The View Vol 21 Issue 6

theview Park Hill South High School Riverside, MO

MAY 10TH, 2019

VOLUME 23

ISSUE 6

CONTENTS

TA B L E O F

3 6 7 11 13 17

T HE END O F P LA ZA

MOT H ER ’S DAY

S E IZ E T H E DAY

ICE CREAM BRACKET

S E NI O R S

Editor in Chief: Noelle Alviz-Gransee Art Directors: Annie Buckles Alex Benton Features Editor: Claire Hoy Sports Editor: Ethan Farrow News Editor: Grace Dieleman Opinion Editor: Avery Glover Managing Editor: Annie Woodson

I

Letter from the Editor

walked into C200 my freshman year with a goal: I was going to be the editor-in-chief. For three years I built relationships, wrote and observed the leaders before me. I took note of their strengths, as well as their weaknesses. I wanted to write pieces that sparked conversation and change. I wanted to light a passion for journalism in each of my staff members. I wanted to reflect my love for the paper in everything I did.

I had a desire to be the perfect leader, with the perfect staff, and the perfect paper. This is of course not realistic, I realize that now, but I think I came pretty damn close. See, while there is a variation of interest amongst the class, those who truly cared shone through; and honestly, seeing the vast improvement within a small group was enough for me. For some this isn’t what their purpose is in life, and that’s okay, I still had a lot of fun working with all of them.

You can’t get everyone to love what you love, I mean, not everyone in newspaper is going to end up a hard core journalist. But being able to help those who have that passion, to help improve on their writing, design, and leadership skills is the best gift I could give back to C200.

This will always feel like my paper, my people, and my second home, but of course it’s time to move on. While senioritis seemed to kick in in every class I took, I still felt wholeheartedly devoted to The View. I feel I am leaving this paper in good hands. I love everyone on this staff, and hope that they felt like they got something out of this class. It has been an honor to report for you, South. May you do well in all your endeavors.

T R AC K Noelle Alviz-Gransee Editor in Chief

Reporters: Maria Allred Garrett Anderson Lucas Bowman Laura Distefano Kiana Fernandes Cameron Gillespie Jessie Hagen Payton Havermann Sadie Hudson Kate Kobayashi Zane Leiker Nico Leluga Kate Maness Gabby McDowell Jake Powers Parker Rivers Ty Rouse Annie Saunders Johnny Sterrett Derek Thomas Stevie Williams Nicole Wilson The View is published six times during the regular school year as the student news publication of Park Hill South High School in Riverside, MO. Opinions expressed here are that of the student journalists and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Park Hill School District. To access the editorial policies or to submit a letter to the editor, visit our website at phsview.com.

The View is a member of National Scholastic Press Association and the Missouri Interscholastic Press Association and is printed by Osage Graphics in Olathe, KS.

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3

ads

Photo Credit to Plaza Website

Will 6(th) Be Afraid of 7?

by Kate Kobayashi & Laura Distefano

A complete review of the sixth grade center and how the district may look and feel without it.

P

ark Hill School District’s 2020 school year will be missing an iconic piece year that make Plaza what it is; incentives like PAWS, the lip dub, intramurals/ of the puzzle. Plaza Middle School, which was once known as the sixth J-crew, travel privileges, and the snazzy lunchroom. grade center, will now be reverted back to a sixth, seventh and eighth Now that the school is going to be three grades, the fear of many incoming grade middle school. and older students is whether these traditions will remain.

With this breaking news, many are left with questions such as, where will “Plaza was my favorite school in the district. I really was able to branch out Plaza teachers be placed? Will there still be PAWS (incentive party) and a lip and find what was enjoyable for me. The lunchroom was amazing, my team dub? Lastly, will sixth graders be growing up too quickly? would even come together and highlight five students that were doing a good If Plaza were to remain a sixth grade center the students would then have to job that week. It makes me sad to think about how sixth graders next year be split up into now three schools for finishing their seventh and eighth grade won’t get my same experience,” said Kaylee Taylor, junior. years. The district’s school board decided that now all Along with Taylor, many people thought Plaza was I think sixth graders will be missing out four middle schools will house the three grades because a great transition from being elementary schoolers into on being themselves and getting to figof the new addition of Walden Middle School. middle school. You could really be yourself while at the ure out who they are without influences This new middle school will open up many job same time learning how to have more responsibilities. from older kids who might think some opportunities, but for some like the acclaimed Mr. Mo “I think sixth graders will be missing out on being themthings aren’t cool. -John Morrison ( John Morrison, Computers) they’d prefer to stay at selves and getting to figure out who they are without Plaza even if it isn’t the sixth grade center anymore. influences from older kids who might think some things “All of the teachers at Plaza know what building we are going to be in. We aren’t cool,” said Morrison. all were able to put our preference in, but as far as teams and groupings like A school for solely one grade, with a sense of community and what will that we won’t know until May 15,” said Morrison (Plaza teacher). forever be remembered as the “fun school.” Not everyone can attest to this Besides the teachers, there are many activities throughout the sixth grade opinion, but it’s clear that the sixth grade center will be missed by quite a few.

4

news

The

Electromagnetic Panthers Highlights of the South Robotics’ Season

by Johnny Sterrett Design by Noelle AG

T

hey say that defense wins championships, and that addige holds of people is crazy. It’s like a big nerd fest. It’s cool to see so many people true: even for South robotics. The team’s approach this year was dedicated to STEM education and robotics,” said Amy Montalbano, junior. simple - stop the other teams from scoring. Behind leadership of Many people are drawn to robotics for a variety of reasons:be it camahead coach, Daniel Henson,and the quick thinking of driver, Junior Ethan raderie, curiosity, or a passion for robotics.

Houts, the Electromagnetic Panthers’ did just that; punching their ticket to “I learned about First Robotics Competition (FRC) when I was younger the robotics world championship in Houston after a dominant 6-0 finish at and starting to get into robotics, and when I heard that there was a FRC the Heartland Regional competition. This win led to Park Hill South’s first team at our school I was really excited to join,” said Porting. But not time first appearance in this prestigious event feaeveryone had ambitions of programing from such a turing the top 400 teams from around the world, young age.

“We overcame the odds, and it was a feat that the whole team was rightfully proud of.

“I had a bunch of friends join robotics, so I fun to see our hard work pay off.” thought I’d try it out. I ended up loving it. We are a “It was huge!” said Nicholas Porting, junior, -Amy Montalbano “It’s what every team competes for, and being the very close group. It’s like a second family since we see first in our school district to advance to worlds for each other more than our families,” said Montalbano. the first time was a huge accomplishment for everyone on the team.”

Others have aspirations of pursuing a carrier in the STEM field.

But just qualifying wasn’t enough to satisfy the Panthers, they came to “I want to be an engineer, so robotics made a lot of sense for me,” said compete. Out of the 400 teams in the field, Park Hill South finished at an Ethan Thumbill. impressive 50th place in their division.

Regardless of motivation, the robotics team has become one of South’s It wasn’t by accident that the EMPs found so much success this year; it closest knit communities and most successful teams. Though it is a lot of was the result of countless hours of preparation. Team members balance hard work, robotics isn’t all programing and preparation. schoolwork and social lives with one of the most grueling schedules of “The best part about robotics is the amount of people you get to meet. any south activity during build season, staying after school until at least 8 There are around 91,000 students from 27 different countries that take o’clock during the week, and an additional 8-9 hours on Saturdays for six part of First Robotics. For example, We got to meet people that were on a straight weeks. But all that is worth it once they get to compete. team from Turkey and we became really good friend’s with them and we “We overcame the odds, and it was fun to see our hard work pay off. keep in touch with them everyday.” said Porting, “But just the different Competitions are loud, exciting, and fun. Our team has chants during our people you can meet that you would never expect you would ever meet matches and the pits are always decorated. There is a room just full of in your life is just amazing and you honestly can’t experience that in any pits for teams to work on their robots. The field is huge, and the number other sport or club at Park Hill South.”

5 news

6 features

S

Seize

eize the day” is an iconic phrase. Seize is a dramatic word. It doesn’t just mean to grab something, but to hold onto it as if letting go would mean losing it forever. If you waste a moment of a day, it doesn’t magically reappear because you want to try again. You get one shot.

One shot at every minute and every hour. One shot to do something impactful. One shot to learn something new. Everyday the sun rises and you get out of bed, you get a shot to have an incredible day.

Do not let that day go to waste and miss your shot to seize the opportunity that is right in front of you.

Grasping opportunities warrants trying new things. It’s easy to be simply ‘okay’ with where you are at in life. A comfort zone is exactly that-- comfortable. Comfort is important, but after awhile it becomes repetitive and mundane. Eventually you will come to a stalemate with yourself. Stepping outside of your comfort zone is imperative to growth. Say hello to the person you’ve been wanting to become friends with. Go to that painting class.

Try a new sport. Buy the concert tickets. There are so many opportunities sitting right in front of you.

All it takes is a little bit of spirit.

the

Broadway’s The Newsies said it best. “Stare down the odds and seize the day”. This means walking towards something, especially when it scares you. Fear is a natural part of life and something every single person deals with. It’s how you tackle it that determines the type of person you are. Do you run? Do you hide? Do you fight?

There is truly no way to determine which of these options is the ‘correct’ answer. But, when you find yourself staring fear in the face and don’t know what to do, consider what you are giving up if you choose not to take it on.

When life hands you a challenge that is terrifying and you walk away, will you regret it? Will you find yourself five years from now wondering where life could’ve taken you had you accepted a

L I F E

challenge and overcome fear? Although specific situations warrant specific reactions, I challenge you to be brave. I challenge you to face the next intimidating opportunity that you come across head-on and see where it takes you. I challenge you to stare down the odds and see how far it takes you.

Life is fleeting and there is truly no telling how much of it we are gonna get. It could be 80 years or it could be 20. Not only are we boundlessly oblivious to the amount of time we get to spend in this life, we are also unbelievably blind to the amount of time we get with a person, or in a place or of any given experience. To not hold on so incredibly tightly to every moment with all of your being is to let go of a moment that you will someday wish to have back.

Life is about courage and going into the unknown.

-The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage.

Just literally 20 seconds of embarassing bravery.

And I promise you something great will come out of it.

- We Bought A Zoo

Day

by Avery Glover

7 feature

Stars Spittin’ BARS

SOUTH

by Jake Powers

designed by Avery Glover

A glimpse of the best rappers at Park Hill South

Will Fricker

Trill Will

Best Song: Life Switch Will has been in the rap game for awhile now and when asked about his songs he stated, “each song takes a few days or more but expect to see some bangers”.

With some new songs coming Fricker’s best song could be soon to come so keep updated on his latest releases.

Lil Skcope

Noah Berhane

Best Song: First Love

Lil Skcope has been blowing up these last few months with a few of the songs he has posted. For example, First Love now has over 8,000 listens and his other songs aren’t lacking very far behind either. He also posted a song about a month ago called Dark Nature that now has over 4,000 listens. He also has a couple really good songs which are Mr. Skcope and Vlone, but they only have about 3,000 listens each.

Michael Smoyer

Shmike

Best Song: Scottie Scottie Beam Me Up Shmike is also a well known rapper around the school who also has multiple songs with Trill Will. The duo says, “expect to see many more coming soon.” Shmike songs are always posted on soundcloud so make sure to check out his page with the code to the left.

ns

Mentio le b a r a on

H

8

feature

GPINE

GPINE(Garrett Anderson) doesn’t post really at all anymore but has one banger called patrón. You are more than likely to hear it at a party.

Lil Rhoni

Lil Rhoni(Ronin Gasper) is also a very popular artist at the school and all his songs that he posts are pretty quality.

Marvin Morris

Carson Morris otherwise known as Marvin Morris has been working on an albulm for awhile now but nobody knows when it will be posted so stay tuned.

A

s summer vacation gets a little bit closer South students are fantasizing about being tan, swimming in the water and having no more stress from school. Many students have the perfect opportunity for a getaway: a lake house.

“With a lake house you’re able to have a little vacation whenever you want,” said Hannah Knight, senior, with a house on Lake Viking.

With about 20 major lakes in Missouri and many more smaller ones, it’s very easy to be able to have that little vacation every weekend. Travel time ranges from five minutes to four hour depending on the location house. This can make the commute much cheaper and easier than a plane ride or road trip to an alternate vacation destination.

“We try to go every weekend or at least every other weekend with friends,” said Gavin Lee, junior, who also owns a house on Lake Viking.

Despite spending a ton of time in one place, you can never be bored with the amount of activities. Lakes offer a wide variety of things to do: wakeboarding, skiing, surfing, tubing, cliff jumping, boating, fishing, tanning, jet skiing, swimming, going to restaurants on the water and so much more.

“My favorite thing to do is ride the jet ski and try to throw people off,” said Addison Howe, senior, with a house on Lake of the Ozarks.

“I like to tube and surf. A few years ago my little sister and I tried to get up on the same surfboard. It took a long time but we finally got it and do it every time we go down now,” said Abby Wells, sophomore, with a house on Table Rock Lake.

Spending time with family at the lake can be very amiable, fun and...troublesome too.

“I remember one time my older brother caught this huge fish

and chased my down with it. Then he threw it at me and it got scratches all over my face,” said Howe.

All that family time may get old, but lake houses are a great way to spend a bunch of time with your friends too.

“We take big groups of guys to the lake all of the time to hang out. It’s super fun to be all together on the tube and stuff,” said Lee. As summer vacation gets closer be sure to become friendlier with owners of lake houses and do your best to get invited for a weekend getaway with them. If not, I’m sure that you can still have a great summer at the pool or just in the sun. Regardless, enjoy your summer Park Hill South.

by GRACE DIELEMAN

e f i l e #lak er vacations A look into the summ

ts

of some South studen

9 feature

B

eauty is a commodity.

“I feel like looks shouldn’t always be the first thing In a culture where everything has a price, people go for. Personality is more important,” said looking beautiful is less of an ideal and more Mariah Lee, junior. of a requirement simply because beauty sells. The It can sometimes be hard to remember that looks global cosmetics industry was worth $532.43 billion aren’t the top priority. as of 2017, according to the news organization Re“Moving from Texas to Missouri in middle school, uters. The most sought after models make upwards I struggled with my confidence and my body and of $10 million a year. In a world where something as what really got me through that was just knowing I subjective as beauty can obtain fiscal prowess, an ob- was gonna end up how I’m supposed to be. Be who jective standard must be set across an entire society. you are and be what you want to be and don’t let At a more micro level, how does this standard effect other people sway you,” said Robertson.

South?

No matter how many people seek to find them“I literally believe that everyone is beautiful in selves and stick to their principles, it seems like there their own way, so setting that standard that everywill always be just as many who struggle to do so and body has to be tall, skinny, have a model’s body, be who will constantly try to make changes that they perfectly tan all the time, have no acne--I think it’s feel will improve something, even those who society stupid and needs to go away,” said Lily Robertson, holds in the highest regard. junior.

“Now that we’re using technology to airbrush and Regardless of how individuals get rid of any imperfections, even think about it, though, the beauty those that we had held to this “I literally believe that standard of perfection--even those standard isn’t going to just disappear. In fact, with new technology everyone is beautiful who we consider perfection are and social media platforms comes now removing their flaws. It’s not in their own way.” new and more prominent ways of real, and that body type stuff is -Lily Robertson consuming this beauty ideal. crazy,” said Evans.

“For your generation [where Maybe in the future things beauty comes from] is certainly media. My generation will improve. Along with all of the airbrushing and it was media. And when you think about it, ever since impossible ideals has come the movement for body movies started media has set this norm,” said Shelly positivity. Business Insider describes Generation Z Evans, Social Studies. (individuals born between the mid to late 90s and The rise of social media has made fodder for com- now) as being the most tolerant and diverse generaparison more accessible than ever. While it is obvious tion in history. Perhaps this tolerance could extend that individuals comparing themselves to others to encompass bodies and beauty as well. would be detrimental, there are signs that the fear of “I see you guys every day and I’ve seen such being compared and judged is just as damaging. One changes in your acceptance of each other it’s hard study found that posting selfies, even if they were for me to see you looking at the internet and saying allowed to be retouched, had negative effects on the you’re not good enough,” said Evans. subjects’ self esteem.

Struggling with self esteem and body image will “I think seeing [the ideal body type] on Instagram always be difficult and will likely always be present. and social media and being around it constantly is a This doesn’t mean that there isn’t room for improvefactor in how people constantly compare themselves ment, even with the beauty standard being more to other people,” said Robertson. visible than ever. By internalizing the tolerance this So how should students attempt to avoid these generation is known for extending to other people, comparisons? there could be a real, positive, cultural change.

d r a d n a t S The B ody

e ever ything? beauty feels lik re he w ld or w ate a N students navig How do South NA

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feature

B Y

A K I

R F E A N

Only

5%

of women naturally have the body type most shown in media.

Over

50% of Americans are dissatisfied with their weight

25% of young people say that body image is their top concern.

DE

S

We All

Betty Rae’s

SCREAM

1

For

ICE CREAM

Westport Ice Cream Bakery

Rating the Best Ice Cream Throughout Kansas City

by Garrett Anderson, Zane Leiker and Ty Rouse

2

W

e were on a mission to find the best ice cream in Kansas City. We went to eight different locations and tried out the best ice cream they serve.

It was tough to narrow them down, but we made the final decison that Westport Ice Cream Shop and Betty Rae’s were the best two. Betty Rae’s took the crown as the best ice cream parlor in town.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

⭐⭐⭐

⭐

⭐⭐⭐

Andy’s Frozen Custard 3

⭐

⭐⭐⭐

⭐⭐

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

11

entertainment

g n i Seniors d n e Soff our Yearbooks are signed. Caps and gowns hang in eager anticipation in closets. May 19 is checked off on calendars. It’s time to bid farewell to the Class of 2019.

Senior Letter

One of our very own seniors shares her parting words with the underclassmen.

W

hen people tell you that senior year goes by fast, you always just roll your eyes at the cliche that you’ve heard a million times. I know, because I did it. But it won’t hit you until it’s too late. What was just homecoming is now winter finals, and you’re one semester away.

You went to your last football game, and then it will be your last school dance, your last club meeting or competition. But as much as I could sit here and tell you about how correct and realistic those cliches are, I’m not . . . because that’s boring.

So here’s some advice to you: take the classes that you want to take and the ones that interest you. Unless you are going to a very prestigious university, your grades don’t actually matter senior year, because nothing is finalized when you apply for college, they can’t technically look at them. Also, since valedictorian is kind of gone and you only have a 1/400 chance of winning, just don’t even try. Take ceramics, sports and rec or psychology. Take something that interests you, don’t take classes for the GPA.

I would also advise you to take a math class senior year so if you go to college you are not completely out of the loop of math. On that note, college isn’t for everyone. Enrolling in trade school, going straight into the work force or military, interning or taking a gap year are all viable options. When it comes to senior, year just do the things that you always wanted to do. Don’t worry about expectations other people have.

When it comes down to it, you will always think the freshman are annoying and the sophomores have a sense of arrogance to them (not specifically the ones this year, but just in general). Juniors, senior year will come soon and you will have your time in the spotlight. But that also means that next year will be the last time you see most of your graduating class, so find your real friends and enjoy as much time as possible with them.

Go big or go home,­­Park Hill South.

Sincerely,

Grace Dieleman, senior

12 centerspread

4 yearsLater...

Allegra Eccles

by Claire Hoy

These South seniors will have you doing a double take when you glance back at their freshman yearbook.

High School Highlights

by Noelle Avliz-Gransee

Take a look down memory lane with the most memorable moments from the past four years.

Freshman: 2015-2016

- Royals Winning World Series

Sophomore: 2016-2017

-Football Team Winning One

- The 2016 Election

Game

-The #MeToo Movement Began

-Water Pipe Bursting

-Step Team was formed

-Bomb Threat

Junior: 2017-2018

- Solar Eclipse -Gas Leak -Gun Violence Walk Out

Senior: 2018-2019

Aurielle

Maltbia-McKinney

Cole Bromstedt

Bren Mastio

Hayden Wells

Parker Greenfield

-End of the FANS Program -Chiefs Made it to the Playoffs -Shooting Threat

Grace Dieleman

Thomas McKeon

13

centerspread

Necessities

A great idea for a graduation gift is getting them essentials for their college experience; this is something that would help them get through their day to day schedule and adapt to their new life style. “I know at most schools you have to share the bathroom to shower which I think will take a lot of adjusting to,” said Sophia Koch, sophomore, “so towels and things like that would be a good gift.”

Cards

It’s always nice to receive a gift for your achievements no matter how small. Eliana Rosario, junior, believes in the power of a handwritten card to celebrate graduation and believes it’s a simple gift that is more genuine and special than any other. “I want people to know that I am thinking of them and wishing them the best,” said Rosario, “a handwritten card really shows that and can go a long way.”

Money

It is known that in college, money is tight and living on a budget is key to survival. For Laurel Burns, junior, she suggests giving checks for graduation parties will help seniors get on the right track for saving in college. “My family and I typically only give money to people we are close with for graduation,” said Burns, “but it helps them not panic or feel as if they won’t survive in college which is something I am happy to help with.”

Photoframe

Going away to college causes many students to become homesick and miss their family and friends due to seperation; a gift from the heart like a photo frame will help bring a piece of home to them while they’re away. “Having pictures around a dorm makes it feel a lot more home like,” said Sarah Waller, junior, “so giving pictures and picture frames for graduation parties is a simple, cute, inexpensive gift that sports will go a long way.”

14

Grad Grad P Gifts Get -Darty own

by Annie Woodson

“I’m excited about getting my meals for free every weekend for three weeks straight.”

Addison Howe senior

“I’ve put all the times in my calendar and I’m going to hop from party to party making sure I spend time at each one I was invited to.”

Sadie Franklin senior

Karen Rule Favorite Memory: The volleyball state tournaments What They Will Miss Most: The interactions with all of my students Favorite Part about Coaching: The camraderie our team has

page designed

by Grace Dieleman

by Kate Maness “To get to all of the parties I’m gonna try to carpool with some friends, greet everyone, grab some food and skedaddle.”

Cooper Hayes senior

Graduating Staff Members

by Maria Allred

Favorite Memory: When students come back and tell me about their science profession Biggest Teaching Pet Peeve: Grading the homework Retirement Plans: moving to Table Rock Lake

Marcia Umscheid

Beneath the Willow Tree

By Brooke Tiedt, junior

I

met her when she was snapping branches off of a willow tree. I saw her from a distance, weaving gold into a masterpiece of nature. She trailed her hand up the bark and leaves of the tree. Her fingers would hover over a spot, then I’d blink and a crack would ring out. She held the newly freed branch in her hand. Every piece was different, each one a different size and broken at different points. I’m still not sure if she was trimming that willow tree into a more beautiful shape, or if she simply chose it as her medium of art.

Her hair was wild and frizzy, tumbling down her back in waves. Her tan skin shone in the reflection of the sun.

Everything about her seemed so perfect that I was afraid to move. I thought that if I disrupted the air, she’d simply disappear like a mirage.

Still, I had to take a chance.

She didn’t turn around until I was a feet feet behind her. She met my eyes, strikingly blue, like portals into a crystal lake. In her hands was what looked like half a basket, bark, wood, leaves, and gold intertwined. It drew me to it. I didn’t even know I was reaching for it until she pulled it out of my reach.

“I’m not done with it,” she said, putting it behind her back. “Anyways, who are you?”

The moment I heard her voice was the moment I knew I was always going to be haunted by her. “I’m Alex,” I say. “I was just taking a walk by the river. I saw you making that, and I wanted to get a closer look.”

She considered my explanation, biting her lip. “Did you want to get a closer look at what I was making, or me?” she said.

I blushed, trying to will away the heat in my cheeks.

“Can I say both?”

A small smile grew on her lips. “I don’t know,” she said, “There’s not a wrong answer.”

I knew that couldn’t be true, but it made me brave enough to tell her, “I was curious what you were doing snapping branches off the tree, but the closer I got the more I just wanted see to you.”

She took a step back and held the unfinished weaving between us. “This is just something I’m working on,” she said. “It’s supposed to call the river.”

Her words echoed in my head, coming and going like the tide. I wasn’t sure what she meant, but she looked

captivating when she said it. “Can I help you finish it?” I don’t know why I asked, I couldn’t take back my words, not that I wanted to.

She glanced me over briefly, her eyes settling into our shared gaze. “Maybe,” she said. “What did you say your name was again?” She held one hand out to me.

“Alex,” I said, taking her hand. “What’s your name?”

She shook my hand, her smile in full bloom. “You can call me Willow.” And so I did.

She didn’t come around very often. She’d ask for something strange, like a shoelace, bits of carpet, or the hair from my comb. Every time I asked her why she said it was for her project. She never did tell me anything more about it except that it was supposed to call the river.

I only saw it once more before it was finished. It was strange, like a piece of modern art that lost its direction.

If someone had told me it was supposed to represent how humans had taken over nature and bent it to their own wills, I would have believed them. It’s the only way I can think to describe it besides a tool a human could never use for its intended purpose.

I met her underneath that same willow tree, her namesake, I suppose. It was the only thing I knew to call her. Even if I never learned her true name I would’ve followed her like a moth to a flame.

“Do you want to see it work?” she said.

“Absolutely,” I said. Really, though, a shiver went through me at the sight of it. It seemed otherworldly, as if it didn’t belong, like an alien conjured up from stray parts.

She closed her eyes, holding it out in front of her towards the river. As soon as she started singing, her words in another language, my heart dropped. Water rushed towards the two of us and I flinched, nearly falling backwards. The water didn’t touch me. Instead, it floated around her, swirling in a cocoon. Her eyes opened, lips falling silent except for three words. “Thank you, Alex.”

The cocoon closed around her. I reached for her the same time she was pulled into the water. I blinked and she was gone. Something tore inside me, and I gasped, clawing at my chest. That night I looked in the mirror, but my reflection was the same as always.

But if she didn’t take anything from me, then why does my chest still feel so hollow?

C

alling all South Writers and Artists!

Is your passion one which you would like to carry over into a career?

Do you want to showcase your talent to a wider audience?

Are you interested in having your work featured by a publication?

Look no further than the Park Hill South View and its website!

Here at The View, we understand that trying to start seriously publishing your work can be difficult.

Rejection letters are rampant and they can be disheartening. That is why The View is introducing its first ever piece for its Literary Magazine!

Submissions are welcome starting now, and publication will start during the 2019-2020 Fall Semester. While most submissions will be primarily featured on The View’s website, some pieces may be eligible to be presented in a print issue of The View.

For more information or to start submitting your work, contact Mrs. Palmer (palmerm@parkhill.k12. mo.us) via email. Serious inquiries only.

We hope to hear from you soon!

S l w ? y o F Pla

outh students used to take comfort in knowing they always had a reliable lunch choice in the spicy chicken sandwich, even on the most dismal of lunch menu lineups. Real school-bought-lunch veterans may remember the glory days of the legendary Plaza Middle School spicy chicken sandwich that didn’t even fit in the bun. Since then, the former cafeteria giant has devolved into a mere shadow of its former self, becoming increasingly worse seemingly annually.

Though it took some getting used to, the spicy chicken sandwich of first semester was an acceptable compromise. We all knew in our hearts the spicy chicken sandwich would never return to its former glory - but we took what we got. The newest iteration of the spicy chicken however, was a step too far.

The fraudulent replacement sandwich is less of a spicy delicacy, and more of a hot mess. Sadly, we didn’t appreciate what we had until it was gone.

But the undoing of one of south’s favorite meals was, contrary to popular belief, not the result of a legislative change or health initiative. It was actually the result of our food service workers trying to improve the meal; so why did 75 percent of south students surveyed feel that the spicy chicken sandwich got worse?

“We made the change thinking we were purchasing a meatier, less processed product,” said Shelly What happened to the Spicy Brown, “But the product was much darker and thicker than the one we sampled. We already have to cook it longer because it’s thicker, so it comes out looking less appealing.” Many students also complain about the Chicken Sandwich? decrease in size, but it’s actually the same by weight, which doesn’t help with the visual effect.

Despite students and food service workers mutual displeasure with the new spicy chicken sandwich, cafeteria workers have no say over which product to order. They have voiced their opinion to their supervisor, and sales of the sandwich have reflected the decreasing interest in the meal. We know the food service department always aims to please; so even though we are locked in to the chunkier counterpart of the beloved meal for now, your feedback could help spur the return of the culinary masterpiece that is the spicy chicken sandwich.

By Johnny Sterrett

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The Grind Never Stops

W

ith the girls soccer season starting up, they are searching for a bright feature.

The team is hoping to go very far in the next few months and they think they can do it.

Although the team is prominently underclassmen, the team is still expecting a very solid and successful year on the field.

This season is going very well so far. The team is (8-3), one of the best records the girl’s team has had in the past few years.

“As the season keeps going, I feel like we are getting better every game,” said Keegan Good, freshman.

Last year the girls did not make it too far in postseason, but are hoping to change that this time.

“We are better skill wise and we are beating teams we didn’t last year,” said sophomore Arley Anderson.

The team thinks they have a good chance at district champions, possibly sectionals, and a handful of girls could see the team making it to state.

Although they are doing better than they did last year, there is always room for improvement.

“I think we could work on bringing the intensity from the beginning and continuing to come out ready to win,” said Jill Ketchmar, senior.

As the girls season continues, it is important to come out to the games and support the team as the season continues and they make their way to the postseason.

Let’s Kick Some Grass

A look into the Girls Soccer season

by Annie Saunders

Girls Tennis

D

A glimpse into the summer life of PHS athletes

by Cameron Gillespie

reams of 90 degree, cloudless summer days, wasting away at the pool are in no shortage during this time of year. But for many South athlete’s it is a different story. Student athletes spend their summers on the grind; consistently pushing themselves to find new limits in preparation for the upcoming season.

That being said, there are many different ways that coaches choose to prepare their athletes before the season begins. Coach Leibrand, one of the boys cross country coaches, and Coach Juergensmeyer, the girls head coach, asks that their runners run a certain amount of miles each week.

“We want our new guys at about 10 miles a week and our varsity runners anywhere from 30-50 depending on the week. Ultimately we just want them running together at least 5 days a week,” said Leibrand.

This more loosely scheduled summer is a big win for some runners.

“I like it a lot. The coach just lets us run however and whenever we run. We get a lot of leeway. It is very chill and fun,” said sophomore Skyelar Nelson.

Other cross country athletes find the schedule more intensive.

“Well I don’t mind a loosely structured summer, but we don’t really have one. We have practice everyday at 6:45 am,” said junior Quentin Worley.

The girls tennis team structures their summer comparable to cross country. Coach Cunliff request that his girls get an average of 10-15 hours of court time per week. But returning state champion Eva Kresovic it is a bit of an exception to that request.

“I play an average of 6 matches a week in the summer and I play for a club so I actually have a more strict summer schedule than in-season schedule,” said Kresovic.

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Cross Country

15

Volleyball

15

Football

16

sports

Boys Basketball

Other sports have a more camp and practice scheduled summer. Basketball, for example, has one team camp and two traveling camps this summer. Along with that they have morning weights and open gym multiple times a week.

“I really enjoy working with other teammates and getting prepared for the season.

I feel like it really brings us together and especially helps us soon-to-be seniors to be able to get to know and bond with some of the younger guys,” Josh Prososki, junior.

Football runs a similarly structured summer schedule to basketball. The boys have a week-long team camp to kick off the summer followed immediately by a team camp at Northwest Missouri State University. Rounding out the summer is a team camp right before the beginning of the next school year. Sprinkle in weekly weights and 7v7 all through the summer and you can be sure the team is more than ready for game one.

“The camps are a lot of fun and good for team bonding and building necessary skills.

As for weights I love the weight room but hate the conditioning. I wouldn’t mind if we got rid of the running,” said junior Brock Ivy. The girls volleyball team’s summer is nearly a mirror image of the football team. The ladies summer consist of two team camps, one at south and one at another school, as well as weights and a summer league.

“The summer really helps with team bonding. Especially because the fall season starts so early into the school year. If we didn’t have the summer to prepare then it would be difficult to find success early into the season,” said sophomore Arley Anderson.

Whether it be on the court, the field or in the weight room, the athletes and coaches at South are finding many different ways to ensure they are fully prepared for the 2019 fall season.

18 20

Hours Training Per Week During the Summer by Sport

Everyday I’m Hustlin’. . .

by Jessie Hagen

While school is winding down, the track post season is just beginning!

T

rack and field is on the maps this year, and people are standing (junior), Max Goertzen (junior), and Quentin Worley (junior) has out, breaking records, and winning meets every week. Freshman risen each race. They have improved each and every day. Their have shown that they are not ones to be discounted. Maya Sullivan, practice schedule starts bright and early, and they continue workfreshman, has taken a step for the books. She has set the ing past school hours each day. pole vault school record and is one of our top girl sprinters. “We’ve put in so This group of boys have a life not very many people “Having a gymnastics background has benefited me get to live and enjoy. They stay setting records this many miles a lot because I am able to apply some of the same air year. For some of these boys, this is the last year ever together all awareness techniques. It has been a lot of fun trying summer, cross running competitively. new things in track, and pole vault has definitely been country season, “This group of guys have been close friends since a highlight,” said Sullivan. sophomore year. We’ve put in so many miles together and throughout Ben Owere, senior, has stood out on the sands this all summer, cross country season, and throughout the the winter” summer. He recently set the triple jump record for winter,” said Worley. the school. Owere has also recently also committed to UMKC to As the season comes to a close, all these athletes have high further this career of track and field. goals for districts, sectionals, and state. We wish them, and the rest Our 4x800 relay with Christian Ludtke (senior), Ethan Mick of our track team, the best of luck.

Ben Owere sets the school triple jump record at 46’6”

Maya Sullivan (freshman) sets the school pole vault record at ten feet.

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sports

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2 0 1 9

NFL DRAFT CHIEFS E DI T I O N

The Chiefs made the trade for defensive end Frank Clark two days before the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. This move got mixed emotions from Chiefs fans across the boar­­­­­d. Clark, 25, has played four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks tallying up 35 sacks in 62 games. Which means he is averaging a little over a half sack a game.

Kansas City signed Clark to a five year contract extension worth up to $105 million with $65 million guaranteed.

Frank Clark

18 sports

With their second pick, the Chiefs drafted Juan Thornhill, a rangy, ballhawking free safety from University of Virginia. With Tyrann Mathieu locked into the Strong Safety spot, the Chiefs decided to draft his potential tandem partner in Thornhill. As a safety, Thornhill intercepted 13 passes in his college career, a perfect compliment to Tyrann Mathieu if they decide to use him there. However he also has the versatility to potentially play cornerback which could be what Juan Thornhill they decide to us him as.

Round 2, Pick 63 With the Chiefs first actual pick they picked a carbon copy of Tyreek Hill (The player, not the person).

Mecole Hardman from the University of Georgia, has blazing speed, has punt return ability, and is a huge vertical threat. With the Tyreek Hill situation unfolding the way it is now, it’s no secret what the Chiefs were looking to do here. In 2018 at Georgia, he averaged 20.1 yards a punt return, making him a more than ideal replacement for Tyreek Hill.

by Ethan Farrow and Payton Havermann

Round 2, Pick 56

Mecole Hardmon

Which dog breed is your favorite?

My favorite dog breed is the German shepherd, because they are very nice. I had one of my own for nine years and I loved it very much and it loved me just as much or maybe more.

I think they are very pretty to look at, the pattern of their fur

interesting.

“For me I really like German Shepherds and Australian Shepherds. I think they are very loving and loyal dogs,” said Mrs. Wagner, band director.

A pet dog is a big decision, it is important to know what kind of dog you would like to have.

Breed Madness

By Keten Gilane

Pit Bull

46%

10%

We polled 48 students to find out the most popular breed of dog at South

German Shepherd

Safety

By Rion Salinas

Keeping our school safe is important and can be easily accomplished.

Throughout the years, South has made progress in making the school safer. Police officers are a way that the school can be safer. I recently talked with Officer Westrich to get some better understanding of how we as students can help with the security of our school.

“Crime prevention and safety is everyone’s responsibility. There is things we can all do, like preventing by reporting issues. Some other things we can do is if we see doors propped open we want to close it because we don’t want people coming into the building,” said Matt Westrich.

School safety is a responsibility held by everyone in this school so I hope we can come together to be safe.

44%

Best in Show

School

With so many different dog breeds out there, it’s hard deciding on a favorite.

Labrador

19 SPED

The MCU, A Modern MARVEL

by Parker Rivers

Yes, there are spoilers!

Doctor Strange

8/10

This is a phenomenal movie on its own for many reasons. The development of Doctor Strange character was done beautifully, from his narcissistic life as a top neurosurgeon to essentially saving the world. Other-worldly figures such as The Ancient One and Kaecilius (the villain) were made to feel real and became able to interpret as characters after the whole movie. One of the biggest positives is when you can watch the movie vicariously through any one character and understand exactly what they were doing and why from their perspective. But, it is impossible to ignore the detriment Doctor Strange was to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as a whole. The introduction of the Time Stone obliterated the integrity of these movies as a whole. Nearly any encounter or skirmish from here through End Game leaves you wondering why the Time Stone can’t just be used endlessly. Not just that, the dimensional warping and Inception-esque scenes make human characters, in movies like Homecoming, feel so insignificant. A great movie like that could be interrupted by someone like Doctor Strange coming in and snapping his fingers.

(Get it?) Individually and particularly from a design aspect, Doctor Strange is among the top Marvel films.

Black Panther

Black Panther is my favorite Marvel movie, officially. After much thought this is one of the few motion pictures I can watch over and over. Every tiny detail sticks out as a huge win: The music, the transitions, the wonderful aerial shots, intricate costume design, and even the font each time the location shifts! But more important than that are the big, standout pros. Killmonger easily has the best storyline and relatability as a bad guy, even among the other villains the MCU has presented. And Michael B. Jordan is the icing on top to accomplish it. Moreso, the twists around every corner (like finding out T’Challa’s relation to Killmonger.) Each fight scene is realistic and well thought out. The love/hate relationship he has with M’Baku is well done.

Shuri (the sister)’s intelligence and wanting to help is placed perfectly. The list goes on and on. Most importantly, and where Black Panther’s rating deviates from Doctor Strange and Spider-Man are its translation into the universe as a whole. When placed into other movies, T’Challa isn’t out of place and there is no major disruption, plus Wakanda slid right into Infinity War without a problem. If there is a perfect 10, this is it!

End Game

9/10 20

entertainment

10/10

End Game truly was the epic ending it was meant to be. There is very little to complain about. If you are confused, do some research into the time traveling because it is completely justifiable (give or take an elderly Captain America.) Each character stayed true to form and represented themselves well individually.

The slow beginning was held up by adding side stories and tying in the endings from other movies. The ventures in the middle of the movie were exciting, with cuts between each team made well. The final hour of the movie and grandiose figth scenes were worth the price of the ticket alone. This movie was good through and through and the MCU is an official success. One of my favorite scenes, and this should go for most people, was as each of the characters brought back showed up by the Avengers complex with Doctor Strange’s sling rings. Each time someone new showed up it felt so significant and powerful, yet it kept going. And in the end, Captain America brought them all together with the classic “Avengers, assemble!”

The only question I’m left with is who is the real leader of the Avengers. Betweent that line of Captain America and his persistent shot calling and Iron Man’s almighty sacrifice to save the day, it isn’t very clear. But that isn’t the point, and this is movie was worth the three hours.

1600 Students 1600 Stories

PHS students Ethan Farrow, senior, and Sophie Hayes, junior, talk about a current project they’re working on in journalism.

by Trinity McConnell, Jami Vineyard and Alice Gamble

P

ark Hill South is made up of approximately 1600 students from all different backgrounds, all going different places and that’s what makes it great. Everyone has their own story in the making, and the schools you go to and your experiences in those schools are a part of that story.

Every student came from somewhere. The majority of this year’s freshmen came from Lakeview. They all know each other and grew up with each other and everyone knows everyone. But, a small portion of the incoming freshmen came from other schools like St. Therese, which is a much-smaller Catholic grade school.

For some, the camaraderie between former Lakeview students and the clique-yness of our school made it hard to make friends, but for others transitioning to South was easier.

“It was easy because I people from outside of school so I knew that they went to Lakeview and I knew their friends so I hung out with all of them until I met my own friends,” said a freshman who went to St. Therese but asked to remain anonymous.

Everyone has their own individual experiences with starting high school, no matter where they came from. Other students transferred from other high schools, not necessariIy during their freshman year.

“I’ve been moving schools since I was really little, so it’s not as bad as people make it out to be and you kind of just get used to it, but once I stayed in my middle school for a while it kind of got harder for me to transition into high school.” freshman Adriayon Fabela said.

Experiences during high school can also shape who you are and affect where you’re going. Not everyone has a good experience in high school, and kids who have a good time in high school’s futures might be better than that of a kid who had a bad time in high school.

“There were definitely some rough patches, but I think overall it was a good experience and I definitely learned some things from it.” senior Trinity McConnell said.

Every student is going somewhere. The next step after high school for most is college, but for some it’s a trade school, the work force, or the military. Leaving high ­school is the beginning of one’s adult life.

“I’m definitely excited, I’m still kind of wondering what it’s going to be like, but I think I’m prepared to start my life.” McConnell said about going to college.

Each story begins somewhere and ends somewhere, and in some stories high school is just a blip, but in others it is a large stepping stone in life.

For more on this story, click on these QR codes for a video and a web story.

Art teacher, Mrs. Thompson places artwork from her painting class in the art display.

PHS Junior, Mia Cogswell works on a project for her math class.

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emember the days of walking around aimlessly on the first day of school scared out of your mind. That’s freshmen year in a single memory. Starting off high school is hard as is, so having an older senior sibling by your side helps out the process.

From the luxury of riding to school and back home in your sibling’s car, to hanging out with the older kids. There is nothing like having a sibling there for you for your first year of high school.

It is even more fun when you get to see your sibling outside of school. Freshman AJ Rodriguez says, “I’ve seen my brother Alex at a few parties, it’s really fun.” Seeing your sibling is all fun and games until you may do something embarrassing or don’t. “My sister has never embarrassed me inside or outside of school,” says Senior Hayden Long when asked if his freshman sister, Cassie has ever embarrassed him. Keira Boyle, also a senior, had something different to say.“Kennedy, my sister, has embarrassed me a lot because of all her boyfriend drama.”

Along with your sibling being at school with you, our seniors get the privilege to take their freshman brother or sister to school.

Senior Payton Murray said, “We don’t talk at all on the way to school.” When talking about his little sister, Grace Murray, freshman. Some of these seniors are more than happy that they won’t be having to take their freshmen to school and be heading off to college next year.

Senior Keira Boyle is just a little nervous for her sister, Kennedy to stay at South without her next year. “She will need all the help she can get,” said older sister, Keira. As for Alex Rodriguez, he has hope that his freshman brother, AJ, will turn out just fine.

“He will definitely have some things to learn on his own, but he will have fun.”

As these seniors head off to their dream colleges, they prepare to leave houses, parents, and siblings. Whether they will miss them or not. Payton, Hayden, Alex, and Keira are heading out of South and their siblings will be taking over. Are the freshmen ready for them to leave? Are the seniors ready to take on their new life in college?

As one leaves, another one will come and continue to take on the family name here at South for the next few years!

Keira (Sr)and Kennedy (Fr) at a chilly, winter Chiefs game. A family outing!

Gracie (Fr) and Payton Murray (Sr) on sen ior signing day! Payton is excite d to play in college.

South Siblings

by Sammy Hickey, Sophie Hayes, Dawson Evans and Icil Gittings

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nah d Han g good n a ) r Ian (S rick lookin ce! n p (Fr) S school da h ’s n a nna for I iss Ha m l l i Ian w r. ea next y

Aj (Fr)and Alex (Sr) Rodriguez having fun together. These brothers are cute as can be together.

Hayde n (Sr) a Long ready nd Cassie ( F for th schoo e first r) l! Loo d a king d y of apper !

A

s students at South prepare for the next chapter of their lives, the main focus for most is attending college or finding their new career. The transition from a high school senior to a college freshman sounds scary alone, but some students at South can barely wait to start attending this fall.

Matthew Kissinger is excited for his college experience at Maple Woods. When asked about why he was excited, there was no hesitation. “I’m excited to have more freedom and do what I want. “It’s going to be nice to look into things that I actually want to do with my life.” He said. This isn’t an unusual response. Most seniors feel the need to have some freedom in what they study and also what they do.

Another senior, Annie Tripp, is ready to start college at KU. “I’m just looking forward to new experiences,” she said. “New experiences are always exciting, and college won’t be an exception.” Of course, this is true. New experiences are exciting for most people, and along with attending college comes new experiences. The new experiences are just waiting to be felt for these seniors, which is causing the widespread case of senioritis throughout South.

Senioritis is weighing heavily over some seniors at South. This fake disease consists of side effects, like a lack of motivation and the itch to get out of high school. Sam Beuerlein, going to Georgetown on a baseball scholarship, is another victim of senioritis.

When asked what he was most excited about, his answer was no surprise. “I am just happy to get out of high school. Then, we will have the summer to have fun and then it will be a totally new world at college.” He said.

With excitement for college also comes with a little anxiety and the need to prepare.

Grace Dieleman, who is attending college at Elon University for track and field, is feeling the pressure and anxiety as the school year comes to an end. “I’m nervous about not knowing people like I do here.” she said. Of course, she also has the fear of flunking out, just like all students do.

Whether South seniors are excited to graduate to have more freedom or just have some change, it is inevitable that these seniors are ready. The new chapters in their life are just waiting to be experienced and the best wishes go to South’s seniors, no matter the plans they have.

South

Se n i o rs Taking Their Next Steps

by Maddi Roy, Ethan Farrow, Alyssa Kobayashi and Renee Postma Percentage of South seniors that are going to college in state vs. out of state

Out of State In State

South provided many props for pictures the seniors could take on National Decision Day.

Students gather around South’s class 2019 poster to sign their names and where they are going to college.

YouTube Video

Seniors at South take a group photo with shirts of where they are going to college for National Decision Day.

Web Story

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r o i n Se

crosswpuzzl ord e

Acrross

Down

2. Celebration for graduation

1. Certificate celebrating high school

4. Book celebrating the 2018-2019 school

education

year

3. What class is graduating?

8. Ceremony for finishing high school

5. What is on top of graduation caps?

10. Underclassmen have to wait until June

6. The reason the class of 2019 is

4th for

graduating

?

13. Another word for best wishes

7. How PHS feels about summer

14. The best class at PHS

9. Graduation

15. What to wear to graduation?

11. Plans after highschool?

12. Senior last day