Rolla High School May 2015 Issue

ECHO

Rolla High School - 900 Bulldog Run - Rolla, Missouri 65401 www.rhsecho.com Vol. 66 - Issue 6 - May , 2015

Congratulations Class of 2015! Special senior focus commemorating the school year pg. 14

Holly Jernigan recognized as an outstanding volunteer pg. 4

Special program assists young parents in need pg. 6

Looking for something to do this summer? pg. 20

Conserving our natural resources pg. 24

In this issue...

Holly Jernigan wins Most Influential....................................................4 New club promotes international activism...........................................5 Garth Brooks’s brother..........................................................................6 DNA molecule replica............................................................................7 Former students share their experiences of college sports...................8 Program strives to help young parents................................................10 Spotlight on a winning track team.......................................................12 Analyzing the modern retro movement...............................................18 Is AR effective or not?..........................................................................19 Why there’s no reason to be bored this summer.................................20

Letter from the editor B Y

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If you feel like I’ve been using this column to do my personal griping in, you would be 100% right, because I have been. However, I would like to use this column to convey what little wisdom I have learned in high school to any underclassmen.

1. Try harder in school and you’ll never regret it. It feels good to do well, and the rewards that come with it feel even better. I didn’t care about school at all my sophomore year and basically tanked my GPA, and it’s extremely frustrating to see a $10,000 scholarship that requires a 31 and a 4.0 and know I don’t qualify, even though I have the test score and have made 4.0s during my junior and senior years.

2. Push yourself into subjects that challenge you now. Being a journalism major and an extrmely right brained person in general, I probably

ECHO Magazine Staff ECHO is an open forum for student expression. All letters to the editor must include the writer’s name, signature and class or position. Anonymous letters will not be published. ECHO reserves the right to reject any letters. should be sent to ECHO, Rolla High School, 900 Bulldog Run, Rolla, MO 65401.

Editor In Chief - Maggie Duncan, Managing Editor - Theodora Leventis, Webmaster - Rohit Allada, Staff Writers: Chloe Myers, Trustin Dinsdale, Rahel Pommerenke, John Giesey, Amanda Steineman, Luke Walker, Elise Mazzeo (not pictured), Celia Parsons, Emily Roberts, Samuel Frimpong

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didn’t need to force myself into AP Chemistry, Biology II, and calculus, but doing dual credit on all of these has allowed me to escape any math or science general education courses with a professor that doesn’t care about me. Instead I’ve made my way through with awesome and devoted teachers like Mrs. McCarthy, Mr. Warnke and Mrs. Hammond, who were willing to explain everything to me twice and hold my little hand through every lesson.

3. If someone is making you feel bad don’t waste your time with them, go out and have extra fun with people who do care about you instead.

4. In 5 years you’re going to be happy that you stood up for something you believed in, not that you kept the approval of someone you don’t really care about.

5. Always ask yourself what’s going to matter in 5 years.

6. Your only true obligation in high school is your grades, otherwise don’t do anything you don’t care about.

Changes Coming for RPS B Y

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It’s here. It’s happening. Starting in school year 2107-2018, the freshman will be at the high school. On Tuesday, April 8, voters approved Rolla Public School’s bond of 4 million dollars and a 25 cent operating levy to bring new additions to the school district such as a new wing to the high school for the Freshman and a preschool program in each Elementary school. Moving the Freshman to the High School brings room to the Junior High for the seventh graders and then moving the fourth graders to the middle school inplace of the seventh graders will create space for the preschool program. Bringing the seventh grades to the Junior High will finally grant the town’s need for seventh grade school sports. Outgoing school board president, Jamie Myers, explains how this transition will take place.

“I think there is going to be four committees. A construction committee, since they are going to add on to the high school. Then an activities committee, which will deal with the changes in adding seventh grade activities at the Junior High when the seventh graders are over there. Then there is going to be a committee on the transition of kids and teachers and the early childhood committee, you know, how are we going to get the kids, transportation, those kinds of things,” Myers said.

As of right now, almost half of the freshman travel back and forth from the high school. Whether it’s for a foreign language, an upper level class, or band, these freshmen are having to spend precious class time on a bus traveling between schools.

“I think it’s going to be a great thing. Particularly for our freshman because they are high school students. Their grades count now towards their cumulative GPA. I think thats going to be a great benefit that they don’t have to go back a forth and they’ll be apart of the high school. I think it will give high school teachers a better opportunity to work together because now the only time they interact is during professional development days and thats only 6 times of the year or something like that. So I think in that sense, they’ll be less duplication [and] better communication,” Myers said.

Bringing the seventh graders to the junior high will now create the opportunity for seventh grade sports.

“I think getting the seventh grade to the junior high is a big plus because seventh grade, particularly activities, most schools either start in seventh grade or they start in ninth grade. But, if they don’t start until ninth grade then their community kind of combines teams of seventh and eighth grade. It’s gotten more and more difficult to find teams of just seventh graders because of that situation and most of all of our conference schools start in seventh grade so in that sense it gives our kids a chance to develop in the school system with activities earlier and in my opinion, it would be better for them. [It will] take some of the heat off the community programs that are struggling to find games for seventh graders. I like the idea of seventh graders not being around fifth and sixth graders. I also like the idea of seventh and eighth graders together because they really are more alike I think than

eight and ninth,” Myers said.

Bringing the fourth graders up to the middle school in place of the seventh graders brings room for a preschool program in each elementary school for four year olds. Hopefully this will help the need of giving four year olds a basis of kindergarten before they get there.

“Academically, right now about half of our kindergarteners have had some type of preschool. Those who have had it, they know how to sit at a table, how to listen to a story being read to them, how to get in line, how to walk in the halls, they know what the rules are duriing recess, they know how to be a student. Plus, they’ve learned things. They’ve learned their numbers probably, probably some of their letters and those types of things prior to kindergarten. Well, the ones who have not had that, some of them have been home with mom or dad and have learned those things too, but a lot of them have not had anything and so there is a huge difference between kids who have had and kids who have not had preschool. Now half of those who have had it, they’ve gone to existing preschools like first baptist, or presbyterian and what we want to do is avoid getting those kids, we want to try and reach that 50% who had nothing and that’s going to be a challenge, but we think through parents as teachers, who will have worked with many of those, we can get those kids,” Myers said.

The preschool program can only hold sixty kids per elementary school and this program will not be free to those four year olds.

“Right now we have about we have about 60 kids in our early childhood program. Those are kids that have special education designation or some kind of either academic and or physical need so we can, now that we that space, match those 60 one to one with a regularly developing child and we can get reimbursed from the federal government for those 60. So it could potentially be free for those 60, but none of that’s decided yet. But there is no reimbursement for the other preschool programs in our area. We can’t just offer it for free because we don’t have the dollars to really do that. We could use a sliding scale so you want your child to attend, we would say okay how much money do you make, how much money does your husband make and then we would have a scale and well you qualify to pay 50 bucks a week where someone else might qualify to pay 70 bucks a week. Early one, the easiest way would to match those kids one to one in what’s called a peer model. But, I think eventually, most of the kids will be paying some,” Myers said.

This transition of students and teachers will be tough, but Myers believes this is a good thing for our school district.

“So real, what this is doing, it’s correcting, in my opinion, some issues we’ve had in our district,” Myers said. “If you asked me ten years if freshman should be at the highschool, I would have said no, let’s put them out there some place by themselves. But, so many things academically make sense today that weren’t true then and I just think it makes a lot of sense. And, I think it sets our school district up to be configured in a way that’s going to last a long time,” Myers said.

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re ’ u d o e a y k b f s a I r “ a e m t g s n n a i a v c M ha Holly ie z n e , day ter,” - K t e b it

If you pass by the attendance office or have a class on the first floor, you most likely have come into contact with RHS volunteer Holly Jernigan giving a cheerful hello or asking how your day is, usually with an endearment like ‘love’ or ‘honey’ to go along with it.

Although Holly’s official job is to run passes and to sign in and give directions to visitors to the high school, she works best at creating a N friendly, welcoming environment for students and faculty alike.

C A F “I like seeing kids out there visiting with [Holly and Drew] and askN D U C H I E ing them how they’re doing. She’s asking students every day how their IN I E G R day was, and telling them if they look pretty. She’s just a good morale A G DITO E booster, I think, for the students and the faculty,” Amy Hermann, assistant principal said.

Holly’s exchanges are not just pleasantries, as she knows the names of almost every student and teacher in the high school.

“You tell her your name once and she’ll memorize who you are,even if it’s just a parent who came in one time, she’ll remember who they are if she asked their name. So she just kind of makes it a friendly welcoming environment and I think she teaches us all a lot about kindness,” Hermann said.

Holly has Williams Syndrome, which is caused by the deletion of 26 genes on chromosome seven. Individuals with Williams Syndrome are often characterized as being very cheerful, comfortable with strangers, talkative, empathetic and as having a love of music. “[Holly] worries about every little thing. She worries about our office too, if someone gets agitated in our office or anything like that, she worries if someone was mean to someone else,” Hermann said.

Holly cares very deeply for her friends in the attendance office as well as each and every one of the students of Rolla High School.

“Mrs. Hermann is the best thing that I have ever been with because I just love her dearly. She is so caring and so compassionate. She has taught me a lot about compassion and a lot about patience and about how to care for the students in a way that’s caring. She has taught me when a student is troubled, that if you show them that you’re patient, and you’re caring, and that you want to help them and that you want to be there for them, then they realize that someone’s gonna love them for who they are and care about them. I know a lot of them don’t get that at home. That’s what I like least about my job, is knowing that the students don’t get enough love at home. It starts at home. It really does. Parenting starts at home. You have to care about your son or daughter, and I see it every day. I just want to let students know that I love them no matter how big their problems are, I’m always going to love them,” Holly Jernigan said.

Holly is a regular at football games and evening band rehearsals, and says her favorite part of every game is knowing that it’s halftime and the band is about to perform. She also loves to see students at the games, and even made a sign to hold up on senior night to support the seniors during the walk. Holly also sits with Mrs. Haslag’s resource class at lunchtime to keep them happy.

“I am just really glad to be here and that I love being here every day.

I just love being around everybody,” Jernigan said.

Holly’s dedication to Rolla High School was honored in the April 28 superlatives assembly when she won Most Unforgettable staff member.

“I love [the award]. I just love it. I had no idea. I was very surprised,” Jernigan said.

Holly also has a special message to the senior class.

“What I would like to say to the graduating class of 2015 is that they have really touched my heart. Really. And I’m so glad that I got to be with them and watch them and just watch them become seniors,” Jernigan said.

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lly o H . “ d n e i k d sh n i e n k b is he n to nd i k w n e a e b e v t o m e r t t o ’ f w f o sn e h e y s o n d ow ing a n n a k t m She ut put la Har oni o t a h a k l t i i re M w re ” a s , t e i o l h into ing a c y and s!” i l l s v o a y H e “H h h rt “ i e , s w d ship e word y won hing a t th d e y g m n o in s a s y all ke e a r m l is a e t s h y S e l i ful. ial,” -Kr m s c a . e s r t o sp n pu beth n s o y O’Cy alwa - Eliza ll ,” o e c H “ fa y m on on s i k r Pa 4 feature

Jernigan after winning her award.

A New Chapter at Rolla High B Y

Amnesty International is a group that unites people from around the world and promotes the protection of justice, freedom, human rights, and equality in order to transform societies to create a just world. The mission of the organization is to raise awareness and funds in order to promote equality through the unity of people from all over the world using their tactics of research, advocacy, and action. Through research, the organization has published hundreds of independent reports without corporate or government influence. Their legislative work, media outreach, and grassroots mobilization encourage policies and legislation to advance human rights, protect individuals, and free innocent prisoners. Amnesty International creates campaigns and casework that attracts attention to human rights concerns to international institutions and media, government officials, corporations and policy makers. A new chapter of this Nobel-Peace-Prize-winning group has been formed by sophomore Jesse Liu and Rolla High School English teacher Star Hargis.

“I wanted to start Amnesty International, because I did a lot of research through [it], and I remember thinking that there’s a lot of issues on the news that I really want to do something about, so I did some research and I found Amnesty International. I really like the messages they carry and I felt that it fit really well into what I wanted to do with issues,” Liu said.

While there are many charity groups and clubs at Rolla High School, Amnesty International distinguishes itself through broad subjects and its abilities to assist those around the world. It is the largest grassroots human rights organization. The organization has more than 3 million supporters, activists, and volunteers in more than 150 countries and has headquarters in 68 countries, including the United States. The U.S. branch contains nearly 250,000 members who work independently or through college, community, online, or high school groups.

“I think [Amnesty International is different from the other organizations at Rolla High School] because this has a plethora of issues. Any human rights issues you can think of you can choose with Amnesty International. You can really go any direction you want with it. Not to offend any of the other organizations, but I feel like a lot of them are more centered and focused on certain topics, and we’re more broad,” Liu said.

Amnesty International provides students with a way to interact with the world in order to make a change, be it through raising awareness, providing funds, or speaking out about international issues.

“When he approached me with the idea, and why I jumped onboard with it, is because I like the idea of promoting world awareness. I think there’s a lack of understanding about what’s happening in the world, and I think there’s also a misconception that people think they can’t do anything about it. I like not only promoting awareness of world issue, but I also like the idea that one person can initiate change. I love to have people read books that create a sense of empathy for other cultures, other types of people, so I like that this group and this cause is not only focused on local or American causes, it’s focused on world issues. I like

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the idea of any group that promotes that, because I think that, while it’s beneficial to have groups that work with the community on a local level, it’s important to have people have a broader view of our relationship to the world, and I think that this group promotes that beyond the others,” Hargis said.

After the new chapter establishes itself in the community, it will begin to become directly involved in activities and campaigns, and it will raise funds that will support Amnesty International’s lawyers and activists who enter into foreign countries and support those who need help.

“My hope is that, eventually, there will be enough people involved to where we might even be able to travel to conferences, travel to... regional areas where there is a cause worthy of noting to actually be involved in protest- direct involvement in protestand maybe even within our own community. We could... do a community-involved protest or campaign, and maybe raise funds in order to donate to the cause, so that Amnesty International [can fund the lawyers that] go to these countries and defend these people. If we can raise not only awareness but funds that contribute to Amnesty International, that helps them actively go out to these areas with their lawyers and reach politicians through petitions. I think we can eventually do all of that,” Hargis said.

The new chapter of Amnesty International will provide students with a voice in local and international issues. Through the activism in the organization and its worldwide groups, Amnesty International has freed ten of thousands of prisoners of conscience, has led the death penalty to be abolished in law or practice in twothirds of the world’s countries and their research and campaigning led to the enactment of the U.S. Tribal Law and Order Act to cease the epidemic of sexual assault of American Indian and Alaska Native women.

“I like the idea or student involvement period, whether it be for local causes, international causes. I like the idea that students believe that they have an active role in what happens in their lives and the lives of others, so I really like the idea that they become more aware and more involved and believe more that they have something that they can contribute or offer,” Hargis said.

Through the hard work of its volunteers and staff, Amnesty International has accomplished various victories throughout the world. In the United States, Amnesty International worked to make the death penalty illegal in multiple states and has had prisoners released from Guantanamo as well as many other victories. The thousands of volunteers in the United States work to campaign and protest in order to achieve such victories, including students from high school chapters.

“I believe students can really make a difference. I know a lot of students believe that they’re not really an adult, and they can’t really make a difference, but through Amnesty International any person can make a difference, because one voice can really change the world. In my opinion, if any one student is willing to put in the work and willing to try, they can change the world, and I think this organization is a great avenue to do so,” said Liu.

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Garth Brooks’s Brother B Y

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Garth Brook’s first album, released in 1989, reached number two on the US country country album chart, and he has been an influential singer song writer ever since. He has also recently appeared on the cover of People magazine. While this is reality for Garth Brooks, reality for his brother, Deacon Michael Brooks, is very different. He lives in Rolla with his wife Mary, and is a deacon at Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church. He has been principal of Saint Patrick’s School for ten years and also has previously taught sixth grade English.

“I almost always find out about some big thing he’s done, like performing at the Presidential Inauguration, after its all over from someone else. Never from him. He would consider that bad form,” Brooks said.

“A great deal of Garth’s music was influenced by his childhood and growing up with the values that my dad and my mom (step mom) tried to instill in their six kids. Since Garth was the ‘baby’ in the family he sort of had the luxury of sitting back and watching while all of his older siblings made a lot of the mistakes and suffered some of the consequences he later escaped. His honesty, his humility, his absolute devotion to his kids...these were all values that he got from our folks. Of course, my father was a hard core country music fan (Merle Haggard, George Jones, Flat and Scruggs) and my mom was a very talented country singer in her own right, so those influences certainly played a part in his formation as well,” Brooks said.

While his childhood influenced his songs, as he grew up and became famous, he always remembered his roots.

“Garth never lets his stardom or success get in the way of family relationships. Other people may make a big deal of who he is,he never does, ever. I think that’s part of the values he gained from his upbringing. Our dad taught us that you never blow your own horn. You never brag about what you’ve done or act like you’re ‘all that.’ If there’s anything good to be said about you, let other people say it, but you never brag about yourself,” Brooks said.

With someone as famous as Garth in the family, the brothers try to downplay the situation.

“Generally speaking, if you were actually with Garth, he would be the humblest person in the room.When he’s with family or people he’s really comfortable and safe, he’ll come out of himself more, but usually he’s very soft-spoken and reserved. I almost always find out about some big thing he’s done, like performing at the Presidential Inauguration, after its all over from someone else. Never from him. He would consider that bad form,” Brooks said.

“We tend to downplay things quite a bit. I’m never the one to bring up who my brother is,” Brooks said.

To keep the fame to a minimum, the whole family tries to keep it quiet.

“My family; myself, my wife and kids, we tend to downplay things quite a bit. I’m never the one to bring up who my brother is. My contribution to Garth’s success has been exactly zero, so I don’t ever want anyone to think that I’m acting like I’m someone special just because he’s my brother.” I seldom if ever bring him up in conversation.

Almost everyone who discovers that he’s my brother finds out from

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someone else. not from me,” Brooks said.

While Brooks leads a very different life from his brother, he is just as happy.

“I’m completely and totally satisfied with my life’s path. I am truly the most blessed of men. I’ve been married to my bride now for forty-four fabulous years. I have four wonderful children who have given us eleven amazing grandchildren, all geniuses. I’ve been a teacher for almost forty years now. Teaching is called ‘the noblest profession’ and after all this time, I still believe it is,” Brooks said.

Hannah Delp, a Rolla High School Student and Alumni of Saint Patrick’s School recently went to Garth’s concert in Saint Louis. Her parents are long time family friends with Mike Brooks and his family, and her mom, Doris Delp, also works as a secretary at Saint Patrick’s School. Deacon got her and her family VIP passes and went backstage to meet them personally and get autographs with Garth and his wife, Trisha Yearwood.

“Garth was very friendly. He looked and acted like just a normal guy!

He finally got to the venue and backstage to meet is about an hour past when the show was supposed to start, he walked in the room in sweats and a ball cap with the biggest smile on his face. He was so down to earth and just very genuinely concerned with what you had to say.

Trisha was a little more put together, but just as happy to meet everyone. He made everyone in the room backstage feel so special and then preceded to explode my expectations with the show he put on. One of the most memorable moments of the night was when I looked over at Deacon Brooks, he was just a few seats away from me, he was smiling from ear to ear, and crying, happy tears of course. And Garth was looking at him, doing just the same. The Brooks family are very special people and I’m so honored that I get to know them,” Delp said.

Selfies with Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood. Photos by Hannah Delp.

Science teacher’s three year vision for an accurate DNA Model comes to fruition

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Three years ago, biology teacher Dwight Warnke undertook a massive project: building an accurate, scaled model of a DNA molecule for the school to showcase. The model will be large, spanning a forty centimeter diameter and reaching almost seven feet in length in proportion to an actual DNA strand. Now, after investing large amounts of time, effort, and money, that project will soon be finished.

“Brewer Science had grants available for enrichments in the classroom and I went ahead and wrote a grant for $2,000 to build a DNA model. At the time, I thought it would be simply some twisted metal, and as it spiraled up, it would have a code,” Warnke said.

However, as the concept became more of a reality, it became clear that the project had the potential to be much more. With the help of students, Warnke set out to create an extremely accurate model that could be used for a number of purposes.

“I had my students think of some different designs, What we came up with was that the model would have a relative scale and show major and minor grooves, but also code for an actual protein. We knew that it would have to scale, but most proteins are pretty large with a lot of amino acids,” Warnke said. “We came up with a nine amino acid protein called Oxytocin. Oxytocin is a hormone that is very important in mammals; it creates the physical attraction between two individuals, is responsible for contractions in childbirth, and it lets down milk for breastfeeding. It’s very much a mammalian type of hormone, so it’s a really great type of protein to represent because of its relevance to humans.”

Students at Rolla High School have been working directly on this project and are excited for its completion.

“The students are excited. I’ve got to find a way to acknowledge all the students who have worked on it. I’ve had at least fifty different students come in and help with it. I’ve had my Cell Biology students help by laying the pieces out and actually do the sequencing of the nucleotides so that they can have a hands on learning experience. Most of the work has been done outside of the classroom. They’re really excited to see the project and be a part of something that hopefully will be around for many years,” Warnke said.

This DNA model will be of great advantage to biology students, as they will now have a life-size representation of the microscopic code that gives all organisms their characteristics.

“Whenever Biology classes want to take a look at this as a working model, they can go out into the hallway and see where the start codons are, look at the color codon chart and actually figure out the amino acids that come together to build the protein Oxytocin all the way to

the stop codon,” Warnke said.

The model won’t serve only to help students; it will also represent the great math and science programs at the high school.

“We have a wonderful variety of programs at the high school, including math, science, history, music, sports, and many others. But when you walk into the building, a lot of times you only see the sports. You don’t really see much of the academics,” Warnke said. “I thought it would be really nice to accent and show to the public, as well as our students, that we have so much to offer in terms of math and science.

Having a very personal DNA model when they walk into the building would be a very nice symbol for that.”

Ultimately, Warnke hopes the model will be helpful in encouraging students to pursue science.

“I hope it stimulates some more people’s interest in the sciences. The other science teachers and I try to push and encourage our students and think outside the box, thinking about applications and learning more than just the science behind it,” Warnke said.

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be a college athlete:

tips and tricks from former Rolla High School students GO: It hasn’t affected it too much. During season with games it affects it a little bit if I have to miss class but I just have to make sure that I have my assignments done on time.

Practices are usually in the evenings or mornings before classes or after classes are done for the day.

RP: Is it what you expected?

GO: It isn’t exactly what I expected but I’m still enjoying it RP: Do you plan to go professional or keep on playing volleyball after college?

GO: No. RP: What is your favorite part of the sport?

GO: The intensity level.

Rahel Pommerenke: Could you tell me a little about the RP: What are your goals after college? sport you’re participating in this year?

GO: I’m a nursing major so I plan on getting a job at a hosGabrielle Otte: I’m playing volleyball at central Methodist pital somewhere. university in Fayette, Missouri.

RP: What do you have to do different in college to succeed at RP: What advice would you give athletes in High School who are considering continuing their sport is college? your sport compared to in high school?

GO: I would say to keep a positive attitude whether things GO: It’s a lot more of working on your own outside of practice time and putting in that extra time to help improve your are going your way or not. Even if things aren’t how you expected them to be. game. Whether it is lifting and running or getting together with some girls for an open gym.

Rahel Pommerenke: Can you tell me a little about the sport RP: Does it affect your school work? If yes how?

High School is a transitional period to finding out who you are and what you want to be. Between the stress from classes and after school jobs, students, amazingly find time to participate in sports. Whether it’s volleyball, basketball, soccer, softball, or any of the other sports, it takes hard work and dedication. As high school ends, and students apply for colleges, many decide to continue following their passion for their sport. Former Rolla High School students Gabrielle Otte, Ashley Drew, Nate Kramme, Emily Dodge, Anna Feeler, and Austin Parks shared their experiences with us.

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that you are currently in.

Ashley Drew: Well, I am part of color guard. In the fall we perform with the band and we spin with them to create more of the visual aspect of the show, but in winter we perform on our own in a gym on a tarp, and its concentrated more on just the guard.

RP: What do you have to do different in college to succeed at your sport compared to in high school?

AD: Well, in college we we take things more seriously than we did in high school. In winter guard we practice for four hours every Tuesday and Thursday and we do technique for an hour and a half. We concentrate more on individuals and how certain segments of our show work. Now in the fall, its not as bad. We practice for two hours every afternoon Monday through Friday and we have very strict rules. There are more people that are in the sport that continue to do it because they had a deep love for the sport. Also, its more individual work outside of practice, and more individual ambition. You can’t get anywhere in your sport if you find yourself not enjoying it. So you have to make sure that you are still enjoying your experience with the sport. Not only that you also have to make sure that you are constantly working on your technique.

RP: Does it affect your school work. If yes how?

AD: It actually does. Its hard to try and work for eight hours a week and keep up with school work. There are times where we take trips to perform and I wind up missing classes for three days and have to make up work. So you just have to make sure that you get in touch with your professors and make sure that they know you will be missing and get the work you will need to make it up.

RP: Do you plan to go professional or continuing dancing after college?

AD: I actually want to become a guard coach after college, or at least the creative mind behind a winter guard show. Now whether that takes me to being a choreographer or a coach or even just an assistant, I definitely want to keep involved in color guard after I graduate from college because its already been such a big part of my life and I really love it.

RP: What is/are your favorite parts about guard that inspire you to continue?

AD: The feeling that I get when I perform. Unfortunately you age out of performing at 22. But when I sit down at competitions for winter guard international (WGI) I get really excited watching every single performer that goes out there perform their hearts out for the audience and enjoy every minute of it, and that is when I know that I definitely want to do something involving this sport for the rest of my life.

RP: What are your goals after college?

AD: After college, I want to start my career in interior design, but I want to get involved helping my old guards. I

would love to come back and help do tech camps with guards such as Nashy or Rolla. I would love to help and create choreography for guards and then eventually coach my own guard.

RP: What advice would you give athletes in High School who are considering continuing their sport is college?

AD: Well, first of all, get more information about it. Look at your options and the opportunities that continuing on in college will bring you. Doing a sport in college is a great and fast way to meet new people. You get established in your colleges’ community quicker and you will become close with many people. Even though it will be more work its definitely worth it to continue doing what you love. If you are someone who is thinking about going and continue to do a sport in college, I wish you the best of luck in what you do. If you think that you can’t continue on go ahead and try because you would be amazed at what you can accomplish If you set your mind to it.

Rahel Pommerenke: Can you tell me a little about the sport you are playing right now?

Nate Kramme: Maybe I should first tell you that I don’t play a college sport anymore. I did play college soccer for william jewell a division 2 school in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC).

RP: Could you tell me what inspired you to continue and what made you stop?

NK: During high school and club soccer I had great coaches that new how to keep me motivated and I was very driven toward achieving my personal goals but more than that goals that me and my team had set that we all wanted to achieve. It was more about working hard to get better for my teammates not so much myself. When I started in college it seemed to me like the team aspect of the game was not as great as when I played in high school and club soccer. Also I didn’t fit in as well with the coach as I thought I would and it was extremely discouraging. The discourage caused me to not feel as driven and almost more depressed than anything so I gave it up.

RP: Since you aren’t in on the college team anymore, what are you plans for after college?

NK: I’m no longer attending William Jewell. I’m enrolled on the pre-engineering track at Columbia College in Rolla and I plan to transfer in to Missouri S&T and get a mining engineering degree.

RP: Do you have any advice for high school students that are thinking about continuing their sport in college?

NK: Make sure you’re in the right place would be my advice.

If you’re not happy with the place that you’re in you won’t be happy playing your sport there. sports feature 9

Education is key Community Partnership offers support, education through Young B Y

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In today’s world young moms face many difficulties raising their child(ren) between the social stigma of being a teen mom, to the financial responsibility of a child. While they may look to friends or family for support, there is a program designed to help them right here in Rolla. The Community Partnership has a Young Parents program that aims to help young parents in any way that they can. Sammie Goodson, the director of the program, has many goals in mind for the young parents program. However, there is one goal in particular that the program strives for.

“Our primary goal is to make young parents be the best parents that they can possibly be.That really should be everyone’s goal in life. To raise their children to be wonderful contributing adults. We believe that every parent, especially young parents, have the capacity, the heart and the drive to be exceptional parents. But sadly, a lot of people have not been presented the opportunity or don’t have those role models or see first hand parenting knowledge,“ Goodson said.

There are three different service levels to the program: Tier I, Tier II and Tier III. Each tier has different demographics, different support levels, and different program requirements. Tier I, for example, requires the young parents to be less than 19 years old, and not graduated from high school or not having a GED. Each program has a one year commitment and the participants are required to have a community mentor, participate in the services the program offers, complete high school, or get a GED, and the lower two tiers have home visits monthly or every other month. Once you’ve been “placed” into a tier, you go to a class based on how old your child is, or if you’re pregnant.

There are three different classes that you can go to. There is the prenatal class, which is based around the pregnancy itself, labor, and the early weeks of the baby’s life. After the prenatal class the young mom would transition into the infant class which covers everything you

“Our primary goal is to make young parents be the best parents that they can possibly be.That really should be everyone’s goal in life. To raise their children to be wonderful contributing adults. We believe that every parent, especially young parents, have the capacity, the heart and the drive to be exceptional parents. But sadly, a lot of people have not been presented the opportunity or don’t have those role models or see first hand parenting knowledge,“ Goodson said. would need to know about the baby’s first year of life. The last class that the Young Parent program offers is the toddler class. The toddler class focuses on the importance of parenting, knowing the stage and age appropriate behavior of the child and how to use positive and simple discipline techniques. While the classes are geared towards specific aged children, the classes also focus on different life skills. There are four classes in a set and when participants successfully finish the set they receive a $25 incentive check.

“We teach things like budgeting, nutrition, healthy relationships, goal completion, any of that stuff that is helping young parents get headed in the right direction towards parenting,” Goodson said.

Jamie Cantrell, the FACS teacher at Rolla High School, feels similarly about what she would teach to young parents if given the chance.

“I would teach them the same thing that I teach them in my curriculum, but if i had just a course to teach young moms I would teach them the seven habits of highly effective people. They need to have coping

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Parenting Program

Photos courtesy of Young Parents program.

skills, they need to have prioritization skills, they need to have goal setting skills, all those kinds of things that everybody needs, but definitely if you’re going to be a parent. The other thing I would teach them is proper discipline techniques because two year olds and four year olds are abused more than any other age. Two year olds go through this negative, everything’s about me, egocentric stage and parents don’t know how to deal with it, so they beat them. Four year olds start to get in this stubborn, defiant, bossy stage. They’re very independent, they want to do everything by themselves, they don’t want to listen, they don’t want to pick up their toys and what parents need to understand is that that is perfectly normal. Every two year old and every four year old goes through that just like every 13 year old goes through an emotional stage of the world ending. Knowing that it’s a stage and disciplining them and helping them through that stage is key. What parents do is they think their kids have ADHD or are just brats and they abuse them. They don’t handle discipline well. So if you can teach parents that these stages all throughout life are perfectly normal. Teenagers are supposed to be social. You’re supposed to want to hang out with your friends instead of your parents. If your parents moved to another state you guys would be like I’ll stay here, I’ll live with a friend and they need to understand that that is normal. So that would probably be the biggest thing and to give them coping skills, give them life skills, communication skills, planning skills, but along with that teach them what is acceptable and what’s not acceptable, what’s normal and what is not normal. So that they’re prepared when their two year old throws himself on the floor, or when their thirteen year old throws their shoe through the window and cusses you out. To know that that isn’t acceptable but its normal,” Cantrell said.

In addition to the three classes that the program offers, there are different meetings that the young parents can attend. There are Build-

ing Strong Families meetings that focus on finding families strengths, building strengths, and learning skills to create stronger families.

There are also Networking and Support meetings which give young parents the opportunity to meet other young parents in a fun, interactive environment. These meetings include “baby bucks” parties, a holiday party, a gardening meeting and a cooking meeting.

“The really neat thing about our program is the baby bucks program. Baby bucks look like monopoly money but our young parents can come into the office and buy diapers, wipes, formula, diaper rash cream, any of those little everyday necessities at any time with their baby bucks. They get baby bucks for everything that they come to. So if they come to classes, meetings, or they meet with their mentor they’re earning bucks so they can get diapers from us so they aren’t paying for diapers out of pocket. Twice a year we have baby bucks parties, where we all get together and we have everything you could possibly think of that you could ever need for a baby. We have high chairs, strollers, toys, clothes, shoes, coats, books, I mean you name it we have it there, and they can spend their baby bucks on anything that they need. So I mean if we have a young mom who is expecting a baby lets say in August, she can come to the baby bucks party in June and get some of those things that she hasn’t received yet from family members. That stuff is so incredibly expensive, and we have things like swings, baby monitors, breast pumps, whatever it is that they need they can buy with their baby bucks so they’re kind of getting rewarded for learning and taking some of the financial burden away,” Goodson said.

Along with baby bucks, the Young Parents program provides new cribs and car seats for each child in the program and does home visits monthly.

“Safety is our number one concern. Providing new cribs that are meeting the standards of what cribs should be now, as well as car seats and all of the home safety supplies that they would need. We also do home visits so every month I go to each of the young parents home and we talk about what’s going on with their kids, we look at milestones, and we talk about safety proofing their home. I take baby gates or outlet plugs that cover electrical sockets so their kids won’t accidentally electrocute themselves and doorknob covers. We also do safe sleep education so things like SIDS prevention, as well as shaken baby syndrome prevention.” Goodson said.

Another priority of the Young Parents program is continuing education after high school.

“We also value education. Your education is what is going to get you started in life and so keeping parents in school and not dropping out of high school or completing your GED or high set is another goal we have for each young parent. As well as getting them into post secondary education. So things like what college are you going to go to, how are you going to pay for it, are you looking at loans, and can we find scholarships. April 21 we had our education night where we gave away 12,500 dollars in scholarships to all of our young parents, who are either in school now or will be attending college next semester-which is really cool to see them go on. Statistics show that usually less than 2% of young moms will graduate from college before they are 30 and we definitely want to see our outcomes be better than that for our young parents. So we work individually with them on their education plans and what that’s going to look like. You have these four years or five years of student loans that you’re going to have to take out so lets make the most of that opportunity. They’re in college [or will be], they’re doing what they need to do, but if they didn’t have a program like this that believed in them and was able to offer that opportunity to them I don’t know if they would be in school. I hope they would still be in school,” Goodson said.

The Young Parents program truly strives to give young parents what they need to be successful and hopes that the community will start to do the same.

“I just want our community to open their eyes and acknowledge that teen pregnancy is happening here. I feel that it’s like oh if we close our eyes or they drop out of school or it’s somebody else’s problem but it’s not. It’s a community problem. Anytime there are issues with teen pregnancy or even an unplanned pregnancy it is taking tax dollars and community resources and education opportunities are missed. We have these young parents that have so much to offer to our society but if they’re at home parenting and not offering that it makes me really sad.I just dont want to see potential wasted. If it takes us coming together as a community and using our resources and believing in young people then that’s what we need to do,” Goodson said.

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Historically Known In Beautiful Downtown Rolla

Blossom Basket Florist 10th and Cedar Streets

Rolla, MO 65401

573-364-7101

Address: 1119 Kingshighway, Rolla, MO 65401

Phone:(573) 368-5535 Hours: Open today - 10:30 am – 9:00 pm 12

sports feature

Senior Next Four Pages B

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Nathan Aaron: To Thomas Hardwick I give my love of Radiohead, and willingness to stick it to the man.

Except everyone before us already stuck everything to the man, so we don’t.

Rohit Allada: I leave my perfectly timed references to Steven Stutts, my spelling skills to Stewart Moughsh, and my ability to flame people behind their backs to Ms. Morris.

Paul Altheide: I leave my incredibly talented bass Sydney Arthur: I give my top girl skills to Kaley Burgess.

Vasanth Balakrishnan: Mr. Luna, in 10 years I may or may not give you a Lamborghini.

Brooklyn Boehme: I, Brooklyn Boehme, hereby leave Turner Rafter’s good looks and humility to Sam Wilsdorf. They’re obviously served me well.

I also leave my one of a kind sense of humor to Trustin Dinsdale.

Katie Bohannan: To all the underclassmen guard girls I have come to love, I leave my perseverance to succeed in everything I do and to help others along the way.

Jessica Bramer: Christina Bramer sucks. You still have 2 years left in there hahah Annalea Breedlove: I give my sarcasm and outspoken ways to Mr. Webster, who definitely needs them.

Billy Brookshire: I give my heckling ability for baseball to Zach Studdard.

Jonathan Brown: I give all my tallness to Isabelle Vankirk.

Dakota Cartwright: I give all of my old football cleats to my brother, Beau.

Emily Cates: I leave my ability to speak Japanese to anybody who wants to speak a language that no-

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body uses in this country.

Kadie Clark: I leave Ms. Mulia with a promise to take her to the Academy Awards someday.

London Clift: I’m leaving Legend Clift my ability to make good choices.

Asia Coppedge: Kady Maccaddon: I want her to have my locker from this year. For it has easy access to most classes and I’m sure she already had my locker combination.

Rachel Crowley: To David Xiao, I leave my empathy.

To Kevin Gao, I leave my driving safety. To Aliyah Turner, I leave my stomach. To Nathan Nordwald, I leave my heart. To Lefatshe Lefatshe, I leave my dance moves. To Michal Khayat, I leave my love for barbershop and my sass.

To Mr. Longwell, I leave my feminism. To Spencer Boehme, you can be Ariel now To Sam Wilsdorf, I leave Brooklyn’s humility and good looks. To Sophia Holmes, I leave my crown.

To Meredith Sowers and Aideen McEnaney, I leave my love. To Mr. Bartelsmeyer, I leave my love for college stories. To DJ Goldschmidt, I leave my passion for Frozen.

Bridget Cunningham: I pass on my dry humor and sarcasm to Katie Hawkins.

May she use it to conquer all of her class in the future. I give my brothers, Michael and Patrick Mohamed Dai: Always make sure you do the right things and stay away from trouble. If you’re an athletic student, always keep your grades up!

Weston Davis: Take your classes seriously, because it will affect your future.

Elizabeth Defrances: Be strong. Yes, it’s school. I know school sucks, but it’s something you got to do, so be a soldier like I was

once told.

Jeran Dudley: I will give my undying love to Alison Long, along with a can of Pepsi or two. I will give my friend Trenton a foam Master Sword… within a few months. I also give you Magdaline Duncan: I leave my feminism to Alex Sapaugh, may she be twice as loud after I leave Rolla.

Sarah Elrod: I’d like to give Mr. Luna my set of hand tired Trout Flies.

Roba Elshiekh: Don’t be the buzzkill snitch. You will never be liked in high school.

Cara Evers: To Alex, I give my luck for winning the wearing of the green, and some of my green gear.

Avery Farrar: I, Avery Farrar, will Vasilisa Shamina a very, very heaveh bertation.

Tyler Fischer: I will pass on my craziness to Tommie Devore.

Samuel Frimpong: I give Lucas Marling the power to flame the mess out of anyone else named Lucas.

Aarika Froehlich: I leave Sam Wilsdorf my love.

Kalise Garner: Caroline Victor, I leave you my jokes because you’re the only one who laughed at them anyway…

Dane Goser: I leave my trout catching ability to Don Luna and Brett Hoffman. They could use it.

Brittany Gray: My favorite teacher was Mrs. Anderson! I had her for Earth Science, (which was my favorite class) and I only had it for a semester, but she proved to be the most Jenna Haas: I only have advice to give. No matter how hard it gets, never give up on your dream.

Cole Hadley: I leave my mental instability to the

entire class of 2016, good luck.

Mikala Harman: I, Mikala Harman, leave my ability to make people laugh everyday to Maddy Jones. I also leave my mad dance moves to Jakin Ellison.

Elizabeth Harrison: To my WONDERFUL AMAZING band, my will for you all is to have a GREAT marching season every year and always strive to do your best no matter what happens.

Alisia Hassler: To Aliyah Turner, I leave my bootylicious title.

Morgan Heimbaugh: In my senior will, I leave a punch in the face to Tasha Black.

Jonah Heitman: Do what you can and enjoy it, but don’t do too much. Try and get ahead as much as possible by doing as much dual credit as you can.

Joshua Henson: I leave this note to Hailey Marie Hudson. No matter where you are, whether it’s a quarter mile away of half way across the world, I will be with you.

Katie Henson: I ereby leave all of my opinions to Courtney Hairfield. May you be as opinionated as I am for the rest of your days!

Tayler Hopper: I hereby give my uncontrollable laughter to my best friend, Brandy Ferrell.

Allie Huffman: I, Allie Huffman, leave Sam Wilsdorf the right to “HOT DAMN”.

Hollie Hurley: A dinosaur for Mrs. McNeven.

Benjamin Hushaw: Graduate Kelsi James: I leave my daily subway lunch to Brett Hoffman. To David Xiao, I give my ability to write music and not stress over how.

Jacob Jamison: To Wade Hawks, I give my title as

ugliest Chester Jones: I leave my Waffle House to Michael Khayat, as the new leader of the bass section.

Sarah E. Jones: I leave my Selfie stick and snack bag to Crysta Pitts. She knows what to do.

Sarah G. Jones: I give my leadership role to Michael Khayat. I give Chloe Myers my President of Student Council position, and to tell her to keep smiling her beautiful smile even on the rough days.

Jessie Kaczmarek: I give the volleyball team my skittles and my sister Anna can have the cats.

James Kosbar: I leave nothing behind, cause I’m so fast.

Taylor Lauer: I leave Mr. Yoakum my empty doda bottle that we were never allowed to have in class.

Joe Leach: I have nothing to give.

Theo Leventis: I give my ability to be late to everything and not get caught to Trustin Dinsdale.

Gavin Lewis: I want to give away all of my cares. Oh, wait. I have none.

Alexander Light: All my desk and my schedules.

Hannah Lucas: I pass down my severe ugliness to Jojo Callier. Use it well.

Davin Mack: Make sure you pull out. Give it all you can give, and never give up enjoy it you’ll miss it!!

Luke Walker: I would give my tennis skills to Lucas Marling, but according to him I don’t have any.

Laine Marler: I will my sister, Alaina Marler, my good grades, and to all the guard girls my ultra dance move.

Gzle Medrano: Find someone you trust and trust them to trust in you, therefore, by the transitive power to trust, you trust in yourself to do great on that test.

Kelsey Moreland: I hereby

pass on my golf skills to Andie Sapaugh.

Collin Nash: I give my 6th man to Evan Voight.

Paige Newkirk: I give my wittiness and outgoing personality to Kaylie Dean. Be who you are. Don’t change who you are.

Niya Norman: Leaving this to all the returning teachers and students.

Krystal O’Connor: I leave Janiece’s chair to Andrew Maddux, and the RHS Review to next year’s seniors.

Don’t mess that up.

Korey Pearson: I leave the ‘B-U-L-L’ chant to Aaron Davis to do at the games and keep the school spirit going.

And to Josh Leon, I leave you with the nickname Mijo because Luke Pettijohn: I leave my 8 year old backpack to Jon Wohlt.

Rahel Pommerenke: I leave Dalton Hayes, Kameron Wood, and Aaron Reed my common’s pride pass.

Michael Powers: To all of the underclass men, please take your education very seriously. If you make poor choices now, they can come back and haunt you.

Ryan Priesmeyer: I, Ryan Priesmeyer, leave my procrastination problems to Mr. Warner, because I know that he knows what it is like.

Roxanne Rafter: I am leaving Jordan Gaskins my patience, so that he can deal with another year of high school.

Kayla Reed: I give Coach Dunn the patience to persevere through the next softball season.

Jarod Reith: $20,000 Andy Satulla: My ability to pick up woman to Coach Longwell.

Patrick Simpson: To Ellie Pickell and Allyson Mack, I give my artiness and Fashionability!

Charles Skyles: To the entire school, I leave my spirit.

Treat it well.

Denver Spurgeon: I leave my caring less than the average person to Ben Burris.

Jordan Stevens: I leave my comments about Mrs. Hammond’s age to nobody.

She’s a timeless woman and needs to stop being harassed.

Emily Stites: I, Emily Stites, leave my passion for cheerleading to the upcoming cheer seniors.

David Strassner: I leave Trey Jernigan’s Hawaiian shirt to Thomas Hardkwick Megan Studdard: I would like to give my basketball number to Allie Harman. She better keep the tradition going and shoot the three ball.

Deborah Sutchliffe: I give my presidential skills to Jordan Gaskins.

David Tatsch: I, David Tatsch by order of the UNSC regulations am officially handing down my gaming and arts skills to Dawson Satterfield.

Braden Tiddy: I give Zach Brown the ability to wrestle calves in sage grass.

Luke Walker: I give my spot on the tennis team to my little brother.

Theron Weeks: I give my rocket clogs to Thomas Macash.

Zack Yoakum: This is the start of the rest of your life.

Don’t be dumb.

Elementary and Middle School Crushes Kelsi James....................Drew Reinschmidt Aarika Froelich.........................Bradley Lohr Dane Goser.....................Mackenzie Wilson James Kosbar........................Kalise Garner Alisia Hassler..........................John Baldwin Sarah G. Jones.....................Holden Pierce Gracie Sutcliffe.......................Carter Wands Natalie Craun...................Landon Maynard Sofie Luna......................Bava Balakrishnan Marybeth Sells........................Omar Ahmed Jordan Stevens.......................Omar Ahmed Hayley Gremp...........................Trevor Neal Caleb Copeland.................Marie Armstrong Shane Obrennan...................Sydney Arthur Jessie Kaczmarek.............Landon Maynard Brooklyn Boehme..................Luke Pettijohn Abigail Davis.........................Mason Pickrell Ashley Graber........................Carter Wands Stevie Russ............................Carter Wands Ryan Priesmeyer..........Rahel Pommerenke Ashwini Krishnamurthy..........Zach Westhoff Paige Newkirk..................Cameron Clayton James Kosbar........................Kalise Garner David Strassner..............Jessie Kaczmarek Marie Armstrong.....................Zach Yoakum Megan Studdard......................Bradley Lohr Andy Satulla............................Abigail Davis Holden Pierce..........................Natalie Look Kalise Garner......................David Strassner Abigail Lee.............................Holden Pierce Elysia Sparks.......................Corey Geroski Jarod Reith...............................Avery Farrar Bradley Lohr......................Megan Studdard Weston Davis...........................Kelsi James Katie Bohannan...............Cameron Clayton Guila Medrano..................Ryan Priesmeyer Nathan Aaron........................Ashley Graber Ben Hushaw....................Jessie Kaczmarek Jessica Schuck..................Caleb Copeland Mason Davis.........................Ashley Graber Aita Ikuenobe..............................Putal Barr Mikala Harman..................Caleb Copeland Rachel Crowley..............Bava Balakrishnan Josh Lawrence...................Sarah Ferguson Luke Walker................................Sofie Luna Sam Frimpong....................Jordan Stevens Maggie Duncan................Denver Spurgeon Rahel Pommerenke..................Dane Goser Theodora Leventis...................Bradley Lohr

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Where to Now? Military

College/ University

2 -year

4 -year

Justus Sander (Marine Corps) Courtney Manley Paige Newkirk (Air Force) Alexander Light (Marines) Jessica Bramer (Air Force)

MS&T

MSU

Lauren Adams Nathan Aaron Annalea Breedlove Mckayla Bixler Jonathan Brown Jessica Bramer (Air Ethan Collins Force) London Clift Blaine Hrovat Micaylea Creech Ben Hushaw Hayley Gremp Elizabeth Harrison Avery Farrar Alisia Hassler Cara Evers (& ECC) Roba Elshiekh Jacob Jamison Drazen Gonzalez Kaegann Jordan Sarah Elrod Jared Kuhn James Jennings Laine Marler Kaitlyn Oberkirsch Krystal O’Connor Shane O’Brennan Roxanne Rafter Korey Pearson Rahel Pommerenke Denver Spurgeon Megan Studdard Ryan Priesmeyer Hannah Ulrich David Strassner Theron Weeks Michaela Veik Milan Chandra

St Charles College Santa Monica College Amber Walters Olivia Sims

ECC

Katie Henson Allene Huffman Brittany Gray St. Louis Forest Park College Pikes Peak College Stevie Russ Michael Powers Randi Bush Danielle Schuman State Technical College Ozark Technical College Santa Monica College Patrick Simpson John Baldwin Tayler Skyles Tyler Fischer Micheal Mcconville Hannah Smith Taylor Lauer Travis Sederburg David Tatsch Cara Evers Luke Pettijohn Not Specified Alyssa Carnelison Lindsey Hudgens Hollie Hurley Morgan Heimbaugh Sarah E Jones Catalina Mendoza Not Specified Amber Percy Makenzie Wilson Kelston Brugress Stephanie Matthes Justin Butkovich Emily Cates Natalie Craun Bridget Cunningham Emilie Hedge Jonah Heitman

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Work Force Dalton Declue Holt (Target) Austin Long Joshua Macclain Niya Norman Connor Preuss Brian Burnham Joshua Henson (Highway Patrol)

Mizzou Nirvani Amarakoon Maggie Duncan Sam Frimpong Morgan Grooms Delaney Lawson Theodora Leventis Shelby Persicke Joshua So Jordan Stevens Deborah Sutcliffe Western State Charles Skyles Taylor Hopper

Other Jeran Dudley Collin Nash (Nashville) Cole Hadley (Your guess is as good as mine)

Truman State Katie Bohannan Sara Lambeth Bradley Lohr Meggy Ross Andrew Satulla

Lincoln Univeristy Mohamed Dai Davin Mack

Northwestern University

Maryville

Rohit Allada

Sydneanna Arthur

Texas A&M

UCSB

Nathaniel Barker

Bava Balakrishnan

UMSL

Bringham Young HI Brooklyn Boehme

Rachel Crowley

Harding

Ashley Graber

Southern Arkansas Aarika Froehlich

Full Sail University Evangel University Joshua Lawrence Kalise Garner Gavin Lewis Southeast Missouri James Kosbar

Robert Morris Jessie Kaczmarek

Webster University Webster University Jordan Kaden Jordan Kaden Luke Pettijohn Avila University (ECC) Kayla Reed

Willam Woods Kelsey Moreland

UMKC Austin Vandergriffe Lindenwood Kessah Headrick Sarah G Jones Emily Stites Dalton Turner Lukas Walker Case Western Reserve University

Jarod Rieth

Olivia Gronewald Kayleigh Curtner Weston Davis Elizabeth Defrances Chester Jones Joseph Leach Landon Maynard

Bringham Young ID Jessica Schuck

Union College NE Guila Medrano

St. Joeseph Kadie Clark UIUC

Aita Ikuenobe Willam Woods Kelsey Moreland

Emory University

Washington University

Ashwini Krishnamurthy

Sofia Luna

College of the Ozarks

Dakota Cartwright Abigail Lee

Columbia College

Dane Goser Mikala Harman Kelsi James Hannah Lucas Nick Stodulski

James Nathan Thomas Satulla Megann Temple Braden Tiddy Zachkary Yoakum

Time Capsule 2015 “2014-15 Season By the Stats” placed by Haley Gremp

Black leggings placed by Avery Farrar

Smartboard pens placed by Michaela Veik

Mrs. Gillis’s Mustang placed by ECHO Staff

Basketball placed by Sydney Arthur

AP Chem book placed by Sarah Elrod

A million dollars placed by Braden Tiddy

Smartboard pens placed by Michaela Veik

My Chocolate Chip Cookies placed by Aarika Froehlich

Mr. Warner placed by Austin Vandergriffe

Liam Jennings placed by Ryan Priesmeyer

Luka Lu Lukas uka k s Wa Walker pl p placed lac aced e by ed b B Br roo ookl oo klyn y B oe o e Brooklyn Boehme

Mr. Luna placed by Bava Balakrishnan

Mr. Goldschmidt placed by Rachel Crowley & Dakota Cartwright

Aita Ikuenobe’s hair line placed by Kelston Burgess

Gavin Lewis placed by Sam Frimpong

Mrs. Hammond placed by Andy Satulla

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Taking the

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The junior class was required to take the ACT on April 28, 2015. While the seniors were having graduation practice and the sophomores were taking the ASVAB, the juniors were testing their little hearts out with the test that determines most of their future, and means either admission or rejection to colleges plus the difference between $1,000 scholarship or none at all, depending on where they go. Though taking the ACT may not seem necessary for a number of students, taking the exam still opens opportunities and keeps options open.

“I personally think [taking the test as a requirement is] a good idea, because a lot of students in my opinion may probably not be exposed to taking the ACT, and may not have any reason to based on their home life or other factors. But taking the ACT will introduce them to a whole world of education and new opportunities and colleges and stuff like that. So like maybe a kid who has not previously thought of taking the ACT may later on think ‘Oh I can do this,’ and it will open up new opportunities for them,” Sophomore Jesse Liu said.

The average ACT score for Missouri is currently 21. Though there have been concerns with the number lowering, or how the new average will effect the Bright Flight scholarship which currently requires a score of 31, having more students take the exam at least once provides a more accurate number.

Typically, students who take the ACT plan on going to college or some secondary school, and others who know they are going into the workforce or the military don’t usually take

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The 20th century produced everything from the Titanic to rock and roll. Our generation seems intent on living in the past while simultaneously living in the present. Polaroid cameras, dial phones and record players are all things that our parents grew up with, and now these things are being modified to accommodate modern technology. The big question is: does this happen every generation? No matter what, is someone always going to want what came before they did?

“Probably not. I just think the decades before us that we recreate as ‘retro’ are just more sexy or interesting to look at than old pioneer dresses or something,” junior Lilly Geremeroth said.

Many people think that our generation just wants to live in a different era and are trying to recreate something that has already been made. Some people even think that this era is lacking in inspiration so young people are just borrowing ideas from the generations before us, but that’s what every generation does. Humans are constantly improving upon previous ideas.

“We are kids of the mille-

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it. However, allowing every student to take the test for free not only gives those students alternatives, but also provides a better reflection on where students actually stand amongst their peers.

“It’s true that there is a majority of kids who say they’re going into the workforce, and if they’re determined, they are probably going to do that, but I think education should be opened to everyone; I think the few people that might change their minds because of it, the 5 percent of people who do that, it makes [requiring to take the test] worth it,” Liu said.

Though percentiles and top scores may change slightly, the moral of making this standardized test a requirement is that it does more good than harm. The purpose of the test is to let colleges know where the applicant stands in terms of relative IQ. But, if only a fixed number of students take the exam, it throws the perception off.

“It’s just a cultural perception of numbers, and numbers standing for everything. Personally, I think it should not be a focus on the numbers going down, but a focus on if the kids are learning and doing well. Because honestly, if more kids take it, it’s more reflective of the national student body.

I honestly think it’s better now, because it tests the student body more, so you compare yourself better to your peers.

Because people are always like, “Oh, I don’t have this score I’m so stupid,” well, looking at the true average of the student body will help with that, in my opinion,” Liu said.

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nium, the indigo children. I don’t know if it’s necessarily us trying to copy an older generation, as much as it is just us becoming wise and smart. We are choosing not to be ignorant to different things just because the government or higher up people are saying it,” junior Alex Sapaugh said.

This generation is full of people wanting to be individuals and not just blending into the background.

“I think people want to be hipster to stand out. People want to be unique. But then everyone does it and it kind of has a reverse effect,” Sapaugh said.

The appeal that young people feel for the “retro” era is certainly very strong, and there is more to it than simply wanting to be like the people who came before we did.

“Our generation has the potential to be anything that they choose to be, but we will always have to return to our roots if we plan to succeed. Learn from the past and improve the future,” Germeroth said.

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Between the lines

Reading

Exploring the models of independent reading at RHS.

Reading is an essential part of education, and has been proven to make individuals more empathetic, as well as more intelligent emotionally and socially. As such, it should be important for students who care about their education to have some kind of regular reading habit.

Therefore, it is important to have some model for rewarding reading in English classes.

In the past, A.R was the dominant model for rewarding reading. However, it is essentially being abandoned forever due to a number of reasons, as explained by Rolla High School English teacher Andrew Warner.

“I have never felt like A.R was an effective way of making sure kids get what they need from reading. As English teachers, its our duty to make sure kids are interpreting symbols and understanding significant meanings from books. Not remembering ten specific plot points for a book. A.R. has many flaws; it’s extremely easy for students to cheat, it doesn’t really implement reading difficulty into it’s scores, because a Shakespearean play might be five points, whereas a Twilight book would be over twenty. I’d also argue it doesn’t create an atmosphere for ‘fun reading’ because like I said, it’s about remembering ten specific plot points instead of actually understanding what a book is about. It’s also really expensive and is run by a huge corporation,” Warner said.

Other English teachers agree with the abandoning of A.R. “Basically, students can assume that A.R is gone from the high school. Instead I use weekly book logs, which I’ll definitely admit are not perfect, but I see them as better than A.R. With A.R, we had no idea if the kids were cheating or going to the library and goofing off, they had to leave class which can be a bit of a hassle and my overall gripe with it is that it doesn’t really attempt to have students think critically about the book. Book logs don’t guarantee that, but they are at least an attempt. The real problem is that some kids just won’t read and that’s kind of beyond a model of independent reading,” English teacher Lea Hickerson said.

Despite the seemingly strong arguments supporting a book log based model, others feel that A.R is the superior model for independent reading. One of the strongest supporters of A.R is Rolla high librarian Jessie Kirkbride.

“I just want to ask how much students really are getting out of book logs? I would encourage people who think A.R wasn’t effective to fill out a book log on a random book they haven’t read and seeing what they get right, then compare it to an A.R test for a book they haven’t read. My point is that I think it is much easier to fake your way through a book log than an A.R test, especially because students are able to take them home and can simply Google everything they need. Also since the high school has dropped A.R, there has been a major decrease in books checked out, as well as students coming in here and reading. I don’t know if they are just reading outside books or the book logs don’t generally require as much, but there are significantly less people in the library these days; I want my readers back. It’s also important to remember that A.R or independent reading is intended to be a supplement to a grade; independent reading is supposed to be that we’re reading this novel in class and this novel in class, but you’ll also have to read several books on your own. Really, we got rid of A.R because we felt there was too much cheating going on, but now there’s even more cheating than ever going on with book logs,” Kirkbride said.

There is also large extents of support for A.R over book logs in RHS students.

In tenth grade I had A.R. I think it’s a fine system, I generally like reading when I do it, but that’s not all the time and it’s not my most favorite thing in the world. It’s kind of ironic, they made a really big deal out of A.R, like there were no other possibilities and it would follow us forever, but then they were like ‘Actually, not really doing that anymore.’ With A.R, you probably won’t be reading to really understand the book like you would with other models of independent reading, but I would argue that if the book is really good you’ll hold on to that information regardless. From a student’s standpoint, I’d prefer A.R because it’s just simpler. From an educational standpoint, there is the argument that A.R doesn’t ‘teach’ as much, but like I said, good books will have teach you stuff regardless,” senior Brendan Lietz said. “A.R was way easier than book logs, but both are pretty easy if you actually read the book,” junior Sophia Holmes added.

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Our small town of 20,000 people is great for growing up in, but it is clear that after a certain age, the number of interesting things inside Rolla decreases steadily. Summer is just around the corner and you want it to be the best one yet. Well, lucky for you, Echo’s got your back. We’ve created a calendar of June and July, with something fun to do in each day.

We’ve also created a bucket list and a volunteer list filled with great places to help out at this summer. It’s all here, your summer plans right at your fingertips. So if you’re having one of those lazy days this summer where you’re sitting on your couch eating you body weight in cheetos, just flip back to that Echo issue with the wicked summer calendar and go make your summer the best you’ve ever had.

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Summer Fun Bucket List 1. Find a job 2. Road trip 3. Keep a diary 4. Go horseback riding 5. Learn a new language 6. Start your own garden 7. Learn an instrument 8. Have a water balloon fight

9. Have a messy twister paint party 10. Host a pool party 11. Go paintballing 12. Play flashlight tag 13. Rethink life choices

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Volunteer Options 1. Community Partnership - (573) 368-2849 2. GRACE (573) 368-3040 3. PCRMC (573) 458-8899 4. Humane Society (573) 364-6995 5. Presbyterian Manor (573) 364-7336 6. Animal Shelter (573) 364-6995 7. Silver Stone Place (573) 426-6200

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Burn old school -work

Pigeon 4 2 3 Cardinal’s Game Cardinal’s Game Catch up on TV Full Moon shows Reel Big Fish & Watch The Aristocats Less than Joke: at STL Playhouse Springfield

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The Script: STL

Go to Onondaga Cave

Visit STL City Museum

Swim at Fugitive Beach

Go to Gourd Creek Cave

Cardinal’s Game Cardinal’s Game Imagine Dragons: Watch Richard the STL Lionheart at STL Opera

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Shakespeare Festival ends

Watch My Fair Lady at STL Muny New Moon

Inside Out 20 19 Go to Ozark Watch The Barber of Actors Theater’s Go to Onyx Cave Visit the STL Seville at STL Opera Science Center (OAT) production of Meet Me in St. Create a sock opera Louis (18-28)

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Watch the sunset

Go spelunking

Cardinal’s Game

Cardinal’s Game

Lindsey Sterling, Music Box Tour: STL

Watch Emmeline at STL Opera

Go swimming

Rolling Stones: Kansas City

Shakespeare Festival begins May 22

Cardinal’s Game

Route 66 Summerfest

June Solstice Go to Six Flags

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Attend OAT’s Go to Mill Creek Summer Theatre Academy (22-27) Watch Hairspray or the Cabaret at STL Muny Series

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Go kayaking

Cardinal’s Game

Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower

Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower

Play mini-golf

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Insidious Ch. 3

Host a BBQ

Route 66 Summerfest

Route 66| Summerfest

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Take a camping trip

Go to OAT’s Cabaret Series

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Summerland: Springfield

Visit the STL Art Museum Phelps County Fair

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Jurassic World

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Terminator: 2 3 Jimmy’s Hall Genisys Cardinal’s Game Cardinal’s Game Cardinal’s Game Go to Lane Spring Full Moon Lions Club CarLions Club Carnival Lions Club Carnival nival Minions 10 7 8 9 Cardinal’s Game Cardinal’s Game Cardinal’s Game Cardinal’s Game Go to Elephant Go to OAT’s Rocks production of The Go hiking Crawford County Fair Importance of Be- Take a camping ing Ernest (9-19) trip July (8-11) Ant-Man, 14 15 16 17 Luke Bryan, Mr. Holmes Fall Out Boy, Wiz Dave Matthews Go to the Lake of Randy Houser, Band: STL Khalifoa, & the Ozarks Dustin Lynch: Hoodie Allen: Maryland Heights Maryland Heights New Moon

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Visit STL Zoo

Vans Warped Tour: STL

One Direction: Kansas City

Go to Johnson’s Shut-ins

Go to OAT’s production of Lucky Stiff (ends August 9)

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Poltergeist, Paper Towns

Saturday 4 Cardinal’s Game Lions Club Carnival

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Take a camping trip

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Mission Impossible, Self/Less, Southpaw

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Photos provided by Carter Stephenson

Rippin’ the Ruts

Professional Ambition of the Dirt Bike Kid

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Going professional is many high schoolers’ goal. For one junior that dream might become a reality. Junior Carter Stephenson is chasing a career in motocross. From a young age he’s been on a dirt bike, many times competing, and winning, races. “ Ever since I was real little, its been all about winning and all about reaching the top of the pros. Right now, my goal is to move on past pro amatuer and go on to the pros and compete in supercross and the outdoor pros,” Stephenson said.

Currently Stephenson is in the amatuer pro divison, but is currently working on getting his pro license and moving up to the next level. His time in this division has been very successful, with many races and wins under his belt.

“I probably do 20-30 races a year in Missouri and do probably 20 races out of Missouri a year. In 2005 I got my first amatuer national title. In 2007 I went to Belgium Europe and raced in the Belgian Master Kids and ended up winning over there. I acquired 8 more national titles. I think I have 11 national titles and 1 world title,” Stephenson said.

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With all that success, one must look at the influences that have shaped his career. Luckily he has a strong support base.

“My biggest influence is definitely my dad.

He’s taught me how to ride, he’s helped me all throught the amatuar ranks. He’s given me all the positive feedback and all the negative feedback.

Really when I was 4, I would just watch the supercross rounds and Jeremy McGrath was always winning. That’s who I always wanted to be, so I kinda pushed for that. I always wanted to be better than my brother, and my brother was always faster than me as a kid,” Stephenson said.

However, to get to the pros, Stephenson has a lot of work ahead of him. From getting on the track and winning races to hitting the gym and getting in peak shape, his schedule will be very busy.

“After high school, I plan on moving down to around Tampa, Florida. Theres a couple training facilities there and just train and hit the gym. Be physically and mentally ready for the pros. A lot of kids that have came up [are] living at training facilities training everyday. It’s hard to compete with that when you can’t ride everyday of the year.

The amount of physical demand motocross requires to race at the top level is insane. Handling a 200-250 pound dirt bike for 35 minutes in 100° heat when the track is as rough as can be, is NOT an easy task. So being out of shape, honestly isn’t an option,” With a passion and a work ethic to succeed, Stephenson has a promising career ahead of him.

His love of the sport and desire to succeed is what drives him.

“Riding and racing dirt bikes has been a huge part of my life, so whenever I feel angry, sad, stressed, or whatever the case may be, I’ve always had my dirt bikes to turn to. Kind of like having a girlfriend all my life. Whenever I’m riding I don’t think about anything else except the task at hand, which is have as much fun as possible. I love that whenever I throw a leg over my dirt bike that I can just forget about everything and just have endless amounts of fun,” Stephenson said.

ion Around the Globe t a c u d E

Attending school in America is an experience that differs from other schools in countries across the globe. Because America is a free country and the “land of many opportunity”, many immigrants come to the US to take advantage of some of those opportunities, like education. Senior Mohammed Dai and his family immigrated to America from Sudan and has experienced almost two, completely different schooling systems.

“If you don’t do your homework, the teachers are actually allowed to beat you up. If you tell your parents, they’ll beat you up too, so you just have to deal with it and do your homework. If you skip school for no reason, that’s a really bad idea cause you’re just going to get beat,” Dai said.

Aside from the teachers getting a little abusive, Dai said his school was not all bad.

They had soccer, of course, along with basketball, boys and girls volleyball teams, racquet ball, gymnastics and ping pong tournaments. But most importantly, they had a rigorous, advanced curriculum.

“The education [in Sudan] is really good. When I came from Sudan to here, I had already learned a lot of the things we’re doing now from there, like AP Chemistry and Biology,” Dai said.

After coming to Rolla in the 8th grade, Dai has come to favor school here more than school in Sudan.

“I like it here, because I joke around a lot and it’s free pretty much. In Sudan, it’s really hard and you have to focus on what you’re doing. You don’t have time to goof around or joke with anybody. The teachers [there] are just about high school or college, that’s it,” Dai said.

Countries in Northern Africa may be thought to have similar schools. Senior Gorgina Barsoum, who immigrated with her family from Egypt, attended a much different school than Mohammed’s.

“There were some similarities to [American schools], but there were a lot of differences too. For one, scheduling is different. A group of students, who stay together for the whole school year, attend different classes every day. This makes school not as boring, because you don’t have the same thing every day,” Barsoum said.

Along with different scheduling and and the makeup of classes, admission to colleges are also unalike.

“While high school students look to go to universities, admission to college is only based on the results of final grades. [Students] study throughout the school years for that one day, and then you either pass [the test] or you don’t. There is no ACT or SAT to count on either,” said Barsoum.

While one prepares for finals in Egypt, concentration on the goal at hand is paramount.

Because of this, school sports and activities do not happen. This means that, according to Barsoum, there really isn’t any school spirit.

Education varies as you go from continent to continent, but it can never hurt to learn a little more about education around the globe.

Photo by Theodora Leventis

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Our Home

The Importance of Conservation

At this point in the school year, you have probably been dreaming for a while of all of the places you would love to visit this summer . The snowy, mountain tops in Colorado, or the sandy, peaceful beaches of Florida would be amazing. What about experiencing the breath-taking view of the Grand Canyon? All of these would be ideal vacations after the long, stressful school year.

What is hardly ever thought of, however, is the really fascinating landscape that is our backyard.

Some people like to pronounce Missouri as “Misery.” However, Missouri is actually a pretty cool place, if given the chance.

We live in the Ozarks, which is arguably the most beautiful part of the midwest. There are forest-covered hills, glistening creeks which run into rivers that are full of life. Wildlife runs everywhere.

What is important, however, are that actions are taken not only to enjoy the outdoors, but to also protect it.

Bob May, retired District Ranger for the United States Forest Service and also former Missouri State representative, has a story about the amazing landscape that surrounds us that can be learned from. In his work in the United States Forest Service, he focused on the natural resources.

“One thing I remember when I first joined the forest service was the various resources. We called them the five ‘W’s’: wood, water, wildlife, recreation, and forage. Forage means grass for grazing,” May said.

There is a distinct difference between the words “conservation” and “preservation.” These words are often used interchangeably, however they have two different definitions.

“There is a difference between conservation and preservation.

Conservation is the wise use of the resources. Preservation is to keep something the way it is,” May said.

According to May, preservation is a little trickier.

“Preservation, however, cannot truly be done because in a natural set-

ting all those resources; trees, wildlife, everything-- they are changing constantly. It is dynamic,” May said.

Another reason why preservation is not always possible is because of humans.

“It is important to remember that man is the in equation. Man changes things. Man can do stuff about things whether they be good or bad,” May said.

When it comes to how we can be better about conserving, or using wisely, our natural resources, May knows what can be done.

“I would look at things that we use all the time, which are our natural resources. These things are water, wood, wildlife for food, and others.

We should look for how we can best use these things,” May said.

May was specific on what we can do with our resources to conserve.

“Recycling and reusing is something I worked with in the forest service. How you can perpetuate the resources, or seeing that they regenerate [is a good way to conserve],” May said.

According to May, recycling is not a new invention.

“People have recycled forever. Its not as new of a thing as people realize. Think about the older generation, the grandparents. Think about those things that they did to conserve and to wisely use the resources,” May said.

Much of the older generation today had to recycle, reuse, and use the resources wisely. Some specific examples are sharing bath water and utilizing scrap materials. Students today can learn from their example.

Another important part of conservation is recreation. Recreation is utilizing the natural environments for fun activities.

“Recreation is something that is big [in the Ozarks] that is important.

We have a lot of recreation opportunities in the Ozarks. Fishing, hunting, hiking, floating. This is where a lot of people come. An example would be the Lake of the Ozarks,” May said.

May talked about an experience in particular that was important to

“As far as managing the resources, man is here, Man is in the equation. We can make a difference. Sometimes the difference we make isn’t very good, we can mistreat things.

But we can also do things that are good. We have to take care of what we’ve got and enjoy it,” May said.

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him with his work in the Forest Service.

“We had these young people come in from the inner city. When they got out into the rural area, for a lot of them it was their first time seeing the stars. This was because of the bright lights in the city. At night there you can’t see the stars,” May said.

May described this as an amazing experience for the students in this program.

“They had never experienced the outdoors. They had never experienced wildlife. It was pretty scary for them. I hope that meant something to them that they’re some natural places out there,” May said.

According to May, sometimes the natural areas aren’t always as appreciated as they should be. Some people may never experience a place

con·ser·va·tion

like Missouri’s Ozarks.

“We are fortunate, we are around [natural environments] every day.

Those kids were scared. They were scared of the dark and the forest, while they had everything to be scared about in the cities,” May said.

To May, there is something extremely important to remember when thinking about conservation.

“As far as managing the resources, man is here, Man is in the equation. We can make a difference. Sometimes the difference we make isn’t very good, we can mistreat things. But we can also do things that are good. We have to take care of what we’ve got and enjoy it,” May said.

noun

preservation, protection, or restoration of the natural environment, natural ecosystems, vegetation, and wildlife.

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Living on your own

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Life will get you there, will you be ready?

Here it is. Today is the day. The final issue is out, and I will never write for this magazine again. Don’t worry. I’m not going to bore you with some sappy last end-of-the-year column. No. Instead, I’m going to talk about how great it is that the year is over. Know why? Because it’s a new beginning. And change is exciting! Sure it can be bittersweet sometimes, but once you embrace it, it’s alright.

It annoys me when people just “can’t wait for their lives to start.”

Well pardon me, but life is happening right now. At this very moment.

Not after high school. Not after college. Not after graduate school. Not after you get a job. Right now. It’s here! This is your life! Stop spending it on thinking too far ahead. What does that do? Besides make you completely insane. There’s only so much you can know about the future, and let me give you a hint, most of it is just hopes and dreams and what you wish will happen. So stop stressing so much, because you can’t know for sure what comes later. I’ll admit, I used to be guilty of this. I would just sit there and think about my future, as if the present didn’t matter. I would spend my time planning my life and working toward it, rather than appreciating all the good little things that happened around me.

Especially for you incoming juniors and seniors...please enjoy

yourselves. Don’t let yourselves become different people because of a class or a test or a tough situation. Keep your cool. Think of it as an infection. What do you do when you have one? It all starts out with one single bacterium. But pretty soon, that little intruder duplicates, and before your body knows it, it’s under attack. What do you do then?

Do you take your medicine? Do you suck it up and hope someday it goes away? Or do you just give up entirely and let it kill you? How you respond to rough circumstances is important.

But enough with all the serious talk. What I really wanted to say is this: Make a plan, set a goal, and work toward it. But every now and then, look around and take it in. Because this is it. This is your life. It’s happening now, and it goes on whether you’re on for the ride or not.

Always appreciate the happy things and even the sad things, the people you love and the people you can’t stand, because it might all be gone tomorrow.

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Superintendents, landscape gardening and autombiles edition.

Sometimes, it can be nice to have a society that is not in complete anarchical chaos. I, for one, do not like continually being on fire, and I’m sure plenty of you people would come to admit it around some close friends and for all of you literate-horses, you’d probably admit it if given some carrots or something. Therefore, if we wish to avoid mass pillaging and apocalyptic raider bands destroying our homes, we need to have a structured society, which means having leaders, which in the educational system, means we have a superintendent.

And in Rolla, that position is filled by Dr. Aaron Zalis. I hope that this article will shed some light on our unintendingly super superintendent and allow you, dearest Rolla student/horse, to talk with him about some of your favorite bands, or his life, or Twitter, or something else.

“I grew up in Quincy Illinois and went to a pretty big high school, with about two-thousand kids and my graduating class was about six hundred and eighty. I think I was just like anybody else really, was a little sports oriented though. I came here as a middle-school administrator and just moved up as opportunities presented themselves. This year will be my thirtieth in education twenty-first in the Rolla school district. I spent my first eight years teaching and coaching basketball in Savannah Missouri, so I have spent more time in administration than in anything else. I actually have two degrees in art because I wanted to be a landscape architect, so I have a commercial art degree and while I was at grad school I had to teach a few classes and I really liked it, so that was how I got into teaching. I’d always had it in the back of my mind that I’d really like to teach and coach, so the only way to do that from the degree I had was to do visual arts, and in order to do that I had to get another bachelors degree in addition to my Master’s degree. So by the time I had gotten into education I had a Masters degree and two Bachelor degrees as a first year teacher,” Zalis said.

With great power comes great responsibility. And with Zalis, that includes being active on Twitter.

“I like Twitter because it’s only one hundred and forty characters to say what you need to say. Just the other day I was talking to S&T’s chancellor about how when leaders and organizations can help people feel very connected when they are active on things like Twitter. I like to express my interests on there as well; I have some varied tastes in music, so I’ll retweet something that has to do with music, fine arts, sports or whatever. Just today in the parking lot I retweeted a congratulations for someone I know who won an award in California for a kind of teacher retirement system. I’m not that big of a Facebook person though, its too clumsy and time-consuming for me,” Zalis said.

It doesn’t take too much gold-mining on his Twitter feed to find out his musical tastes, it did take to the end of this article though. Thanks for reading guys!

“My dad was a disk jockey for a radio station, so I started early with my love for music.

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My range is from Chevelle and the Deftones to Stevie Ray Vaughan, to Bill Rivers, Dwight Yoakum, Prince, U2, to Mariah Carey. I appreciate a lot of kinds, but I’m not too big into Country, but my dad did spend a lot of time on a huge Country station in Illinois before he passed, so I have an autographed picture of Johnny Cash; I like Johnny Cash. It’s pretty varied, but currently I’m into Death Cab For Cutie, I saw them in concert pretty recently. For recent artists, my favorite radio station is Alt. Nation, 736. I like their New Music Tuesdays.

I also like Alabama Shakes too,” Zalis said.

Don’t worry, I’ll give you a sample of his social media brilliance before this is over.

That. Just. Happened.

We also took a selfie. Nice

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Disclaimer: This column’s purpose is to not rant on about my opinion… well maybe a little bit… but I do want to provide a new outlook on different issues that affect high school kids, like myself. But like always, I promise some silliness at the end to lighten up the seriousness.

It has been real, but it is time for this school year’s column to end.

Do not be sad, because, “If there was no change, there would be no butterflies!”

Okay, okay. Enough with the sappy, overused quotes about change.

I’m sure we’ll be hearing loads of those over the next couple weeks with school year coming to a close and the seniors preparing to graduate.

I do, however, want to make one last request to all seven of you who read my column, especially you mom! (Just kidding, I’m hopeful that they’re more of you).

My last bit of inspiration of the 2014- 2015 school year is that you look for the good in the world, and, when you find it, acknowledge it to yourself and others.

Sounds cheesy, I know, but if you think about it, that is what is truly important. Am I right?

With all the destruction and despair in the world we see or hear about on the news, at home, and at school, we sometimes lose grasp on the good. Sure, it is important to recognize these issues in the world, and do our best to make them better, but we cannot let these things take control of our hearts. By that I mean we cannot make these negative things turn us into bitter individuals.

Something I always think about when I can’t help but feel hopeless is the song “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong. If you haven’t heard it before, I suggest you step out of your dark bedroom and join society.

Anyway, this is a simple song that’s power and meaning has often

been overlooked.

This song was released in 1967.

The optimism in America was fading away. The Vietnam war had begun. Discrimination against black Americans was rampant. The President had just been assassinated.

With all of these horrible things going on in the world, Louis chose to see the good. That truly inspires me, as I hope it does you.

Now we are in 2015. There is still bad around the world. With this being said, what can we look at, like Louis, that is good?

It is 2015. We have advanced medicine that saves a countless amount of lives each day. We have technology that keeps us connected throughout the world. We have African Americans and females in office. We have programs that reach out and try their best to help and support third world countries.

I am, by no means, saying we should forget about or neglect our responsibilities to help take care of the bad things that are going on in the world. However, I am saying that we cannot let these negative things take control of our hearts. Let your good heart shine to abolish the bad, instead of letting the bad abolish your heart.

Now for the very last silliness for the school year: Because it is the end of the school year, I feel that it is right that I make a confession. I got a spray tan for Homecoming, and yes… I was a nice, vibrant shade of Cheeto. With that being said, you can bet I’ll be working on my natural tan this summer!

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As this year winds to a close, I find myself wondering why I did this column in the first place, and I realized that I did this as much for me as for anyone else. Studying these different universities has helped me get an idea about what I want to do and where I want to go. It has helped me decide what I’m best at and what I plan to study. As a finale to this column, I will be writing about Truman State.

Three hours from Rolla is Kirksville, Missouri. It is the home of Truman State University which is one of the top ranked schools in the nation. With only 6,000 people on campus, the ratio of students to teachers is 16:1. This allows for students’ educations to be more personal instead of a professor having close to 100 students at a time. With a 49 percent employment rate after college, the success of Truman’s students shows. The average percentage of students that are still seeking employment six months after college is only 9 percent. 41 percent of students go on to graduate school, furthering their options in the career they choose to pursue. One out of every five students pursues serious research in any given year. This allows them to focus on areas of study that might not be covered in depth in any of their classes.

There are nearly 240 organizations that the students can get involved in, ranging anywhere from Student Government to West Coast Swing Club. The majority of their students graduated in the top 20 percent of their high school class and this year’s freshmen class had an average GPA of 3.28 by the end of their high school careers. Truman is constantly looking for hard working students to carry on the tradition of quality education and great college experiences.

For more information, go to truman.edu

Photos courtesy of Truman Admissions Office

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@rhsechonews #RoMoBulldogs @rhsechonews #RoMoBulldogs Rolla High School ECHO