Shawnee Mission South Patriot November 2011

THE

PATRIOT Shawnee Mission South November/ 2011 Volume/ 46 Issue/ 03

Give Me Blood/ 04 Dark Developments/ 10 Sidelined/ 20

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STOP BY ROOM 195 OR E-MAIL US AT southjournalism@gmail.com

NO

CONTENTS 05

21

1212 CONTRIBUTORS: Editor-in-Chief Ads Design Shelby Johnson A&E Writers Alma Velazquez Trivette Knowles Managing Editor Rachel Rosenstock Sports Griffin Zeller Casey Lee Derek Fuhrmann News Photographers Olivia Feathers Trevor Gariety Opinions Hayleigh Chudik Adam Mateos Web Staff Features Alan Cordry Hannah Strader Aaron Whatley Photos Cartoonist Grace Pritchett Claire Thomas Web Adviser Hunter Young Julie Fales

On the Cover: Mr. AmeriCan candidates perform their choreographed dance for the crowd.

News /04

Current happenings in and out of school

Filming and Fun /05

Details about current and upcoming KSMS projects

What Not To Wear /06 Staff writer gives opinion on fashion

Cute and Cuddly? /07 Junior expresses concern over child abuse awareness

Debate /08

Students debate the importance of rivalries

What My Mama Said /09

Should beliefs be forced at a young age?

Dancing the Night Away /10

Students twist and shout to raise money for charity

Young and in High School /11

8th graders discuss high school from a different point of view

12 /Lancer Land

Revisiting the stereotypes after a unique experience

15 /Never Forgotten

SMS Theatre puts on Anne Frank as an historical reminder

18 /Inside the Darkroom

The process followed inside the photo room

19 /The Good and the Bad A compilation of favorite and notso-favorite books for English class

20 /Injured Reserve

Injuries: how they affect students and their athletic careers

21 /Waving Flags

A team that works hard for all the best twirls and throws

22 /Winter Sports Preview What’s coming up in the world of sports

23 /Time Warp in Sports Featuring sports uniforms from the past

PHOTO BY /HANNAH STRADER

TOC /NOVEMBER 2011/ 03

b i g ,bold

Mr.

blood

AMERICAN JOHN HILDEBRANDT: Mr.StuCo

“It feels cantastic”

Students participate in an opportunity to serve their community BY /ADAM MATEOS

BRANDON JENKINS: Mr. Debate

Favorite article of clothing: Silk boxers that are a little loose, but tight around the waist

MICHAEL GAWLICK: Mr. Cross Country

Favorite vacation spot: Colorado

JW PABST: Mr. Wrestling

Favorite movie to watch with your parents: The Hangover

ERIC WEBER: Mr. Track and Field

Favorite American Idol winner: David Cook

GABE ALANIZ: Mr. KSMS

Favorite children’s TV show: Gullah Gullah Island

JOE SLICKMAN: Mr. Swim

Favorite comic book character: Spiderman

KIRBY O’NEAL: Mr. Yearbook

Favorite Taylor Swift song: I’m more of a Carrie Underwood fan

MACEN CABRAL: Mr. Spanish Honors Society Favorite shoes: Nike DANNY KUSKO: Mr. Latin Club

Favorite water sport: Under-water basket weaving

JOSH PERSECHINI: Mr. Categories

Favorite non-school related pastime: Playing video games

WILL COCKRIEL: Mr. National Honors Society Favorite smell: Vanilla, like in cooking ERIC GROVES: Mr. AcaDec

Favorite music genre: Anything but gospel or screamo

BRETT WAGNER: Mr. Raider Researcher Favorite cafeteria food: The M&M cookies

PHOTOS BY /HAYLEIGH CHUDIK 04 /NOVEMBER 2011/ NEWS

S

ome have never considered giving blood, while others jump at the fulfilling opportunity. Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood according to the American Red Cross. Whether it be for a car accident victim, a cancer patient, another person in need, there’s a high demand for blood.

Even with all of the incredible medical advances, blood cannot be manufactured or recreated. It must come directly from the human body. Since blood is such a necessity, one would think that people would be more encouraged to donate. But there is one thing that holds many people back—needles. According to the Red Cross, almost 50 percent of people who were asked why they didn’t donate blood said it was because of their fear of needles.

“It freaked me out because the nurse had to

wiggle around the needle in my arm because there wasn’t enough blood coming out,” senior Clay Pierce said.

Even though some fear needles and the potential side effects of blood donation, blood drives can have a tremendous impact on society and health care.

“It’s definitely worth it,” junior Gabe Guild said.

Registering was simple, donars needed to be healthy, weigh at least 110 pounds, and if under 18, parental consent. It takes less than 1012 minutes to extract the blood, and the entire blood donation process takes about an hour and 15 minutes.

“It felt like I was doing something that would make a difference,” Guild said.

Extreme Makeover:

Room Edition English room receives new mural BY /HANNAH STRADER

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oom 270 is receiving a new look as art students work to paint a mural on the south wall of the classroom. The mural will incorporate images that not only relate to an English setting, but are also visually appealing.

“I got sick of my classroom looking like the inside of an eggnog container,” English teacher Drew Baranowski said. “I didn’t want to hang up a bunch of posters. I wanted something permanent.”

Once it was decided to paint the wall, Baranowski sought approval from Principal Joe Gilhaus, and began planning for the mural once the administration’s approval was granted. One problem, however, was Baranowski’s admitted lack in artistic ability. To overcome this, he enlisted the help of art teacher Jennifer Hudson and her students, who were happy to help.

“It’s something I’ve been thinking about doing in my own room for a while, so his room can be the guinea pig, and then we’ll do a nice one in my room,” Hudson said.

The final design was a collaboration between the two teachers, who worked together to find something they both agreed on. Hudson took a photo of the wall and created designs over the image for the full effect. Baranowski would,

in turn, e-mail his opinion on the designs and add comments or other ideas. Once the design was finished, Hudson advertised the volunteer opportunity to her students. Although extra credit isn’t being offered to art students who volunteer, it’s a creative way for NHS members to gain service hours. Either way, students were eager to help.

“I’ve always seen the art downstairs on the lower level with all the beautiful murals, and I always thought ‘I wonder who painted this, who left this behind?’ I was really excited to be a part of something like that,” sophomore Lauren Brannan said. “You can come back in five years or 10 years and say, ‘Look, I painted that. I was a part of that. My name’s on that.’ It’s like leaving a little piece of you behind.”

Students are working on Wednesdays and Thursdays for two hours after school in hopes of finishing the mural by winter break.

“I’m most excited about the finished thing because it’s going to be cool to see how it all comes together,” junior Heather Raya said. “So far it looks like nothing, but in the end, it’s going to look awesome and we might even get to sign it.”

K

SMS

The student radio station looks at past projects and upcoming events BY /OLIVIA FEATHERS

PHOTOS BY /GRACE PRITCHETT Seniors John Hildebrandt and Danny Kusko use the computer to edit video media.

Seniors Allie Kite and Erica Lang paint a poster to advertise a KSMS pregame party.

PAST

RPS TOURNAMENT COSTUME CONTEST SOUTHAPALOOZA

FUTURE PRESENT

The Rock Paper Scissors Tournament during second semester gives students an opportunity to test their luck and compete in a multiple-day long tournament during the lunch period. The final two competitors battle it out in front of the school at the Sweetheart Assembly.

DJ EVENTS

Many students are aware that KSMS acts as DJ at several spirit dances throughout the year. However, they also DJ events outside of South. It is common for individuals and elementary schools to request the skills of KSMS at parties or other social events of that nature.

Since the 1960s, KSMS has hosted an annual Halloween costume contest during lunch. Based on student votes, awards are presented to the students and faculty with the best or most creative costumes.

Southapalooza combines elements of the first quarter Green Fridays with video and broadcasting equipment. It allows students to participate in a live variety show. KSMS students hope that Southapalooza will take place this year, as it has the past two.

RADIO SHOWS

Since the beginning of the organization, KSMS has held a daily radio show in the cafeteria during the lunch period. Every day, two different KSMS members sit in “the cage” and create a play list for the cafeteria to enjoy.

Senior JeriAnn Ward edits media in Room 272

LIP-DUB

The KSMS crew hopes to produce a lip-dub in the coming winter months. For this to happen, participants would be stationed around the building, all lip syncing to a popular song. It would allow the students to interpret the task however they chose, and KSMS is looking forward to the involvement of the students and faculty.

SHOW THREE

During the holiday season, KSMS plans to produce what they call Show three. This will be a “block-partyesque” show involving shorts and music videos. It will be more comical then their previous show, Encounters.

HALLWAY MUSIC

KSMS recently took over the duty of playing music in the hallway to warn students that there is one minute left in the passing period. The students decided that they would make a school-wide contest, and created a raffle in which students can enter a song for 50 cents.

NEWS/NOVEMBER 2011/05

GRIFFIN’S

Sophomore discusses fashion choices and their effects BY /GRIFFIN ZELLER

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ow you dress is a big part of who you are.

If you dress sloppily, people will gain the impression that you are a slacker. But, if you dress with care and decency, people will give you the utmost respect and regard you as classy.

Dressing well will make you feel better, attract more chicks, and set you apart from the crowd.

A few of this fall’s trends are pretty simple: old is new again. Snap back hats are back in style.

Made popular by N.W.A. in the nineties, rappers like Jay-Z, Tyga and Kanye West are bringing them back again. Pick one up at Foot Locker or Lid’s and you’ll be looking sharp. Sock style has also been revolutionized in the past year. Wear crew socks because I can’t take you seriously if you wear hitops or basketball shoes with ankle socks. Also, do not clash brands with your socks and shoes. For example, Nike socks with Adidas shoes look tacky.

Polos and Sperrys are the exception: they can be worn with any type of crew sock.

Dressing well shouldn’t be done on a whim; it’s a lifestyle. You should want to make a good impression on people. People should turn and stare at you in the hallways because you look good.

06 /NOVEMBER 2011/ OPINIONS

Dressing well will also heighten your confidence.

LeBron James is a perfect example. He is not just the best player in the NBA, he also dresses noticeably well. He doesn’t care about what you say about him; he knows he is the best basketball player in the world, and the best dressed man in the NBA. Girls also love a well dressed man. In the popular TV show How I Met Your Mother, the character Barney is the man. He is always suiting up and gets all the girls. A beautiful girl once told me that she only kisses men who are dressed to the nines. This is a true story. You will not only get girls but, you will be more respected than lazy dressers. Teachers will like you more and give you extra credit because you look like you take things seriously. You will get the job or the internship you want.

Dressing better makes you more confident and more in charge of your life. Girls will love you, you will be funnier, and you will feel better about yourself. I leave you with two bits of advice: if you’re confident you can pull off any look, and it is always better to be overdressed than under dressed.

PHOTOS BY /GRACE PRITCHETT

HUMANITY

J u n i o r d iscusses pr oblems in A mer ican pr io r itie s BY /HANNAH STRADER

After a hard day at school, there really is nothing like going home to be bombarded by TV commercials. There are millions of commercials aired every day, but there’s nothing that stands out like the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Just reading those letters, you can’t help but get “In The Arms Of An Angel” stuck in your head and imagine those little puppy dog eyes peeking up at you from under bloodied lids. Let’s just be honest: the only way you could cry harder during one of those commercials would be if Morgan Freeman narrated it.

All my life, I’ve grown up with dogs. A dog can touch our hearts in ways that no human can, which is what makes them so lovable. Another plus is their unconditional love and they can cheer you up with just a lick on your hand. I dare you to find a human who can do that.

It’s these qualities that make pets so wonderful, and it honestly breaks my heart to see dogs abused and in shelters.

But looking into the faces of those animals, the only image that really fills my mind is that of the abused children whose profile I never see on a television screen. The children in abusive homes are just as helpless as dogs in shelters. Even reported cases of abuse don’t always result in a child being taken away from that situation.

The reason I feel the way I do watching these

commercials probably has something to do with the way I was raised. Since I was a toddler, my parents were fostering, taking in abused teens and treating them like their own children. Growing up, I would hear their stories about how they were put into the system, and what kind of treatment landed them there. It’s probably not surprising I feel so passionate about the abused children of America.

According to the ASPCA website, five to seven million animals enter shelters each year. However, the number of children put into foster care due to abusive cases is around 463,000, according to Children Uniting Nations. Considering the one child a year a human can bear and the six or seven a dog averages, these numbers are much more comparable than one would think when just glancing at them.

Something a lot of people don’t realize is that while some foster homes are corrupt, there are many that aren’t. In Illinois, where my parents fostered, the state would give an allowance of $10 to spend on each girl for Christmas. That’s a great amount, if you plan on buying them McDonalds on Christmas morning and calling it even, but it takes a lot more than a few dollars to give a decent gift.

Every month, my parents would get a check for each girl we had living in our home. While some homes would take the money and run, the money we received from the state went to the girls so they

could go out on a Friday night or buy new clothes if they wanted. I even heard from one teen that the last home she had been in had locks on the cabinets where they kept the food so they couldn’t eat except at meal times.

Watching ASPCA commercials only reminds me of what isn’t being done to spread the word about child abuse and the conditions those kids are forced to live in. There are also the cases that aren’t being reported and kids who aren’t getting help. A lot of the time, the issue is out of sight and out of mind, but think about the changes that could be made in abused children’s lives if a simple commercial was aired as many times as one for abused animals.

The hardest question to ask yourself is if we care more for animals than we do for actual human beings. While both are important, put yourself in the shoes of an abused child seeing everything being done for animals in shelters, but nothing being done to improve your situation.

Puppies are cute and all, but shouldn’t children be the bigger priority? When taking in a dog as a pet, it’s separated from its parents anyway. When children are taken away from their parents, that stays with them forever. What we should be doing is raising awareness for these children so they can leave an abusive situation and have a loving family to take them in. Life for these kids can improve, but it’s up to us to make the change.

OPINIONS /NOVEMBER 2011/ 07

TH

DEBATE

To what extent do school rivalries benefit the student body?

pro

BY /HUNTER YOUNG Rivalries are a time-honored tradition in most high schools. South hates East, North hates Northwest, and that’s pretty much how it’s been since the schools were founded. Up until a decade years ago, there were no objections. After most schools began enforcing a zerotolerance, the few scuffles and harmless pranks that were traded between rival students were blown out of proportion, and school officials began cracking down on any potential mischief.

Now, it seems people have it stuck in their heads that rivalries are having a negative impact on students, emotionally and academically.

They highlight incidents of violence at sporting events, and imply that these brawls will become more frequent if nothing is done. This is simply not true. Taking the actions of a few students and suggesting that the majority of students act this way because of school rivalries is so big a stretch that it borders insane.

It would be one thing if there were full-out riots after football games, but a couple of guys getting into a fist fight in the parking lot does not warrant banning official rivalries. Besides that, it would be impossible to dismantle school rivalries that have been around for forty-plus years. One can’t just flip a switch and

con

pretend like there were never any rivalries to begin with. Futhermore, what would truly be gained if the school were actually able to get rid of the long-standing tradition? Less violence in school? Students will always find something else to fight about, regardless of whether they have rivals.

It’s obvious that the benefits of school rivalries far outweigh any negatives. In athletics, it creates a competition between the two student bodies. It pushes both schools to train harder, and be faster and stronger than the other. While it’s never fun, getting beat by a nemesis is a great motivator for students to apply themselves. This competitive nature isn’t just limited to the jocks, though. It extends throughout the school’s academia and extracurricular.

It connects the entire student body in one goal: to win. It breaks down the groups and cliques of high school life, and creates a unique camaraderie between students who otherwise wouldn’t hang out with each other. That is what makes it all worthwhile, and that’s why rivalries should be respected, not rejected.

Rivalries are a time-honored tradition in most high schools. South hates East, North hates Northwest, and that’s pretty much how it’s been since the schools

were founded. Up until a decade ago, there were no objections. After most schools began enforcing a zerotolerance, the few scuffles and harmless pranks that were traded between rival students were blown out of proportion, and school officials began cracking down on any potential mischief.

BY /ALMA VELAZQUEZ When it comes to high school sports, rivalries can bring excitement, hype and an increased will to succeed in both athletes and fans. The problem is, these feuds often get so out of hand that they can do quite a bit of local damage.

Examples vary from vandalism and the destruction of property to the physical assault of mascots and even innocent students.

In 2007, a particularly heated rivalry between two Arizona high schools resulted in the need for over a dozen security team members to step in. At a basketball game, the two sides experienced somewhat of a standoff as angry fans publicly (and inappropriately) accused each side of illicit practices involving the bribery of referees.

In another case, taking place just last summer, Palo Verde High School in Nevada was subject to profane vandalism, and their panther mascot was maliciously doused in rival school Bishop Gorman’s orange and blue paint. Police charged the vandals as felons, recognizing their actions as entirely criminal. The messages sent

08/ NOVEMBER 2011/OPINIONS

by these unwarranted attacks were undeniably and paradoxically discouraging to the student body, and surely created a large rift in the community.

Rivalries create opportunities for young athletes to demonstrate bad sportsmanship. The pressure they undergo as a consequence pushes them to act particularly viciously towards anyone associated with the other side. This makes it especially hard to admit defeat with a peaceful handshake so that other drastic measures, such as those mentioned above, are taken so as not to lose face. Rivalries make losing ten times harder, therefore facilitating bad sportsmanship.

However, not only can rivalries result in criminal action, but they also bring about a much different sort of problem: stereotyping.

Sadly, it’s hard for schools to keep their aggressive behavior on the field. A stranger sporting a T-shirt for the other school automatically amasses 360 degrees of dirty looks if he happens to be caught in the wrong part of town. While these harmless taunts can seem like they’re all in good fun, over time they build up

invisible barriers that prevent students from seeing past the preset judgements and assumptions. Rivalries encourage others to be seen less as fellow citizens and more as enemies. There is no reason to hate someone simply because they go to another school.

Editorial Board

Inherited Values Children inherit much more than genes from parents, a fact that can be argued as both fortunate and unfortunate. Among traits, mannerisms and looks, there lies another particularly important legacy that is often passed down: a set of ideals. These can be anything from family values to religious beliefs or political views.

While these ideals often bring the family together and provide a sense of identity, they do little to help individuals (namely children) form opinions of their own.

The word “brainwash” conjures images of cults and crazy fundamentalists who are extreme in their beliefs.

“

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RIGHT AND WRONG ARE CRUCIAL TO A CHILD’S DEVELOPMENT...

However, brainwashing can also be much more subtle.

It’s understandable to pick up certain things at a young age: parents are a child’s window to society after all.

Basic morality and the difference between right and wrong are crucial to a child’s development. But when pressure escalates to fit into a certain mind set, parents are jeopardizing their child’s right to question his or her own society.

The preconceived stereotypes from other eras are shocking when considered through modern standards: people often wonder how such horrible prejudices became so widely accepted. Slavery, the vicious racism pre-Civil Rights Movement, and the horrifying principles and teachings behind the Holocaust are only a few examples. The answer is that they were simply passed down from generation to generation thoughtlessly.

As long as these ideals seem reasonable, it’s hard

to see the harm they cause. In reality however, they do nothing short of hampering natural human curiosity for the issues clouding the world. If young minds were allowed to observe and analyze the world without tinted lenses, fresh perspectives might make it easier to solve some of the biggest political and social problems.

Adolescence is a point in life where most begin searching for an identity of some sort. While for some it results in outright rebellion and others opt to swallow their spoon-fed ideals to please Mom and Dad, it’s common for many to question the things they learned throughout childhood in general. It may be hard to discern the biases based on experience from those born into, but in nearing adulthood it’s important to be as objective as possible in order to openly embrace the observations and experiences that await.

CARTOON BY /CLAIRE THOMAS OPINIONS/ NOVEMBER 2011 /09

keep

The Pacesetters hosted their annual dance clinic last Saturday, Nov. 12.

Girls in grades K-8 signed up and spent three hours learning routines with the JV and varsity dancers.

The 130 attendees were split into groups by their grade, and all learned a separate dances that was choreographed by the Pacesetters.

At the end of the clinic the girls had a chance to perform their dances for an audience of their parents.

They’ll have another chance to show their skills at a girls varsity basketball game this December.

The clinic acts as a fund raiser for the team.

10 /NOVEMBER 2011/ FEATURES

UP THE

pace

PHOTOS BY /HAYLEIGH CHUDIK

less than fresh

8th graders get an early look at what it’s like to be in high school at South BY /GRIFFIN ZELLER Every day Joe Stokes witnesses make out sessions, fights, and foul language at SM South. Though this may not seem out of the ordinary, for Stokes these are premature experiences. He is an eighth grader who everyday sees two very different schools: high school and middle school.

Twenty Indian Woods eighth graders experience what it is like to be a freshman a year earlier as they challenge themselves by taking an advanced math or science class. Besides the added homework and the extra hour of school, this group of students gets an insight into the SMS culture. They look to enrich their learning experience, start meeting the teachers, and get a jump on their GPA. Although high school can be extremely intimidating to anyone in middle school, Stokes is not nervous about coming up to South a class.

“My brother is up here and he’s taught me about what to do and how to act. Not that many people see us,” Stokes said.

For kids who don’t have a mentor such as an older sibling, it is not all easy.

“The kids are bigger, and you just have to be quiet some of the time and hope they don’t see you,” Max

Bortka said.

While middle school teachers are somewhat known for warnings and admonishments about high school, the students don’t see a big difference between the classes at Indian Woods and South.

“The class is obviously harder than the classes at Indian Woods, but the teacher is really nice, so that helps. But we just sit there and learn like we’re supposed to do,” Stokes said.

Geometry teacher Ramona Weigel thinks the kids gain a lot by taking this class in eighth grade.

“They are not bored with math that they already know. And next year, when they get to high school, they already have an experience of what the school is like,” Weigel said.

Taking the class could also benefit the students’ friends.

“I think that they already know what its like, but for their friends, it really helps knowing that you know someone who knows what to do,” Weigel said.

After the grueling first quarter, these students feel a lot more comfortable in this foreign environment.

“There is a lot more freedom. We can’t even sit on

the ground at Indian Woods, and you can’t eat food [in class],” Conley said.

To be eligible to come to South as an eighth grader, students are to have to passed Algebra I as a seventh grader. They may also be recommended through IEPs in gifted. However, students have their own reasons for making the decision.

“I took the class because my brother took it, and it sounded fun because math is my favorite subject,” Stokes said.

Stokes likes the class, but Bortka, admits it’s not his favorite class, “My favorite day of the week is Thursday because we don’t have to wake up early, don’t have class, and we sleep in a bit longer. What I don’t like is that it is a lot harder than middle school, and you get up earlier,” Bortka said.

Coming to South, eighth graders get a first-hand look at what their years at South will be like. At first glance, the hallways may be intimidating, but these eighth graders have nothing to worry about.

PHOTOS BY /HAYLEIGH CHUDIK

Indian Woods 8th graders study hard in their geometry class, taught by Ramona Weigel at South.

FEATURES /NOVEMBER 2011/ 11

A New Perspective BY /RACHEL ROSENSTOCK

P

olos and Porsches, big mansions and an attitude are the first things that come to mind when hearing the word “East.” Many tales of the South vs. East rivalry are passed down from class to class, but the actual truth in many of these stories is little to none.

Shawnee Mission East students are typically labeled as preppy and rude, yet a single day at their school gave a completely different impression. Experiencing the way East students act in their own environment is obviously more eye-opening than simply hearing a rumor passed down high school hallways. No one can possibly know what a typical East day is like until they live it.

Spending a day at East proved that these stereotypes don’t apply to everyone. Each person at East should be defined by more than designer clothes and affluence.

Not only can this mind set break down a school rivalry, but it can change the way we perceive others in our daily lives.

“East students seem not very friendly all-around,” junior Micah Matthews said. “There’s a large difference in wealth.”

Matthews’ mind set is common among South students. While certainly a first impression many people get, this judgment doesn’t necessarily reflect what’s beneath the surface.

“The stereotypes are stuff that you can associate with the school,” East senior Evan Nichols said, “but obviously they just don’t apply to everyone.”

Following Nichols around East for a day gave an inside view on the inner-workings of South’s rival school.

“There’s a strong minority that are not fun to be around,” freshman Isaac Lanan said. Lanan and several other freshmen transferred from the East feeder school, Mission Valley, and have a unique perspective on the rivalry.

While Nichols acknowledges that there is a small

percentage of East students that could be considered preppy and mean, it’s not fair to label the entire school the same way. Sitting in on one day of school could convince anyone of that.

“Try to wipe out those stereotypes that everyone gets. East isn’t even considered a wealthy school anymore, it is a middle-class school,” Nichols said.

“So those ideas that people automatically associate with East being very preppy and every kid is rich is completely not true.”

But South students are not the only ones with stereotypes about other schools. Though different, East students have opinions of South too.

“I’d say the biggest one is just trashy,” Nichols said, describing a common misconception.

Despite their own ideas regarding South, not one East student ridiculed, yelled or pointed a finger. All were happy to see that students from a rival school wanted to see the other side of the rivalry.

“We try to be very welcoming, and try to have fun in class, make things interesting, keep things shaken up,” Nichols said.

In each class, the students and teachers interacted in a noticeably more creative way. Students talked comfortably with their teachers and helped each other, even in something as small as giving up a song book for someone who didn’t have one.

“They’re really good about supporting each other in all sorts of things, not just sports,” Senior AP English teacher Jeannette Bonjour said, who coincidentally has a son, freshman Parker Hoyt, who goes to South.

East also has a few unique differences in their average school day. Instead of being read by a teacher, announcements were given in a video. Their passing periods were six minutes instead of five, and nearly every student carried a backpack to avoid making the trek to their locker. Posters ranging from Equestrian Club to the Thespian Club were plastered proudly

01 East students in Nick Paris’ government class.

02 East senior Evan Nichols describes life at East 03 Choir students warm up their voices in a creative way 04 Students interact with their teacher in the classroom 05 Teachers and students tune in for the morning video announcements 06 The Lancer Band shows their pride in the hallways during passing period 12 /NOVEMBER 2011/ FEATURES

around the five floors.

“It’s a diverse group of people who have diverse interests,” Nichols said of the student body.

School spirit runs just as strongly at East as at South.

They take pride in their arts, athletics, academics and school spirit as much as a dedicated Raider. One example is the East marching band parading down the hallway in celebration of the Lancer’s upcoming participation in the high school football playoffs.

“Everyone here takes a lot of pride going to this school,” Nichols said. “They can say proudly that ‘I go to East.’ It’s not something they try to hide.”

Whether gathering around horse graves for cross country, the Lancer Day Parade marching down Mission Road, or each class showing their school spirit at pep assemblies, the hallways of East are rich in tradition.

“Tradition is what it all boils down to,” Bonjour said, “just feeling like I’m a part of all that.”

Rivalry also runs deep, not unlike at South. Both Bonjour and Nichols agree that the rivalry is a nice thing to have, as long as it’s fun and stays that way.

A heated rivalry can pump up a crowd, but can be dangerous if it goes too far.

“I think the South vs. East rivalry is pretty intense but there are some East kids that I really do like that I know,” sophomore Kelly O’Connor said.

It all comes down to this: though South and East are rivals to the end, they are both schools known for being excellent in academics. No rivalry can take that away.

“We are all the Shawnee Mission District and we can take pride in the fact that together we’re nationally renowned,” Nichols said. “So there may be the rivalries and stereotypes between all the different schools but we are together a really great district.”

PHOTOS BY /GRACE PRITCHETT

An inside look at SM East through the eyes of a Raider

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06 FEATURES /NOVEMBER 2011/ 13

MIDTOWN ATHLETIC CLUB OF

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Setting

THE STAGE

PHOTO BY /CHEYENNE GARCIA

Theater students make historical connections through Anne Frank BY /OLIVIA FEATHERS

I

t’s 1942. A young girl is in hiding in the Nazi-occupied Netherlands. While cooped up in the annex of her father’s office building, her family and four other Jews try to escape forced deportation to concentration camps. On her 13th birthday, the girl decides to start keeping a journal of the trials and tribulations that she faces with her acquaintances while in the annex.

The girl’s diary ends Aug. 1, 1944, when the companions are discovered and sent away to concentration camps. It was later discovered that this girl died of typhus infection in March 1945, two weeks before Bergen-Belsen concentration camp was liberated. Thanks to her diary, the theater department was recently able to put on the fall play, The Diary of Anne Frank.

“It has a message of hope,” theater teacher Lynette Williams said. “and a message of what hatred can do.”

Theater students hope that the play helped students understand the horrors that can come from lack of acceptance.

“When people don’t accept others for who they are, the world will be awful,” senior Adam Winney, who played Mr. Dussel, said.

Many members of the theater department believe that the central theme of the play is acceptance. This theme is achieved through demonstrating what can happen when hatred goes too far.

“It’s a look at what hate can do when nobody stands up,” senior Kenzie Waechter, who played the role of Mrs. Van Daan, said.

Cast members felt it was somewhat difficult to reflect such an emotional message through their acting.

It was imperative that the cast was professional when acting.

“If it isn’t done correctly, it can be incredibly offensive,” freshman Riley Brennan, who played the main role of Anne Frank, said.

They also hoped the audience would be respectful.

“I hope that people will be mature enough to understand the message,” Winney said.

Some theater students struggled playing nonfictional characters because it was so important that these characters were represented accurately.

To help with this, Holocaust survivor Sonia Warshawski spoke to the theater students and various social studies classes Oct. 27. Warshawski lived in Poland during World War II until her family was discovered and deported to several concentration camps throughout Germany. Her two hour presentation gave just a brief overview of what she experienced during that time, and how her life was changed.

“I really understood the fear that these people had,” Winney said. “It helped me understand my character.”

Brennan also found the presentation beneficial.

“I was thrilled to be able to hear her story and to be inspired by it,” Brennan said. “It inspired me to give absolutely everything to this character and this play.”

The Diary of Anne Frank played in the auditorium Nov. 17-19.

PHOTOS BY /HAYLEIGH CHUDIK Top: Holocaust survivor Sonia Warshawski gives a presentation to theater students, Bottom left: theater students convene on the stage during rehearsal, Center: freshman Riley Brennan plays the lead role of Anne Frank, Bottom right: cast and crew prepare the stage A&E /NOVEMBER 2011/ 15

REVIEWS:

THE LATEST IN MUSIC AND MOVIES

A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas

MOVIES

BY /GRIFFIN ZELLER Harold and Kumar are back for a third adventure. It’s been two years since the two best friends have seen each other, and they have gone in very different directions. Harold is a successful business man with a wife, while Kumar failed a drug test and got kicked out of medical school. The two are brought back together by a mysterious package at Kumar’s door.

Harold and Kumar continue to be funny even after all these years. There is lots of drug use in this movie, and some of it is by a baby which was High-larious. I don’t know what was funnier Harold and Kumar in claymation or Neil Patrick Harris. NPH is back from the dead, and don’t worry he hasn’t changed from the first two movies.

This movie is obviously very funny, but also very predictable, and the plot does not seem to have much depth. If you liked the first two movies you will like this one. This movie does not need to be in 3-D, but is worth the extra bucks for it. I don’t care if there is still one and a half months left till Christmas, this is an early way to kick off the holidays.

Tower Heist BY /ALMA VELAZQUEZ Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy make quite the comic pair in Brett Ratner’s Tower Heist. When the employees of the upscale Tower condominiums are swindled by recently convicted Wall Street penthouse occupant who handled their pensions [Alan Alda], dedicated building manager Josh Kovacs [Stiller] devises a plan to rob back what was taken from them.

The band of misfits, including petty thief Slide [Murphy], are unprepared for the hefty criminal endeavor before them, making certain scenes ridiculously humorous.

Through juxtaposition and hilarious exaggeration, the difficulties they encounter as they carry out the deed are sure to elicit laughs from a range of audiences. Despite this, some of the jokes are generic and overdone, allowing for some cheesy moments and painfully scant scenes. Reminiscent of Robinhood and very much the workingman’s comedy, the film makes for the ideal Thanksgiving flick, even taking place on the Thanksgiving Day Parade.

NEW IN ALTERNATIVE MUSIC 16 /NOVEMBER 2011/ A&E

Mac Miller: Blue Slide Park

MUSIC

BY /ADAM MATEOS Mac Miller’s latest musical collection also happens to be his debut album; his previous works have been uploaded to the Internet for free. Blue Slide Park brings together some of Mac Miller’s rapping style, but with a different sound altogether.

This album is unlike his previous works because he brings together a whole new plethora of beats. These beats are some of the most original and interesting of his career. They are more upbeat and fun than the traditional hip hop beat. The instrumentals are also more important to the song. For example, track four “Pa Nights” would not be nearly as good if it had a different beat, other than Mac Miller’s old songs that focus more on lyrical content.

Another thing that makes Blue Slide Park unique is the fact that Mac Miller actually sings a chorus in a lot of them. In 13 of 16 songs there is a specific sung chorus, where in a past work there was 13 out of 19 (The Jukebox: Prelude to Class).

What Mac Miller writes his songs and raps about has also really matured and has become more clever when he rhymes. All around Mac Miller shows an incredible deal of improvement and has put together his best work and proved once again how he is one of the most skilled rappers in the last 15 years.

Drake: Take Care BY /TRIVETTE KNOWLES From a wheelchair in Degrassi, to being nominated for three Grammy Awards, Drake has once again stunned many of fans with his latest album, Take Care. The 17 tracks and extra two songs feature artists such as Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Stevie Wonder, and Andre 3000 just to name a few. This album definitely demonstrates how Drake took care of his business.

Listen to every line of every song and appreciate the fact that Drake has stayed away from the limelight for months while his Young Money counterparts have released CD’s and music videos. When it seems as if Drake has focused all of his time on this album to make it extra special, especially when he released the most popular song “Headlines” just to give a little taste of future things to come.

The only complaints for the album are the repetitive monotone voice from Drizzy and excessive singing instead of rapping. These flaws are the only reason this isn’t a perfect album. Lyrical content is another plus to why purchasing this CD would be money well invested. The beats in each track are either smooth or a nice upbeat sound that really compliments each verse. Definite nominations for the album are to be expected for at least three songs. With great collaborations, this album truly has it all.

For more reviews, visit smspatriot.org

Atlas Sound: Parallax BY /HUNTER YOUNG

Captivatingly dreamy and fluid, Atlas Sound’s latest album had me until the very end. Bradford Cox (Atlas Sound) is known to many indie and alternative fans as the frontman for Deerhunter. I may catch flak for this, but his solo work is equal, if not better than, his work in Deerhunter.

The album maintains the characteristic psychedelic, dreamy sound that Cox is so well-known for, yet it

branches out unexpectedly every once in awhile. That’s what I love about this album; it can’t go wrong no matter what it does. Like any album, it had track that definitely stood out to me, like “Mona Lisa,” “Angel Is Broken,” and “Lightworks.” But, I couldn’t point out a bad track in Parallax if my life depended on it.

If you are a fan of Deerhunter, and consider yourself an indie/alt fan, buy this album now. Seriously, quit

reading and go buy it.

However, if you are a new convert to alternative music, this album would be a fifty/fifty. Cox has a distinct sound that may scare newer listeners away. But then again, you may listen to it and find that you love it.

If you have money to spare, and are looking for someone new to listen to, pick up Parallax. Find a comfy spot, and let the cosmic sound wash over you.

A&E /NOVEMBER 2011/ 17

Enter the

Darkroom

Processes undergone by photo classes are revealed

Digital vs. Film

BY /ALAN CORDRY

Students who love the developing process can even invest in a personal dark room which can run them anywhere from $500 to $2,500. Some students even prefer to develop pictures over digital photography.

“I prefer to use old school photography because you actually have to know how to use your camera and it’s a lot more fun even though it can be hard at first,” junior Jocelyn Spivey said. South has had its dark room since the early 1970s and continues to spawn excellent photos from its depths for years to come.

PHOTOS BY /TREVOR GARIETY

Deep inside the photo room, a dark room full of magic and mystery awaits anyone who dares enter it to take on the challenge of making photos. Actually, the darkroom is nowhere near scary or mysterious, many people don’t even know it’s real purpose. A dark room is used in photography for the process of turning lightsensitive film into photos by using an enlarger, a lot of chemicals, and photo paper. One might be a little overwhelmed without having a clue where to begin.

Before you can enter the dark room it is necessary to load the film into a canister inside a pitch black room. Film is super sensitive to light and any ray of light that hits the film will turn it black forever. So after fumbling around and finally cramming all the film into

01 03 18 /NOVEMBER 2011/ A&E

a canister the next step is to exit the pitch black room to prepare the film for light exposure. This process can take 30 minutes or so because one must keep switching which chemical is in the canister and then wash it out to be able to move onto the next chemical. Finally, after taking the film out of the canister, now called negatives, one is now ready to enter the dark room.

The first glimpse into the dark room reveals several stations with big machines to occupy them and a huge sink in the middle with four trays inside. The big machines are enlargers, used to put photos on paper.

When negatives are placed into the enlarger, the image that was on the negative is projected onto the surface below the enlarger. A timer must be set along with the

Start by moving to an empty enlarger and prepare paper for exposure. After tinkering with the enlarger settings, set the timer to about 15 seconds. Flip the switch on the timer to start the exposure and have patience while the photo is magically put on paper.

If it comes out weird, or not all, then the settings must have been wrong on the enlarger, so the process must be restarted. If the photo comes out beautiful, it is safe to continue to the trays, leaving the photo in each tray for five to seven minutes.

04

correct level of brightness so the paper isn’t ruined.

These levels are given by photo teacher Pat St. Louis before entering the dark room so there are no worries about being confused.

Many people might think that the dark room is also pitch black, but that is false. Photo paper is allowed only under yellow or orange light—anything else would ruin it. People can get pretty mad if a cell phone is whipped out right next to their paper. St. Louis requires all of his students to take tests over what is expected in the dark room before they are allowed to even enter. After passing the dark room test and becoming familiar with the surroundings in the room, one is now ready to begin pumping out photos.

02

Now, take the blank paper and place it in the developer tray. Within 30 seconds you should see a photo begin to appear.

After the final tray, which is just plain old water, it’s safe to leave the dark room with the fancy new photo. It may sound like a long process but it is most definitely worth the effort to bring your pictures to life and the process becomes much easier after developing a few times.

The BEST/WORSTof Required Reading Students discuss opinions towards past, present and future reads BY /TRIVETTE KNOWLES

When a teacher walks in the classroom with a box of old, beat up novels, the class moans in the realization that for the next few weeks their lives will revolve around a 200-page book. Everyone has had to read a boring book in either high school or middle school, from A Separate Peace to The Grapes of Wrath.

“I find the books we have to read are a little bit boring; some more than others,” junior Joe Shoemaker said.

When books are assigned over summer, students either find it a luxury to have months to read it or a haunting assignment that lies in wait until the last week

of vacation.

“Summer books actually keep me busy,” junior Kenny Bergman said. “I wouldn’t say I like being assigned books over summer, but it really just depends on whether the book is good or not.”

With certain books, students are able to relate to the plot such as in the book Fallen Angels.

“The characters were like real characters so you can kind of relate to them,” sophomore Chelsea Callihan said. “It really made the book interesting.”

The length of every book is always a factor in why students are reluctant to read. Especially when the

books are all at least 150 pages.

“I hate how books are long because I can’t really get into it, and makes it really boring,” senior Taylor McDowell said.

Each teacher has a selection of required books that he or she is allowed to choose from.

Every book read by students has a meaning or a reason for being a part of the curriculum.

“There’s always connections to be made and it shows you how in depth the writer can get and all of the intricacies of publishing a novel,” Bergman said.

FRESHMAN SOPHOMORE JUNIOR A Tale of Two Cities

To Kill A Mockingbird BY /HARPER LEE

BY /CHARLES DICKENS

AVG. RATING: Told through the eyes of a little girl, this classic tells a touching tale of an Alabama lawyer who makes the toughest decision of his career.

“It was very inspirational.”— sophomore Marcus Neal.

Romeo and Juliet

BY /WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

AVG. RATING: Long and intricate, this approximately 400-page book retells the story of an oppressed and angry people through one of the greatest love stories of all time.

“It was slow to begin with but the end was exciting.”— junior Rachel Sutcliffe.

Lord of the Flies

SENIOR

AVG. RATING: A gang of British schoolboys is stranded on an island during a fictitious war. This novel explores survival and group mentality.

“It was boring, depressing, and kind of disturbing”— junior Rachel Sutcliffe.

Cat’s Eye

Wild Swans

BY /JUNG CHANG AVG. RATING: The author traces 3 generations of females in 20th century China during Mao’s regime.

“It gave a different insight into Mao’s regime and was an interesting story”— senior Amelia Hanzlick.

AVG. RATING: The glamorous lifestyle of the 1920s is reflected in this heartfelt drama.

“It was well-written, interesting, and wasn’t super boring.”— senior Allison Rand.

Macbeth BY /WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

BY /WILLIAM GOLDING

AVG. RATING: This ancient Shakespearean play details the tragic love story of two star crossed lovers.

“It was so old and boring”— sophomore Miguel Santibanez.

The Great Gatsby

BY /F. SCOTT FITZGERALD

BY /MARGARET ATWOOD AVG. RATING: Set in mid-20th century Canada, this novel gives cultural insight of the time period.

“It was good because it was more easily relatable than Portrait ”— senior Allison Rand.

AVG. RATING: An ambitious Scottish war hero murders his way to the throne only to have it tragically thrown back in his face.

“Shakespeare, what can you expect?”— senior Sarah Mullinax.

Los de Abajo

BY /MARIANO AZUELA AVG. RATING: This book follows a Mexican peasant forced into the army and explores a band of outcasts.

“I didn’t like the ending”— senior Amelia Hanzlick.

A&E /NOVEMBER 2011/ 19

GameChanger A look at how injuries affect athletes in all aspects

BY /DEREK FUHRMANN “Write your injuries in dust and your benefits in marble.”

Ben Franklin’s quote speaks the truth in many instances, particularly regarding injuries to athletes. Injuries can tarnish an athlete’s career and reduce them to half the player they used to be. As members of sports teams, student athletes push and exert themselves continuously, as well as put forth tremendous effort to win the game.

This being said, most injuries are simply a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“With injuries come challenges that the team has to overcome. An injury to a starter will mean that second string or JV players will have to step up and seize the opportunity,” head soccer coach Travis Gatewood said.

Senior soccer players Kendal Stanton and Clay Pearce both missed significant amounts of playing time due to injuries and were unable to finish out their final season. Stanton missed the last two weeks of the season with a hip injury and Pearce missed the second half of the season due to a fractured foot.

“I had a stress fracture and was kicking the ball during the Lawrence game and it just broke,” Pearce said.

Injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, are the most worrisome for soccer players. The ACL joins the upper leg bone to the lower bone and stabilizes the knee.

Tearing this ligament can require up to a year of extensive rehab.

20 /NOVEMBER 2011/ SPORTS

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY /TREVOR GARIETY Soccer isn’t the only sport experiencing major injuries. The football team has seen its share of distress, most notably sophomore Weston Searcey’s broken femur which kept him out of action for most of the season.

“I was diving in to block a PAT [point after try] and got hit in the side of the leg. I missed six weeks but was able to play in the last two games,” Searcey said.

After all of the grueling hours spent at camps and in the weight room, the football players are still working to improve their overall conditioning and to decrease the risk of injury. A large percentage of injuries that occur in practice are relatively minor and can be treated quickly.

More severe injuries, such as Weston’s, require lengthy recovery time.

The stress that comes with an injury is equally dispersed throughout the team; from the coaches to the players, and also to the trainer. Team trainer Chad Stephens has been working at South for the last ten years and has seen his fair share of injuries. The worst type of football related injuries are those to the head and neck, as just one hit could prove to be fatal.

“The only way you can minimize the risk of injuries would be to play every play like it’s your last and never leave anything on the field,” Lonergan said.

The baseball team hasn’t faced many injuries over the last couple of

years. Baseball is a game of precision in which distress can sprout up from any conceivable situation.

Head coach Mitch Wiles recalls an instance when the team was hit with the most serious of baseball injuries.

“There was a pitcher a few years ago who threw a pitch during the game and everyone heard a pop in his elbow. He required Tommy John surgery and was forced to miss the next year,” Wiles said.

Tommy John surgery is the replacing of a tendon or ligament in the elbow by means of a graft from somewhere else in the body. Injuries to the throwing arm are present in all levels of baseball. Some notable major league injuries were Stephen Strasburg requiring Tommy John and Milton Bradley tearing his ACL. In order to successfully avoid injuries, athletes must take care of their bodies to the best of their abilities.

“There is no way to completely avoid injuries, you need to be in good physical shape,” Wiles said.

The recently retired outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. was once said to have been the best baseball player in the history of the game. He was on pace to claim the record of baseball’s home run king, which was held by Hank Aaron. Unfortunately for “The Kid,” injuries caused him to lose pace and fall off the radar. Although he retired fifth on the all time home run list with a staggering 630 home runs, Ken Griffey Jr. is a prime example of how injuries can affect a player.

21 percent

of all traumatic brain injuries among American children and adolescents are from sports.

62 percent

of most organized sports related injuries occur during practice.

775,000

children ages 14 and under are treated in hospital emergency rooms for sportsrelated injuries each year.

3.5 million

children ages 14 and under receive medical treatment for sports injuries each year.

30 million

children and teens participate in some form of organized sports.

STATISTICS COURTESY OF /NATIONAL CENTER FOR SPORTS SAFETY

stellarsouthettes Southette girls work hard to perform unforgettable shows

01

02

BY /DEREK FUHRMANN

S

tanding in front of a packed gymnasium, throwing rifles and flags up to 15 feet in the air, all choreographed to music, takes extreme skill and dedication. The Southettes practice every morning from 7 to 8:15 a.m. to add extra flair and a touch of panache to performances such as pep assemblies, halftime shows, Winterguard and Extravaganza.

“We start out practices with running laps, then we go into strength warm-ups. After that we focus on learning our choreography,” senior Kaylie Houde said.

Not all Southettes come from extensive dance backgrounds; however, senior Kaitlyn Maye is new to the team this year.

“It’s my senior year and I wanted to try something new,” Maye said.

Speaking of new additions to the Southettes, first year coach Stephanie Insminger realizes how much effort these girls put into their performances and that a good attitude is the key to good fortune.

03 “Having a good work ethic is really important to the success of our team,” Insminger said.

Insminger comes to the Southettes with extensive outside dance experience, as well as a degree in dance from Oklahoma City University. With all these credentials, the Southettes have high hopes for their competitions throughout the remainder of the school year.

After the hundreds of hours of practice, the pep assemblies roll around on the calendar and it’s show time.

The performances last only a matter of minutes and the time is short for the Southette Color Guard to leave the audience enthralled. However, mistakes do happen. Although the girls strive for flawless performances, there are times when drops occur.

“We expect the student body to show more respect towards our performances and to realize that what we do is not easy,” Insminger said.

The ability to throw a flag, rifle, or saber is something that takes numerous hours of practice. Athletic

PHOTOS BY /GRACE PRITCHETT director John Johnson reflects on a personal experience with the Southettes from a few years ago.

“A couple of years ago a girl didn’t have a dad for the father-daughter dance, so I went with her. We had to perform at Extravaganza and the girls had to teach me how to work with the props. It is not easy by any means,” Johnson said.

If at any point during a performance a flag were to cascade to the gym floor, the team bounces back in full spirit as if nothing had happened.

“If we do make a mistake, we have four counts to get back in rhythm so it’s not a big deal to us,” Maye said.

The Southettes have already competed in the Festival of Champions with the marching band earning the Raiders sixth place, along with a marching festival at Kansas State earning a superior rating.

One can only hope that the tradition of stellar Southette teams will continue for many years to come.

winter sports preview

Boys Basketball Big Game to Watch for: Shawnee Mission East Friday, Dec. 9 and Blue Valley North Tuesday, Dec. 16 Biggest Challenge: Getting our young players adjusted to 6A varsity basketball How to Overcome this Challenge: Learning from mistakes, Leadership from older experienced players Star Returning Players: seniors Dylan Christie and Eric Weber, junior Josh Pedersen --Brett McFall

Wrestling Big Match to Watch for: Every match is a big match Biggest Challenge: Keeping a consistent line-up.

How to Overcome this Challenge: Staying healthy Star Returning Players: sophomores Skylar Olson, Rasheed Brady and Adolph Matthews, juniors Grant Jongerius, Brent Haffey and Reis Humphrey, seniors J.W. Pabst, Clay Pearce, Ulises Arriaga and Brandon Jenkins.

--Joel Rios

Bowling Last year’s seniors start a chant at a basketball game against Shawnee Mission East. PHOTO BY/ALI LACY

Girls Basketball

Swimming

Big Game to Watch for: PINK NIGHT, Friday, Dec. 16 vs. Shawnee Mission Northwest (Double Header with Boys Team) Biggest Challenge: Depth of our bench How to Overcome this Challenge: Practice, practice, practice!

Star Returning Players: seniors Emmy Allen and Taylor McDowell --Brendan Curran

Big Meet to Watch for: State!

Biggest Challenge: getting people to Sate How to Overcome this Challenge: We’re gonna work hard Star Returning Players: seniors Duncan Stanton, Joe Slickman, Tommy Leach and Will Cockriel, sophomore Nico Caruso --Bruce Bove

Big Match to Watch for: Sunflower League (12 teams), in Regionals we have to place in the top three in order to make State Biggest Challenge: The girls team lost a lot of seniors so they’re rebuilding; however, the boys team is solid How to Overcome this Challenge: Working hard and developing the new talent coming in Star Returning Players: Boys- seniors Eric Steffee and Lee Vue, junior Alex Brown Girls- juniors Shelby Johnson and Jessie Steffee, senior Jackie Young --Kent Thompson

uniforms of

raiders

Football 1967

past BY /CASEY LEE

Boys Soccer 1985 The uniforms are different from the ones we have today, but outlined like any regular soccer uniform.

They had slightly shorter shorts, but we’re not complaining. They look just as good back then as they do today, and who doesn’t love a soccer boy?

The ’60s were a time of innovation for football uniform styles. The face mask was still not a key element to the design.

Rocky the Raider 1967 Girls Basketball 1977

Volleyball 1985

With shorter shorts and longer socks these don’t look like the uniforms athletes wear today. That’s not the only thing that’s changed. Just look at their hairdos.

These uniforms look completely different with large, baggy jerseys and diaper-shaped pants. No spandex? Sorry boys.

Boys Gymnastics 1980 Wrestling 1977

This isn’t exactly what boys gymnasts wear today, but this team looks fresh. Sorry ladies, we no longer have a boys team here at South.

The uniforms, or lack of, are somewhat different, yet mostly the same. Don’t be fooled. We know that one thing will never change about wrestling, the muscles.

Cheerleading 1986 What about the people cheering on the athletes?

The cheerleaders look completely different. Longer skirts and sweaters with the occasional hair Scrunchie.

Boys Swimming 1980

Boys Basketball 1980 Longer basketball shorts weren’t introduced until the 1990s. It’s every girl’s favorite dream, basketball players in short shorts and long socks.

Swimsuits haven’t changed much since the sport first began. The swimmers don’t look much different. Unfortunately, neither do their skin-tight swim suits.

Girls Gymnastics 2000 Still the same shine and sparkle that the girl gymnasts bring to South today. Although, no idea what the lady on the right is wearing.

SPORTS /NOVEMBER 2011/ 23

SMS

SPOTLIGHT

“

SEXY SAX MAN PLAYS TO PLEASE THE PEOPLE.—SOPHOMORE SAM TANKEL, A WINNER OF THE KSMS HALLOWEEN CONTEST

PHOTO BY /GRACE PRITCHETT