The Reporter October 2020 issue

The

Reporter

Paola High SChool | Volume 95 | Issue 1 October 2020 | 401 N. Angela St Paola, Kansas, 66071 |

Contents

editorial

3 Staff Editorial

School news

4 New Voters 5 Cheer Can’t Stunt 7 Change through Covid-19

Opinions

8 Accepting Yourself/ Pink Tax 9 Social Injustice/ Self Defense

Features

10-11 Inktober 12 Working Back to Back 13 Shake and Bake: Lily Hay

Sports

14 Now or Never 15 Behind the Masks

Features

16 18 19 20

Recruitment Process Giving Back Suicide Week Long-time Friendships

On the Cover

Seth Aistrup, junior, cheers at the volleyball game on Sept. 29. Aistrup showed support to the volleyball team at all of the volleyball games and cheered on his Panthers.

“Seth is the best fan we’ve ever had. He gets hype for us and even writes our names and numbers on him with Sharpie,” Rylan Armbruster, senior, said.

2

Above: Rachel Reimer, sophomore, plays in a tennis match against Ottawa on Sept. 17. This was Reimer’s second year on the team. “Tennis is a fun game to play, the team is like a family,” Reimer said. Photo by Taylor Francis, senior

Cheer: Best Game: Sept. 18 Location: Panther Stadium Cross Country: Best Meet: Sept. 12 Location: Melvern Lake Football: Best Game: Sept. 18 Location: Tonganoxie Soccer: Best Game: Sept. 28 Location: Baldwin Tennis: Best Meet: Sept. 27 Location: Forest Park Volleyball: Best Game: Sept. 24 Location: Chanute

The Reporter October 2020 contents

“The first home game they were nervous, but the second they performed well.”

Source: Regina Hollinger, cheer coach “Girls’ team took advantage of the second week of the season to lock in a big win against numerous schools.”

Source: Ali McCullough, cross country coach “They’re one of the best coached teams and have one of the best running backs in the state.”

Source: Todd Weaver, football coach

“We played physical and were able to posses the ball more than any other game.”

Source: Ben Timpe, senior

“Everyone from PHS tennis team won a match.”

Source: Jenna Stover, senior

“We played very good and had good hits. Overall we worked as a team.”

Source: Gracie Richmond, junior

Design By Rileigh Dale

The Reporter

Staff list

Rush the polls why voting should be a priority

Editors in Cheif

Abby Heger & Liv Meridith

Ethan Cerros pho editor

For: 29 Against: 0

Design By Abby Heger

Absent: 3

Managing Editors

Addison Smith & Lily Woolsey

Photo editor

Ethan Cerros

Design Editor Rileigh Dale

Copy Editors

Abby Richmond & Emma Behrendt

Online Editors

Natalie Glassel & Mady Robertson

Ads Manager

Taylor Murdock

Senior ads managers

Carlie Stallbaumer & Kylee Slyter

Reporters

or in this case, the President of the United States for the next four years The process of election has been ingrained into this generation’s memory ever since we were young. Every election year we were reminded about how and why we vote, but that shows the importance of the event is.

Encouragement for this generation to go out and contribute to America through what the country gives us, is one main part of being a loyal citizen in a thriving country. Due to recent events, contribution to the betterment of our country is needed more than ever. Thankfully, alternative voting opportunities opened up to allow voting to be an easier process for everyone.

Due to most Americans having to stay at home for the past six months, states opened up the opportunity for

mail-in ballots to be accepted.

According to NBC News, 36 states, including Kansas, accepted voting through mail without a valid excuse.

So if walking to the nearest voting destination isn’t in someone’s best interest, all that’s needed is an envelope and a mailbox to contribute to the election: an easy process that encourages everyone to go out and vote.

No reason exists to not contribute to history. Everyone should consider being a part of any event that has an impact on their daily life. Even if it may not have a gigantic impact on someone’s life, consideration for other citizens is a form of appreciation which everyone can agree. So I encourage everyone to do their part either this year, or until the next election, to be an active citizen; even if I’m not old enough yet.

Adviser

BriAnne Chayer

Social Medias

Instagram Editor Ariana Gallagher

Twitter: @Paola Journalism

Instagram: @phsjournalism

It is the policy of the Paola Reporter to provide a forum for student expression, voices in the uninhibited, robust, free, and open discussion of issues. The Reporter encourages students to write letters to the editor or submit articles for the editorial page. We reserve the right to edit content. Material that contains libelous or obscene information will not be published. Material that will cause a disruption of school activities is also prohibited. Authors must provide their full name.

No articles will be published with an alias.

Volume 95 Issue 1

Mission statement

Art By: Delana Johnston

Hannah Billesbach, Taylor Francis, Brooklyn Harmon, Katie Heger, Emma Johnson, Delana Johnston, Jayda Logan, Emma Oldfield, Lilia Parks, Abi Shore, Emersyn Smith, Anna Campa, Aby Koelsch, Lillie Ball, Erica DaSilva, Hazel Downum, Emma Jenkins, Sylive Klaasmeyer, Sheldon Martin, Ashley Winterschied and Avery Wintershied

The reporter editorial policy

I wish I was Ethan cerros born in Septemphoto editor ber; or at least any month before November. Missing the opportunity to vote in the 2020 presidential election is not fun. Imagine having to miss one of the biggest events in history, and quite possibly the biggest event of the year; which is saying a lot considering big events were wiped off the face of the Earth in the past six months.

If I was given a chance to vote this year, I would jump at the opportunity. Unfortunately, this year I am like many 17-year-old Americans to have a birthday after the event but that shouldn’t stop me from encouraging this generation of new eligible voters to submit their ballots, and officially be active members of this nation.

Voting isn’t a new concept for this generation. Gen Z has been voting since elementary school; when plans for “Funday Friday” were determined through class vote. to either have a pizza party or a popcorn movie day.

All of us, hungry and hyper, would choose based on our stomach’s interest, with our heads down and our hands raised. In many ways voting for a president is the same.

Through the 26th amendment, any resident 18 years or older can take part in the process of electing a president.

Much like voting for an elementary class event, the majority vote helps determine the fate of Funday Friday,

2020-2021

Staff Editorial

The Reporter is for the students, by the students. The goal of the Reporter is to give the students a voice, and provide an open forum of ideas while maintaining an ethical publication with unbiased coverage.

The Reporter october 2020 Editorial

3

november 3rd Newbies seniors navigate their way through voting for the first time Katie Heger Reporter

Addison Smith managing Editor

Nikki Bates, senior said voting day is very intimidation for her “It’s a very stressful thing and I still don’t know who I’m voting for,” Bates said.

Bates said the adults in her life helped educate her on current events, and she has started to watch the news to keep up with the current events and politics overall.

The events of the past six months only add to the stress of the 2020 presidential election, on Nov. 3. This year’s first time voters will help decide the next four years of the United States government.

Bates said she talks about politics with her family, but she refrains from discussing politics with friends. Although she keeps informed, Bates said she isn’t interested in politics. “[Politics] are the most boring thing ever, but it’s kind of a hot topic right now, so I’ll focus on it,” Bates said.

Bates said 18-year-olds should be more informed about the election and candidates, even if they don’t care about politics.

“If they can’t vote, people should still know what’s going on so they aren’t completely clueless,” Bates said.

I VOTED Art by: Addison Smith

4

The Reporter October 2020 School News

She said new voters should cast their ballots on Nov. 3.

Tristin Bright, senior, said she isn’t worried about politics because she is still a teenager, but still thinks it is important to vote and form her own opinions. “[I’m informed] depending on what the subject is over. Everyone has their own views, so there isn’t really a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer,” Bright said.

Bright said her family was not pushing her to decide who to vote for because they all have different opinions and they’ve left her to form her own. “[Politics] definitely can start many arguments and feuds, especially in my family,” Bright said.

Bright said even though she isn’t interested in politics in general, she will be voting on Nov. 3.

Todd Weaver, Government teacher, said voting is a way for people to voice their opinions for what they want done in politics. He said even if a person doesn’t think their vote counts in the federal election, it matters.

“Your vote does matter in Paola and the state of Kansas, even if you feel your vote doesn’t matter in the presidential election. When you vote, there’s more than just voting for the president of the United States,” Weaver said.

Vote

Q & A

with Kira Dent, senior Do you wish you could vote?

Yes, I wish I could vote. I’ve learned that voting is so important and at the same time, it allows you to have a say in what happens post election.

Do you encourage others to vote?

I highly encourage others to vote. We’re taught from a young age, whether it’s in school or by your family, that you should always “stand up for what’s right.” I believe that when you don’t vote, you are standing up for nothing at all and not using the voice you have. Others who can’t vote depend on you and your vote potentially can help shape our future.

Do you consider yourself well informed when it comes to politics?

I think I am educated on politics. Knowing what sites to trust, videos to watch and even talking with someone of the opposite party are all great ways to educate yourself. I have come to be very interested in politics and always want to learn more. It can be extremely frustrating and hard to listen to things that actually happen sometimes, but I would much rather be educated than not.

The more you are interested in it, the more you will learn who/what to trust and the more educated you will be.

When did you realize you liked to speak out about politics?

I realized I like speaking out on politics when I got really into it. I know so many people are uneducated, we were all there at some point, and positing about it on social media can help educate them. It also brings awareness to people who don’t care or have no idea what’s going on.

Design By Addison Smith

Bring It on cheer team adapts to new restrictions The roar of the crowd and bubbling excitement fill Managing editoR the autumn air under the Friday night lights. The anticipation for football games hasn’t changed, despite the addition of masks, crowd restrictions and the change in cheer routines.

Brett Hudgeons, sophomore, said bonding is harder this year without the usual team dinners, sleepovers, stunting and camp. Instead, the team tries new, creative ideas to form strong connections with their teammates.

“We do scavenger hunts and write each other nice, uplifting notes,” Hudgeons said.

Hudgeons said the crowd reacts differently to the cheer routines. Even with an increase in crowd participation cheers, the cheering is not the same.

“If we do stunts, [the crowd] pays attention more,” Hudgeons said.

Having to transition from stunting to only cheers and dances did not surprise the team.

Regina Hollinger, cheer coach, knew when the Covid-19 pandemic struck, it was going to affect her cheer season.

“We were mandated with a mask here and we

lily woolsey

Art by Emersyn Smith

Q & A

knew automatically we weren’t going to be able to stunt,” Hollinger said.

Hollinger said stunting is an important part of cheer, but doesn’t play as big of a role as she thought. She said the change is something the team works around, but misses.

“The girls love to do it,” Hollinger said, “I just can’t wait for it to come back.”

Hollinger said, considering the circumstances, her team handles the restrictions positively. It’s a team effort to make everything work.

“We’re just making the best we can out of a situation we’ve been given, and I can’t wait for this to all be over with, so we can go back to a normalcy with our sport,” Hollinger said.

Leigha Cox, freshman, said the team focuses on cheers, jumps, motions and sharpness more than ever because of the lack of stunts.

“Stunting gave us another way to be active and add some fun,” Cox said.

Cox said every member of the team has a similar role this year without the stunting groups-- to support each other.

“We all have one job and that is to cheer on the Panthers and get the crowd excited,” Cox said.

with Alea Russell, senior How is practice different?

It is a lot shorter and it goes by faster. It is definitely boring since we can’t stunt.

What else is restriced?

Run through is different because we have to social distance and practice has to be a lot different since we only work on cheers and not stunting.

How has your mindset changed?

I don’t think my mindest has really changed, but I try to have a positive outlook. Sometimes it’s hard, but I try my best.

Top: Leigha Cox, freshman, cheers on the Panthers at the football game on Sept. 18. The Panthers beat Tonganoxie 35-28. “It was a little nerve wracking. Overall, it was a fun experience,” Cox said. {Photo by Brooklyn Harmon} Above: Brett Hudgeons, sophomore, paints the banner for the football game run through.

The cheer team painted the banner on Sept. 17. “Everyone comes to practice on Thursday ready to work together. It’s a good time to talk and get to know each other,” Hudgeons said. {Photo by Kylee Slyter}

Cheer by the numbers 1 30 4 21 7 4

Hours spent on banners Number of cheers at the games Hours a week at practice Cheerleaders on the team New teammates Games left

Source: Regina Hollinger, cheer coach

Design By Emersyn Smith

The Reporter October 2020 School News

5

Happy Curtis Long – 913-294-5199 Monty Chayer – 913-285-5087

Fall

Y’all The journalism staff would like to wish you a safe and happy season filled with pumpkin spice, bonfires and hot apple cider.

Did you know there is FREE online ACT & SAT Prep through the State Library of Kansas?

PFL also has Study Rooms and Mobile Hotspots available for check-out.

Go to paolalibrary.org or call 913259-3655 for more details!

6

The Reporter October 2020 Ads

Check out

@PaolaJournalism

on Twitter and @phsjournalism on Instagram for our latest Panther news

Design By Taylor Murdock

Adapti n g to Change theater and band change due to Covid-19 Above: Trenton Sullivan, junior, practices his trumpet on Sept. 8., during band class. Sullivan performed during the half-time show at the football game on Sept. 4 . He had been in band for three years. {Photo by Delana Johnston} Left: Tabithia Cantrell, senior, works on lights on Sept. 10., during theater class.

Cantrell is the lights technician and doesn’t have time to act anymore. “Because I don’t act anymore, nothing has really changed for me,” Cantrell said. {Photo by Ethan Cerros}

Tim Starks, band teacher, said this is a learning year for everyManaging Editor one.

Starks, and other teachers throughout the district, have rearranged their class structures and reworked how they teach to adjust to COVID-19 guidelines and safety regulations.

“Normally, we would be spending a lot of time learning marching formations and moving all over the football field. This year we are eliminating that and we are staying 6 feet apart while the band is just playing standing still,” Starks said.

The band students have special masks to wear when playing their instruments.

“A playing mask is sort of like a regular mask. They put a small slit into it, just enough for a mouthpiece to be able to fit through it. Even when you’re using the mouthpiece, anything that might’ve come out of the side of your mouth or even your nose is being caught by the mask,”

Addison Smith

Design By Hannah Billesbach & Liv Meridith

Starks said.

Across the hall, a lot has changed for the theater department as well.

Tabitha Cantrell, senior, said that, in theater, it has been harder to connect with people due to masks. She also said their conferences have been canceled due to the pandemic. She said she still enjoys the class and not much else has changed for her.

“I’m pretty pumped about still getting to do something I love and being surrounded by people who also love it, while building a world for an audience to enjoy,” Cantrell said.

Leslie Coats, theater teacher, restructured her assignments and changed the way she teaches.

“I did everything on paper and now I’m doing a lot more digitally. It’s made me reexamine what I’ve been doing all along. Some of the changes are probably things I would have done anyway,” Coats said.

She said a majority of their first theater production will be rehearsed in class, instead of having after school

rehearsals, so they don’t have to keep moving back and forth between school and home.

“I think the transitioning [from school to home to school again] is difficult, particularly when you’re trying to maintain some degree of bubble,” Coats said.

For their first show, Coats said they plan to Livestream the performance along with having a limited live audience, Oct. 29 and 31. -- with four one-act plays: Limbo, The Lottery, This Is Not A Test and Cosmic Fruit Bowl.

Coats said because of the mask mandate, she is looking for creative ways to incorporate them into the show.

“I am looking for things that will not get in the way, where [wearing masks] is something that will add to the show, and the next show lends itself to hitting people at a distance, so distancing is kind of built in,” Coats said.

She said that while distancing and wearing masks can be limiting, she is making the modifications work.

“I think if we make the right choices, it doesn’t necessarily get in the way of what we are going to do,” Coats said.

The reporter October 2020 Features

7

Accepting yourself overcoming society’s mold

“Society creates an impossible mold, expecting all women to fit into a box of unrealistic expectations. We do not have to look a certain way to be beautiful.”

-Senior taylor murdock Scrolling through Instagram, I see pictures Society creates an impossible mold,exof these flawless women with small waists pecting all women to fit into a box of unreand glowing skin . It makes me think: alistic expectations. We do not have to look a “ Am I fat?” “Wow. I am ugly.” certain way to be beautiful. Society makes These phrases follow me throughout high us think we need to be tiny, have beautischool. ful hair, and no flaws. In reality, we don’t Girls wake up early in the morning to put have to be the tiniest person in the room. on makeup and fix their hair. They put so We don’t have to have the clearest skin. We much work into looking “pretty,” it becomes don’t have to go around constantly worrying all they think about. about what others think about us, because it According to Psychology Today, 56 percent doesn’t matter. Our actions and our attitude of women say they feel dissatisfied with their matter. appearance. I used to fall in this 56 percent.

My freshman year, I dressed up every day.

So, why do we tell ourselves we look bad? I fixed my hair and applied makeup. By my It’s our self esteem. sophomore year I told We have low self-esmyself, “I don’t need to teem because we impress people by how I compare ourselves look.” I dressed up for myto others. Accordself when I felt like it, not ing to The Atlanbecause I worried about tic, four out of five others’ judgment. I realwomen have low ized I shouldn’t want to self esteem caused look like everyone else. by society’s porEvery day, I hear sometrayal of women as one say “I look so ugly,” “or small and perfect.

“I’m fat.” These comments

Source: Twitter While looking get into their heads so they up statistics about women as perfection- believe it. ists, suggestions popped up like: “How are I used to be so hard on myself. I obsessed Women Supposed to Act?” “What Makes a about the idea that I was fat or I was ugly. I Woman Attractive Physically?” “What Fea- would always find something about myself tures Make a Woman Beautiful?” Women to criticize. It took time, but I know my apshouldn’t rely on the internet to tell them pearance doesn’t define me. how to look good.

The people in my life love me because I We see these “perfect people” with skinny am me. Just remember when those harsh waists and flawless skin, and trick ourselves words you are telling yourself are tearing into thinking it’s real. We strive to look like you down, you are beautiful. them, when we’re really trying to look like the Photoshopped version of them.

8

The Reporter October 2020 Opinions

The pink facts women pay more for products

“Shining a little light on it and acting now means pink tax won’t stay in the dark forever.”

- Senior Emma Behrendt When I walk into a store on a mis- create an extra cost on products marksion,to grab something as simple as ted to women to take advantage of deodorant, I shouldn’t have to com- them? No logical reason exist to price pare my basic women’s deodorant to products more because the label says men’s deodorant. Why should I have to “women” and the package is pink. wonder why my deodorant costs more To make the issue even worse, womthan the same deodorant labeled as en pay more for personal items while men’s? eking out a living in an inequitable So, instead of standing there and gender wage gap. According to census looking in awe at the dollar price in- reports, women currently earn about crease it costs me to wear women’s 81.6 cents for each dollar earned by a deodorant, I went man and need home and startto work about ed researching.

25 percent more Google blew time than men up with articles to make up the about the “pink difference. tax.”

Gender disWhat even c r i m i n at i o n is pink tax? exists and it Let me explain: hits even hardfrom the day a er in the pockgirls is born, etbook when she costs more. women are Not because her forced to pay parents decided more for day-toSource: AxThePinkTax website

to put her in frilly day products than dresses and Mary Janes, but because their male counterparts. of her gender. Stores and manufacturPink tax is gender discrimination ers charge extra for female products and shouldn’t be overlooked. The next because they can. According to Mi- time you’re at a store, consider buying chael Cone, a trade lawyer, pink tax is unisex products or men’s products to price gouging. Anything from razors, save money. to clothes to soap and shampoo costs We can’t let private companies women at least 7 percent more than profit off of the fact that girls need to men, according to the Listenmoney- buy products, too. matters web site.

Shining a little light on it and actPink tax is gender discrimination. ing now means pink tax won’t stay in But still, this concept of a pink tax for the dark forever. women almost lives in the dark.

Why would someone ever think to

Designed by Emma Behrendt and taylor murdock

stop the silence owning up to the oppression

“While you can argue other economic factors go into these statistics, it doesn’t hide the fact that a demographic can’t thrive in a system built to fail them.”

Lily Woolsey managing editor

make the change before it’s too late

“The Earth is our only home. Earth does nothing but provide for us, but we only hurt her in return.”

-junior Lily Woolsey

We live in a world where a 17-year-old white male can walk around a peaceful protest with a semi-automatic rifle and kill two protesters. His attorney, John Pierce, said, “Kyle Rittenhouse will go down in American history alongside that brave unknown patriot… who fired ‘The Shot Heard Round the World.”

We live in a world where Ahmaud Arbery couldn’t go for a run, George Floyd couldn’t pay for his groceries, Breonna Taylor couldn’t sleep in her bed, Elijah McClain couldn’t walk home. Countless other innocent Black, Indigenous, and/ or People of Color (BIPOC) died at the hands of prejudice.

In the Presidential Debate on Sept.

29, the moderator asked President Trump, “Are you willing to condemn white supremacists?”

Trump avoided the question and accused left-wing groups for the violent protests and riots in our country.

However, according to the ACLED website, 93 percent of Black Lives Matter protests over the summer were peaceful. He followed this with telling the Proud Boys, a misogynistic, white nationalist hate group, to “stand back and stand by.” If the leading politicians in our country can’t denounce racism, how does that represent the “United” States?

White privilege is having a lack of disadvantages due to the color of your skin because of the racial inequalities in society. To ignore the existence of white privilege adds to the oppression of BIPOC

Design By Lily woolsey

The Earth We Do Not Own

and tolerates racial discrimination in our country. White privilege aids in many areas of life, from prejudices affecting who is hired for a job to disparities in the justice system.

Walter McMillian, a Black man from Alabama, was convicted and sentenced for a murder he didn’t commit in 1988.

Equal Justice Initiative said three witnesses testified against McMillian, but he had multiple alibi witnesses. The jury ignored the alibis and sentenced McMillian for life. The judge overrode the verdict and sentenced McMillian to death.

Following his conviction, McMillian started forming his appeal. After investigation, evidence was found proving McMillian innocent, including tape recordings of witnesses being fed false information. After six years, the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals ruled McMillian’s case unconstitutional. The judges agreed the state and District Attorney Theodore Pearson withheld evidence.

As a white person, ignoring the privilege I have in my daily life ignores the extra opportunities I have, the extra barriers BIPOC overcome and the effect prejudices have on everyday life. Acknowledging the mistakes of the past, educating ourselves for growth, advocating for the unheard and holding our politicians and lawmakers accountable for their actions will cultivate a society with social justice and equality.

CarlyguestMarkovich writer

-Senior Carly Markovich

If I could fight for each individual who faces injustice, I would. I would speak up for everyone with a silenced voice; however, humans can fight for themselves.

One thing cannot speak up. The Earth is the greatest victim of injustice because it must rely on others to speak for it. No voice seems loud enough to be heard over millions of industries that exploit and discard Earth’s natural resources. If I answered the highest calling of my heart, I would fight endlessly to save our planet.

The individual is not at fault for climate injustice, yet only the individual seeks change. Corporations are the culprit, yet corporations refuse to change. Money drives corporate actions. They tear down trees, pollute oceans, drill for oil, and destroy other natural habitats in the name of profit. If every human being took a step back and saw the simple miracle of our existence on Earth, we could end climate change. We could see we did not create the Earth.

Countless species inhabit the Earth, yet humans take the most advantage of it. Even if it takes my entire life, I believe I can raise awareness and completely change the human condition of disregarding problems we do not immediately see, problems almost intangible.

Art catalyzes change. I believe that one of the most powerful tools for raising awareness is the camera. With my photography, I can show people how the Earth hurts. I can show them how entire species of animals and entire biomes suf-

fer because of climate change. I can show them how we will one day die by our own hands if we do not change our lifestyles, if we keep giving our money to corporations who terrorize the Earth.

Two of my biggest inspirations are Paul Nicklen and Cristina Mittermeier, two scientists fighting to save the Earth and her wonders. Their beautiful photography and groundbreaking work in conservation answered a question I struggled with all my life: what do I want to be? I want to be an artist for change, a scientist for compassion, and an advocate for Earth.

My heart calls for me to be many things in life. Who says I cannot be all of them?

Humans readily accept a life of being one thing. We think no different way to live exists than what we learn from a young age.

The Earth is our only home. Earth does nothing but provide for us, but we only hurt her in return. We abuse her by living unnecessarily luxurious lives. To reduce our carbon footprint, we must see the possibility and joy of simple lifestyles.

We do not need to destroy forests and habitats in order to build casinos, mansions, malls, or sports stadiums.

The desire for those stems from unchecked greed and a lust for fabricated entertainment. If I could open humanity’s eyes to see that we are, at the most basic level, just animals who roam the world like any other, then perhaps we can overcome our superiority complex and treat the Earth kindly.

The Reporter October 2020 opinions

9

October 1 Fish

October 2 Wisp

october 3 october 4 Radio Bulky October 5 Blade October 6 october 7 Fancy

Rodent

October 9 Throw

October 10 Hope October 11 october 12 Slippery

October 14 Armor

INKTOBER prompts created by Jake Parker are taken on as an challenge for growth in art classes

Q & A

Disgusting

october 13 Dune October 15 Outpost

october 16 October 17 Storm Rocket October 19 Dizzy October 20 Coral october 21 october 22 Chef Sleep October 23 RIP October 24

What do you enjoy most about INKTOBER? I love the challenge. I love seeing what people in the whole entire world do. If you look at the hashtags for each day, then you can see what everyone else is doing. It is cool to bounce ideas off my students because they are doing it at the same time.

Does the same group of students participate every year?

It has a big range of kids. A lot of kids attempt it and around day 17 they all want to die and quit.

At around day 26, they kind of push on. It is really hard to complete, so we don’t have very many kids do it.

Dig

W hat has been your favorite prompt in INKTOBER? There was an exhausted prompt and I drew myself with my hand on my face really exhausted.

It was funny because I had three other students draw me with that face.

Float

What kind of artwork do students create for INKTOBER? For each day of the month for October students were assigned one drawing per day for 31 days. They get a prompt each day and whatever comes to their brain, they draw.

october 25 October 26 Hide Buddy October 27 Music October 28 october 29 october 30 Ominous Shoes october 31 Crawl

10

with DeAnna Morgan, art teacher

The Reporter October 2020 Features

Above: Abby Cook, senior, completes a prompt for the INKTOBER extra credit. Cook completed the 2019 prompt and now has her name on the Inktober wall in Deanna Morgan, art teacher’s, classroom. Cook hopes to complete this years challenge. {Photo by Lilia Parks} Right: DeAnna Morgan, art teacher, finished a previous year’s prompt, ‘overgrown,’ for INKTOBER. {Photo by Emma Johnson}

Design By Emma Johnson, Lilia Parks and Liv Meridith

11

working Back to Back panthers work back and forth between extracurriculars Justice Quillin, senior, said as cheerleader, she felt like a role CO-COPY EDITOR model for younger girls and boys and that makes her hold her head up a little higher. Originally, Quillin said she started cheering because she loves football and likes to be able to cheer the guys on.. Quillin had a passion for cheer ever since she cheered in seventh grade while she lived in Arkansas. Quillin also plays for the band.

“The pros would be that I am able to do both which I love, my practices don’t interfere with each other so that’s amazing. The cons would be I don’t get to play up in the stands with the band because I’m cheering during quarters,” Quillin said.

Quillin said communication was important when it came to band and cheer. While she participates in these extracurriculars, she keeps a job at Vintage Park, as a CNA. “It’s absolutely amazing. I love my job, my residents are fantastic. So far, I work Wednesdays right after school, I do a 2-10 shift every other Saturday, and I fill the rest of

EMMA BEHRENDT

my weekends with a 3-8 shift so I stay pret- ty busy,” Quillin said. “But so far along with working, cheer and band is going good, it can be crazy but I make it work.”

Another student who works between activities is Abby Cook, senior. Cook took on both dance and band.

Cook started band in the sixth grade and said she really enjoyed the class. Another factor that encouraged Cook to join was her dad because he was in a band, so she grew up around music all her life.

Cook started dancing for middle school in the seventh grade but overall had danced for fifteen years.

“I really love being able to express myself through an art such as dance,” Cook said.

Cook said being involved in multiple activities makes it really hard to relax or have her own time.

“The pros to being in multiple activities is that you get to exercise your brain and learn to multitask,” Cook said, “Sometimes you will have to practice both activities on the same day and it gets overwhelming.”

On game days, Cook stays after school to walk down the band in her dance uniform, play for pregame and then

Q & A

runs across the field to perform with the dance team.

As the extracurricular activities seem to keep students very busy, coaches were trying to keep up as well.

Morgan Roth, english teacher and football and baseball coach, coaches two teams in one season. He coaches as head football coach at Paola Middle School, as well as helping on the football team for the high school.

“I chose education and coaching because I wanted to work with young people every day, and to be honest, it is the relationship piece that makes me refuse to call teaching and coaching ‘work’,” Roth said.

Roth said he considers himself very fortunate to have the opportunity, although it could be challenging at times. He said if he continued coaching both middle school and high school levels, he could potentially coach an athlete for seven consecutive years.

“I get to watch them physically, mentally and emotionally grow into a man,” Roth said, “To have a ‘front row seat’ to that is something truly special and I cherish it.”

with Brayden Johnson, 11 What activities are you involved in?

I am involved in SkillsUSA, FFA, football, wrestling and track and field.

What is the hardest thing about being involved in multiple extracurriculars?

The hardest thing is making time for everything.

What are the pros and cons to this?

The pros would be bonding with people, teamwork, and having fun. The cons would be making time for everything and getting school work done.

What is it like jumping from one activity to the other?

It is busy and hectic. I am trying to make it to everything on time.

Above: Justice Quillin, senior, performs in the drumline on Sept. 4. Quillin said communication is very important when it comes to band and cheer. Quillin had a passion for cheer ever since she cheered in seventh grade while she lived in Arkansas. {Photo by Abby Heger}

12

The Reporter October 2020 Features

design by Emma Behrendt and Emma Oldfield

1 in 594

a series providing a glimpse into the life of one out of the 594 unique students at PHS

Shake and Bake Lily Hay creates an online baking business “Hay Sweets!”

Lily Hay, junior, had the baking is her forte. She makes some amazing desidea of starting an online serts. Lily is a good artist and is creative, which Jayda Logan Reporter baking business after her shows in her creations,” Jimmy said. mom showed off a couple Jimmy and the other members of the household of her sweets on her Face- learned to work around Lily as she creates her book page, and everyone went wild. Requests for masterpieces. cookies, brownies and macaroons started flying “Oftentimes Lily is using the kitchen after in. mealtimes or on the weekends, so it works out “Everyone had interest in my baking and I de- pretty well,” Jimmy said. cided to make a business out of it,” Hay said.

Christi, Hay’s mother also helps the business.

She has her own Facebook page called Hay creating her Facebook group and helps with marSweets!, then she got to work. Hay keting, choosing recipes and Sweets! has 260 followers. packaging and arranging deHay has always had a passion livery/pickup of the item”. I help for the kitchen. Her mother taught by cleaning up, washing dishes, “Everyone had interest her the basic baking skills. When and shopping for supplies as well in my baking and I decidshe was growing up. When she as assisting with customer delived to make a business got older and started teaching ery,” Jimmy said. herself more advanced techLily’s mom helps out in the out of it” niques to master her treats. Hay kitchen, but her father taught her uses these self-taught talents to about the business side of runfuel her business. ning your own shop.

Hay spends about 14 hours a “I have given her advice decidweek baking for her customers. ing how much to charge for them.

She tries to get all her orders done in a timely She keeps track of her finances and manages her manner and works hard to balance her school own checking account and venmo which customwork and her small business. ers use to pay for items,” Jimmy said.

“I try to complete one order each day so I don’t Lily’s family agrees that Hay’s Sweets are a get overwhelmed with a bunch of orders all at one great thing for customer’s taste buds and to pretime. Then on the weekends, I bake a lot and com- pare her for the future. plete several orders,” Hay said.

“It builds a good work ethic to earn money Hay said she has a great support system. Her while learning how to successfully run a busiparents taught her how to manage her time, help ness. She is learning marketing for her company package and taste test her products. Her father, called Hay Sweets, and there are many skills that Jimmy Hay, is a key factor in Hay Sweets!, she will help her in the future if she chooses to be said. self-employed or otherwise,” Jimmy said.

“Lily is a great cook and making desserts and

Lily hay, 11

The Reporter October 2020 Features

Above: Lily Hay, junior, bakes her famous macaroons by filling a piping bag with frosting on Sept. 2. She is working hard to fill her orders for the week. {Photo by Addison Smith} Below: Lily Hay, junior, adds the filling to her macaroons on Sept. 2. She is making her special birthday cake flavor of macroons. {Photo by Addison Smith} Rating: Hay’s Lindsey Boedicker, senior rated her business overall five stars, “5!! I love her chocolate chip cookies and puppy chow, she also has cute packaging and delivers straight to my door which is so convenient.” Boedicker said.

Design By Jayda Logan & Emma Johnson

13

Now or Never senior night moved to start of the season With her older Macfarlane started cross country in sister and parents middle school and has stuck with it ever Reporter in attendance, Se- since. His main focus for every race is to nior Rylan Arm- beat his previous times. bruster got to walk across the volleyball For Macfarlane, senior night has been a court Sept. 3 to celebrate her four years as huge light at the end of a tunnel. Macfara panther athlete. lane’s special factor was getting to share Students’ families come to support their this moment with his parents. loved ones in their activity.

His favorite aspect about cross country Administrators decided to move senior is getting to participate with friends. night from the last game to an earlier Paola football is one of the many sports game in the schedule, in that a lot of the community case school has to be shut and Paola alumni come to “You look forward to it down in the middle of the support. The stands fill with season. cheering. “It felt great to get all your years because “It’s something I’ve alback out there, especially afyou go to the games ways looked forward to. ter not knowing if we’d have a growing up, watching I’ve always known I’m not season for so long. I felt gratereally planning on playful to be able to play despite them.” ing past high school, so it’s the circumstances of several like the big game you get,” other teams and schools not said Armbruster. getting to do what we are doArmbruster says this ing,” Isaac Meyers said. specific game is something she’s always “You look forward to [senior night] all looked to for motivation to keep pushing your years because you go to the games through. growing up, watching them. It’s just cool,” “If you just spend the whole season wor- Meyers, senior, said. rying about [COVID-19] then you won’t have Meyers played football since the third a good time,” Armbruster said. grade and has every intention to finish out Many athletes, including Armbruster, his last season with a bang. try to stay positive during these times.

“I realize how blessed we are to play this They can remember that no one is alone. game and not take it for granted,” Meyers Senior cross country runner, Jordan Mac- said. farlane, has been with cross country since He plans to attend Johnson County Comseventh grade and trained hard for every munity College until he figures out his real season. passion.

Katie Heger

Isaac Meyers, 12

pros

Rylan armbruster, 12, on early senior night cons &

14

PRO: “It wasn’t promised to us, but we are getting to have it which is great.”

CON: “It’s only our second game of the season, usually we

Top: Isaac Meyers, senior, plays offense during the football game at the Panther Stadium on Sept 4. The Panthers won the game against Bonnor Springs 63-0. “It felt great to get back out there, especially after not knowing if we’d have a season for so long. I felt very grateful to be able to play despite the circumstances of several other teams and schools not getting to do what we are doing. Since our season was at risk, and still is, I think it made my teammates and I realize how blessed we are to play this game and not take it for granted,” Meyers said. {Photo by Abby Heger} Bottom: Rylan Armbruster, senior, stands for pictures with her parents, Dallas and Sandy on Senior Night Sept 3. The girls won their games against Leavenworth, 3-1. “When they announced my name it felt great.

I have watched so many seniors walk out with their parents and it was so amazing to finally experience it myself,” Armbruster said. {Photo by Katie Heger}

have more time to get ready.”

The Reporter October 2020 sports

Design by kylee slyter

Behind The Masks athletes make adjustments to have a fall season Soccer player Hayden Worden, sophomore, said it Copy editor took him anywhere from three to seven days to adjust to wearing masks. Worden said the soccer team takes precautions like wearing masks and social distancing throughout practice.

“We have to bring our own water bottles now.

No drinking out of the [water fountain],” Worden said, “You can fill them up, but you have to wipe it down when you’re done.”

Worden wears his mask on the sidelines, but doesn’t have to wear one while playing in games.

He said he isn’t paranoid about catching Covid-19 at practice. Worden said he is just on the field to play and get better.

Essential workers, teachers, business owners, students, coaches and athletes all struggle in different ways -- sometimes in ways unthought of before -- during the pandemic. Adjusting to masks, heat acclimation, social distancing at practice, and separate water bottles are the beginning for athletes, they said.

Ali McCullough, cross country coach, said she worries while coaching during the pandemic.

“We’re kind of just playing it week-by-week, hoping workout-wise that each week we still get to build and compete the following week,” McCullough said.

McCullough said she didn’t feel like masks changed practice because it was more about being in the habit of knowing when to wear a mask.

“I will continue to be the mask czar until told otherwise,” McCullough said.

McCullough said because cross country is not a contact sport, no one is really on top of each other and there are less chances of coming in contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19. In addition, the runners don’t share equipment and they are socially distanced at meets, so she sees no reason cross country won’t continue.

“I say ‘pull your mask up’ a lot. It’s different and you’re not used to wearing it. It’s hot, so you don’t want to wear it,” McCullough said, “It’s been something I have to constantly remind myself to

Emma Behrendt

Design By Lily woolsey

set a good example of.”

Cross country runner, Rylee Pratt, senior, said she believes the masks aren’t effective.

“You can feel your breath through it,” Pratt said.

Pratt said the only precaution or change runners experienced during practice is spreading out more during warm ups. She said it was kind of hard for cross country to do.

“I don’t feel like I’m being deprived of anything,” Pratt said.

Above: Truman White and Conner Barnum, freshmen, Hayden Worden, sophomore, Dominic McCoy, junior, and Ian Heid, senior, warm up for practice with masks moved to their necks on Sept. 4. The team tied its first game, 1-1, against Bishop Ward on Sept. 8. {Photo by Lilia Parks} Right: Rylee Pratt, senior, runs for the Paola cross country team in Lyndon at the Melvern Lake meet on Sept. 10. The Varsity Girls’ team won the meet. “It was really fun to run a new course. I’m a senior so going into most races, I know what to expect but since we were at a new course, I didn’t know what to expect,” Pratt said. {Photo by Lily Woolsey}

The Reporter October 2020 Sports

15

moving F o r w a r d athletes go through steps to commit for college athletics When senior year rolls around, some athletes make the Abby Richmond choice to hang up the jersey, co- copy Editor while others seek to compete at the next level.

Marina Johnson, senior, never considered the notion to stop running, especially after she experienced so many injuries throughout her career in cross country and track. Once Johnson knew she wanted to compete after high school,she entered into the recruitment process.

“I started with Googling how to get recruited and then I made a profile on NCSA. Even from that profile I have had a lot of coaches texting me ‘we want you to run for us,’ ‘how’s your season going?’ or ‘how’s your school year going?,’” Johnson said.

Johnson then she narrowed down her choices in hopes of finding the school that worked best for her.

“I want to stay in Kansas and I figured out what I wanted my major to be. There are only three schools in Kansas with my major,” Johnson said.

She narrowed it down to her top choice: Fort Hays State University. The final step is the most awkward and high pressure, Johnson said because she has to turn down the remaining colleges and run a fast enough time this season to seal the deal with Fort Hays.

“My goal was to get a fast enough time to get a scholarship and everyone said ‘don’t do that, that is so scary,” Johnson said.

Johnson knew they were right, but she also knew in order to get a scholarship to run at Fort Hays, running a fast enough time is a must.

Johnson isn’t the only one to experience the high pressure process of being recruited. Caden Marcum, junior, began his process as an eighth grader.

“My team and I went down to Tennessee University’s campus for a showcase because our coach had connections with Tennessee’s coach. At the end of the summer, we went down again and that is when they officially offered me,” Marcum said.

Marcum received his official offer over the phone once he and his team had left the campus. He said he took a week to make up his mind.

“I knew that was where I wanted to go the first time I went down there,” Marcum said.

The recruiting process certainly stirred up worry for

16

The Reporter October 2020 Sports

Marcum’s younger self.

“Growing up, you watch college baseball and see people getting recruited, so it was nerve-wracking talking to [a recruiter] that can control your future,” Marcum said Taylor Worthey, senior, also felt anxious during her recruiting process.

“When coaches came to watch me play, knowing they were there really made me nervous. You also always have so much more time to figure out what you’re going to say when you’re writing an email but when you’re face-to-face you have to present yourself,” Worthey said.

Nerves subsided for Worthey because she has a plan to attend Culver-Stockton College next fall to continue her academic and softball career. With the start of a new chapter on the brink, Worthey is brimming with excitement about the college experience and her coach.

“I really loved the coach. She went on my first campus tour with me and answered all of my questions. I stepped foot on campus and it felt like home already,” Worthey said.

Worthey’s excitement and curiosity for the future are apparent, but her top question for her coach is more about the coach, not about Worthey’s college experience. “[My top question would be] what she loves most about coaching at [Culver-Stockton]. That would give me a good feeling about what she looked forward to and her character and how she coaches,” Worthey said.

Asking intuitive and smart questions, like Worthey can, gives athletes an insight into their athletic future post high school. Trey Moala, junior, is curious about how his college coaches will be able to help him reach his goals. Moala decided to keep his recruiting process within his own family and always looked to his brother and sister as role models.

“I watched my brother and sister growing up, and my sister went on to play. But watching them as I grew up made me want to play [basketball] as well,” Moala said.

Moala said finding the right fit can be scary, but once he makes the decision, it will be worth the nerves, hard work and uncertainty.

“The college atmosphere would be way different and bring a lot of new exciting things like new people and new opportunities; all those things come with playing at the next level,” Moala said.

Left: Taylor Worthy, senior, signs with Culver-Stuckton College to play softball. Worthey signed on Sept. 17 at Little Town in Paola. Taylor has played softball for the Paola Panthers since her freshman year. “I couldn’t see myself giving up softball because I have so much more to learn and so much more room to grow,” Worthy said. {Photo Curtsey Taylor Worthy} Right: Marina Johnson, senior, plans to sign with Fort Hays State University. Johnson has only ran for two seasons due to injuries. “I didn’t get to run hardly at all my high school career because of injury, and I wasn’t planning on running in college until I had all of these injuries, and then I thought why would I want to stop running when I could continue,” Johnson said. {Photo

by Lily Woolsey}

Design By Hannah Billesbach & Liv Meridith

Lonny Brewer Auto Repair & Tow ASE Certified Auto Repair & 24 Hour Tow Service

404 North East Street Paola, Kansas

Lonny Brewer Owner/Manager

email: bmeridith@hotmail.com www.hovermatt.com

Work Phone: 913-294-5050 Mobile Number: 913-285-5050 Fax Number: 913-294-2848

17

The Reporter October 2020 ads

Design By taylor murdock

Giving Back helping the community grow stronger Ariana Gallagher Instagram Editor

Katie Heger Reporter

When Paige Woolsey, freshman, volunteered in New York in the summer of 2019, she got to serve in a homeless shelter called Bowery Mission. This experience started her love for community service.

“We would serve food to the homeless and just seeing the look on their faces and how happy they were, I just loved it and I’ll never forget the experience,” Woolsey said.

Woolsey said she feels like when she helps people, even if it’s small, it may be something huge for them and they will forever remember it.

“The person that inspired me to help people was Jim Tracy, I will always remember that he always put people before himself and he would impact people’s lives wherever he went with anything he was doing,” Woolsey said.

Woolsey said doing community service has changed her perspective. It makes her want to do it more and connect with people who may not have others to talk to.

“I’ve seen people from all walks of life and it just makes me be thankful for what I have. It also helps me be more aware that

Q & A

you never know what someone is going through,” Woolsey said.

Woolsey is planning on taking a trip this summer with a group from her church.

“We are going to El Salvador. I can’t wait,” Woolsey said.

Community service can come in all different shapes and forms, from working in a homeless shelter to working at a food kitchen.

Patrick Reeder, sophomore, is an avid member of this community and he is always willing to help.

“It makes me feel good because I like seeing other people happy,” Reeder said.

People pursue community service for many reasons. For Reeder, it’s all about helping others without credit. Reeder said doing good things for others can help build character, maturity and basic life manners.

Reeder believes that every individual can help with their strength for another person’s weakness. Reeder has learned to never take anything for granted and to be grateful for everything he owns, because some may not have as many blessings.

“It’s made me more mature and more caring, seeing that other people need more things than I do is eye opening,” Reeder said.

with Morgan Clark, senior Why do you choose to help out the community?

I choose to help out the community because I want to give back to others.

How does it make you feel?

This makes me feel a sense of reward giving back to those who don’t have anything.

Above: Paige Woolsey, freshman, carries food into the back of a car to help with the Harvester’s project on Oct.3. This organization is working with Woolsey’s church to help people with low incomes in the communities. {Photo by Ariana Ghalleger} Right: Patrick Reeder (right), stands with his grandpa (left) to ring bells at Walmart Dec. 24, 2019. This is a yearly activity they partipate in for Salvation Army, to symbolize giving to others. {Photo courtesy of Patrick Reeder}

Were you inspired to do this?

Wanting to help other people out is something I love to do.

How has the community changed your life?

The community has impacted my life in so many ways, it puts life into perspective.

18

The Reporter October 2020 Features

Design By Ariana Gallagher and Rileigh Dale

PHS recognizes the importance of mental health

Dress Up Days

Mental health and suicide awareness has Emma Behrendt Co- Copy Editor risen within the past few years. A new program being offered to students is Well Connect.

Deanell Wieland, counselor, said the program is a no cost, confidential, well-being program for support. The program provides 24/7 access to online therapy through messaging, chat, video and phone.

“I feel that it is beneficial as it is another layer of support for our students,” Wieland said.

Wieland said each person has to find what they are comfortable with and hopefully find this additional choice helpful.

Heather Kauk, English teacher, said she loved the program because there are now ways to live with mental health disorders and help is available.

Along with this program in place, the week of Sept. 6-12 is suicide prevention week.

“I hate that suicide prevention week is something we have to have, but the truth is that our society is seeing a huge increase in the number of suicides among teenagers and it is critical that we talk about it,” Kauk said.

Corey Holub, senior, said he thinks society downplays mental health and makes it a smaller issue then it actually is.

“It is often made fun of and used to put people down,” Holub said.

Holub said he believes suicide prevention ben-

Tuesday Wear Red to signify the Red Flags or Warning Signs of suicide

efits others because it shows that people do care and will always be there for you.

“If someone told me they needed help, I would be there for them with whatever they need,” Holub said, “I would show them I care and that they matter.”

Elsie Fleming, sophomore, said that suicide prevention means a lot to her, particularly because she knows a lot of people affected by the issue. Fleming said she thinks the Well Connect program is a great program because it encourages people to talk about their problems in a more casual context.

“I would say mental health is way less taboo than it used to be, but it’ll always be a difficult subject to talk about,” Fleming said, “just speaking up more, and encouraging talking about it is definitely good.”

Fleming said, in the future, she thinks we should continue on the same path we’re on now- talking about it more often and continually offering new resources. She said there is still some stigma in talking about mental health but she thinks making its part of our everyday routine will help reduce that.

“Mental health is really important to me because it’s something that I think everyone has had struggles with at some point,” Fleming said, “it’s just as important as any other factor of your health, and should be treated as such.”

wednesday

Wear Teal & Purple for the association of Suicide Prevention

friday

thursday Wear something Bright or College T- Shirt to

Wear Yellow Ribbon Shirt show your future is bright

Art by: Abby Heger

making change

Q & A

with Deanell Wieland, counselor What is the importance in suicide prevention week?

I love them all, but many people don’t know what It’s important to bring attention to the issue. The hope is that it encourages people to pause and reflect on the societal issue that suicide is and also to learn/review risk factors, warning signs, and ways to help and/or get help.

How far has our society come in accepting mental health?

Some, but I feel like we’ve got a long ways to go.

Sometimes I feel that people struggle and don’t utilize readily available resources/tools because of the stigma that still surrounds mental wellness. If we, as a society, destigmatize mental health--meaning, accepting that it’s something that happens just like the flu, a broken leg, etc--it will make it easier for people to feel comfortable getting help when they need it.

Are there any stories you have to share about hope in mental health?

Absolutely. I’ve had several students that came to PHS as freshmen really struggling (hiding in the bathroom, cutting, major anxiety). By the time they graduated, they had come so far! They sought out and utilized resources (mental health counseling, support here at school, family support, medication as needed, etc) and are now leading healthy lives.

Is there anything you would like to add?

I would like to encourage students to keep looking out for one another. Getting help for your friends when you are concerned is so important. And if someone gets help for you, you’ve got a good friend who cares about you!

They aren’t betraying you, they just want to be sure you are OK. I feel like it’s really important for us to stop and listen to people.

Really hear what they are saying with their words, their body language, their actions.

Sometimes we are “busy” with our own things all of the time and don’t push pause long enough to acknowledge the struggle a friend or family member might be experiencing and/or acknowledge that they might need help dealing with it.

Design By abby heger

19

F•R•I•E•N•D•S long-lasting bonds important to students Q & A

Ariana gallagher instagram editor

delana johnston reporter

Ashton Hughes and Vanessa Berrey, sophomores, met in kindergarten on the playground and have been friends since then. One of Hughes’ favorite things about Berrey is her trustworthiness.

“I can tell her anything and she won’t tell anybody, you can trust her with everything,” Hughes said.

The two of them said they enjoy the memories from their camping and boating trips they take together.

“Those are my favorite things to do and having my best friend with me makes it even better,” Hughes said.

Berrey said they’ve been friends for so long that they know everything about each other.

“It’s nice to have someone that you know doesn’t judge you and you can tell them anything,” Berrey said.

Hughes said a close friend will always be there for you whether you’re at your worst or when you need help, but also at your best cheering you on.

Bo Robison and Brock Pitzer, seniors, have known each other since third grade when they

20

had the same class with Mr. Stotler. Robison said he likes how Pitzer will always have his back.

“He’ll go out of his way to make sure everything was good for me and he’s just a pretty solid friend,” Robison said.

When the two of them are together, they normally do a lot of outdoor activities at Robison’s house.

“We play sports together and go hunting and fishing a lot,” Robison said.

Robison said he knows a person is a good friend, if that they are caring and they want to help.

“Having good times with each other and just enjoying life, I think having a close friend is somebody you can go to and just have a great time with,” Robison said.

One thing that Pitzer likes about having Robison as a friend is that he is always positive and that he’s never discouraging to anyone.

“A good friend to me is someone who isn’t negative, that’s the No. 1 thing. He is always there for me if I ever need someone to talk to, I mean he’s just a good guy to be around,” Pitzer said.

The Reporter October 2020 Features

with Tyce Allen & Bradyn Rockers freshmen

How did you and Tyce meet?

Rockers: School. In our first grade class.

What makes Bradyn a good friend?

Allen: He’s always there for me and is loyal.

Why is Tyce’s personality your favorite thing about him?

Rockers: He’s outgoing and he’s alway there for me.

What makes good friend?

Allen: To be a good friend you have to understand, respect people and be trustworthy.

Why do you think having a close friend is important?

Allen: It makes life a lot easier if you can talk to someone about stuff,.

Left: Vanessa Berrey and Ashton Hughes, sophomores, swim at Melvern Lake on Aug., 10, 2018.

“Camping and boating are my favorite things to do and having my friend with me made them even better,” Hughes said. {Photo courtesy of Vanessa Berrey} Above: Bo Robison and Brock Pitzer, seniors, take pictures at the Paola Square for the Childrens Mercy prom, May 3, 2019. “I think having a close friend is one of the most important things in life , just someone you can go to and know they’re are always going to be there for you,” Robison said. {Photo courtesy of Bo Robison}

Design By Delana Johnston