By Katie Bunde

Trojan Tribune Staff

Photo by Eli McMahon

Replaying everything in his head, junior Isaac McMahon eagerly awaited the results of his All-State Band audition. “I figured I would make it, but I wasn’t for sure,” said McMahon. Holding the second chair bassoon title from last year, McMahon traveled to Brookings on March 22 for the 2012 All-State Band Concert. There were two bands with 85 musicians in each.

The first two days consisted of never-ending and tiresome rehearsals. The bands put on their performances on Saturday, March 23. “The kids’ hard work paid off; they put on a wonderful show,” said West Central band director Daniel Eye. Though the practice was tedious, McMahon said he had a fun experience. “My conductor was awesome! He was so energetic and could really connect to the band to get them to do what he wants. There was this one song that he said he had never had a good performance of, and then we performed it really well!”

In the past, WC has sent more than five students each year, but for the past two years, McMahon has been flying solo. “My goal for next year is to get first chair bassoon with an awesome score and to have a solo,” said McMahon. In a way, he already met his goal. Last weekend, March 30, he went to Fargo, North Dakota, for Honor Band. Honor Band is made up of six All-State members from different states from the Midwest. McMahon got first chair (finally beating out his toughest competitor from SD) and even performed a solo. It goes to show that hard work, determination and passion are what you need to meet your goals. It looks like at this rate, McMahon will have to make his goal for next year a little bit more challenging!

By Katie Bunde and Sydney Rechtenbaugh

Trojan Tribune Staff

Photo by Brandon Pennock

Taking two weeks off from school would sound good to any student. Junior Brandon Pennock had that opportunity and took it. State Representative Bob Deelstra contacted Pennock and told him he should sign up to become a Legislative page. “I didn’t even know what that was, so I checked into and it sounded pretty fun. I filled out an application,” said Pennock. Requirements for being a page consist of being among the top of your class and having your principal sign off saying you are responsible. “The program is actually meant for seniors, but I got around that,” said Pennock.

A Legislative page is a student who goes to the Capitol in Pierre and helps and observes the legislators. Some of the pages’ duties include sorting through bills and journals, making copies and delivering mail. “We also got them coffee, water and whatever else they wanted,” explained Pennock. 

Pennock really enjoyed his experience in Pierre and would definitely do it again. “There were 22 other pages from across South Dakota. I made a lot of new friends and I got to see what the Capitol is like. For my birthday, I had supper at the Governor’s Mansion. That was pretty sweet.”

The pages got paid $50 a day, but he also had to pay $25 a day to his host family. There were two days he didn’t get paid when session was canceled for Former Governor Bill Janklow’s funeral.

“Next year I plan to apply again. Hopefully they will let me, because I had a real good time. I strongly recommend this program to all students. You don’t even have to be interested in politics. It’s a good experience.”

By Katie Bunde

Trojan Tribune Staff

Photo By Katie Bunde

Poor laptop usage is not becoming a problem of the past. Many teachers agree that the majority of students use their laptops appropriately, but about 20 percent do not. Some of the issues include gaming, chatting and emailing for personal use. “Kids just get hooked on some games, so they play them throughout the school day instead of doing their work,” said math teacher Theresa Skinner. The first offense for games is a verbal warning. The second offense is a suspension of privileges, which means you have to check out your laptop at the beginning of the day and check it in at the end of the day. Third offense is a teacher check in-check out. That is when a teacher lets the student know when he or she can use their laptop.

Teachers are getting frustrated with students abusing class time. “When I notice a student on their laptop when they are not supposed to be, I try to subtly call attention to them so they get the hint. If they still don’t get it, I will flat out tell them to close their lid,” explained Skinner. Teachers are being introduced to a new software that lets them see and take control of students’ desktops. They hope this will cut down on the games and emails during class. Other students are also affected by this behavior. “It’s distracting when you are trying to listen to a teacher, but you can’t because the person in front of you is playing a game,” said sophomore Jessica Sandahl.

Another complaint is the poor internet connection. Each access point is made for 100 users, and there are plenty throughout the school. SRB is the worst time of day for internet issues because that is when students do most of their streaming and downloading. Unfortunately, that is also when students need to do online homework and quizzes.

Overall, the laptops are a good learning tool, but also a distraction. They are going to be looked at as a privilege instead of a right to the ones who abuse them. “The laptops’ intended service is education, not entertainment. Just like lockers, they are to be used for the designed purpose and not abused,” said high school principal Mark Rockafellow. “I love the laptops and the access it gives the students; they just have to use it the right way.”

Keep in mind the consequences of poor usage and make an effort to cut down on your addictive games!