September 2016 by jcredblack

Red & Black Newspaper 9.13.16 • Volume 86 • Issue 1 Jefferson City High School Jefferson City, MO

The Sophomore Survival Guide Your complete guide to making the most out of your school year

p. 8-15

CONTENTS

SPORTS

9.13.16 4 4

NEWS #Hey Admin: Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s up with rules this year? Three Jaybirds fly high

Recapping Rio - from a JCHS perspective

Rules and tips for student athletes

Featured athlete: Chad Volmert

September and October upcoming events calendar

Photo gallery: Jay pride at football

Photo Essay: Back to School Bash

The role assistant coaches play

The pros and cons of summer training

BACK TO SCHOOL GUIDE ultimate map 8-10 Your for the ins and outs of JCHS and Nichols

The complete supply checklist for the school year

Tips on what to prepare for/ get used to

Finding your niche: a list of clubs and organizations Hallway etiquette: tips from seniors

14 15

The advice sophomores really need

FEATURES to know the 21 Getting new StuCo Big Four

OPINION 25

H2H: How should students dress at school?

Five minutes isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t long enough for passing time

issued iPads: 27 School helpful or hindrance? do we do about 27 What nothing to do in JC?

A&E 28

Billboard top five vs. JCHS top five

Dear Red & Black: Dealing with parking dilemmas

The JCHS Library welcomes two new librarians

Get involved with JC Rocks

Students describe their summer in just one word

Go catch the Pokemon fever

Reviews: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, new cafeteria lunch line

JCHS top tweets of the month

School supplies crossword puzzle

the newest 24 Meet faculty members of JCHS

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seem a little bit simpler. Some of the pieces include a list of clubs and organizations, a checklist for whatever could be useful to you, and a complete map of the school that we’ve edited ourselves to help you find what you need. 2016 has been a year of change, on both a schoolwide and nationwide level. Though it might seem scary, we’ve made it through change before and we can do it again. I believe in our abilities as a student body that we can make this school year the best one yet - it’s all up to our decisions. Thank you for picking up our first issue, by the way - we’ve worked really hard on it, and we hope you’re as excited about this year of Red & Black as we are. - Madi Baughman

FROM THE EDITOR

Welcome back, JCHS! As we head into the new school year, I’ve recently been thinking about how fast time flies - it seems like just yesterday we were walking out those doors for three months of no homework and sun, and now we’re back in class already. If we’re being real, most of us are missing summer, but there are definitely ways to get the most out of your school year. We know that for sophomores especially, starting a new school year can seem daunting. It’s hard to know how to go about things when you’ve never been in the school before. To hopefully help you ease into the school year, we decided to create an entire guide specifically focusing on hopefully making the school

Thanks to our sponsors! Silver Sponsors: Candlewood Suites Bronze Sponsors: Lou and Kae Maylander, The Hatfields, John Gilbert Basic Sponsors: Thomas and Angela Townsend, Judith Stewart Johnson, Thomas Hatfield Productions, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest C. Townsend, Joni Helm, Charlotta Lynn Williams

Correction: In our May 10, 2016 issue on page 8, we incorrectly identified the number of years Beth Miller was a teacher at JCHS. She taught at our school for 35 years, not 26.

September 13, 2016 Volume 86, Issue 1

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 administrators.

Editors: Madi Baughman Abbi Gierer Brooklynne Propes Ariana Pauley Gillian Burks Kaylee Klosterman Veronica Townsend

Staff Reporters: Kelsie Backues Maddy Bergstrom Ali Beza Megan Cassels Mak Huffman Will Hendrickson Sidney Johnson Matt LeCure Devan Palmero Emily Rush Salem Sanfilippo Solindas Adviser: Timothy Maylander Jefferson City High School 609 Union Street Jefferson City, MO 65101 (573) 659-3050 redblack.jchs@gmail.com

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NEWS

#HeyAdmin Got any questions for administration? Tweet them to us @jcredblack with the hashtag #HeyAdmin and your question just might get answered! Here’s our first question to the principals: #HeyAdmin - It seems like principals at JCHS are cracking down more this year when it comes to rules. Is this true? Why is that?

Bob James “Any fool can make a rule - and any fool will mind it.” — Henry David Thoreau I am sure that you have noticed an increased hypersensitivity on the part of the staff at Jefferson City High School this year. Although I largely agree with Mr. Thoreau regarding foolish rules, the staff is enforcing rules that are all focused on the single goal of the school’s staff and the JC community: Learning is our #1 priority at JCHS. When you understand the goal, the rules may begin to make sense. No one will likely understand simile or metaphor suddenly in the restroom during class. You are not likely to learn to solve systems of equations while in the hall if you are late to class. Additionally, students constantly need more time to study, do homework, and/or just take a moment to intellectually digest what they have learned that day - which is why FAST is so important. If you take a moment to consider what it would be like to attempt to learn while someone is interrupting you or the teacher or while large numbers of students are being disruptive, you will quickly understand that it can become nearly impossible without checks and balances. At JCHS, we call those checks and balances rules. Why the sudden push? We the staff, with support and encouragement from our community, have decided it is severely important for Jays to be as academically and socially productive as possible. We are all in this together and the rules haven’t changed much (if they have at all); we are simply united in our efforts to hold Jays to the highest standards in ALL that we do. We understand that you don’t necessarily see the value in it now, but just like us when we were your ages, you will later in life. Jays RULE!

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Three Jays fly high Abbi Gierer Madi Baughman

mong the recent changes to Jefferson City High School, we experienced one change in particular that hit harder than the others. Over the summer we lost three of our Jaybirds: Anthony Murphy, Karlie Jones and Caleb McClain. While it might be that not all of us knew them personally, they definitely made a huge impact on the people around them, especially in the JCHS community. “Caleb was really funny and a great friend,” junior Hailey Culp said. “If you were having a bad day, he would always find a way to make you laugh. He was super loyal to his friends and never turned his back to them.” As we look back on the times we had with our dear classmates, we remember who they were as people - how they lived their lives. All three were described as caring and kind by their friends, and each had their own little quirks that made them individually so special. “[Anthony] was truly so sweet and caring, and really liked to joke around,” senior Liz Lehmen said. “I never really saw him mad. He always seemed so happy, like he didn’t have a care in the world.” During their time at JCHS, these three Jaybirds created lasting bonds with many of the people in the school. In one way or another, they all were important to the JCHS community Whether it be through sports, the arts, or extracurriculars, they each had a unique part to play in making up our family. “Caleb was one of the most caring people I have ever known,” junior Samantha Gierer said. “He always made

sure everyone was happy and if they weren’t he would try and fix it.” However, these Jaybirds’ impact didn’t just end with the school. Out in the community, they touched the lives of people all around them. “I knew Karlie through Camp Cedar Crest. We’d both been going for years, and with time our relationship blossomed,” homeschooled senior Raven Redel said. “She was amazing. Once she opened up to you, she was quirky and funny and made you feel right at home. You never felt out of place when you were with Karlie. You felt included, loved, and valued. It was always refreshing seeing her every summer. She made camp feel a bit more like home.” Though losing people so close to us is hard to heal from, we know they live on through the memories shared by the people who loved them. “Anthony as a person was quiet, but when you got to know him, he was a teddy bear,” senior Lily Sappington said. “We would go on long drives to random places. One time, we drove all the way to the lake just to get Andy’s ice cream and come back. In the car, we would listen to his favorite bands - he loved rock music, it was his passion. Car rides with him were my favorite because that’s when we had quality time to talk about anything and everything that came to our head.” We remember them as peers, classmates, friends, and most importantly members of our JCHS family. They are missed by all who knew them, and will always hold a place in our hearts.

Kaylee Klosterman

[photo by Madi Baughman]

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JCHS holds Back to School Bash Madi Baughman As is tradition, JCHS kicked off the 2016-2017 school year with the Back to School Bash. The annual event is composed of an assembly, tailgate, football game, and dance.

[photo by Madi Baughman]

[photo by Kaylee Klosterman]

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[photo by Madi Baughman]

[photo by Kaylee Klosterman]

[photo by Madi Baughman]

[photo by Kaylee Klosterman]

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Girls Locker Room

Your Map to Success at JCHS Rm. 125

Rm. 131

Rm. 123

Rm. 132

Rm. 100 Rm. 102

Rm. 130

Courtyard

1st Floor JC

Rm. 104 Rm. 103

Rm.142

Rm. Rm.141 140

Rm. 106

Rm. 105

Rm. 108

Rm. 107

Locker Rooms

Main Office

Rm. 109

Rm. 200

Library

Rm. 201 Tech

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Rm. 117 Rm. 115

Rm. 219

Nurse

Rm. 204

Rm. 119

2nd Floor JC

Cafeteria

Rm. 202

Rm. 121

Rm. 111

Gym

Stage

Rm. 110

Rm. 116 Rm. 114 Rm. 112

Rm. 206

Rm. 203

Rm. 205

Rm. 208

Rm. 210 Rm. 207

Rm. 216 Rm. 214 Rm. 212 Rm. 209

Rm. 217 Rm. 215 Rm. 213 Rm. 213

Rm. 170 Rm. 171

Rm. 172

Rm. 173

Rm. 174

Rm. 162 Rm. 164 Rm. 166

Rm. 176

Rm. 175

Rm. 152

Rm. 163 Rm. 165

Rm. 154

Rm. 167

Rm. 156 Rm. 158

Rm. 169

Rm. 168

Office Rm. 153 Rm. 155

1st Floor Nichols

Rm. 157 Rm. 159 Rm. 161

Rm. 260

Rm. 259

2nd Floor Nichols

Rm. 258

Rm. 256

Rm. 270 Rm. 272 Rm. 274 Rm. 276

Rm. 254

Rm. 273C

Rm. Rm. 273A 273B

Rm. 250

Nurse Office

Rm. 253

Rm. 269A Rm. 271

Rm. 252

Rm. 264A Rm. 237

Rm. 268

Rm. 266

Rm. 263 Rm. 263 Rm. 267

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3rd Floor JC 305A&B

Rm. 307

Rm. 306

Rm. 301

Rm. 303

Rm. 309

Rm. 304

Rm. 312

Rm. 311

Basement JC

Map Key Drinking Fountain

Snack Machine

Rm. 013

Little Theater Restrooms

PDA Hot Spot

Trailers Wifi Service Good

Bad

Phone Service Good

Rm. 310

Break Room 313

Rm. 300

300A

Rm. 308

Bad

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Rm. 012 Rm. 011A Rm. 011B

Rm. 181

Rm. 183

Rm. 182

Rm. 184

Rm. 010

Madi Baughman Gillian Burks Ariana Pauey

Survival Checklist Do you have everything you need to get through the school year?

Gillian Burks

Notebooks: At least one for each core class. Trust me. Pencils...so many pencils: They disappear, I don’t know how. Headphones: Easiest way to ignore everyone. Phone charger: Before you know it you’re at 10 percent. Package of Colored Pens: Great for note taking and for doodling. Mostly doodling. Highlighters: Studying just got so much easier. Deodorant: Take it everywhere. It helps you and helps everyone around you. Germ-X: It’s high school, a breeding ground for germs. A book: Oh, get over it. Reading kills time and it’s fun. Book bag: So you can carry all the stuff on this list. Sturdy water bottle: Keep hydrated people; it’s good for you and it helps you stay awake. Change of clothes: Keep them in your car, they’re a lifesaver for when you spill something at lunch. Pin number: Memorize your pin number for lunch - you never know when you’re going to forget your I.D. Extra dollar or two: So you can get snacks or drinks at the machines when you’re in a hurry and starving. Planner: Plan out your whole week; it loosens the strain on your memory.

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SPORTS

What are fall athletes doing now?

any athletes put time, effort and energy into their sports. When the season is over and the stadium gates close, what do they do? A lot of students forget the star player even exists when the season is over. These players are sad that the season is over, but are glad to have free time now. “Now that golf is over I have a lot more time to focus on other things, like school and my friends,” junior golf player Lily Tharp said. Some sports have out of season training, but some do not. Golf, however, starts actual practices during the end of summer. Tharp tries to work during off season to better her playing

abilities. “I take golf lessons and me and my teammates/friends try to get together every so often and go play,” Tharp said. Gabi McGinty and Gunnar See are seniors this year. They have the choice to either stop playing, or play at collegiate level. McGinty has been playing softball for 10 years. She played for Jefferson City High School and for a club team called Mid Mo Inferno which she plans to play for again this summer. McGinty is playing for State Fair Community College in Sedalia, MO starting next fall. “How I plan to get ready for college softball is playing competitive ball this summer and staying in shape

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Gunnar See

Lily Tharp

Gabi McGinty

Brooklynne Propes

until then to be prepared for all of the collegiate workouts I’ll have to do once I go to Sedalia,” McGinty said. “I go to work after school then go work out.” While some players such as McGinty have a definitive idea of where they are going after high school, See is still contemplating his decisions. “I hope to play football in college,” See said. “A lot of colleges have talked to me but I haven’t decided yet.” Whether these student athletes are preparing for next season in high school, staying in shape for college, or talking to potential colleges, they all spend their off season differently. But most would say they spend it effectively.

Sidney Johnson

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Jays Basketball starting off on the right foot

[photo by Makenzie Baldwin]

[[photo by Makenzie Baldwin]

[photo by Makenzie Baldwin]

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[photo by Makenzie Baldwin]

In a class by herself Hannah Lindsey is the only senior on the dance team, JC Fusion.

[photo by Emily Rush]

FEATURED ATHLETE

Garrett Parker Sport: Basketball Grade: 11 Years on team: 3 Background: “When I was a kid I honestly wanted to be a golfer, but my parents put me in Upward basketball instead. Since then, I’ve always been pretty interested in the sport.” Role model: “Derrick Rose because I’m pretty sure he’s my actual dad.” Favorite memory: “Probably airballing a free throw at districts when it really mattered.” Least favorite part: “I hate buying new shoes because it’s really hard to find size 15.” Interesting fact: “I always wear ankle socks at games and I get made fun of.” Awards: “Athlete of the year, lettered in varsity, and my mom gave me $20.00 for making all my free throws in a game one time.” Best game: “Sophomore year I had a game where they put me in right after halftime and I scored 8 points in 75 seconds.” Future: “I hope to get to the NBA to ride the bench for the rest of my life.”

Emily Rush

efferson City High School’s dance team, JC Fusion, has a total of 13 girls, but only one is a senior. “Being the only senior on the dance team is exciting but at the same time it is sad because I don't have anyone on the team to experience all the fun senior things with,” senior Hannah Lindsey said. Lindsey has danced for seven years, and of those years, she has danced at JC for four. She has also been on the team since she was a freshman. Lindsey’s favorite thing about dancing for JC Fusion is performing with her friends. For some people, graduating and leaving your high school friends can be hard, but it is especially hard when you are involved in an activity that requires you to be with the same group of people very frequently. “I’ve grown really close with my teammates and coach,” Lindsey said. “We have been through a lot of tough times together and I'm sad to leave those memories behind.” She plans to further her education at either Missouri State in Springfield or Mizzou. If she ends up attending

MSU she will not dance in college. Junior Shelby Tucker is one of Lindsey's fellow teammates. Tucker has danced for 13 years. She participated on the JC dance team her sophomore and junior year, and she plans on dancing as a senior also. One of Tucker’s favorite things about dancing for JC Fusion is the friendships that she has made over the years. Sophomore Stevie Buckley, has also danced with Lindsey in the past they danced at the same studio for four years, and they have been in the same classes for about three years now. Buckley has danced for about 12 years, ever since she was 3 years old. “Hannah and I have danced together for many years before JC and this year it will be like an older sister is leaving,” Buckley said. When Lindsey graduates, the JCHS dance team will most likely be affected heavily because they are such a close dance family. “The saddest part about seeing Lindsey leave after this year is that I've known her for so long and she’s really been a role model in dance and in life,” Tucker said.

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Honoring retired Coach Eddie Horn Ali Beza

[photo by Ali Beza]

n Oct. 7, Jefferson City Public Schools, along with the Jays and Lady Jays Soccer Boosters, dedicated Field 2 at 179 Soccer Park to Eddie Horn, who worked at JCPS for 26 years. He established the Girls Soccer team and coached it in the first 10 years. He also coached Boys Soccer all of the 26 years. The achievements Horn made are tremendous. Prior to the dedication of the Jefferson City High School home field, he also was recognized as the Coach of the Year at a state and national level, and put in the Missouri Soccer Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Horn also lead the boys soccer team to 23 winning seasons in his 26 years as a coach, and recorded 593 career wins. For three of those years, Horn coached senior Skylar Richardson, who plays for the Boys Soccer team. Richardson is grateful for all of the things Horn

did for their soccer program, and agrees that Horn deserved this honor. “Without him the program wouldn't be nearly what it is. Our field wouldn't be as nice, and we wouldn't have the schedule we get to play,” Richardson said. “He basically built the program.” All of Horn’s hard work and dedication to the JCHS soccer program influenced about fifty students to expand their soccer careers into college. In addition to coaching soccer, Horn also taught adaptive physical education for nine years, served as an assistant principal for nine years, and taught physical education for the last eight years. Each of the different jobs Horn held came with many experiences and encounters. For Horn, the people that he met on a daily basis impacted him the most. And for the people, such as parents, students, and athletes, Horn’s inspiring and

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humorous words made for the best memories. “I was fortunate to work for many great leaders,” Horn said. “And I had great student athletes and parents associated with the soccer program.” Horn left long-lasting impressions on almost everyone he came in contact with, just as they did for him. It came as no surprise when it was announced that the Jays home field would be dedicated to him after he retired from JCPS. Nevertheless, it is still a great honor and something to be excited about. Horn expressed that he was humbled when first finding out about the dedication. “There have been so many great past and present coaches that have worked, and currently do, there that I never put myself into that group,” Horn said. “It is the best honor I have ever received, and one I am very thankful for.”

A closer look at Jays Basketball Veronica Townsend

Tough season for Missouri MLB teams Will Henrickson

oing into the MLB postseason, Missouri sports fans had to make an unusual adjustment: for the first time in what seems like an eternity, neither the St. Louis Cardinals nor the Kansas City Royals advanced to the playoffs. The Royals have not been as consistent about getting to the playoffs as the Cardinals. The Cardinals have won two World Series in the last ten years, also making it back to a third, but losing. The Royals have made it in two World Series in the last three years, but only won one of the two. So obviously in recent history Missouri has been a hub for impressive sports teams. That’s what makes this year so strange and out of the ordinary. The Cardinals had the best record in

baseball last year, and the Royals won the World Series last year against the New York Mets . So what happened? The St.Louis Post Dispatch reported that Cardinals General Manager John Mozeliak said “It was certainly a year of inconsistencies,” about the team’s struggles. By committing 107 errors over the 162 game season, the Cardinals were the 6th worst defensive team in baseball. Multiple critics and analysts have credited this with being the reason for their struggles this season. The Royals also had issues with consistency this season. The reigning champions were expected to be a force to be reckoned with coming into this season. More than enough fans were expecting a third trip in a row to the

World Series. Down the stretch of the season, the Royals lost multiple pitchers from their bullpen that were key to success in previous years. Pitchers such as Greg Holland, Wade Davis and Kelvin Herrera were not available when they were most needed. Worst of all for Cardinals fans, the Chicago Cubs won the World Series this year, ending their 108 year streak of futility. The Cubs’ victory will certainly motivate the Redbirds to beat their rivals next year. Both Cardinals and Royals management have promised their fans that things will be changing in the fall and winter. It seems Missourians will just have to hope that the spring will bring new life to these two hometown teams.

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Jays unleashing from the Birdsnest

[photo by: Brooklynne Propes

[photo byBrooklynne Propes] [photo byBrooklynne Propes]

[photo by Kaylee Klosterman] [photo by Kaylee Klosterman]

[photo byBrooklynne Propes]

[photo by Kaylee Klosterman]

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The real roles of assisstant coaches [photo by Veronica Townsend]

[photo by Veronica Townsend]

Veronica Townsend

ome alumni come back to Jefferson City High School not only to teach but to serve as assistant coaches using knowledge from their high school playing days to help out their perspective programs. They believe the main role of an assistant coach is to help out the head coach and support them with any decision they make. Two assistant coaches at JCHS are Lady Jays Soccer assistant coach Emily Menges and Jays Basketball assistant coach Jordan Chapman. For Jays Basketball, Chapman is the head assistant coach under head coach Blair Thompson and has coached the Jays for seven years. Chapman’s role is to scout teams, watch film of other teams, and help with practices. “You gotta be willing to be supportive of the head coach,” Chapman said. “I am lucky to be where I am at. I agree with a lot of things our head coach does.” Menges is entering her third year as an assistant coach for the Lady Jays Soccer team. Menges’ role is to help out head coach, Thomas Guinn. In practice, she helps set up drills and during game day, she helps Guinn with making decisions. “We collaborate together about strategies and ideas,” Menges said. “I am like a sounding board for him. I

help him to look at both sides before he makes a decision.” A strategy the soccer team uses comes from Menges’ classroom, where she comes up with a math question to decide what team wears the colored jerseys. She able to use her math skills to help players with math homework. She is also always there to hand an extra hair tie to a girl or give a girl perspective on topics. “I like to help out with all the girly stuff and getting to know them on that level,” Menges said. “The best part is going to practice every day knowing I am going to laugh and enjoy getting to know them.” One of Menges players, senior Karina Esquivel says Menges helps her with schooling and setting up things with college. She respects Menges and thinks of her more as a friend than a coach. “Coach Guinn is the ‘let’s get down to business’ coach,’” Esquivel said. “Coach Menges is the cool coach. It is good to have a balance with a chill coach and a let’s get down to business coach.” Although Menges and Chapman believed head coaching would be nice, they’re satisfied with their current roles. They believe assistant coaching is where they should be: helping coach the Jays and Lady Jays to success.

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Summer Training: Pros & Cons Kaylee Klosterman

Maddi Stone; Volleyball: Pro: My favorite part about summer training is going to camps and getting to travel. Nebraska was my favorite camp this summer.

Gabi McGinty; Softball: Pro: We get to bond with our team. Even though the freshman haven’t even made it to high school yet, it’s still fun to get to know them before season starts. Con: Getting up early and it being as hot as the devil outside.

Layton Boyce; Soccer: Pro: Being able to go out everyday, try my best to lead my team, and inspire the generations below me to be the best they can be. Con: For sure the running.

Con: My least favorite part was easily morning practice and weights because I hate getting up early, but then you would have the rest of the day to do whatever you want to do.

Jackson Schwartz; Cross Country: Pro: My favorite part about summer training is surrounding myself with my team. It’s a great feeling to know that your team is putting in solid work. Con: My least favorite part is having to wake up at 6:30 a.m. every morning.

Kyle Mealy; Football: Pro: Our summer training consists of hard work, but it all pays off because everything comes together and we are prepared for anything thrown our way during the season. Con: Waking up so early - but you get used to it. Maggie Noble; Golf: Pro: I get to see my team over summer. Con: It takes a lot of time.

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Erica Dunn; Tennis: Pro: Working with my coaches and new faces from different places is always fun for me. I’m very fortunate to be able to travel and play around the state and sometimes around the country. Training with people I don’t get to see during the high school season is a great experience and I make lots of new friends in new places. Con: My least favorite part has to be saying goodbye to these friends. Being away from them for a few months after spending all of winter and summer together is a shock at first. You keep in touch usually, but seeing them and playing tennis with them is something to miss.

FEATURES

JCHS welcomes new StuCo big four

From left to right: Carson Ridgeway (President). Brittany Patrick (Vice President), Aleixis Hudson (Secretary) and Josh Jay (Treasurer)

Kaylee Klosterman

[photo by Kaylee Kosterman]

efferson City High School has dealt with numerous changes throughout the past couple of years. It is never easy for students or faculty to adjust to alterations, especially given the amount of changes JCHS has endured. This school year would not be going so smoothly if it were not for the “Big Four.” The Big Four has helped transition JCHS into the new school year, which includes a new principal, teachers, bell schedule, classes and so much more. The members who the student body elected to be the Big Four all have very different roles. President Carson Ridgeway feels that his main responsibility is to “be a reliable, friendly and knowledgeable face to our school and Student Council.” Vice President Brittany Patrick says her job is to “run our executive council and be a liaison between executives and advisers.” In addition, Patrick fills in for the president when he is sick or attending other obligations. Secretary Alexis Hudson explained that “as secretary, I have to keep updated with every single member to ensure we have great attendance at our events.” Hudson said her job is challenging because there are over 100 Student Council members. Treasurer Josh Jay said his biggest responsibility is “probably keeping track of Student Council’s budgets and helping plan our events.”

Many students at JCHS may wonder if there has always been a separate set of student body officers, rather than only having the officers by class with the senior officers taking the lead. Chad Rizner, a Student Council advisor and former Student Body President from the class of 1991, said this is the way it’s always been. “The ‘Big 4’ or the student body officers have existed for as long as I know,” Rizner said. Every year, new officers are voted for and selected by the student body. Every candidate has a reason they run for the position they do. “I felt I was the best for the job,” Ridgeway said. “I really wanted to make my last year at this high school the best year ever for everyone, including myself.” Hudson explained her reasoning for running for secretary. “I wanted to step up and do more,” Hudson said. “I love Student Council because it teaches lifelong skills through activities we do to help within the school. I’m also very organized and easily approachable, which are qualities necessary for the position.” While having a captive audience is a nice perk to his job, Ridgeway said his role is much more important than just reading the announcements. “My position gives me the unique ability to have every student at our high school hear my voice every

morning and during FAST through announcements,” Ridgeway said. “But it also allows me to have more of a voice in our school to try to make things better for everyone.” The student body officers are very excited for what this year holds. “I’m excited to be able to make new friends and make memories that I wouldn’t have had if it weren’t for Student Council,” Patrick said. “Being on Big Four allows you to create so many new friendships with the students and advisors that will impact my life far beyond high school.” Our student body officers are just like the average JCHS student. They play sports, participate in clubs, go to class, and do their homework. Being an officer doesn’t make them a different person or make anyone else in the student body less important. Their job is to help make every student’s high school experience worthwhile and to make sure the student’s voices are heard.

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JCHS’ library turns the page Veronica Townsend

his summer, Jefferson City High School piloted a new co-librarian model with two librarians instead of one: Joy Corwin and Sarah Jorgenson. Both of them are accessible in the library to help with any questions that might arise in the classroom. “There was never anything to either one of us that sounded like a bad idea to the other,” Corwin said. “We were all on the same page from the first day we met.” After teaching English for 21 years, Corwin decided to bring her skills to the library. She received her certification in library science a few years ago because she wanted a new challenge: being a librarian. It seems to fit with English because she loves books and literature. Corwin hopes to help students with research and getting

them excited for reading. “It will be a completely different job for me, because I won’t have students specifically assigned to me,” Corwin said. “It is almost like the whole school is my classroom, and it’s more a management of space and how to attract students to that space to use it for their learning.” On the other hand, Jorgenson comes from a background in professional writing and technical editing for the State of Missouri. After seven years of working for the state, she decided it was time for a change. Last year she was a library clerk at Simonsen and this year she is the co-librarian at JCHS. “I hope that I can be a familiar face for them,” Jorgenson said. “When I run into one of the sophomores, I am excited to see them. I hope they feel the same way.” Just like previous librarian Lisa

Scoggs brought the guest author series to the library, Corwin and Jorgensen have brought several changes in hopes of improving the library. One of the changes includes sorting some books by genre. Students can choose from one of seven genres to search for books instead of using the author’s last name. Another change to the library is the study rooms. If a student is doing a group project, they can ask their teacher to go to the library study rooms to work on the project. In addition, the library was renovated this year. Senior Michela Martin says the students chose the paint color at the last Library Board meeting. “Genre-fying makes it a lot easier find to anything you have an interest in than basically just picking a section and hoping,” Martin said. “[The library] seems more inviting and welcoming to everyone, even if you are not a big reader.”

[photo by Veronica Townsend]

Joy Corwin watches Sarah Jorgenson and library clerk Ilea Gilmore discuss ideas for the betterment of the library.

9.13.16//FEATURES

Painted rocks group spreads JC love Gillian Burks

ver the summer a new trend swept over Jefferson City, and it really rocked! Although there are multiple “rocks” groups, Jefferson City’s, founded by Charity Blair, is one of the largest, having hit over 12,000 followers in just over two months. Originally from Lebanon, she was invited to join their “rocks” group. After seeing the movement’s posts, she was inspired to start a group for Jefferson City. “The goal was to spread love and inspiration through rock art,” Blair said. “My hope was for our community to come together, help each other

out, support each other, inspire each other, and put a little color throughout our city while being able to express ourselves through art.” Blair’s goal was most definitely reached. The rocks are placed all over town for anyone to find. With inspirational messages or heartwarming art painted on them, they are sure to make someone’s day. Anyone can spread the love, and even some businesses have taken part in the rocks. For example, The Snob Shop Exchange painted two rocks with 30% discounts if you brought them in for your next purchase.

“My favorite part of JC Rocks is that it brings the community together to do a positive thing and that the simplest thing as a painted rock can make someone’s day,” senior and member of the JC Rocks Facebook group Alexis Gann said. Booming in the course of two months, the JC Rocks group has brought the community together in light hearted fun, creating a way to get involved in getting outside, being creative, and showing love to fellow Jefferson City residents.

[photos from the JC Rocks Facebook Group]

www.jcredblack.com 9.13.16//FEATURES

Opinion

The Red and Black Editorial: FAST: Quarantine or quintessential?

his school year has launched many changes, especially involving FAST. These changes are highly debated amongst the student body. FAST is supposed to be Focused Academic Study Time, a study hall where students can work on homework or get help in a class they are struggling with. Unfortunately, what FAST has become is more of a student quarantine. Students are restricted to their assigned classroom for a designated 45 minutes every day. You would think FAST would be the best time to use the restroom, go to the library, or get something from the office, as you would not miss any of the lecture or disturb any other classes. To the contrary, students are not allowed to leave FAST unless they have a specific pass from the office that they have to get ahead of time. Students that trek from the third floor of JCHS to the second floor of Nichols will tell you that the five minute passing period allotted just is not enough time to climb all of those stairs and stop by the overloaded office to get a pass. [cartoon by Abbigail Grierer] Students that do not need to go

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to the academic lab may sit quietly and do their work, except for the first five to ten minutes where the silence is deluded by blaring music over the intercom and is followed by announcements that only half the students actually listen to. The last 35 minutes are all to the students; they can do what they need to do. Regrettably, the class, in some circumstances, is used for students to socialize, nap, or play games on their iPad. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not entirely their fault though - students are locked down to their desks, forbidden to turn their head to look at the clock, ask a classmate a question, or pop in an earbud to get their focus on. Focused Academic Study Time has been thrown out the window and replaced with either a prison cell or a party, and neither scenario allows students to use the bathroom. For FAST to be used effectively, there needs to be a middle ground, or we should just give the students the extra 45 minutes to sleep. Either way, FAST is not being utilized by the students or staff effectively, and changes should be made.

head TO head Senior year is freaky Megan Cassels

Which is harder: Senior year or Junior year?

any students walk through high school thinking the number one way to succeed is by keeping good grades and graduating. That may very well be true, but I believe that senior year is more overwhelming than years past. Although students start to learn what is going to happen after graduation in middle school and are taught about it for years, it’s still stressful. Senior year is when things seem more real than they have any other year. It’s hard because life seems very rushed at this time: managing college applications, scholarships, getting a job and finances that have to be dealt with at a specific time. We only have nine months to get ready for graduation and have our lives, in society’s terms, together. During junior year, and years before, we only have to worry about keeping a high enough GPA, and of course getting a good score on the ACT. “Basically, the rest of the years were not taken seriously and this is the year we have to really buckle down on and actually get stuff done,” said senior Trenton Lindsay. Senior year is when that starts to really matter. This also means that at this time we’re pressured to hurry and find our major in college, or what college we actually want to go to. Even if graduates don’t plan on going to college, most of them still have to worry about [photo by Ariana Pauley] moving out and finding their own place to live. I’ve heard rumbling in the halls about how students are sad to leave their friends behind. Most of us are going our separate ways and we’re most likely going to be too caught up in our own little worlds to keep our social life at its peak. Some seniors who don’t know what they’re going to do after high school may get discouraged because life seems like it’s rushing them to make another big move. So, yes, junior year is stressful. However, I believe that it’s only stressful because of the many standardized tests and the things you have to do to prepare for senior year. Senior year is where the “real world” stress and pressure hits.

Junior year is killer Kaylee Klosterman

unior year is no joke. We buckle down on the ACT, begin our college search, and really start to figure out what we are going to do with the rest of our lives. We try to raise our GPA’s while taking the hardest courses of our high school career. You would think that all of these things should happen senior year, but if you wait until senior year to start planning the rest of your life, you are definitely in for some trouble. The senior class needs 29 credits to graduate. Since we have already been through three years of high school, most of us have all the credits we need except for English and maybe math. Having the majority of our credits taken care of by the end of junior year makes things a lot easier for us when senior year comes around. Seniors Dalton Garner and Jacquelyn Walker agree that junior year is more difficult than any other year. “Junior year, I took pretty much all my hard classes,” Garner said. “Senior year, I only have a couple classes that I actually have to have and the rest are electives and P.E. classes.” “This year I have no math classes and my only ‘hard’ class is medical physiology,” Walker said. “This year is not as stressful because I don’t have as much homework.” Garner recognizes that our schedule has changed this year, which means the class of 2017’s junior year was exceptionally harder. “We had the A/B days last year so we had 10 classes and a lot more homework,” Garner said. “It’s less stressful having four classes and FAST to get our homework done.” If you are anything like me, having 10 classes at a time is extremely exhausting. Last year, we had twice as much homework and not enough time to do it. We didn’t have FAST everyday, if we were lucky enough to have it at all. Senior year won’t be completely stress free and you might have a meltdown or two when you realize you are moving out in less than a year, but when it comes down to it, senior year is a breeze. Junior year is filled with hard classes, even harder tests, and an enormous amount of stress - but trust me underclassmen, it gets better.

www.jcredblack.com 10.11.16//OPINION

Keep it classy: Dress conservatively this Halloween Gillian Burks

s the years pass, your days of princesses and cowboys begin to dwindle. Before long, your size prohibits you from shopping in the children’s section for costumes. Looking through the aisle it quickly becomes very clear that this is new territory. The skirts are shorter and the grotesque masks are gorier. The mature costume choices are leaving teens and children alike with no family friendly options. While this affects teens, it is increasingly becoming an issue for kids. Young, impressionable girls are offered a variety of unrealistic costumes. Dreams of being a police officer or firefighter are shattered when all they see are skirts and handcuffs while the male counter-parts offer full body coverage and more realistic options. On top of dashed dreams, there’s also the issue of early exposure to objectification. Girls turn into ladies, who turn into women - women who should feel empowered to see themselves as more than just a body. I find it disgusting to see the revealing options available to little girls, but the sexualization of the costumes isn’t the only problem. The rising popularity of TV shows such as American

Horror Story has introduced overly bloody and gory costumes. This desensitizes children to violence and horror before they should even know what it is. Grotesque masks and machetes are common items adorned by children still in middle school. In an age of rising gun violence and terrorist attacks, the last thing kids need to dress up like are murderers. Students aren’t allowed to play cops and robbers, but they are allowed to wear fake blood and guts on a family holiday like Halloween. The costumes mentioned are only a few of the many inappropriate options available to children, and it’s not just what is there for them to wear - it’s also the example we set for them to wear. Young kids look up to their siblings and parents and when they see them wearing revealing clothing and gory costumes, they want to wear them as well. Halloween is a time for kids to dress up and get candy. The maturity of costumes is only pushing them to grow up faster than they should. Costumes should allow children to express themselves without showing too much skin or displaying a level of gore that would make even adults uncomfortable.

Parent-teacher confrences are important for all

Ali Beza

’m sure everyone at Jefferson City High School as been to a parent-teacher conference or two in their lifetime. How long has it been since you last attended is the question at hand. For some, it was just a few weeks ago, and for others it’s a few years. It can be argued that parent-teacher conferences gradually lose their importance as students get older, seeing as attendance isn’t as high. “I think it is especially important in the lower grades in high school,” English teacher Amanda Moreland said. “As students become older and they become more responsible for their lives and their education, it’s less important in that students, by that time, should be taking more responsibility.” JCHS doesn’t exactly instill a feeling of importance when it comes to attending. This school year PTC cards were distributed during students FAST classes while, in the past, they were mailed home. It is highly likely many forms didn’t make it to the intended destination. Handing the slips to busy students can result in them being forgotten on the desk, or even lost between classes. Distributing papers to the students struggling, the ones who need the conference the most, can result in a direct failure to hand it over to parents. This allows ample opportunities for students to misplace the form, whether it be on purpose or an honest accident. Nevertheless, confrences are important no matter how old

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you get or we just wouldn’t have them. However, setting a date and expecting parents to show is simply not enough. For a true relationship between the parent and the teacher to form, there needs to be that constant communication before and even after - the conference is held. “Get parents more involved before,” sophomore Hope Lewis said. “Not just right then and there.” There are many ways a parent can have a relationship with the teacher before the awkward meeting where they talk for 10 minutes and go over things that could potentially be days, even weeks, old. Getting everyone on the same page can greatly affect the outcome of parent-teacher confrences. It’s likely that if things are discussed with someone who can hold the student accountable outside of school that changes and progress will be noticed. There are little things each person can do that will play a part in this. Students: talk to your teachers, talk to your parents, ask for help, and raise concerns. Teachers: talk to your students in a way they can relate. Keep in touch with parents on student progress; don’t expect grade cards to explain what goes on in your classroom each day. Parents: Ask your child questions, as well as the teacher. Find ways you can benefit your child at home. It’s everyone’s responsibility. Don’t let us lose the value of communication, education, and relationships.

Jays struggle in school due to sickness t is hard to have a day go by at Jefferson City High School without someone coughing or sneezing. The school could become a sick mess - literally. Why would people come to school when they are sniffing half the time? Honestly, it’s stressful when you miss out on your Algebra II test or the Greece I lecture. You cannot complete your homework if you weren’t there for the lesson. Some teachers use Google Classroom to upload assignments, but not all students’ homes have WiFi, so it would be hard to access. The normal student stays home sick at least once a year. With that comes missing homework which leads to bad grades. Of course you can make up homework, but it will take time for you to get 100 percent caught up. A likely reason why so many sick people come to school is they are afraid of going through all that stress. In fear of falling behind, students go to school sick. The school doesn’t want every student ill. “I do understand some students come to school when sick due to worrying about catch up work,” art teacher Lisa Tallant said. “But I also don’t want them to get other students and faculty members sick. If students are sick they need to stay home and can email teachers if they have questions or want homework picked up.” In most checkups, there is a pain scale from one to ten. A five and a half is the point where you need to stay home,

though some students at an eight come to school. In school, we need to be clean to keep germs away. A smart thing to do to keep germs away at school is to cover your mouth. I know you’ve been told that for eons, but it’s true. Many Jays forget to keep the germs away. When you don’t do this by covering your mouth it is disrespecting your class. The ancient Greeks cleaned their hands before sacrificing so they wouldn’t offend the gods. So why don’t we wash our hands so we don’t inflict a plague on the class? Staying sanitary is important at our school. In order to have a safe environment, we need to be clean. JCHS strives to be a safe and healthy environment. Try to be in school as much as possible, but be honest about your health. Your teachers will help you get caught up and get you back into the school mood. Let’s keep the stress to a minimum, and keep our school protected from a plague. [Graphic by Matt LeCure]

Matt LeCure

Madi Baughman

This year, the rules about passing time, FAST and going to the bathroom have changed, and a lot of people are confused. Hopefully, this will help you understand when you’re able to go to the bathroom during school!

www.jcredblack.com 10.11.16//OPINION

Arts &Entertainment VS

Check out more Red & Black staff suggestions on our website at www.jcredblack.com

Staff Suggestions

JCHS Students

Salem Sanfilippo Solindas

#1 Closer- The

Chainsmokers ft. Halsey

#2 Heathens- Twenty One Pilots

#1 Heathens- Twenty One Pilots

#2 Broccoli- D.R.A.M. ft. #3 Closer- The

#2 Lie- Bangtan Boys #3 Pink Matter- Frank

Chainsmokers ft. Halsey

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DIY:Last minute Costumes Gillian Burks and Ariana Pauley

October carries with it the beautiful sights of fallen leaves, pumpkins, and morning frosts. Unfortunately, enjoying all the month has to offer can leave you with no plans for your Halloween costume. No worries! Here are a couple quick, easy, and cheap costume ideas for those in need.

Green Shirt

Purple Balloons

Clear Tape

White Shirt

Marker

Lemons

10.11.16//ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Fall Trends: What to wear

Makenzie Baldwin

Fall has finally begun and the students at Jefferson City High School have recently gone through a wardrobe change. Sweaters and boots have made a reappearance and fall colors are starting to fill the halls yet again. These are just a few examples of popular outfit choices found at JCHS. LaKia Newman

Reece Neighbors

Maddi Stone

Tanner Haugen

Keeping up with the cost: Homecoming Edition Emily Rush

omecoming week at Jefferson City High School consists of a build up of events that lead to the dance. After participating in spirit days and preparing to make everything perfect for the dance, everything can become rapidly expensive. The price range differentiates between boys and girls for several reasons. “Girls want their homecoming to be perfect,” junior Shelby Clark said. “They try to do everything they can to make it that way no matter how much the cost is.” Senior Isaac Moreland agreed. “Even though the boys have to pay for dinner and flowers, nothing can top the prices of some of those dresses,” Moreland said. On average, girls usually spend at least a couple hundred dollars more than boys. However, girls need to keep in mind that there are multiple ways to stay on budget. A lot of girls borrow dresses, shoes, or jewelry from a friend or family member. No matter how much you spend on your homecoming experience, the JCHS dance floor is always a pleasurable time.

Boys: Shirt: $30 Tie and suspenders: $15 Dress pants: $50 Belt: $18 Shoes: $40 Dinner: $25 Flowers: $20 Total: $198 Girls: Dress: $450 Shoes: $40 Jewelry: $20 Hair: $40 Makeup: $15 Tan: $20 Dinner: $25 Flowers: $15 Total: $625

www.jcredblack.com 10.11.16//ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Did you see a good movie? Read an interesting book? Hear a great song that’s stuck in your head? Stop by room 141 with your suggestion. Abbi Gierer

his summer, Potterheads everywhere rejoiced at the release of the newest addition to the Harry Potter saga and I was one of them. I was hesitant at first because it was written as a screenplay; however, I did not feel as though I missed anything. The main character was Albus Severus Potter, Harry’s Slytherin son, who befriends Scorpius Malfoy, Draco’s son. The unlikely pair take on

Hogwarts together and the play covers up to their fourth year at Hogwarts where things get interesting. They stole a time turner and tried to rewrite the past. As always, the characters were charming, the plot was thick. There were classic JK twists and of course Hermione was amazing as ever. Everything about it made me crave butterbeer, as I was transported back to Hogwarts yet another time.

Ariaina Pauey

ith a new school year in full swing, JC students are getting used to new lunch line procedures; however, some are saying that new is not always better. After entering the lunch line many times over the last week, I would have to agree, to an extent. The reverse order of the line flow creates a more condensed area for students to wait in line. The line also leads to a wider opening, so there is less of a funnel effect to deal with when trying to enter the kitchen. However, everything still seems to move at a sluggish pace if you are delayed to lunch by even a minute and find yourself in the middle of a slow, yet more organized, herd. The sign located at the tray pickup station listing the choices of the day is a large improvement that allows students to choose what they will be eating before they even pick their milk. Smaller

signs in the kitchen that indicate the location of each dish, making the ‘grab it and go’ concept clear, accompanied this new feature. As you snake through the seemingly smaller serving area, everything is virtually within arms reach, including the students stepping on your toes and bumping in to you. The newest checkout feature that some students are publicly criticizing is the I.D. scanner, or rather its placement. Students now have to go through the hassle of taking off their I.D.s or carrying them through the lunch line along with their trays in order to place them on the counter where the scanner can read the information. Overall, the changes made were meant to improve the lunch speed and organization of the lunchtime experience. I do not believe either problem has truly been met, but attempts are being made.

Check out our web exclusive review of Suicide Squad using the QR code on the left or at www.jcredblack.com. 30

9.13.16//ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Top tweets of the month Brooklynne Propes

Veronica Townsend Jefferson City High School, Nichols Career Center and Simonsen do not have required supply lists. Red & Black decided to create a crossword of essential school supplies that have helped students throughout the years. The answers will be on jcredblack.com.

Across 1. _ are used to cut paper. 3. A _ is a writing utensil used to emphasize text. 6. _ are used when making a mistake with a pencil. 9. A stick of wax used for coloring. 14. A #2 _ is used during ACT testing. 15. _ is used for blowing your nose. 16. _ holds your assignments.

Down 2. Department stores have a lot of back to school _. 4. _ is used to stick things together. 5. A manilla _ is used to store assignments. 7. Hand _ helps reduce bacteria. 8. A _ measures things. 11. A popular brand of permanent markers and highlighters. 12. Pencils, pens, and erasers are stored in a pencil _. 13. A red _ is a popular tool when selfgrading .

www.jcredblack.com 9.13.16//ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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