February 2020 by chris waugaman

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PRINCE GEORGE HIGH SCHOOL - 7801 LAUREL SPRING ROAD - PRINCE GEORGE, VA 23875 VOLUME XVIII - ISSUE 4 - FEBRUARY 14, 2020 - WWW.TRNWIRED.ORG - @ROYALSMEDIANOW

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NEWS

STUDENTS STAY HOME WITH FLU VIRUS P.9 Sophomore Dylan McCauley-Cook wipes down a desk to prevent the spread of germs. McCauley-Cook got his Flu shot in October. Photo by Allison McCauley-Cook. 7 Beta Students Anticipate What’s Inside? p. Convention

p. 15 All District Excites Singers

p. 10- 11. Looking Back At p .18 Ashcraft Finds Balance With Court Case That Changed Lives Three Sports

Have you gotten your ﬂu shot this ﬂu season? - Yes 68% - No, I don’t plan to 32% - No, I plan to 0%

*Twitter poll of 22 votes

2 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 02.14.20

OP/ED theRoyalNews 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 A2, or e-mail them to trnwired@gmail. com 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. Publication theft. A person commits the offense of publication theft when he or she willfully or knowingly obtains or exerts unauthorized control over more than three copies of an edition of a publication distributed on campus or in the surrounding community [with the intent to prevent other individuals from reading that edition of the publication]. A “publication” includes any periodical that is distributed on a complimentary or compensatory basis. In addition to the imposition of other campus disciplinary penalties, a person who violates this provision is responsible for compensating the publication for all reasonable costs incurred, including, where appropriate, the refund of advertising fees. Professional affiliations & awards Columbia Scholastic Press Associations Gold Medalist 2008-2016 CSPA Gold Crown Winner 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015 Virginia High School Association Trophy Class 2006-2017 Col. Charles Savedge Award for Sustained Excellence 2010, 2017 NSPA Online Pacemaker Winner 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019 SIPA All Southern 2008-2015 The Royal News, PGHS trnwired.org 7801 Laurel Spring Road Prince George, Virginia 23875 804-733-2720 The Royal News is printed at The Progress-Index in Petersburg, Virginia

Section Editors Front page: Allison McCauley-Cook Op/Ed: Kaylaa White Features: Harmony Thomas Doubletruck: Allison McCauley-Cook A&E: Katie Zevgolis Sports: Masako Kaneko & Deana Nichols Photos: Shelby Hayes Reviews: Nic Brown

Writers Heidi Crane, Emily Hannuksela, Damion Perkinson, Maclay Cerny, Chris Newton, Skye Watkins, Jewel Harry

Editor-in-Chief Maddison Shawkey

Online Editor-In-Chief Carter Marks

Managing Editor Allison McCauley-Cook

Business Manager Sarah Schrum

Adviser Chris Waugaman

Love Thy Family

Illustration by Heidi Crane.

Student Vaccination Should Be Required

alking through the halls, millions of germs disperse among students, leading to many different kinds of illnesses. Both students and faculty can be affected by this, but one way to prevent this is vaccinations. With the flu season having come around and taking effect, the thought of vaccines comes into many minds. In Virginia, there are certain vaccines which are mandated for students to go to school such as the MMR vaccine, which helps measles, mumps, and rubella. These vaccines are necessary to protect students, especially younger kids, from possibly obtaining these illnesses as well as spreading them. While many students have these mandatory shots, some students do not get their yearly vaccines. This shot

is also necessary to protect students due to the fact that the flu virus is a constantly changing virus meaning shots must be updated every year. Students that do not get the flu vaccine open themselves up to the possibility of getting the flu around this time of year. If these students get sick, often times they can miss school, be behind in classes, and even be forced to take their exams because of absences. With this, students who do not get the flu shot present a threat to low immune students who may have gotten the shot. If they are exposed to someone infected by the virus could still possibly get sick. The flu shot is so incredibly important. It protects students from an unpredictable ailment and vaccines for this should be treated as one would treat any mandatory vaccine.

n this season of love, people’s first thought goes directly towards romantic comedies and Hallmark movies. We see love between couples as a symbol of Valentine’s Day, without giving it a second thought. What people often DEANA NICOLS don’t think about is the love between a family. Family can be more than just parents and children, it’s those who have the biggest influence on you and guide you in the right direction. I am lucky enough to live with both my parents, who are happily married, and my younger sister. They have loved me no matter what bad decisions I’ve made or how much I’ve disappointed them. I don’t need gifts from them to know how much they love me. Having been surrounded by that love my whole life has really helped me be able to share that love with everyone around me. But outside of my biological family, I have a best friend who is practically like my sister. She sometimes gives me holiday presents super late, but the love and encouragement she has shown me in the last seven years is worth so much more than any gift she could me or has yet to give me. For me, I’m a total “daddy’s girl.” My dad and I are so much alike that sometimes it can be scary. We rarely ever butt heads, but when we do, we handle ourselves in the same manner. Honestly, all other people aside, my dad is my best friend. He’s my number one. I feel like I can talk to him about anything. Without him or my mom, I would not be half the person I am today. I’m forever grateful!

FRIDAY 2.14.20 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 3

OP/ED

Should There Be Gun Reform? With Democrats set for a majority in the House of Representatives and Senate of Virginia legislation, unprecedented changes in the state’s gun laws are predicted to happen in the future. On Monday, January 20th, 2020, pro-gun protestors gathered outside the Capitol. Local law enforcement took safety precautions, in fear of local hate groups and possible civil unrest, but the protest ended on a peaceful note by the late afternoon. As of Tuesday, Febuary 11th, Virginia Legislation passed an law that would ban certain semi-automatic rifles and make magazines that can hold more than twelve rounds a felony.

veryone has a gun for different reasons, good or bad. For example people have guns for hunting and protection. Not everyone with a gun is a bad person. Just because someone has a gun doesn’t mean they are using it in the wrong way. Everyone that uses a gun isn’t innocent either, but instead of punishing everyone for the mistakes of a few, we should let the law prove that person guilty. Gang violence is usually used as an argument for the opposite side, but what people fail to realize, due to lack of information on the subject, it’s that gang members are using guns to protect themselves as well. For most, it’s the only means of protection they know. All guns aren’t bad, they’re keeping us alive. While people are complaining and are fighting about getting rid of guns. Men and women are fighting for our lives and keeping us protected with guns. Think about having an army in this day an age without guns. If a gun is a “killer weapon” and everyone is trying to get rid of it, then we need to start raising debates about other killing weapons. Knives are one of the most fatal weapons on the earth other than guns. So we should bring out “knife reform” because they are the second most used weapon conflict bodily harm? No, that just sounds silly. Guns are not the problem, the people that use them are. We need to keep guns because they keep us alive. Guns are our protection not our enemies. So stop trying to get rid of guns and start appreciating what guns are doing for us.

PRO CON ISABELLE BATTLE

ISABELLA SANDERS

“Men and women are fighting for our lives and keeping us protected with guns.”

“These new bills are not to try and take away guns from the people at all.”

he Virginia House of Delegates has passed seven gun control measure bills that have got the entire state talking. These bills have been controversial to say the least. Some of them include: universal background checks on gun purchases, limiting handgun purchases to only once a month, and giving authorities the right to temporarily take away guns from anyone considered dangerous to themselves or others. Democrats on the council say the bills could help prevent mass shootings and that similar laws have been successful and worked and thrived in 17 other states. However, a lot of the people of Virginia have not been taking the new reform very well. Guns are quite popular in Virginia and have been for decades, for one reason or another (hunting being the main one). Because of this, in the last few weeks, there has been countless protests and rallies against the new bills across the states, with tens of thousands of Virginians and pro-gun advocates from all across the country showing their dissapointment in the Houses’ ultimate decision. The people of Virginia have been fighting these new bills for weeks now, stating they feel silenced, that their 2nd amendment is being undermined and that they ultimately refuse to succumb to the Houses’ new bills. These new bills are not to try and take away guns from the people at all. They were made because the higher ups and the majority of Virginia finally realized that guns are the common denominator in most of the nations tragedies, and believe that it was all too easy to get a hold of a firearm. This reform was meant to be a positive thing that could prevent mass shootings and other unfortunate events made possible by guns in the future. Making it more difficult to purchase firearms is for the best. Having a tougher process in place to buy guns is to ensure that not just anyone can get ahold of a deadly weapon and use it however they want without any thorough testing on the person taking place. It’s better to be safe than sorry, however, if the people will not accept this new reality, how/are we as a state going to compromise?

4 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 2.14.20

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FRIDAY 2.14.20 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 5

THE WEEKS AHEAD

4-H Prepares For Talent Show Auditions

alent show auditions will take place on Friday, February 21st for the actual event on February 28th. Students can audition to dance, sing, or

do anything to show off their special talents. This event is hosted by 4-H every year and they look for new talent and for more interest. Speak to the 4-H advisor Hermon Maclin fro more information.

Etcetera Magazine Accepts Submissions

F P

or all the writers, photographers, and poets, there is an outlet for creative writing and artistry in the Etcetera magazine. Students can submit their works to their English teachers or to room A2. The deadline for all submissions is on February 28th.

Drowsy Chaperone Auditions Approach .G. Players are excited to host their auditions for the upcoming musical, The Drowsy Chaperone. Auditions will be held on

February 17th and 18th after school and callbacks will be held on the 19th. Audition requirements include 16 to 32 bars of a song, three jokes, and actors should be prepared to dance.

Spring Fling Brings Joy, Creativity

n March 7th, arts students across the county will come together to celebrate their achievement from the year at the annual spring fling. Students prepare their works, whether that be songs, scenes, or tangible pieces of art.

Students Prepare For Upcoming Annual Spaghetti Dinner

he auditioned choirs are hosting their annual Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday, February 22nd at 6 P.M. Students will serenade guests and with solos, duets and group numbers. The purpose of this event is to support these students and fundraise for their upcoming trip to Pennsylvania. Tickets are ten dollars a piece and can be purchased from any choral student.

6 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 2.14.20

FEATURES

Plungers Splash Into Atlantic Ocean Maddison Shawkey

Editor-In-Chief

taring at the icy water, sophomore Ashley Allen prepared to run full force into the water to support the Special Olympics team. Each year the Special Olympics team participates in the Polar Plunge event where students run into the cold Atlantic Ocean to raise money for the team. This year students traveled to Virginia Beach on February 8th “Plunging in the frigid Atlantic Ocean alongside them warms my heart,” Allen said. Sherri Jones is the sponsor of the Special Olympics and pushed her students to recognize the impact of this event. “I hope they realize how big this event is,” Jones said. “They get to see the thousands of people that come from everywhere in Virginia, to participate in this event.” Each year of this event, Jones looks to find ways to improve and make advancements to make the process easier for everyone involved. “One of the big things I liked about this year is I did not have to handle any money,” Jones said. “No money exchanged hands between the recipients, the plungers, the donors, everything was done electronically.” With this participants and sponsors had a visual to see how much money they raised as individuals and as a group. Students were able to submit their entry fee and also to buy incentives such as warm towels and t-shirts. “We have more students getting the warm towel and the other benefits,” Jones said. “Students are raising more

than 100 dollars this year to just plunge and I’ve noticed students are raising 300 dollars so they can get the other incentives.” Both experienced plungers and first timers were excited for the experience they would be sharing with their peers. “I was excited to not only spend time with the athletes but also form a strong bond and get to be friends with them,” junior Brooke Damron said. For students like Damron, this was their first plunge and what to expect was unknown to them. However, despite the uncertainty of what to expect Damron was excited for the plunge and the bonds that grew stronger from the plunge. “Just seeing them puts the biggest smile on my face,” Damron said. As for others this plunge is just one of many they have and plan to be a part of. This Polar Plunge was Allen’s second. Allen enjoys doing the plunge because she not only gets to support people, but also gets to make different connections. “I knew I had done this to help those

Sophomore Ashley Allen and Juniors Aubrey Atchley and Brooke Damron pose with their Polar Plunge numbers. The three plunged into the Atlantic Ocean on February 8th. Photo provided by Ashley Allen. athletes,” Allen said. “Together we are helping to make the world a better, healthier, and more joyful place.” Overall the plunge proved to be a success with the Champions Together team raising $2,396 dollars which is $1,196 over their originally set goal. Even more than monetary success, plungers had the internal success of making connections with their peers and making a difference for Champions Together. “Our goal is to create a world where every single person is accepted and welcomed -one athlete, one volunteer, one family member, and one plunger at a time,” Allen said.

804-732-9268

FRIDAY 2.14.20 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 7

FEATURES

Beta Students Anticipate Convention Students Prepare For What Is In Store In Hampton, Virginia Allison McCauley-Cook

Double Truck Editor

itting in front of a computer, looking over the study materials provided by National Beta, Senior Kolby Birchett prepares himself for the Beta State Convention. Birchett’s senior year is the first time he will attend the State Convention after being in both Beta and Junior Beta. On Friday, February 14, and Saturday, February 15, some National Beta Club members will be competing in the Beta State Convention. Beta State Convention takes place in Hampton, Virginia. The convention encourages members of the club to extend their values of community service acts and academic success through competition. Students will participate in many different types of competitions and activities throughout the convention. The convention will focus on the different aspects of Beta’s core values. Students have the opportunity to showcase their skills through the National Beta State Convention. “They have a lot of different activities, like a leadership competition. There are different activities for different subjects. You can enter photography or art, something to do with building, and then there is a speech one,” sophomore Angela Harris said. The Beta Convention allows for students to compete in areas in which they excel academically. Birchett’s choice to compete in the academic test for history stemmed from his appreciation for history and knowledge. “I just wanted to try it out for the first time and just see what it is like,”

Birchett said. For many juniors and seniors this is the first time competing in the Beta State Convention. Sponsor Casey Dabney shared her excitement, even though they are about to graduate, students are still striving for academic success. Birchett wanted the experience of competing in the Convention at least one time before he graduates in June. “[I am excited] just to be there, just to see what it is like, because I have never been to the Beta State Convention,” Birchett said. Other members who will be competing, like freshman Josh Bredikhin, have previously competed in the State Convention with Junior National Beta. Though he has competed before, Bredikhin still works hard to study for his

part of the competition. He completes numerous math worksheets to ensure he is well prepared for his 9th Grade Math event. “I will be competing in 9th Grade Math and Freshman Problem Solving,” Bredikhin said. “Ms. Dabney has given me worksheets for math.” Beta State Convention brings together National Beta members from around the state. The students compete against each other, but they also all have pride in being members of National Beta. Harris says this was one of the best aspects of competitions from previous years. “A lot of kids come from all over, and it is really cool because you get to sit in an auditorium and people just hype up Beta,” Harris said.

Senior Kolby Birchett prepares for the upcoming Beta convention. Birchett has not attended one of these conventions before. Photo by Allison McCauley-Cook. Beta demonstrates to many of its members the importance of responsibility. Through working with the community students are in an environment to help others, and have a place to grow in academic achievements with friends. “Beta teaches us more about academic achievements and how to do service in the community, and we do activities with various organizations,” Bredikhin said. “[The best part of being in Beta] is the opportunity to serve and make new friends and gives me something to do.”

8 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 2.14.20

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The 2019-2020 patron drive has been a success due to these wonderful patrons. If you would like to make a donation come by A2 , email us at trnwired1@gmail.com, or see any one of our staff members. Your support helps us continue to do great storytelling.

SUPER PATRONS

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Gold Patrons

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Green Patrons PGHS Choir William Barnes Russell Malizia

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FRIDAY 2.14.20 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 9

FEATURES

Students Stay Home With Flu Virus Sarah Schrum

FLU VIRUS

Flu Prevention

AD Editor

oughing, runny noses, sore throats, and headaches are many the among symptoms of the Influenza that runs rampant in schools throughout the United states. There have been 13,000,000 – 18,000,000 flu illnesses this year in the U.S and at least 151 confirmed cases since December 7, 2019 in VA, some of those cases in the Prince George school system. The impact this disease has is breathtaking and has a noticeable impact on the attendance rates of all of the schools in Prince George. Barbara Ceney, the head of the Attendance Office, sees a spike in absences this time every year. “Notes do not specify from the doctors why a student is out but we have had many students out with the flu,” Ceney said. Nurse Tonya Bryant sees kids come in all the time with what they believe to be the flu. Her job is to make sure the students who do show symptoms are determined from the students who only have a cold. “On average I probably have five students per day thinking they have the flu, but when I hear the symptoms I am almost certain they do not have it,” Bryant said. But for those who come in and do raise red flags, Bryant acts quickly to make sure the rest of the student body remains healthy. “I can only give medicine to [students] whose parents brought it in,” Bryant said. “But if I do have somebody that comes in that I even suspect has the flu, I would not be so worried about treating them right now, as much as getting them home and getting them to the doctor.”

PREVENT THE

Avoid contact with people who are sick. Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough.

The speed of her actions can determine the time a student has to miss due to the contagious virus. “If they go to the doctor quickly enough, the doctor can give them something that does not necessarily take the flu away but it can help shorten the duration of it,” Bryant said. The flu not only affects the high school, it affects the elementary schools as well. Leslie Allin, a librarian at South Elementary, sees multiple classes each day and notices how many students are missing in each of them because of the flu. “[We have] 502 students and as many as 91 absent in one day. At least half we think were the flu,” Allin said. Dylan McCauley-Cook, a sophomore, takes precautions every year with

Students throughout the school have been going home sick. Sophomore Dylan McCauley-Cook takes precautions by cleaning off his work space. Photo by Allison McCauley-Cook.

his family. “We usually get our flu shots on base but they ran out this year and we had to go to Publix,” McCauley-Cook said. There is never a bad time to get a flu shot but they become widely available around the turning of the seasons and close to the beginning of the school year. “We usually get ours around October,” McCauley-Cook said.

Wash your hands when you touch surfaces or blow your nose.

Scan this code to see a video recap of one of the visits by Tim Bennett. Information

Stay home when you are sick.

provided by https://www.cdc.gov/ﬂu/ prevent/actions-preventﬂu.htm

12 | THE ROYAL NEWS I FRIDAY 2.14.20

A&E

Students Continue To Inspire Others With Black History Program Harmony Thomas

Features Editor

eep in the Auditorium of the high school, students with the passion to share Black history and the history of other cultures, come together and help spread the stories and words of their ancestors. On February 28, 2020, SADD and Cultural Awareness club will be holding their 8th annual Black History Month Program. President of the SADD club, senior Ciara Hanson shares why this month is so special. “The Black history program is special because it shines a light on the amazing history of Blacks and African Americans,” Hanson said. Students will perform dances, recite poetry, and entertain the crowd with music. Last year the theme of the program centered around historically Black colleges and universities. Hanson shares the theme for this year’s program. “This year the theme is ‘Our roots’, it starts with African history and goes onto the civil rights movement in the 1960’s,” Hanson said. This program is not just for students of color, any student can be involved. Hanson mentions why she participates and what Black history means to her. “I participate in this program because I love my history and I want others to be educated on it,” Hanson said.“Black history means pride in the fact that our people came to this country as nothing, as slaves. We came to this country as nothing, as slaves. We overcame that. We’ve achieved the ‘American Dream’.

Black history is American history.” Hanson explains why her biggest inspiration in her life means so much to her this month. “My grandmother, Catherine Fort, is my biggest inspiration for the Black history program,” Hanson said. “She was in charge of the Black history program at Walton Elementary for numerous years. She also walked with Martin Luther King Jr., and she integrated the Birmingham Public Library in 1963.” Vice President and senior, Ashanti Allen, shares why this program is so special to the school. “It is the one program during the school year that celebrates and acknowledges the achievements of African Americans through-

Senior Ciara Hanson performs in the 2019 out history, while bringing people together Black History Month program in a dance through cultural differences,” Allen said. number. Being a SADD officer, Hanson has Allen mentions that she is teaching a lot of involvement with the production her peers a part of history that is not taught of the Black History Program. Photo provided by Royals Media. enough in schools. “I feel like I’m educating the uneducated on certain topics while also exploring more about African American and Black culand appreciating my culture,” Allen said. ture while they watch their peers dance, sing, Black history month is celebrated as a and read poetry pieces and spoken word. month to honor African American and Black Hanson shares why she participated in the culture. Allen shares how she celebrates this program. month. “It keeps me motivated to do better, it “It is a time for me to reflect on how the makes me want to strive to be the best,” Hanpeople before me struggled and fought to get son said. “The people who came before me me and the people around me to where we are fought so I could go to school, get an educatoday,” Allen said. tion, and be treated equally. I do it for them During this program students will learn because they did not have that opportunity.”

FRIDAY 2.14.20 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 13

A&E

Forensics Members Practice Poetry Emily Hannuksela

TRN writer

luorescent lighting shines in their faces as the forensics students stare out into a crowd of people in an unfamiliar school and they clear their throat to begin speaking. When some people think of forensics, they think of scientific tests instead of debates. Senior Sara Radford, a member of the forensics team, knows exactly what it is and how it benefits people. “When people hear [forensics], they often think of detective work, but instead forensics is public speaking and learning how to make your words as impactful as possible,” Radford said. Beth Andersen, the head of the forensics club, is hopeful that her students’ nerves will melt away while practicing due to the fact that they can cooperate well together. In addition, Andersen wants to ensure her students are as ready as possible for the upcoming competition. “Preparing for a competition includes practicing the presentation, being in front of an audience, and getting some critique from me and their peers,” Andersen said. Radford practices these techniques in the category of poetry, although there are numerous other categories. “There’s humorous duos, dramatic duos, dramatic interpretation, poetry, and serious interpretation. There’s even one where there’s a current event and people debate based on different political articles,” Radford said. Each of the categories is difficult in its own way. Senior Ian Brenzie is also

a poetry competitor and knows the arduous aspects of it. “You have to read something somebody else wrote and interpret that. If the judge doesn’t agree with your interpretation or doesn’t like the way that you read it, then that can really impact how they score you,” Brenzie said. Radford overcomes the difficulties

Seniors Sara Radford and Ian Brenzie pose with their trophies for placing at their forensics competition. Brenzie and Radford intend to participate in the competition event on February 15th. Photo by Heidi Crane by rehearsing and reaching out to her teachers for constructive criticism. “For me, I’ll be by myself and I’ll read

through my poem and act it out. I’ll also practice in front of Ms. Andersen and Senora Jones and they’ll critique me,” Radford said. Brenzie knows precisely how he prepares for competitions to make sure that he does well. “It’s mostly just repetition, reading your poems over and over again. That’s the main thing: really being able to read it again the same way every time because consistency is important,” Brenzie said. On February 15th the forensics team will travel to Cosby High School to participate in a forensics competition. Winning takes hard work and practice, but Brenzie’s effort has paid off in previous tournaments so far. “I won first place in my first and most recent competition in my division. [It felt] really good. I don’t normally win a lot of stuff and seeing people congratulate me and seeing people call my name in the hallway is a lot,” Brenzie said. Radford also dedicated time to prepare, and it provided her with a learning experience in addition to a second place finish. “Earning second place for my very first competition felt nice because I felt like I worked hard and got something from it. It was also nice that I didn’t get first because there was still more I could improve on and ways to see how I can get better,” Radford said. Although forensics takes a lot of commitment, Radford believes the anticipated benefits of joining the club are worth the extra effort. “I decided to join forensics because I wanted to become better at public speaking and I thought it would challenge me to act and to be vulnerable with a crowd,” Radford said.

14 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 2.14.20

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A&E All District Excites Singers

FRIDAY 2.14.20 | THE ROYAL NEWS I 15

MAN ON THE

STREET

Skye Watkins

TRN Writer

rince George High School vocalists keep their calm as they tap their feet to the beat of the songs that they practice, projecting beautiful notes with an undeniable passion. Junior Nadia Artus is just one of the many who are going to All District, and are preparing for the joy and stress of the event. “It’s really enjoyable, just learning new things from new people and what they’re better at and what I’m better at and being able to lean off of each other,” Artus said. Meeting new people during an event such as all-districts could produce much growth for some students. New techniques could be learned, and friendships could be made along the way that could make an impact on students’ musical journeys. Many students are also auditioning for All-State and are excited for another great experience that they can expect as well. For some this is due to experiences that they have had in the past. “I would adore to get in again, I know it would be another great experience,” senior Bridget Hanscom said. Hanscom would be going again, with more experience and growth that she will be able to apply to this year’s auditions to prove herself better than she was last year. Students spend their time practicing with their teacher, Storm Burks, in order to be prepared for more than just the experience. Hanscom has found a great appreciation for Burks through the time spent with him. He pushes her to grow and work as hard as possible to reach her highest goals. He creates bonds in

“I am beyond excited to meet new people that love and have the same passion for music as I do,” junior Elena Maldenado said.

“It’ll be the best singers from all over the district coming to create a choir,” senior Antonio Carpenter.

his class between students, resulting in comfort for some students. “Our class atmosphere, it feels like a family so if you make mistakes then it’s okay,” sophomore Danisha Jones said. Though Jones has experienced stress through preparing for auditions, she has also been able to let some of that go due to the atmosphere and people that she is surrounded by that are constantly supporting her efforts. Although a support group is one way to keep students motivated, there are other key factors that keep these vocalists pushing through the ups and downs. “It’s really just the thought of what would happen if I got in and how it would look on colleges and how it would affect my life in the long run,” Artus said. Though education is not a main

Juniors Nadia Artus and Laci Lipford prepare for the next song in their winter concert. Both Lipford and Artus scored as alternates for All State last year and will be auditioning again this year and attending All Districts. Photo by Annie Lin. focus in events such as these, it will provide many benefits once students start looking at colleges, and will impress anyone who takes a look at their history. With this experience students get to see growth in themselves, others, and the All District choirs as a whole. “I’m excited to see how the people in the other departments do, because I know they’ve grown a lot,” Hanscom said.

“i’m excited about meeting new people and learning more,” sophomore Elisha Brazile said.

“I’m most excited about the fact that I get to be around a group of students who enjoy doing the same thing I do,” junior Kacy Figueroa said.

16 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 2.14.20

A&E Gamer's Corner Rainbox Six 2020 Invitational Gets Started

ince the start of the year Tom Clancy’s: Rainbow Six Siege has been gearing up for its Pro League Invitational in Quebec, Canada. The event is going to be held at Place Bell Arena and streamed live on Twitch.tv. The qualifiers are currently being streamed on Twitch daily. The Invitational will be made up of 16 teams and they’ll play in a bracket format for a prize pool of 3 million dollars. There are many well known teams in this pool. Such as FAZE, DarkZero, G2,

Nic Brown

Reciprocity, TSM, Ninjas in Pajamas, and Rouge. All of these teams are considered professional Esports teams by ESPN. These teams train and scrimmage with each other all year. Some of them have dedicated their lives to playing video games and some of them have made millions off of it. Along with being on teams, some of these players make a living by being solo creators on platforms such as YouTube, Twitch and Mixr. One of the biggest names in Rainbow Six Esports is a player by the name of Pengu. Pengu is a player for G2 and has amassed an astounding 170,000 Twitter followers and 447,000 followers on his YouTube channel. Pengu’s team, G2 Esports, was

the 2018 World Champions for the Rainbow Six Dreamhack winter invitational. They alone won over half a million dollars in just that one tournament. G2 has made over $6 million with all tournament wins in the history of the team. The Esports Scene has taken the gaming community by storm and has given gamers the ability to win amazing prizes and build up reputations by just playing games they love. Make sure to tune into

Promotional photo courtesy of Ubisoft. the live stream on twitch.tv February 14-16 to see the top Rainbow Six teams duke it out for the first place prize and title. Remember gamers stay safe and game on.

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WINTER SPORTS

Relay Team Prepares For Regionals Girls 4x200 Team Looks To Rewrite History After Falling Short Last Year Deana Nichols

FRIDAY 2.14.20 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 17

Senior Spotlight

Basketball Cheer LAUREN GAMBILL

Sports Editor

he nervous anticipation as a runner is waiting to receive the baton from the leg coming towards them. In those crucial seconds, concentration is key. After falling short last indoor season, the girls 4x200 meter relay team is ready to beat that time in order to qualify for states. Returning is senior Gabbey Miner and sophomore Brooklyn Robinson, teaching and preparing the newbies. “We’ve been practicing a lot, taking things serious and working outside of practice,” Robinson said. “We’re putting extra hours into it. Two out of the four runners also play basketball along with running track. Balancing both can make an athlete’s week busy. With basketball and track practice everyday after school and track meets on Wednesdays and weekends, it can be hard for them to find time to work on homework or relax and have a day off. “Not being able to go to track practice the days I need to when I run the next weekend,” junior Mariah Washington said. Outside of just the 4x200 meter, each of the girls run in different events such as the 55 meter dash and the 300 meter dash. Throughout the season, the girls have each beat their own personal time records, helping them become faster. These times help them prepare for states. “I hope we make it to states, but if not I hope we at least set a personal record in our 4x200m relay,” Miner said. For Miner, this is her last year as a part of the 4x200 meter relay team. After setting a school record during the 2019 indoor season, this is her last chance. Running with Robinson is muscle memory,

What inspired you to cheer for basketball? I did rec cheer for many years for football before and decided to try the basketball season for the school. How long have you been cheering for basketball? Since my 8th grade year, so for the last five years. but Washington and Lipkins are new. It is the responsibility of both girls to teach them what they know and how to prepare. “Learning new steps when receiving the baton is important, like learning when to start shuffling during a baton exchange. Each step number is different with each new runner,” Miner said. Last season the team was .08 seconds away from qualifying for states, even though they set a school record. That nail biter has left a stain on the girls up until this point. Keeping this in the back of their minds, the girls are giving practice everything they have in order to prevent this from happening again. “It was very upsetting knowing that we lost two former members in the 4x200 and knowing that we would need to find more members and be stronger next year,” Robinson said.

Sophomore Brooklyn Robinson runs in a different event at the Dinwiddie meet to help gain speed. Throughout the season, Robinson along with the rest of the 4x200 relay team has been setting personal records. Photo by Chandler Coleman. Miner is the only senior on the relay team. This is a big deal for the team. “Depending on where I ultimately attend I may participate in walk-on tryouts, especially if I stay in-state at VCU,” Miner said. With there being one girl in each grade, it can be beneficial in the learning process. Miner is able to be an example to the other girls as they continue to grow as runners as well as in school. “I hope that we qualify for states and make it to nationals,” Washington said.

What are your plans after high school? I plan on going to Rappahannock Community College for business. What is your favorite part about basketball cheer? Being able to watch the game while supporting the team. What is your favorite movie? Scooby Doo because I’m a kid at heart. It’s always been my favorite because of the dog and they solve mysteries. What is your dream job? I would like to be a salon owner because I’m in a cosmetology class right now and it’s just something I really enjoy.

18 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 2.14.20

WINTERSPORTS

Ashcraft Finds Balance With Three Sports Jewel Harry

TRN Writer

enior Molly Ashcraft juggles three sports throughout the school year. She works on managing her time so that she gets everything she needs done, while also making time for fun. Playing so many sports while being able to manage time for other important things in her life can be challenging but rewarding. Which sports do you participate in during the three seasons? I play varsity sideline and competition cheer during the fall, varsity basketball during the winter, and varsity softball during the spring. How do you balance practices with your school work? I balance my school work and sports by my time management. When I finish an assignment in another class and have extra time, I try and get the majority of my homework done so I won’t have a lot to do that night. Have you come up with a system that is efficient and works well for you? If so, what is it? Yes, we have study hall everyday before [basketball] practice and I am allowed to go home before games. Therefore, I do most, if not all of my homework then. What do you like about each of those sports? With cheerleading, it is something that challenges me. I did not cheer through my whole life like others, so for me I had

to work extra hard and it was something completely different than my other two sports and that’s what made me fall in love with it. With basketball, I have been playing since I was five and my sister played basketball throughout her life including through college, so being around the atmosphere, it came easy to me and I always stuck with it. With softball, it was something I asked my parents to do when I was about six. My sister never played and my brother played baseball, so for me this was a sport that I was great at and was able to achieve in. What is the easiest part of balancing your time? What’s the hardest? Finding time for me to have down time is the hardest. I don’t often get a break and when I do, I still have workouts through the break of each sport. The easiest thing is, having a social life. With all these sports, I have made tons of friends and many new memories so it is easy to also include my social life with my sports. What are your college plans? My original plan was to further my softball and education at Richard Bland College. But now, I realize I do not want to play softball at the next level and am looking at my other offers from the other two sports. I hope to get accepted into my two dreams school which are Averett University and Longwood University. Is there ever time when you have nothing going on? If so, what do you do in that free time? Normally I’m always involved with a. sport. Even in the summer I am playing travel softball. But when I do, I attend 4H summer camp for different counties including Prince George.

Senior Molly Ashcraft scans the ﬂoor in search of an open teammate to pass the ball to. Ashcraft has been one of the top scorers this season. Photo by Madison Bailey.

19 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 2.14 .20

PH TO GALLERY

Final Home Game Honors Seniors Royals Lose To Thomas Dale 70-63, Still Qualify For Playoffs

1. 4.

For more photos of varsity basketball go to www.trnwired.smugmug.com

1. Senior Tavian Morris goes for the layup while being guarded by two defenders. “It’s good that we made it, but I feel like we could have done a lot better against teams to finish them off,” Morris said. 2. Sophomore Curtis Allen races to the end of the court dodging Thomas Dale’s defense. “It’s a blessing cause right now we are sitting at 10-11, and a lot of people who don’t get this opportunity, so we have to take advantage of it,” Allen said. 3. Senior Harmony Thomas joins Gifford in the center of the gym with her parents, celebrating their last game together as high school seniors. Thomas is a captain of the team and is preparing for a competition on February 29th. 4. The cheerleaders cheer at the last home game of the season with seniors Lauren Gambill, Lea Lewellen, Masako Kaneko, and Shontel Bye (left to right). “It [cheer team] taught me to be loud, and confident,” Bye said. 5. Junior Jamareon Brown goes to shoot the ball in an attempt to put his team on top. This is Brown’s first year at Prince George and on the Royals basketball team. 6. Senior Kailey Gifford smiles at the camera to capture her senior moment with her parents. Gifford has been dancing on the dance team since 8th grade, and was also a captain this year. Photos taken by Macie Blankenship and Nic Brown.

SPRING SPORTS

UPCOMING EVENTS

>> Varsity Boys and

Girls Soccer Tryouts on Monday, February 24th at 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

>> Varsity Softball

Tryouts on Monday, February 24th at 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

>> Varsity Baseball

>> Varsity Boys and Girls

Tryouts on Monday, February 24th at 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

Tennis Tryouts on Monday, February 24th at 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

Wrestlers Keep Focus On Conditioning Throughout Season Carter Marks

Online EIC

Junior William Headley sizes up his opponent as his match begins. The Royals went against the Matoaca Warriors. Photo taken by Katherine Thacker. For more photos of the wrestling match against Matoaca scan this QR code .

he feeling of being sweaty, thirsty, and hungry are all how wrestlers feel before weigh ins. There are never any David and Goliath matchups considering each athlete will wrestle someone with very similar weight. With the window of weight loss that wrestlers must undergo, head coach Glen Thomas contributes a lot of this to their food diets. “I inform them that they should always just watch what they eat,” Thomas said. “Eating breakfast and small throughout the day is key.” To start the year, each wrestler goes through a hydration test in order to see how far up and down their weight can ﬂuctuate. “We take a hydration test at the beginning of the season which allows each wrestler to know how much weight they can lose each week,” Thomas said. “Throughout the season, the wrestlers get growth allowances of a pound, so by the end of the season, [they] can weigh two pounds over their weight class.” Under Virginia High School League regulations for wrestling weight loss, it says males who have a body fat over 7%, they can lose a maximum of 1.5% of their baseline body weight per week. “To cut weight, I normally wear as many layers as possible to practice, to work up a sweat,” junior William Headley said. “Water weight is a big factor in dropping weight, so I can drop 5 to 7 pounds each practice If I

wear layers and work up a hard sweat.” If the wrestler weighs in the morning of the meet and they are overweight, they will not eat at all that day. Some will even carry around an empty water bottle to spit in to make sure they have as little water weight in their system as possible. “Losing up to a half pound to a pound is not that extreme, but when you’re losing five pounds in one weekend, that is when you are getting extreme,” school nurse Tonya Bryant said. Even if a wrestler might think they are safe and do not need to worry about their weight, a lot of them still do the process of fasting just in case they are too heavy. “After weigh ins, every single wrestler either brings something to eat, or buys something to eat, just to get carbs and energy back into their system so they can wrestle without getting tired,” Headley said. For first year wrestler, junior Ethan Post, he has been under his weight class all season so far but coming out of the weekend of January 24-26, he was over the set weight. In just one week he had to crack down on his day-to-day habits in order to wrestle. “Last week I lost around 8-9 pounds,” Post said. “I would try not to eat too much at lunch, I would still eat but something light like nuts or sometimes some fruit. I try to avoid food with a lot of sodium because it retains water. Then I go to practice for two and a half hours and the heat is turned up and I usually wear sweatpants, two shirts, and a sweatshirt.” The diet any athlete consumes is detrimental to their sport, but wrestling especially. As a coach and parent, one would definitely have to monitor your athletes style of making weight to make sure no problems occur that will affect their life long term.