THE
in the pride since 1958
Borah Senator Borah High School
Volume 50
Issue V
March 15, 2010
6001 Cassia St. Boise, ID 83709
borahtoday.com
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Letters TO THE Editor Senator Staff
Editor-in-Chief: Ayla Washam Associate Editor: Megan Mizuta Page Editors: Letters to the Editor: Katie Corp Index: Megan Mizuta News: Katie Helm Opinion: Megan Mizuta Center Spread: Ayla Washam, Megan Mizuta Life: Megan Harrigfeld Arts and Entertainment: Felicia Arnold Q&A: Kari Schuhknecht People: Megan Harrigfeld Sports: Parker Simmons Fun & Games: Mike Bingham Photo Editor: Katie Corp Assistant Photo Editor: Katie Helm Staff Photographer: Kristin Bracewell, Megan Mizuta, Ashley Rice Graphic Artists: Lisa Garrard, Ryan Hester, Christine Lawson, Nick Parenti Intern Writers: Zulfiya Amrulayeva, Wendy Aquino, Matt Bergman, Brandie Cichy, Ali Clapier, Maricia Gaddis, Ryan Hester, Kristina Hudson, Jamie Jones, Justin Kirkham, Mersaydeze LeDesky, Becca Leija, Samantha Miller, Samantha Nelson, Shane Norman Cox, Carlee Parsley, Nicole Schoenberger, Zach Thomas, Erika Vaudrin, Samantha Whittaker, Kayla Yack Text Editor: Megan Mizuta Website Editor: Megan Harrigfeld Website Manager: Jordan Rivers Advertising Manager: Kari Schuhknecht Adviser: Michelle Harmon
Senator’s Mission Statement
The Senator’s duty is to inform and entertain students and faculty in an accurate and timely fashion. The paper covers events and information that affects the student body. The Senator is a non-profit organization. The Senator is published monthly by Borah High School, 6001 Cassia St., Boise, Idaho 83709. Phone 1-208-854-4370 ext. 142. Circulation 1700. The Senator is printed by Idaho Press Tribune. The Senator maintains membership in the National Quill and Scroll Society and the Journalism Education Association. Additional rates are available upon request. All signed commentaries that appear in The Senator are strictly the opinion of that individual and do not necessarily reflect the general opinion of the Senator staff. The Borah Senator received the 2008 George H. Gallup award from Quill and Scroll, the International Honorary Society for High School Journalists. The Quill and Scroll was founded by Dr. Gallup in 1926.
Volume 50 Issue V March 15, 2010
Senior reader calls Letters to the Editor a pissing contest, sets record straight Dear Borah Senator, I feel like all these “Letters to the Editor” have started a giant pissing contest, and I’m tired of the paper smelling like urine. To the Band: A big thank you for all that you do, the events you go to, and working so hard for our school. To the sports: As a semi decent athlete myself, I can completely understand how it feels to work so hard for so long, and then turn to your fellow student body and have them berate you for your failures. It sucks. To the smaller clubs and departments: If you are asking why you don’t get much participation, or support, let’s start with Borah Pride in general. A high school is made up of students, and the attitudes of those students reflect directly upon the school. If we think Borah sucks, we can only blame ourselves
as students for failing to take pride in all the things we have as a school. Unlike Boise, we actually have parking. We aren’t overcrowded like Mountain View, and I would like to see another school that has as great a staff as ours. Everything just boils down to this. Band doesn’t go to certain events because it’s impractical to do so. Students don’t go to sporting/ theatre/concerts because a) They have other engagements and/or b) they just don’t want to. Sugar coat it any way you like, but that’s the way life is. As an ending thought, I should hope that after two months, everyone’s bladders have run dry, and I can once again open my semi-biased copy of the Borah Senator with comfort, rather than disgust, as I turn to the back of the paper to do the monthly Sudoku puzzle, which I trust will be included in next month’s issue.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
How to send a letter to The Senator: 1. Type letter and print out Email your letter to the 2. Add printed name and OR editor to signature kcorp@borahtoday.com 3. Bring letter to room 503 Let the people’s voices be heard! The Borah Senator accepts all letters of school appropriate subjects. The Borah Senator will not accept anonymous letters.
Love, Senior AJ Boully -Letter recieved February 12, 2010
Osmosis Recording Studio Nathan Barnes
208-371-3509
osmosisrecording.com
Volume 50 Issue V March 15, 2010
What’s Inside?
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It’s back... Page 16
A law to ban texting while driving is in the works. which side are you on?
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Check out page 10 to see how students feel about the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.
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On the cover: Artist Bio By Megan Mizuta
Senior Katelyn Taylor does not subscribe to the saying that “a good artist never erases.” Instead Taylor, a first time cover artist, said that she “definitely used several erasers” to complete her drawing of hands holding fire. Actually, Taylor said, erasing was helpful in blending and achieving lighter tones. Taylor modeled the drawing after a photo, and worked on it for two or three weeks on and off. She said that the most difficult part of the piece was “figuring out what section to start with.” Drawing is Taylor’s primary medium, though she has taken art classes in various mediums since junior high, and devoted some of her sophomore year to taking digital photography at the technical education center. Taylor said that she has been encouraged to participate in the arts since she was “a little kid,” especially by her mother, who is a graphic designer. Taylor picked up drawing classes her junior year, and took Drawing 2 the first semester of senior year, but was unable to fit in the next course this semester. She still likes to do a bit of darkroom
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7 4 2 1 8 5 Letters to the Editor…….........................................................…………….2 8 9 1 7 6 3 News..…………….......….............................….........................................................…...4&5 Opinion……….…………....................................................................................………6&7 3 6 5 9 2 4
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Photo by Katie Helm
photography and development, and has a small darkroom at her house. Taylor plans to attend college, though she isn’t sure which one yet. She intends to major in either wildlife biology or zoology.
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News
Nurse out sick? No. Absenses excused for required meetings By Ayla Washam
“I’m here to promote academics by keeping students healthy,” School Nurse Barb Thomas said. Thomas said that she is here for the well being of students and staff. Thomas is responsible for any care she gives a student, which causes her to have what she calls, “health assessment skills.” These include knowing what a student needs, making the right decisions, and knowing when a student should seek different care. Thomas may be out of the office for various reasons, and if she is, students seek help in the attendance office with Jan Lee. Lee can call parents to get permission for students to go home sick. The Problem Solving Team (PST) is one example that brings Thomas out of her office. This group meets weekly to help students be successful. There are also 37 Individual Educational Plans (IEP) that Thomas is a part of handling. She also schedules
annual events at fifth and sixth grade classes to talk about puberty. On average, Thomas said she sees 30 to 40 students in her office daily. However, during the H1N1 flu season, she was getting 50 to 60 students in her office daily. “Mondays are busy . . . Friday is a little quieter,” Thomas said about her weekdays. About 10 students are in her office daily for routine medication. Other students come in for band-aids, ice, cough drops, or antacid. Thomas is able to provide medication with signed parent permission and use of her health assessment skills. The pair help her ask the right questions to figure out what a student needs. Thomas has been in nursing for 23 years. She came to Borah with a background at elementary schools, including Vallivue and Pierce Park. In a high school setting, she feels like there “is more communication, but the frequent visitors are the same.”
Key Club, TRiO raise money via Karnations for Kids, bracelets Each February, Key Club takes on one of its many service projects. The annual Karnations for Kids took place the week before Valentine’s Day. Key Club sold carnations during lunch and delivered them to students Friday, Feb. 11. “We raised about $500 for St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital,” Key Club President Summer Sleight said. Borah was not the only school participating; several other Treasure Valley schools were included in the fundraiser. Karnations for Kids was only one of the fundraisers in which Borah participated. TRiO is selling reminder
bracelets for Haiti. “The students got the idea after a guest speaker came and talked about how she adopted her child from Haiti,” said TRiO specialist Stacey Day. The bracelets are similar to Live Strong bands, are red, and have the words “Loving Haiti” on them. Bracelets are $1, and all profits go to the Haiti Relief Fund. “The TRiO programs at Meridian and Caldwell are also selling the bands and as a whole we have raised around $500,” Day added. Borah raised $150 of the $500.
Volume 50
Issue V
march 15, 2010
Photos from Google Images
Language clubs plan international festivity By Kristin Bracewell
The Spanish National Honor Society, in an effort to globally connect cultural clubs here, is hosting an International Dinner Friday in the cafeteria from 6 p.m.8 p.m. T h e meaning behind this dinner is to give Borah the opportunity to experience the diversity of many cultures and show off its clubs. The event will raise money for the different groups. There will be entertainment and food. French, German, Latin, Spanish, Latino Leaders, and ethnic persons will bring food to represent their cultures. Senior Natalia Eguez, president of SNHS, said that every booth will
have food from its country that is “respective to its own culture.” Members of SNHS Taryn Kane and Johana Brizuela, both seniors, want every Borah student to be able to “get a taste of all the cultures.” They believe that anyone who attends will be able to actually see what these foreign language clubs are all about. Eguez agrees, “This dinner gives the foreign language clubs more exposure.” Eguez stated that this is the first year for SNHS so she believes it is a good idea to make Borah students aware of the club. “It’s a good idea to get the name out there,” Eguez said. Dinner costs $2 for students, $3 for adults, and $10 for families. Entry is free for anyone who brings in a cultural dish.
“This dinner gives the foreign language clubs more exposure.” --Natalia Eguez, senior
Volume 50 Issue V March 15, 2010
News
Spanish/ English teacher receives grant
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Mora credits head librarian Jenn Boyd for her help in obtaining the grant
By Megan Mizuta
A big check with big figures found its way to Spanish and Comp 101&102 teacher Samantha Mora after she received one of eight statewide grants on Feb. 22. Mora was presented with a $9,999.50 check from the Qwest Foundation’s Idaho President Jim Schmit, who threw in an extra 50 cents to make it an even $10,000. The presentation, which took place during Mora’s fourth period Spanish 2 class, was a surprise for Mora, and was attended by Superintendent Tom Luna, Borah administration, several members of local media, as well as Mora’s husband.
Mora credited head librarian Jenn Boyd for her help in obtaining the grant. Mora intends to use the grant to buy a portable lab comprised of 25 netbook laptops. Mora’s Spanish classes will use the laptops to communicate with students in “any Spanish speaking country.” But first Mora’s classroom must be equipped for wireless internet. The portable lab will be open for use by other classrooms, Mora said, but noted that Borah does not have wireless internet. Mora expects the lab to be in use sometime in March, after her classroom is readied with wireless internet capabilities.
Photo by Megan Mizuta
Samantha Mora recieved a $10,000 grant for 25 laptop computers.
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Visit the Borah Senator website, Borahtoday.com to catch up on news around the country chosen to fit the student body’s personal interest along with Borah related stories.
OPINION
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Volume 50
Issue V
March 15, 2010
New security screening measures in airports violate passenger privacy Staff Editorial
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n this absurd, overly terrorismdreading world, the next step in the plan to slowly take away American rights has officially unfolded with the new full body scanners recently arriving in airports across the United States and Europe. These new body scanners are devised to see through passengers’ clothing, the main goal to see any weaponry or other potentially harmful objects hidden in various places. As a bonus, the people operating the machine can also see if one has baggies of marijuana or cocaine, on their person. This new machinery was put in place after the 2009 Christmas day bomb threat that took place on a flight from Nigeria with Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, after a bomb (hidden in his underwear to get past security and later taped to his leg in the airplane bathroom) ignited but failed to explode. The scanner will definitely be used
Senator Staff Opinion Opinion is taken from an anonymous survey of Senator staff members.
to identify dangerous substances visible on the scanner’s screen, but on the awkward side, it produces a fuzzy image of the passenger’s naked body, with details such as breasts and buttocks exposed, enabling homeland security workers to virtually have pornography at their fingertips. “It’s almost embarrassing that our country would sink to computerized pornography,” sophomore Paige Moren said. “It’s pathetic when there’s other ways of [updating security].” The new screening technique is not legally deemed a violation of privacy. Despite claims by some protestors, neither U.S. nor European Union laws restrict the use of full-body scanners.
Some debate exists over why it is not legal. Worries of how the device could be abused are up in the air as well, concerned mostly about celebrities and public figures; antiscan campaigners are bringing to the surface the threat of the images getting into the wrong hands. The full-body scanners are no timesaving devices either, which was one of the original goals of using it. Taking 15-30 seconds for each person who has the pleasure of being a pawn to the perverted piece of equipment, the machines wastes time and patience of passengers. The scanners have yet to make an appearance in the Boise airport
(BOI), because “we don’t have that kind of technology,” according to a homeland security agent at BOI, who is quoted anonymously because of the restrictions put on employees to comment to the press. The machine is a complete and utter invasion of privacy, and the fact that the machine reveals intimate details of the body is beyond the demand for safety and cautiousness. Further, the issue goes beyond the moral disgrace of how the machine can be exploited for personal uses; some argue that the scanner will save money, because it will replace the number of employees needed to do searches. How is that a positive in this economic climate? Forty scanners are in 19 airports across the country, and the additional 150 were purchased with $25 million from Pres. Barack Obama’s 2009 stimulus plan. They are scheduled for installation in airports by the end of June, homeland security spokeswoman Amy Kudwa specified in a website article on Fox News.
Loaded guns are now allowed in national parks.
Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland” takes the weekend box office in its debut.
The machine is a complete and utter invasion of privacy, and the fact that the machine reveals intimate details of the body is beyond the demand for safety and cautiousness.
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Indifferent
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“Hurt Locker” claims Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director.
The city of Boise plans to buy Ellen Hopkins, New York more foothills land for Times bestselling author, $4.1 million. visits Borah.
OPINION
Volume 50 Issue V March 15, 2010
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Pro: A law to ban texting while driving would highlight danger By Mike Bingham
Driving is a fun and useful way to get around. Texting is a great way to keep in touch with friends. So why not have the best of both worlds? Why not combine the two into the ultimate social experience? Why on earth did we think that was a good idea? Now don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of advantages to be gained from texting while driving. For one thing, it stops idiots from overpopulating. It also creates jobs for police officers, paramedics, and coroners, thus stimulating the economy. Unfortunately, it also negatively affects those who don’t text while driving, and there are much better ways that paramedics can be spending their time, so it really does more harm than good. But the question isn’t about texting while driving being dangerous; that’s already implied. The controversy stems from the potential law that will specifically include texting under inattentive driving, a crime punishable by up to 90 days in jail and
Illustrations by Chris Lawson
a possible $300 fine. And it is, inarguably, inattentive driving. Texting is a medium that requires both visual and physical attention. Driving, coincidentally, requires the exact same two senses to be done safely. Sending text messages diverts the brain’s attention, rendering it unable to focus on the road. Reaction time slows, and the driver is much more likely to accidentally hit other motorists. In fact, the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration reports that using a phone decreases brain activity associated with driving by 37 percent, and that drivers who text while on the road are four times as likely to injure themselves in an accident than people who focus on the road. Some people argue that the upcoming law takes away their freedom on the road. They argue that drivers may as well be barred from eating, applying makeup, and other activities often performed while driving. But the extreme works both ways. It could just as easily be argued that there shouldn’t be any stop signs, speed limit, or any kind of rules on the road at all. Anyone who crashes while texting is already going to pay the penalty. The idea behind the bill is to single out texting as a form of inattentive driving so that it can be identified and stopped before it causes any more damage. Overall, it’s a dangerous activity that, until recently, had escaped detection, and it’s only right that we do our best to rectify that problem immediately.
Con: Texting behind the wheel is just a form of inattentive driving By Kari Schuhknecht
I see it on television weekly, read articles about it every month, and watch as statistics are reported more and more frequently— there is all this buzz about texting and driving. Oregon just passed a law banning it, accompanied with a hefty fine, and many hope that Idaho will follow suit. I, however, am not one of those people. Does this mean I promote texting and driving? Certainly not. I am no advocate for such behavior, but I recognize myself as one who does not believe there should be a specific law to forbid it. Texting while driving is one form of inattentive driving— as is applying make-up while driving, changing the radio station while driving, cleaning one’s glasses while driving, reading directions while driving, turning around to check on children in the back seat while driving, sneezing while driving and so much more. If we create a law that makes it illegal to text and drive, shouldn’t we then also create a law for each and every other form of inattentive driving as well? Passing a law illegalizing texting while driving will lead to more frivolous laws. Some may argue, “well of course we wouldn’t pass a law for all of those things! Texting and driv-
ing KILLS, and there are way more cases showing higher death rates from it!” You’re right about one thing— texting and driving does kill and so do all other forms of inattentive driving. Claiming that there are statistics to prove that it has a higher rate of causing accidents than all other forms of inattentive driving, however, is mainly influenced by propaganda in the media. This has wrongly focused the attention of the public on texting and driving, suggesting that ridiculously specific laws should be passed. When pulled over by a police-person, how could an officer prove a texting and driving offense occurred? I often set my phone on vibrate while I drive to work without even looking at the screen. The idea that I could be pulled over and accused of and possibly ticketed for texting and driving just because I have my phone in my hand while behind the wheel does not please me. “They could prove you were texting and driving by getting your phone records,” some may say. That’s correct, but how long does such a process take? How much does one have to give up to fight a lawsuit against a texting and driving claim? Determining culpability could take as little as a few days or as much as a few months. Meanwhile, the driv-
er is inconvenienced by the pending ticket, which could also possibly raise one’s car insurance rates. Currently, drivers can get a ticket for inattentive driving. So what is the point of making it a larger fine simply because of what the driver was doing (texting, reading, day dreaming) that qualified as inattentive driving? Whether you’re texting while driving and cause a collision or you are getting an eyelash out of your eye and cause a collision, it is the same crime and there should not be a law so specific as to make one inattentive action have a heavier fine than another.
Opportunities Are
8 The borah senator
AVID gives students support system, pre-college guidance By Erika Vaughn
What is AVID?
The AVID class teaches motivated students how to learn. AVID is an acronym that stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. AVID is a class meant for students who are in the academic middle, or students who want to do better and are driven to go to at least a four-year college. “AVID’s meant to be a support system; to gain inner confidence,” said Tony Quilici, AVID teacher at Borah. These are students who want to work hard and excel but don’t know how. AVID puts students into challenging classes such as AP and advanced classes and will pay for a student to go to summer school if the student stays in the AVID program for two years. According to sophomore Wendy Nelson, “AVID is a helpful class for organization, note taking, and bettering your academic career for college. It’s also a class that teaches you to ask better questions, listen to others’ ideas and become an all around better student.”
How To Join
Joining is not always easy because AVID was designed for specific students. Certain Borah students have been recommended for the class, and after their recommendation, they are required to have an interview with an AVID leader who then chooses the students who are the best fit for the class. At other schools, a several page application is required.
What are some class procedures?
Students must keep the infamous AVID binder. This binder must be organized at all times. To do this, everything has to be hole punched and in the right tab. Sounds easy, right? Not when a student must keep everything (includ-
ing graded work) from every class. Students must have at least three “separators” per class; this means a student with six classes will have 18 different sections in which to file class papers.
Class Notes
Borah AVID students are required to take Cornell Notes in at least their core classes; but some schools require notes for every class. Cornell Notes are “all about retention and higher level thinking,” said Quilici. The student will separate their paper into three sections. On the right, the student takes notes. Students are required to review the day’s notes at home as well as add some personal feedback. On the left, the student asks high level questions about their notes; these help the student because they look like potential test questions. The question column helps the student think like a teacher, thus learning the information in two different ways. On the bottom of the page, the student writes a summary of the day’s notes. This includes any information about which he or she is still unsure or he or she needs more details. It can also include what was learned. Writing the summary helps the student learn the information in a third way. Along with the binder and notes, the student must fill out an agenda. Once a week, a tutor checks the students’ binders and agendas for organization, and checks the students’ notes for questions and summaries.
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n Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays… There are no tutorials on these days. Instead students will often times become engaged in class discussions, and listen to guest speakers. “My favorite thing[s] about AVID [are] the team building thing[s] we do. You get to know your
classmates better than you would in a regular class, It’s fun, and you actually learn how to work with others and accept their ideas,” said Nelson.
Tutorials
Tuesdays and Thursdays students take part in tutorials. These students write two questions from their core classes, which will be answered in small groups with people who have similar questions. “My least favorite thing is that tutorials are mandatory. Some weeks I really just don’t have a question that I need help on,” said Nelson. The point of a tutorial is not to give the student the answer but rather to help him/her find it on his or her own. The students and tutor accomplish this by asking questions that help the student learn how to use what he or she knows to solve the problem. While one student is asking a question, the other students in the group are busy taking Cornell Notes, using the questions from the board to fill the question column. At the end of the tutorial, the students write a reflection; this serves as the summary for the notes.
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o Does It Actually Help? According to a website (www. eu.dodea.edu/education/avid.php), AVID “has a proven track record in bringing out the best in students and in closing the achievement gap.” Quilici said “I see students more confident when they share ideas in class, students grades have gone up, the level of thinking [and] quality of homework has improved. [Students are] taking on AP classes.” Out of all of the national graduates, 90 percent enroll in some form of college. On a smaller scale, Nelson said, “AVID has helped me get more organized and actually take notes in my classes.”
Student summer jobs, paychecks prove difficult to find With the economy, it will be much harder to get a summer paycheck, because jobs will be limited. People who have master’s degrees are fighting for hourly wage jobs such as McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Carl’s jr. and such. “With the way the economy is, there are no internships for high school students and the only summer job I know of is Roaring Springs,” said Career Center Counselor Kathi Lecertua. Even though it is the only place hiring in such numbers, 350 students, students should not give up. Perhaps over the summer one can babysit, mow lawns, housesit, or pet sit, for example. “I have made more money house sitting, babysitting, and doing random jobs than I ever did working,” said senior Jennifer Poyzer. It will take a lot of patience waiting for new opportunities to come about in the near future.
National Guard provides post graduation opportunities Every Wednesday at lunch you have probably seen recruiters from the National Guard by the Career Center. They are not there to pressure students into joining the National Guard, but to give students information and tell them about the opportunities the National Guard can give to high school students. “We want everybody to have the opportunity to go to college,” said National Guard recruiter Chad Waters. Due to increasing college tuition, some high school students are forced to make the decision not to go to college, and instead get a job right out of high school. By joining the National Guard, college students receive $45,000 a year to pay for their college tuition. Along with that, full-time students qualify for $333 per month from the Montgomery GI bill for personal expenses. One of the main goals of the National Guard is to learn “discipline, accountability, and leadership, all of which are strong assets to help you get a job later on in life,” said Waters.
e Everywhere
Volume 50 Issue V March 15, 2010
Summer internship at public pools provides learning, work experience By Ayla Washam
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Senior Ayla Washam cashes out one of the many kids who purchased concessions at The Natatorium public swimming pool. The City of Boise Parks and Recreation sold items like Airheads, nachos, pretzels, and soda.
small child walks up to the counter. I look down at him and ask, “What can I get you buddy?” The child’s eyes grow wide as he places his five dollar bill up on the counter. He first orders a 50 cent candy, but I know he’ll be back later to spend the rest of his small fortune. Working for the City of Boise as a summer intern in pool concessions was quite an experience. After learning the Idaho health code in a six-hour training session, City of Boise Athletic Coordinator Chuck Darby, was ready to release his workforce to the Ivy Wild and the Natatorium pool concessions. With almost six years under his belt, Darby is able to successfully train his employees. Work weeks were about 19 hours, and the pool concession job consisted of selling snacks, cleaning up shop,
counting the till afterward, and making the starting bank to prepare for the next day. “The staff that I’ve employed is prepared,” Darby said. Darby covers things in the training like health procedures and different scenarios that could come up. Darby says that he usually hires people that can communicate well, and that have experience. He said that experience isn’t required and isn’t a determining factor, but it helps. More importantly, he emphasized that a good attitude will get a person the job for sure. He also stressed the importance of customer service. “If you don’t have customer service, you don’t have customers,” Darby said. Darby hires around six people to work summer pool concessions, but the City of Boise also offers a variety of other jobs. According to the City of Boise website, the agency offers summer jobs
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including lifeguard, camp counselor, cashier, and other pool related positions. The time is now to apply for these jobs. Many teenagers will be seeking summer jobs, so beating competitors to the punch is crucial.
TRiO program ups college attendance
By Zulfiya Amrulayeva
Did you know that 50 percent of last year’s graduates from Borah went on to college? That 5 percent went into military? And, that 45 percent didn’t do the either? Ironically, one of the most successful stories from TRiO is from a person who has never gotten out of high school. Stacey Day is one of Borah’s TRiO specialists. She was a Borah graduate and a TRiO student. The educational specialist Jim Wright was her tutor in TRiO. After she graduated, Day was invited back to talk about her experiences. That’s when she realized that she wanted to follow Wright’s footsteps and
become a TRiO educational search specialist at Borah. TRiO is a pre-college program, an educational opportunity search for students in low income brackets and for those who are first in their families to go into college. It was established in 1965 by Congress to help and guide students who are willing to enter the college life. The program is hosted by Boise State University and directed by Sue Huizinga. The TRiO Program at Borah has the Educational Talent Search (ETS) and Upward Bound (UB). The UB is a class that students can take as an elective. In this class the students have more time and a bigger opportunity to
receive help with everything they need. The ETS is a program in which the educational specialists Julie Bu and Wright share the responsibility of helping students with all the events that might frustrate their success applying for college. They talk one-on-one with their students. TRiO gives the opportunity for their students to attend Boise colleges, career fairs, career workshops, and college visits. TRiO National Day of Service gives students the opportunity to help out in the community. Juniors and seniors have opportunities to visit out of state colleges. Interest testing, college admissions, scholarship searches, financial aids forms and college tours are a few of the many areas for which the educational
specialists provide guidance. Career Counselor Kathi Lecertua said with satisfaction, “It’s a wonderful program, wonderful Jim and wonderful Julie, love having them both.” Although ETS has been at Borah for approximately 20 years, Lecertua said Wright and Bu have done the best job. “They are the best ones yet; if they will ever leave I will cry.” A variety of students from all class levels participate in TRiO. Students are introduced to the financial aid process, core and elective classes that will benefit them, and they talk about making college choices and preparing for the ACTs and SATs. Students also receive help with financial aid documents and college applications.
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Life
Volume 50 Issue V MARCH 15, 2010
Colored paper stock Borah becomes caught in swift decline an animal house By Sam Nelson
By Kristin Bracewell
It’s official — the copy room’s paper supply is losing its luster. Rumors have been flying about Borah losing its colored paper for all of next year, and even permanently. This isn’t so, according to the copy room’s Maxine Baker. “I think that’s just a rumor,” she said. “I’m just not going to order any more for this year.” Teachers don’t appear to be terribly heartbroken over the real news. Japanese teacher Sheila Miller said, “I think it’s just because the budget has reached its limit.” And sure, budget cuts have made scrounging for supplies difficult all around the school. Borah’s had to let a lot of positions and necessities go be-
What is this infatuation Borah has with animals and why are they roaming C Hall? There are many speculations to how and why the parakeet and chicken were released there. Physics teacher Debra Gough has been there for both and she believes that the first animal started off as a prank, and then someone decided they wanted to outprank the first. Sophomore Dylan Corfield, the protector of the chicken, has a different opinion. She believes the same group of boys released both the parakeet and the chicken. She thinks the chicken was released because “a bunch of kids decided they wanted to
Photo by Ashley Rice
A student holds the last bit of color paper availiable in the copy room.
cause of this dwindling supply of available money, including a counselor for next year. But colored paper? Miller thinks that the cause is music programs and other clubs printing posters for their events. Colored paper has indeed been more used this year as
compared to previous school years. “A lot of the younger teachers use them,” she explained, “so they can tell the students what color of worksheet to take out.” Colored paper often helps students differentiate among assignments. “It’s mostly for teachers,” Baker said.
let the chicken run through the hallway.” It adds “more excitement to lunch,” some witness said. Gough, on the other hand, is tired of the drama. She requested that administration provide more patrolling at lunch. So far there has not been another attempt to release any animals, and some believe there won’t be. The parakeet was released and Corfield now owns the chicken and said the farmyard creature is a great deal of fun. Gough said that she was relieved that no animals died in the hallway and was grateful that Borah students stepped up to help the animals. “Both times I was very impressed by Borah students. Their hearts were in the right places.”
U.S. students protest Afghanistan/Iraq wars By Megan Harrigfeld
“What do we want? Peace! When do we want it? Now!” This was chanted by protesters against the Afghanistan war in Gainesville, FL marching to the Turlington plaza on the University of Florida Campus on Oct. 7, 2009. Since 2001, the Iraq and Afghanistan wars have worked their way into every American home, whether via the news, loved ones who have been shipped overseas, or tax dollars spent to support the war. “War is not the answer,” said senior Maxine Steed-Elliott, “and a lot of regulations that Bush set up are not okay.” According to unknownnews.net, over 290 times more people have died in the Afghanistan/Iraq wars then in the terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001 that sparked the current Iraq war.
Students throughout the United States seem to agree that the war is ineffective. Although something has yet to come to Borah to spark students who may be eager to end the war, and with no organized protests at Borah, students like sophomore Ali Clapier have something to say. “I definitely think it’s been going on for way too long. It’s a good cause I probably would [protest] if given the chance.” In 2009, Pres. Barack Obama made the announcement that 30,000 more troops would be discharged to Afghanistan, making the total around 100,000. Obama has promised an end in sight, saying that some troops will be withdrawn in 14 months, and all troops completely out by 2011. Obama’s plan, as his advisors have often said, is subject to “conditions on the ground,”
meaning it can be altered at any point between now and 2011. “There’s a lot of flaws in the new plan that was passed,” said sophomore Paige Moren who mentioned a discussion that happened in her debate class.
A key part of the coalition effort in Afghanistan is to peel away militants from the Taliban and integrate them into society through jobs and opportunities. Until Obama’s plan takes effect, there will be people out in the streets trying to bring the soldiers home.
Photo by Kristin Bracewell
Protesters of Idaho come here to the capitol building to state their problems.
Volume 50 Issue V March 15, 2010
Art museum exhibits robotics
A&E
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By Felicia Arnold
Walking through the Robotics exhibit in the Boise Art Museum (BAM), a sense arises of the non-toodistant future of robots controlling the world. The non-permanent robotics exhibit, Robots: Evolution of a Cultural Icon, runs from Feb. 6 to May 16. The small exhibit was organized by the San Jose Museum of Art and shows the development of robots in fine arts over the last 50 years. The fine artistic works in the museum becomes an inadvertent background that plays a role in the history of robotic technology. Robots create an image in one’s mind of futuristic floating cars and cities, and robots taking over the world. BAM also collaborated with the Micron Technology Foundation to represent a series of robots built by young students in their mentoring program. During the exhibit, the robots come to life while the creators demonstrate the actions of the robots and discuss how they came up with the robotic ideas. The exhibit takes the viewer beyond the surface of a mechanical creature into the workings of a sophisticated android with human-like intelligence. Most of the art is created on a pastel canvas with oilbased paints and vibrant colors displaying how cruel or friendly the robot world may be. Some of the artists took on the challenge of creating sculptures out of scraps of metal and old silverware. The exhibit begins with “nude” male and female versions of robots, along with a type of dog that actually barks. Some of the art inspires dark and creepy implications about the near future. For example, a twisted painting created by Eric Joyner, What We Ought Not, based on the 1970s game Rock ‘em Sock ‘em Robots, has the robots actually fighting against each other while the crowd itself, is a bunch of robots, an oil on wood panel masterpiece. As the exhibit approaches real life, it shows how artists combine technology and art to explore moods of robots: anger, humor, arrogance, depression, and even peace. Another very interesting piece was a robot crying and watching the 1930s version of Frankenstein. As technology progresses, the gap of robots advancing into human’s everyday lives is decreasing. Robots will soon be used for anything and everything, including everyday needs, such as fulfilling family errands. The exhibit shows how advanced technology is and the possibilities of it advancing long after everyone has gone, when the human population has ended, and memories will live happily ever after in the programs of robots.
Photo By Ashley Rice
The Japanese Club attended Cosplay on Ice at Idaho Ice World on Feb. 27. Dressing up as their favorite anime characters, the club participated in skating in costume. Many of the students who participated had fun. The costumes were inspired by several different cartoons and comics from Japan.
Ellen Hopkins
Famous author visits school By Samantha Whittaker
When author Ellen Hopkins’ phone rang in front of an audience of multitasking Borah students in the Little Theater recently, everyone laughed at the irony. “I should know better,” she said laughing along. Hopkins grew up with her adoptive parents in Palm Springs. She credits her early interest in literature to her mother she and began writing poetry as soon as she could hold a pencil. Her first published poem planted the seeds for her future career. Hopkins is often asked about her first novel Crank, which was released in October of 2004. The story and characters are fictional but are loosely based on people from Hopkins’ life, The main character Kristina Snow is based on her own daughter who struggles with addiction. “The book started as a personal journey,” Hopkins said. “When I wrote Crank, I was a nobody.” Crank was the book Hopkins wasn’t going to write but it became a New York best seller and launched her career. However, conventional writing can not be found in one of Hopkins books because she writes in verse. Every page is a poem, every poem is a chapter. “I
like the challenge; I like making every word count.” Currently Hopkins is working on a book called Perfect. It is about the strive for perfection in teenage society and continues the precedent Hopkins has set with her six other books. So what is a day like in the life of an author? For Hopkins, it starts at 5:30 in the morning. “My characters start talking to me,” she said. Once she is up, Hopkins will often go outside to watch the day begin. When her husband and children are up, she goes about her daily errands. “If I’m lucky, I will get three or four hours to write and then the evening I devote to the family.” Hopkins also spends two or thee hours a day answering fan mail, anything from email to facebook. “It’s a way to connect with my readers and what they’re doing.” There are many people who aspire to write the way Hopkins does. What advise can she give these people? “Patience, the more you experience the more your writing will improve.” And don’t tell your English teachers, but Hopkins doesn’t do much editing. “I edit heavily as I go, but I need to have every page perfect before I go on.”
Q&A
Volume 50 Issue V march 15, 2010
“I think it’s justified because there are students who think school is a joke. They miss days of class then go to the teachers and expect to get the same grade that a student who shows up everyday and applies him or herself everyday. Students that purposely miss school should suffer the consequences of attendance.”
Photos by Ashley Rice
How do you feel about the influence attendance has on receiving credit for a class?
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Oliver Rice, junior
“I don’t think attendance should have an impact on whether or not you get credit. If you can pass the EOC, then you should get credit for your class. To pass the EOC you have to study, and if you pass it then you clearly studied on your own time so there is no need to be here at school for a certain amount of time.” Cody Baer, sophomore
“I think that it’s not a real big influence, but the student does deserve loss of credit for having too many tardies or absences. I believe that if a “Well, if you’re not there, you won’t student really wants to learn, they’d show up learn as much... so it’s important, but if you fail a class just because on time!” you missed one too many days, it’s totally lame.” Jessica Allen, senior
“I get up early for school, everyone should have to.” Corissa Allen, sophomore
Natalie Stahl, junior
“I don’t feel that having more than 9 excused absences should cause a student to lose credit in a class.” Suzy Williams, senior
“I believe that if the student maintains their grades and turns in all their assignments, then attendance should not become an issue.” Lauren Roberds, senior
“I think it is honestly ridiculous. Of course attending school is part of your education, but if you keep up on your grades and you have a reason, why should your transcript suffer?” Summer Galindo, junior
People Students coach junior high players Volume 50 Issue V March 15, 2010
By Felicia Arnold
“I figure it’s my way of giving back by doing something I enjoy,” stated junior Zachary Buker. Juniors Lauren Kaylor and Buker are the new seventh and eighth grade tennis coaches for South Jr. High starting in the beginning of August. Coaching younger students may seem daunting to anyone, but it seems these two students are willing to take the challenge. “I’m excited, but nervous. I’m nervous to Photo by Kristin Bracewell coach them seeing they are Juniors Zachary Buker and Lauren Kaylor warm up for their new coach- only a few years younger--us,
being pretty young coaches ourselves,” said Kaylor. There are no try-outs for sports teams for junior highs, so the team will be organized on a first-come, first-serve basis. What got these two student coaches inspired and determined to start coaching at South was their athletic director, Bill Fritz. “They are good tennis players, very knowledgeable in the sport, and while I have known them, they have been very responsible and dependable,” stated Fritz. “They had voiced interest in coaching and I knew they
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would be good. Then it would mean that I would have fewer coaches to look for, for next year,” he added. Fritz will take a year’s break from coaching tennis, while Kaylor and Buker will have fun coaching and gain new experiences. “The background will look good for any future coaching jobs,” said Buker. Determined that the season will be a huge success, Buker stated, “I hope to continue coaching the following year. If all goes as planned, I’ll be the coach for South for many years.”
Acting out, outside the classroom ing gig at South Junior High Schoool.
English teacher involved in theater community
By Carlee Parsley
Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to get up and perform live on stage? If you have, you might try taking a few hints from Barbara Beautrow, the German and Acc. 10 English teacher. She sat down with me at lunch in her bi-lingual room to discuss her hobby of theater. Q: What got you into theater? A: “When I was in elementary school, I was asked to do a reading of parts of plays in our books, and I was really good at it; … it just started really early on.” Q: What’s your favorite part about acting? A: “I love being onstage, and it’s not for the applause, which most people think, but it’s to make people laugh, because I do comedies, and musicals, and holiday shows… I get a lot of hugs after the show from people because they loved it, so it makes me feel good; it’s very fulfilling.” Q: Why do you like acting? A: “I think everybody likes to get outside of themselves, likes to inject drama into life. It’s larger than life, it’s not just being boring, ‘here you go’, same-old same-old. Plays are crafted with words for
A: “I think everyone should go seea live play; an immediate response and when you get that rethat’s why it an assignment in my English class. I sponse, you’re on stage. And when you’re on stage, think I’ve introduced live theater to countless,dozens, it makes life bigger than life.” Q: If you could, would you act full-time? at least, maybe even a couple hundred studdents now. Why or why not? A: “I think if you’d have asked me when I was a teenager, or college even, I would have said absolutely. I even saved up all my money and moved to New York City, and was there, got a year’s worth of experience in two weeks saying, ‘Oh my gosh, if this is what life would be like, I don’t think I would do this!’ It’s good as a hobby.” Q: If you could pick one last play to be in, which would it be? Why? A: “I’d probably pick a musical of some kind, because I love singing. I don’t have a solo voice, but I love being in the chorus and being a part of that. Photo by Kristin Bracewell Q: Do you think everyone German and English teacher Barbara Beautrow is planning to be in Music Week this year, acting in Hello, Dolly, with other Borah students and graduate. should at least try acting?
Sports
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Volume 50 Issue V March 15, 2010
Team looks to seniors for leadership By Tyler Albretsen
Last year, the baseball team had all but an average year, finishing the regular season with a record of 6-150, and ending the season with a loss in the first game of state. However, the baseball team is looking to bounce back and expects nothing but a perfect season. Junior Robert West acknowledged, “I expect nothing less then perfection. We have the talent, now we have to put it to use.” He added, “I feel really good about the season; everyone did some growing in the off-season, and we should be dominant.” The baseball team expects to have a successful season this year and everyone has one goal, going to state. Coach Wes McAllaster, a.k.a Coach
Photo by
Kristin Bracewell
Baseball players take part in fielding drills during practice at Wigle Field. The team started the season against Vallivue and will play in a tournament during Spring Break.
Mac, said, “My expectations are high. I expect us to do well, of the eight teams that qualify for districts, I expect us to make it, but it all depends
on how you’re playing.” Coach Mac also feels thrilled about the season, “We have a senior loaded team with lots of leadership and ex-
Q: When did you start playing basketball? A: Well since my dad played basketball for BSU in his college days, he first got me playing in the third and fourth grade. Q: What do you like about basketball? A: I love the fierce competition and the feeling of success. Q: Who is your favorite basketball player? A: Shaquille O’Neal. He is a beast and he can dominate! I’ve always wished I could dominate like him. Q: Besides playing basketball, what other kinds of things do you do for fun? A: I love hanging out with girls of course and chilling with my friends. Q: Do you have any superstitions? A: I wear the same pair of underwear for every game. But I make sure they are clean of course. Q: What do you credit your success to? A: God, my parents, and Coach Cada.
By Parker Simmons
perience. However, it’s a tough league, but inexperience isn’t a reason for us to lose.” Junior Russell Barnett shares the same goals. Barnett believes, “We will work harder then we ever have and hopefully get to state and win.” Barnett believes that the team is capable of reaching state, adding, “I think our team is full of kids that are willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done.” The team is heading into the season with confidence. Coach Mac pushes the players to do their best and anything is possible this year. With all the hard work the players put in during the off-season accompanied with their experience and leadership, the goal of reaching state isn’t out of reach.
Photos by Kristin Bracewell
Athletes in the Spotlight
Senior Craig Spjute
By Parker Simmons
Q: What are some personal expectations? A: My number one expectation is to earn a scholarship to play basketball in college. Q: What do you want to be when you grow up? A: Hopefully after a successful college basketball career, I would like to study to be a physical therapist. Q: Do you set goals for yourself ? A: All this season, my number one goal was to do anything I can do to get our basketball team to state.
Q: What are you looking forward to this season? A: I’m looking forward to just getting out on the court. Since my dad is the assistant coach, it should make the season even better. Q: What are some personal expectations? A: I need to be able to control my temper on the court. I’m getting better at it but I still slip up. Tennis is such a mental game. The smallest things can make you so irritated. The other personal expectation I have is to become a leader, and to help those who need it. Q: Do you set goals for yourself ? What kinds? A: I set goals every time I go on the court. Goals can range from working on footwork to serving. Every time I go out, my basic goal is to stay focused and not lose my cool. Q: When did you start playing tennis? A: I picked up a racquet when I was seven. I played for a couple of months
Senior Kathleen Umberger then stopped. Then, sophomore year I decided to try out. I have no idea why, but I went for it. So I’ve been playing for two years. Q: What do you like most about tennis? A: I love the exercise, and just playing. Q: Who is your favorite tennis player? Why? A: Roger Federer. He is the god of tennis. He has beautiful strokes, and he rarely acts up on the court. When I watch him play, it inspires me to get that good. He is all around wonderful.
Volume 50 Issue V March 15, 2010
Sports
Bundschuh, West take first at state
By Parker Simmons
A
fter a long season filled with hard work and dedication, the Borah wrestling team finished a very successful year with two state Champions in senior Josh Bundschuh and junior Taylor West. Bundschuh concluded his time at Borah on top and it’s an accomplishment that’s still hard to believe. “I knew I could do it and I’m not surprised with the outcome, but now that it’s actually happened, if feels pretty unbelievable,” said Bundschuh. In Bundschuh’s case, “I
couldn’t have had a harder road to the state title,” he said. In his way to glory, Bundschuh had to better two wrestlers who had already been state champions the last two years. When asked how it felt to be a state champion, Bundschuh said, “It was like everyone’s eyes were on me. ” That is most likely the case as Bundschuh went on to win his first state title. But what was the key to Bundschuh’s success? He wasted no time in responding, “By far the coach-
On track:
By Megan Mizuta
T
he track team welcomes a new season with no team titles on either the boys or girls side for the first time since 2003. Despite the lack of team titles, Borah has several returning individual state champions on the roster, aiming to make their mark. As senior Aj Boully said, “This year is the last chance I have to really prove that I’m something that’s worth something to the outside world.” Boully and senior Challis Popkey are among Borah’s strongest athletes, both out of a “great core of hurdlers,”
“I couldn’t have had a harder road to the state title.” --Josh Bundschuh, senior ing from Bill West, Kyle Larson, and Jacob West.” Next year, Bundschuh doesn’t plan to give up wrestling. “I’m looking into joining the military in order to wrestle for them,” said Bundschuh. Another Borah wrestler to become a state champion for the first time was junior Taylor West. After placing very high the last two years, he was confident this was the year he
would become a state champion. “ I t ’ s been a goal of mine since for-
ever,” said West. Along with two state champions, juniors Ryan Slater, Patrick Evans, and senior Ben Price took second place in the State tournament, with junior Josh Price placing third. After the success this year has brought, coach West never doubted his wrestlers. “We knew we could be a top three team. But we knew things had to go right since we only brought 10 wrestlers to state where
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most schools came with 14 plus kids,” said coach West. Also according to coach West, hard work was the key to success. “The kids worked real hard and when we struggled at times, they kept with it and made the most out of it,” he said. Now that Borah has solidified its spot as a legitimate wrestling contender, how will this affect next year’s team and the way other schools approach Borah’s wrestlers? Coach West said, “In past years we haven’t had the depth to be successful. But I do believe now we will be looked at as a team to be reckoned with.”
Pre-season attendance improves, Lacrosse: nowhere but up is starting “Nowhere else but varsity letter point system begins on Lacrosse a positive note, with up” is the team’s unof-
according to head track coach Jeremy Dovel. However, neither has any intention of resting on their laurels. Boully looks to defend his two state hurdle titles in the 110m and 300m for the second time, along with his two school and state records. Popkey, who placed fourth in the 100m and second in 300m hurdles at state, plans to “not hold back at all” as this is her “last chance to win state.” Boully and Popkey both stressed the importance of athletes stepping up to compensate for point defecits left by graduates. Track and field talent is hardly confined to
upperclassmen. Dovel cited promising sophomore and junior boys relay teams, as well as individual jumpers like returning sophomore Brittany Owens on the girls side. With high preseason practice turnouts, the team looks to add depth to their field of athletes. According to Popkey, attendance at preseason workouts was “a lot better than previous years.” Dovel estimated an average of 40 athletes at each practice. With this base, the season leads off with a cushion of 15 days before the first meet against Meridian on Friday, enough for athletes to make the mandatory
10 practices. The 15 days before the first meet also allows the coaches to “get to know kids better” and time to set up relay teams and conduct time trials, according to Dovel. A change to the team this year is the addition of a point system to determine which athletes will earn a varsity letter, in an effort to get “kids to be more accountable,” according to Dovel. Athletes must have a certain number of points to letter, which can be earned by consistently attending practice, attending optional Saturday and spring break practice, volunteering at meets, and competing at meets.
enough players to make up full junior varsity and varsity teams. Losing their first game, the team is off to another underdog season. “It’s going to be a good season,” said junior player Cody Vaughan. “We’ve got big hopes.” According to Vaughan, players to watch this season include freshman Mike N e u e n s c h w a n d e r, first year player junior Christian Walker, Sean Statembower, and the only female to make an appearance on the boys’ team field, Sarah Maras. Winning almost no games last season, and thus going in as the underdog this season, the team is optimistic.
ficial motto of the season. “We’ve got good team spirit [this year],” said junior Dakota Meacham. “We really want to have students come and watch us,” said Vaughan. Lacrosse players like Vaughan are really trying to get more focus on this year’s lacrosse season because it’s “just as intense as football.” Crossover players have joined the team this year from football, including sophomore Evan Huntsman. Vaughan had one closing comment about this lacrosse season, “We’ve been beaten down, so now we’re just going up.”
FUN & Games
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Satire: On the writing of complaints to the editor
Sudoku
By Mike Bingham
You’re welcome...
Directions: Each row, column and block must have numbers from 1 to 9 in them. No number can appear more than once in any row, column, or block. When the entire puzzle is filled, with all the rules above, then the puzzle is solved. Level: Medium
9 5
7 3
4
2 8
7
2
5 8
3
1
9 4
9 1
Aries (March 21 – April 20) Your courageous and enthusiastic side has helped you a lot in the past. This month let that side of you relax. Keep things simple, and just go with the flow. Taurus (April 21 – May 21) Don’t just stand still while injustice is happening around you. If you see or hear something that doesn’t sit right with you, act on your intuition. Gemini (May 22 – June 21) If you’ve been clenching your teeth through some hard times, now is the time to overcome them. Defy any odds against you and take a leap forward.
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6
3
3
8
4 9
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Volume 50 Issue V March 15, 2010
5 2
6 7
You know, our writers used to enjoy reading letters to the editor. Recently though, the ones we’ve been getting have all looked a bit like this: Dear Editor, In your past issue, I was greatly offended by [Pick story: the staff editorial/ the article/the letter/other] about [Pick topic: the basketball team/the band/the administration/other]. I have been [part of/associated with] the [aforementioned topic] for a long time, and I don’t like to see [it/them] being discriminated against by a newspaper that, as far as I know, is written by robot slaves who aren’t supposed to show the least bit of bias or human emotion at all. I mean, COME ON!!! These so called “staff writers” talk big, but they couldn’t even [lame, ill-informed joke about the writers’ lack of athleticism and/or class]. We do NOT have to take this sitting down, because it’s their job to cater to everyone’s wants and not take any creative license, although we reserve the right to complain if we don’t think the paper is creative enough. So let’s just get
Borahscopes
Cancer (June 22 – July By Sam 22) Don’t act on impulses this month, and don’t waste money on petty items. Carefully think about your options before making any decisions. Leo (July 23 – August 22) Don’t be afraid to stand out, even if it means standing alone. However, don’t just tune others out. You may find you like what they have to say. Virgo (August 23 – September 21) Future events may seem unclear now, but all will unfold in time. Sit back and let things occur as they were meant to. Don’t stress about it.
Nelson
Libra (September 22 – October 22) Take an opportunity to help someone else, even if you have to sacrifice something of yours. When you help others, you can’t help but help yourself. Scorpio (October 23 – November 21) Try to accept any changes as they come, even if they seem frustrating and uncomfortable. An uneventful life would be a boring one. Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21) You have a busy month ahead of you, filled with both success and failure. If you have any shortterm plans, execute them soon.
back to our desks and do the work we’re given, because [pathetic and ineffectual attempt at snide humor], and nobody goes home happy, and then the communists win. Sincerely, [Name] P.S. [Something stupid about the Sudoku puzzle] You see our dilemma, but you know what? The problem isn’t the letters we already get. It’s YOU! Yes, you, the people who’ve decided you’re suddenly allergic to giving feedback or something. Give us something positive for once. We work and slave to bring you the news, hoping for enjoyable responses and all we ever get is complaints! It’s like finding out that all your birthday presents contain anthrax! You don’t even have to have an opinion. Give us a story, a suggestion, a joke. Make it comedic, sad, serious, derogatory; just make it interesting! Anyway, I’m out of room. So what did you do today?
Capricorn (December 22 – January 20) Travel is in your future, and whether it’s a trip to another country, or a trip to the supermarket, make the best of it. Aquarius (January 21 – February 19) Don’t let others disrupt your happiness. The only person in control of your emotions is you. Try to take the good out of any situation. Pisces (February 20 – March 20) Now is the time to be assertive. Don’t let others take control of you, and execute your plans with confidence. If you have a good idea, don’t hold it back.