Andover High Trojan Bluestreak- December 3, 2010

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www.trojanbluestreak.com

316-218-4600 December 3, 2010 Volume 25 - Issue 6

the trojan BLUESTREAK 1744 N. Andover Road Andover, KS 67002

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see page 12-13 to learn about student self esteem & body image

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newsWORTHY

Educational social networking device: Edmodo Site allows appropriate online teacher-student communication

The use of technology helps incorprate a friendly environment for students with a variety of teaching devices.

“I use it to post assignments, examples of projects and rubrics,” Smith said. “Students can also send me digital assignments.”

A positive side of the social network cuts down environmental usage. kelseyDICK news editor “It has cut down on the amount of things I copy. They can download any files or notes Teachers are beginning to use Edmodo, a on Edmodo that I post,” Schaake-Bushell free secure social learning network usable for said.

An additional aspect teachers and students. of Edmodo allows teach“Edmodo allows ers to join communities me to send links to my and networks with other students through texts, teachers. emails and inform stu“I joined the science dents by checking the teachers community,” site,” science teacher Schaake-Bushell said. “I Ashley Smith said. am able to network and Teachers utilize EdashleySMITH problem-solve with other modo for various purscience teachers across the poses. The site is a secure and trusted environment. Students may like country.”

Students in Smith’s freshman science class the style of Edmodo as it is very similar to used Edmodo to create and turn in a project. facebook.

“We used [Edmodo] for a biome project,” “I use [Edmodo] more as a notification device. If I have things to tell kids they are freshman McKay Brumfield said. “We had more accustom to receiving things by e-mail to create a PowerPoint then send it to Mrs. and text,” science teacher Sherri Schaake- Smith through Edmodo.”

Brumfield gained benefits from incorpoBushell said.

“ ” I think it is a motivator; it helps keep students involved in a fun way.

DEVIN DYMKOWSKI

Edmodo is a social networking device that incorporates teacher usage of communication with their students. It is safer than social networking sites such as Facebook because it is private and school-friendly.

rating Edmodo with his project.

“I thought it was fun and pretty convenient that we physically did not have to turn in our project,” Brumfield said.

Teachers in classrooms are not the only ones using the social networking device.

“We also use it on curriculum committees

snip-ITS

Journalism students shine in KC

DEVIN DYMKOWSKI

After a quick breakfast at Ingredient, Advisor Kristin Baker passes out nametags before the day’s sessions.

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Dec. 3, 2010

Journalism students traveled to the KC Converge JEA-NSPA National Convention in Kansas City from Nov. 10-13.

A total of 27 staff members of the Trojan Bluestreak, the Epic yearbook and School Publications attended.

Senior Elisa Martin, Editor-inChief of the Trojan Bluestreak, was looking forward to meeting new people from around the country.

“I was also looking forward to seeing how my designs ranked compared to people around the country,” Martin said.

Sudents would wake up and go to hour-long sessions throughout the day.

At the end of the day, students were able to enjoy a keynote speaker. A keynote speaker is a professional journalist that speaks specifically about their career.

When not in a session, students did different activities.

“On Friday night the convention held a dance,” copy editor Holly Hei-

katieSCHNEIDER

ronimus said. “Some people went shopping at the Plaza the first day also.”

Andover came home with a number of recognitions. Students received high ratings in categories such as sports photography, photography portfolio, sports writing and more.

Students came home with a lot of new knowledge about journalism.

“The most valuable thing I learned was how to deal with people in a way that comes off charming and friendly,” Heironimus said.

“

I was looking forward to seeing how my work compared to others from around the country.

”

hayleyPHILLIPS

throughout the district,” Schaake- Bushell said.

With the success of the project, students can actively stay involved with their studies.

“I think it’s a motivator; it helps keep students involved in a fun way,” Smith said.

RECOGNIZED students

Devin Dymkowski - Sports Photography Lane White - Photography Portfolio Chris Jones - Sports Writing Holly Heironimus - News Writing Elisa Martin - Newspaper Layout Chad Phillips - Yearbook Photography Hayley Phillips - Yearbook Inside Pages Layout Students placed in Journalism Education Association Write-Off competition

the competition was held in Kansas City, MO

Possible changes in school policy katherineHARTLEY staff writer

The enforcement of the cell phone policy doesn’t stop students from using their phones in the halls, their classes and during lunch. Some changes may be made.

“We are recognizing that just about every student has a cell phone, and by allowing them to use them during non-class time it will hopefully prevent them from using them during class time,” Assistant Principal Amanda Grier said.

Because of this, and other reasons, a group of students, parents, teachers and administrators created the draft for a policy that may change the way students and staff can use their cell phones.

“If passed, students will be allowed to use their cell phones at lunch, during passing period and during break. Those are the main things that will change,” Grier said.

The drafting of the policy began in September and was finished in October. As of now the policy is just a draft and will not be put into effect until announced by Principal Bob Baier. It will officially be voted on during either the December or January board of education meeting.

Senior Daniel Le and another student from Andover Central were the students who helped in the writing of the technology policy.

“I was on a site counsel committee for the principal and [Superintendent] Mark Evans came by and talked about the need for students to join [in the drafting of the policy] and so I just volunteered,” Le said.

Aside from students being able to use phones during the school day, these devices can also be used in collaboration with learning programs on the computer, where phones can be used as a learning tool.

“I think that this could be helpful, but only if students are responsible enough to use it with the technology that it was intended for,” Le said.

Students are largely in favor of this policy, as it will help them throughout the day.

“It’s a good thing because you can use your phones more; it’s just better since I text people and my mom,” sophomore Taylor Cooper said.

Senior Taylor Tilson said she enjoys using her phone.

“I think it’s great because I love my phone, and I have to text Dallas during the day,” she said.

If the policy is passed then students will have to be cautious and follow the rules that are set so that students can that students can keep those privileges.

“If this is passed then students will like it, but they just have to be responsible and not misuse it,” Grier said.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JACOB HIGHFILL

Social Media Committee seeks to bring changes trinaBHATTARAI staff writer

Interaction of students and teachers through social media and student’s usage of cell phones during school hour has now been discussed during board meetings for over a year and half according to Principal Bob Baier.

The Social Media Committee, a committee consisting of teachers, students, parents and administrators, presented a policy in relation with cell phones and social media to the board.

“One of the things that the policy will do is that it will allow students to use their cell phones during lunch, break and passing period,” District Technology Director Rob Dickson said.

The policy also addresses student-teacher interaction through social media such as

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In this section of the policy, it clarifies to teachers the way they should act when it comes to communicating with students through social media.

“I do not think it is a problem in Andover, but you see it happening all the time,” Dickson said. “We want make sure that we have taken precautions.”

Originally the Social Media Committee mainly dealt with Edmodo, which provides teachers and students with a secure and easy way to communicate on a professional level.

However, due to recent commotion, it set forward the Staff Social Media Policy.

“The growth of media is so dramatic, we want to set guidelines for the work place and how it’s appropriate to use social media,” Dickson said.

Though the policy does not take a direct approach, it does advise teachers to minimize

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communication with students. “[Social communications devices are] great when the students have graduated but not when they are still in high school,” Baier said.

Biology teacher Sherri Schaake-Bushell once had several students on Facebook; however, she recently deleted many of them.

“I deleted most of my students over the summer. I kept in contact with my AP biology students to tell them about what is happening in class,” Schaake-Bushell said.

In addition, the policy also requires any clubs, organizations or classes wishing to create a Facebook, Twitter, MySpace or other social media account to complete a form requesting approval.

“We do not discourage [using social media for clubs, organization or classes.] In fact, we encourage it, but we do not want to have inappropriate things on a website representing the school,” Baier said.

“

The growth of the media is so dramatic that we want to set guidlines for the workplace and how it is appropriate to use social media. robDICKSON

”

Tony Durano CLU ChFC Andover. KS 316-733-1000 tony@tonydurano.com

Dec. 3, 2010

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Sarah Palin visits Andover, promotes new book

Picketers express opinions on Palin’s political ambitions hollyHEIRONIMUS

copy chief

Some people leaned against the wall on the east side of the Andover Dillon’s Marketplace waiting for Gov. Sarah Palin’s Sharpie to mark an autograph in her new book “America By Heart.” Other bystanders tried to capture the attention of the people to express their opinions by picketing Palin’s visit on the parking lot.

“The one thing to keep in mind is that this event is a book signing event to promote a book signing tour. It’s not a political endorsement and it is not a political rally by any means,” Dillon’s Communications Coordinator and Spokesperson Sheila Lowrie said.

The picketers said they were not protesting the book signing; they simply wanted to voice their opinion and let others be informed that they did not want Palin to run for the 2012 presidency. They would rather her be a “kingmaker”

which is an influencer of political successions.

“We’re not protesting; we love Sarah Palin. We think she has done some fantastic things and she has had a great impact on the conservative movement; we want her to keep doing what she is doing,” picketer Pat, who wanted her last name to be left anonymous, said. Pat wanted to remain anonymous so that she is not fully recognized for leading a picketing rally during the Sarah Palin book signing.

“We think she’s a great kingmaker, we just don’t want her to run for president.”

To ensure that the event ran as smoothly as possible, the picketers were asked to leave the premises and to move somewhere else. “ With the folks [picketing] today, we did have something unique with someone who is for Sarah Palin and someone who is opposing the tea party,” Lowrie said. “We did ask the folks to move to public property, just so we can keep the event running smoothly.”

EDEN VIERTHALER

Picketers hold up signs in the Dillon’s Marketplace parking lot on Nov. 28 to assert their opinions about former Alaska governor and former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

EDEN VIERTHALER

Picketers encourage Palin to continue her work as a “kingmaker,” but discourage her from presidential aspirations.

EDEN VIERTHALER

Dillon’s hosts Palin’s book signing hollyHEIRONIMUS

copy chief

Following her 2009 book “Going Rogue,” former vice presidential candidate and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin released her new book “America By Heart: Reflections on Family, Faith, and Flag” on Nov. 23. Buyers in Kansas lined up at the east entrance of Dillon’s Marketplace in Andover.

Nov. 28 was the designated date for Palin to autograph this new book.

Fans waiting for Palin’s autograph began lining up around the east wall of the store around 8:15 p.m. on Nov. 27.

“I think [‘America By Heart’] is going to be a little bit about her reflections on her term and everything that’s changing in America,” freshman Maddie Routhier said.

The Dillon’s Marketplace was an ideal location due to its experience in giving their customer’s the chance to

meet with celebrities in order to receive signatures.

“With Dillon’s from time to time, we do have that unique opportunity to host book signing events,” Dillon’s Communications Coordinator and Spokesperson Sheila Lowrie said.

“With this book tour, and this event and working with her publicist, I know [Palin] was choosing some midwestern towns to visit with this newest tour.”

Though Palin has come to a small town, many people were expected to attend her book-signing event.

“Right now, our goal we always thought would be 1,000 people, but I know we’ve seen about 500 people so far through the line inside and the line outside is continuing to grow. It’s exciting not only for the customers to have this opportunity, but it’s very exciting for [Dillon’s’ staff] as well,” Lowrie said.

According to Palin’s book, many

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Palin’s book, “America

By Heart: Reflections on Family, Faith, and Flag” was released in stores on Nov. 23.

The book signing on Nov. 28 attracted many residents from the Kansas area at the Andover Dillon’s Marketplace. Several camped out the evening before ahead of time to ensure a visit with the notable political figure and former vice presidential candidate, Sarah Palin herself.

men and women in the country who share her passion for the flag inspired her, but her books and speeches also serve as a great inspiration for Routhier who is eager to read America By Heart .

“I was really excited for her book and visit to Andover,” Routhier said.

“She’s a great role model. She’s strong about her beliefs and won’t let the media affect or change her.”

Palin says in her book that she has met men and women who have allocated with her feelings for their country, which has inspired her to write “America By Heart.”

“This one [‘America By Heart’] is a compellation of other people who have written things that inspire me,” Palin said to a book purchaser. “I put those thoughts together along with my personal experience combine in the book. I hope you like it.”

tjRIGG

staff writer During the weekend of Nov. 19, the debate team hosted a debate tournament for schools around central Kansas. While the team didn’t compete in this tournament, many students in debate have participated in a good season.

This year, the National Forensic League (NFL) assigned the debate team to debate about removing military and police presence in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Turkey, Japan, or South Korea. Freshman Katie Wiggins has competed at tournaments with this topic.

“My record [for this season] is seven out of 15,” Wiggins said. “I have competed five times at three tournaments.”

To prepare for that weekend’s tournament, debaters, including junior Tony Supancic, had a job to help the tournament run smoothly.

“We prepared all the forms,” Supanic said.

“We [also] had to move around furniture in some of the rooms.”

Supancic and Wiggins held individual jobs that they needed to complete.

“I was working at the judges and registration table,” Supancic said. “I distributed judges’ ballots and registered competing teams.”

To help make the tournament run smoothly, Wiggins and fellow freshman Mattea Miskimon helped time debates. The number of speaker points awarded by the judges determines the winner of each debate.

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“[The winner is selected by having] the most speaker points,” Wiggins said.

Being her first time in debate, Miskimon had some expectations for the class. Some were not met, but generally feels satisfied.

“I thought we would be able to pick our topics,” Miskimon said. “But overall, I like it.”

Wiggins, on the other hand, is slightly surprised by what the debate class offers.

“It is [more] different than I thought it would be,” Wiggins said. “I didn’t expect all the evidential stuff, I thought it would be more analytical.”

“

“

Debate:

80 teams compete at AHS hosted tournament

It is different than I thought it would be. katieWIGGINS

be there>>

Next debate tournament Dec. 3-4 at Maize High

HENRY HOOK

Sophomores Dion and JoLynn Hallmark prepare a frontline for the upcoming debate tournament. The tournament will be hosted at Maize High School.

Debate Definitions argument: series of statements that begin with a premise and end with a conclusion cross examination: when oppossing team is questioned rebuttal: last speech given by each team affirmative’s job: present a plan in which they solve for a resolution negative’s job: attack affirmative plan, show why plan does not work

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aroundANDOVER Holidays provide helping hands opportunities >>

Volunteering proves rewarding kathrynSILL

staff writer

“ ” halieBRETCHES

With the holidays coming around, phrases like “give thanks” and “spread cheer” may sound familiar. In order to help out within the community, some students have begun holiday volunteering.

“I volunteer at Wesley [hospital], [I volunteer for the time period of] what would be a normal school or work day from eight to four.

I do it in the summer or during Christmas break,” junior Halie Bretches said.

Juniors Hannah Howe and Bea Ferenc, who are Girl Scouts, also volunteer during the holidays and throughout the year. Howe said that in Girl Scouts they suggest to help out around Christmas, but that is not the only reason she volunteers.

“With Girl Scouts I go shopping and take

WW

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It is great to see the kids smile.

[the necessities] down to the shelters,” Howe said.

Ferenc and Howe also volunteer throughout the year with different charities and causes. Ferenc helped out last month downtown in the Prairie Fire Wichita Marathon.

She also helped out at her church, St. Vincent de Paul in The Ville for weddings and other events.

“Coming up Dec. 6, I am going to volunteer at the Cessna dinner for a special needs cause. I am in NHS [National Honor Society], so I enjoy volunteering and helping out my community,” Ferenc said.

For these students volunteering has a different meaning behind it. Ferenc feels accomplished when she volunteers. They all agree that the feeling volunteering gives is a reward in itself.

“It [volunteering] is always rewarding because I volunteer in the pediatric unit. Some kids are there longer than others. Some are cancer patients, so it is great to see the kids smile,” Bretches said.

There are different ways to get involved with holiday volunteering. Bretches suggests finding your interests, so it will be fun, but if you like animals you should help out at an animal shelter. Junior Samuel Lee volunteers for Salvation Army “If people want to volunteer, they can either search in the internet or visit organizations. I usually visit in the Salvation Army center and Red Cross center. I started my volunteer when I was 6th grade. I saw a advertisement from Red Cross and this really moved my heart,” junior Samuel Lee said.

Like Lee, freshman Brodey Dick has volunteered around the holidays. Dick started volunteering at his mom work and at church

when he was young.

“It’s very easy to volunteer. You can sign up for things at school and throughout the community. I got involved through my church at a young age. My dad would sign me and him up to ring the bell at Dillon’s during the Christmas season,” Dick said.

Volunteering can be beneficial for college applications or scholarships for colleges.

Bretches plans to be a nurse when she is older, so for her it is good practice for the future.

“At Wesley you can get a scholarship to any college as long as it is medical related so I am trying to get the required hours by the time I am graduated to get the scholarship,” Bretches said.

During tough economic times, buying presents for holidays can be a challenge. Even buying daily necessities can be a burden. Ferenc said that even something that seems like it is little can impact the community.

“I think [helping out] opens your eyes to what is going on around the world, and not just your own little world and see how other people live, to be thankful and how in a split second it can taken away,” Howe said.

WHY DO YOU VOLUNTEER?

FRESHMAN BRODEY DICK

JUNIOR HALIE BRETCHES

“I VOLUNTEER BECAUSE I ENJOY HELPING OTHERS, AND I LIKE THE FEELING OF SEEING OTHERS SMILE BECAUSE OF THE WORK I HAVE DONE.”

“I VOLUNTEER BECAUSE I WANT TO BE A NURSE WHEN I AM OLDER, SO IT IS GOOD PRACTICE FOR WHEN I AM OLDER.”

Dec. 3, 2010

JUNIOR SAMUEL LEE

“I VOLUNTEER SINCE THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO SUFFER AND NEED HELP. MY HELP WOULD NOT CHANGE THE WORLD, BUT IT MIGHT HELP SOMEONE’S LIFE.”

inDEPTH << New restaurants in Wichita

Panda Express brings quick, inexpensive Asian food to Wichitans edenVIERTHALER features editor

Panda Express, a restaurant chain that emerged when capitalists realized Asian food held extreme potential in the fast food industry, came to Wichita recently. One of over 1,300 restaurants in the U.S., this Panda Express is located on Kellogg.

“When I heard Panda Express was coming to Wichita, I was extremely excited because it is yummy and fast,” sophomore Emma Dougherty said.

Dougherty was familiar with the food served at the restaurant because she ate there while at a camp in Manhattan. She plans to eat there at least once a month and recognizes the benefits of having a Panda Express in Wichita.

“Panda Express offers new jobs to people,” Dougherty said.

Other benefits also exist for students.

“It is an alternative to another place for a cheaper price,” senior Lauren Fahsholtz said.

Junior Devin Blose ate at Panda Express while in Scottsdale, AZ before it came to Wichita. He was eager to eat there when he heard about its arrival.

“I used to eat it a lot in Arizona,” Blose said. “It used to be the cool place to go.”

Since its development in 1983, Panda Express has molded itself into becoming one of America’s quickest growing restaurant chains.

“The restaurant is good because it can feed my hungry need,” Blose said.

Panda Express serves a wide variety of foods including chicken, beef, shrimp, pork, rice, vegetables and soup.

“They have really good orange chicken,” Blose said.

A Panda Express can exist as a restaurant with or without a drive-thru, as well as in other nontraditional ways. Some of these include inside shopping malls, retail stores, colleges, stadiums and airports “The colors of the building are very cool,” junior Chandler Kowalski said.

“It is unique.”

Still, some students feel disappointed in various aspects during their trips to Panda Express.

“There are a long line even though I got there early,” Blose said.

Dougherty had a similar problem and offered a solution.

“They needed more cashiers,” Dougherty said.

Real estate managers are continuing to scope out more locations for new Panda Express restaurants to run in the area to serve more incomparable yet traditional dishes to the public.

EDEN VIERTHALER

Panda Express, located on 11787 E Kellogg Dr., is a new restaurant to Wichita whose arrival was greatly anticipated. The restaurant offers an array of Chinese food but in a fast food format. “It is an alternative to another place for a cheaper price,” senior Lauren Fahsholtz said.

Colorado brings taste of various noodles locally ryleeELLISON staff writer

RYLEE ELLISON

Noodles & Company will open soon in Wichita on 3300 N. Rock Road, and it will offer an assortment of noodles for customers to choose from.

Wichita is set to welcome its very first Noodles & Company restaurant this December.

Noodles & Company is based out of Colorado and will be located at 3300 N. Rock Road in Wichita.

Noodles & Company serves the obvious selection of

noodles, and an assortment of salads and sandwiches that are inspired by dishes from both the United States and around the world.

The new restaurant’s menu will feature an array of food ranging from Asian, Mediterranean and American noodles.

As far as salads and sandwiches go, they range from nourishing,

to decadent and zesty to soothing.

The menu is filled with accommodating items for everyone from kids to adults and all dishes are customizable to satisfy even the pickiest eaters.

Noodles & Company is a tip-free zone open seven days a week offering convenient carry out, phone-in or fax-in orders.

The chain recently opened in Lawrence and has doubled its presence in the Kansas City area in the past year. The restaurant, which has about 240 restaurants in 18 states, is rapidly expanding. Look for this new addition to Wichita located on the North end of Rock Road near Jimmy John’s and Subway.

Dec. 3, 2010

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Alternate views provided on diverse heights edenVIERTHALER features editor

Race, religion, culture and language are not the only differences people face; the way one looks also is a distinctive quality that people notice.

First impressions stem from appearance; height is a key factor that can immediately be seen. Junior Alex Wreath and freshmen Garrett Swanson contrast each other height wise.

Swanson stands at a short 4 foot 10 inches while Wreath is 6 foot 5. With diverse heights come differing weights; Wreath weighs around 300 lbs. and Swanson approximately 76 lbs.

“Not everyone in my family is short and I am because I have

not grown yet,” Swanson said.

Contrarily, Wreath’s family is mostly tall. He sees some benefits in his height, including with sports.

“It helps in sports,” Wreath said. “I may not have gotten as interested in sports if I had not been tall.”

Swanson competes as well; he wrestles.

[My height affects sports in that] I weigh less than most people do,” Swanson said.

Swanson considers himself the shortest kid in school because he is shorter than everyone else is. It does not matter to him necessarily, though.

“Being short does not matter to me,” Swanson said.

Wreath sees many positives to being tall.

“I do not get picked on at all and I do not have to reach for high things,” Wreath said.

However, there are negatives that Wreath has to experience every day.

“It takes longer to get in the car and it is cramped in the back seats of cars,” Wreath said. “People laugh at me sometimes.”

Swanson said he deals with the same problems, but not frequently.

“People think it is funny to make fun of the short kid,” Swanson said.

Neither gets comments from others about their unconventional heights on a regular basis because others see them every day.

Generally, the pair feels extremely optimistic and proud of their height and have some funny stories regarding their height.

“Whenever I wear KU T-shirts, people think I play for their football team,” Wreath said.

Swanson uses his height to his advantage more than to attract attention.

“I can pass for a child’s ticket at the movies,” Swanson said.

ERICA ANDERSON

Junior Alex Wreath, at 6 feet 5 inches, towers over freshman Garrett Swanson, who stands at only a mere 4 foot 10 inches.

Compared to Swanson’s 76 lbs., Wreath could be called a giant. Wreath weighs approximately 300 lbs.

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Dec. 3, 2010

Don’t mess with fast food ryanLAKE Fast food, the lifeblood of America – the ultimate prize half way through the day for lunch, the really cheap food that other people make for you while you do nothing but watch; to come to terms, fast food is pretty fricken awesome.

That is, if you aren’t the poor soul that has to make the food at whichever establishment you work.

For the past few months, I’ve been employed at a local sandwich shop and the experience has been quite interesting to say the least.

I was always one to make fun of fast food workers and find a way to make their day a little more “interesting.” Whether it be screwing with the employees on the drive thru hassling them until they reach their boiling point or simply just being obnoxious looking for the reaction out of the workers of the establishment.

However, since starting my job making sandwhiches, I have found new appreciation for the employees of the fast food

industry—consider this a plead to stop screwing around with my store.

There have been several occurrences where I have been pushed to my own personal limit of anger to where I nearly quit the job. There was one particular instance I can remember where I had a _____ fake being a disgruntled customer from the day before…long story short, he demanded a free sub despite showing zero proof of his alleged wronged business the day before.

From the instance the guy entered my store I knew he was obviously on some hardcore drugs—and in complete honesty, it seems that people on drugs like sandwhiches a lot.

This is where I have my issue with people and them wasting my time when I am working my butt off trying to make a reasonable living, and I get treated with complete disrespect.

People fail to realize that I am in control of making their sandwiches, so it’s highly advised by me that you don’t screw around at my work. One of these days, I’m gonna get pushed a little too far and the day it happens, it’s not gonna be pretty.

Don’t screw with it because if the constant annoying kids don’t stop, I am gonna hunt you down and make you a piece of crap sandwich. That’s right.

Respect. Much love.

speakUP <<

EVAN WILLFORD

Students need to think before they speak, make jokes tjRIGG & robynHERBERT Andover is not a diverse place. A majority of our student body and almost all of our faculty are white, middle class citizens.

Everyone has prejudices, but not everyone is insensitive or rude to other religions, races or economic conditions. One major problem I have come across is prejudice toward interracial relationships. For nearly two years, I was in an interracial relationship and was assaulted with numerous incidents of prejudice from all kinds of sources.

Personally, I think most people are not trying to be rude or hurt feelings, but they are ignorant of how their comments make people feel. America is so diverse in culture; we cannot afford to speak before we think.

Any “joke” about race can be, and it usually

is, hurtful.

The people these jokes are hurtful to rarely admit their feelings have been damaged, but, as a society filled with diversity, senstivity and understanding are key to creating a happy environment for everyone.

Another problem I see is the people around these jokesters. Even if you are not in an interracial relationship, it should offend you when people make comments. By thinking about how it makes others feel, we should recognize how hurtful things can be.

After talking to another Bluestreak staffer, T.J. Rigg, I found he has had similar experience with prejudice.

Growing Up Different

Personally, I think people who are against mixed-race relationships have the wrong idea about the outcome of the relationship. Being a descendent and a child born by people in mixed-race relationships, I have an idea of the outcome.

My grandmother on my mother’s side was born in Vietnam. When she was about 20, she met my grandfather, an American who was stationed in Vietnam because of

his service in the Air Force. The two met, fell in love, and were married within a year.

Three years later, they had three children, two of which were both their children.

Due to the Vietnam War, my grandmother did not want to raise her children in a wartime country, so she and my grandfather took their children and came to America. They arrived on April 25, 1975, five days before the communists took control of Vietnam.

They were forced to stay in the Philippines for a few days while the immigration process was finished. Then, they stayed in Hawaii and Los Angeles before moving to Texas where they lived for six months before moving to Wichita. In 1976, my mother was born and because she had an Asian mother and Caucasian father, she was born half-Asian, half-Caucasian When I was born, I was the child of a half-Asian and a Caucasian father. As a result of these mixed relationships, I am one-fourth Asian.

To those of you who think that mixed relationships are wrong and hurtful to your

blood, you are quite wrong. I am the resulting child of two mixed relationships and there is nothing wrong with me that I know of. Sure, I may be a little crazy at times, but that’s because I love life and my friends.

In fact, with this country being founded by people of different races, there is almost a guarantee that you are in a mixed race relationship. I don’t care if you have the exact same skin color, accent, or anything else that defines a race as your boyfriend or girlfriend.

When it comes down to it, mixed race relationships do not do anything to hurt the blood of anyone. I am the result of mixed race relationships and I am proud of the fact. Those of you who are in this type of relationship should be too.

We Can All Get Along

Too many high schools students act only on impulse. While racial jokes and slurs may be funny to them for a moment, the impression they can leave on others can be irreversible. Think before you speak, not the other way around.

Dec. 3, 2010

9

Witnessing death brings appreciation for life Experience in the hospital changes opinion, viewpoint on popular phrase

chadHAMMAN The date is drilled into my mind: Feb.13, 2007. I was 13.

For about two-and-a-half months, my body had slowly slipped further and further into a meditative state. I no longer cared about school; I never felt like talking; I spent 75 percent of my day sleeping.

Something was wrong, but I had no idea what; that is, until my mother walked into the living room, woke me up and told me we had to go to the hospital.

It is no secret to anybody now that I am diabetic. I was headed to the hospital to have my blood sugars stabilized after going more than two months with uncontrolled diabetes.

The events that followed are a blur to me, most likely because I was barely conscious at the time. The next thing I knew, I was laying on a hospital bed with seemingly hundreds of cords and wires connected to me.

Not only that, but I lay in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). The majority of the patients in this center were toddlers and infants, and nearly all were fighting for survival.

So I laid in that bed, hooked up to hundreds of cables, unable to sleep because of the beeping of my own heart monitor and the constant cry of babies up and down the hall.

The loudest and most obnoxious baby

was probably three curtains down from me, though I’m not entirely sure because I could not leave and walk around. I laid there all night just wanting to get some sleep, hoping that baby would be quiet enough for me to do it.

Then suddenly, the baby did stop crying.

Relieved at first, I thought, “Finally, I might be able to catch some sleep.” But the noise that replaced it was far more irritating and can still keep me up some nights to this day.

I will never be able to forget when that baby flat-lined.

Doctors and nurses flew down the hall, flocking to the baby’s side in hopes of saving it.

I prayed the doctors could save the poor infant. But the next day when I asked the nurse, she said they lost the little guy.

Suddenly, I realized a world existed outside of myself. For nearly three months, I had only been able to focus on how bad my life was, how bad I felt.

And for those same three months, that poor baby had spent all day, every day in a hospital cell. It had never even experienced life outside of that hospital.

I thought about the baby’s parents and how terrible it must have felt for them to have lost their baby after such a short period of time together. After nine months of anticipation and excitement, their child would not even experience life as we know it.

Right then and there, I stopped feeling sorry for myself. I knew I would be released from the hospital eventually, while some of the patients in that PICU could quite possibly face the same fate of that baby.

Now, I’m not saying that I’ve never felt sorry for myself since then; I have.

But when I do, I think of that baby from the PICU.

REPORT CARD GRADE A

Blood Drive Nov. 17

>>

National Honors Society was impressed with the amount of blood donated. Due to the participation, many lives can be saved.

GRADE C

Superintendent walk-through Nov. 23

>>

While the superintendent walked through many classes, students were distracted and discussed it during class. This impacted students’ ability to focus.

GRADE C-

Winter Introductions Nov. 23

>>

Attendance was low during the winter introductions for sports. It was mostly all for parents.

GRADE A+ Thanksgiving break >> Nov. 24-28 10

Dec. 3,2010

Because of students’ grueling schedules, the lengthy break was greatly welcomed and appreciated.

“

Suddenly, I realized a world existed outside of myself. For nearly three months, I had only been able to focus on how bad my life was, how bad I felt.

”

STORY

CLARIFICATION

Nowadays, when I hear or see the phrase FML, I can’t stand it. I look away and ignore it because I see no substance in the meaning of that acronym. It is impossible for me to believe anybody’s life can really be bad enough to say that.

We as teenagers often look at things through tunnel vision, only seeing ourselves and the ones around us. So when we must spend Friday night babysitting our siblings or doing homework, we consider it to be the end of the world.

Too often we forget about the other people we share this world with and the strife they take on every day. There is always somebody out there who is having a more difficult time than you, so be thankful for what you have, and not irritated at what you do not have.

I learned my lesson the hard way, but I am thankful for what happened that day. Though I wish for all the world that baby could have survived, it taught me a lesson that I will never forget.

Nobody wishes to die in vain, and that baby will not have. He taught one self-absorbed teenager how to really live, though his life was cut short.

In the Nov. 11 edition of the Bluestreak, an article entitled “‘Live By the Gun,Die By the Gun’ used as team motto through 2010 season” was printed.

Considering the content of this article, we would like to clarify that the song “Live By the Gun, Die by the Gun” is not coach Brent Riedy’s favorite song, and he does not endorse the behavior suggested in the lyrics. The article was meant to recognize the song’s title as an interesting motto for the football team. We apologize for any confusion.

TOP 5 THINGS WE ABOUT...

1 2 3 4 5

Social Studies Teacher Joel Schaefer

His classes prepare his students for college.

He wants his students to develop a deeper understanding of history.

He makes true relationships with each of his students.

He has witty comments on his Powerpoint slides, as well as an awesome taste in music.

He is overly obsessed with Lewis and Clark.

>>

speakUP <<

-Evan’s EaselEVAN WILLFORD

BLUESTREAK

editorialPOLICY

The Trojan Bluestreak exists to inform, persuade and entertain its readers concerning topics of importance. The newspaper recognizes all rights and responsibilities under the First Amendment.

The Bluestreak operates as a public forum for student expression, and the staff takes full responsibility for newspaper content and its ramifications.

The Trojan Bluestreak will not publish material considered to be legally unprotected speech, libel, obscenity, copyright infringement, unwarranted invasion of privacy or material that could disrupt the educational environment.

The Bluestreak is a CSPA Gold Medalist and a KSPA All-Kansas honor recipient.

editor-in-chief- features editor-

elisaMARTIN edenVIERTHALER

managing editor- circulation manager-

morganMESSMORE katherineHARTLEY

buisness manager- pop culture editor-

ashtonSCHRAG genGAUDREAU sports editor-

corbinMIHELIC cartoonist-

evanWILLFORD opinion editor-

chadHAMMAN

assn. sports editor -

chrisJONES

photo editor-

kaitlynDEYOUNG news editor-

kelseyDICK

copy chief-

hollyHEIRONIMUS in-depth editor

robynHERBERT

staff writersericaANDERSON trinaBHATTARAI alexDURANO devinDYMKOWSKI ryleeELLISON suzannaGEHRER alexHERNANDEZ jacobHIGHFILL henryHOOK ryanLAKE alexLEFF ryanMINEAR hayleyPHILLIPS laurenQUAM tjRIGG katieSCHNEIDER kalliSIKES kathrynSILL

adviser kristinBAKER

Students should respect new technology rules staff

EDITORIAL >>

light of new technology policy drafts, students should think position: Inbefore they act because one student’s actions can ruin it for everybody. Vote 29-0 The center of many conversations in the school lately has been the possible amendment to the school district’s cell phone policy.

While it is important to bear in mind that this proposal is just a draft, the idea of being able to use our cell phones during break, passing periods and lunch is one that many students are excited about.

Most students would be willing to do whatever they can to ensure this policy is passed.

However, some recent behavioral problems involving cell phones could harm the chances of this amendment being passed.

There are two main uses for cell phones today: calling and texting. While many phones have

capabilities to take photos, videos, surf the web, and more, these are not uses that are necessarily appropriate in all cases.

While it may be tempting to take a video of your friends goofing around at school and then post it on Facebook, this probably would not be too smart of an idea. The school can see that, school board members can see it, and the next thing you know, your video can be evidence of why cell phones should remain under restriction in school.

Texting in class can do just the same. Being caught with a cell phone at this point could lead to your confiscated phone being one more statistic for the dark side of the argument.

It is no secret students want more freedom with their cell phones. It is a tool we use and depend on in the up-tempo world we live in. However, finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel does not by any means give students the go-ahead to use cell phones in school.

On the contrary, it is more reason to act responsibly with our electronic devices. The better behavior we display leading into the final decision, the better our chances are of gaining technological freedom.

While it may be difficult to resist, turning the cell phones off for one or two months could make all the difference in the next few years to come. After all, one bad incident with a cell phone could ruin this opportunity for everybody.

Dec. 3, 2010

11

intheGAME

When We Were Champs

<<

Remembering the 1984 Trojan Football State Championship Team

chrisJONES

staff writer

It’s the dream of high school football players who play under the Friday night lights around the nation: the opportunity to win a state championship. For the 1984 Andover football team, this dream was realized.

“Winning the state championship was an amazing experience, not just because it was an achievement for the team, but because the whole Andover community was a part of it,” 1984 graduate Heath Trekell said. “We get a lot of credit because we were on the field, but it was a community effort.”

Trekell played tailback and was a key defensive player at linebacker for the ’84 season.

The team’s remarkable season, ending with a state championship victory, was made all the much better by the teams ability to adapt around something they didn’t have: height “We weren’t a big team at all, but we possessed the desire to win and we weren’t afraid to be tough or play hard,” former Andover head coach Kelly Kiser said.

The average weight for and Andover football player that season was 156 lbs., but what they lacked in height, they made up for it in speed and heart.

“When you’re not a big football team, you have to be fast,” Kiser said. “We didn’t really care that we were small, we had quick players who played hard and truly wanted to win.”

The previous season, the Trojans were a mere 5-5 and lost in the last minute of the last game, they would not let this happen again.

“We knew that not a lot of people were expecting much, but we had big expectations,”

Trekell said. “We felt there was nothing we couldn’t do because we wanted to play hard and succeed for each other.

The team started out with a fantastic 4-0 record but also had their struggles including a 2 game losing streak midway through the season.

Win or lose, there was always one constant talent on the team, quarterback Brent Wasson.

“It was like a man playing in a boy’s game,” Trekell said.

Kiser agreed having Wasson on the team gave the team an advantage over any other team they played.

“Brent (Wasson) was an outstanding quarterback,” Kiser said. “He was a winner who made plays when we needed them against tough opponents.”

Wasson, an all-state quarterback that year who piled up 1,375 passing yards and 646 rushing yards, but also 11 interceptions as a safety, would like to be more modest about his part in the team’s success.

“Each win was a team effort,” Wasson said.

“We knew each others abilities and as long as everyone did their jobs on the field, we felt good about our teams ability.”

On the receiving end of most of Wasson’s passes was 1984 graduate and wide receiver Bobby Seacat.

“Brent (Wasson) made it easy to be a wide receiver,” Seacat said. “As long as you could run an catch, he’d get the ball to you.”

Although Wasson led the potent Andover offense, the defense of the 1984 was also a strongpoint.

“Defense is what won us a lot of games during the season,” Trekell said. “Coach Stewart led

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14

Dec. 3, 2010

a great defense and always kept us in the right direction.”

The Trojans entered the playoffs on a roll, and even though they did not win their league, which was their goal, they felt confident about their chances.

As the Trojans rolled through their playoffs, not giving up a point until sub state, they finally began to believe that they were a team to be reckoned with.

“Heading into the playoffs, the team always believed we had a chance to win,” Kiser said.

“No matter who the opponent was we played to win the game, just like every other game.”

The team headed into their sub state game facing a tough Clay Center team on an impressive roll, the Trojans could not be stopped.

“After the first couple of possessions against Clay Center, we knew who was in it to win it,” Seacat said. “After we beat them, we finally knew that we could win it all.”

The team beat Clay Center in the final minutes and would now face the undefeated Maur Hill Ravens, a private school, for the 4A state championship. The team was not intimidated “The night before the game, of course you are excited.” Wasson said. “You are 18 years old ready to play the biggest football game of your life; time to go out and compete.”

The Ravens had three running backs that had combined for more than 3,000 rushing yards. Their defense was giving up only about 100 yards per game. Some say they already had their state champion jackets made.

“We deserved to be there because we have worked hard all year,” Trekell said. “We knew they would be bigger, but we still felt we had

the edge.”

The Trojans fended off a late surge by the Ravens to win 14-11. A forced fumble on Maur Hill’s star studded quarterback sealed the game.

While the state championship victory was enormous for the team, it was even bigger for the community.

“There was such a buzz throughout the community throughout the season that it was a great feeling to give the town the championship it deserved,” Trekell said. “I would be just as thrilled for the players and the coaches too see it happen again so the children and the community can experience it again.”

Twenty-six years down the road from the victory, the team still has the memories of the season in which they won it all.

This team had fun, played hard, didn’t take no for an answer, kept working, and pushed each other,” Kiser said. “Everyone did what they had to do, I loved every one of them.”

“I still remember it like it was yesterday,” Wasson said. “I will keep this experience and the people I played for with me forever.”

Wasson went on to win all state and allleague accolades, he still lives in Wichita and is the Vice President of an Insurance group.

Heath Trekell moved to Minnesota with his wife and three children, he currently works for a brokerage business.

Bobby Seacat lives in Kansas with his wife and one child, he currently works for a credit union company.

“This team respected each other,” Trekell said. “We had played forever before this season and had such a good relationship. I couldn’t imagine playing with a better group of guys.”

New addition to ACHS provides wrestling room tjRIGG

staff writer

When the new additions to AHS were built two years ago, ACHS received nothing of the sort. Now, ACHS will receive a new wrestling room.

The new Central wrestling room costs around $200,000 to construct. Some of the money comes from parent donations while the rest is covered by the district’s capitol outlay, which is money donated from the district used on capitol projects, such as district buildings and cannot be used for jobs or salaries.

“Parents have raised $150,000 of the $200,000 project,” Superintendent Mark Evans said. “The Board of Education committed $50,000 [of capitol outlay] when parents donated $150,000.”

Parents approached Evans and the board in July to discuss the need for the new wrestling room. The wrestling room is a necessity as ACMS is also in need of it according to ACHS principal Mark Templin.

“During the winter, the old wrestling room will be used by ACMS for wrestling practice,” Templin said. “They currently practice in the commons at ACMS, which causes several safety issues.”

Templin anticipates that 45 students will participate in wrestling this winter. Many conditions of the current wrestling room are insufficient, which the new room will fix.

“The current room is large enough to

hold one mat,” Templin said. “The new room is large enough to hold two mats.”

At the start of the 2008-2009 school year, AHS began using new facilities that were installed over a period of two years. Unlike Central’s new wrestling room, the money for the new facilities were not parent-donated.

“All of the improvements at Andover High School were paid for by the bond issue passed by the community four years ago,” Evans said.

Science teacher Sherri Schaake-Bushell is among the teachers who received a new classroom after construction was complete in 2008.

“I teach the majority of the biology classes, so I was given this room,” SchaakeBushell said. “We started moving things into the room on the last day of the 2007-2008 school year.”

Central had a greenhouse before the building of the AHS greenhouse. SchaakeBushell received the greenhouse in addition to her classroom, which is specific to the type of science she teaches.

“We designed this room specifically as a biology room,” Schaake-Bushell said.

Construction for the new Central wrestling room began three weeks ago. It will not be ready for use for this year’s wrestling season, but will be complete in time for next year’s season.

“We hope to have the work completed by April,” Templin said.

GLENN KARNES

Left, pictured is the old wrestling room at Andover Central. “During the winter, the old wrestling room will be used by ACMS for wrestling practice,”Templin said.

Below,new construction is set to began soon. The new Central wrestling room costs around $200,000 to construct.

KAITLYN DEYOUNG

Conditioning is key for girls’ team as upcoming season approaches chrisJONES

assistant sports

Conditioning provides a strong cornerstone for the girl’s baketball team this year. “Conditioning is everything,” senior Taylor Tilson said. “If you cant run up and down the court you might as well not play. We condition every day and it is essential to our success.”

KAITLYN DEYOUNG

As the new Basketball season quickly approaches and the team prepares for the bigger and faster 5A competition, Conditioning is key.

“Conditioning is everything,” senior Taylor Tilson said. “If you cant run up and down the court you might as well not play. We condition every day and it is essential to our success.”

Even though conditioning is definitely not the player’s favorite part of practice, they know its necessary to compete.

“Conditioning is huge in a game, especially in practice so we can be able to work on things full speed,” senior Alexa Fritz said.

When a close game is decided in the fourth quarter, it usually goes to the team who is better conditioned, and it is a priority for the team.

“Being in-shape and well conditioned plays a huge role in winning a game,” senior Amy Williams said. “Being in good condition gives you an extra edge over the team we are playing when it comes to winning a game in the last minutes.”

Even though coach Hamblin emphasizes conditioning throughout practices, he knows not to overwork his team.

“Hamblin tells us that we should be dead tired after practice, that’s how hard we should be working to get in shape,” Williams said. “I never feel overworked, but being sore is good because it means I’m getting in better shape.”

The team also knows that even though they don’t enjoy the conditioning portion of practice, they need it to succeed during the season.

“Well of course we don’t like it, but we don’t complain and we just do what’s asked of us,” Tilson said. “We know its only going to make us a stronger team.”

Tilson believes that all of the running and work that the team has put in during practice will eventually pay off during the long season.

“I like the fact that we are playing as a team and encouraging each other at pracices,” Tilson said. “We have been working really hard and coach Hamblin and Coach Hobbs are doing everything they can to prepare us for the season.”

As the first game for the Trojans against Goddard pm December 7th quickly approaches, the team is ready to play.

“Our team is not perfect yet,” Williams said. “But over the season we will work out the kinks and we will be a pretty tough team to beat.”

Dec. 3, 2010

15

FILLING THE VOID

Harshaw promoted to head coach following Stucky resignation corbinMIHELIC sports editor

When Athletic Director Gary Merritt asked Ryan Harshaw if he would be interested in becoming the new head boys’ basketball coach, Harshaw needed some extra time to ponder his decision.

After all, Harshaw planned to take the winter season off from coaching to spend more time with his wife and two young daughters.

“It was a family decision, and that is why it took me three days to decide,” Harshaw said. “I talked to my wife and kids, and they actually thought it would be exciting for me to accomodate this challenge and see where I can take it. I have a supportive family, so it made it a lot easier to make my decision.”

Harshaw is the head coach of the cross country team in the fall and leads the boys’ golf team in the spring.

Basketball, however, is where Harshaw’s most experience lies. Between his college playing days and 10 seasons coaching the freshman boys’ team, it is difficult to question his qualification for the head coaching position.

“He is a perfect candidate; he is great with basketball. He has coached all these kids before, he is a very respectable individual and I’m excited that he chose to accept the challenge,” Merritt said.

Despite being disappointed about the resignation of former coach Jason Stucky, players have responded well to Harshaw’s return. The sophomore, junior

and senior classes were all coached by Harshaw as freshmen.

One difference between Stucky and Harshaw that may be positive for players is that Harshaw teaches at the school. The Holton, Kan., native has taught PE and health classes throughout his time in Andover.

“I think [having Harshaw in the school] will be a good aspect of it,” senior forward Landon Oberg said. “If we need something or he needs to talk to us we can just stop in. That will be different than with Stucky.”

Harshaw knows there will be pressure on him in filling Stucky’s position, but he said he will embrace it. Having been a player in college and a head coach in two other sports, Harshaw understands that he is now in under the spotlight every time his team steps on the floor.

“I think any time you’re a head coach you have pressure,” Harshaw said. “You’re evaluated 20 times throughout the regular season before the postseason even starts. You’re evaluated every time you step on the floor. There’s pressure, but I look forward to that pressure and that challenge, so hopefully we can come out and win some games this year.”

With only a week of practice under his belt, Harshaw still doesn’t really know what to expect in terms of concrete expectations for the season as a whole.

“We have four seniors on the team, so we have a little bit of varsity experience coming back,” Harshaw said. “But as far as the underclassmen, we have a lot of kids that haven’t played at the varsity level.”

At this point Harshaw is not sure either what his future holds past this year as head coach. He said he plans on coaching the team through the season, evaluating his results at the end, and making a decision from there.

He said hopefully, however, he will be the head coach for years to come.

“I think it’s an opportunity for me for if I want to continue to coach, I should be able to do that,” Harshaw said. “I’ll kind of re-evaluate at the end of the year. Hopefully it will be a longterm deal, but we will see how it goes.”

Ryan Harshaw fast facts -Spent 10 seasons as freshman boys’ basketball coach -Originally planned on taking 2010-11 season off from coaching basketball -Is the head coach for the cross country and boys’ golf teams -Played college basketball at Peru State (Neb.) -Has taught P.E. and health at Andover High School -Is married with two young daughters

16

Dec. 3, 2010

Riedy rejoins staff coaching freshmen corbinMIHELIC sports editor

Despite pursuing his football career in college, freshman boys’ basketball coach Brent Riedy said his heart lies with basketball.

“Basketball is what I enjoy watching the most on TV,” Riedy said. “It is probably what I liked playing the most as a kid and when I was in high school.”

Riedy comes from a basketball-oriented family. His father has 30 years of experience as a high school basketball coach, and his sister is a head women’s basketball coach as well.

Riedy even has some basketball coaching experience himself.

After coaching two seasons of freshman girls’ basketball and spending one season as an assistant for the varsity boys’ team, Riedy took two years off from coaching in the winter.

Coaching football in the fall was taking a toll on him, and he left basketball to get a bit of rest.

“Don’t get me wrong, I still like the football deal, but when you go from August to November, it wears on you,” Riedy said.

“I know that’s tough for a lot of people to deal with.”

This year, however, a coaching opportunity arose when Ryan Harshaw originally decided to take the year off from coaching the freshman boys’ basketball team. So, Athletic Director Gary Merritt asked Riedy if he would be interested in taking the job.

“We talked about it,” Merritt said. “He has coached for us before in basketball. He has been a varsity assistant as well as a girls’ coach so he was a parfect candidate for [the job].”

Riedy, who admitted that in his time away he missed coaching on the hardwood, accepted Merritt’s offer. “[Basketball] takes up a lot of your time, but the reason I got back into it is because it was time I think I enjoyed,” Riedy said. “It’s cold outside anyway, so what else are you going to do?”

Ironically, Harshaw ended up returning to the court last week as the head coach of the varsity boys’ team.

Freshman basketball has its similarities and differences in comparison to the varsity program, both of which Riedy embraces. For example, the freshman team’s offensive and defensive scheming mirrors that of varsity, for the purpose of giving players experience running the same plays they would as juniors and seniors.

“There is a significant amount of time I will spend with Coach Harshaw,” Riedy said. “Any chance I get, I will go down there during my plan period and we’ll just talk for five or 10 minutes. He does a good job of letting me know what he expects the freshman team to be able to do.”

Different aspects involve how many players make the roster--more players are kept for the freshman team in order to develop them and account for the physical growth they may undergo later on in high school. Riedy also noticed a difference in the mentality of the younger players.

“It’s not that the older kids aren’t coachable, but I think with older kids you have to justify why you are asking them to do something,” Riedy said. “A lot of freshman kids are just saying, ‘Alright, we’ll do it.’”

For Riedy personally, coaching freshmen has a clear advantage that he doesn’t get as an assistant for the varsity basketball or football teams..

“The one thing I do like about coaching freshmen is that you have your own team,” Riedy said. “I get to kind of make my own decisions, I get to run things and deal with the players and other issues.”

JACOB HIGHFILL

Freshman boys’ basketball coach Brent Riedy works with players in a morning practice earlier this week. The team practices every morning during the week before school due to lack of gym availability in the afternoon. Before taking the last two years off from coaching basketball, Riedy spent two seasons coaching the freshman girls’ team and one season as an assistant for the varsity boys’ team.

Stucky resigns as head coach

VARSITY

BASKETBALL ROSTER # Name 3 5 10 11 12 14 15 20 21 24 25 31 32 33 35 40 41 42 44

Tyler Kvasnicka Austin Calvert Dallas Fiszel Trent Garman Alex Cox Bryce Ayers Landon Oberg Mason Biberstein Chase Ogden Taylor Cooper Grant Ralston Austin Beahm Steven Clausing Brady Carter Dallas Bruner Logan Ried Dylan Driver Conner White Robert Peare

Pos. G G G G G F F G G F F G F G F F G F F

Ht.

6-1 5-10 5-9 5-10 6-0 6-0 6-3 5-10 5-10 6-3 6-3 6-2 6-4 5-10 6-4 6-4 6-0 6-1 6-5

Class So. So. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. So. So. So. Sr. Fr. Sr. So. So. So. Fr. So. Jr.

corbinMIHELIC sports editor

Jason Stucky is no longer the head coach of the boys’ basketball team.

Stucky resigned last week for unknown reasons. Physical education teacher Ryan Harshaw replaced Stucky.

“We wish him all the best in whatever he chooses to continue to follow,” Athletic Director Gary Merritt said.

Merritt declined to comment any further on the situation.

Seniors Trent Garman and Landon Oberg said players were informed when a group of them visited Stucky at his home last Tuesday evening.

“It’s tough right now,” Garman said. “It kind of hit a lot of kids really hard because they didn’t know.”

Oberg said the team has responded well since then.

“We have practiced hard with Harshaw,” Oberg said. “It pretty much hasn’t changed very much. We have responded pretty well.”

Harshaw took over as head coach late last week. Harshaw has spent 10 seasons coaching the freshman boys’ basketball team and has coached a majority of the players on the current roster.

Players believe Harshaw’s presence will ease the transition between coaches. Harshaw said Stucky and himself run similar offensive schemes.

“We have known [Harshaw] for four years now,” Oberg said. “That helps a lot because he knows our tendencies and we trust him a lot.”

Stucky’s teams held a 54-16 record over three seasons, including one 4A state tournament appearance in 2008.

Dec. 3, 2010

17

Big Blue Review provides season wrestling preview chadHAMMAN

opinion editor One great tradition of Big Blue Review is the preseason scrimmages that take place for each team. These give fans, coaches and players alike the opportunity to evaluate the team just a few days before their season openers.

For the wrestling team, winter introductions mean more than just a scrimmage though. It is the team’s first chance to wrestle an actual match.

“We just want to make sure to get at least one match under our belts,” head coach Brett Fiene said.

In some cases, the challenge matches can determine whether a wrestler is ready for varsity, but for the most part it allows coaches to evaluate the talent on their squad.

“We see them in practice and we know who the better wrestlers are,” Fiene said. “We wrestled our ability [in the challenge matches].”

The team is also enjoying a full roster, filling every weight class: something they were lacking during last year’s season.

“It keeps us from losing six points for not having a class filled,” junior Hunter Weddington said. “That’s especially helpful in the matches and duels.”

The team is also enjoying bigger numbers in general, with 32 wrestlers on this year’s roster. While this pales in comparison to teams like Goddard who have as many as 80 athletes on their roster, Fiene is embracing the growth.

“I think seeing how much better we got

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from the beginning of last season to this season, people could see that,” Fiene said. “Also, shows like UFC, shows like that help promote the sport and get kids interested.”

Two of the team’s first two matches are with Circle High school, a team that Fiene knows will be good competition.

“I expect to win,” Fiene said. “They have a new coach, and I honestly don’t know them real well. They have a few guys returning who are good and I’m sure it will be close.”

VARSITY WRESTLING ROSTER WEIGHT CLASS NAME 103 Kale Knowlen 112 Andrew Amaro 119 Jeremy Phillips 125 Cole Gumeringer 130 Blake Lacrone 135 Darrion Ray 140 Kieran Ritchie 145 McKay Brumfield 152 Alex Grommett 160 Jared Brown 171 Hunter Weddington 189 Aaron Slate 215 Forest Scott 285 Zack Starbird

MAHA MADI

Wrestlers line up at the winter introductions at Big Blue Review. Big Blue review took place on November 23rd. Following introductions the wrestling team took place in a scrimmage. “We just want to make sure to get at least one match under our belts,” head coach Brent Fiene said.

inDEPTH <<

WANTED NEW MASCOT REWARD:

BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE School seeks fun responsible student for mascot alexLEFF

staff writer

Devin Dymkowski

Anonymous sponsor volunteer sports the trojan mascot uniform at the Andover Central football game on October 15th.

When children pick up the remote on Saturdays, they may turn on the television to watch cartoons or watch the news. But most high school teenagers, turn the channel to ESPN and watch college football games. During the games, there are many things that catch your eye, like buff athletes or crazy fans, but usually there is one thing that people see all the time [no its not the cheerleaders], it is the mascot.

“The mascot is the symbol of the school,” senior Jordan Jones said.

If you want to become the mascot all you do is volunteer, but first you have to talk to the head cheerleading coach, Darcy Eads. She appoints the person to be the mascot.

“Somebody comes up to me, then they go to Gary Merritt and they interview with him [Merritt] and everything works out,” Eads said.

The person in the suit needs to be willing to overcome challenges like kids in the stands throwing things and all the parents watching you, and all the little kids running around like little monsters.

“Let the little kids beat you up,” Martin said.

That’s just some things mascots have to fight through, another thing is

the temperature in the outfit. .

“It’s hot in the suit it can reach up to ninety-seven degrees,” Martin said.

Mascots have the ability to overcome challenges like heat, crazy fans, and little kids, and they still keep the crowd pumped, make people laugh, and show our school pride.

“The mascot is a huge part in our school,” Jones said.

Being the mascot of the school singles you out as a student because you have certain responsiblies during the game.

“Interact with people and pump up the crowd,” Martin said.

Those two things seem pretty easy to do. But you also have to be a good kid out of the costume too.

“You can’t be goofing off in class, or they [admirations] could fire you from your job,” Martin said.

Finally we come to the question of, who is going to be our next mascot?

Well it’s whoever has the guts to volunteer for the position, and to show our Trojan spride.

“Being a mascot is cool because you’re getting everybody in the game and pumping up the crowd,” Jones said.

It is the only true reason somebody should be a mascot, it is all about how much fun you can have, and to show our school spirit.

Dec. 3, 2010

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FIGHT

LIKE A girl

kalliSIKES

staff writer

The ingredients for success: dedication, determination, and a lot of heart, this new fighter is determined to prove herself. After only a few months ago, junior Mahsa Zahr has made great strides in martial arts.

“I have always been interested in mixed martial arts and just decided to give it a try,” Zahr said.

She does a mix of ju jitsu, kickboxing and karate at Premier Gym in Wichita.

“I like move stand up fighting more than grappling (floor fighting). I have good kicks, so I like to use that as much as possible,” Zahr said.

New to fighting, Zahr has not participated in any professional fights and continues learning more.

“I would like to learn flying submissions; You try and kick your leg around their neck and put them in a neck triangle,” Zahr said.

Zahr said advantages exist to fighting in a controlled environment.

“It is basically the best way to get my anger out without getting into trouble,” Zahr

5400 E. Central Suite 100 Wichita, KS 67208 316-682-1111 toll free 1-888-682-03111

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Dec. 3, 2010

Girl learns life skills from fighting

said. “It is safer because you are fighting someone with the same amount of knowledge, so it is even.”

Others, like coach Mike Macune, acknowledge Zahr’s great attitude.

“I would say her attitude towards fighting, easy to work with, and williness to work,” Macune said.

Zahr has never been seriously injured in a fight, but has inadvertently inflicted injury on others.

“The worst injury that has happened to me was a dislocated pinky,” she said.” “I hit a girl so hard she went blind for 10 minutes; I gave her a black eye and a bloody nose.”

Key aspects such as strength and conditioning are learned through martial arts. “[My favorite part is] the power you feel when you are actually accomplishing what your goal is during a fight,” Zahr said. “You are strengthening your body and learning respect for your opponents at the same time.

Zahr continues to push herself and endure to prepare for future fights.

“You are pushing your body to its highest limits and getting something in return,” Zahr said.

DEVIN DYMKOWSKI

Junior Mahsa Zahr practices a mix of ju jitsu, kickboxing and karate at Premier Gym in Wichita. “I like move stand up fighting more than grappling (floor fighting). I have good kicks, so I like to use that as much as possible,” Zahr said.

cultureSHOCK<< DEVIN DYMKOWSKI

Customer’s show their Black Friday spirit by camping out in front of Best Buy in order to recieve the best bargains. Camper’s began setting up their accomodations around 11:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving evening.

Traditional Thanksgiving shopping offers reasonable prices laurenQUAM staff writer

Prepare for the Super Bowl of shopping: Black Friday.

Black Friday has been a shopping tradition for many decades. The thrill of waking up at 3 in the morning the day after Thanksgiving and fighting people for bargains is what shopaholics live for.

Like any large event, typically something exciting happens. When you put hundreds of crazy shoppers in one store together, it’s bound to be chaos.

“ One time I went into Target, and there was a grandma riding in a cart and her husband, a very old man, was pushing her where she wanted to go,” sophomore Tayler Herzberg said.

When shopping on Black Friday, it is best to have a plan in order to get the best bargains and succeed.

“We go to Kansas City, then we pull an all-nighter. We plan where we want to go. You can also shop online for Black Friday, so we’ll shop online in the car on our way to stores,” senior Kelsey Phillips said.

One would assume that after participating in Black Friday, that one’s Christmas shopping would be complete, but this is not always the case.

“I don’t get my Christmas shopping done; usually I end up buying more stuff,” Herzberg said.

Another fun part about Black Friday is whom you go with. Attending with family and friends is what most people do.

“I always go with my mom and brother and sometimes my friends come down from Illinois and meet us in Kansas

City,” Phillips said.

Some people see Black Friday as a negative experience rather than a positive one.

“It’s pure insanity,” said chemistry teacher Jason Teeter, who went shopping on Black Friday this year.

Something new to Black Friday is online shopping. Ditch the long lines, cold temperatures and crazy shoppers, and shop online, and receive all the benefits of Black Friday from the comfort of your own home.

“My new plan for next year is to do it all online,” Teeter said.

Treyarch brings success to ‘Call of Duty’ franchise henryHOOK

staff writer

“Call of Duty: Black Ops” supersedes all of its predecessors, combing three unique approaches into one game.

Anticipation and discussion of “Black Ops” has been building for nearly four months. Questions were answered on Nov. 9 when students discovered just how cool “Call of Duty” is. With the newest installment of COD in stores, students have purchased and played “Black Ops” with almost a complete positive ruling. “[I] just don’t like it because there are too many Call of Duties; it’s overdone,” sophomore Travis Quastad.

A couple of maps in “Call of Duty: Black Ops” contain things happening outside of the game play itself such as the map called Launch. In this, a giant missile literally takes off and shakes the maps as if there was an earthquake.

“The maps are interesting,” sophomore

Andrew Bunting said.

Campaign on Black Ops is an interesting journey through history in the 1960’s in which the player has the surname as operative Alex Mason. In the campaign, Mason wakes up to find himself strapped into a chair being interrogated about what seems to be repeating number sequences. Throughout the rest of the campaign, he discovers what truly happened and what the numbers actually mean in an effort to prevent impending doom.

Wager matches are a never before seen game. The gamer antes up or puts in 10 cp’s or COD points, the currency system in “Black Ops.” From there, the gamer competes in one of four distinct matches: one in the chamber, sticks and stones, gun game and sharpshooter.

“Gun game is my favorite. It makes it a more even playing field, tests your skills and shows who can win the fastest,” junior Alex Pechin said.

Everything in “Call of Duty: Black Ops” is customizable from the face paint the soldier wears all the way to the background color of

the recticle lens. This never before seen update provides the gamer with millions of ways to customize their soldier, gun and emblem.

The players, to some extent, make the game the way they want it.

“My favorite customization is face paint, the adding of clan tags and emblems to the gun,” Pechin said.

The newfound glory that is currency, adds a challenge and strategy to Black Ops. Instead of simply unlocking guns, perks, titles and attachments like in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, the gamer can choose.

Each time the gamer plays a round of multiplayer, they build experience and currency based on how many kills the player receives. The money from that point can be used to pay for wager matches, customization of weapons, kill streaks and perks. “[Currency] makes the game more interesting. You get to buy the gun attachments that you want,” Bunting said.

Points can be spent as often or as rarely as the gamer likes, meaning that not every gun

has to be purchased “Nazi Zombies” has been continued from “Call of Duty: World at War,” because of its popularity. The new Zombies include newer weapons and posing different threats.

Two new maps were added: five and Kino der Toten. Both maps introduce a new problem: the elctricity. The electricity powers the teleporters and almost all of the machines throughout the maps. “[In the} new maps, no one has anywhere to camp and hide,” Bunting said.

“Black Ops” leads viewers through a series of missions. The gamer will have to avoid nova six gas, glide down a side of mountain and destroy a launched missile with a selfcontrolled valkrie rocket.

“Call of Duty: Black Ops” packs a punch to every game in its own way, enticing video gamers alike to play the game of the year. “[Game developers] listened to the gamers and chose what they wanted,” Pechin said.

Dec. 3, 2010

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The zombie phenomenon hits with ’Walking Dead’

genGAUDREAU

EVAN WILFORD

Over the years there have been a slew of zombie apocalypse movies that have been pretty explored in two-hour chunks. What I usually come across is a campy gore B-rated zombie movie, which can usually be found on Netflix.

“The Walking Dead,” however, is pretty realistic in my eyes. The camera stays with the crumpling bedside flowers, the carcass of a woman in the flickering fluorescent light and the fingers poking through the cafeteria door before we see our first zombie since the gutpunch open.

In comparison to the graphic novels, I’d say director Frank Darabont used his time diligently, and actually went in depth with each character. Frank Darabont was also the director for “The Shawshank Redemption” and “The Green Mile” and he put just as

much cinematic enthusiasm as he did those blockbusters.

In May 2004, Image Comics came out with a monthly black and white series titled “The Walking Dead.” The series follows a group of surviving individuals after the zombie apocalypse occurs.

The pilot for the TV series on AMC, which premiered on Halloween, follows the first issue fairly closely and accurately.

Coma-woken police officer Rick Grimes soon discovers the world he left behind is no the longer the world he has awoken in.

I haven’t ever been this intrigued and pleased with a TV show in my entire life. It not only goes in depth with a plot, but the unique camera angles catch my eye.

I haven’t seen a zombie based show and or movie since “28 Days Later” was released in 2002 that specifically caught my interest, and even then the undead in that movie are known as ‘infected’.

AMC has already made a contract to persue a second season. Personally my belief is that the show will continue to rack in viewers, and keep other’s eyes glued upon the gore and mayhem just as mine are every Sunday night at 9 pm.

Dumpster diva releases new nine-track EP Pop party princess follows debut album ‘Animal‘ with mini-album Cannibal

“ ”

alcohol in your in front of complete purse, dance strangers “dancing your pants off like I’m dumb” and in a club and singing like an idiot at vomit all over the all times. sidewalk” autoIn under tuned songs were one year, Ke$ha the soundtrack has created and ke$haSEBERT of your summer. established her (Shhh…your character and secret’s safe with representation of her me.) way of life.

Ke$ha isn’t the least bit afraid to push “I know I’m the new girl on the block,” she herself to the limit of full-scale ludicrousness sings. “I got here by running my mouth.” on her new mini-album, “Cannibal,” which Sure, her music isn’t about solving issues openly displays her perverted feministic such as hunger overseas or world peace, or even obnoxiousness. In the same derogatory manner anything serious at all. But Ke$ha also isn’t a that hip-hop uses to demean women, Ke$ha Disney Channel tween, and she both lives and devalues everyone and everything in a stylistic dies by her witticism. She just wants her fans to sense. Although that sounds horrible, Ke$ha have a good time and not change who you are puts out the idea of forgetting the past, not for anyone other than yourself. thinking about the future and simply living in Cannibal should hold your attention until the moment. Her music happily portrays her the next full-length album, so if you haven’t inherent eccentricity and her crude party girl already, I highly advise the purchase of this CD. personality.

With this new nine-track EP, Ke$ha has With upbeat hits like “We R Who We R,” proved to everyone that she is far more than a “Sleazy” and “Blow,” every track on this EP is one hit wonder, because her inessential music ringtone-ready and prepared to be danced to. has been deemed by the power of mainstream For those of you who don’t know me, I am as explicitly essential. Ultimately, you’ll either the ultimate Ke$ha fanatic which causes me to love her or you’ll hate her – but either way, I run around not only behind closed doors, but assure you that you’ll never forget her.

It’s the perfect companion to ‘Animal,’ and I hope you guys like it. And if you don’t like it, bite me.

morganMESSMORE For all of the fans that had “Tik Tok” or “Take It Off ” on repeat for the last year, brace yourself for another platinum album. That’s right, she’s done it again – Ke$ha’s sequel to her 2010 debut album “Animal,” ironically titled “Cannibal,” blew up iTunes and hit the shelves at Best Buy on the 22nd.

Her infamous dumpster-diving wardrobe attacked by scissors and coated in glitter paired with an IDGAF (urbandictionary.com may be necessary) party princess attitude has captured my attention and blown my mind from the second I came to know of her existence.

“Animal” introduced fans to a whole new style of trashy sleaze-pop music, making numerous statements with her catchy yet tactless – but never thoughtless – tunes. This album captured the spirit and held the attention of this generation, and don’t even try to lie to me – you and I both know that Ke$ha’s “hide

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Dec. 3, 2010

Ke$ha - Cannibal Track Listing: 1. “Cannibal” 2. “We R Who We R” 3. “Sleazy” 4. “Blow” 5. “The Harold Song” 6. “Crazy Beautiful Life” 7. “Grow A Pear” 8. “C U Next Tuesday” 9. “Animal” (Billboard Remix)

NO SHA E

NOVEMBER students at Andover High embrace hairy side FINAL RECORD: RYLEE ELLISON DAY-BY-DAY DAY 15 DAY 9 DAY 30 .5 cm long

1.2 cm long

2.4 cm long

FOLLOW

UP staffer RYAN LAKE failed TO complete THE PROCESS sophomore

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TAYLOR MAHAN

I decided to particapate in no shave November because I wear jeans mostly everday. Its amusing to look down at my legs everyday even though it’s gross.

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photos by Jacob Highfill & Devin Dymkowski

Dec. 3, 2010

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KAITLYN DEYOUNG

KAITLYN DEYOUNG

Freshman Ashleigh Richards comforts junior Ellie McDonald, as sophomore Alli Mavis chuckles at the scene. Richards and McDonald played were two of the four angels named Chastity and Charity. It was both their first time participating in a musical production.

KAITLYN DEYOUNG

SOPHOMORE JAKE DUTTON

‘ANYTHING G ES’ Sophomore Jake Dutton lifts senior Tyler Franssen during the matinee. Both had lead roles in the musical.

sets sail

KAITLYN DEYOUNG

KAITLYN DEYOUNG

Sophomore Alli Mavis and senior Jordan Dusenbury pause in awe during a comedic scene. This is Dusenbury’s first leading role in a musical and Mavis’ second.

Tyler Franssen and Jake Dutton

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Dec. 3, 2010

Sophomore Ellen Fry, senior Tyler Franssen and senior Jenny Spencer dance in a chorus number called “Blow Gabriel.”

During this scene, Reno is recalling her inner evangilist and attempts to force her views upon the passengers of the ship.