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The Student News Site of Hickman High School

Purple and Gold News

The Student News Site of Hickman High School

Purple and Gold News

26°
The Student News Site of Hickman High School

Purple and Gold News

Kennedy Lucas

Kennedy Lucas, Editor-In-Chief

This year is Kennedy Lucas’ (11) second year as the editor-in-chief of Hickman High School’s newspaper, the P&G.

Kennedy joined the P&G in her freshman year of high school and is now going in to her third year in the program. She “applied to become editor-in-chief a couple of years ago because I love the journalism program here, and I want to make it better.”

Kennedy discusses the real-life skills that journalism has taught her saying that journalism has “taught me how to be a critical consumer of information. It has taught me how to ask questions that get me the answers I want.”

The P&G is always open to new staffers. When asked if students who are considering joining Hickman journalism should do so, Kennedy responded with an enthusiastic, “Yes!” her curly hair bouncing with the excitement of her answer. She clarified her response with, “Anyone who likes to talk, anyone who likes to write, anyone who likes photography, or really anyone who wants to know more about what happens at Hickman should join.”

Kennedy is excited to take on this new year saying, “I hope Hickman is ready for this new, more digital era of the P&G.”

All content by Kennedy Lucas
Selling roses during A lunch, senior Keelie Kendrick sits in the Traditions Lobby with her Alani Pink Slush Energy Drink.

Rose to the occasion

Kennedy Lucas, Editor-In-Chief February 14, 2025

Trireme rose sales benefit a community organization while spreading love and appreciation within Hickman.   Trireme is an all-senior girl club that focuses on community service and fundraising.   “It...

The graph above shows the number of instances the given phrases were posted on social media in the months leading up to the election and the days following it. While the lines at the beginning seem low, note the scale and understand they are in the hundreds. Data obtained from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue.

Do Something

Kennedy Lucas, Editor-In-Chief February 11, 2025

“I saw a woman crossing the road today but I just kept my foot down. Right of way? You no longer have rights,” Andrew Tate, “manosphere” influencer, said on Nov. 7. This and other types of hate...

The “Hello There” neon sign hangs above a coach in one of the rooms added on to Acola when they expanded. “Hello There” is Acola’s slogan. Photo taken on Dec. 14.

Coffee and cramming

Kennedy Lucas, Editor-In-Chief December 16, 2024

My quintessential Acola moment was the beginning of my junior year of high school when I needed to write my oratory for speech and debate. I may have procrastinated a little and needed to research for...

Image obtained via Canva Creative Commons.

Lacking accountability

Kennedy Lucas, Editor-In-Chief November 25, 2024

Freshman Mollie Schnedler submitted her test and looked around at the class to see who else was done. Upon looking around, she saw a classmate with another tab open, looking up answers to the test.   Mollie...

Junior Fifer Matteson reads in the silent section of the Library before school on Sept. 16.

A library for lessons

Kennedy Lucas, Editor-In-Chief September 25, 2024

Hickman’s Library has undergone a major change in how it is being utilized this school year. Rather than being an alternate location for students to go during study halls, the Library is focusing on...

Spanish teacher Pam Lewandowski approves student pass to use the restroom on Aug. 28.

More E-halling, less class-stalling

Kennedy Lucas and Yule Yoon September 4, 2024

There are no longer students milling the hallway with the classic yellow-paper pass. Instead, Hickman has switched to a digital “E-Hall Pass” for the 2024-25 school year.   Hickman’s “E-Hall...

Hickman's Ethics Bowl team poses in front of UNC's emblem at the National Ethics Bowl tournament. Picture via Clementine Buehler (11).

Let’s bowl

Kennedy Lucas, Editor-In-Chief April 27, 2024

Despite what many may think, Hickman’s Ethics Bowl team doesn’t go out and roll strikes at the alley. Instead, they spar over ethical dilemmas in front of a judge.   These ethical dilemmas...

Jocelyn Moody (9) and Michael Landsperger (9) laugh while watching the tech rehearsal of the Kewpie Cup on April 3.

Behind the action

Kennedy Lucas, Editor-In-Chief April 10, 2024

In its third annual year, the Kewpie Cup was not organized by veteran upperclassmen, but by three freshmen.   This auditioned talent show was held on Friday, April 5 in the Hickman Auditorium....

Chief Academic Advisor De'Vion Moore  gestures while speaking to P&G reporter about SRG changes on Feb. 29.

Standards reference rollback

Kennedy Lucas, Editor-In-Chief April 1, 2024

The Standards Referenced Grading (SRG) journey that started over 10 years ago has now come to an end with the district phasing out SRG grade card reporting.   SRG was an initiative to change...

Science Olympiad co-captain Aashish Gadicherla (12) talks to P&G reporter on Feb. 29.

Super scientists to state

Kennedy Lucas, Editor-In-Chief March 4, 2024

The Science Olympiad team placed first at the annual Regional competition at Missouri S&T on Feb. 24 and will be moving on to State in early April.    Despite this not being Science...

The cover of The Box in the Woods by Maureen Johnson.

Not to die for

Kennedy Lucas, Editor-In-Chief February 22, 2024

“The Box in the Woods” by Maureen Johnson was just okay.   This stand-alone novel is a spinoff of the New York Times bestselling “Truly Devious” series. This trilogy features the quirky...

The burned patch of grass outside of the South Entrance. The patch burned due to a paper towel that was on fire according to Michael Merz.

[Photo] Math hall heroes

Kennedy Lucas, Editor-In-Chief February 9, 2024

The burned patch of grass outside of the South Entrance. The patch burned due to a paper towel that was on fire according to Michael Merz.

Christine Weru (12) fills in bubbles on a scantron, reminiscent to that of the ACT.

It shouldn’t be the p“A”yCT

Kennedy Lucas, Editor-In-Chief February 6, 2024

The undeniable benefits of offering a free, proctored ACT cannot be ignored. America needs to start decreasing its opportunity gap between high-income and low-income students. This starts with a proctored...

Protesters gather outside of Columbia City Hall calling for peace in Gaza on Dec. 9.

The cross-continental conflict

Kennedy Lucas and Elizabeth Sall December 20, 2023

On Oct. 7, Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel killing 1,200 civilians, injuring 5,400 Israelis and capturing 200 people. In Israel, 250,000 people have been displaced.    Israel retaliated...

Jennifer Caine sits at her desk on Oct. 13.

Looking up to find the way forward

Kennedy Lucas, Editor-In-Chief December 14, 2023

Jennifer Caine sat down at her desk with a Hickman cup in front of her, a Kewpie banner hanging behind her and the sun streaming in through the window.    She is the newest assistant principal...

Author Mindy McGinnis Visits Hickman

Author Mindy McGinnis Visits Hickman

Kennedy Lucas, Editor-In-Chief October 6, 2022

On Wednesday, October fifth, Missouri Gateway Award-winning author, Mindy McGinnis visited Hickman High School. She spoke to students about her many books and sat down for an interview with the P&G.  McGinnis...

Flashletics: February

Flashletics: February

Kennedy Lucas, Editor-In-Chief February 18, 2022

Girls Basketball: Girls Basketball has been working hard this season. Their record is 16-4 so far. Coach Morgan Scott talked about their turn-around from last season saying, “What a difference a year...

Kewpie Book Nook: Choose Your Valentine Edition #TragicLove

Kewpie Book Nook: Choose Your Valentine Edition #TragicLove

Kennedy Lucas, Editor-In-Chief February 18, 2022

 “Were she better or you sicker, then the stars would not be so terribly crossed, but it is the nature of stars to cross…” Hazel has always known she was terminal. Despite the tumor-shrinking...

Kewpie Book Nook: Choose Your Valentine Edition #CuteLove

Kewpie Book Nook: Choose Your Valentine Edition #CuteLove

Kennedy Lucas, Editor-In-Chief February 18, 2022

Have we met before?’ I ask. He smiles. ‘No, I’d definitely remember you’” Jasmine’s life is amazing, well it’s good enough. She is about to move in with her long-term boyfriend and go...

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