PHS MEDIA NEWS

On May 17, the senior class will have the opportunity to travel to Kings Island in Mason, Ohio. The trip will cost $40, but students were able get a free ticket if they sold multiple boxes of chocolate during the senior fundraiser.

The students will be leaving around 6 a.m. and returning to the school around midnight that night. Students will need to bring money for any other things they want to buy on their own.

“The senior trip is a last hooray to be with your friends and do something as as class that you can enjoy,” said senior class sponsor Carol Fullington.

To attend the trip, students will need to sign up with senior class sponsor Melissa Higgin. Fullington and Higgins hope to see as many kids go as possible.

Story by: Madison Street

Tonight everyone is welcome to watch the final show of the year for the PHS choir. The variety show will begin at 6 p.m. in the auditorium and is free of charge.

The students, along with teacher B.J. Crowder, have been working on the show entitled “It’s a Total Mood” for five weeks. It incorporates different genres of music and will feature skits prepared by the choir members.

“We will be singing songs from musicals such as Phantom of The Opera, Dear Evan Hanson, The Greatest Showman, as well as several pop songs,” said Crowder.

They are displaying color in their concert in order to portray the feelings of their musical performances. The songs Crowder and the choir have chosen are also being used to tell a story. The choir has carefully selected the music in order to maintain the emotions they want the audience to feel.

It is the final show for seniors Tessa Robbins and Jillian Keen, and Crowder wants them to finish on a high note. He also wants to bring excitement to the remaining students in the junior high, beginning and advanced choir classes for future years.

“I hope we have a big turn-out,” said Crowder.

Story by: Masden Embry

A little encouragement can go a long way for students, and ISTEP is no exception. This is what English teacher Rachel Miller had in mind when creating The Testing Encouragement and Motivation Project (TEMP).

“The Testing Encouragement and Motivation Project (TEMP) is a way for teachers and administration to show their support for the students during ISTEP testing and to reward them for putting forth their best effort,” said Miller.

This two-part project included staff members writing personal, uplifting notes to boost students’ confidence and prompt them to do their best on the standardized tests. An incentive was also put in place, which was watching Aquaman in the auditorium with snacks and drinks.

After noticing that there wasn’t much support for students who were taking ISTEP, Miller decided to do something about it. She chose to restart the project she had previously done at Marion C. Moore High School, her previous school in Louisville, Kentucky. With a little help from Principal Chad Johnson and guidance counselor Brandi Kerley, Miller was able to put her plan into action.

“Students work very hard to prepare themselves for the ISTEP and it’s often not a very fun experience, so a little added levity can be encouraging,” said Miller.

Miller hoped that she would be able to motivate students, alongside other teachers and administrators, to look at ISTEP as something more than just another pointless exam, but as a preparation for the future.

“I want students to understand that although these tests may not be fun or seem relevant, they’re actually a good model for obstacles they will face in life,” said Miller.

Feedback from students showed they enjoyed the notes and rewards, and teachers saw that students were positively affected by them. Through this, Miller was able to see the ability staff had to help students. That only reaffirmed her plans to continue and expand this project in years to come.

Story by: Masden Embry