March 15, 2019 Volume 103 Issue 4 Park High School Inside the Upside Down: The Groups of PHS
2 What’s Inside
March 15, 2019
Page 3 NHS launches pocket points.
Page 4 Boys hand dryers: a bunch of hot air?
Page 5 Students’ choice of schooling.
page 6-7 Get your group on.
Page 8 Neptunes grand opening
Page 11 Spring sports preview
3 NEWS
March 15, 2019
New tiered diploma option being introduced MCLEOD VERSLAND Production Assistant
Starting with next year’s freshmen, Park High’s class of 2023, there will be a new style to the diploma being offered in Livingston. This is called a Park High School Diploma with Areas of Distinction. The new option for those upcoming students
has many similarities to the current diploma requirements, but these will be modified for the students that choose this new path. These additional requirements vary depending on the types of diplomas that students will be able to pursue. Students will be able to pursue a Diploma with Areas of Distinction in several different subjects, and each of these diplomas will require different levels of credits in each subject. In addition, students who pursue these new diplomas will need a certain GPA and 24 credits to graduate. It is expected that students will have knowledge of these types of diplomas to take the classes required and
apply for the diploma in the second semester of their senior year. Also, the classes of 2021 and 2022 will be able to receive a new diploma if they meet all the requirements. Why was this new diploma option introduced? Well, there are many reasons why this new option will be implemented, but it sprouted from the fact that Park High has been doing an internal redesign the past four years. Dr. Lynne Scalia believes that this will help students explore what they want and rule out things that aren’t appealing to them. Another aim of the new diploma is to help recognize more students than just
the students who are going to college. One might ask if many students will choose this new option and if it will make a difference. Although no one can exactly predict the future, Dr. Scalia has high hopes for this new diploma. Scalia thinks that it could take time for this to become a popular thing, but she thinks students will realize the opportunity they will be given and take advantage of it. Whether or not it will make a difference is mainly up to the students who will be eligible for this opportunity. It is designed to help students narrow their aim towards certain interests, and it will help students prepare for their futures.
No more phones but this Student art funds food time for extra credit for kids When asked the history behind Pocket Points, NHS Adviser Becky Ayler explains that she was having dinner with some friends that attend MSU and they explained the app to her. Ayler decided to look into it, finding that Park High was already listed as an applicant to use the app. Along with many kids starting to use this app, Scott Tatum is very interested in getting to the top of the leader board. He has racked up more than 6,851 minutes of being phone-free. “It’s kinda competitive and I think a lot of it is people want to try to get first place” Tatum adds. The leader board is used by all Herbert Hoy and Jessica Becker present Sophmore CJ Olds checking the pocket at Park High. It puts you check to Livingston Food Resource Censtudents the Photo By Leniee Smith point app on and shows where you stand com- ter cooridinator Michael McCormick. BRYLEA BEYE pared to everyone else to help enGeyser Staff Writer courage more time off your phones. Committee members agree that it kids stay off their phones in a helping is National Honors Society has adAlong with the leader board way. positive EDEN KIRK opted the app Pocket Points, a free app adds “it should make a Gregory aspect, located in the App store on all devices. Geyser Staff Writer The meaning behind this is to get kids to bigger impact once more teachers are instop using their phones as much during volved and spreading it to more students”. The Livingston Food Resource Not many teachers have decided school, at home, and even while driving. Center is providing bags of food to Once the student opens the to use this app yet, but the NHS commitPark High students who need extra susPocket Points app, they start earning tee recently presented it to the faculty at tenance outside of school. Food bags points. The longer their phones stay their last professional development day. will be kept in teacher classrooms, so Some local businesses like Red locked, the more points they collect. they can be accessed easily by students. Dominos have joined Pocket and box to “The Distracted Driving side Food bags have been provided to the app where it tracks whenever you points. When more start to join, you will students at Park High in the past, but drive is really awesome because it makes be able to use coupons for their products. it was difficult to get bags to the stuyou feel super guilty when you pick up Larger businesses, like Amazon, Lulus, dents that needed them because they your phone, even to change your mu- and Tilly’s have been on the app for a were located in the teacher’s lounge. sic”, NHS member Leslie Gregory says. while now giving people up to 25% off.
Recently, Park High senior Jessica Becker and sophomore Herbert Hoy donated their artwork to the “Take to Heart the Little Art” auction coordinated by art teacher Lois Huntzicker at Park High in December. The Livingston Food Resource Center was selected by Becker and Hoy to be the recipient of the money they raised through the auction. Together, they raised a total of $225. “I wish no one to go hungry, especially during the holidays, and to bring a bit of joy to someone’s day,” Becker said. Michael McCormick, the Livingston Food Resource Center coordinator, and Huntzicker thought of the idea to give students access to food bags at Park High. The money raised at the art auction went towards food for the bags. The type of food available in the bags consists of cereal, oatmeal, granola bars, milk, soup and more. Teachers such as Huntzicker, Becky Ayler, Caitlin Chiller, Alecia Jongeward, Kate Lende, Heidi Claar, and Sarah Mussetter have volunteered to have food bags available in their classrooms for students. Huntzicker said, “My hope is to provide food bags to every student at Park High that could benefit from the extra food.”
4 News
March 15, 2019
What’s up with the boy’s bathroom hand-dryers? TERRAN SPEAKE Geyser Staff Writer
Recently, there have been complaints about the dysfunctional hand dryers in the boys’ bathroom…but are they really dysfunctional? Or are the boys just lazy? The problem has been brought to student council numerous times and has even been the focus of a student council campaign. One possible solution is upgrading to the same dryers that are in the girls’ bathrooms; and yes, the boys have different hand dryers than the girls and no, the ones in the boys’ bathrooms don’t work as well as the girls. According to student council president Gabe Nohl, contacting the company of the new hand dryers, Dyson, is one step that has been taken towards this solution; he said student council is continuing to raise money for it. “...we are in contact with a new Dyson representative and have been given a new reduced offer for two new Dyson V-blade hand dryers,” Nohl said. Nohl also states the obvious that no one wants to acknowledge: “The majority of people do not wash their hands.” But he thinks that installing new hand dryers in the boys’ bathroom will excite boys to wash their hands because now they have the luxury of the Dyson V-blade, and not the outdated hand dryers. Deb Miller, the head custodian of Park High, says she can stand outside of the boys’ bathroom all day and not hear the hand dryers being used once. Miller thinks that the boys just don’t wash their hands, plain and simple, and she doesn’t see the point in buying new hand dryers if the boys don’t use the current ones. Miller would like to go back to the good-old paper towels because maintenance for paper towels is very low compared to the current hand dryers. Miller says that the hand dryers get very dirty very quickly, especially after game nights, and she is constantly cleaning them. Kelly Dick, an English teacher at Park High, isn’t surprised at the fact that many boys don’t wash their hands. Dick recalls his high school days at Butte High. He never
had the luxury of hand dryers, they had paper towels. And half the time, the paper towels ran out and he then would have to fling his hands around or wipe them on his pants. “To be honest, is it so exciting to have like the “Rolls Royce” of hand dryers,” he asked. “Is everyone going to wash their hands and go in there and be like “Oh my God! I can’t believe! I mean all these people are going to be asking for bathroom passes so they can go to the bathroom and just be there like “Ahhhhhh” [over the hand dryer] It just seems so dumb to me,” he laughed.
A Geyser staff member frustratedly dries his hands under the out-of-date hand dryers in the boy’s bathroom.
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5 News
March 15, 2019
Students exchange public school for homeschool Park High School with the intention to homeschool. Over the same period, 42 students enrolled in Park High from a home school program. There is some overlap between these two groups, because about Public school can be overwhelm25 percent of these students went back and ing at times. In a school like Park High, forth from homeschooling to public school. there’s many people who crowd the halls Jake Brunson of Livingston, currentduring passing period, teachers who ly a freshman at MSU Bozeman, was hodish homework out every night, sports meschooled from 5th to 12th grade, receiving teams practicing after school until 6 a homeschool diploma. Brunson realized p.m. and anxious friends asking if the that public school made him feel rushed. bio homework is due today or tomorrow. “When I went to school, I was either There is an alternate route that rushing to get my work done before we some Park county students have taken for went to class, or I was waiting on everyone these, and other, reasons: home school. else to finish,” Brunson said. He also states County Superintendent of another positive which most people would Schools Jo Newhall said there are 40 envy and that is there wasn’t any school drahigh school students in Park Counma. It was just him and his younger brother. ty registered for home school this year. According to Brunson, he did Although some students who schoolwork from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and he withdraw from Park High state their was able to work at his own pace. Brunplans as being homeschooled, Neson knocked off the subjects he didn’t whall said that often doesn’t happen. like first, such as math and science, and In her experience over the past then finished with the ones he enjoyed, five years as county superintendent, such as English, reading, and history. few Park High students who leave afBut there were also some downsides ter age 16 actually enroll in a homesto being homeschooled. When Brunson chool program. Montana Code Annoleft public school, he lost many friends tated states that school enrollment is due to lack of contact. “I’m an extreme excompulsory (required) from ages 7 to 16. trovert, so when I went to [public] school, Since 2014, 52 students have left I had so many friends. When I started
EDEN KIRK AND TERRAN SPEAKE Geyser Staff Writer
Students leaving Park High and becoming homeschooled
The number of students leaving public school to pursue homeschooling has been decreasing at Park High School since the 2017-18 school year. homeschooling, I lost touch with pretty much all of them because none of us had phones or anything, so we didn’t really have a way of talking,” Brunson said. Park High sophomore Jeanette Jones is a part time student at Park High. Jones partakes in online courses from home as well as attending public school. Classes such as geometry, French, English, typing, and sewing, Jones takes online. “English and math are not my strong suits, so it is easier for me to take them at home where there is less stress in a relaxed environment,” Jones said. Currently, Jones is enrolled in chamber choir, interior design, visual arts, and
biology at Park High. Her reasoning for taking biology at Park High is that she needed the opportunity to experience lab science that she could not get from home. Park High junior Sydney Booth switched back and forth between public school and homeschool. Booth said she chose homeschooling first semester because she was sick of public school, but she returned second semester because she needed more support to learn. Both her parents work full-time, she explained, so they could not help her with her online classes.
Standardized tests: long but helpful to track skills HENRY CORNWALL Geyser Staff Writer As the next rounds of MAPs testing and ACT testing close in, we decided to learn what students and teachers had to say about standardized testing. Park High science teacher Natalie
Davis said, “The MAPs test gives you a snapshot of where your score sits at the moment, but it allows you to improve on your score.” Science teachers were asked to go over math and reading MAPS scores with their classes, and students set goals to improve their scores by the final round of testing in the spring. Special Education teacher Caitlyn Chiller said, “students
should not focus on what score they get but more if they are getting better.” Some students that took the MAPs test also believe that it takes too long, but it is helpful. Sophomores Ben Jessen and Adrianna Davis said they believe the MAPS testing helps you track your progress and lets you know where you sit skill wise. When it comes to standardized testing in general, many students have the same opinion about the tests, “They are awful.” Many students believe standardized tests take far too long and they start to lose focus, but most believe the results can be useful, whether to assess a student’s abilities or identify what they can improve on. Though low test scores may not be because of the long testing periods, the fact that many students don’t prepare for the tests before hand must carry some of the blame. Although many students have opinions against Standardized Testing, they believe it is very helpful for people to be able to get into colleges and receive scholarships.
Upcoming tests
CRT Science test - March 13-15th in biology and science classes. ACT with writing - (all 11th grade) April 2nd MAPs Testing Round 3- They will be in May
AP Testing schedule
Wednesday, May 8th- English literature and composition/European History Monday, May 13th - Biology Tuesday, May 14th - Calculus AB Thursday, May 16th - Statistics
Pages 6-7
March 15, 2019
A look back Into the elitest club: Dungeons and Dragons at middle school clubs
Take a trip to the Ag department TERRAN SPEAKE Geyser Staff Writer Whether it be rain or shine, study hall or lunch, the ag kids are faithful to the ag room. Most of the kids who congregate in the room during class, lunch, study hall, or even before and after school have grown up with each other, or have Photo By Lukas Ridgeway known each other Devon Simmons works diligently welding a sheet of metal in the Ag room. for a long time, so stale candy, and an all-time naturally they’re still friends, small wafts of cow ma- favorite, pickles. It’s an inand their corral is the ag room. nure coming from kids’ boots, teresting food combo but it’s From locking Jar- and sometimes sawdust or the what they like. Drinks conret O’Hair in the cabi- fumes from welding; you’ll sist of, as said before, Peace net to Josi Jessen painting see “Peace Tea” cans scat- Teas, decorated Yeti cups Madi Clarke’s face with tered among the desks along filled to the brim with coffee house paint, many memo- with whatever snack may and creamer, and lots of soda. ries have been made here, accompany the drink, and Our school wouldn’t along with many friendships. desks organized just the way be the same if it didn’t have Upon walking into this the students like them, which ag kids. There’re many difroom you’ll hear laughter, isn’t very organized at all. ferent groups that make and occasional foul language Ag kids thrive off ice up Park High, and the here and there; you’ll smell cream, goldfish, Airheads, ag kids are one of them.
Who owns the D-pod? Seniors say it’s them D-pod teacher Miya Tennant feels that it has been taken over instead of being shared explaining how they stand and take up the entire area. Previously the D-pod has been used by She also explains how the students upperclassmen to relax and even get work treat it more like a home, the students done. It has recently been the number one go don’t care if they are on their phones to for some of the freshmen in the morning. while people are talking to them, or The D-pod couches are filled almost they don’t understand that it’s rude. every single morning with freshmen. They “I think it is a bit unnervplay on their phones, talk to one anothing to walk into the D-pod in the er and stand anywhere and everywhere. morning and the majority are Joshua Morales, one of the on their phones,” said Tennant. many freshmen who sit in the pod, Some of the upperclassclaims that the group began sitting men that have previously sat there there around the middle of the year. Photo By CJ Olds “A lot of people who sit there have class- Freshman sit in their newly conquered territory browsing the do not seem thrilled about it. es in that pod for first period” said Morales. web on their phones. C.J. OLDS Geyser Staff Writer
DANA BASKETT Geyser Staff Writer
Back in 1974, Richard Nixon was resigning, and only four billion people crawled the Earth, and somewhere in a basement Dungeons and Dragons was being born. Now, 45 years later, it’s still thriving in the depths of Park High School. A group following has started off in recent years and has grown in popularity ever since attracting people from all walks of the school. The larger group consists of about 10 boys who meet just about every weekend and play from anywhere around 10p.m. until the wee hours of the morning. The group gathers to sail on magical boats, slay beasts, and chop of each other’s hands, well at least in their minds. Senior River Nichols says that he enjoys the game because “it’s so open.” You create your own character based on race, classes, background, equipment and stats based on a dice roll, and
one person known as the Dungeon Master conducts the story. While they all enjoy playing, the smell of 10 teenage boys in one house has been described as “boy fungus” by senior Kaleb Irish. Part of this might be due to their diet of popcorn, Airheads, and “more soda then you can imagine.” Junior Chase Petrulis estimates around three 12-packs of soda are consumed in one sitting. I had hoped to sit in one of these trans-clique gatherings, but I knew better than to ask. Though one can see the house where they gather from the outside, it’s much harder to understand what happens on the inside. To be allowed entrance, your name is thrown into a chat and voted on. It’s increasingly hard to get the approval of the group as it grows. What started as four or five people sitting around in the afternoons has become an empire of D&D conquests.
Finding space for religion and studies: students in youth groups LILY DE YOUNG Geyser Staff Writer How do youth groups fit into a student’s life? At Park High students are members of various youth groups. Brianna Pittman, Junior, is one member of Livingston Community Youthgroup and has been since she was in 6th grade. LCY doesn’t want to be affiliated with any particular religion but welcomes anyone who wants to join. Pittman says “We meet , eat together , do activities together and do lessons from the Bible that
apply to the stage of life we all are in as teenagers.” Some of her favorite memories have come from LCY’s annual summer camp. These include playing a game called “Ball of doom” where members chase around a six foot ball. Another highlight for Brianna is when she ran into Arnold Schwarzenegger at Pine Creek Falls during an annual youth group hike. Freshman Ilana Patberg also attends LCY and has since 2015. Patberg likes staying up late in the cabin bunks and talking with all her girls at summer camp as well
as playing overnight laser tag. Junior Izzi Petry attends The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints which meets every Sunday and Wednesday nights. Her favorite memories are at girl’s summer camp when she went on a 14-mile round trip hike. Petry says, “It was the hardest thing I have ever done, and yet it was so rewarding. The place we hiked to was the most beautiful place I have ever been in my entire life.” Youth groups aren’t only a part of student’s life but an important part of their structure too.
BUDDY MURPHY Geyser Staff Writer As we all sit here in Park High School, it’s fun to occasionally look back on the days of our early youth, including middle school. For myself, I love to look back on the the cringey days of middle school over at Sleeping Giant Middle School. For myself and a select group of other boys, middle school was full of fun, yet stupid games to pass the time. Roof Tag, the Rock Game and Gibson Time are just a few of the games the boys played. Roof Tag, a form of tag that is played, as you probably guessed, on a roof, was a favorite for us boys. While it was only played on one optimal roof, Lukas Ridgeway’s roof, it created lasting memories: Cole Vondra riding a makeshift zipline off the roof, only to have it fall apart mid -ride and fall 10 feet to the yard, or Lukas Ridgeway and Gibson Erickson jumping off the roof into over sized shrubs for a “soft” landing. Another game was “The Rock game.” While it wasn’t very creative, it was rather dangerous. Out in the side yard of the middle school, boys would bunch up around the trees, and, well, throw rocks in the air and dodge them as gravity brought them hurling back down. Only one victime got clocked by a falling rock, but besides that, the rest of the middle school boys were nimble enough to dodge them.
Photo courtesy of Buddy Murphy
Senior Lukas Ridgeway, as a younger person, runs after his friends in an attempt to beat them with a stick.
8 Entertainment
March 15, 2019
Male pageant returns to PHS in April for BPA fundraiser BY LILY DE YOUNG Geyser Staff
Mr.PHS is back! Everyone’s favorite male pageant is returning for the first time in several years. This school wide and community event is a fun way to spotlight senior boys competing for the prized title of Mr.PHS. Park’s Business Professionals of America chapter is organizing the event as a fundraiser held on April 11 at 6 p.m. in the Gym. These funds will go to help with expenses for State and Nationals (held in Anaheim, California April 29-May 5). Mr. PHS is comprised of five different judged competitions: poise and appearance where they will be escorted by their fellow senior girls, physical fitness where they will dazzle the audience with a group choreographed dance, display their interview skills
by being asked a series of on-the-spot questions, flaunt that winter bod in the swimsuit competition, and finally show the world that talent you’ve been hiding all these years in the talent event. It is a fun event exclusively for senior males. It is open to Park High students and community members with a $5 entry fee (including a raffle ticket). There will be a prize for the winner of Mr.PHS as well as items available for raffle. This year’s show will be emceed by Social Studies teacher Bryan Beitel with judges Alecia Jongeward, Reid Lende, Sarah Dahl, Chris Bausch and Daniel McGrath. Mr. PHS is coordinated by Kaylyn Kuehn and Lily De Young so if you have any additional questions feel free to ask them.
Photo by Chase Petrulis
The new Neptune’s restaurant will feature an outdoor seating area, flanked by an undersea mural. Although snow covered last week, the business opens today.
Neptune’s new location opens downtown this week BY DANA BASKETT Geyser Staff
Braden Fitzgerald, Wolfgang Greger and Cole Burkhardt perform a group number during the 2014 Mr. PHS competition. See this year’s senior boys on April 11.
Here we go again...
The Roman God of the sea Neptune is known to be violent in nature and bad in temperament. This same temperament is perhaps what took Neptunes Brewery from a five-month project to a 13-month one. Neptune’s is a well-known tap house and eatery in town currently located off Park on L street. The owners Lauren Silano and Jon Berens purchased Neptune’s Brewery about five years ago, and under their ownership gained popularity in its beer, food, and more recently sushi. The new building will be flexible to seat more people during the summer time but feel empty in the slower winter. Part of this is solved by one-third of
the seating being outdoors. The building will also have roof top seating. The project became a much larger venture than what was planned. Between the structural soundness of the building and eight weeks for removing asbestos that they didn’t know was there, Silano said the whole experience was “very stressful,” but she also said she’s put her heart and soul into this project. With the opening date on March 15, Silano says that “We’re so close to the opening date, it doesn’t feel real.” The new business will serve a larger menu and expanded bar while the brewery will keep its “hole in the wall” feel, Silano explains.
BY EDEN KIRK Geyser Staff The Shane Center is putting on a production of the musical “Mamma Mia,” based on the songs from ABBA, throughout the month of March. Opening night was on March 1 from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. “Mamma Mia” was chosen to be performed because it has been a popular production recently, especially with last year’s release of the movie sequel, “Mamma Mia 2: Here We Go Again.” The production is currently no longer on Broadway, so they were able to get the legal rights. Preparation for the performance began on Jan. 21. Rehearsals occur al-
most every day from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Park High junior Malea Coleman said, “We have been preparing since about January, starting with learning all the music for two weeks and blocking all the scenes in the weeks leading up to opening night.” On February 24, they ran through the entire performance during a nine-hour practice. Park High students Jonathan Noble, Clara Jones, Malea Coleman, Chase Petrulis, Annika Coleman, Sidney Denniston, Stella Davis, Brianna Pittman, Elizabeth Hewey, Kate Reid, Kenyon Jones, and Gabe Nohl are involved in “Mamma Mia.”
9 Features
March 15, 2019
Internship takes junior to elementary school to help children BY LEINEE SMITH Geyser Staff Writer At Park High, students have the opportunity to do an internship to help them figure out where they are going after they graduate. Brianna Pittman is one of the students who took this opportunity. She started an internship at Winans Elementary School with first grade teacher, Taylor Neibauer. Pittman drives to the elementary school every day after sixth period. By the time she arrives, there is only ten minutes left of school, and this is when they do their reading and writing activities. “I think my favorite activity I help them do is help them write, because it is fun to see what the funny first graders write about”
said Pittman. Many of the students ask her for help and really seem to enjoy having her there. According to Neibauer, “the kids haven’t attached like usual, only because they see her ten minutes a day. They are very sweet and kind to her and they seem to appreciate her being here to help whenever she is here.” Pittman chose this as her internship because she enjoys being around children and teaching is one of the options she is considering to pursue after graduation. According to Pittman, the children have impacted her in a way that makes her realize that “in high school we lose a lot of the kindness and learning how to be kind, so it’s fun to go back and remember what they are learning.” She hopes this experience will help her decide what she wants to do after high school.
photo by Leinee Smith
Brianna Pittman helps a first grader in Taylor Neibauer’s class during her career internship seventh period.
Student proposes changes to sex ed curriculum DANA BASKETT Geyser Staff Writer
Whether you’ve moved on from health class, or if you’re currently taking it, there is often much debate about how it should be taught, and what content should be covered. Park High Junior, Adelle Welch, has been working for a reform of the content students are taught specifically in sex ed. Adelle Welch has been studying the current sex ed curriculum and thinks there are some changes to be made. Though she hasn’t taken health class at Park High, she’s sat in on multiple classes to gauge how classes are currently led. She thinks it’s important to include women’s health, access to contraception, gender studies, and LGBTQ+ in the studies. The study started with a survey of the current students with the help of Gynecologist Denise Helin and Abbie Bandstra from ASPEN who helped set up questions to get a good response. The 65 students surveyed represented an equal sample across all grade levels, “We found that most students knew a lot about men’s and women’s bodies and STI’s. They didn’t know anything about contraception, a little bit about consent, and nothing at all about LGBTQ+,” she said. With this information in mind, Welch went to the health teachers and spoke directly to them about what they currently teach, and she saw that the study was accurate to the current curriculum. She also said that, though she would have to look further into the current plans to see what should be kept, and what’s “not being helpful,” her plan isn’t to completely throw out current teachings. Welch said she feels fortunate to have parents with whom she can discuss things openly, but “I also think that we should recognize, as a community, that not everybody does and that it’s the school’s place to offer that knowledge and that exploration where the home might not.” She also describes comprehensive sex ed as including abstinence. “It does include talking about abstinence but it’s definitely not the only thing that’s talked about.”
Welch worked with Park High administration and staff during her research and she remarked upon how they were all “wonderful to work with.” Principal Lynn Scalia invited her to help on the research team for planning the next curriculum. She even went as far to say that if anyone wants to join her on this planning team, they are welcome to. Though she is currently in the traveling school for three months, Welch says that “it’s definitely going to take a lot more work.” Welch has her eyes on lesson plans from Planned Parenthood that have exercises and teaching plans that cover all the topics she hoped to see covered in a new sex ed program. Nancy Haglund, Freshman health and PE teacher, said she doesn’t mind student involvement in a new curriculum, but she and the local school board has the final say in what is taught. She also said that she doesn’t know how much can be changed because, “I teach a state-wide curriculum.”
10 The World of Work
March 15, 2019
Bakery for pups provides real work experience for sisters Every day after school, Chloe and Taeyha go to The Barkery and help Chloe’s Barkery is a local busi- their parents with anything that needs ness on Main Street operated by Park done. Chloe bakes the treats, helps orHigh students Chloe and Taeyha Mil- der the products, runs the register and sten. At this bakery for dogs, a wide help customers with any questions. She also works every day she variety of treats and toys are sold. doesn’t have school and on the weekChloe came up with the idea while ends. On the weekends, she spends a lot they were visiting The Mall of Ameriof time doing venues with their products. ca over spring break last year. AccordHer favorite products are the gourmet case ing to Chloe, The Mall of America had treats, while their most sold items are the little treats for dogs, and she thought Woofles and Cinnamon Crunch Bones. this would be a great opportunity to Sometimes, when she is working the shop give back to the dogs of Livingston. alone, she has to try to run the register, The business opened up last bake, and answer questions at the same June, and so far they have had a realtime which can be very difficult. Chloe ly good turnout. “We’ve had a lot of customers come in, and we have a lot plans to works at The Barkery full time afof regulars come in too,” said Chloe. ter she graduates from Park High this June.
LEINEE SMITH Geyser Staff Writer
After hours: when going to school isn’t your only job it was difficult to balance working with their school work, Olivia and Elizabeth If you think being a teenager in both said that it is very tough because high school is tough, then try imagining you can’t procrastinate, and you have what it’s like being a student that also has less time to do your work than most kids. However, senior Marcus Miller had one or multiple jobs outside of school. something else to say when asked the same Park High especially has many students question. Miller said, “No, my school work who try to balance working with attendis easy as Kindergarten work. I only have to ing school five days per week. Some of focus on my actual job.” He is only taking these students include Marcus Miller, Olelectives that don’t involve much school ivia Wellbrook, and Elizabeth Wellbrook. work. Miller works at Town & Country, in Elizabeth, a freshman, has worked at the produce department, usually four to five Dairy Queen for six months now. She works days every week. Miller plans on still workthree days every week and soon will be working at Town & Country after high school. ing four days. Separate from all this work, Similar to many other students, Miller she is in zero-hour choir, doesn’t have a and the Wellbrook sisters said they work as Including the those in the story, many students are employed by the Pickle Barrel study hall and has multiple advanced classes. much as they can because they like having right downtown. In the evening, the buisness is completely run by these employees. Her sister Olivia, a junior, works at Shopko and McDonalds five days in to- steady income with their own disposable tal every week. She doesn’t always have money. It helps them be more self-relia lot of school work since she has a study ant and prepared for life after high school. hall to get her work done. When asked if
MCLEOD VERSLAND Geyser Staff Writer
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11 Sports
March 15, 2019
Spring sports: What’s blooming when the snow melts Track yields more athletes than years past ARTICLES WRITTEN BY BRYLEA BEYE
Track practice started March 11. Head coach Ben Hahn said, “The best part of track is seeing a lot of different athletic kids participating in this sport. We get a little bit of everything.” Track offers a variety of events such as sprinting, long distance, javelin, pole vaulting, and long jump. “We have many different events, so everybody can find something they enjoy or are good at,” Hahn added. Junior Nick Battrick explained the track team as “Individually, we are very good because we have very athletic kids that motivate themselves to be very good.” Last year, Ranger runners managed to set two new school records in the 4 x 4 and 4 x 1 on the boy’s side. When asked what the 4 x 4 team will be focusing this year, sophomore Jack Waddell said, they are “just focused on mainly the 400 in general. We lost one of the members on our team, so we are trying to find the next person to step up and take over.” Overall, the track team placed fifth at state and is planning on making their mark higher at state this year. Last years 4 by 1 team celebrating after a victory. From Left to right: Joey Peacher, Colin Marks, Jack Waddell, John Waddell and Coach Hahn.
Park High hopeful for State Tennis bid Even though the tennis courts are still covered with two feet of snow, Park High tennis is planning on starting in the middle of March. Feeding off a successful season last year, the players are ready to go. Along with the bonding factor, two-year team veteran Azalea Vance recently said the best part of tennis is that it is easy to learn. Last year, both boys and girls squads made it to state, giving them a lot of momentum moving forward. “It was better in the past years, but now we have a lot of new people that have grown, and we should have a super good season,” Vance added. Junior Sylvie Schoenen went to state last year with her partner Kodie Vondra, where they won one game before losing out. “I’m really excited since Kodie and I do have a really good chance of going to state,” she said. Both boys and girls compete in singles and doubles. Singles is one player vs
another whereas doubles is two players working together. “Doubles is definitely easier because you can rely on another person to get the ball, and you only have one side of the court to worry about,” Vance said. The tennis team is open for new comers, and with a varsity and JV teams. If you are interested, contact Mrs Wood or Officer Williams.
Senior Peyton Murphy takes a break from practice for a photo, last year.
Softball team looks to make more of a dent in 2019
Softball started March 11 and eight-year softball veteran Haleigh Gilliam could not be more excited. “The adrenaline that you get when you’re playing sports definitely has to be my favorite part,” Gilliam said. Due to a small roster, the softball team struggled to make a huge stab against some teams last year, but Gilliam is confident that they can build on what they started. “When we started trusting and working as a team, it got better,” she said. Junior third baseman Reagan Frantz said they are adding a group of freshmen to the team, and most of last year’s roster will be returning except for five players who graduated. This will be head coach Julie Higgs’ second year at the helm, and Frantz said, “she’s amazing.” Even though the fields are covered in snow, Gilliam said they have been doing batting practice in the gym
after school. One of the goals Gilliam has for the season is “I would really like to make it to state, and if we have the mind set to keep pushing ourselves, I think we have a really good chance to.”
Last year’s softball team gets hyped before an early game.
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March 15, 2019
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