February Prospective 2016

[PROSPECTIVE[ Bryant HigH ScHool • 801 n reynoldS rd. • Bryant, ark. 72022 • Vol. 24, iSSue 4 • FeB. 12, 2016

02 [ HYPE ] PROSPECTIVE

6-7 Recycling In the Long Run Trump in Arkansas 8-9

By Definition

what’s

[ INSIDE

4-5 Mixed Signals Back to My Roots Losing Connection

10-11 Together as One Regional Recognition Cosmetology Craze

12-13 Striving for State A New Sting

[

14-15 Batman, Superman Return of Tanners Walking Back

What’s the Buzz?

@ us next time

Courtney Nickels / 12 @C0urtneyNickels

Lilly Roach / 10 @Lillyroachhh

“It’s gotten to the point in the year where I cannot stay the entire day without dying.”

“At least Zayn can’t leave one direction this year.”

Jacob Uzzell / 12 @Jacob_uzz “To everyone who is nice to people in service jobs, thank you.”

Abbie Hall / 11 @theabbiehall “Okay. It’s time for marching season.”

Morgan Kennedy / 9 @morgankennedyy “Disney movies are the best movies I don’t care who you are.”

Grayson Smith / 10 @gsmittie “I’ve got 7 bottle rockets. For every time Cam Newton dabs, I will set one off.”

WANT TO BE FEATURED? Tag @ProspectiveAR in your top tweets for a chance to end up in the next issue.

12.11.15 [ HYPE ] 03

Songs turning 10 in 2016

Hovering Issues The rules of hoverboarding

ARAYA POMPLUN [ONLINE EDITOR]

“Steady as She Goes”

BLAIR ROLSTON [STAFF WRITER]

Across the globe, the new and trendy balancing scooters branded as “Hoverboards” are rising in popularity. The devices became popular with celebrities and soon after with the masses. Not long after the Hoverboard’s climb to popularity, the different companies that produce the boards began to stop manufacturing them. The acclaimed selfbalancing segways began spontaneously exploding, starting fires and injuring people. Companies like Amazon.com have taken 97% of all Hoverboard merchandise off their digital shelves, along with Overstock.com and Target’s online store.

Recently, the U.S. Postal Service and many major airlines have created policies prohibiting Hoverboards from their flights because of safety risks. College campuses have banned them, in some areas you can receive tickets for riding them, and multiple other rules and laws have been established against the devices. Principal Dr. Jay Pickering opposes their use on campus.

“I do not feel they should be allowed on campus,” Pickering said. “There are too many hazardous areas for such devices.”

Despite Pickering’s outlook on the danger of the boards and opposition to having them on campus, sophomore Driston Bradley believes Hoverboards are made out to be worse than they are.

“Hoverboards can only be as bad as you want it to be, and the reviews are completely idiotic,” Bradley said.

Though some negative reviews of the boards may be exaggerated, they still pose a severe threat.

Concerns about having the boards in school have been rising due to the lack of handbook policies

The Raconteurs

about Hoverboards.

“It would be covered [in the handbook] under the same component of skateboards,” Pickering said.

Other than the hazards of students falling off the boards, the potential of the boards catching fire are a new threat. Certain precautions can be taken to try to avoid the board’s combustion.

“All of the fires have been either from charging all night, which is in the instruction manual to never do that, or an orange light flashes which means it is overheating,” Bradley said.

Even if precautions can be taken to avoid fires, many people are still afraid of the board’s hazards.

Some areas have stopped allowing Hoverboards, and at the moment the school is on the road to disallowing them because of the hazards.

“They are not allowed on campus,” Pickering said.

“I just hope students safely enjoy their Hoverboards at home.”

“Hips Don’t Lie” Shakira ft. Wyclef Jean

“Stupid Girls” P!nk

“Dani California” Red Hot Chili Peppers

“Chasing Cars” Snow Patrol

“SexyBack” Justin Timberlake ft. Timbaland

“Fergalicious” Fergie ft. Will.I.Am

“Back to Black” Find more content at prospectiveonline.com

Amy Winehouse

“Guns in the Family” A news story about guns in our community by Alexis Burch

“Outlook on the Oscars” A preview of the Academy Awards

by Sarah Graham

“Anything Goes Cast” A feature story about the students in the spring play by Isabella Castro

“Connection with Literature” A story about a student’s love of books by Alyssa Jones

4 [ EDITORIAL ] PROSPECTIVE

PROSPECTIVE Bryant High School 801 N. Reynolds Rd Bryant, AR 72022

Mixed Signals As Valentine’s Day approaches, students will find themselves subjected to social media posts from their peers in relationships declaring their love for each other. Teddy bears will sit on top of desks alongside the red roses and chocolates bought in the name of love. Based on the $18.9 billion dollars consumers spent in 2014 on the holiday, love is expensive.

Students are bound to see girls sporting new promise rings or couples exchanging flowers and candies. We are bound to see girls and boys walk into class to be surprised with various gifts on their desks from their significant others. The halls will be patrolled by teachers keeping a watchful eye on boys and girls expressing their young love with blatant public displays of affection. The student body will be separated into those who have someone to celebrate the holiday with, those who are single and do not care, and those who despise Valentine’s Day. Whether we are in a relationship or not, we will still hear about how young love is fleeting. How we think we love someone now, but how that can all change in an instant. Constantly we hear that high school relationships are just for high school, so it is understandable that we become disillusioned by the holiday that seems more about the price of love than celebrating love.

But then, we hear and see success stories. We hear about how our friend’s parents met on a website and fell in love,

and how they are still happily married. We hear about how our friend’s parents were high school sweethearts who still love each other years later. And as we walk the halls, we see and hear about couples at our school who have been together for years and are still happy. We hear about students in healthy and loving online relationships. And we see that despite the fact that we are in high school, we are not incapable of having healthy, long-lasting relationships. We see that we should not be so disillusioned yet.

Even though Valentine’s Day may seem superficial, with the seemingly

meaningless and easily forgotten gifts and the mass of over-the-top couples who appear to be trying to one up each other, it is a day to express love. It is a meaningful day for the married couple who has been together for 50 years and for the kids in high school who are just getting started. And regardless of whether or not the kids who date in high school make it, it should not mean that their time together should go uncelebrated or that their relationship should be diminished. It does not mean they should be mocked for celebrating a holiday rooted in love.

866.707.5600 toll free 501.653.5328 journalism room 501.847.5605 office 501.653.5550 fax prospectiveonline.com Adviser Lisa Stine

Print Editors

Julia Nall, Jazzmyn Peterson, Spencer Shreeve

Online Editors

Emma Goad, Araya Pomplun

Photo Editor Madeline Colclasure

News Editor Julia Nall

Feature Editor Spencer Shreeve

A&E Editor Araya Pomplun

Hype Editor Emma Goad

Sports Editor Jazzmyn Peterson

Opinion Editor Natalie Burgess

Fun Editors

Emma Goad, Julia Nall

Artist

Sidney Shipe, Serye Kim

Ad Manager Abigail Hagner

Circulation Manager Araya Pomplun

Columnists Natalie Burgess, Alyssa Jones, Jazzmyn Peterson

Photographers Sarah Bullington, Natalie Burgess, Madeline Colclasure, Amalia Eddings, Maya Jackson, Julia Nall, Autumn Pruett

Page Designers Madeline Colclasure, Emma Goad, Julia Nall, Jazzmyn Peterson, Araya Pomplun, Spencer Shreeve, Wenjie Zhu

Staff Writers

from

YOUR

PROSPECTIVE

Do high school relationships last?

Cassie Rae / 09

Christian Harp / 10

“I think they could if you really like them and think they’re the best for you, but some people’s only focus is to be in a relationship.”

“It depends on the couple-how good they connect, and whether or not they have a good friendship.”

Rachel Curtis / 11

Cameron Murray /12

“If both people have good intentions and are looking to the future in the relationship, there’s no reason it can’t turn into a lifelong one.”

“If they’re trying to make it work out, it’ll be good. In high school, if you’re really into each other and love each other, there’s no reason it shouldn’t.”

Brad Brewer, Natalie Burgess, Alexis Burch, Isabella Castro, Edith Garcia, Emma Goad, Sarah Graham, Abigail Hagner, Alyssa Jones, Amber McFadden, Julia Nall, Jazzmyn Peterson, Araya Pomplun, Blair Rolston, Spencer Shreeve, Lauren Wilson

The Prospective is a monthly publication produced, edited and maintained by Newspaper Journalism ii, iii, and iv students at Bryant High School. The Prospective is a member of the Arkansas Scholastic Press Association, Quill and Scroll, Columbia Scholastic Press Association and National Scholastic Press Association.

Ad space may be purchased for $3 a column inch. The Prospective does not accept advertising that is illegal for minors. The editorial board accepts letters; however, letters must be addressed to student interests and may not violate the student publication policy.

Letters can be submitted by delivery to Room 319, Building 10.

02.12.16 [ OPINION ] 5

back to my roots JAZZMYN PETERSON [EDITOR]

I could not get over how straight it was. I laced my fingers through my hair, mesmerized by how easily they slid through the strands. At 12-years-old, one thought stood front and center in my mind: now I’m pretty.

Like most young girls in America, I grew up with a box of dolls. I would like to believe that my parents did their best to keep my collection diverse. I had white Barbie, followed by my ethnically diverse Bratz dolls. Yet, the one thing they had in common, the one thing I lacked, was their beautiful silky straight hair. I used to wonder why my hair was different. I could not understand why my friends had straight blond hair, or straight black hair, and I was stuck with a mass of kinky curls that fought my mom anytime she tried to comb them. I could not understand why I was not pretty like my dolls.

As I became too old to play with dolls, I turned my attention to celebrities and Disney movies. My favorite female characters always had the same things in common: they were skinny, they were fair-skinned, and they had straight hair. Even at my two predominantly black elementary schools, everyone always seemed to like the skinny, fair-skinned girls with hair they could easily run their fingers through. I had dreadlocks at the time, and I could not understand why I was not pretty like those other girls.

I entered my sixth grade year at the predominantly black Dunbar Middle School with an afro and one friend.

I turned my attention to video games, comic books,

books and anime. The main characters tended to be skinny and fair-skinned with long straight hair. And even though I am positive that the girls at my school were born with hair as kinky as my own, a sea of students with beautiful straight hair surrounded me. My mother had done her best to encourage me to keep my natural hair, sharing inspiring songs and videos and telling me I was beautiful with what I had. But each day that I struggled in vain to make my hair obey my command, I still could not understand why I was not pretty like the other girls.

As I approached my seventh grade year at a new school, I seized the opportunity to transform myself. I only knew one thing about Bryant at the time: it was predominantly white. And the one thing I knew about white people’s hair at the time was that it was straight. And straight hair was the beautiful hair.

Twelve years. That is how long I went without chemically altering my hair.

My first day of seventh grade included feeling scared because of a lack of prominent security measures, feeling watched because I tended to be the only black kid in my class, but at the same time feeling beautiful because of the compliments I got about my new, chemically altered, straight black hair.

I continued to use relaxers to keep my hair straight until the summer after my junior year. I would soak in the compliments, not caring about the stories I read of how relaxing your hair could leave chemical burn scars

on your head. And any time my new growth would come in, anytime I began to feel the kinkiness of my hair desperately attempting to escape the chemical prison I had built for it, I knew it was time for another relaxer.

Another chemical alteration.

My younger sister Kathryn was born with kinky hair, similar to my own. She would wear it in braids and ponytails. At home, she would wear it as an afro until our mother flat ironed it. And when she entered fourth grade, she told us, “I want to wear my afro to school.”

My mother did not allow her to do so until she entered fifth grade.

Though Kathryn and I are only about six years apart, she grew up in a different world than I did. As she has grown, there has been a movement by black women with natural hair to fight against the stigma associated with it: that somehow having an afro meant you were “too black” and being “too black” was wrong. She is growing up in a time when a Disney princess has kinky hair, when there are other cartoon characters celebrities, and dolls who have hair like her. She is growing up in a world where curly, kinky hair is beautiful.

And despite the fact that sometimes she gets strange looks, or sometimes kids say mean things, Kathryn proudly wears her afro to school every day. She has given me the courage to do the same. As I feel the scissors snip away the last remnants of my chemically treated hair, I feel free. And I feel pretty.

losing connection ALYSSA JONES [STAFF WRITER]

My knuckles clench and my face turns a slight shade of red as I piece together every vile word into one message.

The person on the other end of my text conversation continues to type their point, but I do not even wait for their response before pressing send. My mind is raging with everything I have yet to type, all the sentences that I plan on spilling. All these thoughts race from my brain trying to reach the surface of my thumbs, but I cannot type the message fast enough. This conversation has turned into a war, and I am struggling to see the other side. I cannot focus on my opponent’s messages over my own will to get my point across. My opponent’s disposition mirrors mine. I cannot help but pause midsentence and feel as if I am watching this moment on a television screen.

I like to call myself stubborn as if it is something cute or charming that people should admire, yet I am learning that it gets me nowhere. This attitude is just one example of how people in our generation and society tune out everything but the sound of their own voices.

We are evolving in this fast-paced world to believe that we cannot listen to anything, whether it is a lecture or a conversation, without the need to leave the room or zone out, focusing on ourselves.

All around I see students with their ear buds in, listening to upbeat songs that they do not even understand the lyrics to. All that matters is the beat. As long as the rhythm is playing at a constant fast rate, it must be a great song.

This fast-moving society that brings in a new phone upgrade at least once a year is consuming us like victims.

My phone’s most well-known place is in my hand. It knows every curve, where every rough patch is, and is especially close with my fingertips. I sit at friends’ houses staring at the same screen that I do when I lounge around in my room. There is a lack of conversation--just sharing screens and maybe a laugh or two here and there, but there is not much communicating through words and facial expressions. Why make a face of my own when I can simply press an emoji and get the point across?

I cannot even count how many times I have had to ask someone to repeat themselves because my attention was on something completely different. We do not want to express connections with each other. The only thing we look forward to is going home and watching Netflix. As long as we can get through each class, it will all be okay.

I hardly see anyone truly listening to what is going on in every class.

We are recessing into introverted people who only care to speak through the messages sent from our thumbs.

Every now and again we can take an ear bud out of our ears to watch the sunset and listen to birds sing songs, or leave our phones in our pockets and interact. It is difficult to not be sucked into a screen when they are all around us, but spending even a little bit of time without the interference of technology will broaden our minds and improve our relationships. Technology can be beneficial, but we need to become a society that is not defined by our screens.

06 [ NEWS ] PROSPECTIVE

RECYCLING ON CAMPUS YEA team expands schoolwide program LAUREN WILSON [STAFF WRITER]

After nearly a year of pleading with the school board, the Youth Environmental Ambassadors (YEA) received permission to place several recycling bins around campus.

“Dr. Kimbrell and the other superintendents in Saline County worked out a contract agreement to help pay for that,” club sponsor Kori Kordsmeier said. “It’s a pretty big deal. I’m hoping that more and more teachers will start to collect the recyclables in their classrooms and try to come up with some system where they can dump it in the dumpster.”

The program began this semester and runs throughout all Saline County schools. YEA hopes to collect more recyclables this year than in previous years. “[Last year] we were just picking up paper

out of the big blue bins,” Kordsmeier said.

“We worked out a deal with the Allied Waste.

They provided those new white dumpsters that not only take paper, but they also take aluminum cans and plastic bottles or containers.”

Last year, which was also YEA’s first year as a club, Kordsmeier only took freshman members. This year, the club welcomes everyone from 9th to 12th grade.

“I had Mrs. Kordsmeier [as a teacher], and she wanted to start [YEA] but she didn’t really have a lot of people to start it,” sophomore Candace DuVall said. “At first, I [decided that] I’ll go ahead and do it [because] it sounds fun. I got really interested in it and started telling other people about it.”

Including the plastic bag collection contest

they held last semester, the YEA team has been part of several events to collect recyclables that have garnered national attention from organizations like the Solid Waste Association of North America.

“Last year we had so much success with the YEA program,” Kordsmeier said.

“We had over 400 volunteer hours and so many things that we did. We were awarded a national award called the Unsung Hero award. We got a plaque that’s hanging up in the office and I got a magnet that said we were the unsung

IN THE LONG RUN

heroes. It was pretty cool even though not many people know about it.”

A small recycling bin from a classroom. The larger, white bins are located in the courtyard outside of Bulding 10. | Madeline Colclasure photo

Students near end of training for Little Rock marathons JULIA NALL [PRINT EDITOR]

Individuals from all 50 states and 32 countries will be weaving their way through the streets of Little Rock for the Little Rock half-marathon and marathon on March 5.

Both races will begin at Scott & 4th Streets and end at Main & 3rd Streets. The routes for both races have changed since last year, but marathons and half-marathons are about more than the roads to run.

Sophomore Hawkin Starke plans to run the full marathon.

“Running is more than just physical, because no matter how good you are at it you have to always be pushing yourself,” Starke said. “You’re always tired at some point. It’s never easy. You just have to prepare yourself for the struggle.”

The preparation, according to many, is the key. Full marathon training programs for beginners typically take 20 weeks, while halfmarathon training takes 12.

“It’s been pretty tough,” sophomore Oscar Smith said.

Smith ran his first half-marathon in November and is training with his dad to run the Little Rock half. His dad, a long distance runner, is helping to push Smith. “[My dad] can run farther than me, but I can run a little faster because I’m in cross country and track,” Smith said.

Many training programs follow a system of building up to a certain mileage a week with

a long run on the weekends up until a “peak” week. After that, mileage drops drastically to let the body recover before the race.

“The weekend runs [are especially hard],” Starke said.

In one training weekend, Starke ran 20 miles, which is about a four hour and 20-minute run, though slower than his expected marathon pace.

According to the fitness organization RunTri, the overall average marathon finish time-- including all genders, age groups and races of varying terrain-- is four hours and 24 minutes. Starke expects to finish his in four hours and 45 minutes. During a race, the typical person will lose three pounds and a little over a gallon and a half of sweat.

While the race itself is finished in hours, the planning process takes a little over a year per race.

“I wish I could say [planning] got simpler every year, but it hasn’t,” race director and founder Geneva Lamm said. Lamm began the race fourteen years ago with the Little Rock Parks and Recreation at the time. According to Lamm, they began with essentially no money and now have a Boston Marathon qualifying race with a budget upwards of $1,000,000.

“I expect that we’re going to have a great race,” Lamm said. “We have a lot of people that this is their first marathon, so hopefully

they’ll have a good time and want to come back again. We expect great things.”

For many, the races are more than just an extreme demonstration of physical fitness.

“You can meet people from all over the world,” junior John Hampton said.

Hampton is Lamm’s son and has worked on the marathon in the past, helping to announce and organize.

“We try to keep it a very uplifting atmosphere,” Hampton said. “[The marathon} does a lot of good, raising money for parks. All that money really helps. There’s plenty of people who have amazing stories about wanting to run.”

Starke is running because his mom has been doing marathons for years and he wants to give it a try. Smith is running to stay healthy and enjoy the outdoors.

“Most people think that you have to be this uber-

athlete to be able to do a marathon, but that’s just not the case,” Lamm said. “It’s a lot of commitment, but in the long run, people think it’s worth it. It changes the way people view themselves and view the world, that’s for sure.”

Sophomore Hawkin Starke runs in his neighborhood.

“You lose a lot of free time to do something that’s hard,” Starke said. | Julia Nall photo

02.12.16 [ NEWS ] 07

TRUMP ARRIVES IN ARKANSAS

Supporters and protesters rally in Little Rock JULIA NALL [PRINT EDITOR]

Presidential candidate Donald Trump made a stop in Little Rock between the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primaries Feb. 9, a surprise on the campaign trail. He arrived at Barton Coliseum to a partiallyfilled arena of both supporters and protesters two hours late, thanks to mechanical issues during his flight which required an emergency landing in Nashville. Trump’s campaign reported 11,500 attendees; Barton, however, has a maximum capacity of 10,195 and some sections of seating were unfilled. The attendance report could be attributed to a move by the Trump campaign to make him seem more popular before the approaching New Hampshire primaries. However, it could also be protesters who signed up for free tickets with no plans of attending with the hopes of “selling out” the rally but leaving empty seats, preventing supporters from coming.

Trump walked onto the stage to Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep,” a song which repeated multiple times as the crowd waited the two hours for his arrival.

“I really liked that he came to Arkansas because lots of candidates don’t, and that makes me think he really cares,” sophomore Carissa Colclasure said. “And after plane problems, most would’ve gone home, but he came anyway.”

The dedication of the Trump campaign is present in Trump himself and his devotees.

Throughout his speech, the crowd cheered in agreement, chanting “build a wall” at one point in reference to his border policy idea of building a wall across the Mexican-American border.

“My favorite part of the rally was with every topic, the crowd would get really into agreeing with him, especially about building a wall,” senior Olivia Owen said.

“

The crowd got really into agreeing with him, especially about building a wall.

Trump opened his speech with a criticism of fellow Republican candidate Ted Cruz.

The Iowa caucuses were two days before the rally, and Cruz’s defeat of Trump was still raw. Protesters out front held signs, quoting a tweet from Trump himself, which read “nobody remembers 2nd place.”

Trump then went on to support candidate Ben Carson, calling him “a good guy, a very good guy” in light of the allegations that Cruz’s campaign spread rumors that Carson had dropped from the race.

After a few quick jabs at Obamacare, Trump turned to foreign policy. He focused on China, blaming American leaders for economic issues with the major Asian power.

Trump then suggested building a safe zone in Syria and said “we’re going to kick the s**t out of [ISIS],” drawing a large cheer from the crowd.

Before wrapping up, Trump also suggested fewer gun laws, voiced disapproval of the Iran nuclear deal, claimed some third-world countries have better education than America and promised to strengthen the Veteran Affairs department.

Periodically, protesters were escorted out of the Coliseum, some in groups and some alone. Trump occasionally joined the crowd in jeering at them as law enforcement officials escorted offenders out of the arena.

While groups gathered in opposition inside the rally, an even larger group gathered outside. Among those protesting in the fairgrounds was junior Cassidy Davis.

“A lot of my friends were coming, so I thought it would be fun to check it out and to show that I don’t support Trump,” Davis said.

Protesters along West Roosevelt Road reported harassment from Trump supporters, claiming that people would slow down as they passed, raising a middle finger.

“I don’t believe Donald Trump is qualified to represent our country the way it should be represented,” senior Christian Lockheart said. “He’s not a good candidate, and I want to show that I am against him. He’s bankrupted various times and he can’t seem to keep a marriage together, and he says all of these crazy things. He does not represent who we are as a country.”

Inside the arena, supporters reported an entirely different atmosphere. At the end of the rally, Trump came down off the stage, signing posters and hats. The crowd began to clear.

“I thought it was a good environment. I noticed several protesters get escorted out but the people around me were wonderful people,” Owen said.

IN THE

POLLS

Democrat remaining candidates

57% Hillary Clinton

25%

Bernie Sanders

Republican top three candidates

27% Ted Cruz

23%

Donald Trump Jazzmyn Peterson, Lauren Wilson, Spencer Shreeve and Madeline Colclasure contributed to this story.

23%

Marco Rubio Talk Business/Hendrix College poll of Arkansas as of Feb. 8, 2016.

“

Valentine’s Day traditions do not mix with a Hispanic background and Catholic upbringing. Not until one has reached the age of 15, that is.

Because of this, freshman Xitlaly Albarran cannot date until after her next birthday.

“Since I’m not fifteen, my religion is strict on me,” Albarran said.

In Albarran’s culture, there are certain life skills she must learn before she can date. She is not only preparing for a boyfriend, but for married life.

“I’ve been taught to clean, to cook and to do all the things I should be ready for when I date,” Albarran said.

Holding off on dating is based on more than if she has learned all the life skills her family believes are necessary.

“My parents influence [my decision],” Albarran said. “It’s a sign of respect for my parents if I wait, but it is my choice.”

Her quinceañera is July 16, but Albarran is in no hurry to start dating. Her choice to wait goes beyond what her culture tells her is right. “[Not being able to date] doesn’t bother me,” Albarran said. “I feel like there would be more guys that would respect me if I chose to wait at this age.”

High schoolers often define themselves through their relationships. It is sometimes hard to separate from another person and understand one’s own worth. However, Albarran will continue to hold off on dating, because she does not feel she needs that other person.

“I plan to wait a little bit longer, so I can focus in school,” Albarran said. “I won’t need a male to help me; I can just do things on my own.”

Students and Siblings Compare Ideas of Love

Surrounded by woodchips and wires, sparks were n equipment in an eighth grade Engineering and Techno side conversations turned in to something more, and f Blakelee Gray and Sam Martin’s relationship is still goi “I was going to ask her out on a Friday, but she sta “The next week, we were walking out of ETE at appro girlfriend.”

Not yet knowing what the relationship would becom Martin’s offer.

“I thought he was joking,” Gray said. “He flirted with think he liked me for real.”

After starting their relationship, the two dedicated ti learning about one another.

“You really need to take the time to get to know each genuinely loyal to one another,” Gray said. “If you take on being trustworthy and dependable to each other, it relationship stable.”

Knowing about your partner makes gift-giving a spec For Gray and Martin, Valentine’s Day is no exception.

“One year, Sam made me a box with 365 things he lo about me,” Gray said. “Every day, I pick one out and it says a different thing. That one is my favorite gift because it was so sweet and thoughtful.”

Throughout their relationship, the two have learned many lessons and have a simple piece of advice for new couples.

“We didn’t rush our relationship,” Martin said. “It took us forever to have our first kiss. If you think it’s a special thing and think it is the person who is meant for you, then it doesn’t need to be rushed.”

not just flying because of electrical ology Education class. Stolen seats and four years and two months later, seniors oing strong. ayed home from school,” Martin said. oximately 3:07 and I asked her to be my

me, Gray was not too convinced by

th me a lot, but I didn’t

ime to bonding and

h other and be e time to focus t will make your

cial experience. . oves

With factors such as personality, time and compatibility, having a relationship at all is difficult, especially in high school. For sophomore Gabriel Binns, he not only has to deal with the usual difficulties in a relationship, but also has to deal with a long distance relationship. One that is separated by over 4,492 miles.

“We met about four to five years ago on an internet game,” Binns said. “We just started talking and she told me her name was Denise. We have been dating for two years now.”

With the significant distance separating the two, Binns has only been able to meet his girlfriend in person once.

“We game and Skype all the time but visiting is harder because she lives in Essex, London. Both of our parents are supportive of our relationship though,” Binns said. “For my birthday I asked my dad if we could go visit her and my dad said all right. After rounding up about $2000 my dad and I took a flight over there. We left on September 23rd of last year and I got to stay there for a week. Since it was our first time to see each other in person I wanted to surprise her.”

Even though Binns does not to physically see his girlfriend, they still celebrate Valentine’s Day together by sending each other gifts.

“I bought her a $100 sweater and I’m mailing it to her,” Binns said. “I’m hoping it will arrive on Valentine’s Day.” Though young, Binns fully understands the difficulty that accompanies a long distance relationship.

“With a long distance relationship it’s all about talking. I talk to her everyday,” Binns said. “When you’re physically with someone you can hold them and comfort them, but with long distance it’s all communication because that’s all you can do.”

students evaluate the real meaning of love 26% have not experienced their first kiss

47%

of students believe they have been in love

4/9

students have only had one or less relationships

10 [ FEATURE ] PROSPECTIVE

TOGETHER AS ONE Game days promote student unity ISABELLA CASTRO [STAFF WRITER]

Partner’s Club allows students with and without disabilities to come together to enjoy competitions and community events. From movie days, to Special Olympics, to school game days, Partner’s Club helps students build relationships with special education students. Recently, the Partner’s Club started school game days on Fridays during lunch. Athletes (special education students) and Partners come together to play a variety of sports. “[The officers] were trying to come up with a way during school where our Partners and our Athletes could interact with each other,” senior Partner’s Club president Sarah Cowell said. “Our Athletes are usually separated from the main side of campus, and so we thought lunch would be a good time for them to interact and have fun playing games.”

Partner’s Club officers met with Assistant Principal Rachel Rasburry to receive permission and connect with all of the Special Education teachers. Then, everything became official once the date was set, and the game days began.

“It was really awesome to see the kids interact with each other, because that is the main goal,” Cowell said. “To know those kids are loved and know they are feeling that love is so amazing.”

The game days have led to greater plans for the Partner’s Club. The officers have rallied Athletes to form a competitive floor hockey team. The

students who stood out at game days were selected to compete in a statewide tournament. Cowell was thrilled to see everyone involved coming together.

“That is our main step, to go compete as a team,” Cowell said. “Just like the football team gets to go and compete, we are getting to go and compete all together.”

The Athletes enjoy being included with the partners, and they are thankful for everything the Partner’s Club does for them. Athlete junior Briann Thomas enjoyed the game days.

“I liked it, and it was kind of fun,” Thomas said.

“It seemed like everyone was enjoying it.”

Special Education teacher Carolyn Hays sees the game days as a positive activity for her students.

“I think it is bringing awareness to the Partners,” Hays said. “[It is] allowing students to see what the [Athletes] are really all about.”

Hays has strong hopes the game days will only bring great things for her students, and she cannot wait to see the athletes keep growing throughout the activities. “[They will learn] how to work as a team and some sportsmanship,” Hays said.

The game days are open for everyone to watch, and Cowell encourages students to participate.

“Anyone can join the Partner’s Club; all you have to do is come to our meetings,” Cowell said. “We would love for [everyone] to be involved.”

Going for the goal, athletes and partners play floor hockey. The first game day was held Jan. 8 in the building four gym. | Josie Pringle photo

REGIONAL RECOGNITION White awarded for teaching ability ABIGAIL HAGNER [STAFF WRITER]

Senior High Director of the Year is awarded by choral directors of the Southwest Region every year to an outstanding teacher for superior work. Choir teacher Julie White received the award this year for allowing her students to feel comfortable to learn and grow in a safe environment.

“I think I’ve always wanted to be a teacher,” White said. “Both of my parents were teachers, so I grew up watching the impact they made on their students.”

White encourages her students to push past their boundaries and grow not only as singers, but also as musicians.

“I see [my students] winning against insecurities, fear, stage fright and self-given limits through teamwork, peerto-peer instruction and encouragement,” White said. “[I create] a safe environment designed to allow mistakes to be made and success to be gained.”

White represents Bryant as both a teacher and a former student. White moved from Malvern and started

in the Bryant School systems in 5th grade and graduated from Bryant in 1997.

“I was also a Bryant cheerleader during junior high and high school,” White said. “I bleed Bryant Blue.”

White’s family fully supports her career and the Bryant Choir program as a whole.

“My husband goes with me on almost all choir trips, my daughter and parents also attend various choir trips, competitions and concerts,” White said. “I don’t think I could effectively do this job without the help and support that my family gives me day to day.”

To motivate her students, White tells them puns and jokes along the way.

“I tell them things like ‘Keep the goal in mind,’ ‘Get comfortable with being uncomfortable,’ ‘Go forth and conquer,’ ‘Let ‘err rip ‘tater chip’ [and] ‘Don’t walk off the track when you get close to the finish line.’”

Singing soprano and alto, sophomore select member Madison Green appreciates White’s support in all of

her efforts.

“She accepts us no matter what,” Green said. “So even if we didn’t make All Region or if we weren’t eligible to make All State, she’ll make sure we know that we are still good singers.”

Whites tries to build her students as one big happy family. For sophomore select member Carlee Hutchins, the tight knit group is what makes White’s class so special.

“It’s kind of a [like] a big family,” Hutchins said.

“Everybody is so talented, which is great, because we help each other. If anyone of us is struggling with something, there is always someone around to help stand up for that person the whole time.”

White is humbled to receive the award and says it will make her work even harder.

“I love to teach my students how to develop their voices and their musicianship,” White said.

02.12.16 [ FEATURE ] 11

COSMETOLOGY CRAZE Students juggle school work and clients EDITH GARCIA [STAFF WRITER]

For many students, a typical way to start off their Friday morning class might involve a worksheet or a discussion. But for a select few students at the Saline County Career Center, their typical way to start off Friday morning is with clients. From hairstyling to makeup and facials, Cosmetology students are no strangers to being put on the spot and keeping a professional front with real-life clients.

“We not only try to teach Cosmetology, we try to teach life skills,” part-time Cosmetology assistant Erica Hollis said. “[For example], taking care of your hygiene, your presentation, professionalism and politeness.”

Just as in real-life situations, Cosmetology students are given consequences when off-task.

“If they come back from break late, or if they’re on their phones during client times, they are docked points,” Cosmetology instructor Robin Reed said.

“We’re teaching employability skills also, so they can be a good employee, not in just Cosmetology, but in the real world.”

Cosmetology is first offered to juniors, and though a majority of seniors are in Cosmetology II, there is a blend of ability levels throughout each classroom.

“I’m a first year [Cosmetology student] in my senior year,” McKenzie Goldman said.

“In my class, we have second years, and they know what they’re doing, so they’re put in a group and they help us out.”

On Fridays, students become real-life cosmetologists with clients and assignments ranging from facials to manicures to hairstyles.

“We haven’t gotten random people walk in actually, but we’ve gotten MedPro and Autotech students,” junior Rachel Cornett

Junior Alyssa Jones gets half of her makeup and hair done by senior Hannah Waid. | Autumn Pruett photo

said. “We started doing client day the second week of school. It was scary, but we freaking did it.”

Though the students began taking clients early in the year without as much skill as they now possess, it was not hard for students to catch on.

“Most of it is just common sense, and there were two guys in the class who didn’t know what to do, so they just washed hair,” Goldman said.

Cornett remembers one specific incident involving first year students and some hot wax.

“One time, we were practicing how to shape eyebrows,

and we did one of the girl’s eyebrows,” Cornett said. “I did one of her eyebrows and it came out pretty good, and another girl did her other eyebrow and she jacked it up. It was so funny. It was like cut off at the top, and it didn’t have an arch.”

Although the students have fun and enjoy the freedom they are given, they must follow strict rules, or else the consequences come in the shape of a $50 fine.

“We have to clean everything,” Cornett said. “Our supplies have to be spotless, or the school, the teacher and yourself will get fined, but you’ll have to pay for it, because they won’t. Sanitation is the biggest thing, because we’d get shut down if we weren’t clean and it’s kind of gross not to be.”

Though not all students will continue in the Cosmetology field, Hollis hopes the lessons they learn in customer service and business will be useful throughout life.

“Not everybody is going to go to college, not everybody wants to be a doctor,” Hollis said. “Some people truly want to be cosmetologists and enjoy their lives, so we really invest in people who want to do trade.”

39

students are enrolled in

Cosmetology I&II

12 [ SPORTS ] PROSPECTIVE

STRIVING FOR STATE

Soccer team changes playing style in hopes of keeping state title ALYSSA JONES [STAFF WRITER]

With soccer season back in session, the girls soccer team is on the field preparing for a second state championship win.

“It’s going to take a lot of work and a lot of fine tuning. and them not getting complacent with where they’re at,” girls soccer coach Julie Long said.

Senior Kendall Selig has been on the soccer team since she was a freshman and has witnessed how the team has evolved over the years.

“Freshman year we got third place in state, sophomore year we got second, and last year we got first,” Selig said. “We’re just trying to build up to be first again.”

Each player has her own method to prepare for state.

Junior Caroline Campbell has played on the team since her freshman year. “[I plan to] work my butt off in practice and do what Coach Long tells me to, [and] just do what’s best for the team,” Campbell said.

For the players, it is all about working hard in practices. For Coach Long, it is all about focusing on the tactics and fixing the mechanics.

“The biggest change I’m going to look at making is putting in multiple formations,” Long said. “[In] years past we’ve stuck to

one formation through a whole season, but you don’t want to [change] too much when you’re coming off a state championship year. People are going to start playing us in different ways because they’ve kind of learned our playing tactics, [considering] we’ve had the same players playing for three years now.”

Selig has her own mindset in order to ensure their state win.

“We just [have] to work hard every day in practice,” Selig said. “We just have to start by thinking about individually winning each game.”

The girls team is not the only one working toward a state championship.The boys soccer team is preparing to be the first boys team to win a state championship for Bryant.

“I like the work ethic I see out of the boys so far,” boys soccer coach Jason Hay said. “They have come to practice prepared and wanting to get better.”

Last year, the soccer team had some significant changes.

“I think we started slow last year, because we were kind of down moral wise with the change of the coach,” junior Logan Valestin said. “But with Coach Hay being back his second year, I think we’ll do a lot better since he’s been here longer and everyone kind of knows him now.”

The boys have already seen improvements on the practice field.

“Last year, it was more about me me me, and what I want,” senior Nathan Suarez said.

“This year it’s more about the team. [What the team is] going to get out of it. I feel like we’re going to have a better team this year because there’s more cooperation among the team members.”

With a new season come the new freshman players. The players and coaches adjust to this change every year.

“We typically have at least nine [or] ten seniors each year, so our four returning seniors have done a good job of taking on extra responsibilities,” Hay said. “Our younger players are working on learning our system and growing up quick. So far, I am impressed with the maturity level and attitude of the team.”

Being the first boys soccer team to win a state championship for Bryant is not going to be an easy accomplishment, but Suarez has his mind set on this win. “[If you] work hard in practice, the better you [will] play,” Suarez said.

UPCOMING SOCCER GAMES OPPONENT PLACE DATE March 1

Little Rock Christian Academy

Home

March 4-5

Fort Smith

Away

March 8

Benton

Away

March 10

Valley View

Home

March 12

LRCA Tournament

Away

March 18

Siloam Springs

Away

Sophomore Brittney Warner practices blocking at the goal on Jan. 25 in preparation for soccer season. | Madeline Colclasure photo

2.12.16 [ SPORTS ] 13

A N EW STING

Football team begins offseason with a new coach BRAD BREWER [STAFF WRITER]

Change is sweeping through the Hornet football program. Coach Paul Calley officially resigned from his head-coaching job Dec. 4 of last year, causing search for a replacement. The wait was not long as Buck James was announced as the Hornets’ new head football coach two weeks later.

After winning multiple 5A state championships with the Camden Fairview Cardinals, James was hungry to experience the next level of competition.

“Playing at the best conference and the best

“

“

We know we have to step it up.

level to me is a very challenging hill to climb, and I like to conquer one hill after another,” James said. “I think Coach Calley has done a tremendous job here, and I think going into the conference and the expectation around here to try to be successful is good.”

James is also looking to change how the team plays next year.

“I like the way [the team] ran the football, but I want to make the field fifty yards long,” James said. “I want to throw the ball down the field, and I want the offense to be explosive. I want it to be different than everybody else in this league.”

Since James’ arrival, the team has had limited time to meet with their new coach, but the time they have spent together seems to foreshadow success.

“It’s been spotty at times,” James said. “I am getting about an hour a day with them right

now, and we are trying to get acclimated, but I think the kids are excited. Change can sometimes be good [and] hopefully the kids understand I am here for them.”

Junior Deamonte Terry is optimistic about the team under James.

“I have not had much time with him, but he is a pretty cool coach,” Terry said. “He is on the same page as all of the teammates, and he is going to get the mission done.”

Terry recognizes the added responsibility of himself and his teammates playing under a new coach. “[His] arrival is a big boost, because we have a lot on our shoulders with Coach Calley leaving,” Terry said. “We know we have to step it up.”

Swarm member junior Connor Qualls will miss Calley but is excited for what James will bring to the team.

“Coach Calley did great things for the school and he will be missed by everybody because he was such a positive influence everywhere,” Qualls said. “[James’ arrival] is exciting because it’s something new for the upcoming players. I know passing is something that the team and the student section is going to have fun with because watching the ball fly through the air is exciting.”

James believes that he and the football team will find success.

“Once everyone is on the same page, I think [we] are going to take off,” James said.

“I think we have the ability to be one of the better football teams in the state.”

Seniors Peyton Robertson, Jacob Lowe and Bryson Langston celebrate the team’s 37 to 13 Salt Bowl win against Benton Sept.4. | Chris Lewis photo

14 [ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ] PROSPECTIVE

BATMAN, SUPERMAN REIGN Marvel and DC to continue rivalry in new movie AMBER MCFADDEN [STAFF WRITER] CHRIS LEWIS [PHOTOGRAPHER]

of its originality,” Price said. “Batman has already proven to be one of the best superhero sagas in recent years and Superman is just a classic.”

However, Marvel has released more installments and their films are released closer together.

“Marvel has different companies that have rights to different characters, allowing for more Marvel movies to be produced,” Medford said.

Fans of DC have more time to build anticipation for their movies.

“DC does better per movie, because they don’t throw one out every month like Marvel,” Price said. “I think people don’t really have a lot of time between movies to get hyped up for the next one.”

Junior Aaron Eley is impartial. He grew up loving Marvel, but has an appreciation for DC films as well.

“I think “Batman v Superman” will make more when it opens simply because of hype and advertising,” Eley said. “But Marvel has invented a formula for sure-fire superhero movie success, and I think it’ll stay that way for awhile.”

Marvel is notorious for including cameos of other heroes in each film they release to heighten the hype for the next film. Marvel has worked to intertwine the whole Marvel universe to increase their fan base and overall storyline.

The producer, Stan Lee, makes a cameo in almost every Marvel film.

“Marvel has so many parts to the universe they have created so they have to make sure everything ties together,” Medford said.

DC characters have a darker theme than Marvel characters, resulting in DC films targeting an older audience.

“DC takes the cut in the box office to produce better quality hero movies that focus more on the drama surrounding the hero than the humor he or she can provide,” Price said.

Although Eley is a fan of DC and Marvel, he believes that DC has better individual characters.

“Batman is the greatest fictional character ever created,” Eley said. “Marvel is phenomenal at creating family-like teams that we grow to love like the X-Men, Avengers, etc. but overall, I don’t think their characters can hold a solo story line as long as Batman, Flash, and other popular DC heroes.”

“

DC takes the cut in the box office to produce better quality hero movies.

“

“

Marvel has invented a formula for sure-fire superhero movie success.

This is the year of superhero movies, an exciting time for DC and Marvel fanatics. Films expected to release this year include “Captain America: Civil War,” “Deadpool,” “X-Men: Apocalypse,” “Batman v Superman,” “Suicide Squad,” and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.” All six are expected to premiere by June. Previous Marvel films have dominated box offices and are expected to do the same with their next installments; however, with DC Comics’ limited release of movies, “Batman v Superman” is expected to dominate over all upcoming superhero films.

Senior Megan Medford has been a Marvel fan for years and is most excited for “Captain America: Civil War,” but feels that “Batman v Superman” has the potential to succeed over all superhero films.

“I definitely think that “Batman v Superman” will be up there just because DC puts out a limited amount of movies, but I think the Marvel movies will still do good in the box office,” Medford said.

Marvel-DC-boxoffice.com released a list in 2012 of all Marvel and DC movies that have been released and the box office profit for each film. Overall, Marvel has made more at the box office (Marvel: $5,652,579,190.25 DC: $3,954,764,322.33) but DC makes more per film (Marvel: $201,877,828.22 DC: $208,145,490.65).

Marvel has released more movies, resulting in a higher overall profit. Of the Marvel films, the first “Avengers” had the highest profit. The “Dark Knight Rises” had the highest profit for DC films, but the “Avengers” had the highest box office number of all DC and Marvel installments.

“People like the humor and irony in the Marvel movies,” Medford said. “While DC has more accredited cast, Marvel’s cast is more diverse and popular with many crowds.”

Movie Pilot, Box Office Mojo, and many other websites are discussing how successful “Captain America: Civil War” and “Batman v Superman” will be. Senior Jake Price is also a Marvel fan and is most excited for “Captain America” but believes “Batman v Superman” will do the best in theaters. “‘Batman v Superman’ can be the best because

“

02.12.16 [ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ] 15

RETURN OF THE TANNERS Childhood show reboot to premiere on Netfflix SARAH GRAHAM [STAFF WRITER]

It has been more than twenty years since the Tanner family stood in their classic Victorian house in San Francisco. Though the original run of “Full House” ended before DJ (Candace-Cameron Bure) finished high school, the Tanner family has not yet reached an end as they reunite in the new series “Fuller House” streaming on Netflix Feb. 26.

Times have changed since the “Full House” days. Neat freak Danny (Bob Saget) is no longer having to clean after his messy three daughters, Michelle (Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen) is no longer a baby longing to be held by her Uncle Jesse (John Stamos) and DJ is no longer a child, but now has children of her own.

“Fuller House” not only brings back the original Tanner home, but an almost identical storyline as well. DJ rallies the family together again when she becomes widowed with two sons. Her sister

Stephanie (Jodie Sweetin) and best friend Kimmy (Andrea Barber) come to live with her, just like Uncle Jesse and Joey (Dave Coulier) did for her father.

“DJ was my favorite,” junior Brianna Ware said. “She is like the leader, and that’s how I feel in my friend group.”

Ware fell in love with DJ and the rest of the family when she discovered the lessons buried in each episode. From betrayal to the dangers of alcohol, each episode finds a new way to teach viewers to fear peer pressure. “[‘Full House’] teaches not to lie and go behind people’s backs,” Ware said. “It’s a good show for any age, but the main focus is teenagers because we can relate to that.”

Though most students only know “Full House” from reruns, the show still remains in the childhood memories of sophomore Madison Stone.

“About three years ago I had the whole series recorded and went back and

rewatched every one of them,” Stone said.

“It’s just so exciting.”

From following DJ’s complicated love life to watching Stephanie battle peer pressure to hearing Michelle’s famous line, “You got it, dude,” sophomore Katlee Freasier feels as if she has become a part of the Tanner family.

“I remember being a baby like Michelle was when watching it with my mom years ago,” Freasier said. “Then next thing you know, I’m the same age of little Stephanie.

A few years later, I’m in high school like DJ and still watch the show when I see it on.”

Freasier does not remember a time when “Full House” was not a part of her life and wishes for her children to grow up watching the show as well.

“It’s like I grew up with the girls,” Freasier said. “Now I get to grow up with their kids.”

WALKING BACK ‘The Walking Dead’ returns

NATALIE BURGESS [STAFF WRITER]

Halloween of 2010 fittingly marked the premiere of the hit show “The Walking Dead.” The plot begins with sheriff Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) waking up from a month-long coma to a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies. After finding them, Grimes struggles with his family to survive and adapt to a world filled with zombies, and also fend off corrupt humans.

“There’s a twist,” junior Hannah Earls said. “With typical shows, everything is happy all the time [in “Walking Dead] even the main characters might die. It’s more realistic that way, even though it’s zombies.”

The show goes on to explore the challenges of life in a world overrun by zombies. Both internal and external conflicts between characters present a more imposing threat to their survival than the zombies that roam the country. The characters are changed by the constant exposure to death.

Some become willing to do anything to survive, but some would rather die than be changed by the new environment.

Through the deaths of some characters, the deaths of some relationships, and the addition of new people along the way, the

show is a realistic demonstration of the test of morality due to new difficult struggles.

“I keep watching, because you never know who’s going to die next,” Earls said.

The series has been well-received by critics as well as nominated for the Writers Guild of America Award for Television: New Series, the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series, and many other awards. The number of views initially, 5.24 million, has nearly tripled over the last five and a half seasons.

“I’m looking forward to seeing Maggie again,” Earls said, “We just found out she’s pregnant, so I want to see what’s going to happen with that.”

In 2014, executive producer David Alpert said that the original “Walking Dead” comic books have given them enough ideas for the next seven years.

“I look forward to Jeffery Dean Morgan playing the villain, Negan,” senior Darien Patton said. “He was my favorite villain in the comics, and I am very excited to see one of my favorite actors portray him.”

After an almost five month midseason hiatus, the show will return Feb. 14. It will return every Monday at 9/8 CST on AMC.

Jeffery Dean Morgan

also stars in

“P.S. I Love You” (2007)

Andrew Lincoln

also stars in “Afterlife” (2006)

David Alpert also produced “Powers” (2015)

2016 Top Ten YOUNG ADULT Fiction Books All information from the Young Adult Library Services Association

“Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda”

1

AUTHOR: Becky Albertalli

2 “Six of Crows”

AUTHOR: Leigh Bardugo

3 “The Bunker Diary” 4 “Audacity”

AUTHOR: Kevin Brooks

AUTHOR: Melanie Crowder

5 “Shadowshaper” 6 “The Boy in

AUTHOR: Daniel José Older

the Black Suit”

AUTHOR: Jason Reynolds

7 “Bone Gap” 8 “X: A Novel” AUTHOR: Laura Ruby

AUTHOR: Ilyasah Shabazz and Kekla Magoon

9 “Challenger Deep”

AUTHOR: Neal Shusterman

Happy 10 “More than Not”

AUTHOR: Adam Silvera

16 [ PHOTO ] PROSPECTIVE Seniors Grace Byars, Anna Turpin and Abby McGee observe a model of a hip-bone during a lab in Janet Watson’s Human Anatomy class. | David Fulton photo The girls soccer team perfects skills on the field Jan. 25. The girls won the state championship last year. | Madeline Colclasure photo

Junior Jamie Hammers celebrates with her team at the end of the Jan. 14 swim meet at Bishop Park.

Hammers placed sixth place in the 500 yard free-style. “Our first meet was in November,” Hammers said. “Our home meets are usually busy or really crowded because we invite a lot of people.” | Sarah Bullington photo Seniors Gunnar Burks, Jake Hall, Jaylen Jones, Cameron Murray and Cole Fritschen share a laugh during the National Signing Day celebration. |Autumn Pruett photo With a helmet on her head and sword to her neck, senior Lizzy Trimble prepares for her solo in the school play “Mulan” Jan. 11.

“At that exact moment I was just like, ‘breathe, breathe, breathe, go time,’” Trimble said. | Maya Jackson photo

Come Together

Students work as teams for academic, athletic and artistic pursuits