May 2014

Issue Six/ May 2014

SHOW ME SENIORS & COAST TO COAST Park Hill’s seniors are leaving for college soon. Check out where everyone is going!

A SIT DOWN WITH SLY The Trojan sits with the mayor of Kansas CIty, Sly James, for an exclusive interview.

STUCO OFFICER ELECTIONS Who’s going to be running the school next year? Turn to page 8 to see who you can cast your vote for.

THE

TROJAN

MT

LETTER FROM THE

EDITOR

D

Dear Readers,

ABOUT THE COVER: “Once a trojan, always a trojan.”

Senior Sarah Moratz competed for her picture from Photojournalism to be on the cover of the last issue of The Trojan magazine. The contest attempted to encompass what it means to be Park Hill.

Next year Moratz was accepted into Thinking Beyond Borders, a 7-month gap year program of world exploration focusing on important global issues. As she ventures out of the United States, she plans to always keep her trojan spirit with her.

ABOUT THE BACKCOVER:

CONTENTS

Junior Clayton Cole gets ready for the next play in the Trojan’s mens baseball game against Lee’s Summit West on Monday April 7th.

Although the boys lost the game, they’ve made a comeback in the end of this season, and are now standing at a 10-9 record.

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The Trojan, published monthly during the regular school year, is the official publication of Park Hill High School, and is printed by Antioch Printers in Kansas City, MO. All unsigned editorials represent the opinion of The Trojan staff. Editorials do not necessarily represent the opinion of the faculty or administration including the adviser. The student body receives this paper free of charge to encourage readership, promote awareness of school and community events, and issues, and to showcase student journalistic work. The Trojan welcomes letters to the editors. All letters must be signed to be published, but may be anonymous if the author chooses. Letters may be no more than 350 words and must be delivered to room 350 ten days prior to publication. The Trojan staff welcomes comments, questions and opinions. Send comments to berans@parkhill. k12.mo.us 7701 Barry Road, Kansas City, Mo 64153, or call 816-359-6238.

As each school year comes to a close we begin to reminisce over the past—both good and bad.

With my senior year drawing to a close I recall walking in Park Hill’s doors as a short, quiet freshmen not knowing where to turn or who to talk to. Now, four years later, my height hasn’t changed all that much, but you can bet that my personality has grown enough to make up for that. Some of the best and worst experiences of our lives have occurred in these hallowed halls, ones that in 10 or 15 years will bring up memories of Park Hill, trojan spirit, and red and white. You will remember football games, clubs that mattered to you, inside jokes with friends, influential teachers, friends who stayed, and ones that went. No matter who you talk to today or who you talk to 20 years down the road, as a student body here at Park Hill we all help to shape each other into individuals ready to take on the world. When each student leaves they embark not only with a higher education, but as a more well-rounded human being. My time here as editor-in-chief of the Trojan magazine has helped me find a passion and drive in my life that will push me forward into my college education and career. And whether you have found your own individual passion here in Park Hill’s walls, outside of them, or are still searching, I hope you all find something you love and let nothing stop you from pursuing it whole-heartedly. For seniors ready to leap into a brand new stage of life and underclassmen climbing another ring up the high school ladder, I encourage you all to take time to stroll through your memories, but to chase after your dreams.

Mackenzie Thomas

editor-in-chief

THE

TROJAN

PARK HILL HIGH SCHOOL MAY 2014

FEATURE As seniors leave, check out a time line of the favorite memories of their final year of high school on page 30.

THE BEST OF TIMES THE 7 WONDERS OF PARK HILL A FAIR SHARE OF ART

Did you know there’s a dungeon in the school?

Find out about the 7 wonders of PHHS on page 4.

One of the biggest displays of talent every year happens at the art show.

Look at page 6 to see some amazing works of art.

DEPARTMENT RISKY BUSINESS

Whispers fill the halls each year about a senior prank.

What legacy will this years class leave?

HARD WORK PAYS OFF

Winterguard worked their way to an undefeated season and the state championship.

Read more on page 17.

75 IN 1700

DON’T SWEAT IT

Follow one student’s journey through the 504 program. Don’t know what that is? See page 8 for more.

Stress seems to encompass every teenagers life, see how you are not the only one on page

2013-2014 STAFF

EDITOR-IN-CHEIF: MACKENZIE THOMAS WEB MASTER: MOLLY WEIS ONLINE COPY EDITOR: SHANNON BARRY ONLINE PHOTO EDITOR: ZOË BUTLER PHOTO EDITOR: KAYLIN LAKE DESIGN EDITOR: BETH COOPER FEATURE & SPORTS COPY EDITOR: CHLOE LANE DEPARTMENT COPY EDITOR: RYLEE STOULIL BUSINESS MANAGER: JAKE BJORNLIE REPORTERS: AMANDA BATTMER.ALLY BUCHBERG.JUSTIN DORWEILER.MATT EBLEN.HARRISON HOSTICK.MOLLEY MARTIN. ABBY PEOPLES.ANTHONY WUSSOW

7 THE

SEVEN WONDERS OF

PARK HILL Brad Kincheloe

CHLOE

LANE

FEATURE

The seven wonders of the world are some of the most spectacular sights this planet has to offer. One might wonder why the number seven was chosen; it is said that the Greeks had this idea that the number itself represented plenty and perfection, thus the reason there are only seven wonders named. Although Park Hill is not home to the Roman Colosseum or the Taj Mahal, it houses seven different marvels every student should be proud to encounter.

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Discovering a career that fits a person perfectly can be a very tricky task. But those who are fortunate to do just that, are the ones best suited for the job. Take Park Hill’s very own principal, Brad Kincheloe. From the summer of 1957 when a photo was snapped of him wearing Trojan armor in his front yard, there was never any doubt as to what he would spend his life doing.

“I was destined to be a Trojan. There was never any question,” said Kincheloe.

Having gone to high school in this very establishment, Park Hill is in our principal’s blood and it appears that he will be at this school forever and never retire. The typical retirement age for teachers is after thirty years. “This is year thirty-nine for me and next year will be forty. I even can’t imagine retiring after forty. I can’t think of anything else that I would rather do than this. There are a lot of people who say ‘When I retire, I want to do this.’ I’m so incredibly lucky because I’m already doing exactly what I want to do.

There’s nothing out there that says, ‘One day, I’ll be able to do this’, I’m doing it today.”

At Park Hill, we are so fortunate to have a principal who loves and cares for our school as much as Kincheloe does. When that sad day finally comes when Kincheloe has to throw in the towel, he hopes to leave Park Hill with the reputation of being a phenomenal place to go to school and continue to become even greater after he is gone.

The Trojan Statue

One of the most prominent senior class gifts Park Hill has received over the years is the Trojan statue located by the front office. Given to the school by the classes of 1985, 1986 and 1987, this statue is one of the main focal point of our school. When asked to meet someone somewhere in the school, there is always a question of “which gym?”, “which bathroom?”, or “which water fountain?” but, there is never a question as to “which Trojan?”. A lot of gifts given by past senior classes have come and gone, but our beloved Trojan still rises tall today. It is a subtle reminder that our school will withstand the years, staying forever strong.

Preston Stadium

Few students at Park Hill may remember what Preston Field looked like prior to the $2.1 million renovations made in 2008. But, one thing that has stayed the same over the changes is who the stadium is named after—Roy “Shorty” Preston, the father of Park Hill athletics.

After attending Missouri Valley College, where he was a leading rusher and scorer in the nation for the football team, he moved to Park Hill in 1958. Preston started the wresting and basketball programs at the school and was the football coach, track coach, and athletic director up until 1981 when he retired. The district decided to name the stadium after him because they wanted a “…name that would be a beacon of strength and integrity,” said John Sedler, retired athletic director of Park Hill South. “Coach Preston would be a great name and a great person for us to aspire to.”

Myparkhill App

Sept. 16, 2013 marked a pinnacle moment in the Journalism department. Mackenzie Thomas, Editor-In-Chief of the Trojan Magazine created the very first district app, available for iPhone and Android users. Ever since that September Monday, students have had the Park Hill world at their fingertips; the latest news updates, the bell schedule, PowerSchool, club updates, sports photos, and so much more.

The Snack Shack

Many things have changed around Park Hill over the years— the new side of the cafeteria, new carpet, new technology, and the list goes on. But, one thing that has yet to change is the beloved Snack Shack.

“It was here before I even started teaching here, which was 10 years ago. So, it’s probably been around for 20 plus years,” said DECA’s sponsor, Matt Magnuson.

The Snack Shack was established as a DECA fundraiser and is a part of their curriculum. It helps the students with small business skills, pricing skills, managing skills, etc. This year, they have brought new products into the shack to appeal to the students. As a new project, they recently teamed up with the Red and Black Java Shack and have opened Park Hill’s very first spirit store, The Trojan Armor Store. Hopes are to expand from selling just t-shirts, to more articles of clothing, school supplies, and more.

The Dungeon

During productions in the auditorium, spotlights are used frequently. One might think said light is controlled in the light booth located in the back of the theater with the rest of the light controls, but this is not true. It is actually positioned on a rack full of other lights on Park Hill’s very own secret walkway in the ceiling— also known as a cat walk. Now, this is not a place for just anyone to go explore; only very important persons have the luxury to venture to this wonder.

The Cat Walk During productions in the auditorium, spotlights are used frequently. One might think said light is controlled in the light booth located in the back of the theater with the rest of the light controls, but this is not true. It is actually positioned on a rack full of other lights on Park Hill’s very own secret walkway in the ceiling— also known as a cat walk. Now, this is not a place for just anyone to go explore; only very important persons have the luxury to venture to this wonder.

FAIR

SHARE OF ART by

AMANDA

FEATURE

BATTMER

6

On April 26th and 27th, the Park Hill School District’s 51st annual art fair introduced hundreds of new pieces of artwork to the public eye. The PHHS gymnasium was filled with drawings, paintings, photos, and ceramics from students in every grade across the district. In younger school days, art may have just been a requirement, but at the high school level, it becomes a passion, and the art fair turns into an opportunity to show off some of the students’ greatest masterpieces.

Art teachers select the students’ work that makes it to the art fest every year, choosing from Design and Draw, all the intermediate levels, and the advanced placement level.

“It’s kind of impressive, to just step back and look at all of the artwork the students have created all year long. They put a lot of work into it,” said art teacher Kate Padburg.

Junior Alex Gilbert is currently enrolled in two art classes: Painting and AP Studio, and is also president of the art club. Every year, AP Studio students spend their class time building up their own, unique portfolios that prepare them to take on art programs in college or even as a career. At the end of the year, they get to display some of their work in their very own section at the art fair.

“For me, it’s two things: The ability to tell a story and the challenge. No matter how much I improve, there are always ways for me to improve and I love that,” said Gilbert, explaining what keeps her involved in the art world.

Gilbert plans to pursue a career of freelance illustration after college. Freelance illustrators work on building up their portfolios for art directors, who can hire them for various projects.

“I’d basically get to sit in a studio all day and paint until I get good enough to get jobs for it. It’s really tough to make it into the industry, but I’m going to try my best to make it,” said Gilbert.

From taking that very first art class to creating art in the real world, the creative possibilities expand with every project Those in AP Studio have the freedom of taking whatever approach they want in creating their displays.

Junior Jaycee Myszka’s AP Studio display showcases an illustration of Marcus Mumford of Mumford and Sons.

Junior Katelyn Gilland’s drawing of her sister earns a Superintendent’s Award.

“I want to be a special effects makeup artist when I get older, so makeup would definitely have to be my favorite medium.

As a more practical medium, I really love photography. I like being able to manipulate lighting and images of things into a picture that has a really unique perspective,” said senior Eva Ohman.

There are a variety of art classes at PH that expose students to various mediums and creative methods, including Intermediate Draw, Ceramics, Print Making, and more.

“We do a lot of mixed-media stuff. A lot of what we do, we draw it out, but then you fill it in with some color, using paint or whatever,” said junior Katelyn Gilland. “I like charcoal the best, but when using color, I like watercolors.”

Gilland is currently taking Intermediate Draw, and plans to continue art in the future, including being a part of AP Studio next year.

“It’s a way to express yourself, and get your emotions out,” said senior and AP Stu-

dio student Braidey Howe. “[I’ve learned] to be patient. Not everything’s going to turn out the way you thought it was going to turn out, so you just have to figure out how to suck it up and not get frustrated and work with it.”

Howe enjoys painting the most, but creates a lot of pieces that are mixed-media.

Whether one finds their hands covered in charcoal or dried clay, being involved in a creative environment such as this can teach a lot more than how to paint.

“Always stay detached from your work.

It’s good to be proud of what you’re doing, but without that degree of detachment, it’s going to be a lot harder to catch mistakes you’ve made,” said Gilbert.

A lot of things can go into creating a great work of art, perhaps the most important being an absence of fear.

“I think probably [the most valuable thing my art classes have taught me is] to not be scared to make mistakes. If you use stuff like paint or ink that you can’t erase, you just have to do it. You just have to go for it, and

Junior Katie Manthe’s AP Studio display includes these two life-size characters. if you mess up, then you learn. You don’t learn unless you just do it,” said Gilland.

awards

Superintendent Winners (To be displayed at Central Office next year): Cole Smith - Ceramic Bust Morgan Agesen - Spring Katelyn Gilland - Portrait Erica Mast - Oil Landscape

ON DISPLAY

“There were a number of influences there-baroque compositions, classical drawings, and then the energy and imagery found in metal music. That [specific piece] was the first large scale effort I made to have a bold result with a story behind it. My secondary goal was to have a strong sense of movement and composition, which sort of worked.” --Junior Alex Gilbert

“Well, my concentration, it was originally based off of your personal demons and then safe havens kind of thing, but now it’s more towards political issues against conformity, if that makes sense. Like how the government wants us all to be a whole instead of focusing on individuals.” --Senior Braidey Howe

“I’m a big horror movie buff and that’s definitely what inspired the theme for my display. Honestly, my goal was to freak people out. I like to manipulate the eyes and, using makeup and different shadows, I wanted to make something that was both beautiful and horrifying at the same time.”

--Senior Eva Ohman

By: Abby Peoples This month may not be election season for the rest of the country, but it is for Park Hill. On May 8, Student Council will be hosting a school-wide election for the 2014-2015 officers. Along with the students running to be in office for next term, other students are vying to be a StuCo member in a different way this year. In the past, students only had to sign up to be a member and the advisors would

check their grades, attendance, and email a list of possible members to teachers. Starting this year, the only new members allowed to StuCo are freshman. All upperclassmen must have already been a part of StuCo and have to sign up and sit down for an interview with the advisors.

Here is a little bit about what your 2014-2015 Student Council officer candidates’ best leadership trait is, and a fun fact:

PRESIDENT & VICE PRESIDENT

Marissa Ballard Best Trait: Helpful- “I’d like to think that I could help the school and better the school.

I also just like helping people and Student Council is a lot of fun.”

Years in StuCo: 3

SECRETARY Nicole DeMarco Best Trait: Balanced- “I can be a leader but at the same time I can work with people.”

Favorite Number: 4

Killian Fane Best Trait: Commitment- “I am commited in everything I do. Commitment is important in Student Council and in life.

You need to be commited in Student Council because it’s for the student body.”

Favorite Food- Strawberries

TREASURER Raena Woodruff Best Trait: Social- “I easily talk to people and I can work with all different kinds of people and relay information. I like people and I like being bold.”

Favorite Sport: Soccer

CAMPUS

PUBLIC RELATIONS

8

Jasmin Jarrett Best Trait: Organized- “I am organized, which will help me keep track of my own things, help everyone out, and get things done.”

Favorite Subject: Science

STUCO OFFICER CANDIDATES

Noah Higgins-Dunn Best Trait: Creativity- “I help create new ideas to make school and Student Council interesting in every way.”

Favorite StuCo Memory:

Angie Willemsen Best Trait: Considerate- “I always care about other people and put their needs before my needs.”

Favorite Song:

Ali Stott Best Trait: Optimistic- “I like getting things done and I am a good leader and being in charge.”

Travel Dream: Australia

75 IN 1700 Throughout the four graduating classes, there are 75 students that receive accommodations through the 504 program.

This number has continually increased since the programs beginning in 1973.

One student’s journey through the 504 program

By: Molly Weis To aid this student, Burnett and her teachers have given Each student tackles different stresses and manages different alternative options to traditional in-class test taking. The first of problems throughout school, and looks to trusted peers and adults these options is chunking, in which a student takes one portion, for support and guidance to cope with these. There are 75 students typically a page of a test, at a time, so as not to overwhelm them. in these halls that receive additional help in order to improve their To lessen the pressure of fellow test-takers, she may also take tests chance to learn as efficiently and as abundantly as their peers. at alternative locations, or extended after class. Burnett often holds “504” is actually a section of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, students in his office to administer tests without the social burden. which is a civil rights, anti-discrimination law, which states that the As he is even eligible to proctor standardized tests such as the ACT, educational needs of those with disabilities is to be met at the same some 504 recipients are given the option of extended time on these level as those other students. tests, as overseen by Burnett.

These 75 students have a variety of barriers that affect them both “I definitely feel like I can trust Mr. Burnett whole-heartedly, and in and out of the classroom, ranging from physical impairments, to I already have a lot less anxiety now. I’m mostly trying to get through learning disabilities to mental health issues. Because each individual the big tests, though,” said anonymous, “to get a lot of help like that, has different needs, accommodations and support differs case to case you need a diagnosis from a doctor, which can be difficult with a One girls journey through the program began just months ago, problem like mine.” and is still underway.

Problems ranging from physical impairments, to mild learning “I actually went to school in Joplin

disabilities such as autism, or difficulties with certain learning until this year, and I didn’t realize that this styles can qualify students for 504 support. program was even an option, I just heard is no formal testing for qualification I think there are probably kids There of it recently, and have been in it for about into the program, so in order to receive out there who need the help two months now,” said an anonymous 504 support, a student must either confront program recipient. “I took the PSAT recently, counselors or wait for someone to notice like I do, and they just aren’t and it showed that I had left over half of my test and address them. The program requires aware of all of their options. blank, that is when the counselors spoke with me testimony from a teacher or counselor about the program.” and a diagnosis in order to receive these After noticing a trend toward blank test accommodations. However, a student or booklets, and apprehension walking into a testing room, this student parent can request aid by speaking to a school counselor or Burnett, spoke to counselors and ’ 504 coordinator Dan Burnett, about and discussing the problems at hand. what help could be received for what she and they have collectively “It depends who you’re comfortable with. I talked to my identified as test-taking anxiety. counselor first [Tabitha Todd], and then with my parents. I would “It started when I was in seventh grade – I’ve actually never definitely say that most students don’t know about it, though,” said told anyone this before – but I was beaten up at one point. Being a anonymous. “I think there are probably kids out there who need the pacifist, I wouldn’t fight back. It was really traumatizing and I have help like I do, and they just aren’t aware of all of their options. It’s had a lot of trouble with social anxiety ever since that happened,” a really important program, because grades are really important, said anonymous. “It started with school – tests in particular – too. It and it can help take you to where you need to be. No one should be is more the social part of it. Like I’m looking at my test and people ashamed of needing help, if anything, students should seek it out so start to put theirs up, and here I am, only halfway done. Then people they can continue to improve.” have their quirks, like pencil tapping, or tapping their shoes, which makes it even harder to concentrate.”

NICE GENES

stepping out of siblings’ shadows SHANNON

BARRY

Embarking on the journey of high school is hard enough, but following the path paved by an older sibling can be even harder. Whether the goal is to live up to expectations set by those that came before or reinvent the family name completely, breaking or changing the mold made is never easy.

When current senior Sarah Moratz shuffled into the doors of Park Hill as a freshman in 2010, her older brother Matthew, a senior at the time, had set the standard that fellow students believed a Moratz would be.

“Everyone probably thought I was going to be super outgoing like Matthew was and be someone that knew everyone,” said S. Moratz.

What S. Moratz expected out of her brother was not what she encountered throughout her freshman year.

“I thought it would be cool to be in the same school with him again and know the seniors, but he just ignored me. I thought that going to school with him would lead me to be friends with his friends but that didn’t happen until recently,” said S. Moratz.

FEATURE

“I was excited for her to be in the same school,” said M. Moratz, “but I didn’t really expect for her to follow in my footsteps since we’re such different people. It was hard to relate to her because I was so much older. It was like, she knew my friends and wanted to be friends with them, but I never really knew or met her friends because they were just freshman at the time. We just didn’t really intermingle.”

Like M. Moratz, junior Saylor Grau as the oldest of the family, had no choice but to pave the way for herself and younger brother Bryson.

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“It was really funny at orientation freshman year because no one in my family knew anything or what to do because I was the first one,” said S. Grau.

For sophomore Jillian Flagler, having two older sisters’ shoes to fill has been motivation and reason to be the best she can be and already had a set path laid out for her when entering Park Hill last year.

“People expect, looking at Caitlin, for me to be a good dancer, and looking at Erin, to be a good swimmer. In swim I know how good Erin was and that just pushes me to practice harder to be as good as she was,” said J. Flagler, who is the youngest of the Flagler girls, Caitlin a senior, and Erin a graduate in the class of 2011.

Much like S. Moratz, J. Flagler looked forward to coming into Park Hill last year and rejoining her siblings.

“I was never here with Erin, but I was excited to be at the same school as Caitlin again. I knew people already because she was friends with them and I think it has helped us get a lot closer especially when she used to drive me to school,” said J. Flagler.

“I think I made it easier for Bryson because he already had older people that knew him when he came here and teachers like Unsell already knew who he was,” said S. Grau.

What is undeniable about being the “little” sibling is the innate obligation to do that which your brother or sister did. That much is true for S. Moratz and J. Flagler.

“He [M. Moratz] influenced me to join band in middle school and I was in band all up until this year,” said S. Moratz.

Unlike the Moratzes, the Graus have a differing opinion on extracurricular activities.

“Our parents put both of us in debate freshman year and we both did summer swim. After freshman year I decided not to do debate anymore but Bryson stayed with it,” said S. Grau. “I’m quieter and I don’t like public speaking but he’s louder and it’s more his type of thing. Bryson didn’t want to swim in high school but that’s something I wanted to be a part of.”

The feeling is mutual in B. Grau’s opinion of swimming. Though both swam as kids on a summer team, continuing the legacy of Graus on the Park Hill swim team is not something B. Grau is interested in.

“I’m glad that she likes it and is happy being a part of it but I wouldn’t even think about doing it,” said B. Grau.

One of the perks to having an older sibling around is the safety that comes with their presence.

“I didn’t have the easiest freshman year,” said C. Flagler, “so having Erin there really assisted me in getting through it and making it easier.”

COMMUNITY

By: Matt Eblen Throughout PHHS history, these hallways have been filled with teachers who made a difference, students who have gone on to achieve great heights, and pigs. As the class of 2014 prepare to embark on a new journey, they must begin to also think of the legacy they will leave behind. Some will be remembered through their contributions in various clubs and activities or the names placed on the Wall of Fame. One way for a class to leave their legacy is to have a classic senior prank.

From crickets to cars, the senior pranks have left an impression. Back in the early 2000’s, there was an expectation that after graduation that those still left in the school must be prepared for anything.

“Yeah someone put a sailboat in the fountain in the middle of the school. They had to climb up on the roof in the middle of the night and throw it down into the fountain,” said alumni of 2006 Kent Bridges “During my brothers graduating year, his class unleashed greased pigs inside of the school and put a blow up thing on the top of the school.”

The pigs that roamed through PHHS hallowed halls were numbered: one, two, and four. The pig numbered three was intentionally left out in order to confuse the administration. Since the glory days of the prank age, these more exciting events have trailed off into folklore and rumors of things to come. After the administration started to crack down on the shenanigans, threatening to hold diplomas or the right to walk at graduation, the reliability of a senior escapade during the last few weeks of school has severely dwindled.

“I don’t think there were any senior pranks my senior year. Guys our year wanted to come back after graduation and spray underclassman with water guns, but never ended up doing it,” said alumni Kelsey who graduated in 2009.

In the past few years each class has attempted various stunts to varying degrees of success. The most common victim in the recent spree has been cars. From blacking out car windshields to attempts to block the parking lots and commence tailgating, the past few pranks have been oddly motor based.

“The last few years, every senior prank they’ve tried has sucked,” said senior Mitchell Carver.

After the recent downfall in the legacy of the more radical antics, some of the recent senior pranks have been considered tame by some.

“I don’t see why there are so many consequences for the pranks.

If they don’t destroy anything in the school and no one gets hurt, what’s the big deal? It gives some entertainment at the end of the year, when most people aren’t really doing anything,” said Carver.

As senior begin their final weeks here, whispers of ideas fill the hall that leave people to wonder exactly what possible pranks might be planned.

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SUMMER JAMS

RISKY BUSINESS

By: Anthony Wussow Every once in a while on the radio or from a friend, there are certain performers coming to Kansas City. Well to know any of the upcoming head liners performing in KC, this is the place to be. Here’s a list of upcoming concerts coming to Kansas City: Wednesday May 07, 2014 - John Legend Muriel Kauffman Theatre Kansas City PRICE: $270.40, $308.90, $335.00, $494.50, $572.90, $1,022.80 Tuesday May 13, 2014 - Queens Of the Stone Age

Starlight Theatre Kansas City PRICE: $62.50, $86.70, $96.60, $106.50, $112.00, $135.90 Friday May 16, 2014 - The Wanted Uptown Theater Kansas City PRICE: $64.35

Saturday May 17, 2014 – Buzz Under the Stars Power & Light District Kansas City PRICE: $35.00 Saturday May 31, 2014 – Cher/ Cyndi Lauper Sprint Center Kansas City PRICE: $27.50, $47.50, $87.50, $107.50 Saturday May 31, 2014 – ROCKFEST 2014 Liberty Memorial Kansas City PRICE: $55.90

Monday Jun 02, 2014 - Vampire Weekend the Crossroads Kansas City PRICE: $89.00, $208.00, $211.00, $213.00, $214.00

Monday Jun 16, 2014 – Paul McCartney Sprint Center Kansas City PRICE: $29.50, $59.50, $89.50, $152.50, $252 Wednesday Jul 02, 2014 - Jesus Christ Superstar Sprint Center Kansas City PRICE: $36.50, $56.50, $76.50, $96.50, $151.50 Wed-Thurs Jul 30 - 31, 2014 - Justin Timberlake Sprint Center Kansas City PRICE: $47, $92, $177 Sunday Aug 3, 2014 - Motley Crue Sprint Center Kansas City PRICE: $21.89, $51.50, $67, $97, $127 Thursday Aug 14, 2014 - Rod Stewart & Santana Sprint Center Kansas City PRICE: $49.50, $99.50 Tuesday Aug 19, 2014 - Katy Perry Sprint Center Kansas City PRICE: $29.50, $48, $82.50, $102.50

AROUND DOWNTOWN

By: Chloe Lane Frequent phrases posted on social media sites by Kansas City’s younger population are, “I hate Missouri”, “I can’t wait to get out of KC”, “Kansas City is so boring”, and so on. But, what many teens fail to realize is that this city has so many interesting things to offer in multiple different areas, or districts, which appeal to all kinds of people. Here a just a few of those districts that seem to be popular among people of the Park Hill community.

Westport: Westport is Kansas City’s original entertainment district. Starting in the 1800’s, Westport was actually the passage into the Western Frontier and set the standard for this area to be thriving in entertainment and shopping. Along with its historical background, Westport is home to hip boutiques, poppin’ hot-spots for night life, and numerous places to catch a great bite to eat.

Crossroads: As stated on their website, “CrossroadsKC was born in 2007 out of a deep passion for live music and the arts.” No matter a person’s musical preference, they make sure to have a very diverse mix of groups perform at this venue, whether it be hip hop, rock, or country. They have devoted themselves to making not only the fans have a memorable experience, but also the musical group putting on the show. And if that wasn’t convincing enough, they provide free parking, along with tasty food options that are also affordable.

“I’m going to go to Westport or The Crossroads if I go downtown. There are just really a lot of good restaurants and facilities for me to go see live music,” said language arts teacher Sarah McKenna.

Brookside: Built in 1920, Brookside was the first suburban shopping area, designed with the automobile in mind to help promote the grocery and drug stores, medical officers, and community center. It was also home to the first south side fire and police stations. Back to present day, it now has more than 70 shops, and restaurants. Has the original neighborhood and architecture.

“I don’t really have one place I like the best. I like to hangout in certain districts more than others I guess, but if I were to always have one favorite place to go to, I’d probably get bored of it. So, I just keep exploring,” said junior Makanna Welsh.

Some of the places to go in downtown KC are more for the adult population, but there are also countless activities and sites for teenagers to visit—Crown Center, Nelson Atkins Museum, The College Basketball Experience, Science City, and The Kemper Museum of Art. For junior Carly Hostetter, it happens to be the Liberty Memorial.

“You can see all of downtown and it’s really cool,” said Hostetter.

The Liberty Memorial is actually the only World War I museum and monument in the country. It is said on the official website that the main mission of this memorial is to maintain as “a beacon of freedom and a symbol of the courage, patriotism, sacrifice, and honor of all who served in World War I”. To actually go into the museum and up into the memorial, it costs a fee. But, to look over the city, it does not cost a dime.

Makana Know’s Best

Junior Makanna Welsh is a frequent of downtown Kansas City and knows her way around. Here are some helpful hints Welsh has for Park Hill.

“Most high schoolers would probably enjoy the Plaza, Crossroads during First Friday, if they like art, and Westport if they want to go to Broadway Café but it is mainly bars. The City Market is cool on the weekends to go buy fresh produce and such, but I’m not sure how many school students are worried about purchasing fresh tomatoes. For coffee shops, I like the Roasterie, which is open until like 10pm or something, but it a little past the Plaza so it’s a drive. The Filling Station is around 31st street and they sell juices, sandwiches, coffee, and espresso. The Nelson Atkins rocks and students membership cost $30 which I have. You can rent bikes and ride around the city and there’s a cool movie theater at the Plaza. I’ve noticed a lot of teenagers like to go to the Liberty Memorial and that’s right across the street from Union Station, which has cool exhibits like King Tut right now.”

A Sit Down With Sly MACKENZIE

THOMAS

March 24, 2014 was a big day for the Park Hill School District. People from all over Kansas City got to see Park Hill as we hosted the 2014 State of the City Address. Mayor Sly James visited Park Hill High School to speak to the senior class and any Kansas Citians who wanted to attend, along with being live streamed from KCPTV, and we sat down with him before the event to discuss the current issues in Kansas City.

MT: Why did you want to be a leader in politics?

SJ: I looked as politics as simply an avenue to exercise leadership in a very specific sphere, with some specific goals, but leadership is ubiquitous, you can find it anywhere and do anything with it with anybody, sometimes it’s used for good and sometimes it’s used for ill. It’s a way to try to accomplish a vision for this city: What can we be? What should we be? How do we get there? So that’s what drove me. And, yes, you can do some things outside of the political sphere, but some things you can’t, so that’s why part of the current government leadership model always has to look at partnerships.

Who do you partner with to get certain things done and how do you build those relationships? I decided simply because that’s what I wanted to do, there’s not a lot of mystery to it. I practiced law for almost 30 years and I had done that long enough. I’d been engaged in a lot of different civic things, educational things, non-for-profit things, and decided that with that background that I could maybe try to roll all of that up into one thing and be mayor.

MT: What would you recommend for high school students who want to be in a leadership position in government?

SJ: Get involved in something. Get engaged. Be willing to do the entry level work; you’re not going to walk in and be the chief of staff. Learn how to get a thick skin. Learn how to get along with people and get things done without political games and nonsense.

Being engaged is absolutely essential, you cannot get into the public arena—the political arena—if you’re not engaged, and there’s a lot to know. This is a complicated city—it’s ridiculously complicated—and nobody knows all of it, so the more you know as you approach it, the better off you will be.

MT: What are some of the biggest issues to hit on in the state of the city?

SJ: Employment is huge, crime is huge, and education is huge.

Those are chronic issues. Streetcars are a tremendous opportunity.

Airport is another tremendous opportunity. Pursuit of the

Republican National Convention is an interesting opportunity.

Those are probably the main things going on right now, there are some things that are with you all the time and there are some that float in and out.

MT: How would streetcars benefit students?

SJ: Public transportation is a connector. It connects different neighborhoods and it gets people from their homes to jobs. It also stimulates economic development. And economic development creates jobs, and jobs need to be available to people. In a modern day city, with few exceptions, ideally you should be able to get to 75% of the places you want to get to without having to own a car.

So, that limits your options: bicycle, feet, taxis, bus, and rail. In an integrated, inter-modal transportation system all of those things make a difference. You want walkable streets so that if you’re downtown, if you’re someplace, and you’re walking from one point to the other, you want to be able to walk there in a way that you don’t have to jump over barriers and whatever, and if you’re in a wheelchair then they need the curb cuts to get there. So you have to always plan for everyone, not just some.

MT: How do you think this will affect the future of Kansas City?

SJ: We are already planning the first leg of [streetcar] expansions.

This is a starter line and that’s all it was meant to be, all it was ever meant to be was a start. You have to do something and then you build off of that. We plan to build off of that considerably, but it is a long, expensive process and the next extension, if we’re lucky and things work out the way they’re supposed to, might be around 2020. That’s six years from now, and we’re already starting on it.

Some studies have been done, some routes have been planned, hours have been spent planning for planning and engineering studies, etc. Some analysis of what the federal government is most likely to be in favor of and will fund as opposed to what they want has been done as well. So, no, this was never meant to be an end all, this was simply the beginning.

MT: Kansas City has one of the largest crime rates, what are you doing, or what can we do to combat this?

SJ: There are short term and long term plans. In the short term, we have a focus-deterrence model where you identify the worst of the worst and focus on them and try to get them off of the streets or get them into programs where they can turn their life around. It’s relatively new, about a year old, hoping that we can see some impact and bring down those numbers.

Longer term—education. It is the best hedge to prevent crime. The better educated you are, the less likely you are to either be a perpetrator or a victim of crime.

MT: Schools like Park Hill are moving more to be more technological, how important do you think this is, to move education to a more technical teaching aspect?

SJ: I think it’s pretty much inevitable. At this point it’s almost a give-in, technology is increasing at such an exponential pace that if you don’t keep up with it you’ll fall so far behind that you may not be able to catch up. As the work force and job market become more and more technical, if you’re not able to adapt to more technical changes easily and apply those skills in your everyday work you’re going to get left behind.

MT: Why do we want to rebuild the airport?

SJ: It’s a 40 year old, pre-9/11 asset. It wasn’t built for the times in which we currently live. It’s got three terminals, we are using one and a half; it is not very efficient. Convenience is great, but convenience is not the only thing in life. It has structural issues, it has some environmental issues, it has personality issues, and it has convenience issues. It is a lot better for people who live here and need to go catch a plane than it is for people who are passing through, coming from someplace and going to someplace else. It is the front door to our city for people flying in. So, some front doors are cooler than others.

MT: How would the benefits of rebuilding the airport weigh into the future versus the initial cost?

SJ: I think everyone has to face the basic reality that with a new structure there’s going to be cost. You’re going to have to do something at some point in time or it’s going to fall down. Things change, things wear out. Bottom line is that you have to build cities for the future, you don’t build them for the present. So sometimes you have to make tough decisions for what you’re doing in order to get what needs to get done, done.

Between doing nothing and doing everything there’s someplace in between where something for the airport could and should be done. Other than convenience, it has some deficiencies that need to be addressed. And convenience alone isn’t a good enough excuse to stand pat and do nothing.

MT: How are the employment rates in Kansas City right now?

SJ: Last year we had the largest decline in unemployment of any city in the country. We have lots of jobs coming in, although we always want more. Employment is probably one of our better situations, which isn’t saying that we’re done by any stretch, but we keep adding jobs. I think we’ve added almost 3,000 jobs since last year and that’s not counting Cerner and some of the other stuff that has happened more recently.

MT: What advice would you give to high school students looking to the future?

SJ: To understand that the decisions that you make today have consequences for tomorrow. Those stupid things that you have the desire to put on Facebook or Twitter are there for life. Recognize that some things that you put out there now are permanent. And finally, to engage and help other people. Get out of your own ego and start seeing the reality of the world of one big city and that there’s a whole lot of stuff going on and you need to know what it is. Get engaged and find a place to help.

THE FINAL PLAY GRADUATING

ATHLETES OF THE

CLASS OF 2014

“I’m going to miss playing soccer since this is my last season. The friendship and unforgettable memories are worth going out there every day and working hard.” “I’m going to miss the bonding -Claudia Fonseca, Soccer experience. You meet so many new

SPORTS

people and the people you never knew before become your second family. You spend basically just as much time at games and practices as you do at home, so saying goodbye is hard.”

-Carly Moyer, Cheer “I will probably miss just seeing my good friends on a daily basis. Also I will miss the Friday night traditions with everyone in the stands.”

“I’m going to miss my family. You spend -Dakota Ensley, Football hours a day with your team and you grow to respect, and trust them. When I leave a team it feels like part of me is getting left behind.”

-Ben Safford, Football

16

“I’m going to miss the team aspect. Your team is your support group. They know your struggles on and off the court and they are there for you because they have the same struggles too.”

-Evan Kutz, Tennis

By: Kaylin Lake According to National Federation of State High School Associations, approximately fifty five percent of students enrolled in high school participates in athletics. Sports are like a second home to students, because many take out other frustration and stress through their sport. The team becomes more of a family to the student, not just a team. Players become closer to the other teammates, and to the coaches. What happens when the four short years end and you are left to move on?

“Sports in high school have helped me not only have fun, but have taught me many key life skills which have gotten me through so much. I have never regretted a minute,” said senior Alex Noll.

Students all handle moving on from their high school career in different ways. Sports for some students are a fall back to get away from the stress of school. It has also been a way for students to build friendships and relationships with coaches.

“I’m going to miss high school sports not only because of the friendships I have made, but also hearing your classmates cheer for you is a great feeling,” said senior Shane Belew.

At the end of your high school career, you will look back on all the memories, choices, and friends you had made. The memories you make in high school will be ones that will never be forgotten.

“High school sports is a chapter in my life that I will never forget,” said senior Lyndi Plattner. “I’m going to miss the many memories I have made with my team the most. I consider them my second family and without their support and park hill high school as my home, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.”

Above: Pitching against Lee Summit West, senior Caleb Sneed helps the team during his final season.

HARD WORK PAYS OFF

WITH YEAR ROUND DEDICATION, WINTERGUARD BRINGS HOME STATE TITLE

in higher divisions, which also helps the By: Amanda Battmer newer girls see the potential of what our From the football field to the gym floor, guard could be someday,” said Defries. the PH color guard has thrown their The competitions in their division flags to new heights this past season. can have anywhere from 8 to 33 teams.

Winter guard placed first overall at all Winning the state championship has five of their competitions. This series of moved the guard from the Regional A remarkable wins concluded with securing division to a higher division, Scholastic the title of state champs, where the team C, meaning they’ll participate in tougher placed first out of 40 guards in their class competitions. and overall out of 112 guards.

“Winter guard competitions are a “As the season continued, I think world of their own. These competitions each of us knew the potential we had to are more than just routines— they are actually win, which I think motivated all shows. With props, acting, and immense of us to focus and use our time wisely,” talent. Unlike most said senior and competitions, you guard captain "The title of 'State would be surprised Bailey Defries.

The guard Champ' is not about the how supportive other schools are of each prepared award itself. It's about other. When you walk for their competitions all of the dedication and past another team in the hallway, they by practicing passion this new team almost always will every week and participating has developed to achieve tell you good luck— genuinely—and to in weekend great things. Our coach have a great show,” camps earlier Nelson. in the season. unlocked our potential, saidThe new guard The team also became one of the award recognized attributes much the most diverse of their success that." performance teams, to their new coming together head coach, through their common Chelsea Mogg. passion.

“Coming from such an accomplished “We aren’t just friends or teammates. guard, she really knew how to highlight We are a family and we love to have our talents in order for us to earn the fun. We also get to learn a lot of new points needed to win,” said Defries. techniques every practice. The fact Mogg has worked with other schools in the area, and has carried her experience that we get better and achieve more each practice is definitely a plus,” said to PH by leading longer, more productive sophomore Dahlby Weidmaier. rehearsals.

Although winning championships is “Our marching season and winter season have both significantly changed for seen as a big deal for any group at PH, lesser-known activities seem to draw the the better. The title of ‘State Champ’ is short end of the stick when it comes to not about the award itself. It’s about all of recognition. the dedication and passion this new team “Yes, we did win a State title, but we has developed to achieve great things. Our don’t expect a whole assembly about it. coach unlocked our potential, the award Most people don’t even know what winter recognized that,” said senior and guard guard is. If and when Park Hill Guard captain Chloe Nelson. becomes a more established activity Winter guard usually participates in within the student body, an assembly several competitions each season, and performance may be in the near future. have stepped up their game with the But for now, we are just a happy team, change in coaches. ready for whatever lies ahead,” said “The atmosphere can be pretty tense at first, but we also have an awesome time Nelson. performing and watching other guards

Sophomore Dahlby Weidmaier rehearses for the winter guard state championships.

Senior Julianne Wood holds up a flag in rehearsal. The title of the 2014 winter guard’s show was “Read All About It.”

Guard members take a break from practicing to pose together.

The guard won all their competitions this season. All photos donated by Bailey Defries

SEEIT HOW ALTERNATIVE TYPES OF EDUCATION YOU

By: Jake Bjornlie

This day and age is all about changing things up and moving forward. Everything from technology to government are trying the unprecedented. Education is no exception to this. Teachers are testing new educational blueprints. Three examples you can find in Park Hill are the FLiP program, interteaching, and flipping the classroom.

FliP stands for “Future Learners Program”. It is a program specific to Park Hill School District thats goal is to get a laptop into every students’ hands. A few teachers, such as Jennifer West, Jennifer Damte, Ellen Reys, and Sara Capra have been piloting this in their classrooms. Even though the levy didn’t pass all fifth and sixth graders will have laptops next year.

Flipping the classroom (separate from FLiP) is a nation-wide initiative. Its goal is to have students do their learning at home and apply their learning in school. This could be used in many different ways such as listening to a lecture at home and coming to school to do a Socratic Seminar over it or do the worksheets at school with a teacher present.

Another way to do this is to have the students watch a short video or take notes in the very beginning of class and then applying the knowledge for the rest of the class period.

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“I felt like I had little motivation to do my homework in class. I tried to receive help but it wasn’t what I needed. Doing the notes at home was forcing me to do it on my own and I needed more support,” said senior Savannah Nokes.

Interteaching- Students are put into groups. The students are expected to read at home and then come back into school and discuss in their groups.

“I enjoyed [interteaching]. I got to hear other peoples’ opinions. If I didn’t know anything it really helped out,” said senior Megan Lawler.

TROJAN STAFF EDITORIAL

HOW IT STUDENT PARKING LOTS WE SEE

Anyone who drives here at PHHS knows that traffic is awful.

Many students ride the bus and many drive. Nobody likes to wait for a long time while driving or riding the bus. Especially when they have places to be after school like work or after school practice at an off campus location.

A real problem at the beginning and end of the day is traffic near the school. Not only are Park Hill students coming to school and leaving, but Congress Middle School students are as well at the same time. This makes Barry Road and Congress Avenue hotspots for school traffic and frustration for parents, student drivers and bus drivers too.

To fix this problem the school could install traffic lights or stop signs at the entrances and exits of the parking lots. But these are more of a hindrance than a benefit to the traffic system. With a stoplight, the more cars sit at a red light, the more cars pile up on the street and the parking lot. A stoplight would mess up traffic during non-school hours and a stoplight can’t support the flow of traffic. Then there’s the fact that if there were lights at each exit, cars would have to stop every 100 feet or so on Congress and Barry Road. Stop signs are not much better as a solution either.

When cars have to go one at a time many people get very upset at the long wait.

We think a better solution would be a crossing guard controlling/patrolling the traffic. This works pretty well for Plaza Middle School so why not here at Park Hill? With a crossing guard the flow of traffic could be contained that way students and other traffic could get through in a timely fashion and frustration could be minimalized. Busses could also get out of the parking lot without making a large buildup of traffic on the road.

A crossing guard could be put at the main exit of each parking lot and stop oncoming traffic. Then after a minute or two, let that traffic continue on their way.

1) The parking lot by the New Gym packed to capacity with teachers and students.

2) Parking by the football and baseball fields at the point where students have to park in the no parking lanes.

3) The main exit for the buses and students in the baseball field parking.

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WW YD 20

MATT

EBLEN

FEATURE

W H AT WOULD Y O U D O ?

W{ D

“This really isn’t a conversation you should be having in While sitting in first block a student walks in late. The teacher front of the class,” said Dewey before Fette asked Wasicko into notices and comments. Then he comments again. With each the hall. word he becomes more aggressive, more personal. It crosses a “It was the right thing to do and no one else was going line. The conversation becomes less about the student’s mistake too,” said Dewey “No teacher should grill a student like that in and more about the student’s personality and work ethic. The front of the class.” students is visibly scared. Would you stand up? Would you say After Wasicko was pulled out in the hallway the experiment something? was explained to the class From simple inquiries such as “What should I wear today?”

“Neither Tyler nor Zach surprised me, I thought maybe no and “Should I really eat that?” to the more challenging life one would say anything, and for a long time no one did say decisions like “Which college should I pick?” students have to anything, but then people did and those people didn’t surprise ask themselves a multitude of questions to get through the day. me,” said Fette.

Some questions are inherently more complicated than others.

Despite multiple people feeling uncomfortable, only two The lasting effects of these decisions can change the outcome stood up and spoke against what they saw. Why? The answer of your day or those around you. to that question seemed to be unanimously due to the authority ABC’s Primetime: What Would You Do? is a hidden Fette had over the class. camera show that has been airing since 2008. Hosted by news “It is just the whole authority thing. He controls if I get in correspondent John Quinones, WWYD puts everyday people trouble or not, so if I stand up to him now you don’t just have in compromising situations to see how they would react. The one person getting in trouble but two. I am not sure what the tests range from seeing if people would step in to buy a lower repercussions are for that so I didn’t want to put myself in that income family a Christmas tree that they cannot afford to a situation,” said senior Taylor Cofield. group of teenagers that beat and taunt a homeless man as Others offered up a different reason for not standing up to people walk by. the authority figure.

This March, PHHS had “It’s not that I’m afraid its very own WWYD exof what would happen periment to see if anyone because I’m not afraid to would stand up for a stuget in trouble, especially if dent who was being bullied I stood up for something by an authority figure.

It was the right thing to do that was important to me, Senior Katie Wasicko and and no one else was going something that was wrong, English teacher Chad Fette but I just would never stand agreed to be participants too, no teacher should grill a up to authority because I in the study. Wasicko, respect that authority and who has had Fette for the student like that in front to of the power that they have,” past two years of her high the class said Suppes. school career, came in late Yet many people said to Fette’s first block AP -Tyler Dewey, Senior that they would stand Literature class. She also up for a student being appeared to have not comharassed by their peers. pleted her project that was 84.2% of students on the due that day. Fette then survey answered yes to the question “Would you stand up for a began his planned barrage of torment. student being harassed?”

“Everyone looked at the ground and pretended not to hear “If it was among my peers I would definitely stand up for it at first, and some people looked at each other, but really tried them, especially if it was something uncalled for, but it’s differnot to see it until someone spoke up,” said Wasicko. ent when it comes to teachers,” said Suppes.

Fette started in asking Wasicko questions such as “Do you Psychology teacher Mr. Daniel Motta contributed these acever plan on coming to class on time?” The line of questioning tions to two main factors. The bystander effect, a psychological got progressively more aggressive. “Do you use “being cute” to concept which explains the diffusion of responsibility in large get through the rest of your classes?” Fette’s class had previgroups when there is a victim, and obedience. ously taken a survey with an assortment of questions about “Obedience is the main factor here, it outweighs the byPHHS’s current state when it comes to bullying a week before stander effect. Since there is an authority figure, obedience is the event. One of the questions asked, ‘Would you stand up the main reason certain people wouldn’t stand up,” said Motta. for a student being wrongly picked on by a teacher?’ with 68% Is authority too powerful to be stood up to? Is it too easy saying that they would stand up for the student in question, yet to just say nothing? Despite what people said their actions only .09% followed through. would be, their reality showed something much different.

“I was very surprised, because Mr. Fette isn’t usually like What would you do? that as a teacher. I thought it was very unnecessary and made me very uncomfortable when it was happening,” said senior Skylar Suppes.

The sentiment of Suppes was shared throughout the rest of the class. Finally came the question that ended the standoff and it, of course, involved the one thing everyone agrees to be too far. Fetti brought her mom into the conversation when he said., “Your mom comes in for conferences and asks ‘Why does my daughter have such a bad grade in this class’ and I have to tell her it is just because you are lazy.” The tension filled the class until seniors Tyler Dewey and Zach Harman stood up.

{

DON’T SWEAT IT STUDENTS SHARE THEIR COMMON STRESSORS

JOB OF THE MONTH By: Shannon Barry A favorite part of some high schooler’s days is coming home to see their pet’s excited faces and wagging tails. For junior Cade Kellam, that is all in a day’s work. Since October 2013, Kellam has been employed at Amity Woods Animal Hospital and Lodge.

Housing upwards of thirty to forty dogs, cats and sometimes exotic pets, Amity Woods keeps their employees busy.

“My aunt’s the lodge manager so it just made sense for me to work there,” said Kellam, “I’ve had other jobs before this but I feel a lot better about what I’m doing here, taking care of the dogs and everything. The environment is really good, the people are all cool and easy to work with too.”

Each shift for kennel associates starts at 3:00 p.m. with feeding and watering the boarding dogs and cats as well as making sure the daycare dogs have plenty of water and are clean.

“One of the jobs we do is supervising big dog daycare. It’s really fun because if it’s nice outside we get to hang out in the yard with them and just play for a couple hours until they go home,” said Kellam. Some of the daycare regulars include PHHS teacher’s dogs including Boone and Indiana Smith who belong to government teacher Damon Smith.

Along with boarding and hospital animals, Amity Woods also houses Kansas City Pet Project dogs and cats that need medical care, rehabilitation, and a place to sleep at night once the Zona Rosa venue closes.

“One of favorite animals we have is a KC Pet Project Cat named Ears,” said senior Alex Hampton who recently joined Kellam at Amity Woods, “When we clean the hospital floor on Sundays we get to hang out with him and let him run around.”

LIFE

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By: Ally Buchberg Students may feel as if there is nothing Stress is a normal physical response to they can do about stress; they believe their events that upset someone’s’ balance responsibilities will always be in high in some way. Major stressors for high demand. Managing stress is all about taking school students include their grades, their control of thoughts, emotions, and busy relationships, and their futures. schedules. It is important to find time to Students may feel stressed because of the relax. constant pressure to keep grades high or to “[To relax] I’ll lay in bed with my laptop raise their GPA to be accepted into college, and go through Facebook or watch Netflix,” or to meet their parents’ expectations. said Huffer. “I’ll even practice guitar or hit a “I really like being the kid with the 4.0 volleyball to calm down.” because it makes me feel accomplished.

Along with Huffer, sophomore Aliceson So I stress over my grades because I really Coleman deals with stress in a healthy way. want incredible grades for myself, but also “I used to take [stress] out on myself. But because one of my older brothers was now, I exercise to blow off steam. Working that kid. Plus, my parents kind of made out is a great outlet,” said Coleman. it a big deal for me to have those grades so I get them,” said sophomore Taryn Huffer.

Due to the increase in the importance of grades needed to be accepted to a more prestigious university, some students go to extremes in order to achieve their lofty goals. Although this overwhelming trend may be effecting the students in several From WebMD’s article 10 Relaxation ways.

Techniques that Zap Stress Fast “It is stressful to try to keep your grades up while trying to go to bed at a decent hour, staying up late doing homework, or just the fact that you can’t sleep because you Stay connected with your friends are nervous about a test or class the next day,” said sophomore Moneco Sanchez.

A social life may be challenging to maintain if school becomes too much.

Take deep breaths; this slows “Most of my friends are in the ‘academically gifted’ group too. My grades the heart rate lowering the blood are important because if I put myself in pressure those challenging classes and do well, I get to see my friends more. And everyone knows the better the grades, the more desirable you seem to colleges so I want to Slow down; take a moment to be the kid colleges fight over,” said Huffer. be prensent and focus on your Balancing friends, sports, work, and school can become tricky with so much senses stress.

“School is very stressful, trying to keep up with all of the homework while trying to balance a social life, on top of Wrap a heat decompressor extracurricular activities,” said Sanchez. around your neck and shoulders “You constantly have to stay on your toes. for ten minutes If it gets too challenging, you may have to quit one of the two things—either your job or sport you love.”

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UKRAINE

By: Harrison Hostick There has been a lot of confusion regarding the events in the Ukraine over the past couple of months. What began as a few simple protests in the country’s capital has ignited a full scale revolution, and prompted a subsequent overhaul of the countries government. It also caused, to the dismay of the American government, an invasion and annexation of the Crimean peninsula by Russia. So how did it start, how will it affect the world, and how could it affect Park Hill students?

All of the protests and riots, dubbed the “Euromaidan”, began in Kiev’s independence square on November 11, 2013. The events began peacefully, with protesters calling for the peaceful resignation of President Viktor Yanukovych, and the overhaul of the Ukraine’s dysfunctional parliamentary system. These protests were met with a violent backlash from the city’s police force, which outraged the Ukrainian public. The protests grew and grew, as more people began to support the ousting of president Yanukovych.

In December, the protesters, frustrated by the lack of progress made toward the president’s removal, and angered by use of brutal force by the city’s police department, began rioting. Protesters began shutting down busy streets, hurling stones and firebombs at police, and taking over government buildings. The intense protests and riots went on and on for months, with the balance of power shifting frequently between the police and the protesters. Finally, after President Yanukovych fled the city to Russia, the riots began to ease down; the city of Kiev remains in a state of martial law however, and the country has yet to re-elect a formal parliament or leader.

Because of the political unrest in the country’s capital, Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered the military to invade and occupy the Crimean peninsula, which is a region in eastern Ukraine that houses the Russian federation’s Black Sea military bases and fleet.

Many native Crimeans called for the region to be annexed by Russia, due to the political unrest of mainland Ukraine, and because of the area’s ethnic and cultural ties to it’s neighbor. Many people speculate that Russia simply took advantage of the Ukraine’s political disorganization, and took over Crimea to demonstrate military dominance.

photo from: the sun news online “I feel like Russia is trying to be really devious with the entire situation,” junior James Meeker said, “Especially since they were lying about even being there, and using soldiers without insignias on their uniforms.”

Russia’s actions have greatly frustrated NATO and the United States, who have responded with heavy economic sanctions against Russian businesses and corporations.

This will affect most Americans at the pump due to the vast quantities of oil that come from Siberia, and other regions of the Russian federation. Certain products or properties that are created or distributed by Russian organizations or corporations will also be heavily taxed, or increased in price.

“I feel like Putin is essentially acting like the big bully on the school yard,” Current events teacher Kevin Gorman said, “Economic sanctions aren’t going to keep him from doing what he wants. He knows that the U.S. and western Europe are in a weakened state, and he’s using that to his advantage.”

Currently, in an attempt to encourage further referendums that would annex more of Ukraine, Russian separatists have begun occupying government buildings in cities along the eastern border of the country. Armed gunman and rioters have stormed police stations and public offices, and are using pro-Russia protesters as shields to discourage any action from Ukrainian law enforcement.

The U.S. and NATO wish to avoid a military conflict with Russia at all costs. NATO will most likely continue to enact economic sanctions regarding Russia until the region of Crimea is returned to the mainland Ukraine and Russian troops are withdrawn.

“I’ve never been a huge fan of fighting,” said Bob Boone. “I served in Vietnam, so I know what fighting is like. It’s always better for people to work things out with words, rather than scrapping with each other.”

HEY STUDENTS! Check out Restore this Sunday and find out what all your peers have been talking about! Restore is focused on building a strong environment for students to build relationships and grow spiritually. Bring your parents, brothers and sisters with you, we’d love to see you all!

SUNDAY MORNINGS AT PARK HILL | 9:30 AND 11AM SERVICES | RESTORECC.ORG

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EAKFAST R B WITH BETHEL ADVERTISMENTS

COLL E

YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN US FOR A MORNING OF CONVERSATION AND EXPLORATION ABOUT BETHEL COLLEGE!

GE

NOV. SATURDAY

9, 2013 10:00 AM—11:30 AM

Meet Bethel students, faculty, admissions counselors, young alumni and the Bethel president.

Find out more about our academic programs, campus life, extracurricular activities, financial aid and so much more!

PLEASE RSVP BY TUESDAY, NOV. 5,

TO MICHAEL UNRUH IN THE OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS

BEST BACCALAUREATE COLLEGE— Ranked #3 in the country according to Washington Monthly 2013–2014

Future students, parents and families are all invited to attend.

For more information, please contact: Michael Unruh, Admissions Counselor munruh@bethelks.edu office: 316-284-5236 cell: 620-382-6560 (call or text)

DOUBLETREE HOTEL 10100 COLLEGE BOULEVARD OVERLAND PARK, KS 66210

24

BETHELKS.EDU

For IOS:

PROM TIPS & TRICKS By: Beth Cooper & Mackenzie Thomas Working at a prom dress or tuxedo store teaches a person a lot of tricks of the trade.

Being at Watercolors and Men’s Wearhouse, we have gained some valuable wisdom to share with future prom-goers. Here are some inside tips that may come in handy as it rolls around to get ready for prom:

ZIPPERS Something I always tell customers is “sometimes zippers are a two man job.”

Seriously, if the zipper on the dress is causing issues, grab two people and have them help inch the zipper up. If you don’t want to grab the fabric or beading, have someone reach under the dress and hold the base of the zipper.

Whatever happens, NEVER force a zipper.

BODY GLUE What is this? It’s a trick that pageant girls use to make sure nothing is going anywhere when it comes time for swimsuit competition.

If a dress has straps that won’t stay up, instead of double sided tape, try this alternative. Just put a little dab on the dress, wait till it looks tacky, and press it into place on the skin.

BUSTLES Mermaids and longer trains are huge this year, but it is terrible when everyone at the dance is stepping on the fabric and ruining the dress. A bustle is when the dress is gathered at the bottom so the fabric is up off the floor. Find a seamstress that can sew one in, because they do not cost much and it allows the dress to stay intact and resale is easier. This easy fix allows the elegance of the train for pictures, but then gathers the dress up so no one steps on it at the dance.

BRING A PICTURE A tuxedo comes with the coat, pants, vest, tie, shoes, and cufflinks. Arguably one of the more important parts is the vest; this is what you use to match your date. With different shades and patterns of color, you don’t always want to take a chance on a color. Bringing in a picture of your date’s dress or part of the dress can help tremendously to make your picking process go easier and quicker.

COORDINATING A lot of boys and parents go to rent a tux and expect to find a color that is the exact shade of their date’s dress. When taking pictures what you want is to look like you and your date belong together, no one is going to hold her dress up against your vest and tell you it doesn’t match, you merely need to coordinate. Find the color closest to the girl’s dress or jewelry and it will still look amazing at prom.

TRY IT ON The week of prom there will be hundreds of students going into the store as you to try on their tuxedos, so anticipate a wait. While it is easy to just take it and go, you should definitely try it on, even if you have to wait.

Making sure the tuxedo fits and being able to reorder any pieces that don’t fit guarantees that you will be looking your best for pictures and the dance. There’s nothing worse than feeling uncomfortable and looking it as well.

SHOW ME SENIORS MARYVILLE KIRKSVILLE ST. JOSEPH

NO MA WE WI HAIL ST S

HANNIBAL KANSAS CITY

COLUMBIA WARRENSBURG

ST. LOUI

ROLLA

C

SENIOR MAP

SPRINGFIELD

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MAPLE WOODS

Aaron Hurtado Aaron Mathis Aditya Mitha Alec Bruington Alexis Gaston Andrew Jiminez Andrew Jones Anna Stauch Ashlea Wineland Audrea Allen Basil Saleh Brian Braby Brian Malagon Brianne Sparks Byanka Navarro Catherine Rose Cayla McCallon Chance Alderman Christian Dickson Christopher Edwards Christopher Walker Dakota Ensley Darius Bolden Dianna Swete Dylan Adell Emiliano Alvarez Halima Ahmed Hannah Buckholz Hussein Alsubaih Imran Khawaja J’Quan Cash Jacob Garver Jacobee Stauch Jared Oehrke Jonathon Holland Joseph Langley Joshua Borgardts

Juanita Mendiola Justin Dorweiler Kaitlin Reynolds Kaylie Engleman Kevin Hoang Lindsay Fagans Madeline Cruz Makayla Harris Mariah Ruth Matthew Downs Megan Unterreiner Mellissa Ramirez Michael Baugher Molly Weis MollyRae Summer Nikki Pak Noah Bartelt Noah Madden Phuc Pham Presley Garcia Scott Combs Sean Mosby Simon Huntley Skylar Margaret Hoffman Taylor Mustard Taylor Pollard Tyler Strain Yue Tanna Hooks Zachary Stainbrook Zachary Zwonitzer Zoe Butler

Delaney Rose Nikolas Shores Trevor Stark Jace Villanueva-Galang Ben Staford

MIZZOU

Abby Peoples Alana Graves Alexander Benitez Alexander Hampton Anthony Wussow Atiya Spight Brenden Van Berkum Brooke Bischof Caitlin Flagler Chandler Feetham Chloe Lane Drew Hendrix Elizaveta Korshunova Gage Teel Hannah Jones Jacob Lee Jaime Arnold Jaylin Phipps John Aranda Jordan Haley Jordan Hemaya Joseph Cation Karra Kennedy Katherine Lawerence Katherine Wasicko Kendall Wilson Keylee Burks Kim Rau Lexus Williams Lyndi Plattner Mackenzie Thomas Maggie Lanham Matt Suba Matthew Dreiling Nathan Cox Nathan Hensel Rodrigo Hinojosa Rylee Stoulil Scott Plummer Sean Sumpter Skylar Suppes Taylor Cofield Tyler Ball John Erneste Zachary Harman

Taylor Holland Florene Wallace Hugh Skidmore

LINN STATE

ATTER WHERE WE END UP, ILL ALWAYS BE A TROJAN. TO PARK HILL ALMA MATTER TANDING PROUD AND HIGH SHAKEN NOT BY WIND AND TEMPEST POINTING TO THE SKY. HAIL TO PARK HILL ALMA MATTER PLEDGE WE NOW TO THEE MIND AND HAND AND HEART’S DEVOTION SWORN TO LOYALTY

IS

CAPE GIRARDEAU

UCM

Bradley Donaghy Carly Moyer Catherine Paine Connor Bosworth Graham England Jalena Foreman Kelsey Bearce Shelby Brynt Shelby Hicks Alexander Merker Dustin Sage Sandra Sanon Cody Young Julianne Wood Laura Koehler Jeff Loudon

TRUMAN STATE

Bailey Defries Marissa Albracht Michaela Anderson Erin Bower Giuseppe Cedillo Hannah Conner Philip Eckert Andrew Herdman Brian Kantanka Jensynn Kasper Megan Lawler Long Le Lyndsay Nordeen

SOUTHEAST MO STATE Rachel Bruce

DRURY

Shannon Barry

LINDENWOOD Nathanal Blanchard

SOUTHWEST BAPTIST Claudia Fonseca Caleb Sneed

MO S&T

Austin Crall Jasmine Jones Austin Pierce Alyssa Purdy Tyler Whaley Christopher Zdvorak

SLU

Logan Leavel Natalie Turner

MO VALLEY Alex Moyer Gary Wilson DeShawn Haney

CROWDER Marshall Collin

MERAMEAC Angela Morelli

ST CHARLES Rachel Winders

HANNIBAL LAGRANGE Dawson Whitman Josiah Blansett

PENN VALLEY Courtney Soliz Sara Bay

NORTHWEST Atira Cole Emyla Baker Lucie Elledge Mattie Bates Michael Coleman Mitchell Carver Norma Phiri

COLUMBIA Alex Noll

STEPHENS Sydney Benton Cooper Slater

MO STATE

Taylor Baehr Giorgio Benson Harrison Hostick Courtney McShannon Jacob Meloy Courtney Stuhlman Angelica Pasek Karrington Prohaska

MO WESTERN Brianna Anderson Alex Bergan Keegan Cathcart Izack Fletcher Ryan Forret Jalen Redmond Jasmine Fierst Jordyn Galvin Jennifer Reed

Jake Sweetwood Kacey Shields

PARK UNIVERSITY

Caleb Cochrane Jakib Jones Jonah Altenburg Jordin Alexis Gardner Seth Louthain

AVILA

Emily Villarreal Samuel Orozco

WILLIAM JEWELL Kassie Gow Eric Krieger

IHOPU

Katie Higgins

BAPTIST BIBLE Garrett Walker

KC ART INSTITUTE

Angel Monarrez Eva Ohman Haley Erickson Katelyn Ashlee Woodson Kelsey Santellan

UMKC

Anhar Sabri Anoop Chung Bailey Strain Braidey Howe Brock Hanson Cecilia Peak Dana Ruf Yung Nguyen Jade Miller Kellen Hammons Lynn Huynh Mohammad Khan Monique Hsu Morgan Stout Roda Awili Ryan Greger Ryan Grotans Senad Halili Sofia Rudic Teadora Williams-Locke Vanessa Jenkins

Midwestern Baptist Seminary Savannah Nokes

Coast to Coast: Oregon:

Lane Community College Ivis Buckingham

California:

American Musical and Dramatic Academy Jake Bjornlie California Polytechnic State University Tate Hayes Pomona Caitlin Warren University of Santa Monica Charles Leapheart

Arizona:

Arizona State Lakyahna Patterson Northern Arizona University Shelby Jones

Hawaii:

Hawaii Pacific University Ashley Moss

Colorado:

Colorado Film School Cody Van Hooser

Texas:

SENIOR MAP

Howard Payne University Marcus Rademacher

28

Seniors travel all over the country to fulfill their after high school plans.

Nebraska:

University of Nebraska Amanda Reid James Schold Jacob Wilczek James Love College of Saint Mary Abigail Morris

Iowa:

Drake University Garrett Smith Taylor Robertson Graceland University Stephanie Lane

Iowa State University Crishae’ Anderson Quinn McCollum Josh McPherson Upper Iowa University Dalen Humiston

Illinios:

Virginia:

Wheaton College Kensey Slone

Virginia State University Cameron Scott

University of Illinios Springfield Regina Bolin

University of Mary Washington Stephanie Kay

Ohio:

Ohio State University Evan Kutz

Hawkeye Community College Mykaela Fox

Pennsylvania: Carnegie Mellon Nathan Keller

New York:

The United States Military Academy at West Point Will Ryan Parsons Ching Lan

South Carolina:

University of South Carolina Cooper Stanturf

Washington DC:

George Mason University Wisdon Nwike

Georgia:

Southeast Lineman Training Center Ashi Stice

Florida:

Johnson & Wales Dymond Hunter

Tennessee:

Belmont University Derrick Kauffman Jacob Reinmiller

Arkansas:

Kansas:

Baker Blake Barnard Brooke Barnard Alec Fiest Logan Lashbrook Kaitlyn Ebbrecht Dodge City Community College Johnny Balsamo Ricky Trammell

University of Kansas Zach Allen Wichita State Shane Belew University Victoria Bogner Crystal O’Malley Derek Hurd Edrese Ibrahimi Ottawa University Katie McWhirter Hunter PayneRebecca Scharhag Shofler Jordan Simcox Sarah Hogan Emporia State Shane Storm Victoria Barragan Alyssa Vasquez Rhett Dean Redel Johnson County Community Benedictine College University Kylee Huffman Matthieu Gilme

University of Arkansas Jenna Gilio Kaleb Harvey Christina Silvy Zachary Tarpley

Kansas State University Beth Cooper Brooke Hall Chloe Nelson Zach Serrano Kenny McConnell Ryan O’Dell Blake Nave Quintavious Kelly

Pittsburg State University Kaylin Lake Jake Terveer University of St. Mary Madaline Reed Shawnee Mission Plumbing Mason Holloway

Military:

Army Frank Dias Thomas Gaye Jasmine Stewart Cody Wells Marines Thomas Boudreaux Jake Nuttall Nick Velez Navy James Adams Air Force Justin Bernard Jesus Reyes Tapia National Guard Alexander Forbes

The Best of Times RYLEE

As the school year comes close to an end, the seniors reflect on some of their favorite memories from their last year in high school.

FEATURE

Pla Hai ying L guit rspray ink La ar d uri and p rkin in - M ng “It T laying m att a Dre kes Tw y ilin o�. g

30

STOULIL

ile r wh e e l e h ibb of t ick H he rest ott N Sc side ith t long ncer w eron a g Bein ught ca . - Cam o m he f cer tea soc

The stud ent sectio n cheerin band my g for the senior ye marching a memorab r made my seaso n le. - Chlo e Nelson very

r. rM ar fo will e y I is ent e th li mce cool ev Morel E n a a a s l g a e Bein Hill w . - Ang Park r forget neve

ly showed otball game real The Red Out fo iller . - Jacob Reinm our school unity

My favorite high school memory is probably winning [wrestling] State as a team because all the guys supported each other like a family. - John Erneste

Cour tw it wa arming b s just eca - Sha a fun da use n ne S torm ce.

May 1

May 2

The Countdown is on ... 17 16 May 8

May 9

10 9

May 10

8

May 1

7

1

May 12

May 1

6 5

3

May 3

May 5

May 4

15 14

May 14

May 1

4 3

5

May 7

May 6

13 12

May 16

2

May 1

1

7

11

May 18

0

Days Left Until Graduation

ts chan r o i . ay sen The Toga D ve on ke Na a - Bl

My ab was solute f a bein g an vorite h i Asse Emcee o gh scho ol m mbly f the e .-B rook Homec mory omin eH g all

r ls fo iona . t a m r N foru g fo fyin public el i l a Qu bate in e Te g de - Ga

Right after the Homecoming parade, the Drum Line put on a show right outside of the band room. - Hannah Conner

Get When everyo ne ru basketball team shed the court after our beat South fo r the District Championsh ip. - Giusepp e Cedillo

ll otba s o f r ay fo ight will alw an n r o I y i Sen ething Will R m o . s r e s i emb rem

ting cha asked ract t ers. o prom - Ra w che ith D i lB ruc sney e

We’re everywhere!