January 2015

Prince George H.S. - 7801 Laurel Spring Rd. Prince George, VA 23875- www.trnwired.org - January 23, 2015

Volume XIII ISSUE 4 Free

Single Copy Only

trn The Royal News

BAND TRAINS FOR ORLANDO TRIP p. 10-11 p. 8 NEWLYWEDS FACE ADVERSITY p. 13 TRIVIATHAT INTRIGUES THE MIND

p. 20 NEW COACH TAKES THE REINS

Junior Keyanna Ferguson sports a pair of Mickey Mouse ears in the lead up to the band’s Orlando field trip. The trip will be from April 7th-11th.

Photo by Devan Fishburne.

Visit trnwired.org to see the latest photo galleries and watch live broadcast events.

2 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 1.23.15

OP/ED

Native American: “So, you still don’t see what the issue is?”

theRoyalNews

Businessman: “No, not at all!”

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.

Section Editors Front page: Devan Fishburne-Op/Ed: Reeve Ashcraft-News: Hydeia Nutt-Features: Ebony Gilchrist and Angelica MartinezDoubletruck: Qadirah Monroe-A&E : April Buckles-Sports: Ryan Albright and Madison Strang-Photo Editor/Distribution and Events: Debra Thomas- Social Media Editor: Ronnie Dayvault - Business & Ad Editor: Daniel Puryear-Online Editor-in-Chief: Travis Temple-Special Edition Editor-In-Chief Sarah Daniel

Writers Alesondra Adams-Paul Dennis-Tyneshia Griffin-Brooke Guerrero-Rosemarie Hopkins-Cassie Kolbo-Corey LeeMatteo Reed-Chance Thweatt-Tyrah Washington-Tiana Whaley

Editor-in-Chief Lindsay Pugh

Managing Editor Devan Fishburne

Business Manager Daniel Puryear

Adviser

Chris Waugaman

Professional affiliations & awards Columbia Scholastic Press Associations Gold Medalist 2008-2013 CSPA Gold Crown Winner 2010 & 2013 Virginia High School Association Trophy Class 2006-2013 Col. Charles Savedge Award for Sustained Excellence 2010 NSPA Online Pacemaker Winner 2011 & 2014 NSPA Online Pacemaker Finalist 2014 SIPA All Southern 2008-2014

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

Obama Proposes Free Community College

O

Illustration by Qadirah Monroe.

Proposed Pipeline Shows Disrespect To Native Americans

T

he proposed Keystone XL pipeline has been the subject of much controversy.

Republicans claim the pipeline will create jobs and reduce American dependence on foreign oil, while environmentalists distrust the pipeline’s safety and fear a leak would poison underground water supplies.

Throughout the deliberations, one technical detail that renders all of the arguments moot has been remained almost completely unaddressed.

The pipeline would run through the Rosebud Sioux Tribe’s reservation, and implementing the pipeline without their consent violates their rights as a sovereign nation. President Cyril Scott of the Sioux tribe released a statement calling approval “an act of war against our nation,” expressing concern about the pipeline’s effect on the Tribe’s only source of water and their crop growth.

The U.S. government has a legal obligation to consult with the tribe about any national projects on their land, which Scott says has not been met. Chairman of the Sac and Fox nation George Thurman is also fearful that the excavation for the 1,200 mile pipeline will turn up and damage Indian artifacts and burial sites, which have been legally protected under the 1990

Native American Graves protection and Repatriation Act. Meanwhile, representatives for TransCanada, the industrial provider for Keystone XL, insist that consultation with Indian tribes is a courtesy, not a legal necessity, and that the pipeline will not disturb reservation land.

This is just another example of the United States’ government’s historical utter lack of respect for Native Americans. Since settlers landed on American shores, they have made and broken land treaties with Native Americans with alarming frequency and an attitude of nonchalance. Even today, the government neglects its obligations to Native Americans. The government maintains 183 Native American schools in 23 states, but they remain critically underfunded and low-achieving, and students drop out at twice the national rate. 25% of Native Americans live below the poverty line, and the rate of crime on Indian reservations is two and a half times higher than the national average.

Furthermore, Native Americans have had to endure shameful racism, dismissal of their rights and culture. and neglect at the hands of the government for hundreds of years.

At the very least they should be consulted in decisions about their land and their children’s futures without having to fight for the right.

n Thurs., January 8, 2015, President Barack Obama released a statement in a speech given upon Air Force REEVE ASHCRAFT One involving the possibility of making community college free for all those who are willing to work hard.

“Put simply, what I’d like to do is to see the first two years of community college free for everybody who is willing to work for it,” Obama said.

Obama has been discussing this plan since his 2013 State of the Union Address and is working to reduce the pain of skyrocketing tuition prices on the wallets of Americans yearning for higher education.

The President went on to also state this plan is not for kids as of right now, but for those who are seeking to better their careers, but do not have the means to. His plan would hopefully continue on to provide better and cheaper education for all students seeking to achieve a college degree.

Almost immediately after the video was released, Speaker of the House John Boehner released a statement through his spokesman stating the plan was too primitive to be taken seriously and has too many questions without answers.

“With no details or information on the cost, this seems more like a talking point than a plan,” Boehner’s spokesman said.

I have a personal soft spot for education and am very excited that Obama made this pledge to bring education to those that can’t afford it. Though it brings questions about the expense of the plan, the federal government would provide 75% and the states would pay for the other 25%.

Everyone deserves a chance to be liberated from the chains of ignorance and a society more focused on education, is a more stable and content society with more opportunities for all.

FRIDAY 1.23.15 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 3

OP/ED

Is Common Core The Best Option?

With a small number of states already adapting to the new academic curriculum, the rest of the of the country is trying to figure out whether Common Core is the best option for educating its students. Should this be a matter of the federal government, or should states remain in control of public education?

O

ver the last six years, states across the nation have adopted the Common Core State Standards Initiative, an initiative to homogenize states’ educational standards nationally and ensure that students graduating from high school are prepared for higher education and the

workforce.

43 states are currently using the Common Core State Standards from kindergarten to 12th grade. However, five states and two territories are not implementing the standards, including Virginia. Common Core was developed by educational professionals to increase the rigor of language arts, literacy, and mathematics while giving teachers more flexibility to decide what learning instruments, topics, or literature they want to use in the classroom.

Contrary to the copious amount of instructional benchmarks that state standards require teachers to meet, the Common Core implements fewer benchmarks and general guidelines. The general guidelines do not list strict rules dictating that certain books should be read in Language Arts, but instead, Common Core suggests that as a student progresses through grade levels, that the instructional text should increase in complexity and textual difficulty.

Without the stress of countless benchmarks, teachers will be enabled to implement creative activities and projects. Secondly, unlike typical standardized learning requirements, teachers will not have to cover many concepts within a subject, but they will have the opportunity to highlight the concepts that are fundamental.

By decreasing the number of topics that must be taught, students can retain the information without cramming for daily testing.

Another upside to the Common Core State Standards Initiative is that it is just that, a “State Standard Initiative.” There will be no intervention by the federal government suggesting changes in the guidelines or the mission of The Common Core State Standards.

PRO CON TYNESHIA GRIFFIN

SARAH DANIEL

“By teachers having to meet these strict standards, students will only learn “by the books.”

“By decreasing the number of topics that must be taught, students can retain information without cramming...”

“Students with special needs will be forced to compete at the same level as other students...”

C

ommon Core has become a widely adopted standard of learning since the standards for English and Mathematics were released in 2010. According to the Home Educators Association of Virginia, states were offered a total of 4.35 billion dollars to adopt the Common Core standards. Although Common Core would offer countrywide standard of learning, it should not be implemented in the school system due to its major disadvantages.

Firstly, Common Core puts students with special needs at a disadvantage; Common Core does not offer an altered set of standards for them. Students with special needs will be forced to compete at the same level as other students, thus making it impossible for them to continue to develop.

Furthermore, the Common Core Standards will force all students to develop faster with more intense work and education at a faster speed. Students will be unable to fully understand each topic.

Also, this standard will only create more stress. By teachers having to meet these strict standards, students will only learn things “by the books,” instead of ideas that will help them in the real world.

These new standards will not only affect the students, but also the teachers. Enforcement of these standards will only challenge teachers and make them less willing to teach. The teachers who have been in the profession for a long period of time may be unwilling to change the way they have been teaching. Also, since Common Core is largely on-line, many schools will not be able to afford the technology needed for these standards.

Common Core should not be implemented in school because the increased stress it places on students, the disadvantage it puts on students with special needs, the possibility of losing many experienced teachers, and the inability of the school to fit the cost of technology into its budget.

Illustration by Qadirah Monroe.

4 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 1.23.15

THUNDER COAL

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FRIDAY FRIDAY12.12.14 1.23.15||THE THEROYAL ROYALNEWS NEWS ||55

BRIEFLY

N e wYe a r N e wYo u There are things that we use and see everyday that can help us become a better person. Some of those things are included in our daily activities.

Three ways to become a better person in the year of 2015 using your computer and iPhone.

C t r l Alt o CONTROL yourself

PGHS will be having a second spirit week. It will be from Jan. 26th through Jan. 30th.

Attention all seniors, Yearbook has extended the deadline for senior ads. The new deadline for senior ads will be at the end of January. See Mr. Waugaman for more information or check out the @royalsmedianow Twitter feed for details.

Look for ALTERNATIVE solutions

y

m

If you successfully follow these steps you can be a new you in the new year.

Del u DELETE situations that give you tension and negative energy Boys soccer conditioning will begin on Monday, February 12, 2015, after school, 3 to 5 p.m. on the field hockey field. All participants must have a completed VHSL physical on file or give it to Coach Harrison. All activities will take place outside so dress for the weather.

PGHS is adopting Justin L. Tyler who is currently stationed in Afghanistan. Please consider bringing things like toiletries, snacks, cookies, nuts and beef jerky to donate for this care package. Drop them off in A-23.

6 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 1.23.15

FEATURES Ferguson Verdict Hits Home Students Share Opinions on the Ferguson Shooting and Protests.

Corey Lee trn writer

O

n August 9, 2014 shots rang out in the small town of Ferguson, Missouri that are still heard today. The shots were heard all across the nation, even through the halls of PGHS. That August day, Michael Brown was fatally shot by Officer Darren Wilson after a skirmish between the officer and the young man. After the shooting, there were many witness reports that Brown was surrendering to Wilson with his hands up.

Other reports stated that Brown rushed the officer when he was killed. Since then, there have been a rise in the number of protests concerning the tensions between the police officers in the nation and the people they are sworn to protect. Many of these protests are turning violent. From wearing t-shirts with popular phrases, to speaking out with their friends, students have been getting involved in the controversy that is surrounding this event.

Senior Tyler Gibson has been enrolled in the criminal justice class at Rowanty Technical Center for the past two years and plans to go into law enforcement after he graduates from high school. Gibson believes that Wilson was in the right when he used his weapon to resolve the issue at Ferguson.

“I feel the whole event is tragic,” Gibson said. “It always is tragic when someone loses a life, whether they are black, white, red or blue. Race should not be an issue, especially not in the case of Ferguson.”

Gibson believes that what happened in Ferguson should not be an issue of race or anything of that nature, and society is turning it into that. “[Race] is an issue that society has made it. We need to focus on the events that led up to the shooting and the facts of what happened,” Gibson said.

In the criminal justice class Gibson has been taught and practiced ways to up hold

the law and the things that it takes to become a police officer.

“Policing is a job about protecting people and their property and enforcing laws,” Gibson said. “They make decisions in split seconds that lawyers and people won’t understand and are always going to pick apart.”

Gibson supports people’s right to participate in protests that are being held responsibly, and believes that it is our right to speak out. He does not feel that the protests that are being held in this case are being done so in the right way.

“People have the right to peacefully protest, which the police fully support,” Gibson said. “The police in Ferguson were subduing and arresting a numerous bunch of hostile and combative peoples that were burning down and looting businesses.”

Nathan Johnson is a junior who is very out spoken on his feelings about the events that occurred in Ferguson and believes that Michael Brown was wronged in this event, and received no justice from the court systems.

“A young African American male was shot down for no reason,” Johnson said. “I mean, he could have been arrested. Officer Darren Wilson could have enforced his ability to arrest him better.”

Johnson supports the protests that have come from this situation that are being held in a responsible and proper manner.

“I support the peaceful protests. I don’t support the riots,” Johnson said.

“Over the course of the couple months the protests have become more organized and are better.”

Johnson speaks his mind about these events and finds ways to show his support for what he feels is right.

“A couple of my friends and I talk about it all the time. I bought a shirt that says ‘No justice. No peace,’” Johnson said.

Johnson believes that the issue of the tension between the police and the people needs to be addressed, along with the recent accounts of police brutality.

“We are supposed to be protected by the law, but the law keeps on killing us,” Johnson said.

FEATURES

FRIDAY 1.23.15 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 7

Local Gym Promotes Health Students Work Towards Fitness Goals At Walker’s Gym.

I

Paul Dennis trn writer

t is said that some succeed because they are destined, but most succeed because they are determined. Being already a month into the New Year, people are in the process of trying to follow through with their resolutions.

Sophomore Keith Brown is doing all he can and more to accomplish what he promised himself, and going to Walker’s Gym has been a huge part of that.

“My New Year’s resolution is to improve my speed and strength drastically. I want to succeed and be better and stronger on the football field. I go to a gym every week and run track, because I know that hard work is going to get results,” Brown said.

Brown goes to Walker’s Gym on a regular basis, and enjoys the experience.

“I really enjoy the people, and talking to Mr. Walker. He is fun to talk to and be around, and it’s a family environment.

The equipment is great and what I’m looking for is always there. I probably like the encouraging attitude that seems to fill the place the most though,” Brown said.

Brown won’t be the only person looking to improve himself, as Junior Elijah Smith-Thomas will also be working this year to get better.

“My New Year’s resolution is to be able to bench 300 pounds by August, and to improve my strength and speed,” SmithThomas said.

Smith-Thomas knows that in order to get better in the weight room and on the field, a level of determination unrivaled by anything else is required.

“I eventually want to improve my character physically and mentally, and become a better person through the work that I put into the weight room,” Smith Thomas said.

Smith-Thomas had been to a few gyms, but he feels that Walker’s Gym is the best.

“I believe that it’s the best gym around to go to. The thing about walkers is that they instill dedication and work ethic into your character,” said Smith Thomas. “I’ve been to Gold’s Gym and the YMCA, and Walker’s is the best. The only gym that can match the intensity is Royals gym, and Walkers is open much more often. I honestly believe that Walker’s is the best in the area.”

Barry Walker owns Walker’s Gym. He also serves as N.B. Clements’s officer.

This is a job that requires conditioning and physical readiness, and Walker is the prime example of such.

“I was competing at the time and I wanted to do a job I liked,” Walker said. “I opened the gym on December 1st of 1991.”

Walker doesn’t just look at managing an entire gym as an occupation; he looks at it as a lifestyle.

“I’m at the gym every day of the week doing something. I do a weight program and cardio program every day of the week. I have never needed to make a New Year’s resolution focused on improving myself physically because I have always trained and would never stop staying in shape,” Walker said.

Walker is determined to continue maintaining the crisp image of determination and willpower that Walker’s Gym has.

Willpower, resolve, and the drive are all skills that can be built. Walker’s Gym is a great place to become better, both physically and mentally. Mr. Walker strives to provide his best to the community, and he does so by being a prime example of physically fit.

N.B. Clements Junior High School Security Officer Barry Walker stands with his wife, Jeany Walker, in the gym he owns and operates. Walker’s Gym, located in nearby Hopewell, is one of many area gyms that is helping students achieve their New Years’ Resolutions.

Photo contributed by Barry Walker.

8 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 1.23.15

FEATURES

Young Couples Face Adversity

Teen Brides Break Stereotypes of Marrying Young.

Alesondra Adams trn writer

F

or most high school students, their plans after graduation include either continuing their education in college or trade school, or joining the work force. However, students at PGHS are finding love early, and beginning their adult lives with a partner.

Teen marriage is defined as, “the union of two adolescents, joined in marriage from the age of 13-19 years old.”

Many elements contribute to teen marriage such as teen pregnancy, religion, or peer pressure.

Senior Kourtney Nossett recently had her wedding over Christmas break.

At 18, she believes her story is different from the stereotypical love story of Romeo and Juliet.

“I don’t look at our relationship as Romeo and Juliet. Our parents approved of everything, and [Ryan] asked my dad for permission,” Nossett said.

Two-thirds of teens who get married live away from their spouse. This is because of things such as college or financial issues.

“We actually live together now. [I] plan on going to college; nothing will stop us from following our dreams together,” Nossett said.

Along with marriages, a few engagements took place over the Christmas break as well. Senior Katelyn Keyser, also 18, believes her recent engagement is a jump-start to their lives together.

“He proposed to me on New Year’s Day. We decided to get married now because we’ve been together for four years and we’ve talked about it, but he surprised me when he asked me [to marry him]. We’ve been together for so long,”

Keyser said.

During the early 2000’s, 4.5% of teens aged from 15-19 were married.. In Virginia, the law states that “if either of you are under the age of 18, you must have written, notarized consent from a parent or legal guardian.”

“Both of our families approve [of the engagement],” Keyser said.

According to the Virginia Department of Health in 2012, 216 marriages were recorded in Prince George County. None of those marriages were amongst teenagers. In the state of Virginia there were 774 recorded marriages involving 18 year olds also in the year 2012. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, almost half of marriages that involve teenagers from 18 years or younger divorce within the first 10 years.

Though she got married at age 23, guidance counselor April Ford does not believe in the word “divorce.”

“Neither of us believes in divorce. When bad things happen, we work together and try to get through it,” Ford said.

Along with Ford, there are others who think strongly of the divorce rate.

“I don’t base our marriage] on statistics.

I base it on

how I feel about him and how he feels about me,” Nossett said.

The greatest advantage to being married at a young age is that the couple will have more time to build a family, versus a couple who marries later on.

“I’m excited to have kids. We’re waiting a couple of years so we can pay off student loans,” Ford said.

Now the young pairs are looking toward what the future has in store for their union.

“I’m really happy about the engagement. I’m excited to plan [the wedding].

We plan to get married next year in the spring,” Keyser said.

One student in particular, in regard to her recent wedding, believes nothing can make her happier than right now.

“I feel like the happiest girl in the world. Ryan makes me so happy; I love him,” Nossett said.

Newlywed Kourtney Nossett embraces her husband on the day of her wedding. Nossett is one of two seniors at PGHS to betroth over winter break.

Photo contributed by Kourtney Nossett.

A&E

FRIDAY 1.23.15 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 9

Trends That Need To End Students Debate The End Of Trends In The New Year.

Student Q&A Q. What trends do you think will never go out of style?

“Everything will go out of style eventually,” sophomore Gabriela Hall said.

Q. What trends do you want to see go out of style?

“Sagging, because it’s very inappropriate,” senior Angela Henry said.

Q. What fashion trends do you think will never go out of style?

Most popular answers: Leggings & Sperry’s

Surveys collected from 100 students in their 5th block classes.

10 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 1.23.15

Band Trains For Orlando Trip After Their Performance At The Winter Concert, Band Students Being To Prepare For Their Spring Trip To Disney World.

Why is the band taking trip to Orlando? “[They’re going to] go to Disney World Theme Parks. [There] they are going to a workshop at Holly wood Studios, and we are recording a soundtrack for a movie. Anyone in band classes or marching band gets to go. It’s taking place on April 7-11.”

Is this the first time the band has traveled to Florida?

“No, it’s been six or seven years, but we have been there a couple times in the past. I’ve taken the band to Orlando three times. We’ve also been to the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tennessee. We’ve been to Miami for the Orange Bowl and I’ve taken them to New York City. At the college bowl games we play the half time performance.”

Band director Michael Warnock conducts the ban during a sight-reading war up.

Exercises such as sight-rea ing aid students in preparat for the workshop.

FRIDAY 1.23.15 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 11

When you were in high school, did you go on any trips that had a significant effect on you as a musician?

What is the band doing to prepare for this trip?

What do you want your students to take away from the workshop?

“We are working with sight-reading. The music that they have to do has to be done before ever seeing it. Basically, [sight-reading] is exactly that same as reading in English class, except that it’s music instead of words. They only get to go through it one, maybe two, times.”

“It’s kind of an overall experience. Just the chance to be in a live recording studio and learn how the recording process works. Just that they get chance to see what it is like to be in a real recording studio and see what it is like to record for a movie.”

What are your expectations for the workshop?

What was the best experience What is your favorite part that you’ve had on a field trip about working with band with the band? students?

“The same as in the past. I’m just hoping that they will get the chance to sight-read and record. I thought it would be pretty amazing. [In the past] it has been positive and the students always enjoyed it. I feel great. It’s going to be a really good time.”

nd rm

adation

“The best experience would have to be at Tulsa.

Any time that the students get to work with another group of teachers, like with the bowl games and with the studio experience that we’re doing this time around, it’s always great because they get to hear a lot of new information.”

Percussion

Q

Where are you traveling with the band this year?

A

“Disney in Orlando to do a workshop.

We’re going to do an in-park performance if we can’t do the workshop.”

Q

What do you think this trip will do for you as a musician?

A

“Four or five days, over spring break.”

Caitlyn Bishop

Flute & Picallo

“They come in and they’re ready to go. They love doing what they do. They all really want to be good at what they’re doing, so it’s really great.”

How long have you been playing instruments?

Brayden Gormley Sophomore

“We went on a couple. We went to Colorado Springs, Colorado and then we went to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. There we preformed and we completed. And then I did a little bit of touring with the army band, which was also pretty fun.

Then, I played percussion.”

Senior Spotlight

Q A Q A Q A

Have you ever gone to a workshop or competition with the band in the past?

“I’ve been playing since middle school.

Eight years.”

“I went to King’s Dominion last year with the band. We did and in-park performance which is where we play in an auditorium on the park grounds.”

“I signed up for band just to try it and [my teacher] put a mouth piece to my mouth. I blew into it and he said I was a flute player.”

What are you most excited about doing in Orlando?

“Hopefully, Brigham Young University.”

Why did you decide to play these instruments?

Have you yet decided on a college?

Do you intend on playing in your university’s band?

“I’m excited about learning more music from Disney.”

“Yes. I know its going to be challenging, but at the same time I know I’ll put in the hard work.”

How long will this trip be?

What have you learned in band that you will take with you throughout life?

“I think that the experience will expand my overall knowledge of music. “

“Dedication. Practicing [music] helps with school work because it works different parts of the brain. [Being in band] also helps me memorize things”

12 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 1.23.15

Contact Us:

FRIDAY 1.23.15 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 13

A&E Gamer's Corner

T

he Far Cry series is a unique one to say the absolute least. With a history of compelling titles under its belt and a winning formula for suc-

cess, it is rather odd that Far Cry 4, the latest franchise outing, falls so flat. When held to average standards, Far Cry 4 is an excellent video game, but when held to the standards of its own predecessors it is arguably the weakest of the entire series. That is to say Far Cry 4 is a remarkable game, just a mediocre Far Cry game.

Far Cry 4 admittedly starts out with a bang, but that initial excitement fizzles out all too quickly. The antagonist of the open-world shooter makes his presence known within minutes of seeing the title screen, and that is

Travis Temple

both a treat and a tease. The superbly written villain is the single best part of the entire experience, but after the initial excursion with the psychopathic dictator he remains unheard of until much, much later. This is a grave error on behalf of the writers, because the relatively lengthy game quickly becomes stale without the man featured on the game’s box art. He returns eventually, but it feels half-baked after going so long without him.

Even though standout moments are few and far between, the gameplay that bridges the gap is as solid and reliable as humanly possible. The Far Cry series has a reputation for strong shooting mechanics and a myriad of side activities to participate in, and Far Cry 4 does not disappoint in this regard. No significant changes are made to the systems established in Far Cry 3, but that is more than okay

considering how near perfect they are.

Poor writing, a rarity in the franchise, is ultimately what sets Far Cry 4 back from greatness, but it redeems itself when it counts. It is difficult to recommend the fourth title in the series wholeheartedly when Far Cry 3 is better in nearly every way, but when taken out of the context of its lineage, Far Cry 4 is an enjoyable first-person shooter worth sinking your teeth into.

Photo courtesy of www.gamepur.com.

Thank You Patrons!

SUPER Varsity Volleyball Team Supporters of #Ashcraft2032 Leann & Roy Binger William Havard Stephanie Bishop Deborah Monroe The Fishburne Family Damaris Hardy The Thweatt Family The Hopkins Family Joyce Hopkins Charity Hopkins

GOLD Jeffery Darby Kim Bailey Cathie Hamlin Varsity Boys Basketball Mrs. Anderson Mrs. Ford The Hill Family Rachel Woods Ryan Albright

GREEN Cathy Cleveland S.B. Jones W. D. Winterson Art Club SADD Club Louise Thornton Ed Kaufman Mike Nelson Jacqueline Diggs

Patrons Cynthia Hasley Donald Newbold Dennis Carr Rose Scott Star-Lord S. Labossiere

David Pollard Nelson Britt Naomi Brown Terry Walker W. D. Winterson Kendall Warren

Forrest Steed M. Williams Mike Hanzlik Lewis Newbill

14 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 1.23.15

www.mwcpa.com Richmond Tri-Cities

Serving Virginia for 70 Years

Prince George Fire & EMS

Looking for a New Year’s Resolution? w

Make a Difference in 2015, Volunteer- Join Our Team! fireems@princegeorgeva.org (804) 722-8614

FRIDAY 1.23.15 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 15

A&E

Trivia That Intrigues The Mind New App Changes Perspective On Learning.

Brooke Guerrero trn writer

Q: On a scale of 1-10 what would you give the game?

Q: How often do you play Trivia Crack?

“Trivia Crack is like a 5, because when you’re playing with people from other areas, they have some advantages over [you], like geography,” junior Dernier Harris said.

“About every other day, I really like it,” sophomore Whitney Hill said.

Q: How often do you play Trivia Crack?

Q: What is your favorite part about Trivia Crack?

“I like playing with people from all over. It’s interesting seeing what they know and comparing it to what I know, ” sophomore Kaitlyn Cary said.

“I play every day. I always send or receive requests,” senior Richard Hanson said.

Q: On a scale of 1-10 what would you give the game?

Q: What is your favorite category?

“My favorite category is Geography,” senior Sarah Diaz said.

Principal Pete Fisher takes a spin on the infamous Trivia Crack wheel. Trivia Crack has been a popular app. Photo by April Buckles.

“I give it a 9 because a lot of the questions are out there. You have to know a lot of random trivia to get it,” sophomore Rhiannon Lawrence said.

16 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 1.23.15

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WINTER SPORTS 4X8 Team Surpasses School Records

Runners Push Boundaries To Break Records During Relay.

Matteo Reed trn writer

S

enior Tyler Spence patiently waits at the starting line until the official starts the race by firing his starter pistol. Spence explodes from his starting stance with a green baton and his hunger to win.

“It feels great to work so hard for something and accomplish it,” Spence said.

The track four by eight is an event where there are four runners on a team.

Each runner runs 800 meters or two laps around the track before passing the baton to their teammate so they can run their two laps.

“Breaking the four by eight record was pretty good,” senior Laurence Blocker said. “Plus I like to see a record get broken, and we have to congratulate the runners and tell them that we have to work harder to beat their own records.”

Breaking records for any sport can be a momentous occasion because it

takes a lot of work and preparation to get close. Some high school athletes have spent months and others years perfecting their talents and conditioning their bodies for the conditions of their sport.

“The preparation was hard and always tough,” Blocker said, “You know trying to work and accomplish something that we put a lot of time into on weekends and late nights but we got the results and we broke the records.”

Building a strong team from a coaching standpoint really depends on the team that has been built thus far. Departing seniors and upcoming seniors have to encourage each other and future runners in the program to continue breaking records and leave a legacy that will be with the school for a long period of time.

Coach Will Stevens was a talented track runner in high school and now he is a Prince George coach taking over the job from Dan Rivera who coached the team last year. Stepping into the coaching position is easy for Stevens due to his experience as an athlete.

“I made it my point that I wanted kids to leave here with legacies,” Stevens said. “That means that they can leave and come back to see their name on the wall

Junior Kaleb Stevens sprints as he tries to get the baton to his teammate as fast as possible. Stevens is a third year varsity track runner.

Photo by Ronnie Dayvault. and know that they did something here that no one else could do at the time.”

Passing the baton from generation to generation is an annual event in all sports due to seniors graduating. The departing seniors have been preparing the team to live on when they graduate by mentoring other runners and sharing experience with the knowledge they have collected over the years.

“It’s beneficial for both me and the future runners,” Blocker said. “Me trying to keep my leadership and set an example for the kids, or younger people should I say, and for them to look up and see what they need to and try to exceed even myself and some of the other track kids.”

Track and field is a sport that many high school athletes call home and aspire to be professionals in. The will not forget the experiences that they have had when they graduate and go off to start their lives but some day will come back to view the legacy they have left.

FRIDAY 1.23.15 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 17

#PayHouston

F

lashback to last year at this time. The Kansas City Chiefs had just begun to get over one of the worst playoff comeback loses of all time, and were starting to look at offseason moves that needed to be made. Outside of the draft, there were contracts that some thought Ryan Albright should have been extended and things like that. They got many deals done, but one major contract that they did not deal with was 2013 pro-bowl OLB Justin Houston, who finished the 2013 season with 11.5 sacks.

Houston held out of training camp before the 2014 season, hoping to get a new contract. During that time, his projected contract was somewhere near 6 years and $50 million dollars (bleacherreport.com).

The Chiefs did not give him a new contract, for whatever the reason.

Now, back to this year. Justin Houston has just finished his last season under contract for the Chiefs. A season that will go down as one of the best ever for a pass rusher, after Houston totaled up 22.0 sacks; second all-time in NFL history, for a single season. After such an elite season, that just so happens to be Houston’s contract year, the predictions for his salary have improved greatly. His new contract prediction is 6 years and $93 million dollars (spotrac. com).

This contract may seem like he is being overpaid, but in reality, it is not that bad of a deal. Compare it to Houston Texan J.J. Watt’s contract which was 6 years and $100 million dollars, and it really is not a bad deal at all, specially when the player that you are signing is one of the most ferocious pass rushers of recent memory.

Houston is not just a true pass rusher, like Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil. He also drops back into pass coverage quite often, making his sack totals even more imposing.

Chiefs fans want Houston signed to a deal so much that many of them took to Twitter and started the hashtag #PayHouston. Some of the biggest Chiefs blog accounts and Chiefs reporters have used this hashtag.

So, come on John Dorsey, #PayHouston.

18 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 1.23.15

PH TOGALLERY

Royals Face Matoaca

For more photos visit www.trnwired.org

Wrestlers Find Individual Success Against Returning State Champions On Jan 7. Despite Team Loss

TOP RIGHT: Sophomore Aaron Freidoff spars with his rival. Freidoff controlled the moment with a single leg take-down. Photo by Corey Lee. BOTTOM RIGHT: Freshman Wallace Canada transitions to pin his opponent to the floor. Canada is one of the youngest teammates on varsity. Canada defeated his opponent, despite a team loss to Matoaca. Photo by Corey Lee.

TOP LEFT: Senior Matt Burgess reaches out to attempt to put his opponent in a headlock. His shoulder injury prohibited him from competing for three weeks. Burgess returned to competition for the first time after being medically cleared to wrestle for the Matoaca match. Photo by Corey Lee. BOTTOM LEFT: Senior Spencer Gifford takes down a Warrior with a cradle. Gifford was able to pin his opponent and win the match. Photo by Corey Lee.

FRIDAY 1.23.15 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 19

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UPCOMING EVENTS

College on Sat., Jan. 24th at 7:30 P.M.

at 3:30 P.M.

New Coach Takes Reins

A

Rosemary Hopkins trn writer

s the batter crushes the softball out to centerfield and rounds first base, she looks for the coach to wave her on, or hold her up. This year Coach Nealan Chandler will be giving directions not from first base, but from third.

Head Coach Pat Waguespack has retired from varsity softball after a long career as head coach and Chandler is stepping up from his position as former assistant.

“The old coach was Pat Waguespack,” said Nealan Chandler. “He had coached softball for 34 years.”

Chandler is glad to have the opportunity to be head coach after working for many years as assistant.

“I applied for the job and was lucky enough to get it,” Chandler said.

Chandler’s transition to assistant coach should be a natural one. He does inherit some different responsibilities, like buying equipment and setting up meetings.

“Yes, there’s a lot of little things, off the field things, the head coach has to take care of,” Chandler said.

Chandler is not new to coaching or to these players.

“Well, he was our assistant coach, so he is not that new,” senior Erica Harris said.

He gave the subject of coaching the team plenty of thought and discussion.

“There was a lot of discussion with my family and with players, because of the time commitment,” Chandler said.

The assistant coach this year is Johnny Clements.

“He is doing well,” Chandler said. “In the past, he’s been the middle school coach.”

Chandler has had a lot of experience as a coach. He is not finding it difficult to balance his work with coaching.

“Luckily, I’ve been teaching and coaching for 25 years,” Chandler said. “I’ve kind of worked through that.”

There are not going to be very many changes made this season. Since Chandler was assistant coach last year, he participated in the coaching.

“We have been very successful in the past, and a lot of the things we do, we do very well,” Chandler said.

The team has a lot of skill. They still have players from last year’s very successful season.

“We’re returning nine players from a team that was regional champs,” Chandler said.

The team members are optimistic towards the coming season. Last year, the team went all the way to states.

“Hopefully, we keep doing as well as we did last year,” Harris said.

Harris is one of the players on the team. She thinks Chandler will do well as head coach. “[Chandler] knows all of us, how we are, and how we play,” Harris said.

Chandler is going to have the team work harder and condition.

“We will practice a little harder and will do conditioning,” Chandler said.

The team members spend a lot of time together.

“I’m with them every day,” Harris said.

The team members are all good friends.

“We have a group of nice girls,” Harris said.

“We all try to get along.”

Chandler is an easy person to talk to.

“You can talk to him,” Harris said. “He is a very open person.”

He wants to raise the spirit of the team.

“We will try to increase team morale,” Chandler said.

Chandler has a clear idea of what the team’s path to success is.

“I think our path to success has always been team unity,” Chandler said. “We also seem to be very talented.”

Chandler knows how to lead the team to victory.

“If we work on our talents and come together as a team, we should be very successful,” Chandler said.

There will not be very many changes this season.

“I don’t think a lot of things will change,” Harris said.

He cannot completely predict the outcome of the upcoming season.

“Softball is a unique game where you can win every day, and lose every day,” Chandler said.

Now head coach Nealan Chandler points to first base during the regional championship game in 2014. Chandler was the assistant coach last year.

Photo by Reeve Ashcraft.

For more upcoming softball pictures go to trnwired.org

7:30 P.M.