In 1988, there was a

student protest when WFISD enclosed the previously outdoor

student center

Chronicle www.theriderchronicle.comRider High School 4611 Cypress, Wichita Falls, Texas, 76310

The Volume 49

Issue 2

Did you know?

Glory. Triumph. Spirit. Over the years, Rider High School and Wichita Falls High School have battled it out, competing for bragging rights as the winning high school for the year.

The reason? When Rider was founded, it split Wichita Falls High School in two, and half of the students transferred to the new school. Then the rivalry began.

“It was almost like a kind of civil war,” science teacher Stacie Martin said. “It was kind of like a fight between family members, and then it got to be the young upstart school that kind of put the old guard to the test, and from the time that [Rider] began, Old High’s reign as state champion and football powerhouse kind of came to a screeching halt.”

The rivalry grew fiercer as the years passed. Students got involved in pranks against the other school, vandalizing property belonging to both the school and its students. A growing problem was created by students seeing the rivalry as an opportunity for mischief.

“It’s just trying to create a situation of controversy,” Martin said. “When the game is over you should make the rivalry, ‘Hey we beat you!’ and end it with that, because remember these people are still your friends, the people you go to church with, or your next-door neighbors.”

Nowadays the original reason for opposition is unknown to the majority who participate in these shenanigans.

“Anytime you have a high school branch off and open another one, there’s going to be an intense thing there because everyone knows each other, but eventually they’re not even sure why they hate each other anymore,” band director Loy Studer said.

Moving the rivalry from the streets to back in the game where it belongs has been a main focus of the school administrators, teachers, and coaching staff over the past few years to improve the school’s atmosphere and result in a healthier rivalry. Constant reminders and

enforced punishments from them have helped to somewhat diminish the vandalism levels.

“The coaches have had a lot to do with it,” Martin said. “They set the tone and encourage the athletes to behave and represent the school well, and I think the student body is really responsive to what the coaching staff does, and they will follow suit and leave it on the field.”

Fan Fest was created this year as a form of pep rally for all the schools in WFISD to come together and support all of the athletes, bands, cheerleaders, and dance teams in hopes to bring the city together despite the rivalries.

“It provided an opportunity for everybody to showcase their different talents, and they did it in a spirit of friendship, and the coaches seemed to present a united front saying,’These are all our teams, and we should root for all our teams,’” Martin said.

One thing is for certain though, Rider Raiders have always had school spirit and want to beat the Old High Coyotes no matter what.

“Every year when the Rider/Old High game rolls around, I become that 18-year-old kid again, and I want to beat them probably worse than anybody else in the school,” Raider Crew and cheerleading sponsor Michelle Ballard said. “I know it sounds ridiculous to people that haven’t grown up with it and have true, deep Rider Raider feelings, but for me, I’d rather do anything than lose to the Coyotes.”

In the end, it’s not only the result of the Rider/Old High game that matters, but how the teams, both on and off the field, played the game.

“Anything can happen,” Ballard said. “For both schools, nothing, not even their records, matters during that game because the intensity is such that both are going to fight to the bitter end to make sure they’re the one to come out on top.”

Raiders vs. CoyotesFaculty focuses on moving 50-year rivalry from streets to football field

Longer deployments

pg 6

by Kayla Holcomb

Bullying leaves its tollpg 5

Think Pinkpg 11

Vote on polls, watch videos, read stories and more.

Flash to the past1) Rider cheerleaders do a stunt at the 1986 Rider/Old High pep rally on game day. 2) A Rider football player catches a pass at the Rider/Old High game in 1985. Rider cheerleaders perform a dance at a pep rally in 1974. photos from Rider yearbooks.

1) 2) 3)

Don’t forget us to check us out online!

check us out at www.theriderchronicle.com2 The Rider Chronicle. November 2010 Opinion

Dani Adams & Jordan Campagna

Alex AdamsChandler AlejandroEmily BurlisonPaullyca ChheByron DowlingBelle FryeErin HagyErin HarmanShaylyn LeeMeghan MyracleKyler NormanZane PollockBrittany RobinsonEmma WhiteAlexander Yeu

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Co-Editors-in-ChiefAdviser

Principal

ChronicleThe

A publication of Rider High SchoolThe Chronicle is a student-run publication. The content and views are produced solely by the staff and do not represent Rider High School or the WFISD faculty or administration.

Kayla Holcomb

Erica KlenkFeature Editor

Entertainment Editor

Judy McDonald

Mary Beth Lee

(940)235-1077 ext 31061

cartoon by Erica Klenk

We serve as the voice of the student body and encourage letters to the editor. Deliver letters to room 243 or email to jordancampagna@theriderchronicle.com or daniadams@theriderchronicle.com

Newsroom phone number

Rude remarks, ugly names, hateful text messages. Facebook posts and videos on the web have become a prime source of bullying and are now causing teenagers and young adults to take their own lives to escape the serious emotional scars that bullying leaves.

It is absolutely appalling that people are capable of doing such heartless things to others. What good comes from bullying? A little self-esteem boost, maybe. But that is not enough of a reason to cause someone to take their own life.

Teenagers in particular do not think of the repercussions of the things they say and do. Someone might make a comment intended to be funny, but hurting people isn’t funny. Ever.

High school is only four years of someone’s life. It shouldn’t be someone’s defining moment, nor should it matter who someone is, what they wear, how

they act or talk or what their sexual orientation is. Those four years certainly shouldn’t end early because of suicide brought on by constant peer criticism, rudeness and overall nastiness.

It is not fair, right, or just to continuously beat down on someone for who they are. It is ridiculous that bullying hasn’t stopped already after the last month when suicides brought on by bullying made national news for weeks. Bullying needs to stop. There is no doubt about that. It is wrong in every way possible and if the bullies were the bullied, they would feel the same way.

People are bullied every day and with that comes fear, hurt, pain, hating themselves and ultimately taking their own life to escape from the emotional scars they bear everyday. Stand up for the bullied and don’t become the bully. You don’t want to be the reason someone takes their own life.

Taking a tollBullying causes unnecessary harm

check us out at www.theriderchronicle.comThe Rider Chronicle. November 2010 3News

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Two months into the school year, students are discovering the high price of school spirit.

Cheer crew and dance team both pay to be involved.

"Both pay for their uniforms," Raiderette and Cheer Crew coach Krista Russell said. "Dance team pays for their pep rally and field uniforms. Varsity cheer pays for their black and white uniforms."

With two uniforms each, it can become costly. The Raiderettes' Pep Rally uniform costs $182.03 while their field uniforms cost $102.84. The black varsity cheerleading uniform rings up at $177.15. With lettering that's $35.75, the white uniform costs $182.65. Junior varsity has only one uniform, the RHS top, skirt, and lettering, which costs $156.65.

"It is a long term investment," Russell said.Varsity cheerleading is an expensive hobby with an

estimated payment of close to $1,100. Cheer camp itself is $300, not including

transportation. Camp clothes are nearly $100 with tax, without, $97.75. Along with camp costs, there's uniforms, shoes, bag, poms, leggings, midriff, bloomers, and warm-ups.

"They try out in April and they have until June 1st to pay," Russell said. "It's something you have to save up for."

Price for a new Raiderette member is close to $850, but for a returning member, only around $235.

A new officer has to shell out $725. Though, with the amount of equipment they have to buy, it's no surprise.

Two uniforms, four tops, two pairs of shoes, two pairs of pants, tights, a leotard, a bag, a blanket, a hoodie, warm-ups, and camp are among the things a Raiderette member must pay for.

"The price for JV cheer is supposed to go up next year," Russell said. "We'll probably send them to camp which will raise the price."

JV cheer, while still expensive, is only around $450. That's about $650 less than what a varsity cheerleader must pay.

Not only do they not attend camp or have to purchase camp clothes, they only have one uniform. Other than that, JV has the same accessories as varsity.

But the Raiderettes and Cheer Crew, though maybe the most expensive, aren't the only organizations at Rider.

"Band here is really cheap," band director Loy Studer said.

With a cost of under $200, "really cheap" makes sense. The only things band members need to purchase are marching shoes, band shirts, gloves and a water jug. The most expensive of them being $32 for shoes. Gloves are only $5. They even have from May to August to completely pay.

“Money is never an obstacle,” Studer said.

by Emily Burlison

Cha-ching $$$Student involvement proves costly, requires planning

“They try out in April and they have until June 1st to pay. It’s something you have to save up for.” --Cheer coach Krista Russell

Band equipment$100

Yearbook shirt $10

ACAP shirt $10StuCo Raider Cards and Shirts

$65

$185

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Cost of being involvedCallie Jo Cunningham

check us out at www.theriderchronicle.comThe Rider Chronicle. November 20104 News

Last month over the PA system it was announced that D-Halls were to be assigned for every tardy. Immediately, every student began complaining about the new policy, but it really isn’t a new policy.

“D-Halls have always been there,” vice principal Peter Braveboy said. “It’s just that this year we tried something positive instead of negative to stop them.”

It is true, D-Halls have always been the penalty for being late to class, but students were still surprised by the announcement.

“I don’t think many people knew because D-Halls weren’t assigned,” senior Kevin Ruddy said.

RIDER PRIDE was the positive new

way to eliminate tardies this year. Administration repealed the D-Halls for tardies in place of RIDER PRIDE, but now D-Halls are back in place.

“It worked well in the first six weeks, but when second six weeks, began there were more and more tardies, and we had to go back to D-Halls,” Braveboy said.

The D-Halls aren’t the only new policy within the last week, now, students are not allowed to stand outside on the front porch of the school during lunch.

“There were fights, threats and kids smoking in the alleys,” Braveboy said.

If behavior is better, Braveboy said they might change the policy and let students stand outside at lunch again.

Gotta get to class!New policy enforced to reduce tardiesby Zane Pollock

Tips to get to class...on time

1. Don’t waste time and utilize those 4 minutes.

2. Know the best routes to class.

3. Don’t be afraid to walk outside. It really helps.

4. Power walking is your friend.

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You’re gay.Just go kill yourself, no one wants you.For years sophomore Baden Gunter*

lived with bullying from his peers. It got so bad that in sixth grade Gunter tried to kill himself.

Today Gunter, who is straight, says he’s able to laugh off the remarks in large part because he’s become numb to them.

Gunter isn’t alone. Recent studies show Bullied teens, regardless of sexual orienta-tion, are more likely to hurt themselves.

“I was bullied for three years,” Gunter said. “I got constant ridicule from my fellow peers calling me an emo homosexual.”

The bullying took a toll on Gunter’s life, causing him to go into a deep depression.

“I stopped talking to my friends and fam-ily,” Gunter said.

Bullied students say it gets worse if sexual orientation becomes part of the ha-rassment. Gay teens are three times more likely to commit suicide.

“It makes me pretty mad,” senior Eddy Smith* said. “It’s not like I dress in drag or anything like that.”

Smith doesn’t consider himself to be outrageously gay and doesn’t understand why people make fun of him for it.

“I pretty much keep it to myself,” Smith said.

The teasing the bullied students face has caused them to change the way they look at everyone.

“I changed completely as a person,” Gunter said. “I became a bitter person and separated myself from everyone.”

The students also changed the way that they look at other people in the world.

“I learned that other people will make fun of the way you look or act to make themselves feel better,” Gunter said. “As a result of how I was treated, I don’t make fun of others.”

The bullying on the students still affects them today, and they still face the ridicule.

“[The bullying] is scars left on me,” Gunter said. “But they are more like open wounds that will never heal.”

check us out at www.theriderchronicle.comThe Rider Chronicle. November 2010 5News

by Erica Klenk

Modern day bullying takes mean to new level

Recent surveys show that over 40 percent of students have been bullied while online and over 20 percent have sent or received a “sext.”

According to Dr. Rolla Bradley, a licensed counselor near San Antonio, Texas, the origin for both is technology, more specifically, Facebook.

Both terms were penned 5-7 years ago, right when Facebook started.

“When I was a kid, you had to find who you wanted to bully and find a time when you wouldn’t get caught,” Bradley said. “Now it takes 30 seconds.”

While cell phones are great for emergencies and staying in contact with family, Bradley dislikes how instant they are.

“You don’t have to stop and think,” Bradley said.A main cause of cyberbullying is when people tell

those outside of the “circle of context,” or people who are not directly involved with the event.

“The circle of context is not your best friend who

wasn’t there that you want to tell,” Bradley said about how cyberbullying moves from one person to more taking part in the bullying.

The problem extends beyond bullying, Bradley said. No matter how long ago a person cyberbullies or sends a sext, it never completely leaves.

“Two seventh graders sent pictures to boys that ended up online,” Bradley said. “When those girls applied to college, their names were Googled and those pictures were found. They didn’t get accepted.”

Due to the increase of phones in middle schools, sexting has been rising rapidly.

“Middle school is the peak of sexual interest,” Bradley said. “They don’t understand what they’re doing.”

Bradley believes one way to stop both cyberbullying and sexting is disciplining and educating children.

“Your children are your children,” Bradley said. “They have no privacy. I could pick up my childrens’

phones at any time and if a computer screen changed when I walked in, I assumed the worst.”

While Bradley says that adolescents don’t always know what they’re doing, he believes at the same time, they somewhat understand right from wrong.

“A lot of it is educating,” Bradley said. “If the frontal lobe is educated, they know if it’s wrong.”

The difference between cyberbullying and regular bullying is that generally, bullying doesn’t result in murder.

“A bully wants his target scared, not dead,” Bradley said. “With cyberbullying, sometimes you don’t even know who is bullying you.”

Bradley thinks that the future of technology “manners” lies with todays’ youth.

“Say ‘that’s not okay,”’ Bradley said. “Curiosity may be killing us, we may want to see it, but as we begin to make better decisions, we begin to change society.”

* Indicates name change

Rider students feel pain of past ridicule

by Jordan CampagnaExpert says internet creates safe haven for bullying circles and causes changed behaviors

Making FunStudies say that 30 percent of U.S. students in grades six through 10 are involved in moderate or frequent bullying. 85 percent of the time there is no intervention. In a separate study, 77 percent of students said they had been cyberbullied. 14 percent of those students had serious reactions to the abuse. Each day, an average of 160,000 students miss school for fear of bullying. Bullying photo illustration by Erica Klenk.

check us out at www.theriderchronicle.comThe Rider Chronicle. November 20106 Feature

Far from home, close to heartby Kyler Norman

Map KeyUS military presence as of 2007More than 1000 U.S personnel

More than 100 U.S personnel

Use of military facilities

U.S. Military Deployment

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_military_deployments

Longer deployment times leave family friends sad

Tommy DawsonPhoto courtesy of Dennis Ramsey

The U.S. military is deployed in more than 150 countries around the world with over 1,479,551 active duty personnel.

Junior Terin Ramsey knows what it's like to have a deployed family friend. Tommy Dawson (whom she considers as an uncle), a Staff Sergeant in the Air Force, is currently serving in Afghanistan.

Ramsey said she has a close relationship with Dawson."It's really hard without him." Ramsey said. Ramsey said having Dawson overseas affects the entire

family. "My dad doesn't like it (that he's gone). He considers

him as his brother," Ramsey said. "My mom understands that he had to go there (Afghanistan), but it's still hard for her too."

The Air Force made Dawson move to Missouri three months before he was deployed. Ramsey's family never got to say their goodbyes to him in person.

"(The Air Force) told him he was coming back in December," Ramsey said, "but they ended up making him stay longer than he was (first projected to). He can't even come back for Christmas."

Ramsey was devastated when the Air Force told Dawson he had to stay longer.

"I was in tears and I said 'now I have to wait longer to see you again, longer that I have to worry that something's going to happen to you'," Ramsey said.

Ramsey said it would hurt Dawson's family a lot if something happened to him.

"It would be hard on his kids to go through life without a dad," Ramsey said, "and his wife would have to raise them alone."

Ramsey also worries about Dawson while he's overseas.

"I was very scared that something was going to happen to him," she said. "I feel like something is going to happen and I'm not going to get to see him again."

It hasn't been easy for Dawson's family while he's been gone, and with the holiday season coming up, emotions are running high.”

"It's frustrating because we see what its doing to his kids and his wife." Michelle Ramsey, Terin Ramsey's mother, said. "We were upset because you never think something like that (having Dawson over seas) will hit home."

Ramsey can talk to Dawson via Skype, but only around 4pm on Thursdays when he isn't too busy. Although these days are often few and far between.

"I haven't been able to talk to him since the 11th of September," Ramsey said. "He's been really busy with things and he hasn't been able to get on (Skype)."

When they can't talk to him, they begin to fear the worst.

"When he doesn't get on, we get really worried," Ramsey said. "I feel like something happened when he can't talk to us."

Even though they communicate through Skype and email, Ramsey still wishes she could spend time with Dawson again.

"We'd go shopping together," Ramsey said. "We were always at his house. We'd barbecue and ride four-wheelers. We had more of a father-daughter relationship than an uncle-niece relationship."

Although it seems to be in the very distant future for Ramsey, she eagerly awaits the return of her uncle.

"I'm really excited for him to come back," she said. "He's going to come and visit us.”

Michelle Ramsey has advice for family members facing the deployment of a loved one to a war zone.

"Stay strong, stay in contact with the soldier as much as you can, and let them know that you love them," Michelle Ramsey said. "Make sure they know you didn't turn you're back on them. everybody needs to pull together as a family. Let the soldier know your standing behind him because they have to know we stand by them not only as a family, but as a nation."

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When senior Cortny Pritt found out she won Miss Raider, she couldn’t believe it.

“It made me feel so awesome that the student body voted for me,” Pritt said.

Laura Pritt, Cortny’s mother, was at the Round Up dance to support her.

“When her name was announced, she was surprised and overwhelmed with excitement,” Mrs. Pritt said. “I think it took a minute for it to sink in.”

Cortny’s mom believes that part of the reason Cortny won is her loving heart.

“She wants everyone to feel loved and be happy,” Mrs. Pritt said. “She accepts people for who they are. She’s a leader and loves Rider High School.”

18 people were nominated. Two won. One girl, and one boy.

“I had no clue that I’d win,” Cortny said. “The nominees this year were amazing, I had no idea if I’d get it.”

At Rider, Pritt is deeply involved in both volleyball and powerlifting.

“I set high standards for myself and expect to reach all of them,” Cortny said.

Outside of school, she spends her time going to church, Younglife, and hanging out with friends and family.

“I love the Lord more than anything,” Cortny said. “I love spending time with my family and being close to them.”

During her summers, she does free volleyball clinics and lessons with her sister Alysha.

“She helps with Bible schools and mission trips,” Mrs. Pritt said. “She helps with

Younglife doing skits and for the past three years has worked with Rider volleyball to raise money for Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Awareness.”

Originally, Cortny comes from a military family.

“The Air Force brought us to Texas, but she lived in England from age 1 go 5,” Mrs. Pritt said. “She had an awesome British accent until the Texas teachers got ahold of her.”

Cortny also comes from a family of Miss Raider nominees and winners.

“My sister Alysha was Miss Raider in 2004,” Cortny said. “My other sister Jentry was nominated in 2002.”

Mrs. Pritt believes that since Cortny is the youngest in her family, it meant even more for her to be nominated.

“She loves and respects her sisters,” Mrs. Pritt said. “It meant a lot to her that she was voted Miss Raider like her sisters had when they were at Rider.”

Now a senior, when Cortny reflects on her freshman year, she said she never thought of being Miss Raider.

“It never even crossed through my mind,”Cortny said.

He walks into a room full of lonely faces, people struggling

day to day. He jumps behind the counter and starts serving food. As soon as

everyone has a plate,

he takes a seat beside a young man and says hello, simply starting a conversation with someone he has never met, something he does every week.

Blaine Townsend, this year’s Mr. Raider believes in helping others.

“Me and my friends go every week downtown to the homeless shelter,” Townsend said. “We pass out food and just hang out with them. We aren’t trying to preach to them, just try to love them, be the hands and feet of God.”

Townsend doesn’t waste time at the homeless shelter, he gets to know the people there like he would anyone else.

“They’re really cool and inspirational to me,” Townsend said.

This ministry of reaching out to the homeless came from Blaine himself, with, he says, a great deal of inspiration coming from God.

“In the summer one day I felt God want me to do something,” Townsend said. “Some friends and I got 100 water bottles and passed them out. We talked and prayed with people by the mission.”

Often times Blaine has the opportunity to do more than just talk and pray.

“[One time] We fixed this guy’s wheelchair,” Townsend said. “It was a pretty fun day and after that it kept growing. Got one shot on earth, live it up.”

The homeless ministry isn’t Blaine’s only place to serve.

“[I] talked to the orphanage,” Townsend said. “Felt like helping with the kids. After playoffs I’m going to go up there and help out with the kids. Play some sports with them.”

After high school, Blaine hopes to pursue athletics in college.

“Lots of colleges are looking at me,” Townsend said. “[I’ll] look into being a football coach or a minister. We’ll see what happens.”

check us out at www.theriderchronicle.comThe Rider Chronicle. November 2010 7Feature

Mr. and Miss Raider more than meets the eye

It’s My University. Make It Yours!

3410 Taft Blvd.Wichita Falls, TX 76308(940)397-4352

Visit us @ www.mwsu.edu

by Dani Adams by Jordan CampagnaSenior spends free time with homeless Pritt follows footsteps of older sisters

After the news she’d just received, all she could do was sit and clutch the phone in her hand.

She had had a mammogram the day before and was now being told she needed to see a surgeon. Kim Snodgrass, geometry teacher, couldn’t believe the phone call she had just received. She was getting called back in for a surgery consultation.

“How is this even possible,” she asked herself thinking to the year before, when she had a perfect mammogram.

The only thing running through her head was, “you’ve got to be kidding me.”

Snodgrass went to her consultation and set a date to get the thing that was threatening her life removed.

The first thing she did after waking from surgery was breath a huge sigh of relief. She could live and not worry about that which might have killed her. She could walk through life again with the sparkle in her eye, that bounce in her walk, and be who she was. She could breath again.

Snodgrass says that her breast cancer was “a cake walk” compared to the other things she’s been through.

She doesn’t know the unknown but she knows she’s going to fight to stay alive.Everyone can help in the fight for breast cancer by donating to Think Pink. This

year, the student body raised $7,000, partly by selling T-Shirts and Silly Bandz. All of that is going to help finance searching for a cure.

“I think [Think Pink] is great,” Snodgrass said. “I just wish we could have it for all types of cancer.”

Snodgrass had to give up her job for about two months to get back on her feet.“If I could give any advice to women, it is to get an annual mammogram,”

Snodgrass said. “It’s really worth your life. But to people that have it, take care of it as soon as possible, do whatever it takes because it isn’t a joke.”

check us out at www.theriderchronicle.comThe Rider Chronicle. November 20108 Feature

More than pink ribbons

Teacher appreciates fundraising efforts

It was summer and I was living it up. I was going into my seventh grade year and was worried about going to a bigger school, I never thought this could happen to me, it totally caught me off guard. It never occurred to me that my mom could possibly have cancer,” Haley Woolsey said. Haley was in her dad’s truck one summer evening on her way home from bible study, when he told her the news.

“Something’s wrong with mom,” he said. “She’s sick and needs surgery to get something removed.”

Haley’s head spun and all at once, thousands of thoughts spun through her head.

What if it gets worse? What if she dies?

Haley said her mom went through what seemed like an endless amount of treatment: multiple surgeries, oncologist appointments in Arlington, chemo, and six weeks of radiation.

“The whole time she was going through treatment, the only thing everyone was focusing on was how to get the cancer removed,” Haley said.

A year seemed like decades by this point.

October is National Breast Cancer

Awareness month. Gradually, the color pink has found its way along with Halloween decorations and attire. It’s everywhere, from sporting events to troops overseas, pink ribbons and products supporting and bringing awareness to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

For Haley, the support is more than a simple pink ribbon.

As time passed, Haley watched her mom battle constantly.

“It was really hard to see my mom go through that, but during that time I saw her strength in that she can overcome it,” Haley said.

As the battle went on, Haley believed her mom was going to make it.

“I knew there was hope,” she said. “ God was with us through the entire time.”

She was right. her mom won the battle with breast cancer that went on for a year.

Haley’s words to others struggling with watching a loved one go through what her mom did are a form of paying it forward to the ones who helped her through the struggle.

“I’m always here for them if they need to talk,” Haley said, “and there’s nothing God can’t handle and help you go through.”

Senior’s life changed the day she got the news207,090 new cases of invasive breast cancer are found in women every year.

2.4 million women living in the U.S. have been diagnosed with and treated for breast cancer. Developing breast cancer under the age of 30 is low, there is a

0.5% chance that it’s possible.

SurvivorKim Snodgrass, Pre-AP Geomatry teacher and breast cancer survivor, spends time after school helping students in need.

by Paullyca Chhe

by Alexandra Adams

 

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check us out at www.theriderchronicle.comThe Rider Chronicle. November 2010 9Feature

(above) The seniors and directors of lip synch pose at the end of the final song “Use Somebody” by Kings of Leon with their Raider guns up. This song was directed by senior Molly Satterfield. Photo by Amy Schrader . (below) Courtney Terrell tries to win over Ryan Kistler with her charm in the song “Tainted Love” by Soft Cell, directed by senior Katie

Reeder. Photo by Amy Schrader.

(above) The cast of Aquarius, by 5th Dimension directed by Jay Patrick, performs their final performance on the closing night of Lip Synch. Photo by Shaylyn Lee.(left) Tyler Nolan shows his excitement after receiving his poke-ball from scientist Shelby Shaw in the song “Beverly Hills” by Weezer which was directed by Senior Kristen Savage. Photo by Amy Schrader.(below)The cast of “American Woman” directed by Kenzie Tiffany portrays high school students ‘hanging out’ who later in the performance join together at their high school reunion .Photo by Shaylyn Lee

Lip Synching Like Crazy

50 years of Rider Raider Pride!Going for Gold

Wichita Falls Reptile Rescue’s founder Mike Comella has heard this question many times before. Little do people know that this rescue’s services are needed more often than not. From Red-Eared Slider turtle’s shells shattered to pieces by a car, to malnourished surrendered pets, and removal of suspicious snakes for weary home owners this rescue has seen it all.

“Reptiles are animals too, and they have their place in an the ecosystem. They serve a purpose,” Comella said. “They feel pain just like any other animal does and they deserve the same humane treatment given to any other animal. Lizards and turtles help control insect populations. A major portion of the diet for most young aquatic turtles is mosquito larvae. Snakes are uniquely adapted for pursuing and controlling rodent populations, and more people in human history have died from diseases spread by rodents, than from all snakebites combined. Snakes are in fact one of man’s best friends.”

Comella says one of the main reasons these animals are hurt is ignorance. When someone finds a turtle on the side of the road they think they can take it home for release outside it’s home range, where it stands an only a 10-20% chance of survival through the first winter, or they place it in a small aquarium to be a pet, where it stresses and wastes away due to captive induced illnesses. The same goes for many other animals, such as snakes but instead of taking them home, they may be used for target practice. This is when the rescue’s services come into play.

Comella has mended broken shells, treated abscessed wounds, surgically removed tumors and healed endless other injuries.

There is a sad side to this rescue’s work.

Comella often has to euthanize animals that he finds half-dead from their injuries on the roadside. Frequently, a hit from a car can leave a reptile suffering for hours or days.

Another necessary and ecologically important partner organization of this rescue is The Society for Horned Lizard Preservation. This group focuses on the preservation and public education of the Texas Horned Lizard (commonly known as the horny toad), which is also the Texas state reptile.

“Sighting reports have increased this year, but that does not necessarily mean their populations are up,” Comella said. It could be that since more members of the community are familiar with the reptile rescue and it’s mission, that they are more vigilant in searching for horned lizards and reporting them. Many people tell me they have not seen a horned lizard in these parts for 20 years. I typically see 4-5 per year in the local area, and receive several reports from others.”

Comella hopes, that with his help, the huge numbers of these lizards that were seen 30 to 40 years ago can one day return to their former glory. “The community should be aware that “horny toads” are still around, and they need to be protected. Use caution when driving down rural roads in the morning and evening in the spring and summer. Horned lizards may be basking in the road. Babies are particularly hard to spot and are hatched in the fall. Use caution with mowing or tilling if you live in the country. Also, consider using less harmful and natural alternatives to chemical pesticides, such as orange oil, when dealing with fire ants. The big red harvester ants seen in this area are the horned lizard’s staple food item, and these ants are often killed off by indiscriminate use of pesticides. Everywhere red harvester ants have

disappeared, so to have the horned lizards.”

Neither the Rescue nor the Society receives government funding for their services. Comella says, “It’s important to note that most rescue groups and rehabilitators receive no government funding at all. These are mostly volunteer organizations. It’s all done through donations and out of our own pockets to provide for the animals we rescue. Funding and supplies are always in short supply. Many people cast off their no longer wanted pets and will not offer a donation for the rescuer who takes it in and now has to provide for its needs until it finds

a new home; which could be months, a year, or never. In the case of injured or orphaned wildlife, they have no owners and no wallets, so it’s all on our dime to help them. Some veterinarians may give a break to domestic animal rescue groups because they have a high number of animals to treat, but since I deal with exotics, not many vet offices will give such price breaks, and reptile or wildlife office fees are much higher than for domestic animals.”

The Rider Chronicle. November 2010check us out at www.theriderchronicle.com10 Feature

Junior learns about reptiles at Eco fair

Almost ExtinctMike Comella carefully holds Popcorn the Regal Horned Lizard during his demonstration at the Eco Fair, held on October 9, 2010 at Riverbend Nature Center. Photo by Callie Cunningham

We have a reptile rescue?by Erin Harman

Become a fan on facebook and visit the website to learn more about how you can help!

facebook.com/reptilerescuewichitafallsreptilerescue.webs.com

Think pink:Lady Raiders raise thousands for breast cancer

check us out at www.theriderchronicle.comThe Rider Chronicle. November 2010 11Sports

$7000.That’s how much money volleyball coach TiAda Radtke was able to donate to

the Susan G. Komen Foundation after weeks of selling Think Pink shirts and silly bandz and other fundraisers prior to the Think Pink Game Oct. 12.

Pink ribbons decorated the rails, and most spectators were wearing the volleyball Think Pink shirts sold for $10. Blinking pink lights and pompoms were for sale on game day.

That day Rider’s fieldhouse was full, unusual for a volleyball game. Even a volleyball game against rivals Wichita Falls High School. The energy of the rivalry added to the excitement of the game, but everyone there remembered the real reason for the celebration. Especially when before the varsity game, the JV volleyball team presented pink flowers to breast cancer survivors on both sides of the gym.

On this day, instead of the typical Rider Raider painted black and gold chests, Mario Morales, Travis Ford, Chase Henderson, Alex Williams, Josh Brady, Chase Roberts, Kaleb Nichols, Cal Johnson, Jacob Deerinwater, Luke Lemley and Parker David painted FORTHECURE!! In black and pink.

And all the while, the varsity team, in a race to make post-district play, remembered that today, their game was about something more than winning volleyball.

It was about winning the battle against breast cancer, something senior varsity player Alyssa Haigood knows about.

Her grandmother, a breast cancer survivor, was able to attend the Think Pink game.

“She has come for the past three years,” Haigood said. “She is one of the most giving ladies ever.” Haigood’s grandmother attends every one of her games to show her grand daughter how proud she is. The two are very close, and her diagnosis was hard on the whole family, but Haigood said her grandmother remained strong.

Stories like that helped the volleyball team as they worked on the fundraiser and game.

“We all felt great about it,” varsity Captain Abby Watts said. “Most people don’t get the opportunity to help.”

The team went into the match with a mindset of total domination. Their goal was to beat Old High in three matches. They didn’t want the opposing team to have any chance at winning. Which they didn’t. Rider beat Old High in the first three sets: 25-19, 25-23, 25-15.

“It was such a relief. There was more pressure than usual in trying to make the game exciting,” Watts said. “It boosted our confidence as a team.”

by Belle Frye and Meghan Myracle

Sloans Loans 3155 5th St.Wichita Falls, TX(940)322-5626 III

photo by Meghan Myracle.

check us out at www.theriderchronicle.comThe Rider Chronicle. November 201012 Sports

Buffet & drink for $6.00 OR large one topping pizza for $8.00. Must present coupon to receive discount.

The Rider Raiders football team has secured a playoff spot and are headed to the 4A division 1 playoff bracket after a 56 to 2 victory over the Denton Broncos. With the win the Raiders have locked up second place regardless of the outcome of the crosstown rivalry with Old High. The Coyotes, whose playoff chances are relatively over after a 35 to 3 loss to Denton Ryan, will be playing for pride and provide a decent test for the Raiders who will begin playoffs the following week.

“The first thing we gotta do is get ready to play Old High,” Coach James Garfield said. “We also have to get our grades taken care of.” “We’re students first.”

The Raiders will more than likely be destined to the big-school bracket. The district’s two highest populated schools that make the playoffs play in the division 1 bracket. Lewisville The Colony has a higher population than Rider but has a long shot of making the playoffs, so more than likely Denton Ryan and Rider will be the district’s division 1 representatives.

The Rider Raiders can actually find themselves in the Division 2 playoff bracket, but saying that’s a long shot is more than an understatement. For Rider to go division 2 they need The Colony to beat Denton, Little Elm to lose to Denton Ryan, and for Old High to actually beat Rider. This would force a one game playoff with Old High and The Colony with the winner advancing to the playoffs.

As for preparation for the playoffs, Garfield hasn’t really changed up his game plan. “We just need to have good practices and lots of film work,” Garfield said. “ We also need to prepare a little more mentally than physically.”

As for Raider’s opponent in their Bi-district, they’re still unknown. They will play the first place finisher from district 3-4A which is still up in the air. The Raiders could play either the Dons of Amarillo Palo Duro, the Raiders of Canyon Randall, or the Amarillo Caprock ‘Horns. Nothing is set in stone as all three teams are tied for first.

The Raiders scouted Palo Duro when they were filming for their game against Amarillo high. The Sandies defeated Palo Duro 21-0 but also beat Rider 35-7. “They’re a lot like us [Palo Duro]” Garfield said. “They like to run the Wing-T.”

If the Raider’s advance they will play the Bi-district winner between the winner’s of district 1-4A and 2-4A. This would consist of a host of El Paso teams, teams that spend almost their entire football season playing out their district schedules against other El Paso teams. No playoff opponent should ever be taken lightly, but in the Raider’s last 7 playoff appearances they have never lost to an El Paso team.

If the Rider Raiders advance to the third round of the playoffs, that’s where things will get interesting. If the both Rider and Denton Ryan find themselves

still in the playoffs three weeks from now, they will also find themselves in a district title rematch. Rider will have a chance to avenge a 35-14 defeat to the Ryan Raiders who will be more than mindful of Rider’s knack to defeat teams in the playoffs that they suffered losses to in the regular season, just ask the Stephenville Yellow Jackets about that.

This is the first year that Rider has ever been in the Division 1 playoffs.

“I’ve never been head coach before so I guess I’ll find out,” Garfield said.

Playoff boundRaiders lock up second place in district and secure playoff berth with victory over Denton

Stand Off The Rider Offensive Line lines up against The Colony’s defense on October 22nd . The Raiders won the game 24-21. Photo by Shaylyn Lee.

by Byron Dowling