What's Up With That:

Blood Saves Lives

Blood drives here at MVHS come around twice a year: fall and spring. During these times you start to notice FCCLA members advertising and persuading not only students but teachers to donate. Why do FCCLA members try so hard to get people to sign up?

A donor can save up to three lives with a typical one-pint donation. Blood is a major component of everyone’s life; it helps transport oxygen throughout the body. Here in the United States, more than 4.5 million people will need a blood transfusion each year. Blood cannot be manufactured, so blood donations are vital to those in need.

Community Blood Center of the Ozarks is our local organization. When a blood drive isn’t hosted at our high school, donors can go to one of their locations in Joplin or Springfield to donate. The requirements to donating include the following: you must be at least 16 years old, weigh over 110 pounds, and be in good health. The time limit as to how much you can give blood is once every 56 days.

What’s stopping you from taking an hour out of your day and saving a life? Go out and donate!

Set the Record Straight with Young Ones: "Momo Challenge" Is Fake News

A popular “trend” that has hit the internet with force is the “Momo Challenge.” For those who don’t know anything about this challenge, it is centered around getting younger children to hurt themselves, do bad things, or to hurt someone else. This challenge has also been known to use scare tactics and threatens children into performing terrible deeds.

"Momo" shows up in either a YouTube Kids video or you can "contact" Momo on the app WhatsApp (a messaging app like that of Kik or Messenger). This self-proclaimed “entity” tells the child that if they refuse to do the things that “Momo” has told them to do, that it will hurt them or their families. Videos and pictures with “Momo” are normally things about self-harm or things that could get the younger viewer in trouble.

Let it be known that the creepy pictures and unsettling videos of “Momo” are just that, pictures. This thing is not an entity and it certainly can’t hurt the viewer in any way. it just tells children to do things that are not necessarily right.

“Momo” is actually an art piece, created by Japanese artist Keisuke Aisawa, is entitled, Mother Bird, and was on display at Tokyo’s horror art Vanilla Gallery for a Japanese special effects company. The odd features of the figurine are supposed to look like that of a bird, big eyes, a V-like smile to represent a beak, and bird legs. This is just a figurine, an art piece, turned into something to manipulate children.

If you have younger siblings or know of someone who is around younger children, reassure them that this statue cannot in any means hurt them, and that this is just a sick individual who gets a kick out of scaring children.

Spring Sports:

Mt. Vernon Boys’ Golf Line Up for Competition

The boys’ golf team took to the course this month despite having a rough start as far as practices go because of the weather.

The team this year contains thirteen total players including “two guys that are back from the team that finished fifth in the state last year," according to head coach Dusty Killingsworth. He explains, "That’s Kaden [Killingsworth] and Curtis [Wendler]. Kaden was All Conference and Kurtis was All District. They have some ability to work and expand on.”

In addition to these two, some other notable players are seniors Colin Bartelsmeyer and Donnie Trotter; Juniors Slater Eldridge and Brentyn Hendley, and sophomores Kyle Orr, Payton Presnall, and Gabe Golliver. Making up the remaining four players are freshmen and newcomers. Overall, Coach Killingsworth feels the team contains a balance of experienced and inexperienced players, but does feel that those lacking will learn and develop through this season.

Coach Killingsworth explains, “Golf is one of those sports people don’t get to see too much. It’s a little tougher than some people think, but it is fun. We hope the guys are enjoying it and that they’ll have a good season.”

Girls Track Pushes Out of the Blocks

The girls track team started out their season this month keeping the philosophy of Quality over quantity. “Meaning: work hard and work efficiently,” explains head coach Michelle Rust.

Though a good number of team members are experienced, Coach Rust says, “half [the team] are new to track and field at the high school level. So far they have all been very hard working and I am excited to get outdoors and see what they can accomplish. “

Eight returning varsity athletes lead the team, including seniors Lauren Vaughn, Chloe Myers, Emily Trimble; juniors Bethany Williams, Kathryn Bushman; and sophomores Payton Dennis, Sadie Heisner, Kilee Hunt. Sadie Heisner was a state qualifier last year, but Coach Rust states, “Our seniors are strong, experienced, and have been to state [competition] in the past. I know they are excited to get back to Jefferson City.”

Boys Track Coach: Expect the Unexpected

Mount Vernon boys track began the season March 17 at the University of Central Missouri. In preparation for this season, Coach Trokey says, “I really want our guys to have a focused approach to their training in order to reach goals both on the track and in everyday life.”

“This year our track team has a solid balance of freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors (approx. 6 of each),” explains Coach Trokey. Of these athletes, some of the key returners are senior Eli Bolin, who placed fourth in state javelin last year; seniors Justin Maples and Kelly Vaughn, who both competed in the state meet 4x400 relay; junior Tristan Gaddis, a long distance runner; and junior Dustin Schmidt, a shot putter.

All in all Trokey states, “I would describe them as a group of hard working, focused young athletes who will reach some unexpected goals.”

Fine Arts:

Show Choir "Waves Through a Window” One Last Time

As the show choir season wrapped up for the year, both groups have shined. “Velocity has grown musically, and they continue to grow every year," director April McBaine declares. “Vocal Motion has had the biggest growth emotionally,” she adds. Even though this season had obstacles and trials, at the end show choir came together to tell a story.

Ms. McBaine says members and upcoming freshman can improve by “understand[ing] that even though it’s fun, there’s responsibility for learning your part. Most of all it takes dedication.”

Senior Cici Quick says "show choir will always hold a special place in [her] heart." Her favorite memories include seeing how summer preparation and after-school rehearsals pay off at competition and that each competition was “a day of bonding; full of laughs, good music and shows.”

This Season’s Placings:

Carthage--Vocal Motion 7th/Velocity 2nd

Webb City--Vocal Motion 3rd/ Velocity 2nd

Nevada--Vocal Motion 2nd in division, 3rd in Finals/ Velocity 1st in division

Joplin--Vocal Motion 3rd/ Velocity 1st

Freshman Jasmine Gatewood explains, “For Velocity, Joplin was our best performance overall, and Vocal Motion did the best in Nevada."

Nerdy News:

Video Game Gurus Unite to join the New E-Sports Club

Give a warm welcome to the newest member of the club community here in MVHS. E-Sports is a club focused around playing video games, and competing in gaming competitions.

Started by Coach David Soetaert, the club features video games such as Overwatch, Hearthstone, Fortnite, Super Smash, and many others that provide both team-based and individual competition opportunities. “It’s done at home, and communication with your teammates is probably the most important factor,” Coach Soetaert explains.

There is a twenty dollar fee that you must pay in order to join the club and you have to sign up at the varsity E-Sports website and join your own high school, college, or organization's team.

Club members can also sign up for the games that they want to play, whether they want to play one of the games or all is completely up to the member themselves.

Certain games are also scheduled for certain days of the week. You can play individual based games if you don’t wish to join a team, or you can form a team for a particular game. “You learn the pluses and minuses of working with others,” Coach Soetaert explains. No matter what the players always compete, there is no sitting on the bench for a whole competition, just waiting your turn and giving one other player a rest.

Lately colleges have been really embracing the E-Sports circuit. “There are college scholarships out there for E-Sports, and colleges that have E-Sports leagues.”

“It is my plan to continue this into next fall and beyond,” Soetaert says.

Confessions of a Freshman:

Should Freshmen Go to Prom?

This is a question that many people ask but few learn the answer to. “It just depends on the situation, due to every person being different,” freshman Nevaeh Souders states. Every freshman is unique and so the answer differentiates with each one.

“It’s a good experience to get the feel of what it’s (prom) like,” explains Souders. As prom sneaks up on us, some freshmen might not be able to handle the stress that prom implies. Prom tends to bring its own stress with school work to follow along.

Without an upperclassmen inviting you to be their date, freshmen aren’t allowed to go. “It’s a big deal for upperclassmen to ask the new kids in school to go to a dance with them,” Souders explains. Even though it is, some people might need to politely decline.

Overall, it’s okay for a freshman to go to prom, but make sure to be mature and act your age. Prom is a privilege, not an entitlement.

March DIY:

Mystery Faculty #6

If she could have any superpower

It would be reading minds

You’ll catch her cruising on a motorcycle

And she’d love to travel to all 50 states

She’s a teapot collector

But prefers coffee over tea

Who is she?

If you feel like you know exactly who this mystery faculty member is, email us at newspaper@mtvernon.k12.mo.us for a chance to receive a prize!

What's Up With That:

Juuling Epidemic Reaches MVHS

Juuling, or the inhalation of an e-cigarette that doesn't look like a cigarette at all, is a popular trend that has been taking a toll on teenagers worldwide. Juul is made for anyone over the age of 18, but in some cases these devices are being used by younger kids, thereby making their impacts on schools across the United States.

The dangers of Juuling are similar to those of smoking traditional cigarettes. A cartridge for this device contains approximately 200 puffs and nicotine equivalent to an entire pack of cigarettes. According to TipHero: “They are highly addictive, have cancer-causing chemicals in them, and sometimes can be harmful to brains that are still developing and forming.”

According to our high school principal, Dr. Josh Ladd, we have been lucky to not have been hit as hard by the epidemic becaue out school has always enforced a no tobacco policy on the premises both during school and at school events. “This is affecting most Big 8 schools,” states Dr. Ladd. “This is causing not only a health impact, but an academic impact as well.” Dr. Ladd also explained that students are being suspended and taken away from learning because of these addictive devices.

“I’m a preventive guy; I would rather students make the right choice than for me to catch them,” says Dr. Ladd, who urges students to make the right choice and stay tobacco free.

FCCLA to Host Spring Blood Drive

The second blood drive for this school year will be March 28, when FCCLA will be dedicating the theme to Don Tillman, who donated every year he could and always made sure to grab a sugar cookie on the way out!

If you have any questions about donating or how you can do it, stop by room 402 to get the information you need from Ms. Kristina Reach. Save a life and give blood!

FCCLA is asking if you have any pictures of or with Tillman to please send them to: newspaper@mtvernon.k12.mo.us

High School Sweethearts or High School Has-Beens? Pre-Prom Stress Adds Springtime Pressures

Now that Valentine's Day has passed, relationships, and prom stress for couples this time of year seems high this year.

Valentine's Day seems to kick it all off this intense season of relationship pressure: many may have felt obligated to get their significant other a gift such as flowers, candy, or even the occasional stuffed animal. After that it’s prom, and with prom comes the stress of buying the perfect dress or tux, planning out transportation, and buying tickets.

“I think, sadly, prom can be a stressful event. For the girls it’s the cost of the dress and the shoes and the nails. Some girls even get a tan,” states high school counselor Ms. Leslie Mareth. “I think there’s also a lot of pressure for the boys as well. Asking a girl to prom has become a large production of sorts.”

The act of asking someone to prom has indeed become a rather large production--some guys or girls go as far as to choreograph dances, make giant banners, and even give expensive gifts.

Then there can be potential problems within friend groups or fights between couples that could arise between now and then, all issues that could be resolved if talked through thoroughly and maturely.

All in all, prom should be about enjoying your time in high school. It is one night to get together and just dance, reminisce in memories, and to tuck away new memories that were made, “Just enjoy the moment,” states Ms. Mareth.

Winter Sports:

Nerdy News:

Confessions of a Freshman:

Life Hangs in the Balance

Freshman Macie Smith defines sacrifice this way: “Giving up something you wouldn’t normally give up.” Sacrifice has many meanings to people, but typically it means give something up. When it comes to school and personal time, students' lives lack balance. Making time for school is great because, “you get good grades and students can feel confident about themselves,” explains Smith. However, how can you balance your time?

One way that you can make time for both school and personal time is to “get off your phone,” according to Smith. Most students get on their phones so much they lose focus on what’s most important.

“Turn on some music, forget about other things, and get the vital stuff done first,” suggests Smith. There is such a thing as taking too much time for school and not enough time for yourself.

Time is precious. Spending too much of it on school can throw students off balance, make sure to spend time on yourself and your work.

February DIY:

Mystery Faculty #5

“Do your job,” is a quote he goes by

You’ll always catch him doing his

He prefers movies over books

And is always down to watch some M.A.S.H.

While growing up in Mount Vernon

His first car was a 1970 Nova

Who is he?

If you feel like you know exactly who this mystery faculty member is, email us at newspaper@mtvernon.k12.mo.us for a chance to receive a prize!

What's Up With That:

Underaged Gambling: More Than Just a Roll of the Dice?

Interact Club: The Newest Way to Better Yourself and Help the Community

The first meeting of a newly formed organization to be called Interact Club was held January 14. Designed by principal Dr. Josh Ladd, the goal of this club is to get students to help out in the community and be a part of the bigger picture. Dr. Ladd hopes it will also develop leadership skills as students discover the power of “service above self.”

“Interact club is a spur of the Rotary club. it is a junior rotarian type of club,” says Dr. Ladd. “The high school grades 9-12 are able to participate in the Interact Club.”

Dr. Ladd plans for the club to meet one day each month during EXCEL periods with the occasional after school meeting when it is necessary.

Some projects that the Interact Club has in store for the future may include the following:

• • Volunteer at a health fair

  • Volunteer as a counselor at a local summer camp

  • Volunteer to do office work at a local non-profit agency

  • Set up a web page for a non-profit agency

  • Volunteer to lead a club of youth

  • Practice random acts of kindness

“It’s just a way to give back to the community,” states Dr. Ladd. “At the end of the day I honestly think our meaning is to serve.” For those of you who are interested in joining this club remember, “The goal is simply service.”

Winter Sports:

Mt. Vernon Boys’ Basketball Prevails in Season

Head Coach Mike Ray explains, “Our philosophy and goals are the same each year and that is for us to work each day and improve each day, and at the end of the year for us to be the best version of who we can be.”

In January, the best version of Mt. Vernon boys’ basketball was pretty great. Out of the eight regular season games, the team won seven, including a win over our rival the Aurora Houn’ Dawgs. Their only loss was to Logan-Rogersville at their court. The final score of that game was 64 Mt. Vernon and 76 Logan-Rogersville.

Fine Arts:

Mount Vernon Hosts Show Choir Competition

Despite troublesome weather, the show did go on. Saturday, January 19, Mt. Vernon show choir hosted their home competition, originally slated to feature 28 schools, though 11 schools cancelled. MVHS accommodated other schools that came in late.

Mount Vernon’s Velocity gave a highly acclaimed performance at 1 p.m and Vocal Motion finished the day by “Waving Through a Window” at 6:20 p.m. Velocity’s show songs include “Hero,” “Be The Hero,” “Go The Distance" and “Centuries.” Vocal Motion’s songs include “Waving Through a Window,” “Numb,” “Anything Worth Holding Onto,” “Hold on Tight/Walk” and “People Like Us.”

Carthage Soundwave took first place overall. As host, Mount Vernon choirs did not compete. Velocity and Vocal Motion will compete at the next competition in Joplin this coming Saturday.

Nerdy News:

You’ve Heard of Wolverine, now get Ready for New Mutants

X-men is a branch off of the superhero tree owned by Marvel comics. X-men has characters that seem to have a lot more bang for their buck, such as Wolverine, Quicksilver, Professor X and Magneto. Two more films will be added to the eleven-film franchise: Dark Phoenix and New Mutants. New Mutants is said to release on August 2, 2019.

New Mutants seems to be a new take on the topic of Mutants. As some know, most of the mutants in the franchise find their way to Professor X’s school, or they stay in hiding for fear of persecution. This time we find several new characters in a facility instead of at the X-Mansion. These new mutants are trying to come to grips with the abilities that they have all the while staying in this secret facility.

Confessions of a Freshman:

Students Strive to Fit In and Stand Out

“[Freshmen] want to have a good school year and not get bullied,” says freshman Stephanie Jeansonne. While these youngest of high school students want to fit in, they also want to find themselves and become the people they want to be.

According to Jeansonne, it’s hard for freshmen to find themselves because “We look at other people and want to be like them but also don’t.” When people think they’re standing out too much they decide to sink into a comfort zone and strive to fit in more, maybe in a place where they won’t stand out too much.

While students strive to fit in, some want to stand out. Jeansonne advises, “Wear what you want, and don’t be a follower.” Students can also try to mix and mingle with the other groups in the school. “It’s like sitting in a doorway between two different worlds,” says Jeansonne. When students get out of high school, they will realize that fitting in doesn’t really matter.

Winter DIY:

Mystery Faculty #4

With a million dollars

She would travel the world

And probably spend her time hiking

She spends her down time reading

And gets pumped up to AC/DC

With the fear of spiders

She hopes to never find them in a tight space

Who is she?