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The 2014-15 year has begun and students have seen many positive changes. One of the most impactful changes is that all students have received district-issued laptops. Teachers have vowed to to implement the use of the laptops in their classes as much as possible. In the past, students have experienced technical issues including slow authentication, internet and network shutdowns, and just an overall issue with technology, but problems have been minimal this year making the advantages of school-wide laptop use clearly outweigh the disadvantages. Laptops help students create assignments, collaborate with one another, and be engaged in class. In the future, laptops may even help to eliminate physical textbooks and help to cut down on paper usage. For example, in every English class, students have the option

Bad breath is very unattractive. We all have bad breath. Having bad breath doesn’t mean you don’t brush your teeth. It just means you talk a lot and don’t drink enough water (like me). No one likes sitting in class and having bad breath linger into your nose. Usually, if someone offers a mint or a piece of gum it’s a hint, your breath smells. So take the offering; it’s not going to hurt anyone. If you’re planning on kissing

of either using the online textbook or physical textbook. The online textbook is a great option that allows students to take notes and write in the margins digitally. Physical textbooks must be kept in pristine order because they’re expensive and cannot be replaced every year. Therefore, the advantages of using online textbooks outweigh the disadvantages. Although the district-issued laptops have been helpful and created wonderful learning opportunities, there are also some downfalls. In some cases, the assignments that students are given may require the use of internet at home.Some students do not have internet at home and this poses a problem. One possible solution is the use of Google Drive which enables students to complete assignments offline. Another disadvantage that students have voiced is the technology fee that was imposed at enrollment. The

someone make sure you have a mint before. No one wants to kiss someone with smelly breath. I know that sometimes it’s what you drink or eat that gives you bad breath. Just remember that if you are going to eat something like garlic or drinking coffee that makes your breath stinky always have a mint or a piece of gum handy. This will help your social health. Everyone wants a good social

cost of replacing or repairing the laptop is hefty in the event that the laptop is damaged. However,students are able to purchase additional insurance on the laptops if concerned about this issue. Technology plays an integral role in 21st century students’ lives. Therefore, the 2013-14 laptop initiative is a step in the right direction of implementing technology into PRHS. Students need to take advantage of the laptops and use them they way they are intended to be used- to make learning more exciting and engaging.

life and having good breath is one way to help. It’s not going to hurt to go to the convenience store or gas station and buy a pack of gum. So remember, if you are going to eat an onion or drink some coffee, you should make sure you have gum or a pack of mints. You will improve your social health drastically by heeding the above advice. This way everyone is happy and your breath is minty fresh.

by: Alyssa Casperson

Laptops: Helpful or Hassle?

Seniors Alyssa Joyce, Katie Walker, and Holly Ewert wait excitedly to recieve their laptops at the first day of laptop deployments.

Take a mintBy: Kailey Wilburn

EDITORIAL

OPINION

Guest Writer

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Artwork Credit: Grace Dedeke

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By: Katie Heckman

High HopesThe PRHS volleyball team has

high hopes for the 2014 season. The team started practicing on Aug. 18 to prepare for the season. With only a lim-ited time to prepare, the team played the McLouth Bulldogs on Sept. 2nd. Af-ter a long hard fight, the varsity girls won and the junior varsity was defeated.

“Our goal is to become a tight-knit team,” said senior Kelsey Carpenter. To achieve this goal, the team plans on working harder every practice and improving each and ev-ery day both physically and mentally.

“We are definitely fighters. We are staying positive even when we’re down and we are working hard throughout the games,” said Head Coach Whitney Lozenski. With

a great team bond and good work ethic the team might even have a chance to make it to sub-state.

“Our long term goal would be to win tournaments,”said sophomore Madilyn Grafke.

Although winning isn’t everything, the girls believe that with good attitudes and a posi-tive environment, they can’t lose.

“Our number one goal is to stay positive throughout the season,” said Coach Lozenski.

With the help of good coaches, and supportive fans, the volleyball team plans on achieving all of their goals and possibly winning sub-state on Oct. 25th. Senior Breigh Schillig goes up for the spike Sept.

9th against Horton.

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Off season work pays off for XC teammix medaling with 34th place of around 100 runners. The Varsity girls’ took 5th place. The JV girls’ earned 2nd overall with strong finishes by freshmen, Grace Wagner coming in 2nd place and Grace Dedeke in 10th. Fresh-man Kaylie Warden earned a 20th place finish and freshman Cassandra Thompson followed in 29th place. On the boys’ side, Oatney made a 14th place finish and Darrow earned 17th, with Tatter-shall right begin in 22nd place. Gabe Younger and Clayton Price rounded out the medalist for the Rams with 33rd and 37th place finishes. Overall, the boys’ team took home 1st place. On Sept. 11 at Basehor, the

Freshman Garrett Silvers captured running during the Basehor Linwoodmeet

Varsity boys earned 1st place overall, and the Varsity girls earned 4th place. Silvers earned a 3rd place finish and Howard was 13th. For the boys, Darrow took home 1st place, Tatter-shall earned 5th place with freshman Luke Oatney and sophomore Clayton Price in 6th and 7th. Sophomore Reid Herken found himself on the medal board with 20th place. According to Darrow, “It didn’t really sink in that I’d earned first place until the bus ride home. It felt good to know that all of the work in the off season had paid off.” Head coaches Mr. Hendrix and Mr. Marsh lead this

ambitious team. The cross country has four more meets left until the Northeast Kansas League meet.

Senior-led volleyball team have ambitions to go far this season

Cross Country runners pose Sept. 11 at Basehor Linwood meet. Top: Bridget Howard, Christina Silvers, Sarah Lantern, Cassandra Thompson Bottom: Taylor Satre, Susan Rediek, Grace Wagner

The 2014 Cross Country season has begun and runners have had great success. The top girls’ runners are seniors Carly Simonis, Kristina Silvers, and sophomore Bridget Howard. The top boys’ runners are senior Tyler Darrow, freshman Luke Oatney, and junior Noah Tattershall. On Sept. 13 at the Wamego In-vitational, Howard found herself in the

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By: Grace WagnerGuest Writer

INCOMING:Laptops for all PRHS students

School lunch program offers new options

The age of computers is here and PRHS has made a great technological advancement. Last May, the school board voted to approve the purchase of school-issued laptops for every high school student. Therefore, every student has been issued a brand new HP ProtectSmart. Each computer costs around $500. The school district spent around $125,000. There have been questions about where the desktops have gone. They have been moved down to the middle school along with a cart of laptops. According to Principal Andy Metsker, the district is trying to ramp up the amount of accessibility for students to complete homework at home, access the internet, and save on paper. Eventually, laptop computers and better technology will reach all the way to the elementary school. Within the next few years or even next year, going 95% paperless is inevitable. Many teachers are already saving paper by making all assignments acessible on the Google drive.

In addition, students can even submit assignments electronically and have them graded on the Google drive without having to print anything out.

By: Brock Horosko

Speaking of changes, students are also seeing big changes in the cafeteria. At the end of last year, school lunch coordiantor, Ms. Nancy Horton and the school board decided to revamp the high school lunches. This year, students have an option: more fruits and vegetables, seconds, a salad bar, and ice cream. According to Ms. Horton, participation in the lunch program has diminished, so many student favorites have been brought back like Bosco sticks. Obama’s program for schools and their lunches may be better than you think. Some schools in Tennessee have opted out of the program. When schools opt out of this program, they lose government reimbursement. So, if the Easton school district decided not to use the government program, then the schools would lose valuable funding for different activities. The program, like laws or rules, can still provide options that students can enjoy.

By: Brock Horosko

Jr. Connor McClendon, Alyson Heim, and Ronnie Jarred receive their food during second lunch. The lunch program has undergone changes.

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Left: Jr. Chance Gauger works studiously on his laptop in 3rd hour English. Top: Jr. Brooklin Billingsley recieves her laptop from Mr. Metsker.

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Photo Credit: Mrs. Evans

Sr. Shyanna Robertson exercises her right to eat outside.

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“ I prefer to have the sports section of the Kansas City Star in my hands.” -Mr. Andy Metsker