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PRINCE GEORGE HIGH SCHOOL - 7801 LAUREL SPRING ROAD - PRINCE GEORGE, VA 23875 VOLUME XIX - ISSUE 1 - OCTOBER 29, 2020 - WWW.TRNWIRED.ORG - @ROYALSMEDIANOW
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NEWS
THE MOVEMENT STILL MATTERS p. p.10 10 What’s Inside? p. 7 Students Battle With Life p. 15 Indoor Track Gets Movin’ Online In Google Meet p. 12 & 13 In Memoriam
p. 18 Girls Basketball Returns To Practice Using Safety Guidelines
Cameron Johnson with a George Floyd inspired, Black Lives Matter face mask, remains stoic as she continues to be concerned about the state of civil rights. Photo by Kaylaa’ White.
Which political party do you align your political views? - Republican 52% - Democrat 39% - Independent 9% *Twitter Poll of 31 Votes
2 | THE ROYAL NEWS | FRIDAY 10.27.20
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TO OUR SPONSORS OF THE ROYAL NEWS
The 2019-2020 patron drive has been a success due to these wonderful patrons. If you would like to make a donation come by A2 , email us at trnwired1@gmail.com, or see any one of our staff members. Your support helps us continue to do great storytelling.
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Green Patrons Sherri B Jones William McClellan Jr. Vicki Hale Beth Andersen The Nichols Paola Jones
Gold Patrons Tammy Cerny Ford Pugh Mary Webber Amanda Harner Emily Cerny PGHS Choir William Barnes Russell Malizia
6550 Redwood Ln, Prince George, VA 23875
(804) 733-9179
Hours: 8 AM - 5 PM (Mon - Fri)
What’s the REAL Cost of Your First Car? Seventeen-year-old Lanna bought a car for $7,500. Lanna was thrilled and felt that she got a great deal on the monthly payment. But six months later, her “really cool car” sits in the driveway most of the time because she can’t afford to drive it. Figure out the REAL cost of car ownership, starting with this list. Gas. Lanna needs about $35 every week for the gasoline to drive her car to work and school. You can’t control gasoline prices, but compact cars are more fuelefficient than trucks and vans. Oil. Changing your oil every six months takes only about 30-45 minutes and costs about $20-$30 (less if you do it yourself), but the consequences of neglecting it can be serious.
Did you know? If you live in Prince George County you could open an account!* Maintenance. It cost Lanna $225 to replace her muffler. If you’re buying a used car with higher mileage, think about frequently used and exposed parts: exhaust system, windshield wipers, brakes, tires, lights, and so on. Repairs can be costly, so be prepared by saving for them. Insurance. Most states and most lenders require auto insurance and Lanna’s cost $120 a month. Many insurers charge teenagers double or triple premiums because new drivers are a higher risk. Ask about discounts for such things as earning good grades in school. This article and its contents are for illustrative purposes only.
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804.452.0736
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Visit a branch 4495 Crossings Boulevard, Prince George 3510 A Avenue, Fort Lee Insured by NCUA. *Membership eligibility required. Certain qualifications and restrictions apply. A non-refundable membership fee of $1, plus $25 savings deposit is required for membership. The $25 Primary Share deposit will remain in your account throughout your membership, but is refundable upon account closing. Membership is open to those who live, work, worship or go to school in Amelia, Charles City, Chesterfield, Colonial Heights, Dinwiddie, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, Hopewell, King and Queen, King William, New Kent, Nottoway, Petersburg, Powhatan, Prince George, Richmond, and Sussex.
THURSDAY 10.29.20 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 3
OP/ED
Cancer Awareness Campaigns Become Sexist
theRoyalNews the
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.
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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, 2019 NSPA Online Pacemaker Winner 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019 NSPA Online Pacemaker 2020 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 OurNewspaper.net
Section Editors Kaylaa’ White Cover Doubletruck: Emily Hannuksela OP/ED Features Maclay Cerny A&E Sports:
Writers Makayla Hamlin, Melliah Mason, Michael Mullenix, Rebekah Lee
Editorial Cartoonist Annabelle Starr
Editor-in-Chief Kaylaa’ White
Senior Editor Katie Zevgolis
Editor Emily Hannuksela
Editor Maclay Cerney
Adviser Chris Waugaman
Illustration by Annabelle Star.
Mandated Not Recommended Mask
G
oing into the 20202021 school year, the mask policy at Prince George High School is “highly suggested and strongly recommended,” meaning that students have the option of wearing a mask without receiving any disciplinary action if they choose not to. According to our superintendent, The American Academy of Pediatrics’ (APP) recommendation is “masks be required when the physical distance is at a minimum of three feet,” but the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) recommendation is “wear masks in public settings and practice social distancing (staying at least 6 feet away from other people).” While the AAP’s recommendation could be applied in the classroom and during lunch, it is flawed during class changes. The CDC states, “masks are a critical preventive measure and are
most essential in times when social distancing is difficult.” Even though we have new hallway patterns, students are given extra time to get to class, and teachers are supposed to stagger students as they leave the classroom, during this time the halls are always crowded and not socially distanced. This has been a major concern for students and staff, because this crowding heightens the risk for COVID-19 transmission, especially if wearing a mask is an option. Our community knew the risks of sending our children back to school, and are thankful for the endless hours our officials have put into to try and ensure the safest route of instruction for our in-person students, but with COVID-19 cases increasing in our country and within our school buildings, having a mandated mask policy is a preventative measure that can provide more benefit to our student body than harm.
ctober is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It’s a great
time to donate to breast cancerrelated charities, show support, and raise awareness. EMMA However, WOODWARD-BURDETT there is one breast cancer awareness slogan that I absolutely can NOT stand. There are many different versions of this tagline, but they all boil down to the same thing. “Save the Boobies!” Many people might think that “Help save second base” and “Save the Tatas” are just harmless ways to support breast cancer survivors. Unfortunately, those people are missing the whole point of breast cancer awareness. The first problem with these slogans is that they are incredibly dehumanizing to people fighting breast cancer. When someone says “Save the boobs!”, they’re not talking about saving the woman. They are really talking about saving the woman’s sex appeal. The main issue with these sexist breast cancer campaigns is they are placing the value on women having a “sexy” body, and not on their survival. It is completely ridiculous to focus on superficial elements of beauty rather than breast cancer patient’s ability to live a happy and healthy life, cancer-free. Furthermore, These slogans don’t even make sense in regards to physically fighting breast cancer. Many women get mastectomies in order to beat cancer. These survivors have gotten rid of their breasts in order to live. How are they supposed to feel when they no longer have the one part of the body that “Save the Boobs” campaigns prioritize. These slogans tell survivors that they no longer have value, that they have technically lost the battle they worked so hard to fight. That message is incredibly harmful to send to breast cancer survivors and the people who have lost their lives to cancer. We should all focus on making these women feel supported and loved, regardless of what they have on their chests. So next time you think about donning your “Save the Boobies” t-shirt, please reconsider. Wear a pink ribbon instead.
4 | THE ROYAL NEWS | THURSDAY 10.29. 20
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THURSDAY 10.29.20 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 5
THE WEEK AHEAD
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Halloween Festivities
n Saturday, October 31, 2020 kids all of all ages will be facing a dilemma like no other... will there be Trick-or-Treating in the COVID-19 world. Luckily Prince George County Schools will be hosting an event on Thursday, October 29th at the high school called Storybook Character Day.
Children can pick up treats at Prince George High School on October 29th from 6:00 PM until the candy runs out. Elementary students are encouraged to dress up as their favorite storybook character at school on October 29th. This is a special drive-thru parade with treats and goodies.
End of the 9 Weeks/Report Cards
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he end of the 1st quarter is November 10th. This will end the marking period and teachers will enter final grades. Teachers do have a
1/2 day workday on November 3rd. Report cards will be issued on November 17th. The second 9 weeks will start on November 13th and end on January 29th.
Election Day 2020 - Tuesday, 11/3
T
uesday is Election Day 2020. With the number of voters reaching an all-time high for early voting, this election is shaping up to be one for the record books. Prince George County will use Walton Elementary School, Harrison Elementary School, Beazley Elementary
School and NB Clements Junior High as polling places. Be sure to come up with a plan. Early voting ends this weekend. After that you will have to show up at the poll in person. Photos by Carter Marks & Nikolas Liepins.
Veteran’s Day - November 11th
V
eteran’s Day is celebrate on November 11th and is a public holiday held on the anniversary of the end of World War I to honor
US veterans and victims of all wars. It replaced Armistice Day in 1954. Activities take place at several local parks. Be sure to check your local events calendars.
6 | THE ROYAL NEWS | THURSDAY 10.29.20
PH TO GALLERY
DRIVE-IN NIGHT SHINES WITH ‘HOCUS POCUS’ DECA Organization Sponsors First Event Of Year
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3. For more photos of the event go to https://trnwired.smugmug.com/ Events/DECA-Drive-In/ Photos taken by Aykia Starke.
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1. Junior Seven Jones stands ready to help his fellow officers with any drive-in preparation needed. The DECA officers stayed after school to set the event up. Photo by Aykia Starke. 2. Senior Shelby Hanson gets excited when she notices her carhop has arrived with her snacks. The DECA officers and volunteers served as car hops during the movie to ensure all safety precautions were met. Photo by Aykia Starke. 3. Senior John Allison helps one of the JROTC members guide traffic into parking spots. Earlier that day, Allison helped the DECA officers position all members to their assigned rows. Photo by Aykia Starke. 4. Senior Kacy Figueroa ties a knot into the colorful balloons that were placed by the entrance of
the range. Throughout the afternoon, the DECA officers rushed to get everything set up before guests arrived. Photo by Aykia Starke. 5. Senior Nadia Artus rushes to get a snack order ready to be sent to a car. Artus decided to help the officers by volunteering and helping the process run smoothly. Photo by Aykia Starke. 6. Senior Alessia Ingargiola directs traffic dressed up as a ‘70s girl for Halloween. DECA members wore costumes at the event. 7. DECA sponsor and event coordinator Kim Beales assesses the inventory for concessions. Beales worked with her team to conduct the first student event of the 2020-2021 school year. Photos by Aykia Starke.
THURSDAY 10.29.20 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 7
FEATURES
Students Battle With Life Online In Google Meet
Michael Mullenix
TRN Writer
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he light from the laptop shines bright in students’ faces as those in Advanced Placement (AP) classes prepare ready for their Google Meets every Friday. Due to Covid-19, virtual learning has become a new method of education for those who fear the virus and its potential spread. Those who have AP classes second semester are expected to join the weekly Meet to become more prepared for their AP exams in May. Although some students have been working hard, virtual learning does come with several downfalls, one of which is leaving class early or not coming at all. “I’ve been very active going after those students by just letting their parents know that I can’t control them. The parent has to tell their kid to go to class,” said Kevin Moore, AP Chemistry and AP Computer Science teacher. Although all students have different reasons why they exit the Google Meets early, Moore thinks he understands why some do it. “I think some people thought they could just go in and out of class, do a quiz
and then ‘I don’t need to be here,’ so they leave,” Moore said. In addition to students leaving online class early, Moore and other AP teachers have had many problems with plagiarism and cheating. “We’ve had a lot of cheating and we’ve been very aggressive with zeroes on the assignments they cheated on,” Moore said. Overall, school is arguably very difficult, but virtual learning is especially hard for students and teachers in the AP classes. “The hard part of virtual learning is grading for me,” Moore said. “The hard part for [students] is staying engaged.” Students all around the high school are facing challenges with virtual learning. Junior Joshua Dendler is one of these students trying his best with AP classes on Fridays. “Being focused is the hardest because there’s a lot of things you have to do, especially on Fridays and also being in person because there’s a lot to do there and it’s a little more difficult,” Dendler said. Due to this, Dendler would rather choose to be in-person rather than completely online. “I would prefer the in-person classes just so I could focus a little bit better and pay attention more to the teacher,” Dendler said.
Students meet virtually in the AP History class before their 2020 exam. AP classes are using Google Meet and Zoom this year on Fridays if their class does not meet until next semester. Contributed photo by Cindy Hasley.
Junior Maya Carmack also shared her struggles with online learning. “I have to try harder to pay attention,” Carmack said. Although Carmack faces some challenges with virtual learning, she would prefer it over in-person. “I would rather do online one hundred percent,” Carmack said. Overall, Dendler is grateful for being able to prepare early for his upcoming AP exams. “We’re going to be able to know something when we go into the second semester and get more prepared for the AP exam a little bit more so we’re not cramming it all into a few month’s worth,” Dendler said. As with the testimony of both the students and teachers of PGHS, AP virtual learning is really a mixed bag. While the perks of more freedom during school are quite nice, the downsides should be accounted for. The difficulty keeping students engaged and paying attention is affecting our schools more than ever.
VIRTUAL FRIDAYS BRING NEW SPIN TO LEARNING Maclay Cerny
A
A&E/Sports Editor
s the house around her buzzes with activity, sophomore Brynn Peterson logs into her computer, preparing to do her assignments for the day. Due to Covid-19, changes were made to the regular school schedule. The five day school week was shortened to four. Fridays were made virtual and the expectations of students changed. “On virtual Fridays, what most teachers are doing is giving asynchronous assignments,” Principal Michael Nelson said. “It is an extension of what was done Monday through Thursday. It is assigned through Google Classroom or through another platform called Canvas. It is also a time when teachers have what we call office hours, so they can provide extra assistance for struggling students, students who have questions, or reach out to parents.” Students have developed a view on assignments and the new requirements. “Normally, each of my teachers give me a worksheet to complete and turn in by 3 PM on Friday,” Peterson said. “I don’t have any virtual classes that I need to attend, but all of my teachers are available in case I need to ask questions or clarify anything.” A new schedule for students also means a new schedule and workload for teachers. “Just like students, teachers are also adapting to the modified four by four schedule,” Nelson said. “It is a lot more planning, a lot more to do than they are used to in a shorter amount of time.” At first, there were definitely some kinks that needed to be worked out. “One teacher sends the work in a PDF and we have to either print out the worksheet or we have to write it on a separate piece of paper,” junior Bennett Marsee said. “The first virtual Friday was a little confusing because of the issue.” There have also been challenges arising from the teachers side. “Some [students] are doing great, others are struggling with learning and completing math problems on their own at home, whether it’s the content or internet issues,” calculus teacher Katherine Simulcik said. Although virtual Fridays may have caused some issues, there are benefits too. “Since I don’t have any virtual classes I need to attend on Friday, it’s a lot easier for me to stay motivated and be able to get my work done, because I don’t feel like my time is being taken away from me,” Peterson said. For teachers, Fridays are a time to catch up, just as they are for students. “It gives the teachers a chance to catch up on what needs to be done/completed from the week,” Simulcik said. “It also gives a chance for the room to be cleaned for the following week. With teachers having to teach hybrid, in person and virtual, it is double the workload and double the stress, compared to ‘normal years’. The virtual Friday lets us be able to communicate with students and parents, since we typically don’t have time during the week.”
8 | THE ROYAL NEWS | THURSDAY 10.29.20
FEATURES
SGA Returns With Online Reboot, GSA Overcomes Challenges Through Pandemic Emily Hannuksela
OP/ED & Features Editor
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ith the sound of clicking keyboard keys flooding the air, students fill out the online application for the high school’s Student Government Association. Applications for the school year are completely online, and the deadline was October 22nd. Marcia Edmundson, the SGA sponsor, is working hard to continue the club and collect applications even during the pandemic. “Everybody who applies will be accepted,” Edmundson said. “As long as they meet the GPA requirements and they have no disciplinary or honor code violations, they will become a member of SGA.” In addition to the new ways of collecting members, the way officers are elected will be different as well. “The students will select their officers as far as president, vice president, and secretary, and also nominate somebody to serve on the SGA Executive Board,” Edmundson said. Junior Karlie Evans is one of the students hoping to hold an officer position, as she has previous experience. “Last year I was vice president and I felt I had a large part in what the club did,” Evans said. “This year, I feel I can be good as either vice president or president because I’m good with my communication skills and working side-by-side with people.” Although many events are cancelled or postponed, Edmundson still plans to host a special activity that most students missed having at the beginning of the year. “Theoretically if we get to have football in the spring, homecoming would be in the beginning of March, but that’s still up in the air,” Edmundson said. “I would still like to have some sort of spirit week, even if it’s not attached to homecoming, but for students to have a chance to dress up.” Along with the club’s exciting activities, it also provides essential life skills that can benefit every member. “There are a lot of leadership opportunities,” Edmundson said. “There are also chances to work together towards a common goal, problem solving opportunities, and communication skill building.” In addition to benefiting its members, SGA works to help the whole school.
“We work together to provide for our school, everyone in our class, and our community,” Evans said. This year will be very distinct from previous years, but Evans is still staying positive by focusing on the idea of teamwork even with social distancing. “Given that it’s going to be very different because of the coronavirus, I’m looking forward to seeing how we all work together to achieve different things in different ways.
GSA Overcomes Challenges Through Pandemic
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ith colored papers full of information about GSA in hand, Catherine Beasley begins to hang up new announcements about the club she sponsors on the bulletin board outside the F wing commons doors. Beasley is the head of GSA, the Gay Straight Alliance at PGHS, which gives students an opportunity to offer support to fellow students, learn about LGBTQ+ issues in the community, and work for growth and change. This year, they are accepting applications differently. “I’m taking online applications, so students can email me for the GSA applica-
Pictured above: The Student Government Association juniors pose in Janunary 2020 for their last group photo before the pandemic. Pictured below: The Gay Straight Alliance stands together for the club photo day in 2020. Photo by Madison Bailey.
tion,” Beasley said. “Students can send it back to me by either dropping it off in person or email it back to me as a picture or a scan.” After submitting the application and becoming a member, students can expect to meet in a different way than the previous years, but Beasley is still staying positive. “We’ll be doing Google Meets or Zoom meetings instead of in person meetings,” Beasley said. “I’m not sure how that will change our activities through the year, but we’ll adapt.” GSA has been a very active club in the past, with many events that bring awareness to LGBTQ+ issues. “In the past few years, GSA has done the GLSEN campaign, the no-name calling week, and what used to be called ally week,” Beasley said. “It’s important to bring awareness to the whole school community that bullying is a real thing and that it im-
pacts the people around them.” Before Beasley sponsored the club, a different teacher at PGHS was in charge of running GSA. “Karen Webb, our government teacher, started GSA years ago, and it was very controversial back then, so I have to give her credit for that,” Beasley said. After Webb, Beasley’s reasoning for becoming the sponsor of the club is personal to her. “I requested to take over GSA when my cousin came out. It inspired me because she was in her twenties when she came out,” Beasley said. “I wanted to make sure that nobody ever felt like they couldn’t feel safe coming out.” In addition to her family inspiring her to take over the GSA, she wanted to help bring awareness to the club for the students at the high school. “The club was really inactive at the time and I wanted to try and bring it back,” Beasley said. “I just kind of took it over and tried to get kids involved.” Beasley wants every student to know that the GSA is a place where people can express themselves freely. “I’m hoping that the students know that [my room] is always a safe space in the building to come to,” Beasley said. Junior Rachel Hobbs, a previous member of GSA who hopes to join this school year, knows how the club is beneficial to the school. “It’s a place of acceptance in an area that most people consider an unaccepting place since we’re in the country,” Hobbs said. Although the club did not get to have many activities in the previous year due to the pandemic, Hobbs is hopeful for the future of GSA this school year. “Last year we got cut off really short and didn’t get to do pride or as many things as we wanted to, but hopefully we get to put more into the community this year,” Hobbs said. Hobbs has faced some challenges, but others educating themselves and becoming more aware of issues facing the community can help tremendously. “As a member of the community, it does get a little difficult to make friends,” Hobbs said. “Getting people more exposed and more educated helps everybody in the long run.” Overall, Beales and the GSA are focused on the bigger picture when dealing with LGBTQ+ issues. “The goal with GSA would be to push for changes in our community that make our community more welcoming to everybody,” Beasley said.
THURSDAY 10.29.20 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 9
FEATURES DECA CONTINUES TO HOST EVENTS While Many Clubs Hit Pause, Some Continue To Find Ways To Carry On Virtually, In Person Emily Hannuksela
OP/ED & Features Editor
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ith the b r i g h t computer screen shining on their face, D E C A members log into their Google Classroom and join the Meet to start their weekly party. With the pandemic causing many clubs and organizations to be cancelled, DECA continues to hold events and create social connections throughout PGHS. Kim Beales, the sponsor of DECA, is hopeful for the future of the club with it having both virtual and in-person aspects. “We’re doing virtual Zoom parties,” Beales said. “We had our first one Monday [Oct. 5] and it was a lot of fun. We have another one coming Oct. 20. It’s going to deal with DECA competition.” DECA competition is going to look different this year due to the coronavirus because it is all online. “This year, the competition is all virtual, including state competition, so we’re just now learning how we’re going to do that,” Beales said. In addition to Zoom parties and competition, Beales is excited for the upcoming events hosted by the club. “We’re doing a drive-in movie theater with a tentative date of Oct. 22 in the student parking lot,” Beales said. “We also have the PG Bachelor raffle. Since homecoming and a lot of dances are postponed, we have rented out a banquet room at a restaurant. You can get a chance to win a raffle with the PG basketball or football players.” Senior Alessia Ingargiola, the vice president of community service, is working hard to keep volunteer opportunities available. “This year DECA is changing the way we usually do things by adding more events to ensure students are still getting the high school experience,” Ingargiola said. “I am making sure we can provide different forms of community service such as cleanup crew and helpers for the drive-in movie theater, and hopefully starting a program to help elementary stu-
dents get any needed tutoring.” There have been a few challenges throughout the entire experience, but DECA and its officers have found ways to overcome them. “This year, the virtual aspect has been the biggest challenge,” Beales said. “We have been allowed to take a few of the officers to go to each classroom and talk to both virtual and in person to get the word out and it seems to be working.” Throughout these stressful times, Beales is keeping a positive outlook on the situation. “Just because we have to social distance, doesn’t mean we can’t still have fun,” Beales said. Old traditions, such as The George, are also being altered to accommodate to the new normal amid the pandemic. “We are opening The George. I have a form for students that want a T-shirt and they can special order it
so we can deliver it to them and they don’t have to crowd into The George,” Beales said. “On the floor, you’ll see paw prints that say ‘stay 6 feet apart’ and students stand in line with that six feet distance.” Overall, being a member of DECA comes with many advantages, and Ingargiola has benefited greatly from being an officer of the club. “Being in DECA has helped me in a number of ways, but the biggest thing is that my confidence in public speaking has really grown, as well as my social and communication skills,” Ingargiola said. The club also assists students with essential life skills that can help them in their adult life and beyond, even if they are not a part of the competition. “Even if you never do competition in DECA, you’ll at least learn how to give a handshake or maintain eye contact,” Beales said. “That makes all
Senior Aykia Starke wipes down the glass with disinfectant before customers enter The George. Students have started buying refreshments in the newly modeled store due to Covid-19. Photo by Alessia Ingargiola.
the difference.” DECA’s benefits are not limited to its members, but instead it helps the whole school feel connected. “I think DECA will help our school community by providing a way for the students to still have an exciting year, even though a lot has been canceled,” Ingargiola said. Beales is proud to be the sponsor of DECA because of what it provides for the students and the high school community. “DECA is like a family to Prince George High School and the students here,” Beales said. “No matter what, I want them to feel that this year because it is so different.”
12 | THE ROYAL NEWS | THURSDAY 10.29.20
IN MEMORIAM
Mr.MayEarnest L. Hill 20, 1977 - August 24, 2020 22 years of service to Prince George County Schools
Please use this space to write a message honoring the life of Earnest Hill and express what he meant to you. We encourage you to post this message on this page in the area dedicated to Mr. Hill in the Commons or B-wing.
THURSDAY 10.29.20 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 13
IN MEMORIAM
Mr. May Kendell Warren 20, 1977 - August 24, 2020 23 years of service to Prince George County Schools
Please use this space to write a message honoring the life of Kendell Warren and express what he meant to you. We encourage you to post this message on this page in the area dedicated to Mr. Warren in the Commons or A-wing.
14 | THE ROYAL NEWS | THURSDAY 10.29.20
A&E
Students Reflect On Quarantine Experiences, Difficulties Makayla Hamlin
I
TRN Reporter
n early September, instead of late school supply shopping, conspiring with friends, or picking out the first week’s wardrobe, students had to choose whether to return to school in person or complete the first semester virtually. Quarantine started in March and students were not able to go back to school until September. During this period of over half a year, almost everyone was confined to their house, due to something of which they had no control. But, perhaps teenagers specifically experienced things a little differently. “[Parents] would not be able to fully understand the intensity that school added to the situation,” senior Abbie Glazier said. “My dad works in construction, and because he is not near anyone else throughout the day, he was able to continue working. My mom works at home already, so she did not have to transition from working at work to working at home. In addition to all my school work, I am also applying for scholarships and colleges, so that is an added layer of stress that they did not have to endure.” Additionally, added stress from finishing the school year online was
perhaps not the best combination with the stress from a global pandemic. “I have pretty bad Wi-Fi since I live in the woods, so I often couldn’t even access the homework and that was pretty stressful,” junior Sallie Martin said. “I was honestly so relieved to know it wouldn’t be counted against us.” Sophomore Lawerence Webb and Martin both report having positive experiences to quarantine itself. However, Glazier notes having a fairly negative experience. “Overall, I would rate quarantine a four out of ten. I couldn’t go anywhere or spend time with anyone in person, so I would awkwardly take car rides by myself just to get out of the house and do something,” Glazier said. Each student noted how they missed interacting with friends. “I would rate it an eight because I had so much free time. I had time to work out and play games”, Webb said. “But I missed going to play with my friends.” Relationships with parents may have been strained. “I ended up spending so much time with my parents that I got pretty tired of them,” Glazier said. “It’s like that stircrazy feeling that you get during winter break when you enjoy being home, just not with these people. I still love my parents, but I just spent too much time with them all at once. I became closer with my friends over the past several months. The five of us bonded over the
potential loss of our senior year.” In addition to the loss of physically being in school, more things were missed out on. “I tried out for the Amatuer Athletic Union and made the basketball team, but they had to cancel because of Corona,’’ Webb said. One main effect of the shutdown that was apparent from the beginning was the impact it would have on the graduates. “I’m a senior now, so I missed out on junior prom, yearbook signing with the graduates, a traditional first day of senior year, normal school days because most of my friends are virtual, homecoming, and the pep rally,” Glazier said. Ceremonies and extracurriculars also were affected. “For IB, we were going to have a whole graduation ceremony and party. We haven’t gotten anything yet, not even our certificates. We still aren’t sure what’s happening with that,” Martin said. “I also planned on going to prom this year with a good friend and we missed out on that too.” Quarantine affected students’ mental health, in both positive and negative ways. “Quarantine positively affected my mental health because I became more independent,” Glazier said. “I had a surplus of time to think about different topics and issues, so I was able to form my own opinions. It also helped that I had a job that taught me more responsibility”.
Guidance counselor Tara Seely verifies that students check their temperatures upon entering the gym lobby. Temperature checks are just one of many new adjustsments teens must make in the Covid-19 world. Photo by Maclay Cerny.
For other students, however, being apart from others had the opposite effect on their health. “Quarantine had a pretty negative effect,” Martin said. “I’m not super social, but being alone a lot of the time was not great for my mental health.” The coronavirus was life changing for some students. “I think it definitely changed me for the better; I think I got a better appreciation for my friends and the outside world,” Martin said. “I got a bigger appreciation for life in general. It really showed how much outside we take for granted.” Even if it wasn’t, all could agree that quarantine was an experience none of them would ever forget. “It is not everyday that you experience a global pandemic while in high school,” Glazier said. And that maybe being in a global pandemic helps one truly learn advice to live by. “Enjoy your life to the fullest,” Webb said.
THURSDAY 10.29.20 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 15
PH TO GALLERY
INDOOR TRACK GETS MOVIN’ Track Tuesdays Have Been Opportunities For Athletes To Condition Ahead Of Season 1. Senior Xavier Long bursts into a sprint to complete the workout. Long moved to Prince George from Heritage High School late last season and now finally has a chance to run again. 2. Freshman Nishe’ Castelle finishes up her warm-up laps before beginning the workout in store for them. Castelle has been running for the team since middle school and now finally has a shot to compete against high school students. 3. Senior Jaden Hines and junior Lamont Victoria stand ready in front to begin warm up exercises before the work out. Both Hines and Victoria have been running track for three years and only plan to improve. 4. Coach Stevens encourages the runners to push through the pain. Because of Covid-19, Coach Stevens has been trying his best to keep the team in shape and be more than ready for the upcoming season. 5. Sophomore Miranaha Lipkins sprints to catch many of her teammates up. Lipkins started running track to find a new sport she has never done before. 6. Senior Chandler Coleman rushes to not fall behind his teammates who are ahead. Coleman has been on the team the longest. All photos by Royals Media.
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For more photos of the event go to https://trnwired.smugmug.com/Sports/Fall2020/Track-WorkoutTuesday/ Photos taken by Royals Media.
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16 | THE ROYAL NEWS | THURSDAY 10.29.20
A&E
Chamber Singers Bring Recorded Concert To Life Katie Zevgolis
Editor
E
ntering the building on Fridays, the Prince George Choir students can be heard practicing their talents in the auditorium. Although the choir is different now with the Covid-19 pandemic, these devoted students are still determined to make their harmonious sounds. Chorale director Storm Burks has taken the proper precautions to keep his students safe and healthy. “We have to stand six to ten feet apart, plus we have to keep our masks on at all times,” senior Kacy Figueroa said. Even in times of uncertainty, the students want to be able to perform for their peers. “As of right now, we’re hoping to still have a spring concert,” Figueroa said. “Depending on how the year goes on, we’re definitely going to plan something to make music.” The choir has still been collecting new
singers, but the country is still in the midst of a grim time. “Choir is definitely different. With new members, we’re definitely making some great sounds. It still doesn’t change the fact that we’re in a pandemic. It doesn’t feel real, but right now, it’s the new normal,” Figueroa said. The Prince George music department has managed to still allow their choir department to make music. “Chesterfield isn’t allowing their kids to sing. To still have the opportunity is something I’m truly grateful for,” Figueroa said. Burks has been a tremendous asset to the choir students. For him to allow them to still perform means a lot to many of them.. “If it wasn’t for Mr. Burks, I don’t know how we could stay away for so long,” Figueroa said. “He’s done a lot for us and I’m just glad to be back and making music with him and my choir family.” Senior Anderson Davis studies her music while she waits for a cue from Director Storm Burks. Davis is one of many singers who has been practicing and performing on virtual Fridays. Photo by Royals Media.
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UPCOMING SPORTS
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VHSL CALENDAR VHSL CALENDAR VHSL CALENDAR WINTER SPORTS FALL SPORTS SPRING SPORTS BOYS BASKETBALL BOYS VOLLEYBALL SOFTBALL Jan. 5th MEADOWBROOK Jan. 6th THOMAS DALE Jan. 8th DINWIDDIE Jan. 12th MATOACA Jan. 13th PETERSBURG Jan. 15th C. HEIGHTS Jan. 19th THOMAS DALE Jan. 20th HOPEWELL Jan. 22th PETERSBURG Jan. 26th HOPEWELL Jan. 27th C. HEIGHTS Jan. 29th MEADOWBROOK Feb. 2nd DINWIDDIE Feb. 5th MATOACA
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18 | THE ROYAL NEWS | THURSDAY 10.29.20
SPORTS
Girls Basketball Returns To Practice Using Safety Guidelines Rebekah Lee
W TRN Writer
ith the s o u n d of tennis s h o e s squeaking on the slick g y m floor, freshman Kayla Callahan and sophomore Tyra Hall work on their dribbling skills for the girls basketball team. For a long time, playing basketball has served as an escape for many of the players, but due to Covid-19, changes had to be made to their practices. This had no effect on the team’s love for the game. The team is enlightened to be able to get some playing time in before their postponed school season. “When I stepped back on the court, I felt like I never left, in my head I hear the crowd cheering, my sneakers on the floor, the ball dribbling, the cheerleaders chanting, and it kind of all comes back into play,” Hall said. The pandemic has affected almost everything in everyday life. One of these things that has been changed majorly is sports, especially girls basketball. “Some main safety procedures and precautions that are being used to keep everyone on the team safe are daily temperature checks, maintaining social distance, individual equipment use, sanitizer use, smaller groups and sanitation of equipment after use,” said Coach Kenya Grissett. Each season is definitely different, but nothing like this year has ever been experienced before. “This season is like nothing we’ve ever experienced,” Hall said. “As we all come together, even through social distancing, we are going to become closer as a team because we all understand the limited amount of games and time for our season. I know we are going to be very successful, the Lady Royals are aiming high, maybe even an undefeated or championship year.” Though Covid-19 may cause a strain to a sport for many players and
coaches, the PGHS basketball players have an inspirational mindset though it. Grissett is still a little weary, yet confident in the decision for players being allowed on the court again. “I feel apprehensive but excited about getting back on the court,” Grissett said. “I feel the governing association will not allow us to play if they feel it is not safe. Therefore, if we are able to carry on our season, it will be because they find it safe enough for all involved.” The players are ecstatic to
Eighth grader Tiana Sanchez runs through shooting drills at JEJ Moore Middle School. Sanchez is part of a group of girls who meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays to prepare for the upcoming season. Photo by Royals Media.
be back on the court and back to bonding with their team. The girls are back to doing what makes them happy and what’s important to them when playing. “I think getting back on the
court and reconditioning myself is an awesome opportunity,” Callahan said. “Not only am I picking back up my skills from last year, I am also learning new things. I think our team will benefit greatly from this experience. It is giving us an opportunity to learn each other’s strengths and weaknesses.” Although being athletic and playing sports on a team gives you physical benefits, it also has some mental and social aspects. “I think the most important part about being on a team is that it teaches you how to work with others,” Callahan said. “I especially think this is an important trait to have as we continue to grow up and eventually go out into the real world. I think working with others is something that we will have to do our whole lives and being on a team is a great way to get a headstart on practicing those skills.” Even with everything that has been modified, there are still some core values that Hall feels everyone should remember. “Whether you’re the hype man, the one who gives 120%, the one who’s always there for their teammate, the captain, the one who gives the great pep talks, or even the person who always gets down to do the extra push up or the extra sprint, just make sure you’re always there to add the team,” Hall said. “The other important part of being a part of the team is to make sure you grow that bond or the family. Any team you’re on should always be building something to last which is really what sports as a whole are all about.” Even coaches get long term benefits from coaching high school teams. “The most important thing to me about being able to be a part of the team is the relationships you build,” Grissett said. “I still communicate with players and parents from my past. These are people I would have never known if it wasn’t for the game of basketball. I also get to play a part in the development of young women not just as players but future mothers, lawyers, pharmacists, and teachers.”
THURSDAY 10.29.20 | THE ROYAL NEWS | 19
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SPORTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
>> Varsity Baseball
conditioning workouts on Tuesdays from 2:30 PM - 2:45 PM.
>> Track conditioning >> Girls Volleyball takes place on Tuesdays at the Field House.
conditioning begins on Tuesday, November 10th.
>> Girls Basketball
conditioning takes place on Tuesdays & Thursdays at JEJ Moore Middle School.
Field Hockey Adheres To New Guidelines Melliah Mason
W Writer
ith the sounds of shouts and calls being heard from the field, the field hockey team practices for upcoming games with new regulations and guidelines. After their fall school season was postponed, the team had to come up with a new plan. Sophomore Ella Warren has been playing field hockey for eight years now and expresses the challenges they have faced due to this irregularity. “I think we will learn that you can’t always rely on scheduled practices and games to be able to go to,” Warren said. “As a player, if games and practices are cancelled and we are unable to participate in those things as a team, you have to take the responsibility and practice on your own at home and stay in shape.” The pandemic has caused more changes to be made to the already modified practices. “We can’t pick up cones or any equipment that everyone uses anymore, so it slows down practice time and clean up time,” said junior Natalie Vick, a field hockey player of four years. Vick conveys a concern for future seasons, and how they may be affected due to the pandemic. “Some girls may be too afraid to return, or they don’t have the transportation for it because of their parents’ jobs changing, or their team may not have enough people because too many quit,” Vick said. Vick discusses the troubles and uncertainty that Covid-19 has given the team. “Playing games and practicing have been more difficult for me because everyone has to be wary of each other,” Vick said. “Since the coronavirus is asymptomatic, none of us know if we could be carrying the virus or not.”
Vick expresses how playing field hockey has become more difficult due to Covid-19. “The most difficult thing about playing hockey in the pandemic is that it’s hard to social distance while playing games,” Vick said. “While we are outside, it is hard to be in control of how far away we are from each other because you have to pressure the ball.” Warren also comments on the difficulties and challenges that Covid-19 has given the team. “You never know if this could be your last practice or game and it sucks not knowing if in the future we’ll be able to play or not,” Warren said. Warren discusses the changes players have made to their practices. “As a player some precautions I’ve been taking are not sharing equipment and making sure I’m not drinking after anyone or sharing water bottles with my teammates,” Warren said. “I’ve also been not attending practice if I’m not feeling good, washing my hands, and using hand sanitizer before and after practice and games.” Varsity field hockey coach Julia Ellison expresses how Covid-19 has impacted the field hockey team and how it could affect their future seasons. “With restrictions put into place and a delayed season, our time together as a team has been limited,” Ellison said. “Even though this time has been difficult, I think we will have a different outlook going into our next few seasons, we will appreciate our teammates and the team so much more.” Even though the impact of Covid-19 has been difficult for the team, Ellison leaves with a message about the satisfaction she has felt from her team in these hard times. “It’s exciting to see the team come together and for all of the pieces to fall into place,” Ellison said. “A lot of hard work and dedication has gone into making that happen. I’m proud of what the team has accomplished over the past few years. They continue to push themselves to be the best. I know that they will only continue to grow and improve.”
Sophomore Ella Warren attacks the goal from the left side. Warren played with here travel squad Invasion at the River City Sportsplex, where many of the field hockey girls have competed while waiting for the VHSL season to start. Photo taken by Royals Media. For more photos of the game, scan this QR code.