February Rider Chronicle

Technology in school? pg 5

Show Choir pg 8

Online Drama Pg 6

The

Chronicle

Rider High School

4611 Cypress, Wichita Falls, Texas, 76310

Volume 50 Issue 5 February 2012

www.theriderchronicle.com

One class more

Students filling additional slot on schedules next year, change hopes to eliminate EOC stress

by Jordan Campagna Next year, students at all three high schools will be filling one more slot on their schedules as they move to an 8-period class day.

The change will increase the school day by eight minutes. Classes will start at 7:45 and end at 2:58. There will be no change in passing period length and there will still be two lunches.

Principal Judy McDonald said the reason for proposing the switch to 8-period days is so that “students can get in all classes that are required.”

“Since [EOC tests] are course specific, they will have to pass English 1, English 2,” McDonald said. “If a student fails an EOC, they are required to be in an accelerated instruction class [the next year.”]

According to Spanish teacher and committee member Lisa Williams, students will “have to take 12 EOC tests” between 9th and 12th grade.

“If we stay at the 7-period day, then there would be no chance for students who fail those tests to have remediation,” Williams said.

Williams says that for students not needing remediation, “the hope is that students will have more elective classes.”

“The hope for teachers is that the classes will get a little smaller so we can give more one on one attention,” Williams said.

While the switch benefits students who need help with various subjects, there is some concern about students who do not need help, though McDonald believes that is not a bad thing. “[Students] will have more opportunity to choose from a variety of different things that they had to pick and choose from before,” McDonald said.

Some teachers, such as Joe Pearson, foresee potential problems with the proposed switch.

“In economics, you learn if you increase output without increasing input, you reduce quality,” Pearson said. “Students have a limited time and focus that will now be stretched over an additional class. The result is a loss in education that the students receive.”

Pearson says that although the three minutes lost per class period to make room for the additional class “isn’t a tremendous amount,” it still adds up.

“You’ll lose an hour a month,” Pearson said. “You’ll lose close to two weeks of instruction time through the year.”

McDonald said there had been some talk about changing the AP Program, such as limiting the amount of AP classes a student can take, but she doesn’t foresee any

changes.

“I’m just one voice,” McDonald said. “It seems like [limiting classes] would be limiting students.”

Williams thinks a pitfall to the switch is that the already driven Pre-AP and AP students will “end up taking an additional AP class, which will kill them.”

Junior Lindsey Taing is currently number one in her class and is taking seven AP classes. Next year, she will take eight.

“I need eight to make sure my rank and GPA stay up there,” Taing said. “Eight classes of homework [won’t be] fun.”

Filling up classes Junior Eric Luster works on his schedule for the 2012-2013 school year. WFISD secondary schools are moving to an eight period day next year. Photo by Jordan Campagna

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Opinion

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The Rider Chronicle. February 2012

Tech in school

Celebration

{

by Emma White The preparations for the annual dance called Celebration are under way. The only problem is that it doesn't have anything to do with the school. It has everything to do with the students, that is, a select few who were invited by the select fewer who paid to host it. The teachers don't sponsor it, the parents do. So why are there announcements for Celebration mixed in with the daily announcements? The people involved need to find a different way to communicate. It is a great thing that students can come together with each other to form a dance, a social night, with each other, even though it probably killed prom. It is probably easier to communicate through the school announcements, but a line must be drawn on the content of announcements.

Every year, Senior Safe Night is a hit after graduation. However, it isn't put together by the school. It is put together by booster clubs and parent organizations. The school said they couldn't use the daily announcements to get the word out. How is it that one unrelated event makes the announcement roster, and another doesn't. Unless there was specific permission from the school board, or a really good reason why the parents couldn't figure something else out, this is completely unfair. Those who are in charge of the school announcements need to let anyone submit announcements or no one at all.

Please keep the announcements school education and school event related.

Electronic devices in school promote student integrity Announcements should relate to school

"Jimmy pay attention!"

Jimmy looked up from his brand new iPad. "I'm just looking up some facts Mrs. Smith."

"Not now you can't. Put it away," she told him, sighing, remembering the days when she could have confiscated the device and given it to the office to be retrieved by the student later for $15.

Students may soon be allowed to bring their smart technology to school, for educational and resource purposes, but that does not mean that they will stop using the technology irresponsibly.

By allowing cellphones, iPads, Kindles, in the classroom, they are also allowing more opportunity for distraction and a tighter need for discipline. It puts the teachers in between a rock and a hard place to allow student to use their gadgets in the middle of class and monitor at the same time that the students are not checking text messages or playing a game. After all, a student's finger can flick across a screen to erase proof in far less time than it takes for the teacher to walk over to the device.

This is why student integrity is so important. The school board could give us the right to bring technology to school. They have to trust students to be mature enough to use the electronics to benefit education. Students simply can't throw that away by abusing the privileges.

Administrators also need to remember that there is a significant statistic of students who don't have access to the expensive gadgets. Certainly, it is a leap of technological advancement to start using electronic research databases, textbooks, and paper, but no matter what, the administration can't leave anyone behind. Sharing is a great idea, but can students share a note-taking device?

Can students study at home unless they've done their own work?

The administrators will have their hands full at all times when this project takes flight. From the reactions of the public and teachers, to the response and responsibility of the students, this will be a grand success, as long as all the pitfalls have been thought through.

Staff Editorial

Staff

Th

e

Chronicle

A publication of Rider High School

The Chronicle is a student-run publication. The content and views are produced solely by the staff and do not represent Rider High School or the WFISD faculty or administration.

Editor-in-Chief Jordan Campagna

Photography Editor Meghan Myracle

Assistant Editors Kayla Holcomb Emma White

Do you have a smart phone? Scan this Quick-Response Code with your QR Code reader to see more stories, videos, polls and to comment on stories.

Jaycee Burke Wes Darnell Ashlynn Giles Jon Lanford Lauren Love Alexa Mauri Montana Mooney

Principal Judy McDonald

Kyler Norman Ashleigh Robinson Kella Rutledge Hannah Smith Sam Syptak Lane Weldon Lee Williamson

Adviser Mary Beth Lee

We serve as the voice of the student body and encourage letters to the editor. Deliver letters to room 247 or email to jordancampagna@theriderchronicle.com.

Newsroom phone number

(940)235-1077 ext 31061

Opinion

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The Rider Chronicle. February 2012

3

Crossfire

8 period days a beneficial thing, helps seniors pass 8 periods harmful, not helpful for students

by Kella Rutledge Controversy over this Wichita Falls School Board decision has flooded Rider’s campus.

Granted, the eight-period definitely has its shortcomings. Next year’s seniors, who have gone through two years of the advisory period, have worked hard to earn the privilege of late arrival to school each morning. The eight-period day also will add an extra class, meaning another load of papers they have to grade, at no additional raise in their salaries. The longer day will also add to the already competitive race for class rank.

The eight-period day will easily make up for these downfalls. With the new End of Course (EOC) testing replacing TAKS, students do not receive test scores until the middle of summer. With a seven-period day, where does this leave seniors? Seniors would not know if they passed high school until after they graduated. For those who didn’t pass their testing, what are the chances that they would be willing to come back to high school just to pass one test? More than likely the graduated students who failed would get their GED, or just drop out of high school all together. The eight-period day will help in preventing this situation. With the eight-period day students will be able to double up in a different core class each year, so that if a student were to fail one of the EOC tests they would have the next year to complete it, leaving most of the student knowing if they have passed all their tests the summer before their senior year.

The longer day will also allow students to take more of the classes they want. If a student enjoys many different electives, they will be able to choose more areas to be involved in. As for the students who want to take several AP courses, this will be to an advantage to them as well. If a student takes more AP courses this will help them in two ways. Obviously it will help the student GPA wise, but it could also save them thousands of dollars. The AP course program is designed to help students try and pass the AP test, which if passed at a high enough level it will count towards college credit. With the district currently providing the tests at no charge to the students, this is an opportunity that should be seriously considered. At some of the more prestigious colleges passing these tests can save tens of thousands of dollars. Therefore, the more AP classes a student can take, the more money they could save.

Right now to the students, as well as some teachers the eight-period day may seem like the end of the world. In the long run it can and will benefit more than just one of Rider’s students.

Destiny Zynda “I support the 8-period day because it allows me to take all the classes that I need to take.”

Elleana Majdinasab “I support it because it gives me a chance to take extra Pre-AP and AP classes.There were a lot of classes that I wouldn’t have been able to take.”

by Jon Lanford Allow me to be frank and say that the new eight period day is a terrible idea.

Since the school district can be considered a business that produces education, allow me to explain how the eight period day won’t work with the use of basic economics.

The almighty Joe Pearson once said that there is a principal in economics that states that if you want to improve the quantity of a product without adding to your inputs, you have to reduce the quality of that product.

The goal of the new schedule is to get as many students to pass the EOC test as possible. This will require a higher quality of education in our students, seeing as how the EOC will be much more rigorous than the TAKS test. But, I’m not sure how they came to the conclusion that the eight period day will help when the new schedule obviously decreases the input of education to each student.

Now, you might say that the new eighth period is more input, because it is an extra period, but actually, an eighth period is decreasing input.

Students will have three minutes less in each class every day, which adds up to about 540 minutes (almost two weeks of class) less English, Math, Science and History in a school year.

Also, an extra class will take away time that students have to study for each class at home. So administrators are attempting to increase the quantity of educated students while decreasing the input of education. So, you can logically see how the quality of education in the district is inevitably going to spiral into a dismal state.

This principal of economics is as true the principal of gravity; and unless a member of the board of education would like to refute gravity, I fail to see how they don’t think that the SAT, ACT, AP, STAAR, EOC, and PSAT scores will all decrease when the new schedule is implemented. (If anyone who wants to implement this new schedule is going to test gravity, I recommend using a ledge, step, or small stool; buildings are not the recommended tools for testing gravity, just trust me on this one.)

Demointe Wesley “I support it because I can squeeze more AP classes into my day to help my GPA. I don’t like how we don’t get that break, [advisory.]”

Ciarra Hastings “It’s good for kids that failed the test to get another chance to take an extra class and still keep electives. It’s bad because it gives others a greater chance to fail, because we have eight periods.”

Daniel Elbaum “I don’t support it. I think that they should keep us in the mornings, that way you get kids focused earlier and at the end of the day, they get to go home early, get stuff done.”

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The Rider Chronicle. February 2012

Facebook fights

Photo illustration by Montana Mooney

Social networking causes online drama, prompts real life fights

by Montana Mooney Almost everyone on this campus has a Facebook account. Facebook is a social networking site used to communicate with and browse pictures of friends and family. Seems healthy, right? Wrong. Everyone is aware of Facebook drama and cyber bullying, but what happens when the bullying gets taken out of school?

Girls are being referred to as “sluts” and “whores” all over the Internet, for everyone to see. Guys are being threatened, right on their own time line. They say actions speak louder than words, and unfortunately many students have taken this saying too seriously.

Facebook drama has led to self harm, fighting, and even death. We all remember the tragic story of Alex Canava. Many of Rider’s students were close to him, and an argument on Facebook led to the horrible altercation that changed everything.

One of Rider’s students, Debbie*, has been the victim of bullying via Facebook, and like many students, she actually did something about it.

“She called me a slut and spread rumors about me,” Debbie said. “We ended up getting into a physical fight.

It never would have happened if she wouldn’t have repeatedly posted negative things about me online. I wish she would have talked to me first so she could’ve known the truth about our situation.”

Talking badly about others publicly is bad for all

Opinion

parties involved. Bullying via Facebook is considered cowardly, so the one doing the bullying is at risk for being looked down upon. On the other hand, many may agree to the accusations of the one bashing the other. This will look bad on the person being bullied.

It isn’t fair to the victim, but most teens thrive off of drama, especially when it is viewable by all.

The worst part is that absolutely no one will drop the drama and argumentation. This nags at those involved until finally they meet face-to-face, where everything just escalates. Unless this is the rare occasion where an agreement is made, there will be yelling and anger involved. But worst of all is when the fight becomes physical.

Physical fighting is detrimental and very dangerous.

Not to mention it’s illegal. A physical fight seems so pointless, since it only started because of drama that made its way to Facebook where everyone was able to see it.

Facebook was intended to be a fun place of communication, not a battlefield. Unfortunately, it has become a weapon. It has become dangerous because teens have stopped being cautious. If everyone is aware of the things they say on a site where everyone can see, Facebook could be restored to the fun and safe sharing site it was intended to be.

Scary Stats 43% of students have been

bullied while online.

35% of students have been

threatened online.

58% of students admit

someone has said mean or hurtful things to them online.

53% of kids admit having said something mean or hurtful to another person online.

News Going tech

The Rider Chronicle. February 2012

District ponders allowing students to bring electronic devices

by Kyler Norman The face of technology in the classroom could soon change because of a new “bring your own device program” currently being looked at by WFISD. “The bring your own device (idea) is just something the district is looking into,” Rider principal Judy McDonald said. “The district is setting up a committee, and they’re going to have some high school students, parents and teachers all together to see what the pros and cons of bringing this into the school would be.”

Campus technology teacher David White said if the program is adopted 20 wireless access points will be added to Rider, so anyone can connect to the Internet anywhere in the school.

Many types of devices would be allowed for use in the classroom. “(The program) is going to allow students to bring their tablets, phones, or whatever electronic devices they have and use them in class,” White said.

Supporters of the program believe the program would allow students to access learning materials more quickly and efficiently.

“I think (it will benefit the students because) they will have more access to the Internet where they can use references very quickly in class and not have to wait on the computer systems or go to the lab,” McDonald said.

White agrees.

“Students would be able to pull up the periodic table in science class,” White said, “Wikipedia for research, or the things they usually do on a computer they could do on a more limited basis on a tablet or on a phone.”

McDonald said some problems may arise with the use of devices in school and the committee will address these issues.

“I think it will be something that will have to be monitored,” McDonald said. “Just because we have a bring device policy doesn’t mean students can have their phones out all time. The teachers still say take your phones out or put your devices away. It’s going to take an understanding that it’s not the freedom of having the devices out all the time, it’s the freedom of being able to use it when it will help with the instructional process.”

The program will probably not be seen for a couple years.

“There is a lot of infrastructure that’s necessary and that why it’s probably not going to be here for probably another year or two because of the fact that

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we have to have a lot of wireless hubs put in, and, of course, that all costs money,” McDonald said. “There are a lot of things to consider and for the school board to approve, so right now it’s really just in the investigative state.”

McDonald said the program would eventually save money since the school would not have to buy new technology as often.

“Initially it will cost more because of setting up the infrastructure,” McDonald said. “Eventually because so many people have their own device it will save us money.”

The program could add to traditional forms of teaching but not replace them.

“It’s not a requirement that teachers use (the bring your own device program) and it’s not a requirement that in every class everyone gets to use their devices,” McDonald said. “If there’s a teacher that prefers to use other methods of teaching then certainly they will still be allowed to use other methods that involve nothing of bringing your own device.”

White said once students get used to using the technology in class it will be beneficial to the school.

“There may be teachers that are hesitant about the students using their own technology,” White said, “but once they see what it can do, the benefits it has, how it can be managed and as long as the students are responsible, I think the teachers will love it.

Assistant principal Synthia Kirby said if technology crashes, old fashioned things like textbooks could still be used.

“If the WIFI goes down it’s going to be a matter of when the tech support can get it back online. If it’s a device that has data I think in the long run it would help, because they can access the Internet through their own data as long as they have the plans that can support it,” White said.

In the end the students are responsible for whether the program, if implemented, will work or not.

“If enough students abuse (the program) then the whole school could lose it,” White said. “Students will just have to be very careful and make sure they are using the devices for what they’re supposed to be using them for, so that they don’t lose the privilege. This is a great opportunity for students. It’s an opportunity that’s been a long time coming. I think the students need to be able to use their own devices.”

Technology Application

Apps that could be used for learning Pages is a great word processer designed for use on IPads, IPhones, IPods and Apple computers. It can be used to create, edit, and view various types of word documents from research papers to a format for taking notes.

Keynote is a presentation editor, viewer and designer for use on IPads, IPhones, IPods and Apple computers. It can be used for any type of electronic presentation with the ability to save as a PDF, Keynote presentation, or a Power Point.

Shakespeare In Bits is new way read Shakespeare’s plays in a way that’s easier to understand. It breaks down the text into small easily understood “bits” It uses animations, translations, plot summaries, character summaries, and more. For use on iPad, iPhone, Mac or PC.

6 The Rider Chronicle. February 2012 Desire to belong leads to peer pressure check us out at www.theriderchronicle.com

News

Students say friends influence decisions and actions in both negative and positive ways

by Ashlynn Giles “Come on David,” one of his friends teased. His conscience was telling him otherwise.

“He glared at me with a look of disapproval,” David* said. “As I went for my first hit, I started to think of my friends, the ones who loved me for who I was, and my family, the ones who had always loved me...and my mom.”

It was his 8th grade year, and David was being pressured to take drugs.

“I was making good grades, was on the football team, I had the greatest friends,” David said. “Then I started being with a bad crowd.”

Studies show peer pressure is one of the main reasons students decide to take drugs which also can lead to unhealthy habits such as smoking and drinking as well as drug abuse according to Sources of in site.

David’s life made a turn for the worst. When David was 14 he tried Oxycontin for the first time. His grades started to drop lower and lower, then he was arrested when caught with possession of marijuana.

On average, peer pressure is most common in students of impressionable age, mostly adolescents, but can also be cited at later stages in life.

“When I heard my mom crying, it was the worst feeling in the world,” David said. “I knew I needed to start saying no to the people who were trying to offer me drugs and change my life.”

Statistics estimate that 30 percent of teens are offered drugs in high school recorded by a public survey.

“My old friends started to realize I wasn’t being myself, “ David said. “Day by day I started losing my friends, people I had known for so long, but at the time I didn’t care about anything. That’s what drugs

do to you. With my new set of friends, they always wanted to do drugs. I started feeling like I had to do it so I wouldn’t feel left out.”

“My advice to kids that come to me about peer pressure is to sit back and look at the short term and long term effect” Rider counselor Mrs. Spurgers said.”Is what your thinking about doing going to put you in danger?”

Similarly, John* never felt like he belonged.

“Drinking, drugs, anything to belong, I did it for acceptance,” John said. “I wasn’t happy with who I was.

I was an outcast, was picked on a lot, and never really had a best friend.”

“I was peer pressured when i was in high school and an adult look back and wonder why did i do that.”

Spurgers said.

Studies show that people give into peer pressure because they want to be liked or fit in, or worry that others may make fun of them if they don’t go along with there group documented by above the influences. com.

“I was a pushover and never stood up for myself,” John said. “When I got into junior high, I started changing who I was. I started acting out in class to make other kids laugh and smoking with people to fit in, but they weren’t liking me for who I really was.”

3.1 million teenagers smoke, according to the American Lung Association.

“When I got into high school I started to be happy with who I was and started to be myself ,” David said.

“Now I have a close friends who accept me and love me.

Results from the 1999 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey demonstrate that numerous high school

“‘I’m allergic to that crap’ is what I would say if someone was offering me drugs.”

-Katy Moore “If I don’t believe in their views, I would say no.”

-Lena Azzouz

students engage in behaviors that increase their likelihood of death from alcohol and drug use. “If your friend truly cares about you, you shouldn’t have to wonder whether if you don’t do what they want are they still going to be there for you.” Spurgers said.

“Once I told my friends that did drugs that I was going to quit, they started dropping like flies,” David said. “Now that I’m clean, I feel amazing. I got my old friends back, but more importantly, I realized what really counts is those who love and care about you.

I would rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I’m not.” * indicates name has been changed

Did you know?

• Each day over 3,000 young people between the ages of 12 and 17 smoke their first cigarette. 850 of those become daily cigarette smokers. (Adolescent Substance Knowledge Base) • Over 17% of high school students smoke.

• 32.2% teens try their first drink before the age of 13. (Adolescent Substance Abuse Knowledge Base) • The Kaiser Foundation states that nearly 50% of adolescents between the ages of 12 - 18 feel pressured into having sex in relationships.

• 30% of teens are offered drugs in high school and middle school.

(Adolescent Substance Abuse Knowledge Base)

Feature The Rider Chronicle. February 2012 Exceeding expectations

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Freshman thrives in hockey despite physical disability

by Kayla Holcomb “Every day [my parents] tell me to live life and not worry about my size, just live.”

Taking their advice, freshman Bryce Martin does just that. He’s been the captain for the Wichita Falls Wildcats high school team for two years in a row, currently coaches a team in the younger league, and strives to be a role model for others like him.

He has a condition called MED, that is, multiple epiphyseal dysplasia.

With this disorder his longer bones, such as those in the legs and arms, don’t grow as fast as a normal person’s. They take more time to mature. He also can develop problems where his bones can deteriorate to a point that he would need reconstructive surgery to reshape them.

When Martin and his family found out the condition that he had, they began a daily routine to help prevent his bones from decaying. Each day Martin stretches and does strength training for his legs and arms to slow down the process, a system developed by his dad who works in sports medicine.

“I was happy and a little depressed at the same time [when I found out]: happy because I finally got an answer to what I had, depressed because of what it can do,” Martin said. “It could ruin me. If I just sit around, then the condition I have could put me in a wheelchair. I have to stay on top of it.”

Luckily, he hasn’t had to face those type of problems yet. Instead he is trying to live as normal as he can. In fact, he choose to be

The occurrence of dominant multiple epiphyseal dysplasia is estimated to be 1 in 10,000 newborns.

involved in sports despite his condition.

Martin began playing hockey when he was in kindergarten and developed a love for being a member of a team. Even though it was a http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov challenge for him, he makes an effort to always try to the best of his abilities.

“I like a challenge, I really do, so when I want to accomplish something I put my mind to it, and most of the time I get it done,” Martin said. “[The other players] were a little bit better, so I had to work twice as hard to keep up with them because of my size and my stature, but that didn’t keep me down. I just worked through it and got better by trying to keep up with them.”

As a result of his efforts, he was elected team captain for two consecutive years and grew close to his teammates.

“We’re like a family,” Martin said. “They treat me with a lot of respect, even though they’re bigger than me, they know I’m just as good because I work just as hard.”

Knowing all the difficulties he’s had to face, Martin has chosen to pursue a career that will be beneficial to others, not just with his disorder, but who share his love for sports.

“I’d like to become an orthopedic surgeon to help kids who have injuries and get them back playing,” Martin said. “I don’t know how much longer I’m going to be able to play because of Top of the team the condition I have, so I want to help others, Bryce Martin, team captain for two years in a row, skates onto the ice at that way I can see them do what I didn’t get to a Wildcats high school division game. Photo courtesy of Bryce Martin. do.”

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The Rider Chronicle. February 2012

Whistle while you dance

Feature

Show Choir students prepare for competition at end of Feb.

by Emma White “All right, let’s do it again,” said show choir director Jason Mayfield. “Heads down.”

“Thumbs up,” whispered someone from the midst of dancer singers, followed by snickers from the rest of the group.

The music starts, the Show Choirites spin into action, either carefully scrutinizing themselves in the dance room mirrors or hamming it up, all whilst singing the chords of a Journey montage. What begins as shuffling soon turns into synchronized dance, and the spirit of oneness embodies the group. Then one person does something differently from the rest of the group, flinching in hopes that Mr. Mayfield didn’t notice.

“All right, start over,” he says.

While the group has a lot of fun together, it isn’t all play and no work.

“We rehearse 4 hours a week, 2 hours on Monday nights for choreography, and 2 hours Friday with an hour in the morning for singing and then an hour after school for choreography,” senior Christian Brewer said.

Though it may seem time consuming, it is all in effort for a competition.

“We have been practicing a lot because we are going to a competition Feb. 25 and it requires us to have

Parent simulation

costumes, stage make-up, etc,” junior Whitney Sizemore said.

The main difference between the Show Choir and the vocal choirs is the level of athleticism and expression.

“When you’re doing a show choir performance you have to be conscious of your body language and try to pull the audience in by ‘connecting’ with them through your expressions instead of standing still, keeping your eyes locked on the conductor like you do in ACAP,” Brewer said.

In order to make sure his group will excel, Mayfield keeps the group small.

“In show choir you’re exposed because there’s only 12 of us spread across 4 voice parts,” Brewer said.

In addition, Mayfield only admits students from his highest level of choir.

“Everyone in show choir has to be in A Cap,” senior Alex Davison said. “Singing and dancing may look easy, but it definitely is not easy.”

As a result of the fewer amount of members, they also form tighter bonds with one another.

“Since there’s only 12 people in the group, you get a lot closer,” senior Alyvia Nichols said. “I could honestly call everyone in the group a friend.”

In full dress Show choir practices in for their competition in February. “We just do every song over and over until it’s pretty much perfect,” senior Alyvia Nichols said. Photo by Emma White The other members agree.

“Sometimes I feel like we are all brothers and sisters that argue all the time,” Davison said, “but are still there for each other when the time comes.”

Annual electronic babies assignment takes Family Consumer Science students by storm

by Ashleigh Robinson Steam filled the bathroom as hot water poured out of the shower head. She wet her hair, reached for the shampoo and began to lather the suds into her long curly tresses. Just as she was massaging the shampoo into her hair, a cry rang out. She froze, let out a loud grunt of frustration. She opened the shower curtain, propped a bottle on the crying baby and returned to her shower. Five seconds later, cries rang out again.

She developed a plan; rinsed her hair quickly, rocked baby with one arm out of the shower for three seconds, conditioned hair as fast as humanly possible, rocked the baby for seconds more before it could cry, and washed her body at the same time.

A requirement for the second semester of Family and Consumer Science teacher Lola Pepper’s Child Development class finds students taking on the responsibility of caring for an electronic baby. These babies are as close as it comes to the real thing, minus the major bodily functions. The babies cry, require feedings, and need changing and burping.

Students are given a baby of their choice for three days. They must take care of the baby during the entire school day, as well as at home.

“The purpose of the babies is to teach students how much time is involved in taking care of a baby,” Pepper

said.

Some may argue that carrying a baby during school hours is not realistic, because a real teen parent would not have to bring their child to school, but Pepper says the students will learn “how much care is to be given to [the babies] while [students] would be at work or at school.”

Senior Rochelle Hall recently completed caring for a RealCare Baby. She believes that the program did teach her that “babies are hard to take care of if you have no partner and go to school full-time,” but she does not believe that caring for an electronic baby is a good way to learn about parenting.

“If you had a kid, you would more than likely have help, and would certainly not take it to class.” Hall said.

Though she doesn’t feel that the program helps to learn about parenting, she does believe that the program helped her to realize she doesn’t want to have a child young.

“Trying to go to school and have a baby is almost impossible,” Hall said.

RealCare Baby is a nationally recognized teen pregnancy program that tries to get students to realize exactly what Hall recognized. Even though some of Pepper’s students have gotten pregnant after

the exercise, Pepper believes it is because student’s hormones overrule their logical thinking.

“There is no teen pregnancy program that is going to be 100% effective,” Pepper said.

The RealCare Baby program is a better program than some that have been used in the past.

“I think it’s an excellent way to show responsibility other than carrying an egg for a week, or a sack of flour,” Pepper said.

Hall, who didn’t disagree, thinks a more effective way to get teens to think twice about having unprotected sex is “wearing a baby bump for a week.”

Hall got that idea from a Lifetime movie in which a high-school student faked her pregnancy for a senior project. She wore a baby bump and wrote down the observations and accusations fellow students and teachers said about her.

As Pepper said, the purpose of the babies is to teach students how much time is involved with caring for them, something a baby bump will not do.

Hall does feel as though the RealCare Baby program does shed light on the situation of caring for a child.

“It definitely gives you more insight about the consequences.”

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9

Students make committment to start future off right

by Jaycee Burke

“Last night was horrible.Three tables. I had one table with six people at it.Two tables with four people at each, all full. A guitar player that was in front of my tray stand so I could barely serve my big table. Everyone wanted three drinks. Next year on Valentine’s Day I’m taking it off.”

Senior Brooke Wheeler works at Presbyterian Manor as a waitress. She works 4-7 every day, with the exception of one day off during the week. Many have to make the choice to balance school and work.

Wheeler thinks, it’s actually a good idea. It helps the student learn how to balance their time, manage their money, and it gives them an idea on how to the “real world” is.

“The hours aren’t hard, and neither is the work,” Wheeler said. “It’s actually making myself go every day that’s the problem.”

Having a job can make a student feel better about themselves.

“I’m proud of myself every day when I come home from work,” Wheeler said.

Wheeler believes being able to just say that you have a job, and make your own money is a big accomplishment.

“Some people say because it is only two hours, that it’s easy,” Wheeler said. “Yes, it is easy, but at least I have a job. I’m thankful to have the opportunity to serve elderly people who can’t cook for themselves.”

Adjusting to something new is always hard, most students have to work their way up to liking the idea. Especially when it’s work. Having a job in high school is something positive that teaches life lessons, depending on what is taken out of it. On the other hand, some students have to have a job to support their families, or themselves.

Lisa Loa, junior, works two jobs, goes to school, and helps support her daughter. She works at Claire’s and Maria’s Mexican Restaurant.

“I can go without sleep, and get through my day but the hardest part is being away from my daughter while working two jobs and doing school,” Loa said. “But, I know I’m doing what’s best for her by working hard and getting an education to succeed and to have money to provide for my family.”

Although, she does get help from her grandma. During the day while Loa is at school, her daughter, Felicity, stays with her grandmother.

“I was raised by taking responsibility for my actions and the only thing my family does is play the family role,” Loa said. “But, she’s my daughter, so I do my part fully. My grandma only watches my daughter. Just emotionally supporting me is all I ask, and that’s what they give. I couldn’t be more thankful.”

Loa realizes all of the help that her family gives her, and she wouldn’t change any of it for the world.

She wants to give her daughter have the best life, and she’s working her hardest to give it to her just as every student wants to earn for themselves.

“It’s not as hard as everyone exaggerates it to be,” Loa said. “It’s possible, anything is, if you put your mind to it.You do what you know.You have to do what’s right to have a brighter future.”

Life lessons (above) Senior Brooke Wheeler works at Presbyterian Manor waitressing. Having a job can help students learn how to better balance their time, manage money and experience the real world.

Photo courtesy (left) Lisa Loa and her daughter Felicity having mommy, daughter time together, as they do every night after Loa gets off work.

On days when she doesn’t have to work, she spends all of her time with her daughter.

Photo courtesy

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10 A day in the life

Principal Judy McDonald keeps school running smoothly

by Lane Weldon She sits in her office ready to help the students, ready to do what is best for them. She is the principal of S.H. Rider High School, and she is ready for the day.

Rider principal Judy McDonald does a lot for the students, but some students do not know how she helps students every day but she does a lot to help keep the school running smoothly.

One thing she does is decide the budget a department gets each year and if things that a department is requesting will help in the students’ education.

“The teachers know what they need to be able to teach their subject area most successfully,” McDonald said. “Like in math, I wouldn’t know if they needed Official announcer McDonald congratulates Rider’s Scholastic Award winners. Photo by Meghan Myracle

Newspaper, Yearbook and A/V Production Staff Applications now available in room 247.

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new rulers. So then they put in a request through Mrs. Carrol, my administrative assistant. She then gives it to me and I review all the requests to see if they seem legitimate for something that would be used for student achievement. Once that request is approved, they are free to order and make the purchases that they need.”

Another thing she does is the classroom walkthroughs and observations. She does these to make sure the students and teachers are on task. “When we do the classroom observations, that is the whole class period so we can see the class beginning to end,” McDonald said. “Every teacher has one of those done at least every other year. But then we also have walkthroughs and that is where we only stay from two to three minutes to 15 minutes or so just to observe what is going on in that classroom.”

When the principals are in the halls between classes they aren’t just looking for troublemakers.

“I try to be in the halls as much as I can,” McDonald said. “A lot of times other duties keep me here in the office, but my best days are when I’m out there in the classrooms because when you come back you’re more energized because you see the good thing that students do and see the great job teachers are doing.

Those are the best days of being principal.”

As principal, McDonald is one of the people who has to talk to concerned parents.

“If a parent or a student have a concern about a class then the best place to start is asking questions with that same teacher,” McDonald said. “So we usually try to start at that area by working with the

Mrs. McDonald’s past jobs 1982-1991 Math teacher 1991-1993 Zundy Jr High 1993- 2004 Counselor Rider

2009- Present

Math Teacher WFHS

2004-2009

Vice Principal Rider

Principal Rider

person involved, and the teacher involved and after that the student can talk to the counselor and if the counselor can’t satisfactorily answer their questions then it continues to move.”

McDonald hopes the things she does benefit the students and help them learn.

“A lot of times it’s not directly,” McDonald said. “ It’s making sure that the teachers have what they need and the classrooms are equipped in the way that they need to be, Making sure that everyone is focused on the goal of student achievement. Our goal is to make sure everyone is achieving their maximum potential.”

When it comes to McDonald the vice principals all agre.

“Judy McDonald is the best boss I’ve ever worked for,” vice principal Synthia Kirby said. “She’s awesome.

I couldn’t ask for anyone better.”

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Polar Plunge On Feb. 18, Rider faculty and students plunged into a cold swimming pool to raise money for Special Olympics. They raised a total of $361. Teachers who made the plunge were Joe Pearson, Albaro Lopez, Josh Hill, Heather Preston Jaclyn Muensterman.

Making the plunge 1) Plungers pose for a group photo after the Polar Plunge. Back row: Mr. Coppage, Tori Richmond, Coach Hill, Jon Lanford, Devin Lofland, Wes Darnell, Coach Lopez. Front row: Stephenie Wirth, Miss Muensterman, Mrs. Preston, Kristin Henry, Julie Nicholson, Lisa Shah and Aamna Zaidi. Photo by Meghan Myracle 2) Students and teachers warm up in the hot tub after their cold plunge into the Holliday Inn swimming pool. Photo by Mary Beth Lee 3) Teachers Heather Preston and Jaclyn Muensterman prepare to take the “plunge.” Photo by Meghan Myracle 4) Rider faculty and students “taking the plunge” on Saturday Feb. 18. Photo by Meghan Myracle

4)

1) 2)

3)

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Sports

Power lifting Goes Gold

Lifters earn 4 top medals at Graham meet, second competition of the year

Senior Amber Carlson prepares for a dead lift.

Carlson earned a trip to Regional competition. Photo

by Emma White.

by Lee Williamson Raider power lifters were met with success at their meet in Graham.

Four individual lifters scored gold medals despite the new difficulties of the present season.

“I was put in a higher weight class than I was last season, so I had to lift against stronger people,” junior Katy Steimel said.

“I wasn’t expecting to get a gold medal.”

Rider power lifting has been pushing it just as hard in the weight room this year as they have in previous years, training almost every day.

“It’s pretty tough,” senior Amber Carlson said. “We’re always thinking ‘more weight, more weight.”

Behind that training is motivation and each of the lifters has his or her own goals they want to accomplish.

“Winning is a big part of it,” Steimel said. “But so is self-competition, I’m always training during off season to be better than I was in the last one.”

The girls team scored a third place victory overall.

“Our group of lifters have been working very hard and have become very close,”

head coach Bill Davison said. “Each pushes the others to do better, we all celebrate when one lifter does more.”

Whether it’s through support or competition, each member of the team encourages the others to go further.

“We’re always trying to support each other,” Carlson said. “We support each other as a team so we can win as a team.”

Amber Carlson, Katy Steimel, Tiffany Nguyen, and Bailey Stanfield all placed at the top of their weight classes at the power lifting meet.

From trash bags to bodysuits lifters work to ‘make the weight’ Athletes go extra mile to make it within set class

by Lee Williamson Rider power lifting has been moving weight in more ways than one recently.

“We use trash bags a lot,” senior Amber Carlson said. “It can get pretty messy but it works... usually.”

Yes, the lifters have been working to change weight classes.

“I once ran while wearing sweats and a trash bag,” Carlson said. “It was the middle of January, but it was still a little hot.”

“You always have to be aware where you are,” Carlson said. “Some weight classes are better than others.”

See, sometimes a lifter can fall under a fairly difficult weight category, like one that literally has no one else in it, forcing him or her to compete against only themselves in an attempt to lift the regional standard.

“It’s easier to advance by beating other lifters than by lifting the regional standard,” Carlson said. Or in other cases several lifters of the same team will find themselves stacked into the same weight class, which isn’t exactly ideal either, so

Six girls qualified for the regional power lifting meet this year, from left to right they are: Tiffany Nguyen, Bailey Stanfield, Katy Steimel, Elizabeth Bynum, Cassendra Brawley, and Amber Carlson. Photos by Lee Williamson. the lifters often find they have to drop some weight through dieting or dehydration. Or in more rare cases, gain weight by doing basically the exact opposite.

“I actually had to gain a pound for our last meet,” Carlson said. “Which sounds fun in theory... But it really wasn’t, I had to eat a lot of pasta and ice cream and basically everything I could. My stomach was hurting so bad.”

The weight game is just part of competitive lifting.

“One guy actually spent an entire night wearing like six layers of clothes lose

weight,” junior Tiffany Nguyen said.

Of course there are ways to lose weight for the more procrastinating lifters too. One just has to be willing to walk the fine line between devoted and crazy.

“There was once this one girl who cut all of her hair off the night before a meet to lose weight,” Nguyen said. “But then she bombed out on bench and lost.”

Most know how to beat the system with most of themselves intact.

“Most girls will go without eating the entire day before a meet,” Nguyen said.

“Then they’ll just scarf down as much as they can between the time they weigh in and the time they lift.”

Lifters say there comes a point where one just has to stop and think of their health. This sentiment is shared among many of the male lifters.

“I’m getting pretty close to being pushed into a different weight class. I’m not quite sure what I’m gonna do about it,” junior Colton Bailey said. “But I refuse to stop eating. It just isn’t worth it.”