When RHS Speaks, We
Echo
Rolla High School - 900 Bulldog Run - Rolla, Missouri 65401- Volume 70 - Issue 6 January 25, 2018 - www.rhsecho.com @rhsechonews
Debate team travels to first debate competition On Saturday, January fifth, the Rolla High School Debate Team traveled the hour and a half to Lebanon for their very first tournament. The debate team is a relatively new club to Rolla High School. Mr. Ellis, one of the high school’s history teachers chaperoned the event. Jessica Kimball, a junior at Rolla, is currently working as president of the debate team. During the tournament, the team competed in Novice Lincoln Douglas division. The team was just settling into the tournament as it began. Essentially, debate is an argument with rules. Each debater gets a set amount of time to convey their stance on why they’re right, and how their opponent is wrong. Each opponent gets a turn to attack or try and tear down their opponent’s argument.
Debate comes with a multitude of benefits and real-world uses. Kids who choose to involve themselves in debate develop strong speaking presences for job interviews, college interviews, etc. Eden Potter, a junior on the debate team, shares her thoughts on how joining debate affected her. “I would say that it makes me a better public speaker, and makes me less afraid to share my opinion with others. It helps me be more confident and assertive in my answers,” The team was especially nervous for their first competition, though they managed to strive through with confidence in themselves, and their teammates. When asked about her feelings on the debate, Pearl Daugaard, a freshman on the debate team explained.
Continued on p. 8 Photo taken by Quinn Guffey
Photo taken by Quinn Guffey
Students explore artistic passions Graphic design academy teaches in photography p. 6 real world skills p. 6 Photo courtesy of Kassandra Hayes
Photo taken by Maia Bond
1994 football squad Rolla community members inducted into Alumni Hall of highlight sustainable living Fame
Photos taken by Audrey Roberts
Photo courtesy of 1994 RHS yearbook Rolla High School has been known for many things since it was founded in 1921, good and bad and exciting all around. One of the most notable events, however, was the 1994 football team’s undefeated season. The team is now being recognized and inducted into the school’s Alumni Hall of Fame, and the people of Rolla now have the chance to look back on an amazing year in the school’s history.
Andy Singleton was a senior on the team that year. “The undefeated regular season and team unity made some of the best times of my life,” Singleton said. He was not the only one who felt this strongly about the family bond that the team created together. One of the captains at the time, David Bates, also described the joy he found in their season.
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Living sustainably is a goal many people are working toward in 2019, with the environmental threats of global warming, deforestation, and air pollution looming, any changes people make to be more conscious goes a long way. Within the Rolla community some members have gone the extra mile by reaching out and encouraging those around them the to live more environmentally friendly.
One of these community members is Gary Bertrand, the President of the Rolla Community Garden. The Community Garden is open for the sole purpose of connecting with nature and is nestled right behind the Rolla Recycling Center. Bertrand spoke about the gardens and the close relationship with the Recycling Center.
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How to be a little better b y
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In honor of the new year, and in the spirit of bettering ourselves, I’ve decided to finally answer my calling. I’ve recently come to the conclusion that Rolla High School is in dire need of advice (feel free to make of that observation what you will). The first step is being honest with yourself; specifically, acknowledge the fact that you probably are not going to be a lot better--at least not at first. The beauty of striving to be a little better is that the stakes are low and the (potential) rewards are high. If you fail to be even a little
better--which is no difficult feat for many of us--no one is disappointed. But if you are to beat the odds, you are that much more prepared to tackle something larger. Start by pairing your socks together before you put them in the drawer. There are all sorts of cool folding techniques for grouping clothes together. Take a minute and a half out of your day to browse the internet for some inspiration. Before putting your clothes away, match your socks. Ask yourself how much time you waste digging through your sock drawer in the morning in a futile attempt to find a match, before settling with a contrasting pair with a hole in the toe. After making a minimal time investment, you might be surprised at the
instant boost in your quality of life. Secondly, line up the books on your shelves (assuming you are both fortunate and intelligent enough to own books). I do not know any of you, but I have a feeling your books are scattered everywhere, crammed into a drawer, or resting atop of one another. Imagine the pages tearing and the spine bending beyond repair. That should be enough to inspire you. I would rather not progress too quickly with my advice. This is only the first day of self-improvement bootcamp, after all. The sock and book challenge should be equivalent to your level of motivation in the first place. Admittedly, an improved sock organiza-
tion system really is not going to make you a drastically better person. The key to being better is taking it one step at a time. There are hundreds of articles promising you’ll notice “quick results” and an “instant change!” But let’s face it: you quit your diets, you are wildly disorganized and constantly tired, not very self-aware, and you probably have some trust issues. In other words, you are a mediocre person at best. It is about time someone tells you that you cannot fix your many problems with one diet, goal, or plan--however perfectly it may be thought out in your head. So I challenge you to start by organizing your socks. Take it one step at a time.
Predictions of spring fashion trends b y
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With a new year comes heightened expectations, and the world of fashion is far from an exception. Each season, designers compete to have their work shown off by top models in the industry. Paris Fashion Week wrapped up at the beginning of October, and other collections will be shown in New York, London, and Milan this February. The fashion industry is anticipating new additions to the spring collections this year compared to those in years prior. In fact, many retailers, magazines, and journalists have already made their predictions for what the 2019 spring season may hold. The first trend to be examined this
Letter from the Editor This month in Maia Talks About Pointless Nonsense, I will be sharing with you the bane of my existence: snow. Void of any benefits to nature, this terrible precipitation bothers me greatly. I should not have to layer on the socks and pants and coats and scarves and dreaded snow boots to even attempt to venture into my own yard. Even then I still get some snow inside my sock and then everything is ruined. I should not have to deal with the constant limbo between my mother deciding whether or not it is safe for me to
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season is a continuation of a previous style: gingham. Gingham is not considered breaking news to the fashion world; it was originally imported into Europe in the late 17th century. We first saw gingham make a reappearance last year, gaining popularity after celebrities such as Vanessa Hudgens and Sarah Paulson rocked their grey-toned gingham midi dresses on the red carpet. Gingham is an appealing fabric because it of its versatility. Gingham dresses, skirts, and tops are not new. It seems the trend has not faded out however, and we can look forward to seeing some creative twists this 2019 spring season. Falling just above the knee and coming in any color imaginable, biker shorts are certainly making an impression this season. At first glance, it may appear biker
shorts do not match anything. However, upon further thought (or a potential shift of mindset), it could be argued that biker shorts match everything—a classic glass half-full scenario. They can be effortlessly paired with a crop top or cardigan. Even Urban Outfitters has included this upand-coming wardrobe staple to their 2019 Spring Clothing Preview on their website. Nextly, is animal print coming back? Leopard and zebra print can be seen being flaunted on nearly every red carpet event recently. Has animal print really gone from trashy to flashy? Only time will tell. In 2019, it will be hard to escape the printed blouses, cardigans, and teddy jackets that encapsulate the on-the-rise pattern. Finally, the new vertical-striped pants that made an appearance last fall have not
fallen out yet. You either love ‘em or hate ‘em, but either way, they are not going anywhere. From structured trousers to beachy pants, vertical stripes are making a statement this spring. Spring fashion has not yet revealed all it has to offer this year, and the fashion world surely looks forward to what is to come. Part of the alluring appeal of the fashion industry is its progressive nature. In an industry that is constantly looking to the future, it is easy to get caught up in passing trends. Although we might derive inspiration from the runway or red carpet, fads come and go, and ultimately you are the one who must answer to, “Why are you wearing cheetah print and striped pants?”
ECHO Staff Senior Maia Bond drive. It is a nuisance and unjustly thrown upon us without much warning other than the meteorologists that no one really listens to. I admit that it can be pretty to look at but only for about 20 minutes until the snow plow bulldozes through and it all turns gray and brown and slushy for two weeks until it finally all melts. All in all, snow is pretty gross and I am currently looking into the cost of putting my house under a large clear dome like in The Simpson’s movie. It seems to be the only logical conclusion to escaping this awful weather.
Adviser: Mary Gillis Editor In Chief: Maia Bond Managing Editor: Kayla Copeland Copy Editor: Jace Swearingen Arts and Entertainment: Nalani Massaro Webmaster: Blaize Klossner Photography: Bailey Allison News: Taylor Miller
Opinion: Courtney Kelley Sports: Brandon Kirchner Feature: Lorren Black Staff Writers: Julia Leventis, Lauren Ulrich, Rosalia Bolyard, Genevieve Huber, Emma Starns, Audrey Roberts, Erin Pfeifer, Quinn Guffey
ECHO is an open forum for student expression. All letters to the editor must include the writer’s name, signature and class or position. Anonymous letters will not be published. ECHO reserves the right to reject any letters. Letters should be sent to ECHO, Rolla High School, 900 Bulldog Run, Rolla, MO 65401. ECHO is a member of Missouri Scholastic Press Association, Journalism Education Association, and Quill & Scroll Honor Society
An introspective look Rolla community into detrimental effects making it easier to of hatefulness begin composting b y
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Hatefulness has become a default reaction, a self-defense mechanism, and even an ugly common ground between people. Normalized by a society in which politics often trump morals, hate is nothing short of a reprehensible habit we are all guilty of. Recently, politics has shed light on the ever-increasing consequences for our general intolerance of others, but hate has existed for as long as people have. Simply put, hatred is a default response to feeling threatened, unsure, or afraid. As the great William Shakespeare once said, “In time we hate that which we often fear.” In essence, hatred sprouted from our inherent fear of the unknown. In this way, an endlessly complex emotion appears almost simple. In the 200,000 years we have existed as a civilized society, there has been no cure for the epidemic of hatred. Possibly the most harmful aspect of hatred is the detrimental effect it has on our progression as a society. Hate leaves no room for progress. Hate leaves room only for more hate. Stemming from our inherent dislike for change, our fear of the unknown could be better channeled as curiosity. In the world today, we are divided by race, gender, sexual identity, and political party, among other things. At best, we cast disapproving glances from afar, or default to microaggressions rather than the politically correct terminology. At worst, we are guilty of committing crimes in cold blood, acting upon violent urges rooted in a passionate hatred for a group or individual. One of the many reasons hate is impossible to address is because it takes many forms. Hatred is not limited to hate crimes
or outward racism. Hatred has the potential to be just as dangerous as a passing thought, as it is as a speech made in front of millions. Hatred is not a feeling at all--it is a mindset. It is a cowardly, narrowminded, unjust lens through which many see the world and the differences between people who inhabit it. We are afraid. Hatred does not begin outwardly. It may begin as a twinge of resentment toward a party or group. After becoming somewhat of a permanent feeling, it becomes a pronounced thought--one which may be refused at first--but which becomes increasingly persistent. Then a thought may become words, perhaps only echoed back to yourself, when you hear somebody on the street speaking a language you do not understand or see a gay couple showing affection in a local park. You may mutter under your breath--you might even share these feelings with a trusted friend. Thoughts, ever unpunishable, become words. For many, it stops there. A callous of intolerance and insensitivity begins to form. Hatred does not become an impassioned, full-fledged fire overnight, just as hate criminals do not typically begin with murder. Hatred is like resentment in that it begins to swell deep within oneself and by the time it is recognized, it is often too late. Thoughts become words, which becomes movements and ideas rooted in intolerance for others. We share our hateful ideas with others and they become contagious-often a sense of unity and identification develops. Unfortunately, hatred is a part of us. Hate will exist alongside for as long as people do. And ultimately, there is but one cure for hate--and it is love.
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Composting is a great way to utilize the billions of pounds of food and landscaping waste produced each year. Compost is simply a heap of wet organic waste, also known as green waste, that breaks down over time and can be used to fertilize gardens and improve the overall quality of soil. Composting also help keeps unnecessary waste out of landfills and is exceptional for the environment. Unfortunately, not many people compost, usually because of the misconception that it is extremely difficult and time consuming. Rolla resident, Kristen Gallagher, devoted to composting and explains how simple it really is. “You don’t need any expensive, fancy equipment. We have a Tupperware container that we keep on the counter and as we chop vegetables. If there is leftover dinner, we open the lid, we put it in. When the bin is filled we take it outside. We have a big compost pile in our backyard and we rake it and shovel it --depending on the time of the year-- once a week,” Gallagher
said. However, composting is not just about food waste. Green waste also includes landscaping waste such as leaves, branches, pallets, and even old Christmas trees. This waste is a little harder to compost in the backyard. Luckily, the Rolla Recycling Center is ready to facilitate landscape and food waste with their large compost site. Stephanie Dowdy, the recycling specialist at the recycling center, encourages people to use this local resource. “The biggest benefit is it is free for Rolla residents to use and bring their items up here so they don’t have to pay to dispose of their yard waste. During the spring, summer, and fall months we also pick it up from the residents for free,” Dowdy said. The community is also encouraged to pick up compost from the Rolla Recycling Center, and drop off their organic waste, although there are some guidelines. “No treated wood or huge trees that are cut down. They have to be a certain size,” Dowdy said. With this in mind pick out an old coffee can and start your own compost pile. Help reduce the size of landfills and replenish the Earth.
New Year’s resolutions encourage fresh starts b y
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Many families have various traditions when it comes to celebrating the new year. In the American culture, making a New Year’s resolution is a common theme to this holiday. Resolutions can help people stay on track to accomplish their goals, inflict a change, and give a fresh start to live a fuller life. As reported by junior Lyndsi Blakely, being positive is what she hopes to achieve in the new year. “Being positive doesn’t just mean being happy, but means understanding that it will get better even when it’s bad. I think people can and should always try to improve themselves. If you need the new year to help make a change then take it,” Blakely said. According to Psychology teacher, Amanda Engelke, New Year’s is not the only time people can make resolutions or changes to their lifestyles. “I support making New Year’s resolutions, but I support more broadly making resolutions or plans to try to better yourself consistently throughout the year. The year transition is a natural time for people to reflect on how the last calendar year went and what they think is going to help them for the next year. Birthdays are another good example. When we hit a birthday it’s like, ‘This is something I’d like to accomplish.’ So you’re not just making yourself better for the occasion, but throughout the year as well,” Engelke said. Some people do not feel the need to make a resolution. Senior Kelly Brown chose not to make a resolution this year, and instead intends to keep enjoying his time in high school. “I’d like to make the most out of my last semester. I’m not trying to have ‘seniori-
tis’ but I don’t want to stress about school until college. I also don’t want to change my relationships with all my wonderful friends,” Brown said. It is mind boggling how many people look to this holiday to make changes or reflect on their lifestyles. “I think we find comfort in rituals and traditions and I think there is both in making a New Year’s resolution. I think we also like the idea that we can change or do things differently. However, liking the idea of change, and following through with it, are two very different things. It’s like you’re motivated to change initially, but motivation has to be translated into selfdiscipline to actually create a habit that you’re going to stick with” Engelke said. Sometimes resolutions can be hard to stick with simply because one lacks motivation to keep it. “So what happens a lot at the New Year, people are excited about the newness prospects, of things being great, they’re excited about the potential to change. They have all that motivation and energy, but when it actually comes to acting on that, it takes hard work, discipline every single day,” Engelke said. Resolutions are a good way to start from scratch, but do not always end in ways that were planned for. Engelke believes this lack of commitment may be caused from constructing too big of goals to take in at once. “I think when you make a resolution to change, it needs to be reasonable. One of the reasons why I think people fail is because they’re trying to change too much too quickly. Research shows that we are much more likely to be successful if we change small increments gradually. The other side is the accountability. It’s really helpful to have someone be there along the way, encouraging you when you make progress and letting you know when you’re not keeping your goals and asking you why so you’re reflecting on that,” Engelke said.
Photos taken by Audrey Roberts
Traditions bring luck into the New Year Everyone talks about their famously b y
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Staff Writer unkept New Year’s Resolutions, but few people discuss the traditions that they celebrate on New Years. Everyone has different traditions, from things like eating black-eyed peas for good luck to using a bell so you can literally ring in the new year. While some people have simple traditions like this, other students take the chance to make it a challenge. For example, senior Kat Conaway holds
her breath from the last second of the old year. “I’m competitive and really want the last breath of the year… I want that unofficial title,” Said Conaway. Junior student Anna Nash stays close to home, saying, “We all head downtown to watch the Phelps County Bank clock.” The little things like these are what make the New Year really special, and what remind us of the passage of time. Conaway sums it up well, and says, “I always try to savor what I have for as long as possible… I want to savor my last breath.”
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Social media changing political process in America b y
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With varied viewpoints on political parties and standpoints expressed through social media, people often are not willing to understand others points of view or find a compromise. Not only that, but political officials as well as news platforms often use their power to inform citizens of their opinions rather than state true facts. As reported by Government teacher, Michael Ellis, people have the tendency to believe what they see, regardless of the credibility of sources. “Don’t go by social media, don’t go by what you see on commercials, don’t go by what anybody tells you unless you know for sure that information is true. Look up two, three, four, or five different sources to make sure what you were told by people or through social media is true. People can spread fake propaganda and there will be people who are going to believe it,” Ellis said. Since the popularity of social media has increased, the general public have been given the choice to be informed about
issues in the government and the personal beliefs of political officials. Social media played a large role in the 2016 election, publishing candidates rankings, individual tweets, and posts from their own personal accounts. In the past, the general public would have had to wait until newspapers or websites got ahold of information, or the government let the people know. However, junior Eli Heitman believes even the press misuses its platform to infiltrate opinions, rather than state true facts or obvious beliefs. “The press used to be reliable most of the time, but now they are getting out of hand. They have every right to report on what they want, and it’s up to the people whether to believe it or not. However, they are way out of hand. Since Trump took office they have been crazy about reporting him. Trump has been a celebrity for many years, since he is a rich and famous billionaire businessman. Ever since he wanted the presidency, there have been ridiculous reports on stuff that he has or hasn’t done. All of a sudden, there are rape and sexual assault allegations, collisions with Russia, and him saying something bad 20 years ago. They are all childish, it’s not even about reporting what’s true, it’s about reporting whatever makes the Republicans and Trump look bad,” Heitman said.
While there are different beliefs on whether the allegations on President Trump are true or not, the matter at hand is that media more commonly portrays what they want the public to know, rather than what is happening in America now, without the additional bias. Sophomore, Adalia Valentine, is concerned with how social media companies misuse their platforms to deliberately misinform voters. “A lot of people, when they vote, say they know nothing about politics, but chose one party over the next due to just seeing the particular party’s face on everything. Social media is an interesting technological revolution. It exposes a lot of lies, from both politicians and the media. That’s why internet censorship is such a big issue. Silence dissenting voices equals stifling dissent,” Valentine said. As much as social media’s popularity can be used to promote good, Heitman disagrees with Trump’s use of Twitter. “I am a huge fan of Trump, but I wish he wouldn’t say stupid stuff on Twitter. I don’t think it’s terrible, and I honestly don’t think it’s a big deal, but some of it doesn’t help him out in any way. Some politicians can use social media to lie to people and make exaggerations. However, if that politician is honest, it is a good way to directly reach out to the American
people. So there is a good and bad side to it,” Heitman said. Along with Heitman’s belief, Ellis believes there are better ways to understand and use social media. “Become an informed voter. Know the things that are important to you and your life and make sure that’s what you’re voting for. The news should be reporting the news, that’s their job. Their job is not to tell people how or what to think. A lot of times, you can’t turn on CNN or Fox without each channel discussing their views. I mean, there are some good reporters on Fox and there are some good reporters on CNN, but more reporters need to tell it like it is,” Ellis said. As an American citizen, it is a right to vote and to give the government a variety of opinions, but it is also a right to choose not to vote. “During the 2016 election, there were ads everywhere saying Hillary did this, Trump did that, not weighing the political aspects of the opposite opponents legitimate running campaign. Some voters just saw that Trump did something bad, so they voted for Hillary and vice versa. I think that needs to change and if you don’t vote, that’s okay because if you have no idea what you’re talking about, then stay out of it,” Valentine said.
Rural American values prevalent in Rolla b y
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The urban-rural divide appears to be ever pervasive in determining community values around the nation. According to the Pew Research Center, about six-in-ten rural residents (58 percent) say the values of urban dwellers are very or somewhat
different from theirs, while about half (53 percent) of urban residents say those in rural areas have values that do not align with theirs. This perceived difference in values can be accounted for by the assumption that rural communities place more importance on tradition, family, and faith; while urban communities place more importance on efficiency and success. However, when taking these statistics down to a local
Q&A with Parker Bourne
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Bourne is also a Rolla High School junior. Bourne is heavily involved in activities, including volleyball, Key Club, and Health Occupations Students of America. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym and working on fixing her truck. Bourne has lived in Rolla her entire life and possesses a strong sense of community fellowship.
Why did your parents choose to live in Rolla?
“It’s a small town, which is one of the bonuses. Then there’s the way they spoke to people in the community when they came for the interview. Everybody praises Rolla with how close-knit the community is and how nice and welcoming everybody is, especially with our church. Everybody was super super nice and was like ‘come be a part of this community.’ They really liked that.”
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Would you consider Rolla to be rural, or is it a mix between urban and rural?
“I kind that it’s both because you have people that you can tell are very homegrown and grew up on farms, then you can also have the city life. If I wanted to, I could go hang out with my friends on their farm, or I could go to the library, or The Centre, and I can do just about anything.”
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What would you say you have learned from the rural aspect of Rolla?
“I think that was one of the big selling points for moving here. Anywhere you go you’ll see someone that you know. It’s really nice to have that and better than growing up in a big city, especially since you can know people who have worked so hard on farms and so hard at their jobs. It’s so cool to be able to see people working hard and achieving things.”
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What values do you think of when you think of a rural community?
“Respect, I think, is a big one. Especially when I was growing up, my parents always told me that you need to respect your elders. I don’t think everybody learns that, but for us it’s huge. You always have to accept that people look at things differently than you and you have to be able to work with that and work through it.”
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Why should we still value perspectives from a more country kind of stereotype?
“I think everybody has their own opinion on what people are like, but if you actually look at those quote-unquote country boys, and if you actually talk to them, they’re some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet because they’ve grown up with the values of respect and hard work. Growing up in my house, we are taught at a very young age that you have to work for what you get, which I think is huge because not a lot of people have that anymore.”
level, it is clear that mere numbers cannot represent the diverse mix of values present within Rolla’s community. Rolla is a mix between urban and rural; its population is larger than its closest neighbors, but a fraction of that of the state’s largest cities. The university brings in a progressive attitude, while at the same time the town’s rural roots continue to hold strong in promoting traditional values. Rolla’s search
to find a balance between these seemingly conflicting values serves as a microcosm for a struggle seen all across rural America. As traditionally rural towns undergo a push for urbanization, the values associated with small towns may feel compromised as a result. However, the coalescence of urban and rural values may not be as detrimental as it appears.
Q&A with Kate Mallery
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Kate Mallery is a Rolla High School Junior who is involved in soccer, Health Occupations Students of America, Future Community Leaders of America, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Mallery sat down with ECHO to provide her own insights on how Rolla’s rural background shapes it values. Because of her experience in both big cities and on her family cattle farm, Mallery has been able to observe the supposed rural-urban divide first hand.
Can you tell me how long you have lived here and your background in Rolla?
“I was born in St Louis and then I lived there until I was about seven, and then I moved to the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas and I lived there for about five years, so I got some big city life. Then I moved here before 7th grade. My mom had grown up here as a kid, on her parents cattle farm, and so they thought ‘why not move back to Missouri?’ My mom is now taking over the family business and learning from her dad and comes home muddy everyday. They love it. My dad is actually best friends with our neighbor who can’t even read hardly at all, and my dad is this successful business person. I think that’s really cool that they’ve become best friends because now my dad has been more open to things. He’s never really lived in a rural community until now.”
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Would you consider Rolla to be rural or is it a mix between urban and rural?
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What would you say you have learned from the rural aspect of Rolla?
“I think compared to a lot of big cities it’s definitely considered rural, but to like Salem and Newburg, it’s neighbors, it’s a bigger town.”
“I think I have learned a new respect for the farmer and I’ve seen how difficult of a job it is, being so close to one. It’s taught
me how to embrace simplicity. I thought moving here that I would miss having a skating rink and seven malls within my town, but I really don’t. I like that when I go out in public I see people I know everyday.”
What do you think more people should appreciate about living in Rolla?
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“I understand that people wish we were closer to more activities and things you can do out in public, like having an ice skating rink or a mall, but there are people [in big cities] who have grown up never really seeing a field. They can’t ever look at the horizon and not see buildings. I know that sounds silly, like it’s not any fun to look at a field, but you should appreciate the space that we have here and the openair.”
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Patriotism and faith are two traditionally rural values. Do you see those in Rolla?
“I agree with that completely. A lot of times I think Christians are viewed as thinking they’re absolutely right and everybody else is wrong. I’d say the majority of the time if you approach a Christian and you don’t have the same beliefs as them they will love you the same and they will not be angry and try to prove you wrong. I think in general people in Rolla are very accepting of whatever you believe. If they want you to be accepting of them than they’d better accept you. It’s not a one way street.”
Teacher Feature: Mr. Luna b y
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Don Luna, math teacher and A+ Coordinator, has the classes Algebra II and Honors Algebra II/ Trigonometry for the first half of the day, and then takes care of the A+ program for the rest of the day. Luna’s first year teaching was complicated. He had to be dedicated and hardworking for a lot of the year. “It was the most difficult thing I’ve ever done. I never student taught, and I had to teach four different math classes my first year. I was literally at the high school past midnight at least four days a week, if not more. It was brutal,” Luna said. Luna has many reasons for becoming a teacher Photo taken by Bailey Allison in the first place. “I never really enjoyed my former job, where I was a computer programmer, and always had thoughts of teaching. I enjoy being able to joke around with the students, but at the same time be serious when needed, to make sure they are understanding the material,” said Luna. Another reason why Luna chose to become a teacher involves his family.
“I love spending time with my family, so teaching would allow us all to have the same schedule and be able to spend time together in the summer. Originally, my wife got a job teaching here at Rolla, and I was able to see first-hand how great the school was. Rolla has always been known as an outstanding school,” Luna said. Being a teacher is not the only job that Luna has.. “I own a shaved ice business with a permanent location in St. James and a mobile trailer that we take to festivals or special events. I also have a fishing lure business that my wife’s family started and we have since taken over. During the summer, I sell fireworks out of a building in Gerald, MO, after putting up firework tents up and down I-44. I’ve also been fixing cell phone screens for roughly eight years now,” Luna said. Although Luna’s first year was hard, he is reminded how much he likes being a teacher by the rewards. “I love being able to take many student’s most dreaded subject and explain it in a way that they can understand it,” Luna said.
Rolla community members highlight sustainable living b y
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Staff Writer “I think some of the things we do will make a difference because we are very closely associated with the recycling center. They are our best friends. We share some produce with them, they are always happy to help us. They supply us with some of the materials from the composting they do,” Bertrand said. When Bertrand originally started the gardens in 2012, he had different outlook. “What we expected this to be primarily for older people, and we are as much interested in teaching and sharing knowledge about gardening, as we are about any of the other things,” Bertrand said. Bertrand also boasted about the wide variety of members who come from all around the world to share their own unique experiences and knowledge. “In the past two years we we’ve had a lot people from Asia, mostly graduate students with families (...) they are out here to grow the food that’s from home to them. I think we have about six families represented by those that have come from Asia here. They do things like growing pumpkins as a vegetable and cooking it when it’s green,” Bertrand said. The effect of the gardens on the community have been substantial even though it is such a small operation. “What we contribute is an attitude, and the fact that we are growing food and giving some of it back to the community. We aren’t totally green, we say we are environmentally friendly,” Bertrand said. Charlotte Wiggins, the founder of the Rolla Beekeeping Club, is striving to educate and excite people about nature and is an extremely involved and passionate community leader. She also writes multiple blogs on gardening, beekeeping, and cooking.
“I’m retired from the Forest Service (...) for 30 years I worked with nature, and have always had a love of the outdoors. I started the blogs because I thought with climate change, which we were the agency in the federal government that was supposed to be discussing the impacts of rapidly changing climate, I thought personally need to also walk the talk,” Wiggins said. Wiggins explained that she founded the Rolla Beekeeping Club in order to involve people in the plight of bees. “I was teaching beekeeping classes and the students were asking for support (...) this is probably the hardest time in the history of beekeeping to keep bees,” Wiggins said. She goes on to explain that pathogens, loss of habitat and poor nutrition affect the bee. As the main pollinators, it is affecting our food sources. Wiggins divulges a little of what goes on at the monthly meetings and the importance of the Bee Club. “A lot of people go into beekeeping for different reasons (...) what we do is teach people the importance of pollinators in our society, in our environment and we redirect people to be more intune with what is happening with what’s happening with the weather, outdoors, in their community,” Wiggins said. In her own home, Wiggins implants many ways to live sustainably. “I cook, I grow my own food (...) I recycle, I collect my own rainwater (...) my yard is a one acre certified wildlife refuge and a monarch waste station. So I walk the talk,” Wiggins said. Wiggins is excited to see what the future holds and actively works towards it. “I hope they won’t plant so much grass, they plant more flowers, we need habitat for the pollinators, not just the bees. I am trying to encourage people to do that through my blog, Gardening Charlotte,” Wiggins said.
Rolla High’s 1994 football undefeated team inducted into Alumni Hall of Fame b y
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Rolla High School has been known for many things since it was founded in 1921, good and bad and exciting all around. One of the most notable events, however, was the 1994 football team’s undefeated season. The team is now being recognized and inducted into the school’s Alumni Hall of Fame, and the people of Rolla now have the chance to look back on an amazing year in the school’s history. Andy Singleton was a senior on the team that year. “The undefeated regular season and team unity made some of the best times of my life,” Singleton said. He was not the only one who felt this strongly about the family bond that the team created together. One of the captains at the time, David Bates, also described the joy he found in their season. “...I had the best of times when we were together playing football. I’ll never forget the season that we created,” Bates said. The coach of this record breaking team, Gary Miles, has not changed much in his opinions over the years. “The players were very good to work with. We had a lot of fun, but we also got the work done,” Miles said. Even now, when asked what made the team so notable, Miles is quick to show his appreciation for the team. “We had a very good coaching staff, but the players are the ones who sacrifice, dedi-
cate themselves, and execute on Friday nights,” Miles said. The team won the regular season 10 to 0, a victory only achieved once before by our school, in 1954. Teammate Matt Steelman was a senior
that year. a legacy of victory and pride for Rolla High “It’s a great feeling knowing we made School. history [that] year,” Steelman said. Miles continually shows his gruff pride in He was correct in more ways than one. History is not just the recognition of a great event, but the lingering memories that people hold onto. Vickie Bates is the mother of David Bates, and continues to show her admiration for the team even now. “It goes without saying that we are proud of David and his teamPhotos courtesy of Growler 1994 mates...We are highly appreciative to the committee for everything the team has achieved. remembering and inducting the 1994 Bull“It was very enjoyable to give them a dog football team into the Hall of Fame,” plan and watch them succeed,” Miles Vickie Bates said. said. The 1994 football team continues to hold
Artist of the Month b y
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Sophomore, Eliana Stanislawski, is curwhich is like a stamp. Another project I rently enrolled in Intermediate Painting made was a bulldog collage, but my favorwith Mrs. Engelbrecht. Previously, she ite piece of art was an acrylic painting I took Beginner 2D Art at Rolla High School did of a pear,” Stanislawski said. as a freshman. Stanislawski’s artwork was Engelbrecht is a favorite teacher to many chosen for the Rolla Public Schools’ stuart students including Stanislawski bedent artist display. The piece is at the RPS cause she is positive and enthusiastic. boardroom, and will be on display through “Mrs. Engelbrecht is always pumping the middle of February. She has been exeveryone up and she is very encouragposed to art since she was very young. ing. She notices things in my art that I “In St. Pats, everyone had to take art never would have myself. That gives me classes starting when we were young, and more pride in my work, and makes me I have been drawing ever more excited to finish it,” since then,” Stanislawski Stanislawski said. said. Engelbrecht is proud of Stanislawski has a sibling Stanislawski for the work that is interested in art, she has done. which has influence her. “Eliana has genius art “My older sister, Ariana, skills! She can create who graduated last year did lifelike compositions like a lot of art, and she inspired many other young artists, me to do it too. She was but she can also comalways drawing. One of her municate an idea and a friends would come over message that resonates and they would draw, and I with her audience,” would just think, ‘I want to Engelbrecht said. do that too,’” said StaniOne of Stanislawski’s slawski. reasons for liking art is While Stanislawski is exparticularly unique. She tremely talented and has crewas inspired by a saying ated many beautiful pieces, of a past teacher. there are still things that she “One of my English wants to get better at. teachers used to say, ‘We “I specifically want to im- Photo taken by Bailey Allison write to be read,’ and that prove my painting, because is something that has I haven’t had many opportunities to exalways stuck with me. Now, I implement pose myself to painting styles, like acrylic that in my art. I try to finish my projects as and oil painting. I’ve also been interested something that would please other people. in pastels and charcoal. This year, there I make art for it to be seen, but I also enjoy were a couple pieces I was particularly it for myself,” Stanislawski said. proud of. One was a printmaking piece,
Graphic design academy teaches real world skills to RHS students
Students explore artistic passions in photography
Photos courtesy of Kassandra Hayes b y
Photos taken by Maia Bond b y
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The Rolla Technical Institute is used for giving students hands on experience and real world skills. The RTI educates high school upperclassmen and recently graduated students in fields they enjoy, all while widening their opportunities, as well as progressing students in their personal interests. The RTI prides itself in its mission, in their website motto, “RTI/C will provide quality career education and leadership opportunities through skilled training and community partnerships in a continually changing society.” The Design Academy is one of the many courses offered at the RTI. “It’s Images, visual communications, thats whats graphic design is, visual communication,” Academy Director Angi Yowell said. The Design Academy teaches a multitude of skills, providing six areas of study for students to explore. These include Graphic Design, Animation with Game Art Design, Animation with Game Art Development/ Programming, Website Design & Development, Drafting Design and Interior Design. All of these fields share a lot in common. They have similar skill sets required, some of the most important being time management, work ethic, creativity, and motivation. During class, students continue to work on a multitude of projects. The classroom
6 Arts and Entertainment
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Artistic expression can come in a multitude of styles, showcases, and mediums. But among so many artistic forms, one of the most popular is also one that is most overlooked: photography. Senior Kassi Hayes believes photography can be one of the most meaningful ways to convey one’s art. “To me, art is just an expression of yourself and there’s no more intimate expression of yourself than what you’ve witnessed with your eyes. A camera’s lens is practically an extension of your eye, it serves as an incredibly efficient form of art and communication,” Hayes said. Kassi has gone through many phases with her photography, from being a little kid with a disposable camera to carefully planning out her Instagram theme with painstaking thought put into each post, as most teens did circa 2014. “I think the more opportunities I’ve been given to experiment with new technology
the more I’ve become interested in the various techniques and styles that exist in the world of photography,” Hayes said. Though, to become a photographer does not necessarily mean raking out hundreds of dollars for a professional grade camera. With something as simple as a smartphone, anyone can be a photographer. “My favorite things to take photos of are animals, sunsets, and recently I’ve become obsessed with portraits because they are very captivating. Everyone has their own essence of beauty and I really enjoy capturing it,” Hayes said. Photography, like any other medium, is completely subjective. It is all about what the artist themselves find beautiful or interesting. “Just have fun with it. Images can be super thought provoking and deep, or they could just be interesting to look at and serve as a reminder of a good memory. You don’t have to be serving Vogue editorial quality to enjoy your photographs,” Hayes said.
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is filled with computers and sticker or heat vinyl with layouts. Computers are a huge tool used in the classroom, they mainly work on Adobe software, such as Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Indesign, and Adobe Photoshop.They learn useful skills like typography, animation principles, and many other useful assets. Not only is the program digital based, the course also teaches screen printing, which is a printing technique where mesh is used to transfer ink onto an underlying surface. The students practice screen printing with assortment of hoodies and t-shirts. As for being hands on, the students get opportunities to perform jobs out of the classroom setting, like designing logos for businesses, websites, and even doing some work around the high school. “It’s a great program, the amount of work ethic I’ve learned from this is amazing. There’s just so much I’ve learned. I know how to cut vinyl, do screen printing, and those are very viable skills for what I’m going into. The fact that I know how to do it, will probably get me hired a lot easier,” Senior Emily Jackson said. As far as benefiting knowledge wise in the course, there is also some great opportunities to go to competitions and earn scholarship money for top colleges and private art schools. The program participates in local and even national levels of SkillsUSA, which is student career and technical organization with a mission of ensuring a reliable and skilled workforce for the future of America. Students who participate have the chance of winning at these competitions, and potentially receiving thousands of dollars of scholarship money for their future in their desired career path.
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Photo taken by Emma Rodgers
Photo taken by Courtney Kelley When it comes to the sport of wrestling, the majority of the population would picture a strong man with bulging muscles, such as award-winning Kyle Dake or David Taylor. But one sophomore has been wrestling her whole life, just as these men have. Her name is Hannah O’Connor. O’Connor has had a long history with the sport, beginning when she was just seven years old. “I started wrestling because my dad was talking to my brother, Bryce, about it, and before Bryce could reply, I said, ‘I wanna do it dad!,” O’Connor said. O”Connor has a love for the sport that is insurmountable. “I love the commitment that comes along with wrestling. And I also love making friends and creating bonds with my teammates,” O’Connor said. O’Connor is very elated that Rolla High School decided to add the girls team to the list of amazing sports that they offer. “I think that it has brought more friendships. I have more friends now than I would have if they had not brought this team to the high school. The girls and I have become even closer than we were before,” O’Connor said.
He describes having the basketball in his hands, and there are 30 seconds left in the game, and his team is down by three points. You dribble and run down the court, and sink a 3-pointer in the last three seconds of the game. The crowd is roaring with excitement. This is a dream that junior Jack Hounsom wants to accomplish. Alongside playing football during the fall, Hounsom also enjoys the game of basketball during the winter sports season. He prefers basketball over football. “Being on a basketball team means its a smaller team, so it is a really tight knit group of guys. It is a fun place to be and a great team of guys,” Hounsom said. Hounsom is very proud of his teammates as well, and thinks the season is going quite well. “I think it is going really well. We have lost only three games this season. Two of them we did not have our best player, Alec Buhr, and the other game was a close game where we just came up short,” Hounsom said. Hounsom also has big plans for the future of the team as well. “I hope to just win as many games as possible. I want to try and win two district championships, as well as two conference championships with this year and my senior year as well. I think we are a really good team, and we have a good shot at winning the conference and even the district championship this year,” Hounsom said.
Offseason Vital to Rolla Athletics b y
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When it comes to building and establishing a dominant sports program, it is critical to have an offseason training program built in. With the recent rise in Rolla; athletic dominance, it could be traced back to an overhaul in offseason training management and the new football head coach, Jon Franks. Through his many years involving football, Franks knows what to build through the offseason training program. “With offseason, there are several components we are trying to accomplish. One is strength, with that we are just getting stronger, and we are allowed to apply more force, which causes a bigger explosion. The other components in the workouts is that we are gaining flexibility and a range of motion, so there are a lot of components physically to an offseason program. However, during the offseason you are building a commodity, the athletes grow closer together and play better together to build a better demeanor,” Franks said. One of the key factors in working out during the offseason is keeping the body in shape for the start of the season. Senior Dakota Chiles has went to every offseason training day in preparation for the track season. “I feel like without being in a winter sport, makes me feel more prepared for the track season and keeps my body in shape, rather than just resting during the offseason. It keep my progression of getting stronger for the season, rather than just lifting in weight training during the school day,” Chiles said.
Getting lower classmen or new students interested in joining a sport is a task in itself. However, Franks, through his many years of coaching, knows how to recruit kids into the program. “Well, one thing is that you have to build a connection with them, that’s our job as adults. Even though it’s hard sometimes to build the connection with kids and try to show them we are here to provide a service, provide an opportunity. People want to do things that they find enjoyable, and sometimes we have to work it into the program to have some fun. I think we do a decent job at doing that, just sometimes I think the most important thing is to build a relationship with each one of the guys and girls. I think that’s why it is important as a coaching staff to have a variety of characteristics. Because not everyone is going to hit it off with me, where some might hit it off with Coach Shockley or Coach Kinder better. That’s not only in sports but school in general, where you’re trying to build that relationship with the kids,” Franks said. With Coach Knapp retiring last year, Coach Franks took over as the head coach of the track program. Senior Dakota Chiles is excited to see a new change to the program. “I feel as if it will definitely be a change, because there will be more integration in between the parts, like more challenging programs through all competition levels. There will be a definite change in the workload and work protocol coming off of the offseason program,” Chiles said. Coach Franks has spent most of his life
participating in athletics on a playing and coaching level. Through his time with sports he has learned many lessons, making him the coach he is today. “I know a lot of things I learned young, when I was at Stockton I was an assistant then a head coach I learned that when you’re young you’re stubborn, you’re competitive and fiery, everything is a win lose situation. I learned not everything is a win or lose situation. A teacher or coach wouldn’t have a job without students. Our job is to bring them in and not run them away, it’s why you need to have a good ego into help, not just the students but people in general. I’ve gotten a lot better in that world. The best thing I’ve gotten better at is dealing with parents, involving them, keeping them communicated. There’s always more room for improvement though, and there are many things I’d like to get better at,” Franks said. Playing in one of the most difficult conferences in the state of Missouri, it is hard to have constant success year in and year out. That is why coach Franks is so key on the offseason program is critical to teams so not only they get stronger and faster but build a dominant attitude. “There’s an attitude we are trying to establish, that Rolla is a hard working and tough place to play. It’s a culture, we want to be physical, we want to look good and we want to perform good. All that is tied into the offseason program so ultimately the offseason is to build the culture of collectivism, working hard with each other an building that family, building that Rolla bulldog family,” Franks said.
Photos taken by Brandon Kirchner
Girls basketball team starts off strong season b y
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Basketballs bounce on the wooden floor, the sound echoing around the gym, competing for space between the laughter traveling up and down the court. The girls shoot around while having conversations across the gym. Some stretch in a semicircle, giggling along with the others. Coach Luke Floyd calls them together and in an instant each girl is assembled in a circle in the center of the gym. The girls that make up this year’s basketball team are nearly 50 percent freshman, but that has not stopped them from being a close knit group. “We really connect with the freshman and we took them in and get along with them where most other teams wouldn’t do that,” Senior Olivia Burken said. Freshman Emma Floyd describes the atmosphere as accepting and felt as though she had an almost immediate bond with her teammates. While circled up before practice, Luke Floyd asks each one of them to share three words that describe themselves. Words like dependable, athletic, compassionate, and giggly characterize many, and the conversation allowed a small window into the uplifting attitude the team shares. Burken smiles, referring to many of her teammates as “goofy,” ensuring that when they need to be, they are all focused. As practice begins, the laughter only stops briefly, seeping into each exercise. Luke Floyd praises them for their great chemistry and how they “work hard and find the fun in it.” He does not coach this year’s smaller team any differently, and junior Ellie Rodgers actually enjoys the smaller size. Burken agrees as she loves knowing each team member personally. “If we had enough for a freshman, junior varsity, and varsity team, then we
wouldn’t be as close to the freshman team because we wouldn’t be practicing with them. Because we only have 18 girls we get to play and work with every person,” Burken said. Their strong bond off the court carries over onto the court as Rodgers describes that anyone can tell that the teammates have a connection. “Everyone is super encouraging during practice and we have a great time. We can be hard on each other but at the same time lift each other up,” Rodgers said. Each time a basket is made, a round of “good job” and “nice shot” bounces around the gym without hesitation. Although just a practice, they praise each other for nearly ever well made move, providing advice like “use your legs more next time” or a reminder to focus. “You don’t have to worry about the upperclassmen being mad or making fun of you if you mess up, they help encourage you and correct what you did wrong instead of getting upset,” Freshman Keira Chrisco said. Rodgers appreciates that no one is selfish with the ball and that everyone wants each other to score. The practice demonstrates this when each girl is running up and down the court tossing balls to one another, training and working together. “We often run a lot in practice. Sometimes it is just constant running and it’s a struggle to want to come to practice the next day. I come back for the girls because I know they are going to make it worth it to come back and practice with them. Even when we are all having a bad day, we try to laugh during practice even if it’s something we don’t want to do,” Burken said. Most of the girls began playing basketball competitively around third or fourth grade and played recreationally much earlier than that. Nearly a decade later, they still love it; whether it be the teamwork,
high intensity, or friends they made along the way, they have overcome obstacles to remain in the game. “The biggest struggle for me is keeping my confidence up and trying to push through and continue putting forth my best effort. As a team, we have struggled with losing a lot in the past couple years. Last year was definitely a better season because we won probably about 60 percent of our games and this year we have only lost two so far,” Burken said. Despite more success this season, Chrisco is currently fighting off a concussion and doing what she can to completely heal, but feels that injuries have been her most uphill battle. “All the coaches say that we will all have off days, but defense is effort. If you can put all your effort towards defense when you aren’t shooting well that day, then you’re still having a good practice,” Emma Floyd said. Through rough days, she does not feel that any obstacles have been incredibly detrimental because of the help she has received along the way. “If you ever have a problem, the older girls are willing to help you figure out how to get through it,” Emma Floyd said. Chrisco adds how important the coaches are to that process as well, creating an atmosphere of honesty and openness. “We support each other on and off the court and when someone’s having a rough week we just try to be there for them and let them know their strengths to remind them why they are so good at what they do,” Burken said. When the part of practice where they discuss strategies and plays, each girl’s face is focused and attentive. Participation is never lacking even towards the end and there is never a shortage of questions and clarifications. Preparing for an upcoming game, Coach Floyd encourages them and logically explains how they can win
through their plays and hard defense and work ethic. Besides that preparation, each teammate describes the same picture. “For varsity, before a game we typically have a team dinner. Then we go to listen to music in the main gym before the junior varsity has to warm up. We get pumped up, sing into the microphones, shoot around, and get ready to play,” Burken said. Emma Floyd takes deep breaths and talks with her teammates to shake off last minute nerves. Chrisco adds how exciting it all is, to play in front of a crowd with a team as close as theirs. “You step to run onto the court and you see everyone clapping. It’s nerve wracking but exciting at the same time,” Rodgers said. Burken particularly enjoys how excited her teammates get when they win and loves being a part of the winning team. After disappointing past seasons, Rodgers knows they know how to shake off a loss and keep moving. Discussing what went wrong is a large part of the following practice and a key to their success later. Burken excitedly shares how this year has been different and they have been winning more games. After an extremely close loss last year, her eyes are set on the goal of advancing further this year. “My biggest goal is for us to win districts this year. Last year we got to the championship game and fell short losing to a team that we could have beat. It was a really close game and I have a feeling that this year we’ll get past it,” Burken said. With high hopes for her last season ahead, she knows what she will miss the most. “I’m going to miss the girls and playing with them. I’ve grown really close to some of the juniors over the years and now freshman. It’s going to be so hard to say goodbye to them,” Burken said.
7 Sports
Debate team travels to first competiton b y
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On Saturday, January fifth, the Rolla High School Debate Team traveled the hour and
Photos taken by Quinn Guffey a half to Lebanon for their very first tournament. The debate team is a relatively new club to Rolla High School. History teacher Michael Ellis chaperoned the
event. Jessica Kimball, a junior at Rolla, is currently working as president of the debate team. During the tournament, the team competed in Novice Lincoln Douglas division. The team was just settling into the tournament as it began. Essentially, debate is an argument with rules. Each debater gets a set amount of time to convey their stance on why they are right, and how their opponent is wrong. Each opponent gets a turn to attack or try and tear down their opponent’s argument. Eden Potter, a junior on the debate team, shares her thoughts on how joining debate affected her. “I would say that it makes me a better public speaker, and makes me less afraid to share my opinion with others. It helps me be more confident and assertive in my answers,” The team was especially nervous for their first competition, though they managed to strive through with confidence in themselves and their teammates. Freshman Pearl Daugaard explained,
“I felt like it was good experience, even though it was super stressful for me, but I think it was overall good for me and the other debaters.” Almost all of the team won at least one of the four debates they participated in. With one of their team members, Potter, scoring three wins out of four, moved on to quarter finals. Potter placed fourth in the Novice Lincoln Douglas division, Potter and her teammates believe this is a huge step forward for her, and her teammates. The topics debated on are usually current and adamant topics which are relevant to the population today. During the tourna-
ment, the debaters went back and forth on the topic of whether the United States should send military aid to authoritarian regimes, like Syria. Aid can be defined in
many ways, from sending troops to sending money for weapons military supplies. The affirmative argument being that military aid should be taken away from authoritarian regimes. The negative argument was military aids should be continued to be given to authoritarian regimes. As the arguments rolled by, the debaters were encouraged to fine-tune and fix holes their previous opponents found and attacked in their arguments and points. At the end of the day, the debate team was more than happy with their outcome, stepping above their goals, and doing the absolute best they could. They look forward to gaining more experience and improving on what they have learned.
Midterm election laws enacted in the new year b y
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With every new year comes an influx of new diets, exercise plans, and magazines doting self-care initiatives. However, the new year goes far beyond resolutions. Every January first, new laws passed through the midterm voter election are enacted into law throughout the state. The majority of new state legislation is drafted through the state’s congress. The legislation that was passed in the 2018 legislative session was enacted into law this past August. When the citizens are not satisfied with the legislation passed, they have the ability to enact their own Constitutional amendments as part of the the November midterm election. The 2018 midterm election saw the legalization of medical marijuana, a minimum wage increase, an amendment lessening bingo regulations, and the passing of the “Clean Missouri” act which deals with ethical protocol for elected officials and the redistricting process. Rolla City Manager John Butz explains which new amendments will have
the greatest impact on Rolla’s citizens. “Medical marijuana and minimum wage legislative initiatives were constitutional amendments, where the legislature didn’t address them, and so through citizen’s petition initiatives they called for those things. Not through the legislative process, but through the elective process and so, of course, that’s why the appeal went directly to the voters,” Butz said. The increase in Missouri’s minimum wage will be of special interest to those currently working lower-waged jobs. In 2018, the minimum wage was set at 7.80 dollars per hour, but the passing of Proposition B will see the minimum wage increase to 8.60 dollars per hour in 2019, with an 85 cent increase annually until 2023, when the state minimum wage will be 12.00 dollars per hour. “Quite frankly, that’s more than what we pay some of our starting firefighters. One of the realities is that, sure, it’s nice if you’re sixteen or eighteen and you’re
working at McDonald’s or Ross and you’d rather be making 10 dollars or 11 dollars rather than 8 dollars an hour. We all get that, but there’s going to be a cost to raising everyone’s minimum wage,” Butz said. Proponents of the raise to the minimum wage argue that it is necessary due to inflation, provides economic stimulus, and decreases the need for social programs. Opponents argue that the raise to minimum wage will result in job loss and a higher cost of living. “We’re not opposed to it. The voters approved it. We’ve just got to work with the community as to how do you fund every position so that rather than seven or eight dollars an hour, they’re making twelve and thirteen and fourteen and fifteen dollars an hour?” Butz said. Along with the raise in minimum wage, Amendment 2 legalized medical marijuana with a four percent sales tax going towards veterans healthcare services. Amendment 2 was voted upon in November and took
effect with the new year, but Missouri’s citizens cannot expect to receive medicinal marijuana anytime soon. Although the law was technically already enacted, applications to receive medicinal marijuana will not be available until June, and it could be many more months after the fact that medical marijuana is actually made available in dispensaries. “One of the problems when legislation does get done through Constitutional Amendments, rather than the legislative process, is that they don’t always have the details flushed out. That’s why no one really knows how that’s going to work in 2019, although it’s now in effect. It will take months to get those rules and regulations promulgated and distributed,” Butz said.
RHS’ brick display is a dedication for past, present students
something interesting on the pavement, that being a display of bricks that is not C o p y E d i t o r quite finished. As the year wore on, a few questions were raised about the empty space. In the process of renovating Rolla High However, as some students walk School, many necessary updates were through the newly made to accomadded entrance, modate the growthey have noing school’s needs. ticed something From the roomy lecinteresting on the ture hall, veterans’ pavement, that hall, and overall the being a display of much needed space bricks that is not for the large incomquite finished. As ing freshman class, the year wore on, a it is safe to say the few questions were addition is nothing raised about the short of impresempty space. sive. Other than These are of the small hiccup in course mostly some students not around why the quite understandspace is still ending ing which side of and what is going the hall to walk on, to fill it. But before the change has been getting to that, Mr. widely appreciated. Smith had some However, as some answers as to why students walk the space created through the newly Photo taken by Bailey Allison in the first place. added entrance, “It’s through the Alumni Assothey have noticed ciation, which we just started last b y
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year. The Alumni Association was made to connect alumni back to the school, let them know what’s going on. We also want a way to let them give back to the school. This is a good way [to do] that, they can purchase a brick, it goes into a fund that we use for our students. It’s a commemorative thing for them, plus it also affects current students,” Smith said. The Alumni Impact in Education was made to connect past Rolla High School graduates to the current school and honor their memories of the school. But buyers do not have to have already graduated to buy a brick. “Really, anyone can. Seniors who are going to be graduating, it’d probably be a good gift from a parent. If students want to do it we wouldn’t keep it from them,” Smith said. In order to buy one of these bricks, it is as easy as filling out a form and sending it in. This can be done online, with the QR code below, or with a form students can pick up in the main office. The paper one includes pricing for two different types of brick and space to write out what is desired to be carved, as well as an example of the final product. Keep in mind, though, the bricks have to be school appropriate before sending it and the money for it off. With so many bricks to be laid, it is
understandable why some would wonder where the money is going. Funds accumulated will be going back into the school, upgrading it for current and future students. “The current project that’s being worked on is the library. There’s options that people can just donate to the library also, which is how the Art Gallery downstairs happened. That happened through the Alumni Association. Someone made a large donation to create the Art Gallery. The next thing is, our library needs to be updated,” Smith said. It will not be too much longer before the empty space is filled, so students can look forward to seeing the final product soon. “We started planning for this and then they started building it this summer and we’re awaiting bricks,” Smith said.