The Voice - February, 2015 by Pembroke Hill Voice

The Voice February/March 2015

wpa 8

4 musical

Contents

February/March 2015 On the Cover: students enjoy the annual WPA dance. Photo credit to Angela Garza.

Color Wars: a week of fierce competition, immense talent, and increased bonds as a High School community

We recap short stay week: one of most exciting times in the school year

Ben Wang ‘16

Spring sports are just around the corner, so we highlight what to expect from the seasons

Steven Miyawaki ‘16

10 We highlight the “Bowsketball” game, one of Pembroke’s most successful fundraisers

Sommer Howard ‘15 and Walter Fromm ‘15

A day in the life of Larry Huff, Pembroke’s adored athletic trainer

Buzz

Edited by Devon Dietrich and Olive Honan

Valentine's Day 1. According to retail statistics, about 3% of pet owners will give Valentine’s Day gifts to their pets. 2. Only the U.S., Canada, Mexico, France, Australia and the U.K. celebrate Valentine's Day 3. Wearing a wedding ring on the fourth finger of the left hand dates back to ancient Egypt, where it was believed that the vein of love ran from this finger directly to the heart.

St. Patrick’s Day The ﬁrst St. Patrick’s Day parade was in Boston, not Ireland, in 1737. St. Patrick was born in England, not Ireland. Chicago dyes its river green for the holiday.

Spring Groundhog Day Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, meaning there will be six more weeks of winter. In 2013, Phil issued a forecast for an early spring, but bitter cold and snow gripped the eastern U.S. into March that year. Phil was sued, and the prosecuting attorney in Butler County, Ohio, went as far as to seek the death penalty for Phil for “misrepresentation of early spring.” A Pennsylvania law ﬁrm came to Phil’s defense, claiming the Ohio attorney had no jurisdiction to prosecute the groundhog.

Chinese New Year 1. Took place on Feb. 19 2. It is the year of the sheep 3. Chinese New Year is the longest public holiday in China (Feb. 18th-24) 4. Red decorations are supposedly lucky 5. Festival is centered around luck 6. Red envelopes with money are given as gifts Like in 2013, the Groundhog saw his shadow this year, but below-zero temperatures across the country would argue it isn’t quite spring yet.

Welcome to Urinetown By Laura Hibschman Managing Editor In the heat of third quarter, what could be a better way to relieve some stress than to see the spring musical? Taking place in a dystopian America, Urinetown is a satire about sustainability and the future of humanity. With its critically acclaimed music, hilarious characters, elaborate dance numbers, and a hint of romance, it’s the perfect show to see with friends and family alike. Shows are Friday and Saturday, March 6th and 7th, at 7:30 p.m. in Hall Student Center. Plus, Alliance Francaise will be selling baked goods during intermission, giving all proceeds to Doctors Without Borders. Come support our actors and actresses as they put on a terrific show to culminate their months of rehearsals! Check out what three of the cast and crew members have to say about the show below.

Elizabeth Lacy

Character: Hope Cladwell V: What makes this production different than others you’ve been involved in? EL: This production is considerably more satirical than any other productions I’ve been involved in. It has been fun to experience that kind of musical that is packed with socio-political commentary. V: What’s the most challenging part of being in this musical? EL: The most challenging part of Urinetown is the huge group numbers. There are some songs in the show where all of us are on stage dancing and singing eight different parts at the same time. It gets a little crazy. V: What’s the most fun part of being in this musical? EL: The most fun part of this musical is the rehearsals where we get to experiment and be goofy to get into our characters. It’s a great bonding experience for the cast as a whole, but simultaneously a great tool for character development. V: Anything else that you’d like to add? EL: This show is amazing. The music is incredible, the lines are snappy and witty, and the people in it are kick-ass.

Maddie Tolsdorf

Assistant Stage Manager V: What are you most excited about as the performance approaches? MD: I am most excited for how funny it is going to be. V: What’s the most challenging part of being involved with this musical? MD: Staying organized and keeping everyone focused. V: What’s the most fun part of being involved with this musical? MD: Again, I’d have to say getting to know everyone and making new friends. V: Anything else I didn’t cover that you’d like to add? MD: Please come see it!

Photo credits to Beth Bryant

Clay Lundgren

Character: Bobby Strong V: What is your favorite part(s) of being involved in Urinetown and the Thespians in general? CL: The atmosphere surrounding the show is great. Everybody genuinely cares about how well it is going to go, and it really shows. V: What are you most nervous about as the performance approaches? CL: I’m most nervous about forgetting lines. It’s bound to happen in the performance, but I’m personally always nervous about this as a performance approaches. V: How do you think you’re similar and/or different than your character? CL: My character and I both want the best for other people, and we’re both absurd and outgoing. That being said, however, my character is way too enthusiastic about everything. V: Anything else that you’d like to add? CL: Everybody should come see Urinetown. It’ll make you laugh, and maybe, just maybe, it’ll make you cry. 5

Color Wars Ben Wang ‘16 sings “Uptown Funk” during this year’s talent show

Photo credits to: Angela Garza

Elizabeth Shulman Assistant Editor Every year, Pembroke students break the monotony of third quarter with a week of school spirit: Color Wars. Leading into the WPA winter formal, Color Wars is a week devoted to building class unity. Each graduating class is assigned a color (seniors, red; juniors, blue; sophomores, green; and freshmen, yellow), which students wear every day during the week in order to earn points. From February second to seventh this year, many students stepped outside their comfort zones to participate in daily competitions. Almost every student

dressed to support his or her class. Seniors battled fiercely against the juniors for first place at the trivia contest, and a lively rendition of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Uptown Funkâ&#x20AC;? led the junior class to victory at the talent show. Ultimately, however, with an undefeated performance at the Friday afternoon dodgeball tournament, the sophomores pulled ahead to win. For added fun, students also participated in live kareoke and decorated their respective sections of the Commons in their class's color. While Color Wars instigates fierce competition, it builds the community of the school. n

Seniors:

550

Juniors:

625

Sophomores: 775 Freshmen:

500

Women PAy all Many girls have suggested that shelves Bella Barnes, Gina Pepitone, Lauren Washington or boxes should be set up at dances to store Staff Writers purses and high heels, so personal belongThis February was kick-started with ings are not so easily mixed up or strewn Pembroke’s annual WPA dance. Couples everywhere on the ground. and friends enjoyed the valentines day Molly O’Connell shares her experience themed dance floor set up in the upper of WPA as a freshman: “I had a lot of fun at school commons. Many students agree the dinner, the dance, and the after party, and I commons is a much better place to host went with a group of a bunch of my friends school dances due to its spaciousness and and our dates, which really made the night carpeted floors, making the atmosphere great.” feel less formal and more laid-back and en“I had an amazing experience!” shares joyable. Elissa Bamberger. “I loved to dance in the

middle of the crowd, jumping up and down with the strobe lights and the music blaring! The only thing I disliked was that my feet hurt afterwards. But I guess the saying is ‘no pain no gain’ for a reason.” Senior Allysa Lisbon admits one of the worst parts about the dance was having her toes crushed under the hard soles of boys’ dress shoes on the dance floor. Otherwise, her last WPA dance at Pembroke was an entertaining and memorable one. In short, the 2015 WPA dance was yet another success. n

Students enjoy a festive light show at the dance. Photo credits to Angela Garza.

spring sports kick-off PREPARING FOR A GREAT SEASON OF RAIDER ATHLETICS

Lauren Washington Staff Writer

Boys Lacrosse

Girls Soccer As the upcoming season for Girls Soccer is approaching, the team has been working out Tuesdays and Thursdays with Coach Mcgriff to strengthen muscles and increase agility. The team also has open gym on Sunday mornings where they scrimmage for a couple hours in the lower school. Audrey Pritchett ‘15 states, “We are also trying to bond as a team before the season starts, so we all know each other and are comfortable with each other.” Practice starts on March 2nd, so best of luck to the soccer girls in their upcoming season! Boys Golf

Boys Tennis

For Boys Golf, coached by Evan Scobie, there are players who work with personal trainers to increase their strength and flexibility. The golf team has four returning starters from the previous year, and is captained by Preston Fleenor. The team has met to play during the summer, fall and a couple times in the winter, but more bonding activities will take place once the season begins. Nick Clock ‘18 stated, “We are extremely motivated to defend Pembroke’s state title, and it is very exciting to know that the team has some of the best golfers in Missouri to help teach and guide us this season.” Good luck to the golf team on their journey to state!

The Boys Lacrosse team are already working hard; everyday after school the team has workouts in the weight room. Many of the lacrosse players play in indoor leagues, and the team is taking more initiative to prepare for the season by finding new players to join and train to get in shape. To stay motivated Ford Johnson ‘16 commented, “We have all started to bond more as a team, and now we share a common goal. I personally am motivated by players from previous years who have shown me what it means to play on the team. Once the season begins the motivation will only build, and I am ready for that to happen.” This season Pembroke will be cheering on the team, good luck lacrosse players!

Boys Baseball

Mr. Eshelbrenner has had an excellent tennis season with the girls team who won 1st place at state. For the upcoming tennis season for the boys, they plan to start weight training soon, but the majority of the team members play on club teams until the beginning of the season. When asked about the season Matthew Berkeley ‘18 stated that, “I am very excited for the beginning of the season. Many members of the tennis team are practicing after school, and I think we have a very good shot at doing well in our state tournament.” The PHS community can’t wait to see their success this spring, good luck!

Since early January the Baseball team has been prepping for the spring season by working conditioning with Coach Mcgriff in the weight room. Recently, pitchers and catchers have been working out before school. Coach Bahun is the head coach along with Coach Guthrie. Ethan Angrist ‘18 commented stating, “Our team is strongly motivated by knowing that if we work hard we will be fit and ready for the season.” The KC Royals’ fantastic season will definitely be motivational for the team, so best of luck to the team in their 2015 season! Track (Co-ed) The track team is preparing for the spring season after school by running with Coach Kapp, the track coach, to get in shape before the real season begins. Many of the cross country runners are sticking with track, so the team already has a strong bond and “team love.” Julia Rosher ‘18 who ran cross country this fall and plans to run track in the spring commented, “Running together as team is always a great way to bond, and therefore creates a motivation for each of us to run together.” Good luck to the track team in their 2015 season!

Make-A-Wish: Bowsketball Game By Ellie Burke Contributor Have you ever heard of Genies? The completely real, yet still magical, Genies? The Genies who can make any wish come true? “The Genies” could be an apt description for a foundation named Make-A-Wish, which specializes in making ill children’s wildest dreams come true. This year, Pembroke Hill has signed up to become a Genie for a local girl named Haley. Haley is six years old and has been diagnosed with juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia, a disease that causes the body to produce too many white blood cells. Haley enjoys math, monkeys, and the color red, and she has a very special wish in mind: Unlike many kids her age who choose a trip to Disneyland as their wish, Haley wants to swim with dolphins. Over a year ago, the faculty considered a wide-reaching, year-long partnership with a charity, prompted by the success of a recent project that the middle school had completed. During the project, each advisory was required to pick a charity and raise funds for it. It went over so well that the teachers wanted to tackle something bigger; in other words, they wanted a fundraiser that would involve all students and help the middle school join together. However, they did not have any idea as to which cause to pick until, a few weeks later, someone approached middle school Principal Dr. Leonard about the Kids for Wish Kids program, a branch of Make-AWish that works with schools. According to middle school Counselor Mrs. Kobolt, many schools nationwide participate in the program. The Middle School faculty introduced the fundraiser at the beginning of the school year. Most kids heard about it through their advisors, but the announcement was officially made at the term’s first assembly. As was explained to the Upper School students, the Middle

School needed to raise $5,000 to give Haley her wish. In actuality, the trip costs $10,000, but Make-A-Wish meets in the middle with its sponsors. However, they gratefully accept any extra money raised by the sponsors because, this way, they have to use less of their own funds. The Middle School was given all year for the project. Immediately, students began to get excited about the fundraiser; many started to plan their own personal charity events, while numerous advisories joined together to raise the money. Fundraisers included hot chocolate sales, sweatshirt sales, Fridays Until Four, movie nights, and, the crowd favorite, Bows4Haley. As the money started to pile up, few doubted the capability of the Middle School students. After all, they were given a week-to-week update of their progress, and the project seemed to be progressing quite smoothly. Fortunately, it continued to run this way throughout the semester. In fact, one month ago, the Middle School reached its $5,000 goal.

However, the Middle Schoolers could not have raised the money without the help of the Upper School. The Upper School first became involved with Haley during the Bows4Haley fundraiser, when a few Middle School students sold some bows to Upper Schoolers. One such student was Shama Smerdon ‘20, who commented, “Bows4Haley was my favorite fundraiser because I got to help with it. It made me feel awesome.”

“I hope it helped people work together towards a common goal.” Smerdon’s response reflects the rest of the school’s feelings about the fundraiser. Many think the fundraiser has brought Pembroke together, and they believe it has made us all feel charitable and good about ourselves. As Mrs. Kolbolt says, “I hope it helped people work together towards a common goal. I hope it brought in our words of respect, compassion, scholarship, and integrity.” The high school Student Government spent much of February selling more bows and bow ties to upper-schoolers to raise funds. As a final hurrah for Haley, those Student Government officers held a“bowsketball” game on February 19. At the boys’ varsity basketball match against Barstow, students wore their sweatshirts, bows, and other memorabilia for the cause to show support and excitement for Haley. Before the game, Haley arrived with her family; it was the first time any of us, faculty included, got to meet her. She was given two plastic dolphins, which were signed by both the Middle School and Upper School students. Everyone, Barstow fans included, cheered as Walter Fromm, Student Body President, announced the amount raised for Haley’s vacation: $7,000 from Pembroke and $1,000 from Barstow. So, with her dolphins in hand, Haley exited the gym and left to enjoy her wish! n Photo Credit: Kathy Williams-Griffin

Short-Stay Davis Brooks Assistant Editor Over the the weekend of March 30th, Pembroke Hill was filled with dozens of new faces. Short-stay students from all over the world came to see the school while on long-term exchange programs at other high-schools across the state. For many of the students, their exchange was their first time to America, their first experience staying with an unfamiliar family, and even their first experience with traditional American high school. When I got the chance to talk with them, the students made many comparisons of America to their home nations. Veronika, a 16 year old visitor from Finland staying at William-Chrisman, commented on how she missed the public transportation and her family back home, but she and the other students also all commented about the parts of America that they loved. The list of responses in this category showed a wide variety, ranging from complex ideas like America’s enthusiasm and sense of pride to the small everyday amenities that we all love like Chipotle and Walmart. One student, Mattia, a junior at Blue Springs South visiting from Italy, commented on how different school was in America than Italy. His favorite part of America was the liberal arts aspect of high school in which he can learn about all subjects and explore what he fa-

vors the most. Andrea, a visitor from Paraguay, said her favorite part of America was the new opportunities she had at her high school to play basketball and be in the play. They have been chances for her to broaden her focuses and to become close with her castmates and teammates. While the students visited, their hosts and the International Club set up many fun activities to do in their short time together. Meghan Long ‘17 and her visitor Veronika went on a chocolate tour of Kansas City, hitting all of the most delicious stores in the downtown area, and finished the stay with a trip to the Kauffman Center. Andrea Lu ‘15 and her student visitor Nathalie spent time shopping in the Legends. All of the

hosts took their visitors to a bowling event hosted by Pembroke’s International Club where students from all over the world spent time talking over popcorn and pizza. Despite only staying at Pembroke for a couple days, short-stay students and their hosts from Pembroke were able to build lasting bonds. Through Facebook and other social media, students from Pembroke have been able to keep in contact with the student visitors. Although many of the short-stay students attended high-schools no more than just a few hours away, it was clear how much they enjoyed their time at Pembroke and how much Pembroke enjoyed having them. n

Valentine’s Day

Mickey Ferguson Staff Writer Today, Valentine’s Day celebrates love and romance, but it wasn’t always that way. The holiday was not associated with love and romance until English poet Geoffrey Chaucer wrote about his “valentine” in the 14th century. In Ancient Rome, citizens celebrated Lupercalia, an archaic rite connected to fertility celebrated for three days from February 13th to 15th. All Valentines day celebrations are supposedly rooted in this celebration.

Vale n tine’s Day was celebrated differently in different countries throughout history. In Slovenia, St. Valentine, or Zdravko, is said to be the saint of good health and brings the

first sprouting of flowers and other plants with him in the spring. In the state of West Bengal a festival is celebrated in early spring where Saraswati, the goddess of

What is Valentine’s Day to you?

Who is your Valentine?

Alaina Benson ‘17: Everyday should be like Valentine’s Day. You should show your affection for someone all the time!

Alice Rowland ‘16: my horse

Alexis Haley ‘16: It’s about spending the day with the people you love!

Parker Elsberry ‘17: my mom

Ellie Gorny ‘17: Chad Michael Murray John Black ‘17: Matt Bailey Kippy Terry ‘16: Bradley Chapin

learni n g , is worshipped. But now, Valentine’s Day is celebrated with gestures and symbols of love and romance such as flowers, hearts, and candy. The students of Pembroke Hill definitely got into the Valentine’s Day spirit in the weeks leading up to Valentines Day. LAB hosted fun activities for “Love, LAB.” Latin Club sold Cupid-grams with candy and roses to send to friends and sweethearts. Overall, students at Pembroke Hill had a very fun Valentine’s Day. n

What is your ideal Valentine’s Day present? Peter Gado ‘18: Dark or milk chocolate; white chocolate is for snowy days. Ella Lawrence ‘18: A puppy! Or a stuffed animal. Or food. 13

Open Mic Night: Artistic Expression Sarah Chamberlain Staff Writer Unbeknownst to most, the Nelson Atkins Museum has a Teen Advisory Group that puts on many arts events for the teens in Kansas City. Alice Rowland â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;16 is part of this council, helping to organize and run the events like their monthly Open Mic Night. They allow teens to present poetry, music, and comedy to a large audience. The accessibility of the Open Mic Nights creates an environment that brings together people with diverse talents and backgrounds. It is a chance to experience new and different art forms that would otherwise have remained undiscovered. At TAG Open Mic Nights,

high schoolers share poetry in a variety of styles, with everything from slam poetry to more traditional poetry with specific rhyme schemes. The music included covers of songs and original compositions. Other people told jokes or stories. Themes range from poetry on meditation with a futuristic twist to the challenge of balancing sports and the arts to songs about doodlebugs in honor of a grandmother. The audience is composed of teens from all different schools in the Kansas City area. Going to events like this one broadens oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s view of Kansas City and the people that live in it. Performances can help to understand where people from different backgrounds are coming from.

The experience is a unique one. There is a lot to be learned even from people that you know well. Seeing someone perform sometimes exposes a side to him or her that was previously hidden. The Open Mic Nights are also a good place to present something in a non-judgemental

environment. The entertaining events that the Open Mic Nights have to offer are special due to their ability to bring people together.n Photo Credits to Sarah Chamberlain

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Jillian Jetmore Staff Writer

We live in a unique generation. A generation where likes, favorites, and retweets are almost as important as receiving a high score on the ever so dreadful SAT. We are teens of the 21st century. Our generation has been graciously named Generation Like or the Selfie Generation. Our obsession with social media has skyrocketed over the past ten years. The Social Media Committee of Pembroke Hill promotes our school through the usage of social media. In the month of January, the official Pembroke Hill Instagram was launched (@pembrokehill). Pembroke’s social media palette now consists of Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. All upper school students who clicked the “follow” button on the school instagram, were rewarded with a doughnut at the official instagram launch party.. The committee created Instagram as a source to reach students directly with meaningful posts of people within our community. The Social Media Committee consists of students who are interested in the media and who desire to implement their creativity through social media. As the committee grew, the popularity of the app “instagram” grew too. Our immediate response was to make a Pembroke Hill instagram. Being the most recent addition, the instagram is headed in the right direction and we are excited to watch it progress! n

Photo Credits to SMC

Too much Texting

Dylan Peters ‘15 laments the fall of the phone call. You’re sitting at home doing your math homework. Your phone sits next to your math book (which is probably your iPad, but that’s a different article). Your phone starts to buzz. That kid from your science class is calling you. You don’t talk to him much, but you’re in his group for a project. Your heart’s beating a little bit faster. You let it go to the answering machine and wait a few minutes before texting him. Admit it: we’ve all done this. It’s not that you’re not comfortable talking to him, you’d just rather text him instead, right? The problem here is not unique; it’s verging on a pandemic that I’ve seen growing over (at least) the last four years. Quite simply: we are using text messages the wrong way. Texting fills a void between emails and phone calls. Emails are slow, impersonal, and formal. Phone calls are fast, personal, and informal. Like email, texting allows you to send information without having to both be your phone at the same time as the other person. Like phone calls, texting is informal. Texting not only fills that void, but it has expanded into an entirely new field of communication, with its own set of rules. I believe some of the ways in which we now use text messages are harmful to our friendships and relationships. The three unhealthy ways in which people use text messages are using texting as a primary means of communication, using texting to broach uncomfortable topics, and using texting when it is simply inconvenient.

The most significant problem I see with the current way people text is that many people (especially teenagers) communicate with their friends primarily through text messages. They still hang out and talk in person, but when away from each other, they text constantly. I think a lot of us believe that constantly texting someone makes the friendship stronger. I argue that it does not. When texting, it is too easy to superimpose your own intonations and subtexts, thus creating a character in your mind that does not match up with the actual person. Indeed, I often find that people sound different when I text them versus when I speak with them in person. Constant texting does not, in my opinion significantly help develop relationships. In fact, constant texting may

would never get brought up at all without text messages. However, there are two problems with this: 1) these topics are usually too sensitive to leave up to something as easy to misinterpret as a text message 2) if we are too uncomfortable to broach these topics in person, yet comfortable with discussing them via text, the problem is not the topic, but rather the relationship. When speaking in person, only half the information transmitted is contained in the words we say. (I’m sure there are actual figures on the exact percentage, but I’m too lazy to look them up, so let’s use 50% for now, just for the sake of argument.) Facial expression, intonation, and body language all help us effectively communicate with others. When texting, then, we are only able to communicate

“It is too easy to superimpose... a character in your [texts] that does not match your own.” hinder the development of relationships because, when you are constantly looking at your phone, you are unable to look up and develop personal relationships with the people you are physically with. After all, developing relationships with the people you are with does not discount the relationship you have with the person you would otherwise be texting. The second problem I see with current text usage is people using text messages to bring up topics they would otherwise not bring up -- or be uncomfortable bringing up -in person. To some degree, this may be a good thing because, if these topics would not get brought up in person, they

50% effectively, no matter how many emojis we use. Therefore, texting cannot possibly be the optimal way to discuss sensitive topics. Furthermore, if we are uncomfortable discussing certain topics with certain people, the problem is that we are not close enough with those people to discuss personal matters with them. If the relationship is not developed enough to discuss these matters, why would we go ahead and discuss them anyway, especially via such a poor method of communication as text messaging? The final (and slightly less significant) problem with text messaging is that sometimes we use it even when it is less convenient than a phone call.

Take, for example, planning a partner project. In my experience, it takes about 20 text messages (10 from each person), over a little less than an hour, to figure out exactly where to meet, what each person should bring, and what each person should do. Planning the same project over a phone call would take just a few minutes. This issue is not of the same magnitude as the other two, but is simply a matter of convenience. Why spend an hour planning when you could spend 5 minutes planning? It may be because we don’t really want to talk on the phone with this person. It may be because we can’t talk right now. It may be because we’re simply so used to texting we don’t think about communicating in any other way. Text messaging has become a social staple, and it’s not likely to go away anytime soon. And I do not think it should disappear; texting fills an important role in communication. I am just as guilty as anyone of each of these texting sins, but I believe we can improve our own relationships, and as a result, our culture, by working to decrease our texting crime rate. We need to make sure that we can control the terms on which we text, rather than letting text messaging dictate the way we think about communicating with others. If we can do that, text messaging can buttress the many other ways we have of transmitting information, and we can begin to break down the ironic reality of our growing isolation despite our everincreasing number of modes of communication. n

2016 presidential preview

By Grace Mcfee Copy Chief Yes. The chorus of groans at the title is not unjustified. Election season, though far away, is fast approaching and ready to be hanging over the heads of the public for a long while to come. The brave men and women who choose to put their names on the ballot will sign away all privacy rights and will welcome national scrutiny of every minuscule detail of their lives. So far, the tally of candidates for the 2016 presidential election includes a handful of confident Democrats and a long list of hopeful Republicans, all vying for a win in the primaries, and eventually the office of the president. n

Martin O’Malley O’Malley:

Democrats:

A former Maryland governor, his experience in several elected offices shows that he knows how to win public support and how to keep it. He also traveled across the country to help fellow Democrats in the 2014 midterms, meaning he has made several important friends.

Hillary Clinton:

As a former Secretary of State, Clinton is familiar with politics at the national level and has worked closely with many members of the Democratic Party. Additionally, her previous experience with campaigning in a presidential election will work in her favor in the coming months.

Jim Webb:

A former U.S. Senator, he became the first candidate of either party to announce a presidential exploratory committee.

Republicans:

Jeb Bush:

A former Florida governor, he is actively exploring a presidential run and has begun cutting ties with outside corporate and nonprofit board positions.

Scott Walker:

The current governor of Wisconsin, he has attended some of the party’s more conservative events and has recently started a 527 group to help finance campaign activity.

Chris Christie:

The current New Jersey governor, he has also attended some of the more conservative party meetings and has started his own PAC (political action committee).

Mike Huckabee:

A former Arkansas governor, he recently ended his show on Fox News and has attended many of the more conservative party meetings. He has also released his own book, Guns, God, Grits and Gravy.

Marco Rubio:

A current U.S. Senator, he is sponsored by some influential individuals and is working with Mitt Romney’s previous campaign manager, Jim Merrill.

Rand Paul:

Currently a U.S. Senator, he has his own PAC and will use his experience as an accomplished public servant in the 2016 elections.

Ted Cruz:

A current U.S. Senator, he has already spent money in early primary states and has his own PAC.

Independent: Bernard Sanders:

A current U.S. Senator, he has visited early primary states to gauge support for his candidacy.

Lizzie Whitney

Remembering Until a few years ago, the Pembroke Hill dining hall had a soda machine available to its students. As fifth graders anxious to "cross the creek" and make that journey to the upper campus, we passed excited rumors to each other: so-and-so's older brother was a seventh grader, and he said there were cookies and soda at lunch every day in middle school! Wow, we thought, what a great place to be, that middle school. . . But as anyone who eats in the cafeteria can tell you, there is no soda machine now. There hasn't been much talk about the machine's disappearance; we can probably chalk that acceptance up to the wide selection of drinks we now have. And if the provided choices of milk, chocolate milk, iced tea, water, or flavored water don't satisfy, kids can always go to the bookstore and purchase soda or Frappuccinos. This system has worked for years since the cafeteria rid itself of soda, and it's still working now. Besides, Pembroke's system mirrors the real world, where the government taxes legal but dangerous products like tobacco or alcohol in an attempt to discourage people from consuming these

substances. On a smaller scale, the school simulates these conditions. It charges for unhealthy beverages to encourage students to make use of the water fountains during the school day and drink the healthy drinks at lunch. Furthermore, it is practical for the school to offer milk and flavored water at lunch. Flavoring water with Lipton tea, fruit too misshapen to serve on a plate, and small amounts of mint or basil are cheap ways to offer a variety of healthy drink options, since many of these items arrive with other food and would go to waste if not used in the water. Soda syrup, on the other hand, can cost around $80 for five gallons, which yields thirty gallons of soda; soda is a significantly more expensive product. Moreover, the school's water flavorings are small items and circulate through the kitchen relatively quickly--no one wants to keep lemons or berries around for more than a week and a half or so. They can quickly be added to a water jug as needed during the lunch hour. For this reason, they're easier to store and much more practical than large containers of soda syrup.n

A 9.5 ounce bottled Mocha Frappuccino has 180 calories, 3 grams of fat, and 31 grams of sugar.

A 12 ounce Coke has 140 calories and 39 grams of sugar. 18

Eric Koch

Cafeteria Soda Some years ago, Pembroke Hill’s high school cafeteria contained something so heavenly, so unhealthily delicious, that none of us today could even imagine it being there: a soda fountain. Unfortunately, the school’s administration removed that blissful machine after a sudden health initiative. That same movement saw the withdrawal of the desert bar, which was replaced with a variety of strangely flavored waters. This ongoing mistrust of students suggests a continual deterioration of the school’s supposed ideology: Freedom with Responsibility. There’s a reason McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Five Guys exist in our country, and all carbonated sugar water hasn’t been outlawed. The United States was founded on the principle of freedom-- that one should be able to make his or her own decisions even if those turn out to be detrimental to him or her. Although it inevitably leads to obesity and unhealthiness among some, the option to eat unhealthy meals provides us with an occasional (or not-so-occasional) reprieve from rabbit food. Recently, American courts have proven that our nation still believes in this fundamental idea despite the wishes of the authoritarian health-nut minority. When Michael Bloomberg, ex-mayor of New York, attempted to pass a law to ban large sodas, the state’s highest court struck down the effort. Sadly, our freedom is by no means safe. In the case of Bloomberg’s proposed statute, two of the six judges still voted in the law’s favor. Only by remaining vigilant can we ensure that our rights do not disappear from or

school or our country. Naysayers might argue that high schoolers should be treated differently, as they are not yet prepared to make decisions affecting their lives. Others note that reintroducing a soda fountain would reduce bookstore sales. To the former argument, how then will high schoolers ever learn to take care of themselves? In a few short years (or far less for some), students will attend college, where, if they are not ready to make the right choices, they will descend into an abyss of Ramen and junk food. Only by having the option to make the wrong decision can we learn how and when to make the right one as we get ready to leave home. As for the latter, a high school should not consider revenue from selling consumables a priority. It’s supposed to be a place of learning, not a CVS. Will Pembroke ever bring back the soda fountain? Probably not. However, we must view its demise as a lesson to not stand idly by as the school attempts to increasingly guide our every move. Our motto, Freedom with Responsibility, must remain true. Without the liberty of choice, there can be no responsibility. When left with only a single option, one learns nothing but a yearning for more. When confronted with many, one learns to resist temptation, and ultimately to act maturely.n

A 16 ounce Snapple Peach Tea has 160 calories and 39 grams of sugar. Calvin & Hobbes is a © Andrews McMeel Universal, LLC.

A medium apple has 72 calories and 14 grams of sugar.

Q& A Mr. Longhofer

Zoë Ganter and Jaqueline Kincaid Midddle School Contributors

1. What is your favorite part about teaching 6th graders? DL: What you start with is not what you end up with. They make me laugh everyday, even when I’m mad at them. 2. How many years have you been at PHS?

DL: Who’s bringing treats this Friday? 7. What is your favorite Peru trip memory?

13. What is your best teaching memory?

8. Where did you grow up?

DL: That’s a hard one because I have a great teaching moment every day.

DL: Marion, Kansas

3. Do you have a favorite band?

9. Best Science Olympiad Win?

DL: Aerosmith

DL: When we took 9th in the nation with the team that’s now in high school.

DL: I don’t think I had one. 5. What’s the name of the first girl you dated? DL: In 7th grade I got to hold Terry’s hand, and it was, like, awesome. 6. Favorite advisory slogan so far?

DL: I quit because beautiful women are too much work.

DL: Getting married on the Amazon Queen at sunset.

DL: 18 or 19 years

4. What was your middle school nickname?

12. What do you have to say about your career as a fashion photographer?

10. What is your most embarrassing moment?

14. Tell us about your tattoos... DL: I promised my team that I would get a science Olympiad tattoo if we got in the top ten, and we got 9th in the nation. 15. And the other one?

DL: There are so many.

DL: Don’t party in Bangkok. I was young and stupid.

11. Do you have a life motto?

16. A quote from you?

DL: Well, you know how some people see the glass as half empty and some see it as half full? I don’t even see the glass!

DL: Every day, I find a reason to quit teaching, and every day I find ten reasons to keep teaching.

Q&A Izze Martinez

Maculey Greif and William Park Contributors

1. What is your full name? IM: Israel “Izze” Martinez 2. What is your favorite food? IM: Italian food, barbeque 3. What is favorite sport? IM: Soccer 4. Where did you grow up? IM: Orange County, California 5. What is the most absurd panini you have ever made? IM: A grilled PBJ was a mess and destroyed the machine.

IM: When I worked at hotel, I worked at the bar as a replacement, for a long time.

16. What’s an interesting fact about youself?

9. Do you eat playdoh?

IM: I grew my hair for 9 years, down to his ankles.

IM: Yes, during my free time here 10. Do you play board games? IM: Chess 11. Power Rangers or ninja turtles? IM: Power rangers, especially the asian one. 12. What is your favorite thing to do IM: Concerts. I’m not a fan of mainstream, but I love metal. 13. Who is your favorite coworker?

6. Do you lift weights?

IM: Ummm...no comment

IM: NO

14. Favorite student?

7. How many siblings do you have?

IM: The teachers

IM: 2. they both live in KC

15. What is your favorite thing to cook?

8. Best work story?

IM: Turkey and Crawfish boil

17. What is your dream car? IM: ‘64 continental where the doors come up. 18. What is your favorite part about working at Pembroke? IM: It is only 3 minutes away from my house so I get to feed my dog during breaks 19. What is your dog’s name? IM: Watiam 20. Who is your favorite Royals player? IM: Hosmer 21. Who did you want in the super bowl IM: Katy Perry

Q&A

Natalie Dameron and Lindsay Luchinsky Staff Writers

V: What made you curious in sports medicine? LH: I injured my ankle in a basketball game my senior year of high school and after the Athletic Trainer examined me I started thinking that would be an interesting career choice. I would be able to help people and still be around athletics.

V: What's the coolest/ weirdest injury you've helped with? LH: I don’t know if this is really an injury, but when I was in college I was working a cross country meet and an athlete had run so hard that when he crossed the finish line his vision was affected and he was yelling, “I can’t see! I can’t see!” I tried to calm him down and by the end of the chute his sight was returning.

V: T.V. show preferences? LH: Comedy shows, sitcoms, The Daily Show

V: Did you play sports in high school? LH: Football, cross country, basketball, track and field

V: What's the busiest part of your day? LH: 3:00-4:00p.m.

Larry Huff

V: Do you prefer to be indoors or outdoors? LH: Outdoors unless its over 90 degrees

V: If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you bring and why? LH: An electric guitar, amp and solar generator so I could rock out!

V: What's your middle name? LH: Matthew

V: What's your favorite sport to help heal injuries with? LH: PC alert: I like all PHS sports equally

10.

V: Who has had the biggest influence on your life? LH: My Mom (ahhh…) She always seems like she cares what you are talking about even if it doesn’t directly

Living Like Larry

interest her and I always thought that was a wonderful trait.

11.

V: Typical day in the life of Larry the Trainer? LH: Help my children get ready for school in the morning, do errands or play guitar, arrive at work at 11am, eat lunch at PHS, help injured students during their free time from lunch through end of school, 2:30pm setup for any contests that evening or prepare for practices, 3:00 pm help student athletes get ready for practices/games, stay through the end of practices/games each night whatever that may be.

12.

V: Who is your most frequent injuree?

LH: I don’t want to name names, but I definitely have some regulars that seem to get injured a lot

13.

V: Favorite song to jam to? LH: Anything I can play a guitar solo over V: If you could go anywhere, where would you go? LH: England

14.

V: Did you have any other jobs before you became a trainer? LH: I worked in a convenience store when I was in high school. I learned to make a mean ice cream cone. I also worked at Kohl’s for awhile in college, I don’t recommend it.

Humans of Pembroke Hill Inspired by the blog Humans of New York, Mickey Ferguson ‘16 takes a look around the hallways of PHS.

Andrew Cho ‘16 V: What’s the most exciting thing that has ever happened to you? A: Leading over the edge of a waterfall, that was pretty exciting and exhilarating.

Andrea Lu ‘15

V: Why do you like photography? A:I like photography because taking pictures is relaxing and it’s a good way to de-stress.

Clay Lundgren ‘17

V: What do you want to be when you grow up? C: I want to go into astronomy. V: What inspired you to do that? C: Watching the Cosmos with Carl Sagan as a kid.

Caroline McCray ‘16 V: Why do you love Besler? C: Matt Besler started as my favorite soccer player because he's hard-working, and then I got to know him and I realized that he is a great person who inspires me to be better. 23

Matt Burke’s

Top

Ten Movies

Best Of Nightcrawler

Who knew Jake Gyllenhaal could act so well? In the past two years he’s starred in Prisoners , Enemy, and now Nightcrawler. Like Ralph Fiennes, Gyllenhaal was absolutely snubbed from the Oscars and deserves the respect he’s due. He absolutely carries this movie; without him, it’s not nearly the same thing; with him, it’s one of the best movies of the year.

Guardians of the Galaxy

I really thought this movie would suck. Imagine my surprise! Can Chris Pratt just be in everything ever now? I don’t think anybody would complain. Oh, and the soundtrack is just amazing.

Of The

Year The Grand Budapest Hotel

I have a confession to make: I think Grand Budapest might be one of Wes Anderson’s worst movies. Regardless, it’s Wes Anderson, which means that it’s still better than about 95% of movies today. While this movie may feel a little too much like a roller coaster going through a dollhouse, even for Anderson, the music, costume design, and set design are all amazing and should undoubtedly win awards in the future. Also, Ralph Fiennes was absolutely robbed of a chance at the Oscars. Seriously? How did he not even get nominated? He practically carries the movie!

Whiplash

If anyone this year deserves an Oscar, it’s JK Simmons, AKA the State Farm Neo-Nazi who wants pictures of Spiderman, dammit! Simmons is scary in this movie, man. Miles Teller is also pretty amazing, which means he will no longer be known as just that dweeb from Project X. Quick editing, great music, dark subject matter, and an overall feeling of unbearable tension help Simmons’ and Teller’s performances solidify Whiplash in my top five.

Gone Girl

Bishop Miege must be a really weird school if it produced Gillian Flynn. Seriously, this lady is most likely crazy, which is probably why Rosamund Pike’s Amy seems so creepily realistic. Men, prepare to cringe in pain; women, prepare to either cheer or fling popcorn at the screen. Thank you, Based Fincher.

s n o i t n e M e l b a r o n Ho 24

14 Boyhood

Wrap-Up 8

You may be wondering why this movie is number eight instead of number one, as it is on nearly every other list. The reason: it’s really only half of a good movie. The first half of the movie is nearly perfect, especially because it conjures amazing feelings of nostalgia. However, Richard Linklater was really banking on the kid growing up to be a good actor, and, ultimately, he wasn’t. Once Mason hits high school, the movie practically crashes and burns. However, I’m not complaining about Ethan Hawke or Patricia Arquette, who are both Oscar-caliber and aged wonderfully over the years. Plus, it took twelve years to make.

Inherent Vice

To put it lightly, Inherent Vice isn’t for everybody. The plot is extremely hard to follow. A lot of little things happen, but nothing major in the long run. To some extent, the movie feels perpetually stoned; wandering, aimless, and stream-of-conscious. While I can’t say with certainty that I know what happened (or what the movie is even about), I think the movie’s entire goal is to put the viewer in a state of confusion because solving the movie’s riddles matters little. I’m just glad the movie exists in the first place; the fact that PT Anderson was able to adapt a Thomas Pynchon novel to the big screen is a miracle. Side note: Josh Brolin is amazing as Bigfoot, an absolutely insane cop, and there’s a scene between him and Joaquin Phoenix that is one of the funniest moments in the history of anything ever.

The Lego Movie

I envy the kids who get to watch The Lego Movie growing up; they’re gonna be some fantastic individuals. However, I also pity them, because it’s going to be about another ten years before they can catch all of the subtle nuances and pop culture references this amazing movie has to offer. If you hate this movie, you’re an awful person. Fact.

The Raid 2

Who said kung fu movies can’t have substance? Not only does The Raid 2 have some of the most ungodly badass fight scenes in the history of the universe, the plot is filled with enough interesting twists and turns to keep you interested. Not only does the movie vastly exceed its predecessor, it’s very likely one of the greatest action movies of all time. No, really, I’m serious.

Birdman or

(The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance�

When I say that there’s nothing quite like Birdman, I’m not exaggerating. It’s impressive enough that director Alejandro Innaritu makes the movie look like it’s filmed in one continuous take; that feeling of seamless fluidity blurs the line between film, theater, and reality. The movie’s multiple levels of narration and extravagant cinematography could have come across as flashy or ostentatious, but somehow they never do, partially because they take the back seat to the amazing performances of Michael Keaton, Edward Norton, and Emma Stone. Keaton in particular deserves an Oscar. Much like his character Riggan, Keaton is an actor (now formerly) perceived as being “washed up.” However, without giving too much away, things are going a lot better for Keaton than things do for Riggan. It probably seems like I’m rambling in this entry, but that’s mainly because it’s actually pretty difficult to explain just how great this movie is in roughly a paragraph. Bottom line: Birdman isn’t just the best movie of the year, it’s one of the best I’ve ever seen.

Game Review: Don the Mask Matthew Nelson Contributor The moon rears its ugly face once more as Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D came out for the Nintendo 3DS this month. Some have deemed Majora’s Mask as the outcast of the Zelda series for its odd plotline, gameplay, and characters, but I would view it more like the ugly duckling that grew up into a fantastic swan. Its plot and gameplay have stood the test of time and are still relevant to games today. The clock system (in which you only have 3 days to save the land of Termina from being crushed by the moon. Yeah. Talk about pressure) is a gameplay mechanic that drove many players away from the original game (including myself) because of the tedious tasks that the player would have to go through. While the clock system is still in place, the updated 3DS version has made improvements to the

system, including greater ease in discovering how to complete tasks. However, the difficulty of the game still remains because of the developers’ decision to stay true to the challenging roots of Majora's Mask. The 3DS utilizes the 3D elements of the system (not surprisingly) to make Majora’s Mask even more stunning to look at. The updated graphics also make for some excellent improvements to the game, and updated controls make it easier to roam around in the land of Termina. The game is just as good, if not better, than the original; the updates and improvements are simply outstanding, and the game’s difficulty is not changed, but the improvements to the controls make the game just that much better. Majora’s Mask is a definite must buy. Get it with the new 3DS for optimal gameplay, but if you don’t care for the 3DS, the game can easily stand on its own. It is most definitely worth your time. n

Album Review: Catfish and the Bottlemen’s The Balcony Katie Graves Contributer Catfish and the Bottlemen has had instantaneous success with their debut album, The Balcony, released in the US on January 6th, 2015. Popular singles of 2014, like the upbeat “Kathleen,” helped them sell out a show on February 19th at Kansas City’s own Record Bar. The album mimics the rite of passage for most young artists in the alt-rock genre. Unfortunately, they don’t bring anything new to the table. The lyrics and instrumentals lack the polish of more experienced, similar bands like the

Ellie Miller Staff Writer

Movie Review: Mortdecai

Featuring the talents of Johnny Depp, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Ewan McGregor, Mortdecai tells the story of a flamboyant art dealer and part-time thief who is begrudgingly employed to find a missing piece of art that could reveal the code of a bank vault and the key to the owners’ fortune. The movie is comically similar to Royal Tenenbaums or The Grand Budapest Hotel, with the side plot of a strained relationship between Mordecai and his wife Johanna because of a mustache and another man. Depp’s role as Mortdecai is like his role as the mad hatter from Alice in Wonderland if you stuck the mad hatter into aristocracy.

Copyright © 2013 by Christina on Flickr Kooks. The album hits a lull toward the middle with “Hourglass” and fails to pick up speed again until “Rango.” The first five tracks definitely overpower the rest of the album. There is potential in songs like “Pacifier,” which successfully transitions between verses and refrain without coming on too strong or lulling the listener to sleep. Additionally, the lyrics throughout the album are average, dwelling on the singer’s past relationships. Personally, I think the content falls short of the precedent set by other British alternative bands; the problem may also be that the band is ten years too late. If anything, the album is easy listening for long drives or background noise for awkward parties. n

men in Kilts

Mr. Romick discusses a fashion trend that hasn’t quite made its way to the halls of Pembroke. During a rare, tangential discussion in one of my classes last week a strange question arose. Can men wear skirts? The short answer is, of course, no. The general perception is that norms of masculinity, particularly in Middle America, are simply too rigid to accept such a dramatic deviation from tacitly constructed gender categories that order our society. A man who wears a skirt opens himself up to all manner of ridicule and condemnation. Most men, when faced with the cost-benefit analysis of wearing a skirt, will easily decide that the social costs of wearing a skirt far outweigh the benefits. What are the benefits anyhow? During our discussion the girls spoke about comfort, particularly during the warmer seasons that are steadily approaching, that only a skirt can provide. The ladies found consensus in the idea that trousers, jeans, and even shorts can’t begin to compare with the levels of comfort provided by the skirt. Which brings us to my neighbor. Two houses down, on my quiet Brookside street, lives a wonderfully eccentric man and his wife. His is an expert at restoring paintings and valuable documents. He also has a keen eye for design and aesthetics in general. When we first arrived on the block he was the first to introduce himself and I’m so glad he did. Though he is thirty years my senior, he is far and away the person on the street whom I socialize with the most. He is endlessly interesting, interested, and sometimes he wears a skirt. Well it’s a sarong actually, but for all intents and purposes he gives the appearance of a man happily ambling down the road in “female” clothing.

My neighbor is very direct and forthcoming about his style choices so when asked about the skirt his reply was virtually the same as that of the girls in my class. He simply thinks it unfair that women are al-

Copyright © 2012 by Jared55555 on Flickr lowed sole possession of a garment that provides so much joy and comfort to its wearer. In the end, my neighbor doesn’t really care what critics think of his apparel and he wears what makes him comfortable. One has to admire such boldness and blatant disregard for “normalcy”.

I do understand that my neighbor is an anomaly in more respects than his attire, and society will never look to him as a model for reclassification of gendered behaviors because he inhabits a special zone of the periphery. Yet what about cultures where male skirt-wearing is at the vital center of societal “normalcy”. Of course I’m referring to Scotland. Why are Scotsmen afforded the right to wear an exceedingly comfortable garment and maintain high levels of perceived masculinity? No one accuses a Scotsmen of lacking “manliness” simply because he dons a kilt. If one does challenge a kilt-wearer, then this poor ignoramus soon has his manhood tested on the spot. One of my Scottish friends wore a kilt to my wedding; in fact, he was decked out with the entire traditional formal dress of a Scottish Highlander, which includes a sgian-dubh, or small knife that tucks neatly into the knee-high boot or stocking that accompanies the ensemble. Not only was he very popular with the single ladies at the wedding, but he was also ready for any circumstance that may require a blade. Peeling an orange, cutting the cake, defending himself against a surprise badger attack… So maybe the acceptance of men in skirts has to be paired with some offsetting “masculine” feature like carrying an edgeweapon. Because of strict and appropriate weapons policies in our schools and other public places, the dilemma of male skirtwearing can, therefore, never be resolved. Thus men in America are forever confined to the painfully, restrictive nature of the garments that oppressive codes of mascu27 linity and public safety dictate. n

KC Crawl

Stuff

Elizabeth Gerson, Bella Foote, Christine Zheng Columnists Walking around Brookside in the evening, the weather cold and gray, we were immediately drawn to the warmth and color of the store STUFF. As we entered the shop, the scents of various bath bombs and soaps produced by local brands as well as the soft music playing in the background immediately warmed and welcomed our shivering selves. The diverse assortment of products, ranging from abstract paintings to earring stands to a bath bomb bin, was intriguing to look at, and we didn’t even know where to begin in terms of admiration and curiosity. STUFF, located in Brookside Shopping Area, 316 West 63rd Street, Kansas City, MO 64113, is dedicated to those who, as the store’s philosophy says, “pursue good stuff.” Essentially, the store’s name is the embodiment of its chief motive, which we came to understand more clearly as we spoke to Maggie, an employee. She told us the concept behind the name of the store: “It’s a general description of what we have in the store. It’s kinda hard to be any one thing. It’s kind of a catch-all.” With the variety of possibilities and products, we were curious if there’s a specific style or type of

product the store gravitated toward when picking out products: “We look for ethical and local artist-made items. Every item in this store is rooted down to our philosophy.” This philosophy is not one people see so often in stores nowadays, where massproduction and major manufacturers are hard to avoid. Nonetheless, STUFF, since its conception in 1997, offers the products and work of over 300 artistic sources, making sure all that they have to offer can satisfy the tastes and styles of anyone. Certainly, it does. We found ourselves amused (and simultaneously intrigued) by the large selection of quirky birthday, congratulations, and seasonal cards -- the type of cards you don’t see just at your go-to Target or CVS. Ultimately, this philosophy of pursuing good stuff is one that can be applied to all, as Maggie says: “Be it art, people, ideas, products, just everything! Just in the philosophical sense of the word, “stuff,” which is everything.” With this sense of endless possibilities of products, ideas, etc., one may be overwhelmed by the abundance of STUFF. As for Maggie, she has her go-to areas amidst

the variety of products, so have no fear: “I like to buy jewelry, but you know, I like artists that I know. I like artists who made this ring I’m wearing right now. I like artists who made these earrings.” Not only are there various displays of jewelry from local artists, but people can also pick and choose gems, trinkets, and sculptures to make into bracelets, necklaces, or earrings. The individual pieces one can choose, though each piece created by different artists, come together to reflect STUFF as a whole: “It all comes down to the root of knowing who you’re buying the product of. This store isn’t about all receiving items from manufacturers, this store is about getting to the roots of the stuff all around you, knowing directly where products come from. It calls for a very organic, personal relationship between buyer and seller, which you don’t get often anymore.” STUFF remains one of Kansas City’s most unique shops because of its strikingly simple philosophy; in order to garner true happiness, we have to surround ourselves with the good of the world. This idea permeates every aspect of the store, for it

Photo Credits to Sarah Chamberlain

That’s What She Said Words of Wisdom From Megan She ‘16 The English language is one of the most blatantly absurd and idiosyncratic languages in existence. There is very little logic behind the way we speak; for foreigners learning English, pronunciation is much easier to grasp than colloquial grammar. British English, however, can be argued as even more difficult to understand, especially on the local, vernacular scale. The East End of London and their infamous Cockney slang is the pinnacle of the bizarre behavior, rivalling their posh-er Londoners in colloquial absurdity. The “Cockney slang” is the trademark “rhyming slang” linguistic pattern. Characterized by the replacement of words with completely unrelated words, Cockney slang borrows words that rhyme with the original and uses it in place of normal English. “Apples and pears” is the most commonly referred to example of the pattern. Instead of saying, “I ran up the stairs,” classic Cockneys would replace the word “stairs” with “ap-

ples and pears” because “stairs” and “pears” rhyme. And because it is after all slang (slang being slang for shortened language), the Brits truncate the phrase even further. Rather than saying “I ran up the apples and pears,” the Cockney’s would further truncate the phrase into just “apples.” “I ran up the apples,” would be the final result. Attempting to learn Cockney slang would be hell for anyone who has English as a second language. There is barely any connection between the new and the original, and the one connection that they do share, rhyming, is cut off in the truncating process. If you have pretty “mincers,” you have pretty eyes (derived from “mince pies”). “Barclay’s Bank” can be used as an insult in place of “wank.” If I “pick up the dog,” I am essentially picking up the phone (derived from “dog and bone”). But why was this slang system even created? What is the point of mixing up the English language for no apparent reason? Most of this new lingo popped up in the 1940s,

when Britain was on its brink of cultural counterrevolution and change, yet has stayed within the East End community. With linguistics, since language changes with the crowd collectively, there is no clear answer as to why this happened. Some claim they needed a code language system to prevent spies from overhearing what they said. Others say it started off as a game that spread farther and farther and was eventually used to scare away non-locals. But the manufacturing of new Cockney slang is never ending. Today, if you wanted to “grab a few Britney [Spears],” no timely and trendy Cockney would second guess you. Bell-bottom jeans are called “Tony Blairs” and to “wear an Irish” was to wear a wig. Famous names are constantly borrowed for an unintentional satirization of celebritism. Pop culture is such an integral part of the language system that the two will eventually become completely dependent on each other. n

Spring Break Destinations Jordan Young Middle School Staff Writer This year’s spring break finds many Pembroke students traveling all over the world. For instance, Jacqueline Kincaid ‘19 will be traveling all the way to the Caribbean! While in Barbados, she will be sight-seeing, swimming, and lying on the beach. She hopes to see many popular attractions, such as the Animal Flower Cave, a sea cave under the cliffs of North Point reef, and the Barbados Parlia-

ment Buildings, which have been standing since the late 1800s. These are among many great places to visit that tend to awe both visitors and locals alike. However, while some students are seeking exotic foreign countries, others decided to stay a little closer to home. Clara Rabbani ‘20 is going to Portland this spring break. This is not Rabbani’s first visit to Oregon, but that will not make it any less exciting. During her trip, she plans to spend time with relatives as she explores the city.

Portland is well-known for its spectacular outdoor features, including the Columbia River River Gorge, which features hiking trails and waterfalls for the adventurous traveler. Mount Hood could provide a chance to see a few slope monkeys or to go skiing. No matter what your plans are for Spring Break, make the most of the time away from school and be sure to get out and have a good time! n

Crossword

Down: Across:

1. This corporation visits every spring to sell class rings to rising seniors.

6. No February is complete without watching this actor’s 1993 film Groundhog Day.

2. Boys on the prom committee have rallied around this nautical theme for the event.

7. Seniors have been working hard (or hardly working) on these year-end projects.

3. Contrary to popular belief, Mr. Causey’s Southern drawl originates from Texas, not from here.

9. The girls basketball team is seeded ____ in district play. 11. Student Government spent February selling bows and bow ties in support of this six year-old. 14. This font is a must for junior term papers and senior Capstone Projects.

4. This dean of academics acts as college counselor for the largest group of seniors. 5. Upperclassmen are probably averse to this college-search website. 6. Clay Lundgren ‘17 plays this protagonist in the school’s musical, Urinetown. 8. Latin Club sold these for Valentine’s Day.

16. New England may be getting hit hard by the weather, but we haven’t had one of these days off this winter... yet.

10. These two teachers directed the acting and music of Urinetown, respectively.

17. Mixing hues black and white never seemed steamy until this movie came out on Valentine’s Day.

12. After a week of this club’s February festivities, you probably love ___.

19. After spring break, there’re only ____ more weeks of classes until summer.

13. This color placed last in Color Wars. 15. The senior class officers collected peanut butter, canned goods, and soap to support this local food center. 18. Mr. Causey exposed his senior students to author David _____ 31 Wallace.

Letter

from the

Editors

It’s almost spring break, and we’re all focused “on the end:” the end of third quarter, the end of Capstone deadlines, the end of term paper season, the end of APs, the end of school. We’re past Janterm and WPA, so it’s easy to let the school year seem over already. Even the freshman have got a little senioritis of their own, excited to be on to sophomore year; the sophomores can’t wait to be upperclassmen, and the juniors want senior privileges. But we’ve still got twenty-five percent of the year to go: seven weeks, thirty-five days, as Mr. Hill might say. Take some time over break and think about what you want to achieve fourth quarter. Sure, maybe you won’t enjoy every minute of those thirty-five days. The block days grind by a little slower, and free periods devolve more and more into Hi-Hat runs and Netflix binges. But don’t wait until first quarter of next year to make your school life better. These seven weeks count just as much as the first quarter’s seven weeks, so treat them that way. Social, academic, or extracurricular, every moment counts. If you regret letting a friendship fade away, be proactive about fixing it. Stop by your teachers’ offices for homework help. Finally organize your Google Drive documents. That doesn’t just mean “getting more done,” though. Between the recent Ward Parkway campus flu plague and onslaught of work, so many of us are simply burnt out. At the very least, make it your mission to enjoy the last quarter. Bring in some cookies to a class, or set up a Wii in the Commons. Make a bucket list for this year, and finish it. We can be excited for summer already, but don’t miss the spring. Love it, and make it a spring to remember. Paige and Michael

The Voice The Official News Publication of the Pembroke Hill School

The Voice is published monthly by the students of the Pembroke Hill School during the academic year to inform the Pembroke Hill Community about pertaining events and news. The paper is an open forum, distributed to the students, faculty, parents, alumni, and other members of the Pembroke Hill community. All decisions concerning grammar, layout, content, and photography are made solely by the editors themselves. As an open forum, The Voice encourages its readers to submit Letters to the Editors. The editors reserve the right to not publish letters. The Voice also accepts advertising and like articles. The editors reserve the right to not publish advertisements. Like us on Facebook at The Pembroke Hill Voice and follow us on Twitter at PHSVoice. Find us online at phsvoice.com. The Voice is YOUR publication. Please read responsibly.

Whispers News Blurbs From Around School

thirteen seniors... were named national merit finalists. grace mcfee ‘15... traveled to the dominican republic for a week-long medical mission trip. natalie dameron ‘17, izzy laskero ‘16, and caroline massey ‘15... are members of the nelson-atkins photography scholars program. ben wang, aidan adler, evan peterson, and dylan dameron ‘16... won first place in the upper school talent show performing “uptown funk.” matheus ramos ‘17... was the mvp of pembroke’s fourth paintball fury event. ahmad ansari ‘15... had the entire upperschool excited for color wars with his karaoke performance during love lab week.

Copy Chief Grace McFee

Editors-in-Chief Paige Pepitone and Michael Rubel

Staff Writers Bella Barnes Managing Editors Emily Beasley Feature – Cindy Wang Copy Editors Student Life – Megan She Sarah Chamberlain Emily Cohen Natalie Dameron Sports – Emily Dema Gunjan Gaur Shaina Desai Arts – Elizabeth Gerson Shannon Fang Mickey Ferguson MS – Laura Hibschman Mikey Geduldig Opinion – Lizzie Whitney Web Designer Grace Green Off-Campus – Saurabh Goel Cormac Chester Kate Kramer Jillian Jetmore Assistant Editors Business Managers Tammy Lee Davis Brooks Cormac Chester Ellie Miller Devon Dietrich Grace McFee Vishesh Patel Olive Honan Gina Pepitone Lizzie Shulman Photo Editor Daniel Stark Christine Zheng Cormac Chester Julianne Waters Columnists Matt Burke – “Biased Opinions with Burke” Devon Dietrich & Olive Honan – “The Buzz” Elizabeth Gerson, Bella Foote, & Christine Zheng –KC Crawl” Eric Koch and Lizzie Whitney – “Calvin and Hobbes” Megan She – “That’s What She Said” Faculty Sponsors Dr. Matt Clothier Mr. Joel Causey