March 2012 Volume 3
Tyler White
Dedicated... or just plain crazy?
Girls Basketball A new tradition
Pg 7
07 Lady Wolves Basketball
09 Entertainment
11 Pinterest Addictions
12 Perception of Spending
14 RSHS Wrestling
16 MSU Review
pg 11
17 MSU Review (cont)
18 Here Kitty Kitty...
20 Featured Films
22 Underwater Oasis
24 the Legacy of Moreau
27 Final Thought
pg 18
Lady Wolves Basketball by Kylee Goddard After several years of less than impressive seasons, this year’s Lady Wolves have made great improvements with a winning record of 14-12. According to the team and coaches, this comeback is the result of many factors. When asked about the reason for his team’s accomplishments, head coach Scott Spooner replied, “Mainly, a core group of girls decided to dedicate themselves to being coachable, hardworking, and wanting to turn things around.” Beginning the season with 3 offenses, the girls seem to have leaned most heavily on “41.” In this particular offense, dribble penetration draws the defense to the ball, and then the ball gets passed out for the open shot. Senior Hadley Givens (#12) thinks “41 works because it just caters to the type of team we are. It’s simple, but efficient. It gives us more opportunities to get smart shots.” Defensively, the girls stick to zones, usually a 2-3 with Danielle Curnes (#20), Autumn Flaugh (#10), and Samantha Akromis (#32) along the baseline while Givens and Sabra Boes (#23) range around
Fighting their way to a winning record the top of the key. The team’s speed and athleticism are used to wear down other teams, giving them the upper hand. Of course team chemistry also plays a big role in achievement. If a team doesn’t know how to work together, it cannot work efficiently. Junior Carly Villa (#30) says, “We have our bad times, but when it gets down to it, we’re always there for each other.” Added confidence on the court has also appeared this year. Coach Spooner commented that when anyone has confidence in themselves, it will lead to confidence in other areas as well as helping the team be-
lieve in each other. Another strategy Coach Spooner seems to be developing is subbing in a variety of players because he believes it improves the team as a whole as well as wears the other teams down. While the team and coaches attribute hard work, team ethics, and dedication to the success of the team, some players also give part of the credit to superstitions. When asked if anyone on the team had superstitions, Junior Megan Rasmussen (#34) laughed and replied, “I always wear the same socks, straighten my hair, listen to the same songs, and chew a piece of gum right before game time.” Whether it is team chemistry, confidence, or even superstitions, our Lady Wolves have had an impressive year. Hopefully, this streak of success will continue for years to come. Congratulations Lady Wolves! You deserve it.
FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY!!
Time to Enjoy Spring by Kylynn Fredrick-Patten
Well it’s March. Spring is just around the corner, and we are ready for the grass to grow and fresh air, so here are some new springtime ideas to get you out of the house.
Silver Dollar City
1. Concerts. On March 21st KTTS is hosting the second annual St. Jude Jam. This is an acoustic show that features some of country music’s biggest, up and coming artists. This jam will feature Josh Thompson, Eden’s Edge, The Farm, Jana Kramer, and Noe Palma. Tickets are only $15.00. This money goes to help save St. Jude’s kids who have been diagnosed with cancer. Some other concerts are: Steven Curtis Chapman at the Gillioz Theatre March 4th, The Avett Brothers on March 10th at the O’Reilly Family Event Center, and Kelly Clarkson will be at the Event Center on March 14th. 2. Theme parks. Go to a theme park because they are exciting and outdoors. Silver Dollar City will be reopening on March 15th, so you can enjoy fun festivals Lost Treasure Mini Golf
and thrilling rides such as Powder Keg!
Lost Treasure Golf on 76.
3. The Branson Landing. They have something for everyone. You can take a relaxing stroll by Lake Taneycomo, or you can walk the main drag through the landing and go shopping.
5. Movies. Lists of upcoming movies are in the bottom right hand corner of this page. For reviews on these movies please see pages 20-21.
4. Miniature Golf. There are quite a few miniature golf courses in Branson. I sure many of you know where they are but here are a few of my favorites. Pirates Cove Adventure Golf on Green Mountain and Dr. Branson Landing
I hope this helps you get rid of your cabin fever, so go spend some time out in the warm sunshine.
Upcoming Releases March 9th • John Carter • Think Like a Man • A Thousand Words March 23rd • The Hunger Games March 30th • Mirror Mirror • Wrath of the Titans
by Karley Montgomery and Tori Neustel Have you ever found yourself at a creative standstill, searching for new ideas or new inspiration to design a new room, do it yourself crafts, new dishes to prepare for an upcoming event, or the newest trends in fashion? Pinterst is meeting all your creative needs, and bringing new spark to the average Home, Cosmopolitan, and Seventeen magazines. Pinterest is the newest cyber craze sweeping the internet. It's taking hold of women both young and old and even a few men. Time suddenly disappears as you find yourself spending hour after hour scrolling through the site. If you've yet to uncover this addicting website, then you're in for quite the treat. Pinterest allows you to create your own personal pin board. Its mission is to "connect everyone in the world through the 'things' they find interesting." You fill your pin boards with whatever it is that interests you, and the options are endless. There are 32 categories with everything from recipes to hairstyles, fashion to room decor, photography to humor, gardening to books, and art to outdoors. It's essentially an online scrapbook with convenient links to all the things you're dying to make, bake, and buy. Pinterest is everything from inspirational to motivational. To get started on Pinterest.com you have to first request an invite or be invited by a current member. Don't get too anxious though because you'll be placed on a waiting list and it could take days or weeks to receive your Pinterest invite. To fully understand how the site works you have to understand the pinning language. A pin is an image or video from a website or uploaded by a user. Boards are how you organize pins based on a related top-
ic or interest. Your followers are the people who can see your boards and are easily linked with your facebook friends. Re-pins are pins that you put on your own boards; you can change the descriptions and relate it to your life. In addition to re-pinning you can also "like" and comment on other users current pins. Work on creating Pinterest began in December of 2009 and became official in March of 2010 with the help of its founders Ben Silbermann and Paul Sciarra. On August 16, 2011 Pinterest was chosen as one of the "50 top websites of 2011" by Time magazine. Pinterest has an iPhone app and its own mobile website. The site is owned by a company whose corporate name is Cold Brew Labs, and early in 2011, the company was valued at $40 million; it is now currently valued at over $200 million. This large marginal increase shows how successful the site has become. Another measure of their success was shown in December of 2011 when the site entered the Top 10 Social Networks with 11 million total visits each week. It is presently being managed by a team in Palo Alto, California. Although Pinterest is a social networking site aimed at sharing , it offers much more than that. The site gives users something more powerful than a status update or picture upload, it gives an outlet for creativity. Pinterest makes being innovative and crafty easy for everyone, with thousands of do it yourslef (DIY) projects, recipes, tips, and tricks for anything and everything you could imagine. Pinterest is also having a huge impact in advertising. Almost 70% of it's users are female and the vast majority of them are under the age of 45. This is a much sought after demographic when pinpointing the buying decisions of average American households. Both popular and unpopular brands are taking advantage of the power
of Pinterest to promote. Companies are using it as an advertising technique by holding contests, such as Lands' End’s latest contest "Pin It to Win It.” Market researchers test product launches by using Pinterest as a social online focus group to gauge first reactions. Companies can create their own pins to feature their customers and add "pin-it" buttons to their website, so customers can share their products via Pinterest. Brands like Whole Foods and Michael's are promoting their brands with personal company pages on Pinterest. The most unique thing about Pinterest when compared to all other social networking is that it really is driven by women. It is one of the first websites to tap into female-driven programming. If you think about it, there's nothing more perfect for women than combining all of our cliché favorites like clothes, food, travel, sappy quotes, crafts, fitness, and celebrities onto a single website. Today's women are using it to answer some hard questions we ask ourselves everyday like "what should I make for dinner?” and “what should I wear today?" or "how should I decorate my bedroom?" With the sites completely addicting nature, you may find yourself continually scrolling through endless possibilities of answers to those questions and many more. Women are even getting together for "Pinning Parties" where groups meet to create something that one of them has pinned on their board. With so much success already, and so many women talking and sharing, Pinterest is sure to be a force to be reckoned with in 2012.
!!WARNING!!
Unfortunately, Pinterest is being considered for a blocked site. If you are a Pinterest person and would like to continue to be able to access it through the school computers, please respect school policies and teachers’ requests regarding internet use. If Pinterest becomes a distraction during classtime, teachers will complain and it may be blocked from future use.
The Perception of Spending by Brittany Knebel and Brittney Stump
School districts across Missouri and the United States have been trimming their budgets the past several years. While school board officials and administrators deem programs unnecessary, students, faculty members, parents, and taxpaying citizens are questioning these major changes. Budget cuts are unavoidable during economic recessions, so differing opinions often arise. Those involved with Reeds Spring School District are realizing what a challenge budgeting during rough times can be. Many are concerned about the effectiveness of programs that made the cut and wish administrators would think about problems students may face. The general opinion of the community lies on the side that Reeds Spring is spending, spending, spending. But what is that doing for the students? “What’s with the $60,000 wall? That was a waste!” “We want our ketchup and ranch now!” “Laptops for everyone? Yeah, that’ll go over well!” Statements like these have been floating around the
campus and community ever since renovations took over Reeds Spring High School. While many changes followed in the past year, what changes have actually taken place? Curriculum Director of Reeds Spring School District, Ms. Jane Renner, informed reporter Brittany Knebel about the truth behind school budget setup and spending. “The number one priority for administrators is what is best for the students. That includes every school in the district, from second grade classrooms to ninth grade English. We have a lot to consider, and a lot of people to please in the community with every decision. Many people think that the money we get from the state and community taxes is thrown into one pot and used however we want. That isn’t the way it is at all. Rather, we receive money from the state and local taxes. Each school district has several different major funds that the state mandates. The state government decides which funds are created and how much money goes into each fund.” Ms. Renner also clarified how community involvement affects budget trends within school spending. “The community is contributing to the school, its programs, and its future spending abilities. We want the community to be happy with our spending, especially parents. There are many different people with varying perspectives that contribute to the way the budget within each designated fund is spent. The school board, for example, has a large influence on which programs come into fruition and the distribution of wealth between many programs, all coming from within the same fund.” The main programs that took a hit were clubs and sports. Overnight campus activities were banned and field trips became a hassle to get approved. To have a field trip approved, the trip must be within a certain mileage so the use of diesel in bus-
es will stay within a reasonable cost. Family, Career, Community, Leaders of America’s chapter sponsor, Mrs. Jennifer Baxter, has had her FCCLA trips cut. When asked about how the budget spending restrictions have affected the club she explained that “regional and local meetings are able to be attended as long as it does not require the members to stay overnight.” Mrs. Baxter also explained that “clubs don’t have a budget purse; they acquire all their funds by fundraising.” Every year before the budget change, Mrs. Baxter took her student officers to cluster meetings. These meetings were held at various locations throughout the United States. Cluster meetings during the school year are held at Silver Dollar City, who hosted regional meetings in Echo Hollow, along with Republic High School and Tan-Tar-A Resort at Lake of the Ozarks, who hosted meetings as well. The last cluster her group got to attend was in Louisville, Tennessee in the fall of 2009. Mrs. Baxter has accepted the budget cuts, but feels it is sad that “the community thinks schools have so little money; barely enough for necessities, even though that is not true. It’s so warming to take kids on trips that give them such amazing opportunities that they couldn’t have any other way. Some of my students had never been to Branson or Springfield and I got to take them to Nashville, which was an amazing experience.” Sport programs like Softball have found the overnight trip abolishment difficult to work around, and Coach Scott Walker is questioning the missed opportunities of their players. “Overall, I support our district with the decision to cut sport funding. I think overnight trips are great for building chemistry and in some cases the team benefits greatly by seeing teams from other areas outside the state. In that respect, I’d like to see overnight trips be allowed, but with some limits,” was his initial response. When asked how it affected his players he said, “They were disappointed, but supportive at the same time and they made the best out of the situation. We’ve gotten into large area tournaments that allow us the chance to compete against Kansas City and Oklahoma schools. We’ve also re-evaluated our spending budget and have had great assistance thanks to the Booster Club.” Regardless of parents offering to fork out the cash needed to take prolonged trips, school officials say nay. They explain that the community would assume the school
district was spending money on such trips, whether the school was the source of funds or not. Although coaches and players understand that the perception of spending is the reason for the school holding back on assisting, they know that if the money was available in the sports portion of the budget, administration would back their ambitions as best they could. As a coach, Mr. Walker isn’t trying to get fun trips and tournaments approved for no reason, he simply wants the athletes to have the best opportunities to compete and improve. However frustrating it may be to see programs cut from the budget; the school district is attempting major changes that will directly affect students. Recently, the addition of the auxiliary gym has been useful to gym classes and sports teams suffering from lack of space. The new weight room is clean, airy, and architecturally stunning as it boasts windows on two of its four walls. The office has also become a homeyhaven of sorts with window-walls, a fresh coat of paint, and traditional décor (Perhaps Mr. Levingston and Mr. Sooter have a knack for interior design.) It’s impossible to deny that the recent makeover is anything but sharp. Not surprisingly, the controversial wall that serves as the new beacon of recognition for the wolves has gotten quite the bad reputation. Someone at some time seems to have gotten the idea that the district actually shelled out $60,000 to make a brick wall dream come true. Well, not so much. The truth that will send shock waves through everybody’s assumptions is that the infamous brick wall ended up being a peace offering by the construction company for their poor quality on the original ‘cement wall.’ Mr. Mike Mason, Superintendent
of the Reeds Spring School District, shed some light on the reasoning behind the renovations, and especially the brick wall. After an informational meeting with the big man on campus, we learned a bit more about the motives behind the previously finished renovations. As mentioned before, once money is put into a designated fund, money in that fund can only be used for certain things pertaining to that fund. For example, a fund designed for teacher’s salaries can only be used for teacher’s salaries. The money within that fund can’t be used for any other purpose. The same is true for the bond the school district received from community voters to complete renovations on the high school and intermediate school. The money that was pooled from voters was only allowed to be used for renovations. At the end of construction and final budgeting, it was determined that enough money was left from the bond to complete an accent piece at the entrance of the school to serve as an eye-catching symbol for those visiting the school. There is no way any stranger to Reeds Spring could miss our school any more, and they now have a clear idea of where the entrance to the school is, which was the original purpose behind building the wall.” Mr. Mason added to our conversation that, “When using money from other people, we must justify the use and be open about our spending. If we are taking overnight trips and things, some people are going to say we need to cut back. Many of those in our community have had to cut back on a personal level lately, and it bothers them to see the school spending money they believe they contributed on things they don’t approve of. You can’t please everyone and we’re not trying to, but I am proud that we have not laid off any teachers from their
positions, and our sports programs all remain intact.” Also, the recently announced One-to-One Initiative providing tablets for every student is solely focused on academic achievement. With every student gaining access to programs they may have never had at home before, they can more affectively complete homework, and classrooms can begin more innovative curriculum focused on the surge of technology. While some may say this program is a waste of money, it’s an awesome opportunity for students and teachers alike. The way Reeds Spring educates will become cutting-edge, and will be leading the way in much of our area. So, with changes like brand new facilities, and technology available to every student, why are people complaining? Maybe it’s time students, parents, and community members took a step back to realize the important things. Kids aren’t in school just to have fun, take trips, and excel at sports: there’s this thing called an education! The entire point of school is to get the best education you can, and the students at Reeds Spring are fortunate to have an administration and school board that recognizes that. Yes, they could be putting valuable dollars toward overnight trips and more ranch dressing at lunch, but don’t individual laptops sound better? We as a community need to think about what amazing things are being done to better the education and learning facilities at Reeds Spring and stop sweating the little stuff.
Can You Make The Weight?
By Megan Rasmussen
Tyler White, ranked #3 by missouriwrestling.com and defending State Champion, is always hungry for more. After recently signing to wrestle at the United States Military Academy-West Point, he wanted to end his high school career with a bang. His goal was to get another championship. With districts being on February 10-11 at Clinton and state on February 16-18 at the Mizzou Arena, Tyler and the Wolves had been expecting success. Four other wrestlers are also state-ranked. Coincidentally, they are all ranked 6th in their respective weight classes. They are: Hank White, 106, Ethan Grinder, 145, Zach Kearney, 170, and Tyler Miller, 195. All of these wrestlers qualified for state by placing in the top four at districts. This year, the wrestling team competed in four tournaments and twelve meets. They placed 3rd in the conference tournament and the Bolivar Tournament. They also won five out of their twelve
meets. Unfortunately, they’ve gone through some struggles that have negatively affected them, including losing teammates due to ineligibility and quitting, and trying to recover from graduating some outstanding wrestlers last year. They haven’t always been able to fill all of the spots at their meets because of these trials. When a spot isn’t filled in a weight class, the other team automatically receives six points, so it could have meant the difference between a win and a loss. Despite the struggles, there were five wrestlers from Reeds Spring High School that qualified and competed in the State Championship. All the wrestlers performed outstandingly well, but it was agreed that several mistakes were made and the outcome could have been better. That aside, Tyler White, defending State Champion, managed to place 3rd in State, an astounding feat. Moreover, Tyler’s younger brother, Hank White, got 2nd place in his
weight class as a freshman in high school, something few people can say they have accomplished. Tyler Miller also placed in State with 4th place. The other wrestlers did well, but were unsuccessful when it came to placing. Overall, the team was able to place 8th in State. Pretty good for a small school like Reeds Spring. Wrestling is a much more complex sport than it would seem at first glance. The main goal is to pin an opponent by holding their shoulders against the mat for two seconds, and then the match is over. But, points can also be scored in many other ways. When you take your opponent down to the mat and control them, it is called a takedown and is worth two points. When you escape from being held on the mat, it is worth one point, but if you escape and gain control, then it is worth two points. A near fall is when you almost have your opponent pinned, and it is worth two or three points
depending on the length of time. Lastly, you can receive points from your opponent if they break the rules, such as committing a false start or an illegal hold. Wrestlers lose and maintain weight so they can compete in smaller weight classes, which could give them a better chance at success. Also, only one wrestler is allowed in each class on each varsity team, so they need to ensure they stay the same weight so all the spots are filled. Tyler shared some insight about how they go about losing weight safely and effectively. He says “Diet and don’t lose it all at once. I run a lot and do a lot of laundry.” He also goes through vigorous training. He runs three miles every morning, practices after school, then helps coach the younger kids and ends his day with another workout at the Branson Rec-Plex Tyler summed up wrestling with one word: “Life.” His work ethic and mentality have carried him through an outstanding
high school career, including an undefeated season his junior year capped off with becoming the Missouri State Champion in the 152 weight class, and getting 3rd place in State this year as a senior. Part of his success comes because of his view that all opponents are his biggest rivals, and by thinking like that, it helps give him the drive to beat them. When asked what his biggest motivation is, he replied “My dad.” Wrestling is a family activity in the White household, with Tyler’s brothers, Hank and Lee, also competing in wrestling. Lee is currently serving in the United States Marine Corp, and Tyler is following a similar pathway by continuing his career at the United States Military Academy-West Point. Everyone who attends the academy is required to serve in the army for five years. Tyler said he chose West Point because of “the education and everyone there has the work ethic of a champion.”
Head Coach Kevin Huck
Marshfield
Win
Bolivar Tourney
3rd
Hillcrest
Win
Willard
Loss
Nixa
Loss
Logan Rogersville Win Diamond
Win
Central
Loss
Glendale
Win
Monett Tourney
6th
Republic
Loss
Branson Tourney 8th COC Tournament 3rd Branson
Loss
Bolivar
Loss
Marshfield Tourney 3rd Districts@ Clinton 5th State
8th
COLLEGE REVIEW
Missouri State University by Kylie Paoli
Missouri State University was founded in Springfield, Missouri in 1905 as the Fourth District Normal School. Missouri State University or otherwise referred to as MSU is a small campus school where they are ranked 10th in Missouri and 456th overall. There are currently 20,371 students attending MSU, with them having a 52% admission success rate. The yearly cost of school at MSU for an undergraduate is $14,080, compared to $5,760 for a graduate. These prices are made for Missouri residents; Non-Missouri resident’s costs yearly would be higher. Looking at Financial Aid? MSU can help you tremendously in this area if you visit their website or just give them a call. They will tell you how you can apply for Financial Aid, Scholarships, Federal Financial Aid, Grants, and even help with State programs. MSU will also help you price compare if you are looking at them and other schools. If you do not know how to get started, this is a great place to get a little guidance. MSU has a lot to offer an on campus student. There are several things for students to do such as fraternities and sororities, student organizations, student council activities, and the Campus Ministers’ Association. There are coffee houses, art galleries, formal dining, neighborhood bars and grills, and a wide variety of retail stores for the students and community to enjoy. The campus itself is beautifully landscaped with large trees, well maintained, and graced by two water fountains. There are wide sidewalks, a multitude of crosswalks, and security guards buzzing around in their golf carts to ensure the security of the students, the university, and the community. MSU also has a program called the Safe Zone. The Safe Zone Training program is developed to educate, support, and create a safe campus community that accepts gender and sexual diversity. This program provides students, faculty and staff with the resources, tools, and information required to establish a safe and welcoming campus community for any lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and ally population. After completing the training, the student, faculty, or staff member will be given the opportunity to sign an Ally Commitment, making them "Safe Zone Trained" and ready to make a difference at Missouri State University. The Ally Commitment is stating that
you are a supporter of gay rights and you would not discriminate. The campus has 36 members as a whole as of right now. Think you might want to join a student organization? MSU will have plenty of options for you, having over 300 organizations to look at. Many of the student organizations are accountable for the majority of the programs and events held on campus each year including concerts, lectures, special events, spirit rallies, cultural events, social events, and conferences. Five out of the three hundred plus organizations were put in the spotlight for things they have done. The A Cub Bella held one of the quarterfinals for the International Championship
but also providing awareness to the rest of the MSU campus. The Alpha Kappa Psi is one of the co-ed professional business fraternities at Missouri State. It was founded in 1904; Alpha Kappa Psi is the largest, oldest, and most recognized business fraternities in the world. The Missouri State Advertising Club is a student-run organization at MSU that serves as the worldly chapter of the American Advertising Federation (AAF). Ad Club is organized by the students and for the students to provide academic, professional and social opportunities. Remember these are only six out of the three hundred plus, so if none of these appeal to you, you could find an organization that matches
of Collegiate A Cappella in February. The AGC Construction Club creates opportunities for students to make a difference through education, service, and professional networking. Some of their highlights of the past year include building food pantry cabinets for Harmony House, building SGA mailboxes, building a doll house for a young girl with Leukemia, visiting multiple construction projects, building an outdoor classroom for the Summit Intermediate School in Nixa. The World Affairs Council is a completely student-run organization that aims not only to inform its members of current events happening around the world,
Meyer Library your style. The next question you might ask is “would I want to live on or off campus?” Well this might answer your question - all single students that are not 21 years of age who have not completed more than 30 hours of transferable credit are required to live in the University’s housing. This requirement is founded on the belief that MSU housing provides students with the educational and social groundwork necessary for continued personal and academic success. This requirement also comes with a 1 year contract. Fraternities and Sororities are not
“The Corral” on MSU’s campus at schools for just wild parties. The Fraternity and Sorority Life community of Missouri State University fight to promote academic excellence; to provide leadership; to support and serve our University and community; and to further integrity, responsibility, and character through the practice of unity and socializing as a whole. At MSU they have tutoring programs for others around the school. They also get awards for what they accomplish and achieve in that year. Want to work during school, and help yourself? The Federal Work Study Program provides jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service and work that is related to student’s course of study. Unlike other types of financial aid, work study is paid directly to the student as it is earned. There is a wide variety of work study positions available on and off campus with schedules designed to meet each students needs.
If you ever watch the news around this area, you will always hear about the MSU Bears sports programs. MSU offers the following for guys that attend their college: baseball, basketball, football, soccer, golf, and swimming and diving. The girls list of sports contains a little more then the guys for choices. MSU offers the following for girls attending their college: basketball, softball, cross country, field hockey, golf, soccer, swimming and diving, track and field, and also volleyball. Missouri State athletes benefit from experienced full-time staff members, graduate assistant athletic trainers, and internship athletic trainers. This is all lead by head athletic trainer, Jim Penkalski. The staff also includes field leading physicians, consulting specialists in areas such as sports nutrition and psychology. Students from Missouri State's undergraduate program are required to be fully-accredited. The students in the athletic training education program help the athletic trainers by attending to the athletes' daily medical
needs. Athletic Medical and Rehabilitation serves the student-athletes sports medicine needs utilizing four athletic training rooms, housed in Forsythe Athletic Center, Hammons Student Center, Hammons Field, and Killian Sports Complex. The Athletic Training Students' Association (ATSA) is a professional student organization at Missouri State University for students enrolled in the Athletic Training Education Program. ATSA involves itself in several activities each year. Our members complete several hours of volunteer service for Missouri State University and the Springfield community. The Office of Athletics Compliance coordinates and functions within the scope of the University's compliance efforts and acts as a resource center to coordinate, monitor and verify compliance with all NCAA requirements and to educate various diversities of the University and the athletics community regarding NCAA regulations. Athletic trainers are health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to optimize activity and participation of patients and clients. Athletic training encompasses the prevention, diagnosis, and intervention of emergency, acute, and chronic medical conditions involving impairment, functional limitations, and disabilities. A minor in Sports Medicine is available with the following degrees: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Applied Science, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Education, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training, and a Bachelor of Science in Education.
Here Kitty Kitty...
Are there Cougars in Southwest Missouri?
by Kayla Hale and Thomas Davis
Is that a cougar behind you!? As Missourians are starting to see, it just might be! Reynolds County Commissioner, Wayne Henson, captured a two-year old, 122 lb mountain lion in Centerville, MO late night January 4th, 2012. The cat was trapped on Mark Twain National Forest land, and was released on January 5th in the Current River Conservation Area after being examined by the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Agent Eric Long and Resource Scientist Jeff Beringer. This is the first mountain lion capture Missouri has seen since 1927, and fear has struck the hearts of many locals as they wonder what will happen next. When the first American settlers arrived, mountain lions inhabited most parts of North America. The US and Canada quickly took extermination measures to keep the lions off the land. Cougars were labeled extinct in Canada in 1938 and east of the Mississippi River in the 1920’s. Today, they are officially accepted as extinct in the US anywhere east of the Rocky Mountains, except a unique species that still thrives in the Florida Everglades. Still, the ferocious feline has been frequently spotted in the eastern states, and the sightings are on the rise. Since the 1990’s, there has been an average of 300 confirmed cougar sightings outside of their normal boundaries. In Missouri alone, there have been 27 confirmed cougar sightings since 1994. The map on the next page shows US confirmed sightings since the 1990’s. Red dots represent confirmed
tracks or evidence of the presence of the cats, and blue dots represent the confirmed photographs, videos, DNA samples, police reports, bodies, and captures. There are two possible causes for the spreading of cougars from the Rockies. Some experts believe that domesticated cougars that were released by owners that could no longer care for them form these populations. Domesticated cats both look and behave differently than wild born mountain lions, and upon close observations, scientists can determine whether or not a single lion has ever been in captivity. While a handful of the captured and killed cougars have been labeled as domesticated, many of them “showed no signs of prior captivity what-so-ever.” This fact has led many experts to believe that mountain lions have been sighted so far from their territory as young male lions search for new land to avoid overcrowded populations in the Rockies. Mountain lion attacks on humans are extremely rare in the US. There have only been 70 documented mountain lion attacks since 1890, with 13 being fatal. However, there are around 4.5 million dog attacks, and over 30 end fatally each year. This means that statistically 17.4% of dogs will attack a human every year, but only a mere 0.000018% of cougars will attack. You are more likely to hit a deer with your car, be fatally stung by a bee, get bit by a rattlesnake or black widow spider, or get struck by lightning than be attacked by a mountain lion, let alone be killed by one. You are more likely to be attacked by a large cat at the zoo than a wild mountain lion! So, if you still think you’re going to fall victim to the next wild puma attack, it would be important to know what to do to save your life. Here are some mountain lion facts that you should know before starting your next outdoor excursion.
A mountain lion is a BIG cat, the fourth largest in the world! They can weigh anywhere from 46-275 lbs, and have a long, low to the ground body. They can be anywhere from 27”-55” in body length, not including their 22”-38” tails. Their long tails, strong back legs, and large, retractable claws make them the perfect jumping machine, making it easy to clear a long leap from one ledge to another. Cougars are also very avid climbers, and can easily pull dead prey to the top of a tall tree. Mountain lions are carnivores that are able to travel miles to find a steady source of food. A normal mountain lion diet consists of deer, moose, caribou, hares, squirrels, chipmunks, mice, livestock, and pretty much anything animal that it can get its claws on. How to know you are being attacked: • See a mountain lion circling you. Cougars often stalk their prey before attacking, so if the cat is making large circles around you, odds are, you’re next. • Hear loud screaming around you. Mountain lions have been known to scream before attacking, to stun their prey. • Don’t hear anything. In almost every human attack, the person was unaware that the lion was even in the area. Mountain lions are most likely to wait quietly for their prey, and pounce on the victim’s neck, severing the spinal chord to make a quick kill. What to do if you are indeed about to be attacked: • Don’t be scared. Signs of weakness make it easier for an attacking lion to take advantage of you. • Do NOT run. A fully-grown mountain lion is MUCH faster than you! Even if you are an Olympic track runner, there is a high risk that you may lose your footing on uneven terrain. A cougar may also be less hesitant to pounce on a potentially escaping prey than one that could be an actual threat to its well-being. • Make yourself look large. A mountain lion is less likely to attack if it feels its prey is too large. Raise your arms and fan out your shirt and jacket if you can. If you have a small child with you, put them on your shoulders. • Make loud noises. Cougars are
shy creatures, and a healthy lion is easily deterred by loud noise. Clap you hands, scream, yell, and whistle to send that cat running! • Do not bend over. Human attacks are often caused when a cougar mistakes them as their natural prey. Bending over to tie your shoes at this point is probably not a good idea, and will likely cause the puma to pounce. • Throw things. Throwing a shoe or large rock at the mountain lion may frighten the cat, or make it angry, so make your throws count. Leave a lasting scar on the predator to make sure it stays away. • Do NOT shoot it. Missouri laws prohibit you from shooting a non-aggressive cougar. Only kill a lion as a last resort to save a life. How to avoid becoming a mountain lion target: • Stay in groups. Most attacks are on single victims, especially smaller women or children. A group of noisy hikers looks like too much work for a lion, and it’s often enough to keep them away. • Make noise. Mountain lions are likely to know that you mean business if you are loud. If you are by yourself, loudly talk on a cell phone. Routinely clapping your hands and dancing around will make you look like a crazy person, and the cougar will not want to come anywhere near you.
• Wear bright clothes. Wearing large, bright articles of clothing will ensure that a mountain lion does not mistake you for a white tailed dear or any of its other common food items. By following these tips, your chances of being attacked by a wild mountain lion are slim to none. If you do need to kill a threatening lion to protect yourself or your live-
stock, leave the body where it is and call local authorities as soon as possible. Local wildlife representatives will secure the location and conduct an investigation to make sure that there was a legitimate reason for the kill and to enter the sighting, or attack, in the US database. Until then, keep an eye out for the large cats, and spread the word so other will be aware of the facts too!
Featured Films by Olivia Mason and McKenna Tilden
There isn’t much to do in Branson and Springfield in the winter. Most of the activities, like Silver Dollar City, close around the beginning of the New Year. One of the popular things to do is to go to the movies. There are a lot of excellent movies coming out in the next several months that are worth seeing and there are some that are not predicted to be good, so what you don’t want to do is waste your money seeing a terrible movie. Everyone’s opinion is different but people as a whole generally agree which movies are not worth seeing. So being informed about upcoming movies can be important unless you want to waste your money and life sitting in a movie theater for about two hours. Some people never stop talking, and that is just what Eddie Murphy, as Jack McCall, has to do. On March 9th, 2012, A Thousand Words comes out in theaters. In this movie, Jack is a literary agent and has no problem closing deals, no matter what the deal may be. But as he tries to close a deal for a New Age guru named Dr. Sinja, Sinja catches onto him. A magical Bodhi tree appears in his backyard one day, and a leaf falls after every word he says. Jack soon learns that he must choose his words carefully because once the tree runs out of leaves, he and the tree are gone for good. This movie is only rated PG-13 and is a good movie for anyone to enjoy. Wrath of the Titans comes out on March 30th, 2012. This movie is the sequel to Clash of the Titans that came out in 2010. It’s filled with action and Greek mythology. Even if you didn’t see the first movie, you can still follow along with this thriller. It takes place a decade after Perseus’ heroic defeat of the Kraken. While he is attempting to live a quieter life as a village fisherman, a struggle for supremacy rages between the gods and the Titans. The gods are losing control of the imprisoned Titans and their leader, Kronos, father of the long-ruling brothers Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon. The three had overthrown their father long ago, leaving him to rot in the gloomy abyss of Tartarus, a dungeon that lies deep within the underworld. Perseus cannot ignore his calling when Hades and Zeus’ son switch loyalty and make a deal with Kronos to capture Zeus. The Titans’ strength grows stronger as Zeus’ remaining godly powers are siphoned, and hell is unleashed on earth. The movie has been received good reviews for the action content and believ-
ability of the story line. It is sure to keep you engaged and on the edge of your seat the entire way through. If Wrath of the Titans is not the type of movie you would typically go for, then another option might be Mirror Mirror, a twist of Snow White. This is a thrilling adventure of the princess Snow White as she tries to stop the evil Queen, Julia Roberts, from putting a spell on Prince Alcott, Armie Hammer, so he will marry her instead of Snow White. This movie will take you on a journey through Snow White’s quest of getting her rightful place back on the throne as she is accompanied by miniature thieves. This movie is coming out on March 30, 2012. Titanic was one of the highest grossing movies when it came out years ago, and now it is being re-released in 3D. On April 4th, 2012, you can take a journey back to the time of Rose and Jack and live their story all over again but this time with more clarity. Everyone can relate to some part of this story and even though everyone already knows the ending, you will be engaged the whole two and a half hours. The tickets will cost more and some people might see it as a waste, but if you don’t mind paying the extra money, it will be interesting to see how they try and bring the story to life
in a whole new way. All of the recent superhero movies have led up to this moment. On May 4th The Avengers will unite Iron Man, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Captain America, and others in one action packed movie. Based on the Marvel comic series that debuted in 1963, the superheroes are forced to work together to save the planet from the biggest enemy that any of them has ever faced. At the end of the previous movies after all the credits have rolled there is usually a scene that hints at the Avengers team and that they will be a part of it in the future. The reviews for this movie have been really good due to the fact that we will finally get to see all of them together in a kind of surreal fantasy. Children and adults alike are sure to enjoy this film and everyone will be talking about it for months. Not everyone enjoys going to the movies or paying to see them in theaters, and especially with the economy, it can be hard to take a family out without paying a fortune. However, if you can find time and money to see one of these movies, you will not be disappointed. Going to watch a movie is always a good alternative and it can keep you distracted for a couple of hours while you enter into a world that’s not your own and live out your fantasies that way.
March 23rd 2012 is when The Hunger Games, one of the most highly anticipated movies of the year, comes out in theaters. This movie will appeal to people of every generation. It tells the story of a girl named Katniss Everdeen. She lives in Pandem which was once the United States. In Pandem, the country is split into thirteen districts and every district is responsible for making a different product. The Hunger Games was created to punish the thirteenth district for trying to revolt
against the Capitol. Two tributes are randomly selected from each district to participate in a fight to the death, and all of the tributes are children. They are broadcasted on live television for all of the districts to watch, so they keep up-to-date on who is still alive and who is not. It may seem morbid, but the movie has symbolism behind it. To find out what happens to Katniss and her dear friend Peeta, make sure to watch this movie. It is rated PG-13 and is sure to keep you entertained until the end.
Feature - Mariah
Table Rock Bridge
An Underwater Oasis by Aaron Kyle and Adam Cross
Have you ever been driving across the Kimberling City Bridge, wondering what could be lying under the water? This question is pondered by many, but only known by few. The underwater attraction is a wellknown area for experienced divers, and some travel hundreds of miles to see it with their own eyes. The Corps of Engineers decided that a dam should be built, and the dam was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1941 for “flood control and hydroelectric power and other beneficial water uses.” The construction of the Table Rock Dam began In October 1954. The dam was built when the economy was not at its strongest, but the payoff for hydroelectric power was going to be a positive influence on the community. They decided that even if the dam didn’t need to be built to help the economic conditions in the area, it needed to be built to protect the property downstream from the White River. People in the area had bad memories of their farms being destroyed, houses floating away, and bridges being washed out from floods. The villages and towns below the dam would be saved because they could control the water level, but villages and towns upstream from the dam would be underwater once they raised the water level. They closed the dam and started flooding the area above to make a lake. The people were warned that they were raising the water level. The people were devastated that they had to leave the area because this had been where they had lived their entire lives. The area where people were living was small, but they still had to be evacuated from the area on short notice. The lake was named Table Rock Lake after a rock formation that is now a scenic overlook on Highway 165. The rock formation is a large, flat rock that was to be the original location for the dam site. Table Rock Lake holds a current 3,462,000 acre-feet. Acre-feet is commonly used to measure large scale water resources, but the total amount of water the lake is holding converts to 1,128,097,640,274 gallons! Who knew that we would have such a large body of water within walking distance of some of our houses?
Many people visit the Table Rock Lake area every year. Branson, MO is amongst one of the highest visited areas by tourists in America today. When people plan their vacation to the area, they will plan to do at least three things: they are going to watch a show, go to Silver Dollar City, and go to Table Rock Lake for a day. Branson’s shows are always expanding in size and could be the main reason why it grew into a retirement haven. While the summer tourist population is always rising, so is the advancement in shopping developments. Visitors are now able to shop at the Branson Landing, which lies along the shore of Lake Taneycomo. While spending their money, they are able to enjoy their favorite shops, soak in the great outdoors, and watch a dazzling fire and water show every night. The Landing was an expensive development and since it is within throwing distance of the water, they have to control the water level. There are very few recordings about the villages that were previously flooded and whether or not they have been preserved this whole time. Since there is little information on the underwater cities, many people don’t know they exist. When people are asked if they know about an underwater village that still exists, often they will look at you with a blank stare. The underwater town is known as Oasis. Oasis was a small town upstream of the Table Rock Dam that was submerged when the lake was formed. The town was very small and it was located near the old Kimberling City Bridge. The old Kimberling City Bridge is located directly beneath the current Kimberling City Bridge. There is photo evidence that the bridge is there and could still be in tact, even after being submerged for many years. The small town is covered in algae, but is still preserved about 100 feet underwater. The town is only accessible by advanced scuba divers since the depth of the town is so great. If someone doesn’t have their advanced diver certification, the person isn’t advised to try to see the town. The person could be seriously hurt or end up dying. The experienced diver can float down what used to be Main Street underwater. Along the way,
you can see a few small buildings that still exist. The buildings are small houses and at the end of Main Street, you can visit the small wooden church. The area was known for how thick the forest was surrounding the village. The trees would act as a fortress around the town to protect it. The heavily wooded area around the town was called the Majestic Forest. The underwater town is deteriorating at a slow rate, but people should still be able to visit the amazing sight for many years to come. Oasis in Table Rock Lake is a wellknown Midwestern destination for scuba divers. The lake is large in size and has great visibility. The area is great for openwater training certificates on all levels. "It's got everything you want in a training site: easy access, good visibility, access to depth," says Scott Stidham, an instructor with Scuba Adventures in Kansas City, Missouri. “The bottom contour, the proximity to air [refills], the number of local restaurants and hotels, and bottom composition make it ideal. You can do any kind of freshwater diving in Table Rock you'd want to do," Stidham says. The ease of travel to the Ozarks makes the Branson area a hot spot in the Midwest. It is strange for locals to think that we have such an intriguing history and diving hotspot within our area. More people should realize the amazing opportunities we have within the Ozarks to experience. The Branson area offers everything from great shows to lake recreations that will make you realize why you aren’t professional in the sport. These attractions draw in many tourists, and provide a very fun and active place to visit for all ages.
Table Rock Dam
WOLVES.
Working together...
with a common goal
the Legacy of Moreau by Floyd Baker
I first came into contact with Edward Prendick at a tea parlor in Delaware. It was early on in ‘03 but the exact month escapes me. The man came up to me without introduction or any hint of formality, he appeared weathered and looked out of place. His face bore many scars but his clothing was pressed and not a stitch was frayed. Before speaking he gave a glance around the room, looking as though he expected someone was following him. “I’ve heard you have experience in zoology.” Even as he spoke he kept a gaunt, serious tone. I told him I was a novice archaeologist and at this he lightened heartily. He pulled a chair up to my table and began questioning me more thoroughly. “Do you favor paleontology or do you study the more recent past of man?” I was still taken back by the man’s invasiveness and I believe it began to show on my face for he sat up straighter for a moment and then began a lengthy explanation of his mission. I say explanation but there was no truth in his words, as I was soon to find out. The man told me he needed someone with “an extended knowledge of animal biology”. At hearing that I told him the full extent of my work and how I was only akin to the anatomies of those creatures ceasing to exist. He was quick to reassure me of my usefulness, saying that anyone with my amount of knowledge would be able to fulfill his needs. In truth my skepticism was present upon seeing the tall half posh, half street roughen approach my table but, being in dire need of work, I agreed to his terms. With a straightened face and renewed sense of distance, he handed me a folded piece of paper and said something under his breath before turning away and heading for the door. I realize now my responsibility in the events that took place over the next few days. The reader must understand, the man promised “the archeological event of a lifetime”, “whole new species waiting to
be discovered”, “a vast array of knowledge once thought impossible”. To an aspiring youth with almost no background all this talk seemed too fantastic to ignore. This along with the listed disembarkation time I later received sealed my fate. Two days from then, with only the clothing to last a week and enough parchment to last a year, I was planted aboard the “Silent Wanderer” and on my way to the South Pacific. It was a private charter, before being hired by Ed Prendick I could tell the ship was used as a fishing trawler. The smell aboard the deck reeked of dead sea life and if one looked between the boards scales and various other fish parts weren't hard to find. Staying with the mood set by the ship itself, the crew was unkempt and appearing to be in a constant state of fatigue. At this time I hadn't seen the captain himself, he didn't make his presence known to me until much later in our voyage. Prendick, probably after seeing my reaction to the appearance of ship and crew, showed me to the place i'd been alotted. It was a small room below deck, lacking a viewport and having, in place of a toilet, a small bucket in a corner. Like the man was introducing me to a hotel suite he made a sweeping gesture with his arm and said, but not sarcastically, "This is your room Mister Vallencourt. I am very happy you decided to join us, it is imperative that I have someone with your skillset along on this.." Here he paused and his eyes seemed to search the room for the right words, "..expedition of mine." I was still trying to work out the man so i nodded and set my case down next to the bunk which hung by chains from the bulkhead. With an anticipation focused toward the trip's outcome I decided to pass the hours as quickly as possible and it was this reasoning that had me sleeping in that stained bunk even before the ship left port. I was never given any reason to leave my room since the nightly meal was always delivered to me, often as I slept, and, as far as entertainment went, all one could look forward to aboard the ship was indulging in the abundance of rum and singing that seemed to go on unceasingly day after day. The only true comfort I found during my waking hours was that I had luckily been placed on the starboard side of the ship – meaning that, during the day or on nights with a bright moon, I had a view of the coast and
could therefore guess at the progress of our journey. On the third day, I discovered that the little ship was capable of a reasonable amount of speed. We were already having to adjust course so as to avoid the shallower waters that skirt the eastern coast of Florida. With a sudden realization, I recalled our final destination was to be, in the words of Prendick himself, “ a tiny little untouched island in the southern reaches of the Pacific Ocean.” It dawned on me in force that a long and trying trek still laid ahead, no matter what speed the ship possessed. to be continued in next month
WANTED!
VOID
I’ve chosen to risk my public reputation in order to expose the true nature of two individuals. Only one of which I’ve had the, dare I say, pleasure of actually knowing, and the other a man of legendary status among the more “open” scientists and biologists of darker England.
GAME ZONE
Solution on pp 27
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The Reeds Spring PULSE Magazine provides half and full page advertisements for local businesses, free of charge, based on the support they have provided, and continue to provide, to the students of Reeds Spring High School. If you have a person you feel is a possible topic for future stories, please contact Mr. Lynch in room D-117. The RS PULSE staff is committed to providing positive stories involving Reeds Spring students and staff. Because this magazine is a class project the quality and content will vary somewhat from issue to issue. We apologize for any misspellings or errors that may be missed in the editing process. It is our intention to provide the best quality
Puzzle Solution from pp 25
Bitter Sweet Memories By Callie Stone
Graduation, a day we never thought would come, is quickly approaching me and my fellow seniors. It is still hard to believe we will soon be walking across that stage, posing for a picture and receiving what we thought would hold our diploma, even though we know it is empty. In less than three months, we will say goodbye to tardy sweeps, late-start Thursdays, and that wonderful smell of formaldehyde filled cats in Mr. White’s room. After attending Reeds Spring schools for thirteen years, I am proud to say I am a wolf. I was born and raised here, like many generations of my family before me. Some look down upon our school, something I will never understand. I enjoy going to school with people I actually know. Over the years I have made many friends and know just about everyone; yet I still see new kids each day; well, they are new to me at least. I think that we do live in a friendly community, to an extent of course, but I plan on living here the rest of my life. I like that I can go to Wal-Mart and always see someone I know, or drive down the road and people are friendly enough to wave. Compared to other places in our country we have it pretty good, something most people
don’t realize. I will miss waking up each day and seeing the same people since kindergarten. Yet thinking how much those people have changed is almost unbelievable at times. I’ll never forget milk coming in those little cartons, pizza Fridays, or the dangerous chicken strip Wednesdays (you know everyone runs to get some). With graduating comes more freedoms, more experiences, more challenges, and more growing. We will never stop being students of life, but this time it will be in a different setting. We get caught up in our group of friends and all the drama over the stupid things and forget to embrace the small things. It just becomes a routine, going class to class. Those five minutes in between fly by and before you know it you are writing a tardy slip. We often forget the days on the playground, singing “Faster! Faster! We need another master!” and riding the turtles in gym class. And we always look forward to the days when there was a TV in the room because we just knew we were going to watch a movie. Now life revolves around the latest technology. What he tweeted about, what she was wearing in her profile picture, and the latest thing we
pinned on Pinterest. There will always be something to complain about. Like not getting a spring break, not being able to use our phones, and having to sneak water bottles into class. Not to mention that most of us will never understand why we have a huge brick wall in the front of the building. But if you think about it, these are just little things we get caught up in. So much is going to change once we get into the real world. College always seemed so far away and now it’s just around the corner. We have to start thinking about our futures and what we want in life. We have to stop relying on someone else to do things for us. Our generation is going to make a difference, and it all starts now. As seniors we are counting down the days until graduation, in a few years, though it seems hard to believe right now, we are going to want it all back. We don’t realize how fast it really does go. Growing up in the same community my whole life, it is hard for me to think about living somewhere else. People say that once they graduate they will never come back, but I know for a fact that I will be back. This isn’t a goodbye but rather an “I’ll see you later.” Once a wolf, always a wolf.