Issue 1 by The Harbinger

the

ISSUE 1 SHAWNEE MISSION EAST PRAIRIE VILLAGE, KS SEPT. 8, 2009

a new

weapon District approves use of breathalyzers at high schools >>LoganHeley A new policy adopted in late July will authorize trained district police officers to use a preliminary breath test (PBT), used to detect alcohol, on students. Having the PBTs at their disposal will help district-employed police officers determine if a student is under the influence of alcohol. In the past, officers had to resort either to examinations such as the “pencil test,” where they instruct the detainee to follow a pencil with their eyes, or contact local police forces. The PBTs will be allowed at any location where school sponsored activities, like dances or sporting activities, are being held. Before testing a student the officer must have probable cause, which could be determined by how the student is acting or their breath. “I just think the time has come where we have to get real tough on this,” Principal Karl Krawitz said. “I’m glad it’s happening.” Punishment for students failing or refusing the PBT will be handled individually on a case-by-case basis, but the failing of a PBT will automatically result in a five-day minimum out of school suspension and could extend up to ten days depending on the incident’s severity. Dr. Krawitz is also in favor of suspending those students from school activities such as sporting events and dances for several weeks. Superintendent Gene Johnson believes that disciplinary actions could be worse for students who supply alcohol to others and not just themselves. Not only could students face disciplinary action from the district, but also from the city and county, respectively. continued on page three

NEWS: Construction update (pg. 2) A&E: Fall concert preview (pg. 22) SPORTS: Freshman makes varsity soccer (pg. 28)

page 2 news 09.08.09

STATU S: FINA

LIZING

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES

S: U T A ST

“These are subtle, little things that have to be done for the building to be considered finished,” Krawitz said. The workers replace any materials damaged during construction -- stained ceiling tiles, dented drywall -- with brand new materials. Even though workers are still “punching,” the new offices are completely occupied and fully functional.

ET L P M CO

status:

Staff and students wait anxiously for the completion of construction >>EvanNichols

AUXILIARY GYM

All administrative offices, excluding counseling, have been moved to a new, more spacious building on the third floor. The new offices are not only more spacious but also easier to get to from outside the building. “[The offices] are more accessible to the general public because of the fact that parking is now focused in the south rather than the east side of the building,” Krawitz said. The building, almost entirely finished, is now in a phase Krawitz calls “punch-list items,” which are the building’s final touch ups.

Although the actual building itself is finished, the new auxiliary gym is still under construction. The gym’s scheduled completion was thrown off while construction workers struggled to bring the gym’s humidity level down to 50 percent, a condition needed to begin laying down the wood floor. The wood will warp if it isn’t kept at this level. Despite the setbacks, the floor is being laid down now, a process Dr. Krawitz expects to be finished in about 4-6 weeks.

GO “

STATUS : PEND

DANCE STUDIO

Dr. Krawitz confirmed that a dance studio is planned for construction, but has not yet been started. The location of the studio- underneath the auxiliary gym and adjacent to the weight and locker rooms- is still being used as the staging area for all of the contractors. Like the gym, it will have a

STATUS: COMP LETE

“If they have additional crews, it’s not going to speed it up because you can’t start at one piece and then hope to join up at some other location,” Dr. Krawitz said. “Having additional men doesn’t necessarily mean you can get the project done faster.” The gym will be used mainly for PE classes and sports practices, reducing the number of teams having to be outsourced to middle school gyms.

ING

hand-laid wood floor put in for the dancers. “I would guess that would be one of the final rooms to get done once that entire area gets turned back over to us, Krawitz sais. “Which now I would project will be in the end of September.”

”

It’s going to be different this year practicing at South, but a gym’s a gym and we’re thankful they’re letting us use it for the year. >>Senior Lindsey Sauls

> BAND, CHOIR & ORCHESTRA ROOMS Located off of the south ramp, this completely new branch of houses the new band room, choir and orchestra rooms, new sound-proofed practice areas (the old ones have been converted into changing rooms for theatre), student instrument lockers and stoarge, automatic lights and a spacious teacher’s office. “I don’t think there’s three teacher’s in the building that have an office as big, unless you’re the principal,” band teacher Kim Harrison said. “That’s about it.” The new band room is colossal in size -approximately 3400 feet in size compared to last year’s 1500 foot room. The 30 foot

high ceilings also come equipped with new sound absorbers and reflectors. But along with all the improvements of the new branch came new difficulties and problems. The band room still has no intercom, no bells and the teacher’s office computers are still without internet. Despite the setbacks, Harrison is still happy with the room and looks forward to its completion. “The room is inhabited now and we’re using it,” said Harrison. “When they get them all finished up it’s going to be incredible. This is my 24th year, and I’m glad we finally got it.”

>>all photos by Lindsey Hartnett

issue one news page 3

GETTING A BETTER

READ >>

photo illustration KatieEast

The Five

W’s of Alcohol

all photos Katie East

“

Who?

What?

Paul Walsh is CEO of Diageo, the maker of such brands as Guinness and Captain Morgan.

Alcohol abuse can result in dull hair and skin‚ aggravated acne and dandruff.

”

When? Where?

Why?

runs the largest did alcohol use do people drink is the alcohol related can alcohol abuse the most alcohol? age 21? do to your looks? begin? company?

>>Mayo Clinic

>> University of Kentucky

Wine has been around for about 10,000 years and mead and beer have been around even longer. >> www.drug-rehabs.org

Luxembourg tops the list. Luxembourg citizens down an average of 15.5 liters of alcohol each per year. >> Forbes

drinking

The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 required all states to raise their drinking age to 21. >>The State University of New York at Potsdam

SENIOR MAXSWEET

The PBT is sometimes incorrectly referred to exist, shows that the SMSD is very serious about as a “breathalyzer.” A PBT is much smaller and handling alcohol issues and deterring students more mobile than a breathalyzer, but also is not as from drinking.” Nearby Blue Valley School District enacted a accurate. Because the accuracy of the PBT could vary slightly, they are not allowed in U.S. District policy authorizing the use of PBTs in 2001. DenCourts, according to Detective Brady Sullivan. The nis McCarthy, Director of Safety and Security for PBTs that will be used by the district can, however, the Blue Valley School District, said that the policy detect the presence of alcohol, which is all that is has not increased the number of alcohol-related disciplinary reports. He believes the use of a PBT necessary if the student is underage. Each school is given a Student Resource Offi- is more for the benefit of a non-drinker rather than cer (SRO), a law enforcement agent from the local for the purposes of getting someone in trouble. “I think it actually works in the favor of those municipality and either one or two district police officers. The district’s officers are trained like local who, for whatever reason, maybe suspected of bepolice officers, but the district, not the local mu- ing under the influence but actually are not,” McCarthy said. “I think it’s more nicipality, employ them. of a protective function rather In the past, SROs have had I just think the time has than a disciplinary one.” the authority to use PBTs and JICH, the district’s drug even breathalyzers, a larger come where we have to get and alcohol policy, has been machine used for testing a real tough on this. I’m glad around since 1969 and Superson’s blood alcohol conperintendent Gene Johnson tent, on any person under the it’s happening. believes that adding PBTs will umbrella of probable cause. >>Principal Karl Krawitz give district officers another Richard Pacheco, East’s distool to use. trict policeman, estimates USA Today reported that KNH Solutions, a comthat he could have used a PBT about two or three pany that specializes in commercial breathalyztimes last year. The district felt it’s own police force should ers, saw a 120 percent increase in profits each year have access to PBT use because SROs generally between 2003 and 2007. Dr. Johnson said that the do not attend many of the after-school events the district has not had any large problems with underage drinking in recent years and no such probdistrict officers are required to attend. “I do believe that having the PBT will be a great lems were the basis for enacting the new policy. “There’s concern all over the United States asset and tool to use to help address and deter underage drinking,” Pacheco said. “I think we, [the about underage drinking,” Dr. Johnson said. “It’s district police officers], being recently approved to not just Shawnee Mission or Blue Valley or Kansas conduct these breath tests when probable cause City, Missouri.”

JUNIOR ANDREWWATKINS

The district will be documenting each incident where the PBT is used. The district will also provide local authorities with any information of illegal behavior they might uncover. “The school district is required by law to communicate any violations of the law or potential violations of the law to the police department,” Dr. Johnson said. “We will be following the law, period.” Don Hymer of the Johnson County District Attorney’s office said that students over the age of 18 would face legal action from the city while the county would deal with students under 18 years old in the juvenile court system. Hymer holds that the district’s actions are completely legal. Senior Jordan Pfeiffer believes the district has the right idea. East lost four students last year to what Dr. Krawitz called at a beginning-of-the-year assembly, “poor decision making,” and Pfeiffer knows the administration doesn’t want that to happen again. Another concern he has is that students under the influence of alcohol might misrepresent East at sporting events. “I think it’s somewhat of a good thing just because, I think, drinking before school or most athletic events is pretty stupid,” Pfeiffer said. “I mean, we need to respect our athletes who are on the field or on the court.” While Pfeiffer understands the districts concerns, he is wary of what might happen if the policy is abused. “If they’re really thinking about sticking to this [policy] then they’re going to offend some people and I think they’re going to start [using the PBT] a lot more often,” Pfeiffer said.

Q: Do you think having PBTs at school infringes upon your privacy? A: Yeah, a little bit, but they can already search our cars and our lockers without our permission really because we’re on state property. Q: Do you think having the PBTs will help East’s drinking problem? A: Yeah, maybe a little bit, just in case kids are drinking and coming to parties or something. Q: Do you think having PBTs at school infringes upon your privacy? A: I do not think it infringes on our privacy as long as we are at school or schoolsponsored events. Q: Do you think having the PBTs will help East’s drinking problem? A: As far as drinking at school events like dances and sporting events, yes. Q: Do you think having PBTs at school infringes upon your privacy? A: Yes, I think it does but at the same time they should be necessary if the drinking gets out of control at school functions. Q: Do you think having the PBTs will help East’s drinking problem? A: No, I don’t think it will help because there will always be drinking outside of school activities that the district won’t be able to stop. Q: Do you think having PBTs at school infringes upon your privacy? A: Not necessarily during school hours but outside of school at school functions it’s their personal time and if they choose to be drunk then that’s their choice. Q: Do you think having the PBTs will help East’s drinking problem? A: It might stop their drinking problem coming to school drunk, but other than that not really.

SOPHOMORE CAMILLEGOEHAUSEN

>>continued from page one

>>lancervoice

FRESHMAN BUCKYKESSINGER

New policy gives district police more authority to test students for the consumption of alcohol

page 4 news 09.08.09

UNCHANGED

AP Scores East scores still low from spring are shadowed by district averages >>GriffinBur

Ahab had his white whale and East has its Advance Placement test scores. East’s spring 2009 scores remained at roughly the same level as the spring 2008 scores – a level that Principal Dr. Karl Krawitz believes is unacceptable. Seventy percent of students taking the AP test scored a three or below, a score that Krawitz calls poor. The majority of students taking the test, 29 percent, scored a three. The second largest majority, 24 percent, got a one, the lowest possible score. But as East’s scores stagnated, SMSD’s scores rose on the whole. In 2007, the median score was 2.96. In 2008, it dropped to 2.90 but it shot back up to 2.99 in 2009. Additionally, as scores went up, more students took the test. In 2009, 1,613 students district-wide took an AP test, up from 1,526 in 2008. An increase in number of test-takers usually results in a lower score, said Betsy Degen, SMSD Director of Curriculum and Instruction. Yet SMSD’s scores rose, further adding to the district’s success. Last year, Krawitz was initially taken aback by East’s low scores. “Given the caliber of academic performance that this building has traditionally had, I thought ‘Something here doesn’t match up,’ “ Krawitz said. Soon, though, he determined what he believes to be the problem. Under the current AP system students must take the AP exam to receive the “AP” designation on their transcript. But, the grade on the test does not affect the designation - in other words, as long as students take the test, it doesn’t matter how well they do. Krawitz believes that this cre-

ates a lack of motivation for students. Krawitz said the problem is the same this year. While he sees some cases of students honestly trying and doing poorly, he says the main cause is still a lack of incentive to try. Optimally, Krawitz would like to give all AP students the AP designation, even if they do not take the test. Then, the primary reason to take the test would be for college credit. Most colleges require a minimum of a three for credit - so students would be more motivated to perform well. But for now, this change is unlikely to happen. AP test policy is made at the district level. Since the current policy appears to be working at a district level, it will likely stay in place, Degen said. Krawitz plans to talk to the students taking the test and emphasize the importance of doing well. “My thing is to the appeal to [the people taking it] and try to get them to work at a level that they know they can do,” Krawitz said. Degen cites communication as the source of overall success. According to Degen, AP teachers from all five Shawnee Mission schools communicate with each other. They share information and what has worked in the past. “We do know about a little of [the motivation], but most people don’t work as hard as they do in AP all year long, then [not take the exam seriously],” Degen said. “If a student’s motivation is that they are preparing for the rigors of college, that should be motivation enough to do well on the test.” Senior Natalie Brown took the US History and English Language and Composition AP tests and scored a four and five, respectively. She cited two

reasons for doing well - college credit and the combined $180 price tag for the tests. The combination was a major motivator for Brown. “If I’m going to spend that much money, it would be dumb to just not try,” Brown said. “I didn’t expect to do that well but I was trying. I guess [caring about the test] really helped.” Krawitz and Degen emphasized that the tests, while important, are just one measure of performance. They also both noted that the purposes and learning done in an AP class may not show up on a test. “I certainly understand why these tests were created and what they do,” Krawitz said. “But if [people] really believe that these tests help them understand how much a student knows or if they’ll do well in college or be successful [...] statistically, there’s no correlation.” AP Economics teacher Rebecca Murphy believes the AP program is about challenging and including students as opposed to getting the highest test scores. In some schools, there is a policy of allowing only the highest-achieving students to take AP. While this move can improve scores, Murphy believes it is a misuse of the AP curriculum. “We shouldn’t be social Darwinists [regarding AP classes],” Murphy said. “I want everybody to have a crack at the best education. Unfortunately, growth like that doesn’t show up on a test.” Krawitz acknowledges that the main reason for AP tests is to measure academic accomplishment. But he sees a higher purpose in testing. “I want to tell kids ‘This isn’t about what’s on the transcript,” Dr. Krawitz said. “ ‘It’s about you.’”

ChangingtheSubject

English department adjusts required reading for sophomore and senior courses

>>RainaWeinberg

>>Jeff Cole

Towards the end of last year, five books, along with “Catcher in the Rye,” “Dante’s Inferno” and One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest” were being read in 10th grade honors English classes. This year, because of a recently imposed book allowance by the English department, those three books have been cut completely from the curriculum. Standard level English classes are now allowed to

read only four major works and Honors/AP classes can read up to six. “I heard that Honors 10th grade English was hard, but now I’m a little disappointed that we wont be getting the same experience the juniors did,” sophomore Bahar Barani said. “I’m disappointed that ‘Catcher in the Rye’ isn’t something we will be reading. Hopefully they will move it to another year.” A district initiative called the Professional Learning Communities (PLC groups) advised the English department on their decision. According to the SMSD Web site, PLC groups were created to be a way for teachers to collaborate ideas with others through seminars and meetings. Their overall goal is to keep course requirements consistent from one class to another. In an annual department meeting, the decision to limit the number of books read in standard and

Honors/AP English classes was made. Once everyone knew who was teaching which classes and all of the final decisions were made, teachers broke into groups by grade level to decide which books would go and which would stay. 9th and 11th grade English courses were hardly affected by this change because they were already at the limit of six books. 12th grade English was allotted seven books because the Advanced Placement test is literature-based. International Baccalaureate was not affected because its international curriculum is already set. The 10th grade was most affected; three books that were formally a sizable chunk of the curriculum were eliminated. “By limiting the number of works so that some don’t do eight while others are only doing six will create commonality between the experience being had,” English department head Marla Lindsay said.

Another reason for the cut back in books was so that there would be more time for students to learn the fundamentals of English rather than focus entirely on reading. According to Lindsay, the main concern was that classes were becoming book clubs and not focusing on skills that would need to be taken beyond high school. “By reducing the number of outside sources we read and reducing the scope of literature, we are trying to emphasize and work on skills in writing, vocabulary and grammar,” Lindsay said. In addition, “In the Time of the Butterflies,” by Julia Alvarez, was added. According to Lindsay, the 10th grade theme of literature is more worldly. “By allowing more time for teaching the foundations of English, students will be learning skills that they will need and use far in the future,” Lindsay said.

NEWS BRIEFS For updates on everything a Lancer needs to know go to www.smeharbinger.net.

Freshman Parents Meeting The Link Crew will be hosting parents of ninth graders for a “back to school” type informational meeting. The meeting will be held this evening in the library at 7 p.m. to answer questions from parents or freshmen.

SHARE Fair The annual SHARE Fair will be held this Thursday during the seminar period. Students will be able to preview and sign-up for all the projects SHARE will support this year. SHARE offers a wide range of projects from Hoop Dreams to Habitat for Humanity for any variety of interested students.

Varsity Drill Team Car Wash Varsity Drill Team will be holding a car wash this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the front circle. Proceeds from the car wash will benefit the Drill Team. Last season, the team placed fifth at Nationals.

PSAT/PLAN Registration For students interested in taking either the PSAT or the PLAN tests, registration begins Sept. 14. See the counseling department for more information.

Early Dismissal There will be an early dismissal on Sept. 15. Students K-12 will be released at 1:10 p.m. that day. Students will not have a seminar that day. Sept. 15 is an even day so students should plan on going to their even day block classes.

issue 1 news page 5

From the

Floor Up >> MichaelStolle

The tremendous rains of early June were not enough for the temporary water diversion system set in place during construction. The water run off from the senior and faculty lots had no trouble washing away the hay bails blocking water flow on its way under the former spirit circle doors. It wasn’t soon after that the water found its way into the gym where it settled into the wood of the basketball court, causing it to warp with several ripples in excess of two feet high. As a result, the enthusiasm of the early year pep assemblies is missing, as well as a location for volleyball and gymnastics teams to practice and compete at East. Since the priority of the construction crew was to make the school inhabitable for the coming school year, replacing the damaged floor was put lower on the renovation to-do list. While work is now under way to assess the damage and replace the warped floor, according to Atheltic Director Jim Ricker the gym will likely be out of commission until late October into early November: the majority of the fall sports season. The volleyball and gymnastics now

After heavy rain and flooding, the gym undergoes repairs to fix damage

must practice at SM South and compete at alternate site locations. “It puts [volleyball and gymnastics] in an awkward position,” Ricker said. “However we’re dealing with the problem now and hope to get it done as soon as possible.” Senior volleyball player Lindsey Sauls said that it is frustrating having to practice at South. “They are very kind for letting us use their gyms, but its a hassle having to come home afterschool and then going back out for practice from 7-9 p.m.,” Sauls said. “But we’re trying to keep positive .” Senior Kareen Shwartz agrees that the move puts them at a disadvantage, citing the loss of the home court advantage as having a negative impact on the team, since one home game has already been cancelled and two others have been moved to alternate locations. “We lose the feeling that ‘this is our house’ when we have to play at other locations,” Shwartz said. “It’s feels so much better playing with our home colors, and since [the matches] are now it’s harder for

LindseyHartnett

our fans to cheer us on.” Another impact the water damage has had is the absence of pep assemblies that customarily greet students to the new year and get students enthused for the fall sports season. Pep Club sponsor Nick Paris said that this is just an obstacle that he and the Pep Execs had to work around in order to get students excited in a different way. Paris and the Pep Execs tossed around the idea of an assembly in the auditorium before deciding on holding an assembly outside on the front lawn of the school. “We felt we had to have some way to get pumped up for fall sports, especially with a new football coach,” Paris said. Ricker said that sections up to half or even the entire gym floor might have to be replaced depending on how much water damage was sustained during the flood. As a result, Ricker said that the exact end date of the project is hard to predict; however he feels confident that it will be completed in time for the winter sports season.

Should I stay or should I go? Seminar change gives seniors greater freedom along with tough decisions

>>ConnorTwibell

Among the many changes seen by students at college when your professors are going to make the start of the school year, one change that will you work for an hour and a half. have a unique impact on seniors is the administraAccording to Royce, moving seminar to the end tion’s decision to move seminar to the end of the of the day eliminates scheduling conflicts created day. Beginning second semester, seniors will be by students in Out of Job Training, consortium, or permitted to leave campus during their seminar pe- those who travel to Broadmoor. Royce said that sturiods, so long as they meet certain guidelines. dents who have to leave school for these programs According to Associate Principal Heather Royce, end up missing part of their classes because they only seniors in “good standhave to go in the middle of the day. Now that seminar is at the ing” will be permitted to I think a pro is that it- end of the day, it is much easier leave school during their gives seniors more free- for OJT students to leave without seminar class. Students will be identidom which is something missing any classes. fied as “in good standing” Royce also said that the switch like they will have in colwill benefit students involved in upon meeting the following lege criteria: grades being C’s or sports that have games or meets >>Senior Jack Walker and are forced to miss their last above or a GPA better than 2.0, good attendance and no serious disciplinary class and leave school early. infractions. One potential issue with the optional seminar is Senior IB student Jack Walker believes that hav- that according to state law, students are required a ing an optional seminar will teach seniors lessons certain number of hours of “contact time” at school. for the years to come. But Walker, along with other However, Royce said that seniors will still meet these IB students, will only have the option to miss one required hours if they do choose to leave seminar. seminar each week, due to the Theory of KnowlJunior Cameron Mendez, who transferred from edge class. North to East, feels that even though he isn’t in“I think a pro is that it gives seniors more free- volved in any programs that require him to leave dom which is something like they will have in col- school, the move is easier on students. lege,” Walker said. “There isn’t going to be time at “[The switch] is good because you get through all

“

”

of your classes and get to do your homework so you don’t have as much to do at home,” Mendez said. Royce and other administrators hope that seniors with the option to skip seminar will not just leave, to leave, but stay when they need to work with a teacher or make up work. Walker, along with Royce and Johnson, ultimately feel that an optional seminar will have a positive impact on seniors. “Overall I like [optional seminar],” Walker said. “I think giving seniors privileges is always a good idea.”

“In Good Standings” Students must meet the quali fications of Royce’s criteria. To have the option of leaving seminar second semester, seniors have to obtain a C average or above (2.0 GPA), have acceptional attendance and refrain from any serious disciplinary infractions.

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issue 1 opinion page 7

A little help for... MY FRESHMEN FRIENDS an opinon of

Senior gives the little Lancers a crash course on the yays and nays of the first year blues... With completely serious undertones. Seriously.

For freshmen, Link Crew day came and went like neon leggings under mini skirts: there was a message to be sent, but it could only show you the >>SamLogan appropriate parts. It was the perfect, good, clean fun introduction for four years of fun, hard work and memories to make with those that make this school’s community better than any other. If you’re a freshman, consider this just another first-day-of-class-syllabus-that-I’mhanding-out-to-you-not-because-I-want-to-but-because-I-have-to. Except this one actually means something. Teachers do it for the good of everyone, and now I’ll make my own, too. As a Link Leader myself, it’s my duty to inform the Class of 2013 on the ins-and-outs of wearing the Columbia blue, black and white because let’s face it — there are some things Ms. Birt, Mrs. Pence and Mrs. Kessler couldn’t tell you in the auditorium on Aug. 17. The curriculum is simple: this is honors Freshmen Studies and you’ve chosen to enroll because you’ve just finished the oily-faced, Abercrombie-rich days of middle school and are ready for the pressures of being a high schooler. Follow these 10 simple guidelines for your first year and you’ll be entitled to strut your Lancer stuff better than a cheerleader at the Rockhurst game. If that’s not enough motivation, embrace the fact that right now your face is buried in the Harbinger, not the back of a locker.

The “how to hold” lesson.

In kindergarten you learned how to hold a pencil, by seventh grade you learned how to hold a door open (hopefully) and now that it’s high school you have to deal with dances. That means learning a couple of different “holds.” The most important is the first you’ll need to put into play since Homecoming night always starts with pictures. It’s awkward, but it’s an experience, and trust me, I’ve been there three times so far and not once has my date had cooties...Neither has her mother with the camera. It’s okay if your blazer brushes against her dress. Take it easy on yourself when they’re snapping away. This isn’t a birth announcement and in no way, shape or form should your hands get near her stomach. Standing behind a date with your arms wrapped around her looks like your outlining an impregnated stomach, and nothing screams “awkward” like pale-white hands on the front of a dress. Just give it the simple arm around the side, no one will judge you.

You can hug. Great, I can too.

The way the last lesson applies to guys, this next tip is mostly for the females. Classes are only an hour and a half long so that means the last time you saw your best friend wasn’t all that lost in the past. In case you didn’t know, the bell means it’s time to move to a new class, not stand and twirl in the middle of the hallway locked in a bear hug with your best friend. She just got done with a Geometry lesson, not a tour of duty in Vietnam. As much as we love that someone’s there for you, keep moving in the hall.

Games aren’t social events. Don’t make them be.

A strong student section is the backbone to a strong student body that you’re now a part of. Basketball games are big, football games are big, soccer games are big — they all are. If you choose to attend, participate; don’t just stand in the back trying to wow that cute girl in your World Geography class that just got her braces off. If the cheerleaders tell you to “Peel banana,” then peel banana. If the front row sports the spirit fingers, do the same. The bleachers are like a team, so unless you want to ride the bench standing is usually a rule of thumb. Oh, and if someone older tells you to move back...Move back.

Dress for success.

At times the temperature inside the building can be hotter than a Lil’ Somethin’ music video, but don’t dress like you’re auditioning for one. The days of booty shorts and hooter tees are gone, considering you’re almost a woman. High school is when kids truly grow up, so let the wardrobe reflect that. One way of doing that is checking the weather before you leave home. It’s okay for guys to wear pants. Donning shorts when it’s below freezing outside doesn’t make you look manlier -- it makes you look dumber. I was one of those kids, so I can sympathize, but really... If the girls should cover up, you should too.

Your parents love you, love them back.

No matter what you say, your mom is pretty cool. Your dad is, too. I probably don’t know them, but I’ll go ahead and give them the benefit of the doubt since you most likely won’t. High school thirty years ago was pretty similar to what it is now, believe it or not, and they went through being a freshman also. Getting dropped off is not only convenient, but keeps your parents in your life for just that much longer. In only four years, you’ll be on your own.

Lunch tables are for eating, not being seen.

God gave you feet, God wants you to use them

Facebook isn’t the bible, and you’re not a prophet.

Not all teachers are weirdos.

>>Alyssa Jolitz

The cafeteria is a daunting setting for some, and a total pow-wow for others. The tables only seat 12 for a reason, keep it that way. No one will think differently if you don’t sit at the “cool” table and choose to embrace a group of guys or girls you don’t normally hang out with. If you have to sit two to a spot or steal chairs from another table, ease up. It’s only lunch, not the party of the century.

If you are one of the people who fail to adhere to rule #2, this one is not only big for you but for everyone else. Traveling to class with someone is almost a necessity, but traveling at a pace slower than a sixty-year-old teacher pushing a cart down the hall is just a nuisance. We all think your North Face backpack looks great, but no one cares to examine its stitching all the way down the hall. Move with a mission and you’ll blend right in to the flow of traffic.

If I could create a status for this next rule it would be as follows: “Sam Logan is laughing at the people who think anyone actually cares to know what they’re constantly doing/ dreaming/thinking/saying via Facebook.” I don’t mean it in a sense of superiority, but in a sense of reality. People love to stay connected with each other, it’s human nature. But when staying connected becomes incessant viral “poking”, chatting and updating on the newest Godsmack album, it tends to lose its allure. Keep it clean and keep it classy, after all, you have half a millenia of “friends” more than ready to make assumptions.

The only person who ever made disrespecting a teacher cool was Billy Madison. And he’s so 1995. The teachers, administrators, lunch ladies, coaches, janitors and everyone in between are here because they want to help you. If one of them happens to correct you on something you’ve done, accept it instead of responding like you just found your name in the Eastonian. If you have over 100% in their class, maybe it’s warranted, but until then just embrace the punishment. Wiping overhead slides can be fun, and you can realize your teachers are really pretty cool — I learned the hard way.

We’re older than you, but you can still talk to us.

I tend to believe I have manageable in-school social skills. I can make small talk, discuss a project with a classmate and even raise my hand. It took me until senior year, but as a freshman I was timid like a first-day football player in a locker room of linemen. And no one wants that. Beyond anything, you can talk to us without st-st-stutterting your way through a se-se-sentence because we know your pain. Besides, it’s too hard to steal your lunch money when all you’ve got on you is an ID card

I finally realized I was getting old on the first day of school at Link Crew when I remembered just how awkward those first eight months can be... And then remembered that was me just three years ago. High school can make or break a kid, and at a building like this the cards are in place for the former to happen. Just keep the deck shuffled but don’t let it scatter and you’ll make it. Oh yeah, one more thing... Rule #11: Take this to heart, even if you can’t give up the neon leggings just yet.

page 8 editorial 09.08.09 Seniors need to forget last year’s mistakes and traditions by supporting this year’s new policies and maturely

>> Aly s

Jo li

The

VOTE

against absent

11 0 0

the

The majority opinion of the Harbinger Editorial Board

for

a publication of shawnee mission east high school 7500 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS 66208

Editors-In-Chief >>Tim Shedor >>Phoebe Unterman Assistant Editors >>Sam Logan >>Kevin Simpson Head Copy Editor >>Andrew Goble Art and Design Editor >>Michael Stolle News Editor >>Logan Heley News Page Editors >>Kennedy Burgess >>Kiki Sykes

sept. 8, 2009 issue 1, vol. 51

Editorial Editor >>Lilly Myers Opinion Editor >>Duncan McHenry Opinion Page Editors >>Kat Buchanan >>Raina Weinberg Features Editor >>Annie Sgroi Feature Page Editors >>>Kathleen Ireland >> Molly Troutman Spread Editor >>Aubrey Leiter Asst. Spread Editor >>Ian Wiseman

Moving

There are two ways to approach a new school year: one involves Facebook statuses begging summer to return and whining about every new rule the administration enforces. The other is to count the blessings of a new campus and to cooperate in the best interests of the school. As expected, there’s been considerable grumbling about the policies for the preliminary breath tests, the potential suspension for poor fanmanship, and a crackdown on cell-phone use. Of course there are inherent limitations in the new policies, but they’re wholly necessary, legal and beneficial underneath their thick and ugly shell. They should be supported and not be excused as another reason to hate a “restricting” administration. This year should be approached optimistically because this year, more than any year in recent memory, is peppered with positive changes for the school. Finally, seminar finishes even days, with the prospect of an optional senior seminar starting second semester. There’s a spacious senior lot, a blessing compared to last year’s construction-strangled, limited blacktop. Heck, there’s even a shiny turf field now on school grounds. It should be considered as an opportunity for supportive leadership, starting with this year’s senior class, but lasting through future generations of Lancers. If the Link program sustains and encourages new Link Leaders each year, and JV players learn from and become varA&E Editor >>Mac Tamblyn A&E Page Editors >>Colleen Ireland >>Christa McKittrick Mixed Editor >>Emma Pennington Sports Editor >>Sam Logan Sports Page Editors >>Corbin Barnds >>Conor Twibell Photo Editor >>Mackenzie Wylie Assistant Photo Editor >>Chloe Fischgrund Freelance Page Editors >>>Maddy Bailey >> Sarah McKittrick Copy Editors >>Andrew Goble

>>Logan Heley >>Jack Howland >>Sam Kovzan >>Annie Sgroi >>Tim Shedor >>Kevin Simpson >>Michael Stolle >>Phoebe Unterman Staff Writers >>Griffin Bur >>Grant Kendall >>Alex Lamb >>Haley Martin >>Shannon McGinley >>Ian Wiseman Editorial Board >>Griffin Bur >>Andrew Goble >>Logan Heley >>Sam Logan >>Lilly Myers

sity players each season, then the same leadership displaying benign behavior will last. If the senior class supports these policies, then they’ll establish a cooperative environment that maturely sidesteps petty grumbles and works to make Shawnee Mission Wonderful live up to its name. Principal Karl Krawitz utilized this trickle-down theory when he became the unofficial welcome wagon to the new policies of 2010 at the first seminar of the year. He called on the senior and sophomore classes respectively to be an example and to make the best choices. “Don’t waste what you have,” Dr. Krawitz said at the senior assembly. “The country’s looking for great leadership. It’s going to come to you.” There’s hardly a reason to slough off the new policies as a “Whatever.” These new policies aren’t meant to be transcribed kill-joys or a quickly ignored new rule. They’re an opportunity for a fresh start after embarrassingly immature behavior last year. Costumes, baby powder, and childish Halloween boos were never meant to be a staple at basketball games or any sporting event. They should become a thing of the past, even without the help of a suspension policy. As Dr. Krawitz said, “It’s got to be about why we’re there, not why they’re there.” The highly-publicized yellow poster campaign to discourage cell-phone use is just as necessary. Stealing the bathroom pass just to crouch in a stall and text is rude, especially to the poor kid next to you who actually has t o go. Even the PBTs, the most controversial of the introduced policies, is not a bad idea. It doesn’t infringe on personal rights, it just serves to provide a stronger sense of security to the community and to diminish underage drinking and its often inevitable consequences. In all good reason, pregaming the football game is not worth the MIP that ruins a college scholarship. The graduates of 2010, and every class after them, are certainly entitled to all the privileges and freedoms of last year, but they have the potential to capitalize on them and not be indignantly bitter about what last year left with

>>Annie Sgroi >>Tim Shedor >>Kevin Simpson >>Michael Stolle >>Mac Tamblyn >>Phoebe Unterman Photographers >>Jeff Cole >>Katie East >>Lindsey Hartnett >>Taylor Odell >>Dan Stewart Staff Artists >>Kennedy Burgess >>Morgan Christian Circulation Manager >>Matt Ganon Ads Manager >>Morgan Christian Online Editors >>Taylor Haviland

>>Elizabeth McGranahan Webmaster >>Joe Craig >>Pat McGannon Online Section Editor >>Evan Nichols Online Staff Writer >>Christopher Heady >>Haley Martin >>Katy Westhoff Online Photographer >>Max Stitt Anchor/Vlogger >>Andrew Goble >>Tom Lynch Videographer >>Alex Lamb Adviser >>Dow Tate

working for the deep end

issue 1 opinion page 9

Senior imagines taking his summer lifeguarding job at a local country club to the professional level

>>MacTamblyn

When I get out of high school, I am going pro in lifeguarding. I know what you’re thinking: “Mac, that’s ridiculous. Lifeguarding is an entry level summer job for former pool rats who turned 16 and realized that they could make money doing what they did for every summer of their young life.” And yes, you are right. I fit the aforementioned description. During my summer job search two springs ago, I found it hard to select an occupation in which I could positively impact the world. Then one day, after a riveting episode of Baywatch, I had an epiphany. I could get paid for what those C-list stars do on television. And if I’m really good, like David Hasselhoff, I could do it well into my mid-forties. In fact, I plan on lifeguarding until I’m old enough to collect social security. Here are a few reasons why guarding into my golden years is reasonable. 1. Lifeguarding is easy — Once you clear a hurdle called American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification class, the job itself is a breeze (Hint for passing the class -- know how to swim.) If you can stand 107 degree heat indexes, annoying nine-year-olds who think you will save them if they fake drown and scrubbing the grimy tiles of the men’s bathroom until your manager sees fit, you can guard. The food is free, the sunglasses are cheap and the sun is perpetual, at least until it explodes in a solar systemenveloping supernova in 4 billion years. 2. Lifeguarding is not emotionally taxing — Unlike a normal office-oriented job, lifeguarding leaves you feeling great when you roll into the garage after a long day of “work.” The normal stresses of a career, like Powerpoint presentations in front of sleeping coworkers and awkward golf outings with an intimidating boss, are not involved in lifeguarding. Unfortunately, you may not get weekends off. The only reason lifeguarding could be psychologically harmful is if you were to screw up a save. A professional like my future self would never let that happen. Just remember to keep an eye on the kid attempting his seventh consecutive belly-flop off the high board. 3. Lifeguards get yearly wage increases — Last year, my first year as a guard, I

>> photo illustration by KatieEast started out at a lowly $7.15 an hour. This year I was promoted to $7.35 an hour. Now, let’s say I retire when I’m 75. According to my calculations, at a 20 cent raise each year, I will be making $18.95 an hour. Another benefit of going into pro lifeguarding — that was the last calculation I will ever have to do. 4. Lifeguarding is weather dependent — If you get a case of the Mondays, pray to the rain god. The fine print of that statement: I have learned not to abuse the great power

Mac’s lifeguard essentials

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer sunscreen

“A necessity for early in the summer before the bronze sets in.”

of the rain god. In the past, his abuse has lead to my debit card balance zeroing out. And do not fret that lifeguarding is purely a “summer” job. You have a few options. You could either switch to a year-round indoor pool or follow the old people and migrate to a pool in the warm southern hemisphere. I plan to do the latter. 5. Lifeguarding is usually different every day — Contrary to popular belief, lifeguarding is not always a boring, menial job. Yes, every day I carefully apply SPF 70

Speedo guard shorts

“I didn’t change out of these all summer... seriously.”

Neutrogena sunscreen to the knob of my nose before heading out to the stand (If I’m feeling dangerous, I go with SPF 65). Yes, nearly every day I shout, “No running!” at a wide-eyed toddler sprinting across the hot concrete deck to get a Bomb Pop from Mommy. Yes, every day I twirl my whistle incessantly, attempting to set career highs for most whistle wraps in a one hour shift on the stand. And yes, some days are incredibly boring and menial. But every once in a while there is “that day.” It’s a day where an overweight father swan dives off the three-meter to impress his young son, fully aware of his chronic shoulder problem, and face plants so hard you nearly blow your whistle because you thought you heard thunder. Or the day where you enter the men’s restroom and a buck-naked member of America’s Greatest Generation is checking himself out in the full-body mirror. Now that pro lifeguarding seems reasonable enough, the actual decisionmaking portion will begin to make more sense. Exiting my schooling before college is no easy decision. But after a great deal of contemplation, I have determined it to be the correct conclusion. During the four years my college-bound cohorts are busy buffing up on their future professions, I will be getting on the job experience. Look at it as the perfect full-time paid internship. Like the NBA, not just anyone can go pro straight out of high school to the guard stand. Kobe didn’t simply shoot hoops to successfully make the jump. He had enough natural hardcourt ability to slam dunk before he could walk. Well, not every lifeguard wins the genetic lottery and has the ideal qualities of sunburn resistant skin, a core temperature of lower than 98.6 degrees and the lung capacity of a virtuoso tuba player. I will admit that my lung capacity is not up to par. But I’m doing 3 sets of 15 whistle burst reps every day during adult swim to improve. Why do I try to progress every day? I aim to be in the Lifeguarding Hall of Fame by the time I finish my career at the ripe age of 75 years. I hope to be up there with the likes of Mr. Hasselhoff, Pamela Anderson and Wendy Peffercorn from “The Sandlot.” Longevity is another benefit of a lifeguard’s career. You can do it almost forever. Can Kobe play NBA basketball from his high school graduation until he is collecting social security? Jeez, I hope not.

Risky Business shades

“A good pair of sunglasses gives you the cool factor, along with a touch of intimidation.”

foam flip flops

“These create a sandal tan so severe, you’d think it was genetic.”

photo illustration MackenzieWylie

You can’t help He’s always been a crowd favorite due to but root for a guy his attention towards his fans and no BS atlike Tom Watson. titude. What makes him even more likable is Every time I see that he’s 59 years old. Comparing Tom to other him he has that golfers his age, he just blows them away. His lovable grin on his swing looks so much more fluid than others. face and when he My grandpa is a few years older than him, and >>GrantKendall talks I notice the he has absolutely nothing on Tom. unmistakable gap between his teeth. He’s had He nearly won the British Open, golf’s that smooth, methodical swing since he was most prestigious tournament. It was against in his 20’s. men half his age, and arguably the best golfer Being around Tom Watson is, well, magi- of all time, Tiger Woods. cal. Knowing that a golfing legend is standing I want more golfers to be like Tom Wata few feet away from you is an amazing feel- son, but more and more players are shifting ing. I kept score and held the big scoreboard towards Tiger Wood’s way of golf. Why is playup for his group at his local tournament, the ing like the world’s best a bad thing? Watson Challenge, a tournament that tests For starters, Tiger has really packed on a amateurs and area pros around the Kansas few pounds of muscle. His physical prowess City area against Tom Watson. is more of a football player and less of a golfer. Every day, Watson had three times the Tiger’s only reason for getting bulkier is to hit amount of people than other groups. He was the ball farther. But, Golf isn’t all about hitting always so courteous to his fans, waving and the ball furthest. Tom Watson really emphanodding when they applauded. sizes that, with his incredible accuracy. His kindness showed again when he Secondly, I get angry when he produces hosted a dinner for us volunteers and gave a one of his overly flamboyant fist pumps. Easy, heartwarming speech, thanking everyone for Tiger. A quiet little fist pump to yourself is achelping out. Later in the night, he walked over ceptable as long as you don’t do it every time to a table of some friends and I were sitting at you make a birdie. and started a conversation. Tiger has one of the worst attitudes He asked each of us how we played and in golf. Why don’t they put a mic on him what our best scores were. I was incredibly when he plays? Because he unleashes Fnervous and barely spat out a few words. bombs every other shot. The club throwI stood up and asked for his ing needs to stop. You never see Tom autograph and then got my Watson flinging his club after a picture taken with him. bad shot. by the numbers We talked about his As a fellow golfer myround that day and self, I dislike the way Timajors wins: 8 I asked him if he ger plays. Sure, I’ve been events played: 719 remembered me mad on the golf course first place finishes: 51 from holding the and have said some bad scoreboard. In words, but experiencavg. score (18 holes): 70.20 retrospect, it was ing those things helped career pga earnings: a dumb question me learn that you make because he had just a fool out of yourself. played that round Tom and Tiger aside, avg. driving dist. (yrds): a few hours ago. He golf has changed over the 287.2 said that he did rememyears, for good and bad. bered me and told me I did Back in the good old days, golf a good job today. was a gentleman’s sport. Players

an opinon of

golfed because they loved the sport and had natural talent. They had “put me in, coach” attitudes. They showed respect towards fellow competitors. These traits embody the way Tom Watson acts on and off the course. Today, golf has become an almost totally different game. Players yell and make wild fist pumps when they make clutch putts. They chuck clubs into the ground when they hit bad shots. And most commonly, players use tons of excuses if they hit bad shots. Tom never uses excuses. In fact, after his heartbreaking second place finish at the British Open, he simply said that he ran out of steam and didn’t play well. It says a lot about a player when they can admit they made a mistake. I have never seen Tom Watson chuck a club or curse on the golf course. The worst reaction I have ever seen from him is a look of disappointment and a shake of the head. This helped me in my golf game to not show so much emotion and it helped my appearance from other point of view. Tom Watson is all in all, a good role model. His personality and attitude shine on or off the golf course. He has inspired me and I’m sure many others to act better in life.

Watson

ie yl

$10,736,902

SOPHOMORE Grant Kendall with Tom Watson after the volunteers’ dinner. courtesy of Grant Kendall

SENIOR GRANTBURNSIDE

Caddying for Tom Watson is a first-hand lesson in true gentleman’s golf

JUNIOR NICKLUCAS

attitude adjustment

Q: Tiger or Tom Watson? A: Tiger. He’s the best golfer in the world and his game resembles mine. Q: Do older players hurt golf’s cred? A: Not in golf, it’s a lifetime sport. Q: How would you feel about a Watson win? A: I would’ve been really excited. Q: What do you see in pro golf’s future? A: Tiger Woods dominating Jack Nichols and upcoming Nick Lucas.

SOPHOMORE HENRYSIMPSON

golf needs an

Q: Tiger or Tom Watson? A: Tiger, but I’m a big-time Watson fan. Q: Do older players hurt golf’s cred? A: No it gives the sport a bigger crowd and motivates players. Q: How would you feel about a Watson win? A: I’d say he’s one of the greatest and he deserves it. Q: What do you see in pro golf’s future? A: Younger players getting in PGA tours sooner.

Q: Tiger or Tom Watson? A: Watson. He’s from our city. Q: Do older players hurt golf’s cred? A: No, they shows that no matter how old you are, you can compete with the best. Q: How would you feel about a Watson win? A: That would be tight. Q: What do you see in pro golf’s future? A: It’s going to become a sport mainly for the younger generation.

FRESHMAN ANNEWILLMAN

>>lancervoice

page 10 opinion 09.08.09

Q: Tiger or Tom Watson? A: Watson. He’s local and I hate Tiger Woods. Q: Do older players hurt golf’s cred? A: No, I think that they encourage other players. Q: How would you feel about a Watson win? A: I would be excited that he still has it after all these years. Q: What do you see in pro golf’s future? A: I doubt women’s golf will be around, but men’s will prosper.

M a c ken zie W

2009

LANCER FOOTBALL

CHEERLEADERS SUPPORT OUR FOOTBALL TEAM!

The Lancer Gridiron Club wishes all of our players and coaches best of luck for a winning season!

2009

LANCER

BLUE OUT Game 2009

Thursday, September 10th LANCERS vs. Lawrence Free State High School 7 p.m. SM North Stadium Get your “Shermanator” Blue Out shirt NOW while supplies last! Look for the tables outside of the lunchroom ‐ $8 in advance and $10 at the gate. Thanks to your 2009 Gridiron Club Corporate Sponsors!

LANCER FOOTBALL

Be a Part of the “Start of Something Great!”

2009

LANCER FOOTBALL

GO LANCERS!

2009

LANCER FOOTBALL

page 12 features 09.08.09

NEWto the EAST SIDE Six teachers join faculty this year

>>JackHowland

Chip Sherman

The spotlight tends to hover around new head football coach Chip Sherman. He’s been swarmed with the local media recently on TV and in the papers. But in his opinion, the credit should only go one place: his team. “I hope that the focus of [the recent media coverage] is more on the kids and less on me,” Sherman said. “I don’t need any focus, this is their time.” Sherman’s never been one for attention or praise. His modest persona is a perfect example of the morals he instills in his players. For 25 years he’s encouraged these traits on the football field and in his P.E. classes. He’s taught P.E. all over Kansas and Missouri at 5 different schools, has won three Missouri Class 3 state championships and has a 199-40 all time record, but now, in his 28th year, he’s returning to where he grew up. And he’s excited about the upcoming year-not for the attention or the glory--for his team.

In Hau Lau

Art teacher James Meara has a kna ck for creativity. Ever since grade school he has been imaginative -- not only sketching pictures but coming up with new, original ideas. In high school, he thought that may be he could teach art. In college, he started to believe it. But it wasn’t until he started teaching that he knew it was the job for him. “I really realized that [teaching] was great when I started interacting with students and helping them with projects and watching them grow artistically,” Meara said.

James Meara

Jason Smith >> all photos byLindsey Hartnett

He’s beginning his first year of teac hing after working at summer school and the sum mer enrichment program for the Shawnee Mission Scho ol District. Although his interest for teaching began in college, he was also involved in most genr es of art. Now his favorite genre is video but he is invo lved in many other styles. He looks forward to including a wide variety of styles -- collage, photoshop -- in his first art classes.

idst a mass ly lit classroom am Teaching in a dim thought of as a gers is not often amount of teena e array of wobe cell phones, th glamorous job. Th s cleverly hidud rb the frequent ea d an s sk de g in bl Teacher Jason ie.Industrial Tech den within a hood t enough of it. Smith just can’t ge president of ck from his vice Smith stepped ba a large scale at Pro Circuit Inc., operations position ch tea Industrial ng company, to electrical contracti he’s held afg second teachin job s hi It’s . st Ea at Tech on Traits and ial Tech, Constructi ter teaching Industr ching is what he And although tea Cabinetry at West. t of his career. has taken up mos loves, construction ssion. pa s hi return to Now he’s excited to aking before,” m s wa I at of wh “I’m making half just to come ay would give it all aw Smith said. “But I back to teaching.”

Chinese teacher In Hau Lau has been all over the world. She was raised in Hong Kong, has taught in Taiwan and now is in Prairie Villa ge. The atmospheres all are discreetly different but one thing is a constant- Chinese. Lau is now teaching chinese two hours a day at East after teaching at North for eigh t years. It is her love for this language that has take n her to all ends of the earth. Currently, Lau travels hom e to Hong Kong each summer to see her 80-year- old mother. Despite the high frequent flier miles, the trips are successful. “I love to travel, I wish I could do that every day, I travel every summer,” Lau said. “Basically I go to asian countries so I can go back to visit my mom and my sister.” These yearly trips keep her in touc h with her roots. Lau is very proud of her chin ese heritage and enjoys teaching about it every day. Whether it be in Prairie Village, or in Hong Kong.

being a tough, no -nonPrior to his experience -nonSandoy was a tough, no sense teacher, Andrew sense army general. except now in the classHe’s still tough- as-nails, eld. tlefi bat room instead of on the in the army. He fought s wa doy For 27 years, San of the ng on a whim, thinking in Germany after enlisti the bed clim He ld. chi a as ed cavalry movies he watch , job His . cer y Cavalry Offi ladder and became an Arm erinh is 1, y istr e and Chem teaching physical scienc his l has the same ideas for stil he t bu ent fer ently dif class. d. rk is better,” Sandoy sai “I believe that more wo in th bo life his ned defi s A simple phrase that ha battlefield. the classroom and on the

Andrew Sandoy

Pamela James

Transferring to East from West hasn’t been a tough transition for Spanish teacher Pamela James. She’s already accustomed to the morning fight for a parking space, her fifth hour lunch period and getting to both her fifth floor classrooms. She’s taken in the changes with open arms, unafraid of a new place and new experiences. The same mentality she’s had her entire life. James, an avid cyclist, jogger and Aikieo martial arts enthusiast, is not reluctant to pursue a goal or face a new challenge. Her latest challenge is teaching Spanish 1 and 2 five hours a day. Unlike her history with martial arts, James’ career with Spanish has lasted since she was in elementary school. She continued to take the class through middle school and high school. Now, Spanish is a constant in her daily life. She’s in her 10th year teaching, and is excited for the year. “I’ve got a really good feeling about this year,” James said. “I think it’s going to go well.”

issue 1 features page 13

FOCUSED on the

FUTURE

MEREDITH Walrafen and other CHANGE Initiative leaders hugged after their week-long training at Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, MA. Photo Courtesy of Meredith Walrafen

‘09 Graduate follows her passion for social justice by leading Oxfam’s CHANGE Initiative at KU world and ways in which to help. And though different aspects of OA have changed over time, the commitment to addressing issues of injustice and poverty has remained of chief importance. Its website, oxfamamerica.org, states, “[o]vercoming poverty and injustice involves changing ideas and beliefs, institutions, policies, and practices.” Walrafen began her training nearly 1,500 miles away in Quincy, Massachusetts, close to OA’s headquarters in Boston. For a week in July she underwent training and an introduction from OA. Trainers wanted to stress the sense of togetherness that comes from being a part of the organization. “I feel we’re all connected through the work we’re doing,” Walrafen said. In fact, she spent so much time getting to know the other Change Leaders that she can now recite all 49 of their names and the schools they attend. During the rest of their week in Quincy, they attended workshops and lectures to learn about the three main campaigns they could choose from to represent on their campuses. The oil, gas, and mining campaign works to inform others about people sharing their communities with oil, gas, and mining projects. The climate change campaign focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping poor people financially to help them survive the effects of global warming. The last campaign, hunger and poverty, works on sharing resources more fairly so millions of people will have a better livelihood. In the workshops leaders learned about lobbying and communicating their ideas to OA followers. They were also given the resources and information on how to run a campaign on their own. Every campus with an OA Change Leader does things differently in terms of generating followers. Walrafen and her teammates in Lawrence hope to host events such as letter writing parties to get Congress to notice their cause. They have already tabled twice during Hawk Week to spread the word about OA and what they’re

KathleenIreland

A small green square projects onto a large white screen as a class of freshmen tries to decipher the meaning behind this symbol. It is the beginning of the World Citizens Unit in John Nickels’ honors World Geography class. A timeline covering two thousand years of history covers nearly four feet of space across the screen. The green square covers a few inches. “This is your life,” Nickels said to his class. “This is all you get. You’ve already blown one-fifth of it. How will you outlive your little green square?” This is what University of Kansas sophomore and Shawnee Mission East graduate Meredith Walrafen remembers as the moment she knew she wanted to be involved with fair trade, which is a way of promoting equal relationships between producers and consumers. Walrafen feels she learned a lot about the world while at East. Along with friends Emmy Hartman, Emily Patton, and Nandini Sarma, she organized a book drive for the International Education Outreach Program to ensure Guatemalan children get a better education. Nickels thinks that for some kids, his lesson just flies over their head. “But the kids that do get the message are going to go out into the world and do something,” Nickels said. Walrafen is now one of 50 students nationwide from who was chosen to represent the relief and development organization Oxfam America through the Change Initiative. She learned about it last year from a friend in KUs Students for Fair Trade group. “I just immediately liked what they were doing and what was happening,” Walrafen said. OAs attention is focused on the needs of people in developing countries. In the 1980s OA started campaigning to educate Congress and Americans about issues around the

ACTIONS OF CHANGE RAISING . . .

money through a book drive in 2006 to send to schools in Guatemala. The fundraiser was a book drive because the money was going to support children learning how to read through the International Education Outreach Program.

doing. “I don’t think people completely understand the impact [fair trade] is having on others around the world,” Walrafen said. And though most of their work will be in the Lawrence area, she agrees with the reasoning behind minimizing travel. The organization likes to keep people in the areas they know well. They don’t want to send someone to an area to talk about issues they may not be as familiar with. This is also the reason for OA choosing only college sophomores and juniors to represent the Change Initiative, because they’ve been in the community and know what is happening in their surroundings. Change Leaders are even provided 24/7 contact with OA staff embers to pose any questions they might have. Since OA has only been connected to KU for a year, Walrafen is expecting a large increase in support for the Change Initiative on campus. The group already has more than 10 serious followers and she hopes the numbers will just continue to increase over time. “ It makes what you’re doing seem a lot more real and substantial when you get so much support,” Walrafen said.

A look at Walrafen’s past, present and future causes

ORGANIZING . . .

KU students for a Hunger Banquet-an Oxfam sponsored event to raise awareness about world hunger. People are given slips of paper with income brackets written on them. For the night they represent someone from that bracket and are served the food they would eat. Katie East

STRIVING . . .

to work for a relief and development organization. “I think there are a lot of injustices in our world,” Walrafen said. “There are many that really can be fixed if all we do is take the time to fix them.”

Initiative Co-PresMEREDITH Walrafen (left) and her CHANGE m at the KU Info progra their about ess awaren spread Ariel ident en Walraf th Meredi of sy Fair on Aug. 18. Photo Courte

page 14 features 09.08.09

Testing

Boundaries

Freshman goes on an adventure trip to challenge herself mentally and physically.

>>SarahMckittrick

As the sun crept higher and higher into the sky, freshman water rafting and one week of hiking. By the time July came, Chloe Stradinger couldn’t help but wonder what time it was. Chloe was slightly nervous, but also excited. Alone in the middle of Oregon, surrounded by pine trees Throughout the long days of rafting and hiking, campand the sounds of nature, Chloe had already tried all of the ers shared jokes, stories and cravings of food, which they normal boredom-passers. She had filled up almost an entire jokingly called “food porn” because they were only allowed journal of thoughts and pictures, written a letter to herself, to eat what their camp leaders packed. The campers’ diet replayed entire movies in her head, dreamed of a chocolate consisted of healthy food, such as granola and dehydrated milkshake and even played with ants. mashed potatoes. These meals were supposed to give the She still had another 12 hours left. campers the nutrients they needed for the day, not fill them Just when she thought she couldn’t take it any more, Chloe’s up. instructor arrived and told her that solo time was over. As “You weren’t still hungry after meals because your body the nine other campers slowly trickled into the campsite, adjusted,” Chloe said. “You more were just craving good Chloe couldn’t remember a time when she was happier to food.” see humans. Chloe’s days in Oregon were “It felt like I hadn’t seen people in two It’s impossible to reflect for filled with activity, whether it was years,” Chloe said. “It was a cool expemore than two hours. One of rowing down the Deschutes River rience, but I was so glad it was over.” or unloading the supply boat at the the boys in the group decided end of the day. For two weeks this summer in July, Chloe traveled through Deschutes NaThe first week the campers rafted to suntan and another slept tional Park in Oregon with 20 other down the Deschutes River in three for 32 out of the 36 hours. campers her age through Outward separate boats. In the mornings, Bound, a program that takes people on they would float down the river, tell>>Freshman Chloe Stradinger learning expeditions in various sites ing stories and often pushing each across the country. other into the water as they passed through Oregon’s high Chloe first heard of Outward Bound from her parents, desert. Jennifer and Mike Stradinger. Both parents had childhood After stopping for lunch and taking a break around noon, friends go on it, and they had always heard that it was a good they would be back on the river by 1 p.m. to continue raftleadership program. ing. Many afternoons they would stop and scout upcoming “Chloe has always liked a challenge and to get out of her rapids and come up with a plan to get through them safely. box,” Jennifer said. At night, the group would all come together to eat dinThe past several years, Chloe has been to more traditional ner and then have an evening circle where they shared their camps, where she stayed in cabins and had running water, highs and lows of the day. The tired campers would go to bed but this summer she wanted something different. Although around 10 p.m. to get some sleep after another busy day. she looked at such camps, she ultimately decided on Out“You felt really good about yourself,” Chloe said. “It was ward Bound because of the adventure the trip involved. cool to look at the map and see how far you had come.” “All of the other camps seemed like a safe choice,” Chloe The second week consisted of the campers hiking up Midsaid. dle Sister and other mountains in Deschutes National Park. In mid-winter, Chloe signed up for a two-week exEach day the campers hiked around seven miles, while pedition that included one week of lugging their 40-pound backpacks over their shoulwhiteders. The pack was supposed to weigh about one-fourth of the campers’ body weight. For Chloe, the smallest of the campers, the pack was one half of her weight. “Hiking was pretty challenging,” Chloe said. “The first Days spent in Oregon couple of days it was really hard to keep going Miles traveled every day

“

”

Outward Bound by the numbers

Number of kids in Chloe’s group Miles from Praire Village to Deschutes River Hours of sleep Chloe got every night

1,720

FRES HMA N Ch Boun loe S d, po tradi sing nger in fro with nt of frien the C ds fr entra phot om O l Ore os co utwa gon M urtes rd ount y of ains. Chlo e Str adin ger

while carrying your pack, but you got used to it after awhile.” Even though Chloe plays sports and works out regularly, the amount of exercise the campers did over the two weeks was still an adjustment for her. “You’re working hard for two straight weeks,” Chloe said. “Usually, you can come home after a workout and relax but we had to start cooking dinner and set up our tarps.” While hiking and canoeing through Deschutes, the campers had to follow a strict “leave no trace” policy. This rule encourages the campers to think about how all of their actions could affect and damage the environment. This meant that the campers couldn’t have the usual comforts of home, such as showering or using cell phones, iPods or other electronics. “Brushing your teeth was about the only hygiene you had,” Chloe said. Another aspect of the trip was solo time, when the campers were supposed to be on their own for an entire day. What started out as an isolation period slowly dragged on hourby-hour until Chloe thought she might go mad from loneliness and boredom. “All of the campers started to go a little crazy by the end,” Chloe said. The campers were supposed to use that time to reflect on life without phones and other electronics, but Chloe said that for the most part that didn’t happen. “It’s impossible to reflect for more than two hours,” Chloe said. “One of the boys in the group decided to suntan and another slept for 32 out of the 36 hours.” By the end of the camp, Chloe was sad to leave, but ready. Even though she had met some great new people, she was excited to return to the comforts of her own home. As soon as Chloe returned home, she cleaned her dirtstreaked legs and washed her hair four times. She had lost about five pounds and couldn’t wait to start eating real food again. Even with all of the Oregon dirt washed off, she will not forget her experiences any time soon. “I really loved it,” Chloe said. “I learned you’re a ton stronger than you think you are.”

>>Chloe Stradinger

issue 1 features page 15

t r s the A c i b o r e A of

ctor

ances

bal Teacher

East and t a s e s s art cla

>>KennedyBurgess Her first day as a fitness instructor, 14 years ago, Jodi Schnakenberg was a nervous 20-year-old, in her third year of college, teaching aerobics to a group of middle age adults wearing neon, spandex leotards with 1990’s styled kicks. “It was completely mortifying,” Schnakenberg said of her first day. “I felt like I wanted to throw up.” Her first day on the job as an art teacher at East wasn’t much different. Though, the roles had shifted, she was now the adult, standing in front of a class of 20 or more high-school students, this time no leotards or spandex. It still brought back the same anxiety she had felt 14 years before. Schnakenberg, 34, is a fitness director at Woodside Raquet Club, but very few of her fellow teachers know how involved in fitness she is outside of her job at East. This involvement in fitness has As a child, Schnakenberg would have rather been outside running around, kicking a soccer ball than inside with her mind glued to “Bugs Bunny” cartoons. Her desire to stay active carried through early childhood and onto high-school. She played volleyball, basketball and ran hurdles in during her high-school years.

Schnak’s

OTHER classes

A look at Schnak’s aerobics classes at Woodside Raquet Club

instru s c i b o r g an ae

bein

TEACHER Jodie Scnakenberg leads aerobic classes at Woodside Raquet Club. Scnakenberg sees the classes as a way to release energy from her day at school. Mackenzie Wylie

“I’ve always been active,” Schnakenberg said. “It’s always been ingrained in me to move.” After her high-school days, she continued to stay involved with fitness by running on her own. The lack of encouragement from peers that she was so used to from high-school sports made Schnakenberg look for an alternative to her everyday running routine. “My greater interest in group fitness classes came from the variety of things to do in the class,” Schnakenberg said. In college, Schnakenberg started taking aerobics classes at Woodside. An instructor at the time, Lisa Looy, approached her during class one day and asked if she would be interested in teaching a class of aerobics. Looy felt that Schnakenberg’s light-hearted humor she carried with her would pay off as an instructor. “The Club would not be the same without her,” Looy said. “She is dedicated to making her classes fun for everyone who signs up.” Schnakenberg is responsible for organizing all of the group fitness classes at Woodside, as well as filling in for fellow instructors. She is also in charge of organizing what will be instructed during the group aerobics

Thai Box A high intensity class that blends series of punches and kicks to fun, upbeat music. This class increases endurance and body tone. For all levels.

classes. “The group classes usually consist of cardio and aerobics,” Schnakenberg said. “I teach intermediate classes so people who take the class know what they’re doing.” Schnakenberg teaches fitness every day and night at Woodside. If she’s not teaching there, then she’s usually working out at the club on her own. Directing her fitness class is her escape from the eight hours she spends as an art teacher at school. Schnakenberg approaches her job as a fitness director seriously. Though, to Schnakenberg, serious doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun. “I always try to start the class with a joke,” Schnakenberg said. “It’s like a little ice breaker to lighten everyone up.” Sometimes, Schankenberg begins a fitness class by drawing stories from what happened during her art class that day. “Since it’s usually a class of adults they’ll find stories of high-school students entertaining,” Schnakenberg said. “It’s another way I use my job as an art teacher to help me at the club.” Schakenberg has even had East parents take her classes before. When she’s exercising, whether it’s in

Boot Camps This class focuses on burning calories and running. Usually this class will run around the track when the weather is nice. For all levels.

Step

class or on her own, Schnakenberg likes the atmosphere around her to be loud and energetic. She makes sure her class exercises are new so students won’t get bored with the class. Schnakenberg uses this method in her job as an art teacher by having new and improved art projects every semester. “You have to be creative,” Schnakenberg said. “If you’re not, your students will be bored and so will you.” Schnakenberg’s job at Woodside has tested her humility on occasions. “I’ve tripped and fallen while trying to teach an aerobics move,” Schnakenberg said. “It just goes to show you that even teachers have their quirky moments.” Schnakenberg’s background as a fitness director has helped her become a better group leader in front of large art classes. Both jobs have a parallel to each other which has shown Schnakenberg that she can continue to pursue both careers for as long as her mental and physical well-being will let her. “My job as an art teacher and a fitness director are compatible with each other,” Schnakenberg said. “It wouldn’t be possible for me to teach one without the other.”

Sculp Fusion

Nicknamed “spectacular,” this This total body workout targets is one of the few step classes core muscles, especially abs that Woodside offers. The and is also performed to music. class features advanced carido aerobic steps to music. >>

Ashley Wilson of Woodside Raquet Club

page 16 spread 09.08.09

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STEP DAY

STEP BY DAY

Take a look at what a normal day on each of their trips would look like.

Ashley’s Itinerary Wake up, get ready and eat breakfast 6a.m. 8a.m. Walk to school (two miles away) 12:30p.m. Lunch and either sightseeing or beach Dinner and then bar 8p.m. before bed

Grayson’s Itinerary 9:30a.m. Wake up and eat breakfast 11:30a.m.-7p.m. Dance classes with a short break for lunch 7p.m. Back to apartment, eat dinner and hang around the city

Lauren’s Itinerary 4:30a.m. Wake up chores and eat breakfast 8a.m.-12p.m. School, work in garden, eat lunch 12p.m.-4p.m. Free time downtown 5:30p.m. Dinner, park 8:30p.m. Go to sleep

Students spend their summ new customs and f

ND THE

issue 1 spread page 17 Ashle 7500 y Adams Barce Toro St. lona, Spain

Tra that is veling has a Earlier why she ch lways been Intrax in her sophose to travel a hobby of ju about Study Abroa omore year to Spain wit nior Ashle dents. it. Besides trad from a frie, Adams hea h a program y Adams, an rd nd d veling , c Intrax who’d hear about a pro alled Intrax. She d a rep gram c offers la Barcelo eagerly loo re a nguag e class sentative spelled school na for the sked it up on e li s u s n fo tu m e r d m a all its s ak ents fr nd wen the mid er. Ad o tuover th dle of the cit m across theams’ group c t from there , endin e world onsiste y. In th state, a g e d ll st inclu sam up “ Ba of walks rcelona is d ding Germa e building thaying in a ressix other higin e e n id e v fi y r e n e e , r n it A y w c e ustrali where the U.S e hall h ere stu ly a c before ., because e or takes a taity lifestyle,” a and France dents from ain .” . veryon ll x A e says i but it’s a lo dams said, The t differ “Every ‘Hi’ ev p.m. a Intrax stud en if y e b ou’ve nnt from a cit ody cludin nd afterwardents took lan y ever se g s g u to t h a u e g r y could e class take ar en the in s and e m g o s o c u h in e n v o g d a thr e o Barcelo ee hou to the beac se from a vary morning na. h t r il r . ie l t O r 1 “W ty ain rid e to difn the weeke of activities2:30 Romblae went to the nds, th ferent inPicass s with e c y it o Muse ies and street p would One of u e m s r u h fo and a s burbs er favo spent rmers of ges. their last day rite places wand really c hopping dist o r s in Sp ic a o s l t s c L h a a o ll a p e C in on t “It was he san osta Brava, s,” Adams sa d L as probab Ove id w dy bea ly ches o here her gr . experie rall, the five the highligh f Giron o a t n n o c f e d m a and Sup a half w for Ad ences. y trip,” a itIn m e A e s t d k h , who ams sa e futur trip an she po m id e d plans tossibly can by, she plans toade new frie 13 hour flig . ht nd att tr r “Intraxeturn to Barc ending Intraavel to as mas and had nwas a great e ew exp x n m lo y In than y na an ade m coun tern e thing aou,” Adams e have mord maybe eve Abroad in cotries in Europrisaid, “ ll n e nd not e e li r g e v e. She spec e the It h just jud also ge righ elped me le t for people re. arn to t away.” be mo that are diffe re ope n to ev rent ery-

mer in different cities learning focusing on their life passions.

>> ShannonMcGinley

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a l a m e t a u G o t g n Givi

issue 1 features page 18

Sisters find joy through impact ing lives of Guatemalan kid s on church mis sion trip

>>ChristaMcKittrick

It was black outside as two school buses carrying 59 teens and adults from Colonial Presbyterian Church arrived in Cantel, Guatemala in the dead of night. The 5 hour bus ride on bumpy dirt roads was finally over and everyone was relieved to be in the small village. They could only see lights in the darkness so they would have to wait until morning to find out what Cantel looked like. The next morning, sophomore Caroline Dodd and senior Lauren Dodd rode with the other volunteers to Colegio Mark School through the town. As the school bus bounced along the dirt roads, they passed by long rows of houses with incomplete second stories families couldn’t afford to finish. The quaint houses were painted every color imaginable: pinks, blues, oranges, yellows and reds. On the sides ‘Tigo,’ a cell phone company in Guatemala, is written. As the bus rolled to a stop down the street from the school, the volunteers were greeted by some 200 Guatemalan kids standing patiently in line. Every volunteer walked down the line of kids, shaking each hand. The American volunteers said ‘Hola.’ The Guatemalans said ‘Good morning.’ After Caroline and Lauren had each shaken the final hand, they reached eight foot tall black gates. They rang a bell in order to get inside and then entered the school. They walked on grey tiles through an open-air hallway to different classrooms. Inside these classrooms, the American volunteers would split up into teams: medical, dental, crafts, bible-studies, games and water. The first four groups would involve helping and interacting with the kids but the water team was there to do the major project of purifying the towns’ water. Matt Potter, director of the high school ministry and youth group at Colonial Presbyterian Church for 3 years explained about cleaning the water. “People had always come to Guatemala and treated the symptoms the bacteria in the water caused but never got to the root of the problem,” Potter said. “We had this water filtration system we brought with us because the water they drank was contaminated and this would help clean it.” This is also where the theme of the mission trip Agua Viva Agua Pura (Living Water Pure Water) comes from. While the water team was mainly composed of adults and the supervisors, the teenagers got to be involved with the other teams, which meant helping the kids. Caroline was assigned to the arts and crafts group while Lauren was assigned to the dentistry group. Caroline opened the door into a white stucco room with colorful little-kid posters of the happy birthday song and the question words in English on the walls. When she walked in, rows of dark-skinned, black-haired kids looked up at her. They were all dressed in grey slacks or skirts, a white collared shirt with the Colegio Mark emblem on them, navy blue sweaters and nice black shoes. The little boys had hair slicked up, the girls wore dangling earrings. Caroline’s job while she was there would be to help the kids make crafts. By using actions and mixed Spanish and English, she was able to tell the kids what to do. “Several days we had translators but on days we didn’t, we made motions or drew it out,” Caroline said. “I didn’t know at the time what ‘cut’ was in Spanish so I would demonstrate cutting with scissors and they would tell me the Spanish word for it.”

In this way, Caroline and the other volunteers helped the kids make rain-sticks out of beans and rice, color pictures of the creation, decorate Nalgene water STUDENTS at Colegio Mark School in Cant bottles and build germs out of terian Church el, Guatemala youth group vo gather to mee lunteers. Th the mission of clay. t the Colonial e theme of th the church wa Presbye trip ‘Auga Vi s to purify the va Auga Pura “While they played with clay town’s water. phot >> os courtesy of Dodd fa’ bemcause ily and created germs, we taught them about what was in the bad water, what contaminated it,” Caroline said. “I just think it’s the fact that though While they were doing crafts, Caroline would talk to the the kids don’t have near as much as me, they are kids and ask them questions in Spanish. She would ask so happy and they too have so much joy,” Caroline said. “So them things like how old they were and what grade they I would say just being with the kids showed me a piece of were in. This is where it stopped with most of the kids but Jesus- nothing can give you the feeling of absolute joy and with a few, she got to know them even better. love that I felt except through Jesus.” There were four brothers that Caroline got to know esBoth Caroline and Lauren hope to return to Guatemala pecially well: seventh-grader Eduardo, fifth-grader Edgar, soon to experience the joy they find in the kids and surthird-grader Selzi and first-grader Luis. roundings. To them, it’s a refreshing change from Johnson Edgar was the boy that Caroline knew the best because County to be in a completely different world where people she had met him two years ago when she had visited Guateare thankful for what they have and aren’t totally caught up mala before. The small, polite boy had jet black hair parted with little material things. This trip opened their eyes to difdown the middle and styled with gel. ferent living conditions and a different lifestyle, which they “He remembered me when we were walking down the would love to experience again. line of kids the first day we were at the school,” Caroline More than anything though, Caroline and Lauren loved said. “I told him that I had come two years earlier and he being with the kids and this is why they want to go back. said he remembered me.” Both girls enjoyed talking to the kids, playing with them, Edgar was still as sweet and good in school as he was laughing with them, loving them. two years ago. He would give Caroline big hugs and waves “I smile just thinking about it,” Lauren said. “I don’t think during the day when they talked about his life and played I would want anything to be different if I went back again—I soccer. Caroline found that even with the language barrier loved everything the way it was.” they still managed to communicate through a mix of Spanish, English and motions. While Caroline was helping the kids with art, Lauren was on the Dentistry team cleaning the kids’ teeth. To clean their teeth, she would first brush their teeth, then floss and finally put on a cherry-flavored fluoride treatment. “The kids loved having their teeth brushed,” Lauren said. “Some would even try to come back multiple times.” The youth kids, such group provided ac While they waited in line, Lauren would talk to the kids. importanc as games, crafts, Btivities for the “Sometimes we would talk to the girls and they would ib e of stayin g clean. le skits and the say which guys they liked,” Lauren said. “We asked if he

Brushin

g Up

was their boyfriend and they would laugh. Then we would go to the guys and ask if they liked the girls.” The final part of the trip besides helping out at Colegio Mark School with the kids and purifying the water was growing closer to God. Every morning and night, a different member of their group had devotion. During devotion, they talked about what was on their heart and what God was doing through and for them this week. For Lauren, the religious aspect of her trip didn’t hit her as much until she got home and thought about her experience. “While down there I didn’t think about how he was working through me,” Lauren said. “He was showing me through all the happy kids that loved you no matter what that it’s the simplest things that matter the most, the things that bring you joy.” Caroline also found that being in Guatemala and being with the kids brought her the most joy.

“I was one o Dodd said f the ‘dentistas,” sen . “T io once beca he kids came bac r Lauren k more tha use they lo n ved gettin cleaned. It g ’s something great how they find their teeth s as simple as brushin o much joy in g your tee th.”

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ISSUE 14 / SHAWNEE MISSION EAST / PRAIRIE VILLAGE, KS

APRIL 13, 2009

HOME NO PLACE LIKE

Under financial constraints, more seniors consider state schools

// SARAHMcKITTRICK

With the economy struggling and unemployment rising across the United States, deciding where to attend college has become a much more complicated issue. According to a New York Times study, there are reports nationwide of increases in applications for public universities and decreases in applications to many private universities as a result of the worsening economy. According to the College Board Web site, the average annual tuition and fees price for a public school is $6,585. However, the average annual tuition and fees price for a private school is $25,143. This $19,000 difference has become more pronounced as students make their college decisions during the current economic recession. The study also reported a substantial increase in financial aid applicants throughout the country. Senior Wraye Sewell chose to attend a state schools, citing cheaper cost of a public school as the prevailing factor in her decision. “I don’t have much of a choice,” Sewell said. “It’s hard to balance two jobs and then still have time for friends and family, but it will be worth it in the end.” Sewell, who will attend the University of Kansas in the fall, must pay for 40 percent of her college tuition and ruled out attending anywhere else outside of the state early because of cost. To earn money for school, Sewell has taken up two jobs, one at a law firm and one selling dog food for the company Netro. She works five days a week for a total of 18 hours and has been doing this since June. To help save money, Sewell signed up for the most inexpensive dorm available and the lowest costing meal plan. Since she wants to become a teacher, she may also have to take out loans to help pay for graduate school. Local colleges, like Kansas State University and University of Missouri - Columbia, have felt the effects of the economy through increases in applicants and need for financial aid. According to Larry Moeder, Director of Admissions at Kansas State University, applications have held steady, despite a small high school graduating class for the state of Kansas.

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ISSUE 2 / SHAWNEE MISSION EAST / PRAIRIE VILLAGE, KS

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ISSUE 6 / SHAWNEE MISSION EAST / PRAIRIE VILLAGE, KS

SEPT. 15, 2008

>> Stay current with SME news, activities and events ACTING ANGUISH >> A great gift for alumni and parents T + + + >> Support high school journalism! Contact Barbara Nichols at JCBE@sbcglobal.net (16 issues) = $36 1 year subscription Continued on page 2

NEWS: Earth fair cancelled >PAGE 3 SPREAD: Exploring the stem cell issue >PAGE 16-17 A&E: East students at First Fridays >PAGE 21

NOV. 10, 2008

// ALYSSAJOLITZ

Harbinger

BORNTORIDE Despite the constant injuries and danger, junior Colt Fielden keeps bull-riding for the love of the sport // JOESERNETT

With the theatre under heavy construction, the drama department is hurting but is finding ways to perform

Junior Colt Fielden just finished his ride. He landed on his knees getting off, but it was a good ride on a tough bull. He should be getting a good score. But then the bull turned its head back. It knocked him over, stepped on his knee and then landed another hoof on his head. Fielden made his way back to the chutes because real cowboys always walk it off. But once he

// ANNABERNARD

here’s no crew rushing silently backstage, making the final preparations for the show just minutes before it begins. There are no house lights flickering one, two, three times as the audience shifts in their seats, quietly anticipating the performance that is going to start. There’s no long, crimson curtain that

slowly draws out, and there is no first note lingering from the pit orchestra. The atmosphere of the musical has drastically changed, and all because of an unavoidable change. It is in the cafeteria, and the difficulties have started even before the opening number. The musical this year has to undergo

many changes, as the auditorium where it has previously taken place is being completely redone. This has left the directors with only one option, the next biggest area available. This choice has resulted in inevitable consequences, including no pit orchestra, considerably less sets and props, and the

final and perhaps biggest change, scaling back from the big-name musicals that East has done in the past. Two directors of the musical, Brian Cappello and Tom DeFeo, opted to take advantage of East’s 50th anniversary this year, and decided to do a musical revue of several of East’s past musicals. The acted scenes will

Continued on page 3

NEWS: Junior dies in shooting >PAGE 2 FEATURES: Facing the election >PAGE 9 A&E: K.C.I. Film Festival Preview >PAGE 22-23

got back he collapsed. He didn’t remember much after that, but some how he made the hour and a half drive home from the Ottawa county fair. Alone. All he remembered was his body going from hot to cold from all the pain. Once he made it home and his mom got him to the hospital, doctors told him they were surprised to see him walking and instantly put him in a wheel chair. They lat-

er told him he had a concussion, a broken jaw, torn his ACL and MCL and had bruised his ribs. If the bulls hoof landed a few inches higher on his head, he wouldn’t be riding today. *** Fielden started out riding sheep when he was about a kindergartner. Then he moved up to steers, and by the age of 12 he climbed on his first real bull.

Continued on page 9

// ANDYALLEN

OPINION: How to fix seminar >PAGE 7 A&E: “Twilight” mania invades East >PAGE 15 SPORTS: John Stonner steps down >PAGE 20

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page 20 online 09.08.09 BLOGGER- Chris Heady BLOG- music I’m going to be honest with you. I’m not sure I could go an entire day without listening to or playing a little thing called music. Music can change lives. Music can change people. Ever since I was a kid I’ve enjoyed listening to music. Even though I dislike country a little now, my earliest memory of music was listening to Shania Twain and the Dixie Chicks in the car with my mom on the way home from my Uncle Tim’s house. I listen to a wide variety of music. Even though alternative continues to be my favorite, I enjoy listening to a little 2pac every once in a while and I even like to get my jazz fix with a little of the Duke (Ellington that is). I like to take a journey back in time to listen to my boy Jimi and go to the Dark Side of the Moon with Pink Floyd. Oh yeah, I ride the Crazy Train, and Taylor Swift is my girl. Anyway, I play the guitar now and have for about two and a half years, and it’s safe to say I’m ob-

sessed with it. Every day after school I go home, sit down, pick it up and play for at least an hour. If I even see a guitar sitting somewhere I pick it up and start to play a John Mayer song. It’s almost a disease. And of course I never take the medicine. I once met a guy named Jerry who said that music was pointless and a waste of time. That listening to it was only necessary if you were killing time. This man was a complete fool. But his preposterous remarks got me thinking about a world with no music. No singing. No dancing. No yodeling. I became distressed. If such a world existed, what would give you that extra boost on a crappy day? Like after you got made fun of for looking like a dinosaur? Or the time you dropped your pencil in front of the beautiful girl Sandra who you were trying to impress, but by the look on her face, you’re clearly not wooing her anytime soon.

BLOGGERAlex Lamb BLOG- movies I once had a conversation with some friends about what was the most important thing to each of us in our lives. One answered money, another women and the third music. My answer was movies. They chastised me for my response, and didn’t quite believe me, but after 20 minutes of intense interrogation understood it was the God-honest truth. So how does an obsession with films of such an overwhelming caliber develop? Well, when I was little, it stemmed from watching Disney and Pixar movies (“Toy Story” in particular) and the original “Star Wars” trilogy over and over. I could even tell you the approximate runtime of each one off the top of my head. Then, I would live these films that sparked my interests in movies by dressing up, acting like, adopting the names of and nearly becoming the characters. Before I could even talk, my parents would know when I woke up because they’d hear the plastic boots clacking together on my Burger King Collector’s Edition Woody doll I slept with, as I pattered down the hall dressed in my “Toy Story” pajamas, and clinging to my idol. Several years later, the Force was so strong with this one that I would only respond to my Jedi name, Luke Skywalker, as I sported one leather glove over my “robotic” left hand. All of this, of course, made possible through the cooperation of Princess Leia (my mother). My father, a videographer, used to make home movies starring myself, my brother and the neighbor kids, or if it was at a family get-together, then the cousins. Through these mostly improvised or written-on-the-spot videos, I also deepened my appreciation for films and how they’re made, as an amateur actor and assistant director under my dad - even if it was just for “Jenny Springer,” “The Charlie Knows Show” and “The Ray-Gunn News,” along with other such silly productions. It was here, in the smallest small-time, that my everlasting desire to become a film director, in the Hollywood big-time, arose.

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Blo ge gs rO Ed nli itio n n e: BLOGGERHaley Martin BLOG- Cooking

On the first day of school there is always the one teacher who hands out an “About Me” questionnaire, asking about your favorites; your favorite sports, music, movies, and food. Usually my answers sound something like soccer, top 40 music and a Disney movie. My mind always seems to draw a blank on food, so like half of the population I default to filling in the blank with pizza. Not because pizza is my favorite. It isn’t, but because there are so many choices from that I never know which to choose. Should I pick ice cream or a pie? A vegetable or a fruit? A Power Bar or a snack food? Although I don’t spend hours making a castle shaped cake, I still know my foods. I can recite the Nestle Tollhouse chocolate chip recipe verbatim and have whipped up my fair share of waffles from scratch. So maybe I am not going to be the next contestant on America’s Top Chef, but I know the difference between chocolate cake and chocolate pie. This blog’s goal is not about filling the blank on those questionnaires with pizza, maybe cheese pizza, but not just pizza. I will be writing about recipes I am trying, restaurants that usually go undiscovered, easy food to eat in class without ‘crunching,’ how you can have a good time cooking with your friends, simple things to eat on the run and making something besides PB&J for lunch. More or less, this blog is going to be about making and eating more than average food for the average joe.

BLOGGER- Katy Westhoff BLOG- Books Now, you’ve already read the real introduction, the one about the blog and what exactly I’ll be writing about, but I think it’s only fair that you all should get a better image of the lady behind the text: Katy Westhoff herself. I find it’s only fair that you all should know my motivations for the subjects of my blog. By knowing why I care, by knowing my motivations, you, dear reader, will have the motivation to care as well. It’s only fair, is it not? People are fascinated by other people anyway, right? Not that you should be fascinated by me in any way -- that’d be a little creepy. A lot creepy. Don’t be fascinated by me. But I will allow you to be interested in me. In mid-2008, I read a book called “What is the What” by Dave Eggers. When the school year started, I read Eggers’ nonfiction memoir “A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius” I read at the beginning of sophomore year for English. Both books come highly recommended by yours truly,

especially “A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius.” They both absolutely changed my life, inspired me with my current life goal -- to work at McSweeney’s, the publishing company run by Eggers himself, located in scenic San Fransisco, and generally sparked the way I read books and write today. I wrote extensively on Eggers on my other blog during Blog Every Day in April (BEDA). That was just the beginning of the year, but throughout, that class changed my life even more. The book lover inside me exploded. I thought of novels in entirely different ways by the end of the year. Through former 10th grade honors English teacher Michael Pulsinelli’s careful guidance, I was soon spending hours more than required on my homework, trying to find every nugget of gold I could in “A Separate Peace,” “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” and “Catcher in the Rye,” most of which have been cut from the sophomore curriculum. When the year ended, the drive to discover literature stayed with me.

mixed mixed mixed mixed

mixed mixed mixed

issue 1 mixed page 21 {the page about life} free public education?

>> HOW 1 2

Evening Royals Games

Go on an Afternoon Picnic

Sunday Berry Picking

Trip to Worlds Of Fun

Frisbee in the Dark

Eat Watermelon

Home game this Wednesday at 7:10pm vs. Detroit Tigers

Go to the Pool

Splash around with your friends one last time before it closes

Book fees $95

School Activity Ticket $35

Pep Club $10

Yearbook $45

construction isn’t complete until...

Pack a lunch and enjoy a few hours at the park

Fall is blackberry season at the Berry Patch

Open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, tickets $40.99

Have some friends meet for a game of ultimate

Go chow down while they’re still in season

Keep Working on Your Tan

You want to keep the sunkissed look as long as possible

9 Have a Water Balloon Fight 10 BBQ in the Back Yard

Soak your friends while it’s still warm

Invite some friends to grill out and enjoy the weather

Ride up, Slide down

Passing Period-a-Palooza

Parents Pay, We Valet

Don’t get me wrong, stairs are great. They’ve been around for a pretty long time, and they do their job just dandy. But when you’re looking for your go-to choice of gliding down several stories at once, water slides prevail. Even if you get a little wet, you’ve got a full hour and half to get dry (block does have it’s moments). And, after a long hour of energy-draining Chem, enjoy the escalators going up -- walking is overrated.

They say it’s great to be a Lancer, but right now it’s only just good. The way to fix it? Fabricate the halls into a disco-era dance club, sans drug abuse. Forget the announcements, give me the Bee Gees. Disco balls and floors that light with your every step will take the place of motivational posters and stuco flyers. Bring your boogie shoes and dance like you’ve got Saturday Night Fever on a Tuesday morning.

I’m not sure who to talk to, J.E. Dunn, the booster board or Dr. K, but I know every student would agree we need valet parking. It seems unreasonable for us to have to walk all the way from the lot when we could have valet. And for that matter, let’s have them scrape our cars and turn our seat heaters on in the winter. We’ve already dropped a few million on the construction so investing in a valet service doesn’t seem like too much to ask for.

30 >>AndrewGoble

seconds with... Joe Newman senior

Art fees $30-$40

>>Alyssa Jolitz

keep summer alive during the school year

all photos by Max Stitt

>>SamLogan

>>EmmaPennington

Which historic icon would you take out to lunch? Why? Jim Morrison. He’d be a fun guy to talk with. I’d take him to Chickfil-a because it would be cheap and delicious.

What is your favorite sea creature, real or imaginary? Turtles, they are cool.

What is something interesting you did this summer? I played music all summer, non-stop.

Is there any place you’ve ever wanted to go but haven’t? Space, because not many people have been there and I would have total bragging rights.

If you were Dr. K for a day what would you do?

I would let everyone out of school, free the children and the teachers.

page 22 a&e 09.08.09

FALL CONCERT PREVIEW

A look at this fall’s top concert events >>MacTamblyn

E N 9 N H C E T NOV. 21, INDEPENDENCE EVENT CENTER

DAVE MATTHEWS BAND

WILCO

SEPT. 30, SPRINT CENTER

>>gfmorris.com

OCT. 6, THE CROSSR OADS

>> guerrillaunion.wordpress.com

p will be in town yet again this The instrumentally eclectic grou dto their stop in KC: instead of San fall, but they make one change th teen four r you be may Center. It stone, they will be at the Sprint you won’t have to worry about one this for but e, Dav ing see time ns. And if you have never been mosquitoes and rain cancellatio your calendar. Their fusion of to a show of theirs, tack it up on experience unlike any other. multiple genres creates a concert bros y, osit EXPECT: instrumental virtu

N O E L F O S G N I K CENTER

ple.com productionsim

OCT. 13, SPRINT

roval? Absolutely al sustained listener app Does endless touring equ gs of Leon, the Kin s ker roc But for southern not (see “Nickelback”). album, “Only by full of both. Their fourth past year has been chalk o winning the als platinum this year while the Night,” was certified the group has , 09 20 In ” bum of the Year. British NME award for “Al r stops in between. tivals with countless tou headlined nine music fes y. stop in KC since Januar This will be their second “Use Somebody,” and e” Fir on x “Se n tha EXPECT: songs other Followill als from lead singer Caleb unmatched live rock voc

BEN FOLDS OCT. 26, LIBERTY HALL (LAWRENCE) >>juliebell.wordpress.com

Jeff Tweedy and co. are making a pit stop in KC in support of their seventh album, “Wilco (Th e Album),” released Jun e 29. During the title track, “Wilco (Th e Song),” Tweedy croons “Wilco’ll love you, baby” to fans of the group. After over three months of letting this phrase and the rest of their new album percol ate, Wilco enthusiasts will be sure to return the favor at the show. EXPECT: mutual admira tion between the band and fans

Speaking of endless touring, Ben Folds will be in the area for the third time in the period of a year. His newest record, “Way to Normal,” was released last September. Folds has been touring almost constantly since. The three shows before he plays in Lawrence are in Missoula, MT, Fargo, ND and Wichita, proving that Folds wants to give his most urban-ly challenged fans an opportunity to see his act. EXPECT: a high-energy piano powered show

BADFISH: A TRIBU TE TO SUBLIME SEPT. 23, GRANADA (LAW RENCE)

>> delawareonline.com

>>MackenzieWylie

Everybody’s favorite local rapper will be performing near home once again. This show will be the end of Tech N9ne’s “K.O.D. Tour 2009,” aptly named for his forthcoming album due out on Oct. 27. He will be sure to bring plenty of rhymes to somewhat of a homecoming show. be EXPECT: plenty of new material, a Tech N9ne that is happy to home

Aside from Youtube and time-spa ce continuums, Badfish are the closest you can get to the real dea l. Named in an allusion to the classic Sublime tune, Badfish orig inated in 2001 at the University of Rhode Island, of all places. Like any cover band, they have been dubbed copycats and wannabes, but their name clearly indicates that they are merely paying hom age to one of the all time ska grea ts. EXPECT: a lively, feel-good sho w, still-heartbroken Sublime fans even after the 13 years since lead singer Bradley Nowell’s death

OTHER SHOWS

- The Midland THE MARS VOLTA - Sept. 14 Bottleneck RA RA RIOT - Sept. 21 - The The Beaumont DRAGONFORCE - Sept. 28 - town Theater - Up SNOW PATROL - Sept. 29 au mont Be e Th HANSON - Oct. 2 n Theater tow Up 3 PARAMORE - Oct. er nt Ce t rin Sp AC/DC - Oct. 8 26 - Sprint Center BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN - Oct.The Midland LEONARD COHEN - Nov. 9 -

issue 1 a&e page 23

>> Mo v

iew eb .co m

Comedy dedicated to the infamous concert series, held 40 years ago, is more than what’s expected

>>AlexLamb

Woodstock is generally regarded as the greatest concert of all time and the defining moment of the baby-boomer generation. Half a million young people from all over the country gathered in the small town of Bethel, in the Catskills Mountains of upstate New York, for three days of peace and music during the summer of 1969, with the epic event boasting performances from such legends as Santana, The Who, Jefferson Airplane and Jimi Hendrix. “Taking Woodstock,” directed by Academy Award-winner Ang Lee (“Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon” and “Brokeback Mountain”), is the true story of one such youth - Elliot Teichberg (Demetri Martin of “Important Things with Demetri Martin”), the twenty-something year-old who saved the music festival from its near cancellation. Failing with his interior design career, Elliot moves back home to help his crazed, Jewish-immigrant mother (Imelda Staunton) and quiet father (Henry Goodman) run their cheap, unsafe and run-down motel. After the bank gives them only the summer season to pay back their

overdue loans before foreclosing the business, Elliot sees the upcoming Woodstock festival, which was just chased out of a nearby town, as an opportunity to save his parent’s beloved El Monaco Motel. Elliot convinces Michael Lang (Jonathan Groff) and the other concert producers to hold the event in his neighbor Max Yasgur’s (the always enjoyable Eugene Levy) 600-acre meadow, leading them to also buy out the motel for the season, which they use as a headquarters. The quaint little town soon starts overflowing with hippies eagerly awaiting Woodstock, and the Teichberg motel’s financial crisis becomes a thing of the past. After this opening act, the rest of “Taking Woodstock” is basically just how Elliot and his parents live with and are affected by being in the middle of this life-changing event. Elliot’s mother comes to terms with her overwhelming greed, his father’s interest in life is reignited and Elliot finally begins to find and define himself as a person. So anyone looking for a movie highlighting the music of the greatest rockfest ever should check out the 1970 concert documentary “Woodstock,” because “Taking Woodstock” is a coming-of-age comedy first and foremost, using the event solely as a backdrop. The stage is only shown during its construction and deconstruction, and there isn’t even a glimpse of any musical artists. Admittedly, I was a little disappointed by this. Music surprisingly doesn’t play a significant role in the film, allowing instead for more focus to be put on the fully-developed characters and often times low-key humor. This choice seems to improve the emotional core of the movie, but lim-

PANEL

question >> staffer

Mac Tamblyn A&E Editor

A&E Page Designer

Christa Mckittric A&E Page Designer

STAR SCALE|

Addicting Summer Series

Favorite Micheal Jackson song

Favorite Book Read this Summer (if applicable)

Entourage.

Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough.

Into Thin Air.

My fantasy life is this show. A hilarious beautiful cast that with chemistry. Humor, suspense, and drama! Perfect summer show.

I still haven’t stopped listening.

Beat It.

I just love his moves in the music video.

Secret Life of the American Teenager. The acting isn’t too great but something about the drama is addicting.

| Stay home|

Entertainment dedicated to summer

Nurse Jackie.

Colleen Ireland

its its appeal to more refined tastes. Likewise, the comedy is a bit hit-and-miss due to the subtlety of some jokes, but overall the movie succeeds in being quite funny, especially the scenes involving the absurd thespians living in the Tiechberg’s barn. They prance around stark naked in two different scenes, both times with absolutely hilarious results. Liev Schreiber, as a cross-dressing ex-marine the Teichbergs hire for security, also gives a memorably humorous performance. He and Emile Hirsch, who portrays a stressed out Vietnam vet, both play important roles in inciting Elliot to come out of his shell, and add to the film’s warm message. Demetri Martin provides the central comic relief though, usually through down-played, deadpan comedic timing, but he’s also quite a likable protagonist. Proving he can do more than just make silly comments on television, Martin pulls off the amiable attitude and wonderment of his character with eassse. The audience gets a strong sense of Elliot’s fascination with the new hippie culture thanks to Ang Lee’s vivid vision, displayed with strong, bright colors, split-screen shots and the general atmosphere of joy permeated throughout the movie. The acid trip scene paints an incredible, aweinspiring picture, and does a perfect job of making the trip seem like reality. Even though “Taking Woodstock” slows down midway through, it’s insider perspective of the festival is truly captivating, and it manages to be thoughtfully entertaining as well. While the music is mostly absent from the movie, the peace, love and fun definitely is not.

Thriller.

It’s classic and one-of-a-kind.

| Rental at best |

A true non-fiction classic. I read the vast majority in an eight hour road trip.

The Book Thief.

It’s a captivating story about life during the holocaust. This book should be required reading.

Can You Keep a Secret.

This book kept me captivated and laughing out loud but still managed to throw in some twists.

|Worth seeing|

Worst Summer Movie Terminator Salvation.

I grew tired of the hoarse whisper Christian Bale first trademarked in”The Dark Knight.”

Funny People.

I went in expecting this to be the comedy of the summer and got a depressing life story.

The Proposal.

It was a cute chick flick but was a little too cliché.

|Instant Classic

page 24 a&e 09.08.09

t i ’ n i p e Ke

l o Co

Westside snow cone parlor Fresher Than Fresh satisfies tastebuds despite modest appearance

>>KatBuchanan

Upon arriving at the corner of 17th and Summit, a small fenced-in garden visible through a wall of bushes chirps with lazy activity. Small red signs reading “Snow Cones, 2-9 Sat” point customers through a vine-covered canopy and toward a small vintage trailer with soft, hipster music playing and a more pronounced sign of a snow cone holding a banner that says, ‘Fresher than Fresh.’ People wait in line, conversing casually amongst themselves. A couple banters playfully about which flavor they’ll share this week while a boy clad in a soccer jersey and shin guards asks his dad if he’s allowed to get the Flight of Freshness, a special consisting of five different snow cones. A large chalkboard displays the seven routine flavors and the Daredevil Special at the bottom, which on this particular Saturday, is Pineapple and Serrano Pepper. Each flavor is homemade by the owner, Lindsay Laricks, using her own ingredients with no artificial colors or flavors. The price for a regular sized snow cone is a mere $2 and the price of the Flight of Freshness, the five flavor sampler, is only $4. These affordable treats look enticing as Laricks pours the flavored syrup over the small ketchup-containeresque cups filled with balls of ice. The shop owner chats happily with customers, skillfully scooping ice,

>>TaylorOdell pouring syrup and topping the snow cones with herbs from her own garden. In front of the teal and white trailer sits a chest filled with ice and assorted bottles of mineral water. The laid-back feel of the place gives off an inviting charm. After paying my $4 and talking easily with Laricks, I take my plate of eight mini snow cones over to one of the tree stumps arranged into a seating area by the fence. Across the street are salons, cafes and small art studios, shops that echo the relaxed atmosphere of the newly renovated Westside area. Groups of people are already lounging on the stumps around me and the benches under the canopy, though the shop’s only been open for half an hour. The business is small, but it’s booming. From the first crunchy bite of ice, I can tell that this place was worth the 15 minute drive up. From the rich taste of the Espresso and Mexican Cane Sugar to the sweet zing of the Lime Mint, it’s like finding a new love with each straw-full. The care put into each individual flavor is rewarded immensely in the overall taste. Every flavor has something to offer, reminding me of tastes I’m familiar with and tastes I know I’ll learn to love. As I revel in the delicious uniqueness of each flavor, a nearby twenty-something-year-old wearing J.Crew sandals leans forward on his stump. “What do you think? First time?” Friendly, conversational customers? Check. Soothing, carefree atmosphere? Check. Fresh, original flavors? Check. Obviously, I’ve become a fan. I can’t believe that there are only three days left this season to enjoy these tantalizing treats. Just when I accepted the fact that summer is over, I’m going to have to go back and do it again. Sept. 26 is the last Saturday this season that the trailer will set up shop, and dates can easily be checked on the FTF blog for clarification. When it comes to summertime treats, these snow cones beat a freezer-burned Spongebob popsicle from the ice cream truck a thousand times over. I can wholeheartedly say that this snow cone joint is fresher than fresh.

THE facade of Saturdays-only Fresher Than Fresh may not look like much, but it’s full of character and flavor. Taylor Odell

STAR SCALE| |Check, please |

| Lukewarm |

Would You like it? Watermelon Basil Tastes exactly like the name describes it - a slice of chilled watermelon seasoned with basil. A nice blend of sweet and earthy.

Espresso and Mexican Cane Sugar

This is the fan favorite; a rich, musty espresso flavor with a lingering taste of cane sugar.

Lemon Prickly Pear This snow cone tastes like a cool lemonade at a ball game. This flavor is tart, lemony bliss on ice.

Blackberry Lavender The blackberry and lavender flavors compliment each other nicely to create a pleasant floral taste.

Pineapple and Serrano Pepper This flavor was the Daredevil Special of the week. It was a delicious tropical pinapple with a spicy flair.

Ginger Rose The unique ginger tang is similar to holiday gingerbread cookies.

|Dietary delight |

| Delectable

Quentinssential Tarantino

issue 1 a&e page 25

‘Basterds’ makes for a bloody good time at the movies

>>AlexLamb

Right from the start, Quentin Tarantino’s (“Pulp Fiction,” “Kill Bill”) comedic war thriller “Inglourious Basterds” oozes with the acclaimed writer/director’s unique style. Long camera takes, lots of engaging, realistic dialogue, fast-paced plotting, witty, offbeat humor and a sense of foreboding all come together to build the suspense, until it explodes in a violent climax of pure, unadulterated entertainment. And with the wild premise of a Jewish-American group of soldiers (the Basterds) spreading fear into the Third Reich by killing and scalping Nazis, the film couldn’t come from anyone other than Tarantino. Yet contrary to what the marketing campaign may have you believe, the story isn’t solely about this badass squad of Nazi exterminators. Instead, the movie is divided into five chapters, each one concentrating on a specific situation and set of characters that connect by the end, a wise narrative configuration that keeps it from ever becoming stale. The first focuses on SS Col. Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz), aka the “Jew Hunter,” as he calmly interrogates a French farmer about the Jewish family he’s hiding underneath the floorboards. This opening sequence gradually racks up the tension all the way as Landa closes in on the peasant, like a ravenous wolf circling its cornered prey, ready to devour it entirely. It’s one of the best scenes Tarantino’s ever done, and a perfect hook to begin the film. Chapter two introduces the always amusing Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) and his enthusiastic Basterds, out on an unbelievably entertaining escapade of Nazi-slaughtering. Following that in the more relaxed third segment, Shosanna (Mélanie Laurent), a young Jewish woman operating a Paris movie theater, is courted by Fredrick Zoller (Daniel Brühl), the star of the newest Nazi propaganda film. Attempting to win her over, Fredrick arranges for Shosanna’s cinema to hold the movie’s prestigious premiere, with Hitler in attendance. Then in the fourth section, several Basterds rendezvous with a German-British spy, only to find themselves trapped in a bar with a group of Nazi soldiers. This leads to another purposefully lengthy confrontation of wits and words, with

STAR SCALE|

a resolution so unexpected it’s nothing short of stylistic genius. And finally, in the phenomenal finale, both the Basterds and Shosanna attempt to assassinate the Fuhrer at the premiere screening, while Landa slowly discovers and tries to foil the scheme. As the plot lines intertwine, action, humor, surprises and intense thrills all combine into one perfectly crafted package, making for the best film since “The Dark Knight.” By all means, Tarantino has truly accomplished something extraordinary here. It’s been forty years since war movies commonly fit under the description of “fun,” and it’s because “Basterds” is so reminiscent of oldschool, men-on-a-mission WWII flicks like “The Dirty Dozen” and “The Great Escape” that it’s such a blast. And like those films, don’t expect any themes about the horrors of war; “Inglourious Basterds” is strictly for entertainment purposes. However, this is not an action film. Where most war movies would have a long shoot out or set piece, Tarantino usually goes with an extended discussion between two opposing forces, comprised of slow-build, wonderfully written dialogue that produces an edge-of-your-seat suspense alongside fantastic humor. Once the breaking point is reached, one of those quick, comically outrageous spurts of violence follows that Tarantino is so well-known for. Scalpings, baseball bat head-bashing and forehead Swastika-carving are shown in full, bloody detail, so the squeamish may want to sit this one out, especially those unprepared to laugh at such gruesome acts. These violent actions are usually ordered by the one-dimensional, “Natt-zee killin’” Aldo “the Apache,” who’s probably Tarantino’s most crass and hysterical creation yet. In another role he’s obviously having a blast with, like “Burn After Reading” and the “Ocean’s” trilogy, Pitt gives a performance that’s impossible not to love. Yes, once again he has a southern accent, but this isn’t like Benjamin Button’s slow, purposeful, slightly irritating drawl; he speaks with coarse, straight-up redneck Tennessee diction. Every single one of his lines is funny (even when they shouldn’t be) thanks to his uproarious delivery, and Pitt provides some of the most gut-busting laughs in the movie.

| Stay home|

BASTERDS Lt. Aldo Rayne (Brad Pitt) and Sgt. Donny Donowitz a.k.a. “The Bear Jew” (Eli Roth) movieweb.com

Col. Landa, on the other hand, is a far more insidious being. In a truly mesmerizing display of acting, Waltz infuses Landa with a charming, charismatic and subtly relentless personality, making him not only a dastardly pleasure to watch but also the most engrossing Nazi since Ralph Fiennes in “Schindler’s List.” The cunning and intelligent Landa ranks among the best of Tarantino’s characters, and Waltz is guaranteed at least an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor come awards season. Now even though Pitt receives top billing, Waltz has as much if not more screen time than him, and therein lies my only criticism of the film - I wanted more of Aldo and the Basterds. The two-and-a-half hour runtime flies by, so another 10-20 minutes of these guys wouldn’t have hurt, especially since they’re gone for large chunks of the movie due to its segmented structure. Hopefully this will be remedied on DVD in the rumored director’s cut, but if not, it’s a small complaint in an otherwise perfect film. To put it simply, you need to see “Inglourious Basterds.” This sensational, hilarious, multilingual dialogue-heavy, genre-bending thrill ride is Tarantino’s best singular effort since “Pulp Fiction,” and a true testament to the excitement of movies. Any of his fans will love it, and anyone feeling up to game should enjoy this masterpiece as well. Without a doubt the summer’s best picture, “Basterds” is filmmaking at its inspired finest. Who would’ve ever thought Nazis could be so much fun?

| Rental at best |

Trip down memory lane A look back at Harbinger movie buff Alex Lamb’s favorite Tarantino gems

Reservoir Dogs 1992 Tarantino’s searing debut is a violent crime thriller that makes no apologies or reservations. After a diamond robbery gets busted by the cops, the surviving robbers meet up and try to determine who’s the rat in their group. It’s the brilliant heist thriller that doesn’t even show the heist.

1994

Pulp Fiction

The definition of a “cool” movie. A tribute to films as a whole, two hitmen, one boxer, and a kingpin’s wife all become entangled in several stories of the criminal underworld. This is Tarantino’s masterwork, an endlessly quotable, wholly memorable, and unrelentingly hilarious thrill ride.

2003

>>movieweb.com

|Worth seeing|

Kill Bill

The ultimate revenge story, so epic it takes two movies to tell. A bride is shot in the head on her wedding day by her old boss after trying to retire from being an assassin. Several years later she wakes from her coma and starts killing the ones responsible. Tarantino’s homage to Japanese action in Vol. 1 and an ode to westerns in Vol. 2.

|Instant Classic

page 26 sports 09.08.09 ie, two NutriGrain bars

11:20 a.m. Peanut butter and jelly

sandwich, apple, Nacho Cheese Doritos, bottle of water 12:55-1:45 p.m. 6th Hour Weights 1:45 p.m. Peanut butter and jelly sandwich 3-6 p.m. Football practice 7 p.m. Two Italian sausage sandwiches, water bottle

Tuesday, August 25 6:45 a.m. Fruit smoothie and two

NutriGrain bars

11-12:30 p.m. 6th

Hour Weights

12:33 p.m. Peanut butter and jelly sandwich, apple,

Nacho Cheese Doritos, bottle of water, spoonful of creatine 2 p.m. Peanut butter and jelly sandwich 3-6 p.m. Football practice 7 p.m. Plate of nachos and two oranges

Wednesday, August 26 6:45 a.m. Fruit smoothie and two

NutriGrain bars 11 a.m. Peanut butter and jelly sandwich, apple, Nacho Cheese Doritos, bottle of water, slice of pepperoni pizza 1:30 p.m. Peanut butter and jelly sandwich 3-6 p.m. Football practice 7 p.m. Bowl of sausage soup, grilled cheese sandwich, orange

strawberry yogurt, Special K bar, bottle of Propel 2:45 p.m. Bottle of Propel, peanut butter crackers 2:30-4 p.m. Played tennis with coach 4:30- 6 p.m. Played practice matches 6:45 p.m. Asian chicken vegetable stir fry, water, fruit, cookies and cream ice cream

Tuesday, August 25 7 a.m. Chocolate muffin and a bottle of

water

Monday, August 24 7:15 a.m. Bowl of Rice Krispies,

The Harbinger takes a look at the diets and exercise regimens of four of East’s finest fall sports phemons for 72 hours KevinSimpson

10 a.m. Pretzel goldfish, apple 11:45 a.m. Peanut butter and jelly

Tuesday, August 25 7 a.m. Blueberry doughnut 11 a.m. Mixed berry NutriGrain bar,

3 NAME

Wednesday, August 26 7 a.m. Chocolate Protein shake 7:30 p.m. One slice of cornbread 11:45 p.m. Cheetohs, peanut butter and

jelly sandwich, grapes, water bottle 3:30 p.m. McDonald’s vanilla/chocolate swirl ice cream cone, small order of fries 6 p.m. Cheeseburger, glass of milk 8 p.m. Small white chocolate mousse TCBY treat with Reese’s

erika davee SPORT golf

zach colby SPORT soccer

sandwich, almonds, apple, piece of cookie cake 3 p.m. Pretzel goldfish, two slices of pepperoni pizza 3:20-5:20 p.m. Played nine holes of golf 8 p.m. Grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, milk 9:45 p.m. Three Blueberry muffins, glass of milk

2 NAME

bar

11:45 p.m. Peanut butter and jelly sandwich, almonds, apple, pretzel goldfish, two water bottles 3:20-5:20 p.m. Played 9 holes of golf 7 p.m. Winstead’s cheeseburger with ketchup and mustard, fries, water 7:30 p.m. 15 mini Oreos

calorie oreo crisps, water

2-4:30 p.m. Tennis practice 4:45 p.m. Water and Welch’s fruit snacks 6:30 p.m. Pasta, house salad with ranch dressing, fruit, ice cream bar

Wednesday, August 26 7 a.m. Bowl of oatmeal, water 12:33 p.m. Six-inch ham sanwich from

Subway, baked barbecue chips, banana, water 2-4 p.m. Tennis practice 4-4:15 p.m. Tennis conditioning 4:30 p.m. Tomato basil Ramen noodles 5-7 p.m. Cheerleading practice 7:30 p.m. Filet, fruit salad, baked potato, water

>>MackenzieWylie

fall athleats Monday, August 24 7 a.m. Banana, mixed berry NutriGrain

11:00 a.m.

Turkey rollup, baked barbecue chips, vanilla yogurt, 100

mimi fotopolous SPORT tennis

Monday, August 24 7 a.m. Bowl of oatmeal, water 11:20 a.m. Turkey sandwich, pita chips,

pete uhl SPORT football

Monday, August 24 6:30 a.m. Banana/peach smooth-

1 NAME

orange juice, vitamin, rich chocolate Ovaltine 11:20 a.m. Turkey and cheese sandwich, Zebra cakes, Kudos bar, Naco Cheese Doritos, two slices pepperoni pizza. fruit gushers, three water bottles, one bottle Gatorade 3:15 p.m. Went to QT, had a 32 oz. Gatorade 3:25 p.m. Bagel, chocolate milk 5 p.m. Bottle of Gatorade 6:30-8:15 p.m. Blue/Black scrimmage (Varsity vs. JV) 8:30 p.m. Pulled pork sandwich, two Gatorades, two water bottles 10 p.m. Chicken breasts, pretzels, strawberry/banana smoothie, strawberries, watermelon, pasta, water bottle

Tuesday, August 25 7:15 a.m. Bowl of Cheerios, orange

juice, strawberry smoothie, vitamin, water 11 a.m. Turkey and cheese sandwich, cookies and cream power bar, nacho cheese Doritos, fruit gushers, Rice Krispie treat, bottle of Gatorade, two

bottles of water 3:15 p.m. two Kudos bars, two bottles of Gatorade, two bottles of water and Goldfish 4-6 p.m. Soccer practice 7 p.m. Four ground beef tacos, two bottles of water, one glass of milk, one slice of cheesecake 10 p.m. Chicken breasts, pretzels, strawberry/banana smoothie, strawberries, watermelon, pasta and a bottle of water

Wednesday, August 26 7 a.m. Cinnamon waffles, orange juice, strawberry/banana smoothie

11 a.m. Turkey and cheese sandwich,

two slices of pepperoni pizza, Power bar, harvest cheddar Sun Chips, fruit gushers 4 p.m. Power bar and water bottle 5-6 p.m. Soccer conditioning 6-7 p.m. Soccer practice 7:45 p.m. Bagel and three scrambled eggs, strawberry/banana smoothie. Kudos bar, cheese crackers, Gatorade and a water bottle 10:15 p.m. Pasta, glass of milk, smoothie and pretzels

>>BobMartin

It’s 9:30 p.m. on a steamy day in late July. The weather is finally beginning to cool off and it’s dark out as cars start rolling into the junior lot. A small group is already sitting on the sideline of the new turf field, which is littered with sandals, backpacks and water bottles. An assortment of colored, light-up discs fly back and forth in the night sky. This is where the original ultimate frisbee group, organized by Jeff Tate, began before anything became official. As the night presses on, more cars make their way into the lot- kids just getting off work or those who only recently received word of the game. “We were messing around at East at the field with a light-up frisbee and we just kind of started calling people,” Tate said. From there it launched. Rules were formed and the word got out. Ultimate at East. The relatively small group of upperclassmen and graduates grew as other students caught word of the late-night shirts versus skins frisbee games. The game isn’t new to most East students, as it is a requirement in “Foundations P.E.” The concept was simple: two end zones, two teams, catch the frisbee in the end zone and score a point. The darkness only served as another element to the match. “They don’t really take you by skill level at night,” Tate said. “Because they can’t figure out who missed a catch.” Not long after the games got started, senior Cameron Robles got the word via text message and found himself attending on a regular basis. After playing ultimate with his friends, the sport really grew on him. “I like the fact that you’re constantly moving,” Robles said. “As soon as you

get rid of the frisbee, you’re off running again.” With such a large draw to the impromptu pick up games, it didn’t take long for a grassroots movement to push for an official ultimate Frisbee club at East. Sophomore Ryan McNeil came up with the idea after hearing of several private schools with ultimate clubs. “I was like, ‘Let’s start a sport that not a lot of kids play, that’s kind of unique to the school model,” McNeil said. After receiving a positive response from teacher David Muhammad about possibly sponsoring the club, McNeil started searching for players. According to McNeil, the reaction has been positive from students who said that they have a good mix of lower and upperclassmen showing interest in participating. “We talked to the school, and they said if we got a team organized, we could meet up with them again, and discuss the details.” McNeil said. The new football field is the perfect location, according to Tate. The turf is fresh, the lines are marked, and everything is a lot more convenient than their old location at Porter Park. Athletic Director Jim Ricker likes the club idea much better, because currently, use of the field is strictly limited to persons with approval, due to the school being liable if any injuries were to occur. “It sounds like a blast, until someone gets hurt,” Ricker said. “But think of the bad things they could be doing instead on a Saturday night.” While no one has prevented them from using the field yet, the Prairie Village police were called to the field after a nearby resident filed a noised complaint. The officers checked the

guys’ water cooler to make sure they didn’t bring any alcohol, before telling them to keep it down. “They didn’t say anything to us about it being a private facility,” Tate said. “We had seen people kicking around soccer balls there during the day, so we figured we might as well.” While the prospect of ultimate frisbee gaining legitimacy with official “club” status at East is looking more and more likely, the group is still looking for more interest from students before the first “official” frisbees will fly.

issue 1 sports page 27

Spinninginto Play Ultimate frisbee on its way to posibly becoming school sport

>>photo illustration byJeff Cole

New policy promotes appropriate behavior at sporting events >> AlysabethAlbano

In the midst of the Fall Sports Season, Principal Karl Krawitz is expressing his disappointment in East’s school spirit and sharing the new expectations he has for student behavior at sporting events. According to both Dr. Krawitz and Athletic Director Jim Ricker, the state is looking into how fans behave at games. “We are under the magnifying glass so to speak,” Dr. Krawitz said. “We had some conduct issues at last year’s games, [so] now they are looking to see if whether or not they would impose sanctions on us.” Although sanctions have rarely been issued in Kansas, Ricker warns they have done it before, and due to the negative feedback they received, they are more than willing to do it again. “I can tell you what they did at Shawnee Mission South when they won state [in 1999],” Ricker said. “They took their trophy away for one year because of their behavior.” Dr. Krawitz said it was difficult for him to watch the student’s behavior at sporting

events last year. “When I watched over the building there was something very interesting,” Krawitz said. “People would come to some events, and they would simply go bananas. They were so focused on trying to humiliate the opposition.” Dr. Krawitz believes that whether or not the opposition is being respectful of us, we should always be respectful of them. Senior Jake Fleming has strong opinions about this new plan. “I don’t see why they would punish us for being rowdy and loud and supporting our team,” Fleming said. But Dr. Krawitz is tired of students claiming that their negative behavior towards the other teams is due to their diehard support of Shawnee Mission East. “It’s all a lot of talk,” Krawitz said. “Because when we would have another game there wouldn’t be a soul there.” The administration thinks that this will be an effective way to teach students a lesson in sportsmanship and respect, but Fleming has a very different feeling.

“I think that is ridiculous that the State [may] be issuing sanctions against us but I do think if they are, then it should apply to every Kansas school,” Fleming said. As of now, the administration is not referring to this as a policy; instead, they are simply expectations that all students should withhold. “I wouldn’t call it a policy, that means we are going to write it up, these are just expectations and it’s been coming for awhile,” Ricker said. Dr. Krawitz explains that there are the same rules East had last year but this year they are enforcing them more seriously. “We won’t do the repeated offenders,” Dr. Krawitz said. “If kids are going to continue that, we are going to have them leave. And we are probably not going to ask them to come back.” “We want you to have school spirit but if you can’t do it right then we don’t want you there.” Ricker said. This means suspension from all sporting events for the rest of the season. The administration is determined to stop this poor

sportsmanship, and they want students to understand how serious they are. “I think that Dr. K’s plan will work just because of the threat of suspension,” Fleming said. Both students and administration have their concerns. Dr. Krawitz and Ricker agree that it won’t be perfect at first and it going to take a lot of work to fix it. Fleming’s main concern is different. “The thing I am most concerned about is our fan base coming to games and sitting down and watching because we’re so concerned about the threat of punishment,” Fleming said. “We want them there and we want them loud,” Ricker said, “But we don’t want them saying the things they are saying. I think it is fair. Why would we reward you if you cannot behave appropriately?” Dr. Krawitz agrees. “It really comes down to people really wanting to do what they probably know they need to do, in order to maintain the integrity of the event,” Krawitz said. “And someone standing up and saying enough is enough.”

page 28 sports 09.08.09

Keeping it

Being the first freshman on varsity in years, Tyler Rathbun looks to help a young soccer team prove themselves after the loss of fifteen seniors and with only three returning varsity players.

They said it.

Members of the soccer team’s defense comment on what they need to do to win.

Play to our speed. 11 COOPERTOOMBS

“ ” “ ” We aren’t the biggest team but we can beat bigger teams with our speed and skill.

Score the clutch goals.

11 CCCREIDENBERG

With few defenders, and even fewer now that Charlie’s hurt, our forwards need to step up and score goals. Work as a team.

11 CAMSMITH

We need to come together as a team and work together, and we need to use team-sided tactics.

>>MattGannon

Freshman Tyler Rathbun lounged in front of his TV mashing the buttons on his Xbox controller. He glanced up at the clock and it read 10:30 p.m. He needed to go look at his tryouts. He had to see which team he made, after a full week of soccer tryouts. When Rathbun clicked on East’s soccer coach Jamie Kelly’s roster, he didn’t know what to say. Freshman aren’t supposed to make varsity, he thought. “I couldn’t believe it,” Rathbun said. “My family was so excited and people on varsity kept calling in and congratulating me. It was the most exciting moment of my life.” The rest of the night was filled with phone calls from friends, bright smiles from his family and the thrill of knowing he would be practicing with varsity in the morning. The varsity even tee-peed him that night. He didn’t mind. Rathbun’s soccer career started when he was only three-years-old. His brother, East graduate Alex Rathbun, took him into their backyard, where two towering soccer goals stood. Alex, who was eight-years-old, needed a goalie to fire shots at. He picked his little brother to be his victim. “Alex would just make me play,” Rathbun said. “I couldn’t say no to him.” Rathbun was not a fan of being pelted with shot after shot, and that’s when he decided he wanted to be the guy who was dishing out the punishment. Alex couldn’t blame him. He decided to teach his little brother the game. They would practice almost everyday, and Rathbun still shoots into those two goals in the offseason, remembering that this was the place his love for soccer started. He would move up from backyard ball to a recreational team with oranges at every game, and at nine years old joined a premier team, the KC Strikers. The Strikers were Rathbun’s first club team and with them he learned how to play as a solid squad. It was those simple days of playing at Mission Valley and having a team dinner after a big win,

>>KatieEast where Rathbun learned how to be part of a team. One of his teammates, Scott Slapper, is a manager for the varsity team. “I knew he would make varsity because he focuses on the team,” Slapper said. East’s varsity soccer coach, Jamie Kelly, was also the coach of the KC Strikers when Rathbun joined the team. “Even way back then I knew he was talented and stood above the rest,” Kelly said. “I knew that if he stuck with it and worked hard he would make an impact wherever he went to high school.” In tryouts, Rathbun started with all of the other freshmen, and they ran for most of the first day. But when they scrimmaged, that’s when Rathbun took his advantage. He dominated his fellow freshman with his speed as he weaved through defenders, swung his foot back, and hooked the ball perfectly past the stunned goalie. The next day he was trying out with the JV and the varsity. “That’s when I thought I might make JV,” Rathbun said. “But making varsity never crossed my mind,” Rathbun said. Rathbun was intimidated his first day of practice on the varsity team. He didn’t know what to expect. He was practicing with guys who knew what practice was like, and he was the freshman that had no idea what was coming. He wondered how difficult varsity would be and he questioned if he was really varsity material. “I had been to the workouts over the summer,” Rathbun said. “I had made it through tryouts, and I thought that I was in great condition, but I still didn’t know what varsity would be like.” At practice the team went over some basic plays before going to First Watch. Rathbun sat down with his new team mates all around him, already poking fun and calling him the “frosh.” He looked at his waffles and grinned. Senior varsity captain Joe Craig has played forward for the varsity team for three

years. “This year I thought there was a good chance that a freshman could make varsity,” Craig said. “And I always thought that Tyler would be that freshman. I had seen his skills at kick-arounds over the summer and knew he was a good player when I played with his brother, Alex. He’s played pretty well in the last couple games. He doesn’t seem to be intimidated by the older guys and he is a really unselfish player that really helps our team. I’m very excited for him and I know that he’ll help us win.” Rathbun’s first game experience on varsity was the Black vs. Blue game, a scrimmage game between the varsity and JV soccer teams. Rathbun started on the bench, but when Kelly told him he was going into the game, he couldn’t control his jitters. He laced up his Total 90 Lasers and stepped on. He was playing center-midfield, standing in the middle of the field, where everyone could see. The ball came to him. He wondered if he’d choke. That’s when he got his first touch and after that Rathbun was no longer just a “frosh”. Varsity would win the game 7-1. “The team understands that for us to be successful we have to gel as a team and become one,” Kelly said. “If anyone is not accepted, whether it is a freshman or a senior, then we will not go far this year.” Rathbun has #1 on his jersey, because the varsity jokes and calls him the star of the team. He hopes he’ll get the confidence to help the varsity win. “Tyler is very talented and as long as he keeps a level head on his shoulders and not let the early success get to him he will do well,” Kelly said. “There is nothing worse than a player who is not humble and becomes arrogant because of success, but that is not Tyler’s personality, so I know he will handle it the right way.”

>>Max Stitt

Super ‘and then some...’ Bowls

issue 1 sports page 29

Legendary groundskeeper George Toma brings his experience to help restore the baseball field

>>IanWiseman

Groundskeeper George Toma eyes his football field, searchDiscouraged but not defeated. He would continue to spend ing for any blemishes. a couple hours nearly every day on the field for months. To this As groundskeeper for a Super Bowl, he wants perfection. day, Toma mows the field every Friday afternoon, going far beAfter all, thousands of screaming fans, not to mention the milyond Brett’s expectations. lions of viewers watching the game on their TV, will be seeing “I called him for advice, and the next day he was out there his field. working like it was the seventh game of the Royals’ world seOnly four months later, Toma is on the job again. He is ries,” Brett said. “That’s why they call him the Nitty-Gritty Dirt preparing to leave East for the day, but first he makes sure Man. That’s why the NFL hired him to do all those Super Bowls. every blade of grass is in order. When he’s working on a That’s why he’s the best groundskeeper in the world. He takes high school practice baseball field, he wants perfecsuch pride in his efforts and in his work.” tion. But Toma is hardly working, because he enBrett and Toma weren’t the only ones working on the field. joys every second of it. They both credit most of the work to East’s baseball team. From “When a lot of people turn a certain age they uprooting weeds to filling holes, the team was dedicated to fixwant to do certain things,” Royals’ hall-of-faming the field. er George Brett said. “Some people retire from “Toma has a saying,” Brett said. “And that saying is ‘and being an accountant and all they want to do then some.’ You do your job, and then some. The boys did their is play golf. Some people retire from being a job, and then some. They were lifting weights from 8 to 10, and doctor and all they want to do is fish. George on the field working from 10 to 1.” Toma never retired. All he wants to do is “And then some” isn’t just Toma’s saying. It’s his work ethwork on fields.” ic. In 67 years, groundskeeping legend “It’s that little extra,” Toma said. “Those three little words George Toma has done it all. He was the distinguish the mediocre from the great.” Royals’ groundskeeper until 1997 and Sophomore Jason Sabin, one of the many baseball players oversaw the Minnesota Twins’ spring trainwho worked on the practice field, described how Toma was on ing field. But baseball is only one side of the field assisting them with the work load. George Toma’s career. He has tended the fields “He instructed us on most of the work, but he even helped,” for every Super Bowl in NFL history. He cut grass Sabin said. “For a guy his age, that was pretty cool.” in both the 1984 and 1996 Summer Olympics. He Toma and Brett also secured donations from Ryan’s Lawn managed Pontiac Silverdome’s indoor field in the and Turf for field equipment. If the workers needed additional 1993 World Cup Soccer tournament. And his latest materials, Toma supplied them. For these reasons, this project job—East’s baseball practice field. cost the school district nothing. Toma was a driving force behind fixing the field And after a couple of weeks, major changes could be seen this summer. The 80-year-old NFL hall-of-famer in the baseball field. could be seen cutting grass, filling holes and spread“Before, there was no distinct line between what was grass ing dirt, gradually altering the field’s poor condition. and what was dirt,” Krawitz explained. “That changed very And it was poor. quickly. I was just floored because this field was starting to look “I took a good look at East’s baseball field,” pretty good.” Brett said. “The infield was In addition to laying dirt and planting unlevel, the grass wasn’t seed, adult volunteers, usually the pargrowing in certain areas. It ents of baseball players, trimmed the grass was simply unplayable.” growths that lined the fencing. They also RUNNING THROUGH THE Brett knew Toma well helped the players carry rusted pipes and RÉSUMÉ from his days with the spread dirt. Moms brought turkey sandRoyals. He was sure that wiches and coolers filled with ice water and Toma has held the following positions in Toma’s love for groundsGatorade, much to the satisfaction of the his career: keeping, along with his tired workers. According to Toma, this proj- Groundskeeper for the Minnesota generous spirit, would ect was a “family affair.” Twins and Boston Red Sox spring traincompel him to help with “Everyone—coaches, players, paring facilities the project. He decided to ents—were all part of this project,” Toma call Toma for advice on said. “And that’s good, because it’ll be up to - Managed the ground at Chicago’s the parents and players to take care of the how to fix the condition Soldier Field and Detroit’s Pontiac field in the future. They’ll be the groundof the field. Silverdome during the 1994 World Cup skeepers.” Brett had no idea what -Groundskeeper at the 1980 and 1985 And they’ll have learned from the best. “advice” would entail. World Series From the players to the parents, Toma diThe next day, a meetrected everyone, offering his expertise. ing was held on the field. But Brett believes Toma’s knowledge of Several problems faced the grounds-keeping isn’t the only reason he is group, which at that time considered the best. It’s the work ethic and the determination to included Brett, Dr. Krawitz, fathers of East baseball always strive for greatness, which defines this Nitty-Gritty Dirt players and Toma. Severe grass growths engulfed Man. It’s why he’s considered the best. It’s why this NFL hall-ofthe infield. Large, useless metal poles lay in the famer chose to work on a practice field on Delmar. batting cages. Potholes were scattered about the “Are his sons going to play on that field? No, they graduated outfield. from high school,” Brett said. “He didn’t get paid one cent for “I was a very discouraged,” Toma said. “The his work, but there’s no place he’d rather be than working on infield was all grass. When it rained, it was a lake, that field.” and the field was so rough it was like a washboard.”

page 30 sports 09.08.09

from

LIONto

LANCER

After playing club soccer on the “Dancing Lions” for three years senior Alex Cox gets a shot on the varsity soccer team

>>SamKovzan

Strapping on his friend’s gloves, senior Alex Cox planted himself between the posts at Prairie Elementary’s barren soccer field. It only took him a couple minutes into a frigid January kick around to impress. He jumped, dived, charged and stuck out his feet — anything to prevent the ball from finding the net. One save became two, two became four, four seemingly turned into a dozen. The Dancing Lions, a hodgepodge recreational indoor team made up of nine East seniors, had found their goalie. Cox hadn’t played a competitive game of soccer since sixth grade. He had never been associated with East’s soccer program in any way at all. And for the longest time, his athletic sights were set on varsity baseball. None of this mattered to his teammates and friends that day — the day Cox was first asked about potentially trying out for goalkeeper his senior year. At the time, the idea made him laugh. But that winter, Cox promptly assumed the position for the Dancing Lions. “It started as a fun, laid back thing to do on Sunday nights,” Cox said. “But it turned into something more than that.” In fact, it turned into something Cox enjoyed so much that eight months later he was trying out for East’s varsity soccer team, despite not having played a proper outdoor game in six years and hardly ever speaking to head coach Jamie Kelly. None of this mattered. A member of the Dancing Lions just one month ago, Cox has made the jump from being on “a jack-around indoor team” to becoming one of East’s two varsity goalkeepers. “All my friends have been behind me from day one,” Cox said. “Everyone I talked to had confidence in me and that helped. It was good to see the hard work over the summer pay off.” Cox’s decision to play soccer was never easy. He contemplated the possibility throughout the summer: one day he’d feel confident about trying out, while the next he’d feel apprehensive and doubtful of his abilities. His friends tried swaying him towards trying out, but he also had the other side of the spectrum with his parents and baseball. “In my heart I had a feeling I was going to try out no matter what,” Cox said. “But at the same time, I was sacrificing

a lot.” When Cox showed up at soccer tryouts three weeks ago, he was also saying goodbye to fall baseball, a season vital to any player wishing to play the sport in college. “It was a tough decision, but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Cox said. “And if I still want to go somewhere to play baseball in college, hopefully I can do that.” Telling his parents he would be trying out proved to be one of Cox’s biggest challenges of the summer. He’s been in East’s baseball program since he was a freshman, having lettered as a pitcher for the first time last year. Because Cox had been a baseball player for so long, his parents, Linda and Steve, assumed that it was their son’s dream sport — a sport they could potentially see him playing collegiately. The Cox’s were in the middle of a family dinner two weeks before tryouts when Alex finally told his parents the news. Steve was admittedly surprised but supportive of his son’s decision. “When the Dancing Lions started to have success, I could see him really starting to enjoy soccer and play a lot more,” Steve said. “He was watching soccer with his buddies and playing FIFA all the time, so it’s good that he’s decided to take it to the next level and participate in the sport fully.” Cox realized what was up against him the entire time. After all, the last time he played a competitive outdoor game was in spring 2004 as a member of the Kansas City Attack. He had never met any of East’s soccer coaches and the only possible team the senior could make: varsity. If Cox wanted to make the squad, he had no choice but to be fully prepared. A couple months prior to tryouts, it became clear that he needed improvement, plenty of reps, and – just maybe – a bit of luck. Throughout the summer, members of the Dancing Lions gathered at the new football field to help Cox practice. He focused on strengthening various goalkeeping attributes — handling, charging, facing penalties and corner kicks. As June turned into July, and July into August, the training sessions became more frequent and more focused on Cox. Having finished summer baseball, he was able to focus completely on goalkeeping and toning his skills. Senior Jeff Rutherford attended nearly every one of the Lions’ impromptu workouts. The Dancing Lions defender was supportive of his goalie’s aspirations and strongly urged him to try out.

>> Hannah Lang “During the last couple weeks of summer, everyone knew the workouts weren’t for the team anymore,” Rutherford said. “We were there to help get Cox ready.” By the first week of August, varsity players began showing up to help prepare who would possibly become their next keeper. “From what I’d seen, I knew that Cox would make the team if he played to his abilities,” varsity soccer captain Joe Craig said. “Tryouts went well for him and now he has the opportunity to get better.” At tryouts, it took no time for Cox notice the change. The goalposts seemed absurdly far apart, and it felt like he had a massive amount of space to cover. Defending corner kicks was extremely chaotic, and he could only hope to guess right as close shots were fired his way. Amazed at how much harder outdoor goalkeeping was, Cox realized his margin for error was drastically less. As a Dancing Lion, he would be off on his angles and get away with it. He didn’t have to think much about where his defenders were supposed to be and who they should be marking. “It was a gorilla off my back when I found out I’d made the squad,” Cox said. “But at the same time, I knew I had a lot to work on.” Although he is more than pleased to be on the team, Cox demands self-improvement. He alluded to a fumbled a shot in the Varsity/JV scrimmage that led to a JV goal, something he must avoid in a real game. “I’ve been very impressed with his athleticism and his communication on the field, which is very important for a goalkeeper,” Kelly said. “He’s improving technically every day.” The other varsity keeper, junior Chris Melvin, has played for East the last two years and is far more experienced: he has played soccer throughout middle school and high school on a club team. Cox hopes to learn from him, Kelly and goalie coach Brent Williams as the season progresses. But most of all, he just hopes the team is successful. “I want us to win, and if that means Chris Melvin playing every part of every game, that’s the way it should be,” Cox said. “But at the same time I also want to show people what I did wasn’t a fluke and that I want to make a difference on the team.”

g n i p Flip

issue 1 sports page 31

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THURSDAY, 9/10 -Football vs. Free State

hies Phil osop

New head football coach hopes to bring in a new winning tradition and school spirit surrounding his game. Here are the top five reasons why this year’s team isn’t last year’s team.

Coach Sherman and his squad look to continue the road to rebuilding against the Firebirds in this year’s “Blue-Out Game”. If junior quarterbacks John Schrock and Robby Moriarty can find their way through the defending state runners-up, expect a big league-play victory at the North Stadium.

REGIME CHANGE After many seasons of struggle, the Lancers have shifted gears and brought on board one of the winningest high school coaches in the Kansas City area. Along with Chip Sherman, former defensive coordinator Chip Ufford has been brought back to revamp a unit that struggled against Sunflower League offenses. Coach Sherman was crucial in the rebuilding of a Salina South program that went 2-7 the year before he arrived in 2007. His first and only season there, 2008, the Cougars won eight games en route to a regional championship and a top eight finishing in the state playoffs... Things are shaping up for a similar story at East.

TUESDAY, 9/15

-Boys’ soccer vs. Olathe East

Quickly becoming the school’s strongest competition in all sports, Olathe East has taken that to a new level in soccer the last few seasons. After beating the East boys in PKs at the regional finals last year, the Hawks went on the state championship game where they lost. Should the returning Lancers return to the field with a vengeance to win, don’t be surprised if the game runs late into the night... Again.

A QB BATTLE 2

If two guys are ever duking it out for the quarterback position on the Shawnee Mission East football team, you know the program must be headed in a good direction. Two juniors - Robby Moriarty and John Schrock - have stepped up this season and will split time behind center, being the first dual-quarterback system East has put into use in years. Both saw time on the field last year after Curran Darling had to sit games out with a back injury, but neither was declared as the top dog on the depth chart. “I don’t mind it at all,” Moriarty said. “John and I are really good friends and have played together for a long time. If one of us sees how the defense is playing, we can teach each other and learn from each other to play a lot better.”

CROSSING THIS LINE 3In the NO past, East has struggled competing on the offensive and defensive line. The Lancers have usually been physically undersized against the likes of Shawnee Mission West and the Olathe schools. This year is a different story. In early July, East won a linemen skills competition at the Greg Williams Classic, setting a positive tone months before the season even kicked off. Senior linemen Tyler Woltemath and Jacob Fleming have two years of varsity experience under their belts and will look to lead the big boys on the offensive and defensive lines. Players at the skill positions will undoubtedly notice the effects of an improved offensive line -- expect more big-yardage plays and a wide-ranging offense capable of beating the defense in a variety of ways.

THURSDAY, 9/19

-Girls’ tennis @ Pembroke Hill

The Lady Lancers hope to avenge last year’s close loss to the Raiders. However, the team will be without sophomore Mimi Fotopolous and senior Nikki Reber, members of the 2008 state championship team. Sophomore Mollie Cooper will step up in their absence to face senior Elena McCallister, the Raiders’ #1 singles player.

:02.......

COMMUNITY BACKING 4

Just when you thought the hooligans only showed up to basketball games, Friday nights will be full of energy this fall. Expect the football bandwagon to gather supporters as the season progresses. The Lancers have landed city-wide coverage this preseason, including a short feature story on Metro Sports and a brief clip courtesy of Fox 4 News. Sherman has commended players and parents for their dedication and hard work leading up to the season. Considering the fact that East is ranked just 10th out of 12 teams in the preseason, Sunflower League rankings will only motivate a sleeping giant even more. Once one win leads to two, and two to four, Varsity players probably won’t be complaining about lack of fan support anymore.

players

LINDSAY SAULS- VOLLEYBALL- 12 The 2008 All-Sunflower League first team member has already committed to Appalachian State University and will lead a Lancer squad with high hopes for a big season. Ranked fourth in the state as a team, Sauls will have to put on a show similar to last year’s in order to bump them up.

KRIS HERTEL- FOOTBALL- 12

Filling the shoes of Marcus Webb isn’t an easy task to do, especially when he leaves the runningback spot open after a 3-6 season. If anyone knows the job though, its Hertel whos older brother Colin held the job before Webb. With brother Kevin at reciever look for the younger of the touchdown twins to have a big season.

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moment

5 OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK

In 20 seasons at Platte County, Chip Sherman led his teams to three Missouri state titles and a winning streak that reached 52 games. Resurrecting a struggling Salina South program last year strengthened his already impressive resume. Regarded as one of the finest coaches in the Kansas City area, Sherman hopes to bring his success to East. The Lancers’ Sept. 17 game against rivals Shawnee Mission South will be televised on Metro Sports and will serve as a great opportunity to impress the rest of the city. Some seniors believe this year’s schedule is more favorable than it has been in the past, presenting the team with a realistic shot at a district championship. Regardless, East football has arguable never been as hyped as it is going into the 2009 season.

SAM & SAM SAY... After some downhill seasons, these newfound Lancers are destined to climb out the hole and into the winner’s box. YEAR-END RECORD: (6-3)

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: STEWART JENSEN- 12

LEAGUE FINISH: 6th

KatieEast SENIOR Dustin Ballard avoids a close call with freshman Matt Terry after he tripped over the ball at the Blue & Black Scrimmage. Ballard’s varsity squad took the first game of the season, 3-2 against Mill Valley last Friday.

page 32 photo essay 09.08.09

Link crew focuses on incorporating the freshman in

all the

small

allphotosbyMackenzieWylie

things

ABOVE: freshman Ian Harmon slams a powerchord as the front man for freshmen band “Break,” the opening band at the mixer on Aug. 28. “I thought it was a lot of fun,” Harmon said. “We got a good reaction from the crowd. RIGHT: freshman Nicole Hine and Roberto Sada settle in the center of the dancer floor at the begginning of the dance held in the cafeteria. Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” was the song of choice for the ‘80s theme dance. RIGHT: freshman Helena Buchman and Bella Tomellen swing to “Kharma Chameleon” by Culture Club during the two-hour-long dance. It’s hosted by the Lancer Link program, designed to better acclimate new students to East by assigning upperclassmen counselors to freshmen.

ABOVE: seniors Clair Finke and Tara Raghuveer dance to freshmen band Break’s opening set. Break has played over 20 times. They played, “All the Small Things” by blink182, “Don’t Stop Believin” by Journey and “How Far We’ve Come” by Matchbox Twenty.