The Tiger Print — February 2011

the

print TIGER BLUE VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL bvtigernews.com

Vol. 41 Issue 7

February 2011

Stilwell, KS

Literary magazine promotes creativity, exercises scholastic press rights pages 8-9

inside ‘Mom, get off my case’

Playing in the pit

Just keep swimming

page 5

page 11

page 15

Parenting styles affect students’ self-image, ability to succeed

Band, orchestra combine efforts with musical cast

Swim team prepares for State meet this weekend

inthenews

in the halls...

1. Environmental Club to facilitate recycling drive

On Saturday, Feb. 26, the Environmental Club will host a recycling fundraiser. From 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., club members will collect used jewelry and items such as old cell phones, MP3 players, ink cartridges and GPS devices. All of the proceeds will go to the Environmental Club.

Club member senior Rachael Mendez is in charge of the fundraiser. She said she got the idea from a recycling drive BV held during her freshman year.

“It was a great success, so this year, we’re starting it again,” Mendez said. “Hopefully this time it will stick around and become an annual event.”

By Odi Opole.

2. Scholars Bowl team wins 5A State Championship The Scholars Bowl team took first place in the 5A State Championship on Saturday, Feb. 12.

“It is really hard to prepare for these type of things,” team sponsor Adam Wade said. “We basically ask a lot of questions and hope one of them pops up in competition.”

Senior Allen Xu said during the State competition in Wichita, the team members all scored fairly evenly. The team reached State after going 10-1 at the regional competition on Feb. 7.

“We have a lot of team chemistry that helps us do well,” Xu said. “Right when we need someone to answer that big question, they come through.”

By Kelly Cordingley.

Correction

A story in the January issue of the Tiger Print contained inaccuracies. Some quotes and information in a story about the wrestling team were fabricated by a reporter. To maintain our high ethical standard and credibility, we felt it was our duty to inform the Blue Valley community of this error.

The goal of the Tiger Print staff is to report accurately, fairly and objectively. We regret the error.

this month...

Feb. 21

President’s Day — No School

Feb. 22/23

Science Presentation Night

March 2

Orchestra Concert at 7 p.m. in the PAC

March 4

Relay for Life at BVW

on the cover...

The Headrush literary magazine works to promote free student expression. The publication is protected under the Kansas Student Publication Act. It is released once a year in the spring and features students’ artwork and writing.

Photo illustration by Tiger Print photography staff.

0 2 FEBRUARY 2011

Snow days may lengthen school year anniematheis news editor This school year, originally scheduled to end on May 25, may be extended into the summer as a result of six snow days.

The four snow days built into the school year would have pushed the last day of school to June 1.

Principal Scott Bacon said he believes the snow days disrupted the school schedule, but it is nothing that the students and teachers cannot overcome.

“Ideally, when we begin the semester, we like to get into a routine,” Bacon said.

“I think our students appreciate getting into a rhythm, and I know our teachers do. I know our teachers will do a great job in making adjustments and regaining that rhythm very quickly.”

The state of Kansas requires a minimum number of hours students must spend in class each year.

Bacon said the BV district typically has more hours than mandated, so there is a cushion for snow days.

Bacon said the snow days may cause scheduling issues with original plans for the school year, especially for AP classes and state assessments.

“Everybody is in adjustment mode — students and staff,” Bacon said. “ From what I have seen so far, both have said, ‘This isn’t something we can control, so we can deal with it and move on.’”

AP Government teacher Brian Mowry said the biggest challenge resulting from snow days was an inability to establish relationships with his classes.

“Normally, I could tell what the personality of all my classes are, because every class has a personality, and I can’t quite do that yet,” he said. “It just slows everything down, because I don’t feel like I know my classes well enough to make the adjustments you need to make

Freshman Addie Roudebush shovels the snow from her driveway on one of the many snow days. Blue Valley received six days off this year. “The first few snow days were fun, but then they got boring,” Roudebush said. “When we went back to school, not all the teachers were organized and we got behind.” Photo by Olivia Roudebush.

when you teach.”

Mowry said the key to adapting to the days off is self-advocacy.

“If you are being left on your own to learn these things, you need to check yourself along the way and you need to ask for help if it’s not working,” Mowry said. “While teachers might be pushing to get things accomplished, I guarantee you no one wants to brush past things a few kids aren’t getting.”

Bacon said he believes safety is the

first thing to consider when calling a snow day.

“It is not worth it to have a school day and have somebody get seriously hurt because we felt like we needed to have school,” he said. “I think our district has done a great job in exercising their decision-making based on that. Is it convenient? No. But all of these things are not a fault of anybody. They are natural events that we had to respond to. We will move forward the best we can.”

Jewish club promotes spread of religious knowledge jordanmcentee design editor The new Jewish Student Union met for the first time on Tuesday, Jan. 18.

Senior Mai Bonomo came up with the idea to start the group with hopes of encouraging students to learn about different cultures.

“I wanted to start this club because I felt like it was important to spread diversity into our school,” Bonomo said. “We have a lot of clubs supporting diversity, but there is a very small Jewish population, so I think it’s important for us to learn the culture.”

Bonomo said the new club isn’t exactly sure of activities yet, but hopes to do some things at school around holidays and have meetings once a month.

“I’m hoping that every time we meet, we’ll have different speakers come and do activities,” she said. “They can just pro-

vide extra support to our group and help keep it going.”

Club sponsor Jennifer Balke said the group is not just for students who are Jewish.

“It is open to anyone,” Balke said. “At the first meeting, there were several students there who are not Jewish. We welcome anyone.”

About seven or eight people attended the first meeting and they hope the group will grow as time goes on.

“We kind of started late in the year, but we really just hope for the group to grow,” Bonomo said. “I hope that whoever takes over next year continues it and keeps it going, because I really want it to make a difference.”

Bonomo said she strongly encourages all students to come learn more about the religion.

“People should totally give it a shot,” Bonomo said. “It’s more of a culture club than a religious club. Nothing religious is pushed at anyone. We won’t make them pray or anything. It’s just a lot of fun — hanging out, talking and eating.”

payin’thebills

March 31, 2011

FEBRUARY 2011

0 3

outloud

The Tiger Print editor-in-chief Caitlin Holland

web photo editor Conor Storm

managing editor Sara Naatz

ads manager Sam Brennan

news/web editor Annie Matheis

circulations Courtney Woodworth

opinion editor Jacob Pruitt features editor Jordan Huesers sports editor Clay Cosby copy editor Emily Brown

Cartoon by Evelyn Davis.

When considering lunch options, budget account money accordingly Students file through the lunch room every day here at Blue Valley. They type in their numbers, have the price of their food totaled and they walk disagreed agreed out of the cafeteria, not worrying about how much money they have left in their lunch accounts.

Yet, time and time again, students’ lunch accounts fall negative.

Students are told verbally and electronically when they are approaching the danger zone.

The cafeteria workers tell you how much money you have left.

Your parents receive an e-mail notification when your account becomes low on funds.

It is laziness that keeps you from putting more money into your lunch account.

Remember that the next time the cafeteria workers are forced to tell you that they can’t serve you food.

If a student does not have money, then they can not charge food to their account.

That rule was established by the district food service office.

Unless you bring cash, you can’t charge to a negative account.

That isn’t to say that there are no options to help students from

staff editorial 17

1

raise your voice

freshman Rex Xing I tell my dad to go put money in it.

0 4 FEBRUARY 2011

economically struggling families.

The guidelines for applying to get reduced costs on meals can be found on the district’s website.

Eligible students can get meals reduced to less than a dollar, or meals for free.

But for everyone else, this is just one more thing we are becoming responsible for.

Just like it is necessary to make smart decisions when buying food in the cafeteria, it is also necessary to be smart about your money and how to budget it.

If you know that extra slice of pizza is going to make you negative, why not trade it for the side of mashed potatoes, which counts as part of a basic meal?

You might get lucky once.

However, if you stay in the negative continuously, cafeteria workers quickly lose sympathy.

Your lunch account holds real money — ­­­­­ money needed to pay for everything that stocks the cafeteria.

Use this as an opportunity to learn how to budget now.

Can you function in the real world?

If you can’t handle your lunch account, how will you deal with overdraft fees on a debit card?

This is a lesson in responsibility — a test in your ability to take care of yourself.

Don’t fail.

design editor Jordan McEntee photo editor Maegan Kabel

staff writers Kelly Cordingley Odi Opole photographers Maria Fournier Juliana Himmel Olivia Roudebush cartoonist Evelyn Davis adviser Jill Chittum

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

Letters to the editor and reader responses are encouraged for publication. The Tiger Print reserves the right to edit all submissions for both language and content and encourages letters to be no more than 350 words. Letters should be submitted to room 450, e-mailed to thetigerprint@yahoo.com or mailed to: The Tiger Print c/o Blue Valley High School 6001 W. 159th St. Stilwell, KS 66085 phone: 913-239-4800 Pacemaker finalist, 2009 and 2010 Member, Kansas Scholastic Press Association, National Scholastic Press Association and Columbia Scholastic Press Association

How do you keep your lunch account from going negative?

sophomore Makenzie Hanson [My parents] have it online, so whenever my account gets low, they know.

SEPTEMBER 2010 0 5

junior Alison Summers My mom puts money in it whenever it hits below $10.

senior David Holthaus I buy my lunches, but I don’t use my account.

outloud

Best-seller sparks discussion about parenting

Cartoon by Evelyn Davis.

Education drives expectations

Strict parents limit potential

In my family, perfection isn’t an achievement. It’s an expectation.

For both me and my 11-year-old brother, transcripts, SATs and college applications are normal topics of discussion.

In my house, bad grades aren’t supposed to happen: a grade of a B or lower equals failure.

But when Amy Chua’s book Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother came out, it still shocked me.

She uses extreme measures such as forcing her 7-year-old daughter to practice a piano piece for several hours, without dinner or bathroom breaks.

However, differences in educational values between America and the rest of the world probably affected her parenting style in a huge way.

Chua writes about how Chinese parenting is superior to western parenting — how Chinese students are doing better than American students because Chinese parents are willing to go further to get results.

But Chua hasn’t looked at the big picture.

Yes, American schools are different, and yes, foreigners are achieving higher test grades than Americans.

But this is not solely because of parenting styles.

A school’s focus influences its students’ successes in a huge way.

American schools are geared towards creating thinkers: we highly value problemsolving, teamwork and other skills that will help students become leaders in their communities and in the workplace.

Different countries have different agendas.

It may be more about encouraging producers than thinkers.

Instead of small business owners, a developing country may be working to create competent and capable workers.

When that is added to a demand for jobs, an environment where schooling is crucial to success is formed.

That’s what brings out the ‘Tiger Mother’ mentality.

America also has more educational opportunities than most countries.

A variety of schools and educational programs make it possible for a large number of people to get a higher education. That’s a huge difference compared to some countries.

Imagine trying to apply to two to three colleges with B’s and C’s — in fact, imagine those two or three colleges are the only colleges in the country.

Suddenly, those college applications seem a lot more important.

Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother reflects an immigrant’s perspective on school, and it’s not a bad perspective to have.

Chua’s parenting methods, however, could use some work. But throughout her life, and the lives of her children, she has followed the mantra of someone who’s looking for a better life in a strange land.

You can make it in America.

Despite Chua’s harsh perspective, the values are there.

My family has never been anything but supportive.

They don’t scream at me to be strong; they encourage me to strive for my best.

And I have succeeded on my own.

Not because my parents constantly nag me, but because they let me make my own decisions and choices.

Perhaps this is the reason I don’t understand the methods of ‘Tiger Parents’ — parents of all ethnicities who bring up their children in a strict environment.

Writer Amy Chua recently published her controversial book Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother. In the book, she describes the differences in Chinese and American parenting.

She talks about the expectations she had of her children.

They could never earn a grade less than an A and they had to be the number one student in almost every subject.

How incredibly sad.

For students with such strict parents, failure is simply not an option and perfection is expected.

But how are students ever supposed to learn from their mistakes if they never experience failure early on in life?

How are they going to feel when they eventually do fail? Because everyone does.

That is what makes us human — our imperfections.

According to UCLA’s annual survey of the nation’s incoming students at four-year colleges, only 51.9 percent of students said their emotional health was above average — a significant drop from the 63.6 percent in 1985. At the same time, the ratings of the students’ desire to achieve reached a record high of 75.8 percent.

Parents are supposed to prepare us for life and expecting perfection does the exact opposite.

In 2005, Esmie Tseng, a Blue Valley North junior, stabbed her mother to death with a knife.

On her blog, Tseng shared the punishments that drove her to the extreme.

If she did not win a statewide competition, her piano would be sold.

She was grounded for earning a 96 percent on an exam.

When she disappointed her mother, she was forced to stand naked in a corner.

Parents aren’t supposed to be overbearing dictators. Parents are supposed to teach us what is right and wrong — show us that failing is just another learning opportunity and let us decide what will make us happy.

Instead of forcing us to work our hardest, why not let us find out how important hard work is?

It is not our parents’ responsibility to find the determination and strength to achieve our goals — it’s ours.

Because one day we will be on our own. We will have to make choices that will lead us on whatever path we pick. Not the deferred dream of our parents.

FEBRUARY 2011

0 5

outloud

Celebrating Scholastic Journalism Week

I, the editor-in-chief of the Tiger Print, write this column to you, the reader, as National Scholastic Journalism Week approaches on Feb. 20.

I’ve been able to learn more about my school writing for the Tiger Print than I ever could have accomplished otherwise.

To know my words are discussed around school is a privilege I take seriously.

As a four-year journalism student, I know the rights Kansas provides its high school journalists are far more generous than many other places.

Student journalists here are protected under the Kansas Student Publications Act. This act grants our staff the right to determine for ourselves what content will run in each section of our paper.

Only six other states have similar protections for student publications.

Many high school journalists in states without these rights will work hard to produce a story on an important issue, only to have a school administrator deny them the

right to publish it.

That benefits no one, besides maybe the school’s PR and image.

The student reporter will probably never attempt such a story again.

The readers throughout the school community will be denied the opportunity to read a piece on a relevant topic.

This cannot happen to any student publication in the state of Kansas, and we should celebrate that.

Here, everything we publish is OK’ed by our editors, after discussion of angle, relevance and quality.

The column you are reading right now was not graded by a teacher, or glanced over by school administration.

The right to print what we want in the paper is one we approach with caution. We realize that not everyone will agree with everything we publish — just like in the professional business.

And we also realize that we, as editors and reporters, will take the fall for any unprofessional content we publish because of that.

The act details that school or district administration cannot be held responsible in civil or criminal action for what we publish in the paper. That means we as students are.

Newspaper staff works to maintain high standard under protection of Kansas Scholastic Press Act

That’s a big responsibility and another reason why we care so much about the content of the paper.

And because this publication is held to “high standards of English and journalism” as the act details, you as a reader have rights to express dissatisfaction when you feel we do not meet these standards.

It’s all in the name of professionalism.

You as a reader should expect accurate information on every single page of this paper. You should expect that the words you are quoted as saying were spoken by you, down to little things like dates of upcoming college visits to be correct.

You should expect these things from us, because we as students are practicing a skill that we may continue as careers later on.

And, of course, everything we write is done so with the intention to be read by you, the students, staff and community of Blue Valley High School.

We may not always be perfect — we are learning — but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t expect the best.

And if you have a concern about a story or disagree on a point made in a column, write a letter to me (the editor).

So long as you keep it generally short, professional in nature and drop it off in room

450, we will consider publishing it in the paper.

We want to hear from you.

We want the satisfaction of knowing you read and think about what we write.

And, most of all, we want the newspaper to serve its intended purpose: to educate its readers and spark discussion about important issues affecting our school today.

write us

Tiger Print readers are encouraged to write letters to the editor.

When writing a letter:

Keep it under 250 words

Sign your name

Drop it off in room 450 or

email it to thetigerprint@ yahoo.com Scholastic Journalism Week: This week is a celebration of the Supreme Court ruling in the Tinker v.

Des Moines School District case in 1969.

It established that students’ freedom of speech rights are not limited when they enter school.

Texting hinders teens’ ability to communicate with others We’ve all been there ­ sitting with a group of — friends, only to realize no one’s talking to each other.

Instead, they’re carrying on a conversation via text.

Or maybe it’s the date that checks their phone every five minutes, as if you’re bad company.

Is our obsessive texting causing us to be rude and less in tune with the feelings of those around us?

As a generation, it seems that our communication skills are going down the drain.

For years we’ve been texting our friends, maybe our parents, instead of having verbal conversations with them.

We use those cute little abbreviations and initalisms to communicate our thoughts to one another, but who said it was appropriate to use those in actual conversations?

Fact is, it’s not.

Speaking like you’re texting may come off as funny now, but once we’re in the real world, looking for a job, it isn’t cute anymore.

It will show our future in-laws, employers and co-workers a lack of manners, education, intelligence or all three.

0 6 FEBRUARY 2011

Certainly not the first impression we’d like to make.

Our texting is also ruining the way we write.

We aren’t forced to spell correctly while texting with our friends; therefore, when we type up that paper at 3 a.m. while running on autopilot, we’re not used to constructing our words properly or using correct grammar.

We’re using the wrong “your,” or even spelling it “ur” as you would in text.

We’re confusing “were” and “we’re” — they’re not the same.

The way we text isn’t the only problem affecting our image.

Texting in class is affecting the way we learn. Although we may think we’re masters at multitasking, we can’t focus 100 percent of our attention on two things at once.

Since we were little, we’ve been taught how to read facial expressions. As we grow up, we become even more perceptive.

We notice the way a person slumps their shoulders can indicate they’re stressed out that day. The way one has a little hop in their step shows their excitement for upcoming events.

When we’re talking to each other one-on-one we can analyze tone of voice and facial expression.

It’s virtually impossible to pick up on these important clues over a text message.

Ten years ago, high school students weren’t texting under the tables.

They actually called each other to say when they’d be coming over. They didn’t rely on sending a text message to mom when they’d be 15 minutes late, they had to check in with a phone call.

While we’re busy texting each other, carrying on usually meaningless conversations of “wats up,” “not much u,” “not 2 much bored,” there are better ways to occupy our time.

Try studying.

Try volunteering.

Try not ignoring your parents.

Go out with friends.

All are more productive than being glued to your phone.

Surprisingly, it is possible to set that phone down and go outside.

We should not need to rely on texting to talk to each other.

What happened to walking up to someone and striking up a conversation or picking up the phone and calling each other?

What a novel idea.

upclose

from the

soundbox to the screen

Staff combines different ideas to create each episode of Tiger TV Top: Senior anchors Jackie Gibbs and Josh Montague practice their lines before recording the next segment of Tiger TV. Left: Broadcast teacher Denny Brand assists senior Josh Montague before filming the Tiger TV anchor segment. Brand said he tries to draw upon his 25 years of broadcast field experience to help the students on staff create an episode. “I have run into every conceivable kind of person and controversy,” he said. “I can put that perspective on it for the kids.”

Right: Filming Tiger TV’s Overtime, seniors Kevin Foote, Chris Daschke and junior Austin Katsorelos work hard to find a creative take on the story. Photos by Olivia Roudebush.

saranaatz managing editor “Zoom in on Montague.”

“He’s too bright.”

Someone leaps up to make the proper adjustments.

“Better.”

“Is it in focus?”

“Yeah. Yeah, it’s in focus.”

The first episode this semester of Tiger TV debuts two days later during lunch, displayed on the screen above the PAC doors.

Over the course of their show, the staff of Tiger TV broadcasts the latest news, up-and-coming athletes and seniors Hayden Murray and Michael Kreamer jumping over fences dressed as Mexicans.

The staff comes up with ideas during their brainstorming sessions at the beginning of each cycle with the help of adviser Denny Brand.

“We all get in a circle — it’s called a campfire — and suggest stories,” senior Patrick Lewis said. “Mr. Brand either says ‘yay’ or ‘nay.’ He approves them or

not.”

After sharing ideas, each story is assigned two staff members — one reporter and one photographer.

The reporter is in charge of voiceovers and covering the story. They schedule and do interviews while the photographers shoot the footage, Lewis said.

“We have a lot of time, but if you don’t get any footage or get any clips, it’s kind of hard to write your story,” he said. “You have to kind of get those and get your interviews in quick.”

He said shooting footage right the first time is important. Redoing the interviews takes up time that the staff needs for editing and putting it all together.

“Setting up interviews? It’s hard,” Lewis said. “You have to find time to do it because people are busy so when you do it, you want to get it right.”

Lewis said one of the most difficult parts of putting together an episode is effective collaboration.

“It’s hard when everyone has their creative differences and when everyone wants to do things their way,” Lewis said. “Someone has to give in at some point and compromise is really important. I’d rather

have a good show that’s not my idea than no show at all.”

Lewis said Tiger TV is at its best when the staff members represent a diverse group of students.

“That’s a wide variety of people who know different things going on in the school,” he said. “You see different people in interviews rather than the same people over and over again.”

The staff considers many different types of entertainment and students when producing an episode of Tiger TV, Lewis said.

“I feel like having a good high school journalism program incorporates two things,” he said. “There’s the actual news that contests like, but not that much happens, and it’s not that big of a deal sometimes.

But there’s also the comedy and entertaining people.

That’s really important.”

Brand said he looks forward to seeing the recognition his students receive after each episode.

“I like to see the kids get complimented on their work,” he said. “The biggest pay-off for me is that I’ve trained someone to go out and make a living off this stuff.”

FEBRUARY 2011

0 7

upclose

r o f e n p e o f H Ho Group encourages Oprah to do show on childhood cancer jordanmcentee design editor Search.

Click.

Start typing.

O-P-R-A-H. Oprah Please Do a Show on Childhood Cancer — Our Kids Need Your Help.

54,427 people like this.

Sophomore Sarah Hill is involved in a group striving to bring pediatric cancer to the attention of Oprah Winfrey and the rest of the world.

“Childhood cancer could happen to any of our siblings or really any of us,” Hill said. “If it affects us, why are we not doing something about it? It just doesn’t make sense.”

Hill got involved in the group after growing close with Braden Hofen, the son

1 0 FEBRUARY 2011

of Deliece Hofen, the former principal of Stanley Elementary.

“We’ve really been following Braden’s story from the beginning,” she said. “So I’ve gotten involved in the group to try to get the word out.”

In October 2007, when Braden was three, he was taken to the hospital because of what his mom and dad thought was asthma.

They did a chest X-ray and found a gray shadow, so they kept him overnight to run some tests. He was sent home the next day, because doctors believed he had an enlarged liver due to low iron levels.

Deliece talked to his pediatrician multiple times because she knew something was not right. On Dec. 28, 2007, they went to the ER and found a mass so large that other organs were being pushed out of the way.

Braden was diagnosed with stage four of a rare form of childhood cancer called

Holding up a trifold board displaying Braden’s accomplishments and fight to come, Braden’s mom Deliece Hofen raises money for his cause. During the 2009 Pilgrim Pacer race, Hofen’s cause became one of the charities to which runners could donate. File photo by Maegan Kabel.

Neuroblastoma.

Doctors said he had a 30-percent chance of five-year survival. If his cancer had been caught in its first or second stage, his odds would be at 80 percent.

“There’s not nearly enough research for childhood cancer,” Hill said. “A survival rate going from 80 percent to 30 percent isn’t ideal.”

Hill said she became passionate about the cause after getting to know Braden.

“I’ve babysat him a few times,” Hill said.

“It’s a special situation, and it’s just so cool to interact with him and see him have fun.”

Hill said supporting research for childhood cancer is important to build a strong future.

“They’re kids,” Hill said. “They need to grow up so we have another generation.

Childhood cancer kills more kids than asthma, cystic fibrosis, diabetes and pediat-

ric AIDS combined.”

The group wants to bring childhood cancer to the attention of our nation by getting Oprah to do a show on it.

On Jan.15, the group sent Oprah nine ‘Golden Canisters of Hope’ filled with stories and letters from children with cancer. Their hope is that Oprah will open and read them and do something about it.

“The biggest thing our high school community can do right now is like the Facebook page and suggest it to all their friends,” Hill said. “It’s the best way to stay updated.”

Hill said she believes research and funding for pediatric cancer will increase if more people are aware of it.

“If people know about it, they’re going to take action,” she said. “We can’t just ignore it. Hopefully, all this will spark something because it’s kind of do or die.”

upclose

in the

Playing dark Pit orchestra supplies authentic sound for musical production anniematheis news editor The sound of enchanting string instruments fill the room.

A resounding cacophony of trumpets, flutes and a piano complete the harmony.

The director assists the musicians to blend the varying tones.

The pit orchestra consists of 17 players who provide live music for the winter production, Beauty and the Beast.

Sophomore percussionist Bingjie Li said the pit appears to be a normal room, other than the low ceilings and dim light.

“It is a pretty tight spot, but if you are not moving around that much, it is not that bad,” Li said.

To be able to see their music, the players have booklights attached to their music stands.

When underneath the stage, pit orchestra director Paul Aubrey faces the same way the audience does. He is then able to see the whole musical, while the musicians cannot see any of what is happening on stage.

“My job, besides teaching the pit the music, is the coordinator between making sure that what’s happening on stage coincides with the music directly,” Aubrey said. “I’m watching what happens, visually, and I am making it happen, musically. I’m the glorified starter and stopper.”

Aubrey said he realizes the role of the pit orchestra is not always the most alluring because they are underneath the stage.

“I think at Blue Valley we do a good job of making a point to make sure [the pit] gets the recognition they deserve because it is hard work,” Aubrey said. “It is not a glamorous role — it is an important role, but not a glamorous role.”

The musicians are accepted into the pit orchestra by seniority and by the order of their chair in instrumental music classes.

Li said the biggest difference between being in pit orchestra and playing in performance band is the type of music. Most of the music the pit orchestra plays is the harmony and background music to the melodies that the vocalists are singing.

The music heard during the show is the same professional arrangement played on Broadway.

“Disney music has a very unique sound and style to it,”

Playing the timpani drums, sophomore Bingjie Li rehearses in pit orchestra for this year’s musical, Beauty and the Beast. The pit orchestra practiced between three and four hours every day in preparation for the show. “It’s really fun and you get to meet new people and you get to play fun music,” Li said. Photos by Maria Fournier.

Aubrey said. “It’s cheerful. It’s lively. It’s romantic. It is always very well-written. Disney puts out good quality music, and this is a good representation of that.”

When they are not playing, the musicians must stay focused on the action of the musical because all of their music is cued off dialogue in the show.

“Sometimes, it is hard to do, though,” Aubrey said. “It takes a lot of focus because otherwise you could miss entrances if your brain just takes a vacation.”

Aubrey said his biggest challenge is making sure he is able to get all of the cues.

“I am not only conducting what is happening, I am always thinking about what is happening next so I know what my next cue needs to be,” he said. “Sometimes, I have to cue things to start on the stage, too. I always need to know exactly what is coming up next.”

Li said she is glad they are able to play live music for the show, instead of featuring recorded music.

“It adds a way more realistic, authentic-type feel,” she said. “If you need to make adjustments you can, and you can change things according to how you need it.”

Junior Erin Moylan, who plays the wardrobe, Madame de la Grande Bouche, said she believes the live pit orchestra provides a much more professional atmosphere.

“When the pit comes, they can go off of our tempos, and they can set a different kind of mood,” Moylan said.

The pit orchestra plays 31 songs throughout the musical.

Aubrey said the music they play adds emotion and excitement to the show.

“You wouldn’t get that same thing if you were just listening to music on a CD,” Aubrey said. “Hearing that live music adds so much flavor and style.”

FEBRUARY 2011

1 1

centerstage

Fist pumping

in the homeland

Jersey Shore fans anticipate season 4 debut in Italy

T

sambrennan ads manager

he stars of Jersey Shore are headed across the Atlantic to get their fist pump on in Italy for the show’s fourth season.

I love Jersey Shore. And I’m glad the production crew thought another change in venue from Seaside would be a good idea.

I just hope Jersey Shore doesn’t become The Hills — staying unscripted is key to the show’s success.

I understand the Jersey Shore can make Italian-Americans look bad.

On the other hand, it is just TV — a simple two-dimensional land where the cast exists.

I don’t walk away after an episode thinking, “Yeah, every single Italian-American in the world acts like that.”

Usually after an episode I think “Wow, that was outrageous. Now if they could get Sammi “Sweetheart” Giancola and Ronnie Rotiz-Magro to stop fighting, that would be great.”

I like watching Jersey Shore for one major reason: never once has a single cast member attempted to push a personal agenda.

Everyone on TV always has a bias.

But not on this show.

Not once has Paul “DJ Pauly D” Delvecchio told the audience how much he hates sub-prime mortgages and the negative

1 2 FEBRUARY 2011

effect they have on the economy.

Deena Cortese never talks about how impressed she is with the Egyptians’ protest against their so-called democratic leader.

They could care less about politics (unless it has to do with tanning).

After waking up around 3 p.m., MVP (Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino, Vinny Guadagnino and Pauly) dedicate themselves to one thing: GTL. Gym, tan, laundry.

Around 11 p.m. they put their clean Tshirts on during ‘T-Shirt Time.’

The cabs arrive and they go to their favorite club, Karma.

They are constantly meeting new people and just having fun. You don’t see them excluding anyone.

Even when cranky, rude, Angelina Pivarnick was on the show they never left her out, even though they hated her. She was always invited to be with the group.

I’m not saying 24/7 partying is a good thing.

None of the cast should ever be considered a role model or a hero.

I’m saying that if you think Jersey Shore is offensive, you’re watching it for the wrong reasons.

Take away a lesson that it’s okay to live life in the here-and-now.

Sure they have some petty drama.

But it’s always resolved. The Jersey Shore cast lives life to the fullest, without a care.

Used with permission from MTV.

culture shock The cast, headed to Italy to film season four of its hit reality show, plans to meet up with group member Vinnie Guadagnino’s family for part of the season. Expect to see the cast completely out of their element on a new continent.

Seaside Heights, NJ gym, tan, laundry

Italy

palestra, abbronzatura, lavanderia clubbing at Karma scouting out the best night clubs in every city they plan to visit fighting with each other fighting with each other

payin’ thebills

BeBe

Nails & Spa

Professional Nail VIP Member Business Hours Mon.-Fri.: 9:30 AM-8:00 PM Sat: 9:30 AM-6:00 PM Sun: 12:00 PM-5:00PM Appointment, Walk-Ins Wel-

8013 W. 151 Street Overland Park, KS Tel. (913) 851-1610 Next to Target & behind

Under New Management

7691 W. 151st Overland Park, KS 66223 (At Stanley Station by QT)

913-239-9077

Mon.-Fri.:10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sat.: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun: Closed

$5 OFF Special

$10 OFF Shellac Manicure/ Reg $35 Back Fill/Reg $40 Combo/Reg $40

Satisfaction Nails & Spa

Pink Fill/ Reg $35 Pedicure/Reg $25 Deluxe Pedicure Manicure/Reg $15

Student Discounts Pedicure $20 (Free design) Full-set: $25 Any color tip FREE Get Topcoat FREE

Pink & White

Only $35 Buy $35

Gift Certificate Get $5 OFF coupon for next services

FEBRUARY 2011

1 3

centerstage

e t a m m o o R e h T Kelly Leighton Meester and Minka odiopole staff writer

Used with permission from Sony Pictures.

An awkward, eerie silence fills the room.

A girl stares at her roommate — ­ while wearing her roommate’s clothes, jewelry, and perfume.

She smiles slowly.

“I just want to be your friend.”

In The Roommate, Leighton Meester plays Rebecca, a freshman in college with a very strange obsession with her roommate, Sara (Minka Kelly).

The two start the year out fine, but as Rebecca’s attachment to Sarah grows, so does her willingness to do anything to keep her new friend to herself.

For a horror movie, the plot of The Roommate has a lot going for it: it flows well and it’s easy to follow.

Instead of relying on scare tactics or using shock to take viewers from one scene to the next, the film introduces movie-goers to the characters.

It lets them figure out the twists and turns for themselves.

It’s predictable without being boring, and it takes a refreshing step away from physical gore — the real horror in this film is all about the mind.

The only problem most critics and older viewers have is the striking similarity to the 1992 film Single White Female.

While The Roommate is heavily influenced by the movie, it is aimed at a different audience ­­— which means it should be judged on a different scale.

In a film with this many mind games, good acting is crucial — and the cast delivers.

Meester plays the part of a crazed friend very well. She uses subtle cues and facial expressions to portray a role that could easily be over-played.

The Roommate is a movie to watch for entertainment value. The plot is good. The acting is good. It appeals to its target audience.

Serious film or horror movie buffs may want to pass it up.

That said, viewers who just want a good movie should go see it.

Used with permission from Sony Pictures

8600 West 135th Street, Overland Park, KS 66223 Across from Palazzo (913)-402-9777

IV Nails

7250 W 151st Street Overland Park, KS 66223 (913)-239-9443

Specialty High School:

New set — $20 (reg. $30) Spa Pedicure — $20 (reg. $25) Manicure — $10.99 (reg. $16) French pedicure — $20 (reg. $30) Shellac colo gel — $17 (reg. $25) Hole punch for belt sizing ­— $1 each 1 4 FEBRUARY 2011

tigerturf

the state team

Sophomore swimmer Chris Hearl pulls himself through the water during swim practice.

Under the direction of swim coach Greg House, the boys’ swim team aims to win first at the state meet on Friday. Photo by Evelyn Davis.

Senior Adam Chinery: 200 and 100 free

“

We all have the same goal in mind — to win State.

”

Senior Ben Herbel: 200 and 500 free Senior Cameron Gallet: 100 free

Strong off the block

Swim team anticipates top finishes at 5A State sambrennan ads manager

As the clock ticks closer to the 5A boys State swim meet, sophomore Chris Hearl pictures all his hard work coming together in one swim.

After placing fourth in the Eastern Kansas League meet, finishing only one point behind Blue Valley West, the team will compete today and tomorrow at State.

“I’m really looking forward to State,” Hearl said. “My number one priority is for the team to win.”

Coach Greg House said he believes the team will do well this weekend based on times compared to other State competitors.

The BV 200 free relay out-touched a previously undefeated Blue Valley

Northwest relay, setting a new pool record on the BVNW board, as well as a BVHS school record.

“The school records in all three relays have been broken,” House said.

“Those records were from ‘06, 1998 and 1987, and that gives you the range of talent over the years.”

Although the team didn’t win EKL, House said the main priority is winning the meet this weekend.

“The light at the end of the tunnel for us has always been State,” House said. “At league we needed to swim fast to make our statement to ourselves.

You want to earn respect.”

Senior Adam Chinery said he did not swim his best at EKL, missing the wall during the 100 free event, but hopes his preparation for State will pay off.

He said this year’s team has one major advantage going in to the weekend.

“Our team has bonded a lot more, and we are not as intimidated by coach House,” Chinery said. “We all have the same goal in mind — to win State.”

Junior member Austin Averkamp said the team has progressed since the start of the season.

“We are a lot more mature,” he said.

“We are more dedicated; we push through hard sets instead of giving up.

We have an incentive because we think we can win State.”

House said the opportunity to compete for a State title is very unique.

“I’m not the type of person that counts the chickens before the eggs hatch,” House said. “You have to earn it everyday, and you have to earn it at the State meet.”

Senior Matt Olsen: 200 and 500 free Senior Nick Sobczynski: 100 breast Junior Austin Averkamp: 50 and 100 free

“

We are more dedicated; we push through hard sets instead of giving up.

”

Junior Toby Harrison: 100 fly Sophomore Vaughn Ericson: 500 free and 200 IM Sophomore Chris Hearl: 100 fly and 100 back

“

I’m really looking forward to State.

My number one priority is for the team to win.

”

Freshman Spencer Underwood: 500 free

Compiled by Sam Brennan.

Sports In Brief Boys Basketball

Girls Basketball

Boys Swim and Dive

Wrestling

Record: 6-9 Previous Action: 2/11 @ Saint Thomas Aquinas, L 47-44, 2/15 vs. Gardner Edgerton, 2/16 @ BV Northwest — results unavailable at press time Key Athletes: Seniors Hayden Murray and Paul Debey Upcoming Action: 2/18 vs. Bishop Miege, 2/22 @ BV North, 2/25 vs. BV West

Previous Action: 2/5 EKL meet; team placed fourth Key Athletes: Seniors Adam Chinery and Cameron Gallet and sophomore Chris Hearl Upcoming Action: 5A State Championship, 2/18-2/19

Record: 12 - 4 Previous Action: 2/14 vs. Gardner Edgerton and 2/17 vs. Bishop Miege — results unavailable at press time Key Athletes: Senior Aerial Smith, junior Taylor Leathers and sophomore Bailey Geiman Upcoming Action: 2/22 @ BV North and 2/25 vs. BV West

Previous Action: 2/12 EKL tournament; team placed sixth; seniors Tyler Hendrickson, Caleb Fehr and Jon Hayward tied as EKL runners-up Key Athletes: Hendrickson, Fehr and Hayward Upcoming Action: 2/19 Regional tournament

FEBRUARY 2011

1 5

incolor

Monday

Grandparent Day

Girls vs. Guys — Dance Edition

Tuesday Toddler D ay

7 of hearts: Laughing with friends, junior John Stoothoff works in his AVID class while dressed as a grandparent. His attire featured a grandpa wig, which got many looks and laughs from Stoothoff’s classmates. Photo by Maegan Kabel.

Wacky Tacky

Wednesday

8 of hearts: Sitting at lunch, sophomore Alicia Fletcher chills with friends with a pacifier in her mouth.

With toddler Tuesday, students showed up sporting pigtails, diapers and brightly colored clothing.

Photo by Juliana Himmel.

Thursday Black and Gold

9 of hearts: Senior Rachel Supple cuts carboard for the construction of the senior hallway chapel.

Dressed in wacky tacky clothing, students decorated their class’s hallway — one of many class competitions during Sweetheart week.

Photo by Juliana Himmel.

Sweetheart 2011

10 of hearts: Junior Miranda Loats unwinds crepe paper from a column in the junior pod after the hallway competition ended.

Ending the week on black and gold, the senior and sohpomore classes tied for first place. Photo by Maria Fournier.

1 6 FEBRUARY 2011

Representing the girls: Sophomore Katie Wynn

Representing the guys: Senior Ryan Jaspal

3 p.m.

Picks up boutonniere

4 p.m.

Gets hair done

Sleeps

5 p.m.

Does make-up and nails

Starts getting ready

6 p.m.

Pictures

Gets ready

7 p.m.

Dinner at Applebee’s

Pictures at Ria Halder’s house

8 p.m.

Arrives at dance

Dinner at Bravo!

9 p.m.

Dance

Arrives at dance

10 p.m. Goes to WalMart

Sleeps

Dance

11 p.m.

After party at sophomore After party at senior Conor Katie Campbell’s house Storm’s house

12 a.m.

After party ends — 2 a.m. After party ends — 3 a.m.