Shawnee Mission South Patriot October 2011

THE

PATRIOT Shawnee Mission South October/ 2011 Volume/ 46 Issue/ 02

As We Age/ 06 Dressing it Up/ 10 Being Banned/ 16

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OC

CONTENTS 11

18

2312 CONTRIBUTORS:

Editor-in-Chief Design A&E Alma Velazquez Managing Editor Sports Casey Lee News Olivia Feathers Opinions Adam Mateos Features Hannah Strader Photos Grace Pritchett Web Hunter Young THE

PATRIOT Shawnee Mission South October/ 2011 Volume/ 46 Issue/ 02

Ads Shelby Johnson Writers Trivette Knowles Rachel Rosenstock Griffin Zeller Derek Fuhrmann Photographers Trevor Gariety Hayleigh Chudik Web Staff Alan Cordry Aaron Whatley Cartoonist Claire Thomas Adviser Julie Fales

On the Cover: Senior Allie Kite plays “MacPherson’s Lament” on the viola

As We Age/ 06 Dressing it Up/ 08 Being Banned/ 15

PHOTO BY /TREVOR GARIETY

News /04

Current happenings in and out of school

Behind the Scenes /05 The people of STUCO and Pep Club

What’s My Age Again? /06

Staff expresses concerns about not living in the moment

Culture Shock /07 Staff writer talks about his experience in Miami

The Debate /08 Students discuss the dangers of hazing

What Not To Wear /10

14 /Lost and Found

Clubs unknown to the student body

15 /Dining on a Budget

Four restaurants to check out for a well-priced meal

16 /Meet Ellen Hopkins Author discusses the deeper meanings behind her books

18 /Reviews

The latest in music, movies and First Fridays

20 /Coach Casey

What its like to be an SMS Football Coach

22 /Sports

Staff writer gives opinion on fashion

A look into this season’s sports

Marching band comes together unlike any other

All about the school’s “dream team”

Rompin’ Stompin’ Band /11 Coming to America /12 Seven students adjust to new life in the USA

23 /Cross Country 24 /Spotlight

A car is destroyed at the pep club bonfire TOC /OCTOBER 2011/ 02

Seniors put on the annual haunted house to support Project Graduation BY /RACHEL ROSENSTOCK

W

atch out for an evening filled with fun and frights, Oct. 29, the night of the senior Haunted House and Pumpkin Patch. The festivities will include booths for games with prizes and pumpkins for the younger crowd and a senior class run haunted house for the older students.

“I think we’re going to try to have more music playing and have more emphasis on the activities for children so it’s not just all haunted house,” senior class vice president Maureen Barry said. “It’s more of a whole family event rather than just the kids from South.”

The event is scheduled for 5p.m. to 9 p.m.

O

n a calm and clear Friday evening, the orchestra held their annual Oktoberfest before the homecoming football game. Besides providing music and food, Oktoberfest raises money for more concerts and professionals, such as conductors, to come and speak to the students. The orchestra played every morning in the front hallway the week before to advertise the event. Oktoberfest was a way for students and parents to get excited for the homecoming football game.

“It is just pregame for the homecoming [football game] where people can have a good time and hang out with their friends,” senior Landon Callihan said.

In preparation for the performance, the orchestra followed a rigorous practice schedule.

“We start practicing right at the beginning of the year, plus practice at home, and a little before school,” senior Matt Posladek said.

While they do not play traditional German music, the orchestra keeps some German traditions alive by serving dishes such as sauerkraut and potato salad.

“The German festivities do not really apply anymore. I really just want people to hear the orchestra,” orchestra director Jonathan Wiebe said.

04 /OCTOBER 2011/ NEWS

that Saturday. The Haunted House is run entirely by senior class volunteers.

“We literally have to do everything, there are no teachers involved,” senior class secretary Nicole Reddick said. “So we put everything together.”

The seniors are responsible for collecting props, costumes, decorations and anything else they may need for their particular room of the house.

“A lot of the seniors will help run it and make decisions, make sure everything goes smoothly,” senior class president Brandon Jenkins said.

The haunted house is a great opportunity

Oktoberfest has always been something orchestra students look forward to.

“I really like the food and songs that they picked, and playing [this] music is just really fun,” junior Madison Williams said.

Playing in front of crowds is not as nerve wracking as one might think it would be.

“You do not get nervous playing in front of crowds,” Williams said. “There is no pressure in messing up because if everyone else is playing well then making a couple mistakes will not throw anybody off and no one will hear you.”

The set list for Oktoberfest was picked from songs the orchestra started performing last school year, including the final two pieces played at Oktoberfest, “American Reel” by Kurt Mosier, and “Hoedown from Rodeo” by Aaron Copland.

More opportunities to catch the orchestra in action include the Fall Concert Light Show, where they tie lights to their bows and turn out the lights Oct. 26, and the Pops Concert, which is primarily pop music, Dec. 6.

Oktoberfest is also a good way for everyone to see the orchestra and enjoy the fruits of their hard work.

“You can’t not see Oktoberfest when you walk into the stadium,” Posladek said. “We just hope people hear us.”

for the seniors to showcase their leadership abilities.

“We’re dividing all the rooms up,” Barry said. “Different seniors will go into groups and they’ll be delegated a room so they’ll be in charge of it.”

In addition to being a fun opportunity for service hours for the senior volunteers, the Haunted House is a fundraiser for Project Graduation. Admission price will be announced for the event.

“Hopefully we’ll have a lot of support,” Jenkins said. “I feel like our senior class is a good one and they want to be involved and have fun with it.”

Atradition

CONTINUING Orchestra hosts Oktoberfest before the homecoming football game BY /GRIFFIN ZELLER

Orchestra director Jonathan Wiebe conducts the orchestra while they play in the gym lobby the evening of Oktoberfest.

PHOTO BY / TREVOR GARIETY

BEHIND THE SCENES An inside look at Student Council and Pep Club BY /OLIVIA FEATHERS

S T U C O

STUCO exec board: Hannah Johnson, Erica Lang, Elise Haas and Caroline Busch posing at the homecoming assembly.

Essentially the backbone of the student body, STUCO is dedicated to making sure each student’s opinion is voiced. At their monthly meetings, STUCO discusses upcoming events as well as brainstorms ideas for other events that they could add to the agenda. However, with school dances, the canned food drive, the blood drive, project grad and other annual traditions, STUCO struggles to find the time.

“We have so many ideas and so many things we want to do,” Vice President Elise Haas said, “but sometimes don’t have time or support.”

Struggling to fit more events on the agenda isn’t the only challenge that STUCO faces.

“It’s hard to know what the student body wants,” senior Student Council Representative John Hildebrandt said.

The executive board is there to help the organization run smoothly and get the job done despite these challenges.

“We have an incredible group of girls running the show,” sponsor Nicole Leifer said.

The executive board consists of President Erica Lang, Vice President Elise Haas, Secretary Caroline Busch and Treasurer Hannah Johnson. Along with the executive board there are STUCO representatives, and each class has a set of officers.

According to the members of STUCO, their time is well spent.

“I’m excited to be at school and I love South, and I want everyone else to also,” Haas said.

The pep execs perform a dance at the first pep assembly to introduce the theme of Pep Club, “Together, this is who we are.”

The source of the school’s Raider pride, the exec board of Pep Club meets every week and spends countless hours planning events to increase school spirit and help the student body show their support for South.

The club has about 650 members and a board of 13 pep execs. The execs are in charge of planning the events that the rest of Pep Club is involved in and showing support for all Raiders.

“It’s our job to get everyone out there,” senior pep exec Gabe Alaniz said.

By this, Alaniz meant that the club is currently trying to increase attendance at school functions other than just football and basketball games. For him, supporting all of his classmates is rewarding.

“It’s cool to see how much they appreciate our support,” he said.

While he sees the rewards, in his opinion, raising support is the main challenge that pep execs face.

“I wish we could work towards more student involvement,” Alaniz said.

While Alaniz’s favorite part of Pep Club is increasing spirit by cheering on his classmates, other execs have different favorite ways of bringing out Raider pride.

Sophomore Kelly O’Connor, for example, likes being a part of the pep assemblies. “[The assemblies] are some of my favorite things to go to at school,” O’Connor said.

So whether you like the pep assemblies or just showing up to support your fellow classmates, Pep Club has something that every Raider can enjoy.

P E P

PHOTOS BY /GRACE PRITCHETT

Senior Elise Haas participates in car smash at the bonfire.

Students “deck the halls” during Spirit Week.

Rocky the Raider gets the crowd Cheers erupt at the West pumped up at first pep assembly. homecoming football game.

Pep execs perform a skit at the homecoming assembly.

NEWS /OCTOBER 2011/ 05

Editorial Board

In the Moment Unfortunately, human nature forces people to be unsatisfied with what they have. Sure enough “you don’t know what you have until it’s gone” is a universal truth that seems to repeat itself. From financial problems to petty, everyday mishaps, people tend to complain a lot more than they need to. One phenomenon following this trend is unhappiness with one’s age.

Most have wanted to be older or younger at multiple points in their life. During childhood, one can’t wait to be 13, a teenager at last. After the excitement of coming of age, teenagers realize that they are just one step closer to being 16. After this, there are only two more years until 18, the age when teens start moving out, smoking, voting, or enlisting. But even then there’s one more milestone after that: 21, the final frontier, the age where

“

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER 21? IS THE REST OF LIFE HAPPILY EVER AFTER?

06 /OCTOBER 2011/ OPINIONS

everyone is free of age restriction. Some may argue that this gives young people something to look forward to, as well as helps them plan their futures. While this is true, it also prevents people from living in the present and noticing the world around them, brushing it aside with their aspirations and regarding it as unimportant. There is so much opportunity to make a difference as it is, that time is wasted by only worrying about what’s to come.

In fact, what happens after 21? Is the rest of life a happily ever after? Innovations such as Botox and certain skin creams demonstrate quite the contrary. In previous centuries, elders were praised and respected.

Aging was considered an honor; grey hair and wrinkly skin were signs of years of hard work and success. In modern times, one can hardly go 2 feet without hearing perfectly healthy middle aged adults complain about the horrors of aging and wishing they could return to their youth.

This mindset is hilariously contradictory to that of young children. If thought through, it’s undeniably ridiculous that one can change his or her perception of

age so drastically in one lifetime. If these same children had only made the most of their youth and opportunity, they wouldn’t have as many sentiments of “unfinished business” in later years.

Most students can’t wait to get out of high school, to be out on their own and start a new chapter of their lives. What they don’t realize is they can do the very same while they are still young. Then as they get older, they wish they could go back to their teenage innocence where opportunities were still plentiful.

Therefore, to avoid this “always want what you can’t have” outlook on life, high school students, as youths in their prime, should really reflect on what they have. Being grateful, and not focusing on what they don’t have yet allows them to focus on what’s really important. Living in the present not only makes aging and transitioning a more enjoyable experience, but also heightens optimism and motivation to make a difference in the surrounding community.

a P l a c eC a l l e d

Miami

Sophomore reflects on an out-of-state experience STORY & PHOTOS BY/ADAM MATEOS

I

t takes 26 hours to drive the 1,479 miles to Miami Beach, Fla. I have made this trip once a year, for as long as I can remember. This summer was different though. After spending a week with my dad, my cousin Annie asked if I could stay with her and her fiance, Paul, for a couple of more weeks. Two days later my dad left for Kansas and I embarked on the most interesting experience of my life.

Everything was different. Miami is in the same country and yet I felt like I was on a completely different continent. The city is populated with some of the most expensive and lavish cars and condos.

Every time I explore downtown Miami I am blown away by the affluent lifestyle that some fortunate people get to live. There are some rich people in Kansas City, but there are not a lot of $10 million condos and Rolls Royces rolling down the street.

People are attracted to the beaches, weather and lifestyle.

I spent a total of 23 days in Miami. It smells

different, like after it rains in Kansas. Buildings are designed differently.They are usually narrower and taller than the wide and short buildings I was accustomed to. They all sported Spanish roofing tiles, and most of the skyscrapers, apartments and condos are bright colors like blue, pink, yellow and orange. Palm trees line every street. People have orange trees in their front yards.

When you greet a man, you shake his hand, and a woman you hug and kiss each other on the cheek.

-- even if you have never met that person in your life. The streets are filled with bums and lost souls.

People walk everywhere in their swim suits. The drivers are crazy. Every time I’m on the highway I am afraid for my life. People swerve in and out of lanes without caring about any other cars but their own.

When I would step out of my cousins house it was like walking into a wall of mist. The humidity was palpable and it was hard to breathe if you’re

not used to it. When it rains it pours, literally. It doesn’t just drizzle, the rain comes down in buckets that last for hours. When I was there, they opened the first Sonic in 15 years; the last one was blown down in a hurricane. People were blown away by the restaurant, and its setup.

I was paranoid whenever I went outside, because huge lizards would be waiting on the patio, walls, bushes and doors. One time I went to grab my sandals and there was a baby lizard, in the house, under my flip flop. If you go outside at night, along with lizards and snakes, there are giant frogs. I mean, huge. When I went fishing, driving home we ran over a crab that was trying to get across the road. A couple of years ago while fishing, we caught a lobster and a shark in the same night.

A lot of people don’t realize just how different, other states, and other areas are. You get so used to your own “culture” that you just look past other parts of the country.

OPINIONS /OCTOBER 2011/ 07

THE

DEBATE

Stories of how hazing has gone wrong or how a person committed suicide from hazing are widely reported.

While these stories are tragic, they are definitely over hyped. Hazing should be allowed in sports at every level above middle school for several reasons.

To begin with, no one supports the type of hazing involving illegal action, or potentially harmful to the body or emotional well being. The type of initiation freshmen, rookies, and first year players should be allowed to undergo include carrying older players’ pads, getting haircuts, singing songs, putting on talent shows, or cleaning up after practice. With this type of hazing no one is hurt, nor is anybody unsafe.

Veteran players enjoy watching the other players doing something that they had to do as newcomers. It also adds to the togetherness of the team and creates a “fullcircle” atmosphere in which everyone appreciates each other. Most of the time the players doing the tasks and performing the shows are having a good time also. It helps everybody realize that they have all been through the same thing.

Hazing has become increasingly frowned upon in high school activities as well as in college and professional sports. Most coaches are scared of the absolute worst, which rarely ever happens. The only time hazing appears on television is when some crazy senior thinks it’s funny for a freshman to get beat up senseless and results in death.

“

In many cases hazing really brings a team together.

It’s not that any player thinks less of a younger person; it’s simply that it is necessary for them to earn their spot on the team. Last year, Roy Williams, a veteran at the time for the Dallas Cowboys, told star rookie Dez Bryant to take his pads inside. Bryant yelled back “I’m not doing it. I was drafted to play football, not carry someone’s pads.” After that statement the team was divided. One side believed that all players are equal so no one should have someone carry another person’s pads. The other side of the locker room was convinced that with every rookie comes certain responsibilities such as picking up after a veteran. In incidents like these it is much simpler to listen to an older player instead of refusing and getting the whole team involved.

Hazing doesn’t make players feel less wanted or insecure especially when they recognize the fact that one day the shoe will be on the other foot. Many teams will have a bonding experience such as the girls’ soccer team, who goes laser tagging. Their opinions will not switch from this “person is beneath me,” to “get my back while I shoot.” It’s just something that welcomes new players to the organization. When a player goes through a ritual and someone else refuses, the team loses respect for not only the player but his talent as well. Hazing is not always as severe as people suggest or make it seem.

I don’t mind hazing if it isn’t serious, like for theater or something.

senior Haley White 08 /OCTOBER 2011/ OPINIONS

pro

BY /TRIVETTE KNOWELLS

“

I think hazing is good because it shows the dedication the players would have for the team.

sophomore Alondre Peoples

shouldhazingbeallowed?

con

Countless lives have been lost for no reason due to hazing. Most of these deaths come from the upperclassmen tormenting new players or group members. These new members have to deal with some of the most extreme and ridiculous “traditions” of all time.

Some popular forms of hazing are paddling and freshman sneaks. Paddling is when you take a wooden paddle and strike the victim in the behind repeatedly.

Freshman sneaks are when upperclassmen, or whoever the assailant happens to be, take the selected targets and drop them off in a random location and drive away. While they may seem harmless, there are too many things that could go wrong with these pranks to allow them to continue. I don’t understand exactly why someone would want to put their teammate down and make them feel bad. These pranks can lead to extreme embarrassment, severe injury, or even death Obviously most cases of hazing don’t end in death or severe injury, but those are the ones that Even though most schools, and students execute hazing traditions that have zero physical or mental harm, people focus on the serious cases, but that doesn’t mean that the school should just overlook the

BY /ADAM MATEOS

“

I’m against hazing because it could be very dangerous or lead to suspension or you may get arrested.

freshman Leo Moreno

minor cases. All hazing should be closely monitored by the coach to make sure that nothing goes too far. And if it is not closely monitored, harmless jokes can turn into people being dropped off naked in the middle of nowhere. They can spiral out of control quickly and when that happens, hazing is not OK. With all of the humiliation, it seems not enough people question why kids participate. Upperclassmen can make the choice not to make a kid pick up youre pads, or shave their heads, or make them get you things, or hold a dirty jockstrap over your mouth, but they choose to. They feel like they have to. Almost as if it’s required to bully kids that are going to end up being your friends and teammates. The victims have a choice too. They can choose to not give in to what is demanded of them.

This all leads to the question of why. Why do we let people pick on others just because they are a year older? If two kids are close in age then why should one have any control whatsoever over the other. Obviously if they are on the same team, they are, for the most part, equally matched, so there’s no need to make them feel alienated before embracing them.

“

Hazing is terrible because nobody should have to prove that they’re worthy of being on a team.

sophomore Gabby Finklestien OPINIONS /OCTOBER 2011/ 09

a P l a c eC a l l e d

Miami

Sophomore reflects on an out-of-state experience STORY & PHOTOS BY/ADAM MATEOS

I

t takes 26 hours to drive the 1,479 miles to Miami Beach, Fla. I have made this trip once a year, for as long as I can remember. This summer was different though. After spending a week with my dad, my cousin Annie asked if I could stay with her and her fiance, Paul, for a couple of more weeks. Two days later my dad left for Kansas and I embarked on the most interesting experience of my life.

Everything was different. Miami is in the same country and yet I felt like I was on a completely different continent. The city is populated with some of the most expensive and lavish cars and condos.

Every time I explore downtown Miami I am blown away by the affluent lifestyle that some fortunate people get to live. There are some rich people in Kansas City, but there are not a lot of $10 million condos and Rolls Royces rolling down the street.

People are attracted to the beaches, weather and lifestyle.

I spent a total of 23 days in Miami. It smells

different, like after it rains in Kansas. Buildings are designed differently.They are usually narrower and taller than the wide and short buildings I was accustomed to. They all sported Spanish roofing tiles, and most of the skyscrapers, apartments and condos are bright colors like blue, pink, yellow and orange. Palm trees line every street. People have orange trees in their front yards.

When you greet a man, you shake his hand, and a woman you hug and kiss each other on the cheek.

-- even if you have never met that person in your life. The streets are filled with bums and lost souls.

People walk everywhere in their swim suits. The drivers are crazy. Every time I’m on the highway I am afraid for my life. People swerve in and out of lanes without caring about any other cars but their own.

When I would step out of my cousins house it was like walking into a wall of mist. The humidity was palpable and it was hard to breathe if you’re

not used to it. When it rains it pours, literally. It doesn’t just drizzle, the rain comes down in buckets that last for hours. When I was there, they opened the first Sonic in 15 years; the last one was blown down in a hurricane. People were blown away by the restaurant, and its setup.

I was paranoid whenever I went outside, because huge lizards would be waiting on the patio, walls, bushes and doors. One time I went to grab my sandals and there was a baby lizard, in the house, under my flip flop. If you go outside at night, along with lizards and snakes, there are giant frogs. I mean, huge. When I went fishing, driving home we ran over a crab that was trying to get across the road. A couple of years ago while fishing, we caught a lobster and a shark in the same night.

A lot of people don’t realize just how different, other states, and other areas are. You get so used to your own “culture” that you just look past other parts of the country.

OPINIONS /OCTOBER 2011/ 07

We Keep

MARCHING ON

02

01

03

01 - Band members convene on the field during one of their morning practices. 02 - The band performs during a half-time show for a South football game. 03 - Members interact individually during practice.

PHOTOS BY /TREVOR GARIETY

Band members grow closer on and off the field BY /CASEY LEE

T

he loud music echoes through the stadium. The green and gold uniforms fill the field in various shapes and figures, spelling out the bold SMS. For every chant and every cheer, the songs played by the SMS marching band instill Raider pride in the ears of every parent, student and fan.

They’re at every game and always on the sideline, and at times they’re even performing on the field. They practice everyday, yet their dedication and importance isn’t always acknowledged. But like any other team, they’re as close off the field as they are on it.

“The kids are extremely close with each other. Band is like a big family,” band director Steve Adams said.

“The attraction of being in band, as well as the love of music, brings the family closer together.”

Band camp and team bonding are crucial to the band.

Team TP night, making shirts and special traditions keep the players together. Just like in any sport, if the players don’t get along it affects the success and performance of the team.

“If there’s a lot of tension, your performance isn’t gonna be as cohesive and it’s not gonna be as good,” senior Allison Rand said, “so as long as you keep a good attitude your performance is gonna be pretty good.”

The band practices five days a week for two hours each day. Not only do they work hard every morning and during school, but practicing outside of school is essential to acquiring enough knowledge of the music to play it without being able to see it.

“Dedication outside of school is very important because Mr. Adams expects us to have the music memorized when he says it needs to be,” junior Perry Schroeder said. “We have a lot of competitive competitions and tryouts that take hours worth of work outside of school.”

Memorizing four halftime songs, eight stand songs and four pregame songs plus the 15 sets of charts for each song takes a lot of dedication. But dedication doesn’t always have to mean all work and no play.

While they work hard, they consider it a rewarding activity.

“The atmosphere of band is fun. It’s where you can be yourself around anybody. Everyone’s really nice which is cool, so you can pretty much talk with anyone and have a relationship with everyone there,” sophomore Will Skoog said.

Hard work can lead to success and accomplishment.

The feeling players get after a halftime show, or a

THIS ONE TIME, AT BAND CAMP...

“I heard one of the section leaders last year was driving some freshman after lunch, looking for a pool in which they could toss them in and they saw a car that they thought that they recognized and followed it and kept following that car and wound up somewhere very far west of here before they realized it wasn’t actually a South car.” - Jillian Kincaid , senior

“This freshman named Brandon Hendricks plays snare drum on freshman drum line and he was running across the field with his drum on and he forgot to pick it up and his drum fell off and he tripped over it and face planted on the field in front of everyone. That was pretty cool.” Conner Veits, sophomore

festival is a feeling of pride. The band competed in the Shawnee Mission Marching Festival Oct. 4, K-State Oct. 18, and will be competing in Warrensburg Oct. 29. Completing these marches is a huge achievement for the band.

“It’s a lot of adrenaline. You can really feel it. It’s everyone watching you and it’s nerve racking but it’s really fun,” Rand said.

This energetic and uplifting atmosphere helps with future success, and can lead to many opportunities. It also creates unforgettable bonds.

“It’s really fun, basically everyone is a family. It’s just like the soccer team, [and] the cross country team.

Once you’re in there you’re kind of in there for life even if you quit or not,” junior Raj Selvaraj said. “We’re just a huge family.”

Adams sees marching band not only as a fraternity of musicians, but as a closely knit family never to be separated. Though they may encounter ups and downs, Adams has learned valuable lessons from his experiences with the band.

“I have learned to never give up on someone, [to] expect the unexpected, [and to] expect greatness,” he said.

“I was going to order 200 wings for the drumline and I ordered from the wrong Buffalo Wild Wings.

There’s two Buffalo Wild Wings on Metcalf, and when I saw it I thought it was the right one, so I ordered 200 wings to the wrong location and the manager got really mad and stormed out.” Mason Love, sophomore

FEATURES /OCTOBER 2011/ 11

PHOTOS BY /GRACE PRITCHETT

GO

DIS

MILES B

BA

THE ROAD TO KANSAS

CAX

BY /ALMA VELAZQUEZ

Foreign exchange students discuss their individual journeys to Kansas

B

ustling, locker-lined hallways, the excited roar of pep assemblies, the broad, brassy sound of the school fight song and cheerleaders brimming with school spirit are images in American high school often deemed commonplace by students. What tends to be forgotten is how iconic this setting appears to others from around the globe. Just as Americans view good food, accordion music, and impressive architecture as European trademarks, the United States public school system is just as widely known. For foreign exchange students, this is only one of many major differences encountered during their year of cultural and worldly experiences.

As they step off the plane and onto foreign soil to meet their families for the coming year, these differences are made clear. For Luxembourg exchange student Tom Arend, this was a moment of slight confusion. Because his flight had arrived unexpectedly early, he waited for his host family in the airport. Though they had corresponded briefly, the prospect of meeting them was still daunting.

“It was kind of strange, because you know they will be your family for the next year and you don’t know if they are nice, if they’re what you think they are. It’s kind of interesting,” he said Brazilian exchange student Aline Sartori harbored fears about the exchange in general.

“I was afraid that people wouldn’t like me. I was afraid to not have friends or not get together with 12 /OCTOBER 2011/ FEATURES

people,” she said. “And of course missing my family and that kind of thing.”

With the knowledge of his destination given to him only four days before the flight Arend wasn’t sure what to expect of his surroundings.

“I didn’t even know what Kansas was,” he said.

While other exchange students admitted to having big city dreams, the location of their exchange depended on the family who accepted them. Fortunately, none were put out when the organization informed them they were Midwestbound.

“Everybody wants to go to New York or California but they wouldn’t have the experience like the American culture,” Sartoti said. “I wasn’t disappointed at all.”

Chinese exchange student Runjie Liu didn’t have any qualms about Kansas City either.

“The weather is very nice here, and the city is beautiful,” she said.

For German exchange student Heinrich Dettman, his arrival was made easier thanks to personal connections with his host family.

“My brother was also with my [host] family and [they] invited me too,” he said. “I knew them very well because the host mother was in Germany; she met us and we met the family in London so we knew each other, but it was exciting.”

For all these students, the idea of an exchange had been growing in their minds for years, whether

stemming from family members’ past experiences or from a cinematic perception of American high school.

“My mother was an exchange student when she was 16 in Long Island with another organization so I always wanted to go to USA to do the same thing,” French exchange student Camille Lingre said. “The stories she told me were really interesting.”

Dettman also has family members who have experienced exchanges.

“My two older brothers also did it so everyone asked me if I also wanted to do it,” he said.

Colombian exchange student Natalia Rendon became interested in the idea after witnessing the changes it had brought about in others.

“One year ago we saw the other exchange students leaving to another country,” she said.

“They came back and they were speaking another language and they were bigger, [more] mature, and I really wanted to go.“ While German exchange student Eileen Kirsten didn’t make the initial decision to do the exchange, she agreed it was a good idea.

“My parents said I have to be an exchange student since I’m a baby, and I said it’s OK,” she said.

Tired and jetlagged, not much was registered their first night in the states.

“I arrived late at night so I slept [for a] long time,” Arend said. “I put my stuff in the drawers

PET

SAN

OINGthe

S T A N C E

BETWEEN KANSAS AND...

PARIS 4551.6 miles Camille

ARTRENG 4664.2 miles Tom

XIAS DO SOL 5462.4 miles Aline

ULM

4771.9 miles Eileen

TERSDORF

and closet and stuff, I made myself comfortable. I tried to fit in as much as possible.”

Over the course of the next two weeks, however, they began to pick up on cultural differences.

“Everything is big here: your cars, your houses. Even the streets are really, really big,” Arend said.

These students also found that there was truth in some of the stereotypes they had heard, however unflattering they might be.

One concern was for their health. Unfortunately, just as typical as public high school has become, so has American fast food. Many students noticed a general increase in the amount of junk food they ate, noting that it is much more accessible than in their home countries.

“My fear was that I would become fat,” Dettman said. “At home I don’t eat so many sweets. I love it, but I don’t want to be fat.”

Kirsten also noticed differences in the food consumed in the US versus the food she was accustomed to.

“Your bread is white and in Germany we have dark bread.

It’s more healthy,” she said.

Despite these observations, some also realized that the stereotype was often exaggerated.

“That’s not really true, I mean there are fat people but not everybody is fat, you can eat good food actually,” Arend said.

Not only did they find the food itself was different, and in their opinion unhealthier, but for many, American eating habits were also considerably different.

“You drink some milk at dinner. I find it so weird,” Lingre said.

Dettman also had to make some adjustments. “[I had to eat] by myself [at] breakfast and dinner,” he said. “In Germany, my family, we sit often together and eat.

It’s not so typical at my family here.”

Among the many adjustments associated with coming to a new country, transportation was another factor.

“Here I depend too much on rides. I need someone to take me everywhere,” Sartori said. “Also you guys don’t have buses or subways and I was really used to that in Brazil. I used to walk a lot because everything is kind of together there, here everything is more spread. But it’s OK, my family is really nice, they take me everywhere I want to go.”

Lingre also noticed this difference.

“We don’t need cars, because all is really little,” she said.

Perhaps the biggest obstacle these students had to overcome was the language. Though many had been studying English for several years already, they found that learning vocabulary and sentence structure was an altogether different experience from being immersed in a foreign language.

“I’m not used to speaking a foreign language all the time.

I cannot even speak my native language at home. You’re used to speaking your native language and I cannot do that here, I have to speak a foreign language everywhere,” Arend said.

“You get used to it but I think language is the hardest part.”

Besides getting used to speaking the language itself, students are also expected to learn already difficult subjects in this language.

“Sometimes it’s kind of hard to understand it when teachers [are] speaking,” Liu said.

Students also found the school system here to be marginally different, yet not completely unexpected. From shorter breaks to more movement in the halls, most of the students found these traditions and customs to fit their perception of “American.”

“The high school is also very typical, I think. So many lockers, and then during breaks everyone is running through the halls,” Dettman said. “We know the American movies and it’s really true.”

They also encountered differences at lunch time.

“Wednesdays it’s two and a half hours [in Luxembourg], and everybody leaves for lunch so we go out to the city or town to get something to eat,” Arend said. “Nobody stays there to eat actually at school.”

Despite all of these differences however, all exchange students are enjoying adapting to a new culture and navigating their way through the American school system.

“A big advantage is here you have school spirit. We don’t have anything that’s like that. We go to school, learn stuff, don’t have fun at all, we go home then have fun on our own. People that go to the same school don’t really have the feeling to belong to each other,” Arend said. “School here is very cool because you can have fun at school. I never knew this, that you can have fun at school.”

Heinrich Dettman, Natalia Rendon, Camille Lingre, Aline Sartori, Runjie Liu, Eileen Kirsten, Tom Arend

4702.1 miles Heinrich

NTIAGO DE CALI 2699.5 miles Natalia

WUHAN 7290 miles Runjie

FEATURES /OCTOBER 2011/ 13

LESSER KNOWN, LARGELY ACTIVE “

Anytime you see people showing care and understanding for somebody else, it reminds you that the important path in life is how we treat each other

- Counselor David Mesh

PHOTOS BY /HAYLEIGH CHUDIK

Four South groups discuss the need for greater student body support BY /RACHEL ROSENSTOCK

S

upporting a cause you believe in is hard, especially if there are few others who believe in it too.

Members of clubs such as Robotics, Show-meSouth and Club 121, wish that more students were active in their cause.

“Even though we are a Christian organization we are totally open to anybody that has questions or is more curious about it,” junior Austin Lovelace, co-leader of Club 121 said.

Club 121 co-sponsor Amy Anderson said that it’s a place for students of all religions to come support each other in their faith.

“It’s for Christians who want to come and encourage each other,” Anderson said, “but also it’s open to people who are not Christian to come and ask questions or just find a friendly place to be.”

Club 121’s doors are open every Wednesday afternoon after school for any interested students.

“School is one of the biggest spiritual battlegrounds that people come across,” junior Jackie Garba said.

She feels lucky that her friends in Club 121 encourage her in her faith.

“We can just totally trust each other and share what we’re feeling as Christians that God has led us,” Lovelace said.

Each meeting, Club 121 starts with prayer requests, then worship.

“We will have somebody play music for us,” Garba explained. “Sometimes we go to the band room and play the piano and we all sing.”

After, the club discusses teachings from the Bible and if time is left, plays a game. And of course they pray multiple times.

New this year, Club 121 is planning on doing outreaches in the community like visiting the nursing 14 /OCTOBER 2011/ FEATURES

home across the street, Park Meadows Senior Living, or going to the International House of Prayer, better known as IHOP. “I’m very proud of my students for their boldness and sharing their faith which is hard to do,” Anderson said. “I think it’s hard for anyone to be committed to their faith in our society.”

Robotics enthusiasts are also having difficulties finding support for their interests in a district that is “trying to sweep them under the rug” as junior Sid Spry believes.

“Every year there’s an entry fee to the competition of $5,000 and if we happen to win we’ll be able to go on to nationals, there’s another $5,000 for that. There’s a lot of other teams who go out and compete three of four times a year, but that would cost extra money,” Spry said.

Robotics co-sponsor Arthur Wells thinks Raider Revolution Robotics is a great opportunity for students to develop a passion for technology, despite being hardpressed to raise money.

“They get a chance to actually take those things they learn in class and use them,” Wells said.

Spry said it’s a unique opportunity that other students don’t get the chance to experience.

“They [students] need to see what a competition is to see how much fun it is. There’s a lot work involved, but it’s a lot of fun,” Wells said.

Both Spry and Wells believe that their hard work pays off during their competitions and fundraising.

“Most of the year it’s pretty laid back. But after we receive the challenge then it’s pretty intense,” Spry said.

The club competes in the Cowtown Throw Down in November, regionals and possibly nationals.

“It would really cool if other kids from school showed

up, cheering and yelling and everything. It’s a sport; it just happens to be an academic sport,” Wells said.

Show-Me-South Club also is in need of enthusiastic, outgoing people. The club is in charge of making new South students feel welcomed and familiar with the school.

“It’s difficult to be a new student at any age group at any level, and that’s our primary focus,” co-sponsor David Mesh said.

The club works together for major events such as Show-Me-South night and the New Student Luncheon to make all new students feel welcome.

“We’re more of an actual group that’s going to meet and have fun together. Not just a welcoming group with random people,” co-president Natalie Hendricks said.

Hendricks and Mesh agree that the club is a place for fun, outgoing people willing to meet new students.

There are no requirements to join, just to enjoy meeting and talking to new people.

“I just think that Show-Me-South is a good representative of this community,” Mesh said. “You don’t have to be in Show-Me-South to make somebody new feel welcome.”

Mesh is always impressed by Show-Me-South members’ ability to be open and friendly.

“Anytime you see people showing care and understanding for somebody else, it reminds you that whatever your own personal little trouble might be, or difficulties that particular day, that the important path in life is how we treat each other,” Mesh said.

It’s a large responsibility to be the first ones that new students meet and interact with, but the kids in ShowMe-South feel prepared to deal with whatever comes their way.

Fine Dining On a Budget

Popular places for quality meals BY /GRIFFIN ZELLER

Nutrition Facts

01 FIVE GUYS At Five Guy’s Burgers and Fries you definitely get more than you pay for. For example, one small order of fries is enough for two people, and the burgers aren’t small either. One giant burger costs a little over five bucks. You order off of a board at Five Guys, and it may seem like that may take more time, but it flows smoothly. Another bonus is unlimited free peanuts. You are sure to be satisfied at which ever Five Guy’s you go to. There are many locations, the closest two being at Oak Park Mall and Ward Parkway.

RESTAURANT REVENUE: $604.2 BILLION KS RESTAURANTS:

4820

AMERICANS WORKING IN RESTAURANTS:

1/10

RESTAURANTS’ SHARE IN THE DOLLAR:

49%

RESTAURANT EMPLOYEES:

1264000

STATS FROM THE NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION FOR THE STATE OF KANSAS COST vs. QUALITY BY /ALMA VELAZQUEZ

Several reasons to opt for fast food result in its frequent consumption, but besides the convenience of getting tasty, filling meals on the go, cost is another huge factor.

As most already know, however, while fast food satisfies cravings and saves money, the weight of its unhealthy ingredients has drastic effects over time.

For those who don’t have time for home cooked meals, nor the money to eat out on a regular basis, solutions are becoming more and more widespread in the form of intermediate restaurants.

These growing chains offer affordable, well-made meals with prices comparable to those of fast food places. Delicious, attainable meals are available, guilt-free.

NOODLES & CO. 02 At Noodles and Company you can get noodles from three different regions: Asia, America and the Mediterranean.

It is relatively nice for a chain restaurant: the place is cheap, and the food is good. The atmosphere is great for an arsty lifestyle. The two closest locations are Oak Park Mall and 13448 Metcalf Avenue Overland Park, KS 66213.

03 INGREDIENT Ingredient is a healthy option. The atmosphere and the setup is a lot like Noodles and Company. Their breakfast and lunch foods have a unique natural qualty to them.

The food is friendly for everyone, including vegetarians, yet still tasty. While the salads may be boring and bland, the sandwiches are always a good option. The closest location is 11563 Ash Street Leawood, KS 66211

B.R.G.R 04 B.R.G.R. is a more upscale version of Five Guys. It offers several different types of fries, several different types of burgers, and a great experience all around. A personal favorite is the Juicy Lucy, a hamburger, with cheese on the inside and truffle fries, easily the best burger in Kansas. The only location is 4038 W 83rd Prairie Village.

PHOTOS BY /HAYLEIGH CHUDIK

A&E /OCTOBER 2011/ 15

BEING QUESTION/ANSWER:

with controversial author Ellen Hopkins BY /KIRBY O’NEAL Since the publication of her seminon-fiction novel Crank in 2004, Ellen Hopkins has become of the most popular and wide-selling writers of young adult literature and poetry. Due to the subject matter featured in her books, such as drugs, sex, swearing, homosexuality, and self-harm, Hopkins’ work has been widely challenged and banned throughout the world.

Never without interesting and unique views on life and literature, Hopkins gave her eager fans insight into her novels during a visit to the Central Resource Library. I was lucky enough to sit down with her for a one-on-one interview about what it is like to be one of the worlds most heavily censored authors.

Q / Now that your novel Triangles will be out on shelves in October,

can you describe what it was like embarking on your first foray into adult pieces, as opposed to your signature young adult writing?

A /

In the character building and all that it’s not much different, but they are older characters so they are going to have lived longer and have a wider view of things, as opposed to teens who have lived 18 years and have a much smaller window into their lives... Which doesn’t always mean the older group is more right or anything! But with Triangles I got to up the ante on the language and change up the poetry. There are three main characters and when they are broken up there is also a form of a narrarator’s poem, which is basically my reflection on the last section. So hopefully they will be able to be in my head as the poet, and in the characters head as well. It’s a little bit more mature, the way it’s set up. Obviously the storyline is more mature too, and these women have teenage characters who started yakking at me. So, today, actually, I finished writing Tilt, which is the 2012 YA, and is a companion to the adult book. So the three teenage characters you meet in Triangles are the new main characters in Tilt.

Q / Why did you choose to write in verse, as opposed to regular prose format?

A / Well, I actually started my first novel Crank in prose format, and because the story was so close to me, the voice was wrong. It was my voice I was hearing and not hers, so I just put the book away. Then I went to this writers’ conference, I’ve been writing poetry since I was 9 years old, and saw Sonya Sones speak, another verse novelist, who writes in standard stanzas, which I adapted into the structure and format play I use so it would stand out from hers. So it was really about finding my own style. With Crank I wanted to make every word count, so seeing as I don’t have paragraphs upon paragraphs of description, it’s not like being told a story; it’s like living a story told inside the heads of those characters. That’s what verse really can do if it’s done well.

Q/

Aside from simply telling a story you care about, do you have other goals you hope to accomplish with your pieces? Such as sending a message?

A / Always. There is always a question. And I would really like for parents and kids to read the books together and talk about these questions that I ask. The parents who are most resistant to my books, don’t usually actually read them. They pull words or passages out or go to websites that pull content... and that is how they judge my books.

How can you judge a book without reading it? You have to view this content in context. That tells you why I use “bad language” when I use it, and not every character uses it, because not all teens do, but some and most do. I just try and make it as realistic as I can. But I would like those questions to go back and forth between parents and their kids.

Q / Which of your novels have you connected to the most and why?

A/ Well, my favorite to write was Identical, because of the plot twist and the poems linking with each-other and all that stuff. With some of my stories I feel like I rose above myself as a storyteller, and I think Identical was one of those. The Crank trilogy novels are not my favorites, mostly because they hit so close. I would rather disconnect from that story if I could... But through telling Crank I needed to continue telling that story because I felt like I didn’t really have a choice not to. My readers wanted more, and with Fallout I wanted to get away from those two just enough, which is why I changed the POV characters in that. But those are definitely not my favorites. Perfect is actually one of my favorites, and I ask big questions in this book. I’m gonna challenge some ideas that we have. One of the things I ask, in women especially, is how they present themselves, because they don’t always present themselves well. When girls get to be 15 or 16, they get it that they’ve got the power... Maybe not physically, but they can manipulate men. Sometimes the way they dress or present themselves gives men an idea that they probably shouldn’t have about them. In a way, I try to challenge and redefine our definition of rape. We’ve come to a place in this society where its always the guys fault. No means no, no matter what, blah blah blah... And I challenge that notion in this book. And I will get called on it.

*YA: young adult 16 /OCTOBER 2011/ A&E

BANNED

Recently banned and censored books Brave New World

by Aldous Huxley

1951

Forever... by Judy Blume

1999

1969 1958

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Crank by Ellen Hopkins

1975

Slaughterhouse-Five

by Kurt Vonnegut

2004

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Though published decades ago, many of these classics have gone down in history as controversial novels and are still challenged by many.

COURTESY OF /THE ALA

Perfect by Ellen Hopkins BY /HANNAH STRADER Every book by New York Times bestselling author Ellen Hopkins is controversial, and Perfect is by no means an exception. The book centers around four teenagers, each striving to find his or her own image of perfection.

Cara strives to be the perfect daughter after her parents’ reputation is tarnished by her twin brother’s attempt at suicide. She seems to have it all: a cheerleader with perfect grades, the perfect boyfriend, and early acceptance into Stanford. What Cara doesn’t expect is to meet Dani, a girl who makes Cara call into question her sexuality.

Kendra wraps her entire world around outer beauty. Her biggest dream is to become a runway model and she’ll do anything she has to in order to reach it. With an appointment for a nose job just weeks away, Kendra begins taking medication to help her reach her goal of being size 2. Kendra is thrilled when not eating is no longer a battle, but terrified when her manager tells her just what she needs to become a designer spokesmodel.

Sean has his entire life planned around his girlfriend, Cara. While he may not have the greatest GPA, he gains acceptance into Stanford through a baseball scholarship. Sean is willing to do whatever it takes to maintain a baseball scholarship, and steroids are his number one means. He only begins to realize the effects when Cara breaks up with him and he is taken over by rage and a need for revenge.

Andre’s future is already planned out for him by his successful parents. What Andre can’t find the strength to tell them is that he wants to be a dancer and has been taking lessons behind their backs. Another issue is his girlfriend, Jenna, who is less than appealing to his parents because of the color of her skin. Jenna’s parents are also less than thrilled with their daughter’s taste in men, though they tend to ignore Jenna’s obvious alcohol addiction and Kendra’s anorexia.

Hopkins has always challenged her readers, as well as critics, with vivid language and controversial topics. What critics fail to realize is that many teens deal with situations identical to these in their daily lives. While addiction to steroids may not be applicable to one reader’s situation, a battle with weight may be. Hopkins always leaves an optimistic future for her characters as a possibility, but never fails to let the reader know you only heal by the decisions you make, a lesson that can be applied in reality.

As with past books, Perfect is written beautifully. The style is vastly different from most, with the entire book written in verse. Poetry may be an obstacle in the classroom, but Perfect is written easily enough that any reader can comprehend without over analyzation. The book’s topic may be controversial, but the execution of it is brilliant.

A&E /OCTOBER 2011/ 17

REVIEWS:

THE LATEST IN MUSIC AND MOVIES

MOVIES

Real Steel BY /TRIVETTE KNOWLES Shawn Levy’s Real Steel is the rare combination of fantastic CGI [computer-generated images] and a story that everyone will enjoy. Real Steel is set in the near future where human boxing has become obsolete and has been replaced by robots fighting it out in the ring. Charlie Kenton [Hugh Jackman] , is a struggling promoter that cannot seem to get a lucky break. The death of an estranged ex-girlfriend suddenly gives Kent custody of a son, Max [Dakota Goyo], whom he knows nothing about. The two reluctantly team up and attempt to build a championship contender with an old and battered robot.

Jackman’s performance made this movie; if it wasn’t for him, Real Steel wouldn’t even have made it to theaters. Usually known for his roles in action-packed movies where his claws are inserted into another’s face, Real Steel provides an opportunity to witness Jackman’s acting abilities. Unfortunately, his supporting cast seemed to be a bunch of actors and actresses experiencing their first time in the spotlight. All in all the performances were pretty impressive for so many novices. With only one wellknown celebrity, the overall acting wasn’t too shabby.

The expectations for Real Steel were stunning CGI and a plot that was visible from a mile away. The standards were lived up to, and although predictable, the story was still one that was enjoyable and left the audience wishing for more. The graphics were impressive for any regular movie. Compared to other giant-robot-themed movies such as Transformers, the graphics were not nearly as good, but still left everyone in the crowd saying “wow.” With a good story, commendable acting, and superb graphics Real Steel has a little something for everyone.

Footloose BY /ALMA VELAZQUEZ Craig Brewer’s 2011 remake of Footloose offers a fun experience for a wide range of audiences. Though many may be skeptical of any modifications made to the 1984 classic, the new release stays true to the original movie’s reputation as an enjoyable dance flick. Boston native Ren MacCormack [Kenny Wormald] moves to the small, podunk town of Bomont, where a ban on public dancing has been put into effect due to a tragic accident occurring three years prior. Ren’s rebellious “rock ‘n’ roll” spirit combined with his uninhibited dancing habits soon prove a challenge to the ban.

Sticking closely to the original plot line, the movie does a nice job adding cinematic effects and dramatic flair—the story flows considerably better in comparison with the rather drab original. Fortunately, iconic scenes and symbols were retained, such as Willard [Miles Teller]’s dance lessons and Ren’s red prom jacket. Another nice touch was the incorporation of the original soundtrack: a mix of classic rock, ’80s hits, modern country, and of course, a plethora of remixes.

In fact, the only thing missing, regrettably, was the unmistakable 1980s pop culture which defined the original. Rather than recreate this environment however, the new film appears to take place in a present-day setting in which the rural, “redneck” lifestyle is much more pronounced. With gaudy scenes and cheesy dialogue, the acting is not necessarily top-notch, yet the focal point of the film—the dancing— impressively picks up the slack. Despite these shortcomings the film adequately serves its purpose to entertain as a relatively respectable remake.

CATCHING THE FRIDAY FEVER PHOTOS BY /TREVOR GARIETY

18 /OCTOBER 2011/ A&E

Rodney Atkins: Take a Back Road

MUSIC

BY /DEREK FUHRMANN October 4 was a special date for country music star Rodney Atkins as he released Take a Back Road. This, his fourth album, yields his sixth No. 1 single (the title track). From the start of the album, Atkins’ sincere and wholesome voice guides the tracks in an attempt to convey his message of what is important in life: love, God and family. Atkins comes off as an everyday guy which is a comforting change of pace from the traditionally country-pop sounds of Lady Antebellum and Sugarland.

The songs are full of authentic emotion which is a definite plus. The song “Growing Up Like That” depicts typical country themes in different ways without blatantly stating that the country is better than the city. “Family” is a tune that shows a strong resemblance to the work of George Strait or Trace Adkins since the song is written about family and the importance of community. Although the album lacks variety throughout the tracks, the overall message is positive and uplifting which is appealing to audience.

Atkins’ sincerity throughout the album does not falter. It seems as though the 42 year old is finally in his prime. His last album “If You’re Going Through Hell” went platinum with four No. 1 singles leading fans to believe it would be difficult for him to produce a comparable follow-up. Yet the release of the single “Take a Back Road” jumped up the charts, becoming the fastest rising single of Atkins’ career to date. Although the album is not monumental or ground breaking, it is clear that Rodney Atkins is finally receiving the credit he deserves for putting out a great album. The spotlight is finally shining on him, even while he’s driving down a back road.

Joe Jonas: Fast Life BY /HANNAH STRADER As a shameless Jonas Brothers fan since 2006, no one knows better than I that Joe Jonas and Lil Wayne do not go together. This fact was proven by the quite disconcerting “Parental Advisory” sticker on the front of 22-year-old Jonas’ solo album Fastlife. A remix of the song “Just in Love” featuring Lil Wayne left fans speechless and covering their ears to avoid hearing any inappropriate words. While the remix was a bit surprising, it wasn’t all that unexpected after hearing the other tracks on the album. The songs aren’t exactly brilliantly written, and most of them are obviously intended for clubs or repeated play on the radio, but it’s time to face it: I will (unfortunately) never see the day when a Jonas song is played on the radio and taken seriously. And let’s just be honest, you cannot hear a Jonas Brother ask you what you’re drinking and keep a straight face, even if it’s in lyrical form.

The album is a complete turn around from any Jonas Brothers album and not even comparable with the solo album of little brother, Nick Jonas, which had a serious tone. On the contrary, Fastlife sounds more like something to expect from Enrique Iglesias: pointless lyrics and a bass-filled underlying tune. Beside the constant repeating of the title of each track, the songs are hardly decipherable from one another.

There’s a difference between maturing in music and changing genres to stay popular. If I had to choose between this album and the 2007 Jonas Brothers album, I’d be playing Year 3000 every time. And as much as I love Joe, this album kind of makes me want to weep for humanity.

Unique downtown experience takes place each month BY /HANNAH STRADER Only one place in Kansas City will find you in the midst of hula hoop performers, quixotic artists, fairies, 8-year-old break dancers, art galleries, and mini horses walking the streets: First Fridays at The Crossroads Art District downtown.

First Fridays is a monthly art fair, taking place on the first Friday of each month. These art fairs feature vendors and other exciting events such as street performers and competitions. Many of the artists are looking to showcase their work and sell their art by putting their

creations on display, but it’s free to walk around and the entertainment is great.

Walking down the street, you find yourself immersed in a completely different atmosphere than you would find anywhere else. There’s quirky salesmen and fliers everywhere for different upcoming events and shows in the area. During the October First Friday, protesters for Occupy Wall Street could be found on nearly every street corner, as well as a competition for Rock, Paper, Scissors. There were even people in costume lining

the streets, advertising for a Halloween costume shop.

There’s a large variety in personality type, and it’s refreshing to find yourself discovering a different form of entertainment.

Walking into an art gallery, it’s not only interesting to look at the artwork itself, but also the people in the gallery. You can often find yourself in a conversation with a complete stranger about objects in a painting or sculpture, whether it’s philosophical or humorous. First Fridays offer a unique alternative to bland movie nights.

A&E /OCTOBER 2011/ 19

tick tick BOOM A look at the game from a different persepective BY /CASEY LEE Waiting for the announcer to scream “AND NOW YOUR SHAWNEE MISSION SOUTH RAIDERS...” left me with an intense and anxious feeling. Game time.

Standing in the presence of the team by the tunnel was a powerful experience. They’re all decked out in their helmets, cleats and shoulder pads, and filled with pregame nerves and excitement. I’ve never played football, but the pregame experience will never be forgotten. They huddle up as junior Gabe Guild begins the ‘Tick, Tick, BOOM!’ chant and butterflies fill my stomach. You can hear the roars of the crowd. We take HE STARTED off sprinting past the band, make a hard left and rush through the banTRYING TO ner towards the encouraging report CONVINCE THE of the crowd.

Guest coaching for the football GUYS THAT THEY team Friday, Sept. 30 in the game COULD MAKE A against Shawnee Mission NorthCOMBACK... west, I was able to observe and get a hands on experience of what it’s really like to be on the sideline. Even with nearly 45 players suited up, the team couldn’t be any closer. I had only been there for a couple of hours and I already felt a part of their ‘family’. There was, however, a slight height difference between us, making me feel small and insignificant.

Even though they have a 1-6 record, the team was supportive and encouraged each other throughout the entire game. The coaches kept the players heads up and little did I know that the players had their own chants on the sideline. I was completely unaware that they not only relied on the fans for support, but also each other. Most fans never realize how much dedication and hard work the football players put into each game. From the stands, you don’t really see each play and how it

“

20 /OCTOBER 2011/ SPORTS

unfolds.

Halftime felt like it was straight from the movies. We were down 2814, so it would take at least two touchdowns to tie it up. We all huddled up in the locker room waiting for the coach to come in. It was completely silent. Head coach Lonergan was up, and slowly walked up to the board and just stood there. We were all waiting for him to blow. He was different this time. His voice was stern, but he didn’t seem too upset.

He started trying to convince the guys that they could make a comeback and win. I couldn’t tell you exactly what he said, but I can tell you that whatever he said, it worked.

The team exited the locker room at half with a positive and uplifted attitude. They went out and scored four more touchdowns in the second half, for a 42-35 win. Senior quarterback Alex Forslund contributed three touchdowns for the night. Running back Guild finished the night with a school record 342 yards rushing in 30 carries, including the touchdown in the fourth quarter that put the Raiders in the lead.

I had never given much credit to Guild, the team’s running back and safety. But after seeing the plays up close and watching the countless tackles he escaped to run all the way down the field to score, he’s earned my utmost respect. He always came off the field in a humble manner after he scored, something I never got to see in the stand. In all honesty, I never really gave him much credit, and had never recognized his talent.

But it’s true, he’s as good as everyone says he is.

Celebrating touchdowns from the stands is exciting. But celebrating the touchdowns from the sidelines is somewhat of a personal victory.

No one ever sees how hard the players work and how important scoring that touchdown is to them. I have a completely different view of the football team. I have always loved football, but after being a guest coach, I have tremendous respect for the sport.

right: Junior Casey Lee stares at sophomore Rasheed Brady with intensity during the game. middle right: Lee is giving freshman Dalton Lewallen some encouraging words. middle left: Lee chats with injured player, senior Macen Cabral. bottom left: Lee gets serious with Lewallen. bottom right: Lee gives freshman Matthew Hollingsworth some water.

PHOTOS BY /HAYLEIGH CHUDIK

SPORTS /OCTOBER 2011/ 21

sports briefs Cross Country

Record: Boys: 44-5 Girls: 11-38 -Boys undefeated in the state of Kansas and Ranked No. 1 and League Champions Most Memorable Moment: Boys: Dualing for the Metro Championship with Rockhurst Girls: Setting Multiple 5K personal bests at Metro Stand-out Players: Girls: Seniors Kelsey Miller and JeriAnn Ward, juniors Rachel North and Molly Warshaw, and freshman Jenna Foiles Boys: Seniors Michael Gawlick, Brett Schauwecker, Jack Powell, and Scott Leonard, junior Curtis Cline Upcoming meets and What to Expect: 10/22 – 6A Regional at SM Park 10/29 – 6A State Championship at Rim Rock -- James Wannamaker

Football

Record: 1-6 Most Memorable Moment: Coming back from 14 points down to beat Shawnee Mission Northwest Stand-out Players: junior Gabe Guild and senior Alex Forslund Upcoming games and What to Expect: Blue Valley North and Shawnee Mission East. The last two games are games we have to win to make the playoffs. We are due for a break out game after several close calls.

-- Ryan Lonergan

CURRENT AS OF /October 15

Gymnastics

Girls’ Tennis

Record: 7-5 in duels Most Memorable Moment: senior Courtney Robles and junior Tegan Jarchow qualifying for State in doubles. They actually had to play their own teammates, freshman Chloe Matthews and senior Micah Matthews to qualify.

Stand-out Players: Top 6: seniors Claire Bingaman, Shira Bernard, Courtney Robles, and Micah Matthews, junior Tegan Jarchow, and freshman Chloe Matthews, Upcoming matches and What to Expect: Season is finished. Robles and Jarchow qualified for State. They lost 1st round to the No. 1 team from BVW. That team ended up placing 4th in the tour.

-- Stephanie Graham

Record: 2 meets placed 1st, 2 meets placed 2nd and came in 3rd at League Most Memorable Moment: Placing 1st at the Shawnee Mission Invitational against all of the other Shawnee Mission schools.

Stand Out Competitors: junior Monica Funk and sophomore Chelsea Callihan: won medals and placed at every meet attended. Also, freshman Abbey Loewen: first year on the team, she is a varsity gymnast giving the top 3rd score for the ‘Team Score.”

Upcoming Competition: Our final meet for the season is the State Meet, very similar to League.

State is hosted at SMNW this (Oct. 22) at 12p.m.

Competing against all of the gymnastics teams in the Sunflower League.

--Susie Resley

Girls’ Golf

Volleyball

Record: N/A Most Memorable Moment: Qualifying for 6A golf championship Stand-out Players: junior Hannah Sears Upcoming games and What to Expect: State 6A Championship tournament Monday (10/17).

A great course and a tough competition.

-- Lyle Wingate

Record: 11-16 Most Memorable moment: Senior Night Stand out players: Junior Sarah Spradling Upcoming games and What to Expect: Hoping to make our way to state (Oct. 22-23) -- Danielle Sperry

PHOTOS BY /TREVOR GARIETY

sports game highlight/ Boys’ Soccer South faced opponent Shawnee Mission West Thursday, Oct. 6. West was first to put away a goal causing frustration among the team, leaving the score 1-0 going into halftime. South fired back in the second half as junior David Leichty put away South’s first goal. West responded right away with another goal to take the lead. Junior Adam Alfaro put in another goal to tie the game. The score remained 2-2 throughout most of the second half with no desire from either team to go into overtime.

“I was exhausted that game and had no mind set of an overtime match,” senior Nash Medlock said.

With 17 seconds to go South pushed up the field, and was rewarded a throw in up towards the goal. The clock was ticking down as Leichty threw a hard long ball into the box. Five, four, three, two... GOAL! With two seconds left on the clock, Medlock put away the third goal to send the Raiders home with a win.

22 /OCTOBER 2011/ SPORTS

BY /CASEY LEE

“It’s always fun to get a victory in that fashion after having to fight back during the entire game,” Leichty said.

After a cheerful and satisfied head coach Travis Gatewood extended his thoughts on the game, the players were greeted by a roaring and excited fan section. Senior captain Kendal Stanton couldn’t be more pleased with the win, “it was exhilarating.”

Record: 7-5-2 Most Memorable Moment: China Buffet, Gator Race, Tour de Overland Park Stand-out Players: sophomore Will Skoog, junior David Leichty, and senior Kendal Stanton Upcoming Games and What to Expect: Olathe East, Topeka West—We want to finish strong so that we have a good record in order to host a regional game.

-- Travis Gatewood

ain’t no

mountain

high enough

The cross country team reveals the secret to team spirit and success BY /OLIVIA FEATHERS

You know who they are; the team who not only travels, practices, sweats and bleeds together, but are virtually inseparable when it comes to events outside of their sport. They make it through the season with remarkable determination, dedication and discipline, as well as the support of their teammates.

Grueling off-season training helps improve their stamina as well as creates enduring bonds between teammates that show through in their performance in competition and their relationships outside of just practices and meets. This team dynamic has pushed the boys’ team up to high national standing. You know who they are: the cross country team.

A unique aspect of cross country is the mental endurance that accompanies the long-distance running.

“It’s a gut-sport,” senior Rylie Miller said. “It’s just you the whole time, and how well you can get through it.”

Head Coach JJ Wannamaker believes that while there is an individual aspect of the sport, teamwork is

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important as well.

“There are two sides,” Wannamaker said. “There’s the individual side, and there’s the team side of it.”

While Miller believes it is largely individual, she agrees that the team supports each other. Sophomore Lauren McCarthy believes that the team definitely shares special relationships with one another through this support.

“If you go out and run 10 miles with someone, you’ll bond with them,” McCarthy said. “That’s a lot of pain you’re going through.”

McCarthy ran varsity last season, and has recently begun running again after being benched due to an injury. Injuries are common to cross country runners, and Coach Wannamaker believes that they have a noticeable impact on the team, saying that they deter from the “team chemistry.” Team members feel that injuries are negative.

“They can injure your team in the future,” sophomore Isaac Brethour said.

Despite the effects that injuries have on the team,

the boys varsity ranking in state

there is no doubt that the runners share a special relationship.

“It’s kind of like a little family,” Brethour said.

Miller shares Brethour’s point-of-view.

“You see each other at your ugliest moments and at your happiest moments,” she said. “It’s kind of like siblings.”

Even though the runners are close friends, there is a degree of competition within the team that proves to be beneficial when it comes to results during meets.

“There is also some competition going on,” Brethour said, “but it pushes us.”

Whether it is the healthy competition or special bonds between teammates that create their impressive results, the boys are undefeated in the state of Kansas and Ranked No. 1, and also recently became League Champions, the first time since 1995.

So what does this record mean for the cross country team?

“It shows that a team that practices together, wins together,” Brethour said.

Senior Brett Schauwecker competes in the Rock Canyon Invitational in Colorado.

PHOTO COURTESY OF /JIM GUSTAFSON

miles varsity boys run a week miles varsity girls run a week miles other runners run a week

SPORTS /OCTOBER 2011/ 23

SMS

SPOTLIGHT

“

THE FOOTBALL TEAM VOTED UNANIMOUSLY ON THE TOP FIVE PEOPLE WHO DID THE MOST DAMAGE AND I MADE THE VOTE...I WAS CALLED A TOP-FIVER FOR THE NEXT WEEK. —SCIENCE TEACHER JAKE BURKHOLDER AT THE BONFIRE CAR SMASH SEPT. 20