Trojan Magazine

the

Trojan Issue 7 April 2012

Spring sports kick off

Student chance of a lifetime

Truth behind Kony

Cover Shot On March 28, junior pitcher Dalton Moats and the rest of the varsity baseball team took on Oak Park at home. After a half hour rain delay, Park Hill won 2-0. photo donated by: averygardner

Check out our award winning website, www.myparkhill.com. code compatable with QR code reader app.

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- Along with online, follow the website’s twitter @my_parkhill - Glass half empty or half full? Read our story about optimism - Club spot lights: Amnesty, Young Conservatives, Band

the

Trojan Park Hill High School 7701 Barry Rd., Kansas City, Mo 64153

editor-in-chief

graceprose

design editor

heatherkennard

copy editor

camillesmith

photo editor

nickbuchberg

web editor

jessicaswete

web photo editor

coopergardner

business manager

alyssavasquez

reporter

zachhahn

reporter

maddiehemphill

reporter

kaylinlake

reporter

chloelane

reporter

lauraprice

reporter

kateryan

reporter

mackenziethomas

reporter

ninawussow

Dear Readers,

The Trojan, published monthly during the regular school year, is the official publication of Park Hill High School, and is printed by Osage Graphics in Olathe, Kan. All unsigned editorials represent the opinion of The Trojan staff. Editorials do not necessarily represent the opinion of the faculty or administration including the advisor.

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 Rd., Kansas City, Mo 64153, or call 816-359-6238.

April 4 was Cardinals season opener. I can’t explain to you just how excited I was for that first pitch, for the beginning of the new baseball season. As returning World Series Champions, my Cardinals have a lot to prove. Losing both Albert Pujols and Tony LaRussa, two essential men to the Cardinals club, left many fans skeptical about the potential success of the team this year. I, for one, cried over both these loses, but the game goes on. We won the season opener against the Miami Marlins, hopefully the start of a very successful season. The truth is though, I wouldn’t love the Cardinals any less if they lost every single game.

Being a Cardinals fan isn’t a choice. It’s who I am, it’s where I’m from. There’s a reason they call it cardinal nation. The feeling in the ball park, downtown, the whole city. It’s intoxicating, enveloping. It becomes a part of you that you can never shake. There will never be a time in my life that I won’t be a diehard Cardinals fan. Some of my fondest memories were made in Bush Stadium. Eating soft-serve ice cream out of a plastic helmet, being on my brother’s shoulders to see, taking my little cousins to the games. It’s a part of my childhood that I’ll never let go of and I get to experience all of those memories all over again whenever I walk into the park or watch the games on T.V. or even hear them on the radio. Now, living in Kansas City, I’m the one red jersey in a sea of blue and that’s okay. It’s okay to be who you are, even if you’re alone. Don’t ever let go of the things you love in order to fit in.

Grace Prose

Contents Campus

7

Getting the key to his future Junior Ben Shinogle was awarded the golden key and the silver award in the Scholastic Writing Competition.

Sports

14

Kicking off their season

Community

16

Shifting our schools

Life

19

Play

21

Feature

With a brand new coaching staff, the girls soccer season has been undergoing some major changes, but they’ve managed to stay close and become a family.

With the new elementary school, boundaries will have to shift for next school year. See how this affects you.

It’s not just you Some students choose not to attend prom for various reasons, many due to money.

Hints from Heather See these tips on how to save a few bucks on prom expenses such as nails, hair, and even dresses.

5

X- Factor

9

Stuggles across the continent

17

Student Glenda Craig auditioned for a chance to be on the popular singing competition the X-Factor.

Read all about her experience.

New light has been shed on the problems in Uganda, but there are other struggles across Africa as well.

And the prom queen is...?

There are many rumors circulating about why we don’t have a prom queen. Read the real reason.

photo by: chloelane

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photo by: lauraprice

photo by: nickbuchberg

15

photo by: kaylinlake

16 13 donated by: rachelslenker

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by: zachhahn ~ Bleep. Bleep. Bleep.

Junior Glenda Craig’s eyes opened slowly, fighting the attractive pull of sleep. “Two a.m. already?” she asked herself before getting out of bed. ~ The car ride to the Kemper Arena was made in relative silence, with Glenda too tired to talk and her mother too engrossed in thought. Glenda was on her way to audition for the X-Factor, a competitive singing contest, and was hoping the entire time that it could be her chance. Having been part of a few school plays and fully involved in choir, she figured her chance was as good as any. ~ It wasn’t until they reached the parking lot that her nerves started to set in. Looking around the parking lot, she could see a lot of other people, probably all contestants. She and her mother walked up to the registration booth and checked in, only to be told to go wait in one of five lines. In all, Glenda estimated there to be around two thousand people at the auditions.

This crowd is a bit small for the tryouts. Guess that strengthens my odds, right?

She gave herself a small smile and found the crowd she was supposed to join. Her line was the one on the far left, and it was, despite the early hour, buzzing with a certain energy.

How can these people be this excited at this hour? ~ Hours passed by quickly, for the crowd’s enthusiasm quickly worked its way into Glenda’s mood. People were singing, some even dancing to each other’s songs, others in deep conversations with fellow contestants. One man, in particular, was doing much to show off his eccentric personality, moving up and the crowd, shouting and smiling.

Glenda’s mother leaned closer to her and said, “Sure are some interesting characters here, huh?”

Glenda smiled and nodded back.

Really is a fun atmosphere.

As they neared the Kemper Arena’s doors, Glenda’s nerves rampaged, nauseatingly switching from unparalleled confidence to nail-biting anxiety. She thought about the previous Monday when she had to go to registration. Again, it’d been early, but that’s how she wanted it.

Good thing I went or else I’d have to go through this emotional roller coaster all day. I feel bad for those who got there late.

When they arrived, the registration personnel given her a number, which she had to hold onto for today. That would be the number they called to tell her to go audition.

Row J, seat 13. 13? Hope it’s my lucky one.

Once Glenda and her mother entered the Arena, Glenda was given a disclosure form, permitting them the right to use her voice, and her mother a permission slip, to allow Glenda to try out. Focusing her attention on the form helped quell her nerves, but, after turning it in, she was to fend for herself again.

Okay. I’ve got this. The song I chose fits me. Thank you Garth Brooks for writing ‘The Dance.’ Oh, but what if I mess up? Will they let me try again? Focus Glenda! You can’t doubt yourself now. You are too far in this to be having these thoughts.

Her mother, sitting beside her, could tell her daughter was wrestling with her feelings and said, “Don’t worry. It’ll be fine.”

Glenda nodded, not really sure what to say. It was all up to the producers whether or not it’ll be fine. Despite what most people think, the try outs weren’t in front of the TV judges. First, the contestant would have to sing for the junior producers, receive the okay to continue, sing for the senior producers, receive the okay to continue, and then they got to sing in front of the judges on television on some later date.

The doors to the arena opened and contestants started filing in, ready to take a seat to wait their turn. Glenda had to go with them. As she left, her mother said, “You are going to do great and, no matter what, you are a great singer.”

Glenda smiled and said, “Thanks mom,” before leaving to find her seat. ~ Another one to the left. Oh, this isn’t good.

The girl sitting next to Glenda was called forward and stepped behind the curtain where the judging was taking place for her line of people. If they said yes, contestants, smiling and excited, exited to the right. If they didn’t make it, they exited to the left. Glenda was trying to keep track of the people who’d made it.

Unfortunately, most were taking a walk to the left.

“I’m beautiful in my way. ‘Cause God makes no mistakes.

I’m on the right track, baby. I was born this way,” came from behind the curtain where that girl had gone.

Wow, she’s really good. She’ll get to go on for sure.

A few minutes passed after she finished her song. Then the curtains parted.

And she walked out to the left.

“Ooohhh, crap,” Glenda said under her breath.

“Number 13.”

Well, here we go. ~ Glenda’s mother was still waiting in the lobby where they’d filled out paperwork. She kept watching those doors, seeing both sad and happy contestants exit. She rose from her seat when she saw her expressionless daughter come out. She walked to meet Glenda, rested a hand on her

Another Park Hill student audtioned. Senior T’havalo Patterson auditioned and cleared both rounds. He and his family will be heading to Las Angeles this summer for TV judging. Check out his video interview at myparkhill.com.

shoulder and asked, “Well?”

Glenda gave a weak smile and said, “They told me to come back next year.”

Her mother’s face fell. “Well, then we’ll just have to come back next year, won’t we?”

“I guess so.”

page designed by: nickbuchberg

april 2012 myparkhill.com

6

Awarded the key to his future e l g o n i h S Ben

Campus

by: heatherkennard & kateryan photo by: nickbuchberg Every year teens all around the United States enter essays in the Scholastic Writing Competition. Most find themselves disappointed with the results, but some achieve greatness in the competition. Some among junior Ben Shinogle won the prestigious Gold Key Award in Missouri regionals for his personal essay on his schizophrenic uncle which was submitted to the national level as well. He took home the Silver Award.

“I never really knew him well, but I knew that he had issues in life and had a promising career, which was unfortunate. It was an expression about how I may not have a successful life, that not everyone will have a successful life, and that not every person is destined to lead this fairytale existence,” said junior Ben Shinogle.

The Scholastic Art and Writing awards are one of nation’s biggest and oldest scholarship and recognition program for teenagers involved and artists and writers. Since 1923 they have been recognizing and awarding teens who submitted to the competition.

“I was really surprised when I was chosen to get the award. I knew they sent out emails to anyone that won, so I went ahead and checked online to see if I knew anyone who won, and I saw my name, and my heart stopped,” Shinogle said.

This year, more than 200,000 works of art and writing were submitted by students in grades 7-12. Approximately 13,000 Gold Key works were judged at the national level and the top 11 percent received national Gold or Silver Medals. Shinogle will be among previous winners such as Andy Warhol, Truman Capote, Richard Avedon, Kay Walkingstick, Zac Posen, John Currin, Robert Redford and Joyce Carol Oates. photo by: nickbuchberg Shinogle and his language arts teacher Sara Capra have been invited to an awards Ceremony at Carneige Hall in New York City on Friday, June 1.

“There are lighting up the empire state building with gold, just for the scholarship winners. It’s a huge deal for me,” Shinogle said.

Shinogle isn’t the only one from Park Hill to receive an award from the Alliance of Young Artists and Writers, students include senior Reide LaRosh and senior Anita Ofokansi. LaRosh and Ofokansi received the Silver Key for their works. Their pieces were selected from the 628 submissions submitted by students throughout Missouri. These students, along with language arts teachers, wSara Capra and Charlotte Land, have attended the March 2 Language Arts Write to Learn conference, where they received an award certificate and pin.

7 myparkhill.com april 2012

Curriculum Commotion With middle school student’s being put on the advanced track, changes come to high school math courses. by: camilllesmith When the class of 2016 graduates, their high school transcripts will look pretty different from those of the class of 2012. Several changes have recently been made to PHHS’s curriculum, especially with regards to advanced math.

The math page in the 2012 edition of the course description handbook is, at first glance, completely confusing. However, after it’s explained it becomes pretty easy to follow. Basically, the math department has been split into two sections—a regular and an accelerated path. The accelerated path, although it looks different, is almost the same as it is now, except for a few new concepts which are being added to the Accelerated Trig class. The other route through the math department is where it gets a little complicated.

“40 to 50 percent of students typically fail Algebra 2,” assistant principal Deborah Miller said. “One year ago this semester, 64.22 percent of students earned a C or better in College Algebra. That means that about 40 percent got a D or an F in College Algebra.”

40 percent is a big number of students to be failing out of advanced math, and it becomes even scarier when other changes to the curriculum are taken into consideration. For the class of 2016, geometry will no longer be the math prerequisite for graduation—now, in order to graduate, a student will have to pass Algebra II. Obviously, having 40 percent of the student body be unable to graduate is something the administration is eager to prevent, and this is why they are making some of these changes—for example, there will now be the option (although it’s not required) to take Algebra II A and B, as well as College Algebra A and B. “There are a lot of reasons why students are unsuccessful in math. Probably the biggest reason we see is attendance—if you miss a lot of days, you won’t do well in math,” teacher Adam Bezinovich said. “If spread out over a whole year, it won’t be as critical because you’ll only miss a few lessons (if you’re absent). Is it preparing them for classes when they’re going to have to work faster? That’s going to be a different story.”

Although Bezinovitch feels the changes are mostly good, there are some math teachers who disagree. The biggest reason that math teachers see for students failing their classes is not lack of math ability, but students either not doing their homework or missing class. Some teachers feel that split math classes, which have slower pacing and little homework, will be essentially enabling these habits and will be inadequate preparation for higher levels of math and especially college classes.

Despite the controversy over these changes, administrators believe that they are consistent with the focus that Park Hill puts on creating a strong math foundation for college.

“Math is the gateway to future success,” said Dr. Kincheloe. “In a school where 80 percent of students say they want wa nt tto o go tto o co coll lleg ege, e, we we want want to to make make sure ssur uree that that 80 80 percent, perc pe rcen ent, t, when whe w hen n th they ey g get et college, to ccol olle lege ge,, they’re they th ey’r ’ree su succ cces essf sful ul.. A And nd ccol olle lege ge iiss go goin ing g to rreq equi uire re ssom omee ma math th.” .” college, successful. college going require some math.”

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Made It AP Macroeconomics AP Studio Art French III French IV British Literature

Didn’t Make It Water Sports World Wide Web AP Spanish Latino Studies Cardio Combo AP Music Theory AP Microeconomics Advertising and Sales Promotion Pre-Vocational Program Asian Studies

Struggles Across the Continent S Since Invisible Children released a video condemning Joseph Kony, public sentiment has been building against the Lord’s Resistance Army. However, before forming an opinion, one should understand the history of the region which gave rise to Kony.

History H i of LRA by: ccamillesmith a & mackenziethomas In 1962, 19 9 Britain decolonized Uganda and left it as a constitutionally-based cons t republic. However, conflict ensued between betw w supporters of the republic and those in favor of a statee that granted more power to tribal-based kingdoms. This confl flict eventually resulted in a 1966 military coup which greatly great t weakened the constitution and exacerbated tribal confl flicts.

The Th h new president was only in power for five years before was ousted by a 1971 coup where absolute power was he w placed place e in the hands of the new dictator, Idi Amin Dada, who committed genocide against as many as 100,000 of his people, comm m including members of the Acholi—the same tribe that would inclu d eventually give rise to Kony. Amin was ousted in 1978 with the even t help of the Tanzanian army, after he tried to annex part of their territory. territ to Since 1979, Uganda has been under the control of the Si i Ugandan National Liberation Front and a string of different Ugan n presidents.

One of the most famous, Milton Otobe (1980-85), presi d was also a responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths before befo r being defeated by a band of primarily Acholi soldiers.

The new n government followed in the footsteps of his terrible human hum a rights record before itself being overthrown in 1986 by the current president, Musevini, who has and replaced r improved conditions in the country. impr o Because of British colonial policy, which favored the central B fertile region of Uganda for development, the north and more m became known primarily for military and manual labor. Acholi beca rebellion against the Musevini government was primarily rebel l because of ongoing ethnic tensions. beca In n 1986, Alice Lakwena claimed that she was a prophet and established e the Holy Spirit Movement, which espoused a belieff that the Acholi could defeat Musevini by using a mixture belie of Ch Christian h spirituality and tribal rituals. The movement was short t short-lived, and Kony took advantage of Lakwena’s defeat to recruit recru u Holy Spirit remnants into the new Ugandan People’s Dem o Democratic Army, which adopted traditional tactics of guerilla warf fa warfare.

The fact that the Ugandan military’s human rights recor r was just as bad enabled him to sustain passive support record amo n the Acholi people. among Th h Throughout the 1990’s, Kony’s human rights record grew so bad baa that he lost all popular support, and in 2006, he left Ugan n and relocated his force to the Democratic Republic Uganda of th h Congo, where he was responsible for the death and the displ a displacement of over 130,000 people.

9 mmyparkhill.com april 2012

Equatorial Guinea

Teodoro Mbasogo Mbasogo took control of Equatorial Guinea after overthrowing his uncle. He has taken the country’s wealth and put it into the private bank accounts of him, his son, and the country’s current Minister of Agriculture and Forestry. They have spent this money on mansions in the U.S., cars in Paris, and the one of the world’s largest yachts. While this country is rich from oil and its per capita GDP is close to Denmark’s, 80 percent of the population lives on less than two dollars a day and has the secondhighest mortality rate of children in the world.

Sudan

Omar Al-Bashir Al-Bashir rose to power in a bloodless coup, but his reign has been marked by extreme violence. Recently, the country was separated into Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan, but violence is still occurring. In places where there are issues with South Sudan, al- Bashir’s military has bombed innocents, killing numerous civilians and forcing over 100,00 people to flee the country. In the 1990s he committed genocidal actions in the religiously diverse Nuba Mountains by starving people to death and preventing the reach humanitarian aid. Not even ten years later, he began committing ongoing genocide in Darfur, causing over 400,000 deaths, two million internally displaced persons, and another 275,000 refugees because of ethnic conflict. Just last June, Bashir’s soldiers and militia carried out at least crimes against humanity, if not genocidal actions, in the Nuba Mountains once again. Despite human rights abuses, AlBashir has more than tripled Sudan’s Gross Domestic Product, which is one of the reasons he is able to maintain power. The International Criminal Court (ICC) currently has charged Bashir with crimes against humanity and genocide.

Eritrea

Isaias Afewerki Afewerki was at one time the man that led Eritrea to freedom. That has changed drastically today as he has taken away almost all freedoms, and censorship and religious suppression run rampant. There is not a constitution, and everyone is put into “national service,” which is forced labor or military service for an indefinite amount of time, after they turn 18. Those who do not enter are jailed or killed. People of religions not approved of are imprisoned and tortured, as well as journalists and activists. More than 50,000 Eritreans have had to escape to refugee camps in Ethiopia because of this “president.”

Zimbabwe

Robert Mugabe Mugabe keeps a tight hold on his people, although he has an unemployment rate of more than 85 percent and his reign has seen the country’s economy plummet from relative stability to one of the worst in the world. In 2008, Mugabe held an election, but he clearly was not planning on allowing himself to lose.

Hundreds of people opposing him were killed, and another 5,000 were tortured or beaten. He ended up making an agreement to share power with the opposed leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, but has broken the terms and put his own supporters at the head of every ministry. At the same time, the attention put to health has been non-existent and thousands of Zimbabweans have died from cholera and other diseases.

pages designed by: nickbuchberg & camillesmith

april 2012

myparkhill.com

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11 myparkhill.com march 2012

Raising awareness or skeptasism? by: adriannavives The name Joseph Kony has been heard a lot in the halls recently, following a controversial video released by the charity Invisible Children. However, the facts, history, and opinions associated with this issue are much more extensive than many people are aware.

Stop Kony 2012 is a movement to bring Joseph Kony, a war leader of the LRA (the Lord’s Resistance Army), to justice. For 26 years, he has been abducting children in Uganda. Kony and his forces take young boys in the night and bring their sisters to be turned into sex slaves. Over 30 years, Joseph Kony has taken an estimated 30,000 kids.

When he first became active, Kony’s goal was to establish a theocratic government in Uganda that was based on religious cultism and would offer support to his ethnic group, the Acholi, which was marginalized by the current government—however, this Acholi nationalism didn’t stop them from raiding Acholi villages and kidnapping children.

Stop Kony 2012’s main goal is to make the name Kony famous. By making him famous, Congress can keep troops in Uganda to help and other major countries can support Stop Kony 2012 as well. However, there is doubt that direct military intervention is the best cause of action for stopping Kony. There is the possibility that military intervention could further destabilize the region, and any attack on Kony’s forces would necessitate killing children, since child soldiers make up the bulk of his forces.

“As outsiders, as a nation that doesn’t understand the complex workings of the ethnic and tribal groups that have constantly been at war, it might seem like a good idea to just go in and take Kony out. But we can’t really know that this will solve the problem,” teacher Jennifer West said.

Invisible Children has enlisted the help of over 20 celebrities, athletes, and billionaires to show Americans who Kony is and make his name known. Celebrities like Lady Gaga and Rihanna support the cause. They are also targeting politicians so the children of Uganda will have a voice. Both parties, Republican and Democrat, support Stop Kony 2012.

However, Invisible Children’s co-founder Jason Russell has been in the media lately due to a “brief reactive psychosis,” the words his family said in a public statement. He had a mental breakdown on a street corner in San Diego. Russell was fully naked, walking up and down the street corner, waving frantically and talking to himself. He also yelled and cursed at passing cars. Doctors said his breakdown was due to dehydration and shock.

“It’s a good cause, but a lot of people need to be more educated on it. I think it’s amazing that a lot of people are supporting it, like how people are changing their profile pictures to Stop Kony 2012,” sophomore Ivis Buckingham said.

On top of Russell’s breakdown, how Invisible Children has been spending their money and what their real motives are have been under scrutiny by America. Stop Kony 2012 has had a lot of donations sent in, but only 30 percent of their profits go to the actual cause. Most of their money is spent on travel to and from Uganda.

Additionally, the motives of the campaign itself are being called into question. Although Kony has caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands, his LRA is no longer as threatening as Invisible Children makes them appear. His once-formidable force is now down to merely hundreds of people. This has caused many, although they support the cause of stopping Kony, to be unwilling to donate to the charity.

“I don’t support the campaign put on by invisible children, but I think that Joseph Kony as an individual that should be captured,” junior Daniel Chen said.

Another problem Stop Kony 2012 has is whether Americans will participate or not.

“In my opinion, clicking a share button on Facebook surely isn’t going to magically solve the problem. This problem has been going on forever and suddenly everyone has an interest in it. Not many people cared about all of the problems going on in Africa until this video. We’re selfish for just now caring. We are hypocrites,” sophomore Alex Reyes said.

What can we do?

On April 20, the Stop Kony 2012 campaign is sponsoring an event called Cover the Night. On the night of April 20, participants will hang posters advertising the Kony campaign all over Kansas City. Students who want to participate can tear out the poster on the opposite page and go online if you’re curious for more details about the history of the LRA or the Stop Kony 2012 campaign.

pages designed by: camillesmith

april 2012

myparkhill.com

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On The Right Track Athletes step up to lead the team

Sports

by: chloelane On Feb. 27, one hundred plus students started their preparation to become great runners, jumpers, and throwers. Along with all the returning track athletes, there were quite a few newcomers, many of whom had never gone out for track before in their lives. With that being said, there are a lot of expectations these athletes have to live up to, whether they are new or have been running track in the past.

“The older people have really helped me with my running form, and every time I have a question, I know I can go ask them and they will help me,” said sophomore Angelica Pasek, a newcomer to the track team this season.

The newer athletes are expected to listen and try their best to understand what they are being taught. On the other end, the veterans have pretty high expectations to live up to also.

Besides practicing and performing to their best ability, they also have to be leaders for the rest of the team.

“Being a leader is a lot of responsibility. Not only do you have to help with any questions the newcomers might have, but you also have to show leadership by working hard and setting good examples,” said junior Anthony Arens, returning varsity sprinter.

Upper classmen are not the only ones who are considered leaders. Sophomore Will Ryan participated in track his freshman year, with this season being his second, and he has taken on the role of being a strong leader for the new athletes.

“A really good thing you have to do to help the younger kids is to teach them the fundamentals. Being a leader is what is expected. The coaches always like to see you taking initiative to help out,” said Ryan.

To some athletes, track is a lot more than just a sport. With so many students involved in this sport, there is a much bigger opportunity to make special bonds with fellow athletes that would have never been made otherwise. ”I didn’t even know some of the people before track that have now become some of my best friends,” said Arens.

For sophomore thrower Brianna Anderson, track has helped her peers become more than just friends to her.

“I came back again this year not just because I accomplished so much as a freshman, like getting 2nd in discus at JV conference, and I wanted to see what I am capable of as a sophomore, but because last year all the throwers became such close friends that now we are somewhat of a family. I know if I ever needed anything, I can go to one of them and they will be there for me,” said Anderson.

Through hard work and dedication, Park Hill’s track team has been very successful in years past and they are hoping to continue doing so in years to come.

“To be good, you have to work hard. To be the best, you have to work harder than everyone else,” said Arens.

During a meet on March 15, sopohmore Blake Nave particpates in long jump. photo by: chloelane

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On March 15, junior Anthony Arens,participates in the 200 meter dash. photo by: chloelane

While competing in high jump, Rachel Williams tries to beat her competitors. photo by: chloelane

Kicking Off Their Season with so many changes entering the new year, the girls’ soccer team remains close.

by: maddiehemphill The arrival of spring brings many things – rain, flowers, and for the Park Hill Lady Trojans, soccer season. Tryouts brought out a record number of girls for the program, and things are looking good for the Lady Trojans. Among the many new faces from the student body, there are also new faces in the coaching department, with new varsity assistant Brandt Bell.

History teacher Brandt Bell, who coached c-team boys soccer in the fall, is beginning his first year of girls soccer with Park Hill as the assistant varsity coach.

“I decided to coach girls soccer because I wanted to gain more coaching experience,” said Bell. “When I heard there was an opportunity to coach I knew I wanted to get involved.”

However, there may be a few changes from the fall for Coach Bell to adjust to.

“Coaching girls is definitely different from coaching boys,” Bell said. “They take things differently than boys, they don’t react the same. It’s just a different mentality you have to have.”

Bell’s expectations for the varsity team include constant improvement as a team and posing as a threat in conference and district match-ups.

“We want to win all of our home games, and especially win games that are against conference and district opponents,” said Bell. “I also just want to see improvement throughout the season.

It’s always a goal to keep getting better.”

The varsity team began their season over spring break with a tournament in Lees Summit, and several regular season games have been played since. The Trojans have experienced highs and lows so far this season, losing five out of their six first games, but are not letting that shake their spirits.

Sophomore team captain Lyndi Plattner has an optimistic outlook on the season.

“We’re all staying super pumped up about this season,” Plattner said. “We want to start winning games and I know we can come out with a winning record!”

Sophomore player Abby Peoples also believes that the varsity team can become a winning team - in more ways than one.

“Winning the conference title is always a goal for us,” said Peoples, “but along with that I think a goal for us is to become a family on and off the field. When we are close with our teammates, it shows in our play. That should be our real goal for the season.”

Coach Bell agrees.

“Becoming a family will create trust throughout the team,” said Bell. “You have to be able to know that you can trust your team and that they’ll always have your back, both on and off the field.”

Come out and support the Lady Trojans at the Park Hill District Stadium at South. The next home games for the varsity team are April 16, 17, and 18, when the Lady Trojans take on Liberty, St. Joseph Central, and Truman at home.

The varsity team huddles h up before beating No North orth Kansas o City 10-0 on March ch 26. Photo donated by: abby ypeoples abbypeoples

page designed by: nickbuchberg & heat heatherkennard t

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WALK H PE FOR

Community

Park Hill community raises money in memory of Senior Hope Corwin

46 children are dagnosed with cancer every day in the United States The average high school has two students who are current or former cancer patients Oncology is the study and treatment of tumors More than half of all cancer patients receive chemotherapy treatment Cancer is the leading cause of death among kids ages 1-14

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by: kaylinlake Hope is a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. That’s exactly why Hope will never be forgotten within the halls of Park Hill. Hope Corwin was a senior who passed away this year on September19, 2011 from childhood cancer. She was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoa, a relatively rare form of cancer that can occur in any part of the body, in April of her freshman year of high school. Freshman and senior executive councils worked together to present a Walk for Hope in which all the money and proceeds would go to the Oncology ward at Children’s Mercy Hospitalto help cancer patients in Hope’s name. The walk was on Saturday, March 10, and as of March 28, senior exec had counted close to 3,300 dollars raised.

The walk was a great way to get people up and out, and to raise money for the hospital. The proceeds will end up helping kids immensely. Along with helping others, everyone had a great time.

“The Walk was a lot of fun--it was a good way to get out with friends and do something to help others,” sophomore Brooke Barnard said.

People were excited for the walk because of the impact Hope had on everyone who know her.

“She made a lot of friends while she was here and she made having cancer not a burden but something you can learn to live with. She never really let it change who she was because because she wanted to show people that you can fight it as long as you can. She fought for three years, which is longer than most,” senior Aurora Ramierz said.

Along with the walk, the Girls Tennis team is planning on doing a tennis tournament fundraiser this summer. Tennis coach Tim Kalis knew Hope personally when she began taking tennis lessons from him, and eventually made it onto the team her freshman year. Hope offered a lot to the team and her teammates.

“If you look at what Hope gave us by her dedication in general, she even came back out to the team once she had her cancer because she loved to game, and the team,” coach Tim Kalis said.

The school is planning on continuing the walk next year, to keep her legacy going.

Although Hope couldn’t be in the walk herself, she left a legacy in Park Hill that will forever remain.

As Hope said in her videos, “you don’t know what tomorrow brings, so live strong for today.”

Shifting Our Schools Redistricting: how will it affect you?

With summer and the new school year soon approaching, Park Hill is getting ready to welcome the new elementary school, Tiffany Ridge, to the district. But with the new school comes new boundaries. The bou determining what neighborhoods and houses belong to which schools are being shifted to keep the school populations level. As some kids get new schools, these changes are helping our district advance into the future, growing and changing together.

The Goals Behind it All • To create more balanced enrollment among schools that previously differed by almost 200 students, even with expected growth and economic trends throughout the communities.

• Make sure the schools contain an even mix of students from different soceoeconomic statuses, as no school fares better or worse than another.

• To keep whole neighborhoods and subdivisions together, instead of splitting them up.

• Reduce the distance required to travel to school, to benifit both costs and safety of students.

• Keep the number of students switching schools as small as possible, with no middle or high school boundaries being changed, and students going into fifth grade in the fall will have the option of staying at their current school, but will not be provided transportation by bus to school. page designed by: kaylinlake & mackenziethomas

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AND THE prom queen is... by: maddiehemphill The night of prom is a rite of passage unlike any other in American culture. Urban legends and Hollywood lore alike fable prom night as “the best night of your life”: a night that will live on forever as a highlight of the high school experience. Luxurious dresses and tuxedos, elaborate hairstyles and makeup, hours of dancing and after parties that last until the dawn – all are essential to the prom night that has become such a staple in the teenage American dream. Attendees of Park Hill’s prom this May will have an opportunity to experience all of these things and make memories that will last a lifetime. But one piece of the typical prom night portrayed in our culture is missing from our prom here at Park Hill – prom king and queen. No prom king or queen will be crowned this May at the dance, and no prom court will be elected by the student body as is typical for homecoming and courtwarming. What makes prom different?

Rumors surrounding the topic of prom queen abound in the halls of Park Hill – everything from death threats by other queen candidates to suicide at not being chosen – attempt to explain the lack of royalty at Park Hill’s prom.

Junior Brittany White has heard some of the rumors about Park Hill’s missing prom queen.

“I’ve heard a bunch of rumors about why there’s not a prom queen,” said White. “I heard that way back when, a girl was voted on prom court as a joke and when she wasn’t chosen as prom queen she killed herself in the auditorium.”

Other rumors have been spread throughout our school over the years, but nobody really knows why there isn’t a prom

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court every spring. Former teacher Cheryl Patneau puts things in perspective.

“Park Hill hasn’t had a prom king or queen for at least the past 25 years. My first prom was in 1989 and they didn’t have one that year or the year before,” Patneau said. “The administration just wanted the seniors to enjoy their last dance and not have any disappointment at not being chosen involved with their final prom.”

Senior Mackenzie Miller agrees that prom doesn’t need a queen to make the evening enjoyable.

“It’s not fair to single out just one or two people as being ‘the best’, especially not during prom which is stressful enough already,” Miller said. “It would cause way too much controversy.”

Other students like junior Charles Shockley also disagree with the idea of introducing a prom court.

“It would be fun, but we already have Mr. Park Hill and Homecoming Queen, and then Courtwarming King and Queen too,” said Shockley. “It would just make people insecure if they didn’t get chosen or arrogant if they did. We really don’t need it.”

Senior Lindsey Horstmann disagrees with these views.

“I definitely think we should elect a prom king and queen,” said Horstmann. “It would be another exciting thing about prom season and everyone would want a chance to win.”

Horstmann isn’t alone in her views. Every year as prom rolls around, girls and boys alike question the absence of prom king and queen from our school.

[prom myth] It’s a myth that you must attend the prom with a date. And here’s why.

There’s no pressure. The hype surrounding prom, can make someone feel like they should have a special evening with a speical someone. That’s a lot of pressure, pressure that can take the fun out of everything. If you go with a friend or a group of people, that lessens the pressure that you’re supposed to have a good time with a specific person.

Although prom started out very modest, as it did everything else, the 1980s changed everything. The 1980’s or the decade of change and rebellious came full throttle and shook things up a bit. Proms became standard and the attire change to a bit upscale. The ingredients of prom now included: rented tuxedos, designer gowns, stretched limousines, expensive restaurants, sex, drugs and alcohol.

[statistic] [prom myth] Another myth of prom is that you need to wear an expensive dress or tuxedo from a popular store. You need to wear what you want to prom, because this is your chance to express yourself.

53% of all prom-goers will rent a limosene to and from Prom, and most likely to after Prom and back.

[statistic] page designed by: nickbuchberg

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Life

It’s Not Just You: Passing on Prom

Untold Truths of Prom: - The average couple spends $1,300 on prom - 65 percent of teen will ask their parents for money to pay for prom - Proms were inspired by debutante balls that generally the wealthy would host for their teenagers - The first proms in the 1900s were simple tea dances held for high school seniors about to graduate - Over half of teenage girls going to prom spend more than $400 on a dress - 53% of people going to prom will rent a limo -Most girls start looking for their dress at least 11 weeks in advance - 81% of people who go to prom say the thing they remember most about Prom is the bad DJ

by: lauraprice With spring in the air, prom is just around the corner. For some, it’s a night anticipated with excitement for months. For others, just the thought of prom makes their stomaches curl. Chances are, when that first weekend in May rolls around, not everyone will be attending the dance. While most are getting everything prepared for that one special night, others have different plans on their schedule.

Many people choose not to attend prom because of the cost. They may have things they would rather spend their money on. Junior Joey Johnson works many hours a week, and watching how to spend his money is important to him.

“It’s just more important to save your money, than to spend so much of it on one night,” said Johnson.

Senior Cherie Chung has very similar reasoning.

“I really don’t want to spend fifty dollars to eat a meal and dance at a hotel. Plus, on top of that, there’s the cost of a dress that I’ll only wear once--that’s another hundred and fifty dollars,” said Chung.

Chung has chosen to not attend any high school dance. To her, they aren’t important.

“I’d rather spend time with my friends other ways. Just going to dinner sounds so much better than having to go dance on a tiny, cramped hotel floor,” said Chung.

For Junior Marissa Gonzales, other things are more important to her right now.

“I’m pregnant, so I now have other responsibilities that come beforehand. I have a lot to get ready for the baby, and adding prom would cause more unnecessary stress. Also, I need to save the money,” said Gonzales.

Although many people are choosing not to go for financial reasons, this is not the case in every situation. Some people have decided that prom simply isn’t for them.

Junior Michael Williams II doesn’t have the desire to go to prom this year.

“It just doesn’t fit my personality--I haven’t even worn a suit since I was eight years old.

I’d rather just chill with my bros,” said Williams.

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Friends Bromances: When Become Brothers

by: makenziethomas All around the school one can see groups of guys hanging out, from big groups to dynamic duos. Friendships start to form from childhood, school, family, and activities. This social element is so important to the development as a person, as friends grow up together. Guy friends turn into bros, short for brothers because they become like family. A lucky few even have risen to a whole new level of friendship, the bromance.

Freshmen Will March and Kyle Francis have been together since they first met on the bus in fourth grade at Line Creek. They love playing sports together, like baseball. But, every bromance has its glitches. Francis doesn’t like how March sometimes ditches him for his girlfriend; March dislikes how Francis always punches him.

“Will’s a softie,” said Francis.

March thinks it’s odd how early Francis likes to wake up early when they go on weekend retreats together at the lake. Francis, on the other hand, thinks it’s weird how March likes to make new best friends on PlayStation, even though this might just be a little bit of jealousy.

However, dealing with one’s bro is an important part of a bromance. Their favorite memory would be when they targeted a laser pointer at an upperclassman’s car and were chased down by them afterwards, lucky to get away. One can always find these two together, joined at the hip.

“It [the bromance] is laid back and we can do anything around each other,” said March.

Sophomores Matt Dreiling and Tate Hayes have known each other since middle school, but didn’t really start their bromance until the end of freshman year. The two became friends while running cross country together this last fall. Hayes likes Dreiling’s raps, while Dreiling likes when Hayes makes him sandwiches. When they are together, the two can be found bickering like an old married couple.

“Tate talks too much,” says Dreiling.

Hayes didn’t object to that fact, but isn’t the only one with funny quirks.

“Matt thinks he knows everything about women,” says Hayes.

These bros know each other so well that they sometimes even accidently match their outfits. Hayes and Dreiling are constantly laughing together and having fun.

“If I was on a deserted beach and we were the only two, I would probably have to eat Matt, but he would just rap,” said Hayes.

Juniors Spencer Culver and Grant Ferland would best describe their relationship as very “bromantic.” These two hilarious guys have known each other for twelve years now. They love to debate and goon it up. Culver likes Ferland’s love of dugongs (manatees), and Ferland just adores Culver’s potent rejection of capitalist society. When asked the worst thing about each other, Culver brought up how Ferland wears black pants with brown sperries, while Ferland had some sweeter things to say.

“I just really can’t think of anything bad about Spencer,” said Ferland.

In love with each other’s faults, they have no problem talking about how weird the other is. Ferland sarcastically makes fun of people all the time, without them realizing, while Culver rolls and kicks all over the place in his sleep. Together, Ferland and Culver are two peas in a pod, meant for each other.

Seniors Garrett Wooldridge and Nate Huffer kicked off their bromance in speech class senior year. The two have very similar personalities, sharing laughs and inside jokes. But with as much fun as they have together, no bromance is perfect. Having moments of whining a little or being a tad paranoid just adds to their personalities that complement each other so well.

“We are the coolest kids in the school by far,” says Wooldridge.

Huffer and Wooldridge fondly remember all of their times in speech, making best man speeches. They even plan to get a bachelor pad together in Colorado after college. These seniors plan to be bros for life.

“We’re going to be the best men at each other’s weddings, if Garrett ever actually gets married,” says Huffer. page designed by: mackenziethomas & lauraprice

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HAIR BY RACHEL

Play

Hints from Heather...

“A tip for doing your hair for prom would be to get good hairspray and lots of bobby pins,” senior Rachel Slenker said. “You can go on YouTube and watch video tutorials on certain hairstyles. Also, another tip would be to look up certain celebrities, and try to mock their styles.

One of the latest trends is braids; they are really in right now.” photos donated by: rachelslenker

by: heatherkennard CHEAP PROM ALTERNATIVES For many of you, prom night is the most important night of your high school career.

Unfortunately, between a dress, hair, makeup, nails, a tuxedo, shoes, and tickets to the prom, you're looking at spending hundreds of dollars. Instead of spending all that money, save your cash and get creative about the most expensive aspects of prom.

DRESS IDEAS Check online, or even at thrift stores; you never know what you’re going to find. You can also borrow a dress from a friend, and spend virtually nothing. Don’t forget--if you’re going to buy online, some dresses can take several weeks to arrive. When shopping at thrift stores, look at consignment stores first.

You can find dresses at a fraction of the price.

Craigslist.com is also a very good option when trying to find a dress, but always meet the seller at a public place, and also bring an adult. You can also get dresses from your very own school, with the Cheap to Chic sale.

HAIR AND MAKEUP Do your own hair, makeup and nails to save money. Neither your hair nor your makeup should upstage your dress.

Dramatic Eyes – For a dramatic effect, try a neutral color all over with a sheer black shadow in the crease and bottom part of the eyelid. Blend from the outer corner of eye to the other side. Use a shimmer all over and blend evenly. It gives a super fierce look. Try putting a little shimmer under the eye for even more of a dramatic look. Not for you?

Try using a trio of brown with a little bit of shimmer.

PROM

“If I wanted to save money I would pick flowers from my garden to make my own corsage,” senior Olivia Derry said.

TIPS FROM

“Do your own hair or even have a friend do yours, you can save a lot of money. Even go to Ditto or Platos to find a good deal on shoes,” senior Catherine Netwal said.

YOU

“To save money I’d make my own dress or go to a thrift store. I really want to make out a dress like material such as doilies,” junior Morgan Ryan said. “I love to save money, even when it comes to dances.”

READERS LIKE

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Shimmer, not glitter – With all those gorgeous dresses and pretty faces to contend with, you’re going to want to stand out. Find a body dusting bronzer/powder with shimmer and dust lightly over your shoulder and neck areas. Even it out by putting some on the back of your neck or arms, because these shimmer powders will make you look more natural under prom lights.

Makeup at the counter – Instead of going to a stylist to put your face on, try swinging by a department store (like Dillards, Sepohora, or Ulta) makeup counter for a treatment…for free! The women who work in cosmetics are experts at making you look good. Just make sure you buy one or two of the products they use after they finish; you will still be saving big compared to getting it professionally done.

Take your hair to school--Beauty schools offer the same services as other salons at a fraction of the price. Go ahead and look up schools near your neighborhood; nobody will know how much you saved. To try out Independence College of Cosmetology, call for an appointment at (816)-252-HAIR, or even Regency Beauty Institute at (816) 3500057. Another place is Paris 2 at (816)-4686666.

Pinterest - It’s a pinboard-styled social photo sharing website. The service allows user to create a theme-based image collections.

The mission of Pinterest is to “connect everything in the world through things they find interesting. There are different categories to search through, to help you with saving money for prom, from hairdos to even places to find dresses.

with help from Nick

...

by: nickbuchberg Prom is a day where hundreds of pictures will be taken, with or without your consent. Many of these pictures will end up on Facebook or Twitter. Do you really want to be remembered as the guy who looked just all-together awful? Here are some helpful tips to look good on the big day:

nails by chloe by: chloelane

DRESS SHIRTS A dress shirt has to be chosen carefully. The rest of your suit/tuxedo will revolve around matching your shirt. Remember, patterns are for the tie, not the shirt. A dress shirt needs to be fairly neutral. Shiny, silky shirts will be hard to match with a tie, so stay away from those. Also, make sure the dress shirt actually fits. Dress shirts aren’t like your normal American Eagle t-shirt; they don’t come in small, medium and large. Sleeve length, neck size and waist size is how dress shirts are measured. For a professional measurement for free, ask a Dillard’s sales associate for a fitting. They’ll gladly help you out.

TIES When thinking in terms of price, a tie should be the least expensive item you’re wearing. However, it is crucial to the outfit. Choosing the wrong tie can change the overall mood of the suit or tuxedo, and make you appear less put-together. Thrift stores and discount places are not the devil’s work, and they often sell ties that are similar to the ones sold in the big department stores. Don’t think that to look good, your tie has to be from Dillard’s—consider shopping at Target, or even Walmart.

The brand doesn’t matter, but what does is the pattern on it, and the thickness of the tie. Paisley ties are not a good idea; there is too much going on in such a small space, and they’re overall just tacky.

With prom coming up fast, girls are going to want to be glamorous from head to toes, or in this case, fingernails to toenails. For girls, and even boys, wanting to get that perfect mani/pedi, there are plenty of local places around town to get that done. For girls wanting to forgo the idea of getting their nails professionally done, they can try using some new trends on their own. Popular colors to use are nudes, neutrals, reds, chic corals, soft pastels, and mellow yellows. Girls wanting to spice their nails up a little can try painting all their nails all the same color except for their ring finger- a trend that is becoming more and more popular. For more cool trends, check out Pintrest. com. Be yourself and wear your own style.

SUIT JACKET And finally, the big ticket items: the jacket and dress pants. One of the biggest mistakes guys make when wearing a suit is wearing a jacket and pants that don’t match. You might be asking: how can they not match if they’re both the same color? Buying your pants and jacket from the same retailer at the same time helps ensure you’re buying items that are made from the same material.

Secondly— this seems like a no-brainer— actually physically try on your suit jacket and pants before you buy them. The jacket should fit snuggly against your chest, but shouldn’t fit super tightly.

Also, your pants should be longer than normal, because your formal waist is higher-up than your regular waist.

pages designed by: nickbuchberg

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