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Dog Day Afternoon
The "Arf-Fest" on the north side gave canines and their owners a chance to show their stuff on a grey Sunday afternoon. The parade of pups used to take place at the annual "Artsfest," which takes place in May. This year, it was a separate event. "It's a good time to show off your dog and meet other peoples' dogs. It's bonding time, and just a lot of fun," said Adriana Futrell, who regularly participates in the parade. Robin Rader brought her dog Max to his eighth Arf-Fest parade. "We wanted to be	here to represent Pet Therapy." The therapy involves letting gentle pets visit those in the hospital or nursing homes, providing special comfort. There was another thing about the gathering that Rader observed. "The fact that all the dogs get along. That's a marvelous thing, because that doesn't always happen," said Rader. The event was co-sponsored by the Springfield Animal Advocacy Council and the local Arts Council. Supporters say	the goal is to start a "no kill" shelter someday in the city of Springfield. Curtis Thomas and Derek Jenkins braved the cool, rainy day to cover the Arf-Fest for the next edition of "HTV Magazine." "We were glad for to cover a one-day event this time. It should make a nice feature," said Jenkins, producing his last HTV segment before Top|Home

Full Credit
Physical Education, shop classes, fine arts. They all sound like hands-on, activity-based classes, right? Sort of. Credit for those subjects and many more can now come from completion of online courses students can take from the comfort of their home. Rachel Miles and Derek Jenkins covered the growing popularity for online classes for HTV #158 last week. They found out right away taking a course online is a double-edged sword for teens. "Sometimes students get behind or don't	get on top of it as soon as they should and graduation is coming, and the correspondence work is not completed," said counselor Jane McCann. "I would recommend it, but I would just like to say, make sure you stay on task, because it's really easy to get off," said junior Kala Van Huss. She is currently taking an economics course online. The classes cost over $100 per half-credit, and students in Missouri are only allowed up to two full credits via online courses.	Jessica Bass, a junior, has used the opportunity to take the classes so she can graduate early. She says there is definitely a risk to online classes for some teenagers. "If you need the credits, it's a really good idea, but you have to be an organized kind of person." Top|Home

In the HTV Chatroom: Ryan Smith
He's just a junior in high school, but he has already started his own business, "Rottix Clothing Line." Ryan Smith is the subject of the latest "Chatroom," a regular segment where the entire story is told in the words of the person being featured. The segment was produced by Lauren Bishop and Allison Hale for HTV #158. "It's about self-expression and being original," said Smith when asked to describe Rottix. The business has it's own website: www.rottix.com. Smith designed the page and is currently updating its look. "It kind of started as a pipe-dream almost a	year and a half ago. It was actually going to be just a side project. I do photography, I draw, do graphic design, I can do websites. It's a talent I was given, so why not use it," said Smith. The "Chatroom" segment shows some of Smith's shirt designs, and catches him spray-painting some creative graffiti at home. His life is all about art in whatever format he's working in at the time. Getting the word out about what you have to offer is a challenge for young business owners. "You have to promote yourself. A 17-year-old is not going to have the money to do commercials or billboards. It's all networking and promotion," said Smith.	Bishop has produced a number of "Chatroom" segments the last two years, and took the HTV award for the best one last year, a special visit with Jerry Jacob, the KY3 anchor who left his job to join the army. "I think having a good conversation is the key to having a good nat-sound story. Sometimes, we ask questions more than once because we know we do not get to narrate the Chatroom," said Bishop, who will attend Missouri University in the fall. Top|Home

Honoring a Legend
John F. Kennedy had not even decided to run for president when Jim Vaughan began his coaching career. That was 52 years ago. Then in 1963 he came to Hillcrest High School, where he has been ever since, coaching track and helping teach young people lessons in life through experiences in sports. Last week, after several months of planning by Hillcrest boosters, the track at HHS was named after the coaching legend. The ceremony was covered by Mehleena Edmonds and Alex Tabor for "HTV Magazine." Randy Thomas, a member of the class of	1980, said, "He's an encourager. I've got lots of great memories with Coach Vaughan...he's my mentor, he's my friend." Thomas was on the public address system for the ceremony honoring Coach Vaughan. It took place at the annual Hillcrest Invitational Track Meet, which Vaughan started with just three schools participating. This year 30 teams took part. "We love you coach." That was how Thomas announced the main reason Vaughan, who is famously camera-shy and microphone-shy, was singled out for the honor. In the HTV segment, Edmonds said, "The	Hillcrest Invitational usually takes place in cold weather, and this year was no exception. But thanks to the special moment honoring Coach Vaughan, there was plenty of warmth in the stadium." Hillcrest principal Jay Rush presented Vaughan, who retired from teaching in 1995, with a plaque, and former HHS principal Justin Harrell was also on hand for the ceremony. The "Jim Vaughan Track" is part of "Shumate Stadium," which was named for Hillcrest's first principal, Hoyt Shumate. Top|Home

Fashion and Fun
Statewide testing days meant non-testing options for the freshmen and seniors who were not involved. They enjoyed a number of activities on and off campus. Seniors heard a presentation about "Safe and Sober Prom," practiced for commencement, enjoyed a whacky fashion show about prom do's and don'ts, and had a bar-b-que lunch prepared by faculty "chefs." They also received their caps and gowns. The ninth graders visited the zoo, and several city parks where they let off a little steam. Teachers chaperoned all non-testing activities, while others oversaw the testing process. Next year, the current "MAP" test will be replaced by a new exam, which the state has not announced yet.	"I enjoyed the day as much as possible. It was fun, and as seniors, we got to be show our wonderful sense of fashion," said Lillian Olive, who wore a sassy red dress as she made her way down the runway, also known as the center aisle of the auditorium. Charles McDonald read descriptions of each fashion model's attire, and provided information about their dream dates. Most opted for movie or TV stars. The show was put together by Darby Bowler, the A-Plus secretary, and coordinator Jennifer Bishop. Girls had their hair and make-up done for them, and all the male and female models were loaned tuxes and dresses for the big show. A "Senior Trivia Smackdown" was also part	of the two days of fun for the class of 2008. Four teacher-led teams competed, with Mr. Kyle Loudis and his squad taking top honors, destroying Mrs. Tamra Barnhouse's team in the finals by a 120-point margin. For the freshmen, it was the first time many had ever been to some of the city parks they explored. Others got to check out the zoo's newest building housing reptiles for the first time. The class of '08 finished the two days knowing they would not have to worry about statewide testing again, but for the frosh, they know they are in line to be tested next year. Top|Home