The Tiger Print — January 2007

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tigerprint Blue Valley High School 6001 W. 159th Stilwell, Kan. 66085 Jan. 19, 2007 • Vol. 37• Issue 5

A Piece of

State

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photos photosby byKaren KarenMelton Melton

Entertaining yourself

Defining Family

page 16

Pages 8-9

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currentevents

State Bound

Play qualifies for competition thanks to ‘very unique’ show saraster

features editor

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ecause of this show I have never felt closer to any six girls in my life,” senior Maggie Haren said.

A Piece of My Heart starring seniors Maggie Haren, Alex Matteo, Lauren Friedlander, Stefanie Wienecke, junior Sarah Cline and sophomore Sami Steinmetz hit the stage for the first time Nov. 9 where the play made an impression on three important judges.

After being judged on a 100-point scale and receiving a 96, 95 and 85 the theatrical performance is being sent to the State competition this weekend in Wichita where the cast and crew will have one performance to prove they are worthy of a spot at Internationals in June held in Lincoln, Neb.. Also joining Blue Valley at state are BV West, BV North and Paola. Blue Valley has taken a show to State four times in the past eight years, and has moved on to Internationals twice.

“We have a great shot at going

to Internationals,” director Dan Schmidt said. “Our show is very unique.”

From the coming together of A Piece of My Heart, Schmidt had a feeling it would go far.

“Everyone was positive and willing to work and try different things on stage,” Schmidt said.

The research and time the cast put into discovering their characters was evident on stage. The extensive research the cast did by watching documentaries, looking up medical terms and procedures and also listening to a Vietnam nurse tell her story helped them get in touch with the audience.

“The actors really made it come alive,” freshman Anneliese Krull said. “It was touching to see their lives unfold and how people were affected.”

“You have to learn how your character matures throughout the show,” Matteo said.

According to the cast, making it to Internationals will just be the icing on the cake.

Jan. 19, 2007

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iger riefs

Young Republicans Club The Young Republicans Club had its first meeting of the year last Wednesday and discussed a project for the troops in Iraq. The Young Republicans Club will be having a weekly meeting every Wednesday in the Fixed Forum to discuss recent political issues. The current officials are President Brian Israel and Vice President Katelyn Dunahoe.

Band Four band students and five orchestra students were selected for the Kansas Music Educators Association’s prestigious all state groups on Jan. 6 in Salina. Seniors Ann Gorsuch and Joel Cox and juniors Philip Heinrich and Riley Shaw were chosen from the band program while sophomore Ned Kellenberger, junior Hannah Kim and

seniors Mike Lui, Teresa Kellerman and Meredith McKaig were chosen for the orchestra. The two groups will perform on Feb. 24 in Wichita.

Book Club

Like to read? The new Book Club meets every first and third Monday in the Fixed Forum. This studentrun club reads and discusses books chosen by the students. Movies about books that are read are included as well. Meetings start at 3 p.m. and run roughly 30 minutes to an hour.

Forensics

Jan. 27 will be the beginning of the forensics season as the team competes at Washburn Rural High School. All forensics students must be signed up

by Jan. 19 for their events. The first tournament of the season will include contestants attempting to gain a lead over other schools early in the season.

The team will be coached by Chris Riffer and assistant coaches Rick Silva and Dan Schmidt.

Headrush Final submissions for the 2007 edition of Headrush, the Blue Valley literary magazine, were accepted Wednesday. Distribution of the magazine will take place around April 23, according to sponsor Keil Pittman. Editor of the lit mag is senior Krista Chesley, and senior Chelsea Paxson is the co-editor.

3 Debate team enjoys home field advantage at state tournament

currentevents

Jan. 19 2007

mattkillen

news editor

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Junior Megan Ritter and sophomore Josh Dean practice their arguments during

debate class. Ritter, along with junior Megan Adams will compete in a national debate tournament. They will participate in the state competition today. Photo by Vanessa Abenoja

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s most file out of class at 11:30 a.m. today, senior Anthony Bertolone prepares for the upcoming state debate tournament held at Blue Valley and Blue Valley West.

Bertolone is one of a few students that will participate in the tournament and is competing as an alternate as are junior Alex Scott, and sophomores Caitlin Berry and April Levins.

Bertolone feels that competing at BV gives the team an edge because of more favorable judges.

“It helps us because we’re known to win rounds with parents as judges rather than ‘college judges,’ who are former debate students currently enrolled in college,” Bertolone said.

Bertolone also feels that the BV parents, who are judges, are higher quality judges than at other schools.

“I don’t mean offense to some of the other schools, but I feel that our parents are better educated; they listen [to the debate] and try to keep an open mind,” Bertolone said.

Debate coach Chris Riffer feels that BV’s chances of winning state may

be a little less this year, but he still remains optimistic.

“I think it’s a longer shot this year; we have a younger group going against more experienced groups,” Riffer said. “But I will say that this is one of the hardest working classes.”

The Tiger’s toughest competition this year may be Blue Valley North.

North has typically had a strong debate squad and is more experienced this year.

“They’re good, and they are right in our neighborhood,” Riffer said. “They are experienced and have a lot of fouryear seniors,” State qualifiers include national finalists Megan Adams and Megan Ritter, sophomores Taylor Nichols and Josh Dean, juniors Andy Irwin, Brian Israel and Andy Beye, and senior Austin Quarles.

The tournament goes from noon to 8 p.m. on Friday, and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday. There are 32 schools competing in the four speaker category, and more than 150 schools competing in the two-speaker category. All four classes in debate are competing: 6A, 5A, 4A, and a combination of the 3A, 2A and 1A classes, from all over the state.

Winter storm cancels weekend activities T he sleet and ice storm that hit the Midwest last Friday played havoc with many community and high school activities.

Included among the cancellations was the Martin Luther

King Memorial Program at Blue Valley Northwest. The Blue Valley Jazz Band was to participate in the Memorial Program last Saturday. The Band was to perform during the opening segment while guests viewed various dis-

plays before the program began.

The MLK program may be re-scheduled , which had not been determined by press time, but the Jazz Band won’t be able to perform.

Also postponed was the the the presentation or “revival” of Piece of My Heart on Friday.

This performance, which was a warm-up and fundraiser for state competition, was moved to Tuesday. (See related story page 2) Though the MLK program was canceled from Northwest on Friday, Blue Valley High hosted a diversity assembly yesterday during Tiger Time.

The assembly included an appearance by Chiefs’ wide receiver Eddie Kennison.

Preceding Kennison’s presentation on diversity issues and “becoming the dream,” students on honor roll, principal’s honor roll, high scorers on the state assesment, and many other groups achieving academic excellence were recognized.

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currentevents

Jan. 19, 2007

Iraqi war efforts questioned following execution New year brings new strategies, after U.S. election, study group report

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s Americans partied in Times Square to ring in the New Year, Iraqis celebrated the staff writer hanging of their former dictator. At about the same time, the 3,000th American soldier, since the coalition troops invaded Iraq almost four years ago, died.

The soldier, who was the 3,000th fatality, was Dustin Donica of Texas. A road side bomb hit the convoy in which he was traveling.

The number of the Iraqi deaths is disputed. Last October the president claimed that 30,000 Iraqis had been killed. A study conducted

by John Hopkins researchers estimate 100,000 have died beyond “normal” circumstances.

Former dictator Saddam Hussein was hanged on Dec. 30 as punishment for the mass murder of 144 Shiite villagers in 1982. Hussein was hanged on the first morning of Eid, an Islamic holiday. Ironically, the Iraqi constitution dictates that no execution can take place on this holy day. Gruesome pictures of the hanging quickly appeared across the web and on many television news channels around the world.

Saddam Hussein. dictator of While some are opposed to the Iraq, was executed on Dec. 30 for execution of Hussein, many also mass murder. Photo by MCT Camwish that the punishment was more pus Photos. severe.

“He deserved more punishment,”

mitchsmith

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BROOKS?

BRAD?

BLAKE?

JOH N?

PARKER?

CON NE R?

Sweetheart Dance Feb. 10, 2007

Bush announces Iraqi war plan

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ednesday evening, Jan. 10, millions of Americans watched as President Bush announced his plans for further war efforts. Bush announced that he would deploy some additional 21,000 troops, most would eventually reinforce Baghdad; 4,000 of these American troops are going to Anbar province, Al-Qaeda’s home base in Iraq, according to Bush.

The president also plans to increase diplomatic efforts and economic war efforts. Iraq will increase its military presence using army and police operating from local police stations.

This will be an “aggressive plan for the Iraqi government to end violence.” The president announced that Iraqi government should have full responsibility for its security by November.

On Capitol Hill the president’s plan faced inquiries from both parties questioning the exit strategy.

KNOW THESE GIRLS? They WANT you!

S W E E T H E A R T ?

sophomore Max VanKirk said.

Many others are opposed to the entire Iraqi conflict and advocate for the immediate removal of American troops, including some Blue Valley students.

“We have enough soldiers over there as it is,” sophomore Jake Griggs said. “We could have prevented [the death toll]; this isn’t even a real war.”

Many in the government, both Democrat and Republican, agree with these students. The war, which started with a U.S. invasion in March 2003, drags on. They believe that there was no plan for the post-invasion and the president announced an erroneous claim to victory on May 1 of that year.

Despite elections and a new constitution, the Iraqi government struggles. The sectarian violence and insurgent attacks have crippled the country since the invasion. U.S. troops get caught in the crossfire, and the violence is only getting worse four years later.

Because of this downturn, the 10-member Iraqi Study Group led by former Secretary of State James Baker, was formed and recently released its findings to the administration and the American public. After its release, President Bush announced his revised Iraqi war plan in a news conference last Wednesday.

(See related sidebar.)

Other critics of the government, say the administration and congress don’t understand the culture of Iraq. A democratic government, which this administration hopes to obtain, has to include the warring factions of Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds.

ourvoice

Jan. 19, 2007

E.T. shouts

staff editorial

New Year’s Resolutions

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home

Ellen Thomas A little thank you would go a long way at Blue Valley

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want to be skinny. I want to exercise more. I want to earn a bonus. I want to be prettier. These are just some of the 97 percent of New Year’s resolutions that will fail miserably this year.

Every year, just after eating turkey and pumpkin pie like there is no tomorrow on Christmas day, millions of Americans decided that this new year was the year for change. Thing is, it’s not. If you haven’t had a “healthy lifestyle” for 17 years or you’re just ugly, that’s not likely to change because you have decided to run two miles a day (until you get tired of that on Jan. 4). It’s gotten to the point where athletic clubs and weight loss support groups have developed their marketing schemes around the sure influx of hopeless, fat losers around Jan. 1 each year.

Many students agree that resolutions are unnecessary to those without enough discipline to follow through with them.

“I think New Year’s resolutions are stupid because no one follows through with them,”

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sophomore Zach Hennig said.

New Year’s resolutions are supposed to be a new beginning or a new start, not simply a week-long commitment that results in you buying a year-long membership to an athletic club or weight loss center that you’ll only go to twice. The Prairie Life Center, for example, is offering a health fair to their gullible new members early enough in January that at least some of their New Year’s resolution makers won’t have given up by then. Weight Watchers even suggests entrees for a “New Year’s Brunch” on their website that contains helpful recipes for their clients’ one week of dieting.

Perhaps the real problem with New Year’s resolutions lies not in the principle of the concept but rather in the follow through of the American people as a whole. There is nothing wrong in the world with going on a diet or making a workout plan. The problem, however, occurs when these fruitless resolutions become too much of a challenge after a week or a month and the goal is completely abandoned…. until next January.

tigerprint

2006-2007

Managing Editors Ellen Thomas Sarah Weaver News Matt Killen Anita Galler

Opinions Editor Megan Van Sooy Features Editors Sarah Weaver Entertainment Editor Brooke Thurman Sports Editors Hank Driskell Garrett Griffin

hink back over the past semester and count how many times you have momentarily stopped your day to say “thank you” to the cafeteria staff or custodians. Compare that to the number of times you have either bought food from the cafeteria or made a mess in the school. More often than not, those numbers are not even close to being equal. It’s a shame that we have just come to expect a clean school and good food at lunch without giving much thought to those amazing people who make our expectations a reality.

If the custodians and cafeteria staff were not here we would not be proud of this school at all. The building would be absolutely filthy, and we would have some pretty cranky, hungry students in the halls probably planning some sort of coup d’etat or riot. They come in really early and stay really late every day to assist us, and yet they get little or no thanks from students for all their hard work The assessment scores came out and showed that we all are pretty smart. We can read, write, do math and science better than a lot of other people.

But without any courtesy and appreciation to those people who help us out behind the scenes, does all our smarts actually mean anything? I mean sure, we would be able to compute the strength and direction of an electric field while analyzing Shakespeare, but no one wants to be around rude and ungrateful people.

To make an allusion to the not-quite-P.C. Adam Sandler song “Lunch Lady Land,” who will be the cafeteria staff and custodians’ Sloppy Joe? We apparently appreciate their work, so why don’t we voice this gratefulness? It’s not like I’m suggesting that we all donate blood or anything painful like that, I’m just asking for a two words once in a while, “thank you.”

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

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

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

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ourvoice

aise

voice

What is your New Year’s resolution?

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Get straight A’s

staff writer

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Eat healthier

sophomore Sarah Miller

junior Thuy Nguyen

“ brianisrael

Jan. 19, 2007

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Not get academic probation senior Cameron Weir

Be on the tennis team

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freshman Jack Rieck

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photo poll by Gwen Bergerhofer

MILITARY DRAFT should we have one?

ontrary to popular belief Charles Rangel, the Democratic congressman from New York does not want you dead. In fact this advocate of the draft wants nothing more than to save or at the very least improve your life. Currently we are overcommitted in a war many believe we should not even be in, and we have more formidable foes to be wary of. The United States government should reinstitute the draft by passing the Rangel Bill to reinstitue the draft thereby improving United States military policy as a whole.

It is hard to contend that we do not need a draft, because as my father always told me numbers don’t lie, and facts are facts. The facts are, we are currently overstretched. When it comes to Iraq we have about one American for every 300 Iraqis and that’s just Iraq.

Now combine this with North Korea who recently tested nuclear weapons, if they find us vulnerable they will not feel afraid to strike Japan as they have been threatening to, because they will not be afraid of our retaliation. Even though results from North Koreas nuclear tests came in negative, North Korea is still a dangerous concern.

For all you mathematicians out there, here is the impact calculus.

You enter the draft, and risk your life defending this great country or you stay at home and let Japan and the U.S. get struck by a nuclear weapon anyway. Simply stated, it’s a try or die scenario. Either you try out the draft or you go to nuclear war. But maybe that seems a bit too pessimistic, then again the thought of bombs dropping from the sky landing on Pearl Harbor also seemed pessimistic.

Others would argue that we are currently meeting our recruitment needs. This however leads to another inherent problem that right now, we are practically recruiting unqualified soldiers. Soldiers with social, personal or educational problems hurt the military and recruiters who cover up these incidents of maladjustment don’t help.

Reported studies show the armed forces to be disproportionate to a ridiculous amount, of nearly 35 percent being of just one minority race. What’s more, we advertise to them.

Because of fairness, low numbers and a military of the only super power in the world that is spread too thin, the answer is obvious. We need a draft.

garrettgriffin

sports editor

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ncle Sam wants YOU for the U.S. armed forces. The first U.S. military draft took place during the War of 1812, the most recent during the Vietnam conflict. Recently the death toll for American soldiers in Iraq passed 3,000 and fatalities in Afghanistan are approaching 400.

To some, a draft seems necessary to maintain military strength, but the costs of conscription far outweigh the gains. Uncle Sam may want you, but he doesn’t really need you; furthermore, a draft is not in the best interests of the American people.

The idea that the military is strained because of a lack of personnel is completely false. The overall military strength stands at over 2 million active and reserve men and women, and enlistment rates are actually rising.

U.S. soldiers in Iraq are only numbered around 140,000. Additionally, the Pentagon favors an all-volunteer force, which is not surprising when one considers how successfully such a military has functioned since 1973, when the last conscription ended. The

discontent of soldiers and the American people during the devastating draft-supported Vietnam conflict have made commanders realize the consequences of a draft.

In recent years, all military branches have met or come very close to their recruiting goals, according to the Center for Data Analysis at the Heritage Foundation.

Another problem with a draft is that conscripted men are usually unwilling to join the military at worst and not motivated for service at best. The lack of motivation from being forced into service is not at all surprising. For such a reason, the U.S. military itself is against the draft because leaders know how unmotivated soldiers hurt morale and discipline. Volunteers are better for training, fighting and following orders than draftees. Worst of all, since not everyone can adapt smoothly to military life, conscripted men can cause great problems in their units when they are rebellious toward serving. And the military cannot get rid of these bad apples, either, since forced service doesn’t work if soldiers can get discharged after poor behavior.

With the Democrats in control of the House and the Senate, the proposal of a draft would be shot down faster than you can say, “Hurrah!” Dismissed.

One student’s trip to Europe changes perspective on life

hankdriskell sports editor

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never thought I would travel to Europe this early in my life. I always wanted to go; however, it never occurred to me that my sister would travel across the pond for college. So at the young age of 17, I made the venture across the Atlantic to Seville, Spain, the sister city of Kansas City, to visit my sister and Europe.

When I arrived in Spain I was immediately shocked. It is not uncommon for people to be shocked by Europe’s history, architecture, and art; however, I was simply shocked by their way of life, more specifically the pace of life (note that the scenery was also amazing).

Before I left, my life was fairly hectic. I was worrying about my grades and finals, and I was

frantically struggling to turn all my work in for my classes. Then I got to Spain. There I realized that they have it all figured out.

Their siesta idea, the break from noon to about 3 p.m., is a wonderful idea. During this time all the shops close and everyone just takes a break from their busy day. However, if this idea was introduced in the United States it is safe to say it would be rejected. Shops can’t close. If they aren’t open they can’t make money. What would American business owners do? People need to realize that the siesta is not lazy. It is efficient. We often need a break from the rush of life.

I also noticed something interesting in the restaurants in Spain. You went in to eat a meal and you were able to stay as long as you liked. My

sister worked at a local restaurant near Blue Valley and she was always instructed by her manager to get people out after they ate so they could sit more people down and make more money. However, in Spain the waitress did not even bring the ticket until you asked for it. I realized that the meals were more enjoyable when you could take your time. You could enjoy your food and your company.

I didn’t realize that I could learn so much on one trip, but I had never been to Europe. Now I know how much we can learn from other cultures. I know that there are benefits to our constantly shrinking world. As citizens of the United States of America I know we have tremendous things to share with the world; however, I also realize that we may have even more to learn.

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spotlight

Jan. 19, 2007

10 helpful steps toward a better hallway

mitchsmith

staff writer

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ot everywhere can you get hit with a suitcase and caught in the middle of an obscene exposition of PDA. However, while trying to get to class, these encounters become very common. To help limit the hourly confusion and chaos of passing period, here are 10 steps we can all take to make the hallways a better place.

1. Field biology may be fascinating, but let’s not imitate the walking pace of that turtle you were studying today. Just because you don’t have far to go doesn’t mean that other people don’t. We don’t need any jogging, but let’s walk with some resemblance of purpose.

2. Leave the suitcase at the airport.

Shockingly, Blue Valley High is not synonymous with Kansas City International Airport. Now that we’ve covered that, let’s not bring our suitcase to school. In addition to suitcases, rolling

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backpacks need to go, too.

Rolling backpacks clog up the hallways because to keep them on their wheels, you must slow your pace. Unless you have some sort of back problem, let’s not wheel the things through the hallway.

3. If you have to make out, get a room. It’s great that you like each other so much, but enough with the public service announcements of love; it’s gotten out of hand.

A quick hug or kiss is fine but amazingly not everyone wants to see your soft porn video play out right in front of their eyes (Are we listening freshmen?).

4. The hallways don’t have to be an obstacle course. All too often while walking the halls, we trip over a binder or a book that someone put on the floor outside his locker. First, one feels badly when he tramples $60 worth of “Western Civilization” or “Adventures in Vocabulary,” but the blame falls on the negligent owner who left his or her book unattended; put it

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in your locker or backpack.

5. No clustering in the middle of the hall. (Again, are we listening freshmen?) For some strange reason, freshmen seem to have a compulsive need to form little clusters in the middle of the 200 hall, creating a sort of maze to be navigated by angry upperclassmen. You can talk after school, but let’s get to class first.

6. We’re not in Europe, so walk on the right. Perhaps proud of their European heritage, many students find it necessary to walk on the left side of the hallway. Apparently these students haven’t seen the newsflash; this is America.

Because this is America, we walk on the right side of the hall and drive on the right side of the road. If you don’t like it, go to England.

7. It’s not roller derby. It would seem that Blue Valley is the home of many future roller derby champions as whenever attempting to move with the rest of the amazingly slow pace of the hallways, see step one, some people feel

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the need to run over innocent young students trying to go to class. Take a deep breath, a 15 minute tardy detention probably won’t kill you and you might get some sympathy from your teachers as they have dealt with the same slow pace many times before.

8. Surely Shakespeare isn’t that exciting. Congratulations Blue Valley English teachers, you have instilled a great love of literature in some students that spreads beyond the walls of the communication arts classroom to the hallway, where your little bookworms are too caught up in Shakespeare or Harry Potter to notice that people are actually trying to get to class. This ultimately leads to nasty collisions and very slow paces from our book-smart classmates.

9. It’s not a marathon; you don’t need rest breaks. Stop and go walking has become an all too common occurrence in the halls since people decided that saying hello to their best friends meant stopping

suddenly (in the middle of the hallway, of course) before resuming walking and restopping in center of the hall.

Again, there will be plenty of time to talk after school, but let’s not cause a “pile up” accident in the 300 hallway.

10. U-turns are strictly prohibited. If everyone could pick a direction and stick with it, the halls would be a much more pleasant place. However, some students apparently haven’t quite figured out their schedules in the last five months and still need to suddenly change direction in the middle of the hall. There are no more excuses, after you choose a direction; you need to stick with it.

Although these measures may seem harsh, it’s common courtesy to be polite and safe in the halls, just like when driving. No one would stop in the middle of 159th St. and do a U-turn or (hopefully) wouldn’t catch up on their favorite book on I-35, so let’s not do it while walking down the halls, either.

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adoption

forming families

International adoption brings joy Family welcomes adopted baby from South Korea sarahweaver editor-in-chief

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No stork in this story, just loads of paperwork saraster

features editor

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an I have gum for breakfast?”

“No, you can’t eat gum for breakfast.”

“Can I eat potato chips for breakfast?”

“No sweetie, you can’t eat potato chips for breakfast.”

“You never let me doing anything!”

Four years ago this was a conversation that John and Meg Holloway never thought they would experience. After filling out mountains of paper work and with lots of determination, the Holloway family was blessed with their daughter Miranda Mei Ping Holloway.

“We weren’t able to have kids biologically,” teacher John Holloway said.

After a year and a half of FBI fingerprinting, birth and marriage certificates circulating the country, writing

autobiographies, having their entire life raked through and filling out countless forms, Miranda was adopted from Guang Dong, China on July 17, 2004.

The Holloway family had decided to adopt internationally because they would get to adopt an infant while knowing that there were many other families going through the same process. Also, adopting from China offered the most predictable process, but the most important reason for international adoption was left with Holloway himself.

“I also was inspired

by Superman as a kid,” Holloway said. “And he was an interplanetary adoptee.”

The young couple, along with being nervous about making the right impression, were faced with the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome outbreak in China that took

their progress to a stand still.

After the SARS speed bump, the adoption was kicked back into full speed and was moving even faster than before.

The Holloway family traveled to Guang Zhou the capital of the province Guang Dong, where the orphanage was, to anxiously wait with seven other families for their new child. With camcorder in hand, Holloway was ready for it to be their turn to see Miranda. After patiently watching four other families’ excitement of their new child it was finally their turn.

“She was so gorgeous and really calm,” Holloway said.

“She was so beautiful and heart-skipping-a-beat and all that sort of stuff.”

After receiving another stack of papers, they were free to take their baby. The new family of three stayed in China for 10 days before they

headed home.

“You feel like she’s yours pretty quickly,” Holloway said. “Knowing that it was official was relieving.”

The plane ride, which consisted of 35 babies aboard, resulted in the Holloways being greeted by family and friends at the airport.

Miranda understands her adoption and is constantly being read books about adoption and watching her home video of her parents’ trip to get her.

“She thinks that’s just how you have a kid,” Holloway said.

They also celebrate parts of the Chinese culture such as Chinese New Year and Moon Day, along with participating in Dragon Boat races downtown. Adoption has been a rewarding process, and they plan to visit China with Miranda in the future, according to Holloway.

A family is something

to cherish. John and Meg Holloway love their adopted daughter, Miranda (below) John enjoys reading to her (left). Miranda enjoys playing in the family’s bathroom sink.

Photos from thehollowayfamily.net

Several BV students find love through adoption

sarahweaver editor-in-chief

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isten Cie, I have something to give you,” senior Cie Arell heard on his eighteenth birthday. Most 18-year-olds expect a shiny new phone or maybe some new shoes, but for Arell, his gift was very unexpected.

“I got a letter from my biological mother,” Arell said. “My dad gave it to me after my birthday, and we had a really long talk. He said that he knew I was mature enough and old enough to know about the letter. He said that he was very proud to have me as a son and he was happy that everything has turned out for the best.”

Arell was adopted when he was two weeks old after being born to a teenage mother. His letter still sits in a drawer in his room It’s a Picture unopened.

“I dont think I’m ready Perfect to read the letter yet,” moment for Arell said. I have mixed senior Cie Arell emotions about the letter. who is thankful Just because Arell hasn’t for his family. read the letter, doesn’t mean Photo submithe takes it for granted. ted by Arell.

“I think it’s really cool that she took the time to write to me,” he said, “but then again I don’t know what’s inside.”

Arell’s adoption is a closed adoption meaning he only knows his biological parents’ names, but has neither met them nor had any contact with them.

“I want to meet my biological parents,” Arell said.

“If I were going to meet them and talk to them, probably the only thing I could say would be thank you,” Arell said. “Thank you for giving me a life to live and thank you for making a sacrifice, so I could grow up and have a great life.”

Arell can attempt to make contact with his parents and plans on doing so soon, but until then he is happy with where he is.

“I’ve always been happy with being adopted,”Arell said. “I have a really good life.”

Junior Kristen Madsen also received a letter from her biological mother. Unlike Arell, she has hers to look at any time.

Madsen was only a month old when her mother dropped her off at a Mormon adoption agency in Arizona.

“My mom couldn’t take care of me because she was 17,” Madsen said. “For my mom I’m sure it would have been hard to have a baby at

17 with no money and no support.”

After being put up for adoption, she was adopted by a family of three. Her adoptive parents had a four-year-old son Christopher and were expecting when they adopted Kristen. Five months after being adopted, Megan Madsen was born. Kristen now is a part of a family of six with an older brother, a younger sister only nine months younger and a 14-year-old brother.

“I love having a sister that is nine months older,” sophomore Megan Madsen said.

“Everyone always tells me how lucky I am to have an older sister and especially one so close in age to hang out with and to look up to.”

With such a big loving family Kristen is happy with the decision her biological mother made, but Kristen can’t tell her that.

“It was a closed adoption,” Kristen said “I cannot know who she is or her name. I haven’t ever seen a picture of her.

I have only heard descriptions of her.”

Although Kristen has never met her mother, let alone know her name, Kristen wants to meet her.

“When I’m 18 I can meet her, if she has signed papers saying she wants to see me,” Kristen said.

The meeting with her biological mother may be one without words according to Kristen.

“I’m sure we won’t know what to say,” Madsen said “I will probably cry.”

9

adoption

Jan. 19, 2007 Jan. 19, 2007

When Kristen meets her mom it will be full of emotions and questions. Until then she is happy just being Kristen Nicole Madsen.

Unlike Madsen and Arell who have to wait to meet their biological parents, junior Ashley Cook is able to visit her biological father.

“My mom was 17 and my dad was 18.

Their parents said they had to have an abortion,” Cook said.

Although her mother almost had an abortion, fortunately she didn’t, according to Cook.

Cook has never met her biological mother to thank her, but she has talked to her biological father.

“It’s an open adoption in the sense that I talk to my birth dad,” Cook said.

Cook recalls being nervous the first time that she and her adoptive mother met her biological father. Although she was nervous, Cook was grateful to have the opportunity to meet her father.

“I like having my birth dad to talk to,” Cook said.

Cook’s biological mother left her with a letter, which Cook has yet to read.

“I’m nervous to read them,” Cook said.

Someday Cook will read her letters and maybe even more.

“I think someday,” she said, “I will meet my biological mother.”

ho are your real parents?” a young naïve girl asked. “Do your parents love you?”

The young Kelsey Sparrow stood up tall to the girl and answered with a confident, “of course.”

These are not normal questions to be asking a third grade girl. For Sparrow, the parents who love her and care for her are her adoptive parents.

Sparrow was adopted from South Korea before her first birthday by Larry and Carol Sparrow.

“Larry and I desperately wanted to have a family,” Carol said. “We battled infertility, unsuccessfully for several years before considering adoption.”

They knew a couple who was in the process of adopting internationally through Holt International Children’s Services (HICS).

During their investigations, they had learned that the waiting list for any healthy, white, child under the age of eight was several years. With a state adoption, the interested couple’s name is placed on a list, but deleted if they move away.

“Larry’s job at the time, was indeed requiring relocation every few years, so state adoption was not a viable option for us,” Carol said. “International adoption requires tons of paper work and dealing with two governments, but is a quicker process, usually only about two years. So we decided to move forward with HICS.” “We first filed to adopt from Thailand,” Carol said.

The adoption process was very long and tedious.

“The paper work is very taxing,” she said.

“There was a criminal history investigation, birth certificates, marriage certificates and then the homestudy, where a social worker visits your home and interviews you. We had to provide statements of our faith, our parenting philosophies, medical history, financial accounts, character references and photos. Everything had to be signed and notarized.

Once all the paperwork was assembled, it became our ‘dossier’ and had to be sent to Washington D.C. to be certified by the consulate. Then, it was sent to Thailand.”

They then had to wait around for the paperwork to circulate and a child to be chosen.

“A year later we signed acceptance papers for a beautiful little boy who was one year old,” Carol said.

The thought of having a child was so exciting for the Sparrows, but it was not finalized yet.

“Four months after receiving monthly updates and sending a few gifts to him, the adoption was canceled,” Carol said. “We were crushed.”

They didn’t give up after their first attempt at adopting was canceled because there were advantages of having filled the paperwork out.

“Here is the advantage of working with an agency as opposed to private adoption,” she said. “Our paperwork was already complete.”

At this time, placements of orphans from South Korea were moving very quickly, so the Sparrows decided to switch from Thailand to Korea. After a few months of more waiting and no word, they decided to visit their social worker to discuss medical needs.

“Larry and I were both firm that we could not

accept a child with medical needs which could be life threatening, but maybe we could open our hearts to someone needing surgical intervention,” Carol said “After about nine years of trying to have a family, we just couldn’t face another loss.”

The very next day, their social worker called to tell them she had a picture of a beautiful little girl who was five months old with a cleft lip and palate.

“Would we like to see her papers?’ Without hesitation we agreed,” Carol said “We visited a renowned plastic surgeon in Iowa to learn more about what to expect regarding surgeries. We obtained written verification from our insurance company that she would be covered.”

They learned the child would face multiple surgeries and lots of orthodontia, in the process to reconstruct her face.

“We definitely were up to the challenge,” she said.

They signed acceptance papers for Hye Jung Lee. “Her American name will be Kelsey Leigh Sparrow,” they signed.

“Every country has its own rules and policies on international adoption,” Carol said, “Thailand would have required us to travel there to get a child, but Korea will provide escorts if you choose not to travel. Since we were about to move, we chose that.”

Kelsey was escorted to the Des Moines airport and was greeted by lots of friends on Nov. 15, 1990. She was 10 ½ months old.

For the next six months, a social worker would visit periodically to make sure things were going well.

In September1991, they went to court to finalize the adoption. The final step would be naturalization.

Kelsey became an American Citizen in March 1992.

“It takes a lot of perseverance to adopt internationally,” Carol said. “I would do it again in a heartbeat, if the time were right. There are so many orphaned children in our world today; I wish more people could open their hearts to adoption.

Kelsey is the best gift we have ever been blessed to receive. She changed our lives, as all children do to their parents. If we had been unable to adopt, we would be childless, and for us that would have been unbearable.”

A first family meeting occurred in the Des Moines airport for Larry and Carol Sparrow with their new adopted baby, Kelsey Sparrow.

8

adoption

forming families

International adoption brings joy Family welcomes adopted baby from South Korea sarahweaver editor-in-chief

W

No stork in this story, just loads of paperwork saraster

features editor

C

an I have gum for breakfast?”

“No, you can’t eat gum for breakfast.”

“Can I eat potato chips for breakfast?”

“No sweetie, you can’t eat potato chips for breakfast.”

“You never let me doing anything!”

Four years ago this was a conversation that John and Meg Holloway never thought they would experience. After filling out mountains of paper work and with lots of determination, the Holloway family was blessed with their daughter Miranda Mei Ping Holloway.

“We weren’t able to have kids biologically,” teacher John Holloway said.

After a year and a half of FBI fingerprinting, birth and marriage certificates circulating the country, writing

autobiographies, having their entire life raked through and filling out countless forms, Miranda was adopted from Guang Dong, China on July 17, 2004.

The Holloway family had decided to adopt internationally because they would get to adopt an infant while knowing that there were many other families going through the same process. Also, adopting from China offered the most predictable process, but the most important reason for international adoption was left with Holloway himself.

“I also was inspired

by Superman as a kid,” Holloway said. “And he was an interplanetary adoptee.”

The young couple, along with being nervous about making the right impression, were faced with the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome outbreak in China that took

their progress to a stand still.

After the SARS speed bump, the adoption was kicked back into full speed and was moving even faster than before.

The Holloway family traveled to Guang Zhou the capital of the province Guang Dong, where the orphanage was, to anxiously wait with seven other families for their new child. With camcorder in hand, Holloway was ready for it to be their turn to see Miranda. After patiently watching four other families’ excitement of their new child it was finally their turn.

“She was so gorgeous and really calm,” Holloway said.

“She was so beautiful and heart-skipping-a-beat and all that sort of stuff.”

After receiving another stack of papers, they were free to take their baby. The new family of three stayed in China for 10 days before they

headed home.

“You feel like she’s yours pretty quickly,” Holloway said. “Knowing that it was official was relieving.”

The plane ride, which consisted of 35 babies aboard, resulted in the Holloways being greeted by family and friends at the airport.

Miranda understands her adoption and is constantly being read books about adoption and watching her home video of her parents’ trip to get her.

“She thinks that’s just how you have a kid,” Holloway said.

They also celebrate parts of the Chinese culture such as Chinese New Year and Moon Day, along with participating in Dragon Boat races downtown. Adoption has been a rewarding process, and they plan to visit China with Miranda in the future, according to Holloway.

A family is something

to cherish. John and Meg Holloway love their adopted daughter, Miranda (below) John enjoys reading to her (left). Miranda enjoys playing in the family’s bathroom sink.

Photos from thehollowayfamily.net

Several BV students find love through adoption

sarahweaver editor-in-chief

L

isten Cie, I have something to give you,” senior Cie Arell heard on his eighteenth birthday. Most 18-year-olds expect a shiny new phone or maybe some new shoes, but for Arell, his gift was very unexpected.

“I got a letter from my biological mother,” Arell said. “My dad gave it to me after my birthday, and we had a really long talk. He said that he knew I was mature enough and old enough to know about the letter. He said that he was very proud to have me as a son and he was happy that everything has turned out for the best.”

Arell was adopted when he was two weeks old after being born to a teenage mother. His letter still sits in a drawer in his room It’s a Picture unopened.

“I dont think I’m ready Perfect to read the letter yet,” moment for Arell said. I have mixed senior Cie Arell emotions about the letter. who is thankful Just because Arell hasn’t for his family. read the letter, doesn’t mean Photo submithe takes it for granted. ted by Arell.

“I think it’s really cool that she took the time to write to me,” he said, “but then again I don’t know what’s inside.”

Arell’s adoption is a closed adoption meaning he only knows his biological parents’ names, but has neither met them nor had any contact with them.

“I want to meet my biological parents,” Arell said.

“If I were going to meet them and talk to them, probably the only thing I could say would be thank you,” Arell said. “Thank you for giving me a life to live and thank you for making a sacrifice, so I could grow up and have a great life.”

Arell can attempt to make contact with his parents and plans on doing so soon, but until then he is happy with where he is.

“I’ve always been happy with being adopted,”Arell said. “I have a really good life.”

Junior Kristen Madsen also received a letter from her biological mother. Unlike Arell, she has hers to look at any time.

Madsen was only a month old when her mother dropped her off at a Mormon adoption agency in Arizona.

“My mom couldn’t take care of me because she was 17,” Madsen said. “For my mom I’m sure it would have been hard to have a baby at

17 with no money and no support.”

After being put up for adoption, she was adopted by a family of three. Her adoptive parents had a four-year-old son Christopher and were expecting when they adopted Kristen. Five months after being adopted, Megan Madsen was born. Kristen now is a part of a family of six with an older brother, a younger sister only nine months younger and a 14-year-old brother.

“I love having a sister that is nine months older,” sophomore Megan Madsen said.

“Everyone always tells me how lucky I am to have an older sister and especially one so close in age to hang out with and to look up to.”

With such a big loving family Kristen is happy with the decision her biological mother made, but Kristen can’t tell her that.

“It was a closed adoption,” Kristen said “I cannot know who she is or her name. I haven’t ever seen a picture of her.

I have only heard descriptions of her.”

Although Kristen has never met her mother, let alone know her name, Kristen wants to meet her.

“When I’m 18 I can meet her, if she has signed papers saying she wants to see me,” Kristen said.

The meeting with her biological mother may be one without words according to Kristen.

“I’m sure we won’t know what to say,” Madsen said “I will probably cry.”

9

adoption

Jan. 19, 2007 Jan. 19, 2007

When Kristen meets her mom it will be full of emotions and questions. Until then she is happy just being Kristen Nicole Madsen.

Unlike Madsen and Arell who have to wait to meet their biological parents, junior Ashley Cook is able to visit her biological father.

“My mom was 17 and my dad was 18.

Their parents said they had to have an abortion,” Cook said.

Although her mother almost had an abortion, fortunately she didn’t, according to Cook.

Cook has never met her biological mother to thank her, but she has talked to her biological father.

“It’s an open adoption in the sense that I talk to my birth dad,” Cook said.

Cook recalls being nervous the first time that she and her adoptive mother met her biological father. Although she was nervous, Cook was grateful to have the opportunity to meet her father.

“I like having my birth dad to talk to,” Cook said.

Cook’s biological mother left her with a letter, which Cook has yet to read.

“I’m nervous to read them,” Cook said.

Someday Cook will read her letters and maybe even more.

“I think someday,” she said, “I will meet my biological mother.”

ho are your real parents?” a young naïve girl asked. “Do your parents love you?”

The young Kelsey Sparrow stood up tall to the girl and answered with a confident, “of course.”

These are not normal questions to be asking a third grade girl. For Sparrow, the parents who love her and care for her are her adoptive parents.

Sparrow was adopted from South Korea before her first birthday by Larry and Carol Sparrow.

“Larry and I desperately wanted to have a family,” Carol said. “We battled infertility, unsuccessfully for several years before considering adoption.”

They knew a couple who was in the process of adopting internationally through Holt International Children’s Services (HICS).

During their investigations, they had learned that the waiting list for any healthy, white, child under the age of eight was several years. With a state adoption, the interested couple’s name is placed on a list, but deleted if they move away.

“Larry’s job at the time, was indeed requiring relocation every few years, so state adoption was not a viable option for us,” Carol said. “International adoption requires tons of paper work and dealing with two governments, but is a quicker process, usually only about two years. So we decided to move forward with HICS.” “We first filed to adopt from Thailand,” Carol said.

The adoption process was very long and tedious.

“The paper work is very taxing,” she said.

“There was a criminal history investigation, birth certificates, marriage certificates and then the homestudy, where a social worker visits your home and interviews you. We had to provide statements of our faith, our parenting philosophies, medical history, financial accounts, character references and photos. Everything had to be signed and notarized.

Once all the paperwork was assembled, it became our ‘dossier’ and had to be sent to Washington D.C. to be certified by the consulate. Then, it was sent to Thailand.”

They then had to wait around for the paperwork to circulate and a child to be chosen.

“A year later we signed acceptance papers for a beautiful little boy who was one year old,” Carol said.

The thought of having a child was so exciting for the Sparrows, but it was not finalized yet.

“Four months after receiving monthly updates and sending a few gifts to him, the adoption was canceled,” Carol said. “We were crushed.”

They didn’t give up after their first attempt at adopting was canceled because there were advantages of having filled the paperwork out.

“Here is the advantage of working with an agency as opposed to private adoption,” she said. “Our paperwork was already complete.”

At this time, placements of orphans from South Korea were moving very quickly, so the Sparrows decided to switch from Thailand to Korea. After a few months of more waiting and no word, they decided to visit their social worker to discuss medical needs.

“Larry and I were both firm that we could not

accept a child with medical needs which could be life threatening, but maybe we could open our hearts to someone needing surgical intervention,” Carol said “After about nine years of trying to have a family, we just couldn’t face another loss.”

The very next day, their social worker called to tell them she had a picture of a beautiful little girl who was five months old with a cleft lip and palate.

“Would we like to see her papers?’ Without hesitation we agreed,” Carol said “We visited a renowned plastic surgeon in Iowa to learn more about what to expect regarding surgeries. We obtained written verification from our insurance company that she would be covered.”

They learned the child would face multiple surgeries and lots of orthodontia, in the process to reconstruct her face.

“We definitely were up to the challenge,” she said.

They signed acceptance papers for Hye Jung Lee. “Her American name will be Kelsey Leigh Sparrow,” they signed.

“Every country has its own rules and policies on international adoption,” Carol said, “Thailand would have required us to travel there to get a child, but Korea will provide escorts if you choose not to travel. Since we were about to move, we chose that.”

Kelsey was escorted to the Des Moines airport and was greeted by lots of friends on Nov. 15, 1990. She was 10 ½ months old.

For the next six months, a social worker would visit periodically to make sure things were going well.

In September1991, they went to court to finalize the adoption. The final step would be naturalization.

Kelsey became an American Citizen in March 1992.

“It takes a lot of perseverance to adopt internationally,” Carol said. “I would do it again in a heartbeat, if the time were right. There are so many orphaned children in our world today; I wish more people could open their hearts to adoption.

Kelsey is the best gift we have ever been blessed to receive. She changed our lives, as all children do to their parents. If we had been unable to adopt, we would be childless, and for us that would have been unbearable.”

A first family meeting occurred in the Des Moines airport for Larry and Carol Sparrow with their new adopted baby, Kelsey Sparrow.

10

2006: A Year in Review 2006reflections

Year 2006 witnesses loss of many famous people

entertainment editor

Kansas City said goodbye to two of its sports celebrities.

Baseball player and coach Buck O’Neil, above, and founder and owner of the Kansas City Chiefs Lamar Hunt passed away in 2006. photo by MCT Campus Photos

T

he year 2006 had the world saying goodbye to many. Some deaths were expected, while others seemed to come too soon. The losses came from a variety of areas. The entertainment community lost many; a president departed and two Kansas City sports legends took their last breaths.

The first big death, in January, was of civil rights activist and widow to Dr. Martin Luther King, Coretta Scott King.

King passed away in a hospital where she was receiving holistic therapy for an advanced stage of ovarian cancer.

King was 78 years old.

While the civil rights community mourned, the entertainers of the world said farewell to many pioneers of their industry. Actor and television producer Aaron Spelling died in June following complications from a stroke.

Spelling produced a multitude of hit television shows from the 70’s through the 90’s. He was the creator of such shows as Charlie’s Angels, Starsky and Hutch, Beverly Hills 90210 and 7th Heaven. Wildlife activist and crocodile specialist Steve Irwin died tragically in September while filming a segment for his television show. Irwin’s chest was pierced by a stingray, fatally puncturing his heart. Irwin’s death was mourned throughout the world. The most recent death was of “The Godfather of Soul,” James Brown. Brown died early Christmas morning in a hospital in Atlanta from pneumonia. Brown will be remembered for the many top 10 songs he released from the 50’s to the 80’s such as: Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag, (I Got You) I Feel Good and Living in America.

The nation said goodbye to President Gerald Ford in December. Ford was the 38th president, who became president after Richard Nixon resigned. Ford was the only person to ever hold the presidency without ever being elected as president or vice president.

Kansas City had an emotional year, with the loss of two sports icons. Baseball player Buck O’Neil passed away in October from heart failure and bone marrow cancer. O’Neil played for the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro leagues until he became the first African American coach in Major League Baseball. O’Neil was 94 years old. The last death of 2006 was of founder and owner of the Kansas City Chiefs, Lamar Hunt. Hunt also owned two teams in the Major Soccer League. While working with sports teams, Hunt helped establish Kansas City amusement parks Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun. As a founder of the American Football League and the man who named the Super Bowl, Hunt’s death was not only a loss to Kansas City, but also to

brookethurman

Jan. 19, 2007

Triumph, failures mark a year to be remembered; Olympics, Wii, Tiger football mark 2006 as success brookethurman

entertainment editor

T

he year of 20 oh six has had its triumphs, failures, new records and changes. We said goodbye to 2005 by releasing the Xbox 360 and putting Saddam on trial. Little did we know by the time we said farewell to 2006, the PS3 and Wii would be the new Xbox and Saddam would see his demise.

This year was one of less failure and more triumph for Americans. The U.S. had excitement in February when the American Olympic team traveled to Turin, Italy, and returned with 25 Winter Olympic medals and second place overall behind Germany. In October, the U.S. reached a milestone with 300 million citizens. The U.S. has gained 100 million more citizens since 1967. The country took a step to the left (or middle) in November by giving Democrats control of both congressional houses and giving the highest position in the House to a woman.

Internationally, the sports world was

glued to the television to watch the World Cup, which, like the winter Olympics, happens every four years. The cup was in Germany, a site that was picked in 2000.

Nearly 2.5 billion viewers around the world watched as Italy defeated France in a penalty shootout and secured their fourth world championship.

The worldly events weren’t the only things that stood out in 2006. The Tiger football team took the 5A state championship title and had the best record in school history.

Academically, the class of 2007 scored the highest state assessment reading scores of any public school in the metro area.

Several students had favorite moments of 2006. “[My best moment was] the last day of sophomore year because I was getting ready to be an upperclassmen,” junior Ashley Deluca said. “[My best moment was] when summer started and my worst was when school started again,” junior Jessica Gnoza said.

“The state football game because it made us better than the rest,” junior Parker Runyon said.

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12

redcarpet

Jan. 19, 2007

What Are You Reading?

BV students review literature they enjoy, recommend

freshman Holly Van Cleve

The Perks of being a Wallflower

sophomore Shannon Thompson

junior Ryan Siemers

junior Darcy Lorenzi

Battle Royal

Missing You

“The book is really “It’s not your typical “It’s much like Lord unique because it’s all written in letters to people that you never find out who they are. I like the mystery of it, and it deals with things people go through.

”

preppy book involving a guy and a girl, but it’s different and the author writes sarcastically about the situation that is going on. I enjoyed the humor of it.

of the Flies because a class of teens are put on an island and forced to fend for their lives. The author really puts problems in perspective.

”

”

senior Brandon Mikel

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

A Million Little Pieces

“James Frey wakes up “It’s a brilliant work on a plane and goes

of science fiction. It features the average, Arthur Dent, who is rescued from Earth’s destruction by an alien, his neighbor for several years.

to rehab and there he meets a lot of people that change him for the better.

The book informed me about the affects of addictions.

”

”

Television, movies get in the dance groove

meganvansooy opinions editor

W

hen looking back on the past six years, it is hard not to notice that there has been a Dance, Dance Revolution throughout the whole country, maybe even the whole world. It may

movies vary in content, from ballet dancers hoping to get their big break (Center Stage in 2000), to dance teams attempting to battle each other (You Got Served in 2004, or the upcoming movie Stomp The Yard premiering later this year). While some of these movies feature fresh new dance movies that proved to

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

be a hit with the adolescents, they also proved to be rather unpopular with the major Hollywood critics. Maybe the critics are starting to get sick of the monotonous flow of watching actors and actresses attempt to dance, while there are many professional dancers throughout the country also struggling to make a paycheck.

While on the same note, it is also rather sickening to watch celebrities such as Jerry Springer attempt to do the foxtrot. While it was entertaining to watch Drew Lachey and Emmit Smith win Dancing with the Stars for the past two seasons, do television producers need to add six more dancing shows to the

primetime lineup of even an ice skating that is identical to it? It may seem as if America is the only country that has been a part of this reality TV dancing craze, but there are over 30 countries that supply Dancing With the Stars (or something similar in nature) to their viewers, including Israel and Australia.

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4831 W, 135th St. Leawood, KS (913) 685-8802

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Junior Brianne Burlin knows

how to break it down have started with the ever “popular” movie Honey. It may have been an obsession with watching celebrities learn how to ballroom dance.

Either way, it is apparent that there is an overdose of dancing movies, television shows and video games.

Most of these dancing

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Jan. 19, 2007

&New Blood

Young Guns ianjanes

staff writer

tigerturf

13 Sports Profile

Junior transfer helps Tigers improve with one of team’s best starts

H

ead coach Andy Unrein paces the sidelines with a look of complete focus on his face. It’s the third quarter and his team is within two points of the St. Thomas Aquinas Saints.

Although they lose the game, the girls’ basketball program has come a long way since last season. After eight games they were 4-4, compared to a 2-6 start in the first eight games of last season.

“I enjoy watching all of the games; I drove to Emporia last week because I am so excited for this season,” senior fan Spencer Hockenbery said.

Unrein is entering his second season as the head coach of the girls varsity. He has a very young team that only has one senior (Kenzie Ziegler). However, he returns starter Taylor Hanson along with Ziegler, and has a lot of young sophomore and freshman talent on the junior varsity. Along with the returners, he received a talented junior point guard transfer in Briana Eldridge.

“I think that our team is very young but there are a lot of teams we can beat, and I think we have an excellent shot to finish in the top three in the league,” Unrein said.

The Tigers got off to an excellent start, winning their first three games including, Blue Valley North and Shawnee Mission South, both at one time ranked in the Metro Sports super 25 poll.

“I’ve been really pleased with the effort of the girls, but there’s still a lot of room for improvement,” Unrein said.

After the 3-0 start however, the girls lost three straight, two in the Emporia tournament and one to St. Thomas Aquinas, before dusting away Blue Valley Northwest on Jan 8.

“I would give our team a B so far this season; we have great team chemistry, we just have a few small obstacles to overcome,” junior Taylor Hanson said.

The girls will travel to Olathe Northwest tonight and host rival Blue Valley West on Jan 23.

Get to know your favorite sports star

Morgan Matile Grade: 11 Sport: basketball What I like to do in my free time: Play Basketball, show cows and hang out with my friends Junior point guard transfer Briana Eldridge has had an immediate impact. She is the starting point guard for the 4-4 Tigers. Photo by Sarah Rabe

Athletes become targets of scandals Crime, violent attacks become more publicized than athletic performance

Call Me

Hank

Hank Driskell

O

h the stars of professional athletics. In our star-struck eyes they sometimes seem invincible. However, on Jan 1, 2007, the first day of the year, reality hit sports fans hard. Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams was shot and killed. It’s sad but today’s

superstars have to live cautious and careful lifestyles. Athletes are becoming targets. It seems that just when they get to the top, there are always people there to drag them down.

All of this was prompted by the recent and tragic death of Darrent Williams who was gunned down in a drive-by shooting. Williams was at a Denver night club for a New Year’s party when an altercation between some people at the club broke out.

Williams, who reportedly had no part in the fight, did the smart thing and left the club. Williams’ left the club in his rented white H2 limo. At around 2 a.m. in the morning his limo was attacked with gun fire. The Tahoe that the police found to be the car involved in the shooting was issued to a Crips gang member. As of now, Denver police have found no connection between Williams and the gang. So it is safe to say Williams, a 24-year-old NFL star with two children under the age of seven, was a helpless victim of

gang violence.

Though superstar athletes live lives that can often be envied, we need to stop and realize also the tremendous amount of pressure and danger they live with. Stars live in the spotlight.

They live in the public eye. I can’t even imagine what kind of pressure that puts on them. Athletes seem to be magnets for crime and scandal.

Any money-hungry person can file a false claim accusing an athlete of some wrongdoing. Certain athletes survive careers without being attacked; however, certain athletes, even when found innocent, are forced to live with a damaged image.

Athletes will forever remain invincible in the eyes of their young fans. They are warriors. They are not even really human. To young kids these stars are more than men but less than gods. But we really know what kind of people these super stars are. We know that it’s becoming clearer and clearer that they are just normal people, normal mortal people.

Pre-game ritual: I drink Spark and the whole team listens to the same CD. Favorite athlete: Briana Eldridge, she is going to be famous some day Biggest rival: Aquinas and Blue Valley North Describe yourself as an athlete in three words: Hard-working, slow and aggressive Words to live by: Live with no regrets Favorite movie: Grease Favorite complex: Miege Most memorable sports moment: Mr. Unrein giving us survival tips.

Photo compiled by Gwen Bergerhofer, player selected by coach

14

tigerturf

Jan. 19, 2007

Chiefs make playoffs, fumble big chance

ianjanes

staff writer

A

s the 2006-2007 season is laid to rest, most Chiefs fans are in denial over the end. Cheer up, fans. There are many reasons to be excited about the ‘07-’08 season. Trent Green will be able to see straight and Larry Johnson will be hitting his prime.

“I am already looking forward to next season; we will make it further next year, I can almost guarantee it,” super fan Spencer Hockenbery said.

Chiefs fans woke up on the final weekend of the Chiefs’ season optimistic, but realistic at the same time. For the Kansas City Chiefs to make the post season it would take a miracle. But Hockenbery still put on the same red and yellow face paint as if it were week one and went to Arrowhead Stadium to cheer on his Chiefs.

“I knew that they had a chance, a slim to no chance,

but that’s better than no chance at all,” Hockenberry said.

Well, a new year’s miracle is exactly what Chiefs fans got. First, the Chiefs had to defeat the Jacksonville Jaguars, which they did, 3530. Then they needed the New England Patriots to defeat the Tennessee Titans, and the Pittsburg Steelers to defeat the Cincinnati Bengals, which both happened. And after all of that they still weren’t in.

“I was surprised both Tennessee and Cincinnati lost big home games, but I knew that there was no way the 49ers could beat Denver at home,” freshman Connor Gillium said.

Living only on the old saying, “That’s why they play the games,” the Chiefs’ playoff hopes depended on the woeful San Francisco 49ers (6-9) to beat the Denver Broncos (9-6). Behind a clutch Joe Nedney 36-yard overtime field goal with 1:56 left to play, the Chiefs were finally in.

“I never thought I would ever catch myself watching a whole 49ers-Broncos game, ever,” senior Joey Mandrella said.

Kansas City’s prize? A date with the Indianapolis Colts on Jan 6. The chiefs came out flat in this game, not getting a first down until there was 3:34 left in the third quarter.

Peyton Manning was not his usual all-pro self, throwing three interceptions, but the Chiefs failed to capitalize on his mistakes. And the Colts made all the plays.

“The defense played really well, but the offense was horrible; Damon Huard should have played,” sophomore Ryan Fitzpatrick said.

The Chiefs will look to experience next year with most of their players returning on both sides of the football.

But now that Chiefs fans have tasted the playoffs, they will be looking for more out of this team next season.

Trent Green (center) gets sandwiched by the Indianapolis Colts defensive line, dropping the football. The Chiefs lost 23-8. Photo by MCT Campus Photos.

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tigerturf

Jan. 19, 2007

Dribble, pin, strike, stroke

Boys’ Basketball

Wrestling

The Tigers hosted Blue Valley Northwest on Jan. 9, but they lost 7265. The Tigers were led in scoring by Kolbe Joens with 15. Tyler VanGerpen added 14 and knocked down three 3pointers.

The boys’ basketball team traveled at St. Thomas Aquinas Jan 5. They lost to the Saints, 64-52. Joens led the Tigers in scoring again with 13, while Chris McDermott added 12 of his own.

The basketball team looked to enter winter break on a high note Dec 12.

The Tigers led for almost the whole game until Olathe North hit a huge three with 33 seconds haning on to beat the Tigers, 49-46. Joens led the Tigers in scoring with 15.

The Tigers travel to the Valley Center invitational this weekend. They also host Olathe Northwest Jan. 23 and BV West Jan 26. Their current record is 14.

The wresting team has placed third (twice), sixth and eighth in their last three meets, with 119 lb. senior Blane Williams being undefeated so far, 20-0 for the varsity team.

On Jan. 9 the team wrestled at home against Blue Valley Northwest and lost by three points. Freshman Parker Madl, 112 lb., did not compete due to sickness.

On Jan. 6 the team finished tied for third with Ft. Scott at the Bonner Springs Invitational. Both Madl and Wi l l i a m s

Senior Blane Williams wrestles at the Johnson Coun-

ty Classic against a St. Thomas Aquinas opponent and gets the pin. Winning is all Williams has known this season, being undefeated so far, with 20 victories for the varsity team.

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finished first in their weight classes.

The Varsity wrestlers have already competed in seven meets and have a meet today at Blue Valley Northwest.

On Tuesday the wrestlers will face BV West at West in a dual. Their last regular season meet before regionals will be on Feb. 10 at the EKL tournament.

Bowling Club

The Bowling Club returned for its second season last week. The club meets at College Lanes at 3:15 and goes until 5 p.m. Members range from 15-25 a week. Members compete against each other, and dues are $10 at AMF College Lanes each session.

Swimming

The swimming team started the season in Lawrence against Lawrence Free State, Lawrence High and Shawnee Mission South. The Tigers came home with the firs place trophy.

On Dec. 9 they entered the Olathe Invitational.

They finished in fourth place. They faced Bonner Springs twice already this season in a swim only meet. They ended up finishing in 10th place in an invitational. On Jan. 3, the Tiger had a chance to redeem themselve and they did so, by taking second.

Three swimmers have finished with state-qualifying times: Anthony Bertolone, Tony Britt and Austin Wright.

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16

pictureperfect

Jan. 19, 2007

Entertainment of the Month

Don’t know how to entertain yourself? Here are some entertainment options for winter.

Inspired to be a rockstar, but you can’t play guitar? No problem! Play Station’s new game Guitar Hero allows you to find the inner rocker in you! Junior Rachel Gibson enjoys rockin’ out with her friends after school.

Juniors Michael Borgerding and Kimi Burczyk are very competitive. They enjoy spending their time together playing board games. (top left)

Junior Blake Lickteig plays his friends in pool on the weekend. “My friends don’t realize the wrath that is about to come upon them,” Lickteig said.

Ping Pong plays a big role in junior Drew Roger’s life at home with his pals.

The local Starbucks is a hangout for junior Lauren Callison They catch up on the latest gossip or work on homework as they lounge around sipping their lattes. (left)

Photos by Morgan McMahon