W E I The V
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d e r nso How far is too far when it comes to social media? pg. 12-13
Park Hill South Riverside, MO
March 4, 2021 Issue 3 Vol. 23
Letter from the
EDITOR
As we all go into 2021, many have high hopes for what’s to come, because things can only go up from the previous year, right? From vaccine distribution across the country, sports continuing to be played, and talk of hybrid scheduling coming to an end in the months to come, there does appear to be a light at the end of the tunnel. As we tackled snow day after snow day, I am nonetheless proud to present our third issue of the View. Even through the coldest months of the year, each staff member found a topic they were wanting to cover and hit the ground running. I hope readers like yourself enjoy, and remember that through the anxieties of school, a pandemic, and any other stresses there truly is a light at the end of the tunnel.
The View Staff Spring 2021 Print Co-Editors Reporters in Chief Laura Distefano Katie Claunch & Amy Graham Tyler Clippard Digital Editor in Chief Sophia Koch Design Editors Parker Rivers Emma Clark
Sophia Dunn Alice Gamble Kara Hagen Yesi Hailemariam Caleb Hicks Alyssa Kobayashi Demetrius Peters Hadley Uribe Paige Wessel Maddie Winkler
Adviser Megan Palmer
Table of Contents
Issue 3, Vol 23 March 4, 2021
4 11
News Black History Month Opinion Flipside: COVID Vaccine Entertainment
14
Signs in The Stars Sports
18
Winter Sports Wrap-Up
by SOPHIA KOCH
Most of you might know her as Frau, the teacher who does it all: teaches German, plus the sponsor of Key Club and the Freshman Mentor Program. Williams started teaching at South when it first opened in 1998. She started off teaching German 1 and 2. Now the program has excelled all the way through German 1 to 5, along with dual credit and the German Exchange program. Throughout her 22 years of teaching at South, one memory that she will always hold onto is being able to travel to Germany eight times with her students and watching them become confident with the language. “The greatest thrill of being a language teacher is to see that put to real use because it’s nothing like you do in a classroom,” Williams said. After retirement Williams plans on starting German at Maple Woods Community College. She is also taking a part time job as an administrative assistant at a financial firm. Williams will miss the daily contact with her students, learning new slang, listening to stories, and finding out the “tea.”
Meredith Williams, Foreign Language After 35 years total of teaching and 17 years of teaching at South, Brockhoff is saying farewell. Kansas City hasn’t been her only home; she also taught in Nebraska and New York, along with teaching in six different school systems. As of right now, Brockhoff does not have any plans after retirement--she’s just happy not to write lesson plans anymore. She is also ready to sleep in. During her years of teaching she usually wakes up early and comes to school. Brockhoff is the music director, and she will miss watching her students grow. “The most memorable experiences is seeing students’ faces when the light goes on, and they know they’ve given they’re best performance, and they stand a little taller and prouder,” Brockhoff said. After 35 years of teaching, Brockhoff has made a lot of connections to students, and having social media allows her to stay connected and watch them grow. One thing that teaching has taught Brockhoff is that “you are never too old to learn.”
So
Long
Elizabeth Brockhoff, Music
South
Whenever a student hears the name “Mrs. Mullins” they always have something good to say. Mullins has taught for 40 years: 13 years in Williamsburg, Va., and 27 years in the Park Hill School District. She is a math teacher at South and teaches the most challenging courses offered to upperclassmen, like Math Analysis and AP Calculus. Mullins said she does not have any real plans after retirement. “I hope to travel, God willing, and ride my horses. I would sincerely love to see my family, COVID has prevented that, and generally relax,” Mullins said. Mullins could not pick just one good memory; she said she has been able to make too many good ones. “I am going to miss her presence in the room,” said Sophia Dunn, senior. “I used to tell my mom she reminded me of my grandma because she cared about everyone and was a teacher that was willing to do anything for her students.”
Peggy Mullins, Math After 30-40 years of making a mark at each school they’ve taught at, three South teachers decide to retire
NEWS 03
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Every year during the month of February many schools across the country celebrate black history month including South. With the sudden rise of the Black Lives Matter movement during 2020, more attention has been brought to racial injustices happening in the US. Black history month is an important time to reflect on the past and see what we can change about today’s society to make it fit for everyone. South has been able to organize clubs such as Black Student Union to help students use their voice and educate others around the school about racial injustices. Many students have been able to think about Black History Month and why it is so relevant to our future. “When I hear Black History Month, I immediately think of black leaders in history and the impact they left on future generational leaders. Black History Month gives me the motivation to learn about black people that had a great legacy but are less talked about,” Khea Sims, freshman, member of the Black Student Union, said. “Lastly, even though February is an important month for black individuals, I’m black all year, so one month shouldn’t define my blackness. I look towards Black History every month.” Black History month started as a way of remembering important people and events that happened in the history of African Americans. It is important for people, especially students, to remember this month as a a way to learn more about a history that has affected millions of lives. “It is a time out of the year to celebrate, honor, and reflect regarding black individuals, both past and present, who have helped build and impact our society in amazing ways. To lift up the literature, legislature, sacrifice, music, art, achievement, scholarship, etc. that so many enjoy today from black voices, intellects, and talents,” said Vanessa Zamzow (math), along with the other sponsors of BSU Katie Manga (intervention) and Somer Stuhlsatz (math). The BSU, along with STUCO, has helped plan out the activities South has planned for Black history month, from posters around the school with quotes to the daily announcements with the interesting facts about someone who has helped shape the world we live in today.
“Right now, STUCO is doing all we can to support our Black Student Union. We’re working with their leaders and club members to decorate the school, promote theme days and find creative ways to educate South.” Riley Parman, junior and vice president of STUCO, said. Although BSU and STUCO did the best they can to promote Black History Month, there are always ways they can improve. “Social media advertisements are a great way to reach large groups of people. Personally, I think that BSU might benefit from creating an Instagram page, in which other clubs can support them,” Alex Bozung, junior and secretary of STUCO, said. With an increased social media presence, there will be a greater chance of getting people more involved and educated on the matter. This month has had many major impacts on lives and has major importance to many people of all races. “I am not black and will not entertain the idea that their struggles are mine. I am merely here as a form of communication for BSU. This does not mean that I do not care about black culture and history. It is quite the opposite. I care about showing our school that there is more to history than the white leaders we constantly learn about. All cultures have played a part in making America what it is. Black History Month is a moment to recognize the importance of black leaders, workers, friends and family. Black lives matter, and it’s time to recognize that fact,” said Amelia Larson, freshman and member of BSU. Black History month is not only a time to celebrate but a time to consider how we can bring more justice into our lives. Community is a big thing in order to solve racial injustice by working together. By educating ourselves and others we will be able to create a society suitable for all. In the wise words of Booker T. Washington an african american educator, “In all things that are purely social we can be as separate as the fingers, yet one as the hand in all things essential to mutual progress.”
“Black History Month gives me the motivation to learn about black people that had a great legacy but are less talked about.”
BSUtakes onBHM by YESEM HAILEMARIAM 04 NEWS
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A look back on the Black Student Union’s ode to Black History Month
Kansas City, In Memoriam
Exploring some of the Black Lives Matter art displays around our city
by AMY GRAHAM
NEWS 05
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Eating burnt oranges, teaspoons of “I had COVID back in September sugar and even smelling tangy spices and the way I knew I needed to be like paprika and cumin have been tested was that I had complete loss of added to many people’s post-COVID smell that first morning I woke up. diets. These are just a few attempts When I was first sick, I could not smell people have made to get their taste and anything, even very harsh smells like smell back. bleach,” Brewington said. “As seen on tik tok,” charring an This continued for at least two orange until it’s black or eating a months after her diagnosis. Each week, teaspoon of sugar have been known her smell improved up until she had to work for people that had lost their the full ability to smell things to their taste and smell for months with no fullest scent. Brewington’s taste was comeback. Some testified this worked, also far from normal. while others claimed this was a myth. “I have recently been dealing with Through the aftermath of some new taste issues. I have learned contracting COVID-19, many that this is a common problem as you survivors have found lingering begin to heal and your brain is trying symptoms that have lasted up to to rewire all of the new connections. months after It is really weird, but I “I am tasting onions testing positive. am tasting onions a lot Many medical a lot when I brush my when I brush my teeth professionals with mint toothpaste teeth with mint have toothpaste or eat some or eat some other kinds recommended of foods. I also smell other kinds of foods.” onions even when that smell therapies, easing into smell is not there. I am physical activities slowly due to hoping this is a temporary thing that the respiratory side effects felt by will go away as my smell improves/ some, and not overworking your heals,” Brewington said. body immediately following the Like Brewington, Jennifer Mattson recommended 10 day quarantine. (STUCO) hasn’t quite been back to Senior Justin Harrison was one normal after testing positive. of the many athletes unable to “Lasting effects have been immediately partake in play after headaches, brain fog, dry bronchial getting COVID during his varsity cough, and lack of taste for some basketball season. foods. Cheese hasn’t tasted the same. “I first started having chest pains I can’t distinguish between some while at practice, so I went to the cheeses. I also find things bitter, doctor and found not only COVID like soda is now very bitter to me,” but pneumonia was causing this pain. Mattson said. I was out for three and a half weeks at While these three dodged bullets the beginning of January and didn’t from being hospitalized or worse, they get to play until Feb. 5 against Staley,” felt the wrath of the virus nonetheless. Harrison said. Things can only go up from here for Others, like Mandy Brewington them, and hopefully they won’t resort (Social Studies), have been through the to the charring of oranges. ringer, having solely three of her five by LAURA DISTEFANO senses months after having COVID.
The aftermath of COVID-19 has left South teachers and students with a loss of taste, smell, and dealing with other prolonged symptoms
1. SEE 2. TOUCH 3. HEAR 4. TASTE 5. SMELL
...And Then There Were
3 (Senses)?
06 NEWS
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Scan for a look at the burnt orange method of bringing taste and smell back!
Feb 17- Amazon boss Jeff Bezos pledges $10 billion to help fight climate change
2020
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Feb 5- US Senate votes to acquit President Donald Trump 52-48 on charges of abuse of power and 5347 on obstruction of Congress
VS.
2021
Feb 7- Jeff Bezos is stepping down as CEO of Amazon, the e-commerce empire he founded 27 years ago, he said in a letter to employees.
Feb 2- Super Bowl LIV, Kansas City Chiefs beat San Francisco 49ers, Chiefs’ first victory in 50 years
Feb 9- Former President Trump was acquitted on a vote of 57-43. Seven Republicans voted with democrats for conviction, but they were 10 votes short of said conviction.
A ye loo ar k a vs t F . t eb hi s y rua ea ry r’s of l by Feb ast Feb 7- Chiefs CA ru lost the 2021 LE ary Super Bowl to B HI the Tampa Bay CK
Buccaneers 31-9. Tom Brady was the Super Bowl MVP and won his 7th title of his career.
S
FEATURES 07
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17.5 46.7% 24%
MILLION
number of employed 16-24-year-olds in July 2020
percent of young people employed in July 2020
(down from 56.2% in 2019)
percent of employed youth working in the leisure & hospitality industry source: bureau of labor statistics
In the midst of the Pandemic, many students are spending more time than ever working hard for the money. Students at South have many different kinds of jobs, from grocery stores to restaurants and even doctors’ offices. Having a part-time job in high school can teach students many different life skills that you will need for full time jobs in the future, like dealing with money, working in a professional environment, dealing with different kinds of customers and more. Abby Wells, senior, works at the Parkville Eye Center. “I had an internship with them through professional studies and they decided to hire me after the internship,” Wells said. A lot of students do internships through professional studies and end up getting hired afterward. This is a great way to dip your feet in the water with getting real professional experience and even having references for future jobs. Wells said she started with COVID screening when patients would walk in and now she gets to do pre-testing for eye exams. “I am essentially the nurse at an eye doctor,” she said.
Wells recommends this job to high school students because it gives real world experience and lots of communication skills. Restaurants are also amazing places to work for high school students. Melody Sasser, senior, works at Bonefish Grill in Burlington Creek and said it’s an amazing place for a first job. Some of her daily tasks are greeting customers and seating them, dealing with to-go orders and prepping food for those orders. “I would recommend this job to any student at South. I make a good amount of money with To Go tips and hourly pay. It can be hard to schedule my work and sports around each other, though,” said Sasser. Working in a job to your athletic and school schedule can be difficult, but with the right motivation it is possible. Many other students at South have all different kinds of jobs and are making money and learning important skills you can’t learn in school at the same time. The hybrid schedule has provided additional time for students to take advantage of this opportunity, with everything from an almost-full time job to a simple side hustle for a little extra cash.
“ IT GIVES REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE AND LOTS OF COMMUNICATION SKILLS.”
scan to learn about Professional Studies in the Park Hill School District
High School
HUSTLERS 08 FEATURES
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Students at South are learning how to make money while still being high school students.
by PAIGE WESSEL
p i r AT
A look from the Senior POV as we head into 2021 and near graduation
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by MADDIE WINKLER
As the year starts to wind down, saying COVID-19 has reshaped the 2020-2021 seniors’ last year of high school is an understatement. Growing up, stories were told by our parents and family about graduation and all the memories made their last year of high school. It’s what you look forward to since grade school, and one single virus could detain you from having that normal year. With that being said, during these frustrating times, our seniors have been making it through with a smile on their faces with a graceful stride to the finish line. At the start of 2020, none of us expected that this is what our last year would look like. We all thought the state of Missouri was invincible against the illness, our senior year would be untouched, and there was nothing to worry about. With the second semester rolling around you could definitely say we were substantially wrong. From having to wear masks to changing to a hybrid schedule, this year has brought us a series of changes. “A couple of things I wish I would’ve gotten as a senior are all the school wide activities we do each year. I miss games, drum lines, assemblies, and everything that brings the school together,” said Karla Gomez, senior. We are not the only ones who have had things taken away from us, but they are rightfully missed. Even though we do have things that we have missed out on, this year hasn’t been a total bust. There have been many accomplishments and more free time to focus on yourself and your future. Alex
Laderoute, senior, is a prime example of that. “My favorite part about this year has been getting accepted into Vanderbilt. Now that I have been accepted, I have more time and I can worry less about maintaining my grades, and more about learning,” he said. It has been a great experience for us seniors to reflect and prepare for what comes after high school. The one most important part of this time in our lives is graduation, and thankfully we still have that to hold onto. With 90+ days left until we walk across that stage, all we can do is live in the moment now. Life is too short to mope around about the things we don’t have. Embrace it while you can, because one day there will be the stories you tell your children.
Graduation is a time to nod at the past and smile at the future. -Noah Macdonald SENIORS: Scan for a quick survey on your favorite moments of this year!
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by ALICE GAMBLE For those who regularly get vaccinated, the COVID-19 vaccine sounds like a great deal. It’s marketed as a quick, easy way to end this pandemic - do your part just by getting a shot or two. But is it really that safe and simple? As someone who is not typically anti-vaccination, I was initially drawn in by the promises of an easy way to get rid of COVID and to get everything back to the way it used to be. Then I started to look into it more, and I learned some things that, quite frankly, scared me. First of all, the vaccine is funded and produced by both the government and big corporations - the two who don’t actually care about people’s well-being, only about money and power. The leading vaccines are from Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca. The government has funded $18 million, $5.5 million and $23 million to these companies, respectively. Moderna and Pfizer each expect to make about $30 billion from the vaccine, and AstraZeneca expects $25 billion. The amounts that these companies foresee making is staggering, and if these amounts are true, what incentivises these companies to make the vaccine truly and not just pump it out as quickly as possible? Pfizer and Moderna’s vaccines are both mRNA vaccines, a type of vaccine that is different from that of the flu and others. Additionally, and most concerningly, mRNA vaccines have not been FDA approved. They are authorized, so that they can be used and tested, but not approved. The millions of Americans getting vaccinated right now are the trial. The COVID vaccine is rushed. It typically takes 10-15 years to develop a vaccine, but the COVID vaccine has been in development for under a year. And since the vaccine was produced and authorized so quickly, we don’t know if there are any long-term effects of it. Given that most people who get COVID have little to no symptoms, is it worth getting the vaccine if the side effects of it are
worse than the COVID symptoms? The minor side effects of the COVID vaccine include pain, tiredness, swelling, headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and fever or chills. Some of the extreme, yet more rare, side effects are severe allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis and Bell’s Palsy (facial paralysis). There have even been deaths after receiving the vaccine, although very rare (the link between the vaccination and death is not definite). Some of these instances include Gregory Michael, the 54-year-old Miami doctor who died from a blood disorder shortly after taking the vaccine, and Tim Zook, the 60-year-old Orange County healthcare worker who, just days before his death, posted his excitement on Facebook. “Never before have I been so excited to get a shot before. I am now fully vaccinated after receiving my second Pfizer dose,” Zook posted on Facebook, just two days before he died of heart failure in a hospital. These are just two of the most well-known vaccine deaths. Most alarmingly, the CDC’s Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) reported that 1,170 Americans have died after receiving the COVID vaccine, out of 41 million total recipients, a death rate of 0.003 percent. COVID-19 itself has a death rate of 0.02 percent. Some argue that the elderly should receive the vaccine before younger people because they are at higher risk of getting COVID, but Norway has started to question the safety of vaccinations for those above 75, and they haven’t been the only country to do so. 29 people over the age of 75 there have died after being vaccinated. Additionally, even after getting the vaccine, people are still required to wear masks and socially distance. So given this information about vaccine side effects and deaths, as well as the true motive behind it, make your decision about whether or not you want to get vaccinated. These facts certainly made me reconsider, and this is just the tip of the iceberg.
“the two who don’t actually care about people’s well-being, only about money and power.”
not to vaccinate 15%
7.5% 10 OPINION
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77.5%
how many people are vaccinated?
have gotten one dose both doses
unvaccinated
to vaccinate Microchips, human remains, and trackers: These ideas would make any discussion about biology exponentially more exciting. The news of a newly approved COVID-19 vaccine was the light at the end of a long, dark tunnel. After almost a year of COVID flipping our whole upside down, and claiming the lives of over 500,000, this news was thought to be welcomed by Americans, as it signifies a looming return to our normal world. However, it was met with a whirlwind of criticism, some justified, and some that can only be labeled as conspiratorial. The biggest call for concern surrounding the COVID vaccine was the swiftness with which it came out. Typically, vaccines take a much longer time to be developed and approved, so it’s understandable that some people might feel that the creation process wasn’t quality. Luckily for us all, the claims that the COVID-19 vaccines weren’t developed with enough caution are almost entirely baseless. The vaccines have received emergency approval from the FDA, and yes, that is different from the normal FDA approval process, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that the vaccines didn’t receive a comprehensive review. “The entire process went faster than usual for explainable reasons, but still followed the usual steps for testing and review. The most important reasons for speed: modern scientific tools are faster than old ones, and there was a worldwide effort to reduce or remove the usual barriers and delays in vaccine research, production and distribution,” writes Kara Gavin, of the University of Michigan Health Policy and Innovation, in an article about the vaccine. The vaccine has also already had tremendous success rates, with little to no signs of complication. In fact, according to the New
England Journal of Medicine, both the Moderna and the Pfizer vaccine have around a 95% success rate in trials, which is impressive given the speed of its delivery. Despite theories that may be circulating, there really is no empirical basis for the potential threat of the vaccine. “A large number of ordinary people volunteered for clinical trials of the vaccines, which meant we got the answers to key questions about safety and protection quickly,” Gavin. The previous arguments all had some merit to them, but there are others circulating around social media which seem to devolve in comparison to the concerns of scientists and professionals. Some feel that the covid vaccine is simply a front for some sort of conspiracy plotted by the government, and while there’s variation on what exactly the end goal might be (microchipping, population control, etc.) all of them are undermined with one simple idea: How could any government possibly pull that off? While questioning the effectiveness of a vaccine is one thing, arguing that it has a malicious intent is entirely another. A ploy masked by a vaccine simply has too many moving parts to pull off. A skeptic eye for Big Pharma, or even the bureaucracy at the FDA is valid, but these groups aren’t the only with influence over the vaccines. Independent researchers and both public and private health establishments have had part in the creation and deployment of the vaccine. The bottom line when it comes to the vaccine, is that there is a responsible and beneficial choice we can all make to do our part in stopping the spread of COVID-19, and minimize the number of lives lost. We’re all itching to return to our normal lives, so taking a vaccine that is proven to be effective feels like
“there is a responsible and beneficial choice we can all make to do our part.”
by AMY GRAHAM
phase 1b tier 3 able to get the vaccine on March 15 in Missouri
who is included in this tier? - education - childcare - communications - energy -food/agriculture - government - information tech
-nuclear reactors, materials, and waste - transportation systems -water and wastewater
OPINION 11
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the ugly side of
Social Media The harsh truths of what social media has done to today’s generation Instagram, Tik Tok, Snapchat, Facebook, and so many more: we all have them and are all affected by them. Blindly opening your phone and scrolling through these apps has become normalized. Social media has its benefits but is not good for the mental health of teenagers. According to BBC, over 40 percent of the world’s population can be found on some form of social media. Social media causes Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), anxiety, depression, cyberbullying, and just not feeling good enough. One effect that social media has on this world is a fear of missing out (FOMO), anxiety and depression. If you’re active on social media, you will SEE so much more of people doing “cool” things. The things you see may be things that you could never be able to do, and it’s easy to get jealous. Seeing or talking to people in real life boosts mood and reduces stress. Over a screen, it’s hard to get that same interaction. Mental Health America says that 46 percent of people have some form of mental illness due to social media. Another thing that seems to get worse behind a screen is bullying. Cyberbullying happens more often because hiding behind a screen tends to make it easier. This results in people not feeling good enough. Bullying has always been a problem, but gets easier online because people can hide behind a screen.
46 percent of people have some form of mental illness due to social media. 12 OPINION
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by KATIE CLAUNCH Because of this, people will start to search for approval, resulting in more posts going up. Then the brain trick happens, the more comments you get… the better you feel. You don’t feel good enough. You notice other people’s posts and it’s hard to remember that they are just sharing the highlights. It’s easy to get jealous. While social media may have its benefits, it’s mostly negative to the mental health of teenagers. If you are looking to improve your mental health, maybe take a social media cleanse. Delete the apps that you find yourself blindly opening and see how you improve. You may find that your mental health and overall well-being will improve with this. People will say that social media is good. It allows you to communicate and connect with people to gain creativity, emotional support, and to raise awareness on issues/news. While all these things may be true, the negative aspects of social media are greater than the positive. Social media physically and emotionally affects its users negatively way more than it affects them positively.
Unlocked: Conservatives
Republicans set the social media standards they objected to when it came to the insurrection
by PARKER RIVERS
Against Corporations
The aftermath of the insurrection on our Capitol that occurred January 6 will never be able to be fully summarized, but one of the greatest twists that came out of the horrific event was the extreme right wing advocacy for such progressive views. There weren’t Republican senators voting for universal healthcare or opening borders, but as action was being taken upon those accountable for the event (Parler’s app being deplatformed for failing to stop violent groups from organizing, Trump’s social media accounts being suspended across the internet, and Missouri’s own Josh Hawley having his Simon & Schuster book deal being withdrawn after he was photographed inciting the group of rioters the day of), many members in the conservative field seemed suddenly opposed to the profit-favoring corporations making decisions for themselves. Large windows of hypocrisy were opened wide on the fateful day, as a culmination of self destruction poured across the World Wide Web. Hawley, a Republican Senator who spent years advocating for the freedoms of large corporations and promoting their increase in wealth (at whatever expense) seemed to flip on those views, saying “Simon & Schuster is cancelling by book deal because I was representing my constituents...This is the Left looking to cancel everyone they don’t approve of.” When it comes down to it, any action to improve business is accessible unless it favors the Democrats, and while many of those who supported Hawley may in fact have been represented by his inciting of violence, it was still just that. On a larger scale than a book deal, and as a man of much more influence, Donald Trump was also subject to consequence for the actions he inspired while the Congress was confirming his defeat.
According to Pew Research Center, 58 percent of American adults polled believed it was right for Trump to be removed from his many social media platforms. Still, just 21% of Republicans fell into that category. It’s important to understand that these are not solely political actions being taken by Twitter and Facebook’s CEOs. Rather, the companies are fulfilling their responsibility to censor unprotected speech. Parler’s failing to do that is what ultimately led to their demise, as Apple, Amazon and Google all ceased offering the application. That deplatforming was later upheld as legally justified by an appeals court. The people mentioned were very clearly adding fuel to the fire in an incident that ended up causing the deaths of at least five Americans. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. were not blocking Trump from their services just because they didn’t like him or agree with him; they did it because they were meant to stop the spread of any sort of violence or encouragement of it. Even if that were the case, had he done nothing wrong, those companies still have the right to do whatever they want, thanks to Republican advocacy in the past to allow, for example, homophobic refusal practices on religious grounds. This was a turning point in our country, leading up to a major shift in leadership. It was tragic for some, it was telling to many, and it was a big loss for a few. Au revoir, Mr. Trump.
58 percent of American adults polled believed it was right for Trump to be removed from his many social media platforms. OPINION 13
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Written in the STARS
Astrology is back bigger than ever--here are your 2021 horoscopes by HADLEY URIBE Aries: 2021 will throw lots of twists
and turns your way, but it’s nothing you can’t handle. This year, it will be easier to stand up for what you believe in and the things you truly want to accomplish. Make sure to put yourself first in school, the workplace, and relationships. This year will be a great adventure for you!
Gemini: Your energy will be through
the roof this upcoming year! You’ll be radiating happiness, and others will take notice. 2021 is about luck with new beginnings. This can apply especially in relationships and higher studies. Use this year to your advantage; if you put in the work, you will reach any goal you strive for.
Leo: This year may seem like the odds
are against you, but it will help you see what you really want and how you wish to accomplish that. You should define the path to reach your goals and stick to it. This year will be about perseverance and finding it in yourself to beat the odds. You may find reassurance in your superiors.
Libra: Compared to last year, 2021
will be a much easier year for you. You will be recognized for the work you do. Your creativity is flowing as well as your revenue. This year will be a very successful year for your financial security. Remember to make smart decisions when it comes to money, and take some time for yourself!
Sagittarius: This year is about per-
sonal growth. You will find yourself having a need for knowledge and adventure. This is a great time to meet new people and make new memories. You may also find a special someone within the first half of the year. With good planning and execution, 2021 will be full of new memories!
Aquarius: People will gravitate
towards you and your energy this year. You’ll be feeling more like yourself and as confident as ever in 2021. You may find yourself spending more than you recieve, so be cautious of that and trust the process. This year will be about expansion in all aspects of your life, so enjoy it!
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Taurus: You’re going into this year
with a determined attitude. You will have good vibes around you that will claim success. You will find yourself feeling vulnerable at times, but you must refrain from letting the negative energy get to you. 2021 will be one of triumphs. It will be a beneficial year overall!
Cancer: This year, you’ll feel more
independent. You will feel the need to explore the world on your own terms. You may feel challenged this year in relationships, so remember communication is key! 2021 will bring the skills for enhanced learning meaning this year is about growth, intelletually and emotionally.
Virgo: You’ll stay busy this year as the
universe will be throwing lots of opportunities your way. You will feel very ambitious in your career and studies. If you stay on task, you will succeed as posititive energy follows you. Give yourself a break and don’t take on too many things at once. Put your personal health first.
Scorpio: This year is the perfect time to pick up a new hobby as you’ll be ready to adapt a new way of thinking. Take a step back form toxic relationships and focus on developing new friendships. Don’t let self-doubt determine your year. You will feel more courageous than ever, so use that to your advantage.
Capricorn: This year will be full of
love and relationships, which can include friendships. You will also have to make some tough decisions, so remember to deeply before you make any big changes in your life. Luck will be on your side in your career life, but make sure to keep the same energy and effort!
Pisces: You will find yourself having
lots of positive interactions with genuinely good people this year. Others may see you as being different than the world around you, which will attract their attention and admiration for you. So take this year to branch out and attend many social gatherings!
Zodiac Signs - Aries
- Taurus - Gemini - Cancer - Leo - Virgo - Libra - Scorpio - Sagittarius
- Capricorn - Aquarius - Pisces
2021
Tune Drops
by PARKER RIVERS
After many delayed or postponed albums in 2020, 2021 finally brings us some new music to look forward to
1
1
Billie Eilish
Two years after her breakout “When we all fall asleep, where do we go?” that took over the Grammy’s, Eilish has confirmed another album’s release. While a specific date isn’t known, her Instagram confirmed that the LP will have 16 tracks. Since the success of her 2019 album, Eilish hasn’t fallen short with a group of singles released, including “Therefore I am” and “Everything I Wanted,” as well as “No Time To Die” for the delayed release of the newest James Bond movie. Hopes are high for this long-awaited follow-up.
A few songs off the upcoming “Chemtrails over the Country” have been released already, but the entirety of the album won’t come out until March 19. This also comes two years after her last full-length release, one less easy to name. Fans have a lot to look forward to, and with much more confidence given the set date for this next drop.
3
Drake
Lana Del Rey
2
“Certified Lover Boy” would be out already, but in mid-January the prominent rapper announced the delay of his latest project’s release due to a surgery. Despite the many setbacks throughout the music industry with COVID-19, the continuation of Drake’s release is impressive and his streak of releasing nearly seven years in a row still won’t be hindered in 2021.
Fortunately for the many Kendrick fans out there, a fifth studio album does exist. A reassurance on when it will be available stills seems a ways away. After his game-changing “good kid, m.A.A.d city” and “To Pimp a Butterfly” projects, Lamar still held his throne with the Pulitzer Prize- and Grammywinning “DAMN.” But he hasn’t released since that in 2017, excluding the large collaboration of his Black Panther-inspired pieces.
Kendrick Lamar
4
ENTERTAINMENT 15 phsouthnews.com
What teen has n’t s c r ea med “Drivers License” by Olivia R o d r i g o o n repeat this past month? The so ng dr o p p e d o n Ja nuar y 8th and broke Spotify ’s re cord t w i ce for most daily streams ever. This song meant a lot to R odrigo and I think her intentions we re n ever meant to hur t Sabrina Carpente r. I n “Drivers License” Rod r igo states, “S he’s ever yt hi ng I’m insecure about ” when referring to Car penter. She never meant to make her upset, and it wasn’t a diss track to her in a ny way. I n r e a l i ty, the song was onl y about Joshua Bassett and ha d no t hi ng t o do wi t h her. On Januar y 22nd, Carpenter released a new single “Sk in” in response to “Drivers License”. He r l yrics w ere clear ly mad e to hurt Rod r ig o’s feelings. She states, “ Yo u c a n t r y to get under my sk in, while h e’s on mine, yah all on my sk in.” This lyric is hur t f ul a nd wa s di r ected towards a minor. Carpenter should have just kept quiet about the song. If s he wa s up s et wi t h i t i n any way, she should have just reached out to Rodrigo and dealt with things in a civil wa y. Carpenter is twenty one years old, 4 years older than Ro d r i g o. She should have responded more maturely than she had and b een the bigger per son. I n retrospec t, both of these star sing e r s a r e ve ry talented in what they do. The y sho u ld u phold o ne another and be k ind with their words. As t wo yo ung la di es i n a hug e i ndust r y, t hey ne e d the supp or t of each other to make it thr ough.
There is always going to be a nex t gi r lf r i end o r h ear tbreak is always going to hur t. Sabrina Carpenter was for m e r e x b oyfriend, Joshua Bassett, was becoming clos e with Carpenter that Rodrigo wrote her famous son g “ Driver ’s L icense.” I n “ Driver ’s License” Rod r igo states “And yo u'r e probably with that blonde girl ” when r efe r r i ng t o Carpenter. Once fans connec ted the dots, Ca r p e nter s tar ted to get a lot of nasty comments a nd Ro dr i g o f a n’s star ted to lash back and hate on Carpenter. E xac tly tw o weeks af ter Rod r igo r ele a s ed her so ng, Carpenter released a song called “Sk in.” Fa ns immediately j umped at the id ea of this b e i ng a di ss t r a c k t o Ro dr i g o’s newly released song based on l y r i c s “Maybe you didn' t mean it Maybe blo nde wa s t he o nly rhyme” Car p e nt e r t he n p o s t e d on I nsta was at a tipping point in my life for count le s s r ea s o ns. so i was inspi red to do what i usually do to cope, write something…” Carpenter did what any ar tist has done in the past. Wr ite a song about hate and their sadness. R o d r i g o, no m atter what, was going to be hurt but it is not Carpenter ’s fault fo r s i mp ly b e ing the nex t girl Basset seemingly coupled up with.
16 ENTERTAINMENT
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ENTERTAINMENT 17
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ENTERTAINMENT 17
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Girls Basketball
Record:
6-6
Gabbie Schultz:
“Even with this crazy year, my personal experience has improved in the last five or six games. I have gained a lof more confidence that I owe to my teamates and all of us supporting one another.”
Coach Dorr: “My favorite part about coaching the girls this season is being able to see team and individual success from each player.”
Girls Swim & Dive
Record:
13-0
Christine Hwang (Swimmer): “Although my performance was definitely better last year because of COVID, I am happy that i've been able to swim with all my close friends. My faorite part of this year was just being around the swim team girls, and having somthing somewhat normal for senior year.”
Coach Sellers (Dive Coach): “Even though it made it more challenging to coach everyone, [it] was having so many new divers. New divers end up learning a lot more new dives than veteran divers because they’re starting from scratch, but that pushes the veteran divers to keep wanting to improve and learn new dives, too.”
18 SPORTS
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Boys Wrestling Kale Slater:
Kale’s Record:
14-4
“There are some things I wish I got to do with this season, but I guess I just made do with what I was given. I am just happy to be able to wrestle my senior year in general. COVID made it doubtful that it was going to happen, so I am just enjoying the last year that I have for South wrestling.”
Maddie Kubicki’s Record:
22-0
Girls Wrestling Coach Noble:
“My favorite memory this year has been able to help each girl grow and feel more confident in their wrestling ability. The girls have become a family and it has been an honor being able to watch them succeed and grow”.
By: Emma Clark
Boys Basketball Justin Harrison:
Record:
7-5
“One of the craziest parts of this year’s season was not being able to have the Rage Cage. It really took away from the atmosphere of South and the experience. I did enjoy the opportunity of playing with kids that I haved played with, like Dylan Hufft who is also a senior.”
“This season my favorite part about coaching was to get the opportunity to meet all theindividual players that enter the basketball program and just watch them play”.
Coach Parra:
SPORTS 19
phsouthnews.com
by TYLER CLIPPARD A look back on Kansas City’s tragic Super Bowl LV loss
Super Bowl LV kicked off between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs on Feb. 7. Patrick Mahomes versus Tom Brady, baby GOAT vs the current GOAT. We have been waiting for this moment since Mahomes held up the Lombardi trophy a year ago. Some diehard Chiefs fans went through crazy rituals or agendas during Super Bowl week. But no one loves the Chiefs more than Amanda Brewington, social studies, and during Super Bowl week she would ask her daughters three (easy) questions about the Chiefs or even the Super Bowl in general. “After decades as a Chiefs fan where we would get close but lose in such heartbreaking ways, I can’t believe our time has finally come. To even make the Super Bowl once was a dream, so to get there again... unreal. I have nothing but respect for Brady. I watched in person and saw the first AFC Championship at Arrowhead where he just stomped all over my heart and soul,” Brewington said. However, Bucs fans have been waiting a little longer because they hadn’t won a Super Bowl since 2003. Ever since Brady signed to the Buccaneers in the offseason there has been tons of speculation that Mahomes and Brady would be playing in the Super Bowl. It is safe to say that the expectations for the game fell short. The game turned out to be very one-sided for many reasons, one being the Chiefs’ offensive line after failing to stop the Bucs’ pass rush. The Chiefs’ entire starting offensive line was injured except for center Austin Reiter and guard Andrew Wylie. Other major problems were Chiefs receivers dropping perfect passes and refs that broke the record 20 SPORTS for most penalty yards in the first half phsouthnews.com of the football game.
“To be honest, I wasn’t too upset with the referees. There were some questionable calls, but they didn’t make the difference in the game. The Chiefs had a bad showing, and injuries held us back. Ultimately it was heartbreaking to see the season end this way but we will be back,” Charlie Scott, senior, said. Mahomes did everything he could out on the field, including rushing for a total of 497 yards before throwing the ball, according to ESPN’s next gen stats. Despite his effort, the receivers failed to catch the passes and the defense couldn’t stop future hall of famer, Brady. The game ended up 31-9 with Brady winning his seventh Super Bowl ring. Brady has now won a Super Bowl in three different decades, according to ESPN. With both teams heading into the offseason, they look to keep their teams together instead of losing key components to a free agency. If both teams can keep it together, who knows, maybe we could see these two teams face off again in Super Bowl 56: Baby GOAT versus the GOAT: part two.
“To even make the Super Bowl once was a dream, so to get there again...unreal.”
......
U O Z Z I M A A A I N A M After seasons of losing, Mizzou is turning the tables, consistantly being ranked through the mid-season and projecting a lower seed in the March Madness Tournament
MIZZOU-RAH! For basketball fans fond of Mizzou, this could be a good year for the Tigers. Within the past five years, Kansas Citians have looked to the Kansas team as being the best in the area in basketball, and Mizzou coming out on top of KU in football. While this pattern will remain in the 2020-2021 NCAA seasons, Mizzou is proving to be better than prior years. Kicking off their season in December beating highly ranked Illinois, the team had high confidence going into the new year. Mizzou reached as high as 11th in the national rankings this season, while KU fell out of the top 25 for the first time in a decade, only to rise back up later in the season. This is the closest these teams have been in the ranks in years, as Mizzou has not been ranked by the end of a season since 2012.
by DEMETRIUS PETERS
Coming off the shortest off-season in NBA history, at just 72 day, the NBA kicked off the 2020-21 season on Dec. 22, with the reigning champs, the Los Angeles Lakers facing the Los Angeles Clippers. The NBA estimated at least a $500 million loss if they decided to push the start of the season to January like most NBA players would have liked. For the first time ever, the NBA decided to release a schedule for only the first half of the season so they can make adjustments if COVID affects games. With the league deciding to not use a bubble for this season due to no teams wanting to go through isolation and through the mental toll again, the NBA agreed to allow teams to play at
by LAURA DISTEFANO
Fans are already speculating: will this team of Tigers get to be in on the excitement of March Madness? The team has not made it past the first round of postseason play since 2010, and in the past decade have only been in the tournament five times, most recently in 2018. Kansas has had much more success, making the tournament each year and being a top competitor. “I think Mizzou will make the tournament. They are a very deep team and have a lot of play makers. With the team they have this year, I would be very surprised if Mizzou didn’t make it to the tournament and beyond,” Trey Weith, junior, said. Locals throughout the area are rooting for the boys in black and gold, and looking forward to making March Madness bets for the first time since 2019.
NBA C OVID CRAZI NESS their home market with very strict rules. Before the season started, the league and players’ union announced changes to the NBA’s nearly 160 pages of health and safety guidelines which was highlighted by telling the players and the teams to stay home during these times. With over a month and half of the season underway, there have already been 24 games cancelled or postponed, including five games from the first 23 days of the season due to teams not having enough players available and COVID tracing. The NBA decided on a new set of stricter rules involving mask regulations that was enforced Jan. 5 and it seems to be helping, as not as many games have been postponed since then.
The NBA made adjustments to its COVID rules to try to get in as many games as possible this season without a bubble
SPORTS 21
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ay w a n u D e l y K & Regan Lae
nses: Kyle’s respo th 1. September 15 2. McDonald’s ? 3. Good Burger 4. Dogs 5. Christmas ponses: Regan’s res
4/5
th 1. December 24 2. Twix 3. 1 bit 4. Queen’s Gam annoying 5. People being
Total:
7/10
3/5
Gabbie Shultz &
Gabbie’s Re sponses: 1. August 18th 2. Nick and Jak es 3. Any Avenger s Movie 4. Drowning 5. Christmas
3.5/5
Trey’s Respo
n
ses: 1. April 12, 200 4 2. Reese’s 3. One dog 4. Grey’s Anato my 5. When people chomp loud
4/5 22 FEATURE
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Trey Weith
Total:
7.5/10
who knows each other
by ALYSSA KOBAYASHI
Key: Correct
In “The Newlywed Game,” couples are asked a few questions about each other and then give their best answers. Three South couples participated in this game to discover which pair is the best. After being asked five questions about each other, these couples were put head to head.
Incorrect
BEST? n o i t i d E s e l p u Co Questions for the Girls:
1. When is your boy’s birthday? 2. Where is your boy’s favorite place to eat? 3.What is your boy’s favorite movie? 4. What is your boy’s biggest fear? 5.What is your boy’s favorite holiday?
Questions for the Guys:
1. When is your girl’s birthday? 2. What is your girl’s favorite candy? 3. How many pets does your girl have? 4. What is your girl’s favorite TV show? 5. What is your girl’s biggest pet peeve?
t f f u H y d o r B & Zoe Skram
ses: Zoe’s Respon 1. Febuary 20th 2. Chipotle 3. Cobrai Kai 4. Spiders 5. Easter onses: Brody’s resp
4/5
1. September 1st 2. Starburst 3. 1 hy 4. 13 Reasons W drive slow 5. When people
3/5
Total:
7/10
FEATURE 23
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