May 2016

R N ROYALNEWS

Prince George H.S. - 7801 Laurel Spring Rd. Prince George, VA 23875 - www.trnwired.org -May 13, 2016

Volume XIV Issue 8 Free

Single Copy Only

SENIOR DESTINATIONS p. 10-11 p. 8 MOTHER, DAUGHTER SHARE WORKPLACE

p. 13 BAND PERFORMS END OF YEAR CONCERT p. 19 ATHLETES APPRECIATE FIELD CARETAKER

Senior Leterra Ward walks away from PGHS. Ward will be attending Christopher Newport University in the fall of 2016.

Photo by April Buckles.

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

2 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 5.13.16

OP/ED

Secretary of Education Visits Prince George

theRoyalNews

O

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/Briefs: April Buckles, Op/Ed: Alexis Stewart, Features: Ryan Albright & Brooke Guerrero, Doubletruck: Hydeia Nutt, A&E: Chance Thweatt Sports: Madison Strang and Paul Dennis, Jr., Photo Editor: Ebony Gilchrist - Business & Ad Editor: Daniel Puryear, Online Editor-in-Chief: Alesondra Adams-Special Edition Editor-In-Chief Madison Strang and Ebony Gilchrist

Writers Aaliyah Capers- Katherine Iwanski- Madison FosterWayne Coleman- Morgan Eminhizer- Willow HartCarlee Lively- Jacob Wood - Mavaney Keel Julian Whichard

Editor-in-Chief Ryan Albright

Managing Editor Daniel Puryear

Business Manager Daniel Puryear

Adviser

Chris Waugaman

Professional affiliations & awards Columbia Scholastic Press Associations Gold Medalist 2008-2015 CSPA Gold Crown Winner 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015 Virginia High School Association Trophy Class 2006-2013 & 2015 Col. Charles Savedge Award for Sustained Excellence 2010 NSPA Online Pacemaker Winner 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015 SIPA All Southern 2008-2016

The Royal News, PGHS trnwired.org

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

Illustration by Nicholas Branch

School Calender for Next Year Makes Year Longer for Seniors

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lthough one-third of the high school is graduating in about a month, two thirds are not. Those two-thirds of students, along with the rising sophomores that will be coming to the high school next year and the students at Clements, will be dealing with a new schedule layout for next year.

The new schedule lays out as follows: First block will become the new fifth block, meeting every day, but there will still be even and odd block schedule, with first, third, fifth, and seventh meeting one day and first, second, fourth, and sixth meeting the next day. Lunches will be either during the third or fourth block. The classes will be extended to 100 minute classes, with a specific amount of time set aside for extra time extra help (ETEH) in every class. Also, the temporary change from seven to five minutes in between classes from this year will become permanent for next year.

The reason that was given for changing the schedule layout was time for more instructional class time, and graduating classes in the past have been graduating without meeting the required instructional time per course.

Along with those changes, all students

will have to continue going to school into the first two weeks of June, with all exams coming in the second week. There will no longer be senior exams two weeks before the regular exams; graduation will also be after that.

These changes will affect how long the seniors next year have to go to school compared to how long seniors have gone in previous years. With these changes, however, Christmas Break will stay the same, a full two weeks, running December nineteenth through the thirtieth.

The changes may seem inferior and many will complain, especially seniors, about having to go to school the same amount of time as underclassmen, but it is necessary.

It is really a mystery how Prince George has been able to get away with having senior exams two weeks before graduation and seniors getting the whole week before graduation off, seeing as those seniors are probably not meeting instructional time requirements for the year. Other schools, like Colonial Heights, do not let their seniors out as early as Prince George.

n April 25th, Secretary of Education Anne Holton, visited Harrison Elementary to speak with school administrators, teachers, students, school board members, superintendents, and representatives from Fort Lee. The goal was to check in on a school which educates a DANIEL PURYEAR population of more than 60% military children.

April was the month of the military child and this was the spark of the meeting and the push for the Department of Education to help out any issues with the military children in our system. Some of the key factors of military children addressed by the school were the need to get children into a Prince George curriculum from other states and even other countries, the strong diversity brought in by the students, and one of the most important intems - the funding that goes along with it all.

One of the basic forms necessary from most students at the beginning of the year is the Federal Count Card, which was enforced strongly this year for not bringing it back in. This card is necessary for the federal government to understand the exact population of military children and therefore how much money the school should be compensated for. The military children most likely have not even noticed nor will they ever notice but this federal compensation is not very timely.

Kevin Foster, Prince George School Board Chairman, noted in the meeting with the secretary that at one point in his tenure on the board the federal government was seven years behind with funding. Although this money is unnoticed by the students, any money would obviously help the school system. The meeting with Secretary Holton was well received by the Harrison administration and the connection between Fort Lee representatives and Prince George Schools seems to be extremely well.

FRIDAY 5.13.16 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 3

OP/ED

Rise in Minimum Wage Sparks Questions

For many years, increasing the minimum wage from $7.25 an hour has been a debate. Should the wage be increased or even doubled to benefit the many low income workers? Even though having a pay raise would benefit many lifestyles, an increase could cause many problems that the workers do not currently face. Should the minimum wage be increased or should the amount stay the same? inimum wage increasing is a big debate in the inimum wage is currently $7.25 an hour in the United States. People working for$7.25 an hour state of Virginia. Having a job that pays that would enjoy the wage increase, but besides that, amount is hard to live on. It is difficult to raise it is not as beneficial as it may seem. An increase a family and take care of household responsicould cause taxes being raised, layoffs, prices bilities. Even if someone works all day, every going up, etc. day, it will put them in a predicament where they may have to live With a minimum wage increase, there may be some layoffs ocpaycheck to paycheck in order to survive. curring. Some employers have a budget for how many employees I do not believe it should be doubled, but should be raised by they can afford to hire. With an increase, employers will not have at least two dollars. If minimum wage would increase so would enough money to pay as many employees, leading to laying off everyone else’s pay rate. The pay rate for minimum wage has not many of their employees. In small businesses, they cannot afford HYDEIA NUTT EBONY GILCHRIST changed since 2009. the increase, causing no growth at all in their businesses. This will If the rate would change, good things will start to happen. not help to improve the economy or get rid of poverty at all.

Giving employees more money for minimum wage could posAlong with layoffs, prices for items could increase. This in“If minimum wage workers sibly increase the worker’s morale. At this time, no one wants to crease will bring in more income to support paying the higher minisaw an increase in the pay, work hard for so little money. If minimum wage workers saw mum wage to the employees. With this, it could increase the cost of it could motivate them to put an increase in the pay, it could motivate them to put more effort living, which could possibly increase minimum wage again. more effort into their job...” into their job. Also, extra pay could help the economy. If workers Employees may also lose their benefits, because employers have money left over after taking care of personal business, the would have to cut things that cost extra money, including work leftover money could be spent in stores, which would give an benefits.

“With the minimum wage extra boost for the economy.

Also with the minimum wage increase, there will be fewer hirincrease, there will be fewer Boosting the pay rate of minimum wage could possibly help ings. Employers will not be able to afford as many employees, like hirings...” out the people who live in poverty. It could go as far as reducing stated before. This leads to competition for jobs to become more the obesity rate. More people could afford to change their way of intense. Only individuals who have a higher skill level for jobs will eating for the better. Many good things could come about if miniget hired. This makes younger people have a lesser chance of being “Boosting the pay rate of mum wage would increase. More money equals more problems hired, which doesn’t help with them learning and becoming more minimum wage could poswe can solve. experienced in the work force. sibly help out the people who With a minimum wage increase, people may lose the desire to live in poverty...” go to college and improve in careers. This is bad, because employers and employees will not grow and benefit.

If this increase occurs, there can be inconsistent wages between the states. According to wheniwork.com, many states have their own minimum wages set.

M

PRO CON

M

Illustration by Nicholas Branch

4 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 5.13.16

Starting Positions available in:

General Laborer With Advancement in:

Heavy Equipment Operation Pipefitting Welding

FRIDAY 5.13.16 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 5

FEATURES

Retired Counselor Achieves New Position

Former Guidance Director Bill Havard Gains Spot as Tidewater Academy Board Member

SADD Club The SADD Club is now interviewing for the 2016-17 Officer positions. Stop by B-14 to pick upon application. Interviews will be held next week during A and B lunch block.

Morgan Eminhizer TRN Writer

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s former guidance director William Havard makes his way through the halls of the school, many students recognize him by his signature bow tie. The majority of these students are current seniors, who were sophomores when Havard retired in 2014.

Last year, in his first year of retirement, Havard came in on Thursdays and Fridays to offer assistance to students.

This year, in his second year of retirement, he comes in on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Along with his other activities, Havard has recently assumed a position on the Tidewater board.

Tidewater Academy, located in the Wakefield area, was founded in 1964. Havard was headmaster there before taking a job at Hopewell High School, and taught current Headmaster Frances Joyner while teaching at the academy.

“I just think a lot of the person who’s presently head of the school, her name is Francis Joyner. I thought if they thought I could help by being a member of the board I wanted to do that,” Havard said.

Havard’s position on the board will begin on (date).

“I’m just a board member,” Havard said. “I’m one of nine.”

There are eight other members of the Tidewater board.

Havard started teaching at Tidewater in the seventies. He stopped teaching and became a guidance counselor at Hopewell High School.

“When I was there, the population of that school was significantly greater than it is now. It’s in the neighborhood of two hundred students now and when I was there it was like four hundred and some students.

It’s still a small school,” Havard said.

Havard will continue to come into the guidance office two days a week.

“I only want to work two days a week, I really am retired. But if they’re two days

BRIEFLY

National Honor Society Seniors, please stop by to see Mrs. Jones in room A-29 to pick up your stoles. Also, if you are a senior and you entered NHS this year, your stoles will be given to you after induction.

Senior Trip The Senior Trip to Busch Gardens will be on Friday June 10th. The last day to turn in permission slips to ride the bus, and money for the ticket is Monday May 16th. The ticket is $46. You may only purchase a ticket through the high school if you ride the bus to and from Busch Gardens.

See Mrs. Webb in A-22 with any questions.

a week and they’re consecutive days, that means I’m here on an even day and an odd day,” Havard said.

Being retired, Havard still continues with activities that he engaged in even while working full time.

“Which is to say I read, I spend time with family members and friends, I walk.

Every day I walk four miles. That’s not that far, but that’s what I do. I have a lot of friends and associates that I visit with and have lunch with and do things with,” Havard said.

Senior Fines Former guidance counselor William Havard helps proctor Advanced Placement testing in the library. Havard recently assumed a position on the Tidewater Board.

Photo by Daniel Puryear.

Seniors, please pay all school fines and fees. Seniors owing fines will not attend graduation practice or graduation. See Mrs. Brown in the library to pay your fines.

6 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 5.13.16

FEATURES

Senior Creates Mural for Troop 900 Eagle Scout Project Joshua Wallace Expresses Artistic Talent at Gregory Memorial Presbyterian Church in Prince George

Madison Foster TRN writer

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hrough the hard work of taping, painting and drawing, senior Joshua Wallace created a breathtaking mural in the junior church room of Gregory Memorial Presbyterian church in Prince George.

Wallace was given the task as a life scout of Troop 900 in Prince George, to create a project that impacts the community to achieve the proud honor of an Eagle Scout. Wallace chose the idea of a mural for the chartering church of Gregory. “(The purpose) was to express my ar-

tistic talent to Gregory Memorial,” Wallace said.

Murals have been around since the middle ages and are recently becoming popular in cities, schools, and communities. They are being created to express and interpret life through colors, symbols, drawings and words.

Inspiration for Wallace’s mural came from his best friend since preschool, senior Kevin Foster. Foster received his Eagle Scout in May of 2015, and was there step by step through the process of helping and mentoring Wallace through his project.

“I thoroughly enjoyed being there for Josh every step of the way of him achieving the highest award a scout can get,” Foster said.

The mural consists of a waterfall

background with a rainbow, a boy sitting at the edge of a tree base, and an eagle flying over.

“It was great that being friends with Josh gave me an opportunity to help him, as well as my dad being his Eagle Scout coach throughout this long journey,” Foster said.

The mural took about 4 months to complete with lots of hard work. There were some problems with the creation, but Wallace preserved through them.

“Scaling the sketch I drew for the mural was a bit tough with an old fashioned projector,” Wallace said. “The other problem was just getting the right color for a certain area of the mural.”

On the day of Wallace’s Eagle Scout court of honor, the crowd erupted into cheers and praise for the masterpiece.

Senior Joshua Wallace stands next to his art mural at Gregory Memorial Presbyterian Church. The mural was Wallace’s project to become an Eagle Scout.

Photo by Madison Foster.

The mural has been the talk of the town through members of Gregory and the youth that learn every Sunday in the room.

“The best part was when I was finished with the mural project, the accomplishment of finishing the mural and the whole room made me feel good,” Wallace said.

FRIDAY 5.13.16 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 7

Sebera’s Custard Kitchen Go Royals!

Call 732-0990 6335 Courthouse Road Prince George, VA 23875

Prince George Fire & EMS Help Us Celebrate!!!

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK “Called to Care” May 15-21, 2016 Prince George County is proud of our Emergency Medical Technicians, Fire Fighters, Communications Officers, and Police Officers for their dedication and professionalism in providing excellent emergency medical care to our citizens! Do you hear the calling?

‘Neighbors helping Neighbors’

fireems@princegeorgeva.org (804) 722-8614

8| THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 5.13.16

FEATURES

Mother, Daughter Share Workplace

MOTHER’S DAY GIFTS

Webb, Holc Connect in Classrooms Willow Hart TRN Writer

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s World History teacher, Raven Holc, walks into school every morning, she is not only greeted by students, but also her mom.

This year, Holc began teaching at the high school after previously teaching history at N.B. Clements Junior High. This transition led her to be teaching on the same hall as her mother, Government teacher, Karen Webb.

“It’s awesome to work with your mom because we eat lunch together everyday, and anytime I need advice on anything she’s right there,” Holc said. “I probably see her more now than I have before because once you get married and move out of the house you don’t see your parents as much.”

Mother’s Day was on Sunday, May 8th and to celebrate, Holc took Webb and her mother-in-law to a brewery.

“It’s hard in one day to thank her for everything that she’s done for us,” Holc said.

“A potted plant isn’t going to say ‘thanks for 29 years of awesomeness.’ Usually we try to go for the sentimental route that will reflect a certain memory from when we were younger or pictures from where we came from.”

Holc and her two other siblings all graduated from Prince George High School and were active in sports, causing game schedules to often overlap.

“My mom has always been a supporter of us, no matter what sport or activity we wanted to do, she was going to find a way to do it,” Holc said. “There would be plenty of times where I would be in my soccer uniform, my brother, Ory, would be in his baseball uniform, and my sister, Justice, would be little with curls in her hair because dance recital is the same weekend.”

After growing up, Holc is now able to return the many years of help and support that her mom gave her and her siblings.

“Raven is very reasonable and calm under pressure,” Webb said. “She is much better at thinking through a situation than I

Sophomore Naia Summers “I got my mom two Yankee Candles because she really loves candles and then, I went to Reed’s and got her a bracelet that has her last name initial on it.”

Senior Jacob Garner “I got her some flowers and helped her clean the house. She was happy but I usually get her the same thing every year.”

am and she gives great advice. I mean I go to her for advice all the time.”

Despite living together for 18 years, Holc and Webb have differing teaching styles.

“The students relate to her in a different way than they relate to me,” Holc said. “They know that she’s feisty, they know that she’s spunky, and they know she has expectations. And me coming into the building as a new person, I don’t really think the students knew what to think because we have two different teaching styles.”

Some students have had the opportunity to be taught by both Webb and Holc.

“Ms. Holc can get very loud and I guess she gets it from Ms. Webb,” senior Roque Gutierrez said. “[In Ms. Holc’s class] we are doing projects right now, in Ms. Webb’s class we don’t do a lot of projects, she focuses more on lecturing.”

Despite the fact that their teaching techniques are not similar, Holc still aspires to act like her mom outside of the class-

Government teacher Karen Webb and history teacher Raven Holc share a special bond. The mother and daughter duo teach along side each other at PGHS. Photo by Daniel Puryear. room.

“I have always admired my mom because she is independent, opinionated, and is not afraid to be her own person,” Holc said. “I think her students really admire the fact that she tries to create her classroom as a home.”

Even though Mother’s Day has passed, Holc and Webb continue to provide support and encouragement to each other throughout the year.

“I’m very proud of the women that she is and I’m very proud of the teacher that she is,” Webb said. “She’s probably the best big sister her siblings could ever ask for.”

Sophomore Madison Quesenberry “For Mother’s Day I got my mom a Fitbit. When I gave it to her she was excited because she has wanted one for a while now.”

Junior Trey Steward “I got my mom a giant stuffed bear and flowers. She was very pleased and surprised I did that for her because I gave it to her after I made her dinner and a cake.”

FRIDAY 5.13.16 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 9

FEATURES

Retiring Teachers Reflect On Time As Educators Bradshaw Started At Local YMCA Teaching Swimming, Emory Found Position Through Friend Kattie Iwanski TRN writer

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s graduation nears and the year ends, Kandie Bradshaw sees her past and present students move to new heights in their lives.

“I have absolutely loved teaching,” Bradshaw said. “I have loved teaching French cause I love French and introducing kids to the language and also the possibility of travel and getting to know other cultures. Also I like teenagers I think they are fun, funny, and have a lot of energy.”

Bradshaw has been teaching for 36 years now and has been at Prince George for 20 years.

“I have always taught french but I have also taught Spanish. I taught Spanish for about 6 years,” Bradshaw said.

Other than teachers, there are also coaches retiring this year including wrestling coach David Emory.

“I have been the wrestling head coach for 18 years and assistant coach for 2 years,” Emory said.

Emory and Bradshaw both love what they do, but stumbled across the jobs in different ways.

“One of my friends that was the head varsity coach asked me to do it and I really was not too familiar about the sport, but for a whole year I just kind of sat, watched, and learned,” Emory said.

However, Bradshaw knew she wanted to be a teacher from a young age. She worked at the YMCA, teaching swimming lessons and working for their day camp. “...I liked working with children,” Bradshaw said. “At first I thought I was going to teach elementary school, but then when I fell in love with French and when I did my junior year in France, I decided I was going to teach French to high school students instead. I think it is a much better fit for me.”

Both Bradshaw and Emory have plans to help and enjoy their family after

they retire.

“My husband and I are going to try to do something where we go down towards the water because my husband wants to go fishing and so it will be like a vacation home,” Bradshaw said. “I also have a grandson, so I certainly want to spend time with him. He is five and a half, but of course he will be starting school soon. I have a lot of projects I want to do at home but also to travel.”

Having been teaching and coaching for 15 or more years Bradshaw and Emory are forced to think about what they are going to miss. “[I’m going to miss] watching kids go from 8th grade to their senior year and to

French teacher Kandie Bradshaw teaches a lesson to her French class. This school year was her 36th and final year as a member of the foreign language department.

Photo by Kattie Iwanski. watch them improve,” Emory said. “Also seeing some of the kids make it to the state championships, which is at such a high level. And seeing some of the kids get their first win has been really special,” Emory said.

“I am going to miss the students and I am going to miss the laughter of being with the students. I am also going

to miss my co-workers because I really enjoy the people I work with,” Bradshaw said. “I am going to miss very much being apart of teenagers lives because that is all I have ever known really in all my years of working.”

Even though Bradshaw will be retiring from teaching and Emory will retire from coaching, both are going to miss it tremendously.

“I tell people all the time I feel like I have won the lottery. It is because all of a sudden something has been so significant with a student that I feel like they get it, that they love it, have an interest, or appreciate it,” Bradshaw said. “I think that is kind of like winning the lottery. I was telling my class today that one time my class raised $800 and I had to die my hair purple, that was definitely one of the most memorable things.”

“The most memorable moment I can recall was when I had a student named Jason Jordan, who made it to the state finals, which is the furthest a person in Prince George High School has ever gone. I was even wearing a shirt and tie to just be there representing him in the corner. This was definitely one of my most memorable moments,” Emory said.

As the year rolls to an end, the students are making a special effort to show how much their retiring teachers and coaches have affected their lives.

“Mrs. Bradshaw makes me want to try harder as well as not take the education I’m fortunate to get for granted. She inspires me to be kinder and always offer a gentle hand to someone who needs it,” junior French III student Kayla Aldrich said.

Coach Emory has also had a similar effect on his wrestlers.

“Coach Emory affected my wrestling career by pushing me to succeed and showing me different techniques to be a better wrestler,” sophomore wrestler Wallace Canada said. “Personally he affected me because he had goals for all of us, not just as a team, but individually as well. He inspired me by showing me that no matter what your goals are, there are no limits to achieving them.”

12 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 5.13.16

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FRIDAY 5.13.16 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 13

A&E

Band Performs End of Year Concert Members anticipate performing their last showcase of the 2015-2016 school year.

I

Mavaney Keel TRN Writer

t takes blood, sweat, tears, and some pretty sharp sight, reading skills to be in marching band.

Whether it’s a tough crowd, hours on end of practicing, or the summer heat, you gotta have guts.

The symphonic band went out with a bang. As the year comes to a close the band prepared to put on a show to grace everyone with their musical talents.

When you take time to practice and play songs again and again over and over while constantly being critiqued, striving to play better and more skillfully every time, you get an amazing outcome.

“The band has been preparing for this concert since mid-March and is just polish-

ing the music at this point,” band teacher Michael Warnock said. Junior and alto saxophone player Abiasaph Maldonado said that they prepared everyday in class for the end of the year presentation.

The students were ready to display their talents to an audience and were eager to play. Flute player Michelle Harris said “We [played] great, fun songs like the Lion King.”

Summer is approaching and the band concert set the mood for a more whimsical and lighthearted concert. The band concert was geared more towards the end of the year it was a bit different from their typical performance.

“It is a concert that lets us relax because there are no judges just parents and peers,” Harris said.

“I’m excited.” This event gave them an excellent opportunity to showcase what they’ve been working for all year, improving

their talents and receiving lasting results.

The band played four songs, “The Lion King”, “Estampie”, “Inchon”, and “Light Eternal” that they practiced for about a month and a half. “The songs are picked through a combination of matching music to the SOL’s, letting the students pick from a variety of songs, and are based on difficulty,” said Warnock.

“The main reason for putting on an end of year concert is to give the students an opportunity to perform,” Warnock said. “The band members are usually excited about performing in general. They love to play their instruments for other people.”

For some band members this meant they got to try new things.

“I’m excited,” Maldonado said. “We have more songs. Also, I’m playing a different instrument. I normally play the alto saxophone, but for this concert I’m playing the tenor saxophone.”

Junior Donnell Williams, sophomore Fernando Batista-Rivera, junior Kayla Schafer , and junior Melissa Harris practice for the upcoming end of school year concert.

Photo by Mavaney Keel.

Many of the students that are involved with band have been playing since middle school. For some, music is more than just a hobby. It brings together students and encourages a teamwork environment.

Putting on a concert takes a lot of different aspects all working in unison to put on a show filled with hard working musical talent. For many band and music in general is their passion.

“I love to play music,” Maldonado said, “It gives the world life and emotion.”

14 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 5.13.16

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FRIDAY 5.13.16 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 15

A&E

PG Players Perform End of Year Spring Play

After eight weeks of hard work and preparation, the cast of Some Enchanted Evening presented popular songs Julian Whichard TRN Writer

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he Prince George Players performed their newest project “Some Enchanted Evening.”

The showing will start on May 5th and continue on throughout the week on May 6th, May 7th. Showing time is at 7:30 in the auditorium. Tickets were sold for $7 and they were also on sale at the door. Tickets were also on sale from Mr. Phillips during fifth block. Also, on May 7th they performed a 2 o’clock matinee. The proceeds from this matinee will go to the Marvin Massenburg fund. If you love comedy, music and dancing than you should have def “They really enjoy all of it. Most of the music is recognizable to all people. There are songs from the sound of music, Oklahoma, south pacific, and even Cinderella,” director Daryll Phillips said. “All of the songs have become more popular over the years, they are known much further than Rogers and Hammerstein.”

Most of the music performed in the show was well-known. It has been featured in many recognizable movies and musicals. The performers worked extremely hard on the project. Phillips and the performers stayed after school every day and practiced all the things that go along with the show. Such as costumes, singing, and dancing.

“About eight weeks, they have been working with me on the staging of music, Mrs. Hoople on actually learning the music, and Nasia Glover on the choreography,” Phillips said.

The performers have been working very hard on this piece of work. They practiced for about eight weeks. Working with Mr. Phillips on the staging of the music and Mrs. Hoople on actually learning the music. Along with the singing, the students have been working with Nasia Glover on

the choreography of the play. They not only will be singing but dancing as well.

“Both had careers before coming together. They invented the concept of modern theatre, as we know it today. They were the first ones to involve the story more in their music. Their music is more storydriven than music-driven,” Phillips said.

Rogers and Hammerstein both had careers before stumbling upon music. The two together changed the whole concept of theatre. They paved the way of Modern theatre, as we know it. Instead of focusing on the music, they found a way to incorporate the story into it as well. Making their plays more story-driven than musicdriven. Without Rogers and Hammerstein,

making plays into musicals would be completely different.

“Mainly they sang the songs but in between the songs they will performed improvised comedy. Along with singing and comedy, they danced as well,” Phillips, said.

When the PG Players performed the songs they also danced, as well as performed improvised comedy in between the songs. They didn’t have a script to read from and did not rehearse at all. The comedy posed as a form of comic relief but also gave performers time to get ready for their next piece.

“They kept costumes neutral and simple. During the first act they wore regular street clothes. During act two the costumes

Senior Kevin Foster (left) and sophomore Samantha Preece (right) practice for the play, “Some Enchanted Evening”. The play debuted on May 5th, 6th, and 7th.

Photo by Royals media. were more formal,” Phillips said.

The costumes during the first act will be more modern and regular than the second act. During the second act they will change into more formal costumes.

This play was a combination of music, dancing, singing and comedy. Students were able to come to the school and watch fellow classmates perform and enjoy themselves.

16 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 05.13.16

A&E Gamer's Corner & Critic Review

Homefront: The Revolution

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omefront: The Revolution is a first person shooter that will be released May 17, 2016, and will be published by Deep Silver and developed by the German video game company Crytek. This title is the sequel to the 2011 game Homefront that has a similar plot.

Philadelphia is one of America’s most historically significant cities but in 2029 it is overrun by a brutal military force that wants to take out the United States. The Korean Peoples Army has been preparing for this attack for quite some time and the opportunity has come. The player is the leader of a bold American resistance

Matt Reed

movement to free Philadelphia from the Korean Army’s clutches.

The Koreans overpower the resistance due to their better technology, firepower, heavy armor, and air support. In order for the Americans to defeat the brutal military force they will need to utilize guerilla warfare tactics like ambushes, sabotaging things, infiltrating enemy territory, and deception. In addition to guerilla warfare, the Americans will need to use their technical expertise to make weapons that can be modified, remote control Improvised Explosive Devices, and tools that could be used to hack into enemy technology.

Pre-ordering this title comes with perks depending on what company the pre-order is with. For instance if the pre-order is made with GameStop it will include a GameStop exclusive guerilla care package which will include five crates

of blueprints, attachments, equipment, combat stimulants, critical battle boosters.

Gamestop also includes the revolutionary spirit pack that features The Red Skull motorbike skin, the Golden Skin for your

Photos courtesy of wccftech.com trusty pistol, and early unlocks for your co-op character: Sniper Scope, remote explosives, marksman rifle.

Kardashians Return for Season 12

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merica’s first reality family, the Kardashians, has returned to America’s living rooms for more mind-blowing, shocking revelations from this colorful, blended family. The Kardashian clan rose to stardom when one of the siblings, Kim Kardashian’s scandalous activities came to light, newfound fame eventually led to a series.

The series premiered on October 14, 2007, on E! Cable network to huge success and has since been rated the network’s highest-rated reality series. The show focuses on the personal and professional lives of this well-known blended family. The show has created many successful careers for the blended family of the Kardashians and Jenners.

Alexis Stewart

The show stars media socialite Kim Kardashian and her sisters, Kourtney and Khloe, who are the main characters of the series.

The show also includes brother Rob Kardashian, half-siblings Kendall and Kylie Jenner, and parents Kris and Caitlyn Jenner. The show has lead to successful careers for each member of the family. Turning the Kardashian-Jenner family into a brand empire with successful clothing lines, beauty products, and lifestyle apps.

The show is currently airing its twelfth season which opened up to the afterbirth of Kim’s newborn baby boy Saint West with her husband Kanye West, in which the labor delivery left the eleventh season off on a cliffhanger. In the beginning of the episode the family described how life has changed since the arrival of her second

baby and how stressful and hectic it has become. The episode follows the very public breakup of Kourtney and ex-boyfriend Scott Disick who are both in the process of moving on with their lives including homes and careers. The episode elaborates on Disick’s healthier lifestyle after being in a rehabilitation facility and taking initiative to become a better father to their three children.

But it also shows Kourtney in a more mellow, happier mood and expands on her professional career. Khloe deals with the release of Lamar Odom, her husband

Photo published from Huluim.com from a rehabilitation facility after his accident in October 2015. She is seen planning and decorating the new house for his arrival so everything will be in place.

She also deals with balancing her hectic schedules of dealing with media press and marital problems. She also is seen dealing with her brother Rob who is in a new relationship with Blac Chyna that could potentially cause a rift in the family.

FRIDAY 5.13.16 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 17

Yankee Coffee Shop

2557-A S. Crater Rd. Petersburg, VA 23805 (804)-861-4990 Hours of Operation: Thursday-Monday: 5:30 A.M.- 1:45 P.M. Closed: Tuesday & Wednesday

REGISTER in person on May 24th from 5-7pm or mail in your form and payment to:

Gotta DANCE! School of Performing Arts 6317 Courthouse Rd, Prince George, VA 23875 ~Printable Registration Form is on our website~ gottadance23875.com

Gotta DANCE! School of Performing Arts 6317 Courthouse Rd, Prince George, VA 23875

18 | THE ROYAL NEWS| FRIDAY 5.13.16

SPRING SPORTS Baseball On Pace To Break Season Win Record After Suffering First Loss To Matoaca, Royals Regroup With Multiple Wins

Carlee Lively TRN Writer

A

s left-handed batter, junior Justin Nase steps up to the plate, the only goal in mind is to drive the ball left; the goal to win.

“We are going into every game like we still have something to prove. We are playing like we’re still fighting for the number one spot,” Nase said.

This year’s team also has plenty of experience, with four seniors, seven juniors, and just five sophomores.

Every team’s goal is to win, but dedication and hard work mixed with skills are many factors to achieving this.

The team doesn’t only have regular conditioning and practices throughout baseball season, but also have a 10 game fall season known as fall ball.

The team also completes winter workouts mixed in with weight training during the winter months. This helps the players stay in peak condition for the upcoming season.

Team chemistry is also a big factor that this group of players can take and use to their advantage.

“This team has more depth than teams

in the past. The team chemistry is very good with this group of players,” Head Coach Mickey Roberts said. “I believe everyone on this team understands their role and how they fit into our team.”

Every player on a team has a role, a little piece in the puzzle, to add character and skills. This isn’t just true on the high school level. The best teams aren’t carried by one good player. To reach the ultimate goal of winning states, it takes input from each and every member of the team.

Players bring a lot of variety and different personalities. Teams merge together to make one big unit.

“We’re successful for one main reason, our team is a family. We all get along and love playing with each other,” Nase said.

Chemistry of a team also can lead to better communication. Communication in return can help the team connect and cheer each other on.

Another essential factor to a successful team and season are the skill set of the players. Skills develop after years of practice and experiences. They can make or break a team.

“Offensively, we are better this year. In past years, we would have two or three guys who were legitimate threats at the plate. This year, we have six or seven guys who can get the job done at the plate,” Roberts said.

With the season ahead looking promis-

Right fielder Tucker Majetic steps up to the plate and looks for the sign from Coach Mickey Roberts. Majetic is a second year varsity player.

Photo by Daniel Puryear. ing for the boys, they seemed to be untouchable. “...Baseball is a funny game. Just about anything can happen at any moment,” Nase said.

Going 13-0 for the first half of the season, the team suffered their first lost against Matoaca 3-2. The game was hard fought but the Royals could not capitalize against the Warriors.

“Losing helped us realize we are beatable. We have to be ready for any and everything,” junior outfielder Tucker Majetic said.

The feeling of losing the first game left a bitter feeling in the Royals’ mouths.

The baseball team may have had a speed bump in the road but they do not plan to let it slow them down.

“Being on the PG baseball team means a lot. Coach Roberts has built a reputation that’s heard around the country,” Nase said.

“It’s amazing to be apart of what he has accomplished and what the team has achieved.”

The Winner & Loser of the 2016 NFL Draft

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he Dallas Cowboys are one of the most successful franchises in the history of the NFL, and with draft classes like this, you might begin to understand why. The Cowboys are contenders, despite common belief.

With Romo and Bryant returning, the Cowboys just needed to draft strategically.

The Cowboys selected Ezekiel Paul Dennis Jr. Elliot, the Ohio State back with more versatility than any other back in his class. Their offensive line possesses more talent than virtually any other group in the league, and with a back as talented as Elliot running the ball, it should bring their running game back to its 2014 form. They also added Jaylon Smith, the injured linebacker from Notre Dame who at full health, might just be the best player drafted this year. Smith has more athleticism and capability than any other player when healthy, so if he returns to form then the Cowboys will have quite the player.

Overall the Cowboys are going into the summer workouts with one of the most talent filled rosters in the league.

The Atlanta Falcons failed to make the playoffs last year despite their electric 6-1 start, and looked to fill needs through the 2016 NFL Draft. But even with them being a very talented team, there were very glaring needs on the roster. On the defensive side of the ball they lacked an interior pass rush, at inside linebacker they were pretty weak and in need of an athletic backer who can play sideline to sideline, and at safety they lacked an ideal fit to cover the back end. However, in the draft the Falcons failed to address many of those needs. First, they reached for Florida Safety Keanu Neal, a pick that possibly could have waited till the second round. Then they proceeded to draft a safety-linebacker hybrid player in Deion Jones. That’s ideally how the rest of their draft went; spending high picks on players that they could have traded down for, and in theory didn’t really fill the holes that needed to be filled.

FRIDAY 5.13.16 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 19

SPRING SPORTS

Senior Spotlight

Athletes Appreciate Field Caretaker

Hunter Bartlett

Boys Soccer

Smith, Johnson Receive Recognition For Prime Condition Of Fields

Jay Dee Johnson pauses for a moment as he cuts the outfield for the varsity softball team. Johnson and Smith have worked to make all of the Prince George fields some of the best in the region.

Contributed photo by Ron Rhodes.

Wayne Coleman TRN Writer

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thletes gain the glory for leading their school to victory on a week night. In the midst of the excitement of celebration, no one thinks twice about who has to clean up the playing field

after the battle.

No one thinks to thank Buddy Smith and JD Johnson for helping maintain their team’s field conditions.

Smith is a lifetime native of the Tri-Cities area.

“I was born in Petersburg, [I] graduated from Colonial Heights,” Smith said.

He also served time in Vietnam - three years active duty, although never seeing the battlefield.

Smith has been doing this job for 20 years, after starting out at first as the A/C and heat maintenance tech for his first four years of employment.

Every morning at 5 AM, Smith gets up and goes to work at the high school, doing his usual internal maintenance duties.

This is not all he does, aside from making sure the air conditioning work, Smith goes

around to all schools and mows the lawns to make sure they all look pristine.

Smith works long days, but when he gets to the playing fields, he takes full advantage, getting lost in the grass, using the time as a way to relax.

Athletic Director Bill Russell knows the importance of maintaining the fields his athletes play on. “[The goal is] to have them [playing fields] at an optimum,” Russell said. “To have them looking as good as they can be.”

Junior Ryan Bohatec plays varsity football and sophomore Austin Aaron plays varsity soccer. Both agree with Russell.

“It is very important because a good home field gives you an advantage in your own stadium,” Aaron said.

To be able to aid the team, the field needs to suit certain positions, which seems to be well done.

“I like it [the field] very much because the ground is very soft. As a goalkeeper, when you dive it’s better to fall on a plush surface than a rough one,” Aaron said.

This is one of the main reasons Smith loves doing what he does - he views maintaining the safety of the student athletes as a top priority.

The athletic department has the utmost respect for Smith and what he does for them.

“Mr. Smith’s worth is immeasurable, his

love is immeasurable to us,” Russell said. “We have appreciated him, [the athletes] treasure the field, that means the world to him.”

The athletes greatly appreciate the people that take care of their home.

“I value them [the caretakers] highly because they keep the field in good condition for game day,” Aaron said.

However, there were times when the care of the athletic fields was not top notch.

“We had years where it wasn’t as good as where it could be. Now you can tell the difference,” Russell said. ”Now we get compliments from opponents and referees.”

Student athletes continue to share their thanks with Smith and Johnson.

“We appreciate what they do, it means a lot to the people who play on the field,” Bohatec said.

Austin also thanked them for their hard work.

“The soccer team values all the hard work that Mr. Smith and Mr. Johnson do to maintain the field, so we can win more games at home,” Aaron said. “Having a well kept field keeps our level of play up.”

In the world of athletics, players and fans often fail to appreciate the value of having supporters. People like Smith are extremely important.

How long have you been playing soccer?

“I’ve been playing for about fourteen years.”

What do you love most about the sport?

“I would say the team and the family environment.”

What position do you play and what do you like most about that position?

“I play right midfielder and what I love most about it is being able to play both offense and defense. It is a very active position.”

What made you start playing soccer?

“My dad played in high school for PG and wanted me to play also. But I love the sport. I have played other sports before but something about soccer makes me love it the most.”

How do you feel about it being your last year playing?

“Sad of course. Being a senior and it being my last year playing are tough to accept and it hasn’t really hit me yet.”

What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind on the field?

“I want people to remember me for my love of the game and my love for the team around me.”

SpringSports >> UPCOMING EVENTS

Varsity baseball game against Petersburg on Tues., May. 17th at 6:00 PM

>>

Varsity softball game against Cosby on Wed., May. 18th at 5:00 PM

>>

Varsity girl soccer game against Meadowbrook on Thurs., May. 19th at 5:30 PM

Track Team Breaks 4x100 Record Twice Jacob Wood TRN Writer

O

n Saturday May 7th, the 4x100 meter relay team broke a school record at the Highland Springs invitational.

The 4x100 relay record was broken by junior Aman Bivens, senior Malik Gurley, junior Keith Brown, and junior Al-Tarik “Tarik” Samuels. They broke the record time of 42.5 seconds, setting the bar at 42.23 seconds.

Before breaking the record again, the 4x100 relay team commented on breaking the previous mark earlier this season. Their previous time was 42.58, which was set on April 20th. Before that record was set, the time stood at 42.81.

“It feels great… I’m glad to be on a relay team with so many talented runners,” Bivens said.

This is Bivens first year running track for the school.

Each of the runners ran one hundred meters. “Legs” are used to refer to the order of the runners in a relay. First leg starts the race with the baton, hands the baton off to second leg, followed by third, and anchor leg finishes the relay.

Bivens was the first leg, then Gurley, followed by Brown, and finally Samuels as the anchor leg.

“It’s pretty much [relies] on Keith’s leg…

He’s the third leg and it is the most important leg,” said Samuels.

The runners have been training hard in preparation of beating the record. They were very confident of their chances of success. All of them plan on running this event again and hopefully obtaining another personal record.

The team already qualifies for both state and national meets with the new record time.

“Our record might be long-lasting, but there’s still a chance it can be broken,” Brown said. “I encourage other runners to

try and break it. I hope they strive to break our own record.”

Going into the meet, the runners on the 4x100 team were almost certain that they would be able to beat the record. “…We kind of had that feeling that we were going to win. You run your fastest with good competition and we had some very good competition,” Gurley said.

Gurley has been running track for three years, and this year makes it his fourth.

The runners have been hard at work preparing for the event.

“Each one of them has great speed in their respect, but handoffs are the key in the 4x100. Smooth handoffs are the key,” head coach William Stevens said.

This is Stevens fifth year coaching outdoor and indoor track.

“I have had three state champions in two years, and I have nine kids that made it to states since I’ve been here. And three state champions,” Stevens said.

In addition to the usual motivation factor, one runner adds a humorous reason to it all.

“We were confident about it… We were all primed to do good,” Brown said. “It was either break it or we’re not going home.”

Before this season, the 4x100 record was held by Joseph Kemp, Malik Gurley, Tarik Samuels, and Jetho Clerveaux. The old 4x100 relay team set the record at Nationals last summer on June 19th.

Looking forward with anticipation, it is difficult to guess what the track team will achieve next. The 4x100 team is confident in their abilities to achieve another personal record, and it would be exciting to see them achieve this goal.

The Track Conference Tournament will take place the 19th and 20th of May. All field events are scheduled for the 19th, along with the 4x100 team. All other running events are scheduled to happen on the 20th.

“I’m planning on breaking all records,” Gurley said. “Records are made to be broken.”

___

Senior Malik Gurley warms up for his meet at Lee Davis where he ran in the 4x100. The 4x100 relay record was broken by junior Aman Bivens, senior Malik Gurley, junior Keith Brown, and junior AlTarik “Tarik” Samuels. They broke the record time of 42.5 seconds, setting the bar at 42.23 seconds.

Photo by Jacob Wood.