Blue-Blooded Cardinals
Transcription
Blue-Blooded Cardinals
Vol. 80 | Issue 3 4 Shootout Threat Prompts Lockdown Across America Vague Social Media Post Warns Students Not to go to ‘RHS' Raytown Beats Ray South Both Bluejay Basketball Teams Dominate Blue-Blooded Cardinals Raytown Transfers Sent Back to Raytown South High Art of the Month 02 | TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 News Emergency lockdown and additional security presence 9 2015-2016 Editor-in-Chief Yermeya Bagunu Web Producer RF: How did you set up the photograph? Ad Manager Ashley DiCapo Writers Cesar Alvarez Irene Biskinis Ashley Dedrickson Mitchell Grabill Jonea Grigsby Chance Prosser Photographers Alexandra Mederos Sarannah Paul Illustrator Sergio Parra-Espinosa Adviser Scott Collins The Little Country that Could AS: “I took multiple photographs and combined it into one with Photoshop. One was taken at a park and the rest were taken at a children's playground.” Why not to be scared of North Korea's hydrogen bomb claims R: What was your inspiration for the photograph? AS: “My inspiration was things I've seen on Tumblr and my cousin's personality.” 10 Every month, a new piece of art is chosen to be our Art of the Month. Entries are turned in to Mr. Collins in room 305. RAYFLECTOR the Photo Editor Darian Malone Students spending second semester at different high school 10 Sports RAYFLECTOR: Is photography something you do for fun or want to pursue as a career? Hanine Alhaydar Shelten Brown Raytown Transfers Rejected About the Art Ashley Stevenson: “Both. I do it as a hobby and even though I don't plan to major in art in college, I do plan to use it as a way to earn money throughout college." Managing Editor Opinion Feature The purpose of the Rayflector, a monthly newsmagazine, is to inform, entertain, and provide a public forum for student expression. Letters to the editor and editorials are accepted only if accompanied by a signature. The Rayflector reserves the right to edit or reject any unsolicited materials. For the school board policy on publications, see Regulation 2910. Please direct all questions to room 305. Raytown High School 6019 Blue Ridge Blvd Raytown, MO 64133 For more stories, pictures, & information on school events, visit us at raytownhigh.com Sports Raytown Defeats Ray South Both Raytown basketball teams defeat South. 11 Review Cover Photo |Junior Brynn Deatheridge was sent to Raytown South after attending Raytown first semester. This photo shows Deatheridge wishing to rejoin her friends at Raytown but being denied. cover by ALEXANDRA MEDEROS staff photographer Chiefs Comeback After Losing Streak KC football team enters playoffs after five consecutive losses Movie Review: 'The Revenant' Why you should watch the critically-acclaimed revenge flick the RAYFLECTOR RHS Responds to Shootout Threats 5 JANUARY 2015 | 03 04 | NEWS / CENTERSPREAD JANUARY 2015 | 05 RHS Responds to Shootout Threats Police officers and RHS administrators take precautionary action story by JONEA GRIGSBY staff writer After two shootout threats circulated on social media, the Raytown Police Department and the Raytown High School administrators took precautionary measures to ensure the safety of students. Sunday evening, Jan. 24, a screenshot of a text message was posted to numerous Instagram accounts, Facebook pages and Twitter feeds. Students were warned to stay home from school because a shootout would occur on Monday, Jan. 25. Part of the text read, “Rhs shootout!!! Don’t come to school tomorrow Monday January 25th, 2016!!” Raytown High School isn’t the only school with the abbreviation of RHS. Ruskin High School was also of concern, according to KMBC News. “I would say what initially appears is that the threat that circulated yesterday could or could not have applied to Raytown High School,” said Dr. Chad Bruton, RHS principal. “That’s still up in the air ... And then other schools with different initials had similar messages. So, it appears that it was more of a general threat that was sent out to multiple schools. Regardless, we still want to take any of that seriously.” Despite the precautionary actions, many students went home out of concern for their safety. “I took my child out because I didn’t think she was safe,” said Dexter Purnell, fa(1) | An Instagram post showing two different text messages that were spread on Jan. 24, 2016. Both contained identical threats with only the school names being changed. ther of sophomore Xyanne Purnell. The precautionary measures that were taken weren’t enough for the father. “To be honest,” said Purnell, “I didn’t think they took it that serious because security wasn’t even checking anybody.” Sophomore Chris Brocker feels similarly. “If anything, the school underreacted,” said Brocker. “They took proper caution once they got to school, but they knew about this threat before the students got there. I would have never allowed the students to enter the building.” Once students realized how seriously RHS had taken the threat, students spread their concern through social media. Some students didn’t take it seriously at all though and tried to lighten the situation with humor. “Why threaten to shoot up the school? I don’t want to go to math either, but really?” said senior Regan Ross on Twitter. The precautionary measures that were taken also interrupted the usual breakfast schedule for many students, which, for senior Dan Boyd, offered another opportunity to find humor under the circumstances. “Bruh, we can’t get breakfast! I’m about to sneak out of the school, and the stuff they having right now for Raytown, they’re gonna put on Call of Duty,” said senior Dan Boyd on Twitter. Though some students didn’t think the threat was serious at all, others still had 1 concerns. Those concerns continued to grow once another threat circulated on social media on Monday evening, Jan. 25. Part of the text message read, “Rhs shootout Don’t come to school Tuesday January, 26th 2016!!” “I don’t see how people can play about stuff like this, and y’all fail to understand that when y’all cry wolf, over time they’re going to stop coming. So when something really happens and they don’t come, understand why,” said senior Ashanti Smith. Police considered the threat noncredible, and further noted that the message circulated in other states as well, according to KMBC. However, they still take threats seriously, and security was heightened as classes resumed on Tuesday Jan. 26. At the assembly, Bruton addressed the threats, reaffirming that the school and polive believed the threat wasn't credible but still took precautions. Police are working with Instagram in order to obtain the IP address of the original post, according to KCTV5 News. “[Officers have to take threats seriously] because the safety of our children is what we’re concerned about,” said James Brafford, spokesman for the Raytown Police Department (RPD), according to KCTV5 News. The RPD hopes to find who made the threats and is still investigating the origins of the messages. 2 R Blue Blooded Cardinals Raytown Transfers Sent Back story by HANINE ALHAYDAR managing editor BLUEJAYS REACT: "How would you feel if you had to go to South right now?" (2) | An Instagram post containing the second threat. The first word and the last two sentences are identical to the message that circulated on Jan. 24, 2016. photos by JONEA GRIGSBY staff writer "I would be upset because it's my senior year." - senior Gabriells Miller "I'd be really mad, I don't know. It's not South, it's that I like it here." - sophomore Fred Farrand Many Raytown transfer students have been sent back to the school they were originally supposed to go to based on border lines. When students in the Raytown school district apply for a transfer, they agree to a set of rules and expectations they must carry, and continue to carry, throughout the school year. The transfers that were sent back were given notice a few weeks before the end of the semester, telling them what they needed to fix in order to stay at their current school, according to the district. “In order for a transfer to be accepted, one must maintain a 95% attendance rate and a 2.0 or higher grade point average (GPA), from the sixth grade to the student’s current year, as well as no out-ofschool suspensions,” said Raytown superintendent Dr. Allan Markley. At the start of this year, approximately 160 students at Raytown High School were considered transfers from Raytown South. 34 students had their transfers revoked. There will also be very little transfers accepted in the upcoming 2016-2017 school year. Continued on next page 06 | CENTERSPREAD JANUARY 2015 | 07 Raytown Transfers Rejected Raytown South Transfers Speak Out story by IRENE BISKINIS and JONEA GRIGSBY staff writers Blue Blooded Cardinals Continued “Each transfer will be considered individually, but there will be a much tighter window to get through to have a transfer request for next year,” said Markley. With Raytown Senior being 165 students over the limit, there is an overcrowding issue. Due to this reason, all transfers, except for upcoming 5 graders, 8 graders, and seniors, will need to go back to their original school according to the border line. In the fall of the 2015 school year, Raytown had 2100 new students that were not enrolled last year. At the same time, we have 300 students that are new to the district in 2015 over 2014. As a long term solution, the school district is looking at a demographic study. The study shows them where the best places to move the borders, according to The Bluejay versus Cardinal rivalry has always been mostly about sports. But recently, it’s become a little more personal. Students that transferred to Raytown High School from Raytown South High School have recently been asked to return to RSHS in order to decrease population. One former RHS student, Aliyah Cornett, describes how she feels about having to return to RSHS. “I miss Raytown,” said Cornett, “and I wish they didn’t have to do that but they did what they had to. [RSHS] isn’t as crowded as Raytown was.” Teachers have a slightly different perspective on the issue. “I feel like Raytown High is a bit bigger than south. I could be wrong, looks can be deceiving,” said Ms. Whitney Croucher, a special education teacher at RHS who student taught at RSHS previously. Mr. Rod Ambelang formerly taught at RSHS as well. “During the last few years I was at South,” Ambelang said. “The population (1) | Junior Eric Falls sits on a bench next to the Raytown South High School sign. Falls was one of the students who got transferred back to Raytown South at the beginning of the semester. photos by SARANNAH PAUL staff photographer on ourselves by allowing 150 transfers,” the places people move and live. “It’s kind of difficult in our district. For said Markley one, we have 2100 new students to the district that weren’t here last year. But we’re only up 300. So 1400 of them went somewhere else and came back. There’s a 30% transient rate of new students. So it’s difficult to plan ahead, to set up guidelines,” said Markley. A transient rate is the rate of change in where a person lives or works over a short period of time. The transient rate of new students affects the border lines and how many students attend each school. With the transient rate changing so quickly, from month to month sometimes, it is hard to determine the border lines. “We’re in a position where buildings are big enough where we can house them as long as we don’t inflict wounds 1 was lower than here at Raytown High. I way easier to switched schools three years ago bemove in the hallways of Raytown south,” said Whitney Croucher. 2 Other potential differences between RHS and RSHS could be offered classes and rule enforcement. Since RHS has more students, that may not mean we have more classes/ electives to offer. “I want to say that both schools offer the same elective classes,” said Whitney Croucher. Also, population differences don’t cause the size of the classes here at RHS necessarily mean that one school can were larger overall than South High. I try be more laid back or more strict than the not to think too much about class size and other. just focus on teaching the students that “Both schools use PBIS and we expect show up in my classroom.” great behavior from our students. When “RHS has about 450 more students students do not follow the rules we discithan RSHS,” said Amy Barrett, the registrar pline students in the same manor,” said for RHS. Whitney Croucher. Since Raytown High has a much largAnother factor that could possibly er population, it is really shown within our separate RHS from RSHS may be differhallways during passing time. ences in teaching and criteria. “Our hallways are smaller and more “We all work together to teach the crowded. It is very same material,” said Whitney Croucher hard to move “... so I feel teaching at both schools are through the halls of very similar.” RHS. South has less Overall, Raytown High School and students and their Raytown South High School are completehallways are bigger, ly different environments, but carry the so I have to say it is same expectations and quality content. (1) | A Raytown border map for the high schools. The borders are drawn depending on the density of the students. (1) | Brynn Deathridge sitting on the steps in Raytown. Brynn is a junior that was sent to South due to grades. (1) | Eric Falls posing inside of Raytown South. Eric Falls had his transfer rejected and now goes to South. photos by SARANNAH PAUL and ALEXANDRA MEDEROS staff photographers 3 From the Editor's Desk Just Party and Go Graduation is coming up, Seniors! Address: Let 10028 E. 63rd St Raytown, Mo 64133 Phone: (816) 328-6399 Put your ad here, and let us promote your business help with the perfect graduation party. KZ’z special package going through May includes: - Catering- appetizer bar, cake, and candy bar - 5 hours in the even space - Employee’s do all the set-up and clean-up - DJ Services Middle School Nights (6, 7, 8th graders) every Friday from 6:30-10:00. February 14th is the Valentine’s Day night for ages 4-11, from 5:30-8:30. He wants you Contact us! Emails: Scott [email protected] Ashley [email protected] Or by Phone: (816) 268-7300 ext. 3134 Like to... Be Creative? Write? Take Photos? Then Mr. Collins is your man. Apply to any of the Journalism programs... -Yearbook -Electronic Journalism -Newspaper Applications are due by February 10th! JANUARY 2015 | 09 This paper is distributed every month to about 1,700 students and faculty. What a great way to promote! The Little Country That Could On Jan. 6, 2016, North Korea announced it had tested its first hydrogen bomb, a type of nuclear weapon hundreds of times more powerful than an atomic bomb. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the North’s only news agency, reported that the test were to guarantee North Korea’s immunity from an attack, not to “‘threaten’ anyone” or “‘provoke’ someone for a certain purpose," according to various news reports. But their actions have still provoked international response. The global community had already previously condemned their nuclear program. The United Nations (UN) already made four previous resolutions since North Korea’s first nuclear test in 2006, and the United States has also taken its own measures to limit North Korean interests, according to the New York Times. This new test will only worsen their situation as the U.N. is already working on a resolution to impose tougher sanctions on North Korea, according to CBS News. But the effectiveness of further sanctions is questionable. Previous sanction were meant to force the North to stop its nuclear program, but the country still seemingly creating an H-bomb. The KCNA also stated that North Korean scientists “are in high spirit to detonate H-bombs of hundreds of kilotons and megatons, capable of wiping out the whole territory of the US all at once,” according to various news reports. However, their claims may be overstated. Investigating tremors caused by North Korea’s latest nuclear test, the United States Geological Survey reported seismic waves equivalent to a 5.1 magnitude earthquake, and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) reported a magnitude of 4.9, according to BBC. South Korea reports an even lower 4.8 quake, according to the New York Times. These numbers do not line up with claims of a hydrogen bomb. South Korea reported a 4.9 quake from from the North’s third test in 2013, according to the New York Times. That test was supposed to be an atomic bomb. Furthermore, when the Unites States detonated an H-bomb in 1971, it caused a 6.3 magnitude seismic event, according to the New York Times. This absolutely dwarfs North Korea’s latest tests. Experts thusly believe that North Korea tested a boosted fission weapon rather than a fusion weapon (H-bomb), according to Yonhap, South Korea’s largest news agency. These weapons use some of the same technology from H-bombs to increase the power of a fission weapon (Atomic bomb), and they’re much easier to make, according to Vice News. This conclusion is rather unsurprising. North Korea is already infamous for trying to fool the outside world with their pictureperfect capital that tourists see instead of the rest of their otherwise impoverished country. It’s completely in-character for them to try to make the world think they’re stronger than they really are. The sad thing is that they seem to be succeeding. North Korea is also viewed as our second greatest threat with 15 per- cent of Americans list the country as our greatest enemy, barely lower than Russia’s 18 percent and more than China’s 12 percent, according to 2015 Gallup polls. These polls also show 64 percent of Americans viewing North Korea’s military power as a critical threat. We severely overestimate the North when they’re probably much more scared of us. With its longtime backer China stating it “firmly opposes” its nuclear tests, according to CNN, they’re left without much support while South Korea has the firm support of the United States. In fact, shortly after the H-bomb test was announced, the KCNA quoted a spokesman for North Korea’s foreign ministry stating the country was open to peace treaty that included them ceasing their nuclear program in exchange for the United States ceasing joint-military operations with South Korea, according to various news sources. Perhaps their supposed nuclear capabilities are meant to scare South Korea and by extension the United States into leaving them alone. 10 | SPORTS / ENTERTAINMENT Raytown Dominates Ray South Decisive wins from both RHS basketball teams The Raytown versus Raytown South the first to play. basketball games were a total success for The Lady Jays started off on a fast start the Bluejays. Both the boys and girls teams by scoring on a 12 - 0 run until the 3:02 had amazing games. The varsity girls were mark in the first quarter. The Lady Jays dominated the first quarter. At the end of the first quarter, it was Lady Jays 22, Cardinals 3. The second quarter didn't have that much happen. There was very little scoring with the end of the half being Lady Jays 35, Cardinals 9. After halftime, the Lady Jays began to coast for the rest of the game. By the end of the third quarter, it was Jays 44, Cardinals 18. The final score was Lady Jays 52, CarSophomore Mason Fair guards the ball from the op- dinals 24. This was a big win and a terrific posing team's players. Fair played during the boys way to start off the day for the Lady Jays. Raytown Raytown South basketball game, which Next up were the boys. Playing our RHS won. “It was like the highlight of our season, but there’s also more to come,” said Fair. cross, town rivals is always a hard task. “When facing a rival school like Ray photos by SARANNAH PAUL South, I never have to say anything to mo- story by MITCHELL GRABILL staff writer tivate the players. They all know what they want to do. But if it was any other game, I might have to say something to get them some motivation,” said coach Cody Buford. The Bluejays came out slow in the first quarter but still took the lead 10-3. In the second quarter the Bluejays picked up the tempo. The score at the half Bluejays 29, Cardinals 15. In the third quarter, the Bluejays came out strong, gaining a larger lead with a score of Bluejays 48, Cardinals 24. In the fourth quarter the Bluejays started to coast. By doing that, they let the Cardinals get back into the game. At the end of the game, the final score was Bluejays 62, Cardinals 47. M O V I E ‘The Revenant' JANUARY 2015 | 11 review by YERMEYA BAGUNU editor-in-chief Lionsgate Rotten Tomatoes: 82% (Fresh) IMDB Score: 8.3 / 10 Rayflector Grade: A (Watch) staff photographer Chiefs Turn Around Season The Chiefs' journey to the playoffs after four losses in a row story by MITCHELL GRABILL staff writer The Kansas City Chiefs started the season off amazing. Starting off by playing the Houston Texans, Kansas City barely pulled out a victory by winning by 7. Week two is where everything fell apart. The game was on Thursday Night Football against the Denver Broncos. The Chiefs had the game won. All they had to do was run out the clock. But one thing that all Chiefs fans remembered for the whole season was when running back Jamaal Charles fumbled and the Broncos recovered for a touchdown. The final result to that game was Denver 31, Chiefs 24. After the Denver game everything went downhill for the Chiefs. By having four more losses in a row to: the Packers, Bengals, Bears, and Vikings. One major thing happened during the five game losing streak: in the Bears game, running back Jamaal Charles tore his ACL. Week seven was when the Chiefs got back into the win column. The first win came against the Steelers. Following the Steelers game, the Chiefs won nine straight games. “It was really surprising I thought it was cool and new. We were going to make the playoffs because of the winning streak,” said senior Drew Phillips. The Chiefs were going into the playoffs as a fifth seed. They were starting the playoffs against the team they started the season against the Houston Texans. The playoffs started off with a bang. In the first time in history the opening kickoff of the playoffs was returned for a touchdown. “The Knile Davis kick return that set it off, at that moment I knew Houston was in trouble,” said sophomore Lamont Johnson. The Chiefs had an amazing game, blowing out the Texans 30 - 0. The next week the Chiefs had to face the Patriots, one of the hardest teams in the NFL. The last time the two teams played was last year. The Chiefs destroyed the Patriots by a score of 41 - 14. This game was a different story. The Chiefs had a different defense and were running a different offense this year. The game didn't go in the Chiefs favor with the team losing 27 - 20. This ended their 11 game winning streak and also their 2015-2016 season. R E V I E W Visually stunning and narratively satisfying, the film adaption of the 2002 novel “The Revenant: A Novel of Revenge” dramatically recount the true story of American frontiersman Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio). After being mauled by a bear, Glass is left in critical condition, and two of his crew, John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy) and Jim Bridger (Will Poulter), stay with Glass and his half-Native American son. Eventually, Fitzgerald kills Glass’s son then tricks Bridger into leaving Glass behind, and Glass must crawl his way back to civilization to seek revenge. This narrative isn't particuliarly complex, but the way it's both grounded in reality yet dramticized make it easy to get emotionally invested in Glass's struggles. Besides the main plot, the film also has two subplots: Fitzgerald’s own journey back to the rest of the company and a Native American chief’s (Duane Howard) quest to save his kidnapped daughter (Melaw Nakehk’o). The subplot with the chief is my only major gripe with the movie because it doesn’t really tie back into the main story. It feels like unnecessary filler, which is unneeded when the movie is more than two hours long. Fitzgerald’s subplot was better because his conversations with Bridger fleshed out his character. Hardy’s accent and mannerisms really brought his character to life. However, by comparison, DiCaprio’s performance was not very outstanding. Throughout most of the movie, his character is alone or too injured to talk, and because half his lines are in Native American languages, more attention is put on subtitles than his acting. It's impressive that he learned two languages and carried most of the movie nonverbally, but this isn’t the type of role that’d win him his first Oscar. Hugh Glass is simply a hero archetype, not a multi-layered, interesting character. The best part of this movie is how gorgeous it looks, which is a direct consequence of its production. Director Alejandro Iñárritu was insistent on using natural lighting and avoiding any CGI enhancements, and the filming spanned twelve countries to make sure the weather was right, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The budget more than doubled because of Iñárritu's commitment to high quality cinematography, according to The Wrap. This movie is worth watching just for the artistic merit. I wanted to watch the movie just to see if it was worth the extra budget and effort, and thankfully, the cast's hardship paid off. I'd reccomend this movie to anyone. "The Revenant" won the Golden Globe awards for Best Motion Picture - Drama, Best Director and Best Actor - Drama and was nominated for Best Original Score. It also recieved 12 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Visual Effects, and Best Production Design. 12| THE RAYFLECTOR not just a name story by JONEA GRIGSBY staff writer Zahria Whiting has cheered her way to being an all-American cheerleader. Whiting began cheerleading when she was six years old, and she says it comes naturally now. “I saw ‘Bring It On’ with Gabrielle Union,” said Whiting, “and it’s one of my favorite movies. Ever since then, it’s been something I really want to do. I’ve tried several other sports, but I always ended up going back to cheer.” Not only is she captain of the Raytown High School cheerleading team, she’s musically talented as well. Whiting is a part of the RHS Symphonic Orchestra, playing the violin. “I started playing violin in the 4 grade. I’ve always wanted to get involved in music. I mean I can’t sing, so I said maybe I can get involved with an instrument. It’s my second year in symphonic orchestra. I just enjoy music,” Whiting said. Although she’s musically talented, cheerleading is her primary passion. “My main passion is cheer, of course. No matter what,” Whiting said. “I always go (1) | Zahria Whiting posing next to a Bluejay playing a violin. Whiting has been playing the violin since her fourth grade year. (2) | Whiting posing in front of the gym wall mat. Whiting has cheer practice in the gym every Thursday and Friday. (3) | Leading the cheer team, Zahria performs one of their cheers. Zahria is the captain of the cheerleading team, she choreographs dances for the football and basketball season. photos by DARIAN MALONE staff photographer hard. [After high school] I’m going to go to college and hopefully cheer, too. But I’ve also been applying for cheer jobs. I hope I’m selected for cheer camp with NCA or UCA. I got my videos together, and hopefully I’m picked. I’ll get to travel to different colleges, so if I make it, it’ll be really fun.” Her aspirations have proven to have done her well so far. Whiting is a threetime all-American cheerleader, and just last year she won an award at state. She’s also a J Crew assembly coordinator, and she writes the scripts for the school assemblies. She’s a part of Student Council and National Honors Society, and she cheers outside of school for Nash Gem Elite AllStars, a competitive cheerleading team. This team has taken her to many places, including Dallas and Branson. They mostly travel around the Midwest. Along with those accomplishments, Whiting is a college ambassador for RHS as well. She mostly helps seniors figure out where they want to go to college, and where they are in the application process. 2 1 3