New cell phone policy decreases distraction in class
Taylor Lee, Distributive Reporter
September 15, 2018
There is a new cell phone policy this year. It was put into place after much careful consideration from a committee of teachers and staff. Assistant Principal Matt Kraft headed the committee last spring. Many students find themselves burnt out after and even during a long, boring lecture. The only reason...
Stricter cell phone policies implemented this fall
Paige Speedling, Distribution Reporter
September 13, 2018
This last fall, administration updated and changed the cell phone policy. Students are only allowed to have their phones on them in passing time, lunch, before and after school and when it serves a purpose in the classroom. Using them otherwise results in punishments that become more extreme over...
President Trump shuffles his cabinet
Paxton Watson, Podcast Reporter
May 12, 2018
President Donald Trump has been taking a lot of heat in the last few weeks due to the fact he has reshuffled his cabinet multiple times. This started on March 13 when President Trump removed the Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson. This was followed by the removal of his National Security Advisor, H.R....
EIC Column: terrible truths haunt TSA
Michael VanLieshout, Broadcast Editor-in-Chief
May 7, 2018
Why me? That is a question I ask myself when time after time I am randomly selected for a frisking at the hand of a Transportation Security Administration agent. What is the deciding factor that distinguishes who of the over 1.7 million Americans who board domestic flights in the United States each day? TSA i...
Staff Editorial: year round schooling a waste of time
Pony Express Staff
April 25, 2018
Since public schools started in America, the usual school year ends right before summer. This gives students and teachers a three month break of summer vacation in between the school year. Over time, people have challenged this school year normativity by starting year round schools that do not inclu...
Unaffordable college puts students in a bind
Lilly Sample, Online Editor
April 14, 2018
Elementary school, middle school, high school, college: that is the most common, and encouraged, order of a students’ life. Though education through junior or senior year is required, everything a student learns is seemingly in preparation for college. College is treated as the most important part of e...
Student activists: more powerful, more necessary than ever
Abby Banks, Print Editor-in-Chief
March 17, 2018
The Parkland massacre was easily one of the worst tragedies to occur in recent years and one of the most devastating terrorist attacks to happen on U.S. soil. Students who have been able to stand up to protest these completely preventable deaths represent a larger movement of political involvement on...
Safety regulations called into question after Parkland shooting
Hannah Sween, Layout Editor
March 15, 2018
Less than a week after a school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. resulted in the deaths of 17 people, Stillwater Area High School held an emergency lockdown drill. During this lockdown, many students questioned just how prepared the school was for emergency situations su...
Staff Editorial: pushing back bell times detrimental
Pony Express Staff
March 12, 2018
These days, it is a common sight to watch hundreds of tired students shuffle into school every morning. During the winter, the sun hasn’t even fully risen; temperatures are below freezing for most of the school year. This scenario has lead administrators to question the time at which schools begin...
Know your rights: guide to exercising First Amendment
Hannah Boardman, Print Editor-in-Chief
March 10, 2018
In the weeks following the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida there have been a wide variety of responses to the tragedy. Some have been through thoughts and prayers, some have been through social media, but the biggest by far has been the steady stream of marches and walkouts in schools ...
Staff Editorial: Upperclassmen seek priority with tickets
Pony Express Staff
March 1, 2018
Snoball, one of the most popular dances for Stillwater students, took place on Jan. 20, with tickets sold out well before then. The dance was held at the JX Event Center, where the maximum capacity is 720 people, meaning tickets were limited to under one third of the student body. Because of this,...
Changed access to Wellness Center raises questions
Max Kennedy, Distribution Reporter
February 23, 2018
Alternative Copy Story by Max Kennedy The Wellness Center is a place within the high school for students to go if they are struggling with an emotional issues. However, many believe access to the wellness Center is limited and more students should be allowed access when they are struggling....