December 2016 TRC by Rider Chronicle

he R der Chronicle

S.H. Rider High School 4611 Cypress Ave Wichita Falls, Texas 76310 Volume 55 Issue 2 Tuesday, December 13th, 2016

Battle of The Arts

By Jacob H. Wooten

Art : The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination. Everywhere you look, there is art. The difference between visually hidden and apparent ideas within art drive two conflicting methods of application and expression by interpretation of onlookers. Battle of the Arts will be an observation of the art forms that cultivate today’s society, projected through the Artists of Rider High into the observer’s perception. From beauty in the eyes of the beholder to applying aesthetic to functionality, there are three major categories of art to which two will be covered in this first observation of conflicting human visualizations. “You have to think two things in Applied Arts; One: it has to function. Two: it has to look good.” remarks Hung Luu, Spirit Janitor and Studio Artist of Rider High School.

Inside The Issue

Continue reading on pages 6/7

Mr. and Mrs. Raider, page 12

Election, page 5

Swimming, page 11

The Rider Chronicle

Lydia Angel Co-Editor-In-Chief Chris Greenwood Co-Editor-In-Chief Sierra Hodges Feature Section Editor Anaya Williams News Section Editor Kobie Lunsford Copy Editor Victoria Hitchcock Reporter Jacob Wooten Reporter Daisy King Reporter Chloe Pak Reporter Carson Lee Reporter Autumn Kreisler Reporter Dei Seamans Reporter Raymond McNally Reviews Maria Gandy Reporter/Illustrator R’yn Miller Illustrator Alexandra McClung Adviser Sandra Scheller Adviser

Midnight temperature drops. White and red lights strung from rooftops. Aroma of candy canes and pine. Snow peaking on the skyline. The Holidays are coming.

Holiday Fun Facts Hanukkah is celebrated around the world for eight days and nights. The first state to recogize Christmas as an offical holiday was Alabama in 1836.

The holiday Kwanzaa lasts seven days beginning on December 26 and lasting through January 1.

The Holidays are Coming

Aside from the presents, the songs, and the food, there lies the best thing of all: tradition, family, and don’t forget the 2-week break. The Holiday goes by many names, Christmas, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Kwanzaa, and Bodhi Day, just to name a few. They all circle around the warmth of loved ones combined with a variety of ground-in do’s and dont’s. For the majority, massive plants are decorated and put on display inside of a home with varying boxes and bags placed underneath. There are sometimes socks nailed above a place of fire and on the night before, baked goods are accompanied by a liquid dairy product for a jolly fat old guy who brings you the product of millions of tiny workers’ labors. However, that’s not all there is. There’s also candles lit continuously night after night for 8 days coming before a song. Well-known goods are made and eaten and the verses are read. There are public proclamations of their deity and all is peaceful and bright. Moreover, there are candles, household and strung up lights remaining lit for 30 days. A fiscus tree is adorned with beads and 3 ornaments to represent The Three Jewels. Rice and milk is consumed by those celebrating and cookies are baked in tree or leaf shapes to symbolize The Tree. All in all, The Holiday, whatever it may be to you, is a time of content, a time of giving and of loved ones.

December 13th, 2016

Editorial

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The Rider Chronicle

Know Your Options AP and Dual Credit Classes By Carson Lee

Why that CHOICE?

AP or dual credit, has been discussed by hundreds of students over the years. Many people ask, “which is better,” or “what are the benefits,” but what many don’t know is how it started or how it has grown, which could definitely impact your choice. “Starting dual credit at Rider was partially a matter of making sure our district offered the same opportunities that other districts do,” Head of the english department Sandra Scheller said. “Also, a family moved here from Lubbock and their older daughter was planning to enroll in dual enrollment classes for junior year. We did not offer this program at the time so her parents asked the superintendent why, and after researching the idea, he decided that working with vernon college would be a great idea.” Starting in fall of 2008, English, U.S. history, and government were offered as dual enrollment classes. “Over the years of offering both dual credit and AP courses, students have learned that they have to find the place where they belong,“ Scheller said. Over time, each program has changed to bring benefits for every student. “AP and dual enrollment are pretty big now, and we have the biggest program out of the three high schools,” College and Career Readiness counselor Julie Johnson said. “ It’s going to get bigger because of the GPA bump this year in dual credit.” This year, a student who takes a dual credit class earns 4.5 points toward their GPA instead of 4.0. “The choice really depends on each student; however I encourage students to think about it

“Dual credit guarantees college credit as long as you perform well in class throughout the year.” -Aodhán Shaw, 11

December 13th, 2016

because dual credit will transfer to every school in Texas,” Senior Miranda Whaite said. There are opportunities now for students to take dual credit and still stay in the top ten percent, or take AP to be considered for Ivy league schools like Harvard or Brown. “If they want to be on the stage as part of the top 10 at graduation, or be automatically accepted into the University of Texas as part of the top 7%, then AP is the way to go,” Johnson said. ”Dual credit is a sure thing if they can make a C or higher, so it is better for kids who don’t feel comfortable taking one exam to decide everything.” For students to enroll in dual credit classes, they must prove college readiness. One way that is extremely beneficial for sophomores is taking the Texas Success Initiative test (TSI). “If students have high enough SAT or ACT scores, they can enter these classes,” Johnson said. “The only problem with that is, most sophomores haven’t taken either the SAT or ACT, and that is why the TSI is so helpful.” “An advantage to dual credit is that you are guaranteed college credit for certain schools as long as you pass the class,” Whaite said. “You don’t have to stress out and worry about one test to decide it all. On the other side, AP classes are free, so it comes down to which is better for you.” To receive college credit in AP, a student must score a 3 or higher (out of 5) on their AP test. “Students must discuss this matter with their parents,” Scheller said. “There are no 1 size fits all solutions in education. Students should enroll in the courses they find challenging, helpful, and fun.”

“I know that colleges prefer students who take AP courses.” -Brianna Lee, 11

News

1 1. Senior Blake Hernandez studying on the topic of economics. “We were doing homework over aggregate expenditure,” he said. 2. Some of the major pieces of literature read in AP English 4 throughout the year. “My favorite piece we have read is The Importance of Being Earnest,” senior Maria Varela said. 3. Sophomore Sydney Wisdom prepares for the Of Mice And Men English test. “I was in class, looking up definitions in preparation for the test,” she said.

“If you pass dual you get automatic credits to most colleges, including state schools.” -Matthew Tempelmeyer, 12

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The Rider Chronicle

A ‘Major’ Change Rider JROTC starts off the year with a new Senior Army Instructor

JROTC Cadet Ranks

By Chris Greenwood Most days, Senior Army Instructor Robert Smith doesn’t just step into his car and spend 20 minutes travelling to work. He spends about one and a half hours and crosses a state border to teach his classes. “I started getting information on JROTC about 2 years before my retirement and always, in some capacity, wanted to be a teacher/instructor,” Smith said. “When I was at FA-57 I was able to teach different classes to, usually, young privates and that got me interested in a teaching career after my military retirement.” Smith had served a total time of 27 years in the military before retiring, 22 of them were army active duty and 5 in the national guard. “I started off my military career enlisting in the national guard as a field artillery gunner,” Smith said, “After I was enlisted for 3 years, I went through ROTC at Central Washington University and joined back as an officer.” During his time in college, Smith was participating in the national guard’s simultaneous membership program. “I would go to college, and one weekend a month I would do my National Guard duties,” Smith said. “I had spent 5 years doing that and went active duty.” Smith tried to experience other jobs, but he was signed into field artillery.

“I had so much training in field artillery that they put me back into that field,” Smith said. “I still enjoyed my time in it.” Smith eventually was able to transfer jobs into simulation training. “I was able to switch branches into simulation operations in FA-57,” Smith said. “I was either working computer exercises or in a planning cell, planning those exercises.” Smith and his wife eventually decided to settle down. “My last duty assignment was Ft.Sill, Oklahoma, and we wanted to grow roots there,” Smith said. “When I got interested in JROTC, that’s when Wichita Falls came into mind.” The similarities in the area and the proximity to Ft.Sill made it easier to transition again. “We’re making the transition from there to Wichita Falls maybe next summer,” Smith said. “I want to make sure I like the job and so far I’m loving it, so our plan is to purchase a home here.” Without a home here, Smith has to make plans for late activities. “Occasionally, when we do afternoon or weekend things, I used to stay at a friend’s house who took a job at Hirschi High School.” Smith said. “He didn’t last and moved away, so now I usually stay at a hotel overnight.” One of the reasons Smith likes the job he has with JROTC is because he is able to spend time with his wife. “Now I’m able to have holidays and summer vacation off work,” Smith said. “ I don’t have to request leave like I had to do in the military, so I now have more time to spend with the person I care most about.”

1. December 13th, 2016

2. Feature

1. Major Smith reading emails before school begins first period. Photo by: Taylor Makibbin 2. Major Smith practicing armed drill manuvers with students Photo by: Dalton Roberts

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The Rider Chronicle

Hope for the Future of Working Women What changes are brought by the milestone of female

The Race for The States

Presidential candidates? By Dei Seamans The 2016 U.S. presidential election can easily be considered one of the most controversial elections in American history. But behind the heated debates and dirty politics, something many feel was long overdue finally happened: two of the candidates were women. “I wasn’t surprised,” said Ms. Deborah Goodman, a professor at Vernon College, who also teaches Vernon classes at Rider. “Hillary Clinton is not the first woman to run for president. There have been quite a few women who have been presidential candidates for minor parties. In 1984, Geraldine Ferraro ran as the Democratic Vice Presidential candidate. This year, the Republican Party also had a female presidential candidate in the Republican Primaries, Carly Fiorina.” Whatever one’s opinions of Hillary Clinton and Jill Stein

(Democrat and Green Party candidates, respectively) are, it cannot be denied that a woman making it as far as being in the running for President of the United States is a monumental event. This begs the question of whether or not this will make an impact on the status of women in the workforce. “I am not sure. Women have been improving their positions in business and government over 10+ years.” Goodman said, “Many people believe that the election of a woman for president would be the most significant event of breaking the glass ceiling.” One thing is for certain though, women don’t necessarily need a president of the female gender to achieve an equilibrium with men on the topic of gaining executive jobs. According to a survey by Pew Research Center, most businesses agree that women

are just as equally qualified to have top jobs as men are; in fact, many say they’re “stronger in terms of being compassionate and organized leaders.” The problem is, women have to work harder to prove themselves. PCW records that most women are held to higher standards when working towards political and executive jobs; as well as that most businesses are simply “not ready to hire/elect women leaders.” So, while the thought of a female president may be an intriguing idea that may one day soon be realized, it is important to understand that women have always been utilizing their potential and drive to become successful. It’s only a matter of time before not just America’s, but the world’s ladies hold as many top positions as men.

By Chloe Pak, Lydia Angel, Victoria Hitchcock

The 2016 election is finished. Donald Trump is the elected president of the United States as of November 8th, 2016. Some students are happy about the results, and some are not. “After watching the election, I went to sleep,” sophomore, Kallie Quintero said, “I knew Trump was going to win, so I was not surprised. I was satisfied with the results.” Though Quintero was not surprised with the results, others were. Basketball coach and history teacher, Todd Chamberlain said he was surprised at how wrong the polls had been because he had looked at the pre-election poll and thought Clinton would win. “I thought she would win, mainly because a lot of people wanted a female president and because she was more progressive in her way of thinking,” freshman Gage Oliver said. Mrs. Charity Hartman , a History teacher, at Rider High School also has opinions about Trump’s win. “It was a little shocking because I think Trump didn’t have the criteria to be the winner, so it broke the political mold,” Hartman said, “You need to have political experience or military experience, and he doesn’t have those.”

Continue reading at theriderchronicle.com

December 13th, 2016

News/Feature

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The Rider Chronicle

Fine vs Performance Expression : The process of making known one’s thoughts and feelings. By Jacob H. Wooten

Performing is typically an art believed to be just an art rather than Fine Art. In reality, performing makes up its own art form which is the third art category that Battle of the Arts will observe. Performing Art is debatably the only art category that can put up a challenge to the music side of Fine Arts in regards to social influence. “They’re both important but band is my passion. I’ve put my life into it. I’ve been playing the trumpet for nine years and I have five band classes.” Senior Jacob Picht states. Reaching out from dances to theatricals, performing arts showcases a broad portfolio full of movies, animations, tv shows, music videos, and tons of dances from cultures around the world. “With Marching Band, the two arts get lumped together in the fact that band goes out to perform for an audience but the music is in front of us whereas in theatre, you have to memorize hours of lines.” Jacob Picht differentiates the arts with marching band and theatre. Differences in the two styles brings Fine and Performing Art together for a truly beautiful experience difficult for any onlooker to turn down. Jacob Picht describes the combination’s power with Rider’s Marching Band’s 2016”

Fine vs Applied Art : The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination. By Jacob H. Wooten

Everywhere you look, there is art. The difference between visually hidden and apparent ideas within art drive two conflicting methods of application and expression by interpretation of onlookers. Battle of the Arts will be an observation of the art forms that cultivate today’s society, projected through the Artists of Rider High into the observer’s perception. From beauty in the eyes of the beholder to applying aesthetic to functionality, there are three major categories of art to which two will be covered in this first observation of conflicting human visualizations. “You have to think two things in Applied Arts; One: it has to function. Two: it has to look good.” remarks Hung Luu, Spirit Janitor and Studio Artist of Rider High School. Fine Arts aims to amaze the observer via painting, sculptures, music, poetry, etc., Applied Arts look to make everyday objects appeal visually. Applied Arts is the hidden art that makes life colorful and pleasant to see. While Fine and Applied Arts certainly cross paths in works such as architecture, graphic

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show, saying, “this year’s was more of a Broadway production instead of just marching around playing different songs. We had a story to tell that conveyed emotion. We had all the Fine Arts aspects but also had Performing Arts with all the backdrops and voice overs. We were performing to an audience more than just the music but also the significance of a farmer to America’s History.” Music owns a dominating presence around the world, from the streets of cities to the internet; and therefore creating a highly competitive market. Realizing this, Jacob debates between choosing Fine Arts or Performing Arts, saying, “Concert Band is definitely more of a Fine Art and Marching Band is a blend but either way, it’s all about the music.” Concluding his decision, Jacob chooses Fine Arts because, “you can play a lot more difficult music and convey emotions better whereas Performing Arts, you have to be in this exact spot in sixteen counts.” Jacob Picht’s artistic motivation stands: “Art is great to have because I’m the kind of person who struggles to express myself and though I seem apathetic, music is one of those things that you can convey whatever emotion you’re feeling.

design, and clothing fashion; the two are mistaken for either Fine Art or not art at all. “Applied Arts is very similar to Fine Arts but instead, you are implicating the art on, for example, a shirt and it has to look good on the shirt while maintaining the quality of the shirt. With Fine Arts, you can create whatever you want. It doesn’t have to function like a shirt so you have more leeway.” Hung Luu explains that with Fine Arts, the art is based on imagination but with Applied Arts, the art is based on a theme like a club to which the theme must fit; there’s more restrictions. Being aware of either side’s competitive career paths as well as numerous artists who are, “more talented in Fine Arts,” Hung Luu believes he can succeed with Applied Arts by using his knowledge of technology and art to make something with more than just his art skills. Hung Luu’s artistic motivation stands: “The fact that I can create basically anything I can imagine is pretty cool. The limit is just my imagination which is kind of crazy if you think about it. You can create anything you want with just your imagination and a couple of pencils.”

Feature

December 13th, 2016

Applied vs Performance

Applied : To be put to practical use as opposed to being theoretical. By Jacob H. Wooten

Despite the strong bond Fine Arts holds separately between Applied and Performing Arts, the bond doesn’t come close to as strong as the one shared between Applied and Performing Arts. To fully understand the impact the three arts have on each other, Battle of the Arts will be observing what could be an artistically perfect union. “With Performing Arts, I think of theater because I’ve been in it since fifth grade with my first role being the candy man in Willy Wonka. With Applied Arts, I think off stage. You have more freedom to do what you want instead of a director or cast mate telling you what to do. You have more creativity when it comes to Applied Arts because it’s your imagination.” -Senior Amy Levy. Applied and Performing Arts share a special bond due to the massive contribution Applied Arts offers despite getting associated with just being the art including in theatrical productions. Amy Levy discusses this unique contribution through her cosplay and fashion: “I have so much freedom to do whatever with clothing items, props and accessories. It’s restricting because when I choose a certain character, I have to look like that character. Though I can genderbend, make them steam punk or gothic looking.” It is this capability to portray anyone or thing to look like a specific entity that allows Applied Arts to be so noticeable yet largely influential in Performing Arts as, “In theater, you are portraying this character or you’re directing somebody to be someone else. In technical theater, you’re making the costume. It’s the same as Applied Arts because you have a character that requires technicality, like a costume that you can leave to your imagination, which in a sense is the director.” Amy Levy explains. Amy Levy, considering the chance of becoming an actor or director, looks towards the possibility of owning a cosplay or makeup business. When putting the two Arts against each other, she tells her opinion on the conflict: “I give both equal time. I don’t have a preference. Both of them include being over dramatic and ridiculous and I’m all about that.” Amy Levy’s artistic motivation stands: “It’s a passion. Ever since I was born, my dad would give me a crayon with paper and instruct me to draw something. He has this entire sketchbook of just drawings I’ve made so I kinda grew up on art. Whenever I was in fifth grade, my music teacher told me I should try out for this play and I ended up getting a big role. That along with the people around me really motivated me. I really enjoyed it so I wanted to do something with it and that carried me further. It’s one of my favorite things to do and it’s a great stress reliever.”

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The Rider Chronicle

Happy Holidays!

December 13th, 2016

Ads

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The Rider Chronicle

Know The Risk Teenagers, Drugs, and Alcohol By Autumn Kreisler

High School parties could be fun or dangerous. Some may just be with friends, chips, and sodas. Others may have illegal drinking and or illegal drug use. Most teens trying weed or alcohol for the first time aren’t aware of the affects it has on their body. According to TeenRehabCenter.org, teen alcohol abuse is responsible each year for over 200,000 ER visits and regular marijuana use can cause an IQ drop up to eight points. “I told my daughter, who is in college, you don’t ever put your drink down and don’t ever grab a drink from someone you don’t know,” Counselor Jill Lauck said. This is something many people know, but maybe don’t pay attention to it in the moment. Reports show most drink spiking happens to girls, one in five times of that happening to guys, according to DrugInfo.adf.org. Spiking someone’s drink means adding a type of alcohol to it or a type of drug when the person isn’t looking, so that the person becomes intoxicated or passed out. People who spike the drinks of others hope to take advantage of their victims in some way. If you get in a situation and you feel you need to leave, make sure to keep your car keys on you at all times. “If you don’t have a car, make sure you have the uber app (on your phone),” Rider graduate Claire Apple said. If you and a friend or a group of friends are going to a party with illegal tendencies, make sure you are the designated driver. Being the designated driver means you’re sober so that you and your friends can safely make it home if drinking and/or drug use was done at the party. If your friends drove to the party, “take their keys from them before anything happens and while they are still in the right state of mind,” Tanya Brown Davis MS, LPC said. Some who drink or smoke blame peer pressure, while others claim to do it to “get away”. Some teens dealing with stress or depression will turn towards drugs or alcohol because they may think it’s the best or easiest choice. If you’re that person, the best way to deal with problems you may be having is through talking to someone. “I would say to talk to a friend, a counselor, or just someone you trust.” Lauck said. Some teens may find it hard at first to talk to someone about what they’re going through, but for those who have talked to someone found that it helped them.

“Whether it’s stress or trying to fit in, there are always other ways. Don’t choose the unhealthy alternative,”

Matthew Tuten, 10 December 13th, 2016

Illustrations by: Maria Gandy

Editorial

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The Rider Chronicle

Holmes Away from Home

New girls basketball head coach moves here to continue her life

he’s in the team huddle. She tells the girls to play their best and to have fun. She’s teaching them not only the game of basketball but the game of life. Coach Holmes moved to Rider this year from Garland Lakeview Centennial High School to be the girls basketball head coach. She moved here because she liked the small community, and since she has two young kids. She said she wanted to get them into a place where it was more community and family oriented. Holmes played college basketball at the University of Texas El Paso for two years and then transferred to St. Mary’s University in San Antonio and has coached for 18 years. “I like to coach because I like watching the kids develop,” she said. “and watching them go from sometimes shy kids to confident kids who are ready to go to college and into the real world.” The team is ready for a new year with new players. “I think the biggest obstacle they are overcoming is not being compared to last year’s team,” she said. “They went to the regional finals and did super well and I think that these kids are worried about falling short and not live up to the expectations.” The girls are ready to not only learn but to play for a new coach. “The girls are eager to learn and are very coachable,” Holmes said. “They all can shoot and handle the ball, they all can pass and they are very skilled at each position.” Not only is the team overcoming obstacles, but so are the coaches, especially Holmes. “The hardest thing for me to overcome is getting the athletes to believe that even when you get onto them and being tough on them, you are on their side and pulling for them,” she said. “Sometimes they tend to take things personally and you have to let them know that you’re on their team and that we just want the best for them.” Holmes said she coaches because she loves the challenge and she likes to teach. “Coaching and teaching sometimes get misconstrued, but as a basketball coach we teach not only the game of basketball, but the game of life and I think that’s why I do it.”

2. 1. Coach Holmes shows two players different playes in the game against Vernon on 12/6/16. “The girls are eager to learn and are very coachable,” Holmes said. “They all can shoot and handle the ball, they all can pass and they are very skilled at each position.” 2. Senior Heather Davis tries to pass the ball while getting blocked in the game against Vernon on 12/6/16. 3. Senior Robyn Brooks goes in to take a free throw in the game against Vernon on 12/6/16. “I don’t think about who we’re playing,” she said. “I don’t want to psych myself out. I just play.” 4. Coach Holmes gives a player a high-five after a good play in the game again Vernon on 12/6/16.“I like to coach because I like watching the kids develop,” she said. “and watching them go from sometimes shy kids to confident kids who are ready to go to college and into the real world.”

December 13th, 2016

Feature

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The Rider Chronicle

Making Waves

Rider swim team breaks thirty-two year old school record

Swim Meet Must Haves “I usually listen to music and kinda zone out for a bit right before I swim.” - Margret Russo

December 13th, 2016

“I have a Sheck towel with Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey on it and I use it between events. It’s a lucky charm.” -Abigail Hill

Feature

Barely a month into the swim season, the Rider swim team is already seeing incredible success. On Saturday, October 29th at the San Angelo Invitational meet, Luke Ward, Matt Luong, Brandon Malone, and Kris Kwaramba broke the school record in the 400 freestyle relay. It took thirtytwo years to beat, leaving the swimmers shocked and ecstatic when they had finally done it with a time of 3:31.90. “It was amazing,” Kris Kwaramba said, “It was something I’ve never felt. I just still can’t believe it to this day, but it was great. It made me feel like my team and I were improving.” Swim coach Oyvind Zahl, who began coaching for WFISD in 1998, had never seen a relay team even come close to beating the record. “We’ve had good swimmers at Rider,” he says, “but it takes four good swimmers to make a good relay. Zahl believes that it’s their drive that makes them so successful. For Malone, what pushes him is his fear of failure. For Kwaramba however, it’s the record itself.

“Every time it’s in my head and I want to break it every time so I need to get faster,” he said. Their ambition to go to college shows that these boys work hard in and out of the pool. Luke Ward is currently applying to the Naval Academy in Annapolis, but ultimately wants to go anywhere he can swim. Such ambition is vital to the team, seeing as if you fail a class you can’t compete. “If everybody keeps working hard and passing grades,” Zahl said, “I think we can possibly win district and we’ll have several going into regionals.” This record isn’t the only one that has been beaten this season. At the first meet in Abilene the same group of boys broke the school record for the 200 freestyle. With the way things are going Matt Luong is confident that the team will continue to succeed. “It’s a great start, but we can’t let it get to our heads. We still have to work as hard as we have been. It’s good to start off that way, as long as we stay focused and keep wanting to push.”

2 1. Marcos Rodriguez is hard at work at practice. “Determination makes it worth while when progress is sparked,” he said. Photo by: Salisa Wyatt 2. Brandon Malone gets ready to lead the Rider Raiders to a record breaking relay at the meet on October 29th at the San Angelo Invitational meet. Although he helped lead his team to victory, Brandon had a fear of failure, which motivated him to succeed. Photo contributed by the swim team

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The Rider Chronicle

The Winners Are... Cherry and Harmon win Mr. and Miss Raider By Daisy King

The Nominees

Their hands shook with nerves as they stood waiting in anticipation. Waiting to hear to hear who won Mr. and Miss Raider. “Anyone who won was so deserving. I never thought, oh this person should win or this one,” Miss Raider winner Lydia Harmon said. Willie Cherry and Lydia Harmon were named Mr. and Ms. Raider. The other nominees cheered and clapped for their friends with smiles on their faces. Most would say that these two were front runner’s up considerig how many cheers the two got and that Cherry had the support of the football team. To them it wasn’t like that. “It was very shocking, it was humbling to win but I didn’t expect to win.” Cherry said. “I just was going to have fun, not worrying about who wins because it felt like it was all of us who really won.” Perhaps it is a good thing the nominees were all friends and considering how very well rounded it was. “It was very well rounded panel of nominees; Rose is in dance, Sarah’s in cheerleading, Maddy Royal is like president of everything, Makenna plays soccer, and I’m in NHS, PALS, golf.” Harmon said. “I feel like we bonded together and it was more of a friendship. We really didn’t care who was winning. We felt like we all did it together,” Cherry said. The dancing at the pep rally was great and at the dance, something people probably still remember.

Harmon and David Moffat, her boyfriend practiced one time with her Uncle Chance. He is a really good dancer. He has his own studio. He ended up tearing his ACL and meniscus, while helping them practice. “We were so tired. Things just went wrong and he fell wrong when he was trying to show us how to do something,” Harmon said. Harmon and her boyfriend may have waited til last minute to practice but their dance wowed many. While Cherry and his partner made sure they were prepared. “We practiced it like 6 times,” Cherry said. The dancing wasn’t the only thing most will remember. The pep rally, the dance, it was all an event to remember. For Harmon though dancing and do this with her boyfriend was her highlight. “That was probably my favorite part of being nominated was we just had such a good time and such a good experience for both of us. Something I’ll never forget,” Harmon said. Something nobody’ll forget not to mention the legacy Harmon plans to leave behind. “When you get nominated you don’t have to be the coolest person or the one who is the best at anything,” Harmon said. “Anyone is worthy of being nominated. If you are nominated try to be a good example for other. Be helpful and love everyone no matter what, if they’re not doing the same things you do just treat them with respect and love everyone.”

2. Sarah Barnett

David Moffat

Maddie Royal

Rose Williams

Conner Chamberlain Gage Simpson

December 13th, 2016

1. Willie Cherry and Lydia Harmon pose for a picture after winning Mr. and Miss. Raider. “We really didn’t care who was winning. We felt like we all did it together,” Cherry said. Photo by: Salisa Wyatt 2. Lydia Harmon and David Moffat practice their routine. “The day before we did the spin, I kept falling and David was like if you fall it’s no big deal. We did it at roundup and actually did not fall,” Harmon Said. Photo by: Mallory Royal 3. At the Round Up dance, all of the nominees pose for a picture outside of the cafeteria. Photo by: Salisa Wyatt 4. After performing at the Round Up Pep Rally, Gage Simpson and Maddie Royal look the the crowd and cheer everyone on. 5. While the nominees are dancing, Cherry busts a move. “We practiced like 6 times I already had the routine down,” Cherry said.

Makena Wood

Pranav Kamath

Feature

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