the
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V X X seeing past the rings
O
Wright shows up to the pool 30 minutes early. Nobody is there. Just Wright, and the water is completely still. He sits down to gather his thoughts and writes down the practice, but for the remainder of his time Wright reminisces about all of the different people that he has coached in the pool, each having an impression on Wright. The pool acts as a museum for the history of Shawnee Mission East swimming. He sees the banners adorning the pool overhead, and
on the banner, each team has a story to Wright. On Tuesday, January 19, Wright’s legacy was forever cemented into Shawnee Mission East swimming. Dr. Krawitz announced that the pool was to be dedicated to Wright. “I never dreamed in my wildest dreams that anything like that would take place,” Wright said. “Of all of the coaches that have been here at Shawnee Mission East, and all of the sports, all of the kids that I have had an opportunity to coach,
I did, but what the kids did.” In the 25 years Wright has coached at East, the team has won five state championships, 13 league titles, and nine AllAmericans. But above all, swimming has seen record numbers with as many as 62 kids on the team, compared to the 25 who came out in Wright’s first season. According to the swimmers themselves, its because of the coach.
>>continued on page 29
NEWS: Fundraising for Haiti (pg. 2) SPREAD: Musicians at East (pg.12-13) FEATURES: Mr. Muhammad, the style guy (pg. 19)
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helping
issue 10 news page 3
Organizations in the East community gather donations to support Haitians
>>MattGannon
SHARE, Coalition, Student Council and the Columbia Brew are all joining together in order to help those whose lives have been destroyed by the recent earthquake in Haiti. Before January 12, Haiti was the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Only two percent of children were making it past the fifth grade. Their economy was in shambles. Their way of life would only get worse. While students were coming home from East, this small country on the island of Hispaniola was being destroyed beyond belief. The country was left in ruins when 100,000 to 200,000 civilians were killed by the toppling towers and magnitude 7.0 quake. The disaster was the largest to hit near the area in 200 years, and has left 3 million people in need of emergency care. The capital of Port-au-Prince was crushed with the loss of the President’s palace and National Assembly building. Only 50 percent of citizens currently have access to safe drinking water and 1.9 million have almost no access to food. Aftershocks continue to devastate the land. Thirty-three aftershocks have happened since the orignal earthquake. For weeks, international organizations such as the Red Cross, Save the Children and World Vision have sent food, medicine and aides down to the small island. Musical artists like Jay-Z, Bono, and Stevie Wonder have collaborated to create a new “Hope for Haiti Now” CD with profits that raise money for Haiti. People nationwide have whipped out their cell phones to text “HAITI” to “90999” which sends $10 to the Red Cross help the starving people for every text received. These text donations have already raised over two million dollars. East students wanted to find a more personal way to help though.
East students such as Coalition President Sarah Are couldn’t bare to watch millions of men, women, and children in Haiti struggle to survive. She had to help. “People are dying,” Are said. “There is no water, no food, no shelter. The situation demands help. This story isn’t just about an earthquake. It’s about helping one of the most impoverished countries in the world.” The student groups have combined to begin a plan to pass around water jugs for change at after school activities such as basketball games. They call this movement “East Ships to Haiti.” “At first we thought about collecting medical supplies, but we think it will be much easier to donate a dollar or two than a wrap of gauze,” Are said. The jugs will be passed around for the next four weeks in order to collect money that will be donated to a foundation called Heart to Heart. The foundation was founded in 1992 and is based in the suburb of Olathe, Kansas. The foundation is based on the goals of improving world health, strengthening communities, distributing medical aid, and helping those in crisis. Heart to Heart is one of the world’s leading volunteer groups that promote and create better lifestyles for people all of the world, regardless of gender, race, religion, or beliefs. More recently they have done work in the Pacific countries of Indonesia, Cambodia, and Vietnam, to help with the damage caused by recent tropical storms and earthquakes. Many organizations throughout the U.S. and the world have made attempts to help those in Haiti through various donations, but Are still believes that some organizations aren’t doing enough. “It’s 2010,” Are said. “Kids shouldn’t be starving, but it’s still an issue.” Are has traveled to the Domini-
can Republic on mission trips to try a help those who have been struck by poverty and is familiar with many of the groups trying to help in Haiti. While on the mission trip, she helped raise money for the community. “It’s sad that the Red Cross has been in Haiti for over a decade, yet the people there are only making a dollar a day,” Are said. SHARE Director, Pat Kaufman is still horrified when she hears of the tragedy in Haiti, but she knows that the students at East will make a difference. “The students will respond in their usual incredibly generous way,” Kaufman said. “Our students are some of the best givers anywhere. All of the money goes to Heart to Heart to pay for shipping medical and other supplies to Haiti. Also, going with the water jug idea doesn’t rule out future plans, but it’s something that we can come together and get done and in a hurry.” That’s why SHARE and all of the other organizations jumped into “East Ships to Haiti” as quickly as they did. Haiti’s situation has changed from bad to worse. Are has the dream that $5,000 will be raised by students, but says that anything over $1,000 will show great support and heart throughout the school. Donations can be made at events such as basketball games, the Footloose musical and school concerts. They can also be made during the ordinary school day at lunch, in the parking lot, or in the fourth floor change box near the counseling office. “It’s a shame that many of the students here are so fortunate,” said Are. “But don’t give to those who really need it. Hopefully, this will be different because it is such a tragic story.”
MAN carries brooms in Port-au-Prince to sell in the downtown area. Photo courtesy of Brian Vander Brug/Los Angeles Times/MCT
PEOPLE wait for help in the Delmar 36 neighborhood in Haiti. Photo courtesy of Brian Vander Brug/Los Angeles/MCT
relief efforts
BOY carries food rations delivered by Humanitarian Daily Rations. Photo courtesy of Chuck Liddy/Raleigh News & Observer/MCT
A PATIENT is carried from a hospital by the Red Cross. Photo courtesy of Al Diaz/Miami Herald/MCT
DAILY DONATIONS Here are some options of ways to donate to the relief efforts in Haiti with coffee...
with music...
>>Photo courtesy of iTunes.
iTunes has an album called “Hope for Haiti Now” from the recent telethon. The album has songs from artists such as Taylor Swift and Coldplay. Each song is 99 cents and goes directly to the efforts in Haiti.
At Starbucks Coffee, after your purchase, you can add your donation to the Red Cross at the end of your bill. All proceeds go to bringing emergency relief to Haiti. Or donate directly to the Red Cross at RedCross.org. Your donation to the Red Cross will include giving financial help and sending relief supplies.
with shopping...
>>Photo courtesy of Yele.org
Yele is an organization started by Grammy Winning Wyclef Jean, and is dedicated to Haiti. Now, it is focusing on earthquake relief. Yele is selling Yele Haiti T-shirts, as well as other merchandise. All proceeds go to Haiti relief. cafepress.com/yelehaiti
page 4 news 02.01.10
>>
With the prospect of a new community center program, Kansas City public officials are
AlysabethAlbano The Obama administration recently passed a bill entitled “Promise Neighborhoods,” which will allow for 20 cities to create community centers to educate and support the youth in urban cities. As of Dec. 16, the bill will set aside $10 million for these projects in the 2010 budget. For years Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser has been searching for ways to keep local youth in school and set them up for better success during their future - and this seemed like the perfect opportunity. Funkhouser traveled to New York City last November for a two-day conference where he discovered the program he wants to replicate in Kansas City. He and a group of delegates that included 3rd-District Kansas City Council member Melba Curls, Jim Caccamo of the Mid-America Regional Council, Tony Oppenheimer of The Private Bank, and Sister Berta Sailer of Operation Breakthrough had gone to the city in hopes of learning more about the Harlem Children’s Zone. While there, they met with the Children’s Zone President and CEO Geoffrey Canada, toured his facilities, met with staff and attempted to grasp a better understanding of the program. “Our goal was to learn how Kansas City might qualify to receive federal funding for our replication of the zone,” Funkhouser said in his editorial in the Kansas City Star. Since the founding of the Children’s Zone in 1989, the organization has worked to ensure that every child
comparing the CENTERS
in the community is adequately prepared for higher education. The Children’s Zone has shown to be successful in its 20 years of operation. Ninety percent of the students involved go onto college. The main goal is for all children involved to receive support from their communities while working to graduate from both high school and college. Under the leadership of Canada, the Children’s Zone grew to serve almost 100 square blocks in Harlem. Children can begin participating in programs even before their pre-school years. From there students can attend elementary, middle school, and high school programs, which promote quality education and work to close the blackwhite achievement gap. Along with their programs that follow children from early education through college they also offer strong support for the families of the children the serve. In “Family, Community, and Health,” they offer a wide variety programs for adults, such as, counseling, parenting groups, and anger management classes as well as mental health facilities and food banks. Today the Children’s Zone serves more than 8,000 children and 6,000 adults. Kansas City’s program, “Zone Two-7: Anchor of Hope,” is largely based on the Harlem Children’s Zone because of the positive results that have occurred. The college graduation rate is a step up from older statistics and the most profound achievement in Funkhouser’s opinion. The
OUT HOPE Zone Two-7 got its name from the area it will serve, the 64127 part of Kansas City adopting the last two digits. The primary reason this area was chosen was because the residents showed a high need for support. The poverty rate was high and the high school completion rate was low. The rate in Kansas City School District in Missouri is less than half at 45.7 percent. In part with rebuilding, Funkhouser said city officials have tried to address the “deepest wound” of poverty in communities, starting with the children and families most affected. “[We] chose an area of high poverty and considerable ethnic and racial diversity where [our state agencies] were already serving,” Funkhouser said Although the main goal of this program is to increase education rates among Kansas City’s youth, Funkhouser adds that there are other benefits such as better neighborhoods and reduced crime and violence. He explains that when neighborhoods appear safer, more people choose to live there, increasing tax revenue Kansas City began planning this program last year but just recently the Kansas City Council approved an undisclosed sum of money to further the effort. But Funkhouser knows that it will take a variety of different people to get this program up and running such as Kansas City Police Department Chief Jim Corwin and Kansas City School District Superintendent John Covington. “As community leaders dedi-
cated to the success of all Kansas Citians we know we must improve our education system, and this initiative is one step toward reaching that goal,” Corwin said in his article to the Kansas City Star. Funkhouser predicts that it will take millions of dollars to really duplicate the Harlem program in Kansas City but assures that the funding will come from other already existing agencies. “The existing budgets of agencies involved that are already paying to deal with these kids in the criminal justice system [will be used],” Funkhouser said. “It costs a lot more to incarcerate someone then it does to educate them.” The Children’s Zone spends approximately $72 million a year but Caccamo assures that Kansas City will need “considerably” less but agrees with Funkhouser it will take several million. Right now Funkhouser and his partners in the “Zone Two-7: Anchor of Hope” are focusing on applying for federal grant money. Without government funding the project will have to be pushed back. With only 20 cities chosen under this bill it is crucial for Funkhouser to prove Kansas City is in need of a community project. Funkhouser stresses that if Kansas City is going to replicate Harlem’s Children’s Zone, the need to be one of the cities chosen for federal funding. .
A look at Children’s Zone’s goals and Kansas City’s plans to implement them
Every child living within a defined area of Harlem is prepared for school
Kansas City Harlem
PLANNING
Every youth graduates from high school and college
Families and neighborhoods support healthy children and their success
Providing programs to ensure early success “The Baby College,” “The Three Year Old journey,” “Get Ready For Pre-K,” and “Harlem Gems”
Follow the children through their schooling Promise academy charter schools, “Harlem Peacemakers,” The Fifth Grade Institute, “Learn To Earn,” and “The College Success Office.”
Offer programs to the families of students Parenting classes, anger management courses, group therapy, and a food pantry
Create better pre-school programs with positive learning environments Hire quality teachers with a passion for the job
Develop programs similar to those in Harlem that follow and progress as students progress
Offer family support groups, classes for parents, therapy, and mental health facilities
THE NEWS {in brief}
issue 10 news page 5 A look at upcoming events at East for the next two weeks
>>AnnieSgroi
the calendar
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INTERNATIONAL CLUB Meeting Wednesday Feb. 3 2:45 p.m. in Room 307
SENIOR Jacqueline Crain and East graduate Elizabeth Brauel posed in front of the Eiffel Tower in the summer of 2008.
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Footloose
Thursday Feb. 4- Saturday Feb. 5 @ 7 p.m. and Saturday 2 p.m. in the Auditorium
Last Christmas, senior Jacqueline Crain wasn’t looking up at the Plaza Lights or exchanging gifts with her friends, greeting them with ‘Merry Christmas!’ Instead, she was in the City of Lights and listening to cries of ‘Joyeux Noel’. Crain spent the first semester of her junior year with family in Dunkerque, a city in northern France near the border with Belgium, through AFS Intercultural Programs. For Christmas, her mom came to visit her and they met in Paris. It’s that experience and others from her stay in France that Crain will share when she speaks at the International Club Meeting on Feb. 3. “It’s always cool to learn about another culture,” Crain said. “Maybe I’ll inspire people to have their own adventures.”
Senior Sarah Evans has been seeing to it that things run smoothly for East productions for four years. But for the spring musical Footloose, she’s getting a new view. As Student Director, Evans watches the show from the seats of the auditorium, from the audience’s perspective. Evans observes each scene, taking notes on what’s working and what’s not. When she sees something to be improved she gives her input to Brian Cappello, the show’s Director. At a recent practice Evans noticed that although senior Micah Patterson, who plays Reverend Moore, had all his lines memorized, he was simplifying them. “He uses slang like ‘wanna’ and ‘gonna,” Evans said. “I picked up on that and told Cappello, ‘Hey we might want to work on getting it to be more professional.” That’s the kind of nuance that Evans is trying to see, or hear, to make Footloose a success on opening night.
>> Photo courtesy of Jacqueline Crain
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>>GrantKendall
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Down Syndrome Dance
Wednesday Feb. 10 7-9 p.m. in the Cafeteria
EAST GRADUATE Katie Bartow chaired last year’s Down Syndrome Dance. Here she sang karaoke with one of the dance’s attendees, Lane Sturgeon. MackenzieWylie
For the past eight years, the Down Syndrome Dance has been one of SHARE’s most popular projects, with volunteers returning year after year. Junior Samantha Bartow is the SHARE Chair for the dance this year and she understands why people keep coming back. Samantha attended the dance last year when her older sister Katie Bartow was the Chair. She noticed that everyone was relaxed—no one worried about how they danced and all were laughing.
This year Samantha is keeping traditional aspects of the dance like karaoke but she’s also hoping to start the night off with a performance by the Drill Team. Samantha wants students considering coming to the dance to know how much an event like this means to kids with disabilities. “Even with simple things, they have so much fun,” Samantha said. “It makes a huge difference for them even if [a dance] seems like a normal thing for us.”
>>
ALL MONTH LONG a look at a continuing event Shoeboxes for Soldiers Shawnee Mission School District Nurses and the Prairie Village branch of the Lion’s Club, a relief organization, are collecting donations to send to U.S. troops. Donations should be dropped off in the Nurse’s Office.
TOILETRY ITEMS Baby Wipes Deodorant (Liquid Roll-on) Travel Size Hand Lotion Travel Size Hand Sanitizers Disposable Razors Travel Size Shampoo Tissues (Travel Pack)
FOOD/SNACKS Candy (no chocolate) Gum Such as Chiclets (no Stick) Beef Jerky Pop-Top Can Canned Fruit Tuna Kits Peanuts
MISCELLANEOUS Crossword Puzzle Books Sudoku Books CDs DVDs White, Calf-High, Socks Recent Magazines
Beautiful Dresses & the lines you love: Phoebe Couture Nanette Lepore Tracy Reese Plenty Tibi Michael Stars Seven For All Mankind
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East needs to move into the 21st century and utilize technology to eliminate our
WastefulWays
East has come a long way in embracing the 21st century’s technology boom. Moving from an age of hand-kept grades and attendance, East has pushed to find resources for saving paper, time and, most importantly, money. Almost all of the teachers provide the homework for the day online, as well as providing links to the online version of their textbook. A student’s GPA and class rank are available even before the report cards get home through the student’s online “Graduation Worksheet.” The SMSD Web site, while a little outdated, provides several online research links that the school has paid for the ability to use. However, there is still much that could be done to make several aspects of high school more efficient. With more electronic involvement, receptionists, counselors, teachers, and students would have more time to pursue what’s actually important: the development of students to prepare them for life after high school. The following things could be accomplished to push into the next generation of technology: 1. Attendance. The school deals with an average of 175 sick or absent students a day, ACCORDING TO. All of these absences are confirmed by note or by parental Letters to phone call. In order to save the rethe editor should ceptionist’s time, all “sick notes” be sent to room 521 could be moved to filling out an onor smeharbinger@ line “Absence Alert” form. gmail.com. Letters While one might argue foremay be edited for going signatures increases the clarity, length, libel school’s liability, procedures could be put in place that would actually and mechanics make the procedure more secure. and accepted or By developing a program to send a rejected at the “confirm” e-mail to parents after an editor’s discretion. “Absence Alert” form is filled out, Readers can read skipping would be much harder letters to the editor than merely scribbling down a fake at smeharbinger. signature on the way to school. By net. asking for parent’s e-mail at the beginning of the year (and reminding them to change their password), parents could be in the know of their student’s location. Some parents don’t use the internet very frequently or do not have a computer. These parents would be able to opt out and phone in any absences; however, the majority that do use the internet and e-mail shouldn’t be limited by the mi-
the
>>
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 >>Annie Sgroi News Page Editors >>Alysabeth Albano >>Haley Martin Editorial Editor >>Jack Howland Opinion Editor >>Aubrey Leiter
nority who would still prefer to use the phone or a note. 2. Enrollment. Like it is done at most universities, enrollment could be moved online. With this, counselors could spend less time manually inputting the student’s cell phone number and “Alternate Class #3.” With that time, they could discuss with that student what classes will help them the most in their future. East could invest in a program and implement it almost immediately. One program, called eClassTrack, is a web-based program that lets students register for classes and pay fees online. It even sends the confirmation e-mail to students after filling out the registration. For those that don’t want to deal with the Web, the program allows for “quick and easy data entry for mail-in and walk-in registrations by administrative staff.” After the students confirm their schedule with counselors, the counselors could then ask for a parent signature of the final schedule. Although they would have to check in with English classes twice instead of once, losing the manual input process would save weeks that could be spent discussing class choice selections with students. 3. Eligibility cards. The cards, which are used for teachers to let coaches know if a student-athlete is currently not passing a class, could also be done electronically, although with provisions. According to Athletic Director Jim Ricker, the school has considered electronic eligibility cards, but decided that the face-to-face contact between a failing student and his teacher were an important part of the process; the student would find out the failing from their coach instead of their teacher. The board agrees with this notion. However, there are ways to keep the face-to-face contact of the failing student while still saving teachers the minutes at the end of each class used for checking grades and signing the cards. For example, teachers could submit grades, with comments about the student’s behavior, on the first day of the week. Because most eligibility cards are due on Friday, teachers would have time to speak to students that have grade or behavior related issues and sort them out as needed. By letting teachers quickly submit the grades of students who are passing and in good standing, it would even give more time for them to discuss grades with failing students. 4. Seminar passes. While some of these ideas promote efficiency, a seminar pass program would increase security by limiting students from filling out a fake form and sneaking out of the school. The program would work like this: In order to get into a seminar, a student must ask their teacher to put
February 1, 2010 issue 10, vol. 51
Opinion Page Editors >>Tom Lynch >>Kennedy Burgess Features Editor >>Duncan McHenry Feature Page Editors >>Sarah McKittrick >> Kat Buchanan >>Anna Bernard Spread Editor >>Emma Pennington Asst. Spread Editor >>Morgan Christian A&E Editor >>Mac Tamblyn A&E Page Editors >>Raina Weinberg >>Maddy Bailey >>Bob Martin
Mixed Editor >>Toni Aguiar Sports Editor >>Sam Logan Sports Page Editors >>Corbin Barnds >>Christa McKittrick >>Evan Nichols Photo Editor >>Mackenzie Wylie Assistant Photo Editor >>Dan Stewart >>Grant Heinlein Freelance Page Editors >>Kathleen Ireland >>Collen Ireland >>Lilly Myers Copy Editors >>Andrew Goble >>Logan Heley >>Jack Howland >>Sam Kovzan >>Annie Sgroi
>>Tim Shedor >>Kevin Simpson >>Michael Stolle >>Phoebe Unterman >>Kat Buchanan >>Evan Nichols >>Duncan McHenry Staff Writers >>Griffin Bur >>Grant Kendall >>Alex Lamb >>Anne Willman >>Katy Westhoff >>Ian Wiseman Contributor >>Kiki Sykes Editorial Board >>Griffin Bur >>Andrew Goble >>Logan Heley >>Sam Logan >>Jack Howland >>Annie Sgroi
issue 10 editorial page 7
>>Alishka Jolitz
them on his or her “list.” For example, a teacher could make the list of all students she has allowed to go to seminar A, B, or both. Before seminar starts, this list is tabulated and emailed to all teachers. Each teacher would receive an e-mail of where all the students in their seminar class has been permitted to go. With this, no student would be able to forge a signature and sneak out, and no teacher would have to waste time signing multiple hall passes or wondering if they have enough room in their seminar A. With these additions, the school could be running in a state of high efficiency and low liability. When East students graduate, they will be going into a world full of e-mailing and internet forms; embracing it as soon as possible only adds to their real world experience. The shift from phone calls and scribbled notes to internet forms might be difficult, but in the board’s opinion, the school should embrace the inevitable as soon as possible.
The
VOTE
The majority opinion of the Harbinger Editorial Board
>>Tim Shedor >>Kevin Simpson >>Michael Stolle >>Mac Tamblyn >>Phoebe Unterman >>Corbin Barnds Photographers >>Eden Schoofs >>Lindsey Hartnett >>Nathan Simpson >>Samantha Bartow >>Anna Marken >>Katie East >>Grant Kendall >>Claire Wahrer >>Michael Stolle Staff Artists >>Kennedy Burgess >>Morgan Christian Circulation Manager >>Jeff Cole Ads Manager >>Anne Willman
for
against absent
12 0 0
Online Editors >>Taylor Haviland >>Michael Stolle Assistant Online Editors >>Logan Heley >>Pat McGannon PR Representative >>Jeff Cole Online Staff Writers >>Christopher Heady >>Elizabeth Mcgranahan Online Copy Editor >>Bob Martin Online Photographer >>Mackenzie Wylie >>Nathan Simpson Anchor/Vlogger >>Andrew Goble >>Jeff Cole Videographer >>Alex Lamb Adviser >>Dow Tate
The Harbinger is a student run publication. The contents and views are produced solely by the staff and do not represent the Shawnee Mission School District, East faculty, or school administration.
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RECYCLE YOUR HARBINGER
issue 10 opinion page 9 Collective Desire The team that wants it most usually ends up winning. This may seem obvious, but it
1
BASKETBALL BLUEPRINT 2
can be hard for athletes to maintain high intensity and competitive drive over a fourmonth span. If the group is close on-and-off the court, believes in the game plan, and would willingly dash through a brick wall for the team’s wellbeing (often called “buying in” and/or “selling out”), it will be in good postseason shape. Avoiding end-of-season burnout is crucial. Athletes who are counting down the days until the season ends are essentially throwing in the towel right then and there. As a mere fan, it isn’t always easy to determine if a team is hungry, so look for positive body language and plenty of energy.
Senior maps out the eight key ways to achieve post-season success an opinion of
The sports psychologist is back. Ever since November when I admitted my inability to control emotions during games, I’ve gotten into a habit of looking for the silver linings. Whether it’s a sloppy win or an embarrassing loss, I try to draw something positive from the performance. Well, my philosophical approach to sports-viewing >>SamKovzan has kicked into gear during basketball season. In preparation for March Madness, I have put together a list of traits that will hopefully define my favorite team by the end of the season. They’re the traits of a team equipped for a long run into the postseason. If you’re a basketball fan, keep a close eye on February — the month when teams start to show their true colors. Once the tournament finally rolls around, refer to my championship criteria to see if your team has a legitimate chance at lifting the trophy.
Balance
The best ball clubs are the ones that can win a game in a variety of ways. Offense, defense, rebounding, foul shooting, ball handling…whatever it takes. Take a look at the last three NCAA basketball national champions. Florida, Kansas and North Carolina all had great balance. That is, each team had an extensive arsenal of weapons – guards who could shoot, protect the ball and defend, big men who could finish at the rim, rebound and make free throws. Furthermore, there weren’t any individual superstars on these teams. Rather, any one of five or six players was capable of stepping up big.
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Depth
Most players forget what fresh legs feel like by the end of the season. The group that minimizes this problem the most has a definite advantage. A team that plays a starting five but rarely uses substitutes faces far more difficulties than one that uses up to 10 players. Larger squads don’t have to worry as much about foul trouble, injuries, match up problems on the court or end-of-season exhaustion.
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Experience
Upperclassmen serve as role models in a variety of ways. They display smart decision-making in close games and proper conduct on road trips. They know how to deal with criticism from coaches and handle hostile environments. Senior-laden squads have been around the block — that is, they’ve made mistakes and learned from them. Having plenty of experience reduces a team’s nerves and increases its confidence heading into the tourney. They know what to expect in postseason ball games: the extra physicality, amped atmosphere and all the X’s and O’s that go into a win.
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Discipline
You could assemble the 10 most athletically gifted players on the planet, but if they selfishly waste away offensive possessions, get hot-headed and self-destruct easily, they’re on a road to nowhere. No one plays error-free basketball, but mistake minimization is critical, especially late in the season. The great thing about disciplined teams is that they don’t beat themselves. If they lose, it is only because their opponent was better. They do the “little things” right: limit turnovers, allow few second-chance points and execute on both ends of the floor.
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A clutch player
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Composure through adversity
Whether shots rim in and out or defensive stops are hard to come by, the game plan doesn’t always work out as written on the chalkboard. When the strongest teams are in need of a spark at the end of the game, you can expect their best player to make something out of nothing. A dynamic athlete capable of hitting from the perimeter, penetrating into the lane and drawing fouls always serves as a lifeline when things get dicey. Not only can the “go-to guy” bail the team out, but the help defense he/she draws from the opponent can give teammates open looks.
Basketball, perhaps more than any other sport, is a game of runs. A team may jump out to an early 6-point lead, only to find themselves down double digits, before tying it at halftime. During this up-and-down encounter, the wild crowd may or may not be on your side and the ref’s calls may or may not go your way. How a team reacts to sticky situations says a lot about its mental toughness and maturity. Adversity should be met with poise and self-assuredness, not panic and uncertainty.
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Peaking at the right time
Behold, the most important one of them all. For most teams, the basketball season is like a roller-coaster: highs and lows, twists and turns, thrills and spills. Each club has its defining wins and maddening losses, hot streaks and cold spots. Team A might win its first 20 games but slump in the final stretch and lose their opening tournament game. Team B, on the other hand, might start 13-7, hit their stride late, and streak to the Final Four. The Golden Rule: play your best basketball at the end of the season, and you’ve got a shot against anyone. This partially explains why each tournament has its share of upsets and Cinderella teams. A No. 14 seed knocking off a No. 3 seed reveals that the underdog has reached its full potential and/or the 3 seed has sputtered at the wrong time.
Alyssa Jolitz
page 10 opinion 02.01.10
Virtually Friendly
Junior staff member has close friends through online networking sites
an opinion of
>>KatyWesthoff
>>all photos courtesy of Katy Westhoff
Katy’s online friends stretch from the Midwest to the East Coast
Friend Finder Katy Westoff Name: Andrew Name: Valerie 5 Name: State: Fairway, KS New York, NY State: Ohio 1 State: 3 (bottom middle) Met: Skype Met: Twitter (top left in photo) Blaze 2 Name: State: PT, Pennsylvania 4 Met: BlogTV (top middle)
(top right) Name: Esther State: Boston, MA Met: Twitter (bottom left)
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Name: Paul State: St. Louis, MO Met: YouTube (bottom right)
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issue 10 opinion page 11
Dealing n ratio
st o Illu Phot
Distance
rt tewa an S
Sophomore maintains a close relationship with her mother despite living 4,680 miles apart
by D
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One year. This is how long my mom has lived in Unterschleißheim, Germany. How long it has been since she moved there to take on a work assignment for her >>MorganChristian company, Texas Instruments. How long we’ve been living 5,000 miles apart. It is how long I’ve been explaining to friend and stranger alike “why my mom lives in Europe.” For more times than there are sausage varieties in Germany (1,500), I’ve answered questions such as, “How did that happen?” or “What is that like for you?” While I understand that people are naturally curious, it becomes tedious to explain the “how” and the “why” over and over again. So sometimes I exaggerate. “My family was separated for the purposes of the Witness Protection Program” or “My mom’s a clown in a traveling circus” sound a lot more interesting than, “My parents are divorced and my mom works for a company that makes calculators.” What I’d really rather be sharing is why physical distance apart doesn’t equal emotional distance apart for us. My mom and I are extremely close—closer, probably, than most other moms and daughters who live in the same town, but don’t take the time to communicate every day. Here’s why: my parents divorced when I was six, and my mom moved to Dallas when I was in third grade. I’ve spent the last half of my life carving time out of each day to share what’s happening at school, sports or newspaper with my mom. We’ve become pros at communicating over long distances, whether through Facebook, or e-mail or calls on the phone. So when she moved to Germany last January to take charge of TI’s marketing in eastern Europe, I wasn’t nearly as devastated at the distance as other daughters might be. It didn’t seem nearly as far away from Kansas
an opinion of
activities abroad
Morgan’s favorite spots near Unterschleißheim
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with the
Schloss Schleissheim Every town in Germany has one. On May Day, the residents decorate and dance around theirs to celebrate the coming of spring.
as Texas did was when I was eight. At that time, the 440 miles between Dallas and Overland Park seemed like forever to me. But over the years, postcards, e-mails and twice-daily phone calls made the miles shorter. The best times always were, though, summers and breaks from school, when we could visit in Dallas and physically spend time together. I won’t forget shopping at North Park Mall, riding the Titan at Six Flags or eating Jake’s Hamburgers every Friday night while debating the latest episode of The Bachelor. Now that my mom’s in Germany, we stay connected by e-mailing every few days and calling every morning at seven and every afternoon at three, even with the seven-hour time difference. During freshman year, when we were still figuring out the best times to call, I often spent more of my lunch break on the phone with my mom than talking to my friends. Even though I was sitting in a crowded lunchroom, I felt like I was standing right next to her in Russia, Poland, Turkey or wherever she happened to be traveling that week. My friends did too, when I passed the phone around so they could say hello. And while some kids might hate the idea of being friends with their parents on Facebook, it has been a blessing for my mom and me. She can wish me luck on a test with a quick message on my wall, and I can ask her how a presentation went with a comment on her status. We’re both avid amateur photographers, so we can share our impressions and experiences through photo albums as well. My mom’s work assignment in Germany has allowed us to create memories and explore together in some pretty neat places. We’ve toured castles in Prague, learned about communism in Budapest and admired architecture in Vienna. And while of course I missed her as soon as I boarded the plane back to Kansas, I felt better knowing that we’re just as close as we would be if we were living only a few miles apart.
Dachau
The Town Maypole This town is about ten minutes from our house and is where the Dachau concentration camp was located in World War II. Visiting the camp has a very sobering effect.
Schloss Schleißhiem, in between was founded in 1597 by Duke Wilhelm V of Bavaria. I once saw Chancellor Angela Merkel meeting with President Dmitry Medvedev here.
page 12 features 02.01.10
Making
the music their
own
YChromotones Vocals It’s a Sunday evening. Jeeps and Fords, Hondas and Toyotas line the street by choir teacher Ken Foley’s house. Travel downstairs through the French doors and red walls surround a white baby grand piano. Foley is the center of attention, playing Bohemian Rhapsody amidst 14 singers belting out lyrics and melodies. The singers are spread around the room, perched on wooden stools, sprawled on folding chairs. The group consists of eight Pembroke students and six East students including seniors Micah Patterson, Jake Parelman, Harper Coulson, Brian Aitken, and junior Tanner Williams. These young men are part of the all male a cappella group, the Y Chromotones. Brought together by their mutual love of music, they enjoy the singing and each other. This singing group was started eight years ago when parents of some Pembroke boys approached Foley to ask him if he would be willing to help with a boys’ singing group. Foley accepted and the Y Chromotones were born. “The first year there was one guy who came from East,” Foley said. “I knew a couple guys from choir here and I talked to them about joining.” Members of the Y Chromotones were inspired to join in different ways. Williams joined because his brother had been in the group. Aitkens joined because his older sister’s friend, Thomas Henry, was in the group and loved it. Coulson joined because he heard about the group from Foley. “I joined because I like singing and I like music and I heard that Mr. Foley, the new choir director, was starting a singing group and that I had a good chance of making it,” Coulson said. When it comes to auditioning, the singer doesn’t prepare any music. Instead, the entire group goes through a song several times so that the auditioner learns it. Then they sing it again and the auditioner is the only one singing their part. Parelman put it in easy terms. “You sing a song with everyone on your part and then for me, as a tenor, you sing the song again but I was the only tenor singing,” Parelman said. “We all work really hard, Mr. Foley conducts a lot of it. It’s a great environment for guys to just
>>all photos by Dan Stewart
>>ChristaMcKittrick
sit and enjoy good choral music.” Throughout the Sunday practices, they sing a medley of songs ranging from Billy Joel’s “For the Longest Time” and John Lennon’s version of “Wonderful.” The songs aren’t premade for the Y Chromotones; Foley has a large part in the music playing and composing. “I write many of the arrangements for the group,” Foley said. “It’s basically turning rock songs into guy’s voices. I have to try to make a guitar sound like a guy’s voice.” Some of Foley’s favorite songs he has composed are “Streetcar Symphony” and N*SYNC’s “I Thought She Knew.” Foley is also in charge of picking soloists for the different songs. He picks a song and then chooses who he thinks would be good at it. “Especially for seniors, solos are important,” Foley said. “They pick a song they want to do and sing a solo in for the spring show.” Parelman has Freddy Mercury’s solo in “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and Williams has a solo in Billy Joel’s “For the Longest Time.” For the most part, the singers’ favorites correspond with their parts. All the auditions and practices build up to the actual performances. The Y Chromotones host two concerts, one in the holiday season, one in the spring. Along with the concerts, there are smaller gigs in between, including anything from a cardiologist luncheon at Hallbrook to a private party at a lake house on Lake Winnebago for an optometrist. “They’re usually adult parties,” Aitkens said. “Some are at the peoples’ houses and they call Mr. Foley and ask the Y Chromotones to sing.” Wherever the concert and whoever it’s for, the Y Chromotones always finish the same way -- belting out the lyrics to Billy Joel’s “And So It Goes.” This song has been sung for all eight years of the Chromotones and is an encore personal to them. It intensifies the bonds they share with each other through music. Carey sums of the Y Chromotones in one sentence “It’s really a fun atmosphere where you can relax with some nice guys and sing good music.”
CONSISITING of males from Pembroke Hill and East, the juniors and seniors sing acapella tunes arranged by director Ken Foley Jordan Pfeiffer
>>
>>
Check out smeharbinger.net for the “Homegrown” section, full of recordings and art from East’s own musicians and artists.
CharlieMcGraw The sounds of Beethoven’s 9th symphony surround senior Charlie McGraw as he lies down in his room. He soaks in the music and lets go of all his other thoughts. The slow, sweet sounds of classical music may sound foreign to most teenagers, but they relax McGraw. He gets swept up into the music as it flows along. Suddenly, he hears a note that strikes him. He sits up and hastily scribbles down a quick thought. What looks like just a couple of notes or chords will eventually turn into full-length composition for the East orchestra to play. McGraw sits in his room with his computer and keyboard. He begins playing ‘Maelstrom,’ the piece he’s composing for the East orchestra, and starts to feel the music. He strays away from the piece and adds a new twist to the melody, something of his own. After playing music for 12 years and composing for two years, McGraw knows right away what sounds good and what doesn’t. He’ll start playing a melody of his own and tweak it until he hears something he likes. McGraw then slowly starts to add chords or other notes. “Once I have the melody, the rest is like icing on a cake,” McGraw said. “I then can add the chords and rhythm that make the piece a lot better.” After McGraw has his base, he begins to add the string instruments. Although McGraw only plays the violin, seven years of orchestra has allowed him to become familiar enough with the other string instruments to be aware of how they work and be able to blend them into his piece. As he adds more and more notes and chords, McGraw listens to his composition over and over again. McGraw feels that the raw emotion that makes other pieces so great is missing from his. However, McGraw likes this challenge because it’s what he finds so appealing about music. “Beethoven said ‘The emotions inside me have to come out,” McGraw said. “That’s what music is all about.” For his current piece, “Mael-
issue 10 features page 13
>>SarahMcKitrrick
Composing
strom,” McGraw struggles to find the right notes. He tries to portray a storm with complex rhythms and melodies while rendering feelings of conflict and anger. After several attempts, he finally gets what he’s looking for and feels the notes swirling out of his keyboard as if they’re caught in a storm. “When you hear music, you instantly know if the mood is suppose to be happy or sad,” McGraw said. “I like this part of music because no matter what language you speak you can understand the music and the feeling.” Ever since December, when orchestra conductor Jonathan Lane first announced to the class that the orchestra would be playing “Maelstrom” at the Collage Concert on March 10, McGraw has been working hard on the composition. McGraw carefully writes out his piece and makes note changes, knowing his fellow students will be playing the music he creates. Although the students had never played a student-composed piece before, senior Heather Athon said the class was willing to give it a shot and has been practicing for several weeks. “The piece was pretty difficult rhythmically,” Athon said. “It was one of those pieces that if we were going to play, it would take quite a bit of time. However people were willing to do it.” Unlike the other pieces he composes, McGraw second guesses himself more on this one than ever. While composing, he imagines his classmates playing his piece in front of an audience. Although he composes about a piece every week, never has he had one of them played before a crowd like this. Nerves set in and cause a writer’s block, where he just can’t compose anything no matter how hard he tries. McGraw tosses those images out of his head and starts playing the piece again. All thoughts and nerves about the upcoming concert disappear as he gets caught up in his music once again.
PLAYING the marimba with four mallets is one of the trickiet moves Beeder performs. He was recently named first chair timpani in the All-State Orchestra.
McGRAW works on one of the pieces he has composed this year. At the Collage Concert on March 10, the orchestra will perform his piece ‘Maelstrom.”
DavidBeeder
In a narrow hallway outside the state band audition room, senior David Beeder sat studying the sheet of jumbled music notes that had occupied his time and attention for the past six months. Fellow percussionists surrounded him practicing on their silent audition pads, trying desperately to work out the last few kinks before the audition. Beeder started some small talk with a few drummers he knew, doing anything to refrain from thinking about the audition. Finally, his number was called. Beeder strolled into the audition room and took his place at the timpani set. The blind audition required a divider set up between him and the judges. The only thing the judges knew about him was his number, 2202. However, as soon as his mallets hit the drums, he became more than just number 2202. He became a percussionist, one eventually named first chair timpani in the All-State Orchestra. “You know everyone out in the hall is listening to you, waiting for you to make some mistake,” Beeder said. “But once I get in the room, my nervousness transfers to adrenaline to play my best.” Beeder first began playing the drums in elementary school when he joined the school band. Right from the start, he knew this was the perfect fit for him. Beeder said he had always had a liking for rhythm and recognized drumming as something he wanted to pursue. “At first my parents were hesitant and didn’t want me to become the extreme garage band type kid,” Beeder said. “But when they realized I had a passion for the put-together part of band, they turned out to be really supportive and backed me up 100 percent of the way.” Beeder stuck with band and gradually was allowed to try out a vast variety of
Drums
>>KikiSykes
percussion instruments. Of the different instruments, the timpani, a large brass drum, has always been especially important to him. “I’m impartial to everything,” Beeder said. “But the timpani is definitely the one I understand most. I love its roll. The timpani is the timekeeper of the orchestra and the conductor for the audience telling which way the song is going.” Over the years, Beeder has continued to expand his repertoire of styles and genres of percussion. He is involved in drumline, pep band, and Blue Knights jazz band, his favorite. “He’s one of the hardest working, if not the hardest working, percussionists in my thirty years of teaching,” Band director Kim Harrison said. Harrison feels that his work ethic sets an example for all aspiring drummers and band members alike. After hours of daily practice on the drums, Beeder has earned ones, superior ratings, at multiple state solo festivals for percussion. He also received second chair in the All-State Band last year. Over the years he has put in an insane amounts of hours, dedication and devotion into percussion. “He is the nerd when it comes to drumming,” fellow band member senior Brian Rodgers said. “He knows more about the technical side of it and all the nit-picky stuff.” Beeder plans on incorporating drums into his day to day routine for the rest of his life. It has become a vital part of his life and he doesn’t know what he would be without it. “It know it sounds cliche, but I try to cherish every moment I play,” Beeder said. “I enjoy every moment I get to play the drums for someone. It is the best way to explain myself to people.”
page 14 features 02.01.10
leading and
FEEDING Sophomore is the youngest member on the board of the Village Food Pantry SOPHOMORE Tyler Germann sorts food the Village Food Pantry’s grocery section. All photos by Eden Schoofs
>>
get informed
>>LillyMyers
- Village Presbyterian Food Pantry is located at
9900 Mission Road, Leawood, KS, in the Tillotson Building designed by Gastinger Walker.
- It provides foods, clothes, and household
products to locals who are beneath the Federal poverty guidelines.
- Food and clothing are provided through
donations. Monitary contributions are used to buy food from Harvesters that isn’t easily donated, like frozen meat.
>>www.villagepres.org
get involved SHARE Chair
for the Village Food Pantry junior Maddie Bavley
When can students volunteer at the Village Food Pantry as a part of SHARE? “6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursdays, and 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturdays.” What do students do at the Pantry? “Organizing donations, working in the Clothes Closet, and helping the customers shop.” Why is it important to volunteer at the Village Food Pantry? “More and more people are needing the aid offered by the Village Food Pantry. It is a wonderful way to help circumstances people are faced with.”
On the second Wednesday of January, sophomore Tyler Ger- life.” Tyler said. man drove anxiously down Mission Road. He was headed to a Since Chicago Tyler has continued volunteering in and out of room full of adults, about to sit for an hour and say a prayer, his youth group. He helped a baseball league for kids in downdiscuss the past years, and look at statistics. town Kansas City, MO clean and organize an equipment closet, On any other Wednesday evening, Tyler would be finishing and has worked with his mom at Harvesters. This summer he up his chemistry homework or socializing at his church’s bible hopes to get a volunteer job at Children’s Mercy Hospital, talking study. But tonight Germann would begin his involvement with and reading to kids. Through all the community service he plans the Village Church Food Pantry and Clothes Closet for the next do to in the next three years, he’ll still be involved closely with three years. the food pantry. Tyler is on the board of the Village Food Pantry of Village Before Tyler, junior Joe Sernett was the first young face to apPresbyterian Church, which distributes pear at the food pantry’s board meetings. food, clothing, and personal items to those Even the smallest things When a friend of his grandparents suggestin need. As the sole youth representative, ed him to the board, Sernett couldn’t decline like somebody to talk to or an offer from the major contributor to his Tyler gives his input at the once-a-month board meetings and works on involving maybe a new shirt to go Presidential Service Award, which requires more volunteers, especially students from to a job interview in can at least 100 hours of volunteer work. East. “It actually ended up being kinda fun,” change somebody’s life. “We’re trying to set up a way for the Sernett said. “It kinda taught me a little bit >>Sophomore Tyler Germann school to do a food drive,” Tyler said. “Then more about maturity, and when I need colthrough SHARE, have the people who volunteer to work at the lege recommendations I have a whole board full of people that food pantry bring all the food in and sort it.” I know well.” A big part of Tyler’s job is organizing more than 200 volunAfter two years of helping the Village Food Pantry, Sernett reteers to run the food pantry. Along with other members of the tired from the youth representative position. Tyler heard about board, Tyler helps ease the stress of the director and the full the opening in December at his church’s youth group, and was time staff. Schedules are made to get a grasp of how many vol- intrigued by seeing the business side of volunteering, learning unteers they have, how many more they need and who needs something new and giving back to his community in a new way. to be trained. “I thought it’d be a great experience to be a part of something Tyler has always loved volunteer work. His mother Kristen that impacts so many lives and helps so many people around Germann saw the sense of service he has today instilled in him the area.” Tyler said. while he was in Boy Scouts. Aware of his social personality and In the next three years on the Village Food Pantry board, Tynatural desire to help others, she was thrilled to hear of his new- ler is excited to invest his time in it and see it grow. He sees himest project. self leaving the position as a better person. “I was very proud that he was willing to take on a three year “By the time three years are over,” Tyler said, “I’ll have a great challenge and that he was so excited about it,” Kristen said. point-of-view on people’s lives and what they’ve gone through.” After Boy Scouts, he continued service through church and Yes Club at Mission Valley. But during a mission trip to Chicago in the summer before his freshmen year, that love became a passion. He and other high schoolers from his youth group spent Behind the Scenes five days working at various organizations. From a soup kitchen to a home for the mentally retarded, Tyler was reminded of all Germann hauls donations the people that have it much worse than him, and the many from the Pantry’s loading ways he can help them. dock to the sorting station. “Even the smallest things like somebody to talk to or maybe It will later be shelved, where a new shirt to go to a job interview in can change somebody’s
“
”
customers can shop.
logic
East students who attend Broadmoor Technical Center recieve in-depth instruction in creative ca-
James Franklin: Animation >>ColleenIreland puter class are the only prerequisites.
>> MackenzieWylie Because of his third session schedule at Broadmoor, senior James Franklin leaves for his Animation and Interactive Media class at 10:53 a.m. everyday in place of what would be his third block period. Franklin thoroughly enjoys his class at Broadmoor because of the freedom, creativity and overall knowledge the course provides. His teacher, Bryan Johnson, does what he can to enable his students’ creativity. “I give them some technical requirements using the software,” Johnson said. “Aside from those requirements, the entire creative process ranging from the story, drawings, audio and sound effects are all on them and I do get a wide range of results. Putting too many restrictions on an assignment or project stifles the creative process.” Franklin gave praise to his teacher for his attitude and dedication. “He is always willing to help us if we’re having problems,” Franklin said. “Seeing what awesome things some of us make makes him cheerful.” His friend, Alishka Jolitz, was the one that got him interested in Broadmoor last year, when she raved about her Multimedia Technology class she took. The Animation and Interactive Media course does not require extensive skills to enter, since Art Foundations and a basic com-
Franklin’s class, which focuses on animation and design elements, is unusual in its structure. “If a student has an idea for a project other than what I have given them, I will often let them do it,” Johnson said. “As long as the objectives of the curriculum are met with their modification, I will always listen to a different spin on what I am trying to teach.” For his favorite project, they were given alien abduction as the topic. Franklin used Flash CS3 for his animation, and Acid Music Studios to create his own music and sound. Flash is his favorite program, because it uses multiple screens where he can draw an image on one, then a slightly different one a few screens over and create different effects. This includes morphing the two together to create the appearance of movement. Another favorite is a product called a Wacom tablet, which is a magnetic screen with a magnetic pen used to create drawings directly onto the computer. “You can get rid of all the sketchy lines by using layers of color evenly as well as using gradients,” Franklin said. “Drawing lines can also be set to a calligraphic mode.” Franklin said that the class gives students an environment that encourages independence, and allows each student to work at their own pace. “We have a smaller number of students and that is more conducive to offering a relaxed atmosphere,” Johnson said. “Of course with a more relaxed setting comes an increased expectation from our students regarding rules and their work ethic. But they always rise to meet or exceed those expectations.”
issue 10 features page 15
Anders Newman: Graphic Design
Senior Anders Newman also has third session for his Graphic Design 2 class at Broadmoor. He sees a future for himself in Graphic Design, and is working towards achieving his goal by taking this advanced class. He also recently won a jocoeducation.org Web site design contest, which required creating a new logo to represent public education. One of his favorite aspects of studying at Broadmoor is the contrasted feel that the class gives. The engaging teaching methods, unique students and flexible environment are all interesting parts of the class for Newman. “I like the closeness and the ability to know your teacher on a first name basis,” Newman said. “They’re not controlling, they give you free reign but they really help with the technical aspects of the class.” Jackie Frazier, the GD1 and GD2 teacher, starts an assignment with loose guidelines to enable each student to work independently from there. Frazier assigns projects that can be used in real world situations, such as logo designs, business cards and branding. “I try to teach them everything I needed to learn before leaving the industry,” Frazier said. “It’s very work-related and oriented to what they need to learn before heading to college.”
Newman said this focus on college preparation makes the class feel more like a career than a course. The capability of individuals to create a distinctive final product, at the quality level they choose, is more along the lines of how it would be done outside of a classroom. Newman feels that the commute and independence of the class gives the program more of a college feel, but said that it does fall short in a few areas. “I wish there would be more critique and analysis because that’s a really good way to get feedback,” Newman said. “Most people don’t realize how much more work you put into [an assignment] in college. You don’t get everything done during class time.” An aspect of the class that helps students get their work in view of prospective colleges and employers is the contest requirements that are often assigned, such as the one Newman entered for jocoeducation.org. Newman admits that if his teacher hadn’t required this as an assignment, he most likely wouldn’t have known or done anything about it. He approached the contest how he does most projects; by creating a modern design that is simple yet unique. The class allows Newman to be around others that share his interest, talent, and diversity when it comes to design, though each with a different level of commitment. “There’s a mixed range,” Newman said. “There’s definitely people that go in there and do nothing but then there’s those individuals that go in to actually work. You definitely get out what you put into it.”
Jeff Lefko: Culinary Arts Junior Jeff Lefko is involved in a different art form at Broadmoor: the culinary arts. For Lefko, studying at Broadmoor offers many opportunities to learn the essentials of the hospitality industry. As a chef at the Broadmoor Bistro, a fully functioning restaurant, he is offered a situation not available to most 17-year-olds. “I feel really grateful that I’m able to work at one of the greatest programs in the country,” Lefko said. “It’s kind of a coincidence that out of all the places in the country, that it’s actually in our school district.” The Culinary Arts class is taught by Bob Brassard, known by his students as Chef Bob. The Culinary Arts
and Commercial Baking programs at Broadmoor are considered to be two of the top secondary educational courses in the country. Under the observant gaze of Brassard, the students prepare everything from Porcini Dusted Roasted Poussin to some of Lefko’s favorites like mushroom rosotto, roasted duck and hundreds of sauces. Brassard has been in the cooking industry for over 30 years gaining experience he is able to pass on to his students. “I teach my class from the chef prospective and expectations,” Brassard said. “I guess the main aspect is to have a personal standard in what you do. Perform at that standard. Be accountable and be able to except accolades and critique.” A majority of the culinary and baking students attend class from 12:25 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., where they study new dishes, techniques and equipment. A select few who have a greater interest in pursuing the culinary arts are offered the opportunity to stay and help run the on-site restaurant, the Broadmoor Bistro. Lefko is one
of the few. “I like the hands on activity of the restaurant class,” Lefko said. “It’s good for the future if you want to open up a restaurant or go to culinary school, or even if you’re just cooking at home for friends. It’s chaotic and stressful but that’s what makes it very exciting,” Another feature of Broadmoor’s Culinary Arts class that isn’t present at East is a monthly visit from a James Beard chef. One Tuesday every month, the program invites an accomplished chef from places like New York and Greece to visit Broadmoor. When these chefs come, they not only observe the students at work, but also offer them one-on-one sessions. Lefko is already planning to attend Culinary Arts 2 as a senior next year and possibly study abroad in France or Italy for a semester in college to further his skill in the culinary arts. “You have to do more than your share because that is what it takes to succeed,” Brassard said. “Some students get it. Others do not. Jeff gets it.”
page 16 spread 02.01.10
D R A W R FO
t s e b r i e h t g Puttin
t o fo
hind
The
e goes b r e g n i Harb
>> Ph
e m u t s o Kylie Morrow C Dawn Selder Crew When senior Kylie Morrow saw it, she was in love. Bright mermaid green and shimmery from the strapless sweetheart neckline all the way to where the polyester waves of fabric touched the floor, it was 80s promwear at it’s finest. Just hideous enough to be perfect. As Costumes crew chief for Footloose, dresses like these have become a major part of Morrow’s life and those of her assistant crew chiefs senior Dawn Selder and junior Polly Mytinger. Faced with the task of finding about 70 of these dresses to fit all the actors, Morrow and her crew asked the cast to look in their mom’s closets, raided the costumes loft at Shawnee Mission West, and went all over Kansas City hunting for them at thrift stores. Morrow and Selder agree that the much of what Costume crew does, the audience doesn’t even realize goes on. As soon as the actors go offstage, Costume crew is responsible for their costume changes, which sometimes have to happen in under a minute. Footloose has almost 100 cast members, which makes their jobs much more difficult. “This is one of the bigger shows we have had at East, cast wise, and that has made clothing everything slightly more stressful,” Morrow said. “Its still fun, just a lot to keep track of.”
Time:
Thursday 7:00 p.m. Friday 7:00 p.m. Saturday 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
e cast
h th es wit n e c s the
th ew of and cr
Ken Foley rd a l l i W s Will Carey a Senior Will Carey has always been the kind of goofy, kind of clumsy kid. The kid who once attached a thong to the Westwood View flagpole. The kid that ran around Mission Hills in a gorilla suit freshman year ringing doorbells and leaving tree branches on doorsteps. In the three musicals during his time at East, he’s been a member of the chorus. This year, though, he was cast as Willard Hewitt: the kind of goofy, kind of clumsy kid who is quick to regurgitate his mama’s advice to anyone that will listen and can’t quite work up the courage to make a move on the girl he likes. Carey thinks this similarity is one of the reasons he was chosen to be Willard. There are some things about Willard’s character, though, that Carey has to work to achieve. The first is Willard’s thick Texas accent, which Carey has been practicing to recreate. To get into character, Carey tries to be like Willard as much as he can offstage. He’s been listening to country music on 104.3 and wearing his black cowboy boots and gold belt buckle with a “W” emblazoned on it around the house. In the musical, Willard isn’t a very good dancer, so Carey doesn’t have to learn any very difficult dance steps, which he considers a plus. Carey likes the part because he can take it as far as he wants to, and director Brian Cappello always encourages him “I can be as funny as I want to be,” Carey said. “I’m a lot like my character, so I have a lot to work with.”
g
e sprin
n
a nterm oebeU
e. otloos o F , l a music
ctor e r i D l Voca
After years of playing the roles of both music director and choreographer for musicals at Pembroke Hill, choir director Ken Foley is taking some time to focus on the music. In his first mainstage musical at East, Foley enjoys being on a team of directors who are all working toward the same goal but each concentrating on their own specialties. Foley knows it’s near impossible to reach perfection with music, but he wants to keep the cast’s energy up and keep everyone focusing on the same goal. “I want them working hard so they know what they are doing when it comes time for the show,” Foley said. “Then it will allow students to freely express themselves onstage and take some risks.” Foley wants to put on a show that will suspend reality for the audience during the show and take them to a different world. Because East is known for its strong musical theater, Foley had big shoes to fill coming in as the new music director. According to senior, Sarah Are, who plays the reverend’s wife, Foley’s positive attitude has brought something new to the musical. “With Foley, there is a different energy,” Are said. “He is super positive and encouraging, and makes people feel a sense of urgency without feeling like they suck.”
Tickets:
$7 General Admission $5 with Student ID
DanStewartMackenzieWylie
issue 10 spread page 17
Sarah Evans
r
Lois Wetzel as Ariel Freshman year, now senior Lois Wetzel left musical auditions with a sinking feeling in her stomach. The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea hadn’t sounded as well as it did in practice and the number of people auditioning was overwhelming. When the cast list went up, her name wasn’t on it. Three years later, she will take the stage at the end of this week as Ariel, the female lead. “I was surprised because even though I of course wanted a big role like that, I was not auditioning for it,” Wetzel said. According to Wetzel, just because she doesn’t have previous experience as a lead in a musical, it doesn’t mean she isn’t prepared. Wetzel’s in her second year as a chamber singer, a fourth year choir member, and sings at least once a week next to the piano while her mom plays. She sings “Holding out for a Hero” in the shower, “Almost Paradise” while driving up Shawnee Mission Parkway on her way home from practice, and “Footloose” up in the loft above the family room at home. The dancing has come naturally to her, and so has being in the limelight. As the youngest sibling of six, Wetzel’s ready for her chance to be the star. She admits it’s always been her secret ambition to star in a musical.
irector D t n e d Stu
Senior Sarah Evans has a thing for musicals. Ever since middle school, when her best friend introduced her to Rent and The Producers, she’s been obsessed. She started her collection of musical soundtracks with a single CD burned for her by a friend, and now she has at least a dozen full albums gathered from various sources. Songs from musicals take up half Evans’ iPod, and she knows every word to most. After Evans’ Frequent Friday Audience in September, she decided that she wanted to try more directing, so she applied to be student director for Footloose, one of her favorite musicals. Her job began with managing auditions. Since, she has acted as director Brian Cappello’s shadow and his extra set of eyes. At rehearsal, she sits to his right and helps look for things that need to be fixed. She shares her ideas about the musical with Cappello and he takes her opinion into consideration, She enjoys having so much input and a larger impact on the outcome of the play, instead of just an “awkward kid in the back,” which according to Evans, is what she would have been had she tried out. “It’s absolutely amazing watching the show come together,” Evans said. “I get to sit in the audience and watch a musical every day.”
Info:
Tickets will be sold on the North Ramp during lunch and at the box office starting 45 minutes before the show.
AJ Orth as Bickle Sometimes outside the theater, freshman AJ Orth yawns and catches himself saying, “I’m tard” with a heavy country twang. It comes with playing the part of Bickle. Just like the blue studded boots, the slouched stance, and
the open-mouthed stare. Bickle is a friend of Willard Hewitt (senior Will Carey) and a co-conspirator in Ren McCormack (senior Jake Parelman)’s attempts to make dancing legal again in their small Texas town. Orth’s easy-going nature makes playing Bickle come naturally on stage. According to Orth, he and his character share a fun, enthusiastic personality. “We both really like to help out,” Orth said. “I would like to think that I’m smarter than Bickle, though.” Coming into Footloose auditions, Orth knew there was a big pond, three other grade levels above him with experience in the East theater department. He was just hoping to get a part, and when he was cast as Bickle, he was as much surprised as excited. Orth has been in productions at the Jewish Community Center and Theater in the Park, but so far, his first musical at East has been all about new things: singing backup harmonies, high-energy dancing, and 80s promwear. More than any other production he’s been in, Orth loves Footloose’s liveliness. “Having fun on stage is really what Footloose is all about,” Orth said.
page 18features02.01.10
>>JackHowland
Editor-in-chief of Kcfreepress.com Lucas Wetzel often recalls the phrase “the more voices the better” when thinking of his recently launched web site. Ever since the day he came upon this sentence on the Chicago Tribune Web site, he hasn’t been able to get it out of his head. By “voices” the Tribune writer meant newspapers. Wetzel agreed. Wetzel has worked for mainstream papers in Kansas, and has always loved the idea of adding even more voices. More voices to cover more events. To cover more breaking news. To cover more topics. And now with a site to call his own, Wetzel’s adding his own voice to the world of journalism. KCfreepress.com, one and a half months into its existence, has gone from an idea to a functional Web site with interactive polls, multimedia and a compact layout. The site is the brain-child of Jeff Henry, owner of Big Shots Web Marketing and Development. While Henry was working at Pitch Weekly, he came up with an idea for a Web site that covers Kansas City news on a local level. Through a colleague, Wetzel caught wind of this idea. At that time, he was a free-lance writer, bouncing from publication to publication writing small stories week to week. In addition to writing, he edited comic strips for Universal Press Syndicate, looking at pieces ranging from Doonesbury to Dear Abby. Despite the few jobs he held, he was struggling to find work in the field of journalism. The decline of newspapers made jobs scarce. When he heard of the idea, he was interested. “It seemed like a lot of opportunities for people who graduated when I did to write for newspapers was kind of drying up,” Wetzel said. “It’s a rough time for print publications, they’re not necessarily able to hire a lot of people, so I thought this would be a great way to get in and do some writing, and not to worry about the cost of print.” So with Wetzel on board, planning for the Web site began. Wetzel decided to contact his high school friend Jay Senter and offer him the job of executive editor. The two go back nearly a decade and attended East together, Senter one grade ahead of Wetzel. Often they reminisce about their days spent working on the Harbinger. They talk about their adviser Bob Dillon, his quirky quotes and getting the chance to write about Star Wars. Most memories are admittedly foolish, but gaining that experience was meaningful to both Wetzel and Senter.
‘press’ing on East graduates continue their passion for journalism in a struggling economy by creating KCFreePress.com, a local online publication
“Just being in a position to make decisions on what content’s going to run and what changes need to be made to a story for it to go through was really valuable,” Wetzel said. After getting Senter on board, the two employed three other journalists. The first step in the creation of the Web site was to talk about what they wanted to cover, who they wanted to address and why people would care. The five-man staff had long conversations about the content of the site. They talked about the events they wanted to cover, sections they wanted to add and topics they wanted to write about. They arrived at the conclusion that their site would address news on a local level and pick up on major national stories. “I think in terms of our actual hard news focus, we’re extremely locally focused,” Senter said. “If there’s a national story going on, we want to talk to local people who have an informed opinion on it, so we really just try to localize pretty much everything out there.” This approach to their site has distinguished them from more mainstream publications on the internet. According to Senter, a person can go to Google news and get all the information they could possibly want about what’s going on in the nation. But with their site, they try to not be a continuation of that same information, and provide news specific to Kansas City. After finding this focus, the next step was to design a basic layout for the site. So with no more than a sharpie and a piece of paper, Wetzel and Senter began to draw up a site map, detailing the outline and specific areas of the site. The piece of white computer paper still lies in Wetzel’s desk to this day, and is referred to frequently. It is the template for their site. And although the site has come a long way, it is not quite where they want it to be. “It probably took a month and a half to put together,” Wetzel said. “But the nice thing about web sites is that it’s always
a work in progress, it launched on Dec. 9 [2009] and we’re already evolving, but there’s a lot we still want to do.” Some things that Wetzel and Senter would like to improve upon is including shorter pieces and blogs. According to Wetzel, when people go online they’re not looking to necessarily read a lot of context. Instead, they’re essentially looking for a quick bit of information to tide them over. And five weeks in, this five-man publication is starting to get the hang of it. They are settling in and becoming accustomed to the daily routine. On a day-to-day basis, Wetzel and Senter tend to take the helm, instructing their editors on what needs to be put up, what needs to be written and what seems to not be working. One of the reasons they hold these leadership positions is because of their experience in the field of journalism. They’ve worked for local print publications including Lawrence Journal World, the Kansas City Star and Pitch Weekly. They’ve written on a larger level, for a much larger audience. But right now, both Wetzel and Senter are happier than they were working with these publications. Their office may just be one floor of an office complex. But it’s theirs. Writing news the way they want to, in the format they please. Kcfreepress.com is where they want to be. “What’s exciting to us is that we’re able to build a new outlook where it’s more accessible to free-lance writers,” Wetzel said. “And we can do a lot with video and multimedia and really establish ourselves over time as a place where people can have their voices heard.”
Check out the Photo of the Day, KC events calendar, and “Cheap Thrills”, quality activities for under $5, at:
>>KCFreePress.com
KCFREEPRESS.COM Co-Editors Jay Senter and Lucas Wetzel photo illustration by GrantHeinlein in front of their office.
>>
5
issue 10 features page 19
n o i h s Fa d e m m a h u M 21 David 20
>>DuncanMcHenry Amidst the swells of suburban teens who
flood the halls of East, each individual has their chosen style of dress. From the “indie” kids who buzz up to the fifth floor from the art hive for their English class like flannelpatterned worker bees to the nylon clad P.E. gurus who have a Team Games credit for every Under Armour item in their closet. But there’s one person at East who’s always cooking up new outfits, and whose creative sense of style constantly warrants a second glance in the hallway: that of Social Studies teacher and resident Chef of Chic, David Muhammad. He never fails to put together a wardrobe that’s both inventive and quirky, as he mix and matches different trends and garments to create his own unique style. Here’s a more in-depth look at some of Muhammad’s outfits over the course of five days.
DAYS OF
EAST’S N IO S IS M E E N WITH SHAW D TEACHER BEST DRESSE
Day 2: Preppy Hipster
With this outfit, Muhammad blends hip-hop swagger with a Ralph Lauren, preppy feel. Unafraid to combine a denim New Era baseball cap with a Gap jacket, a Polo shirt and khakis, each item works with the others to form a style that is completely his own. Also notice how he keeps the color green consistent throughout, while complementing with whites and khakis. Muhammad nicely straddles the fine line between a hip mixture of garments and a garish mash-up. Being different is great, but nobody likes being asked if it was Clash Day at their school.
Day 1: Suited Up
On his birthday, Muhammad decided to rock the only birthday suit that he could legally wear to school. This pinstriped W.D.M. three button combined with a pair of gator and eel skin shoes is fly enough to turn the third floor corridor into a fluorescently lit fashion walk. Since he had just turned 25 and it was President Obama’s inaugural day, Muhammad was going for a classy, professional look. Watch out for those gators though, if you step on em’ they might bite.
24
Day 3: Urban Casual
Yet again, Muhammad brings out an appealing combination of urban and preppy styles. The Big Bird yellow theme that he matches between a pair of Nike Dunks and a Polo sweater has potential to be too loud, but Muhammad downplays it perfectly with a dark pair of jeans and a dark hat. Notice the subtle cuff in the jeans, which brings attention to the high-top style of his kicks. Keep in mind that while Muhammad’s outfits are always eye-catchingthey’re classy, not flashy.
25 Day 4: A.D.I.D.A.S. (All Day I Dress Amazingly Sharp)
Add one cup Rev Run, two tablespoons Bruce Banner and just a pinch of Jay-Z. You’ll end up with this style. The white stripes of Muhammad’s classic Adidas jacket coordinate perfectly with the white neck of his t-shirt and his jeans. Black and green is almost always a cool color combination, and the green shoes with the black jeans tucked behind the tongue are an immediate eye-catcher. Yet another stylish serving from the Chic Chef.
Day 5: Nerdy Fresh Behold: Muhammad’s selfproclaimed “nerdy fresh” style. The wool cap by itself is a little bit “Lassie Come Home,” but when combined with the other grey tones in this outfit it’s hard to argue with Muhammad’s description. The collared shirt underneath a striped Abercrombie sweater adds a definite Bill Gates factor, but the faded jeans and tennis shoes are distinctly Steve Jobs; laid-back and confident. If all nerds looked this fresh, Squints would’ve made out with Wendy Peffercorn a lot sooner and Millhouse and Lisa would’ve been dating by season two of “The Simpsons.”
issue 10 mixed page 21
a little of everything
VALENTINE’S DAY ADVENTURES “My Valentine’s Days in high school were nonexistent. I was sort of a nerd. Now I don’t really pay attention to it. I send my grandkids Valentine’s cards in the mail because I know it’s nice to have something in the mail box for you. I know it’s supposed to be romantic, but I don’t think it’s that big of a deal.” Math teacher Lucy Rupf
30
SME
seconds with
slang
“Those leggings look really awk on you.”
freshman
Tiernan Shank
Q Q Q Q
English teacher Meredith Birt
World geography teacher David Muhammad
>>Eden Schoofs
Q
“My high school boyfriend decided that it would be cheaper and ‘more fun’ to cook dinner for me on Valentine’s date. That night, he, his best friend, and his best friend’s girlfriend picked me up really late for a dinner of Doritos as an appetizer and old, crusty pre-packaged >> steaks wrapped in bacon.”
“Last year I kept all the e-mails me and my wife sent to each other and I cut out certain parts of them and pasted them together in a collage. I felt really weird giving it to her cause I’m an awkward guy and it was pretty sappy. She loved it though.... She had it laminated and it’s hanging on a wall in our apartment.”
Are you a couch potato or health nut?
How the way we talk ha changed since SME was founded
2010
A Health nut!
What’s your favorite midnight snack?
A Chocolate chip cookie dough.. For sure. A
2000
“The new iPod is sweet.”
How do people usually pronounce your name?
They mispronounce it all the time... it’s usually spelled Teirnan. Or people say Kiernan.
What are your plans for Valentine’s Day?
>>citypages
that’s an intense question. I’ll probably just A Wow, hang out with my friends.
A
“Hey, don’t
diss ‘Full
If you were Dr. Krawitz for a day, what would you do? Close school... yup. Just close school.
House.’”
1990
>>Sammi Nelson
cafeteriacuisine
1980
I don’t always eat the same thing. Sometimes I’ll bring lunch or buy my favorite, a chicken sandwich. I chose pizza today because it tastes good and I need the energy for soccer practice and conditioning. >> Alex Dressman
“I definitely choose food for taste. I always get Otis cookies at lunch, cause they melt in your mouth and are really chewy. I’ll also get Domino’s or chicken strips.”
“You look so
bodacious
in your aerobic outfit.”
“I dig ABBA.” 1970
>> Jackson O’Gorman-Bean
“I usually bring my lunch to school, but if I forget, I get Domino’s. Otis cookies are my favorite thing to get in the lunch line. I choose my food for taste and health, but taste comes first!” >> Katie Darling
1960
“Hey, groovy bell bottoms, dude.”
S
>>GriffinBur
poon’s been trawling mostly the same waters for more than 15 years now. Singer/guitarist Britt Daniel writes sparse, lean songs that straddle the intersection of Motown rhythm, Lou Reed cool and punk catharsis. His songs are almost a new kind of minimalism. They’d be groovy, but just as you start sinking into the rhythm, Daniel interrupts with a raspy howl. At the same time, despite the hip label (Merge) and blogosphere credentials, it’s hard to pigeonhole Spoon as nerdy indie rock -- Daniel’s heart isn’t on his sleeve, it’s in his boots. “Transference,” the band’s latest album, is the sound of a band both finding the sweet spot and hitting a brick wall. The two modes, perfection of craft and bland rewrite of earlier material, are surprisingly similar. Sometimes Spoon wrests a shaking anthem from their distinct formula. The problem is, for every sweet spot that’s a sugary delight, there are twice as many that are cavity-inducing overloads. Ironically, opener “Before Destruction” is a curveball from a band that’s more known for a Nolan Ryan approach -fast, direct and effective. In light of Spoon’s increasing popularity, the song’s elliptical drumbeat and roughly strummed acoustic guitar seem like a direct attempt to retain their art-cred. But it’s patently not like the best of their earlier albums, which seemed rough on the surface and revealed great songs underneath. “Destruction” simply functions as a strange arrangement of a song without much to it. spunk.com.au
‘SPOON’FUL OF SIMILARITY Spoon’s 10th album proves a repetitive imitation of previous ones
Daniel and co. throw the gear into drive on “Is Love Forever?” and “The Mystery Zone,” both times sounding quite a bit like a modernized Rolling Stones. The only problem is, the descending chord sequences, raw production and Daniel’s voice don’t go anywhere new. The songs feels underwritten, the melodies unimaginative. It’s not horrible, just repetitive and mediocre. If the upside is that Spoon never writes an awful song, the downside is that they frequently turn out songs that are just boring. But with “Written In Reverse”, the album’s single, Spoon finally uses their considerable talent to churn out a song that welds the best of their experimental leanings (feedbacklaced guitars, fake endings) with their pop tricks (off-kilter yet danceable groove, ineffably cool vocals.) Around the time “Gimme Fiction” came out, drummer Jim Eno described the band’s sound as simply “rock ‘n’ roll.” “Written In Reverse” is just that: the band throws of its debt to art-school music and kick out a primally appealing jam. “I Saw the Light” is the literal center of the album and in many senses, the epitome of the album. It’s a reasonably enjoyable run-through the classic Spoon sound but doesn’t add a whole lot new. Unfortunately, Spoon’s burgeoning (and well-deserved) popularity after a decade and a half of work seems to have made them reluctant to mess with the formula. And while “Transference” is certainly closer to safe career move than out-and-out bad album, it won’t appeal to anyone who hasn’t been on board since 2001’s “Girls Can Tell.” But before the album descends into total past-their-prime
mediocrity, “Trouble Comes Running” provides a shot in the arm, and great song besides. Instead of sounding like an Americanized Mick Jagger -- tough, confident, cool -- Daniel comes off more like Al Pacino in the Godfather, the tough guy with a heart and a sense of romance. Doo-wop inspired backing vocals and hammeringly anthemic guitars make “Trouble” an instant addition to Spoon’s canon of great, pure rock ‘n’ roll. All too soon, though, it’s back to the dirge. “Goodnight Laura” is worth some praise for slowing down and using the piano as melody instead of rhythm but the song’s chords and melody are nothing new. The band shuffles passably through new material but lacks focus and inspiration. Final track “Nobody Gets Me But You” takes some of the band’s experimental leanings and puts them to good use. Instead of sounding like lazy filler, “Nobody” puts an element of danger back into the sound. The song reveals Spoon’s past as a noisier, Pixies inspired group. But, it can’t quite make up for earlier misfires like “Before Destruction” or the earlier “Who Makes Your Money,” which reveal why Spoon is no longer that same noisy rock band: they’re not very good at it. Britt Daniel hasn’t lost any of his notable songwriting skills, as evidenced by “Trouble Comes Running” and “Written In Reverse.” On the other hand, he also makes relatively scant use of them. And as far as new skills? Well, in a funny way, Spoon the band is a little like spoon the utensil. Excellent at one specific job but get much further beyond that, and you’re out of luck.
|
>>
MEDIOCRE COASTER >>DuncanMcHenry
Ramble John Krohn, the producer and melodic beat maker known as RJD2, is a phenomenon that could only be possible in the 21st century. His music is heavily reliant on popping bass drumbeats and snares in coordination with a variety of electric synthesizer sounds, as well as samples from other songs, old movies, 1970’s TV shows and even random bits of Spanish. In other words, there’s no transcendent Bob Dylan songwriting or complicated musical composition to be found here. However, RJD2 has always had a knack for creating his futuristic beats in a way that’s more mysterious and thoughtful than many DJ/Producers (see his eerie 2002 hit, “Ghostwriter”). With his new album, “The Colossus,” he has stayed true to that same spooky style, but there are just aren’t enough songs of substance. While there are a few tracks with enough of a jolt to keep a listener riveted, parts of the album merely drone along with the feel of a dance club at three a.m. after everyone has left. Ultimately, “The Colossus” is somewhat like the cheap electric rollercoaster from the county fair, as there are at least a few fun parts, but the problem is that it doesn’t move very fast and tends to break down mid ride. In fact, the coaster doesn’t really pick up any speed until the sixth track, “A Spaceship for Now.” A couple of the album’s earliest
STAR SCALE|
songs, “Let There be Horns” and “Games You Can Win,” are decent for about the first minute before the sheer repetitiveness of them sets in. “Spaceship,” however, begins with menacingly stacked minor tones that lead into what can only be described as an orgy of metallic drum noises. The song continues with more mechanical sounds reminiscent of a spaceship door opening to snatch up some unsuspecting earthlings. This all culminates with a soaring high note, which to me meant that the spaceship had launched to take the aliens back home. Sadly, aside from “A Spaceship for Now,” there were only two other songs on the album that I’d truly classify as more than just filler tracks. Since RJD2’s music is so beat heavy, I found myself wishing throughout the album that he would feature some talented rappers or singers to complement his sound. While his songs are similar in structure to electronic groups like Daft Punk and The Avalanches, many of his beats have an extra bump that’s more hip hop than electronic, and would lend itself well to rap. “The Colossus” does have a guest appearance from a couple of relatively unknown rappers, but only for one song, and their rhymes sound grating and unimaginative. I also noticed that RJD2 has a tendency to close out his songs in creative ways, but these endings often feel like a loop-de-loop thrown
| Press ‘skip’|
|Borrow it |
RJD2’s ‘The Colossus’ puts the listener on an unenjoyable ride
onto the end of “The Logger’s Revenge.” An example of this is the last track, “Games You Can Win (Nicolay Remix),” which ends with a fluent combination of a real piano and several voices singing in harmonious, cathedrallike tones. It’s a shame, because the average listener would probably skip to the next song before reaching the hidden gem about four minutes in. The other two songs worth listening to on “The Colossus,” “The Shining Path” and “Crumbs off the Table,” shine through with the perfect blend of RJD2’s computerized sound and real instruments. “The Shining Path” swings along to a triplet waltz on the drums, almost like a Kansas City shuffle, along with a thudding bass line and lyrics sung by RJD2 himself. His vocals sound a bit like CeeLo of Goodie Mob and Gnarls Barkley, especially on top of the electric beat. “Crumbs off the Table” is undoubtedly the most expressive and varied song on “The Colossus,” featuring trumpets, saxophone and
|Download it |
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>>ilosaarirock.fi
page 14 a&e 02.01.10
electric guitar. Unlike the rest of the songs on the album, it includes funky solos from these instruments, along with an electric keyboard. But unfortunately, as I mentioned earlier, these solos don’t show up until the last minute of the song. Overall, “The Colossus” is a solid, constantly rhythmic album that any fan of electronic music will be able to pull tracks from and enjoy. But as a cohesive and complete album, there’s just a few too many short circuits and interfering signals for the coaster to stay on track.
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|Auditory Brilliance
issue 10 photo essay page 23
friend remembering a
Students raise money for the Bryan Barrow Scholarship Fund at wiffle ball tournament ABOVE: Seniors Mary Galvin and Maygan White listen to Bryan’s mom, Anne Peterson, talk about the dangers of texting and driving.
>>Mackenzie Wylie
FAR RIGHT: Junior Ashley Adams waits anxiously before throwing a pitch to the Grundle Trollz, a senior guys’ team.
>>Grant Heinlein
>>
RIGHT: Senior Molly Tidrick hugs Peterson after her speech. >>Dan Stewart
For additional coverage including a video report and photograph galleries of Bryan Barrow’s Wiffle Ball Tournament, visit smeharbinger.net
>>Dan Stewart ABOVE RIGHT: Seniors Margaret Brill and Collin Carter argue over a call made by the referee. RIGHT: Senior Brian Aitken, part of the team ‘Wifflebess’ chants after the team’s pregame talk. >>Mackenzie Wylie
page 24 a&e 02.01.10 >>all photos by Dan Stewart
‘Cozy’ but
Unconvincing New diner promotes friendly atmosphere, but food is a let down
>>MaddyBailey
Nestled next to a residential area on 75th Street just before Metcalf, “Cozy Café” is easy to miss when you’re hit with a nice view of Petco and O’Reilly Autoparts. Judging by the exterior of this brand new and remodeled diner, which opened in August 2009, I wasn’t expecting anything cutting-edge since the building was formerly a hardware store. The sign looked like it might have just been painted over the previous name in a font surrounded by yellow shapes that are either pinwheels or suns. At first, I was a little afraid to go inside because I couldn’t see in. The blinds were halfway shut behind streaky windows. You know when you walk in the room and everyone simultaneously turns their head to look at you? That’s what happened when I walked into the spacious room of “Cozy’s.” But it wasn’t a rude stare; it was more of a “Oh, new person!” The owner, Albanian native Kozeta Kreka, named her restaurant after her nickname, “Cozy.” She greeted my friend and I and told us to sit anywhere we liked. Not only is she the owner, but she’s also the sole waitress for the entire cafe, along with one person in the kitchen. When I overheard her speaking to the old man nearby, she addressed him by his first name. So, it is one of those diners where the same elderly folks come in at the same time and order the same thing regularly The mismatched decorating surprisingly made the place fairly inviting. It had a combination of dark brick and pale green walls, decorated with modern black and white photography and scenic oil paintings. There were also exotic plants randomly garnished throughout the room, including a hefty arrangement of poinsettias with gold-glittery petals. Yes, there was glitter on the plant. The wooden chairs and table didn’t go well with the room, but were new and sturdy, which was nice because nothing bothers me more than a wobbly chair. The mossy-green carpet didn’t help with the whole modern, artsy theme, but there was an obvious effort to make it look nice. The daily specials were scribbled on a dry-erase board. The kitchen was completely wide open behind a tall, marble countertop. I actually wished there were stools at the counter, so it could be like in the movies where people wander into a diner, plop down at the counter and ask for a coffee. The menu consisted of the basics from breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert. The breakfast menu had a variety, mostly featur-
Check please |
| Lukewarm |
ing types of omelettes and crepes. Lunch choices were hamburgers and paninis, such as the grilled Tuscan or grilled salmon. The Muffuleta was one of the European sandwiches, which was salami and provolone on French baguette. Fettuccine and spaghetti were also offered for dinner. It was about 2 p.m. and I wanted breakfast, so I was pleased to learn that it was served all day. I ordered French toast and it was served within about five minutes, arranged carefully diagonally-sliced and topped with powdered sugar. I drowned it in syrup. I was kind of upset that it wasn’t served with strawberries like the menu said, but I eventually got over it. My friend ordered a fudge brownie off the dessert menu. It was really rich and chocolatey, and not too dry. But it’s hard to mess up a brownie. Just when we were getting used to the prolonged quietness, the juke box in the corner of the room started playing what we thought was Italian pizzeria music, but later we realized it was some type of Spanish folk music. It really lightened the mood and helped distract from the fact that there were only five people dining. Since the suburban parts of Kansas City are mostly filled with chain restaurants, the small, unique diner setting was unlike what I am used to, but not in a bad way. It seemed like a place you would stop off the highway in the middle of nowhere. At one point my friend remarked, “I feel like I’m not in Johnson Country anymore.” It’s not a prosperous chain restaurant; it’s an original that she started on her own. The owner cares about serving her favorite American and European dishes to people in a friendly environment. The food didn’t start a progressive era of American cuisine, but it was decent for a casual, quick eat.
| | Dietary Delight |
| | Delectable |
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issue 10 a&e page 25
‘CRAZY’ GOOD
Jeff Bridges’s Oscar-worthy performance enhances simple story of ‘Crazy Heart’
>>AlexLamb
If “Avatar” proved one thing, it’s that a film doesn’t need an original plot to be terrific – if something else can make up for the copied story. But in the familiar tale of a faded star dependent on alcohol, searching for redemption through a good woman, overcoming those conventional origins calls for something more heartfelt than blue aliens. The necessary tool for that challenge is the original special effect: a wholehearted, captivating performance from a truly talented actor. Last year this happened with Mickey Rourke in the masterpiece “The Wrestler,” and this year it occurs with Jeff Bridges in “Crazy Heart.” Bridges portrays 57-year-old country music singer Bad Blake, a former big-time artist now so far diminished in his career that he’s relegated to driving himself state to state in his beat-up, 30-year-old truck, playing in bowling alleys and bars for barely enough money to get by. With nothing but his guitar and a bottle of McClure’s whiskey by his side, the four-times-married Blake has no one left for him except some aging fans at his small out-of-theway gigs. But he makes it a point that even if he’s drunk, he’ll never miss a show. After playing at one of the bars, he meets reporter Jean Craddock (Maggie Gyllenhaal), a lonely, single mom in her 30s who automatically connects with Bad after interviewing him. A romance soon blossoms between the
two, and Jean breathes new life into the almost completely burnt-out musician. This leads to Bad collaborating a bit with his former protégé Tommy Sweet (Colin Farrell), who has become the biggest sensation in country music due to Blake’s tutelage, even though Bad was left in the dust after Tommy’s rise. Despite that, Bad now tries to establish a modest life with Jean and her unbelievably adorable four-year-old son Buddy, in hopes of avoiding the pitfalls of his continuous drinking and finally attaining a true loved one to hold on to in his life. Admittedly, there’s not a whole lot of story driving this movie, because it’s the characters and the outstanding performances that carry it. Viewers watch intently as Bad struggles with his career, his relationships, his alcoholism and with putting his life back on track. Bridges elevates the film above other such movies however, expertly shaping the wasting-away musician into a flawed, but redeemable man whom we honestly care for and want to see ultimately triumph, mostly because of his excellent acting. Having received four Oscar nominations over the years, it seems like Bridges will finally win one this time around, as he single-handedly turns “Crazy Heart” from a pretty good film into a great one, and rightfully deserves the award. Bad Blake feels like a mixture of Bridges’s The Dude from “The Big Lebowski,” Rourke’s Randy ‘The Ram’ from “The Wrestler,” and country legend Johnny Cash in his later years, all blended up into a gravely, weary-voiced Bridges who’s half charmer and half washed-up drunk. Endeared by the heart of Bad ol’ Mr. Bridges is Gyllenhaal, who I’ve always had a strange affinity for even though she was the only actor hampering “The Dark Knight.” Here, she impresses and performs with more genuine emotion than usually seen in her roles. She’s a very sweet woman, especially in her tender conversations with Bad and the loving, playful moments with her little boy. Her chemistry with Bridges feels so real that we never have a hard time believing their relationship. Filling the role of sympathetic bartender quite sufficiently is Robert Duvall, who gives off
a warm supporting performance as one of Bad’s closest friends. But it’s Farrell who’s a pleasant surprise, proving that he finally seems to be consistently living up to his potential as a very skilled actor. Advancing from just playing a memorable character every once in awhile, he’s had several praise-worthy roles recently, which all show he’s finally coming into his own. And who knew, he’s a fine singer as well. Bad’s music plays an important part in the film, and there are plenty of scenes where he’s performing his wonderful songs. But these aren’t the type of country tunes usually heard today – this is the “old style” of country in the vein of Johnny Cash and Hank Williams. I actually enjoy that type of music a lot, and fans of the genre will love the original songs written by T-Bone Burnett (who also composed the music for the similarlystyled “Walk the Line”). At the very least, the songs can be appreciated for the sentimental lyrics and sound paralleling Bad’s journey, and for Bridges’ distinctly rich voice. The music is so strong that I’m seriously considering getting the sound track – the main track “The Weary Kind” is even the top contender for best original song at the Oscars. With the superb main performance and terrific music being the highlights of “Crazy Heart,” first-time director Scoot Cooper wisely chose to let his competent script play out in a naturalistic, calm manner, with a surprising turn of events in the third act that adds more engrossing poignancy. A defeated Bridges wrenches viewers’ emotions in this section, and Cooper keeps us constantly engaged through his minimalistic approach and lack of flashy style, focusing centrally on Bad and his bittersweet journey. With Bridges’s soon-to-be Academy Award-winning achievement as Bad Blake pushing forward the film, it’s easy to overlook its recycled plot. Whether you’re just a fan of Bridges, movies about musicians, stirring character studies or any role an actor really puts his heart into, this is a performance to go crazy over.
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CHARACTER COMBO Alex Lamb on “Bad Blake’s” inspirations
|Rental at best|
Mickey Rourke’s best performance yet, he portrays a once great pro-wrestler facing retirement. Both “Crazy Heart” and “THE RAM” “The Wrestler” – from “The Wrestler” concern faded stars – Mickey Rourke with fatal flaws, warm hearts, rough looks and who are on a quest for redemption through a caring woman.
|Worth seeing|
The king of old country, Cash’s music seems to have been a strong influence in Bad Blake’s “OLD tunes. Bridges JOHNNY sings with a CASH” grand and golden voice that sounds aged to perfection like Cash’s, whose voice only rose in quality and depth the older he got.
>>movieweb.com, underthebqe.blogspot.com
>>cooltonet.com.br
STAR SCALE | |Stay home|
The signature role of Jeff Bridges, he plays a slacking, White Russian-loving bowler seeking compensation for his ruined rug. Bridges carries over The Dude’s drinking tendencies, unkempt “THE DUDE” manner and same – from “The Big type of humorous Lebowski” – comments into Bad Jeff Bridges Blake.
|Instant Classic
Written and directed by Advanced Repertory Theater students, Frequent Fridays are drama hot tickets. With the Little Theater filling up shortly after school ends, students no longer need to worry about missing a friend’s show; the Harbinger Online hosts a video replay of each show, including Hannah Copeland’s (right), every Monday after it runs.
Homegrown Talent Harbinger Online hosts work from East artists, musicians and drama students
issue 10 online page 27
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT a look at two multifaceted artists featured in the homegrown section
Keshav Ramaswami: Guitar and Painting
Since he was 10 years old, Keshav Ramaswami has been painting. His mother is an artist; his father draws. “I guess I just picked it up from there,” Ramaswami said. He’s also a member of the Blue Knights Jazz Band at East, and is in the IB program. But he found time this summer and Winter Break to sit back down at the easel and draw abstract art with acrylic paint. Ramaswami’s artistic ventures aren’t limited to painting. Since he was four, Ramaswami’s had an affinity for music, eventually blossiming into an obsession for guitar, which he plays in the school band. Under the direction of While at a party his parents were hosting, RaKim Harrison, Ken Foley maswami met a co-worker who owned the Percoand Jonathan Lane, the respeclator Art Gallery in Lawrence. He sent her some tive band, choir and orchestra deprints, and she scheduled an exhibition for him partments produce soultry sounds cap- on February 12, 2010. Ramaswami cites Wassily turing the enthusiasm and vibrance of the Kandinski and Paul Klee as artistic inspirations.
school. Listen to performances from drum line to jazz band, as well as studio recordings such as the Choraliers with Sheryl Crow under the “School Sounds” tab. Bands Kept Mess and Menlo (right: lead singer and guitarist, Adam Levin) headline the “Student Musicians” tab under the Homegrown section of smeharbinger.net. Harbinger Online hosts video of live performances of each of these bands as well as studio recordings from many others including Mr. Fish and the rapper Chris “Catharsis” Melvin.
>>
Submit your own work as well see and hear more student art visit the Harbinger Online at smeharbinger.net.
Jamie Edwards: Graphic Art and Guitar A self-proclaimed natural graffiti artist, Edwards does most of his sketches by hand, with pencil, doodling graffiti drafts around his school work. He also enjoys photography, looking for details in composition, and guitar, which he plays in a duo-band with senior violinist Sami Reiben.
>> all photos by Mackenzie Wylie
page 28 sports 02.01.10 >>GrantKendall
Freshman Troy DeMoss shreds through the water performing the backstroke, his best and most accomplished stroke. Noticing he has a considerable lead, a rush of happiness overwhelms him and he pushes further. With help from a personal coach and having been born with a natural ability for swimming, he has his sights set on Michael Phelps. DeMoss started swimming competitively when he was six and now he has started to kick it into gear. Mary Jo Klier, swim coach of the Kansas City Swim Academy, has been teaching DeMoss since he was 11 and has always thought very highly of him. “When he was 12, he was the top 12-year-old [in the state],” Klier said. “And now that he’s 14, he’s really like the top 14-year-old around.” Their sessions together are intense and they focus on eliminating weaknesses. But without many weaknesses, the two work on making his best strokes even better. “When he was 11, he couldn’t do backstroke and now that is one of his best strokes,” Klier said. “He’s always working and working and trying to build on new things.” Klier, as well as DeMoss himself, is aware of his swimming abilities. His personal best in the 200 Individual Medley - 50 yards of each stroke - is 2:02 minutes. This is one of the toughest races because it requires a proficiency in all of the strokes. DeMoss works hard to improve on every stroke, especially on his breaststroke, since it’s his weakest. He also has a backstroke that could very well break the school record. DeMoss is becoming a force to be reckoned with. Going after the most decorated Olympic athlete of all time seems to be a near-impossible feat, but Troy is confident that he has a chance. He uses Phelps as a source of motivation and inspiration. “Whenever people ask me if I want to be the next Michael Phelps, I always say no,” DeMoss said. “I want to be the person who is better than Michael Phelps.” DeMoss and Phelps seem to have similarities in their drive to win and their personalities. “I’ve heard stories about how they were not popular at all and that kids didn’t like [Phelps],” DeMoss said. “That’s me.” Another swimming idol DeMoss can re-
late to is Bobby Bollier, whose hometown is the nearby Mission Hills and is a graduate of Pembroke High School. Bollier was a finalist at the Olympic Trials in 2008. “He’s probably the youngest person I’ve ever seen go to the Olympic Trials,” DeMoss said. In the lane, DeMoss is always focused and always wants to win. “I’ve thrown my goggles plenty of times and it’s gotten me DQ’d quite a lot,” DeMoss said. “I can’t stand to lose and when I do lose I can’t take it.” When it comes time to prepare for his races, DeMoss has a unique routine of his own. “I usually play my PSP with this one certain game,” DeMoss said. “It’s called Ratchet and Clank and it just calms me down. I’ve been playing it for four years and I’ve become accustomed to it.” His pre-race music lineup consists of Asher Roth and Rise Against for extra pump up. “I love swimming for East,” DeMoss said. “I know all of the people and they are really nice guys.” Phelps swam at Michigan in college and Bollier at Stanford. DeMoss plans to follow in his role models’ footsteps and swim in college as well. “After high school I definitely want to swim for either Texas or Michigan,” DeMoss said. “Either that or just to keep swimming for Mary Jo.” Having only joined the swim team at semester, DeMoss has to prove himself not only in his high school career but outside high school. Going after Phelps is a big commitment and will take lots of self-discipline. “[Kids] say things like, ‘You’re never going to be as good as Phelps or anywhere near him,’” DeMoss said. “’You’re never going to be able to break that record, the 100 back record.’” With two workouts a day and a steady source of motivation, DeMoss has set a goal for himself. “I want to show the people who made fun of me what I can be.”
Chasing Gold
Michael Phelps 46.21 (Age 18) 48.10 (Age 17) 1:57.47 (Age 14)
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Troy 50.10 55.42 2:00.56
om r fr
>>Michael Stolle
Event 100 Free 100 Back 200 IM
elps
FRESHMAN Troy DeMoss prepares to push off the blocks at the beginning of his 100 meter backstroke race. DeMoss is closing in on the school’s backstroke record, with hopes to break it at the state meet this year. Michael Stolle
me
Ph aring Troy’s times to
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Sizing up the Com peti tioncomp
With a strong determination to set new records and the upcoming state swim meet, freshman Troy DeMoss is
br ok eH
Bobby Bollier 51.77 (Age 17) 1:54.95 (Age 17)
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teens
Phelps and Bollier photos courtesy telegraph.co.uk & www.stanfordphoto.com
Boys’ swimming coach Wiley Wright has been at the school 25 years and has won five state championships
issue 10 sports page 29
The Wright Way
W
>>Continued from page one
right’s first years coaching were spent with the coed swimming team at Pembroke Hill. At the time, Pembroke didn’t have a pool, so the young coach was forced to rendezvous with his team at school and drive to a local YMCA in the team van. The pool was also used by several local club teams, so Wright was limited to an hour in the water each day with his team. Since becoming the coach at East, Wright has more than tripled the team’s practice time. Pembroke’s talent pool wasn’t deep, so the team could barely pull in a winning record, and failed to have a swimmer reach state. While Wright’s team was struggling at Pembroke, Shawnee Mission East swimming was in their stride. Led by coach Jerry Sprague, the team won state in 1985 by an unheard of margin. And with several key members returning, the Lancers believed they could defend their title. That summer, Sprague passed away from a sudden heart attack. Wright was a long-time friend of Sprague and Sprague has coached him as a kid. After Sprague’s death, East’s athletic director Art Newcomer asked Wright to be the new coach. “I always dreamed of coaching at a high school that had a good feeder program going into that program such as country club league,” Wright said. “We are fortunate here that we get a lot of kids that compete in the summer either USS (United States Swimming) or the country club league, or MOKAN (Missouri Kansas Swim League) and I think that helps tremendously.” The team Wright was taking control of had been successful under their former head coach but above all, Sprague was loved by the team; making the task ahead not an easy one for Wright. According to former East swimmer Greg Schoofs, graduate of 1987, the team didn’t know what to expect with a new coach leading them. “Wiley knew Jerry well, and I believe [he] swam for him so was able to provide continuity for the program and support for the guys that were particularly close to Jerry,”Schoofs said. “I think the challenge facing Wiley at that time is common in coaching, that he had his coaching philosophy yet it takes time to implement and get the buy-in from the guys.” Wright’s first season didn’t start as planned. Two key contributors were injured in a car accident early in the season and missed two key months of training, with also some swimmers who may have helped the team at state not going out for the team. Wright and Schoofs both remember when the team finally began to come together: the Lancers won the League meet and with state not far away they felt like they had a chance to win it. During the state meet each race barred a significance to the outcome of the championship. The state title came down to the four men on the 400 freestyle relay, but the Lancers were out-touched and lost the race. They had come two points shy of defending their state championship. “They accepted what they got,” Wright said. “They didn’t whine, they didn’t complain, they didn’t say ‘woe-is-me’. They took second place and they were happy with it.”
*** Jerry Sprague passed away at age 48 and when Wright took the job, he told himself he would pass it on at age 48 and retire from coaching. In 2003, Wright turned 48. Wright felt it was the right time to go but he couldn’t leave. The previous season’s team placed only 9th at state, but according to the mother of one of Wright’s former swimmers, Kim Armstrong, even had the Lancers placed last, the swimmers and parents wouldn’t have wanted him to leave.They desperately wanted him to stay. After being sat down and
persuaded by Armstrong, Wight decided to stay. “He had told me that he was concerned about taking too much time from his family for coaching but I told him that I could see how much he enjoyed coaching and sometimes it’s okay to be selfish and do something that you love doing,”Armstrong said. “And I thought it would be a real shame for him to work so hard to build his team and then hand it over to another coach to enjoy the rewards of his hard work.” With the push from the parents and swimmers whom Wright spent hours with, Shawnee Mission East entered a period of underwater reign in the state of Kansas, winning four out of the next next 6 state championship. *** Ever since Wright’s first practice in the fall of 1985 he has been addressed by his first name, Wiley. Instead of “Coach Wright” it’s “hey Wiley.” Wright believes that he should call every one of his swimmers by their name every time he sees them, and in result the swimmers have enormous comfort and trust in Wright. “Practices incorporate a perfect blend of work and fun,” Senior swimmer Jack Walker said. “Wiley has a great sense of humor and probably couldn’t go an entire practice without making a joke of some kind. However, once we get into the hard parts of practice, he becomes more serious to make sure we give ourselves the best possible chance to succeed.” According to Senior Clay Finley, a swimmer may not be happy about his performance or may be in a tough situation, but they are comfortable enough to address Wiley about it rather than being intimidated by him. They feel that Wiley understands what they are going through. “When you see Wiley,” said Finley. “He doesn’t just care about your swimming but he truly cares about what is going on in your life.” Wright doesn’t demand the students to work hard, but the swimmers choose to for him. “Wiley’s actions on a daily basis show the type of person he is: a caring, compassionate, dedicated, and good-natured leader,” Walker said. “Someone like that does not need to demand, or even ask for respect, everyone gravitates towards him naturally.” Before a practice, Wright stands with a group of 20 swimmers by the pool. Whether it’s a conversation about their journeys from the night before or jokes from the team dinner at Olive Garden, Wright is always part of the conversation. It doesn’t matter if the swimmer is a key scorer or a first year junior varsity swimmer practicing three days a week; Wright is there for them. “I love coaching because of the interaction with the kids on a daily basis,” Wright said. “And again I like to think that it doesn’t stop once your four years are up, but they come back and stop by to see their teammates and to see me. That’s why I do it.” At the end of every season comes the banquet, lasting four hours. There comes a point in the banquet when Wright talks about every kid on the team individually, but when he talks about each senior it’s different. Next to his podium is a box of tissues. Though one swimmer may have an All-American patch on their letter jacket, he may use the most tissues while he talks about the swimmer who doesn’t. “When you see a JV kid that swam JV for all three years or maybe two years,” Wright said. “Then their last one or two years they made varsity and towards the end maybe they just placed at league or at state. And to see that they contributed to the teams success is why
COACH Wiley Wright speaks to the crowd at senior night, Jan. 19, after having the pool named in his honor for the commitment he’s made to the school and community. Anna Petrow
>>
I love to do it.” Thomas Puckett was that kid. Going into to the league meet in 2009, Puckett had never been a part of a league meet in the three years he was on the swim team. Puckett got his chance. Swimming the 100 breaststroke Puckett finished in a tie for fifth giving Shawnee Mission East a one point victory over Olathe East. Had Puckett reached the wall a fingernail later, Shawnee Mission East would have lost the streak of five straight league titles. “He [Puckett] was a part of it,” Wright said. “Had he not stuck out with it, the team would not have enjoyed that success.” After Puckett graduated in 2008 the team saw record numbers. In Wright’s inaugural season, 25 kids came out for the team. On Nov. 16, 2009, 62 kids lined the bleachers, many of them coming out for the first time. Had Wright retired that day back in 2003, those kids probably wouldn’t have been there. “I am a firm believer that no kid is better than any other on the team, that you should be treated equally from number one to number 62,” Wright said. “That you should treat them all with respect.” That number of kids coming out for swimming has slowly been climbing during the 25 years that Wright has been the swim coach at Shawnee Mission East. In those 25 years a lot of things have changed: before a big meet, the swimmers will shave down their entire bodies hoping that it will give them that extra push. Back in Wright’s early years that would have never happened. These things have evolved and they will continue to, but one thing that will never change is the kids. According to Wright, they haven’t changed a bit. “I would say the kids I started off in 86’ are pretty much the same as they are in 2010,” Wright said. “There are still squirrely kids, there are still kids that are dedicated and kids that are not. But I would say that kids are kids regardless of the years that I have been here at East.” Wright leaves that responsibility to the seniors instead of naming captains. “I don’t have any captains,” Wright said. “Basically I leave all of that type of team building and camaraderie up to the seniors. I think the seniors when they get to be a senior don’t want to let down the previous class’ success that they had here so they make a conscience effort that everybody should be a part of this team.”
*** From even the first of Wright’s teams, he has friends that he still talks to today and those who come in every season to see him and the team they were once a part of. Many of Wright’s swimmers are busy: some are working their first jobs, some are raising a family, and a few are swimming in college, but when they get a chance, they come back. They will come back to East, not to walk around their old school but to see their coach. “Once you are a team member here, you’ve got me until I die, as being a friend and anything that I can possibly do for them,” Wright said. So now for years to come, friends of Wright will be able to return to the Wiley Wright Pool, named in honor of the coach that helped them become better swimmers, state champions, and people of stronger character.
page 30 sports 02.01.10
Findingasaa home
Husker
Three East athletes find success and comfort at Nebraska University >>AnneWillman
In the front of the line at the University of Nebraska Training Table stands Ndamukong Suh, two plates in hand. One plate has two steaks and the other is covered with a heaping mound of mashed potatoes smothered in gravy. Not far behind Suh stand three East graduates: Erik Anderson (’06), Blair Slapper (’07) and Scott Willman (’08). These students want to make a statement, one that shows they are just as accomplished as Suh and the Cornhusker football team. Slapper, Anderson and Willman have never joined Suh competing on the football field, but as student-athletes, they enjoy reserved seating in the Memorial Stadium to cheer on their Cornhuskers each Saturday in the fall. When they are not at the football games, they are faced with practice, conditioning and school work. Anderson is a pitcher on the baseball team, Slapper is a right back on the soccer team and Willman plays on the golf team. In the fall of 2011, another East student, junior Molly Rappold, will join them as a Husker soccer player. While each of these Lancers took a different path to Lincoln, they all made their decision to attend Nebraska for the similar reasons. “I looked at a lot of different schools, but in the end I chose Nebraska,” Rappold said. “It was the first one that I looked at and I compared all of the others schools to it.” After Rappold was contacted her sophomore year by Nebraska, she knew that it would be a school that she would highly consider. The weight rooms, facilities and athletic dorms topped it off after being introduced to the academic program when she took an unofficial visit. “The academic programs offered are great and that was a huge factor in deciding where I would go to college,” Rappold said. “Nebraska has the most Academic All-Americans and the best academic support system of any university,” Slapper said. Nebraska is known for stressing the importance of academic progress for its athletes. Athletes are provided access to tutors to help them with the classes they miss because of frequent traveling during the week. Academic advisors help track academic process and ensure that athletes are keeping up with class work. Slapper said that balancing school work and a sport is not too difficult when you manage your time and meet with tutors frequently. Still, the travel is a significant hardship. Willman missed 10 school days during the fall semester, which has made it difficult for him to stay current with his classes. This spring, Willman expects to miss as many as 20 days of class. The reality is that playing a sport comes with challenges—academics, practices and competitions. Willman said that he sacrifices time and social events but in the end it is worth it. “The time obligations are immense,” Willman said. “There are the workouts at 5:30 in the morning. Then, there are the daily practices which for golf amount to another five hours a day. We play fall and spring golf tournaments and the travel is brutal. But I have really enjoyed the experience and competing with top quality players every week.” Some athletes only go so far as the college level, but others go beyond. Slapper said that going beyond college would be a great opportunity. Over the summer, she played in Seattle for a semi-professional team. Willman also played in his first Nationwide Tour tournament this summer against professionals. Nebraska is a stepping stone to what the future
Scott Willman
Boys’ Golf Sophomore
Favorite teacher at EastMr Lockard (Environmental Ed) because it’s fun and he’s a good guy. Favorite class at East- Team Games; it’s the part of the day where I can just relax and not have stress.
holds for these athletes—if Favorite memory from East- Winning the state it means becoming a profeschampionships my senior year, 2008. sional athlete or using their >> Nebraska Media Relations education to get a job. “East has prepared me for college at Nebraska,” Slapper said. “A lot of the girls on the soccer team that didn’t go to East really struggled their freshman year.” Although college is harder for athletes academically, East has helped prepare these students for college. Slapper and Willman took businessBoys Baseball-Pitcher based classes such as marketing Senior and economics at East, which now Favorite non-sports help them with classes that they memory of East- My sophotake now. East also gives students more year, a psych group the opportunity to take classes that wanted to do a project on transfer to college credit. Rappold is how rumors spread. Two cops came into my determined to get as many hours as fourth hour and took me away. It was funny hearpossible towards college so that she ing all the different rumors about me that people has a head start when she begins spread. school at Nebraska. As student-athFavorite sports memory of East- Going to the letes prepare for college academistate tournament in baseball two years in a row. cally, they adjust to the transition Biggest difference between East and that they face when beginning colNebraska- The time you have to put into everylege sports. thing, sports and school wise. “In college, the pace of the game is faster and the competition is >>Nebraska Media Relations tougher,” Anderson said. “Everyone is bigger, stronger and pressure builds.” The four athletes noted that high school sports are significantly different from college sports. While high school offered opportunities for them to improve their Girls Soccer- Defense athletic abilities, these athletes spent Junior uncounted hours working on their Favorite teacher at Eastskills on their own. Playing on sumMercedes Rasmussen, I had mer teams, training in the off seaher for both Marketing 1 and son and working with coaches Marketing 2 and because often are what separate athletes of her teaching and my that play in college from those experience in her class I who do not advance to the next chose Marketing as my level. major. “My time at East helped me One Thing You’ll Never Forget- I’ll never forget be ready for college, both acathe blue clan! The blue clan was my senior demically and athletically,” class on the soccer team. We wore blue electriAnderson said. cal tape around our wrists during games and Although Anderson, all seven of us would pile into one car on our Slapper, Willman and Rapway to games. pold have traded or
Erik Anderson
25
Blair Slapper
6
soon will be trading columbia blue, black and white for Herbie H u s k e r ’s scarlet and cream, all are thankful that their hard work and dedication has paid off.
Favorite moment at East- My junior year, 2006, We were playing Olathe North, who was highly favored, in the regional championship that would send us to the state tournament. Abby Jennings shot from half field and the ball ended up sailing over the goalie’s head. Hoisting that regional championship plaque was amazing and topped my high school career.
>>Chris Dorwart-The Daily Nebraskan
1. 2.
GET YOUR HEAD RIGHT “Wrestling is hardly even a physical battle, for the most part it’s mental. Getting a pin has a lot do with simply choosing to get it done, so put your mind in a mood that will let you do that.”
BE THE FIRST TO FIRE “Once you shake hands you don’t want to allow your opponent to attack you. You’ve got to be the first to attack... whether it’s a shot or a throw, just remember the ultimate goal is to take them down.”
3.
PULL THROUGH ON THE THROWDOWN “Once you decide to hit the shot you’ve got to go 100%. From start to finish it’s shot has to have a purpose, you can’t hesitate or you’ll get knocked flat.”
tricks OF THE 4. trade HOW TO PIN AN OPPONENT IN LESS THAN 60 SECONDS WITH...
>>Mackenzie Wylie
KEEP ‘EM ON THEIR ASS “After getting the take down you have to keep the pressure on your opponent. He may need some convincing to stay on his back so you can get both his shoulders to the mat, though.”
ACCEPT SUPERIORITY
5.
JEFF RUTHERFORD SENIOR WRESTLING
Sidenotes
“Squeeze and wait for the ref to slap the mat. I have a huge sense of relief at hearing that sound and nothing’s better than getting your hand raised to signify your dominance.”
If you could be the coach of any fall sport
You’re the Athletic pick theitreplacement for one game,Director: which would be? to take coach Rhoades’ spot at season’s end.
issue 10 sports page 31
:03......... games
THURSDAY, 2/4
-Girls’ Basketball vs. Free State
Going into the end of the season near the top of the Sunflower League, the Lady Lancers have the opportunity to take on a 6-4 Lawrence Free State squad on senior night at home. A game that the Firebirds won in Lawrence last year, East will have to look for returning players to lead the strike in what will be the final home game for many of them.
SATURDAY, 2/6
-Boy’s Swimming @ Sunflower League
Having won the Sunflower League meet six years in a row, the boys’ swim team will look to make it seven this weekend at Olathe Northwest when they face off against teams they’ve topped in their undefeated season. In preparation for the state championship meet, the Lancers should have strong performances from their varsity team which hasn’t had to compete since last Tuesday at the Topeka Invitational.
SATURDAY, 2/13
-Wrestling @ Sunflower League
A meet that East wrestlers have grown accustomed to placing well at in recent years, the team will see strong opposition from the likes of Shawnee Mission West, Shawnee Mission Northwest and Lawrence High. If around five individuals could make it to the finals of their bracket, there’s a good chance they could also see their team at the top of the podium by the end of the day.
:02......... names
JEFF RUTHERFORD- WRESTLING- 12
A four-year varsity veteran, senior Jeff Rutherford breezed through the 171 weight class last week, pinning his opponent in all five of his matches at the Paola Invitational, senior night against Olathe South and at Olathe Northwest. For more on just how he pulled it off, check the five step guide to the left.
SHAWN HAIR- BASKETBALL- C
After taking his boys’ basketball team to Salina, Kan. for a tournament last weekend, coach Hair came back home only to the welcoming of his new daughter just a day after he returned. The boys got second place in the Salina Invitational, losing to Salina Central in the championship round.
Mrs. Hair. I’m not sure how this can even be a debate, but it’s only fitting the wife of our boys’ team coach take over for her female counterparts. Sure, she just had a baby... And, okay, so maybe her coaching background lie more in hair bows and pom-poms than Air Jordans and gym shorts. But, I think she’s got a shot to take over such a position if she can make like her husband and get the fans behind her team. After all, her last name and winning are practically synonymous at this school. Although she would bring a different manner to the sideline than Rhoades, she can get the girls to keep winning. And oh yeah, this isn’t just some hackbrained decision by some hack-brained senior... It’s meant to be.
corbin barnds
evan nichols
Sra. Myers. This Spanish teacher doesn’t just use her 5’ 11 frame for rejecting poorly conjugated Spanish verbs, but she did a little bit of defending the paint during her basketball days in high school. Myers would make a terrific girls basketball coach since bringing in her bilingual expertise would add in a completely new dynamic to the team. Imagine having an entire play-set in Spanish. Not only would the opponent have no chance at guessing the play but they would be completely stunned and by the time they realized they hadn’t paid any attention in Spanish class, BAM. The Lancers will have already laid in the ball for a bucket. Hand over the reins to Senora, she has what it takes.
Don Post. You’ve probably seen him working the pizza line during lunch, dishing out the slices of sausage and pepperoni like Steve Nash flipping passes to Channing Frye in the lane. How many other faculty members at East could handle the afternoon lunch rush? If any other teacher tried to run that pizza line, there’d be trampled freshmen on the floor and pizza slices sliding down the walls: greasy, cheesefilled chaos. He’s the only man who can handle that sort of job with a cool demeanor that demands respect. That sort of skill and attitude in the pizza lines would translate into a disciplined, unstoppable team on the basketball court. Long story short, Don Post is hungry for victory.
:01.......... frame
>>Grant Heinlein
sam logan
WAITING for their turn to bowl again while other teams are up, seniors Clair Finke and Ashley Guerricagoitia watch the competition at AMF West. A week later they watched junior Johnny Sheahan set a new school record of 297 at College Lanes.
page 32 photo essay 02.01.10
Students participate in Ali’s Runway and T.A.K.E. self-defense class >>all photos by Mackenzie Wylie
1
Let your attacker know that you are aware of him. Stop, put your foot back, put your hands up with your elbows locked at your side and scream “No.”
2
Strike to the nose. Shoving the bottom of your hand up to the opponent’s nose will not only most likely break it, but it will give you a chance to run away.
3
Strike to the groin. Kneeing your attacker in the groin will once again give you the chance to escape. When you are given the chance to escape, run and call attention to yourself.
RIGHT: Juniors Alissa Pollack, Ariana Sherk, and senior Amilia Winter cheer on the models from other schools strutting down the runway. LEFT: Sophomore Natalie Pierce, juniors Alissa Pollack, Ariana Sherk, and Tori Spencer, along with seniors Annie Bennet, Erika Davee and Amilia Winters strut down the runway at Ali’s Runway, a fashion show benefitting The Ali Kemp Education Foundation on Sunday, Jan. 17.