PROSPECTIVE Bryant High School
801 N. Reynolds Rd. Bryant, Ark. 72022
Vol. 27, Issue 3
Feb. 1, 2019
DIS
CONNECTED As Google Classroom and online education become engrained in classrooms, some students without technology may be left behind. Page 3
CORA PERRY | STAFF WRITER
HYPEBEAST FASHION Students spend big on street brands L
iving in a state outside of mainstream pop culture can be a disadvantage to those interested in urban trends. “Hypebeasts,” or people who stay updated on major trends and expensive clothing, can often have a hard time staying involved in the trends they follow. Because of high prices and lack of exposure, Arkansas is simply often left behind in this progression of style. Hypebeasts usually follow brands that produce their favorite shoes and clothing pieces. Many of these brands’ prices and styles can be very high, but most will follow a basic style. Senior Shannon Stewart follows the more lavish side of street wear. “My favorite brands would probably be Balenciaga or Chanel,” Stewart said. There are other brands that are more casual.These brands will often include items ranging from keychains to sweatshirts, and they also have a broad selection of creative styles to choose
from, no matter the item. Senior Jacob Eubanks’ style leans more toward the casual side of things. “Brands like Supreme, Off-White, and Bape are my favorite brands to shop with,” Eubanks said. These brands often become popular when celebrities wear them and post pictures or get photographed. This gives the brand the biggest platform of publicity it can get: social media. Celebrities then become huge role models for style. “ASAP Rocky, Travis Scott, and Justin Bieber probably have my favorite styles,” Eubanks said. “I like the clothes they post on Instagram.” Social media does not just offer outfit inspiration, but also gives information on release dates and upcoming events. Many accounts give followers information on buying and selling. These accounts are important to sophomore Jeremy Lowrance. “My information comes from social media accounts on Instagram, because
they keep me updated on news and such,” Lowrance said. This style is not something everyone can adopt though, since the prices can range anywhere from $250 to $10,000 a piece. Shoppers often spend a lot of money to create the look they want. “I spend about $700 a month on clothes online,” Lowrance said. In some cases, a pair of shoes alone can cost more than an entire outfit. “It costs me about $350 to $450 on a pair of nice shoes,” Eubanks said. Since Arkansas does not have retail shops for most of these brands, it can be hard to find staple pieces. Everything has to be bought online, which can open room for scams. Shoppers use apps and websites to place orders when they can’t access the stores in person. “GOAT is a great app for me to explore and buy new shoes.” Stewart said. “It’s what I use the most.” Along with GOAT, apps like StockX are used for authentication processes to make sure items aren’t fake.
around and sell it once the item runs out on the websites,” Eubanks said. “Since the item is limited to the public, “I use StockX or just buy it off the the value will go up, and you can sell it [brand’s] website,” Eubanks said. for more than you bought it for.” Although the apps are a more common It is not all easy though, because choice, websites are used, too. buyers have to time the buy perfectly “I shop Flight Club or HBX usually for in comparison to the prices of the my stuff,” Lowrance said. items in store and online. The process Many think it is crazy to spend so can get complicated. much on clothes or shoes, but it can “Basically, a pair of shoes or clothing come in handy. Thousands of shoe piece comes out for a retail price at a resalers make a living flipping shoes after limited amount,” Eubanks said. “It will buying them. usually sell out within a minute, and if “Once you bought it, you can turn it you’re lucky, you get the item.”
TIFFANY TO | STAFF WRITER
YOURS TRULY Anonymous messaging causes trouble for students W
e see it on Snapchat. We see it on Instagram. Yik Yak, Sarahah, and After School are all anonymous messaging apps, but students have shown the most interest in an app called Lipsi. Lipsi was released six months ago and has climbed the App Store’s top free apps charts. Lipsi is an anonymous messaging app where people can send feedback on others, except Lipsi is location-based, which means anyone within a 100-yard radius can send anonymous messages. However, Lipsi has caused controversy between students as the anonymous feature on the app is used inappropriately. Sophomore Adison Bray believes that although there is not a specific purpose for the app, the app is
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used to relieve boredom. “For some things, [Lipsi] is funny, and for others, there is no point in it,” Bray said. “It’s just for dumb posts [on social media].” Lipsi supposedly requires people to be at least 18 in order to use the app, but high school students and even their younger siblings have been involved with it. “I’ve tried to get my dad to let [my younger sister] steer away from that, because she came up to him and said something that no nine year old girl should be saying,” Bray said. In certain cases, students have dealt with the consequences of using the app as parents are informed, and sophomore Kyndal Bentley is grounded for two weeks after using the app. “[I got grounded] for posting what people
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were saying out on [private] social media for people to see,” Bentley said. “My mom wasn’t okay with that, because that’s how people view you as from what you post on social media.” Since the development of the app, there has been an increase in negative messages received by students. “Most of [the messages other students were posting] were negative, and they were just about body shaming,” Bentley said. Students use the app and suffer from the negativity from it, but they do not stop using it, even after acknowledging the ramifications of the app. “[I think] it’s a bad influence, because you don’t know who is saying [the response] unless they say that it was them,” Bentley said. “I wouldn’t stop
anybody from using it unless it has gotten to a certain point, such as bullying or people having suicidal thoughts. That’s the point where it needs to stop, because it’s not okay.” The outcome of using the app is
determined by the people who use it, not necessarily the app itself. Although students experience negativity, they still show an interest in it. “It’s really just what people say that makes it good or bad,” Bentley said.
RECORD GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
UNHEARD VOICES OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH
SOPHOMORE ASHLYN GAINES’ FASHION BOUTIQUE
LACROSSE TEAMS’ INAUGURAL SEASON
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News PROSPECTIVE
2 BRYCE RHODES | STAFF WRITER
GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN Border wall disagreement stalls funding bill
Feb. 1, 2019
*As of Fri. January 25, Congress and President Trump agreed to temporarily end the shutdown and reopen the government until February 15 while negotiations continue.
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ongress has not been able to come to a resolution on a spending bill needed to keep the federal government running, because Democrats and Republicans cannot compromise on the issue of the U.S.-Mexico border wall that President Donald Trump promised during his campaign. Mexico is not paying for the wall as Trump once guaranteed, and as he refuses to approve a spending bill that does not include wall funding, the nation holds its breath as weeks go by without paychecks or tax refunds for thousands of government employees. National parks have been abandoned, many offices are closed, and neither side is yielding as the record shutdown continues into its second month. The previous record was 21 days. Senior Jasmine Johnson disagrees with the president’s decision to finance a wall, especially now that the controversy has caused a government shutdown. She, along with many others, is concerned for how government employees will deal with the shutdown. “I don’t believe that getting the wall is worth shutting down the government,” Johnson said. “There are too many government employees not receiving their paychecks because
of the shut down.” While Johnson does not support Trump’s plans for the border, she does recognize that opening the government and restoring normalcy is worth compromising for. “We should reopen the government,” Johnson said. “And border security is crucial, so if both sides find a way to implement border security, then we’re on our way.” As the government shutdown passes the one month mark, some Americans struggle to put food on the table with the federal government ground to a halt. “Some of the employees are being called back to work without getting paid,” Johnson said. “The shutdown is putting a strain on their families and their way of life, [and] people can’t pay rent and bills.” The main victims of the government shutdown are government employees who played no part in the paralysis but feel the sting the most. One of these people is Michelle Davis, the parent of a Bryant student who has worked as an
the staff at the border and open up the federal government,” Davis said. “Trump’s base is already convinced that they need a wall, and he wants them to believe that he got something done.” While the wall is the cause of the shutdown, there is a significant group of Americans who still want the wall for national security and immigration control. One of these Americans is senior Clay McElyea, and he stands for the wall in the midst of the shutdown because he truly believes that it will solve many problems that America faces. “In 2018, enough fentanyl came over that border to kill every American,” McElyea said. “The shutdown will continue as long as both sides cannot agree on basic common sense... that we need a wall.” The wall is a controversial subject in America, especially since Trump has promised the idea to his followers for years, but McElyea believes that the wall will protect America from foreign influences and should still be considered. “The American culture is not a right to everybody around the world,” McElyea said. “It is a privilege, and it is both unethical and unfair to those who have done the [immigration] process legally for somebody else to walk in and start getting luxuries reserved for Americans.”
auditor for the government for years and has experienced many shutdowns, but never one this severe. “This is my third shutdown, and the second shutdown lasted a weekend,” Davis said. “This one is the worst, because it is the longest one in history.”
this one is different because Congress and President Trump do not seem to want to compromise. According to Davis, the wall is the source of the government scramble, and yet for many like Davis, the wall does not appear to be a solution to illegal immigration. “A wall does not keep out illegal immigrants,” Davis said. “More illegal immigrants are here because they came on a visa that expired and they never left, so the wall is fruitless.” With the current political climate, politicians’ careers are on the line if they vote against their party. Davis views Trump’s uncompromising attitude to be one the main causes of the government shutdown with his Republican party following suit. “If Trump doesn’t get what he promised his base Photo | Hunter High during the election, he throws tantrums, and no wants gets Davis is aware of the effects of the funded, so they don’t get to work,” shutdown, as two pay periods have Davis said. “Trump is to blame 100 passed since the shutdown started. She percent, because he has no data or worries about what is going to happen research saying that he needs a wall, to government employees who live and that is straight fearmongering.” paycheck to paycheck. Davis is not without hope for a “I personally have some savings, but resolution, however, and like Johnson is what is going to happen when those willing for Congress to expand border savings are depleted?” Davis asked. security if it means ending the partisan “I’ve seen that people are going to soup stand-off, as long as it is not wasted on kitchens and are in line to get food a wall. from food banks.” “A good compromise would be if he While Davis is not new to shutdowns, used the five billion dollars to boost
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MADISON BASCO | STAFF WRITER
DEPUTY FIRED
Faulkner Co. Sheriff’s Deputy loses job after shooting dog aulkner County Sheriff’s Deputy Keenan Wallace was recently fired after shooting a small dog during a service call in Conway Jan 4. The deputy was called to property owner Doug Canady’s property after getting complaints about an aggressive dog. The deputy threatened to shoot the small dog if it became too aggressive, and soon after, the chihuahua, Reeses, who was barking and wagging his tail, was shot. The dog received medical treatment and survived the incident. The Faulkner County Sheriff’s Office made a statement on their Facebook page claiming that the deputy involved fell short of their standards, and that they believed there were numerous opportunities to de-escalate that situation. They stated that though it appeared that no laws or policies were violated, they hold their employees to a high standard, and Wallace would be relieved of his duties. Resource officer Sergeant Paul Tarvin has been in situations where animals have become aggressive. When an officer draws their weapon, it is to protect themselves or the people
around them. However, in the situation that occured in Faulkner County, he believes this was not completely necessary. “With my understanding, it was a little dog, and I do not see why there would be concern about serious vital injury or death,” Tarvin said. “Obviously, that would not be something that we would do here at Bryant, and it would definitely be against policy or procedure.” Geometry teacher and former Little Rock police officer Angela Brawley remembers the appropriate action when called out to deal with vicious animals. “For Little Rock [police department], we would usually be the first ones on the scene, but we would have animal control on the way,” Brawley said. “As long as the animal was contained within a certain area, and it was not leaving that area, we would usually back off until animal control got there.” Brawley remembers what it was like to be a police officer and understands why the officer might have handled the situation the way that he did. “We do not know what that officer
has been through in the past,” Brawley said. “He could have been attacked by a dog before, and it could have [affected] his mindset.” Senior Morgan Kennedy is an intern at the Saline County Humane Society. She is constantly around animals and is passionate about protecting them and making sure they are represented. The situation that happened in Faulkner County disappointed her. “Everyone wants to think that they are against animal cruelty, but when it comes down to it, [some] people will always think of themselves first,” Kennedy said. “You are born with the instinct to protect yourself, but at the same time, when you have a powerful weapon, [you must be careful].” The dog is now in recovery and is in good shape. There has been a GoFundMe set up to help pay for veterinary bills. “I think the GoFundMe page was a good idea,” Kennedy said. ”It shows that even though some people are not as caring, there are people out there who will give the things that they have earned to help other people and other animals, too.”
IC OFF ER E STATE OF H T
KANSAS AR
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P O LIC E Design | Javiya Lawson
PARKING PATIENCE KAILEE SPEER| STAFF WRITER
Construction creates some student parking headaches
B
Photo | Sydney Boswell
ehind the band building is a half gravel and half cement parking lot that students and band directors park in. Because of construction, parking for students has been limited to the field house, the front of building ten and the band lot, known as “Lot B.” Senior Katherine Chambless recently had knee surgery and is not looking forward to going back to parking in Lot B. “If I have to go to a doctors appointment, I have to drive all the way around [Lot B], Chambless said. “You can never get to your spot.” Chambless also does not like the distance from the lot to her classes. “It is an easier walk from the field house,” Chambless said. “The worst part [about Lot B] is being so far away.” This is senior Jay Webb’s first year at Bryant High School, and he was disappointed in the condition of the parking lot after winter break. “I pulled up back to the school [after the winter break],” Webb said. “There were no lines and there were holes.” Webb does not feel comfortable parking there and wishes the lot was better organized. “I did not know where to park,” Webb
says. “You have to guess where your parking spot is.” When senior Luke Staggs was looking for parking, he originally was looking for a spot on the strip by the band field. Staggs realized that it was originally the bus lot and knew that it needed a lot of work. “As school started and dragged on, I did not have a parking spot,” Staggs says. “I still do not have a parking spot.” If Staggs manages to find a parking spot, it is in the back of the lot. “Where I park now, I have already been dinged by someone else driving by,” Staggs said. “It is hard to maneuver.” Principal Dr. Todd Edwards believes that despite the parking difficulties because of construction, students are doing a great job with following the traffic pattern. “Students are doing a really good job about coming in [and leaving] orderly,” Edwards says, “The only time we have trouble is sometimes when a parent gets in there and they do not understand the traffic pattern. They confuse things.” Edwards says that the parking lot is going to be complete by this time next year, and that the lot is currently the
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way it is due to the construction. “Just a couple weeks ago, all the parking lines got wiped out over Christmas [Break],” Edwards said. “As a part of the construction, a new storm drain had to be put in. They tore up all the gravel side trying to dig it out with all the heavy equipment, so they brought some new gravel in.” Edwards hopes to have everyone off the field house and Lot B parking lot and have everyone parking at the main campus as soon as possible. “As soon as the construction is done, we will have buildings four, five, and two taken down, and a finished parking lot will be placed there,” Edwards said. “We will hopefully have everyone off of the football stadium and most people off Lot B by this time next year.” Edwards wants students to know that this is not a permanent situation and that things will get better. “Lot B will make sense as construction comes to a finish,” Edwards says, “The lot will be paved, it will be parking for the arena, fine arts center and ball games.” Edwards appreciates the perseverance of the students. “I know it is a long walk,” Edwards said. “I see lots of people waving as they leave, so I know they are dealing with it, [and] I am proud of them.”
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DISCONNECTED leave school, technologybased education is convenient and helpful, but students and teachers with these privileges may forget about students who do not have them. Students without internet or technology access at home run the risk of
falling behind and lowering their grades.. While some teachers do as much as they can to accommodate these students, others do not make as much effort. Teachers often provide time before and after school to complete assignments; however, if a
student has to ride the bus, this may not be a viable option. Some teachers also provide time at lunch, however, if a student eats in the cafeteria, they might have to go without a meal or miss out on work time while waiting in line to get their
food. For those who struggle with getting online work done at home, these hardships can have a significant effect on their lives.
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able to study. Some teachers will print papers and give me a textbook, or print papers and show me where I can find the answers, or they will send me to the library to finish my work. I think it depends on the teacher, because some teachers will make you turn work
not all kids
“Me and my siblings use a tablet we have at home. At least three of my disadvantaged, but I classes give homework just try to do the best I online. My brother can with what I have. is in the 10th grade, Whenever I don’t get and he usually has it done at home, I try more homework than to go to the library I do, so mostly, it just before school. I want takes a lot of time and teachers to know that usually I have to work not all kids have the past my bedtime and same access at home, usually end up finishing and that even though closer to midnight. it feels like everyone At some points, I feel has it, that’s not how
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have the same access at home.
because I can’t do that well on tests if I’m not able to study.
it is. Some kids do not have any, and I am even thankful for what I have at home, even though it’s not as much as other kids. Sometimes kids have to do it on paper or just copy down whatever I have just to get it done at home. Teachers should realize that.”
JOEE SHANAVER | 10 “My home internet is not reliable. I can’t load Yearbook Avenue to work on yearbook. I don’t have a phone at the moment. When I did have a phone though, I had Verizon and it worked [better]. My mom had AT&T, and she would have to drive out to the highway to get onto the internet. You gotta be ready, you gotta have your whole plan out, so I make sure I sketch out my whole life. I literally have no
Some kids simply cannot
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afford
disadvantaged,
KATRICIA PEARSON | 9
I want teachers to know
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I feel
internet connection or computers.
“Being a senior, I feel like there’s a lot more work, and [teachers] are putting it all on Google Classroom, where I can’t exactly get to it. On the phones, you can’t really do big projects. You need a computer for it, which I don’t have at home. I had a computer, but my house flooded, so it [was] completely ruined. I actually loved homework. When I had the computer, I would not complain about doing my homework, but now I complain, because it’s so hard to get it done, and then my grades go down. I talk to [my teachers] about it and tell them that I don’t have a computer at home, and they kind of work around to schedule days during class where I can work on it. Most
of the time I have to do [my homework] at lunch. Sometimes, I’m not able to [eat my lunch]. I have to go in the library and do it, because there’s so much work, and we have to move on [in class]. They don’t really focus on the people who don’t have the connection at home. [My grades] could be higher. Like, if I had all my assignments on paper, they would never be late. I’d be able to do everything I need to do, but because most of them are on computers now, they’re late. I’ve tried [to do my work on my phone], but most of the assignments, you can’t really
students in the Bryant School Disctrict are identified as homeless under the McKinneyVento Act.
percent
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didn’t really know what I was getting into. My grades were not the best at the beginning of the year. It was hard, but now I’m glad, because I feel like I know what hard work really is. I don’t tell people I don’t have [good] internet, because it kind of makes me feel like they think lower of me. They think, ‘Oh we can’t trust her. We can’t put as much on her,’ but you can put everything on me. I’m just as dependable as someone who has internet.”
I’m just as
dependable as someone who has internet.
AIMEE MCGEE | 12
approximately
60 & 10
time. I’m from a really big family. I feel like yeah, it’s affected my social life, but it really helped me find my real friends and who I really want to hang out with. When I’m at school though, I try to do all of my assignments there. I can always go to Starbucks, and on Wednesdays, I go to church and they have Wi-Fi there. It was really hard at the beginning of the year. I was in marching band and [taking] AP classes, I
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“I feel kind of trapped, because I don’t talk to people during class, and I only have 10 minutes to talk to my friends in the morning. I get less time, because I have to do assignments at school instead of at home. I feel disadvantaged because I can’t do that well on tests if I’m not
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in before and some will let you turn it in after. Teachers assign things on Google Classroom, and I don’t have internet at home. There needs to be an option for students that don’t have internet access at home, because it’s not always available for them to come in after or before school to do their work.”
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MERYSSA WILSON | 9
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PROSPECTIVE Special Coverage Feb. 1, 2019
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s technology continues to evolve, classrooms continue to adapt, utilizing resources like Kahoot!, Quizlet or Google Classroom to make students’ and teachers’ lives easier. For those with access to these resources once they
of surveyed BHS students do not have access to a computer at home.
do. I eventually just give up, and I don’t do it, because I just can’t. Some of my teachers are alright with me doing [my work on paper], but some of my teachers want it on the computer. It hurt [seeing my grades suffer], because I knew I could do it if I had the right things to be able to do it. Some kids simply cannot afford internet connection or computers, and it’s really hard on the kids. Harder on us than it is on teachers making the assignments, and I just really wish they knew that.”
STUDENT SUGGESTIONS ideas to help students without technology
“Provide textbooks to take home.”
“Extend due dates.”
“Give extra time in class to work on online assignments.”
“Avoid assigning extra work outside of class.”
“Don’t ask us to come in before or “Go to the library.” after school or during lunch.” “Reduce online assignments
“Provide hard copies of assignments.”
as much as possible.”
“Share a laptop.”
PROSPECTIVE
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FEB. 1, 2019
A&E
CARLY LIDZY| STAFF WRITER
MAN OF THE WOODS
Justin Timberlake stops at Verizon Arena
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s the stage floor rises, the band appearing first, the suspense gets to the crowd. He comes out last, and the crowd goes wild. Justin Timberlake’s “Man of the Woods” Tour made a stop Jan. 17 at Verizon Arena in North Little Rock. Ticket prices ranged from from approximately $107 to $500. For some, tickets were bought for birthdays or Christmas gifts. For others, it was just to see the show. For English teacher Tim Sisk, the tickets were a birthday present from a friend. “My birthday is [the week of the concert],” Sisk said. “They were really expensive, so it was a nice birthday gift.” Sisk is a frequent concert goer but has not seen Timberlake perform solo. “I listened to NSYNC when I was [a teenager],” Sisk said. “I saw NSYNC in concert when I was 14, and [Timberlake] was a member.” Being an old-school Timberlake fan, Sisk hoped to hear some older songs. “I really like pop music,” Sisk said. “I am more of a fan of older stuff, and I am not as familiar with the
newer stuff. I [hoped] he [would] sing some of the old NSYNC songs.” While Sisk is not the most extreme fan, he has heard good things from others. “I have not always been the biggest Justin Timberlake fan, but everyone I know who has been to his concerts says he puts on a great show,” Sisk said. It was a very high energy concert. “The concert lived up to the hype,” Sisk said. “[There was] lots of dancing. I’d give the concert an eight out of 10.” For sophomore Shelby Davis, the concert was a way to spend time with her mother. “The tickets were originally for my mom and dad, but my dad gave me the ticket and told me that he wanted me to have a really cool memory with just me and my mom before I leave for college,” Davis said. Davis and her family are big fans of Timberlake. “[We have] been listening to his music for a while,” Davis said. “I do not think anyone could replicate his voice, and his style is very unique.” In the words of Davis, “Music connects people.” “I looked forward to singing my heart out with other people who share
the same interest,” Davis said. Davis also gave the concert an eight out of 10. “I enjoyed singing together [with my mom], laughing together, and watching people next to us dancing,” Davis said. This was Davis’ first concert experience. “It was so fun,” Davis said. “I would definitely go to another concert.”
WHAT’S the
buzz?
A view of students’ lives in 140 characters or less
Kat Richey| 12 @katrixhey
of y’all never had to deal with “ some the heartbreak of not making Teams of Tomorrow and it really shows “ TJ Jackson| 12 @tjacxson freeze time for like 10 yrs “ someone pls. “
Leela Hoerschelmann | 11
@Leelahoerschel1
I don’t understand the people who don’t
the video for 30 minutes of ad free “watch music on spotify, it’s just wasteful“
Hannah Jetton | 11
@hannahjetton you have air pods now and “Iyouknow don’t ‘speak broke’ but i’m just trying to get to my next class.“ Photo| Sophia Ocampo
BELLA HERRING | STAFF WRITER
NO APOLOGIES
Logan Williams| 10
@LifeasLGrant not just a waffle house, it’s a “ It’s waffle home “
Kevin Hart declines to host Oscars after past tweets
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omedian Kevin Hart was offered the honor of hosting the 90th annual Academy Awards ceremony. However, Hart recently declined the offer due to controversy regarding a series of homophobic tweets that resurfaced on social media from nearly a decade ago. Between 2009-2011, Hart posted a variety of negative comments about homosexuality. Hart also carried his discriminatory language into his skits. Sophomore William Alverio, who is gay, is one of many people who took Hart’s derogatory comments to heart. “[Hart’s tweets and skits] were definitely inappropriate, because I would not say anything against straight people,” Alverio said. “You should think before you speak.” Due to the controversy, Hart was given an ultimatum by the Academy. In order for him to be able to host the Oscars, he was going to have to make a formal apology to the public. Hart made the decision to step down from his hosting opportunity and
stage in his life. announced it to the public through Junior Peyton Dillon is among part Instagram in early December. Hart’s of the public that feels like an apology reasoning was that he did not want was necessary for Hart to be able to to be a distraction on the night and host one of the biggest awards shows in take away from the talented creators the nation. and performers the “An apology was public should be definitely needed, focused on. because even Many people though he said took Hart’s refusal that he already to apologize as a apologized, if you lack of growth and are that big of questioned if he an influence to regretted his past society, you have behavior at all. to watch what you “By not say,” Dillon said. apologizing, [Hart’s] Although most refusing to own Design|Javiya Lawson people believe up to his mistakes, that Hart’s refusal and it’s not a good to apologize is a sign of ignorance, representation of him or a good sophomore Kamryn Ray is among the influence to our society,” Alverio said. few that believe otherwise. Hart later made a post stating that “Since he has apologized before, I another reason he was refusing to do not think that he should be held apologize was because he had already accountable,” Ray said. “I think he done it in the past. Hart said that he should be forgiven, because he has was not going to keep bringing up the obviously learned from his actions.” past when he has moved on from that
Between the resurfacing of Hart’s past social media history and his refusal to apologize, the 2019 Oscars are left without an official host for the first time in 30 years.
ALEX BEYERLEIN | STAFF WRITER
CELEBRATE CULTURE
Students connect with influential black figures
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hroughout history, African American people have had a great impact on society, ultimately altering our world today. Through courageous actions such as escaping slavery using the Underground Railroad, peacefully protesting against unjust laws, desegregating schools while facing harsh treatment, and so much more, they never let their voices be silenced. Often, students only hear about the popular stories, overlooking the untold truths of those who never get recognition for their efforts in changing their community. Londrelle Hall is a black poet, author, and musician who is constantly trying to promote self-acceptance and the importance of mental health. He is an activist against unfair societal normalities and police brutality through his organization Run for Justice. His music and book “Eternal Sunshine” address these topics and emit positivity. Sophomore Chrissy Powell feels Hall has made her more in tune with her mental health and aware of the importance of self-reflection. “He goes against stereotypes, because you are not really expecting an African American male to be promoting love and mental awareness,” Powell said. “So he’s changing the mindsets of the majority and telling them that [African Americans and men] can do this too.” Kendrick Lamar is a rapper who
is open about his struggles while growing up in Compton, California. He often raps about problems African Americans face in society, delving into topics like gang violence and the importance of the Black Lives Matter movement. Senior Tyler Thompson finds himself able to connect to Lamar through his art. “I know my struggle is different from his, but being able to relate to him, what he went through and what I went through [shows] there is somebody like me,” Thompson said. Another artist Thompson looks up to is J.Cole. He raps about similar topics and talks about the struggles he faces as he lives in the public eye. Thompson saw an interview with Cole where he stated he felt happier before he was famous. Not only is Cole authentic about his past, but he shares his struggles as a successful rapper. “[Just] getting money is not gonna make you happy,” Thompson said. “Being around those people that care for you and finding love in other people is what is gonna make you happy, not just material items.” Mamie Phipps Clark was an African American woman from Hot Springs, Arkansas. During the 1940s, she pursued a college education in psychology at Howard University and Columbia College. Clark used her studies to correlate the segregation between African Americans and Caucasians with the low self-esteem of impressionable young minorities.
segregation, Brown v Board of Education, the experiment was brought up and used as evidence. “The Third Marshal was told, ‘Do not bring it up. You are gonna make yourself look silly by talking about dolls and kids,’ but it worked,” England said. “They Photo| Sophia Ocampo threw out the Plessy v Ferguson [decision] Western Civilization and Sociology of 1896 that was separate but equal teacher Monica England minored in and found that public education was minority studies and found that Clark innately unconstitutional, because it was often completely looked over, was unequal.” despite her work. Senior Nate Wallace’s uncles William “Many times, her husband’s name and Ronald were among the first gets in the forefront, but it was [her African Americans to desegregate work],” said England. Bryant High School, and his father Clark conducted a study where Russell came soon after the integration African American children from began. The descendants of his family segregated schools in central made the bold decision to go to a Arkansas and others from Northern primarily Caucasian school and faced Massachusetts were asked questions discrimination. about two African American dolls and They received worn out sports two Caucasian dolls. They were asked uniforms, were benched from games which was the good doll and which and had to work much harder to was the nice doll. compete with other players. Wallace’s Clark’s experiment showed that father was also voted “most feminine” African American children were by his senior class, which he was socialized to believe that Caucasian insulted by. people were seen in a more positive “My dad boycotted taking his senior light, because they had always been year picture,” Wallace said. separated. In the landmark Supreme Many in Bryant’s community Court case that outlawed school know of the Wallace family, because
they have been around for many generations. Wallace is sometimes recognized by people who went to high school with his family. “People know my grandpa, my father, and the Wallace name. [It makes me be] able to be a face [for] Bryant,” Wallace said. “There [are] more black people on the website and now in our student leadership. More and more is changing for us, and [we’ll] be better off [in the future].”
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ONE STEP CLOSER I
t was the first week of sixth grade, and incoming students were excited to be in middle school. It was a new school and a new chance to make more friends. Because it was the first week back in school, the common cold was going around. What sophomore Ashlyn Gaines didn’t know at the time was that her cold was no ordinary cold. It was August 2014 when her cold developed into something more severe, which then caused her to be one of the first people in Arkansas diagnosed with Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM), a rare neurological disease that affects part of the spinal cord. In 2018, there were only 201 cases of AFM in 40 states in the U.S. The effects of the disease are different in all cases, and in Gaines’ case, it caused paralysis in her left leg. “After I got the cold, it continuously just got worse from there,” Gaines said. Because of Gaines’ experience back in 2014, she became close with her mother, Molly Gaines. Ashlyn Gaines was thankful for her family, friends and God, because she became more faithful after everything happened. “We became close just because we
had to,” Molly Gaines said. “All of her classmates in sixth grade were ready to be independent and go out, and Ashlyn was the same way, but her situation obviously halted that, and so I was the one that became close with her.” Other than her mother, Ashlyn Gaines relied on her best friend, sophomore Ashley Reaves. The two have been best friends for eight years now. Because she was adjusting to her condition, Ashlyn Gaines had to be homeschooled from sixth grade to eighth grade. Reaves had a difficult time not having her best friend at school with her. “It sucked not having my best friend at school with me, especially in middle school, because everyone was getting into their friend groups, and all I wanted was to have my best friend with me,” Reaves said. Even though they no longer went to school together, Reaves continued to support her best friend in any way she could. Though it was a rough time for both of them, the two became closer because of it. “We were little at the time and didn’t really understand,” Reaves said. “But regardless, I stuck with her through it all because we’re best friends.”
While AFM did not affect Ashlyn Gaines’ daily life too much, it did cause her to drop some of her former hobbies. She used to run 5Ks and dance. When she could not pursue these hobbies, she moved on to new things, such as fashion. “I’ve been into fashion my whole life, but recently I’ve gotten into it more and more,” Ashlyn Gaines said. Gaines’ mother knew her daughter could not participate in her former hobbies anymore, so she asked her what new hobbies she could pursue. Immediately, Ashlyn Gaines said she wanted to open a boutique, and the mother-daughter duo decided to go for it. “At first, me and my mom just started out in Painted Tree as a hobby, and as we got more into it, we decided to open a store,” Ashlyn Gaines said. The pair opened the boutique in an old house on Reynolds Road in December 2018, naming it “Joanna A.” Joanna is Ashlyn Gaines’ middle name, and the A is her first initial. Although her mom puts a great amount of work into the boutique, Ashlyn Gaines helps quite a bit. “She works at the cash register about 12 hours a week, she helps me buy the clothes, she does a lot of the steaming,
she does some of the social media, she definitely doesn’t clean at all, but she puts in her fair share,” Molly Gaines said, laughing. The boutique is another thing Ashlyn Gaines shares with her best friend Reaves as well. The two work together every day, excluding Sundays and Mondays, when the boutique is closed. “We’re together all the time, so I honestly don’t think we can get any closer,” Reaves said.
While Ashlyn Gaines has lost some hobbies because of her illness, she has gained new ones, and along the way, made stronger relationships with her friends and family. “Success takes time, but I’m thankful to have grown closer to God and the ones I love,” Ashlyn Gaines said. “With them, it feels like I’m already successful.”
Feb. 1, 2019
Gaines overcomes AFM, opens Joanna A. boutique
PROSPECTIVE Feature
RHEA PATEL| STAFF WRITER
At the front desk of her boutique, Joanna A, sophomore Ashlyn Gaines works a shift after school Jan. 24. Gaines and her mother opened the boutique in December of 2018 after operating out of Painted Tree marketplace. Photo | Jordan Heath
NATASHA ARENDT | STAFF WRITER
WORLD TRAVELER History teacher Meghan Pope travels for fun, education N ot many people can say they have been in the rainforests of Costa Rica, sizzling heat of Australia, and among the castles of Scotland, but history teacher Meghan Pope has seen these sights and more. After a trip to Australia with People to People Student Ambassadors when she was 17-years-old, traveling around the world has become her beloved hobby. Pope has traveled to Australia, Costa Rica, Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, Canada, and several places in the United States. “Being a history teacher, I like to go to historical places, with castles, standing stone circles, stuff from prehistoric eras, and things like that,” Pope said. Pope’s favorite places so far are Scotland and northern Ireland. In Scotland, she went to the highlands and toured Loch Ness, a lake that has urban legends of a monster called Nessie. She also saw the capital’s historical side. “In Scotland, the [capital] is called Edinburgh, and Edinburgh has got castles,” Pope said. “I was with a friend. I hit them and I was like, ‘Look, look, look!’ in the middle of the night. We just turned around and the castle was lit up blue, and it was gorgeous and awesome.” Pope has witnessed pretty sights in other countries, too. “In northern Ireland, [there is] a lot of beautiful scenery,” Pope said. “We went in the car, and we
just drove along the coast. It was beautiful. It looked almost tropical, even though it was Ireland.” However, traveling is not just about sights. Everyone has to eat, and food in other countries offers new tastes and experiences. “In Montreal, Canada, for a New Year’s trip, I had poutine, which is french fries covered in gravy and cheese curds,” Pope said. “After that, it was not as good, but that first time I tried it was really good.” Some of Pope’s tips for new travelers include making a plan for where you’ll be, getting your currency exchanged at ATMs and trying not to “look like a tourist.” “Each day [I travel] I make a plan of where I’m going, and I send it to my parents, so if something happens, they’ll know where I was supposed to be,” Pope said. Traveling has allowed Pope to have fun and unique experiences with her family, friends, or simply by herself. The first time Pope’s dad traveled abroad was with her last summer, which she says was a good bonding experience for them. Pope plans to continue seeing the world’s sights. “I want to go all over the U.K. first, because that’s the quickest to travel to overseas,” Pope said. “I want to go to Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Austria, those [kinds of] places.”
Special to Prospective from Meghan Pope
EMILY RUTLEDGE | STAFF WRITER
MAKING MUSCLE Senior Jared Gotherman perfects the sport of bodybuilding W
hat started as a simple middle school desire to change his physical appearance and gain attention from girls in his class later turned into a driven passion to succeed in a sport not common for many: bodybuilding. Senior Jared Gotherman developed an interest in bodybuilding around his sophomore year after his father began taking him to the gym and teaching him the basic skills of properly working out. Eager to learn more, Gotherman pursued bodybuilding more intensely over time after gathering more information on the sport and having the capability to drive himself to the gym, no longer needing much of
his father’s assistance. “It all started with me being disappointed in my body,” Gotherman said. “I wanted a change. I started watching documentaries and reading a lot over bodybuilding, becoming gradually more interested in it because of this fascination I had and the science behind it involving muscle growth. I took the basics away from [my dad] but became more involved than he is, but he has overall still been a huge motivation for me.” Being a successful bodybuilder takes consistent dedication and hard work. Gotherman, with time spent in both research and physical exercise, puts in a great effort to become the best bodybuilder he can be. “I actually had to research constantly and learn how to get
to this point,” Gotherman said. “Some people think you should only work out three times a week doing full body workouts; [however], there’s a different split with six times a week which is upper body, lower body and then both. Then there’s something called the ‘bro split’ which is basically meat heads that go to the gym and work one or two muscles per exercise. One day might be arms, one may be chest, one is back, one is legs, but many don’t even work legs. I do of course, though.” Gotherman has discovered many techniques that can be used in the sport of bodybuilding. Although there are differing views, he partakes in the exercises he believes are best for his own success. “I train about six times a
Photo | Jae Kubena
week,” Gotherman said. “I do upper body, lower body and then full body the next day, or just work on anything I’m lacking on. I haven’t been paying much attention to my [diet] except for primarily protein intake, because that’s how you build muscle.” Gotherman’s future goals are to better himself as a bodybuilder and physically gain strength, meeting about 200 pounds of primarily muscle, which he is confident he will achieve. “[I aspire] to get better with every single workout,” Gotherman said. “I weigh about 185 pounds right now, and I still have quite a bit of fat on me. I know it doesn’t seem like it, but I could probably lose about 30 pounds of it and be ‘shredded.’ I want to become super cut. It’s going to take years and years of hard work, but it will happen someday.” Although he considered the sport as a potential career choice, Gotherman chooses to keep bodybuilding as a hobby due to his other interests and the possible dangers involved in becoming a professional bodybuilder. “There are many things you can do [as a bodybuilder],” Gotherman said. “You can become a professional bodybuilder, but that typically takes drugs and steroids, and I do not want to get involved in those things because it is unsafe. I don’t really want to be a personal trainer, but I am open to answering questions anyone may have. People come to me all the time to ask for help, but overall, I do not think it will ever amount to a career, only a hobby that I will stick with.”
Senior Llyz Cortes supports Gotherman in his attempt to become a successful bodybuilder. Observing the intensity of his work ethic and passion, Cortes feels a great sense of pride in Gotherman. “He’s really motivated in everything he does,” Cortes said. “If he starts something like a new workout, he tries so hard to finish it. He puts a lot of time and effort into his workouts, and he goes to the gym as much as possible. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone so dedicated to fitness. I’m just extremely proud of him for pushing himself for doing what he loves.” Although she may not completely understand all aspects of bodybuilding, Cortes is always willing to listen and continues to support him in any way possible. “I support him 100 percent and I make sure he knows it, like listening to what he says about his workouts or diets,” Cortes said. “I don’t understand everything about the sport, but he explains a lot to me and how it can get intense and competitive.” Gotherman notices Cortes’ efforts to support him on a daily basis. When feeling a lack of energy and enthusiasm, he knows that Cortes is his primary motivator. “Llyz has been my biggest supporter,” Gotherman said. “She listens to me talk about working out all the time. She encourages me to push myself and reach my goals every day. Sometimes I am not feeling 100 percent, but she encourages me to go to the gym and push myself.” Despite those who support
him, there are many who doubt and even mock Gotherman for being involved in bodybuilding and sharing his progress on social media. Instead of taking these comments to heart, however, he continues to dedicate his time to the hobby knowing that those who underestimate him simply do not understand the complexity of the sport. “People have been teasing me about bodybuilding since I first started, but it never bothered me, because I know that most people do not understand what bodybuilding is and how much effort has to be put in it,” Gotherman said. “I have heard people making fun of the posing routines, but most people don’t understand that when I pose, it is to show muscle development in specific areas of my body. That’s exactly what bodybuilding is; grow the muscles to be as proportionate as possible to look aesthetic. So when someone jokes around about the posing or bodybuilding in general, I know that they do not understand the sport, so it usually does not get to me.” Bodybuilding is not a simple sport, according to Gotherman. It takes an individual willing to commit themselves, pushing themselves more than what is expected and giving the time to do so. “Bodybuilding is overlooked because of how complex it is,” Gotherman said. “It isn’t a team that you can join for school, and you can’t just give partial effort to reach an amazing physique. I push myself mentally and physically beyond the limit to better myself every workout.”
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Feb. 1, 2019 Op/Ed PROSPECTIVE
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PROSPECTIVE Bryant High School 801 N. Reynolds Rd Bryant, AR 72022 501.653.5328
STAFF EDITORIAL
e wake up to our alarm clock, and the first thing we do is check our messages. We stay posting on Instagram and sending snaps throughout the day. We watch Netflix and listen to music when we get home. We complain about our homework, which is often assigned on Google Classroom--the same homework that we can find answers to and help for on Quizlet, SparkNotes and Mathway. But throughout our daily activities, it’s easy to overlook one idea: What about the students who don’t have smartphones on them or internet access at home? For many of us, internet access is pretty much what keeps us from failing our classes. When we are
struggling, help or answers can almost always be found online. What would we do without access to data or Wi-Fi? While most of us have the privilege of taking our work home, not everyone does. Based on a student survey with 255 responses, 95.7% of students have a smartphone, while only 62.7% of those students have a personal laptop. While assignments can be done on a smartphone, it can be more time consuming and stressful than using a laptop. It’s hard to think of a solution to make online assignments for students without internet fair, but if we don’t realize that internet access is a problem within our own school, we’ll never get there. Some teachers opt to print out hard copies or provide time before and after class to students
without access to internet outside of school. So many of our assignments are online. Not having access can easily cause our classmates to struggle with turning assignments in on time, as well as completing them to begin with. While one workaround is to spend their lunch time in the library doing homework, this affects students’ social lives and denies them a welldeserved break in the day that their more technologically-connected peers get to enjoy. Within just a few decades, technology has become the face of our generation; popularity is associated with how many followers you have on Instagram, relevance is determined by knowing when Bella Hadid starts a new trend and without staying on
top of Snapchat, it can be easy to feel left out of the loop. Compliments to a stranger are more easily given behind a phone screen, rather than face-toface, and #metoo relies on people telling their stories and speaking out about their struggles online. Without internet access, some of our classmates are not given the opportunity to connect with others as easily. Not everyone is connected, and it’s important that we don’t exclude others because they may not have access. Academic struggles as well as social ones are greater for our students who don’t have the advantages of technology, and we should all be making an effort to include everyone, regardless of whether they have a smartphone or a computer at home.
EDUCATION CONNECTION CORA PERRY | STAFF WRITER
hang out with low-achieving friends typically see their grades decrease. When you surround yourself with people who’s ambitions aren’t where they should be, it affect your ambitions as well. Although our friends have an influence on how we perform ho we surround academically, our parents also have ourselves with has a a great influence on our success. great effect on our If you compare the grades of a contributions to society. student with a helicopter parent We’ve all heard an to a student whose parents aren’t adult tell us, “You are who you hang fully involved in their life, then out with,” but is this true? And if it you will most likely see a drop in is, how might that affect our grades grades from the student without and overall performance? an involved parent. With a lack The way we are treated by others of help and motivation from an and the activities we partake in adult, students often forget the play a huge role in confidence and importance of grades and motivation. This influences our grit their future. and determination when it comes to The department of succeeding in school and the future. Developmental Psychology at According to Educational Vanderbilt found that more Connections Tutoring, students who
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authoritative parents produce kids with better grades. Students need that extra push for responsibility and pull to reality from parents to do well in school, but some students are forced to do it on their own. While friendships and parents play a critical role in how we do in school, the main factor in how a student performs is the student him or herself. If a student doesn’t have at least a sliver of self-motivation or excitement for the future, then that student is more likely to fail. The grit needed for a student to be successful can only come from themselves, and no person can be taught that determination. Although your surroundings can affect how you act, your self confidence and and personal motivation is the main factor to a successful career. If a student
feels that what they are doing is unimportant, then they are usually going to give up and not put in as much effort as the student who wants to succeed. The real effect on a student’s grades is their own personal attitude towards school. Although there are factors throughout a students life that affects their views towards education, how they apply this information is a personal reaction and is not something that can be learned. A students grades depend on their grit and perseverance, and these qualities can only be possessed, not taught. As a student, it is important to have self motivation to succeed in your education. Although your surroundings affect your thoughts, your reactions and responses depend solely on your own grit.
PROBLEM CHILD CARLY LIDZY | STAFF WRITER
want to talk about that. I just let the thoughts overtake me, and at some point, being adopted did not have the appeal for me that it once did. I did not know the reasons I was adopted, and I did not know why my parents had gotten a divorce. I never asked, and I never felt the need to. But as time went on, I got have always known that I was admore and more curious. opted; it has never been a problem One morning on the way to school, for me. Growing up, I had somesome random day in 7th grade, I talked thing that my brother and sister to my mom about my adoption. I started did not. My sister may have been my school day with red puffy eyes and able to go to high school, and my brother tears falling down my face. could drive, but I was special. I always My adoption was not your normal, run had a fun fact to share at the beginning of the mill adoption. My birth mom was of school. 15 when she got pregnant with me, and Up until the third or fourth grade, I her mom worked with mine. One day, did not really know what it meant to be her mom went in to work and was talkadopted, and some kids at school did not ing about her daughter and how she had take that information well. gotten pregnant; she was going to have “So you are not related to your family?” her daughter terminate her pregnancy. “Do you not wish you knew who your My mom did not like that idea and felt real parents were?” compelled to tell her that was not the “Wow, that is sad. You do not know right thing to do. They both went their your real parents.” separate ways and did not talk about it Something that was so near and dear much thereafter. to me started to become something Over the course of the next few weeks, negative. things started changing. The girl was not To make things worse, I am an overgoing to get an abortion, and they wantthinker; being the adopted child in a ed my mom to adopt the baby. My mom divorced family makes your mind start was wary of that and was not sure it was to wander. What if I was the reason my something she and her family wanted to parents split? do. They went to get an ultrasound, and Like any normal kid, I did not really
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my mom went with them. She still was not sure. One day, sitting at her parents house, mulling over a picture of the ultrasound, my grandpa went up to her and said “Faith, that is your kid.” She went home after that, had a family meeting and decided that I was going to be their child. I was born September 18, 2002, and my adoptive family got to be there. They took me home from the hospital, signed the adoption papers, took me to Larry’s Pizza, then took me home. My birth mom saw how my siblings grew up, and she knew she could not give that life to me. Knowing that is why she gave me up, it made so much more sense: if she could have kept me, she would have. From what I have heard, she used to drive through my neighborhood when I was younger to watch me from afar. My heart broke for her; to me, that is the most selfless act anyone could make. I have also heard that she now has kids that she has kept. I have little half siblings running around somewhere, but I would not know that if I came across them. Knowing the background of my adoption made my heart swell with joy. It was by the grace of God that I was exactly where I was supposed to be, and I was loved. But I still did not know why my parents had split, and that curiosity
kept growing. One night, I built up the courage to ask my mom why they had gotten a divorce. My outlook changed that night-my dad had repeatedly cheated on my mom early on in their marriage. Before adopting me, he made a promise to not do it again. Along with knowing I was supposed to be their child, I was, in a way, an attempt to help my parents grow closer as well. For a while, things were fine, pretty good, even. However, he slipped up again. He broke his promise, so my mom filed for divorce and that was that. Knowing I was not the reason for their divorce was a weight lifted off of my chest. I am not a problem child. I am a miracle child, and while I was not able to keep my family together, it was not my fault it fell apart. Seeing how my life has been, I am now a pro-life advocate, because I know I was supposed to be here and I would not want that chance at life taken away from anyone. Adoption is a wonderful thing, in most cases. I know mine was a special case, but that does not mean I am the only grateful adopted child. I know I am here for a reason, to make a difference, so that is what I am going to do. Eventually my life will come full circle, and I will be able to adopt several kids of my own.
FROM YOUR Students share their thoughts on a PROSPECTIVE wall at the U.S./Mexico Border EMILY RUTLEDGE | STAFF WRITER
MCKENZIE HICKS | 9
MATTHEW TRIBBLE | 11
“It is important to have the wall, because there are a bunch of immigrants coming into the U.S. Some are for the wrong reasons, but some are for the right reasons and are just trying to have a better life. I do not think it is the most important thing to do right now--we’ve been living without it, and there’s a chance that if we build it, people will most likely find their way around it.”
“I feel like it is backtracking on all of the progress we have made for human rights as a whole. I appreciate [Trump’s] efforts to try and help control illegal immigration, but it is not necessarily humane. The fact that he is very persistent on [the wall] being the only option is ignorant and childish in my belief, and with dealing with the government shutdown for [over] 30 days now, it is absurd.”
BRODIE HORTON | 10
ALLY BENOIT | 12
“It may not be the best choice, but I think building it is a choice that will work. There are a lot of problems with our immigration system, and it needs to be fixed soon. A wall may or may not do it, but for the time being, that might be the way to go. Illegal immigration is a problem that is taking jobs and bringing bad things into this country and taking advantage of America. I think the wall is going to put an end to it.”
“I think [the wall] comes from a place of ignorance and hate. It is wrong to put up a wall instead of trying to make the [legal immigration] process easier and more successful. It is already hard to become a citizen, and they make it even harder with the way they act and their dialect toward immigrants.”
Editors
Rosemary Gregg, Emily Maxton Preuninger
Hall,
Photo Editor Sydney Boswell
Page Designers
Sydney Boswell, Bradley King, Emily Hall, Javiya Lawson, Kumani Lawson, Maxton Preuninger
Graphic Designer Javiya Lawson
Business Manager Kumani Lawson
Photographers
Sydney Boswell, Hunter High, Bradley King, Jaiden Kubena, Sophia Ocampo
Writers
Natasha Arendt, Rowdy Baribeau, Madison Basco, Alex Beyerlein, Rosemary Gregg, Emily Hall, Bella Herring, Carly Lidzy, Chris Morgan, Emma Morgan, Rhea Patel, Cora Perry, Maxton Preuninger, Bryce Rhodes, Emily Rutledge, Kailee Speer, Tiffany To
Adviser
Lisa Stine Prospective is a monthly publication produced, edited and maintained by Newspaper Journalism II, III and IV students at Bryant High School. 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. 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 10-319.
WINNING IN WINTER
Wrestling, basketball, swim seasons underway Leaping from the water, sophomore Carson Edmonson participates in the 100-yard freestyle at the Bryant Swim invitational Jan. 18. The Hornets placed 2nd overall in the meet. “I didn’t really excel at any other sport,” Edmonson said. “Swim just [naturally] came to me.” Photo | Hunter High
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Keeping from being pinned to the ground, senior Eric King uses a defense technique to prevent a loss at the home wrestling tournament Jan. 18. The wrestling team competed against various teams including Greenbrier and Bentonville. “I went 1-1 for the day,” King said. “In the first match, I lost. [In] the second, I wrestled someone from Greenbrier and pinned them in 47 seconds of the first round.” Photo | Sophia Ocampo
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Arms around him, sophomore Josh Mellor wrestles against a Cabot opponent at the JV wrestling match Jan 14. Mellor has been wrestling for two years with a record of 4 and 1. “I actually tied that match,” Mellor said. Photo | Sydney Boswell
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Moving through the water, sophomore Cameron Loftis does the butterfly stroke to the other side of the pool. This was at a home swim meet at Bishop Park. “It requires a lot of thinking, and a lot of concentration is involved,” Loftis said. Photo | Jaelun Thomas
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Taking a shot at the basket, junior India Atkins moves through defenders at the Maumelle vs. Bryant home game Nov. 8. Bryant ended up beating Maumelle 29-13. “I am doing a lay up with a bad angle,” Atkins said. Photo | Gracie Kimbrell The crowd falls silent as senior Rodney Lambert positions to shoot the ball and add to his 33 point game-high against Fort Smith Southside Jan. 15. The Hornets won the game 66-40. “Every time I shoot a free throw, there’s no pressure,” Lambert said. “We as a team have put in a lot of work, so we are comfortable taking any shot on the court.” Photo | Dasia Swann
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During a swim meet Jan. 18 at Bishop Park, junior Donté Baker swims for the finish line. Baker enjoys being a part of the swim team. “It keeps me fit,” Baker said. “We have a good team chemistry going on; there’s no judgment.” Photo | Hunter High
Going up for a lay-up, junior Sierra Trotter concentrates on scoring during the game against Fort Smith Northside Jan. 4. The Lady Hornets lost to Northside 55-47. “We have team bonding [before games],” Trotter said. “We go over our plans to discuss what we want to do differently.” Photo| Abigail Weihe Jumping up to dunk, junior Catrell Wallace scores a point for the basketball team Jan. 18 against Cabot. Bryant won the game with a score of 65-55. “I like how it keeps me in shape,” Wallace said. “I also like the competitiveness of [basketball], but I like the physicalness of football better.” Photo | Dasia Swann
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PROSPECTIVE Photo Essay Feb. 1, 2019
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KILL, RELEASE Students take part in formation of local lacrosse team
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wake up, do the right things every day, you get better each and every day; and when you come to a school with a history of that, your athlete[s] already understand that, and now they just have to learn a different game.” Wilkerson believes the best way to win games is to be aggressive and attack toward the ball. “Our mentality is if the ball is on the field, you’re flying to it,” Wilkerson said. “You have to attack the ball. You can’t wait for someone else to make the play. We need that possession. You have to go out and get it, it’s not going to be handed to you. You don’t get handed wins, you get handed losses.” Sophomore Dylon Ruby took Wilkerson’s message and applied it to his practice. “We have to work hard,” Ruby said. “We have to get ground balls, and we have to ‘kill’ before the other team get[s] there; we don’t want the other team to get a heads up on us.” Ruby believes working hard will also impact the team’s confidence. “If you work hard, you gain
ith a cold wind and snow rolling outside, the team was forced to practice on the indoor field. Their voices echoed as the players yelled ‘kill,’ then ‘release’ as they ran through their ground ball drill. This phrase would become a focus of the first practice as the Bryant lacrosse team prepared for their upcoming inaugural season. Their coach, Alex Wilkerson, began playing lacrosse in his freshman year of high school. After graduating, he continued his playing career at Hendrix College. “We are Bryant, and we’re not here to lose,” Wilkerson said. “I think this will be a great year for the program. We will establish who we are and really who we’re going to be-not just a program in the state, the program in the state.” Wilkerson believes the reputation of success within Bryant athletics helps fuel his program. “Nobody is born an athlete and winner,” Wilkerson said. “You become a winner by the habits you do every day.You
trust in yourself, as well as your teammates, and you can show your skills off,” Ruby said. “It builds confidence both mentally and physically.” While the boys waited until late January for equipment to arrive for their first practice, the girl’s team began practicing at the beginning of the second semester. Working on basic skills such as passing, checking and shooting, the Lady Hornets anticipate the first moment of taking the field for a real game scheduled on Feb. 16, joining the boys team at Flax fest. Sophomores Kamryn Ray and Anna Barnes both help lead the team as daughters of the volunteer coaches, Mark Ray and Curtis Barnes. Although both players are related to the coaches, they still struggle with completely understanding the game. “All we’re doing is figuring out the basics right now,” Kamryn Ray said. “Later on, we will get more in [the game], but right now, I just describe it as soccer with sticks.” Kamryn Ray believes that Bryant is a good place to start a lacrosse team because of the sheer number of students.
“We have so many kids that not all of them can play on all the sports teams,” Kamryn Ray said. “All of our [lacrosse] girls are athletic, but they’re not preoccupied. We have so many athletic girls [here], that we think we can win with that.” According to Anna Barnes, the biggest weakness of the team is lack of experience. “It’s difficult to get the reps in if you don’t know how to play already,” Anna Barnes said. Both Kamryn Ray and Anna Barnes believe having dads as coaches is an advantage, but can also be a challenge at times. “[Dad coaches] are a little bit harder on you,” Anna Barnes said. “[They] also keep us accountable with practicing at home--going home and throwing the ball against the wall. We know that [our dads] will know if we do or don’t.” Curtis Barnes describes the game as fast paced with lots of action. “The guys’ game is very physical, but the girl’s game is not as much of a physical game. But [I] still think people will enjoy the pace of the game,” Curtis Barnes said. As for his goals for the team
Running through a passing and shooting drill, sophomore Anna Barnes practices Jan. 18. “[Lacrosse] was started by Native Americans,” Barnes said. “It was used to settle disputes between tribes.” Photo | Hunter High
this season, Barnes believes that fundraising and getting awareness is the first step for the team. “So far our girls are loving the game,” Curtis Barnes said. “Their skills are developing quickly and there is a good spirit.” Curtis Barnes hopes that more girls will be influenced to join the team in the future. “Lacrosse is expanding nationwide, so I think as Bryant gets more sports, they want kids to find a sport to be involved in,” Curtis Barnes said. “Some of the students
have played before and really loved the game and wanted other students to develop love for the game.” For those students who are interested in joining lacrosse, Curtis Barnes said the best way is to talk to one of the players already on the team. “They have the opportunity to learn a new sport,” Curtis Barnes said. “You learn from the ground up to develop teamsmanship and the skills necessary.”
ROWDY BARIBEAU | SPORTS WRITER
ALL FOR THE STRIKE
Senior Javin French has passion for bowling
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lmost anyone can find a sport that they find enjoyable, such as football, basketball, baseball or running. For senior Javin French, his choice of sport is a lot less mainstream: bowling. French found bowling around his freshman year of high school. Since then, it has become one of his favorite things to do, and his favorite sport. “I started bowling because I saw my friends bowl, and I got more into it through the years,” French said. “I would go three or four times a week, and my score would continue to get better and better.” While he sees himself as a good bowler now, it was not always that way in the beginning. “When I started, I started with a 115 average, which is bad,” French said. “I would hit myself in the legs and ankles a lot and look like a fool.” But he kept at it and began to see improvement.
“After a while, I kept getting better and more consistent,” French said. “I put more effort into it. I put myself on the lanes and I would bowl every day after work.” Since there are no bowling alleys in Saline County, French goes to Professor Bowl in Little Rock. French says it can be hard since it is so far away, but it is worth it. “The lanes there are the best,” French said.”The staff there is friendly. That is why I consider it my home bowling alley.” While some might not see bowling as appealing as other sports, French sees it just as fun as others can be. “When I started, I thought, ‘Oh, this is pretty fun,’ French said. “You go to have fun and enjoy being with your friends. It’s an inside sport, [so] I can relax and focus on what I’m doing.” French is passionate about bowling and often talks to his friends about it. Senior Jakolby Jackson is one of French’s best
friends, and he knows how much bowling means to French. “He goes hard at it,” Jackson said. “He’s always bowling, and I know he has a lot of love for it.” Jackson has watched French bowl and has noticed that his demeanor is always calm and focused. “He gets in the zone,” Jackson said. “He wants to do good, so he’s not jumpy. He’s locked in and trying to get his high score.” French attended Bryant Schools until his junior year, when he made a decision to transfer to Benton High School and join their bowling team. “Bowling had a big influence on me moving to Benton,” French said. “I actually went just for bowling.” Jackson truly saw French’s passion for bowling on display when he heard he would be moving to Benton for bowling. “He moved to another school for bowling,” Jackson said. “You know, that says a lot. He left
Bryant--where he grew up--so that needle in a haystack shows his passion for that sport.” in the world of sports. However, French did not move He plays a sport that is to Benton alone. He knew former not mainstream, but he Bryant students who had also sees it as a positive for moved to Benton for bowling, himself. including Benton senior Seth “I bowl because I can Morgan. Morgan moved to Benton the year before French. “He felt more comfortable with me being here for a year,” Morgan said. “I think it had a positive influence on him and he bowled better.” Morgan saw French as a good teammate and performer. “He bowled good during our conference tournaments,” Morgan said. “He bowled really really well overall at Benton.” French enjoyed bowling at Benton, but he moved back to Bryant for his senior year. “It was fun, but I wanted to come back,” French said. “I wanted to graduate with the people I’ve grown up with my whole life.” French realizes he is almost a
possibly make other people want to bowl,” French said. “They can channel something they may not have been able to before. They just needed an influence.”
Photo | Sydney Boswell
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT IN SPORTS? Photos | Sydney Boswell
Caivon Crosby, 12, Swim
Ty Johnson, 11, Wrestling
Megan Chism, 12, Softball
Logan Chambers, 12, Baseball
Biggest accomplishment: Qualifying for state
Biggest accomplishment: Winning first match
Biggest accomplishment:
Biggest accomplishment: Winning state
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“Winning my first match Jan. 14, here at home.”
Signing to play softball with the University of Memphis
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“It has always been my dream to continue my softball career. All the hard work, sweat, and tears are absolutely worth it.”
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“Freshman year when we won the state championship and were ranked 2nd nationally.”
PROSPECTIVE ATHLETE OF THE MONTH
Latavion Scott, 12
- 1760 rushing yards, 27 touchdowns, 162-points in 2018 season - Darren McFadden award winner - Landers award finalist - 3700+ career all-purpose yards
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“Making it to state is a huge deal, because it not only shows growth, but it shows persistence and hard work.”
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Feb. 1, 2019 Sports PROSPECTIVE
CHRIS MORGAN | SPORTS EDITOR
I felt honored to be recognized by such a legend of Arkansas for the Darren McFadden award.
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Photo | Gracie Kimbrell