Eagle's Eye Feb. 2015

STOP the violence..........Pg.8

Polar Plunge....

Pg. 7 Vol. V Issue 3 Feb. 2015

[A student publication of Ruskin High School]

Never Fear

The S.A.F.E. Team is Here

By Jasmine Shelton Staff Reporter

In January, Ruskin teachers and administrators implemented a new program to help keep students on track in school called the S.A.F.E. (Student Assistance Family Empowerment) Team.

“The S.A.F.E. Team plans out new/different strategies for students who seem to be having a difficult time, whether it be at school or at home,” Family Resource SpeSee “SAFE,” cont. on pg. 3

[Kansas City, MO]

Small Learning Communites focus on careers

By: Brianna Hull

I

Staff Reporter

n January, the Hickman Mills C-1 School District announced that Ruskin High School will be switching to Small Learning Communities (SLCs) beginning next year.

Students will be put into separate communities based on their interests after high school in order to more properly prepare them in their fields of interest.

According to Principal Jesse Rivers, next year everyone will have four classes a day for ninety minutes each. Family and Consumer Sciences teacher Jan Stapinski is a member of the SLC Communication Committee and has experienced SLCs at her former school.

“Students will be prepared for postsecondary education or

employment within the learning environment focused on careers,” Stapinski said.

According to Rivers, the new program is being put into place for the overall benefit of the student body. It will help students learn more in their career subject and the skills needed. Administrators also hope that fewer passing periods will cause fewer distractions to students.

“Having worked in small learning communities, I know it will strengthen teacher-student relationships,” Rivers said. “It gives students a career pathway to help them further enhance 21st century skills.”

This improvement will also leave far more instruction time, according to Rivers. He said with the current shorter classes, students have a bell ringer, the teacher must then deal with

Courtwarming 2015 Royalty

classroom disruptions, and depending on the class, there might be only fifteen minutes left for instruction.

“Block scheduling creates more time in class,” Rivers said. “With a full block of engaging the students, imagine how quick ninety minutes will go by.”

The four areas called “houses” are; arts and communication, business and finance, health and human services, and technology and engineering. The SLCs will be changing some curriculum and electives so that it better fits the student’s needs, according to Rivers. Students will still have their basic core classes. This change is aimed at how students choose their electives.

Students have been exploring career interests to help

See “SLCs,” cont. on pg. 2

The 2015 courtwarming princesses and queen. (From left to Right) Aeriona Verge, Madison Clark, Krystal Whitaker, Lauren McClure, Traneece Dickerson. Photo by Musa Khan

Sophomore Courtwarming Princess - Aeriona Verge Sophomore Courtwarming Prince - Ebubechi Idika

Junior Courtwarming Princess - Traneece Dickerson Junior Courtwarming Prince - Donte Tibbs Senior Courtwarming 2nd Runner-up - Lauren McClure Senior Courtwarming 1st Runner-up - Madison Clark Senior Courtwarming Queen - Krystal Whitaker Senior Courtwarming King - Keaunte Harper-Love

Senior Keaunte Harper-Love celebrates after being announcied courtwarming King with his mother. Photo by Musa Khan

[ INSIDE THIS ISSUE... ] Fast Facts: Peace in MCC Program Cuba?...... ..Pg. 2 Pg. 3

Teacher Features...... pg. 4

Biology gets crafty ...pg. 5

MO Gateway Nominees .......Pg. 10

Sad Valentine ........Pg. 11

Spirit Week & Pep Rally .......Pg. 14

Winter Coach Q&A ....pg. 16

[NEWS]

[PAGE 2]

“SLCs,” cont. from front cover

them decide which house to be placed in. Class enrollment scheduled for Feb. 11, was postponed until classes have been chosen by students.

“The teachers in that community will be focused on those careers. There will be a better link and more experience. The students will hear from the teachers for the focus of their careers,” Stapinski said.

This may also change the classes that some students take.

“It will change how I choose my classes,” junior Dajour Williams said, “because I don’t want to be in something I won’t like for a long period of time.”

Small Learning Communities have been implemented

around the Kansas City area.

According to Rivers, Ruskin is one of the only two schools in the Kansas City area who haven’t switched. Though many have positive outlooks, some students disagree.

“I think it’ll change the school and make it worse,” Williams said. “It will make it to where you can’t interact with people and it won’t be very effective.”

The block schedule is being worked out at the moment.

It has been proposed that on Monday and Thursday there will be first through four hour, on Tuesday and Friday there will be fifth through sixth hour, and on Wednesday all classes will be held.

The Houses Arts and Communication

Engineering and Technology

Occupations in this House are related to hummanities and performing, visual, literary and media arts.

Occupations in this House are related to technologies necessary to design, develop, install, and maitain physical systems including computer information systems.

Health and Human Services

Occupations in this House are rleated to the promotion of health as well as economic, plitial and social systems.

Business and Finance Occupations in this House are rleated to the business environment.

FAST FACTS about the RHS Students College Experience

By Anthony Glover Editor-in-ChieF

In the fall semester of the 2014-2015 school year RHS students were offered the opportunity to sign up for an early college program at Metropolitan Community College-Business & Technology.

WHO? MCC Early College Program is open to juniors and seniors who are ready to start college-level work and get a head start learning skills in high demanding careers.

WHAT? Majors or fields of study offered are: Cyber Security, Engineering Technology, and Industrial Technology.

WHEN? Classes started Jan. 12. Classes are Monday-Friday from 9 o’clock a.m. to 1 o’clock p.m.

WHERE? The program is taking place at the Metropolitan Community College-Business & Technology, 1775 Universal Avenue, Kansas City, Mo 64120.

HOW? In order to be selected to you have to sign up for the program and be interested in one of the three programs offered in the program. All expenses of the program are being covered by the school district. The cost include: tuitions, fees, and books.

SO WHAT? Participating in the program will result in the earning of 47-58 college credit hours and a college certificate.

Also you would learn in-demand skills that can help land a paid internship or entry-level job right our of high school.

Clipart and infomation from SLC Brochure

Eagle’s Eye 2015 staff

Anthony Glover, junior - Editor in Chief Austin Dixon, Junior - Features Editor Brianna Hull, sophomore - Co-Managing Editor Luis Jimenez, sophomore - Co-Managing Editor

Tomiece Johnson, junior - Sports Editor Jasmine Ward, sophomore - Photo Editor Alesia Davis, sophomore - Online Editor-in-Chief Jasmine Shelton, sophomore - Online News Editor

[WORLD NEWS]

Danger in Paris

By Luis Jimenez Managing Editor

On the morning of Jan. 7 around noon, two armored men arrived at the headquarters of Charlie Hebdo in Paris, France and fired at the employees, French police officers patrol north of Paris during the killing 11 and manhunt for the gunmen in the shooting at the satirical injuring 12 French magazine Charlie Hebdo headquarters on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015. The two suspects reportedly robbed a more. gas station in the north of France. (Arnaud Dumontier/ C h a r - Maxppp/Zuma Press/TNS) lie Hebdo is a weekly newspaper in Paris that was recently attacked by two Al-Qaeda members from Yemen. The two suspects, now known as Chérif Kouachi and Saïd Kouachi, Jihad extremists brothers from Paris, pulled up in a black sedan with multiple assault rifles, R.P.G’s, and multiple weapons. They then forced Corinne Rey to allow them to enter the staff meeting, where the staff was having the first meeting of the year, killing the Editor in Chief and Cartoonist Shépahne “Carb” Charbonnier. They proceed to kill, execution style, the remaining ten victims while screaming “Allahu Akbar” or Arabic for God is the greatest. After the shooting at Charlie Hebdo, a massive man-hunt ensued for the two suspects involved leading to a standoff with the police in a printing firm, where they injured two officers before being fatally shot.

Charlie Hebdo was targeted by Al-Qaeda for its depiction of Muhammad or Allah and making fun of other Islamic leaders. Carbonnier was also targeted in Al-Qaeda's hit list with other individuals who they thought insulted Allah.

[PAGE 3]

Viva La Peace

Luis Jimenez

Managing Editor

"It is insane that two men, sitting on opposite sides of the world, should be able to decide to bring an end to civilization."

President John F Kennedy On Dec. 17, 2014, President Barack Obama gave a speech on how he plans to normalize diplomatic relationships with Cuba, after the Cuban Missile Crisis and The Cold War. He spoke about building an embassy in Havana for the first time in 50 years since the Trade Embargo President John F. Kennedy set back in the 1960’s. The news of the softened relationship came just after the U.S. negotiation for the release of U.S citizen Alan Gross, who had been held in Cuba since 2009 on a 15-year sentence, for the exchange for three suspected Cuban spies being held in Cuba.

This agreement is the effort of president Obama and Raul Castro, brother of Fidel Castro.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she agreed with new plan.

“I would like to see us move toward ending the embargo and trying to, by our example, by commerce, by all kinds of visits, you know, help the Cuban people have a different future,” Clinton said.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush disagrees with the new plan.

“I would argue that instead of lifting the embargo we should consider strengthening it again to put pressure on the Cuban regime,” Bush said. “I don’t think we should be negotiating with a repressive regime to make changes in our relationship.”

This comes from years of hostility between Cuba and the United States before and after the Cuban Missile Crisis, where the president Kennedy and Russia had enough power to nuke the world over five times.

“Safe Team,” Continued From front page cialist Ed Cason said. “It’s pretty much an extra support system for them.”

The purpose of the S.A.F.E.Team is to offer alternative intervention strategies for students who struggle with academics, behavior or their attendance. When a teacher sees one of their students struggling in one of these areas they are supposed to write a “S.A.F.E. referral,” and get it to one of the S.A.F.E. team members and they will take it from there. Those referrals can be found in the teachers lounge.

The S.A.F.E. team is run by Ruskin High School teachers and administration including oral communications teacher Carla Sole, communication arts teacher Heather Reilly, communi-

cation arts teacher Chad Mitchell, communication arts Teacher Pamela Pearson (Student services Advocate), Cason, the school administrators and all three counselors.

“At this time, there are no students on the S.A.F.E. Team because it is set up to be an intervention for them,” Cason said.

The S.A.F.E Team was put in place to help students in need, if any student has any issues at home as well as at school the S.A.F.E Team is there to help, and all “S.A.F.E referrals are confidential, it’s 100% safe.

[NEWS]

[PAGE 4]

Never Leaving Ruskin

By Alesia Davis

United States Treasury or RHS teacher? Registered Genealogist or RHS educator?

Instead of working with financial events that are taking place in the U.S. or tracing family lineage, history teacher Robert Nellis and science teacher Lamar Pearson prefer to delay retirement and stay right here teaching at Ruskin High School.

These dedicated RHS educators plan to stay at Ruskin until they are no longer needed or wanted. Both Pearson and Nellis have been eligible to retire for years but are choosing to stay for as long as they’re welcomed. Nellis said he would have it no other way.

“I love the students that I have, I enjoy the academic search that they have for knowledge, helping them become prepared for a real college experience and being able to provide an opportunity for them to pick up most of one year credit at a very small cost right here,” Nellis said.

Nellis teaches three differ-

ent UMKC classes. He has been teaching for 21 years, however he has been working at RHS for nine years. His children and their friends were his motivation to become an educator.

“When I retired from banking, my children after about 90 days, got tired of me being at home and said I needed to go back to work because I was driving them crazy,” Nellis said.

Nellis decided to work at Ruskin because of the opportunity for him to help with the RHS global college program.

He believed in the importance of offering Ruskin students the chance to earn college credit.

Nellis was eligible to retire five years ago, but he continues to work at RHS because he believes that he has great students. He is also very proud of all of his students and their accomplishments.

“For the Martin Luther King essay contest, they pick six kids in the metropolitan area. I got five of the six in the last two years in a row,” Nellis said. “They come right out of this room. They’re tremendous

History teacher Robert Nellis loves teaching his student, here in Ecnomics Class. Photo by Alesia Davis.

Science teacher Lamar Pearson says he is not interested in retiring yet. Photo

by Luis Jimenez.

students. Their talents...I love them, they’re great kids.”

Nellis doesn’t plan on retiring any time soon. He will be returning back next year and maybe will stay longer.

“It’s fun, it really is fun in here,” Nellis said.

Like Nellis, Pearson agrees that teaching at Ruskin is fun and that the kids here make it fun.

Pearson has been a teacher for 44 years but has been working at RHS for nine years. He is certified to teach many different science subjects. He decided to work at RHS because he believed Ruskin was in need of a teacher that worked well with kids. It’s a short distance from where he lives, so he thought it would be a good match. Pearson is convinced that Ruskin is a good school and wouldn’t be here if he didn’t think so.

“If I retire I’m going to retire doing something I like doing,” Pearson said. “I like teaching. So I don’t need to retire to do what I like doing, I can just stay here.”

Pearson and Nellis dislike it when individuals talk negatively about RHS students.

“Our students are not bad,” Nellis said. “We’ve got some that are, but I don’t care if you’re in Blue Valley or Blue Springs, Liberty or Park Hill…Independence, every school has bad kids. And kids are not bad. Kids just have not been taught proper etiquette, proper rules to follow, and proper procedures. There’s always going to be some that refuse to try to learn, but within my classroom those kids are not here,” Nellis said.

“What makes me mad is when I go places and they ask me what school I teach at and I say ‘Ruskin’ and they say ‘oh I’m sorry.’ That makes me very mad because there is no reason for anybody to feel sorry for me for teaching at Ruskin. I think Ruskin’s a fine school,” Pearson said Nellis and Pearson enjoy teaching students at Ruskin and are delighted to continue working at RHS for as long as they can.

[NEWS]

[PAGE 5]

Henderson’s Class has Puppet Madness know how to use the sewing machines,” Henderson said. “I don’t know anything about the fabric.

So I needed her help in sewing the actual puppets so that my students could create the puppets however they wanted. So her kids helped with that. She had all of the right tools to help create the puppets.”

For students who would like to do this project but don’t have the class now. Don’t worry. Take it next year (if you're not a senior), because HenderTanique Colley demonstrates her puppet and son is bringing it back. explains its purpose. Photo by Maygan Ham “Yeah for sure, my students really enjoyed Anthony Glover it,” Henderson said.

“They all Editor-In-Chief loved their puppets. I have yet n the week of to grade them but they all keep Jan. 19, FACS asking for them back so they reteachers Kayla ally enjoyed doing it.”

With all the fun, junior Henderson and Jan Stapinski did a collabora- D’Ante Horne still had to figure tive project with their classes. out what his puppet was going They made puppets to show to teach.

“To educate children about students how they are imporsafety around dangerous items,” tant in a preschool classroom.

“I was trying to commu- Horne said. “That was the purnicate why puppets are a good pose of my puppet.”

Henderson stated that the tool in a preschool classroom,” Henderson said. “There impor- students really enjoyed making tant because it teaches young the puppets but how?

“It was just fun,” senior Tachildren how to use motor skills. For children using their nique Colley said. “Everything hands and fingers are really im- about it was just fun. Especially portant. The puppets just cre- trying to figure out what your ate an environment of engage- puppets going to teach and how you’re going to design it.” ment.”

Some students put serious The creating of the puppets effort into makwould have ing their project been difficult unique. for someone “Well mine who doesn’t wasn’t but this know how to one girl’s puppet sew. So that’s was Rapunzel,” where Stapinsenior Tanique ski came in.

“I don’t Brianna Betts reads about her pup- Colley said. “It in the front of the class. Photo by was kind of cool. know how to pet Maygan Ham. It was better than sew, I don’t mine.”

O

Junior Terrance Townsell shows off his D.N.A model. Photo by Malik Johnson

Biology Gets Crafty

Anthony Glover Editor-In-Chief

When students came back from winter they were already assigned a project by teacher Lee Crow that would be due Feb. 1.

There has been a lot of students walking around with old shoe boxes the first few weeks of second semester. Some have wondered what the purpose of the boxes and the contents of the boxes.

Those boxes were filled of D.N.A. molecules.

“To get a deeper understanding of the structure,” Crow said.

“Of a molecule that determines everything. About living organisms on our planet.”

Teacher often reminisce about their high school days and all of the things they did and they things they wish they would’ve done.

“Yes, when I was in school we didn’t do hands on,” Crow said. “We took notes from the time class started until the time class ended.”

D.N.A. is what makes you, you. It’s what makes you unique.

So how are some of the projects unique?

“Mine is pink,” junior Mikeyla Brady said. “It also has pink and the beads glow in the dark.”

Putting together such an involved project has been proven to be difficult for some people and Brady is one of those people.

“Yes it was difficult putting my D.N.A model together,” Brady said. “The pipe cleaner were too short. So I had to add on more.

Then if the beads didn’t fit it right it would start falling apart. Then I just started gluing and taping everything.”

Teachers Get Loud!

Anthony Glover Editor-In-Chief

Over the winter break, maintenance installed audio enhancing devices in three classrooms - Chad Mitchell’s, Carolyn Holmes’ and Tae Chung’s.

In a class students can get loud, rowdy and obnoxious, which makes it hard to teach because the teacher would have to stop and redirect the See “Teachers,” cont. on page 10

[NEWS]

[PAGE 6]

CHOP! went the Piggy

By Austin Dixon Features Editor

The aroma of death covers the air. Row by row. victim by victim. Remains and latex gloves filled the room. A cloud of voices condense from the operators with the questions of “Who did it?” and “How did it happen?” as organs are exposed and inspected.

For the 2014-1015 school year, Science Instructor Bethany Kelly introduced Forensic Science as a course available at Ruskin High School.

Forensic Science is the use of science to resolve legal issues. Kelly’s class focuses on the actual science behind these crime investigations.

The activities in the course are decided from the interests of the students.

“I built the class from what the students would like to do.”

Kelly said.

One the assignments of her class is the pig autopsy. In this assignment, students were tasked with solving the murder of their victim.

The victims were fetal pigs and the murderers were staff within Ruskin. The staff left clues with their victims to indicate how and/or where the pigs were killed. It was the student’s job to use these clues to figure out for

extra credit how their pig died who killed their pig.

The objective of the dissection was to remove the organs of the pig by the making appropriate cuts based on a diagram displaying the multiple sections of a pig. The class used pickles as practice pigs before dissecting the real pigs.

An example of a pig murder was where a pig was killed in a forest. The “murderer” left leaves inside of the pig’s body bag as a clue to the location where it was killed. Another example is one of the murderers poisoning their pig and the student had to smell its breath to detect the poison.

Pigs were used as the victim since they have a similar anatomy, or body structure, as the human body.

Kelly’s interest in forensic science comes from her general love for mystery. ”I’ve always loved figuring out who did it and why they did it. I need answers!” Kelly said.

Kelly recommends the class to those who are interested in crime-related subjects, like law enforcement and psychology. Anyone with interest in the class itself is welcome to enroll.

The class is filled with graphic images of dead bod-

ies so she recommends avoiding the class if one has a weak stomach. She also warns against the class for anyone who doesn’t have a general interest in science.

Kelly has been teaching in the Hickman Mills school district for four years. She teaches science related classes such as anatomy, physiology, biology, and now forensic science.

Seniors Teirra Williams and Daylan Lloyd are observing the condition of their pig. Photo

by Sammy Alvarado

A student is inspecting their victim by checking through the pig’s mouth.

Photo by Sammy Alvarado

A picture submitted from a murderer of the scene of the crime for one of the pig. Photo by Sammy Alvarado.

[NEWS]

[PAGE 7]

An “Unbearble” Dip Ruskin students and teachers plunge into Longview to raise money for the Special Olympics.

Photo by Luis Jimenez.

By Luis Jimenez

O

Managing Editor

n Saturday Jan 31, 25 teachers and students from Ruskin braved the cold water at Longview Lake for the Polar Plunge to raise money for the Special Olympics.

“The Frozen Fannies” Carla Sole, Shelli Copas, Kelly Michale participated for the fifth time in a row and were joined

by Brock Brockmeier, his first time ever. They were dressed in black and green while wearing white tutu’s. Also to join them this year was Colonel Ivan Glasco and his M.J.R.O.T.C Cadets, who were dressed in their camo shirts and shorts.

The water was 34 degrees and the weather, 43 degrees. They braved the cold water to raise

money for this year’s Special Olympics, by asking for donations during the week every day.Altogether, they raised $1,500 dollars for the event.

The Polar Plunge is an annual event that happens at 14 areas around Missouri with the goal of raising money for sports training and competition for children and adults with disabilities. The requirements for this event is to be at least ten years old and raise a minimum of $75 prior to the event.

Organizers attempt to make the event as safe as possible by providing, divers, lifeguards, and having medical and emergency personnel ready on site.

(Above) A group picture with the R.O.T.C students and the “Frozen Fannies”.

(Right) Coach Brockmeier in his first Polar Plunge in the “team” tutu. Photos by Luis Jimenez.

Also for the event 40 students within Football, Leadership 20/20 and M.J.R.O.T.C helped during the cold, the day before, to set up for the event.

TeamSmarts Team Takes First Place Robert Nellis’ Economics class competes in national LifeSmarts contests. Photo

by Alesia Davis.

S

tudents in Robert Nellis’ 6th hour Economic Class placed first in the nation in the December National

TeamSmarts Competition in the topic technology. Following in the footsteps of previous Ruskin teams, it’s not the first time the team has excelled.

In October, they were the national winners for personal finance. In November, they took sixth place in the nation for consumer rights and respon-

sibilities. TeamSmarts is the LifeSmarts Web-based team competition. Last year’s team qualified for the state championship. The Ruskin team won the state championship in 2012 and came in 24th at nationals in Philadelphia.

[FEATURES]

[PAGE 8]

Keeping Our Youth Safe, Students can help combat crime

T

By Tomiece Johnson

he Kansas City area has seen its share of violent crimes recently, with an increase in crimes involving juveniles and infants.

Even at Ruskin High School, there are some students involved in violent acts, such as fights. Crimes happen every day. But when will it stop? The truth is, no one actually knows.

Until then, trying to help prevent crimes is an option that shouldn’t be ignored, according to Major Karl Oakman, Commander of the Kansas City Police Department’s South Patrol.

“You got some serious issues as a human being if you can watch a little kid, a little baby, get shot and not give any information on what you saw.

Then you don’t need to be on the planet with the rest of us,” Oakman said.

“Most of our violent crimes lately are being committed by or involving 14-18 year old children,” Oakman said.

Back on Oct. 17, 2014, six-year old Angel Hooper was shot and killed outside of a 7/11 a block away from the school, as Oakman referenced

above. Other Kansas City children have also been killed recently by drive-by shootings. The most recent incident involving a child was especially disturbing as 14-year-old Alexis Kane was allegedly gunned down outside The Bay waterpark by 17 and 18-year old teenagers. Issac M. Carter, Dominic McDaniel and Ce-Antonyo D. Kennedy have been charged with the crime.

The young girl had reportedly met one of the boys on Facebook and got in the car with him and another willingly.

Parenting is a Must

Police and community leaders are trying to figure out the origin of the problem. What is causing the young people in the community to act out in a negative and dangerous way?

Oakman believes it starts with the parents.

“I think one of the reason why children are becoming more violent and reckless is because they parents allow them,” Oakman said. “We are starting to see less and less parental involvement. Basically to sum it up, poor to no parenting. Parents don’t know where their kids are and don’t care to know where there are.”

Ruskin’s Family Resource Specialist, Ed Cason, agrees with Oakman that the spike in juvenile crime may be attributed to lack of attention from caregivers.

“We are so busy in our

lives these days that we are putting these teens on the ‘back burner’ and are ignoring all of the warning signs they are displaying,” Cason said. “This and the fact they are given so much freedom these days to come and go as they please.

Most parents (not all) have no idea what half of their kids do these days because, again, they are letting them ‘run wild,’ which in turn sometimes sets them up for failure.”

Cason deals with some of the altercations that happen at the school.

“Without getting into any specifics, I will just say that some of the violent crimes consist of fights that have started over social media, which in turn spills into the hallways at Ruskin. This seems to be the trend of ‘meeting up’ and fighting,” Cason said. “Since most of the fights are planned out, it’s considered ‘premeditated.

And it just makes the situation worse if someone gets critically injured during the fight.

Most of the time these sort of violent crimes are only done ‘for the crowd.’

In these types of situations, Oakman encourages young people to “walk away.”

“If you get into it with someone, and it’s not that important, walk away,” he said.

“Whatever you argue about is not worth going to jail or spending so much of your life away. It’s not worth it. Just walk away. All of your control is gone as soon as you do something wrong.”

To Snitch or Not To Snitch, It’s a Matter of Integrity

Oakman also encourages all citizens, including students, to call the TIPS hotline (816474-8477) if they have any information about a crime.

“Believe it or not, we receive a lot of TIPS hotline calls,” Oakman said. “Even as a student you can still help. You can be anonymous, and still get paid. The Tips hotline helped the investigation in the murders of Alexis (Kane) & Angel (Hooper). Even after suspects have been arrested, still call the Tips hotline if you know anything.”

Some students often talk about a “no snitch” code that prevents anyone from reporting any negative behavior on anyone else.

“Teenagers seem to have this ‘it’s none of my business’ attitude toward crime, but actually it is because of ‘that person’ doing the crime ‘you’ will be the one getting stereotyped ‘followed around the store,’ ‘followed by the police’ because you may just happen to look just like them,” Cason said. “Truth of the matter, it’s hard to tell the good teens from the bad ones just by appearance alone,” Cason said.

Oakman said he believes people who say they aren’t going to “snitch” are usually either involved with the crime, or really ARE notifying police about what they know and just don’t want anyone to know.

“Most of the time, decent people that witness something happening, they will tell you what they saw,” Oakman said.

[FEATURES]

Getting Involved

Oakman suggests that another way students can help prevent crimes by getting involved in the community.

“Be involved, if they are having a march or if they are having a vigil, be involved, show support to the family,” Oakman said. “It gives the family support and it shows the community that ‘Hey, we’re not gonna tolerate you out here committing these acts of violence against our children, against our family, against our friends’,” Oakman said.

There also are many support groups and crime stopper organizations in K.C. that students can be involved with.

One of the organizations that is trying to help stop crime is the AdHoc group Against Crime, founded by Alvin Brooks. The AdHoc group serves as a liaison between the community and the criminal justice system.

The organization has had a long standing partnership with the Kansas City Police Department, working closely with their Missing Persons and Juvenile Units, along with the units that fall under the Violent Crimes Division, to assist in bringing justice to crimes and finding those missed by loved ones.

Oakman feels what Brooks is doing with the community is a great idea.

Bad Publicity?

Oakman also agrees that Ruskin in the past few years has been given really bad publicity that it didn’t deserve.”

“There are actually some good teenagers out there doing great things in the community, but they always seem to get overshadowed by the ones out here doing bad things.” Cason said.

[PAGE 9] Oakman said a lot of Ruskin’s bad reputation comes from the name of the high school.

“When you say “Ruskin” people automatically assume you were referring to the high school, even though it may be just somewhere in the area,” Oakman said.

That’s not the case in other areas of Kansas City, he said.

He gave the example of the many crimes that happen in the near proximity of Northeast High School and that high school doesn’t ever get mentioned.

REMEMBERING

The Youth...

October17, 2014: 6-year-old Angel Hooper killed outside a 7/11 by a drive-by shooter.

Sunday, January 11, 2015: 14-yearold Alexis Kane, was found dead outside a South KC Water Park.

Pitching in To Help Prevent Crimes

Not only does the community do things to help prevent crimes, but so does the police department. According to Oakman, the first thing they have done to prevent crimes is increase south patrol units. He also talked about their proactive approach. “the first thing we do is increase patrol ” Oakman said.

“We also have a list of people that we have identified, that are responsible for majority of the crimes. We proactively pursue them.”

According to Oakman, the police department watches what suspects do through surveillance.

“We use different types of techniques where we are constantly following them, watching what they do from doing day to day,” Oakman said. “When we get a ring, we go right to it. We don’t sit and strategize.”

Not only will getting involved in helping stop crimes help the community, but it will also help Ruskin’s school and student reputations and give students a safer life.

Sunday, October 26, 2014: 10-yearold Machole Stewart killed inside a KCK home.

Friday, January 9, 2015: 2-year-old Lorenzo Estrada was beaten and died of his injuries on January 10.

Sunday, January 4, 2015: 7-month-old Jaquail Mansaw killed inside a KCK home.

Source: fox4kc.com

• January 16, 2015: a 2-year old child is shot inside his south KC home • January 11, 2015: 7-year old seriously injured after being struck by gunfire on I-70.

• January 8, 2015: 7-month-old, J.S., was discovered with burns from injuries occurring earlier in December.

• January 7, 2015: 3-year-old T.D. shot inside her KCMO home at 38th and Chestnut.

• January 4, 2015: 7-month-old Jaquail Mansaw killed inside a KCK home.

[ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT]

[PAGE 10] “Loud,” cont. from page 5 students.

“It helps in that it distributes what I’m saying throughout the room,” Mitchell said. “So regardless of where you sit in the room there should be a clear perception of as far as what’s being said.”

Junior Justice Crowbarker agrees that is beneficial.

“I really think it does,” Crowbarker said. “It benefits a lot because it helps the classroom hear more.

So say a student doesn’t understand normally, now they can hear him. Also with a microphone in there, it’s a great asset.”

Junior Brian Williams disagrees.

“No!” Williams said.

“Its a distraction because classmates be like ‘aw she loud’. Being childish and stuff; so yeah no.”

According to schooloutfitters.com, classroom microphones cost $257.99.

In retrospect that isn’t a lot of money so would the microphone be a good investment?

“At this point, I think it was donated,” Mitchell said. “But I think it’s a good investment. It helps as far as clarity and what’s being taught that day.”

“To Kill a Mockingbird” Takes Off With a Sequel ` By Brianna Hull

Managing Editor

Famous Author Harper Lee is now publishing her lost manuscript as a sequel for “To Kill a Mockingbird”.

The sequel, “Go Set a Watchman”, was written before her award winning book. It is

about about Scout as an adult woman returning to Maycomb from New York to visit her lawyer father Atticus. After reading the book, Harper lee’s editor asked her to rewrite the book from Scout’s point of view as a child, and the manuscript was lost. Now 50 years

later her lawyer Tonja Carter found the manuscript.

“I hadn’t realized it had survived,” Lee said, “so was surprised and delighted when my dear friend and lawyer Tonja Carter discovered it. After much thought and hesitation I shared it with a handful

of people I trust and was pleased to hear that they considered it worthy of publication. I am humbled and amazed that this will now be published after all these years.”

The book is being released the Summer of 2015. Lee expects to publish 20 million copies.

[ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT]

Not So Happy Valentine’s Day

By Jasmine Shelton Staff Reporter

“One of my ‘exes’ and I dated for almost a year and we broke up because he thought I was cheating on him (and I wasn’t) so we broke up and he started dating one of my friends,” sophomore Heavenly Frazier said.

W h e n people think of Valentine’s Day they think hearts, flowers, chocolates, and teddy bears.

Nobody really thinks about all the people that don’t have Va l e n t i n e s and all the people who spend the day centered around love alone.

Breakups happen every day and sometimes in the worst ways. People get broken up with in person, over text, email, and sometimes over social networks.

“One of my exes and I broke up because we couldn’t see each other on one weekend.

He started telling social media

(Facebook) he wanted to be single,” Frazier said.

Regardless of the way of going about it, a breakup hurts.

During a breakup, you may see a side of someone you never thought you would ever see.

They may get mad, they may get sad, they may even cry.

Breakups bring out the worst in everyone and may make people do crazy things.

“After a breakup this girl came into my house and started throwing stuff.

She broke my phone. I almost had to fight her brother,” junior Marcus Jones said.

Sometimes a breakup not only affects the individuals involved, the friends also feel the break up. After a breakup people go to their friends for comfort and reassurance and friends take on the responsibility of “nursing their friend back to health.”

“When my friends get broken up with, I comfort them...

“The Interview” Shocks Korea

Lacey (Lizzy Caplan) with Dave (James Franco) and Aaron (Seth Rogen) in Columbia Pictures’ “The Interview.” (Ed Araquel/ Columbia Pictures/TNS)

By: Brianna Hull Staff Reporter

The 2013 film The Interview was greeted with mixed reviews from movie critics, and an extremely negative one from the Korean government.

The movie is about two men hired by the CIA and forced to assassinate the Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The Korean Government demanded that Columbia Pictures pull

[PAGE 11] For those who find themselves madly in love, here are some gift-buying tips for your loved one. The survey was given to 100 Ruskin students and here’s what’s on the top of their wish lists:

do things with them to get their mind off it. I would mother them,” sophomore Serina Trevor said.

There are a lot of different ways to get over a bad breakup.

Eat ice cream, go to the movies, hang out with friends - the possibilities are endless.

“When someone I’m close to gets broken up with, We

played slow jams and cry, “ sophomore Deleon McGrier said.

No matter what the circumstance, what the break up is over, there are always ways to get over the person and move on. If you don't have a Valentine on Valentine’s Day who cares, it’s just one day out of the whole year. A lot of people

the movie. Sony Pictures Entertainment delayed the movie in its release on Oct. 10, 2014 in order to make it more acceptable to North Korea.

“The Guardians of Peace”, a terrorist group believed to be associated with Korea, hacked Sony on Nov. 24, 2014, threatening to attack all theaters that showed the movie. Many theaters canceled their showings, much to

the dismay of those anticipating its release.

However, on Dec. 24, 2014, Sony made the movie available for rent and purchase online. The movie earned $40 million dollars in digital rentals, making it Sony’s best selling digital release. It also made about $6 million in the box office.

Later, it was also released to Netflix subscribers.

[FEATURES]

Black History Why Just a Month?

By Luis Jimenez Managing Editor

It’s around this time in the year, Black History Month, where students walk down the hallway and see posters of famous African Americans who have led the way for the future generation of Americans. The teachers move the curriculum just for the month, so they can focus on famous African Americans. But why do we still celebrate this event when we are equal and this information should be provided all school year? Why is this event given the shortest month of the year, and only restricted to one race?

First of all, why is Black History only mentioned in one month? Why out of the months in the year the shortest is chosen?

“I don’t want a Black history month. Black history is American history,” ctor Morgan Freeman said.

Freeman is right February has only 28 days and 29 days if you take into consideration leap years. So A: It’s a really short month to celebrate a cul-

ture who withstood hundreds world void of national bias, of years of oppression and ra- race hate, and religious prejucial hatred. B: Why just only dice,” Wood said.

February to celebrate African Some might say it’s American who gave their lives counter-racist to exclude other for this country? Some would races, just so famous African agree that they need to expand Americans can get a month for black history month and not their history. We should be proonly have it for one month, moting colorblindness, where instead Black Hiswe don’t think tory should be of a “black” hero taught or celebrator “white” hero, ed throughout the but just heroes. whole year.

They can be Second, why anyone, no matis Black History ter of color. In Month only about addition, where one race and not are the months other races, that to celebrate other also have gone races? We don’t Luis Jimenez through hardships necessarily have and rough times. a Middle EastCarter Godwin Wood, fa- ern month, or an Asian history mous African historian, author, month. If someone suggested journalist and the founder of there be a “white” history the Association for the Study month, they would be considof African American Life and ered a racist. Also there is a hisHistory agreed. panic Heritage Month but you “We should emphasize not don’t see people hanging postNegro history, but the Negro in ers or talking about it during history. What we need is not school “by the way it’s in bea history of selected races or tween september and october. nations, but the history of the Lastly, we are at a time

Opinion

[PAGE 12]

where we are all equal and not treated differently because the color of our skin. Some agree that black history, when it was first created, was used as a month to highlight famous African Americans and give them the spotlight and share their life stories. But it’s the 21st Century, there is a black president and everyone is supposed to be treated the same and able to live together in harmony and at peace.

“Won’t it be wonderful when black history and Native American history and Jewish history and all of U.S. history is taught from one book. Just U.S. history,” author Maya Angelou said.

So in conclusion, we should get rid of Black History Month altogether, or modify it so instead of just celebrating one month, we celebrate every race altogether taught throughout the entire year.

Eagle’s Eye Editorial Policy Do you have a comment on this or another article? We welcome your letters to the editor. See guidelines below.

A. Forum. Eagle’s Eye News is the official student-produced medium of news and information published/produced by Ruskin High School’s Eagle’s Eye News staff members. The Eagle’s Eye News has been established as a designated public forum for student expression used to inform, educate and entertain its readers as well as for the discussion of issues of concern to its audience. It will not be reviewed or restrained by school offi-

cials prior to publication or distribution. The content of Eagle’s Eye News is determined by and reflects only the views of the student staff and not school officials, the school, the Hickman Mills C-1 School District or any of its affiliates. Advisers may – and should – coach and discuss content – during the writing process. The Eagle’s Eye will print as many letters to the editor as space allows each issue. The Eagle’s Eye reserves the right not to print a letter.

B. Format. All letters to the editor must include the writer’s name, signature and class or position. Typed, double-space letters are preferred, but legible, hand-written letters are acceptable. All letters must be signed.

C. Limitations. Letters should be limited to approximately 300 words, or about one-and-a-half double-spaced, typewritten pages.

D. Editing. Letters to the editor will

not be edited, except in rare cases to prevent legal liability (libel, obscenity, invasion of privacy, etc.), to edit material that is in poor taste, or to fit space requirements.

E. Address. Letters should be addressed to the editor, placed in an envelope and mailed to Eagle’s Eye c/o Ruskin High School; emailed to eagleseye@ ruskinnews.com, placed in Mrs. Williams’ mail box in the main office or hand-delivered to Room 102.

[FEATURE/NEWS]

[PAGE 13]

“Fools” come to Ruskin

A Flavorsome Return!

By Austin Dixon Features Editor

The Ruskin Cafeteria has added seasonings and more meals for the 20142015 year at Ruskin.

New this year are meals like jambalaya, grilled cheese with tomato soup, firecracker chicken, and a variety of wraps such as the Mexican and Caribbean chicken wraps. Grab and Go breakfast sacks have also been included for students arriving to school after breakfast ends.

Reem Ahmed, Aryanna Gant, Averill Williams , Jasmine Shelton, Rosetta Eiken, Sarah Berg, and Domanic Johnson reading lines from “Fools” script at callbacks . Photo by Anthony Glover.

By Alesia Davis

RHS theatre department rehearse for spring play “Fools”.

“Fools” by Neil Simon is about a small Russian village that discovers that they are all cursed by stupidity. The story starts with Leon Steponnovich Tolchinsky, who is being played by junior Delshon Bradford.

Bradford was cast as leading role in “Little Shop of Horrors” and now he is taking on the leading role in “Fools.”

“I feel very grateful just to able to get the lead role twice,” Bradford said. “It’s kind of like a big spotlight on me because I’m going to have to prove again that I can do good.”

Bradford is playing an inspiring young schoolteacher that falls in love with the a girl he is suppose to be teaching.

“I auditioned for this role because I saw how I can take that character and make it my own,” Bradford said.

Bradford’s character falls in love with Sophia Zurity which is the daughter of the town’s doctor. Sophia is being portrayed by sophomore Shel-

by Woodroof.

“It’s a lot of pressure making sure that you’re doing everything right and making the school proud of you,” Woodroof said about how it feels to be cast as the leading actress in only her sophomore year.

Many “Fools” members believe that their cast members are wonderful and that the play will be very successful. ”I think it’s going to be more successful than Little Shop of Horrors” because there’s not as much drama. It’s a much smaller cast...more in-

timate,” sophomore Alice Ryan said.

“I love the cast and I think that we all get along,” Woodroof said. “We all have that connection, like a little bond that theatres should have. I think it’s going to be great.”

RHS students are excited to see the theatre’s version of “Fools”.

“I’m excited to see it! I love seeing people doing idiotic things,” sophomore Ronjanae Kelley said.

“Fools” will be out after spring break on March 26-28.

“FOOLS” CAST LIST DelShon Bradford

Briana Scott

Shelby Woodroof

Domanic Johnson

Anthony Glover

Cortez Perkins

Eilene Zikmanis

Aryanna Gant

Sharif Muhammad

Sarch Berg

Alice Ryan

Reem Ahmed

Jasmine Shelton

Averill Williams

Rosetta Eiken

Along with more meals, the cafeteria added more to the salad bar. Cabbage is now available as a side.

A “Flavor Station” was also introduced above the salad bar for students to add the seasonings that they desire to their food. These seasonings include lemon pepper, Jamaican Jerk, garden, crushed red peppers, and “chili,cumin,& garlic”.

The cafeteria managers say they are eager for student response about their creations and are always open for feedback, whether it’s positive or negative.

Junior Michael Anders said that the cafeteria will need a stronger effort for students to truly enjoy lunch.

“No matter what they do, kids are still going to See “Flavor,” cont. on pg. 15

[COURTWARMING]

[PAGE 14]

Spirit Week

Dress Your Age Day

PJ Day Students show off their Pj’s. Photo by Tomiece Johnson.

Photo by Maygan Ham.

Warrior Wednesday

Creative Clothes Tuesday (Above photo) Shannon Hogen(Left) and Krystal Whitaker (Right). Photos by Elecia Gillespie

(Above) Sophomore Briana Thornton dresses as a baby of the high school. Seniors Aahbresha Leal Photo by Luis Ji- and Jason Hughes dress menez. as SENIOR citizens. Photo by Jada Burse

Squad Day

(Above)Alicia Valdez and Carlos Villa-Chapman. (Right) Allison Rainey. Photos by Brianna Hull (Left) Left to right: Filiberto Morales, Haley Baxter, Nicole Hilton, Isamar Osario, Jasmine Palemores. (Right) Tatiana Byrd and Marcus Makentire. Photo by Donell Jackson.

Pep-Rally

Boy’s Basketball 2015 CourtWarming Pep-Rally. The KC Wolf from the Kansas City Chiefs attended for the first time. The dance team and cheerleaders performed, and a competition put teachers against students.

Royalty

junior Prince Donte Tibbs.

junior Princess Nina Woodroof and sophomore Princess Shelby Woodroof.

Photo by Musa Khan.

[SPORTS/FEATURES]

[PAGE 15]

Blood, Sweat and Tears

By Tomiece Johnson Sports Editor

While Ruskin High School basketball teams are finishing out the season strong, track runners, soccer, baseball, tennis, and golf players, have their seasons approaching. Conditioning for spring sports has officially started, and also for football. Conditioning is the process of training that results in physical fitness.

Now is the time students are being put to the test. One of the hardest parts of being involved in sports is conditioning. Although, different sports have different workout plans, all can be very challenging.

The girls track team, coached by science teacher

Bethany Kelly and social studies teacher June Hollowell Ross has conditioning two days a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Normally, they will do a brief warm-up. The activity for that day may vary. Sometimes the team runs for the first 20 minutes around the inside of the school building. Other times they run outside around the building, twice.

After they complete their warm-up, next they do a little stretching, then drills. Some of the drills include karaoke, high-knees, butt kicks, lunges, and A-C skip. For some people, this is their first time being on a sports team, which could be very difficult, depending on one’s fitness type. If someone is out of shape,conditioning is

“Flavor,” cont. from pg. 13

The lunch room is bustling with flavor these days as students take advantage of a new flavor bar and other new changes.

want more,” Anders said. “They are just going go off of what other people say. So I personally think that they need to make a survey like ‘what do the kids want and what they don’t ‘ then just leave it at that. Shoot, I’ll just stick to pizza or burritos but that’s just me.”

The cafeteria also provides dinner for those students and staff who stay after school for activities to eat.

likely going to be hard in the beginning.

The girls soccer has started conditioning and they condition on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week also. The team starts out with stretches and then runs for ten minutes. Afterwards, the girls alternate stations where they jump small hurdles, jump between a latter, do two steps and kicking the ball, and sprinting between stations.

Students who are interested in becoming involved in spring sports, please see Athletic Director James Hunsaker in Student Services.

(above) Track girls sprinting during conditioning after school. (below) Track Conditioning Coach Derrick Wilmore demonstrates how to do high knees.

Sprint Center Show Offs

Junior Danielle Woodruff shooting free throws at the Sprint Center game.

Photo by Colonel Ivan Glasco.

Ruskin’s Lady Golden Eagles came from behind to beat Lincoln Prep at the Price Chopper Basketball Classic held at the Sprint Center in downtown Kansas City Jan. 19.

“We wanted to win,” junior Marshawn Gunnels said.

“We started out slow, but then we just came out and started ballin’.”

The team is still rolling its way to a winning season and, at

the time were ranked number 25 in the Time Warner Poll.

The team members were excited to play at the Sprint Center.

“The Sprint Center was a very fun experience, to be able to play on a court like that and be treated like you were a college kid with a nice locker room,” junior Marshawn Gunnels said.

[SPORTS]

[PAGE 16]

Winter sports start seasons with all new coaches

Bryan Austin

Varsity Girls’ Basketball Coach

Q: How many years have you coached basketball? 9 years.

Q: What goals do you have?

The goals I have for the season are to win districts and make a run for state.

Q: How do the coaches work as a team for the basketball team?

Coaches work together on many aspects of the game. Every coach has a role that they do, with the overall goal of bettering the team and being the best team that we can be on and off the court Q: What type of things do you do to prepare?

To prepare for the game we have practices, we watch game film, and we go through scouting reports of the opposing team.

Q:How do you feel about your accomplishemnts?

I am very proud of the things this team has accomplished thus far. They have worked hard for their accomplishments, but have some bigger goals.

Q: What are three things that could be done to improve your team?

If there were three things we needed to work on it would be, limiting our turnovers in the game, playing without fear, and not following a mistake with a mistake.

Q: Anything else?

One of the things that I tell the girls is that Victory Loves Preparation.

No we haven't won every game, but we have been successful in more games than we have not been successful. The girls have learned that being prepared allows you to be successful in life.

Allan Colling

Varsity Wrestling Coach

Q: How many years have you coached wrestling?12 Years Q: What goals do you have?

To improve the program and establish a wrestling couture at Ruskin High School.

Q: What type of things do you do to prepare the wrestlers?

Successful wrestlers are the ones who stay in the moment. They don’t worry about the last match or what takes place on the other mats, or who is in their bracket. Just stay in the moment and focus on the upcoming opponent.

Q: How do you feel about the goals you and the team accomplished so far this year?

Our goal this year was to improve each and every day. I feel that many of our wrestlers improved from November to now.

Q: What are three things that could be done to improve your team?

1. We need to dedicate ourselves to the weight room and improve our speed and strength. 2. Establish a summer wrestling program to improve technique.

3.Build a youth wrestling program to establish a strong foundation.

Q: Anything else?

I am very proud of our wrestlers.

Each and every one of them improved this season. Looking forward to coaching the underclassmen next season. Also proud of our senior, Jamal Karriem, and the hard work he put in this season.

Raymond Hughes

Varsity Boy’s Basketball Coach

Q: How many years have you coached basketball?

I have coached basketball for 21 years.

Q: What goals do you have this season?

Improve every game and be at our best in February.Compete for a State Championship Q: How do the coaches work as a team for the basketball team?

Each Coach has different duties according to their strengths. Our goal is to work together and do what is best for the Team.

Q: How do you feel about the goals you and the team accomplished so far this year?

We have been able to play through some adverse situations.

Q: What are three things that could be done to improve your team?

In order to improve we must learn to communicate better. We must learn to master the Team concept in every way. And everyday we must strive to get better.

Q: Anything else you would like to add?

We really looking forward to a great conference season!