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Volume XVI, Issue 4
ALUMNI TAKE WORLD BY STORM P. 10-11 Visit trnwired.org to see the latest photo galleries and watch live broadcast events.
What’s Inside? p. 7 Club Members Fight Hunger p. 20 Changing Places On The Pitch p. 12 SADD Club Keeps Inspirational Black History Program Running
PGHS alumnus Amir Vera stands in front of the CNN sign in Atlanta where he now works as an associate writer for CNN Digital. Vera and other alumni are being recognized in honor of Black History Month. Photo contributed by Amir Vera. Have you received your vaccination this flu season? *Twitter poll of 62 votes
- Yes (37%) - No (63%)
2 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 2.9.18
(4:30 PM SUN. & 6:30 PM TUES.)
FRIDAY 2.9.18 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 3
OP/ED
Inside The Life Of A Military Brat
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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 A2, 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: Wayne Coleman , Op/Ed: Anna Mitchell, Features: Kattie Iwanski, Doubletruck: Tyler Brock, A&E: Aaliyah Capers, Sports: Wayne Coleman
Writers Haleigh Horne - Claudia King Shelby Hayes - Masako Kaneko Molly Ashcraft - Sarah Schrum - Carter Marks - Maddison Shawkey - Harmony Thomas Taylor Anderson
Editor-in-Chief Kattie Iwanski
Adviser
Chris Waugaman
Managing Editor Wayne Coleman
Professional affiliations & awards Columbia Scholastic Press Associations Gold Medalist 2008-2016 CSPA Gold Crown Winner 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015 Virginia High School Association Trophy Class 2006-2017 Col. Charles Savedge Award for Sustained Excellence 2010, 2017 NSPA Online Pacemaker Winner 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 SIPA All Southern 2008-2015
The Royal News, PGHS trnwired.org
7801 Laurel Spring Road Prince George, Virginia 23875 804-733-2720 The Royal News is printed at The Progress-Index in Petersburg, Virginia
Illustration by Anna Mitchell.
Schools Named For Confederacy Get Name Change
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n the surrounding city of Petersburg, there has been discussion of changing three elementary school names, namely A.P. Hill, J.E.B. Stuart and Robert E. Lee elementary schools. This action has been considered because all three of the schools were named after Confederate generals. There has been controversy about honoring Confederate generals with statues and naming of local structures. Some believe that making these gestures is honoring the United States’ past and its ancestors. On the other hand, some individuals - particularly minorities - are upset with this because the Civil War is a reminder of less progressive era. On February 7, 2018, the Petersburg School System decided that they would be changing the names. The board decided on the new names for the schools after a unanimous school board vote to change the schools’ names. A.P. Hill will be renamed Cool Spring Elementary School, J.E.B. Stuart will be changed to Pleasants Lane Elementary School, and Robert E. Lee will be turned into Lakemont Elementary School. The opinions of the local citizens
were taken into consideration with online and print surveys, and three meetings were held to discuss the matter. Raising enough money to change the schools’ names has been an ongoing issue. The change would cost an estimated $18,000. However, this problem has a solution... $20,000 was recently donated to the cause by Henrico resident Christina Murray. There was also an additional $5,000 donated by Dr. Kenneth Lewis and an extra $200 donated from a citizen at one of the meetings. Name changes in Petersburg could pave the way to changes in other areas. There have been talks for multiple years about changing schools’ names in other states, including in Texas and Florida. With the cost being covered, changing the schools’ names would not be detrimental to the schools’ budget and could make the ongoing fight for a change come to an end. These changes to the schools will not start until this summer on July 1, 2018. Until then, the schools will keep their original names.
moved to Prince George last year, after living in Italy for three years, Colorado three years before that, North Carolina four years before that… and you get the point. My dad is active duty military, and I’m definitely not alone in being a military brat attending Prince George. According to the Virginia Department of Education, in 2013, about TAYLOR ANDERSON a third of the students in Prince George County School were military kids, and I’m confident that number is pretty close to what it is today, if not higher. Because it’s such a high percentage, it’s important to have a common understanding of what it’s like to be a military kid. So, I figured I’d share some of the most important things to know about being a military brat. Obviously, I can’t speak for every kid in the school, but I think I can safely say that these things apply to most. First of all, it’s surprisingly difficult for military kids to say where they’re from. Do you mean where they were born? Where they spent the most time? The place they enjoyed the most? Most likely, they’ll just tell you the place they lived most recently. Secondly, it might be a little difficult to get a military kid to come out of their shell and talk to you, but it means a lot for someone to reach out to them. They know that they’re moving soon, so they may be hesitant to open up and make friends that they’ll have to leave behind. Most of the time, it’s nothing personal if they don’t talk much at first, and they will appreciate the effort, even if they might not tell you that directly. A good place to start is to ask them about the places they’ve lived. Chances are, you’ll hear plenty of interesting stories. Finally, family is extremely important to military kids. Family is one of the only constants in a hectic and constantly changing life, and your only friends when you move somewhere new. They’ve shared all the same experiences, suffered through every difficulty, and came through it stronger. Military brats have family all over the world because family isn’t just blood but applies to anyone who helped you in times of need or vice versa and was loyal to the end. And that’s something everyone can relate to, regardless of how often you’ve moved.
4 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 2.9.18
OP/ED
Should You Get Your Flu Shot?
The average flu season lasts from October until March, usually peaking in February. The flu this year is considerably deadlier than in seasons past. It is not too late to get the flu shot; however, this year’s flu vaccine is only 10% effective. Is getting the flu shot worth it, or should you skip the vaccine this year?
A
s flu season approaches many parents, grandparents, and children all rush to their nearest clinic or physicians office in order to get their flu vaccinations. With this very harsh flu season many physicians highly recommend getting their flu vaccine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention every one 6 months or older should get the vaccination. Less than 50 percent of Americans have received the flu vaccination even with the ongoing epidemic of flu related deaths. The number has reached 206 people as of February 1, 2018, according to Fox 5 San Diego. This total will only continue to rise as peak season for the flu is in February and ranges until the month of May. All of these were very severe cases and could have been easily avoided by getting this years vaccination. The flu alone was not the ultimate reason of the rising death total; however, their deaths were caused by complications of the flu. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention complications of the flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. The flu is very contagious and is transmitted through contact with someone such as shaking hands, hugging, and kissing. But it can also be transmitted through bodily fluids such as saliva and mucus. By getting yourself or your child vaccinated you can help to stop the spread of the flu throughout school systems, therefore decreasing the amount of absences of school age children. Anyone and everyone can get the flu but it can be prevented by receiving the flu vaccine. Be sure to stop the spread of the flu this season by getting your vaccination done at your local physician’s office.
PRO CON HALEIGH HORNE
MASAKO KANEKO
“The flu alone was not the ultimate reason of the rising death total ... deaths were caused by complications of the flu.” “The influenza virus is constantly changing. This means that if you get a flu shot, you still have a chance of catching a different form of the flu. “By getting yourself or your child vaccinated you can help to stop the spread of the flu throughout school systems.”
O
ctober of every year marks the beginning of the dreaded flu season. The flu is a common viral infection that spreads easily and may lead to death in extreme cases. In order to prevent contracting the flu virus, many people believe the best way to go is getting a flu shot. However flu shots are not as effective as many believe. The influenza virus is constantly changing. This means that if you get a flu shot, you still have a chance of catching a different form of the flu virus. Many people who have died in the past due to catching the flu have already been immunized earlier that year. The flu shot does not really protect you unless you catch the specific flu virus that you received a shot for previously. Even then some people still contract the very same type of flu virus they got vaccinated for earlier in the year. According to Fox 5 Las Vegas, five year old Kiera Driscoll passed away due to cardiac arrest caused by influenza A. Her father Patrick Driscoll has stated that Kiera had been vaccinated for the same type of influenza that led to her death. Another reason why you should not be vaccinated for the flu lies within the vaccine itself. In order to protect a vial of the vaccine that includes multiple doses from getting contaminated from bacteria, thimerosal is added to the vial. Mercury, which is a neurotoxin, is a known ingredient in thimerosal. Neurotoxins such as mercury can cause damage to the nervous system. Overall the flu shot is not worth getting because it is never 100% effective. Although the majority of the country’s population gets vaccinated yearly, many people still contract the flu with or without being vaccinated earlier. It can also lead to more serious damage to the body’s nervous system. The flu shot is best to be avoided.
FRIDAY 2.9.18 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 5
THE WEEKS AHEAD Winter Olympics Start In South Korea
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he 2018 Winter Olympics are being held in Pyeongchang County, South Korea. The Olympics officially start on Friday, Feb. 9th, at 6 AM. Eastern Time and NBC will air the opening ceremony at 8 PM the same night. The Olympics actually
Teacher Of The Month is Morgan Parker
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rince George High School’s Teacher of the Month award goes to Morgan Parker. Parker teaches English 11. Her colleagues complimented her on how hard she works to make sure students pass their English EOC SOLs. TOM Morgan Parker (Feb) Casey Dabney (Dec) Monte Williams (Nov)
started before the opening ceremony- Men’s Figure Skating and Women and Men’s Freestyle Skiing events have already occured on Thursday, Feb. 8th. The Olympics end on Sunday, Feb. 25th. After this, an Olympic event will not occur until the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.
Activity Periods During February
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GHS students will have several activity periods during the month of February. On Monday, February 12th, there will be a green activity period. On Monday, February 19th, there will be a white activity period. Students’ club cards should indicate which color a club is. Remember, bring your student ID and agenda with your club pass so you can get into your meeting.
ASVAB Test Comes Around Again
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nce again, students will be able to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test, or ASVAB. Students will take the test on the morning of Feb. 15th in lecture room A or B. The test will last approximately five hours.
Advanced Choir Holds Spaghetti Dinner
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GHS’s Chamber Singers wiil hold their 2nd annual spaghetti dinner on Saturday, Feb. 17th at 6 PM in the PGHS commons. Proceeds benefit the advanced choir and help send them to the Festival Disney competition in Disney World, Orlando, that they attend every year
over spring break. Tickets will cost ten dollars, and attendees have the option to eat in the commons or take their food to go. If you have any questions, contact choir director Storm Burks at sburks@pgs.k12.va.us. Remember, proceeds go back towards PGHS students!
6 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 2.9.18
FEATURES
Hazaymeh’s Lens Tells Stories
What Do You ENJOY MOST?
JEA’s Scholastic Journalism Week Encourages Students To Celebrate Opportunities In Mass Communications Maddison Shawkey TRN Writer
“I enjoy hearing all the different stories,” sophomore Taylor Tennant said.
W
o r d s flood the pages on which senior Wessam Hazay m e h writes her stories. She strives to create an image for others to experience. Hazaymeh has been thoroughly involved in the Royals Media journalism groups for the past three years. Hazaymeh also takes an interest in photography, and currently takes pictures for the staff. “I was usually just the quiet kid; I kept to myself,” Hazaymeh said. “But then ever since sophomore year a new me, a me I like better, came out just for journalism.” Students like Hazaymeh have an opportunity with the Journalism Education Association (JEA) to enter several contests during the Scholastic Journalism Week, which is February 18th through the 24th. This year’s theme is ‘Student Voice, Student Choice.’ Journalists can either enter an individual essay writing competition or they have a chance to feature their staff on the JEA Facebook and Twitter. This is an incredible opportunity for young journalists like Hazaymeh. This could be the chance for these writers to really learn more about journalism. “With journalism people can really realize their talent and their worth and that their stories are really something so meaningful to help others feel comfortable with themselves,” Hazaymeh said. On their website, the JEA encourages anyone who is interested to promote the Scholastic Journalism Week in any way they can. The site even offers some ideas on celebrating the week such as the photography portrait project, video deadline updates, and putting promotional fliers up around the school the Friday before the week starts. This allows the Scholastic Journalism Week to be more inclusive. People with talents in photography and art, such as Hazaymeh, have a chance to be a part of the event if they decide not to enter the contests. “I joined the photojournalism class af-
“[I enjoy] telling the truth and just letting people know what’s going on,” senior Ayjah Johnson said.
ter the high schoolers came to Clements and they gave a presentation about why you should join one of the journalism classes,” Hazaymeh said. “And yearbook was the one that really stood out to me just because at that time I was really into photography, and I still am.” Hazaymeh has had an interest in photography since her 7th grade year and has only built on it throughout the years. However, this senior is a person of many interests and cannot decide what exact career she wishes to pursue. “I have a lot of interests and at some point I want to do something in the engineering field, but I also like being able to be a storyteller in a different way than just creative writing. Rather than have someone else’s voice tell the story, it is nice to be able to be a part of showcasing stories,” Hazaymeh said. When taking photos, Hazaymeh gets her inspiration from songs and lyrics she hears. But as for writing, she follows Noor Tagouri on social media, who is also a hijabi journalist. She feels a sense of courage and pride seeing a woman much like herself following her ambitions. “I think I look to her as an inspirational role model especially for having the cour-
Senior Wessam Hazaymeh takes photos on club picture day for the 2017-2018 yearbook. Hazaymeh has been on the yearbook staff for three years and is presently one of the editor-in-chiefs. Photo by Macie Blankenship. age to go into that kind of field knowing that you’re going to be working with a lot of people, and a lot of people are going to have opinions about you,” Hazaymeh said. The JEA is trying to encourage young journalists to have the same courage and inspiration Hazaymeh experiences from Tagouri and to write down what they see and what is going on in the world around them. The Scholastic Journalism Week is ultimately a method to encourage students to stay involved in their writings. “Yes [I plan on writing still], because right now I think the first step is getting into college and then deciding as to what career path I want to go down. I have so many interests in life and I feel like I can’t trap myself in one thing. But then it comes to the point where I realized that journalism allows me to explore those interests,” Hazaymeh said.
“I enjoy just taking pictures and writing stories for people,” junior Savannah Smith said.
“I just enjoy talking to all the people,” sophomore Thaddeus Howerton said.
“My favorite part about journalism would probably be making the yearbook while doing it with your friends. I really like taking photos and making captions,” junior Mackenzie Pearce said.
FRIDAY 2.9.18 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 7
FEATURES
Club Members Fight Hunger Beta Club Food Pantry Provides Snacks To Students In Need
Shelby Hayes TRN Writer
H
unger roars in the aching stomachs of students that come to school without a proper breakfast. The uneasiness from hunger makes it harder and harder for a student to pay attention in class. The Food Research and Action Center has studies that have shown that hunger can lead to lower math scores, attention problems, behavior, emotional, and academic problems. Those students who are often malnourished are most likely to repeat a grade. Here at the high school, students have the opportunity to use the food pantry. The food pantry is sponsored by the Beta Club and is open to any student who is ever hungry and needs something to
ease their hunger pains. Beta Club adviser and geometry teacher Casey Dabney helps put together snacks to use in the food pantry. “The food pantry is a free food closet for students who are hungry, either they forgot their lunch, or they don’t have any lunch money,” Dabney said. Dabney encourages Beta members to bring in snacks that they would want to eat if they were hungry. Theses items may include granola bars, pop tarts, bags of chips, a cup of noodles or even a can of ravioli. All of these items can help the students that need something to eat throughout the day. To be a Beta Club member you must maintain a 3.5 GPA average and have ten service points. To get service points, students either must do community service or donate ten dollars worth of snack to give to the students that are hungry. Junior Jenna Miles is also the Beta Club vice president. Even though Miles is an officer, she must perform the duties of a fellow member of the club.
“Everyone in the club has to do volunteer hours and/or donate food to the food pantry to maintain membership,” Miles said. The purpose and message of the Beta Club food pantry is very clear and meaningful to the teacher and students who make it happen each year. Dabney enjoys helping the students who need any kind of snack to help them focus in school. “No questions asked, if you’re hungry, we have free food,” Dabney said. The purpose of this tasty blessing is to provide students with nutrition and focus. It is really hard to focus when students are in class and trying to learn, if students cannot focus, all they have to do is ask to be excused to go to the pantry. “We want to keep you focused,” Dabney said. The Beta Club food pantry is an annual event that receives donations every year from Beta members. The pantry has never run out of food, but if it’s running low, it would be mentioned in a
Junior Jenna Miles brings in snack donations for the Beta Club food pantry. For every dollar spent a member can receive one service point. Photo by Kattie Iwanski. club meeting. “When it started we had huge amounts of food in the pantry, but its kinda dwindled in the continuing years,” Dabney said. Donations to the food pantry are very much appreciated by the teachers who coordinate it and the students who use it. The pantry is open to anyone who wants to donate and eat from it. “Oh! We will happily take donations from anybody,” Dabney said. Having this food pantry has affected many of the students by giving them something that will help them make it through the day. “It helps them out. Whenever they need something, they can just go and get it,” Miles said.
8 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 2.9.18
William S. Grizzard, Jr. MD (Retired) Charles W. Smith, III, MD Edward Moschler, MD Keith M. Roberts, MD Joy J. Hogg, RN, MSN Certified Nurse Midwife
FRIDAY 2.9.18 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 9
FEATURES
Affiliated
Chamber Commends Local Support BUSINESSES Hopewell, Prince George Chamber Committee Recognizes Excellence Molly Ashcraft TRN Writer
5246 Oaklawn Blvd., North Prince George, VA 23860
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ix years ago the Hopewell/Prince George Chamber of Commerce established a committee called CHART, which stands for Chamber Recognition Team. Each year the members achieve success, challenge themselves, and contribute tremendously to the community and their professions and employees. Becky McDonough is the head of the chamber awards. McDonough sets up all the award ceremonies, gets all the nominees ready, and helps get the awards made to be handed out. “We also wanted to recognize the President of the Chamber, the staff, and the ambassadors to have a way to recognize who did the heavy volunteer lifting in a given year,” McDonough said. Volunteers are an integral part of the Hopewell/Prince George Chamber business model. The team establishes the awards, they ask for nominations, and then a small committee uses a matrix to determine who has the strongest nomination. “These awards are not given out to just anyone, but people are nominated and they are earned based off of hard work,” McDonough said. The number varies because sometimes there are no nominees for certain categories. The categories include Innovative Business Practices, Economic Growth, Customer Service, Safety, Environmental Impact, Beautification, Health & Wellness, Ambassador of the Year, Chamber Champion, and President’s Award. These awards are handed out at the Annual Membership Meeting, which this year will be February 22, at Upper Shirley Vineyards from 1 AM – 1 PM. This event is for members only. Awards are given out annually for the previous year’s accomplishments so this year they are recognizing 2017 accomplishments. The awards are for the Hopewell/ Prince George Chamber. Its members are predominantly from Hopewell and Prince George but will also have members from Chesterfield, Colonial Heights, Petersburg,
Destination Theater Saucy’s Bar-B-Q 257 East Bank Street, Petersburg, VA 23803
Appomattox Regional Library System 209 E. Cawson St., Hopewell, VA 23860
Prince George Golf Course 8399 Golf Course Drive, Disputanta, VA 23842 Charles City, and Richmond. The chairpersons of the CHART are Beverly Epps and John Randolph Hospital. These awards also help the Chamber staff and Board of Directors be more informed about the great work of the region’s organizations, local governments, businesses, non-profits, and schools. The Hopewell/Prince George Chamber gets new members from all across the region. Having new people join brings more opportunities into the county and can help build chemistry and bonds with the citizens. People working hard to improve these counties should be rewarded for their help. For members, it is great seeing what the new changes are. The more people who help, the more the counties grow and build as one unite. These awards are not something one gets for helping one person or just being a member. “You have to work hard to become a nominee for the chamber awards,” McDonough said. Members pay an investment fee each year to be a part of an organization that
Becky McDonough (right), the head of the chamber awards, hands a recipient her award. The 2018 Chamber Awards will be held February 22 at Upper Shirley Vineyards. Contributed photo. works for economic growth. Economic growth is what drives the economy, funds the government and schools. If businesses are successful, then residents have jobs, localities have revenue, and citizens have a sustainable community. Being a member of the club gives them opportunities to help out in the county and environment. Members speak on matters affecting them, research business issues, encourage investment, work to broaden the tax base, support crime prevention programs, and recognize the importance of education. It also helps build business in Prince George County, and for newcomers, they are a source for understanding the community. “It is never too late to become a member and be great [and] receive an award for all your hard work,” McDonough said.
Hopewell Animal Hospital 3806 Oaklawn Blvd., Hopewell, VA 23860
Randolph Market, Inc. 300 N 6th Avenue, Hopewell, VA 23860
Information collected from www.hpgchamber.org/list
12 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 2.9.18
A&E SADD Club Keeps Inspiratinal Black History Program Running
Harmony Thomas TRN Writer
B
right lights shine on students in the auditorium as they celebrate and speak about the historic achievements of African Americans to the community. The month of February is Black History Month and to celebrate this historic time the SADD club is holding a program to acknowledge African Americans’ culture. Initially the event looked like it was not going to happen due to the amount of time needed to prepare for the program. But now the program is renewed for another year of inspiration and will be held on Friday, Feb. 23 during 7th block. Teacher Takisha Ogunyemi is the five year adviser of the SADD club and the Cultural Awareness club. “I began sponsoring Cultural Awareness in 2011-2012, and in 2012-2013 the adviser of SADD at that time asked me if I wanted to cosponsor the the black history
month program with SADD. Of course I said yes, and we had so much fun,” Ogunyemi said. Ogunyemi is not the only one volunteering her time with the SADD club. Sgt. Ricky Johnson has been helping Ogunyemi along the way. “In 2014-2015, I was very fortunate that Sgt. Johnson was and has been willing to co-advise SADD along with me. He has been a blessing to me because it takes a lot of hard work and time to not only maintain the clubs but to grow them as well. This year, SADD surpassed all previous fundraising goals. This year SADD will be offering two scholarships. One for SADD members only and the other is our new MLK I Have A Dream Scholarship, which is open to all PGHS students,” Ogunyemi said. Ogunyemi has begun preparing for the Black History Program by having students audition to be in the program “Students tend to sign up but then don’t show up, and it causes a lot of stress on me and the officers of SADD. However what makes it enjoyable is that someway, somehow it all comes together at the end,” Ogunyemi said. “The participants step
up, do what is needed and provide PGHS students, staff, faculty and guests a great celebration of African American culture and history. It reminds and educates us all of how African Americans contributed to America throughout the years, their struggle for freedom, equality, and equity, and how strong, beautiful, and talented of a people they are.” Ogunyemi says that her favorite part of the program are the performances. “The Black History Month Program is very stressful to put on each year,” Ogunyemi said. “It requires time, resources, and patience.” Students are volunteering their time and working hard to put this program all together for their peers. Senior Nikayla Keaton who is the president of the SADD club, auditioned to participate in the program for her second year. “This is going the be the second year actually participating in it. Last year I was the host and this year I’m going to be doing more,” Keaton said. Anyone who wanted to spread information about black history auditioned for the program.
Senior Nikayla Keaton (right) & graduate Delijah Cole keep the black history program going in 2017. Keaton , as the president of SADD this year, will be doing more with the program. Photo by Wessam Hazaymeh. “The fact that it’s not only just black people that are participating in it... that white people are as well, so they can feel like they can participate in it and not be discriminated,” Keaton said. Keaton explains how she prepared for her audition for the program. “I had to read a lot of lines and it was really nerve-racking, but I just kept going over it with my friends and with my mom,” Keaton said. Students should see this program to gain knowledge about African Americans and their culture and what they have contributed to the country. “I auditioned for it because we want people to understand our culture, and for people to understand it... we have to get up and do it, and dive into how to understand it,” Keaton said.
A&E Strings Alive Performs Winter Concert
FRIDAY 2.9.18 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 13
GREAT
VIOLINISTS Joshua Bell He has been playing for more than 30 years as a soloist. Bell has recorded more than 40 CDs garnering Grammy, Mercury, Gramophone and Echo Klassik awards.
Nicola Benedetti She has worked with the highest level of orchestras including collaborations with the London Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, and many others.
Sarah Chang
Students Commit Hours Of Practice To Learn Violin Outside Of Classroom Harmony Thomas TRN Writer
O
n Wednesday, Jan. 31st, the ensemble known as Strings Alive performed in the gymnasium at J.E.J. Moore Middle School. Students from elementary, middle, junior high, and the high school played strings instruments in front of a large audience of friends, family, and faculty. For members of the strings ensemble the performance was a culmination of long hours of practice outside of the normal school hours. “The purpose of the concert was to kind of help us express our musical abilities to our families and friends,“
junior violinist Julia Dickey said. The concert started with the beginning group which consisted mainly of 4th and 5th grade students who were just beginning to learn how to play the violin this year. South Elementary choir teacher Laura Serfass instructed the students in all lessons after school. Serfass plays the cello and accompanied the students throughout the night on piano. The largest group to perform consisted of the beginners, but for the chamber ensemble members the group has been a big part of their time in school. “When I was younger, I saw a movie where the main character played the violin. I saw the passion in her face and I immediately wanted to make music like that,” freshman violinist Abbie Glazier said. “A girl from my church told me about it. I started two years early, but the instructor said I was mature enough to continue.” A big reason why so many of the older students have stuck with it is due to the connections they have made. “[The best part of Strings Alive] is the bond it creates. I’ve become friends with people I never would have had it not
Junior Janai Austin plays the violin as instructor Laura Serfass plays the cello behind her. Strings Alive performs three concerts throughout the year. Photo by Royals Media.
been for Strings Alive,” Glazier said. In addition to the beginning group, and the two other more experienced ensembles, two soloists performed, junior Anna Mitchell and seventh grader Caden Hester. “I did have a solo... and I was very nervous because I do have performance anxiety but I got up there and I played it,” Mitchell said. “It’s always amazing playing as a team. We’ve gotten really close the past several years - we are just one big family.” At the conclusion of the concert, Mr. Willie Elliott, former choir teacher and currently director of gifted and Title I, recognized the founder of Strings Alive, Larry Lyles. Lyles started the program with grant money around ten years ago. The group will perform at least once more before the end of the year.
Recognized as a child prodigy, she first played as a soloist with the New York Philharmonic and the Philadelphia Orchestra in 1989. She enrolled at Juilliard School to study music, graduated in 1999.
George Enescu Enescu was born in Romania, in the village of Liveni (later renamed “George Enescu” in his honor). He showed musical talent from early in his childhood.
Julia Fischer Born in Munich, Germany, Fischer began her studies before her fourth birthday, when she received her first violin lesson from Helge Thelen.
14 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 2.9.18
A&E Gamer's Corner, App Review Fortnite Gets New Updates
T
he player versus player survival game Fortnite has fascinated gamers for the past year with its wide variety of weapons and battle tactics. Now, with their new updates in software, players have a whole new spectrum of opportunities within the game. New map locations have given players more advantages when playing in the new limited-time modes that only last a few days each. The game’s previous limitedtime mode was revolving around the snipers, giving them a one week advantage replacing every weapon with sniper rifles and revolvers. But
Sarah Schrum
that wasn’t the only thing that was changed. New urban areas appeared just before the limited-time mode did with a new drop zone called Tilted Towers. The Towers are now one of the biggest locations in the game giving players a new concept of battling. This wasn’t the only new location to get a name, the western part of the map now has four new named cities. The new cities are called Junk Hill, Haunted Hills, Snobby Shores and, Shift Shafts. The placement of the cities means that there are less ares for players to go and take a break from the major action in the developed towns and cities. But with new urbanizations comes new battle tactics. The Tilted Towers have caused players to stumble upon a new way to fight by walking around on the roofs of the Towers and surrounding buildings.
Promotional photo from evilavatar.com There was also a new item game. added recently called the “Chug It is uncertain what the creators Jug”. This glowing blue barrel of Fortnite have in store for gamers of liquid’s function is something next but whatever that may be, similar to a medkit. It fully restores it is guaranteed to keep players a character’s health and gives them entertained for a long time to come. full shields which makes it one of the most powerful and useful items in the
Sweatcoin Makes Walking Pay Off
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urn your sweat into an iPhone X using the new app called Sweatcoin. Sweatcoin is an app that allows you to turn your outdoor steps into a Sweatcoin. Sweatcoin converts your steps into new digital currency called “Sweatcoins”. A Sweatcoin is a digital form of currency that can only be spent on offers the app suggests. For each 1,000 steps you make, you will earn .95 of a Sweatcoin. The app is very simple to use. All you do is sign in, and walk. The app will keep track of all the steps you take and automatically convert your steps to Sweatcoins. One thing to keep in mind while you are using this app is that you cannot force quit the app (you force quit by sliding up while you are in multitasking mode). Force quitting the app will make you lose steps and the app cannot track your steps when the app is not running in the background. You can earn coins by walking, jogging, running,
Aaliyah Capers
and cycling. The app only counts outdoor steps so all physical activities have to be outside. With these Sweatcoins you can trade them in to get tons of prizes and trips. Their biggest prizes include iPhone X, $1,000 Paypal Cash, curved Samsung TV, and $1,000 Delta Airways. Some of the smaller prizes include discounts on items such as the Degusta Box (a snack sampling box), and Vivo Superfoods and protein kit. To get into the spirit of Valentine’s Day, Sweatcoin has special offers that are based on the season. This month’s prizes include a Valentine’s Day luxury kit. With the coins that you get, you do not have to spend it on specific items, you also have the option to donate your Sweatcoins to charity or send them to your friends who also have the app. The goal of this app is to make fitness more enjoyable for people of all ages but the apps targeted audience is for people between the ages of 15-22. Sweatcoin is available for both Apple and Android products and is very easy to use. The rating for Sweatcoin is 4 stars out of 5. Users of this app say it is easy to use and that it encourages users to exercise.
PH TOGALLERY
FRIDAY 2.9.18 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 15
Wrestlers Defeat Thomas Dale On Senior Night 45-42 TOP RIGHT: Junior Bryce Payne yells and cheers on his teammates during the last home dual match against Dinwiddie and Thomas Dale. Photo by Wessam Hazaymeh.
BELOW: Senior Jacob Kennedy is introduced on senior night. His parents escorted him in honor of senior night. Photo by Wessam Hazaymeh .
ABOVE: Junior Aron Gootee tries to take down his opponent from Thomas Dale by sweeping his leg. Photo by Madison Cleveland. RIGHT: Freshman Jonathan Payne begins the period with an attempt to score a point from the starting position. This was the team’s last home match of the season before regionals begin. Photo by Wessam Hazaymeh.
For more photos of the wrestling team go to www. trnwired.smugmug.com
16 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 2.9.18
Starting Positions available in:
General Laborer With Advancement in:
Heavy Equipment Operation Pipefitting Welding
WINTER SPORTS
FRIDAY 2.9.18 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 17
Stevens Hits 1,000 Point Mark
Anna Mitchell Opinions Editor
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arly in the second half against Hopewell on Monday, Feb. 5th, senior Taylor Stevens found herself at the foul line. After making the first shot the crowd burst into a frenzy of excitement. Stevens had just reached one of the biggest milestones of her high school sports career: earning a total of a thousand points over the course of her four years playing varsity basketball for her Lady Royals. Reaching that many points is not an easy feat. To reach that many points, a player can never slack off and must give their all in each and every game played. They spend a lot of time out on the court, and work hard at improving their skills. Stevens did just that, and more. She also balanced a heavy course load and several clubs, including Forensics
and DECA. “It feels great,” Stevens said. She earned twelve points in Monday’s game against Hopewell, exactly how many points she needed to reach the big milestone. “My parents were the main ones worrying about it, so [I had to] get them off my back,” Stevens said. She remained humble, but the pride on her face was visible, and that pride was very rightfully deserved. Stevens has been working towards this goal for years. She began playing basketball in the third grade, and worked up her skills until she reached the varsity level. Stevens has been on the varsity team for all four years of high school, and is a leader and role model for the other girls on the team. She puts her heart into the sport, and it shows as she racks up the points every game. However, as talented as she may be, Stevens admits that it has not always been easy for her. She suffered two significant injuries over the course of her varsity basketball career, “It’s been really hard. I had two in-
juries, so I’ve missed half the season with one injury and the ending part of another with my other injury,” Stevens said. “It’s been a real tough thing to get, because you play so many good teams, [and] so many games back-to-back. It really wears [down] on your body.” Stevens, of course, has recovered from her injuries and is now back on the court. Stevens could not have reached the illustrious thousand point club without the help of her mentor, girls varsity basketball coach Shavohn Curley. Curley has watched Stevens grow and improve her skills greatly over the past two years they have worked together. “[Thousand points are] pretty hard to reach. You gotta put up some points to get a thousand in four years of high school,” Curley said. She knows firsthand how hard it is to earn that many points, as she reached the same milestone during her own varsity basketball career. “I’m excited [for her] I told her, ‘Welcome to the club!’,” Curley said. Though the basketball season is
Senior Taylor Stevens drives down the court in a road game against Hopewell. Stevens reached a thousand points on Monday. Photo by Anna Mitchell. quickly coming to a close, and, with it, her high school basketball career. Stevens knows she will continue to take her love for basketball with her after she graduates and moves on to accomplish more of her many goals in life. “[Basketball] leads me to other opportunities. It’s not just like just playing a game, it’s giving me so many more opportunities that I wouldn’t have got without basketball,” Stevens said. The biggest opportunity the sport has brought Stevens in high school is the chance to play again in college. In the fall, she will be attending Queens University of Charlotte in North Carolina. Stevens received a full ride to the college, and will study to become a doctor while she continues to play her favorite sport.
18 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 2.9.18
Winter Sports
Vaulting Into New Horizons
Senior
Spotlight
Christian Chappell
Boys Basketball What got you interested in playing ball? Well, my uncle put a basketball in my hand ever since I was three, and I’ve loved it ever since. So I’d say my uncle.
Wayne Coleman Managing Editor
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he athlete takes a moment at the end of the runway. Seconds pass, and after collecting himself, he takes off. As he gets closer, he steadies his pole, building energy to launch himself. Ten meters. Eight. At five meters, he sets his pole. As he slowly gains elevation, he becomes a contortionist, bending his body to get over the bar. This is pole vaulting, and it is one of the track and field events athletes can compete in with VHSL indoor and outdoor track. There is not an ample amount of vaulters that have competed, but there are those, like sophomore Sara Radford, that are hoping to get in on the action after getting more familiar with the motions. “I haven’t vaulted yet [in competition], but just learning the basics has been interesting,” Radford said. Radford has competed in multiple relay events in the previous season, and says that while she has the runner experience, the transition does present its challenges. “I’ve only done two practices of it, but I can already tell it’s a lot different,” Radford said. “It requires a lot more upper body strength, and running does take technique, but the technique is different
for pole vaulting because of the way you have to use your arms, and you have to hold the pole.” With the start of outdoor coming up, Radford is excited to get her chance and gain important experience for future competition. “I definitely say I’m both [excited and nervous], I’m definitely going to get into it more come outdoor season,” Radford said. “I’m excited to start because I want to learn, but I’m also extremely nervous because you get three tries at the certain height, and then you either move on or you don’t, and that’s just kind of nerve racking to me.” Track head coach William Stevens says it takes a high awareness to become a pole vaulter. “It takes a lot of focus,” Stevens said. While there is some inexperience present, Stevens still has some athletes who have competed in competition. Junior David Mulkey has competed with promising results. “His highest vault is 10-6, he hopes to go for 11-5,” Stevens said. Stevens is happy to have the youth on his roster, and says that there is an advantage to having his team on the younger side. “Advantages [to having more new athletes] are that they are like a clean slate,” Stevens said. “I can teach them the right way to do things as opposed to the wrong things they often come with.” With three vaulters, Stevens hopes that the limited number of participants
Junior David Mulkey vaults in a meet at Christopher Newport University. He will be joined by two new athletes with the upcoming outdoor season. Photo by Wessam Hazaymeh. will increase in the near future. “I hope more kids do take the opportunity,” Stevens said. “We have a great coach [US Army Major William Mulkey] that has great relationship with Aim HIgh, an indoor vaulting facility. He takes vaulters there and these guys have coached Olympic as well as some of the best in high school.” With access to training facilities of this nature, Stevens hopes the opportunities get students motivated to give the sport a try. “It’s an amazing event,” Stevens said. “Not everyone can be the fastest sprinter or run amongst the best distance game runners out there. Pole vaulting allows a kid who is maybe an average runner with average strength come in, work hard, and do things they never thought possible.” Radford also hopes for more people to come out to share her love for the sport and for the school’s name to be more well-known.” “I really love the sport, and we definitely need more people,” Radford said. “I want Prince George’s name to be bigger for track. I feel like a lot of people graduated, and not a lot of people from the lower grades come up like they normally do, and I feel it would be amazing to get more people out and get us known.”
What has been your favorite part of the season so far? Probably the bus rides home after we win. Those would probably be the most memorable.
What are some things you’re doing as a senior leader so the younger players will be prepared? Being vocal. If a young or new guy asks coach about plays that they don’t understand, I try to help them out and let them get the hang of it, so if we run it in game it will be successful.
What are your goals after high school? Hopefully to play college basketball and end up playing either overseas or pro. If that doesn’t work out I’d still want to be involved in sports, so I’d try to be a physical therapist or sports analyst.
Goals for the team for the rest of the season? To win and get as far as possible.
FRIDAY 2.9.18 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 19
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UPCOMING EVENTS
School on Sat., Feb. 10th at 9:00 AM.
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Changing Places On The Pitch Soccer Sees Familiar Faces In New Places
Carter Marks TRN Writer
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ith soccer season r i g h t around t h e corner, n e w faces will be emerging. Not players, but coaches. Longtime boys soccer varsity head coach, Tommy Harrison, will be transitioning to the girls program. People are probably wondering why would a successful coach with nineteen years under his belt decide to switch to coaching girls. Harrison stated It was not the easiest decision, but his motive was close to his heart. “It was really based on a family decision, I have two daughters of my own,” Harrison said. “They are in school and there is always that potential that they may come through the girls program.” Harrison has coached several of his returning boys soccer players for two to three years, making the decision difficult. After Harrison got the job, he sat down with his players and told them the news. The players accepted the fact that they were going to have a new head coach, but not without a few tears shed. “All of us guys were sad to hear that he was leaving,” senior Dylan Sykes said. But now Harrison has to focus on getting his girls’ game ready by the start of the season. A new coach brings new changes. The girls have been working hard at conditioning to adjust to his style of play. As Harrison will be their third coach in three years, the girls are hoping he is staying for good. “It is going to take some time to adjust to the new changes with a new coach and a new team this year,” senior Mariah Luna said. “We all need to understand that we need to be on the same page because in the end, we all want to achieve the same goal, which is the goal of being successful.” Harrison emphasizes fitness to his
players, wanting them to go out and run whenever they get the chance. This is something he brought with him in the transition to the girls team. “Coach Harrison seems strict about fitness,” senior Courtney Smith said. “He wants everyone in shape before the season starts.” Harrison is inheriting a very talented and successful squad that have found great success on the pitch in recent years. Many of the prior players have moved on to the college level. With a record of 15-4 last year, the Lady Royals look to get past the first round of regionals where they fell short last year against Deep Run. With six first team all-conference players returning, the season looks promising. “They are one of the most successful programs that are at Prince George High School,” Harrison said. “The challenge for me is to continue that success from a regular season and a conference stand point.” Upon Harrison’s departure, former head junior varsity coach David Moody Jr. saw this as an opening for him to become varsity coach. Moody spent his high school soccer years playing for Harrison, so it means a lot for him to take over from one of his former coaches. “I’ll model myself after him,” Moody said. As Moody coached most of the varsity boys when they were on junior varsity, he knows what they can and cannot do. Moody has an advantage, already knowing the team and its players. Being in his mid-twenties, he can relate to the players’ struggles on the field because he faced them too not too long ago when he played soccer for Harrison. With only one returning allconference player in Dylan Sykes, the team will have to regroup to find their niche. Moody looks to improve from a good season last year, where they fell short in the first round of regionals against Mills Godwin. As both teams finished the 2017 season in the same spot, it will be interesting to see what the new coaches will bring to the table.
Former boys varsity soccer head coach Tommy Harrison intensly watches from the sidelines during a game against Varina during the 2016-2017 season. Harrison is the new head coach for girls varsity soccer. Photo by Wessam Hazaymeh. For more sports photos scan this QR code.