THE CLIPPER
VOLUME 30 | ISSUE 1 | OCTOBER 2020 | PLATTE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
Mask Up, Touchdown
page 12
A Look Inside
Table of Contents
Features
Opinions
Sports & Wellness
03
07
11
04
08-09
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Shifting Environments Students reflect on new schedules By Jacob Flynn and Porter Schoen Cleaning for COVID Teachers, custodians adapt to new cleaning procedures By Emilia Wisniewski and Victoria Sanders
05
Election Buzz Overview of 2020 election according to statistics, students By Audrey McCoy
Trick or Treat … or COVID-19 Staying safe during Halloween season By Tatianna Tafolla COVID-19 Mindfulness Coronavirus pandemic isn’t over just because you’re over it By Audrey McCoy
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Your Voice Matters Why it is important to vote in most polarizing election in decades By Emilia Wisniewski
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Staff Writers Alison Baker Jacob Flynn Peyton Gann Porter Schoen Victoria Sanders Tatianna Tafolla Emilia Wisniewski
Editor-in-Chief Audrey McCoy Page Editor Sophia Zimmerman Photographers Allen Ainsworth Claire Graves Claire Lowry Adviser Kari Johnson
Mask Up, Touchdown COVID-19 affects fall sports By Peyton Gann and Sophia Zimmerman
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Playing at a Higher Level Seniors plan to play sports at college level By Victoria Sanders
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Social Distanced Send-Off Covid school year affects seniors By Sophia Zimmerman
Staff
Running Through the Pandemic Students, coaches adapt to online physical education By Porter Schoen
Pandemic Panic Mental clarity during a pandemic By Jacob Flynn
On the Cover
While junior Madison Britz stands at the sidelines, she watches the football team play against Grandview. The cheerleaders were expected to wear masks at every game and practice. Photo by Claire Lowry
Who We Are
The Pirate Clipper is a student-run newspaper dedicated to informing students on current issues without bias. Opinions and editorials do not reflect the views or opinions of the Platte County staff, school, administration, or adviser. For questions or concerns, contact adviser Kari Johnson at: johnsonk@platteco.k12.mo.us.
3. Feature
Graphic by Jacob Flynn
As assignments and calls come in, senior Autumn Colstion works to meet her deadlines from the comfort of her home. Colstion chose to enroll in virtual classes. Photo by Jacob Flynn
SHIFTING ENVIRONMENTS Students reflect on new schedules
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Written by Jacob Flynn and Porter Schoen
s students return to school during a global pandemic, the way school functions has changed. This year, students were given two options: complete school online, or be part of a hybrid A/B schedule. Online and hybrid students have adapted and developed new habits and routines to function within their changed environment. The student body is separated into two main groups (online and hybrid), and will be learning through different methods. Social studies teacher Bret Anderson teaches both hybrid and online students and has had to change the way his students learn. “I put something on at 7:30 every morning, and they have a couple days to get it done,” Anderson said. “I do end up giving the hybrid students something different one day to slow them down and keep everyone on the same pace.” Students being strictly online also impacts the social aspects of school. Online senior Autumn Colstion has found that being isolated from her classmates makes it difficult to find instances to socialize with
peers in the way she used to. “I don’t talk to anyone unless I have a Zoom call with a teacher,” Colstion said. “I don’t know anyone from my classes, and there’s really no way to get to know them. You can’t really talk to anyone; you’re just staring at a screen all day.” The online system also affects teacher-student relationships. “I don’t ever get to see the students online; I don’t know the ones I’ve never met; I don’t know anything about their personality, and I don’t get to talk to them,” Anderson said. “I do get to see and talk to the kids in hybrid.” For students like Colstion, being online has also led to a major change in schedule and routine. “I’m doing my assignments on my own time,” Colstion said. “I’m not following a very specific schedule anymore.” In the online environment, students must be self-driven as the majority of their time is spent doing assignments rather than sitting through lectures and taking notes. “We just mainly do assignments. Most of
my classes are just projects,” online senior Diamond Perry said. Both online and hybrid students are at home more than in past school years. Being taken out of a secure learning environment can lead to distractions or other interruptions such as pets or parents which can make it difficult to focus or find motivation. “There’s a lot of distractions,” Perry said. “My friends, my dog, and my mom works from home.” Perry is not the only student struggling with initiative and distractions. “If it’s just me home there’s nothing forcing me to get my work done,” sophomore hybrid student William Engler said. “Oftentimes I won’t get started until 9, or so, and then I’m trying to finish everything before [midnight] when it’s due.” It’s clear that when compared to its in-person counterpart, online school changes the ways many students learn. “Don’t slack on your schooling,” Perry said. “It can be tough to be motivated, but it’s still school, and it’s still your grade, and it’s still your future.”
04. Feature
CLEANING FOR
COVID
Spray bottle in hand, French teacher Alyssa Smith cleans student desks at the end of the school day. Smith tried to clean every desk that students sat in. Photo by Emilia Wisniewski
Teachers, custodians adapt to new cleaning procedures
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Written by Emilia Wisniewski and Victoria Sanders
s students leave their classrooms to join the crowd in the hallways, teachers thoroughly clean tables, chairs and doorknobs in the six minutes available to them. The next class is greeted by the strong, sterilized scent of disinfectants throughout the room. In order to keep a healthy environment in school, teachers are required to clean commonly used surfaces around their classroom. Some teachers have many students in their class, despite the amount of students in the building being cut in half, and some have a large room that needs lots of upkeep. English teacher Mary Martin fits into both of those categories. “I try to wipe down after every class, sometimes it might be [between] two class periods, but for the most part I try to get the tables done,” Martin said. “I am fortunate that my room is one of the biggest rooms at the school. Because of that, I feel protected, and that I can control the room and protect myself as well as my students.” The amount of time it takes for a dis-
infectant to sit on a surface before wiping depends from product to product, but it mostly ranges from 30 seconds to 4 minutes. Students who come in class early are told to wait a few minutes before sitting at their desks in order for the cleaning products to fully clean the surfaces. “I feel it’s needed because [we are in] a pandemic, and we have to take every precaution necessary for safety,” junior Logan Snyder said. The equipment in the weight room also needs to be cleaned after every use. It requires students to wipe down their own equipment, with the help of the weight room supervisors in between classes. “It seems to be working pretty well; the weight room is cleaner than it’s ever been,” physical education coach Courtland Ingram said. “It makes me feel better, and we’re in such a pattern that we’ll continue to clean, even after COVID.” In between lunch periods, lunch monitors and custodians help clean each table for the next set of students coming in to eat.
The process of cleaning is not too different from previous years, according to custodian Anthony McCall. But this year, new food-safe chemical cleaning products are being used. Electronic sprayers are also being used to spray down door handles. “We’re doing everything we can to keep the building safe while the kids are in here,” McCall said. “We try to make sure we spray every inch of every building down to kill any germs so that when kids return the next morning they’re in a safe, clean environment.” At the end of the school day, custodians are in charge of deep-cleaning the entire school, a process that takes much longer than it used to. “We go back in and spray with a germicide, so that everywhere you touch is clean, that way we keep [students] safe,” custodian Joyce McCardie said. “You don’t think about it, but sometimes you go down the halls and kids touch stuff, especially corners. Even the sanitizer stations need to be sprayed.”
05. October 2020 Who would you vote for in the 2020 presidential election? Other 9.44%
Graphic by Audrey McCoy
Undecided 22.42%
Biden 40.04%
Trump 28.1%
*Out of 105 student reponses
Election Buzz
Overview of 2020 election according to statistics, students
T
Written by Audrey McCoy
he election on Nov. 3 is a major topic of conversation amidst a global pandemic and political tension, and the outcome of the 2020 presidential election will affect everyone. Voice of America says that young Americans could play a major role in the 2020 election, helping to determine the outcome of the race between Republican President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden, as well as political control of Congress and beyond. There was a record turnout in the 2018 midterm elections, and this was seen as political activism in youth. According to the US Census Bureau, there are roughly 47 million 18- to 29-yearolds who are eligible to vote this November. Thirty percent of Gen Zers who were eligible to vote did so in the midterm election and 50% say they will in the 2020 election. Senior Megan Trent will not be old enough to vote in November, but she has still paid attention to the election and has an opinion on who would earn her vote. “I think that empathy is really important in a leader, especially right now considering that we’re in a global pandemic where lots of people are having friends and family die,” Trent said. “I think that Biden understands loss better and definitely exhibits that much more than Trump does.” According to an article published by The
New York Times, Generation Z as an entity is more likely to vote independent and make their decision based on the politicians they support, instead of affiliating with one party. Young conservatives do not want the same policies as young liberals, but most young Americans express the same frustration with their leaders and the same sense that neither party is addressing their needs. “I try not to completely identify with the Democratic Party, but on my own, I’ve come to the conclusion that’s normally the way that I would vote,” Trent said. “I’m not just going to vote blue because it’s blue, I’m going to vote blue because they’re the most empathetic usually.” Senior Daniel Siegel said when he is old enough to vote, he will vote according to the issues he is passionate about. Health care, climate change and wealth inequality are the main issues that will determine the way he votes. About 25% of students who responded to a survey said that issues of science and climate change are important to them. Roughly 48% said that issues of women’s and LGBTQ+ rights and racial inequality would influence the way they would vote. Research from Cone Communications, says 30% of Gen Z are very concerned about the impact of poverty and hunger and other top causes include the environ-
ment, human rights and equality. According to a study published by Pew Research Center, younger generations are more racially and ethnically diverse and are more likely to be Democrats, and 60% of Gen Z sees more diversity in society as a good thing. A survey sent out to the student body showed that 28% of underclassmen would vote for Trump if they could; 40% would vote for Biden; and 30% is undecided about the candidates or would vote for someone else. “I think he [President Trump] is a good leader [because] he presents his ideas and his opinions,” senior Avery Nix said. “I like that he isn’t secretive with his decisions.” Voting looks different this year in light of the pandemic. Data collected by the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) reports that more than 85.4% of voters are now eligible to vote by mail due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and many states have expanded access to absentee ballots or bymail voting. During the November general elections, Missouri voters will be eligible to cast ballots by mail with notarization of the ballot envelope, and voters in at-risk categories for contracting or transmitting COVID-19 are eligible to vote by absentee ballot without obtaining notarization.
06. Feature
How well do you think you have adapted to the change the pandemic has caused this school year? 1 to 10 out of 45 responses
1
Do you wish you could attend football games? Yes 4.4%
It would be nice to have the option to go 26.7%
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 I wouldn’t go anyway 15.6%
10 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
1 0
Senior year doesn’t feel right without Friday night lights 53.3% *Out of 43 senior responses
Social Distanced Send-Off COVID school year affects seniors
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By Sophia Zimmerman
or seniors, the last year of high school usually entails being in the front of the student section at games, going to the Homecoming dance one last time, and finalizing their plans for after high school. All of the events and activities seniors traditionally do every year have been affected by COVID-19. “I miss Homecoming,” senior Andrew Plymell said. Everyone this school year missed out on the Homecoming dance that usually takes place in late September or early October, but for seniors, it was like salt in the wound since they already lost their junior year Prom and many other traditions. “I also miss talking to friends in hallways, cross-country team dinners, and Friday night lights, you name it,” Plymell said. “With COVID, everything was taken from us in a sense. As a senior, I want these moments back.” A lot of events and activities have had to be modified to follow the regulations the
be doing in school. Also, the regulations health department has put out to protect have affected many students trying to get students from the spread of COVID-19. scholarships through sports activities. This has led to what some have referred to “Football college scouts can’t come to as a “watered down” senior year. It’s a sacrigames; they’re only fice the 2021 gradrelying on film and uating class has “A lot of people will for- previous years so had to make so hurting scholarthat the commuget this makes our sen- it’s ship opportunities,” nity can stay safe ior year special in a way senior Colby Rollins and the school said. can stay open. for the people in it.” This change Not only are Senior Colby Rollins impacts scholarship these regulations opportunities since affecting seniors’ many athletes have social lives, but it’s trained and improved since last year and will affecting their productivity as well. not have the opportunity to play in front “Senioritis has hit me hard with the on of scouts. The list of things COVID has and off days,” senior Emma Seckinger said. affected could go on and on, but the senior “I don’t want to work; all I want to do is lay class is still managing to make the most of it with my cat.” The hybrid schedule has made it increas- by participating in everything they can. “A lot of people will forget this makes ingly difficult to communicate and organize our senior year special in a way for the peowhat exactly students need to be doing during their days off and what they should ple in it,” Rollins said.
Alternatives to High-Risk Halloween Activities Visiting pumpkin patches or orchards Outdoor costume parade or contest Outdoor Halloween scavenger hunt Outdoor Halloween movie night with household members Admire others’ Halloween decorations
Precautions to Take if Going Out Graphic by Tatianna Tafolla
TRICK OR TREAT OR COVID-19 Staying safe during Halloween season
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Written by Tatianna Tafolla
aunted houses, Halloween parties, hayrides and fall festivities such as the Renaissance Festival are all things people look forward to as the leaves change colors and the air begins to turn cool and crisp this Halloween season. The excitement for this upcoming Halloween also spurs some questions on how things will be celebrated in our newly changed world affected by the pandemic. The last scare that anyone wants this Halloween season is a COVID-19 scare, so what goes into preventing that, and how will those seasonal beloved activities look? Many traditional Halloween activities are in the high-risk category when it comes to receiving and spreading COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) believes
that the aforementioned activities should be switched with safer alternatives such as pumpkin carving, decorating your home and/or having a scary movie night with household members. These are just some of the many options someone could have for Halloween that do not put others at risk. As for the higher-risk options such as Halloween parties and other largely populated activities, the CDC recommends wearing a mask, remaining six feet apart and moving the event outdoors as precautions that should be taken if someone does decide to engage in an event like a Halloween party. If there is participation in a higher-risk activity or event, the CDC recommends to stay home as much as possible, avoid being around others and if possible, and consider
Wear a cloth mask even if already wearing a decorative Halloween one Stay at least six feet from others Wash hands or use hand sanitizer frequently *Information provided from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Graphics by Tatianna Tafolla
taking a COVID-19 test. Everyone wants to have fun this holiday season, but the joy for Halloween should not take away from the very real pandemic happening right now. As of Oct. 12, the Platte County Health Department has reported 972 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 111 of which affect the ages 10-19-yearolds. Just because Halloween is a holiday meant for celebration and fun, does not mean that rules and regulations shouldn’t be followed for the night. Do not let the fear of the pandemic get in the way of enjoying the holiday safely. The only things that should be scary this season are the horror movies and the awfully fake decorations.
08. Opinion
Do you think we should still be cautious about Covid-19?
Yes
No
I don’t know
No opinion *Out of 226 student responses
Graphic by Audrey McCoy
COVID-19
Mindfulness
Coronavirus pandemic isn’t over just because you’re over it
I
Written by Audrey McCoy
n the past seven months, we’ve learned to social distance ourselves from one another; we’ve seen mask mandates being enforced; and we’ve had our lives interrupted and affected countless times. In many ways, the pandemic has become our new normal. Back in March, it was widely thought that we would be relatively back to normal by the fall, but this is not the case. In the spring, experts warned of pandemic fatigue and the dangerous effects it could have on society. Pandemic fatigue can be defined as a general weariness and exhaustion due to the measures in place to contain the virus, resulting in fewer people strictly adhering to interventions such as social distancing, wearing masks, sanitizing, avoiding crowds, etc. We are seeing this now. Case numbers are still climbing at an alarming rate. People are still testing positive for COVID-19 every day, people are still becoming extremely ill and many are still dying. As reported by The New York Times on Oct. 20, there were 8,255,429
a stranger at the grocery store. active cases of coronavirus in the United We have all been affected by the virus in States, 164,249 in Missouri and 909 in Platte one way or another, and many of us know County. someone who had COVID-19 or have had Now is not the time to be gathering in large groups again, throwing parties and act- it ourselves. No one is immune, and this ing as if nothing is wrong at all. Just because became obvious again on Oct. 3, when President Donald Trump and First Lady we’re back at school doesn’t mean we can Melania Trump tested positive for the virus. just simply go back to where we left off. Is there an end in There is a mentalisight? ty of “It won’t happen It is our social responsibility “The Coronavirus to me,” or “I’ll be fine to make sure that we are Vaccine Tracker” if I get it,” among socially distancing ourwhich is updated young people. Yes, by The New York young people and selves, wearing masks and Times every few days, teenagers might not taking this seriously. provides information be at high-risk, but about the phases of that does not mean we can live as though the the potential vaccine.s pandemic isn’t happening. It is our social re- As of Oct. 20, 2020, there were 33 vacsponsibility to make sure that we are socially cines testing safety and dosage, 15 vaccines distancing ourselves, wearing masks and expanding safety trials, 11 vacancies in taking this seriously. We have to care about efficiency testing, 5 vaccines approved for the people around us, whether it’s grandpar- early and limited usage and 0 approved for ents, a high-risk parent, a coworker or even full use.
October 2020 09. STUDENT OPINIONS ON COVID-19 How do you feel the U.S. has handled the pandemic? 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0
Well
Poorly
Could be No opinion doing more
If there weren’t mask mandates, would you still choose to wear one in public? Graphic by Audrey McCoy
What does this mean? Despite claims that there will be an available vaccine in October 2020, scientists, companies and federal officials all say that most people will not have access to one until mid-2021. Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Robert R. Redfield, recently testified to senators that a vaccine would most likely not be available until the middle of next year, and even when a vaccine is available to the public, it will be limited to highrisk groups for the first few months. Keeping the production of a vaccine in mind, masks, social distancing and other precautions will likely be in place for at least another year. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the percentage of deaths nationally has declined since early September. At the beginning of October, the U.S. COVID-19 surveillance goals were updated. The new
goals are monitoring the spread and intensity of COVID-19 disease in the United States, understanding the spectrum of illness, understanding risk factors for monitoring changes in the virus and producing data for spread and impact. The goals are almost the same as they were back in March. Even though restaurants, stores and schools have begun to open back up, and life is starting to look a little more “normal,” this doesn’t mean we’re in the clear yet. As frustrating, weird and stressful life during the pandemic has been, we still have to remain cautious. It’s tiring, but we all must be doing our part to be getting through this and growing from our experiences, not ignoring what is going on. Everyone is tired of the pandemic, it’s lasted for much longer than we all probably thought it would back in March. But just because we’re over it, doesn’t mean it’s over.
Depends 32.74% Yes 39.82%
No 27.44%
If our school didn’t require you to wear a mask, would you? Yes 47.35%
No 52.6%
*Out of 226 student responses
10. Opinion Voting matters because: Voting is the most effective way to make change in government Voting rates, especially in younger generations, are low It could be a close race, such as the 2016 election between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, and every vote counts. Whoever is in power dictates the future of the country, so it’s important to have someone you agree with the most to be in charge.
Graphic by Tatianna Tafolla
YOUR Voice MATTERS
Why it is important to vote in most polarizing election in decades
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Written by Emilia Wisniewski
n the 2016 election, there were 138 million Americans who cast their vote for the next President of the United States, according to data collected by Penn State. It may seem like a high turn-out, but in retrospect, it only amounted to around 58.1% of all eligible voters in the U.S., lower than the last two general elections. For the most part, over the last century, voter turnout has been dropping. But this year, that can change. Voting this year is more important than ever before. COVID-19, climate change, systemic racism, unemployment and many more pressing problems in our world today need solutions immediately, and those solutions will change drastically between both candidates. Current president Donald Trump has a large focus on economics and, more specifically, the creation of jobs. He has been able to increase wages by 3% each year under his presidency, but, according to a Washington Post article, the monthly average of jobs gained have been lower than the last three years of President Barack Obama’s term. Former Vice President Joe Biden pushes for education, climate change, and, most importantly, healthcare. His plans on these issues are ambitious, such as
tuition-free college, yet can be feasible if the right steps are taken. There is more of a push to vote this year on social media than ever seen. Many celebrities are advocating their eligible fans to go vote, and even social media platforms themselves, such as Instagram, have a banner at the top of the homepage, urging people to vote as well. It’s admirable that people with massive followings are using their platforms in a productive way to keep enforcing the idea that voting is the best way to make a person’s voice heard. However, social media platforms also have a tendency to cater to the user’s views, which leads to a neglect of information from the other side and possibly misinformation. Bias in the media has been prevalent throughout the whole digital era of news, but more so in the last four years. In a study conducted by Gallup and the Knight Foundation, they found that 73% of Americans see bias in their news that’s supposed to be objective as a “major problem.” Social media especially is plagued with people spreading false ideologies and hundreds of bots. Users on social media have only been increasing, particularly in the age of COVID-19 and stay-at-home
orders. Because of this, it’s important to get information from multiple sources and to be cautious of news seen online. According to the Pew Research Center, there is a trend of younger voters — Generation Z and Millennials — who have been prone to side with Democratic ideals instead of Republican. Yet, the Census Bureau reports that 65-68% of people 65 and older voted while only 33-38% of 18-29 year olds voted. Because of this, there is an added importance to the younger generations in elections because of how polar opposite Baby Boomers and even Generation X views are on politics, compared to our generation. Hundreds of thousands of new voters can vote this year, which could make all the difference in the results. Today’s world is a scary place, and this year’s election does not make that fear any better. Some people do not want either candidate in the White House, but, despite that, make the choice that would most benefit the long term for the country. Locally, about a third of the senior population in our school is able to vote in the upcoming election. Whether it’s a mail-in vote or physically going to the polling station, make your voice heard this year. Make your vote count.
11. October 2020
Running Through the Pandemic Students, coaches adapt to online physical education
A
Written by Porter Schoen
t the beginning of this school year, many students made the decision to learn remotely out of concern for their families or themselves. For the rest of the semester, and for some, the rest of the year, they will be working on their classes without entering the school building. This caused some classes closely connected to in-person schooling, like physical education and weights, to change their methods. Many teachers, such as physical education coach Reggie Burress, are being challenged to think outside the box to find solutions to the problems online schooling creates for their classes. “Every day you have different tasks, and you have a fitness log,” Burress said. “In the fitness logs, they [students] have five different categories they can choose from. Most
of the time there’s a cardio component, at least three or four times of the week they’ll walk, or run, a mile and then they’ll record that with a MapMyRun app.” Online physical education students are held accountable for their work in several ways. “Once or twice a week you have to film yourself doing pushups or situps and upload that onto Canvas,” Burress said. Some students enrolled in the class have praised this system for how self-driven it is. “Some advantages would be, being able to do stuff more at your own pace,” sophomore Gabby Slocombe said. “Instead of being in a gym class and doing all your workouts right then and having the teacher tell you how fast to go, I can do those pushups at my own pace, I just have to make sure I’m getting the right number that he’s
telling us.” According to sophomore Turner Berry, online physical education classes are flexible. “It’s very customizable,” Berry said. “I get to do it at home, without anybody watching me.” These classes do have some problems, though they are described as minor. “The one time I had a little bit of a difficulty was when we ran out of the day’s assignments,” Slocombe said. “We got to the end of them, and our coach didn’t update it right away. I didn’t know if it was a catch up day or if I was missing work.” Most of the students interviewed said the online physical education class they are in is well-organized and efficiently run. “It’s PE,” Slocombe said. “You need it, and the way they’re doing it online works.”
While doing push ups, the student is doing a set of their self made workout for Online PE. This was one of the two to three things PE students have to complete everyday. Photo by Claire Graves On the low-pulley cable bench, the student does seated rows, a move that works the back and biceps, which is part of their self-made workout. On top of the daily workouts, students are also expected to track their nutrition and send in videos of them doing requested workouts to track improvement. Photo by Claire Graves
12. Sports & Wellness
On the sidelines, football coach Derek Yost watches the team play against North Kansas City. On Sept. 18, the Pirates football team lost 42-37 at home. Photo by Claire Lowry
In proper formation, sophomore Brylie Kovar plays her clarinet at the game against North Kansas City. Kovar, along with the rest of the Traditions band, needed to cut a hole in their masks in order to play the instruments while following safety guidelines. While preparing to pass, sophomore Meah Photo by Claire Lowry Salzman lines up her shot. The Lady Pirates competed against Liberty High School on Oct. 19 at home. Photo by Claire Graves
Mask Up, Touchdown COVID-19 affects fall sports
C
By: Sophie Zimmerman and Peyton Gann OVID-19 hit sports hard in the spring with the school district closing down and sports and activities being cancelled for the season, this meant many students and coaches eager to start training in the fall again. Sports teams have learned to adapt to the pandemic just as the rest of the world has had to, masks and social distancing are now mandated for all sports teams and these guidelines have impacted each team in a different way. The football season has been impacted in more than one way by the pandemic with new rules and regulations. “Not having a crowd in the stands sucks,” senior Khaner Swanson said. “We miss the energy a big crowd brings to games.” This year the school has had to limit how many fans were allowed to attend football games so social distancing guidelines could be practiced in the stands. They did this by giving each football player two tickets for
whoever they choose to come watch the game. These rules have decreased crowd numbers and eliminated the student section cheering at games. Social distancing has also affected the way football players have had to conduct certain parts of practice, such as lifting in the weightroom. “We used to split up the weightroom between offense and defense,” Swanson said. “But now it’s receivers and quarterbacks together and running backs and linemen together so it is even more split up than it used to be.” The football team is large so they had to come up with a solution to make sure everyone on the team could safely lift in the weightroom. Along with social distancing the football boys must also wear masks when they aren’t on the field playing. These regulations are very similar to the ones the swim team has put in place. “We have to wear masks anytime we’re not in the pool,” senior Drake Lacina said. “As soon as we get out of the pool, we have
to put them back on.” Swimming is different from other sports, but the swim team has managed to come up with rules that work for them. They have split each lane in half and had one half of the lane start on the opposite side of the pool that way less swimmers are next to each other. There have been challenges when it comes to masks as well. “Masks have been the hardest rule to follow,” Lacina said. “Especially right after you get out of the pool. You’re still wet, then the mask gets wet, and it’s hard to breathe.” Masks aren’t the most compatible resource when it comes to water sports, but even dry land sports have uncomfortable experiences with masks, such as cross-country. “Masks can be gross to wear while running,” senior Kaylee Major said. “You kind of eat the mask when you breathe because it goes into your mouth, and at the end of the race it’s all hot and sweaty.”
13. October 2020
Ready to pass, junior Mary Grace Hunter adjusts her aim. Hunter played the setter and outside hitter. Photo by Claire Graves
The cross-country team has to wear masks at the start of their race and once they finish their run. They also have to wear their masks during practice when they aren’t running. Another problem created by the pandemic is the lack of team bonding activities. “We haven’t been able to have as many team bonding activities as we would have had in past seasons,” Major said. “It’s been hard to get to know new runners and freshmen, but we have managed to somewhat bond on runs.” The cross-country team has had to make sacrifices to prevent anyone from getting sick and so have other sports. Volleyball has had to make changes to the way they run things on and off the court. “It’s been most difficult to keep our masks on,” senior Alyson Anderson said. “It gets hard to breathe, and it’s hard to hear each other on the court.” None of this has affected the volleyball team performance-wise. The team is trying to keep everyone healthy so they can keep having a good season. “Everyone gets their temperatures taken before every practice,” Anderson said. “Also the coach
puts X’s on the floor for us to sit on during pep talks; we aren’t allowed to high-five under the net before games; and we can’t have any physical contact while huddling.” The girl’s tennis team has not been negatively affected by the pandemic either. They do have their struggles but are adapting to the drastic changes to keep themselves and each other safe. “It really does stink, playing a fall sport when it’s really hot,” girls tennis coach Zach Keith said. “When you come off the court or you’re coaching, and you have to mask up and it is drenched in sweat, it’s pretty miserable.” The team has persevered and worn masks throughout the whole hot fall season, but there are still times when wearing a mask becomes difficult or is forgotten. “When we were at tournaments, we were all separated from all the other teams, and it was just hard to remember sometimes to put [a mask] back on, because it felt normal again to take it off and enjoy the tournament,” tennis player senior Emma Murray said. “But we all did a really good job. We just gave each other friendly reminders in a nice way.”
Preparing for her serve, junior Emerson Walter aligns her swing. New to the team this year, Walter played the setter position. Photo by Claire Graves
Stepping into her serve, freshman Jenna Wheeler surveys the court. Wheeler played outside hitter and right side hitter. Photo by Claire Graves
14. Sports & Wellness
Concentrating on the race, senior Abbie Schwieder runs in a cross-country meet. Schwieder planned to run track and field in college. Photo contributed by Cindy Gullett
PLAYING AT A Higher LEVEL Seniors plan to play sports at college level
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Written by Victoria Sanders
s a student athlete, the process for looking into colleges looks different from a normal student. The athletes have an opportunity to earn more than just an academic scholarship; they can earn an athletic scholarship as well. In a survey sent to current seniors about playing sports at a higher level, 70% of the 10 seniors who took the survey want to play a sport in college. High school student athletes looking to play in college have to get their names out to coaches so they can be recruited. The young adults don’t just have to work hard during their season, they have to work hard in the classroom as well since student-athletes have to market themselves as players and as students. Most student-athletes play more than one sport in high school, such as senior Joey Schultz, who plays three sports. “I didn’t start my recruiting process until after my junior season of basketball,” Schultz said. “I told myself that I wouldn’t go to college unless I had an [athletic] scholarship, so that can help with financial aid.” Out of the 66.7% of the senior class who are interested in playing a sport in college, only 50% of them have received an offer or have contacted a recruiter. According to Next College Student Athlete (NCSA),
both college coaches and potential recruits are adjusting to the recruitment process this year. One big change is that most in-person recruitment has been suspended through January. “I plan on running [track and field] in college,” senior Abbie Schwieder said. “I don’t have it set in stone yet, but I have been in contact with two colleges, University of Hawaii at Mānoa and Murray State University.” Many seniors have colleges in mind that they are interested in or want to attend. However, 33% of seniors responded that they are undecided or waiting on scholarships to make any final decisions. “I was not planning on playing golf in college until I looked at the tuition and noticed my top choice was expensive,” senior Mannon Bigus said. “I have been looking at Rockhurst, and they recently reached out to me about golf, which will help pay for their tuition.” Most recruitment has been made digital this year. This means that college coaches and scouts are more heavily relying on online recruiting networks, such as NCSA, to discover and recruit student athletes. It is recommended that students interested in playing sports at a higher level, should complete online profiles and make themselves more available to be recruited.
“I think it [playing sports in college] would be a really cool experience. I would be able to meet a lot of new people and gain more experience,” Bigus said. “I’m anticipating it to be very, very busy. So I just need to keep my priorities in line and try to have fun with it.”
While lining up her shot, senior Mannon Bigus competes in a tournament on Aug. 28. Bigus plans to play golf in college to help pay for her tutition at Rockhurst University. Photo contributed by coach Trevor Short
15. October 2020
RESOURCES: People with Increased Risk of Anxiety & Stress
PANDEMIC PANIC
Covid Testing Locations Graphic by Claire Graves
Mental clarity during a pandemic
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Written by Jacob Flynn
he COVID-19 pandemic has affected every aspect of modern life: the masks, the spacing, the isolation and the changed public settings. After a four-month-long quarantine, the world is anxious to get things running again, despite the risk. Of course, pandemics can be stressful for people, whether it be fear of contracting and spreading the virus or losing a loved one. After a long phase of seclusion and an on-going phase of isolating safety precautions, the U.S. is in a trial period of re-opening. With the world trying to reopen and the number of deaths rising, it can be a frightful time for anyone, especially those with risk factors and pre-existing anxieties. However, there are always ways to remain calm and stay safe without going to extremes. Extreme anxiety can lead to potential health problems. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), stress during infectious periods can lead to a series of side-effects: general fear about personal and familial well-being, change in sleeping or eating patterns, lack of focus, worsening chronic conditions, deteriorating mental state and increased use of substances. This is why it is important to check not only on yourself, but on your friends and family as well. Even though the world is currently in chaos, there are healthy ways to deal and cope with stress. One important way to help
calm one’s nerves is to do research and educate oneself about the disease and how to avoid contracting it, as well as what to do if you do fall ill. According to the CDC, managing a healthy body is important in staying calm and collected: take deep breaths, eat healthily, get decent sleep and make selfcare time to help with any negative feelings. Knowing where to get treatment and tests can also help relax someone’s nerves by clearing away some uncertainty. In these troubled times make sure to reach out and connect with friends and the community, according to MentalHelp, “[social] activities decrease a sense of loneliness while promoting feelings of safety, security, belonging and enjoyment.” Being isolated does not mean being alone; the world is more interconnected than it has ever been, and virtual communication can be helpful. Another facet of pandemic stress is lack of accurate information. Rumors and dramatized information can increase stress in certain individuals. According to the CDC, “knowing the facts about COVID-19 and stopping the spread of rumors can help reduce stress and stigma.” Spread correct information to help reduce the spread of Covid and calm people in the community. Taking care of yourself and others is key, especially with the way the world is right now. Check in on family and friends, and if anyone you know needs help, direct them to some of the provided websites and hotline numbers.
• People at higher risk for Covid-19 • Children • Frontline workers • Essential workers • People with existing medical conditions • People who have lost their jobs or had major employment change • People with disabilities • People who are socially isolated • People in some racial and ethnic minority groups • People without access to information in their primary language • People experiencing homelessness • People who live in congregate settings
• • • • •
Websites
CDC.gov/coronavirus adaa.org/finding-help hhs.gov health.mo.gov psych.ucsf.edu
Hotlines
• Disaster Disstress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 • 800-CDC-INFO (800-2324636) • Missouri Covid-19 Hotline: 314-615-2660 • DHSS Hotline: 877-435-8411 • Information Hotline: 636-9491899