Issue 1

ALHS

ECHOES

Issue 1 2011-2012

The Independent Voice of Abraham Lincoln High School | Council Bluffs, Iowa

Lynx work towards victories

Photo by: Hayley Hochstetler Courtesy of Crimson and Blue

By Blake Willadsen Reporter

The Lynx football team has finally made its’ way back on the field.

They have started off the year 2-2, with wins coming over Des Moines North and Thomas Jefferson in the season opener. During that game, sophomore quarterback

IncluCity ol o h c s s g n i r b together Page: 2

Jared Thompson and senior quarterback Ryan Fee shared playing time and both put together scoring drives.

The victory was secured by Fee’s 21 yard touchdown pass to sophomore wide receiver Alex Barrett. The homecoming game was a 62-0 blowout over Des Moines North. During that game, senior tailback Cleo Harris was able to tally 122

rushing yards and 50 yards in receiving, while only playing in the first half. The victory was highlighted by a 80 yard fumble recovery for a touchdown by senior defensive lineman Cory Denton. The two losses were against Johnston and Harlan.

The Harlan loss was on the road, and was delayed until Sunday because of weather.

The Lynx are averaging

36 points a game this year in a offense that is led by senior Harris, senior fullback Colton Thompson, and senior wide receiver Alex Klement. The Lynx will open conference play September 22 at Sioux City West. One can not help but wonder what great things are going to happen.

What’s Inside:

Meet th e new sta ff membe rs!

Pages: 6 and 7

am Swim Te e m o h t a back ool P n r i K in Page:12

alechoes.com

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Brittany Rupp | Editor in Chief

News

Echoes

Trimesters bring longer periods, limited number of classes, scheduling conflicts

By Brittany Rupp Editor-in-Chief As this school year began, students were met with many different things. Everything from a brand new building to a new principal. However, there was one thing that was at the front of students’ mind all summer. Even before this school year started, there was buzz, complaint and even argument over the district’s decision to switch the traditional calendar to a trimester set-up.

“I think last year there was a large committee [that made the decision] last year,” Principal Todd Barnett said. “[They decided] it would be best for everyone involved.”

In April of the 20102011 school year, the school board voted to move from the traditional two semester school year with four quarters that consisted of nine weeks each, to a year that would be divided into three halves with each third consisting of 12 weeks. “[It] kind of rushes everything,” Payton Shively ‘13 said. “You’re abbreviating a lot into one day and it’s pretty

exhausting.”

For high school students, this translates into having a teacher for 12 weeks, then switching. It also meant spending a lot of time in the counseling office in an attempt to fix and fit everything into their schedules. Because students now only spend 12 weeks in a class, this also means that they have fewer classes within a day. The average eight hour day has now shrunk to just five class periods in a day. These class periods are an hour and a half each.

“The day is longer for some schedules depending on the student,” Barnett said.

Some classes needed to be moved to before school simply because there was not enough time during the day to have them in the regular school day schedule.

Classes like show choir and jazz band have been moved to before school, creating the term “zero hour.” Class for these students starts at seven in the morning. Students only receive half of a credit for these classes.

“I do not like being school at seven, it’s pointless and it’s too early,” Shively

Teachers take advantage of the switch to trimesters to teach more within a day. Photo By: Christian Schlater

said.

Despite the changes students have and are continuing to adjust. While this may be an all year learning process, district officials and administrators believe this will help students in the long run.

IncluCity helps to blend the school together as one

By Lauren Myers Opinion Editor For many students at Nebraska schools, the chance to be apart of a camp known as IncluCity, short for Inclusive Communities, was always available. Over this summer students from the school got invited to be one of the first Iowa schools to attend the camp since Nebraska schools were a usual attendee. IncluCity embraces diversity while strengthening the community of almost 70 camp delegates.

“IncluCity is a leadership camp focused on human relations,” Christine Heckman, guidance counselor, said.

“The goals are to help kids see the world (around them) in a way they haven’t and to empower them to change.”

Teachers recommend students who would be of interest for the camp. Interested students filled out an application before the camp to see if a scholarship was available to them so there would be no cost for attending . All students at school

who attended, received some sort of a scholarship.

One student who was unsure about attending at first, had a change of mind after speaking to Heckman who has been attending the camp since 2003.

“My teacher Mrs. (Kelly) Frascht told me about (IncluCity),” Chelsea Eret ‘14 said. “ I wasn’t sure about it at first then Mrs.Heckman told me about it. I looked it up online and then I wanted to go.”

Another student who attended the camp also spoke with Heckman beforehand.

After attending the camp, Michaela Long ‘12 feels the experience has helped her in a numerous amount of ways.

“I was recommended by a teacher and I talked to Mrs.Heckman,” Long said.

“I would just say (IncluCity) is an amazing experience and it helped me grow. I feel like I am a better person and a more accepting person.”

For this group of camp delegates to a returning camp goer, the experience has had lasting changes and impressions everyday.

“It has forever changed

me as a person,” Heckman said. “It instills me a hope about people, I get to see the goodness in people that they don’t show in their everyday lives.”

After attending the camp Eret has had some changes in the way of how she thinks about certain topics she didn’t know much about. “ I would tell (other people) no matter who they are they can grow, learn and benefit from there,” Eret said.

“No matter what they are going through they should go. They opened my eyes to things I didn’t know about.

I grew and learned from attending that camp.”

Since returning home, Heckman feels she has enough encouragement from camp to step into certain situations to make a difference. “(When returning home I feel) refreshed, rejuvenated, ready to tackle the world, and to talk to people,” Heckman said. “(The camp has) opened my eyes and it encourages me to do something, like if I hear a student say ‘that’s so gay,’ I step in.”

Sophomore parking rights are modified

By Jaidlyn Bookout Reporter With the new school year here and well on its way, students can’t help but notice the changes that have been taking place, especially in the parking lot. With a new year, a new opportunity has been opened for sophomores. This year, a rule change was made that allows sophomores to receive parking passes. Up until this year, seniors got the first pick of parking passes, then juniors and any extra passes were given to sophomores by lottery.

“I don’t mind the rule change because I know I needed a parking pass when I was a sophomore,” Jenna Dunn ‘12 said. “I had to park in the residential area.

I had four sports that year and I needed a car to keep all my stuff in after school. It

sucked because it took a 10 minute walk to get to my car each day.”

Students who have a school permit or driver’s license and insurance are eligible to receive a parking pass. If one is a sophomore applying for a parking permit, they must be in good academic standing and have at least 12 credits.

“There are no designated spots. It’s first come, first serve,” said Fred Maher, assistant principal.

The number of parking spots are limited. Not every student will be able to park in the lot every day. Students who do not get to school early enough will have to park in the residential areas near school.

“I like the rule change because I don’t have to walk to school from the residential areas,” Jazmine Orellana ‘14 said. “I have more time to

get ready in the morning too because I don’t have to ride the bus.”

There are various cameras located thoughout the building and parking lot, along with staff patrolling the school, according to Maher and Officer Matt Kuhlmann.

“I’d only be worried about my car if a few cars have been vandalized, but until then I’m not,” Orellana said.

Maher said problems with break-ins do not happen a lot, only on occasion, but it would help if students do not keep belongings such as iPods and purses visible for everyone to see. Problems like this can be avoided, making the use of the parking lot the best it can be.

“I’m glad that sophomores get the chance at parking passes this year,” Orellana said. “I’m really excited to drive to school.”

News

3 Class rank and GPA in simple terms Echoes

Brittany Rupp | Editor in Chief

Two college and scholarship words demystified

By Melanie Krohn Copy Editor

For seniors of ALHS, college applications deadlines are approaching this year, and the topics of Grade Point Averages and class rank are looming. Some students wonder what this GPA thing is. Others know it’s important, but just don’t know how or why. Most students don’t start paying attention to it until their senior year of high school.

Some students ask if they are at a disadvantage since CBCSD uses a weighted grading scale. What many teenagers do not realize is that many of the “facts” they know about GPA and class ranks are only myths that need debunking.

GPAs are figured based on the grades from every class a student has taken (which are assigned points per each letter grade achieved) divided by the number of credits attempted.

The system got slightly more complicated when the school district changed its grading policy and began adjusting GPAs instead of actually letter grades for classes, altering the weighting system.

The district’s grading system is weighted. What makes it weighted is the extra point all Advanced Placement and Concurrent Enrollment classes get while GPAs are figured. All AP and CE classes get one additional point added on to the points for each class, except in the case of earning an A in the class which then allows only half of a point to be added. A weighted GPA is not harmful while applying to the three main public Iowa universities (Iowa State University, University of Iowa, and University of Northern Iowa).

According to Phil Caffrey, an admission counselor at ISU, “The three universities will use whichever GPA (weighted

or non-weighted) is most ACT score and the number It is crucial for students accepted to and attends the beneficial to the student. of years of high school to realize how significant school. With both class rank However, 4.00 is the core classes completed. If a their GPAs really are, since and GPA becoming such maximum GPA that can be student scores a 245 or more their GPAs are what rank prominent factors in college used.” with this formula, they are them in their class. Class decisions, it is very important What isn’t commonly automatically admitted to rank is a way for universities for students to work hard realized throughout about one’s high school GPA or class to boost their rank is that it grades and plays a role in opportunities determining in the future. y o u r Use the grade from every class you’ve taken throughout your high school TAG instructor admission S a r a h career. Pass/Fail classes do not count status to most Steinmetz universities. stresses that The main freshman A’s-4 p u b l i c year grades B’s-3 universities count and C’s-2 in Iowa use a effort should score called be given each D’s-1 the Regent year of high F’s-0.

Admission school.

Index (RAI) “Students to help decide Add together all of the points, and then divide by the amount of classes you should be a student’s concerned have taken admission. about their GPA is 70 academic percent of coursework to the formula, and class rank any of the three universities. to compare a student to achieve a high class rank and also plays a smaller, but More information on the RAI the rest of their class and GPA to be more successful still important role. The can be found at http://www. measure how successful in their college endeavors,” RAI also uses a composite regents.iowa.gov/RAI/. they may be if the student is said Steinmetz.

go to a training day, in which they became prepared by running all the activities that they would be doing on the the first day of school. “(Training) was fun,” Jenna Hyde ‘12 said. “It was a good way to become closer to my classmates. We played bonding games and went over expectations for the first day of school. It’s a fun time and a good experience.”

The Link Leaders took their group of freshman, which consisted of around eight kids, and were assigned to a classroom where they did ice breakers and other fun activities.

“I think its important to the freshmen we do this for them. I think it’s good for them to have someone in the school to talk to them,” Hyde said.

Teachers Dirk Waller, Myron Wilder and Ruth Dowell are the ones to thank for setting up this program.

“Freshmen are automatically introduced to positive role models, who then run activities,” Ruth Dowell freshmen English teacher said.

One may be thinking ‘ why would they do something like this?’ Dowell has the answer.

“It’s about giving back to

your school and community, its about doing something for someone else. It makes you feel really good inside.

We teach you how to have leadership skills, and it will look good on your college applications.”

The Link Crew Leaders has such a good effect on students in a good way that they consider applying themselves.

“They helped me meet new people. I might (apply) because it seems kinda fun working with freshmen and doing activities,” Outlaw said. “Being a freshman at A.L has been a great experience so far.”

Volunteering to help others and being a role model will have an impact on yourself and the others around you. Volunteering can be exciting and fun, and others will remember you by the path you leave. It is also benificial in other ways. For those who run LinkCrew it is considered voulunteer work.

“I know what you think that what your doing right now doesn’t really matter,” Dowell said, “But in fact you will look back and don’t have to say ‘I’m not doing a good job’, because it will, and can effect you happiness later on in life.”

How to configure your Grade Point Average

LinkCrew helps Freshman to adjust

By Suzanne Peterson Executive Reporter Fresh what? Freshmen!

Imagine it is your first day of high school. You’re really nervous and excited. You take a deep breath, and walk into the gym, not knowing what to expect. Then when you open the door, you are greeted by a gym full of upperclassmen and staff.

Yelling, clapping, cheering, and welcoming you to your first day of high school. On August 17, approximately 300 freshmen were celebrated to Abraham Lincoln by Link Crew Leaders and Staff. Link Crew Leaders are made up of juniors and seniors who are handpicked by staff, who see them as leaders or good with kids. The freshmen are put in groups of eight, with two leaders, who then throughout the day, do fun activities with them and give them a tour of the school.

“I was kinda excited, but at the same time nervous,” Tony Outlaw ‘15 said. “ I enjoyed the whole day.

I learned peoples names, met new people, toured the school, and my group leader gave us cool outfits to wear.”

Link Crew leaders gave up two days of summer to

Flooding took over many summer plans this past summer. Photo By Elizabeth Beck

Flooding complications wash the summer away

By Elizabeth Beck Photographer

Over the summer the citizens in the Southwest Iowa region were affected in one way or another by the flooding. Whether it was a swimming pool for a basement, moving out of your house to avoid the flooding, or finding a new route to get somewhere.

“First we had to put the wet stuff on the deck to dry and the we had to pump out all the water,” Alexis Prazak ‘12 said.

In a normal year the Missouri river normally sits at 26 feet, however this year due to the heavy rains and large amounts of snowfall that took place to the North, Gavins Point Dam had to increase the amount of water that it released. This increase in water output caused the river to jump from 26 feet to over 36 feet. The flooding peaked at 36 feet in the Omaha/Council Bluffs region. The damage done to the flooded areas are estimated to take seven years to repair, closing several roads and destroying several different fields of crops.

Others were forced to

move out of their homes for fear of flooding in their neighborhood, such as Manawa resident Ginnie Land.

Over the summer she and her husband moved out of their house, trying to avoid water damage to their belongings.

“The biggest inconvenience of moving is not having the little comforts,” Land said. Because of the move most of their things are packed away in storage, waiting for the day they can safely move back into their home.

Land was alone at home when she found out about the flooding. She watched as her neighbors started moving, army reserves and dump trucks rolling up and down her street. She had never actually suspected that the flooding would be a problem until the day she turned on the news and saw reports on the news of the possibility of Manawa flooding.

Over the summer many people found themselves working to prevent the flood from getting any worse. Ryan Beck, Abraham Lincoln High school graduate found himself working with several other engineers driving the

levees, checking for animal burrows and other potential problems, installing pipes, sand bagging sand boils, making visibility easier for the National Guard, and occasionally filling sand bags.

“It was a fun job, something different was usually happening each day,” Beck said.

While walking the levees Beck mostly filled in animal burrows and patched sand boils in the walls. Sand boils are lumps in the levee wall that form over time as the water pushes against it. Sand boils aren’t overly dangerous unless they start eroding at the dirt under the wall. The main worry that Beck expressed was that one of the levees would fail. The water flowing over the top of the levees, luckily, was never really an issue.

The flooding affected lives all over the Midwest even to the metro over the summer. Most of Council Bluffs was lucky enough to avoid too much of the damage, though many of the sad stories of people’s losses strike close to home for many residents and students in Council Bluffs.

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Christian Schlater and Ericka Davis | Photo Editor and Opinion Editor

Opinion

Echoes

iPhone offers stability, speed

By Melanie Krohn Copy Editor

Dependency on technology is what our generation is all about these days, and like most teenagers, I have an unbreakable attachment to my cell phone. With so much technology out there, it’s hard to know what’s best. But since I have owned and used both of the phones, I know that iPhone 4s are the very best.

The number one quality I love about my iPhone is its speedy operating system. iOS 4 is super fast, not to mention its user-friendly design and very low number of glitches, meaning no force-closing anything, since I have seen the demise

of many other smartphones due to this. It also makes it very easy to multitask with, offering an easy way to run multiple third-party apps without any shutting down or reopening while switching between the two. Since this system is basically a desktop class system redesigned for a mobile device, it makes performance and power efficiency the very best. iOS 5 system is coming out this fall, offering a free update to all iPhone 4 (and iPad) users (and also producing hopes of an iPhone 5 coming out sometime soon).

Another standout are the physical features of this device. The Retina display is outstanding, the best of any phone I’ve previously owned. According to Apple, engineers packed four times the amount of pixels into the screen of the iPhone 4 than what are present in previous iPhone models, making it so the human eye is unable to distinguish any individual pixels present. I also really appreciate the dual camera feature. The 5 mega pixel camera doesn’t have too many built in features, but the

“I was supposed to draw a cartoon for this issue,” “but I got a stack of homework, and senior-itis.”

apps provided make it very simple to customize your photos. The front facing camera allows for FaceTime and Skype and still maintains quality, even though it does not possess the 5 mega pixels as the other.

The Apple App Store has over 425,000 apps, making it the largest application store in the world. Although it does have less free apps than its’ competitors, Apple requires its applications to be submitted to be reviewed before placement on the Store, ensuring that you have a selection of apps that should be quality, instead of “buggy”, poorly coded applications that other smart phone operating systems offer. Apple produces apps that are iPhone versions of popular Mac software, like iMovie, Keynote, and others that contain amazing features and abilities never seen before on a smart phone.

If I had to go back to the Android operating system, a

my iPhone never happens. I am always playing Words with Friends with my friends, checking into places on Foursquare, taking sweet photos with Hipstamatic, a n d jamming to music a n d

full blown panic attack would be in order.

Separation from my previous cell phones rarely happened, but now, separation from

tracking my runs with Nike+ GPS during cross country practice, and that’s why my iPhone 4 is the best.

“So I guess you’ll have to settle for this.”

“Golf takes up a lot of time too...”

Cartoon by Kevin Dickey

New block format brings about unforeseen problems

By Brittney Johnson Reporter

Hello, and welcome to another wonderful year in the Council Bluffs School District. You may have been noticing some changes to

the year and to your days.

These changes include 70 minute classes on Tuesdays through Fridays, and 55 minute classes on Mondays.

That is 20 minutes more on Mondays, and 30 on Tuesdays through Fridays.

Let me start off with my first view, drowsiness. I’m a person who does enjoy learning to an extent. After so much time in one subject, when I am not able to walk around or let my mind relax a bit, it gets to be too much.

I don’t know about you, but my brain just becomes a drowsy mess.

Lengthening the classes also means less classes in a

day and for some, zero hour.

Zero hour is before school classes like Band and Show Choir.

“It would have been better after school,” Elizabeth Britton ’13 said. “Some people just aren’t ready for that early of a start, people don’t always make it on time because they are not use to it (getting to school early).”

Early starts are intense!

One thing about last year that was nice was double periods. It gave us a break from sitting in a classroom learning something for a terribly long time, depending on teachers and classes. It gave our minds time to relax

and refocus. If only those days were still here.

I’m not trying to offend the teachers, trust me, I’m not, they’re not the issue here, the amount of time that they must teach is. In fact, some teachers are doing a great job at keeping people on their toes and alert. To that I must say, thanks a bunch.

The school system appears to think that with more class time, we will get more done and less homework. Which doesn't happen, students still get an average amount of homework. Guess that didn't work like they thought.

There are some people who like the longer class periods. To tell you the truth, I can understand why they do. Speaking to one of them, they did have a good point.

“I think more class time means more time to get help from teachers,” Payton Whiteaker ’14 said.

It’s true, you do get more time with teachers, you can ask more questions. My opinion was a bit swayed at this comment, but I stand true, not a huge fan of these longer class periods.

This year, we have longer classes, zero hour, and the loss of a credit. Last year, and years before, we

Thumbs Up

• Shutout at homecoming game • No more construction • River is below flood stage • Mr. Barnett coming to AL • All of the lovely new teachers • Homecoming Olympics • Return of Dodgeball Friday

Thumbs Down

• How cold our school is • Short lunch, long line • Tucker Center bus late • Novotny’s broken microphone and CD player • Very few home volleyball games • Unnecessary grinding and other behaviors at Homecoming • School randomly smells like glue would get sixteen credits.

Now, with the lengthening of classes and trimesters, we go down to 15. This may not be much, but it could have been one extra college credit course, or maybe someone failed a class and needed that extra credit.

Who knows? By this time next year, we may all be loving these longer classes.

I may be sitting and discussing with my friends how wrong this was, but for now, I have stated my view, and my mind is set. I am also sure that I’m not the only one who thinks this about how large our class sizes have become.

Echoes

Opinion

Staff Editorial

Christian Schlater and Ericka Davis | Photo Editor and Opinion Editor

Commons becomes melting pot Every year, it never fails.

Whether it is the incoming freshman, or the new seniors.

There is always some type of clique or group that sticks around each other. They can relate to people of their own kind and same interests, and though it sounds offensive, very few of these cliques overstep into one another’s bounds.

For example, everyday during passing period, it’s rare not to see to the commons area spilling over with people. Skaters, jocks, goth, wanksters, every shade of the rainbow is in that area to create a melting pot of the high school social life. Though now it seems that one color is shining through more then ever, and mixing in places they shouldn't, it seems now that the wannabe gangsters are taking over every aspect of the school experience.

One example of the

invasion of the wannabe gangsters involves what is supposed to be a friendly game of dodgeball in P.E. class. One of the so called wannabe gangsters went up to grab a ball, and another student hit the kid as he was picking up the ball. Instead of walking off and standing in the out line, the wannabe gangster proceeded to yell, scream profanities, and challenge the other student to a fight. Although this seems like an altercation, it’s simply classified as an encounter with a wannabe gangster. It seems that all throughout the school, in every corner, every classroom, more and more encounters are happening.

There should never be a time when one is walking through the halls and feels intimidated or like they have to watch their own back.

Even though the wannabe gangsters seem to be causing

the most problems, it’s almost like a sign or a prophecy that something needs to change. The hipsters, the vegans, the gay community, all need to face the facts that cliques in general are causing the problems. There is at no point or time in the history of anything where this many different groups, with such different beliefs have been able to get along and be civil. Simple things like keeping one’s mouth closed when seeing someone different. Or not thinking one is better than someone else just because they have a jersey with numbers on it, or because they are in their last, second, or first year of high school. The fact of the matter is that we all have to be here, and we are all here to get an education, so there is no reason to hold one’s self to a higher standard than anyone else because truly, we are all

on the same level.

It is better to find one flaw in one’s self rather than to find 1000 in another.

The only thing to keeping it real is staying humble, swallowing just a little bit of pride, and walking through the school like an adult, not an adolescent with a vendetta towards authority and an attitude toward others. Truth is, everyone is closer to life starting then one can even fathom, this school thing that we all have going is what it is like to live life. Everyday at every minute. one might be surrounded by people different than them or people they don’t like. The key to success is tolerance, and finding that one flaw in one’s self that can help to show another person their’s.

The Echoes staff voted unanimously in favor of this staff editorial.

Senior year and all the glory of it

By Brittany Rupp Editor-in-Chief

I wish I could tell the number of times I have started and then deleted this column. I’m pretty sure I could have set a world record in the Guinness Book of World Records, if there was a category for newspaper column writing.

Like everything else that I have set myself to this year, the saying, “it’s my senior year, make it count” rings loudly in my head with everything

I do. However, right after that statement, my lovely little conscious asked, “how do I do that?”, leaving me utterly stressed, confused, and excited.

I can’t begin to tell you the jumble of mixed up feelings that I had upon the start of this year. I kept rolling through these feelings in a circle and since I created this little circle of misery and excitement, I named it the “Senior Circle.” Everything from shear and utter joy of this being the last year of being confined and trapped, to bone chilling fear of what lies ahead and things I still have yet to learn. That previous sentence doesn’t even begin to describe it. However if you are a senior reading this you most likely understand what I’m attempting to put into words.

If you’re not...your time will come. Pinkie promise.

After walking the halls of this school for three years, I feel like I have seen enough mistakes and felt enough failure and seen and felt enough triumph to take this year on. I have watched three groups of seniors before me fail and succeed at what they do, and somehow in the process of that teach me how to also do the same.

At the beginning of the this year, when I began to fill the shoes of my former editor-in-chiefs, and the shoes of my former clarinet players (whom I miss with all my heart), I realized that this is my time to shine. For the past three years, most of us have been living in the shadows of others because of our silly ages. It’s now our time to take the reins of

everything we are involved in, and make it better than it has ever been. To finally live out the things we have been dreaming of doing for the past forever. Whether that be completely and totally shaking things up with a activity, group or club that you are in, taking a chance on something you’ve never done before, or seeing the last chance Texaco sign with someone or something. This is our year to do everything!

After almost three weeks of trying to write this thing I think I got most of the jitters and unexplainable feelings out. So I have one more thing to say. Class of 2012.

This is our year. Our year to make our mark. To push the limits of everything we have known and to make this one unforgettable year. Let’s do it!

Getting through high school

By Suzanne Peterson Reporter

Are you that person w h o i s n ’ t really sure how t h e y want their school year to turn out? If you want amazing results, read this and JUST DO IT. Here are some tips you should remember, in order to have a pretty dang good school year. To those people who claim they already know how to be successful... you don’t. I’ve listed a few ideas that we all should keep in mind.

1.) Set good examples.

You’re in the real world, not cast members from Jersey Shore. Girls, when you wear booty shorts and those cleavage revealing tops, you’re setting a horrible

example for our 13 and 14 year olds who (sadly) want to do the same. Stop trying to impress the boys and even girls. And boys, don’t think I forgot about you. Pull up your pants. Translation to the gangsters: ‘ Lil homie, ain’t nobodyz be wanna seein’ ya drawgs hanging all out mann! Ya knowz what I’m talkin’ ‘bout boyy?’ Puhlease, pull those up or get a belt. Remember to keep it PG-13.

2.) You’re just as good as anyone else.

For the people who think they are better than the rest, well let’s make this simple.

You’re not. Get off your high horse, after all, you’re only human like the rest of us.

3.) Get involved.

We are the Lynx.

Therefore all we do is win no matter what. We have some amazing sports teams, so get out there and support them. Join a club, volunteer, whatever it is, you won’t be

disappointed.

4.) Git r done.

Don’t procrastinate, or get distracted. Get help if you need to, ask questions. If you ignore your school work, you could either kiss your dream job goodbye, or see your younger sibling in the same graduating class. Your choice. Good grades, good quality, on time. It can’t get much easier than that.

5.) Make friends.

Play nice. I know I’m not the one to always play nice, (dirty is more my style) but I was born that way. You on the other hand have no excuse.

Reach out and include others, while still keeping your old friends. Branch out, have fun, you’re only in high school for four years. Maybe making positive relationships is all you need.

6.) Stop. Think. Decide.

This may be hard for most. For all of you who think your B.A , if you’re the crazy ex-boy/girlfriend, or

even “that kid who doesn’t care what happens,” I just wanted to remind you to use common sense. Its pretty easy. Ask yourself if it’s worth doing, and for all the people stupid enough to do it, I hope you learn the hard way. The decisions you make now will effect your future.

7.) Keep it real Try not to act as fake as your little sister’s barbie doll. Express yourself in a civil manner. So what if you love reading the Harry Potter books over and over again? (or is that just me?) Either way, just be the true you. The world is full of try-hards and fake fabulosity, and if you don’t care about being cool, that is what will make you cooler. I may not be the next Oprah Winfrey (yet), but keep in mind the following.

One day, a lot of it will seem impossible, but right now there’s only possible. Keep your thinking right, and your business will be right.

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The Echoes Editors-in-Chief Brittany Rupp Danielle Peabody Section Editors Danielle Peabody Brittany Rupp Ericka Davis Lauren Myers Devon Jefferson Christian Schlater Photo Editor Christian Schlater Business Manager Emmalee Adams Salesperson Arianne Boehme Photographers Francisco Franco Jessie Adkins Graphics and Cartoons Kevin Dickey Elizabeth Beck Copy Editors Melanie Krohn Brian Williams Ericka Davis Lauren Myers Reporters Blake Willadsen Victoria Holcomb Jessie Adkins Jaidlyn Bookout Joe Vrenick Suzanne Peterson Brittney Johnson Christina Rivera Foreign Correspondent Hunter Hiffernan Webmaster Kevin Dickey Brian Williams Adviser Gerry Appel The Echoes is published by the newspaper staff of Abraham Lincoln High School, and exists to serve as an open forum for the students, faculty, administration and community.

All state and federal laws regarding the publications of student materials shall apply, and the Echoes will not publish materials which also fall under the guidelines established by the Council Bluffs Public Schools system, and are deemed libelous, obscene, or a material and substantial disruption to normal classroom activities.

The views expressed are not those of the Council Bluffs Public Schools, faculty, or administration.

Any student, faculty, or staff member wishing to contribute materials will need to submit a letter to the editor within deadline restriction; however, final publications is at the discretion of the staff. Letters to the editor are encouraged, and must be 400 words or less in length and signed; letters will be printed as received. Every attempt will be made to verify the authenticity of the author, and no anonymous letters will be published.

Advertising will not be accepted for all products or services that are illegal for minors to possess or utilize. Advertisers wishing to reserve publication space should call 712328-6481 ext. 425.

Member Publication

Feature

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Danielle Peabody | Editor-in-Chief

7

New faces at ALHS Lynx welcome new staff

By Melanie Krohn Copy Editor

From Colorado to AL : Barnett begins new job Brittany Johnson & Victoria Holcomb

was

Rob Riggs is fulfilling his first teaching job as a teacher of biology and global science. Riggs also coaches football and baseball, which reflects in his hobbies of spending time outside and baseball. Prior to teaching at AL, he was a student at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Dana College, and Midland University. The thing Riggs likes most about teaching is working with students.

Jesus Gutierrez Rajo, also known as Señor Gutierrez, joins the staff at AL as a Spanish 1 and 2 teacher. He previously taught in Clarinda, IA from 2007 to 2010. Originally from Spain, he grew up in Alcalá de Henares, which is 20 miles from Madrid. Gutierrez went to college at the Universidad San Pablo CEU. As a teacher, he enjoys watching students mature and grow up throughout high school. Gutierrez also likes soccer, music, and traveling.

Beth Rips Qumsieh

Hill

Third year teacher Trent Hill joined the staff at Abraham Lincoln High School this year after previously teaching elementary school PE at Franklin and Walnut Grove. He looks forward to interacting with students who can have conversations with him as he teaches American Government and PE. Outside of school, he enjoys running and golfing, and has a wife and two boys.

Beth Rips, a second career teacher, is known as Dr. Rips to her students as she obtained her masters degree from Creighton University and her doctorate from University of NebraskaOmaha. Rips was in the restaurant business prior to becoming a second career teacher. Aside from working with students, she really looks forward to being part of a community with her colleagues. In her spare time, Rips enjoys yoga, walking, cooking and baking, reading, and spending time with her dog and her family.

Imad

Valerie Hallagan Science teacher Valerie Hallagan says she looks forward to seeing all students, but especially freshman, graduate as she begins her first year here. She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School and Wayne State College, and had her first teaching experience as a student teacher at Nathan Hill Middle School in Omaha. “(I like) helping students grown and building relationships with them and other teachers,” said Hallagan, concerning what she likes most about teaching. Outside of school, she enjoys being outdoors, playing sports, reading, and also likes basketball, softball and soccer.

Trent

Adams

Samantha

Many students may recognize Samantha Adams from last year as a student teacher here in the fall and then as a long-term sub in the spring.

She now serves as a full-time teacher of English 10, 11 and 12. Adams attended the University of Northern Iowa. “I love the opportunity to excite students (about learning) and to help prepare them for the future,” Adams said. Aside from teaching, she also likes to spend time with her little brothers and family and read.

Gutierrez

Lt. Col.

Lieutenant Colonel Steve Ament has taken over Major Scott Moore. He will be teaching and also helping to train the ROTC students in their drills. *Lieutenant Colonel Steve Ament unavailable for an interview at this time.

“I am enjoying developing relationships with older students,” Dr. Jason Plourde said about his experience at AL so far. Previously at Washington Elementary, assistant principal Plourde has studied at UNO and Creighton. One of his favorite parts of his job is working with teachers to help them improve the science and craft of their jobs. In his spare time, he likes to spend time with his family (he has three kids), and outdoor activities, such as hunting, fishing, camping, and hiking.

Rob Riggs

Steve Ament

Filling the position of an English language learners teacher, Sarah Gillman joins AL after teaching at Longfellow and Pusey Elementaries.

Gillman, a Buena Vista University graduate, enjoys reading and spending time with her friends and family. She enjoys teaching at AL because seeing success with older students is more noticeable, and also likes teaching in general because she enjoys seeing the growth in learning.

Jesus

Jason Plourde

Sarah Gillman

Reporters

Imad Qumsieh is the newest Palistinian teacher at ALHS. He originally is from Bethlehem and achieved a Masters degree and a Ph.D in civil engineering from Odessa State University in Ukraine. Qumsieh also has his Masters in math from University of Nebraska Omaha. At AL, he utilizes both degrees. “(I enjoy) sharing my knowledge with students and showing them the easiest way to understand math,” he said. Qumsieh also enjoys Hawkeye football, gardening, reading the news, and surfing the Internet.

Along with changes such as construction, more parking, and new scheduling, comes the new head principal, Todd Barnett. He has been in the Council Bluffs School District for around 20 years, with most of that time at Thomas Jefferson, teaching Government and U.S History. In 2002, Barnett was appointed as the Dean of Students and then assistant principal.

But he also taught for three years at Wilson teaching Social Studies to seventh and eighth graders and two years at Tucker Center.

Barnett has not always been a Bluffs man, he grew up in Colorado. While in Colorado he went to Manitou Springs’ school for kindergarten through twelfth grade, until heading to New Mexico High Lands University for his college years. Barnett graduated from Manitou Springs High School in 1987. During his college years.

Barnett was majoring in the education field for social studies.

Along with teaching, Barnett likes to spend time with his sons, golfing, going to different stadiums, and seeing all different events.

Abraham Lincoln’s new principal has quite a strange connection to the school. Back in Colorado, his mother coached Misty Moore ‘92 and Kim Moore ‘90 in volleyball, and Barnett played football with their older brother. Before Kim and Misty transferred to Council Bluffs when their father accepted the principal job at Carter Lake, these girls graduated from Abraham Lincoln just few years later. This is one of the reasons that Barnett took the principal job here at Abraham Lincoln. Another being simply that the opportunity was there.

Students seem to like him so far, and think he is doing a good job.

“He is nice, and has a very positive outlook on the school,” Sarah Trant ’12 said.

Kaitlyn Murphy ’15 added that, “I like his hair.”

An educational career seemed almost destined for Barnett. When he was growing up, both of his parents were teachers. In elementary school he would go to the high school after the school day ended to wait for his mother to finish coaching.

“I was pretty much a gym rat,” Barnett says about his youth.

After working at several schools, Barnett believes that at any school you go into, when you’re with, kids can’t be a bad fit. It sure seems that he fits in well here at Abraham Lincoln.

Some interests of Barnett are his sons, Nick and Conner, being number one, golf, sporting events, and going to different stadiums.

The school year is just getting started, and Barnett’s tenure as head principal is just kicking off the year. With his accomplishments thus far, it shows what he can do in the future here at Abraham Lincoln.

Watching the Lynx push their way to a victory against the Des Moines North Polar Bears, Todd Barnett enjoys a bag of popcorn. Photo by Christian Schlater

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Danielle Peabody | Editor-in-Chief

Feature

Echoes

Pep assemblies are a privilege, not a right

First pep rally of the year is an example of what to continue

By Blake Willadsen Reporter Game day at Abraham Lincoln includes many traditions. One of those game day traditions are the pep assemblies held at the end of the day. Pep rallies help warm up Lynx fans and are a fun way to end the day, but last year, the student body was humbly reminded that pep assemblies are a privilege. Due to poor student behavior, several pep assemblies were cancelled.

“They’re always a good way to get the whole school pumped for a game,” said Travis Roane ‘13, a member of the football team.

All sorts of fun are to be had at the rallies including performances by the dance team and cheerleaders, chants, a fun activity (like the pie throwing fundraisers), presentation of the colors by the school’s ROTC, and of course, the ALHS pep band leading students in song.

This year, much more of the planning is being put in the hands of the student council. With assistance from Athletic Director Jeff Novotny, Social Studies teacher Jennifer Daspit, and English Teacher Jim DeMott the duties of setting up a pep assembly are being eased

into the students’ hands.

“I think it’s a reward.

However, if kids are doing what they need to do, we are fine. We’ve got to do the little things,” Novotny said.

In particular of those little things, increased focus was put on attendance.

Skipping class was a very big issue last year, and was part of the blame for the loss of the assemblies.

Fortunately, it looks like things are turning around this year.

“Attendance is much better this year. We just need to continue doing things the right way. Whether it’s academics, attendance, band, sports, etc.,” Novotny said.

“We keep doing things the right way and I’m sure we can keep having them.”

Student behavior has been acceptable enough this year to allow the pep rallies to continue. On August 25 the first pep rally of the year was held before the game at Johnston.

“I had lots of fun. I got very pepped up and excited for the game,” Reggie Broussard ‘13 said.

Everything went as planned for the first assembly as all activities were allowed to perform. As long as the student body keeps doing things right, there will be no reason to stop the fun.

2. Seniors chant their graduation year trying to drown out the other classes.

1. Connor Dean ‘13 stacks cups in one of the many pep assembly challenges.

3. Alexis Mitchell ‘12 tries to keep all of the balloons aloft by any means necessary.

Photos by Christian Schlater

Preparing for a new school year

Students say farewell to summer and its many benefits

By Suzanne Peterson Executive Reporter

Cartoon by Kevin Dickey

Staying up until three in the morning, and waking up at noon. Having a whole day to spend time with friends and family. Relaxing on a nice sunny day by the poolside, an ice cold coke in your hand with a big smile on your face. Summertime is time to sit back and unwind.

Then, before one knows it, they are standing on the corner at the bus stop, getting ready to go to school. Time flies by when having fun.

“I wished summer would never end,” Josie Thomas ‘14 said. “But, I was excited to see my friends.”

School is not just an excuse to mess around, and not get work done. Art teacher Mary Filbert, offers valuable advice to students, and tell her opinion on why she thinks students don’t work hard.

“I think they (students) let whats going on around

them distract them. They pay attention to the kids around them that are talking and not doing what they need to do. (They need to ) focus on what they need to get done. I think that will help them. If students try to take care of themselves, or own their own business, it would be helpful to them and the people in their class,” Filbert said.

Greatly missed by many, summer has gone and school has once again taken over. School offers many opportunities, ranging from personal goals to making new friends.

“One of my goals for the school year is to pass all my classes the first time around, and to make my junior year as exciting as my freshmen and sophomore year,” Josh Powell ‘13 said.

Other students have similar wishes. Cleo Harris ‘12 has some goals of his own.

“It’s my senior year. I feel like I’m going to take school more seriously. (My goal is to) get a 3.0 and to

be on time to most of my classes,” Harris said.

For some, school may also put some pressure on students, whether its about making friends, getting involved, or getting good grades.

“I don’t want to make any mistakes,” Powell said.

One may give a 110% effort, or whatever it takes to be top dog. The dedicated athletes give up their free days to be the best they can be. “[I’m excited for] football season and track. I will be successful in all the sports I play,” Harris said.

Summer is over, and school has begun. Love it or hate it, it is here to stay.

Students should set and achieve goals, be successful, learn new things, make the right choices, and be the best one can be. One student offers advice to help make the school year easier.

“Don’t skip class,” said Thomas. “Make the best of your freshmen year because it goes by fast.”

Entertainment

9 Harry Potter series comes to a close Echoes

Lauren Myers | Entertainment Editor

Students acknowledge an ending of a childhood memory

By Joe Vrenick Reporter

In 1998, J.K Rowling published “Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone” (or as it was known in the UK “The Philosophers Stone.”)

It made millions of dollars worldwide, followed by the other six sequels. In November of 2001, Chris Columbus (“Home Alone”) made the film adaptation of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone”. For almost a decade, fans have lined up at their local theaters to witness these groundbreaking movies staring Daniel Radcliffe (who plays Harry) Rupert Grint (Harry’s friend Ron Weasley) and Emma Watson (their friend Hermione Granger). On July 15 of this year, the movies came to an end with “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 ”, upsetting many fans, including Melanie Mathiessen, ‘14.

“I’m not happy about the series ending, but it has to end somewhere,” Mathiessen said.

After weeks of dangling at the box office, the final movie made $366,602,118, making it the highest grossing film of the year and in the entire Potter series. It made more than “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” (which made $348,540,006), “The Hangover Part 2” ($254,174,506) and “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” ($240,141,369).

Fans debate on whether or not the movies are better than the books. Some preferred the books because of the detail and emotions that books give, while other prefer the movies because they can get a much better visual of what was in the book (depending if they changed the scene or not.) Either way fans have faithfully followed Potter all the way.

“I preferred the books because in the movies,the last one in particular, they change a lot of things, and yet some things stay the same,” Carley Fields ‘14 said. “And it was amazing as to how much detail J.K Rowling put into the series.”

There’s a number of video parodies of Harry Potter on YouTube, Facebook, ext., that true fans of the franchise take offensive to Harry Potter’s fictional name. But most fans are able to laugh at the jokes made in the video.

For an example, “How it Should Have Ended” made a video of how the Harry Potter series should have ended. In the video, they go to the end of the third movie (Prisoner of Azkaban), and Harry begs Hermione to keep the Time Turner that Prof. McGonagall gave to her at the beginning of the school year (for the muggles who don’t know what a Time Turner is, it’s a device that allows a wizard to go back in time.) The video then goes through the many deaths that Harry has encountered and it gets to the fight between Harry and Lord Voldemort.

They alter this scene in the movie and make it so that Prof. Snape lives (he used anti-venom for the snake bites, and magic of the cut wound) and kills Voldemort, then Hermione’s Time

Turner to go back to the time that Prof. Dumbledore met the younger Voldemort (Tom Riddle in this time) and use the killing curse to destroy Voldemort before any of the craziness in the Harry Potter world begins. (Snape tells Dumbledore that “It would take seven books or eight movies” to explain why he did what he did).

Before the last movie was released in theaters, J.K Rowling had announced a web site that makes true fans click their refresh buttons constantly. That website is called Pottermore. It is a website, designed by Rowling herself, where fans can visit to go deeper into the world of Harry Potter. They can also buy, for the first time, eBooks of the seven Potter books, and Rowling will share additional details about the world she has created.

In the end, the last Harry Potter book and movie went out with a bang, bringing fans together, and still opening the door to people who have yet to catch Potter Fever.

Cartoon By Elizabeth Beck

River Riot offers variety of music tastes

By Arianne Boeheme Ad Staff Crowd surfing is one of the many things you witness at a huge outdoor concert and River Riot is no exception.

This annual concert has featured some of the biggest names in the “biz” such as Weezer and Blink-182.

This year, bands including Avenged Sevenfold, Three Days Grace and Escape The Fate will be taking the stage at Westfair Amphitheater to play for thousands of fans.

The first River Riot was held at Sokol Auditorium in 2004, but the first outdoor show was held in 2005, featuring bands such as 311 and Breaking Benjamin.

River Riot attracts thousands of fans and has even sold out the venue.

“We’ve had as few as 10,000 and as many as 18,000 for Incubus in 2007 and Blink 182 in 2009, which sold out Westfair Amphitheater,” said Jake Ryan, Assistant Program Director at KIWR. When you attend a show like River Riot, you may not stop to think about the planning that goes into the event. However, there is a lot of planning that goes on behind the scenes. Creating a lineup that will draw a crowd takes more planning and effort than one may expect. First, a headlining act is picked based on their popularity and who will draw a big crowd, then finding

out when and if they are available to play. Then it’s a matter of finding bands that compliment the headliner and have compatible schedules.

“I’m excited to see Three Days Grace because they’ve been around so long,” Amanda Combs ‘14 said.

River Riot will feature bands such as Sick Puppies, Sevendust., and more.

“We try and put together a cohesive line-up that will make sense and will appeal to a broad base of listeners,” Ryan said. “Having Avenged Sevenfold and say 311 play together wouldn’t make all that much sense. There are people that are fans of both bands and there are fans that are rowdy for 311 and calm for Avenged Sevenfold, but overall, it probably wouldn’t mix well.”

Even when the station has picked what they think is a winning line-up, it is still up to the audience and the ticket sales.

“I don’t know that we’ve ever expected to sell-out the venue, but we knew that our listeners would support the event, because they are

lovers of music and lovers of live music.” Ryan said.

“We are ecstatic about the response and the way that the show has built over the past 7 years.”

At the end of the day, the station can pick the perfect day and a great line up, but it is all up to the fans who support and love live music..

“89.7 The River can only do River Riot with continued support from listeners.” Ryan said. “As long as the fantastic support for this radio station continues, we’ll continue to try and put together a variety of live music all year long with what we hope is something for everybody including big shows like River Riot.”

River Riot will be held at Westfair Amphitheater on September 23 so be sure to get your tickets and help support 89.7 The River and all the bands coming to play. With the continued support from thousands of fans, River Riot and many other concerts will be able to continue for many years to come.

Upcoming Concerts: Tuesday September 20 - Rock of Allegiance Tour : Buckcherry/ Papa Roach @ Heartland Events Center Thursday September 22 - Wynonna @ Orpheum Theatre Sioux City, IA

Saturday September 24 - Demetri Martin @ Omaha Music Hall Friday October 7 - Blue October @ Mid America Center

Entertainment 10 Drama Club attracts students Page Design by Lauren Myers

Echoes

By Victoria Holcomb

Reporter

The lights dim, the audience quiets. As the curtain opens, the actors take that one final breath before they begin to enter a whole new world: the world of theater. This world may be entered by the students by joining the AL Drama Club. Drama includes acting; dressing, playing, feeling, being, and absorbing the actor’s thoughts and every move to be captured on stage. Although if performing on stage isn’t specifically your strong point, there are also stage props that will need to be built, directing that needs done and lights to be operated. Without a backstage crew the presentation of your play or musicals may not go through correctly and smoothly as the director or students make wish it had.

Drama Club is open to any individual that wants to be a part of theater in any sort. To make the stage come

alive and allow the audience to feel like they are with each one of these actors and living the part just as these actors are doing with their lines and movement. Along with all kinds of stage props that are needed to be built and designed and painted which can be made and perfected by members.

Former Drama Club member, Corey Mutum ‘13 helped with cleaning the stage, controlling curtains and lights. One year of drama is all he had but he enjoyed it.

“The music, that the kids sing in the talent show, the Follies,” Mutum said.

Performing is a major role in drama, as long as you can carry your voice, be confident, don’t mind crowds, memorize lines and placement. Your voice may need to sound or what posture to be using, acting might be a better fit. During those weeks before a show, the script is

Commentary

the actors best friend; these actors will be reading it so much and so often it will be a second nature to have it on them.

Due to all the activities AL offers, drama, as well as all the other extracurricular activities students are joined in, are low on funding for supplies or trips or busing expenses if needed. Although low on funding, the drama club are getting through this time and shows how theatrical each individual is, with students showing up to all the meetings in with their busy and hectic schedules.

Even with cheer leading or dancing, cross country or football, students still seem to fit drama into their schedules for it only being once a week makes arranging things easier.

Once shows start, practices and rehearsals are almost constant to just make

sure the performance is put on like rehearsed. With all the work these performers and stage crew put into this show, Mr. Mandelko explains, “there aren’t enough butts in the seats.” He wishes to have the auditorium filled with people, so many that they will be needing to move locations to seat all ticket holders.

These drama members believe it’s only fair to help in the community as well, so as a club they are wishing to perform either at a children’s hospital or nursing home. In thought that it would bring a smile to these peoples faces.

Drama is about bring smiles to faces through acting and showing off talents and expressing intelligence to fellow classmates friends and family through productions.

Steve Mandelko shows Drama Club Members how operate within the club. Photo By Fransico Franco

The good, the bad, and the box office

By Joe Vrenick

Reporter

Summer has come to an end, and many people went to the theaters. Many films made a huge sum of cash. The really big one, that made the most money, was “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2” (like nobody knew that would happen) making $374,580,000 in the U.S. “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” came second, making $349,457,208, which critics really question because of the not so good reviews it had received. “The Hangover Part 2” came in third making $254,174,506. “Pirates of the Caribbean:On Stranger Tides” made $204,141,369 ranking fourth, and “Fast Five” came fifth making

$209,837,675.

Now you are wondering what movies were good for Oscar gold, and what movies were so bad they should be forgotten. We’ll start with the good stuff. Now, obviously the best of the summer for many people was “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.” It made the most money this year so far and it got incredible reviews from both critics and viewers. Oscar should look into giving this a best picture nomination. Oscar’s never given Potter a nomination as big as Best Picture, but remember “Lord of the Rings: Return of the King?” They can’t ignore the Potter fever.

If there was anything else

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2:

$374,580,000

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

$349,457,208 The Hangover Part 2

$254,174,506

Pirates of the Carribean:On Stranger Tides

$204.141.369

that was good, Oscar should look into “Super 8.” “Super 8” is one of those movies that really captures us to go to the theater. It’s got a story that falls into almost every genre, it’s not just a Science Fiction film like people say. It’s what Steven Spielberg did with movies like “E.T,” and “Jurassic Park.” They were not just science fiction like most people say, it’s also a comedy mixed with drama and horror. It’s all those things together. Oscar has not had a film like that for a long time.

They should not pass that opportunity.

Now for what was bad.

There was so much out there.

“Bad Teacher” being one of them. It made $98,264,694,

which means no one liked it either. For sequels, “Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World” is a movie that gives you a scratch and sniff card that lets you smell a diaper.

Ick! But the really bad one, that a lot of people seemed to really like, was “Transformers: Dark of the Moon.”

Looks like our friend Michael Bay can make a movie that is bad in so many ways that people are just wanting to just go and see it. It seems brainwashing is possible.

We can’t forget that the year is not over. There’s an entire fall season waiting with many anticipated movies (“The Muppets,” people!) waiting to possibly grab the spotlight at the oscars.

Sports

Echoes

Devon Jefferson | Sports Editor

11

Growing pains jab at this year’s young

Coaches prepare younger players for the long journey ahead

Photo By: William Connelly, Crimson and Blue

By Blake Willadsen Reporter

It’s the 4th quarter in the classic rivalry match between AL and TJ, and the score is tied at 21. Senior quarterback Ryan Fee is slowly

leading the Lynx offense down the field, desperately trying to quiet a wild TJ crowd that just got back in the game. Head Coach Justin Kammrad calmly calls over sophomore wide receiver Alex Barrett.

“I was on the field and Coach called me over and said to get on your toes, break it on the post and it’ll be there for you,” Barrett said.

That 21 yard pass was there for him in the end zone to cap off the 21-28 victory for the

Lynx. This is just one of the shining moments for a team finding itself breaking in a very capable group of sophomores.

“We need to play a lot of new young players and this year we kind of get to go through growing pains,” Kammrad said. “A lot of our guys starting were juniors last year.

Most of the team this year are seniors and sophomores.”

The mix of growing talent and established

seniors is certainly becoming fun to watch for lynx fans. Senior Zach Paige is seeing firsthand the battle between players.

“This year is a lot different. I feel like last year, more was expected of me,” Paige said.

“This year, if I mess up, I get taken out.”

This year’s backfield has good experience, including a pair of proven senior tailbacks, Alex White and Cleo Harris and senior fullback, Colton Thompson.

White has been is coming off of an injury last year and is working his way into the rotation. With no established starter at quarterback, veterans like White are stepping into leadership roles.

“You don’t know how each quarterback will feel or how they will perform,” White said. “I try to compensate for that by trying to lead the best I can.”

The competition at quarterback is a big element of this year’s growing pains. Senior Ryan Fee and sophomore Jared Thompson are both trying to feel their way into a starting position. Both quarterbacks have shown improvement, and they each have a necessary role on the team.

“Ryan has pushed me a lot, and he’s made me a better player,” Thompson said.

“Last year’s team set an example for how AL football should be” This year has been a learning process for Thompson, but the experience has been exciting none the less.

“It’s been nerve racking,” Thompson said.

“Especially as a sophomore I’m expected to do things Alex Olson did, but I just have to play my own game and just play football.”

Even though there is still work to be done, expect the seniors to make a difference October 7 when senior night game rolls around against TJ. “It will be really fun. We are pretty confident about that one,” White said. “We want a win.”

New runners face winding challenges Athletes set big goals for season with state meet in mind

By Blake Willadsen Reporter Not many sports use running for much more than a punishment. Now that the school year is here, for some, that means it’s time for cross-country. This is not just another year though. This will be the final year in a 48year career for boys coach Mick Freeman.

This year brings a very diverse line-up that will feature varsity runners freshman through seniors and bring back several of the top runners from last year, including top runner, Josh Hiers, who finished 6th at the MRAC conference meet. One of those runners, Josh Cross ‘13, is entering his third year on the varsity line-up.

“I love the discipline it (running) gives you and the feeling you get after the run,” Cross said. “I’m looking to break the 18 minute mark this

year. I want to get faster.”

That discipline is just what will be needed to complete the 3.1 mile course used during the boys varsity course. It’s a challenge for most anyone to run a six minute mile, let alone three in a row. That is just the kind of challenge that the runners face. Practices are run through town, but meets are held on several different courses including several at Iowa Western Community College, two on golf courses, and one in Glenwood’s Swan Lake State Park.

“My favorite is Glenwood,” Cross said. “I got my best time there. It’s pretty fun.”

In preparation for the season, the team did summer runs four days a week at eight in the morning. Of course, after every practice, the boys and girls teams meet up following the run for the traditional post-run popsicle.

The girls team has a loaded senior line-up led by the standout, Emma Preston ‘14 who finished 12th at the MRAC conference meet last season, and the team captain, Bailey Kinney ‘12. Kinney is embracing her role as captain this year.

“I plan to push the team to work their hardest,” Kinney said.

The team atmosphere between everyone is very positive. The boys and girls work together to push their teams.

“We run by and give each other high-fives to help each other finish,” Kinney said.

There will be several opportunities for new runners to prove themselves, and seasoned veterans to improve. One could expect this year’s group to have several surprises for the AL cross-country team running their way to state.

Tyler Cumberland ‘12 Christian Schlater

practices for his upcoming meet.

Photo illustration by

Sports 12 Echoes Swim team back at home in Kirn Pool Devon Jefferson | Sports Editor

After extensive remodel, Kirn Pool is serving swimmers again

Photo By: Francisco Franco

By Jaidlyn Bookout Reporter The start of the new school year brings many things, one of them being the girls’ swim team season.

Kirn Middle School’s pool reopened in early August, just in time for the team’s practice and meets. The opportunity to practice at Kirn again will be good for the swim team, according to sophomore swimmer Joi Albertus.

“I’ve swam at L.C. before, and the atmosphere is pretty different. They’re not better or worse, but it is a change. Not to mention things are not nearly as crowded now,” Albertus said.

The girls’ swim team practiced at Kirn Middle School until leaks and remodeling caused the pool to close for almost a year.

Swimmers from Lewis Central, Thomas Jefferson, and Saint Albert High School all combined with Abraham Lincoln to make one giant team until Kirn Pool’s grand reopening in the first week of August. Swimmers then had to practice at Lewis Central High School’s home pool.

The girls practiced every weekday after school for about two hours. Practice at Lewis Central caused a few problems for senior swimmer Michaela Long.

“I was late every practice and got in trouble. I had to catch up with the other swimmers and if I didn’t, I had to stay after,” Long said.

Jessica Petry ‘12 said the reopening of the pool will help the team become better swimmers because they’ll have their coach back. Long said she is no longer late to practice; it’s much easier for her to be on time now. The

first swim meet took place August 30.

“As a team we did really well and dropped times,” said Long.

As the season goes on, competition for spots in big meets will be fierce. Though in the end. it will all be up to what the stopwatch says.

“There are some meets where the amount of people that are able to come is limited, so the swimmers with the fastest times will get to go to them,” said Albertus.

With a newly remodeled pool and more accommodating conditions to swim in, Long said she is looking forward to working hard with her team. She added more people are willing to practice, with high hopes, and the new availability, Kirn Pool will meet their needs September 20 at their next meet.

Photo By: Francisco Franco

2011 Swim Season for Girls

Date Tuesday, Sep 20, 2011 Saturday, Sep 24, 2011 Tuesday, Sep 27, 2011 Tuesday, Oct 4, 2011 Saturday, Oct 8, 2011 Thursday, Oct 13, 2011 Saturday, Oct 15, 2011 Tuesday, Oct 18, 2011

Location Kirn Middle School Des Moines Lincoln Kirn Middle School Sioux City East Johnston Southeast Polk Lewis Central Lewis Central

Thursday, Oct 20, 2011 Conference Meet Thursday, Oct 29, 2011 Regionals Friday, Nov 4, 2011 State

Sioux City North TBA Marshalltown

Photo By: Francisco Franco