February 2015

Prince George H.S. - 7801 Laurel Spring Rd. Prince George, VA 23875 - www.trnwired.org - February 27, 2015

Volume XIII Special Edition - Transformation Free

Single Copy Only

trn The Royal News

“I am blind to color; we are all the same.”

SEGREGATED PAST RECOUNTED p. 8

p. 9 TRANSFORMATION OF DATING p. 10-11 MEMORIES TREND ON SOCIAL MEDIA

p. 20 TEAMS ACQUIRE NEW UNIFORMS Senior Courtney BIggs wears a button in honor of Black History Month. African American students like Biggs were victims of school segregation in the 1960s. Photo by Devan Fishburne.

Visit trnwired.org to see the latest photo galleries and watch live broadcast events.

2 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 2.27.15

OP/ED

Republican Party Reminisces of Historical Past

theRoyalNews

O

ur mission as the school

newspaper for Prince George High School is to provide a form of media that represents all aspects of student life. The goal is to present factual accounts of newsworthy events in a timely manner. Our publication will be informative, entertaining and reflective of the student body’s opinions. It is the desire of the staff to reach every student and tell as many of their stories as possible.

We invite your commentary: The Royal News Opinion page is a forum for public discussion and shall be open to all students. The Royal News will print as many letters as space will allow. The Royal News reserves the right not to print a letter. The Royal News publishes a wide variety of opinions. Send letters to: Letters to the Editor, The Royal News, PGHS, 7801 Laurel Spring Road, Prince George, Virginia 23875, or bring them to room A4, or e-mail them to trnwired@gmail.com We reserve the right to edit for clarity, brevity, accuracy, legality, spelling and grammar. Please include your name, address and phone number. Anonymous letters will not be considered for publication. 500 word maximum. Thank you for the support this year. Please continue to communicate on trnwired.org.

Publication theft. A person commits the offense of publication theft when he or she willfully or knowingly obtains or exerts unauthorized control over more than three copies of an edition of a publication distributed on campus or in the surrounding community [with the intent to prevent other individuals from reading that edition of the publication]. A “publication” includes any periodical that is distributed on a complimentary or compensatory basis. In addition to the imposition of other campus disciplinary penalties, a person who violates this provision is responsible for compensating the publication for all reasonable costs incurred, including, where appropriate, the refund of advertising fees.

Section Editors Front page: Devan Fishburne-Op/Ed: Reeve Ashcraft-News: Hydeia Nutt-Features: Ebony Gilchrist and Angelica MartinezDoubletruck: Qadirah Monroe-A&E : April Buckles-Sports: Ryan Albright and Madison Strang-Photo Editor/Distribution and Events: Debra Thomas- Social Media Editor: Ronnie Dayvault - Business & Ad Editor: Daniel Puryear-Online Editor-in-Chief: Travis Temple-Special Edition Editor-In-Chief Sarah Daniel

Writers Alesondra Adams-Paul Dennis-Tyneshia Griffin-Brooke Guerrero-Rosemarie Hopkins-Cassie Kolbo-Corey LeeMatteo Reed-Chance Thweatt-Tyrah Washington-Tiana Whaley

Editor-in-Chief Sarah Daniel

Managing Editor Devan Fishburne

Business Manager Daniel Puryear

Adviser

Chris Waugaman

Professional affiliations & awards Columbia Scholastic Press Associations Gold Medalist 2008-2013 CSPA Gold Crown Winner 2010 & 2013 Virginia High School Association Trophy Class 2006-2013 Col. Charles Savedge Award for Sustained Excellence 2010 NSPA Online Pacemaker Winner 2011 & 2014 NSPA Online Pacemaker Finalist 2014 SIPA All Southern 2008-2014

The Royal News, PGHS trnwired.org & trnsports.org

7801 Laurel Spring Road Prince George, Virginia 23875 804-733-2720 The Royal News is printed at The Progress-Index in Petersburg, Virginia

A Illustration by Qadirah Monroe.

Social Media Continues To Transform With Time

S

ocial media, originally used as a way to connect with like-minded people as wells as potential employers, has become a way to express opinions of ideas and others for many teenagers. Social media began in 1997 with SixDegrees.com, the first website to allow users to create a profile, personalize said profile, and view the profiles of others. In 2015 and recent years, social media has transformed into a platform for teenagers and young adults to voice their opinions and interact with peers.

Social media, now, has become a major vehicle for cyber bullying and altercations.

Many people of the younger generation are still learning how to represent themselves in the cyber world and with this transition can come serious issues.

What many students do not realize is that, according to a study done by Reppler and Lab42, 91% of employers use social media to screen prospective employees.

Also, 69% of employers have rejected an application due to something seen on social media. Inappropriate photos, comments, and content about drinking, drugs, signs

of poor communication skills, negative comments about previous employers, discriminatory comments, etc. have all been used by employers as grounds to reject an applicant.

In contrast, 68% of employers have used social media to hire a potential employee based on the appropriate and positive utilization of social media. Those employers hired based on creativity, solid communication skills, signs of being well rounded, etc. exhibited on social media accounts.

The future of social media is in question.

Positive use of social media, such as networking with employers and employees, as a source of news and current events, connecting with family members, or sharing ideas, must become more prevalent. Also, uses of social media as a platform for altercations with peers, cyber bullying, and inappropriate photos and comments, must cease. In order for social media to continue development, teens and others must learn to use social media positively.

s the Republicans gear up for another presidential election coming up REEVE ASHCRAFT in 2016, it seems like the perfect time to reminisce over the transition the party has made from its days as an abolitionist party, to the party of big business, and now to the party that seems against social change.

Starting in 1854, the Republican Party was created originally in the states of Michigan and Wisconsin as the party against slavery. The party won its first election in 1860 with Abraham Lincoln winning the presidency. From their very first day as a party, Republicans were completely against the spreading of slavery into new states and were looking for a way to abolish it completely.

Moving away from the party of abolitionist, Republicans started the 1900’s as the party of big business and few policies. Teddy Roosevelt, a Republican and later member of the Bull-Moose party, was the first Republican to challenge economic monopolies and was known as the “trust buster.”

The Republicans, starting with Dwight Eisenhower, started to transition from the party of big business to a party looking for social improvement. Eisenhower signed the Civil Rights Act of 1957, the first legislation regarding civil change since the reconstruction era. Eisenhower would also go on to build the nation’s first highway. Richard Nixon would also go on to be the first president to put environmental policies in place.

Then during the Ronald Reagan administration, the Republican Party base shifted from moderate to completely conservative socially and fiscally. This would stay the same all the way up until George W. Bush.

With the election in 2016 looming, the Republican Party is trying to figure out whether to nominate moderates like Mitt Romney or Jeb Bush, or conservatives such as Ted Cruz or Rand Paul.

FRIDAY 2.27.15 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 3

OP/ED

Are HBCUs The School Of Choice?

As African-American students get set to prepare to apply for college, they must decide whether they are interested in attending a Historically Black College/University. Are minority students missing out on opportunities provided by HBCUs by not attending these schools?

A

s college application deadlines are coming up, seniors are looking for the college that is right for them. For African American students, an HBCU [Historically Black College or University] is an option they may be considering. Some of the top-rated colleges and universities are HBCUs. Hampton University, Howard University, and Morehouse college are just a few.

For an African American, there are numerous benefits in an HBCU. Attending a historical black college gives a student the greatest chance to learn about the culture. It gives them a unique way to explore black history. HBCUs are known to have certain classes and extracurricular activities that are made for African Americans. Examples of these classes are African American history, African American literature, and African American literary criticism. These courses and activities may be hard to find in other universities.

Some seniors’ concerns may be the lack of diversity. They believe that HBCUs are just full of African Americans, but it is fairly diverse. The percentage of Non-African Americans in HBCUs has increased dramatically over time. According to Collegeexpress.com says that people from all over the world attend these colleges and universities.

Also, many students experience an opportunity to grow in a school that provides an excellent education, but also an opportunity to learn about a very rich heritage that applies to many of the students in attendance.

More than 50% of African American public school teachers, and 70% of doctors and dentists acquired their degrees at a historical black college. I believe that heritage is vitally important, and these HBCUs address these issues very well.

PRO CON EBONY GILCHRIST

ALEXIS STEWART

“Not attending an HBCU can benefit students when it comes to racial diversity...”

“Also, many students experience an opportunity to grow in a school that provides an excellent education...”

“According to nces. ed.gov, the amount of black students enrolled at HBCUs has fallen...”

A

s college applications are due, high school students have to make important decisions on which college they want to attend and how they are going to afford to pay for school. African Americans students applying for college must decide between going to a HBCUs also known as historically black colleges and universities or chose to go to a non-HBCU. Many reasons why black students in the past have chosen not to go is because they worry about racial diversity, because HBCU colleges are known to have most of African Americans students many would prefer to go to school that has a wide variety of races, religions, and different cultural backgrounds. According to nces. ed.gov, the amount of black students enrolled at HBCUs has fallen over time from 18 percent in 1976 to nine percent in 2011.

Even though attending HBCUs can be very beneficial to African Americans students because they get to make strong connections with other students who have grown up in the same racial upbringings and they get to know more about African-American history.

Not attending an HBCU can benefit students when it comes to racial diversity because in the real world not everyone is going to be of the same race or background. It can come difficult for some people to adjust to a different setting when they leave a HBCU. According to ehow.com competing with other students at HBCUs can be more difficult when it comes to applying for different opportunities and scholarships because will have to do more to stand out and it would be much easier to receive these positions because at non- HBCUs, black students are minority which gives you a higher chance. I feel that students should choose any school they want to and it shouldn’t be based on race but on what they like.

Illustration by Qadirah Monroe.

4 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 2.27.15

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FRIDAY FRIDAY12.12.14 2.27.15||THE THEROYAL ROYALNEWS NEWS ||55

BRIEFLY BRIEFLY The Month of Love, Power, and a New Beginning “Buy chocolate and flowers and do something extra special after dinner.”

-John Holden

“It reminds me that African Americans do help the country.”

-Derrick Taylor

“We go out to eat and to see a movie. I buy a gift.”

-Antonio Cole

“It reminds us of things that happened in the past and not to make the same mistakes.”

-Brianna Brown

- D ay

“Chinese New Year’s is celebrated for a month and most people do not work for that month. New Year’s in the US is celebrated for a night.”

- Levi Owens “The Chinese zodiac is a 12 year cycle based on the year of birth.

The western zodiac is based on the month. The Chinese zodiac is based around animals and western zodiac is based on mythological creatures.”

- Marcia Edmundson

B L A C K HISTOR Y

MONTH The BETA Club membership Help support the PTA clothes drive is now open. If you drive. If you have any clothes to would like to apply, please donate, take them to the compick up an application from mons. The PTA clothes drive will BETA Board by room D-16. start Mon., March 9th through Applications and money are March 13th. due by March 9th.

Each senior and a parent/guardThe yearbook, newspaper, ian must attend one of the three and PGTV staffs are now acmandatory graduation meetcepting applications for next ings in order to participate in year’s staff. If you would like graduation on Sat., June 6, 2015. to take the class and work on All meetings will be held at 7:00 one of these staffs fill out the p.m. in the PGHS auditorium on application by going to www. the following dates: Wed., April trnwired.org/apply2015 or 15th; Tues., April 21st; Mon., April stop by A2 for an application.

27th.

Chinese New Year

6 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 2.27.15

FEATURES Winter Weather

Angelica Martinez features editor

Inclement Weather Transformation Is Observed Over The Last 25 Years.

D

ue to the inclement weather starting on February 16, schools all across Virginia were forced to close. Snow and ice filled the roads, making them unsafe to drive on. The following infographics take a look at the snow, and compare it to winter weather over the previous years to give the reader an idea of the transformation.

The high on February 14th, 1990 was 77° Fahrenheit.

This year, the low was 17° that day.

Seniors Colton Smith and Cooper Stegmann play in the snow in the PGHS student parking lot. The county accumulated over five inches of snow last week and is expecting more.

Photo by Debra Thomas

Snow Stats In 1995, the low in Prince George was 16° Fahrenheit on February 15th.

That record was broken this year with a low of 14°.

The schools have used 40 hours of bank time out of the 76.5 extra hours built in for this year. So far, there were 6 snow days and 2 days that had a 2-hour delay.

Last year was the first time in over 20 years that there was snow on Valentine’s Day. Prince George received an average of over 5 inches of snow last week.

For more information visit www.tnrwired.org

From a survey of 100 students taken before the week of from snow, 85 of them said that they wanted it to snow. 74% of them predicted that it would snow again.

7 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 2.27.15

FEATURES

American Heart Month Observed

JROTC 2014-2015

Students, Staff Consider Evolution of Health Care.

Alesondra Adams trn writer

T

hroughout the month of February, some people may notice the ever-occurring theme of the color red and hearts. For some, this means Valentine’s Day, but for others, it means American Heart Month.

Cardiovascular disease, also referred to as heart disease, is the number one leading cause of death in America. Things such as smoking, high blood pressure, and high amounts of sugar in the blood are main causes of this.

“I think that people’s lifestyles cause heart disease. They’re not eating healthy,” Nurse Shante Byrd said.

Back in the 20th century, heart disease was a conviction. The only advice a doctor could give someone with heart disease is to rest and get better. Nearly a decade later, the nation’s fight against heart disease became official.

The heart disease death rate dropped almost 50% over the last 50 years, and the numbers are only getting smaller from there.

According to heart.org, in 1950, heart disease killed 356 out of 100,000 Americans. In 2010, the number decreased to 179 out of 100,000.

“I think Michelle Obama is encouraging students to eat healthier by taking out things such as trans-fats in schools. However, America is less active now than when I was growing up,” Byrd said. “When I was growing up, we were outside all of the time, but now that kids are given cell phones, they’re always on their cell phones. I think people should put down their cell phones.”

By 1981, the AHA was looking to improve public policies. Since then, laws regarding healthier meals at school, banning of smoking in public places, and the removal of trans-fats in food have all been passed in order to prevent heart disease.

“I watch my salt intake and I make sure I eat a lot of fruits and veggies; I also workout

Congratulations to the following LET 3 Cadets promoted to Platoon Leader Positions (2 LT)

once a week. Me, personally, I drink a glass of red wine every night,” Byrd said.

There are other heart conditions that contribute to American Heart Month as well.

Senior Taylor Stevenson found out that she had heart arrhythmia, a heart condition that causes the heart to beat at irregular times.

This condition can be harmless; however some cases can be bothersome.

“My mom and sister both have to wear heart monitors and so the doctor had me wear it, and I found out I had heart arrhythmia. I don’t have to take medicine for it and it doesn’t affect my health,” Stevenson said.

It was an early Wednesday morning when Louise Thorton, an AP government teacher, called the doctor because of her flulike symptoms. She set up an appointment for the following day, Thursday, originally to check if she had the flu.

“I washed my hair on Thursday to get ready for my appointment, and I remember my arms felt like lead, or something that was heavy,” Thorton said. “When I got to the doctor, they took my blood pressure, but there was no reading, which scared me to death.”

After that, the doctor set her up with an electrocardiogram (also called EKG), which is “a test to check for problems with the electrical activity of the heart”.

“I found that the two chambers of my

PGHS Nurse Shante Byrd checks Renee Topian’s heart.

Everyone shoud get their blood pressure checked once a year.

Photo by Ebony Gilchrist. heart didn’t beat in rhythm. The doctor called the ambulance and sent me to Southside Regional Hospital,” Thorton said.

After waiting in the emergency room for 45 hours, Thorton discovered she had Atrial Fibrillation (AFib), which is an abnormal rhythm of the heart. She was told that if her heart did not beat in rhythm, she could have a possible stroke.

“The doctors gave me a blood thinner to prevent blood clot and I was also given medicine so my heart can beat in rhythm,” Thorton said.

Thorton was also put on an echocardiogram to make sure there is no damage to the heart or possible heart attack.

“I was in the hospital for two nights and the doctors told me to stay on my medicine but that I could do daily activity.”

Thornton was told she could not drink caffeine or alcohol and was advised not to do strenuous exercise. Since then, she has been back to the cardiologist, and her medicine works fine.

Name

Unit

Devan Taylor

A-1

Nicholas Whitley

A-2

Justin Helmer

B-1

Johnny Brown

B-2

Brent Collins

C-1

Jason Kolbo

C-2

Alex Kaczinski

D-1

Shaparis Rawls

D-2

Karlaysha Coleman

E-1

Jency Warren

E-2

Alex Snodgrass

Rifle Tm Cdr

Wesley Warren

Raider Tm Cdr

Villa-Gomez

Drill Tm Exel Off

8 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 2.27.15

FEATURES

Teachers Remember Integration Of Schools Students, Staff Speak About Transformation Of Segregated Schools.

I

Corey Lee trn writer

magine driving twenty miles past schools that are in session, shopping at two different malls, and not being able to drink the same water as everyone else all based on skin color and culture. A lot has transformed since the 1960s in Prince George County.

Since the opening of Virginia Public Schools in 1870 the buildings, like most southern states, were totally segregated. In Prince George, N.B. Clements Junior High School was the white high school, while the Prince George Education Center was the African American high school. Due to a push from the African American families in the county and the threat from the government to cut federal money from Fort Lee, Prince George County Schools integrated. “[Prince George County] was pushed to integrate. Black families would march around the courthouse building,” Prince George High School retired English teacher June Hill said.

Hill was born and raised in Prince George County and taught at the public schools for many years.

“I went to school for first through ninth grade at Disputanta Training School,” Hill said.

“We would have to ride a bus twenty miles past the other schools from my home in order to get there.”

Disputanta Training center educated African American students from first to ninth grade until 1956 when J.E.J. Moore opened to become the new African American high school. This building is now the Prince George Education Center.

“Moore was the first new thing that we got,” Hill said. “We had gotten the old books and the old buses.”

Hill says that she and the other students did not take notice to the fact that white schools received better treatment and supplies.

“It was an all-black world, we were just happy to have books and school supplies,” Hill said. “Our parents didn’t have books and had to walk to school. It seemed like progress to them.”

Hill graduated from the African American high school and attended Virginia State University. She graduated in 1963 and was one of the only people to return to J.E.J. Moore and become a teacher. At the time that she returned, the public schools had been integrated.

She then faced problems with racial prejudice from some students.

“If the students were left alone, they would be good. It was the parents that were cruel and indifferent,” Hill said. “Somehow it never did bother me, I always did the job that I was set out to do. That is how I would start off every

day.”

Hill eventually moved on to become an English teacher at the high school. She was one of the very few African American teachers in the school.

“I could walk down the hall and I would be the only black person in all of A-wing, where they had history, English, and foreign language classes,” Hill said. “My co-workers would not speak to me. I said to myself ‘if you don’t want to speak, then don’t speak.’”

Students today are still seeing the effects of desegregation and the transformations.

They still hold some of the same feelings as the students in the 1960s.

“If [racism] is done, it is done on the down low. I just try and block it all out,” senior Courtney Biggs said. “I am blind to color; we are all the same.”

Louise Thornton is a government teacher at the high school. She has been teaching since 1967 when the school had just recently been integrated.

“I taught integrated classes and I never noticed anything that bad. There were no protests or riots like there were in the Deep South,” Thornton said. “I believe that it has something to do with the open minded people in Prince George.”

Prince George and many of the surrounding areas faced segregation in places other than just the schools.

“I can remember being a very young

The Prince George Education Center (above) is no longer in operation. It was once the African American high school during segregation. Senior Courtney Biggs (top right) studies without being barred by segregated schools. June Hill (bottom right) is pictured. This is from a yearbook in 1976. Photos by Corey Lee. girl and going shopping in Petersburg and the downtown shopping area on Sycamore Street was mainly for white people and the African American people had to shop on Halifax Street,” Thornton said.

In 1964, when the Civil Rights Act was passed, it transformed the county. Previously segregated buildings became open to all colors of people. “[The Civil Rights Act] integrated the restaurants, hotels, and motels,” Thornton said.

“The only department store in Petersburg had one of the only tea rooms in the area and they closed their doors instead of serving to the integrated cliental.”

Prince George County Schools have transformed from their beginnings and are now a melting pot of different cultures and races.

“I always knew that God created people equally,” Hill said. “I always just left it up to him to sort out all of the foolishness.”

FRIDAY 2.27.15 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 9

A&E

Generations Discuss Dress Codes

Alumni Reflect on Transformations of Dress Code.

Senior Briona Evans displays modern day dress code.

I

Cassie Kolbo trn writer

n recent years many schools have been forced to make amendments to their dress codes to keep up with the rapid change of student’s attire.

Some examples of the most violated rules would be leggings, pants not worn around the waist, and exposed shoulders.

This is a drastic change from the set of rules many schools used to implement a number of years ago, requiring female students to wear knee length skirts and men to have pressed trousers.

“When I started teaching 26 years ago, we dressed very professionally,” Assistant Principal Karen Rhodes said. “Even my grandmother wasn’t allowed to wear pants when she taught; teachers would wear dresses and high heels. Now dress for the faculty is more relaxed.”

According to one schools website, all students are expected to dress appropriately for a K-12 environment. Any clothing that interferes with or disrupts the educational environment is unacceptable.

“The purpose of school has always been learning. Any clothing that distracts from that must be addressed,” Rhodes said.

Thus it has been it has been the administrations job to uphold and amend the dress code over the years, but some of the recent changes to the code are left unappreciated by students. The dress code has even been implemented upon faculty in the schools.

“I even have a dress code,” Rhodes said.

Students in several areas across the U.S. are pressing for change in their codes.

“If I could change one thing about our dress code it would have to be the rule about tank tops, I like to wear them for warmer weather. I don’t get what’s so distracting about my shoulders,” Meredith said.

In spite of this, the purpose of the dress code still stands. “[Schools have a dress code] mostly to protect the students and keep them focused on their education instead of each other,” sophomore Ashley Meredith said. “Certain attire is expected at certain times.”

The debate of dress code spans across the nation. Many students have taken up petitions to their own schools code in lee way of a code more suiting to modern standards.

“I feel that people should be able to dress comfortably and relax in their own clothes,” Meredith said.

While the movement against regulations of dress may seem new along with all the innovation in fashion and technology but it is dated far back to the Victorian era when

Pictured above is a photo of students from the high school in 1954. Male students at this time dressed in coats and ties, and females wore dresses or long skirts.

Photo from Peerage 1954. women first started to regularly wear pants.

“Nowadays we dress with what we need, but we have always been going back and forth on what is appropriate and inappropriate of our attire,” senior Derrick Young said Likewise, the dress code has been ever changing, so it is unknown as of now what the dress code will be like in the future.

“I reckon that as I get older the code will become more neutral, just guidelines instead of strict rules,” Young said. “I think over the years we have all gotten a little more relaxed in how we present ourselves at school.”

A good example of this is how the hemlines of skirts, dresses, and shorts have receded in the past years. Students used to be required to wear knee length Garments but in many now they can be no shorter than mid thigh. While people have been pushing for dress reform for centuries, the goal has remained same for schools. “It’s not always about what we wear, it's more about the mindset,” Rhodes said.

Senior Nicole Judge follows PGHS’s current dress code.

10 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 2.27.15

Students Take A Trip Down Memory Lane, Sharing Photos Via S Guide To

BY THE WEEKDAY NUMBERS HASHTAGS

Monday Nothing starts off the school week better than a little #MotivationalMonday inspiration.

Lighten up your Instagram and Twitter feeds with some inspirational quotes and photos.

Spread the positivity like it’s contagious and make someone’s day brighter with an encouraging post.

Tuesday #TT, or #TransformationTuesday, is dedicated to sharing before and after photos of yourself.

While some people choose to show changes in themselves as time has gone by and they have aged, others may choose to show more recent photos. Before and after snapshots of subjects such a weight loss or a new hairstyle are popular alternatives to sharing a childhood photo.

Wednesday Like Tuesday, #WaybackWednesday is another day for sharing old photos from your childhood. If taking a trip down memory lane just isn’t your cup of tea, #WCW is a hashtag option on hump day. Wednesday is a day to share your favorite photo of your favorite woman crush. Pour your heart out in admiration for your crush via caption or tweet.

Qadirah Monroe trn writer

T

oday, social media plays a considerable role in the lives of many. Social networking sites such as Twitter and Instagram have become an integral aspect of many young people’s everyday life.

“I never go a day without logging on to either my Instagram or my Twitter,” senior Kaela Orr said.

Social media has become such a big part of many people’s lives that it has been used as a way to connect with others in order to share moments in history as they happen.

“I get news off of social media all the time,” Orr said. “If I heard about something, I go straight to Twitter. Of course, I still watch the news in the evening to confirm what I heard.”

While some students log onto social media for entertainment, news, or to simply pass time, others take a day out of each week reminisce on the past. Social media trends such as “Flashback Friday” and “Throwback Thursday” are designated to sharing photos from moments in the past.

“On Flashback Friday, I see people posting pictures of themselves from when they were younger and pictures of themselves now,” senior Kaylona Ladore said.

Using hashtags, social networkers can share their own photos and view photos from the pasts of whom they are following. While some social networkers choose to share photos from a more recent past, others believe that they social media trend should be reserved for more dated photos.

“I see pictures [on my timeline] from like a week ago,” junior Lexi Korkos said. “I feel like you’re supposed to show some kind of change.

It’s pointless to post a picture because there’s no

@DTaylor_16 #PGFlashbackFriday Junior Devan Taylor waves at the camera in a snapshot with his grandfather.

@Matt_Burgess0 #PGFlashabckFriday

Senior Matt Burgess takes a nap under his family Christmas tree.

Thursday

@EggsB #PGFla

Junior D poses fo cheerle

@Halesinator Senior Haleigh Edwards “#PGFlashbackFriday to winning [softball] regionals with the best team anyone could ask for. “

Thursday owns the one of the most popular hashtag among the daily hashtags. #ThrowbackThursday is a day of memories. Whether you’re sharing a photo from your childhood or your favorite rap track from the 90’s, you can take your followers on a trip down memory lane with your throwback.

Friday If showing your followers baby pictures and embarrassing selfies from middle school on Transformation Tuesday, Way Back Wednesday, and Throwback Thursday wasn’t enough, there is another nostalgic hashtag for you. #FBF, or Flashback Friday, is a day to share vintage photos from your youth. If you have plenty of flashbacks to share but lack followers to share them with, #FF or Follow Friday might be a more suitable tag for you.

change.”

Beginning with the popular #TBT hashtag, trends for other days of the week have followed.

“I see hashtags like #WaybackWednesday and #MemorableMonday,” Orr said. “Even #TransformationTuesday is a day when people post their old pictures.”

Though “Throwback Thursday” has been accompanied by other daily hashtag trends, the theme of recalling old memories has remained relevant throughout the week.

“All of the other hashtags are pretty much the same,” Korkos said. “I think that one day dedicated to memories was enough.”

The reasons why tweeting and instagramming old photographs have become such a wide-reaching trend vary from person to person. Some social networkers post photos to draw attention to attention to themselves.

“I think that the people that post pictures of themselves when they were younger do it to show how cute they were,” Ladore said.

@SirRapsAlot16 #PGFlashbackFriday

Senior Jordan Nase visiting Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.

FRIDAY 2.27.15 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 11

Social Media From Their Younger Years.

Other Twitter and Instagram users post nostalgic photos to reminiscence on joyful times or better times.

“I like seeing throwbacks from past birthdays, like a picture from a first birthday next to a picture from a twenty-first birthday,” Korkos said. “Even time hops from like five years ago are always really cool.”

As sharing personal transformations and old memories by means of hashtags on social media continues to thrive, users will continue to post their favorite throwbacks and flashbacks.

Though some users will stick to using the daily tags, others will stick to sharing their flashbacks with their followers as nostalgia strikes. “[With designated weekday hashtags] I think that people feel like they need excuses to post memorable pictures, but they shouldn’t,” Korkos said. “[If] it’s your account, post what you want.”

Memories Trend On Social Media @ grias_da_greek Junior Alexis Grias “#PGFlashbackFriday possibly my fave picture ever. “

BaconGritz ahbackFriday

Daisha Villagomez or her very first eading portrait.

@M1chaelangelo_ #PGFlashbackFriday Junior Michael Myrick holds a winning trophy for TracStar Motorsports racing.

Students were asked to tweet pictures of their favorite memories using #PGFlashbackFriday.

12 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 2.27.15

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FRIDAY 2.27.15 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 13

A&E Gamer's Corner Evolution Of Video Game Elements Reviewed

T

he gaming industry is relatively young, and the medium itself is equally so compared to other forms of entertainment. Video games on a commercial sale have been existent for less than four decades, but the history they have managed to chronicle in that short period of time is rich. Video games are arguably the fastest growing entertainment medium, and a quick history lesson on the topic makes it readily apparent.

This growth has manifested itself in a myriad of ways during their lifetime, but they are all partially accredited with the transformation of the gaming landscape.

This is the most obvious of features to mention, and cliché at that, but I would be remiss to not include it anyway. Graphical fidelity is the most immediately noticeable change in video games throughout their lifespan, mainly because it is quite often the first thing you

see. And, frankly, it is the aspect that is most likely to make your jaw drop. Video game art was much more ambiguous in the days of the original Super Mario Bros. Artists had only a few pixels to demonstrate the intended design, and this left many portions of the character design open to interpretation. The gender and ethnicity of many characters were undetermined in a time when plot lines shed little light on them. Now, however, in current games such as The Order: 1886, extremely distinct facial features, realistic clothing, and even minute details like sweat are visible on protagonists, antagonists, and side characters alike.

Technical advancements helped develop not only the graphics of games, but the scope as well. Faster, more powerful gaming consoles paved the way for whole new genres that test the limits of what is capable in a virtual landscape.

Enormous, open-world experiences

Travis Temple

like Grand Theft Auto offer expansive, traversable, and entirely interactive play spaces. Increased processing power has also made games more intelligent, more challenging. Vastly improved artificial intelligence of in-game allies and enemies facilitates a more enjoyable playing experience than what was possible in the past.

Improvements abound on not only a technical scale; thematic elements have also changed. Games like developer Quantic Dream’s Heavy Rain push the boundaries of “acceptable” story lines and plots. Darker and more controversial ideas are becoming more commonplace, which puts the video game medium closer and closer to more established ones like literature and film. Implicit meanings,

as in Final Fantasy X’s crusade against organized religion, solidify the industry’s ability to create smarter, more cerebral experiences. The move towards more artistic themes is undoubtedly the most important of gaming changes throughout their continuous historical transformation, as it represents what is happening as a whole. Video games are becoming more mature.

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A&E

Dating Styles Change Over Time The Social Norms Of Dating Have Transformed With The Decades.

Chance Thweatt trn writer

A

s many generations enter and exit the high school, the various changes in the student body become more apparent. The concept of dating is an example of how the student body has transformed over the years.

Some of the changes in society are due to social media, which now plays a massive role.

On the other hand, the use of cellular devices, instead of an old-fashioned landline, has also contributed to many social changes of today.

However, the key priority in today’s society is deciding if these changes are for better or for worse.

“In my opinion, social media has changed the way dating is perceived over the years, and I’m not comfortable with it,” Special Education teacher Teacher Brenda Clary said.

“Back when I was growing up, you actually had to work hard in order to date someone.

You had to meet the whole family before dating.”

Social media has made it much easier for others to interact and date. While this may seem like an easier process, it could also be very frightening due to the fact that people have unknown identities on the Internet. In addition, it is also very difficult to verify the appearances of others online, due to the fact that photo shopped images exist at an increasing rate. Online predators who hide behind the screen are also a big issue.

“In the past years, dating was just an advanced friendship, but for our student body of today, dating is way more serious,” sophomore Rhiannon Lawrence said. “It has turned into a codependency.”

On the other hand, dating has turned into a more social relationship. As seen in the past, relationships of today model a thirties and forties theme relationship, in the fact that students are more dependent on the opinion of others. Also, students are becoming more dependent on their significant others.

“Dating is more straightforward these days,” sophomore Channel Garland said. “It’s like a game, and due to social media and other

things, you don’t really get to know a person.”

Additionally, the use of social media has again provided an easier way to access a person without personally knowing them. On many social websites, users are able to comment and direct message others without even knowing them. However on a good note, users are able to make any profiles or pages of their choice private, so they are able to control their accounts.

“Other than Social Media, our society bases everything on looks,” Garland said. “No one looks at your personality or character, it’s all about the way someone looks.”

Another major issue in the student body is the fact that many individuals are judged or looked at for all the wrong reasons. Instead of looks, students should look deeper for sincere character traits and impeccable qualities.

These days, individuals are so focused on their appearances that they lose sight on what the concept of dating really is. It is important that individuals take other things, not just looks, into further consideration.

Moreover, students should stop relying on social media for many of our social relationships. In addition, individuals should also stop looking at appearances, and search

Sophomores Samantha Sudol and Kaleb Zavala show their affection by holding hands in the hallway. They have been dating for over a year.

Photo by Chance Thweatt deeper for qualities such as kindness or honesty. Mostly, never lose sight of the real meaning of dating. It’s way more than just social media, it is about finding someone who motivates others to strive and be a better person everyday.

16 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 2.27.15

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FRIDAY 2.27.15 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 17

SPORTS

Conference Transformation

Athletes Weigh in on Transformation of Group Alignments Tyneshia Griffin trn writer

T

he cars and trees zoom by the bus window as senior wrestler Matt Burgess travels on another hour long bus ride. Instead of staring out the window as time goes by, Burgess runs his plan for triumph over and over in his head preparing for any maneuver or challenge that could jeopardize a win.

Burgess takes advantage of the long bus rides that are a constant reminder of the re-alignment of athletic teams across the state.

Since 2013, VHSL school members are no longer arranged based on locality, but on program enrollment. Over the past two years, Burgess has acclimated to the switch from the central district to the 5A South conference 12.

“Different competition makes it harder,” Burgess said. “They have full teams.

Petersburg did not have a full weight class.”

Burgess did not make drastic transformations in his athletic training to compensate for the conference 12 alignment. He has stuck with a ritual that has served him well since he started wrestling in 8th grade. “[I prepare the] same way as always, work hard, practice, and don’t take any days off,” Burgess said when asked about how he has trained in response to the shifts in his meet schedule.

Though Burgess has a reliable plan to achieve his goals, the past two years have not gone by without challenges.

“Matoaca is in conference,” Burgess said. “They have a lot of state championships. They have a strong youth program, which makes them stronger for the future.”

As Burgess travels miles to each meet, he prepares mentally for matches. Burgess anticipates any action rather than preparing for the moves a particular athlete.

“Longer bus rides give us more time to prepare mentally for certain situations,” Burgess said. “If this happens, I am going to do this. You already thought about it, so you know how to react.”

For sophomore track runner Preston Ramsey, riding the bus back home in the late night makes a typical meet seem as if it is a day long affair.

When we went to regionals for crosscountry in Chesapeake, it was three or four hours away, “Ramsey said. “The travel time gets rid of all the excitement because you know it’s going to be a long day.”

Different competition not only comes with adjustments in travel time, but it can also create unanticipated intensity among competitors. .“Manchester is a superpower in track,” Ramsey said. “The conference change drives the team to work harder.”

For sophomore track runner Ross Johnson, the pros of the re-alignment outweigh the cons. Extensive travel time is a small price to pay for the rush that comes from running alongside new competition. “[In Indoor Track Team] we still work as hard as we would in any alignment,” Johnson said. “The realignment has presented us with an opportunity to race new people.”

In the 5A South Conference 12, some teams from the Central District still remain.

Matoaca still stands as a powerhouse, driving runners like Johnson to train more, run faster, and persevere through arduous

Senior Matt Burgess wrestles against Matoaca. Matoaca, like Prince George, was in the Central District before the regrouping and is now in Conference 12.

Photo by Corey Lee. races.

“The biggest challenge in the previous district was Matoaca,” Johnson said. “They were really our rivals, a team that we had not beaten in a long time.”

Virginia High School League has not complicated or altered Johnson’s pregame regimens with the introduction of distance runners from Clover Hill, Manchester, and L.C. Bird during the mile race.

For Johnson, the 5A South Conference 12 has verified that hard work mixed with a plan and confidence can produce victory against any team or at any location throughout Virginia.

“For track, I run the mile. It is my favorite race,” Johnson said. “My pre-race ritual is still the same. I just mentally prepare myself for the race and try to be confident in my ability.”

MLB Preseason In recent years both the San Diego Padres and the Chicago White Sox have been steadily average or below average. This year, however, may be a different story for both, after some of the offseason transactions that both teams have completed. The San Diego Padres signed starting pitchers James Shields and Ryan Albright Brandon Morrow, catcher Wil Nieves, relief pitcher Jose Valverde, and shortstop Clint Barmes. More importantly they traded for outfielders Matt Kemp from the Los Angeles Dodgers, Justin Upton from the Atlanta Braves, and Wil Myers from the Tampa Bay Rays. The Padres have not been very good in the past, but with these moves, especially with the addition of good pitching and outfielders, could ensure for a close race for the National League West, and NL wild card.

The White Sox did not make as many moves, but they added some pieces that they needed. They signed catchers Geovany Soto and Tyler Flowers, outfielder Melky Cabrera, closing pitcher David Robertson, and first baseman Adam LaRoche. They also traded for starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija from the Athletics. The White Sox were in a much better position than the Padres. They already had Cy Young candidate Chris Sale and the American League Rookie of the Year from 2014, Jose Abreu. With their moves they solidified their starting pitching a little more, got another good bat in their lineup, and patched up their bullpen. With the White Sox improving, it will make for a nice race in the AL Central, as the Tigers and Royals made it to the playoffs from the AL Central last season.

First year MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has already made what are to me major changes to how baseball has been played for a long time. He is trying to speed up the game. He has commented on wanting to use a pitching clock, which would be like a shot clock in basketball, but that is just being tested in the minor leagues for now.

However, he has implemented batter’s box rules and in-between innings time limits.

The batter will have up to twenty seconds of walk-up music and then he must step into the batter’s box. For the in-between innings time limit it is two minutes and forty five seconds for nationally televised games and two minutes and twenty five seconds for locally televised games.

18 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 2.27.15

PH TOGALLERY

Seniors Lead Royals To Victory TOP RIGHT: Junior guard Asante Turner attempts a lay up.

Turner is one of the smaller players on the team, but is one of the assist leaders for the Royals. Photo by Ronnie Dayvault.

TOP LEFT: Senior Shonquez Henry drives to the basket trying to keep the lead. Henry had a total of 13 points. Photo By Ronnie Dayvault.

BOTTOM LEFT: Senior Quincy Cunningham looks to extend the Royals lead by completing a fast break. Cunningham was the second highest scorer with 19 points.

Photo By Matteo Reed.

For more photos visit www.trnwired. smugmug.org

BOTTOM RIGHT: Junior Cory Hill slides by his defender after junior Savonte Chappel sets a pick stopping the defender. Hill had 5 points and 12 assists while Chappel put up 22 points. Photo By Matteo Reed.

FRIDAY 2.27.15 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 19

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Upcoming PTA Events March 21st: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Prince George High School Car Show Drive for your school at the Car Show fundraiser. Come out and drive to support the PTA. Must be 18 to drive. We make $20 per test drive.

March 28th: Prince George High School Car Show Rain Date March 30th: El Caporal Fundraiser Night April 15th- April 17th: After Prom Special Ticket Price of $10.00 April 22nd-April 24th: After Prom Regular Ticket Price of $15.00 April 25th: “Under the Big Top” After Prom 11:00 p.m.-5:00 a.m.

April 27th: El Caporal Fundraiser Night

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boys soccer Varsity boys Varsity outdoor Varsity girls Spring >> Varsity scrimmage vs. Lee- >> soccer scrimmage >> tennis match vs. >> track meet at Davis on Tues., Dinwiddie on Matoaca on vs. Varina on Sports Mar. 10th at 7:00 Tues., Mar. 17th at Wed., Mar. 18th Thurs., Mar. 12th at

UPCOMING EVENTS

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Teams Acquire New Uniforms Brooke Guerrero trn writer

A

s the varsity boys basketball team flew down the court this season, spectators saw the Royals wearing a different uniform. But where did they get the uniforms? And how do the players feel about the transformation?

According to smallbusiness.chron. com sports teams are more likely to work together as a team and perform more confidently when they wear a uniform that is in style or modern.

“The uniforms are a better fit, they provide comfort, and they look good,” junior Cory Hill said.

Many athletes, at both the professional and high school levels, like to play wearing top brand equipment, Nike, perhaps the most popular sports clothing and equipment brand is where the team custom ordered their uniforms.

“I designed the [uniforms] on niketeam. com. We were influenced by what we do, I asked some of the older players for ‘approval,’” varsity boys basketball coach Travis Carr said.

Niketeam.com is a website in which teams can create their own uniforms.

Teams can choose between different colors, styles, fits, and other details to create a design unique to their own team.

The boys of the court are more than satisfied with their modernized uniforms. “[The uniforms] are a good improvement,” junior Karl Jones said.

The upgrade is phenomenal compared to the worn out uniforms the team has worn in the seasons past.

“The old uniforms were too big on most of us, uncomfortable, and the numbers on the back were faded, “ junior Cory Hill said.

The old uniforms were Adidas. Though a respected brand amongst many soccer players, it is not as widely used in the sport

of basketball.

“The uniforms were okay, [but] they were a little worn out and they were Adidas,” senior Makale Harris said.

But basketball was not the only sport to transform this season. The girls varsity soccer team will be given new uniforms this season as well.

“We have three different jerseys, a white, green, and a yellow jersey. We wear white shorts with all of them and we coordinate the color of our socks with our jerseys,” senior JoJo Taylor said.

The girls received their new jerseys last season, and earned them after winning first place in the regional conference in the 2013 season.

“I feel that we earned them with hard work and dedication,” Taylor said.

To the team, the jerseys are a symbol of hard work, dedication, and togetherness.

“The thing that I like the most about the jerseys is knowing that we earned them, and they weren’t given to us,” sophomore Alexis Harrell said.

Throughout every sport in the world is one common thread. That thread is teamwork. Without an identical uniform the team cannot work together to be successful and achieve goals.

The teamwork and dedication forms relationships that teammates withhold well after their high school careers.

“It’s like we are one unit. We are all in unison with each other,” Abigail Harrell said. “If we do not have uniforms we would not perform as well with plain clothes.”

Now sophomore Alexis Harrell dribbles the soccer ball away from a defender. Harrell was a member of the team that received new uniforms last season.

Photo by Daniel Puryear.

For more upcoming soccer pictures go to trnwired.org.