The Reporter- Issue 2 December 2018

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THE

volume 94 issue 2 December 2018 paola high school 401 angela street paola, ks 66071

cONTENTS editorial 3 #Girl Power

Everyone has a right for their voice to be heard

School news 5 What’s for Lunch?

Examining what it takes to make a school lunch and how students decide what to eat

Opinions

8 You Don’t Own Me

Live life for yourself and no one else

Features

11 1 in 629

Waterman spends his free time playing Dungeons and Dragons with

15 Impractical Jokesters

Teachers use humor as a learning tool for students

Sports

18 Concussion Destruction

Students suffer from effects after getting injured in sports

19 The Mental Edge

Athlete’s mindsets affect performance during games

On the Cover

Hailey McDiffett, freshman, waters poinsettia plants in horticulture Nov. 1. Every year, members of the horticulture class grew poinsettias to raise and sell to the community as a fundraiser. {Photo by Addison Smith}

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The Reporter December 2018 Contents

Top: Lamont Hill, junior, Evan Phillips, junior, and Cole Phillips, senior celebrate as a basket is scored against Baldwin Nov. 30. Varsity played its first game and won 62-37. {Photo by Mariah Sullivan} Bottom Left: Sophie Jones, junior, shoots a free throw in the game against Baldwin Nov. 30.

The girls lost 26-58. {Photo by Mariah Sullivan}. Bottom Right: Jeffery Schartz, senior, shakes his opponent’s hand before starting his wrestling match at Spring Hill Nov 30. Varsity wrestling beat De Soto 72-9 at the tournament. {Photo by Carlie Stallbaumer}

Semester Shout outs ends season with record of 9-2 Nov. 9 and captures regional title Nov. 2

varsity Football Cross Country girls cross country & Aaron Maxwell, junior, qualify for state Oct. 10 Debate wins a league championship for the 2nd year in a row Nov. 3 Theatre performs Arsenic and Old Lace Nov. 29-30 Dev-lead raises $8,673 at the annual Camp Out for Cash event Nov. 17 Welding places first in the welding tournament at Paola Dec. 5 Boys Swim 200 free relay team qualifies for state swim Dec. 5 Soccer breaks record with 10th victory in the first round of state playoffs Oct. 23 Freshman Volleyball season record of 26-6 Oct. 10

Design by mariah Sullivan

#Girl Power we all deserve equality; to be treated like people For: 24

Against: 0

Absent: 2

The Reporter

Staff list

2018-2019

Staff Editorial

Editor-in-Chief & Managing editor Mariah Sullivan & Bre Allen

Design Editors

Hannah Menefee & Chloe DeYoung

Copy Editor

Trinity Miller

Photography/graphics Editor Paige Fleming

I’ve heard the word empowered more in the past two years than I have throughout my entire life.

Empowered means to have the authority or power to make your own decisions. Empowerment belongs to everybody: boy or girl, black or white, gay or straight.

Sadly some people don’t give others that authority. Right now women have been in the news a lot because we’re demanding it, we want that authority because we deserve it.

Everyone wants to be equal, but yet so many aren’t. Feminism doesn’t mean women want to rule the world and destroy men. Women want to be just as equal to them.

They want to stop being treated like objects and prizes to be won, or something to be shown off to your friends. Some men cease to respect

Design By Mariah Sullivan

Online & Social Media Editors

Katherine Austin & Gracyn Shulista

Public relations Manager Kalyn Bell

Ads Managers

Amanda Meeks & Taylor Murdock

Senior ads managers

Abby Winterscheid & Haleigh West

Reporters

Rylan Armbruster, Emma Behrendt, Claire Cox, Emma Cox, Macayla Enman, Dylan George, Abigail Heger, Makayla Hughes, Skyler Hughes, Emma Johnson, Adeline McIntire, Liv Meridith, Abby Richmond, Tyler Rosner, Kylee Slyter, Addison Smith, Carlie Stallbaumer, Grace Thomas, Alexis Wade

Adviser

BriAnne Chayer

Social Media

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 94 Issue 2

Mission statement

Reporter

beautiful thoughts that go through it they don’t care about what makes me smile, they don’t care to know about what’s happening in my life.

They don’t actually care about me.

All they care about is my physical appearance.”

Feminists are not just women. Feminists can be all kinds of people who want equality. They are black, white, Latino, gay and straight.

They are men and women, young and old. If you have a sister, wife, mother, or daughter and you think they deserve equality, stand with them rather than against. Be someone who supports all types of people, because even though the #MeToo movement wants equal rights for females at the end of the day they want equal rights for everybody.

Some people might think feminists are just women and girls, and that they’re weak and don’t have a say in things, but through movements like #MeToo, women have learned it’s OK to speak up and that they do have a voice.

Even when you feel your voice is not heard, you have to fight for it, because one day we will all be equal and when the day comes we’ll be able use the voice’s we’ve found to change the world.

The reporter editorial policy

{Abby Richmond}

women altogether and men often think they can do anything they want, whether it’s harassing another person or, to go as far as, rape.

One out of every six American women are victims of attempted sexual harassment or completed rape according to rainn.org. The #MeToo Movement brings these tragedies to light and focuses on how women deserve their voices and should have the power to make their own decisions, whether it be in the workplace or in a relationship.

For hundreds of years, women have been expected to follow stereotypical tradition: make dinner, take care of the kids, and do all the chores.

So who can blame us when we say we’re done, or we’re bored, or we have our own dreams to follow? So here’s a solution, why don’t we respect each other and instead of trying to belittle the opposite sex’s goals or ambitions, why don’t we just support her? High school is the perfect place to start too, since many girls are pressured to send “nudes,” and get harassed daily and so many people don’t think twice about it. So, think twice, think about how when that girl is asked for nudes, all she hears is “They only care about my body they don’t care about my brain and the

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 December 2018 Editorial

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12 S. Hedge Lane Paola, KS 66071 (913)294-4400

CHECK OUT...

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Arsenic and Old Lace Photo Gallery

By The Journalism Class

The Reporter December 2018 Advertisements

WWW.PHSJOURNALISM.COM Design By Amanda Meeks & Taylor Murdock

keeping up wi t h politics the importance of voting and paying attention to politics

•

Encourage public participation Create checks and balances Spread details throughout society help make decisions

Source: Vittana Website

Design By Hannah Menefee

• • • • •

Can be abusive Encourage polarization Prioritize themselves Sacrifice individuality Invite corruption

john menefee, agriculture teacher

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“Politics means I can voice my opinion and share my views.”

“The competitiveness and bickering is annoying.”

Political Parties

• • •

{

“To me, politics is a giant chess match and it is always fun to watch the two parties try and outmaneuver the other.”

Con

Pro

Angela Roschevitz, senior, said politics will change the way we view things as a society with the help of social media.

“The most important part of voting is having a say on what goes on in the government.,” Roschevitz said.

Republicans developed their hold on the Senate, while Democrats gained control of the House; another election full of change.

Voting is important to Roschevitz because she said it is her duty as a citizen.

Braden Parks, senior, said everyone should exercise their right to vote because of the immense sacrifice paid for that right.

“Everyone has that in common, whether it was the Founding Fathers, those who fought in the Civil War, or those who fought for Women’s Suffrage,” Parks said.

For Parks, the most important part of voting is getting out and doing it, especially with the local elections.

“That’s where a lot of the change that directly affects the voters happens,” Parks said. “Everyone knows about the big Presidential Election, but the equally important local elections often go under advertised.”

Despite not being able to vote, Parks enjoyed the election of 2018 because the campaigning was not as aggressive as past elections.

“Every minuscule decision sets a precedent for something,” Parks said. “Even if it is a negative decision, it opens up a learning opportunity for the future.”

Heather Kauk, English teacher, said voting means she has a chance for her voice to be heard.

“I think the most important part of voting is doing your own research, exploring your own beliefs and opinions and then actually getting off your butt and going to the polling place to vote for candidates who will support those beliefs and opinions,” Kauk said.

Many people think the misconception about voting is Kansans only vote for guns and abortion said Kauk.

Kauk votes because she said every student deserves an education.

“Life is going to level kids out, one common thing we can give all of them is a quality education,” Kauk said.

Voting for candidates who are going to trust teachers to make professional decisions and fund education adequately matters to Kauk when it comes to her voting decisions.

“I love that we get the right to vote,” Kauk said.

“The most important thing I want young people to understand is there are places where you couldn’t vote. I will never take the fact that we can for granted.”

Politics will shape the future depending on today’s youth and their willingness to participate and learn from past mistakes, said Todd Weaver, Government teacher.

“Since I was younger, it’s become more divisive and we divide ourselves in two camps,” Weaver said. “We have lost the ability to sit down and talk and compromise.”

Politics is not only a way to learn opinions but it also allows people to stay up to date with the latest news, Weaver said.

“Being able to go out and voice your opinion and have a say in who your leaders are going to be is the most important part of voting,” Weaver said.

Macaela Garrett junior

design editor

Clare Benton Sophomore

{Hannah menefee}

Art by Hannah Menefee

The Reporter December 2018 school news

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What’s for Lunch? examining students lunch choices and choosing Junior Taylor Fahey

Taylor Fahey, junior, brings lunch from home every day.

“I am a vegetarian” Fahey said. She normally brings vegetarian options such as hummus, pretzel chips, granola bars, protein bars, yogurt or Chinese food.

“I wish there were more vegetarian options,” Fahey said.

Do you Normally EAT SCHOOL LUNCH?

13% No Sometimes Yes

What It Takes To Make A School Lunch

38% 48%

{Source: Reporter survey of 22 percent of student body- 140 students}

2 oz of meat/meat alternate

Sophomore Christopher Green

What goes Into A School 1 cup vegetwo grains Lunch?

Christopher Green, sophomore, said he eats school lunch every day.

“I normally eat all of my lunch,” Green said. “My favorite is the spicy chicken.”

Green said he generally enjoys eating school lunch.

“It’s more convenient, too, because I don’t have to pack my own lunch,” Green said.

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milk

The Reporter December 2018 school news

1 cup fruit {Source: Director of Food Department Elaine Harris}

{

Chloe Deyoung

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Newspaper Design editor

Elaine Harris, director of the food department, said the school has to follow several regulations on what it can serve for lunch.

“We have a certain calorie range that we’re supposed to follow and we have to watch how much fat and sodium is in the menus,” Harris said.

Additionally, for high school, each meal must contain or offer two ounces of meat or a meat alternate, two grains, one cup of fruit, a cup of vegetables and milk.

Harris said the regulations by Congress require a sodium level that averages less than 740 mg per week, but Congress is looking to drop the levels even more.

“We [the School Nutrition Association] are lobbying to keep the sodium level where it is now and not to drop it any lower.”

Harris said “It is really hard to get it to where it

is now and finding things that you guys will eat that has less sodium is really hard.”

Harris said deciding what to serve for school lunches breaks down to two things:: history or new recipes.

“The Panther Rib has been here forever and ever.

I think there would be a revolt if I took it off the menu,” Harris said.

Harris can also get recipes from the Kansas Department of Education such as Stromboli - or from conventions.

“We go to the state and national convention once a year and go to food shows.

That’s where we find new products,” Harris said.

Harris conducts taste tests too, to hopefully find new products students will enjoy.

“If there is ever anything that the students would like us to try, they just need to let me know, Harris said.

Design By Chloe DeYoung

Murder and Mayhem Thespians put on play in black and white {

Dylan George reporter

}

Just a spoonful of poison will not harm you, but two murderous elderly ladies will.

While it does sound like a mid-1900’s movie, it also describes the play, performed on Nov. 29 and 30, Arsenic and Old Lace.

Arsenic and Old Lace is a black and white noir movie set in the early 1940s, about murder, mayhem and family insanity. Mortimer Brewster, played by Jacob Farmer, junior, attempts to resolve his family’s issues.

The set reflected the movie: the props, characters, costumes in black, white and gray.

“Considering the play is set in 1942, and the original film was made shortly after that, it is totally appropriate,” Leslie Coats, theater director, said.

The cast for Arsenic and Old Lace practiced frequently, alone or as a group. The month before the play was filled with rehearsals and run-throughs.

Actors needed time to memorize lines and develop character, Farmer said.

Kailey Johnson, senior, played her first lead role as Abby Brewster, was nervous but excited.

“I’m worried I can’t pull off being a funny, murderous old lady,” Johnson said.

Emma Cox, senior, played Johnson’s murderous sister, Martha. Cox said she prepared for her first leading role by analyzing the triggers for her lines instead of just memorizing them. To prepare to move like an elderly lady, Cox said she tried to be careful in her movements.

“I was not going to act like I was unable, but by being delicate in how I moved,” Cox said.

Cox said she also tried to think about what would hurt after being alive for 70plus years.

The cast and crew did a wonderful job in their roles, Cox said, improving in every aspect from the Thursday night performance to make Friday’s performance even better.

The commitment of the crew is large and the reward is larger; they grow, learn, and have fun, like a family, said Braden Parks, senior.

“My favorite thing we do after the curtain call is when we exit the stage into the hallway, and go crazy,” Parks said.

“We whoop and holler and run to the commons to meet everyone. Spirits are so high, I love it.”

timeline

MON: Nov. 26 TUES: Nov. 27 WED: Nov. 28 THURS: Nov. 29 FRI: Nov. 30 SAT: Dec. 1

Snow day- one day set back 6:30 p.m.: full costume and makeup run-through 3:15 p.m.: run-through with costumes 7:30 p.m.: show- actors/crew began preparation 5 p.m.

7:30 p.m.: show- actors/crew began preparation 5 p.m.

7:30 p.m.: show- actors/crew began preparation 5 p.m.

Design By Skyler Hughes & trinity miller

Top: Jacob Farmer, junior, and Riley Upshaw, senior, play Teddy and Mortimer Brewster Nov. 30. Upshaw played a delusional man who believed he was President Teddy Roosevelt. “This has been one of my favorite characters to play in my whole high school career,” Upshaw said. {Photo by Chloe DeYoung} Bottom Left: Kailey Johnson, senior, Jacob Farmer and Ben Owens, juniors, and Emma Cox, senior, discuss sending Teddy to a mental hospital. Johnson and Cox’s characters were two elderly women who killed 12 men by putting poison in their wine. {Photo by Emma Johnson} Bottom Right: Creigh Markovich and Ashley Schwach, juniors, meet. Markovich played Johnathan Brewster and Schwach played Elaine Harper. Johnathon tried to kill Elaine after she walked into the Brewster’s house. {Photo by Skyler Hughes}

{Source: Emma Cox, senior}

The Reporter December 2018 School News

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Money isn’t everything You don’t own me happiness comes from the heart

“In the idea that money can buy happiness, you can buy the happiness by working towards something or what you have already earned.”

-Sophomore Emma Behrendt filled with joy.

Happiness comes from your heart, not from a form of wealth.

You just need to be surrounded by those you adore and things you love.

You don’t need actual money to buy happiness, you can buy it by working towards something or what you have already earned.

This is unfair. No one can buy what you work towards and no one can buy what you have earned.

You must earn happiness.

We don’t score a D on a test and feel thrilled or happy about it.

But, when you worked your hardest on your assignments and you are proud of your efforts, you earn an awarding grade.

You also earned happiness. And, we can’t buy that feeling or that grade.

People who have the mindset that happiness is able to be bought probably aren’t happy and are always looking for it.

All you have to do is work hard for what you have and be proud of what you do.

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Imagine a perfect moment so superb it would be impossible to ever happen again.

Whether it was a Christmas memory, getting a pet, or going on vacation, those moments are irreplaceable.

The moments where you are happy become memories.

Money couldn’t buy anything to make you relive that exact moment, so that is what makes your happiness and memories so special.

If the statement, ‘money buys happiness,’ were true, money would buy your beliefs, environment and habits.

And, that statement would be undeniably wrong.

Happiness is a mindset that is contributed by the people around you.

Imagine sitting in front of a cake with your family and friends singing happy birthday all around you.

When you blow out your candles and make a wish, you feel happy.

Your family and friends are excited and your environment is warm, happy people, balloons and gifts.

In this moment of your life, you are

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{Art by Trinity Miller}

The Reporter December 2018 Opinion

live for yourself and no one else

“I am me. You are you. And, we are us. We are only who we believe ourselves to be.”

-Senior Trinity Miller Life. A person shouldn’t live their life worrying about what other people think about them, especially for their physical appearances, how they speak or think.

Unfortunately, we do. We live in a world where teenagers strive to look like supermodels or Barbies. Each person looks perfect the way they are.

Those children need to be inspired to be their own individual persons. To not be a replica, but be extraordinary.

You should never allow yourself to think negatively about your image. You should rise above all to be your true self; who you are meant to be.

You get to choose what you live for, what you look like, what you value and how you live your life.

You. You are who you say you are. Nothing more, nothing less.

How you live your life reflects how you see yourself and how the world sees you.

You shouldn’t care about what everyone thinks, as long as you are happy with who you are becoming that is all you need.

People can say some low, disgusting things. But, none of them define you as long as you look past them.

Words cannot break one’s bones, so why let it affect you mentally? Not one word defines you. You ARE Beautiful. Loved.

Heard. Wanted.

Rumors. Rumors are nothing but trouble. They spread like wildfire.

They trouble your mind, causing you to lose sleep, focus, confidence and relationships. Most of them are not true, but still have a tremendous effect on the school and outside community as well as the human body, mentally and physically.

Rumors can start as a simple joke, someone trying to get a few laughs, but they are nothing to joke about.

You may think it will never happen to you, but don’t say never. I once said it, I was wrong.

Last year, I someone sent me text that an underclassman told a student I had an intimate relationship with a boy from Spring Hill.

I knew the rumor was false, but I let it affect me.

I thought my reputation was trashed and my life was over. I thought I would lose all my friends, respect from teachers and relatives, so I distanced myself.

Eventually I figured out the rumor didn’t spread too much.

It was crazy. I never associated with the rumor-starting student but they felt the need to share false information.

You constantly have to watch yourself, who you associate yourself with, how you express yourself and how you see yourself.

You are only the person you allow yourself to be.

Love. Love is the greatest power to overcome poor feelings and opinions.

Love can help one move past a problem by giving them a way out.

Love helps the human body grow and learn. Grow to like yourself and learn to live your life.

To see a new perspective, give yourself a new way to see problems and the world.

You first have to love yourself to love the world around you.

I am me. You are you. And, we are us.

We are only who we believe ourselves to be.

Design By trinity miller

music to my ears music benefits all ages

“In the idea that money can buy happiness, you can buy the happiness by working towards something or what you have already earned.”

Reach for the stars let everyone live their best lives

-junior alexis wade I’ve been playing instruments since I was 3 years old.

I started with my grandma’s love for music, and began learning the keyboard.

After gaining a little musical knowledge, I loved every instrument.

My grandma brought home recorders, bongos and an accordion.

Every time I learned one instrument, she helped me learn another.

Her encouragement and music shaped me into the person I am.

Not only did she show me a love for playing music, she also inspired me to write covers of songs and join different choirs.

By the age of 7, I sang in the church choir .

Music is not only my passion, it is who I am.

When I was in the sixth grade, I joined band.

I took the opportunity to learn another instrument, the trumpet, and to make my grandma proud.

Band gives me an opportunity to pursue a career in arts.

According to The Washington Post, electives keep students in school.

If schools didn’t have classes such as band, choir, theater, and art, students

{Art by Trinity Miller}

wouldn’t be as interested or excited about an education.

Kids would be happier and more enthusiastic at school if they had the opportunity to pursue arts they love.

I jump out of bed in the morning, full of energy, because I know I get to play an instrument.

It gives me the energy to think, “Hey, I have something I really look forward to.”

According to Arts.gov, more than 2.1 million artists live in the United States, including actors, musicians, art majors and singers.

Pushing for a focus to expand the arts would benefit students in their academics and social lives because music encourages brain power.

If I didn’t have music in my life, I don’t know who I would be or what I would do everyday.

I wouldn’t have a passion to study all different types of music or learn to play many different instruments.

I would be trying to figure out what drives me to be the best I can be.

Music helped show me who I am and what I love.

Everyone has a gift and music is mine, everyone just needs to take a leap to figure out their talent is.

“Dreams are dreams, and none are impossible.

Reach for the moon, stars and outside of the milky way galaxy, go your own distance..”

-Senior Amanda meeks Do you ever feel like you are meant to do something for the rest of your life?

You are so excited you just want to scream it in everyone’s face.

You pick out what you are going to do from the time you step out of the high school to the time you retire, and it can be challenging.

During my sophomore and junior year, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life.

People tried to tell me where I was going or what I would do.

Whether it was my parents, family or even the people at school, someone else controlled my life.

I started to settle. I started to say, “yeah OK,” when someone told me what they wanted me to do.

The summer before my senior year, my life changed in a blink of an eye.

I immediately knew the plan for my life.

Since I created a plan for myself, I thought I would be able to give a definite “yes!,” and people would take me seriously.

Instead people took it as a joke. They said demeaning things, such as “you’ll never make any money doing that” or “there’s no future with that career.”

I was so surprised when I heard these things. I was hurt, I thought my plan was

good that it would lead me to success.

I allowed other people to alter my life, which I’ve learned it is not OK. How could anyone tear down someone’s dreams because it didn’t look like theirs?

Who cares about what others do with their life, it’s not yours to control.

When NASA came up with the idea of going to the moon, people probably thought their plan was insane and a waste of time and money, but Neil Armstrong quickly proved them wrong..

Now we have so much more science that has made an impact on the world.

Instead of tearing each other down, we should build each other up.

Crushing dreams is one of the worst things someone can do to another person.

Support each other no matter the dream.

Some dreams may seem silly, but if someone is excited for their future, then build them up.

Everyone has dreams, big and small.

Some may want to buy a house when they’re 24 and some may wish to go to the Mars.

Dreams are dreams, and none are impossible.

Reach for the moon, stars and outside of the milky way galaxy, go your own distance.

{Art by Trinity Miller}

Design By Trinity miller

The Reporter December 2018 Opinion

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Have a safe and Happy winter break!

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The Reporter December 2018 Advertisment

Design By Amanda Meeks & taylor murdock

1 in 629

a series providing a glimpse into the life of one out of the 629 unique students at PHS

Masters of the dungeon Waterman spends freetime in a unique way {

Claire cox Reporter

}

Passing him in the hallway, he might seem quiet and shy. He is frequently spotted hanging out in the theater or standing in the parking lot with friends after school. However, Dylan Waterman, senior, usually spends his free time sitting at a table with eight other people fighting monsters, casting spells and journeying across continents.

Waterman plays the fantasy board game, Dungeons and Dragons, or DnD for short “DnD is a fantasy tabletop role playing game, which means a whole bunch of nerds sit down at a table and geek out together for a couple hours,” Waterman said.

Waterman said DnD is fairly simple. There is a Dungeon Master, who controls the game and creates the story, and then the rest of the players follow his lead. Five different dice, increasing in size from only four sides, all the way up to 20 sides, determine what players can and cannot do throughout the game.

Waterman has played DnD for almost three years and said his group of friends meet every Friday night to

play “I think it’s a really great way for people to get together and show their creative side,” Waterman said.

Waterman said DnD is also a fun way to express himself, as well as connect with others and share ideas.

Waterman added that DnD is unique compared to other fantasy games.

“I think what makes DnD so special compared to other games is the complexity yet simplicity of it. You can be super simple with DnD, you could have no back stories, no characters, and you just simply play. But you can also go to extreme depth and detail,” Waterman said.

Waterman doesn’t just play DnD. He also enjoys various video and card games “Video games are a fun way for people who are not athletic to enjoy the spirit of competition,” Waterman said.

Waterman also said the high school should form a DnD club and involve anyone who might be interested in giving DnD a try. But, Waterman said it is difficult to get something like that started because nobody will take it seriously.

“Every time someone mentions the idea of starting a club for video games or DnD, people think it’s super nerdy

and they laugh, I’ve even seen teachers laugh at it,” Waterman said.

However, even though Waterman has his doubts, he said he still hopes that one day it might happen.

“There are already a few other groups of people in the school that play DnD, and it’d be pretty cool to get together so we can all share ideas and stuff. It would take DnD it to the next level,” Waterman said.

Above: Dylan Waterman, senior, rolls a set of dice during a DnD session on Dec. 4. Waterman played DnD every Friday with a group of six others. “I’m actually the only one still in high school. All the others graduated, but sometimes we get a couple new people that join,” Waterman said.

timeline 1974: 1980: 1992: 2000: 2011:

First Dungeons and Dragons game released 250,000 DnD products are sold, a record-breaking amount DnD gaming convention breaks previous attendance records A feature film based on DnD appears in theaters First DnD television show airs first episode {Source: Dungeons and Dragons official website}

Design By Claire cox

The Reporter December 2018 Features

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Peppermint Taste T {Mariah Sullivan} {Bre Allen} {Abby Heger} Editor-in-chief

Managing Editor

reporter

Giradelli Peppermint Bark Chocolate

Smash Mallow Candy Cane Marshmallows

Milano Peppermint Slices

Austen Kelley: 4 Julianne Knowles: 5 Ethan Cerros: 4 Sydney Martin: 4 Journalism Staff

Austen Kelley: 4 Julianne Knowles: 1 Ethan Cerros: 2 Sydney Martin: 3 Journalism Staff

Austen Kelley: 3 Julianne Knowles: 4 Ethan Cerros: 3 Sydney Martin: 2 Journalism Staff

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The Reporter December 2018 entertainment

White Chocola Peppermint M

Austen Kelley: 5 Julianne Know Ethan Cerros: 2 Sydney Martin: Journalism Sta

5 wles: 3 2 :5 aff

White Chocolate Peppermint Hershey Kisses Austen Kelley: 4 Julianne Knowles: 2 Ethan Cerrros: 3 Sydney Martin: 4 Journalism Staff

Sydney Martin Freshman Ethan Cerros Sophomore

Tastes like Pave-Mint “Mint” to be in the Trash

Julianne Knowles Sophomore

ate M&M’s

Mint Rating System

Peppermint-y In Mint Condition Mintalicious

Austen Kelley senior

Test

high school students and the journalism staff review some popular peppermint flavored foods to help you decide what to snack on this holiday season

Design By abby heger

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The Reporter DEceber 2018 advertisment

WWW.PHSJOURNALISM.COM Design By Amanda Meeks & taylor murdock

Classroom Jokesters teachers use humor as a learning tool Reporter

Jokes, laughter and being “goofy.” These simple things bring joy to everyday life. Some students, teachers and administrators can be considered “jokers.”

Mike Smith, history teacher, said using humor in the classroom benefits students.

“My favorite classes and teachers that brought humor to the class were the ones I learned the most in as a student,” Smith said.

Karlie McMullin, junior, said when teachers use humor, it makes students more interested in the class.

McMullin said she enjoys joking around with teachers and making other students laugh.

“It’s just a fun time,” McMullin said.

Jeffery T. Hines, principal, said he often encourages teachers to use humor and story-telling in their lessons.

“When students remember the story they will also remember the lesson you taught along with it. The same can be said with humor.,” Hines said.

Dylan Miller, sophomore, does not consider himself

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Teacher Jokesters

Mike Smith, history Steve Gorsuch, history Tie: Heather Kauk, english and Sara Allison, french *Based on a survey taken by 20% of students

Design By Gracyn shulista

{ } { } “I like being funny at school, but I just say whatever and it’s kind of funny.”

Lexi Smail, junior

“This world needs more humor in it. there’s so much negativity.”

Jimmy Kiffer, senior

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{Art by Deanna Morgan, art teacher}

social Media editor

C L A S S R O O M

Mike Smith, history teacher

{Art courtesy of Art 4 student}

{Gracyn Shulista} {Tyler Rosner}

a joker, but said joking around is a part of life and something everyone does. Miller likes when teachers use humor in their classes.

“I enjoy when teachers use humor because it makes people’s day better,” Miller said.

Darren Rojohn, sophomore, said the line between what is appropriate to joke is a fine one.

“Making fun of people, that’s the line,” Rojohn said.

Taylor Murdock, sophomore, and Lexi Smail, junior, said jokes about controversial or serious things also cross the line and should not be joked about.

“Controversial things can go too far,” Smail said.

Smith said he avoids crossing the line by making jokes about his class.

“Usually the humor is about something I did silly or something or someone we are learning about in class,” Smith said.

Hines said whenever someone makes a joke they risk offending someone. It is important to know when to joke around and what is okay to joke about.

“Part of growing up is learning when the appropriate time and place is for something,” Hines said.

Karlie McMullin, junior

The Reporter December 2018 entertainment

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Character Growth students morph through years of high shool {Paige Fleming} {Kylee Slyter} Photo Editor

Reporter

McKayla Stabler, senior, said she feels she has become more outgoing and willing to talk to new people during her nearly four years in high school. Her two little brothers with autism are a huge inspiration to her.

“Seeing them have trouble with friends and other things made me want to be that person that if someone has a mental disability, physical disability, needs a friend to listen to or is just simply misunderstood, I want to be able reach to out to them,” Stabler said.

During Stabler’s sophomore year she became a Christian, which she said helped her throughout her journey from being homeschooled to transferring to high school. It also made her want to get out there and help people who need it. She now plans to be a special education teacher because of her experiences the past few years.

Many students change from freshman year to their senior year. The changes could be mental or physical depending on friend groups, personalities or even maturing at a faster pace.

Levi Bruns, senior, focused more on FFA as a freshman, but leaned toward art as time went on. Last year, he logged 520 hours in the art room and this year he plans to do more.

If DeAnna Morgan did not become the art teacher, he said he may have never been introduced to the arts.

Along with taking more interest in art, he gained new friends. He said he learned to judge people by their character and not by looks. The way things look on the outside do not justify what’s on the inside, he added. A big part of growing up is finding out who is a real friend and who isn’t and basically figuring things out on one’s own, he said.

“I’m now friends with people who hold me to a higher level of academic success and

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renee peterson senior

“I have become more social. I used to not talk that much since I was homeschooled and wasn’t around people all of the time. My time management skills are also a lot better.”

Above: Levi Bruns, 12, paints a wing from a turkey he shot with his bow. “I’m doing a sunset paianting of a turkey hunter. It’s going be be a landscape painting but on the wing’” Bruns said.” Bruns can be seen in the art room before and after school, always logging in hours. {Photo by Paige Fleming} Below: Mckayla Stabler poses with her two little brothers, Mason, who goes to sunflower, and Sammy, who goes to Swinson in Oz. “I have two little brothers with autism and they were like a huge inspiration for me,” Stabler said. They help her strive to be a better person and help those in need. {Photo cortesy of Mckayla Stabler}

a higher standard than some of the people I used to hangout with. Most have either dropped out or just don’t care about school,” Bruns said.

Todd DeYoung, science teacher, said students change most between junior and senior year. Once students become seniors, he said, they have to figure out where they are going and what they are doing with their lives. It is the transition to f becoming an adult which can be scary, but there is no stopping the transformation, he said.

“I changed the most from junior to senior because I knew I had to get my stuff together and I was getting ready to be on my own. It was for real, not make believe,” DeYoung said.

The Reporter December 2018 Features

Jeremy sloan junior

“I have gotten bigger and smarter.”

Lexi Smail junior

“Throughout high school, I have become more mature and responsible. I am also really busy because of school events.”

Design by Paige Fleming

Re-cap& rewind a review on fall sports {

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Emma Johnson Reporter

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abby richmond Reporter

All big game days start the same for all athletes no matter the player or the sport.

The adrenaline is high and the fans are excited. Some of the excitement starts the night before, with the big annual football team dinner and the final soccer team huddle of the night.

As Justice Reed, junior, walked on the soccer field at 5:30 a.m. on Oct. 15, as he prepares for a great game. Reed has played since his freshman year and wants to continue into the next season. Reed said he loves being on the soccer team.

Corey Troast, head soccer coach, said he loves having him there.

“Justice is one of the hardest working players in our program,” Troast said. “The kid will do anything you ask and he will give it his best every single time.”

Reed said he strives to be as good as some of the others and admires them for their skills. He said his teammates inspire him to continue soccer.

“Ryan has the most insane goals I have ever seen in real life, Jonathan has the insane skills, and then Brandon has insane defense,” Reed said.

Reed said he supports his team with positivity and motivation even when the team is down.

Troast said Reed is well respected on the team.

When the transition is made to the football field, Mike Dumpert, football coach said he is very proud and happy with all his players.

“I think they are the best kids in the school,” Dumpert said. “I think they are good young men and they behave in the right way. I don’t tolerate anything but that.”

Trysten Williamson, junior, agrees they are a great group

Design By Hannah menefee & Abby Richmond

This is Williamson’s first year playing football. He said the seniors hold the team together.

“They push you as far as you can go and do whatever it takes,” he said. They are just that kind of people. They push you to do your best.”

Dumpert holds his players to higher expectations.

“I personally have a big hang up with the stereotypical lumping of what they think football players are and how we act, and I don’t think it is anywhere near what is the truth. They picture us as a bunch of mindless idiots that bully people. I really don’t like that because it is just wrong.”

Joni Reed, varsity volleyball coach, said she was grateful toward her volleyball team. She said one athlete Alyssa Henness, senior, led the team with her positive attitude and hard work.

“She the most technically sound athlete in the gym. She carries herself with quiet confidence,” Reed said. “Alyssa has high expectations and it shows.”

Henness played volleyball since third grade and said she thoroughly enjoys it. She said she has worked hard and hopes for possible scholarships.

“I work my butt off and that is what coaches want,” Henness said.

Reed said Henness will be a big loss to their program.

“She makes our underclassmen feel comfortable in the gym,” Reed said. “She offers the knowledge that she has to others.

I won’t be surprised if she becomes a very successful coach some day.”

As the athletes get together as a team before the start of a big game they all have one thing in common and that is each player is part of something and making history.

The players get a last game plan together before all piling their hands in the middle of the huddle and chant “one, two, three, Panthers”

Top: Justice Reed, junior, runs the ball down the field during the JV game against Independence.

Sept. 17. The Panthers lost the game 1-2. {Photo by Adeline McIntire} Middle: The football team celebrates with the Regional plaque after they won the game against Tonganoxie Nov. 2. The Panthers ended the season with a record of 9-2. {Photo by Hannah Menefee} Bottom: Tommy Downum, junior, paces himself during the Bonner Springs Invitational cross country meet. Downum placed 81st with a time of 20:57. 79. “I have always liked to be the best but it is not always possible so you just have to do what your body can handle,” Downum said. {Photo by Emma Johnson}

The Reporter December 2018 Sports

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Concussion destruction athletes suffer serious effects of injuries { Trinity miller } copy editor

Gavin Stark, senior, runs the ball from the 20-yard line to the goal line, but a Labette outside-linebacker charges at full speed, plowing into Stark. Stark folds to the ground and is knocked unconscious.

Stark got a concussion at the end of the 2017 football season.

“It first started with sensitivity to light.

Right after I was knocked out, I was taken to a hospital in Altamont to get an MRA and a few x-rays,” Stark said.

The concussion required Stark to stay home from school to reduce his symptoms.

It affected his athletics to a greater extent.

Stark couldn’t finish the football season and he missed a month and a half of the wrestling season.

“My concussion was gone within two months, but I will never be 100 percent normal again. My memory is a little messed up, like someone will tell me something and I’ll forget it 20 minutes later,” Stark said.

John Pomatto, physical trainer, said concussions are pretty serious, since they can cause brain damage and death, and all precautions have to be taken, no matter the severity.

“Kansas enforces players to be taken out of a game or practice if they show any symptoms of a concussion. If they do, we immediately send them to a doctor,” Pomatto said.

“They can lead to permanent brain damage and also death.”

Pomatto works with about 25 cases of concussions per year between the two schools in the Miami County community.

Concussions are more common during football season, so players often take safety precautions to avoid injuries. Pomatto said he worked with seven football cases from Paola and eight from the other school, so far.

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Games create a higher tendency of concussions because the athletes use more intense plays.

“With Paola, we’ve been fortunate enough to purchase guardian helmets, which are padded helmets, so I’ve seen a significant decrease of head injuries during practice,” Pomatto said.

When athletes are diagnosed with a concussion, they are usually out of games and practices for about two weeks, but each one is different, he said.

Pomatto begins testing players using a 22-symptom evaluation, then he moves to a balance and cognitive test.

“The balance test is said to be pretty difficult. It includes balancing on both legs, one leg, right and left, eyes open and closed,” Pomatto said.

Concussions cause athletes to miss part or all of the season because they have to sit out until their symptoms subside.

“After their symptoms are gone, they come back to see me for four steps of the five-step program then they’ll finish it at the next practice. The coaches will reflect on how they did and if they showed symptoms,” Pomatto said. “It’s all about honesty. If you’re honest about your symptoms and how you’re feeling, then everything will turn out fine.”

Noah Bowden, junior, got a concussion during practice Oct. 22. Bowden was practicing his tackles when he was knocked unconscious.

“When I became conscious again, it first felt like I was in a fog. I couldn’t remember where I was,” Bowden said.

The concussion was average, but it took 336 hours for Bowden to feel normal.

To reduce Bowden’s symptoms, he could not use any form of electronics.

“Since my brain was a little fogged, it was hard to focus in class, but I think I’m almost 100 percent better,” Bowden said.

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“You have neurons firing rapidly inside your brain. It’s like christmas lights tangled together, and when you’re hit in a certain spot, those lights shut off.”

John Pomatto, trainer

{Art by Trinity Miller}

The Reporter December 2018 sports

Design by trinity miller

Keeping Mental

how an athlete’s mindset affects their performance {Liv Meridith} Reporter

Walking into a gym, onto a field, a court, or a pool, athletes everywhere tune their mind to the sport and mentally choose to work their hardest to succeed.

Brayden Hanf, junior, said when she goes into a game, she puts her last injury from basketball aside and focuses on the game. After recovering from her ACL injury last year, Hanf is back to playing basketball.

“Even when you get tired, you have to keep pushing and then it’s mind over matter; it’s just your head telling you everything and you just have to push past it.”

Athletes, parents and coaches often agree that allowing an athlete’s mind to do most of the work will help them work to-

ward their goal faster.

Russell Hermreck, wrestling coach, said he tries to create a competitive atmosphere in practice so wrestlers shouldn’t have anything to take them off guard at an actual match.

“Every wrestling team is going to train the same set of skills,” Hermreck said. “We are not doing anything different from Louisburg or Spring Hill, but how we do it is going to separate us and again. That’s the mental approach and it’s very important.”

Swim team allows athletes to compete with their teammates but also allows them to work together in the end.

Carson Elits, senior, said his coaches train him to go out and have fun while trying to win in his seven years of competitive swim experience.

“They try not to put much pressure on us. Normally a lot of the pressure is applied from ourselves. They try to calm us down as best as they can.”

Small things such as the rat pack can even affect the players attitude during the game, Coach Hermerek, said “If wrestling had a rat pack, they would love it. They would eat it up because they love performing in front of their piers.”

“When the rat pack is hype it makes us hype, it makes us less tired when we are running up and down the floor, we have that addrenalen in our bodies of them chanting and it just helps out a lot,” Hanf said.

Although each sport comes with their own physical aspect, every sport comes with a mental edge than can be the hardest part to overcome.

Left: Noah Bowden, junior, is about to take a shot on his opponent Johnny Akin from Saint Thomas Aquinas at the Spring Hill Dual Tournament. Bowden wrestles at 132lbs and is currently ranked third in the state in his weight class. “My goals this year are to do great things at state,” Bowden said. {Photo by Carlie Stallbaumer}

Design By Macayla Enman and paige fleming

Above: Brayden Hanf, junior shoots for the basket aginst Baldwin on Nov. 30. The Laddy Panthers lost 58-26 aginst the Baldwin Bulldogs. “The Rat Pack is a big influences on the team. When they are hype it makes us hype and makes us feel less tired when we are running up and down the court. The Rat Pack is like a big boost of addrelen and it just helps out a lot,” Hanf said. {Photo by Mariah Sullivan}

Please contact the journalism staff if you have suggestions for story ideas The Reporter December 2018 Sports

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