The Tiger Print — January 2006

Jan. 27, 2006 Vol. 35 Issue 5 6001 W. 159th Stilwell, Kan. 66085

tiger print

The War in Iraq Students, teachers with family overseas. Plus, an update on what is happening. See more on pages 12-14.

Blue Valley High School

Get your dancing shoes ready for the

Disco Ball

The Disco Ball will be held from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Blue Valley. For this dance, tradition dictates that girls ask a date and pay ove is in the air. Along with the ap- for dinner before dancing the night away. prehensive twinkle in every girl’s Spirit week will begin Feb. 6 with the eye looking for just beginning theme of the right date and dress, pajama day. TuesStudent Government is day will be class currently making plans color day, a new for the annual Sweetheart theme, where seDance on Feb. 11. niors will wear yelRoyalty nominations or gold, juniors -senior Krissy Ewell low were held on Wedneswear red, sophoday and Friday. Student mores wear blue Government will conduct and freshmen wear computerized voting like the seniors did pink. Students dressed in their appropriate for Homecoming. Tables will be set up dur- color will be counted, and totals calculated ing lunch for juniors and seniors to vote af- to figure which class will take the points ter the Sweetheart assembly on Thursday, for this class competition. Wednesday is Feb. 2. mix and match day and Thursday will be staff reporter

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“There will be NO Cotton-Eyed Joe.”

a disco theme. On Friday BV will have traditional black and gold day.

There will be disco balls and flashing lights at the dance.

Mostly modern music will be featured along with a few ‘70s tunes.

“There will be NO Cotton-Eyed Joe,” senior Krissy Ewell emphasized.

The Disco Ball theme was discovered when Student Government flipped through a 1996 yearbook, which was the first year that BV had a theme as opposed to the “creative” red and white balloons.

Student loan programs take hit Government cuts $12.7 billion in effort to combat national deficit samantha miles

staff reporter

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er worried eyes shed a tear as her hand fell limp, dropping a letter she had been waiting to get for weeks. It would make or break her dreams, and it ended up shattering them.

The letter stated that she would receive no federal assistance to help pay for college and could not afford the education she desperately wanted.

With the government’s recent proposal to cut $12.7 billion from student loan programs, many more students will be facing this same struggle. Overall, Congress is cutting $40 billion from the

budget in hopes of reducing the national debt. This cut on education is almost one third of that total. Some feel this is an unfair burden on one portion of the population.

“It is very unfortunate that they are whittling away at student funding instead of getting creative about it,” counselor Sandy Fryer said.

These cuts will take effect on July 1, 2006, and continue over the next five years. This will affect not only incoming freshman needing loans to pay for college, but also college students with existing loans. Current college students will be faced with the decision of whether they should

consolidate their loans before rates go up. Incoming freshman may need to find other ways to finance their education. A recent article in the Kansas City Star states that private lenders will be the main avenue for new students looking for financial aid.

However, private lenders can be selective with borrowers based on the risk involved. Low-income families tend to do poorly on these credit reports resulting in less opportunities for loans.

Supporters of the cuts argue that the bill isn’t all bad. For first year students, loan limits will increase from $2625 to $3500.

Second year students can receive up to $4500 whereas before they

were only able to receive $3500.

Although this does benefit specific students, people skeptical of this change believe that it will lead to fewer students pursuing higher education because of the lack of loans and the increasing interest rates. Interest rates will noticeably increase for student loans from 4.7 percent to 6.8 percent.

Students have been struggling with the impact this cut will have on their lives.

Junior Lauren O’Connor said, “People want an education, and the people who can’t receive loans are stuck without their chances at pursuing college.”

senior sam stilley

sara ster

Disco theme takes BV back to the ‘70s

2 news

January 27, 2006

Speaking Briefly

Shake it, roll it Hip-Hop, Bowling clubs additions to BV

Debate team takes state

colin brown

Fourteen Blue Valley students competed for the 6A Debate State Championship and brought home the gold last weekend. This was the team’s second championship in a row and sixth in the last seven years.

Greg Allen, Sam Barton, Hoyt Banks, Eric Min, Christine Hansen, Andrea Hiesberger, Emily Beye, Brett Bolton, Igor Kantor, Tony Tonev, Megan Ritter and Megan Adams traveled to Derby, Kan. in pursuit of another state championship.

“It was great,” Banks said. “The best part was when they announced second place because then we knew we had won.”

Seniors Allen, Barton, Banks and Min won first place for the four-speaker team, going 13-1 in their rounds. Seniors Hansen and Hiesberger placed third in the two-speaker event. Sophomores Ritter and Adams placed eighth in the two-speaker team, becoming the youngest team ever from BV to place in the top 16.

“It was more surprising than anything,” Adams said.

Civil liberties, detaining without charge and searching without probable cause were the debate topics of 2006. The squad’s sponsor is Chris Riffer.

Kris Kobach speaks at BV

Blue Valley’s Young Republicans Club brought in University of Missouri-Kansas City constitutional law professor Kris Kobach to speak in the library on Jan. 17, at 7 p.m. Kobach discussed the Samuel Alito hearings, abortion, government surveillance of American citizens, constitutional originalism, political spin and his own experiences with politics.

Around 25 people attended, including students and faculty. Attendees were given an opportunity to ask questions after the speech. Refreshments were provided afterward.

Kobach ran unsuccessfully for district three congressional representative against incumbent Democrat Dennis Moore in November 2004. He also ran for the Kansas State Senate in 2000.

staff reporter

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any students have been twiddling their thumbs after school with nothing to do.

Times are changing, though.

Recently, Blue Valley has seen the beginning of two brand-new clubs: the Hip-Hop Club and the Bowling Club.

The Bowling Club began in early January and has become very popular in its first few weeks.

“Who doesn’t like to bowl? You can’t tell me the name of one person who doesn’t like to bowl,” senior bowler Hoyt Banks said.

The Bowling Club boasted over 20 participants in its first outing, and they plan to keep the pins falling down.

“I’m hoping this will snowball into a school bowling team that I can join next year, and then people will finally know me as my true self: Mr. 300,” junior Miles Jaben said.

Currently, both the Shawnee Mission and Olathe school districts support scholastic bowling teams.

The Blue Valley district does not.

The Bowling Club has already had several meetings and would like more people to come; however, if the hardwood isn’t your thing, maybe you’d like to show off some of your best moves.

The Hip-Hop Club was founded by brother and sister duo Tywon Hubbard and Shawntay Sowell.

“If you can’t dance, we’ll teach you how, and if you can, we’ll teach you some new things,” senior hip-hop dance captain Tywon Hubbard said.

“It’s something fun to do and will give all the high school kids some exercise,” added BV graduate Travis Miles.

Miles is a friend of Hubbard’s who shares the same passion for hip-hop dancing.

“I brought Travis in because I want this to be a real club with the best dancers. I’m serious about this,” Hubbard said.

If you’re still sitting around on the couch after school, maybe it’s about time you shook what your mama gave you or rolled some balls. The

emily reinhardt Junior Danielle Ford and senior Whitney Hunt practice their moves at a Hip-Hop Club practice after school. Around 15 people attend the club meetings, which are held Tuesdays and Thursdays. Special services teacher Karen Masters is the club’s sponsor.

Hip-Hop Club meets after school on Wednesdays and Fridays, and the Bowling Club meets after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

First day back a new experience for BV jessica katzenstein

The change was made this year as a result of the district’s objective to personalize the education experience for students, according to principal Scott his year’s first day back after winter break Bacon.

Normally, underclassmen select classes for their was a change from previous first days for next year out of a handbook.

Blue Valley.

“It’s a better experience for students if they Activities this year allowed On Jan. 4, seniors have a chance to meet the teachers teaching them to get to know their listened to KC Royals potential future teachers, at pitcher Jeremy Affeldt their subject.”

--Scott Bacon least for 10 minutes. and a college panel, “Most of the feedback I got from students was while underclassmen participated in enrollment activities—listening to teachers talk about their overwhelmingly positive,” Bacon said. “It’s a better experience for students if they have a chance to meet classes—and class meetings.

“I thought it let everybody think about enrollment the teacher teaching their subject.”

Seniors had late arrival, then came in at 9:25 a.m. for and ask specific questions,” social studies teacher a class meeting and to listen to Affeldt speak about Bev Bertolone said. news editor

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his high school days and give advice. Afterward, a panel of last year’s seniors came in to answer questions about their college experiences.

“I hope it was useful,” Bacon said. “We struggled with how to work with the seniors.”

Classes resumed at 11:25 a.m. Fifth hour was a full hour long, but other classes were only 20 minutes long.

“Typically, the first day back isn’t that productive, and since we had an afternoon to play with, we could get directives out of the way,” Bacon said.

Next year, Bacon plans to change some elements of the first day back, especially for seniors, to make the day more useful and informative.

“We have a pretty good list of things we’d like to tweak,” he said.

news 3

January 27, 2006

MLK Day celebrations

Norman Hull to speak at diversity assembly honoring King, Black History Month ellen thomas

body on Jan. 30. Hull has spoken to many high schools all over the Soviet Union, Canada and the United States.

His main message is about diversity and respect, according to principal Scott Bacon. The speaker is the school’s

observance of this day, Blue Valley has often had celebrations in the past.

Speakers, music groups and various r. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day other methods of communicating was Jan. 16, and many around the message have been used to bring the nation celebrated civil awareness to the topic. rights and cultural diversity.

In Blue Valley, about eight “In Blue Valley, about eight percent of the student body Martin Luther King, Jr. Day percent of the student body is is considered a minority... This speaker and other cultural celebrates the life of the civil considered a minority, Bacon diversity activities are designed to help promote the respect rights leader Martin Luther said. This speaker and other of minorities.”

King, Jr. and his battle against cultural diversity activities discrimination against minorities. celebration of both cultural diversity are designed to help promote the Blue Valley plans to celebrate the and Black History Month, which is in respect of minorities. holiday this year by hosting speaker February.

Four days after King was assassinated, Norm Hull. He will talk to the student Although the district requires no legislation was introduced to create a opinions editor

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holiday celebrating the leader. Many people didn’t think that only one civil leader deserved a holiday, so federal legislation that was passed in 1983 created a holiday the third Monday in January to celebrate the leader as well as all other civil rights leaders, such as Frederick Douglass, and all that they have done.

Blue Valley Northwest celebrated cultural diversity in a communitywide celebration on Jan. 14. Locally, parades and religious services are held each year to celebrate the civil rights movement.

Le Festival Français

French students raise money for AATF through district-wide French Festival jessica katzenstein

“In terms of teamwork and collaboration and leadership, it was amazing,” Bar said. “I felt good about it. I commend the students for imes. Art projects. A plethora of being such good problem-solvers and thinking French food. Nine BV district school on their feet in a real-world situation.”

French programs organized the first All of the BV schools with French programs annual French Festival on participated in putting the Jan. 12 at BV North from festival together. Students 6-8:30 p.m. wrote self-portraits, made “We definitely achieved short films and created what we set forth to reproductions of famous achieve,” French teacher artwork, many of which were Carol Bar said. “French displayed during the Festival. is alive and kicking in the High school students managed district.” the event.

The Festival was intended “Seeing all the student work to raise awareness of on display was beautiful,” Bar French culture and said. “I was very, very proud.” language and increase BVHS French students enrollment in French designed and put together the programs. Between 1,000 Montmartre Room, Creativity and 1,500 people attended, Room and a French café. In the including students, Montmartre Room, students teachers, parents and drew caricatures and painted district officials. Assistant faces for festival attendees.

Superintendent Susan In the Creativity Room, Swift, as well as principals children painted at easels and BV French teacher Carol Bar from several BV schools, made masks and paper-bag speaks during the Festival finale. were present. puppets.

“I was happy it ran so “I was thrilled to see all smoothly,” Bar said. “Just seeing all the people the elementary students with their parents, there was the best part of the festival.” because they’re our target audience,” Bar said.

Several businesses donated to a prize District French teachers plan to add more drawing, and some set up community booths. contests and possibly a talent show. They The Festival’s nearly-$700 profit went to the haven’t decided whether the Festival will be American Association of Teachers of French an annual, biannual or triannual event.

Katrina Fund, a fund set up to help re-establish “I’d like to see events located closer together, French programs in schools devastated by and possibly more events geared toward older Hurricane Katrina. students,” Bar said. news editor

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ashley martinez Junior Jada Irish and freshman Kelly Frickleton pose as statues during the French Festival. Students were required to participate in some way in the Festival for class points; options for activities during the Festival included posing as a statue, participating in the fashion show, acting as a mime, playing music for an audience, debating in the salons as a person from French history, working in the cafes and rooms and taking attendance for other students.

4 features

January 27, 2006

Yee-haw!

Will Wyatt’s Cowboy Couture opens on Metcalf

The name tells all.

Will Wyatt’s Cowboy Couture opened three months ago at 153rd and Metcalf. The store sells high-end, authentic cowboy outfits and accessories. Junior Paige Watson works at the store.

autumn fuller

Senior Natalie Dallman checks out her cowboy getup in the mirror at the new Will Wyatt’s Cowboy Couture. The store sells all sorts of western-style outfits, from shirts to jeans to belt buckles and jewelry.

Horse trainers and showmen make up just part of the store’s clients.

Best Western Boots, buckles becoming new fashion trend

autumn fuller

nina humphrey

staff reporter

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estern fashion is quickly becoming a new fad throughout America. We are seeing shoes with pointed toes and larger heels; the cowboy boot.

The cowboy boot originated in Kansas during the 1870’s when the real cowboys modified the standard military boot that they had previously been wearing for many years. The shape of the shoe transcended so that they would slide more easily into the stirrup. Over time, the shoes were made much fancier than the original kinds. Adding colors and more complicated patterns was commonly seen among even the townspeople including designs such as dancing girls and moons.

Today the range of cowboy boots is extensive and pricey (if interested in serious rider fashion). They look great tucked into jeans and also can be worn with skirts for a western twist to your outfit. The most impressive kind of boots are perhaps the second hand cowboy boots, as the leather has already been softened up by someone else and makes them appear to be more authentic in experience and in tradition.

Western fashion, including mostly cowboy boots, is extremely popular in schools today. Belts appear chunkier and are commonly attached to jeans and a brownleathered jacket.

For those interested in western wear and would like to have more exposure to it, an upscale western clothing shop recently opened at 153rd and Metcalf called Will Wyatt’s Cowboy Couture.

griffin page

kids from Bucyrus will come up,” Watson said, “since they typically have horses to take he newest store in town care of.”

Jennifer and Bryden Becker is creating quite a buzz.

Will Wyatt’s Cowboy opened the store and moved Couture, located at 15245 to the Blue Valley area since Metcalf Ave., is hot off the they wanted to go back to small town setting to raise block and business is good.

“We are doing much better their kids. When Jennifer was than expected,” junior Paige growing up, her mother owned a store similar to Watson, an Will Wyatt’s in employee, Concordia, Kan. said. “We are “We get a lot of She then moved thinking of Johnson County to New York expanding.” where she was a Founded moms. You know, t h r e e too tan and bleached model and met Bryden. Bryden months ago is from Wyoming

by Jennifer blonde hair.” and worked in and Bryden Becker, Will Wyatt’s takes rodeos back when he was the shopper back to a simpler younger. The two decided to time. The store offers most open a store and now Will “cowboy” attire including: Wyatt’s is a success.

“I was hired about two hats, shirts, big-star jeans, belts, buckles, jewelry and months ago,” Watson said. clothes for showing horses. “I talked to Jenn and I was The store receives a wide basically hired on the spot.”

Will Wyatt’s isn’t only a variety of customers.

“We get a lot of Johnson great place to shop, but it’s County moms,” Watson also a great place to work.

“It’s fun,” Watson said. “The said. “You know, too tan and bosses are laid back and cool bleached blonde hair.”

The store also receives and we do the old fashioned a lot of horse trainers and write up at the register, it’s old showmen. The occasional school.”

The next time that you are old cowboy will show up as well. The Blue Valley student looking for a new place to population hasn’t responded shop, head on over to Will Wyatt’s Cowboy Couture and as well, however.

“We are hoping that the let out an old “Yeehaw!” staff reporter

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editorials 5

January 27, 2006

Government cutting down on student loans

this is your column ‘headline’ only more Robbed ike the topic

College becoming increasingly more difficult to pay for; middle class students seemingly left out of cost breaks adam lary

editor-in-chief

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igher education took a blow last month after Congress decided to cut funding from student loan programs. In a plan to save $40 billion from the budget over the next five years, Congress passed a bill cutting $12.7 billion from student loan programs.

The result is less money for students seeking help with college bills.

By passing this bill, Congress has thrown a curveball to prospective and current college students and their parents.

The bill seems to contradict recent steps the government has taken to improve education in America, such as the No Child Left Behind Act. By cutting funds from student loans programs, Congress will limit the number of students that can afford to go on to higher levels of education. Access to colleges and universities will be restricted to students of wealthier families. However,

the group that takes the biggest hit is the middle class.

Though the bill cuts funding to loan programs, it also hands out grants to poorer, highachieving students in their first and second years of college.

So if the poor get help, and the wealthy don’t need it, where does that leave the middle class?

No provisions put forth in the bill were geared toward middlei n c o m e families. In fact, loan costs will actually increase for students and their parents because of interest.

Interest rates for parents taking out loans for students will increase to a fixed 8.5 percent in July, up from 7.9 percent, and student loan interest rates were already set to rise from 4.7 percent to a fixed 6.8 percent.

Defenders of the bill say that the bill actually offers more opportunities for students seeking higher education. True, the changes are not all bad.

Loan limits for students would increase for first and secondyear students (from $2,625

Why did such a large portion of the cuts have to fall on the backs of young people?

the staff

to $3,500 and from $3,500 to $4,500, respectively). However, the total loan limit will remain at $23,000. Also, the fixed interest rates are meant to protect students and parents from unstable, escalating interest rates. But the benefits come nowhere close to off setting the cuts. In 2001, college enrollment was approximately 16 million.

Using this statistic, the bill cuts nearly $800 per college student over the next five years.

Why did such a large portion of the cuts have to fall on the backs of young people? Just last year, Congress approved a Medicare bill in November for senior citizens valued at $400 billion. The bill overhauls the Medicare system as well as provides prescription drug coverage for seniors. Surely they could the spare $12.7 billion for education. Congress could have investigated other options, too, in order to ease the blow.

While there are some benefits to the bill, the cuts make sure that these can be overlooked.

Hopefully, Congress will realize that the future of this country’s citizens outweighs saving a few dollars on the deficit and make the necessary changes. Then maybe we can get some bettereducated representatives.

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

Blue Valley High School

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

Entertainment Editor: Matt Galloway

Opinions Editor: Ellen Thomas Features Editor: Andrew Robinson

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

Sports Editors: Hank Driskell Frank Lasley

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

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

andrew robinson

editor-in-chief

We have a developing situation We will return to regular scheduled programming after this message...

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he statistics are alarming, the numbers are staggering and the facts are killers.

Our generation doesn’t seem to have a clue what is going on the world, and I’m not here to update you; rather I’m here to let you know it’s time to start paying attention.

To graduate from this lovely educational institution I must complete one more semester of social studies, so I enrolled in Current Events with 25 of my closest freshmen friends and teacher Bev Bertolone.

Our first project was to take a look at a major event from 2005 and how it would affect 2006. On some of the events we discussed, my peers looked like deer in headlights.

Who was Deep Throat?

Where was B.T.K. from?

John Roberts?

At least people knew Katrina went rolling through the Bayou.

In the words of Ferris Bueller, “Life moves pretty fast, and if you don’t stop and look around, you’ll miss it.” Well, you’re about to miss it if you don’t stop and look around.

I’m here to tell you that the days of old talking heads like Dan Rather and Ted Koppel are gone. Big-time networks have gone to young trendy folks. Take another look; you’ll be impressed.

Anderson Cooper anchors the primetime slot on CNN nightly, sporting a more casual look on screen, oftentimes with a polo shirt and a NorthFace jacket if he is on location. Cooper proved himself during the Katrina coverage as a blossoming star on cable news.

Let’s start with a more narrow spectrum.

Does anyone realize that the Kansas State Board of Education makes the national nightly news — nightly— over the debate whether or not to teach evolution in the biology curriculum?

Avian Flu anyone?

Fires raged earlier this month in Oklahoma and Texas, thanks to drought-like conditions. Just thought you should know.

Folks, we're the future and surprisingly enough the events that happen today, whether they be in a small mining town in West Virginia, or on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. will affect us in future years as we begin to vote, hold steady jobs and start paying taxes.

The Federal Government is looking to cut back on student loan programs. Now if that doesn't affect you, I don't know what does.

Put down the Facebook, pick up a Kansas City Star and start catching up. You’ve missed a lot.

Is anyone even reading this?

On some of the events we discussed, my peers looked like deer in the headlights

6 editorials

January 27, 2006

Staff Editorial

‘And I’ll be takin’ care of business, everyday!’

TCB time not wasted for students; bad grades raised after extra effort sarah weaver

staff reporter

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Security decreased, personal safety decreased?

Airlines allow passengers to bring more potential weapons on board; inconsistencies exist in airport security guidelines

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s the plane taxis’ to the runway you glance over as your fellow passenger opens his carryon and you catch a glimpse of a shiny, sharp, seven-inch screwdriver and two long, pointy, silver knitting needles.

Then you wonder, how on earth did he get through security with those items?

Well recently, guidelines for airport security have changed.

According to the Transportation Security Administration, screwdrivers that are seven inches or less and knitting needles are permitted in carry-on baggage.

But that is not all; TSA also permits corkscrews, nail files, scissors with blunt tips and any tool up to seven inches in length in personal carry-on luggage.

Feeling secure on an aircraft? Not yet?

“Why would anyone need a

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screwdriver on a plane?” senior Amy Ster said. “It’s a little scary because there are a lot of weird people out there.”

After Sept. 11, the United States Homeland Security Department definitely cracked the whip and made what used to be a breeze into an absolute nightmare. That nightmare was a necessity due to terrorist threats. But why the change? Have the terrorists been caught? Are we still at war?

While going through security perhaps U.S. security agencies detect less of a threat. If that is the case, let us at least be consistent. Letting passengers carry nail files on planes, but making others take off their belts seems absurd. Removing one’s flip-flops when feet and legs are in full view verges on the ridiculous.

A decrease in airport security? Obviously.

Consistent regulations? Not at all.

Editor’s note

ear Blue Valley Students: As you may have noticed, the Tiger Print has a different look than normal. Our former publishing company, O’Dell Publishing, decided to quit printing the Blue Valley district high school newspapers. After a period of uncertainty, the Blue Valley schools adopted a new publisher, the Lawrence Journal World.

As a result, we had to change the size of the paper. Instead of a 17-inch tabloid we have a 13 3/8-size mando. This, of course, resulted in a

shorter paper but longer in number of pages.

But in the spirit of consistency, we have kept the same basic structure. Just know that we will keep printing the stories that interest you, because we value our readers. You are the reason we put out a paper every month. On behalf of everyone on staff, we would like to say thank you for reading. And remember, it’s a great day to be a Tiger.

Sincerely, The Management

aking Care Of Business,” are the lyrics we hear every other Tuesday and Thursdays.

Some students moan and groan when they realize they have to attend Taking Care of Business (TCB), but others rejoice knowing their school day is coming to an end.

Several hundred can be seen getting help during TCB, according to Principal Scott Bacon. This number is higher now that TCB is after school.

TCB is a mandatory class for those who have a D or F in a class. Twenty percent of the student body has a D or F in a one or more classes. This percent is lower than it has been in the last seven years. Those students then get help from their teachers to essentially raise their grade and turn in uncompleted assignments.

Tuesday is the day where students “with their stuff together” are able to leave school a little bit earlier than usual.

Tuesday’s classes are also shortened that day, which can be seen as a plus for all students.

“It is a reward for those who have kept their grades up,” sophomore Mary Webb said.

Another upside is for students participating in sports, who don’t have D’s or F’s, are also able to have time before practice, which was not available before TCB was available.

“It [TCB] makes it possible for students in sports to get help without missing practice,” Webb said. Many kids share the same thoughts.

TCB is a great time to get help from teachers that on regular days you are unable to receive. Many students take advantage of these 20 minutes to finish their homework before leaving school or ask

questions that they were unable to ask in class, but saying that all students use this time would be false.

Teachers see it as a time for improvements or at least for those who want to improve.

“I’m for TCB because it gives kids an opportunity to improve their grades,” teacher Diane O’Bryan said.

TCB can be used to raise your grade and a majority of students use the time to do so. “It helped me get my grade up and gave me more chances to do my work,” freshman Alex Robinson said. “TCB is good because it helps raise your grade,” junior Sam Frickleton said.

Others required to be in TCB often don’t see TCB in such a positive light.

“I was in TCB for debate last semester. I worked, but by the time I opened files on my computer and found what I needed there were five minuets left in class,” sophomore Jennifer Hansen said.

Twenty minutes is taken out at the end of school day for TCB. This time is often not long enough, but the little bit helps.

“The reason I was in TCB was because I had missing assignments,” Hansen said. The number one reason students have a D or F is because they don’t turn in work, according to Bacon.

TCB was initiated to eliminate or at least reduce the numbers of D’s and F’s.

Many students think that it is working for the most part.

“I think of it as an incentive to work harder,” Webb said.

Taking Care of Business is a time to take care of business, and many students take advantage of it, but what about those who do not?

TCB can’t be a time for all students to automatically raise their grades. For those who want to raise their grades TCB is there to help.

aise R your VOICE!

editorials 7

January 27, 2006

Was the enrollment fair helpful to you?

“It gave me a better idea about the classes and helped me make my decision.” - junior Melissa LaFuria

“Too much walking around and not enough information.” - sophomore Myles Runyon

“No, not really.”

- junior Matt Silverstein

“No, it was boring so I didn’t pay much attention.” - freshman Kaitlin Farrell

Compiled by Autumn Fuller

Mixed feelings over the ‘Enrollment Fair’ Some students had plenty of class information; others didn’t like length of school day brooke thurman

staff reporter

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t’s the first day back from winter break. Instead of going back to your normal schedule you go to your Tiger Time class and proceed into three hours of what seems like an entire day. You then go to lunch and you think the day is almost over.

However, it starts all over again.

This was the day of the school’s enrollment fair. Although, it may have seemed like a good idea, and this was the pilot program, the day had mixed reviews. Some students thought it streamlined their decision processes.

“I thought it was okay,” sophomore Megan Van Sooy said. “It wasn’t terrible.” “[The purpose was] to get information to students,” counselor Jane McGraw said.

“We want to make sure that everyone knows what options are available.

Some students took this opportunity seriously and used it to their advantage, but they still thought it was unnecessary.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Civil rights leader might not be fully recognized; school assembly and speaker a good idea matt killen

“I went to the classes I wanted,” Pollock said. “It was a waste of time and it took forever.”

With such mixed feedback from students, it’s a wonder what the purpose of the enrollment fair was.

The day of the enrollment fair had a schedule that allowed seniors to start school at 9:45 and students in grades 9-11 came at 7:45. Students rotated through both core and elective classes, and were allowed to choose the classes that they wanted to learn about. Part of the time they could go look at elective courses so they could make up their mind when it’s time for enrollment. Then, students could rotate to the core class in each department to decide which level of math, science, social studies and communication arts they want to take.

With enrollment beginning in February the enrollment fair may have helped some students decide what they wanted to take. With the adjustments promised for next year by the administration perhaps more students will be satisfied.

case that most holidays aren’t widely celebrated throughout schools.

Although these are both valid points, n Jan. 16, we celebrated one there is one thing some students may of the more influential people forget. Racism is still fairly prevalent of the past century: Martin in the world today. Etchings on Blue Luther King, Jr. King was one of the Valley’s bathroom stalls can attest to first to stand against white oppression, that. Community celebrations, like the one at Blue Valley and although he was Northwest on Jan. 14, treated unfairly, he still remained peaceful. King Racism is still fairly are integral to keeping our focus on equality. was on a mission to teach prevalent in the The speaker, Norm America, and the world, Hull, that BV will that all people are equal, world today. host Jan. 30 will even if they have different further enhance cultural backgrounds.

This Jan. 16, some in our nation paid studentawareness.

The school is right to bring in a speaker tribute to Dr. King by taking a day off from school or work. Although many on diversity; sometimes the little things have a vacation, is that enough to can make a big difference. Professional speakers have the ability to sway the honor what he has done?

One might say that we already know opinions of their listeners, which is a lot about Dr. King. From elementary important considering the topic at all the way up to middle school, we hand. It also properly commemorates were taught how to treat everyone as Martin Luther King’s achievements going overboard, but an equal and that King made the world without a better place by working against acknowledges this great leader with segregation. One could also make a something besides a day off of school. staff reporter

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8 editorials

January 27, 2006

Board takes science out of biology Any explanation accepted in Kansas biology class; ‘supernatural’ accepted as alternative explanation adam lary

editor-in-chief

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ccording to new Kansas science standards approved by the State Board of Education, science can no longer be limited to “natural explanations.” This new definition, which the Board passed on Nov. 8, 2005, leaves the door open for the supernatural to explain life as we know it. Not only is science based on the search for natural explanations, the refined definition will only cause more problems for school boards than it had before.

It is the purpose of science to discover “natural explanations” for the many phenomena in nature. By leaving out this phrase, the new standards leave the door open for “supernatural” explanations, a.k.a. religious philosophies. Separation of church and state deems that religion cannot be taught in public schools. The recent case in Dover, Penn. involving intelligent design demonstrated this. Intelligent design is the theory that the universe is too complex to have been a product of chance; it must have been created.

On Dec. 20, 2004, U.S. District judge John Jones concluded that teaching intelligent design in schools was unconstitutional. In this way, the Dover school district violated the Constitution when it ordered that a statement be read to biology students saying that evolution is not a fact.

The statement also refered studens to a book on intelligent design entitled Of Pandas and People. Jones

Life in the Check Lane

deemed that intelligent design is not science. Shortly after Jones’ decision, a new school board was elected that rescinded the previous changes.

Kansas should take a page from Jones’ book. Philosophies are inherently non-scientific: their ideas can neither be tested nor confirmed. If a “world religion” class were available, teach it there. But leave science to the science classroom and “supernatural explanations” at the doorstop.

Fortunately, the Kansas board had the sense to leave it up to the individual school districts to decide what to teach. But the decision only fuels the controversy surrounding the issue. If anything, the new standards will only cause more problems for boards in the future. The decision will be reflected in state assessments as well. Since assessments will have fewer questions regarding evolution, districts are less likely to cover the subject in detail. However, other school districts in the country will still be studying it, leaving Kansas students behind in science education.

In summary, the Kansas board made a poor decision in changing state science standards. Science doesn’t leave room for the supernatural explanations that the board wants to include. Hopefully, with school board elections coming up this summer, Kansans will have the sense to elect new members to the board that will fix the changes. Until then, being a Kansas biology teacher will remain the third worst science job in the country (courtesy of Popular Science).

garret griffin

Political correctness is way out of hand People have to watch what they say, write today; desire to be inoffensive overrides practicality be spoiled by a Wal-Mart employee wishing people joy? Besides, and more importantly, we have a real war olitical correctness these days going on in Iraq and Afghanistan, with has gone a little bit too far. soldiers dying every day. We should No one would protest the focus our attention on that instead. removal of racial and ethnic slurs Political correctness comes out in gender from our vocabulary. However, issues as well, like in the replacement attempts to include everyone are silly, of “chairman” with “chairperson” not to mention or “firefighter” with impossible; we “fireman.” What do such should spend our replacements do for the time and breath “However, attempts to forces of feminism and on changing include everyone are women’s rights? Do the underlying they help women get silly, not to mention problems instead. true equal treatment in We often overreach impossible; we should court, surpass the “glass ourselves in our spend our time and ceiling,” get elected to exaggerated desire the presidency or halt to include everyone. breath on changing the sexual harassment?

This is reflected underlying problem Rather than wasting time in many ways, arguing about the merits instead.” but especially in of various derivations of religious situations. the words, we should be An example is the doing something more use of “holiday useful, such as working tree” instead of “Christmas tree.” to change the fact that women make Everyone knows it’s a Christmas tree. 73 cents per hour for every dollar men No other religion has a pine tree as a make. holiday symbol.

Political correctness is generally wellThe recent “War on Christmas,” so intentioned. Stores that instruct their deemed by political right-wingers like employees to say “Happy Holidays” Fox News anchor and talk show host Bill mean well. They’re trying not to alienate O’Reilly, has brought religious issues to customers. However, not offending the spotlight for discussion. One side anyone is impossible and usually of the “war” demands that people say goes overboard. Instead of arguing “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry over niceties of language, we should Christmas,” and the other side protests spend our time challenging injustices just as vehemently against it. But really, and lobbying for true equality and whose holiday merriment is going to tolerance.

jessica katzenstein news editor

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features 9

January 27, 2006

Heated charter school debates flame across country

Point of Contention

matt galloway

entertainment editor

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lace yourself in the following scenario. You are a struggling inner-city student at a Kansas City, Mo. public high school, barely above the poverty line. Your education is being stunted to an immeasurable degree because of the political warfare being engaged in by the KCMO school board. As you grip one of your torn textbooks published in 1982, one of your close friends approaches you and informs you that she has had enough of the public school system; she is transferring to a local charter school.

And what is going with her? Over four grand of taxpayer-collected funds to support her education. Would you be appalled or would you want to join her?

Such is the scenario facing more and more students each day as a charter school movement gains momentum.

A charter school is a public school that can be created through a legal charter.

In many cases, universities or groups with the best interests of the student in mind sponsor the projects. However, in some cases, a board with intent to express various philosophies or personal agendas sponsors them. The

local school board must approve all the students cannot receive a proper charter schools before they are created. education at their public school, they So what is the controversial element should have every right to attend a that is being vigorously debated today taxpayer-created institution where regarding charter schools? They are they can receive individual help for being funded with your tax dollars. their unique situations.

On Tuesday, Jan. 10 of this year, Those unique situations include two battles being fought involving pregnant teens, disadvantaged the structure of charter schools were children, poverty-stricken students temporarily put to rest by the Kansas and exemplary students who are State Board of Education. Denied considered too advanced for public charter school applicants in Kansas schools. Supporters often point to got a 6-4 vote in their favor to allow these schools as having specialized applicants whose school boards had environments that could not be created turned them down “...this creates an atmosphere that at a public to appeal to the state promotes quasi-segregation and school. board. In that same greatly damages the diversity in pubCritics of vote, a precedent lic schools.” charter schools was set that claim that the established a minimum funding level ends simply do not justify the means, for the 26 charter schools in Kansas. those means being the education of Proponents of the charter school regular public school students. The system believe that this funding will average per-student fund for charter give a chance to inner-city students who school attendants is $4,100. That is are less fortunate and unable to achieve $4,100 that is taken away from the an adequate education elsewhere, free public school system with each new of the politics that are entrenched in attendant, skeptics say, which is doing many public school systems. Arguably nothing but further injuring the already the largest proponent of charter battered public school system. schools is President George W. Bush, The removal of various unique who made the charter school system students from public schools is a major cornerstone of his No Child another point of debate today.

Left Behind Act. The belief is that if Criticism stems from the creation of

schools specializing in education for students of intellectual excellence, other schools specializing in the treatment of disadvantaged children, more schools for pregnant teens and even more schools for students of various wealth or cultural levels.

Critics say this creates an atmosphere that promotes quasi-segregation and greatly damages the diversity in public schools.

Another strong selling point in the critics’ arguments is the money in their own pocketbooks and who will be managing it. The people don’t elect charter school board officials; rather, the school board that forms them does.

This diluted democracy irritates many skeptics.

In spite of which side of the fence one stands on, this will continue to be a hotbutton topic throughout the country, because as of the 2005-2006 school year, more than 3,600 charter schools operate in 40 states and the District of Columbia, educating over one million students. The largest charter school in Johnson County is the Spring Hill High Charter, which schools 463 students, according to the Public School Review.

And who knows, maybe you may soon have a peer relocating to one of these schools.

Ahoy there, Mateys!

Pirate clothing, behavior the new fad ellen thomas

opinions editor

A

cartoonist

garret griffin

vast me hearties! While most students are only willing dress up on spirit days, a group of students take to their “pirate” selves often.

These “pirates” sail the hallways on special Fridays. Pirate Fridays are a relatively new tradition to the school; senior “Captain” Sam Stilley only started them in the fall of 2005.

“I’ve always been a pirate,” Stilley said. “I’ve sailed many seas, plundering much booty, but I decided that I would share my piracy with the school, so my crew and I sail the hallways.”

Captain Stilley’s crew consists of senior first mate Grant Apple, junior gunner Sam Frickleton and junior cabin boy Jordan Pruitt.

Pirates have recently come back into the public eye with the 2003 Disney movie Pirates of the Caribbean and the pirate attacks in Somalia. The inspiration for the BV pirates was something different, though.

“We wanted something that was not really part of the rules,” Stilley said. “It was an act of rebellion, but in the name of something glorious.”

On Pirate Day, the pirates dress up and share their “pirate-ness” with the school. Captain Stilley’s pirate garb includes his bandana, cutlass, combat boots, red pirate coat and tight black pants.

The pirate celebration starts after school with “pirate parties.”

“We all go to these parties dressed as pirates,” Stilley said, “listening to crazy pirate music, singing pirate songs and laughing like crazed pirates.”

Pirate music is apparently more prevalent than one might think.

“There are a lot of punk rock bands that have written about pirates or in pirate style. We listen to a lot of Pouges and Flogging Molly,” Stilley said.

Stilley will be graduating at the end of this year, but for a while yet, the pirates still have time to be pillagin’ and swabbin’ the poop deck. Arrgh!

10 features

January 27, 2006

Ohh 6

Reflection and Anticipation

2005 ends with controversy, change; ‘06 brings fresh faces, fresh starts

New Pope, hurricanes, steroids all steal headlines

andrew robinson

editor-in-chief

2

005 was filled with controversy, destruction and reconstruction throughout the metro, nation and world. The year started when President George W. Bush was inaugurated as the 43rd president of the United States after narrowly defeating John Kerry. Just as President Bush got comfortable in the Oval Office a nationwide contoversey came his way when the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals voted 2-1 against the reinsertion of Terry Schiavo’s feeding tube in late March. The vote came after months of controversy amongst the government and Schavio’s family over the decision to keep her feeding tube in or just to let her die.

Following a downward slope of his own health, Pope John Paul II died peacefully in the Vatican in April. Following his death Joseph Ratzinger is elected as Pope Benedict XVI. Back at home, after nearly 30 years it was revealed that the FBI Agent “Deep Throat” who helped the Washington Post break the Watergate Scandal against Richard Nixon, was W. Mark Felt.

The biggest story of the year could have been when Hurricane Katrina struck and destroyed much of the Gulf Coast in August forcing families to relocate, sports teams o find new stadiums, and college students affected by the storm were encouraged to find new campuses for the fall semester. FEMA was criticized for its slow response during the weeks

following the storm. It was just in the last couple weeks, that some families have been able to move out of their hotels that they have been in since August and able to move in to other housing provided by FEMA or the Red Cross.

The Wichita Police hit a big break in Feburary when they apprehended the man known as B.T.K. Dennis Rader committed 10 murders in Wichita in the ‘70s and ‘80s and was finally arrested in Wichita after years of teasing Wichita media outlets for years with gruesome objects from the people he had murdered.

Locally, it was a record year for Kansas City, Mo. 153 murders were committed throughout the city in 2005. Builders broke ground on the new downtown arena and after much anticipation a Starbucks opened in the heart of Tiger country on 151st Street.

In the Sports world, steroids dominated the baseball headlines as some of the biggest names appeared in front of Congress, including Raphael Palmeiro, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and Jose Canseco. The NHL returned from the year-long strike.

While the Chicago Cubs didn’t break their curse, their south-side counterparts, the Chicago White Sox did win the World Series beating the Houston Astros.

From Hollywood to New York the entertainment industry seemed to keep us entertained with new couples, court cases and traffic tickets. Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes took red carpets by storm as their love flooded parties and premieres. Lindsay vs.

Hilary continued and so did L.C vs Kristin in one of the years biggest hit shows, Laguna Beach, in which

MTV documents seven months of a group of kids living in the ever-fluent community of Laguna Beach, Cal. For 365 days in 2005 things seemed to continue to change, John Roberts was nominated to the supreme court after William Rhenquist died. Improvement will be the name in 2006, as people like Lohan, Bush, and organizations like FEMA attempt to prove themselves again in ’06.

John Roberts flashes a grin during his Supreme Court Confirmation hearings. Roberts replaced William Rhenquist who passed away in 2005. Photo Courtesy of the Associated Press

Al Jazeera, Windows Vista, Brad and Angelina’s baby all to make debut sarah weaver

staff reporter

S

o 2005 had its ups and downs, but what does ‘06 have in store.

Here are some predictions.

Under pressure the government will most likely be working on safer ways to help miners do their work.

After the recent mining incident, where innocent miners’ lives were taken, many Americans were given a glimpse of how dangerous mining is.

The government will try to make it safer for 2006.

Middle Eastern TV Network Al Jazeera will launch its new satellite service in North America allowing Bin Laden to tell the Westerners directly that he wants to kill them, rather than relaying the information through the

Internet.

June 1 begins a horrible season for the coasts. The official Hurricane season begins. Will it be as horrific as the last or will the coasts be calm this hurricane season? Will the coastal cities be perpared?

Students should be looking to be using a new operating system on the computers in late 2006 or 2007 as Microsoft plans to unveil Windows Vista, a new operating system that will be ready for the 2006 holiday season.

Feb. 5 is marked on many American calendars as Super Bowl weekend.

The Super Bowl XL in Detroit, Mich. will be the 40th Super Bowl. The Seattle Seawhaks and the Pittsburgh Steelers will go head to head for the National Football League’s (NFL) annual championship with Steelers winning big. The Rolling Stones will be performing the halftime show.

In 2005 Lance Armstrong won his seventh and last Tour de France. He was at the peak of his career, a good time to quit for any athlete. At age 33, Armstrong retires from professional cycling to spend time with his children.

It sounds as if Armstrong might be planning for a triathlon, but not until 2007.

Jon Stewart will host the 78th Academy Awards on March 5th. Are we ready for some topical political humor?

At the first of the year, Lindsay Lohan admited to suffering from bulimia and drug use. After her appearance on Saturday Night Live, she realized she had a problem. What will happen with her career in 2006? She will start shooting Chapter 27 this year. Lohan stars as John Lennon’s fan, who befriends Mark Chapman, Lennon’s killer.

Tom Cruise leaves jumping on couches behind and jumps into theaters this May with Mission Impossible 3. Another must see will be The Da Vinci Code, based on the best selling novel. Other sequels sweeping the screen this year will be X-Men 3, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest and theaters will be hot as Ice Age 2 comes out.

Also babies will be making it big this year. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are expecting a baby this coming summer.

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes are also expecting an addition.

We had a wonderful, but challenging year in 2005 and many events are expected to be great this year. 2006 should bring controversy, celebrity’s babies, the 40th Super Bowl and much much more.

features 11

January 27, 2006

Blogged On photo illustration by Autumn Fuller

Blogging gets facelift with friendly Facebook brooke thurman

staff reporter

T

een blogging has a new face. Facebook is the online community, appearing on student’s computers everywhere.

Facebook was launched in February of 2004. It was created by Mark Zuckerberg as a community for college students. Students can go and meet other students from their school and friends from other colleges.

Facebook expanded to the high school community in 2005. In the past semester Blue Valley High’s participation has grown to 483 students. Facebook is a hit. Sophomore Kayla Pollock has many reasons why she likes it.

“It gives you something to do,” Pollock said. “You get to poke people, write on their walls and read people’s interests.”

To get started on Facebook you need to be invited by someone from your school. Once you get your profile, you can input information into several categories such as, interests, movies, music, television. With Facebook there is no need to update your profile everyday. You can can engage in typical activities like send people messages or comment on their profile, but there is much more to do.

Many students have started groups on Facebook. Some students have started groups that are fan clubs for other students and teachers. Junior Tyler Mikkelson has a fan club and

teacher Matt Ortman also has a fan club.

“As long as they’re not spreading rumors about me, I don’t mind them,” Ortman said.

Another great feature of Facebook is you can create photo albums and tag people in the pictures. With Facebook, you can look at every students profile from your school. To read profiles from other schools, you have to be friends with a person from that school and you can only read their profile. To become friends with someone from another school you have to ask or request to be their friend and then they have to accept before you can be friends.

However, there is a factor that could decrease Facebook’s popularity. Right before winter break, Facebook was the newest website to be blocked by the dreaded “Inappropriate Material” screen. The filter system is set-up to detect certain words or types of photos.

According to teacher Mark Mosier, the filter system looks for websites with certain words or pictures, and the system blocks them. The administrators don’t choose which sites to block. The reason for the site probably being blocked now is because of a person’s profile having an inappropriate word or picture. With the filter system, one word can block the entire website.

However, with the number of Blue Valley students joining everyday, Facebook is sure to be popular for a long time.

Dear diary no more; high-tech journals don’t hide secrets

brooke thurman

staff reporter

I

t used to be when you wanted to express your feelings, you would pull out your trusty journal and write them out. Now, there is a new way of journaling and you don’t need pen or paper. The new trend is having a web log or a blog.

There are several trends to the new blogging revolution. The first was Xanga. Xanga has been a popular site for people to start online journals and sites for other uses. Xanga is used for a personal website and websites for layouts, quotes and icons.

There are many ways to change a basic page with many different layouts and music. It’s uncommon for two Xangas to be the same. There are some downsides to Xanga, though. A big one is that people feel the need to update their journal all the time. This need comes from wanting your Xanga to be interesting. At first that seems like an okay idea, but after a while it gets old and you run out of things to write about.

“Xanga is so complicated,” sophomore Kayla Pollock said. “ You have to write something everyday,” Pollock said.

The next trend with blogging is Myspace. Xanga isn’t the typical site where people can put personal profiles. With Myspace you can still blog but that isn’t all that is available. Myspace started as a place for new bands to have a site where people could find them. It’s grown to a place where millions of people have sites. On Myspace, you can record a personal profile where you put your interests, favorite television, movies and music. People can comment on your site and you can request other people to be friends with you. A huge difference between Xanga and Myspace is your ability to find people. It is much easier to find someone on Myspace, than it is with Xanga. Most people on Xanga don’t have their Xanga titled with their own name. On Myspace you can search for people by their name, even if it isn’t their display name.

Blogging is a hot trend but a fading trend. With, people not wanting to journal as much anymore, online journaling can only go so far.

12 in-depth

January 27, 2006

in-depth 13

January 27, 2006

Kuykendall reflects on her hero

Iraqis react to an American helicopter landing. The helicopter was carrying supplies and food.

emily kuykendall staff reporter

T

photo courtesy of Kirk Kuykendall

Close to home Blue Valley feels effects of Iraqi war

hink way back to elementary school. Remember that report you had to write about your hero? Well, I can bet about half of you said your hero was your dad. My dad, SSG Kirk Kuykendall, is indeed my real life hero.

This is my dad’s third time being involved in a war, being gone once for Operation Desert Storm, once for Operation Iraqi Freedom and now for Operation Enduring Freedom in Pakistan-Afghanistan. Three times gone and my family is still just getting used to it.

Our family is extremely close, and it puts a lot of hardships on all of us to have my dad absent for long periods of time. My brother and I have been going through most of our high school years without my dad being with us.

The last time he left was when I was only a freshman, and it took a big toll on my first year in high school. This year has been much better for me, mostly due to a maturity factor, and I feel that I am here more for my mom

and brother.

My parents are incredible for being able to go through all that they do. I can’t imagine having my best friend, let alone my husband, being gone for almost a year and a half, only getting middle-of-the-night phone calls about twice a week. They’re fortunate, however, to get those calls.

This is the first time that he has been gone when they’ve really been able to communicate by telephone.

Since most of the calls are in the middle of the night, my brother and I usually resort to e-mails, or as I like to do, Myspace. I know people call blogs stupid, but I call them amazing.

Without it, I would barely get to talk to my dad. Even his buddies send me messages. I know it must get lonely over there, so I like to talk to as many of them as I can and let them know how everything is going at home.

Having my dad gone because of a war is something I wish didn’t have to happen, but I am so lucky and so proud to have a dad who is willing to risk his life for others and for the freedom of this country. My hero is still my dad.

photo courtesy of Kirk Kuykendall SSG Kirk Kuykendall, father of senior Emily Kuykendall and sophomore Wes Kuykendall, hands out candy to some Iraqi childern. Operation Enduring Freedom is Kuykendall’s third time in the Middle East

Blog provides place for family to keep tabs on happenings SSG Kirk Kuykendall writes of war to family

kirk kuykendall

Taliban but a devastating earthquake took place in Pakistan killing up to oday is my first entry and my three- 80,000 people and leaving 800,000 month mark of active duty on my homeless. So we jumped through fire third wartime deployment. A lot has to get here, stopping in Spain, Turkey, happened in these three months. We Afghanistan and finally Pakistan. were activated and sent to Fort Sill, In three months I’ve been mobbed Okla., for what was supposed to be by a desperate crowd, carried corpses, three months of training before being almost died when my helicopter sent to Afghanistan to fight against the got overloaded and go caught in a special to The Tiger Print

T

downdraft and had an old man get down on his hands and knees and beg me to let him on my helicopter to take him away because he was in pain. I was ordered not to let him on and had to push him away putting my hand on my heart and saying, “I’m sorry,” in a language he couldn’t understand. I watched him with tears in my eyes that no one could see under

my dark visor as we flew away. When I left Oklahoma three months ago, I weighed 225 lbs; today I weigh 190lbs.

We leave for Afghanistan soon; we face a ruthless enemy who waits for weeks in a hole to get a shot at a Chinook helicopter. The unit we are to replace has had many casualties, but we have faith in ourselves, and we know these hardships are worth it!!

Lemons wants good work in news, thanks e-mail for keeping in touch Lending a Helping Hand ellen thomas

opionions editor

S

aying good-bye to any loved one who is about to fight in Iraq is difficult. Anything can happen over there, and one might not see that loved one for a long time. While some students have said good-bye to parents, siblings or friends, it is another thing to say good-bye to a son or daughter.

Spanish teacher Anita Lemons is one of the many parents who have had to say good-bye to a son or daughter. Her son Doug is an anesthesiologist in the Medical Corp of the Air Force.

“I was really scared for him,” Lemons said. “ Iraq is such a dangerous place, and it’s not like any other war where you have front lines and you’re behind the lines. Everything is the front line in Iraq.”

Doug Lemons was first sent over last August and came back in March. He missed all major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, Valentines

Day and his birthday.

Communication between the troops and their families was unreliable. Doug could only send a few e-mails while he was over there, but his parents emailed him daily.

“Every day I got up extra early and e-mailed him,” Lemons said. “My husband and I both did and my son who lives here. We knew that he couldn’t e-mail us back, but that made us feel better. Once in a while we could get an e-mail from him.”

Being a doctor Doug was stationed at a hospital that the American troops had taken from the enemy.

“Every day they were bombed or had IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) that were launched at their hospital, at their barracks where they lived, at the commissary where they ate and every place,” Lemons said. “He has medals for however many assaults they actually had during that time he was

there.”

Between bombings and the workload, the doctors and nurses in the hospitals rarely had a quiet moment.

“The thing about being in Iraq that most people do not know about is that here are these medical doctors who have spent so much time going to school and so many thousands of hours learning their specialties and how it could be taken away from them so easily with one of those IEDs,” Lemons said, “The other thing is that while they were there they worked unbelievable hours. Sometimes 36, 38 hours in a row without any rest whatsoever.”

The long hours that the doctors worked were not just on wounded American soldiers; they also took care of Iraqis. While their parents were worrying back home about their safety, the American soldiers were taking care of the very people who trying to

hurt them days before.

“They took care of the enemy soldiers, and they put back together the enemy terrorists,” Lemons said.

“He said that they were very, very grateful. At least for a period they were grateful for what the guys and gals there did.”

Despite all the good work the troops do over in Iraq, many parents of soldiers think that the media seems only to cover the negative aspects of the occupation.

This focus on the wrong the soldiers have done affects the parents of the soldiers.

“There are so many good things that you never hear about, and that’s something that concerns me,” Lemons said. “We always hear about how bad we are or whatever we did, but no one really tells you about the good things our soldiers have done.”

The media’s anti-war coverage affects not only politicians, but the families of the troops as well,

Lemons said.

“I do think that they should be responsible for their responses to the war and not do things that actually put our soldiers and civilian workers trying to rebuild the country into harm’s way because the soldiers over there pay attention to what these people [the media] are saying and I think that they continue to add to that hatred that the Iraqis feel for Americans and what we do.”

While the troops are over in Iraq, there will always be parents back at home wondering how their son or daughter is. Going over to a foreign country to fight is not the easiest decision ever made for numerous soldiers, but knowing that a parent is here worrying over them is comforting for many.

14 in-depth

January 27, 2006

Major combat operations ‘over’

The Latest: Elections, suicide bombs, reconstruction defining current Iraq sami miles

staff reporter

T

hree years ago this April, Bush announced an end of “major combat operations” in Iraq. White House spokesman, Ari Fleischer, however, made it clear that the hostilities in Iraq would not end, even with this announcement. Bombings and terrorist views kept the fire of hostilities from dwindling.

The hostilities continue now with suicide bombings killing over 130 people in Karbala and Ramadi on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2006. This massacre is the fourth deadliest day in Iraq thus far, according to CNN. Five U.S. soldiers were also killed by a roadside bomb. These numbers are the reason many people oppose the United States involvement in Iraq. Although many have died, supporters of Bush are looking at how many the United States has saved by entering Iraq, removing Saddam from power, and establishing a democracy. Without this takeover, supporters believe that there would be one more tyrant in the world, and one less democracy.

The United States has suffered many deaths and even more casualties from their involvement in Iraq. According to the most recent numbers, a little over 2,000 people have died from the United States.

Also on Jan. 5, Bush met with former cabinet members at the White House to defend his policies involving Iraq and the war on terror and to get their input.

CNN reported that people critical of Bush’s policies have called for a quick withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq, arguing that enough people have died; however, Bush assured the cabinet that he would not pull out until he believes the Iraqis can take over security. He will test this in 2006. Bush announced, “In January 2006, the mission is to continue to hand over more and more responsibility to Iraqi forces.”

Reconstruction efforts are another reason Bush refuses to pull out of Iraq.

In a newspaper column on Friday, Jan. 13, Paul Bremer, the former U.S. administrator of Iraq stated, “reconstruction efforts must be broadened through the government and especially the private sector.” In Iraq, the government hopes to establish telecommunication facilities, rebuilding of electrical power plants, modernizing health care systems, and instituting modern budgeting procedures. This reconstruction will take place over the next few years in hopes of getting Iraq back on its feet as an individual power.

To stabilize Iraq and gain support, Bush has been emphasizing the election process in Iraq. This election, which took place on Dec. 15, 2005, elected a 275member Council of Representatives, with 25 percent being women. Fifteen nations hosted out-of-country polling centers so that everyone would be involved. In a speech last week, he explained that the violence will continue but constitutional democracy will eventually prevail. He marked this election, “a landmark day in the history of liberty”.

This historical day in December would not have been possible without the removal of Saddam Hussein who claims that Bush lied when he entered Iraq on the pretenses that Hussein had weapons of mass destruction. In CNN’s transcript of Bush’s speech from the oval office on Jan. 1, 2006, he admitted that his intelligence had been incorrect but took responsibility for entering Iraq. He stood by his decision to remove Hussein from power, with the reasoning that Hussein was a tyrant and a menace to his people.

Hussein made many accusations during his trial, including how he was beaten

by American troops. With all of Hussein’s “theatrical outbursts,” the court decided to adjourn for a month and resume the trial on Jan. 24, 2006.

Bush, on the other hand, is pleased, explaining that “Saddam Hussein, captured and jailed, is still the same raging tyrant – only now without a throne.”

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features 15

January 27, 2006

Getting to know...

THE CLEANUP CREW Meet the men, women of Blue Valley’s all-star custodial staff

Gary Mountain: Mountain is on the day crew, which works from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., and is the assistant lead custodian at Blue Valley. He has been working as a custodian for nine years, three with Blue Valley. Prior to being a custodian Mountain traveled in a band, was a selfemployed artist and worked as a courier for 10 years. Mountain was born in Kansas City, Kan., and is a musician in church. His hobbies include playing the drums and art. One of his least favorite things about being a janitor is cleaning up stopped toilets.

“My favorite thing about being a custodian is knowing that I made a difference,” Mountain said.

David Bottcher: Bottcher, a day crew member, is a newlywed from Sedalia, Mo. He is a musician in church with Gary Mountain. Bottcher has been a custodian for one and a half years. Previous occupations include working at a lumberyard and at a hospital. Bottcher likes to play PS2.

The thing Bottcher doesn’t like about being a custodian is being confined to one area.

“I like the constant activity and always having something to do,” Bottcher said.

pictures by Emily Reinhardt

Valerie Colbern-Nichols: ColbernNichols, a day crew member attended Olathe North High School and has two children and a puppy named Ceasar. Valerie has been a custodian for five years. Before she was a custodian she was a student. She enjoys when students treat the building with respect, but she doesn’t enjoy touching left over food.

Colbern Nichols also works on Saturdays.

Some of Colbern-Nichols’ hobbies include drawing, painting and making crafts. Valerie is also a published poet.

“I like it when students respect the building they’re in, because I’ve been in places where students didn’t respect it,” Colbern-Nichols said.

Carol Hunke: Hunke is a member of the night crew, which works from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Hunke is from Kansas; she cleaned apartments and construction sites before becoming a custodian. Hunke doesn’t have much free time as she spends most of her time here. “ If I’m not here cleaning I am at home cleaning,” she said.

Hunke has worked at BVHS for six years; the longest she has ever worked in a day is 22 hours straight. Hunke is the lead custodian and is ultimately responsible for everything. Hunke also has a daughter who is a custodian at Prairie Star Elementary.

“I like getting to know the kids; a lot of them are really nice,” Hunke said.

“You get to meet a lot of people, and every day is different.”

This space could be yours...

ADVERTISE IN THE TIGER PRINT! With a circulation of over 1,700, your local business could benefit.

16 entertainment

January 27, 2006

Banned in

Iran

“American culture is fading away in Iran” autumn fuller

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad bans Western music, culture from broadcasts matt galloway

entertainment editor

for granted, the loss of the music has given light to the importance of the arts in every culture.

“I think Western culture is just as important to their Iranian society as their culture is to ours,” Iqbal said. “The ban is just a really bad idea.”

While the current Ahmadinejad administration may continue to limit the influence of North America on the Middle East, Iqbal believes that s o m e d a y , Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad W e s t e r n waves to a crowd of supporters at a recent culture will rally. Ahmadinejad is also infamous for his return to the comments that the holocaust is “a myth.” streets of Iran.

“With time, the bans and restrictions will be lifted,” Iqbal said. “With the evolution of the world, they would eventually be forced to catch up.” photo courtesy of AP Images

N

o Eagles, no hotel in California.

No jungle to welcome anyone to, and nobody getting the best of you. Janie never had a gun, nobody ever dreamed on, and there was never any love in an elevator. The music to weave the cultures of generation after generation had suddenly disappeared.

For the citizens of Iran, this nightmarish fantasy has once again become a reality. It really is the day the music died.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has slapped down an order on the state broadcaster, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), forbidding them from playing any “Western and decadent music,” such as The Eagles, Kenny G and Eric Clapton.

Instead, Ahmadinejad stressed the importance of “fine” Iranian music and revolutionary-era tunes. In other words, American culture is fading away in Iran. While the Iranian people can do little to stop this ban, some Blue Valley students are making their voices heard on this subject.

“[The music] definitely shouldn’t be banned,” senior Maleeha Iqbal said. “In my opinion, its more censorship than banning.”

Iqbal’s parents moved to America from Pakistan before she was born.

Visiting Pakistan has always been a dream and goal of hers. But while she may have grown up in an environment heavily influenced by Middle Eastern culture, she says that losing Western entertainment would be a bad experience in the long run.

“For a while, living without [Western music and culture] would be a good experience,” Iqbal said. “But after a while, I would miss everything.”

Perhaps the most critical freedom for American culture is the freedom of expression, a right that has been outlawed in Iran off and on since the days of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the Islamic Revolution in 1979. Iqbal, a member of the Diversity Council, can see the relation between expression and the ban.

“Iranians should have civil rights and civil liberties,” Iqbal said. “Just as everyone else is entitled to.”

While many in the United States may take Western entertainment

College hoops travel a new ‘road’ in inspirational new movie

‘Glory Road’ educates, profiles monumental moment in sports history, with assist from some clichés matt killen

staff reporter

O

ne of the first big movie hits of 2006 might be Glory Road, the story of the 1966 Texas Western basketball team. The story begins when Texas Western, now known as the University of Texas El Paso, hires coach Don Haskins to take over as head basketball coach. With little recruiting money and a low fan base, Haskins (Josh Lucas) turns to African-American players, whose talents were overlooked by some major universities because of racism (It should be noted, for example, that Wilt Chamberlain played at KU in 1956.

Many northern universities recruited black athletes). The story continues when the Texas Western Miners start

winning, and finishes the season with ago. This adds to the drama and one loss. The Miners’ Cinderella brings credibility to the story.

A lot of key facts aren’t forgotten season goes all the way to the national championship against Kentucky. in this movie either. Adolph Rupp, This movie is specifically moving Kentucky’s head coach, was one of considering all of the hardships that the most publicized racists in all of were endured in Texas Western’s sports. The movie highlights this with some racial remarks amazing Rupp makes at a press s e a s o n . “This movie is specifically moving conconference.

Later Racism was sidering all of the hardships that were on in the movie it is still a huge endured in Texas Western’s amazing mentioned that Rupp problem in season.” eventually recruited the America, first black basketball a n d the more Texas Western won, the player in Kentucky history. This worse the players were treated, was huge because Rupp was, and including a disturbing bit of hotel is, a basketball legend, and for him vandalism. Probably most disturbing to come around to black players is the fact that a lot of this actually made a huge impact on society. It occurred no less than half a century also mentions Tubby Smith the first

black coach in Kentucky (and the SEC), who won a national championship in his first season at Kentucky.

The only bad thing about the movie is that there is no actual basketball footage until the semifinal and final games. There is a lot of practicing, and some clips summarizing their victories, but until the NCAA tournament, there isn’t a whole lot of action, as far as sports are concerned.

Though Glory Road is a typical inspirational sports movie, it is an instant classic and can educate a lot of people about one of the most monumental upsets in basketball history. Not only did Texas Western introduce the South to African-American ballplayers, it helped show that both blacks and whites could coexist on the court and off.

entertainment 17

January 27, 2006

That ‘70s teaching staff With the Sweetheart disco dance on the horizon, faculty reflects on the 1970’s with fond memories, leisure suits garret griffin

A

Art Teacher Mark Mosier

Q:

What was the best music made the ‘70s?

A:

“The Beatles, the Eagles and James Taylor.”

Social Studies Teacher Bev Bertolone

Q:

What was your favorite movie from the ‘70s?

A:

“The James Bond series.”

frank lasley

co-sports editor

G

reen Day has come through again with this amazing live CD titled Bullet in a Bible. Recorded live over two massive gigs at Milton Keynes in England, the CD is full of hits off of their previous CD, American Idiot. Fans of Green Day’s older albums need not worry; the band brings amazing songs like “Brain Stew” and “Basket Case” to the album, showing that they are far from forgetting their roots. One of the best tracks on the disc is an 11minute rendition of “Jesus of Suburbia.” While the CD is great, if you own all of the bands previous albums, it really would not be worth spending the money for songs you already own.

System of a Down upgrade Principal Scott Bacon

P.E. Teacher Peggy Rose

Q:

What was the most memorable sports moment of the ‘70s?

A:

“The ‘76 Olympics in Montreal.”

Q: A:

What gets you fired up about the ‘70s?

“The successful Nebraska Cornhuskers, disco, leisure suits, the end of the Vietnam War, Happy Days and going inside McDonalds instead of using a drive-thru.”

No Love for ‘Love Monkey’ andrew robinson

editor-in-chief

T

with...

Bulletproof performance

staff cartoonist

h, the 1970s…the years we wish we could all visit. Well, with sweetheart’s theme this year being the ‘70s, BVHS students may not be too far away from seeing the decade when it was most important to have a fun time all the time.

When you think of the ‘70s you may see some of these in your mind’s eye: flared shirts, punk rock, disco balls, guitars, bell bottoms, customized vans with hand-painted murals and a tall gold robot with a walking trashcan beside him, who can’t seem to say anything but “Beep-Bloop!”

This spirit of aiming for constant ecstasy caused everyone to express themselves and live life to the fullest.

Yes, the days of the hippies are over.

The days when mullets and Afros and Zapata moustaches ruled the world are long gone. Everyone was crazy about the simple word ‘freedom,’ which blinded people to anything that wasn’t bliss.

The ‘70s, however, in all its smiley-facesand-flowers glory can be revisited for a few hours on Feb. 11, when sweetheart is held, so get ready for some groovy disco! Gee, I hope I can find my Huk-APoo shirt, loon pants and dingo boots.

With plenty of teachers in the school who amazingly survived the ‘70s, we visited a few of them and inquired about the pop culture and events of this decade and to find out what they looked like then.

c i t i r C

r e n r s Co

he over-publicized romantic dramacomedy Love Monkey finally debuted on Jan. 18. The show tells the story of a young music executive Tom Ferrell played by Tom Cavanaugh. Ferrell works at high profile music recording company and struggles with his love life.

In the first episode, a steamy loves scene ends abruptly when Ferrell’s girlfriend Julia Hixon, played by Ivana Milicevic, asks him if he is going to ask her to marry him. When he answers no, that relationship is over and viewers find Cavanaugh back in the bar scene with his buddies on the hunt for a new lady-friend.

A lot of subplots opened up in this pilot episode as Cavanaugh also loses his job after standing up for what he believes in. CBS is scheduled to air seven more episodes and has to go up against other well established shows in Boston Legal on ABC

and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit on NBC. Love Monkey seemed to be lacking something. There was nothing that caught viewers attention, not to mention a bulimic story line that had no originality to it. It seemed as if it were an hour-long sit-com, not a drama trying to compete in Tuesday night primetime.

Cavanaugh, however, does a good job with his character; he just doesn’t have the supporting cast he needs around him.

Future music tracks may also be entertaining.

Some say the show is delightful and fresh; it seemed more stale and bland from the pilot.

For Love Monkey to get through the next seven episodes and into the lineup next fall, it will have to improve its storylines and eliminate a few subplots.

On the other hand, give Love Monkey a second chance as viewers may see the other characters develop more and the show will not be focused so much on Ferrell’s troubles that seem to be more humorous than dramatic.

F

ollowing the first portion of their two-part album, Mezmerize, System of a Down released Hypnotize. The CD truly is one of the greatest rock albums to be released in years.

With intense, in-your-face songs like “Attack” and “Kill Rock and Roll,” the CD also offers toned down songs like “Hypnotize” and “Holy Mountains.” One of the best songs on the album, “Vicinity of Obscenity,” is possibly the most bizarre song the band plays, leaving one scratching his head and wondering what just happened. System of a Down fans know that along with intense, in-your-face songs, a centerpiece of their albums is political statements, Hypnotize is no different. The CD has multiple songs about their views against the war in Iraq and the government. If you are a fan of rock, this CD needs to be apart of your collection.

‘First impressions’ of a bad album

F

ans of The Strokes are bound to be disappointed by the band’s newest album, First Impressions of Earth. Sounding almost identical to the bands first two CD’s, the album seems to be a second half of Room on Fire. The band has taken a step forward in their music, allowing guitarists Nick Valensi and Albert Hammond Jr. to expand their solos more than the previous albums have. Unfortunately, Julian Casablancas has not matured much as the lead singer of the band, offering up dry and meaningless lyrics. If you have an extra $15 and you were thinking about buying this CD, do yourself a favor and save it for something worth buying.

18 entertainment

January 27, 2006

Junkfood, Soda and a...

SUPER BOWL

of Doritos!

‘The Big Game’ not only popular among sports fans, Super Bowl is social gathering for party enthusiasts as well frank lasley

co-sports editor

S

uper Bowl XL is approaching next weekend and you know what that means, Super Bowl parties. Having 15 of your friends over to watch the big game can be awesome, but what is the best way to throw that yearly football celebration?

The first step in throwing a Bowl party is to invite your guests. Since it is a big event, you will want to invite friends that actually care about the game.

If you invite friends who don’t care, not only will they not enjoy themselves as much as they should, they will serve no purpose other than autumn fuller eating your food.

Senior Jessica Smith The next step shuffles through junk food in throwing a to prepare for an upcoming great Bowl party party. Preparing for parties is decking out is oftentimes more difficult whatever room than throwing them. you will watch the game in with Super Bowl decorations. Set up decorations for whichever team you want to win, or you can mix decorations for both teams around the room.

A must for any Super Bowl party is food and a whole lot of it. The best foods for parties are tortilla chips and salsa.

Cheese dip for the tortilla chips also works great. A crockpot filled with Lil’ Smokies

Y

entertain

ourself

will be sure to keep your guests happy.

“I eat a lot. Since I eat a lot, I hate going to parties where there isn’t enough food. Let’s say there’s still a good hour and a half left in the game and I’ve only had two plates of chips and all the food is already gone. Can you say ‘it’s hit the fan?’” junior Tony Britt said.

To wash the down mass quantities of food that your guests will likely consume, it is necessary to have many beverages. Be sure to have multiple choices of soda pop for your guests so they aren’t stuck with one drink.

There are very few things worse than getting up and craving a Pepsi after just finishing a plate full of nachos, and upon arriving at the drink table, seeing nothing left but Diet Coke.

With all of these choices of food and drink, you will need somewhere to put the foodstuffs. The best thing to do is set up a large card table or bar with all drinks on one side and food on the other. Be sure to supply plenty of paper plates and large plastic cups for your friends. Since you will be watching a football game, people are going to get excited, and when this happens, things get spilled. Be sure to have plenty of napkins on hand (no pun intended) for your guests.

While Blue Valley may have a large amount of diverse plans for the Super Bowl, one must always remember to throw the right party with the right setting.

matt galloway

entertainment editor

T

hanksgiving has passed us by. Christmas, Hanukah and Kwanza are also just 2005 memories. New Year’s Eve and Day are both history and MLK day was earlier this month. But for many BVHS students, the holiday season isn’t over yet.

For these students, the holiday season

What is your favorite Super Bowl half-time memory?

“The concert with Nelly and a bunch of other people was awesome.”

- senior Clark Stinson

climaxes on Feb. 5. The joyous date that the National Football League’s season finally comes to a close.

While the Chiefs may have just missed out on the fun, the playoffs this year have been a display of dominance. Many blowout games have turned fans off of this year’s big game. But as explained in the previous story, that isn’t going to stop some students from partying hard.

“I’m going to be having a bangin’ party,” sophomore Brianne Burlin said.

Other students plan on spending their time commercial scouting, recalling some of their favorite classic Super Bowl commercials.

“The Bud Light commercial from last year with the guys jumping out of the plane was great,” sophomore Danny Schons said. “It was my favorite.”

Many football diehards prefer to ditch the drinks and chips and stay at home where they can concentrate and appreciate the game itself.

“I’m going to go some place where I can actually watch the game,” sophomore Nate Kerkhoff said.

There are also a number of students who plan on attending a get together, but are unsure if they will have any interest with the Super Bowl, other than the name of the party they’re attending.

“I’m going to my Godmother’s house to eat a lot of chips,” senior Anna Frasier said. I don’t know if I’ll actually watch the game, though.”

Some students plan on missing the Super Bowl like a Mike Vanderjagt field goal misses the uprights.

“My plans?” freshman Morgan Hampton said.

“Not watching it.”

Finally, some students aren’t going to be watching the big game, but playing in one themselves.

“I won’t be able to watch the Super Bowl this year,” junior Andera Morris said. “I’ll be at a volleyball tournament.”

- junior Nick Viviano “I’d have to go with Janet Jackson’s halftime performance.”

“[My favorite is] the time when Michael Jackson performed.”

- senior Robert Dercher

- freshman Luke Rampy “Of course when Janet Jackson’s top came off.”

Sports 19

January 27, 2006

To the P o i n

Player: Clark Stinson

t

Do you have any pregame rituals?

We have team cheers.

Also, I shake my arms out and hit my legs.

Blue Valley High student fences; heads all the way to Nationals kelsey frerking

contributing writer

F

ootball, soccer, basketball, baseball, wrestling, tennis and golf are all popular sports for freshmen boys in the Midwest. Many other sports are available, but they, however, are not as popular. Lacrosse, hockey, men’s volleyball and fencing are some of the harder to find sports. Freshmen Yevgeniy Shmurak is one of the few who participates in an out-ofschool sport, and it’s not very common.

Shmurak is a fencer. Not only is he a fencer, but he is a good f e n c e r.

Shmurak was ranked first in the 14men’s category in the nation.

At the mere age of 14, he was also ranked 23rd at the Cadet level, where he competes with fencers 16 years old and over. Fencing requires a lot of hard work, and it can be dangerous.

“It is both physically and mentally challenging,” Shmurak said. “If you aren’t smart, you will get hurt.”

He has never been injured while fencing, but he was affected by injury in 2004.

During a growth spurt, Shmurak’s bones in his leg were rubbing against h i s ligaments.

He wore a brace, but that did not stop him from fencing.

“It hurt pretty badly, but I got over it,” Shmurak said.

As of 2006

Shmurak had been fencing for five years, and he planned t o compete Olympic He said fessional was not

at the level. that profencing a high enough paying job to pay the bills, but that it was his passion, and he wanted to compete at a higher level

anyway.

“It’s not for the money, but I plan to try out for the 2012 United States Olympic team,” Shmurak said.

In order to accomplish his goals of making the team, Shmurak worked very hard. With four national tournaments a year, and others as well, Shmurak’s schedule required him to practice every day on his own and every other week with his trainer in Salina, Kan. “To do well in a tournament, I have to work hard every day,”

Shmurak said, “and I also meet with my trainer weekly before an upcoming tournament.”

Do you have any family history in the sport?

My Dad and his brother were swimmers.

What’s your favorite sports movie?

Gladiator

What’s the biggest competition you’ve been apart of?

Playing against Tony in What’s your favorite sport to watch on T.V.? water polo KU basketball

Sports Profile Player: Melissa Stevens Do you have any pregame rituals?

I go to Beanology and get a green tea frappuchino.

Do you have any family history in the sport?

My Uncle used to play.

What’s the biggest competition you’ve been apart of?

We went to State my freshmen year.

What’s your favorite sports movie?

What About Bob? What’s your favorite sport to watch on TV? Chiefs football

20 sports

January 27, 2006

Worth the Weight Wrestlers compete with dieting griffin page

staff reporter

E

verybody wants to be in good shape.

They want to make sure they look good when they go to the pool or when they are outside tanning. Not many want to put in the time and effort it takes to shed those excess pounds, though. Wrestlers do that work everyday of the week just to make sure they make the cut.

“We run our butts off all day during practice,” sophomore Matt Otterstedt said.

Exercise isn’t the only factor though. Coaches advise wrestlers what to eat and what to drink.

“We recommend they eat lots of fruit and vegetables and drink lots of water,” coach Matt Ortman said. “They need to cut out junk food altogether.”

The wrestlers have a choice about how much they want to lose. Senior Geoff Whited lost 15 pounds to get down to the 112 weight class.

“I wanted to be more competitive,” Whited said.

Wrestling is well known for its weight loss and the techniques some wrestlers will use to shed the pounds. Fluid and caloric restriction, fasting and increased exercise are the most

common unhealthy practices used. Some more intense strategies involve saunas, rubber or plastic workout suits, vomiting and drugs such as diuretics and laxatives. Some wrestlers starve themselves the day before, and then after weigh-in, the wrestler will binge eat to rehydrate.

Clinicians and researchers have an increasing worry that wrestlers who practice these techniques will develop an eating disorder in the future. Research has proven that misconceptions and a lack of proper knowledge about nutrition and dieting contribute to why wrestlers use such extreme techniques.

“The biggest risk is dehydration,” Ortman said. “A lot of wrestlers don’t drink as much as they should.”

The coaches monitor the younger wrestlers especially, since the older ones know how to lose weight in a healthy way. The coaches do make the older wrestlers tell the coaches their weight at the beginning and end of practices, though, just to make sure.

“The coaches don’t tell us not to eat,” Whited said. It is your decision and if you make a commitment, you better stick with it.”

If only the rest of us could have the same attitude.

mckenzi foster Freshman Luke Rampy looks to pin his opponent at a December freshmen tournament. The Tigers placed seventh at a varsity tournament held at BVNW on Jan. 21.

January 27, 2006

Gazing into crystal ball of ‘06

sports 21

Tigers look for consistency, big win over Blue Valley West Tigers prepare to try for first EKL win hank driskell

co-sports editor

T

frank lasley

co-sports editor

W

ith the year 2005 finished, the question arises: “What can we expect from the world of sports during 2006?”

Certainly, one can expect ups and downs, and one would hope that perhaps this year might actually have more ups than downs.

What to expect this year: The Kansas City Royals become the first team in the history of Major League Baseball to lose more than quadruple the amount of games that it wins, going 31 – 129. Following the fiasco of a season, ticket sales plummet to an all time low, setting the franchise up for collapse.

Of course, to counter the Royals amazing flop of a season, the Kansas City Chiefs, who recently aquired a new head coach, will go all the way to the Super Bowl for the first time in 37 years. Facing the Seahawks, the Chiefs will pummel their opponents into the ground, finally bringing the Lombardi trophy to Kansas City.

Following the usual trends, there will also be low points in the year. The NHL players will strike once again after realizing that sadly, no one cares.

The cancer of all sports, steroids, will rear its ugly head again, and again and again. Even 6’4” Royals pitcher Mike McDougal will be brought to question about steroids after jumping up from his 2005 season weight of 185 lbs. to an astounding 260 lbs. during the off season. Along with McDougal, the entire New York Yankees team faces trial under a Congressional hearing on steroid charges.

Unfortunately, the steroid trouble doesn’t stop with baseball. Its new victim: professional curling. After a dismal showing in the 2002 Winter Olympics, the U.S. Curling team is disqualified from the 2006 games after an Olympic Committee’s findings revealed that the captain decided to “dope up” before their first match.

All right, so not all of these things will happen, but one thing is for sure.

With all of the ups and downs sure to be in store in 2006, there is no question that the year will offer up plenty of rejoicing and plenty of woes in the world of sports.

corey gray Senior Stephen Blumhardt and junior Zach Rampy guard a shot put up by Isaac Miles of Bishop Miege. The two teams met Jan. 13; however, the Stags toppled the Tigers by 11 points. The Tigers have started the year 0-3 in EKL play. The Jags on the other hand have started 3-0 in EKL and 10-2 overall.

A win this Friday would help the Tigers turn things around.

Friday Night Basketball Quick Look Who: Blue Valley West (8-2) vs. Blue Valley (3-7) When: 7 p.m.

Where: Blue Valley Tiger Pit TV/Radio: None Fans’ Note: The game will sell out. Fans should come early as in past years as officials have had to turn people away.

Outlook: Last year the teams seemed more evenly match; however with a 3-7 record this year Blue Valley still has things to prove. They will be looking for their first EKL win in four tries.

Blue Valley West brings size to the floor in 6’7” Robert Lewendowski and 6’5” Brent Lund. It will be neccessary for the Tigers to box out if they want to get their third straight home win against Blue Valley West.

he Tigers have prepared this week for what could be called the most anticipated game of the season, the Blue Valley West Game.

Ever since the Blue Valley split, some look at sports as a way to judge which shool is superior. Tonight at 7 p.m. in the Blue Valley gym, both teams will look to do just that, prove their superiority.

Blue Valley West started its season the right way with a 10-2 record through their first 12 games of the year.

Senior Aaron Trigg and sophomore Robert Lewendowski are leading the Jaguars. Recently the Jaguars placed third in the 7-up Shootout at Lee’s Summit High School with a 47-45 win over Grandview High School.

Blue Valley started its season at the Blue Valley Shootout coming in second place out of eight teams. However, they dropped four straight prior to the Valley Center tournament and have begun the season at 2-5. Seniors Ryan Robertson, Stephen Blumhardt, Lance Morris and Tim King lead the Tigers this year.

“I think we have strong senior leadership,” Senior Stephen Blumhardt said.

The Tigers took their 2-5 record all the way to the January Jam Tournament in Valley Center, Kan., Jan. 19 – Jan. 21.

The eight-team tournament combined teams from all over Kansas.

The Tigers took on Kansas City Schlagle Thursday night. The Tigers won the game 67-56 behind a strong 22-point performance by senior Ryan Robertson.

In the second round of the tournament the Tigers were matched up with the number 1 team in the state in the 6A class, Wichita Southeast. BV’s efforts fell short in a 78-53 loss.

Saturday night the Tigers faced the Junction City Blue Jays for third place in the tournament. BV had a tough first half and looked at a 14-point deficit at halftime. Despite playing better in the second half, the Tigers could not get over the hump; they ended up losing the game by a margin of 11.

Now the Tigers turn their attention to the Blue Valley West game tonight.

“We’re really looking forward to this game,” Robertson said. “We feel like we really got better at Valley Center.”

22 sports

January 27, 2006

The Queens of the Court Underclassmen girls rise to challenge, show they are ready to lead team griffin page

staff reporter

I

eighth graders to posting f you go to a girls’ up against a senior. Playing basketball game this against this good competition season, you may not early can only bring positive recognize many of the faces things to the team, though.

“The experience will benefit on the court. That is because us since we are four freshman and young and we’re four sophomores “They all have struggling, but in are making an equal opa few years having a significant played there will contribution to the portunity for team. playing time, so help the team,” freshman Liz “We only have Stinson said. four seniors and if one of them With that one junior on screws up, I’m change can come the team,” coach going to get in some downfalls, Andy Unrein however. said. “That lack her face.”

“The mental of upperclassmen toughness part caused for the deep freshman and the self-pressure is the class to move up.”

It is a big change going from toughest part of having playing basketball against underclassmen play up,”

andrew robinson Coach Andy Unrein addresses the varsity girls at a practice after school. The varsity girls’ basketball team has four freshmen and four sophomores on the team. Beginning to play at the varsity level at a younger age benefits the basketball team in the long run.

Unrein said.

It may be tough at the beginning, but it must feel good when you do well against a senior right?

“It doesn’t really cross my mind,” sophomore Morgan Matile said, “since it is player on player out there.”

Even if some of the team

is new to the system, that won’t stop coach Unrein from yelling at you.

“They all have an equal opportunity for playing time, so if one of them screws up, I’m going to get in her face,” Unrein said. “But really I am not hard enough on them.”

The freshmen can attest to

that.

“Coach Unrein makes it so it isn’t a pressure thing,” Stinson said.

If you have time on a weeknight, you might want to head on over to the varsity girls’ basketball game and see what is coming up for the future.

One third of NFL’s head coaches step down Who’s out and who’s in in the world of NFL coaches? colin brown

staff reporter

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t’s a brand new year and many of us anxiously await Super Bowl XL. The Seahawks and the Steelers will battle for football supremacy, but nearly a third of the league will be under a new coaching staff in the coming season.

Lets take a look at all the changes around the league; this could get confusing so pop some Adderall and focus up.

The day after the NFL regular season ended, six head coaches were fired by the likes of Houston, Oakland, St. Louis, New Orleans, Minnesota and Green Bay. But they weren’t even the first of the Management fire squad, two games before the end of the regular season former Detroit

Lions coach Steve Marriucci job opening in New York, was canned. Dick Vermeil of and the Jets looked no further the Hometown Chiefs retired then their own division giving and in a shocking move, the job to former Patriots Buffalo Bills former head coach defensive coordinator Eric Mangini, despite the fact that Mike Mularky resigned.

That left nine head coaching the Patriots had the fifth worst positions unfilled; That is defense in the AFC. Former Chicago until the chiefs Bears Coach and signed former Jets Head coach “[...] who said the Detroit interim Herm Edwards key to the Lions Head Coach this in exchange for a winning next year year, Dick Jauron was picked up by fourth round draft pick and former is ‘staying low?’” the Bills and the Houston Texans Eagles offensive hired Gary coordinator Brad Childress signed on to be the Kubiak the offensive guru that head man in Minnesota in has designed top five offenses hopes that he can improve year after year. a team that had a many Of course the general manager discipline problems during hated by all of Detroit, Matt the season (four players Millen, decided not to be outdone by hiring Buccaneers arrested).

The signing of Herm Edwards defensive line coach Rod In Kansas City made a new Marinelli with no experience

even at a coordinator position and who said the key to the Lions winning next year is “staying low.”

Scott Linehan former Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator was hired as St. Louis’ next head coach ,probably because the guy they wanted (Al Saunders) went to Washington and opted not to become a head coach.

Mike McCarthy went to

Green Bay in an effort to improve an anemic offense with a 24 turnover differential (worst in the league) and Sean Payton an understudy of the future NFL Hall of Famer Bill Parcels signed with the Saints.

The Oakland Raiders are still as confused as we are on who their new head coach is going to be, but these new faces in new places around the league look to give hope to many mediocre franchises and up and coming teams

sports 23

January 27, 2006

Winter sports roll on Girls’ Basketball hank driskell

co-sports editor

The lady basketball team looks to improve its record with a good showing in its tournament at Topeka West High School this weekend.

The Tigers took on Olathe Northwest Jan. 20 and won 65-41.

The team has started the season with a 3-7 overall record and a 1-3 record in EKL play, including tough losses to Blue Valley North, 61-31, Saint Thomas Aquinas, 53-28, and Bishop Miege 66-41.

The one EKL win was against Blue Valley Northwest on Jan. 9.

The next girls’ game is on Feb. 3 against Saint Thomas Aquinas. JV plays at 4 p.m. and Varsity plays at 5:30 p.m.

Wrestling griffin page

staff reporter

It’s the end of January and the Blue Valley wrestlers are in the middle of their season.

Last Saturday, the team placed seventh out of 25 teams at the Blue Valley Northwest tournament. Seniors Cody Scribner placed second, Tyler and Hunter Madl placed third, juniors Blane Williams

placed fourth , Austin Quarles placed fifth, and seniors Brad Harris and Joel Cundiff each placed fifth.

The wrestling team is coming off a ninth place finish at the Basehor Linwood Bobcat Classic on Jan. 14.

Wrestlers who placed were: 119 lbs.-Blane Williams, fifth; 135 lbs.-Tyler Madl, third; 145 lbs.-Hunter Madl, second; 160 lbs.-Brad Harris, fourth; 215 lbs.-Cody Scribner, third.

On Jan. 10 the team had a dual with Blue Valley Northwest and lost 27-49. The Tigers placed second at the Bonner Springs Tournament on Jan. 7 and placed fourth at the Johnson County Classic, which Blue Valley hosted on Dec. 17.

Swimming matt killen

staff reporter

The boys’ swimming season has gotten off to a good start as four swimmers have already qualified for state. Senior Parker Sargent has qualified in the 50-meter freestyle and 100 meter freestyle. Tony Britt has qualified in the 100-meter breaststroke, and Anthony Bertolone has qualified in the 200-meter freestyle and 500 meter freestyle. Senior Clark Stinson also qualified in the 200 medley relay, 200 freestyle relay and 400 freestyle relay.

On Dec. 1 the Tigers placed in the top 10 out of 25 teams at a meet held at Lawrence

High School. At the Olathe Northwest Invitational on Dec. 10, the Tigers placed fourth out of eight. On Jan. 12 BV placed in the top three of the Emporia Invitational, and that weekend at MO-KAN the Tigers finished in the top 10 out of 25 teams.

On Jan. 17 the Tigers took third at Lawrence Free State, and the team remains optimistic heading into EKL. Senior divers Calder Sagen, Jake Thompson, Tim Versch and freshman Phil Rogers all hope to qualify for state at BV’s upcoming home meets.

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24 life in pictures

January 27, 2006

riends orever

People come and go, but friends last much longer.

emily kuykendall Senior Conner Snedden and junior Cameron Kaman catch up with their fellow classmates after school. The two have become close through sports and mutual friends.

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ne of the most important lessons learned in high

school: People come and go throughout our lives, but the ones that stay are our true friends. High school is more than just long days, homework and sports. It seems to be a time for transition and finding out who we really are. We choose what people we surround ourselves with and start friendships that may last a lot longer than our high school years. We can learn more from our friends than we ever will from a textbook.