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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.

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.

Nobody likes needles, but once you get past the initial prick of the skin, you begin feeling very good about donating blood to those in need.

That’s what almost 200 Hillcrest students and teachers found out at the spring blood drive. The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks visited the school March 31 to round up as many pints of blood as possible.

For an upcoming “HTV Magazine” feature, Charles McDonald and Lillian Olive focused on one of the busiest people working at the blood drive, senior Rochelle Justus, who dressed up in a large blood drop costume and helped encourage those who needed a little extra support.

“I take my job very seriously. I go around and make people happy, and smile when they are looking at that needle and are scared to death,” said Justus, who also donated a pint of her own blood to the cause.

Cabinet sponsor Kyle Loudis said, “That Rochelle is a cut above the rest,” when asked to compare her to previous “blood drops.”

The blood drive takes over the East Gym for a full day each fall and spring. The Hillcrest Cabinet members check in donors and help manage the event. Donors must weigh 110 pounds and pass a health screening before they are allowed to take part.

“Without Rochelle, the blood drive would lose one of its biggest heroes,” said senior Adam German.

The staff of “HTV Magazine” landed safely in Hawaii on March 15, and the first two days of this spring break trip, spent at Waianae High School on Oahu’s western edge, were full of fun for all.

Students from both the Hillcrest and Waianae TV staffs camped out on cots provided by the JROTC at Waianae HS. The “fun in the sun” on day one included dolphin and whale-watching, swimming and surfing, a Hawaiian luau complete with traditional food, Hula dancers, fire dancers, and a sing-along accompanied by ukeleles.

On day two students from HTV and Searider Productions screened segments from their shows in the WHA classroom. They were joined by broadcast students from Moanalua High School, and it was clear all three groups appreciated the work on display. Parent chaperones from Missouri put together an “Ozarks Cookout” for lunch, featuring hamburgers, hot dogs, a potato casserole, green beans, chips and sweet sauce from Springfield’s Mexican Villa restaurant, plus sweet tea and a few other local surprises from back home.

“The two staffs made a connection. It was a great time for us all,” said HTV adviser Dave Davis, who first met Waianae adviser Candy Suiso 12 years ago at a convention. The two have kept in close touch through the years.

“This is what it’s all about, coming together and sharing,” said Suiso. One thing shared by Davis was the announcement on Monday that two of Waianae’s students had won first place in the “Five Freedoms PSA Contest,” meaning they would be heading to Washington D.C. in April to be honored. “I was so thrilled when Candy asked me to announce to her kids they had won the contest. It was a special moment, and typical of the generosity of everyone we met at Waianae,” said Davis.

From Waianae, the HTV staff journeyed to Waikiki to enjoy the Honolulu area the remainder of the week. But only a day after leaving the kids at WHS, senior Allison Hale put it in perspective.

“We missed them as soon as we left. They were all so nice to us.”

The annual Shrine Circus came to town and an HTV crew got to take in all the action out front, and also see what takes place behind the scenes of the big show.

Springfield is one of over 130 towns this band of entertainers will visit in the next eight months. Setting up for the three-ring event takes about 14 hours of hard work, with separate crews for concessions, lights, audio, and every aspect of the program.

A caravan of semi-trucks and trailers transports the animals, props, costumes, equipment and human beings who bring the circus to life between February and November. Ringmaster Audrey Michelle has lived this life as long as she can remember.

“I love that we are very family-oriented. I get to have my family with me, my children. We work very hard, but we enjoy it. We’re lucky we get to have a job where we’re together 24 hours a day,” said Michelle, who keeps the program moving by introducing acts and keeping the audience involved as much as possible.

Reporter Valery Elliott and photographers Curtis Thomas and Chase Neff visited the circus a few days before it actually began to find out how much work goes into preparations before the audience sees anything.

“They definitely worked well together to get everything ready. Springfield is their largest show, and they were working hard,” said Elliott.

The performers try to keep the show fresh from year to year, with new costumes, new routines, and new acts to go along with those who, like Michelle, have grown up entertaining kids of all ages.

For the 19th year in a row, Hillcrest video students produced the “Buzz-A-Thon” broadcast, a live, unscripted show full of zany clips and unpredictable improv.

This year’s theme was “To the Rescue,” complete with a superhero-inspired logo put together by longtime HTV volunteer Mike Teuber.

The big show started about five minutes late on February 23, but then it was straight ahead for the next 16 hours. As usual, there were technical challenges along the way, but for the second year in a row, those were kept to a minimum.

“I was so pleased with the hard work of our student engineer, Charles McDonald, and the others who helped us set up and make the show possible. It was a good Buzz-A-Thon for us,” said veteran adviser Dave Davis.

The broadcast gives students the chance to do live television, and it also serves as HTV’s only fundraiser. This year just over $3,500 was raised by supporters who sponsored an hour or a half-hour of the show. Others donated lesser amounts as “Friends of the Buzz-A-Thon.”

Some of the variety on display included musical acts covering David Bowie, Simon and Garfunkel and Lynard Skynard. Improv games gave students the chance to think on their feet, or fall flat on their faces, all for laughs. “It’s the one time of the year we can really just be funny and have a good time. That’s why we look forward to it. Now it’s back to doing our regular shows,” said junior Valery Elliot, a member of the “HTV Magazine” staff.

The Buzz-A-Thon requires about 25 hours of set-up, followed by about five hours of tear-down. Alumni guests often drop by to perform, and current students produce an hour of the show in pairs, making sure they have 30 minutes of humorous features from the past ready to roll.

The 19th annual HTV “Buzz-A-Thon” begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, and final preparations are underway. This year’s theme, “To the Rescue,” is all about heroes and yes, the occasional villian.

Throughout the week, the HTV office is transforming into the Buzz-A-Thon Control Room, and student hosts are busy preparing humorous clips from this year, and years gone by, to provide plenty of entertainment.

The Buzz-A-Thon is the broadcast classes’ only fundraiser of the year, with local businesses contributing money for on-screen recognition during the 16-hour show. Senior Derek Jenkins and junior Alex Tabor are the show’s Executive Producers. One of their jobs is to make sure students are on time, and in place as they fill technical and on-camera positions during the day-long broadcast.

Jenkins said, “It’s one of the highlights of the year and we get to go for laughs and just have fun.”

That is indeed the show’s purpose–to provide humor and the occasional moment of true talent with live musical guests throughout the program. The Buzz-A-Thon has one rule: Nothing serious. Getting the HTV facility ready for the ambitious broadcast is about the only serious part of the project, and adviser Dave Davis says it makes for a long, difficult week. “I know the kids love doing this show, so it’s not going away. But it is a pain to put it on,” Davis said.

He and about a dozen students will return to Hillcrest the afternoon of February 24 and spend about three hours helping the west wing of HHS recover from the show.

Over 100 fans of “Guitar Hero” entered a tournament in Monett, MO a couple of weeks ago to raise money for the American Cancer Society and the “Relay For Life.”

The event was covered by Broadcast I Students, Michael Freeman and Kelton Russell for “HTV Magazine.” That class is taking over production of HTV #156, which debuts February 14 on cable channel 25.

“It looks like a lot of fun, and I’m always up for a little competition. And the Relay for Life, that’s just a great cause,” said Barry Tidwell, who took part in the event.

Guitar Hero, made by “Red Octane,” involves contestants using a guitar-shaped controller. They try to keep up with notes that fly by on a video screen. The winner is the person who hits the most correct notes.

Prizes were donated by various businesses and community members for the tournament winners. While there were about 100 people competing, many more came to watch the action, which took place at Monett High School.

One teen summed up why he liked Guitar Hero so much.

“It’s what I do when my parents get mad at me for playing my real guitar too loud.”

The new science wing is now starting to take shape as beams have gone up, and concrete has been poured.

The first addition to the Hillcrest campus since the “new” gymnasium opened in 1991 is scheduled for completion in late summer.

Surprisingly, the addition has had little, if any, press coverage. “I have read about a lot of R-12 projects underway, but nothing about our new wing,” said Brenda Stone, long-time Financial Secretary at HHS. Veteran Hillcrest science teacher Kristy Gilmore will move into the new building when it opens. She said, “We’ll have the space, technology and materials to have an outstanding science department.”

Workmen have been hampered at times by weather issues, including rain and even ice during the winter months. In addition to the new building, trees in front of the old east gym have been removed. Replacements are expected to be planted soon. The noise has not been a huge concern so far to classes near the new addition, which is going in on the school’s east end, near Grant Street.

There are major renovations set for the summer months in the main office areas, and in the HTV studio and classroom area. Those are also expected to be completed by the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year.

“I was really shocked. I wasn’t sure it would appeal to the kids who were judging it.”

Those words from Fran Olive, one of three members of the HTV team that won first place in the 2008 STN “On-Site Music Video” contest at the organization’s national convention in Anaheim, CA.

The HTV video team included Olive, Brook Linder and Curtis Thomas. They cast senior Charles McDonald in the only on-camera role in the piece. They had eight hours to conceive, shoot and edit the video. Almost 80 teams from schools across the nation took part. Due to video taping restrictions placed on the contest by the hotel, Olive says the challenges were many.

“We could only use what we had in our hotel room for the shoot. And the lighting was challenging,” said Olive, a junior who usually reports and anchors for “HTV Magazine.”

The Hillcrest entry is about a young man who can not escape his hotel room. He finally emerges at the end…or does he?

“Brook had the vision for the final edit. I learned a lot watching him shoot and edit. He shot every possible angle so we’d have options when we put it together,” Olive said.

HTV has placed twice before in the music video category, but has never won the top prize. This year the contest was judged by students, with each team entered supplying one student judge.

The STN convention was the fifth one hosted by the growing organization, which plans to move the event to Orlando next March.