The Panther Post - Midway ISD · 2014. 4. 22. · Foster, Matt Tyer, Caroline Kutach, Katie Coley, and Camp-bell Kutach State HOSA competitors: David Rascoe, 6th place- Job Seeking

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April 2014 Volume 25 Issue 8

Inside...The Panther PostMidway High School

page design by: alexis oliver

Humor Edition

Entertainment pg 6

Sports pg 7

“When [the hair code] was put in place, times were different. It was more the norm to have shorter hair; having longer hair was looked down upon in society as it more strongly expressed rebel-lion.” -Robert Harris, pg 4

APRIL 20142

The Panther Post is a student publication of Midway High School that informs, en-tertains and provides a forum for student expression. Views expressed do not neces-sarily refl ect those of the entire newspaper staff, the student body as a whole, admin-istrators, or Midway ISD. This school dis-trict does not discriminate on the basis of sex, disability, race, color. age or national origin in its educational programs, activi-

ties or employment as required by Title IX, Section 504 and Title VI. The Panther Post is free for all students, with produc-

tion costs offset by advertisements. Ads are available in business card, 1/4, 1/2 and

full size page sizes. Call Jamie Beavers at 761-5650 for more information.

Travis Morrow Editor in Chief

Liesje Powers Copy Chief

Jacob Hogins Center Spread Editor

Sarah Tang News Editor

Jacob Sowder Opinion Editor

Isaac Jimenez Feature Editor

Hunter Harris Entertainment Editor

Kyle Youmans Sports Editor

Alexis Oliver Art Editor

Nadera Alfarouqi Online Editor

Kayla Scaman Librarian/PR Manager

AJ Johnson Ads Manager

Jasmine Sabido Social Chair

Lauren Patulski Staff Writer

Debbie Wright Staff Writer

Enrique Sanchez Staff Artist

Ian McLean Staff ArtistDr. George Kazanas Superintendent

Jeff Gasaway Principal

Midway High School8200 Mars Drive Waco, TX 76712(254) [email protected]

Sponsored by:

Brazos BooksBooks 1/2 Price

1412 N. Valley Mills

Attention Juniors & Seniors! All college visits must be

completed by May 1st. Any college visits after May 1st ,

will not qualify as an excused absence.

Attention seniors: Graduation ads are on sale now. These ads will be

played at graduation on the big screen before and after graduation ceremo-

nies and in the cafeteria the last week of regular classes.

Ads cost $50 and include a picture and a message. If you are interested, print off a form on the MHS website

and return to Mrs. Byrd with payment and picture.

The Midway Pantherettes Track and Field had another good performance at a very tough Bulldawg Relays this

past Saturday. The ladies fi n-ished 6th of 13 schools.

Midway FFA participated in the Tarleton State University Area VIII FFA Judging contest.

Students advancing to state are:Poultry Judging- Sarah Kruse, Quintin James, Jessica Schmedthorst, Callan Tawa-terLivestock Judging- Matthew Elliot, Will Tawater, Jonathon Bone, Collin Wenzel

Nine Midway tennis players quali-fi ed for regionals: Christopher

Rieger, Chad Wampler, Jeremy Bugh, Logan Gwin, Harrison Foster, Matt Tyer, Caroline

Kutach, Katie Coley, and Camp-bell Kutach

State HOSA competitors:David Rascoe, 6th place- Job Seeking SkillsBreeann Brewster, 13th place- Job Seeking SkillsScott Williams, 8th place- Medical Photog-raphy

The UIL academic team participated in the District UIL meet in Belton.Students who will advance to Regionals in Lubbock on May 3rd are:

Mikhayla Evans: 3rd Current EventsDiana Zhao: 3rd CalculatorCarey Janecka: 3rd Science and 1st Computer ScienceElizabeth Goodnight: 2nd Literary CriticismLiesje Powers: 3rd News and Headline writingBisma Ikram: 3rd Social StudiesDaniel Earles: 1st Headline writingAlso, Current Events, Calculator, Science, Spelling, and Literary Criticism all took the 2nd place team awards.Overall, the team fi nished 2nd in district.

710 N. Hewitt Dr.254-420-2476

Taco Casa

SweeeeetTea!

Go Panthers!

APRIL 20144

Ben EarlsGuest Writer

What’s Midway Up To?Liesje PowersCopy Chief

• Drunk in Love - Beyonce• Let it Go - Idina Menzel• Dark Horse - Katy Perry• Happy - Pharrell Williams

• Instagram• Twitter• 2048• Smash Hit

• Fuiji Habatchi - Salmon and Waco Roll

• Taco Bell - Breakfast Taco• Texas Roadhouse - Stake

For many years, Midway High School has set a standard for how students should keep themselves groomed. Recently, many students have been lashing out against these rules by various means of protest. A portion of the MHS student body believes rules regarding hair length and facial hair are unneces-sary restrictions. Many feel like these polices should be changed. “Unlike other dress code regula-tions, the (hair code) negatively affects my life outside of school,” said Robert Harris, an MHS sopho-more. Many students who oppose the hair policy argue that these rules are outdated. “In times today it seems irrel-evant,” says Harris, “When [the hair code] was put in place, times were different. It was more the norm to have shorter hair; having longer hair was looked down upon in society as it more strongly expressed rebel-lion.” All schools have set guidelines regarding dress and grooming; how-ever, many MHS students believe that these polices have gone too far.

These students look at the code as an unneeded limitation on personal expression. That being said, many MHS students and administrators feel that a hair code is very necessary. “Guys with short hair look more clean and modest,” said Jesse Eche-varria, an MHS sophomore. This group feels that these rules were put in place by the school for a good reason and that they should stay the way they are. “We want our students to be suc-cessful academically, and our school board feels that the community sup-ports the ideas that this is how kids should look and dress in order to help that be successful,” said Mr. Kent, an MHS assistant principal. “The better you dress, the better you look, tends to promote better behavior, better concentration, and more focus,” said Kent, “I think over time if we went to a no dress, no hair code; we would see an academic effect.” He, and many others, feel that the hair code as it stands is doing a great job and is not asking students to sacri-

fi ce too much. “I do think it limits one’s individu-ality, but then again, it’s just hair,” said Echevarria. “Does [the hair code] overly limit one’s ability for free expression? No,” Kent said, “If you had to keep your hair as bald as me, yes, that would be an unnecessary limitation.” If a student or parent would like to see a change in the rules and policies within the MHS Student Handbook, their voice can be heard. “Any policy or rule out of the [student] handbook that is going to be changed or modifi ed has to go through the school board,” Kent said, “There is a process if a student or parent wanted to address the school board [which would require] them to sign up ahead of time to be put on the school board agenda to bring up a particular item. If the school board determines that yes, this person has a point, they will discuss it more and put it on an agenda item to discuss and research. Later on if they decide they want to make a change, then they would make that change.”

The Eternal Debate: Hair Code PolicyHow do students feel about the hair code?

“It limits people’s individu-alism... Some people like to express themselves with their hair.”- Mumdhir Hamad, Jun.

“I think there are bigger things for the administration to focus on than hair code... Long hair is not a distraction for anyone.”- Becca Topher, Senior

“The real world doesn’t have a hair code, and that’s what they’re trying to prepare us for. They should be realistic.”- Courtney Priebe, Junior

EHAS: Everyone Has A StoryFunny Man

APRIL 20145

Hunter HarrisEntertainment Editor

Kayla ScamanLibrarian/ PR Manager

neighborhood Nick” or “I’m here, so, your life just got a whole lot better.” This theatre and orchestra student is very talented in many aspects of his life. He plays the viola, which he has named Tiffany the IV, whom he claims is a Nun. Portillo gets his inspiration from the world around him and from ideas he recreates from dreams. He has two main role models in his life: Leonardo Da Vinci and the great comedian, Bo Burnham. In his free time he can be found gaming, which is one of the things he does best. He hopes to put his exten-sive gamer knowledge to use in the future and design and create at least one video game to be published.

Lauren Palutski, senior, is involved in her church. She has been going to Midway since second grade and loves it. Her favorite activ-ity in school is hanging out with her BFF, Sarah Tang. “Sarah makes me laugh all the time,” Patulski said. Patulski loves nature. She hikes often at Cameron Park. She also loves to go to the beach but does not go often. She enjoys daily activities in the sun such as running and eating ice cream outside while watching life pass by. “My favorite ice cream is mint chocolate chip,” Patulski said.

Sarah Tang, junior, loves music and anything to do with art. She can play the viola, piano, ukulele and also a little guitar. Tang also said she wants to learn how to play mandolin and har-monica. “I started to learn harmonica a while ago but when I realized that it col-lected spit, I stopped,” Tang said. Tang has been at Midway her whole life, but was born in Califor-nia.

When she graduates Midway High School she would like to attend Bay-lor University. She pland to major in elementary education. She says that

Baylor has a lot to offer and is a very Christian based school, which are components she is look-ing for in a college. “I think Baylor Uni-versity is a great school even though it is closer to home,” Patulski said. Patulski is in the school newspaper and yearbook. She said that it is a challenge being in both but she loves the experience. Her favorite subject in school is English. Her love for reading and writing started at

a young age when she was in second grade and found her talent for writing. Her favorite book series is The Hunger Games and Pita is her favorite character throughout the series. She also likes to watch the movie series.

Funny man Nicholas Portillo, a Midway sophomore, is quite talented in the art of comedy. He is found funny not only by his jokes, but his everyday actions and exaggerations. He seems to always be able to make all his friends laugh and giggle. Portillo is known as a situational comedian who rolls with the punches and makes with the punch lines. He claims the “Three Lives Law” for all jokes: every joke has three lives. When a joke is told it either has very few people laugh and enjoy it, or few people hear it. If so, two chances are given to repeat the joke, and after the repition the joke becomes dead and no longer can be told. His charismatic attitude is shown just by the way he enters the room, by introducing himself in non traditional ways, such as, “I’m your friendly

Staff Members of the MonthLauren Patulski Sarah Tang

Debbie WrightStaff Writer

Winking is a special talent of Tang’s and something she does often.

Another quality of Tang’s, found annoy-ing to some, is her gum habits. “I smack my gum without noticing,” Tang said. Tang is in the top orchestra here at Midway. “[I enjoy] playing classical music,” Tang said. Tang also enjoys puns and writing hai-kus like this:

“Puffy and cheesy

What are cheesy puffs made of

No one even knows”

APRIL 20146

Hunter HarrisEntertainment Editor

Jasmine SabidoSocial Chair

AJ JohnsonAds Manager

Some claimed to put ketchup packets under toilet seats, while others fi lled doughnuts with mayo instead of crème. MHS loves April Fools’ Day , they get to joke around all day, and gives them an excuse to mess around with friends and family without getting in trouble.

TOP FUNNY MOVIES OF ALL TIME April is the month of jokes, pranks, funny things, and in honor of such a month, I rated my own favorite movies of all time. First is White Chicks, which is about two undercover male dectectives who disguise as rich, pompous, and snoody white chicks with a creative and funny twist in the storyline. The movie is super funny with non-stop laughing and crude humor as well as thrilling action events. Next would be Grown Ups, which is about a couple of childhood friends that have grown up and are raising hilarious families with different personalities. This movie is more “stupid funny” than the others but some parts of the movie are thrilling. Saving the best for last, the Madea series is about a hilarious African American family and the rebelious and hilarious aunt who ives in Atlanta, Georgia. Madea will have you laughing for weeks with her crude humor and non-stop jokes. Below are the results of a survey in which approximatly 200 students were asked to name their favorite funny movie.

The Millers (40%) Ride Along (25%) 21 Jump Street (20%) Bad Grandpa (10%) Step Brothers (5%)

April is a month of jokes and times that you can either get pranked or prank others. Pranks such as the “Thirst Trap” and “Pantzing” are some favorites of our students here at MHS. Warren Ambercombie has been a victim and cause of pranking when it comes to the “Thirst Trap.” “The Thirst Trap is when girls lead you on but as soon as you catch feelings she reveals that she has a boyfriend or she just stops texting you,” Ambercombie said. Another prank enthusiast, Oliva Alcorn, favors another type of prank. “I love to pants people,” Alcorn, senior, said. Other midway students said that they pulled pranks on friends by taking their towel and clothes while their friends were in the shower.

I Love Midway Pranks

Many Midway students fi nd themselves trying to eat right, look good, and do their best in everything and this can prove to be a challenging. Another goal may be be have a healthy heart. Gabe, junior, claims that happiness is key to having a healthy heart. “Eating a good diet and moderate exercise [is one way to a healthy heart],” Ryan, senior, said. Many students believe that they have found the key to happiness in their lives, even though diffi cult at times. “The issue is that there is a very strong correlation between the western diet of processed foods, which is stripped of pretty much all nutritional value and that cause much of the obesity, cancer and heart disease and failure we see today,” Amber McClellan said.

Rebekah Strohaker agrees. “It can be hard for people to fi nd healthy choices and also many today just don’t seem to be taking responsibility with regards to their hearts even when everything is handed to them,” Strohaker said. “First we need to fi nd out the motivation behind wanting a healthier heart. Once we have found the motivation we need to remember our goal. Lastly we need to take more time in viewing all the options we have been given.” American Heart Association has also mentioned the value of a healthy heart in a diet plan in their studies. “If you start eating right it is true that much of the damage done to bodies including our hearts can be undone,” Jeannette Merkeldove said. These encouraging words can impact and drive your goals, starting with a healthy heart.

Know Your Heart

What’s Your Favorite Prank?

“I love prank calling- it’s the only one I can pull off.”-Emiliee Buatista

“I put baby oil on the bathroom fl oor.”

-Kei Kei Taplin“[My favorite is] putting fl our in a

hair dryer.”-Jackson Smith

APRIL 20147District Track Results

“(My Favorite thing about track is) the feeling that I can

fl y when I jump and run.” -Xavier Berry, Sophomore

“(My favorite thing about track is) getting in shape and

always getting better each day. Mostly my favorite thing is not

dying.”-Nathan McBride, Sophomore

“My favorite thing about track is setting a new personal re-cord, because this shows that

hardwork pays off.”-Trevio Washington, Senior

“(My facorite thing about track is) the competition and

winning medals.”-Michael Castaneda, Senior

Varsity 800 Relay, Charity Lyons, Gena Smith, Desijrae Miller, Erica Wallace received third. Varsity 1600 Relay, Wallace, Smith, Kaci Kemp, and Lyons received fourth. Kemp qualifi ed in 100 meter dash, and Stephanie Welch in the pole vault.Addy Denton medalled in the 3200, Sophia Vick medalled in both the 100 and 300 hurdles, and Allye Beth Dea-ton placed in the triple jump. The freshmen team won the district championship, led by Toronica Dun-can’s 5 medal performance. Duncan won 3 golds, 1 silver, and a bronze, while Becca Burke won 4 medals. The JV team battled to a fourth place fi nish, as the mile relay team of Allison Perry, Amanda Pedriana, Rae’Jean Perkins, and Rachel Ram-beau won gold in the fi nal event of the day. Kayla Cocker won 4 medals, Kyra Jackson and Allison Perry added 3, and Pedriana and Rambeau had two each. The season is over for all but the area qualifi ers, who will be competing Tuesday, April 15, at Panther Stadium for berths in the regional meet. Those qualifying for the area meet were Karter Amos who was fi rst in the pole vault, Christian Perez who was fi rst in the 3200 and 4th in the 1600, Devontre Stricklin who was second in the triple jump and third in the long jump, Chris Wohlschlag who was sec-ond in the 800 meters, Kahlil Haugh-ton who was third in the 400 meters, Jordan Colvin who was 4th high jump and Cameron Mills who was 4th in the pole vault. 1st Place winners for the junior varsity were Keith Henson in the triple jump, Nathan Ash in the pole vault and the 400 meter relay team of Tres-tan Wommack, Artez Rhymer, Joseph Ward, Demarquee Satterwhite. Sec-ond place winners were Cooper Nall in the 800 meters and Zach Haverly in the shot put. Third place winners were Mark Bell in the 1600 and the 800 meter relay team of Joseph Ward, Trestan Wommack, Artez Rhymer and Demarquee Satterwhite. 1st place winner for the freshman boys was Ryan Day in the 1600 and 3200 meters. Second place winner was Gage Smith in the high jump and 3rd place winner was Jaquavious Diggs in the 800 meters.

Photo by: Hannah Elmore

Photo by: Hannah Elmore

Photo by: Hannah Elmore

Photo by: Lauren Patulski

Photo by: Lauren Patulski

Good Job MHS Track and Field!

Lauren PatulskiStaff Writer

Photo by: Hannah Elmore

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