Making an Impact Outside the Classroom

Zoey Pudenz, Managing Editor

October 24, 2020

At a young age, social sciences teacher Matthew Reitemeier would frequently visit the Piper Prairie Fire Department as his father was the department Chief. His love for climbing over the fire engines never faded as the years passed. In 2019, Reitemeier trained to become a volunteer firefighter...

Local small business struggles amidst COVID-19

Audrey Menzies, Design Editor

October 23, 2020

Through the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, some of the most affected were small business owners and their families. A small business poll taken by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in July of 2020 reported that 70% of the businesses surveyed had serious concerns about permanently closing due to financial hardsh...

A search for the positives amidst virtual learning

Julie Jones

October 22, 2020

This year's schedule is something students have had to adapt to as the weeks go by, but with the help of having a positive mindset and getting used to the new normal, some students have been able to make the most out of online learning. “It's been very difficult doing all my work at home and not...

FOCO: How students adapted to the cancelation of Homecoming dance

Annalia Escalante, Staff Writer

October 19, 2020

Due to COVID-19 and social distancing regulations, a homecoming dance was infeasible. However, many students didn’t want to miss out on the fun and celebrated a fake homecoming, also known as “Foco”. “It's our sophomore year, and we don't really have that much time left so I just kind of wanted...

Get to know the 2020 Homecoming Candidates

October 7, 2020

Research shows racial inequality negatively affects COVID-19 treatment for Black communities

Zoey Pudenz, Managing Editor

September 22, 2020

According to the New York Times, people in Black and Latino communities are 3 times as likely to contract the Coronavirus than those in white communities. Despite these statistics, these communities continue to struggle to get the proper resources they need to handle the virus. “I think it’s ver...

Online School is not as predicted

Adam Novak, Sports Editor

April 16, 2020

One way COVID-19 has affected the world is by having people switch to online school. Online schooling for Piper started on March 30th for most grade levels. Many classes require students to join a zoom call at least once a week. Zoom is one popular way for students to interact with their classmates...

“We’ve Got the Spirit”: the cornerstone to every “P Town Beatdown”

Lauren Pappert, Photo Editor

April 10, 2020

One Plant at a Time: Sophomore cultivates world of her own

Megan Neal, Print Editor

March 20, 2020

Sophomore Julie Jones’ plant addiction began when her mom bought her an aloe vera plant last year. “My mom was starting to put them in our house and I loved how they changed the vibe and made each room so cozy,” Jones said. “I started by buying some small, easy plants like cacti and succulent...

Cold Cases Continue to Go Unsolved in United States

Caroline Zimmerman, Staff Writer

March 13, 2020

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary definition of a “cold case” is “an unsolved criminal investigation (as of a homicide or abduction) that has stopped being actively pursued because of a lack of evidence.”  Cases go cold for a multitude of reasons. Older cold cases were often closed because DNA...

Louder than a Bomb takes first at their second bout

Audrey Menzies, Design Editor

March 13, 2020

The Louder than a Bomb team competed and won at their second bout on Monday, March ninth. At this competition, they took first against Winnetonka, Shawnee Mission West, and Blue Springs South.  At this competition, Sophomore Andy Alvarez scored an almost perfect score with a 49.8 out of 50. ...

Forensics looks to add to past successes

Blake Beashore, Editor-in-Chief

March 12, 2020

The forensics team has a long history of success and hopes to continue that success throughout the season. So far over 10 people have qualified for state. One of those who has qualified is junior Neveah Fakeye. Fakeye participates in the Acting and Interpretation events, as well as Poetry. Fakeye has ...