THE GRYPHON TIMES Friday, April 5, 2019 Volume 11 Issue 7 Earth Day Raises Hot Topics UA Baseball is By Marnae Lawrence

It's that time of the year Putting an end to bad in Full Swing where hot topics include saving habits such as dumping energy, recycling, picking up waste would make saving By Eriana Townes trash and taking care of plants. the earth a little easier. All these activities are related Other issues need to be ad- University Academy‟s baseball team‟s season is un- to Earth Day, which is on April dressed, as well. According derway. 22. Protecting the environment to Mr. A, many of those UA hired a new head coach this season, Coach has become something that issues deal with people's Martez Gardner. Coach Gardner has been volunteer many people believe isn't taken selfishness. He sees it as a coaching in various sports for at least 10 years from grade very seriously. battle between Team Earth school to high school at UA. Earth Day was first created and “Team I-Don't-Care.” His son, UA alum Martez Gardner Jr., played base- by Senator Gaylord Nelson on “Team Earth is constantly ball at UA in high school, and Coach Gardner often at- April 22, 1970. What made him fighting for clean water, tended practice. After his son graduated, Coach Gardner Ms. Hammond’s beautiful art van displays nature. interested in the earth's safety renewable energy, wildlife, was approached by the coaching staff and asked to apply was the fact that environmental issues were not being men- marshes and forests,” he said. “„Team I-Don't-Care‟ is for the head coaching seat this season. tioned in politics. pushing back for plastic bags, and packaging, single-use Although this is his first head coaching job, he is well Lower School art teacher Mr. Troy Alldaffer, known to materials and meat.” experienced most students as Mr. A, believes that as a country, the Over all, Mr. A enjoys living on earth to breathe the and qualified United States should be making decisions that protect and fresh air and clean water, which is why Earth Day is impor- for the posi- preserve the planet. tant to him. tion. “I have watched for half a century the depletion of our University Academy‟s Middle and Upper School art Coach resources and the pollution of our air, water and environ- teacher, Ms. Kathleen Hammond feels that Earth Day is a Gardner first ments,” he said. “We all die if the earth dies.” day when people should think about their actions when it started play- When it comes to keeping the earth clean, most people comes to damaging the earth. ing baseball would say not littering is the hardest part, but to Mr. A, “Do one small thing to repair her in some way and as a 7-year- complacency and indifference pose the biggest challenge. make a commitment to do that same thing everyday for the old, when “I see groups throw balloons to the wind to remember rest of your life,” said Ms. Hammond. someone Coach Gardner posed with his baseball our loved ones, without a care in the world where those When it comes to saving the earth, Ms. Hammond picked him up team for team pictures. balloons end up, or their impacts,” Mr. A said. takes the time to recycle. to be a bat Mr. A also thinks that the government plays a part in She also thinks getting the community involved would boy. From there, he started playing as a second and third pollution, simply because the government chooses low help some of the issues we face when it comes to helping baseman. prices, which pollute water and the environment. the earth. He attended Lincoln College Preparatory Academy and received all-state recognition in baseball his junior and senior years. After high school, he attended Grambling State Uni- Who Will be the 2019 NBA Champs? versity on a baseball scholarship. Although that didn‟t last long, he transferred to Maplewood Community College By Wayne Sellers and continued his baseball career there. Following his college career in baseball, he was signed by the Seattle The last day of the 2018- The Warriors still have Mariners to a minor league contract. He played in the 2019 NBA regular season is Kevin Durant, who was the April 10, and then the play- Finals MVP last season. This minor leagues from 1989-1991. Coach Gardner didn‟t take the UA job opportunity offs and the road to the season he is averaging 27.4 solely because of his skills, but he also said he has a championship begins. points and 6.7 rebounds per “passion for teaching.” The NBA playoffs are a game. Casey said Durant is Someone else who has a passion for baseball is senior series of games that lead up the best player going into the Jaylin Whitelaw. to the Finals. The playoff postseason since “no one can Whitelaw has been playing baseball for seven years. series go in this order: Round guard him, and he can score It all started from playing in Kansas City‟s RBI youth One, Conference Semifinals, when he wants to.” league. He has been playing the game ever since. He Conference Finals and Fi- This year the playoffs plays third base and pitches for the Gryphons, but third nals. Each series has a mini- will not have “King James,” base is his favorite position. mum of four games. Which- as LeBron and his team did “It shows how tough you are, and it‟s the hardest ever team gets to four wins not make the playoffs. To throw to first base in the field,” Whitelaw said. “It also first wins the series. some fans, this is a surprise The Golden State Warriors have won three of the last shows how strong your arm is.” The top eight teams since James has been to the four NBA championships. Since he‟s been playing baseball for so long, White- from the Western and the Finals for eight consecutive law has been Eastern Conferences make it to the playoffs. seasons. The Los Angeles Lakers currently have a 35-43 through many This year, the playoff-eligible teams for the Western record. of the coaches Conference are: Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Junior DaMarion Young said he thinks the Lakers UA has hired. Thunder, Denver Nuggets, Portland Trail Blazers, Houston should have made the playoffs since they have James on the Therefore, Rockets, Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Clippers and San Antonio team. Lakers fans had been excited about James coming to having a new Spurs. Los Angeles. The Lakers have not been to the playoffs coaching staff For the Eastern Conference, the teams are: Milwaukee since 2013 with Kobe Bryant leading the way. for baseball is Bucks, Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Many playoff teams have showed why they are in the Philadelphia 76ers, Indiana Pacers, Detroit Pistons and playoffs this season. not new to him. Brooklyn Nets. The Denver Nuggets are second in the Western Confer- However, In the 2017-2018 NBA season, the Warriors won the ence with a 52-26 record. This is a drastic change from last his opinion Senior Jaylin Whitelaw plays third base championship against the LeBron James and the Cleveland season, when the Nuggets were ninth in the Western Con- about Coach for the Gryphons. Cavaliers in a 4-0 sweep. The Warriors still have the same ference with a 46-36 record. They have Nikola Jokic, an Gardner and roster as they had last season, so they are expected to go MVP candidate, averaging 20.4 points per game, along with his assistant, Coach Mason Anthony, is something new. back to the Finals for the fourth straight year. They lead the other players like Jamal Murray, who is averaging 18.2 He feels great about the new coaches. “They are really West with 53-24. points per game. about the game and are giving us all the tools we need [to Junior DAnthony Casey said he thinks the Warriors are The Bucks have had a surprising season this year, as succeed],” said Whitelaw. the best team going into the postseason because “nobody well. They were the first team in the NBA to reach 50 wins. Whitelaw believes the coaches are very invested in can beat them in a seven-game series.” Young thinks they are the best team going into the the players, and so the upcoming season should show the postseason since “they have Giannis, and he can‟t be result of this. Similarly, Coach Gardner believes the win guarded.” total from last season should be doubled. The Bucks have Giannis Antetokounmpo, an MVP Nevertheless, the season has just begun, so come candidate, who is averaging 27.4 points and 12.6 rebounds cheer on the team at their next home game at Satchel per game. Last season they lost to the Celtics 4-3 in the first Paige field against East on April 12. round. They look to go further in the playoffs this season, as they are playing well. And if you decide to come, keep in mind these words of wisdom from Whitelaw: “Baseball might look boring, Remember, the playoffs begin April 10. Don‟t miss out but if you know the game or actually play it, it‟s the on who is going to become the new NBA champion. best sport EVER!” 1 Taking a Look into the Life of UA’s Mr. Persley By Yhani Abbott Mr. David Persley is one of he most recently sang in UA‟s Black History Month assem- University Academy‟s Upper School bly in February. He also enjoys playing the guitar and piano math teachers. He began his teach- when he has the time. ing career back in 2014 as a first- Kiara Bilberry, a senior at UA, said, “It was cool to year teacher at UA. finally hear him sing at the BHM presentation because as a He has always been a fan of freshman, I heard he could sing, and I always used to ask math and science since a young age him to sing for our class and he would say „we‟ll see,‟ but and decided he wanted to be able to never did it.” share his love for those subjects by Some of his other hobbies include biking, longboarding, helping students understand them. playing basketball, ultimate frisbee, listening to music and “I entered college with a love Top: Mr. Persley worked with his partner and socializing. for math and science, and I came their Code the Block students. Left: Mr. Persley Very recently Mr. Persley became engaged to his fiance less prepared than I‟d liked. I recently got engaged to his fiancé, Kirsten. Kirsten. He said planning a wedding is very stressful and wanted to be able to help students, time-consuming, especially while being a teacher. But a nice regardless of if they like math or science, to be able to have ice cream, bread and candy. part about it is that since his fiance is also involved in edu- the choice to do what they want,” said Mr. Persley. “It was a very hard adjustment to not be able to eat most cation, she understands his schedule. Even though Mr. Persley loves teaching, becoming a of the things that I enjoyed before I came to Kansas City, Mr. Persley said one of the reasons he‟s tied to UA is teacher wasn‟t what he initially intended. He had interests in but it was worth it for how much healthier I feel today,” he because they gave him the opportunity to start the coding both engineering and business finance and knew he wanted said. program. He is very passionate about computer sciences, to do something math related, but not in education. He is also a self-proclaimed “die-hard basketball fan.” and according to an article on startlandnews.com, Mr. Per- “A lot of people in my circle told me not to pursue edu- His favorite NBA team is from his hometown, the Los An- sley wants to be a part of changing the fact that coding isn‟t cation and not to become a teacher because they felt like I geles Lakers. He was once the assistant coach of UA‟s var- taught in most urban area schools. was underselling my worth because of the simple fact that sity basketball team. He also played basketball in both high Along with starting the coding program at UA, Mr. Per- teachers are underpaid,” he said. school and college. In college, he participated in intramural sley also started the non-profit organization Code The Block One thing about Mr. Persley that some people may or basketball. back in 2016. It is a program that helps teach kids from an may not know is that he has very severe gluten and dairy Mr. Persley also considers himself to be musically in- urban background about the importance of computer science allergies. With this comes not being able to eat things like clined. Back in college, he sang in an acapella group. And to the future. Students vs. Staff: The Restaurant Wars

One hundred University Academy students and 18 Upper School staff members were surveyed to find their different restau- rant preferences. Here is a portion of the results. Stay tuned for more results to be revealed next month.

STUDENTS: STAFF:

The Best Wings Best Wings

Shark‟s Home- 6% cooked J‟s Fish and 12% Wing Café Wing Café Chicken Market J‟s Fish and 17% J's Fish and Chicken Market Wings N Things J's Fish and Chicken Market Chicken Market 5% Wing Stop 40% Home cookedWings N Things Wings N Things chicken 14% Wing Stop 61% Wing Stop 17% Wing Stop Wings ‟n Shark's Things Home cooked chicken Shark's 28% Home cooked chicken

Waldo‟s Pizza 3% Best Pizza Best Pizza Sarpino‟s Papa Murphy‟s Pizzeria 2% Domino‟s Pizza 2% 5% Pizza Pizza Hut Pizza Hut Hut Waldo‟s 17% Domino's Pizza Domino's Pizza Pizza Sarpino‟s Pizza Minsky's 29% Pizza Hut 23% 5% 56% Minsky's Minsky's Papa Murphy's Papa Murphy's Waldo's Pizza Papa Murphy‟s Minsky‟s Sarpino's Pizzeria 11% 39% Waldo's Pizza

Domino‟s Pizza Sarpino's Pizzeria 8%

2 Movies Coming Get in Touch With Your Inner Clown By Kiara Bilberry to the Theaters On April 1 of every year, there are mo- ments of shared laughter across the nation as people get in touch with their inner By DheVaune’ Mays clown. This day is recognized as April The time is near where Fools‟ Day. April Fools‟ Day is the perfect there will be lots of rain and time to break out of your serious shell and flowers blooming. release all of the goofiness you have within, This spring will also be especially amongst family and friends. April Fools‟ Day has been around since filled with tons of new movies Left: Mr. Graff fooled Mr. ancient times. Its official origins aren‟t that moviegoers have been wait- Greenlee on a recent April specified, but according to history.com and ing on. From scary to action- Fools’ Day. packed, there will be a lot to infoplease.com, there are speculations of the take in and many opportunities holiday beginning in 1582. and then the other coaches were to go see some great movies. During this time, an Italian man known waiting on us around the corner. University Academy stu- as Pope Gregory XIII authorized a shift in As soon as we all jogged around dents are excited for many of the calendar system. He ordered that the the corner, they popped out and these movie releases. Seniors Gregorian Calendar replace the Julian Cal- shouted, ‘April Fools! Y'all can Marnae Lawrence and Eriana endar system. Therefore, instead of the start go back home and get some Townes and junior Jasmine Marvel’s “Avengers: of the new year being celebrated on April 1 sleep.’ We all jumped our McDonald gave some input on Endgame” debuts on as usual, it was now celebrated on Jan 1. coaches.” upcoming movie releases. April 26. Some ancient people adopted this change automati- Middle School principal, Mr. Stacy Graff, has this McDonald said, “I can't cally, and some traditionalists chose not to. April Fools‟ Day memory: wait to see „Hellboy‟ and „Avengers: Endgame‟ because I Then, there were some ancient people who were com- “Occasionally we will pull pranks on our new staff, like love action movies.” pletely unaware of this change. They treated the new year Mr. Greenlee his first year. He came in and set something Lawrence, on the other hand, is excited about a hor- with serious devotion to their duties, which caused them to on my desk when I wasn’t here, and we had Ms. Epps set up ror film that is actually a re- be vulnerable suspects of pranks. a meeting with him, so we could discuss his ‘lack of re- make. People often have funny memories from April Fools‟ spect’ for my office. We then had a serious meeting telling She said, “I‟m really Day. For example, seventh grade math teacher Mr. Dominic him how that type of behavior wasn’t tolerated at UA and looking forward to seeing Greenlee has this April Fools‟ Day memory: that I had fired people for less than that in the past. He was „Pet Sematary‟ because I‟ve In college, one day, our [football] coach told us we did genuinely worried and then after multiple apologies from seen all the old ones, and I'm so horrible at practice that we had to meet him at 4:30 a.m. Mr. Greenlee, we let him in on the joke and three or four curious to see what this one the next morning for an impromptu workout. He said we staff members were waiting for him outside my office to will be like.” would have to run three miles or until five of us puked, ‘congratulate; him on keeping his job. He was a great sport Townes said she can‟t whichever came first. So the next morning, we all showed about it, and we all had some fun with it.” wait to see a few movies like up in our shorts and T-shirts ready to run the three miles. So take a cue from these two gentlemen, and plan some “Us” and “Pet Sematary” We started jogging around the campus, so we definitely April Fools‟ Day fun next time it rolls around. What‟s bet- because she loves scary mov- thought it was real. We got about two minutes into the run, ter than starting and ending your day with laughter?! ies. “I also can't wait to see „Aladdin‟ because I want to The movie “Aladdin” see how this will turn out Preparations Underway for Travelers releases next month on with it not being a cartoon May 24. version,” she said. “And I By Markeiana Wilson can't wait to see „The Best of Students travelling abroad this summer are busy pre- ing to brush up on her Spanish. Enemies‟ because I love movies that are focused around paring for their summer trips. Although the trips are still She also wants to make sure she is mentally prepared the Civil Rights era.” several months away, certain steps must be taken ahead of to live in another country for a month. Take some time to go see a movie with family, time to prepare. Levingston said, “I hope to learn how to adapt to an friends, or even by yourself. It just might be worth your Ms. Kristin Moats, director environmental change, how to make responsible decisions while. of the Alumni Success Program as a young adult, and most importantly, how to make the at Friends of UA, helps UA best out of any situation I‟m in.” students make necessary prepa- She said her application process was very simple, even Spring Movie Preview rations for their trips. though she finished the application at the last minute. She is For example, different still in the process of applying for her passport. countries have specific require- Once preparations April 4: ments for people entering their are complete, many ad- country involving certain im- ventures await the stu-  Pet Sematary munizations. Some UA stu- dents.  Shazam! Mrs. Kristin Moats, dents have had to get shots in “I look forward to  The Best of Enemies director of Alumni order to comply with these going to Easter Island and April 12: Success Program, helps requirements. seeing the huge statue students prepare for the Students will also most heads and some wild  Hellboy summer study abroad definitely need a passport, so horses. I also look for-  Missing Link programs. they are currently filling out ward to the art that‟s in  Little the passport application, get- Chile, the sunsets and the April 17: ting their passport pictures taken and mailing in their appli- beaches.” cations. Junior London How-  Breakthrough Another preparation underway is the process of apply- ard is also studying April 19: ing for travel visas. Some countries require foreign travelers abroad this summer in  The Curse of La Llorona to obtain visas before entering their country. While some- Spain.  Under the Silver Lake times this is a quick process, for countries such as China it She wanted to study needs to be done well in advance of travel dates. abroad because people Top: One UA travelers will be April 26: UA students participate in three main programs: are recommended it to her, visiting the beautiful Chile  Avengers: Endgame The Experiment in International Living (EIL), Student Di- and she thought she mountains this summer. May 3: plomacy Corps (SDC) and National Outdoor Leadership would take a shot at it and Bottom: A colorful bridge in Spain will be among the sites  The Intruder School (NOLS). step out of her comfort Twenty-four students were chosen to go to different zone. viewed by Gryphon travelers  Longshot countries through these programs to explore, learn new “I want to learn the in June and July. May 10: things and get a different view of the world. Spanish culture and learn  Detective Pikachu Junior Tamea Levingston will be studying abroad in new words,” Howard said.  The Hustle Chile. She wanted to study abroad because she saw it was a She said her application process was hard and long “learning experience” for her friends who studied abroad since she didn‟t have an ID, but she still got the job done.  All Is True last summer. Howard said, “I can't wait to try new food and meet  Tolkein “They told me many stories about the new friendships other people with different backgrounds than me.” May 17: they created and the adventures they went on, so I decided Levingston and Howard both anticipate their biggest  John Wick: Chapter 3 to not pass up this opportunity and apply.” challenge to be living with their host families and adjusting. To be prepared for her trip, Levingston said she needs After all the preparations students go through to make  A Dog‟s Journey to make sure she knows the country‟s language well enough their trips in the summer memorable, most of the time it is  The Sun Is Also A Star for her to understand what‟s going on, so she has been try- worth it. May 24:  Aladdin  Brightburn May 31:  Godzilla: King of the Monsters 3 Can You Guess the Teacher?!? Student feature: By Nasyah Day Allyssa Dixon 1. So I was quite shy when I was younger, and I didn't like to in- By Khamrin Grimes terrupt. One day in third grade, I had to go to the bathroom so With her junior year wrapping up and her senior year bad, but I was afraid to interrupt the teacher during our social on the horizon, University Academy junior Allyssa Dixon is preparing for her future. studies lesson, and I ended up peeing my pants right there in my Dixon is the youngest of five siblings. She has three chair at my desk. Luckily, the teacher noticed but didn't make a sisters, two brothers, five nieces, one nephew and three great nephews—with another nephew coming soon! big deal about it, and while all the other students lined up to go In Dixon‟s spare time, she works a lot at a local Quik- out to recess, she made up some excuse about why I wasn't go- Trip, and her favorite part about it is being in the kitchen ing with them. And then I got cleaned up and put on a change alone. One thing Dixon feels people should know about her of clothes. I was so embarrassed, but I don't think any of my is that in her opinion, “loyalty means everything.” Her classmates found out, so that was good at least! truest friend, UA junior Aliyah Kwizera, said, “Allyssa is the definition of a true friend. She will go beyond expec- tations for those she loves.” Kwizera said Dixon is trustworthy, optimistic and has an amazing outlook on life. One thing coming up for Dixon might actually When I was 8, my dog kinda change her outlook on life. 2. ripped out my cheek (which was She‟ll be studying abroad this summer. obviously stitched back together). Every year, UA partners My older sister unintentionally watched with Friends of UA to en- courage students to try dif- it happen. A few minutes later, when ferent things and travel my mom was trying to figure out how abroad through a month- long summer program. The to hold my face together until we got programs offered include to the doctor, my sister came inside The Experiment in Interna- tional Living (EIL), Student screaming—because she had a bug Diplomacy Corps (SDC) on her shirt. She'll never live that down! All of Dixon’s nieces, and National Outdoor Lead- nephews, great nieces and ership School (NOLS). In great nephews gathered order to participate, students together for a graduation. have to maintain a certain GPA, complete essays and also gather recommendations. This summer, Dixon plans on traveling to Mexico for 3. 4. the “On a Taco a Day” program, which is a part of SDC. This program allows students to “explore farms, learn pre- Columbian cooking techniques and sample spices and chiles as you discover the link between geography, history and culture through the micro cuisines of Mexico,” according to the SDC website. Students will travel to Mexico City, Oaxaca, Puebla, Veracruz and Ensenada throughout their I went to see many landscapes, and they month-long journey. “I‟m mostly excited for the were awesome! trips and what the adventures may bring me,” said Dixon. Not only is she traveling overseas this summer, but she also recently traveled to visit colleges. 5. Over Spring Break, Dixon Dixon and her boy- visited colleges such as Uni- friend wore matching I was playing basket- versity of Central Missouri to outfits on Christmas. ball, and the goal fell see what they offer. After high school, Dixon has a lot in store for her down on my friend, future. Dixon plans to become a physiatrist and also plans and my friend was to go to a college close to home—but not too close. bloody. I ran away be- Dixon said what keeps her motivated is her mother and her boyfriend, Chris Lee, a 2018 UA alum. Lee re- cause I thought he was cently joined the National Guard and went through basic dead. training, graduating from there on March 14. While continuously be- ing motivated in life by her mother and boyfriend, Dixon has something special that keeps her going. Dixon said, “Seeing peo- In sixth grade, we were out on the playground ple make mistakes makes me 6. playing soccer. There was this big kid who was not want to make those same mistakes.” This keeps her bullying everybody and kicking kids and gener- going. ally being a huge jerk during the game. So I went She‟s also motivated by helping others. over to him, squared up to him, and punched him in Allyssa Dixon is a junior “She strives to be better the jaw. He started howling, "He hit me! He hit at UA who is looking than others without belittling me!" We were both marched down the principal's of- forward to a bright fu- them. But she also pushes ture ahead. those around her to do better fice and were promptly suspended. Needless to say, so they're able to make a dif- ference in their lives and fu- he never messed with me again. ture,” Kwizera said. Along with focusing on others, Dixon also concen- trates on her own future.

“I can‟t wait to start my life in college all the way to

Blakemore 6. You‟ll never know. never You‟ll 6. Blakemore goal completion, and I‟m fascinated about my future,” ANSWERS: 1. Ms. Adreani 2. Ms. Pribnow 3. Mr. Heffley 4. Dr. Brady 5. Mr. Mr. 5. Brady Dr. 4. Heffley Mr. 3. Pribnow Ms. 2. Adreani Ms. 1. ANSWERS: said Dixon. 4