PROSPECTIVE 801 N. Reynolds Rd. Bryant, Ark. 72022
Bryant High School
Vol. 25, Issue 4
Feb. 9, 2018
RELATIONSHIPS transformed bywords As Valentines Day approaches, love is on our minds. Love stories can be found in abundance in literature, but it’s the ones that come from real life that are truly stunning. page 3
MAXTON PREUNINGER | STAFF WRITER
CALL FOR CHANGE Sexual harassment stories inspire survivors H
er fingers slowly tapped at the keyboard, searching for the words that would leave her vulnerable, yet empowered. She sat nervously, thinking of all the positive negative reactions, but sophomore Rachel Grantham felt she needed to normalize an issue that had been kept in the dark. She tapped share and swiped out of Instagram before she could see her post, a post that would leave her with comments shaming her for speaking out, but also a number of direct messages reaching out for help. Established in 2006, the #MeToo movement has been encouraging women to stand by each other and against abuse. The tag went viral in 2017, and social media lit up with posts from all over the world with women sharing their
experiences with sexual assault and abuse, breaking down stereotypes about assault and gender bias. A student who chose to remain anonymous views sexual harassment as a problem left untouched at school, and said that the #MeToo movement is pushing women to speak out about their own experiences. The source said that it took them seven years to tell someone about their own experiences with abuse. “For a long time, I just tried to pretend that it didn’t happen,” the student said. “I convinced myself that nothing happened, and that it was all in my head, because can you really trust the mind of an eight-year-old? Then I took some time and reflected, and it was a lot more serious than I could comprehend at the time.” The student does not believe
that those convicted of sexually harassing others deserve a second chance, saying they need to take responsibility for their actions. Because of their experiences, their confidence has been impacted, and they struggled with being afraid of men. “The decisions you make will impact your life, whether or not you realize it,” the student said. “In making the decision to hurt somebody else, I don’t think that’s worthy of being forgiven.” In college, Engineering teacher Joanna Ritchie was the only girl in her classes and had no name. She was referred to as “girl” by all of her classmates and professors, and was told by a civil engineer that they “didn’t take women in this field, so don’t even bother.” “In the beginning, it was ‘Oh, you got an A, because you’re a girl,’ not
because I stayed up until midnight for two weeks in a row studying for one test,” Ritchie said. “I wanted to do better and work harder, and I wanted to be acknowledged for the work I put in and not [my] gender.” Having an-all girls class this year, Ritchie hopes that more girls will stay in the upper-level Engineering courses, because each year the number of girls goes down. Ritchie has recently seen more girls on competition fields at robotics competitions than she’s ever seen before, and says it proves that girls are just as capable as the boys. “I just want to see everyone accept everybody for what they have to give,” Ritchie said. “It’s ridiculous to think that sex determines what you can and cannot do.” Before Grantham’s post on Instagram, she came across the #MeToo social media movement
around the beginning of 2017 and admired how women from all over the world were providing a platform for victims of sexual assault to come out about their experiences without being criticized. She hoped that coming out about her own experiences would encourage other victims to reach out for help and let them know that they are not alone. “A lot of people I had helped in the past were thinking about killing themselves, because they felt so alone,” Grantham said. “But once they found out that they weren’t alone, and that so many other people have experienced the same thing, they felt like maybe they could deal with it because they had someone to talk to.”
CATHERINE ANDERSON | STAFF WRITER
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Claudette Colvin
Bessie Coleman
She would not be moved. Sitting tensely in her seat with her feet glued to the floor in front of her, she would not be moved. She was dark-skinned and was told to get up, but 15-year-old Claudette Colvin would not be moved. “I just couldn’t move,” Colvin said. “History had me glued to the seat.” March 2, 1955, Claudette Colvin made history. On the ride to her home in Montgomery, Alabama, Colvin was told to move to the back of the bus to make space for a white passenger, but she refused. Colvin decided she would walk off the bus. Instead, she was carried off by the authorities. Rosa Parks stood up to a white male bus driver nine months after Colvin.
INSIDE
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As an African-American woman, Bessie Coleman was never expected to accomplish what she did. From growing up in poverty and facing discrimination, she had to push her way through a world that put everything against her. At the age of 29, Coleman became the first AfricanAmerican female pilot. In September 1921, Coleman returned to the U.S. from France, and newspapers reported that she was “a full-fledged aviatrix, the first of her race.” April 30, 1926, Coleman died in a plane crash during a flight in a new aircraft. She is remembered for her contribution to female and Black Civil Rights.
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Bass Reeves
Born a slave in Crawford County, Arkansas, Bass Reeves gained his freedom and made his way up to become the first African-American U.S. Marshal. By those who knew him, he was said to possess “superhuman” strength. Over a 32-year career span, he became widely known for his amazing abilities. Throughout his career, he arrested 3,000 felons and killed 14 men. Although he was notorious in the conviction of criminals, he was untouched by a single bullet. Bass Reeves is such a legend that he has been immortalized as “The Lone Ranger.”
Standing in front of all of her classmates and peers, Anaya Peterson reads “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou while dancers perform a routine behind her at the Black History Program Jan. 24. “It was definitely historic,” Peterson said. “I never thought Bryant was going to do something like that while I was still here. I wasn’t nervous, I was just glad to teach my peers about about Black history.”
#TIMESUP MOVEMENT SPARKS CONTROVERSY
FREE YOGA CLASS REVIEW
ART CLASSES WORK ON DIVERSITY PROJECTS
WRESTLING TEAM PREPARES FOR THE SEASON
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Feb. 9, 2018 News PROSPECTIVE
2 MADISON WALTZ | STAFF WRITER
SAVING SALVADORANS After 20 years in U.S., Bryant mom may be forced to leave
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Action for Childhood Arrivals Act, or DACA. Now, eight years later, there is another war to fight. Jan. 8, the Trump administration called for the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) of Salvadoran immigrants to end, effectively deporting over 200,000 people living and working in the U.S. by Sept. 9, 2019-- an 18-month time period. With a little over z a-Aguilu y a year to adapt to these a m A Yansi She alvador, Quinceañera. ct with changes, the AUCC S l E , te a icen d at in conta In San V h her boyfrien is working to provide t keeps l Salvador. u b s, it w sa dances lives in Arkan ve in E nd I believe it some li l il alternatives, st o y currentl r and sister, wh s [in the U.S.] a everything,” e e e v v th beginning with li a o y le m il d r an he fam go back tive st of my talking to Arkansas’s “The re very difficult to cial to Prospec e e would b uiluz said. | Sp representatives. g Amaya-A “As Arkansas’ immigrant advocacy organization, we have been working directly with our congressmen and state leaders to build awareness with them and plead with them to take positive leadership,” Reith said. “This year has been a rollercoaster and one of constant disappointments, AUCC, Mireya because it really does feel like Reith, says their decisions our leaders in Washington and do not reflect their words. Little Rock aren’t listening to Opening their doors as a us. Maybe they are hearing nonprofit in Jan. 2012, the our stories, [but] they’re being AUCC was founded in response persuaded by other politics.” Partnering with attorneys to the fight for the Deferred have empathy for you.” “I understand how hardworking our community is.” Representatives in Congress give these statements of reassurance to the Arkansas United Community Coalition (AUCC) constantly, but when it comes time to vote, Founding Executive Director of
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and other legal providers, the coalition is encouraging immigrants in Arkansas falling under TPS or DACA to be screened for other types of relief; there may be other legal pathways available that people are not aware of. Immigrant Integration is the most recent program provided through the partnership of the coalition and service providers. “We work with service providers to make sure that immigrants have the opportunity to realize their potential in our state, whether that’s through the legal services they might need, or working with adult education providers to make sure they’re getting English and citizenship classes,” Reith said. “We’re expanding that range of service partners to make sure we’re looking at the well being of our immigrants and what they do for the whole state of Arkansas.” According to Reith, an estimation of the Salvadoran population in Arkansas is in the thousands, each person with their own contribution to society. Yansi Amaya-Aguiluz, senior Tony Yerena’s mother, moved to America in 1998. She has been under TPS since she arrived, building a life here for herself and her children. “I believe that the Salvadoran community is large,” AmayaAguiluz said. “Many Latinos contribute to the economy of this great country, we deserve something from the senators, a
legal s t a t u s that can guarantee us a life without the fear of separation from our families.” The U.S. State Department issued a Level 3 Travel Advisory for El Salvador Jan. 10 due to the “violent crime, such as murder, assault, rape, and armed robbery,” yet a quarterof-a-million people will be sent to the Central American country in 2019. Returning to El Salvador worries Amaya-Aguiluz, who has established her life in the U.S. “The truth is, I’m a little afraid of returning back to my country,” Amaya-Aguiluz said. “I have been in the great state of Arkansas for 20 years. I have my children and several friends here. I don’t think I can start again in El Salvador. It’s a very dangerous situation now because of all the gangs.” With several months to the deadline, immigrants and citizens alike look to Congress for a permanent solution. TPS was granted to Salvadorans in March 2001 after earthquakes devastated their country that January. Up until the Trump Administration’s decision to revoke it, TPS had been renewed every 18 months since.
Standing with a coworker, Yansi Amaya-Aguiluz witnesses her first snow in Little Rock. Under Temporary Protected Status for Salvadorans, AmayaAguiluz moved to America in 1998. “[There are] more than half a million people with TPS,” she said. “We’re a strong workforce and several of us have our children and families here.” | Special to Prospective.
“Right now, we are in the middle of this fight with DACA,” Reith said. “We want to assure all those with TPS that we have not lost sight of the fight for TPS as well. The solution right now is trying to have Congress take legislative action to correct what the Trump administration has decided. We are continuing to fight those fights, and this is a really critical time. It’s an opportunity for everyone to be engaging with their elected officials.” Although it may seem like the end for Salvadorans under temporary protection, the AUCC has a plan for everyone, even a Family Preparedness Plan for those who have no other legal pathways to follow. They want to ensure the best outcome for the families and lives they have established in the U.S. “As an advocacy group, we firmly believe, at the end of the day, the only way we’re going to make our elected officials in D.C. and Little Rock listen to us is through our votes,” Reith said.
ALEXIS BURCH | ONLINE EDITOR
RESOURCES AVAILABLE
Parent Center works to aid homeless students
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ifty-seven students in the district do not have a house to call a home. These 57 students are just the ones who have been identified. To be considered homeless, a student or their family could be living in a car or camper, a hotel or a shelter, but there are currently no homeless shelters in Saline County, and the shelters in Little Rock are often at full capacity. While there are many students identified as homeless, there are several others who may be scared to come forward, whether their parents prevent them from doing so or they are concerned about what may happen next. “In elementary school, it’s a little easier, [since] kids are more free in talking about their situations, but in high school, they’re a little bit more closed off,” counselor Rachel Stafford said. “It’s not harder to help necessarily, just harder to find who they are.” Stafford said that when students are worrying about where they will get their next meal, if they will have clothes to wear or where they might sleep at night, it sometimes becomes harder for them to focus in school Katie Brooks, Lisa McNeely and Betzabeth Jaime work for the district Parent Center, which provides the majority of resources available for underprivileged students. The McKinney-Vento Act ensures that every school district must set aside money
to buy supplies and other necessities for students who could not otherwise afford the resources. This includes clothes, shoes, school supplies or equipment required to participate in a school-sponsored extracurricular activity. During the winter months, warmth is the biggest need. The Parent Center supplies blankets, gloves and other warm clothes for students. The district also provides transportation to students who have become homeless during the school year and now live outside of the school district. Each district sets their own amount of money to set aside based on how many students have been identified as homeless. Bryant’s fund is approximately $25,000. While not covered by the Act, the Parent Center provides hygiene products, like shampoo and toothpaste, and food that has been donated by the community or the high school’s food pantry.
Students can fill out a Free and Reduced Lunch application if they cannot afford school lunches. The application must be filled out every school year, and when a student is coded as homeless, they can get two free ACTs and sometimes, fee waivers for college applications. However, the Parent Center employees emphasize that they must know about a student’s situation so that they can give them the help they need. While they are unable to completely change a person’s situation, they can provide families with the right resources that can set them on the right path. In addition to basic necessities, the Parent Center can provide assistance with creating resumes or finding somewhere to stay. “We do everything we can for families that have nowhere to go that night,” Brooks said. “We won’t leave here unless we know that they’re safe.” The job can be emotionally demanding, but to them,
it is worth it in the end. Starting in a career that she considered outside of her natural talents, Brooks realized she was not happy. “When you’re naturally good at helping people and it’s in your heart to do so, it’s a good fit,” Brooks said. “[This job] can be really tough at times, because you hear problems all day long, and it’s things you can’t just fix, you can only band-aid the situation, but it’s worth it.” Before coming to work for the Bryant School District in 2004, McNeely worked with elderly patients and the mentally ill. “I’m somebody that likes to work with individuals and do my best to try and help them have a better life, give them a better way of living,” McNeely said. “Somebody’s got to be there. I’ve always been drawn to that.” Jaime is a Bilingual Coordinator at the Parent Center, making it easier for the Hispanic populations in the district to receive assistance.
“We are seeing that there’s so much to do in terms of people who are in need,” Jaime said. “Hispanic people don’t know what their rights are or the benefits that they could get.” Even with the abundance of resources available, there is still work to be done by the student body. “If someone isn’t matching or wearing something they wore the day before, don’t say something,” Stafford said. “We can get the resources with the Parent Center and the Food Pantry, it’s just having our students feel comfortable.” Brooks said she can only imagine how miserable school might be for the students who are picked on because of a situation they cannot help. “I would love it if kids could have a better understanding,” Brooks said. “Chances are, they’re going home to a house that is unimaginable to those kids making fun of them, because they’ve never lived it.”
To contact the Parent Center, email kbrooks@bryantschools.org or lmcneely@bryantschools.org. Si tú o tú familia no hablan inglés, Betzabeth Jaime es un Coordinador Biligüe para el centro de padres y puede ser contactado a bjaime@bryantschools.org si no tienes hogar y necesitas ayuda o asistencia. ABBY HAGNER | COLUMN EDITOR
COMPETITIVE DISCOURSE CLASS AVAILABLE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR Next year, Competitive Discourse class will be offered for students in organizations such as Model UN and Mock Trial. Tammy Brantley is the teacher sponsor for Mock Trial and said if students have an interest in the law, public speaking and acting, they should join.
“Will Heatherly approached principal Dr. Todd Edwards about the idea, and he was in favor, so [he] included [it] on the schedule for next year,” Brantley said. “In that course, students would have the option of participating in various organizations and events including Mock Trial,
JOSLYN GRAVES | ARTIST
Quiz Bowl, Model United Nations, Model Arab League, Ethics Bowl and possibly even a debate team. Students can take the course for either a semester or for the whole year depending on which organization they want to participate in.”
3 PROSPECTIVE Special Coverage Feb. 9, 2018
Unwritten
HISTORY
DESIGN | PRINT EDITORS SARAH GRAHAM & LAUREN WILSON
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rom the beginning of time, love stories have shaped our world. From Helen of Troy to Romeo and Juliet to just about any Disney movie, love is a constant theme. Whether you don’t believe in a happily ever after or you
just can’t wait to find your own, love is the emotion that continues to bind the human race together. The need to find love is a very human, but the process of finding it can get very messy. This is especially true for high school romances that
can start and end at the drop of the hat. We have a lot to learn from those who are married and have stuck it out together. These people have stayed devoted to each other no matter what life threw at them. Life and love don’t
always have happy endings, but they should. Living life is difficult and love is exponentially moreso. These couple’s paths have led them in different directions, but ultimately to the ones they needed most.
To my dear, I will always adore you. Our love is so bright, so hopeful and pure. My life is beautiful because of you my love my lady love. You entered into my life as a candlelight in the dark. You showed me the meaning of love not with your words but with your care. I know your shy nature doesn’t let you open up to me; but your eyes speak up the love you have for me. Remember me always and forever. I cannot never forget you. Your satin blue eyes and little crooked tooth. We will always be in love. STEVE & AMY OURY Amy: In Jan. of 1994 [at Jacksonville High School,] we were the only ones outside during the freezing day and I was bored out of my mind, so I was like ‘I’m going to go talk to the sub.’ I was 23 and he was 26 [when we met.] We were babies. Steve: The fact that we could both talk about our day and relate to each other in the classroom. I just knew she was the one. We got married June 29, 1996. In the 24 years that I’ve known her, I can’t remember anything that you’d call a fight. We have disagreements, but it’s never been uncivil. There’s
Wayne: We went to the same high school in Southern California. [We went to] the drive in movie, ride around town, and going out to eat for dates. Well we were still single then when I went into the military. I was 19 and I was in for a year or more in Vietnam. I was on leave and I called her up and we went over to Hawaii and we got married there. Then I went to Vietnam and she went back to California. We got married in a military chapel on a military base. It was the army
never been yelling and screaming. When I hear couples say, ‘everyone fights,’ I think ‘ya know, we really dont.’ Its not that it’s always perfect, -- don’t know I guess I’m just lucky. Amy: It’s kind of our personalities to naturally negotiate, but we don’t have too many honest disagreements. I can’t even think of any recently -- that’s a good problem to have though. Steve: She’s taken care of not only me, but the kids when we’re sick. She cooks meals -- and that’s something I never want to take for granted. If I come home from prac-
chaplain and two witnesses that we drup up from the workers. [We didn’t know them] they were just two GI’s who were on post there. [Our biggest strategy for marriage] is not going to bed angry. We put up with each other. It’s been 50 years of marriage. It’s a partnership. [She was sick] for quite a while. It was nothing serious. I took care of that. Now I’m sick and she is taking care of me now. Karen: That is something we have always made sure we never did, and we would always apologize and not
tice late, she has dinner. It didn’t just magically happen. Amy: He does [random nice actions] like bringing home grocery store flowers, just randomly. It’s not a holiday, it was just ‘oh, i thought these were pretty and I thought of you.’ [One of our best memories] took place in Alabama when we went to ‘The Hangout’ and it was our anniversary that day. We had been on the beach all day -- you know what we looked like -- and the restaurant made us get up on the table and slow dance. There are videos everywhere. It was really sweet. This is our goofy life.
go to bed angry. It is a compromise, you have to work things out. He has always stood by me no matter whether I have been wrong. Even when I have thrown a fit, he has been at my side. When you take those vows it is for better or for worse and that’s what we always promised. We work everything out but the key is to never go to bed mad at each other even if you would like to. You always have to say you are sorry. He is my soulmate, you know. God has got us through everything.
WAYNE & KAREN LARUE
I was 12 years old and I had a little neighborhood friend and we would go to the Coke shows. they would be on Saturday mornings and [let you into the movies with two bottles of Coke.] We were coming home from one of the shows and these two guys on bicycles started following us home. One of them was my first husband [named] Doug. He started coming around to see me some, and he would call me. Of course I was just twelve and he was 14. From then we just talked on the phone from time to time. When we both got into junior high, we started going together and then we dated. We got married when I was 16 and he was 18. Nobody understands, you think you know what it will be like when you lose your spouse, but you don’t. It’s like you’re living a totally different lifetime. It’s like you’ve
started all over. Which is a blessing because a lot of people don’t get that. The man I’m married to now is a wonderful man. He’s good to me and he’s good to my children. His name is Tom Magnesse. It’s a totally different kind of relationship. [It was a friend who introduced us] I was camping at Treasure Island, Hot Springs and I got to know the lady, Judy, camped beside me. Judy asked me one day if I like to ride motorcycles and I said “Yeah I do, but why?” Well she had a brother-in-law and he was looking for somebody to ride with and she said, “I want you to meet him.” He asked me to go ride on [his] motorcycle with him that day and we rode down Albert Pike and we started seeing each other. We’ve been married for three years now. I’m very happy, he’s a wonderful man and I feel like the lord sent him to me.
KAY MAGNESSE
PROSPECTIVE A&E Feb. 9, 2018
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WHAT’S the buzz?
A view of students’ lives in 140 characters or less
AubrieKate Moseley
@aubriekate_m
Gretchen Bush
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@gretchenbushh
*has 5 days to do homework* *starts doing it the night before*
I’ll take @ZacEfron in a top hat ANY DAY
Katherine Chambless
@@_katheriaynee_
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Brayan Flores
@whosbrayan
My charger broke today but then I got to see the sky change colors during tonight’s sunset. I didn’t get a new charger, but I got to witness something pretty darn cool. #blessings
@theoldrazzledaz
Erin James
10
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Am I the only one who can’t believe Wonder Woman didn’t get a single nomination??
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@jacielemons
Jacie Lemons 12
The worst moment of 2017, by far, was when my mom ordered me clout goggles and they never came in. I’m still recovering.
Bryant high school is just walking up to 4th floor building 10 and trying not to sound out of breath by the time you get to class
DAHLIA BRAY | ONLINE EDITOR
SPIN-OFFS AND ORIGINALS Students discuss their favorite Netflix
PHOTO | JADEN PURIFOY
shows
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ccording to the website Recode, Netflix has over 94 million subscribers. However, old TV reruns are not the only thing that has gathered millions of people -- Netflix original productions like “Stranger Things”, “House of Cards,” “End of the F***ing World” and “Daredevil” have attractive plotlines that can be both relatable and unrealistic at the same time. Senior Tehya Hinkson watches Netflix shows to escape reality. “I love ‘Daredevil’ and ‘End of the F***ing World’ the most,” Hinkson said. “Both shows take people who are disadvantaged from society and show them new hope through difficult challenges. I believe shows shouldn’t give viewers false hope. [Freedom] takes time, and these shows portray obstacles in a realistic way.” Junior Bryce Rhodes finds new ways to live
his life through the teachings of “House of Cards” character Claire Underwood. “[Claire] is the rock of her marriage when her husband is str uggling for political influence,” Rhodes said. “I r e a l l y related when Frank told Claire that he promised she would never get b o r e d with him. I believe there is nothing worse than regret, and I would certainly be remorseful if I woke up at 50 with no passion.” While some shows provide a taste of real life, others provide a vivid fantasy.
Sophomore Ethan Ives finds escape through the vintage themes in Netflix’s “Stranger Things.” “I feel like the kids’ group and their sense of a d ve n t u r e is what every child l o n g e d for when they were y o u n g e r, ” Ives said. “My current generation is so sensitive, a n d technology doesn’t allow us to connect w i t h a d ve n t u r e like before.” Compared to network television, narrowcasted originals have a better opportunity to blend genres. Rhodes believes “House of Cards” achieves this
new approach to theme. It isn’t a happy show,” Rhodes said. “Things go wrong, and it is the realism that’s refreshing. The characters are captivating, and the writers can make you like a character that doesn’t even try to pretend to be good.” Pushing past the usual plot lines, Netflix finds ways to entice the viewer. If the viewer can relate, the show is more likely to remain popular. Hinkson feels the effect of these shows in her everyday life. “I want to do something with my life and make an impact,” Hinkson said. “These characters struggle with what to do and how to do it, and I relate to their journey. I have this want to make an impact, but I get lost on how to get there. Like my favorite characters, I persist. I keep moving, and I continue getting inspiration on how to be someone.”
COLE CAMPBELL | STAFF WRITER
RYAN MCKENZIE | STAFF WRITER
INTO THE JUNGLE Students share expectations for “Black Panther,” coming out Feb. 16
BREATHE OUT A Saline County Alexis Burch, Abby Hagner and Cole Campbell practice breathing exercises at the William F. Laman Public Library. photo Alina Peret
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seven-page essay on Vlad The Impaler. Two 800-word essays about my future career and goals. One Calculus test. These were the all the things plaguing my mind last week. However, on Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Saline County Library, I was able to forget about my stress for an hour and focus on my breathing. According to the instructor, Leigha Jones, breathing is the most important part of yoga. “Beginners 18 and older welcome,” the sign
said. I don’t even know if I qualify as a beginner--I can’t even touch my toes. The free class was held in the meeting room on the top floor of the library. The room was filled with pleasant smells and soothing music. This was my first attempt at yoga, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Some necessities for this class are a bottle of water, your own yoga mat (although a towel could work) and an open mind. As I rolled out my mat, I tried to stay close to the back so no one would see my terrible form. Jones began the class with some simple stretches to
Library hosts free yoga class
loosen up our muscles. She stressed the importance of breathing and not letting the mind wander. An important part of yoga is practicing it with a clear mind, focusing only on inhaling and exhaling. I didn’t understand why this was so important until the end of the class. Downward dog. Warrior pose. Planks. I assumed these would be easy poses with no muscles involved. I knew I was wrong the next day when even getting out of bed hurt my sore body. The class flowed in and out of poses for about 45 minutes, and we were always informed by Jones about
what part of the body was benefiting from each pose. The last 10 or 15 minutes were my favorite. We were instructed to lay motionless and relax all of our muscles. Still focusing on inhaling and exhaling, Jones told us to clear our minds. This was a form of meditation, and when she dismissed us, I left feeling calm with a clear mind. This class, which meets every Thursday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., is completely free and a great way to clear the mind and exercise the body.
fter the death of his father, T’Challa returns to returns to his home, the isolated, technologyadvanced African nation of Wakanda. He must not only take the title of king, but also stop an emerging threat. “Black Panther” is directed by Ryan Coogler and stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o and Forest Whitaker, it releases Feb.16. “Black Panther” will be the first all-black solo film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which has excited many students, including senior Darian Summons. “It feels really great to finally see that Marvel is being more diverse with their movies,” Summons said. He is also excited to see if the movie lives up to his expectations in some areas and ends up being better than most Marvel Cinematic Universe films. “I don’t know for sure if it will be good,” Summons said. “I do have some hope for the film, because in a Marvel film, their story goes a little too quick. In this movie, I
hope they will have good character development and a well-balanced story to keep me intrigued.” “Black Panther” will be the 18th entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the final movie before the big Marvel event, “Avengers Infinity War.” This leaves students such as junior Anaya Peterson much to be excited for. “I’m most excited about having a predominantly black cast,” Peterson said. “It looks amazing, and it’s going to introduce a lot more characters for the new Infinity War movie that’s coming out.” Peterson said. Students such as senior Francisco Martinez have things that they particularly want to see in the upcoming film. “[I want to see] A continuation of the whole cinematic universe itself,” Martinez said. “It might be preparing for the new Infinity War movie,” Martinez said. “I’m excited to see Black Panther again and how his role is going to lead into Infinity War.”
5 PROSPECTIVE
COPS ON CAMPUS Resource officers provide safety at school MADISON TREAT| STAFF WRITER
with the worst of people.” On campus, they make sure doors are locked and rules are followed. “Our main thing is to be seen,” Ledbetter said. “We help administration enforce school policies and essentially make sure no one is breaking the law.” George Morehead is another officer on campus. Morehead had different police officers who kept him on the right path growing up. “As I was growing up, I always said If I got into
Feature Feb. 9, 2018
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n a campus holding over three thousand students, it can be easy to forget the eyes and ears that are responsible for protecting the students and staff. Officer Lee Ledbetter is one of the resource officers on campus. “[Though] some officers can’t stand it, I enjoy being around kids,” Ledbetter said. “After being a police officer for twenty years, you get burnt out on being out on the street all the time dealing
law enforcement, I would work with kids, and here I am.” Morehead said. Morehead has had the opportunity to observe the daily lives of students. “I’ve noticed that you can easily persuade kids, and it’s the smallest things that can get you in a lot of trouble, so I want to encourage kids to stay focused and graduate.” Morehead said.
EMILY HALL| STAFF WRITER
Standing outside the freshman cafeteria, Officer George Morehead and Officer Lee Ledbetter pose for a photo. “As I was growing up, I always said If I got into law enforcement, I would work with kids, and here I am,” Morehead said.| Photo Clay Campbell
SPANISH SUCCESS Señora Kathryn Maus describes her travels
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nergetically walking her students through the day’s lesson, Kathryn Maus, known as Señora Maus to her students, reads a story to her class in Spanish. Helping them conjugate verbs and perfect their skits and stories, Maus’ optimistic voice fills the room. Her hard work and encouraging comments help increase her students’ knowledge of Spanish language and culture. Before this, Maus was wading through jobs after college and searching for her place. She fell into missionary work in her late 20s. “When I grew up, my dad was in the military,” Maus said. “We lived in lots of places, so I was always interested in languages, [and I] took Russian and German in high school.“ At 29-years-old, she moved to Texas and became a missionary, where she worked on a newspaper and trained people from foreign countries on desktop publishing. When the program had enough materials, the people she had trained were given their own copies to go back to their countries to print ministry materials. “We had some people from Latvia come when Russia was the USSR, so they weren’t allowed to print their own materials,” Maus said. “Then, we had a bunch of people from Colombia and Paraguay, and we wanted to learn Spanish.”
Maus and some of her fellow missionaries took one Spanish course at Tyler Community College. “We learned ten sentences and a bunch of songs,” Maus said. ”Enough to get us into trouble.” At that time, Maus was told by her church she had to ditch the paper and travel abroad to do missionary work. To test the waters, she took a three-week trip to Mexico despite not being very knowledgeable of Spanish. “I met a guy that was from our church, and he was bilingual, so he showed me around,” Maus said. “I said, ‘Well, I think I want to do this’, so we went back to Arkansas,” Maus said. “He married someone else from my church, so we all three decided to go back together.” They travelled to Guadalajara, Mexico, near Mexico City, on a six-month mission trip. “[The city had] 9 million people in it,” Maus said. “Nobody spoke English except for us, so we went through a lot of culture shock.” While they were there, they went and saw a lot of movies in English just to get a taste of home. “We saw ‘Forrest Gump’ four or five times just so we could hear English,” Maus said. In Guadalajara, the poor people were pushed to the outskirts, where she would go to feed hungry children. An older Mexican woman would go and collect food in her truck, and
Reminiscing about her time in Mexico, Spanish teacher Kathryn Maus reflects on her interactions with the children she met. She made a scrapbook and filled it with photos from her trip. “We would feed the kids in the slums,” Maus said. “We would make it for them and play with them.”| Photo Mary Catherine Selig
they would provide food for the poor children that lived in the slums that surrounded the city. “They were the cutest things you ever saw,” Maus said. “[They were] always dressed nice. Parents were always proud, even if they were poor.” After her six months were up, she returned home and decided she wanted to start teaching foreign language. Starting out in community college, she pursued her degrees, first a bachelors, then amasters.
She has been teaching at Bryant High School for 17 years now. “Being a Spanish teacher is rewarding when I hear my students using the language,” Maus said. “When all the foreign language teachers moved to teaching proficiency through reading and storytelling, the students began using the language more, and the foreign language teachers work as a team. I couldn’t accomplish much without their valuable support.”
ROSEMARY GREGG| STAFF WRITER
ARTS AND CRAFTS
Art classes prepare for Diversity Art Show
To prepare for the Cultural Diversity Art Show Feb. 15, senior Helen Woodham paints the Mod Podge on her African mask. “I’m really thankful for the Bryant art department, because without the cultural fair, I would not have been able to do this project,” Woodham said. “Working on this project has showed me how art can tie into relevant topics in our society.”| Photo Jaden Purfoy
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rt students work diligently to prepare their pieces for viewing as the first Cultural Diversity Art Show for the public approaches Feb. 15. After the success of the art department’s celebration for Día de los Muertos, art teachers Amber Cardinale and Brianna Peterson decided to honor Black History Month. According to Peterson, any time students are given the opportunity to produce artwork on a theme of their choice that resonates with them, they are more likely to produce high-quality products,
because they are more invested in what they are doing. “The outcome is that the work is authentic,” Peterson said. In other words, if students are interested or feel passionately about the theme of their artwork, they will be more likely to produce really good stuff. As BHS and the entire Bryant community are becoming increasingly more diverse, I think it is important to create opportunities to highlight the individuals that enrich our community.” Honoring cultural diversity through art is important to Peterson, as she teaches her students how to convey
messages throughout their cultural diversity projects. “Art has just as much power as written word, if not at times more, to communicate ideas and to have an emotional impact,” Peterson said. “Humans are extremely visual beings, and I think the viewers of this show will be forced to think critically about the world we live in and their place in it. What better subject matter could there be than than a celebration of people and an honest conversation about where we are socially?” Art classes are focusing on African and Latin/ Spanish-American cultures. Senior Studio 3D design student
Helen Woodham created an African mask made out of glass and used cardboard for support. “I started with an idea that I wanted to do this mask that represented how we all have this creativity within us, but we mask it so much of the time just to blend in with society,” Woodham said. Woodham sculpted her project around the idea of sexual harassment, but believes that it can represent a variety of different things to students. “With all of the abuse that we’ve been seeing in our society, women have been coming out and talking about how we don’t really say what we need to say at the time,” Woodham said.
Feb. 9, 2018 OP-ED PROSPECTIVE
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love and let die E STAFF|EDITORIAL
very human is capable of love, though many do not have the same idea of what love is. It can be interpreted in an infinite number of ways: romantic love, passionate love, obsessive love or infatuation. Every person from every era and culture can experience it. But we cannot love without hate. America has prospered through hatred. The obliteration of Native Americans, the institution of slavery and establishment of Japanese internment camps during World War II are only a few of America’s eminent, yet shameful moments in history. Unfortunately, the madness does not stop there. America is still polluted with symbols of hatred. White supremacists and alt-right groups have emerged out of the shadows to fill the streets with their rage and rancor. Nooses were found on the nation’s capital. Vandals hung a banner with anti-Semitic slur over a Holocaust
memorial. There have been 11 school shootings since 2018 started. The crimes are only growing more brutal and destructive. In time, they will be seen as normal to the public eye. We are not blinded by hate. Hate is not a mere coincidence, nor
an unconscious mistake. It takes time and devotion. Hatred takes a mind boiling with disgust and a conscience too weak to intervene. To hate is much easier than to love. We are taught hate as children but are given the choice to love as we grow older. Hate merely requires pride, but love depends on empathy. We are born with pride, but must learn empathy.
Humans are not hardwired to be racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic or to hold any other prejudices. People learn to be what their society and culture tells them. So, if we want love to win, we must be the change in society. If love does indeed outweigh hate, we must prove it. We need to show our peers love. Whether romantic or platonic love, every person needs to feel the irresistible power of affection. Offer a genuine compliment. Forgive someone who has wronged you. Tell someone you love them. Focus on what you have in common with everybody you meet. There are an infinite number of ways to show our love to others, and the only way to change our society is to change one person at a time. It starts with each of us.
slay the beast ABBY HAGNER |COLUMN EDITOR
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he monster was huge. It controlled whether I’d have a bright or dull future. It frightened me. Every time I went to bed, I felt it crawl into my consciousness. It told me I wasn’t good enough, not smart enough. Many people, I’m sure, have faced it. And I’ve learned to live with it. The dreaded ACT. Many people can conquer this beast with a high score of 32 or 34. Maybe they can even defeat it with a perfect 36. For most of my high school career, I’ve worried about my ACT score, and I even let it control my emotions so much that just the thought of it made me depressed.
I’m the type of student who has to work for their grade. I have to study hard for the grades I want. The fact that society bases what colleges a student can get into on a single test seems crazy. But students who judge one another based on the scores they have is even more ridiculous. I’ve seen this problem in Bryant, and that needs to change. Putting others down or judging them for going to a college where they have to pay for their tuition needs to change. Let’s be happy for one another. Let’s break the status quo of underestimating students who can’t always score as high as others on tests. We need to support each other instead of tear each other down.
I’m tired of students bad mouthing others because they “can’t imagine paying that much money” to go to the school of their dreams. Not everyone is able to get a full ride, and we all have different priorities as we plan for the next steps of our lives. It’s these comments that limits teenager’s confidence in themselves. I had the fortune of getting a good score where I can get some scholarships, but I had to take ACT prep courses to get there. I’m here to tell people that if you were like me and dealt with people who put you down for your ACT score, don’t listen to them. You are smarter than you think, and your value is not a test score.
dog eat dog
MONICA MARTINEZ | COLUMNIST
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ocial media platforms and news outlets have not stopped discussing last week’s Hollywood press release, which states that any and all future films will be absent of human actors who will be replaced by dog actors. This decision will eliminate problems with gender and racial bias in films. “I’ll admit, I was hesitant about the movement at first,” big-time director Christopher Nolan said. “But now that I know directors’ jobs won’t be affected, the plan is brilliant.” The press release from Hollywood representatives reasoned that film award shows were receiving increased backlash over the lack of gender and race diversity in nominations, so they decided to eliminate the factors as a whole. “Every time the Oscar nominations are released, there is something to be criti-
cized, so hiring dog actors seemed ideal,” Oscars CEO Dawn Hudson said. Actors and actresses alike are expressing their agreement with this change after it was reported that they would remain employed as voice actors. “Think about it,” actress Emma Watson said. “Jobs are still secure for those in the industry. Not only that, but Hollywood will finally be safe with less interaction between entertainers. This is the start of a new, better and safer film capital.” The major powers of Hollywood seemed to overestimate the potential success of their plan after receiving wide backlash on Twitter from cat owners across the country. “Everyone knows the country is split between cat and dog people,” cat shelter owner Shannon Rally said. “Cats are just as talented and
worthy of the big screen as dogs are. As cat owners, we will not stand for this discrimination.” A statement regarding potential cat employment has yet to be released. “Ridiculous,” Raja Gosnell, director of “Beverly Hills Chihuahua,” said. “This is an opportunity for film lovers to finally come together and embrace film and theater for the first time since Shakespeare’s all-male plays.” Politicians are addressing the press release with optimism in hopes of unifying the country through domestic animals. “I think this is a phenomenal idea,” President Donald Trump said. “We are about to witness the lowest K-9 unemployment rate in 18 years!” *For satirical purposes*
HUMANS SHELLY OF
BHS
A closer look at Bryant’s hidden gems
DANIELS Front office secretary
at a glance - Mother of two daughters: Morgan, 22, and Lilly Claire, 16. - Been a secretary at Bryant High School for four years. - Volunteers for the Dorcas House women’s shelter in Little Rock - Hopes to become a full-time volunteer at Dorcas in the future. - First job was for a company called Alltel when she was 17. “I gave up a lot to be a stay-at-home mom, but it was so worth it. I just love watching my girls grow, and I want to pour everything into them that I have learned in life.”
PROSPECTIVE Bryant High School 801 N. Reynolds Rd Bryant, AR 72022 501.653.5328 Print Editors Sarah Graham, Lauren Wilson Online Editors Dahlia Bray, Alexis Burch Photo Editor Alina Peret Page Designers Dahlia Bray, Alexis Burch, Sarah Graham, Abby Hagner, Monica Martinez, Madison Waltz, Lauren Wilson, Tony Yerena Videographers Madison Green, Jack Suarez Artist Joslyn Graves Column Editor Abby Hagner Columnists Monica Martinez Photographers Sydney Boswell, Clay Campbell, Jaden Purifoy, Mary-Catherine Selig Staff Writers Catherine Anderson, Dahlia Bray, Alexis Burch, Cole Campbell, Sarah Graham, Rosemary Gregg, Abby Hagner, Emily Hall, Monica Martinez, Ryan McKenzie, Chris Morgan, Max Preuninger, Madison Treat, Madison Waltz, Lauren Wilson 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.
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School-wide elective fair gives students opportunitiy to showcase hobbies
The “Quality Time Quartet,” which includes sophomore Advanced Mixed Choir members Gretchen Bush, Meredith Medford, Christian Sweeney and Nathan Brown, performs their allstate music for students during the electives fair. “Choir is not super known around campus, so we were really trying to reach out to anyone and get them into choir,“ Bush said. ”It was actually really surprising with all [of] the results of people who were interested but just didn’t know how.” Photo | Alina Peret
Contemplating his interest in joining the journalism department, junior J’Lun Herron poses a question to senior Alexis Burch. He was considering joining the yearbook staff. “I have a creative brain, and I would love to have a part in the yearbook,” Herron said. “I would love to help.” Photo | Sydney Boswell Learning about internship opportunities at the electives fair, sophomore Megan White smiles as business teacher Leah Lile introduces her class. The electives fair displayed classes available for students to sign up for. “I was talking her to because I was wanting to do a business class to get a cord at graduation,” White said. Photo| Alina Peret
At the Electives Fair Jan. 26, senior Carmen Rangel Avalos gives information about art classes to students. Rangel’s teacher Amber Cardinale asked her to run the art booth. “We were making jokes about things that happened in Cardinale’s class,” Rangel Avalos said. Photo| Alina Peret
As she works the electives fair for the art classes, junior Evelyn Rigsby explains the importance of art to her peers. Rigsby plans on being an art completer next year. “There are so many levels of art, and I just want anyone interested to be passionate and inspired,” Rigsby said. Photo | Mika Boyle
As people pass by, sophomore Olivia Ward recruits for choir at the electives fair. The first-annual fair was held in the multipurpose room. “It made me really happy and proud that people were interested in it, because this is something that I have a lot of pride in,” Ward said. Photo | Jaden Purifoy
ADVERTISE IN PROSPECTIVE! Contact adviser Lisa Stine for an advertising contract. 801 N. Reynolds Road Bryant, Arkansas 72022 Telephone: (501) 653-5328 Email: lstine@bryantschools.org
You can advertise in the following issues: • March 30 • May 4
PROSPECTIVE Photo Essay Feb. 9, 2018
A FAIR TIME
Feb. 9, 2018 Sports PROSPECTIVE
8 MADISON TREAT |STAFF WRITER
HEADLOCKING HEROES
Wrestlers talk about their experiences
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e could hear the cheers echoing off the walls and see the face of his father cheering him on from the stands. With sore muscles and too many scrapes to count, senior Gage Pearson anxiously waited to hear his name called over the speakers. He was then named as the eighth wrestler in the nation. Most wrestlers would feel an overwhelming sense of pride, but for Pearson, this was not the case. After being named in the top ten in the nation, Pearson was not filled with pride, but rather a sense of humility. From the end of October to Feb. 17, the wrestling team spends their time training in preparation for their state tournament. “Wrestling is one of the most physically demanding sports, at least cardio-wise,” Pearson said. “We do a lot of sprinting and running. We work on technique for hours.” Pearson has been wrestling competitively for the past three years but has been doing Mixed Martial Arts since he was 8-years-old. “I’ve always had a strong family backing and people supporting me,” Pearson said. “Once I started winning,
it
just became addicting.” On his journey to becoming eighth in the nation, Pearson has broken a leg, an arm and a collarbone of different opponents. “I’ve seen people who had zero interest in wrestling at a tournament for twenty minutes [who] start cheering for people they don’t even know,” Pearson said. “It’s a contagious environment to be in. It gets exciting.” Senior Ethan Thacker enjoys the family environment on the team and the new friendships he has made. “We’re all looking out for each other, like family,” Thacker said. “One time, someone got hurt, and we were all there for him.” While Bryant hosts a top-10 wrestler, the wrestling team has also trained a two-time champion of the War of the Rose, a girls tournament led by world-class athletes: senior Brooke Wallis. When she first began, she was one of the six girls in Arkansas to compete in wrestling. Outnumbered by boys, Wallis usually ends up wrestling other guys, but she has never placed lower than third. Like Thacker, Wallis also values the family environment. “We are all pretty much like
a big family,” Wallis said. “We have our ups and our downs, but they have always taken me as I am.”
With only a few seconds left, three-year wrestler senior Dax Clatworthy attempts to steal a point from his opponent from Conway Feb. 1. “I was pretty frustrated, but I have two more matches that are important, so that just gave me an opportunity to learn and get better,” Clatworthy said. Photo | Alina Peret
MONICA MARTINEZ | COLUMNIST
SWING N’ HIT SENSATION Athletes, coaches prepare for upcoming season
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At after school baseball practice, baseball players Christian Motes, Gage Stark and Blaine Sears practice their pitching skills. The first baseball game of the season is Feb. 20, and Coach Travis Queck is preparing them as much as possible. “It is pretty tough, mainly just energy-draining,” Motes said. “It is a way of practice that gets everybody involved… everybody has a job to do, and Coach Queck expects us to do it.” Photo | Sydney Boswell
Jumping in excitement, senior Brooklyn Trammell celebrates with her team at the game Feb. 23, 2017. The team went all the way to the state tournament. “We had a great season last year, we didn’t lose a regular season game,” Trammell said. “We came out undefeated conference champs, the only games we lost were in tournament plays.” Photo | Josie Pringle
oth the baseball and softball teams are preparing for their upcoming competitive season by starting practices before the sun rises and staying long after the school day ends. Games begin at the end of February, but the teams have been preparing since last semester. Junior softball player Meagan Chism sees the benefits of the team’s off season workouts. “In the fall we are required to participate in weightlifting,” Chism said. “It really pushes us to get stronger and prepare for the season.” Junior baseball player Logan Grant describes the intense practice schedule as easy to manage. “Practice is fun if we just work fast and [efficiently],” Grant said. “Baseball doesn’t affect my other [school] activities because I’m so used to the [practice schedule].” Despite their similar practice schedules and goals, each team has a different personality. Baseball coach Travis Queck describes the baseball team dynamic
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young and scrappy. “We have a team full of youth,” Queck said. “Some of [the] youth has experience, but more does not. The guys just enjoy each other.” Members of the softball team work on their on-field chemistry by interacting outside of practice and connecting spiritually. “We really come together in Christ,” Chism said. “[Also], we like to hang out as a team by going out to eat together.” Seniors on the team got together separately last semester to make sure the season was set to run smoothly. “We met every Wednesday morning to talk about ways to create a good atmosphere and make this year fun for everyone,” senior Regan Ryan said. After spending hours on the field, Grant notices the individual skills he wants to work on. “Our team is based on effort and attitude,” Grant said. “My weakness right now is letting mistakes get to my head. I know if I mess up, I have to just work harder.” Softball coach Lisa Dreher
believes the team’s strengths will lead to a successful season. “Pitching is our greatest strength,” Dreher said. “We have two of the best pitchers in the state, and they compliment each other very well.” Queck says that the team strives to master the fundamentals of the sport during practice hours. “Our physical development is a process that we attack everyday in the weight room,” Queck said. “The weakness that stands out is our knowledge of the game as a whole unit. Understanding the whys and hows. We are having to make sure we address everything multiple times a week.” Grant acknowledges his team’s weaknesses but looks forward to the season. “Baseball is a mental sport, mainly based on the whole team’s attitude,” Grant said. “We get along well and have so much fun doing what we love everyday.”
CHRIS MORGAN |STAFF WRITER
LOUD AND PROUD
Students announce soccer games for second season
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p above the soccer field, a sudden roar of shouting can be heard from just beyond the press box door. This was common for every home soccer game for 2017 graduate John Carder, who was commentating at the games. Commentating games started by chance, when Carder joined his friend, 2017 graduate Hayden Ray, in working the scoreboard for that day’s games. “We just went up there and started working the score thing,” Carder said. “[I was] playing around [and asked Ray] if I could do the intercom thing. I continued to go back after that and just kept announcing the games.” Commentating was not always natural to Carder. It took time for him to get comfortable and adjust to the process. “[My friends and I] started out just announcing the [substitutes] and goals, but then we grew more comfortable,” Carder said. “We started to put some more emphasis on the names
and started adding little comments here and there.” One of Carder’s favorite memories in commentating the games was in one of the closest games for the team. The actual game ended in a tie, and would have to be settled by a penalty shootout. “We got real [excited] whenever our team scored [a goal], and then just announced [the other teams goals] very monotone,” Carder said. The experience of commenting was not just for the seniors, though. It was also an experience for current senior Eric Gonzalez. This year, Gonzalez plans to continue commentating games for the 2018 soccer season and continue the tradition. “It was a lot of fun last year, so I look forward to just watching the games and being with fun people,” Gonzalez said. “I would definitely like to see it grow. It would be great for soccer to have more students show up for games and show their support.” Boys head soccer coach, Richard Friday, agrees with
wanting to see more student support at soccer games. “The players work hard for months,” Friday said. “It would be great to see the student body there to support them.” Friday also hopes to see students continue commentating the games for the 2018 season. “I think it would be a great idea,” Friday said. ”If the career academy could do something with broadcasting and film production, I think it would be great having someone announcing and filming the game.”
Photo | Sydney Boswell