The student news site of Stillwater Area High School

The Pony Express
The student news site of Stillwater Area High School

The Pony Express
The student news site of Stillwater Area High School

The Pony Express
Hailey Laubscher

Hailey Laubscher, Pony Express TV In-Studio Anchor

Hailey Laubscher is an 11th grade student at Stillwater High School. She previously attended Stillwater Junior High. Hailey is an online broadcaster for the Pony Express TV. Hailey has been playing soccer since 5 years old and enjoys it very much. She has one dog, Bella. Hailey has one older brother, Graham, and is the daughter of Rob and Stacy Laubscher.

All content by Hailey Laubscher
Students are very interested in what their peers have to say. Some high schoolers have up to 2,000 followers on their social media sites, making it very easy to reach a large amount of people. However, this can also be used negatively. As junior Rose Whitcomb scrolls through her phone, she hopes she sees no cyberbullying. Whitcomb says, "I think a day in YCAP for first time offenses of violating a schools online social media policy is enough punishment, unless the offense directly is aimed to harm another student."

This is a photo of Rose Whitcomb checking her Twitter over lunch. Twitter is especially known for having controversial and opinionated posts. Students need to be careful about what the deem "post worthy". Whitcomb says, "Not only should the school pay attention to students posts if there is harm being done to another student, but also how others react and interact to the post. They need to watch out for all interactions and comments being done.”

Facebook is one of the most common social media sites, with 1.94 billion monthly users. With that many users, there are bound to be opinionated remarks and if a school feels it is their responsibility to monitor students online accounts, it is within their responsibility. Junior Rose Whitcomb says, "I think telling students what is expected of them online would most likely make kids more aware of the things they not only post, but say to other students posts."

Updating statuses can be tricky because everything one posts is traced back to that person. Being conscious of what you post about other students or about school could save you from being suspended or expelled. Cece Romportl says, "I think you need to know the severity of the post to expel them. If it is a lighter situation then no, it is not fair. In some situations I could see how a post could effect other students in a negative way."

Instagram is another social media site that is very popular for kids in high school and college. Knowing what is acceptable to post could be found in a student handbook or otherwise knowing what does and doesn't belong on social media. Whitcomb says, "Depending on what the student posts, the punishment should vary, however I think the school should be able to see students posts if they are going to harm another student."

Online rules for students are set by the school, however each person has a different interpretation of how the rules should be played out. For example on Facebook people have different versions as to what an acceptable post looks like. Romportl says, "Schools just need to enforce that bullying is happening on social media. It is easy to get away with because a student isn't face to face, but it does still have lasting effects so if the school can just make sure the students feel safe then social media can and should be used freely."

Sharing parts of one's life is what social media is all about. One posts and like other posts that you enjoy seeing. Therefore, people should be able to post what they want, if it follows the schools policy. Cece Romportl says, "I do not think there would be a large effect on students posts if the school monitored their posts. Generally students social media is safe and harmless so there wouldn't be much change. Likewise those who are posting more questionable posts I also do not think will change their posts because their monitoring does not have a large impact on teenagers as they may think."

Online news provides easy access to everything one may need to know. Junior Peter Kast says, "I think that news is so easy to find now a days because people don't want to wait to find out whats happening, they want to know right away. "

Journalism turns a new page

Hailey Laubscher, Pony Express TV Anchor
May 4, 2017
This is a picture of the weather foreacast that is often broadcasted on TV news. Now TV and online broadcasts feature not only news stories but also the weather and other miscellaneous things. Junior Rose Whitcomb says, "I like knowing what the weather is going to be like in advance so I can plan out my week. To find out what the weather is going to be like I either watch the news or check the app on my phone."

This is an example of what can be found on the TV news stations. Not only is world news discussed, but so are upcoming games and other local activities. Junior Ava Pagnucco says, " I like watching news on the TV. It is easier and more convenient and if you don't care about the story you can change to another station quickly."

This is a photo showcasing some of the news that can be found on a hand-held device. This news story came from Twitter and is easily accessible by all Twitter users. Junior Ava Pagnucco says, " I use Twitter to get a lot of my news because it is fast and easy."

This is a photo of the Stillwater Area High School online newspaper. As times change the high school newspaper also adapts. Junior Rose Whitcomb says, "The school newspaper doesn't come out as fast as other newspapers but I like reading the articles that my peers have written."

This is a picture of the Pony Express news broadcast that takes place each week at the high school. The Pony Express TV is just one way that news reaches readers faster by being broadcasted. Junior Peter Kast says, "I like how news can travel so fast now, you can look up whatever you need to know and find it in a matter of seconds."

This is a photo of Gunvalson's 5th hour. Gunvalson tries to implement a team attitude in each of her classes. Gunvalson says, "AP Calculus is a team and everyone works together towards the AP test in May."

This is a photo outside of Gunvalson's room to encourage her students to appreciate and love math. Gunvalson says, "I hope that I've taught them to appreciate math and work together on a team because that's what AP Calculus is."

This is a photo of Gunvalson helping a student, something she loves about your job. Gunvalson says, "The biggest highlight teaching would have to be connecting with students and helping them feel like they are succeeding."

This is a photo of the math league shirts in one of the previous years. Gunvalson is one of the advisors to this club. Gunvalson says, "Math league is a lot of fun and I hope I've encourage people to think math is cool. The students have a lot of fun making the different designs for the shirts."

Gunvalson keeps various lotions and mints in the corner of her room, open to any student who needs it. Gunvalson says, "One of my daughters teachers said that mints stimulate the brain so I thought I'll try that! I hope it makes my students a bit more comfortable, along with the lotion I keep."

This is a photo of Alexander Pavlicin accepting the first place award in the Woodbury VFW Voice of Democracy Scholarship Program. Pavlicin says, "This past Friday I won 1st place in the Woodbury VFW Voice of Democracy Scholarship Program, for the second year. This is also where I gave my speech “My Responsibility to America.”

Alexander Pavlicin prepares for Washington Week

Hailey Laubscher, Pony Express TV Broadcaster
February 17, 2017
Alexander Pavlicin and his instrument in the band room. Along with playing music, Pavlicin has many different hobies and interests that he hopes to persure in his future. Pavlicin says, "I hope to create new avenues to combine my interests in a meaningful way."

Alexander Pavlicin is just weeks away from Washington Week in Washington, D.C. Pavlicin says, "I am honored to be a delegate to the United States Senate Youth Program Washington Week that will take place from March 4-11, 2017. Being a delegate will allow me to gain a greater understanding of American government and its role in our daily lives, develop connections with the world’s current and future leaders, and represent my family, community, and state in Washington, DC."

This is a picture of Pavlicin playing his instrument in band. Pavlicin says, "Throughout my life, I have had many opportunities to explore my passions for engineering, international relations, and cultural studies." One of his many passions includes playing in the Stillwater High School band.

Ordering at Canes is fast and easy due to there only being four things on the menu. Sophomore Jack Seipel says, "It's very simple to order, because there's only 4 things on the menu."

Raising Cane’s chicken, a local favorite

Hailey Laubscher, Pony Express TV Broadcaster
January 8, 2017
Junior Danielle Keran is getting ready to order her meal. "Canes chicken is my favorite chicken", says Keran. Many students have become fans of Canes and choose Canes when they want to go out to eat.

This is the motto at Raising Canes. Not only do people love the chicken, they also love the company. Sophomore Jack Seipel says, "Not only is it good chicken, but socially the company does really well."

This is what a typical Canes meal looks like. It is served hot and fresh, and can be taken to-go or eaten at the restaurant. Junior Chloe Zurn says, "The chicken is very good, but I think my favorite part would be the Texas toast."

Canes is increasing in popularity and has a very welcoming feel when you walk in. Junior Chloe Zurn says, " I think people are hearing good things about this restaurant and many want to go experience it for themselves."

Photo by Hailey Laubscher The boys JV football game is the whole reason teams dress up. Fans come and support the teams on the home fields and know about it due to the dress up days at school. Junior Brice Hafemeyer says, "It's always nice when people show up for our JV games too."

Players dress for success on game days

Hailey Laubscher, In Studio Anchor
October 12, 2016
Photo by Hailey Laubscher Soccer player Madi Gackstetter walks down the hall in her warm up jacket to participate in dressing up for her game day. Today, the JV girls soccer team wears their new windbreakers to get fans out to their game. Junior Madi Gackstetter said, "I really like our new warm-ups for JV!"

Photo by Hailey LaubscherJunior Brice Hafemeyer is all dressed up for his football game today. Hafemeyer says, "No one tells us what to wear, as long as we wear our jerseys." He is excited to support his team.

Photo by Hailey LaubscherA sophomore football player in the cafeteria talking to his friend. This is an example of players wearing their jerseys to dress up. Junior Brice Hafemeyer says, "It's tradition to wear our jerseys on game days.''

Photo by Hailey Laubscher After school in the lunchroom shows some volleyball girls who have dressed up in all pink for their game to support cancer. A common theme for athletes is a pink-out on game day to show their support for all those who have battled or are battling cancer. Junior Rachel Houle says, "I usually yell at my teammates if they don't dress up because it's so great when we all do."

New online community forms on Instagram

New online community forms on Instagram

Hailey Laubscher, Online Broadcaster
September 25, 2016
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