The View Vol 23 Issue 5

Special Senior Section pages 16-32

Issue 5, Vol. 23 May 14, 2021

special

SENIOR SECTION

Created with the 2021 Yearbook Staff

18 Glow-Ups 19 ACT Scholars 20 College Map 22 Superlatives 24 Then/Now 28 Senior Events 30 Confessions/Games The View Staff Spring 2021 Print Co-Editors Reporters in Chief Laura Distefano Katie Claunch & Amy Graham Tyler Clippard Digital Editor in Chief Sophia Koch Design Editors Parker Rivers Emma Clark

Sophia Dunn Alice Gamble Kara Hagen Yesi Hailemariam Caleb Hicks Alyssa Kobayashi Demetrius Peters Hadley Uribe Paige Wessel Maddie Winkler

Adviser Megan Palmer

Table of Contents

Issue 5, Vol 23 May 14, 2021

News

4

Bring Back Incentives

Opinion

9

Taylor Swift Re-Released

Features

12

Courageous Nutrition

Sports

15

Hole In One

Looking back at each 6:30 a.m. wake-up call, each seven hour day, and the past four years, I’d say it was all worth it.

As high schoolers, complaining is a pastime we all have in common, but I have very few complaints about my time in high school.

Through the good and the bad, and various complaints I made in between, each significant or even insignificant moment holds a special place in my memory.

Like when Mr. McDaniels scared the hiccups out of me my freshman year, or Senora Roth’s Spanish scavenger hunts, just to name a few.

I am so appreciative of the publications program, specifically the newspaper for giving the senior staff members and myself the ability and voice to broadcast the facts and the fun to the rest of the school these past two years.

I know everyone has a different high school experience, but each and every one of us, regardless of our differences, will take pieces of high school with us into our futures. It was an experience, that is for sure.

An experience of learning, growth, and preparation for all of the years to come. It is very bittersweet to say goodbye to some of the things I’ve loved most about high school (the staff, students, and of course lunch cookies), but I can say with certainty that South will forever be a place of comfort to me as we seniors run into many new beginnings.

This past year has certainly been… different, but as it comes to a close, we should all take a moment to reflect on the unique time we’ve had at South.

Within The View, we’ve all had to work extra hard to produce newspapers we wanted to share with the student body. First, it was the separation of the hybrid schedule, and then, it was the rough transition of returning full time.

The reality is, though, that every student at South has faced their own struggles this year. We’ve all had ups and downs. Seniors have longed for all the milestones and events they’ve missed, but also been extra grateful for the special events members of our community have put on for us to make up for it. First, it was the Homecoming football game, then Big Cat, and Prom. We’ve all come to appreciate these things much more, because we know what it’s like to be without them.

It’s incredibly important that as some of us graduate, and some of us return to South in normalcy that we don’t whisk this past year away and put it out of our minds.

We’ve all been part of a truly historical period, and this past year has been the most globally significant in our lives.

While we often choose to focus on the bad, the reality is that we’ve all had good moments and made memories this year that we can choose to emphasize. Our year hasn’t been all strange, different, or bad. We’ve had good times along with the bad, and they deserve some recognition.

We at The View wish everyone better times to come in the future, and we hope normalcy comes soon. But I’d also like to thank our staff for documenting one of the most tumultuous times in our lives.

Letter from the

EDITOR(S)

NEWS 03

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Bring It

Back

The student body pleads for change next year, with the incentive program still in their demands

by KARA HAGEN

Juniors and seniors at South know the excitement of getting a new student ID with a panther on the back every quarter. It was a badge of honor that allowed you to celebrate the extremely hard work you have done over the last few months.... until it was taken away last year.

All students at South next year should be able to experience rewards that drive motivation and dedication.

“My favorite part of the incentive program was getting to leave tutorial on Fridays,” junior, Nathan Hilzinger said.

In the past students with the incentive were able to leave two minutes early, go to the cafeteria during tutorial to see friends, and had ice cream days every quarter. Last year the school decided to take away these incentives without an explanation to the student body.

Taking away the little things at school that brings students joy is just plain wrong.

Incentives give students a reason to care about their grades and attendance. Two years ago, we allowed students to choose their own goals they had to meet grade-wise. This means no one else was able to know individuals’ specific grades. If students didn’t reach the goal they set, they could always try again next quarter.

There is nothing wrong with this concept and it should be brought back.

“I think bringing back the incentive program would motivate students to keep up their grades, attendance, and get them to attend class.” said junior Cayo Dominguez-Heithoff.

The specific rewards for having the incentive could

be based on grade level, seniors having the most and freshman having the least. If the administration doesn’t want as many people leaving two minutes early, then it could be a senior-only incentive.

Sophomore Aadyn Rhodus said, “I don’t believe the sophomore and freshman classes would be missing out because juniors and seniors should get extra perks because they have made it the majority of the way through high school.”

Last year when South decided to give ribbons to individuals once a month, it infuriated students. It was a system that many felt was based on teacher favoritism and not on hard work. The only thing the ribbons did was encourage students to suck up to their teachers.

How are we as students supposed to find motivation when the school shows no appreciation for our accomplishments? Even in the workforce, you see employees getting rewards for the great things they do: raises, office upgrades, best parking spot, etc. A school should be seen just like a place of work to prepare us students for our future.

Annabelle Winter, junior said, “The incentive program motivated me freshman year to work harder and spend more time on school work.”

Incentives may mean little to the administrators but they mean a lot to students. It’s the little things that keep us going in times like these. The school should listen to the voices of the majority of the school and make a change.

It’s the little things that keep us going in times like these.

04 NEWS

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15 232 1

Staff Members Pages

by

A

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R AU

F

E ST

DI

O N A

A behind the scenes look at the making of the South Paw yearbook during the pandemic

Global Pandemic

A high school yearbook: filled with hundreds of photos, stories and designs that cumulatively summarize one calendar year of high school. Memories upon memories that students will take through life with them and eventually show their future kids that one day become students of their own.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but how can you display these one thousand words while completing online school or a hybrid schedule, and are given little to no events to photograph?

This year the South Paw yearbook staff had to do just that, and through lots of hard work and creativity they were able to pull it off... without even missing a deadline.

“One challenge of building this year’s yearbook was definitely getting a hold of people whether it be for an interview or getting a picture from them. It was also difficult to come up with things to write about because there just wasn’t much going on,” Sofia Fatino, senior, said.

The South Paw staff also had to do a lot more work amidst the hybrid every other day of in person learning schedule. Up until March there were only three yearbook staff members on A day and 6 on B day, to add another challenge to the year.

“This year I enjoyed the challenge that COVID and hybrid brought--we had to be more creative in what we wrote about and designed since there wasn’t as much going on this year,” said Fatino.

To fill the 232 pages, staff members covered more of what students were going through day-today during the pandemic, including spreads about

masks, having jobs during COVID, snow days changing to AMI days, and much more.

The staff finally got to come back all together just in time for their final deadline and only two weeks to work as an entire staff before the final pages were sent to print.

“One of my favorite memories was the day that we all came back together and I was able to collaborate with my fellow members on an intricate spread I was working on at the time,” Fatino said.

Through it all, the yearbook team was successfully able to pull off a piece of history that freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors can pull out and show to their kids in the future.

It is the South Paw staff that we will have to thank for a look at 2020 and 2021 in the years to come.

DOCUMENTING

the craziest year ever NEWS 05

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“De”-crease

by PARKER RIVERS

“Fund”-ing Dispelling the myths against common sense police reform

06 OPINION

On April 20, Derek Chauvin was arrested on all three charges: seconddegree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second degree manslaughter.

“The moment the prosecutors said something about him getting in handcuffs right then and there, I looked and I watched him put his hands behind his back. I was like, he had it a lot easier than my brother, because my brother’s hands were pinned backwards. But it was accountability,” said George Floyd’s brother, Philonise.

For those most affected by the death of George Floyd, three guilty opinions is cause for celebration. But for many more affected by injustice at large, the fact still remains that a single act of accountability proves no systematic change.

As more and more unarmed Americans fall victim, it’s hard to take much solace in the news of Derick Chauvin’s verdict.

Rather, the hesitation across the nation wondering if the man who had been video taped committing murder would be convicted shows just how deep of a situation we are in.

While downplayers of police violence in our nation continue to exaggerate the narrative of “bad apples” or lone actors when another murder occurs, there is still a nationwide effort to make a real difference.

Still there are battles to smear the need for a change in the institution that is causing so much pain across the country.

In June of 2020, Pew Research estimated that just 45 percent of Republicans supported removing police officers’ exemption from civil lawsuits in cases involving excessive force, contrasted with 84 percent of Democrats and the overall consensus of just below two-thirds.

Removing protective immunity is one of the simplest actions that can be taken to decrease the immortality of police and their careers in America.

Many other reforms that should be seen as basic steps toward reducing the crisis we face today are continuously slandered simply because their meaning isn’t comprehended.

The large movement to “defund the police” that is often misrepresented involves reallocating certain funding given to police for aspects they aren’t trained to work toward and giving it to other community organizations that can better acquire those jobs. For example:

unarmed public servants tasked with assisting traffic problems, or mental health professionals to assist prisoner intake opposed to any officer.

Many people, however, continue to stick a false label onto “defunding the police” to fear-monger about a world without police entirely. So let me say it louder: DEFUND IS NOT ABOLISH. Defunding the police, still, is only among many suggested reforms that aim to tackle abuse of force and brutality by the police in America.

Demilitarizing the police is another commonly confused term that doesn’t solely take problem with the idea of police having weapons, but that they have access to equipment beyond that of normal citizens, but of the U.S. military instead.

The Justice in Policing Act is the prime example of this that would end “1033” which allows police stations in the U.S. to acquire “controlled” military-grade equipment.

This idea should in no way serve as it does right now to threaten the idea of police that are unable to respond when someone is in danger, it just mitigates the potential for excessive force and power on their behalf.

These aren’t even the lowest asks. Even if these appear to be common sense changes, they are far, far down the line.

The fact remains that the most basic of reforms, supported by a majority of Americans, are yet to be seen. That includes more oversight: bodycam consistency and availability. Training reform, that is the most blatant root of many problems today is still yet to be seen on any national budget.

The changes that are not baseline actions against police, but simply tweaks that can perhaps make everyone in our society feel safer anytime they are near law enforcement (the people meant to protect them).

The action we can take against police, and the systematic terror they continue to reign is on the backfoot with the hope of achieving step one, but step one hasn’t even begun.

Some states have even regressed into making bodycam footage harder for people to access, and putting police on higher legal pedestals, rather than making them equal members of society.

Justice is barely in sight, and while there’s no problem with celebrating the miniature victories, it is important to recognize the unfortunate scope of them as the flawed fundamentals of this institution remain.

“Citizens have the power to sue police officers to hold them accountable for Source: Pew Reasearch Center July 2020 excessive use of force and misconduct”

84%

Democrats

45%

Republicans

66%

Total

g a l a 2 1 20

by KATIE CLAUNCH

Prom is a normal yearly event catered for juniors and seniors at high schools all across the country. Prom became popular during the ‘30s and ‘40s as an event that our grandparents and then parents grew up going to and now we’re able to go ourselves.

It used to be an elegant event with live music and has morphed into something more modern with a DJ. It’s still a popular event for high school students to attend and enjoy.

This year, Junior Exec, with the help of STUCO, planned a “Gala” for juniors and seniors in order for them to have an event despite COVID-19. This event was in replacement of a normal Prom. The theme was “City of Stars.”

A typical Prom is usually in a hotel or other venue with big tables and lots of people.

There are pretty decorations and a nice dinner. People dress formally and get together with friends to take photos. Students can take anyone as their date by just filling out a simple form. Tickets can cost up to $50 and there’s a Prom Court that is recognized and respected by the school. The dancing can last until midnight and people host after parties.

This year, Junior Exec did their best to create an event for juniors/seniors at South.

It took place on the South lawn, under the bell tower. Tables were spread out that up to four people could fill. Each group reserved a table ahead of time and Junior Exec created assigned seating based on each reservation.

For dinner, three options of boxed dinners were offered; the Southwest wrap, the California Club wrap, and the Veggie wrap all from Grandma’s Catering. The tickets cost $20 a person and it was a formal event.

There were less people than normal, with only 150 people attending. This also only lasted a couple of hours.

It was super hard to plan an event this year with COVID-19. Admin had to rule out normalcy because of COVID-19 concerns.

We couldn’t have normal seating, masks were required, and we had to be outside.

There were no guests from other schools or underclassmen allowed.

Junior Exec. tried their best to make an event for the students at South to return to normal and students did not take it well.

Junior Exec. was trying to do SOMETHING and something is better than nothing.

EVENTS THROUGH COVID-19 Homecoming Football Game Homecoming spirit week Big Cat Drive-in Movie Senior Sunrise Scavenger Hunt Kindness Week Teacher of the month Student appreciation Women’s history month Black history month

Scan here for more information about the 2021 Gala!

OPINION 07

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MIXED MESSAGES at South

by SOPHIA KOCH

A look at this years events and the inconsistencies with COVID

As my senior year comes to a close and I write my last article for “The View,” I reflect upon my years at South. I treasure many wonderful memories, teachers, administrators, lessons learned, and friends made. I am an ever grateful and proud Panther! But as I reflect upon this past year, I realize we’ve been bound in a world full of unjustified double standards when it comes to COVID, and South is no different.

In classrooms we are allowed to sit shoulder to shoulder, but in our bathroom of eight stalls, only every other stall was available even though each stall is separated by a wall? The desire to contact trace is understandable, but is it practicable? South has about 1400 students traveling to different classrooms during passing time.

Where is the contact tracing then—or while entering school before 7:50 a.m.? Why is there a hall limit during tutorial if we already have 1400 students traveling during passing time? What is there to gain from these hall limits? Are these protocols meaningful or simply window dressing to make students feel safe—or, dare I ask, fear COVID? Then there is everyone’s favorite time of the day—Lunch. Students stand in line for more than 10 minutes waiting to get their food—often shoulder to shoulder—standing neither six feet nor even three feet apart. Yet when eating, we are required to sit six feet apart, leaving one-half the students with no seat at a table. But we can sit right next to each other in restaurants with our masks off. Restaurants are safe zones, but school lunchrooms are not? Then we were told we only had to sit three feet apart while in the classroom, but still six feet apart while at lunch. Did COVID’s reach only get shorter in the classroom?

The double standards are most evident when comparing extracurricular activities. The rules 08 OPINION for sports and the musical have been completely difphsouthnews.com

ferent, nonsensical, and unequitable. During the season of in-door high-contact sports such as wrestling and basketball, athletes were allowed to unmask themselves. Why? We were told it was unhealthy for them to wear masks while in play. But it is not unhealthy for our grade-schoolers—who are at much less risk of getting or transferring COVID—to be masked while running outside during recess? It was not until after Spring Break before our grade-schoolers were unmasked at recess; and, as of this writing, they are still masked during PE. While our high-contact athletes were free to play without masks, our theater students were apparently too high-risk to sing and dance about the stage unmasked while performing in the school musical, “Bright Star.” Further, theater students were instructed to never touch one another during their performance. Is wearing a mask for an eight-minute wrestling match anymore unhealthy for the wrestler than being masked seven hours in the classroom day in day out, or while singing and moving about the stage for an hour-long performance or hours of practice? How is breathing directly on and grasping your opponent during a wrestling match any less risky for the spread of COVID than singing while six feet apart on stage? Where is the equity between sports and theater?

Why such disparate treatment of sports and theater? Was there ever a clear and sensible explanation?

Please, don’t get me wrong. I am not saying masks, social distancing and contact tracing have always been bad, but rules must be equitably and reasonably applied. And when they are not, we need to question the decisions being made. We should question the inequities between sports, theater, lunch, passing time, classrooms, bathrooms, tutorial, or wherever inequities in rulemaking exist. If the inequity is to stand, then it is incumbent upon the rule maker to clearly explain and justify the apparent inequity. Try again next year, South!

Are these protocols meaningful or simply window dressing to make students feel safe— or, dare I ask, fear COVID?

Fearless

by CALEB HICKS

Student’s Favorite Songs

(Taylor’s Version) Growing up, my mom always had country music playing in the car. I heard plenty of Toby Keith, Garth Brooks, and my favorite one of them all: Taylor Swift.

Swift released her original “Fearless” album in 2009. It ended up being one of her most popular albums and won album of the year at the grammys. After releasing a couple more albums, she lost the rights to all of her albums up to “Reputation” due to Scooter Braun, the person who bought her record label.

Now that she is re-recording all of these albums, she is updating them with her more mature vocals, better sound quality, and many songs from her vault of unreleased songs. The re-recordings and re-releases mark the amount of empowerment we need to see in artists all over to take control of their own work, rather than letting the executives make decisions over the artist’s work.

Most of the songs throughout “Fearless- Taylor’s Version” are very similar to the original versions, just a little more modern and with the stronger vocals.

Some of the songs, however, were changed in a bigger way. For example, “Love Story” has a lot more power and emotion that can be felt behind it as you listen. In “You Belong With Me,”

the increase in the bass and girth of the instrumental behind the singing helped to tell the story of the song better and simply helps us to vibe to her better version of the song.

One of the most impressive parts of this re-release, however, is the vault songs she released with it. My favorite one is “Mr Perfectly Fine.” In this song, we get to hear her tell the story of her heartbreak and some of the misconceptions she had with that relationship, while the instrumental is more upbeat.

This clash of happy and sad is what creates such a catchy song. This method is seen many times throughout the album and in much of her music, but “Mr. Perfectly Fine” is arguably the best example.

Taylor Swift is one of the most talented musicians in the world right now and this move to take back her music should be motivation to the rest of the music industry to take control of your own work. This re-release is one of Taylor’s most popular albums already and she has plenty more to re-record.

It’s only a matter of time until she is remembered as one of the greatest artists of all time.

Griffin Gregg “Mr Perfectly Fine”

Riley Parman “Other Side of the Door”

Scan HERE for a look at the ultimate Taylor Swift playlist on Spotify Elliot Smith “Bye Bye Baby” OPINION 09

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What Seniors

by PAIGE WESSEL

Missed...

Pitbull once said in his song “Feel This Moment”, “I’ve lost a lot but I’ve learned a lot, and I’m still undefeated.”

Although the class of 2021 is hard to compare to hit pop icon Pitbull, we can listen to his words and apply them to this past school year and the summer to come.

As we end this insane year that we have had a lot of seniors and I have been reflecting on what this year has really been like for us, the good and the bad. We realize, yes, we have missed out on a lot and it has been tough, but there is also so much we have gained and all of us have definitely grown as individuals.

This year started off rough, a brand new “hybrid” schedule that none of us understood, no Homecoming, no football season and just simply no “normal.” Soon, students quickly realized that we could take advantage of this schedule and see friends and family more, get jobs and make some extra money, and find new hobbies like taking photos or going to the gym.

Obviously all of these things are amazing, but it came with a downfall. Even though we had such a flexible schedule and did so much with our time we just simply wanted to have a normal senior year to celebrate with all of our friends and it feels like that was just stolen from us.

For one thing, football games are a big deal to the average senior.

It’s the first year of standing loud and proud in the front row of the rage cage, the year we get to lead everyone in the cheers and the last year to cheer on the boys of fall all together as a class. I think this was one of the hardest things for seniors to miss out on because it is always a great start and way to kick off a new school year (literally).

So, we were obviously all heartbroken when we found out we weren’t allowed to attend the games, but it was nice to know we were all going through it together.

Then there was Homecoming that we didn’t get to have--our last Homecoming. This ended with a lot of “focos” also known as a fakeHomecoming. It was good to know that even though school could not have a real Homecoming, students did it anyway and made the most out of it. Lots of students just got dressed up with their friends, took pictures and went to dinner (which is the best part anyways.

When basketball season finally rolled around, we were already prepared to not be allowed to go to the games... it was to the point

10 OPINION

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where we simply didn’t even care anymore because there was no point in getting excited for a season that we couldn’t even attend.

Many teachers and parents said that we “had no school spirit”; how were we supposed to?

Then, for the last and final basketball game, we had the first real Rage Cage of the year. We were ecstatic to say the least. It was blackout themed and we did all the cheers we used to do the year before (even though we forgot most of them). It might have ended with all of us getting in trouble for being in the same space, but I’d say it was worth it.

As we plan to go our separate ways, we can always remember Pitbull’s famous words, and our time as Panthers for almost half a decade. The resilience our class has gained will follow us long after all the ups and downs of our years of not only being seniors but juniors.

Even though the senior class has with no doubt had a no good very bad year, with all of the things we have been through this past year it has definitely brought our class closer together. We appreciate each other a lot more, and we are thankful for the memories we did get to have pre-COVID. The resilience our class has gained will follow us long after all the ups and downs of our years of not only being seniors but juniors.

2021 STRONG

What We ...But Gained

for their seniors and symphonic didn’t really get that so I feel like symphonic was kinda just pushed aside,” Avery Butler, senior, symphonic and concert member, said.

“I was okay with not having an in-person because we were able to do a video concert which at the time was a really good alternative to not being able to have an in person concert but It would have been really nice to get the group back together one more time,” said Ethan Mcwilliams, senior, symphonic and concert member, said.

One of the highlights and the most anticipated part of the spring concert was the senior awards and the performance that happened later after the two groups’ performances.

“I’m looking forward to playing with a bunch of people from my grade again since it’s our last time playing together,” said Lyndsey Conley, senior and campus orchestra member, said.

“I’m looking forward to receiving my purple rose and I hope Aguilar doesn’t drop the ball on tha. I will make sure to remind him!” Avery Butler, senior, symphonic and concert member, said.

Although this year’s concert had less people due to the two people per student rule which most sports also have as a safety precaution for COVID, the students were excited to play their first concert in-person, whether it being the first one or their last one at South.

“I’m looking forward to playing with a bunch of people from my grade again since it’s our last time playing together.”

Strike Up

The Orchestra

Seniors were thrilled to get to perform in person for the only time this school year

by YESEM HAILEMARIAM

Timeline Of The School Year 2020-2021 “first” Events

As the stage lights dimmed on May 11, the campus and concert orchestra had their first in-person performance of the school year.

Many different reactions occurred when the concerts were announced--mostly excitement from the seniors since it was their last concert of the year before graduation.

Unlike the past concerts, this year’s included five to six songs which was longer than the usual 10-15 minute performances for each group. This gave students the opportunity to pick more of their favorite songs from the year to play.

“My favorite piece is probably ‘Gargoyles’ because it’s very intense and short, kinda like me,” Lainey Powers, sophomore and campus orchestra member, said.

“My favorite piece will have to be ‘The Rebellion Is Reborn’ from Star Wars. I like it because it’s fast paced and I like the sound with the different rhythms and how dramatic it is,” Sydney Postma, sophomore, symphonic and concert member, said.

After many meetings with the music teachers at South, orchestra directors Ariel Aguilar and April Whyte were able to get Orchestra a concert for the month of May. This was exciting for most students since it was their first concert of the year and symphonic orchestra students weren’t able to have an in-person concert last semester.

“Well, I was really upset about it, because I feel like a lot of activities did a lot of stuff

September 8: First day of hybrid October 9: Seniors/band allowed at HoCo game (football) November 30December 11: all online weeks January 15: Last day of 1st semester

January 19: First day of 2nd semester January 27: First snow day turned AMI day

March 22: Malware attack on planned 1st day March 24: 1st day of all in person March 29-April 5: Spring Break April 9: First staff vaccination day May 1: Seniors and Juniors Gala

May 3-7: STUCO elections May 23: Graduation Day

May 28: Last day of school

ENTERTAINMENT 11 phsouthnews.com

High schoolers have recently been going crazy for a fitness trend right here in Riverside: teas and shakes from Courageous Nutrition. Courageous brings energy, nutrition, and community to South students and nearby residents.

Their energizing teas are made with vitamins, minerals and collagen, and their shakes are full of protein. In addition to teas and shakes, they sell fat burning shots, coffees and other drinks.

“It’s very welcoming and enjoyable. They’ll help you out and give you tips on nutrition,” sophomore and customer Logan Schilling said.

One of Courageous’ partners is a student at South.

Sophomore Corban Coffel makes shakes and teas, as well as helps customers and friends with their fitness goals.

“I like helping people in general, and helping if they want to lose weight or gain muscle. People come in and I can make a difference in their lives,” Coffel said.

Courageous is a popular location for many South students, as well. They even have a special called School Spirit Saturdays where students can get a good deal on drinks if they show their student ID.

“It’s a cool place with good vibes, and everyone there is really upbeat and energetic and makes you want to stay and hang out,” Schilling said.

The nutrition shop is known among customers and partners alike for its welcoming, positive atmosphere.

Not only is it a store, but it’s also a place to gather and converse.

“The environment is very family friendly, it’s a healthy place with good energy where you can relax,” Coffel said.

They do tea drops, where they bring teas to local establishments such as Corner Cafe, the Riverside Police Department, and even the teachers and staff here at South.

During Teacher Appreciation Week, teas in a multitude of flavors were delivered to teachers in the media center. These tea drops help spread the word about the store and its delicious drinks. Courageous is also considering doing fundraisers with South.

Courageous’ hours are 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Saturday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Stop by for great drinks and a great experience that will get you excited to eat healthy.

COURAGEOUS NUTRITION The latest fitness trend right here in Riverside

s k c a n S r e m m Su TikTok Blender Baked Oats

For this simple, trendy recipe, mix 1/2 cup of oats, 1 banana, 1 egg, 1 tbsp maple syrup, ½ tsp baking powder, and a pinch of salt to a blender and combine until smooth. Then pour into a greased oven-safe pan and bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. You can also add 1 tbsp cocoa powder or chocolate chips for extra flavor.

12 ENTERTAINMENT phsouthnews.com

Everything Bagel Avocado Toast For this tasty twist on avocado toast, toast two slices of bread, spread half an avocado over each slice, then drizzle a tablespoon of honey on top, add a generous sprinkling of everything bagel seasoning, and enjoy.

by ALICE GAMBLE

Fun The In Sun

Summer is just around the corner and it’s time to start making your bucket list!

by ALYSSA KOBAYASHI

Outdoor Activities - Picnics - Chicken and Pickle - River Market - Plaza shopping - Drive in movies - KC Zoo - Parkville Nature Sanctuary - Lake and Pool!

Drive-In

Drive-in movies will also be available this summer at B&B Twin Drive-In in Independence, Mo. and Boulevard Drive-In in Kansas City, Kan.

Getting Crafty Feeling crafty this summer? The Ceramic Cafe and Wine & Design are great places to show your artsy side. Ceramic Cafe is a paint-yourown-pottery and glass fusing studio in the Kansas City area. This is an enjoyable experience that is great for small or big groups. Wine & Design, located at Burlington Creek, is a cute place where you can create your own paintings!

New Movies This Summer Disney’s new live action “One Hundred and One Dalmatians” “Cruella” Horror film sequel: “A Quiet Place Part II” “Fast & Furious: F9” “Black Widow” comes out July 9 (also on Disney+) “The Beatles: Get Back” “The Suicide Squad” “The Forever Purge” ENTERTAINMENT 13 phsouthnews.com

The Middle Room

A short story about a girl who learns to live on

by HADLEY URIBE

The angelic, middle-aged woman stares back at me, waiting for a response. If I wasn’t still in shock, I might ask how she gets her teeth to sparkle like that. She’s an angel, idiot. I don’t think she’s blinked once since I first arrived.

“Would you like me to repeat the question, love?”

“Oh, uh...Yes. I mean, yes please-or yes please, Ma’am,” I sigh.

“Sorry, I’m new at this.”

She must think I’m a mess, or she’s questioning if I’m in the right place.

“My dear, please don’t worry yourself about formalities. You’re doing just fine, and I’ll let you in on a little secret,” she leans in closer. “Everyone is new at this.”

Her laugh fills my ears and my heart. It’s laced with the warmth of every Hallmark Christmas movie ever made.

“Right. Thank you,” I say, trying to mimic her perfect smile. “I guess, yes, then. I would like to relive a day.”

I swear her smile grows wider, if that’s even possible. Her slim fingers begin slamming the keys on the large keypad. If someone had told me three hours ago that I’d be here, in The Middle Room, deciding if I wanted to enter the beyond or redo a day of my life, or past life, I guess, I’d tell them they were insane. I don’t think anything could’ve prepared me for this moment.

“Alright Miss Ray, what day would you like to relive? Please remember, your death will stay permanent, so all days of your life are available for reliving. With that being said, nothing you do will change the course of your life. This is for your peace of mind and will not impact any currently living person’s life,” the angel says.

I blink, trying to process all that information. What day do I most regret?

A few embarrassing falls and bad hair days come to mind first.

I could always go back to my brother’s first day of high school.

It was my senior year, so Dad made us pancakes and bacon in celebration. Timmy tried to act confident walking into the brick hellhole, surrounded by my senior friends. I even believed him until he reached over to squeeze my hand. It was quick, but I felt it. I nudged him in response, as if to say, ‘I got you’. It was the first time he showed me any type of affection since he was in diapers. It was the beginning of our unspoken Ray sibling alliance.

The angel, (god, (god, what is her name?), name?), clears her throat. I feel her eyes, ironically, burning into me. Okay, Posie, think. think. My mind feels like mush as I rack my brain for more memories. Maybe I should just do the memory of Timmy on his first day. It would be a sweetBAM! Flashes of a memory appear in my mind. Perfect.

14 ENTERTAINMENT phsouthnews.com

“Miss angel-er wait, no- I’m sorry miss-?”

“Prose, dear. Angelina Prose.”

“Right, thank you. Miss Prose, I’ve decided what day I would like to relive,” I say.

I feel a familiar uncomfortable, cold feeling on my underarms.

I’m about to make the most important decision of my life. Most important decision of my old life. Miss Prose stares up at me with a slight tilt of her head, as if waiting for me to continue. “Do I just tell you what day I want to return to?”

“You can. Or you could just think very clearly of the day in question, and I’ll have you there faster than you can say The Middle Room,” Room,” she says.

I nod slowly. I strain my neck to take a good look at the room surrounding me. The once bigger than life itself, pun intended, room seems so small now, like the walls are caving in on me. I was so thankful to be in The Middle Room when I first arrived.

Afterall, it was here or the side room. According to Miss Prose, The Side Room has to relive the day they regret the most until they finally understand the true message of it and have peace enough to move on to the end room. The End Room is where souls live on for eternity after they die on Earth.

I always worried about if I was gonna end up in Heaven or Hell, but they’re about as real as ghosts, which coincidentally, also don’t exist. Miss Prose says our souls can’t leave the end room once we enter. We immediately get transferred there after we relive our day, or we find peace in The Side Room. There’s no way for ghosts to even get the chance to exist; none of it really makes sense to me.

“Miss Ray, if you could please focus on a memory, it would be greatly appreciated.”

My eyes widen in embarrassment. Her perfect smile looks strained now. Way to go, you managed to annoy a fricken angel. I become aware of the cold sensation under my arms again as I close my eyes, letting my mind wander through the years of memories, before settling on one specific day. My shoulders feel heavy like there’s something draped over them. My mouth is dry, but a feeling of hope enters my heart. I feel warm all over. My ears are filled with cheers so loud that I almost miss Miss Prose’s last words to me.

“Good luck, love.”

SCAN TO READ MORE

One of the most important This year, the golf team had accomplishments a golfer can a much bigger turnout than make is a hole in one. Many normal with 30 guys trying out people will play their entire life for only 22 spots. Of those 22, and never achieve this great only five golfers are a part of the accomplishment.

Varsity squad. This is good for In freshman Keegan Feder’s friendly competition among first year on the golf team, he the team to get more guys made an unforgettable eagle on competing for those few spots. a Par 3--otherwise known as a In all spring sports, because hole in one. of all the missed seasons from Coach Bradley Peck has been last year’s COVID break, there a golf coach for eight years at are essentially two classes of South freshmen on “Hitting a hole and said every team which in one during a this is the contributes to the first time tournament was an high number of he’s had a in unbelievable feeling underclassmen golfer hit all of the spring and the experience sports. a hole in one.

As the season was awesome.” gets closer to its “Hitting a hole in one finish, Feder looks to be the during a tournament was an team’s best chance for State as unbelievable feeling and the the team’s number one. Feder experience was awesome,” said said he is hoping to make a long Feder. postseason run which will be Feder also shot an impressive very likely if he continues on his score of 75 at a tournament in hot streak of shooting very close Sedalia, which was only four to par. over par.

An Unforgettable Eagle

Freshman Keegan Feder is starting off successful in his first season of high school golf

by TYLER CLIPPARD SPORTS 15

phsouthnews.com

BY SOPHIA DUNN Girls Volleyball Arley Anderson- Attending the University of Central Missouri, Majoring in Business Andrea Cote- Attending Hannibal LaGrange University, Majoring in Nursing Girls Soccer Sophia Dunn- Attending Rockhurst University, Majoring in Health Sciences Adah Anderson- Attending Kansas State University, Majoring in Integrative Physiology Sofia Fatino- Attending Missouri Southern State University, Majoring in Biology Addison Leonard- Attending Kansas City Kansas Community College, Majoring in Primary Education Emily Flowers- Attending University of Nebraska Kearney, Majoring in Biology Boys Soccer Carson Owens- Attending Park University, Majoring in Fitness and Wellness Austin Bryant- Attending Park University, Majoring in Engineering Joshua Garza- Attending Park University, Working towards Pro Athlete Luke Bergrud- Attending Park University, Majoring in Political Science Jake Moore- Attending Park University, Majoring in Psychology Boys Baseball Dylan Hufft- Attending Kansas State University, Majoring in Business Max Pawela- Attending Colorado State University Pueblo, Majoring in Business Marketing Kenny Hoover- Attending Hannibal LaGrange University, Majoring in Business Grant Rhodes- Attending Crowder College, Majoring in Business Boys Football Andrew Horton- Attending Baker University, Majoring in Sports Medicine Kale Slater- Attending Baker University, Majoring in Business Zach Schneider- Attending Baker University, Majoring in Exercise Science Braden Bartosh- Attending Army West Point, Majoring in Business Management Eric Avery- Attending Missouri Valley College, Majoring in Health Professions RJ Mitchell- Attending Washburn University, Majoring in Graphic Design Gage Warren- Attending Missouri Western State University, Majoring in Criminal Justice Theory of Crime RR RJ Mitchell- Attending Washburn, Majoring in Graphic Design Boys Swimmer Ethan Roach- Attending the University of Missouri, Major is Undecided

16 SPORTS

phsouthnews.com

A Special 14-page Senior Section

Created as a collaboration between The View newsmagazine and South Paw yearbookstaffs

18 Glow-Ups 19 ACT Scholars 20 College Map 22 Superlatives 24 Then/Now 28 Senior Events 30 Confessions/Games

Single Gmynastics “The Office” Pizza “Tired Of Talking” No idea

Single Dive No show Chipotle “Levitating” Mizzou

Status Sport TV Show Food Song College

Taken Football “The Office” Chicken Alfredo Does not have one Nebraska Entrepreneur

Single Football “The Office” Chicken Alfredo Does not have one West point

Single Studio Dance “Friends” Sushi Anything Russ Iowa State

Taken SSG Dance Team “New Girl” Sushi Anything Mac Miller Mizzou

Single None “Stranger Things” Seafood “Ronda” Lil Uzi Mizzou

Single Track “Game Of Thrones” Pad Thai “Apple Pie” Travis S Mizzou

Freshman

Senior

GLOWUPS 18 FEATURES

phsouthnews.com

by MADDIE WINKLER AND SOPHIA KOCH

6 3

ERIK BERGSTROM, SENIOR

GRANT BERGSTROM, SENIOR

PERFECT

p a n t h e r s SOPHIA NGUYEN, SOPHOMORE

MATT KRUSE, SENIOR

Amidst a busy school year, congratulations to these students for their high acheivement, a perfect ACT score!

FEATURES 19

phsouthnews.com

Some Last Words...

From Our Seniors

by EMMA CLARK

20 FEATURES

phsouthnews.com

SENIORSENDOFF

by AMY GRAHAM

Ani Nesheim-Ferguson University of Montana

Emily Flowers Karla Gomez-Shepard Colin Cuzner University of Depaul University University of Braden Bartosh Nerbaska - Kearney Colorado-Boulder West Point Andrew Sincere Rochester Institute of Technology

Tamara Quinlan American University

Isabella Tassett University of Southern Phen Hardin Arizona State University

Ayana Smith Hampton University Charlie Scott Auburn University

Seth Jahraus Colorado College Max Pawela University of Colorado-Pueblo

Park University KCAI UMKC Mizzou University of Central Missouri Missouri S&T Missouri State University

Caleb Hicks University of Oklahoma

Amelia Lee Ashlyn Rancudo Connor Roe Baylor University Abby Wells University of Elena Yule Arkansaas University of Olivia Judah Kansas Florida State University

Northwest Missouri State University Truman State University Saint Louis University

Kathryn Nichols University of St. Andrews Scotland, United Kingdom

SENIOR BEST EYES

Laura Distefano & Ryan Hammond

BIGGEST GLOW-UP

Tess Owens & Andrew Horton

MOST LIKELY TO END UP ON BROADWAY Allie Miller & Nathan Zornes

22 FEATURES

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LEAST LIKELY TO GET COVID Brooklin Foster & Ethan McWilliams

BEST HAIR

Maddie Winkler & Josh Garza

LEAST LIKELY TO HAVE A 9-5 DYNAMIC DUO Payton Miller & Charlie Scott

Arley & Adah Anderson

BEST INSTA PHOTOGRAPHER Amy Graham & Alex Laderoute

BIGGEST BROMANCE

Ben Goodin & Denver Benton

voted on by the class of 2021

SUPERLATIVES

MOST LIKELY TO BE PRESIDENT

MOST LIKELY TO BE TIKTOK FAMOUS

MOST LIKELY TO BE TOGETHER IN 10 YEARS

Karla Gomez & Phen Hardin

Coleman Reese & Skyelar Nelson

MOST LIKELY TO GO PRO

WORST CASE OF SENIORITIS

MOST LIKELY TO BE THE IMPOSTER

THE NEXT VAN GOGH

BIGGEST TREND FOLLOWERS

Isabella Tasset & Matt Kruse

Dylan Hufft & Sofia Fatino

MOST LIKELY TO COLLAB WITH A FAMOUS MUSIC ARTIST Knowel Taylor & Joe Schmidt

Paige Wessel & Julian Alviz-Gransee

Vanessa Navia & Jesus Barraga

Lauren Longenecker & James Ranes

Virginia Fullerton & Justin Harrison

FEATURES 23

phsouthnews.com

Then

by HADLEY URIBE, CATIE TEJEDA & SOPHIA FATINO

Music:

s: T V Serie Why

Bodak Yellow- Cardi B Despacito- Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Feat. Justin Bieber Slow Hands- Niall Horan Mask Off- Future

s 13 Reason h t Big Mou Riverdale

Fash

Rip ion/M p All ed Jean akeu Wh p: ite C s Hig hlig over h Eye Friend se/A brow terPictures: dida s “o s n fle ek”

Savage

Bae

Basic Extra 24 FEATURES

Finna

phsouthnews.com

Dan

Sho ce M ove o Mil ting s: ly R ock

I’m Weak Hundo P

V. (very)

2017-2018 : vents Big E clipose yal ’s Ro E y r r r a l a o S H n and Mega g in nt Wedd Moveme o o Me T

gy: nolo h c e T ne 8 Ipho e 8 Plus d a n Ipho o ThinkP v Leno

Memes:

Challenges:

Tide- Pod Challeng e In My Feelings Cha llenge The Power Of Mak eup Challeng

e

FEATURES 25

phsouthnews.com

Now ~Karen~

Fashion ps ~Hair Cli Shoes ~Chunky e shorts k i b g n o L ~

~Cap~

Dan ~Thr ce Move s o ~“Bli w it Back n ~Dic ding Ligh e Rol ts”Da l nce

~Lowkey~ Memes ders ~Bernie San Superbowl d n e k e e W ~The king ~Agnes Win

26 FEATURES

phsouthnews.com

Technology ~I Phone 12 ~New Laptops

Challenge s ~COVID Challenge ~Chair Ch allenge

2020-2021

by CATIE TEJEDA, SOPHIA FATINO & HADLEY URIBE

~Flex~

Events ~Malware Attack ~COVID Pandemic ~Harry and Meghan’s Royal Life

~ t e ~B

Music ft Ian Dior n ld o G 4 2 y ~Mood b net Money r e t n I y b e ~Lemonad

by Barrett b a G y b e p ~I Ho TV Series Wanda Vision Outerbanks Queen’s Gambit

~Simp~ s T V Show mbit ueen’s Ga ~Q VIsion ~Wanda nks ~Outerba

FEATURES 27

phsouthnews.com

Under the Stars

by AMELIA LEE

“It was nice to see everyone dressed up and making the best of it,” said Andrea Cote (senior).

“It was really fun getting nominated alongside my friend Seth,” said Matt Kruse (senior).

28 FEATURES

phsouthnews.com

“I thought the Gala was fun but I wish tickets could have been cheaper in order to get more students involved. Being nominated was really cool and the whole court was full of awesome people!” said Katie Means (senior).

“Yeah the Gala was actually a really cool experience. Obviously with COVID, we couldn’t have a Prom, and it’s really hard to create a similar experience, but I feel like at the end of the day, it’s just an opportunity to interact and have fun with friends. And I feel STUCO did a good job of keeping that feeling,” said Seth Jahraus (senior).

“I was really surprised to be a candidate but also super thankful! It was an honor just to be nominated! I’m really glad I went to the Gala. I know a lot of people, myself included, are just happy to have the opportunity to attend some sort of event in this crazy year of COVID-19,” said Mackenna Ornes (senior).

“Even though it was a lot different than Prom would have usually been, I’m glad we were able to have this event this year, especially for all of the seniors,” said Ethan McWilliams (senior).

BIG CAT

by VANESSA NAVIA

Seth Jahraus (senior), the Big Cat winner, talks about his experience, “It was actually really fun. I hadn’t originally planned on participating but I heard from a bunch of kids that if I didn’t do it then they wouldn’ve had to cancel the event, so my friends and I came together and decided to fill the spot. I didn’t think much about the competitve aspect of it at first and I mainly just thought it would be something cool to do with some of the guys. But, it ended up going way better than I could’ve imagined and I ended up having a ton of fun the entire time. A lot of that is thanks to the big cat staff and the guys I did it with.”

Movie on the

“It’s the show put on by seniors and there’s four categories: clubs and activities, hobbies and past times, talents, and formal wear.” Chloe Bowman (senior) says. Amy Graham (senior) adds on, “It’s a chance for seniors to have one last event that’s all about them and it’s a lot of fun. It’s honestly the funniest thing at South.”

Field

by ALLY LIGHT

This year, STUCO gave us some amazing events, including a Movie Night Picinic on our own soccer field. “If I had to guess, there were around 50 to 75 people who showed up. We were really surprised and excited about the turn out and it is definitely something to expect in years to come,” said Riley Parman (junior) who is also a member of STUCO. Attendees also enjoyed the experience. “The weather was really nice and it was great to see everyone come together,” said Amelia Lee (senior).

FEATURES 29

phsouthnews.com

By: Megan Barber

GRAD SPEAKERS By: VANESSA NAVIA

Christine Hwang (Senior) and Makayla Mead (Senior) decided to ateend UMKC this fall.

Christine shared she choose this college for the dental program in hopes to be an orthodontist in the future.

Abbie Day (Senior) chose Arkansas for a change of scenery but not too far from home. She is majoring in biology and hopes to become a oral surgeon.

Allyson Scribner (senior)

DE CISION DAY

I want to talk to people about change and the importance of not giving up even when things get hard in this cruel little world.

Peyton Hughes (senior)

ART FAIR

By: VANESSA NAVIA

The art fair is an opportunity that AP art & design students had this year to showcase their work. Although usually the art fair showcases all of the art students’ work, this year, it is limited to the class of AP art The art fair takes place on May 22nd at the Lead Innovation Center, from 3-7 PM.

In my speech, I want to emphasize the key to overcoming challenges is having a support system, community, and friends around us.

Matt Kruse (senior)

30 FEATURES

phsouthnews.com

Mueller (senior)

Amelia Lee (senior)

by ZACH COGSWELL

“

I MUST CONFESS... “

”

I THREW MY PHONE DOWN A HALLWAY, BROKE IT, AND TOLD EVERYONE A FRESHMAN BROKE IT.

I CUT HALF MY THUMB OFF IN HOME MAINTENANCE FRESHMAN YEAR AND DIDN'T TELL ANYONE. I JUST WIPED UP THE BLOOD AND LEFT SCHOOL.

“

“

I REALLY WASN'T THE FIRST PERSON TO KNOW IF WE HAD A SNOW DAY OR NOT.

I’VE NEVER ONCE OBEYED THE SCHOOL SPEED LIMIT OF 15 MPH.

“

”

”

”

I HAVE ONLY LIKED CHICKEN NUGGET WEDNESDAY FOR THE MASHED POTATOES AND GRAVY AND ROLL.

WORDS OF WISDOM “Effort should always be given in proportion to what is required. If you go above and beyond, take a shower you smelly nerd.”

“4 years goes by quick.

Have as much fun during your time and don't take it too seriously. Freshman and sophomore year really should be more about building relationships than stressing about school.”

“If no one comes back from the future to tell you not to do it, is it really that bad of a decision?”

“If I dont marry Elizabeth Olsen then all of this was for nothing.”

"Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy. Both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me" - Michael Scott.

Words to live by.

“A summary of my school years until now can be used from Michael Scott in the Office: "And I knew exactly what to do. But in a much more real sense, I had no idea what to do."

FEATURES 31

”

phsouthnews.com

WHERE IS that? _________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

answers: Commons, Trophy Case, Drama room E100, Art Hallway, Gathering Grounds in LMC, Tech Office

MAKE YOUR WAY

out

C200 Start

Finish

by CALEB SCHOFIELD