Andover High Trojan Bluestreak- April 1, 2011

the trojanBLUESTREAK

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www.thetrojanbluestreak.com 1744 N. Andover Road Andover, KS 67002 316-218-4600 April 1, 2011 Volume 25 - Issue 11

see page 12-13 to read about parental pressure in high school,

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newsWORTHY

City acquires new weekly newspaper trinaBHATTARAI staff writer

Adam Knapp, the editor of Andover American, brings potential to the new newspaper. “(Knapp) is a true journalist to the core,” advertising executive Shannon Morrison said. “He won three national writing awards at the Wichita Eagle. Andover is lucky to have an editor with the experience, professionalism and integrity that (Knapp) brings to our new newspaper.”

Knapp first began his journalistic career as a sophomore at WSU, where he wrote newspaper stories for the Wichita Eagle.

He continued working for the Wichita Eagle for 11 years, covering various topics ranging from sports, entertainment, religion and in-depth news.

“The game coverage every night got boring to me. I really enjoyed stories that I could sink my teeth into like the plane crash of the Marshall University,” Knapp said.

After his 11 years at the Wichita Eagle, Knapp moved on to the Wichita Business Journal. One of the contacts he made during this time asked Knapp if he would be interested in starting an online newspaper for a small town.

“I chose Andover, and we decided to call the online newspaper Scoopfire. I thought Andover would not be intimidated by something that was Internet-based,” Knapp said.

Scoopfire, the online site, ran until Kent Bush, the publisher of the Augusta Gazaette and the El dorado Times, approached Knapp about replacing Scoopfire with Andover American. Similarly to Scoopfire, Andover American would be internet-based; however, it would also publish a weekly newspaper.

“Its been a lot of pressure to get news out quickly, but it’s a work in process,” Knapp said Not only does Knapp hold the position of editor, but he also writes and completes any other tasks needed to be finished in order to put out a newspaper. Part-time writers for the newspaper assist publishing Andover American; nevertheless, it is a one-man show for the majority of the time.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s something small like Andover American or something big like ESPN; I get the satisfaction out of knowing that people get informed or entertained by what I write,” Knapp said.

With Andover American, Knapp hopes to set an example for

KELSEY DICK

Adam Knapp, editor-in-chief of the Andover American, sits at his desk reading a recent issue of the newspaper. “I am still waiting for our first complaint; that is when I will know that we have arrived in Andover,” Knapp said. other small cities by cutting edge with having an internet-based newspaper. In addition, he hopes to have one printed in-depth story a week which readers can thoroughly enjoy.

“Most small papers don’t do that because it requires time, research and the newspaper becomes more endangered to become criticized,” Knapp said.

Morrison hopes to use some of Knapp’s and her experience found in a large paper to add quality to the newspaper.

“Hopefully,” Assistant Principal Gary Merrit said, “they will promote the great things we do in academics and activities for the community.”

snip-ITS New activities to Spring Fling katieSCHNEIDER staff writer

The Rock-n-Roller from Moonwalks For Fun will be a new addition to this year’s Spring Fling. Two people stand in the middle as people on the outside jump and try to knock the two off of the center podium.

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April 1, 2011

This year, StuCo and the administration added several new activities to be incorporated into the Spring Fling activities.

StuCo adviser Kara Flaharty approached StuCo members with Spring Fling ideas approximately a month before the actual event.

Inflatables, carnival games, video games, buff puff volleyball, powder puff football, eating contests and a cake walk will make their return to the event on April 18.

Junior Renee Pedersen said her favorite part about Spring Fling is the inflatables.

“They are my favorite because you get to race people,” Pedersen said.

The inflatables are junior Alex Grommet’s favorite part as well.

“It is not every day that you get to mess around on those things,” Grommet said.

Last year Grommet participated in the pie-eating contest.

“It was something I had never done before and it was quite interesting,” Grommet said.

However, activities such as BINGO and a drunk driving simulation will make their debut.

“There is also a new inflatable we are trying out,” Flaharty said. “It is called the ‘Rock and Roller.’”

Spring Fling is a fun time for students to hang out with their friends.

“I do not have a least favorite part about Spring Fling because you get out of school earlier,” Grommet said.

Injuries cause delay for future katherineHARTLEY staff writer

COURTESY PHOTO

Senior Greg Gehrer competes in a dirt bike race. He has been racing for 9 years, and was just recently injured in an accident at his home.

After nine years of riding dirt bikes and experiencing a few minor injuries, senior Greg Gehrer faced his most serious injury, which sent him into the hospital for eight days.

On March 3 Greg was testing his new bike for Nationals when he got in the dirt bike accident.

“I was going up the face of the jump and my front end slid, which put me sideways in the air. I landed the jump still sideways and it threw me off the bike,” Gehrer said.

He landed on the ground after the jump, and stayed there.

“He layed on the ground and was holding his left side with his hand and he was out of breath so he couldn’t talk and get up because of his leg until Hunter [Harsh] drove his car out and picked him up,” Greg’s mom, Jenifer Gehrer said.

Greg’s injuries consisted of a ruptured spleen, torn kidney, torn MCL, and PCL tibulel spine fracture.

“I got a text message that said that Gregory crashed his dirt bike and was at the Andover hospital and at that time they didn’t think it was too serious,” Greg’s sister, Suzanna Gehrer said. “I went to the basketball game that night and around half time my mom called and said

he was being transferred to Wesley because of internal bleeding and I started bawling.”

Once being transported to Wesley, Greg underwent a CAT scan on his stomach, head, and leg. He then had leg surgery on March 17 and will go through another CAT scan on his stomach to check healing.

“We’ll know if he’s all healed up in six weeks and than he’ll just have to get his strength up [before riding again], but if they give him the go ahead at six weeks, he’ll probably be up on the bike the next day,” Jenifer said.

From the looks of it, nothing is stopping Greg from getting back on the dirt bike track as soon as possible and continuing to excel.

“Do I think Greg will ride again? Is the sky blue? That’s my answer,” senior Cooper Rowe said, who was present when the accident occurred.

As for the future, Greg has big plans, still involving dirt bike racing, after his therapy and road to recovery is over.

“I will graduate this year and move to Oklahoma to try and be ready for the biggest national [Loretta Lynn’s AMA Amateur National Motorcross Championship] of the year in August. Being on top by Nationals is important for me to gain sponsors. I will turn pro after Nationals,” Greg said. “I want to thank all of my family, friends, staff, and sponsors for the support and encouragement.”

Driving instructor nearly reaches 50 year mark ryleeELLISON

staff writer Many requirements and steps are expected of students throughout their four years of high school. Whether this may be graduation requirements, ACT tests or other school activities, one crucial step in adolescence is Drivers Education class.

Drivers Education classes are offered through dealerships, private teachers, and other business-operated classes. The majority of students, however, take this crucial class through USD 385 during summer classes for high school credit.

Jack Mahan has been a part of this program for nearly 50 years. Mahan began teaching Driv-

ers Education classes in the Andover and Wichita areas in 1965 and still continues to teach today.

“I started teaching these classes because I love it, and I plan to keep teaching as long as they will let me,” Mahan said.

The main points taught in a typical course of Mahan’s driving class are the obvious driving rules, attitude behind the wheel and defensive driving.

“If you don’t learn this, then we are all going to be in trouble, not just you,” Mahan said.

Fellow driving teacher, Connie Chapel, has instructed classes alongside Mahan for quite a few years.

“No one class is the same, it is different every day and hour, and you can never expect two

classes to be the same in any way,” Mahan said.

Mahan has taught almost every driving class in the book. From private lessons, driving school through both dealerships and school districts, as well as classes for motorcycles and trucks.

“It has been a lot of fun, at one point there was only one driving school in the area,” Mahan said.

Mahan said that the highlight of his career was in 1973, at Heights High while teaching, Amos Nyhart visited his classes. Nyhart started Drivers Education in the 1930s and is known as the “Father of Drivers Education.”

Mahan once calculated that he has taught roughly 100,000 people how to drive.

Mahan said students should take Drivers

JACK MAHAN

Education because it’s the most important class they will ever take.

“It is life and death you are dealing with, whether it’s the weather conditions or construction, you’ve got to have a plan,” Mahan said.

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Budget Committee spreads out cuts >> Levels of Cuts Level 1: Level 2:

alexHERNANDEZ

A total cut of $380,000 will come from Administrators and Directors, Teachers and Substitutes and Fixed Obligations.

A total cut of $698,928, including Level 1 cuts. All additional cuts will come from the Contingency Reserve, about $318,928 more.

Level 3:

A total cut of $898,928, including Level 1 and 2. All additional cuts will come from the Discretionary budget, about $200,000 more. Andover Unified School District 385 is expecting either a Level 3 or Level 4 cut.

Level 4:

A total cut of $1,188,915, including Levels 1, 2 and 3. Additional cuts will come from Administrators and Directiors, Teachers and Substitute Teachers, Classified Staff and the Discretionary Budget; about $289,987 more.

staff writer People nationwide have a common problem in many ways through the loss of funds due to the economic recession, where in the Andover School District another round of cuts is needed to meet the reduced budget.

“The purpose of the committee is to come up with a plan to present to the board as a recommendation for what to cut because of the 1.1[89,951] million cut next year,” accounting secretary Pat Sprenkel said.

The Budget Advisory Committee is a group of people in the community discussing where to make the necessary cuts for Andover. The committee’s last meeting was March 16, at the district office.

“I make sure that the students are still remembered in the budget and not everything goes to the teachers and administrators,” junior Brad Hess, a member of the committee said.

The people who attended the meetings are a extensive variety. From custodial staff to the three superintendents, they are there to add different views of how certain budget cuts will affect that area.

“They get a broad range of people together for different insights,” Sprenkel said.

The committee is working to lessen the blow

“

[They are going to]try and save the jobs and making discretionary cuts; you cannot replace a teacher. patSPRENKEL

”

to any one activity. They do not wish to affect the coaches or custodial staff like the last round of budget, which cut them down plenty.

“There isn’t just a specific thing. Its like everywhere because the budget cuts are even more this year,” Hess said.

The group wants to make the cuts more of in a flexible way, limiting classroom budgets. They are “trying to share the pain” in a way. The cuts are going to be placed in more places if the board takes the committee’s recommendations.

“Try and save the jobs and making discretionary cuts; you cannot replace a teacher,” Sprenkel said.

Recent rise in gas prices cause great financial concerns kelseyDICK

news editor Gas prices have increased significantly, making people dig deep in their wallets to pay for the high demand of gas.

“Because of the high gas prices, my friends and I take turn car pooling to different places like the YMCA,” junior Cayla Vaivada said.

The demand for gas in the United States and China is increasing.

“Vacation season requires a high demand for gas. When switching over to summer blend we have to shut down refineries,” social studies teacher James Harris said. “Increase in food prices, corn some has ethanol as impacts.”

As the price of oil climbs, so does other products. The United States uses a large amount of oil and gas and the rise in prices will have an effect on the economy.

“We are never going to run out of oil because the laws of supply and demand. The price at the pump will just go up to $20

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(a gallon) or even $50,” Harris said.

Even though Harris is confident the world will not run out of oil, he admits that finding oil is getting more difficult.

“Because crude oil is up, we pay for that price for over 90 days, resulting in high prices all summer. There is so much demand worldwide. We are running out of easy oil to find. The stuff we’re getting to can harm the environment or is really hard to get,” Harris said.

Families, especially, are being hit hard. The constant need for transportation for young children eats up gas, and money.

“Being a mother, I’m filling my tank one and a half times a week and with the high prices it is killing my budget,” Registrar Darla Steinert said.

Students struggle to pay for the increased price of gas.

Sophomore Kade Baker struggles to pay for his own gas through babysitting Wednesday nights at his church.

“I guess so. If it is unnecessary and far then I do not go, but if it is necessary then I do,” Baker said.

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April 1, 2011

JACOB HIGHFILL

Sophmore Kade Baker fills up his car on March 17. “ These gas prices are ridiculous; it’s really breaking my bank,” Baker said.

Board members not seeking re-election Courtesy Photo

robynHERBERT

in-depth editor

Dale Graham Courtesy Photo

Nancy Kirkendoll Chad Phillips

Clare Wilkins

Elections for members of the school board are approaching.

When they do, three well-known names will not be on the ballot.

Dale Graham, Clare Wilkins and Nancy Kirkendoll have decided not to run for re-election. Together, they have a combined 46 years experience on the Board.

“Its been a privilege to serve on the board for 12 years and to have the opportunity to participate in one of the best school districts in the state of Kansas,” Board member Dale Graham said.

On June 30, the terms of the Board members run out, three of the seven members have chosen to stay on and run for re-election, while four will be new faces.

“We have an excellent staff and administration and with their guidance the new board members will become effective leaders. Having said that, there is a steep learning curve for an ever-changing situation. However, there is still three experienced members on the board,” Board member Clare Wilkins said.

Wilkins, who has served Andover for eight years, feels that the Board would best serve the community if it included teachers as members. Currently, though President Linda Hope is a principal, there are no teachers on the Board.

“My children have graduated and I feel there should be some board members with children currently in school,”

Wilkins said. “Fortunately, most of the current candidates do have children attending school in the district.”

In late June, there will be a two day seminar for incoming Board members to meet with the others they will be serving with as well as the people they are replacing.

“The board will have it’s regular meeting and a two day retreat where I hope to contribute in goal setting for the district including new board member orientation and training,” resigning Board member Nancy Kirkendoll said.

Kirkendoll has the most experience of all the resigning members of the Board. She often recalls the beginning of her first term and the changes that have happened since.

“I am serving my 20th year on the board. When I was first elected we had no technology or computers in the district, only two school buildings with the high school and middle school combined,” Kirkendoll said. “(Robert) Martin was principal and Andover Road was two lanes. There were many fields surrounding Andover that have developed over the last twenty years to bring our community wonderful students and families.”

The three members who are staying on the Board, President Linda Hope, Vice President Carly Haynes and member Roger Elliot say they will miss all the members who will not be returning.

“The three outgoing board members represent over 40 years of experience.

The fourth member, Jeff Ablah, recently resigned after 8 years of service. The sev-

en of us have been together since 2003.

Most boards don’t enjoy this level of tenure without new faces,” Elliot said.

Hope also realizes that change will take place on the Board, but believes it will be for the better.

“All of the candidates offer a new perspective. I believe the Superintendent and all the other board members will help us all work together,” Hope said. “We all have the school district’s best interest at heart.”

The new members will take their seats on July 11 and begin making decisions right away.

“Our community is fortunate to have outstanding individuals who are willing to run for office and I’m confident they will carry on the mission of having a great school district. Once they have the opportunity to educate themselves on the role of being a high quality board member the district will be well served by their leadership,” Graham said.

Although many people will be lost, there is no worry of replacing them. Either Paul Driver or Matt Forney will replace Kirkendoll in District 1.

Vickie Sandell Stangl, Scott Wilson and Michael Ehrstein are in the running to replace Wilkins in District 3.

Melinda Fritze and Craig Noah are campaiging to replace Graham as an atlarge candidate.

While the board often disagreed about issues pertaining to the school district, the attitudes among the members stayed friendly throughout.

“There were differing opinions on

occasion but we were always respectful of another member’s position on an issue. I enjoyed working with Nancy, Dale, Clare and Jeff,” Elliot said. I sought their advice and counsel many times about public education issues. We developed friendships away from the board table over the years. Our board was very diverse in backgrounds and developed an excellent chemistry in finding solutions.”

All the members believe that, while the decision to step down was a difficult one, they made the right move for themselves and the school district.

“Resigning from the board of education was a most difficult decision for me,” Kirkendoll said. “I have appreciated the opportunity to serve and make a difference in the lives of now over 5,000 outstanding students, all of our district’s personnel and our community. Public education is the cornerstone of democracy and to be part of building an outstanding school district graduating high achieving students has truly been an honor and pleasure. After 20 years of service, it is time for me to move aside, spend more time with my family and grandchildren, travel and perhaps even read more just for fun.”

Graham agreed. He struggled with the decision to not run for re-election, but is confident the Board will continue on to bigger and better things.

“Being on the Andover school board has been a honor and an experience I’ll always cherish,” Graham said. “I would like to thank the school district community for the opportunity.

Ablah resigns Board of Education position robynHERBERT

in-depth editor

There is a new face on the Board of Education. On Feb. 15, the Board put an announcement on their website declaring their need for a new member to replace resigning member Jeff Ablah.

When one person on the Board resigns before their term is up, people that live within the district can apply to fill the vacancy.

“By law, we are required to post the vacancy in the newspaper,” President of the Board of Education Linda Hope said. “We also posted it online.”

Three candidates applied for the position. They had to live in District 1, which runs from Central Ave. to 55th Street.

Shane Phillips, a psychology and sociology teacher at Heights High School, was picked.

“Currently, there is not a teacher on the Board,” Phillips said. “I think there should be.”

The opening was created when Jeff Ablah, Board member for seven and a

half years, resigned mid-term. His decision came after he opened his new advertising business.

“Bruce Rowley and I opened a new business, called Rowley and Ablah Marketing Company,” Ablah said. “We opened back in November.”

After a much larger space and hiring a total 12 employees, as opposed to the two they began with, Ablah felt he could no longer juggle all the responsibilities and do them well.

“I just could not give the Board the attention I thought it deserved,” Ablah said. “I also have three children and a wife that deserve my attention.”

Phillips is eager to fill Ablah’s shoes and help the Board in its decision making process.

“I can help the Board better understand how certain cuts will affect schools, students and teachers,” Phillips said.

Phillips is looking forward to his role in making decisions on the Board.

“My biggest hope,” Phillips said. “Is that as we make decisions we do not take away money from the classroom.”

On March 7, Phillips was sworn in

as the new member. The Andover Parent Legislative Council hosted a reception for the Board candidates on March 17.

Though Ablah says the decision was a difficult one, he believes that the Board and district will continue to be successful after him.

“I just hope people of Andover understand what an outstanding superintendent we have here at Andover,” Ablah said. “All the students, taxpayers and especially Mr. Evans are fantastic.”

Shane Phillips

LAUREN SOKOLOSKY

Jeff Ablah chose to resign the Andover Board of Education to further support his new business, Rowley and Ablah Marketing. Shane Phillips of Heights was chosen to replace him.

April 1, 2011

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aroundANDOVER

Candidates for city mayor speak up about election How much political experience do you have?

About 10 years, only in the city of Andover.

I served two years on the city council — one of those two years as the city council president. The last eight years I have served as mayor.

What motivates you to continue running for mayor?

There is a sense of pride I have in this community. A lot of the projects are still left undone.

I still want to contribute. I still feel that I can contribute to the well-being of this community.

That’s why I’m running again.

What are some of the projects you’ve been focusing on lately that you would like to continue?

Ben Lawrence

In the last eight years we have completed a slug of projects. Starting with the YMCA, and the Kansas Medical Center was a project I was heavily involved in. As far as city improvements, we built a public library. We have built a police station in

What kind of political experience do you have?

I have been a member of the city council for the past four years. I also have a political background as far as being involved at our state level in our League of Kansas Municipalities, and also at a national level as a selected member of the Small Cities Council through the National League of Cities and being a steering committee member.

What is your motivation to run for mayor of Andover?

My motivation was that there were certain things that I didn’t really appreciate as far as the direction some of the city was going, as far as building relationships with our Chamber of Commerce. I wanted to see us more active in bringing business to town and working with the entities that do make that possible.

I felt that our citizens were not being informed of decisions as they should have been.

When we were talking about issues, it should have

my tenure. We just got finished building our city hall.

We do have some other public works projects out there that remain. The projects that are coming up that would perhaps be of the most interest are the 21st Street corridor road project. The street maintenance department needs a new facility; that’ll be coming up here soon.

An amenity that the community has been looking at is an outdoor amphitheater, which I have been pursuing through the commission and tourism bureau committee to find funding for that to be in Central Park.

There’s other improvements that have been made in both parks. All of the playground equipment. We need a public restroom in Central Park, so we are expanding and improving our parks, keeping up with all our road projects, and taking care of our in-house business for the city of Andover facilities.

What are some of the aspects of your job

been known on the public level as well.

Our community deserves and needs to know what is going on in the community. There has been a lot of miscommunication over the past few years, and I would really like to be able to mend those fences.

If you do become mayor, what exactly would you change?

We have a strong council form of government. A mayor cannot go up to anyone or anything in this town and say, “I’m changing that.”

That has to be blessed by the council.

I think that the most important thing that I would like to see is the mending of fences and bringing the community together as far as our Chamber and driving business to fill up some of these strip malls. We need to get on the same page and be creative, and how do we do that?

We need to fill our business parks. We have $15,000 that we have invested in something that a certain entity for our business park has been holding for the past three years with a promise of

that the average citizen doesn’t understand?

We have paid staff to take care of the day-today operations of the city. I have never left it at that.

I have always chosen to become more involved, even on a daily basis, with what’s going on at the city hall and the decisions being made at the staff level.

I don’t think anybody realizes the amount of work it requires to perform this job diligently.

Sometime in the not-too-distant future, Andover would need a full-time mayor. I could see that coming just based on the work that I do at this point.

To answer the question outright, I think it’s the amount of time and effort that’s put in behind the scenes that people don’t understand or realize.

I’m talking about phone calls. I’m talking about meetings. I’m talking about e-mails. I do something every day several hours a day for the city of Andover.

this big grand master plan that has never come to life.

I think it’s time to get our money back and chalk it up and move on. Let’s get a plan together, let’s get people who are landowners in that business park, and let’s get it filled.

Absolutely, the economy is awful. It’s awful to do that, but it’s also a good time to be exploring the opportunities to attract business as well.

Ultimately, why should voters vote for you?

I’m a genuine person. I’m a very personable person. I will work hard for our community. I’m not a business owner.

I care very deeply about this community. I have children in this community and all three are in Andover schools, and I’m not going anywhere.

I will work hard for everybody in this community. I have proven that time and time again through my community involvement. I am a sound, strong leader and I can lead this city.

-Corbin Mihelic

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April 1, 2011

School Security: Students feel safe attending school despite many visitors katherineHARTLEY staff writer

At the high school, 76 percent of students think that the school is a safe or very safe place, according to results of a Bluestreak survey conducted on Facebook.

Aside from a school resource officer, the school also contains cameras in most all hallways and multiple in the commons, as well as on the outside of the building overlooking parking lots.

“The cameras are always recording and we check them when something happens. There are also times when I watch them live on the computers,” SRO Lance Parker said.

The school’s security room is located in the far corner of the library and holds multiple computer screens which show images from 76 different cameras located around and outside the school.

“The cameras also have motion detectors that are set in the evenings and will set an alarm off if triggered. They are light sensitive so we can still see the images

at night,” Principal Bob Baier said.

Students as well as adults are constantly walking around the building during the day, and a survey conducted on Facebook showed that about 36 percent of students agree that it would be fairly easy for someone to come and go from Andover High School. “[Someone coming in to the school] is videotaped and other than that we ask that all visitors check into the office,” Baier said.

SRO Lance Parker also walks around the school to prevent students from trying to leave.

“I make my rounds throughout the day, and I try to be unpredictable and hit everywhere a couple of times a day. I want kids to see me and know I’m there; I walk around during break and in the commons,” Parker said.

Lunch is the busiest time of the day, especially with upperclassmen leaving for open lunch.

“I think that they should lock the doors so that kids have to ask to leave or come back in,” sophomore Kade Baker said.

If someone unwanted came

into the school, such as an intruder, Parker would take care of them of the school would go into lock down, as practiced during the Intruder On Campus, or IOC drill.

“If someone came in, they would be questioned, I would talk to them, find out why they’re here, and who they are. If they have no reason to be here I would escort them off the property and give them a trespassing warrant,” Parker said.

The prospect of an intruder entering the school is always a possibility, but not something that students should be too worried about it.

“On file in the office we have a list of all the sex offenders in Sedgwick and Butler counties, people we don’t want in the school,” Baier said.

Security is an imperative part of running a high school and doing it the right way is important.

“It takes everybody’s responsibility to make a school safe and secure,” Baker said.

inDEPTH<<

SUZANNA GEHRER

Principal Bob Baier sits in the security room in front computer screens, showing 76 live video camera feeds.

How safe do you feel during the school day at Andover High School?

Very Safe 40 %

Q&A What could make Andover High School a safer place?

“Locked doors in the back during the day and more apparent security cameras because it scares people to see they’re being watched.”

Fairly Safe 21.8%

“I think all teachers need to be out of their classrooms during breaks and passing periods.”

“More awareness programs.”

“Have more people watch doors at lunch.”

Results collected from an anonymous survey distributed through Facebook.

Safe 36%

Not Safe 1.8%

April 1, 2011

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Shockers on the road to championship alexHERNANDEZ staff writer

Wichita State University men’s basketball has beaten the odds by going to the NIT Championship game which surprised their fans.

“I like to go to the games and watch coach Marshall get all animated, also I try to wear shocker shirts on game days,” freshman Sophie Rogers said.

The Shockers went 14 - 4 in the Missouri Valley Conference this year. They had close loses with out-of-conference opponents, Virginia Commonwealth University and University of Connecticut, who are both in the NCAA Final Four.

“Yes [the Shockers should have been in the NCAA] because the Shockers had a very strong team which played well throughout the season,” freshman Cale Minear said.

“They could of taken on some of those teams, for example the hardly lost to VCU who beat KU, which means WSU could obviously compete with KU if they played right. No, because they didn’t have any significant wins against schools like UConn who they almost beat as well.”

The team went 27 – 8 overall this season, with big wins in the National Invitational Tournament over University of Nebraska and Virginia Tech University. They played on March 23 at the Koch Arena, to a sell out crowd against College of Charleston.

“My favorite part of the game was the breakaway to end the first half,” sophomore Jerad Rogers said.

Last season, the Shockers were 12 – 6 in their conference, with a 26 – 10 overall record doing well that year.

Yet, they did not have as much success in the NIT tournament; they lost by four points to Nevada University in the first round.

“

There were a lot more Wichita State fans... the atmosphere was amazing coreyCRANMER

”

“WSU should do very well next year. Missouri State, who won the conference, coach left so that might affect Missouri State. I just hope that Greg Marshall does not leave. He is a great, energetic, coach,” sophomore Mason Biberstein said. “We also return Stutz, Murry, Smith, Kyles, Ragland, and the seven-foot sophomore Orukpe should bring a good low presence for the shockers.”

On March 29, Wichita State played Washington State University at Madison Square Garden. At the half, the score was 36 – 19 Shockers lead. They came out on top with a 75 – 44 overall victory breezing into the championship game. A family from Andover got to attend the semifinal game.

“The game was fun. There were a lot more Wichita State fans then I thought there would be, so the atmoCOURTESY PHOTO sphere was amazing,” sophomore Corey Cranmer said. “It was very enjoyable because the Shockers played really well Sophomore Corey Cranmer and senior Catherine Cranmer stand with Wichita State Players they bumped into and had a great win.” while walking around New York.

MARCH MISERY: a tale of busted brackets chrisJONES Over 6 million brackets, none of them were perfect. Not even close.

The numerous amount of shocking upsets during the duration of this years March Madness tournament has caused countless cases of misery and frustration, as brackets were left abandoned to fail for themselves.

The reason for this story is so I may vent my own personal tale of misery due to a busted bracket.

Selection Sunday, a day where, for college basketball teams, prayers are answered and hearts are broken. As soon as the selections were presented to the country, the commentary and arguments ensue and I, like the majority of America, rushed to the computer to fill out my brackets.

This moment is like Christmas. It only comes once a year and nothing else matters in the world.

All the different matchups and selections fill your head, and you study every single aspect that could potentially decide the winner.

I had filled out my bracket, having Kansas, Uni-

8

April 1, 2011

versity of Connecticut, Ohio State, and BYU in my final four, Belmont over Wisconsin and Richmond over Vanderbilt as my major first round upsets, and Ohio State eventually winning it all. Confidence filled me as I printed out my bracket and gazed at my selections. It was going to be a good tournament for me.

After the play-in games had been played and the real tournament began, I was ready to see my selections come true. This is where my story takes a severe turn for the worse. As quickly as the tournament began, my hopes of a successful bracket had ended.

Louisville, who I had advancing to the Sweet 16, crumbled against Morehead State along with Butler edging out Old Dominion on a last-second lay-up.

It was probably my fault that I chose Old Dominion over Butler, who had made a cinderella run the previous year, but Morehead State’s victory came out of nowhere.

This was the start of a bad few weeks.

Belmont failed to live up to the hype and fell to Wisconsin, Texas A&M and Penn State dissapointed. The color red, indicating a wrong prediction, filled the page.

Moving on to the later rounds, sadness continued to set in. Virginia Commonwealth, who I actually had defeating Georgetown, continued their miracle run by blowing out Purdue and continuing all the way to the Final Four, shocking all of America.

With the large amounts of upsets throughout

the tournament, millions of brackets entered the shredder or the trash cans, and I entered a depression. The final straw that busted my bracket was the defeat that Ohio State experienced at the hand of fourth-seeded Kentucky. My 2011 National Champion had been defeated, putting the final nail in the coffin. I now feel defeated.

Although there are 9,223,372,036,854,775,808 to 1 odds of creating a perfect bracket, I still felt a large sense of dissapointment that my bracket, in which I was so proud of creating, had completely failed.

In order to save myself from complete March Madness depression, I must constantly mutter the phrase “There is always next year.”

Whats up with your bracket?

“I feel like im towards the bottom because I did not have any Final Four teams.”

- LANE WHITE

speakUP << ‘Dexter’ kills with original story line jacobHIGHFILL There is a fine line between good and evil, and Dexter Morgan is in an eternal struggle between them.

Dexter Morgan is a fictional character played by Michael C. Hall on the TV series “Dexter”; the show is completely different from any show I have ever seen. It has a unique plot that brings a crime show to a new level.

The show has many flashbacks of Dexter at a young age. These flash backs add a lot to the plot of the series.

At a young age, Dexter’s mom was brutally murdered in front of him, and he was left in the blood bath for days until the Miami Police found the crime scene. One of the cops took Dexter in as his own.

Still at a young age, Dexter’s dad realized that Dexter was slaughtering animals. Being a police officer, he knew that as Dexter got older,

he would want to hunt a bigger game: Humans.

Knowing of Dexter’s problems, his dad created a law with his son teaching him to only kill criminals, and giving him rules to not get caught.

In a normal episode of the series, Dexter is now a grown man; he is a blood splatter analyst on the Miami Metro Police. He uses his job to his advantage to find easy victims to kill.

Dexter is a completely ritualistic serial killer; he kills every one of his victims the same way.

Which is actually a true characteristic of any serial killer.

In essence, Dexter is a mentally scarred character that must kill to fill his internal desires; resulting in him being a serial killer, murdering other criminals. Sounds hypocritical, but there is understanding of his pain when the show is watched.

To add to the plot, Dexter has a raunchy sister named Debra Morgan; Jennifer Carpenter plays her character.

Debra does not have a clue about Dexter’s secret life; she just thinks he is a great person and is always defending him.

There are always side plots with Debra and her dysfunctional relationships, and her messed up personality.

At the police station, different each season a protagonist suspects Dexter to be a little more

sinister than an average family man; the person suspecting Dexter always seems to be dating Debra.

“Dexter” has never disappointed me; it has had five solid seasons of mind-blowing drama and intense plot twists.

The character of Dexter completely makes the show. In the early seasons he is emotionless and a monster. As the show progressed, he has developed emotion and created a completely normal life aside from his life as a serial killer.

This is definitely seen as a risk by the code his dad taught him as a child.

“Dexter” is a show when an episode starts, I cannot turn my head. It is just such constant action, and the plot is always developing.

Please understand, Dexter is not family programming; it is written for mature audiences and has some mature themes involved.

When most people hear the term serial killer, the first thought is typically evil or sinister, and do not get me wrong I am no supporter of serial killers. But Dexter is different: He has morals, and although there is definitely evil in him, in every episode a ray of good shines through is character.

tuneIN >> Dexter

The sixth season does not start until September, but the first four seasons are available on DVD

Heaven is a winding smoothly paved road; take advantage of it

“

Its all about what makes you happy and finding joy in the little things

genGAUDREAU The sun is beating down on my back. My black t shirt is sticking to my tepid skin, and I’m out of breath. Foot to pavement, foot to pavement, repeating the fluid motion.

I’m cruising along the Arkansas River on my longboard, the wind is in my hair and the sun is shinning upon me. Nothing relaxes me more than taking a long ride on my board.

Some people prefer skate boarding, but that’s more for tricks. I just want to glide along peacefully with no care in the world.

The feeling I get when I longboard is almost a kind of high, the feeling of pushing off the pavement with my foot is what keeps me going. I can have a terrible day, and then I can longboard and feel a million times better.

Because nothing feels as good as the hard

genGAUDREAU

”

pounding of my heart in my rib cage as I run up a hill, and then skate down it. Lately a lot of things haven’t been making me happy at all, and I finally sort of stumbled upon something that makes me mildly calm and happy for the time being.

It’s all about what makes you happy, and finding joy in the little things. I love longboarding, and I know that no matter what there’s this concrete material that won’t go anywhere unless I want it to.

I find comfort in the fact that everything around me can change, but me skating on this board will never change. The feeling I feel won’t change, it makes me feel free and open and I forget things when I’m skating. It’s something that makes me feel good, and I’m in love with the feeling.

Put a long boarder at the top of a hill with a longboard designed to handle it and he will get to heaven first, every time, no death required.

A longboard is a stress relief, a mode of transportation, and a source of surf, snowboard inspiration.

Anyone can learn, it’s safe, and there are no age barriers and no one is going to charge you for a lift to the top.

A few summers ago when I was in California visiting some family. I noticed that almost everyone that lived around the ocean didn’t walk, let alone drive.

There were so many people longboarding, and at first I just thought it was a California thing. I didn’t think the East Coast was really into anything but skate boarding.

Longboarding is for people who want to ride smoothly and curve slowly around obsticles. Rather than the quick and sharp turns it takes with a skateboard. In my opinion, longboarding is a lot easier and more enjoyable than skateboarding.

DID YOU KNOW? - Group of surfers began long boarding in order to “surf” when there were no waves.

- Long boards ard longer, wider and shaped differently than standard skateboards.

- Longboards are compared to surfboards because carving on one feels a lot like riding a wave.

- Longboards can keep its momentum longer than a standard skateboard due to its shape.

April 1, 2011

9

taylorNICHOLS&kaitlynPHILLIPS With prom more than a month away, many seniors and especially juniors are already frantically freaking out about getting asked to prom.

In addition, a large number of couples have already asked their significant others to prom.

Do guys really think their girlfriends are going to get asked by someone else? Obviously half the school already knows from Facebook they are dating. Was it necessary to ask two months before prom?

Or the fact that guys think they even have to ask their girlfriends in some dramatic way.

Guys should use a romantic gesture to ask a girl to be his girlfriend, not to a high school dance.

Even though asking is the right thing to do, spending a lot of money to ask in a big, creative way seems unnecessary when obviously the girl will say yes.

Also, girls are becoming overly stressed about what they are going to wear. Stores are not going to run out of dresses; the shelves are packed so tight with new arrivals every day it could take a muscle builder to move one dress.

Plus, so what if two people are wearing the exact dress. Parents and people in the same picture group are the only ones who see what everyone truly looks like. Prom is held in a dark barely lit room where no one can see what everyone is wearing.

Making the point of spending outrageous

prices on a dress only worn for five hours of life extremely pointless. Those who work a job, probably make minimum wage of $7.50 an hour, which means purchasing a $500 dress is the same as spending over three weeks of paychecks on one night. Why not borrow a dress from a friend, or wear an older siblings dress. This way the dress could get more wear for its price.

Furthermore, it is pathetic to see underclassmen beginning to talk to upperclassmen in order just to go to prom. Unless they plan to be in a relationship with the person, there is no reason to lead someone on just to go to a high school dance. It seems to be a greater and greater trend of freshmen and sophomores going to junior-senior prom.

When underclassmen go, who is there really to hang out with? Maybe a friend who has done the same thing in order to get a date will be there, but most upperclassmen will stare, wondering, “Why you are even here?” Maybe people think it is cool and gives them a self-esteem boost to have all eyes on them, but those eyes probably are not staring in a good way.

Although prom is an exciting event in high school, the stress and drama it causes has become excessive. It is something that students are supposed to enjoy, not start worrying about two months before it occurs. If you want to stress about your date and dress, wait till it is two weeks instead of two months away.

”

PROM:

fine line between obsession, reality when dealing with this event

Although prom is an exciting event in high school, the stress and drama it causes has become excessive.

” TOP 5 THINGS REPORT CARD >>

Filled with numerous upsets and close finishes, March Madness has provided much entertainment and frustration due to bracket busting.

>>

The lack of student attendance in support of the athletes dampered the introductions, but the entertaining activities put a fun spin on the evening.

Shamrock GRADE C+ ShhMarch 17 >>

Due to a diminished effort on the part of the boys, the activity did not live up to the standards set by Hush Hearts.

GRADE A+

The break allowed for students to decompress and prepare for the final stretch of the school year.

GRADE B+ GRADE B-

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April 1, 2011

March Madness March 13-April 4 Spring Introductions March 15

Spring Break March 24-29

>>

WE ABOUT...

11 22 33 44 55

Principal Bob Baier

He rewards students’ accomplishments.

He takes student interests into account when making decisions.

He is a hands on principal and is extremely supportive of school traditions.

He is well-informed about all school aspects.

He has an awesome mustache.

EVAN WILLFORD

Evan’s Easel

speakUP << EVAN WILLFORD

BLUESTREAK

editorial POLICY

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-chiefelisaMARTIN managing editormorganMESSMORE buisness managerashtonSCHRAG sports editorcorbinMIHELIC cartoonistevanWILLFORD opinion editorchadHAMMAN assn. sports editor chrisJONES photo editorkaitlynDEYOUNG news editorkelseyDICK copy chiefhollyHEIRONIMUS in-depth editor robynHERBERT

adviserkristinBAKER

features editoredenVIERTHALER circulation editorkatherineHARTLEY pop culture editorgenGAUDREAU staff writers-

ericaANDERSON trinaBHATTARAI alexDURANO jordanDUSENBURY devinDYMKOWSKI ryleeELLISON suzannaGEHRER alyssaGOODMAN alexHERNANDEZ jacobHIGHFILL henryHOOK ryanLAKE alexLEFF ryanMINEAR hayleyPHILLIPS laurenPRILL laurenQUAM tjRIGG katieSCHNEIDER kathrynSILL loganWOLTEMATH

Low-profile sports, activities deserve equal attention staff

EDITORIAL >> All sports and activities should receive equal amounts of position: Stance: special treatment or assemblies to celebrate their successes.

Vote: 27-0

When it comes to athletics, AHS is generally average as far as winning championships goes. We don’t dominate in any particular sport, but we are competitive in just about all our endeavors.

Due to this, it is not a huge shock to send teams to state competitions. From scholar’s bowl to basketball, a high level of competition is nearly always anticipated.

For this and other reasons, it came as a slight surprise when students met in the commons during advisory on March 9 to send off the girls’ basketball team.

The girls’ basketball team may have been the highest profile team to go to state competition this year but they were far from the only one. Others included scholars’ bowl, who placed fourth at

state, all-state choir, members of the girls’ tennis team, a cross-country runner and a bowler, among others.

Despite the success of all these other sports and activities, none were given a school-wide good luck wish and salute before their competitions. Rather, many members of these extracurricular activities just quietly slipped out the back doors and got on the bus or van.

The girls basketball team was definitely impressive, and all of the recognition and attention was definitely deserved, but dont all other sports and activities deserve the same amount of praise?

Would the assemblies just get bigger and bigger as we lost our valuable study hall time in advisory? Hopefully not.

The assembly itself was somewhat awkward to begin with. None of the students really knew what to do or say, and many just stood in the circle with their hands in their pockets.

This kind of recognition is great and is definitely deserved for a team that had such a great season. However, they are not the only ones representing the school at statewide competition.

If the girls’ basketball team was deserving of this kind of reception, then so is every other team in this school. Celebrating after a great win is one thing, but a school wide send off is just too much.

April 1, 2011

11

intheGAME

<<

Solid season ends bitterly for Lady Trojans chrisJONES

assn. sports editor

The State tournament at the Topeka Expocentre. 60 minutes of basketball for the Lady Trojans to prove themselves and continue their impressive season, but as quickly as the state tournament began, the teams season had ended.

“We just played a better team than us.

They were strong and made shots,” senior Alexa Fritz said. “We didn’t necessarily miss

DEVIN DYMKOWSKI

Senior Alexa Fritz, junior Kelsey Dick, and senior Amy Williams run off the court after the loss to Blue Valley Stilwell

shots or play bad and we had a few injuries that affected us.”

The team suffered a 59-32 loss at the hand of Blue Valley Stilwell, who would eventually advance all of the way to the championship game. Just reaching the state tournament after last year’s crushing loss in the sub-state.

“I feel like we finally got over a hump and we finished the season where I think all of us girls wanted to,” Fritz said.

Despite the tough loss, the team’s success this past season cannot go unrecognized.

“It was a great season,” Tilson said. “We worked really hard and played to the best of our abilities.”

Head coach Max Hamblin agrees that despite the loss, this was still a very talented team.

“This year, we had a strong team talent wise,” Hamblin said. “We had a good mix of senior leaders and young talent and they all worked hard.”

Now as the program looks towards the future, five senior players who played significant starting minutes for the team will graduate, leaving a relatively young team for the next season.

“The younger players on our team played a major role during the season this year,” Tilson said. “The program definitely has a bright future because of the experience they have gotten.”

The team nex year will be led by junior

Audrey Meisch, Kelsey Dick, and the Larsen twins, along with sophomore Sydney Tilson.

Despite the losses that the team will endure due to the loss of this year’s seniors, Hamblin believes there is still talent in next year’s team “We have a good overall team,” Hamblin said.

As the final buzzer has sounded for this year’s seniors, reflections, memories, and thoughts of what could have benn now fill their minds.

“At first I was really sad (that it was over), but then I thought about it and I’m so glad I was a part of it with the girls on the team,” Fritz said. “I think this year has been the best memory. Being able to compete in the state tournament was definitely an awesome experience.”

With all of the success that the seniors have accrued throughout their high school playing careers, there is one man behind the scenes that is to thank.

“Coach Hamblin is the best,” Tilson said. “He has always been there for me on or off the court for anything I would need.

He was like a father to me.”

With the winter season ended, along with the basketball season, there look to be good things on the horizon for the girls basketball team.

“They (future teams) have the talent to DEVIN DYMKOWSKI win a state championship,” Tilson said. “I Senior Catherine Cranmer is helped off the court by freshman Maddie Routhier really do believe that.”

and sophomore Dion Hallmark.

Uh huh. You know what it is. [Insert team colors here] Popular Wiz Khalifa song provides rallying cry for sports teams with lyrics change

chrisJONES Its incredibly catchy tune surrounds sports arenas around the nation since its first release, but all around the internet, want to-be artists have put their own creative spin on the hit song, using simple lyric swaps to turn it into an anthem for their favorite sports team.

The song “Black and Yellow” by Wiz Khalifa is meant to represent his support for his hometown teams in Pittsburgh, all three happening to have the colors black and yellow. Knowing this,

14

April 1, 2011

fans across America began that this song could simply be used for their own respective team.

From then on, hundreds upon hundreds of different remixed versions of the popular song have swarmed YouTube and the rest of the internet world.

Fans expressing their incredible, and sometimes obsessive, love for their team has reached a new and different level.

The Green Bay Packers had “Green and Yellow” during their Super Bowl run, and Kansas University and Kansas State have “Red and Blue, KU” and “Black and Purple” respectively.

Although the remixes may stray from the beat, remake the original meaning of the song, and, in most cases, are not even good, having a song about a popular sports team creates an immediate following from the respective fan base.

Personally, whenever anything comes out about my favorite sports team, I want to know everything about it.

Around YouTube, there are hundreds of re-

mixes for sports teams around the nation, from football, to baseball, to college sports, to even hockey teams.

For the lucky few teams whose colors just happen to be black and yellow, such as the Pittsburgh Steelers and, more local, the Wichita State Shockers, this song just fell into their lap as a song they can follow and a pre-game pump-up song for the fans to enjoy.

These dedicated sports fans have put their egos, as big as they may be, to show their complete love and dedication through song, even though in most cases it means completely embarrassing themselves. To credit these brave, yet mostly lyrically challenged individuals, there passion for their team is commendable.

The song can be easily manipulated into multiple remixes because of its simple lyrics.

With such intense and lyrical verses as “Yeah, uh huh, you know what it is” and the actual term “Black and Yellow” being repeated numerous times, the replacement of those words and oth-

ers in the song to create a makeshift anthem for your favorite sports team is not the hardest thing to do in the world.

Now I’m sure the artist did not intend to have his song remixed throughout the nation, maybe he is even annoyed by it, but he must respect and be proud of the fact that his song, albeit different lyrics, has a tremendous following across the country and his voice will fill sports stadiums and YouTube for many years to come.

This fact has to subside any anger that may exist In short, America’s long living obsession and dedication to sports and support for their favorite team will not waver or die, and people will continue to do anything in their power to show their support and their devotion, despite a lack of talent and without fear of embarrassment.

These new remixes are just a microscopic dot in the large history of American fan hood.

Baseball team emphasizes ‘run prevention’ chrisJONES

sports writer

Baseball – it is the true and most well-recognized sign that the spring season has arrived, and for the Andover baseball team, spring means a new start and hopefully a much-improved season.

Entering 5A competition for the first season, the team has put an emphasis on pitching and defense and has created a simple scheme; “run prevention”.

“Pitching and defense is definitely the emphasis for the season,” head coach Chris Weidert said. “If we can pitch effectively Last year, although posting an impressive .299 batting average as a team and totaling 123 runs, struggles on the pitching mound and on the defensive side of the ball spoiled the season, as the team posted an sub-par 5.94 earned run average and allowed 173 runs total.

In order to greatly improve from last season’s dismal 6-15 record, this needed to change.

“Just throw strikes, be solid defensively and the hitting and runs will come,” junior Forrest Scott said. “if we do not make mistakes and play fundamental baseball we should be in good shape.”

Returning for their final year of high school baseball, seniors Easton Fry and Jordan Jones anchor the pitching staff and hope to improve from last season.

“We have some pretty good senior leaders this year,” Weidert said. “They will provide some pretty good leadership Being seniors on a relatively young team, showing leadership is essential.

“As a senior, I try to help out whenever I can,” Fry said. “The other seniors and I realize that there are 30 kids and three coaches, so we try to help them out.”

Although Jones posted an incredible 2.02 earned run average, avoiding the “ace” title is preferred.

“For us to succeed, the whole pitching staff needs to be effective.” Jones said Also shoring up the pitching staff is sophomore Zach Baker, who had a respectable freshman season, only allowing 10 earned runs in 19 innings pitched.

When trying to improve on pitching and defense as a team, the mental aspect plays a large factor in its effectiveness and eventual success.

“We have the talent to be good, it just never comes together,” Fry said. “When we get down we start to beat ourselves up, then we start losing games.”

On the offensive side of the game, the team seems to be in good shape, even though the losses of big-bats such as Britton Chambers and Chris Egger were lost last year to graduation.

Hitting is still our biggest strength,” Scott said.

“We have some guys that can really hit the ball and its showing in practice.”

Overall, the team looks to improve off of a disappointing season and hopefully achieve the goal of reaching the regional tournament and beyond. The best way to accomplish their goal, is also the most obvious, prevent runs from scoring.

“I feel like it should be a good year for me and the team all around,” Fry said. “I want to make it far into regional’s this year unlike years past.”

ALEX DURANO

Senior Jordan Jones goes trough his throwing motion during a practice as head coach Chris Weidert watches. The Trojans start their season April 1 at Newton.

Soccer gains talent through up-and-coming underclassmen DEVIN DYMKOWSKI

Freshman Ana Dilkes fights for the ball against a Rose Hill player.

During their win vs. Rose Hill underclassmen stepped up.

Since practice began in early March, the team’s underclassmen have done nothing but impress coach Tracey Repp.

corbin MIHELIC sports editor

To give an idea of this year’s youth on the girls soccer team, five freshmen started in last Thursday’s first varsity game.

Since practice began in early March, the team’s underclassmen have done nothing but impress its experienced players and coach Tracey Repp.

“It’s been a youth movement of sorts,” Repp said. “We put the best team on the field. If you’re a freshman, you’re a freshman. If you’re a senior, you’re a senior.”

Some of the first-year players that Repp particularly was impressed by include Lizzy Scharping, Ana Dilkes, who scored the game-winning goal in the team’s 2-1 victory over Rose Hill, and Ryann Horton. He said a combination of club soccer experience and fierce competitiveness have been factors into the freshman class success so far.

“Everyone looks really good,” junior Laura Sellew said. “They’re trying hard. Even the girls that aren’t starting or playing as much as they want are coming out to practice and

working their butts off.”

What intrigues Repp about this year’s team is not only the addition of talented freshmen, but a core group of veteran leadership. Sellew proved to be a key player as a sophomore, while seniors Amy Williams, Merriah Endsley, Shelby Wasinger and Monica Farfan all return with varsity experience.

Sellew and Williams earned sports on the first-team all-AVCTL-Division III/IV in 2010. Wasinger was on the second all-league team, while Endsley received honorable-mention all-league.

“We do need the leadership from those girls,” Repp said. “We have got to guide those young girls along, especially in some situations where they just haven’t faced it. High school competition in so much different than even high-level club team play.”

As always, Repp aims high for how well he expects his squad to play later in the season. He said he expects many more wins than losses, and believes the team is a step ahead of where it was last year.

“I think I have a little bit better supporting cast for Laura Sellew, who we relied on to score our goals (last

year),” Repp said. “This year, I think we have a couple of players that can take that pressure off Laura, who is going to get double-teamed all year long.”

Repp said that despite winning the first game, there are still many things that need to be fixed.

“I would say (this season) is successful if everyone grows, not only individually but if we can come together as a team,” Sellew said. “Right now, I think it’s just a lot of girls that are good. We need to be a team that’s good. We need to get our talent combined into a team effort.”

be there >> Home Soccer Games April 5 vs. Andover Central April 15 vs. Wichita Heights April 21 vs. Newton April 26 vs. Hutchinson May 3 vs. McPherson April 1, 2011

15

SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

Softball

Junior Camille Hantla catches a ball during softball practice.

ALEX DURANO

Swimming

KELSEY DICK

Senior Macy Garcia prepares to dive into the pool before her race.

Track

ERICA ANDERSON

Junior Will Haverstrong practices sprints during track practice.

Key Returners:

Rylee Ellison Camille Hantla Hayleigh Rider

Key Returners:

Gena Cernohous Macy Garcia

Key Returners:

Key Losses:

Abby Hamblin Katherine Cederberg Kandy Branham

Key Losses:

Kristine Nguyen Lauren Copher Katy Davis

Key Losses:

Coach’s Comments

“We are working well together and they are learning quickly,” softball head coach Jenny Moore said. “We look really consistent and we look really good.”

340 S Andover RD. (behind blockbuster) Mon-Thurs 8-9 Fri 8-8 Sat 8-6 Sun 11-5 316-733-0480

16 April 1, 2011

Coach’s Comments

“We have a lot of young talent and a lot of people back,” head coach Keldon Pucket said. “The experienced swimmers bring a lot of leadership to the team.”

Gavin Maloney Kaitlyn Phillips Alexa Fritz Danielle Robinson Adam Highfill

Coach’s Comments “Our numbers are good,” track coach Mike Lee said. “I don’t think they’ve ever been this good. But we are young. We have youth but there’s potential there.”

Golf finds stability from returning upperclassmen ryanMINEAR staff writer

For the 2011 boys’ golf team, success will be found from the stability of many key-returning players.

“The top returners are Corbin Mihelic who finished 10th at state, Ben Hotaling who was a top five finish at league and Ryan Hoover who was a state qualifier,” golf coach Ryan Harshaw said.

The team only loses two players from last year, and Harshaw believes the upperclassmen will help deliver a similar performance. “[This team is] similar,” Harshaw said.

“Mostly same guys from last year are returning.

Experience from last year should help us this season.”

The team not only benefits from the return of key players, but also from what the coaches have to offer.

“The coaches give us tips and keep us calm,” junior Ryan Hoover said.

One difference the team will face though is

Top singles contenders: Steven Wegner, sophomore Garrett Maness, junior Samuel Lee, junior

not in the makeup of the team but the level of competition they will face.

“Doing good at state due to 5A competition will be our biggest struggle,” sophomore Chad Phillips said.

With the season beginning the first week of April, the team is in full swing with practice.

“We are either playing nine holes, or doing chipping and putting drills,” Phillips said.

Players also hope to improve on weaknesses to become larger contributors to the team.

“My strength is my consistency, but a short game is my weakness,” junior Evan Clopine said.

Many would argue that there is no strategy to improving a golf score but Clopine believes that the strategy is taking the time to improve.

“Practice, practice, practice is what it takes,” Clopine said.

VARSITY RETURNERS: Corbin Mihelic, senior Ben Hotaling, senior Ryan Hoover, junior Trent Garman, senior

ALEX DURANO

Junior Ryan Hoover works on putting drills during a golf practice at Crestview Country Club. Hoover is one of the many upperclassmen who will be returning for the varsity golf team.

Many of top boys tennis spots still undecided ALEX DURANO

Senior Jordan Haas hits a backhand during practice.

Haas and junior Josh Sprenkel currently make up the No. 2 doubles position.

No. 1 doubles: Jordan Haas, senior Josh Sprenkel, junior Other doubles contenders: Joel Easterwood, junior Justin Coen, sophomore Aditya Kulkarni, sophomore Matt Zuiss, sophomore

ALEX DURANO

Junior Samuel Lee hits a forehand during a team practice before spring break.

Lee has been battling Steven Wegner and Garrett Maness for the top singles spot.

Coach Mark Cross’ take on the team: “Jordan (Haas) and Josh (Sprenkel played were doubles last year, so we’re hoping they will be our No. 1 team all season long. Steven Wegner was our No. 2 singles player last year at regionals and league, but there are a couple juniors there, Sam Lee and Garrett Maness who are all pretty much even so they’re going to be playing each other all season long for those spots. “

Final Four week a time to appreciate NCAA tournament format corbinMIHELIC Every big wig in charge of college football’s Bowl Championship Series needs to wander down the hallway and get a lesson from

their buddies who run the NCAA basketball tournament.

College basketball has it figured out.

The NCAA tournament is by far the most efficient postseason system in all of sports—not perfect, but one that other sports should emulate.

Every fall, the entire country whines about all aspects of the BCS (human polls, computer rankings, etc.), and understandably so. It’s full of flaws, and full of corruption.

With the NCAA tournament, it’s impossible to argue against hard results. Wins and losses.

Head-to-head competition.

The team that can win six games in the “big dance” is clearly playing better than any other in the nation, no matter what its seed is.

Every team has a chance. Count nobody out.

VCU may lose to Kansas nine times out of ten, but the Rams beat the Jayhawks when it counted most. Therefore, they deserved to move on to the Final Four. There’s no arguing that.

I could go without the newly added play-in games, but that’s a minor complaint to say the very least.

As long as the BCS exists, however, teams in historically weaker conferences will never have

a shot at the national title. Texas will always be more important than Boise State. Florida will get the nod over Nevada. The list goes on and on.

The big schools love the BCS simply because it benefits them, while the small schools tend to hate it strongly. Every other year, the BCS causes a ridiculous amount of unwanted controversy.

With the Final Four being this weekend, I’d like to tip my hat in appreciation to those who invented the NCAA basketball tournament.

Those people knew what they were doing.

Thank you, college basketball, for running your postseason the right way.

April 1, 2011

17

LOCK, LOAD, SHOOT: chrisJONES

sports writer Lacrosse, a masterful game of strategy, fast paced action, but most of all; contact. Although this hard-hitting sport has not caught on at the national level, three students from Andover have taken to the sport with a passion and a simple love for the game “The fast pace and the physicality is what makes Lacrosse such an awesome sport,” junior Adam Hilbert said.

Along with Hilbert, junior Colin Bailey, and sophomore Luke Riedesel have been involved in the sport of Lacrosse, and for them, their love for the sport started from day one.

“I first started playing Lacrosse my sophomore year and started playing for Wichita this year,” Bailey said. “The contact involved is what made me love the game.”

For the coach of Wichita Lacrosse, Jay Fitzgerald, the sport has been a part of his life longer than the players he coaches have been alive “I have been playing Lacrosse, on-and-off, for 26 years and have been part of the Wichita Lacrosse program for the last two seasons,” Although the sport has not caught on to the national level, Bailey sees its rarity has a perk to playing.

Ready to go and hit some people.

“I like being one of the few people who play it because everybody is so impressed,” Bailey said. “I wish we could get more people to play so we could have more competition though.”

For Fitzgerald, the lack of popularity for the sport has become slightly irritating.

Accessibility is probably the number one reason the sport continues to see a slow growth rate among states that haven’t had much exposure to the sport,” Fitzgerald said. With schools having only a certain amount of funds to devote to certain athletic programs, naturally they’re going to funnel the majority of that money into the ones that they can see some substantial return on.”

Riedesel and Bailey, brothers, have played the sport together and have found that it has its advantages.

“Playing with my brother is great, we both help each other improve and it makes both of our games better,” Reidesel said.

The constant contact from playing takes a toll, but for Reidesel, its the best part of the game.

“I love hitting people,” Reidesel said. “Contact is what makes Lacrosse such a great and exciting sport to play.”

For Hilbert and Bailey, playing the game comes with a little extra responsibility, as both are captains for the Wichita Lacrosse team.

area andover students participate in fast pace, hard hitting game; involved out of school club

“The captain needs to be the leader,” Bailey said. “They need to be at every practice and every game, pump the team up, keep the team focused, and is the heart and sole of the team because they lead the team throughout the game.”

From the coaches perspective, these three players provide great leadership, talent, and a simple love for the game “With Adam first, he’s been involved with the team for several years and his fellow players and the coaches have been able to see his grow both physically and skill wise over the last few seasons,” Fitzgerald said. “Adam has developed a good offensive awareness as an attackman, and there’s no doubt that he has a hunger to score goals.”

“For Colin, being an experienced player that joined the team this season, we’ve be incredibly pleased with his performance,” Fitzgerald said. “We haven’t had the need to coach him on his skills like we do with our newer players, so he’s able to concentrate more on what we expect of him and his defensive teammates on the field.”

With all three players, Colin excelling as a defender, Reidesel controlling the midfield, and Hilbert scoring the goals, the team has the field covered with talent.

“Luke, Adam and Colin both bring some remarkable skills and talents to the team in their respective positions,” Fitzgerald said. “It’s a testament to their dedication and love for the sport because they know that without teammates there’s no lacrosse to be played.”

For the three, their positions are not just their skill sets, its where they love to play. For Bailey, shutting down the opposition of defense is one of his favorite parts of the game.

“On defense, I can do pretty much whatever I want,” Bailey said. “I enjoy shutting people down.”

On the opposite end of the game, Hilbert enjoys putting points on the board for his team.

“Without being able to score, we do not win games,” Hilbert said. “All areas of our game our equally important, but I love scoring.”

And to round out the field, Reidesel controls the mid-field.

“I love playing mid-field. It is definitely my favorite position,” Reidesel said.

Despite the lack of recognition, respect, and praise for the sport of Lacrosse, pure passion for the game and the love of hitting people drives them to continue their future in the game.

“I love Lacrosse,” Hilbert said. “Its what I love to do.”

Erica Anderson

FACTS ABOUT LACROSSE - Lacrosse is a sport of Native American origin - Developed in the early 5th century - 10 players are allowed on the field at one time - Currently 61 Division 1 college Lacrosse team field diagram

18

April 1, 2011

inDEPTH << DEVIN DYMKOWSKI

Freshman Lizzie Scharping dribbles the soccer ball past the Rose Hill defender. The game was away on the March 18. They started the season with a win 2-1 against the Rose Hill Rockets.

Freshman’s love for sport earns a spot on varsity team caleMINEAR

guest writer In the yellow-tinted gymnasium, four girls sit in the middle of the circle leading stretches for the other 17 girls’ soccer players. Sitting on the outside of the circle is a freshman who made the varsity team: Lizzie Scharping.

She is wearing long, block sweats; her dark hair is in a ponytail; her face is straight; and her eyes are set on the wall of tan bleachers. No talking is necessary for her. This is another day to mold herself into a better, more well-rounded player.

Ever since she was four years old, Scharping

has played soccer. This sport has been a major part of her life because she truly has a passion for the game.

“It takes endurance to play; soccer involves running all the time, skill, accuracy, teamwork and focus,” Scharping said.

As tryouts started to loom, pressure built upon Scharping’s shoulders.

“My brother, Andy, made varsity as a freshman, and people expect me to be good at soccer,” Scharping said.

Scharping has spent countless days practicing so someday she will be the player she wants to be. When the day arrived for high school tryouts to begin, the pressure began to mount.

“I was nervous because I wanted to play

well, but at the same time excited because high school soccer was finally starting,” Scharping said.

After all the stress and preparation she learned she was on the varsity team. Immediately after she found out she was on the team, Scharping set even more goals to accomplish.

“To make starting varsity and become forward, and also to have a good standing with the team,” Scharping said.

Another goal of hers is to become like another player who she looks up to and loves: her brother.

“I want to be as good as my brother, Andy, someday because he is amazing at soccer,” Scharping said.

As she looks up to her brother, other players on her team look up to her.

“She is very fast, and she also has a nice touch on the ball, and she is an all-around great player,” freshman Grace Endsley said.

Even as a freshman, the lowest person on the totem pole, she is seen as a leader with a great personality.

“She is a great girl and has a sweet heart,” freshman Denna Roney said. “She is a good team player.”

Endsley elaborated.

“She is up in the front, and she likes to take control,” Endsley said. “She is one of those silent leaders; she knows what needs to be done, and she will try to get it done.”

April 1, 2011

19

Andover students travel to Haiti during spring break for mission trip ryanMINEAR

staff writer

Fifteen members of the First Evangelical Free Church youth group spent their spring break differently this year. Instead of getting on an airplane to head over to Mexico or Colorado, they planned on a trip to Haiti.

“We are going to lay ground work for teams to come,” senior Charlie Abbott said. “We are going to do a VBS [Vacation Bible School] and we are going to love people and spread the Gospel.”

The youth group left for Haiti March 20 and came back on March 28. The mission of the group is to try to do manual labor and spread the Christian message.

“We will work in three orphanages, giving them supplies,” Abbott said. “We are going to make concrete bricks to build more facilities.”

Youth pastor Jeremy Krause has previously visited Haiti in order to prepare the group for their mission trip.

“The earthquake and its effects are still visible, however the consequences of it are trumped by the poverty,” Krause said. “The things we are seeing are the economic issues and corrupt leadership. It is the poorest country in the western hemisphere. It is as bad as any country in the world. The situation is bigger than the earthquake.”

Although the group is excited about the opportunity to serve Haitians, the threats of visiting a third world country still exist.

“First off we are concerned that we may not be able to go because an election happens on

Sunday and a foreign ruler is coming back,” senior Hannah Yowell said. “[We are] also worried about the language barrier. It’s going to be hard to communicate.”

Junior Matt DeKoning agreed there will be some concerns about the trip.

“Probably safely getting to Gressier because the city of Port au Prince is not as safe so getting from the airport will be the most stressful part,” DeKoning said.

The group did not focus on the dangers as they kept a positive attitude towards the future experience.

“Personally I don’t have any big concerns,” Abbott said. “Concerns our parents have are the potential Cholera, getting kidnapped and violent uprisings; the things that I find exciting.”

Going to Haiti for the first time may seem difficult to those serving in a foreign country for the first time as they may arrive to a culture shock.

“Getting to see the faces of the children [will be the most rewarding],” Krause said. “We will be seeing first hand what the country needs. We will be out of your comfort zone. We live in a fluent America. We have so much and they have so little.”

Many of the members of the Haiti group have been able to serve on other mission trips in the past and they believe that the most rewarding part of a mission trip is just helping others.

“I think knowing that what you are doing is helping people and showing the people that others truly care about them is the most rewarding part,” Yowell said.

COURTESY PHOTO

Senior, Hannah Yowell holds a young girl on her trip to Haiti. “I think knowing that what you are doing is helping people and showing the people that others truly care about them is the most rewarding part,”Yowell said.

Junior Matthew DeKoning and seniors Hannah Yowell and Charlie Abbott stand together in Haiti. The trio went to Haiti with their church.

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April 1, 2011

COURTESY PHOTO

Charlie Abbott leans down to talk to the local children about his guitar case. During the trip the group led Vacation Bible School and a gospel.

‘Scream 4’ to do as well as predecessors

“

tjRIGG As the April 15 release of “Scream 4” looms ever closer, I am beginning to make my predictions for the sequel that will be released 11 years after the last film in the franchise.

I expect David Arquette, Courtney Cox-Arquette and Neve Campell to make triumphant returns as their characters Dewey Riley, Gale Weathers-Riley and Sidney Prescott. My reasons for their great return come from an interview Cox did with Entertainment Weekly.

In the interview, Cox described her character. “I kinda gave up my job as the entertainment journalist. I’ve written six books, but now I have major writer’s block. I’m bored with my life and bored with my marriage and bored with the silly small town of Woodsboro,” Cox said.

That right there sounds exactly as the Gale Weathers I know, the one who gets bored with her life if nothing interesting, such as the mass killings of the previous three movies happens.

According to several sources, “Scream 4”

The fourth installment in the “Scream” series will live up to the original trilogy mainly because I sense the original characters will return on a high note and the new characters will add some color to the successful story. tjRIGG

”

takes place 10 years after the events of “Scream 3” and 15 years after the original film. In the time between this film and the last, Sidney has written a self-help book about her experiences and returns home to Woodsboro, Calif., on the last stop of her book tour. There, she reconnects with Dewey, who has retaken the role of police officer, and Gale, who is now married to Dewey.

In the same interview, Cox described Sidney’s return to Woodsboro. “It’s actually the anniversary of the first killing in Woods-

boro. When she arrives to promote her book, things start happening, and I couldn’t be more thrilled,” Cox said.

Again, this sounds exactly as the Gale Weathers of the previous films. This hints to me that Dewey and Sidney too will show sides of their characters that fans of the successful horror series knows as well as sides not seen before.

New characters to the franchise include Emma Roberts as Jill Roberts, Sid’s cousin; Hayden Panettiere as Kirby, Jill’s best friend; Allison Brie as Rebecca, Sid’s personal assistant; and Nico Tortorello as Trevor, Jill’s love interest. In the trailers I’ve seen for the movie, these characters seem reminiscent of some of the older characters of the series so I look forward to several well-done performances.

Some say the trilogy ended on a bad note, with the film not living up to its predecessor’s reputations. I disagree; I feel that the third film was the perfect way for the trilogy to end, and I think it did a superb job of ending with a cliffhanger, not answering if everything was done with the lives of the protagonists.

The fourth installment in the “Scream” series will live up to the original trilogy mainly because I sense the original characters will return on a high note and the new characters will add some color to the successful story.

When the film is released, I plan on going to the midnight premiere and will be blown away by a very successful film.

FUN FACTS

ABOUT

SCREAM

1. All the movies were directed by Wes

>> Craven and he always had a cameo in the films.

Arquette, Courtney Cox-Arquette >> 2.andDavid Neve Cambell are the only actors to star in all of the movies.

The “Scream” trilogy had the same >> 3.impact on 1990s horror films that “Halloween” had on horror films of the 1970s.

“Scream 4” will be the first film since the >> 4.original to feature Sidney’s hometown of Woodsboro, Calif.

Roger L. Jackson is >> 5.reprising his role as the phone-voice of Ghostface.

3 Entertaining Components, 3 Art Forms, 1 Intense Decision

“

If you could live with either music, movies, or video games, which would you choose?

the RESULTS

16

out of students interviewed...

8 5 3

students would only live with music students would only live with movies students would only live with video games

jordanDUSENBURY Entertainment. To me, this word is part of component to our queer as clockwork orange lives. However, one can’t help but to think what if we didn’t have it.

To me, yet again, couldn’t help but to wonder what if we all could only live with one forever.

I’ve narrowed the following topics: movies, music, and video games and I asked certain people that if they could live with only one of the following, which one would it be.

“I have to say music. Music is my life.” junior Lauren Sokolosky said.

“Music for sure,” senior Gen Guadreau said.

The following students, freshmen Ashleigh Richards and Brandon Wampler, sophomores Erica Anderson and Brett Reams, junior Trevor Hybsha, and senior Morgan Messmore claimed

...I appreciate motion pictures more than music because movies can make you feel a little more special than when you listen to a song.

”

jordanDUSENBURY

that they would stick with music if ever such a traumatizing event occurred.

Senior Evan Willford went with videogames.

“There’s a lot more replay value than in an album or a movie. especially if you’re playing with friends. There’s much more variety to a videogame. You have multiplayer games like ‘WiiSport’, ‘MarioKart’, or ‘World Of Warcraft’.

Then you have the more single-player games, like ‘Bioshock’, or ‘Half-Life’ or something,” Willford said.

Freshman Talon Low and sophomore Colton Wasinger are in agreement with Willford in saying they would pick videogames.

Now, certain students such as juniors Zoe Hays and Alex Grommet side with me in terms of sticking with movies for the rest if they had to give up two of them.

“I believe videogames are visually not that good and, they give you cramps in thumbs.

Movies can cause tears or make you happy. Videogames just don’t do that.” freshman Denna Roney said.

Now, fifteen people were interviewed for this issue and my opinion was also input and my opinion is for movies. Movies can take you places and give you multi-emotions in a lot more frequent ways than music or a videogame.

You are actually able to watch another life and question yourself through what characters go through, whereas music is just listening to a pretty melody for a certain amount of time, and you actually have to go out of your way to enjoy videogames.

Out of the 16 opinions applied to this article, eight of them said music, five of them said movies, and three of them said videogames.

I can understand why most people would say music. Music can be a source or a mood booster for almost any occasion, but in that sense that is why I appreciate motion pictures more than music because movies can make you feel a little more special than when you listen to a song.

April 1, 2011

21

New Cosmetic Stores in Wichita ULTA

SEPHORA

Located: Bradley Fair

Located: Eastgate Plaza

Opening: Not Released

Opening: May 6, 2011

“

I’m excited because Ultas products are less expensive than Sephora

”

claireCHRISTOPHERSON

22

Apr. 1, 2011

“

I’m excited because I don’t have to order my stuff online or drive all the want to Kansas City sydneySTAEHR

”

Staffer reflects on new MTV series compared with original from the United Kingdom

hayleyPHILLIPS

When I heard that “Skins” was coming to the states, I was a bit skeptical due to the high expectations I had from previously watching “Skins U.K.” After watching the U.S. version premier on MTV, I started to hear all the negative feedback and how half-a-dozen commercial advertisers dropped because of the racy underage actors.

I could see how parents might be offended by this show, considering that it contains underage drinking and illegal drug use, but most of the obstacles that the teens go through on the show are a lot like real-life experiences that teens can easily relate to.

But “Skins” also shows teenagers dealing with real high school problems such as depression, family problems, addictions, deaths, peer pressure and other everyday experiences.

From watching both shows, I can assure

you that the U.K. version is way more risqué and more exhilarating to watch. I could not imagine how much controversy would be created if something half as crude as the U.K. version aired in the United States.

The U.K. version is finishing up their fifth season and follows eight teenagers during their time at a sixth form college (kind of like a junior college for 16-18 year olds.) The show currently is in its third generation of teenagers in Bristol, England.

Although most of the U.S. characters and story lines were inspired by the U.K. series, it lacks the suggestive content and raw humor that the U.K. series provides.

So if you are looking for a shocking and exhilarating television show with awesome British accents, you can watch seasons one through four of “Skins U.K.” on Netflix.

Ryans new album picks Over the past decade, there have been very few women who have experienced more success than punkrocker girl, Avril Goodbye Lavigne. It’s been about Lullabye four years since Avril’s last release, “The Best Damn Thing,” which was considered a critical success by fans and critics alike.

Now she’s back with a brand new LP “Goodbye Lullabye.” Avril said that this album would be the most personal record she’s ever written, and that it is very close to her heart.

The first thing that I noticed about the album through the first listen is that she kept

Avril Lavigne

to her word—it was indeed very personal.

Unlike her other records, there aren’t all that many radio-friendly tracks in all, the record has a stripped down approach, strengthening her musicianship. She’s focusing on lyrics and most of the album is led by piano.

Love-sorrow ballads about her divorce to Sum 41 frontman, Deryck Whibley, are seen in the tracks “Wish You Were Here”, “Not Enough”, and “Remember When”.

Whereas in other tracks such as “What The Hell” and “Smile”, Lavigne proclaims her independence as a woman to do what she wants, returning to the typical pop-punk and boy-bashing songwriting that she is known for.

Overall, the album is good for the people who appreciate the lyrics that Lavigne can pump out about losing out on love and finding your own happiness with yourself but I doubt that new fans will be won with this record.

The album is great, and is very incouraging to listen too if perhaps your love-sick, however, Lavigne should stick with her old sound, as it appears that Avril simply isn’t having any fun with this album.

Before giving a listen to a run through of this new album, I was very concerned of what all bands do when making a return to the music scene after a hiatus—making a bad album. However, this new album is far from bad; in fact, it’s perhaps the best work they’ve ever done.

The release of first single “For You And Your Denial” brought many minds back to grade school, when many of us heard “Ocean Avenue,” “Only One” or “Way Away” on the radio for the first time. The band’s new album stays true to the title “When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes” with the band giving their comeback all they had in them with this release.

Everything you remember about Yellowcard—whether it be the amazing love-sick lyrics of vocalist Ryan Key or perhaps to be the only rock band to successfully wield a violin as good as violinist Sean Macklin is all in this 10 track catalog.

The band Whe members aren’t Throug n You’re h Thin exactly kids anymore, but Say Yes king, that doesn’t stop them from spitting out the lyrics of a heartbroken teenager or someone troubled, which has always been a huge strongpoint with the band, just showing that even with growing up, you can never grow out of the way you feel.

“When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes” is a reflection of the past, and a view at the future. But for now, listening to this album in the present is perfect enough.

Sum 41 was first introduced as four snotnosed punks who raised semi-hell on MTV back in the heyday Screaming of TRL’s top 10 video Bloody Murder countdown.

They’ve come a long way and ten years after these Canadian alt-rockers invaded American TV screens, they’re back with a new album titled “Screaming Bloody Murder”. It is made very clear that this isn’t the same Sum 41 that exploded onto the pop-punk scene ten years ago. The thumping drums and dark vocals on opener “Reason To Believe” are reason enough to believe that this band is well beyond the khaki shorts and spikey hair that they are known for.

It’s been said by the band to expect a darker, more aggressive, less poppy album and they weren’t kidding. Lead singer Deryck Whibley was recently involved in a divorce with fellow punk-rock girl, Avril Lavigne and it’s very clear to see in the albums lyrics that Whibley simply isn’t a very happy guy.

This album is indeed dark, with the band almost coming across as a cross between Green Day and Metalica. The entire album is littered with aggression and anger with little resemblance to the band that put out the pop-punk anthem of the early 2000s known as “Fat Lip”.

The only component keeping “Screaming Bloody Murder” from being categorized under boring radio-rock album is the lack of any truly memorable choruses and the consistently strange tempo changes. In almost every song, the music suddenly shifts from fast and heavy to soft and dark.

This one weakness emerges as one of the album’s greatest strengths as well. The odd start/ stop formula creates an air of mystery as to what Sum 41 will throw at you next, and also allows Whibley to show off a rather impressive array of vocal delivery, from soft crooning to spinechilling shouts.

This is one of Sum 41’s most impressive presentations they’ve ever done, as well as one of their least. If you want a pop-punk album, prepare to be disappointed by this release as I doubt it will win any new fans, but for the people who are already confirmed as fans of the band, they will enjoy it in its entirety.

It’s a great piece of work in all by a band who used to be thrown in the same ballpark as other pop-punk acts blink-182 and Green Day but like everyone else, the punk rock kids have finally accepted growing up. –Ryan Lake

sum 41

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Yellow card

-Be The Young -With You Around -For You, and Your Denial

-Jessica Kill -Holy Image Of Lies -Crash -Blood In My Eyes

April 1, 2011

23

State of Disappointment: Senior Amy Williams drives past a Blue Valley Stilwell defender. Williams was one of four senior members on the team.

DEVIN DYMKOWSKI

DEVIN DYMKOWSKI

The pep band plays music while band director Ray Linville wconducts. The band played various pep songs during timeouts, alternating with Blue Valley Stilwellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s band.

Lady Trojans sent home early after state loss Coach Max Hamblin and the girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; varisty team stand at attention while the pep band plays the national anthem. The band left the school at noon and arrived ready to play in Topeka immediately before the game started.

DEVN DYMKOWSKI

Junior Audrey Meisch goes up for the shot while a Blue Valley Stilwell player defends.

24

DEVIN DYMKOWSKI

DEVIN DYMKOWSKI

Junior Kelsey Dick scrambles for the loose ball. The game took place on March 9 in Topeka.

April 1, 2011

DEVIN DYMKOWSKI

Members of the team wait to be checked into the game late in the fourth quarter. The game ended with the score of 59-32 with the Lady Trojans on the losing end.