Volume 1, Issue 3 • December 13, 2013 • S.H.Rider High School • 4611 Cypress • Wichita Falls, TX 76310
the
rider chronicle Pearson Pg. 6
Book Reviews Pg. 5
Basketball Pg. 7
Stars and Stripes
JROTC Pg. 3
News Staff letter from the editors
staff editorial Time to Disconnect
It’s two in the morning and you’ve been checking that little blue bird app for the past three hours. Anxiously scrolling down for the newest feed but all you hear is the sound of the “slide” and “pop”. Still nothing new to see. You realize it is now two-thirty. No new pictures have been posted on instagram for the past ten minutes and you are bored out of your mind. It is now three in the morning and you have watched every last vine there is to see on the popular page. Your last resort is to finally go to bed. It’s once again that day everyone hates the most. Monday. You go through the day tired as any other Monday before. It is weird to think that we exhaust ourselves all the time just by straining our eyes on a little rectangular screen. But there is always some need to know what the latest thing Amanda Bynes said about Drake (or some nonsense like that). It keeps us from focusing on things that matter more like the boring yet precious hours we should be using to study with to get good grades. It has become an addiction and as hard as it is to admit, it’s true. If we have to spend more than ten minutes of human interaction with a person we don’t know that well, we find it more comfortable to bury our faces in a phone screen. In reality, spending so much time on our phones takes away from the valuable moments in life that we could never get back. While we are checking up on some hot guy’s newest post on instagram, our mothers are begging us to just spend a couple minutes to help her make dinner. Making dinner may be boring and pointless to us but to a mother something like that means so much to her. Being on our phones can be time consuming, and it’s totally fine to check up on all our social networks from time to time. But there are some real life moments that we could accidentally miss and never get back, just because we had to check up on that little rectanguler distraction.
Dear readers, We are not alone when we say that this month was difficult. From the rapidly approaching “Finals Week”, to those blessed inclimate weather days. Throughout this week especially, we could feel this rising sense of dread with every bell. Maybe to the convergience of All- Region band to the December newspaper deadline amongst other things. But we can appreciate the term “impending doom”. To combat this negativity we at The Rider Chronicle are issuing Christmas spirit in full force and have made a definite point to spread holiday cheer. In this season of giving, school has gotten us more focused on ourselves. Maybe with the help of our readers we can truly have a “Holly Jolly Christmas”. -from the desk of
Kiersten Scott
&
Emily Carroll
The Rider Chronicle Staff
CO-EDITORS IN CHIEF: emilycarroll & kierstenscott WEB EDITOR: konnerreece MARKETING DIRECTOR: deweycooper FEATURE EDITOR: shannonpyle News Editor: cortneywood
STAFF: karlaalvarado, austindoucet, stevengarcia, ashlynngiles, karlagonzlez, m’quelagordon, emilyhorton, meganjones, patrickklingler, brookeleiker, lanemaddox, collinpartridge, ethanpayton, joshpotts, jansenrouillard, jordanstarks, alexavincent
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MISSION STATEMENT: Our mission is to be the voice of the student body, and to be aware of the everyday activities that go on at school and to cover those stories without bias, writing the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Given its free forum status, The Rider Chronicle accepts all letters, guest work, artwork and feedback from its readers. The author’s name must be submitted alongside the work and items containing profanity will not be published. Letter to the editor form available on theriderchronicle.com AUDIENCE: Material may not reflect the intended views of the staff, school, or the community, but the views of the author and its interest of our audience CONTACT US: Co-Editors: Emily Carroll & Kiersten Scott. Adviser: Mary Beth Lee. Principal: Judy McDonald. Newsroomdirect phone line: 235-1077. 31061. All guest submissions must be brought by room 247 or e-mailed to emilycarroll@theriderchronicle.com or kierstenscott@theriderchronicle.com
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12/13/13
Feature
On Their Way to Stars and Stripes Cadets Discuss the Drive in JROTC by alexavincent
6 COMPANY COMMANDER (one per company) Company A,B,C,D,E,F 6 FIRST SERGEANT (one per company) Company A,B,C,D,E,F 18 SQUAD LEADER (three per company)
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Photo by: Kylar Walker 1 EXECUTIVE OFFICER
5 STAFF OFFICERS S1: Personel S2: Security S3: Training S4: Supply S5: Special Projects
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Military
1 BATTALION COMMANDER (one per school)
because her father was in the German Air Force and she thought she should know a little about the military. “I kept with it because I just loved it, and I was so interested in it,” Zeizinger said. Large portions of cadets recognize the program as a liaison to help them achieve their dreams. Jackie wants to one day be a doctor in the United States Air Force, and John Rines, acting first sergeant in JROTC , desires to become an F-15 fighter pilot in the Air force. “I like to fly,” Rines said. “I’ve liked it since I was a little boy.” Rines realizes that if he wants to get accepted into the Air Force Academy in Colorado, he has to take his time and academic career seriously. “[I joined JROTC because] it gives me a good idea of how the military is going to be like” Rines said. Other than being in a leadership position, Rines has taken a proactive step towards his goals by studying to get his private pilot’s license before he graduates high school. The participants want students to know the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps isn’t just a conglomerate of like-minded people or a physical structure, but rather an ideal: the embodiment of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. It’s a program that sculpts the leaders of tomorrow with discipline, perseverance, and mostly respect. “Respect,” Rines said, “isn’t something given, it’s something that has to be earned.”
Battalion Staff Positions
Rider Battalion Heirarchy
They are the ones who storm the hallways clad in uniforms. It is the corridor tucked back by the athletic wing with bold proud letters announcing its presence above the metal double doors. But could it mean more than the preconceived notion of their surrounding student body? To those part of the Rider Battalion, the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) has a deeper meaning than just a PE credit on their schedules. For some, the extracurricular symbolizes the selfless ideal of going above and beyond in their community. “It’s really a leadership group,” S1 Cintia Vickery said. “We really learn to step up in school and the community. Other students don’t really know about it, but we do, and we just do a lot to improve.” For others the program represents on a more introspective level. Cadet Austin Laughlin is a physical training captain in JROTC where he helps facilitate exercise among other cadets. He encourages physically demanding activity because he says it shows how much a person is willing to work. “If I feel like I want to give up or I want to quit, I know I have responsibilities or duties I have to fulfill and I know I have to continue,” Laughlin said. “It teaches me to carry on even when I don’t want to sometimes, and I think that’s an important life skill.” Joining JROTC for some cadets is as much about honoring their family’s past as it is about pursuing their own interests. Ronnie Wherry, a drill captain, said he wanted to join the military for his family and also because he aspires to be in the Marine Corps as a security forces man, and hopefully later be with a reconnaissance group. “It’s just a family legacy that my whole family has done,” Wherry said “and I want to keep on with that.” Likewise, Jacqueline Zeizinger originally joined JROTC
Mottos United States Army: "This We'll Defend" United States Coast Guard: "Semper Paratus" (Always Prepared) United States Navy: "Non sibi sed patriae" (Not Self, but Country) United States Marine Corps: "Semper Fidelis" (Always Faithful) United States Air Force: "Aim High...Fly, Fight, Win" US Navy SEALs: "The only easy day was yesterday."
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40 Years and Counting
Feature
Social Studies teacher’s career started in 1974 by meganjones Standing at the front of the classroom another class listens in as history teacher Joe Pearson lectures. It is the 40th year for these lessons. Lessons that range from the class topic to life after high school to the infamous “Pearson Puns”. Things have changed since Pearson first stepped foot in the classroom in 1974. “To some degree [students] families are less stable today,” Pearson said. “[There’s an] increase in the number of children being raised by grandparents.” That change, one Pearson no longer finds surprising, is something he says wasn’t very common at all back when he first started teaching. The classroom itself has changed also. Pearson said when he first started teaching there were more boys in AP classes but now there are more girls. It’s complicated to know the exact reason why, he admits, but he believes that it has a lot to do with girls being given more status through academic ability, while guys get more status through athletic ability. “Girls who are good students get more respect than guys who are good students,” Pearson said. Another factor may be that women were once withheld from the same rights as men, so now being equals, women embrace the opportunities that have been presented. “In our culture, we have begun to emphasize the importance of giving young women the opportunity to fully use their abilities and that has made a very positive impact in the number of girls in the AP classes,” Pearson said. On top of that, classes are more diverse now. Usually when diversity is talked about, it’s referred to by race and gender, but it also refers to “social and economic diversity,” Pearson said. He teaches students who have been raised in a variety of different backgrounds, which he thinks does more to add perspective and greater talent to the classroom. He said just because an individual was less fortunate in their upbringing, doesn’t mean they’re any less capable in accomplishing their goals. “Poor kids are not stupid kids,” Pearson said. “Poor kids are smart kids, and the way to stop being poor is to get a good education and use that to get where you want to go.” Pearson has confidence in the abilities of students who push hard to succeed in life and always will. Teaching has changed significantly. When he first started teaching there were six classes a day. Now there are eight. That change has led to an increase in stress for teachers and students. “Teachers are more worn out,” Pearson said. “ And students have a tendency of cutting and pasting from the Internet.” The Internet has changed more than research methods for students. “Students are less aware of the world around them,” Pearson said. It’s become rare for him to find a student who reads the paper. “Students really don’t follow the news very closely at all,” Pearson said. “It’s really kind of scary.” However, students do stay connected. “The degree to which students are immersed in technology, particularly social media,” concerns Pearson. Pearson worries that in today’s society the number of teenagers killed texting while driving has out done the number of teens killed drinking while driving. He also worries about how communication has changed because of technology.
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“There is part of us that needs face-toface communication,” Pearson said. Pearson said the lack of this communication has changed the culture. “Teenage culture has become very harsh. People tend to be more nasty when they don’t see each other.” It’s not all bad, though. Pearson sees a lot more awareness of money with today’s teenager, in large part because of the numbers working. “Students are having to earn part of it, and that gives them more responsibility when they start spending money,” Pearson said. “More students are having to pay at least something for what they get. It’s not all being handed to them.” That awareness has led to a social awareness as well. Pearson said today’s students are more aware of social issues and poverty problems, which he finds as a positive aspect. He said students are taking more initiative now to care for the environment, which is vital to its survival. He said that same attention should go towards those who are in poverty as well though. “Many AP students come from better off families, so to really understand what we live in, you need to have an appreciation and thankfulness for the blessings you’ve been given, because they didn’t come from you,” Pearson said. He feels that being appreciative of this will help people to understand how great of a debt they owe, to do something for those who weren’t offered the same advantages they were. “In other countries you have people that make our poor look wealthy,” Pearson said. It is important for people to really embrace what has been provided for them and help others, because they never know when they’ll be in a rough spot. “Not having gratitude for the advantages you’ve been given is really damaging to people,” Pearson said. “It makes you arrogant.” Gratitude and awareness led to Pearson’s teaching career, and while he does worry about the pressure new teachers are under, in the end Pearson said he wouldn’t change a thing about his life in the classroom. He had an amazing English teacher when he was in high school, and that made him realize the responsibility he had to give back in the educational field. “Being able to make a difference,” said Pearson is the thing he enjoys most about teaching. He loves learning and admires watching the students develop and be able to achieve what they want to in life. And although there are sometimes bumps along the road, “teaching becomes less difficult when you get grey hair,” Pearson said.
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Photo by: Maria Perez
Pearson’s Positives
“I like how he treats his class as if it was a college class. It prepares us for what is coming ahead. “ -Christian Gonzales
“I like that he talks about cute kittens, and how he’s not afraid to make corney jokes that only the smart people laugh at.” -Mary Forney
11/13/13
Review
Word Play
Young adult authors use a variety of tools to grab teen readers’ attention by shannonpyle
Opening to that first page is the same as stepping through the wardrobe into Narnia, an unfamiliar maybe even strange place that makes its way into your heart until you are left experiencing every turn of event, feeling every dose of shock right along with the characters. Many things make up a good book. When starting a new story, it takes an initial punch within the first few pages to pull you in and keep you there through every page and chapter ‘til the end of the story. To escape into the fictional world of dragons, Nephilim, vampires or a dystopian America, the story you read needs a beginning that catches you and doesn’t let go. A good book has you pulling your hair out over the suspense, squealing in excitement or surprise because of the character’s situation. It has you living the story; the best books keeping you engrossed far longer than you spend focusing on anything else, just because you feel a pressing need to know the end. To gain the reader’s undivided
attention, the author has to create an absorbing plot, one that isn’t like most of the YA novels out there today. For example, instead of the repetitive “boy-meets-girl” scenario, the author must put a spin on the story so it still has what people are drawn to, but it is not so cookie-cutter that the reader feels as though they’ve read the same story before. The author strives to be compared to a classic in its timelessness, not to a simple minded, unspectacular cliché of a book in its averageness. In the same way that readers are intrigued by a situation that they have never come across, when the author uses diverse syntax, not repeating words or keeping to simple sentences, the readers’ curiosity is aroused. By causing the reader to pause and study a sentence or paragraph more closely,
TOP 6 YA NOVELS/ SERIES CHECKED OUT AT RIDER
1 The Mortal Instruments
4 Inheritance
2 The Hunger
5 Harry Potter
3 Thirst
6 Twilight
Games
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Cycle
the book is more interesting and memorable and sets itself further apart from the rest in its genre. A lot of things go into making up a book, favorable or not, but even with a well written beginning, a unique plot, and the use of varied of syntax, a book would be nothing but words on a page without a sense of rising action. If the story is stale and monotonous, without any build up or change, it could hardly be called a story. The journey that we go on with the characters is one that takes us away. You travel across land, through time, and to different worlds when you read and if that travelling is done without you being jerked sideways or if it can’t be compared to a roller coaster from time to time, what’s the point? Our own lives can be at a standstill but we can still experience the wonders of the world, fight with warriors, dance with princes or princesses, fly through clouds on the backs of dragons, and guess at mysteries all with the turning of a page, the opening of a cover. That is the great thing about books.
Looking For A
Good Book?
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Divergent
In your words? Senior Mekala Conway: “When the book stirs your imagination, makes you think how it could go or how it could’ve gone.” Junior Kacie Campagna: “It needs to be interesting and have a good plot. If I start a book and it’s boring for the first few chapters, I will probably stop reading it.” Senior Mikayla Ratliff: “Unexpected plot twists, down-to-earth characters, beautiful vocabulary, and altogether a unique story”
by Veronica Roth Tris’s fight for answers becomes your fight, too. For you fast action addicts, this dystopian fiction novel is a major page turner with a movie coming out in March of 2014.
If I Stay
by Gayle Forman The choice to live or die is hers. A heart wrenching and warming story for you contemporary fiction lovers, with a little bit of everything, romance, realism, and tragedy.
12/13/13
Ads
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12/18/13
Game Changers
Feature
History of the Basketball
Rider teamwork makes the dream work by jansenroulliard
Swish.
Max Portmann sinks a free throw. The referee tosses the ball back to him, Portmann bounces the ball twice and looks right and left to his teammates. They nod at him encouragingly. Squaring up, Portmann stares at the small white box, bends his knees, and feels the ball roll gently off his fingertips. The ball arches toward the hoop and looks like it will fall short. Portmann watches as his shot plummets straight through the hoop, hearing the tell-tale sound of a perfect basket. Swish. For senior Max Portmann, junior Juan Varela, and the rest of the Raider Basketball team, the past seasons have been chaotic with the out-flow of graduating seniors, the in-flow of new varsity members, and the revolving door of new coaches. However, that doesn’t deter Portmann and Varela from being positive and optimistic about this season. They “only lost two players from last year, so [they] basically have the same team,” Portmann said. Because they have the same team, not much of the team dynamics have changed. Varela said he feels like the returning players are “just older, more mature, and more experienced, better players.” This year, the Raider varsity team is coached by Clifford McGuire. Portmann said he “believe[s] the team is very different with Coach McGuire.” “I think that with him here, we can start a consistent, successful team”. But with most of the team being comprised of returning players, there is not a lot that is different from last year. However, Varela said he thinks the team is the same, with different characteristics. “We are the same team that we were last year. We just have a new philosophy and some new plays. The environment’s definitely different and the philosophy’s different, but we are the same players.” Although the team is somewhat different, they carry over traditions that have been in place since the inception of the team. Overall, according to Portmann and Varela, the team has a great work ethic. Varela said that he feels like they “have a point to prove so [they go] in to practice every day 100% to prove that point.” “Basketball has never been the strongest sport at Rider, and we are kind of the laughing stock in Wichita Falls compared to Old High and Hirschi,” Varela said, “but we [just] have to prove [the] point that we are a contending team in this city and in this area.” Although the team starts working in the present, they are also aware of how their hard work affects the future team. Portmann said the team looks to the future as they “realize that starting a successful pro-
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gram takes a lot of hard work and commitment in the offseason.” As Rider is home to the One Family, One Team credo, it makes sense that this is carried into the basketball program. However, Varela said that “just like a family has good moments, [they] also have bad moments... but [they] try to correct it...as fast as possible.” Acting as a family unit is a very important aspect of being part of the team. “It is very important to be close to your team mates to have a team that can play well together as an unit,” says Portmann. Unlike Portmann and Varela, senior Skye Catletti, sophomore Brea Harrison, and the Lady Raiders Basketball team must strive to handle the youthfulness of this years team, as they graduated four starting seniors from the 2012-2013 season. Acknowledging this, Catletti said “that’s just room for improvement”. As young players, they are unused to each other’s playing styles, but with hard work and dedication, they can improve and win as a team. “We are going to start feeling ourselves out these first couple of games because we are young,” Harrison said , “but we work really well together and have something to prove.” The team is very strong when they stick to their goals and play as a team. Catletti said the team’s best strength is when they are working together and having fun and feels that it is hard to beat them when they do that.” However, no matter how much chemistry is present within a team, true success starts in the practice gym. “The team “believes that it’s not about how long you practice,”Harrison said, “but how hard you practice.” Practice is an important aspect of the team’s success. “No one misses practice unless they have a really good reason. When we are told to do something, we do it, and when we are in the weight room, working out, we get our stuff done,” said Catletti. The one pushing them to get that work done is the Lady Raider coach Ramsey Ghazal. Coach Ghazal as “a very smart coach who knows his stats,” Harrison said. “He is very hard on us because he believes in us.” “He encourages us to stand up for one another and to treat each other like a family. He expects the best from us and he works with us to get the best,” said Catletti. Both Raiders and Lady Raiders basketball teams realize there is one thing they can do to succeed: work and play hard. “We are all for the goal, we all want the same thing and we are going to work together to get it” Harrison said.
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1894
1970
A.G. Spalding and Bros. develope first Official NBA ball transitions from 4 to 8 basketball panels
1983
1997
Spalding's full-grain Spalding developed leather ball becomes oatmeal/orange game NBA official ball ball used by WNBA.
2006
NBA and Spaulding release new official game ball with Cross Traxxion™ technology.
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q Things You Didn’t Know About Rider Basketball
just azy. We irls r c e ’r e at w irly g know th e are actual g ts ’t n o d “People ave fun, and w asketball shor h rb want to e fact we wea h t despite skirts”. atletti of -Skye C instead “P eople don’t know that we ’re really young. We are changing into a more fast-paced team by using our abilities m ore this year”. -B re Harrison ketball “People don’t know that we play bas we play in year round. Once the season ends, we play in a spring league and in the summer, in Dallas, tournaments on AAU teams here or en school as well as with our school team. Wh against starts again, we play in a fall league local teams.” nn -Max Portma
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Sports
Senior Ryan Murray supporting his girlfriend Kiley Beaver. Photo By: Kylar Walker
After winning their game against Veron High school, Lady Raiders celebrate. Photo By: Amber Martin Gotcha! During the second match of the game against Canyon High School, Sophomore Rachel Richie tips the ball to save the point. Photo By: Anna Krzewinski
Netting a Win
Volleyball Girls Earn Top Marks, 3rd In District, Playoff Berth by hannahzemboy
Kelli Barnett celebrates. Photo By: McKenzi Davis
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The 2013 Lady Raiders volleyball team challenged themselves to prove they were in it to win it even after losing eight seniors from last year’s team. The ladies had a goal of finishing in the top three of the district, bettering last season when the team finished 4th. “I challenged them to write down their individual purposes of why they play volleyball and why they are here,” Coach Humpert said. The players reminded themselves daily and were dedicated to giving 110%. Humpert said this year’s team exhibited trust, friendship and unity. “All of us are so, so close. We are competitive but not catty,” Captain Kendall Chamberlain said. The team’s biggest motivation was proving to themselves and other that they
Varsity All-District awards: Most Valuable BlockerKiley Beaver
Academic All-State-
Kendall Chamberlain could rise to the challenge of the compeMost Valuable Utility Playertition. The ladies did prove they were preKendall Chamberlain pared and finished with their best season since 2005. The Lady Raiders placed 3rd Newcomer of the YearTerckoise Craig in the district and advanced to playoffs. Numerous players were Varsity All-District First teamLauren Wright and Award recipients. Jordan Green The volleyball team beat Saginaw in Round 1 of the playoffs but were intimSecond teamidated by the powerful Aledo team and Rachel Richie lost in Round 2. Honorable Mention- Ali Deason, MadeThe ladies were very proud of their sea- line Nichols, Kelli Barnett son and are looking forward to next year Academic All-District: Kiley Beaver, with Coach Humpert by their side. Kendall Chamberlain, Ali Deason, Kelli “She is amazing. She taught me everyBarnett, Terckoise Craig, Jordan Green, thing I know,” Captain Kiley Beaver said. Lauren Wright, Madison Box, Taylor Lind“She can be really like your best friend, but say, Caitlin Renz, Madeline Nichols, Sam also be serious coach and teacher.” Griego, Rachel Richie
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