the from park hill south

+ p a ge

ei g

h t .

Volume ThirteenIssue no. 9

April 29, 2011

Buried Life : your submissions+ p a g e e i g h t e e n .

TMI

+ p a g e t w o .

Table of Contents

FYI

BTW

OMG

MVP

Letter from the editorby jesse mcginness

On Deck, 2012

This is... American Idol

Wild Things for Wings

So You Want a Revolution?FAQ

Big Man on CampusCancer Alley

+ p a g e f i v e .

+ p a g e n i n e .

+ p a g e t e n .

+ p a g e t w e n t y.

+ p a g e s e v e n t e e n .

Right about here is where I provide you-- the reader-- another complex conflict of life with some measure of self-reflection that will solve everything. Today, I offer nothing of the sort. If there is one thing that journalists know best, it’s how important the small things really are. Although, seeing as I am the editor-in-chief of a high school newspaper, I don’t see any of the bloodshed and pain that the average TIME

reporter does. But I am starting to see a theme with the ‘front-cover’ stories. We hear war. We see death. The higher the death count, the higher the rating. This summer, don’t pay attention to the headlines. Be a kid. After all, the weight of withdrawals from getting your monthly fill of the The View is going to be enough of a weight to bear.

+ p a g e t w e l v e .

copy editor

danny jones

cover design and graphics by alec russellcover photo by austin cosler

Here’s the little dividend that pays all the readers of “Just a Bit Outside” back at the end of the year. My senior advice? Well, to be honest, I have been offering my senior advice all along. -Patriotism is a beautiful thing (Issue 1). -Don’t be intimidated by rivals, especially if you’re better (Issue 2). -It’s always good to be unique, but its also good to have connections (Issue 3). -Fantasy football rocks (like a lot of other things) -- but don’t get addicted (Issue 4). -Two forces moving in opposite directions can still be successful in achieving the same goal (Issue 5). -Live for the little moments of happiness, not just complacency (Issue 6). -Taking responsibility is the first step in taking action (Issue 7). -Don’t skip over the dreary parts of a process -- sometimes they’re the most important (Issue 8). -Our obliviousness to the future provides incredible opportunity (Issue 9). So readers, I thank you for all the support throughout the year and all the ideas that have been supplied in the last ten months. Panthers, enjoy the rest of your high school career and beyond.

Okay, so you have a Velociraptor, a 1,200 lb American Grizzly bear, and a 15-foot Nile Crocodile in a fight over a burrito. Who do you think would win? The winner doesn’t matter, but what matters is that you are being asked a question and must answer the question in a way that will get you the most scholarship money. So, of course you pick the American Grizzly bear because you know that the head of the scholarship delegation committee is also on the board of trustees for the North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference. As you can see, what’s important in high school is to be involved in the many offered clubs and activities. It’s important to have fun and show a lot of school spirit while you’re in high school and before you have much more responsibility. Do your best in class and take dual credit and AP classes if you can because they are much better than taking them in college. Don’t screw around with drugs and alcohol, but rather pursue quality and genuine relationships with passionate people. Love people well and be humble. Finally, consider the maturity and consequences of your actions, and you will be set. Peace.

Dear all of you youngin’s, Life as you know it now, well, it is extremely simple. Worship every single minute you have of being a kid because when it comes down to it, being an adult is not all ice cream and rainbows. With graduation looming right around the corner, the overwhelming feeling of never coming back to this school is haunting me. At this point, I can literally feel my life changing before my eyes. Time has come and gone in the blink of an eye and there is nothing I can do to go back to the days that I will never forget. Leaving all of my friends that I have spent my entire life with is going to be the biggest challenge I will have to face. Even leaving the friends that I have just made will be very difficult. I feel really cliche’ saying this, but as Tallahassee from “Zombieland” says, you have to enjoy the little things. Even though things right now don’t seem like they are important, later on in life they will be monumental. Don’t take any part of being young for granted. Have as much fun and do as many things as you possibly can. Life is too important and much too short to waste.

I have only one bit of advice. In absolutely every given opportunity, every situation, every challenge, every action and every time you choose to speak, do this one thing: self reflect. Ask yourself if it is what you want, if it is who you are, and if it will take you where you want to go. In the end, what you do makes who you are. So whether you want to be known as the guy who is content with nearly anything and makes nearly everyone have a good laugh or the girl who wants to change the world and will do whatever it takes to do so, be that person.

editor- in-chief

jesse mcg inness

final thoughts

photo editor

aust in cos ler

copy e d i tor

danny jones

reporter

ty ler arthur

In two months time, Park Hill South will have closed its doors for over 1,500 students. For some, this will be the first official high school summer; for others, it will be their last.

As the race through those two months rages on, there are two questions that present themselves when that last bell rings. First of all, will I challenge myself this summer to see how long I can go without showering and still maintain a social life? Second, and most importantly, have I changed? Chances are, both answers will a resounding yes. High school is known as being some of the most malleable

years in any teenager’s life. The array of students, teachers, classes and experiences that come in between being 14 and 18 years old can truly change the mold of anyone’s character. So, how can we make this change a good one? In the same way you get good at anything, really. Ask the the biggest, strongest and richest level 85 you can find; or in this case, the same seniors you know and love. Here is where we, The View, step in to aid those lost souls. The seniors on our staff have put together a gift to help you, our faithful readers, along your journey toward graduation.

+ p a g e t h r e e .

Imagine staying up for 24 hours and camping out at one place, doing a whole bunch of different things. Playing soccer, watching the March Madness games, listening to music and really just hanging out can make the hours fly by. Several South students did whatever it took to get those stickers, adding up to a year of free wings. Buffalo Wild Wings opened in Zona Rosa. No more having to drive 20 minutes to Liberty to get your favorite kind of wings. It’s finally here. Some South students are definitely wing fanatics and die-hard wing fans. Zach Christal, senior, camped out for a whole 24 hours to get his wing tickets. “We got there around 11:30 on Sunday night,” said Christal. “We were the first to show up.”

Christal’s friend Matt De Crescenzo, junior, also camped out. But he slacked a little bit and showed up three hours later. “It was way too long, but way worth it,” said De Crescenzo. It all was not about camping out. People had to stay up all hours of the night in order to get free wings. “I feel asleep halfway through the night and Matt didn’t wake the rest of us up,” said Christal. “So we were at the back of the line and almost didn’t make it.” But since De Cresenzo stayed up all night and trooped it out to get those 13 stickers for six free wings a week, he was at the front of the line and made it with flying colors. But why 13 stickers? That’s just a random number. Christal said, “It’s for every hour that they came out. They would

only give out 100 stickers each time.” Another South student who also stuck it out was Mason Keller, sophomore. “I was about the 50th person, so I was still pretty close,” said Keller. “I took a lot of energy drinks to keep me up.” Whether it was playing soccer, listening to music, or just hanging with friends, they all had a blast. Said Keller, “It was fun, and I would do it again.” Christal agreed. “It was a lot of fun and easy,” he said. Zona Rosa needed a new restaurant and the opening of Buffalo Wild Wings has brought new business to the area. Even those who couldn’t make the six free wings a week for a year can still visit BWW on Tuesdays and hit up the $0.45 wing special.

Wild Things for Wings

Popular ScienceNew studies show popularity may be linked with DNA compositionfyi.

+ p a g e f i v e .

Wing Prices$Bone-in6 wings- 4.9912 wings-8.4918 wings-12.2924 wings-16.4950 wings-33.99

Boneless 8 wings-7.3912 wings-8.9918 wings-13.3924 wings-17.6950 wings-35.99

The science of popularity is a fairly simple one. Take confidence plus beauty and add in a dash of humor then - BAM - you have your next popular student”... or so we’re led to believe. Doesn’t seem like much of a scienceat all. “Popularity isn’t really all that complicated, when you think about it,” said Kerri Thirkell, junior. “You can be popular with your friends by just being yourself.” But, perhaps it is that complicated. Some scientists, such as James Fowler, have conducted studies that have shown that some aspects of popularity are genetic. Fowler conducted a study which compared the social habits of fraternal twins and identical twins. While fraternal twins each had different social habits, the identical twins shared theirs. This leads him to believe that, since the identical twins share the same DNA and genetic composition, some social habits are predetermined in DNA. “Just be yourself,” Courtney Kussman, junior. Based upon the studies, she is correct. “People should like you for you. Fakes just tick people off,”

Kussman said. No matter who you ask, people will respond in basically the same way. Most people strongly dislike, and some times even hate, people who are “posers” and also liars. A Poser is “someone who acts like someone they’re not, but not realizing that they’re being fake; basically a loser trying to fit in,” according to the popular website, Urban Dictionary. Further studies may show that theses “posers” and “losers” are genetically inclined to act and respond in the ways that they do. Chronic lairs also have a genetic trait that causes them to lie, according to a few of Fowler’s studies. “Everyone has the capability to be popular,” said Thirkell. “And I’m not talking about everyone knowing you, but just being pretty much liked by most people.” Fowler’s studies concluded that this may not be the case. In fact, some people are genetically wired to have little to no friends and to be disliked by most. No matter how morbid this fact may seem, it has been found genetically in many studies Fowler conducted. In short: Be yourself and popularity will come naturally. Maybe.

by maxx beshears

by jess ica f reeman

If you were to buy 6 wings a week for a whole year you would spend $260.37

Fish need it, plants need it, your body needs it, the WORLD needs it. So, what is this magical miracle substance, exactly? Water. Since the beginning of time, mankind has striven to meet their survival instincts: safety, shelter, food and above all, water. “I know that when I forget my water bottle, I feel weird. It’s good to drink water,” said Madison McDowell, junior. Lately, however, man has replaced water with sodas, alcohol, energy drinks and the occasional cup of coffee. What might make drinking water a bit easier is a technique called Japanese Water Therapy. According to the therapy procedure, upon waking in the morning you should immediately begin drinking four cups of water. After that, don’t eat or drink anything else for an hour. By working this simple task into your daily routine, you can improve headaches, blood pressure, arthritis, heart disease, asthma, diabetes and more,according to knowledgebase-script.com. As someone who partook in Water Therapy, I can vouch that drinking water on a daily basis cleansed my system, literally. Sometimes, in the beginning, I had to go to the bathroom at least three times in an

hour. Yet, it also made me energetic and prepared for the day. At first it was frustrating to wake up and think ‘where’s my water bottle?’ But after a while, it became habit. It amazed me how much effort went into simply drinking water. Honestly, the main reason I decided to try water therapy was to keep my blood sugars down, and for someone with Juvenile Diabetes, that’s very important. Surprisingly, it did help. My glucose numbers ranged in the 100’s instead of 200’s. However, I would not recommend someone start

out by drinking four cups of water. Getting a small cup of water and filling it four times works just as well, or simply

drinking from a sports water bottle is a good option. I would also encourage anyone who wants to try water therapy to start in summer. Without being on a school schedule, and waking up when you feel like it, it’s easier to make yourself drink the water. Also, it will help prevent you from becoming dehydrated. Lastly, before trying it, at least research it to decide whether it’s a good option for you. If you’re an athlete, it’s probably not a good option to drink all this water at once. Regardless of whether you like water or not, it’s what your body runs on. Without it, your eyes would be dry, your blood would not flow and toxins would build up. Soft drinks and coffee are fine in moderation, but water is definitely more beneficial. “They say if you get thirsty, it’s too late,” said Shelly Evans, social studies.

Where’d All the Water Go?

+ p a g e s i x .

Japanese Water Therapy makes drinking water easierby el izabeth wil l iams

photo by austin cosler

photo by austin cosler

"I know when I forget my water bottle, I feel weird. It's good to

drink water,"- Madison McDowell

How much water are they made of?!

Overall body: 70%Blood: 80%

Human Brain: 75%Liver: 96%

http://www.dorchesterhealth.org

Takeoversouth students embrace a new

social network site.

by malana bradford

Tweet, tweet, tweet, what’s that you hear? No, birds have not taken over the halls of South, but Twitter, a

social-networking website has recently been added to many students daily life. The site has been active since 2006, but has become popular with many South students just this year. For those who don’t know, Twitter is another way to stay connected with people around the world. To see “tweets” you must “follow” the person you want to view. After you’re following someone any tweet they post will show on your

homepage, and at that point you can reply or “retweet” it so it will show on your profile. Although Twitter is not

by any means a new site, it does seem to be new with many South students. So why are we all just now catching onto the trend? Lindsay Yager, sophomore, said she’s been using Twitter for just a few weeks now, but already likes it better than Facebook. “It’s just kind of funny to read people’s tweets, and reply to random people,” said Yager. Chelsea Ponick, senior, said some people just use it to start drama but she uses it to read celebrity tweets.

“I think my favorite part are the celebrity tweets, cause they’re hilarious,” Ponick said. “Vinny (from Jersey Shore)’s tweets are so funny.” Many students said they use Twitter to simply keep up with their favorite musicians, athletes or other celebrities. Kendrick White, senior, said, “It’s cool that you can see what celebrities think about whats going on right now. Wiz Khalifa is my favorite person to follow. He’s super cool, and his tweets are funny and relevant.” Other students, such as Ashley Brown, junior, use Twitter more personally than to just view other’s tweets. Brown has been using Twitter as her own “venting place” since 2009. “Twitter’s more of a mature audience than Facebook. I’m on it 24 hours a day, except at work,” said Brown.

With tweets showing up in real time it’s hard to get bored because someone, somewhere in the world has

something to say. Brown said, “You get immune to reading every tweet out there, and refreshing the page to read more.”

It may not have been a little birdie who told you about it, but Twitter

is definitely something worth talking about. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t sit in class on both Twitter and Facebook all day,” said Ponick. “It’s addicting.”

someone, something to say.

somewhere in the world has‘‘ ‘‘

@phsview4,469,573@50cent

6,804@lordvoldermort

3,674,446@charliesheen

4,207,235@cnnbrk

...just kidding.Top TweetS

+ p a g e s e v e n .

There is one night of the year where girls spend an entire day getting ready, take countless trips the tanning salon

and every mom, aunt and sister comes over just to do the hair. Guys spend $150 on a one-night tuxedo rental, and for once in their lives, spent major time getting ready. All this for the biggest night of the year: Prom. Several Saturdays ago I got the chance to experience a school dance that was surprisingly different than South’s dances. Platte County High School’s prom was a great opportunity to kick it with new people and bust a move on the dance floor. Although after-prom was at Finnigan’s in North Kansas City, just like ours, the actual dance was very different than its counterpart at South. For starters, the dinner portion of the evening was completely separate from the dance, as opposed to eating at the same venue where one would later pop, lock and drop it. Going out to eat beforehand was a plus to the evening because there was no rush to try to get at the same table as your friends and only having 8-10 chairs at each table. Also, the meal was not standard, nor was the price set for the food, causing attendees to have to pay for a decent meal whether they wanted that food or not. Our group went to M&S Grille on the Country Club Plaza. The food was great and not too pricey for a fancy meal at a nice restaurant that fit the occasion. The actual dance was at Cerner’s Riverport facility off of Highway 435--formerly Sam’s Town Casino. The inside of the building looked much like an open street with shops on the side of the street. Throughout the night, upperclassmen and their dates danced the night away on the street, while teachers and administrators manned the water bottle disbursement area and coat check rather than walking through the dance floor like at many of South’s dances. However, there was a good reason for why there weren’t adults walking through the dance floor. Students at Platte County High School know how to have a good time dancing. I’ll admit that at first I felt weird dancing crazy and making a fool of myself, but I have to say that I had a blast dancing and it was an overall high quality time that

was not just spent looking at the back of a girl’s head dancing in a manner despised by today’s adults. There was one major difference of the night that many students at South would have appreciated. Whether it was at the actual dance or at after-prom, the music that was played was great. The leadership at Platte County did not have an issue with playing popular hip-hop songs such as “No Hands” by Waka Flocka Flame or other songs that teenagers like as long as it was censored to avoid major cursing. Overall, I had a genuine great time and even though it was a little different at first, knowing very few people, in the future I would recommend attending a PCHS or any different school’s Prom to anyone invited.

faq.

+ p a g e e i g h t .

“I’m tired of pretending I’m not a total b*****n’ rock

star from Mars, and people can’t figure me out; they can’t process me. I don’t

expect them to. You can’t process me with a

normal brain.”

“[In my career I’ve done] 62 movies, a ton of success. I mean, c’mon bro, I won best picture at 20. I wasn’t even trying. I wasn’t even warm.”

“I have a 10,000-year-old brain and the boogers of a 7-year-old. That’s how I describe myself.”

“I am on a drug. It’s called Charlie

Sheen. It’s not available. If you try it once, you will die. Your

face will melt off and your children will

weep over your exploded body.”

“When you see how I party, it was epic. The run I was on made Sinatra, Flynn, Jagger, Richards and all of them look like droopy-eyed armless children.”

“Dying’s for fools, dying’s for

amateurs.”

“I expose people to magic. I expose them to something they’re never otherwise gonna see in their boring normal lives and I gave that to them.”

“I got tiger blood, man.”

MELTDOWNCHARLIE SHEEN'S BEST QUOTES OF 2011 (SO FAR)

-Not at Home, but Welcome Nonetheless-

Platte County’s Prom a Great Timeby ty ler arthur

Find this Guy!Find a miniature of this guy in the paper, cut

him out and submit him along with your name to rm. C200 be entered into a drawing for 1 of 3 $20 gift cards

MAN HUNT

by danny jones

Platte County’s Prom a Great Time

+ p a g e n i n e .

On deck, 2012Now is the time for the junior class to step up our game

by malana bradford

As April ends and the May flowers begin to bloom, practically everything seems to revolve around South’s senior class. The halls are filled with

chatter about graduation, the senior picnic, college and the last summer before goodbye. Hearing all this as a junior feels almost like we’re being taunted, realizing we still have a whole year before our time comes. But listen up, class of 2012. This is our time, too. The minute the seniors leave on May 11, we officially become the top dogs in this kennel. Sure, it’s annoying that we, along with the sophomores and freshmen, will be in school until June 2 while the class of 2011 is at the pool sunbathing, but that doesn’t mean we should mope. It’s

finally our time, the final year of high school we’ve all been anxiously awaiting. Senior year signifies so much: college scouts coming to the games and whispering your name to each other, tears running down your face as you’re crowned Homecoming king or queen, parents writing senior salute letters for your last high school yearbook. These things happen every year, but until now we’ve had to sit back and watch. Now we truly will get to experience it. With so many things to look forward to, let’s aspire to be the best seniors South has ever seen. Go to every game, all the dances, and dress up for every last spirit day, and not just that; let’s do it united as a class. How many years have we all been complaining that South doesn’t have as much spirit as other schools like Liberty, or our rival Park Hill? It doesn’t matter! We can change that. Someone has to step it up and create tradition for South, so why not us? So I’m personally asking each and every one of you 2012 graduates to quit pitching a fit, and get pumped for next year. After all, it could be the end of the world. We may as well go out with a bang.

Cleeton -Because I had to, I didn’t really have a choice.Rodgers - I really needed a job and one of my stepmom’s friends offered it to me. Wainwright - Money.

What kind of summer job do you have? Is it worth the money?

Would you recommend anyone else get your kind of job?

What’s the worst/dirtiest part of your summer job?

Why did you take this job up in the first place?

Dirty Summer

Adam Cleeton, senior - Mowing people’s lawns.Max Rodgers, junior - Worlds of Fun.Mitchell Wainwright, senior - Putting up hay.

Cleeton - I only get paid for my neighbor’s yard.Rodgers - During the Summer, but not during school...it takes a lot out of you.Wainwright - Yeah. I get to work outside, get paid and not pay taxes.

Cleeton - If you find good business, it’s worth it.Rodgers - No... well, if you’re desperate for the money and don’t mind working in the elements during the Summer and Fall. Wainwright - If they are okay with getting hurt and working hard.

Cleeton - Having to pick up dog poop and then, if you miss one and mow over it, it’s awful.Rodgers - Cleaning up throw up.Wainwright - Sometimes bees or snakes.Jobs

Kyle Schleicher, junior“You’re the oldest.”

Erin Price, junior“Graduation and AP Chem. I like messing with chemicals.”

Tara Beyer, junior“Taking kind of an easy schedule and participating in more activities.”

Makayla Walker, junior“The ability to say that I made it.”

Best

part

of b

eing

a s

enio

r wil

l be.

..

by e l izabeth wi l l iams

>>read senior farewell columns online at phsview.com

For eight seasons on Fox, at 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday nights, the judges on American idol

consisted of Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson. For the last two seasons the judges have been switched up, ranging all the way from Ellen DeGeneres (a funny TV host) to Steven Tyler (a rock star legend). The only people that have stayed consistent on the show are Ryan Seacrest (the host of the show) and Randy Jackson (a judge). This season, season 10, the judges are Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler and the one and only Randy Jackson. I thought since Simon Cowell withdrew from the show, it was going to go downhill from there.

Cowell had been on the show ever since season one, when Kelly Clarkson won the American Idol title, and American Idol quickly became famous for his cruel, rude remarks. He was definitely my favorite judge to watch, even though I sometimes felt bad for the contestants, he was what made the show interesting and funny. After the first few weeks of watching the new season of the show, I was totally proven wrong. Surprisingly, Steven Tyler knows what he is talking about, Jennifer Lopez has encouraging words for the participants and Randy, of course, tells it how it is. Although I felt like the judges are a little easier on the contestants and have more positive feedback, it has still

made the show work and be successful. According to zap2it.com, so far this season, the show is averaging 25.6 million viewers and a 9.3 rating in adults 18-49 on Wednesdays and 22.4 million viewers and a 7.6 on Thursdays. That’s down quite a bit from this time last season; through three airings in 2010, the Tuesday “Idol” was drawing 28.9 million viewers and an 11.2 in the demographic. Wednesday was averaging 27.5 million viewers and a 10.4 in the demographic. Even with the declines, the Wednesday “American Idol” is still the number one show of the season by a long shot.

This is...AMERICAN IDOL

by blake reser

Since 2002 American Idol has been a highly rated show, but what happens when new judges come?

+ p a g e t e n .

J U N E J U L Y3 17 2224 1 15

X-Men: First Class

Green LanternCars 2

Captain America: The first avengerTransformers:

Dark of the Moon

Harry Potter and the deathly hollows: Part II

The Xavier Institute for Higher Learning is officially open. This

movie shows the origin of Marvel’s comic series: the X-Men.

SUMMER OF THE MOVIE

tmi.

Ryan Reynolds stars as the DC comic book hero, the Green

Lantern. Reynolds is recruited to the Green Lantern Corps, and is charged with protecting

Earth from certain doom.

Lightning McQueen and friends are back together for the sequel to Pixar’s hit, Cars. Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) and pal ‘Mater (Larry the Cable Guy) head across the pond for the first ever World Grand Prix.

Scrawny little Steve Rogers gets the opportunity of a life time when he is chosen for the US military’s top-secret Project Rebirth. The result? Super Soldier, Captain America.

The Autobots are back, in the third movie in the Transformers series, Dark of the Moon. The Transformers are caught up in a modern-day space race between the US and Russia.

Harry’s seven-year quest at Hogwarts finally comes to an end in the last movie of the

Harry Potter franchise. Don’t miss his epic final battle with Voldemort -- the culmination of the entire series, both on-screen and in the book.

A timeline of blockbuster Movie releasing summer of 2011

>>log on to phsview.com for reviews of May releases

Behi

nd t

he L

yric

s

+ p a g e e l e v e n .

Clearly somewhere along the way my words have been misconstrued and tainted by the ink of press. Would my words hold more bearing if I placed quotation marks around that “sentence” and gave you a reliable source? As high schoolers, we have been trained to doubt, and somewhere along the way we have all forgotten how to simply believe. Creative writings that once filled my notebook paper have been quickly replaced with news stories and validated facts; this is what we have come to believe as high schoolers. It’s true; we all want to hold onto the childhood ideas and the heroines of our favorite novel that once occupied the soul existence of our imagination, but then the “real world”

Peter Paneraby ida patton

reliving my

steps in. Sometimes, I truly feel that our entire beautiful planet has forgotten the key to to game of life. Belief. If you can’t believe in anything, what is the point of living? I’ll tell you what I believe in, but only if you promise to do the same. Inside of each and every one of us, there is a little piece of Wonderland .We all secretly still believe in the magic of flight, but to the outside world you say it is impossible or wouldn’t that be nice. What if there was a place where your most youthful dreams were a reality? And even better, if that world could fit inside your pocket. Well folks, I am here to tell you it does. Every time I need closure when I get in a tiff with a close friend or even during tougher times when I lose someone close to me, I turn to my beloved iPod. It may seem cliche’, but it is the truth; music makes me believe. Rap recording star R-Kelly’s Gospel hit, “I Believe I Can Fly”,

revived the faith of millions, and as for me? Well, it brought me back to my Peter Pan era. Maybe I am not making much sense, which I usually don’t, but the point is

when I am down on my luck and I feel like the whole world is against me, music never lets me down. So let’s try this again. Are the words that have accumulated on this page simply words, or something much more beautiful? I’ll tell you what I believe: they are much more than what meets the eye. There is always a new band, a new song or even a faithful classic that lets me believe anything is possible. So, take a little advice from Journey and don’t stop believing.

Music is the purest form of freedom.

THE Life and Times of ConvenienceScreen Res:

101 x 80 pixels

Size: 9 x 5 x 1.75 in.Talk time: 35 min

Call log: last 10 W

eigh

t : 11

2 g

memory: 400 kb d/l’s: ringtones & gamesFirst Sliding Cellphone

features: everything ever.

if some fruit vendor was approached in New York City by a policeman, one would think that he was simply hungry and wanted to eat something other than a doughnut. What if this same situation did more than provide a little money in the

vendor’s pocket and a little less in the policeman’s stomach; what if it incited one of the most significant revolutions in the modern world?

In the case of Mohamed Bouazizi in a small town in Tunisia, it did. After the policemen approached and ‘confiscated’ Bouazizi’s fruit that he was selling, according to a Reuters article, he

proceeded to act in protest. This protest was nothing of sign-holding or gathering a petition. Instead, what started this revolution in the low-employment and police state of Tunisia on Dec. 19, 2010 was Bouazizi’s

decision to set himself on fire in order to inform the world and his fellow citizens of the severity of oppression.“It’s amazing to witness how many freedoms we as Americans misuse,” said Gary Gasperino, senior debater, “and how many

people would die for those very freedoms.” Bouazizi’s act of protest would go on to ignite civil unrest in Tunisia. Since then, 17 countries in the Middle East have

escalated to such levels of military intervention and widespread violence.

The real question is, what do these revolutions mean? And why are they happening now?

It may be impossible to trace the conflicts of the Middle East back to a single, undisputed beginning, but there is a theory that a major influence on the present conflicts was the

reformation of Middle Eastern nations after European colonization. Alicia Walker, social studies and AP World History teacher, said she feels that the

oppression began when the European influence left the Middle East, and the power void was filled by dictators who led the nationalist movements in the first place.

“Historically, the countries of the Middle East have been dominated politically by dictators, thugs and theocrats who have relied on brutality rather than the rule of law,”

said Mike Nelson, social studies, about the typical Middle Eastern power chain. “[Eventually,] oppression breeds hostility.”

The popular idea is that the oppression of today’s youth eventually spurred the riots now plaguing the Middle East, but Gasperino emphasized that this concept hides a major aspect

of the revolutions. “It’s not just the kids over there who are in bad shape,” he said. “It’s generations of

poverty and abuse from the regimes in power that have lead to the present situation. Modern technology finally gives the average citizens in the Middle East a voice.”

Matchthe

theFire+ p a g e t w e l v e .

r e v o l u t i o n i s l o g i c a l

Today, over 50 million tweets will be sent and over 200 million pictures will be uploaded to Facebook. When Facebook users account for almost 10 percent of the world and 3/4 of all countries have access to the Internet, according to

Reports Without Borders, communication is hardly a problem. But what does this mean for the average citizen? “Technology gives us the opportunity to be lazy and apathetic,” said Walker. “But it seems that we learn in times of unrest and crisis that it can be a

tool of advancement and change as well.” From sharing a terrible song with your friends to saving lives, the

Internet has accumulated many uses since its conception in the late ‘80s. But while students in the United States may use it to distract from school work,

the Internet has been used as the means to plan middle east revolutions of the last few months.

In an interview with the Huffington Post, Wael Ghonim, a marketing manager for Google and critical activist for the Egyptian revolution, spoke about the

importance of Facebook in the whole event. “We would post a video on Facebook that would be shared by 60,000 people

on their walls within a few hours,” Ghonim told The Post. “I’ve always said that if you want to liberate a society, just give them the Internet.”

Although Facebook itself has declared itself neutral in any fighting going on with these countries, the viability of Facebook as a communication tool for

change is undoubted.

The importance of today’s technology, though, should not distract from the fact that the action being taken is out on the streets, not behind computer screens.

“I’m not a hero,” said Ghonim later in the Huffington Post interview. “I was writing on a keyboard … I wasn’t exposing my life to danger. The heroes are the

ones who are in the street.”Ultimately, though, the most difficult part of the entire process might be

transition. “The revolutions in the Middle East remind us just how complicated the politics of rebellion can be,” says Nelson. “The notion of self determination

and free will threatens the cultural domination of the Middle East.”From an oversimplified lens, the protests in the affected Arab countries are just

more battles in cultures where conflict is commonplace. The New York fruit vendor doesn’t see a policeman like Bouazizi does. To stop there, however, would

be to ignore the fact that the power of the world is beginning to shift: from old regimes to the hands of the youth, thanks in large part to the continuing

openness of the human network that binds us all.

sparkthe

+ p a g e t h i r t e e n .

by jesse mcginness and danny jonesr e v o l u t i o n i s l o g i c a l

remember when...The View revisits developing stories from the 2010-11 school year

we broke this story?

reports by ida patton and jess ica f reeman

As the summer sun quickly approaches, many students are looking for something to satisfy their end of the year blues. This year’s yearbook may do just that. 2011 will mark the first year that South’s

yearbook will be released before the end of the school year. “It’s really exciting. It is starting an entirely new tradition,” said Jordan Boucher, senior Co-Editor. Although the yearbook staff had to significantly shorten their deadlines this year, every major event other than senior week and graduation was still included either in the yearbook or the new supplement just for seniors. For a look into the life of an upperclassman, those students can turn to this year’s senior magazine. The senior magazine will cover any events or news that is only relevant for the senior class. It will also contain senior awards and baby pictures. “[The magazine] will be available for all seniors free of charge. It will include a full prom spread and will be completely senior-oriented,” said Megan Hughes, adviser. The staff hopes a spring yearbook release date will create a sense of closure for seniors and will ring in a new beginning for underclassmen. “Not everyone changes something when they leave South, but as Co-Editor, I can say I changed something [at South],” said Boucher. Yearbook distribution day is currently set for May 6. South will run on an assembly schedule and books will be distributed at the end of the day. Seniors will receive their yearbooks first and there will be several areas around the school designated for signing, including the main gym, commons and outside areas if weather permits.

original article:ISSUE 1, page 22“Yearbooks, Anyone?” by Cydney Conner

SPRI

NG Y

EARB

OOKS Romance, Comedy,

and Drama all combined in one couldn’t get any better. Last time you read The View, the spring play

was all mixed up to the point where it looked like it might not take place. But according to Taylor Anderson, junior, there have been many changes made. “We have more drive this time and people actually wanted to do it,” said Anderson. “We also have really good people who auditioned and we are more prepared.” The Theatre Department decided to put on a three-skit play on May 6. But wouldn’t everyone like to know the three different performances? “A Sure Thing”, one act from the play, will have to deal with a guy trying to pick up a girl. “The Philadelphia”, according to Anderson, “has a lot of inside jokes, but weird.” Finally, “Why Do We Laugh?” is an older couple trying to think back on all of their memories they have had, and is also “a good life lesson story,” said Anderson. “And, of course [the third act will be] good because Richard [Powell], junior, shakes his butt,” laughed Anderson.

original article:ISSUE 8, pg 6“No Encore” by Cydney Conner dram

a production

Kansas City’s local band The Tempest has already made a bang at South. Whether it is a Facebook invite to one of their many shows or toting one of their band bracelets throughout the halls, everyone seems to know who The Tempest is. The members include three South students, Alex Gaskill, senior, Hannah Gaskill, junior and Andrew Nassab, freshman. Besides those who attend South the band also has a following at Park Hill, where two band members go to school. This year, the band will be competing at South’s Battle of the Bands and hopes to go on their first

summer tour. The thought of a possible tour is a huge achievement for the band. “We have two or three new songs that we are excited to play and we will hopefully be going on tour with Obsidian,” said Alex Gaskill. To learn more about the band and their shows, add them on Facebook at Facebook.com/thetempest.

“I think there will be big things in our future, but all we want is for everyone to come out and see us play,” said Gaskill.

original article:ISSUE 2, pg 8-9“The Future of Music” by Jordan Boucher

the tempest+ p a g e f o u r t e e n .

brb.

drama production

The face of oppression is being unmasked. As one man tears

away the mask, lies, conspiracies and wrong doings spill out into the public’s eye. Among the lies appears the truth, in the form of an average man. Isaac Mao has dedicated his life to revealing the true constrictions of the Chinese government. Their government takes such extremes to monitor their people that they have a completely censored Internet. According to Isaacmao.com (which happens to be censored by Park Hill school district), some of the words that are being censored include: sex, protest,Chinese activist Teng Biao as well as American politicians such as Hillary Clinton. “He’s doing the right thing. You can’t

even see the Dalai Lama’s website in China, its ridiculous,” said Jordan Locke, senior. Isaac Mao, known as China’s first blogger, blogs on important issues and government policy’s. Mao has repeatedly given China and the rest of the world something to talk about. “I think it is a kind of test from the authorities, to try to see if this type of new censorship strategy could cause consequences,” Mao said. China’s Internet bloggers go as far as writing in code to insure the Internet restrictions are avoided. “Albeit in a roundabout way, freedom of speech is being realised in this ‘guesting’ way. We hope we can return to host sites in China some day...,” said Mao in a blog post. Mao hopes that in the future all of China will be able to log in and access any information they want on the world wide web.

chin

a's

blog

ger Top 7 Banned Books in America

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

The Catcher in the Rye

To Kill a Mockingbird

Bridge to Terabithia

The Lord of the Flies

Of Mice and Men

The Color Purple

12

34

56

7

+ p a g e f i f t e e n .

From

“Li

st o

f Top

Ten

Ban

ned

Book

s in

Sch

ools

” on

abo

u.co

m.

original article: ISSUE 6, page 8-9“Access Denied: World Wide Worry” by Jesse McGinness and Ida Patton

Reach 1575+ students, plus parents, staff and community members for as little as $35 per issue

Don’t miss your chance to advertise in the View during the 2011-2012 school year

Contact business manager ben andersen at 11andersen@parkhill.k12.mo.us

log on to phsview.com and click about>>advertise in the top right corner

or

Advertise in

btw.

+ p a g e s i x t e e n .

This selective course is different from the other art classes because the class is not based on what the teacher presents in a scheduled curriculum, but on what the student works on independently to initiate the idea for their art. Under the direction of Carson, each student creates and designs original works of art. When the students are not working on their portfolio of artwork they are studying various educational courses to broaden their perspective in art. That includes one of senior Jacob Gaumer’s favorite topics, art history. In this course Carson picks an art movement for each of the students to create a slide show that includes information on the artists of their movement. Also included in art history is the creation of a self-portrait of the student portrayed in the art period represented. These lessons also help students strengthen their pieces to go in the art fair. Chloe Harrison, senior, prepares for college her own way. “I try to look at other artists and gain as much information as I can. By far, my favorite artist, Alhonse Mucha, taught me to include the element of nature in my work.” The class also provides guidance for students preparing for college, from working on resumes to composing requests for recommendation, to portfolio development and creating an artist statement. An artist statement is an essay that explains who an artist is and what he or she would like to pursue in the future. The Art Fair is also a great place to show who the artist is, not only to admissions counsolors but the community. For senior Bennett Potter, his future holds the dream of becoming a pastor. Nonetheless, Potter maintains that he will always make and sell art. Potter has already succeeded by selling a piece of art work for $70 that he created on an AP Studio field trip to the Country Club Plaza. “[Art] gives people who aren’t good at other things the ability to create something new.” said Potter. Although the class has a wide range of artistic talent from different perspective, the students feel that AP Art is a “Happy Little Family” accepting the differences in expression. To understand and feel a part of this family, students can attend the Park Hill Art Fair held on Saturday, April 30 from noon to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, May 1 from noon to 4:00 p.m. The festival is free and will have large amounts of original artwork on display.

H ppy Little Art Family AP Studio students get prepared for their futures through a wide range of media

by heather fat ino AP studio art is not just a class designed for seniors wanting to pursue a future career in the art field, but also for students that have the dedication and love for expressing themselves through various mediums of art form.

p hoto b y aust in co s ler

On April 5, 2011 people around the Park Hill School District voted on the district’s

no-tax-increase bond. The amount being voted on: $117.5 million. In order for this bond to be passed there had to be a 4/7 (or 57.1 percent) majority voting yes. Fortunately for the district, it was passed. According to the Park Hill School District’s website, the definition of a bond is ‘an authorization for a school district to go into debt and

to establish a tax rate to pay off the debt over time. Park Hill school district has good financial management, therefore can have a bond without raising people’s taxes. With that being said, even if the bond had been rejected, taxes would not have decreased. “I expected the bond to pass but I was extremely pleased with the high voter approval. An 80 percent approval rate on a tax issue with the current economic conditions indicates tremendous community support of our schools,” said Dr. Dale Longenecker, principal. This $117.5 million will pay for maintenance, technology, security, a new elementary school and classroom space. Maintenance would be an important part of the equation by providing roof repairs and replacements, asphalt and concrete repairs, and upgrades to the district’s electrical system. “I think [maintenance] is the biggest repair. The district put off a lot of necessary up keeps

because of the budget cuts,” said Brad Peck, social studies. The money that will go to technology helps make sure all the classrooms have the right equipment, such as projectors, document cameras and digital tablets. As for security, the district would put cameras outside of schools to help prevent any crime or vandalism. Fire alarms in the middle schools would be replaced, and safety entrances would be added onto Lakeview, English Landing, and Union Chapel. A new elementary school

will be built on the northeast corner of the school district. Currently, the district has too many students in elementary schools than they can hold. There are portable units behind some schools that hold classrooms in them. The bond money will build a new school that will be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified, which means it will be environmentally friendly and cost effective for years to come. “We currently have 10,300 students district-wide, the most in our history,” said Paul Kelly, asst. superintendant. Classroom space falls into this category, as well. The District plans to decrease the crowding in schools but also on making them environmentally friendly and sustainable. The last no-tax-increase bond issue was five years ago, in April 2006. That money went to technology, safety upgrades, land, facility improvements, and a new childhood education center.

Tax Bond

“I was extremely pleased with the high voter approval.”

Information on the tax bond and the affects on the Districtby cydneyconner

Cancer Alley’s Death Row

+ p a g e s e v e n t e e n .

by ida pat t on the victims of an unnecessary illness The most disturbing part is not the words, but the images. Long after the words fade away, the face of a family devastated by disease burns an unwanted image in your mind. It happens all across the United States and the world as a whole. In fact, 3,400 people are diagnosed with cancer each day in United States and a whoping 1,500 die from the disease some call hell, according to American Cancer Institute (ACI).

A report was filled In 1987 that revealed that the residents in the tiny community of St. Gabriel, Louisiana,called Jacobs Drive “cancer alley,” because there were fifteen cancer victims in a two-block stretch, according to pollutionissues.com. The 85-mile stretch of the Mississippi River from Baton Rouge to New Orleans was formerly referred to as the “petrochemical corridor,” but after reports of numerous cases of cancer occurring in the small rural communities on both sides of the river, the entire area became known as cancer alley. “No one should have to go through that,” said Kendra Mikuls, senior.

In 2005, Louisiana was the victim of yet another disaster. Hurricane Katrina took the lives of over 1,800 townspeople, according to the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals. The number only

grew after the storm. After the storm hit, water was left contaminated from the petroleum leaks along with debris and waste that was left in the water. The most dangerous waterways were the homes of trailers where displaced victims were temporarily staying.

“It is horrible to think that their state would be left in such a dangerous state,” said Megan Ellis, senior. According to ‘Fuel’, a documentary, those living in the most polluted areas were not informed the water around them was unsafe. Joshua Tickell, director of the documentary, blames Cancer Alley on fuel processing. The terminology spread, as across the globe more and more areas were being placed in a disturbing demographic; they were victims of cancer. Many residents of “cancer alley’ neighborhoods are asking a simple question: “Is it safe for my family to eat or drink?”

The Beginning

Lightning Strikes Again

“State regulators will examine a shuttered manufacturing plant as a possible source of an outbreak of tumors among northwest Missouri residents,” reported kmbc.com on June 5, 2008. The word tumor shines light on an issue closer to home than many realize. The Rockwool Industries plant, three miles west of Cameron, once produced fiber insulation before closing more than two decades ago. “We need to not just go green by recycling, we need to go green at an industrial level, so the problem will be non-existent in the future,” said Luke Ravenscraft, junior.

There have been reported cases of brain tumors in the small area surrounding the plant since 2001. “Knowing that something like that could happen so close to home makes me realize it could happen anywhere,” said Ellis. Tests by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources ruled out the city’s water supply as a likely cause, said Cheri Baysinger, a Department of Health epidemiologist. The search for an answer continues to puzzle the town and leaves others praying for a cure.

Closer to Home

Looking Toward the Future The United States is not alone in its struggle. In 2007 reports showed that over 12 million new cancer cases were diagnosed and 7.6 million cancer deaths (about 20,000 cancer deaths a day) occurred worldwide, according to ACI. Americans we have the right to say ‘enough is enough.’ The change is easy and it can start with a single person. Instead of being the generation of ‘do nothings,’ do something and put an end to polluted waterways. In the end, it is not just the generation of the past or present,but the generation of the future that needs to be saved.

Outside the Box : ways to cut back on pollution

Plant deciduous trees around your home to provide shade and cut back A/C use

Conserve energy - turn off appliances and lights when you leave the room.

Wash clothes with warm or cold water instead of hot. Avoid waiting in long drive-thru lines. Park

your car and go in.

What I’ve Learned...

BURIED LIFEI learned to not take life so seriously and always cherish your true friends.

In the end, high school doesn’t really matter. You have to be yourself and always plan ahead.

Mackenzie Williams, 12

John Link, 12

Lexi Hachett, 12

Log on to PHSVIEW.com for even more

Don’t stress the little things, enjoy every moment of life.

+ p a g e e i g h t e e n .

BURIED LIFE

Have the nerve to make a fool of myself at an assembly.-Hannah Woodson, junior

Crash a wedding.-Jade Macken, freshman

Beat Park Hill in football.-Mark Grandstaff, sophomore

I want someone to ask me to a school dance. -Anonymous Junior

Go to a yankees game in new york-Nick Ferraro, junior

Get a wakeboarding sponsorship-Mathew knight, freshman

We asked South students what they want to do before they graduate, and these are a selection of what was submitted online and at lunch.

+ p a g e n i n e t e e n .

“

mvp.

+ p a g e t w e n t y.

Who is 6-9, 225 pounds and walks the halls of South? The answer is South’s resident

southpaw, senior Adam Schemenauer. Schemenauer has been a Varsity baseball player at South since his sophomore season, and predicts a conference title for South baseball this year. According to his teammates, Schemenauer is a team leader and helps carry the team through the long season. ”We have to play at his level. When he pitches we all want to play better for him,” said junior Eddie Sola. All of Schemenauer’s hard work is starting to pay off and he has committed to go to University of Louisville after his senior year at Park Hill South. “Louisville’s a got a great program. They always finish near the top of the Big East, and they went to the College World Series a few years ago,” said Schemenauer. Schemenauer is a two-sport athlete, playing both baseball and basketball, but he admitted that baseball has always been his preferred sport. He is the number one man in South’s rotation with a record of 3-0 and a current ERA that is under 2.0. He is the first Panther since basketball star Ivo Baltic to go to a Division One school on an athletic scholarship. Schemenauer will sign his letter of intent to attend Louisville before graduation.

This year, I had the privilege of attending Opening Day with my grandpa. As longtime Royals fans, we had both

adopted heavy cynical views about the team, typically always expecting the worst to prevent as much heartbreak and disappointment as possible. At the stadium a couple of weeks ago, however, the mood was refreshingly different. “Boy, it’s nice for baseball season to finally start,” my grandpa said, words likely never spoken before by a Kansas Citian. “Isn’t it? It’s great to come to Opening Day. Everybody is always so happy,” I said. “I wonder why that is...” He pondered a moment, then replied, I think it’s because for one day a year, we have hope. This is the one day where every baseball fan, regardless of allegiance, can honestly say, ‘I think this is our year.’ When you think about it, ‘the year’ for the Royals might be the year we break .500, even though ‘the year’ for the Dodgers is winning 150 games, the pennant, and the World Series. For every Royals fan, Opening Day in 2011 is the day we can finally forget about all the nightmares that have plagued us for the last 12 months: finishing last in the division, Greinke leaving, the double plays we hit into, the leads we blew, the foul balls we missed, the ground balls we booted... Today, grandson, we have a clean slate of a season to craft a new masterpiece -- today we can dream, we can be stupidly optimistic, we can buy playoff tickets that will likely never be used because there’s no numbers, no stats, no qualitative or quantitative evidence that can make those things impossible. You and I and ESPN can predict the Royals losing 100 games this season, but right now, we have no idea what the heck is gonna happen this year. We might win today, we might win tomorrow, we might sweep the Yankees, we might make the playoffs, even if the odds on those things happening are less than the odds of Pluto actually being considered a planet again. Even though we like to think we know what’s going to happen, the reality is that the future is unknown, unpredictable, and has a tendency to make the one thing you didn’t expect to occur come true. You and the rest of your senior class will be in college a year from now -- a place with endless opportunity and uncertainty. Do any of you know what to expect? Are you all ready for the responsibility? Can you and your peers handle the freedom? But that’s the beauty of it. The best part about going to college is the chance to take your first step towards your career, your future, your success. And, believe it or not, the Royals get that same opportunity today with Opening Day. I don’t know about anybody else, but honestly, my boy, that’s why I’m so excited today. “Oh, hey, look, you want a hot dog?

Big Man on Campusby harr ison white

All-star athlete Adam Schemenauer goes D-1

It’s Great to Be a Royals Fan … on Opening Day

This Is Itby danny jones

just

a b

it O U T S I D E

”

Pa

nth

ers

ADAM SCHEMENAUER Park Hill South Panthers - Pitcher

2011

High School Pitching Record

YEAR W L ERA G SO2009 3 4 5.42 9 322010 4 2 1.59 9 52 2011 3 0 1.62 5 39TOTAL 10 6 3.69 23 123

BATS: R THROWS: L WT: 230 HT: 6’9”

photo by hannah woodson

Every afternoon after school they practice, improving their stroke and posture while trying to stay in the zone. Specifically one person: Cameron Probst.

Probst has played golf since he was eight years old. Currently, he is the only senior to play on the varsity golf team. “I was the only junior [on varsity] last year, so it’s not a big surprise,” said Probst.

During the golf season, teammates miss two to three days a week from school. Whether it’s getting out early or missing the whole day completely, Probst says it’s a little tougher on school but it is also his favorite part. “I can tell you that he is a leader for the varsity team,” said Larry Torgerson, coach, “I am sure he is one of the top players on the team.” In his high school career, Probst has qualified for state twice.

Freshman year he was put on Junior Varsity. Every year since then he has been on Varsity. However, golf wasn’t his only sport. “I wrestled a little bit, but didn’t want to risk injuring myself for golf,” said Probst. Even though he enjoys playing golf, Probst says it is not his passion and he is not planning to play when he is in college.

Getting a closer look at South’s Emmy Hanlon

by cydney conner

The stadium lights beam as the players take the field. The referee blows the whistle and the soccer game begins. Last year she was one of the three freshmen on the Girls’ Varsity Soccer Team. Continuing this year on Varsity, it’s Emmy Hanlon, sophomore. Hanlon has played soccer since she was three years old starting with club. She plays forward, number 11. “Emmy is very driven to succeed, and she seems to enjoy the competition. There are times when she and a few other girls have to be send home because they want to stay and practice,” said Joe Toigo, coach. Soccer is not the only thing Hanson plays. She also plays basketball, but if she had to choose between the two sports she would pick soccer, even with awkward shin guard tan lines. For Hanlon, more memories are on the field than off. “Winning a tournament last year in PKs (penalty kicks) in high school was for sure [memorable],” said Hanlon. She plans to continue playing soccer all through college. “It’s a team sport. It’s fast paced and fun to play,” said Hanlon.

Flop Shot Also known as a high, delicate shot

that travels only a short distance and

then rolls very little once it lands on the

green.

To move the club head back and forth before beginning the takeaway. Golfers do this to relieve tension just before beginning their swing.

Waggle

+ p a g e t w e n t y - o n e .

by harrison white

Senior Griffin Smith has been tearing it up on the South tennis courts for four years. Smith has been South’s number one seed since his freshman year and has high hopes for the Panther tennis team. “As a team we should go undefeated until we meet up with Rockhurst in the state playoffs,” said Smith. Smith hopes to improve on a very good 2010 season. Last year Smith made state in singles after a dominant

regular season. Smith hopes to improve on his success for the 2011 season. “He’s a great competitor. He is always really positive,” said senior Josh Lukens. Smith plans to continue his game at the next level. He has decided to play for Truman State University, in Kirksville, Mo. He is hopeful for an athletic scholarship. The team is currently 2-0 and plans to make good on Smith’s prediction.

Griffin Smith dominates in tennis

phot

o by

aus

tin c

osle

r

Just F r KicksHole In One

GRAND SL AM

Golf SlangPhoto by Caitlin Uribe

Cameron Probst shows off his skills on Boys Varsity Golf by cydney conner

George Mason, Butler, Virginia Commonwealth. Three schools you would have never heard of if it wasn’t for one thing: March Madness. Cinderella teams have resulted in tears, lost bets and, most recently, me tearing my bracket to shreds. But as much as they kill me, there is something about an underdog that people can’t get enough of. In 2006, George Mason, an 11 seed from the Colonial Athletic Association -- a conference with powerhouse teams like the Towson University Tigers and Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens-- shocked the basketball world by reaching the Final Four. You can’t make this stuff up. No one in their right mind would have George Mason upsetting the

major teams they did in their region, like Tom Izzo’s Michigan State Spartans, the tournament-legend Tar Heels, Wichita State and the one seed UConn Huskies. GMU finally lost to the eventual national champions, the Florida Gators, but nonetheless Sports Illustrated named George Mason their Cinderella team of the decade in 2009. And guess who had them out in the first round in my bracket? Little known 11 seed Davidson, a Southern Conference team, upset number seven seed Gonzaga, the two seed Georgetown and then the number three Wisconsin Badgers in 2008. Kansas finally ended Davidson’s run in the

Elite Eight, on their way to a national championship. Davidson showed the world that Duke and

UNC aren’t the only basketball team in North Carolina. How does a school with less than 2,000 students make an Elite Eight run? Yet another team I had out in the first round. Last year, Butler University shocked the world as they beat number one Syracuse, and number two Kansas State, to make their way to the championship. Butler was a missed buzzer-beater away from becoming national champions, losing to Duke by only two points. In 2011, VCU took the role of Cinderella by making it all the way to the Final Four. Virginia

Commonwealth was a team I could not even believe made the tournament. Looks like the selection committee got it right, for once. What do these teams have in common, other than they killed my bracket? They all had something to prove, and they did it against big-name teams. George Mason took out the Tar Heels, Davidson knocked off Georgetown and VCU beat Kansas. And although I can never seem to find them when it comes time to fill out my bracket, they make the tournament exciting and entertaining. Cinderellas have cemented their place in the tournaments, and in our hearts. They come from nowhere, but hey, if the shoe fits.

He didn’t blow any spectators away with his touch, his crosses, his shots, or his play in general. But there were plenty of people watching, which for Sporting Kansas City and Chad

Ochocinco was a victory in itself. The Ochocinco Experiment -- Chad Ochocinco’s three day tryout for Sporting KC -- began on March 24 at Sporting’s training facility in Swope Park. It was Ochocinco’s first day on the pitch since his sophomore year in high school, nearly 15 years ago. The first trial wasn’t exactly a breakthrough. Ochocinco would say in a press conference after the first day of practice: “It was exactly what I expected … [I knew] I would be a little winded. I didn’t expect to be Superman.” After two more days of training, it became clear that Ochocinco wasn’t at a professional level, but he remained humble. “I don’t think I’m going to take anybody’s job,” he said.”These guys have been playing this game for years and I’m trying to make the transition from football to football. To come in here and take someone’s job is pretty far-fetched.” Peter Vermes, the head coach for Sporting Kansas City, was often consulted about Ochocinco’s chances on the squad. He maintained that Ochocinco’s journey through the reserve ranks wasn’t a special case for the celebrity. “We bring trialists in all the time,” Vermes said to reporters

at Ochocinco’s first tryout. “It’s very normal in our sport to do this. It’s just different because it’s a guy who’s coming from the NFL.” After playing in a reserve game covered by numerous local television stations and the Associated Press, Ochocinco reiterated that the tryout was an opportunity for him to chase his own childhood ambition. “I had a great six days here ... just to be able to grace the pitch with these guys was awesome,” he said. “It’s always been a dream of mine to play the game of soccer.” But Ochocinco’s actions were not necessarily endorsed

by everyone. “To be honest, I can see him doing it for the attention,” said Heath Turner, a sophomore who was the starting goalkeeper for South’s Varsity soccer team in the fall. “I think if he really loved the game as much as he said he did, he would have stuck with it.” In the end, Ochocinco was made an honorary reserve team member -- in other words, he was given an invitation from Sporting to come back and train with the practice squad if he ever chose to do so. Ochocinco posted the following message on Twitter in response: “This is so awesome I’m an honorary member of SportingKC and can train with the reserve team as long as I want. Totally awesome ILuvKC.” Dignified words from a guy with such a big mouth.

Chad Ochocinco works to get open during a Sporting KC reserve match on March 28.

photo by danny jones

Sporting a Fresh FaceChad Ochocinco makes waves by trying out for local MLS side Sporting Kansas City

by danny jones

+ p a g e t w e n t y - t w o .

Bracket Bustersthe art of the cinderella storyb y harr ison white

+ p a g e t w e n t y - t h r e e .

Running

out of time to make memories?

high school

p r e t e e n

a d o l e s e n c e

i n fa n t

online at phsview.com

*plus continued South coverage through May

Park Hill South’s InkBlot Literary Magazine would like to thank its sponsors:

PURPLE: Sharon Fatino, Terry Becker, Datafile Technologies, Mandy Brewington, Art & Barbara Pfaff, Tobias and PfaffSILVER: Aspen ProductsGOLD: Mercedes-Benz of KC

pick up your

yearbooknext friday

may 6 at the end of the day

SIGN BOOKS WITH FRIENDSfor the first time!

YOU MUST SHOW PHOTO ID TO GET YOUR BOOK

>>it’s not too late to buy a yearbook! bring $60 cash or check to the sales table in the small gym on may 6

pick up a litmag in early may!

TO DO LIST: FREE FLICKS: Crown Center Free Movies – 9:00pm

o July 1st “50 First Dates”

o July 29th “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”

_

EVERY WEDNESDAY!

JUNE 14- JULY 3

NIKITA WANTS TO SEE YOU!

June 11-12

the view staff spring 2011PagemasterArt LordWordsmithMoney Man“The Internet”Shutterbug

Jesse McGinnessAlec RussellDanny JonesBen AndersenTiernan EibergerAustin Cosler

Reporters

Adviser

Tyler Arthur, Maxx Beshears, Malana Bradford, Cydney Conner, Jessica Freeman, Heather Fatino, Ida Patton, Blake Reser, Harrison White and Elizabeth Williams

Megan Hughes

The Park Hill South High School newsmagazine, The View, is a part of the educational curriculum of the Park Hill School District. Although The View is a product of the newspaper class, material may be submitted for consideration from students who are not enrolled in the course. Student submissions should meet guidelines set forth in the board policy and regulation IGDB, copies of which are available in all Park Hill School District buildings.

In addition, readers are encouraged to voice their feedback and/or commentary on a timely issue by submitting a Letter to the Editor. Letters should be 250 words or less and must be submitted with the name(s) of the responsible individual(s). Bring letters to room C200 or e-mail Editor in Chief Jesse McGinnesss at jesse.mcginness@gmail.com. Any submissions that exceed the maximum length and/or have issues with grammar, spelling or unprotected speech will be returned to the writer for revision and resubmission.

The View is a member of the National Scholastic Press Association and Missouri Interscholastic Press Association. The View is printed by Osage Graphics in Olathe, Kan.