The Tiger Print — February 2007

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tigerprint Blue Valley High School 6001 W. 159th Stilwell, Kan. 66085 Feb. 9, 2007 • Vol. 37• Issue 6

MONEY!

MONEY!

MONEY! Proposal to raise national minimum wage over $2 stalls in Congress mitchsmith

staff writer

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n amendment to the Fair Labor Acts that would have raised the national minimum wage over $2 has temporarily stalled due to business tax breaks included in the bill to ensure Republican support. The bill would raise the minimum wage for the first time in over a decade from the current wage of $5.15 an hour to $7.25 an hour.

The bill, which would increase the minimum wage in increments over the course of 26 months, was passed in the House but the Senate refuses to support the bill.

“Raising the minimum wage would really help the economy by giving the lower class worker more spending money, which would in turn help the wealthier people,” sophomore Stephen McKittrick.

If passed, this proposal would provide the first increase in the minimum wage in over a decade. Kansas is one of the states that has not enacted a higher minimum wage and many of its businesses pay only $2.65 an hour. This low wage is applicable to those under 18 and some farm workers. continued on page 3

Cell phone = life? pages 11-13

High School Sweethearts page 9

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currentevents

The Grand Finale

Feb. 9, 2007

Seniors enjoy working on school musical together for last time

anitagaller

staff writer

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s senior Mindy Moeller makes her entrance out on stage she feels the warmth of the lights and hears the music begin.

A rush of excitement washes over her body as she begins her last high school musical.

This year’s production of Crazy For You, will open Feb. 15 and run through Feb. 17 with a matinee show on the 17th. The musical will run at 7:30 in the Performing Arts Center. Teasers for this year’s production will be on Feb 14, and tickets will be on sale for $7 a week prior to the show.

Crazy For You, follows Bobby Child, a rich son of a banking family who goes to Nevada to become a singer and dancer. The musical has a cast of 52 students with five main roles.

Lead actors include seniors Taylor Avazpour, Mindy Moeller, Stefanie Wienecke and Alex Nichols and sophomore Josh Dean.

Just like the play, the musical is judged for an award. The musical is judged for the Blue Star award, which is sponsored by the Starlight Theater.

On one night of the show a few judges will come and watch the show.

The musical is judged in different categories including best set design, best costumes, best programs, etc.

“There is an award ceremony we go to and accept the award,” Mindy

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iger riefs

Relay for Life Relay for Life, the overnight slumber party at school, will be tonight in the gymnasium.

Students will participate in activities with all of the proceeds going to the American Cancer Society.

The members met yesterday for their team captain meeting to discuss the upcoming event and the activities that will be placed that evening. The upcoming Feb. 22 meeting will be used to discuss the

Moeller said. “Its kind of like a mini Tony award ceremony.”

The judges watch all the shows in the metro area, and around May they announce the winners of each category.

“The show is very entertaining, it has a lot of energy,” choir director Marsha Moeller said.

The cast rehearsed in cycles everyday after school. As show time nears the whole cast meets to put everything together. The cast usually meets from 3-6 after school.

Crazy For You, is directed by Mark Swezey and coordinated by Marsha Moeller. All dance choreography is done by Ann McCroskey.

“We do a lot of cool choreography with props,” Mindy Moeller said.

Auditions for Crazy For You were held the second week in November.

Around 90 students tried out for the show.

“Auditions were really good; we have some very talented singers,” Marsha Moeller said.

Students had to complete a singing audition as well as a dance audition.

Callbacks were held later that week, as well as callbacks for the speaking roles.

Crazy For You is a comedy with a lot of energy and effort put into it.

“I hope people will want to come see it again,” Mindy Moeller said. “I hope the audience enjoys all our hard

event and the amount of money raised that night.

Kay Club Through the Drastic Love Project, Kay Club has started a fund-raiser to raise money for Grace United, an inner city church in Kansas City. The club plans to sell candy to raise money and will accept donations at any time. They will also raise money with the help of other churches that are interested in funding this project.

KAY Club President Sarah Weaver was also mentioned in the Kansas City Star for her and Kay Club’s efforts in the Drastic Love Project.

Senior Caroline Nyman and others practice a tap dance routine for the musical, Crazy For You. The musical will debut on Feb. 15. Photo by Nina Humphrey work.”

The musical is expected to be a wonderful production and is greatly awaited.

“I can’t wait to see the show, I love watching all my friends perform,” senior Alex Solis said.

Though this is the last show for

Senior Watson hits musical stage

the seniors, they feel it’s a wonderful show to end their high school musical careers.

“My favorite part of the show is being able to spend this time with my close friends,” Mindy Moeller said.

“This will be the last time I get to do a show with my close friends.”

trying to make it to the big time. Trent Tomlinson performed at the Beaumont Country Music Television Club Jan. 18 and one of his here she comes! Senior Paige opening singers was none Watson is an aspiring vocalist other than 17 year old Watson who kicked off the night singing Miranda Lambert’s hit song Kerosene, which was followed by a few of her own pieces.

“She’s great,” singer and songwriter Jean Smith said.

“She’s the real deal, and she’s got everything.”

Watson plans to travel to Tennessee during spring break to record an E.P., which according to Watson is like a demo, but it’s longer but not yet a CD. Senior Paige Watson performs at With her E.P. Watson will the Beaumont Club on Jan. 18. Photo play with John Joiner and Colt Praither. She also will

by Sarah Ster.

be featured on a radio show called the “Western Beat” at 12th and Porter. Watson plans to meet with the marketing president of Mercury Records.

Watson’s first visit to Nashville included meeting executives from an Indie Record Label. She also attended Praither’s show.

Watson is doing as much as she can now. “You can only do so much in a certain amount of time,” Watson said.

Play qualifies

The cast of the Fall Play, A Piece of My Heart learned early this week that it had qualified for international competition this summer in Lincoln, Neb. Only 10 high school plays were chosen.

The qualifying competition occurred Jan. 20 in Wichita.

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currentevents

Feb. 9, 2007

Students to enjoy Sweetheart dance bradenmiller

staff writer

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he month of February is all about love. There is Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14 where couples get together and buy each other gifts and the Sweetheart Dance on the 10th at 8 p.m. where the girls ask the guys out.

“It’s a cool role reversal, and it makes it a lot easier on the guys, and it gives them less pressure,” junior Zak Madelen said.

“It’s cool and different. Gives the girls the chance to feel awkward,” sophomore Amanda Gallagher said.

Before the dance, groups of friends and their dates will enjoy a good meal at a good restaurant. Guys are the ones that usually pay for the food, but this time, the girls are the ones grabbing

the check, but how much money are they paying for the two? On average, the cost for two people would be around $30-40. The most common destinations are Japanese steakhouses, Mongolian BBQ and Olive Garden.

The theme for the dance is all about winter, and it’s called Frosty Fiesta.

Before the dance on Thursday night, there will be a class competition for which class has the best and most creative hall decorations, but each hallway must be related to an arctic affair. The juniors came out on top last year covering the 400 hall. Freshmen will have the 200 hall, sophomores, 300 hall, juniors, junior pod, and seniors will have the 500 hall.

The nominees for the Sweetheart King and Queen were announced Monday.

They are seniors Sam Frickleton, Katherine Ebling, Ben Ehret, Mindy

Blue Valley aims for second Presidential Service Award garrettgriffin

sports editor

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wenty-four students have received a Presidential Volunteer Service Award during the 2006 -2007 academic year as of Jan. 29. Sophomore Amanda Blue is the only student to reach Gold status, while seven have the rank of Silver and six are Bronze.

To achieve these honors, students must complete 100 to174 hours for Bronze, 175 to 249 for Silver and 250 hours or more for Gold. Blue Valley High will receive the

Presidential Service Award if five percent of its students reach the Bronze level.

In 2006, 10 percent of students achieved this.

The Presidential Freedom Scholarship is awarded to one student who has been given a Presidential Volunteer Service Award (for $1000) each year, meaning that one of these 24 people might receive it.

Students are encouraged to continue turning in recorded hours to teachers Nancy Kissel or Linda Eagleton, because the deadline is April 2 if the hours are to be counted toward the awards.

Moeller, Nate Chastain, Stefanie Wienecke, Tyler Mikkelson, Ryann Lucansky, Morgan Snell and Caroline Nyman. Junior representatives are Griffin Page and Elizabeth Baldwin.

“I am very surprised; I didn’t think I would get chosen,” Snell said. “ It’s exciting.”

Spirit week started on Feb. 5 with pajama day, followed by Disney day, then mix and match day, then iced out day and finally ending with the traditional black and gold day on Friday.

“It’s going to be amazing,” junior Devin Wiegers said. “It will be fun to hang out with my friends for the night.”

Sweetheart could be a memorable night for some students that are going as couple, but for some, it’s just another night dancing with friends.

Sophomore Alyssa Allen wears pajamas to school on Monday, the first day of Spirit Week. Many students will attend the dance tomorrow night.

Students desire revised minimum wage law for Kansas workers continued from page 1

“Raising the minimum wage would be a really good idea because things just keep getting more expensive,” sophomore Alex Robinson said.

While Kansas maintains the lowest minimum wage law (of the nation of states that have a minimum wage), other states have passed separate legislation to increase the minimum wage in their states.

Missouri

voters passed a law last year that raised the minimum wage to $6.50 an hour, well over a dollar higher than that of the federal government.

Many Blue Valley students are excited of the prospects of higher pay.

“I think it would be really cool for working kids to get more money,” freshman Matt Roselli said.

There remains a sense of urgency in Congress to pass the bill because, as the economy continues

to plummet, minimum wage workers depend on government subsidies to support their families. Many congressmen believe that an increase in the minimum wage will help to stimulate the economy and help to reduce poverty in America.

“You should not be relegated to poverty if you work hard and play by the rules,” House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) said.

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currentevents

Democratic Candidates Making History

Feb. 9, 2007

Republicans, democrats start campaigning earlier for primaries ellenthomas

editor-in-chief

“ It would be got elected president.

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ith the 2008 presidential election still over 20 months away, many candidates have been filing for office on both the Republican and Democratic side.

Before officially filing for office the majority of candidates already filed for office while some have formed exploratory committees that will allow them to raise funds without following federal fundraising guidelines.

Two of the most mentioned candidates in the media, Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Barack Obama (D-IL) really great if Obama would be firsts in U.S. history, if and we had a black elected. Clinton, wife of former President Bill Clinton, currently has a 3 to 1 lead in Democratic polls.

She isn’t however the first woman to run for office. Since 1872 there have been 24 women who have run for president. Clinton, though, is the first with any real chance of being elected.

Right behind Clinton in the Democratic polls is Barack Obama who, if elected, would be the first African American president. Obama may have a better chance at the presidency than the African-American presidential candidates before him. According to a Jan. 22 Rasmussen Report, 79 percent of American voters would vote for an African-American candidate.

Students here have echoed this desire for an African-American president.

”

“It would be really great if Obama got elected and we had a black president,” freshman Tyler Kalmus said.

Besides Clinton and Obama, seven other people have either formally filed for office or formed exploratory committees.

Mitt Romney, former governor of Massachusetts and an active Mormon, is seeking the Republican nomination. The fact that he is a Mormon has deferred some conservative voters. There has never been a Mormon president of the U.S. This doesn’t seem to be worrying the Democrats as much.

Since Nov. 7, 2006, Romney has been the topic of 15 news releases, compared to 11 such releases on the Republican frontrunner, Sen. John McCain.

Besides Romeny and McCain, 11 other Republicans have filed for office or are planning to do so. Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani has formed an exploratory committee and is doing respectable in the polls. In a Jan. 23 Time poll Giuliani trails behind McCain by four percentage points.

“I think Giuliani is the best candidate,” sophomore Mohammad Ramahi said.

Candidates will participate in primary elections starting on Jan 14, 2008, in Iowa.

After the primaries, each party will formally choose its candidate at the party’s national convention with the general election taking place on Nov. 4 of next year

Sen. Barack Obama, D-IL, leaves after testify-

ing before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, at a hearing entitled “Senators’ Perspectives on Global Warming,” on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., Tuesday, Jan 30. Photo courtesy of KRT Campus.

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ourvoice

Feb. 9, 2007

Weaver writes

staff editorial

Sarah Weaver

Thanks to MAN kind

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hey smell and fight with their fists. They compete each other for everything: smelliest fart, hottest girlfriend, best Madden score, biggest…engine. They want to be the best at everything, and according to them, they are.

Whether it’s a brother, father, boyfriend or guy friend, girls know what I am talking about. Boys think they are so “cool.” They have their “Manlaws” and their male bonding nights full of poker games and perverted jokes. Don’t get me wrong; I am not trying to make men out to be some kind of crude specimen, but men do think they are pretty neat. Well, I have news for them: I think they are pretty neat, too.

I owe some of the greatest talents to the men that have been in my life. If it weren’t for boys, I wouldn’t know half the stuff I know. They taught me which is a better hand in poker, a four of a kind or full house (Ladies, it’s a four of a kind). I am decent at Halo due to an unnamed male video junkie. I wouldn’t know how to snowboard (still poorly, of course).

I love watching football and understand it thanks to my favorite boy of all time: my father. Driving a stick would be rocket science to me if not for a boy.

I learned how to shuffle a deck of cards, the e-cord of a guitar and the meaning of a miter box all from boys.

In a more serious sense, a favorite boy of mine taught me that in 10 years I won’t remember the grades I made in high school or the outfit I wore to Ashley’s party, but I will remember the memories I have.

The moral of the story is that boys have more to offer than odor and loud burps. Let guys stick around and you may learn something.

B staff V

Second-hand smoke kills students’ opinions on smokers brianisrael

opinions editor

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tand in the corner with a gun and start shooting people. That is a rough equivalent to those who smoke around others; perhaps the example is a bit too uncouth; however, the premise stays the same. Smokers cause problems. Smokers’ smoke is too dangerous for these people to be blowing their bad wind wherever they like.

Cigarettes are composed of thousands of chemicals that make binge drinkers bodies look healthy. The tar within cigarettes combined with the addictive nicotine does far more than justify the presence all those SRO officers who have preached to us not to smoke since second grade. Yet, even if we avoid the sin, we still have an inherent problem. Second hand smoke.

“I hate the smell of cigarette smoke and avoid it when at all possible,” junior Alyssa Sehorn said.

“I think its pretty inconsiderate of people to smoke around me since I’m getting all, if not more health risks, as the smoker is and it is not even my fault.”

Outlooks such as this encourages restaurants to have non-smoking sections and make it illegal to smoke in many venues. Besides the mere danger of lighting a match, airplanes make smoking

tigerprint

2006-2007

Managing Editors Ellen Thomas Sarah Weaver News Matt Killen Anita Galler

Opinions Editors Megan Van Sooy Brian Israel Features Editor Sarah Weaver Entertainment Editor Brooke Thurman Sports Editors Hank Driskell

illegal because they don’t want all that smoke in such a confined space and smoking in a hospital is considered nothing less than the eighth deadly sin.

The problems of people smoking are evident to everyone including the nonsmoker, but some people still feel inclined to smoke to fulfill their whimsies.

As an activist of human rights I have no place to actually tell these people to stop smoking, but I ask them to do it with courtesy to those around.

America is filled with performative contradictions.

It is illegal for one to yell “Fire” in a movie theater, because that would be dangerous to others; yet, it’s okay for people to blow thousands of poisonous chemicals around in the air to innocent bystanders.

On an episode of Boston Legal there was a case in which a woman was fired from her job for smoking at her home because it increased the health insurance premiums of her company. The case had two points. Point one was that one’s smoking is one’s own business and should not be controlled by others, but the second or more poignant point was that smoking raises health insurance. Smoking hurts health, smoking costs money. The costs of smoking go far beyond a box of poison, but into health issues social awareness and even insurance.

Garrett Griffin Photo Editor Nina Humphrey Cartoonist Garrett Griffin Reporters Jake Faber Mitch Smith Braden Miller Andrew Fiori

Photographers Morgan McMahon Gwen Bergerhofer Advertising Manager Sara Ster Circulation Manager Braden Miller Adviser Susan Agee

The Tiger Print is published nine times a year for 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

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Ryour

ourvoice

aise

Feb. 9, 2007

What is your biggest pet peeve about other people?

voice with “ Chewing mouths open.

”

“ Burping in class.”

freshman Allison Kohn

sophomore Devin Freeman

Talking to me in “ the urinal. ”

“ Chomping food”

junior Drew Willams

mitchsmith

staff writer

I

magine a 92 year old man, a terminal cancer patient, bedridden and unable to speak. As he lies on his death bed, he realizes that suffering and immense pain and a nonexistent quality of life are all he will ever know on his long, painful road to death.

Now, imagine him being able to die with his pride intact, his family at his side and on his terms. Although by no means appropriate in all cases, doctor assisted suicide, when used responsibly, can be a humane way to end one’s life with dignity.

Assisted suicide should only be considered in cases in which the patient is terminal with no prospects of improvement, all quality of life has been compromised and the patient wishes to die humanely and with dignity. The actions of circuit courts in revoking state laws in Washington state and New York show a lack of willingness to accept the fact that not all Americans have Christian values in the matter.

Another issue involved in the assisted suicide and active euthanasia debate is that some religious convictions forbid an individual from having

pro

senior Drew Ball

A Suicide ssisted

this procedure.

The late Pope John Paul II famously said that assisted suicide is an immoral act because “Only God has the right to end a life.”

While these religious beliefs should certainly be respected, they should not dictate law in the United States of America, which, by the way, happens to have no national religion.

Because assisted suicide would always need a patient’s approval, if one believed that such actions were immoral, he would by no means have to agree to the procedure. Also, in order to ensure that all assisted suicides were necessary, it would be mandatory for the patient’s doctor or lawyer to present in front of a medical board why his client would be a good candidate for such a procedure.

Although an assisted suicide plan would have to be regulated closely and would have flaws, no person’s religious beliefs should have to conflict with another person being able to die with dignity on his own terms.

Should the country legalize it to help for the terminally ill? jakefaber

staff writer

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hen you think of suicide, it doesn’t usually involve a doctor. But assisted suicide is a whole different story, and it needs to be stopped.

Morally, assisted suicide isn’t right and the doctors and patients who are for it sugarcoat the practice by saying that the patient in question needs to die, that they’re suffering too much and their lives need to end. Some advocates say, ”people with terminal illnesses need to die,” but that is not true.

One religious view is that God’s gifts should be cherished, even if it’s not in the best condition. This also dictates

that only God can end a life. We are able to kill ourselves or have someone else do it for us, because God gave humans free will, but is it the right thing to do? No it’s not.

Assisted suicide can end someone’s life in three different ways, lethal injection, intentional drug overdose or the removal of life support, each way as grim as the first. Murder is murder and it is not pain free.

Another argument is the “slippery slope” concern. If assisted suicide is legal, where does it stop? Will the practice go beyond terminally ill patients to those who are in a vegetative state., then to those who are severely handicapped. It may seem farfetched but two generation ago we had Hitler and genocide continues throughout the world.

In the United Kingdom, when polled by a national organization, 94 percent of certified doctors said they were against the practice of assisted suicide or euthanasia.

Some people think that there are two basic sides to the argument, if assisted suicide is right or wrong. Every single person will never agree on this issue, and it’s not the government’s job to encourage assisted suicide.

con

Manners learned in preschool not applied to high school lives meganvansooy opinions editor

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hen fourth lunch ends at 12:56 on a Friday afternoon, it’s hard to notice all the trash on the floor and tables while students are pushing their way through the doors to get to their sixth hour class.

It’s also hard not to make a selfish comment about how disgusting the floor is when there is a trash can right next to you. This is not a case of complete oblivion to being clean; it’s a lack of manners.

This is not a problem of the

custodial staff, who works tirelessly everyday to try to clean up our filth, it’s our problem: we have no respect for the school and the staff that have been there longer than us and may be here until we have children of our own.

It’s not surprising to say that the majority of teenagers are messy, we never clean our rooms and we never help our parents do anything.

The most responsibility we could possibly hold is being employed, and sometimes that doesn’t count as cleaning

up after ourselves. Teenagers are filthy.

One of the most important places for cleanliness is wherever we eat our meals. It doesn’t matter if one is at the Plaza III or in the Blue Valley lunchroom, manners are the only thing that matters.

Students should be sure to eat with their mouths closed. No one wants to see the partially chewed cow rolling around in someone’s mouth, and no one wants to hear someone try to talk with a cow in his mouth, either. It doesn’t

matter if one’s parents never taught him manners, taking responsibility and teaching one’s self manners will help one prepare for after high school.

While it is not a hard task to simply picking up an object and placing it in a trash receptacle, many teenagers find it something atrocious to do. It really is quite effortless to accomplish. It’s all in the arms; if performed successfully, one can look like a graceful, clean, person that cares about how things look

around him. One shouldn’t be embarrassed to do it in front of one’s friends; maybe we’ll start a trend and Blue Valley will be one of the cleanest schools in the nation, along with our spotless academic achievements.

Manners are not hard to learn; it is just a matter of selfrespect and respect for others.

Maybe if we change the way we present ourselves around other people, we will earn the respect we think we deserve.

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ourvoice

Feb. 9, 2007

Others’ hatred for America could be justifed garrettgriffin

sports editor

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atred. If one word describes how the majority of Arabs and Muslims feel towards Americans, it’s hatred. So many of us are totally ignorant as to why there are such bitter feelings between our peoples. Even President George W. Bush asked this rhetorically in a recent speech to Congress.

The hatred was not caused by the war in Iraq or the war on terror, although these events worsened it; rather, it runs so deep, through so many decades of time, finding the origin of the passionate anger is difficult. The list of reasons is very, very long. But they do not hate us because of our democracy, high standard of living, capitalism or freedom. Those suggestions are absolutely absurd.

Rest assured, however, the hatred is perfectly justified. While there are countless historical reasons why Arabs despise Americans, they can also be channeled into a single word:

TP

interference. The television network with the Palestinians to giving Israel Al Jazeera’s website explains that the weapons to slaughter 17,000 Lebanese U.S. is an enemy to most Arab nations civilians in 1982. Israel is the sworn because it interferes economically, enemy of most Arab nations, and our politically and militarily in those alliance with her makes us theirs. countries’ affairs. America’sforeign Another reason Arabs hate us is our policies are the source of this anger. history of double-dealing. During the For example, our country has been a 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war, the U.S. shipped close ally of Israel since its formation weapons to Iraq and protected her from in 1948. While we feel it is our duty U.N. retaliatory action. Meanwhile, to destroy all weapons of mass the U.S. also gave weapons to Iran and destruction allowed a n d Israel to p r e v e n t Israel is the sworn enemy of most do the any from Arab nations, and our alliance with same. Then developing we stood her makes us theirs. in the behind Iraq, Middle p ro v i d i n g East, we allow Israel to keep theirs. intelligence and naval support during Israel disobeys United Nations the bloody conflict. Iraq killed over resolutions more than any other one million Iranians, using chemical member, and America protects her and biological weapons for much of from punishment. We also fund Israel the slaughter. The U.S. knew this and with more money than we give to the did nothing because Iran had held 50 rest of the world. The U.S. has made Americans hostages for a year. one blunder after another in situations And then there is American control with its ally, from allowing and even of the U.N. and world matters. The supporting Israel’s 60-year ethnic war U.S is a permanent member of the

U.N. Security Council and the bully at the table. For instance, in 1991 the U.S. led economic sanctions against Iraq because of its invasion of oil-rich Kuwait. The results were tragic. Half a million innocent Iraqi children died.

The Security Council said it would lift the sanctions when Saddam’s weapons of mass destruction programs ceased (yes, the same weapons we let Iraq use against Iran), but the U.S. decided to leave the sanctions until Saddam Hussein was out of power in Iraq. This situation proves how much power the U.S. has over an organization that is supposed to promote world peace.

Anyone who believes in the goals of the U.N. hates the U.S. for destroying resolutions that do not benefit Americans and strangling any chance of the U.N. succeeding.

Our history of political backstabbing, military invasions and economic greed has earned America a new title.

No longer are we merely the land of the free and the home of the brave; we’re the most hated nation on planet Earth.

Letters to the Editor

Offensive words lack meaning Teenagers can be really dumb.

Granted, statistics show that we have dominated in the academic arena. If we hear “standard of excellence” one more time, we’re going to puke. And that puke will have an IQ higher than that of the average two-year old spider monkey. Pretty impressive.

However, we still insist on stunting our potential maturity with this fatal phrase: “That’s so gay.”

Blue Valley’s hallways seem to ring with that constant refrain.

“This assignment is so gay.”

“Pep assemblies are so gay.”

“Ow! Don’t hit me when I’m doing my nails, you fag!”

Remember sitting in Anatomy & Physiology, learning about the reproductive system while living in constant fear of that

weird albino frog in the smelly tank? We must remember Mr. Hare (or at least common sense) teaching us that animals have certain things that inanimate objects don’t have.

For instance…reproductive organs! Assignments and pep assemblies do not have reproductive organs. They have no need to copulate in order to survive. Therefore, they are incapable of having sexual preferences. Heck, they don’t have any preferences!

This homework assignment does not wake up one morning and decide it prefers the black gauchos to the ubercute miniskirt and super presh leggings. Pep assemblies may be gay in the sense of being merry, cheerful, frolicsome and breakin’ it down BV-style, home slice (?). But they are not homosexual.

Another source of contention: just because a member of the male species has friends who are all girls, makes a killer crème brulee, and knows the name of each Broadway cast member in Cats from ’90-’91, does NOT MEAN that that male is a homosexual.

Remember sitting in Health, learning about the reproductive system while living in constant fear of the reproductive system? I know I do. I also remember being taught what homosexuality is.

Homosexuality is…well. You know what homosexuality is. It is not being a member of the female species who cuts her hair short and likes Ellen DeGeneres. It is not a stereotype. It is a sexual preference.

It just irks me that “gay” is a synonym for “stupid” and “fag” is a synonym for “stupid individual.”

I distinctly remember the trend arising when I was in elementary school. I even incorporated the phrase into my daily conversation.

Of course, back then, I also listened to LFO and collected pieces of cardboard with imaginary creatures drawn on them, manufactured in a Japanese sweatshop. I think it’s time to grow up.

Next time we find out that our class has—how do you say?— “pwned” the AP exams, let’s not refute all that intelligence

by dumbing ourselves down with the mere remark, “But man, that whole thing about the Continental Congress was so gay.” Let’s act our age. Not our DBQ score.

-senior Lauren Friedlander

Adoption story pleases readers You did an amazing job on the Jan. 19 adoption articles!

You handled an enormous amount of information in a fun, creative way. Not only was your layout interesting, but you were able to put together some terrific writing.

Thanks so much for a feature about an issue that is so dear to my heart.

-paraprofessional Carol Sparrow I just wanted to congratulate you on the great work that you did in writing the articles on adoption in the newspaper! I love human interest stories, and I really appreciate the fact that you have different points

of view in the articles, both from adopting parents and from the children.

I also wanted to let you know that I love the article that you wrote on the Holloway family.

The fact that those of us reading the stories know the persons you are writing about makes it just that much more meaningful and inspiring.

Most of us really enjoy finding out information that touches our “heartstrings” about others that we work with everyday. It is such a great story, and you seemed to put so much detail into the process without giving too much information. The quotes, the photos and the family background information all contribute to a great piece that deserves recognition.

Thank you for taking the time to write such informative and complete descriptions of the subjects’ experiences and for adding great pictures that give the article a personal touch; keep up the great work.

-counseling secretary Cindy Snell

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manlaws

Feb. 9, 2007

W MAN LAWS M an LAWS Commerical provokes law making followed by male bonding, comedy

anitagaller

staff writer

brianisrael

opinions editor

A

narchy, what is stopping it in America?The answer is simple. Laws. If it weren’t for laws, everyone around us would be either a crack addict or a murderer.

Perhaps that is being a bit too, “tongue in cheek” but the premise is simple; without laws Americans would be (more) misguided and this country would be in (even more) chaos. The problem, however, is that laws set by the government are created to solve problems that the government sees, but how does one prevent social anarchy? Simple. Man-laws.

The sad truth regarding man laws is that they are just not well known. For example, everyone knows it is nothing short of sin to date a best friends’ ex-girlfriend for a while after dating, penis but how many men truly know how long to wait? The pathetic truth here is that every week or two a group of eight juniors gather around a square table to add and debate man laws such as this.

“If one were to check the manlaw-pedia one would know the restrictions for dating a friend’s ex is six months if he was dumped and six days if he dumped her. These are things all men should know.

Man laws exist not frivolously, but to make life a better more respected place for men,” Brooks Quarles head of the square table said.

In nine months something magnificent will happen.

No, not a childbirth. But the quadrennial anniversary of juniors Anne McClain and Mike McIntire will occur, in which the future of their relationship will be hinged on a higher scripture, the man-laws, in which a vote of the square table will dictate whether McIntire and McClain can continue to see each other.

“Yeah, it’s crazy, but

apparently there is a man law saying after four years one’s friends must dictate whether or not we are fit for another four years together. I’d like to throw out that all 5’ 11” eleven inches 156 pounds of me hopes to death I can still see her. But man laws are man laws, and maybe it’s destiny.

Just like the football team

“

No man shall own a dog smaller than a football or a man purse

junior Danny Woods said winning state was,” McIntire said.

Maybe man laws aren’t the right answer to solving social anarchy, and perhaps it is even what many others admit to be ludicrous. But one thing which proves to be apparent is that this group of friends have found a way to stay close and keep one another from bothering each other, yet most importantly it keeps these buddies with something to do and strengthens their

friendships.

“I know, I know that people don’t see the importance of laws such as, ‘No man shall own a dog smaller than a football,’ or ‘a man purse is still a purse.’ But on the deep underbelly of man-laws, beyond all the ones featured on television advertising beer, beyond the man laws that make us sound cool, are laws we created to be good friends to each other, and look manly. In fact I’m pretty sure I’m breaking one by being sentimental, but man laws are meant to help friends out or stop them from doing something they’d be mocked for,” junior Danny Woods said.

As strange as it may seem, on a Facebook group entitled “Manlaw: The Next Generation” over 1000 people banned together enjoining over 100 man laws, ranging from the humorous to the sentimental. One thousand is no small number; it is evident that this man law idea is catching on. And the strangest part of all? Men actually follow these laws.

Don’t believe it? When was the last time you saw a man make fun of his best friends girlfriend maliciously?

”

M

an-laws. Now there’s an idea women could get used to. Local male juniors find themselves gathering around a square table to bond and create man-laws. These laws provoked by the Miller Lite commercials could actually save friendships. Now, how many girls do you know that have fought over a guy or let some guy come between their friendships? It’s time to create laws and codes women can live by. With woman-laws we can stop those petty catfights. Man-laws have created a strong bond between guys and helpful guidelines to live their lives by, so why don’t women take notes.

Woman-laws are the new answers to put an end to the catty drama girls face everyday. For instance, one law could tell a woman she must wait until her crush’s relationship is a tad rocky before intervening and ruining this other girl’s relationship. Such simple laws against such acts can keep life and drama under control.

When shopping with a friend, which girls often do, women may find themselves eyeing the same pair of shoes.

To keep it friendly they may decide just not to buy the shoes themselves. With the new woman-laws, a female knows that she must wait until her friend leaves the store before quietly going back to buy her cute new shoes.

These fun and simple rules can be the start of a dramafree era for women. Besides all the fun laws which shall be created, there should be some serious drama-stopping laws. For instance, women would greatly appreciate it if a woman would refrain from asking her friend’s crush out on any form of a date and or school dance, which is now of course a woman-law, provoked by girls out there who know who they are. The very important law: best friends’ ex-boyfriends are off-limits, would also prevent many unneeded drama and hurt.

Such laws are the essential element to maintaining a dramafree life. So, women once again: take notes from these men.

They may sit around a square table cracking jokes, but those boys are starting something good for all.

Young Love saraster

features editor

P

icture that special someone in your life (boyfriend, girlfriend, crush, etc.). Now imagine going to the grocery store with them, picking out a house together, having his and her towels and spending the rest of your lives together through sickness and health as long as you both shall live.

It wasn’t your everyday pick up line, but something about “that’s a weird way to get a drink of water” caught social studies teacher Courtney Buffington’s attention. He was a junior, and she was a freshman. In the math hallway of Blue Valley North at the water fountain was the first time Courtney and Todd laid eyes on each other.

“I thought she looked like a giraffe,” Todd Buffington said.

“It was the ‘90s everyone wore short dresses,” she said. “I had to squat down to get a drink.”

The awkward water fountain rendezvous was followed up after the bell by an invitation for a ride home.

The couple was together for a month before Todd called and said with the age difference it just wasn’t going to work.

“Then he called my sister a week later and asked her to prom,” Buffington

9

sweethearts

Feb. 9, 2007

said. “My mom wouldn’t let her go because I was traumatized.”

The high school rebound was a success for both of them, and to put it lightly they saw other people.

“I dated his best friend for a year to get back at him,” Buffington said.

Even though they had their differences throughout high school, they remained close friends. Todd had written letters to her during his senior year and gave them all to her when he graduated.

“We always had the looks across the hallways,” Buffington said.

They have memories of going with other people to dances and finding themselves staring at each other in the middle of songs. He graduated and went to K-State and they stayed in touch.

“We had talked about it [getting married] like every nerdy high school couple does,” Buffington said.

Whenever she would call him at college after they hung up he told his roommate that she was the girl he was going to marry.

“He was holding out for me,” Buffington said.

The pair met up again in college and immediately began dating again and later found themselves back in the math hallway of North at the water fountain where Todd proposed during

At the age of 18 Marline and Bob Sabo wouldn’t have

guessed they would have this photo taken together only years later. Photo submitted by Sabo.

BVN poses as meeting point, proposal spot for Buffington passing period. They were married June 9, 2001 and have two children. After five and a half years of marriage Courtney Buffington offers a piece of advice to high school girls: “Do not let your boyfriend consume your life and abandon your girlfriends.”

Todd and teacher Courtney Buffington

dressed up recently for Halloween as themselves in high school as they hold their daughter Emma. Courtney was a cheerleader and Todd a soccer player. (right)

Although these high school

sweethearts look like they attended the dance together they went with separate dates. The sides of this photo, where their other dates stood, were torn off.

High school sweethearts

Love is in the air, has been for 30 years for Sabo andrewfiori staff writer

L

ife long love has always been a hard thing to find. Not the love between family members or pets, but the love between a man and a woman. This goes for school paraprofessional Marline Sabo and her husband Bob Sabo. These two have a special love, labeled under the category of high school sweethearts. Marline first met Bob as a senior.

“He was a senior as well.” Marline said, “It was strange we didn’t really notice much of each other until the last year of high school.”

“I first noticed Bob by his caring and helpfulness.

He was so committed to his mother.” said Marline, “He is a very charming man and his friendly attitude made me fall for him.”

Bob is currently working in Saudi Arabia as an engineer. Because of his job though, he isn’t home very much.

“If I could change just one thing about him, it would be that he would be home more,” Marline said, “but he certainly is a sweet husband. When he is home, we shop, cook, and do other creative activities together. Plus, he is always willing to do the things I want to do.”

But this still doesn’t explain why Bob fell for Marline.

“Well, obviously I can’t answer that honestly, but if I had to choose, I’d have to say it was due to my sense of humor,” Marline said.

“Also because of her beautiful eyes,” a fellow staff member joked.

“Well, no one can really explain why one person chooses another. It’s as if it’s bound to us since our birth,” Marline said.

This love is a rare thing, and also contains various hardships and memories that have gained each other’s trust throughout the years.

It is true that their love has endured, but for how long exactly? They will be celebrating their 31st anniversary in July.

“Thinking back on the high school days, we havn’t changed much. In fact, we are very much the same people we were in high school. Bob still has his caring and compassion for all the people in his family, and I still have the sense of humor I had in high school. Biggest change is probably Bob going bald,” Marline said, “ but, in all honesty, I would never change him, trade him in or sell him for any price in the world.”

10

spotlight

BeyondtheBrand mattkillen

Teachers Brand, Kavanaugh, Hill live exciting lives outside BVHS

news editor

T

Broadcast teacher Denny Brand in Youngtown,

Ohio with federal agents reports on a crime bust along with another journalist. Brand worked for TV stations before coming to BVHS to teach broadcasting. Photo submitted by Denny Brand.

Feb. 9, 2007

eachers appear in our classrooms, teach us, never go home and will stay at Blue Valley forever—right?

Wrong. Many teachers have exciting lives outside of school and had successful careers before they entered this school. Most students know Denny Brand as the guy who runs Tiger TV, or the freshmen football coach, but Brand is one of a handful of teachers who is much more than that.

Before becoming a teacher, Brand worked for various TV Stations.

Brand was an anchorman for the 6 and 8 p.m. broadcasts in a Laredo, Texas, TV station. Brand spent the latter half of his career as an investigative reporter and worked with KSHB-41 Kansas City for seven years. During his time at KSHB, Brand won an Emmy for his coverage on school bus drivers and was nominated for two others. He also received an award for “Best Story of the Year” by the Kansas City Press

Club for his revealing story about preachers who became ordained over the Internet.

Brand decided to become a teacher after he got tired of doing the news.

“I kind of got burned out in the TV news business,” Brand said.

But that wasn’t the only thing that made teaching appealing.

Brand wanted to work with kids and teach them what he knows.

“I like to work with kids and I had two sons that went to Blue Valley; I like to teach and coach,” Brand said.

Brand isn’t the only teacher with professional experience in the field that he teaches; science teachers Lisa Hill and Kent Kavanaugh each worked in their respected fields before they decided to teach them.

Hill worked as a TV meteorologist for channel KMIZ-17 in Columbia, Mo., and still works as a consulting meteorologist for a private forecasting agency called Weather or Not, which supplies the BV School District and the Royals with weather information.

Hill is also a emergency management weather consultant for the city of Belton, Mo., and is a member of the Built in Emergency Management Agency, which is part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Kavanaugh worked for several years as a chemist at Bayer before deciding to teach chemistry.

Like Brand, Hill and Kavanaugh both left their previous jobs because of their passion for teaching.

“I really enjoy teaching kids, which is what pushed me to make this decision,” Hill said. “I used to do 4-H clubs when I was in college, and I really liked that.”

Teaching has been a humbling experience for Brand. Many of the students are unaware of the things that Brand accomplished, and occasionally take his knowledge and sometimes his class for granted. “[I feel I am respected] by some but not all [students]; I don’t think they realize the skills and the wealth of talent that I have,” Brand said.

Feb. 9, 2007 photos by Nina Humphrey and Gwen Bergerhofer

11

mobilelife

Top left: Some students have grown to be

so attached to their phones that they rarely are seen without them. Bottom left: Besides being a telephone, many cells are also MP3 players as well. Middle: Cameras and video recorders are replaced with cell phones. Bottom right: Junior Sarah Bennet texts a friend during a chemistry class.

Cell Phones anitagaller

staff writer

I

f it’s not on us we start to feel lost and worried.

If we haven’t checked it in the last five minutes we wonder if anyone has text messaged or called us. It becomes our obsession. Our cell phones equal our lives.

Many students find themselves constantly on their cell phones checking their daily calendar and reminders as well as messaging their friends. Each year new phones come out that are more high tech than the last. A cell phone was once just used as a way to call people. Now that is about the last thing one wants it for.

“Before cell phones people were fine; now we just want something newer or better,” senior McKenzi Foster said.

We now wonder how we ever survived without our high tech cell phones. Cell phones can now be our iPods, Internet with email, calendar and calculator.

You name it and there is probably a phone that has it. No wonder students are becoming obsessed with their cell phones. Phone companies come out with different phones from the average flip phone to the Trio Palm 700. Companies like Cingular and Apple

Students’ social lives contained within ever-changing phones

have come out with the new iPhone, with the first Students may become obsessed with their phones visual voicemail feature in the United States. because they feel bored or feel weird if they aren’t “I think people in general are obsessed with their doing something. cell phones,” teacher Anita Lemons said. “They are Not everyone feels this way about his or her cell on them in grocery stores, standing in lines. We have phones. Some students feel that they would be fine an entire population obsessed with them.” without their phone for a day.

Senior Josh Robinson has the Dash by T-mobile, “It’s not that big of a deal,” Frickleton said. “My life which can pretty much do it all. just wouldn’t be as convenient “It has the internet I can watch as it is.” movies, listen to the radio, pretty Whether one has a high tech A cell phone was much do anything a computer phone or not, it would be very once just used as a does,” Robinson said. hard to go a week without a cell Students with such high phone. way to call people. tech phones find it hard not Students have a dependence Now that is the last to constantly be checking or on their phones. It is a need. thing one wants it for. playing with their phones.

When one feels uncomfortable “I probably check it about 15 one often flips out his or her times or so a day,” Robinson phone and starts messing with said. it. It makes people feel busy like Other students with high tech phones include Sam they are doing something important.

Frickleton who has the Trio 650.

“It’s like a security thing like a security phone.”

“It’s got my calendar with all my events,” Frickleton Foster said. “People don’t want to appear to be said. “It holds all my photo albums; it can do email alone.” and surf the web.”

As cell phones keep getting better we will become Phones like this can hold tons of memory and keep more dependent on them. Cell phones are the new everything very organized. era, our new, improved compact life in our pockets.

“

”

12

mobilelife

Traditional radio upgraded with XM, iPods Students like selection, personalization of own music mattkillen

news editor

P

eople seem a lot more “wired” these days. The Internet has become an unlimited source of media and entertainment. Some students even talk more to friends over the Internet than they do in real life. Cell phones demand even more attention now that they can take pictures, record video and download music and games, and the iPod has become extremely popular. With all of these technological advances, it is no surprise that students have turned to a more “technically advanced,” type of radio.

More and more students are listening to satellite radio instead of “oldfashioned” public radio. “ I like it better because there are no commercials,” junior Heidi Kliethermes said.

Students can get more music when they want it thanks to no commercials and a large number of stations, usually around three per genre.

This trend has been made more accessible thanks to satellite radio partnerships with automotive companies. GM offers factory installed XM Satellite Radio units on 50 different models of GM cars and trucks. This means that all a potential buyer would

have to do is subscribe.

Another alternative students have taken to avoid the radio commercials is to make their iPods playable through the car stereo.

This allows the students to literally listen to what they want, when they

want.

“I like listening to my iPod in my car because it makes me feel good,” senior Dan Fry said. “Listening to music

that you like picks you up when you’re down.”

And obviously, not all music that one likes can be found on the radio. Radio stations tend to overplay songs and limit their selections to target a certain audience. The iPod, as mentioned earlier, lets one choose from any song one likes. One downside to the iPod is that the sound can be fuzzy through the car stereo, like listening to a radio station with a bad signal. But it seems that the upside outweighs the down-side. “ [Listening to my iPod is better because] the radio edits everything out,” Fry said.

Probably the best thing that the radio has to offer is its talk shows and news programs, but even that doesn’t appeal as much to students.

“I really don’t listen to the radio at all anymore; it just doesn’t sound very good; it’s really fuzzy,” junior Michael Simon said.

One has to wonder though, if students aren’t listening to the radio, how do they find out about the music they like?

“I just borrow CDs from my friends; that’s where I get most of my music,” Simon said.

With all of the new technology in the world today, it wouldn’t be too surprising if, not to long from now, radio becomes a thing of the past.

Cell phone use among students

88%

of students have a cell phone

73%

use a cell phone while driving

56%

think using a cell phone while driving is dangerous

95%

could go a day without their phone survey based on 100 students

Mobile Life

I

magine the remote control of your life. Walking around with an Internet connection in your pocket and the ability to download your favorite television shows with the touch of a finger. Apple introduced the creation of the iPhone and its features to the media and through the Apple website, however; the product does not debut until June of 2007.

The iPhone presents features like the OS X is considered the world’s most advanced operating system and is presently on all Macintosh computers. The OS X is a device that allows you to access to desktop, class application and other software through your iPhone. In addition, the phone will also be provided with various applications

Students have mixed feelings over importace of text messaging meganvansooy

opinions editor

W

e all see it. Girls hiding their cell phones in their purses during class, or students hiding their phones under the tables so no one will see them. It’s very simple to tell what these students are doing: text messaging. Contrary to popular belief, not every single teenager is addicted to text messaging. While there are some students that need rehab for this text addiction, others refuse their phone for this instance.

“I wouldn’t waste my money on [text messaging].

If you’re in a situation where you aren’t able to talk, then why would you type on your cell phone?” junior Philip Henrich said.

Students that refuse to text message do this for mainly two reasons: either they don’t have the plan for unlimited or cheap text messaging, or they don’t think it compares to talking on the phone. If a student doesn’t have a text messaging plan on his cell phone, the charges can rack up to very expensive amounts by the end of the month. The average price to send and receive a text message is 15 cents a message a month, and sending 50 text messages and receiving 50 messages will end up costing 15 extra dollars to one’s monthly phone bill. Some students also play on the safe side and have an unlimited texting

1

Admit that you have

a problem and texting has taken over your life

New iPhone puts computer in palm of hand photo editor

Texting replaces face-to-face communication plan, which costs about $15, and can lead a student to send and receive as many messages as his little heart desires.

Some text messages can easily be interpreted the wrong way, and it’s definitely not a method of breaking up with one’s significant other. Also, if caught in class while text messaging, it could lead to a 15-minute detention, or worse if a student decides to skip the first punishment.

Other students enjoy text messaging more than talking on the phone. It is less personal than talking on the phone, which is better for students who are shy and don’t like to talk. Text messaging can be virtually done anywhere, and it doesn’t disturb other people, like talking on the phone might in certain situations. Like instant messaging, it is also possible to have multiple conversations with multiple people.

It is also possible to receive an immediate response, since the message is sent straight to the receiver’s cell phone. “[Text messaging] is easier to say something to someone that you wouldn’t normally say to their face,” junior Kathryn Bantham said.

Text messaging is a choice between most students: you either hate it or love it. While some students see it as a huge waste of money and time, other students spend most of their day text messaging.

The 12 steps for Texters Anonymous

Cell phones no longer only phones

ninahumphrey

13

mobilelife

Feb. 9, 2007 Feb. 9, 2007

from the iMac computer such as; widgets, Safari, calendar, text-messaging, notes and address book. The multi-touch sensitive screen makes it easier to navigate through these features without using any buttons or keyboard-generated program.

Listening to voicemail is no longer a sinister procedure because the system allows you to choose which voicemails to play in order of preference. The iPhone has a built in 2.8mega pixel camera that adjusts to portrait or landscape automatically which eliminates the stress of blurry images. All videos, album art and photographs are displayed on a 3.5-inch screen. Lastly, the iPhone allows songs, pod casts, audio recordings and other iTunes downloads to imported directly into the iPhone right from your computer. The expected price range for this revolutionary device is $500-600.

5 4

Look inside and make

a fearless inventory of yourself and your obsessive texting habits

7

Ask forgiveness for your past textage

10

Continue your listing and apologizing while avoiding the texting trap

2

that can return you to sanity and actual face-to-face conservasations

Admit to yourself

8

were harmed or annoyed by the habitual texting

11

change is needed in your life before your thumbs fall off

6

Prepare yourself for

and others that you have a problem

Make a list of all who

3

Decide that

Realize that there is help

major change in your life and phone bill

9 12

Go and actually

apologize to those you have harmed (texting them doesn’t count)

Reach out to others who have a problem, leading them to the right side

Attempt to improve your life daily by just saying no to to excess textage

With apologies to Alcoholics Anonymous

12

mobilelife

Traditional radio upgraded with XM, iPods Students like selection, personalization of own music mattkillen

news editor

P

eople seem a lot more “wired” these days. The Internet has become an unlimited source of media and entertainment. Some students even talk more to friends over the Internet than they do in real life. Cell phones demand even more attention now that they can take pictures, record video and download music and games, and the iPod has become extremely popular. With all of these technological advances, it is no surprise that students have turned to a more “technically advanced,” type of radio.

More and more students are listening to satellite radio instead of “oldfashioned” public radio. “ I like it better because there are no commercials,” junior Heidi Kliethermes said.

Students can get more music when they want it thanks to no commercials and a large number of stations, usually around three per genre.

This trend has been made more accessible thanks to satellite radio partnerships with automotive companies. GM offers factory installed XM Satellite Radio units on 50 different models of GM cars and trucks. This means that all a potential buyer would

have to do is subscribe.

Another alternative students have taken to avoid the radio commercials is to make their iPods playable through the car stereo.

This allows the students to literally listen to what they want, when they

want.

“I like listening to my iPod in my car because it makes me feel good,” senior Dan Fry said. “Listening to music

that you like picks you up when you’re down.”

And obviously, not all music that one likes can be found on the radio. Radio stations tend to overplay songs and limit their selections to target a certain audience. The iPod, as mentioned earlier, lets one choose from any song one likes. One downside to the iPod is that the sound can be fuzzy through the car stereo, like listening to a radio station with a bad signal. But it seems that the upside outweighs the down-side. “ [Listening to my iPod is better because] the radio edits everything out,” Fry said.

Probably the best thing that the radio has to offer is its talk shows and news programs, but even that doesn’t appeal as much to students.

“I really don’t listen to the radio at all anymore; it just doesn’t sound very good; it’s really fuzzy,” junior Michael Simon said.

One has to wonder though, if students aren’t listening to the radio, how do they find out about the music they like?

“I just borrow CDs from my friends; that’s where I get most of my music,” Simon said.

With all of the new technology in the world today, it wouldn’t be too surprising if, not to long from now, radio becomes a thing of the past.

Cell phone use among students

88%

of students have a cell phone

73%

use a cell phone while driving

56%

think using a cell phone while driving is dangerous

95%

could go a day without their phone survey based on 100 students

Mobile Life

I

magine the remote control of your life. Walking around with an Internet connection in your pocket and the ability to download your favorite television shows with the touch of a finger. Apple introduced the creation of the iPhone and its features to the media and through the Apple website, however; the product does not debut until June of 2007.

The iPhone presents features like the OS X is considered the world’s most advanced operating system and is presently on all Macintosh computers. The OS X is a device that allows you to access to desktop, class application and other software through your iPhone. In addition, the phone will also be provided with various applications

Students have mixed feelings over importace of text messaging meganvansooy

opinions editor

W

e all see it. Girls hiding their cell phones in their purses during class, or students hiding their phones under the tables so no one will see them. It’s very simple to tell what these students are doing: text messaging. Contrary to popular belief, not every single teenager is addicted to text messaging. While there are some students that need rehab for this text addiction, others refuse their phone for this instance.

“I wouldn’t waste my money on [text messaging].

If you’re in a situation where you aren’t able to talk, then why would you type on your cell phone?” junior Philip Henrich said.

Students that refuse to text message do this for mainly two reasons: either they don’t have the plan for unlimited or cheap text messaging, or they don’t think it compares to talking on the phone. If a student doesn’t have a text messaging plan on his cell phone, the charges can rack up to very expensive amounts by the end of the month. The average price to send and receive a text message is 15 cents a message a month, and sending 50 text messages and receiving 50 messages will end up costing 15 extra dollars to one’s monthly phone bill. Some students also play on the safe side and have an unlimited texting

1

Admit that you have

a problem and texting has taken over your life

New iPhone puts computer in palm of hand photo editor

Texting replaces face-to-face communication plan, which costs about $15, and can lead a student to send and receive as many messages as his little heart desires.

Some text messages can easily be interpreted the wrong way, and it’s definitely not a method of breaking up with one’s significant other. Also, if caught in class while text messaging, it could lead to a 15-minute detention, or worse if a student decides to skip the first punishment.

Other students enjoy text messaging more than talking on the phone. It is less personal than talking on the phone, which is better for students who are shy and don’t like to talk. Text messaging can be virtually done anywhere, and it doesn’t disturb other people, like talking on the phone might in certain situations. Like instant messaging, it is also possible to have multiple conversations with multiple people.

It is also possible to receive an immediate response, since the message is sent straight to the receiver’s cell phone. “[Text messaging] is easier to say something to someone that you wouldn’t normally say to their face,” junior Kathryn Bantham said.

Text messaging is a choice between most students: you either hate it or love it. While some students see it as a huge waste of money and time, other students spend most of their day text messaging.

The 12 steps for Texters Anonymous

Cell phones no longer only phones

ninahumphrey

13

mobilelife

Feb. 9, 2007 Feb. 9, 2007

from the iMac computer such as; widgets, Safari, calendar, text-messaging, notes and address book. The multi-touch sensitive screen makes it easier to navigate through these features without using any buttons or keyboard-generated program.

Listening to voicemail is no longer a sinister procedure because the system allows you to choose which voicemails to play in order of preference. The iPhone has a built in 2.8mega pixel camera that adjusts to portrait or landscape automatically which eliminates the stress of blurry images. All videos, album art and photographs are displayed on a 3.5-inch screen. Lastly, the iPhone allows songs, pod casts, audio recordings and other iTunes downloads to imported directly into the iPhone right from your computer. The expected price range for this revolutionary device is $500-600.

5 4

Look inside and make

a fearless inventory of yourself and your obsessive texting habits

7

Ask forgiveness for your past textage

10

Continue your listing and apologizing while avoiding the texting trap

2

that can return you to sanity and actual face-to-face conservasations

Admit to yourself

8

were harmed or annoyed by the habitual texting

11

change is needed in your life before your thumbs fall off

6

Prepare yourself for

and others that you have a problem

Make a list of all who

3

Decide that

Realize that there is help

major change in your life and phone bill

9 12

Go and actually

apologize to those you have harmed (texting them doesn’t count)

Reach out to others who have a problem, leading them to the right side

Attempt to improve your life daily by just saying no to to excess textage

With apologies to Alcoholics Anonymous

14

spotlight

Feb. 9, 2007

English is second language in homes for some students

Freshman Fatima and junior Angeles Montoya(middle) are

surrounded by their family who now reside in Kansas. She and her family lived in Venezuela and Peru before coming to America.

brianisrael

opinions editor

E

nglish, the language of Americans. There’s not much talent to it. An old

joke goes, “What do you call someone who can speak three languages? A trilingual. What do you call someone who can speak two languages? A

bilingual. What do you call someone who speaks one language? An American.”

We speak English everywhere and take pride in it, but there are indeed students who grasp their culture at home speaking other languages there.

Many students who speak different languages at home do so because they feel as if it helps them connect with their culture. Others speak in foreign languages at home purely because it is easier.

“I speak spanish because I am from Peru,” junior Maria DeLos Angeles Montoya said. “I try to get my parents to speak English because I don’t want my friends to think we are talking about them.”

Despite the reasons of speaking different languages in the home, it still seems to be beneficial. Many national studies suggest that people who fluently speak two

or more languages score significantly higher on standardized tests than those who speak only one language.

While native speakers are using other languages at home, not enough Americans are getting to know foreign languages.

The United States Congress is currently attempting to pass a bill mandating foreign language education in high schools because of the majority of Americans who are unilingual.

Besides the mere communication and brain stimulus, some students find speaking more than one language to be of great advantage.

“I talk Chinese to my parents and sisters all the time because it makes it possible for me to say things to them that I need to say without everyone else

understanding,” junior Simon Yu said. “It ‘s also really cool to just have a skill that not very many other people do. When you find someone else who speaks the same language as you, you feel as if you both belong in some sort of cool kids only club.”

For some students who have different ethnic background and happen to speak another language it’s not all fun and excitement.

“I really hate knowing another language like Ukranian; I always get funny faces when I talk to my mom, and it’s just really aggravating to have to convert from English to Ukranian to Ukranian to Ukranian,” sophomore Victoria Hickman said. “Also, I feel it just opens a forum for some strange conversations that would never exist if people understood what we are saying.”

Boys’ wallets emptied; girls’ hearts destroyed on day of love

Staffer questions importance of invented holidays which creates teenage bankruptcy saraster

features editor

L

ast time I checked flowers die and chocolate makes you fat. Just think of how much money is simply wasted, I repeat, wasted every year on Feb. 14. Why? Do you really think that a box of candy is going to make that “special someone” fall for you, I think not. Valentine’s Day can be defined simply as a bad idea.

We’re in high school people.

I am 100 percent sure that my ex-boyfriend would do anything to get back the $20 he dropped on the dozen roses that sat on my kitchen table for a few days before they died along with our relationship.

The worst of this situation is that any girl would be dramatically displeased with her boyfriend if this so called “holiday” was forgotten or not recognized. So to sum things up, boys if you are whipped you can just plan on pulling out that wallet and doing serious damage to make her happy. Now, I’m not saying that a girl doesn’t deserve chivalry at its finest (aka the boys of Blue Valley), but I do not believe that requires

the annual Feb. 14 ritual of burning your wallets.

Another question I have is why Valentine’s Day? There are so many more important days out of the 365 to choose from. To be honest I would rather celebrate Donald Duck day and watch Disney movies than witness couples get mushy all over the place and girls act awkward and dumb around their crush.

Yes, love is important. Jackie DeShannon made that clear singing to America in 1965 “what the world needs now is love, sweet love.” I am all for the kisses and hugs, xoxo, but honestly an entire day that people have been trained to go completely overboard?

Pass.

In elementary school the teacher makes the students spend countless hours making

their own Valentine’s Day mailboxes; you know you did it. The parties were fun and the candy tasted pretty good, but we’re big kids now and it’s a little frightening that those homemade mailboxes are slowly progressing into other more expensive purchases, all

while under the pressure of Feb. 14. It’s like being under the influence, but not of an illegal substance, just the pure pressures from society and love.

But let’s not get started on defining ‘love’ at the age of 16 because really, what does that mean?

Commentary

15

collegeadvice

Feb. 9, 2007

College advice according to BV graduate Graduate Eric Min shares college experience to show what to expect in college

kellycosby

journalism 1

D

orm assignments, new acquaintances, confusing campus maps and new, rigorous classes — the excitement and anxiety of college awaits many high school seniors as they prepare for next year’s milestone of independence. Despite the efforts of college programs to inform incoming freshmen about what to expect in the new world, probably the best source of inside information is a college freshmen himself.

Blue Valley alum Eric Min has enjoyed a true beginningcollege experience in his short five months at New York University. Moving from

suburban Johnson County to very urban New York City was a tough adjustment.

“Since I am an only child, probably the biggest problem I had adjusting was getting used to always having people around,” Min said.

He described the situation as “a more flexible idea of privacy.” The fast-paced city was also a little hard for the Kansas resident to swallow.

“My first impression of college was that it was huge and that I would get lost because it was so big and moved so fast,” Min said. “But I was also in awe of college and the area. I really wanted to explore all the aspects of the city and school for myself.”

It is this sense of independence that is so appealing to students; the chance to live

on one’s own is enough to make one anxiously send in application after application.

However, life alone isn’t always wonderful.

“You never have your parents’ food, and you have to fend for yourself when you’re sick,” Min said.

That loneliness can really become a problem when it comes time to deal with the inevitable: stress. College is often more stressful than high school, but some high school students find that hard to believe. Min suggests being prepared for the change, but notes that there are also benefits.

Min has had quite enough to stress over. He is currently involved in the College of Arts and Science Student Council, the model United

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Nations program and several community service groups.

Eric emphasizes that the most important thing to do in college is explore one’s options. College is a time for students to really investigate what they want to do with their lives, and they should attempt to expand their horizons and give themselves opportunities in the future.

Next to stress, one of the scariest aspects of college to many students is whether they are choosing the right ones. Min said that he has had no regrets when it comes to his school choice.

To future freshmen, Min gives this advice: “Don’t regret your choice about college — the only reason you wouldn’t like your college is if you tried not to.”

University Deadlines

• Feb. 15 scholarship hall applications due for KU & housing applications due for KSU

• March 1 federal financial aid applications due for KSU

• April 1 application deadline for KU

• May 1 deposit due for KU & honors application due

16

redcarpet

Feb. 9, 2007

Guest columnist Mary Webb dishes on her favorite Mexican restaurants It’s a neighborhood restaurant.

M

exican with ary

For a feel good restaurant, go to Jalapeños.

Jalapeños fried ice cream is sinful.

It makes me feel happy.

Ecoli is scary and so is grade D meat, but Taco Bell is good.

I bet I can get tacos for fewer than $2.

It is not expensive.

Tacos are cheap, extremely cheap, which is good.

Taco Bell

Jalapeños Jalapeños is for sure the best atmosphere because it’s laidback and friendly. You always see someone you know there.

Jalapeños bombards you with chicken in their chicken quesadillas.

my Pod

Two students hit shuffle on their iPods and share their music tastes Freshman Beth Rogers Now Playing: “Me and My Gang”

by Rascal Flatts Next Song: “Because of You”

by Kelly Clarkson

Rogers hits shuffle and tunes out after finishing her assignment in her Africa Studies class. Photo by Gwen Bergerhofer

Their chicken quesadillas are 10 times better than Jalapeño’s.

They have less chicken and they are better.

Their chips are light and flaky.

If I were in the mood for a quesadilla I would not go to Taco Bell.

Their twister churros are really good.

Jose Peppers

Freshman Brittney Baker Now Playing: “Take Me Away”

by Plain White T’s Next Song: “Be Be Your Love”

by Rachael Yamagata

It has too small of a waiting area and rest, but you can be in and out so fast.

Better chips and salsa, probably the best chips and salsa.

Their salsa is chunky and delicious.

If you want an amazing quesadilla with chips and salsa then go to Jose Peppers.

17

redcarpet

Feb. 9, 2007

Comedian of our time Not Another...

Students consider Will Ferrell as funniest man

bradenmiller

nominated for an Emmy. He ended his career on staff writer SNL in 2002 but still pursued his career in acting. eah, you sound like a dog with peanut Since 2000 Ferrell has played a role in butter on the roof of your mouth.” The many movies, but some of the most common voice of this quote is the ever-famous movies and movies that he plays a huge role Will Ferrell. When you compare all of the or a minor role are Zoolander, Old School, Elf, outstanding comedic actors of our time, like Starsky and Hutch, Anchorman, Kicking and Adam Sandler, Chris Screaming, Bewitched Farley, Vince Vaughn and Talladega Nights. and Jim Carrey, it’s Anchorman is probably hard to determine who the most watched the best really is, but Will Ferrell film in Will Ferrell has to be up the past couple of there among the best. years to go along with “Will Ferrell is the Talladega Nights. All of greatest actor ever,” these movies have all junior Derek Carlberg been comedies and said. “He’s a big hairy if you’ve seen them American machine.” before, you know Will Ferrell began his how good they are. comedic career when “Will Ferrell to me he was in high school is a comical genius,” by making the daily junior Brooks announcements over Quarles said. “He the intercom using can turn anything disguised voices. into greatness.”

After he graduated Ferrell has had good from the University of supporting acting Southern California, Ferrell, as character Ron Burgundy, demonfrom other comic he became a part of a strates his love of ribs in his film Anchorman: The actors such as, Ben Los Angeles comedy/ Legend of Ron Burgundy.

Stiller, Owen Wilson Photo Courtesy of imbd.com improvisation group and Luke Wilson who called the Groundlings. are just some of the It was then, where many. Ferrell has a few movies in the making he met actor Chris Kattan and became that will be advertised in 2007 and 2008: very good friends. The two of them both Step Brothers, Semi-Pro and Blades of Glory. acted in the movie, A Night At The Roxbury.

Will Ferrell is one of the best comedic actors In 1995, Ferrell became a cast member for of our time. The movies he has been in have Saturday Night Live. He was voted one of the made millions of dollars and fans adore him. worst members during his first season, but Ferrell is currently 39 years old and Ferrell didn’t give up, he kept on working on still making outstanding movies. There his impersonations of people and later became really has been no other stand out actor known as one of the greatest members of that can replace Will Ferrell. “You stay SNL. He is one of the few members to ever get classy San Diego, I’m Ron Burgundy.”

Y

11744 W. 95th St. Overland Park, KS (913) 492-8488

Parody movies takeover movie market brookethurman

entertainment editor

L

ies, deceit and trickery are the only ways to describe these movies.

These films interact a viewer in somewhat simplistic, yet interesting titles. The films that mesh other films together into a comedic masterpiece, what are they? They are the new genre of movie. The movies that make fun of other movies. As weird as it sounds, it is inevitably true. No longer can studios find creative ideas for new movies; they now must take movies that already exist and turn them into a 90-minute MAD TV skit.

It all began in 2000 when the goofy trio of Keenan, Shawn and Marlon Wayans decided it would be funny to take some of the biggest horror/action movies of the nineties and turn them into a horrifying c o m e d y.

The result was Scary Movie.

The movie took parts of Scream, I Know What You Did Last S u m m e r, The Blair W i t c h Project, The Sixth Sense and The Matrix.

Scary Movie was a box-office success, an original idea and the

Creative Nails

Fast Fact:

The fifth installment of the Scary Movie saga is set to be released in 2008.

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beginning of parody movies.

The Wayans took their successful first movie and turned it into three sequels.

In a span of five years Scary Movie two, three and four all arrived in theatres. The movies showcased such blockbusters as: Halloween: Resurrection, the Exorcist, Poltergeist, Charlie’s Angels, Hollow Man, Titanic, Save the Last Dance, The Ring, Signs and 8 Mile. The fifth installment of the Scary Movie saga is set to be released in 2008.

While the Wayans brainstormed other ideas for spoof movies, some other producers decided to get on the spoof movie bandwagon and they released Not Another Teen Movie. The movie had the same concepts as the scary movies, only it made fun of such teenage classics as: Pretty in Pink, The Breakfast Club, Cruel Intentions, Bring It On, Never B e e n Kissed, American Pie, She’s All That and Can’t Hardly W a i t .

However, with its R-rating it really was not another teen movie.

In 2006, the Wayans released their fifth spoof, Date Movie, it flopped and received bad reviews from critics and viewers. Date Movie tried to mesh My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Meet the Parents, The Wedding Planner and My Best Friend’s Wedding. The movie’s distasteful use of crude humor and disgusting jokes led to its failure. The same writers tried again with the more recent release of Epic Movie, which parodies The Chronicles of Narnia, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Nacho Libre and Snakes on a Plane. Like Date Movie, Epic Movie wasn’t so epic and opened to poor reviews.

So, the trend has begun and more movies are being spoofed. Although, if this trend continues, movies will begin to spoof movies that are spoofs. Now that’s a thought.

Pink & White Full Set

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18

redcarpet

Feb. 9, 2007

And The Oscar Goes To...

Golden Globes, SAG awards get award season going brookethurman

entertainment editor

T

is’ the season of red carpets, tears, drama and bad jokes. All of these are a few of the things that sum up the biggest time of year for those entertainers out there. It’s the time of year when actors realize they’ve “made it” or they’re through. The race begins at the Golden Globes and wraps with the more prestigious Oscars for movies and Emmys for television.

The Golden Globes was on Jan. 16 and it gave some high honors to television and movie newcomers. American Idol contestant and star of Dreamgirls, Jennifer Hudson won best supporting actress in a musical or comedy for her role as Effie White in the movie. Hudson, previously known for receiving harsh criticism from Simon Cowell on American Idol, blew

away audiences and the Hollywood foreign press.

Television newcomer and big screen veteran, America Ferrera shocked everyone including herself, by taking home best actress in a television comedy for her role in Ugly Betty.

As stars transition from the Golden Globes to the Oscars, there are a couple pit stops that they make. The first is Producer’s Guild Awards, where film producers vote to give honors to their fellow producers. The second was the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) awards, held Jan. 28.

The SAG awards are the way actors honor fellow actors. The SAG’s are also usually a good indication of who will take home Oscar statues. Helen Mirren won for female actor in a leading role; Forest Whitaker won for male actor in a leading role; Eddie Murphy won for male actor in a supporting role,

and Hudson won for female actor in a supporting role.

The Oscar buzz starts immediately following the Golden Globes. Winners from the Golden Globes usually get nominations, while other actors and films are on the bubble. The nominees for this years Oscars are as follows: In the category of Best Actor, Leonardo Dicaprio for Blood Diamond, Ryan Gosling for Half Nelson, Peter O’Toole for Venus, Will Smith for Pursuit of Happyness and Forest Whitaker for The Last King of Scotland.

In the category of Best Actress: Penelope Cruz for Volver, Judi Dench for Notes on a Scandal, Helen Mirren for The Queen, Meryl Streep for The Devil Wears Prada and Kate Winslet for Little Children.

In the category for Best Supporting Actor: Alan Arkin for Little Miss Sunshine, Jackie

Earle Haley for Little Children, Djimon Hounsou for Blood Diamond, Eddie Murphy for Dreamgirls and Mark Wahlberg for The Departed.

In the category for Best Supporting Actress: Adriana Barraza for Babel, Cate Blanchett for Notes on a Scandal, Jennifer Hudson for Dreamgirls, Abigail

Breslin for Little Miss Sunshine and Rinko Kikuchi for Babel.

The Oscars are on Feb. 25 at the Kodak Theatre and are hosted by comedian and talk show host Ellen Degeneres.

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19

redcarpet

WhErE To Go ShOpPiNg Feb. 9, 2007

Best Shoes: 1. DSW 2. Macy’s 3. Shoe Carnival 4. Bakers 5. Off Broadway Best Accessories: 1. Thrift Stores 2. All About You 3. Icing 4. Target 5. Claire’s

100 BV students surveyed

Best Guy’s Clothing: 1. Abercrombie 2. Hollister 3. Pac Sun 4. Target 5. JC Penny

Best Jeans: 1. American Eagle 2. Hollister 3. Buckle 4. Abercrombie 5. Kohl’s Best Bargains: 1. Thrift Stores 2. Target 3. Marshall’s 4. Wet Seal 5. Wal-Mart Photos by Brooke Thurman and Gwen Bergerhofer

20

tigerturf

Call Me

Hank

Hank Driskell

Y

ou don’t need to tell me, I know.

I understand that I could sum this up in just a few sentences.

It would go like this: the best terrible basketball movie is Air Bud; the best terrible football movie is Air Bud: Golden Receiver, the best terrible soccer movie is Air Bud: World Pup and the best terrible baseball movie is Air Bud:

Feb. 9, 2007

The best terrible sports movies of all time Analysis of the most contradictory films

Seventh Inning Fetch. Yeah, I could do that. However, everyone knows that the Air Bud movies are terrific films with amazing writing and even better casting. So I have compiled a list of the best terrible sports movies out there.

The movies that most critics shot down but one critic praised; I’m that critic.

Let’s start with my best terrible basketball movie. Let me give you a hint: Kevin Bacon, Africa…you got it, it’s the 1994 mega-film The Air Up There. However, this movie received a 5.1 out of 10 rating on the Internet Movie Database (IMDb). Who in their right mind would give such a movie this rating? My answer, someone that is very jealous of Kevin Bacon’s acting skills in this basketball blockbuster.

We’ll move on to the best terrible baseball movie. When I found out that this film received a 5.3 out of 10 rating on IMDb, I actually considered beating

someone up. However, I calmed down and realized that these critics were wrong. Angels In The Outfield is one of the greatest baseball movies of all time. Its story line can’t be beat, and on top of that it showcases Tony Danza’s superstar skill.

The best terrible soccer film is tough to choose. There are not many soccer movies to choose from. However, IMDb gave The Big Green, which is not only one of the best soccer films but also one of the best youth sports films ever made, a 4.5 out of 10 rating. This hit movie has a huge star in Patrick Kenna, who has done tons of movies from Sandlot to Son-in-Law with Pauley Shore.

Here’s the big one: the best terrible football movie ever. Boldly said, but I’m still going to say it, maybe the best terrible sports movie ever. The title speaks for itself, The Garbage Picking Field Goal Kicking Philadelphia

Phenomenon. This film stars the prestigious actor Tony Danza, as a garbage man who strengthens his leg by kicking the hydraulic lever on his trash truck and eventually gets discovered by the National Football League’s Philadelphia Eagles. An allstar story line and a kick-butt cast and IMDb gave it a 4.3 out of 10 rating? I want to know who gave it that rating and have Danza kick them in the shin and see what rating they give it then. Nobody badmouths the King Of Brooklyn and gets away with it.

Well, there you have it. You just can’t trust the critics. They sit up on their popcorn-gilded pedestals and trash the films they cannot relate to. Well, I am one critic that can recognize a sports classic when I see one. From soccer goals to garbage kickers and African sky-walkers to fate-changing angels, now you know the best terrible sports movies.

Wild fan behavior evolves into religion for some, crosses the line for others hankdriskell sports editor

D

uring a timeout at a boys’ basketball game a riled up senior Alex Freeman turns to the student section and announces the theme for the next game will be Ben Ehret night.

No wait, pirate night.

Hold on, Saved By The Bell night. No wait, Ben Ehret night is perfect.

After much deliberation the crowd agrees that the theme is quite suitable.

Then the time out is over and the students return to yelling obscenities at opposing players and referees alike, just another routine night in the Tiger Pit. In recent years fans have become vicious beasts that attempt to play a major role in high school sports by demeaning players, referees and even coaches.

For most student supporters there are two important things at a sporting event: a theme so they can dress up and a massive amount of degrading and demeaning heckling.

“My goal is to make the other team so uncomfortable they cannot perform to their highest capability” Freeman said. “ I don’t have anything against them; I’m just trying to help out my Tigers.”

Fan behavior has grown into an art form in the past few years.

Fans carefully plan what to wear to the big game.

However, there are still some restrictions on what can and cannot be worn. Students tend to disagree with a strict dress code.

“I think maybe a little mid-drift is okay so you can paint the good old TI-G-E-R-S on your belly, but there is definitely a line that should be drawn,” senior Zach Rampy said.

Some groups of people don’t even associate themselves with the hecklers. However, they consider themselves to be just as big of fans as the hecklers. It seems that many female fans are a little less rowdy than the males.

“Girls get upset, but we aren’t mean” senior Erin Lewis said. “To

guys it’s life; to girls it’s just a game.”

The opinion of fan behavior may be a little skewed coming from fans. However, many players recognize and acknowledge the type of behavior fans display. The players also understand that the fans may not change any time soon.

“Playing away has become almost intimidating,” senior basketball player Nate Chastain said. “But it’s part of the sport; either you take it or you don’t play.”

The players are not the only ones that acknowledge fan behavior. Coaches often take note of fan behavior.

In some cases they aren’t satisfied with the crowd intensity; however, they also understand that the crowd should be respectful.

“I wish there was more noise at the (girls’ basketball) games,” varsity girls’ basketball coach Andy Unrein said, “But I don’t like the individual targeting; there is definitely a line that fans can cross.”

Jason Browar (left) joins his fellow students in giving a warm welcome to the visiting boys’ basketball team from Blue Valley West on Friday, Jan. 26. Photo by Morgan McMahon.

tigerturf

Feb. 9, 2007

Super Bowl Hype

Fans ready for party time, forget about game time

ianjanes

staff writer

I

s the Super Bowl about the game any more? Or is it just about the commercials, the food and the people that are there to watch it? The reason for watching the big game has changed in recent years; some students at Blue Valley were in it more for the festivities than they were for the game itself.

“I’m definitely in it for the food and the people; the games really haven’t been very interesting the last couple of years,” senior Collin Isham said.

Have the games really become so uninteresting that people only watch commercials? Many recent games have been repetitive.

Three of the previous four Super Bowls went to the New England Patriots.

“I still enjoy watching the game; besides, the

commercials haven’t been very funny the last couple of years,” junior Drew Williams said.

The Super Bowl could be considered a holiday; people all look forward to some part of the game. What was it that the students were looking forward to the most this year?

“I was looking forward to over eating. And enjoying the game. Oh, yeah, and Prince at halftime,” freshman Brady Crites said.

Commercials are an added bonus to the Super Bowl experience, and the amount of money companies spend to air them is large. This year, for a 30 second-time slot, it cost $2.6 million.

That’s about $80,000 a second. Commercials are so expensive because so many people watch the Super Bowl.

When companies purchased air time this year they gained access to about 130 million viewers.

Recreational basketball teams score big with students brianisrael staff writer

F

ive seconds. Danny Woods steals the ball from the opposition with a one-point deficit on the score board. Four. Woods dribbles down the court trying to make it to shooting distance. Three. Woods passes it to a teammate he trusts. Two. Said teammate passes it to a teammate he doesn’t like so that he can take the fall. One. He shoots, arms hanging in a Michael Jordanesque manner. The ball goes in the basket. The buzzer hums. The team wins.

If only rec basketball were really this glorious; yet in fact the only reality of this favorite recreational pastime anecdote is people steal balls, take shots and sometimes don’t exactly love the their teammates. In short, it’s all the game, none of the strain.

The Blue Valley Recreational Center has a recreational basketball season of approximately two to three months.

Most of the time all the members must be of the same school.

The Blue Valley Rec. hosts about four Blue Valley teams per grade level and the last game of the season is not dictated yet due to bye games and tournaments.

The Big Nuggets, including Blake Lickteig, Michael Borgerding, Michael Rawitch, Tim Anderson and Brock Brown took on the Pumping Pistons for the first game of the season on Jan 7 at Harmony Middle School defeating them 34-28. The team currently holds a 2-1 record losing only to Team Dude Sweat

58-40.

Just because there may not be the Blue Valley reputation of excellence to defend, doesn’t mean there is no pressure involved. Often times students feel as much if not more pressure playing for a recreational basketball team than an organized school team because of friendly incentives.

“I need to kick my friends’ butts,” Woods said. “For a school basketball team, you rarely know the members of the other teams, so if you lose it doesn’t matter. Here it sticks with you; here losing is painful. Here when I win I get to rub it into my friends’ faces how they’re getting to be educated with a future NBA hall of famer. Yeah, Rec Ball is more stressful.”

Many teams practice three to six days a week in regards to recreational basketball doing drills, getting in shape, and taking names.

“The Big Nuggets remind me of the 1998 Chicago Bulls, I mean you have your Brock Brown (Michael Jordan), Michael Borgerding (Scottie Pippin), Michael Rawitch (Dennis Rodman), Blake Lickteig (Louie Armstrong) and of course Tim Anderson, well he’s just that really good player whose name I happened to forget at the moment,” self proclaimed number one rec-ball fan Jessica Gnoza said. “All in all I actually enjoy watching rec-ball more than real pro or college or even high school ball because I’m friends with everyone and it makes it that much more enjoyable.”

21 Sports Profile

Anthony Bertolone

Get to know your favorite sports star!

Grade: 12 Sport: Boys’ Swimming Do you have a particular memorable sports moment? Sectionals when the Blazers won Pre-game ritual: I get to the meet two heats early Biggest rival: Jacob Hanabut from BVN Favorite athlete: Michael Phelps Favorite complex: University of Missouri-Columbia Describe yourself as an athlete in three words: Strong, fast and buff Words to live by: Talk to the stopwatch Favorite movie: Transporter 2

At Harmony Middle school, rec basketball team called, “The Motor-boaters,” take on a

rival team that has yet to decide on a name for itself. Both teams are from Blue Valley High.

Photo by Sarah Hockel.

Profile compiled by Gwen Bergerhofer; player selected by coach

22

tigerturf

Feb. 9, 2007

Teams begin to prepare for postseason Swimming

The boys’ swim and dive team traveled to the Shawnee Mission East invitational Jan. 27. Shawn Coleman took first place in diving. Austin Wright took took fourth place in the 50 free. Anthony Bertolone took second in the 500 free and Kyle Petersen took sixth. Austin Wright placed eighth in the 100 free. Tony Britt, Bertolone, Wright and Zach Hennig placed fifth in the 400 relay.

The swim and diving team traveled to the EKL tournament Feb. 3,4 at Blue Valley West. State will be held Feb. 1617 at the Hummer Sports Complex in Topeka, Kan.

The boy’ basketball team traveled to Blue Valley North Jan. 31. The Tigers hung around for three quarters, then finished off the Mustangs in the fourth outscoring them 16-6. The final score was 58-46. Matt Killen led all scorers with 21 points and Nate Chastain added 14 points, going six for six from the field.

The basketball team also played host to the Blue Valley West Jaguars on Jan. 26. They got off to a horrible start, being outscored 18-6 in the first quarter, and by half they trailed by 20. In the end the Jaguars won 50-32.

Killen led the Tigers in scoring with seven points.

Boys’ Basketball

The Tigers took on the Saint Thomas Aquinas Saints at home Feb. 2. The Tigers got off to a slow start, losing 18-5 at the end of the first quarter.

The Tigers failed to mount a comeback, losing the game 68-43.

Nate Chastain led the Tigers in scoring with 11 points.

Junior Chris McDermott fights off two

Blue Valley West Jaguars for possession of the ball Jan. 26. The Tigers are off to a 1-4 start in East Kansas League play and a 3-10 record overall.

The Tigers also hosted Olathe Northwest Ravens on Jan. 23. They lost on a buzzer beater, 63-62. Kolbe Joens led the Tigers in scoring with 25.

Joens also broke the school record for three pointers in a game with eight.

Killen added 17 of his own.

The Tigers are away at Blue Valley Northwest tonight and will host Schlagle on Feb. 13.

Girls’ Basketball The girls’ basketball team traveled to the capital city classic Jan. 25-27 at Topeka High School. The girls finished third, defeating Wichita North in the first round, 74-33.

Then in the second round, they lost to Lawrence 49-45. In the consolation game, they beat Manhattan, 4741.

The Tigers also hosted the Blue Valley West Jaguars on Jan. 23.

The Tigers jumped on the Jaguars early and put them away in the fourth

quarter, winning 68-43. Taylor Hanson led the team in scoring with 16 points, while Brianna Eldridge added 12 of her own.

The Tigers host the Bishop Miege Stags on Monday, and will travel to both Blue Valley West Feb. 16 and Turner Feb. 20. The Tigers finish off the regular season with Blue Valley North on Feb. 22; that evening is also senior night.

Wrestling

The Wrestling team traveled to the Chanute Invitational Jan. 25-26. They placed third out of 13 teams. Austin Quarles placed third in the 103-pound weight class as did Parker Madl in the 112 and Cameron Weir in the 125.

Blaine Williams placed second in the 119, and Joel Hill placed fourth in the 152.

The Tigers also traveled to the Blue Valley Northwest Invitational on Jan 20. Madl placed third in the 112, Williams placed second in the 119 division, Weir placed fourth in 125, and Hill placed fifth in 152.

The wrestling team competes in the EKL tournament tomorrow. Regionals are Feb. 17, and the state tournament begins Feb 24.

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Feb. 9, 2007

February March

photos by Karen Melton and Nina Humphrey

sunday

monday

tuesday

It’s a singin’ and dancin’ extravaganza

Make a Friend Day

12

13

14 And you thought we were nerds

Par-tay!

No School today or tomorrow

18

25

19

26

2007

wednesday thursday

Talk to that kid in your math class

11

23

Journalism Regionals tomorrow

20

21

Crazy for You today though Saturday 7:30 p.m. in the 15 PAC

friday

Dive into the deep end of victory State Swim and Dive

16

17

23

24

Dribble, pass, swoosh, SCORE! Girls’ Basketball against BVN 5:30

22

You better appreciate them now

Let’s go dumpster diving!

National Polar Bear day

Old Stuff Day

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28

saturday

1

2

3

Come on, who dosen’t love their frozen peas?

4

5

6 Singin’ in the... PAC

11

Choir Concert 7 p.m.

12

National Frozen Food Day

Angus, Ernest, Beilue, Irene, Eugene, oh my Middle Name Pride Day

7

8

9

10

Play that funky music, Tigers

Good times, good times

Road Trip!

South Area Band concert 7 p.m.

Paper comes out

Spring Break No School

13

14

15

16

17

24

pictureperfect

Will you be my Valentine?

History has a role in the creation of Valentine’s Day. One legend reads that a man who went by the name of “Valentine,”wrote a love letter while he was in prison to a girl who was believed to be his jailor’s daughter.

He signed the letter “From your Valentine,” which is the familiar term that we still use today.

Additionally, today’s research shows that more than half of the country celebrates Valentine’s Day by purchasing a greeting card usually six days prior to Feb. 14.

Photo Essay by Nina Humphrey

Feb. 9, 2007