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NOVEMBER 2014 || VOL. VIII ISSUE III
PERRY HIGH SCHOOL || GILBERT, AZ
photo by Brianna Dickson
Puma Pals perform with basketball players at the CUSD talent show on Oct. 31.
Athletes band together to include all students in sports, arts
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By Mia Irvin & Erik Yates the precedent
ust before the curtains opened there was a silence, but not a quiet silence - the type you could feel. Students stood in nervous anticipation waiting behind the thick, navy curtains. As the curtains draw open, they look onto the crowd; the seats were filled with a cheering, enthralled, and teary-eyed audience. The talent show for students with special needs has begun. The idea of this show - and any Unified Sporting event - is to get those students with special needs involved with normal school life. The Puma Pals talent show is just one way these students have to showcase their abilities; but what about the people who help them - the people who mentored, coached and supported them? Talent shows and sporting events are facilitated by advisors Nora Boettcher and Heidi Peek. “I feel like it makes [special needs students] understand what it feels like to be a part of something other than just coming to school to learn,” Boettcher said Boettcher and Peek cannot do it all
photo by Maddie Zushlag
Senior Blake Hoffman takes the ball downfield during a Unified football game last month. Unified Sports allows students with special needs to compete in football, basketball and track.
on their own. Junior Chloe LaFleur is the president of the Unified Sports Club. LaFleur first became involved because of her brother’s disability, but she cherishes the relationships she has developed. “You make friendships. It’s not just charity. They become your friends and family. It’s a different connection, but it’s
Puma Den will benefit more than DECA students By Natalie Eberhard the precedent
At a glance, the school’s new Career and Technical Education (CTE) building seems to only benefit students taking CTE classes like culinary arts or TV productions. However, instead of keeping the new building to themselves, the business marketing club, DECA, plans to open a new student store
available for the whole school. Introducing the Puma Den, Perry’s new student-run store. Similar to businesses outside of school, this school store is its own business. The Puma Den will be managed specifically by DECA students. “Students in the class [will] learn inventory as well as money handling, product controls, customer service,” DECA Advisor Rob Lange stated, “basically all the soft skills you need to work in a
a good one,” she said. There are several students who volunteer their time to help coach and perform with the special needs individuals, including junior Tayt Smith. Smith, along with LaFleur, helped plan and produce the talent show and
business outside of school.” “It’ll be great to see the kids taking what they’re learning in the classroom then applying it to all of you” assistant principal Heather Patterson said. “That’ll be awesome to see what the kids generate, how they market things, [and] how they try to sell things to everybody.” Senior Bari Richardson, the DECA president, is excited for the new store as well. “I’m really excited to see DECA students shine in their area as [a] student based enterprise,” Richardson said. “It’s all about bettering student’s experience here at Perry.” The new school store will provide a variety of food and drink options including items similar to the cafeteria. As far as prices go, the club understands that students and staff want cheap items; however,
see DECA pg. 3
the Unified football season. Smith is heavily involved with four things on campus: basketball, baseball, and he is an officer in the Puma Pals and Unified Sports clubs. “[Unified Sports is] a lot of fun. I love doing it,” he said. “It’s so much different than doing everything else.” In sports, coach Jose Bracamonte scripts plays for the partners (the volunteer students) and the Unified athletes, and says that the role of partners like Smith are vital. “The partners play a huge role in our games,” Bracamonte said, “they’re responsible for making sure the athletes are where they need to be at all times.” However, getting student participation is a challenge. “It’s all voluntary,” Smith said. “We talk about it and advertise it; that we are always looking for the buddies and partners to come help and they do.” LaFleur added that she would like to see more students attend the events as fans, because the Puma Pals get so excited when they see their peers in the crowd. For the Unified athletes, they get to be the super-star varsity athlete or performer for one night, which is a memory that will last a lifetime.
photo by Natalie Eberhard
Senior Chase Tate works in the DECA store on a computer that will be used to complete transactions once the store opens. The student store will accept credit cards, a new feature for students.
News 1-3 • Opinions 4-5 • Cheating Special Feature 6-7 • A & E 8-9 • Sports 10-12
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2|| news New Infinite Campus push notifications introduced By Valerie Burgess the precedent
The school district is striving to be on the cutting-edge of technology with the new features on its online grade book – Infinite Campus. The Infinite Campus app, which was first introduced to students and parents last fall, recently debuted a new feature that could either be helpful or a nuisance to students, teachers and parents in the CUSD community. With an attempt to make parents more informed with their children’s grades, Infinite Campus launched a new notification program which allows students, as well as parents, to be in the loop with grades. On Oct. 31, the launch included notifications for changes in assignments, attendance and grades. Some students and teachers wonder if it will be more of an irritant than a help. Assistant Principal Heather Patterson, Infinite Campus “is another communication tool to let...parents and students know what’s going on [in the classroom].” Annette Bashford, English teacher and parent of five, views the additions in a positive light with the ability to achieve maximum student-parent engagement. “It gives parents the choice... to be fully engaged a hundred percent in their child’s day, adding, “It’s nice that [a]parent has that option.” Laura Varela, who teaches sophomore and junior English, sees the ways it can keep teachers aware of their students’ grades, “I think it also benefits teachers, because they will more readily see... who is on top of their grades and who is not.” Either way, the push notifications are here to stay allowing parents the choice to make parents and teachers more interactive with students’ grades.
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Student dreams of airline pilot career By Aja Diffin the precedent
As students around campus actively prepare for their futures, senior Kevin Logue is already pursuing his dream of piloting airplanes as an occupation. In September, Logue received his pilot’s license, and is planning on continuing with his studies of aeronautics after high school to eventually become a commercial airline pilot. “[I] just got my private pilot’s license; it takes you all the way up to [becoming] an FAA approved flight instructor,” Logue stated, “and then after that I can instruct students and continue building up my hours for the goal of getting hired by an airline.” Logue’s in-flight training was not too difficult for him; however, it was time consuming. He worked over the summer to complete his training, taking in all of the condensed information during the shortened three month span. “It took a lot of my time out of the summer,” he said. “I had to study a lot and do a lot of that stuff, but it was worth it in the long run.” Currently, Logue is working toward attaining a college degree in aeronautics. “I’m going through ChandlerGilbert Community College through their degree program and with that it cuts down my hour requirement to get in with the
photo published with permission from Kevin Logue Senior Kevin Logue earned his pilot’s license in September. Logue plans to pilot commercial airplanes as an occupation, majoring in Aeronautics.
airlines,” Logue said. The program, designed to prepare students for using their acquired technical knowledge as well as the skills develop to fly air crafts, is provided by a partnership between Chandler-Gilbert
Community College and the University of North Dakota. It will allow him to begin his education in aviation at Chandler-Gilbert Community College and later transfer to the University of North Dakota Aerospace for a four-year
degree. Logue’s ambitions are still growing more and more attainable due to his choice to pursue schooling in his desired line of work before his high school graduation.
REMEMBERING A PUMA
‘14 grad’s abrupt passing stuns PHS community By August Bowers and Sarah Chapple the precedent
Braydon “Brady” Carter Green, 18, unexpectedly passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 21 in Gilbert, Arizona. A 2014 graduate, Green is survived by his parents, Carter and Glenna, sister Brandi Roland, and brother Reece Green. He was preceded in death by his brother Brian Green. Commonly recognized by his long, blonde hair, Green was treasured by not only his classmates but also his teachers. “He was wonderful,” government teacher Angela Gardner said. “He was funny, personable, worked well with everybody; his sense of humor I think is what really stood out about him. “He had a really positive outlook on things,” Gardner continued, “one of the most down to earth people and if he [was] having a bad day, we’d find a way to laugh it off. I think he’s somebody that could be counted on.” Economics teacher Trent Thorton had Green in his class last year. He said that the two things he most admired about Green was
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his confident individuality and, secondly, his mullet. “I had a mullet in high school so I was kind of drawn to kids like that,” Thorton said. He explains that when Green cut his mullet, even though it changed his physical appearance, it didn’t change who he was. “He was the same Brady; just physically he was different,” Thornton shares whilst smiling at the old but not forgotten Green memories of Green, “I’ll never forget the day....we connected.” Green demonstrated how based on his physical changes, he was confident and he did not let other kids’ opinions dictate his true self. He was involved in sports his freshman and sophomore year as a wrestler, and football player, and also competed in track and field. “When you engaged in a conversation with him, he was a really solid, good kid,” Thorton said.
photo by Damien Tippett Precedent students pose on ASU Campus after receiving their award for General Excellence. This is the highest award given to a print newspaper publication in the state of Arizona.
Newspaper wins General Excellence By Mackenzie Ness the precedent
On Oct. 27, the Precedent, Perry’s Newspaper, returned from the 2014 AIPA Fall Convention with an overflowing amount of awards, including General Excellence for last year’s newspaper staff, which is the equivalent of winning first in state for a sports team. Senior Paige Coakley, the previous photo editor and current Editor-in-Chief, said that “just
to be considered as a top-ranking paper is really a great honor,” especially when the standards for the award are considered. Including strict attention to detail, correct grammar, and a minimum amount of mistakes was a team effort, according to Coakley. After hearing that they won, Coakley felt that all of the struggles of last year truly paid off; from trying to find stories and accurate descriptions to combining all of that information to form a wellwritten piece. In addition, there was a large amount of competition for the award, “the big thing for us is that our paper looks extremely professional. We have consistency
see NEWSPAPER pg. 3
november || 2014
the precedent || phsprecedent.com
Senior “Assassins” could win $1K
news ||
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Water gun game trends among the class of 2015, creating excitement across campus. The student organized game originated on Twitter just before Fall Break and is ongoing. By Amanda Lee the precedent
Water guns and the promise of nearly $1000 kept seniors busy over fall break, and continues to, until graduation. Seniors Angie Prakelt and James Fitzpatrick organized the game of Assassins just before break started. Assassins is a game generally played by high school senior classes, not endorsed by the high school, in which two partners are assigned another team to “assassinate” with their water guns. Teams pay an entry fee to participate, and the last team standing wins the cash. Students have played assassins for a while; both Hamilton and Basha High Schools had already begun their games by the time Prakelt decided to get students involved at Perry. “A lot of people were talking about it, and no one was really doing anything,” Prakelt says. “It
would be really fun if we brought the whole senior class together. A good way to do that was Assassins.” Most of the game’s news comes from its Twitter page, run by both Fitzpatrick and Prakelt. The account tweets about recent assassinations and rule changes. Although the game intends no harm, Principal Dan Serrano worries that water gun fights could lead to real fights. ”We [administration] will make an announcement that if you’re playing this game [during school]- it’s not allowed and you will be subject to discipline,” he warns. Prakelt expressed her concerns about possible discipline. “I thought admin was going to get upset if a student went to a [football] game with a water gun,” she explains. Serrano, however, says the game is only an issue if a student is hurt on campus. “Even if it’s after baseball
practice and a kid’s walking to his car and another kid comes up and hurts him, I can [discipline] the student, because that’s a school function,” he says. According to Prakelt, there have been “no complaints at all,” even though “some people are reckless and might chase each other in cars. If anyone starts that, they’ll get kicked out.” Seniors Sarah Sharp and Hayden Evans are one of the few teams left in the game. “It’s a lot of fun and it’s not just sitting at your house texting people,” Sharp says. “Cole Merrell and Derrick Despain are probably the strongest competition because of their extra lives,” Sharp says. Seniors Merrell and Despain earned extra lives by being the first team to get a player out. Assassins will end when one team is left. Prakelt hopes the game will keep students entertained until graduation.
AP Science classes take educational trip to Catalina By Casey Perry the precedent
Located on the coast of California, the Catalina Islands is a place of discovery, where many go to vacation and learn about the islands’ history and massive aquatic life. For Perry High school students, it has been a trip of a lifetime. AP Biology and AP Environmental Science classes took a trip on 23 Oct. to these coastal islands, in which they were under the supervision of biology teachers Jerry Bell, Melanie Lyon, Tessa Burt, and Christine Watabe. “The teachers who chaperoned were really into it and made the experience much more enjoyable to get to know the teachers on a personal level,” noted AP Biology sophomore Kathlyn Provins. “I had Mrs. Watabe [as my chaperone] and she was really nice. She was a great snorkel buddy,” mentioned sophomore student Maya Gaylor.
The group made it to Long Island around 8 a.m. to board the ferry. After two hours of seeing the open sea, the students were finally able to see the mass of land known as the Catalina Islands. Upon reaching the island, the 51 students and chaperones were set up into four groups with about 12 in each group, in which they were placed with an instructor from the island. Once students settled into their dormitories on Toyon Bay, it was off to the first session: snorkeling. “The most memorable event was night snorkeling,” Provins commented, “Seeing plankton bioluminescence was really cool and exciting.” Sophomore Hayden Brown was elated after the experience, explaining “I saw a bunch of cool fish and I saw a squid and an octopus, and sharks!” Gaylor stated her own adventures while snorkeling, “I saw bioluminescent plankton, which was super awesome! And I saw all
these cool stingrays and colorful fish that I wish I could see again.” The students and teachers were constantly interacting with one another, making each part of the trip memorable to the teens.“Eating the squid-marble-eye-thing. That was awesome,” said Brown. “ I think the bonfire and the bioluminescent fish were like my favorite,” added Gaylor. Provins specifically enjoyed the squid dissection, commenting, “I found dissecting the squid to be a very cool activity, figuring out the anatomy and what not.” The students talked about how they felt after the trip, with brown concluding,“Depressed because we weren’t on vacation anymore.” Provins finished with her after-thought of the whole ordeal stating,“After coming home I was happy to be home, but leaving was still sad.” As the adventure came to an end, the students and chaperones both felt much appreciation for the overall ordeal.
photo published with permission from Melanie Lyon AP Biology and Environmental Science classes pose for a picture while on their trip to Catalina Island, CA. While in California, the students snorkeled, dissected squid, and observed sea life anatomy and interactions.
photo by Rebecca Hoffmann Seniors James Fitzpatrick and Angie Prakelt are the founders of the Assassins game. While Assassins takes place during the school year, water gun assassinations are not allowed during on campus during school.
DECA from page 1 the exact prices are still unknown. Lange explained, “Part of a business is making money and covering your overhead.” All of the money earned in the school store will go back to help DECA students with competition fees and if enough money is earned, a scholarship will be offered. Another benefit the store will offer is the option to use credit cards. Students and staff will be able to purchase products via cash or credit cards with the new
NEWSPAPER from page 2 between papers and format that is always kept really clean,” senior Amanda Lee, last year’s Features Editor and current Managing Editor, said. “I love being part of a group that is collective and different in every sense,” Coakley said when mentioning the diverse group that helped put this newspaper together including Lee, junior Emma Fernandez – previous staff writer and current sports editor – and graduated Lindsey Floyd (previous opinion editor). Expectations have been raised for this year’s staff; however, the focus will not stray from the importance of dedication, and “not
equipment in the store. The goal is to open the store as soon as possible; DECA is still ironing out issues with vendor approval by the school district. There are high hopes that the store will open this semester, however for sure it will open next semester. A soft opening will first take place allowing only staff and teachers access to the store for about a week. This will allow students to fix any problems before opening to the whole school. Remember feeling left out because you couldn’t use the CTE building? Well now you can. Be sure to check them out soon.
striving for awards, but striving for excellence,” newspaper advisor Damien Tippett states. Those expectations are not only held by Tippett, but also the staff members. “This upcoming year I want to win. I want people to know Perry High School newspaper staff as a [group] who will publish a quality newspaper and win a state award every year,” said Fernandez. With the new talent and the knowledge that success is possible, this year’s staff has added confidence and the readiness to accomplish the task at hand: publishing an informative, captivating newspaper. For the complete list of the Precedent staff and articles from past issues, please go to phsprecedent. com.
4 || opinions
november || 2014
the precedent || phsprecedent.com
Staff Editorial
D.C. trip an eye-opener for high school journalists Letters to the editor
Student’s thoughts Veteran’s Day and school pride I honor my Dad. He was in the U.S. army about 13 years ago. He had missed the Army life. So earlier this year, he had joined the U.S. National Guard. Thank you Matthew Figley for your dedication. ~Jordan Figley (@jordan.figley15) I honor my Great Uncle Harry Joblonski who fought in the Chosin Reservoir in Korea and is part of the remaining Chosin Few. He was injured twice and has Purple Hearts. ~Sara MacFadden (@saramacfadden)
photo by Damien Tippett A commemoration for Veteran’s Day on Nov. 11. Students shared their thoughts with us on Instagram.
Dear Whoever This May Concern, Hello, my name is Taylor Haller. I am currently a senior here at Perry and I had a complaint over the recent newspaper. One of the articles heavily slammed Student Government and Perry as a school. Being a year three marketing student, I know for a fact that this is not a positive way to promote our own school. An article doing this should not be posted in the newspaper because is it not the goal to
end negativity and only promote positivity? So do we or do we not want to end the hatred for our school? If you want participation and admiration for Perry, you do not write something in our own school newspaper that will just get people angry and slam the school. 90% of the newspaper is marketing, it is used as a marketing tool. Is that really how you want our school marketed? Do you not show any pride in being a Puma? Also, before you post something negative about what an organization does on campus, make sure the facts are straight and the organization is actually completely understood. Every club on campus has rules and maybe you just criticized the club for something that they have no control over. All I ask is that the negativity towards our school is not promoted by you as it brings down the credibility of the school and of the newspaper. Thank you for reading this. Sincerely, Taylor Haller
The future is closer than we may realize
N
ow most everyone on this campus is freaking out about something. From the Biology test that counts for seven- twelfths of your grade 4th period, to the English project that you have to present (but you only read to page 17), and an important thought running through our panicked brains is “am I going to have to steal a chair from a poor underclassmen in the cafeteria today, because there aren’t enough seats for everyone”. But the most important woe inflicting Puma seniors’ minds right now is “what am I doing after graduation?” The impending doom we call “The Future” is closer than we may realize. We seniors only have 6 months left, and for most colleges, applications are due by the end of November. Now I know that the prospect of filling out these applications, with all of the scary personal questions that makes us feel bad about ourselves (seriously I needed 2 million extra-curricular activities?) is terrifying for
PAIGE COAKLEY the precedent
most. But you need to pull on your Big-KidPants, sit down, and spend an hour filling out an application that may or may not secure your future. You may cry over your less than stellar SAT score or you may clap when you feel good about the clubs you’ve been a part of in high school; but you will never get the opportunity to find out what college is like, unless you spend that terrifying hour filling out that questionnaire. Most of us are complaining that “we don’t know how to fill it out” or “I’m not sure where I want to apply yet”. Well here’s some advice.
Precedent
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arlier this month newspaper students returned from the national journalism convention that was held in our nation’s capital. During that trip, many things were reaffirmed for our staff. As students who are driven by the First Amendment, we re-learned what it means to work for a publication that represents a student body, and what it means to work for a respected newspaper and great high school. We have learned what it means to be truthful and factual. The Precedent is a newspaper created by students for students. We include stories that might pull at heart strings, might be controversial, and stories that must be told boldly. The newspaper is a medium for student voices; a place where all students who have something to say can say it. For the longest time, we thought the things in Washington, D.C. were just parts of the textbooks we had to study; that amendments were potential test questions, not inalienable rights that thousands of Americans sacrificed their lives to protect. It is not every day that high school students from dusty Arizona can step inside of the White House, touch the Washington Monument, and listen to Bob Woodward tell over six thousand high school students how he fought to expose President Nixon during the Watergate scandal. It is not every day that students can walk on the same streets Martin Luther King, Jr. marched in support of civil rights, and witness a protest on those same streets on Nov. 5. We realize how important the media is, not only to be the historians of a community, but also the whistle-blower of corruption, the film critic, the sports writer, or the columnist who sometimes ruffles the feathers of his or her fellow students. We have a duty to boldly publish the true stories of Perry, whether they portray our school positively or negatively. We are some of the biggest Puma fans on campus, but as journalists, we have a responsibility to be unbiased in our reporting. Therefore, you will not see articles which seem to wave pom-poms and posters for PHS. Most importantly, we encourage students to voice their opinion: good or bad. We consider the impact our stories will have on students, faculty and the community, but ultimately, every student on this campus has the right to publish their voice. We’re not perfect, but we will always strive to be. We encourage all 3,200-plus students and staff to engage in conversation through the school newspaper. There are many ways in which students can voice their opinions, like Letters to the Editor, comments on web stories, and engaging in student polls. Our goal is to bring awareness and critical thought to subjects closely related to our campus. But it is also to highlight the stories of young people on our campus who are doing extraordinary things or have unique talents that otherwise would go unnoticed. Thank you for your readership. We appreciate you.
Perry High School 1919 E. Queen Creek Rd. Gilbert, AZ 85297 480-224-2800 480-224-2820 fax
Pride • Progress • Purpose || News Editor || Sarah Chapple || Opinions Editor || Dayna Miller
|| Newspaper Adviser || Damien Tippett
|| A & E Editor || Nathan Tucker
|| Editor-in-Chief || Paige Coakley
|| Features Editor || Sarah Lankford
|| Managing Editor || Amanda Lee
|| Sports Editor || Emma Fernandez
We have over 100 faculty members on this campus who have been to college before. We have an entire Career Center dedicated to getting you into a secondary institution. And we have 9 fully qualified human beings working in the counseling department, whose job is specifically designed to help you. Many of the applications are designed for a high school student to easily navigate them, and most out-of-state colleges have a Common Application, which you only have to fill out once and can send in to as many colleges as you like. And if money is an issue, most schools have a scholarship or waiver programs that waives the applications fee. All you need is to talk to Pat Phillips, in the career center. Thinking about the future is scary and frightening, but with the right help and support, the future can be easily navigated. So get to it, Seniors. Unfortunately, the time has come to think like an adult.
staff information || Photo Editor || Jordan Williams
|| Social Media Editors || Mackenzie Ness August Bowers || Web Editor || Erik Yates || Staff Reporters || Michelle Bolden Valerie Burgess Sarah Campbell Devlin Clark
Aja Diffin Natalie Eberhard Rebecca Hoffmann Mia Irvin Kathryn McFaul Madison Montoya Angielee Niblett Cassie Nielsen Molly Ogden Kacee Perry Alice Tran Eliauna Wendt Dequota Wilson Erik Yates Ryan Zolin
The Precedent is published by the newspaper staff at Perry High School, and is published as an open student forum eight times per school year. The Precedent welcomes comments and criticism from its readers. Please e-mail all questions, comments, guest articles, or letters to the editor to phsprecedent@gmail.com. Submissions may not be anonymous; however, requests for anonymity may be honored. Letters may also be delivered to room C-116.
the precedent || phsprecedent.com
november || 2014
point | counterpoint:
BLACK F R I D A Y
Holiday shopping made easy due to Black Friday JORDAN WILLIAMS the precedent
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hanksgiving Dinner is over. After eating loads of turkey with family and friends, the rest of Thanksgiving seems boring. So, what is there to do after all that food with the Holiday season around the corner? How about getting a head start on that holiday shopping? There is more than one way show family and friends how special they are, and what better way to do that then to get them the sweater or iPad that they always wanted? And what’s more better than saving money also? Black Friday, the Friday after Thanksgiving, marks the true beginning of the Christmas season.
That’s the beauty of Black Friday for the consumer-- to cross more things off the shopping list as soon as possible while saving a lot of money and attempting to not get hurt in the midst of the action. Shoppers are not the only ones who benefit from this Friday night. Retail stores look forward to this day every year. Clothing stores and toy stores are known to bring in large sums of revenue on this one day alone. After all, it is that time of the year, and the kids want the latest toy car or Barbie Doll. Though Black Friday seems like a retailer’s one shot at bringing in major profits, that is not the case. It is not glorified like a National Holiday, yet it is almost like a national alarm that consumers and retailers pay special attention to for deals and trends. Black Friday is the most obvious indicator that great deals are approaching for the rest of the Holiday season.
Black Friday causes lack of family values VALERIE BURGESS the precedent
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hanksgiving, a day where America celebrates freedom and family, has been disturbed due to a frenzy starting earlier and earlier every year... Black Friday. The day after Thanksgiving should be one of celebration for family and joy, not a day that glorifies fighting over the newest iPad or Disney toy. Imagine the emptiness felt by a child as they are left behind by parents, grandparents, and older siblings who spend their day off ravenously tracking down the discounted items. This sharp contrast between peaceful gatherings and catastrophic chaos cannot be processed correctly in the mind of a child. The one day everyone can join together and truly cherish each other is curtailed by unnecessary
competitiveness for the newest addition in the world of children’s entertainment. Family is quickly forgotten after being stuffed with turkey and is replaced by a ravenous hunger for savings. Additionally, Black Friday is being celebrated as a holiday within itself. The advertisements and propaganda are insanely prominent as if it were Christmas. The overwhelming opportunities for the savings are saturated in advertisements across all types of media and overshadow family gatherings. Hours are being taken away from Thanksgiving as the lure for cheaper items weigh heavily on the mind of consumers. Malls are packed with thousands, but dozens may have been there for several hours camping in front. The competitive nature that exists between stores only fuels tension among customers. The entire experience of Black Friday shopping has always been
dangerous, and will always be. This hostile environment cannot prove to be beneficial. According to Black Friday Death Counts, there were 7 deaths and 90 injuries since 2006. Putting a life on the line is not worth it; even if it is for a deeply discounted toy. No matter what the discount may be, parents should be a role model in showing the importance of family above all else. One must respect and cherish the family time over manufactured goods.
This is not the average shopping day for anyone or any business. Retailers around the country offer exclusive deals that allow a transition into the holiday season. Businesses both big and small are crowded with people fighting for the opportunity to take advantage of these deals. Many shoppers prefer to begin shopping for the Holiday season early. If the gift can be bought early at a decent price, then the burden is relieved.
Yates Hates: Trend of 2-part movie retreads ERIK YATES
the precedent
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n the depressing and repetitive part of Los Angeles called Hollywood, where creative minds think all-too alike, writers, producers, and directors all converge together to plan out their next summer blockbuster. One director has a brilliant idea: make the last film in his closing series be a two-part finale. “Genius!” all of the other directors and producers shout as he announces his next marketing scam. Today, Hollywood is infamous for having the same plot for each movie only with separate actors or settings; it is just how the market is, and we keep buying into it. Look at “Call of Duty” video games, for example. They release the same game every year and no one even notices it, or is it that they just do not care? We truly live in a recycled market. Unfortunately, this trend hits the movie industry the hardest. In light
of this, movies – like “The Hunger Games, Mockingjay, Part 1” – have taken to a new trend, stretching one novel into two movies to show how a series ends. “Harry Potter” was infamous for being the first notable book series to use this tactic. Provided it marked the end of many people’s childhoods, it was significant because of the effect this series has had on people’s lives. The “Twilight” series mirrored this concept and of course, this weekend millions will rush to see the new “Hunger Games” whom also has a two-part finale. The book-to-movie trend oddly ties in with the twopart finale trend. Now everyone is trying to follow in Harry Potter’s model. Hollywood is clearly running out of ideas. With so many sequels being released along with remakes, reboots, book-to-movies, horror titles, superhero films, and the plotless three-hour explosion festival (see entire “Expendables” series), it really is a miracle when a movie trailer pops up that varies from same tired crowd. Two-part finales to movie series has a side of irrationality because since most movies are
opinions || 5
s u p m OnCa What are your thoughts about stores opening on Thanksgiving day with Black Friday prices?
Jakob Wilcoxson sophomore
“I think just because of the nuance of it and just kind of the fun aspect of Black Friday you should keep it on Friday as a tradition.”
Lucia Soto Herrera junior
“Thanksgiving is supposed to be all about giving thanks... I think it kind of kills the whole thanksgiving thing.”
Andrew Knoblach senior
“I think it’s a very stupid concept...it’s really ridiculous. Yeah [it’s] just genuinely terrible.”
photo by Murray Close/Lionsgate/MCT
From left, Commander Paylor (Patina Miller), Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth), Boggs (Mahershala Ali), Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), and Pollux (Elden Henson) in “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1.”
book adaptations, is the fact a book possibly cannot fill an entire twohour film. There is not enough content or storyline for a two-part movie in some cases. Hollywood needs to stop going to the same writing scheme ideas or turning any teen novel into a
movie. The objective should be to find new content and writers. There are so many creative minds and original ideas, that movies should aspire to be cuttingedge stories, and a not re-hashed, drawn out showcase of special effects.
Marilyn Mews senior
“I think it defeats the whole purpose of thanksgiving [because] if you’re thankful for something and then you end up going out three hours later to go buy more stuff you’re not very thankful.”
6 || features
november || 2014
the precedent || phsprecedent.com
november || 2014
BLURRED LINES OF CHEATING
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By Molly Ogden
FROM TEACHER’S PERSPECTIVES
Defining ‘cheating’ may be hard for teens By Kathryn McFaul the precedent
students. Enter the epidemic of “sharing” homework. “Sharing” has become a common practice in schools, and is put under the disguise of helping a friend with their homework or “lightening someone else’s load.” But what some students think is sharing, is actually just plain cheating. Junior Lindsey Vance believes that “sharing is helping a person. If you can explain how you got the answer [and learn from it], then I don’t think that is cheating.” Sharing homework has become a social pressure. Smart students that complete their homework often feel pressured to “share” their work with their peers. Other pressures are also weighing upon the minds of students, but they may not understand the gravity of the risk they are taking. When a student is caught cheating, they will receive a referral with administration. The second time it happens in the same class, a student risks being dropped from the class with a failing grade for the semester, according to assistant principal Heather Patterson. “I wouldn’t say that here at Perry that we deal with it a lot,” Patterson says. “I probably see it every six days.” Marshall believes that “if you are an upperclassman and you are cheating, it is usually because you feel the pressure to get good grades in order to get into college.” While some students act out of desperation, many students cheat without even realizing that it is wrong. Even amidst these pressures, many students still abstain from cheating. “It is more rewarding not to cheat and to know that you did it all by yourself,” senior Raevin Teran-Richardson believes.
the precedent
acrificing weekends and afternoons in favor of studying seems to be the typical way a hard-working high school student spends their free time. But when pressures mount and time is disappearing and a 4.0 GPA is slipping out of reach, a good student might be tempted to sneak a peek at another student’s work. Only one of the many pressures of high school, cheating has plagued the school system for years, but is taking on a new life in the digital age at Perry. The accessibility of information has blurred the lines between what is cheating and what is “research.” To some people, cheating does not seem like such an issue, yet 80 percent of students polled claim they have cheated on an assignment at PHS. What exactly does cheating mean to students? Junior Riley Marshall defines cheating as: “purposefully and knowingly taking someone else’s answers when you know that the consequences are bad.” Freshman Cole McClure believes that: “cheating is when people share their information with other people even if [the other person doesn’t] deserve it and they haven’t worked for it at all.” Perry students have many differing views on cheating: 36% of students do not care if others cheat, 42% believe that cheating is wrong but not bothersome, and 8% believe that cheating is essential in being successful in school. Only 13% of students believe that cheating is a punishable act. However, a new breed of cheating has made its way into schools. It has only given cheating a tighter grip on the minds of
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ome call it an epidimic. ¶ Some call it part of the norm. ¶ Some cannot define it. ¶ What is cheating, and why is it a growing problem on high school campuses all across America? ¶ Students say cheating is an issue but they do not have a problem doing it, while teachers and administrators claim it is a growing issue problem in learning and ethics with teens today. photo by Katie Perry
g is] “[Cheatin meone taking so k as else’s wor your own. Lilly Fisher Freshman
SARAH LANKFORD the precedent
Cheating has always been an issue in schools. No longer does cheating involve stealing your teacher’s answer key, scanning it onto a small paper, sticking it to the bottom of your shoe, and looking at it when test time comes around. With the advancement of technology, students are now able to cheat easily and quickly, with few risks of getting caught.
heating “I define cg over as leanin paper someone’sanother or taking per and friend’s panswers. copyinseg a
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Kyle Krau e Sophomor
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Cheating has increased as technology has advanced. Now all answers, and sometimes even answer keys, are plastered online for the world to see and for students to cheat off of. With the new age of smart phones, students now can hide their devices under their desk to look up the answers to each test question. According to U.S. News, “nearly 1 in 4 students thinks that accessing notes on a cellphone, texting friends with answers, or using a phone to search the Internet for answers during a test isn’t cheating.”
mebody ting is] so answers to texting the you what ing you or tell ning ave or lea test they h r ok at you over to lo paper.
“[Chea
e is using th “Cheating you have resources posal that at your dis t allowed you are noa test. to use on ald Andy Dew r io n Ju
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to Alex Shilli r io Sen
Every student has heard the same lecture from all of their teachers about plagiarism: it is no different than stealing someone’s property. Cue every student’s collective yawn. To students, cheating just brushes off their shoulders but to teachers, it is a much more serious matter. In fact, authorities (teachers included) want to protect intellectual property from being stolen. A rock star would sue another artist for taking lyrics and selling them as their own, and a student should be enraged if someone copies answers from a test and tries to sell those answers as their own. In a recent poll, 42 percent of students said that they believe cheating is wrong, but it does not bother them; only 13 percent believe that cheaters should be treated like thieves. According to that same student poll, 80 percent of current Perry students have cheated on some form of schoolwork or exam. Regardless of the student attitude about the gravity of cheating, teachers and administrators take cheating very seriously – so much so that students have been kicked out of classes for the infraction in the past. This begs the question: why do people cheat? “[Cheaters] look for the easy way out, they get anxious over [taking] tests,” world history teacher David Arrington says. The way teachers discipline cheaters varies. Arrington describes his course of action when he catches a student cheating as “an automatic zero.” He might also explore the idea of having the student complete an alternative assignment to ensure that they are still getting the core of the project.
Searching for answers
t e e r t S e h t n no
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features || 7
the precedent || phsprecedent.com
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“Many young people don’t realize these behaviors are unethical because so many are immersed in the culture of free information available on the internet,” states ikeepsafe. org. But there is some cheating that goes unnoticed, such as cheating on homework. This cheating happens in the privacy of one’s house, hidden away for no one to see. And teachers cannot always catch this cheating, because they assume the cheater just knew all the correct answers.
graphic by Kathryn McFaul
Technology can also help non-cheaters, though. Those students that study may have the intuition to film or take pictures of those that cheat, and then show the evidence to the teacher later. (Trust me, it works.) The reward for actually studying is the grade, but if someone cheats the system and doesn’t get caught, how is that fair to anyone? Cheating has come to make many students lazy and unwilling to learn and/or study. Cheating is an easy access to making it look like you learned something. But it always comes back to bite you in the butt, because when you are eventually caught and forced to redo the assignment the knowledge will not be there. In the end, cheaters will always be caught. If not caught by their teachers or peers, they will be caught by their guilty conscience. Remember: getting a zero from being caught on a test or assignment is worse than getting even t w e n t y percent on a test or assignment you weren’t prepared for.
“I think the line between collaboration and cheating is blurry and [students] don’t see the line between their own thoughts and others. Karen Hutchinson Chemistry Teacher
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Other teachers, such as math teacher Keith Castillo, take a more stress-free action. “If I think that someone’s looking off another paper I move them,” he said. Castillo did note that the type of assignment could influence the severity of punishment. “It [also] depends on the type of cheating.” For written assignments, teachers use Turnitin.com to catch students who use other people’s work as their own. According to chemistry teacher Karen Hutchinson, “Turnitin.com is a wonderful way to help students learn to document their own thoughts and its policing them to use information responsibly.” With cheating becoming a growing problem on campus – assistant principal Heather Patterson says she sees at least one case of student cheating every six days – perhaps there is a disconnect between what cheating truly is? “[Students] cheat because the line between collaboration and cheating is blurry and they don’t see the line between their own thoughts and others,” says Hutchinson. Honors English teacher Damien Tippett said: “Google the term ‘cheating’ or plagiarism.’ Look at all of the politicians, writers, broadcasters, and other people in the real world who have been caught plagiarizing recently. At school, a kid gets a firm slap on the wrist [for cheating], but in the real world, you lose your job. You lose your reputation, and in some cases, you end up behind bars.”
8 || arts and entertainment
november || 2014
the precedent || phsprecedent.com
Dine and Devour Cheddar’s features fine food, atmosphere
O’Brien and West are
All Americans
By Erik Yates the precedent
photo by Michelle Bolden Senior color guard captain Emily West recieves an All American Bowl jacket from Army representatives during a selection ceremony West and O’Brien are the second set of Perry students to be selected for the All American Marching Band.
For second year, Puma Regiment sends two seniors to San Antonio By Michelle Bolden the precedent
Say “All American” to the average person and they probably think of top-level basketball or football teams. But Perry’s All Americans play for a different team—the marching band. For the second time in as many years, the Puma Regiment has had two members named to the All American team. Senior clarinet player Kelsey O’Brien and senior color guard captain Emily West have been selected to be a part of the 2015 All American marching band. This recognition is a distinct honor: only 125 students make it to the field, selected from thousands of applications across the country.
“I didn’t of a cool “There are people in the really recognize experience,” program who have a the email, I she said, “and good shot at the Alljust clicked from then I American. We’re not on it, it said was able to the end of the line. ‘Congratulations’ grow that Kelsey O’Brien and I just did talent.” All American a double take,” O’ Brien O’Brien said. “I tells a similar couldn’t believe story: “I did it...I just freaked out.” it the first day and I came back and The All American Band is only I wouldn’t shut up about it.” the climax to what has been four Marching in the All American years of dedication for both girls. Bowl is quickly becoming a At a ceremony held in their tradition for the Regiment’s honor, West told how her devotion top members. Last year Parker to color guard was sparked with a Kauffman and Gabrielle King simple invitation to a clinic, where represented PHS in the bowl. she gained an appreciation for the O’Brien says she really looked up art. to the two and held them as an “I thought it would be kind example.
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“Working with them was a privilege; they were very talented,” she said, “they both cared a lot about the program and had a great impact on it.” The legacy Kauffman and King started is a torch O’Brien and West anticipate passing on. “There are people in the program who have a good shot at the All-American,” O’Brien said. “We’re not the end of the line.” The game will be aired live on NBC on Jan. 3 from the Alamodome Stadium in San Antonio. Nathan Tucker
contributed to this story
Jennifer Lawrence marvelous in ‘Mockingjay–Part 1’ By Rick Bentley
Fresno Bee/MCT Campus
The three Oscar nominations Jennifer Lawrence has picked up were for the deeply dramatic “American Hustle,” the quirky “Silver Linings Playbook” and the emotionally powerful “Winter’s Bone.” Each film came dripping in the trappings—corruption, mental illness, poverty—that scream out for attention from the Academy. Films like “The Hunger Games” series aren’t designed to draw attention to acting. They thrive on action and adventure accented with plenty of sentimentality and innocent romance. Lawrence showed in the first two movies in the series that she’s just as comfortable handling grand physical scenes as trading the quiet emotional moments. “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay—Part 1” shows that Lawrence can handle each with a skill years beyond her age. In a film that cranks up the action even more than the first two movies, Lawrence’s work grows even stronger as she commands attention with each word. Often pressed into dialogue that would have come across as trite and superficial with a lesser actor, Lawrence turns every speech into a personal or patriotic anthem. Just based on the action,
photo by Murray Close/Lionsgate/MCT Jennifer Lawrence stars in “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay--Part 1.” The penulitmate installment of the popular series opens today.
“Mockingjay—Part 1” would be entertaining. It’s Lawrence who elevates the movie above the fodder that is this norm in this genre. The film picks up with Katniss Everdeen (Lawrence) under the protection of the military in District 13. She discovers that President Snow (Donald Sutherland) has been busy putting a spin on the disastrous
events of the recent Hunger Games. His main propaganda tool is Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), a move that not only gives him a Games champion to feed out misinformation but also drives an arrow into the heart of Katniss. District 13’s President Alma Coin (Julianne Moore) wants to use Katniss as her own propaganda
tool. Originally cautious about being the symbol for hope, Katniss embraces her place when she sees the destruction Snow has brought to the Districts. It’s in these moments that Lawrence shines. It’s the rare actor who can show so much rage, hate, pain and hope in a single look. But she does. And, Lawrence is not alone. Philip Seymour Hoffman turns in another masterful performance that’s a reminder of the great acting work lost with his death. Sutherland continues to grow into the tyrannical role needed to justify the heroic acts of Katniss. Even Elizabeth Banks finally gets to show her true acting skills as her buffoonish Effie Trinket gets stripped down. “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay—Part 1” has one inherent problem that even Lawrence can’t fix. The finale is presented in two parts, with the wrap-up a year away. This structure leaves the first part lacking as the action comes to an abrupt ending. Movie making is all about the money, but this division of a finale creates a sense of frustration that lingers between the parts. In this case, it’s even worse because Lawrence is so good and it’s disappointing to have her performance come to an end.
In a dire search to find some restaurant (that is not the same old sandwich shop food-chain or a hole-in-the-wall Mexican joint) I happened to stumble across an unknown restaurant by the name of “Cheddar’s” which is a selfproclaimed “Casual Cafe.” Upon first glance, the building has a certain uniqueness to it as if it is a restaurant that would be seen in . The interior seems to vary in each restaurant, with some looking like a more formal sports bar, or a very decorative 4-star restaurant. The restaurant by Chandler Fashion Mall took on a darker atmosphere with a rather peculiar fan-like device in the center. It depends on the location. The food on the other hand, is quite exquisite and varies between different sandwich-souppie-pasta combinations. Diabetics beware, one of the more delicious tasting is a Monte Cristo sandwich. A Monte Cristo is, as quoted in the menu, “smoked turkey, smoked ham, two cheeses, and fried until golden, with raspberry preserves.” While it does have an amazing taste, it will surely induce a massive heart attack. Another decadent sandwich is their Double-Decker Club sandwich. Their club sandwich is packed with smoked ham and turkey, bacon, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, and mayo all crammed inside potato bread slices. Cheddar’s is also a great place to go to for a sports bar. They have a entire portion of the restaurant is sectioned off for the sports bar area for the usual football or baseball, depending on which one is in season. They also have a nice selection of appetizers, but with only two soups to choose from. One of the appetizers being the Chicken Tender Basket which is fried chicken tenders with the option to get them drenched in buffalo sauce. One of the soups is the Tortilla Soup which is described as “Grilled chicken, tomatoes, onions simmered, with Southwestern spices, grated cheddar cheese, and crispy tortilla strips,” in the menu. Cheddar’s could be compared by some to TGI Fridays as far as atmosphere goes, however, the quality of the food is substantially better. Overall, I was quite content with the food there. It’s the perfect spot for special occasions or a splendid dinner.
Recycle Your Precedent!
the precedent || phsprecedent.com
november || 2014
arts and entertainment || 9
Behind the kooky cast of Addams Family As with any show, a talented cast was the secret to success for “The Addams Family.” The Precedent sits down with four members to discuss the everything from set to stage. By Molly Ogden and Paige Coakley the precedent
Freshman Emily Woodward-Shaw auditioned out of pure excitement after hearing that the show was to be Addams Family. More excitement was due after making the final cut. “I was really surprised. I didn’t expect that I would get in as a freshman.” But Woodward-Shaw is not your typical freshman. Woodward-Shaw and her family moved to Arizona from England three years ago. After moving, Woodward-Shaw became immediately involved in dance, theater and choir. “I am in a competitive show choir. This is my third year doing it. Sometimes, I do five hours of dance a night for six days a week. Its pretty intense but I enjoy it.” This past summer, Woodward-Shaw participated in Seussical Jr. and portrayed the lead role of Gertrude McFuzz. This experience led Shaw to be nominated for the AriZoni award. This award is similar to a Tony Award, only for the state of Arizona. WoodwardShaw was nominated for multiple awards, including one in the best actress category for her performance.
Drama brings Addams Family to high school Perry is the first high school in Arizona to perform the Addams family Musical By Jordan Williams the precedent
From the iconic finger snaps to the curtain call, Drama’s production of “The Addams Family”– the first high school production of the play in Arizona–keeps its audience hypnotized. A love story told through music, dance, and comedy, the show is Perry High’s best production yet. The cast is composed of students with varying experience in theatre.
Senior Jacob Morris starred in the production as the confident yet hilarious Gomez Addams. “This is the first show that I’ve had the true lead,” Morris commented. “It was a hilarious show and my most comfortable role I’ve ever played.” Years of practice in theater have paid off toward Morris’ achievement of a lead role. “I started theater freshman year,” Morris explained. “I had joined the drama class upon interest and then found myself involved in shows. I really became devoted to theater, and besides Grease, I’ve been in every single production [since].” Morris is also the Vice President of the Drama Club, a member of the International Thespian Society, and received his varsity letter in theater. “Besides theater, I am also a musician and a songwriter, so I’ve also been devoted to music as well as theater. Right now, music is my main goal for college. I plan on doing more song writing and composition of songs [in the future].”
Each cast member contributes their individual creativity and hard work to the show. The cast’s strength is their ability to work corroboratively, keeping the show running smoothly and efficiently. Though the plot of their show itself is different, the classic characters stayed the same. The entire show never had a dead moment and constantly kept the audience on the edge of their seats. Even in the saddest moments of the show, there was always a funny line to keep the audience alive. The set, designed by students, perfectly complimented the performance. From a main house of varying reds and blacks to the cemetery in Central Park, the sets envelop the audience, grounding the kooky action on stage. Through the set and talented cast, the audience is easily engaged with the story being portrayed. The story of love, marriage, secrets, and acceptance is beautifully presented; a fitting reward for three months of trying rehearsal and major effort.
Senior Falen Gillespie had the opportunity to play the Flapper Girl Ancestor in the Addams Family production and loved every minute of it. “Addams Family is probably my favorite show that we have ever done. The whole cast is really close. I can’t imagine doing anything else.” Gillespie has been involved in theater from the very beginning. “Freshman year, I was looking for electives and I didn’t really like the ones that I saw. I had always loved watching musicals and so I just thought I would try theater for a year. After the first year, I had made so many friends and memories that I decided to do another year, and then it turned into four years.” Gillespie says. Throughout high school, Gillespie has become fully immersed in the atmosphere of theater. She is a member of the International Thespian Society, the activities coordinator of the Drama Club, has achieved the rank of an Honor Thespian, and is a Student Thespian Officer in the Arizona Thespian Organization.
Senior Jacob Carter, who plays the Lucas in The Addam’s Family says Addam’s is his favorite musical so far “because the music is so catchy. It really get’s in your head.” Carter has participated in other Perry productions, most recently being last years Hairspray, though he wasn’t a main character. “For me personally [ the hardest thing] was memorizing what lines go in what places.” Carter says. “And...the hardest part of being on stage is doing nothing. Because when you’re doing nothing you still have to be in character and you still have to look like you’re doing something. Carter is looking forward to being the first Arizona high school to not only produce Addam’s, but also perform it on the Main Stage at the Arizona Thespian Festival on Nov. 21-22. “This is the first time I’m going to be performing in front of as many people as 2,500.” Carter remarks on his upcoming performance. “This is probably the most organized group I’ve been apart of.”
Theater says farewell to long time costumer Diane Craig has designed costumes for Drama since Perry opened. By Madi Montoya the precedent
From the neon-colored wigs of “Hairspray” to Morticia’s iconic dress in “The Addams Family,” Perry’s theater has never let its audience down when it comes to costumes. Behind these iconic threads is another star who shines not on stage, but behind the curtains. Diane Craig has been Perry’s theater costume designer since the school first opened in 2007, producing some of the most memorable costumes in high school theater. Yet, as even the greatest productions have to come to a close, so must this era of one of Perry’s greatest. For seven fantastic years, Craig has made an impression on the drama department’s way of life, impacting students’ and teachers’ lives alike. Film study teacher Jim Fountain has been working side by side with Craig for over 20 years, and just like any friendship, seeing one move on is a bittersweet moment. “I’m happy for her because she’s
going to be closer to family, and that’s a good choice for her,” Fountain states, “It’s sad for me because not only am I losing a costumer, but a very good friend.” Craig’s move to Washington has also sparked a small hiccup in theater production: without a costumer, there is no show. And with Perry’s productions Diane Craig of “The Wizard of Oz” and “Almost, Maine” coming up, that is certainly not an option. To lighten the load, Junior Kiera Jennings, currently head of makeup in the theater’s productions, has stepped up to try and fulfill this task. “Basically, I’m going to be in charge of costumes and makeup,” Jennings says, adding, “It’s a lot to live up to.” According to Shawna Marquis, theater teacher and play director, Craig has designed, constructed, and assembled each and every costume in Perry’s plays, even
taking home and washing the cast’s attire before the night of the show. With all of the little things Craig did to take care of the costumes and cast members, Marquis reminisces on their time together with tears in her eyes. “We’ll just really miss her, not only the program, but us,” Marquis states, referring to the theater cast and crew as one big family. Fountain also refers to everyone in theater fondly, shining a big spotlight on the way Craig fit in to the group. “Students just adore her,” Fountain reflects, “it’s really hard to imagine what we’re going to be like without her.” While her retirement is bittersweet for those who work with her, Craig is bound to be remembered throughout the rest of this school year and well into the future of Perry’s theater. “I wish her the best,” Marquis finishes and smiles, “she’s going to start a whole new adventure in her life, and I’m sure she’ll end up doing costuming up there too, I think it’s just a part of her.”
10 || sports
Our Take
The Arizona Cardinals are 9-1 and will make the playoffs, despite all of the injuries they’ve had so far this season. The Cardinals are RYAN 2-1 with Stanton ZOLIN as a starter. The Cardinals beat the precedent the Detroit Lions who have the best defense in the NFL, but it’s the Lions. Their runningback, Reggie Bush, hasn’t been completely healthy all year. The only real competition the Cardinals have seen was the Broncos, who destroyed them 20-41. If the Cardinals really are the best, then explain their rankings in statistics. They have the 13th ranked defense along with the 20th ranked offense. If they are the best shouldn’t they be in the top 10 at the least? If the playoffs started today the top seed in all of the NFL would be given to the Cardinals. However the Cardinals do have to understand that there will be tough competition. The Eagles, Packers, Cowboys, and 49ers are always a threat. The Cardinals will make it to the playoffs but they won’t make it to the Super Bowl, and if they do expect them to lose to the Broncos. The NFL wants Peyton Manning to win in his last year so he can retire on top.
Upcoming Events Wrestling
11/25 @ Basha 6:30
the precedent || phsprecedent.com
Raevin Richardson places as a runner up in state
photo by Christen Cioffi Senior, Raevin Richardson, competes in the breaststroke race at the state swim meet. Raevin Richardson placed individually at state on Nov. 7 and 8.
By Mia Irvin the precedent
On Friday Nov. 7, the Perry Swim and Dive began their annual state meet. On Nov. 8, it was wrapped up, ending the Perry swim and dive season. The results? Nothing short of triumph. Their coach, Stephanie Carrasco, is very pleased with their performance. “We scored in state, had people placing in state had best times in state and I couldn’t have asked for more.” Carrasco says. Up until state, the girls team went 7-1. With superb performances by senior Raevin
that helped lead the boys swim team to a 13th place finish. “I think it was a really good season so far, this is the best our men’s team has ever been,” Underwood stated. The boy’s team broke six school records this season alone with Underwood’s help. Both teams improved substantially as last season the girls team finished 25th in state and will end this season as No. 12. The boys team began this season as the 18th school in the state and finished at No. 13 in state. Perry swim has had a season with both teams climbing higher in the state rankings, making memories and winning races.
Though this is her first season as a Puma, Corey knows this season will be one to remember. “We had a lot of fun, and made a lot of memories.” She says. Along with their coach, the rest of the swim team is looking forward to next season, ready to be even more successful in state, set even more records, and race even faster. “We need to get some more year round swimmers so we can compete at the higher level and be more successful at state and place higher at state.” Carrasco says. The future for Perry Swim could not be brighter as the returning swimmers leave the pool, ready for next season.
By Dequota Wilson
Cross country season has come to an end and Puma cross country has exceeded expectations this year. At the Chandler City Invite, boys placed second and girls placed third. Top finishers at this meet included Cade Burks, Kane Hudson, Felix Drake, Gabby Ybarra and Leighton White. Sectional meet was a success as both teams qualified for state. Boys placed 6th and girls placed 7th.. Junior Cade Burks finished in 9th place with a swift time of 16:36. Moving up 12 spots from his last year place, which was 21st. First year varsity runner,
sophomore Kane Hudson, finished in 51st place. “Reflecting on the season, I’m glad I joined cross country this year; I had a lot of fun. I’m happy that I ended the season with a good race, even though the course sucked. I hope I can improve for next season and help the team win state,” said Hudson. Perry boys finished in 11th overall as a team. “The course was very hard, and it was considerably hot out, it was very tough for everyone but I’m content with the results,” states Burks. Burks also mentions how he plans to do better next year. Freshman varsity runner, Paige Ellsworth placed 88th overall.
“I thought it was pretty cool that I qualified for state as a freshman, I was very excited and nervous. This season was amazing because I didn’t even think I would be good enough for varsity.” Ellsworth hopes to qualify for state for the next 3 years. Senior Gabby Ybarra finished in 59th place, moving up one place from last year. She was not very impressed with her results, but she plans to run in college. “I’m sad to go and leave the team behind, but I know I’m leaving behind a great team who will train hard and qualify next year,” states Ybarra. Perry girls finished 16th overall.
last season. In order to still go to the playoffs, his replacement would need to go 15-9 in the regular season. If your team can replace you with a guy who goes 15-9 and still make playoffs (even if as a wildcard team) then you are not irreplaceable. Now I’m not saying Kershaw is not an impressive pitcher. A 21-3 record, a 1.77 earned run average (ERA), 31 walks, and 239 strikeouts is impressive. I believe he deserves credit for the 27 games he started and I just wish there was some award you could give for the most valuable pitcher without taking the MVP award from the guys who play almost every game. Oh wait, there is. It’s called the Cy Young Award and this year Clayton Kershaw was unanimously voted for that award in the National League. And I have to say, I agree. I think Kershaw was the best pitcher in the National League this year, without a doubt, but he
was not the “most valuable” player in the 135 games he spent eating seeds in the bullpen. Since Kershaw was awarded a win for 21 of the games he started, then you could say he won 21 games for the Dodgers. Matt Holliday had 23 game winning runs batted in (RBI), meaning he won 23 games for his team. If there are other players that won more games for their teams than Kershaw and played more games than him, then how could Kershaw deserve the award more than them? Maybe Kershaw gave an amazing pep talk before every game and the Dodgers would not have won without him cheering them on or maybe he was the team’s good luck charm during the season. I’m not a Dodger, so I cannot say what made Kershaw MVP for the 135 games he did not play but from my point of view 135 games of sitting in a chair chewing bubble gum is not MVP worthy.
the precedent
12/2 V. Westwood 7:00
Girls Basketball
12/2 @ Westwood 7:00
Boys Soccer
12/4 @ Hamilton 6:00
Girls Soccer
12/15 @ Mesquite 6:00
Boy’s and Girl’s Golf This recently passed season the boys missed out on the state tournament. Since losing arguably one of the best players to ever play for Perry’s golf team it is understandable that they would narrowly miss the tournament. Sadly the same fate fell upon our Lady Puma golfers when they finished with a ranking of 46th in the state and did not qualify for state. This past season they added a lot of new faces to the team and did not have enough returning veterans to balance out the new and the old effectively. Freshman Football The Freshman Football Navy Team completed the fall season undefeated. The team had many inspiring wins in which they held the opposing team at a standstill, such as the triumph at Mountain Ridge (48 - 0). Star players include quarterback, Brock Purdy, female kicker, Trinity Kaufman, and wide receiver/defensive lineman Cutter Hatch. The program will have something to look forward to as Purdy has dressed out for many varsity games as well.
Richardson, senior Ryleigh Weight, and freshman Morgan Corey, the girls team ended up finishing 12th in state. “On the girl’s side Raevin Richardson was a placer individually.” Carrasco states. Corey was one of the only freshman to make the qualifying times for the state meet on Nov. 7 and 8. “I thought it went really good,” Corey said. “We [the girl’s team] only lost one meet, and that was really good.” She says. Corey’s best meet was against Campo Verde High School, an early meet in the season. “I raced really well,” Corey states about her performances Junior Jake Perrine, and senior Jon Underwood all had key races
XC exceeds expectations this season
Boys Basketball
Sports Briefs
november || 2014
photo by Mark Clark Kayla Junior, Callie Van Ryn, and Gabby Ybarra run in a XC meet.
Cy Young should be enough for Kershaw EMMA FERNANDEZ the precedent
A MVP (most valuable player) is chosen every year based off of who has effected the team the most, who the team could not have survived without, the player that played in almost every game, never gave up and made all the difference. Clayton Kershaw started 27 games for the Dodgers, meaning he played about 17% of the total 162 games played by Los Angeles. How can your MVP be a guy who only made a difference in 17% of your games? There are 135 other games throughout the regular season that Kershaw had no effect on. “Most Valuable” to me means irreplaceable, so imagine the Dodgers did not have Kershaw this
photo by Wally Skalij Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw works against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first inning in Game 1 of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday, Oct. 3, 2014.
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the precedent || phsprecedent.com Volleyball Wrap-Up
27-win season led by ‘quality and character’ By Rebecca Hoffmann
“When I took this job I was told we didn’t have kids that could win. I found out that it was just the opposite.
the precedent
photo by Cassie Neal Volleyball celebrates after a key side-out in one of their playoff games this season. The girls made an impressive playoff run until losing to Basha.
The Girl’s Volleyball team has completed their most successful season in Perry’s Volleyball history thus far, going 14-3 with their only losses against Hamilton, Desert Vista and Basha. Among the greatest achievements of this season are the Puma’s wins against Corona, Gilbert, Chaparral, and Mt. Pointe. “Those are big time programs out there,” varsity girls volleyball coach Fred Mann said, “The fact that we won big matches paid off for us in the end.” Out of the 14 wins, three of the matches played all the way to five sets; making these games some of the most intense moments of the season, according to Mann. Although the girls ranged in age, the teamwork displayed helped encourage cooperation. “I’ve never been with such a good group of girls,” freshman setter Katie Koski said. “We meshed really well together, considering we were all different ages.” Many friendships arose this season and the Pumas became a closely knit team, an attribute that contributed to their success. “I think this season has been such a different season from all the rest,” junior outside hitter Taylor Knoll said. “We were so much closer and so much more like a family, on and off the court.” Mann agrees that the girls’ teamwork and cooperation helped them achieve what they did this season. “We’ve got some quality kids. They get along well and they’ve got good chemistry,” Mann says. “[Teamwork] helps every year.; the girls are close and they get along. In the end when we lost, the girls didn’t want that season to be over.” The season came to a close with a tragic loss in the quarter finals against Perry’s
Fred Mann Volleyball Coach
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biggest rival, Basha High School. “I’m really disappointed. We all were,” Mann says concerning the final loss. “The girls were devastated. They expected they would win that match.” Mann believes it was only the minor errors in said match that went wrong. “Usually when you evaluate at the end of a match what went wrong,” Mann comments. “It’s traditionally serving and passing.” It’s going to take more than this loss, however, to discourage the Pumas from realizing their improvement from last season. “It’s sad that this season is over,” says Knoll. “But we fought hard and played as a team… we know we’re a good team, and definitely better than last year.” Overall, the Pumas are ranking eleventh in the state. “The fact that we were a four seed going up against a 13 seed is what [the girls] should be rewarded with.” Mann states. Mann wishes to expresses his pride in the girls. Especially for the seniors; Ashley Greene, Maddie LeBlanc, Raena Schulze and Mahea Rubin, described by Mann to be “quality character kids” who contributed to an incredibly successful season. “When I took over this job I was told that we didn’t have kids in our program that could win,” Mann says. “When I got here, I found out that it was just the opposite.” Indeed, the Pumas have proved Mann to be correct. Congratulations to the 2014 girl’s varsity volleyball team.
PUMA NOTEBOOK
Badminton becomes third team to win state runner-up; baseball’s D1 class By Ellie Wendt the precedent
After a breakthrough season last year, Perry Badminton was excited to be a part of the state championships this year. “We were just thrilled to get to state,” Senior MaKenna Hold shares. “We thought we weren’t going to be able to go [because of ] our ranking, and one day we woke up and the ranks changed and we got to go and that was an amazing opportunity.” The team, originally ranked No. 16, ended their senior night not even qualified for playoffs. In a stunning change of events, unexpected losses from other teams in Perry’s division allowed the pumas a second chance to prove
themselves in the playoffs. Victories from Desert Vista and Horizon High School sealed the deal for the pumas and they entered the playoffs ranked at No.15. “We got a second chance and then [the team] could taste it, they could feel it, they knew there was a chance and kept playing harder and harder,” Badminton Coach, Lerina Johnson, comments. With the determination to make the most of their luck, Perry dominated their way through the finals. They won their first match against Ironwood High five to three. The excitement from beating No. 2 ranked Ironwood, continued to their second game against seventh seed Horizon High, again defeating them five to three. With great eagerness to keep advancing and make it to state the
team pushed their hardest. “The pressure wasn’t on us,” Senior Michaela Dye shared. “It was more so on the other teams because they didn’t want to get beat by the lowest ranked people.” The Pumas beat No. 3, Corona Del Sol, in semi-finals Dye five to three which placed Perry at No. 2 in the state finals to battle Xavier High School. Despite the devastating loss at state, the team still holds their heads high in hopes they will have what it takes in next year’s season. 4 baseball players sign DI scholarships For the first time in Perry’s
Pumas overcome odds and get back to postseason in division I By Angielee Niblett the precedent
Ignoring criticisms, Puma football has gone farther than any had imagined this season. Being only their second year in division I, the varsity team surpassed expectations to qualify for the first round of playoffs against Brophy. Although they did not continue to the second game in playoffs, this group of dedicated young men has shown an immense amount of improvement from the previous years. Puma quarterbacks have been dominating the field with rushing touchdowns, succeeding touchdown receptions in almost every game.
Much of the credit for the team’s success is given to the defensive side of the field for their stellar performances this year. Additionally, junior linebacker Case Hatch and senior running back Brock Heffron lead the team in tackles. Within a single game against Highland, the team managed 109 tackles, as well as five interceptions from Mountain Ridge in late September. Pumas took 3275 yards throughout the regular season and gave up only 3083 yards with a win-loss ratio of 5-5 before playoffs. Senior quarterback Austin Nightingale has continued to prove his spot as star quarterback and Perry’s most profitable player
throughout the season, after returning from a eight-month recovery of a torn ACL in the 2013 season. Nightingale exceeds the national average in every category. He describes his injury saying, “My left leg planted into the ground right before I got out of bounds; the guy hit me and everything just kind of went opposite ways.” Despite hard losses and previous season ending injuries, the varsity squad has come out on top. The players fought their way into playoffs in competitive division I in the first time in Perry history. With the season’s end, coaches and players are ready to relax and gear up for the fast-coming 2015 term.
history, four players from the same sport have signed early with a DI college. Austin Bull is the only Perry baseball player to be a starter at the varsity level for all four years. “He’s a one of a kind player that you don’t find often,” Shane Hilstrom, varsity head coach, said. Bull will continue his baseball career as a ‘Lope at Grand Canyon University. Ryne Edmonson has been a three-year varsity player since transferring from Campo Verde his sophomore year. Edmonson will be playing ball for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, next year. “I’ve always been the underdog throughout my high school career, so it’ll be interesting to see how it takes me through college,” Edmonson said. Jeremy McCuin, also a three-year varsity player, will be
playing baseball as a Arizona State University Sun Devil next year. He will join Mo Latu, Kyle Goranson, and Greg Benson as Puma alumni that are now athletes for ASU. Tyler Watson has also been on the varsity baseball team for three years. He will be attending Loyola Marymount University for baseball next fall. “I’ve known all of these guys for a decade...throughout the years I’ve realized I need to be a leader and translate it on to the field,” Watson said. This impressive achievement by the baseball team sets the expectations high for this upcoming high school season. Emma Fernandez and Ryan Zolin contributed to this story
photo by Ethan Barnes Senior quarterback Austin Nightingale gets a pass off under pressure during the first round of the division-I playoffs on Nov. 7. The Pumas lost, 45-0.
12 || sports
november || 2014
the precedent || phsprecedent.com
Winter Sports Preview photo by Jacob Colmenero
photo by Taylor Howard
Marcus Howard dribbles the ball during a postseason game at ASU last year.
Brittany Swanson dribbles the ball down the field in a game last season.
Expectations rising “Adapt and overcome” Soccer has a vendetta after last season’s near-misses
By Rebecca Hoffmann and Michelle Bolden the precedent
Returning from a 26-6 preceding season, the boys varsity basketball team is preparing to experience yet another successful season. The boy’s final loss for the 2013-14 season took place in the state semifinals against Corona. “Last year we probably over-achieved,” says Coach Joseph Babinski. “Nobody expected us to do anything and we ended up making it to the state semifinals.” Teamwork is expected from the boys above all else. “The expectations are to play together as a team, play hard, and believe that they can win and be successful,” Babinksi says. “If we do that, the wins and losses will take care of themselves.” Junior power forward, Dallan Jones, expresses his high expectations of success to excel last seasons achievements. “I think we have a good chance at the playoffs,” Jones said. “I think we’ll do better than last year.” Returning players this season have not lowered their expectations since last season, either. “It’s gonna be hard since we don’t have some of the seniors last year,” says junior center, Derek Wahlin. “But I think [we’ll] make it just far.”
Girl’s Basketball
The Lady Pumas finished with a 5-20 record last season but head coach Brock Kearsley believes they did the best they could for their season. With injuries and lack of familiarity, the low points can be attributed to lack of experience. “It was kind of an up and down year, me being new, not knowing the girls,” Kearsley explains. With the new year at hand, they have had to fill the shoes of seniors, like Rachel Amerine who graduated last year. “That’s always a struggle, but our younger
By Cassie Nielsen and Ryan Zolin the precedent
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Girl’s basketball rallies during a home game last season.
girls are very strong,” assistant principal and athletic director Jennifer Burks states. The team’s growth began with becoming more familiar with each other and improving team chemistry at a team building camp in Flagstaff last summer. Additionally, they spent time playing games to gain experience and get the system down. “It helped us grow so much...[and] realize what we are capable of and what we should be able to do this year,” sophomore player, Olivia Vernon, says. This is all in preparation for a winning season against past contenders such as state champs like Hamilton, Mesquite, Desert Vista, and Basha. “I think 16 teams that we played made the playoffs last year in division 1 and division 2, so we have a really tough schedule,” Kearsley admits. The team has made a big commitment this year to work harder, put effort in, and do everything they can to make playoffs. Burks says she’s looking forward to the Lady Puma’s upcoming season and predicts that the win-loss record will improve this season. “Basketball is one of those programs that’s really growing, developing...you could call it the up and coming sport,” Burks said.
Boy’s Soccer
The boys’ soccer team finished last season playing their hearts out, but came up short. They were so close to making the playoffs as they finished with a record of 7-5. It was an all-around good team effort and they’ll be hoping for a better outcome this year. Coach John Roberts says the team will have a great season. “I have only been with the school for two years, but I can honestly say I think this is the best team Perry’s ever had for soccer.” Coach Roberts explains. “The team is always hard working and it keeps me on my toes.” said Zach Johnson, four year varsity player and senior. The boys’ soccer team will be in Division 1 Section 2. There are certain sections within Division 1, dividing all the schools so that there are smaller divisions and not just one larger one. “It’s a fun atmosphere to be in.” claimed senior Cole Warner. Despite the team finishing 7-5 last year, they won the last three games of the season. They were .07% away from making the playoffs in the power-rankings. Some of the kids that look as if they have potential to prove themselves this year are sophomore Denver Applegate and senior Tristen Cooper. “Obviously I have high expectations this year, we’d like to finish in the top 5 this year and our ultimate goal is to make it to the championship,” says Coach Roberts.
The 2013-2014 varsity girl’s soccer team went down in history as one of the best teams Perry has had. They went to the state championship last year and lost to the Pinnacle Pioneers. They were deadlocked in a 0-0 game until the Pioneers scored on an off-sides play that was not called by the officials. It was a tragic loss, but the team still had an exceptional year. A new season is starting and Coach Jason Dunn is ready for another successful year with the motto, “adapt and overcome.” With last year’s starting mid-fielder Kambree Meskill and starting goalkeeper Carly Sandstedt having injuries, following their new motto is key. When asked about the injured players Dunn said, “It will be tough to recover from, but injuries happen in the sport. We have two good goalkeepers that are going to be training.” Hopes are high all around that it will be another thriving year for girl’s soccer. Assistant principal Heather Patterson, thinks, “They are highly competitive and I think they are going to go all the way again. I plan on being on the field at the games, up to the last game.” “We got some strong girls from last year that have gotten better since last year and will be ready to step into their role” says Dunn. With the new motto “adapt and overcome” the Girl’s soccer team is looking forward to another great year.
The Pumas make a run down the field in a game last season.
to keep an eye on this season. Senior heavyweight Chase Cawood was the No. 1 seed going into sectionals last year and was a legitimate contender for a state title until an ankle injury brought his season to an abrupt hault. Senior Tucker Matsen, who wrestles in the 132-pound weight class, and 182-pound junior Justin Nelson are also in the state title discussion. Nelson had a dominant sophomore campaign on junior varsity, earning a 25-1 record last season, and is striving to improve off of his nearly perfect JV season. “I want to try to do better than 25-1,”
he said. A true team player, he admitted that he is willing to “do anything to help the team win because wrestling is more than an individual sport, it is also a team sport.” Attitudes like that are what have Johnson optimistic about his new team. “We have better leadership [this year], and a better work ethic. This year we have a lot of guys that will hopefully make it [to state],” Johnson said. Wrestling has a lot of big matches this year. Their rival match is at Basha on Nov. 25 at 6:30. They face Hamilton at home on Dec. 15, also at 6:30.
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Wrestling tries to improve from last year’s average season By Devlin Clark the precedent
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After a tough season last year, wrestling hopes to be a contender this year.
Head wrestling coach Darren Johnson is the first to admit that the 2013-14 season was a bit of an enigma. “Last season was a very average season,” he said of his team which garnered a 13-12 dual meet record one year ago. “It was one of rebuilding.” On the other hand, a lot of last year’s juniors and sophomores received varsity mat experience and are more prepared coming into the beginning of the season this school year. Johnson says there are several individuals