The View Issue 2 Vol 23

the

VIEW

Park Hill South Riverside, MO

Dec. 17, 2020 Issue 2 Vol. 23

Zoom Meeting

A Change of Plans

COVID affected the holidays for staff and students pages 12-13

End Meeting

Letter from the

EDITOR

The world looks different since you last heard from The View.

Since our last issue, a contentious presidential election has been won and lost, South faced its first bout of distance learning of the school year, and the holidays have caused a surge in COVID cases around the nation. It’s important to remember, however, that despite all the troubling news that circulates daily, we’ve overcome a lot in 2020.

This year will probably go down in history as the worst yet in our lives, but we shouldn’t simply move forward and forget the time we’ve spent, and that’s what we’ve focused on in this issue of The View: Reminiscing on the highs and lows of 2020, scarred as they may be.

So, if I could offer our readers one piece of advice, I would tell you to take what you’ve learned this year in stride, and use it to better yourself in the years that come. Students at South have still earned themselves countless victories, whether it be in sports, academics, or successfully relearning how to connect with the world. Don’t let the negatives of this year drown out the good.

After all, hindsight is 2020.

The View Staff Fall 2020 Print Co-Editors in Chief Laura Distefano & Amy Graham Digital Editor in Chief Sophia Koch Art Director Payton Miller

Reporters Emma Clark Tyler Clippard Sophia Dunn Kara Hagen Caleb Hicks Jake Lazen Lina Navarro Georgia McGonigle Demetrius Peters Paige Wessel Maddie Winkler

Section Editors Grant Mulligan Parker Rivers Emily Williamson Adviser Megan Palmer

Table of Contents Issue 2, Vol 23 December 17, 2020

3

News Rocky Year Gift

11

Features Job Spotlight

8

Entertainment This or That?

Sports

18

Fall Sports Recap

t f i G h t

o o Sm

to a

ROCKY YEAR Class of 2021 may be leaving, but their legacy isn’t

by GRANT MULLIGAN

Top: Gomez, Graham, and Senior exec planning out the design Bottom: Rough idea of the dimensions and location

Since the opening of South in 1998, traditions are something that have been lacking in recent years. Most notably, the Native Prairie Grass is something that students drive by twice a day and probably doesn’t get the recognition and significance it had intended to receive.

Don’t worry, though; the class of 2021 is here to bring back traditions with a fresh start on the annual class gift to South.

“We are planning on making a giant “S’ outside of South so that it is the first thing people see when they pull into the school,” Senior Exec leaders Karla Gomez and Amy Graham said.

The group has been making plans of a “huge” gift to South as a proper thank you before the class spreads its wings after graduation. Similar to Mizzou’s famous rock sculpture outside of their football stadium, Senior Exec plans on doing the same except with an “S” for South.

The process hasn’t been easy, though. Through meeting with principals, administrators and even the grounds crew of the school, these two panthers are taking charge and making sure that their vision is fulfilled outside of South.

“It is more than just a few rocks in the grass. This project is a long-term deal spanning across grades,” Graham said.

Senior Exec’s gift is meant to encourage the younger classes to restart this tradition of giving back to the place where students spend the greatest four years of their lives.

“We have been advocating through social media in order to get everyone involved and get the school excited about it,” Gomez said.

Gomez has been working with administrators and the freshmen mentor program in order to make a tradition for incoming freshmen to paint the rocks at the entrance, and leave their mark on South’s history every year from now on.

Even though this school year has been a disappointment for many seniors, South has two panthers willing to make sure this Senior Class will leave their mark and a legacy that will last for a long time.

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of US citizens asked would get the vaccine

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es n i c ac nts v 9 D-1 stude ers I V O e th C o m s e o l A ,s hi e w v i r r ar eage ant t are e hesi r mo

Recently, the pandemic was attacked from behind. This attack was a brief announcement of reassurance to some citizens, that help is on the way for those who choose to accept it. While to others this news was no more than a drop in the bucket, many felt otherwise, that a vaccination could be the start of life making its way back to the way things once were.

On Nov. 9 at approximately 6:45a.m.

Pfizer and Biotech announced a successful COVID-19 vaccine candidate, in its first interim analysis from the phase III study.

The vaccine was found to be more than 90 percent effective in preventing COVID-19 in participants. Of the 43,538 participants in the study, only 94 ended the study with a COVID case.

Many health experts are beginning to back this vaccine and Moderna’s newest vaccine results. Just a week after Pfizer released their results, drug company Moderna released statements that their developed vaccine carries at 94.5 percent success rate, and that they are using Operation Warp Speed to help fast-track the development of vaccines.

While there has been a mix of excitement and indifference across the country, the same can be said for students at South. Sally Green, junior, is looking forward to the vaccine coming out.

“I have confidence in the vaccine based on what I’ve read. I think that widespread

availability for a vaccine would help us transition back to ‘normal life.’ So far, it’s all incredibly promising and I am hopeful for the future. Still, we, as a country will need to continue to wear masks and social distance because the vaccine probably won’t be available to the general public for a while,” Green said.

On the other hand, there is some wariness and apprehension that many others feel towards the new vaccine.

“I think the vaccine is huge for our country because it gives us a chance to potentially end the COVID situation.”

“My family and I are very skeptical on vaccines because if they don’t have multiple years of showing positive results then I feel like there is something destined to go wrong with it,” Kale Slater, senior, said.

Natalie Maris, junior, has doubts similar to Slater’s.

“I will not be getting the vaccine initially until I know the risk that comes with it. I have talked to some of my parent’s coworkers who are doctors, and they told me to not get it until we know the side effects,” Maris said.

by LAURA LAURA DISTEFANO DISTEFANO by

With the willingness to wait for the side effects to be brought to light, many ponder, how long of a wait will it be? Predictions are beginning to be made: Some suggest availability by March or April while others are looking at the Summer of 2021.

“This vaccine is coming out extremely fast which is great but I just want to make sure everything is working first,” Aidan Seymour, freshman, said. “Honestly this vaccine is almost life changing. It would be really cool if I could go to homecoming next year and everything was the same as it once was. The only thing I’m worried about is people not willing to take the vaccine, I’m definitely looking forward to it though.”

With compliance, distribution and COVID-fatigue at stake, one can only hope that the vaccine does some good.

“I think the vaccine is huge for our country because it gives us a chance to potentially end the covid situation. It’s pretty simple. Just listen to the people who actually know what they are talking about,” James Ranes, senior, said.

As a winter surge strikes Missouri, the media continues to buzz, and toilet paper bandits clear grocery store shelves, this vaccine creates a light at the tunnel, and the ‘rona won’t know what hit it.

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“No school!”

The phrase that might have once excited a student now carries a deeper meaning. With holiday cheer looming in the air and debates about whether or not one can safely celebrate this year ring loudly, the prospect of student and staff safety is once again a dire concern.

South faced its first pandemic-related shut down of the year following Thanksgiving, reminding some students of the shutdown which began in March. As the pandemic intensifies as a result of the holidays, administrators are faced with difficult decisions about remaining open.

“The top priority is the safety of students, staff and teachers,” Dr. Kerrie Herren, interim principal, said. “The district also looks to maintain productive academic settings.”

The district has worked diligently to avoid any shutdowns, while providing as much information as possible to the community, recently adding the COVID-19 dashboard to its website. The dashboard includes comprehensive information on cases and quarantines in the Park Hill community, as well as indicators it uses to make decisions regarding in-person learning.

“I feel like our district has been doing a lot and they’ve been setting a lot of good guidelines. Our district is doing the best out of all the other districts I’ve seen,” Karla Gomez, senior, said.

Despite all the precautions, concerns continue to be raised by students and staff alike, and the district must work to respond to these.

“Education professionals are not mere data points. We are so much more than just teachers,” Dr. Jill Owens, A+ coordinator said at the Nov. 12 Board of Education meeting. “We are

57

new COVID cases in the district (from November 30 to December 6)

daughters and sons, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, and lifelong friends. I hope you understand what each piece of data truly represents.”

On the opposite of community members concerned about COVID cases, others feel the harms of online learning are more pressing, and South’s administration has attempted to balance all perspectives.

“At the building level we listen and work with our families and students to accommodate individual needs the best we can,” Herren said. “We will continue conversations and our support as needed.”

Owens maintains that she has faith in the district to handle the pandemic responsibly, as they’ve done in the past.

“I think everyone is making sound decisions based on the information available at any point in time,” Owens said. “Any decision is difficult because community conditions change rapidly-- not just day-to-day, but hour-to-hour sometimes.”

As exciting as the prospect of entirely online school may seem, it’s indicative of something darker: The district no longer feels it can safely keep students in school. And while many students may feel powerless in the fight against COVID, everyone can work to limit their own spread.

“I understand that it’s getting bad, especially because we can’t control what happens outside of school, we can’t regulate everything, and I think that’s where all our cases are coming from,” Gomez said.

The focus now for administrators is handling the surge in cases as a result of the holidays, and data following Christmas will be crucial.

by AMY GRAHAM see the COVID dashboard here

A DISTRICT IN DANGER ?

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Officials at the district and building level have to evaluate safety of students, staff when it comes to how to learn in a pandemic

If you could choose to graduate at semester right now, would you want to?

Yes No 68% 32%

Senioritis is upon us, sooner this year than most. know if high school is going to be online or not, and Seniors are eager to graduate early due to online I’ve never enjoyed being at school,” Morgan Homoly, school and the ongoing COVID-19. But the end of senior, said. semester looks a little different this year.

Homoly has also enrolled in classes at MCC Fall semester won’t end till mid January. Those beginning in January. seniors who planned to start college courses in Between COVID and senior traditions being January will start before their high school era comes cancelled more seniors are eager to get out of high to an end. school and start the next chapter of their life.

Grant Mulligan, “I was “I recognized that seniors senior, is planning to take initially planning on start itching to get out of graduating at semester courses at Maple Woods Community College high school during second at the end of my (MCC) to get a head start sophomore year and semester and I had the for his future, but dates COVID just assured regarding registration majority of my credits in so I myself that I wanted keep changing making it to graduate early,” said harder to organize his time decided to graduate early.” Mulligan. between taking college Abby Ahrendt, courses while still in high senior, is another school. mid-year grad. She plans to work during the second “I’m hoping that my teachers will let me take finals semester then attend Northwest Missouri State in the early and dates keep changing so it’s a day-to-day fall. problem,” Mulligan said.

“I recognized that seniors start itching to get out Early graduates are being allowed to take finals early of high school during second semester and I had the on Jan. 6 at South. majority of my credits in so I decided to graduate The fear of missing out (aka FOMO) is a big reason early,” said Ahrendt. why seniors decide to stay in high school until May, Ahrendt has been planning to graduate at semester but this year FOMO isn’t that big of a problem for since junior year. the mid-year grads. 72 students are set to graduate May 23 is the class of 2021 set graduation ceremony after the first semester. According to Dr. Beth Esco, date. Maybe the seniors who decided to stay in school assistant principal, the average amount of students until May are hoping that they’ll still get some of their who graduate at semester is usually in the low 60s. senior year back, while the mid-year grads are eager to Many seniors have specific reasons for graduating start the next chapter of their life. But one thing they early this year. will all do together is receive their diplomas and say “I’ll still get to see my friends and we don’t even farewell to South.

Lucky N

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by SOPHIA KOCH

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Mid-y ea finding r grads fac et out ho schoo w to ta he struggle l class es at t ke college a of he sam n e time d high

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32%

48%

52%

Voted Luna

Voted Rancho

Voted Bachelorette

The Not so Close Calls

Voted Chickfil-A is better than Canes

Voted Astrology is a real thing

Voted Chipolte IS Fast Food

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27%

Voted Bachelor

South’s

“Rancho is gross and greasy. Luna is a better atmosphere and more authentic” Karla Gomez (Senior), said.

77% 71%

68%

87%

Voted Iced Coffee over Hot Coffee

Voted Chipolte is NOT Fast Food

Is Chipotle Considered Fast Food?

95%

Voted Dogs are better than Cats

83%

Voted Pizza in Trangles Rather than Squares

“Yes Chipotle is fast food because you can be in and out of the restaurant within five to ten minutes, and there is no drive through so even more of a reason. I would classify Chipotle as a ‘medium food restaurant’” Mr. Messer, said.

34%

Santa is Real

“Yes a hot dog is a sandwich and I have a good reason. A sub sandwich is the same type of bread as a hot dog, the only difference is the inside of the bread” Morgan Homoly (senior), said.

68%

66%

Santa is Fake “Of course Santa is real because when I wake up Christmas morning, the milk and cookies are gone” Dylan Hufft (senior), said.

Voted that a Hotdog is NOT a Sandwhich

This OR That That

By Emma Clark

40%

Chiefs vs.

Cowboys

60% Who is America’s Football Team?

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Grass

ROOTS

A progressive perspective on the 2020 election outcomes “Some or all of the content shared in this Tweet is disputed and might be misleading about an election or other civic process.”

“This claim about election fraud is disputed.”

The warnings required for claims that tens of millions of Americans would see each day, as President Donald Trump held true to his belief in election fraud, unwavering for a huge stretch of time.

As continued lawsuits failed and reality settled further in, Trump and his staff eventually bended to the fact of defeat. With the hope he spread through the allegations and outcries of a “rigged rigged rigged” election, each verdict weeks and months after the election still hurt for many Republicans wishing for their candidate to have been right.

But they aren’t the only ones who suffered a defeat in this election. To look at another group in politics that is yet to be jumping for joy at the idea of PresidentElect Joe Biden, go back to the primaries.

“My number one choice was Bernie, closely followed by Elizabeth Warren,” Rachel Kriz, junior, said. “Their devotion to putting measures in place which can help counteract climate change and protecting reproductive rights are what attracted me the most. Biden, while a democrat, cared a lot less about the issues I’m passionate about.”

Kriz is part of a large group at South and nationwide that sees Biden’s win as only a slight victory or step to what is truly necessary for the country reflected in much more progressive candidates.

“Progressivism is a fundamental ideology built on compassion and empathy. We work to improve the conditions of people harmed the most, do whatever we can to help them the most, improve the life of the average American,” Matt Kruse, senior, said.

Kruse, president of the Young Democrats club at South, agrees

a democrat in the presidency isn’t a bad thing, and getting rid of Trump was key, but Biden’s moderate views hinder necessary progress and weren’t necessary to win the White House, pointing to progressive candidates’ success in Congressional elections.

“Bernie would have had just as much electoral success… every single cosponsor of Medicare-for-All won re-election,” he said.

A prime example of a popular official that is making strides for the progressive movement is New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who won re-election in her district by over 44 percent.

“She is unwavering in her beliefs… She calls other Congressmen and women out on their failures to the people who have elected them and has an incredibly good connection with her own district. She feels authentic, something that isn’t very common in a politician,” Kriz said.

Cortez has stood up for the historically oppressed and underrepresented, and speaks to their voice especially in times like now following the democrat’s success in November.

“The history of the party tends to be that we get really excited about the grass roots to get elected. And then those communities are promptly abandoned right after an election,” Cortez said in an interview with The New York Times.

Sticking true to what has been promised, one of the largest problems that a majority of Americans have with politicians in our society, is certainly the goal in site that will help get the job done.

Starting in 2021, and in a potential many years to come.

“Biden... cared a lot less about the issues I’m passionate about.”

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by PARKER RIVERS

LAUREN CALDWELL SOCIAL WORKER Lauren Caldwell is South’s social worker, who is able to focus on social and emotional well being of students above all else.

“My work with students goes beyond what they are able to accomplish in the classroom.

Students are able to learn better when their physical and emotional needs are met first,” Caldwell said.

Having a social worker present at South is a very fortunate resource to the

community. Caldwell provides a safe place to many students that need someone to talk to.

Caldwell gets to watch students learn and grow into what they want to be. She is able to read emotions and work to find out what each person needs to succeed.

“I typically see students on some of their worst days here at South and it is an honor to be trusted to hold space and provide support during those times,” Caldwell said.

Advice from Caldwell: “It’s okay if you’re not okay. Sounds cliché, but I believe in it whole heartedly,” she said. “We have to stop expecting ourselves and others to be happy all the time, and instead learn how to support each other when things are tough. Allowing ourselves to experience those uncomfortable emotions is a part of growing, so instead of running from it, lean in and let us support you.”

KATIE MANGA

MTSS COORDINATOR Katie Manga is a MTSS coordinator at South. Her job is to fill the needs of students when they need extra academic support.

“Sometimes this looks like providing a student with a peer tutor, coordinating set times for them to attend 5th hour, calling the family and helping organize schedules for academics,” said Manga.

Having Manga at South is an advantage to the whole community. The school is able to run more smoothly with staff

MATT WESTRICH STUDENT RESOURCE OFFICER Matt Westrich is the Student Resource Officer at South, and he is here every day students are at school. When he is not at South, he supplements the road patrol for the city of Riverside.

Having a officer at school is very beneficial to all the members of souths community. Westrich provides a sense of security and is available at all times.

“If I wasn’t here and administrators would need law enforcement, they would have to call either the emergency contact line or the non-emergency number for someone to come up here. And now you are dealing with someone different,” Westrich said, when explaining how his job is important to

the school.

Officer Westrich has been working in the building for 14 years. He gets to help students with family and civil issues and is able to provide informational presentations in classrooms.

Westrich said, “When the students are here four years and they cycle through I think it is important for them to see the same officer so they can relate and connect to me if they ever need anything.”

Advice From Westrich: “I kind of like to follow my own advice, be teachable, and you don’t always know everything. Whether you’re 16, 14, 20 or 30, everyone is teachable. I try to make every contact I have with kids be positive. I want to leave it in a positive way. So, if I have the ability to make it a teachable moment for them, I will.”

A Well Deserved A look in on jobs at South that many students can benefit from

members that have an important focus.

Manga said, “I hope I make things better by reaching more students than the school would be able to without someone in my position. It’s always my goal to make a student feel better about themselves or their situation after meeting with me.”

Manga is able to lift weight off of students shoulders by giving them extra support. She is even able to contact families and let them know all options of help there is at South.

Advice from Manga: “I work with many students that get down on themselves due to not understanding something or a poor grade in a class. I think it’s important for them to hear that everyone has something great to offer themselves, their families, friends, the community they live in, society, etc. A certain subject might not be their strength, or school in general for that matter, but everyone has something good about them.”

by KARA HAGEN

Spotlight

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A very

ZOOM Holiday Szn

by PAYTON MILLER

How are your family traditions changing this year due to COVID-19?

Jennifer Mattson, social studies:

Family traditions would be visiting family all over Iowa and Northwest Missouri. We normally have multiple dinners to attend on both my side and my husband’s side of the family. We also do a bunch of baking and watch holiday movies together. We aren’t going to be traveling this year. We are going to stay home and have our own holiday with our immediate family. But we are still going to BAKE until we drop!!!

Braden Bartosh, senior

All of my family lives in Omaha so we always drive up there and have a big family meal and play games. This year, due to COVID, my family decided they are not going to do it. My sister just had a baby and I have a couple of grandparents who would be high risk if they got it.

What are your feelings about these changes and challenges?

Mattson:

It is just one more thing that COVID has attacked this year. It is hard to stay away from family during the holidays, but you do it because you want people who are more at risk in your family to be safe. The biggest challenge will be teaching my 84-year-old father to Zoom so that we can all see each other over the holidays! He can face time but sometimes he holds the camera up to his ear! Ha!

Bartosh:

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It sucks but it is what it is. It was going to be one of my last Thanksgiving with my whole family because I won’t be able to celebrate it in the coming years because I will be playing college football then.

Allison Houchen and Nikon Burns, juniors, are still planning to travel over winter break to Belize. In order to go, they are required to get rapid COVID tests.

Traveling During a

Pandemic

by SOPHIA KOCH

Every year the Alyssa Kobyashi and her family attends a family reunion in Michigan.

This year they are still making it a priority to go. “My cousins who host the event every year are a bit concerned about having having everyone over, but we will all get COVID tests before going,” Kobyashi said.

Cayo Dominguez-Heithoff and his family were planning on going to Las Vegas to visit family, but because of COVID, they decided to stay in town with only immediate family.

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By Sophia Dunn & Georgia McGonig le

1. Blinding Lights by Weekend 2. Dance Monkey by Tones & I 3. Roses by Saint Jhn 4. Don’t Start Now by Dua Lipa 5. Before You Go by Lewis Capaldi 6. Rockstar by DaBaby ft Roddy Rich 7. Someone You Loved by Lewis Capaldi 8. Own It by Stormzy/Ed Sheeran/Burna Boy 9. Te Box by Roddy Rich 10. Say SO by Doja Cat 11. Lonely by Joel Corry 12. Watermelon Sugar by Harry Styles 13. Adore You by Harry Styles 14. Physical by Dua Lipa 15. Head & Heart by Joel Corry feat. Mnek 16. Rover by S1mba feat DTG 17. Savage Love (Laxed- Siren Beat) by Jason Derulo & Jawish 685 18. Death Bed by Powfu feat. BeaBadoobee 19. Breaking Me by Topic feat. A7S 20. Rain On Me by Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande Via Billboard

1. Fetch the Bolt Cutters by Fiona Apple 2. Manic by Halsey 3. Rare by Selena Gomez 4. Eternal Atake by Lil Uzi Vert 5. RTJ4 by Run the Jewels 6. Future Nostalgia by Dua Lipa 7. Rough and Rowdy Ways by Bob Dylan 8. YHLQMDLG by Bad Bunny 9. Chromatica by Lady Gaga 10. St. Cloud by Waxahatchee 11. High Off Life by Future 12. Circles by Mac Miller 13. Set My Heart on Fire Immediately by Perfume Genius 14. Reunions by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit 15. Taken Away by Moodymann 16. The Slow Rush by Tame Impala 17. Modus Viviendi by 070 Shake 18. Ghosts VI: Locusts by Nine Inch Nails 19. Suga by Megan Thee Stallion 20. Grae by Moses Sumney Via Rolling Stone

1. Cardigan, Heaven Or Hell by Don Tolliver 2. From Florida With Love, Dark Lane Demo Tapes by Drake 3. HEARTBREAK ANNIVERSARY, HEARTBREAK ANNIVERSARY by Giveon 4. All Around Me, Changes by Justin Bieber 5. Wonder, Wonder by Shawn Mendes

1. Birds of Prey - DC Films: Starring Margot Robbie, this box office hit is about the adventures of The Joker’s ex-girlfriend, Harley Quinn. After years of hijinx and crime with The Joker, Harley Quinn has made quite a few enemies, now that she’s no longer protected by the most notorious villain in the city. As she befriends three other powerful women, who get together to save a young girl from an evil crime lord, things start to turn around for Harley.

2. Bad Boys For Life - Sony Pictures: As the wife and son of a mexican drug lord seek vengeance for his incarceration, they are out to kill detective Mike Lowry, played by Will Smith. When Lowry gets wounded, he partners up with a tactical squad called AMMO, and Marcus Burnett, played by Martin Lawrence. The two humorous detectives must work together to get the targets off of their backs.

3. Onward - Walt Disney Pictures: When an elf named Ian Lightfoot, played by Tom Holland, turns 16, he is given a chance to be with his deceased father for just one day. Unbeknownst to their mother, Ian and his older brother, Barley, begin their quest to see their dad one last time. With lots of obstacles and little magic to get them through, the two do everything they can to make their dream come true.

4. Sonic The Hedgehog - Sony Pictures: Sonic the Hedgehog, played by Ben Schwartz, is a freaky fast animal who accidentally caught the attention of the evil Dr. Robotnik. The two face off in a fight of good vs. evil, in order to stop Dr. Robotnik from using Sonic’s powers for world domination.

5. The Invisible Man - Blumhouse Productions: When the dearranged scientist and abusive ex-boyfriend, Adrian Griffin, fakes his suicide, he uses one of his masterul creations to torment and stalk his ex-girlfriend, Cecilia Kass, played by Elisabeth Moss. After being called crazy by the authorities and sent to a correctional facility, Cecilia decides to fight for her life on her own.

1. Black-ish- season 7, ABC 6. Scoob!

7. Mulan 8. Dolittle 9. Tenet 10. Bad Boys For Life 11. Vivarium 12. Stargirl 13. Trolls World Tour 14. The King Of Staten Island 15. Unhinged 16. Enola Holmes 17. Hubie Halloween 18. Clouds 19. The Croods: A New Age 20. The Babysitter: Killer Queen

Have you ever had a bad year? Like a really bad year and the only thing to get you through it was music or fictional characters? Well 2020 was definitely that year but some good things to come out of it were those same fictional characters and music. We are here to give you your Top 20 of 2020.

2. The Walking dead- Season 11, AMC 3. Love Island- Season 2, CBS 4. Riverdale- Season 5, The CW 5. The Mandalorian- Season 2, Disney + 6. The Simpsons- Season 32, Fox 7. The Masked Singer- Season 4, Fox 8. Euphoria- Season 2, HBO 9. This Is Us- Season 5,6, NBC 10. Bob’s Burgers- Season 11, Fox 11. Emily in Paris- Season 1, Netflix 12. One Day at a Time- Season 4, CBS 13. The Good Doctor- Season 4, ABC 14. Grey’s Anatomy- season 17, ABC 15. Big Mouth- Season 4, Netflix 16. 90 Day Fiance- Season 8, TLC 17. The Masked Dancer- Season 1, Fox 18. Catfish: The TV Show- Season 10, MTV 19. Young Sheldon- Season 4, CBS 20. The Bachelorette- Season 16, ABC

ENTERTAINMENT 15 phssouthnews.com

Mrs. Claus’ Cookbook

by CALEB HICKS

Vegan Brownies Ingredients 1 cup of canned pumpkin 1/2 cup of sugar 1/4 cup of coconut oil 3/4 cup of all-purpose unbleached flour 1 tsp of vanilla extract 1 tbsp of cornstarch 1/4 cup of dark cocoa powder 1/2 tsp of salt 1/2 tsp of baking soda Directions 1. To start, heat your oven to 350 °F. Then combine the pumpkin, coconut oil, sugar and vanilla in a bowl and mix well.

2. Next, measure out and combine the dry ingredients in a separate bowl. We recommending sifting the flour and cocoa powder together to avoid any clumps.

3. Combine the wet and dry ingredients together, and bake for about 20 minutes. This time can vary, so make sure you keep an eye on them!

Santa’s Chocolate Cookies Ingrediants 1 cup Butter or margarine, softened 3/4 cup Sugar 3/4 cup Brown sugar, packed 2 Eggs, large 2 teaspoons Vanilla 2 1/4 cups Flour, unsifted 1 teaspoon Baking soda 1/2 teaspoon Salt 1 cup Walnuts or pecans, chopped (optional) 2 cups Chocolate Chips Directions 1. Heat oven to 375ºF. 2. Stir flour with baking soda and salt; set aside.

3. In large mixing bowl, beat butter with sugar, and brown sugar at medium speed until creamy and lightened in color.

4. Add eggs and vanilla, one at a time.

Mix on low speed until incorporated.

Gradually blend dry mixture into creamed mixture. Stir in nuts and chocolate chips.

5. Drop by tablespoon onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until chocolate chip cookies are golden brown.

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Peanut Butter Fudge Ingredients ½ cup butter 1 (16 ounce) package brown sugar ½ cup milk ¾ cup peanut butter 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar Directions 1. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar and milk.

2. Bring to a boil and boil for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter and vanilla.

3. Pour over confectioners’ sugar in a large mixing bowl.

4. Beat until smooth; pour into an 8x8 inch dish. Chill until firm and cut into squares.

Christmas Wishlist

Dear Santa...

Morgan Homoly, Senior

Alex laderoute, Senior

1. White Doc Martens 2. Candles 3. Earrings 4. Nike Air Forces 5. Dorm Decor 6. Airpods 7. Amaazon Gift Card 8. Socks 9. Phone Case 10. Joggers

1. Flannels 2. Loafers 3. Carhartt Sweatshirts 4. Socks 5. Tan Beanie 6. Socks 7. Letterboard 8. American Flag 9. Ps5 10. Airpods case

Holiday Playlist

Music the entire family will love this holiday season

by PAIGE WESSEL

1. All I Want For Christmas Is You (Mariah Carey)

2. Santa Tell Me (Ariana Grande) 3. Mistletoe (Justin Bieber)

4. Last Christmas (Ariana Grande)

5. Mary, Did You Know? (Pentatonix) 6. Jingle Bell Rock (Bobby Helms) 7. You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch

(Thurl Ravenscroft & Boris Karloff)

8. Run Rudolph Run (Chuck Berry) 9. Blue Christmas (Elvis Presley)

10. Little Drummer Boy ENTERTAINMENT 17 (Pentatonix)

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FALL SPORTS RECAP FOOTBALL

The football team had a crazy year this year really out of nowhere. With a new quarterback in Nathan Ricco and only Coach Wilmes’s second season as head coach they went 8-3 and were the conference champions. However after a great regular season the postseason was not kind to our panthers. Just before the district’s semi-finals game Coach Wilmes was sent into a two week quarantine due to contact tracing leaving them without the head coach.

Unfortunately the boys lost a very close game to Staley and were eliminated from the playoffs.

However a huge amount of the varsity squad will

be returning for next season and we should expect more and more great years of football to come.

“Our 2021 team next year will have a lot of very good Varsity football players returning to the field and some young talented athletes who will step in and replace those that have left. We are very excited about the 2021 season and are starting to prepare with our offseason work right now”, said Wilmes.

With a huge amount of the varsity squad returning for next season and we should expect more and more great years of South football to come.

SOFTBALL

The softball team had a pretty good year going 17-13 and were conference champs. Unfortunately they lost in the first round of the district tournament. Because of COVID, no team had a normal year ,but senior Trinity Bindel was just glad to play.

GIRLS GOLF

“Regardless of how it played out I am still so thankful I was able to have my senior season and wouldn’t have traded it for anything,” said Bindel.

The girls golf team had a successful year, sending two girls to the State meet this year. Sara Montalbano and Abby Ervin qualified for the State meet, both doing very well. Ervin placed 51st and

Montalbano at 70th. Next year, expectations should be high for these two as they hope to make it to the State meet once more.

This season girls tennis shocked everyone with how well they did.

After losing a few seniors last year, expectations were low but they ended the season 10-4 and won their conference which was a big win.

“Coming into the season, we didn’t even know if we would make it to matches. So, I was very impressed with the growth of the team under extremely difficult circumstances,”said Coach Ian Cunliff.

GIRLS TENNIS

CROSS COUNTRY

BOYS SOCCER

Coming into the year, the girls cross country team was just expected to have a mediocre year after the loss of three varsity seniors, so the success they had with such a young team was very surprising.

The girls went to take first place at Conference, second at Districts and placed seventh at State which was a huge step up from their previous projection which had them at last. Freshman Lauren Bishard got 22nd and was All-State with a time of 19:24 which was over a minute personal record on the year.

“After the success of winning districts last season the expectations were super high for the boys soccer team coming into this year,” said Coach Chris Farmer.

Unfortunately, they had a slow start ,going 1-7 through the first eight games but then rallied to go 11-9 on the year after winning 10 of their last 12 18 SPORTS games.

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“All five of our scoring runners had their best times at State, and there is really nothing more you can expect or ask of an athlete. In the end, I would say that the outcome of our season exceeded my expectations (and I’m not complaining),” said Coach Pam Jurgensmeyer.

Tyler Clippard, junior, was also a standout for the boys team, being the only boy to qualify for State meet in Columbia and placing at Districts.

Unfortunately, the boys lost a close game to Liberty at Districts. Although it seemed as though it was a disappointing season the boys beat Lee’s Summit who went to State last year and was their first win against them since Lee’s Summit joined the conference three years ago.

It is safe to say that the boys soccer team had what you might call a roller coaster of a season.

by TYLER CLIPPARD

and XC LAURA DISTEFANO

How athletes are handling their winter season with new precautions

by LINA NAVARRO As winter arises, temperatures begin to drop and the holidays sneak up on us.

Besides students being bundled up drinking hot chocolate, winter sports are starting.

These sports take place inside, so how could this work with a pandemic going on?

With cases of COVID-19 skyrocketing more than ever, it is hard to know when we will be in school or not. Not only does this affect teachers and coaches; it affects the students even more. Athletes who are seniors this year might never be able to finish their final seasons.

It is mandatory for everyone who is inside the building to wear masks, but what if they are playing a sport? Since they are inside, these athletes may have to wear their masks the entire time they are playing.

This year, the wrestling team has had to make some big changes to their pre-season. The team didn’t even have tryouts and more and more things have started to get cancelled.

The team also had to split up into small groups, so they have less exposure.

Kale Slater, senior, is hoping that he will be able to finish his last year wrestling at South.

“I would feel really bad if I couldn’t finish my last year as a senior because I just love the environment wrestling gives off,” Slater said.

There are some positives for the wrestling team this year though. The girls wrestling team is bigger than ever. They have about 12 girls this year on the team, compared to the three last year. Maddie Fosmoe, junior, decided to join the pack this season.

“I started wrestling this year because a girl on my club soccer team talked me into joining and said she really enjoyed it,” Fosmoe said.

Not only are big changes happening in the wrestling room, the gym is starting to look different as well. This year, South’s basketball team has had to follow the COVID guidelines just like everyone else.

One of the biggest changes so far would be preseason conditioning. Instead of running sprints inside, they had to run them outside.

It is hard to tell at this point if the season will continue. Justin Harrison, senior, thinks that he and his teammates will finish off a strong season.

“Being optimistic, I think that we will finish our season. If all the cards fall into place, which we pray they will, we should get our season,” Harrison said.

However, how could you wear a mask while swimming? The girls swim team has had some obstacles already starting in their season. The season has had to start later than normal to avoid contact with the boys swim team and the other swimmers at Park Hill. The girls have to alternate with the other team every other week to try and stay as safe as possible.

Melody Sasser, senior, is having doubts if she will get to finish her final season.

“I don’t think that we will make it through our entire season because it’s only been three days of practice and I already have had to quarantine because of a COVID case,” Sasser said.

With trouble starting in the preseason of these winter sports, these athletes are just hoping that they can play a full season. The coaches and administration are trying their best to keep everyone as safe as possible and some things have to change because of it.

Winter Sports in

2020

photos courtesy of M4 Photography

SPORTS 19

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In the blink of an eye, a pandemic strikes the world. It is the only thing anyoneever talks about… COVID-19. The statistics of cases and hospitalizations frolic around the TV screen all day. Everyone’s normal was suddenly turned upside down.

For sports at South, the dance team especially, the girls and coaches have had to go through a series of changes with practices, competitions and a new perspective on the year.

“Practice looks different with the team wearing masks throughout practice but I think our biggest change is missing girls that have to quarantine. We set up Zooms, so whoever is gone can still participate in practice. When quarantine involves the whole team we quickly adjust to ‘at home’ practice where the girls would submit videos to show what they worked on that day,” Caitlin Uribe, head coach of the team, said.

In the dance realm, practices are crucial when it comes to competition season. Even though they have not been able to utilize two weeks out of November due to COVID exposure, they have still been working just as hard if not harder than previous seasons to ensure the dances are ready.

Because of the new mandates with social

distancing and spectators, two out of their three regional competitions, including State and Nationals, have been moved to online. Videos of their national dances have to be submitted by a certain date rather than competing in person in front of judges and an audience.

“One of the best parts of the dance team is getting to compete and watch all the other amazing teams, so it’s a little sad knowing that some competitions will be virtual, but no matter if it’s a virtual or in person competition, I will still be getting to do it with the most amazing group of girls,” Katie Kramer, sophomore, said.

With such sudden changes of 2020 every sport has gotten a real taste of not taking anything for granted. This pandemic has taken away so many things for a lot of people. Things could change at any given time.

“COVID has made my work ethic much stronger because I know that my season could end at any moment,” Lauren Pisoni, junior, said.

The South Side Girls have endured a lot this 2020-2021 season, but with that comes a lot of growth. They take every opportunity and make it as if it’s their last, because for some, it is.

2020 Full Team

“COVID has made my work ethic much stronger because I know that my season could end at any moment.”

A Virtual

2020 Seniors

by MADDIE WINKLER

Reality Check for the 20 SPORTS

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SSG’S

The dance team adapts to new practices and competition procedures

2020 MVP Fortunately for Kansas City, Patrick Mahomes is the only person alive having an amazing 2020

by DEMETRIUS PETERS

There isn’t a single person living who has had a better 2020 than Patrick Mahomes.

The former NFL regular season MVP has turned this disappointing year into the best year of his life.

He started his 2020 year by defeating the San Francisco 49ers 31-20 in the 55th Super Bowl back in February.

The starting quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs was named MVP of the game. The Star QB won both regular season and Super Bowl MVP in the first three years of being in the league.

The reigning Super Bowl champs thought it was well deserved so they rewarded their starting and reigning Super Bowl MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes with a record-breaking 10-year $503 million dollar contract with $63 million guaranteed. The contract makes him the highest-paid athlete in sports history.

He then decided to spend some of his earned money on an engagement ring he got for his longtime girlfriend, Brittany Matthews. The two officially got engaged Sept.

9, 2020, inside a suite at Arrowhead Stadium.

Not to stop there, three weeks later, the couple announced that they’re expecting a child by posting a picture with the two holding a picture of an ultrasound.

The superstar QB is currently at the top of the MVP discussion and is leading his team to a 11-1 record through the second week of December, which is good enough for first place in the AFC West.

Patrick Mahomes has 2020 by a chokehold and I don’t see him letting go anytime soon.

SPORTS 21

art by EMMA CLARK

phsouthnews.com

T

he surprise that came with the news of a long summer brought joy and hope to the high school students of Missouri. The thoughts of a longer break in which they could go on vacation and hang out with friends without the weight of school on their shoulders filled their minds.

During the summer of 2020, amid a year of troubling times, trying to make the most of the extended summer was a top priority for these students. When the first day of the school year rolled around, these positive sentiments they previously had about the schedule change began to sour.

In 2019, a law was passed by Governor Mike Parson in Missouri that states that Missouri schools can start “no earlier than 14 calendar days prior to the first Monday in September.” This meant that schools in the 2020-2021 school year would begin on August 24, thus pushing the end of first semester to January 15--after winter break, and the end of the school year to May 28.

“Ending after break makes things more complicated, especially for mid-year grads. Taking finals after winter break kind of ruins break if you are having to study the whole time,” said Ashlyn Rancudo, senior.

Rancudo reflects the feelings felt throughout South. When students have spent their entire academic career ending first semester before winter break, this change is not only startling, but it upsets the normal patterns that teachers and students have through the school year.

“I can see this change in schedule being somewhat challenging for students – especially when we’re used to ending things before winter break. It may be tough for some to come back and finish those last two weeks in January,” said Vanessa Zamzow, math.

With the negative sides of the schedule change emerging in the lives of students and teachers, motivation is lacking, and will most likely continue to do so as this semester continues. This lack of motivation could mean terrible things for students, leading to increasingly worse grades and work quality as well as procrastination.

This could also be a problem for seniors planning on graduating after first semester. These students won’t get the satisfaction of walking out of South on the last day before winter break knowing that they are done with high school. Instead, they have to spend winter break dreading the last two weeks full of finals that they have to go back for in January.

Another issue that mid-year grads are facing is the dilemma with starting college classes at Maple Woods this spring and it overlapping and interfering with the last week of high school classes in January. This issue long went unresolved until a few weeks ago. Administration at South decided to allow these students planning on starting at Maple Woods in January to take their finals a week early.

“I know some students who were graduating at semester have chosen not to do Maple [Woods] in the spring because of the late semester ending, so they won’t be as far ahead in college as they could be,” said Rancudo.

Hopefully, this new development will allow some of the aforementioned students to reassess their situation and make a new decision if they want to.

A schedule change that was seemingly full of positives has turned into something with more negatives. Although the pushing back of the start date is a state law and not something that can be changed by the Park Hill School District, it has sent an unforeseen shockwave through the students and teachers at South.

“They won’t be as far ahead in college as they could be.”

Schedule Change

Shockwave 14

22 NEWS

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15

JANUARY

15

First Day 2nd Semester

JANUARY

Last Day 1st Semester

1st Semester Finals

Despite COVID’s surge, the pandemic isn’t the only detriment to South students’ semester

by EMILY WILLIAMSON

JANUARY

19

Christmas Word Search

MISC 23

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