Volume Thirteen
from park hill sout h
Issue no. 9 April 29, 2011
e h t
e . g a ht p + ig e
Buried Life :
your submissions
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Table of Contents On Deck, 2012 FAQ So You Want a Revolution? OMG This is... American Idol TMI Wild Things for Wings FYI Big Man on Campus MVP +page nine.
+page twelve.
+page ten.
+page five.
BTW
+ p a g e t w e n t y.
Cancer Alley
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Letter from the editor b y j esse m c ginness
Right about here is where I provide you-- the reader-- another complex conflict of life with some measure of self-reflection that will solve everything. Today, I offer nothing of the sort. If there is one thing that journalists know best, it’s how important the small things really are. Although, seeing as I am the editor-in-chief of a high school newspaper, I don’t see any of the bloodshed and pain that the average TIME
+page two.
reporter does. But I am starting to see a theme with the ‘frontcover’ stories. We hear war. We see death. The higher the death count, the higher the rating. This summer, don’t pay attention to the headlines. Be a kid. After all, the weight of withdrawals from getting your monthly fill of the The View is going to be enough of a weight to bear.
cover design and graphics by alec russell cover photo by austin cosler
final thoughts I n two months time, Park Hill South will have closed its doors for over 1,500 students. For some, this will be the first official high school summer; for others, it will be their last. As the race through those two months rages on, there are two questions that present themselves when that last bell rings. First of all, will I challenge myself this summer to see how long I can go without showering and still maintain a social life? Second, and most importantly, have I changed? Chances are, both answers will a resounding yes. High school is known as being some of the most malleable
years in any teenager’s life. The array of students, teachers, classes and experiences that come in between being 14 and 18 years old can truly change the mold of anyone’s character. So, how can we make this change a good one? In the same way you get good at anything, really. Ask the the biggest, strongest and richest level 85 you can find; or in this case, the same seniors you know and love. Here is where we, The View, step in to aid those lost souls. The seniors on our staff have put together a gift to help you, our faithful readers, along your journey toward graduation.
Okay, so you have a Velociraptor, a 1,200 lb American Grizzly bear, and a 15-foot Nile Crocodile in a fight over a burrito. Who do you think would win? The winner doesn’t matter, but what matters is that you are being asked a question and must answer the question in a way that will get you the most scholarship money. So, of course you pick the American Grizzly bear because you know that the head of the scholarship delegation committee is also on the board of trustees for the North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference. As you can see, what’s important in high school is to be involved in the many offered clubs and activities. It’s important to have fun and show a lot of school spirit while you’re in high school and before you have much more responsibility. Do your best in class and take dual credit and AP classes if you can because they are much better than taking them in college. Don’t screw around with drugs and alcohol, but rather pursue quality and genuine relationships with passionate people. Love people well and be humble. Finally, consider the maturity and consequences of your actions, and you will be set. Peace.
r epor ter
t y l er a rthur photo edi t o r
a ust i n cosler
Dear all of you youngin’s, Life as you know it now, well, it is extremely simple. Worship every single minute you have of being a kid because when it comes down to it, being an adult is not all ice cream and rainbows. With graduation looming right around the corner, the overwhelming feeling of never coming back to this school is haunting me. At this point, I can literally feel my life changing before my eyes. Time has come and gone in the blink of an eye and there is nothing I can do to go back to the days that I will never forget. Leaving all of my friends that I have spent my entire life with is going to be the biggest challenge I will have to face. Even leaving the friends that I have just made will be very difficult. I feel really cliche’ saying this, but as Tallahassee from “Zombieland” says, you have to enjoy the little things. Even though things right now don’t seem like they are important, later on in life they will be monumental. Don’t take any part of being young for granted. Have as much fun and do as many things as you possibly can. Life is too important and much too short to waste.
c o p y e d it o r
danny jo n e s
Here’s the little dividend that pays all the readers of “Just a Bit Outside” back at the end of the year. My senior advice? Well, to be honest, I have been offering my senior advice all along. -Patriotism is a beautiful thing (Issue 1). -Don’t be intimidated by rivals, especially if you’re better (Issue 2). -It’s always good to be unique, but its also good to have connections (Issue 3). -Fantasy football rocks (like a lot of other things) -- but don’t get addicted (Issue 4). -Two forces moving in opposite directions can still be successful in achieving the same goal (Issue 5). -Live for the little moments of happiness, not just complacency (Issue 6). -Taking responsibility is the first step in taking action (Issue 7). -Don’t skip over the dreary parts of a process -- sometimes they’re the most important (Issue 8). -Our obliviousness to the future provides incredible opportunity (Issue 9). So readers, I thank you for all the support throughout the year and all the ideas that have been supplied in the last ten months. Panthers, enjoy the rest of your high school career and beyond.
I have only one bit of advice. In absolutely every given opportunity, every situation, every challenge, every action and every time you choose to speak, do this one thing: self reflect. Ask yourself if it is what you want, if it is who you are, and if it will take you where you want to go. In the end, what you do makes who you are. So whether you want to be known as the guy who is content with nearly anything and makes nearly everyone have a good laugh or the girl who wants to change the world and will do whatever it takes to do so, be that person.
editor-in-chie f
j esse mcg i nness
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fyi.
Popular Science
by m ax x beshear s
New studies show popularity may be linked with DNA composition The science of popularity is a fairly simple Kussman said. one. Take confidence plus beauty and add in a dash of humor No matter who you ask, people will respond in basically then - BAM - you have your next popular student”... or so the same way. Most people strongly dislike, and some times we’re led to believe. Doesn’t seem like much of a science even hate, people who are “posers” and also liars. A Poser at all. is “someone who acts like someone they’re not, but not “Popularity isn’t really all that complicated, when you think realizing that they’re being fake; basically a loser trying to fit about it,” said Kerri Thirkell, junior. “You can be popular with in,” according to the popular website, Urban Dictionary. your friends by just being yourself.” Further studies may show that theses “posers” and “losers” But, perhaps it is that complicated. are genetically inclined to act and respond in the ways that Some scientists, such as James Fowler, have conducted they do. Chronic lairs also have a genetic trait that causes studies that have shown that some aspects of popularity are them to lie, according to a few of Fowler’s studies. genetic. Fowler conducted a study which compared the social “Everyone has the capability to be popular,” said Thirkell. habits of fraternal twins and identical twins. While fraternal “And I’m not talking about everyone knowing you, but just twins each had different social habits, the identical twins being pretty much liked by most people.” shared theirs. Fowler’s studies concluded that this may not be the case. This leads him to believe that, since the identical twins In fact, some people are genetically wired to have little to no share the same DNA and genetic composition, some social friends and to be disliked by most. No matter how morbid this habits are predetermined in DNA. fact may seem, it has been found genetically in many studies “Just be yourself,” Courtney Kussman, junior. Fowler conducted. Based upon the studies, she is correct. In short: Be yourself and popularity will come “People should like you for you. Fakes just tick people off,” naturally. Maybe.
Wild Things for Wings I
magine staying up for 24 hours and camping out at one place, doing a whole bunch of different things. Playing soccer, watching the March Madness games, listening to music and really just hanging out can make the hours fly by. Several South students did whatever it took to get those stickers, adding up to a year of free wings. Buffalo Wild Wings opened in Zona Rosa. No more having to drive 20 minutes to Liberty to get your favorite kind of wings. It’s finally here. Some South students are definitely wing fanatics and die-hard wing fans. Zach Christal, senior, camped out for a whole 24 hours to get his wing tickets. “We got there around 11:30 on Sunday night,” said Christal. “We were the first to show up.”
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Christal’s friend Matt De Crescenzo, junior, also camped out. But he slacked a little bit and showed up three hours later. “It was way too long, but way worth it,” said De Crescenzo. It all was not about camping out. People had to stay up all hours of the night in order to get free wings. “I feel asleep halfway through the night and Matt didn’t wake the rest of us up,” said Christal. “So we were at the back of the line and almost didn’t make it.” But since De Cresenzo stayed up all night and trooped it out to get those 13 stickers for six free wings a week, he was at the front of the line and made it with flying colors. But why 13 stickers? That’s just a random number. Christal said, “It’s for every hour that they came out. They would
Wing Prices $Bone-in
by jessica f r eem an
only give out 100 stickers each time.” Another South student who also stuck it out was Mason Keller, sophomore. “I was about the 50th person, so I was still pretty close,” said Keller. “I took a lot of energy drinks to keep me up.” Whether it was playing soccer, listening to music, or just hanging with friends, they all had a blast. Said Keller, “It was fun, and I would do it again.” Christal agreed. “It was a lot of fun and easy,” he said. Zona Rosa needed a new restaurant and the opening of Buffalo Wild Wings has brought new business to the area. Even those who couldn’t make the six free wings a week for a year can still visit BWW on Tuesdays and hit up the $0.45 wing special.
6 wings- 4.99 12 wings-8.49 18 wings-12.29 24 wings-16.49 50 wings-33.99 If you were to buy 6 wings a week for a whole year you would spend $260.37
Boneless 8 wings-7.39 12 wings-8.99 18 wings-13.39 24 wings-17.69 50 wings-35.99
Where’d All the Water Go? Japanese Water Therapy makes drinking water easier by elizabeth williams Fish need it, plants need it, your body needs hour. Yet, it also made me energetic and it, the WORLD needs it. So, what is this magical prepared for the day. miracle substance, exactly? Water. At first it was frustrating to wake up and think Since the beginning of time, mankind has striven ‘where’s my water bottle?’ But after a while, it to meet their survival instincts: safety, shelter, food became habit. It amazed me how much effort and above all, water. went into simply drinking water. “I know that when I forget my water bottle, I Honestly, the main reason I decided to try feel weird. It’s good to drink water,” said Madison water therapy was to keep my blood sugars McDowell, junior. down, and for someone with Juvenile Diabetes, that’s Lately, however, man has replaced water with very important. sodas, alcohol, energy drinks and the occasional cup Surprisingly, it did help. My glucose numbers of coffee. ranged in the 100’s instead of 200’s. What might make drinking water a bit easier is a However, I would not recommend someone start technique called Japanese "I know when I forget my water out by drinking four cups of Water Therapy. water. Getting a small cup of bottle, I feel weird. It's good to water and filling it four times According to the drink water,"- Madison McDowell works just as well, or simply therapy procedure, upon waking in the morning you should immediately drinking from a sports water bottle is a good option. begin drinking four cups of water. After that, don’t I would also encourage anyone who wants to try eat or drink anything else for an hour. By working water therapy to start in summer. Without being on this simple task into your daily routine, you can a school schedule, and waking up when you feel like improve headaches, blood pressure, arthritis, heart it, it’s easier to make yourself drink the disease, asthma, diabetes and more,according to water. Also, it will help prevent you from knowledgebase-script.com. becoming dehydrated. As someone who partook in Water Therapy, I can Lastly, before trying it, at least vouch that drinking water on a daily basis cleansed research it to decide whether it’s a good my system, literally. Sometimes, in the beginning, I option for you. If you’re an athlete, it’s had to go to the bathroom at least three times in an probably not a good option to drink all this water at once. Regardless of whether you like water or not, it’s what your body runs on. Without it, your eyes would be dry, your blood would not flow and toxins would build up. Soft drinks and coffee are fine in moderation, but water is definitely more beneficial. http://www.dorchesterhealth.org “They say if you get thirsty, it’s too late,” said Shelly Evans, social studies.
How much water are they made of?!
Human Brain: 75% Liver: 96% Blood: 80% Overall body: 70%
photo by austin cosler
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photo by austin cosler
by m alana br adf ord
south students embrace a new social network site.
T
Takeover
weet, tweet, tweet, what’s that you hear? No, birds have not taken over the halls of South, but Twitter, a social-networking website has recently been added to many students daily life. The site has been active since 2006, but has become popular with many South students just this year. For those who don’t know, Twitter is another way to stay connected with people around the world. To see “tweets” you must “follow” the person you want to view. After you’re following someone any tweet they post will show on your homepage, and at that point you can reply or “retweet” it so it will show on your profile. Although Twitter is not
‘‘someone,
“I think my favorite part are the celebrity tweets, cause they’re hilarious,” Ponick said. “Vinny (from Jersey Shore)’s tweets are so funny.” Many students said they use Twitter to simply keep up with their favorite musicians, athletes or other celebrities. Kendrick White, senior, said, “It’s cool that you can see what celebrities think about whats going on right now. Wiz Khalifa is my favorite person to follow. He’s super cool, and his tweets are funny and relevant.” Other students, such as Ashley Brown, junior, use Twitter more personally than to just view other’s tweets. Brown has been using Twitter as her own “venting place” since 2009. “Twitter’s more of a mature audience than Facebook. I’m on it 24 hours a day, except at work,” said Brown. With tweets showing up in real time it’s hard to get bored because someone, somewhere in the world has something to say. Brown said, “You get immune to reading every tweet out there, and refreshing the page to read more.” It may not have been a little birdie who told you about it, but Twitter is definitely something worth talking about. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t sit in class on both Twitter and Facebook all day,” said Ponick. “It’s addicting.”
‘‘
somewhere in the world has
something
by any means a new site, it does seem to be new with many South students. So why are we all just now catching onto the trend? Lindsay Yager, sophomore, said she’s been using Twitter for just a few weeks now, but already likes it better than Facebook. “It’s just kind of funny to read people’s tweets, and reply to random people,” said Yager. Chelsea Ponick, senior, said some people just use it to start drama but she uses it to read celebrity tweets.
to say.
Top TweetS
@cnnbrk 4,207,235
@lordvoldermort
6,804
...just kidding.
@50cent @charliesheen @phsview
4,469,573
3,674,446 + p a g e
seven.
faq. T
-Not at Home, but Welcome Nonethelessby tyler ar thur
e
im T t a e r rom a G
sP ’ y t n u o latte C
P
here is one night of the year where girls spend an entire day getting ready, take countless trips the tanning salon and every mom, aunt and sister comes over just to do the hair. Guys spend $150 on a one-night tuxedo rental, and for once in their lives, spent major time getting ready. All this for the biggest night of the year: Prom. Several Saturdays ago I got the chance to experience a school dance that was surprisingly different than South’s dances.
Platte County High School’s prom was a great opportunity to kick it with new people and bust a move on the dance floor. Although after-prom was at Finnigan’s
in North Kansas City, just like ours, the actual dance was very different than its counterpart at South. For starters, the dinner portion of the evening was completely separate from the dance, as opposed to eating at the same venue where one would later pop, lock and drop it.
Going out to eat beforehand was a plus to the evening because there was no rush to try to get at the same table as your friends and only having 8-10 chairs at each table. Also, the meal was not
“I expose people to magic. I expose them to something they’re never otherwise gonna see in their boring normal lives and I gave that to them.” “[In my career I’ve done] 62 movies, a ton of success. I mean, c’mon bro, I won best picture at 20. I wasn’t even trying.
I wasn’t even warm.”
blood, man.” “Dying’s for fools, dying’s for amateurs.”
MELTDOWN
CHARLIE SHEEN'S BEST QUOTES OF 2011 (SO FAR)
“When you see how I party, it was epic. The run I was on made Sinatra, Flynn, Jagger, Richards and all of them look like droopy-eyed armless children.”
“I have a 10,000-yearold brain and the boogers of a 7-yearold. That’s how I
“I got tiger
“I’m tired of pretending I’m not a total b*****n’ rock star from Mars, and people can’t figure me out; they can’t process me. I don’t expect them to. You can’t
“I am on a drug. It’s called Charlie Sheen. It’s not available. If you try it once, you will die. Your
face will melt standard, nor was the price set for the food, off and your causing attendees to have to pay for a decent children will meal whether they wanted that food or not. Our group went to M&S Grille on the Country Club weep over your Plaza. The food was great and not too pricey for exploded body.” process me with a a fancy meal at a nice restaurant that fit describe myself.” normal brain.” the occasion. by da n n y jo n es The actual dance was at Cerner’s Riverport facility off of Highway 435--formerly Sam’s was not just spent looking at the back of a girl’s head dancing in a Town Casino. The inside of the building looked manner despised by today’s adults. much like an open street with shops on the side of the There was one major difference of the night that many students street. Throughout the night, upperclassmen and their dates at South would have appreciated. Whether it was at the danced the night away on the street, while teachers and actual dance or at after-prom, the music that was administrators manned the water bottle disbursement area played was great. The leadership at Platte County did not have and coat check rather than walking through the dance floor an issue with playing popular hip-hop songs such as “No Hands” by like at many of South’s dances. Waka Flocka Flame or other songs that teenagers like as long as it However, there was a good reason for why there weren’t adults walking through the dance floor. Students at Platte was censored to avoid major cursing. Overall, I had a genuine great time and even though it was a little County High School know how to have a good different at first, knowing very few people, in the future I would time dancing. I’ll admit that at first I felt weird dancing crazy and making a fool of myself, but I have to say that I had recommend attending a PCHS or any different school’s Prom to anyone invited. a blast dancing and it was an overall high quality time that
MAN HUNT
Find a miniature of this guy in the paper, cut Find this Guy! him out and submit him along with your name to rm. C200 be entered into a drawing for 1 of 3 $20 gift cards +page eight.
D ir ty
What’s the worst/dirtiest part of your summer job? Cleeton - Having to pick up dog poop and then, if you miss one and mow over it, it’s awful. Rodgers - Cleaning up throw up. Wainwright - Sometimes bees or snakes.
Summer Jobs
b y el i za b et h wi l l i a m s
Is it worth the money?
What kind of summer job do you have? Adam Cleeton, senior - Mowing people’s lawns. Max Rodgers, junior - Worlds of Fun. Mitchell Wainwright, senior - Putting up hay.
Why did you take this job up in the first place? Cleeton -Because I had to, I didn’t really have a choice. Rodgers - I really needed a job and one of my stepmom’s friends offered it to me. Wainwright - Money.
Would you recommend anyone else get your kind of job?
On deck, 2012 Best part of being a senior will be...
A
Cleeton - I only get paid for my neighbor’s yard. Rodgers - During the Summer, but not during school...it takes a lot out of you. Wainwright - Yeah. I get to work outside, get paid and not pay taxes.
Cleeton - If you find good business, it’s worth it. Rodgers - No... well, if you’re desperate for the money and don’t mind working in the elements during the Summer and Fall. Wainwright - If they are okay with getting hurt and working hard.
by m alana br adf or d
Now is the time for the junior class to step up our game
s April ends and the May flowers begin to bloom, practically everything seems to revolve around South’s senior class. The halls are filled with chatter about graduation, the senior picnic, college and the last summer before goodbye. Hearing all this as a junior feels almost like we’re being taunted, realizing we still have a whole year before our time comes. But listen up, class of 2012. This is our time, too. The minute the seniors leave on May 11, we officially become the top dogs in this kennel. Sure, it’s annoying that we, along with the sophomores and freshmen, will be in school until June 2 while the class of 2011 is at the pool sunbathing, but that doesn’t mean we should mope. It’s
Kyle Schleicher, junior “You’re the oldest.”
finally our time, the final year of high school we’ve all been anxiously awaiting. Senior year signifies so much: college scouts coming to the games and whispering your name to each other, tears running down your face as you’re crowned Homecoming king or queen, parents writing senior salute letters for your last high school yearbook. These things happen every year, but until now we’ve had to sit back and watch. Now we truly will get to experience it. With so many things to look forward to, let’s aspire to be the best seniors South has ever seen. Go to every game, all the dances, and dress up for every last spirit day, and not just that; let’s do it united as a class. How many years have we all been complaining that South doesn’t have as much spirit as other schools like Liberty, or our rival Park Hill? It doesn’t matter! We can change that. Someone has to step it up and create tradition for South, so why not us? So I’m personally asking each and every one of you 2012 graduates to quit pitching a fit, and get pumped for next year. After all, it could be the end of the world. We may as well go out with a bang.
Erin Price, junior “Graduation and AP Chem. I like messing with chemicals.” Makayla Walker, junior “The ability to say that I made it.”
Tara Beyer, junior “Taking kind of an easy schedule and participating in more activities.” >>read senior farewell columns online at phsview.com
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This is...
tmi. AMERICAN IDOL
by blake r eser
Since 2002 American Idol has been a highly rated show, but what happens when new judges come?
F
or eight seasons on Fox, at 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday nights, the judges on American idol consisted of Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson. For the last two seasons the judges have been switched up, ranging all the way from Ellen DeGeneres (a funny TV host) to Steven Tyler (a rock star legend). The only people that have stayed consistent on the show are Ryan Seacrest (the host of the show) and Randy Jackson (a judge). This season, season 10, the judges are Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler and the one and only Randy Jackson. I thought since Simon Cowell withdrew from the show, it was going to go downhill from there.
Cowell had been on the show ever since season one, when Kelly Clarkson won the American Idol title, and American Idol quickly became famous for his cruel, rude remarks. He was definitely my favorite judge to watch, even though I sometimes felt bad for the contestants, he was what made the show interesting and funny. After the first few weeks of watching the new season of the show, I was totally proven wrong. Surprisingly, Steven Tyler knows what he is talking about, Jennifer Lopez has encouraging words for the participants and Randy, of course, tells it how it is. Although I felt like the judges are a little easier on the contestants and have more positive feedback, it has still
made the show work and be successful. According to zap2it.com, so far this season, the show is averaging 25.6 million viewers and a 9.3 rating in adults 18-49 on Wednesdays and 22.4 million viewers and a 7.6 on Thursdays. That’s down quite a bit from this time last season; through three airings in 2010, the Tuesday “Idol” was drawing 28.9 million viewers and an 11.2 in the demographic. Wednesday was averaging 27.5 million viewers and a 10.4 in the demographic. Even with the declines, the Wednesday “American Idol” is still the number one show of the season by a long shot.
SUMMER OF THE MOVIE
A timeline of blockbuster Movie releasing summer of 2011 X-Men: First Class The Xavier Institute for Higher Learning is officially open. This movie shows the origin of Marvel’s comic series: the X-Men.
JUNE 17
3
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
The Autobots are back, in the third movie in the Transformers series, Dark of the Moon. The Transformers are caught up in a modern-day space race between the US and Russia.
24
1
+page ten.
>>log on to phsview.com for reviews of May releases
Scrawny little Steve Rogers gets the opportunity of a life time when he is chosen for the US military’s top-secret Project Rebirth. The result? Super Soldier, Captain America.
J U LY 15
22
Harry Potter and the deathly hollows: Part II
Green Lantern Ryan Reynolds stars as the DC comic book hero, the Green Lantern. Reynolds is recruited to the Green Lantern Corps, and is charged with protecting Earth from certain doom.
Captain America: The first avenger
Cars 2 Lightning McQueen and friends are back together for the sequel to Pixar’s hit, Cars. Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) and pal ‘Mater (Larry the Cable Guy) head across the pond for the first ever World Grand Prix.
Harry’s seven-year quest at Hogwarts finally comes to an end in the last movie of the Harry Potter franchise. Don’t miss his epic final battle with Voldemort -- the culmination of the entire series, both on-screen and in the book.
words have been misconstrued and tainted by the ink of press. Would my words hold more bearing if I placed quotation marks around that “sentence” and gave you a reliable source? As high schoolers, we have been trained to doubt, and somewhere along the way we have all forgotten how to simply believe. Creative writings that once filled my notebook paper have been quickly replaced with news stories and validated facts; this is what we have come to believe as high schoolers. It’s true; we all want to hold onto the childhood ideas and the heroines of our favorite novel that once occupied the soul existence of our imagination, but then the “real world” steps in. Sometimes, I truly feel that our entire beautiful planet has forgotten the key to to game of life. Belief. If you can’t believe in anything, what is the point of living? I’ll tell you what I believe in, but only if you promise to do the same. Inside of each and every one of us, there is a little piece of Wonderland .We all secretly still believe in the magic of flight, but to the outside world you say it is impossible or wouldn’t that be nice. What if there was a place where your most youthful dreams were a reality? And even better, if that world could fit inside your pocket. Well folks, I am here to tell you it does. Every time I need closure when I get in a tiff with a close friend or even during tougher times when I lose someone close to me, I turn to my beloved iPod. It may seem cliche’, but it is the truth; music makes me believe. Rap recording star R-Kelly’s Gospel hit, “I Believe I Can Fly”,
THE Life and Times of e: 9
x5
Talk time: 35 min
x 1. 75
in.
Peter Pan era by ida patton
revived the faith of millions, and as for me? Well, it brought me back to my Peter Pan era. Maybe I am not making much sense, which I usually don’t, but the point is
when I am down on my luck and I feel like the whole world is against me, music never lets me down. So let’s try this again. Are the words that have accumulated
on this page simply words, or something much more beautiful? I’ll tell you what I believe: they are much more than what meets the eye. There is always a new band, a new song or even a faithful classic that lets me believe anything is possible. So, take a little advice from Journey and don’t stop believing.
Convenience
Call log: last 10
Screen Res: First Sliding Cellphone 101 x 80 pixels s Weight : 112 g
Siz
reliving my
Behind the Lyrics
Music is the purest form of freedom. Clearly somewhere along the way my
memory: 400 kb
d/
n
gto
rin l’s:
ame
g es &
features: everything ever.
+page eleven.
if
some fruit vendor was approached in New York City by a policeman, one would think that he was simply hungry and wanted to eat something other than a doughnut. What if this same situation did more than provide a little money in the vendor’s pocket and a little less in the policeman’s stomach; what if it incited one of the most significant revolutions in the modern world? In the case of Mohamed Bouazizi in a small town in Tunisia, it did. After the policemen approached and ‘confiscated’ Bouazizi’s fruit that he was selling, according to a Reuters article, he proceeded to act in protest. This protest was nothing of sign-holding or gathering a petition. Instead, what started this revolution in the low-employment and police state of Tunisia on Dec. 19, 2010 was Bouazizi’s decision to set himself on fire in order to inform the world and his fellow citizens of the severity of oppression. “It’s amazing to witness how many freedoms we as Americans misuse,” said Gary Gasperino, senior debater, “and how many people would die for those very freedoms.” Bouazizi’s act of protest would go on to ignite civil unrest in Tunisia. Since then, 17 countries in the Middle East have escalated to such levels of military intervention and widespread violence. The real question is, what do these revolutions mean? And why are they happening now?
th e
Match
It may be impossible to trace the conflicts of the Middle East back to a single, undisputed beginning, but there is a theory that a major influence on the present conflicts was the reformation of Middle Eastern nations after European colonization. Alicia Walker, social studies and AP World History teacher, said she feels that the oppression began when the European influence left the Middle East, and the power void was filled by dictators who led the nationalist movements in the first place. “Historically, the countries of the Middle East have been dominated politically by dictators, thugs and theocrats who have relied on brutality rather than the rule of law,” said Mike Nelson, social studies, about the typical Middle Eastern power chain. “[Eventually,] oppression breeds hostility.” The popular idea is that the oppression of today’s youth eventually spurred the riots now plaguing the Middle East, but Gasperino emphasized that this concept hides a major aspect of the revolutions. “It’s not just the kids over there who are in bad shape,” he said. “It’s generations of poverty and abuse from the regimes in power that have lead to the present situation. Modern technology finally gives the average citizens in the Middle East a voice.”
the
Fire
revolution is
+page twelve.
spark the
Today, over 50 million tweets will be sent and over 200 million pictures will be uploaded to Facebook. When Facebook users account for almost 10 percent of the world and 3/4 of all countries have access to the Internet, according to Reports Without Borders, communication is hardly a problem. But what does this mean for the average citizen? “Technology gives us the opportunity to be lazy and apathetic,” said Walker. “But it seems that we learn in times of unrest and crisis that it can be a tool of advancement and change as well.” From sharing a terrible song with your friends to saving lives, the Internet has accumulated many uses since its conception in the late ‘80s. But while students in the United States may use it to distract from school work, the Internet has been used as the means to plan middle east revolutions of the last few months. In an interview with the Huffington Post, Wael Ghonim, a marketing manager for Google and critical activist for the Egyptian revolution, spoke about the importance of Facebook in the whole event. “We would post a video on Facebook that would be shared by 60,000 people on their walls within a few hours,” Ghonim told The Post. “I’ve always said that if you want to liberate a society, just give them the Internet.” Although Facebook itself has declared itself neutral in any fighting going on with these countries, the viability of Facebook as a communication tool for change is undoubted.
The importance of today’s technology, though, should not distract from the fact that the action being taken is out on the streets, not behind computer screens. “I’m not a hero,” said Ghonim later in the Huffington Post interview. “I was writing on a keyboard … I wasn’t exposing my life to danger. The heroes are the ones who are in the street.” Ultimately, though, the most difficult part of the entire process might be transition. “The revolutions in the Middle East remind us just how complicated the politics of rebellion can be,” says Nelson. “The notion of self determination and free will threatens the cultural domination of the Middle East.” From an oversimplified lens, the protests in the affected Arab countries are just more battles in cultures where conflict is commonplace. The New York fruit vendor doesn’t see a policeman like Bouazizi does. To stop there, however, would be to ignore the fact that the power of the world is beginning to shift: from old regimes to the hands of the youth, thanks in large part to the continuing openness of the human network that binds us all.
logical
by jesse mc ginness and dan n y j on e s
+page thirteen.
brb. remember when... we broke this story?
The View revisits developing stories from the 2010-11 school year
original article:
r epor ts by ida patton and jessica fr e em a n
ISSUE 1, page 22
“Yearbooks, Anyone?” by Cydney Conner
original article:
SPRING YEARBOOKS
ISSUE 8, pg 6 “No Encore” by Cydney Conner
Romance, Comedy, and Drama all combined in one couldn’t get any better. Last time you read The View, the spring play was all mixed up to the point where it looked like it might not take place. But according to Taylor Anderson, junior, there have been many changes made. “We have more drive this time and people actually wanted to do it,” said Anderson. “We also have really good people who auditioned and we are more prepared.” The Theatre Department decided to put on a three-skit play on May 6. But wouldn’t everyone like to know the three different performances? “A Sure Thing”, one act from the play, will have to deal with a guy trying to pick up a girl. “The Philadelphia”, according to Anderson, “has a lot of inside jokes, but weird.” Finally, “Why Do We Laugh?” is an older couple trying to think back on all of their memories they have had, and is also “a good life lesson story,” said Anderson. “And, of course [the third act will be] good because Richard [Powell], junior, shakes his butt,” laughed Anderson.
drama production
As the summer sun quickly approaches, many students are looking for something to satisfy their end of the year blues. This year’s yearbook may do just that. 2011 will mark the first year that South’s yearbook will be released before the end of the school year. “It’s really exciting. It is starting an entirely new tradition,” said Jordan Boucher, senior Co-Editor. Although the yearbook staff had to significantly shorten their deadlines this year, every major event other than senior week and graduation was still included either in the yearbook or the new supplement just for seniors. For a look into the life of an upperclassman, those students can turn to this year’s senior magazine. The senior magazine will cover any events or news that is only relevant for the senior class. It will also contain senior awards and baby pictures. “[The magazine] will be available for all seniors free of charge. It will include a full prom spread and will be completely senior-oriented,” said Megan Hughes, adviser. The staff hopes a spring yearbook release date will create a sense of closure for seniors and will ring in a new beginning for underclassmen. “Not everyone changes something when they leave South, but as Co-Editor, I can say I changed something [at South],” said Boucher. Yearbook distribution day is currently set for May 6. South will run on an assembly schedule and books will be distributed at the end of the day. Seniors will receive their yearbooks first and there will be several areas around the school designated for signing, including the main gym, commons and outside areas if weather permits.
original article:
ISSUE 2, pg 8-9
“The Future of Music” by Jordan Boucher Kansas City’s local band The Tempest has already made a bang at South. Whether it is a Facebook invite to one of their many shows or toting one of their band bracelets throughout the halls, everyone seems to know who The Tempest is. The members include three South students, Alex Gaskill, senior, Hannah Gaskill, junior and Andrew Nassab, freshman. Besides those who attend South the band also has a following at Park Hill, where two band members go to school. This year, the band will be competing at South’s Battle of the Bands and hopes to go on their first summer tour. The thought of a possible tour is a huge achievement for the band. “We have two or three new songs that we are excited to play and we will hopefully be going on tour with Obsidian,” said Alex Gaskill. To learn more about the band and their shows, add them on Facebook at Facebook.com/thetempest. “I think there will be big things in our future, but all we want is for everyone to come out and see us play,” said Gaskill.
+page fourteen.
the tempest
original article:
“Access Denied: World Wide Worry” by Jesse McGinness and Ida Patton The face of even see the Dalai Lama’s website in
China, its ridiculous,” said Jordan Locke, oppression senior. is being Isaac Mao, known as China’s first unmasked. blogger, blogs on important issues As one and government policy’s. Mao has man tears repeatedly given China and the rest of away the mask, lies, conspiracies and wrong doings spill out into the public’s the world something to talk about. “I think it is a kind of test from the eye. Among the lies appears the truth, authorities, to try to see if this type of in the form of an average man. Isaac new censorship strategy could cause Mao has dedicated his life to revealing consequences,” Mao said. the true constrictions of the Chinese China’s Internet bloggers go as far as government. writing in code to insure the Internet Their government takes such restrictions are avoided. extremes to monitor their people “Albeit in a roundabout way, that they have a completely censored freedom of speech is being realised Internet. According to Isaacmao.com (which happens to be censored by Park in this ‘guesting’ way. We hope we Hill school district), some of the words can return to host sites in China some day...,” said Mao in a blog post. that are being censored include: sex, Mao hopes that in the future all of protest,Chinese activist Teng Biao as China will be able to log in and access well as American politicians such as any information they want on the world Hillary Clinton. “He’s doing the right thing. You can’t wide web.
From “List of Top Ten Banned Books in Schools” on abou.com.
china's blogger
ISSUE 6, page 8-9
Top 7 Banned Books in America
1 2 3 5
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn The Catcher in the Rye To Kill a Mockingbird
4 6
7
Bridge to Terabithia The Lord of the Flies Of Mice and Men The Color Purple
Advertise in
Reach 1575+ students, plus parents, staff and community members for as little as $35 per issue Don’t miss your chance to advertise in
the View during the 2011-2012 school year
Contact business manager ben andersen at
11andersen@parkhill.k12.mo.us or log on to phsview.com and click
about>>advertise in the top right corner
+page fifteen.
btw.
H
ppy Little Art Family
AP Studio students get prepared for their futures through a wide range of media
x Bond
Ta
Information on the tax bond and the affects on the District b y cy d ney co nner
O
n April 5, 2011 people around the Park Hill School District voted on the district’s no-tax-increase bond. The amount being voted on: $117.5 million. In order for this bond to be passed there had to be a 4/7 (or 57.1 percent) majority voting yes. Fortunately for the district, it was passed. According to the Park Hill School District’s website, the definition of a bond is ‘an authorization for a school district to go into debt and
because of the budget cuts,” said Brad Peck, social studies. The money that will go to technology helps make sure all the classrooms have the right equipment, such as projectors, document cameras and digital tablets. As for security, the district would put cameras outside of schools to help prevent any crime or vandalism. Fire alarms in the middle schools would be replaced, and safety entrances would be added onto Lakeview, English Landing, and Union Chapel. A new elementary school
“I was extremely pleased with the high voter approval.” to establish a tax rate to pay off the debt over time. Park Hill school district has good financial management, therefore can have a bond without raising people’s taxes. With that being said, even if the bond had been rejected, taxes would not have decreased. “I expected the bond to pass but I was extremely pleased with the high voter approval. An 80 percent approval rate on a tax issue with the current economic conditions indicates tremendous community support of our schools,” said Dr. Dale Longenecker, principal. This $117.5 million will pay for maintenance, technology, security, a new elementary school and classroom space. Maintenance would be an important part of the equation by providing roof repairs and replacements, asphalt and concrete repairs, and upgrades to the district’s electrical system. “I think [maintenance] is the biggest repair. The district put off a lot of necessary up keeps
+page sixteen.
will be built on the northeast corner of the school district. Currently, the district has too many students in elementary schools than they can hold. There are portable units behind some schools that hold classrooms in them. The bond money will build a new school that will be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified, which means it will be environmentally friendly and cost effective for years to come. “We currently have 10,300 students district-wide, the most in our history,” said Paul Kelly, asst. superintendant. Classroom space falls into this category, as well. The District plans to decrease the crowding in schools but also on making them environmentally friendly and sustainable. The last no-tax-increase bond issue was five years ago, in April 2006. That money went to technology, safety upgrades, land, facility improvements, and a new childhood education center.
by heather f a t i n o
AP studio art is not just a class designed for seniors wanting to pursue a future career in the art field, but also for students that have the dedication and love for expressing themselves through various mediums of art form. This selective course is different from the other art classes because the class is not based on what the teacher presents in a scheduled curriculum, but on what the student works on independently to initiate the idea for their art. Under the direction of Carson, each p h o t o b y a ust in cos ler student creates and designs original works of art. When the students are not working on their portfolio of artwork they are studying various educational courses to broaden their perspective in art. That includes one of senior Jacob Gaumer’s favorite topics, art history. In this course Carson picks an art movement for each of the students to create a slide show that includes information on the artists of their movement. Also included in art history is the creation of a selfportrait of the student portrayed in the art period represented. These lessons also help students strengthen their pieces to go in the art fair. Chloe Harrison, senior, prepares for college her own way. “I try to look at other artists and gain as much information as I can. By far, my favorite artist, Alhonse Mucha, taught me to include the element of nature in my work.” The class also provides guidance for students preparing for college, from working on resumes to composing requests for recommendation, to portfolio development and creating an artist statement. An artist statement is an essay that explains who an artist is and what he or she would like to pursue in the future. The Art Fair is also a great place to show who the artist is, not only to admissions counsolors but the community. For senior Bennett Potter, his future holds the dream of becoming a pastor. Nonetheless, Potter maintains that he will always make and sell art. Potter has already succeeded by selling a piece of art work for $70 that he created on an AP Studio field trip to the Country Club Plaza. “[Art] gives people who aren’t good at other things the ability to create something new.” said Potter. Although the class has a wide range of artistic talent from different perspective, the students feel that AP Art is a “Happy Little Family” accepting the differences in expression. To understand and feel a part of this family, students can attend the Park Hill Art Fair held on Saturday, April 30 from noon to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, May 1 from noon to 4:00 p.m. The festival is free and will have large amounts of original artwork on display.
Cancer Alley’s Death Row the victims of an unnecessary illness
by ida pat t on
The most disturbing part is not the words, but the images. Long after the words fade away, the face of a family devastated by disease burns an unwanted image in your mind. It happens all across the United States and the world as a whole. In fact, 3,400 people are diagnosed with cancer each day in United States and a whoping 1,500 die from the disease some call hell, according to American Cancer Institute (ACI).
The Beginning A report was filled In 1987 that revealed that the residents in the tiny community of St. Gabriel, Louisiana,called Jacobs Drive “cancer alley,” because there were fifteen cancer victims in a two-block stretch, according to pollutionissues.com. The 85-mile stretch of the Mississippi River from Baton Rouge to New Orleans was formerly referred to as the “petrochemical corridor,” but after reports of numerous cases of cancer occurring in the small rural communities on both sides of the river, the entire area became known as cancer alley. “No one should have to go through that,” said Kendra Mikuls, senior.
Lightning Strikes Again
In 2005, Louisiana was the victim of yet another disaster. Hurricane Katrina took the lives of over 1,800 townspeople, according to the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals. The number only grew after the storm. After the storm hit, water was left contaminated from the petroleum leaks along with debris and waste that was left in the water. The most dangerous waterways were the homes of trailers where displaced victims were temporarily staying.
“It is horrible to think that their state would be left in such a dangerous state,” said Megan Ellis, senior. According to ‘Fuel’, a documentary, those living in the most polluted areas were not informed the water around them was unsafe. Joshua Tickell, director of the documentary, blames Cancer Alley on fuel processing. The terminology spread, as across the globe more and more areas were being placed in a disturbing demographic; they were victims of cancer. Many residents of “cancer alley’ neighborhoods are asking a simple question: “Is it safe for my family to eat or drink?”
Closer to Home “State regulators will examine a shuttered manufacturing plant as a possible source of an outbreak of tumors among northwest Missouri residents,” reported kmbc.com on June 5, 2008. The word tumor shines light on an issue closer to home than many realize. The Rockwool Industries plant, three miles west of Cameron, once produced fiber insulation before closing more than two decades ago. “We need to not just go green by recycling, we need to go green at an industrial level, so the problem will be non-existent in the future,” said Luke Ravenscraft, junior.
There have been reported cases of brain tumors in the small area surrounding the plant since 2001. “Knowing that something like that could happen so close to home makes me realize it could happen anywhere,” said Ellis. Tests by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources ruled out the city’s water supply as a likely cause, said Cheri Baysinger, a Department of Health epidemiologist. The search for an answer continues to puzzle the town and leaves others praying for a cure.
Looking Toward the Future The United States is not alone in its struggle. In 2007 reports showed that over 12 million new cancer cases were diagnosed and 7.6 million cancer deaths (about 20,000 cancer deaths a day) occurred worldwide, according to ACI. Americans we have the right to say ‘enough is enough.’ The change is easy and it can start with a single person. Instead of being the generation of ‘do nothings,’ do something and put an end to polluted waterways. In the end, it is not just the generation of the past or present,but the generation of the future that needs to be saved.
Outside the Box : ways to cut back on pollution Plant deciduous trees around your home to provide shade and cut back A/C use Wash clothes with warm or cold water instead of hot.
Conserve energy - turn off appliances and lights when you leave the room.
Avoid waiting in long drive-thru lines. Park your car and go in.
+page seventeen.
BURIED What I’ve Learned... I learned to not take life so seriously and always cherish your true friends.
Mackenzie Williams, 12 In the end, high school doesn’t really matter. You have to be yourself and always plan ahead.
John Link, 12 Don’t stress the little things, enjoy every moment of life.
Lexi Hachett, 12
Log on to PHSVIEW.com for even more
+page eighteen.
LIFE
We asked South students what they want to do before they graduate, and these are a selection of what was submitted online and at lunch.
Crash a wedding. -Jade Macken, freshman
Go to a new y yankees ga or me in -Nick F k errar o, jun ior
Beat Par k Hill in football. -Mark Gr an sophomo dstaff, re
Get a w ak sponso eboarding rs -Mathe hi p w knigh t freshm , an
Have the ne a fool of rve to make myself at assembly an . -Hannah Woodson , junior
I want someo ne to ask me to a school dan ce. -Anonymous Junior +page nineteen.
just a bit
mvp.
OUTSIDE
Big Man on Campus
All-star athlete Adam Schemenauer b y h a rri so n wh i t e goes D-1
W
ADAM SCHEMENAUER
by danny jones
This Is It
This year, I had the privilege of attending Opening Day with my grandpa. As longtime Royals fans, we had both adopted heavy cynical views about the team, typically always expecting the worst to prevent as much heartbreak and disappointment as possible. At the stadium a couple of weeks ago, however, the mood was refreshingly different. “Boy, it’s nice for baseball season to finally start,” my grandpa said, words likely never spoken before by a Kansas Citian. “Isn’t it? It’s great to come to Opening Day. Everybody is always so happy,” I said. “I wonder why that is...” He pondered a moment, then replied, I think it’s because for one day a year, we have hope. This is the one day where every baseball fan, regardless of allegiance, can honestly say, ‘I think this is our year.’ When you think about it, ‘the year’ for the Royals might be the year we break .500, even though ‘the year’ for the Dodgers is winning 150 games, the pennant, and the World Series. For every Royals fan, Opening Day in 2011 is the day we can finally forget about all the nightmares that have plagued us for the last 12 months: finishing last in the division, Greinke leaving, the double plays we hit into, the leads we blew, the foul balls we missed, the ground balls we booted... Today, grandson, we have a clean slate of a season to craft a new masterpiece -- today we can dream, we can be stupidly optimistic, we can buy playoff tickets that will likely never be used because there’s no numbers, no stats, no qualitative or quantitative evidence that can make those things impossible. You and I and ESPN can predict the Royals losing 100 games this season, but right now, we have no idea what the heck is gonna happen this year. We might win today, we might win tomorrow, we might sweep the Yankees, we might make the playoffs, even if the odds on those things happening are less than the odds of Pluto actually being considered a planet again. Even though we like to think we know what’s going to happen, the reality is that the future is unknown, unpredictable, and has a tendency to make the one thing you didn’t expect to occur come true. You and the rest of your senior class will be in college a year from now -- a place with endless opportunity and uncertainty. Do any of you know what to expect? Are you all ready for the responsibility? Can you and your peers handle the freedom? But that’s the beauty of it. The best part about going to college is the chance to take your first step towards your career, your future, your success. And, believe it or not, the Royals get that same opportunity today with Opening Day. I don’t know about anybody else, but honestly, my boy, that’s why I’m so excited today. “Oh, hey, look, you want a hot dog?
“
”
Pant her s
2011
ho is 6-9, 225 pounds and walks the halls of South? The answer is South’s resident southpaw, senior Adam Schemenauer. Schemenauer has been a Varsity baseball player at South since his sophomore season, and predicts a conference title for South baseball this year. According to his teammates, Schemenauer is a team leader and helps carry the team through the long season. ”We have to play at his level. When he pitches we all want to play better for him,” said junior Eddie Sola. All of Schemenauer’s hard work is starting to pay off and he has committed to go to University of Louisville after his senior year at Park Hill South. “Louisville’s a got a great program. They always finish near the top of the Big East, and they went to the College World Series a few years ago,” said Schemenauer. Schemenauer is a two-sport athlete, playing both baseball and basketball, but he admitted that baseball has always been his preferred sport. He is the number one man in South’s rotation with a record of 3-0 and a current ERA that is under 2.0. He is the first Panther since basketball star Ivo Baltic to go to a Division One school on an athletic scholarship. Schemenauer will sign his letter of intent to attend Louisville before graduation.
It’s Great to Be a Royals Fan … on Opening Day
Park Hill South Panthers - Pitcher High School Pitching Record YEAR 2009 2010 2011 TOTAL
W 3 4 3 10
L 4 2 0 6
ERA 5.42 1.59 1.62 3.69
G SO 9 32 9 52 5 39 23 123
BATS: R THROWS: L WT: 230 HT: 6’9”
+ p a g e t w e n t y.
photo by hannah woodson
GRAN D S L AM
Senior Griffin Smith has been tearing it up on the South tennis courts for four years. Smith has been South’s
number one seed since his freshman year and has high hopes for the Panther tennis team. “As a team we should go undefeated until we meet up with Rockhurst in the state playoffs,” said Smith. Smith hopes to improve on a very good 2010 season. Last year Smith made state in singles after a dominant
regular season. Smith hopes to improve on his success for the 2011 season. “He’s a great competitor. He is always really positive,” said senior Josh Lukens. Smith plans to continue his game at the next level. He has decided to play for Truman State University, in Kirksville, Mo. He is hopeful for an athletic scholarship. The team is currently 2-0 and plans to make good on Smith’s prediction.
Hole In One
Cameron Probst shows off his skills on Boys Varsity Golf b y cy d ney co nner
E
in tennis
photo by austin cosler
by harrison white
Griffin Smith dominates
Just F r Kicks Getting a closer look at South’s Emmy Hanlon
by cydney c onner
The stadium lights beam as the players take the field. The referee blows the whistle and the soccer game begins.
Last year she was one of the three freshmen on the Girls’ very afternoon after school they practice, improving Varsity Soccer Team. Continuing this year on Varsity, it’s their stroke and posture while trying to stay in the zone. Emmy Hanlon, sophomore. Specifically one person: Cameron Probst. Hanlon has played soccer since she was three years old Probst has played golf since he was eight years old. starting with club. She plays forward, number 11. Currently, he is the only senior to play on the varsity golf team. “Emmy is very driven to succeed, and she seems to enjoy “I was the only junior [on varsity] last year, so it’s not a big the competition. There are times when she and a few other surprise,” said Probst. girls have to be send home because they want to stay and During the golf season, practice,” said Joe Toigo, coach. teammates miss two Soccer is not the only thing Hanson plays. She also plays to three days a week basketball, but if she had to choose between the two sports from school. Whether she would pick soccer, even with awkward shin guard it’s getting out early or tan lines. missing the whole day For Hanlon, more memories are on the field than off. completely, Probst says “Winning a tournament last year in PKs (penalty kicks) in it’s a little tougher on high school was for sure [memorable],” said Hanlon. school but it is also his She plans to continue playing soccer all through college. favorite part. “It’s a team sport. It’s fast paced and fun to play,” “I can tell you that said Hanlon. he is a leader for the varsity team,” said Larry Torgerson, coach, “I am sure he is one of the top players on the team.” shot In his high school licate e and e d , h career, Probst has istanc s a hig the qualified for state twice. own a ly a short d lands on n Photo by Caitlin Uribe k o t s i l n o A e c s n Freshman year he was put el To move ittle o t trav the club on Junior Varsity. Every year since then he has been on Varsity. tha olls very l head ba b efore be r n ck a e ginning th However, golf wasn’t his only sport. t G he takea nd forth o lf . e n r s e d wa e o “I wrestled a little bit, but didn’t want to risk injuring myself gr before b this to relieve te y. eginning for golf,” said Probst. nsion jus t their sw Even though he enjoys playing golf, Probst says it is not his ing. passion and he is not planning to play when he is in college.
Flop Shot
Golf Slang
W a gg le
+page twenty-one.
Sporting a Fresh Face
by dann y jo n es Chad Ochocinco makes waves by trying out for local MLS side Sporting Kansas City
H
photo by danny jones
e didn’t blow any spectators away with his touch, his crosses, at Ochocinco’s first tryout. “It’s very normal in our sport to do this. his shots, or his play in general. But there were plenty of It’s just different because it’s a guy who’s coming from the NFL.” people watching, which for Sporting Kansas City and Chad After playing in a reserve game covered by numerous local Ochocinco was a victory in itself. television stations and the Associated Press, Ochocinco reiterated The Ochocinco Experiment -- Chad Ochocinco’s three day tryout that the tryout was an opportunity for him to chase his own for Sporting KC -- began on March 24 at Sporting’s training facility childhood ambition. in Swope Park. It was Ochocinco’s first day on the pitch since his “I had a great six days here ... just to be able to grace the pitch sophomore year in high school, nearly 15 years ago. with these guys was awesome,” he said. “It’s always been a dream The first trial wasn’t exactly a breakthrough. Ochocinco would say of mine to play the game of soccer.” in a press conference after the first day of practice: “It was exactly But Ochocinco’s actions were not necessarily endorsed what I expected … [I knew] I by everyone. would be a little winded. I didn’t “To be honest, I can see him expect to be Superman.” doing it for the attention,” said After two more days of Heath Turner, a sophomore who training, it became clear was the starting goalkeeper for that Ochocinco wasn’t at a South’s Varsity soccer team in professional level, but he the fall. “I think if he really remained humble. “I don’t think loved the game as much as he I’m going to take anybody’s said he did, he would have stuck job,” he said.”These guys have with it.” been playing this game for In the end, Ochocinco was years and I’m trying to make made an honorary reserve team the transition from football to member -- in other words, he football. To come in here and was given an invitation from take someone’s job is pretty Sporting to come back and train far-fetched.” with the practice squad if he Peter Vermes, the head ever chose to do so. coach for Sporting Kansas City, Ochocinco posted the was often consulted about following message on Twitter in Ochocinco’s chances on the response: “This is so awesome squad. He maintained that I’m an honorary member of Ochocinco’s journey through the SportingKC and can train with reserve ranks wasn’t a special the reserve team as long as I case for the celebrity. want. Totally awesome ILuvKC.” Chad Ochocinco works to get open during a Sporting KC “We bring trialists in all the Dignified words from a guy reserve match on March 28. with such a big mouth. time,” Vermes said to reporters
Bracket Busters
the art of the cinderella story b y h a rri so n wh i t e Elite Eight, on their George Mason, Butler, major teams they did way to a national Virginia Commonwealth. in their region, like Three schools you would have never heard of if it wasn’t for one thing: March Madness. Cinderella teams have resulted in tears, lost bets and, most recently, me tearing my bracket to shreds. But as much as they kill me, there is something about an underdog that people can’t get enough of. In 2006, George Mason, an 11 seed from the Colonial Athletic Association -- a conference with powerhouse teams like the Towson University Tigers and Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens-shocked the basketball world by reaching the Final Four. You can’t make this stuff up. No one in their right mind would have George Mason upsetting the
Tom Izzo’s Michigan State Spartans, the tournament-legend Tar Heels, Wichita State and the one seed UConn Huskies. GMU finally lost to the eventual national champions, the Florida Gators, but nonetheless Sports Illustrated named George Mason their Cinderella team of the decade in 2009. And guess who had them out in the first round in my bracket? Little known 11 seed Davidson, a Southern Conference team, upset number seven seed Gonzaga, the two seed Georgetown and then the number three Wisconsin Badgers in 2008. Kansas finally ended Davidson’s run in the
+page twenty-two.
championship. Davidson showed the world that Duke and UNC aren’t the only basketball team in North Carolina. How does a school with less than 2,000 students make an Elite Eight run? Yet another team I had out in the first round. Last year, Butler University shocked the world as they beat number one Syracuse, and number two Kansas State, to make their way to the championship. Butler was a missed buzzer-beater away from becoming national champions, losing to Duke by only two points. In 2011, VCU took the role of Cinderella by making it all the way to the Final Four. Virginia
Commonwealth was a team I could not even believe made the tournament. Looks like the selection committee got it right, for once. What do these teams have in common, other than they killed my bracket? They all had something to prove, and they did it against big-name teams. George Mason took out the Tar Heels, Davidson knocked off Georgetown and VCU beat Kansas. And although I can never seem to find them when it comes time to fill out my bracket, they make the tournament exciting and entertaining. Cinderellas have cemented their place in the tournaments, and in our hearts. They come from nowhere, but hey, if the shoe fits.
Park Hill South’s InkBlot Literary Magazine would like to thank its sponsors: PURPLE: Sharon Fatino, Terry Becker, Datafile Technologies, Mandy Brewington, Art & Barbara Pfaff, Tobias and Pfaff pick up a SILVER: Aspen Products litmag in GOLD: Mercedes-Benz of KC
early may!
o f time to ma k i n fa n t
em
o r ie
Ru n n
o ut
em
in g
s?
high school
adolesence
pre teen
*plus continued South coverage through May
online at phsview.com
pick up your
yearbook next friday
may 6
at the end of the day SIGN BOOKS WITH FRIENDS for the first time! YOU MUST SHOW PHOTO ID TO GET YOUR BOOK
>>
it’s not too late to buy a yearbook! bring $60 cash or check to the sales table in the small gym on may 6
+page twenty-three.
NIKITA WANTS TO SEE YOU!
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EVERY WEDNESDAY!
TO DO LIST:
June 11-12
FREE FLICKS: Crown Center Free Movies – 9:00pm st o July 1 “50 First Dates” th o July 29 “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” JUNE 14- JULY 3
the view staff spring 2011 Pagemaster Art Lord Wordsmith Money Man “The Internet” Shutterbug
Jesse McGinness Alec Russell Danny Jones Ben Andersen Tiernan Eiberger Austin Cosler
Reporters
Tyler Arthur, Maxx Beshears, Malana Bradford, Cydney Conner, Jessica Freeman, Heather Fatino, Ida Patton, Blake Reser, Harrison White and Elizabeth Williams
Adviser
Megan Hughes
The Park Hill South High School newsmagazine, The View, is a part of the educational curriculum of the Park Hill School District. Although The View is a product of the newspaper class, material may be submitted for consideration from students who are not enrolled in the course. Student submissions should meet guidelines set forth in the board policy and regulation IGDB, copies of which are available in all Park Hill School District buildings. In addition, readers are encouraged to voice their feedback and/or commentary on a timely issue by submitting a Letter to the Editor. Letters should be 250 words or less and must be submitted with the name(s) of the responsible individual(s). Bring letters to room C200 or e-mail Editor in Chief Jesse McGinnesss at jesse.mcginness@gmail.com. Any submissions that exceed the maximum length and/or have issues with grammar, spelling or unprotected speech will be returned to the writer for revision and resubmission. The View is a member of the National Scholastic Press Association and Missouri Interscholastic Press Association. The View is printed by Osage Graphics in Olathe, Kan.