March Prospective 2017

PROSPECTIVE Bryant High School • 801 N. Reynolds Rd. Bryant, Ark. 72022 • Vol. 25, Issue 5 • March 15, 2017

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, / With conquering limbs astride from land to land; / Here at our seawashed, sunset gates shall stand / A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame / Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name / Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand / Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command / The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. / “Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she / With silent lips.

“Give me your tired, your poor, / Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, / The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. / Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, / I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”- Emma Lazarus, The New Colossus It’s our right as a sovereign nation to choose immigrants that we think are the likeliest to thrive and flourish and love us. - President Donald Trump, Aug. 31, 2016 (1) Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution. (2) This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations. - United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Dec. 10, 1948 A nation that cannot control its borders is not a nation. - President Ronald Reagan, Feb. 16, 1985 Say it loud, say it clear, immigrants are welcome here. - Common protest chant Our country, like any country, needs borders and must decide who and how many can cross those borders. We must make this decision with the well-being of all our citizens in mind. - Senator Tom Cotton, Dec. 28, 2016 America was indebted to immigration for her settlement and prosperity. That part of America which had encouraged them most had advanced most rapidly in population, agriculture and the arts. - President James Madison That’s what America is about. A land of dreams and opportunity. There were other immigrants who came here in the bottom of slave ships, worked even longer, even harder, for less. But they too had a dream that one day their sons, daughters, grandsons, granddaughters, great-grandsons, great-granddaughters might pursue prosperity and happiness in this land. - Dr. Ben Carson, March 6, 2016 I am the beneficiary myself of my father being able to leave the Old World where the conditions were not good to come here and make a living and raise a family. That is America to me. - Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Feb. 23, 2017 Preservation of one’s own culture does not require contempt or disrespect for other cultures. - Cesar Chavez Imagine a legal immigration system that welcomes and celebrates those who come to achieve the American dream. - Senator Ted Cruz, March 23, 2015 Remember, remember always, that all of us, and you and I especially, are descended from immigrants and revolutionists. - President Franklin D. Roosevelt, April 21, 1938 We can send a message and say, ‘You want to be in America, A, you’d better be here legally or you’re out of here. B, when you’re here, let’s speak American.

Let’s speak English, and that’s a kind of a unifying aspect of a nation is the language that is understood by all. Governor Sarah Palin, 2015 We are a nation of immigrants. I am the son of an immigrant myself. Their story, my story, our story is a story of America: hard-working families coming to the United States to create a brighter future for their children. The story of immigrants is the story of America, a story rooted in family and fueled by hope.

It continues today in families all across the United States. - Senator Bernie Sanders Calls to ban Muslims from entering the U.S. are offensive and unconstitutional. - Vice President Mike Pence, Dec. 8, 2015 We are a nation of immigrants. We are the children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the ones who wanted a better life, the driven ones, the ones who woke up at night hearing that voice telling them that life in that place called America could be better. - Mitt Romney, Aug. 30, 2012 Western culture is what is at risk from immigration from the Middle East. - Milo Yiannopoulos Citizenship to me is more than a piece of paper. Citizenship is also about character. I am an American. We’re just waiting for our country to recognize it. - Jose Antonio Vargas

c o m e

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HORNETS ABROAD Spring break goes across borders

Spring break is just around the corner

and officially starts after school March 16. Students will go on vacations across the state, the country and the world.

For the majority of the week, senior Ben Adair is going to the Dominican Republic with his youth group.

“We will be painting and fixing up a church that our church, [Indian Springs Baptist Church], has built,” Adair said. “In the evenings, we will be going into the villages and talking to people.”

Students going on this trip had to go through an application process in order to be able to join the mission team.

“It is going to be really fun,” Adair said. “The chemistry of all the people will make it fun, especially since they are all committed to the mission and what we will be doing over there.”

Junior Katelin Cotton is a part of the group of juniors and seniors going to the Dominican Republic.

“I am really excited to talk to the local people,” Cotton said. “The trip will be fun because we have a great group going.”

Senior Daniel Welch is going with senior Nick Hammonds to Colorado over spring break.

“We are mainly going to go snow skiing,” Welch said. “We are also gonna go shop around and get some sweet shirts.”

Nick Hammonds invited Welch and senior Aaron Eley to go with his family.

“I am going to try to snowboard this time,” Welch said. “My family and I go skiing every Christmas break, and I

VEGANISM

Students experiment with eco-friendly diets DAHLIA BRAY | STAFF WRITER

for the full story, visit prospectiveonline.com

usually ski, but this time I want to try something different.”

Junior Connor Matthews will travel to Scotland and Ireland with English teacher Nathaniel Bradow. Bradow offered to host a trip to Europe and be a chaperone for students who were going.

“I have never done anything like this before,” Matthews said.

“The furthest I have ever been is Florida, so this will be something totally new.”

Before deciding to go to Scotland and Ireland, Matthews planned to go to Japan with another group of students. However, that trip was canceled.

“We had already paid the money for the trip to Japan, so when it was canceled, I had to look for another trip,” Matthews said. “I saw the trip to

I have only been vegan for a month and a half. I went straight from meat-eating to being vegan. I just started researching it online one day, and I’ve always [loved] animals, so I started to see the hypocrisy in it. I stopped [eating meat on] January 12 and it’s been really easy. I want to be an animal rights activist, and I want to advocate veganism as well.

- RACHEL WATTS, 10 th

Scotland and Ireland, and I was really interested.”

The trip will last eight days. They will visit large cities, including Dublin and Belfast in Ireland and Edinburgh in Scotland.

“I am most excited to go to Dublin, because we will be there during St. Patrick’s Day,” Matthews said. “That will be really cool to experience.”

Freshman Meredith Medford will travel with the Rock Creek Church to Nicaragua this spring break.

“I think the trip to Nicaragua will really humble me,” Medford said. “It will help me see how much we have in the United States and will also show me not to take small things for granted.”

JACK SELIG | STAFF WRITER

I try to keep in shape, and being vegetarian helps me. But ultimately, it’s more about the animals. My way of looking at it is that if I couldn’t kill an animal, I shouldn’t be eating them. They also have lives, and we all came from the same kingdom, so why hurt them?

- JACK SUAREZ, 11th

2 | FEATURE | PROSPECTIVE

THE MODEL STUDENT

Students tell their struggles and stories as models “I went on a passenger discovery cruise where there were agencies watching us and looking around for us,” Glass said. “I got signed to two different agencies. I’m signed to Excel in Texas and one in Kansas.”

For junior Jalen Sparks, it was harder to convince her sports-oriented family to allow Strutting toward the camera, junior Jalen her to continue to model.

Sparks demonstrates her modeling experience.

Sparks has modeled in photo shoots and “I had always watched models on TV and runway shows. “My favorite [shoot] was my I would always tell them, ‘Mom, I want to first one,” Sparks said. “When I did it, I knew do this. I want to do this,’” Sparks said. “She it was what I wanted to do.” | Chase Kincaid would just laugh and be like ‘Oh no, let’s go LAUREN WILSON | STAFF WRITER to practice, silly.’”

It was not until last year that Sparks met Junior Zoie Glass struts down the runway, her “mother agent,” Essie Ward, and started showing off the outfit she was given from doing photo shoots around Arkansas.

Dillard’s Inc. For many, modeling might seem “As I get more experienced, I plan on like a job for adults, but students like Glass have branching out and hopefully being signed by started their careers early. someone,” Sparks said.

Glass was approached by the Barbizon Sparks has experience with local runways modeling agency in a movie theater and signed and photo shoots. up for modeling classes from the agency.

“Some [pictures] are in local hair magazines, “I ended up taking the classes, so that’s pretty much how that started,” Glass said. “You learn and that’s the only publication I’ve gotten, but I have pictures in my book,” Sparks said. “I skin care, hair care and the different ways to haven’t been publicly shown that much yet.” walk. There’s specific ways to stand, posture, Senior Shai Bailey was accidentally how to go up the stairs and stuff like that.”

Barbizon sent her on a cruise in the Caribbean brought into the modeling world after she accompanied her friend to an audition. to catch the attention of modeling agencies.

“I just ended up liking it,” Bailey said. “I liked being in front of the camera.”

Bailey easily lined up gigs after her first encounter with modeling.

“You meet a lot of people doing it,” Bailey said. “It was like connections after connections. I was going from here to there [for different shoots].”

Bailey modeled for two years, but stopped before her senior year because of time constraints.

“When senior year started, I stopped, because I got busy getting everything ready for college and the admission process,” Bailey said. “I didn’t have time for it anymore.”

Bailey chose to never sign with an agency because she liked being able to plan everything herself.

“When you do shoots, they’re not always considerate of what else you have going on,” Bailey said.

According to Glass, modeling builds a strong support system with the people you meet.

“I’m not really sure why I like it.” Glass said.

“It’s kind of empowering. People think the girls are really stuck up, and of course there’s going to be the few that are, but they’re all really sweet and supportive.”

HOPING FOR HOME District social worker Lisa McNeely sorts through Student Residency Questionnaires turned in by potentially homeless families. McNeely has been able to help many children classified as homeless by providing them food, gas and transportation. “With our help, homeless students are able to have the same opportunities as other students,” McNeely said. | Maya Jackson photo

District social worker McNeely provides resources to help homeless students succeed

COLE CAMPBELL | STAFF WRITER On a typical Sunday, Mark, who claims not to have a last name, stands on University Avenue in Little Rock holding a sign that reads, “Homeless, anything helps.” Sporting a blue jacket and tattered blue jeans, he hopes to catch the attention of those leaving church and heading to lunch. At 28-years-old, Mark is one of the 2,500 homeless people living in Arkansas today.

“I never pictured this life,” Mark said. “I always wanted more for myself.”

After his mom died in 2009, Mark was evicted from their house and was forced to move in with a friend. “[My friends] weren’t good people, but they were what I had,” Mark said.

While staying with friends, Mark began using heroin.

“I got confused one night when I was [high],” Mark said. “I can’t remember why, but I left my friend’s apartment and walked around [Little Rock] all night. When I found my way back to [my friend’s] apartment, he was gone.”

With nowhere else to turn but the streets, Mark began to beg for money and help. He now seeks shelter at the Salvation Army, but in order to provide shelter for everyone, they

can only offer him a bed five nights a month. Through working odd jobs and begging, Mark hopes to save up enough money for a car.

“I think if I could leave this town, then I’d be okay,” Mark said.

While some choose to ignore the homeless people they see on the streets, the issue is actually closer than they think. According to Lisa McNeely, a social worker for the

“I never pictured this life,” Mark said. “I always wanted more for myself.”

Bryant School District, there are 67 identified homeless students districtwide.

“Student Residency Questionnaire forms come into my office, and if they meet any of the given scenarios, such as loss of housing, staying in a shelter, temporary living in a motel or hotel,

or anything like that, then they are coded homeless,” McNeely said.

According to the Arkansas Department of Education, the McKinney-Vento Act “[addresses] the problems that homeless children and youth have faced in enrolling, attending, and succeeding in school.”

The federal law basically prohibits the separation between the ordinary school environment and homeless students. Because of this act, the Bryant School District is able to significantly help its homeless students.

“We can provide food, gas and transportation, as long as it is school related. It’s a great way to help the students that wouldn’t excel otherwise,” McNeely said.

Helping the students who are homeless can prevent them from living on the streets in the future, like Mark. However, Mark is still hopeful that he can save up enough money for a car. As he waved goodbye, Mark smiled, revealing his missing teeth, picked up his sign, and went back to work.

Help for the homeless is dependent on donations and volunteers.

Organizations like Lucie’s Place, Our House, and the Little Rock Compassion Center house those in need.

WHO THEY ARE

Custodians share their stories

Dale Thomas “My job is to keep the school clean and safe for the students and everybody around. A lot of people don’t want this part of the work, but it’s needed. It doesn’t bother me. I enjoy doing it. I wanted to be a nurse, but I didn’t finish pursuing my nursing career, so I decided to do something else. I wanted to do something needed. I have [been a custodian] for 19 years, 12 years at this school and 7 years at a school in New Orleans. I got placed here from Hurricane Katrina. Due to the evacuation, I landed in Bryant. I like it here. I only have adopted family here, just friends that I’ve met living here, but I miss my family in Louisiana. I love the people [at Bryant High School]. They’ve been really nice to me. You meet all different walks of life. I’ve learned that we are better together. It’s been a good experience. I’m going to miss it when I leave. I’m going to retire June 30. I’m going to miss everyone here. I’m going to spend a lot more [time] with my family. I like to travel. I can’t do it like I used to when I was younger, but I plan to see a few things. I have a little bucket list. I’ve never been to California, that’d be nice. I plan on going on a cruise, and I’d love to go to Disney World. I’m a kid at heart. I’m going to miss the staff and the kids most. A lot of them speak to me and call my name. I didn’t know they knew my name. I’ve been here 12 years and this is my first time [being interviewed].

The people are great. I appreciate you all.

I’ve enjoyed my experience here at Bryant High School.”

Rhonda Gibbs “I work third floor janitorial. I run the Zamboni machine through the building to clean floors and hallways, and I clean classroom and bathrooms and stairwells.

[I love] the people, the teachers are great, but I have to admit, I love running the Zamboni. The first day I got on it, I took a picture and I was like ‘Now I know what I want to be when I grow up, a Zamboni driver.’ It has a zero turn radius, so it’s pretty much like riding the bumper cars at the fair, only you’re trying not to hit things. I was like, ‘These fools are trying to pay me to ride the rides at the fair?’

That’s crazy. I love what I do. Even though my six children all came to school at Bryant, I had no idea of the dedication of the teachers until I actually worked here.

It’s crazy amazing to me [how] much these teachers care about their students. I know for a fact, some of them will be here from 6:30 in the morning and not leave until 10 at night. That’s every single day. It’s their life. To me, that makes them superheroes.

I started working at Bryant in September.

I love what I do. It’s loogies on the mirror, raisins in the urinal, orange juice bomber from the top of the stairs, but there’s bigger tragedies in life. Just suck it up.

We were all young and dumb at some point, some of us old and dumb. [Being a custodian has taught me] that you need to be gracious and giving. This too shall pass.”

03.15.17 | SPECIAL COVERAGE | 03

ESPAÑOL ESPAÑOL Hay una inmensa diferencia entre mi país Mexico y los Estados Unidos. Estados Unidos es un país hermoso, y lleno de oportunidades. Pero eso no implica ni cambia el hecho de que aqui la verdad no hay oportunidad de admirar lo bonito de cada dia, las personas no se toman el tiempo de disfrutar a sus familias, ni de admirar las cosas bellas de la vida. Eh notado que las personas aqui estan muy acostumbradas a vivir encerradas.

Los niños en México tienes que pelear con ellos para que dejen de jugar afuera y se metan a la casa. Yo aqui no veo ningun niño afuera jugando entre la lluvia con sus amigos. En Mexico hay mas libertad la verdad, pero no voy hablar solo de las cosas bonitas de mi país. Quiero que sepan que Mexico a pesar de que para mi sea un país hermoso, tiene sus dificultades. Dificultades que los que no lo han vivido no lo van a entender. En mi país hay pobreza,

ENGLISH There is an immense difference between my country of Mexico and the United States. The U.S. is a beautiful country full of opportunities, but that does not change the fact that here, truthfully, there is no chance to admire the beauty of every day.

People do not take the time to enjoy their families, or admire the beautiful things in life. I have noticed that the people here are so used to living a closed-off lifestyle.The children in Mexico have to be forced to stop playing outside and go back in their house. Here, I have yet to see children outside playing in the rain with their friends. In Mexico, there is more liberty, honestly, but I am not just going to talk about the good things about my country. I want people to know that Mexico, even though it is beautiful to me, has its difficulties.

Difficulties that only those living through them understand. In my country, there is poverty, corruption, bad service, among

corrupción, mal servicio, entre otras cosas. Pero quiero dejar muy en claro que no todos somos asi. Nosotros somos personas trabajadoras, nobles y muy humildes, y si nosotros dejamos atrás nuestro país para venir aqui es solo porque queremos salir adelante y darle un buen futuro a nuestras familias.

Aqui uno si le hecha ganas puede salir adelante. Estudiando y trabajando uno puede llegar a un lugar bueno y muy bien merecido en esta vida. Aun no tengo planes para mi futuro la verdad solo se que haga lo que haga, con el apoyo que recibo, podre al igual que todos llegar muy lejos.

Aqui uno si le hecha ganas puede salir adelante. Estudiando y trabajando uno puede llegar a un lugar bueno y muy bien merecido en esta vida. Aun no tengo planes para mi futuro la verdad solo se que haga lo que haga, con el apoyo que recibo, podre al igual que todos llegar muy lejos.

other things. But I want to leave it very clear that not all of us are like that. We are hard workers, noble, humble, and if we leave our country behind to come here, it is only because we want to move forward and give a good future to our families to come.

Here, if people work hard, they can move ahead. By studying and working, one can make it to a good, well-deserved place in this life. I still do not have plans for my future, in all honesty. All I know is that whatever I end up doing, with the support that I receive, I will be able to get very far just like everyone else.

On one side, I feel very happy, because after living 10 years in Mexico without my dad, my family can finally be complete.

On the other though, I feel incomplete and abnormal because being away from my country and my people is like living, or at least trying to get used to, a completely different life than I was already used to.

- ROCIO MACÍAS 11th translated by Edith Garcia

c o m e

TOGETHER. -------th THU TRUONG 10

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VIETNAM

OUR PEERS COME FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE.

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KATTERING ARANA 10 th

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VENEZUELA

ARE THEIR STORIES.

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I was born in Venezuela. The culture is so different. The food is so different.

Everything is so different. I love where I am from. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world, but I had to move here because [it can be dangerous] over there. I have lived here for one year. The [transition to America] was difficult.

I learned [every word] of English here. It is so hard. I [expected] a lot of good things when I came here, but one thing that makes me feel sad is the immigration issue that is going on right now. It frightens me and my family.

MEXICO

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While suburban Arkansas may not seem like the pinnacle of diversity at first glace, Bryant represents a much wider scope of populations than you might think. Students have come to “B-Town” from as far as the Middle East, and not without struggle. HERE

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[America] is so different. The music here is like pop, and in Mexico it’s more about ranchera music with guitars.

The food is spicier [in Mexico] and has more of a sour flavor, and here it’s sweet. I like this school because, well, for me, it isn’t hard. Obviously, some Americans are friendly and some are [not]. When you talk to a friendly American about immigration, they’re like ‘It’s amazing,’ and they are interested about different cultures.

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ANDREA ARROYO 10 th

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I left Vietnam and came here. [In Vietnam], when we see each other, we don’t always say hello, but here we do.

[Adapting] is so hard for me. When I came here I didn’t know anything.

I could not speak English.

The people here have a different culture, and I can not speak [fluent] English, so it’s hard to make friends.

ABDULLAH SULAIMAN 11th

I’m from Palestine. It’s occupied by Israel. I’ve [lived] in America for one year. It took me five hours [to get] from my country to Jordan, then 12 hours on a plane to get [to] America. I expected freedom. It’s war [in Palestine]. My dad has lived here for 10 years or something, so I came to live with my dad. My mom and my two sisters and brothers came with me too. It was real hard [to leave]. I miss my home, my friends. It’s hard to make new friends.

Language has been [hard]. I learned some [English] in my country like ‘hi,’ the basic things, but I’ve learned everything else here. My [favorite] thing here is the freedom of speech. In [Palestine], I was scared a lot because of the government. I never feel scared here.

PALESTINE

4 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | PROSPECTIVE

THE HISTORY OF ST. PATTY’S DAY

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“Shape of You” Ed Sheeran

Students consider the background of the holiday

“Bad and Boujee” Migos ft. Lil Uzi Vert

HANNAH SULLIVAN | STAFF WRITER

The tale of Saint Patrick’s day is not popularly known. The myth is about a British teenager named Patrick, who was captured for slavery to tend to sheep. He worked long hours for six years and escaped with sailors who returned him to his family. He, however, did not spend much time home. He had a dream from God to return to Ireland and spread gospel and goodness, thus making him a Saint. His glorious days came to an end when he died of an unknown death March 17.

Sophomore Tyler Graves has changed his mind about the holiday.

“I called it stupid, and someone said to me, ‘You need to read about it.’ It’s great,” Graves said.

Students of all ethnicities wear green on Saint Patrick’s day. The Irish legend states that if someone does not wear green on Saint Patrick’s day, they will be pinched by a leprechaun. Even though this is superstition, many students go along with it to have fun.

Graves is known to go all out for the celebration.

“I like to wear green everything,” Graves said. “That includes shoes and socks, shirts, shorts, hats and necklaces.”

Even though America does not allow schools to be released for the holiday like Ireland, there are small parades. The Chicago River is dyed green every year. U.S. schools

often decorate the walls and libraries green in honor of Saint Patrick’s day Senior Allison Mundy had an memorable experience on St. Patrick’s day at a former job.

“I worked at a physical therapy clinic, and they had the office decorated and handed out candy,” Mundy said. “It was really fun just to be around other people having fun and wearing green.”

Most people only celebrate Saint Patrick’s day because the day was originally religious; however, as the years went by, American cultures started to blend together and made the holiday a celebration.

Junior Gracen Goudy thinks this day is important because it is a fun celebration with friends.

“I [like] that we appreciate the Irish culture,” Goudy said.

Locally, Arkansas has the world’s smallest Saint Patrick’s day parade March 17 in Hot Springs. On Saturday, March 11 there will be a parade in Little Rock. Goudy has been to the one before in Little Rock and enjoyed her time.

“I did go to an Irish Saint Patrick’s day parade one time,” Goudy said. “It was in Little Rock, and there [were] a bunch of Irish dancers. [It was] pretty neat to watch and really cool.”

“That’s What I Like” Bruno Mars

“Something Just Like This” Chainsmokers ft. Coldplay “Love on the Brain” Rihanna “Paris” Chainsmokers

“Tunnel Vision” Kodak Black

“I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” Zayn ft. Taylor Swift

“Bounce Back” Big Sean “Closer” Chainsmokers

FASHION FORWARD Students reflect on their fashion styles MONICA MARTINEZ | STAFF WRITER

To some, fashion is a trending style of dress, while to others, it is a form of art that puts an individual’s character on display in the form of clothing. Regardless of the role fashion plays in different individuals’ lives, style is influenced by demographics, hobbies, social media, and marketing, among other things.

“I think fashion is a way of being seen,” junior Nick Herrington said. “[It is] your identity in a way, so when people see your clothing, they know [it is] you.”

Sophomore Luis Lara sees fashion in a more simple way.

“I just wear what I like, honestly,” Lara said.

“Something comfortable, like stretchy jeans.”

The school has a large population, so certain trends are bound to be seen among the student body.

“I see a lot of casualness around here, like

hoodies or sweats,” Herrington said. “In my opinion, school is a good place to dress up and show who you are.”

Lara has noticed a sense of diversity on campus when it comes to clothing style.

“There’s a lot of variety here,” Lara said.

“Not everyone is wearing the same thing.”

Students tend to have a statement piece of clothing for a typical school day.

“On a random school day, I would probably be wearing a cardigan,” junior Jaden Edmonson said.

Herrington has one piece of clothing that is always his go-to.

“My statement item of clothing is my polkadotted blue button up shirt,” Herrington said.

“That’s my favorite.”

Professors Hajo Adam and Adam Galinsky at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University conducted a study

on enclothed cognition, which shows that the way an individual dresses affects their daily performance.

“If I were to wear something uncomfortable one day, I would not do well,” Lara said. “I would be in a bad mood.”

Herrington also believes that how he dresses affects his school day.

“If I dressed my best, I would feel more confident about my appearance, whereas if I was running late, I probably [would not].”

Herrington said.

Although fashion may not be of utmost importance for every student, there is a hint of individuality in the way each person dresses, whether it be casual or not.

“I think if you look good, then you feel good, and if you feel good then you will do good,” Edmonson said. “That’s what I always go by.”

CHECK IT OUT

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Spring Into Kimonos Columnist Sebastian Diaz on spring’s best fashion item.

Heading to Miss Arkansas Writer Edith Garcia covers Jessica Miller’s journey in pageantry.

Setting a World Record Editor Brad Brewer introduces us to the world of James Lasley

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03.15.17 | NEWS | 5

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS Students and faculty participate in protests NATALIE BURGESS | COLUMN EDITOR

In the months since Donald Trump’s inauguration, a new wave of activism has spread through the United States. A Women’s March was hosted in more than 663 U.S. cities, as well as 200 cities internationally. People have rallied in solidarity with refugees. Immigrants had a day without work and school. People have protested Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. The Women’s March has been named the largest demonstration in U.S. history, hosting over 4.2 million people nationwide. Senior Rachel Curtis participated in Little Rock Jan. 21.

“I’m really passionate about ending rape culture,” Curtis said. “Women are objectified constantly, and somehow culture has decided that if a woman is raped, then she must have been ‘asking for it.’ However, that’s just a result of systematic patriarchy that’s already been in place too long. I marched because I want to see that mindset ended.”

The organizers of the event, Be The Change Alliance, estimated that around 7,000 people were in attendance in the capital city.

“Being in the march was so empowering,” Curtis said.

“I felt such a sense of unity.”

Sophomore Jade Ma attended the Women’s March and believes protesting gives a voice back to the people.

“Large protests garner attention,” Ma said. “The ideas and beliefs of the protest are spread through media coverage and can gain more support for the cause.”

Complaints have been made that these protests are held out of hate and that people should accept the way that things are. Trump himself has made recent claims that the media has blown the magnitude of the protests out of proportion.

“I get bothered by people who think that protesting or making a demonstration is either not worth it or not

the right action to take,” AP Language teacher Tim Sisk said. “As long as it is peaceful, we have not only a right, but a moral obligation as Americans--a duty to tell our representatives how we feel.”

Sisk attended his first protest when he was 18-years-old and continues to protest for what he believes in now.

“I have to think about the issues that I care about-- the issues that affect me and the people that I care about and the institutions that I care about,” Sisk said. “It’s kind of selfish, but that’s what motivates me to go out.”

Sisk attended both the Women’s March and Community Show of Support for Immigrants and Muslims, although neither of these issues directly affected him.

“I’m not an immigrant and I’m not a woman, but I am a human, and if these people’s rights are threatened, it may just be a matter of time until my rights are threatened,” Sisk said.

For many citizens, the importance of speaking up for others has risen as people realize how many groups are being targeted.

“I think there is strength in numbers and in solidarity,” Sisk said. “A lot of people that I went to protests with, like the Women’s March, said they just felt so much better being around other people who

cared about issues and had that same sense of urgency and compassion.”

More marches are scheduled for April 15, calling for President Trump to release his taxes, and April 21, for the nationwide Science March.

“Marching brings attention to an area that people have slowly lost sight of as a problem,” Curtis said. “It’s about making noise in a peaceful, respectable way to say that we will not accept the status quo.”

Painting a female symbol on each other’s hands, seniors Emma Goad and Sarah Brady get ready for the Women’s’ March in Little Rock. The march occurred Jan. 21 in over 663 cities. “It was such an empowering experience to be surrounded by women supporting each other,” Brady said. “The vibe was so positive and uplifting and accepting. It was such an encouragement.” | Julia Nall photo

CONCERN FOR THE CLIMATE Trump administration creates unease for environmentalists ALEXIS BURCH | ONLINE EDITOR

“I’m not a believer in man-made global warming.”

The words came from President Donald Trump on the Hugh Hewitt Show during the GOP primary race.

He was calm and firm in his beliefs, surprising in comparison to past administrations.

The role of science in shaping policy has become a prominent political concern. Throughout previous administrations, laws were passed as a safeguard for the environment. There are around 33 laws and executive orders that require federal agents to consider possible environmental damages before approving a project on federal land, in order to protect human health and the environment, as stated by the Environmental Protection Agency.

AP Environmental Science teacher Jeremy Jenkins educates his students on the causes and possible outcomes of climate change.

“I would like to think that my children and grandchildren will be able to see and experience everything that I have on the planet,” Jenkins said. “So understanding what’s going on now will help drive decisions that will have future impacts.”

As a science teacher, Jenkins is concerned that voters will only listen to the information that politicians provide for them.

“The politicians are much more visible than scientists are,” Jenkins said. “So the general public is going to believe those people that seem to be in positions of power, regardless of what their beliefs are.”

According to NASA, climate change mainly correlates to human activities that increase the carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. However, it is possible to combat the causes. Anyone can get involved by helping in small ways such as recycling, bagging groceries with reusable bags, volunteering in community cleanup projects and educating others on the causes and effects of climate change.

Climate change may cause rising sea levels and warmer temperatures in the northern hemisphere. Though the physical changes are noticeable, Jenkins believes that any challenges can be solved.

“I don’t hold the thoughts of a ‘dire future,’” Jenkins said. “There will be some changes, but we as a species, the humans, we have been able to come up with technology and ways to get around all sorts of things, and so I think our ingenuity is going to allow us to overcome any problems in the future.”

The Youth Environmental Association (YEA) team promotes preserving the environment through drives to collect plastic bags and attending events like the Refashion Bash, which requires competitors to create an outfit entirely out of recycled materials.

“Through the YEA team, I’ve been able to realize different ways that I can use recycled materials, like how I can put them into art,” sophomore Nick AhSam said. “I try to recycle and reuse as much waste as I possibly can.”

Many people doubt the existence of climate change.

Among them is senior John Davidson, who believes that humans are incapable of destroying the planet as it

disagrees with his Christian beliefs.

“To think that we can change our whole earth [is] not right,” Davidson said. “God gives us life, and we are a part of His creation, and we can’t change His creation.

We have dominion over it, but we don’t have the ability to absolutely destroy what He created.”

Though his beliefs are strong, Davidson acknowledges changes in weather patterns, but has little interest in discovering the cause.

“Weather does change,” Davidson said. “It always has. I think it’s just natural. There are things we don’t understand fully about our earth, and I don’t think we ever will. I don’t think it’s our position to know everything, because we’re just people.”

Still, Christian students like junior Madison Treat do not sympathize with those who disregard climate change.

“I think a lot of people try not to believe in [climate change] because it’s a really scary thought,” Treat said.

“Really research it and try to understand it rather than totally disregard it. It’s our planet, and we’re going to be here forever. We have to preserve it for future generations.”

As the next generation reaches the voting age, it is important to Jenkins that his students do their own research on issues before forming an opinion.

“You have to have some understanding of these different topics, scientifically, that come up, so you can then make those decisions based upon knowledge as opposed to someone else’s point of view,” Jenkins said.

BRYANT’S GOT TALENT Annual show shortened due to limited time EDITH GARCIA| STAFF WRITER

From students singing classic Beatles songs to students’ dogs eating an entire loaf of bread within three minutes, this year’s school talent show will bring students together and demonstrate the talents that roam the halls.

“Making final selections for the talent show was challenging,” FBLA sponsor Lindsey Forga said. “There were many great talents showcased at auditions.

However, with limited time, we had to cut down the number of performances. This year, we are limited by time even more because of the shortened schedule on the day of the show.”

With this being his fourth consecutive year in the talent show, senior Isaac Helgestad is well aware of the expectations, preparations and overall dynamic that comes with participating.

“The first time I was ever on stage, it was pretty nerve-wracking, but once I started doing it again, it was nothing,” Helgestad said. “I play at church every week, and I play gigs sometimes. The spotlight is a lot

hotter than you actually think it is. You actually can’t see the crowd because it’s so bright. I don’t get nervous anymore.”

Many people argue that practice is the key to a successful performance, and Helgestad consistently tries to embody this concept.

“What I’m doing for the talent show this year is something I do a lot [when] I play music at restaurants,” Helgestad said. “When I play music at restaurants, it’s almost like I’m practicing for the talent show. I use the music that I write for those shows. I have a lot of opportunities to practice. I’m composing a backhand track to play along to it, and I’m kind of improvising.”

Although this year’s show will consist of many talent show veterans, there will also be first-year participants, such as sophomore Kiana Harris, who plans to perform alongside the ASL club in their annual performance.

“It means a lot to be able to be a part of something [and] to be part of a group of people who are in a different community,” Harris said. “Once the learning

process picks up, it’s not difficult.”

After Harris and a group of her friends decided they wanted to learn something new, the group decided to learn sign language, the fourth most-spoken language in the U.S.. Harris enjoyed sign language and has continued to pursue the learning opportunities that have been provided to her. With her ASL skills, Harris has been the go-to person for this year’s ASL performance.

Harris chose the song and taught it to the students in the club.

“I have been learning for two or three years, but I used to know [sign language] before I even started school,” Harris said. “It’s a lot of fun, because you get to show people what you know and how you are able to learn it.”

Many students have their own unique talents, but so do students’ pets. Senior James Lasley and his beagle, Rascal, have proven that talent is not limited to humans.

“Sitting through the talent show, there’s a lot of great singers, but when the talent show is all singing acts, it gets kind of long,” Lasley said. “I thought it would be funny if my dog ate something really fast. And here I am.

I just want to make people laugh.”

Although Lasley and Rascal made it through the audition portion, Lasley worries about whether Rascal can eat two entire loaves of bread for the two different talent shows.

“I just hope he can eat it all quickly,” Lasley said. “We did it once with my friends, and he was able to eat it in a minute and a half, but at the tryouts, he took a lot longer. If he eats one the first time, I don’t know if he could eat it the second time.”

Regardless of possible problems that may arise, FCCLA and FBLA are expecting an entertaining show for students.

“The talent show is an opportunity for students to come together to learn more about their fellow classmates and celebrate each other’s talents,” Forga said. “We are expecting a fun, entertaining show by students for students.”

6 | OPINION | PROSPECTIVE

Seperated, Together STAFF | EDITORIAL

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...”

Thousands of tweets and soundbites circulate in America every day promoting the separation of people whose souls wear a different faith.

This desire to separate has made its way to the Oval Office, as our president attempted to indefinitely suspend immigration to America from seven countries, all predominantly Muslim. He recently removed Iraq from the latest executive order,, reducing the number of blacklisted countries to six. While his intentions are probably not fueled by hate, this response to radical Islamic terrorism violates the foundation on which our country was created.

Sure, there is an argument to be made that it is worth violating the Constitution to protect our citizens, but by opening that argument, other violations of the Constitution, such as extreme gun control, become possible as well. We shouldn’t pick and choose our civil liberties.

Our president has also shared his plans to prioritize Christian immigrants entering the country, which is directly respecting the religion of Christianity over other religions and obviously violates the Establishment Clause in the First Amendment of the Constitution.

Of course, Christians should be accepted into our country, but constitutionally, Christians are not any more qualified to be American than Muslims, Jews, or anyone else of any faith (or no faith at all).

We all live under the same flag and flourish with the same liberties. The moment we encroach on the civil liberties of one group because it makes us feel “safe,” and because it is not us, we break a seal that allows our own liberties to be violated and ultimately destroyed.

This is why it is crucial for Americans to stand strong in support of our Constitution. Not only is it morally correct to accept people into our country regardless of religion or culture, it is woven into the very fabric of our country to never slam our doors on any specific group.

But what if there is an attack on our nation because we do not further restrict immigrants and refugees? Even still, we have to refuse the urge to change and to alienate. Terrorism’s goal to force change through invoking fear, and every attack where our liberties survive is an American victory.

This isn’t to say we should sit idly by as the Islamic State kills thousands, but instead of closing ourselves off to the world, we should remain open and remain free. In the end, radical Islam is an idea that can only be ended by its superior opponent of freedom. One side has said all along that the Islamic State’s goal is to oppress all people from believing freely and to create an authoritarian, worldwide Islamic State.

How are we any better by oppressing the faith of millions ourselves?

We are all Americans. We all have rights. The Constitution prevents the adoption of a specific religion in order to be free from fear of being persecuted for our beliefs. Our faiths are separated from government so we can be separated, together.

PROSPECTIVE Bryant High School

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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.

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ladylike NATALIE BUGRESS | COLUMNIST

When I was 12, my grandmother put me in Cotillion, a set of southern etiquette classes. Months passed of learning to walk in heels, use the correct fork and dance without offending my partner’s toes. On the night of the winter dance, I put on a grey and purple dress my mom and I picked out at Dillard’s weeks before, and on our way, I spilt Taco Bell nachos all over my lap. One of the rules I had been taught was that being late was never okay, so I went with yellow and brown blotted up splotches all over my lap anyways. Upon arrival, I received disapproving looks coupled with sugar-sweet words of affirmation, of course. Ladies must never say anything to offend another person, despite my lack of grace on what I considered then a night of importance.

I believed that since I lacked constant perfection, I must be less of a lady.

I have come to realize over the years that my elbows

seem to gravitate to tabletops and I’m not fond of keeping my legs crossed for long. I have chipped fingernail polish, uncrossed black denim-clad legs, pale skin and unkempt hair. My voice is always a bit too loud, head always a bit too high, opinions always a little overstated, height taking up too much space. Do all these things add up to make me somehow less of a woman?

It’s common for adults, peers and even children to nudge me lightly and remind me, “Hey now, that isn’t very ladylike.”

My definition of lady must be different from everyone around me. When I think “lady,” I think Rosa Parks. I think Yoko Ono, Eleanor Roosevelt, Michelle Obama.

I think of women with power and drive who have used their brains and wit and heels and attitude to bring about change. Women who used their too-loud voices to say something worth saying. Women who are women not

despite being bold, but who are bold in spite of everyone who has told them they aren’t woman enough Woman is revolution. Woman is independent. Woman is being told I need to get married and deciding I don’t want to. Woman is speaking louder than the men in the room and still not being heard. Woman can be demure and lovely, but Woman doesn’t have to. Woman is not always smooth and pristine--Surprise! Woman grows hair on her legs. Woman grows fire in her heart, ideas in her head, and children in her stomach, if she so chooses.

Woman doesn’t apologize for destroying a social contract she never signed.

I will not apologize for chipping my nail polish or looking you in the eye. I am strong, and smart, and useful, and heard. I don’t want to meet your definition of “lady” if it means giving up everything that I am proud of. I am Woman, and I support my fellow women. All of them.

victim of the mirrors ALYSSA JONES | COLUMNIST

I close the door of the dressing room. The three long mirrors get their full view of me. They have seen many come in and out of this one-door room. I am just another victim of the hour.

I look down at the swimsuit top and bottom in my hand. My eyes move back and forth between the mirror and myself--the once vibrant green leaves on the suit seem to slowly dim. I hang the swimsuit on one of the silver, metal bars.

My hands grab the bottom of my shirt as I slip it off. I grip the swimsuit top. The brightness has now completely dulled as I tie the back and adjust it. My eyes stay glued to the ground.

I reach for the bottoms and tug them on.

I feel the material wrapped around my skin. The bottoms squeeze around my thighs. My stomach seems

to protrude out more than it had in my comfy t-shirt--my body longs for the t-shirt to conceal me again.

I can no longer avoid the inevitable. My eyes meet my own in the mirror. Slowly, I scan my body. Panic. Nothing looks right.

All three mirrors mock me. They laugh at my attempt to look as good as the model on the store advertisement.

These dim green leaves glowed for her. She had the perfect tan that does not compare to the pale color of mine. Her body was filled with confidence as she jumped in the air with a smile on her face, finding comfort in her own skin. My eyes do everything they can to avoid the reflections. It does not matter what size someone is-looking from three separate angles, front, back, and side, broadcasts every stretch mark, every little imperfection on my skin. I do not even recognize the horrified girl looking

back at me.

I scramble to untie the back, reaching for the comfort of my own clothes. The flowiness of my t-shirt becomes my new shelter and secret hiding place, where the mirrors can’t find me.

The swimsuit sits there, its glow beginning to return.

My fingers touch the material. It feels the same as when I first fell in love with it a mere ten minutes ago. There I am, a small girl, stuck to face three perspectives of my body, looking for contentment in at least one.

I glance in the mirror, back in the same place I began. I lift the swimsuit top and bottom by the hanger and leave the dressing room, returning it to the section where I found it. A small shudder creeps up my spine as I look along the rack of swimsuits, so bright in color. I hear the next victim of the mirrors close the door.

from

YOUR PROSPECTIVE What was the luckiest situation you have been in?

Catherine Sievers | 9

Clifton Chaffin | 10

Zack Curry | 11

Sarah Palmer | 12

“At school, I found $7 in the bathroom once.”

“Being able to have the option and ability to play [sports].”

“The luckiest I’ve been a part of is going to [VEX] World’s and actually being able to participate in a world class competition.

You’re there with the top 1,000 teams, and there is 1,800 teams in the world.”

“One time, someone paid for my Chick-Fil-A meal. I usually have bad luck though.”

03.15.17 | PHOTO ESSAY | 7

SWING INTO SPRING

Baseball, softball, soccer, track seasons begin; winter sports wrap up At Hornet baseball practices before the start of the season, freshman Jarod Yarbrough works on pitching drills with the rest of the team. The team works on their pitching skills in order to prepare for the season.

“Practice is intense,” Yarbrough said. “You have to hustle, you have to run everywhere.” | Sydney Boswell photo At the boys basketball game against Conway Jan. 27, Coach Mike Abrahamson gives his team a pep talk. The team lost the game 58-52, but beat Conway later in the season 47-41. “Our conference was loaded with talented teams,” Abrahamson said. “It was the best conference I’ve ever seen.” | David Fulton photo

As the Hornets make their way down the court in the game against Southside Feb. 14, senior Garrett Cowart hopes to score another basket. The Hornets won the game 61-31. “The thing I love about basketball is making something happen on the court and the other team not knowing how to stop it,” Cowart said. | Tehya Hinkson photo Junior varsity wrestler Ethan Thacker topples an opponent from Benton in one of the final meets of the season. He has been wrestling for three years, and his weight class is 220. “[My favorite part of wrestling] is team work,” Thacker said. “On the wrestling team, we’re all brothers. I wasn’t very sure I was going to make it onto the team because I have autism, but I kept going at it, and they [support] me.” | David Fulton photo As Bryant faces off against Central Jan. 13, the crowd cheers them on. Senior Lance Bonvillain yelled at a player on another team because he was outraged with how the game was going. “I may play baseball, but basketball is my favorite,” Bonvillain said. | Alina Peret photo

In the basketball game against Central, junior Kelly Williams attempts to cross over her opponent. The team lost to Central 57-28. “We knew we were going up against a really good team with a lot of competition,” Williams said. | Mika Boyle photo After he finishes a race, junior Michael Higgs waits for the times to show on the scoreboard. Many team members improved their times throughout the season. “We all put in a lot of work this season,” Higgs said. “But if we want it to end with some more championship swimming, we are going to have to put a little more than what we thought was our best into it.” | Alina Peret photo

SHOW YOUR SCHOOL SPIRIT Bryant Hornet Visa® debit cards are available at Arvest Bank. Obtain your card by opening a new checking account, or by ordering a replacement card on an existing account.

Stop by today to get your Bryant Hornet debit card!

(501) 379-7907 3217 N Reynolds Rd, Bryant arvest.com/style

8 | SPORTS | PROSPECTIVE

SPORTS SCHEDULE HOME Mar. 28

*Baseball vs. LR Central

Mar. 28

Soccer vs. LR Central Apr. 4

*Baseball vs. Cabot Apr. 4

Soccer vs. Cabot Apr. 11

*Baseball vs. Conway

Apr. 11

Soccer vs. Conway Apr. 13

Soccer vs. FS Northside

Apr. 13

Softball vs. NLR Apr. 15

Softball vs. Rogers / Rose Bud Apr. 18

Soccer vs. LR Catholic/ Mt. St. Mary Apr. 18

Baseball vs. LR Catholic Apr. 18

Softball vs. Mt. St. Mary Apr. 20

Softball vs. Harmony Grove Apr. 25

Baseball* vs. FS Southside May. 2

*Baseball vs. NLR May. 2

Soccer vs. NLR

AWAY Mar. 30

Soccer vs. Robinson Mar. 31

Baseball* vs. FS Southside Apr. 3

Baseball vs. Benton Apr. 7

Baseball vs. NLR Apr. 7

Soccer vs. N.L.R Apr. 14

Baseball* vs. FS Northside Apr. 20

Baseball vs. LR Christian Apr. 21

Baseball* vs. LR Central Apr. 21

Soccer vs. LR Central Apr. 25

Soccer vs. FS Southside Apr. 28

*Baseball vs. Cabot Apr. 28

Soccer vs. Cabot

*Both baseball and softball play

BACK FOR MORE

Both soccer teams look to rebound with new coaches BRAD BREWER | PRINT EDITOR Optimism is the mindset for the Hornets soccer team, as last year’s disappointing ending in the opening round of the state tournament has the Hornets hungry to make more damage this year.

A 3-1 loss to Har-Ber ended the Hornets’ championship hopes early last season, but junior Luke Welch still believes the season was a success. “[Last year] went pretty good,” Welch said. “We got to state and to the first round, and we played pretty well, but ended up losing. It was a pretty disappointing loss, because our whole season ended in the first round.

Hopefully this year we can go farther.”

Welch knows there is plenty of room for improvement moving into this season, especially with his transition into a new role. “[I want] to start communicating better, because I will be running the defense and communicating with the whole team,” Welch said. “We have pretty good chemistry this year, so I would just say we need to make sure communicate and play as a team.”

Sophomore Alex Sohn feels better about the team’s chances this year, partially due to the implementation of Richard Friday as the new head coach.

“Last year, we had football coaches, but this year we have an actual soccer coach,” Sohn said. “[Friday] is teaching us so much more than we learned last year.

He’s been teaching us more soccer-based [skills]. We have been flipping tires, doing slams and stuff like that to get stronger.”

With a new head coach and experienced players on the team,

Freshman Lauren Heath drives the ball down the field in the Lady Hornets’ bout against Fort Smith Southside. As of Mar. 12, the Lady Hornets sit at three wins and three losses. | Chase Kincaid photo

expectations are high for the Hornets to go deep and possibly win the state championship.

“I would say that we probably have the best shot we’ve had since I have been on the team,” Welch said. “We have a bunch of juniors and seniors, so we have a big upperclassmen team. We should have a pretty good shot this year.”

Following a heartbreaking 5-4 shootout loss to Bentonville in the semifinals of last year’s state tournament, the Lady Hornets look to rectify that loss with their second title in three years.

Senior Ashlie Sparks remembers the gutting feeling of their loss and initially felt despondent looking ahead to the upcoming season.

“It was disappointing,” Sparks said. “I just remember us coming back to Bryant, and we cried and cried for days. We felt like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is it,’ and we didn’t know who our new coach was going to be or anything. We thought it was over.”

The team now knows who the new head coach is, and was initially surprised when he was revealed as Film Production and AV Tech teacher James Paul.

“It [has been] a little different, but it has honestly been fine,” Sparks said. “I was kind of worried at first, because I didn’t know about him and how he had coached soccer before, so I was like, ‘What? The AV tech teacher [is] a coach?’ But it has been great.”

Sparks believes this year will be a year of rebuilding after the loss of numerous upperclassmen from last year’s roster.

“I don’t think we are going to do bad,” Sparks said. “But a lot of seniors left, so a lot of people are having to step up. It’s

going to take some time to adjust to that.

All four of our seniors will be playing quite a bit, and that’s a leadership position in itself. So if you are out there, you have to be able to step up and say what needs to happen.”

Girls soccer coach James Paul has taught at Bryant for four years, but was always ready to step up to take a position in the soccer program.

“This is my fourth year at the school, and when I [originally] came here all of the coaching roles were filled in,” Paul said. “I have always wanted to coach here because I coached at other schools and have played [soccer] all of my life. I just waited for my opportunity.”

After originally applying for the job as the boys soccer head coach, Paul was not chosen for the job. However, he received a second call offering a spot to become the head coach for the girls team.

“I really think they made the right decision in hiring [Friday] for the boys,” Paul said. “But then, they gave me a call and thought I would be better suited for girls and I absolutely agree with that.”

Paul’s coaching style emphasizes on the player’s ability to improve themselves instead of taking a totalitarian approach.

“A lot of people expect coaches to scream and nitpick at everything,” Paul said. “I can lead you in the right directions so you can fix your own mistakes. You have to understand that your mom, dad and your coach won’t be there for the rest of your life so you have to fend for yourself. I will let you get really mad so you say to yourself, ‘Alright, I have to take responsibility for myself and find a way to fix this.’”

A NEW ERA

Players adapt to coaching changes

NATHAN BUSH | STAFF WRITER For the first time in seven years, the Hornets have a new head baseball coach. Coach Kirk Bock decided to leave the team in June so he could pursue a job as assistant athletic director under head athletic director Mike Lee. The team was shell-shocked when Bock told the team about the news.

“I really didn’t believe it at first,” Bonvillain said. “I kind of thought he’d be there forever.”

Bock would later deem Travis Queck worthy as his successor. Queck, an assistant coach for several years as well as a Bryant alumni, was an obvious selection.

Queck knew it would be crucial to keep as much continuity in the Bryant system as possible, so at the beginning of the year, he relayed his team a simple message.

“He knew the system pretty well since he had been an assistant for so long,” junior Grayson Prince said. “At the start of the year, he told us that ‘We are not here to recreate the wheel’ and I feel like that really stuck with us.”

The adjustment period would not go as smoothly as originally planned, as several seniors and leaders were let go earlier this year. Prince believes that this may have been a blessing in disguise.

“The way everyone carries themselves has changed drastically,” Prince said. “We had some older guys and some big time leaders get in trouble over the past few months. The younger guys have had to step up and enter in a role that’s a lot different than they’re used to.

It’s good for them.”

Read the rest at prospectiveonline.com.

Head coach Travis Queck looks on as the baseball team practices. The team has three wins and four losses as of Mar. 12.

“I [am] excited for the opportunity to continue working in one of the premier programs in the country,” Queck said. | Sydney Boswell photo