ECHO February 2020 Print Issue

When RHS Speaks, We

ECHO

Rolla High School - 900 Bulldog Run - Rolla, Missouri 65401- Volume 71 - Issue 5 February 28, 2020 - www.rhsecho.com @rhsechonews

In this issue...

Politics Read ECHO’s take on voting, politcal division, and the death penalty.

See Opinion, page 3

“I think “Two it’s important for wrongs all the students to hear don’t make a right, from different faces, so people have to be different cultures.” judged based on “There’s a certain hatred their merits and the today for people on where content of their charyou fall in on the hieraracter, not the color of chy. It has to get back to their skin.” one system of justice.”

“Go out and get to “A lot of the kids know people in your who go to Rolla may community that don’t not know anything about think like you, don’t look its history.” like you, because that’s “I don’t think that we’re going to how you stop seeing somebody be there in my lifetime because as whatthere’s an implicit bias within all ever that label is.” of us.”

“I’m black. And I’m a “Two wrongs don’t make no person. And I have rights. right, and two And you have people angry is rights. And where do not going to get my rights anything done.” end where yours begin?”

“When we think “There’s such a strong divide about changing, in opinions here. It’s almost like we have to do it the bell shaped curve has been right here--with inverted. You have such extremities ourselves. You now that 70 percent is extremineed to start ties and the common ground has in your combecome such a small area. [People] tend to look for the things that alienate them munity, in your home, with your children.” much quicker.”

“I’ve seen the community go through its ups and downs, and I think “To me, it’s an honor to be asked to talk about my heritage.” we’ve got a rich history and a rich tradition here. I want to make As far as Rolla is concerned, sometimes it’s a pain.” “Even sure we’re highlighting the accomplishments of the before I came to Rolla, I knew a little about how they people who have come before me.” handled the blacks here in your school.”

“I’ve seen a lot.”

RACE Let’s Talk About

Arts at RHS

The RHS Drama Department prepares for the spring musical on March 6.

See Feature, page 5

District leadership ECHO speaks with new district superintendents.

See News, page 8

ECHO hosts a discussion on the past, present, and future of civil rights in Rolla.

Read more on page 6

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Staff Writer Weight training can seem unaccessible and unbeneficial to high school students who are busy with other things like schoolwork and studying.

And when they do exercise, other forms such as sports or aerobic exercises can seem more appealing than weight training. But, research shows that weight training for teens boosts bone density, strengthens tendons, improves posture, and increases metabolism while also enhancing sports performance. “[My favorite part is] being able to see the significant improvements and reaching my largest accomplishment of lifting more than I weigh.

I was able to stay motivated because I wanted to see greater improvements. The encouragement from my friends and Coach Franks to push myself was also very helpful,” Isabelle Crowell said.

RHS offers a one semester Weight Training & Conditioning class for all high school students, though freshmen need to be recommended to take the course by their 8th grade PE teacher or a coach.

“While signing up for classes for freshman year, I read about weight training and decided to give it a shot. The main reason I started was to build strength that would benefit my volleyball skills. We followed a predetermined routine that worked different muscle groups each day,” Crowell said.

Crowell primarily trains by doing power cleans, bench presses, deadlifts, and squats throughout the week and alternating working with arms and legs.

“Everyone should know to always use proper form and to not lift too heavy of weight to prevent injury. My favorite areas of training are deadlifts and squats. These are my favorites because they help me increase my vertical for volleyball,” Crowell said.

Weight training is often correlated only with extreme bodybuilders, but average people can still gain the same advantages. Better cardiovas-

Sophomore Trevor Cox, who participates in football, cheer, and track, prepares to do deadlifts in the weight room. Photo by Quinn Guffey. cular health, controlled blood sugar levels, reduced cancer risk, and improved mobility are just a few of the rewards of weight training. There are also many non-physical benefits. To Crowell, weight training allows her to build friendships and learn that she is capable of pushing herself

further than she expects. She recommends that every high school student, no matter their athletic capability, participates in weight training.

“You do not have to be athletically gifted to excel in weights and being involved in any physical activity on a daily basis can improve people’s

moods in general. It can also improve your self confidence by demonstrating your ability to exceed goals,” Crowell said.

Letter from the Editor As I sit before my laptop brainstorming what profound societal observation I can make with this month’s letter, only a few not-so-profound thoughts keep coming to mind. For one, I really, really, love bagels. Panera’s asiago cheese bagels with the perfect amount of chive-and-onionflavored cream cheese smeared on top, to be exact. I also could not call myself a journalist if I didn’t have an unhealthy obsession with coffee at the forefront of my mind at any given time.

As I type away on this letter at Panera, I have all three loves of my life before me: my laptop, coffee, and, of course, bagels.

I first started coming to Panera to do homework at the beginning of this school year. After one too many nights falling asleep atop my Calc book after trying to do homework in bed, I figured my studying habits could use a change of pace. What I did not expect was to find my own little community within Panera’s beige colored booths.

My first experience studying at Panera hooked me in. The love story started when I took in the racks on racks of bagel flavors that I had somehow just then discovered. Even better, the extraordinarily friendly Panera worker behind the counter gave me an extra bagel for free and, get this, coffee! I needed no more than one sip of the sweet, perfectly roasted blend to fall in love.

As the night of fervent studying for AP Bio went on, it got even better. After seeing my friends and I overwhelmed with notes and flashcards, a complete stranger commended our work ethic and handed us a $20 bill for no particular reason. Then, the same friendly worker from before randomly brought us what must have been a dozen different pastries. Despite the workload, I left the study session feeling uncharacteristically happy for having just crammed an inhuman amount of cellular definitions into my brian.

Turning towards my friends to say goodbye with yet another muffin in my hand, I smiled and told them that being with them made homework suck just a little bit less.

I may be slightly biased towards my favorite study spot, but don’t worry, this is not an

advertisement for Panera Bread Co. Just like any (essentially) fast food establishment, Panera has its fair share of annoying clientele and the occasional ant scurrying across the table. Panera may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but everyone should find a place that makes them feel at home.

What makes Panera special is not that it is even Panera in the first place. What makes it special is the fact that I have decided to make it so. Since my time here, I have made friends with the workers who do not judge me for all the times I fall asleep on my keyboard. I drag my preexisting friends here to make homework a little less lonely. I have been given what must be over $100 of Panera gift cards from friends and family to propel my coffee addiction. It’s not the coffee, or even the bagels, that matters, however. It is the fact that I have discovered an atmosphere that fosters positivity and a sense of community.

In the current age of media and technology, friendly day to day interactions like saying hello to the mailman have significantly lessened. This can have a ripple effect on the ambience of people’s daily environments. Although close relationships are important, the art of connecting with strangers is also critical to a well-rounded life. When isolated within the bubble of one’s own existence, it is easy to become disconnected from the outside world.

Even if it means going outside the comfort zone of cell phones, finding a (physical or hypothetical) niche in one’s surroundings is incredibly important. Just as my coffee cup seeps warmth into my hand, spending time in a positive atmosphere seeps positivity and motivation into my mindset. Although it is easy to forget in the hustle of daily life, creating a healthy atmosphere to spend time in is worth the extra effort.

For me, a healthy living environment means a restaurant with friendly workers and plenty of bagels. I have manifested a home among the at Panera where I can find peace and rejuvenation. I’d encourage everyone to find what brings them that same sense of home, community, and positivity--wherever that may be, coffee or no.

ECHO Staff

Editor In Chief: Lauren Ulrich Managing Editor: Genevieve Huber Webmaster: Erin Pfeifer News: Elena Bai Opinion: Emma Starns Sports: Quinn Guffey Feature: Julia Leventis

Staff Writers: Mable Daugaard, JJ Giesey, Sudatta Hor, Michael “Mandy” James, Hannah Le, Kyle McCutcheon, Helen Weiss, Bella Hardwick Adviser: Dr. Mary Gillis

Follow @rhsechonews on Twitter and Instagram. For more news and sports go to www.rhsecho.com 2 Opinion

Politics needs less division, more empathy

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Feature Editor As the voting date nears for the 2020 presidential elections, it is easy to fall into the political spiral of which candidate is right and wrong and why a person’s opinion is more correct than

another. However, as much as it is good to have an opinion and be informed about today’s world and politics, it is hard not to notice the division between republican and democratic citizens in the United States.

Nowadays, it is difficult to reach common ground in not just politics but in religion, economics, and the occasional little arguments of ‘who deserves to eat the last cookie in the jar.’

For many people, politics is considered a touchy subject not because of the varying opinions but because of the common habit of believing an individual’s judgements are more correct than the opinions of others. While it is understandable for people to shape their opinions around what they know and have experienced, the world is not bound to one outlook.

Take for instance cultures. The social normalities and functions are different from place to place and yet, they make those beliefs work for them. More specifically, countries may speak

different languages but they all still have a way to communicate effectively. The same concept can be applied to politics. There are valid points from multiple perspectives, so why not attempt to understand differing views before coming to a conclusion? Often times, one can come across people that only believe what they were raised to believe, but if those people did not have the family or friends that they do influencing their beliefs, would they still have the same opinions?

In continuation, people give up too easily. It is more common to step away from disagreements with others than to be willing to understand those differences and reach a mutual understanding. After all, everybody wants to live a life they will enjoy living, so is anybody really wrong?

Not only that, but news sources and presidential advertisements are biased. No one ever just talks about the facts anymore; everybody is trying to be right.

As presidential candidates are campaigning,

they talk about their goals for bettering the country but also their opinions on why they are better than other candidates. While this is useful in finding people that share similar beliefs to their own, it can make people believe that it is okay to say whatever they want about others with no regard to how accurate it may be. This can also be seen with social media, where political officials and other famous individuals use their power to voice their opinions rather than state facts.

Overall, it does not hurt to be open to new ways of seeing things. Even if a person still chooses to believe what they do after listening to views other than their own, when it comes down to it, it does not matter where people’s beliefs lie, but it does matter that the citizens of the United States can at least be respectful and understanding of other’s choices not just in politics but in day to day life.

the other hand, I was overthinking about what my vote would be. I wanted to have a say in the future of our country, no matter how small it may be. I also have a habit of excessively double checking my work, so voting was going to be like taking a difficult exam. I was planning on thoroughly researching and making sure I choose the correct answer.

Most voters will probably not spend much time researching each candidate. I can’t blame them. Researching politics is boring and timeconsuming. It is easier to go with the candidate that seems most appealing on the surface without digging deep into their biography.

A major problem in today’s politics is that many voters are poorly informed. This is partially due to the fact that it takes more effort to research politics, but information sources are also to blame. News organizations and media platforms control which candidates they want to feature and which ideas they want to show. This is no surprise: lots of people are aware of how news organizations are biased towards one set of beliefs.

What is surprising, though, is how politics could be so easily corrupted. When I was a kid, I had a random conspiracy theory that news organizations fake the results of polls to favor one candidate over another. If you showed the public that a candidate was much less popular than the others, less people would contribute to that candidate because it’s harder to believe that the candidate would be successful.

Big corporations can take advantage of the fact that voters do notresearch too much into politics. They can put a significant amount of money to pay media sources to manipulate the public. Just recently, Mark Zuckerberg defended his refusal to censor advertisements containing false information. This means we don’t know if Facebook advertisements are factually correct!

However, money can only manipulate the truth to an extent. One could find legitimate information by researching on their own. Watching talks, browsing reliable websites, and reading relevant books are a few ways of researching politics effectively.

Many of us want to put the time into watching a two-hour long debate or spending a few days reading a book on politics. However, by not taking the time to do research, many people fall victim to the manipulation of big corporations.

Uninformed voters are even more dangerous when voting in topics that are irrelevant to them.

For example, I don’t have a strong opinion on the legalization of marijuana. I haven’t seen marijuana having neither positive nor negative effects on the people around me. I could vote ‘no’ for the legalization of marijuana since I have been raised with the impression that smoking weed is a bad thing, but then my vote could be harmful towards the people who rely on medical marijuana that I am unaware about.

I encourage every voter to take some time to do their research. Information sources are being heavily influenced by money, but with the right amount of research, you will be able to develop your own strong opinion. I also encourage you NOT to vote on a subject that you are uninformed about. Unlike many standardized tests, the ballot has a penalty for guessing.

Uninformed voters are a hazard to democracy

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Staff Writer There have been several adults who have told me to vote. It is the privilege for every American to vote. Honestly, I didn’t really care. Politics were irrelevant to me. I never had to worry about my way of living. Studying well in school seemed to benefit my future much more than voting alongside millions of other voters. On

Current media increases our sense of loneliness

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Staff Writer Take a step back and view what the current mediums we use were in the past growing up.

Chances are you probably have used television, video games, and movies. Chances are you’ve gone with your family and/or friends to see the new movie or you’ve watched the weekly process of cable TV of a series with your family or friends. But the massive growth and development of the internet has opened up the floodgates of fans for films, shows, and video games alike. So much so that there’s a near infinite amount of people to talk to online and the need to find others who would share

the same experiences or thoughts on the same subject. The internet is revolutionary on a level that is taken for granted by most people. Many technologists put the internet on par with the invention of electricity. I can talk with anyone from anywhere around the world with near instantaneous speed, or learn a decent amount of nearly any kind of information with an endless library where I all need to know is the word or a vague word of what I want to know. It’s not just the internet: our TV shows and movies can be watched at any time and at any place with our will being the speed limit of how much we watch. Games can be played with anyone and I can connect and play with my brother seamlessly despite the distance, but the unfortunate part of the internet is just how none of these compare when done together in person. Cable television, for example, was much more inaccessible than streaming services, but the episodic format of tv shows made for better discussion and more fond memories on the discussed series instead of the current process of bingeing a series to death. When an episode for a show was released, the time in between was great for discussing the latest episode of that series with coworkers, friends, classmates, or just other people in general. But now, you need to binge a show to get with those that do to avoid spoilers or keep up with the discussion, which makes the

whole series just a regurgitated mess of brief and empty filling memories. I vividly remember much more about shows and movies I absolutely hated that had episodic formats than shows I binged and enjoyed.

The mediums we play have also changed. In the early 2000s and before, split screen player modes were the obvious additions to any game that could be played with other people, but then the implementation of online interaction began to trickle and be added into games to have online play. In the era of the Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii, playing local and online coexisted beautifully since online was becoming more frequent and accessible, but it was still relatively new that local multiplayer was still expected. But now on PS4 and Xbox 1, many titles of these consoles exclude this even from long running series that were defined from local multiplayer like Halo.

The only console and games to still have local multiplayer in full force is the Switch and various independent games from studios on their own.

In the past decades, the problem of human connections and loneliness has begun to creep into our surroundings and people are slowly becoming more and more isolated from one another despite our infinitely huge access to others from around the world. The mean number of close friends was three in 1985, but it has dropped down to two in 2011. This trend is

not new and the decline of close friends has been happening since the 1950s, and at the same time, the amount of floorspace in homes has been steadily increasing. This means that we are, as a whole, choosing stuff over connections.

According to Cigna’s U.S. Loneliness Index in 2018, 50 percent of the population in the U.S. say they feel lonely occasionally or on a regular basis. People become lonely on accident and get loaded up with work, school, a relationship, or hobbies, and unfortunately, people find that sacrificing time with friends is the easiest part to cut out of life. As people age, it becomes slowly harder and harder for adults to socialize and make close friends. We might be different, but we will nearly always have a biological need to be social with others. Leading to one of the most silent and unaddressed epidemics in the world, John and Stephanie Cacioppo study “Social Relationships and Health: The Toxic Effects of Perceived Social Isolation” lists many of the health consequences of chronic loneliness: it erodes your vascular system, weakens the immune system, causes alzheimer’s to increase more rapidly, and even increase the rate at which you age.

In 2012, Victor C. Bowling A. JeP found that chronic loneliness has worse health effects than obesity and the same study by Cigna found it as bad as smoking a pack of cigarettes a day.

Leap year happens once every four years. It occurs on 29th of February and it happens because there are actually 23 hours, 56 minutes, and four seconds in a day. Instead of counting the days as twenty-three hours, fifty-six minutes, and four seconds, we count it as 24 hours. We have an extra day every four years to make up for the extra four minutes we add to each day. Leap Year and Leap Day are holidays of sorts. Many significant things happen on that day and during the year. Every Leap Year, the United States has a presidential election. Some places even have weird traditions, folklore, and superstitions on the holiday.

According to some old Irish legends, Saint Brigid struck a deal with Saint Patrick to allow women to propose to men, and not just the oth-

er way around, every four years. This is believed to have been introduced to balance the traditional roles of men and women. In some places, Leap Day has been known as Bachelors’ Day for the same reason. A man was expected to pay a penalty, buy her a dress, or give her money if he refused a marriage proposal from a woman on Leap Day. In many European countries, tradition dictates that any man who refuses a woman’s proposal on February 29 has to buy her 12 pairs of gloves. The intention is that the woman can wear the gloves to hide the embarrassment of not having an engagement ring. In Scotland, it used to be considered unlucky for someone to be born on leap day, just as Friday 13th is considered an unlucky day by many. Greeks consider it unlucky for couples to marry during a

leap year, and especially on Leap Day. For all the babies born on Leap Day, they are invited to join The Honor Society of Leap Year Day Babies. In the town of Aurora, Illinois, single women are deputized and may arrest single men, subject to a $4 fine, every Leap Day. With these traditions in mind, it is only fitting that Rolla comes up with its own Leap Day traditions. One tradition that the people of Rolla could do is that we all bring in food. A certain group of people bring the food for different classes and host a celebration. The teachers can teach, but they do have to give time for the Leap Day party. Depending on the teacher, we could watch a movie or some videos. If you have an idea for a different tradition that we could have in Rolla, share it at rhsecho.com.

RHS needs its own Leap Day tradition

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3 Opinion

Should the United States abolish the death penalty?

No, it is necessary for certain crimes.

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Staff Writer The death penalty is necessary for crimes that are extreme and inhumane. Crimes that are commonly associated with the death penalty are larges-scale drug trafficking, treason, espionage, murder, and the attempted murder of a witness, juror, or court official. Others are still affected by the crimes that examples of these felons committed. For instance, whole communities of people are impacted by large-scale drug trafficking. Victims of these activities have to live with the consequences of these offenders for the rest of their lives. Offenders put others at risk, and are likely to return to the same activity after their release.

Another major offense that commony results in the death penalty is terrorism. Millions have lost their lives due to terrorist attacks and genocide. The United States has suffered from terrorist attacks in the past, and currently has soldiers in foreign areas that are heavy with terrorist groups. Countries have been torn apart

Yes, it is unjust and inhumane.

due to constant warfare between governments and separate parties. Putting a terrorist in jail would prevent more innocent lives from being sacrificed, and it could possibly destroy their following of fellow felons. A government issuing the death penalty to a group leader would be a threat, and a source of intimidation. It would also provide hope for citizens, who are already suffering from the difficulties of surviving in an unstable country.

Some crimes, such as espionage and treason, violate national security, which could result in tension between nations and war. Futures beyond those currently living could be affected by information that was released prematurely for reasons other than their original purpose.

Espionage and treason are typically encouraged by certain political agendas, which would lead to a number of issues, resulting in disruption during elections and conventions, among other events. Those who commit one of these crimes are altering the future to fit their motives, which are debatably not well intentioned.

In conclusion, the death penalty is a reasonable punishment for the categories of crimes that it is used to adress. Those who are charged with the death penalty are usually repeat offenders, or have already commited a grave offense.

The death penalty prevents others from considering following the same path, and it brings justice to those who will forever be affected by their misdeeds. Although the wrongs of these individuals cannot be undone, the lack of their presence may provide a source of comfort for

The first recorded case of the death penalty goes all the way back to the 18th century BCE, in the Code of King Hammurabi of Babylon. There were about 25 different crimes which could warrant the death penalty.

In the current year of 2020 CE in the United States, there are 41 crimes that can warrant the death penalty.

To be fair, most of those 41 capital offenses can be boiled down to just one capital offense, which is murder, but it still seems like overkill (literally) that we have almost double the amount of capital offenses as they did in Babylon.

Why, in a civilized society, do we even still have the death penalty? The United States justice system was created to bring just that, justice, not to play god. There is no human person who has the ability to decide that someone else has lost the right to live, no matter what they may be guilty of.

interview teachers here at RHS on their thoughts about students’ mental health.

“When a student comes to me, I try my best to guide them. I look for outcomes that are thoughtful and in their best interest,” Latin teacher Elizabeth Oster said.

Teachers advise students to come to them in times of need, but to also realize they may need to seek more professional help. Teachers have experience and resources to help students in times of need, especially in situations where the student may need just someone to vent to or just someone to hear their side of things.

“Sometimes all you need to do is listen.

Sometimes people just need to talk and vent their problems. If I thought they needed more help, I would refer them to a counselor,” math taecher Cara Hanlin said.

Students may be scared to talk to teachers or adults for many reasons, one of the biggest being the student getting reported to higher authority.

“I feel like I’m breaking their confidence and I feel like they don’t trust me anymore, but in several cases that I’ve had to deal with it’s been a situation where they needed to be taken out of, or they were in a situation, where people were harm-

ing them or had a bad influence on them,” Science teacher Angie Anderson said.

Teachers strongly encourage students to come to them or the counselors, even if they are scared.

They want students to know they can help, and if they cannot they will refer students to someone who can listen to and understand students’ struggles, offer support, and provide mental health resources.

“Sometimes students don’t understand the help they need, but it’s important that they talk about their problems. Someone can help,” Anderson said.

them to come meet in person, rather than online.

“We really want students to come into the bank, we want them to come into the bank so that they can meet us and get really comfortable with our mobile app and understand our debit cards and how our ATM works. When you come in and you open that student account, it is going to be just a nice tutorial about how to use our products and services, so that when you leave you feel super comfortable with your new checking account,” Goff said.

Another easy way for students to understand their account would be to consult their app.

Many banks offer online options to deposit checks and keep up with their balance.

“Our ‘My Student’ checking account will allow students to download our mobile app, which is free, and with the mobile app you can you can take a look 24 hours a day you can see ‘okay, so I spent $9 at Sonic and I have a Venmo coming out for $12”. It is kind of a neat thing where 24 hours a day you can log into your account and you can see what’s going on. For example, if you think you have $15 in your account and

before you walk into a restaurant you can pull up your mobile app and see that I have $6, so ‘I am going to be having the dollar menu today’. It is really learning how to use those tools that were not around when I was a student, so we want students to be really comfortable with the mobile app,” Goff said.

Even with all this explained, some can still be skeptical of trusting others with their money.

Most banks, including PCB, are backed by the Federal Department Insurance Corporation, and have fraud protection that offer money guarantees.

“One common misconception is that if you use your debit card and there is fraud, that you’re going to be out that money, and a lot of people especially my generation believe that credit cards are safer than debit cards and that is just not the case. Having a bank stand behind you with your debit card is huge,” Goff said.

Another option is a credit union. At a credit union, members get a say in what goes on and how things work. For example, free ATMs or online services. Hanna Henson from Riverways

Federal Credit Union explains the benefits that credit union members enjoy that are different from the typical bank.

“Credit unions are not for profit and our members own us, so we are not employee owned.

If you are a member here you can put in your opinion about the way that things are run, the way that the buildings are, etc. Different from banks, we have shared branching with thousands of locations over the world that you can use out there if you go to college. We also have an app and you can see what locations there are around you to use and take money out and deposit money, and see how much you have in the account. ATMs are free.,” Henson said.

Just with banks, credit unions also provide fraud protection that keeps money safe.

“There are a lot of people out there that are afraid of people getting their money but we have a lot of things that we do to prevent that. If for some reason that did happen then we always go above and beyond to get you that money back” Henson said.

necessary to join the military. I also took extra measures in order to make sure my ASVAB score was high enough to do what I want to do.

Training your body and staying physically fit is extremely important as that is one of the main aspects of joining the military. I do anything and everything to ensure that my reputation upholds me, which includes doing all I can to not get in trouble with the law,” Jones said.

For a student that is aspiring to join the military, high school may seem that it could get in the way of training. Homework piles up in addition to the countless hours spent studying for tests. Balancing the two may be tricky.

“Training does not get in the way of school because we do our training on the weekends.

We do basic training which includes learning to march, shoot, and survival skills. [Advanced Individual Training] is after school, so it does not interfere. AIT training comes after basic, and it contains the last phases of training before you join your unit,” Jones said.

Tyler Malloch, a graduated student of RHS, joined the military out of highschool. He is currently stationed in Chicago and is in the process

of basic training for the Navy. Malloch gives a different perspective of life in the military.

“If you plan on joining the military, run everyday, workout, study the job you want to go into, and have good attention to detail. What inspired me to join the navy was my dad. He served in the Navy before me and so did his dad and his dad, so I wanted to carry on the tradition and serve in the Navy,” Malloch said.

Being recruited can be a nerve racking experience that determines the branch that a young soldier might join, as well as gives an inside look at a life in the military. Malloch explains the process from the perspective of a person that has been through the recruitment phase.

“The recruitment process isn’t as bad as most people would think. The whole medical part took about a day, the ASVAB took about 30 minutes to an hour, and on top of that you get a nice hotel and get food for free,” Malloch said.

Joey Gregory, a student who graduated from RHS, is planning to join the military as well and will begin basic training for the Marines on May 17--the same day the rest of Rolla High School seniors will be graduating. The military can have

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In addition, how can we commit people to die by lethal injection when there is always a chance that they are not truly guilty. The courts are not infallible, and do not investigate the possibility of a convict’s innocence after they have already been executed, preferring instead to investigate those whose lives may still be saved. It is good, of course, to try and avoid such a fate, but there is no justice in this for the people who have already died.

The death penalty is unjust, and should be repealed.

A life in prison without chance of parole is a much more humane option, and costs significantly less. There is no logical reason that we would use the death penalty anymore. The fact that there are currently 42 people scheduled to be executed in the next five years is more indicative of the bloodlust of American citizens than of any form of logic. If we can ever hope to become truly enlightened as a country overall, we need to move on from capital punishment to being truly humane.

Chime in on the dealth penalty. Take the survey at rhsecho.com.

Teachers discuss mental health in today’s students b y

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Staff Writer Whether it is to a friend, a counselor, or even a teacher, people can be shy to open up. It is natural to want to talk to someone about what is going on. When students cannot find someone to talk to, it can be extremely painful. Some people can openly talk about their problems with someone they are comfortable with. Many students talk to counselors or their friends, but teachers are also open for conversation. ECHO had the chance to

Local banks offer resources for students b y

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For many, banking can be a confusing subject.

It can be hard to know where to start. Students often get a job in high school, and start paying for a car or insurance, and that money has to go somewhere. Putting hard earned money in the bank is a very safe. Rolla’s Phelps County Bank has a program for students to get started.

“We have new checking accounts that we rolled out in January that are perfectly designed for students between the ages of 12 and 17.

Come in with a parent or guardian and open a checking account,” Vice Presidnet of Marketing Linda Goff said.

“We have built in some really neat learning tools with it. Part of understanding a bank account is understanding that just because you have a debit card, or just because you have a checkbook, that does not mean you have money in your account,” Goff said.

To ensure that students know what is going on and what resources are available, they advise

RHS students commit to joining the military b y

i s a b e ll a

Hardwi

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Staff Writer

While some students prepare to graduate high school and attend college, a few have made personal commitments to join the military. Kaleb Jones, a junior, is determined to follow in his family’s footsteps and join the military.

“I grew up in a military family so I didn’t think twice about what I plan to do with my life. The National Guard has great benefits: they pay for your college and you make a family through your comrades. Another benefit is the opportunity to travel all around the world, as well as meet a lot of new people,” Jones said.

In order to prepare for the military, there are many steps that need to be taken. Physical training is an important aspect as well as learning technical and practical skills. One of the first steps to take is to talk to a recruiter. The recruiter will then help to inform the aspiring soldier of how to properly prepare to be a part of the military.

“I have talked to my recruiter in order to ensure that I have met all of the requirements

4 Opinion/Feature

Kaleb Jones

Photo by Isabella Hardwick

many benefits and is an option for students to consider.

“There’s a lot of reasons for me joining the military, so it’s really hard to pin just one down.

Probably, the top reason is wanting to be a part of something bigger than myself, something that does good in the world,” Gregory said.

RHS students prepare for life after high school b y

Elen

a

Bai

N e ws E d i t o r

As the year comes to a close, many seniors have begun to form more concrete plans for the future, whether it be college, technical school, or entering the workforce. Out of the many options available, senior Molly Hardwick has chosen to pursue a degree in zoology at the University of Wisconsin.

“I’ve always been interested in animals. I’ve always wanted to help animals, and then with some worldwide epidemics, it made me realize that I wanted to help them more than just through a veterinarian level but in a more wide scale case,” Hardwick said.

The first step to her college search was finding a college that offered the programs she was interested in and that she feels comfortable in.

“I just Googled colleges that had good wildlife

“Balance your workload and social life well because if you focus only on workload, your social life is going to suffer.” conservation programs. It popped up and I toured it, and it just felt like home,” Hardwick said.

Hardwick applied to the University of Wisconsin through the Common Application (commonapp) and had to supplement her general application with an essay describing why she wanted to attend the school as well as recommendation letters. Hardwick attempted to display evidence of the diligence she displayed in high school through AP and honors courses, and demonstrate to admissions officers that she will succeed in university courses and improve the university environment. Hardwick shares this is why it is important for students to carefully balance their workload.

“Balance your workload and social life well because if you focus only on workload, your social life is going to suffer, which may not seem important but it has an effect on your mental health, but if you only focus on social life, then your workload will suffer which then will hurt you in the future,” Hardwick said.

Her parents taught her a hardworking attitude, which came into use when classes began getting more difficult. This attitude has helped her

Molly Hardwick

Photos by Elena Bai

through her high school classes and helped her maintain good grades, despite taking difficult courses.

“My parents have given me a really good work ethic and I think just knowing that every assignment may not impact my future but knowing that as a whole, it will change where I go and that even though sometimes you just don’t want to do it, just do it,” Hardwick said.

Despite her dedication to her major, Hardwick’s plans did not always include studying zoology. Her hope is to eventually do field research, but she has considered other options.

“For most of my life, I’ve wanted to be a veterinarian and part of me has thought about being a professor,” Hardwick said.

“For most of my life, I’ve wanted to be a veterinarian and part of me has thought about being a professor.”

Hardwick admits to suffering from senioritis in her second semester, but finds motivation in her commitment to upholding the standards of work that she has set in the rest of her high school career.

“I don’t want to disappoint [my teachers] or my parents or myself because I’ve worked so hard up to this point. If I just let it crash my senior year I will be very upset,” Hardwick said.

Jesse Coverdell Junior Jesse Coverdell, who has decided to graduate this year, is planning on attending the RTI’s two year radiology program. She has been drawn to the medical field for a long time, having considered a career in physical therapy before her current interest in radiology.

“I’ve been interested in it for a while just because I get to help people be healthier, and it gives me an opportunity to see something new everyday,” Coverdell said.

The RTI, or Rolla Technical Institute, is a public technical school that offers drafting and design, fire and rescue, and many other programs.

It is a relatively small school with under 2,000 students and is associated with the Rolla Public School system. This system is especially good for students planning on going into fields of work that require specialized technical training.

“I found out about it through the career expo day the high school hosted our sophomore year.

It seemed interesting at the time, but I had a different plan but it came back around to me this year,” Coverdell said.

Those who wish to enter the program should focus on math and science courses in high school and should take challenging courses that prepare them for further education. Coverdell has also found it helpful to take classes related to her field of study in high school.

“My advice to other students would be to take as many dual credit courses as possible, along with medical classes in high school,” Coverdell said.

Artist of the Month b y

H e l e n W e i ss Staff

By Caily

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writer

m y e r s

Reporter

Kate Van Hoose is a sophomore who is in color guard and dance. Van Hoose started dancing about 11 years ago, and now specializes in ballet.

Van Hoose is a pointe dancer and she used to do contemporary jazz.

“My Aunt Judy was a dancer. When she was young, she did it and I just saw it on TV and stuff. It always just looked really graceful and pretty, so I was like, ‘hey, I really want to try that.’ That’s what drove me to start dancing,” Van Hoose said.

“When I first started ballet, it was back when I lived in New York and I don’t remember my teacher’s name, but I do remember that she taught me quite a lot. Here in Rolla, I go to Miss Megan’s, the dance studio,” Van Hoose said.

Van Hoose lived in New York, so she has experience with both a small town instructor and a big city instructor.

“I feel like New York is the big city; people move there to try and make new lives for themselves to try and get better jobs there. So I feel like the instructors were a little bit more experienced there because they came from a more

advanced ballet background. Miss Megan is great, don’t get me wrong, but there is definitely a difference,” Van Hoose said.

Van Hoose started dancing at a young age, but she did not start pointe until she was about 12 years old.

“That’s the point in your life where they usually recommend because your ankles are stronger so there is less chance of you getting hurt. I got my first physical to start pointe whenever I was 12, so I have only been doing it for about 3 years,” Van Hoose said.

Van Hoose has been dancing for such a long time that some of her daily tasks are affected by her time in dance.

“Whenever you sprint, you are supposed to keep your feet flexed normally, to get bounce off the ground which gives you speed. I am in ballet, so my feet are always pointed and I stretch my feet a lot. It’s really hard to keep my feet flexed during track practice because they are always pointed. My coaches kinda yell at me a lot to flex my feet and to quit pointing them,” Van Hoose said.

No matter what you do, whether it is dancing, basketball, or singing, you have to practice to improve.

“I have point practice 2 days a week from about 3:30 to 5:30. It’s about 3 hours a week, but

it’s straight practice; I don’t get a lot of breaks.

I get there, I get changed, I put on my pointe shoes, then I start dancing until it is time to leave,” Van Hoose said.

Practicing, balancing school work, and balancing a social life can have an effect on dancers’ mental and physical health, as Van Hoose shares.

“My feet are messed up; I have broken toes multiple times. My feet are always tired. My toenails don’t really grow anymore because they are shoved into my shoes. I have achilles tendinitis, which is not fun. I definitely see myself getting stronger after practice. I’m usually pretty exhausted, but not that much mentally. I have to remember routines and techniques. Whenever it comes to school, it doesn’t bother me much.

I can get home from dance practice and do my homework easily,” Van Hoose said.

Dancing is considered an art form, but it also has some of the same aspects of a sport including dealing with teammates and competitions.

“I kind of have private lessons. I don’t have any super close teammates. When I did jazz and contemporary dances, I danced with the traveling team and I don’t think a lot of them liked me, but it’s interesting working with a team. I kind of had to push through them not liking me, but my love for dance overpowered that,” Van Hoose said.

While AP and honors courses can be stressful, the best way to handle tough courses is to focus on getting one’s work done, Coverdell finds.

“It’s really just staying on top of the work and not getting behind. Plus taking courses I’m passionate about so that I actually care about what I’m learning,” Coverdell said.

Throughout her years in high school, Coverdell has found motivation in the possibilities that await her in the future.

“I’m excited to get through it and start working so that I can have money and start a family whenever I’m ready to,” Coverdell said.

Anyone wishing to attend RTI can find more information on the RTI/RTC portion of the Rolla Public schools website (https://rtirtc. rolla31.org/). The institute allows students to pursue their intended careers at a lower cost and in less time.

“It’s quick and it’ll get me working, and I’ve always wanted to go into the medical field,” Coverdell said. dents to pursue their intended careers at a lower cost and in less time.

“It’s quick and it’ll get me working, and I’ve always wanted to go into the medical field,” Coverdell said. ing courses I’m passionate about so that I actually care about what I’m learning,” Coverdell said.

Throughout her years in high school, Coverdell has found motivation in the possibilities that await her in the future.

“I’m excited to get through it and start working so that I can have money and start a family whenever I’m ready to,” Coverdell said.

Anyone wishing to attend RTI can find more information on the RTI/RTC portion of the Rolla Public schools website (https://rtirtc. rolla31.org/). The institute allows students to pursue their intended careers at a lower cost and in less time.

“It’s quick and it’ll get me working, and I’ve always wanted to go into the medical field,” Coverdell said.

“I’ve been interested in it for a while just because I get to help people be healthier, and it gives me an opportunity to see something new everyday.”

Kate Van Hoose Photo by Quinn Guffey Dance can be taken to college and used as a career.

“I would join the Russian ballet and learn the ways and do those big practices. I have watched way too many dance videos, and they do tons of work. They go through a lot of different pairs of pointe shoes every week because they practice so much and it gets crazy. Performing on stage and getting ready and looking graceful and beautiful up on stage it’s just so appealing to me and if I could do that, I definitely would,” Van Hoose said.

Hounsom, Dare assume new administrative roles b y

Ky

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McCutcheon Staff Writer

Craig Hounsom (left) will be the new Superintendent and Dr. Kyle Dare (right) will fulfill the new position of Deputy Superintendent. Photos by Sudatta Hor.

With Superintendent Dr. Aaron Zalis retiring at the end of this year, there were many people wondering who would take his place. While it might seem like big roster changes will be occurring with getting a new Superintendent, the new roster will seem very familiar to students at RHS. Mr. Craig Hounsom will be the Rolla Public Schools’ new Superintendent next year. Hounsom is not new to the district, however. He has been the Assistant Superintendent for 11 years and has been with the school district for 27 years.

However, there are some changes to the titles and positions of the district’s administration.

Dr. Kyle Dare, who is currently serving as Assistant Superintendent, is going to be taking on

the position of Deputy Superintendent. He will handle the human resources and facilities side of the Superintendent responsibilities.

Dr. Julie Williams will be joining in the role of an Assistant Superintendent and will handle the curriculum side of the many duties that Mr. Housom is currently responsible for.

“This is my 28th year in education. I’ve been at central office for 11 years at West Plains, and I am so excited to become a bulldog,” Dr. Williams said.

Leading into the new year, there are not expected to be any major changes in the direction of leadership as both Mr. Hounsom and Dr. Dare have both served in the school district for some time, and have had input on the current

direction of the district.

Dr. Dare and Mr. Hounsom were involved in the decision making of the 10 year plan that will be on the April ballot. This plan consists of 5 propositions that span from school safety to adding a new gym and auditorium to the highschool.

“The bond issue will be on the ballot in April, so hopefully it’s approved,” said Dr. Dare said.

With highly capable people stepping up to fill positions in the Rolla school district, Hounsom hopes that the district will stay on a good path.

“We think we’re part of a great school district, so we’re not coming to these positions with a whole list of major changes,” Mr. Hounsom said.

5 Feature

Panel discusses Rolla’s history of civil rights, future of race relations

By Lauren Ulri

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Editor In Chief b y

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Huber

Managing Editor

When this group of invited panelists walked through the front doors of Rolla High School early one Tuesday morning, their presence alone was remarkable—given that the Rolla school district is a mere 4.1 percent black, according to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

As the group filtered into the main office conference room, it marked the beginning of a conversation often untold within Rolla High School’s predominantly white population. Even as hands were shaken and formalities exchanged, the purpose of the occasion was immediately apparent.

“To me, it’s an honor to be asked to talk about my heritage,” Gwendolyn Stoloph, an 85-yearold woman and longtime Rolla resident began.

A few days prior, ECHO had asked Stoloph

A significant part of that history had just shuffled in the door on Smith’s left arm.

“Having Ms. Gwen here is a blessing,” Smith said, smiling and gesturing to the friend seated beside her.

With a checkered past of racial discrimination rooted in Jim Crow practices, Rolla’s history is not without its struggles. However, its history is also marked by the efforts of prominent civil rights leaders, both past and present. Stoloph has witnessed firsthand during her time in Rolla since 1961 and as a mother to children who attended Rolla Public Schools.

“Even before I came to Rolla, I knew a little about how they handled the blacks here in your school,” Stovall said with a knowing nod. “When the kids got to sixth grade, they would send them to Jefferson City. That was terrible to take children out of [their] home. That is breaking up a family,” Stovall said.

Up until the landmark 1954 Brown v. Board of Education court decision, the Lincoln School, which stood on the corner of Pine and First St., provided the only option for black students to acquire an education in Rolla. The President of the Phelps County Historical Society, Mark

“I’ve seen the community go through its ups and downs, and I think we’ve got a rich history and a rich tradition here. I want to make sure we’re highlighting the accomplishments of the people who have come before me.”

to participate in a round-table discussion on the topic of race relations in the Rolla community.

Rolla, like many communities across the United States, has a complex historical relationship with race. The four individuals seated around the conference room table, each equipped with their own stories, experiences, and perspectives, were bound by a common purpose: to facilitate conversation on the past and future of race relations in small-town Rolla, Missouri.

One such participant was Lister Florence, a prominent figure at Missouri S&T and in the Rolla community.

“I’ve seen the community go through its ups and downs, and I think we’ve got a rich history and a rich tradition here,” Florence said. “I want to make sure we’re highlighting the accomplishments of the people who have come before me.”

Stuater, told the Phelps County Focus that the Lincoln school taught classes up to the sixth grade. After that point, a black student pursuing further education would have to be bussed to the nearest black high school in Jefferson City.

Even after desegregation in Rolla schools, an often hostile racial divide persisted.

“When I came here in ‘61, my oldest daughter was a gifted kid. She was five years old and in the first grade. She was in kindergarten for a while, but then she advanced, and I wasn’t about to let her go back to kindergarten. Mr. Roberts, who was the superintendent, was not willing to do that. He said, ‘we don’t let our own be in first grade at five years old.’ And I told him, I said, ‘Your own? What do you mean by ‘your own?’

My husband pays taxes just like you do,’” Stovall said.

“When we think about changing, we have to do it right here—with ourselves.

You need to start in your community, in your home, with your children.”

Stacey Smith, who had taken the morning off her job as Communications Director of the Rolla Police Department, echoed a similar sentiment.

“I think it’s important for all the students [of Rolla High School] to hear from different faces, different cultures, and for our African American students [particularly], I think it’s important for them. A lot of the kids who go to Rolla may not know anything about its history,” Smith said.

5 Feature

Stoloph recounted many instances of discrimination Rolla’s African American community has endured throughout its history. At one time, Stoloph recalls not being able to stay in local hotels or eat at restaurants. However, she also fondly reminisced on the efforts of Rolla’s previously active NAACP chapter and the many figures who have worked to advance civil rights in the community.

“I am 85 years old, and so I’ve seen a lot,” Stovall said with a pause. “As far as Rolla is concerned, sometimes it’s a pain...but we learn to roll with the punches.”

Smith, who moved to Rolla in 1996 from

content of their character, not the color of their skin,” Flagg said.

Smith agrees with the concept in theory, but rejects the idea in actuality.

“It would be wonderful if we had a world

“As far as Rolla is concerned, sometimes it’s a pain... but we learn to roll with the punches.”

southern California, also sent both of her daughters through the Rolla school system nearly half a century after Stovall’s. She recalls her own memories of race-related turbulence.

“My daughters were actually in Rolla High School when President Obama was elected.

For them, [it was] very exciting. We were big supporters of Obama, so for us, it was a big, exciting day, and their first day back at school, they came back home in tears because there were students driving through the parking lot with giant Confederate flags and talking about how he needed to be lynched,” Smith said.

While Smith recognizes the progress being made toward social equality, she remains discouraged by lingering instances of hate.

“We’re talking about, what? 10 years ago? It’s not that long ago for them to be experiencing that in the high school. That was very devas-

where everyone could be judged on the content of your character vs their skin color or gender, but I don’t think we’ve ever been there and I don’t think that we’re going to be there in my lifetime because there’s an implicit bias within all of us,” Smith said.

While it is evident that conflicting views exist within the room, the group seems to agree that the way to address race-related issues is to spark discussion amongst people with different backgrounds and viewpoints.

“I teach cultural diversity to law enforcement officers and dispatchers, and one thing I tell them is to go out and get to know people in your community that don’t think like you, don’t look like you, because that’s how you stop seeing somebody as whatever that label is,” Smith said.

Florence shared a similar solution to addressing still prevalent issues of racial discrimination

“Go out and get to know people in your community that don’t think like you, don’t look like you, because that’s how you stop seeing somebody as whatever that label is.”

tating really, for our whole family. I was really disappointed in the community that day,” Smith said.

Shawn Flagg, seated across from Smith, had driven nearly two hours from his primary residence in St. Louis for the discussion. Flagg spent a few years of high school attending Rolla schools, and his mother, Leila Flagg, is well known as the first African-American to graduate from the Missouri S&T (Missouri School of Mines) engineering school in 1960. Although he also bears a personal history tied to Rolla as well, Flagg offered a differnet perspective on race relations.

“My perspective might differ a little bit, which is part of the reason I wanted to come to give you a different outlook. I feel like race relations are being used against the public, and one of the ways I feel that is I think things have to be taken in perspective,” Flagg said.

Flagg addresses the concern that African Americans are often “victimized” today, particularly by the media.

“There’s a certain hatred today for people on where you fall in on the hierarchy. The most hated person today would be a Christain heterosexual white man,” Flagg said. “It has to get back to—not back to because it was never there—but there has to be one system of justice.

Two wrongs don’t make a right, and people have to be judged based on their merits and the

and biases. To him, the solution lies in resolving conflict and finding common ground.

“There’s such a strong divide in opinions here.

It’s almost like the bell-shaped curve has been inverted. You have such extremities now that 70 percent is extremities and the common ground has become such a small area. [People] tend to look for the things that alienate them much quicker,” Florence said.

Florence conceded that while he did not necessarily share the views of others in the room, there is value in each person’s expertise and opinion.

“We don’t have the same viewpoint, but together, I’m better. There’s a solution in all of our independent thinking together to solve it. The more that we can unite together and pick and choose the best of his world, and the best of my world, and the best of your world, and merge together—those are the solutions,” Florence said.

Stovall, or “Ms. Gwen,” hopes that her community will continue to grow for the better— starting with the young people she has long advocated for.

“When we think about changing, we have to do it right here—with ourselves. You need to start in your community, in your home, with your children,” Stovall said. “My daughter, the one who they didn’t want to be in the first grade?

She’s a lawyer now.”

Athletes of the Month

Savannah Campbell Photo by Helen Weiss Savannah Campbell is a sophomore who plays for the Rolla varsity girls’ basketball team. She has been playing basketball since she was in second grade. Campbell plays the post-forward positions on the court.

“My dad played and coached basketball, so I grew up in a basketball family and my parents encouraged me to play ever since I was young,” Campbell said.

Campbell and her team have achieved some big accomplishments.

“Some of our team accomplishments are winning all six tournaments we’ve played in, being co-conference champs, making it to quarterfinals, and being ranked in state the last two years,” Campbell said.

Campbell is also proud of personal accomplishments.

“I was MVP of the Fatima tournament, and the all-tournament team in the Smith Cotton tournament. I made honorable mention all conference, academic all conference, and I received my first offer to play college basketball,” Campbell said.

Basketball is a team sport, and teams need to work together if they are going to succeed.

“My favorite thing about the team is the bond we have and how close we are. We are like each other’s second family,” Campbell said.

Campbell believes that basketball requires many skills and that requires the athlete to be very fit. Athletes work hard at practice everyday after school, but they also have to train outside of their practice. When asked if Campbell would recommend the sport, she said, “I would tell them that it’s a lot of hard work, but it’s all worth it.”

Ty Locklear Photo by Quinn Guffey b y

H e l e n W e i ss Staff Writer

Ty Locklear is a sophomore who plays junior varsity football and varsity basketball at Rolla

High School. He has played basketball since he was in first grade. He now plays point guard in basketball and line-backer in football.

“My older brother always played it and I just wanted to play with him,” Locklear said.

Locklear has many noteworthy accomplishments. Being a sophomore on a varsity team is very rewarding. Locklear made it onto the varsity team after lots of hard work.

“My biggest accomplishment is probably playing varsity basketball as a sophomore,” Locklear said.

Locklear has won eight games this year with his team. Recently, the team won their away conference game against Central on Valentine’s Day with a score of 65-56.

“Keep working and then your hard work will show off when you get to playing on a team,” Lockear said.

Basketball is a challenging team sport that can have its difficult moments including injuries such as jammed fingers and twisted ankles. However, Locklear says the game is worth it.

“It’s just really fun and I have fun doing it,” Locklear said.

Athletes, coaches cope with wrestling injuries b y

Mable Daug

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Staff Writer In the 2019-2020 wrestling season, Rolla High School athletes have been blessed with few injuries during athletic events.

“We have been pretty fortunate, actually. We have not had a lot of sports injuries this year.

Unfortunately, in all sports you have some injuries, but we’ve been pretty lucky to have them be minimal. We have had some of the kids get injuries, but thankfully not a large number,” Dr. Keith Peterson, one of the RHS wrestling coaches, said.

Unfortunately, accidents do happen, so there is a plan in place in case an incident occurs. For instance, if a wrestler is injured during a match, there are certain steps that are followed to ensure that the student receives the necessary care.

“We have what’s called an Emergency Action Plan, otherwise known as an EAP. Each coach has a particular responsibility, which depends on where a coach is during the match. If a coach is in the corner during the match, then they tend directly to the athlete who is injured. We always notify the appropriate personnel, such as an athletic trainer. If we are here at the high school, we utilize Casey. If we are away at another school, we use the athletic trainer that is on staff there.

Anywhere we go, there is always an athletic trainer present, and we just follow our EAP, which includes notifying parents, taking kids to the hospital if needed, and keeping the crowd calm. The most important thing is that we take care of the student athlete who has been injured appropriately, and if there are teammates around who are upset, we make sure they are taken care of as well,” Dr. Peterson said.

Although it is key that adults involved in athletics understand what to do in an emergency,

it is also important that students practice proper technique, and that the environment that practices and matchups occur is secure.

“The big thing is making sure you teach safe technique, and also making sure the surroundings are safe. Like in the wrestling room, making sure that there aren’t any objects a student could get injured on. Thankfully we don’t have any pillars or beams in the middle of our room. We make sure rooms are padded appropriately. As coaches, we have to make sure that we are moving around the room, training athletes appropriately, and having adequate rest time. And then, unfortunately, sometimes accidents do happen during a matchup and an athlete is injured. The key thing is to make sure everyone knows proper technique and is aware of what’s going on,” Peterson said.

Despite the precautions taken, students still may encounter injuries, including some that are severe enough to prematurely remove the

student from their sport season. For those who are in their senior year, this would be the unfortunate ending of their last season at Rolla HIgh School.

“People are very invested in their sport, especially wrestling. You know, all sports require a lot of dedication and time. I mean, I’m a little biased, but I feel that wrestling takes a lot of time and physical dedication. The big thing is staying close with the team and you need to be involved in the team. Because even if you’re not out competing, you can still help coach your peers. Being a part of the team is a positive thing. That’s the big part we always recommend to athletes after their injuries. Stay in the room, obviously complete your rehab. The big part is making sure that the athlete still feels like they are part of the team.”

around between events,” King said.

Like most competitions, students must be prepared and take time to study their subjects.

The different events that took place within districts required attention, determination, and hard work.

“For most of the events that I have done, I prepared with a lot of rehearsal, studying, and research. I have been in FBLA for three years now, and I have competed in both types of events we have. We have testing events, which are self-explanatory. You just have to study a subject, and then take a 100 question test over it. I actually went to nationals for one of these last year. The other type of event is performance events. This is where you prepare either a speech, presentation, or a multitude of other things for judges, and they grade you on several different things from your speaking skills, down to the clothes you’re wearing. It’s a little intimidating, but a lot of judges work in the field they’re judging, so they’re just happy to see young people with interest in their field,” King said.

Competition is an extremely important aspect of FBLA. Any student that is part of the club has the ability to go to districts.

Participating in events is encouraged.

“Competing is huge in FBLA. We pretty much tell all of our members you have to compete in at least something. Usually, some of our more inactive members just do a testing event. Attendance at districts isn’t mandatory, if you just did testing events, however, it is mandatory if you are doing a performance event. So yes, anyone can go to

districts,” King said.

Once a student competes at districts, then they have a chance at going on to a state or even national competition.

“Our district competition is always held in Lebanon, State is always in Springfield, and

“Since Mr. Haberman has taken over, we have grown exponentially not only in membership, but in our winnings. In Haberman’s first year, he took less than 10 students to state. After districts this year, almost 30 students qualify to go to state. There are so many reasons to join FBLA.

FBLA sweeps districts, sends 24 members to state b y

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Hardwi

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Staff Writer On Wednesday, February 12, the Rolla High School club Future Business Leaders of America went to a district competition in Lebanon. 50 RHS students vigorously prepared to compete in different events. Some of these events included testing, performance, and journalism. Dan King, the Vice President of FBLA, describes the ins and outs of competition and success of the award winning club.

“FBLA is a CTSO with the goal of educating students about business and professionalism in general. The purpose of the organization all in all is to prepare students for life as professionals,” Dan King said.

Jeremy Haberman, advisor of FBLA, diligently worked with the members and helped to assist the students in preparation for the district competition.

“Districts is a jam packed day. We start off with an opening ceremony from our district

Photos by Daniel King officers, and then we immediately jump into competition. You can feel the aura of stress and anxiety fill the rooms as kids make last minute changes and preparations. The competition goes on for a few hours and for some kids that do multiple events, they’re constantly bouncing

FBLA President Rachel Phelps competes at the district competition.

Nationals this year is in Salt Lake City, Utah. Last year, nationals was in San Antonio, Texas. You get to see so many great sights and experience so many new things going to Nationals. I absolutely loved my time at Nationals and I really hope I get to go back this year. The most exciting part of districts is definitely just seeing the culmination of your work and how the judges react to it. It is always so rewarding to get their feedback and their comments. They are always super nice and helpful, ” King said.

Haberman, the sponsor of the club, has helped the club to expand. With an expansion of students, it allows FBLA to bring more students to competitions. Every student has knowledge and a better understanding of different topics. Growth is important to the club as more students can compete in different subjects at districts.

I’m not even going to business, but I’ve gained so much from it. I would say the biggest reason to join is if you just want to be a more rounded person. I’ve learned so much about public speaking, professionalism, and so many other things that do help in business, but also help in many other fields. I would suggest joining FBLA to anyone. It has made me a better person, and I wouldn’t trade my experiences that I got from it for anything,” King said.

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Shamrock ’n Roll dance returns to RHS Eat, Dance, and Celebrate at the

Shamrock ’n Roll Friday, March 13 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

RHS Cafeteria

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Staff Writer new dance has caught the attention of students here at Rolla High School . The ShamRock and Roll put on by Leadership, is a causal dance for St. Patricks day that will be held on Friday March 13th, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at RHS. “The ShamRock and Roll is a casual dance, and it is kind of like the street dance at the beginning of the year. But this one is in March, and all the money that we earn for this goes to the Rapha House, which helps put a stop to sex trafficking around the world,” senior Hannah Hilker said.

Tickets are 5 dollars, but with the core reward card students can get a dollar off.

Leadership has also decided candidates will be involved. “There will be three candidates for each grade, boy and girl, and just like homecoming or court warming you can get on a Chromebook to vote,” Hilker said.

Hannah believes it’s time for another small dance. “I’m excited to see how people react to it because Rolla doesn’t have any kind of casual school dances. I know a lot of people did enjoy the street dance, so I hope they have that same excitement going into this,” Hilker said.

Hannah encourages everyone to come out and have a blast with Leadership. “In Leadership, all students have to put on an event, but I am really excited about this because I want a good portion of the money to go to the Rapha house. I want to help support other charities and other things that need more attention to,” Hilker said

Students give back at NHS Teacher Breakfast

why they decided to help with this year’s NHS Teacher Breakfast.

Editor In Chief “I appreciate that a lot of them try to form On Valentines Day, students at Rolla High relationships with their students and understand School had the day off school for a Professional what’s going on outside of the classroom,” Development Day. Members of the school’s Na- senior Rachel Phelps said. “I also feel like while tional Honor Society, on the other hand, woke they definitely stick to curriculum, they’re not up bright and early to host the annual NHS afraid to give us more detail that will help us in Teacher Breakfast. the future.”

To kick off a day of work and meetings, RHS Phelps elaborated, sharing that the work of staff were served breakfast by NHS students. teachers often goes unnoticed.

Each year “It gives the staff a thank you from the do“They for the a lot event, the students for all they do, and it’s also just for us, approxiand to be great to see students giving back.” mately honest, 40 members of NHS break up into committees teachers are very underappreciated. We’re going to prepare food, decorate the cafeteria, serve through this transition time of being a student breakfast and clean up afterwards. and figuring out what we want to do with our Cyndi Kinder, a math teacher at RHS, looks lives, and they kind of have to be at the foreforward to the NHS Teacher Breakfast each year. front of that,” Phelps said. “So if feeding them “It’s nice to get to relax because as teachers some food and giving them a few words of kindwe’re waiting on others and caring for others, ness is helpful and shows them our appreciation, but the tables get turned and we have students then might as well.” waiting on us, so I really appreciate it,” Kinder Kennan Maher, a member of NHS and senior said. at RHS, also appreciates his teachers’ focus on ECHO asked NHS students what they apprestudents’ wellbeing, saying “they care about ciate the most about their teachers at RHS, and what’s going on inside the classroom as well as

By Lauren Ulri

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From March 6 to 8 at Rolla Middle School, Rolla High School Drama students will be performing The Addams Family, a comedy and coming of age musical. The story surrounds Wednesday Addams, played by Jaydin Cooper, and her unusual family when she falls in love with Lucas Beineke, played by Brody Light, from a normal Ohioan family.

“By repetition at rehearsal is how everyone as a group prepares. I, myself, will sing as I go over dances and I also sing while I take a walk or a jog to get used to singing while moving to maintain good quality in my tone,” sophomore Zoe Dennison said.

Dennison is a part of the ensemble, a group of actors and dancers that perform together.

She currently takes Competitive Drama and Technical Theatre at the high school. To practice, she reviews dances through videos from the Addams Family Musical Tour Company and listens and sings with her parts from the musicals’ songs on YouTube.

“This will be my fourth musical with the RHS Drama Department. My experience helps me in terms of knowing who I’m working with and having the skills I need to welcome new people to the department. It also helps me grow my vocal abilities and further and strengthen my acting abilities and skills. Mostly, I think all of these factors had helped me be a better person, more outgoing and understanding of differences, as well as having leadership and communication skills that will serve me well later in life,” Dennison said.

Lyndsi Blakely plays Grandma Addams, also known as Granny Frump, who is Morticia Addams’ mother. Blakely is also the dance captain and choreographer for The Addams Family.

“I’ve acted in several other shows including Guys and Dolls, The Good Doctor, Oklahoma,

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Charlotte’s Web, The Importance of Being Earnest, and the holiday shows. I was the assistant choreographer for The Wizard of Oz, and I directed the middle school show last semester.

All of my experience helps me to teach the new members of theatre what to expect from a rehearsal, and what is expected from them in a rehearsal,” Blakely said.

Joining the musical is a big commitment for students. They rehearse every day after school from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., or even later, and from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. Students auditioned in November for parts and started rehearsing in December under Mrs. McNeven and Mr. Bartelsmeyer. To prepare, they first do warm ups and then music review or work on building sets. After that, they block new scenes, and then learn, review, and clean choreography for the songs. The whole process takes over two to three months where the actors get notes for where to move, who is in what scene, how to deliver lines, and go over songs and dances. Whoever is not in the current scene takes the time to review lines or connect with their castmates.

“This show I’ve worked with almost each person of our 36 person cast. It’s really important that I’m also aware of who is dancing in that particular song, so I don’t make any of the choreo too difficult or too easy for those particular dances,” Blakely said.

The show on the 6th and 7th starts at 7 p.m. and the show on the 8th starts at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at Showtix4u.com or at the door and are seven dollars for adults and five dollars for students, kids, and senior citizens.

“I love musical theater, it brings me a lot of joy. It’s a pretty big time commitment in and out of rehearsal, but it is definitely all worth it. Without giving too much away, I would like to tell everyone that the choreography for this show is some of the most complicated we’ve ever done and it truly will be a beautiful theatrical event,” Blakely said.

“I appreciate it for the staff because it gives the staff a thank you from the students for all they do, and it’s also just great to see students giving back,” Dr. Pritchett said. “I would thank our staff for all of their hard work and their sacrifice because there’s a lot of things that students and the community don’t understand that teachers do.”

Photo by Mary Gillis

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what’s going on outside the classroom.”

In addition to the breakfast, NHS members prepared a video montage of RHS students expressing gratitude for their teachers to show at the breakfast. Although a small act of thanks, RHS Principal Dr. Jim Pritchett believes the NHS Teacher Breakfast is an important moment to remember the work of RHS staff.

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This past debate season has been a time of growth and success for the Rolla High Debate Team. District tournaments are fast approaching this March and all of the students are preparing to compete. For the 2019- 2020 school year, the Debate Team has been working on improving their team and individual skills. They have also acquired the help of the Missouri University of Science and Technology debate coach in addition to Coach Michael Ellis.

As well as recruiting new help, the team also intends to reach out to younger students. Calling it a “Debate Teaser” they plan to go to Rolla Middle School, Rolla Junior High, and even the Rolla Saint Patrick’s Catholic School to introduce the younger demographic to what debate is, the many benefits, and the real life applications it provides.

“Right now, I’m looking into more outrageous stuff, and we’re thinking about doing what I call a ‘Debate teaser.’ What we want to do is go to the Junior High, Saint Pat’s, the middle school,

Photo by Elena Bai

and explain what the Rolla High School Debate Team does. We also want to get them interested in debate by the time they’re in high school,” freshman debate member, Eyram Dumor, said.

While in a debate event, there are specific rules for the affirmative and negative sides. An affirmative side is the supporting augment. Contrasting that, is the negative argument; their job is to tear down their opponents main points.

“You’ll go against people in a brackett, then get scored to do multiple rounds,” Dumor explained.

Much of debate is researching scholarly articles, compiling them into arguments, preparing that into readable blocks, looking at teammates’ work, and synthesizing that into strategies.

Everybody is always innovating their arguments.

Everybody, on some level, is a competitive person in debate.

“Currently, for the events we’ve done, on the first day it is typically debates or speeches. Then one day will be solely debates. The next day there will be speeches,” Dumor said.