Central High Times - Volume 110, Issue 3 - Spring 2024

IN THIS ISSUE . . .

Letter from the Editor

N. Pickett

Advertisers

Sylvan Learning Evangel University MSU’s

LCR Dept.

Elementary School Closures

E. Logan

Humans of Central: Barrett Burns

R. Wood

Club Highlight: Mock Trial Team

S. Greene

COVER

is Odin,

School Board Elections

J. Herr

Advertisers

Cash Family Orthodontics Jostens

Beyond the Bull-doggy Paddle

J. Wegrzyn

ADVISER Kori O’Dell

PRINT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ned Pickett

ONLINE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Emmarie Logan

ASSISTANT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lucy Caplinger

Springfield Homelessness and Solutions

N. Hunter

Central’s IB Film Presents: “Hostage”

J. Wegrzyn

Absolute Archers R. Wood

Tip Offs and Teamwork

E. Lewis

DIRECTOR OF DESIGN Allison Loughary

ASSISTANT DESIGNERS Emma Lewis, Reese Wood

COPY EDITORS Madi Taylor, Tyler VanLaningham

ASSISTANT COPY EDITORS Sarah Greene, Jack Herr, Jack Wegrzyn

Loyalty 2024: A Night in the Bayou

E. Lewis

Slammin’ & Jammin’

M. Martens

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Chloe Cunniff

SENIOR REPORTERS Nina Malega, Morgan Martens

RETURNING REPORTER Nathaniel Hunter

THE CHT Volume 110 Issue 3

CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL 423 E. Central St., Springfield, MO 65802

CONTACT kechrismer@spsmail.org

FONT FAMILIES Function, Century PUBLISHER Jostens Publishing

EDITORIAL POLICY

The Central High Times is a student-produced publication of the Central High School journalism department. The staff and advisor strive to create an open forum for students and teachers. We take resposibility for accuracy and fairness and for work to be unbiased and responsive to the needs of readers in order to encourage the submission of readers’ ideas. We promise to practice honesty, to run the paper as a business and to avoid printing material that is legally considered obscene, libelous or private.

Model

beloved English bulldog of Leeann Rios.

Photo by Allison Loughary.

New Canvas Passback System

E. Logan

Spring Sports Preview

A. Loughary

Oh, the Places We’ll Go

M. Martens

Advertiser

Cox College

Board Games

Galore: Village Meeple Review

M. Taylor

To Freeze or Not to Freeze

J. Herr

Exploring the Environmental Impacts of AI

T. VanLaningham

Humanity’s Next Giant Leap

T. VanLaningham

Springfield Trail Review

N. Pickett

Springfield Eats: Taste the Flavor

M. Taylor

The 2023 Movie Awards

N. Malega

i’m just a girl

LETTER TO THE EDITOR POLICY

An Alternative to Valentines’ Day

The Central High Times encourages the submission of ideas or comments from readers. Letters to the Editor must contain no more than 150 words. Letter to the Editor submissions should be typed, printed, signed and delivered to Central High School’s journalism office (room 024) or sent to kechrismer@spsmail. org with the subject line “Letter to the CHT Editor.” The Central High Times reserves the right to edit submissions for grammatical and spelling errors and for space limitations limitations.

ADVERTISING AND SPONSORSHIP POLICY

The Central High Times has the right to accept, reject or cancel any advertisement at any time. Advertising will not contain any statements, illustrations or implications offensive to good taste or public decency based on the opinion of the Central High Times staff (i.e. any content containing anything racist, sexist or illegal for high school students or violates journalistic principles). Advertisements accepted by the Central High Times staff are not an endorsement from the staff, advisor, administration or Springfield Public Schools District. Advertisements should refrain from attacking competitors unfairly or disparaging their products, services or methods of doing business. If your organization would like to advertise in the Central High Times, or if you would like to provide a financial sponsorship for the Central High Times, please contact the advisor, Kori Chrismer, at kechrismer@spsmail.org. Sponsorships begins at $25 per year, advertising pricing begins at $50 per issue, and all money raised goes toward our printing budget.

L. Caplinger

L. Caplinger

Advertiser

Drury University

The Epstein Documents

N. Hunter

SPS Programs & Opportunities

S. Greene

After-School Tutoring

C. Cunniff

LETTER from the

doing beyond the basics that I had learned the previous year, cut off by the beginning of the pandemic. As such, I simply had oftmisinterpreted directions passed to me, and I would construct what would likely become a fairly biased article--we were something of a crusading magazine that year. I distinctly also recall writing a satirical Yelp review of 2020 as a whole, another piece which I am certain could have been far better than what it ended up being.

staff has done a lot of good work this year. I don’t wish for this to turn into a piece thanking everyone involved in the magazine for their contributions, as this would take quite some time, but I do believe that without the editors this year, I might have walked into the woods and lived in a shack for the rest of my life.

I don’t exactly want to jump into the senior goodbye story we have planned for our final issue too early, but at the same time, given that this is my final letter-fromthe-editor, I feel obliged to do some form of recapitulation of what being on the staff has been, along with what got me into journalism into the first place. It has not necessarily been that the past four years have been great--there have been ups and downs, or perhaps more accurately, gaping cliffs and and a handful of mountains, but frankly, getting to even work on the magazine has led to some of the best times I have had in this building.

My first year on the magazine was, like everything else that year, marked by the Coronavirus. Having gone back and read my original stories from that time, I must say, my writing then was atrocious. Admittedly that may have been due to a complete lack of knowledge of what I was

I think that my sophomore year on the magazine was when I began to truly appreciate the full value of the magazine, and what it could be. We began working on improving the quality of our stories overall, and I felt as though I was actually producing good work for a good product that we could all be proud of. I don’t necessarily mean that the 2020-21 magazines were bad--they were not, but we began creating something great that year. In addition, the group that is now our current editorial staff and senior reporters began to come together, and we developed a camaraderie. There were certainly stressful times, but the great thing about working together on a magazine is that the stressful times are when everything begins to come together and we feel like a professional staff.

Everything that we had begun in my second year was perfected or nearly perfected in my third year. Much of this can be attributed to our advisor implementing some unusual and effective new strategies for the production, but we also had vastly improved as a staff. New members added to the dynamic we developed the previous year and also provided some excellent new content to the magazine itself. There is not much more to be said, other than that there was something kind of perfect about this year.

I think that it’s possible I only began to fully understand the inner workings of the magazine when looking at it from the topdown perspective. There have been steps and missteps, many of which I will freely admit were mine, but I also think that our

My main motivation for writing this piece was to do something of a goodbye. My second motivation, however, is the fact that for all of my years on the magazine, I have only discussed the Watergate scandal a grand total of one time. This must be rectified. Learning about Watergate was perhaps the single most important event in my academic career,. It initially prompted me to join the magazine. As such, regardless of whether or not anyone wants to hear about this, I am obligated to provide a discussion of why Watergate captivates me and what it was.

In the early 1970s, President Richard Nixon was forced to resign. He had refused to provide evidence to a Supreme Court subpoena, lost his base and most importantly, he had intended to order the C.I.A. director to interfere with an F.B.I. investigation. The full story behind that, however, is that there were two reporters who were allegedly responsible for Nixon’s resignation, or at least that is the way the mythos has it. Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein were two young Washington Post reporters who were assigned to cover what appeared to be a slightly unusual, albeit largely unspecial-appearing break-in at the Democratic National Headquarters at the Washington D.C. Watergate Hotel. Their investigation tied the burglars to a number of former C.I.A. agents and members of the Committee to Re-Elect the President, eventually connecting these leads to members of Richard Nixon’s cabinet and Nixon himself. My first introduction to Watergate was my finding of my grandpa’s “Doonesbury” comics when cleaning out their old house. They were dusty and from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, but still in relatively

EDITOR

good condition. Unfortunately, after I went through them, I cannot say that they still hold up very well. I also likewise found some old Time Magazines from Watergate, which have since begun floating around my house-I’ll occasionally attempt to step somewhere, look down, and notice Nixon’s scowling face staring at me. What really kick-started my obsession, however, was getting to see “All the President’s Men,” the 1976 classic starring Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman as Woodward and Bernstein, respectively. I do not know if I would entirely describe my choice to pursue journalism as being solely a product of “All the President’s Men,” but to say that it was not an enormous influence on me would be entirely incorrect. I eventually followed this up by becoming interested in the Pentagon Papers through my viewing of “The Post” the following year. The Pentagon

Papers was another similar incident which took place under the Nixon administration, when they attempted to prevent several United States newspapers from printing leaked documents revealing the true state of the Vietnam War. The press won in the Supreme Court, the leaker was released, and Nixon was left angry and scheming for his next crime. This effectively evolved into a general obsession with the press, and I suppose a host of other things such as the Cold War, Nixon, and film in general. I’ve since found other journalism films that I love such as “Spotlight” (and I have heard that apparently “Citizen Kane” is quite good too), and I read the book version of “All the President’s Men.” These are all fantastic, and I do appreciate them, but I do not know if they would have caught my attention the way that the film adaptation,

“The Post,” and “Doonesbury” did. Perhaps it is simply some form of trans-generational nostalgia, but I’m with the Baby Boomers on this--print newspaper just has an appeal that digital journalism cannot quite capture, regardless of the numerous other benefits that come with it. The entirely idealized concept of classic, hard-hitting journalism having a major impact on the public. I will fully admit to being a complete and foolish sentimentalist, but I’d love to know that there are other sentimentalists out there like myself.

Cheers,

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Elementary School Closures

Since 2019, Springfield Public Schools (SPS) has been making changes and improvements across the district to make schools safer and more efficient. Springfield voters approved a Proposition S bond project in April of 2023 that would allow the district to build safer entrances, renovate buildings that needed some work, and in some cases tear down and rebuild some of the buildings that were arguably unsafe. At the beginning of this year, the SPS Board of Education held two hearings, revolving around the potential closure of Robberson Elementary, located on East Kearney, and the K-5 portion of Pershing Elementary, located on South Ventura Avenue. The Board approved and went forward with the plans to close both of these schools. Robberson Elementary will close at the end of the 2023-2024 school year and K-5 Pershing Elementary at the end of the 20252026 school year.

Emery Greninger, a former Pershing General, now a freshman at Glendale finds the closure bittersweet.

“During my time at Pershing, the kids at the elementary school were in a separate part of the building, however we did have to share a lunch room and library which I feel was not only bad for the students but also for the cafeteria staff and librarians,” Greninger said. “The only thing is I wouldn’t have been able to help with the kindergarteners if the elementary wouldn’t have been there so that is definitely a missed opportunity. I think that it was ultimately for the best even though it might take a while to adjust.”

The two buildings at Pershing share resources with one another daily. With the relocation of the current K-5 students, the middle schoolers will be able to use the space more accordingly.

“One place needing more space is our gym. It was the only place we had for assemblies and it could only comfortably seat two grades at a time. I think that by closing the elementary school it will allow the middle school to have more space,” Greninger said.

While there are benefits that come along with closing the schools, parents and staff residing at Robberson and Pershing have expressed their concerns about the change. Young students are being forced to move school locations, in turn shifting routines for parents and their children which can be challenging.

“Remodeling the building and shutting down the K-5 part of the building will definitely have its effects,” Greninger said. “Especially the teachers and students who were a part of the elementary school… because they will have to attend and work at a different school.”

Both of these buildings were shut down due to the low enrollment that occurred. According to the data collected by the district before the hearings, this low enrollment would likely only continue to decline throughout the next 10 years. Leaving the buildings will be hard on students, parents and staff, but the memories that were made will live on as the students move locations. Springfield Public Schools is focused not only on providing valuable education but also on giving students a fulfilling and lifelong experience.

“I truly did enjoy my time at Pershing. Some of my favorite memories were during my Eighth-grade year when I was in the National Junior Honor Society where we got the opportunity to volunteer and have celebrations for our good grades throughout middle school,” Greninger said. “I also enjoyed that when I was in Eighth-grade my Algebra I teacher chose me and three other students to go to the elementary one day a week to help out the kindergarten teacher. I thought this was a great experience and learning opportunity while also helping out the students with reading and math.”

EMMARIE LOGAN ONLINE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

“

I think that by closing the elementary school it will allow the middle school to have more space.

-- Emery Greninger

Photo courtesy of Springfield Daily Citizen, Background photo courtesy of KSMU.

SCHOOL BOARD

JACK HERR

ASSISTANT COPY EDITOR

Springfield Public Schools (SPS) will be having an upcoming school board election on April 2nd, 2024. Seven official candidates on the ballot will contend for three seats on the school board, with terms lasting three years. With a history of split votes in the school board, this election will certainly be impactful in the future of Springfield Public Schools.

Dr. Maryam Mohammadkhani is a retired Cox Health pathologist who has served one term on the SPS school board. Mohammadkhani is one of the more controversial figures up for election. Notably, Mohammadkhani was unseated as Vice President of the board in 2023 following a debacle at a Youth Empowerment Summit at MSU where Mohammadkhani reportedly interrupted an exercise on racial trauma. As

Danielle Kincaid is the current president of the board and is running for a second term. Kincaid was named as a trusted advisor by Springfield Business journal and has been recognized for her contributions at The Elder Law Group. Kincaid believes in supporting SPS teachers and staff. “In my time as a member of the board, I approved significant increases to salaries and am committed to continuing to improve the pay

Scott Crise is manager of gas plant operations at Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. and Vice President of the SPS school board. Crise is running for a second term in office. If reelected, Crise hopes to continue the plans that he contributed to in his first term; increasing the amount of students meeting proficiency standards, providing support for career and technical education, and keeping Springfield

Chad Rollins is once again running for a seat on the board after failing to get elected in 2023. Rollins graduated from Glendale High School in 1994, has lived in Springfield for over 40 years, and has children enrolled in Springfield Public Schools. Notably, Rollins competed on American Ninja Warrior in 2022. Rollins believes that the SPS school board will be a good fit for him and the community.

a candidate, Mohammadkhani advocates for safe and nurturing learning environments for students, overhauling the relationship between technology and school, and an increase in academic achievement; particularly in the realm of test scores.

of our educators and staff” Kincaid said, in a 2024 Springfield News Leader article. If elected, Kincaid plans on furthering the plans hatched in her first term. Student behavior and discipline are important to Kincaid; Kincaid advocates for a concerted effort from the Springfield Public Schools community to deal with these issues.

Public Schools safe. Crise wants to plan for the long term in SPS, especially regarding the spending of taxpayer dollars.

“I’m skilled and notably effective at working within groups, committees, and teams.” Rollins said, in a 2024 Springfield News Leader article. Rollins wants to put SPS on a path that prioritizes academic achievement, attendance, teacher retention, and fiscal responsibility.

ELECTIONS

Landon McCarter is running for school board after an unsuccessful bid for a seat back in 2023. McCarter is an entrepreneur in the Springfield area and has multiple children enrolled in SPS. McCarter believes his experience in growing businesses and financial experience in general will prove a valuable asset as a member of the school board. According to his campaign website, Landon McCarter cares deeply

about classroom learning and achievement, behavioral expectations and classroom dynamics, supporting educators and staff, resource allocation for academic success, and parent and community involvement.

Susan Provance is a retired SPS educator and coach, graduate of Glendale High School, parent, and grandparent. Provance wants to focus on prioritizing students and the community that surrounds them. Provance advocates for safe and distraction-free classrooms. Additionally, Provance wants to emphasize the importance of sensibly allocating the limited funding received by schools. One of the things that Provance

Dr. Kyler Sherman-Wilkins is a professor at Missouri State in the Sociology and Anthropology department. Sherman-Wilkins hopes that his experience as an educator will allow him to more effectively collaborate with other school board members, address concerns regarding student discipline, and create safe and inclusive learning environments for all students, especially those who are most vulnerable. Sherman-

finds important is making sure that students feel fulfilled after completing their journey through SPS and have the tools to live a successful life after graduation. Provance is already preparing for her possible election. “Since announcing my board candidacy, I have been attending every board meeting. I will be ready from day one.” Provance said, in a 2024 Springfield News Leader Article.

WIlkins wants the people who serve on the school board to be committed to making the community better, a criteria that he thinks he falls under.

Charity Jordan Rex will be a write-in candidate in the upcoming election as she did not receive enough signatures to run as an official candidate, but still hopes to bring her skills as a Prevention Education Coordinator at Harmony House to the SPS school board.

Photos of Maryam Mohammadkhani, Scott Crise, and Chad Rollins, courtesy of Springfield News-Leader. Photo of Danielle Kincaid courtesy of Springfield Business Journal.

Photo of Landon McCarter courtesy of Springfield Daily Citizen. Photo of Susan Provance couresty of 417 Magazine.

Photo of Kyler Sherman-Wilkins courtesy of Missouri Foundation for Health.

Springfield Homelessness and Solutions

According to an article by Springfield’s Habitat for Humanity branch, there are around 2,500 people who cannot afford a place to live. In the United States, Missouri has a homeless population of nearly 6,000, ranking it as the state with the 22nd highest homeless population. The fact that nearly half of the homeless population of Missouri is concentrated in Springfield makes it an ever-present issue in the city. Most people in Springfield have seen a homeless person on the side of the road when walking down the street. When running into a homeless person, there is usually not much one can do other than give them some spare change and be on their way. There is very little that can be done in that situation, so it’s reasonable to just go on with your day. Those who want to make a real difference find their calling through homeless shelters, which give these people more permanent aid that they desperately need.

Homelessness is one of the biggest problems affecting the city, and it’s been that way for years. Three years ago, KY3 wrote an article asking if there were any solutions to Springfield’s homeless problem, with potential solutions being provided but the question ultimately being left unanswered. This is due to the simple fact that homelessness is one of the most complicated social problems to solve. While politicians struggle to find a permanent solution, homelessness plagues some of the most vulnerable demographics. According to the Springfield Daily Citizen, a survey conducted last year found that out of 617 homeless people, 56 were veterans, 105 were children under 18, 35 were people aged 18-24, and 46 families with children were experiencing homelessness.

This problem has not gone unnoticed by the people of Springfield. Many organizations have arisen to do all they can to remedy this problem, by building and running shelters and providing aid to the homeless wherever they can. Two of these groups are The Salvation Army and the Women’s Medical Respite, which were both recently given over a million dollars

and nearly 30,000 dollars, respectively, by the Springfield City Council for the purpose of providing more aid to the homeless. The Salvation Army will be using the money to move their current homeless shelter into a new location, with a bed count of 100, nearly double their previous count of 56. The Women’s Medical Respite, an organization specifically for caring for homeless women who are acutely ill, will also be moving to a new home with eight beds, three more than their previous five. The director of the organization said they had to turn away more than 80 women last year because they lacked the resources to house them.

While the funding being given to these organizations will certainly help benefit the homeless population of Springfield, and homeless shelters are some of the best ways the homeless can get help, it is far from a permanent solution. Jaimie Trussell, the executive director of The Council of Churches of the Ozarks, another organization that runs a homeless shelter, also asked the City Council for more

funding. However, she also made clear that shelters are only temporary help and not permanent solutions.

“I think we need more shelter space, but I will tell you there is no number of shelter beds that we can construct in the city of Springfield that would solve our unsheltered problems,” Trussell said. “The problem is much bigger than that.”

Photo courtesy of Springfield News-Leader.

NATHANIEL HUNTER

Jaimie Trussell

Photo courtesy of Springfield Business Journal.

Central’s IB Film Presents: ”Hostage”

Central High School’s film department has made headway into development of their short film “Hostage,” an adaptation of a short story by the same name by Joyce Carol Oates, with all IB Film students coming together to make the collaborative project.

“It’s gonna be an exceptional opportunity for students to collaborate and engage with both literature and film as art forms,” said Josh Cantrell, the head of the media department and Central’s film teacher.

Carter Shipman, 11, is a Central High School student that is taking part in the making of “Hostage”, because of his interest in film. “My favorite subject in school is definitely film. When I was 5 years old, I made a stop motion movie with my dad, which started off my filmmaking journey thereafter,” Shipman said. “I then kept making stop motion movies throughout my elementary years and then started making real movies.”

As Shipman is a junior, he has assumed the role of production assistant in the creation of “Hostage”, which comes with a particular set of tasks. “I assist with the directing of the main shoot and help with editing the film,” Shipman said. “You have to be in the IB Film class to be on the team, and everyone in the class has some role or job in the movie.”

The film is run by the IB Film juniors and seniors, but Mr. Cantrell facilitates the process. “[Mr. Cantrell] guides everyone, even though it is mainly in the students’ hands. He organizes everything to ultimately make it happen,” Shipman said.

The idea was initially constructed by the IB Film seniors of the 2023-2024 school year, and has been in pre-production since the end of their junior year. This year’s juniors joined the production team as well, with the intention of gaining experience to make their own film the following year.

“‘Hostage’ has been in the works for over a year now, and it is a collaborative process between the senior and junior classes of IB film, and it is really special to the senior class because we are the first people to adapt this story from the short story by Joyce Carol Oate,” Darla Bauer, 12, the cinematographer for “Hostage” said.

In addition, Central has had a short hiatus from producing major group films, making “Hostage” a particularly important project to the class.

“It’s been nearly two years since the IB film program has done a production of this caliber, this is significant to many of the students as ‘Hostage’ will be entirely student written, filmed, and edited,” Emmy Smith, 12, the producer of “Hostage,” said.

Due to the submission deadlines of major

JACK WEGRZYN

COPY EDITOR

film festivals, the “Hostage” production team is under a number of different time constraints.

“We are entering the film to the AllAmerican High School Film Festival (AAHSFF), which is the biggest [high school film] competition in the world, and the submission deadline for it is in late April,” Shipman said. “Filming should be complete by the first half of March.”

The 2024 All-American competition is being held on October 18th-20th in New York City, providing an experience from teams nationwide to involve themselves with. According to the official AAHSFF website, All-American “offers a grand stage for the next generation of talented filmmakers where they can: screen their amazing creations, learn from top industry professionals, connect with the latest technology, explore myriad higher education opportunities, receive scholarships and technology prizes, and perhaps most importantly, create a community of shared passions and lifelong relationships.”

This is not the first time that Central has submitted something to All-American, with “Hostage” acting as a continuation of Bulldog representation in the event.

“We submit to All-American every year,” Shipman said. “We submit both individual film projects and the larger group ones.”

ASSISTANT

Photo by Ned Pickett.

LOYALTY 2024:

With a theme centered around all things Princess and the Frog, this year’s Loyalty festivities gave Central High students something to croak about! Student representatives on Cabinet took charge of organizing this highly anticipated event, fostering school spirit and excitement throughout the student body.

“This year’s theme is A Night in the Bayou, Princess and the Frog,” Student Body President Elana Hadi, 12, said. “We had a lot of different ideas, but this theme took the cake due to its many opportunities for decoration and spirit.”

As president, Hadi’s role is to ensure that every component of Loyalty runs smoothly. She oversees the other members in their respective roles, including Dance Commissioner Czarina Tela, 12, Art Commissioner Addie Harris, 12, and Social Media Commissioner Krisha Pate, 12.

“There is so much that comes to preparing for a school dance, which includes all the preparation and the workdays to ensure we meet our goals,” Patel said. “Social media engagement is important in communicating when and where the dance

will take place, when and how much tickets will be sold for, and any other information that the student body might need. It is also important to inform students about the afterschool workdays to expand engagement within the Cabinet.”

Beyond the theme announcement, social media proved to be essential for student engagement. Cabinet’s Instagram account, @chs.cabinet, announced Loyalty Workdays, Spirit Week themes, and Loyalty Court Nominations.

“Loyalty Court is a great way for students to get engaged,” Patel said. “It’s a fun experience campaigning for court, and getting to see who won is such a fun tradition!”

Nominations and voting for Loyalty Court ran the week of the dance, and the winners were ultimately announced at the Loyalty Assembly on Thursday. Alongside recognizing these students, the performances, announcements, and games at the Loyalty Assembly served as an exciting display of school spirit.

“Since this is the last dance and assembly of the year, I wanted to allow

as many clubs to perform as possible,” Assembly Commissioner Matias Bedel, 12, said. “By letting the school see all of the performances, students could take pride in their school community, as well as recognize any friends that may be involved in clubs. I hoped to make the assembly as hype as possible to highlight Central’s school spirit, adding games and performances involving the audience. Overall, I think the assembly went great with the variety of performances, and I’m excited to see how next year’s Cabinet does with assembly.”

Outside of Cabinet’s meeting block, much of the preparation for Loyalty happened during workdays hosted after school. At such workdays, Cabinet and non-Cabinet students collaborated to build decorations for the commons.

“Our hard work definitely paid off,” Hadi said. “I think every aspect of the dance was extremely successful. Loyalty ended up being an amazing experience, for both my fellow Cabinet members and the entirety of the student body!”

All photos by Lucy Caplinger.

A NIGHT IN THE BAYOU

ASSISTANT DESIGNER

EMMA LEWIS

Canvas Passback System

EMMARIE LOGAN

ONLINE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Springfield Public Schools has over 27,000 students, teachers, and staff in their district. With SPS being the largest school district in Missouri, there are many families that the district supports and accounts for the best they can. One new system is being tried out this year at a few schools around the district. This new system deals with grading and making the process more efficient for students, their families, and staff.

“Grade passback, or grade syncing between Canvas and eSchool (...many parents know this as Home Access Center or HAC), is a way to align assignments, scores, and student grades between the Canvas and eSchool grade books. If students and family members have checked grades in both Canvas and eSchool, they’ve probably encountered a situation where the grades don’t match. That can cause confusion about the ‘real’ grade or the ‘right’ grade,” Thomas Maerke, Springfield Public Schools’ Technology Integration Coordinator said. “To address this confusion, very smart and hard-working members of the Information Systems team have programmed a solution to have assignments and scores pass from Canvas courses into eSchool class grade books. I often call this a ‘sync’ because we could say the Canvas gradebook is syncing to the eSchool gradebook, but technically it is not simultaneous or at the same time. The grade passback occurs four times a day, on a four-hour delay…”

SPS administrators realize that the new system may seem somewhat confusing for many and they are focusing on making sure they only have to change a few things, rather than changing Canvas or Home Access as a whole.

“We know we have many students and families that use Canvas to keep up with grades, and we know that we have many students and families that use eSchool (or Home Access Center) to keep up with grades. That choice and experience does not have to change,” Maerke said. “Because Canvas is the source of grade management for teachers, we also know that Canvas provides the most up-to-date gradebook.

The eSchool grade book will match Canvas within a few hours of any grade updates that occur in Canvas, so students and families can still be confident when they’re checking eSchool that the grades are very close to live. As with any discussion about learning and school, we hope students and families will build relationships with teachers and reach out to teachers with questions about learning, progress, and grades.”

This system is being used currently for a trial run at Central High School, in addition to other middle and elementary schools, and while many students, staff, and their families are hesitant about the new system, SPS wants to assure everyone that this system will only have beneficial value.

“

In making Canvas our single location for grade management, and allowing the programming to handle the grade pass back into eSchool, we reduce redundancies for teachers, hopefully giving them time back.

Thomas Maerke

“For teachers, we want this to provide a single source of grade management. With two systems, teachers might have had to grade digital assignments in Canvas, and then duplicate the documentation in eSchool,” Maerke said. “In making Canvas our single location for grade management, and allowing the programming to handle the grade passback into eSchool, we reduce redundancies for teachers, hopefully giving them time back.”

Teachers value having good relationships with their students and a large part of that is the procedures that occur within the classroom. Grading is a large part of those procedures as different classrooms use different grading systems; however, with the new Canvas passback, all classrooms will have a universal system, helping students and parents understand the grades they have, in turn helping students communicate with their teachers better.

“We’ve heard about how confusing having different grade books and different numbers can be for students and families. We’ve heard it from teachers, counselors, and principals too. If we can refine this system so that the grades between Canvas and eSchool match, we believe we will bring clarity to discussions about grades— for students and their families, and for our instructional staff. Grades should represent the level of learning for a student. We believe this grade passback can bring us one step closer to clearly communicating those levels of learning,” Maerke said.

Springfield Public Schools hopes that with feedback, time, and plenty of experimental moments, this system will do well for everyone involved—even inquiring about whether this system would be beneficial to incorporate district-wide.

“There are ongoing discussions about the expansion of Canvas grade passback to other sites throughout the district,” Maerke said. “We’re seeking feedback from a variety of stakeholders about the experience, which will inform our decision-making process.”

Photo courtesy of Thomas Maerke.

EPSTEIN DOCUMENTS

Just three days into the new year, what many people theorized and hoped would be a political bombshell that would rock the nation dropped. Documents from a lawsuit involving Jeffrey Epstein, the nowdeceased sex trafficker and former financier who managed to have connections with a number of important figures in the political sphere, were released. The lawsuit was filed by one of Epstein’s many alleged victims, and includes many pages of new material that were expected to shed new light on Epstein’s various crimes, as well as all of his associates. However, when the documents were actually released, they revealed little new information about Epstein’s wrongdoings. They reinforced what was already public knowledge, barely added upon Epstein’s connections, and weren’t the Earth-shattering pieces of evidence people had hoped they would be.

mentions of former presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, who are often scrutinized for their association with Epstein and are theorized to have been involved in his operations. Both have denounced Epstein, and it does not seem they will be convicted on charges related to Epstein anytime soon, but this does little but fan the flames.

Clinton and Trump, despite their importance in American politics, are not necessarily the most well-known public figures mentioned in the documents. Prince Andrew of Britain also appears, who has previously been associated with Epstein, and against whom there are multiple credible accusations. The prince was sued by a victim of Epstein’s named Virginia Giuffre, and although they settled, Andrew is no longer legally allowed to deny allegations that he abused Giuffre. Other, more shocking names appeared as

The original lawsuit, filed by an alleged victim of Epstein’s trafficking and abuse, has brought the stories of many other victims to light. Hundreds of testimonies and documents detailing a number of illicit crimes Epstein perpetuated to dozens of underage women have been made public. Even so, this is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Epstein’s crimes, of which we may never know the full extent. For example, one of the public testimonies, from a hairdresser named Johanna Sjoberg, only spans between 2001 and 2006. Her testimony is notable in that it includes

well, perhaps most notably astrophysicist Stephen Hawking. The deceased physicist and cosmologist is most well-known for his contributions to the studies of gravity, black holes and physics in general. This, along with the fact that he was fully-paralyzed and spoke with an artificial voice, made him one of the last people expected to be seen in documents related to a sex trafficking ring. His single appearance resulted in Epstein putting out a bounty to whoever could disprove claims that Hawking participated in an “underage orgy” in the Virgin Islands. Regardless of the veracity of the claim, the

sheer absurdity of a man like Hawking being involved in this situation has been a defining topic in discussion of the documents.

There were no smoking guns relating to what famous person committed which sexual misdemeanor, and expecting that was unrealistic from the start. What the documents do deliver on, however, is reminding the general public that this case is not over. There are still many questions left open-ended, and while more people come forward seeking answers, the case of Jeffrey Epstein may become one of the defining cultural topics of the 2020s.

Prince Andrew and Epstein. Photo courtesty of BBC.

Photo courtesy of CNBC.

Photo courtesy of Dept. of Justice.

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After-School Tutoring

SCIENCE

Science after-school tutoring is every week on Tuesdays from 3:15 to 4:00 p.m. in room 306. Christopher Tompkins, (engineering/physics teacher) is the only teacher who tutors for Science.

The main goal of tutoring is to help students build confidence and get them to a point where they can ask questions in class.

Students typically direct their attention towards areas of uncertainty rather than areas of knowledge. Instead of fixating on what they lack understanding of, it is beneficial to acknowledge what they do know. Incorporating what they are familiar with often makes clear the parts that are still unclear.

MATH

Math after-school tutoring is every week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 3:15 to 4:00 p.m. On Tuesdays, it is in math teacher Emmilyn Murphy’s room, 344. On Wednesdays, it is in Pamela Fleming’s room, 335. On Thursdays, it is held in IB math teacher Ellen Hunter’s room 343.

“I think a lot of students have the impression that if you got to tutoring, it’s because you’re a bad student, or because they’re bad at math, or because they’re struggling and because they don’t see themselves in that lens, they don’t think tutoring is for them, and that’s not necessarily true, so math tutoring is for anybody,” Hunter said.

“I think it’s fun. We do a lot of drawing on the tables, but when I’m getting to work with one person at a time, I can gauge that person’s interests and do more things that appeal to them, or they can apply it to something they know,”. Fleming said.“It’s very individualized, so the students work on what they need and want to work on.”

“It doesn’t mean you’re stupid if you go to tutoring. It’s quite the opposite. There are going to be any number of times throughout life where you’re not getting something, and if you just keep trying to get it on your own, you may eventually get it, but you’re going to try and fail a lot,” Fleming.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Social Studies after-school tutoring is every week on Mondays, Wednesdays,

and Thursdays from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. On Mondays, it is held in social studies teacher Luke Vaughn’s room, 332. On Wednesdays, tutoring is in Emily Halinger’s, psych/ US history teacher etc, room 328. On Thursdays, it is in history teacher Joel Slingerland’s room 322.

“My philosophy is that students who are motivated to do their work can use it if they want, but I am not going to force them to come or stay engaged if they do not need it,” Halinger said.

“There is a big benefit to doing tutoring just because it allows one-on-one time. Which you don’t get in the regular classroom setting and allows us to address specific issues that need to be addressed,” Vaughn said. Moreover, Slingerland emphasized the importance of proactive engagement, urging students not to rely solely on teachers to initiate tutoring sessions or communicate with parents.

“Put yourself out there. Don’t wait for your teacher to say, ‘I’ll see you in tutoring,’ or ‘I’m gonna call your parents,’” Slingerland said.

“You get to hang out with me, and I’m cool! I’m fun to hang out with!” Vaughn said.

ENGLISH

English after-school tutoring is every week on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:15 to 4:15 pm in room 251.

“The students who take advantage of it make a lot of headway and make progress towards improving their grades,” Sarah Reed, an English teacher, said. Mrs. Reed is the only teacher who tutors for English.

“Typically, when I have students coming to tutoring, they’re coming with things they need help with, so students are coming with an overdue assignment, something that needs help finishing, or something they need feedback on,” Reed said. “Some students, however, need a quiet place to sit and work and don’t necessarily need help, so I can provide a silent place for them to be and work.”

Some students need to be in a particular environment to get work done. It doesn’t necessarily mean you are struggling, but after-school tutoring provides a quiet place to work and get any help that’s needed.

COPY EDITOR

SCIENCE

Exploring the Environmental Impacts of AI

With humanity’s goal of constant technological advancement, the rise of Artificial Intelligence may prove to be both a blessing and a curse. As machine learning, automated processes, and generative models continue to be developed and refined, the environmental footprint of AI may be a much larger concern than most people think.

The relationship between AI and the climate crisis may not be as straightforward as the oil industry but the two have some intersecting and similar aspects. One of the most well-known contributors to climate change is the emission of greenhouse gases. The amount of things such as carbon dioxide emissions can vary wildly depending on what is being conducted. From training large language models like GPT-3 to creating programs for self-driving cars, each task demands varying amounts of computing power, translating into carbon emissions. For example, developing GPT-3 emitted the equivalent of about 500 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Another possibly concerning detail of AI’s environmental impact is that many of the ecological ramifications are still unclear, even to experts. Many companies do not publicly share the methods they use to create AI models. This is for a variety of different reasons, but this practice hinders researchers’ abilities to evaluate AI through an environmental lens. The lack of transparency from the largest AI companies complicates the process of understanding the full extent that AI affects the planet. Microsoft’s recent collaboration with ExxonMobil is another way that AI could end up contributing to climate change more indirectly. ExxonMobil plans to make mining operations more efficient and increase things like fossil fuel production by using Microsoft’s Azure AI platform. This means that the AI will contribute to increased greenhouse gas emissions which

could set a precedent for similar future practices. This example may raise some ethical considerations about environmental accountability in things like AI applications and partnerships. In contrast to this, there is also some potential for AI to help decrease emissions from other sources, though there are currently few plans in place to do so. AI could help optimize energy consumption within industrial processes, make transportation systems more efficient, etc. One thing is for certain, however—if used correctly, AI could be a promising ally in the fight against climate change. This potential is very limited by the AI industry’s desire for environmental change, however.

Automated targeted advertising is another important aspect of AI’s impact on the environment. There are already algorithms that target personal details about everyone, but AI could make these algorithms even more accurate. This may lead to more consumptive behavior from online buyers, perpetuating a cycle where cheap products are bought in large quantities and then soon thrown away in similar amounts. As AI continues to shape societal norms and trends, its environmental footprint will undoubtedly exponentially increase.

Another topical point of interest is AI image generation. According to some recent studies, generating images may consume about the same amount of energy it takes to

fully charge a smartphone. Text generation (like what chatbots do) is significantly less resource-intensive with every one-thousand lines generated equating to the amount of energy it would take to charge a phone to 16%. OpenAI has also recently unveiled Sora, a program that can take text and turn it into realistic video up to one minute long. Considering how new this model is, it is unclear the impact that training had in terms of the environment, it is likely much more resource-intensive than generating a single image.

The environmental impacts of AI are undeniable, but there is still some nuance to the topic. From increasing fossil fuel extraction to offering solutions that reduce emissions, AI has the potential to be both part of the problem and part of the solution to climate change.

Photo courtesy of TechObserver.

Photo courtesy of Interesting Engineering.

HIGHLIGHT

Humanity’s Next Giant Leap

Following the success of the uncrewed Artemis I mission in 2022, the departure of Artemis II will be a pivotal moment in space history. NASA is launching Artemis II in the hope that it will demonstrate a wide variety of capabilities crucial for deep space missions in the future. This launch will also mark NASA’s first crewed mission aboard the powerful Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft. If all goes well during the mission, Artemis III will not be too far into the future where the first woman will set foot on the surface of the moon.

A crew of four astronauts will embark on a ten-day voyage, where they will circumnavigate the Moon in a lunar flyby. Scheduled to launch no earlier than September 2025, Artemis II represents a culmination of many years of planning and preparation. It will be a momentous occasion for these astronauts, marking the first crewed flight aboard NASA’s SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft. The astronauts will be tasked with validating that the systems aboard the spacecraft all behave properly, ensuring that future missions will be safe and productive. A key aspect of the Artemis II flight test will include verifying that the mechanisms that propel the spacecraft toward the lunar surface function properly. The journey begins with the spacecraft reaching an initial orbit, tracing a path in

the shape of an ellipse around the Moon. At this stage of the flight, the propulsion mechanism called the Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS) will set Orion on its proper trajectory. As the mission continues, the Orion spacecraft will transition to a high-Earth orbit, with its elliptical path extending far above the surface of the planet. From here, the astronauts will see both the Earth and the Moon from the Orion spacecraft. Eventually, Artemis II will fly near the far side of the Moon, where the crew will venture approximately 4,600 miles around the Moon. NASA hopes that the Artemis II mission will be a testament to human ambition and innovation, paving the way for future exploration of the universe.

NASA is spearheading a program of exploration, collaborating with commercial and international partners to one day bring humans to settle elsewhere in the solar system. At the core of the Artemis missions are the SLS and Orion, advanced pieces of tech that will hopefully serve as the backbone through this cosmic journey. As the astronauts embark on their trip to the Moon, they do so propelled by the combined efforts of generations of engineering and ambition, united in the pursuit of knowledge, discovery, and curiosity. In the end, the hope is that Artemis II will not just be another mission but the pivotal next step in human exploration.

Photos courtesy of NASA.

Photo courtesy of NASA Space Flight.

SPRINGFIELD EATS

2024 TASTE THE FLAVOR

Crumbl Cookie

Crumbl Cookie is planning to open two locations around Springfield in 2024. One location will be at 2415 N Glenstone Ave while the other is to be placed around the Walmart near Independence. Crumbl Cookie is known for its interesting and unique weekly flavors. Their cookie flavors

Bada Bing Wings

A sit-down restaurant/arcade isn’t always the best option; however, sometimes a food truck is just what you need. Bada Bing Wings is a food truck that sells both unique and classic chicken wings. A few of their more experimental flavors include peanut butter and jelly using Thai peanut

MADI

COPY EDITOR

With a new year comes new opportunities, but more importantly, new food options. Around Springfield rests various restaurants, fast food, and food trucks alike. This year some new cooks are joining the scene. Crumbl Cookies, Bigg Time Arcade, Bada Bing Wings food truck and Fizz Sips-N-Sweets are a few of the places coming to Springfield some time in 2024.

rotate out each week, with new recipes being added almost each week on top of the current recipes. Their flavors range from good ol’ chocolate chip to honey cake with teddy grahams.

Bigg Time Arcade

Bigg Time Arcade is another product of the owners of The Big Slice. It will be opening around downtown Springfield and offers a whole variety of fun activities and food. Arcade games, billiards, a jukebox, golf simulators, and pinball machines are just a few of the options that will be offered. Big

sauce and pepper jam and Pop Rock wings that have strawberry pop rocks. They even offer vegan options (with a fryer specifically designated to vegan) and a variety of sides and sauces. If you’ve ever heard of Not’cho Ordinary Taco, this food truck comes from those creators as well.

Slice-style pizza will also be offered, along with a full bar.

Fizz Sips-N-Sweets

To top it all off, you need something to drink. Fizz Sips-N-Sweets, a locally owned soda truck, is opening a new home base and a second soda truck. Their options range from classic soda flavors, including vanilla, cherry, and cream, to ice cream, cookie dough, cinnamon sugar pretzel bites,

and flavored sparkling waters. The truck location is at the Red Racks at 1707 W Battlefield Road.

If none of these suit your fancy, then perhaps one of Springfield Brewery’s two new locations or London Calling Pasty in Nixa will do the trick. Plenty of new options are becoming available this year and you’re sure to find a new place that satisfies your taste buds.

SARAH GREENE

As an International Baccalaureate school, Central offers classic IB programs, such as Diploma Program (DP) and Career Program (CP). In addition, the SPS district itself offers other special programs alongside those, like Middle College and GO Caps.

DIPLOMA PROGRAM

The IB Diploma Program consists of 6 core groups; English/Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Science, Mathematics, and the Arts/ Electives. To complete the program and receive their diploma, students must take IB Diploma courses dedicated to each group of study. They must complete the Theory of Knowledge course and an extended essay. Enrollees must also complete and reflect on their creativity, activity and service (CAS) hours. The IB MYP program is considered a precursor to the DP and CP programs, but is not required to enroll in either. Students enroll in the Diploma Program through the IB website, guided by their counselors or teachers.

CAREER PROGRAM

The IB Career-related Program consists of 10 possible pathways, from which students must choose and dedicate their courses and CP core to it. To complete the program and receive their certificate, they must take at least 2 IB Diploma courses, HL or SL, from any of the 6 core groups, complete the CP core, and complete the Personal and Professional Skills course. The Reflective Project is created over two years, and reflects in detail on a world ethical issue of the student’s choosing. The IB MYP program is considered a precursor to the DP and CP programs, but is not required to enroll in either.

MIDDLE YEARS PROGRAM

The IB Middle Years Program is intended to give students an idea of what the future IB programs are like and teach them how to maneuver IB courses. MYP offers two classes for freshmen and sophomores interested in CP or DP: IB MYP Project Lab Year 9, for freshmen, and IB MYP Personal

SPS Programs & Opp O rtunities

Project Year 10 for sophomores. Year 9 teaches freshmen how to navigate the IB program, what the core teaching values are, and encourages thinking about future planning and how to achieve goals. Year 10 further teaches future-thinking and how to be an IB student, alongside having students make a year-long personal project reflecting their personal interests and learning experiences. The core point of MYP is to teach students how to succeed in future IB programs, as the coursework rigor and academic requirements increases.

GO CAPS

GO CAPS, the Greater Ozarks Centers for Advanced Professional Studies, is a program made for students who want to seriously pursue and test out their dream careers before college. There are 3 pathways through CAPS: Medicine and Healthcare, Business and Entrepreneurship, and Engineering and Manufacturing. Each pathway involves the student leaving their traditional high school for half of the day and going to a building related to their chosen pathway. Students are taught about their career by employees and business leaders, and work as employees in training by solving problems, using tools, learning about the career and practicing being in a professional environment. Students earn both high school and college credit through CAPS. It is open to only juniors and seniors. Students can enroll online as a new school year starts, and the enrollment priority deadline is February 29th. Any enrollments afterward will only be accepted if there is space left.

FLY SPS

FLY SPS is a two-year program that teaches students piloting through SPS. Only two students are chosen per year, and the enrollment window is November 1st through December 1st. Students must be at least 16 and meet all FAA screening requirements. The two students are chosen through lotteries and interviews, but the choosing process is subject to change, as the program is less than a year old. Students will spend half the school day at the

Springfield-Branson airport, learning about planes, pilots and how to fly, and will still earn high school and college credit in the program. Upon graduation and completion of the program, students will be given their pilot’s license.

OTC CAREER CENTER

OTC Career Center is similar to GO CAPS in that it is a program dedicated to getting students into the professional workforce before graduating high school. Students spend half of the school day at OTC, learning about and getting hands-on experience taught by professionals in their dream career alongside getting to explore other careers in the program. At the end of the program, students can be eligible for the Associate of Applied Science degree and to receive a certificate. Only juniors and seniors can enroll. Students can enroll through the OTC website, with the help of their school counselor.

OTC MIDDLE COLLEGE

OTC Middle College is a program for students who work best in a non-traditional high school environment. Middle College is more focused on physical and trade education, based on a series of career pathways from which enrollees can choose. Middle College is also for students who might not be able to go to college without extra support, or who would be better off going to college earlier than normal but cannot graduate early from high school. It is located solely at Ozarks Technical Community College, and students will not take any classes at their original high school. However, students can still participate in extracurriculars and special events, such as dances, provided they have permission from the original high school. Middle College is open to all students from participating high schools in Missouri, and students do not have to be in the SPS school district to enroll. Applications are open all year, and potential applicants can enroll online, through their school’s counselors, through the Middle College phone number or in-person at the school.

REESE WOOD ASSISTANT DESIGNER

Humans of Central: Barret Burns

With so many students attending Central High School, it is impossible to truly get to know everyone. But among the crowd, many have interesting stories. One of these people is Barrett Burns, a junior with many unusual attributes, including skills such as being gifted at sports such as baseball and fishing and a very unique ability.

“(I’m) Not in clubs but I do play baseball and I’m on the fishing team as well,” Burns said. “I would say that I am pretty good at the sports I play. I made first-team all-district and all-conference for baseball this past Spring season while also finishing in the top 25 in the state for a few stat categories. I’ve had the luxury of starting on varsity for baseball both of my years playing so far. I made Academic All-conference both years as well as All-District first team and AllConference first team as a sophomore. It’s only going to get better now,” he continued.

“I am hoping to join Cabinet next year as either Spirit Commissioner or Social Media Commissioner,” Burns said. One of the most important roles in Central for students is to be leaders in the community, such as being a part of the cabinet. Choosing events and when and where they are to happen is very important. Without social events, the Central community would be far weaker than it would be with these events. Free time, and how you use it, is important

to students everywhere, and Burns is no exception. In his free time, he listens to music in his room or is outside swinging a baseball bat.

It takes a lot of skill to be a baseball player or a fisherman but those skills can be developed by anyone. Burns, however, has an extraordinarily unusual talent. “A lot of my friends think it’s weird, but I can tell different types of sodas just by smelling them. So if you have Pepsi, Coke, Dr Pepper, and Root Beer right next to each other, I could tell you which is which,” he said. “I discovered my skill of smelling soda and determining what kind it is a couple of years ago. I was in the car with my mom after ordering fast food, and she asked me which soda was hers. Instead of taking a sip, I decided to open the lid and smell it, and was able to tell the difference between mine and hers.” This is a skill that very few people know exists but it does. The different ingredients and production processes cause the unique smell of different flavors even if the two are incredibly similar such as Pepsi and Coke.

Among the students at Central, some serve as an influence for others, there are also nonstudents who influence students. “I like that guy (Ryan Gosling), he’s a pretty cool dude,” Burns said. “Ryan Gosling is one of my biggest idols. The man is gorgeous.

His performance in all of his movies is phenomenal. My favorites are ‘The Nice Guys’ and ‘The Grey Man.’”

Central has a schedule that goes from Red Days to Black Days, with different classes on each day. “I prefer my red days because the workload is a lot lighter except for my fifth block. Fifth block I have Spanish,” Burns said.

Everyone can learn from people’s experiences and history allowing them to become better people.

C H S

Photos courtesy of Barrett Burns.

SARAH GREENE REPORTER

CLUB HIGHLIGHT: MOCK TRIAL TEAM

Mock trial is a competition run by the Missouri State Bar Association. Every year, student groups go to a local space chosen by the BAMSL (Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis), where they argue their side of the case and contribute evidence. Students are sorted into three groups--prosecution, defense, and witnesses. The prosecution argues the plaintiff’s side of the case, the defense argues the defense’s side of the case, and the witnesses give testimonials.

“Each team consists of anywhere from seven to ten individuals,” Coach Karissa Talty, the Central debate coach and one of the club sponsors, said. “We can have three to four attorneys on each team for defense and for prosecution for the plaintiff, and then we have to have three witnesses on each side of that.”

The case prompt is given each year by the BAMSL, and are released a few months prior to the competition. According to the BAMSL website, they were released in October of 2023.

“When we have practice, what we’ve been doing is kind of breaking down the problem that was given to us,” Talty said. “Trying to figure out how we’re going to go about proving our side of the trial, and who is at fault for–it’s actually a car crash type of deal–that crash based on the evidence that has been provided.”

Mock trial overlaps with debate in the way students participate, but it is conceptually entirely based on mimicking an actual courtroom.

“At its core, the students get to ‘pantomime’ what a trial is like, and participate in it with the various roles,” Joel Slingerland, a Central history teacher and one of the club sponsors, said. “Especially prosecuting attorney, defense attorney and witnesses, which in some ways are character acting after they study the depositions very carefully… that’s the thing about mock trial, you get this massive case file and you have to build a case, you have to find the inconsistencies and the evidence and then present a case in front of a judge… that oversees the trial and then a panel of

jurists, there was two in our case, that are going to use a ballot to mark how effective your team performed.”

This year, the competitions were on February 20th and 27th at Evangel University. The Central teams were given an honorable mention by the judges, and selected as a state alternate for another team.

“The kids did really well,” Slingerland said. “There are certain things we obviously can improve by studying the ballots of the judges, so we know where we shine, and we’ll continue those behaviors and where we can see improvement we’ll try and diagnose those things.”

The club was founded in January of this year, sponsored by Mr. Slingerland, Mr. Bossi, and Coach Talty. “This year, there’s

said. “The debate program and some of the other things... those kinds of students in general, those skillsets lend well to something like Mock Trial, and that’s true for Model UN and some of the other things we do.”

Although mock trial competitions have previously been held in Springfield, Central has never had a mock trial team or had any students participate in them.

“This year our main goal is just to kind of figure out mock trial,” Talty said. “I’ve never actually done a mock trial before, Mr. Slingerland has never done a mock trial before, so we’re trying to figure out what it’s supposed to look like so we can set it up a little bit better for next year… but I like to win, so ideally the goal is to win.”

Sign-ups for mock trial begin next school

Beyond the Bull-doggy Paddle

The girls swim season is concluding with the state competition, where the athletes showcase what they have worked for over the past season.

Fiona Lu, 11, is a returning individual state-qualifying Bulldog swimmer who is involved in various other extracurricular activities in Central High School. Lu has been swimming competitively for the majority of her life, which has given her prior experience to then contribute to the highschool team.

“I started swimming when I was seven at the MSA [Missouri State Aquatics] club team,” Lu said. “I have improved greatly mentally with swimming, and I am much happier now with both better and worse times from races.”

the Foster Natatorium is where the majority of meets are held, including the final meet for many of Central’s swimmers.

“My favorite swim meet of the season is SWMO [Southwest Missouri],” Lu said. “It is the biggest and is the most hype because it is where the most people show up out of any other meets at The Nat.”

After that meet, a select few who achieve times that are under the qualifying standards for the top 32 in that event have a guaranteed spot to individually compete at the state meet.

JACK WEGRZYN

ASSISTANT COPY EDITOR

“The individual girls swim state qualifiers for this year include Edie Ferguson, 9, Naomi Meng, 11, and Fiona Lu, 11,” Joe Price, Head Coach, said. “State is being held from February 14-16 this year, and we will be leaving from the Nat at 8 am on Valentines Day.”

Price has a history of swimming, dating back to his early elementary school years. “When I was in Kindergarten, the parents of a really good swimmer that I knew said I should try it out,” Price said. “I did SWAB [Southwest Aqua Bears, now MSA] then moved to SPA [Springfield Aquatics] when I was seven or eight, and continued swimming there with my group until we all graduated high school.”

Girls swim practices began on November 6, with the first official meet, the “All Relays” meet, taking place on December 2.

“The first meet was super fun, as always,” Lu said. “The Foster Natatorium is the pool I feel best in because of its professional look and competition energy.”

There are other high school girls swim programs that the Central Bulldogs have made rivals with, which explodes in watery confrontations at tournaments. “Kickapoo and West Plains are our biggest competitors,” Lu said. “They’re in our conference and have really good swimmers; we are always competing for first in relays.”

There are various swim competitions that require travel beyond the school, but

Price started coaching swim teams in 2013, initially running a swim clinic in St. Louis, and eventually becoming assistant coach and later head coach for both the boys and girls Central swim programs.

“If we have time before a meet that is coming up, we will hit intense practices in advance. Then, the week of the meet we will do less distance but keep up the intensity,” Price said. “I then see what everyone needs to work on and hit those specific things, including the starts and different turns for race preparation.”

Although being on the swim team undeniably has its physical benefits, it also can provide an emotional boost that is not to be underestimated.

“Obviously there are many physical benefits, but you also have to work through hard things, it always brings my mood up, and anything I have built up comes out at practice,” Lu said. “If you do well in a race the feeling is really good, and there is a great confidence boost because it is the buildup of all the work we have put in.”

Photo by Gentry Goode.

Photo by Emily Hernandez.

Photo by Emily Hernandez.

BSOLUTE RCHERS

REESE WOOD

ASSISTANT DESIGNER

One of the many sports available to high schools and scholars alike is archery. Archery is the sport of shooting a small rod using tension on a bow string at high speeds and long distances, and is a sport that dates to before even the medieval period.

“I love the people and am slowly learning how to be better as an archer,¨ Emaline Ashely, 9, said. “Someone who is patient and disciplined would do really well in archery.”

Central’s archery coaches are Audra Uzzell, the sixth-grade math teacher, and Elicia Ligon, the sixth-grade science teacher. Despite their positions as middle school teachers, they coach both high school and middle school archery.

“I have been coaching archery at Central since SPS started the National Archery in Schools Program (NASP) seven years ago (I think it has been seven),” Uzzell said. “I started as a co-coach, before becoming head coach. However, I was an archer before teaching archery; I have been doing archery for a long time.”

The archery team is committed to developing a healthy camaraderie, allowing for both beneficial competition and friendship.

“I love archery and it’s only gotten better as I’ve reached high school. It is a very positive environment and people wish the best for each other,” Ashley said.

The sport is easily accessible for new competitors, and the coaches provide everything an athlete needs, removing the potentially prohibitive cost of entry. This has allowed for a wide variety of students

from Central to join, and the coaches have seen archers progress from an assortment of backgrounds.

“Being an archery coach for Central is awesome! We work with 6-12 grade archers and have the opportunity to see archers grow and develop their skills over time,” Uzzell said.

Archery is among Central’s more competitive sports, and they regularly score well at tournaments. As such, Coaches Uzzell and Ligon take their role seriously, as effective training and archers make or break the team.

“People need to understand that there are 11 basic steps that can be taken to make you a great archer; it isn’t just flinging an arrow from a bow,” Uzzell said. “Also, you have to be incredibly self-aware with sustained attention.”

In archery, an archer must be patient and think about their target. Adapting their aim after firing a shot to adjust for the next allows them to become more accurate. They also need to stay calm—a singular bad shot or round can easily ruin the tournament.

The archery target is a large block with multiple rings that gets progressively

smaller. The center circle is worth ten points, with each ring going out being worth one fewer point. There are eight rounds of shooting in total, four at the ten-meter line, and four at the 15-meter line. The first one is always an unscored round for warm up, followed by three scored rounds. Competitors are given five arrows during each round. The maximum score across all scoring rounds is 300.

“People need to understand that archery is not only a personal sport but a team sport. Individuals can qualify for state tournaments, but so can teams,” Uzzel said. “Team scores are derived from the top 12 archers out of a full team of 24 archers and there has to be at least four girls on the team as archery is a safe, all-inclusive sport.”

There are multiple signals used by the referees with whistles, which are used to communicate commands such as getting bows, starting, retrieving arrows, and in emergencies stopping fire. These signals are used universally, so all of the archers, bystanders, and coaches understand the calls on the range.

“This season we have seen our best scores and I believe our most state qualifiers in one season since I started with the archery program,” Uzzell said. “So far, we have also shot our highest team score, a high school team score of 3192.”

Central’s state qualifiers for this year include Aleyse Goodfriend, 10, Carter Meints, 11, Wilson Johnson, 9, Kahler Sharp, 12, Gabe Beurlein, 10, and Skylar Lee, 8. In addition, the team itself only barely missed out on making the state competition.

“This is the most successful team Central has had in quite a while,” Ashley said. “We were only 8 points off from qualifying for state as a team out of 3200.”

All photos by Elseya Ligon.

EMMA

ASSISTANT DESIGNER

Her tenth year at Central, Coach Caitlin Lamberth has led the Girls’ Basketball team through another strong season. Alongside assistant coaches Armando Johnson and Madison Mueller, the team has grown in their scoring, their bonds between one another, and their broader work ethic.

“From last year to now, the team has changed a lot,” Sandriana Sanders, 12, said. “I feel like this year’s group of girls have a stronger bond than my previous year, and our coaches have done a great job with that.”

Sanders, a senior, has been playing basketball since age five. With her

experience and expertise in the sport, Sanders is prepared to guide newer players on the team to success.

“It’s a good mix of upperclassmen and underclassmen,” Audrey Hawkins, 10, said. “We had quite a few freshman tryouts this year and I’m happy to be playing with them. Upperclassmen do a good job communicating with the underclassmen about plays and give general advice. We’ve been able to adapt to each other’s playing styles and build trust. As the season has progressed, we’ve gotten closer off the court as well.”

The team is separated into JV and Varsity, with some players involved in both. Despite this separation, the fifteen total girls attend practices each day as a collective.

“Throughout the season, the student-

TIP OFFS AND TEAMWORK

athletes are tested mentally and physically,” Lamberth said. “The basketball season starts in late October and goes to March so the season is long. They spend a lot of time together on and off the court making their bond very strong. Their skills have grown tremendously since we began practice.”

The girls practice every day after school if they do not have a game, from 3:30 to 5:30. Lamberth, with prior experience assistant coaching at Evangel, pushes the team to work hard and develop a strong sense of dedication. Throughout the course of the season, this has certainly paid off.

“The games started at the end of November for JV, and the beginning of December for varsity,” Hawkins said.

“Occasionally, when ThePit Instagram account posts our games, we have some students show up, but typically the turnout is fairly low. Regardless, I’m proud of our spirit and commitment. We recently played Parkview and won.”

The team’s win against Parkview was the tangible manifestation of their strong work ethic, a classic underdog story. Starting the game 21 points down, the girls refused to give in. Gradually, they battled their way back up in points and came back to claim victory in overtime.

“A major win was Parkview,” Sanders said. “This is the best I have seen the team

score; We are not afraid to go for it this season. Even if the shots don’t fall, that doesn’t stop us from trying. We do team bonding, so I feel like our chemistry off the court helps with the chemistry on the court.”

Even when this perseverance isn’t reflected in the scores, the girls never lose hope in themselves. They are able to maintain confidence in that they are committed to the sport, reflecting Bulldog PRIDE.

“The culture we have built is that we are a family and we all protect our family,” Lamberth said. “We have learned that no matter what the game or life throws at us, we are going to come out stronger and better because we know we gave our best. That is all I can ask of our student athletes.”

All photos by Emily Hernandez.

MORGAN MARTENS

Slammin’ & Jammin’

This season for the Bulldogs has been a change of atmosphere for the team and players. Lots and lots of young players are getting to play starting varsity, as well as a senior transfer looking to inspire and break records. The season has been changed with new things for these bulldogs filled with new accomplished records and wins that will go in the history books for the school’s basketball, including a milestone of 1,500 points for Tyrique Brooks followed by a 6049 point win against Kickapoo.

“When it’s game day the energy is even better the focus we have is on a different level you can see it in our faces, and our coaching staff has done a good job this year keeping attitude and egos at a minimum,” Bryce Walker, 11, said.

Starting off with talking about the blue and gold tournament. They were placed in this tournament as the number one seed in the gold division. Their first opponent was Skyline and they won 86-51, bringing them on to the next round of competition. Then they played Ash Grove winning by double, 86-43. In the semi-finals, they faced a number 4-seeded Sparta. They won by over 30 points, 80-42. For the championship, they faced a familiar opponent, Springfield’s Glendale. In the game, there was lots of talk and battle from both teams. But it was Central that came out on top winning 77-44. This win is the first Blue and Gold championship win since 1983 for Central. It

has also been since 1984 with them being in the finals of the Blue and Gold tournament. For these players, it meant more than just a win. Bryce Walker after the tournament talked about doing it for Central culture and the city. So for these players, it was more than just a trophy or a win. It brought new opportunities for Central and the Springfield community. For this team it isn’t just about them it’s about everyone and everything. They had a goal and they were there to accomplish the goals. This is a historical win for SPS and the school.

“We play to win but also play because we want to put on for the city of Springfield and Central High School,” Tyrique Brooks, 12, said.

This season has been a huge step forward for the team. The players talk about drive and determination. These things fuel them to work harder and harder not only in practice but in game mode as well. As a team communication has been a big part of the chemistry and wins obtained from this team and players. They strive to work together and create a winning atmosphere. The role each plays is important to the success of the team so they work individually and collectively to complete the chemistry that they have.

“I think we’ve been taking our preparation very seriously this year whether it’s a practice or the day before the game we have been really focused on improving, and

Photo by Evan Cornelius-White.

SENIOR REPORTER

Photo by Owen Smith.

our connection is we’re brothers. we pick each other up and we leave no one behind,” Walker said.

Following the blue and gold they participated in the Tournament of Champions one of only two SPS schools to participate in this competition. In this competition, there were nationally ranked teams like Paul the Third. This was said to help develop these Central players and bring a bigger competitive spirit to the team to compete on a higher level of competition. In this competition called the Slam Dunk Contest where players from different schools are scored on different types of dunks they complete. Central had three players in this contest Bryce Walker Tyrique Brooks, and Brody Holland. Tyrique Brooks won this competition with a perfect score for dunking over three people.

“Well fight and stay with each other on any given night and how hard of a team we are to beat,” Brooks, said.

Following the end of this season, they ended in the conference with an 8-1 record. The one loss was to a number 7-ranked Rolla High School. The end score was 102104 Rolla. With this record, this team is tied for conference champions.

Overall this team ended in a 20-6 record. At one point having a 4 game win streak coming late in the season. This record included a win against all the SPS teams and 3 wins against school rival Glendale

High School. This record compared to last year’s 15-10 win-lose ratio has gone up for this team. Going from a 60% ratio to a 77% ratio. This season’s record has only come with progress from the last couple of years and the direction of the coaching staff. This record has been the best for Central for several years.

“It was emotional with a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. Me being able to have a night that shows my work ethic was great,” Brooks said.

Photo by Gentry Goode.

Photo by Gentry Goode.

Photo by Hampton Richards.

Photo by Owen Smith.

Spring Sports Preview

Boys Golf

“This year’s Central Bulldogs golf team has a strong senior group that have been together since their freshman year. They are led by senior co-captains Aidan Gray & McCrae Cox. We also have a nice balance of sophomores and juniors as well as five incoming freshmen.”

Coach John Collins

Mon. April 8, 8:30 a.m., Millwood Golf & Racquet Club

Wed. April 24, 8:30 a.m., Rivercut Golf Course

B + G Track

“The Spring of 2024 will be one to really look forward to! We have a young but experienced group of runners on both the Boys and Girls teams. The Bulldogs plan to work hard and compete even harder as we end this era of the Ozark Conference on a high note for our program.”

Coach Shem Johnson

Thurs. April 4, 11:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Parkview’s JFK Track Facility

Fri. April 5, 11:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Parkview’s JFK Track Facility

Baseball

Girls Soccer

“We have had really high numbers for girls showing interest and attending preseason so far. It makes it very exciting to be a part of and I can’t wait to watch what these girls will accomplish this season.”

Coach Nathan Cardoza

Thurs. March 21, 5:00 p.m., Harrison Stadium

Tues. April 2, 5:00 p.m., Harrison Stadium

Boys Tennis

“The Central Tennis Team is accepting of all levels of tennis. If you are just now picking up a racket for the first time or you have been playing competitively for years, we have a place for you. Last year, the varsity squad finished in the final four tournaments of state competition, and we had an individual get 8th at state in singles. This year, we hope to make it back to state competition.”

Coach Donita Cox

Wed. April 10, 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Cooper Tennis Complex

Tues. April 30, 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Cooper Tennis Complex

“We are looking forward to a fun and competitive spring. We have many returning varsity players and are coming off our two most successful seasons. We have big shoes to fill from last year’s senior class, but the players have been putting in a lot of work in the weightroom, during pre season practice, and in their own personal training. We are managing expectations and will play ball one pitch at a time. Come join us next week at tryouts for a chance to join Central High Baseball!”

Coach Jerrod White

Mon. April 22, 4:30 p.m., Central Baseball Field

Fri. May 3, 4:30 p.m., Central Baseball Field

MORGAN MARTENS SENIOR REPORTER

MY BIG FAT GREEK NIGHT

Greek Belly is a Greek-style restaurant located in downtown Springfield. On March 9, Greek Belly will be holding a Greek night. The entertainment will include a belly dancer and Chris Sarantakis who is a bouzouki player. A bouzouki is a traditional Greek instrument used by the culture for centuries. That night will also hold a tradition of breaking plates and traditional Greek dancing to join in on. Traditional Greek foods, such as lamb chops and moussaka, will also be offered. It’s also known as Opa time. Opa is a saying that’s widely used as cheer for people in Greek culture. This is a great opportunity to see a different culture and community and to have fun.

SPECIAL SKATE EVENT

On March 12, Skateland is hosting a special skate night for both teens and adults. It will be a swiftie-themed roller skate night. This will include special Taylor Swift-themed vendors, a photo booth, and food available all night. The only requirements are that you are twelve and up as well as dressed up in your choice of Taylor Swift Era. Admissions for this event is nine dollars a person.

Oh, the Places We’ll Go

ST. PATRICK’S

St. Patrick’s is the last weekend before coming back to school. This weekend will feature a 5k run on March 17. This 5k is of your choice for time and route. Runners will earn a gold medal for participation and plaques for placing. The cost for entering is eighteen dollars a person and at least fifteen percent of each registration goes to the National Hemophilia Foundation. It is Luck of the Irish’s seventh annual race. This event is an Illinois local event but is virtual for global participation.

Springfield also hosts a parade every year. This parade is from Commercial Street to past the Downtown Square. This parade includes a variety of floats, performers, and more. There will also be plenty of food and drinks for viewers.

QUEEN CITY SHOUT-OUT

Queen City Shout-out is a weeklong festival. It is located on C-street in Roundtree and in Galloway. It is an event to celebrate Springfield’s art and local artists, including music, shops and more. This festival is an opportunity to raise money and awareness for poverty relief in Springfield. It costs fifteen to thirty dollars a ticket. Certain shops like Limbergs and more will be open and have special items. This festival also includes poetry, film and dance.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Other activities in Springfield include the Discovery Center, Bass Pro Aquarium, and more. These activities do cost money. At the Aquarium there are chances to feed the stingray, usually in the morning, at an additional cost. Discovery Center provides opportunities for STEM learning for all ages. In Branson, there is Silver Dollar City. Silver Dollar City will not have the water parts of the park open during spring break. There is the Branson Landing that has a range of activities and restaurants. The landing includes Andy B’s, Mellow Mushroom, and Journeys, as well as multiple malls and shopping spots. There is also an outlet mall in Branson.

Photo courtesy of Yelp.

Photo courtesy of Springfield Skateland.

Photo courtesy of the Cultural Landscape Foundation.

Photo courtesy of Midwest Wanderer.

Photo courtesy of KC Parent.

Photo courtesy of Wonders of Wildlife.

Photo courtesy of 417 Magazine.

Photo courtesy of Expedia.

Board

Village Meeple Review

MADI TAYLOR COPY EDITOR

GamesGalore

On the corner of East Battlefield Road and South Delaware Avenue, nestled behind a Panera and Bricks and Minifigs, sits a quaint board cafe. Woman-owned and boasting around 650 board games, Village Meeple has it all. I may not be a board game connoisseur, but I can recognize a good business when I see one. Village Meeple (meeple: a small board game piece, often with a human form) offers everything board game related. They have two levels of gameplay area and rooms that can be rented. The front of the cafe presents various games and items, such as dice, that can be purchased for your own enjoyment.

The rest of the cafe can be considered a “trial run”. With shelves upon shelves of games of all categories, you can easily find something that suits your interest. If you end up finding a game you adore, chances are you can find it up front. The cafe also offers various drinks (of alcoholic and nonalcoholic variety) as well as snacks and candy. Like I said, I’m not a big board game gal, but I ventured out to the cafe to scope it out (for you guys, the fans).

Immediately upon entering I noticed how nice the atmosphere was. While the place isn’t very big, it’s still quite comfortable and open. There’s a five dollar fee to play with the games, but you can explore the purchasable games for free. In the front, they have a few shelves of new games and a shelf full of pre-owned games that are for sale. The cafe works with local artisans and gamers to curate their selection. After you pay the fee, you have two options- you can go upstairs, or you can head to the back. You can also grab some snacks and drinks

if you desire.

In the back, there’s an open room, a room off to the side, and two rooms with doors. In the open room, there are a ton of board games organized by category and by their own personal system. Their games are separated by classics, party games, twoplayer, great for kids and trivia.

Each game box has a sticker as well. A green sticker means the game is easy to learn and play. Yellow means longer play but “crunchier fun”. Red is for games considered to be “heavy”, with long gameplay and lots of pieces, and blue means co-op. Each sticker will also have a 1, for solo play, a 2 for twoplayer games, and a plus sign for over six player games. I really appreciate this layout. It makes it easier for beginners, like me, to find a good starting place. It also lets the more experienced players try something a little harder.

Off to the side is a room with plenty of space for actually playing the games. The entire cafe is very comfortable, and the workers are incredibly friendly and helpful. There is a crazy amount of available games. There’s even a table for Dungeons and

Dragons, with character sheets, rule books, and game master books. The cafe also offers different events each week, such as “Wednesdays We Teach” and “Board Game Showdown”. If you’re a beginner and have no idea where to start, you can always take your time picking out a game or use one of their gamer guides for help.

I don’t know a lot about board games, and I don’t think I’ll become a board game master any time soon, but I really enjoyed this cafe. I’d love to spend more time there and try out a few new games. I think anyone who is interested or curious should definitely check it out. Even if it’s not your cup of tea, you can still enjoy a game of jenga with your friends while nibbling on some snacks.

All photos by Madi Taylor.

To Freeze or Not to Freeze

As we head out of the colder months, we are once again faced with the age-old question “Ice Cream or Frozen Custard?”. It seems that many do not know the difference between the two. It is my goal to cut through the fog of confusion that surrounds the treats and provide a detailed analysis of each to inform the decision making process. Although ice cream may be favored in the court of public opinion, I ask for us to look past our prejudices in order to understand the complexities of the issue that appear to us.

Although there is much disagreement about the origins of the delicacy, ice cream is generally credited to have emerged around the late 17th century. Ice cream is characterized by the freezing or chilling of milk or cream, often with additional flavoring. According to the National Frozen and Refrigerated Foods Association, Ice Cream is America’s favorite dessert. This position has been cemented through expanding it’s horizons into cones and other forms.

Sometimes the horizons expand too much, leading to the creation of entirely different frozen desserts. Frozen custard owes its existence to such circumstances. egg yolks were first incorporated to create Frozen Custard in 1919. Birthing a richer and denser version of ice cream into the world.

If seniority is a good thing, ice cream has frozen custard beaten by about threehundred years, but given the benefits that can come from new ideas,we should not discount frozen custard due to its age.

Braums’ and Andy’s are some of Springfield’s most popular ice cream and frozen custard restaurants, respectively. As of January 2024, A classic banana split costs $5.59 at Braum’s. At Andy’s a classic banana split costs $5.79. After extensive calculations, it can be concluded a whole 20¢ more is spent on frozen custard. Additionally, factoring in sales tax, the extra cost of Frozen Custard increases to a shocking 22¢.

Frozen custard definitively loses to ice cream in terms of pricing. But what can be said about terms of taste, texture, and overall enjoyability of eating? Extensive field research must be conducted on such a topic. Ice cream is light, airy, and reminiscent of simpler times. Frozen custard, on the other hand, is deep, rich, and embraces the complexities of the world in its flavor. Ice cream may have been able to cut it back in the day, but in the times of crisis that we find ourselves in we can no longer enjoy a dish as one-dimensional as Ice Cream. We have matured, and Frozen Custard is the mature choice.

I was shocked to discover that despite the inclusion of egg yolks, a classic serving of vanilla frozen custard at Andy’s only has 4 grams of protein, decisively less than Braum’s 5 grams in a serving vanilla ice cream. Although neither of the two options are optimal for muscle building, ice cream is the superior choice for getting swole.

With that considered, political considerations come into play when covering a debate as deep as this. Owing to its rich flavor, higher cost, and creation out of capitalistic competition, frozen custard finds itself aligned with decadent bourgeois big-wigs. As all struggle is class struggle, ice cream stands as a representation of the proletariat in their eternal duel with the forces of oppressive capitalism. In short, ice cream is the Marxist’s dessert. As I am no Marxist, I find the political baggage of ice cream too much to stomach.

Considering all of the factors, it is apparent that Frozen Custard is the superior frozen dessert. The taste alone justifies the extra 22¢ spent, that with the overall experience of eating frozen custard, the texture, and the political considerations tips the scales decisively in Frozen Custard’s favor. Ice Cream is shallow, Frozen Custard contains multitudes.

JACK HERR ASSISTANT COPY EDITOR

NED PICKETT

PRINT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

SPRINGFIELD

There are numerous trails and green areas in and around Springfield. Frankly, there are enough that we could probably run trail reviews as a permanent column. Many are quite good, but there are also so many variances in both the quality of the trail and the location that the good ones must be sifted from the average and middling.

The Boy Scout Trail of Honor

The Boy Scout Trail of Honor is a disappointing hike, if it even deserves that moniker. Perhaps it is unfair to compare what is obviously not a maintained trail to two other well-managed ones, but despite the Boy Scouts of America’s prior bankruptcy, it still is accessible to the general public. From the entrance, it seems promising, if a tad overgrown, and even then, there is nothing wrong with an overgrown trail. The issue is that in addition to what feels like a barely ten minute hike, the Trail of Honor represents the worst of both the urban and rural world. As I went through the trail, I was constantly aware of the nearby freeway,

and the backs of houses, along with the apparently defunct Boy Scout center are visible from most of the trail. Despite the proximity to the public, which should theoretically indicate a higher volume of traffic and better maintenance, the trail itself is in poor condition. There is trash scattered throughout most of the walk, the signs are rotting and dirty, with shoots and branches obstructing much of the pathway. The latter would typically be fine, as I do not appreciate feeling as though I am walking through a large manicured lawn when hiking, but the trail felt more hostile than simply overgrown. In addition, it appeared

as though overgrowth had blocked off a segment of trail, which is never a good thing for a path, and shortened the already short track. The Trail of Honor encircles a small clearing with a lake, which would normally be a redeeming element for a flawed hike, but it was shallow, dead, and muddy. As such, I can give this trail a maximum of zero stars.

Nature Center Conservatory

TRAIL REVIEW

The Nature Center hike is what the Boy Scout Trail of Honor wishes it could be. Everything that is an issue with the Trail of Honor is refined into a much more pleasurable experience. It is not flawless, and is perhaps not the best option for everyone, including myself, but fills the niches far better than the Trail of Honor ever could. The hike is approximately a minute-anda-half off the freeway, remote enough that it feels distant from the rural environment, but close enough that you can hear the roar of the freeway and can occasionally see houses adjacent to the nature center. In addition, a train track runs across the lake there, although it may be inactive. It feels remote, but as though someone could help you quickly if something were to happen, the perfect balance for someone who wants to do a trail hike but does not want to spend a whole day on one. It is also enormous, especially compared to the pitiful size of the Boy Scout Trail. I spent a grand total of 20 minutes at the Trail of Honor before feeling like I had seen everything worthwhile, whereas after 20 minutes into the Nature Center I felt that I had barely scratched the surface of the trail. In addition, there are several offshoot hikes connected to the nature center that can be done, along with a handful of outlooks and scenic viewpoints that are absolutely worth stopping by. A body of water runs through the trail, and although it too was muddy, the fact that it was deeper than six inches made it more appealing than the one at the Trail of Honor, and the slightly worn bridges made the entire hike feel more professional. I also saw some common fauna, and a herd of at least five deer. The one issue with the hike is that there is a slightly ominous feeling throughout the entire trail. Perhaps it was simply the time of day and lack of foliage on the trees, but there were very few other people there, and the air felt unsettling. Perhaps it would be best to bring a friend.

Nathanael Greene

Perhaps less of a trail than it is a park optimized for hiking, I do feel eternally obligated to reference the trails at Nathanael Greene when considering worthwhile paths in Springfield. It is somewhere in-between the size of the Boy Scout Trail of Honor and the Nature Center trails, although that is admittedly quite a large range. It is slightly more urban and developed than the Nature Center, and does have several parking lots, but fortunately lacks the unsettling atmosphere there. It is also the most crowded of the three, although even in warmer weather it is not often packed. Like the other two, Nathanael Greene has a walkway centered around a lake, and like the other two, it is likely not water one would want to swim in. It is far and away the best maintained of the three, and several small structures and art installations dot the landscape, all of which are far more maintained than the Boy Scout Trail and even the Nature Center trails to an extent. Perhaps its largest downside is that it is even a little too well-maintained—I never get the feeling that I am in a trail so much as I am in a carefully curated environment that just so happens to be a greenspace. Regardless, it is undeniably a pleasant place for a stroll, and far and away the most enjoyable of the three locations.

Honorable Mentions go to Sequiota Park, as long as you can tolerate an incomprehensible amount of goose droppings, and Two Rivers Mountain Bike Park, a place I have never been to but was recommended to me by a reporter from Glendale.

The 2023 Movie Awards

After a year full of impressive cinematography in both film and television, two of the nation’s biggest award shows occurred, showcasing the best of the best. The Golden Globes took place on January 7, 2024 while the Emmys took place on January 15, 2024. First, to take a look at the Golden Globes, this year was packed with countless outstanding films and television shows that broke numerous records throughout the year. The night was filled with multiple expected wins and loses, but also some unexpected and unpredictable snubs and moments throughout the night.

To begin the night, the host of the show, Jo Koy, attempted to make the night comedically memorable by cracking a joke at Taylor Swift and Greta Gerwig’s Barbie. During his monologue, the comedian made multiple jabs at the various actors and actresses in the venue, ranging from Barry Keoghan with his more unpredictable scenes in Saltburn, to the long run time of Christopher Nolan’s Oppenhimer, Koy made mostly tasteful jokes that were all in good fun. What the public, including myself, were upset about was the blatantly sexist jokes made towards both Taylor Swift and Barbie. While I do enjoy a comedian taking a tasteful jab at people during award shows,

NINA

I felt as though Koy’s jokes fell flat and lacked a punchline. There were many jokes that Koy could have alternatively made that would have been a hit, but I believe that using sexism as an easy out is moronic and lazy.

Though the comments from Koy were an unexpected way to start the evening, there were many awards that I thought to be expected and earned by the winners. The most expected win of the night was Billie Eilish and Finneas’ “What Was I Made For?”. Winning for best original song, the brother and sister duo did not disappoint. The ballad was written for Barbie and cultivated major success throughout the months after the movie came out. Despite Barbie being the most nominated film of the night with a total of nine nominations, it only brought home two awards. As the film was the highest grossing film of 2023, and made a large impact on youth around the globe, I believe that the movie was passed over for awards that it deserved.

The following week, the 2024 Emmy awards took place. The night was largely predictable. After leading its peers with 27 nominations, Succession took over the show with 14 acting nominations. The Bear had a total of six nominations allotted to it

with its’ first season. Lead actors from the show Ayo Edebiri, Jeremey Allen White, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach all won awards for their work on the show. As this was widely considered one of the best comedy shows of the year, I was not surprised the three actors won. Edebiri and White created a flawless performance in The Bear and had seamless chemistry throughout the seasons. An award of this level has been a long time coming for White, as he has been giving multiple outstanding performances in various projects throughout the years. Projects such as Beef, The Last of Us, and Abbott Elementary were all predicted winners of the night. As the ceremony concluded, the 75th Emmy awards did not disappoint and mostly went as predicted by critics and fans.

Though the two award ceremonies were within a week of each other, the programs went in two different directions. With the Golden Globes being a more controversial show, that did not make it any less entertaining. I believe that there were many deserved awards between both ceremonies, but like every year, there were many unexpected moments that kept the buzz alive long after the final award.

Photo courtesy of the Golden Globes.

Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles Times.

LUCY CAPLINGER

ASSISTANT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

History repeats itself—especially when it comes to fashion. This specific trend can be traced all the way back to Europe in the early 1700s.

Bows started as a mostly male dominated market. It was a display of wealth to wear a ribbon at the end of a french braid.

Since then, ribbon bows have been in and out of the public eye, but right nowthey’re in.

Most of my recent social media interactions for the past month have consisted of videos displaying seemingly random objects with little pink bows tied around them. The captions usually read “This is me if you even care.”

It all ties into a consistent style usually referred to as “Coquette” or “Balletcore.’’ These styles aren’t new to the world but have recently been mass popularized by Gen Z and the younger Millennials on the social media app Tiktok.These aesthetics consist of stylistic choices for outfits, recommendations of musical artists and even a very niche genre of movie.

One song that is closely tied to the bow/ coquette trend is “Let the Light in” by Lana Del Rey, though this is not her only song being used in these videos.I would also personally consider artists like Taylor Swift, Cigarettes after Sex, and Mazzy Star

i’m just a girl

as frontrunners within this subculture. It’s more than the music though, a huge piece of this bow-tied puzzle is the fashion.

The general pinterest board for the coquette aesthetic consists mostly of a pink and white color scheme. There’s little red hearts everywhere, especially on tank tops and scalloped socks. Think layering tight long sleeves and tank tops, off the shoulder knit tops and occasionally a maxi skirt made up of white lace and frills.

However, the glue that ties this entire trend together (with a nice pink ribbon) are bows. These pink, red or white bows are being tied and looped and braided onto and into anything and everything.

This newfound popularity is in stark contrast to what was popular when I was in middle school/during covid. Being a girl has not always been the trendy thing to be, but in this YOTB (year of the Barbie) women are taking back the right to openly display their hyperfemininity.

There are many teenage boys who will look at this blur of pink lace ribbonness and gag, but tying a bow around your problems is like an act of resistance. It’s like saying, “Yes I’m a girl and yes I don’t care about gaining your male attention or validation.”

This new generation of people are learning to live openly and freely. This

niche micro trend drowns out the noise of twelve year old influencers talking about anti-aging moisturizers and this narrative that a woman’s bodily autonomy is anyone’s business but her own.

This aesthetic is more than just looking cute and dainty, it inspires its participants to just take pictures of daffodils and their iced matchas with big ice cubes. It inspires them to romanticize a world that is not always easy to navigate.

Being coquette is giving into female stereotypes and reclaiming girlhood as it is (pink and sparkly.) Saying “I’m just a girl” and moving on is so freeing. We are doing exactly what is expected of us--because really at the end of the day, we are all just girls.

Photos by Lucy Caplinger.

An Alternative to Valentines’ Day

LUCY CAPLINGER

ASSISTANT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Love is in the air this February, as it is every February. There is an ongoing debate that asks whether Valentine’s Day is a romantic love-filled day that ignites flying sparks and inspires romantic gestures, or a consumer-crazed capitalist holiday with the sole purpose of exploiting relationships and mass producing pink and red heart everything.

In my opinion, this conversation is tired and boring. I have heard all of the sides, and I think whether or not couples give and receive gifts on February 14th should not be at the forefront of anyone’s mind.

I do have one problem with Valentine’s Day, however, and it hardly has anything to do with the holiday itself. As a teenage girl, I would like to consider myself fairly up to date with the media that is targeted towards my generation, and one recurring theme is this narrative that falling in love should be the end goal.

My approach to this whole debate is that instead of fretting about finding someone new to make your Valentine, we should take a step back and acknowledge the people that you already have.

Sometimes the excitement of falling in love can overshadow the already bright and beautiful love that you already have. The idea that you aren’t enough as an individual person and that you need a romantic partner/relationship to make you whole is simply crazy.

I genuinely believe that I am in love with all of my best friends. Obviously romantic and platonic relationships are different, but that doesn’t change the fact that prioritizing your friendships is beneficial to you in a multitude of ways.

I propose: Palentine’s Day. Galentine’s Day is a great holiday that I personally celebrate every year come February thirteenth, but Palentine’s offers inclusivity for all of our friendships, including our new ones.

Celebrating and cherishing the people who show us love all year round is so important but can oftentimes get lost in the mix. This year, I am choosing to practice mindfulness and am practicing making my friends feel loved for no reason (besides that they are great.)

There are many different ways to celebrate this new holiday. A small gettogether consisting of cookie decorating and maybe a teary platonic declaration of love is my personal favorite way to go.

Celebrating your friends intentionally counters the idea that showing affection is embarrassing. I think that if you love someone, showing them that shouldn’t be mentally taxing or even embarrassing. The people that you love deserve to feel that love

every day, but choosing a specific date each year is a good way to remind yourself of how lucky you are to be a part of the friendships you are in.

Love is a beautiful thing that deserves recognition more than just in February. Whether it be loving someone or being loved by someone, it is important to acknowledge the importance of those relationships.

But on the other hand, who loves you cannot and should not impact how you determine your self worth. We all are individual people first and foremost and deserve self love as well.

I hope that this heart speckled holiday is full of love in all of its ways- romantic or platonic.