Sterling Cub Reporter: October 2018

CUB REPORTER

October 2018

VOL. 5 ISS. 1

STERLING HIGH SCHOOL

THE SCIENCE GUY +pg 5

Sterling High School | October 2018 1

+ 02 EDITORIAL

CUB REPORTER WWW.STERLINGPSTUDENTPUBLICATIONS.COM

308 E. Washington, Sterling, KS 675779 Phone: 620-278-2171 Fax: 620-278-3237

+STAFF

editors +MCKIAH San Miguel +grace rowland REPORTERS +andy norez +lucas gilmore +christina voth +Riley Richter +megan roelfs ADVISER +TODD VOGTS

+POLICIES

The Sterling High School Cub Reporter and all subsidiary publications are designated forums of free speech. The print edition is published October through May of each school year by the journalism class at Sterling High School. It is distributed for no charge throughout Unified School District 376 buildings and the Sterling community. The first copy is free.

Subsequent copies will cost $1 per copy. For information about being added to the subscription list, contact Todd Vogts at 620-278-2171. Letters to the editor are welcome. Email them to journalism@usd376.com. All letters must be signed.

Anonymous letters will not be printed. All letters subject to editing for legal, grammatical and factual reasons.

+ABOUT THE PHOTO New science teacher Matt Perkins uses labs to give students hands-onlearning opportunities. Read more about him and his classes on pg. 05. www.sterlingcubreporter.com

W

Kansas Human Trafficking Statistics 68 Total Trafficking Cases in 2017 Sex and Labor Trafficking

Labor Trafficking

Sex Trafficking

Form Not Specified

5 Cases

52 Cases

7 Cases

4 Cases

Data from humantraffickinghotline.org

Protect yourself from human sex trafficking Sex trafficking has been a world-wide issue for thousands of years, but more recently it has been established that the traffickers have made their way more locally. According to the Hutchinson News, as close as Wichita to Hutchinson.

Trafficking is in our backyard.

But what is human trafficking?

Human trafficking is when a person is forced, coerced, or tricked into doing work against their will.

A type of trafficking is sex trafficking, which would mean forced prostitution and pornography.

According to the Huffington Post, researchers keep concluding that approximately 10 percent of men and 4 percent of women have a clinically significant sexual attraction to children and approximately 20 million IP addresses involved in the peer-to-peer file sharing of child pornography have been identified.

Over 27 million people are enslaved to the 32 billion dollar industry, according to More Lifestyle.

Traffickers search for those who are the most vulnerable: women, children, and runaways.

It is estimated that 300 thousand Americans under the age of 18 are lured into the sex trade. Sex trafficking of minors is a severe form of child abuse, and victims endure significant trauma through repeated rape and physical violence, according to National Plan.

This is sexual exploitation.

In Kansas there have been 218 calls

this year reporting trafficking, 67 of them being sex trafficking reports. Of those 67 calls, 58 of them were women who had reported, according to the National Human Trafficking Hotline.

To try and avoid the traffickers be aware of how they try to recruit people, example — making false promises to those living in poverty to a better life.

They will take advantage of unconscious people who are not being looked after, and people who they believe will not put up a fight.

How can one avoid traffickers?

If this person is a stranger do a background check or even an internet search of them.

If they ask you to do something you might not want to, say no and check for their reactions; look for abusive or possessive behaviors.

Always be alert and know the surroundings, using a cell phone can be a distraction and make an individual more prone to being a target.

After entering a vehicle, lock the doors immediately, if someone is targeting you are more vulnerable when lingering in the vehicle.

If traveling, schedule a check-in so they know everything is well, you never can be too safe.

If you know someone or are apart of sex trafficking, call 1-888-373-7888 to report it. — For the Editorial Board

+ 03 Briefs

BRIEFLY STATED +SHS

New schedule change in effect

For the past 11 years Sterling High School has had a block day schedule with 9 periods each day. To improve our schedule, school counselor, Tina Wohler decided to see what other schools did for their schedules in relation to ours. Out of 13 schools Sterling was the only school with a nine hour day. 8 schools had a 7 period day and 5 had 8.

Overall Sterling students were getting 70 minutes per class while other schools were getting fewer minutes, but seeing their teachers everyday.

At the first calendar committee meeting they discussed all of the pros and cons of both the block schedule and daily schedule, it was decided that a daily schedule would benefit students most. An eight hour daily schedule was put in place instead of a nine hour block schedule.

All students will be receiving 60 more minutes in each class overall with the daily schedule than with the block schedule.

Other counselors said the daily schedule was best for their student because they saw material everyday.

+LOCAL

Schlitterbahn’s water slide torn down

+nATIONAL

In 2016 ten year old Caleb Schwab, the son of Kansas State Representative Scott Schwab died on the 17-story Kansas City water slide, The Verruckt meaning crazy or insane. Celebs’ raft went airborne and struck a metal support pole. After the incident Schlitterbahn wanted to take action and tear down the world’s tallest water slide. A court order was put in that stopped Schlitterbahn from tearing it down because it was evidence for the investigation.

After two years of investigation, the co-owner, lead designer, and Henry and Sons Construction company face two-degree murder charges and aggravated battery. Many other workers faced similar charges in including, recklessly designing a dangerous ride, second degree murder, hiding evidence of other injuries, aggravated battery, child endangerment, and mis leading investigators. 20 million dollars was also payed to the family.

The slide was set to be torn down shortly after Labor day and took up to three weeks.

Senator John McCain dies from brain cancer

On Aug. 25, 2018 at 4:28pm McCain died at age 81.

In July 2017, McCain was diagnosed with Glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. After 13 months of chemo, McCain stopped treatments on August 24.

John McCain served in the Vietnam War as a Navy Pilot and became a prisoner of war for five years before being released. In 1982 he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Arizona, and in 1986 he was elected into the United States Senate. After 14 years as serving as a senator for Arizona, McCain started a presidential campaign in 2000, running against former president George W. Bush.

He also ran against Barack Obama in 2008 but was elected to be a senator for Arizona.

McCain’s body was brought to the Arizona State Capitol, August 29, and a funeral was held the following day at North Phoenix Baptist Church. A funeral service was held in Washington D.C. September 1.

www.sterlingbulletin.com A proud supporter of

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Academics, Activities and

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107 N. Broadway, Sterling Sterling High School | October 2018 3

News ++0404News

www.sterlingcubreporter.com

Opin ions on

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+ 07 Feature 05 Feature + 05

The Science Guy

“

+by Grace Rowland

I want the students to have a really good knowledge of how things work when it comes to chemistry and why they work. We always have it all around us, and a lot of us just don’t understand how and why. ­­— Matt Perkins

“

Sterling High School | October 2018 5

+ 06 Feature

Labs of learning

New chemistry teacher Matt Perkins emphasizes hands-on learning via labs +by Grace Rowland

T

wo grams of yeast mixed with four tablespoons of water, poured into a beaker full of 100 mL of hydrogen peroxide, a squirt of dish soap, and a couple drops of food coloring to create a colorful, foamy science experiment in the lab of new chemistry teacher Matt Perkins.

Although experiments were done periodically in the past, Perkins teaching style involves different elements in classroom including a big emphasizes on the aspect of labs.

“Everyone learns differently. Some of us can learn everything we need to know through a textbook, and others of us have to have our hands involved to learn how it works to re-

www.sterlingcubreporter.com

member it better,” Perkins said. “People don’t always remember the homework or the lectures, but they remember the labs.”

Perkins stressed the importance of labs in the classroom by highlighting the many other benefits they provide students.

“It reinforces the concepts of the chapter.

If you are talking about a solid becoming a gas and you drop dry ice into a beaker for a demo, it is just a demo, but when you can reinforce the concepts from the chapter, it helps to learn the chapter better,” Perkins said.

In spite of all the benefits that labs bring, they can be taxing for Perkins to prepare and set up for

(Photos by Grace Rowland) Matt Perkins draws chemistry formulas on the white board while explaining the importance of them.

+ 07 Feature

“ Chemistry has a way of combining how you get your hands into it and figuring a lot of math, which I have always enjoyed. ­­— Matt Perkins

“

Perkins holds a beaker under a demonstration for a acid and base lab.

the 47 minutes of that he has class.

“Normally it takes at least an hour preparation getting a lab written up because I make my own labs and about 30 minutes ahead of time to get the lab setup. Usually I can get it set up the day before,” Perkins said.

Along with time and preparation, Perkins often has to keep in mind the many safety concerns that experiments bring to the lab.

“The chemicals you can have sitting out, you always need to have them under lock and key as much as possible,” Perkins. “Not because anyone would do anything but because there is a safety factor there. I really stress safety. We have aprons and goggles on for not doing much.”

As well as working with chemicals, Perkins also

works with math and other hands-on projects throughout his job.

“Chemistry has a way of combining how you get your hands into it and figuring a lot of math, which I have always enjoyed, and I think the two of them together, physically doing the work in the lab and the math, is a good combination for me,” Perkins said.

Perkins has always enjoyed chemistry, despite this being his second full year of teaching it at the high school level.

“The truth is there was a school that needed a chemistry teacher, and I knew enough about it to start teaching it,” Perkins said.

“This was a couple of schools ago in Oklahoma because there aren’t that many science teachers around. I was very glad to be able to do it,

1.

Favorite Vacation Spot: Yellowstone National Park

Big Star Trek Fan

3.

2.

Favorite Shoes: Converse All-Stars

Wears size 13 shoes

4.

5.

One of his Favorite Cartoons: Wile E. Coyote Sterling High School | October 2018 7

Feature ++0808Feature

Three experiments for Elephants Toothpaste demonstrate a chemical reaction.

and I have always enjoyed it.”

With absence of science teachers around, including in the Sterling District, Perkins applied for the position and decided to take the job from Oklahoma.

“The biggest reason I decided to take the job is Sterling’s reputation as a really good, quality school, and I thought that was important,” Perkins said. “I wanted to have students and a staff lab safety that are good, quality people and easy to work with.”

With the many dangers As Perkins is adjusting to the differences of of labs students must Sterling from his previous school, he notes diftake into consideration ferences that of the two school districts. the importance of “Things are much more organized as far as safety. We bring you structure is concerned. The classrooms are better a list of procedures in the lab at SHS managed, students are where they are supposed to be when they are supposed to be there, for the • Always wear most part. If they are late, they are late a minute if they aren’t early getting in the classroom,” Peraprons and kins said. “Sterling also doesn’t seem to have the safety glasses activity schedule that my old school had. They would have activities all day, all the time, almost • Wear long from the first day of school. It seems we have pants or more of the class here on a regular basis.” jeans, no Perkins also said the available monies for the shorts classroom were an improvement so far this year • Pull your hair compared to his last school.

back out of the way • Be cautious of hot elements of the lab • Be careful when working with glass equipment

From one crazy scientist to the next...

—Matt Perkins www.sterlingcubreporter.com

“Things are also better funded here. I would have to buy my own equipment for demos and labs a lot in Oklahoma to make them have it.

There were days I actually lost money,” Perkins said. “I made ice cream one day, and the ingredients for the ice cream was more money than I actually made that day. So I paid the school to teach that day.”

Regardless of funding in his classroom, Perkins wants students to take away the importance of chemistry in everyday life.

“I want the students to have a really good knowledge of how things work when it comes to chemistry and why they work. We always have it all around us, and a lot of us just don’t understand how and why,” Perkins said.

With a mission of teaching in mind, Perkins has already enjoyed many aspects of his new jobs and looks forward to meeting new people as the school year progresses.

“The best part of this year has been getting to know all of the students and staff as people,” Perkins said. “Teaching is teaching as it doesn’t really change state to state, but getting to know this new group of people has been enjoyable so far.”

—Albert Einstein via Wikipedia.org

+ 09 Sports

Lead

Way

Junior quarterback, Brady Myers explains hardships and benefits of being an expected leader.

B

+by MCKIAH SAN MIGUEL

eing on the starting line up requires dedication to the sport, hard work, and determination. Starting quarterback, junior Brady Myers has put in the work to get the minutes he does. Myers has been the starting quarterback at SHS since 2017, along with some earned minutes during his freshman year (‘16). Along with this position comes a large load of pressure from coaches, fellow players, and the community.

“I have to step up and lead the team, which is something I am not very familiar with,” Myers said. “We lost a lot of great senior leaders, and someone had to step up to start leading the team.”

Leading a team on or off the field is never easy, because coaches have their expectations for every player, especially their leaders.

“I am expected to step up in all situations whether it be leading or encouraging other players,” Myers said. “But at the same time I would expect the same thing from my teammates.”

As the 2018 season comes to a start Myers has one goal that he is set on reaching.

“Of course I want to have a winning season, but I want to make my teammates proud, and Sterling proud,” Myers said.

Football runs through his veins as it has been passed down through his family.

“Football runs through my

family, I have been apart of football since the third grade because of them,” Myers said.

With many years of experience in Myers’ pocket, it also comes with passion and a love for the sport.

“I love being able to make contact through football, being with my teammates, and overall just having fun,” Myers said.

As Myers continued the development of his football career he was able to find inspiration through his older brother, Austin Myers.

“Austin was a role model for me, and in the past years I began to watch more of his films,” Myers said, “I never realized how much he truly meant to me.”

With a role model in place and a love for the sport, football will always be apart of Myers.

“Football is huge in my family, Austin definitely had an impact on why I continue to play,” Myers said, “I love football, and it will always be apart of who I am.”

BRADY #10 Sterling High School | October 2018 9

+ 10 Sports

THE SHS

The Cub Reporter strives to cover everything we can, but with so many things going on in fall it can be difficult.

And so: The SHS Extra Inning was born. Here we cover everything we can fit in this space.

+by MEGAN ROELFS

Volleyball Player Natalie Nichols

CUB REPORTER: What is it like being the only senior on the team this year?

Natalie: I’m enjoying it. It’s really fun. I love the team this year and I just get along with them really well.

CR: Has the opportunity helped you become a better leader?

N: Yes, I think so.

CR: Is there any pressure for you being the only senior?

N: I think there is some pressure being a good leader, but I don’t see it like that. I think it’s fun and I get to be a good example for everyone under me.

CR: What’s been you favorite part of being on the team throughout high school?

N: I think, just playing with the girls and forming relationships with them.

Preview Night Cheerleaders Meah Gonzales and Avrey Holliday cheer at the football preview on August 24.

(Photo by Courtney Ball) www.sterlingcubreporter.com

Who plays what?

Q&A

EXTRA INNING The Cub Reporter takes a look at sports students play in the fall.

17% 23% 24% 22% Tennis

Football

Volleyball

Nothing

(Poll taken by 76 students)

Freshman Kali Briar

Sophomore Karlie Boeken

Senior McKiah San Miguel

Junior Logan Weigel

Young, Small Black Bears look to improve

The SHS Black Bear football team is experiencing small numbers this season with a total of 26 athletes out. With the loss of 10 seniors from last season, the football team is looking to fill back up their roster with the addition of 10 freshman to the program.

“They have really good energy and have bought into what we’re trying to do,” head football coach Derek Schneider said.

While a young group of kids might be good, there can be question on the where leadership lies. With a small number of upperclassman including only five seniors, the team is looking for new leadership for this season.

“The struggle with a few old guys and a lot of young guys is leadership has to be good at the top with a select few people for the young guys to get what they need out of it,” Schneider said.

+ 11 Opinions

POINT / COUNTERPOINT

Costumes and Controversies Costumes are fun and can be a Dressing up as an older kid great way to show off creativity is childish and immature +by Christina Voth Dressing up for Halloween, no matter how old you are, it is a fun and an easy way to show off your creativity and halloween spirit.

When people say Halloween, I think of three things: candy, costumes, and horror movies. Though I’m sure other people have Halloween traditions as well.

Dressing up for Halloween doesn’t mean you have to go trick-or-treating, but you can dress up to hand out candy to the trick-or-treaters. Also, trick-or-treating is only one reason for you to dress up.

There are many different parties that you dress up for on Halloween; and many are famous throughout the world.

For example, there is a threehour festival in New York called “The Village Halloween parade,” it is a three-hour festival in New York with more than 50,000 paraders flooding the streets. The catch?

You must be in a costume to attend.

Though Salem gets in on the action too, with their Salem Witches’ Halloween ball.

Parades and parties aren’t the only reason Halloween costumes come into play.

Haunted houses are an easy way to show off your talent in special effects makeup, or your ability to be truly creepy.

You could volunteer at your local haunted house and get a

chance to scare your friends, or enjoy going to one yourself.

So why can’t you wear a costume on Halloween? It doesn’t have to be a childish costume either, it can be whatever you want. Maybe you want to be Doctor strange, or maybe Freddy Krueger.

Halloween costumes are just for fun and are just another seasonal way to express your passions and creativity. In a society where costumes in general have become more socially accepted due to various events likes Comic-Cons and Renaissance fairs, so why not use this one day of the year to become anyone or anything you want to be.

+by Megan Roelfs When people say “Halloween,” they immediately think of the candy, pumpkins, and costumes. Really though, how old is too old to dress up? My answer, freshman year.

Going into high school signifies that you are ready to take on new challenges and face harder problems in life. It also shows that you are now a teenagers and one step closer to being an adult, not a little kid.

Dressing up in my opinion, is childish if you’re an adult or teen. They aren’t supposed to take away the spotlight from the younger kids and their costumes. By dressing up they do so.

Halloween is for kids to dress up, get candy, and be happy. For adults and teens, it needs to be just like any other day. Go to work or school, eat, sleep, and start all over the next day.

As a kid, you rely on your parents to take you out trick-or-treating. But if your parent is dressed up as well, they could get candy too. As adults, your responsibility is to decorate and hand out candy.

And as teens, our job might be taking our younger siblings out if your parents want to stay home. Or, we could be handing out candy instead of our parents. Either way they shouldn’t dress up, giving the whole spotlight to kids.

Last year, there were 179 million people who chose to participate in the Halloween festivities. Of that 179 million, 70.6% were planning on handing out candy.

So you can bet that all those people are parents, and you don’t see them dressing up. They just hand out candy to children without trying to dress up with it. They act like mature adults and teens on Halloween.

Sure in grade school, it was fun to dress up and show off your costume, but in high school, people look up to you as the leaders, not as little kids. So you shouldn’t dress like one.

Sterling High School | October11 2018

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