Breezeway September 2011

Volume 52, Issue 1 September 2011

With the addition of new ideas for school spirit, students set goal to be most enthuastic high school in the state...Page 6

Kelley Welcomes Feilmeier l New principal brings excitement, spirit and STATE to BK community

By Todd Fernandez

Breezeway Staff Writer

S

TATE. Sometimes talking agitates teachers excessively? Sad tiger attempts to exercise? Sweaty Tom always takes eggs? STATE does not stand for any of these, but does stand for the goal new Bishop Kelley principal, Mr. Curt Feilmeier, wants students to aim for.

Nebraska native Mr. Feilmeier created this slogan, which actually stands for “students taking achievement to excellence,” as a way to motivate and energize the Kelley community.

“I made it up,” Feilmeier said. “Just merely doing an activity doesn’t constitute achievement; you’ve got to earn what you get in life. I’m just challenging the students of Bishop Kelley to take it to the next level. That’s why I came here, because that’s what I heard Bishop Kelley students do.”

Feilmeier is very familiar with Lasallian education from his high school of Cedar Catholic in his hometown Hartington, Nebraska, to being a graduate of the Lasallian Leadership Institute, a program that instills Lasallian teachings in personal and professional lives.

“I learned about Kelley back in 2003,” Feilmeier said, “and met Gary Oberste, Mark Chambers, Jeff Pratt [and] Maureen Lawler. We met through the Lasallian Leadership Institiute and we kept in touch personally and professionally. When the position of principal came up, they contacted me.”

Before he could become principal, Feilmeier had to go through a long interview procedure.

“I went through a national search process and then a six-step interview. The six-step interview piece involved meeting with parents, students, faculty, administration, Fr. O’Brien and a search committee,” Feilmeier said.

As principal, Mr. Feilmeier

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has a number of tasks assigned to him to assit the administration at Kelley. According to the faculty handbook, the job of the principal is to “assume responsibility for the academic affairs of the school.”

“Specifically it’s observation of teachers, working with student activities, student discipline, athletics and curriculum development,” Feilmeier said.

Feilmeier has not “experienced the educational zeal that [he] is experiencing at Bishop Kelley in comparison to the other schools [he] has worked at,” he said. But he still wants to work on having students highly prepared for college and to improve curriculum.

“Technology will play a role in that,” Feilmeier said. “Whether that’s students learning technology or the teachers using technology for student learning.”

During his first few weeks here, Feilmeier has felt Kelley has taken him in with open arms.

“Everyone has been extremely welcoming to me, very friendly.

Everyone has made me feel a part of the family, a part of the Bishop Kelley family,” Feilmeier said.

Mr Feilmeier says he is growing accustomed to Tulsa. It’s “hot, but there are shows, shopping [and] places to eat; there’s a lot of different things to do.”

Feilmeier is looking forward to “getting to meet the kids and students and helping meet their talents and gifts.”

“I love seeing students grow in regard to their talent and skills. I just think that’s just neat to see the folks starting out as freshmen and grow to seniors and having them define what they want to do with their lives,” Feilmeier said.

The phrase STATE follows Mr. Feilmeier’s view of students sharing their talents and gifts. Though the motto has been around awhile, some students are still not sure of what the true meaning behind it is.

“Students taking action through something,” guessed junior Lauren Wolcott. Freshman Ethan Haydock

Mr. Feilmeier laughs in his office located in the Business Office. also attempted to figure out Mr. Feilmeier’s catchphrase, guessing “students taking intiative towards excellence.”

Students and staff alike believe the new slogan is leaving a positive impact on the community.

“It’s a great phrase, [a] constant reminder to be excellent in what you do, not mediocre,” Bishop Kelley Chaplin Fr. Kerry Wakulich said.

Many students have reacted positively to having a new prin-

Photo By Max Sanders

cipal, such as freshman Hannah Stephan who thought, “he seemed a little scary, but he’s not...he’s pretty nice.”

“He’s in the right place,” freshman Conner Gajan said. “He’s going to make a good principal.”

Breezeway

Off Campus Student Lunch Not An Option

Cafeteria Strives to Provide Options

BY TAYLOR GAJAN

I

Breezeway Staff Writer

n loco parentis, one of Dean of Students Mr. Jeff Pratt’s many wise sayings, is Latin for the “place of parents.”

Mr. Pratt is in charge of student’s well-being from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. He is also responsible for whether students are able to have off-campus lunch or not.

“The thought of off-campus lunch sends shivers up my spine,” Mr. Pratt said, “The reason we don’t have it is because we don’t have a lot of restaurants around Kelley besides Whataburger and Panera, so we wouldn’t be good neighbors if we flooded them every day at lunch.”

There is also a concern with illegal activities occurring instead of student’s actually going to lunch.

“I have no concerns except that it could be an opportunity for kids to use alcohol or drugs.” Pratt said.

The only way for Kelley to receive off-campus lunch is if Fr. O’Brien or Mr. Feilmeier was to over rule Mr. Pratt’s decision.

“It’s not a possibility, not while I’m here,” Pratt said.

Union High School offers off-campus lunch to juniors and seniors who don’t have disciplinary problems. They have never had a closed campus, and the mall is across the street so the food court is usually where the students eat.

Junior Madi Shulz said she would be ecstatic to have off campus lunch.

“I think seniors should have off-campus lunch,” Schultz said, “I would be very happy if we had it and I would go to Panera all the time.”

Chaz Stephenson agrees with Schultz.

“I would leave at the time given [if we had off-campus lunch] then go to Subway and be back in time,” Stephenson said.

He wants off campus lunch because he doesn’t prefer the school lunches he said.

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l Student recommendations vary

on ways to make lunch healthier

“They do a great job for us. They provide what we need when it comes to food services on our campus.”

-Father O’Brien

BY BAILEY CHAMBERS Breezeway Staff Writer

P

izza, chicken tenders, pigs in a blanket, philly cheese steak, breadsticks, hamburgers, and even more pizza are all foods that can be found going through the lunch line. For some students these meals may seem perfectly fine on a daily basis, but for others, these may leave them with a bad taste in their mouths.

“Chicken Tuesdays” is an example of students’ favorite day of the week to buy lunch.

Mashed potatoes, vegetables and warm roll are all included in the price of this meal.

Bishop Kelley’s food for lunches is catered

by Gourmet on the Go. “They do a great job for us,” said Father O’Brien, “they provide what we need when it comes to food services on our campus.”

Lynn Martin, executive director of Gourmet on the Go says they prepare food for Bishop Kelley as well as Holy Family School, San Miguel School, and the ECDC of Christ the King.

“Everyday in all the kitchens we prepare close to 1,300 meals,” Martin explains.

With having to provide so many lunches to different schools across town and being on a fixed budget, there are limitations to the choices available.

“We need to be able to provide food that people will purchase at a cost that stays within a reasonable budget,” Martin said.

Many students feel that because of the sometimes limited choices that lunches are not always the healthiest choices.

“Everyday there are healthy choices available,” Martin said, “a salad bar is available every day, as well as sandwiches and wraps.”

Although there are foods that are offered outside of the federal guidelines, “the choice is

always present for a healthy alternative,” Martin said.

It has not always been this way. Over the past few years many nutritious changes have been made to insure the healthiness of cafeteria lunches. Tilapia and salmon are both served.

Grilled chicken is served on Thursdays along with the hamburgers and corn dogs. Some might be surprised to learn that the corn dogs are made of turkey to reduce the fat and sodium content.

The cafeteria serves fresh vegetables instead of canned. The bread products are now whole grain options, and whole grain pasta will soon be served as well.

Although these options are healthier, many students still tend to bring then lunches.

Junior Sydney Turner would like to see a change in the system of the lunch line to make it easier. Instead of bringing money every day she would like to have a credit system where items can be charged to an account.

“I would be more apt to buy lunch if I didn’t have to bring money everyday,” Turner says.

Many students also have ideas that they would like to see implemented into the cafeteria system. For instance, junior Alex Kach would like to have a baked potato bar.

It is important to take a step back and look at how much work the cafeteria staff actually puts in to making lunch for all of these students.

“We do some prep work the afternoon before.

With nine staffers someone is in the kitchen by 7 a.m. each day,” Martin said. “It is hard to have all the food in the right place at the right time.”

Gourmet on the Go does not just serve lunches, “they are able to help from various functions on campus ranging from lunch meetings of five people to the Auction where we feed 500,” Fr. O’Brien said.

Whether you prefer the cafeteria or your brown bag lunch--the choice is ultimately to us.

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New Style, New Swag l A new breeze sweeps through BK: the staff takes you behind the scenes of the changes featured in the Breezeway this year Breezeway Art Director Max Sanders had a dream. Ms. Bailey McBride, journalism teacher extraordinaire, also had a dream. This dynamic duo put their minds, dreams and efforts together to produce the paper you are holding. Their common dream would revolutionize the school paper. . . forever. Along with fellow professional journalists: Maddie Young, Bailey Chambers, Kelsey Ritchie, Isabel Dobrin, Ben Herndon, Todd Fernandez and Taylor Gajan, the duo collaborated to create the following changes.

The Breezeway

l New body design The staff worked together to revamp bylines, decks, pull quotes and body copy in order to exemplify a magazine-like product. l Upgraded design program Over the summer, the journalism department upgraded their design program to CS5.5 in order to keep up with technology. l More online content Bkbreezeway.com will feature more slideshowes, photos and video to give you greater insight into the stories that matter to Bishop Kelley and to you.

The Breezeway welcomes letters to the editor. All letters must be signed, but The Breezeway will withhold names upon request. The Breezeway has the right to accept, reject, or edit any letter at any time and will not run personal attacks.

Non-bylined editorials are the opinions held by The Breezeway staff but are not necessarily the opinion of the advisor or administrators.

The Breezeway provides an open forum for students and staff and strives to present news in an unbiased and timely fashion.

The Breezeway has the right to accept, reject, edit, or cancel any advertisement at any time. Ads which the staff accepts are not an endorsement of the paper, the staff, the adviser, or the administrator.

Some material is courtesy of American Society of Newspaper Editors/ MCT Campus High School Newspaper Service.

Breezeway Staff Maddie Young- Editor-in-Chief Bailey Chambers- Managing Editor Max Sanders- Art Director Kelsey Ritchie- Photo Editor Isabel Dobrin- News Editor Taylor Gajan- Sports Editor Ben Herndon- Online Editor Todd Fernandez- Feature Editor Bailey McBride-Adviser Cover Photo by Maddie Young

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All of these changes make the new Breezeway stand out and reader friendly. We hope you enjoy it!

To Date Or Not To Date? l While in high school, dating someone older may not stir up problems; But when the relationship becomes long distance, problems may begin.

Bishop Kelley High School 3905 South Hudson Avenue Tulsa, Oklahoma 74135 (918) 627-3390 Ext: 174

l New newspaper logo and graphic design elements The logo was redesigned to compliment the new Bishop Kelley branding which was implimented last summer. It also literally represents a breezeway.

BY MADDIE YOUNG Breezeway Staff Writer With high school comes relationships. Some serious, some not; Some a week, some a year; Some with small age gaps, and others with larger ones - but when does the age gap become too big?

Every student has his own opinion of what is considered too big of an age gap.

“Grade wise, I think two and especially three is too much but one grade is no big deal,” senior Kurt Byers, said.

Throughout my time at Kelley, I’ve seen many people who will date someone one grade older or younger without much conflict.

When two people are that close in age it is relatively easy to blend

friend groups with out being awkward, but once their is more than a year in between the couple sometimes the relationship won’t work out as well.

“I think in high school if there’s more than three years difference it’s kind weird just because we are young already,” senior Audrey Atkins said.

While some students think keeping the gap small is best, others, like junior Alex Kach, feel that “love has no age.” When the age gap becomes too large, however, then the couple will have to deal with the older person heading off to college, leaving the couple to decide wether they should call it quits or try to be a long distance couple.

“Personally, I don’t think the stress of a long distance relationship is worth dating someone in

college. Often times the temptations of college life ruin the trust in relationships, and without trust you don’t have the foundation necessary for a healthy relationship,” senior Haley Poarch said.

When someone is far away, obviously, there aren’t as many opportunities to see them as there were still in Tulsa. In addition to not being able to spend time with your significant other, you also wont be able to talk to them as much since a college student is on a completely different schedule than a high school student. Even with the long distance dating issue, some students still feel it is worth it.

“It is kinda hard to have a long distance relationship but it works out in the end,” senior Caleb Cartner said.

With opposing views about sticking to a long distance relationship, there isn’t one solution for everyone. Each person has a different relationship and different views on how to handle the situation. Ultimately, the decision is up to you.

Breezeway

Students Hudson Bound Soon l Street will be open in both directions, giving drivers easy access to the school and surrounding businesses

BY ISABEL DOBRIN Breezeway Staff Writer Construction on Hudson is coming to a close this month after a long summer haul.

The Bishop Kelley community will again have access to the new sidewalks and paved street after a month of maneuvering around the city’s revision project.

The city initially had different plans for the construction dates when the proposition was presented to the school and the neighboring businesses who share access to the street.

“The original plan was that it would be done last November [through] February. We hated that idea because it would be during a big chunk of the school year,” O’Brien said. “With Bishop Kelley, Undercroft Montessori and Zarrow International School all on the block, that would have really slowed things down. So the city. . . moved [the construction] to the summer.”

According to the City of Tulsa’s Fix Our Streets website, Hudson Avenue, part of City Project 104539, is a rehabilitation project with approved funding since 2008. Construction has been underway around the area since 2009, and the completed project is expected to be finished by the spring of 2012.

Hudson, however, was scheduled to be open both directions two days before school began.

“With the heat, some construction set backs and other projects around town, they are still working on it,” O’Brien said.

Parents, faculty and student drivers could not ignore the fact that the work was behind schedule on the first day of school with road signs, construction workers, dust and orange cones encroaching the usually busy U-drive.

“It took forever for me to pull up into the junior lot from the sophomore lot with the huge line of parents. . . their massive soccer-mom cars and my massive soccer-dad suburban could barely squeeze into those little entrances,” junior Alex Malati said of his first day back to school driving experience.

“It’s a headache getting to school around 7:45.”

Junior Katherine Waller, however, hasn’t found herself in the traffic jam because of street improvements this year.

“It hasn’t made me late yet because I have cheer at 7:15 every morning. But yes, I have to go out of my way because I have to go down 41st all the way instead of taking 36th to Hudson.”

The morning delays were anticipated by the administration and relayed to parents and faculty in a number of different ways in order to get the word out and better prepare the community.

“All summer long we communicated with parents and visitors via our website and through e-mails that there would be construction in and around BK. As the school year approached we ramped up those efforts to make sure that

Photo By Isabel Dobrin

Workers finish putting a curb at the end of the U drive during school hours. Once the sidewalks and curbs on the north bound lane are completed, both lanes will be open. new drivers and new parents would know where to go,” Fr. O’Brien said.

The extra effort to keep drivers informed has played a key role in maintaining a safe setting for the community.

“We’ve received many favorable reports from parents that we communicated well. We made the best of a bad situation. It’s a great life-lesson,” O’Brien said.

Kelley Culture Represented in Europe

BY BEN HERNDON

Breezeway Staff Writer The students of Bishop Kelley, even when out of the country, strive to represent the Bishop Kelley culture well.

“The most interesting phenomenon of my trips to Europe results from the [culture] of BK students,” Medea Bendel said. That culture has been cultivated in every student since day one at Bishop Kelley. The culture makes students very confident and comfortable in who they are, which makes them represent Bishop Kelley well.

This past summer, some Bishop Kelley students traveled across Europe with Medea Bendel from June 15 to July 5 to visit such places as the Italian and Swiss Alps, the Greek Isles, the Italian coastline, the Tuscan countryside, Versailles and the Louvre. They also explored the ruins of the Ancient Delphi, the Roman Forum and the Athenian Acropolis. On top of that, they went to St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Francis of Assisi’s Cathedral and the Cathedral and Baptistry in Pisa.

As they traveled, a few Bishop Kelley students exemplified their Kelley culture well. For example, Sophia Hail, senior at Bishop Kelley, “thwarted a pickpocketer who had taken the passport and over 300 Euros from a member of one of the Ohio groups travelling with us,” Bendel said.

Another senior, “Colleen [Fox,] impressed the monk at the

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Cathedral in Assisi with her knowledge about biblical stories.”

“Due to this confident nature we come on a little strong,” Bendel said. “And [we] often initially intimidate some of the other groups… After four or five days everyone seems to adjust to our kids’ natural confidence.” This initial intimidation stands true for not only Bendel’s trip, but also for the trips of Megan Schaunaman and Maria Monhaut, who also vacationed with Bishop Kelley students out of the country.

Schaunaman and eight other students were gone from June 26 to July 7. They toured places throughout England, such as London, Oxford, Bath, Stratford-on-Avon, Cheddar, Winchester, Wells, Brighton, and they also went to Paris for two days.

I loved getting to see the crown jewels at the Tower of London,” Schaunaman said. “And I also loved visiting Windsor Castle, the weekend retreat for the Royal Family.”

She enjoyed visiting the beach at Brighton with the Bishop Kelley students.

Schaunaman and Bendel are planning the trips for 2012 and 2013. They hope to go to Italy and Switzerland this summer and a European tour, similar to this summer, for 2013. As always, a group of good-natured Bishop Kelley students will travel with them. “I am always amazed and impressed by the students who I take on these trips,” Bendel said.

Maria Monhaut was another teacher to take a trip this summer with a group of confident Bishop Kelley students.

She and 10 others traveled around parts of Spain and Morocco, including, Madrid, Cordoba, Sevilla, Granada, Costa del Sol/Torremolinos, Ceuta/Morocco, Valencia, and Barcelona.

During her travels through Spain, Monhaut wore an orthopedic boot “because I had sprained my ankle three weeks before the trip,” Monhaut said. “[But] I did not miss a step and walked as much as my students did.” The students and Monhaut were very comfortable in Spain from June 2 to June 12 because of their culture.

During their travels, the students found themselves in unexpected turmoil in Valencia. “We got caught in the middle of a political demonstration in Valencia near the cathedral,” Monhaut said. “Everyone was safe.”

One Bishop Kelley alumnus, Cameron Newton, felt comfortable enough to dance in public. Monhaut said, “Cameron Newton dancing flamenco is unforgettable.”

Cameron is a prime example of the natural confidence Bishop Kelley has cultivated in every student.

“This [natural confidence] has been true of every trip that I have hosted,” Bendel said. Bendel, Schaunaman, and Monhaut had great trips this summer because of the confident and comfortable nature of the students they traveled with, and they are looking forward to future summer trips with students who represent the Bishop Kelley culture well.

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l With the addition of new ideas for school spirit, students 1

BY KELSEY RITCHIE Breezeway Staff Writer Comets, strap in!

The famous “roller coaster” cheer has been a fan favorite and Bishop Kelley trademark for the past few years. It was developed by 2010 alum Matt Cunningham, who led the student section in leaning left, right, up, and down to make the entire stands appear to be enjoying the thrills of a roller coaster. This year, students plan to take school spirit to all new heights with new cheers,

set goal to be most enthuastic high school in the state.

more chants, and a few surprise twists, turns, and plummets. So Comets, throw your hands up in the air and get ready for the ride of your life.

Student spirit leaders are expecting a jaw-dropping and record-setting show of school spirit this year. To increase school spirit and involvement, a Facebook group dubbed “The Red Army” was created. On this page, students can find information about upcoming games, scores, team schedules, and they can find videos of all of the new cheers and

chants that will be used at sporting events.

“We have a lot of new ideas for cheers. Some of them include the “I Believe That We Will Win” cheer, in which the student section jumps up and down on the stands and yells those exact words,” sophomore John Cunningham said. “Another cheer is the ‘Winning Team, Losing Team’ cheer, where the student section points and shouts at the team who is winning (Bishop Kelley) and the team who is losing (opponents). Finally, there is

the “Happy and You Know It” cheer. The student section will sing “If you’re winning and you know it clap your hands” (clap clap) three times, and then switch to “if you’re losing and you know it clap your hands” and then point to the other team to clap. I encourage all students to watch the videos of these cheers on The Red Army Facebook wall.”

With all of these new ideas, expectations of the student body are taking a double loop and catapulting to the top.

“We’re looking for 100 per-

cent participation from the student section for home games.

We really want to see attendance jump at sports like soccer, volleyball and basketball,” Alex Malati, junior, said enthusiastically. “We want to bring some physical cheers to the game and just bring school spirit back to BK High!

We just want to become the loudest crowd in all of Oklahoma, which we think we can achieve.”

“We have a lot of new ideas and can’t wait to showcase them at games and pep rallies,” senior Phillip Ngo added.

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All Tucked In, All Spirited Out

BY KELSEY RITCHIE Breezeway Staff Writer

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5

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Matt, Michael and John Cunningham have more in common than just their last name. For the past few years, the Cunningham brothers have led the student body in school spirit. The brothers can always be seen at the front of the crowd, decorated in paint, capes and Bishop Kelley attire.

“I got really involved in school spirit my junior year when I noticed that overall school spirit was a bit down.

My dad is the Athletic Director at TU, so I grew up around college sports. The student sections were always so rowdy and loud, and I wanted to bring that spirit to Kelley,” said Matt Cunningham, a 2010 graduate.

And he did just that.

Matt started the school’s trademark cheer, the roller coaster, at a Cascia Hall volleyball tournament. After that, he led cheers at every sporting event.

Then, his younger brothers, John and Michael, began tagging along.

“I saw Matthew and Michael going to games and coming back home and talking about how much fun they had. So I decided that I wanted to make my high school experience fun like they did and felt that going to the games was the best way to do it,” John Cunningham, sophomore, said.

The brothers, or the “three amigos” as they call themselves, became hooked on spirit.

“My brothers and I spent countless hours on Youtube watching chants and cheers from numerous schools,” Matt said.

“We bounce ideas off each other all the time. Never underestimate the power of YouTube,” senior Michael Cunningham said.

But now they had reached a dilemma; what would be the best way to let everyone know about all these great new cheers?

And so formed the Red Army.

“We realized that we needed something to tell everyone when games are and what we will be going at each game and the cheers we will do. Most people had Facebook so that seemed like the best way to get information out there,” John said.

School and spirit involvement has become a trademark of the Cunningham family. Almost as much of a trademark, perhaps, as their tucked in shirts.

“When we were little, our dad always tucked in his shirt. Like all kids, we wanted to be like our dad, and to make fun of him a little bit, we decided to tuck our shirts in, so it just became a force of habit. We don’t even think about it in the morning, it just happens,” John said.

The brothers have tucked Bishop Kelley into place as one of the most spirited high schools in Oklahoma.

But luckily, the tradition isn’t over yet.

“We have a little sister, Sarah, she is in 8th grade.

She will be at most of the games because we’ll have her tag along,” Michael said.

And so the legacy continues.

“Never underestimate the power of YouTube.”

- Michael Cunningham 1. The football team gathers in the Helmet before the game. Photo by Maddie Young.

2. Students cheer at outdoor pep rally, Sept. 9th.

Photo by Kelsey Ritchie 3. Comets come together to form a star in honor of Lasallian schools. Photo by Betty O’Connor.

4. The Drumline performs at the Pep Rally.

Photo by Kelsey Ritchie.

5. Michael Cunningham watches the Mcguinness game from the sidelines. Photo by Maddie Young.

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New Faces To Kelley

BY MADDIE YOUNG Breezeway Staff Writer Carla Treadway, Learning Styles Specialist High School: Ponca City High School College: University of Oklahoma Favorite part about working at Kelley: being welcomed into such a positive community.

Christy Crockett, Foreign Language - German High School: Broken Arrow College: OSU Favorite part about working at Kelley: the desire of both students and faculty to learn and the freedom to do it in a fun, engaging way.

Amanda Walker, English High School: Sapulpa High School College: Northeastern State University Favorite part about working at Kelley: Getting to be back with so many of my old friends, making new ones and of course, the students.

Kristen Martin, English High School: South Oldham High School in KY College: The University of Tulsa Favorite part about working at Kelley: The students, There seems to be a great bunch of hard-working, smart, and kind kids, which helps create a great environment for learning

Danielle Scherer, Social Studies High School: Bishop Kelley College: The University of Tulsa Favorite part about working at Kelley:

Sue Brose, Learning Styles Specialist High School: Royerton High School in Indiana.

College: Alma College, and my MA from Ball State University Favorite part about working at Kelley: the caring attitude nd positive approach to success

Bailey McBride, Journalism High School: Bishop Kelley College: Arkansas Favorite part about working at Kelley: My all-star journalism students, of course

Jordan Philbeck, Director of Alumni High School: A&M Consolidated High School College: Texas A&M University for my Bachelors College: Sam Houston State University for my Masters Favorite part about working at Kelley: The faculty, staff, students, and my cousins Andrew and Nick McNulty who currently attend BK! (Not Pictured)

You Do The Crime, You Pay The Fine

BY MADDIE YOUNG

Breezeway Staff Writer It’s 2:58 on a Friday afternoon and you’re not so patiently waiting for Fr. O’Brien to finish prayer. The buzz from your phone goes off again, and you can’t wait to see who has texted you. Finally dismissed, you leave class and head to your car. While driving down the U and reading your messages to figure out your weekend plans, Mr. Pratt flags you down, informing you of your fate - a $20 fine.

According to House Bill 2276, also known as the Distracted Driving Law, “The operator of every vehicle, while driving, shall devote their full time and attention to such driving.” Included in this bill, teens with a learner’s permit or

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intermediate license who are caught using an electronic device, such as a cell phone, could get their licenses or permits suspended. Shortly after this law was passed, the Bishop Kelley administration followed suit by enforcing the policy on the campus.

“As we continue to recognize the dangers of texting or engaging in other distracting activities while driving, the administration felt it was important to address this concern,” Principal Mr. Curt Feilmeier said, “With the large number of vehicles and pedestrians on the Bishop Kelley campus, especially before and after school, it is critical that students be focused while driving.”

While the parking lot has never been

a specifically dangerous place, Br. Richard, who overlooks the parking lot as students leave, says at times there were “very dangerous drivers.” Starting this year, students who are caught texting and driving while on campus will be issued a $20 fine. The administration felt it would make campus safer by limiting the distractions in the already hectic parking lots.

Even though the rule is for the well-being of the student body, some students see it as another unnecessary, expensive fine.

“I’m not a fan of it because they shouldn’t be able to make us pay so much money outside of school hours,” senior Caleb Cartner said.

Some may look at this as just another pointless fine, but making students pay

will encourage them to observe the rules.

On the other hand, some students can see past the $20 fine and realize the positive aspects of the new rule.

“Why spend time texting when you can learn?” senior Margo McKenzie said.

The rule was made to have students put their phones away, but Br. Richard says he has seen many students try to avoid it by putting their phones in their laps, which is “even more dangerous.”

The administration sees this rule as being successful since no fines have been given out yet. They are not wanting to make people pay -- just follow the rules.

“It is our duty to provide a safe environment for students and our employees,” Mr. Feilmeier said.

Breezeway

Order Up: Los Tres Amigos l New Restaurant offers fresh flavors across the menu.

BY BAILEY CHAMBERS Breezeway Staff Writer “Mom! What’s for dinner?” is probably a common question many of you ask your parents on a daily basis. The newly opened Los Tres Amigos should now be added to your list of answers for this reoccuring household discussion. This Mexican fine dining eatery, located on 81st and Lewis, went above and beyond my expectations. Hopefully it will for you, too.

Upon arriving, we noticed the beautiful outdoor patio to the right of the front door where people can enjoy the fresh air of this coming fall. As we walked in we were greeted with a very friendly smile from the hostess and seated right away, in a rather comfortable booth. While waiting for friends to meet us there our waiter promptly took our drink order and set down a bowl of warm, crunchy chips and cold, fresh salsa--a perfect beginning to any Mexican meal.

As we looked around we noticed the walls were decorated with festive Mexican cultural decorations, along with the menu, pictures and tables. The music was not overbearing, but you were still capable of hearing it. There was a calm atmosphere about us without all the usual hustle and bustle of hurried waiters serving

their customers.

As our friends arrived and ordered their drinks, we began to look at the menu, which was a bit overwhelming with so many options; therefore, we asked the waiter for several suggestions of what his favorite dishes were.

“They had some unique menu items that you don’t really find at other places,” a friend said. For instance, you could try “camarones aguachile,” “mojarra frita,” or “camarones diabla,” all containing a different spicy fish.

With a well--equipped lunch menu as well, there is no way you could leave Los Tres Amigos hungry. We decided we would start with the classic white queso for an appetizer ($3.99). It was served warm and creamy. It wasn’t too spicy, and very tasty. Next we tried Enchiladas Poblanas ($10.50). Three enchiladas were served on a warm plate with rice, beans and a heaping scoop of fresh guacamole.

Poblano is a type of pepper that provided the enchiladas with just enough kick to clear the sinuses. I chose to get the typical beef fajitas, served with a pile of vegetables($11.50). If you like your meat welldone, these would be the perfect dish for you. Fajitas for one was plenty to share with a friend. The last meal we all tasted was shrimp tacos ($10.25). Also served with rice, beans and guacamole, two large

Photo By Bailey Chambers

The not only eye-appealing but delicious, complimentary sopapillas given to us by our waiter. flour tortillas were piled with shrimp and ed with cinnamon sugar--a perfect way to yellow bell peppers. end any Mexican meal.

“The shrimp was very fresh,” another We walked away feeling very satisfied, friend explained, “and I loved that there but not overly full from the delicious food was so much inside of the tortillas.” that we ate. We came to an agreement that Last, but certainly not least, our waiter Los Tres Amigos will be a place that we generously gave us complimentary sopap- will not only recommend to our friends, illas with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. but will come back to enjoy ourselves.

They were warm, not too greasy and dust- Buen Provecho!

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ALOHA DANCE CHEERLEADER CROSS COUNTRY COMETS FEILMEIER FOOTBALL LOCKIN MCMASTERS OBERSTE bkbreezeway.com

OBRIEN PRATT SOFTBALL SPIRIT STATE RED ARMY RED SEA ROLLERCOASTER VOLLEYBALL Page 9

6A: the Good, the Bad and the Different

BY BEN HERNDON Breezeway Staff Writer Last year, the girls soccer team dominated every team in their path.

The girls easily took State last year just like the year before it, the girls soccer team is on a great path to success and victories. Due to Bishop Kelley’s successes last year, The Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association, or OSSAA, now has some sports competing against schools with almost 5,000 students.

Every sport moves from 5A to 6A in Bishop Kelley except football, boys and girls basketball, wrestling, softball, swimming, and boys golf. “These sports will continue to stay at 5A unless they are in the top eight in the next three years,” said Athletic Director Mark Chambers.

For a school to be in 6A means that they have to be in the top 32 enrollments in the state, usually from 1,280-4,800 students, while 5A schools contains 750-1,250 students.

Now that the OSSAA has taken notice of Bishop Kelley’s success, they decided to move track and field, cross country, girls golf, baseball, soccer, tennis, and volleyball to the 6A level.

That means the Comets will now be competing against schools that have, in some cases, upwards of 4,800 students.

Coach Troy Tokarchik, girl’s soccer coach, is excited for the competition.

“It is really in our district games and, of course, playoffs where we will see the significant change,” Tokarchik said.

“Our district games will be played against 6A, and thus be more challenging competition in most cases.”

College athletic programs could look at Bishop Kelley’s success at the 5A level and offer more athletic scholarships, then next year colleges notice Bishop Kelley sports not doing as well in 6A, so they do not offer as many athletic scholarships. The switch to 6A could affect athletic scholarships.

“There is potential, yes,” Chambers said. “When you have a program that has success, it draws [college] coaches... If we don’t have success, we might not get that recognition from coaches.”

If students are successful at the 5A level, but as soon as they switch to 6A and are not successful, colleges might not offer scholarships to students.

Chambers, although excited about the switch, still does not agree with it.

He feels that the sports that did move do not deserve the change because “to be in the top 8 means you are successful...”

Chambers used the example that if the girls soccer team is in the top eight, that means they got to the state tournament and all they have to do is win one playoff game. “If you look at the first round

playoff game... We are going to win that... And now we are being punished for being successful.”

Coach \Tokarchik welcomes the change to 6A to girls soccer. “I think the challenge is a great opportunity,” Tokarchik said. “And I feel, regardless the outcome, the girls will feel more meaning in the season with more challenging competition.” Although 6A has, in some cases, more talent than teams faced in 5A, Tokarchik hopes his team will give it their all this season.

The sports that are in 5A now, in the years to come, look promising to move to 6A. Chambers said “I think it is a possibility,” if the rule, stating a sport must be in the top eight three years in a row, stays in place.

No matter how tough 6A will be, junior Autumn McBride, part of the girls soccer team said “We know how talented some of them are. I think it’s just about recognizing how talented our girls are... We like a challenge.”

The OSSAA tried to match Bishop Kelley’s sports teams success by putting Bishop Kelley in 6A; however, by putting Bishop Kelley in 6A, they caused more disparity than they fixed, Bishop Kelley was successful in 5A, but “by trying to correct disparity, [the OSSAA] created much larger disparity by putting us against huge schools,” Chambers said.

Photo by Lauren Wooten

Senior volleyball player Alison Nutt gets ready to block the ball against Edmond Memorial.

Bishop Kelley’s success in the past shows that Bishop Kelley is going to try their hardest and give it their all in 6A, no matter how large the difference in school size might be.

Managers Make Things Easier For Teams

BY KELSEY RITCHIE

Breezeway Staff Writer

Madeline Godfrey gets up every morning to go to cross country runs. However, she does not participate in the running. Instead, she does things like fill up water bottles and help take times of the runners. Godfrey is one of many students that serve as managers or trainers of sports teams.

Even though they work behind the scenes, the managers and trainers handle many details that allow the team events to run smoothly.

For football, the team has both managers and trainers. The managers take care of the equipment, whereas the trainers help tape ankles or wrists and keep the players hydrated.

“As football trainer, I go in every day for fourth block and if any of the players need something taped up before practice, I do that. Then, I fill up all the water bottles and take them out to the field for the players during practice,” junior Drew Mayfield said.

Even though no one sees all the work that the trainers and managers do, they make a huge difference to the team.

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“Our managers and trainers help a lot. They do the work that no one else wants to do,” David Hayes, a junior football player, said.

Cross country runners agree. They appreciate their manager more than ever in this scorching hot weather.

“Our trainer helps us so much. As a member of the cross country team, we need water a lot. Whenever we need it, Madeline is there and she helps more than we expected,” Chandler Clarke said.

The student athletes are not the only ones who appreciate the managers and trainers.

“The managers make all the difference...without Emily Hoffman and Georges Habib it would be very difficult for me to do my job on the field every day,” football coach Billy Gates said. “The most helpful things they do for me is organization and distribution of all uniforms.”

Although they do work behind the scenes, the trainers and managers do not mind.

“My favorite part of being a manager, especially in cross country, is that even though I’m not a “runner,” I am still just as much part of the team. It’s cool being sort of the assistant coach and knowing things before the team does, and I love being there for the girls,” Madeline Godfrey said.

Photo by Kelsey Ritchie

Madeline Godfrey prepares water for the cross country runners after their practice. “Being a manager requires some tedious work, but it is very rewarding,” Godfrey said.

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The Act Is Back

BY ISABEL DOBRIN

A

Breezeway Staff Writer ctors, check.

Stage makeup, costumes, lights, check.

Determination, motivation, commitment, check. Ladies and gentlemen, one act is back! This year’s production is underway with the cast and techies rehearsing daily in Ms. Dana Hoagland’s third block class.

“It’s a lot of fun. The class is just great,” senior Austin Lawhorn said.

This is his second year participating in the competition after learning about his friends’ experiences in previous years.

“I heard about everybody having a great time the year before so I was like ‘I wanna do that.’”

The cast practices in class and occasionally after school.

Each rehearsal brings them one step closer to their goal, a spot at state, which they’ve made a reality and a tradition at the school.

“We’ve done really well [in the past],” he said, referring to

last year’s cast placing first at regionals; this year the cast is shooting for the same success.

“It’s a good play and a good cast,” Lawhorn said.

Director Dana Hoagland agrees.

“I think they will do a good job. . .I think it will be a strong entry.”

The play, “Love of a Pig,” is a romantic comedy with “several moments. . .that are just delightful,” Hoagland said.

As a director, there were many different aspects that drew her to the show.

“I felt like it was a good match for the group that I had in class this year and also felt like some plays are black and white. . .but there was room for a lot of artistic freedom in this one.”

The OSSAA is in charge of the One Act competition and has a certain set of rules and regulations, including timed performances and judges scoring productions.

“You’re on the clock,” Lawhorn said. “It’s not like putting on a traditional play. . .you only get 45 minutes to set up your stage, do your show

l The competitive one act production, “Love of a Pig,” is in full swing as the cast prepares for regionals and the state competition

and tear down your stage. It’s like any other sport in that you have to be prepared, you have to practice, you have to know what you’re doing and you have to be on your A-game all the time.”

Lawhorn admits that judging intensifies the experience.

“There’s a lot more pressure, but it’s also more satisfying.”

The actors, however, aren’t the only ones feeling the pressure. Junior Kathleen Gathright, light technician for the play, has to do her part to ensure the show runs smoothly.

“To be successful at competition, everybody needs to work together. If you didn’t have a techie you wouldn’t have a show. You need lights to see the actors, sound to add to the play, and you need us to build the set,” she said.

Ms. Hoagland also noted the importance of the two other techies Allie Ortiz, stage manager, and Marcela Martinez, sound technician.

“They are vitally important. . .[the show] can’t be done without them,” she said.

Confident actors, a devoted director and dedicated crew

Photo By Max Sanders

The cast of Love of A Pig runs lines in the auditorium during third block on Thursday, September 8th. aren’t the only necessities for a successful performance. Chemistry between a cast makes the experience that much more rewarding.

“They are a high energy group with a sense of team and unit,” Hoagland said, “I never had a class that didn’t love that experience.”

Senior Hanna Barnoski decided to join the cast this year and agrees that acting isn’t the only perk about the production.

“I love working with this cast. They’re all amazing actors and we are all friends. Since this is my first year for one act, they have all welcomed me in and shown me how it’s done,” she said.

“Love of a Pig” will be performed for the Bishop Kelley community Friday and Saturday Oct. 7 and 8 at 7 p.m. and Sunday Oct. 9 at 2 p.m. in the STC auditorium.

Kelley Seniors Step Into New Shoes

By Todd Fernandez Breezeway Staff Writer 68, 82, 10. Past senior classes have said they are as good as them, but few have proven themselves worthy.

This year, the class of 2012 will attempt to join their ranks. These numbers are the graduating years of the best Bishop Kelley senior classes according to Gary Oberste, the Dean of Student Activities.

“Any class can choose to be that good. They all chose to make that happen,” Mr. Oberste said.

“It was the combined leadership of the each class” that elevated them to exceed Mr. Oberste said. But the class of 2012 feels like they have advantages over the past senior classes.

“We’re just way more energetic, past senior classes didn’t care as much,” senior Class Board Secretary Lindsey Howard said.

Thanks to technology, the seniors also have another edge

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“Any class can choose to be that good. They all chose to make that happen.”

- Gary Oberste over previous senior classes.

“Now, you can set and do a fast follow(a Twitter based group text) and get the message out to 500 or 1,000 people to come out to a volleyball game that fast,” Mr. Oberste said.

But the gadgets of this age have their disadvantages as well. One of the big reasons the class of ‘68 and ‘82 were so great was because of the lack of technology.

“People didn’t have cars, cell phones, mobility and that.

Everything was at Kelley. It was easier to build unity then.

Because of those changes in society now, it’s harder to build unity. It was challenging [be]cause we didn’t have all the stuff, but it’s even more challenging now cause we have all the stuff,” Mr. Oberste said.

Still, despite the obstacles the seniors feel prepared to fill the shoes left by last year’s senior class. “[We] know what’s going on and are ready to meet and exceed expectations,” senior class Board Member Marcus Schmidt said.

They are planning to bring new things to Kelley and improve many aspects of the school.

“They brainstormed new cheers and games for our pep rallies. They came up with some great ideas,” Assistant of Student Activities Director Mrs. Mary Gabel said.

The seniors also want to “get more school spirit and more involvement,” Lindsey Howard said.

Although it remains to be seen, the class of 2012 will try to and leave their own substantial mark on Kelley.

“I definitely think we can. It’s not just say it’s going to happen, it’s can we make it happen,” Student Council President Michael Cunningham said.

“The best is yet to come,” senior Class Board President Tommy Sullivan said.

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BK SPORTS in Full Swing

l Softball,

Volleyball, Football & Cross Country Start the Season Strong RIGHT: Claire Kelley slams the volleyball in a match against Edmond Memorial.

LOWER RIGHT: Varsity volleyball huddles before the game against Edmond Memorial.

BOTTOM LEFT: Jordan Chimento prepares to bat in a softball game against Collinsville.

LEFT: Kelley’s offensive line fights McGuinness’ defense.

Photos by BK Yearbook Staff

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