When RHS Speaks, We
ECHO
Rolla High School - 900 Bulldog Run - Rolla, Missouri 65401- Volume 71 - Issue 6 March 22, 2020 - www.rhsecho.com @rhsechonews This issue is published exclusively online at www.rhsecho.com due to a world health pandemic. COVID-19, known as ‘coronavirus’ caused world-wide shut downs of business and schools, including Rolla High School in March 2020.
Drama Department nearly sells out for Spring Musical performance of ‘Adams Family’ b y
The cast of the Addams Family musical gathers around Uncle Fester, played by sophomore Colin McEnaney, as he sings about the concept of love in Act 1. Photo courtesy of the Rolla High School Drama Department.
In this issue... Read ECHO’s take on Women’s History Month, education, and political correctness. See Opinion, page 3
The RHS Drama Department prepares for the spring musical on March 6. See Feature, page 5
COVID -19 strikes locally. Read about school closures, St. Pats, and more. See News, page 4
RHS Drama Department showcases annual spring musical.
See Feature, page 5
The RHS Drama Department prepares for the spring musical on March 6. See Feature, page 5
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The Rolla High School Drama Department premiered Adams Family the Musical on March 6th and closed on March 8th. From the set design to the intricate costumes and choreography, the show was a whirlwind of excitement, drama, and catchy songs destined to leave its audience on the edge of their seats, laughing along and being present with the characters on stage. According to senior Morgan Bell, who played Pugsley Adam, there were many things to love about this production. “My favorite part of the show on stage was definitely ‘Full Disclosure.’ It’s the big number at the end of the first act and I like how it involves everyone in the cast, but shows are more than just being on stage. My favorite part of doing the show was the friends I made during it. These people always have your back and they have seen me through my best and worst days, and they’ve been supportive through everything. Whether it’s laughing and making bad jokes backstage or comforting you when you’re freaking out before a performance, everyone is there for each other every step of the way,” Bell said. Although grateful for the encouraging community behind the stage, freshman Jaydin Cooper, who played Wednesday Adams, found challenges in maintaining health and consistency for each performance.
“It is so hard to sing your heart out every day, eat balanced meals, drink enough water, and get sleep. I actually got a sinus infection one day before opening night, and the amount of tea and honey consumed in that time was outrageous,” Cooper said. According to Bell, she found it difficult to keep up with the musical soundtrack, but was ultimately glad with the end result. “This was probably the most challenging show we have ever done. The set was more detailed that we’ve ever done. Also, we used recordings for music instead of a piano, which was a harder adjustment and it was harder to stay with the music, so we had to work hard on that. It was way more technically difficult, but it made it much more rewarding once we finally got everything down,” Bell said. With the amount of time spent committed to each production, not only does the cast grow closer but for junior and ensemble member Heidi Dunn theater has also shown her more of who she is and what she can do. “I’ve watched a lot of shows and musicals throughout the years and I was always amazed by it, but I never thought that someday I would be one of the actors onstage putting on the show. It’s amazing what you can do once you bridge out and apply yourself somewhere you thought you could never be. Theater has impacted my life because it has shown me that even if I’m afraid and think I can’t do it, I have continued on page 5
Local TED talk speaker gets advice from unlikely companion b y
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Many people are familiar with the TED Talk platform, but few are probably aware that Rolla High School staff member Havva Malone will be giving a TED talk on April 23 at 6 p.m. on the Missouri S&T campus. Malone has been interested in the prospect of giving a TED talk for a while, but has just recently found herself with the opportunity. “I’ve had the idea of doing it for a couple years. They had a number of applicants, but I made it to one of the top 10,” Malone said. Her talk will be hosted at Leach Theatre, along with 9 other 10-minute speeches by individuals in the area. Malone’s speech is centered around practical strategies used to teach math to young children. Malone believes demonstrating math concepts through tangible objects, such as food, with real photos will help lessons resonate with students. “When kids think of slope, they think of inclines. They associate it with mountains, and I thought-you could be walking at a perfectly steady pace on a flat floor and still have a slope,” Malone explained. Malone believes that, particularly at an early age, a student benefits more from being taught the fundamentals of critical thinking. She is working continued on page 4 on a
Letter from the Editor Over the last three years, seven months, and however many days of high school, I have dreamed of the occasion that the hustle and bustle of school would suddenly halt so I could go happily into hibernation for an inordinate amount of time. As someone who rejoices every snow day, learning that school was canceled (for not one, but three!) weeks should have elicited the same reaction. Considering the fact that napping is my favorite hobby, I should have been perfectly suited for a few weeks of isolation and self-quarantine, after all. But as I went through the school day this past Monday, it was clear that these next few weeks were going to be no typical snow day. The atmosphere around school that day felt unsettling to the point of feeling surreal. It seemed as if no one, not even teachers or administrators, knew what to think or how to feel about this unforeseen situation. There is good reason to feel shocked. The predicament the Rolla community, United States, and even world now faces due to the coronavirus is easily the most profound event of my lifetime. When what society itself will look like is in question, it’s impossible not to question how one’s own life will change as well. As a senior, I cannot even be sure if my class will have a senior prom or graduation. How will college admissions be altered? And what about my friends playing their senior season of a spring sport? With all of these questions bouncing around in my head, I found myself experiencing a weird sense of nostalgia for the crowded hallways and even the undefinable smells lingering around the building. By the time school was dismissed, I already began to miss my friends, teachers,
and classmates who I may not see if and when at-home quarantine inevitably strikes. Even now, self-quarantine and social-distancing are already having a negative effect on me and those around me. It’s only been a few days and I cannot shake a feeling of fear and loneliness. And yet, I consider myself lucky. Many people are facing much worse than a disrupted senior year, such as unemployment, a heightened risk of mental health issues, hunger, financial burden, and separation from their loved ones. Without sounding too pretentious, I like to think that I have something worthwhile to say every now and then. But in this case, I am at a complete loss for words. I cannot even begin to comprehend the enormity of this situation and its infinitely diverse impacts. To think that I had something new to say on this matter would be pointless. I’d hope everyone already knows to wash their hands by now, and I am sure that each individual reading this is already wrestling with their own concerns and anxieties. Sometimes when giving advice seems futile, the best one can do is show solidarity. I may not be struggling under the same circumstances, but I too am coping with an entirely unfamiliar situation. Most of all, I am struggling to cope in this time when what I most need—companionship—is hindered by preventative efforts to slow the spread of the virus. But if unable to reach for a hand to hold, instead embrace what cannot be separated—our common humanity. All anyone can do right now is to try their best to take care of themselves and their community. For me at least, I’m going to read those books I’ve been neglecting, help a neighbor with groceries, call a friend or two, take a nap, and hope for the best.
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
Humans need humanities to preserve humanity
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Elena Bai News Editor
Throughout high school, it is not uncommon to see students in more advanced classes mocking or belittling those in conceptual or more basic courses. Many people see students in lower-level courses as lazy, less intelligent, or somehow less capable than those in higher-level courses, at times attaching a level of moral judgment to the issue. This type of thought is so pervasive in school culture that very few ever question the
Ramen Noodles, comfort food of masses b y
Helen Wei
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S t a ff W r i t e r Ramen noodles were invented in 1958 in Japan and have become one of the most popular fast foods, due to being quick and easy to prepare as well as inexpensive. Ramen usually comes dried, which means that it needs to be cooked in hot water before adding a separate sachet of soup flavoring. With ramen being quick and easy, many college students are known to frequently eat it. Some high school students are starting the ramen diet too. There are many flavors of ramen noodles and the best flavor is regular shrimp. There are other flavors of shrimp ramen called Lime Chilli Shrimp, Lime Shrimp, Chilli Piquin Shrimp, and Hot & Spicy Shrimp. It is almost as bad as chicken. Some may disagree with shrimp being the best flavor. Those who disagree probably like chicken ramen, which is the second worst. Chicken has way too much hype for the amount of nasty there is in one of the little packages of noodles and powder. There are different versions of chicken that aren’t as bad, but they have some twang to them. Those flavors are Chicken Mushroom, Creamy Chicken, Lime Chilli Chicken, Hot & Spicy Chicken, Chipotle Chicken, Roast Chicken, Hot & Spicy Beef, Picante Chicken, Sriracha Chicken, Chicken Tortilla, and 25% Less Sodium Chicken. The worst flavor is beef. It tastes like burnt plastic (sorry to those who like beef). There are more beef flavors: Picante Beef, Roast Beef, and 25% Less Sodium Beef. The Roast Beef is the best beef of them all. Pork is up there on the list of amazing ramen flavors. It is the best version of beef and it actually tastes like pork. There is only one flavor of pork. Some other flavors are Chilli, Soy Sauce, Cheddar Cheese, and Miso Soup. Some of these flavors need something added to them to make them better. For Cheddar Cheese, add more cheese. For Chilli, add pepper. Soy Sauce and Miso Soup are fine without anything being added to them.
How do you like your Ramen noodles? Take the poll at www.rhsecho.com
idea that some people are just smarter than others. It ignores factors such as a student’s interest in a certain topic or their environment, which may or may not promote the student’s education. Furthermore, it is a common notion that some people are good at math and science while others excel in English and fine arts, that some seek knowledge in structure while others are better at using their creativity. Almost everyone believes it, to some extent. Students say things like “I’m just not a math person,” or “I’m more of an art person.” However, in much of my experience and a large amount of research, this notion has been proven false. In fact, a 2011 study done by the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities entitled “Reinvesting in Arts Education” showed that by incorporating fine arts studies into the curriculum, students’ overall learning was improved, with the introduction of a musical instrument leading to improving math skills. While people have some natural tendencies toward skills such as the recognition of mathematical patterns or musical tones, those considered good at math or art cannot rely solely on talent. Rather, their natural abilities are often enhanced
by hours of practice, and the presence of a supportive environment. Conversely, almost anyone, barring certain people with learning disabilities, is capable of comprehending skills and concepts taught in the high school classroom. Why does this matter? This perception of talent and innate intelligence is damaging to society, as it limits people’s self-confidence and affects the way that we see others. By accepting that some people are just good at certain things and some are not, we inherently accept that there are certain people that cannot improve their situation. This is a very un-American idea, contradicting the ideals of opportunity, hard work, and equality that we strive for and that a capitalist democracy is based on. If everyone has the same opportunities and is capable of things, it comes to follow that people earn what they deserve and that people’s lives are a direct reflection of the amount of effort they put in. Enforcing the idea that some people are simply not capable of learning certain concepts builds a line of morality that leads to socialism or something similar to it. Our attitude on education can be applied to society, and if there are people who do not have the same ability as others, it is
unfair to expect them to compete with those that are more privileged. The current perception of intelligence also promotes a negative attitude among peers, and often, teachers, as other students look down upon those who are not in the same classes they are and teachers often give up on those in basic or conceptual classes. This further emphasizes the disparity between students as time goes on and those in lower classes begin to adopt a similar attitude, underestimating their own abilities. The effect that this has is damaging for everyone, as it limits students’ access to ideas, with those in basic classes being unable to learn certain topics and those in advanced classes having limited exposure to people of different backgrounds and experiences. While it is important to acknowledge the differences in each person’s situation, we should not fall into the false belief that some people simply cannot learn certain things. This builds a toxic society that emphasizes the innate or environmental differences between students and reduces everyone’s ability to learn.
What good is equality anyway? a satirical glance at the obsurdity of inequality
By Eri
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Pfeifer Webmaster
Sunday, March 1st marked the beginning of Women’s History Month, 2020. This year, 2020, will also contain the 100thanniversary of the 19th amendment being ratified. And in this historic month, of this historic year, I would like to say that enough is enough. Why are we still pretending that women are equal to men? Every day that the Earth continues to spin is just further proof of the superiority of man. Of course, women have their place in the world, we need them for things like cooking and cleaning and child-rearing, but a whole month to celebrate their history is a waste of time. Women do not create history, they’re simply along for the ride to try and help make things smoother. Men are the ones who deserve a celebration of their history, as they are the ones who actually do things. But where is the
men’s history month? Why do we lack a celebration for those who deserve it the most? In this same vein, why are women allowed to vote? Although they do help to make society run more smoothly, they do nothing to add to it, and in fact, take far more away than men ever do. Besides, since the man is in charge of the household anyway, his vote is the only one that really counts. Making decisions like that of who should be running our country is far too complicated for the simple minds of women. The term used by those advocating women’s right to vote was suffrage, and this makes great sense because our country has been suffering ever since the 19th Amendment was passed. After all, at the time the 19th Amendment was passed our country was in a booming time of progress. People had money, they were living good lives, and women got the right to vote, and nine years later, we fell into the Great Depression. What change could cause such an utter destruction of the stock market? Allow-
ing women to vote. If we were to truly cover the history of women, it should simply be this story of how greatly women have failed us. The day that women decided they deserved more than being a good wife and a good mother was the day they went seriously, seriously wrong. It is simple science that men have brains that are better designed for critical thinking and bodies better designed for physical labor. I’ll state it simply enough that even the girls reading this can understand it: Women do not deserve all that we have. It is time for us to go back to the old days, the better days, of subservience to the superior sex. We must return to the days of gentleness, to the days where we are not trying to have it all because we cannot have it all. A woman’s job is to care for the house, for her husband, for her children, and we must go back to these days. Go to the poll on rhsecho.com to input your own opinion on this matter, but please, men only.
Political politeness remains good idea despite public confusion over correctness b y
Hann
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S t a ff W r i t e r Political correctness, which was once thought of as positive, is now looked at as a problem to the majority of Americans according to a NPR/ PBS NewsHour poll. In previous years and still now, people have strived to be politically correct. From denouncing words that might have offensive connotations to replacing outdated and insensitive labels to more current ones, being politically correct sounds like a way to be inclusive to everyone and spread empathy while being aware of complicated histories and touchy subjects. But is it really doing that? It is unrealistic to expect that the whole human population will agree to cease the use of phrases that they are accustomed to using and do not see fault in. With cultural differences, there are always disagreements on whether things are acceptable to say or not. Even the word “offensive” itself is completely subjective. The use of these euphemisms, or substitutes for harsher words, are embedded in all that we say, from the replacement of the term “illegal alien” to undoc-
umented/illegal immigrant to urging people to use “mentally challenged” instead of “retarded.” Besides that, in execution, some people appear to be politically correct to benefit themselves and their ego by way of virtue signaling or moral posturing. When virtue signaling, people criticize the use of those offensive terms and expressions and the people who use them, thinking highly of their own moral standpoint and believing that it is superior. There is often genuine shock and anger, but there is also a sense of feigned righteousness that the individual gets that makes them feel superior to other less “informed” groups of people. Or in some cases, they speak out against offensive comments for strategic reasons and to gain support. On most social media platforms, both ends of the spectrum can be easily found. Comments are filled with “It’s just a joke, why are you so offended?” and “I cannot believe people joke about this, this is a sensitive topic.” This causes many people to believe that Americans are getting too sensitive and take offense to everything. Some believe that political correctness has ruined comedy, making comedians steer clear of topics that touch stereotypes of any
sort from fear of being labeled as sexist, racist, homophobic, etc. These same pressures apply to all people too. But, these pressures then look down on people who are unaware, and instead of helping them learn, they are condemned. There can be a middle ground. Respecting peoples’ wishes and being polite has the pros of being politically correct, while not being controlling of what people say. It seems a bit ridiculous to ask everyone to keep up with the many terms being used nowadays, though knowing them will not hurt, of course. But, if someone asks to be referred to in a certain way, it will not harm anyone to do so. And the same goes for the opposite way. It is impossible to control what everyone says, so not taking jokes too seriously will go a long way. If someone is being unknowingly rude or insensitive, perhaps civilly explain to them how their words could be misinterpreted or give them an alternative to what to say while keeping the integrity of their words. Not everyone is willing to change their ways, but people will respond better to someone who wants to educate and help them versus someone who seems to just criticize.
That feeling when hard work does not pay off
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3 Opinion
St. Patrick’s Day parade, events cancelled amid COVID-19 pandemic Elena Bai
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News Editor b y
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One of the biggest and well-known traditions in Rolla is St. Patrick’s Day. The day is celebrated by a parade, concert, and other recreational activities. Because Rolla is a college town, many of the Missouri S&T students throw and attend parties that span throughout the week. The annual Missouri S&T St. Patrick’s Day parade and celebrations were cancelled, causing outcry from many student groups. The decision to cancel St. Pats was made even more remarkable given its significant history for Missouri S&T.The reasoning for the tradition to be so prevalent in Rolla is because Saint Patrick was an engineer and S&T is a college that is known for its engineering program. The tradition started in Rolla in 1908, marking the 112th year of the celebration. The origins of the festivities stem from S&T’s sister school, The University of Missouri (Mizzou). At first, many of the students and faculty were skeptical of incorporating this holiday into campus life. By popular vote from the student body, St. Patrick’s Day became a celebratory holiday. A small board of students hastily arranged decorations, a small parade, and a get together for the world renowned celebration. George Menefee (St. Patrick) came to the campus of S&T. Menefee asked the school director, Dr. Lewis E. Young, to kneel. Upon the strange request, Young was appointed as the first “Honorary Knight of Saint Patrick, the Patron Saint of Engineers.” The tradition of appointing a council still exists today. Eager college students strive every year to be appointed to one of the prestigious positions. Following
the knighting ceremony is a day of celebration. Students and citizens of Rolla come together to attend the celebratory and traditionally green parade. Every year, the Grateful Board pulls together music acts from all genres to put on a legendary and fun filled concert. The only time St. Pats was not celebrated in Rolla was for three years during World War II. During the conflict three Missouri School of Mines alumni, all survivors of the Bataan Death March, were incarcerated in a Prisoner of War camp. They hoarded raisins from their Red Cross packages to make wine and celebrated St. Pats with their allies to keep the spirit alive. Another tradition that is popular amongst the student body is the driving out of the snakes. St. Patrick is most known for driving the snakes out of Ireland. The students at S&T celebrate this tradition by decorating big sticks and “driving out” fake snakes on the college campus. While some traditions were booted because of injuries, or other reasons, many still remain. Each year, people come from all over the country to attend the St. Pats festivities in mid March. The tradition in Rolla has been deemed “The Best Ever” by the students and faculty of S&T. The history and tradition of this long celebrated holiday has helped to shape it into the enormous celebration that it is today. However, this year, due to the coronavirus, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations were cancelled. This development was announced by Chancellor Mohammad Deghani Wednesday, March 10, as a safety precaution against the spread of the newest strain of the coronavirus. This sparked anger from Missouri S&T students, who met outside the chancellor’s house to protest the cancellation of these beloved traditions. Furthermore, in response to increasing health concerns, Missouri S&T has decided to switch to online classes starting March 18. This is expected to last until mid-April.
Rolla Public Schools close over COVID-19 b y
Elena Bai News Editor
By Lauren Ulri
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Editor In Chief On March 15 at approximately 9:30 p.m., Rolla Public Schools announced the temporary closure of the district effective March 17 through April 3 to help combat the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). The school closure began after the school day ended this past Monday, and will continue throughout the week following spring break. The day after the announcement was made, Monday, March 16, was the last day students would be at school until April 6. This announcement sparked an unprecedented situation for students, staff and the community to attempt to comprehend. After a flurry of texts, calls and social media posts, students entered school the following day with an array of emotions. Senior Abdu Ibrahim, for one, was still in a state of shock. “I thought it was completely fake when I heard and didn’t believe it,” Ibrahim said. “And then, I read it and I still thought it was fake, and then I went on to the school website and still thought it was fake, and now it still really hasn’t hit.” Throughout the school day on Monday, teachers spent much of their class periods addressing student’s concerns and answering questions about the impending school closure. “I think there’s a lot of mixed emotions out there,” RHS math teacher Lisa McCarthy shared. “I had already assumed that eventually we would be told that schools would be cancelled. I didn’t know if it would come from the President, the Governor, the Mayor or Dr. Zalis, but I knew eventually we were going to be told that we need to cancel schools. But it was still a moment of anxiety just thinking ‘now what are we going to do?’” The district’s plan as announced on March 15 is to resume instruction via online classes after spring break (March 21-29) ends until returning to in-person instruction on April 6. However, an aura of uncertainty permeated the building on Monday as the fine-tuned details of the closure’s implications and implementation had not yet been discussed. Furthermore, many students’ worries extended far beyond the immediate three weeks.
“Some students are concerned if we will come back at all this year,” McCarthy explained. “I think seniors, in particular, are a little nostalgic about that because they didn’t want to find out that this was their last day together and this is how they spent it. Some of the kids are happy to have a longer spring break, but I don’t think it has set in with them yet that they might be spending that at home in quarantine.” For Ibrahim, his concerns were exacerbated by a fear of the unknown. “Obviously, we just got the news last night so the school district is trying their best and I know the admin are doing the best they can, but as of right now it’s like, what is going to happen?” Ibrahim asked. “I’m very confused and angry and mad and sad. Today might be my last day and that keeps hitting me and that’s crazy. I have no idea what I’m going to do. No idea. Obviously, just be home, but like, not being able to see people…,” Ibrahim trailed off, shaking his head. Not all of his peers shared a similar reaction to the news, however. “I see three groups. Some people still just see it as just a joke. And then for people like me, it just seems like a dream. I know it’s happening, but it still feels like it isn’t happening. Then there’s others who are trying to stay positive, be informed and be there for other people,” Ibrahim explained. McCarthy has also witnessed a mixed set of reactions amongst students, including a spread of misinformation. “The kids kind of cling to things that they’ve heard through the grapevine, and so I think that whenever you have an emergency like this, I think those fears get exaggerated,” McCarthy explained. According to McCarthy, realistic concerns over the school closure are justified, especially considering its rarity. “The flu has gotten so bad before that we’ve taken off a day or two, but nothing like this. This is a first—very unprecedented,” McCarthy said. The unprecedented situation brings its own set of obstacles. The decision to cancel school was not as straightforward as simply shutting its doors, McCarthy says. “As a district, there are so many things that come into play. Losing out on education is a concern, but there’s so much else that impacts these kids’ lives when you make that decision to call off school,” McCarthy said. Continued on pg. 5
TED Talk continued from page 1 b y
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S t a ff W r i t e r book of math concepts illustrated by photographs and arranged in a photo-album format. “I figured, maybe we need some photos with real examples. I wanted to make math more fun. [Allow kids] to think better, imagine better,” Malone said. And what better way, Malone supposed, to target the groups of students than to ask one of her own. Junior Jillian Launius has been working with Malone to fine-tune her upcoming presentation. “I knew a little bit about TED Talks coming in, but it’s been really interesting to see Ms. Malone’s approach to it. She hasn’t only researched her own topic, but she’s researched different strategies to reach different people,” Launius said. Launius spends part of her fourth hour class
time each day with Malone critiquing and offering advice. “It’s been a great experience because we obviously talk about [the TED talk] and that’s been the main focus, but we tend to get a bit distracted and go off on side tangents about different things that interest one or both of us,” Launius said. Malone is appreciative of the time Launius sets aside from her own studies. “[Jillian] keeps me on my toes… she picks my brain. And she’s 99.9 percent accurate. She keeps me fresh, I think. She’s a very smart audience,” Malone said. Malone and Launius appear to have learned from one another outside of Malone’s talk. “Ms. Malone has given me a lot of advice about not only high school, but possibilities after high school. So I guess you could say an unexpected friendship has sort of blossomed as a result of this experience,” Launius said.
Malone rehearses her talk while Launius critiques. Photo by Genevieve Huber
Making decisions for grandparents difficult for students b y
Mi
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S t a ff W r i t e r It’s finally that time. Grandma and Grandpa cannot take care of themselves anymore, and you have no room to move them into your house, and they live quite the distance from your job. So you are brought to the mind-boggling decision. Where do they go? Retirement or assisted living homes are always sought out to be the next best option, but how “Elder friendly” are they really? The biggest benefit is the 24/7 care brought to your loved one. Most of the experts in the homes have medical-licenses and are trained and prepared for times in need. It also allows loved ones to still be very independent with some
4 Feature
medical guidance along the way. If you research retirement homes, you are most likely to find only what the retirement homes want you to see, but deep down, many of the millions out there are awful. Most retirement home cost is outrageous. Depending on level of care, bills can come out to $1,500 a month ranging to $10,000 a month. It also depends on the area. In Phelps County the average cost is around $3,500 a month, and there are not many options to choose from. Most assisted living homes have an “A la Carte” rate that tends to be expensive because they give consumers more freedom to buy only the services they need. This narrows down what would actually be important to the patient and could be a potential
provider of a lower cost. In some cases, senior citizens need more care and have more problems, meaning they are higher maintenance. This is not a bad thing, except it leads to fewer options and way more research. It is hard to find top-tier care homes because assisted houses themselves struggle with finding a qualified, reliable staff to care for their patients. Some staff members refuse to even work with patients because of the additional care they need. Some elderly people have trouble accepting the fact they are in a nursing home. Many elders have learned to care for themselves independently and have trouble accepting their care is put in the hands of someone else. It is hard
for them to accept care for other people. Some slight issues could include personality clashes if a worker and patient are very different, then it could be difficult for the elder to become comfortable and they could be more stubborn to events or activities. It is never a bad thing to get your elderly loved one the help and support they need, especially if they cannot do it themselves. However, it is important to be open minded, make sure to research, and follow up with how the elder feels. It should never be a guilt trip, and it is a very difficult decision to make.
Former RHS teacher vies for seat on the Rolla Board of Education b y
m a b l e
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S t a ff W r i t e r Susan Eudaly is running for the Rolla School Board election, which will be held on April 7th. Eudaly is one of four candidates who has the possibility of being elected, which would allow her to assist in decisions for the district. Eudaly has not only had experience with the board but she has also actively participated in the Rolla community, and several of the Rolla elementary schools. “We moved here in 1983. I started teaching here, and I have taught for 29 years here in Rol-
la. My husband had a job here, and we moved back here and I retired in 2012. My son was also a 2006 graduate from Rolla High School. I was involved with the City Council for 17 years. And when I retired, people suggested that I should run for school board, but I was still involved with city government at the time,” Eudaly said. Due to the fact that Eudaly has been involved with the district for several years, she has seen the progress of the school system throughout the decade. “Since I’ve been here, there have been a lot of physical changes and improvements to the buildings. When I started at Wyman, I taught second grade and then I went on to the gifted program,
and I was in a portable building attached to the main building. They tore the original building down when they made the changes at Wyman, and I moved to Mark Twain. I’ve seen a lot of changes for all three elementary schools,” Eudaly said. One of Susan Eudaly’s objectives is to approve the bond initiative, which would provide funding for a variety of different improvements to the school. “We have a great school board with all four canidates here. I am one of the four excellent candidates here. I just think we need to continue to grow. I think the bond initiative is really important, and I really hope it passes because
we really need that Performing Arts Center. You know, I was a band parent, and I really would like to see the drama kids and music kids have a good place to play,” Eudaly said. Candidates for the school board are pushing for the best future of the school district, and are deciding what they believe to be the best plan of action to reach that goal. For Eudaly, that means supporting the board initiative plan, although she has always been the person to push for change. “I like to serve, and I like to help out. I’m not someone who wants to sit back in the shadows and do nothing, and that’s why it felt like this is my time to do something,” Eudaly said.
Spring break on a budget: scavenger hunt b y
m i c h a e l
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Spring break is just around the corner and you might be looking for something to do. Do not worry ECHO has you covered. This year we are hosting our second annual scavenger hunt, this is to encourage students to get out of the house this spring break. To participate in the scavenger hunt, take a picture of yourself or a friend in each location, or doing the task. Once every task is complete, create a slideshow on instagram with all ten photos and tag @rhsechonews for a chance to win a $15 Alex’s Pizza gift card.
1) Make your favorite sandwich or homemade snack 2) Go out to a park and find a stream, river, or lake to photograph 3) Find and pick a Bouquet of wildflowers 4) Befriend an Insect or animal 5) Walk, run, or ride a bike on the acorn trail
6) Go out for a sweet treat 7) Try a new, or improve a hobby 8) Go thrifting at Goodwill or Salvation Army 9) Check out the Veterans Memorial Park 10) Star gaze at the observatory or just with friends
Tips for students experiencing FAFSA, taxes for first time b y
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S t a ff W r i t e r For upcoming adults, taxes can be intimidating for those who are unfamiliar with them. For students who plan to go to college, needing to understand the process of applying for scholarships, financial aid, and student loans while preparing for university life is another added stress. However, with the correct information and the right resources, those issues could be made less complicated than they need to be. FAFSA, or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid can be visited at fafsa.ed.gov. FAFSA is a website used by many universities to determine students’ federal aid eligibility. After submitting the FAFSA, colleges send Student Aid Reports that explain the amount of aid the college is offering and the total expected cost of tuition. “FAFSA pairs your taxes and your parents’ taxes and then it comes up with an [amount] that your family should be able to contribute towards college. Here is what the FAFSA says your family should be able to cover, and here is the difference. That difference is usually what you end up working to pay off or taking loans out to pay for. We also give students senior handbooks at the beginning of the year with a lot of helpful websites that have that sort of thing. And we host at least four, sometimes five or six, FAFSA help nights, where it is staffed by people from
S&T’s financial office and a couple counselors who are always there to provide lab access and answer questions as best as we can,” Rolla High School counselor Sarah Kaelin said. Often, requirements for scholarships include a minimum GPA of around 3.5, good attendance, class rank, participation in community or school activities, etc. For websites to find scholarships, Kaelin recommends goingmerry.com or fastweb. com. “Each university will have some [scholarships] that you get automatically considered for when you apply to college and they will also have some departmental scholarships you can apply for along the way. For local scholarships, I have a Google Classroom that all students are invited to join at the beginning of their senior year and that’s where I post whatever I get. For example, I got one not long ago from Kittleman Association in the area and Beta Sigma Phi has a scholarship. There’s just several different local organizations that will send me things and I will put them on for the kids to know about,” Kaelin said. Employers are required to give their employees a W-2 form, also called the Wage and Tax Statement, on or before Jan. 31 each year so that they have the time to file their taxes before the deadline, which is April 15 for most years. “The whole point of a W-2 is to give you a succinct summary of your earnings so you can file your taxes. It will have your total wages, your
contribution to federal income tax and state tax. It will probably have your tips if you’re a tipped employee, and it will have other things like any contributions you might have made to a retirement program, social security, and medicare,” business and personal finance teacher Jeremy Haberman said. When hired, every employee must complete a W-4 form, or the Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate. The W-4 form contains the amount of tax to withhold from their paycheck based on their filing status, which depends on age, marriage status, dependents, income, etc. “The government does not want to not take money until [the deadline] because you might have not saved up enough money to pay the bill. So, they take something from every paycheck aiming for a target. And what they are trying to do, more often than not, is to get you to pay in more money than you owe, so that they know you will be able to pay the bill, which will almost always result in a refund for you,” Haberman said. Students are not required to file their taxes if their income is less than that of the standard deduction, which is $12,400 for single filers. However, if students have income taxes being withheld on their paychecks, submitting their tax returns even if their income is lower than the standard deduction will let them claim a tax refund.
“A lot of students do not meet that threshold number so they think they don’t have to file their taxes. You do not have to file your taxes, but in most cases it is in your benefit to do so. If you have paid in more than you owe, it is 100% in your benefit to file that paperwork. If you are claiming single and no dependence, which is the highest amount they can withhold from your paycheck, you are very likely going to get to the end of the year and find you have overpaid the bill, but most students do not even bother to find out that they have overpaid the bill,” Haberman said. In Rolla High School’s required Personal Finance class, Haberman covers taxes, insurance, saving money, banking, investing, and other topics that are useful in helping young adults prepare for their independent lives. “The best advice that I would give any student about these issues is to file their taxes, honestly. And it’s likely going to be a pain, but all adulting is a pain. You won’t learn and become comfortable with it until you start doing it. It’s not terribly difficult. It’s a really simple calculation of the amount of money you made, what tax bracket you fall into, how much money you owe in taxes, how much money was withheld, how much you already paid, and then subtract those two numbers. You either owe more, or you get a refund,” Haberman said.
Cast of Adams Family the musical reflects on performance continued from page 1 a whole family of crew standing right behind me that will support me and help push me to do things I thought I never could. I am very thankful for the friendships I have made and for the seniors who taught me about what it really is to be an actor,” Dunn said. Cooper believes her family’s history for participating in productions has led her to also be interested in performing. “My Nana painted sets when she was younger, my aunt acted, my mom was an actress in plays in high school, and my cousin is also currently acting for her local theatre. It’s in my blood to be involved in theater. I’ve found my home away from home and my second family,” Cooper said. For Bell, theater has helped her gain confidence in both her performance abilities and in herself. “Before I started doing theater, I used to have panic attacks before doing class presentations. I never thought I’d be able to stand on a stage and sing a solo in front of 300 people, but theater has helped build my confidence so much. It really gives you a place to belong. In a show, every single person is extremely important. We couldn’t do it without anyone, especially the stage managers. It’s nice to have a place to go after school and have a group of 30 friends that you can just laugh and mess around with while trying to create a production. I am so thankful for theater and I will miss everyone involved in it so much,” Bell said.
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Artist of the Month
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Asia Ellingsworth is a multi talented sophomore who enjoys playing music, singing, and being involved in many of the music programs at Rolla High School. Ellingsworth has the unique ability to master any instrument she picks up thanks to a background of a musical family and a love for the arts. “I play piano, electric/acoustic guitar, bass, ukulele, and clarinet and I sing,” Ellingsworth said. Ellingsworth has been involved in music for many years. She joined a community choir when she was young, and her love for singing and music stemmed from this activity. “I joined the young singers choir, a community choir for any kid seven to twelve, when I was eight or nine. I sang in the choir until I was twelve. Then I joined the children’s choir where I was introduced to a soon to be piano teacher. I started piano lessons in fifth grade and ever since
then I’ve built my skills on every instrument I can get my hands on,” Ellingsworth said. Ellingsworth was introduced to music at a very young age. She has always been surrounded by music by either friends or family. “I come from a very musical family which is what inspired me to start playing music. My grandpa was the radio producer for a local station here in Rolla, so I grew up listening to obscure music with cool melodies,” Ellingsworth said. Music means more to Ellingsworth than just picking up an instrument and playing. It holds a special place in her life that helps to express her thoughts and feelings. “The thing I love most about [music] is how I am able to express my emotion through what I do. I can convey anything through music if I can’t through words,” Ellingsworth said. Ellingsworth is involved in multiple musical ensembles, and also works on her own personal music from home. “I am very involved in each activity. I stopped singing in the children’s choir when I was 13 and joined the high school jazz choir up until this year, so I am no longer involved in choir, but I do produce music every now and then,” Ellingsworth said. In order for her to perfect her trade, many hours of practice take place. “I practice a ton. When I was taking piano lessons we had to keep track of our practice time and I ended up getting second place for most time practiced with 600 hours or something,” Ellingsworth said. she is still a sophomore in high school, Ellingsworth is already planning a career in music. “I think I will probably make it into a career and go into music therapy. If not, it will always be a hobby as it is a very important part of my life,” Ellingsworth said.
School closure These factors include a lack of availability of school resources: nutrition for students on the free-and-reduced-lunch program, counselor support for at-risk students and childcare for working families. Additionally, the school closure marked the cancellation of extracurricular activities and athletics over its time frame. “With FFA, we have contest teams which we’re just starting, so whenever I heard they were cancelled I was really disappointed because I was looking forward to doing my contest. I could have gone to Nationals if we were good enough,” sophomore and FFA member Olivia Hunter shared Ibrahim, a varsity track member, echoed a similar sentiment. “It’s like everything that I’ve been excited for for senior year might get cancelled, and that sucks. Track is such a big thing in my life and that that might get cancelled, especially for senior year… it just sucks. The things I looked forward to for senior year are being shaken up, and I don’t like it,” Ibrahim said. For some students, the growing risk of COVID-19 hits even closer to home. “For me, it’s really difficult because I’m not going to be able to see any of my family,” senior Jesse Kimball shared. “My dad and brother are going to be self-quarantining because my brother is coming home from an area where there have been many cases, and my mom has a compromised immune system so she’s staying with my grandparents out of town.” Over the next few weeks, Kimball will be staying with various friends and will not be able to live at home. And after March 16, they are no longer able to attend school either. “This is a time that I really want to be with my
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family and I’m not going to be able to see them. Even if it doesn’t affect you if you get sick, it could affect those you love and people around you,” Kimball advised. Despite the fear and confusion affecting many students, Ibrahim encourages his peers and community not to look over the positives. “I hear a lot of people who are willing to help. I hear more of the positive. I just heard recently that the school is going to try to have breakfast and lunch for students on free-and-reduced lunch,” Ibrahim said. “It’s dope that the district is doing that and that people are stepping up and wanting to help. I think a lot of people are actually coming together, and that’s what I’m hearing the most about.” While the decision to temporarily close school has been met with mixed reactions, McCarthy has found a common consensus among RPS staff that it is well-advised. “I think that the teacher’s, overall, have been very supportive of the administrator’s decision to cancel school. They know why we need to do it and it’s in the best interest of our community to do that. I think the staff thinks it’s a necessary thing to do. I think they all understand the enormity of what’s going in not just our state— in our world,” McCarthy said. Simply put, McCarthy shares that the wellbeing of students and the community tops all other factors. “We need to be flexible. We need to get over ourselves and realize that sometimes there are things that come up that are just a little more important than the mathematical lesson I was going to dazzle the kids with that day, and this is one of those times where we have to do the right thing,” McCarthy said.
Foreign Language clubs compete in third annual
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News Editor On February 27, representatives from the four foreign language clubs competed in Rolla High School’s third annual Fauxlympics. This event was organized by the foreign language teachers to mimic the summer Olympics, held every four years during the summer. Students competed in ‘Minute to Win it” style games in a relay, with three representative teams from German club, two from French club, two from Spanish club, and one from Latin club. Students from each language club gathered in the lecture hall to indulge in snacks and pizza and converse with friends. Students then split into their foreign language clubs to engage in some healthy competition in the cafeteria. A total of three relay style games were played, along with one game in which teams of three people competed to get a sandwich cookie from their face to their mouths without using their hands. Beyond the games and competition, the Fauxlympics is a great way for students from different language clubs to connect and have fun with each other. “Everybody has a good time. Everybody’s cheering and enjoying themselves. It’s just fun. It’s fun to watch and it’s fun to see everybody enjoying being together but also kind of sticking up for their own club and doing their best to try and win a game for their team,” French teacher
Emily Mullen said. When the results were tallied, the French club won with 13 points, German finished second with 10 points, Spanish finished third with eight points, and Latin was last with three points. The goal of the Fauxlympics is to allow students to have fun and support their foreign language clubs through silly games and challenges. By competing, students show that the languages they learn are active, alive, and something they find pride in. The foreign language clubs and classes at Rolla High School are incredibly valuable for students through development of their critical thinking skills, Mullen says. “It changes your brain. It helps you create new pathways in your brain, which is something that a lot of other subjects don’t necessarily do,” Mullen said. Exposure to new languages and culture also helps students gain a more accepting and open perspective on others’ lives. “While we have different customs and we have different traditions and we have different political and economic ideas of what’s best, we’re also just people. Everybody’s priorities are really the same. For pretty much every person ever, taking care of their family and the people that they care about and spending time with them and finding meaningful ways to spend your life is the most important thing,” Mullen said. An important aspect of foreign language is the evolving and constantly changing nature of the languages, which leads to constant
learning in and practice with the language. “Because French is a modern language, it’s changing and growing all the time so I’m always learning new things,” Mullen said. Making the decision to take language courses is important, and it is up to the individual to decide which course to take and when to take it. Language difficulty can vary according to one’s first language, interest, and motivation to learn the language. “Each language has its own unique challenges and each language requires work,” German teacher Tammy Lueck said. Overall, the foreign language courses at Rolla
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Photos by Elena Bai
High school offer an opportunity to learn a new skill, practice critical thinking, and get exposed to new cultures. Foreign languages allow students to communicate more easily with people that they otherwise would not be able to and gain a better perspective on the history and the way we live our lives, allowing students to understand concepts that cannot be expressed in English. “Come, give it a try. If you like it, great. Stay for four years. But if you don’t try it, you’ll never know. We encourage everybody who has an interest in it to give it a try and find the right fit for them in foreign language,” Lueck said.
Senior athletes reflect on upcoming spring sports Spring sports have recently started their practices. ECHO asked upperclassmen leadership from each sport about their anticipations for their respective Photos by Quinn Guffey teams after their first practice of the season.
Kendall Mara
Parker Yoakum
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Baseball, Third Basemen
“I think the first practice went pretty well. We have a lot of strong players at the moment. It’s going to be interesting to see where everyone turns out and where everyone is going to be put on the field. There was a really large group from the 8th grade last year that I was excited to play with this year. They are gonna take up a lot of the team is what I’m feeling like, because they all have a lot of skill and they are all willing to work for it. You can have the best and the strongest team out there and not have the right mindset at Districts and lose. You can also have the weakest teams with the best mindsets who go all the way to State. We’ll see where this team takes us. I have high hopes for it, and we are going to do pretty good. I think no matter what our record is, we will do pretty good in the postseason.”
“We are going to be okay compared to last year. We lost a big part of the team from last year to this year, so we’re going to have to improve that with the newer players. A lot of the newer players are going to have to step up. We have a lot of sophomores and juniors that are gonna have to step up. They didn’t get a lot of playing time last year because of all of the seniors, but this year they’re going to step up and do good. I plan to win Districts honestly. Last year we lost in the District championship, but this year I think we should win. We returned six of our hitters from last year, which was their first season playing Varsity baseball. There’s four of us who got Varsity time last season, and I think that they are more developed now.”
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Tennis, Senior
“Our first practice went fairly well. We have a lot of new people this year and also a new coach, Coach Wrightsman. It is his first year coaching tennis, so it’s a bit of a change, but I think we’ll do really well this year. There’s a change in coaching style, and pairing up for doubles partners is going to be different from last year. Our team has also gotten a lot better. We have had people practicing off-season, so I think we’re going to be a strong team this year.”
Abdu Ibrahim
Track, Senior
“My goals for track this year is to go to State and be a State placer. We have a good group of guys and girls out there. Our coaches do a great job. They really go out of their way to listen to what we are saying. We are going to have a great season, and I look forward to growing as a team. The newcomers seem very into it so far. We have started actual practice yet, but I like the energy of practice: good vibes0 and a lot of smiling faces. I just expect everyone to give it their all, to show up to practice, and occasionally staying after practice to put in that extra work in. Our end goal is to have a State Champion team, and for that to happen, we all have to want that and have that drive.”
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S t a ff W r i t e r Zachary Fennell is a senior wrestler who has been in wrestling since sixth grade. Over his time wrestling, Fennell has won around 150 matches. Fennell was initially inspired to wrestle by a friend. “I used to go over to a friend’s house that lived by me and they were a wrestling family, and they just kinda took me in and that’s where it started,” Fennell said. Wrestling can teach many lessons beyond the sport itself. Each lesson is different for every person in sports. “It’s an individual sport, but the team part is just as important. It’s just like your team, but each one of you has your individual goals and I think that’s very unique and I like that a lot about it,” Fennell said. Just as sports can teach lessons, they also bring out achievements from the student athlete. Each athlete has his or her own
Photo by Rhyse Holder
achievements that they work towards. “This sport has taught me a lot.I think that is an accomplishment in itself. Every year at state is an accomplishment. Getting a state medal every year, that’s been a big achievement of mine,” Fennell said. Getting a medal at state is no small feat and it can get colleges interested. ECHO asked Fennell if he had any plans to go to college for wrestling. “I’ve been talking to a bunch of colleges, I just don’t know yet. I might go into the nursing program in the fall or I might go to college. I haven’t made up my mind yet,” Fennell said. Wrestling is a sport that affects most of a wrestlers’ life, Fennell said. “It’s not just a sport, it’s a lifestyle. You have to base everything you do around it from your diet to your everyday decisions. It’s a tough sport, but I think it makes a unique individual and I think anyone can do it and everybody should try it,” Fennell said.
Girls basketball has winning season, advances to state tournament b y
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S t a ff W r i t e r The Rolla Lady Bulldogs Basketball season recently came to a close with a successful season. The team’s main goal this season was to make it to State due to how close they came to it last year´s season. The team was optimistic after taking on a new coach. This is coach Parker´s first official season with the girl´s team. Welcoming in the new coach, the team had a record of 23-4. Rebecca Janke, a senior on the team, is a well known athlete and basketball player. ¨Our team goal was to make it to State since last year we were one game away from making it,¨ Janke said. Getting a new coach comes with a lot in question, but it is’s fair to say that the new coach has had a positive impact on the team. The team was looking to make it happen at districts, but unfortunately, did not meet their goal this year. However, the bar was set high, and the team definitely put on an impressive performance. The team captains this season are Ellie Rodgers and Loran Pritchett-players who also have a long track record in athletics like Janke. High school teams can be competitive for a multitude of reasons, depending on their athletic development from a young age. A new coach is a change, but the dynamic of the team is still very familiar. The future of the team’s development with a new coach is optimistic from the point of view of Janke. ¨We have a new coach and we´re running different plays, but our lineup is still pretty similar and we´re a really close team.¨
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Robotics competes at state competition
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Editor In Chief For the first time in the history of Rolla robotics, all four of Rolla’s FIRST Tech Challenge teams qualified to compete in the State Championship on March 7 at Missouri S&T. On March 5, there was a send-off celebration at the Rolla Technical Institute for the FTC students preparing to travel to State. Members of the community were encouraged to drop by to meet robotics students, view their robots and learn more about the Rolla robotics program. ECHO had the opportunity to speak with several FTC students about the ins-and-outs of Rolla robotics. Alex George is a junior at Rolla High School and has been an active member of robotics for nearly eight years. “I have a ton of fun and it does look good on college resumes, but it’s also a really good experience to be able to work in a team, as well as learn the skills on how to communicate effectively,” George said.
FTC teams are made up of students grades 7-12 who design, build, program and operate robots to compete in head-to-head challenges against other teams. Rolla’s FTC program has 45 students separated into 4 different teams: Team 5893, Team 4964, Team 6198 and Team 13132. Historically, Rolla’s FTC teams have been very successful with Team 4964 making it past State all the way to Worlds the past three years and team 6198 going in 2018. This year, eight teams total from State qualified to move on to the Houston World Tournament April 15-18. “One of the things we did when we went to Worlds my freshman year for our FRC team, is we actually translated our notebook into multiple different languages to be able to communicate with them. Even if you can’t talk to them, you can communicate with the robot because everybody is playing the same game,” George said. Communication is a key element to robotics, including to success at competitions. Rolla’s FTC teams compete in two meets and one qualifier each year. If teams perform well enough at the qualifier, then they advance immediately to State. If not, then based on their placements at the
given presentations about robotics to try and spread STEM in our community.” Junior Eliana Stanislawski, another member of the FTC program, also shared her enthusiasm for robotics beyond the robots themselves. “There’s always so many interesting people at the competitions, and it’s a lot of fun to see how they built their robot to complete the tasks in their own unique way,” Stanislawski said. While George is eager to list off all the different mechanical elements of a robot, Stanislawski adds in the many different ways robotics is beneficial to students’ personal growth. meets teams may have the opportunity Photo by Quinn Guffey “I joined robotics to compete at the conference qualibecause of a recommendation from a friend. She fier. In this final round of competition, teams was very passionate about it, and that influenced can qualify for State by either being selected for me to seek out ways to become a member,” specific awards by judges or by winning robot Stanislawski said. “My favorite part about competitions. robotics is probably the fact that it’s shaped my George’s team qualified for state by placing character in a wide variety of ways. It’s given me second for the prestigious Inspire Award, which the opportunity to improve skills from mechaniis based on a team’s journal documenting their cal and computer-aided design, to confidence in community outreach. ideas and communication.” “For robotics, it’s not necessarily just about Of the 48 FTC students represented from the robot,” George explained. “There’s a ton of across Missouri at the State Championship, only outreach that we have to do to be able to win 10 qualified to move on to Worlds. None of awards. A lot of what you see is the robot, but Rolla’s teams qualified. However, Team 13132, the majority of the people that actually advance Miner Clue, placed third for the Motivate Award are people that do a lot of outreach.” which honors teams that best exemplify team George attributes much of the Rolla FTC building, team spirit, and commitment to the program’s success to not only their effectiveness FIRST Robotics mission. Additionally, George with robot design but also to their success within was recognized as one of four Dean’s List outreach and communications. Award Winners from sixty-four nominees and “We have helped several school districts in the will represent Rolla Robotics in Houston. area, St. James, Salem, St. Roberts, all start robotWhat is George most looking forward to at ics teams, and we’ve also gone and done a ton Worlds? of events in the community to spread STEM. “You get to see some really, really, really, really We’ve gone to every school in the district and cool designs for robots.”
Rolla chapter of Future Farmers of America kicks of FFA week in style b y
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S t a ff W r i t e r FFA week is a time of celebration and tradition for many students at Rolla Highschool. FFA week spans from the 22nd to the 29th. FFA members start their week in official dress. They then all go to church and have breakfast afterwards. However this year is a special year for students and alumni members; it being the 90th anniversary of the Rolla FFA chapter. Kate Campbell is currently an officer in the Rolla FFA chapter. She is involved in competitions and trap shooting in FFA. “Agriculture brings people together, and FFA week is a good time for everyone to see what we’re really about and how big of a part FFA
plays for young people,” said Campbell. FFA is involved a lot in the community. Every year they run fundraisers to keep the chapter afloat. FFA week helps raise awareness for the organization. “FFA is a good time for us to celebrate and bring awareness to agriculture,” said Campbell. FFA is not just for farmers, though. Everyone is welcome. In order to join you must be enrolled in an agriculture class at the RTI. Students in FFA celebrate by having a spirit week during FFA week. They start out by wearing blue and gold on Monday; wearing their chapter shirts on Tuesday; official dress on Wednesday; finishing the week with camo day
Friday. During FFA week, students across the country drive their tractors to school. Most people are aware of this due to the fact that it’s hard to miss. There’s no mistaking the farm equipment parked outside the school. While some schools don’t allow students to drive their tractors to school, Rolla honors the tradition by allowing tractors to be driven in the night before. FFA week is a time for recognizing agriculture. It is a time to be proud for members of the Rolla FFA chapter reaching the 90th anniversary of our chapter.
Photo by Lauren Ulrich
Senora Smith announces retirement after 11 years of teaching at Rolla High School b y
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Opinion Editor Spanish instructor Kathryn Smith has been teaching at Rolla High School since 2009. She was raised in Venezuela, South America for ten and a half years, and came to the United States speaking both Spanish and English. Out of everything, she will miss the students and their sense of humor the most, and she applauds their creativity in this area. One of her favorite memories includes April Fool’s Day. She is known for keeping her classroom very neat, and her students liked to mess with that. They placed
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a pen on the floor, but tied it to a string, so that when she picked it up, they pulled it away. She will definitely miss the students the most, but will not miss the fifteen minute lunch at all. She is very encouraged about the future of the Spanish program at Rolla High School, and praises Dr. Peterson for her excellent work preparing students for the continuation of their Spanish curriculum, and hopes that the school helps to acclimate the new Spanish instructor in the coming years. “Everyone got a pretty big kick out of it. Even I did. I thought that was so creative, such a great idea. It was really funny,” Smith said. Photo by Mable Daargaurd