end up going into the clearly dangerous and haunted house?

The obvious answer is the horror movie. What brings couples together more than screaming and throwing yourself into one’s arms when you’re terrified?

Nothing. Chick flicks do a good job of pushing the whole mushy gushy emotional stuff, but horror movies are a whole different, and far superior beast in that they bring out an array of realistic emotions.

Horror movies usually have the cliche of the young couple being separated and searching for each other, one doing whatever it takes to find the other. Now if that’s not love, I don’t know what [Photo by Mackenzie Allen] is. Chick flicks usually just drone on about the hurt a woman has to overcome to love again, but is that hurt as dangerous as a serial killer, raging monster, or vengeful spirit though? Usually no, because it doesn’t tend to brutally murder you.Of course not all horror movies are terrifying. Some are just so flat out bad that they’re funny, and in those cases it opens up a wonderful experience for couples: making fun of said movies and laughing so hard popcorn comes out of your nose.

Horror movies can make a couple laugh, cry, jump in each other’s lap out of fear, and hide under the blankets together because something moved behind that curtain. Chick flicks usually make someone cry and think about how a man has hurt them. Make the right choice this Valentine’s Day and watch a horror movie with your loved one.

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Love sick or just sick: PDA in JCHS hallways Kaylee Klosterman

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ow much is too much?

This is a common question many people ponder while strolling down the hallway with their loved one; however, those who are on the sidelines already know the answer to this alluring question. It is completely acceptable to walk to class with your boyfriend or girlfriend.

Some might feel like gagging at the sight of you holding hands with each other, but that is not necessarily crossing the line.

Nevertheless, nobody wants to see their peers reenacting a scene from “The Notebook,” especially your teachers.

Teachers come to school to teach, just like students come to school to learn, so keeping your actions at school appropriate is the key to success. Think of school as your job, because it is. Many students don’t understand that school should be a professional environment. To put this into a better perspective, don’t do anything in front of your

peers and teachers that you wouldn’t want your employer to see. Outside of school is the time and place for you and your dearest to do with it what you will; therefore, the by standing faculty and students do not need to be present for your make out sesh. You are going to see each other soon enough, so don’t make things awkward for yourself by making your teacher cringe behind their computer screen.

Many people say that PDA is uncontrollable because they are in love, but there is a huge difference between being in love and being in lust. If you are seriously in love with each other, then surely you can keep your private life to yourself while you are in public. Being in lust means to have a strong sexual desire for someone and while we all know that people feel this way, we don’t need to see you and your significant other exchanging tongues.

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[cartoon by Ainsley Grey}

Raising a stink over the JCHS bathrooms Dalton Wheeler Broken locks, trash on The restrooms looks like the Standing water is one of many problems in bathrooms at JCHS. the floor, leaky faucets, aftermath of someone’s 21st and “waste” left in and birthday, but one thing most sometimes on the toilets. people do not realize is that the These things are what students play a huge part in come to mind when you this destruction as well. Late think about our bathrooms work nights here at school have here at Jefferson City High proven to me that the trash School and that’s just the problem is the student body’s beginning. fault. The janitorial staff does Most students are here not have time to go clean up for about seven hours each after certain students decide to weekday. Chances are trash it. And this is one of the [photo by Erica Overfelt] you have had to go to the most simplest fixes; just throw bathroom here at school at your trash away. at JCHS where there isn’t a single one point or another. The difference JCHS seems to have a big problem door that locks, and others where between this school and others, you when it comes to paying attention to you have to pull the door up on its have to think about what bathroom what the actual problem is. The school hinges just to be able to lock it. In the you are going to. You have to think uses their money on convenient but boy’s restroom, this is not the biggest about which bathrooms you can wash unnecessary things. Maybe instead of problem considering it only stops you your hands in, not have to clean the using the money for a new gym floor from doing one thing. For girls, this toilet, or even be able to go to the they could have used it for working would make them completely unable to restroom. bathrooms. But hey, at least the soap relieve themselves.

There are some bathrooms here smells good.

System for dropping classes fails JCHS students Maddy Bergstrom Throughout the 2015-2016 school year there have been many changes within the building, and some of these changes can be found in our school policies. One of our most recent policy is dropping and/or switching classes.

In more than one counselor’s office a paper can be seen listing all the reasons a student cannot drop a class, which may leave them wondering for what reason they can. The only answer we have been able to find is if you have a failing grade.

But what about the students who have changed their interests? Or those whose learning abilities are not compatible with the teaching? What about the students who were placed in a class because their first choice did not fit in their schedule but now it does? Or those who are simply struggling?

At the end of each school year, students are asked to choose which classes they would like to be placed in the following year. Occasionally they are unable to have their first choice and end up in a class that is of no benefit to them. If they

come to their counselor with this concern, they should be able to find a better fit together.

There are also seniors who have previously picked a class but find another that would be more beneficial for what they have decided their college degree would be, shouldn’t they be able to pursue that interest?

There are also students who are not quite failing a class, but are still struggling. They are unable to switch the class and must watch as their GPA slowly slips into the 2.0s.

Switching classes should be for helping more than just the students who are failing, but also for those who truly are looking to succeed. If a student realizes a class is hurting their grade and their GPA, the administration should be willing to find a way to help these students, even if that means finding them a different class or just a different teacher.

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Arts & Entertainment Mackenzie Allen

Taylor Johnson

“The perfect Valentine’s Date for me would be cooking dinner with each other then watching funny, scary, and action movies all night while we ate the food we cooked.”

-Cierra Strickland

What is your perfect idea for a Valentine’s Day date?

“A perfect date would be a night where he took me out for a nice dinner and then to somewhere where we could just look at the stars and talk.

That’s super cheesy but that would be perfect.”

-Anayah Gilson

“I’d pick an outfit out and leave it for her to wear and then take her to dinner and have her favorite flowers and candy waiting for her.”

-AJ Howard

Valentine’s Day gift ideas to make the day unique

“Open when...” Envelopes

365 hand-written notes in a mason jar

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52 Things I love About you using a deck of cards

Oscars look more pale than gold this year Brandon Eigenmen

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he Oscars are making waves this year in the media, and not in the good way. Alongside all the talk about whether or not Leonardo DiCaprio is going to get an Oscar, there is another, much more serious and sometimes scary conversation.

This year, The Oscars has come under major scrutiny for its lack of ethnic diversity, and the fact that there are no Oscar nominees that are not white, which has been a trend for two years now. In addition, the academy boasts a shocking number of around 93% of the voters being white and 76% of them being male, which has led to most of the complaints.

With hardly any of the nominees being anything other than white, more scrutiny was hurled at the award show with its lack of movies about ethnic problems, such as Straight outta Compton, which were well received and critically acclaimed, yet

somehow missed the eyes of academy voters.

Scrutiny has shortly turned into forms of protest, with high-level actors such as Will Smith and Spike Lee promising not to attend the ceremony. Twitter has blown up with the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite, as fans and celebrities alike show their disapproval.

In the middle of it all is the black host for the show, Chris Rock. Rock has been urged by other celebrities and this new movement to drop out as host. Rock has refused though, deciding to instead stay on the stage and make comments in front of everyone in the crowd. One thing is for certain though: whatever happens this year, it’ll be exciting and the academy will never be the same from here on out.

Keeping up with the cost:

Winter Sports Edition Makenzie Baldwin

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inter Sports week is one of the special times in the school year where the students of Jefferson City High School participate in spirit days, attend sporting events and prepare for the dance at the end of the week. Although this dance has been known to be less formal than homecoming, it can be just as costly.

“I think girls take it more seriously,” sophomore Luc Fraga said. “I know a lot of my guy friends don’t really freak out the same way girls do.”

On average, girls spend about $100$170 more than guys do for Winter Sports, assuming everything being bought is brand new. In several cases, girls will just borrow dresses and shoes from their friends or family, causing them to spend less.

“The dresses are more casual. Some girls do their own hair and nails, girls borrow or re-wear shoes, so there are a lot of methods that can make it less expensive,” senior Haley Watson said. “I think compared to other dances, the spending ratio is much smaller due to the nature of the dance.”

Boys:

Shirt: $30 Tie: $10 Dress pants: $35 Shoes: $50 Dinner: $25 Flowers: $15

Total: $165 Girls:

Dress: $80 Shoes: $45 Hair: $45 Tan: $15 Accessories: $25 Makeup: $40 Nails: $50 Dinner: $20 Flowers: $15

Total: $335 Quinten Strobel

Payton Burcham

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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.

Megan Newton

K

evin Gate’s new album, Islah, was anything but disappointing. A couple songs dropped early, like 2 Phones and Kno One, which got a lot of people hyped for the rest of the album.

There’s a good variety between the songs, some being fast and others being slower. The theme to these songs stuck to what most of his other songs are about: money, girls and narcotics, but he still made all his new songs sound different.

You definitely notice something

new about each song if you listen on repeat, and you’ll for sure find your favorites that way too. The songs have different beats from one another which is good and they all have pretty good bass too.

One thing I’d like to be see done differently is having some features on the album. It’s hard to choose a favorite, but ‘Hard For’ is definitely a top choice; it’s a good slap but hard to take seriously. Overall I ‘Really Really’ like this album. I could never get tired of Kevin Gates.

Madi Baughman

A

fter three years of waiting, Panic! At The Disco fans such as myself have been given another album to rejoice about. But with the band’s lineup changing dramatically over the past few years, and with frontman Brendon Urie as the only permanent member, many were curious as to what the band’s new era meant for their upcoming album. Nonetheless, I was right in making my decision to pre-order the album.“Death of a Bachelor” acts as a continuation from the

previous album - it tells the story of becoming confident, making memories, and going on adventures as a new person. My personal favorite from the album was the title track. It’s not as energized as tracks like “Victorious” or “LA Devotee,” but Urie manages to fuse together elements that vaguely resemble what would happen if Sinatra and Beyonce combined music styles and surprisingly, they work well together.

Megan Cassels

K

ung Fu Panda is a series of movies telling a story about how a panda bear named Po gets through his life mastering Kung Fu skills he has learned. The last movie is the best. It has more action, humor, and family values shown in it than the other two. The movie starts out with Po leading a Kung Fu class, showing how much he has learned over the years, then dramatically climaxes into Master Oogway’s death. As soon as they find out Kai did it, and is on his way to destroy Po - the next in line to become master of

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“Chi”, Po’s long lost father comes to the scene calming to be the one to be able teach him ways survive from the great and mighty Kai. In this time, Po’s dad takes him to his home and panda paradise to introduce Po to family and friends he has never met.

Kung Fu Panda 3 is a cute, easily understood movie that will bring joy to any viewer who watches is. I can definitely see myself going back to the theaters to watch it again before it comes out on DVD.

INSTAGRAM CONTEST

Veronica Townsend

Just tag @jcredblack and #jcredblack on your photo to enter Theme: Winter Sports

1st

@sarah.hirst

2nd Solution is on our website! @ashton_glass

3rd

@laurengrector

Next Issue: Your Lucky Charm

2.09.16//ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

31

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