Ritenour on the R.I.S.E
Ritenour has decided to change the name to Ritenour Institute of Scholastic Excellence that,” Ewing said. The name change may have a positive effect on the way the students see Ritenour, as well as how others throughout the area perceive the school. Activities Director Jerry Nolen thinks that the name change might make others around the area believe that the school has experienced an increase in funds. “People will think we are highfaluting and they will think we have come in to a whole lot of money,” Nolen said. This logo was the brainchild of Assistant Ewing also thinks that the Pricipal Bilal Ewing. Thanks to the countless name change will give R.I.S.E hours spent by sophomore I.M. Poster, a positive reputation because Ewing’s logo might soon become a reality. Photos from Clipart, manipulation by Kaylee people will be able to see that Houston the school is trying to show students from other schools that its main focus is scholastic Written By: Kaylee Houston excellence. Opinion Editor “We would have to help everyone understand that Ritenour High School has everything that is associated to officially decided to change its Ritenour is now associated to the name, and will hereafter be new name R.I.S.E,” Ewing said. called the Ritenour Institute of There are many teachers Scholastic Excellence (R.I.S.E.). who think the name change will R.I.S.E has been not affect their teaching styles implemented to improve the school’s reputation throughout St. in a significant way because their teaching styles already point Louis and throughout the state towards scholastic excellence. of Missouri. Freshman principal “I will continue to teach Bilal Ewing thinks that the name my lessons the same but now change is a good thing because there will be essays on every test the name “Ritenour” was getting I give,” Murray said. old, and most of the students and Murray says he will still staff did not know what it meant. “I think changing the name have high expectations of his students, including how he would Ritenour is long overdue, and our like them to address him in class. focus is scholastic excellence, so “I expect all students to our name should be indicative of now call me Professor Murray, other than that, my expectations for the students is to work hard to
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be successful,” Murray said. The name change will also affect the uniforms and how others see Ritenour’s athletic program. Athletic Director Drew Lohnes thinks that the name change will definitely affect funding for new uniforms. “I think the name is a great idea, but every sport will have to do major fundraising in order to get new uniforms because the money is not in the budget,” Lohnes said. There is a big debate between Nolen, Ewing, and the SROs about what the logo should look like. All the SROs at R.I.S.E. think that the logo should be the morning sun rising with a phoenix, and the phoenix will have a ribbon bookmark in one hand and a diploma in the other. Nolen thinks that the logo should be a mouse on a forklift being raised off the ground to show that the school is rising. Ewing has different view, keeping the mascot, but changing its surroundings. “I would like to see a husky climbing the arctic tundra, and the husky would have a diploma in his mouth,” Ewing said. The different logos are being sent to central office to decide which logo would best fit the new name of the school. While the school awaits logo approval, staff and students are already brimming with excitement over the change. “The name Ritenour has been around for 100 years, but I love the new name and am ready for change,” Nolen said.
Take your parent to school day Parents will experience their child’s normal day in school Written by: Leia Boyd Staff Writer
R.I.S.E will be holding an all-day parent observation event on Wednesday, April 15. Parents will be following their children throughout their daily school routine, and observing their behavior. This event is made to give parents an idea of how students behave on a daily basis, and to show them whether they need to make any changes. While in a meeting, some of Ritenour’s faculty developed the idea to prevent negative outcomes, and recognize positive Copy Clerk Kim Baldwin observing her daughter, sophomore Corrine Bartlett, in class. Since Baldwin works at the high school, she did a test run of parent-student day. Photo ones. by: Leia Boyd Sophomore Halie Inman watch me, but, oh well, I am not will have more time to reward is not concerned about what going to change,” Hannah Inman positive behavior,” Cochran said. her parents will see when they said. Cochran is looking forward come observe her and her sister, Senior Jarris Staten is to speaking with Hannah Inman’s sophomore Hannah Inman. ready to see how his mom will parents. “My teachers consider react to his behavior. “Hannah’s parents will me an angel, I do all my work “Although I am a little bit be eager to correct her negative thoroughly and on time. I cannot of a class clown I still get my work actions. She will have to keep wait for my parents to see how done,” Staten said. “I’m ready to her hands to herself and stop much of an angel I am at school, see how my mom will react to me throwing shoes at other people like I am at home. My parents and my school. She knows I like when she cannot copy their will have nothing to worry to crack jokes so I should not get homework,” Cochran said. about,” Halie Inman said. yelled at too much at home.” Unlike Cochran, drama Halie Inman did not think Spanish teacher Dean teacher Greg Jones is actually her parents would be happy Cochran is very excited about unhappy about this event. to observe her sister. the parents coming to watch his “I think this is the “My parent’s think I am an students. students’ time and they have angel at school, well they are in “I am excited because their parents around enough, for a little surprise. I act however Senate Bill 390 will hold parents they do not need their parents I want to act, and I do not care responsible for the behavior here with them,” Jones said. what my teacher’s think about of their children, because of “This event may change the kid’s it. My parents may punish me for this event the school will be attitudes for that day, but when behaviors they see when they benefitting because the parents their parents leave, they will not will be able to see the behaviors be good in my class again.” they can prevent that keep our principals busy, and the principals
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No grounds for argument
Freshman Sophie Zgiet takes over for disgraced Debate coach Christina Andrade
Former Debate coach Christina Andrade shakes her head in disgust as she watches freshman Sophie Zgiet take over her job. Photo by: Sara DeClue
Written By: Sara DeClue Staff Writer When freshman Sophie Zgiet entered into a simple argument with English teacher and Debate coach Christina Andrade, she did not know that she would go from a student to teacher. Andrade was flabbergasted as she realized that she had lost the argument to a freshman, and she then decided that her time had come and she had to quit. “After I lost the argument I was just like man, I have been doing this for too long, and I am just embarrassed,” Andrade said. “And I felt like if I am losing an argument with a freshman, then probably I should just quit right now and find something I am a little better at.” After some time, Andrade came up with better things to do
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rather than teach. She believes that starting her own home business will make her more successful. “I am going to start a home business on the internet selling knitted scarves. Because knitting is very noncompetitive and very soothing, I feel like my nerves will benefit from this and maybe I will find a new hidden talent,” Andrade said. Since Andrade will no longer teach freshman English or coach Speech and Debate, and she has no intention of ever coming back, she has decided to hand over her responsibilities and materials to Zqiet. “I wanted to follow the ancient traditions of the Debate team which dictate that when you lose you give your conqueror everything that belongs to you. That freshman will coach the team now, and I wish her well,”
Andrade said. After Zgiet found out that she would be replacing Andrade, she started plans to change the way the competitors show up for competitions. “After going to tournaments, I decided that Ritenour needs more of an excitement to their entrance. I plan on bringing entrance music to each tournament, not only to make the team more excited, but also to help intimidate the other teams,” Zgiet said. The team had their regular meeting as usual when the students found out the new changes. Though, some students were skeptical, others were happy for the new changes. Sophomore Royalty Knight thinks that it will help Ritenour bring in more trophies and even help qualify students to State and Nationals later in the season. “I believe that it is a better idea to have a student as a coach rather than a teacher, so that way she knows how we feel and it allows better feedback that will help us do better,” Knight said. Assistant Coaches Helen Burton and Jessica Todd believe that this was not a justified motion. Both coaches and students wish the best for Andrade and her business, but the assistant coaches wish that she had consulted with them first. “She [Andrade] did make a bad judgment call without regarding us coaches,” Todd said.
No longer substitutes Two substitute teachers have weaseled their way into full-time positions Written by: Shaquan Brown Staff Writer The world of teaching is changing and the race to get teaching positions has become more competitive than ever before. Two teachers at R.I.S.E. have lost their jobs and two schemers have been able to reap the rewards of their nefarious plots. Two substitute teachers, Alexis Baez and Brittney Flowers began substituting in the Ritenour School District starting in Spring and Fall 2014, respectively. Baez had substituted for many different teachers over the past year, but no job is as special to her as engineering teacher Jennifer Strathman’s classroom. “She has a great group of kids, they’re fun to teach and she has a pet rabbit in the room, so I would always have company. Plus, I get to hang out with Mr. Heeter for most of the day, which is always fun.” Baez said. Baez claimed that her plan began when she and another teacher decided that it was time for Strathman to be fired. “Ms. Swallow and I put our heads together for a master plan to get Strathman out and me in,” Baez said. The plan involved the most innocent creature of all, Strathman’s pet rabbit, Bunny. During her plan time, Baez snuck into Strathman’s room and released Bunny from her cage.
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She then led Bunny to the electrical room and allowed her to chew on the cords, bringing about the worst power outage in the school’s history. Strathman was blamed for the incident and immediate reparations were to be made. It was decided that Baez would take her place in the upcoming school year, as she was the best candidate for the position. “I do not have any prior background in engineering, but I have a creative mind and it’s the Alexis Baez tries to steal Bunny out of Jennifer easiest job to take right now because I plan on using Strathman’s classroom. Photos by: Sean Baker, manipulation by: Ron Steinschriber Strathman’s lesson plans,” Baez said. leave for six weeks.” Strathman is making the While subbing for best of her opportunities. Holloway, Flowers became quite “I have always dreamed attached to each of her classes. of being a trapeze artist, so “I gave all the students all I’m going to take this as an of the answers to the test so they opportunity to pursue that could pass the class easily; I also dream,” Strathman said. gave them a lot of candy to make Flowers was the other them hyper during class, so when sub who has been interested in she returned none of her students obtaining a full time teaching would listen to her or know what job. Flowers began subbing for to do,” Flowers said. business teacher Kelly Holloway When Holloway returned, when students returned from she was met with students who winter break. were failing her class, and who Holloway was on maternity just kept asking where Ms. leave after giving birth to her Flowers had gone. new baby girl, Ickschnea Marlboro Immediate action was Holloway on December 26. taken and it was decided that “It was a miracle! At 50 Holloway would not be returning years old I was abducted by an next school year. alien and brought to the planet of “I wasn’t aware she was Orbitrek where I was impregnated replacing me until several days by them,” Holloway said. “Two after I came back,” Holloway months later I had my baby said. “I’ve already applied to be a Ickshnea, and I was on maternity Wal-Mart greeter.”
R.I.S.E. introduces hall sweep 2.0 A new twist is being introduced to hall sweeps in order to make passing time more productive Written by: Morgan Sweeney Staff Writter Due to the active participation in hall sweeps, Principal Gary Spiller has added a twist to the new drill to help clean the school. Students will begin to be challenged by playing red light, green light with the hall sweeps. The songs will still be chosen by students and teachers, but if a student is caught moving while the song is playing they will be automatically sent to the custodians’ room to help clean the school after school hours. To help ensure that students do not use the excuse of not hearing the song, red and green lights will be added to make traffic move more smoothly. This cleanup will replace detentions and help to promote a spot clean school. During hall sweeps the music will play, and it will stop periodically during the five minutes of passing time. When the music stops and a student continues to dance or walk to class, a referral will be written. One custodian will ensure that each task every day is getting done and will stay as long as it takes to get the school clean. Spiller created this new idea while he was having his breakfast one morning. “Well, I was eating my favorite cereal before school one day, you know, Captain Crunch
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Students from engineering teacher Ashley Gregory’s class practice for the new red light, green light hall sweeps. Photo by: Ashley Meyer
Holiday Crunch Berries, when I had an epiphany. As I devoured those scrumptious, yummy red and green puffs of joy, I saw the light. A red one first, then a green one. It was like no moment I ever experienced before,” Spiller said. Senior Jinkal Patel is unhappy with the new changes and demands they should be changed back. “I do not understand why we are changing the hall sweeps. They were working just fine. What if I am almost late and the music stops?” Patel said. Despite some students’ unhappiness towards the new policy, Spiller refuses to keep hall sweeps the way they are. Starting on May 1, hall sweeps will be forever altered. “The kids loved the idea. As a matter of fact, people were down right outraged that no one had thought of this before. They celebrated.
They sang. They danced. I saw Mr. Nolen doing a Shmoney Dance down the hall,” Spiller said. The custodians are ecstatic about the free time they will now have after school hours, because the students will take over their after school cleaning. Sophomore Taylor Robertson likes some of the new policies, but not all of them. “I like that I will get to show off my moves during the hall sweeps, but I refuse to pick up a mop if I continue to dance when the music goes off,” Robertson said. Spiller does not take all the credit for himself. “If it were not for Captain Crunch Holiday Crunch Berries we would never make it to class on time or see our future success. This change will definitely ensure that all students are college and career ready without remediation,” Spiller said.
No more strikes, only scrums The baseball team at R.I.S.E. has been called out as a new rugby team steps up to the plate Written By: Ryan Tiefenbruch Staff Writer The R.I.S.E Board of Education is passing a new plan to bring a rugby team to the school, but it is coming at the expense of a current sport that needs to be cut. The Board had three sports in mind when they were considering what to cut so that the money values could be even, and the sports were baseball, football, and tennis. The Board ultimately decided to cut baseball, because they said it had a slow pace, lack of fans, and the longest game times. The coaches at the high school are disappointed at the decision the Board made, but they understand the decision and why it was made. Baseball coach Brett Mueller took some consolation in the choice of sport that would be replacing baseball. “At least they are replacing it with a manly sport.” Brett Muller said. While the coaches are dealing with the news with positive public statements, the former baseball players are not concealing their anger for this decision. Sophomore Ivan Markley has just decided to pick up a new sport since baseball is gone, but will not go to the rugby team. “Since I can’t play baseball any more I think I’m going to play tennis,” Markley said. Other players like junior Josh Hanners said they are going
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All students at R.I.S.E. were allowed to enter a concept sketch of the future rugby field. This was the award winning design submitted by senior Ima Hack.
to drop out of school since they no longer have the baseball team. Local schools around the area said they will be happy to take in players from R.I.S.E. to play on their team, since the state allows students to play for other area schools if their own high school does not offer the sport. Parents of students on the team are furious with the board for cutting the baseball team. Some parents have come up to the school demanding for the baseball team to return. The cutting of the baseball team means all the memories and great moments that happened and were soon to come on Lee Engert Field will forever be forgotten. With no baseball team,
the rugby field will be replacing the site of the current baseball field. The field is set to go under construction in the Spring of 2016 and is expected to be finished in the Spring of 2017. The field is expected to be one of the best in the country with stands that can hold up to 2000 fans and new concession stands for both the home and visiting teams. The new rugby field will take over the name of the baseball field as Lee Engert Memorial Field. The R.I.S.E. Board is asking students at the high school who are interested in playing rugby to come out for tryouts in May. The tryouts will be held on the football field and the coaches for the team have not been decided yet, but interviews are taking place.
Not your average “fan” club English teacher Angela Huber has started an athletic team for non-athletic students idea from junior Tyler Gurschke, who will serve as the team captain, to start this team. “I have always wanted to be a coach, but I am not athletic enough or coordinated enough to actually coach anything. When Tyler came to me with the idea, I thought it would be the perfect way to have that camaraderie coaches have with a team, without actually Coach Angela Huber practices her cheering before the having to do much,” game. She was excited not only to start a new team, Huber said. but also to be able to eat Chili Cheese Fritos while Huber has already participating in an athletic event. Photo By: Ashley Meyer done some preliminary evaluations, judging students based on Written by: Ashley Meyer their capabilities in the above Spotlight Editor categories and placing them into a level based upon those skills. Starting in the 2015-2016 The group was split into three school year, R.I.S.E. will be levels, the Freshmen Fanatics, starting a new team called the Jubilant Junior Varsity (JV), and “Hootin’ and Hollerin’ Huskies.” Vociferous Varsity. This will be a team for To be a part of this non-athletes that is designed to team, students must show up give students a chance to show to fourteen practices before off their skills in sign making, they are eligible to cheer at an face painting, chanting, binge actual game. In addition to this, eating, and even tailgating while cheering on R.I.S.E. sports teams. once students are placed in their appropriate levels, members are Just like any other sports only allowed to attend games for team, the Hootin’ and Hollerin’ the matching sports levels. Huskies will have a coach, team Once the tryouts have captain, and even different taken place, there will be leaders levels. The coach of this new in each category who will teach team will be English teacher others the best chants, help Angela Huber and she got the create the best signs, and share
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the secret for eating food as fast as humanly possible. Huber has done some preparation to help her judge and get ready for the new team. Among this is to have a barbeque cook off to judge tailgating skills, and a noise app to see who can cheer the loudest. ¨I cannot wait to cheer on the Cross Country team while scarfing down Chili Cheese Fritos with the Hootin’ and Hollerin’ Huskies,” Huber said. While Huber is excited about the team, it has still not been sanctioned by the Missouri State High School Athletic Association (MSHSAA). Athletic Director Drew Lohnes has not given the team any support in its attempts to build a program, and has even threatened severe action if the team moves forward. “I am totally against it. It will never work out. They do not understand what it takes to be dedicated, like my athletes. If this goes through, they can expect my resignation letter,” Lohnes said. Huber refuses to listen to any negativity from Lohnes, as she tries to involve non-athletic students into a sporting event for possibly the only time in their high school careers. “Mr. Lohnes just does not understand how focused and dedicated we will be. While I would hate to see him resign, it is a risk the Hootin’ and Hollerin’ Huskies are willing to take,” Huber said.
“Bald Eagle” roosts at R.I.S.E. A secretive underground black market of illegal goods has slowly started to spread throughout the school
The elusive Bald Eagle sells an illegal item to sophomore MaKayle Smith. Photo By: Kelsey Degardin
Written by: Kelsey Degardin Staff Reporter If students ever find themselves wishing they had real candy to get through the day, soda that is not “natural,” or a free temporary ID on the ONE DAY they forgot their real one, there is an underground enterpreneurial web that can help with that. For now, this system operates on a voluntary basis with sellers coming and going as they please. The head honcho of the operation, known only as “Bald Eagle,” has many informants and go-betweens, hiding in plain sight. Not much is known about his enforcement goons other than their names: Chocolatey Shatner and the Old Dirty Action-Packed Mentallist (ODAPM). Their job is to collect money from deadbeat students who have neglected their monetary obligations. “When these lil’ scallywags
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do not make good on their payment plans, I go with some advice my ol’ pal LL Cool J’s mama gave me and just knock ‘em out,” ODAPM said. This black market web of commerce includes items like full-sized candy bars, bags of chips, and bottles of soda for the bargain of price of $1 each. Though the rule against food in classrooms exists, there are some teachers who are lenient and allow students to have granola bars and bottles of water in their classes. To deceive teachers, students can also purchase a decoy granola bar wrapper to put around the candy bar. If students need something more than contraband candy, the Bald Eagle’s enterprise can help with that, too. They have a stockpile of answer keys for every upcoming test this month, starting at the low price of $5. If they need to go on a field
trip, but their teachers are not willing to sign, there are stamps of teacher’s names that are available to use for $2. For this month only, buyers will receive a free temporary ID with any purchase. “Even though I do not know who he really is, I wanna thank the Bald Eagle for what he and his squad do. Without them, I woulda failed Personal Finance. And he gets the full-size candy bars. He that dude,” an anonymous student said. If a student finds their interest piqued, and is wondering how to take full advantage of this enterprise, they need to look no further than the dumpsters behind the cafeteria. According to an anonymous student who frequents the business, there is an instruction page taped underneath the blue dumpster that will lead the way. The instructions change monthly, and this month’s are as follows: 1. Go to the old radio station. (Third floor, above the staff restrooms.) 2. Knock three times. You’ll be asked for the password, which is “Spiller sent me.” 3. An Associate will handle the transaction, and send you to class with a pass stamped with Mr. Nolen’s signature. 4. If you are questioned about any item that you are seen with, and you tell a faculty member where you got it from, you will have to answer personally to the Bald Eagle.
Raptors coming to R.I.S.E. A scientific discovery could lead to dinosaurs roaming the hallways
“I’m hoping the discovery will get me and my sons on some kind of Discovery channel program showcasing Dinosaur hunters,” Murray said. Bonner welcomed the opportunity that arose when Murray presented her with the bone. She is confident History teacher Michael Murray shows off his in the abilities of both backyard discovery. Photo by: Ashley Meyer herself and her Science Club students to Written By: Deidre Dinkins produce positive results. Staff Writer “The Science Club has been very interested in cloning History teacher Michael for a while, and with my Murray found dinosaur bones in background at Monsanto and the his backyard and has decided Danforth Plant Science Center I to hand them over to Chemistry felt this would be an excellent teacher Heather Bonner to opportunity to teach them, as recreate a Jurassic Park. well as see if my training worked “I was in my backyard with animals as well as it did raking leaves with my sons when with plants,” Bonner said. “I one of them hit something pretty have been a scientist now for solid. At first we thought it was a 24 years now, with at least 15 rock but the more we looked at it of those years being spent on we thought it was a bone of some independent research involving sort,” Murray said. DNA and cloning of genes from Murray was not sure what one organism to another.” they had found, but his son Sophomore Amanda Stief Cannon knew immediately. says that rumors have already “My younger son Cannon been sweeping through the halls had been studying dinosaurs at about Bonner’s intentions for the school and had a book that we dinosaurs. referred to before allowing Dr. “I overheard some Bonner to inspect it and do some students saying she was creating DNA mapping,” Murray said. dinosaurs to reduce the human Aside from giving the population. I’ve also heard that results to Bonner for scientific she is creating a dinosaur circus, purposes, Murray is hopeful that and a rodeo,” Stief said. this discovery will lead to some Stief says that she is bigger things for his family. hopeful that the experiment is successful, although she doubts that it is realistic, because she
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does not think that people can interact with the animals. “I think it would be an amazing experience. I want to be able to say that I lived in the time of the dinosaurs,” Stief said. The buzz about Bonner’s Jurassic Park idea has also caused some concern for the community. “I’m afraid that the experiment might go wrong.” Stief said. “She could expose herself to something dangerous.” Bonner has received full approval of all administrators, and believes that the students have nothing to fear with the new creatures at school. “The process we are using to create our dinosaurs will create very docile creatures that will present no security risks. Students and adults who follow the rules and procedures of R.I.S.E. should have absolutely no issue with the dinosaurs,” Bonner said. Murray is not as concerned about safety as Stief, and sees this as a way to better understand the scientific world. “I have full faith in our scientific community and the work they do to help us better understand the world we live in and how the animals before us lived on earth,” Murray said. “If the scientists can bring back dinos, humans might be next! How cool would that be if we could bring back some great expresidents like Teddy Roosevelt, Abe Lincoln or FDR to help our country with some of our current problems, since they did so well the first time around!”
Food court coming to cafeteria Lunch periods are extended and restaurants are setting up in the cafeteria
The food court being set up in the cafeteria will be modeled after the one shown here in the St. Louis Galleria. Photo by: Sean Baker
Written By: Carcea Carr Staff Writer Starting next school year R.I.S.E. will be creating dine in lunches in the cafeteria, with restaurants including TGI Fridays, Applebees, and The Best Steak House opening up storefronts. “Wow, this is amazing, I will be eating a 6-ounce steak once a week with steamed vegetables and a baked potato,” Spanish teacher Dina DeLuca said. “I usually eat in my class room, but I will eat in the cafeteria for the first time.” R.I.S.E. decided to have a new type of food in the cafeteria because the staff and students of the high school were complaining that the lunches were horrible and they should be changed. The Board starting raising money to
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build these restaurants within the school. “It’s a great improvement to the variety of food offerings in the cafeteria, it makes me excited,” De Luca said. “I am hungry just thinking about it.” To accomodate larger lines, school lunches will be extended to 50 minutes. Students will also be able to invite family members to join them for lunch. “This is great, I’m really tired of regular school lunches. Ever since they took out the vending machines with all the snacks we really have nothing but healthy food. R.I.S.E. is stepping up with the extended lunches as well,” junior Annyssa Millstone said. “I can finally socialize with my friends and family more.” Lunches are extended due to the fact that as part of the
capstone for some of the culinary classes, R.I.S.E. students will get to work in one the restaurants, and get not only school credit, but part-time wages. If students want to apply for this part time job, the prerequisites would be taking Food and Nutrition Safety, Culinary 1, and Culinary 2. Students who meet the requirements will start as soon as possible, making $7.50 a day and getting one free meal each day. Students, parents, or business owners who would like to cater events will have to call the administrators and principals a month before to set up an appointment. Special events may be held during school, before first lunch, and after school events can be held at any time. “I have a feeling R.I.S.E. will be taking all of my money, Applebees is my favorite restaurant, I will eat lunch there every day, and that’s a promise,” junior Marianny Betances said. R.I.S.E. students without money for the dine in will be provided with one regular lunch line, giving out basic subs, chips, fruits and vegetables, with a side of milk or juice. “This might be the start of a new corporation. The Applebee’s across the street has nothing on R.I.S.E.. This alone will make a lot of fundraising money,” Assistant Principal Bilal Ewing said. “I know the students will enjoy the socializing time with friends and family and the great food.”
The Husky Shadow Warriors emerge A secretive group formed to maintain the integrity of the high school is ready to defend R.I.S.E. happens. They are going to be modeled off the Justice League; they are like the super heroes of R.I.S.E. They keep an eye on the shadows; they keep an eye on what’s going on, even when the cameras cannot. They enforce Husky law,” Isaacs said. Along with his title as assistant principal, Assistant Principal Christopher Isaacs is the commander- Isaacs has also taken in-chief of the Husky Shadow Warriors, a group tasked upon the task of being with protecting R.I.S.E. Photo by: Sean Baker commander-in-chief of the Husky Shadow Written by; Aeriel Morrow Warriors. It is his job to train Content Manager newly inducted soldiers of the army. R.I.S.E. Assistant Principal “They are going to be Christopher Isaacs has recently secretly trained by myself, other released information about a administrators, and teachers who formerly private group whose shall not be named,” Isaacs said. job was to ensure the safety In the past 20 years, the and security of the high school’s Husky Shadow Warriors have student body and its staff. only been composed of a few For the past 50 years, veterans, but have not really the school formerly known as been needed because of the 1994 Ritenour has had a secret army peace treaty. The treaty stated of students who were in place that all those against the Husky to protect the integrity of the Shadow Warriors were to remain school. peaceful for the ensuing 20 years, This year will mark the with the condition that the Husky first year of the R.I.S.E. Husky Shadow Warriors agreed to five Shadow Warrior school-wide consecutive football losses to draft. their enemies. “I am recruiting a wider The contract was breached range of freshman, sophomores, when the Ritenour Huskies juniors, and seniors to become football team beat the Pattonville Husky Shadow Warriors who Pirates in 2011 on the day of their basically patrol the building in the Homecoming. Now the Husky evening to make sure that nothing Warriors are preparing for any sneak attacks that may be made in the next 10 years.
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“We will not know until it already happens, and by then it will already be over. We have an idea of what our mission is and our purpose, but our target will never know until we actually strike. It is surprise warfare at its best,” Issacs said. Although the Husky Shadow Warriors have been around for many years, Isaacs says he always knew war was up ahead and has been organizing his army back when he came to Ritenour as a teacher. “Something like this takes years in the making, We started with the seniors when they were freshman, and they are now our top level commanders, supported by the junior commanders.The freshmen are the new recruits, this class is actually good I think they have great leadership potential, “Isaacs said. Although Isaacs refused to give out any more information in fear of his and his family’s life, he did give a series of clues about potential enemies. “Moving into 2018 we will be quite a force to be reckoned with. You need the secret army to watch out for Pirates in our neighboring areas, or Lions to our south. Do not even get me started on the cosmos up there with those Comets and Stars. It is crazy, absolutely crazy. You have Wildcats over to the west, Hawks to the north, Spartans to the east. We just are in a time where we need the Husky Shadow Warriors,” Isaacs said.
Students kicked out of the clubs All after school clubs are cancelled until students can earn their spots back bad, and by golly, if you cannot do the work of the school day then you do not deserve to be involved in activities,” Activities Director Jerry Nolen said. These were the two huge problems that were brought up to many officials and sponsors of the canceled clubs in an emergency meeting that was called last week. Most of the club sponsors were left aghast by the decision, but understood that there needed to be some consequences for students who were not doing their part to participate in the clubs. “It could go both Students on the GO! sponsor Louis Haar-Chapman ways, I think it could forces sophomore Taylor Robertson out of the room be good because it after all clubs were cancelled. Photo by: Sean Baker would teach them more responsibility, so that Written by: Sean Baker they get their grades back up, Staff Writer but it could be bad because some of the kids really need clubs,” Club sponsors and school ex-Science Club sponsor Heather administrators decided to cut Bonner said. all clubs and activities this past At this strenuous meeting, week. many of the sponsors were Cancelling the clubs was torn, some thought it was good, a hard decision for sponsors and administrators to make, but based and others thought it would hurt a great number of those on some alarming numbers, they decided that this was the decision participating in the clubs that are now canceled. that had to be made. The sponsors who agree “Our attendance rate has with the decision believe that sunk, not only has the attendance it will give students a greater rate sunk but grades are getting amount of time to do school
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work, and it will also keep students more focused on homework, rather than problems in the clubs. Many students also have nowhere better to go than the club they are involved in; they keep them off of the streets and teach them to be more open with others. “It is not about fairness, it is about student achievement, and if students are unable to study, then they should spend at least four to five hours a night making up for all of their past misdeeds so that they can pass and be successful,” Students on the Go! sponsor Louise HaarChapman said. The only way they will even consider bringing any of the clubs back is if students improve and show that they are worthy of the clubs. This will happen through grade checks, and some of the sponsors are even allowing their club members to come in and get extra tutoring in order to get their clubs back. Haar-Chapman and other teachers will be hanging her students by their big toes while they do their work if they do not improve their grades. “Here is a message for all you slackers,” Nolen said. “Get your grades up and get here, and I might think about having fun at school again” So all club members need to take those books home and study!
Yearbook enters the 21st century Physical books are now gone as everything goes to an app give students a four digit code once it is download, and the students will have to keep it forever in case it gets uninstalled. “I love the fact that the yearbook is being turned into an app. This is so cutting edge. We will be able to keep up with current trends this way, and it will make yearbook sales so much easier because the price will drop,” yearbook adviser Ron Steinschriber said. The app will cost A hologram of sophomore Lauren Jacobsen is pulled up on the Yearbook on the Go app. Photo by: Ashley Meyer. only $10 for all of the Photo manipulation by: Ron Steinschriber features of this new Written By: Sidney Lee yearbook. Staff Writer In two years or 20, students can open up their R.I.S.E. is going digitial, yearbook and tap on their own and in an attempt to throw books photo and have a conversation and papers out the window, with themselves, updating the school yearbook is now themselves on what is new in an app that will be able to be their current life. The yearbook downloaded on student’s phones. owner can talk to their high “Yearbook on the Go” school self about their kids and will be able to play videos, show job. The high school friends that pictures, and have features that were made will always look the will pop out of phones. same with “Yearbook on the Go.” That one amazing That high school crush that was touchdown made at the attractive, but does not look that homecoming game will be able good now will still talk and act to be seen every time the digital the same. yearbook is opened. Video of “The new app is amazing. prom dates dancing can now be It will shoot out holographic watched every day, if that is what images not only of the student the owner of the app wanted to who bought the yearbook, but do. also will record holographic Yearbook on the Go will messages from their friends so
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that they can always remember high school. You can also access any video that was filmed at R.I.S.E. over the course of the year, so that your entire high school experience will be documented digitally,” Steinschriber said. Any of R.I.S.E.s major events that are held will be documented on “Yearbook on the Go.” Students can also upload any videos they took to add to the app. The yearbook staff is not excited about the change “We will have more work to do, we would have to find even more pictures and have to start taking videos of events like games, assemblies, anything really. I also think we would have to have more than you would put on just a regular spread,” senior Missy Griffith said. The yearbook app will be able to be downloaded anytime of the year after it has come out. There will be a certain page for R.I.S.E. in the app store, and all of the yearbooks will be available to download. The move was made in response to student demand for more reasons to look at their phones, and the yearbook staff thinks it will be a success. “We wanted to move the yearbook into the 21st century. Who actually touches paper anymore? If it is not available on my phone or my computer, I do not care about it,” Steinschriber said.
No sibling rivalry here Next door neighbors Marissa Vroman and Melinda Vroman are often mistaken for twins confused. “I thought that I was hearing and seeing double. I even asked Melinda if I had just seen her,” Dr. Bell said. Marissa Vroman and Melinda Vroman say that they get very upset about how everyone thinks that they are twins. Sophomores Marissa and Melinda Vroman do not “It gets really understand why everyone believes they are twins. annoying when everyone Photo courtesy: Brendon Klohr asks if we are related Written By: Morgan Diamond because we are not,” Staff Writer Marissa Vroman said. “I have my own family and she has hers, it There are two female is just a coincidence we have the students at R.I.S.E. who are same last name.” often referred to as twin sisters, The girls say that they but these two girls are not even have known each other for related and they want to set the basically their whole lives. They record straight. grew up together as best friends Sophomore Melinda because they live next door to Vroman and sophomore Marissa each other and their families are Vroman are always getting very close. They say that they confused for each other. Everyone were even born on the same day. either thinks they are the same “People always think that person or twins, but they are just if we are not twins then we would neighbors who look alike. be related in some way, but we When they tried out for are not. We are just next door the musical, both girls had the neighbors,” Melinda Vroman said choir director Richard Bell very
Students say that both of the girls have similar voices too, and that they talk the same and sing the same way. The girls say that they even go to the same dance studio together. “I get both of them mixed up all the time, and they know it. They like to confuse me and they used to switch places during rehearsal, they even switched their glasses,” Bell said Marissa Vroman and Melinda Vroman do not think that they look like each other at all. “She is a solid 7, and I am definitely a solid 3,” Melinda Vroman said When both of the girls are walking in the hall and someone calls one of them the others name, they get upset, and have gone to each other for support in how to deal with the mix up. “It is not fair that everyone gets their own name, but Melinda and I always get called each other’s name,” Marissa Vroman said. “I think she hates it just as much as I do. We are two separate people, it is just not fair to us.”
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