October 16, 2015 Print Edition

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Rolla High School - 900 Bulldog Run - Rolla, Missouri 65401- Volume 67 - Issue 2 October 15, 2016 - www.rhsecho.com

A Veteran’s Sacrifice

ECHO editors John Giesey and Chloe Myers and resporter Emily Roberts met with Veteran residents of the Missouri Veteran’s Home in St. James who were involved in three separate foreign wars about the experience in combat and returning to America.

pgs. 10-12 Rolla gets spooky for Halloween

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Local Olympic Athlete Hosts Camp

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Coach Don Knapp talks about his 35 year coaching career pg. 4

Eagle Scouts seniors Nate Potrafka (back) and Nathan Norwald (right), and junior Jeff Moss (left) fold the flag that flies in front of the high school.

In this issue...

Friday Backpack Program.....................................................................3 2014 Band Show gets Futuristic............................................................6 Students Celebrate America..................................................................13 Mullets & ‘Murca, a Love Story.............................................................16 Up close & Personal Mack Campbell....................................................19 CORE funding cuts Impact RHS..........................................................20 RHS By the Numbers............................................................................22

Letter from the editor

Firstly, my apologies to Mrs. Gania Harshberger for calling her “Mrs. Heimbaugh” or something like that in our last issue. That was straight goofy. And my fault. Sorry. I would also like to apologize to Mr. Curtis for not including him. Also my fault.

Anyways, my last letter provoked a Journalism student to write a response. I was so happy, because it meant someone was reading the ECHO, and taking me seriously. If more people did that I’d be really happy. Now, my objective with my writing is to change something; if I change one person’s mind about one thing through my articles in the ECHO, then I’ve made a difference in the world, and that’s cool. So I’d like to ask ECHO readers to submit an idea on something they’d like to change about RHS. Think about all the good we could do fam.

Secondly, we are issuing fewer ECHOs this time around because of funds, although we love all of our current sponsors very much. This is an excellent time to check out our website, which has all of our magazines in online print, meaning the magazines are scanned and you can flip through them digitally. #thefutureisnow. If you want to read our extra-spoopy Halloween story, stare at Chantae’s abs, read my Mullet story, or hear the stories of different veterans, but don’t have a magazine handy, go to our website. Read my blog too. It’s called Fifty Shades of Squidward. It’s dope. I checked.

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 - John Giesey, Managing Editor - Chloe Myers, Copy Editor - Elise Mazzeo, Webmaster - Amanda Steineman Staff Writers - Brynn Profitt, Trustin Dinsdale, Celia Parsons, Emily Roberts, Maria Pommerenke, Adviser - Mary Gillis

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Visit www.rhsechonews for more news and features from RHS

Friday Backpack program feeds Rolla students from K-12 The BackPack Program b y M a r i a P o mm e r e n k e Reporter was brought to Rolla about nine years ago by Faith Barnes. She worked in the school district and had read about this program in progress in other school districts. This program packs bags with food and delivers them to school throughout the district.

These bags are for students who aren’t always sure that they will have food over the weekend. “[Students] who don’t necessarily have the funds to have enough food to survive through the weekend or while they’re not at school [receive the backpacks] because here, a lot of the time, they can get breakfast and lunch provided, but they may not have the means for that to happen at home all the time. It’s a program to help those students in need have some nourishment and food over the weekends and holidays when they’re not here,” Barnes said.

Barnes had read about the program in other areas and realized that students in the Rolla School District could also benefit from this.

“There was a need to feed the children. We have a lot of working poor in the community. We have parents who work, really really hard work, a couple of jobs, but they don’t qualify for government assistance because they make too much, yet they struggle to make ends meet,” Barnes said.

People of all ages volunteer. Middle school student “Kennedy”, says that he comes to help once a year.

“I don’t know, to be nice? It’s good to help others,” Kennedy said.

It is a nice thing to do and anyone is welcome to come and help pack the backpacks Wednesday after school at Wyman Elementary school or Thursday at Vineyard Church at 5:30. Rolla High School’s Amnesty International Club help to pack the backpacks this month.

The BackPack Program has a “no questions asked” policy and anyone who is in need of food should contact a school counselor or teacher.

“I had a grandmother call me today and she said, you know, there’s not a huge financial need but there’s some troubles in the family situation and they’re not really getting a lot of food to eat. And I said, no questions asked, called the counselor and asked for these kids to be put on. We don’t require [documentation], we don’t have any requirements. We just want to feed kids. We want kids and families

to have hope,” Barnes said.

The food that is provided by this program helps students in many different ways.

“To help them physically, it helps them pay attention, they’re not worried about what they’re going to have for their next meal,” Barnes said.

Truman Elementary math teacher Marsha Rightnowar has helped with the BackPack Program a couple of times in the past three years.

“We just take turns and everyone chips in and helps,” Rightnowar said.

Rightnowar believes that this opportunity can really help a lot of people.

“Be gracious for the programs that are out here. These are really nice gifts that other people have worked hard to provide,” Rightnowar said.

Students from preschool through twelfth grade can benefit from this program, and volunteers of all ages can attest to the benefits.

“I could see first hand how the kids were helped by having extra food over the weekend and how they would come to me and ask ‘Is it Friday? Is it backpack day?’ And the parents appreciate the fact that the kids have the extra food, too. They can share it with the family sometimes,” Retired Mark Twain teacher Doris Grag said.

The BackPack Program relies on support from the community for funds.

“It’s all volunteer donations. The program has gotten money from Greentree Church this year, from the Presbyterian Church other years, and some of the fraternities donate money. There are a lot of different sources. This is definitely a community effort,” Grag said.

New volunteers are always welcome and the donations will improve the lives of student beneficiaries.

“I think it’s great that everyone wants to come together and help all the kids, especially because if they are not getting the proper nutrition, it’s not healthy and they don’t grow and develop. With a lot of younger kids, that’s their prime time to develop, so I think it’s great that everyone can come together and help out and make sure that they get the proper food and everything they need,” MS&T student Kayley said.

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Knapp’s 35th Coaching

The Rolla High School Cross b y Celia Parsons Country and Track team have Reporter always been outstanding because they have a great support system behind them. At the head of that support system is Don Knapp. Knapp was recently named in the top ten Rolla High coaches list. With this year being his thirty fifth season coaching at Rolla High, he holds the longest running coaching career in school’s history, so he tells what inspired him to become a coach in the first place.

“My interest in sports itself, enjoyment of the sports that I was involved in, and then the very good coaches and role models I had through the years. I had very positive experiences and very enjoyable experiences in sports myself. I enjoy the young people I work with. I enjoy watching them improve.

“Running is just as much mental I enjoy their enthusiasm and their attitude and I enjoy help- as it is physical and I feel like he ing them learn and get as much does a great job in both aspects,” Holmes said. as they can out of the sport,” Knapp said.

Before retiring and focusing on coaching, Knapp taught for thirty two years.

“I did a little bit of P.E, but mostly science and enjoyed that. I enjoyed being a teacher as much as a coach. I feel like a coach is a teacher on the field and I don’t see a lot of difference there. In the classroom, you teach them the subject, on the playing field, you teach the sport or activity and I enjoyed both aspects of that but I just wanted to concentrate on the sports aspect of it now and spend some time doing other things,” Knapp said.

With the number of seasons Knapp has coached, it’s hard for him to pick out his favorite moment when there have been so many.

“If I had to describe my thirty plus year coaching career, I would use three words; fortunate, blessed and gratitude. Im grateful for all of the young people I've worked with. All all the kids, from the kid just trying to learn and get better, the kid that is really talented. Obviously we've had some talented, super athletes. We've had twelve state champions

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and two of those kids were High School All-Americans. But, I’m also happy for the kid whose goal was to run a six minute mile or to clear a certain height or throw a certain distance. I’m just as happy for those kids as I am for the state champion kid or for the kid who wins the race. I like to see the whole spectrum so there is not one moment that I could say ‘that was the great moment of my career.’

It’s all been fun,” Knapp said.

Throughout the years, Knapp has sent many of his track and cross country athletes into college sports and one to the Olympics.

“Three or four of the 2015 graduates went on to college sports and I feel that’s an important part of my job. If a kid does not enjoy the sport, if they have not enjoyed coming to practice and they just can't wait for it to be over, then that isn’t fun, for them or for me. If they walk out of the program, at graduation and say ‘boy that was a lot of fun,’ then I feel like we've done the right thing and we've had a tremendous number of kids go on to the next level. Not just the state champion kids, but a lot of other kids continue the sport. They just enjoyed it and wanted to go on and explore the possibility of how much better they could get. Obviously they are going to do better in college because they are more mature, they are older, and they have physically grown -- they are not high school freshman anymore. They change throughout high school, but in college they are going to do better and if they want to go onto the next level, then I feel like that’s a nice bonus. It’s good that they do that. My job and my responsibility is to help them do the best they can in high school and if they want to go onto that level, prepare them for that,” Knapp said.

Season at Rolla High

Junior, Addy Brow, and senior, Sophia Holmes, are both participants in Cross Country and Track and have been influenced by Coach Knapp.

Whether it’s helping them in their sport, or just moral support, Knapp is always there.

“Coach Knapp is very good at knowing his athletes. He pushes us, but not to the point that is too much. I’ve had a lot of injuries, and through every one, he’s made a specialized workout for me until I was healthy.

He always supports me,” Brow said.

“What separates Coach Knapp from other coaches is that for him, it’s not just about winning, it’s about character and hard work. I always feel very encouraged after every one of our “Coach Knapp talks.” For me I will perform better for coaches who encourage me and do not cut me down all the time. Coach Knapp is a perfect example of that,” Holmes said.

Knapp continues to coach and “He’s unlike any other coach inspire young athletes everyday.

I’ve ever had,” Brow said.

With the role models he had as a young athlete, he shares some advice to students who want to become coaches some day.

“Well you hear the old cliche, ‘Pick a job that you enjoy and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.’ If you enjoy it and you want to try that, great, do it, but be realistic. You’re going to put a lot of hours in, you’re going to do a lot of work, but if you enjoy it that much, you’ll enjoy doing it, and it’s a wonderful job. I often say I have one of the best jobs in the world, because I enjoy the sport. I have actually coached a whole lot of other sports, too, but I like this the best so I do it. I have good people to work with and good athletes so if you want to be a coach, be prepared for the responsibility, the hours you’re going to work, and do it because you enjoy it. Also, realize you are helping others, you’re helping others go on and improve and enjoy that. That’s the main thing to do in coaching. We have five high school coaches for track and three of them were athletes on the Rolla Track and Cross Country team with me and I consider that an honor. They enjoyed it and wanted to become a coach and went on to doing that.

So, I was their coach in high school and now they’re coaching with me as co-coaches, it’s kind of like a family and I take that as an achieve-

ment. They wouldn’t have wanted to do that unless it was a positive experience. I had good coaches who were role models for me. I think back to those years of high school and college, and even junior high -- those people mattered. They made a difference. I wanted to do that and apparently that’s gone well because three of our assistant coaches, a total of four of the staff, here, it’s what we do. So that’s a good thing, if a person wants to do it, and had a positive experience, then go for it,” Knapp said.

Pictured left to right is sophomores Ashton Gilbert and Vivi Ho, senior Sophia Holmes, junior Addy Brow, senior Joanna Callier, and sophomore Krista Hilmas along with Coach Don Knapp.

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The discovery of the wonders of space has been in development for centuries. From charting the constellations, landing on the moon, to taking high resolution photographs of planets billions of miles away, the human race has constantly pushed the limits of their abilities to explore new worlds. As an astronaut takes off from each and approaches the vast expanse of space, one may wonder what they would find. They pass planets, stars, nebulas, and comets, but what they could find may be dangerous: a black hole. For their 2015 show, the Rolla High School marching band is depicting their own journey through the space.

“This year’s show is titled “Event Horizon”, and it’s something that took us quite some time to really define. We wanted to do a space show. At first we thought constellations, we thought stars- how can we pull a story out of that- and we decided, instead of going with a story route, we’d go with the overall idea of space and exploring some different idea. So, the biggest thing we could think of in the solar system was a black hole, and so, instead of just calling it “Black Hole”, which is kind of just a blatant topic, we went with “Event Horizon”, because the event horizon is the point of no return in a black hole where light can’t escape. We thought that was a pretty good concept to focus the show around,” Assistant Director Mike Goldschmidt said.

This year’s show followed the band’s high-ranking 2014 show “Boudicca: The Iceni Warrior Queen”, and takes inspiration from the previous show as well. While going with a more contemporary feel and not having a story, the show exhibits the band’s talents that they Original image by ESA/Hubble & NASA, warping and recolouring by EM

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showcased last year. The difficulties of last year’s show, musically and physically, were incorporated into and enhanced in “Event Horizon”.

“Our show was written by a guy named Jason Lord, and he’s a somewhat local composer. He’d based out of Springfield. He wrote our show for us last year, and he did a butt-kicking job, and so we thought we’d continue the tradition and see what we could do for a second year.

I know last year’s show was a fantastic show. It was very straight-forward. It was easy to perform, it was easy to play, and it was a lot of fun.

[This year] there’s time changes all over the place, there’s key changes all over the place. Sometimes there’s not even a key signature that you can base everything around, so it’s much more complex and it’s much more difficult than in the past, but we were up for the challenge. We’ll see after this first competition if we can pull it off,” Goldschmidt. said.

The drill and visuals in “Event Horizon” are also challenging. The band portrays the experience of being in space and exploring a black hole, which means they must form multiple circles and constellation formations.

“This year’s show, we knew we wanted to go more complex, because we handled last year very well, so we pulled out all the stops and went with a much more difficult show. Last year’s show we took it up a notch visually, tons more visuals for the horn players to have to deal with. The drill was harder last year, and so we reincorporated with the visuals, pushing visuals, making sure they’re matching what’s going on in the show Drill-wise, we talked with our drill writer whose name is Eric Salas- he’s out of California- and writes for a lot of [Drum Corps International] groups and high schools on the West Coast. He built upon what he did for last year for a tougher show this year where we’ve got circles incorporated, lots of block forms, lots of big lines. Some

Horizon tough stuff, ” Goldschmidt said.

The band is looking forward to another successful year after their months of work.

“My goal every year is always to be sure that- you never know how the group is going to do until you get to the first competition, because we can think that we’re doing great, we can think that we’re doing bad.

Like I know last year we were just like, “Oh, man, this show’s just not going to pull together, it’s not going to do great,” and then you go to the first competition and you win everything and you keep doing that all year long. So, this year we want to do really well. It’s a much harder show, it’s a young band, so we’re going to push through and see what happens, but I’m very anxious for when they start calling awards- third place, second place- and I just can’t wait to hear our name. It’s going to be tough,” Goldschmidt said.

For their first competition, the marching band visited McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois to compete at the Preview of Champions Marching Band Competition, which is one of the largest independent high school marching band competitions in the St. Louis area.

The band took third place in their division and third place overall with a total score of 82.75 points, only seven points behind first place winner. At their second competition in Washington, Missouri, the band placed second in their division and third overall with only a 0.10 difference between first place with a score of 80.68 and won Outstanding Visuals and Outstanding Auxiliary. The band placed second overall in finals with a score of 81.30.

Upcoming Performances October 16: Home Football Game October 17: War Eagle Classic; Rogers, AR October 24: Ozarko Marching Festival

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#RioBo O photo courtesy of Dan Florez

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lympic athlete and former Rolla High School student Chantae McMillian is giving back to her hometown Rolla, while readying herself for the 2016 Olympics held in Rio. A camp was held October 3 and 4. Kindergarteners through adults were able to attend, getting personal attention from the Olympic athlete.

McMillan competed in the 2012 Olympics held in London in the Heptathlon. Currently, on the journey to the 2016 Olympics in Rio, McMillian is, in addition to giving back to her community, training extremely hard. “[Currently] I have time off from training. I will relax my mind and body. I will start training the middle of November, then have track and field meets from January to June, working on getting better and better at each of my seven events. Then, the Olympic trials are the first week of July next year and I have to place [in the] top three there to make the Olympic team,” McMillian said.

McMillian explained what her event, the Heptathlon, consists of.

“I compete in the Heptathlon, which consist of 100 meter Hurdles, High Jump, Shot Put, 200 meter dash, long jump, javelin, and the 800 meter run,” McMillian said.

With a big dream such as McMillian’s comes much dedication.

“I train six days a week, about five hours a day. I usually work on two of my seven events a day, such as hurdles then long jump, followed by

endurance or speed work. Then, I go to the weight room after that and have a program with general lifting involved that works on legs, abs, and arm strength,” McMillian said.

According to McMillian, while training for this event she has been presented with many obstacles.

“I have faced several challenges. First, was blowing out my patellatendon nine months before the 2012 Olympic trials. Next, was moving from Ohio to Florida under a new training program which ended up not being the correct training program for me for two years. An emergency surgery also put a wrench in my season this year,” McMillian said.

While facing these challenges, McMillian has stayed positive in order to succeed in meeting her goals.

“I understand there are always going to be obstacles in track and in life in general and I know that it is my choice in how I get through those obstacles which will determine my future,” McMillian said.

Being a professional athlete, McMillian has gotten to do quite a bit of traveling to compete and train. When she is not competing or training, she gets to have a little bit of fun.

“I don’t have any tales about getting lost in a foreign city or anything.

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McMillian poses with some Rolla Junior High students

I did get to go on a boat tour with some other athletes and supporters over this last trip in France and it was nice seeing the city of Bordeaux from the river. Then, lunch was full of a variety of local meats and cheeses for us to try, which I thought was amazing to experience. It is always a good time though in other countries trying to speak to others

“My inspiration comes from my parents to a stranger that I share my story with who finishes our conversation with, ‘I believe you can do it,’ that is who inspires me.” when neither of you know each other’s language and having to involve hand gestures to get your point across. [For example] ‘thumbs down’ means not good, ‘thumbs up’ means good. ‘Plug your nose’ to telling a fan who wants my shirt that it smells, but they still want it,” McMillian said.

McMillian has some advice to students who may want to pursue being a professional athlete in the future.

“My advice to those who want to become professional athletes is to first ask them if their hearts are in it. They have to be fully committed to what they want out of themselves and their process to getting there.

Stay disciplined,” McMillian said.

As far as her inspiration, McMillian’s motivation is very special to her.

“My inspiration comes from everyone who believes in me. From my parents to a stranger that I share my story with who finishes our conversation with, ‘I believe you can do it,’ that is who inspires me,” McMillian said.

McMillian encourages a group of high jumpers.

McMillian Shows a student how to hold a javelin. Photos courtesy of Laurie Myers

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AVeteran s

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Students today hear war stories and about the respect that should be given to United States veterans. With this being said, do students really understand the horrors that many veterans have faced? Civilians can appreciate the sacrifices made by military veterans, but they aren’t able to truly understand the terrors that so many have endured.

Both fascinating and touching stories are shared by former military personnel at the Missouri Veteran’s Home just next door in St. James.

“There are a lot of people in this home who have had a lot of bad experiences and don’t really want to talk about them, but if they have to, it is a very sad thing for them,” Paul Salois, Korean War Air Force veteran said.

This is true according to all six of the residents with whom the ECHO staff had the privilege of speaking.

“They brought in those those airplanes, with blood, windows all shot up, and you just know that there was somebody who lost their life in those airplanes. What a scene. I’ll never forget it,” Ophelia Parkinson, World War II female Air Corps veteran said.

ECHO staff interviews six veterans of three foreign wars at the Missouri Veteran’s Home in St. James

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These veterans have lasting visions of what they experienced while serving.

“I helped take two concentration camps, over there, and you’d think that wasn’t something, to see people pinned up like cattle,” Louis Romine, 94 year-old World War II Army veteran said.

When the veterans came home they were often not completely at peace. Many would feel the effects of battle for a long time.

“Car backfire, or any loud noises, I would just go ape, “Allen Dahms, Vietnam Army Veteran said.

The aftershocks of war that many veterans faced were serious not only to the well being of those who served, but their loved ones as well.

“My closest near casualty was my wife. One day, not too long after I came back, she came up behind me [and] touched me on the shoulder.

I whirled around with a karate chop, I was trying to stop but I still hit her in the throat, hard enough that she couldn’t talk. I thought sure as hell that I’d killed her,” Vance McClellan, Vietnam Navy veteran said.

Many service men and women suffered Post Traumatic Stress Disorders, but they did not get the treatment they needed. Today, however, there is more support concerning treatment of those with PTSD from combat.

“No psychiatrist would really sit down and talk to them, they didn’t have any peer support like they do now, other veterans helping other veterans. They’d slap you with a bunch of pills and tell you to go on.

I see two psychiatrists now, and we have peer support now. We sit around with other veterans and have fun,” Dahms said.

According to the veterans, their experiences made them value life more than they ever had.

“I was an avid hunter before Vietnam, deer, elk, everything. Not anymore. I won’t shoot anything anymore. It’s just not in me anymore,” Dahms said.

McClellan had something similar to add.

“My son and I went out squirrel hunting with a 22 pistol and rifle. I could pick a spider out of a web with no problem, but do you think I could kill a squirrel? I have never killed something that had blood in it, except a fly, since the war. It’s just a waste of blood,” McClellan said.

According to the group, Vietnam veterans had a very different experience when they returned to the United States than those of other wars.

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know peace.

When the war ended in 1975, veterans such as Dahms said people would come up to them, insulting them, calling them names, and even asking such things as how many babies they killed.

“When people got back from Vietnam they were the damn enemy. You’d get back in your airplane with your casualties, they’d bring [veterans] in wheelchairs, in coffins, and people would be standing there just spitting and throwing trash at you. That wasn’t a hero’s welcome, that was just [terrible],” McClellan said.

Salios, who had a career in the radio business, had an explanation for these acts of disrespect by U.S. citizens toward those returning home.

“I think it was fatigue, people got tired of hearing about it. I also think the media had something to do with it. I was in the media in radio stations and we talked about it a lot,” Salois said.

Although this was a significant problem during the Vietnam War era, the veterans all agreed that today they get treated with more respect from students and other citizens more than ever.

“I think we can all say we get a lot of respect now that these guys didn’t get when they first got back from Vietnam. I think that was the low time in history how people treated our veterans back after the Vietnam war,” Salois said.

With their experience in combat, these veterans had some strong opinions about war today. They support and desperately want peace. “[War] is just useless, we give a lot of lives. It’s just sad we have leadership that cares more about face, reputation, and how they’re going to be remembered than remembering what has happened in the

The world is more complex now. Just have faith with the veterans who have served before them.”

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past, [and] not letting it happen again. I’m not saying we should be isolationists like we were pre World War I, but how about being realistic? Is this really in our best interest? It doesn’t go away, it’s not like watching a movie,” McClellan said.

To some of the veterans, the conflicts and wars in the Middle East are not worth the fight.

“Those countries have been at it for thousands of years and any time we get involved it hurts us more than it hurts them,” Salois said.

However, some veterans wonder what effect avoiding involvement with foreign affairs might have on different events in history, and even

today.

“Let’s go back to the end of World War I when we essentially promised that we’d never fight another war on foreign soil. Did that give Hitler and Mussolini and Hirohito the go ahead on what they did? If we would’ve prepared in the 20s, would that have changed things?”

Clarence Romine, World War II veteran said.

For these veterans, regardless of what war should be fought, and what war should not be fought, the whole concept of war can be extremely emotional for those who have served.

“It is sad in this day and age where we can put a man on the moon but two countries can’t sit down and negotiate a deal,” Dahms said.

The veterans shared some wisdom for young people in the United States.

“Right off the top of my head I hope that they know peace. The world is more complex now. Just have faith with the veterans who have served before them,” Dahms said.

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Students Celebrating I align myself with most liberal perspectives because they just make more sense to me. I try to think logically about things, especially politics and I find that most of the time liberal policies just make more sense economically, and some of the time ideologically. For example, cutting taxes on the rich. “Trickle-down economics” have been used since the Reagan era, and have been proven so many times not to work; as evidenced by the fact that it hasn’t trickled down yet.

Then there is the topic of controlling somebody’s body, you can call it pro-life, anti-choice, whatever, it’s controlling somebody’s body no matter what to me. I also disagree with a conservative attitude towards welfare; I feel like for them, being on welfare means your lazy or a drag on the nation. Economically, it isn’t good to have poor people, so it’s important to help them however we can. As for how pride in America applies to me, I’m proud of America, our history and bringing constitutionalism into the world, but I feel like we’re falling behind humanistically fast and I’m not proud of that. Essentially, I’d be more proud of America if we had more things in place for impoverished people, people without healthcare, underprivileged minorities, people who want an education. If we had those, it would be much easier for me to feel patriotic for America. Moreover, I feel like lots of people aren’t viewing America as a country that is changing or evolving but as a constant set of ideals, which is an example of ways pride in America can be damaging. Don’t get me wrong, loving America and being proud of it is good, but ignorance is never a good thing in any form, and when people mix ignorance with America it can, and has, become a bad thing for people all across the globe, Senior Nathan Adair said.

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We started flying our flags around last Memorial Day with all the “Hate America” stuff and the hate going around with some of the people our age, it showed that not all young people feel that way or act that way,

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We fly the American flag because it shows people that we take pride in our country, and that we aren’t afraid to show off the things that we love. I think that patriotism means showing ones love for their country and we show that by flying our flags and supporting the country in any way that we can. I fly them every holiday dealing with our country, such as Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Veteran’s Day,

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Flying the flag isn’t about showing our rebellion against the government, school, and people who don’t approve of us flying our flags. I take it as remembrance to our veterans and our everlasting patriotic spirit. What better way better way to show all those things than to fly our flags and show people we care about what’s going on around us.

We won’t take people telling us we can’t because its offensive to some parties.

Senior Buddy Black said.

I dexcribe myself as a moderate conservative. We need to be aware that while there are people in the middle, there is a growing fringe of crazies, as I call them, like the Tea-Partiers, who are trying to control all of the Republican party. Now, as for application of conservative policies to help America, I say we should prioritize shrinking the deficit. We could do that by just focusing on it and limiting spending, while redistributing surpluses to the American people to improve prosperity which would help the economy. To do that, you’d have to tax rich people, which isn’t necessarily in tune with current conservative ideology, but I still think it would help. Anyway, we also need to promote tax relief for the middle-class, because they are taxed too heavily currently. For pride in America, it’s always good to have pride in your nation, but nowadays I feel like people can get unrealistic with it. You hear people saying ‘America needs to do this or this!’ while there is no way we would be able to accomplish something like it, or the thing they’re proposing makes no sense in a modern society. For example, some people want us to go to war with Russia. In my opinion, we’d lose pretty badly, but we’d definitely lose all of our money and we’d prove nothing. Maybe people in our generation care less about America, I don’t really know, but I do think awareness and participation in the government is pretty low among kids today. That’s one thing I think more kids should do: Get involved with government.

Don’t be scared to follow it. Be more aware of world issues and conflicts and all of those things. Almost every time my friends hear the word politics, they stop and get out of there. But that can be harmful because it prevents kids from really knowing what’s going on in the world and in America, Senior Tyler Dodd said.

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How do RHS students feel about America politically? What is pride in America for them?

Senior Aaron Davis said.

Senior Dalton Smith said.

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Go to a party

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“I plan to go outside and play with my light up yoyo while performing a social experiment on the little kids while handing out candy. After that I might go to a halloween party if I finish my college apps,” senior, David Xiao said.

Dress Up

“Well after I finish with FCCLA I’ll hopefully be dressing up as Scooby Doo with my friends.

I’m going to be Scooby and the rest of my friends are going to be mystery incorporated. I’ll probably just get a brown potato sack

and a sharpie and draw a face on it,” senior Claudia Kim said.

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October is now in full swing, which means the appearance of Halloween themed decorations popping up everywhere. But for many Rolla High School students, trick or treating is not the only thing they have planned for this Halloween. If you are stumped for what to do on Halloween night, perhaps consider some of these activities other RHS students are planning.

Go to a party.

“I plan to go outside and play with my light up yoyo while performing

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a social experiment on the little kids while handing out candy. After that I might go to a halloween party if I finish my college apps,” senior, David Xiao said.

Dress up.

“Well after I finish with FCCLA I’ll hopefully be dressing up as Scooby Doo with my friends. I’m going to be Scooby and the rest of my friends are going to be mystery incorporated. I’ll probably just get a

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Hand Out Candy

“My small group is gonna make a trunk for my church’s trunk or treat,” junior, Allie Pernnicka, said.

“I’m going to help out at Greentree Christian Church for trunk or treat,” junior, Brittany Miller said.

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Go Trick-orTreating

“I actually don’t have any halloween plans because my sons are with their dad but I’ve been thinking about dressing up as Miley Cyrus’ wrecking ball and using my baby belly as the wrecking ball and then going trick or treating. Technically I have a kid with me even though they aren’t born yet,” Rolla High School Librarian, Jessie Kirkbride said.

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Haunted High

“Haunted high is a haunted house in the high school. My goal for this year is to make it the best it’s been with scary makeup and horrifying scenes. To know more you’ll just have to come see for yourself!” said senior Renee Hollon. Hollon is the leader of this event and Haunted High is put on by Leadership.

the High School brown potato sack and a sharpie and draw a face on it,” senior Claudia Kim said.

Go trick or treating.

“I actually don’t have any halloween plans because my sons are with their dad but I’ve been thinking about dressing up as Miley Cyrus’ wrecking ball and using my baby belly as the wrecking ball and then going trick or treating. Technically I have a kid with me even though they aren’t born yet,” Rolla High School Librarian, Jessie Kirkbride said.

Hand out candy.

“My small group is gonna make a trunk for my church’s trunk or treat,” junior, Allie Pernnicka, said.

“I’m going to help out at Greentree Christian Church for trunk or treat,” junior, Brittany Miller, said.

Go to the Haunted High.

“Haunted high is a haunted house in the high school. My goal for this year is to make it the best it’s been with scary makeup and horrifying scenes. To know more you’ll just have to come see for yourself!” said senior Renee Hollon. Hollon is the leader of this event and Haunted High is put on by Leadership.

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Of Mullets And Men Horrific Hair-Trend? Or New Fashionable Niche?

Pictured: Aaron Davis and Sam Remillard, mullets flowing like the winds of freedom, gazing into the future of this nation, its hair fashion trends now and for generations to come.

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“When people ask why, I tell them: because I think it’s cool.” b y

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America is a nation with a rich, yet somewhat controversial history.

With tremendous highs such as the Moon Landing, the founding of Wal-Mart, and the writing of the Constitution, as well as some lows, such as the instituition of slavery and genocide of Native Americans.

One aspect of American culture is not so easily placed however: This is the mullet.

The mullet: Whether one calls it hockey-hair, business-in-the-frontparty-in-the-back, or a type of spindle-bodied fish, the mullet is both a fashion controversy despite being rocked by multiple students at RHS. So now to the question: Is the mullet an abomination, or an up-and-coming male-fashion choice?

“I had a mullet in high school. I was a baseball player and we all grew them for our season. I permed mine, at that. It was definitely a very eighties-based decision, so maybe not the best fashion choice, but at the time it was very popular and I liked it. To be honest, I wouldn’t regrow it in a million years, even if I could, so I’d say no to the mullet being a desirable trend. It’s cool to see some boys bringing them back though. I think it some of them can wear it very well and I kind of get a kick out of it,” RHS guidance counselor Rodger Bridgeman said.

It is important to consider the roots of this new hairstyle in our school.

“As far as I know, my brother [2015 RHS graduate Dalton Turner] was the first kid to get one. He got it because when he was playing football his freshman year. Coach Chance told him he should grow one, so he did. I did the same my freshman year. He’s graduated now, so I’ve got to keep it going. My brother was really proud of his mullet, but I think mine’s better. When people ask why [I have a mullet], I tell them: because I think it’s cool,” sophomore Caleb Turner said.

It is evident that Dalton Turner’s contribution to the mullet at RHS

has been crucial.

“It was really seeing baseball players like Bryce Harper initially, but I never would have gotten mine if Dalton hadn’t done it first. Now I have a mullet of my own and I love it,” senior Sam Remillard said.

“The first mullet I noticed was Dalton Turner’s. That would have been back in freshman year. The reason I grew one out, or more the reason I agreed to grow mine, was because in baseball, lots of pros in the past had them and some are getting them now. I’m a baseball player, so I feel like it really was a good look for me. I’d say I don’t really care about how it looks in school or wherever, because it looks good on the baseball field. For some people, they have a look or way of dressing that they feel is them. For me, it’s in my mullet. Not to preach to people, but we always hear to accept people for their differences and their decisions, as long as they aren’t hurting anybody. Anyway, if people don’t like my mullet, it doesn’t bother me, because I love it and I’m proud of it,” sophomore Isaac Arthur said.

Other mullet-rockers agree with this statement.

“I’d say it is like representing who you are. People should always try to respect other people’s styles and the way they are. For me, I’m a baseball player and love baseball; my mullet is just an extension of that. It’s my choice and me expressing myself with it, so that’s why I have a mullet,” senior Aaron Davis said.

Next there is the eternal question: A mullet is a serious responsibility, and in the wrong hands could be a disaster. One must question, how much maintenance goes into one and how are they spawned?

“I do nothing for mine. I mean, I shower and stuff, but beyond that nothing. I actually like to take a towel and run it back and forth across my hair really fast, because that makes it look wild and stuff,” Remillard said.

“That’s the cool thing about them: They grow on their own and you don’t have to do anything to them. Either way, people will be too distracted by the mullet to really notice how it looks: It’s kind of supposed to look bad. If you can get past that three month period where it just looks like really weak and stupid, then you’re golden,” Davis echoed.

In short: Our generation is one of hipsters with undercuts and tight pants. To some, these fashions look wierd; to others, not. Who are we to suggest that the mullet is an abomination? We should accept all peoples of all 80s hairstyles, in order to make this world a better place.

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Humans of Rolla High School: Alesia Hensley b y

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got pregnant Freshman year. My baby, Owen, is now two years old and the center of my life. His dad and I are no longer together, but he still supports Owen. In my entire life, I’ve never experienced anything more life changing than becoming a mom and continually caring for my baby. I’ve had to give up so many friends, sacrificed so much time and just become an adult, to put it simply, in every facet of my life. But overall, it’s been worth it. I love Owen that much. After school, I plan to go to college to become a teacher, or maybe open up a day care of my own. Overall I just want him to make smarter decisions than I did.

1100 North Rolla Street Rolla, MO 65401 Dan Collier, Agent Get your license Get a car Call Dan Collier for a great rate

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Office: 573-364-4133 Fax: 573-364-2531 Office Hours Mon-Fri 8:30am to 5:00pm After Hours by Appointment

draMACKtic Senior, Mack Campbell broadened his horizons this summer. His journey to the theater business all goes back to Campbell’s love of the arts.

“I have always loved drawing and painting, and I have learned to start loving theater. They both have their ups and downs. When I paint and draw, it is very specific There’s a lot that goes into drawing or painting. That’s a downfall. But I really enjoy it because it’s relaxing.

With acting it’s really fun, but it can be very stressful. For the play at Ozark Actors Theater, I had to be there for twelve hours a day and I wasn’t even one of the main characters. And we only had a ten minute dinner break,” Campbell said.

Campbell takes pride in all his works and wishes to spread the love of the arts to others. He is very active in spreading appreciation of the beauty of art.

“I am the president of Art Club, president of National Arts Society, president of Show-Me Arts, and vice-president of drama club, all at Rolla. I am also enrolled in AP Art class at the high school. This is a college level class and I have to make twenty-four works of art in total, and I have to submit twelve of them to the College Board. So, for my theme, I wanted to do portraits of people I know. But the twist is that I draw them as they are, but I put them in clothing that their ancestors would have worn.

I have to have the same media for all my artworks, so I draw everything in colored pencils. I have done one of my girlfriend and when I am finished with that, I plan on hopefully making one of Deja. I thought it would be a cool idea to draw Deja in something tribal,

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dating back to her ancestors,” Campbell said.

The root of Campbell’s love did start with drawings and paintings, but this past year, Campbell decided to see if another aspect of art was for him. In the fall of 2014, Campbell auditioned for the play at Rolla High School, Alice in Wonderland. He captured the role of The White Rabbit. After Alice in Wonderland, he kept on expanding and moved on to Ozark Actors Theater.

“Well I’ve always been very interested in the fine arts. And I wanted to branch out and try acting. My mom is in the board of directors for Ozark Actors Theater and she told me about the plays. I thought I might be interested in them so I tried out for Alice and Wonderland to see if I would like them and I really did. Then I moved on to Ozark Actors Theatre and got to act in Meet Me In St. Louis. I got to work with professional actors that were on Broadway. I acted in the adult ensemble. I was chosen to be one of the main ensemble dancers and singers,” Campbell said.

Some are not meant to be on the stage and perform before people, but for Campbell, that is the best part.

“I honestly just love being up on the stage and being in front of people so they can see what I am capable of and seeing what’s on the outside. You don’t have to be just yourself when you’re on stage. You can create this whole new persona and have fun with it,” Campbell said.

If you were to ask Campbell if he would ever get to meet someone who worked on Broadway, he never would have imagined it. But to get to even work with them was unbelievable.

“When I did the play Meet Me In St. Louis, I got to work with a professional choreographer. My sister is a dancer but I’ve never really gotten into it. I’ve been around it before but it was very interesting because there is so much that goes into everything. I got to work with the professional musical director. He taught you how to sing even if you’ve never really sung before,” Campbell said.

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C.O Champions of Rolla Education is a non-profit foundation that has helped to support Rolla b y M a r i a P o mm e r e n k e Public Schools since Reporter 1991. CORE gains its funds through financial support from the community and businesses located in Rolla. In the past, CORE has managed the Rolla License Fee Office located in Jefferson city. This year they lost the contract for it.

As a result, the CORE foundation has about $30,000 less, annually.

“The funding cuts came from the sponsorship of the license fees office. CORE managed that license fees office for several years and lost the bidding process for that. Now, to tell you the amount that was generated back when the foundation first started was significantly more than what we’ve been experiencing prior to losing it because of online renewals,” Dr Zalis, superintendent of the Rolla School District, said.

CORE depends on businesses in Rolla to donate so that the foundation is able to continue the numerous events they organize and fund each year.

“We have businesses that contribute significant amounts; Brewer Science, for example, for specific purposes related to Science, technology, math, arts… They’ve added the arts recently. Teachers can apply for those grants and those classroom funds for what they do,” Dr. Zalis said.

New donors are always welcome of course.

“We’re hoping for two or three business donations or donors for the STEM/arts process so it’s conceivable that that will begin to grow as we would hope for,” Dr. Zalis said.

The businesses that donate are also able to decide which subject area they are wanting to donate to. This helps to narrow down the grant process for the teachers. Teachers and clubs are able to apply for the STEM/Arts grant and many other grants. The STEM/Arts grant is specifically for those classes or clubs dealing with science, technology, engineering, math, or art.

“The whole idea of teachers being able to write grants is to allow the

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students activities that they hadn’t been able to afford before and it ties back into what they do in the classroom. Everything we do is for the kids first,” Dr. Zalis said.

Anyone can help fund the CORE program and join in helping with the activities that they host.

“There’s different levels. It’s fifty dollars for an individual or couple for seventy-five, and there’s also corporate. We have some corporate members that give far more than that,” Dr Zalis said.

More information on supporting CORE can be found on the CORE website or through the pamphlets in the main office. This foundation works independently of the district to help the students.

“What makes the foundation good, it operates under independently but it helps the district. There’s certain rules and guidelines that we go by,” Dr. Zalis said.

CORE indirectly supports students by helping teachers and clubs pay for their activities.They also support students directly through various activities held throughout the year. The luncheons that they hold every quarter are just one example.

“Every quarter, CORE sponsors events. Quuanna’s first and I forget what the other three are. The Junior Club used to do pizzas and I think the Optimist or Rotary Club does the other quarters. I just know that I work specifically the first quarter luncheon so we do the Junior High one day and then we come here as part of what CORE does,” Dr. Zalis said.

Even with the funding cuts, CORE is planning on keeping up with these luncheons.

“We’re trying to maintain the basic mission of what CORE does without harming anything, Dr. Zalis said.

CORE is raises money in multiple ways. The major saver cards are one way.

“The major saver cards, that’s what we do at the elementary and middle schools, it’s just a card that organizations and businesses buy into. You buy one and you get certain discounts at the places that participate. That brings in a significant amount of money,” Dr. Zalis said.

The CORE foundation supports the school and helps the students to experience new things outside of the school, on field trips, and in the classroom. Even with the funding cuts, CORE will continue to work to build up the school experiences of the students.

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Sophomore Ami Ikuenobe has been playing volleyball for four years.

“I started in seventh grade. My friends told me it was fun and I had just quit soccer,” Ikuenobe said.

Even though Ikuenobe only joined because of her friend’s suggestion, she is happy with her decision. Ikuenobe can’t get enough of the thrill of the game.

“I like the fast pace, intensity, and excitement. It’s never boring because you’re always on the edge of your seat,” Ikuenobe said.

The intense part of volleyball is both positive and negative. On the negative side, there is always the pressure of messing up and how that affects your game.

“Volleyball is more strenuous mentally than physically. If you think you can’t do it in volleyball Ami Ikuenobe you most likely won’t be able to, but Grade: 10 if you’re positive and think you can do it, then you can. Plus if you give Sport: Volleyball up mentally, then you’ll also give up physically,” Ikuenobe said.

As a mentally strenuous sport, it’s hard to keep up with everything that is happening all at once.

“If I could change something about my play, I’d want to be quicker to the ball, especially just when I’m trying to block. Because sometimes I get there and don’t close the block, but other times I can,” Ikuenobe said.

Along with that, being able to stay positive when your team is down is huge.

“One of the hardest things to deal with is staying positive and making sure your team does too. It’s hard not being discouraged when you’re down by a lot of points. The greatest games are the hardest fought,” Ikuenobe said.

For example, one of Ikuenobe greatest moments as an athlete was when she and her team put in the effort and earned their victory.

“It was in club volleyball and we won first place out of all the teams in the whole tournament. It was an intense game. We played three sets. We were down eleven to two in the third set and we came back and won,” Ikuenobe said.

Advice For Future Players: “You might not do so great in the first year, but hey you’ll get better,” Ikuenobe said.

Who inspires you?

“Rhamat Alhassan. She’s the middle blocker for the Florida Gators.

She’s just so good and I play middle, so she’s a great player to look up to,” Ikuenobe said.

What other activities/clubs are you involved in?

Student Council, French Club, and St. Patrick’s youth group

the Month Senior Kyle Morris has been playing football since fifth grade.

As an experienced player, he has come to appreciate and love everything that goes into it. When asked what his favorite part about the playing he responded, “Being around my teammates and I just love the game,” Morris said.

Just like any other sport, everything is not fun and games. Athletes have to work for what they want; they don’t get anything unless it is earned.

All athletes have bad games that makes them feel like they should give up. The hardest thing Morris has had to deal with as a football athlete has been “Just the wear and tear on your body. It’s very strenuous.

You get beat up a little bit.

But there is also trying to stay healthy with eating and taking care of yourself. Sometimes that can be one of the toughest Kyle Morris things,” Morris said.

Yet even with all this pressure Grade:12 and demanding physical activity, Sport: Football Morris keeps a positive attitude and looks at what he can do to keep improving his game.

“If I could improve something, it would be at making better decisions as a quarterback. A big part of playing quarterback is making the right decisions quickly and efficiently,” Morris said.

And eventually it pays off. With all the bad, comes good. All of Morris and the Rolla football team’s hard work paid off on Homecoming weekend when they went head to head against Waynesville.

“Probably my proudest moment as a high school athlete was our past game winning homecoming against Waynesville,” Morris said. “It felt great to get a win on homecoming especially since it was against Waynesville. And that’s the first time in my football career that I have ever beaten Waynesville. So, that was nice,” Morris said.

After Morris graduates, he plans on attending college and possibly pursuing a career in the medical field. As far as football goes, Morris wants to give it a try and see how it goes.

Advice to future players: “If you really love the game, just work hard at it and give it your best everyday,” Morris said.

Who inspires you?

“I look up to my older brother Jake a lot. He played college football at Lincoln University in Jefferson City. He was also the quarterback for Rolla when he went here. And I just really look up to him because he was a great leader and a great football player,” Morris said.

What other activities/clubs are you in?

Link Crew, Student Council, and National Honor Society

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BY THE NUMB3RS

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Softball Seniors

300

Softball wins for Coach Dunn

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Coach Knapp’s

year of coaching at Rolla High School

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place win in Rolla Volleyball Invitational Tournament

Top ten runners in the Rolla Invitational cross country meet

30 Participants in

Paws vs. Claws

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Football victory over Waynesville on Homecoming Night

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Boys Soccer defeated conference rivals Glendale Falcons

Band placed

Andrea Sapaugh shot a at Districts

Sara Brooks Daniels won won

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Districts for girls tennis against the number one player from Lebanon.

in The Washington Marching Festival

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