April 2012

Content on Twitter Sparks Action p.7 Students’ posts on popular social networking site leads to disciplinary action to be taken against them. Cyberbullying affects 14.2% of students.

Month Dedicated to Pet Awareness p. 12-13 April raises awareness for animals with and without families. Those in the shelter are in need of good homes, and in May, the new location will open up on Route 460.

The Student Vote Would you ever adopt a pet from a shelter?

7% No

93% Yes

Source: 100 students surveyed Infographic by Jessica Marshall

Senior Showcase Recognizes Art p.17

Each week, seniors will showcase artwork from their classes in the display case outside of the art rooms. Along with pieces of their favorite art, each senior had to write a short bio about themselves.

the

ROYALNEWS

Vol. X Issue 7

Prince George H.S. - 7801 Laurel Spring Rd Prince George, VA 23875 - www.trnwired.org - April 6, 2012

Day of Silence Raises Awareness for Homosexuality p. 5

Senior Tessa Allen is in an open relationship with her girlfriend, 2011 graduate, Megan Greenwell, and is planning on participating in this silent protest. The Day of Silence started as a class project at the University of Virginia in 1996, and the next year was adopted by the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network.

Photo by Jessica Marshall.

Senior Takes To the Skies p. 11 Go to www.trnwired.org to see the latest photo galleries

2 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 4.6.12

op/ed

Gay Awareness Month Aids Understanding

the RoyalNews

O

ur mission as the school newspaper for Prince George High School is to provide a form of media that represents all aspects of student life. The goal is to present factual accounts of newsworthy events in a timely manner. Our publication will be informative, entertaining and reflective of the student body’s opinions. It is the desire of the staff to reach every student and tell as many of their stories as possible.

We invite your commentary: The Royal News Opinion page is a forum for public discussion and shall be open to all students. The Royal News will print as many letters as space will allow. The Royal News reserves the right not to print a letter. The Royal News publishes a wide variety of opinions. Send letters to: Letters to the Editor, The Royal News, PGHS, 7801 Laurel Spring Road, Prince George, Virginia 23875, or bring them to room A6, or e-mail them to cwaugaman@pgs.k12.va.us We reserve the right to edit for clarity, brevity, accuracy, legality, spelling and grammar.

Please include your name, address and phone number. Anonymous letters will not be considered for publication. 500 word maximum.

Thank you for the support this year. Please continue to communicate on trnwired.org.

A

Section Editors Front page: Jessica Marshall-Op/Ed: Unique Larry-News: Amanda Majewski-Features: Kim Carneal-Double Truck: Rachel Waymack-A&E : Tasia Faulcon-Sports:Wayne Epps Jr. /Kevin HarrisAmpersand: Ciara Ward-Photo Editor: Emily Gray-Video & Photography: Kimberly Edmonds -Best Distribution & Events: Ridhi Patel-Business & Ad Editor: Jake McQuiggan-Online Editor & chief: Olivia Tritschler

Writers

Kristen Schwalm-Chloe Alexander-Courtney Taylor-Chandler Shirer-Leah Holliday- Casey Overton- Korrina Smith- Kierra Lanier- Faven Butler- Carolina Bae- William BonnellWhitney Clements- Christina BucklesAnthony Fennick- Deborah Gardner- Nathan Britt- Danielle Marshall- Conner StevensonAdam Blakemore-Aaron Raines- Tiana Kelly

Illustration by Anthony Sudol.

Purpose Of Student Dress Code Is Clear

Editor-in-Chief Jake McQuiggan

Managing Editor Jessica Marshall

Adviser

Chris Waugaman

Professional affiliations & awards Columbia Scholastic Press Associations Gold Medalist 2008-2011 Columbia Scholastic Press Associations Silver Crown Winner 2011 Virginia High School Association Trophy Class 2006-2011 Col. Charles Savedge Award for Sustained Excellence 2010 SIPA All Southern 2008-2011

The Royal News, PGHS trnwired.org & trnsports.org

7801 Laurel Spring Road Prince George, Virginia 23875 804-733-2720 The Royal News is printed at The Progress-Index in Petersburg, Virginia

Editorial

Malikah Williams

Business Manager

A

s the weather changes from the chilly, hoodie warranting days, to the warm, shorts, and tank top days, it is inevitable that people want to change their attire in order to be comfortable. Obviously, certain clothes like shorts, skirts, tank tops, and T-shirts are going to be utilized to reach this comfort. This is acceptable because with summer on the horizon, there is no need to be hot and bothered just because one is wearing cumbersome clothing.

However, what is appropriate for school, and what is appropriate for time outside of school, are two totally different things.

Students should adhere to the dress code in place at school. Even though it may seem nit picky or very bothersome, the policy is in place for a reason. The school does not have a dress code policy to simply bother the students. It keeps the school environment one that is conducive

to learning. Short skirts and shorts are not necessary to keep the students comfortable at school, and they often distract other students from their goals at school.

Although the dress code policy does seem to fluctuate from student to student, the overall purpose of the dress code is to establish what is acceptable in school and what is not.

The dress code currently in place is not limiting at all the ability of students to choose what they want to wear to school.

Even if it did, there is time outside of school students can wear such articles of clothing. There is no foreseeable change in the dress code coming anytime soon, so students should just comply with the rules to avoid disciplinary actions. While the policy does need to apply to people the same across the board, it does serve its purpose and it is needed to keep the school environment appropriate and advantageous to learning.

pril is National Gay Awareness Month, and some are uncertain as to how to respond to such a sensitive subject.

I believe it is important to honor all types of people at some point throughout the year. Women’s History month and Black History month are two very important things in my life.

They have already passed and had faven butler their time to be honored this year.

There should be no difference with this month.

There are many homosexuals, especially in high school, that are unfortunately judged before they are even known as a person.

Bullying is a major problem that gay students may endure. According to Mental Health America, 31 percent of the gay youth have been harassed or threatened at school. In April, we should be aware that homosexuality does exist in the school environment, and make sure we treat those who are, just as equally as anyone else.

We should have learned from our mistakes in history, where race and religion were once a discriminating factor in everyday life. The times of closedminded judgment, against those who are different from us, are supposed to be in the past.

The truth of the matter is one’s sexuality does not determine whether they are a better person than someone else. It is what is inside that matters.

We have these national months for a reason. They are here so we can recognize the variety of people in our country and accept them as they are. Besides, if everyone were the same, there would be nothing to look forward to in life, because individuality would not exist.

We do live in a free country and the Pledge of Allegiance says we live in a country, “with liberty and justice for all.”

It is time we look past color, sexuality, and appearance and start looking at what really matters, character and personality.

FRIDAY 4.6.12 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 3

op/ED

Letter to THE EDITOR

Dear Editor, I am writing in response to the article titled “Is Nutrition Top Priority?” from your March 2012 issue. I think it is great that students, teachers and staff are thinking about the availability of healthy options for lunch at school. I think we all agree that what is considered to be “healthy” by the National School Lunch Program is sometimes questionable. It is important that all students have a nutritionally sound lunch everyday to provide the energy and nutrients needed to be functional and productive during the school day.

I would like to address the issue of breakfast as well. During my short time here at PGHS I have noticed the significant number of students who do not eat breakfast on a regular basis. I am very concerned about this. Have you ever heard that “breakfast is the most important meal of the day”? Well, there are numerous studies that prove that this is true.

Breakfast is so important yet so many of PGHS students skip it. In general teenagers are notorious for oversleeping, running late, forgetting everything and wanting to be thin. All of these things have a lot to do with why teens don’t eat breakfast. With that said I would like Scientifically proven facts about teens who eat breakfast : Some on-the-go options: -weigh less than those who do not eat breakfast -buy breakfast at school –Available 7:15am until 7:40am. $1.25 to offer some suggestions that may help some of our students to prioritize breakfast. Ide-perform better at school for ally, pick a couple of these options for a well -have better concentration at school a “meal” or a la cart options. rounded breakfast. Be sure to include protein, -are more active -protein shake carbs, fruit and/or vegetable. AVOID sugary -have better problem-solving skills -cereal bars drinks and energy drinks because they have -have better hand-eye coordination -protein bars -hard boiled egg – make a few ahead of time and keep in the ZERO nutritional value and make you feel worse. Limit fruit juice to ½ cup. It’s not hard to In addition, you will have a more stable blood sugar level so fridge to grab-n-go eat breakfast on the go but you have to make it you won’t feel dizzy and nauseous.

-bagel with peanut butter or cream cheese a priority……for your health!

-banana, apple, orange, handful of grapes Sincerely, -string cheese April Paulson RN, MS, FNP -a few slices of lunch meat with a piece of cheese rolled up PGHS nurse -a can of V8 juice

Should the Government Become Involved with Kony 2012?

Recently, the Internet has been in protest about Joseph Kony and his army of children and whether America should get involved in the movement to stop Kony. Both sides of the argument have been listed below.

T

he video known as Kony 2012, details the brutality of an army known as the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), which is made up completely of children. The LRA’s acts of violence and brutality, range from kidnapping children from their homes to murdering innocent people.

They need to be stopped as soon as possible in order to save lives. These demoralized actions are unforgivable and deserve punishment, which America can deliver.

For several hundred years, Africa has been known for the turmoil that runs rampant. By sending soldiers into the continent, this turmoil could be controlled and contained.

The video was filmed by a group of American filmmakers known as the Invisible Children. Jason Russell, the man in charge of the Kony video, has his eyes on bringing Kony to justice. He encourages America to get involved in the hunt for Kony.

The video has spread from YouTube to all around the internet. Other websites, such as Facebook and Twitter, have several of its members that have reposted the video.

Many of these members have also come together to support the cause in funding the

PRO Kierra Lanier

American military to kill or capture Kony.

Kony needs to be brought to justice and Americans can help with this movement. The United States has been known to help out other countries when they were in need, and Uganda is definitely in need right now. .

By funding this cause the LRA could fall to its knees and the violence would decrease exponentially and other factors could be influenced for the good as well.

It is not only the welfare of Ugandan people that is at stake, it is also the welfare of the morals of humanity. By letting a man like Kony to remain at large, more and more of Uganda could fall under his watch. Bringing Kony to justice is the only answer and American involvement could bring him down.

Con

R

Nathan britt

ecently the viral world has been alive with the activist sensation of the Kony 2012 movement. While Jason Russell and friends are clearly focused on helping the Ugandan children, the online movement has turned into something entirely different. Due to its accessibility and relative ease in promotion, people have started supporting it just for the sake of supporting it.

Kony is most certainly an evil man.

However, the claim that he is the worst terrorist in the world is preposterous. Some have even claimed that this man is worse than Hitler, Stalin, or Bin-Laden.

While Kony commits horrible atrocities, he does not do it on quite the scale these other men have. By focusing on Kony,

it takes the fight on terrorism and turns it into a crusade against one man. Other terrorists are ignored.

Joseph Kony needs to be stopped, but it should not be the United States Government’s first priority. The number one purpose of the U.S. government is to protect its citizens.

Kony presents no direct threat to the US at this point. While the military has sent a small group to Uganda to assist in finding Kony, we cannot afford sending a tremendous amount of forces to that country when jihadists like Husayn Muhammad Al-Umari and Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah present a direct threat to the country at home.

The intentions of Invisible Children are well placed, but one has to question the execution and logistics of the organization. Only 32% of the money donated goes directly into helping in Uganda. Even then, most of these funds go directly to the Ugandan military, who are actually committing atrocities, looting civilians, and raping women themselves. Therefore, very little of the money donated is put into direct use. While Kony must be stopped, I feel that this particular movement is not the best method of putting a stop to his atrocities.

4 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 4.16.12

FRIDAY 4.6.12 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 5

News

GSA Prepares To Speak Silently Vow of silence on Apr. 20 created to protest bullying

I

Spring Break starts Mon., Apr. 9. Students will return to school the following Mon., Apr. 16th.

Mandatory senior meeting: Each senior and one parent or guardian must attend one of the meetings: Wed., Apr. 18 or Tues., Apr. 24. All meetings will be held in the auditorium at 7 p.m.

Chloe Alexander trn writer

n 1996, a class assignment allowed University of Virginia students to protest against the bullying of homosexuals by planning a nonviolent protest called the “Day of Silence”. The following year, the idea went national and is now sponsored by the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN). The Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) is planning a similar “Day of Silence” on Fri., Apr. 20.

Students who wish to participate in the “Day of Silence” will only speak during class if a teacher asks a question, while maintaining silence in the common areas of the school. The thought is to recreate the silence that lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender (LGBT) are forced into when they are discriminated against or bullied.

“Although we are not speaking with our voices, we are still speaking with our actions,” said junior Matthew Squires, President of GSA. “The ‘Day of Silence’ remembers all those who have committed suicide because of being bullied.”

April is Gay Awareness Month and is interpreted differently by people all around the world. While focusing on preventing future bullying of LGBT students, the GSA takes part in Gay Awareness Month as well as focusing on other aspects. “[Gay Awareness] is more than a month,” GSA sponsor Edward Kaufman said. “Tolerance is a life skill that needs to be developed.”

The GSA creates an opportunity for both gays and straights to network with each other for support. They work together to make a difference in the treatment of LGBT students. Kaufman believes it is different from Student-to-Student and is always available when needed.

“Even though I am not in it, it is a club where gays can go and not be afraid,” senior

News briefs

Dax Ellison said. “It shows us that we are just like everyone else.”

Students do not have to be a member of GSA in order to help out the cause. As with any type of bullying or discrimination, addressing the problem and promoting change are important steps.

“Not only does Gay Awareness month promote awareness, it educates and makes people think about the issue,” Squires said.

“Usually people just push it aside.”

With increasing development in technology, there are more outlets for personal expression on issues such as gay awareness.

Blogs and other social media sites are accessed everyday all over the world. Some people use them for reasons other than entertainment.

“I use Facebook mostly to talk about how homosexuals should have equal rights for marriage and being able to adopt,” senior member of GSA Kelly Soloe said. “Even though we are in the 21st century, they are still judged for being different and loving someone that is not of the norm.”

Despite efforts to prevent bullying, it is still occurring today. According to www. dayofsilence.org nine out of ten LGBT students report verbal, sexual, or physical ha-

Senior Kyrisha Carter and sophomore Jasmine Lackey are in a same sex relationship and participate in normal couple activity. The couple has faced criticism about sexuality.

Photo by Emily Gray. rassment at school, and more than 30 percent have reported missing at least a day of school in the past month out of fear for personal safety.

Cases like Matthew Shepard’s in Wyoming, who was murdered because of his sexuality, provide some students with motivation to make a positive change in their communities.

“We have a long way to go as a community to gain true acceptance and equality, but movements such as the Day of Silence give me hope that mine and my children’s futures will be better,” senior Tessa Allen said.

GSA members have made T-shirts for the remembrance of those who have committed suicide in order to bring awareness.

People find different approaches to making a change.

“Gay awareness teaches people to tolerate, accept, and love the ones who are and those who support [LGBT],” Squires said.

Yearbooks are still being sold. Students can order yearbooks at www.jostensyearbooks.com The cost is $75.

Seniors do not forget to pay all fines and fees. This must be taken care of prior to Thurs., Jun. 7. Seniors owing fines or fees will not be allowed to participate in graduation practice or in the ceremony on Sat., Jun. 9.

The SADD Club has rescheduled the Old School vs New School Basketball Game to Apr. 16 at 6:30 p.m. Students can buy tickets in advance, during lunch, or for $5 at the door.

6 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 4.6.12

The Senior Class wishes everyone a fun and relaxing Spring Break!

Coach: Jamie Greenwood

Email: Jamie.Greenwood79@gmail.com Phone: 804-937-5571

Serving the Tri-Cities!

We look forward to seeing you at Prom on Saturday, April 21st!

Competing with the best!

30 Pickwick Ave, Colonial Heights 23834 804-504-0000 thisamdthat1@verizon.net

Locations: Henrico, Innsbrook, St. Francis, Midlothian, St. Mary's, Colonial Heights, Prince George

To schedule an appointment at any of our offices, please call

(804) 897-2100 or (800) 421-3368.

FRIDAY 4.6.12 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 7

News Posts On Social Network Implicate Students

Administration solves disturbance on Twitter with suspension Aaron Raines trn writer

A

ccording to bu s i ne ss i ns i d ers.com Twitter was originally designed as a window into the lives of celebrities. However, in the past few years it has evolved into a social networking site for people all over the world. More viral than Twitter’s trending topics are the instigations it creates, especially in schools.

Cyberbullying has lead teens to harm themselves. Rutgers University student, Tyler Clementi took his own life in 2010.

A young man named Jamey Rodemeyer committed suicide in 2011 at age 14. Cyber bullying is a growing problem and school administrators such as Assistant Principal Chris Romig are concerned about the effects it has on students.

Cyberbullying is nothing new, however as technology grows so does the effect cyberbullying has on young victims.

Cyberbullying is using computers or any other personal wireless device to bully, harass or intimidate. While technology can be helpful, more and more students are using it to victimize their peers.

According to Assistant Principal Chris Romig, students have been suspended and even charged for cyberbullying. In the past month three seniors were suspended for cyberbullying. What began as a joke quickly turned into something hurtful.

The game began in a theater class where the three seniors decided who was “most likely” to be or do something. Their game continued onto Twitter where students from their school as well as schools nationwide could read the inappropriate, by school handbook standards, and even sexually orientated statements they posted about their classmates.

“If you would not say it to them or

in front of your parents then do not say it online,” Romig said.

Most students post things online without thinking of who they might hurt. However because of new laws and procedures more students are aware of the effects cyberbullying may have on their victim as well as the consequences they will face.

An incident that occurs online can easily be reported. A student who has been bullied online can report the incident through text-a-tip, Crime Solvers, or simply by telling an administrator. Punishment for cyberbullying depends on the severity of the situation and can range anywhere from a warning to expulsion. Many students feel that an incident that occurs off of school property should not be handled by the administrative staff.

“It is none of the school’s business what we do at home on our computers,” Evans said.

According to the Virginia Department of Education cyber bullying affects 14.2 percent of students. As a response to this Virginia lawmakers are cracking down on the problem. Under legislation, which was unanimously passed in both houses of the Virginia Assembly in June 2011, it is now a Class 1 misdemeanor to use a cellular

telephone or other wireless device to transmit a message that contains profane, threatening, or indecent language. Making a written threat, including those via texting, e-mail, instant messaging and the Internet, is a Class 6 felony.

“If an incident that occurs online affects a student in school, it becomes a school problem,” Romig said.

While laws are in place to address the problem of cyberbullying they are still being challenged. In July of 2011, the Fourth U.S Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va upheld the suspension of a student for creating a web site that contained derogatory rumors about her classmates.

This incident took place in West Virginia, however since the same federal appeals court has jurisdiction over Virginia; their decision applies to Virginia students and schools as well. The accused student’s attorney argued that the school did not have the authority to punish her because she did not create the web page while on school grounds. However, the court decided that her web site did indeed interrupt the learning environment of the school and ruled in favor of the school district.

Being suspended or even facing a felony

A smart phone is used by a student to access and post to Twitter. Recently Twitter has been a platform for posting comments that may violate school rules.

Photo by Jessica Marshall.

are not the only consequences students who bully online should worry about. Colleges as well as jobs check the Facebook and Twitter accounts of applicants. Instructional Technology Resource Teacher, Stephanie Poe, urges students to be careful about what they post on the web.

“Students should be more careful, colleges are watching and jobs are too,” Poe said.

When used properly technology can be a very useful tool for education. However, when young people abuse the Internet it can have long lasting effects on their education as well as their futures.

“Technology is moving fast, I think kids just want to keep up, but I wish they would slow down,” Romig said.

Cyberbullying is a growing problem that challenges school and state regulations.

Not only must schools be consistent with punishment but they should also inform students of the lasting consequences one seemingly harmless tweet can have on the rest of their lives.

8 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 4.6.12

Features

Friendships develop through names Best friends share more than similar interests Korrina Smith trn writer

O

ut of six billion people in the world, the chances of findi ng a f r i e n d, even a best friend, with the same name is

slim to none.

Sometimes these people with the same names are attracted to being friends with the other same-named individual.

Sophomores Mandi Cummings and Mandy Almarode met when they played t-ball together. Since then, the two have developed a lasting friendship.

After being best friends for so many years, many people have started assuming Cummings and Almarode will always be together. This is how they got the nickname “The Mandees”.

“People just always think of us as together,” Cummings said. “Even my dad will be like ‘Hey Mandees,’ and when we are at each other’s houses it is just ‘Okay Mandees let’s go.’ It is just like we are bonded at the hip.”

Both of the Mandees have their reasoning behind why they are such good friends.

For Almarode, it is their personalities that blend together well.

“Me and Mandi probably connect well because we are kind of opposite,” Almarode said. “We have different views but then again we can be like ‘oh yeah I know what you mean’. Plus we have a lot of fun together because we are both outgoing and crazy.”

However, Cummings has a different approach to why they are friends.

“It is because our names are the same, that is it,” Cummings said. “If you think about it our birthdays are actually a month

away. Mandy’s is Mar. 7th, and I am February 5th, but that is actually a month apart because there is two days missing in February.”

After being friends for so long, the two have come up with a nickname for each other.

“We call each other Fiddy and Fiddi,” Cummings said. “Hers ends in ‘Y’, mine ends in ‘I’. We make up each other, so it is half and half- Fiddy and Fiddi.”

Some people think it would be annoying to always be confused on whose name is being called, but for the

Mandees, this is not the case.

“It does not matter to us at all,” Almarode said.

“We love it.”

Junior Lindsay Varga and sophomore Lindsay McCabe have been friends since they started playing softball together.

For these two, it is also their name that has brought them together.

“It is kind of our names actually,” Varga said.

“On the softball team we are called “the L inds ays” and our personalities match.”

To add to the weird circumstance of these friends having the same name, they also have the same middle name.

To avoid the confusion between the two, they call each other by their last names.

“I usually just call her McCabe because I get confused,” Varga said.

Like Almarode and Cummings, McCabe and Varga are used to being considered together always, especially on the softball field.

“During softball they usually say ‘Alright all the left-handed batters and the Lindsays’,” Varga said. “If it is her, it is me too.”

For all of these best friends it might have been their names that brought them together, or their names that keep the bond of friends h i p going. Between the friends the confusion of having the same name is lightened with their humor.

“When people get confused about our names, we both love it,” Almarode said. “We think it is funny.”

Sophomores Mandy Almarode and Mandi Cummings potray what it would be like if they were the same person. Cummings and Almarode have been friends since elementarty school.

Photo by Kim Carneal.

FRIDAY 4.6.12 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 9

Congratulations to the DECA class of 2012!

I will miss you! ~Mrs. Beales

Best wishes for a happy and safe spring break from the PG Players!

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10 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 4.6.12

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FRIDAY 4.6.12 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 11

features Senior Learns Discipline, Flight Skills Student relieves stress by working with Civil Air Patrol

AIR PATROL New Jersey Aviation advocate, Gill Robb Wilson, formulated the Civil Air Patrol in the late 1930s.

Malikah Williams editor-in-chief

A

lmost a year a go, a girl looked out of the window at Chesterfield County Airport, amazed at the incoming and outgoing planes.

As she stood in amazement, a flight instructor whom had just finished a class saw her and asked if she wanted to go up in one of the planes. She obliged and went on a flight that would change the course of her life. That girl was senior Katelyn Rainey and today she is in pursuit of her pilot’s license all due to that life changing flight.

“I am going to Virginia Tech to major in air nautical engineering, which is a fancy name for working on planes,” Rainey said. “It is the most pertinent of majors for becoming a fighter pilot.”

Rainey is involved in many activities at school. The most influential program she is involved in is the JROTC, which she plans on continuing in college with the Air Force ROTC. “Basically if you are going to be in Air Force ROTC you have to meet certain standards, fitness, academic, physical, and discipline standards,” Rainey said. “I got in Early Decision to Virginia Tech in November and I just found out I got the ROTC scholarship that covers my entire tuition.”

For many students, senior year is an overwhelming time just due to everything it entails.

“It has been a pretty stressful year because of preparing for college and working on scholarships,” Rainey said.

However, finding an outlet to relieve the stresses of senior year is important in order to continue to be successful. Rain-

Civil

December 1, 1941, a few days prior to Pearl Harbor, the new Civil Air Patrol was founded.

A red three-bladed propeller in the Civil Defense whitetriangle-in-bluecircle is the Civil Air Patrol’s symbol.

During World War II, Civil Air Patrol flew a half-million hours and 64 aviators were killed. ey’s outlet is flying.

“It is a feeling you cannot really describe,” Rainey said. “It is one of the freest feelings in life because its just you kept off the ground by a piece of machinery that should not work. It is very exciting but calming.”

While flying something she enjoys, there are more reasons to her flying than just enjoyment.

“You will have a lot better chance of surviving a higher level flight school by already knowing the basics, it is kind of like a head start,” Rainey said.

Rainey participates in Civil Air Patrol, which was started in the 1930s for volunteers who wanted to use their love

Senior Katelyn Rainey prepares to take flight. Rainey started to learn how to fly approximately a year ago.

Photo by Kathy Rainey. of aviation and planes to help defend the United States. This program was started a week before Pearl Harbor and has since been an integral part of the Air Force.

“Civil Air Patrol is an air force auxiliary that does search and rescue and gives kids a chance out side of school to go up and fly for free and it teaches discipline,” Rainey said. “My flight instructor was in it when he was a kid and he said it was really good for flight training, which is why he recommended it to me.”

Today, Civil Air Patrol has three primary missions: aerospace education, cadet programs, and emergency services.

Information gathered: vawg.cap. gov/main.cfm

12 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 4.6.12

National Pet Month Elicits Rec

Danielle Marshall trn writer

B

arks, wagging tails, and constant meows are the sounds that fill the air when one opens to the door to the shelter. Dozens of pets looking for a new home can be found in kennels all over the shelter. April is National Pet Month and going to see the animals at the shelter is one way to recognize it.

When an adopter first arrives at the animal shelter, a woman by the name of Misty Cobbs greets them with a big smile.

Cobbs has six dogs of her own and she has worked there for almost four years.

About a week ago, a female dog and her puppies were brought to the shelter because their owner did not want them anymore. This same dog has had two li-

ters in the past seven months. Considering the dog’s age, Cobbs believes it to be wrong to put a young female dog through that.

“Instead of taking the route and getting the dog fixed, they [the owners] just got overwhelmed,” Cobbs said.

As a result of the owners becoming overwhelmed, this family of dogs will most likely be split apart, when the puppies are of age, which is eight weeks in the state of Virginia. For Cobbs, she believes it is better to see the dogs go, even if it is individually.

“Seeing one of them go is better than seeing all of them sit here,” Cobbs said.

All over the shelter, a visitor will feel sympathy for the animals when hearing about how they ended up in this situation.

Working with animals and being a main figure of the shelter, adoptions are bittersweet for Cobbs.

“I am happy that they [the animals] are getting adopted,” Cobbs said. “I do a lot of fostering with the little tiny puppies which

Photo by Danielle Marshall.

makes it is especially hard to see them go.”

Throughout the world today there are various stereotypes, and this is not only true for humans but dogs as well. Dogs such as Pit Bulls and Rottweilers mistakenly earned the reputation of mean and vicious pets.

“It is the bigger ones such as the Pitt Bulls and the Walker Hounds that stay the longest,” Cobbs said. “I have a Hound at home and he is awesome indoors. It is

mostly public perception that keeps them here the longest.”

With animals coming in at a faster rate and the current condition of the shelter, the new location opening in May is a big relief to the workers.

“It is going to be so much nicer,” Cobbs said.

The location for the new animal shelter is ideal. It will be on Route 460 by the Disputanta Animal Hospital, which will allow for the shelter and hospital to work together.

“We hope when moving to the new location we will get more traffic,” Cobbs said.

The shelter will have more kennels and it will be a better environment for the animals.

“We will have a separate area to put puppies because right now they are all intermingled in the same kennel,” Cobbs said.

“It is going to be a lot healthier for the animals and us.”

FRIDAY 4.6.12 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 13

StepsTo

ecognition of Shelter Danielle Marshall trn editor

1

2

Adopting New pets

3

4

Come to the shelter Fill out an application. If the person interested rents an Pay a $10 adoption fee and Some people will undergo background checks and if the perand meet with the apartment or house, the shelter will check with the land- the fee to get the animal son lives in a different county, the shelter will check with that county’s animal control animals lord to make sure animals are allowed. fixed.

By The

Numbers 53% of students and their families have adopted a pet from a shelter.

49%

of those adoptions have been a dog.

Man On the Street

79%

of students would recommend adopting a pet.

73%

Senior Ciarra Taylor

Senior Ashley Gilliam

Senior Samantha Slate

I would adopt a pet because I have always had a passion for dogs and I cannot wait to adopt a pet of my own.

I would recommend adopting a pet because they are sometimes more loving and it is more warming knowing you saved something that needed saving.

I would recommend adopting an animal so the animal can have a chance to live a happy life with a family who loves it.

Senior Kayl’n Vives I would recommend adopting a pet because some animals might react bad towards you because they were mistreated.

Senior Xavier Jones I would adopt a pet because an animal is an animal, and all they need is love.

of students say that they feel sad when they walk into a shelter Information gathered from a survey conducted by 100 students

Junior Chris Cortes

I would recommend adopting a pet because you can give a homeless animal a real home and a loving family.

For a photo gallery on animals at the shelter, visit trnwired.org or follow the QR-Code above.

14 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 4.6.12

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Friday 4.6.12 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 15

Ampersand

See how seniors Luke Humphries and Jorday Taswell gear up for their senior Prom.

The search for the ideal Prom dress is a crucial hunt, Taswell was ahead of the pack when she purchased her dress in Feb. “It was the first store I went into and I was like that is the one.”

How will you prepare for Prom 2012?

1

Find appropriate attire

2 3 4

Every guy wants to portray the perfect gentleman during Prom.

Humphries had to purchase a tuxedo immediately.

“I need to find a tux. I need to do it soon.”

Ask an acceptable date Not only is finding a dress crucial , but having a handsome date is also a key component.

“I definitely wanted to have a date for senior Prom” as well as finding a dress in February, she got her date.

“I pretty much have everything now, I just need to get accessories like jewelry and a purse” On Apr. 21, Taswell has a list of final things she has to accomplish.

“I need to get my hair, nails and feet, and makeup done”

Secondly, He asked his girlfriend to accompany him to Prom on Feb. 18. “I planned out what I said so it sounded cute.”

Last minute touches

Prom day is here!

Humphries is nearly done with his preparations, but still has to find a corsage and shoes.

On the day of Prom, he does not plan on doing much to get ready. “I do not do anything special. I get ready how I would for anything else. I do not wear make-up or anything.”

IMPOR TANT SENIOR DATES Apr. 9-13, 2012 - Spring Break Apr. 21, 2012 - Prom A p r . 1 8 a n d 24 at 7 p.m. - Mandatory Senior Meetings

16 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 4.6.12

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FRIDAY 4.6.12 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 17

A&E

Senior Showcase

Spotlights Art

Upperclassmen display creativity for school Deborah Gardner trn writer

S

enior Jessica Ceney paints with big, strong brush strokes to capture the beauty of Lake Gaston in her painting. That painting is put in a showcase for fellow students to see for a week. The art classes that are taken as electives are a way to strengthen the students’ abilities to create works that will help them to build a future out of it.

The showcase in the F-wing located outside of the art rooms displays the senior’s work from the Art III and IV classes. On the week of Mon. 19 through Fri. 23 of Mar., seniors Jessica Ceney and Savannah Woodfin’s works were showcased.

“Most seniors in Art III and IV look forward to the showcase each year,” Tanya Mahaffey said.

Along with the seniors putting art pieces into the showcase, they also write a small biography. The information that is included is what type of mediums they like to use and also their future plans.

“The mediums showcased are the students samples of their best work,” Mahaffey said.

Ceney has been creating art ever since seventh grade and gets her inspiration from the pictures she takes on her camera. Senior Kayla Smith has been taking classes since kin-

dergarten and does art as a hobby.

“I get my inspiration from life itself and whatever pops into my head,” Smith said.

The students also have a deadline for when they have to put the work inside the showcase and take it out.

“Their suppose to have it up Mon. morning and everyday it is late, they get points taken off,” Mahaffey said.

Art III and IV seniors are required to sign up for the week that they want to showcase their art for a grade.

“They can bring whatever they want but it has to be school appropriate. The students need to consider if they have enough art and they also need to consider if the quality is up to high school standards,” art teacher Christy Eliades said.

The seniors do not showcase their work more than once. In Eliades’ class, a senior can display their for an extended time if there is not another senior signed up for the following week.

“They only do it once on an individual level,” Mahaffey said.

The art that is showcased can be either from this year or the previous year and is supposed to represent the artist’s example of their best work. They get to choose what they put in the showcase.

“I picked those ones because they best represent me and I put more of my feelings in them,” Ceney said.

Some students in Art III and IV plan on doing other things once they graduate high school.

Senior Sarah Holdsworth stands in front of the display of her artwork in F-wing.

Seniors have been displaying their work on a rotating basis.

Photo by Tasia Faulcon.

“I would like to be a tattoo artist or airbrush cars as a profession,” senior Carrie Ellis said.

The senior showcase is a way to prepare young artists for what it is like in real life to display their work “This gives seniors a chance to see what it is like to put on a show just like professionals artists do in galleries,” Eliades said.

Art uses different mediums to create different blends and textures. Ellis likes sketching and painting the most.

“I like sketching the most and painting because you can do more shades and it is easier to add the shades,” Ellis said.

Woodfin does not like to use oils in her artwork because of not being able to easily fix a mistake and also because oils are harder to wash off. Woodfin’s favorite medium to use is water colors.

Like any other profession, artists also has areas of which they would like to improve upon.

“The most challenging piece of work I have done was my self portrait because it is of myself and I am OCD because I like to have things perfect, otherwise there is no point,” Smith said.

Titanic Comes to Theaters in 3-D After 15 Years This year marks the 100 year anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic on Apr. 14, 1912. Today, Apr. 6, Titanic will be released again 15 years after it was first released in 1997.

Titanic is a story of love and heartbreak and one of the best romance movies I have ever seen.

From the very beginning of the movie, you fall in love with Jack’s personality and Rose’s Tasia Faulcon defiance and loathing of her social class. The connection Jack and Rose make when they first meet at the beginning of the movie when Rose wants to jump from the boat pulls you into the movie and makes you want to know more about their lives and if somehow their lives will become one.

On Apr. 17, a student production called “Voices of the Titanic” will be performed by the PG Players. The director of this production is junior Cody Hanshew. The PG Players are presenting this production as a commemoration to the 100 Year anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.

The PG Players will be using the names of real people from the Titanic, and also telling the story of the people in “Voices of the Titanic.”

“It is already a published work and the whole story line is from the launching of the boat to the sinking and it ends with a power house reading of all the names,” Hanshew said.

I am really excited that Titanic is coming out again, and this time in 3-D. I will definitely be going to see it and I cannot wait to see how it looks in 3-D on a big theater screen. I am also looking forward to seeing the student produced production by the PG players.

All of these tributes to the Titanic are very honorable and shows a lot of respect for people who were on the Titanic or had a connection to the Titanic, and it nice to see that people still care about the Titanic.

18 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 4.6.12

FRIDAY 4.6.12 | THE ROYAL NEWS |19

A&E

Gamer's Corner World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria Seeks Redemption

T

he air is abuzz with excitement. Countless characters are hovering over the Stormwind Trade District, each on their own gaudy version of a dragon. The Trade Chat is filled with excited people.

As the clock strikes midnight, people immediately disappear Alex Crowder to check their emails.

A lucky few come back, crying out in happiness as angry people whine and complain about not getting an invitation. It is officially time for a World of Warcraft beta.

As one of the lucky pass holders, I eagerly log into the beta sever, which is struggling to hold all of its guests. The world is new and fresh, and opportunity to begin anew is all too apparent. As the main lands of Pandaria are not yet open, I decide to create a female Pandaren

Gold:

Dianne Overstreet Chris Romig Louise Thornton Marcia Skiffington Mitch and Willene Simmons Lennie and Nancy Elder Kris Tritschler Jeff and Denise Aleska Stream Team FCA Spanish Club Johnny and Michele Harris Pam Alley Lynette Epps The Britt Family Will Bonnell Trinity United Methodist Youth Group Treon Simon Beth Anderse n Alisa Lanier

monk. As she takes her first breathes of a new server and a new world, I immediately try to jump off the cliff behind me.

Discovering an invisible wall, I sulkily turn around only to see a world of beauty. This is not the World of Warcraft

I have played for seven years.

World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria is the fourth expansion of the extremely successful MMO World of Warcraft.

Following directly after the disappointing Cataclysm, Mists of Pandaria will

Super:

William Havard Janie Williams Pat Raines Stephanie Bishop The Marshall Family Theodore Greer Jada Overton Tammy Stevenson Charity Korean American Baptists Church

Thank You Patrons

have a rough time trying to win back the subscribers lost during the underwhelming last expansion. Still, from what I have played in the beta – the Pandaren starting zone, the new monk class, and the Jade Forest new high level zone – Blizzard seems to be taking itself seriously on this expansion.

Still, despite the current satisfaction of beta players, Blizzard has a chance to prove themselves to be on top of the heap again. The original eight World of Warcraft (“Vanilla”) races desperately need a model update to keep up with the ever improving technology, and Player versus Player combat still needs to be ironed out and balanced. Still, with a fun new class, a beautiful landscape, an interesting new race, and a surprising story, Mists of Pandaria is set to be one of World of Warcraft’s best expansions. http://us.battle.net/wow/en/media PLEASE NOTE THIS GAME HAS BEEN RATED T FOR TEEN. Titles rated T (Teen) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 13 and older.

Green:

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Terry Walker Army Junior ROTC Thomas Carwile Prince George Baseball The Blumenschine’s Tim and Janet Schwalm The Dunn”s Lindsey Comer Cameron Schwalm Haley Ramsey Interact Club Mark Dailey Ayana Washington Betty M. Easter Mandi Cummings Coach B. Ben Poe Mr. & Mrs. Charles Connie Buckles Thomas Fowler Christina Buckles Emanuel Guadalupe Bruce Waymack Brenda Smith Willis Ricks Thomas Giusto Antonio Belmar

20 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 4.6.12

SpringSports

Melissa Tomlin, Number One Seed Madison Guidry, Number Two Seed

Photos by Faven Butler and Wayne Epps, Jr.

Joo Lee, Number One Seed

Chris Bae, Number Two Seed

Meet The Top Tennis Players

F

Christina Buckles trn writer

ocused and ready to win junior Melissa Tomlin has the number one seed on the girls tennis team.

Tennis is not just a spring sport for Tomlin; she works on her craft all throughout the year.

“I practice a lot over the summer and before the season starts, during the fall and winter,” Tomlin said.

Now that it is spring, her practice times have changed.

“I practice everyday of the week, Monday through Friday, and then probably once or twice during the weekend,” Tomlin said.

On the tennis court, Tomlin also has certain techniques that she uses while she plays.

“I lob the ball a lot and just dropshot it after the lob to bring it up and back,” Tomlin said.

The tennis team works together to win in their matches. Everyone on the team works together and it is more of a team atmosphere than an individual thing, according to Tomlin. The team does have rivals though.

“My hardest match would probably be against Dinwiddie, because she’s the girl I played at [the] district finals last year,” Tomlin said.

Tomlin still has things she has to overcome, even being number one on the team.

“When people angle the ball, it’s a lot harder to get,” Tomlin said. “And also when people hit the ball really hard, I don’t like that.”

Individually, Tomlin says she needs to work on angles since she’s not good at angling the ball.

In the number two spot for the Lady Royals is senior Madison Guidry. She did not begin the season ranked number two, but has recently jumped into that position.

For Guidry, tennis is not just a physical sport, it is mental as well. In preparation for matches, she runs certain things through her mind to get ready.

“I think of what worked well, or what didn’t on the previous match and try to improve both and I think of my competitor and what they will use against me,” Guidry said.

Tennis is more than a sport for Guidry. It is her competitive outlet.

“Tennis is my outlet,” Guidry said. “It gives me a chance to play better competition and work on my skills everyday.”

Wayne Epps, Jr. sports editor

T

wo seniors anchor the top two singles seeds on the boys tennis team. Seniors Joo Lee and Chris Bae are ranked number one and number two respectively.

Lee has played tennis for approximately five years. He has been the number one seed on the team since his junior year.

Despite entering his second season as the number one seed, Lee feels pressure as the top player on the team.

“I get pressure every time when I play,” Lee said. “Even if I’m doing well, I still have pressure, and then that causes my downfall sometimes.”

Last season, Lee finished second in the Central District, after losing in the district final match.

This season, Lee has faced some adversity already. At the beginning of the season, he had what he cites as his worst career match against Thomas Dale on Tues., Mar. 13.

“I was up by 5-0, but then something happened and I happened to lose to him,” Lee said. “And my last match score was like 9-7, and he won.”

Despite that loss to open the season,

Lee is hoping to win the district and make it through to the regional tournament.

Right below Lee in the singles rankings, Bae has been playing tennis for approximately five years as well. Bae spent some time as the number two seed last season and is back in that spot this season.

Bae also feels pressure as the number two seed because he recognizes his role as a leader on the team.

“Really, I do feel a lot of pressure being number two,” Bae said. “Because, this year, the team as a whole is much younger as compared to previous years. And, not only is it young, but it’s also inexperienced. Being one of the top two players, I feel the responsibility to lead the team and help practice with them and help improve them as well.”

Last season, Bae was the Central District champion in the doubles competition, along with graduate Victor Bullock.

“Honestly, I like playing doubles more, because when I play doubles, there’s a different element involved, and that’s teamwork,” Bae said.

Besides sharing the top of the singles rankings for the Royals, Lee and Bae are also playing together as doubles partners this season and are ranked number one in that category.

FRIDAY 4.6.12 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 21

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FRIDAY 4.6.12 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 23

springsports

Softball Starts Young Team With Old Expectations

A Junior Sydney Landreth runs to first base in a game against Dinwiddie on Tues., Mar. 27. The Royals defeated the Generals 3-2 in nine innings. Photo

by Wayne Epps, Jr.

Kevin Harris sports editor

fter back-to-back trips to the state tournament in 2009 and 2010, the Lady Royals softball team finished the 2011 season with a fourth place finish in the Central District and a 12-8 record.

The team loses five seniors from last year, and they only return six players. Not only do they have just six returnees, but every player is a freshmen, sophomore, or junior. This could cause some difficulties on the team.

“Players must learn how to play as a team,” assistant coach Nealan Chandler said. “Also, at the varsity level, the game requires more thinking. So there is a lot for each player to learn about the terminology and situations that we expect each of them to know.”

With a young team, how well the team works together could be very important.

“There are somewhat cliques with the grades,” junior pitcher Ginny Miller said. “But, when it comes to team bonding, everyone gets along with everybody else.”

Junior pitcher Jennefer Woodlief says the team does some form of team bonding everyday. One of the things they do is to go out to eat before home games. She believes

that the bonding is successful.

“The team becomes closer everyday,” Woodlief said.

For a young team, creating a team chemistry could be very important. Miller thinks it is important because of the age difference on the team.

“With all the different age groups, not everyone is together all the time,” Miller said. “They need to learn to trust each other” The team expects that their leaders this year can come from any position or grade.

“We expect the players that grasp our concepts about terminology and team to step in and lead,” Chandler said. “Which might mean that any junior, sophomore, or freshmen could lead us.”

The team has high expectations this year, even with the young team.

“We expect the team to play hard and compete in each and every game,” Chandler said. “If we can do that, then we should enjoy the results.”

Woodlief is looking for improvement from last year.

“We want nothing less than last year, if not more,” Woodlief said.

For the Lady Royals, expectations are high among coaches and players. If they play hard, they could find themselves deep into postseason play in May.

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Sports

briefs

Girls Varsity Soccer defeated Meadowbrook 6-0 at home on Tues., Apr. 3.

Boys Varsity Soccer tied Meadowbrook 1-1 at Meadowbrook on Tues., Apr. 3.

Boys Varsity Baseball defeated Meadowbrook 13-0 in five innings at Meadowbrook on Tues., Apr. 3.

Baseball Brings Experience To Mound Kristen Schwalm trn writer

A

pitcher stands on the mound and gets ready for a batter to step into the box. He stares down the batter and receives the pitcher’s signal. With one move of the arm, the ball is released towards the batter’s box.

The Royals’ pitching rotation is one of the more experienced in the Central District. JD Johnson, Hunter Knott, and Girsan Negron, all seniors, make up the brunt of the team’s staff.

With an experienced staff, the Royals have championship aspirations.

“My expectations this year are to win districts and go to regionals,” Johnson said. “If everyone does their part, we will be alright this year.”

Among just the pitchers, there is twelve years of varsity experience. Having that experience, head coach Mickey Roberts is looking for his staff to be effective on the mound.

“I expect them to be able to throw strikes and pitch ahead in the count,” Roberts said.

There are a total of six seniors, two juniors, three sophomores, and five freshmen on the team. With a majority of the team being underclassmen, offensive production could be hard to come by.

“Offensively, scoring runs will be a definite challenge, the reason being we have a lot of young guys in our lineup,” Roberts said.

The rest of the pitchers in the Central District could be a problem for the

Royals.

“One major problem our team will have is hitting; we need to improve our hitting,” Negron said. “We will be facing hard pitchers so we need to keep the team motivated.”

Despite the fact that the pitching staff has so much experience, Johnson believes that their ability to keep their heads in the game could pose a challenge as the season moves forward.

“A challenge we will face is staying focused and not getting big-headed; the pitchers need to stay within themselves and not try to be someone they are not,” Johnson said.

According to Coach Roberts, the most difficult team the Royals will have to face this year is Dinwiddie. In their first meeting of the season on Tues., Mar. 27, the Generals defeated the Royals 9-6.

“Our team has the potential: we just have to work hard at practice and show it on the field,” Knott said.

The team practices everyday after school. The practices usually last about three hours. During these practices, they work on all aspects of the game.

“During practice we work on our defense, fielding ground balls, and fielding fly balls,” Roberts said. “Our pitchers throw bullpens and they also do fielding practice.”

As of Tues., Apr. 3, the Royals have a record of 4-2 overall and 3-1 in the Central District so far this season.

They will have a packed schedule over spring break as they play in the Colonial Heights Invitational. On Mon., Apr. 9 the team will play Monacan, on Tues., Apr. 10 they will face Varina, and on Thurs. Apr. 12 they will go against Clover Hill . All games will start at 1:00 p.m. at Shepard Stadium in Colonial Heights.

Senior Hunter Knott throws a pitch while warming up in the bullpen during a game against Dinwiddie on Tues., Mar. 27.

Dinwiddie defeated the Royals 9-6.

Photo by Wayne Epps, Jr.