Royal News Sept

students return prepared for class with summer reading > p.9 English & history classes get an early start on the academic year by requiring novels and text to be studied in July & August.

Issue 1, Volume VII Prince George High School’s Student Newspaper 7801 Laurel Spring Rd. Prince George, VA 23875 804-733-2720 www.trnwired.com

ten strategies to start year off right > p. 6 English teacher Crystal Lipscombe suggests steps to make good first impressions.

Several teachers also share insight into what they are looking for from a top student.

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Seniors pose for their final school portraits p. 8

Senior Bryson Elam poses for his senior pictures during the summer photo sessions that were done by Candid Color. photo by Brittany Carpenter

Welcome new teachers; meet over twenty new staff members p.4 & 5 New breakfast & lunch menu impacts students p. 7 Find your way to the important places with blueprint map p. 9 & 10

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Editorial

Page 2 -The Royal News - September 2, 2008

Opinion

theRoyalNews O

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

We invite your commentary: The Royal News Opinion page is a forum for public discussion and shall be open to all students.

The Royal News will print as many letters as space will allow. The Royal News reserves the right not to print a letter. The Royal News publishes a wide variety of opinions. Send letters to: Letters to the Editor, The Royal News, PGHS, 7801 Laurel Spring Road, Prince George, Virginia 23875, or bring them to room A6, or e-mail them to cwaugaman@pgs.k12. va.us We reserve the right to edit for clarity, brevity, accuracy, legality, spelling and grammar. Please include your name, address and phone number. Anonymous letters will not be considered for publication. 500 word maximum. Next chance to submit letters will be for the October Issue. Thanks for all the letters.

Four-day school week sounds promising

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hree-day weekends, every week? One could definitely get used to that. According to PARADE, over 100 schools across the nation have gone to four-day school weeks to combat the rising gas prices. With diesel being sold at $4.70 a gallon last spring, some schools saw this as the best alternative to slashing field trips or cutting extra-curricular activities.

In Kentucky, a school district not only saved $250,000 their first year, but they also noticed an improvement in their students’ attendance records and test scores. This district even reported a decrease in the disciplinary problems at their schools. So why aren’t students nationwide lazing in the sun on at least one weekday?

One of the issues that comes up against the four-day week is the strain it puts on working parents of small children. A critic worries that the more time a child spends at home alone, the greater the risk of that child getting into consequential and even harmful mischief. Several churches have stepped up to the problem and are now offering free day-care on those specific days.

Other schools have decided to train teenagers to baby-sit.

Schools that are part of the fourday workweek have their students stay an extra 80 minutes every day.

This would mean that if school stated at 7:50, it would not get out until 3:50. Afternoon activities are a little bit limited in these districts, but as Kathleen Kingsbury of TIME points out, “for many districts, the four-day week is the only way to keep from having to eliminate athletics and other extra-curricular activities.”

Although some may find cons against the four-day week, it is hard to argue against higher state scores, less substitutes standing in for teachers and an overall decrease in the money spent on transportation and heating and cooling systems.

Who knows, instead of TGIF, it may become TGIT in schools?

Editor-in-Chief Chelsea Nave

Section Editors Liana Elopre - News Erica Bulger - Op/Ed Mia Norman - Features Katie Adams - & Kayla Carneal - A&E Josh Stewart - Sports Kenneth Wooten - Sports Spencer Lambert - Sports Taryn Langley - Double Truck

What do you think about having a four-day school week?

Brittany Carpenter - Photo Savanah Stricklin - Photo Shereese Blanks - Copy Editor Madison Moss - Webpage manager/Ads manager Alex Binford - Circulation

Editorial Cartoonist Tori Anderson

Adviser

Chris Waugaman

The Royal News, PGHS

Nicole Walker Senior “I think it would save gas.

Also, it would give students a lot more time to rest. I dance almost every night and a four-day week would give me a great amount of rest.”

Stan Pulskamp Algebra, Geometry

Monica Curtis Attendance Secretary

“I think from an energy conservation stand point and a family stand point it would be great, but it would put a lot of pressure on students and teachers because they would be class for a longer period.”

“Administration worked four days in the summer and having Friday off was very nice. A four-day week sounds wonderful”

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

Professional affiliations & awards Columbia Scholastic Press Associations Silver Medalist 2007 - National Scholastic Press Association 1st Class Award 2007 Virginia High School Association Trophy Class 2007 - Quill & Scroll International 1st Place 2007 - SIPA All Southern 2008

September 2, 2008 - The Royal News - Page 3

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always hated coming back to school in September and being asked to write about what I did over the summer. It wasn’t because I was too lazy (which is usually the reason I don’t like being asked to do things), but because I never had much to write. “Sitting around watching cartoons” isn’t worth wasting a piece of paper on. It’s not even a complete sentence - it’s a fragment. (Remember those? Because after nearly three months of shutting off my brain, I’ve forgotten pretty much everything I’ve learned Erika Bedwell since I was about six.)

But unfortunately, fragments have always been enough to sum up my lackluster summers.

If you were expecting the next sentence to be “But this one was an exception,” I’m sorry. It wasn’t.

And now school is here. I can no longer afford to be lazy. My mornings will be dedicated to frantically completing last night’s homework, as opposed to rolling out of my bed like a fat little butterball in order to consume Apple Dapples (a cheaper version Apple Jacks with a much catchier name) and watch cartoons.

My noons will be spent sitting in a rigidly built desk, working on something I have very little confidence in my ability to complete, occasionally taking a break to squeeze the bridge of my nose to relieve an oncoming tension headache. This will be quite different from noon in the summer, in which I would normally be lying on the sofa, watching TV, and occasionally scratching myself.

Evenings will be spent putting off the project we were assigned on the first day of school in favor of a more scholarly pursuit, like say, MySpace. I will not begin this project until the night before it is due...in June.

Wait, I said I wasn’t going to be lazy, didn’t I? Well, some habits are really hard to break.

Despite that, I feel as if September is spring for humans. Like animals, we stop relaxing (or hibernating) and become productive. Like animals, we get busy (I mean this in the literal sense for humans, but for animals it may carry a more suggestive meaning).

We begin thriving off of productivity instead of swearing it off. It becomes a gift instead of a burden. It makes it possible for us to stop lying around, waiting for something to happen and to actually work and strive for it.

And there’s nothing lazy about that.

Letters to the Editor Summer schoolers not just delinquents

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ost students have finished enjoying their summer by the pool and sleeping until three in the afternoon, but not all. Some students however were in the classroom working on writing assignments, math problems or history questions. They sat praying for the 2:30 bell to hurry up and ring so they could try to salvage the last bit of their day. The place that held these kids captive is known as summer school.

When you hear the words “summer school” you probably think of juvenile delinquents that have done nothing the entire school year, have a zero average and are being punished. But actually, some of us that were in the classroom are far from delinquents and have simply just transferred schools and lost credit because of the move. As far as our previous school is concerned we have passed the course we later must take in summer school.

Since Prince George has a majority of kids who transferred to our school because of the military, we feel it would be more convenient to have a four by four schedule. As of right now, Prince George has an odd-even schedule, meaning that students have certain classes they attend on odd days and others on even days throughout the whole year.

With a four by four schedule, students take four classes the first semester then a second set of classes the next semester. These classes meet every day. Students receive full credit for the classes they complete at the end of each semester. At the end of the year a student should receive eight credits with a four by four schedule, compared to only seven credits with an odd-even schedule.

With the odd-even schedule we have now transfer students lose credits and must re-take the course. Having a four by four schedule

PRO/CON Should there be an age limit on trick-or-treating?

could potentially prevent students from losing their hard earned credits and from auditing classes. When you audit a class, you basically learn the material but do not get graded or receive any credit. It’s basically a waste of time, but since you have to be in school, you have no choice. A four by four could prevent a student from sitting in class and doing work for nothing and then taking the course in summer school for $250.

The four by four schedule should be taken into consideration and hopefully a possible plan can emerge. We want to give a fair chance to those students who work hard and have to spend the summer in school when it wasn’t their fault or choice.

Respectfully, Jade Dhooghe, Nicki Pate, Leneika Summers, and Brittany Blizzard

Lack of senior trip is preposterous

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s the new school year begins, we seniors still have no “senior trip”. Petersburg, Dinwiddie, Hopewell, and many other high schools have senior trips that take them far as Florida. Why cant we?

Many of us find this preposterous. We want to be able to look back at this year as one of our best high school memories. A senior trip should be a righteous privilege that all seniors earn for graduating. It’s a time for all us to come together one last time before we go our separate ways.

We understand that a senior trip is going to cost a lot of money, but we are willing to have fundraisers to raise money for this suggestion that we believe in.

Our senior trip is a once in a lifetime experience. Having just completed twelve

Making The Grade

‘So class, what did you do over the long summer?’

The staff will be debating this topic in October’s issue. Write a Letter to the Editor and tell us what you think.

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years of school, we need to celebrate, build lasting memories and make lifelong friends.

Cassandra Grammer, Brittany Charity Orerietia Wilson, Essence Jones

Restrooms require year-round attention

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ear Editor, We would like to bring it to everyone’s attention that our restrooms will soon be in a constant state of disarray. This state includes issues that range from minor to downright colossal. Everything may appear nice now, but we are anticipating the worst.

Throughout last year the bathrooms were lacking some essential elements. Soap, paper towels, locking stall doors and urinal cakes were at some point all missing. We feel this is not acceptable. In addition to the lack of supplies the tile and sinks are old and disgusting. At a certain point all restrooms need renovation. Cleaning is not going to fix the structure.

We realize that these changes come with minor costs and fees, but if the student body and the faculty are willing to crack down, these problems will not be that large of an issue. It’s a sad fact that the school is willing to put our health in jeopardy with unsanitary restrooms.

Of course, some things cannot be fixed.

Some students are still going to break the rules and destroy the property. But just maybe if we have a clean, bright, nice area to go to the bathroom, we will try to respect our facilities more.

Sincerely, Mark Olkonen, Raymond Ceasar, Remington Strubel, Zak Lussier, Kari Small

Cleanliness, a new day, a new year. A big thank you to all of the

custodial staff that worked hard to make the return of the school year neat and tidy for all incoming students. A clean environment makes for a steady workday in the school.

Beginning of school, the summer vacation has come to an end and students must return from their slumbers. It is time to wake bright and early and go through the rigorous, yet, educational day. A time to meet and make new friends among the school.

Summer weather has been up in the heat index, but with

Fall approaching the temperature will soon become cooler. No more sweat-filled days to make a person feel dirty and uncomfortable. A perfect start to the school year.

Page 4 - The Royal News - September 2, 2008

1. Clarisa Wilson (Risa)

Subject: Spanish Birthplace: BKlyn, New York Education:University of Mary Washington When did you decide to become a teacher?

Opportunity became available and I tried it for a year and loved it.

Teaching Experience: Seasoned over five years Quote lived by? “In life, you will have more questions than answers.”

2. Christine Ritter Franchok

Subject: Biology Born: Hopewell, VA Education: Hopewell High, Longwood When did you decide to become a teacher?

I decided when I was 17. My Dad was a teacher for 39 years.

Teaching Experience: 8 years at Hopewell H.S. Quote lived by? “Live each day to its fullest.”

3. Paola Jones

Subject: Spanish Birthplace: Colombia Education: Lyndon B. Johnson H.S, Richard Bland College and Liberty.

When did you decide to become a teacher?

Last year. After having my daughter Best advice you have received about teaching so far?

Start out like you can hold out.

WELC

4. Robert Bowman

Subject: Biology Birthplace: Petersburg, Va Education: L.C Bird H.S and Longwood When did you decide to become a teacher? 25 Teaching Experience: Hopewell, 3 years Who inspires you? Mother, who taught for 41 years

5. Julianne Theune

Subject:Science- Chemistry Birthplace: Long Beach, California Education: Irvine H.S(California): 9th- 11th, Pacifica H.S (California): 12th Chemistry Major at University of California (Irvine, California) Teaching Experience: 3 years at Monacan H.S.

6. Darbara Simmons

Subject: History Birthplace: Alabama Education: Osterholz American H.S., Liberty, Virginia State, and VCU. When did you decide to become a teacher? 30 something. After moving around with my “soldier” and while he was deployed.

Best advice you have received about teaching?

Connect with your students, “Be Real” Quote lived by? Failure is NOT an option.

7. Kim Beales

Subject: Fashion Marketing Birthplace: Marion, North Carolina Education: Thomas Dale, Appalachian State Univ Teaching Experience: Career Switcher. Worked in retail for 18 years. Fashion Show Coordinator.

Best advice you have received about teaching so far?

Love what you do!

Quote lived by? Zest is the secret of all beauty.

There is no beauty that is attractive without zest! –Christian Dior.

8. Kathy Thompson Position: School Nurse

9. Cinnamon Brown Name

Subject: Algebra 1 Pt. 1 & 2 Birthplace: Washington, D.C Education: Prince George, Saint Paul’s College When did you decide to become a teacher? I was in my freshman year in college; I had originally majored in Criminal Justice. During my second semester I changed from Criminal Justice to Mathematics and Secondary Education.

Teaching Experience: John Marshall H.S in Richmond, VA for a year and a half, Dr. Henry A. Wise H.S in Marlboro, MD. Quote lived by? “Failure leads to Success”

10. Michelle Ingram

Subject: English 11 (Special Ed) Birthplace: Virginia Education: Highland Springs and Virginia Union When did you decide to become a teacher? 22 Teaching Experience: Charles City High, 4 years Best advice you have received about teaching so far? Be yourself Quote lived by? “I wake up each morning torn between the decision to make the world a better place or to allow the world to make me a better person.”

11. Dr. Kevin Moore

Subject: Chemistry Birthplace: Hopewell, Va Education: Hopewell H.S , Bridgewater College (B.S), Duke University (Ph.D) When did you decide to become a teacher? Probably 30 Teaching Experience: College adjunct: John Tyler and J. Sergeant Reynolds. 1996-present.

Quote lived by? Einstein: “Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.”

12.CW3 Dodd Mitchell

Subject: JROTC Birthplace: Texas Education: Iroqouis H. S and Saint Leo College When did you decide to become a teacher? 23 Teaching Experience: 22 years for U.S. Army Best advice you have received about teaching so far?

Patience and be yourself Quote lived by? Don’t start something unless you’re going to finish it.

13. Lawrence Brewton

Subject: Marketing Education Birthplace: New Castle, PA Education: New Castle Sr. High School and Temple University Philadelphia, Pa When did you decide to become a teacher? 41 years old Teaching Experience: 2 years at Highland Springs H.S

Best advice you have received about teaching so far?

Organize, organize, organize!

Who inspires you? Faith in God Quote lived by? Fools make feast and wise men eat them.

14. Edward Kaufman

Subject: History (U.S), Govt., Street Law Birthplace: New Jersey Education: High school in New Jersey, George Mason (Bachelors) and , VCU (Masters) When did you decide to become a teacher? 35- Just sort of happens.

Teaching Experience: 16 years. Hopewell H.S Best advice you have received about teaching so far? The students come first Who inspires you? Everyone gives you something Quote lived by? No matter where you go there you are .

15. Irene Morley

Subject: Geometry, Algebra 1 Part 2 Birthplace: Edinboro, Pa (Near Erie) Education: General McLane H.S, Bryan Mower College, Grad School- Edinboro University of Pa When did you decide to become a teacher? I wanted to be like my high school math teacher.

Best advice you have received about teaching? “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail” Who inspires you? My mother and sister

September 2, 2008 - The Royal News - Page 5 accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.” – Reinhold Niebuhr

19. Anita Crowder

Subject: Math (Computer Math, Geometry) Birthplace: Pennsylvania Education: Rochester HS, Case and Western Reserve University When did you decide to become a teacher? Ancient.

Just last year. I decided I wanted to invest in the future.

Best advice you have received about teaching so far?

Expect the unexpected.

Quote lived by? “The essence of math is not to make simple things complicated, but to make complicated things simple.”

20. Melissa Face

Subject: Special Education Birthplace: Petersburg, VA Education: Tidewater Academy H.S, Coastal Carolina University (Bachelors), Webster University (Masters) When did you decide to become a teacher? 25 Teaching Experience: Two years, Tidewater Academy. Middle School English Who inspires you? People who set goals and continue to work toward them Quote lived by? “A professional writer is an amateur who did not give up”

LCOME NEW TEACHERS 16. Everett Kalafatis

Subject: Special Education Birthplace: Alexandria, Va Education: Monacan H.S, Ferrum College When did you decide to become a teacher?

I was in my mid 20’s. My decision was a gradual process at which I discovered the process of reason and the reason education is denied to so many people around the world.

Teaching Experience: 2 years in classroom and 5 years of an instructional career Quote lived by?

“Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much.”

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17. Anna Craver

Subject: English 11 Birthplace: Roanoke,VA Education: Liberty H.S and Longwood University (Bach) When did you decide to

become a teacher? I’ve always known I wanted to be a teacher. I played with chalkboards as a kid.

Best advice you have received about teaching so far?

We teach the way we were taught- it is up to us(teachers) to change that.

Who inspires you? People who overcome adversity.

Quote lived by? Life is short but sweet for certain.Dave Matthews Band

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Photo by Liana Elopre

18. Sherry Hayes

Subject: Math Birthplace: Richmond, Va Education: Thomas Jefferson H.S. & Va State When did you decide to become a teacher? 40 years old; wanted a schedule similar to my kids’ Teaching Experience: 4 years, John Marshall H.S. Quote lived by? “God grant me the serenity to

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Page 6 - The Royal News - September 2, 2008

What quality do you look for in a student?

“Hardworking” Buddy Darby Pre-Calculus, Calculus

Ten strategies to start year off right English teacher Crystal Lipscombe suggests steps to make good first impressions Chelsea Nave editor-in-chief

“Motivated, Self-motivated” Joe Daniel World History II

Ask Questions in Class “Not only does it imply that you are interested in the subject, but it also allows your teacher to know if your comprehension level is where it should be.”

Review Materials Daily

“Positive attitude and a willingness to do what I ask them to do even if it’s goofy”

Marcia Skiffington French 1, 2, AP

“This enables you to easily retain the information in class whether you are taking a test or simply engaging in a discussion.”

Find a Tutor “It is a virtue to know when to ask for help. Even the best of us need assistance at times.”

Be Positive and Have a Good Attitude

“A willing personality to express themselves and to get to know others.”

Chrystal B. Barnwell Biology

“Success starts with attitude. You have to first acknowledge you are worthy of attaining greater things and then allow those thoughts to materialize in your actions.”

Respect Yourself and Others “Respect of course comes at no cost. You should remember the cliché that ‘you gain respect when you give respect.’”

Pay Attention “Paying attention in class yields the best results because if you don’t pay attention then you will miss out on pertinent information.

Verbal instruction encompasses a huge portion of the subject matter.”

Be on Time “Punctuality is a quality that you not only need now but throughout life. It shows respect and good form when you are punctual.”

Scholarly vs. Social “Use class time for scholarly work and not socialization with your peers. There is an appropriate time to focus on your scholastic materials and to socialize with your peers.”

Be Prepared “Bring the necessary materials you need in order to be successful and show your teacher you are a willing participant in the advancement of your education.”

Set Goals “‘Anything worth attaining is hard work.’

You should set goals not just in school but also all throughout life. You should always work to improve some aspect of your being.”

September 2, 2008 - The Royal News - Page 7

Nutrition/costs affect new menu

Food Service Director Sandy Belshan reveals what new year will bring to cafeteria selections Savanah Stricklin trn photo editor

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unch.

Students have known this to be a time of socialization, relaxation, and maybe even a few extra minutes to catch up on homework. But even more importantly than that, it is the time that they are given to fill up and re-fuel for the last classes of the day.

The decision varies among students. Some choose to pack their lunches at home, while others buy their food every day. These lunchbuying students are the ones that face the constant increase in the price of a student lunch,

the ones that choose to eat either a cheeseburger or a salad, and also the very students that choose to visit the snack line every day.

And although the lunchtime routine will remain basically the same, some changes are going to be made this year to the menu and food pricing.

“With the economy the way it is right now, we knew a change needed to be made. It’s just a good move to make for the families and students involved. We think the lower price will be helpful to them as opposed to it increasing again this year,” Food Service Director Sandy Belshan said.

For approximately 22 years the high school has been a completely self-supporting body.

[The school pays for all repairs, salaries, as well as free lunches for students and receives no county, state or federal help.]

This year, the Food Service Board and the rest of the Prince George County School Board has decided to institute the federal lunch program, this will not only help pay for the free and reduced lunches, but it will also offer new options for students.

“The federal program is much more economical for the students and it also provides them with healthier choices. With the federal program there are five components to every

lunch: protein, bread, fruits, vegetables, and possibly milk. Students will still have the basic sandwiches and fries, but now they have other options as well,” Belshan said.

The federal lunch program also offers a new line of food, Sunset Strip, a branded concept from Tyson chicken that will give students the chance to order a grilled chicken sandwich instead of a fried one, or a chicken club sandwich instead of a cheeseburger. The program also includes a new addition to lunch that may be either a vegetarian option or just a healthier choice. The meal might include some yogurt and vegetables, as opposed to a lunch with a form of meat as the entrée.

“As far as the lunches go, we are still offering the same basic choices; we’re just adding others.

In the snack line, students will see most of the same items there were before, but with a few changes. For example, we are switching to a new line by Frito-Lay that are Potato Crisps. It’s just a healthier option as opposed to the chips. And according to the federal plan, we can no longer sell carbonated beverages only juices, milk, water, and flavored waters,” Belshan said.

So how much is lunch going to be this year?

Well, with the new program, a full lunch for the students has dropped to $2.00, which is a huge improvement as opposed to last year’s $3.00

Food Service Director Sandy Belshan prepares for a new food program that will see many changes in the high school lunch and breakfast menus.

Contributed Photo

lunch. The price of breakfast has risen to $1.25, a $.25 increase from last year.

Students can also say goodbye to paying for lunch with a school ID badge. Instead, the school will be using pin numbers to access money from a student’s account. Students will still be able to purchase items “a la carte”, and will merely pay the set price for whatever they purchase. The new program will be a new experience at the high school, but the school board and the food service board seem optimistic.

“I’m not really sure how successful the program is going to be. But I hope that student purchases will remain at about the same level.

By the end of September, we should have a rough idea of what the students want, but it’s going to be a hard call. Our goal is just to get students to start making healthier choices on their own,” Belshan said.

Page 8 - The Royal News - September 2, 2008

Seniors start year off with photo Brittany Carpenter trn photo editor

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he summer has come and gone, and while sophomores and juniors were enjoying their summer, seniors were out busy making phone calls to photography studios to find the best but cheapest place if they decided not to go through the school.

“I went to Jamie Jones because she is a friend and she takes good pictures,” senior Danielle Kohler said.

But some seniors chose to go threw the school because it is simple.

“I decided to go through the school because it is simple,” Senior Trey Walker said.

The process is simple. After receiving a letter and brochure about the packages from Candid Colors all you had to do was show up on your appointment date in the auditorium, bring your outfits and props, and wait in a small line to be photographed. Photographers gave suggestions and worked with the students to create the best look. Some students even posed next to their cars. Some seniors may have decided to go through the school because it was stress free.

“I choose to go threw the high school because I don’t want to stress about getting my pictures to the yearbook and they will definitely be there”, Senior Anna Millard said.

Senior photos are important and one of the events to show you are an official senior.

Even if some may dread being photographed it is still important to be involved in the yearbook.

Getting your senior photos done can be exciting and fun. You get to show your personality threw your photos. You get to take them inside or outside, with pets or no pets, anything you can possibly think about you can take your photos with it. You can use any props you want. “ I used pillows and chairs”, Kohler said.

You get to change your outfits as many times as you want and get to have your own style to the picture.

“I’m looking forward to the casuals because that’s when I have my own style”, Millard said.

Some seniors look forward to taking the photos because its what they like to do. “ I absolutely love taking pictures, I get to have a lot of fun with it’, Kohler said.

As for others it may just getting to see the photos.

“I liked getting to laugh at how I looked in

some of the pictures,” senior Tabatha Johnson said.

Sitting at a senior event knowing you’re an official senior can be exciting but scary.

“It has come about soon but I know this is where I’m supposed to be,” Senior Amanda Matthews said.

As for others it may just be another thing being known as a senior.

“I am looking forward to just getting out of here,” Walker said.

There are so many places you can go for your senior portraits. Some of the other local places are Jamie Jones, Daniel Butler, Sears, Bruce Ellis, Wal-Mart, Second Glance Photography, and so many more.

The students who missed their appointment here at school still have one last chance to make it up on September 10th, after school. For everyone who went some where else they have until September 19th to turn their photos in to the yearbook staff.

Senior Trey Walker poses for his casual senior picture with Candid Color in the auditorium. photo by Brittany Carpenter

All work; No Play

September 2, 2008 - The Royal News - Page 9

Students return to school prepared after completing summer reading assignments Mia Norman trn features editor

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s students return to familiar lockers and crowded hallways those who have chosen to take higher level classes also return with backpacks already full from summer reading assignments. For students like junior Molly Nicol who is taking both Advanced Placement English 11 and Advanced Placement U.S. History, the work load can be heavy.

“For AP English 11, I had to read The Scarlet Letter and Beloved and make a journal on both of them. For AP U.S. History I had to read The Constitutional Convention and retain what I thought was important. It was expected, since it is Advanced Placement after all, but that’s not to say that amount of work was welcome,” Nicol said.

Advanced Placement courses aren’t the only classes giving their students this work, however; honors English classes also give students reading during the summer months as a requirement for the course.

“Having to read a book wasn’t surprising for honors, seeing as you didn’t have any work at all for regular English,” junior Joanna Kingsley said.

Grade levels also impact the amount of reading required. For Honors English 10 students had to complete an essay and a comparative worksheet for the novel, Things Fall Apart.

While the Honors English 11 students had to go a little more in depth by keeping a journal of analyzed quotes and marking relevant points in the book, The Scarlet Letter, such as characterizations and conflicts. Nicol also noticed a difference between the two levels.

“Last year I only had to read two books, whereas this year I have to read three,” Nicol said.

Having to do schoolwork over the summer is a prerequisite for these classes; however, finding time to complete it often competes with other summer activities.

‘I worked 36 hours a week and by the time I got home, all I wanted to do was crash, then I was gone for a couple of weeks for camp, and it didn’t allow me any time for reading. If we have to work harder all year I don’t think we should have to work during the summer,” Nicol said.

“I’m not used to doing work over the summer, so I found it a lot more difficult to complete,” Kingsley said.

The assignments help students get ready for the upcoming class, much like the classes taken previously prepared them for the classes they take now.

“My honors English teacher prepared me for the AP English class really well. We did double journal entries for any book we read and for each test we had to do a critical analysis of the book,” Nicol said.

As well as preparing you for the upcoming class, these assignments also show students what it means when you choose what tasks you undertake.

“You can not make excuses and there is no one else to blame but you if it is not done.

It teaches you a lot about responsibility and I can tell how the teacher wants things done because of the detailed directions she gave me,” Kingsley said.

“I think summer reading is a true test as to whether you are prepared for a class, but I don’t think that the class itself will actually be that hard. It all has to do with the atmosphere, if the teacher makes it fun and interesting, however hard it may be, the work load doesn’t seem as heavy,” Nicol said.

Junior Caitlin Rusnack reads one of the assigned summer reading books for the upcoming school year.

Photo by Mia Norman

Sebera’s

Custard Kitchen Breakfast before school Dinner after school Anytime for ice cream

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Page 10 - The Royal News - September 2, 2008

September 2, 2008 - The Royal News - Page 11

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Page 12 - The Royal News - September 2, 2008

Students put aside fun and set out to get summer jobs and become more independent Kayla Carneal trn a&e editor

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hen you think about summer what comes to mind? First thoughts are usually pool parties, beach trips, hanging out with friends and just relaxing at home. Well that is not the way it is for everyone. Many students set out to get jobs to be a little bit more independent over the summer.

Sophomore Richard Bailey works on a farm down the road from his house.

More work less play “I work about four days out of the week. I do not have a set schedule, nor do I have a set wage. The owner calls me whenever he needs me and I try to come in every time, he pays me on what needs to be done for that day,” Bailey said. “I have been working at the farm for the past three summers; I do not work during the school year because I do not have the time to.”

Because he is a sophomore, Bailey does not have his license to take himself to work.

“My mom is a stay at home mom so she is always available to take me to work”, Bailey said.

“Sometimes she gets upset about having to take me so much since the gas prices are so high, but thankfully she never makes me pay for it.”

There are many things that need to be done on a farm to have it run smoothly. Everyone has a different job to do.

“I pick cotton, corn and baleen straw. I feed the horses, chickens and goats. It is not very hard to do but on hot days, it is a pain to be outside for that long doing work”, Bailey said.

Taking time out to work over the summer can be rewarding.

“I like to work at the farm because it keeps me busy; sitting at home all day is really boring.

I also have friends that work with me,” Bailey said. “The funniest moment at the farm was when a friend of mine slipped in a pile of horse

poo. He did not fall, but he came really close to it.”

Junior Shauna Causey got a job at a popular clothing store,Aeropostale, in the mall at the very beginning of the summer to make money.

“Even though I only have my permit now I need to make money because I will be getting a car soon and I am going to have to pay for car payments,” Causey said. “I make $7.50 an hour and I work about 13 hours a week. I get paid every two weeks on Thursday”.

“I really like to work at Aero because it is a simple job. I fold clothes, work the cash register, clean the dressing rooms, answer the phone and I greet people who walk in,” Causey said. “My favorite part about working here is that I get a discount on everything that I buy.”

“I do not get to pick the hours that I want to work but my boss is really nice and is flexible with the schedule,” Causey said.

Not everything can always go the way you want when working the mall.

“My least favorite thing about working in Aero is having to deal with the rude people that come in. My mom also complains about having to take me because she does not like to drive in the mall area”, Causey said.

Senior Anna Millard works at the Old Towne Catering Company. It is a banquet hall

where people put a reservation down for a party.

“I do several different things there” Millard said. “I am a server, I also sometimes help set up the chairs and tables before the parties. If the party is a sit down style I help bring the food out. If it is a buffet style then I help set up the food. During the party I will walk around and pick up the dirty dishes, put them in the cart and then do it again. Once the party is over I have to get all the center pieces, the salt, pepper and sugar packets and put them away.”

Money is of course a reason to get a job for many students. Millard makes eight dollars an hour and has to pay for many things on her own.

“I took the job because I have to pay for my own cell phone bill, pay for my own insurance, and get my license plates and all that. Doing just chores was not going to cut it”, Millard said.

Junior Shauna Causey folds clothes at Aeropostale during her summer for cumulating car expenses. photo by: Kayla Carneal

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September 2, 2008 - The Royal News - Page 14 nyone near the John Tyler Community College Chester campus two weeks ago probably heard it. It began as a slow rumble and then swept in like a massive wave. It was the presidential campaign trail of the Democratic Senator Barack Obama and his motorcade, which consisted of three tour buses, five Chevy Suburbans, five state troopers and a spattering of other state and local vehicles.

8:00 AM

Like any wave it started somewhere out in the ocean as a small ripple. The local press got to the John Tyler campus two hours before the tide rolled in and was greeted by two secret service officers and a local Chesterfield policeman. The officers asked for identification and then directed people where to go (a process that repeated a few more times).

At the sign in table members from John Tyler and the campaign group handed a small piece of cardboard that said “Press” and then ushered everyone through to a man with a metal detecting wand.

At this point the process began to seem more like herding cattle. The press were directed to set up shop behind portable metal barriers where chairs and platforms were assembled.

Once there the waiting began.

Political campaign brings army of reporters to event Senator Barack Obama’s town hall meeting in Chester brought waves of media trn staff writer trn wirer

9:00 AM

Reporters from WWBT 12, WTVR 6, WRIC 8, Richmond Times-Dispatch and every other local organization took a seat, turned on their iPod, cell phone or laptop and waited.

Those that wanted to be social started brief conversations. Some of these exchanges were about what they were working on besides this event, some of the conversations were about VP candidates, some were about their plans to travel to other sites in the future and someone even asked, “so who was this John Tyler fellow anyway?”

10:00 AM

As the time for the event drew near more guests arrived. Local politicians, family, and friends all arrived to witness this historic event.

All of the attendees were invited and were mostly residents from the area who had been affected financially by the downturn in the economy.

These guests were also supposed to be made up of undecided voters.

The higher profile list included John Tyler’s Dr. Marshall Smith, Congressman Bobby Scott and Mayor Douglass Wilder. As usual Mayor Wilder was not to be outdone so he showed up in a limousine wearing his trademark cowboy boots and sunglasses.

10:30 AM

After a few announcements and general information the senator’s caravan drove up. The traveling press filed off of the tour buses picked up their computers and cameras and pushed on in to the pin with the rest of the cattle. CNN,

Fox News, and all of the other national media politely tried to move some of the local affiliates and then stake their claim.

10:45 AM

And then he appeared. From behind a row of hedges and shrubs Senator Obama walked in with Governor Tim Kaine and greeted everyone with warm embraces.

“This is kind of nice,” Senator Obama said.

“Who brought the potato salad? Who’s got the chicken? I like this - we need to have a little picnic.”

After 19 months of campaigning the serene setting under the pine trees, in the shade on a cool 80 degree day would be one of the last town hall meetings the Senator would have before he would attend the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

The speech, which lasted for about an hour, focused on economics, foreign policy, the environment, education and moving forward together rather than in a bipartisan manner.

As he spoke camera shutters clicked and video and audio recorders rolled. Reporters lined the back of the area with laptops and notebooks filing their stories away to be sent

out as soon as they found some wireless signal close by.

12:00 Noon

Near the end of the question and answer period Obama glanced over to his right hand man former Duke basketball player Reggie Love to see his hand hold up one finger for one last question. Their schedule for the rest of the day included more media interviews and a stop in Petersburg and Chesapeake.

After shaking some hands and taking a few pictures, the media met with Obama for some one-on-one private interviews inside. And just as the ocean current swept in, the tide receded and caravan rolled away.

Aug 25-29 ----- Dem Con (Denver, Colorado) Aug 29 ----- Sen McCain ‘s birthday Sept 1-4 ---- Rep Con (St. Paul, Minnesota) Sept 2 ---- Fundraising for Obama in Switzerland with George Clooney Sept 8 ---- leaders of New Orleans and Lousianna hold a forum with presidential nomininees usisng Google and YouTube Sept 11---- McCain and Obama separately at “A Nation of Service Forum” with Richard Stengel Sept 26 ---- Pres Debate Oxford Miss Oct 2 ---- VP Debate St. Louis Miss MONDAY Oct 6 ---- LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN VA Oct 7 ---- Pres Debate Nashville Tenn Oct 15 ---- Pres Debate Hempstead, NY Oct 30 ---- National Student Mock Election with Google and NAtional Associateion of Broadcasters Nov 4 ---- ELECTION DAY Jan 20 ---- Innauguration

September 2, 2008 - The Royal News - Page 15

Left top: Barack Obama talks to his supports and the press about his campaign. Top right: A row of reporters send in their articles via themail. Left: The media stands ready by their cameras for television and web video spots.

Photo by C. Wagaman.

Page 16 - The Royal News - September 2, 2008

Students covet parking spots Katie Adams trn variety editor

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s the 2:30 bell rings, it signifies the end of yet another day. While some students are stuck waiting for their bus load, another bunch is headed for the student parking lot.

The student parking lot is a symbol of freedom. No more waiting for, and possibly missing, the bus. In this day and age, juniors and seniors are juggling school and hefty work schedules. For students that live farther away, it could be a long wait.

“I got a spot because at least four of the five day school week I have to be at work at 3:30 or 4:00, and don’t have time to wait for a bus to drop me off and then be able to get to work on time. It takes too long,” senior Amanda Brough said.

Other students may see their spot as just a good enough reason to sleep in an extra half hour.

“I hate riding the bus and having to wake up so early to catch it. Plus, I leave early for my co-op class,” senior Amber Coleman said.

While the parking lot may seem as privilege enough for the classes, some seniors feel as though they should have the upper hand and be granted freedoms the other classes cannot have. Whether it is just going out for lunch or leaving early, every senior has at least one thing they think would be fair.

“Most of the seniors have been driving longer than the underclassmen. We should be able to leave to go to a fast food place for lunch and get the best spots first,” Coleman said.

Other seniors just want to beat the buses and traffic of other student drivers.

“I think the seniors should get to leave 10 minutes or so before everyone else. The afternoon announcements are for bus changes and repeat everything that we already heard on PGTV,” Brough said.

Another issue for juniors and seniors alike is safety. From students waiting for their parents, to eager classmates ready to get out, the parking lot can get crowded and more importantly, dangerous.

“The parking lot can be scary at times since everyone is in such a hurry to get out. Then you have the kids who stand around their friend’s car and get in peoples way. They need to move before they make a dumb mistake,” Brough said.

“The thing that causes the most trouble is the student pick-up. Parents block the way to getting out and then everyone has to wait,” Coleman said.

As another day comes to an end, the next day must begin. With the sound of cars coming to a stop and doors slamming shut, the footsteps can be heard all through the B- and F-wing hallways as groaning and sleep deprived students pile in the school building waiting to do it all over again.

September 2, 2008 - The Royal News - Page17

New places inspire new opinions Students, teachers share new experiences over seas

Shereese Blanks trn copy editor

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n July 1st an anxious group of more than fifty students and teachers, the Prince George Foreign Language Adventurers, loaded a charter bus on their way to Dulles Airport, in Washington, D.C. Once the group went through security, a feat that seemed impossible in a timely manner, the group anxiously waited in the terminal for the British Airways plane that would take them to Heathrow Airport, in London, England.

Cheery stewards and stewardesses with British accents greeted the students. The airplane, a spacious aero masterpiece, would be home for the next eighteen hours.

On the plane the Adventurers were fed a high quality meal that placed them in a well-respected restaurant, rather than an airplane. Also, the passengers were entertained with the airplane’s music and movie collection.

After a nights sleep, the students awoke to a breakfast of croissants and juice or coffee.

After landing in Heathrow, the students went on another forty-five minute flight, to Paris’s airport.

Kendall Pettaway, alumni of Prince George High School, was interested in the trip after not being able to go to the Costa Rica trip.

Kandi Bradshaw, French teacher at Prince George High School, approached Levi Owens, English teacher at Prince George High School, his first week working at the high school, about going on the trip.

Owens had been to Europe two years earlier on a backpacking trip.

“The differences were when I backpacked, I didn’t stay in hotels, I ate one meal a day, and I visited more countries,” L.. Owens said.

Sarah Owens, an English teacher at Prince George High School, had traveled with EF tours as a student at Prince George High School, and was approached by Bradshaw to be a chaperone, however she did not feel like one on the trip.

“I wasn’t really a ‘chaperone’ I was a tourist

with the students. I had more responsibility, but I was able to connect with students on an informal level,” S. Owens said.

For students, their first time was one of broken and reaffirmed opinions of Europe.

“I expected it to be more exotic than what I saw,” Pettaway said.

However, there was still adjusting to the new continent for the students.

“Mainly the language barrier and food was hard to adjust to, it was weird being a foreigner for a change,” Pettaway said.

Being there before helped others adjust easier.

“There were no hard adjustments, the adjustments that I had to learn three years ago prepared me for this trip,” L. Owens said.

“I experienced enough as a traveler to know what to wear, eat, and when to sleep, there were no big issues,” S. Owens said.

At the end of the trip, it was hard to pick one favorite place.

“My favorite place was Barcelona, but I would live in Nice,” Pettaway said.

“Avignon was my favorite place, it was a different side of Europe. It wasn’t a big city; Europeans were running, biking, and outdoors.

Also Rome, I had more time at the Vatican and attended mass, which was the highlight of my

The Prince George Foreign Language Adventurers stand outside the Palace of Versailles near Paris during their July trip. The group travels abroad usually every other year, but because of growing interest will travel again in the summer of 2009.

Contributed Photo

trip,” Owens said.

Walking away from this trip, new opinions were formed about Europe and Europeans in general.

“Europeans are more forward, open, and affectionate,” Pettway said.

L.. Owens had a different opinion.

“I don’t think Europeans are different from Americans, things we don’t like others doing they don’t like us doing,” L.. Owens said.

“Americans expect things to be like America, for example hotel rooms, food, etc. Where as Europeans are open minded in traveling, partly because in Europe there is so many different countries, they are surrounded, they have to be open,” S. Owens said.

Page 18 - The Royal News - September 2, 2008

Same guys, new ways, new hope New approach and seasoned squad hopefully bring continuing improvement, starting with Clover Hill

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Josh Stewart trn Sports editor

t’s hard to believe that the summer has flown by so quickly. But the fleeting summer months and the receding temperatures bring one thing most students like. Football Season. The Friday Night Lights will be returning on September 5th in a game against Clover Hill.

Last year the Royals had a breakout season, and the team saw success that it hadn’t experienced in years. But with that success comes greater expectations and pressure to if not duplicate last

years record of 5-5, top it.

“There is definitely a lot of pressure on us, because most of the team is seniors so the coaches have been building this class up for the last four or five years, and the students expect a lot more because of last year,” senior guard Jeremy Minter said.

Others have something to prove in the first game against Clover Hill “I don’t want the student body to think that last year was some kind of mistake or fluke,” senior Wide Receiver Chase Adams said.

To achieve this goal the Royals have to start the season off on the right foot at the Clover Hill game, which means lots of preparation and training.

“To get our defense ready the scout team offense runs our opponents offense to get us better prepared for what we might see in the actual game,” senior middle linebacker Jordan Minter said.

All this preparation includes something new to the team that has just been introduced this year.

“This season most people wont play on both sides of the ball, players will either be offensive or defensive specific, which will cut down on the fatigue that most players feel in the game,” Jordan said.

This extra time on offense will help the Royals cut down on turnovers and other silly mistakes that can derail an offense no matter how well they are playing. The team has taken extra care on the offensive side of the ball to prevent this in not only the first game but the whole football season.

“In practice we have been working really hard on the basic stuff which will help prevent some turnovers, but also we have been doing specific ball handling drills,” Adams said.

The offense for the Royals is also ready to put some numbers on the scoreboard this season.

“We have a lot of offensive weapons that we want to use that have a lot of potential,” Jeremy said.

With all the physical time and preparation getting ready for the long season, there also is a mental aspect to the game too. Some players use optimism to calm their nerves before the big first game.

“We’ll win because overall we are a better and more experienced team,” Adams said.

Others are more anxious to go out on September 5th and put words into action on the gridiron.

“I want to show everybody that we are the team that has potential and talent, and if anything we have gotten better than and will improve from last year,” Jeremy said.

Senior LaRoyce Lewis focuses on beating his opponent in preparing for the up-coming match against Clover Hill. Photo by Josh Stewart

Key Match-Ups • Third year quarterback Cody Engle vs.

Clover Hill Josh Bailey who threw for 1,500 yards last season • John Labrake and rest of offensive line faces a quick Clover hill Defense on the opposite side of the ball • Tight end Tyler Johnson and Wide receiver Brian Yates vs. Clover Hill receivers Chris Smith and Marcus Jackson • Prince George Coach Mark Tomlin vs.

Clover Hill coach Sean O’ Hare • Prince George’s young defensive line faces a seasoned Clover Hill O-line including key lineman Anthony Davis

September 2, 2008 - The Royal News - Page19

Prince George County Schools Transportation

WE WANT YOU!

Girls Volleyball

Cross Country Wed Wed Wed Wed Wed Wed Wed Wed

9/3 9/10 9/17 9/24 10/01 10/08 10/15 10/22

Col. Heights Hopewell Meadowbrook Matoaca Dinwiddie Thomas Dale Petersburg Central Tournament

Football Fri Fri Fri Fri Fri Fri Fri Fri Fri Fri

9/5 9/12 9/19 9/26 10/3 10/10 10/17 10/24 10/31 11/7

Clover Hill Mountain View Monacan Col. Heights Hopewell Meadowbrook Matoaca Dinwiddie Thomas Dale Petersburg

A A H A H H A A

4:30 PM 4:30 PM 4:30 PM 4:30 PM 4:30 PM 4:30 PM 4:30 PM TBA

H A A H H A H A A H

7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM

Wed Tues Thurs Mon Wed Mon Wed Mon Wed Mon Wed Tues Wed Tues Wed Tues Wed

We are looking for hard working responsible drivers.

Call Prince George County Schools Transportation at

9/3 9/4 9/9 9/10 9/15 9/17 9/22 9/24 9/29 10/1 10/6 10/8 10/13 10/15 10/21 10/22

Golf Tues Thurs Mon Tues Thurs Tues Thurs Mon

9/2 9/4 9/8 9/9 9/11 9/16 9/18 9/22

Henrico Midlothian Maggie Walker Lee-Davis Colonial Heights Thomas Dale Hopewell Matoaca Meadowbrook Colonial Heights Thomas Dale Hopewell Matoaca Meadowbrook Central Tournament Central Tournament

H A A A A A H H A H H A A H A A

Hopewell @ Jordan Pt. Meadowbrook @ Jordan Pt. at Meadowbrook w/ Petersburg Matoaca @ The Highlands Dinwiddie @ Jordan Pt. Thomas Dale @ Jordan Pt. Petersburg @ Dogwood Trace Central Tourn. @ The Highlands

Wed Thurs Tues Thurs Mon Mon Wed Mon Wed Mon Wed Mon Mon Wed Tues Wed Tues Wed

5:00 PM 4:00 PM 4:30 PM 4:30 PM 4:00 PM 4:00 PM 4:00 PM 4:00 PM 4:00 PM 4:00 PM 4:00 PM 4:00 PM 4:00 PM 4:00 PM TBA TBA

H H A A H H A A

Henrico Colonial Heights Henrico Meadowbrook Monacan Matoaca Dinwiddie Thomas Dale Manchester Petersburg Colonial Heights Lloyd C. Bird Meadowbrook Matoaca Dinwiddie Thomas Dale Petersburg

A A H H A H H A A A H H A A A H H

Boys Volleyball

Girls Field Hockey Wed Thurs Tues Wed Mon Wed Mon Wed Mon Wed Mon Wed Mon Wed Tues Wed

9/3 9/9 9/11 9/16 9/17 9/18 9/24 9/25 9/29 9/30 10/2 10/8 10/9 10/14 10/16 10/20 10/21

9/3 9/4 9/9 9/11 9/16 9/18 9/24 9/25 9/29 9/30 10/2 10/6 10/8 10/9 10/14 10/16 10/20 10/21

Henrico Trinity Colonial Heights Henrico Meadowbrook Matoaca Dinwiddie Thomas Dale Manchester Petersburg Colonial Heights Trinity Lloyd C. Bird Meadowbrook Matoaca Dinwiddie Thomas Dale Petersburg

H H A H H A H H A A H A H A H A A H

7:00 PM 7:15 PM 7:00 PM 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:15 PM 7:15 PM 7:15 PM 7:30 PM 7:15 PM 7:15 PM 7:00 PM 6:00 PM 7:15 PM 7:15 PM 7:15 PM 7:15 PM

7:00 PM 7:00 PM 5:45 PM 7:00 PM 7:15 PM 7:15 PM 5:45 PM 7:15 PM 5:45 PM 5:45 PM 5:45 PM 7:00 PM 5:45 PM 7:15 PM 7:15 PM 5:45 PM 7:15 PM 5:45 PM

3:30 PM 3:30 PM 3:30 PM 3:30 PM 3:30 PM 3:30 PM 3:30 PM 8:00 AM

733-2712 Fall 2008 Prince George Sports Schedule for more information!

Sports briefs Week One Home Games Golf: 9/3 Hopewell @ Royals Jordan Point 3:30 PM your --------Field Hockey: 9/3 Henrico 5:00 PM support --------Come Boys Volleyball: 9/3 Henrico 9/4 Trinity 7:00 PM

Boys volleyball played a four game thriller against J.R. Tucker losing by the slimmest margin in the last game 27-29.

Girls field hockey defeated L.C. Bird Skyhawks 2-0 for their first non-district game.

Girls volleyball defeated Appomattox Regional Governor’s School 3-0 for its first match of the season.

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Football prepares for first home match against Clover Hill this Friday pg. 18 Head Coach Mark Tomlin gathers the team at the end of a summer practice.

Photo by Melissa Negron