The Tiger Print — April 2006

April 14, 2006 Vol. 35 Issue 8 6001 W. 159th Stilwell, Kan. 66085

tiger print

How does your room stack up?

Teens furnish rooms with all the necessities.

See pages 12-14.

Blue Valley High School

District tests internet monitoring programs Three programs being tested to monitor student internet activity ellen thomas

opinions editor

T

he Blue Valley school district is currently appraising new software programs that would allow teachers to monitor students’ computers from a remote location.

“What we are doing right now is trying out applications that would allow teachers in computer labs to monitor activities,” technology integration specialist Mark Klopfenstein said, “and if necessary, block certain applications or websites that are deemed inappropriate or anti-educational.”

Currently the district is testing the programs AristroClass, Webapps School and Vision in all Blue Valley high schools.

At Blue Valley High School, the software is being tested only in the computer labs and the library. No date has been set for when it can be expected.

“What’s happening now is three different programs are being tried in all four high schools, and we are getting feedback from the teachers,” Klopfenstein said.

With the proposed system, the district would be able to see everything that a student has on his or her screen at any give time.

“It’s not supposed to be only punitive. It’s supposed to be for productivity,” Klopfenstein said. “We want them to

Today juniors and seniors work around the city doing community service. Some places include the Wilderness Science Center, Overland Park Police Department and St. Joseph Health Center.

be doing what the teachers instructed them to do while using the computers.”

The Olathe and Shawnee Mission school districts have already been using one of the programs Blue Valley is looking at, according to Klopfenstein.

“We are one of the few districts of our size, I would say, that does not already have a uniform policy on this,” Klopfenstein said.

While teachers may not have the ability to control students’ computers now, the district as already set up other forms of computer monitoring, “There’s a lot of different monitoring going on,” {computer specialist} Jeff McCright said. “We have web monitoring so we can see who’s going where on the web, inappropriate sites and things of that nature.”

The district is looking into a computer monitoring system for legal purposes, as well as educational.

“If a student goes to an inappropriate website, that puts the district in a legal situation,” McCright said. “If the parents find out, they may want to sue the district for allowing their child to go to a website they would not have allowed their child to go to at home.”

Even with the possibility of the district reading personal e-mail, privacy is not legally breeched with the system.

“Students sign an acceptable use policy at the beginning of the year and turn it in,” Klopfenstein said.

Students work, give back to community for service day matt killen

staff reporter

B

y the time you pick up this paper, all seniors and juniors will have already left the building. That’s right folks; it’s community service day again at BV. Today hundreds of Tigers are out helping the community in one way or another, and for most, community service day is a chance to have fun and help out the Kansas City Area.

“I think community service is a good time to bond with your classmates as well as help the community before you leave,” senior Greg Allen said.

BV seniors and juniors could pick between 25 organizations to go to, ranging from the Kansas City Zoo to the Overland Park Police Department.

The number of people per group varies, with 10 (ReDiscover) being the lowest, and 100 (KC Zoo) being the highest. Other activities include the “I Can Ride” Therapeutic Riding Center, which requires the students to paint fences. Elsewhere, students will be cleaning police cars, making new trails, picking up litter and interacting with nursing home residents. Members of the jazz band will even put on a free concert. Many students chose where to go based on friends or how exciting the activity sounded.

“I chose the Wilderness science center because it sounded like fun,” junior Morgan Snell said.

Students chose their destinations from March 23 through March 31, with seniors getting the first pick. This year the students registered online for the first time thanks to seniors Scott Cummings, Steven Wallace and Tom Peterman, who created the register system. The new system helps by making the choices quick and easy to tabulate, not to mention that none of the ballots get lost.

“You instantly know where you going, everything is left up to you, you get your first choice,” tech lab supervisor Connie Snodgrass said.

2 news

Speaking

Briefly New National Honor Society members inducted

On March 29, 118 students were inducted into the National Honor Society.

To be inducted, students had to have a 3.5 GPA, 20 hours of community service and nine teacher recommendations. Several teachers on a panel then assessed those students who qualified for the final cut.

Students who keep up their 3.5 GPA, earn another 20 hours of community service and receive enough points from attending meetings and activities get to wear a special National Honors Society stole at graduation.

The inducted seniors were Joanne de Jongh, Ryan Kirkeby, Bader Madoukh, James Schneider, Conner Snedden, Clark Stinson, Kristen Tousley and Steven Wallace. Junior inductees included Kelsey Adkins, Daniel Andersen, Allen Averkamp, Ava Azad, Drew Ball, Whitney Benson, Jennifer Bernard, Anthony Bertolone, Morgan Bingham, Nicole Burczyk, Chris Castor, Nate Chastain, Krista Chesley, Carly Christenson, Cailie Courtney, Joel Cox, Emily Crews, Brent Curry, Kacie Davis, Lila Dickerson, Amanda Dirks, Hank Driskell, Katherine Ebling, Benjamin Ehret, Elizabeth Farrell, Sarah Flynn, Alex Freeman, Kelsey Frerking, Lauren Friedlander, Anita Galler, Ann Gorsuch, Brook Gorthy, Garrett Griffin, Mason Haggerty, Emily Hale, Trevor Hampton, Rachel Hanson, Megan Harris, Michael Hawkins, Tim Hieber, Joel Hill, Jason Hisle, Michael Hodges, Chelsea Irvine, Collin Isham, Igor Kantor, Teresa Kellerman, Elizabeth Kendrick, Tyler Kennon, Amanda Kistner, Stefanie Krull, Andrew Kuehler, Kiley Laemmli, Taylor Laemmli, Frank Lasley, Christina Lee, Allison Lentfer, Xiao Liu, Ryann Lucansky, Amanda Magee, Blake Malcolm, Chris Martin, Samantha Martley, Thomas McElwee, Meredith McKaig, Karen Melton, Allison Meyer, Brandon Mikel, Drew Mikkelson, Tyler Mikkelson, Elizabeth Minoofar, Melinda Moeller, Andrea Morris, Matthew Mulligan, Montana Nall, Erika Nebel, Sarah Nelson, Christina Neuhedel, Jessica Neuhedel, Alex Nichols, Caroline Nyman, Jake Osmundson, Chelsea Paxton, Zachary Peterson, Yue Qiu, Austin Quarles, Zachary Rampy, Andy Randall, Leia Richards, AJ Riedesel, Matt Richie, Anna Samuel, Joseph Sayegh, Collin Schedler, Jeffery Schober, Matthew Silverstein, Michael Simpson, Scott Simpson, Shamilene Sivagnanam, Kyle Skaggs, Morgan Snell, James Strieby, Andi Strutz, Marshall Stula, Jeffrey Tangney, Ellen Thomas, Alyssa Urso, Kara Vaglio, Stefanie Wienecke and Laura Wong.

NFLHS welcomes new inductees

On March 27, the National Foreign Language Honor Society inducted 58 new members.

Students in Spanish, French, German and Latin had to take at least three years of their language and have a 3.75 GPA in their language class and a 3.5 GPA overall. Besides the academic portion of the requirements, the students also had to get teacher recommendations to be inducted in the society.

The French Honor Society inducted junior Caroline Nyman and sophomores Christy Chau, Jenna Dennis, Courtney Kreamer, Lauren Penn, Allison Proll, Melinda Smith and Devin Wiegers.

The German Honor Society inducted junior Emily Hale and sophomores Jeff Smith and Crystal McCowen.

The Latin Honor Society inducted junior Mike Lui; sophomores Stacey Carabello, Traci Gentry, Nate Hess, Andrew Irvine, Drew Keyser, Taylor Odom and Kayla Page; and freshman Kristine Elwood.

The Spanish Honor Society inducted juniors Chris Castor, Cailie Courtney, Amanda Dirks, Garrett Griffin, Amanda Kistner, Frank Lasley, Chris Martin, Matthew Mulligan and Andi Stutz; and sophomores Megan Adams, Annette Ahlmann, Leslie Asquini, Elizabeth Baldwin, Kimberly Burczyk, Brianne Burlin, Rohini Chakravarthy, Courtney Crape, Tiffany Evans, Katie Gough, Molly Hartz, Philip Heinrich, Jane Kim, Kaitlyn Lutz, Anne McClain, Lauren Meyer, Michael Minoofar, Elizabeth Nikoomanesh, Karaline Nunnally, Kandice Peterson, Ashley Rasa, Megan Ritter, Hillary Scholemer, Kelsey Sparrow, Ashley Stickler, Sarah Weaver, Jamie Welsh, Erin White and Simon Yu. To remain in the Society, students must maintain their GPAs and stay enrolled in their language course.

New long-term computer sub joins BV

After spring break, teacher Trevor Sutcliffe was officially employed at BVHS as a longterm substitute for computer teacher Kayla Bruce, who recently left BV when her husband was transferred to Virginia Beach, Va. Sutcliffe, a former student teacher at Blue Valley North, attended DeVry for his bachelor’s degree and Avila for his teaching certificate. He is filling in for the rest of the school year and is teaching two programming courses, JAVA and Visual Basic. He currently teaches part-time at the Wright Business School as well.

April 14, 2006

Two students write, direct BV Spring Play matt galloway

may have had creative differences, the respect level still remains at a peak between t’s something you’ve never these two playwrights. seen before in your life.

“Schaeffer is so talented,” Something staged, but not Friedlander said. “I respect without content and thought. him so much, and we both It stars your peers in a real-life see each other as equals. He scenario. And it was written has taught me so much about and directed by two of them. writing.”

Confused yet? Perhaps that The elements included in is because this is a first for Patrons will be completely Blue Valley. The upcoming different from those of the Spring Play, Patrons, was comedic Fall Play, Tartuffe. written and created by senior The co-writers looked to be Schaeffer Nelson and junior thought-provoking with this Lauren Friedlander. Patrons’s serious stagecraft. storyline revolves around a “There are comedic controversial art piece in a elements,” Friedlander said.

Kansas high school and the “But (Schmidt) told us to go conflicting viewpoints about in a dramatic direction, due its display. to the fact “Both of us had different ideas The play is that our scheduled about the direction, but we evenFall Play to be tually settled on splitting up the was so presented scenes. It was a real trial-and-error comedic.”

April 20- process.”

The play 22. It is -Co-writer and co-director Lauren also marks a unique Friedlander a somber first for landmark director Dan Schmidt. for many of the senior actors “It’s completely irregular; and actresses. It will be their something I don’t do,” said final bow on a Blue Valley Schmidt, who gave Nelson and stage. But senior Landon Friedlander the thumbs-up on Boyter couldn’t imagine a the project. “I feel that students better ending than Patrons. learn most by doing. Not by “It is my first Spring Play, lecture, not by watching. We and it means a lot to me,” said have two great playwrights, Boyter, who has taken part and I wanted to give them a in previous Fall Plays. “It’s a chance to show why they were hard process to be involved playwrights in a format that in. You have to work with wasn’t a worksheet.” the playwrights, deal with Friedlander attends an changes in the script; it’s a acting school that specializes collaborative process.” specifically in playwriting.

Schmidt has submitted Although these credentials an article on this unique helped her get the spot of co- experience to Education writer, nothing could have Theatre Magazine, which prepared her for the challenges is produced specifically for of producing an entire script other teachers. At this point, from scratch.

Schmidt has no regrets and “The most difficult aspect looks to share the success of of co-writing was the creative this process with other drama conflict I would have with teachers.

Schaeffer,” Friedlander said.

“It’s unique, different and “Both of us had different ideas innovative,” Schmidt said. about the direction, but we “If I were in college and a eventually settled on splitting completely new play was up the scenes. It was a real announced, I’d buy tickets trial-and-error process.” ahead of time just for the While Nelson and Friedlander experience.” entertainment editor

I

news 3

April 14, 2006

Tornado season, warm weather hit Kansas jessica katzenstein news editor

T

orrential rains or light sprinkling? Partly cloudy or mostly sunny? Wait, aren’t those the same thing? Weather patterns, including tornadoes, this time of year are highly unpredictable.

As the seasons change from winter to spring, cool temperatures alternate with 70-degree weather.

Pollen counts increase, and the sun comes out in its full glory. Spring is also a season for tornadoes,

which cause approximately 80 deaths and 1,500 injuries each year.

So far, 2006 has seen 37 fatalities from 11 killer tornadoes, all in Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois and Alabama. Most of the fatalities (31) this year came from people in permanent homes, followed by three deaths in mobile homes, two in vehicles and one in a business.

Tornadoes are generated by super cells which are massive, rotating thunderstorms that occasionally produce tornadoes. The Sedalia area was hit twice in March, and 28 people were killed in a tornado

two weeks ago in the Midwest, mainly Missouri and Tennessee. Tennessee was hit again last weekend, resulting in 12 deaths.

Tornado knowledge is still imprecise, just like knowledge about other weather patterns, an issue that researchers are trying to remedy. They do know tornadoes tend to occur between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m., but they can form anytime.

Weather patterns may be variable this time of year, but soon they will settle into regular summer patterns, so students should watch out for tornadoes and appreciate the cool, changeable weather now.

Forensics team continues to dominate competition griffin page

staff reporter

T

he forensics team is well into April, and the wins just keep on coming.

Most recently, the forensics team finished first at the Spring Hill tournament on April 1, after a two-week layoff. March 24 and 25, the forensics team hosted its own tournament. The team finished first again at the Shawnee Mission North tournament on March 10 and 11.

“I don’t think the layoff was much

of a problem,” sophomore Simon Yu said. “We still dominate anyway.”

The state tournament is May 6 at Topeka High. Blue Valley will be going for its third title in a row, with the three previous titles in 5A. This year, the team will be competing in 6A. “6A teams are a little tougher and deeper, but we are well-balanced,” coach Chris Riffer said. “We’ve got a shot.”

The forensics team competed this weekend at Bishop Miege. The last tournament of the regular season is April 14 and 15 at Blue Valley.

Solo, Ensemble Festival tests students’ talents, skills frank lasley

co-sports editor

O autumn fuller Junior Brandon Mikel, freshman Kelly Frickleton and other forensics students listen to coach Chris Riffer in forensics class. The forensics squad’s regular season final competition is April 14 and 15 at Blue Valley.

Tans: $4.00 Each 10 Tans for $30.00 20 Tans for $50.00

ver 30 schools from across the state sent students to perform in the Solo and Ensemble Festival at Blue Valley High School last weekend. The festival included choir, band and strings performances.

Students performed by themselves or as entire ensembles.

The contest allowed high school students to perform their musical pieces in front of a judge. The judge

Super Intensity Beds 50 cents Extra or $5 Single 14876 Metcalf Ave. Overland Park, Kan. 66223 (913) 85109494

then gave the student a rating based on the quality of his or her performance, from a one to a four. Any student who received a one rating from a judge was able to advance to the state competition April 29.

“The best part of the competition is the preparation,” band teacher Ben Strain said. “Working and practicing for the performance is a great experience. The actual performance is great for preparing students for the future and for stressful situations they will face.”

4 opinions

April 14, 2005

Legislating Morality

Bill proposes state religion

matt killen

jessica katzenstein

Sexual activity among teens under 16 proposed to be a crime would be sent to prison. So basically if a student needed help on such a subject, they n another effort to dictate couldn’t get it. School faculty morality in Kansas, and health care professionals Attorney General Phill are a major resource to teens; Kline recently proposed that without them, where would any physical activity shown a student turn in such a by teens 16 or under be illegal; situation?

This is also wrong because therefore any sexual activity by teens, even between teens, of the harsh penalties for such an offense. would not be The state of consensual, Georgia has making it By making it illegal for similar s t a t u t o r y young teens to physical- a law, which rape.

Any ly express themselves, recently sent sexual action an 18-years h o w n Kline would only be between this encouraging teens to do old student to prison age group for having w o u l d so. oral sex at be illegal, a party. Let even if it didn’t occur in public. Such us not forget that we are a law would likely prove talking about consensual ineffective, inconvenient and relationships between people of similar age. People could unforgiving.

The law proposed would also go to jail for being caught with require teachers, counselors their pants down. Behaviors and health professionals to like this are up to the parents report sexual activity that they to monitor. By making these know of or have witnessed. activities illegal, the state This takes away the option of is saying that parents can’t seeing a counselor on such a handle that responsibility. The subject. Instead of receiving actions of these teens won’t counseling or medical help hurt anyone around them; from an adult, the student the only people who would staff reporter

I

the staff

possibly suffer are the couple themselves. Someone who is sexually active is subject to pregnancy and/or STDs, and after something like that the last thing a sexually active teenage kid would need is jail-time. What they need is information and counseling.

This absurd proposal by Kline would be about as useful as censoring CD’s or banning books. By making it illegal for young teens to physically express themselves, Kline would only be encouraging teens to do so. When people can’t get what they want, they only want it even more.

Think about the prohibition act of the 1920’s, there was such a high demand for liquor that major businesses were formed, and new ways to make alcohol (like moonshine) were invented.

No matter how much Kline would try to control premature sex, eventually someone would find a way to defy the law.

By proposing this law, Kline is only fueling the fire that is young lust, and putting out the resource that is counseling and information.

tiger 2005-06 print (913) 239-4946 The_Tiger_Print@yahoo.com

Blue Valley High School

Managing Editors: Adam Lary Andrew Robinson News Editor: Jessica Katzenstein

Entertainment Editor: Matt Galloway

Opinions Editor: Ellen Thomas Features Editor: Andrew Robinson

Photo Editor: Emily Kuykendall Artist: Garrett Griffin Adviser: Susan Agee

Sports Editors: Hank Driskell Frank Lasley

Staff Writers: Colin Brown Nina Humphrey Matt Killen Griffin Page Sara Ster Brooke Thurman Sarah Weaver Emily Kuykendall Sami Miles Photographers: Emily Reinhardt Autumn Fuller

The Tiger Print is published nine times a year for the students, faculty and the surrounding community of Blue Valley High School. It is an open forum for student expression. Therefore, the opinions expressed within this newspaper do not necessarily reflect the views of the administration or Blue Valley School District #229.

Missouri considering recognizing Christianity, while violating First Amendment rights news editor

H

by politics and questions of morality, why push people further apart?

According to HCR13, the legislators want to recognize the role Christianity has played in our country and “protect the majority’s right to express their religious beliefs.”

However, first of all, it’s not like Christians face persecution by other religions. The National Survey of Religious Education estimates there were 224,437,959 Christians in 2004, as compared to 3,995,371 for the next largest organized religion, Judaism.

With such a heavy majority, it seems more intelligent to focus on protecting smaller religions than on protecting the majority.

as our nation gone completely mad?

First, South Dakota passes an anti-abortion bill, banning abortion in all cases except when the woman’s life is in danger. In cases of rape or incest, she must bring the baby to term, whether she wants to or not.

If that’s not bad enough, now the Missouri General Assembly is considering a resolution that would recognize Christianity as Missouri’s majority religion.

Does the First Amendment ring any bells?

Missouri’s own State Constitution states that “no preference shall be given to nor any discrimination made against any church, sect or creed “It’s the issue of any religion of religion, or any being given the preference by form of religious faith a government, an action that or worship.”

Establishing a religion violates the principles our as a state religion country was built on.” kind of sounds like a preference.

Republican Representative Secondly, Christians don’t David Sater sponsored House exactly face persecution Concurrent Resolution 13, from the government, which would recognize “a either. The majority of Christian God,” would not senators, representatives protect minority religions and government officials are and would give Christianity Christian, as are our President “justified recognition.” It and Vice President. Not really states that prayer in public a disadvantage. schools and religious displays The main issue, though, is on public property do not not that Christianity would be violate the separation of given preference in Missouri. church and state.

It’s the issue of any religion This goes against not being given preference by a only every American’s government, an action that constitutional freedom of violates the principles our religion and the separation country was built on. By of church and state, but also doing so, we split the country reason. Why does Christianity into battling factions. need to be recognized as the We must not have a state or majority religion of Missouri? national religion, whether it Also, what would be Christianity or Scientology.

Christianity gain by being The damage to our country’s recognized in this way? All principles and our country’s that truly could be gained is unity would be immense. friction between Christianity Missouri’s HCR13 might not and other religions and pass, but the damage is done. within the different sects of The splitting of our nation Christianity. Some Christian continues, and religious leaders are already speaking tolerance, not any single up against the resolution, religion, must rule if we are to while others praise it. In a remain united. state and nation torn already

editorials 5

April 14, 2006

Police discriminate against, profile teenagers Teens believe rights are disregarded when stopped at night colin brown

staff reporter

B

lue Valley High School and Johnson County in general have become places of relative peace and harmony. It tends to be a place where civilians get along with the police unlike locations such as Los Angeles County. Lately though, some of the younger residents of BV have been crying foul.

Some students are saying there is a profiling that exists among Johnson County Police that targets teens. One teen says that she was pulled over simply, for driving when it was late.

“He pulled me over and when I asked him why, all he said was that it was late and he wanted to know where I was going,” junior Kacie

Jones said.

Should the fact that a teenager is driving late at night be probable cause to pull them over? Why do local police profile the youth of Johnson County? One senior believes that police in cities like Overland Park and Leawood profile young teens.

“The crime rate is so low that these ‘rent-a-cops’ have nothing better to do then harass us,” senior Matt Hill said “I was driving home from a friend’s house at night when a [police officer] pulled me over because I was driving ‘erratically’.”

Hill said he was told, not asked, that his car was going to be searched. This of course, if true, would be illegal. The search came up empty, and Hill was told to drive safer next time.

Officer Ken Braden also has some opinions from the other side of the fence on whether or not teenage profiling exists.

“I’m sure it happens, but I don’t know if you would call it profiling,” Braden said.

“It’s more likelihood of crime.

If you look at the statistics, a lot of the crimes committed in Johnson County comes from the 14 to 20-year-old-range.

If you see a 70 year old and a 16 year old, you’re obviously going to follow the 16 year old.”

This all may make sense but isn’t choosing to follow a person because of his age, profiling. Isn’t following someone because of his or her age the same as following someone because of race (racial profiling) or gender (gender profiling)?

Differing bills try to handle immigrant problem Bills range from guest-worker programs to deportation frank lasley

co-sports editor

D

emonstrations, namecalling and political in fighting all describe the ever-growing immigration mess in the country. Both the U.S. House and the Senate have recently introduced polar opposite bills, but lawmakers will have to find some middle ground before the immigration problem devours the U.S. The President supports having a bill that would allow immigrant workers to stay and be part of a guestworker program, allowing the illegal immigrants to work while waiting for full U.S. citizenship.

Much like the President’s plan, the Senate bill proposal would call for illegal immigrants who have been in the U.S. five or more years, to apply for legal residence.

After 11 more years, they could become citizens after learning English and paying back taxes. If the immigrants had been here for less than two years, they would have

to return home. The Senate proposal also includes a guest worker program.

The House bill states that a 700-mile long fence along the U.S.-Mexican border should be built to protect the borders and they hope to make illegal immigration a felony, resulting in 11 million people becoming criminals.

The House and those opposed to any guest-worker program say that it simply grants amnesty to those who have crossed the border illegally and encourage more illegals to come to the U.S. Those who broke the law should be held accountable and punished, they say. But is that possible?

If the House bill were to be passed and illegal immigration were to be made a felony, how would that be handled? Any further action to punish the law breakers would involve rounding up over 11 million estimated illegal immigrants.

What then? Are they to be deported? The government should think of how much time, money, effort and ill will it would take to deport

the immigrants. It’s just not logical and Allowing the illegal immigrants to stay in the U.S. is the only logical choice. Allowing the illegal immigrants wishing to stay in the U.S. to work for six to 11 years, learn English, pay off any back taxes and pay a $2,000 fine for breaking the law in the first place is the only real choice. Besides the fact that it would be nearly impossible to deport all of the law breakers, illegal immigrants are taking jobs that no one else will. If they are removed, there will be no one to do these jobs.

I am not for completely forgiving those who have broken the law; they never should have done that, but it’s just not feasible to punish and deport all illegal immigrants.

Perhaps there is a compromise between the House and Senate. We should deal with the undocumented workers as a compassionate nation, but also protect our borders like a sovereign nation should. Otherwise, this is a problem with no end.

How much is too much?

Living in one of the richest counties in the United States, wealth and excess is apparent in the Blue Valley area. But how much is too much for Blue Valley High School?

It’s a really nice car, but is it too expensve?

Luxury cars are a common sight in the Blue Valley parking lot.

Matt Ortman’s math classroom is crowded, but is it too crowded?

Many classrooms harbor 30-plus students.

Tube tops and short skirts are seen all over the school, but how short is too short?

How much is too much? It might not exist in Blue Valley. Las Vegas may be the epitome of excess like one can see at the Bellagio Fountain.

Compiled by Autumn Fuller

6 editorials

April 14, 2006

Staff Editorial

Girls’ varsity lockers crowded Varsity athletes upset at lack of space, respect by the non-varsity athletes senior Tiffany Mitchell said. “You’re trying to get staff reporter dressed and get to practice hen you’re trying on time, but it’s difficult to change your when there are freshmen clothes, but people and JV crowding up the keep touching you and locker room.”

Although subvarsity asking you to move, making athletes are important you feel very uncomfortable, something is not quite right. to the program, the The girls’ varsity locker line should be drawn room is jam-packed, but not somewhere.

“It’s called with varsity a varsity a t h l e t e s . “It’s extremely inlocker room M a n y convenient for an for a reason,” f e m a l e athlete to step over senior Kelsey varsity Slack said, athletes feel tons of people just “Just like the that it is to get to her locker, senior lunch unfair for room is for subvarsity that she dosen’t the seniors.” to suffocate even have room to It is hard to their locker open when she gets enforce rules room. that people According there.” simply don’t to coach want to Peggy Rose, the varsity locker follow, but the frustration room is for varsity athletes, no matter what grade, then can really add up.

“I get tired of being the juniors and seniors athletes have priority, as well as drill only female coach that cares,” Rose said. “I try to team.

“I feel it’s a privilege, not a make them feel bad, but right,” Rose said. “And you some kids have no guilt.”

It is time for sub-varsity should earn it and respect the athletes to step up and kids that have earned it.” respect varsity athletes There is another locker room for a reason. It’s extremely and their right to have inconvenient for an athlete just a little bit more room to step over tons of people to change in their locker just to get to her locker, that room. So take your lock off she doesn’t even have room and take a trip next door to open when she gets there. to your locker room.

“It’s a pain in the butt,”

sara ster

W

Students don’t know those around them Many prefer to spend time with established friends, not with new people

A

n occasional “what’s up” or an awkward “hey” is about all you’ll hear from me if your locker is next to mine. To be quite honest, I’ve seen the guy that is to the left of my locker maybe four times this year. I can actually talk to the girl that is to the right of my locker; however, that is because I knew her before our locker days. I’m not sure that I’ve ever said a complete sentence to the guy to my left.

Blue Valley High School has the good old alphabetical organizational system when it comes to lockers. For three years students, for the most part, have lockers that are next to the same people. However, a lot of students don’t even know the names of their locker mates.

“Well, I talk to Mason Haggerty because he’s caddy-corner to me, but I don’t know the girl’s name that’s actually next to me; I don’t even see her,” junior Denys Parker said.

So why don’t we get to know the people around us? The answer is simple; we use passing period

Life in the Check Lane

to talk to our established friends. Students get a minimal amount of time in between classes to talk to their friends, so when they do get the opportunity they have to seize it. They get in and get out, so to speak, when it comes to the four-minute passing period.

While this is a valid reason for not talking to people around your lockers, what is wrong with making new friends? I don’t think we can count on the administrators changing the organizational system any time soon, so if you do want to make a couple new friends then I have some suggestions. Just go ahead and strike up a conversation; break the ice. Hey, you could even tell a joke. You might make a new friend.

You might find out something interesting. It worked for me. I found out that one weekend my new friend shot a goose with a bow and arrow and caught a nine-pound catfish with a hot dog.

garret griffin

editorials 7

April 14, 2006

Teen obesity becoming bigger problem Steps need to be taken to reduce teen weight problems; teens need to accept responsibility

adam lary

editor-in-chief

I

rony is an amusing subject. Expect one thing. Get something different. So when I say that one of America’s most preventable causes of death is one of its top killers, what does that tell you? I am talking about obesity. Every year, according to www.healthgoods.com, 300,000 deaths can be attributed to complications originating from obesity. One in five American minors ages 6-17 are considered overweight or obese. Cash flow into the weight loss niche of our economy surpassed $33 billion in 2004. America is considered the fattest nation in the world, and few are arguing.

It’s one thing to be labeled the fattest nation in the world, but quite another to do something about it. We are allowing kids to grow up in an environment where they can slog onto their gas-powered scooters and sputter on down to the nearest McDonald’s to grab a grease-laden, lip-smackin’, calorietotin’ burger. The least they could do is walk there. It’s no wonder that Americans pump $22.2 billion every year into hospitals for heart disease problems related to obesity. The worst part is we don’t take responsibility for our weight problems.

We’ve all heard it a thousand times, “I’m not fat, I’m big-boned,” or “My genes made me this way.” Tell your jeans that they need to slim up a little. Or better yet, put on some running shorts and take a lap around the block.

Or at the very least, blame it on yourself, and quit making excuses. So you hit the box of Twinkies a few too many times, so what? Admit it, and next time, choose the salad bar.

So what do we do about the “little” problem we have here?

One way would be to warn students about the dangers of obesity. No one would object to learning about it. Never in my life have I been told that obesity can cause Type 2 diabetes, or that it might give me gall bladder disease, or that I might have a heart attack when I’m 25. Warn about the cardiac risks; warn about the cancer risks. For our sake, warn us about something, or 70 percent of those obese teens will become obese adults.

Another option might involve comprehensive physical fitness

programs throughout middle school and high school. In most high schools, only one credit of physical education is required.

Why not beef up the requirement? Push-ups, crunches, weight lifting, running swimming, whatever. Getting them to do anything wouldn’t hurt. Who would object? Keeping teens active will give them more energy to devote to school and will also teach them teamwork and leadership skills. Unfortunately, not all responsibility can be placed on the school. If we want it to work, it has to be brought into the household, too.

The blame does not fall entirely on the obese teen. A large proportion of the issue falls on the shoulders of the parents.

Rather than that cheesecake, how about a sugar-free fruit pie? Rather than that bowl of ice cream, how about a fat-free smoothie? Parents, your children are your future. If you had to rely on a decision your son made, wouldn’t you want him to give the best advice he had? I’m sure he would want you to do the same.

One solution? The school can send out flyers or brochures to parents informing them of the health risks related to obesity. These brochures could also encourage parents to give their teens healthier food – like baked chips instead of fried – as well as to get their kids to exercise at home. Parents would most likely respond positively, as no mother or father wants his or her child to be “the fat kid.” Also, while an all-out boycott wouldn’t work, people should promote turning the fast-food restaurant into a special occasion, rather than a daily tradition. Just taking a few simple measures can dramatically reduce the weight problem plaguing this nation.

I can sit here and fume about this until Hostess goes out of business, but I am just one chip in the whole Ruffles factory.

Everyone needs to come to an understanding to make this work. But we won’t. We won’t change our habits; we won’t adopt new policies. We will continue going for the Twinkies instead of the salads, and the fried chips instead of the baked.

We will continue to sweep this problem under the rug, along with the crumbs from that one bag of Cheetos. So why not just cut the rubbish, slog onto our scooters and sputter on down to that McDonald’s I mentioned. Well, why not? It’s the American way.

“I can sit here and fume about this until Hostess goes out of business, but I’m just one chip in the whole Ruffles factory.”

Obesity Facts 300,000 deaths attributed to obesity every year One in five Americans age 6-17 are considered overweight or obese In 2004, Americans spent $33 billion in the weight loss industry 70 percent of obese teens become obese adults The average teen should eat about 2,000 calories per day

What’s your favorite junk food and how much do you eat every day?

“Tootsie Rolls! Like, an entire bag.”

“Peanut butter M&M’s, only on special occasions.”

senior Brian Anderson

freshman Shelley Sparling

“Ice cream, usually three times a week.” junior Chance Adams

PROM 8 prom in pictures

April 14, 2006

all pictures by sara ster

Junior Michael McDonald and sophomore Kolby McElvin race to the finish in an inflatable obstacle course.

Several students participate in a game of craps. Several different games were offered in the commons, along with refreshments.

Senior Paresa Tafreshi and junior Taylor Avazpour sit and wait while a cartoonist draws their pictures.

Students enjoy Prom, After-prom at ‘Black Tie Affair’ Juniors Trey Hobson, Josh Robinson, and Ryan Waldren participate in a kareoke rap battle, while senior Rebecca Browar dances along in the main gym. This is one of the many activities students could participate in during Afterprom.

T

he earliest Prom of the year was held for Blue Valley juniors and seniors on April 1 from 9 p.m. to midnight at the Ritz Charles. The theme was “A Black Tie Affair” with the decorations by All Seasons Rental. Seniors were allowed into the dance for free, while juniors and outside dates payed $25 the previous week during lunch.

Many students were unsure if Prom being early was a blessing or a mistake.

Many seniors thought it was good to have prom this early so that there was nothing in the way of graduation. But teachers felt that seniors would zone out and lose focus.

After-prom began at 1:30 a.m. and lasted until 5 a.m. After-prom was established by parents so that students would have a safe place to go after the dance. After-prom was free to get into, and was only for juniors and seniors and their dates.

There was plenty of non-stop action at After-prom with card and board games, movies, caricatures and all the food one could eat. The more games played, the better chance students had at winning money for prizes and drawings held later in the night. Prizes ranged from computers and TVs to gift certificates.

prom in pictures 9

April 14, 2006

With music provided by Ear Full Productions, juniors Ryan Heil and Aurora Barker dance with friends at Prom. A wide variety of music offered students hours of jammin’ tunes.

Seniors Kristen Burchett and James Schneider gaze into each others loving eyes while dancing to a slow song.

photos by sara ster

Senior Schaeffer Nelson was crowned King at Prom on April 1. Senior Jenna Southerland stood by his side while being crowned the 2006 Prom Queen.

The driver assists senior Chelsea Knott ed out of her limosine as senior Ryan Ogden looks on. Prom was held at the Ritz Charles, as it has been in recent years. Entering the Ritz Charles is senior Krista Myers and her date in the background photo.

10 features

April 14, 2006

First Dating Scene

Avoiding nerves may be difficult, but butterflies can be ‘cocooned’ emily kuykendall

you can.

This whole scenario might be a success if you have a plan. If you want to ask someone out, what are you e approached her with sweaty palms, going to have on your schedule of activities? There butterflies in his stomach and a nervous is always the cliché romantic comedy, dinner or just blank stare that was priceless. hanging out at the house for a nice evening together.

He thought, “What if she says no? What if she Those are all great ideas, but think on the fun side. just stares at me…or even worse…laughs in my Why not try an amusement park or have a picnic by face? Do I have something in my teeth? Is my outfit the lake? Why not try a simple day trip ok? Is anything hanging out of my nose?” together? It will He headed toward her down give you time to the hallway, and although it “ It’s your chance to make a get to know each was obvious he was walking at great first impression with other along the the speed of light, he thought he way. Atempt was in one of those bad dreams your love interest for the time to teach where he couldn’t walk any being, and you want to make e a c h o t h e r faster than a snail could pull something its body. Finally, he approached it as good as you can.” new like her. juggiling.

“Hey, so umm, well, it’s just that way if the date goes wrong, that we’ve known each other for a while, and…if you at least learned how to juggle. you don’t it’s ok, I mean, I don’t know if you’d How about a bike ride together? It wanna, but, well, I just wanted to know, and don’t might seem lame, but think back to feel like you have to say yes, but, do you want to go Wedding Crashers and how cute they out with me sometime?” looked riding their bikes together.

It’s a common situation that happens day after Once those nervous jitters slowly day in any high school; nervous adolescents asking start fading away, you’ll realize that each other out, and why not be nervous about it? (hopefully) the two of you are having a First dates are a big deal. It’s your chance to make nice time together, and after all, that’s the a great first impression with your love interest for most important thing on a first date. the time being, and you want to make it as good as

H

photo editor

Hoppy History

Eggs, chocolate, bunnies all long-time symbols of spring, Easter ellen thomas

opinions editor

L

ike Santa Claus and reindeer are to winter, the Easter Bunny and eggs are to spring. Many people know the history of Santa Claus and how he could have been a real man, but where did this bunny come from? Was there really a large, pastelcolored rabbit that hid eggs in people’s backyard?

If so, that would be just a little frightening. One has to question if people would actually celebrate this trespassing, mutated rodent. Fortunately, there was no such horrifying creature.

The real history of the Easter Bunny, though, is not Christian but pagan. The Anglo-Saxons celebrated their goddess of offspring and springtime, Eastre, with a festival in early spring. The rabbit was the earthly manifestation of Eastre and therefore celebrated as well.

When the Christians came and many of the people converted to the Christian religion, pagan holidays were morphed into Christian holidays to attract more converts. The festival of Eastre was transformed into the Christian holiday of Easter, but the pagan symbols of rabbits and eggs still live on.

The eggs come into the Easter Bunny equation as another symbol of new life that was celebrated in many ancient cultures. The Anglo-Saxons also believed that Eastre transformed a bird into a rabbit for the enjoyment of the children. This pseudorabbit then went on to lay eggs that the children hunted for.

Chocolate eggs have been made for Easter baskets since the early 19th entury, but have only come into popularity during Easter in the past century or two.

Before that, colored eggs were what young children

woke up on Easter morning to find in their “Easter nests,” the predecessor of Easter baskets.

The Easter Bunny tradition survived and was rather popular in Germany in the 18th century.

The German immigrants to America brought over their version of the Easter Bunny, Oschter Haws.

Other Americans soon caught on to this legend that Oschter Haws would bring eggs to good children on Easter, hence the Easter Bunny tradition that still lives on.

The jolly old man who comes down the chimney on Christmas may not be arrested on charges of breaking and entering because of his history, but the bulky, bipedal rodent may not be as lucky.

Thankfully, since the Easter Bunny is, gasp, only a mythical figure and cannot be actually arrested, people across the world can rest easy on Easter morning.

features 11

April 14, 2006

Earth Day continues to sprout in America griffin page

staff reporter

T

he Earth has been around for billions of years, but not until the 1960’s did anyone ever consider thanking it.

Former Sen. Gaylord Nelson (Wis.) came up with an idea for environmental awareness in 1962. Nelson was concerned with the lack of environmental concern in politics and wanted to start something to improve awareness. Nelson’s idea was to persuade President John F. Kennedy to go on a conservation tour to raise awareness.

Kennedy liked the idea and went on a five day, 11-state tour in September 1963.

The tour didn’t go over as well as planned, but Nelson was nowhere close to giving up. He continued to speak in 25 different states to various audiences. Then in 1969, Nelson got an idea based off the anti-Vietnam War protests of college students across the United States. He decided to organize a nationwide grassroots demonstration on behalf of the environment.

At a conference in Seattle in September 1969, Nelson announced that in the spring of 1970 there would a nationwide environmental grassroots demonstration and every citizen was welcome to participate. Wire services carried the news from coast to coast and the idea was a

hit. Nelson didn’t have to organize 20 million demonstrations for it to work, however. It worked because “there was a spontaneous response at the grassroots level.”

In January 1970 the government finally noticed the growing concern about the environment and new laws passed including the Clean Air Act, which was set up to protect the drinking water, wild lands and oceans in America. Within three years, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also was formed.

In 1971 Nelson announced an “Earth Week” in the third week of April as a yearly event. This week was later changed to April 22 and was named Earth Day. The date chosen also had Arbor Day, which is the national treeplanting holiday started in the late 1800’s.

Blue Valley is also trying to do its part. The Environmental Club is pushing to do a highway cleanup along 69 highway. Joe Whalen sponsors the club and feels that Earth Day is very important.

“Some see the environment as just a political issue,” Whalen said, “but it is something we all should be

“...it is something we all should be concerned about.”

concerned about.”

Nelson passed away on July 3, 2005.

Even with his passing, his love for the environment will live on in Earth Day. For years and years to come, people everywhere will finally show their appreciation for the Earth that houses us all.

Clockwise from top: Tom Marten, Ayracon Almaraz, Britt Gardner, Drew Ball

photo illustration by Garrett Griffin

This ad space could be yours...

ADVERTISE IN THE TIGER PRINT!

With a circulation of over 1,700, your local business could benefit.

12 in-depth

April 14, 2006

Teens try to keep rooms’ appeal in touch with age sami miles

staff reporter

N

ew parents take great pride in decorating a cute bedroom that screams childhood.

Zoo animals and little pink bunnies plaster the walls.

But at some point, kids outgrow these juvenile and embarrassing displays of affection.

It’s time to remove the Hello Kitty wallpaper and cheap fluorescent stars that all kids had stuck on their ceilings at some point and grow up.

Re-decorating a room can be fun. It’s a chance to put imagination and personality into a place that is to be a sanctuary until college comes around and everyone bolts for a life of freedom from nagging parents and rules that make homes feel like prisons.

To add personality, a room has to reflect the likes and dislikes of the dweller. First things first – paint.

Picking a favorite color can make a room feel cozier.

However, steer clear of dark colors that can make a room seem depressing and lonely, not to mention small. Choose between light, pale colors or bold, eccentric colors.

After paint, there are a lot of ways to fill the walls and make it more fun and less boring. Posters are a great way to fill up wall space. Celebrity’s pictures are popular pin-ups, as well as movie posters.

Another neat way to add some spunk to the room is to paint a mural, which gives the room a theme and shows some creativity. Collages are a great way to fill a room with memories. Putting pictures and

in-depth 13

April 14, 2006

quotes together along the wall will make a room seem more friendly and personal.

Once a room’s body has the look, it needs the accessories. Buying new sheets in crazy colors can make a bed come alive. Lots of pillows with different fabrics and designs can accent the colors of the walls, plus it gives the room a more comfortable vibe. Lamps in different styles and designs can make the room look more modern and also brighten up a possibly dull room. Similarly, candles in fun designs and scents can set a relaxing mood and give the room some pizzazz.

Teens usually can’t live without a stereo, computer or television. In today’s world most teens have one or all of these things in their rooms, making it even easier for them to get lost in their sanctuary and never leave. These things, however, tend to be difficult to place. Television sets have recently been popular hanging from the walls of rooms, so as to minimize the amount of space it takes up. If this is not a possibility, the best idea is for the television to be hidden because it tends to dominate the room. A bookcase that closes is a good option.

A stereo needs to be out in the open so it is never out of reach. Placing it higher up can help bring the attention off of the large and extravagant electronics that dominate the bedroom. Computers are simpler.

There aren’t too many places to put this, so the basic place of a desk is the best option.

After you have all of the accessories comes the most important part – position. The placement of all the furniture can either make a room look large and spacious, or like a dull, crowded bachelor pad.

Drawing the attention to the center of the room can make it look larger. However, big pieces of furniture belong toward the back of the room. Centering furniture along the walls can make a room look more spacious and less cramped in one particular corner or space. This is crucial to the vibe of the room.

So throw away all the old wallpaper and silly pinups, and create a room that belongs entirely to a teenager. This room will be a safe haven to escape all of the yelling about missed curfews and undone chores.

My Bulletin Board All the necessities of life can be found in bedroom

T andrew robinson

editor-in-chief

here are messages from her friends, favorite songs, photos and symbols that show her interests. That is just on the popular website, myspace.com.

When it comes to a real world space, there is nothing more comforting than having a bedroom to yourself.

Heading home from school, she gets home, grabs a snack and heads immediately for her space where all of her belongings are, her own bedroom. Bedrooms have become more than a place to sleep; they are now a place to live and chill.

Equipped with televisions, phones, computers, Xbox’s, personal memories and of course clothes, bedrooms are loaded with luxuries and comfort objects.

Now add the amount of multi-tasking one does in this personal palace. Text messaging, putting clothes away, eating a snack, oh and attempting to do homework all can take place at one moment.

More modern homes also give students their own bathroom, giving them no reason to leave their space except to get the necessary food.

In an informal survey of 15 students, nine of them spend the majority of their free time when they’re at home in their bedroom.

And according to parentstv.org 54 percent of children ages 5-17 have televisions in their room.

“I have a TV and a computer so I don’t leave,” junior Morgan Bingham said. “If I get tired of doing homework, I’ll take a nap and no one will know.”

Students also show their personalities in their rooms. From posters of a favorite movie star to a favorite color or a collage with pictures cut out from a magazine.

So whether it is four in the evening or four in the morning a room will are always a place that a child can call their own, and their own place to get away to what their comfortable with.

it’s all my space

14 in-depth

April 14, 2006

Double Occupancy

Siblings learn meaning of sharing brooke thurman

Y

staff reporter

our bedroom. Your own private little sanctuary that you can call your own. It’s the one place you can go and shut out the rest of the world.

That is unless you have to share your bedroom.

Then it becomes your not-so-private sanctuary.

Sophomore Amanda Cobb has to share her bedroom with her twin sister Laura; however, she doesn’t seem to mind sharing that much.

“It’s not too bad,” Cobb said.

“Laura has access to my clothes. She wears them 24/7.

That’s annoying.”

Cobb said that photo illustration by Andrew Robinson she would rather have her own room, but she found that sharing brings her and Laura closer together.

“Whenever someone tries to come in we band together to get the person out,” Cobb said. “We especially do if it’s my sister, Maria.”

Cobb has a very normal reason for why she has to share. She says that there are too many kids and not enough rooms. However, she said that she had a sweet bunk bed. Cobb and her sister have their own way of splitting up space in the room. “ [We split it] right down the middle. I get one

side and Laura gets the other,” Cobb said. “The only problem is that Laura totally ignores the whole ‘this is mine, that is yours rule.’”

Sharing a bedroom is something that has become less and less common in America. According to the National Association for Home Builders, in 2004, 37 percent of all new homes were built with four bedrooms or more. That number was only 18 percent in 1985. Also, the NAHB says that in the past 20 years, square footage on new houses has increased by 38 percent. In a survey of 100 Blue Valley students, only four percent said that they had to share a bedroom. However, out of that same 100, 60 percent said that they had to share a bathroom. Junior Katherine Ebling has to share a bathroom with her two younger sisters and has mixed feelings about the situation.

“It’s not a big deal,” Ebling said. “If I could choose I would have my own.”

All this sharing can have a positive effect on how people deal with college and other living situations in the future.

“I think it will help me when I go to college,” Ebling said. “I’ll be used to sharing so it won’t be that big of a deal.”

As terrible as sharing may seem to most, it can be seen in good and bad ways. In the long run though, sharing just isn’t so bad.

“[We split it] right down the middle.

I get one side and Laura gets the other.”

features 15

April 14, 2006

The coolest cars in the parking lot Seniors

Poll of 250 students conducted by Sarah Weaver

Senior Hoyt Banks has a 2005 maroon Mustang GT. He won the poll with 17 votes, followed by runnerup senior Nazia Ali’s silver Lexus SLK, with eight votes.

Photo courtesy of Hoyt Banks.

Juniors Junior Robert Alexander, the runner-up of the poll with 10 votes, has a white-withdesigns Ford F-350.

Winner junior Josh Robinson, with 12 votes, has a black Cadillac Escalade with 23-inch rims. Photo courtesy of Robert Alexander.

Sophomores Sophomore Griffin Page, with a 1993 fuschia Geo Tracker, won the poll for the sophomores by over 50 votes. Photo by Emily Kuykendall.

...but some are really messy nina humphrey

staff reporter

C

D cases, McDonald’s drink cups, gym shorts, digital cameras, your best friend’s lip gloss and your boyfriend’s favorite book. All these materials pile up in the backseat of the car that was given to you by your family on your 16th birthday.

How did these things get here?

When the light turns green, you accelerate and your Incubus CDs come flying off the dashboard and onto the lap of your passenger, who is squeezing ketchup

onto her cheeseburger. She promptly places that remaining package of ketchup on your car floor.

Regardless of how organized your daily schoolwork is, the interior of your car will probably prove just the opposite. Through time, you will realize how your car’s oddities are a reflection of your own character.

If one thinks of the total amount of time that one spends in a car in an average week of going to school, coming from school, gas station, fast food, Best Buy and Wal-Mart, it would seem obvious why the velvet on your seats tends to dull and fade and

is marked with stains and memories.

As a lot of teens would tell you, their cars become another attachment in their lives; some even give their cars names, like pets. But evem if the inside of your car is a disaster of human hibernation and filled with seemingly teen-like materials, it is still evident that this small contraption becomes a semihome. Thus it is a responsibility, which in turn also means it needs sincere care and appreciation.

So take out those three-month-old gym shorts and soap up the metal of your car on a bright warm Sunday. Or do you want to live in a barn?

16 features

April 14, 2006

It’s tax $ea$on...

Do you qualify for a return? griffin page

staff reporter

T

he dreaded April 15 is here tomorrow; the day when the United States public gives away its earnings and souls to the government. So maybe it isn’t that bad, but Tax Day does bring a lot of stress to your parents. It may even start to affect you. Most students have no idea how to fill out a tax form, let alone know if they are supposed to fill out one.

High school is usually when students begin to get their first jobs. Since they still live with their parents, however, they are classified as dependents.

Dependents don’t pay for their food, water, shelter, etc. They do have to pay taxes, however. A dependent must file a tax return if he had an unearned income of $800 or more. Unearned income is money one receives not from working, but from investments.

A dependent must file a tax return he has an earned income (from working) of more than $5,000. A dependent must also file if his gross (total) income was more than the larger of $800 or earned income.

If a dependent child cannot file a return for any reason, such as age, it is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to file that return. If the child cannot sign, the parents must sign the child’s name followed by the words “By (your signature), parent

The Breakdown...

In 2005, the government collected over $2.1 trillion in taxes. Here is how the money was distributed:

for minor child.” If the dependent’s parents don’t file, they can be charged with liable.

Earnings from self-employment must be reported as well. These earnings include income from babysitting or lawn mowing. These earnings are subject to income tax.

They are not subject, however, if one provides the services as an employee. If you have selfemployment earnings of more than $400, you are also subject to the self-employment tax. This tax pays for one’s benefits in the social security system.

There are many programs, such as Turbo Tax, to help you file taxes and get the refunds you deserve.

For more information on taxes visit irs.gov to find out about filing and see if you qualify.

Where does your money go?

Tax money pays for social security, other government programs adam lary

editor-in-chief

21.1% Social Security

25.1% Other* 10.4% Health 12% Medicare

17.2% National Defense

14% Income Security

*Includes net interest, education and social services, transportation, veterans benefits, etc.

source: encarta.msn.com

photo illustration by Autumn Fuller

B

enjamin Franklin once said, “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” As millions go tomorrow to pay their income taxes, they often wonder where that money goes. What programs do these taxes benefit? Who sees the money? Whose vacation to Hawaii am I paying for? This article will give a basic breakdown of how much people pay and how tax money is spent.

People who make different incomes pay a different tax rate — the percent of income that goes to the government. Over 43 percent of federal revenues come from individual income taxes. For a single person filing for income tax with an income of less than $7,150, the tax rate is 10 percent. If the same person makes an income from $7,151-$29,050, the tax rate is 15 percent. For an income from $29,051$70,350, the tax rate is 25 percent. From $70,351$146,750, the tax rate is 28 percent. The tax rate is 33 percent for an income of $146,751-$319,100 and 35 percent for an income greater than $319,101.

Different factors affect which tax bracket someone falls into, such as being married and filing jointly, married and filing separately, or being the head of

a household. In 2005 the government collected over $2.15 trillion from individual income taxes, corporate income taxes, social insurance and retirement taxes and other taxes.

Every year, the President figures tax money into the national budget. Congress then approves the President’s budget plan. In 2005, 21.1 percent of government spending went to the social security program, 17.2 percent went to national defense, 14 percent went to income security, 12 percent to Medicare, 10.4 percent to health, 7.2 percent to net interest (interest paid on the national deficit), 3.9 percent to education and social services, 2.9 percent to transportation, 2.7 percent to veterans benefits and 8.4 percent to other areas, which includes spending on justice, the environment, agriculture, international affairs, science, government administration, community development, commerce and energy. In 2005, the government spent nearly $500 billion on national defense and $523 billion on social security.

Many citizens are concerned with the government’s habit of deficit spending. In 2005 alone, the government spent over $300 billion more than it obtained through taxes. Almost $184 billion of that was spent on net interest payments to help pay off the national debt, which is currently over $8.3 trillion.

entertainment 17

April 14, 2006

GENERATION -

XM

Satellite radio fever takes off in all markets as media mavens like Howard Stern capitalize on the Sirius and XM craze. Free of censorship, satellite uses edgy radio to its advantage.

brooke thurman

staff reporter

photo courtesy of AP Images

T

he radio. One of the only mediums in the world that only requires your ears.

According to the Radio Advertising Bureau 95 percent of all Americans that are age 12 and up listen to the radio every week. Of that 95 percent, 75 percent listen to the radio everyday. Adults spend almost 1200 hours a year listening to the radio. According to a survey done in May 2000, 75 percent of consumers choose radio as their choice of listening material in the car.

With all this radio listening, there are still a few things missing. There are many types of music that cannot be found on the typical AM/FM stations.

Some cities only have one or two FM stations.

This whole issue may have been resolved with the introduction of Satellite Radio.

XM satellite radio was launched Nov. 12, 2001.

It was the first digital satellite radio service in the United States. XM has more than 160 digital channels that include music, news, sports, comedy and talk shows. Of the 160 channels, 69 are commercial free. There are some very well known brands and channels on XM, such as, ABC News

Personality Howard Stern has given up and talk, Radio Disney, NASCAR Radio, MSNBC and his morning radio show E! XM doesn’t eliminate the to move to SIRIUS radio. ability to listen to AM and FM This was a decision radio. There are many products made because of Stern’s that XM sells that can be used in constant criticism and the car, at home or just walking battles with the Federal around. General Motors and Communications Honda install XM radios in all Commission.

Stern’s of their new cars. antics are allowed XM Satellite Radio is on satellite radio Broadcast from a state-of-the-art because it, along with Broadcast Center that is located cable television, is in Washington D.C. It covers only available to paid 150,000 square feet and has 80 subscribers. studios. The XM satellites are With all the travel and positioned over the East and The self-proclaimed “King of All all the commuting that West coasts. takes place everyday in XM isn’t the only satellite Media” Howard Stern promotes the U.S., it’s no wonder radio provider. SIRIUS is the Sirius radio, his new radio host, that satellite radio exact same concept as XM only on his final day on free radio is rapidly becoming it’s a different company. SIRIUS’ network “Clear Channel.” popular. XM projects headquarters are located in New that by the year 2012; York. They currently have over 49 million people will be subscribed to four million subscribers. SIRIUS has recently launched satellite radio. a new tactic to try and bring in listeners. Radio

Over three decades of hustle and flow for hip-hop From Run DMC to Roc-A-Fella, from West Side to Kanye West, hip-hop’s history steeped in tradition, evolution, creativity nina humphrey

staff reporter

B

aggy jeans slung low around the waist, gold or platinum chains. Fresh pair of kicks and bandanas tied to the head. These elements are typical of the transitory fads associated with hip hop.

But does anyone really know where it all originated from and how it became such a fantastically diverse stereotype?

The four pinnacles of hip-hop include; The MC, The DJ, Break-dancers and graffiti. Hip-hop music can be divided into three eras: The old school era, the golden age and the modern era. Hip-hop is a cultural movement that was stimulated by inner-city youth in New York City during the early 1970’s.

The movement arose when block parties became common in New York City, especially in the Bronx.

Block parties were usually accompanied by music, especially funk and soul music.

All of these four components are significant in the universal discoveries of hip-hop. The exact date in which the genre of hip-hop was established was in Aug. 11, 1973, in the Bronx. DJ Kool Herc is considered the father of the hip-hop movement. His story of inspiration happened when planning a back-to-school party for his sister, which turned into the discovery of a new sounding music. Since it was in the later ‘60s and early ‘70s disco was still very popular, so most of the old school hip-hop tracks are relatively similar to the rhythms of disco. Disco and club DJ’s use of mixing originated from the need to have continuous music and smooth transitions between tracks, while in hip hop, Kool DJ Herc originated the practice of isolating and extending the break.

The early roles of MCs were to introduce the DJ and the music and to keep the audience excited. MCs began by speaking between songs, giving exhortations to dance, greetings to audience members, jokes

and anecdotes. Eventually this practice became more stylized and became known as rapping.

Rap is only a segment of hip-hop. The music itself is composed of two parts, rapping, and the DJings, the production of instrumentation and the fashion that originated along with the music.

The fashion was a representation of the music.

Hip-hop, was almost entirely unknown outside of the United States until to the 1980’s. When the ‘90s began gangster rap became mainstream.

Gangster rap, which is the most common hip-hop music listened to by young people these days, has a stronger emphasis on wealth and violence and hyper-masculinity. Old school rappers, like Grandmaster Kaz, are trying to re-establish the foundation of hip-hop rap by bringing back the more appropriate lyrics from the ‘60s and eliminating the indiscriminate, promiscuous lyrics.

18 entertainment EntertainMatt

Ad nauseam advertising matt galloway

entertainment editor

I

wanted a burrito, not an obnoxious moron in a bed sheet.

What do soccer moms, toga parties, American Idol and a pregnant salesperson all have in common? They’re all polluting the television airwaves, a byproduct of out of touch ad wizards with little to no creativity. Remember the days when commercials used to tell the consumer what product they were promoting? It was in a time when ads didn’t patronize you or insult the intelligence of your generation.

The most obnoxious commercials currently being flushed down our throats once every break are for Taco Bell, a company which once had creative ads featuring a Spanish speaking chihuahua. They’ve replaced the dog with a hapless loser who attempts to pick up chicks by eating a grilled taco and driving around in a pimped out car that screams mid-life crisis. The car looks great, as it should. Nothing screams “pimped out” like Grade D meat. Other Taco Bell ads are set at toga parties. Yeah, that really speaks to my generation.

The fast-food forgettables don’t end at the bell.

McDonalds has abandoned it’s ethnocentric ad campaign in favor of commercials targeting the middle class. And boy, are they ever in touch with their audience. One features a middle aged woman drinking a cup of coffee and then proclaiming that she understands everything, and she now knows she is a soccer mom. Touching. If the Buddhist monks had discovered Premium Roast Coffee, they would have achieved enlightenment a lot easier than by sitting under a tree for 20 years. Maybe the ad wizard who came up with this “Nothing screams ‘pimped campaign should smell the coffee out’ like Grade D meat.” and realize he is a complete failure.

The eye-rolling ads don’t stop at the national level; they are often even worse in the low-budget local scene.

Take everyone’s favorite ditz, “the Watsons Girl,” and her male assistant who appears as trustworthy as a used car salesman. How many commercials do we have to see during our lifetimes of this odd duo describing their patio furniture? Even worse, Mrs. Foley (her proper name, although she would probably please her fans more by signing autographs as the Watsons Girl) is appearing on TV pregnant. It’s just distracting. Not everyone has a wide screen TV, you know.

But far and away the worst trend in commercials these days is people singing who don’t know how to sing.

Whether it be at Applebees or the Headache and Pain Center, more and more American Idol rejects are finding a job as a jingle singer. Applebees has decided to use a parody of “Mambo Number Five” by Lou Vega, an artist who hasn’t been relevant in 10 years, to promote its new five-course combo. I wonder how long it took Applebees to locate the ditch Vega has been living in to get him on board? As far as the Headache and Pain Center goes, let’s just say that my pain is having to endure the 30 seconds of hell that are their commercials.

Enough obnoxious ads. Please. Tell us what you’re advertising and shut up. And please, please, no soccer moms.

April 14, 2006

The hills have eyes, but lack compelling characters, plot Bad movie shows if the hills really had eyes, they would look away from this bad picture I would talk about the casts’ achievements and credentials, but unfortunately, I’ve never heard of any of these people.

However, Emilie de Ravin did an he remake of the 1977 thriller The Hills exceptionally believable job getting Have Eyes was absolutely terrible. molested by the illegitimate love child of I should stop my review right now, but Freddy Kruger and Michael Jackson. Only I have so many hateful things I still need to say.

As much as I hate this movie, I still want people a person with the name like Alexandre Aja could direct such a disturbing movie filled to see it so that we can say with almost offensive horrible things together about “I won’t spoil anything, but material. it.

I should have left the A family of seven (and two I will never be able to drink a movie during the opening dogs, maybe a bird too) are glass of milk again.” credits. A disturbingly on their way to California in up-beat song plays while their big suburban and trailer images of deformed babies, home. While stopping to get gas at a trashy gas and hands or faces flash up on the screen. station in the middle of the desert, the station’s The movie was absolutely disturbing. I attendant offers the family directions, a short can even remember gagging a few times. cut through the hills that is supposed to take The Hills Have Eyes was the first movie that them to their destination a few hours quicker. when I left, I could not remember a time in The first lesson to be learned: Do NOT take my life before I’d seen the movie. directions from a dirty, old, toothless, creep-o I won’t spoil anything, but I will never be who smokes while filling a gas tank. The retired able to drink a glass of milk again. I spent detective and his family get lost in the middle of the desert, but then, and inbred monster-man $8.50 on my stupid movie ticket. Not only would I be $8.50 richer, but also I wouldn’t makes all their tires explode and they crash. have wasted an entire Friday night.

Which causes the entire family to freak out.

emily reinhardt

staff photographer

T

The lowdown on

Little People

‘Little People, Big World’ provides little families, big entertainment

sara ster

staff reporter

T

o share a short little something about Little People Big World would make perfect sense because the show on TLC follows the Roloffs, a family whose parents are little people, along with one of their three kids. Despite their dwarfism, the Roloffs have three average height children, too. The show is about how the every member of the Roloff family deals with their differences.

With reality series overpopulating the nightly lineups, it is refreshing to be able to watch a reality series on a family who has more heart and courage than most, despite their obvious lack of height. The Roloffs show the audience not only what it is like to be a little person, but how to be different and raise a family.

Zach, who is a little person and a twin to average height Jacob, gives the show the heart wrenching aspect that is often left out of reality series. Starting high school is hard enough for young boys, but Zach has added challenges being just under four-

feet tall. Zach’s big heart is apparent throughout the show and gives him an added angle.

Little People Big World is about how the Roloff’s deal with being little people. For three of the four children, it is not about being a little person themselves, but being a child of parents who are barely over four-feet tall. Jeremy also deals with being a twin of a little person.

Jeremy and Zach’s relationship has added dimensions not only because of their height, but also because of their personalities. Zach seems to have better grades and, as said in one episode, he is more responsible. Jeremy on the other hands seems to be more carefree, but is quite athletic.

Jeremy starts for his high school soccer team, but Zach is unable to play because of his size.

The show gives the audience a piece of mind.

It leaves a lasting impression as it ends. The Roloff’s very charismatic and caring personalities add to the shows appeal. Being able to see these courageous people’s way of dealing with being different gives a sense of hope that not many shows on the air offer. Little People Big World airs on Saturdays at 7 p.m. on TLC.

entertainment 19

April 14, 2006

MySpace Records Volume 1

General MySpace

“I listen to it in my car, in my room and on my MP3 player.”

Musical album Five months old Santa Monica, CALIFORNIA View More Pics

Last Login: 4/14/06

History: MySpace is a social networking website offering an interactive network of photos, blogs, user profiles, groups and an internal e-mail system. As of March 2006, it is the world’s fifth most popular English-language website and the eighth most popular in the world (according to Alexa Internet). credit: Wikipedia

MySpace Volume One’s latest blog entry emily reinhardt

staff photographer

M

ySpace began in 2003 as an online social networking community, but its unpredictable explosion in popularity –from one (Tom) to 30 million users in just over two years –- is due mainly to musicians taking the title literally. Profile pages quickly became spaces of entrepreneurialism, promotional material, photos, MP3s, tour information and street team networks.

MySpace gave every band and single group its own endless advertisement opportunity just by simply creating a profile.

MySpace records, Vol. 1 is a compilation album of several bands bred within the MySpace bubble, and the 17 songs on the disc effectively give us a sample of what MySpace has to offer.

With songs such as “We Are All On Drugs,” from the elder-act, Weezer, “Stab My Back” from notable veterans The All-American Rejects, “Hands Down” from Dashboard Confessional, and an acoustic version of “Nobody Puts Baby In The Corner” from

newly popular Fall Out Boy, many people are recognizing the artists on this CD. AFI fans are excited about the first song on the album, being a previously unreleased “Rabbits Are Roadkill on Rt. 37.”

However, Say Anything’s line in “Every Man Has a Molly,” (about rough sex with Molly Connelly) wins the award for most risqué. Jupiter Sunrise offers dark humor with “Arthur Nix,” and Tila Tequila offers us a furious song called “Straight Up.” Both Waking Ashland’s “I Am for You” and Copeland’s “Pin Your Wings” are definitely the best two songs on the CD. Each song offers us a different sound, and a different taste of what MySpace has for us to hear. I love this CD. I listen to it in my car, in my room and on my MP3 player. The songs are upbeat, and they never fail to make me want to dance. I’d suggest buying this CD to anyone who is remotely interested. But that brings up the question: Why buy the CD when you can log in for free and hear 2 million versions of the very same thing?

Track List: 1. AFI / “Rabbits Are Roadkill on RT” 2. New Years Day / “Ready, Aim, Misfire” 3. Socratic / “Lunch for the Sky” 4. The Click Five / “Angel to You” 5. Say Anything / Every Man Has a Molly 6. Fall Out Boy / “Nobody Puts Baby in the Corner” 7. Dashboard Confessional / “Hands Down” 8. Waking Ashland / “I Am for You” 9. Weezer / “We Are All on Drugs” 10. Hollywood Undead / “No. 5” 11. Against Me! / ”Don’t Lose Touch” 12. Tila Tequila / “Straight Up” 13. The All-American Rejects / “Stab My Back” 14. The Summer Obsession / “Melt the Sugar” 15. The Plain White T’s / “Take Me Away” 16. Copeland / “Pin Your Wings” 17. Jupiter Sunrise / “Arthur Nix”

y r e V o c i t c n c i i e o l Vengeful usV o i V

V VENDETTA for

frank lasley

co-sports editor

P

icture this: The United States is torn apart by a misguided war, police-state Britain is the central world power that feeds its own people lie after lie through the media. Scary? Well this is the scenario for V for Vendetta.

The film stars Natalie Portman as “Evey,” a woman who is rescued by Codename: V (Hugo Weaving), from being arrested by two undercover British police for being out after curfew. The film was produced and written by Andy and Larry Wachowski, the creators of the Matrix trilogy, and is based on a graphic novel by David Lloyd and Alan Moore.

The film is set in a futuristic Britain that is run by a government that controls its people by such methods as extreme censorship and curfews.

“V,” a terrorist/ freedom fighter, recognizes the corruption and fault of the government and decides to do something about it. The mask-wearing rebel has aspects of the Phantom of the Opera crossed with a somewhat deranged Joker from Batman.

The film is not as action packed as one would expect, but not to worry. What the movie lacks in action it makes up for with an absolutely enthralling plot. New twists continue to emerge throughout the film which keeps those watching guessing the entire movie. While intense action scenes are somewhat few and far between, when they do emerge, they are

incredible. The martial arts fighting combined with gun fighting provides for a Matrix- like experience that is faced paced, intense and visually pleasing.

While overall the film is absolutely incredible, it does have a few too many quotes from Shakespeare, and V, while incredibly intelligent, is obviously somewhat deranged and can be hard to follow when speaking, especially during a seemingly endless alliteration-packed monologue he gives when he first meets Evey.

Despite the few minimal problems with V for Vendetta, the film is incredibly riveting and thought provoking. If you are looking for something to do this weekend, do yourself a favor and see this movie. You will thank yourself later.

sports 21

April 14, 2006

‘Save our stadiums’ Kauffman, Arrowhead get new look andrew robinson

Call Me Hank Coaching Changes: The good and bad hank driskell

co-sports editor

A

s of late the Big 12 has become a Big Show. Recently there have been four coaching changes in the men’s Big 12 basketball world. Iowa State, Kansas State, Missouri and Oklahoma have all made coaching changes. So that poses the question, who won and who lost with their coaching changes?

We’ll start off with Iowa State, who has had their troubles with coaches in the past (see Larry Eustachy). The Cyclones got Greg McDermott, former coach of Northern Iowa. McDermott took the Panthers to the NCAA tournament three out of his five seasons at UNI. McDermott is known for valuing hard work and structure. So, did Iowa State make the right decision?

Yes, they will definitely be better off with McDermott than Morgan.

Next we’ll take a look at Kansas State. The Wildcats fired Jim Woolridge and brought in Bob Huggins. Huggins boasts an overall coaching record of 567199, quite impressive. Huggins has plenty of experience; he has taken three teams to the Elite Eight and one to the Final Four. Did Kansas State make a good move? Huggins will attempt to bring his run and gun style to the Big 12 conference. His style will be welcomed to the already style-diverse league, and he has a good chance of being successful. Kansas State got a good deal; the Wildcats gain a great recruiter and an experienced, winning, smart coach in Huggins. However, some hope his previous legal problems are over.

Missouri has finally gotten rid of Quin Snyder. I don’t mean to make it sound like it is a bad thing. Nonetheless, Missouri brought in Mike Anderson from the University of Alabama Birmingham. Anderson had a 4-2 NCAA tournament record at UAB and was famous for his “40 minutes of hell” style of tough pressing defense. Did Mizzou get what they need to turn around their slump? I’m not really sure. Anderson is definitely a good coach with a different style of basketball than Snyder. His defense will be welcomed among other tough man-to-man defensive teams like Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.

I think Missouri will be surprised how much of their problems are caused by athletic department staff and not just their coach.

Oklahoma is sort of on the other end of the deal. They lost their coach instead of firing him. Kelvin Sampson announced that he would be moving to Indiana to coach the Hoosiers. It is safe to say that the Sooners are definitely on the losing end of this decision regardless of whom they hire. Sampson had the highest winning percentage of any coach in OU history, and he won more league-games than any other coach in Big 12 history. The Sooner basketball program is also currently under investigation by the NCAA for impermissible phone calls.

The face of Big 12 basketball is definitely changing. The league will say goodbye to some familiar faces and welcome to some new faces. However, these new faces aren’t so new. Most of the teams are getting experienced coaches, except Oklahoma. They’re saying goodbye to an experienced coach and losing a lot of coaching talent in Kelvin Sampson. Nonetheless, the league will be a new league next year. Possibly these new coaches will help the Big 12 finally gain some national respect.

thanks to a 3/8 cent sales tax that will editor-in-chief be paid by people who live in Jackson or 34 years the Kansas City Royals County and those who shop there. For and Chiefs have been playing at example, people from Kansas who shop the Truman Sports Complex in and dine on the Plaza will contribute.

Kauffman and Arrowhead Stadiums, The 3/8 sales tax will only contribute respectively. Each year improvements to the improvement of the stadiums; are made to the stadiums. However the Chiefs and the Royals have also Jackson County voters voted on April pledged $100 million to benefit the 4 to renovate the two stadiums at the stadiums and the fans, according Truman Sports Complex in a vote in to saveourstadiums.com. Others which just 52 percent voted yes. complain that the Royals organization While Kauffman is only contributing about Stadium has seen recent “Kauffman will seven percent, which is low renovations, some fans [receive] more compared to some other believe larger restrooms seating, new cities. The total cost of the and wider concourses are project to improve the Sports video and score- Complex is about $575 needed at Arrowhead.

The renovation plan at boards.” million.

Arrowhead includes more Voters didn’t approve restrooms, more suites, as well as a Question 2, which proposed a rolling Kansas City Football Museum and a roof that would cover the stadiums restaurant. during their appropriate seasons.

Kauffman Stadium will see the Ironically, when the stadiums were addition of more seating, new video first built there were plans to create and scoreboards as well as numerous a rolling roof; however, it became too other state-of-the-art updates. A lease expensive. If the rolling roof would signed by the teams in 1990 stated have passed Kansas City would have that Jackson County must up-keep played host to a Super Bowl, Major the stadiums to the teams’ liking. The League Baseball All-Star Game and a approval of question one will fulfill NCAA Final Four. the request. The Kansas City Sports The Royals and Chiefs will remain in Authority would have faulted on the Kansas City for the next 25 years with leases by January without the tax. the approval of question 1, and Kansas The approval on question one City’s stadiums will be prepared guarantees that the teams will stay to compete with new multi-million in Kansas City for the next 25 years dollar stadiums across America.

F

Below is Kauffman Stadium during a Royals’ evening game. The Kansas City Royals and Chiefs are now entitled to stay for the next 25 years now that the vote passed. Some new renovations include: larger bathrooms, more bathrooms,wider concourses, more seating and more suites. courtesy of the Kansas City Royals

22 sports

April 14, 2006

Team dinner is more than a meal Dinners provide important pre-game gatherings for Tigers sara ster

staff reporter

A

ccording to Professor Mary Story Ph.D., sharing food at meals strengthen family unity, love, connection and communication.

This feeling of family unity can be applied to sports teams, as well. Blue Valley sports teams all have similar yet slightly unique team dinners, and ways of being with the team outside of practices. In most cases each program has sign-up sheets where parents volunteer their homes and kitchens to have the team over for dinner.

In the fall, the football team have movie nights every Thursday while the cross country, boys’ soccer, and the girls’ tennis team has team dinners the night before their games. The volleyball team also has team dinners the night before a game and another meal together right before hitting the court on game day.

The winter sports also had team dinners and team time the night before their games.

Girls’ basketball had pasta dinners and watched game film while eating Texas Toast to get in the zone for their game the next day.

The Cheerleaders traveled to Chipotle after painting the run-through signs for the football

games.

Spring sports also have dinner nights consisting of lots and lots of carbs. In the past girls’ soccer had team dinners before all their home games that included pasta and karaoke.

“It promotes team chemistry,” soccer coach K.Dean Snell said.

“They make us more of a team,” senior Patrick Cocherl said.

From the biggest house to the best cook there is always a favorite place to eat.

“My house or Tupp’s,” Cocherl said. “Because it has the most room for the team.”

Lack of offense brings 8-1 defeat ian janes

T

he baseball teams took on the Blue Valley Northwest Huskies at the District Activities Complex last Friday night. Continuing with the same trend that they have had all season, the Tigers only managed to push one run across in an 8-1 defeat.

“I was disappointed that we played so poorly and that we had no enthusiasm,” first baseman Patrick Cocherl said.

The Huskies jumped on the Tigers right from the get go scoring three runs in the first inning. With another run in the third and two in the fifth and sixth, Husky pitcher Aaron Hill, who pitched a great game, had plenty of support.

“His stuff wasn’t overpowering; we should

have done a better job hitting,” head coach Larry Hare said.

The Tigers also fell to the third baseman Tyler Mikkelson Huskies 8-3 earlier said. in the week. Nate BV senior Kerkhoff took the Tyler Hodges “I was disappointloss and Kyle Hoge had an RBI ed that we played had two RBIs for the triple in the so poorly and that Tigers. second and we had no enthusiOn March 28 that would pitchers Kerkhoff prove to be asm” and junior Brandon the Tigers’ senior Patrick Cocherl Rusnak allowed the only run Gardner- Edgerton Senior Jon Teel started for the Tigers. Trailblazers only three runs.

After a rocky first inning he With the Tigers’ and the Trailblazers tied at three, they settled down.

“We should have given him went into extra innings. The more support both offensively Tigers mustered up three runs and defensively,” Mikkelson in the 11th to bring home their first win. said.

The Tigers played Shawnee With a team batting average of .194, the Tigers have relied Mission East at the District on solid pitching to keep them Activities Complex on March in games. The Tigers solid 3.96 31. Teel scattered five hits, ERA will keep them hopeful and the Tigers didn’t allow any runs. The Tigers won, 5-0. for more wins in the future.

“Our wins this year are The Tigers’ record was 2-3 at because of our pitching,” press time.

CONGRATULATIONS!

BLUE VALLEY GRADUATES Take the hassel out of planning your graduation party

Call JERSEY BOYZ SUBS & DELI 897-7272 & let us plan your party

$5.00 OFF Every party tray you order

Good at Stanley location only (15101 Travis- 1blk east of Metcalf)

sports 23

April 14, 2006

Spring sports in full swing Boys’ Tennis andrew robinson

editor-in-chief

The Blue Valley Tiger tennis team got off to a good start in their dual schedule as they got past the Olathe South Falcons 7-5 on April 3. Senior Andrew Robinson and sophomore Kolbe Joens won their doubles match 8-1. Robinson and Joens also added singles wins.

Sophomores Jared Schmeichel and Dalton Phillips held off a Falcon comeback to win their doubles match 8-4.

The Tigers started their season on March 29 with a third place finish as a team in the Mill Valley Tournament. Robinson and Joens contributed with five wins including winning the championship in the number one doubles spot. Schmeichel

and Phillips also contributed by winning the championship in the number two doubles spot. Senior Andrew Iliff also added to the points with a fourth place finish in singles. The Tigers headed to Lawrence Free State on Wednesday however results were not avalible at press time. The Tigers play host to Bishop Miege on Monday.

Softball sara ster

staff reporter

The Lady Tiger Fastpitch Softball team played the Huskies of Blue Valley Northwest on Tuesday at 4 p.m. at the DAC. Looking for a win after losing twice to the Huskies last season, 5-0 and 2-0, the Lady Tigers will try to get back on their feet after getting swept away April 4

by Washburn Rural. Sumner Academy traveled to the Tigers’ home field on April 6,

Le Chocolatier Fountains of Chocolate Glistening, lustrous falls of velvety, rich chocolate and a SPLASH of Elegance to your special occasion!

For Reservations or Additional Information:

(913) 322-6766 or (913)708-5530

• Wedding Receptions • Anniversary Parties • Birthday Parties • Holiday Parties • Bridal/Baby Showers • Bar/Bat Mitzvahs • Corporate Events • Trade Shows • Banquets

10% OFF Your Graduation Party Fountain Rental

but the game was cancelled due to inclement weather.

“We play solid but ran into a powerful softball machine,” Coach James Laughlin said.

“We were overmatched (Washburn Rural).”

“I think we can beat West this year,” junior Mary Thompson added.

Girls’ Soccer sara ster

staff reporter

The Lady Tigers Soccer Team will take on Pembroke Hill Raiders Monday at 7 p.m. at home on the new turf.

Last week Blue Valley tied Lansing 0-0 on Wednesday at home, the game being called early because of weather.

The Lady Tigers suffered a depressing loss to the Jags of Blue Valley West in double overtime on Monday, April 3 with a 2-3 at West.

“We demonstrated character by coming back from a 20 deposit, and I think we proved to ourselves that we can play well enough to win against quality opponents,” coach K. Dean Snell said. “It’s unfortunate that we lost this game (West) because either team had opportunities to win.”

weeks and Florida for two weeks, along with possibly some visits to Chicago and Dallas. This busy schedule was a main reason for Pittman’s resignation.

Business reasons also applied.

Pittman said he wasn’t as good as teacher during volleyball season and had a hard time balancing both, not to mention the health factors.

“I usually lose about five to 10 pounds during volleyball season,” Pittman said.

Although he is taking time for himself, there are things he is going to miss, he said, specifically practices with his players. He always loved practices, especially themed Fridays when the team would have to dress up. There were twin days and superhero days.

Pittman fondly remembers superhero day last year.

“I remember Samantha Martley dressed up as Batman and wore a hysterical costume,” Pittman said with a laugh.

Also, qualifying for state his first year was a favorite memory.

As for the new coach, Athletic Director Bob Whitehead is on top of it.

He said, “We are currently interviewing candidates and we hope to have a new coach by the end of the month.”

Volleyball Girls’ sami miles Swimming staff reporter

After five years as head volleyball coach, coach Keil Pittman resigned last month.

Many factors went into this decision. One main point was Pittman’s lack of availability during the summer. As a semipro volleyball player himself, he has a lot of opportunities this summer that would take him away from Kansas so the team would not be able to train with the coach. Pittman did not think this was fair to his team. He will be traveling all over the United States to compete in sand volleyball tournaments. These two on two matches will take him to California for about three

nina humphrey

staff reporter

Track brooke thurman

staff reporter

The track team participated in the Blue Valley District Relays at BVHS on April 8.

The boys’ team took first in the 1600 m sprint medley and third overall. The girls’ team took first in the 400 m relay and 800 m relay. Junior Kristen Daschke took first in discus and junior Elizabeth Minoofar took first in javelin.

The girls team took second place overall.

Signings sara ster

staff reporter

More senior athletes have recently signed with colleges of their choice. Senior basketball player Tim King signed with Mid-America Nazarene University.

“It was the best fit. I liked the coaches and the campus was a lot nicer than I thought,” King said.

Senior JP Prouty signed with Grinnell College to play soccer.

“I wanted to be closer to home, and the coaches were good,” Prouty said.

Senior Tiffany Mitchell had offers from North Dakota, South Dakota, Missouri, Truman State and other small schools. Mitchell signed with Rockhurst University and will be joining her sister on the soccer field next year.

Golf matt killen

The girls’ swimming squad will host a meet on April 13 and 18 of this month. Both of these meets will begin at 4 pm.

On the 13th, BV will compete with the entire Blue Valley District, and on the 18th it will be with competing with Notre Dame de Sion, Olathe South, St. James Academy and Chisolm Trail. Already qualified for State are divers Samantha Southerland and Lauren Wismer. State will be May 20.

staff reporter

The Blue Valley golf team had a rough day at its first varsity tournament on April 10, held at Deer Creek. The Tigers finished fifth out of 11 teams, with a total team score of 353. Adam Blue led BV with a score of 80. Other notable scores were Brett Bolton, 90, Connor Hickey, 91, Will Steinwart, 92, and Cam Barbour, 99. The subvarsity team also competed on April 5 with Will Steinwart with a 92.

24 life in pictures

April 14, 2006

Spring Break A

s the sun began to appear from behind the dark winter clouds, students knew it was time. Time to go tanning, get in shape and pack. It was time for spring break. Anxious students waited for the clock to wind down on March 8 and many took off for their vacation destinations within the next couple of days. Whether it was lounging on the beach, hitting the slopes or just crusin’ around the hometown, every student was happy to get out of school.

Seniors Kristen Burchett and Jenna Southerland catch some rays on the beaches of Playa Del Carmen.

Many students practiced the same relaxation during Spring Break which took place March 9-19.