March 2014 by chris waugaman

TheROYAL NEWS Volume XII Issue 6

Prince George H.S. - 7801 Laurel Spring Rd. Prince George, VA 23875 - www.trnwired.org -March 19, 2014

FREE Single Issue Copy Only

Music Appreciation

Junior Idalis Webb plays her violin and reflects upon the journey she has traveled to become a violinist. Photo by Danielle Marshall Visit trnwired.org to see the latest photo galleries and watch live broadcast events.

p. 11 Violinist Idalis Webb Shares her talent p.7 Locally owned businesses flourish p.8 Chick-fil-aYields Employment p.17 Talent showUncovers hidden preforming artists p.23 History of modern sports Equipment

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op/ed

Making The Grade

the RoyalNews

Section Editors Front page: Danielle Marshall-Op/Ed: Carolina Bae-News: Christina Buckles-Features: Mallory CoxDoubletruck: Sarah Daniel-A&E : Debra Thomas-Sports: Devan Fishburne-Photo Editor/Distribution and Events: Tiana Kelly-Business & Ad Editor: Deborah Gardner -Online Editor-in-Chief: Lindsay Pugh

Writers Hannah Zuloaga-April Buckles-Daniel Puryear-Austin Britt-Alexis Stewart-Ryan Albright-Travis Temple-Kadera Brown-Qadirah Monroe-Samantha Daniel-Ronald DayvaultAbigail Faircloth-Nathan Williams-Madison Strang-Hydeia Nutt-Reeve Ashcraft-Ebony Gilchrist-Ian Kelty

Editor-in-Chief Courtney Taylor

Managing Editor Danielle Marshall

Business Manager Deborah Gardner

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 & 2013 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

Making the Grade is the staff’s report card for student interest topics.

A+ Illustration by Qadirah Monroe

Snow Days Strain School Calendar

Editorial

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 A4, 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.

he third nine weeks is the second longest of the year; however, we have so far missed eight days of school since this nine weeks started. The amount of days out of school has, in some cases, significantly impacted classes and lesson plans. The county has one day left that can be missed before time has to be made up. The tentative plan, if adding time becomes necessary, is to add 30 minutes onto each school day. This will add less than ten minutes onto each class, which is not going to change the way class is taught. The theory behind this is that a teacher will not have time to start a new lesson in those few minutes and adding onto the current lesson will not catch the student up on the lessons missed. Different school divisions have tried different ways of making up time. For example, Virginia Beach has added several days of school on Saturday. This has proved

itself to be futile, as many students have failed to show up. Without made up time, students are suffering by either having lessons cut from the plan or by being rushed in every lesson due to the time constraint given by standardized tests and the school calendar. The significant number of days missed is also affecting the grading period. With fewer classes, there are fewer grades. This possibly results in distorted grades. One suggestion for fixing this problem in the future is online school. By providing each student with online accounts, on days where school is forced to be canceled, the students can continue right on with their work from home. This would require all students having accessibility to a computer and it would require work from the teacher and cooperation from the students. This has proved to be successful in areas of Northern Virginia and even, to an extent, in some classes within this school.

Retractions Feb. 14, 2014 Issue

80 days left until graduation excite seniors as they end their high school career.

Spring sports are in full swing now and the school eagerly cheers the athletes on.

The grading period will end on Mar. 31 and the final nine weeks will begin.

The writing SOL for juniors begins on Mar. 24.

On page seven, The Royal News would like to retract and correct statements that were made in a story in the February 14, 2014. Two statements offered as quotes misrepresent Karen Sadler. She does not, and never did believe, the experience with Swaders to be in any way a negative experience. Also the additional $10 amount per child was not charged by Swaders as the article states. In addition, Cindy Leonard’s comments were misquoted and taken out of context. Leonard’s statement is, “This year’s event should be better than the Swaders event in many different ways. Swaders is an exciting environment, but we feel that this year will be providing a larger selection of activities.” The Royal News regrets these mistakes and apologizes to Karen Sadler, Cindy Leonard, Swaders, and the PTA. On page eight, the article “Teachers Share Love Languages” incorrectly identified the JROTC teacher. It is Ricky Johnson, not Terry Johnson.

WEDNESDAY 3.19.14 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 3

op/ed

Should People Watch What They Say On Social Media? Social media is usually assumed to be very public, but some say it is private. It is a digital representation. Is it truly acceptable for users to post whatever they want?

ocial media is a massive part of our lives today. Social network profiles are direct reflections of you. You write the posts and post the pictures. The words posted online should be thought about in depth before being posted. Social networks are your personal impression on the World Wide Web. Representation is a major part of being a part of a social network. Members of sports teams and clubs have to be especially careful with the posts they make social media. Players and club members are a direct representation of the group in which they belong. Today, before hiring an employee, employers will view an applicant’s social media profile before hiring. Colleges also look at social media profiles during the admission process. According to an article on NYTimes.com, dated Nov. 9, 2013, 30 percent of admission officers had found information online that negatively affected an applicant’s chances of being accepted. By looking at profiles, a business or college can get a personal look at the kind of person that will be representing them on a day-to-day basis. Social networking not only affects personal lives, but also professional lives. Though many social media web sites give a user the option to have their account set as “private”, things that are said are often not as private as one may think. An account may be private or a post may be deleted, but nothing is truly hidden or deleted on the internet. Besides showing positive representation, watching what you say on social media is also very important when it comes to safety. According to an article on Huffingtonpost.com, dated Nov. 29, 2012, 107 million users from the United States get on Twitter everyday. This means that your posts are exposed to millions. Having the world know exactly where you are located at all times and all of the personal details about you could be potentially dangerous. Overall, if your social media posts are not something you would want repeated or statements you would make in public, you might want to reconsider posting. It may be easy to forget, but social media is public too. Everyone should watch the things that they say online.

PRO CON Qadirah Monroe Hannah Zuloaga

“...Social networking not only affects personal lives, but also professional lives...” “...In a country built off of freedom of speech or freedom of expression, our posts on social media should not be censored...” “...An account may be private or a post may be deleted, but nothing is truly hidden or deleted on the Internet...” “...We all have different opinions on different things and you have a right to post what you want on a topic...”

ccording to telegraph.co.uk, 33 percent of all statuses on Facebook are deleted by the user instead of publishing in order to avoid offending others. In a country built off of freedom of speech or freedom of expression, our posts on social media should not need to be self censored or censored by others. Some ague that you should watch what you say because jobs and colleges factor what you post on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social networking sites in to your acceptance, but by doing this, your first amendment rights are being limited. You should be able to post what you want without being penalized for it. Limiting peoples freedom of expression on social media is one of the many reasons the United States is ranked 46th in first amendment rights out of 180 countries worldwide, according to the annual World Press Freedom Report. Another reason you should not have to watch what you say or post on social media is because if a friend or follower on one of these sites does not agree with or approve of what you post, they could very easily unfriend, unfollow, or ignore your post. Not everyone is going to have the same views or opinions on everything and many people take to their social networking sites to voice these opinions. We all have different opinions on different things and you have a right to post what you want on a topic. Others may not like or start an argument based off of your view but whether you voice your view on one of your profiles or not is your choice. When others follow or friend you in those sites, they usually are people who care or value your opinion and if they are using social networking sites, they are looking to see others posts. Social networking sites are places users see they can express their thoughts and feelings without being censored. When they are continuously being told to watch what they say on these sites their rights are being limited. Censorship is one of the many reasons our freedom of expression is being trampled on more and more.

Technology Demands Time

ith technology today, life seems to move so fast. Phones buzz multiple times an hour and the screens light up, demanding immediate attention. People are trying to contact each other and some of those rings and dings are notifications we set up ourselves to remind us of our Carolina Bae daily tasks. We get notifications so suddenly, and we are eager to check them. However, we check them and tell ourselves that we have no time to respond. So, we continue throughout our day with the intention of replying when we do have time, but forget because there is no red bubble showing us that we have something unread. Where did this idea come from? How did we convince ourselves that our lives are so busy at that moment that we cannot send a reply that takes less than two minutes? We could simply just not check the notification and leave it there to remind us to respond later if we really do not have the time or if it is not appropriate at the current time to respond. Otherwise, I think we should operate by the two minute rule. This rule means that if a task takes two minutes or less, go ahead and just do it. This will eliminate forgetting to do it later and eliminate accumulating the number of tasks that need to be done at the end of the day. By responding to emails and texting people back throughout the day, the stress will not be so concentrated. Spaced out tasks are much less daunting than a million of them at once, as most students have experienced with procrastination. As technology becomes a more integral part of life, we need to learn to manage our time with it and even around it. Laptops, tablets, and smart phones definitely make life easier, with the speed and portability, but still need to be used wisely.

4 | THE ROYAL NEWS | WEDNESDAY 3.19.14

$ 65 Buy your yearbook go to www.jostens yearbooks.com OR A26

WEDNESDAY 3.19.14 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 5

Briefly Single Parents’ Day is Mar. 21.

National Doctor’s Day

St. Patricks Day This holiday was celebrated on Mar. 17. For thousands of years, the Irish have upheld this holiday. St. Patrick’s Day is within the Lent season, which steers people to attend church, then later in the day they celebrate. Traditional food includes Irish bacon and cabbage.

Mar. 30 is set aside to show appreciation for doctors giving the care they provide. President George H. Bush signed it into law Oct. 30, 1990.

National Sing-Out Day is Mar. 22.

Mar. 20 marks the beginning of the season of Spring.

SAT Changes College Board will change the format of The Essay portion, use more common words for vocabulary, and scoring will revert back to the 1600 scoring. The essay is optional. It will be in effect in the spring of 2016.

NEWS BRIEFS

PTA Holds Local Car Show On Mar. 29 at 9:00 AM, the PTA will hold a car show at the high school. Registration is from 9-11 AM and the awards ceremony starts at 1:30 PM. To register beforehand, it is $15, whereas it will be $20 the day of the show. SGA Game Show Kicks Off The show is open to the entire county and it will be in the auditorium on Mar. 17 at 6:00 PM. It’s $5 to participate and $2 to spectate. Games being played include Jeopardy, Minute to Win It, and Family Feud. Price Is Right, The Newly Wed Game, and Wheel of Fortune will be played also.

Model UN members pose for a picture in Times Square. They toured the city in their down time. Photo by Nicole Daly.

Students Attend Model UN in New York The Model UN club went up to New York City Mar. 4-8 to participate in the mock UN committees and decisions. This year the club represented the country Senegal at the United Nations building. High schools from all over the world meet together in New York City to debate worldly issues.

6 | THE ROYAL NEWS | WEDNESDAY 3.19.14

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WEDNESDAY 3.19.14 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 7

Features

Small Businesses Students, Staff Discuss Involvement In Local Businesses

Kenneth Kidd What is the name of the business? Johns’ Company, it’s a supermarket. My dad owns it, but also my granddad works their too while my uncle is the butcher.” How do you help out? I work there every weekend, I do everything except cut meat.

Dr. Kevin Moore inspects an iPad given to him for repair. Moore’s private business Tailored Data Solutions replaces iPad and iPhone screens and will find solutions to other computer problems. Photo by Danielle Marshall.

Abigail Faircloth trn writer

ore often than not, when many think about a business they may find themselves thinking about the products and services that are provided by it. However, what they fail to notice is all of the responsibility and effort that is behind keeping it all running. So when chemistry teacher Dr. Kevin Moore went into business, there was so much to consider with all of the choices that were going to have to be made. “The name of my business is Tailored Data Solutions,” Moore said. “We repair computers there, and we have been in business for around twenty years.” As one would imagine, repairing computers can be a lot of work, which not just any person could do on their own. “It was originally my brother’s idea to start a business in the first place,” Moore said. “It gave me the opportunity to start do things on my own, it was very promising.” After deciding to start a business, there are many things that must be dealt with. Though some of them may not seem like they are very important, they are integral to the running of a

small business. These things will always have to be dealt with one way or another. “One difficulty with owning a business is payroll, especially since we pay our employees twice a month. Also, you have to deal with all of the customers, whether they are happy or unhappy,” Moore said. “There is also a lot of red tape, which is basically government paperwork we have to fill out for just about everything we end up doing.” Not only are there difficulties every business owner must deal with, but there is so much more to keeping a business running. Every owner has many things they are in charge of. “When owning a business you are responsible for everything that goes on,” Moore said. “You are responsible for your employees and everything they do. If an employee does not do something, it is then your responsibility to do it on your own and make sure it really gets done right.” With all of the work that goes into making a business such as: dealing with the payroll, handling the customers, managing all of the employees, filling out large amounts of paperwork, and also ensuring the job gets done correctly, some may begin to wonder if it is even possible to have fun after all of the effort you have to continuously put in. “I really do enjoy being a business owner. I really love interacting with people and the customers. And when it comes to fixing the computers, I really just enjoy everything about it.”

Is it enjoyable? Yes, it’s bonding with the family so it’s a really neat experience. What is your favorite and least favorite thing? Working really takes away from activities such as yearbook and SGA. But, it offers a lot of business experience with money and working.

Louise Thornton What type of business is it and how long has it been in business? The business is T.E. Thorntons Store, it is a country store and it has been in business since January 1913, it was my grandfather’s store. Is it stressful? It isn’t for me, but my brother does the book work. My brother is there every day since he works close by, but we have people who work there during the week and we work there on Saturday’s. What is the most enjoyable thing? The least enjoyable? The most enjoyable thing is it’s a local business and we see local people. We have tables in front of the store and people come and talk, so I enjoy that a lot. The least enjoyable thing is it’s hard because it’s a country store, so it’s hard to pay bills sometimes.

Miranda Stewart What is the name of the business? “Nanny’s,” it is a barbeque restaurant. What is your relation to the business? My grandparents on my dad’s side along with my dad and uncle own and work for it. It’s a family thing. How do you help out? Is it enjoyable? I work there, I’m a waitress. Sometimes I like it, but sometimes it’s annoying because I’m expected to do it and I work every weekend, but it’s okay. Also, it’s cool because they started it from basically nothing. What is your favorite and least favorite thing about working there? I like it because it’s pretty cool to say my family owns a business, but a lot of people associate me with it.

Who’s idea was it to start the business and how did it get started? My grandfather wanted to start a store, In 1913, country stores were a way to make money, so he bought his grocery’s from Wholesale in Petersburg and started his business. The original building was white and wooden with two floors. The first floor was the store while the second they rented out to people that went to court. What do you sell? For many years we were a grocery store and bought from Richfood, but fifteen years ago we had to stop because Richfood stopped selling to the small grocery stores. In the meantime, Wal-Mart was springing so we began selling flowers, hanging plants, and vegetable plants.

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Features

Chick-fil-A Yields Employment Students Share Experiences Working At New Restaurant

BY THE NUMBERS

Chick-fil-A is the second largest quick service chicken restaurant chain in the country.

1.65 Junior Hannah Bridgers hands a meal off to a customer at Chick-fil-A in Colonial Heights. The restaurant opened on Feb. 13 of this year. Photo by Austin Britt.

Austin Britt trn writer

orty-six years have passed since the opening of the first Chick-filA in Atlanta, Georgia. Over 1,500 restaurants later, the first standalone Chick-fil-A has finally been brought to the Tri-Cities. As many high school students continuously look for a job, several have decided to jump on this opportunity to work for this fast food chicken chain for various reasons. “Chick-fil-A is good with scheduling so I can easily work around my busy schedule as a student-athlete,” junior Jessie Honaker said. While their motives to work for Chick-filA do vary, the most common factor to apply was for the money. “I applied to work at Chick-fil-A because my mother told me to get a job so I could pay for my own gas,” junior Jordan Nase said. Along with their new jobs, student employees have found many advantages of working at Chick-fil-A as opposed to other major fast food joints. “I am able to get all of my schoolwork done and be able to hang out with friends because I don’t have to work on Sunday,” junior Heath Pack said. “I also think that it being my first job, it will help me learn how to manage time and become more responsible.”

With steep competition from the constantly developing Colonial Heights area, Chick-fil-A’s opening week in Colonial Heights was very successful. “Opening week was extremely busy; we sold $20,000 in sales in one day that week,” said Pack. “We were extremely busy every hour of our first week.” As expected, Chick-fil-A’s location in front of the Wal-Mart in Colonial Heights played a key role in the success of its debut week. “The first week was very stressful but it was also a great learning experience,” Honaker said. “The first week was helpful for our future at Chick-fil-A because our trainers were able to guide us through all of our tasks as we did them.” Being a religious business, this aspect of Chick-fil-A played a part in the decision to apply to Chick-fil-A for local high school students. “Chick-fil-A’s morals were one of the reasons why I applied; I have some of the same morals in place in my life,” Nase said. “I feel very comfortable knowing I am working around same-minded people.” “All my managers are Christians, and they’re very understanding,” junior Hannah Bridgers said. “I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else.” Chick-fil-A’s morals make some students feel more at ease in the working environ-

ment. “Being in a friendly, Christian atmosphere definitely makes me comfortable while I am working,” Honaker said. With the new Chick-fil-A built and open for business in Colonial Heights, it gives students another hang-out spot to grab some food, not only with their friends, but also from many of their friends. “Working in this atmosphere where I constantly see classmates and peers increases my level of comfort,” Pack said. “Seeing friends makes it easier for me to be myself while working.” Along with the income and interaction with classmates, Chick-fil-A employees see a one-of-a-kind experience that they believe will immensely help them with future jobs. “Working at Chick-fil-A I believe will help me become more responsible,” Nase said. “I also believe it will help me manage my time more wisely in the future.” From the experience to the food, high school employees are satisfied with the brand new Chick-fil-A in Colonial Heights. What they are enjoying the most is the atmosphere of working alongside their classmates. “The best thing about working at Chickfil-A is being around my coworkers and classmates,” Honaker said. “Everyone I have encountered has a positive attitude, which is encouraging and refreshing to be around.”

$1.65 million dollars in scholarships given by Chickfil-A in 2012 to restaurant team members.

10 10 items on the Chick-fil-A menu have 10 or fewer grams of fat.

1946

The year Chick-fil-A was founded by S. Truett Cathy in Hapeville, Georgia.

100

Chick-fil-A cooks chicken in 100 percent refined peanut oil, which is fat and cholesterol free.

Information from www.chick-fil-a.com

WEDNESDAY 3.19.14 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 9

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Features

Violinist Finds New Passion Prevented From Pursuing Athletics Due To Asthma,

Visit the TRN Soundcloud site and listen to Idalis Webb play a short violin solo.

Junior Idalis Webb Teaches Herself Orchestral Instrument Danielle Marshall managing editor

Junior Idalis Webb rehearses her music as the lone violin player. Webb began her playing by watching YouTube videos. Photo by Danielle Marshall.

reathe. It is simple to do. But what happens when the oxygen flow that is so vital to life becomes completely restricted from entering the body. The majority of people cannot imagine what that would be like, but a select few understand the seriousness of an asthma attack. One of those select few is junior Idalis Webb. Before playing the violin, Webb had a passion for playing sports. She loved to swim and was very athletic. One day, however, while playing soccer with her sister, her body decided to take her in a different direction. “When I was little I had a serious asthma attack,” Webb said. “And I still wanted to play sports but I couldn’t because of my health.” Webb’s health caused her some adversity from other people. This attack led her to make some decisions that would ultimately change her future and convert her passion to something much more different. “And so after a while I got tired of everyone telling me I couldn’t do stuff, so I still played but I began to lean more towards music,” Webb said. Webb says that when she first started playing the violin it began as a bit of a challenge and she was worried she would not be up to par with everyone else. “Before I actually got into an orchestra class I didn’t know any notes, I didn’t know any scales,” Webb said. But the fear of learning to play a new instrument did not stop Webb. Just like with her passion for sports, she had put forth her musical goal and sought out to achieve it. “I was self taught over YouTube,” Webb said. “I watched other people on the TV.” Learning to play the violin not only posed problems, but adjusting to a band also brought challenges for Webb. “I did feel kind of awkward [in a band class],” Webb said. “I felt ashamed because everyone knew what they were doing but me. Other band directors would ask me to play another instrument.” Webb just moved to Prince George in Sep-

tember and is having to find her place in another band yet again. Music teacher Michael Warnock had to make adjustments with Webb being a new part of the band also. “She got here just this year,” Warnock said. “She’s covering an instrument we don’t have.” Webb feels she has found her place here and appreciates the support she has received in Mr. Warnock’s fifth period class, despite being the only violin player. “I love the people,” Webb said. “And Mr. Warnock, the band director, he is hilarious and he helps me. I’m still learning about the violin and if I have a question that he doesn’t know he’ll go online or ask one of his friends for me, and he’ll come back with the correct answer. I think that is nice. I think he is generous.” While being the only violin player may seem like a neat experience, Webb shares that being a single instrument in a band has it weaknesses. “I get sad sometimes,” Webb said. “I can only hear myself, and with string instruments there are no correct notes. If you move your fingers in the wrong position it’s flat or sharp.” Warnock also shares that it is harder to get her in tune with everyone else with her being a single instrument. “It’s really hard,” Warnock said. “In an orchestra there are a lot more string instruments and a lot less woodwind. It’s harder to get her incorporated.” However Webb feels that practicing in a band is easier and helps her to learn even more. “It’s easier [in a band] because you have a tempo, you have scales, you have dynamics.” Webb said. “They keep you on track so if you lose your place, you know where to go. We all balance each other out.” Even overcoming the adversity of learning a new instrument and having to change a passion she has had from a young age, Webb has learned a lesson you can’t only find in sports. “In the band, same as with sports, you have to start together and if one person doesn’t start together its wrong,” Webb said. “You have to start together, your pitch has to be perfect, your notes have to be perfect because if everything doesn’t sound the same it sticks out and everyone will hear it.”

12 | THE ROYAL NEWS | WEDNESDAY 3.19.14

How Does It Feel To Be Spring Sports, Forensics, Dance Team Enter New Season Defending Previous Titles Devan Fishburne trn writer

t is difficult to envision the sometimes unbelievable sacrifices made by competitors on the road to being a champion. The victor over all others, the gutsiest performer on the day, and the best - are all used to describe those deserving of the title of champions. But nothing can describe what it takes to get there. The journey foreshadows pain, sweat, grit, determination, and an unyielding spirit to fight. The Royals’ teams and athletes displayed these qualities in seizing a place in history as the last district champions ever to be crowned. Moving into the new conference system in place, those same students are eyeing more glory in perhaps the seemingly most important part of the championship trek; defending that championship. The varsity dance team received their title on Feb. 22 at the Gar-Field High Sweetheart Invitational. The girls tennis team continues their streak of championships in the 2013 district championship. Meanwhile, the varsity softball team joined Matoaca and Dinwiddie in a co-district championship title. The girls varsity soccer team also became codistrict champions with Thomas Dale. Seniors Trey West and Adam Blakemore joined this group of champions for their performance in the forensics district competition.

The Royalettes placed 1st in variety, 2nd in pom, and 2nd in a trio performed by Ashton Allin, Samantha Daniel, and Kelly Harvey at the Gar-Field Senior High’s Annual Sweetheart Invitational on Feb. 22, 2014. Photo provided by Tiffany Bailey. Varsity Dance Team The varsity dance team led by six very experienced seniors left their hearts out on the floor in their invitational competitions. The team blew away the competition in the variety portion of the competition, placed second in Pom, and third in the kick line. The trio performed by seniors Ashton Allin, Samantha Daniel, and Kelly Harvey earned the team another top three finish. “Winning at the last competition was an amazing feeling. We worked long and hard to perfect the dances we too to competition,” Harvey said. “There [was] a lot of tough competition, but we managed to pull through with a first and second place trophy.” The girls showed that champions aren’t just made on the field or court in presenting the athleticism and grace they used to bring home more hardware for the Royals. “It feels amazing walking away with those trophies because we put in so much work, and this was my senior year,” Harvey said in a phone interview. “ To me, being a champion isn’t about winning, although it feels nice; it’s about trying your hardest and never giving up.”

Junior Maya Dugger returns a serve to her opponent. The Prince George girls’ tennis team is searching for an eighth consecutive team title Photo by Devan Fishburne. Girls Varsity Tennis The legacy of Prince George tennis teams has been a notable part of the county’s history. The girls tennis team has been historically strong and will be going for an eighth consecutive title. Now as the focus is turned to a new year, some new faces are expected to step up and continue the winning streak that has come naturally to previous teams. “I want to do my best at every match, every game, [and] every point because it will end up the best for the team,” junior Maya Dugger said. New challenges looked to possibly unravel the team in their quest for history, but they are taking a familiar brand of steely determination into this year. “[We are] practicing harder, doing what we are supposed to be doing, knocking off some bad traditions, and bringing in some new ones that may help us.” Dugger said.

e A Champion?

Junior Haleigh Edwards practices her swing before striking the ball. The Royals defeated Lee-Davis. Photo by Samantha Daniel. Varsity Softball The Prince George girls softball team seemed down and out mid-season last year. Disappointing losses to Dinwiddie and Matoaca early on dropped team morale to an all time low, but the team showed the level of resilience expected from the 2012 district champions. In the end, Prince George softball won the trophy with a comeback thought of as lofty at the time, but was realized in part due to the will of the team. “I was very proud of my team because we had strong defense and offense. We fought our way back to winning the title,” junior Haleigh Edwards said. The resurgence of the girls was inspiring to many on lookers, but the team is motivated to ensure that they stay the front runners all season. “We want to beat our rivals and we want to show others schools that Prince George has a great softball team,” Edwards said.

Junior Chaelin Magruder passes the ball to her teammate during a home game. Photo by Ian Kelty. Girls Varsity Soccer The loyal supporters of the girls soccer team had to wait until the very last minute of the season to know if the team had achieved a feat that had escaped past teams who had been very capable of a title. The wait was well worth it. The team claimed victory for the first time in nearly 20 years, and stole the title from their favored rivals Thomas Dale, to make the victory even sweeter. “Being a champion is proof of hard work that was put into something really special to me,” junior Chaelin Magruder said. Magruder was a part of last year’s winning team and she is confident that they will be able to adjust this year and overcome any challenges. “We’ve already begun to work really hard and make the necessary changes in order to be successful this season,” Magruder said. “And it’s already showing as we practice.”

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Senior Trey West competed in prose interpretation and placed first at the district competition. Photo by Devan Fishburne. Forensics The forensics squad received well deserved recognition at their conference level final. Senior Adam Blakemore, a competitor in impromptu speech, placed first at districts and second at regionals. “I personally think a champion is anyone who gets to spend their time doing what it is they love. I don’t think it matters whether you win or lose, as long as you’re doing something that feels right,” Blakemore said in a phone interview. “When you find something that just fits for you and you pursue it with everything you’ve got, that’s when you become a champion.” Senior Trey West, another member of the team, placed first at the district competition in prose interpretation. “It feels amazing to be a champion because it’s really gratifying to know that you’re best at something, that your hard work paid off, and that the judges were impressed enough with your performance to award you the position,” West said.

14 | THE ROYAL NEWS | WEDNESDAY 3.19.14

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A&E

Series Sparks Comparison

Divergent’s Journey To Theaters Inspires Comparisons Between Trilogy, Other Dystopian Novels Samantha Daniel trn writer

ecently there has been a lot of buzz about a series making its big screen debut. Divergent, the first book in the trilogy is coming to theaters on March 21. Critics are calling it the “new Hunger Games” because it has striking similarities with the trilogy. Both trilogies are set in worlds very different from modern day, taking place in dystopian environments. Tris Prior and Katniss Everdeen, the main characters of each series, are empowered women who go against the mold set in place for them by the world that they live in. However, when interviewed, students who have read both trilogies said that they would not consider Divergent, the “new Hunger Games” because the books contain two very different plots. Junior Tarah Ashley has read both trilogies. She compares the basic settings of the books. “They both are different lifestyles, where you don’t get to really choose what you want to be,” Ashley said. “They both show off a world that could be in the future.” That is where the similarities between the two end for Ashley. She disagrees with Divergent being considered the “new Hunger Games.” “Divergent should not be considered the new Hunger Games because in the Hunger Games the main characters are fighting to get rid of the corrupt government,” Ashley said. “In Divergent the main characters are fighting to preserve the government.”

Although Divergent is being compared to The Hunger Games, many sources believe that Divergent will not live up to The Hunger Games in the box office. Using book sales as a basis for predictions, one source from thewrap.com believes that Divergent will not even touch The Hunger Games in sales based on how both of the first books were ranked on Amazon. Senior Samantha Crabtree has also read both trilogies and believes that the two trilogies are very different and that they will be received differently in theatres. “They’re two totally different types of books,” Crabtree said. “I would say that the Divergent series is more family oriented, the Hunger Games is more for adolescence.” Crabtree favored the Divergent series over the Hunger Games Series. “I thought it was a really good book, really interesting,” Crabtree said. “It kept me wanting more.” Like Ashley though, she would not compare them like critics have recently. “They’re two totally different types of books,” Crabtree said. “Hunger Games is more for mature audiences in my opinion because they are taken from their families without a say in the situation. Whereas Divergent, they choose the lifestyle they believe suits them best.” Senior Ashton Allin has read both The Hunger Games and Divergent. She liked each series equally and thinks they are similar in certain ways. “They both have themes of trying to overthrow corrupt governments,” Allin said. “The protagonists in the stories are also very

young which isn’t something you find in a normal setting. The plot twists within each are also very unexpected.” These two similar yet contrasting books represent our culture today. The futuristic, not entirely impossible scenarios show readers how very different the world could be. These series also show the acceptance of violence and explicit content in today’s society. Other books such as Matched, Delirium, and Legend show that the current generation and culture is leaning towards the future and what could be. Society has become focused on fictional worlds full of conflict and struggles, something that it wants to stay far away from. These popular books not only represent what today’s culture is, but defines the generation as one that is critical yet accepting towards acts of violence and conflict. “I think it represents how open and accepting we are to violence,” Allin said. By reading stuff like this we go and see violent acts happen on the news and really aren’t affected by it. Our generation is slowly becoming desensitized to acts of violence.”

Writer Divulges His Personal Music Scene

ith the music world being so diverse in today’s society, you would think it is hard for people to stick to a certain genre or artist. People also like to think the type of music you listen to defines who you are whether it’s listening to Gospel, Heavy Metal, Hip-Hop, Rap, and R&B. I am more of a Rap, R&B, and Pop kind of person. I have my days where I listen strictly to one genre, or I listen to all three in one day. Nathan Williams One album I recommend you listen to is rapper Wale’s “The Gifted” album. This album came out in the summer of 2013 and personally is my favorite album. One song off this album I recommend is titled “Gullible” featuring male Pop singer Cee-Lo Green. This song describes the government and the lyrics “TV killed the radio, TV killed the radio, TV killed the radio, then the internet slit the television’s throat.” It shows how people depended on the radio for everything; then along came television and basically people ignored the radio. When television was really popular, the internet came and people paid more attention to that, which is how our society is today. Along with the song “Gullible” another song that I recommend you listen to is “Happy” by Pharrell. You may have heard this Pop song on the movie Despicable Me 2. This song is on the rise and is very high on the Top 100 Billboard charts. This song can change your mood no matter how you’re feeling at the moment. Pharrell is known for his various songs and albums but this song is one my all time favorites by him, so it gets two thumbs up. My last song that I listen to a lot is the song “Holy Grail” by rapper Jay-Z and male Pop singer Justin Timberlake. This song probably shows a different side of Jay-Z, because the beat is more up-tempo and is on more the Pop side. On this song you will hear Jay-Z rapping on the verses and Timberlake singing on the chorus. This song is pretty catchy if you tend to listen to it more than once.

16 | THE ROYAL NEWS | WEDNESDAY 3.19.14

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Talent Show Uncovers Hidden Performing Artists Left: Junior Darius Matthews drums, while Junior Jared Fallin raps to a song which he co-wrote along with Senior Sade Ferguson called, “Prince George”. The group called themselves the JSD and they won first place in combination. BELOW: Seniors Lyric Fiersion, Nikki Nelson, and Brian Fullman dance to a mix of songs. They won second place in the dance section. Photos by Tiana Kelly.

Visit trnwired.org to see more photo galleries and a video of the preparation that went into getting the show ready.

Left: Alumni Grayson Nicol and Brandon Joswick play the guitar as senior Ryan Minar sings “Sugar We’re Going Down” by Fall Out Boy. The group calls themselves Atlantis; junior Logan Paulson put the group together. “I did it for my friend Logan, because he came to me and asked me if I would do it, and I said yes because I thought it would be fun,“ Minar said. Above: Juniors Erica Harris, Rachel Sarver, and Serena Triscari sing “Royals” by Lorde.

18 | THE ROYAL NEWS | WEDNESDAY 3.19.14

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A&E

Old Franchise Revitalized With New Focus

or better or worse, reboots have flooded today’s entertainment mindshare. Taking old intellectual property and giving it a shiny new coat of paint is the latest trend in movies, television, and especially video games. While this method Travis Temple allows developers to start anew with existing canon, they are often held back by insatiable fans that cry foul whenever the minutest of details are changed. However, this did not stop Eidos Montreal from creating a reboot of the Thief series (a stealth-based franchise that has been dormant for nearly a decade) on their own terms. Simply titled Thief, this reboot is anything but afraid to go in its own direction, even if it falters a bit on the way. Thief’s gameplay is its biggest selling point for good reason, but the stealth (the series’ bread-and-butter, in other words) is

WEDNESDAY 3.19.14 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 19

Gamer's Corner actually lackluster. Instead, Thief shines in other areas, namely stealing itself. Picking locks, cracking safes, circumnavigating traps, and other things really sell the experience of being a master thief. The only issue with this is that it is presented in a very linear manner. Having the option of finding your own way through a particular level would have made the experience a little more personal and added to overall re-playability. Surprisingly, Thief succeeds in the unlikeliest of areas: puzzle solving. Every scenario feels like a large puzzle that tasks the player with using their resources and environment in particular ways to successfully complete the heist, which is not to mention the few challenges that are actually meant to be puzzles. This is exemplified by the side missions, which feel like small, self-contained tests of intelligence. Again, the experience would be enhanced if there

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia. were multiple solutions to each of these “puzzles,” but it works nonetheless. On the subject of resources, the tools at your disposal are a highlight. Lock picks, a club that multitasks surprisingly well, and smoke bombs are a few of the available items, but the compound bow is the real standout. The myriad of different arrow types allow the bow to serve multiple functions and aid traversal, combat, and stealth The only issue with the bow is that arrows are scarce and expensive, which means

False Rumor Regarding Starbucks Refusal To Ship Coffee Overseas To Troops Leads To Misguided Boycott

or a long time, Starbucks has been battling a rumor stating that the company denied overseas soldiers, coffee. When first hearing this, as a military child, I was shocked by the lack of respect given to those Kourtney Medlin who serve our nation. After researching the news at www. starbucks.com and www.snopes.com, I discovered that the rumor was false. Starbucks has made many statements in attempts to clear up the rumor. Many people have boycotted Starbucks and refuse to buy their goods because of the rumor. Since they did not research the information themselves before passing on false information, the rumor continued to spread rapidly. This is one prime example of why you shouldn’t believe everything that you hear. The rumor was started back in 2004

when Howard C. Wright, a Marine Sergeant, wrote a letter to a friend describing what he had overheard. The recipients of the letter then distributed it throughout their address book and more people found out. After being personally contacted by the CEO of Starbucks, the author later sent an apology letter attempting to the clear up this matter. Personally I feel the author should be held responsible for the majority of the problems the rumor caused the company. Many military families, including some of my family members, still refuse to support Starbucks, because they haven’t had to the opportunity to read the apology letter or are unaware that this was in fact a rumor. According to www.snopes.com, Starbucks received many letters from the soldiers wanting to let the company know how much they love their products, trying to score some free coffee grounds. Starbucks wrote back thanking them for their kind words and support in their business. Even though Starbucks does not directly donate

money to military, coffee is still put into the hands of those serving in the United States Armed Forces. There are many accusations stating that Starbucks charged New York City ambulance workers $130 dollars for three cases of water. The company took full responsibility and the workers got their money back and an apology. Humbly, Starbucks has partnered with The American Red Cross to donate coffee to relief efforts during time of conflict. They have donated more than 141,000 pounds of coffee and now troops all over the world are enjoying Starbucks, and even after 10 years the rumor has not been put to rest. Starbucks is doing the right thing by supporting the troops and different relief efforts and should take pride in that. You shouldn’t believe everything you hear on TV, read on the internet, or hear on the radio, and should definitely not pass it on without finding out all the facts.

many of its uses will not be available until later in the game’s roughly 15-hour campaign. While Thief’s gameplay is stylish, its presentation is decidedly less so. The graphics are more than competent, but the dreary, monotone color palette feels bland. It sets the tone perfectly, but it also feels uninspired. The occasional flourishes of color and unique imagery are breathtaking, which makes the rest of the visuals that much more regrettable. There are also consistent frame-rate drops during cut-scenes, which is almost painful to watch. Another pitfall for Thief is that its plot is middling. It is a veritable checklist of video game tropes: protagonist with amnesia, fascist military leaders, “confusing” dream sequences, etc. If you can name a video game cliché, you can probably find it in Thief. Thief’s greatest aspect is that it strays from its heritage. It refuses to conform to the mold that most stealth games fit into, and it creates an experience that is remarkably different, which is the goal for most reboots. It will not please anyone looking for a particularly good or traditional stealth experience, but it succeeds at being a stylish game about stealing, which, as its name implies, is all it really tries to be.

SPringSPorts History Of Modern Sports Equipment

20 | THE ROYAL NEWS | WEDNESDAY 3.19.14

Origins Of Baseball Bat, Soccer Balls Explained Ryan Albright trn writer

hen someone says something about soccer or fútbol , one must think of stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Lionel Messi, and Franck Ribéry, gett i n g ready to kick the Adidas Brazuca soccer ball in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. If one really thinks about it, soccer and the soccer ball have been around for thousands of years, there have even been some records of games that were closely related to soccer being played before 1000 BC. These games that were close to soccer were often played with pig bladders or leather balls stuffed with some type of fur. Those balls eventually progressed into small, hard rubber balls around the year 600 AD, to the pig bladders in medieval times. The first modern soccer ball, which was the first round soccer ball that was created by Charles Goodyear in 1855. Before this ball, most other balls were not totally round due to the materials that were being used previously. Goodyear was able to make such a solid and durable ball that did not lose its bounce, by using a method called vulcanization. Vulcanization is the process of strengthening materials like rubber by combining it with sulfur and other chemicals, and then applying heat and pressure The next big steps up were the laced ball and the waterproof ball. The laced soccer ball, which was also the first world cup soccer ball, was created in 1930. The ball was laced to help keep the ‘intestines’ inside of the ball. The waterproof ball was made for playing soccer when it was raining or had rained, and was created in 1950. Since then, the only things that have changed have been the panels, changing from no panels, to having 32 panels on them in the 1970 World Cup.

Senior Mitchell Smith plays the ball to a teammate. The official VHSL sanction soccer ball for 2014 is the Wilson NCAAA Forte Fybrid. Photo by Daniel Puryear.

“The new bats have lessened the velocity of the ball off the bat, limited the number of homeruns hit, and made the game safer,” junior Jordan Nase said. “We are only allowed to use BBCOR bats, which has been a major change to the game.”

Devan Fishburne sports editor

s spring approaches many families will be headed out toward their local baseball diamond in anticipation of the sport both born and bred right here on American soil. Long known as “America’s favorite past time”, baseball has gained popularity and recognition as the most watched spectator sport since its debut in amateur leagues most notably established in big cities during the early 1800’s. The following decades brought about the age of professionalism subsequently bringing baseball to the forefront of the American news media. By the mid-19th century, baseball had seized the hearts of the American audience and brought back some of that national pride lost during the preceding Civil War era. With baseball’s reputation established across the country, the flaws of the game became more apparent. The most notable flaw was the inconsistency in the equipment. The bats used by the professionals came in a variety of makes and models and were highly experimental prototypes at the time. Rules were made to regulate the size that the bat could be to ensure that no one player gained an advantage. In the modern game bats can be no longer than 42 inches in length and must have a rounded barrel.. In 1884 the simple of idea of a 17 year boy named John Hillerich transcended the game in a way that was virtually unpredictable. During a Louisville baseball game, Hillerich noticed Louisville player Pete Browning’s growing frustration with his current bat and offered to help him in constructing a new one. Browning’s batting average soared with the invention and thus the country’s most popular bat was born. Baseball bats have continued to develop over the years with aluminum bats replacing the wooden bats of old, and then the resurgence of the wooden bat as a result of extraordinary performances on the field by the stars of the modern game. The ensuing years show promise in bringing about more advancements in the sport.

Junior Jordan Nase prepares to swing during a game. He uses a Rawlings Machine measuring 32 inches, 29 oz. Photo by Ian Kelty

WEDNESDAY 3.19.14 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 21

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2014 Military Ball

The 2014 Military Ball was conducted on 8 March 2014 at the Hopewell Moose Lodge. We had a number of different events throughout such as our Guest Speaker Gunnery Sergeant Mormon, parent of Cadet FiguresMormon, POW/MIA Ceremony, raffles, graduate recognition, and crowning of the Royal Court for the Prince George Royal Battalion 2014 Military Ball. King: Corey Greenwood Queen: Destiny Grubbs Prince: Bradley Stovall Princess: Domonique Gaines Duke: Malik Nash Dutchess: Jahaira Gutierrez We ended the night off with the departure of our official party and the start of our dance. The pace was kept upbeat and the cadets had fun, making the 2014 Military Ball a success.

22 | THE ROYAL NEWS | WEDNESDAY 3.19.14

Springsports Teams Embrace Change Boys, Girls Tennis Start 2014 With New Coaches, New Courts

WEDNESDAY 3.19.14 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 23

Senior Spotlight Mandy Almarode

Softball

Reeve Ashcraft trn writer

s senior Will Bonnell stands at the edge of the tennis court, he awaits the impending serve from his opponent and without showing the slightest anxiety, strategically plans out how to attack his opponent’s weaknesses to win the match for his team. Bonnell, a third-year player for the tennis team, started playing the sport in ninth grade and has adored it ever since. “I started playing because I really enjoyed the sport and the other people who played it,” Bonnell said. “It’s just a really fun sport.” Though there are many aspects about the sport that he loves, the competition is something that he’s always thrived on. “I really enjoy the competitive aspect; rather than being reliant on a team like other sports, I can be self-sufficient,” Bonnell said. Even though the season is still in the early stages, Bonnell knows the team has room for growth and success. “We’re looking a little rough since we lost half of our starters, but we have a great coaching staff so we’ll be alright,” Bonnell said. Junior Ally Renn has been playing for the tennis team for two years and has taken great delight in the sport since the moment she started playing. “I wanted to try a new sport to keep me busy in the spring,” Renn said. “I like everything about tennis. It’s just a great sport and I love it.” With the great success that the team has had over the past few years, Renn is going to do whatever it takes to keep the championships coming. “We’ve won districts three years in a row and we plan to keep that tradition alive,” Renn said. “Although the team has a new appearance with new leadership and new setting, Renn believes that the team will continue to thrive and grow with the change. “I think we’re going to do really good. With new coaches and new courts we have the mo-

How long have you been playing softball? “I started playing t-ball at the age of four.” Do you plan on playing this sport after your senior year? “Probably not, I will leave my softball memories at Prince George High School.”

tivation to do better,” Renn said. Coach Scott McCormick, a new comer and first-year coach for the Royals tennis team, has been playing and coaching tennis since he was young. “I’m a college player from Ohio, I went to Miami of Ohio for a few years then graduated from the College of Wooster in northern Ohio,” McCormick said. “One of the first jobs I had was coaching high school tennis in Columbia, South Carolina, and after that I’ve been coaching at resorts and teaching for about twentythree years or so.” McCormick has made a name for himself around the Central Virginia area coaching at many different clubhouses and country clubs. “I’m now currently the Director of Tennis at the Country Club of Petersburg; this will be my third year there,” McCormick said. Being a first year coach at any school can bring up difficulties and troubles but McCormick has had confidence in the team from the

Junior Ally Renn returns the ball to a teammate during practice. Both boys and girls teams have had to work around cold temperatures and a new facility this winter. Photo by Devan Fishburne. start. “There’s not really a lot of time to really hone in on specific technique because we have to get down to playing matches,” McCormick said. “So hopefully my experiences of playing a lot of college tennis and a lot of tournament tennis can kind of guide these guys towards the right framework to pull off matches.” McCormick is looking forward to raising the young squad and hopefully relighting the fire for the program. “That’s what I look forward to, getting as many people involved as possible, and kind of rebuilding this program again.”

Are there any things you feel that you could improve on to play this sport? “There are many things I could improve on. Softball’s a sport like any other, you just have to improve and grow.” How are you going to approach this season with this being your last year? “I’m going to approach the season with a good attitude and heart to play out my last season. Just have fun with it.” What skills do you have to have for this sport? “You have to have leadership, hand eye coordination, speed, and athleticism.”

Sports

Spring Calendar

Softball Schedule

Mon., Mar. 24 vs. Clover Hill 5 PM Thurs.., Mar. 27 vs. Col. Heights 6 PM Mon., Mar. 31 @ Hopewell 7 PM

Girls Soccer Schedule

Thurs., Mar. 27 @ Col. Heights 7 PM Mon., Mar. 31 @ Clover Hill 7 PM Tues., Apr. 1 vs. Hopewell 7 PM

Baseball Schedule

Mon., Mar. 24 vs. Clover Hill 5 PM Thurs., Mar. 27 vs. Col. Heights 6 PM Mon., Mar. 31 @ Hopewell 7 PM

Racing against yourself Track athletes face challenge of attaining their person record Kadera Brown trn writer

he Running Royals have been darting across finish lines as of late, bringing home medals, breaking school records, and even setting national re-

cords. Breaking a record is a rare occurrence; however, when one beats his/her own personal best, the record becomes a little more special. Not only are bragging rights heightened to new levels, but runners are given a new level of confidence as they prepare for the next run. This past season was a great one for senior Jasmine Lackey as she topped her previous record in the long jump, improving her jump from 15’ 5” to 16‘ 8”. This particular personal record is only one of many for the track runner. Lackey has also

broken her personal records in the 4x2m, 300m, and triple jump. “Beating my personal best shows how my hard work has paid off. To me it means I am being the best possible athlete I can be,” Lackey said. “Because when I compete it’s not really against everyone else it’s against myself. So when I PR it fills me with satisfaction.” The new record didn’t come easily. Lackey says it is a result from training each and every day. She also visits a trainer on Thursday’s who has really helped toward her progression. Senior Dajuan Harding has also seen a great deal of progress this year. He attributes this success to the time spent at practice. “Our workouts are different from regular practice, because while the other members of the team that are new are doing actual practice, we are training differently for the week to come,” Harding said. Leg workouts are also important for these runners. “We use parachutes and run into the

wind to help get our legs up as well,” Harding said. Harding, who has topped his personal best in the 300m, 4x200m, and 4x400m, remembers most vividly his most recent run of 300m, where his fastest time came on Sat., Mar. 8 at the Virginia Meet of Champions. Even though he had already beaten his personal best in the 300m three times this year, at this particular meet, Harding finished at 35.63 and placed 3rd overall. “It was a great feeling knowing that I beat my time again and this time by a long shot, and since I hold the school record in that event whatever time I get is what the record will be,” Harding said. Individual recognition is great, but all trophies that were brought home weren’t individually won. When a single unit is able to connect and stay on the same page, the results are extraordinary. Harding, who also ran with five other guys: Jerron Ramsey, Deandre Brown, Leshawn Nash, Kaleb Stevans, and John Warren, broke the school’s record in the 4x200m and 4x400m races.

Sophomore Kendallyn Johnson clears a hurdle during a home track meet. The meet took place last outdoor season,in May 2013. Photo by Rachel Lamb. “They are the best relay team I could’ve asked for.” Harding said. Harding who has won many times from his own individual performance, loves to see even more a team effort that can translate into success. “PR’ing with a team is a much greater feeling because you know if it wasn’t for those guys helping you in the relays, and you helping them, and always running the best you can, there would be no record that you can sit there and say, ‘We did that together as one whole unit’,” Harding said.

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