The View, issue 6 vol 20

THE VIEW Park Hill South High School Issue 6, Vol. 20 MARCH 15, 2018

20 Years of

Panther Pride CELEBRATING 20 YEARS in 2018 PGS. 11-14 PLUS: CHECK OUT 20 YEARS ON EVERY PAGE OF THIS ISSUE

STAFF Co-editors: Bret Vanice & Hailey Deeds Managing Editor: Elyssa Bezner Copy Editor: Reilly scott Art Director: Cienna Newett Web Editor: Noelle Alviz-Gransee Section Editors: Hallie Vandeven Anne Price Max Ghasemi Garrett Osbourn Reporters: Hannah Graves Bali Cortes Kate Maness Annie Saunders Chirstian Holferty Ethan Farrow Nicole Beaubien Alli Majors Shane McCullough Cali Gadd Gabby McDowell Ben Becker Josiah Berhane Tucker Horn Hunyee Choi Duke Maddox Sage Norsworthy Jake Powers Rowan Wilson

letter from the editor This year is the 20th anniversary of South being open, and it’s fun to look back and see all the changes that the school has gone through (pages 11-14).

From uniforms to music to the overall culture of students, the changes have definitely been prominent.

One thing that stayed consistent throughout the years is the excitement for March. There are so many things to look forward to this month.

March Madness begins today, and many students are excited to see how their brackets survive

the mayhem (page 18 and 19). Also today, Spring Break begins!

After a long third quarter, there should be plenty of steam to blow off over the ten day break. Whether you’re in town or going on vacation there are plenty of fun things to do, but it is important to stay safe (page 17).

Hopefully, Spring Break gives you the mental break you need to come back prepared for fourth quarter. There is much more to look forward to this spring; just be ready to grind out the last quarter, and summer will be here before you know it.

Bret Vanice, co-editor-in-chief

The View is published eight times during the regular school year as the student news publication of Park Hill South High School in Riverside, Mo. Opinions expressed here are that of the student journalists and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Park Hill School District.

To access the editorial policies or to submit a letter to the editor, visit our website at phsview.com.

The View is a member of National Scholastic Press Association and the Missouri Interscholastic Press Association and is printed by Osage Graphics in Olathe, Kan.

Check out each page to see the GOATs of the last 20 years of South!

NEWS 5 International Women’s Day 7 Home Turf

FEATURES 9 Hidden Heroes 10 Hitting the Road with Choir and Broadcast

opinion 16 Dad Bods 10 Luck of the Irish

SPORTS 18 March Madness 22 Swimming to State Jeff Lowden // 1999 // Spirited student to very spirited alum

Tommy Hottovy // 2000 // Inducted into the Witchita State Hall Of Fame. Later on was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 2004

After PROM-BLEMS BY: Reilly Scott After Prom has always been Buckles, junior, and vice president something South students have of Junior Exec. counted on, as much as Chicken In years past, the main source Nugget Wednesdays. But now, of income for After Prom has the future of After Prom is in been the Park Hill School District jeopardy. silent auction. But this year, since Previously, the PTA has South does not have a PTA, always handled the logistics South will not receive funds from of After Prom. They fundraised, the auction for After Prom. staffed and organized the whole “There are some individuals event. This year, however, South investigating restarting PTA so does not have a PTA, so that that this isn’t an issue in the burden has fallen to Junior and future,” said Dr. Jill Owens, A+ Senior Exec. coordinator and sponsor of “We understood that After Senior Exec.

Prom is important for people, and Senior Exec sent out a if no one else was going to take robo call asking for After Prom the lead on it, we’d have to do donations, and the Execs are it ourselves,” said Maya Yildirim, going to send an open letter to junior, and businesses president of for “There are some individuals asking Junior Exec. donations. investigating restarting Additionally, Both Junior and PTA so that this isn’t an the Prom Senior Exec ticket price issue in the future.” are working will raise, and together to it’s possible fund and advertise After Prom. students will have to pay some “After Prom is important at the door of PowerPlay -- all because it serves as a safe and in attempt to fund this important fun option for kids vulnerable to event. peer pressure. And a lot of kids “Looking at the demographics go to After Prom that don’t go to at South; there are a lot of house Prom,” said Kate Eischens, senior, parties that happen after Prom, and treasurer of Senior Exec. and there are many kids who However, that safe fun may feel pressured to make bad comes at a price. After Prom decisions,” said Joe Leluga, senior, at PowerPlay costs about and vice president of Senior Exec. $6000, not including prizes. The This is exactly what the Execs administration said they will cover and the administration are hoping the cost of After Prom this year, to avoid, by offering a safe, but if there is low turnout, there chaperoned and fun option. will not be an After Prom in the “The future of After Prom, as future. of now, is uncertain,” said Leluga.

“There’s just no money for “We do have this year covered, After Prom. So there’s going to be but we are skeptical about some changes regarding after whether we will be able to fund prom this year, like an increase this event in the future.” in Prom ticket prices,” said Annie

Laura Lenhert, art, has been in charge of planning Prom for 20 years!

Park Hill South High School invites you to attend

Prom Night Saturday, April 21, 2018

What does your prom ticket pay for?

The Prom ticket price may seem steep - here’s what gets factored into the price:

after prom

$

dinner $

DJ $ event space at embassy suites

$

Prom has been held at Embassy Suites for 20 years

The View // MARCH // News

03

STOp.

beware of hall monitor

by Garrett Osbourn “Stop I need to see your ID.” “You need to go get a pass from the teacher you were with.” “Your lanyard needs to be around your neck.”

These are just a few of the things students at South have been hearing every day in the halls during Tutorial.

Administration has begun to crack down on students IDs, and lanyards, leaving students frustrated and confused as to why this is such a big issue.

Over the past three years, juniors and seniors have gone through several new policies and rules regarding the card system, including new incentive requirements, new lanyards and Tutorial rules.

Administration contiunues to search for a solution that works to motiate students while keeping them safe at the same time.

Some students believe that administration has begun to go overboard with unnecessary policies that are not effective in the long term for the student body.

“This all seems unnecessary. The intentions seem good, but they don’t know how to go about it,” said Cameron Ferraro, junior.

One of the policies that has left students most frustrated is the newly issued school lanyards.

“Students want control, and this is an easy thing for them to have control over,” said Dr. Beth Esco, assistant principal.

However, students disagree that it’s themselves that want control and some believe it is the administration who wants to place more control over them.

“It’s unnecessary; it’s nothing but a nuisance

“Nobody,

especially teenagers, like change.

that no one enforces except the two guys during Tutorial,” said Beau Buford, junior.

The results of a poll issued by The View showed that 92 percent of students do not wear the lanyards issued by South’s leadership team and administration.

When the new lanyards came out, students felt confused as to why, because they were given them, and all of a sudden people began to get into discipline issues for not wearing them during Tutorial.

Students were never given an explanation as to why, so Esco explained.

“The main goal is to be able to identify where kids are supposed to be, and prepare them for their future workplace,” said Esco.

When students weren’t given an explanation they were left assuming things that may have not been true, but left them with nothing else to believe.

“It seems that it’s intended to make the school safer, but it’s not working. There’s no special requirements to get in, you can walk right past security and drive right past the parking monitor,” said Ferraro.

Students like to place all the blame on administration when they get no information, however, this idea sprouted from South’s Leadership Council of teachers and staff at South, and was only approved by the administration.

So what is a potential solution here? Some students say they would like student involvement in the decision process, including surveys on these kinds of issues that keep getting changed.

“Nobody, especially teenagers, like change,” said Esco.

When asked if he thought changes would be made, to benefit the greater portion of the student body, Buford said, “I think we’ve already seen the changes made multiple times over the past couple years, I just don’t think the administration cares about what we have to say cause I’ve personally never been asked, and I don’t see that changing.”

While not all students agree with Buford, there remains controversy when it comes to ID lanyards and the reasons for implementing them mid-year.

STUDENT Stories Katie Kramp (Senior): “One day it was raining, and I tried to go in the side academic doors, I was stopped by one of the administrators, and I showed them my ID, they didn’t let me in, and I was made to walk around all the way to the front.”

Cali Gadd (Senior): With a blended schedule, Gadd is used to walking in the entrance of the academic hallway with her ID, but was turned away to make her go in the front door.

changes

over 20 years RED CARDS Eliminated because it was obvious who had grade/attendance/ discipline issues GOLD CARDS Students earned different color cards based on Z PASS Piloted by South-- card included chip to swipe for lunch, bus riding, etc.

“

Lauren Phillips // 2001 // At Southm she was a Varsity Softball player, one of the valedictorians, and picked by the principal to represent South at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Australia as part of the Coca-Cola program 04

The View // MARCH // News

20 20

Powerful Quotes From Women

“We realize the importance of our voices only when we are silenced.”

-Malala Yousafzai “I don’t want other people to decide who I am. I want to decide that for myself.” -Emma Watson “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” -Alice Walker “It is a fact that when you change a girl’s life, you effect her vision of herself and her immediate world and the world that she will have an impact on.” -Oprah Winfrey “The success of every woman should be the inspiration to another. We should raise each other up. Make sure you’re very courageous: be strong, be extremely kind, and above all be humble.” -Serena Williams “When women and girls are empowered to participate fully in society, everyone benefits.” -Melinda Gates “Whatever the problem, be part of the solution. Don’t just sit around raising questions and pointing out obstacles.” -Tina Fey “There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.” -Michelle Obama

“In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders.” -Sheryl Sandberg “I can’t think of any better representation of beauty than someone who is unafraid to be herself.” -Emma Stone

“I raise up my voice — not so I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard. We cannot succeed when half of us are held back.” -Malala Yousafzai “We are not free until all of us are free.” -Halsey “Well-behaved women seldom make history.” -Laurel Thatcher Ulrich “The most liberating thing about beauty is realizing that you are the beholder.” — Salma Hayek “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” -Alice Walker “You cannot hope to build a better world without improving the individuals. To that end, each of us must work for his own improvement and, at the same time, share a general responsibility for all humanity, our particular duty being to aid those to whom we think we can be most useful.”

—Marie Curie “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”

-Anne Frank “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” -Eleanor Roosevelt

“The question isn’t who’s going to let me; it’s who’s going to stop me.” -Ayn Rand

“

There are women who have changed our world in many different areas and they deserve to be recognized for the contributions they have made

Wes Kauble // 2002 // Went on to create and produce his own game shows in LA

afraid ... bornto do this

I am not I was

by Hannah graves

March comes with a myriad of spirited holidays and events: March Madness, St. Patrick’s Day, and, of course, the national celebration of women’s history.

Believe it or not, National Women’s History Month has not always been in existence. It began as a week, a way to increase education and appreciation for accomplishments made by women.

As explained by Women’s Studies teacher Jennifer Mattson, “It first started as an International Women’s Day on March 8 and was recognized around the world. Then in 1980, President Carter announced in a proclamation that he would make it a week surrounding March 8.”

Several California school districts began the commemoration. Since then, it has expanded into the country-wide celebration women’s history it is today.

“Congress agreed and promoted the idea of a month. Many states decided that they would support the month of March as National Women’s History Month. It just continued to have support and the idea gained momentum,” said Mattson.

Here are South we are proud to exert equal opportunity in many areas.

Principal Dr. Dale Longenecker explained for support in female athletics, as well as making sure weights and fitness classes aren’t geared toward one gender or another. He also reported how we have many female participants in the math and science departments including student participants, and female educators.

While National Women’s History Month is now federally recognized, not many people know about it or celebrate it. Because we chose to acknowledge it, those reading this should consider it as a love letter to successful women, and an acknowledgment of their endeavors through generations of oppression and inequality.

Mattson said, “[It] is a time to promote the study of women

“

who have impacted society and to bring awareness of issues that affect women.

It is important because as an oppressed majority, women have had to work hard to gain a voice in our society and to be recognized for their contributions.”

While society has made great strides toward equality in many ways (including under the precincts of gender), appreciating how both these oppressions and strides came to be helps build a brighter, more inclusive future.

If you still struggle with or even resent the idea of setting aside a month to recognize women in particular, here’s what Mattson has to say, “[Women’s Month] is important because women are in the majority of this country and yet they still struggle to get full equality in some areas.

American society was very patriarchal and it was difficult for women to get a voice. It took a huge amount of sacrifice for women to even get the right to vote and now we are seeing an increase of women holding very significant positions in our society. There are women who have changed our world in many different areas and they deserve to be recognized for the contributions they have made.”

While it’s important to recognize these things at a macro level, it is worthwhile to recognize the rising stars closer to home. There are many women at South who have faced hindrances beyond imagination -- some gender specific, and some not. Nonetheless, it is the time to recognize their history, and their futures.

The View // MARCH // News

05

BY: HAILEY DEEDS Park hill Photos by: Judiann McMahon

A rivalry has unfolded for the past 20 years “Football game between Park Hill and South called early due to fight, crowd safety issue.”

“Following football game married by fights, parental supervision rule enacted at Park Hill.”

“Fights at Park Hill ends high school football game.”

These were the news headlines that followed the Sept. 1 District football game.

For 20 years, the Park Hill School District rivalry has unfolded into undeniable hostility. With the last falls events, such as the district football game, it has become clear not just locally, but around the metro.

“It seems similar to Liberty and Liberty North.

Park Hill South is a newer school so it’s similar to Liberty North and Park Hill is more similar to Liberty.

During the Park Hill vs. South football game, I saw student section Twitters going at it. I heard a lot of rumors of what happened,” said senior Harris Meyers, Liberty North student section leader.

The Park Hill vs. South football game was called early due to a series of fights and safety reasons. There were even rumors of stabbings, but both police and the district said there was no confirmation of this actually happening.

Hostility is not only seen at district sporting games, but in common meeting spots.

“They think that Burlington Creek is our Zona Rosa. They claim Zona Rosa to be theirs. I was walking down the street one time with Elaina Cassity, who was wearing her letterman jacket, and they saw it and then yelled ‘rich [expletive]’ then left. We were like ‘dude, you don’t know us bro-- you can’t say that’,” said Sophie Granger, senior.

06

Social media has also played a role in rivalries compared to years past. The Rage Cage and Park Hill Student Section Twitters have been at each other’s throats all year long. Tweet wars have started from simple reminders such as, “Tomorrow’s Wednesday...you know what that means...panther hunting…” to “Can’t wait to watch Roman and Willy play tonight...oh wait #2.0” to “Please don’t forfeit in the 4th quarter again.”

“Everything is developed through social media.

The fact that it gives another surface for people to argue on and have disputes on is fueling the fire. It’s not necessarily a good one, for sure,” said senior Weston DiBlasi, Park Hill TARKUS leader.

This spirals from the psychology term “ingroup and outgroup bias,” meaning that it’s an “us vs. them” mentality.

“We are social creatures and a mechanism of our survival is strength in numbers; we don’t have wings, shells, scales, talons, fangs or the cool stuff to be intimidating. What we do have is the ability to think and work in groups,” said Andrew Cantrell, psychology.

Despite the rivalry, students who take part in the LEAD Center, NCAPS or Professional Studies programs have the opportunity to collaborate with the other school. Colleen Coursey, LEAD Center and Health Professions, enjoys seeing her South and Park Hill students work together.

“I think barriers are down in my classroom.

I think it’s fun to watch the rivalry at times, but normally I see students come together who are from the same community. They are there for a common goal, so they see that unification compared to being on the opposite side of the basketball court or across town from each other,” said Coursey.

Finding a common goal will be important to many students and staff members due to the redistricting that will take place by

The View // MARCH // features

March 2019; many South and Park Hill students (or those currently on “track” to attend these schools) have the potential to switch schools.

“One of the challenges, actually it’s not really a challenge, it’s actually great news,” said Dr. Jeanette Cowherd, superintendent. “All of our schools and all of our families believe their school is the very best. ‘So please don’t move me from this school to that school because I love my school.’ It’s just fascinating. It speaks to the quality of our teachers, administrators and our staff and what a great job they do in creating community.

We are excited to work through that.”

Some who have already been through the transition process of changing schools believe the experience is what you make it.

“If you end up transfering to a new school and you either like or don’t like it that is a decision you made. I don’t think it’s healthy for people to go into things like ‘I don’t like this and I don’t like that.’ You’re not allowing yourself a chance to be open to the experience or to learn and grow. If you already have a preconceived idea of if you like it or don’t like it, you’ve already decided if it’s going to be a positive or negative for you,” said Marianne Curtis, former South teacher and current Park Hill teacher.

Many students and staff members are open to the idea of bridging the gaps and have connected with peers from both schools to create a healthy rivalry that promotes spirit and pride among the district, rather than one that divides and creates animosity between the schools.

Cantrell said it best when he said, “We have created these artificial divisions that there is a Park Hill and Park Hill South and ‘South is this…’ and ‘Park Hill is that…’ But I think the bigger thing is being a part of this amazing school district. We don’t emphasize

we are ALL Park Hill.”

but it would also bring benefits to other activities Meritorious Budget Award, for fiscal responsibility, as well. is just one of the many honors the Park Hill Board football stadium with rival Park Hill. This has taken “Having an updated field, presumably turf, of Education receives, and we are lucky to have a toll on Panther pride across a variety of sports, would allow our Track and Field athletes to the incredible facilities we do. However, are there activities and events. With worry of cost and space participate in low impact drills without the worry other ways to consider in regards to paying for a availability, it is unlikely that a separate stadium will of soggy grass and mud. Including a stadium in the stadium? be built in the near future. process would give us the luxury to host our track Across the country, high schools looking to build The question is, can you put a price tag on meets with a more professional atmosphere for or update their athletic facilities are following a bringing your school together and creating athletes, coaches and spectators. In our current common trend. According to an article written in the traditions for years to come? situation, our spectators rely on lawn chairs and Chicago Tribune, various high schools are beginning For starters, traveling to home games located at hopefully a dry patch of grass,” said Chris Leibrand, to sell their naming rights to outside supporters. This another facility removes spirit from players.

Assistant Cross Country and Track Coach. means that an outside company will provide funding “I think every South football player has gotten Hosting stadium-quality events at South would to schools in return for the specific field/ facility to tired of hearing the usual Park Hill jabs of taking bring more Panther fans to the Rage Cage, in turn have their name on it. busses to our home games. It leaves our school boosting school spirit, and giving athletes needed This idea started with professional sports teams, in the shadow of Park Hill’s tradition,” said Luke support. worked its way through colleges and has now Becker, former South football player.

Another advantage a stadium would bring taken root in high schools around the U.S. Liberty With South’s own stadium, players would no is the opportunity to host larger events and North has given this a try with Zaxby’s Fast Food longer get ready in someone else’s locker room, fundraisers. The more community brought to South, Company purchasing the naming rights for their coaches could store and keep equipment at South the better. football field. and more families could get involved in the program.

“The track/football field allows for a very large With the connections the Park Hill district has, All around, everyone would have their own place space. With a stadium, events such as the cancer South’s reputation, and of course, the breathtaking to call home. awareness walk, Relay For Life, could be hosted view of Kansas City, would businesses in the area Football players aren’t the only students who

by Park Hill South. Our student body could also be willing to take up on an opportunity to support suffer from traveling to District Stadium. Band, host fundraisers for a variety of organizations the dream of a South stadium? cheer, dance team and color guard must also and charities in exchange for fun incentives during Luckily, there are multiple improvements being practice together at Park Hill before games. Since it football games, such as special viewing areas with made to South’s athletic facilities this summer such is difficult for all four of these activities to coordinate complimentary food and snacks,” said Leibrand. as lights, turf and more seating arrangements, and travel, there is usually only time for one, short With any major improvements or renovations, according to John Carr, Assistant Principal. South’s practice together before each home game. cost is the biggest concern, and with three new estimated athletic budget is $275,000 for the “If [the dance team] could practice multiple times schools coming to the District, stadium plans aren’t 2018-2019 school year, but improvements can add together before games, the student section could necessarily on the forefront. up quickly. These renovations will help with some see a variety of dances and performances from us,” “This has been an open request since Park Hill of the problems South currently faces, but still don’t said Sarah Waller, sophomore and South Side Girl. South first opened in 1998, but has not been live up to the dream of a new stadium.

This leads into the next problem South faces. prioritized above other capital needs throughout “There’s nothing more powerful than a common With the current grass field, band students cannot the district., “ said Opal Hibbs, Administrative interest uniting a group. We saw KC come together roll their instruments as smoothly as a turf field Assistant to Superintendent Dr. Jeanette Cowherd. when the Royals won...who’s to say a football would allow them to, causing them to practice in The field wouldn’t band Panthers together more than the athletic parking lot during their performance ever? We’ve got the best student section in the season. Not only is this an impractical place to Northland. We just need a home! ” said play and set formations, but blocking this Anna Heremlink, senior.

BY: Cienna Newett area off takes up a substantial amount So South, after 20 years, is it of space, leaving many student time to change for the future? drivers upset.

20 years ago, a rumor was spread that the Argosy Having a stadium during Casino offered to fund a stadium at South, and was football season would turned down. The rumor has recently been proved alleviate many problems South currently faces, false, but the fact still remains: South still has no stadium.

For the past 20 years, South has shared a

Panthers, after 20 years is it time to change?

The View // MARCH // features

07

BY: Rowan Wilson

Save the Small, yellow, fuzzy and crucial to life as we know it. What am I? The honeybee was introduced to America by European settlers in the early 1600s. They have been crucial to the ecosystem ever since.

Ever since the late 1990s, researchers have seen a decline in honeybee populations across the globe. Since 2006, 40 percent of all honeybee populations have been lost, according to Greenpeace. Everyday foods such as, apples, kiwis, peaches and avocados, would perish if bees were to die out.

Meghan Cashell, senior, believes that bees are crucial to many food sources.

“Bees are a very important part of the pollination of so many of the different fruits and vegetables we eat, and they’re even important for nonplant parts of our diet because the food we feed to livestock is dependent on bees,” said Cashell.

There are many theories on exactly why we are seeing such a rapid decline. Whether it is the effects of industrial agriculture, parasites or climate change, damage is being done. The varroa mite, a mite that carries viruses dangerous to the honeybee, has been taking some of the blame, according to the University of Florida. In the last 30 years, the varroa mite’s deadlines has increased exponentially.

Another explanation being explored by researchers is pesticides and insecticides. Lindsey Sterrett, senior, believes that pesticides can negatively affect bee populations.

“We can help by being more conscious about the resources we use,

avoiding chemicals like weed killers and pesticides that can negatively impact other things,” said Sterrett.

The effects of these chemicals is subtle, and can take a while to show up.

The long term effects of these pesticides are becoming more apparent as time goes on.

Neonicotinoid pesticides, derived from nicotine, affects queen bees and therefore results in colonies having lower reproductive rates. These effects can be dire when it comes to bee populations across the world, according to Texas A&M. There are many things we can do to decrease our impact on the environment. These include recycling, creating less trash, composting and being smart about weeding.

Cashell suggests not weeding your lawn because, “Weeding your lawns and getting rid of dandelions is bad because they’re the bees natural pollen and food source.”

The future of bees is dependent on us being aware of our impact on the ecosystem.

Sterrett said, “We can help by being more conscious about the resources we use, avoiding chemicals like weed killers and pesticides that can negatively impact other things.”

Being educated and knowledgeable about our impact on the ecosystem will determine the health of the environment in the future. The future of the world is in our hands.

20

over

years

23% decline in population

Colleen (Montgomery) Coursey // 2003 // Now teaches at the LEAD Center and faciliates Professional Studies programs 08

The View // MARCH // features

PHS View

Hidden Heroes BY: NOELLE AG

Students come to South every day exhausted from stressing about their classes. Many have stayed up until 2 or 3 a.m. doing assignments that are due the next morning.

Because our minds are often thinking about other things, we can forget what others do to make sure that our experience at school can be the best it can be.

That’s where the custodians come in. Every day they are here at South, working to keep the school clean. Randy Martin, custodian, cleans the kitchen, commons and floors, takes out the trash, cleans the sinks, the windows and even comes on weekends when needed to do snow removal.

Jeff Kaiser, head of the day shift, comes in early (6 a.m.

Monday-Friday) and goes outside to make sure everything is ready for school, and cleans ice off if needed. How many South students would want to do that?

“I like it,” says Kaiser. “I’ve worked at most of the schools in the district, and I like the high schoolers just because the kids are a little more mature and you can actually have a conversation with them. It also reminds me of being back in high school.”

Steve Davidson mostly takes care of the cafeteria and helps Kaiser with anything else that needs to be done at South, like putting together furniture, as well as cleaning the floor and kitchen.

“I guess maybe it keeps you young. In a way it’s entertaining at times, stuff that [students] do, and sometimes aggravating. So that’s what you may see them do, but overall fulfilling,” said Davidson.

Sometimes when the faculty or students call the custodians down for help, they expect an immediate response, which isn’t always possible. Someone might also call one of them down and not state the reason why they are needed, making them go back to the office to grab supplies, which can be frustrating for the custodian crew.

When asked what his pet peeve is at work, Kaiser said, “Kids not picking up their trays after breakfast and lunch.”

Everyone at South knows that lunchtime can get very messy. In fact, the two dumpsters behind the school get emptied every day due to the amount of food and trash students and staff throw out.

There are several cases a day when certain students will think it’s funny to throw food across the commons, or wipe them on the windows, which gives more work for the day crew to do: it’s a collective pet peeve, so to say. But it has shaped the way that the custodians think.

“I would say maybe a little bit, yeah. I would say your personality probably shapes how you do a job, more than

a newspaper publication

$0.12

Kevin Ma // 2004 // National Merit Winner but also the best hair

Earth’s Most Unexpected Heroes. the other way around in my opinion, but yeah I definitely think what you do has some impact on the way you look at things… I notice dirt a lot more than I use to,” said Kaiser.

Davidson believes it has made him a nicer person to people in general. Both Kaiser and Davidson believe it’s a humbling job, cleaning a school and after students does have a stigma to it.

So how did these men get the custodial position?

“The custodial position opened up just at the right time for me and where I was at in my life. It’s been a great job… this is my fourth year and it’s been a good enough job to have,” said Kaiser.

Davidson got the job because his wife use to work at South, and he wanted to get out of a previous job full of stress and pressure, so he chose to work at South.

“Before this I was going to be a truck driver. I didn’t want to do that because I felt like I was always going to be on the road, not seeing my family; said if I was gonna have wife and kids I wouldn’t really get to see her, so I decided to become a custodian because of the benefits, the sick time, vacation time and the retirement,” said Martin.

Martin started off working at Hawthorne Elementary, and has been at South for the past 13 years.

Since Kaiser is the head of the day shift every day, he has more responsibilities. He arrives at 6 a.m. Monday through Friday and makes sure that everything is done on time and properly. Sometimes he has to stay later than his shift to help the night crew if they need to set something up for after school events, or if they need an extra set of hands.

“It’s a little bit different; there’s more responsibility, but I enjoy it. I like my position,” said Kaiser.

Custodians are often forgotten about when people go through their day. Students especially don’t realize the work that is put in to make sure that their environment is clean and in place. It’s good to know that Kaiser, Davidson and Martin actually enjoy working around the students at South.

It’s important to note though that while their job is to make sure everything runs smoothly all the time behind the scenes, they aren’t our mothers. Those students who throw their food at the bins for fun, or spill drinks and walk away, are challenged to walk a mile in a custodian’s shoes, because it’s one thing to have “fun;” it’s another to be on the side waiting to clean it up.

Despite some of South’s hygiene problems, Kaiser’s favorite part about his job are the people.

He said, “I like the people here-- kids aren’t so bad either.”

Kaiser the Wise

super steve

red robin randy

The View // MARCH // features

09

The South Side Scoop, A Cappella Choir and Symphonic Orchestra are travelling across the United States for various reasons this spring

by hunyee choi Where they’ve been over the last 20 years rk City New Yo

Chicago Omaha

PHS Los Angeles Anaheim San Diego

Atlanta

Dallas

Washington D.C.

Broadcast ($0.6k) A Cappella Choir ($0.9k) Symphonic Orchestra ($1k)

Orlando

Nashville, Tennessee San Antonio, Texas

Spring Break is just around the corner and it’s time to plan friend get togethers and sleeping in ‘til 12 p.m..

However, several talented groups at South won’t be lounging around for 10 days, as they are traveling all across the United States to show off their skills and do what they love.

With the title of Best Daily Live Show in Midwest, the South Side Scoop is heading to Nashville, Tenn. for four days for the Student Television Network (STN) convention.

The South Side Scoop is going to participate in the Crazy 8s as a team, which is an event where they only get eight hours to work together and produce a eight minute show.

“This year instead of doing a newscast like we normally do, we decided that our talented group is best suited to do a film competition instead, so instead of producing a morning broadcast in 8 hours like we normally would, we’re gonna have 8 hours to produce, write, and edit our own short film,” said senior Madison Flynn, who’s producing and directing the competition.

“I’m excited to see what they’d do, it’s a challenge because they are broadcast kids, not film kids; however, if you know how to tell a story, whether it’s film or broadcasting, it’s the similar thing, so I think they’ll do well,” said Justin Ford, broadcast.

While the South Side Scoop competes in Nashville, the A Cappella Choir is going to do something that they truly enjoy and love: singing.

The choir is traveling to Washington D.C. for five days, from March 14-19 to have a 45 minute long concert for the Grand Oaks American veterans retirement community in Washington D.C as part of The National Festival of the States.

“We’ve got like 12 songs picked out, and the theme is American arrangers and composers. We got a bunch of cultures corporated and it’s really cool,” said Carrick O’Bleness, junior.

10

“We’ve been working on music since our fall concert. Some of the music are from our fall concert, winter concert, and large ensemble festival,” said Elizabeth Brockhoff, choir.

The choir held a concert at school in the library to prepare for this big event, even though they are not doing it as a competition.

“We are doing it as a chance to work with the clinicians to get our large ensemble music music ready, to see different parts of the country and to give a concert for a brand new audience,” said Brockhoff.

Singing, recording, and talking in front of people might not be their thing; however, South’s Symphonic Orchestra is heading to San Antonio, Texas for five days in April.

“I had a lot of fun my freshman year when we went to Chicago, so I’m super excited to go to San Antonio this year and perform on the Riverwalk,” said senior Payton Stalcup.

On the fourth day of their trip, the orchestra is giving a concert at the Arneson River Theatre along the riverwalk, the same theatre where one of the scenes from “Miss Congeniality” was filmed.

“We are not traveling to San Antonio for a competition; this is an educational trip with a concert tour,” said Diane Markley, orchestra.

The orchestra will be doing an clinic on their second day with a music professor at Trinity University, and Markley hopes her students to know they can keep playing their instruments even when they choose not to major in music in college.

“I hope that out of this experience, everyone is able to get a better, broader understanding of their music opportunities in college, regardless of what they decided to major in,” said Markley.

With so many members of the South community displaying excellence around the United States in the next few weeks, make sure to wish them luck before their trip.

Cole Leon // 2005 // Super Fan “Carry yourself with pride and make your school proud.”

The View // MARCH // features

fall ‘98 South opens its doors

fall ‘99 first senior class begins final year

winter ‘98 girls swim conference win streak begins

spring ‘01 play forced to cancel only time in school history

spring ‘00 first class graduates South

spring ‘01 20+ valedictorians

winter ‘02 cheer team wins State

spring ‘02 first full four year class graduates

spring ‘02 girls golf goes to State

winter ‘03 girls dive wins conference

winter ‘03 first semester finals are mandatory

spring ‘03 girls golf goes to State

20 Years of

Panther Pride

For two decades, South has stood as a beacon on the hillside as a place of education, growth and success

It

has been a do is important. great day to Part of success is change. Since 1998, be a Panther not only has the world changed, but so has for 20 years.

South. The dance team no longer wears In these past Khaki shorts like they did in 2002. STUCO two decades installed a bell tower and students now South has each have their own laptops. seen countless But the thing that makes South so strong changes, are the people and traditions that have almost 10,000 lasted throughout the years. students and a multitude of lives impacted Mike Nelson, social studies, has taken within the walls of South. a legion of World History classes out to Whether or not this impact comes from the front of the building to have a proper the world that surrounds us, the school that Roman battle with a real life catapult for we attend or the family that we choose as 20 years. Chicken Nugget Wednesday we go through high school, South has been has been a day look forward to since and will continue to be a place to grow, the foundation of the school. And South’s learn and succeed. drumline has screamed ‘SOUTH’ as a battle Students such as Emerson Lee, a cry before the school had students.

Harvard Graduate, Alyssa Bell, a This special section is not only a tribute professional violinist and professor, and to the changes that South has been Riccardo Maestri, an Olympic athlete, can through, but to the people that have all be mentioned while talking about the changed it. As we look toward the future, it success that South has produced. is important to look back on the things that Under the shadow of inspiring alumni, we have accomplished, so we know that it can be hard to remember that success we can continue to succeed. Because “Park at South happens every day. Whether this Hill South the Panthers are we,” and we will success comes from a struggling sophomore fight on toward our victory. raising their grade in Advanced Chemistry, to an administrator finding a way to further South’s expectation of excellence-- what we By: Anne Price

Katie Muenks // 2006 // A former dance captain, FCA board member, and speaker at graduation. She now locally teaches dance classes at DSOD. The View // MARCH // 20 YEARS IN 2018

11

years in

20

winter ‘04 girls swim dual meets winning streak begins This photo from 2008 shows the dancers wearing knee-length khakis and vests, something you wouldn't see many people wearing today. Not only does the dance team have several different uniforms, but they tend to switch it up for performances with completely new styles.

Imagine being on stage, under bright lights, wearing a purple reflective, shiny, dress shirt; this is how South’s bass clef choir performed in 2006. Now they wear all black with a purple tie.

Other choirs at South didn't used to have any uniforms but now each ensemble has their own.

fall ‘05 Mr. Henry starts at South

fall ‘05 Dr. Cowherd (current superintendent) becomes assistant principal at South fall ‘06 late start ends, early release begins

fall ‘06 Dr. Longenecker completes doctorate

fall ‘07 Dr. Longenecker becomes principal

fall ‘08 FANS/ FMP program begins

12

Riccardo Maestri // 2007 // Came here as a foreign exchange student from Italy. He currently holds all but two swimming records here and swam in the 2012 London Olympics for Italy.

The View // MARCH // 20 years in 2018

Today, South’s runners wear all black Nike uniforms with a clean “S” on the front. For State, cross country runners wear a similar uniform in white. In 2002, the uniforms were quite strange in the way of South’s logo with a larger “H” instead of “P” and “S” in “PHS”.

twenty eighteen by: allison majors & SHANE MCCULLOUGH

Today the football players have two different uniforms: a black and white Adidas jersey and four different colored pants. Freshman players have their own solid white and purple set. In 2008, all the football players had a black uniform as well all white.

fall ‘14 ringing of bell begins fall ‘13 bell tower finished being built

2008 South Softball varsity players rocked an all white button up shirt with purple knee-high socks. Today, the girls play in a more modern look: a baseball style tee and striped pants.

summer ‘13 w’s hallway, locker rooms and gerbil tube addition completed ‘12 first year for ncc

‘11 symphonic band performed at Carneige Hall

winter ‘10 courtwarming cancelled due to snow ‘10 8 of 9 fall sports takes conference champs

winter ‘09 debate qualified for nationals

10 years ago our cheerleaders showed spirit in their one piece, dress-like uniform, along with an unfamiliar PHS logo.

Now, they have a few different uniforms to choose from. All worn now have the same straight style in black, white and gray.

winter ‘08 girls straight conference streak ends

Emma-Lorraine Bart-Plange // 2008 // At South she won court, was an FMP and was on the step team. She went on to SLU and become president of their Black Student Union.

The View // MARCH // 20 YEARS IN 2018

13

fall ‘15 coach Sharp becomes head football coach

‘16 commons get carpet

spring ‘15 men’s basketball make it to the title game

winter ‘17 the breakfast cart is introduced

fall ‘17 Dr. Esco joins staff

fall ‘16 all high schoolers get laptops

Lookin’ Back: A Few of the Originals Dale Longenecker has been here

since the very beginning, first as an assistant principal and math teacher, now as head principal and his 26th year in the District. is also one of the originals here at South. Beginning as a science teacher, he has also went on to co-coach Boys Swim and head coach Girls Swim.

Tim Busenhart

Deborah Landuyt has

been with the District since 1997, and came to South as a Science and Foreign Language Teacher. In 2014, she helped to start the science classes at South with Project Lead the Way. Andrew Keefer has also been

here since the opening of South.

He has led the Girls Track Team to several victories, including State Championships, and has taught several different Social Studies classes.

By: Nicole Beaubien and Anne Price

to come: cafe in library and new study rooms

to come: new school furniture

fall ‘17 women’s cross country wins State

1998 2018 Math:

Math:

Algebra 1

Algebra 2

Science:

Science:

Physical science

Chemistry + one more Credit

1 Required online Class

No Required online Class

Health/ Personal Wellness

Health/ Personal Finance

Personal Finance/ COmputer Apps

Math:

ALWAYS REQUIRED

ELA:

1 Fine Arts Credit Geometry 1 class 1 Practical Social each year Art Credit

Studies: Science: Three Credits

Biology

28 Credits To Graduate

Could you Graduate

in ‘98?

Chris Harrington // 2009 // Former Big Cat winner. Now gone on to coach a Northland swim team and owns Squid Printing Company.

14

The View // MARCH // 20 years in 2018

SpaceX will have landed on Mars, via the Falcon Heavy, by year 2022 to deliver cargo to set up initial power, life support and minging operations. By 2024, a second trip will be made to deliver cargo to prepare for future trips. By 2038, a permanant operation will be established on Mars.

Trips from Earth to Mars will be continuously occuring, delivering human passangers and cargo.

Multiplanetary life and a city will exist on Mars.

Julia Sumpter // 2010 // While at South she was in choir and drama. She was also the newspaper art director and is now Photo Editor for Leafly in Seattle.

BY SAGE NORSWORTHY

account that it is reusable because of its unique ability to return to earth and land.

Its design was centered around one intention: to carry passengers into space. Destination, Mars. It is more than capable of transporting heavy Imagine waking up from a long coma-like sleep and moving out of your payloads and spacious enough to safely carry large groups of people. And bed for the first time in years. You are on a rocket sent for Mars and your don’t let the 140 million mile distance between earth and mars intimidate you, journey is nearing its end. You look out a window to see the red planet, but a because according to Musk, his flight using the Falcon Heavy will only take 80 closer look opens your eyes to a great city built upon its surface. You are about days. While this may sound like a long time, when you compare it to how long to be apart of the future of multiplanetary living. the journey has taken in the past, it is nearly a third of the time.

Although the idea of moving life to Mars may seem out of this world, it is a

“Our generation, thanks to Musk, is on the verge of greatness. “tangible” dream for SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.

He is doing things that will reshape our civilization. Putting people on mars is Soon we’ll be living the reality an achievement of itself; building a city “You want to wake up in the morning and think the future is going on mars and delving into the idea of of sci-fi movies, according to Musk. to be great - and that’s what being a spacefaring civilization is all multiplanetary life is an idea of only the All the doubts of NASA are being broken by a competing company, about. It’s about believing in the future and thinking that the future foremost thinkers. The man is a genius,” SpaceX. said Aidan Bean, senior. will be better than the past. And I can’t think of anything more With the first launch of the Falcon With all the possibilities that exciting than going out there and being among the stars” Heavy, the game of space travel is Musk has opened up for us, the idea being forever changed. It is twice as of expanding our jurisdiction to other planets is not far fetched. Musk has powerful as the second most in the world, with the ability to lift the weight of a declared that nothing is impossible. Musk has broken boundaries. He has 737 jetliner completed with crew and passengers, luggage and fuel. challenged the status quo of what was thought to be possible. He has turned Additionally the cost of the Falcon Heavy is one-third the cost of its science fiction into fact. predecessor, and it becomes even more of a bargain when you take into

15

What if wealth was measured in how many faces that you’ve seen and people that you’ve talked to?

BY: ELYSSA BEZNER person, every race and every ethnicity you’ve ever met or seen? Are you richer or poorer? around, consulting over the spice racks, buying expensive smoothies and In a time where human connection is at an all-time high, and talking choosing flower bouquets from the many vendors selling them. There across the globe is made simpler with technology, what is the excuse for are women in hijabs, men in suits and hip teenagers passing each other, being poor in this scenario? each absorbed in their own purpose and own time.

The main downfall of humanity is the inability to empathize, or There is a woman named Tereko that lives in Liberty. Her face is attempt to understand the opposing side. Moving through time, this issue wrinkled but smiling. She was a Red Cross nurse during World War II and is prevalent in every story we’ve ever heard. spends her days translating her late husband’s People need to know Conqueror versus the conquered. Black versus poetry from Japanese. white. Rich versus poor. Old versus young.

Gerald Smith, the founder of Plexpod, a people. People need to People need to know people. People need coworking studio network based in Kansas City, to be rich with perspective and with connection. be rich with perspective said in an interview with Startland News: “What the rush and electricity of meeting someone if wealth was measured in how many faces that and with connection. Feel new, hearing them, and that excitement of you’ve seen and people you’ve talked to?” wondering where it will go: the buzzing and How rich would you be? If you talked to firing of pheromones that lead to attraction or easy friendship.

Tereko and the thousands like her and learned their stories? If you Find the one amazing piece of a person that you can relate to, or walked through the City Market and shook hands with every hijablove them for. Discovering that piece is what trekking through the City wearing woman, every suited man, and every bored teenager?

Market on a crowded Sunday, an adventure, and meeting people like Let’s say $10 for every Missourian? $100 for every American?

Tereko ,who still have so much to say, beautiful. That is the incredible Going further and deeper with other worldly people and skin colors, majesty of diversity and of human connection. Love thy neighbor: that is what would be the total money you might rack up with every type of the purpose of life.

The City Market is a place of many faces. So many figures milling

Daniel Jones // 2011 // While he was here he was considered to be a nice, genuine person.

Now he is a MU football beat sportswriter at the Columbia Missourian.

16

The View // MARCH // ENTERTAINMENT/opinion

Dad ods

Rachel Norfleet // 2012 // Does Ironmans all around the country

BY: CHRISTIAN HOLFERTY Summer is rapidly approaching. The weather is getting warmer, the birds are chirping, and darty szn has begun to make its glorious return. Unfortunately, this gives men an ultimatum. All across America, Canada, and remote parts of Mexico dudes are wondering if they should start hitting the gym instead of the buffet line.

And to that I ask, why would you?

Men have the option to pursue a body type known to many as the dad bod. If human bodies were cuts of meat, the dad bod would be more marble ribeye than filet mignon; or if human bodies were sea mammals, they would be a manatee rather than a dolphin.

The dad bod is more Ozark hill than mountain, more tuba than clarinet, more mashed potato than a fry from Freddy’s. The dad bod is not built to impress; it is built for comfort.

A mix between thin and mildly obese, the dad bod is obtained by a strict regimen of minimal exercise and a lot of cheat days. It got its name because this is the stereotypical body type of the American dad.

It was first brought to the mainstream when Leonardo Dicaprio, an actor, decided to get a bit of a gut. This was about 2015, and at the time I thought it was a joke. Could the fairer sex really prefer a Seth Rogen to a Zac Efron?

The answer is no. 10 times out of 10 any woman or man would say Zac Efron is better looking than Seth Rogen.

But the Zac Efron’s are only good for so long. If they were cars, they’d be Hyundai Sonatas. The older they get, the less valuable they are. The dad bod is like a Ford-150.

They aren’t always the best looking cars, but they age like a fine wine.

Quite a few people (women) think that dad bods are sexist. Why do men get to be chubby and women don’t?

It’s an outrage!!! Well, I’ll tell you dedicated reader, that way of thinking is wrong. Some men like chubby women, ever heard the phrase “chubby chasers”?

Not to mention men can’t control what women find attractive. That’s up to the women and some subconscious biological attraction. I’d even argue that most women don’t like dad bods, some do, but most just like the perks that come with dating a guy with a spare tire. When dating a guy with a dad bod, the girl is automatically prettier.

Second, they don’t have to work out all the time in an effort to keep up with their boyfriend. Why? Because their boyfriend’s idea of a workout is a cool 15 on the elliptical. Women don’t have to worry about what they eat because the guy isn’t gonna judge.

Not to mention the fact, when women date a fit guy they don’t know what their man will look like down the road. With the dad bod guy, you basically already know what you’re getting into.

Now gentlemen, I’m not telling you to completely let yourself go. Eating right and a little bit of exercising is crucial to a healthy lifestyle. All I’m saying is don’t be counting your calories and avoiding greasy food or sweets all the time. A little weight isn’t a bad thing and as long as you aren’t hideous and have a good personality you can find a good woman. This is officially the year we show women what real men look like. Best of luck kings.

20 Things

BY: CALI GADD

For Your Spring Break 20 places to go: -Dominican Republic -Cancun -Cabo San Lucas -Orange Beach -Jamaica -Playa Del Carmen -Daytona -Bahamas -Panama City Beach -Puerto Vallarta -Miami -Honolulu -Maldives -Turks and Caicos -Puerto Rico -Costa Rica -Acapulco -South Beach -Key West -Myrtle Beach 20 alternative things to do: -Crown Center -Escape Room -Country Club Plaza -Kansas City Zoo -Sky Zone -Nelson Atkins Museum of Art -Loose Park -Main Event -Great Wolf Lodge or Coco Key -The KC Farmers Market -Powerplay -Gladstone or Retro Bowl -River Roll -Alamo Drafthouse Cinema -Westport -National World War I Museum -Schlitterbahn -Union Station Science City -Parkville Mini Golf -Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

20 safety tips : -don’t be stupid in the ocean -protect your location on social media sites -create a code word for when you feel uncomfortable -don’t drink alcohol in a hot tub -before traveling get up-to-date on your vaccines -take a copy of your passport -tan safely with sunscreen -don’t stay on the first floor because its an easier target for break ins -carry phone numbers and cash -embrace the buddy system -do your research beforehand -keep your guard up -don’t drink and drive -don’t drink water unless its from a plastic water bottle if you are in another country -avoid alcohol poisoning -keep an eye on your money -carry the proper identification at all times -watch your drink and make sure you are the only one touching it -drink lots of water to avoid dehydration -don’t make yourself an easy target by wearing expensive jewelry or clothing

The View // MARCH // ENTERTAINMENT/opinion

17

Sierra King // 2013 // She is a cancer survior and is currently a registered nurse at KU Med Center on the Neurology and Oncology surgery unit.

BY: JAKE POWERS

This college basketball season, it seems every game, no matter which teams are playing, is a close one. No team is definitively superior.This is why I think the tournament is going to be exciting this year with a lot of upsets. Even in the regular season, there were so many upsets to teams that were ranked in the top five against teams that weren’t even ranked.

Teams that you may be interested in watching are some of the local teams that have been doing pretty well this season. Teams from Kansas such as Wichita State, Kansas State and Kansas are all set to be in the tournament. You may know Landry Shamet, the Wichita star who used to play at Park Hill, and is now playing in a huge tournament.

The only team from Missouri is just Mizzou, but with Michael Porter being cleared they are looking a lot better to go far in the tournament.

18

The View // MARCH // sports

20 years of top players 2017: Josh Hart 2016: Buddy Hield 2015: Jahlil Okafor 2014: Frank Kaminsky 2013: Trey Burke 2012: Anthony Davis 2011: Kemba Walker 2010: John Wall 2009: Tyler Hansbrough 2008: Derrick Rose 2007: Kevin Durant 2006: J.J. Redick 2005: Chris Paul 2004: Jameer Nelson 2003: Carmelo Anthony 2002: Jason Williams 2001: Shane Battier 2000: Kenyon Martin 1999: Elton Brand 1998: Antawn Jamison

The bracket hasn’t been set yet, but there will definitely be a lot of upsets. Kansas is assumed to be a number one team even though they are having a really rough year compared to their last years. We could also potentially see Kansas vs Mizzou, which we haven’t seen a real game between the border war since 2012.

If the teams do end up playing each other, the game will bring in a lot of people and has potential to be a very close game.

I can imagine this year being one of the biggest years of upsets based on what I have seen in the regular season. March Madness always has huge upsets anyway but this year there is no team that is safe. With KU as a number one seed I could see a possibility of them losing to a 16 seed this year since they have so many bad losses this season.

This year, the tournament will definitely be very exciting to make sure to tune in if you enjoy sports. March Madness is the biggest college basketball tournament in the world and this year it sure to be full of unexpected wins.

Austin Miller // 2014 // Did a lot for the South football community and is still doing a lot for the UCM football community.

OVERRATED

People who care about college basketball know one thing: March Madness is the best basketball tournament in the world and people take it very seriously.

Everyone always wants the upper hand on their bracket. This year will be hard because there is no clear number one team. Every team has been upset this year, but that being said, there are still some overrated teams.

One is Kentucky. Even though they have lost nine games, they are still ranked fifth in the midwest.

Students have other ideas about overrated teams.

Desi Williams, junior, said, “I would have to say Kansas just because they have gotten a one seed in the tournament multiple years and have not been able to win a championship.

They do not live up to the number one seed at all.”

Talking about underrated teams is one of the biggest bracket questions out there. Where will the upsets be? Last year there were a few; one of the

BY: ethan farrow biggest ones was number eleven Xavier beating number three Florida State.

There are a few underrated teams this year.

According to senior, Saadique Perkins, Missouri is a sleep team this year, saying, “because of their size and mike is coming back and they have a lot of offensive firepower.”

They have elite scorers like Kassius Robertson and Jordan Barnett. The reason this team hasn’t been playing very well is because they are really young.

In the eyes of Williams, Arizona State is his biggest sleeper team.

“Arizona State is the sleeper pick for me this year. They may not have the ESPN top 100 talent like everybody else but they do have a front court full of guards that can light it up from the outside as well as kill you in transition,” he said.

There is really no way to tell where the upsets will be at but there are always upsets, it’s just a matter of finding them.

and

UNDERRATED Between being a couch potato all weekend long, going to the bathroom to watch at work and hiding your laptop screen from your teacher during class, March Madness consumes just about everybody’s lives.

Teams, players and coaches get a bunch of attention, but the fans are what really make March special.

“I love March Madness, and my family loves to munch on Doritos while we watch basketball for hours in our basement. We have two TVs, one for the big game, and one for the scrubs,” said Phen Hardin, freshman.

Since there are games on during the school day, sometimes you have to get creative to still be able to watch. Other times, your

teacher can come in clutch.

“I always have the game on in the background for myself, and sometimes I’ll even put it on the projector depending on what we’re doing,” said Kari Perry, math.

Other teachers may not be that generous, but there are ways around that.

“When my teacher won’t let us watch the game, I’ll watch it on my laptop, and try my best to make sure my teacher doesn’t see it,” said Ty Rouse, sophomore.

Basketball fans will do whatever it takes to watch March Madness. People wait all year for this, and for some, it’s like a month long Super Bowl. Anything that can happen will happen, and that’s what captures the attention of millions of fans.

COUCH MADNESS

BY: Josiah berhane The View // MARCH // sports

19

Shaefer Schuetz // 2015 // He is said to be arguably the greatest human to walk the halls of Park Hill South.

PHS BOYS ALL TIME STARTING FIVE OVER

20 YEARS

PG: Lamel Robinson SG: James Byrd SF: Ryan Welty PF: Ivo Baltic C: Allen Hyatt

A key for us to winning every game is to not get ahead of ourselves. And we did that against Rockhurst.

OVERCOMING

obstacles by: Tucker Horn

As the season comes to an end, South finished with a record of 20-6.

After a great regular season, the Panthers championship hopes were cut short in the first round of Districts against Rockhurst.

Though it was a tough loss, it shouldn’t define what was an overall very successful season.

Hopes of an undefeated season ended after the sixth game in a crushing 60-59 defeat to Lee’s Summit North. Although six losses isn’t perfect, the strength of South’s schedule made it more than understandable.

South faced the top competition on both the Missouri and Kansas side, defeating Hogan Prep, NKC, Liberty and Blue Valley Northwest, all of which are currently ranked in the Top 20 in the Metro, according to 810 Varsity Sports.

South showed great potential, but the one thing that they seemed to be lack is consistency.

“A great strength for us was our depth at the guard position and another our want to win. An an area where we lacked strength was our toughness down the stretch and our consistency,” said head coach Dan Parra.

South had big expectations going into the postseason, reminiscing on the 20142015 season where the team made it to the State title game and placed second.

After a heartbreaking first round exit, the players are already looking forward to next season.

“A key for us to winning every game is to not get ahead of ourselves.

And we did that against Rockhurst. The main thing we can do is start training now so we can get farther next year,” he said.

Coach Parra isn’t the only one who was confident going into postseason play.

Lamel Robinson, junior, was also a believer in his team’s ability.

“We were really confident going into the game. We didn’t execute like we had planned to but we’re not going to keep thinking about that. Next season starts today,” Robinson said.

Robinson averaged a career high 22 points and 4.2 assists per game and hopes to have those numbers rise during next years season.

Although this year didn’t work out, South looks to push toward a State title run in 2019.

boys

20

The View // MARCH // sports

The South girls basketball team started their 2017-2018 season on a roll, winning their first seven games and only losing twice during a span of 15 games.

“I felt like we were playing our best basketball at that time and if we play like that at State, I don’t think there is anyone who can beat us,” said Alecia Westbrook, junior.

All was looking up for the Lady Panthers until they lost a crucial piece to their starting lineup.

Raquel Reid, senior, was playing her best basketball when an unfortunate injury occurred. Reid tore her ACL, inevitably ending her season and career as a Panther.

“Rocky is the hardest working player I know. She’s passionate about the game and she set a good tone for us on and off of the court. We’re going to miss her leadership,” said Westbrook.

Losing a reliable senior proved to be difficult to overcome, especially when

there were only two other seniors on the roster.

“After Raquel injured her knee, it seemed like everybody was just in shock for a few days and that kind of threw us off track. And it’s hard to get back on that track when you don’t have that senior leadership,” said head coach Josh Dorr.

Though it might be hard to overcome, it was far from impossible.

“I have high hopes going into the playoffs because I know with the talent and skill that we have, we can really make a push for a title,” Westbrook said.

Averaging 16 points and just over 12 rebounds per game, Westbrook looked to lead PHS going into the tournament. And after a first round win against St. Teresa’s, 64-57, the Panthers took on North Kansas City.

However, South came up short in a heartbreaking 33-30 defeat, ending the season, but not before setting the record for most wins in a season.

GIRLS

Grant Pace // 2016 // National Merit Finalist and won multiple awards for art.

Just 20 years old and already working for NASA.

Sometimes the things that are the most fun in life are the most unusual. Maybe things out of the ordinary spark more of an interest to us, with a more niche appeal. When it comes to competitive sports, this is more true than ever.

Sadly, Missouri does not support an official league, and cannot find all the sports everyone wants to play, so it’s up to the students to bring these unique sports to life.

Volleyball is one of the many sports offered at South, but it is exclusively female. What is a man like Hayden Wells to do if he wants to play? This was the idea for Men’s Volleyball club.

Wells claims the motivation to start the club was for NHS, but its roots go back further than that.

“The idea simply started when when I saw Men’s Volleyball on ESPN a while ago, and thought ‘hey that’s cool, I should make that my club,’” he said.

Another club that is developing is the Curling Club. So far, it has four members pledged to join when the club gets approved. It may Be sure to come seem hard to start a support the baseball curling club, due to team as they kick the lack of space at off their season on South to actually curl.

March 17 against Fort Osage and Blue

WeekDay Warriors

The Line Creek Ice Rink hosts the Kansas City Curling Club, and has a full curling court available, along with stones and brooms. This will help the PHS Curling Club a lot due to the fact that stones can reach up to $300 each because of how carefully they are designed. Curling Club plans to form this year, but will open up most of its activities next year.

John Carter, junior, was one of the first members to support the idea from the beginning. He is an avid fan of Olympic curling and enjoys watching the curling events while he works.

“I wanted to support the club because we feel that Curling is an unrepresented sport here at South,” he said.

Perhaps with the US men’s curling team winning gold for the first time, more South students may be interested to join.

While South may not be not be able to be able to have a real competitive outlet for some of these teams, students are still able to build their own experience for any sport they wish to try.

20 Years Spotlight

One of the longest running clubs at South is Robotics. The club has run almost nonstop for a large part of the last decade.

This can’t be said for many other clubs, many of which have been started in just the last few years.

by: Duke Maddox

Springs South

BY: BEN BECKER

Panther Profile:

Mother Nature isn’t the only thing bringing the heat this Spring.

Sam Beuerlein, junior, is one of the top athletes at South.

You may not realize this because he doesn’t really use Twitter and is quite humble.

But, in fact, he has several Division I offers including Nebraska, Northwestern, Georgetown, Memphis and Murray State.

“I knew I wanted to play baseball in college since I was a freshman.” said Beuerlein.

Sam is also a stud in the classroom, as he has made academic All-State every year and sits in the top percentage of his class.

When asked how he would decide on which college to go to he said, “I want to find a school that has a good mix of sports and education.”

The View // MARCH // sports

21

As the season came to a close, girls swim finished out strong at State prelims with an eighth place finish overall. After getting their 17th straight conference title, South took 10 girls to compete in State this year.

They started out the season strong and continued to finish strong with every meet.

“We were all really surprised to get an eighth overall with only few individuals in the finals, but we were definitely grateful,” says Georgia Clark, junior.

Paige Riekhof, senior, took second in the 100 butterfly as well as the 200 free. Riekhof got four medals at State this year making that a total of 16 all state medals to close out her high school career, and continued to set new records for the school throughout the season.

She recently committed to University of Kansas for swim.

“It was a good feeling to get all these medals, I was definitely sad because I’m going to miss everyone and everything about it, but I’m glad I ended it the way I did,” said Riekhof.

Clark said, “I am going to die next year without Paige, but the whole team and I wish her and the rest of the seniors the best at college. With the incoming freshman

we can stay somewhat consistent in terms of undefeated dual.”

Clark finished third in the 200 IM with her sister, Emma Clark, freshman, close behind with a 15th place finish in the 200 IM. Christine Hwang, Riekhof, and the Clark sisters finished third in the 200 free medley relay. Georgia , Riekhof, Sophie Jaeger and Hwang finished fifth in the 200 free relay.

“I love to represent Park Hill South and have all these teams across the state know about our continuous talent over the years,” said Georgia.

Coach Tim Busenhart received the coach of the year award for the fourth year in a row.

“I’m so proud to be an athlete for Coach Busenhart; he deserves all the awards he gets. The entire team loves him!” said Georgia.

With this swim season at a close, the girls finished it off by saying goodbye to all the seniors and celebrating the great year with a banquet.

The girls are so excited for what’s in store for future years and will continue to work hard during the off season to prepare for what’s to come.

by: Ben Becker

Panther Profile:

Paige Riekhof

by: Kate Maness and Annie Saunders

One of South’s finest athletes will try to fight the heat by swimming in the pool.

She will be swimming on scholarship at KU. Paige Riekhof, senior, took second place at State in the 200 freestyle and the 100 butterfly. She broke South’s record by being All-State in 16 events since freshman year, which is the maximum you can recieve.

“I’ve wanted to swim in

20

college ever since I was little. I have worked too hard to not swim for another four years,” said Riekhof.

Her dream was to swim in California and go to college with her older siblings but that all changed when she took her official visit to Kansas.

“I loved everything about KU and the fact that two of my good friends are going there for swim it was a nobrainer,” she said.

conference wins first team all state years State OF SWIM Champions 3rd place team state wins

22 The View // MARCH // sports

Jason Jeong // 2017 // Winner of the Ping Pong tournament twp years in a row and is now at West Point.

19

25 4

3

TBA // 2018 // Maybe you will be the next GOAT!

?

How much do you really know about St. Patrick’s Day? Test your luck and find out.

By:Bali Cortes Did you know that St. Patrick’s Day’s original color wasn’t green? And the man himself, St. Patrick, wasn’t actually Irish?

St. Patrick’s Day is known for four leaf clovers, pots of gold, leprechauns and luck. It is a day to celebrate St. Patrick, a patron saint of Ireland who was said to get rid of snakes in Ireland. Born in Roman Britain, St. Patrick didn’t always have a good life; he was captured when he was a young adult, but later returned to Ireland as a missionary.

“I didn’t know that St. Patrick wasn’t actually Irish; that is really cool and interesting. I expected that people celebrate St. Patrick because of his irish heritage, not his British,” said Adam Johnson, sophomore.

Superstitions are everywhere, from not walking under a ladder to having a rabbit’s foot by your side at all times, these common superstitions have been around for a long time and with St. Patrick’s Day, there are a countless number of superstitions. But how common are they?

A common superstition is that having an itch on your left hand means you will get a pot a gold or that dropping a dish towel means an unexpected visitor will come.

“I have a lot of weird superstitions, for softball I turn my sock inside out because I feel that will make me do better in the game,” said Courtnee Griffin, freshman.

We all know that leprechauns are midgets that are deceitful and cannot be trusted, but if you catch the leprechaun it is said that you are granted three wishes. Leprechauns use to be dressed in all red instead of green and are always male. Listen for tapping of a hammer or the driving of nails into a shoe; you may get lucky and be granted three wishes.

20+ Years of St. Patrick’s Day St. Patrick taught Christianity and died March 17 461 A.D

“If I were granted three wishes I would want to be rich right away, have all A’s and be able to go to college right now” said Maddie Kramer, sophomore.

For St. Patrick’s Day it is common for people to wear green..

But why? Contrary to belief, wearing green wasn’t the first color to symbolize St. Patrick’s Day. Blue was the color to wear in honor of St. Patrick and was used on the flags and armbands by members of the Irish Citizen Army during the attempt to end British rule.

It wasn’t until the four leaf clover became the national symbol in 1798 during the Irish Rebellion that wearing green became a practice.

“I have never found a four leaf clover before, but I bet it is the best feeling in the world, this St. Patrick’s Day I am going to look really hard for one” said Ally Hammond, sophomore.

Wearing green is essential to St. Patrick’s Day especially if you don’t want to get pinched. It is said that wearing green can make one invisible to leprechauns and other creatures. Pinching other people who aren’t wearing green is a reminder to them that leprechauns could easily come up and pinch them.

With St. Patrick’s Day being celebrated all across the states, it is one of the most fun holiday to celebrate with--a variety of foods, parades and so much more.

Are you feeling lucky this St. Patrick’s Day? Turn the page to find out.

“I have a lot of weird superstitions. For softball I turn my sock inside out because I feel that will make me do better in the game.”

1962 Chicago dyed their river green Early 1600s St. Patrick became a Christian day of feast

1737 First St. Patrick’s Day parade was held in Boston

1845-1850 1 million people died of starvaton and disease

1903 St. Patrick’s Day became a national holiday

Present Day St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated by wearing green, having parades and celebrating the man himself, St. Patrick.

The View // MARCH // ENTERTAINMENT/opinion

23

BY: Gabby MCDOWELL

LUCK HUNT Scavenger Hunt

1

Use the hints to find each Panther

2

To collect each Panther, tell the teacher holding it the answer to the hint

3

4

Find all four Panthers

Come to room C200 and win your pot of gold. Only the first four students will win gold.

HINT 1: Find the Panther in the room where all the colors of the rainbow can be found.

HINT 4: The Panther hides in a place of history where you can find out what the priest would give the president each year.

HINT 2: The Panther rests in the place where the origanal St. Patrick’s meal can be made and eaten off a PLATE.

HINT 3: The Panther rests in a room where you can learn different languages to find St. Patrick’s orignal origin.

MIdwest Sports Productions 21967 W 83rd Street Shawnee, KS 66227 Phone: (913) 543-6116

PLAYMSP.COM