Feature Pg. 2 Taking the Lead Opinion Pg. 3 Rewriting History
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Sophomore Sports Pg. 4 Successs
The Booster Redux Pittsburg High School
Pittsburg, KS
1978 E. 4th Street
Vol. 104 Issue 2
Senior Caitlin Parker is playing to the beat of “Good as Hell” by Lizzo during the halftime show. Photo by | Francisco Castaneda
Marching on: Marching band to count as Physical Education credit Words by | Braden Benson
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HS students can now earn a physical education credit in marching band class. In order to turn marching band into a PE class, Neil had to pass his PE praxis and be approved by the USD 250 Board of Education. “I applied through the Board of Education. I think Mrs. Heardt took it to the board, and they approved it,” Neil said. “Finally, just this year, I got around to taking my test.” According to Neil, dilemmas had to be dealt with during the process. “My own schedule [was a challenge],” Neil said. “I started working on a master’s degree about the same time that I had this idea, and then [the] pandemic hit. A lot of things pushed [my test] back.” According to Neil, there were key purposes in making marching band available in offering a physical education credit. “[It] takes a load off of the physical education faculty [and] it frees up like that extra elective space, which is usually very important for freshmen,” Neil said. “[Not to mention,] the amount of time and commitment that it takes to continue to be a part of band, [I’ll do] anything I can do to free up a little bit of time.” According to freshman Isys Galindo, marching band becoming a PE credit has shown benefits for her schedule. “It’s nice because I can do other classes and not have to take an extra PE credit,” Galindo said. “I’m
[going to] be doing jazz band instead.” According to Neil, there is an importance in repetition for maintaining certain skills for band. “There is a set of muscles that is involved that if you aren’t using [them], you’re falling behind,” Neil said. “I feel very conscientious with regards to the amount of time and commitment that it takes to continue to be a part of band.” According to senior, Davyen Lunday, marching band meets the physical education requirement. “It’s the amount of movement and physical training we do to make sure we keep our marching exact,” Lunday said. “[We] build muscle mass, lower body and some upper body, lose weight, [and] over my high school career, I’ve had a great stamina increase.” Tuesdays and Thursdays marching band students must arrive at the school at 7 a.mfor practice, in addition to practicing through first hour. According to Neil, marching band becoming a PE class makes him proud to work in a district and in a school that recognizes these sorts of things. “It also speaks, to a certain degree, our school and our district’s commitment to be a little bit creative and be open minded,” Neil said. “This is not a traditional PE class, but we understand that a lot of the things that are done in this class overlap, so I think that’s cool.”
Former principal takes on new role at PHS Charlotte Barnett fills in as temporary secretary in the front office Words by | Sarah Alcantar Office secretary Kathryn Ehling delivered her fourth child and as a result is currently gone on maternity leave for the first part of the 2022 semester. Ehling is in charge of attendance records for all of the students at Pittsburg High School, and has worked in the office for three years. Administration hired a temporary replacement to help the office staff while Ehiling is gone. Former teacher and assistant principal at the Pittsburg Community Middle School, Charlotte Barnett, took the job, giving her the opportunity to relive her days back in the school system. “I decided to accept Mrs. Heardt’s offer because sometimes I miss not being in the middle of the action,” Barnett said. “Fortunately, subbing in the front office at this time, places [me] in the very middle of the action.” Barnett has been able to interact with the student body which has created opportunities that she hoped to experience.
“My favorite part of being in the office at PHS is seeing students,” Barnett said. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to see so many students on a daily basis.” Barnett started teaching at PCMS as a 6th grade teacher and then, in 1996, changed roles to become an assistant principal. “My position mainly dealt with discipline but I wore many hats,” Barnett said. “I supervised breakfast and lunch areas, and evaluated teachers.” Though Barnett has created some positive experiences at PHS, she has also encountered some obstacles while on the job. “The most challenging part of working in the office has been Covid,” Barnett said. [I also have challenges] with the issues that arise while dealing with Power School. Working as part of the office staff at PHS has allowed Barnett to reminisce and come back to her education roots. “Education has always been my love, but administration was my passion,” Barnett said. “The administrators in USD 250 were my mentors and gave me the opportunity to follow my dreams.”
Charlotte Barnett answers a call in the front office. Photo by | Francisco
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FEATURE Taking the Lead
February 2022
Senior Joy Lee steps up to new leadership position in HOSA Words by | Heather Mowdy enior Joy Lee is returning to the HOSA leadership team this year, now as president of the Kansas HOSA chapter. Last year, Lee occupied the role of Kansas HOSA representative. As Kansas Chapter president, she guides and oversees the state officer team. She works with Seth Nutt, the Kansas HOSA Chapter State Adviser. “Joy was a huge asset last year. She was extremely instrumental in providing content and organization,” Nutt said. “Now that she’s in a leadership position this year, she’s playing even more of a role in organizing our team.” As Chapter President, Lee has certain goals that she hopes to accomplish before the end of the year. One goal that she has is to branch the Kansas HOSA chapter into western Kansas. “The goal is to reach out to more high schools. We have a lot of SouthEast Kansas schools involved, but the goal is to venture more into Western Kansas,” Lee said. “We also hope to reach out to the middle schools and colleges that we want involved in our organization in Kansas.” The COVID-19 pandemic has affected HOSA as an overall organization in the past couple years. International membership numbers are down by 25 percent, a trend that shows in the Kansas chapter. “I never got to meet all of our state officers from last year [because
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Senior Joy Lee poses for headshot in her HOSA uniform. Photo by | Kate
of COVID], which is really sad,” Lee said. “But this year we’re going to try to get together as a state officer team.” COVID-19 has also affected the way HOSA is able to hold their conferences. There is a possibility that the conferences will continue to be virtual rather than in person this year as well. “It made it extremely difficult to connect with our members, as our schools throughout the state were on different schedules,” Nutt said. “So hopefully this year will be much better.” Having a virtual conference provides extra resources that may not be available otherwise such as recording a speaker. It also gives schools that are farther away the ability to join the conference when they might not have otherwise. According to Lee, virtual conferences are not ideal, but they do have some positives. “We’ve definitely seen the blessings that we can get from being virtual,” Lee said. “Rather than always focusing on what’s bad about it.” According to Lee, HOSA has provided many benefits to her future. “I definitely learned how to communicate not just with my peers, who are also officers, but also with adults, and doctors, and people already in the medical field,” Lee said. Different things make HOSA a great organization for many students. For Lee, being a part of a medical community is the best part. I still communicate with some of the HOSA members from across the world,” Lee said. “The people that I’ve met and the networking connections I have made, all of those are some times that you can make for a lifetime.”
Poling- Cummings
Distracted learning: Students and staff talk class distractions Words By | Francisco Castaneda As English teacher Abbey Cummings presents with the lights off as students take notes, at the side of her eye, she notices a flash coming from a student’s phone when they receive a notification. The phone lighting up the classroom like a strobe light, that is an example where Cummings feels annoyed when it comes to teaching. This is Cummings’ 22nd year teaching at Pittsburg High School, when she sees kids on their phones, or they are not paying attention to what she’s doing, that is something that makes her feel distracted when she is teaching. “I notice that there are other people in the room talking or if they’re on their phones,” Cummings said. For Spanish teacher Jessica Mildfelt, she gets distracted when she receives notifications from her devices, from loud noises from the hallway, and when students cause distractions. “My phone, Apple Watch, and computer when they get notifications to distract me,” Mildfelt said. “Same with loud noises from the hallway and when students are cause distractions by talking, making jokes, or telling stories.” In class, Samantha Taylor gets distracted when people talk or don’t understand basic social cues of staying quiet in class, but she tends to find ways to avoid distractions like heading to the library to work. “[I] go to the library, take a deep breathe and talk to myself; I tell myself “focus, Sammy,” Taylor said. Junior Jack Stefnaoni, does not deal well with distractions very well. The main thing that distracts him is social media, but he also gets distracted depending on the class, students can create
different dynamics which can also depend on different types of distractions. When Stefanoni is struggling to find ways to get his assignments done, he creates his own challenges to finish his assignments. “What keeps me focused is the deadline,”. Stefanoni said. “Typically I’ll just find a good reason in my mind to stay focused, I’ll just create my own little challenges and repercussions.” Stefanoni believes that he has issues with procrastination and distraction, When he went through middle school and elementary school, it was easy but when he enrolled in more difficult classes, he found it harder for him to stay focused. “I think one of the reasons I have issues with procrastination and distractions, is because I went through middle school and elementary school fairly easily,” Stefanoni said. “It wasn’t super difficult, so when I started choosing to take hard classes in high school, I started having to actually do a bunch of stuff. I wasn’t really prepared and I didn’t have a really good work ethic, so that kind of set me back a bit.” When students are disruptive, it is a major pet peeve for Cummings. For Mildfelt, she sometimes feels like she is not appreciated when she teaches and students are on their devices in class. “[I think it’s rude when people are], talking while I’m teaching or being on their technology while I’m teaching,” Mildfelt said. “Everything I do in the classroom is so they can learn and sometimes it feels unappreciated.” When finding ways to remove distractions from students, Mildfelt attempts to take away electronics from students or pulling students out of class to discuss the issue. Cummings asks students
A student plays Clash Royale instead of paying attention to the class. Photo by | Francisco Castaneda
to put their phones away at the beginning of class, but if it begins to become an issue, she asks the students to put their phones on their desks. “I have them put their phones away at the beginning of class and if I see that they’re out when it’s not an appropriate time, I ask them to put it away again or put it on my desk,” Cummings said. Mildfelt believes that it is important for students to learn about what distracts them and ways to
avoid being distracted. “As young adults, I feel it is important for students to learn what distracts them and take precautions as to not get distracted. If the phone continuously becomes an issue we talk about it and then decide a plan of action,” Mildfelt said. “Does it need to go to my desk for class? Should it stay in the backpack? They need to learn how to live with the distractions just like all of us do.”
Building a better future: Students participate in summer internship at Kansas Polymer Research Center to research green energy Words By | Alyssa Cosens and Ashlan Brooks Over the summer senior Maddelyn Ellis and juniors Anjali Gupta and Cassia Allison participated in an internship at the Kansas Polymer Research Center (KPRC). Their goal was to produce clean energy that was more efficient and less costly than current energy sources like fossil fuels. They shadowed undergraduate and chemists from Pittsburg State University (PSU) who helped them complete their research. “We wanted to make a difference,” Allison explained, “Our generation knows we have to.” The three girls worked 20 hours each week over the summer to assist in the creation of renewable energy that is good for the environment. After the seven week internship ended, the three girls were offered a part-time job at KPRC to continue their work in the lab, which they accepted. The research that they continue to conduct involves using 3D printers to create nanostructured materials, which can be used for batteries, supercapacitors or fuel cells to produce green energy.
Ellis appreciates the opportunity to add to her scientific knowledge. “Especially with COVID-19, I have a lot of gaps in my science education, and this is really helping my resume since I’m lacking a lot of science that I should have,” Ellis said. Ellis wants to pursue a career in pharmacy, a goal that laboratory experiences like the ones she’s gaining will help her achieve. In addition, Gupta hopes that having this job will help her build a foundation in biochemistry, her choice of career. “I think it’s really given me a lot more exposure to working in a laboratory and some real application [for] the chemistry that we learn in classrooms,” Gupta said. As a result of their research, the trio has been given the opportunity to write and publish a scientific paper through the university. Allison hopes to major in art or a related field in college and uses her talents to draw complex procedural diagrams for the paper. “The publication is a huge opportunity for me to get my name out there for colleges and potential employers,” Allison said. “It’s also very empowering to have my name on such important research.”
Senior Maddelyn Ellis, junior Cassia Allison and Anjali Gupta work with 3D printers at KPRC. Photo by | Ashlan Brooks
OPINION Booster Redux Staff & Policy Editors-in-Chief Ashlan Brooks Hannah Gray
Online Editors Ashlan Brooks Hannah Gray
Social Media Manager Mattie Vacca
Multimedia Editors Emma Barnhisel Alaycia Harris Natalie Ruiz
Business Manager Katie Davis
Staff Sarah Alcantar Greely Arck Braden Benson Francisco Castaneda Alyssa Cosens Sammy Irish John Lee Heather Mowdy Kate Poling- Cummings Ian Sullivan
Sullivan discusses his take on Kyrie Irving’s vaccine stance and career choice Words by | Ian Sullivan ith the 2021-2022 NBA season underway, basketball is officially back after their three month off-season. This will be the first season since the 2019-2020 season that has started on time, so for the first time in almost two years, things are looking normal. Another normal event has surfaced in recent news, Kyrie Irving has made himself look like a fool. Kyrie Irving is (was) the starting point guard for the Brooklyn Nets. Irving, a former flat earth believer, is a seven time All-Star, three time All-NBA team, and a one time NBA champion. He is also what some may call a “Facebook scientist”. By saying that, I mean he “does his own research” instead of listening to the studies conducted by scientists with thousands of hours of experience in their field. Irving has been in and out of NBA headlines for the past month or so because of his vaccine stance. Although the NBA does not force its players to get the Covid-19 vaccine, they certainly encourage it. However, New York’s regulations prohibit unvaccinated individuals from entering a gym, like the Nets’ facilities. Despite these rules, New York granted special permission for Irving to practice with his team, but the Nets came out Oct. 12, and said that Irving would not practice or play with the team until he gets vaccinated. So while there are other unvaccinated players that can play throughout
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Pittsburg High School Student Publications 1978 E. 4th St. Pittsburg, KS 66762
the league, Irving is willingly not playing because of his refusal to get vaccinated. If you are not an NBA fan, it is important to understand the context of Irving’s actions. He is arguably a top three point guard in the entire league on a championship level team. With two future Hall-Of-Famer teammates Kevin Durant and James Harden, the Nets are a scary good team. However, without Irving, the Nets’s championship aspirations seem much further away. Irving’s selfishness is not only sabotaging his own career, it’s also derailing the goal of his team. He claims to not be “Anti-Vax” or against vaccination, yet he seems to be firm in his stance. He has stated that he understands the consequences of not getting the shot and is prepared to not play. In my opinion, Irving’s refusal to get the Covid-19 vaccine is detrimental to the NBA’s audience. Many people who may look up to Irving as a role model will see his stubbornness and they might decide to not get the vaccine. This is dangerous because, as a society, if vaccine refusal continues we will likely never escape the grip of this pandemic. Many athletes choose to use their platform to promote positive things like charities, human rights activism, etc. However, in recent weeks Irving has used this to propagate doubt surrounding the Covid-19 vaccine, which studies have shown is around 95% effective in preventing Covid infections. As an NBA fan and a fan of Irving on the court, I hope he changes his mind. That being said, I will not get my hopes up.
Art by | Sammy Irish
Rewriting history: Lillie Chatman and Katie Rodriguez work with administration to change discrimination policy
Nicole Foster
The Booster Redux
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The only shot Irving won’t take
Adviser The PHS Student Publications Department and newspaper class produce The Booster Redux. Please call us with comments at 620-235-3200. The Booster Redux's purpose is to inform, educate, enlighten and entertain readers fairly and accurately in an open forum. Opinions expressed in editorials or opinion columns do not necessarily reflect views of all members on the Booster staff. Digital photos have not been altered to manipulate reality. Photo illustrations are labeled to reflect any technical alternations. Anonymity may be given in the following cases: the information is unable to be presented another way, the information warrants anonymity, the source's privacy and/or reputation requires protection and the source must be protected from damages. A student or faculty member death during the coverage period will be covered with a short obituary. The Booster Redux is a member of Journalism Education Association, National Scholastic Press Association, Kansas Scholastic Press and International Quill and Scroll. The Booster Redux encourages letters from students, teachers and community members under 300 words and signed with a valid signature only. The Booster Redux reserves the right to edit contributions if they are libelous, obscene and for length. Any grammatical errors at the fault of the writer will be printed. Corrections of errors printed at the fault of the Booster staff will appear in the appropriate section of the next issue.
February 2022
Art by | Kate Poling- Cummings Words by | Ashlan Brooks Last year, a student, who will remain anonymous, was sitting at a table next to Lillie Chatman and Katie Rodriguez, as well as many other students who can be considered minorities. Seemingly unprovoked, the student stood up and began making comments such as “white lives matter,” “white power,” and using the N-word. The administration removed the student and they were given out of school suspension (OSS) for one day. “The [Admin] didn’t have a set way of how they were going to punish him and were doing things [as best as] they thought,” Rodriguez said. “They didn’t have a set standard on how to punish people [when it comes to discrimination] so they were just kind of doing their own thing. [Chatman and I] told them that’s not enough, we want you to change the handbook.” The handbook being used at the time was the 2019-20 handbook. This book stated that, “The Board of Education is committed to providing a positive and productive learning and working environment, free from discrimination, including harassment on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin or any type of harassment in general. Students whose
behavior is found to be in violation of this policy will be subject to discipline, up to and including expulsion.” Chatman and Rodriguez felt that discrmination was a more serious offense and deserved its own section in the handbook, or, at the very least, a set policy. This, they felt, is necessary so that when an incident like the “white lives matter ‘’ one occured, admin had a policy to reference instead of reprimanding students on a case by case basis. Keeping this in mind, the duo arranged a meeting with Jeff Johnson, assistant principal and one of the administrators at PHS. After that meeting, all four administrators got involved and meetings were held on a larger and more formal scale. One of the main topics of the meetings was deciding what Chatman and Rodriguez wanted and how the admin could help, something that took some time to reach a conclusion. “We just weren’t understanding each other at the beginning,” Johnson said. “But, I think that at the end of that meeting, we came to an understanding of where we’re all on the same page. And so that’s what led to what we have now.” The current 2021-22 handbook states that “Pittsburg High School is committed
to maintaining a working and learning environment free from discrimination, insult, intimidation, or harassment due to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, or disability.” This begins much like the previous handbook policy, but after Chatman and Rodriguez met with administrators, it now lists a set punishment ladder. After the first offense the student will receive one day OSS. After the second offense, five days OSS. Any subsequent offenses will result in 10 days OSS and a meeting with administration with a possible long term hearing. The process to change the handbook was one that took Chatman and Rodriguez’s request up to the Board of Education, where a new section of the handbook written by admin was voted on, finalized and distributed. Student bodies from every school deal with discrimination to some degree but at PHS, discrmination presents a big issue, according to Chatman. “There are certain people that are in our student body that we could easily pick out as racist or homophobic,” Chatman said. She and Rodriguez have both experienced many various instances of discrimination. The student body is very polarized, with
very opinionated individuals representing different belief systems when it comes to politics, race, and gender. This very different group of people going to school every day in the same building is something unique but has its pitfalls, especially when two opinions clash. “The minorities in our student body definitely experience a lot of discrimination but it’s not talked about because of fear and lack of authority,” Chatman said. “Just yesterday I was in first hour and my friend and I were talking about dyeing our hair or something and she was like ‘you should dye your hair blue’ and a kid from across the room said ‘that’s how you know they’re gay.’” This example is one of many that students at PHS have experienced. These intances of discrimination are not uncommon and, until recently, went unnoticed by administration. However, after Chatman and Rodriguez spoke up, many more followed. “I think what Katie and Lily did was very important,” Johnson said. “I think it opened up make kids more comfortable coming forward when their situations of discrimination, and I think what they did helped change a little bit of our culture here.”
The rule of three: Greely Arck discusses the finals attendance policy Words by | Greely Arck My 6:30 a.m. alarm hits me like a truck. My throat immediately starts to burn with every breath, my eyes water uncontrollably, and my nose is running like a river. I know I’m sick and I know I need rest, I could be contagious. Nevertheless, I get ready for the school day ahead of me – I refuse to take a final. Mornings just like this are a reality for many students at Pittsburg High School. The PHS Student Handbook states that “no more than three (3) absences in the class” will be allowed to exempt a student from finals. This policy forces individuals to put their own wellbeing to the side, and head to class to avoid the risk of taking end-of-semester exams. Many students, including myself, would much rather feel drained and ill for a few days than to stay at school an extra week to take their finals at the end of the year. This policy is a perfect example of how schools, corporations, and jobs do not value self-prioritization over attendance and productivity, no matter the quality of the work done while feeling unwell. I feel that this rule is extremely unfair and overall harmful to student health. Only
missing three days out of an entire semester is a very unrealistic expectation of students. While the handbook recently changed to allow doctor’s notes to excuse absences, there have been many issues with this rule. Visits to physicians can be extremely costly and regularly unnecessary. When it comes to allergies, sinus infections, and the common cold, over-the-counter medications are what most use to treat their symptoms. Making the trip to the doctor is a waste of time and money. The idea that “if you are sick enough to stay home, you should be sick enough to go to the doctor” is impractical for most students and parents. In addition to requiring no more than three absences, the PHS Student Handbook also states that to be exempt from finals, you must have “a grade of at least 80% in the class.” If a student has an A or a B, yet missed over three days of school, it shows that they truly understand the material of the class, regardless of how many absences they hold. If the point of limiting absences is to make sure students succeed in classes, why wouldn’t their grades hold more dictation over their exemptions? I believe that absences should hold no place in the criteria of final exemptions. Students have unpredictable lives, need to rest when sick, and feel like their personal well being is more important than their tally of attendance. The rule of three needs to be reviewed, especially in these uncertain times.
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SPORTS
February 2022
Sophomore Success Sophomore Mason English earns spot as varsity starter Words by | Braden Benson Sophomore Maddie Burdick attempts to pin her opponent during the tournament on December 16. Photo by | Kate Poling- Cummings
Stepping up to the mat Girls wrestling program progresses as season continues Words by | Ian Sullivan
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wo years ago the Pittsburg High School wrestling team had two girls. Last year, they had 4 girls. For the 2021-2022 season, they have 12 girls. Head wrestling coach LC Davis, who is in his 3rd year, believes his girls wrestlers have already gone far past his expectations. “They have definitely surpassed every expectation I had. I think they’re doing great because a lot of our team are primarily beginners,” LC Davis said, “Everyone on our team is a first year wrestler except for two, who are second year wrestlers. So our whole team is young and they’re doing amazing.” Along with new wrestlers, LC Davis also has a new coach, Tambree Davis, to help the girls. “I started as an assistant coach at the middle school last year. This is only my second year coaching middle school and first year at the high school.” Tambree Davis has also been impressed with the performance of the team. “I wasn’t sure what to expect from a girls team but I think it is going great,” Tambree Davis said, “They have shown tremendous growth in a short amount of time.” Although this is her first year with some of these girls wrestlers, Tambree Davis has bonded with them. “Saturday meets, long car rides and practices everyday make it hard
to not to form connections,” Tambree Davis said, “Also, with being middle school coach last year, I am able to witness our freshmen step up to the high school level and so I’m excited for the upcoming years.” According to LC Davis, the boys wrestlers have meshed well with the girls. “The boys have been really receptive to [having more girls on the team]. They’ve been supportive of the girls. Sometimes they have to train with the girls and help the girls out. It’s been a good mesh between the two groups so far.” Daphine Samayoa, 11, is a second year wrestler who has adapted to being on a team with a majority of boys. “My biggest fear coming into this sport were the boys, but last year they were very supportive of me and helped me learn new things,” Samayoa said, “They’ve become people who I go to when I have problems.” Maddie Burdick, 10, has felt welcome on the team for her first year. “The whole wrestling team has felt like a family, we are always there for each other and I have never felt more welcome joining a sport,” Burdick said. According to Burdick, LC Davis has helped motivate her throughout the season. “The thing Coach Davis taught me that really sticks out is pushing through when things get hard & you’re tired,” Burdick said, “He has always been the best motivator on and off the mat.
Playing under new managment A.J. Terry takes over the absence of softball head coach Words by | John Lee With coaching experience of 20 years, PCMS resource officer A.J. Terry signed as head coach for the PHS softball team. “I’ve done a lot of private lessons with kids. I’ve coached youth leagues, and I’ve coached high school teams. This summer will be 20 years,” Terry said. This season won’t be the first that Terry has been involved with. Terry says that this additional season helped him in his transition between sports. “Last year was my first year on staff with high school softball,” Terry said. “I was coaching with a very experienced set of coaches that made the transition from baseball to softball even better. My coaches, staff and I are so early on, we’ve met only a couple of times, but the transition’s really smooth.”
Although their positions vary, that set of coaches still works with Terry for the softball program. “My assistant coaches right now are Coach Dave Turnbull; he’s an absolute rock for a lot of people. Then there is a second-year coach, her name is Haley Wood, I believe she comes from a coaching family, so it’s one of those things where it’s in her blood as well,” Terry said. “Last year I had Coach Karen Curran. I couldn’t have asked for a better person to mentor me for a year before I took over the program.” As the new head coach, Terry has goals for this season and his team. “It’s like a lot of other teams, you don’t want to regress,” Terry said. “ We had a great year last year. We won conference, we had less than 5 losses, and my expectations as a coach is to get better every year.” However, Terry has no current plans to
End of an era: Words by | Sarah Alcantar After 21 years of coaching, head coach of the Pittsburg High School football team, Tom Nickelson has hung up his whistle by officially resigning on Monday January 31. “It’s been in the works for a little bit. It just became apparent to me that it was time for me personally, and for the program to make the change,” Nickelson said. “I think the program is ready for a new voice, and I’m ready to refresh and restart a little bit. It’s an amazing job, it’s one that I love but it’s time consuming. The program needs someone who can put that time and energy in and I just did not mentally or physically feel that I can do that justice. Our boys, this community and this school deserve someone that can do that.” Throughout Nickelson’s coaching career he has always witnessed the overwhelming support from the community and school system. “The one overriding memory I have is the unbridled support this community gives its football team,” Nickelson said. “I think most
change his coaching curriculum, or the program in all. “When it comes to sports, any coach will tell you there’s no cookie cutter approach. Every sport is different, every program will be different,” Terry said. “There will be a little change, but when you sit back in the stands and watch the program, you see that if it’s not broke don’t fix it, and that’s the approach I want to take.” Ultimately, Terry’s passion for coaches boils down to the connection between him and his team. “It’s just the relationship you build with the kids. When you bring a kid over, draw them a play, and you see the look on their face when they go out and do it, it gives you goosebumps,” Terry said. “It makes your hair stand up to just know that you just helped that kid become successful.”
Head football coach Tom Nickelson resigns after 21 years of coaching places are not like Pittsburg. Football is part of Pittsburg. It is very important in just the way everybody comes to support these boys.” Nickelson’s favorite part about coaching at PHS has been the relationships that he has been able to make with his athletes. “The wins and losses are great but this is all about the boys that come through here,” Nickelson said. “You hope to teach them something about football but hope to teach them something about life, and life lessons. It’s not always pretty, it’s not always fun, they don’t always like you, but I wanted to always try to help them.” Nickelson has encountered many positive experiences at PHS but the most impactful experiences were made by his athletes. “They are the reason you do this,” Nickelson said. “This is not a job you make a lot of money at. You do it because those boys are special young men and every single one of them has left an impact on me. Whether you are the star player or the third string, it doesn’t matter. You came in and did the work and it had an impact on me. It’s been an honor, Pittsburg has been a special place.”
Sophomore Mason English has joined the basketball varsity team as the youngest starting player of the season. As of Jan. 27, English leads the team in over seven categories on the stat chart in both offensive and defensive categories. According to boys basketball head coach, Jordan Woods, English’s hard work is what put him in the position to have a successful season. “There’s a word that I go by, ‘consistent,’” English said. “If you’re consistent at hard work then you’ll definitely get to where you want to be, no matter what.” On offense, English averages 22 points per game. He also leads the team in free throws made, making 57 on the season with a 79 percent accuracy rate. While the majority of his stats come from offense, English is also a stat leader in two areas of defense. English leads the team in both deflections and steals, deflections being twenty nine, and steals being twenty two. According to Woods, English isn’t considered to be the flashy kind of player, but only does what is needed for the team. “[I don’t want to just think about myself],” English said. Whenever we all play good, the outcome is [as well].” According to English, his family has been a good support system while playing basketball. English explains how he just wants to follow in his brother’s footsteps. “My dad’s been pushing me a lot and my brother has been a really big part of my accomplishments,” English said. “[Not to mention], the community [is] helping me out, they’ve been a really big help to my success so far.” English explained that he had certain goals he wanted to accomplish this season. “I definitely wanted to get closer to my guys,” English said. “Make a mark on my sophomore year and come out on top.” According to English, basketball is something he’s been working on his whole life. “It runs in the family and it comes easy to me,” English said. “I just like the sport.” According to English, in regards to basketball at the next level, he’s waiting to view all options. “[I haven’t really started my recruitment process yet], but coaches have been texting me and reaching out,” English said. English elaborates on his methods of coping with diversity in a game. “Just being patient with each other, and knowing stuff is not going to fall every single time [is essential],” English said. “[We just have to] look at the options and listen to coach Woods.” According to English, being the age that he is and starting varsity makes him excited for his future. It can go both ways [between pressure and confidence], there’s a lot of people that can’t do stuff that I do, but I’ve been working at it for a long time,” English said. “It’s really good to see the success that I’ve already had, and still have two more years left.” According to Woods, English is someone who leads by example and someone who excels at keeping the team together. “It has been fun watching him mature over the years,” Woods said. “I look forward to continuing to see it.”
Photo by | Kate Poling- Cummings