March 2022
Top Stories
Editor: Laurel Mishevski
Children's Center teaches MVHS students how to deal with abusive situations
Recently the student body of MVHS participated in a mandatory teen safety matters assembly. Each class took a consecutive time of two hours over a span of two days to learn about and be advised on important topics surrounding the world of online safety, online bullying, bullying, abuse (physical, emotional, sexual, and neglect.), and relationship abuse.
The presentation by the Children’s Center of Joplin, Mo., provided students with worksheets that they could fill out (if they chose to do so) as they followed along with learning about these sensitive issues that teens around the world deal with daily. The counselors of MVHS organized student groups by sending out emails to give information to students over the event.
Some students, however, were confused over why older teens were learning about topics that most students have been educated on. In an interview with MVHS’s counselor, Stephanie Smith, she helped explain why students participating in this presentation was so important. "Students need to be aware of the dangers around them. They need to be aware of the resources they have to get help if they find themselves or a friend in an abusive situation."
Mrs. Smith also said that she finds all the topics that were discussed to be important and "perhaps empowered some students to be aware of a situation they are in and how to start the process to get help."
Over all, it’s vital that students learn and continue to learn and discuss these topics. It could be essential to their protection and safety in the future.
Two Mountaineers to represent at All-State Band
By Matt Milsop
One of the hardest accomplishments in all of high school bands is to make All-State Band and to represent your school. Two percussionists, seniors Ryan Heckman and Taylor Baker, will represent Mt. Vernon this year.
Both have worked very hard to get to this point and it’s Heckman's second time making All-State (he made it last year as well.) Only the best of the best get selected and it’s very impressive we have two students from Mt. Vernon going.
The process of trying out is very difficult. You have to spend night after night studying your sheet music and continuously practicing. Then, all of those nights come down to one, and performing solo in front of people is no easy task. Finally, you have to sit and wait as you go over your tryout a million times in your head, just hoping you made it.
Not only is it cool for the school and the band program to send two people off to state, it is also a huge deal for those who made it. All-State is like the big leagues when it comes to high school band. Making it is key for things like scholarships and many other opportunities for their future careers in music (if that’s something they're interested in). For many band students, it’s a big goal for themselves to make it.
To cap things off, I’d simply like to congratulate Heckman and Baker for their hard work and I’m glad it paid off for them. Music takes some people very far and to be a part of something this big is a huge accomplishment. As the All State insurance commercial says “you’re in good hands.”