The Tiger Print — March 2007

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tigerprint

• Geneva Adkins • Marylynne Thomas • Audrey Humes • Karen Nixon • Sandy Porter • Thomas Blue Valley High School 6001 W. 159th Stilwell, Kan. 66085 Bass • Peter Jennings • March 14, 2007 • Vol. 37• Issue 7 John Wayne • Debbie McKinney • Robert Blatt • Paula Schuch • Linda Trokey • Susan Farinella • John Brown • Kathy Adriance • Bob Marley • George Harrison • Carl Wilson • Tayel Salem • Walt Students raise money, cancer Disney • Phil Davis • Alexa Faber • Earl Miller • Virginia Harrington • Kevin Butorac •awareness K.T. West • Robin Learner • Zac Marion • Cam KillinLife • Dezi Arnaz • during Relay for Gary Cooper • Clark Gable • Babe Ruth • Joypage Gorsuch • Jenifer 3 Barnhart • Dorthy Bentley • Linda Wagner • David Ayars • Lois Trayford • Lynne Schutte • Kay Brown • David Petersen • Skip Petersen • Flora Kashanchi • Shahin Yaghoubian • Richard Taylor • Lois Friedlander • Walter Mueller • Eddie Sayegh • Mary Santiago • Horrace Pearce • Joseph Palmer • Bob Brandy • Richard Crouch • John McReynolds • Jim Carr • Jake Louis • Bob Marley • Norma Kold • Theda Beningfield • Alec Beningfield • Bill Ayers • Betty Ayers • Stuart Asquith • Carl Wilson • John Brown • Earl Miller • Kevin Butorac • Cam Killin • Gary Cooper • Joe Torre • Colin Powell • Edie Falco • Bobby Moore • Eric Davis • Paul Allen • Jeff MacNelly • Don Last • Phil Davis • Tayel Salem • Alexa Faber • Dezi Arnez • Bill Tucker • Virginia HarSiblings pages 11-13

Incubus Review page 17

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March 14, 2007

Students outraged as new bill proposes to ban cell phones from teens while they are driving allyfrancis

journalism 1

K

ansas legislators recently targeted teenage drivers under the age of 18 by proposing a bill that would make it illegal for teens to use their

New Teen Driving Laws?

Here are the major components to a graduated driver’s license recently proposed by the Kansas Legislature. Kansas currently has one of the most lenient licensing systems in the nation. Missouri went to a graduated system in 2001.

• Raise age from 14 to 15 for a learner’s permit.

• Require a learner’s permit for one year before qualifying for a restricted license.

• Raise age for restricted license from 15 to 16.

• Limit restricted drivers to one passenger under 21, unless it’s a family member.

• Forbid driving unsupervised from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. for first the six months of a restricted license • Change age for an unrestricted license from 16 to 18 • Adhere to new cell phone and seat belts laws until unrestricted license is obtained(age 18)

TB

iger riefs

Journalism Twenty-two Blue Valley journalists converged upon Emporia State on Feb. 22 for the regional journalism competition.

Competing against the likes of the rest of the Blue Valley district, Manhattan, St. Thomas Aquinas, Salina, Topeka, Paola and others, 11 Blue Valley

cellular phones while driving.

Since 1985 the number of people who own cell phones has grown from 50,000 to almost 120 million.

These striking numbers just keep increasing, causing many vehicular accidents. Despite these numbers, students are angry at the legislature for proposing this bill.

Sophomore Kelly Frickleton said, “I hate it! I would really be upset at first if the bill was passed, but I guess I would have to adjust.”

In a study done by Virginia Tech Institute, the institute found that 80 percent of car accidents are caused by driving inattention, most commonly meaning cell phone use. Most teens feel like they can do anything while driving including text messaging and talking on the phone. Many studies prove that young drivers do better without any distractions inside the vehicle while driving.

Detective Tippie, an Overland Park police officer who has testified on this matter before a Kansas highway patrol committee, said, “Cell phones use is a distraction to anyone operating a moving vehicle, but especially to young, inexperienced drivers. This is also the cause of an increasing number of car accidents.”

Most teenagers use their phones no matter what their parents say about rules for cell-phone use

students placed and qualified for state in 14 categories.

Senior Amanda Kistner and junior Ashley Apple qualified in advertising, senior Kelsey Frerking qualified with a first place finish in cutline writing and senior Garrett Griffin also qualified in editorial cartooning. Junior Nina Humphrey and senior Karen Melton both qualified in feature photography while junior Sarah Weaver and senior Hank Driskell finished first and second respectively in headline writing. Seniors Allison Goodpasture and Sarah Hockel also finished first and second in the layout and double page spread.

Sophomore Mitchell Smith qualified in news writing while Goodpasture, Melton and senior Cailie Courtney all qualified in theme

while driving.

Jane Francis, the mother of a young driver, said, “Teens will continue to use their cell phones while driving until the bill is passed, and they know they could get a ticket if they were caught driving while using their phone.”

“Having a cell phone while driving is very beneficial. If I get into a car wreck, I would need to use my phone to contact an adult,” Frickleton said.

The question the Kansas legislature is asking is: What if the car accident was caused by that cell phone? Even though Kansas is in the very beginning of processing this bill, students have heard the news and are upset.

“About 80 percent of my friends use their cell phones while driving.” Frickleton said.

If these numbers add up, and Kansas passes this bill, policemen could be writing tickets as much as students are dialing numbers on their cell phones. School Resource Officer Dennis Randall said that out of every 10 teens he saw driving on the road; about 85 percent of them were talking or using their cell phones.

So far only 16 states have passed bills saying that young teenage drivers can’t use their cell phones while driving. Many other states, including Kansas, are also considering passing

development and graphics.

All those that qualified for state will compete as both individuals and as a team on May 5 in Lawrence.

Fashion Show

The third annual Ali’s Runway show took place March 11 at the Overland Park Convention Center. The show which benefits the Ali Kemp Foundation, TAKE, involved 12 Blue Valley students.

The TAKE foundatioin sponsors self defense classes for girls in memory of Ali Kemp, who was brutally murdered at the Foxborough Pool in Leawood in 2002, Roger Kemp, along with Natalie M fashions at Large and BV graduate Kendra Kruse initiated the event.

The March 11 show included all BV schools. Three other shows were presented including other area high schools.

other bills, including a seat-belt primary infraction law. If this bill is passed, drivers under the age of 18 must be wearing their seatbelts at all times, or they could be pulled over. Prospective drivers have something to say about this consideration.

“I see no problem with the new bill proposing that drivers must wear their seatbelts or they will get pulled over,” junior Emily Friskel said, “but I don’t think it’s fair that it doesn’t apply to those over 18.”

Detective Tippie said, “The use of seat belts saves lives and lessens injury during traffic accidents.

Canada proved that when the use of seat belts is a primary offense, lives are saved and injuries are less serious.”

Kansas legislators are also trying to pass another bill that would call for many changes in high school students lives. This bill is called a “graduated license bill,” which means teenagers wouldn’t be able to have full driving privileges until the age of 18. (See attached graphic. ) Reactions of Blue Valley students are mixed. “(The proposed bill) is ridiculous; we are still going to drive; they can’t stop us,” freshman Jessica Mitchell said.

“At the same time, people who are 16 are still just kids,” freshman Alyssa Jackson said.

All That Jazz: katelyndunahoe karenliebentritt journalism 1

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rom is coming up for all Blue Valley seniors, juniors and their dates on March 31 from 8 p.m. until midnight at the Ritz Charles.

The Prom Committee has picked out a theme, “All That Jazz,” as an enjoyable theme, they said, to set the mood of a 1920’s scene.

“It’s going to be a night to remember; the atmosphere is going to be fun and uplifting and will make you want to dance the night away,” committee member Lauren Callison said.

Senior and juniors can obtain their tickets starting March 26. Tickets are $25 per person, but seniors get in free.

Guests are also $25. Tickets bought at the door are $35, including seniors.

The approximate $4000 budget required many fundraisers during the past couple months, such as the class competition involving chains, where

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March 14, 2007

Students get ready for early Prom date after break classes competed to buy enough links to make theirs the longest.

“We are low on funds, but the Prom Committee is doing all it can to raise money and make it an unforgettable event,” Callison said.

A few committee members have been meeting with decorators and planning out the many details for this epic event and claim it should be a success.

“Students should definitely look forward to Prom because it’s an important part of the high school experience and all the arrangements being made are going to pay off in the end,” junior Simon Yu said.

The Prom will be chaperoned by parents and a few teachers. The AfterProm will be at Blue Valley from midnight until 4 a.m. Prom goers, including underclassmen dates and outside dates, are urged to attend.

Students don’t have to go to Prom to attend. Admission is absolutely free. There will be a variety of games, entertainment, food, soda, drawings and prizes. This is all thanks to

donations by junior and senior parents and area businesses, along with the BVHS PTO. Parents are still encouraged to sign up as chaperones and make donations.

Many students, including senior Eliza Gale, ask why Prom is so early.

In previous years Blue Valley has sponosred Prom in late April. Gale said that she was fine with it being in March, but she would much rather have it be later in the year.

According to some faculty members, March 31 was the best possible date.

Teacher Dianne O’Bryan said the administration tries to plan it on the weekend when the most students can attend. Reasons for having Prom early are to avoid conflicts with spring sports, forensics tournaments and other activities. The school also likes to avoid setting a Prom date that is the same as other district schools. There is also the conflict of AP testing in early May, so that is also not a good option for a weekend to hold Prom.

The Average Price Of Prom Tickets $50 per couple Tux rental $100 Dinner

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Corsage

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Dress

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Boutonniere $10 Pictures Limo Total

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Running to the finish

Students make effort to raise money for cancer research Despite a written threat delivered earlier this week, the Relay for Life event went on as scheduled. The administration determined the threat was not “credible,” but provided extra security for the evening. A voicemail was sent home to reassure all parents.

brianisrael

opinions editor

A

ccording to the American Cancer Society there were 13,210 new documented cases of cancer in 2006, in Kansas alone. Approximately 564,000 Americans were expected

to die from cancer in 2006, equating to about 1,500 people dying a day. It is said everyone will be affected by it at some point, either by having the disease or knowing somebody who does. Each year millions of dollars are raised for research in order to try to stop that phrase from

being true in the near future.

To earn money for this research, students teamed up with the American Cancer Society last Friday and Saturday to hold Relay for Life in an effort to earn a goal of $20,000.

Relay for Life is an overnight event in which participants raise at least $100 to attend an all-night event, more than 10 teams of eight to 15 students participated. The Relay consists of numerous

events, the most poignant of which being the luminaries ceremony in which those who have fought cancer are remembered and those who are fighting cancer are honored by name after a $5 donation to the ACS. “We’re hoping for a large number of luminaries to come in this year,” luminaries chair person Kimberly Burczyk said. “The more we get, the more special the ceremony will be.”

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The 12-hour Relay consists of participants circling a track for hours to re-enact Relay founder Gordy Klatt’s initial efforts where he attempted to earn money for the American Cancer Society by running marathons, while charging friends to join him for 30 minutes by donating $25.

The first night, Klatt earned $27,000 in the fight against cancer.

The amount of money raised

by BV’s Relay had not been determined by press time.

“It’s a great way to get involved in something that effects the entire nation,” Relay Chair Megan Adams said. “Not to mention, it’s also a really fun way to spend time with friends.”

The event will consist of many activities both educational and entertaining.

“I don’t usually like to be a leader and my experience has been stressful, but it’s going to be fun,” Care Bear’s team captain Jackie Nugent said.

“You get really tired about halfway through the night, so you just keep drinkin’ caffeine, and sleep the day away when you get home.”

Additional information provided

by Katherine Nunnally.

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Recycling Right

Surplus Exchange steers past traditional recyclcing of cans and bottles and offers electronic recyling. Photo by Nina Humphrey.

ninahumphrey photo editor

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id you know that it is cheaper

to buy a new PC than to upgrade an old one? There is a convenient solution for everyone in the community who

Alternative ways of recycling help to improve environment

wishes to dispose of his or her old computers. They can take part in the city’s annual Electronics Reycling Day event. Residents can bring their unwanted electronics to the parking lot of the school from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 31.

“We need lots of volunteers,” said science teacher Joe Whalen, who is helping to run the event. “There are two shifts; you can work one or both shifts, there will be food such as hotdogs, etc.

The shifts are 7:30 a.m. 11:30 and 11-3 p.m. Students who would like to work any shift should see Whalen for details.

The last recycling event collected more than 62,000 pounds of outdated equipment. Mark Mosier is

National Honor Societies induct new students ellenthomas

editor-in-chief

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ational Honors Society and National Foreign Language Honors Society will induct new members the last week of March. These honors societies stress academics and character and entrance is competitive.

NHS has sent letters of invitation to about 130 students, 156 more than last year. The NHS induction ceremony will be held March 23 at 5:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center.

Names of the inductees will be published at a later date.

To be considered for NHS, a student has to have at least a 3.5 GPA, 20 hours of community service, participate in two activities and be recommended by teachers based on the candidate’s leadership, character, service and scholarship, the four pillars of the society. A group of seven teachers on the faculty council consider each applicant and decides whether he/she is accepted.

The National Foreign Language Honors Society is split up into the individual languages, but a joint induction ceremony will be held April 2 at 7 p.m. in

the PAC. Senior Matthew Silverstein, juniors Ashley Apple, Michael Borgerding, Lauren Callsion, Ryan Clark, Amanda Cobb, Jennifer Hansen, Laurel Hill, Rachel Krupco, Blake Lickteig, Kathryn Owens, Hannah Rodlund, Riley Shaw, Malissa Wolfe, sophomores Ali Athey, Rachel Burton, Jessie Chastain, Richard Chushuh, Josh Dean, Corey Devine, Lauren Fogle, Alison Foster, Ryann Green, Heather Gruber, Alyssa Huff, Grace Kay, Nathan Lindshield, Victoria Litardo, Ariana Martinez, Megan Peterson, Caroline Proulx, Mohammad Ramahi, Christine Reinhardt, Alexis Rios, Marlee Rogers, Francesca Scarafile, Anna Speer, Kyra Storm, Rachel Tate, Dana Whetter and Danny Wood will be inducted in the Spanish branch.

French inductees include juniors Sarah Cline, Abby

March 14, 2007

Hemlick, Thuy Nguyen, Alyssa Sehorn, sophomores Julia Boyes, Jordan Hinmon, Simran Singh, Emily Strickland, Monica Supple and Lauren Taulbee.

New Latin members include senior Stefanie Krull, juniors Cassie Cowan and Alexandra Perel, sophomores Ariel Puicette and Kirk McPhail.

No new members will be inducted in the German branch this year.

Students applying for the NFLHS must have completed at least two years of the same language, have a 3.5 GPA in the language, an overall GPA of 3.0 and teacher recommendations.

National Art Honors Society will also be inducting new members later in April. Like NHS and NFLHS, NAHS requires potential members to have taken at least one semester of visual art with a 3.0 GPA in art.

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credited to bringing the event idea to the school because he saw a similar event advertised in the past. Jim Twigg of Surplus Exchange is directing the event and has run several of these events around the area. His company does the actual recycling.

Items such as computer CPU’s, keyboards, stereos, VCRS, scanners and personal printers can be recycled with no charge. However, there are charges of $10-25 for computer monitors, televisions and large printers.

“They charge a certain amount per item and the city of OP picks up half the cost and the customer pick up half the cost,” Whalen said. “For 10 or more computers Surplus Exchange will schedule a pickup at your house.”

The collected electronics will be inspected, reconditioned and even reused, if possible. The nonworking equipment will be disassembled and then recycled.

The Department of Public Safety reports that 315 million computers were obsolete at the end of 2004. The United States produces more e-waste than any other nation. Ewaste is the refuse from discarded electronics and ends up in landfills instead of the alternative of recycling.

According to the Surplus Exchange website, only a small amount of electronic devices can be recycled because it contains some hazardous and toxic substances that may harm the environment.

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March 14, 2007

St. Patrick’s day celebrates Irish pride, heritage

Students spend American traditions such as parades, food honor Irish Americans spring breaks different ways bradenmiller

staff writer

I

t must be the luck of the Irish. On March 17 during Spring Break, anyone from an Irish heritage celebrates a holiday where they have a good time, St. Patrick’s Day. People who are Irish have celebrated this holiday for thousands of years, but it’s not a holiday only for those who are Irish, but for everyone who desires to celebrate a different culture. Most families gather together to sing Irish songs and play games. Others attend a parade.

St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated to honor the patron saint of Ireland. March 17 wasn’t the day he was born, but the day he died. St. Patrick was born in Britain to wealthy parents.

When he was 16, he was captured by raiders and taken to Ireland where he became a shepherd and converted to Christianity. God spoke to St. Patrick in a dream and told

him to escape from Ireland and head for Britain. Once he escaped, he heard another voice in his dreams saying that he should return to Ireland as a missionary.

It took him over 15 years to conclude his studies and soon after, became a priest in Ireland.

Irish Americans traditionally eat a meal of corned beef and cabbage.

E v e n though cabbage is known to be an Irish food, some residents that lived in New York substituted corned beef for Irish bacon. Families may still eat Irish bacon, but some use corned beef to save money.

Several traditions include eating lots of food, singing Irish folklore and

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drinking lots of beer. Also, people wear green in memory of Ireland. During the year of 1962, city pollution workers dyed the Chicago River green to find illegal sewage and thought that this was a unique way to celebrate the holiday.

The shamrock resembles

St. Patrick because he used a clover to explain the H o l y Trinity. In the late 17th century, the three-leafed clover became a symbol of Irish nationalism.

The Leprechaun may seem like a good, nice kind of person, but they were viewed as mean and badtempered people.

They have nothing to do with the holiday.

The first St. Patrick’s Day

parade didn’t take place in Ireland, but in New York City in 1762 where Irish soldiers serving in the US military marched through New York playing their music. St. Patrick’s Day has become so popular because it comes just a few days before the first day of spring. In downtown Kansas City, starting at the corner of Pershing Road and Main Street and ending on Truman Road, is the 34th Annual St. Patrick’s Day parade beginning at 11 a.m. on St. Patrick’s Day. Several months before the parade, the committee gathers together to brainstorm ideas for the upcoming parade. This year’s theme is Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in KC. There are many traditions and activities that apply each year on St. Patrick’s Day, and is not only a holiday for those who are Irish, but for those who want to celebrate it and have fun.

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meganvansooy

opinions editor

W

hen most students think of spring break, their minds are either filled with excitement or apprehension.

Some students look forward to fun in the sun at an exotic beach in a far away country, while other students worry about how they’re going to get out of the house for the next 10 days. Some students and their families make it a tradition to go somewhere every year, while other students have yet to spend a spring break away from the lovely state of Kansas.

“I’m going to Vancouver, Canada to go skiing,” sophomore Tyler Duke said.

While some students make a rather large trip for their spring breaks, other students do travel, but not very far. Junior Blaine Smith is traveling to Cape Girardeau, which is in southern Missouri.

“I’m going to visit my friends because I used to live there,” Smith said.

Students that do spend their spring breaks out of the state (or country) can either look forward to a plethora of activities ranging from skiing, like Duke, or spending time on a beach getting a suntan.

Some students are participating in school activites over the break. The drama class and choir is traveling to New York City.

While it may seem like most students are leaving the beautiful state of Kansas to venture in new places, there are also some students that are staying in their houses doing absolutely nothing for the3.9x4 entirejpeg 11 days of spring break. pdf But fear not Kansasdwellers, there many options to take advantage of during this time. There are still open parts of Johnson County to explore.

Whichever way you look at it, spring break is a time for relaxation, whether it be in the mountains, the beach or at a house, these next 11 days will give us time to take a breather before the school year ends.

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ourvoice

March 14, 2007

staff editorial

Students want freedom to eat where they want mattkillen

news editor

E

very year students at BV especially seniors beg for the privilege of all privileges, an open lunch. You’ve heard about kids who are allowed to leave campus during lunch and go to the restaurant of their choice. You may have even seen it on MTV. While this idea is definitely a popular one, it would probably never work out at BV. Students have been clamoring about an open lunch for years. Principal Scott Bacon even recalls the subject coming up during his early days at Blue Valley. Almost any senior would want an open lunch; the upsides are obvious. You can eat whatever you like, and you are free to do whatever you want for the lunch period. There is no doubting that this would be a welcome addition among seniors. But there are simply too many issues that would have to be resolved.

For starters, we would never be able to make it back on time. Lunch periods last around 30 minutes. In that time, we would have to get to our cars, drive to a restaurant on 151st Street, quickly get through the drive thru — which is a challenge to say the least — eat what food we bought and make it back to school in time for our next class, in 30 minutes. The schools that have open lunch, Lawrence High School and Lawrence Free State, for example, each have plenty of restaurants no further than half a mile away. Blue Valley has about four options total, with the closest one being around three quarters of a mile in distance.

This causes another major issue — traffic safety.

Being late to a class during the day usually spells detention, and with the impractical requirements of being back to school in 30 minutes one can expect that students will be hurrying back to class.

Driving faster, and possibly eating at the same time, is a recipe for an accident. This is especially frightening considering the fact that Stanley Elementary, across from our campus, has recess around the time when we have lunch.

Unfortunately, these problems alone are enough to derail open lunch, not to mention the possibility of students using the time to leave campus and toke up or the probable outcry from the parents.

And while open lunch would teach seniors a valuable lesson in time management, the time in which students are given to enjoy open lunch creates too much of an obstacle.

B staff V

Teachers confiscate students’ personal items

G

etting your personal items taken from you can be an experience both irritating and embarrassing. Many students don’t think it’s a big deal to wear a hat in school or use a cell phone in the middle of class. Teachers that confiscate these items, however, usually have a legitimate reason and are simply following school policy. Until students pressure their parents and administrators to amend this philosophy, they need to follow the rules and realize their prized possessions will soon be taken away from them..

“School rules have always stated that hats shouldn’t be worn or cell phones should be turned off during school hours. That’s just the way it has always been,” art teacher Mark Moiser said. “If I see someone violating those rules, I won’t refrain from talking with that person about it or confiscating the item from them.”

And after the confiscation there is the period of time until the item is returned. It could be a day or the rest of the year. Some students say that teachers are doing this just to feel powerful and feel like they can control their lives. Other students say it is due to favoritism, racism or sexism issues.

Yet, teachers will usually give a student fair warning before taking his things, so students should either heed warnings or at least wait till they’re out

tigerprint

2006-2007

Managing Editors Ellen Thomas Sarah Weaver News Matt Killen Opinions Editors

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

of class before using or wearing said item.

“We don’t want to take your things which is why we distribute the warnings.” Moiser said. “But if you do not take our warning with meaning, then we will not hesitate to take your things.”

Cell phones are indeed a distraction. One can’t give his full attention to an instructor if he is texting his friend. If a parent needs to get a hold of their student, that student can check his phone during passing periods. Likewise, a hat may also be a fashion statement, but it’s not part of a proper dress code for most work environments, and it’s not proper dress for the classrooom either.

Although others may think this unjust, the teachers are only abiding by the rules that they were given to enforce. Keep in mind that if a teacher takes something, a hat or phone, it might be because the student is not paying attention. This act shouldn’t be taken as the teacher not liking a student.

Students should just keep their items, both phone and hats, on the low. If the item, like a cell phone, is needed, try to be smart and use it at an appropriate time. Or maybe students could ask the teacher if he could use the phone before he uses it. They’re nice people and would more then likely understand if the need is important enough.

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

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

ourvoice

March 14, 2007

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How do you feel about excessive PDA? Save the tonsil hockey yourvoice “for the hotel room. ” It’s all right, except for “the gross kids that are all over each other.

It distracts me and ” it’s a “ little too much for school.

I guess it’s all right if ” “you don’t do it in front of me. ”

aise

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junior Ashley Stickler

sophomore David Brobeck

senior Cie Arell

freshman Alan Parker

photo poll by Gwen Bergerhofer

Couples show too much affection in public saraster

features editor

H

Junior Will Gilliam and sophomore Sam Towery pose to illustrate PDA. Most students don’t enjoy witnessing this kind of affection.

Photo illustration by Morgan McMahon

aving a boyfriend in high school is great, been there done that.

But I don’t ever recall making out at school, especially not in the middle of the hallway during passing period. For those that do, good for you and your undying love for your significant other, but I guarantee those looks you receive as you make out aren’t so positive and supporting.

Seriously, spare us all; no one wants to see you get your mack on at school. School just happens to be a place to learn (and frankly no one wants to learn how to tongue in a hallway), and although you feel it is also a place to show someone how you feel, it’s just not.

Holding hands is great. I

am all for a quick hug during passing, but I have no desire whatsoever to watch any lip locking during the five minutes that I don’t have to be in class. Distractions in school should consist of fire drills and assemblies, not a classroom getting out of their seats just to look out the door to see if they know the sophomores swapping spit in the hall.

If anyone cares, I definitely believe that the parking lot is fair game. Don’t worry the only people watching you kiss goodbye like there is no tomorrow are Officers Dennis Randall and Mike Thrasher on the security cameras, oh yeah, and the rest of the student body and the 60 percent of students that drive a car to school, and don’t forget some parents. Other than a majority

of student drivers wanting to lay on their horns or run you over, the parking lot is a great location to make out.

Some couples I know actually spend time together outside of school. I apologize to the Romeo and Juliet types, but times such as weekends and after school (gasp) are usually used to hangout with whomever you choose. This crazy behavior tends to create mature couples that have the ability to utilize some self control in public places.

Honestly, can you not wait until you are alone, or for that matter not in a hallway full of students? Let me offer you some advice: Control yourself and your raging teenage hormones, and spare the other 1,434 students at school from having to witness you playing tonsil hockey in the hallways.

Tabloid magazines deceive readers to believe heinous stories are real garrettgriffin

sports editor

H

ave you ever walked up to a complete stranger and asked, “How could you divorce your spouse after only three months? Are you insane? He (or she) was so hot!”

Neither have I. You would get a fairly awkward look if you did, probably inquiring why you even care. The strange thing is, I see people do this all the time.

Go to any store that sells tabloids.

There are two types of these magazines.

One type is full of the most private details of celebrities’ lives, from who is carrying his baby to what she did on the beach when she thought no one was looking. Tabloids are conveniently located at the checkout counters of most supermarkets because people, for some reason, can’t resist them.

Women are especially obsessed, but I’ve seen men buy them, too. Then they start talking to themselves.

“Why can’t Brangelina just get along?”

“They’re going out now? That’s a huge mistake.”

“Look at what she did to her body!

She’s gorgeous.”

The first one is the most pathetic quote.

Why are tabloid-buyers suddenly on a first-name basis with the wealthy and famous? When a person meets someone new, is it really polite to call him or her by a first name? And would you stoop so low as to call a couple some vile combination of his and her first name? No, of course not.

The other type of tabloid just makes stuff up. Total lies. I love this kind; those titles are hilarious. My two cents about this kind is to just make sure

Senior Laura Mendez enjoys her US weekly with stories about Reese Witherspoon’s dramatic weight loss after her divorce with Ryan Philippe. Photo by Gwen Bergerhofer you never believe a word they say.

Citynewsstand.com gives an excellent list of actual tabloid titles.

Most headlines follow common themes. Usually a man turns out to be a woman, an inanimate object

cries or aliens devour preschoolers.

Here are some of the funniest tabloid headlines: 1) Vegan Vampire Attacks Trees!

2) Gnomes of Death 3) Bin Laden wants to join ZZ top

8

ourvoice

School spirit lacking after fall sports season mitchsmith

staff writer

W

ith the fall nights of black and gold clad fans far behind us, enthusiasm concerning supporting school activities has evaporated along with the end of football season. There isn’t anything wrong with that; Blue Valley is indeed a football school.

However, enough with the rants about Blue Valley being the most spirited high school in the state because, once December rolls around, we aren’t even the most spirited in the school district. Sadly, that title may belong to our foes from the West, who actually attend sporting events past the month of November.

Besides the handful of upperclassmen that still support the basketball teams of both genders, an average night in the Tiger Pit includes a pep band three times the size of the student section, and our band isn’t that big.

However, the motives for

school spirit remain obvious.

Call it “black and gold day,” schedule a game against West or Aquinas or plan a glorified pizza party with some racy dancing after the game and all of a sudden here come two thirds of the student body to yell mercilessly for two hours at the officiating crew and singing the signature chant of the all too common losing night, “Let’s play football.”

Sound a little hypocritical?

Playing two sports, one a spring sport, sophomore Bobby Specht has seen the differentiation between fan support for baseball and football.

“The fan enthusiasm for football is much greater than that for baseball,” Specht said.

Of course, BV is a spirited school. However, the majority of the student body is in denial as to the extent of spirit in the building. An extremely spirited school supports its team whether it is winning or

losing. An extremely spirited school goes to more than just the home football games; they attend both winter and spring sporting events. With these criteria, Blue Valley’s spirit is certainly questionable.

The root cause for our spiritless actions remains obvious, the boys’ basketball team, for example, struggled to keep EKL games close and, when they did, tended to catch a bad break and come up just short. The girls’ team always seems to play a competitive game, however the absence of the always alluring slam dunk may limit the fan enthusiasm.

Well, there’s no need for students to support a team that they have no interest in, there is no question that the time has come for Blue Valley students to make a choice….

Is Blue Valley the most spirited school in the state, or do we just put on that face for the nine weeks of football season?

TP

March 14, 2007

Letter to the Editor

After reading Sarah Weaver’s (Feb. 9) column on things guys have taught her, I have created a list of things girls have taught me.

•The movie Summer Catch is a chick flick, even though it is one of the greatest movies of all time.

•Never put a girl on speakerphone so that you may continue to play Xbox 360.

•No matter what girls say, they are lying when they say, “You sing the first part of the song, and I will sing the second part.” They’re not going to.

•Do not put them on speakerphone to do the “angelwave” for Angels in the Outfield. (Ok do it, just don’t tell them that your doing it.)

•Girls don’t think that your Carmen Electra and Pam Anderson pool sticks are as cool as you do.

•Girls don’t want to talk about which Mighty Ducks movie is their favorite and why. USA Ducks is my favorite.

•Never take a trip with the guys when you already made plans with your girlfriend (even if you did not know you had plans).

•Just because a girl dyes her hair green for one day does not mean that you can grow chops for one day. You totally should though.

•Never say, “We have to stop talking. Gone in Sixty Seconds is back on.”

•Don’t sit on seperate couches on the first date. Yeah, I did this.

•Never write a list to the newspaper telling her all the things you have done wrong.

--junior Brooks Quarles

Inattentive drivers make crossing the street dangerous

brianisrael

opinions editor

A

danger lurks among the students of Blue Valley.

Everyday students are subject to one of the most dangerous objects known to man, and yet no excessive safety precautions have been put into play. The predator is the automobile and pedestrian students of Blue Valley High are the prey. The problem is that there is a very dangerous street across from Blue Valley High School that could be much safer if simple rules were observed. Drivers need to pay heed to pedestrian crosswalks and those pedestrians need to use them appropriately.

Just as the ring tailed lemur is known to attack its fruits in Madagascar, the automobile preys for the unsuspecting freshmen on 159th street, lying just parallel to the school. The average car weighs a few tons and while roaming on this street cruises at approximately 35 mph. One need not be a physics major to understand that at a few hundred pounds any human being is going to lose a fight here. It’s a scary thought that is not being attended to.

Cars zoom by the crosswalk without yielding to pedestrians and many walkers ignore the crosswalk, actually

jaywalking, expecting drivers to “Pedestrians could be at fault the you so proudly carry in your wallet to always stop. Teacher Mark Mosier same way driver’s are,” officer Dennis signify your driving privileges. Stop at crosswalks for pedestrians in school who elects to walk to school each day Randall said. “If they’re jaywalking zones, and pedestrians should also finds this problem to be rampant. obey the rules they promised their “People have no understanding of what a crosswalk is and have little regard for the people crossing it,” Mosier said. “It’s a safety issue; people ignore signs and need to show a little courtesy. I wouldn’t mind seeing Officer (Mike) Thrasher write tickets out there, or have a patrol boy stationed out there.”

Mosier’s proposed solution seems simple enough; cars speed, pedestrians are in danger…send out some black and white cars. Well, the problem The crosswalk on 159th Street is often the safest way to get around. Photo by Nina Humphrey. extends to a simple $5, jurisdiction. The south side of 159th we can write them up for it; it’s in the parents they would obey. is observed by Johnson County books.”

They should utilize the crosswalks and Sheriff’s Department while the north Since a stoplight is far from likely, the practice caution when approaching side is observed by Overland Park’s most likely and attainable solution is traffic.

These simple remedies could finest. So, even the finest policing also the simplest. Drivers, stick to the alleviate a potentially dangerous done by student resource officers laws you swore that you would obey situation. can’t stop the problem. when you received that piece of plastic

9

futurejobs

March 14, 2007

Current careers may no longer be needed in future Health, education, leadership positions remain in high demand brookethurman

entertainment editor

P

icture yourself in 20 years. You’ll most likely be completely finished with school, have started a family and be in a career track of some sort. However, the job you have always pictured yourself having may not be around anymore. Many of the jobs of today will no longer exist in the future.

Here are the jobs that are on their way out, on their way in and the jobs that will forever be around.

According to Forbesmagazine. com some of the basic everyday jobs that many have will no longer be needed in tomorrow’s world. Grocery stores will no longer employ cashiers, as the self-checkout takes over. Those who run the one-hour photo will be out of work as everyone buys a digital camera and there

will no longer be a need for film processing. As I-Tunes, Rhapsody and other MP3 sites get larger, the need for music stores and their employees will go down. Even the military might cut back on their need for fighter pilots at the front lines, because robots will not be considered a casualty.

Have no fear, while some jobs are going out, a whole plethora of interesting and new ones are coming in.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the employment rate is expected to raise from 145 million in 2004 to 164 million in 2014.

Scientists and engineers are predicting that in the next 20 years, an affordable robot

will be invented. They believe many people will have one in their homes. Since this is a machine, it will have its malfunctions, which is where a

longer venture to their local theaters, the entertainment industry is looking at ways to bring an audience back to the theaters. The idea is to make movies into holographs so that The American public will people will have to hire robot mechanics have to see them in to give their little household t h e a t e r s , s i n c e helpers a tuneup. holographic technology is too new job expensive for the average opportunity household. comes into play. The Even though jobs will be American public will changing during the next have to hire robot 20 years, there are still the mechanics to give few jobs that will always be their little household around. The service sector will helpers a continue to grow as we have tuneup. Along seen in the last decade. Health with these careers and the need for m e c h a n i c s teachers will continue. Those there is also the new who can fix our computers, profession as a Hollywood our cars and even our sinks Holographer. Since most no will still be in demand. Since

“

”

there is no such thing as a world without leaders or elections, there will always be a need for politicians. People die everyday, so morticians will never go out of style. As genius as robots may be, they aren’t stern enough to fill the role of a tax collector, and of course, there will always be a need for artists, actors, singers, dancers, etc.

Counselor Keith Elmore has some insights into what fields will still be around for the next 10 years.

“There is always a need for leadership in management and law [as well as jobs] in math and science related fields [like] computers, engineering, health care and the environment,” Elmore said. “Entrepreneurship is on the increase.”

As you ponder toward your future and decide what you want to be, think wisely and plan ahead; most experts would agree.

10

wintersports

Xtreme Xgames

March 14, 2007

Senior’s dreams involve boarding, Colorado, sacrifices, winter games

S

he glides down the slope feeling the icy cold wind against her face. She turns and jumps completing a nose grab. As she continues down the slope, she feels completely at home on top of the mountain.

For senior Kacie Davis, Colorado is her paradise. Every year her family takes a trip to Colorado to hit the slopes. Davis has been snowboarding for the past 10 years. She started off as a skier but then later decided to try something new.

“I was getting bored with skiing,” Davis said. “I wanted to step outside my comfort zone.”

Davis decided to began snowboarding I’m so comfortable on when she was by taking my board; I feel like seven some classes on I’m home when I’m her trips and learning the basics. on a run Her parents were a little hesitant to let her begin so young, but according to her mom, she turned out to be the best in her class.

Davis has come a long way since her first class at the age of seven.

“I’m so comfortable on my board; I feel like I’m home when I’m on a run,” Davis said. “It’s so humbling,” Davis is now working on learning how to do tricks and other complicated snowboarding moves.

“I haven’t taken a class in so long, but I have been considering

anitagaller

staff writer

“

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Hitting the Slopes has become a frequent activity for senior Kacie Davis and her family during the past 10 years.

Davis hopes someday to call the white capped mountains of Colorado her home. Photo submitted by Kacie Davis. taking a park class,” Davis said.

Park is a kind of snowboarding that teaches boarders about the tricks. Level wise Davis is past the highest level, but she is just a beginner in park.

Davis is learning how to Ollie of a jump and how to rotate.

“A 360 is what I’m working on right now,” Davis said.

Davis won’t be going to college near any mountains, but she still plans on snowboarding at least twice a year.

“My parents promised to take me on a trip to Colorado with friends every year,” Davis said.

Davis has always dreamed of competing in the Winter X Games, which is like a mini-Olympics for snow sports. It is held in Aspen every year and

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includes athletes from all around the globe. The winners get medals and varying cash prizes.

“I would have to get a trainer and give up a lot of other things in order to compete,” Davis said.

Living in Kansas doesn’t give Davis much opportunity to practice, but she doesn’t hesitate to grab her board when there is a little snow on the ground.

“Sometimes during snow days I go through people’s yards,” Davis said.

Although she can’t do much to prepare for her trips, Davis says she anxiously awaits each trip to Colorado.

“All I really can do is read magazines and drool over the pictures of snowboarders and what not,” Davis said.

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11

familyties

March 14, 2007

Some siblings that share school find it enjoyable jakefaber

staff writer

W

hen you find yourself skimming the pages of the 2007 yearbook, you might notice that there are many students that have the same last name. Smith, Johnson and Miller are pretty common last names. But, Ebling, Geoffrion and Tran? That can’t be a coincidence. Many incoming freshman have joined their brothers or sisters this year at BV, and some siblings who have been together in high school in the past, are just going with the flow.

Hannah and Katherine Ebling are one of many pairs of siblings at this school. The two sisters are on opposite ends of the class totem poll. Because of their hectic school schedules, the two sisters rarely see each other in the halls, seeing that their lockers are at opposite ends of the building.

“It seems like I hardly ever see Hannah, I wish I could see her more [at school], Katherine is a senior who is very active at her church, Church of the Resurrection. At COR Katherine is part of the youth group and involved in church choir.

Hannah also attends COR with her sister and is involved in some school activities that Katherine is.

At home, Katherine and Hannah spend their time together doing many things, but the most important thing being food.

“My sister and I love to order in Chinese [food] and watch movies with our nine-year-old sister,” Katherine said.

Katherine and Hannah don’t just watch movies and eat Chinese food all day while they’re at home.

“We play family sports, like tee ball or basketball at least once a week, and we normally have a heartto-heart talk or study the Bible with each other.”

Katherine said.

The beginning of the year started out as any other would, but for Katherine and Hannah it only strengthened their bond of sisterhood.

“The thing about being in high school together is that we have just gotten closer,” Katherine said “Now that I know her friends and she knows mine, it is fun for us to hang our together.”

Although Katherine is leaving for college next year, it’s obvious that the bond these two share will never be broken.

“I know [Hannah] will always be there for me. I can tell her everything, and she’ll have my back. I hope she would feel the same way.” Katherine said.

Although Katherine and Hannah get the joy of sharing a year together before Katherine graduates, they both know the split won’t be easy.

“I am really going to miss her next year,” Katherine said, “but I chose a college that is so close we can still have fun spending time together.

Brotherhood Bonds Adam and Jake Geoffrion share a last name and school but that’s about it. Adam is on the freshmen soccer team, and Jake has been on the swim team for two years. The two will agree that they haven’t had any major fights for a long time, but that has only been true since they both enrolled in the same school.

“We used to fight like in elementary and middle school, but not anymore,” Jake said.

The two siblings aren’t involved in any of the same activities at school, and that seems to be true outside of school, too.

“We just live together,” Adam said. Unlike the Ebling sisters, the Geoffrion boys don’t really have much in common. But, one thing Adam does is almost too much for Jake. “[It’s annoying] when he hogs the video games all the time.” Jake said.

Sister Act If you climbed into junior Alyssa Sehorn’s car, you probably wouldn’t be surprised to find her sister, freshman Kirsten Sehorn sitting next to you.

“If my sister didn’t take me places, I wouldn’t get around anywhere.” Kirsten said.

Not only does Alyssa drive Kirsten around, but according to Kirsten, she brings along her friends “all the time.” The list of places Alyssa drives Kirsten starts off with friends houses, school and occasionally the movies.

“I don’t mind driving [Kirsten] around once in a while, because she doesn’t have a car of her own, so I’m usually okay with taking her places. But with school and work, sometimes I don’t have the time,” Alyssa said, “but I try to help out whenever I can.”

As you can see, the relationship between these pairs of siblings can vary from constantly seeing each other either at church and school to “dominating” each other at family sports and video games. But maybe one day, if you’re lucky, you’ll also find your little sister sitting next to you in geometry.

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12

familyties

March 14, 2007 March 14, 2007

Double Take Take Double

Multiple births occur more due to treatments ellenthomas

editor-in-chief

S

eeing double while walking down the senior hall is not all that uncommon. Fourteen people in the senior class go to school daily with their fraternal or identical twin and that number is expected only to increase for future years.

Currently three percent of all births nationally are multiples, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. In 1988-1989, the years most seniors were born, the rate of multiple births was only two Conjoined twins occur percent. Having 14 once every 200,000 twins out of the 327 live births. seniors puts the rate of multiple births at It is posible for twins four percent in the to have different senior class. fathers. They would The reason for be formed when two the four percent of eggs are released multiple birth seniors by the mother and could be the result of each egg is fertilized a variety of reasons, by sperm from two but the reason for different fathers. the current overall increase in multiple Mrs. Mary Jonas (died births can be mainly 1899) had 15 sets of attributed to older boy/girl twins. mothers and fertility treatments. In a recent British study, The oldest living of parents who used conjoined twins, a fertility treatment Ronnie and Donnie 13 percent of births Galyon, USA are were multiple births, the oldest living compared to about conjoined (at the one percent of births hip) twins in history, not resulting from 54 years old. They fertility treatments, traveled with circuses. according to Contemporary Pediatrics.

The oldest mother to Twins happen when give birth to twins: either one fertilized Donna Maas, age 57 egg spontaneously and 286 days from splits and forms Northridge, Calif. two identical fetuses with identical sets of DNA, in the case of identical twins, or the ovary releases two eggs that both get fertilized, in the case of fraternal twins. Fraternal twins, especially malefemale twins, are the most common type of twins, while identical twins,

Twin Facts

especially male identical twins, are the least common.

A chain reaction can explain the increasing number of twins. The average American female is expected to live to be about 81 years old and is waiting longer to have children.

The national average age of mothers at first birth has increased to about 25 years old, according to the CDC, a record high for the country.

The older parents can have a more difficult time getting pregnant so many turn to fertility treatments, especially in-vitro fertilization implants.

IVF combines the egg and sperm in a laboratory setting then implants four embryos into the mother for a better chance at conceiving.

Since all four or none of the embryos can be carried to term, the multiple birth average increases.

Recent research, however, shows that multiple fetuses may be much more common than we think. A condition called Vanishing Twin Syndrome happens in one out of every eight pregnancies. It occurs when the pregnancy begins with a set of twins, but for some unknown reason, one of the twins dies and is then reabsorbed in the placenta. The other twin is not affected, and more often than not this phenomenon is not even noticed by the mother or the remaining fetus. It has only been observed recently because of the use of ultrasounds in early pregnancy.

Whatever the case may be, the prevalence of multiple births is increasing and may partially explain the seven sets of twins in the senior class.

In the coming years the experience of seeing double may become a daily thing thanks to longer life spans and fertility treatments.

It’s twice the trouble with the Michael and Scott

Simpson and Drew and Tyler Mikkelson twins playing together in their diapers. According to Scott, their mothers were both pushing double strollers when they ran into each other at Babies-R-Us. They soon became friends and the boys playmates. Years later the two sets of twins were found together swimming at a local pool(left to right-Drew and Tyler Mikkelson and Scott and Michael Simpson).

Tyler and Drew Mikkelson traveled to the pumpkin patch in their matching overalls. Matching outfits are common among sets of twins. Jessica and Christina Neuhedel played dress up in their matching New York Mets T-shirts. They also posed for a photo in their matching footie pajamas.

Pictures submited by Simpsons, Neuhedels and Smiths.

13

familyties

Senior class bombarded with seven sets of twins anitagaller

staff writer

S

seniors Drew and Tyler Mikkelson are part of an interesting phenomenon at Blue Valley. They are one of the seven sets of twins in the senior class.

Often times twins are rumored to have telepathic tendencies although both Tyler and Drew laughed at that idea. Both boys don’t believe in this talent, yet they said the exact same thing about being a twin, word for word.

“It’s like having a friend with you all the time,” they said.

Having a twin isn’t always like having that best friend around you. At times siblings may get sick of each other and even wish they had someone else.

“I wouldn’t mind having a twin sister,” Elizabeth Kendrick said.

Sibling rivalries a r e common among m o s t siblings.

When one has been with his sibling since day one, fights are likely to become an issue.

“We have little fights that may last a couple of days, but she can’t break up with me,” Christina Neuhedel said.

Competition between twins can also be a problem, especially when a twin is being compared to their sibling all the time.

“We were competitive, but we’ve mellowed out,” Taylor Laemmli said.

“We don’t fight as much anymore.”

Twins may look the same, share the same parents, birthday and last name, but that doesn’t mean they are clones of each other.

“People assume we are the same,” Jessica said. “Sometimes people don’t realize we’re individuals.”

Being a twin often means being called, “the twins,” according to Scott Simpson.

“Sometimes it gets annoying when people ask, ‘are you Tyler or Travis,” Tyler Smith said.

Just because one is a twin, doesn’t

Almost Famous The class of 2007 is one twin set away from tying the record of “most twins in the same academic year at one school” record. According to the 2007 Guinness Book of World Records, the most twins in the same academic year at one school was at Indian River Middle School in Philadelphia, New York. They had eight sets of twins.

mean she isn’t her own person.

“I’m an individual,” Maggie McNiel said. “Everyone knows me as Jake and Maggie together. I don’t know what it’s like to be known just for me.”­ For many of the senior twins, college will be the time to take the next step in life with or without their twin and to be known just for who they are.

“I definitely think we need to go to college and branch apart to have our own identities,” Maggie said.

As Jake and Maggie ponder college options, they realize how hard it may be to leave each other.

“It will be hard because Maggie is always there,” Jake said. “It’s going to be different, but it sometimes scares me.”

Tyler and Drew have played almost all the same sports and had most of the same friends since they were little.

Tyler recently signed to play football at Emporia and Drew is not sure where he is going, but is almost certain it won’t be Emporia with Tyler.

“It will be hard. I won’t have someone to depend on [in college],” Drew said.

According to Tyler, leaving each other will be weird, but they will have to eventually.

“I think it’d be hard to leave her,” Jessica said.

Unlike most of all the other twins at Blue Valley, the Neuhedels are not seperating after graduation. The girls are rooming together at the University of Kansas. They plan to major in different areas of study, but Jessica can’t imagine what will happen after college.

“I don’t see us separating for good,” Jessica said.

College may be the next step for some seniors, but for twins it is the time to make a decision: to stay together or not to stay together.

12

familyties

March 14, 2007 March 14, 2007

Double Take Take Double

Multiple births occur more due to treatments ellenthomas

editor-in-chief

S

eeing double while walking down the senior hall is not all that uncommon. Fourteen people in the senior class go to school daily with their fraternal or identical twin and that number is expected only to increase for future years.

Currently three percent of all births nationally are multiples, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. In 1988-1989, the years most seniors were born, the rate of multiple births was only two Conjoined twins occur percent. Having 14 once every 200,000 twins out of the 327 live births. seniors puts the rate of multiple births at It is posible for twins four percent in the to have different senior class. fathers. They would The reason for be formed when two the four percent of eggs are released multiple birth seniors by the mother and could be the result of each egg is fertilized a variety of reasons, by sperm from two but the reason for different fathers. the current overall increase in multiple Mrs. Mary Jonas (died births can be mainly 1899) had 15 sets of attributed to older boy/girl twins. mothers and fertility treatments. In a recent British study, The oldest living of parents who used conjoined twins, a fertility treatment Ronnie and Donnie 13 percent of births Galyon, USA are were multiple births, the oldest living compared to about conjoined (at the one percent of births hip) twins in history, not resulting from 54 years old. They fertility treatments, traveled with circuses. according to Contemporary Pediatrics.

The oldest mother to Twins happen when give birth to twins: either one fertilized Donna Maas, age 57 egg spontaneously and 286 days from splits and forms Northridge, Calif. two identical fetuses with identical sets of DNA, in the case of identical twins, or the ovary releases two eggs that both get fertilized, in the case of fraternal twins. Fraternal twins, especially malefemale twins, are the most common type of twins, while identical twins,

Twin Facts

especially male identical twins, are the least common.

A chain reaction can explain the increasing number of twins. The average American female is expected to live to be about 81 years old and is waiting longer to have children.

The national average age of mothers at first birth has increased to about 25 years old, according to the CDC, a record high for the country.

The older parents can have a more difficult time getting pregnant so many turn to fertility treatments, especially in-vitro fertilization implants.

IVF combines the egg and sperm in a laboratory setting then implants four embryos into the mother for a better chance at conceiving.

Since all four or none of the embryos can be carried to term, the multiple birth average increases.

Recent research, however, shows that multiple fetuses may be much more common than we think. A condition called Vanishing Twin Syndrome happens in one out of every eight pregnancies. It occurs when the pregnancy begins with a set of twins, but for some unknown reason, one of the twins dies and is then reabsorbed in the placenta. The other twin is not affected, and more often than not this phenomenon is not even noticed by the mother or the remaining fetus. It has only been observed recently because of the use of ultrasounds in early pregnancy.

Whatever the case may be, the prevalence of multiple births is increasing and may partially explain the seven sets of twins in the senior class.

In the coming years the experience of seeing double may become a daily thing thanks to longer life spans and fertility treatments.

It’s twice the trouble with the Michael and Scott

Simpson and Drew and Tyler Mikkelson twins playing together in their diapers. According to Scott, their mothers were both pushing double strollers when they ran into each other at Babies-R-Us. They soon became friends and the boys playmates. Years later the two sets of twins were found together swimming at a local pool(left to right-Drew and Tyler Mikkelson and Scott and Michael Simpson).

Tyler and Drew Mikkelson traveled to the pumpkin patch in their matching overalls. Matching outfits are common among sets of twins. Jessica and Christina Neuhedel played dress up in their matching New York Mets T-shirts. They also posed for a photo in their matching footie pajamas.

Pictures submited by Simpsons, Neuhedels and Smiths.

13

familyties

Senior class bombarded with seven sets of twins anitagaller

staff writer

S

seniors Drew and Tyler Mikkelson are part of an interesting phenomenon at Blue Valley. They are one of the seven sets of twins in the senior class.

Often times twins are rumored to have telepathic tendencies although both Tyler and Drew laughed at that idea. Both boys don’t believe in this talent, yet they said the exact same thing about being a twin, word for word.

“It’s like having a friend with you all the time,” they said.

Having a twin isn’t always like having that best friend around you. At times siblings may get sick of each other and even wish they had someone else.

“I wouldn’t mind having a twin sister,” Elizabeth Kendrick said.

Sibling rivalries a r e common among m o s t siblings.

When one has been with his sibling since day one, fights are likely to become an issue.

“We have little fights that may last a couple of days, but she can’t break up with me,” Christina Neuhedel said.

Competition between twins can also be a problem, especially when a twin is being compared to their sibling all the time.

“We were competitive, but we’ve mellowed out,” Taylor Laemmli said.

“We don’t fight as much anymore.”

Twins may look the same, share the same parents, birthday and last name, but that doesn’t mean they are clones of each other.

“People assume we are the same,” Jessica said. “Sometimes people don’t realize we’re individuals.”

Being a twin often means being called, “the twins,” according to Scott Simpson.

“Sometimes it gets annoying when people ask, ‘are you Tyler or Travis,” Tyler Smith said.

Just because one is a twin, doesn’t

Almost Famous The class of 2007 is one twin set away from tying the record of “most twins in the same academic year at one school” record. According to the 2007 Guinness Book of World Records, the most twins in the same academic year at one school was at Indian River Middle School in Philadelphia, New York. They had eight sets of twins.

mean she isn’t her own person.

“I’m an individual,” Maggie McNiel said. “Everyone knows me as Jake and Maggie together. I don’t know what it’s like to be known just for me.”­ For many of the senior twins, college will be the time to take the next step in life with or without their twin and to be known just for who they are.

“I definitely think we need to go to college and branch apart to have our own identities,” Maggie said.

As Jake and Maggie ponder college options, they realize how hard it may be to leave each other.

“It will be hard because Maggie is always there,” Jake said. “It’s going to be different, but it sometimes scares me.”

Tyler and Drew have played almost all the same sports and had most of the same friends since they were little.

Tyler recently signed to play football at Emporia and Drew is not sure where he is going, but is almost certain it won’t be Emporia with Tyler.

“It will be hard. I won’t have someone to depend on [in college],” Drew said.

According to Tyler, leaving each other will be weird, but they will have to eventually.

“I think it’d be hard to leave her,” Jessica said.

Unlike most of all the other twins at Blue Valley, the Neuhedels are not seperating after graduation. The girls are rooming together at the University of Kansas. They plan to major in different areas of study, but Jessica can’t imagine what will happen after college.

“I don’t see us separating for good,” Jessica said.

College may be the next step for some seniors, but for twins it is the time to make a decision: to stay together or not to stay together.

14

cancerbox

March 14, 2007

Students are tanning their way to cancer

anitagaller

staff writer

S

tudents want to rid themselves of their pale skin forever and keep that perfect golden glow.

As springtime looms many students start their tanning rituals to get rid of that pasty wintry look.

People turn to tanning booths, self-tanners or just a nice stretch in the sun. What many people don’t realize is that the popular art of tanning can lead to major skin damage.

The suns rays contains two types of ultraviolet radiation UVA and UVB. The UVA radiation is what makes people tan. UVB radiation burns the upper layers of the skin causing sunburns. The UVA rays penetrate to the lower layers of one’s skin where they trigger certain cells to produce melanin. Melanin is the brown pigment that causes people to look tan.

Too much UV radiation can also have a damaging effect on the immune system and can cause premature aging of the skin, making it have a wrinkled, leathery appearance. Skin aging and cancer are delayed effects that don’t usually show up in people for many years. Young people are often unaware of the damages.

Students think they look better when they are tan.

They find tanning salons a fast and easy way to achieve that golden glow. Though people are aware of the dangers, they tan because they think they look better when tan.

“I’m aware of the dangers. I think it’s bad, but I’m addicted to it,” senior Alli Paryse said. “Although it’s [tanning] bad, I like the way I look better.”

Indoor tanning, which is one of the most popular tanning methods, can be very dangerous if overdone.

Tanning beds emit ultraviolet rays and overexposure to these rays can cause skin damage and increase one’s chances on developing skin cancer.

Tanning beds use long wave UVA light sources, which are less likely to cause burning, but these rays are suspected to have links to malignant melanoma, which is the most dangerous kind of skin cancer and immune system damage.

Skin cancer can result in later years if tanning is overdone. Artificial and even natural sunlight, especially the UV rays, damage the skin. Tanning greatly can increase the risk of developing skin cancer because all the damage to the skin accumulates over time. Skin damages may be less apparent in people with darker skin, but this doesn’t mean that they are protected from skin cancer and other problems.

There are different tanning methods from tanning beds to self-tanners, mystic tanning, airbrush tanning and the expensive Hollywood tan. Some of these tanning methods are more dangerous than others.

“Sometimes I do high pressure or I’ll do the stand up tan,” Paryse said.

Students find themselves drawn to different tanning methods in order to keep them looking tan and many people tan more than they actually need to.

In order to keep one’s skin looking good and to avoid damage, one shouldn’t over tan. No one wants to stay out of the sun completely but finding a balance between tanning and protection is very

important. Tan for short periods of time instead.

Make sure to always wear protective eyewear in the tanning beds. The rays can have a damaging effect on eyes.

When spending time outside it is a good idea to always wear some type of sunscreen. An SPF number of 15 or higher is recommended according to skin professionals. Sunscreens help block out UVB rays but not all UVA rays.

Even though students may want to protect their skin against damages, being tan is still a vital issue.

A safe way to bronze is with a sunless self-tanner.

These self-tanners contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which stains the dead cells in the outer layer of the skin. These self-tanners don’t usually last as long, but are better for the skin. It doesn’t put one’s skin in as great of a risk.

“I only use self-tanners now and then, because if you use it a lot you look orange,” senior Maggie McNiel said.

Not everyone is a fan of self-tanners because unlike tanning salons, self-tanners don’t last quite as long.

“I don’t use self-tanners because they don’t really work on me,” senior Morgan Bingham said.

Most students prefer tanning beds over self-tanners because it is a fast way to tan and students feel they generally look better when tanning from a salon.

“It’s a fast and easy way to tan, and it doesn’t look fake,” Bingham said.

The next time you think of going bronze keep in mind the risks that may be inflicted on your skin.

Students can still acquire that golden glow but in a safer way and maybe not as often.

15

features

March 14, 2007

On Monday night students gather together to play games, sing, and hear about the word of God. Pictured (top left) are Blue Valley North students playing a typical Young Life game where students race to eat baby food. Pictured (top right) are juniors Lauren Callison and Jenn Hansen singing along to Ashlee Simpson’s “Pieces of Me.” Photos by Gwen Bergerhofer.

Students from around the world engage in Young Life

P

laying games and singing songs might be childish activites, but high schoolers across the United States and world do just that at a nondenominational Young Life is about Christian group having a secure and called Young Life Club. There are loving relationship 4,147 clubs in the with Christ.

United States.

The Blue Valley area Young Life has grown a great deal over the past year. The Club meets on Monday nights with around 30 people that attend regularly, but they also bring friends so the club usually has about

“

”

50 people in attendance. Young Life in Blue Valley used to be split between schools but now all four high schools have “club” together at various students’ houses.

Young Life is like youth group in a sense that it is a religious worship time. Young Life approaches God in a very meaningful way for teenagers. Most the leaders are in their 20s or 30s which makes it easier for them to relate to teenagers.

To begin the evening’s activities, at around 7:58 pm, everyone starts to sing songs.

“One of the most fun things

that we do when we sing songs is hand movements” leader Cory Richards said.

According to Richards the song with the best hand movements is “Lean on Me” because there are so many hand motions. After about three fun upbeat songs, the songs start to slow a bit and are usually religious songs.

Typically, Three or four people are then picked to go to the front of the room, only knowing they are going to play a ridiculous game. Once all the baby food is thrown and all the clothes pins are fastened, it’s time to declare

a winner by a round of applause so as not to be biased. Also incorporated into the games are announcements that are just to let everyone know what is going on in the future with Young Life.

After all this fun, it’s time to get down to business. In every club one of the leaders talks about God, but unlike a church service, they relate it to a high school student’s life by using his own life experiences. They relate things like soiling their bathroom and their dad cleaning it up to how Jesus died on the cross to relieve believers of all their sins. They also make it very clear how much God loves people sometimes in the strangest of ways.

“I loved these little stray cats so much, and I just wanted to turn into a cat so I could tell them how much I loved them. Just like Jesus became human to show us how much he loved us,” Richards said at a meeting.

Young Life has 23 camps in the United States. Camp is a week to spend having fun with other teenagers from Young Life’s all around the country. But more importantly, it’s a time for those teenagers that decide to go to camp to dive further into their faith and make and strengthen their relationships with God. Young Life seems like all fun and games, but to those “Young Lifers” that go regularly, it’s about having a secure and loving relationship with Christ.

t

16

permanentink

March 14, 2007

aandTtoos

a p i e r c i n g s Take a guess b junior Brianna Lambert

senior Blane Williams

who these tattoos and piercings belong to.

“They said that the red color ink wouldn’t be as painful as the yellow, and when they started to use the red it wasn’t like ‘oh wow that feels way better.’ It was still pretty painful.”

d

c

senior Trey Hobson Teacher John Holloway

“My tatttoo represents my faith in God and that I should be fearless of life.”

“I got my tattoo in honor of my 16-year-old cousin, who died in a car accident.”

Answers A) Lambert B)Holloway C) Williams D) Hobson

Students ignore tattoos’ dangers, precautions

T

attoos. Some think that they’re art while others think that they’re a permanent mistake.

Tattooing has been around since ancient times but from the ‘90s on their popularity has grown. According to a U.S. News and World Report, tattoo parlors are one of the fastest growing retail businesses.

According to an online Harris poll in 2003, 15 percent of the American adult population had at least one tattoo.

Men and women were about equal in the percentages who had tattoos.

The main reason cited for getting a tattoo, according to various tattoo parlor websites, is as a memorial.

Some of the most popular tattoo designs are tribal tattoos followed by crosses, butterflies, stars and fairies, according to Yahoo search results.

Senior Trey Hobson has a tattoo of praying hands on his upper left

arm. He got the tattoo for his 18th birthday as a reminder of his faith in God. Hobson said he was a strong believer in his faith and wanted a way to represent it.

“I just wanted something that was going to be permanent,” Hobson said, “something that would be there forever, and that’s a tattoo.”

While tattoos are growing in popularity, so is the number of people infected with Hepatitis C, a potentially deadly liver disease. Hepatitis C infected blood and infected tattooing needles spread the disease in commercial tattoo parlors. According to Dr. Bob Haley, from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, people are twice as likely to be infected with Hepatitis C from getting a tattoo from a tattoo shop than shooting up with drugs. With over 20 million Americans wearing a tattoo, we are

staring down the barrel of a deadly epidemic, Haley said.

“I didn’t know that you could get Hepatitis C from a tattoo, but my parlor was clean,” Hobson said. “It reminded me of a doctor’s office.”

Hepatitis C is a serious disease that kills over 10,000 people a year and that number is sky rocketing. Currently four million Americans are infected with hepatitis, and the number one factor for Hepatitis C transmission is tattooing.

Those contemplating getting a tattoo should look into the tattoo parlor’s sanitary procedures. It is also strongly advised that if you get a tattoo you should get checked for Hepatitis C and other blood-born illnesses afterward.

These diseases can remain unnoticed for many years while doing some serious damage.

Tat Facts • Most tattoo parlors require the customer to be 18.

•

Parlors require a parent to be present, if they tattoo minors. The child and the parent must also provide three forms of identification.

A permission slip for the tattoo must be notarized by the state.

•

Customers should research different parlors before getting the tattoo to gather information about sterilization techniques and the different artists.

• After a tattoo is finished, lotion

must be applied to the tattoo at least twice a day.

• It takes seven to nine laser surgeries to remove a tattoo. Total removal of the tattoo isn’t guaranteed.

redcarpet

March 14, 2007

Network War Top television networks battle for top primetime ratings

bradenmiller

staff writer

A

Emmy Awards and Sunday afternoon football games.

The National Broadcasting Company hosts some popular shows, Deal or No Deal, Heroes, ER and Law and Order series.

FOX has more animated comedy shows, including The Simpsons, Family Guy and King of the Hill and as for ABC; it has some good comedic shows as well, like George Lopez Show,

merican Broadcasting Company is the home for Grey’s Anatomy, Desperate Housewives and LOST, the three most watched shows on ABC. With ABC having various shows that are viewed by many people, is it the best station to watch television, over NBC and FOX? “I prefer FOX more I prefer FOX more because because it has more entertainment value it has more entertainment and has the cutting value and has the cutting edge over ABC,” edge over ABC. -teacher teacher Keil Pittman said. “I really don’t Keil Pittman get into shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Funniest Home Desperate Housewives.” America’s ABC doesn’t just televise Videos and Jimmy Kimmel Live. primetime shows, but also NBC covers, The Office, Scrubs hosts Monday Night Football, and of course Saturday Night Saturday Night Football and Live. Once again, they are the Oscar Awards when they very similar. It would really are telecast. FOX, on the other depend on if you like animated hand, has a few primetime comedies, or actual real-life.

NBC is home to quite few of shows that are viewed by many as well, like; 24, House, game shows, beginning with American Idol and Prison Deal or No Deal and 1 vs. 100.

Break. FOX also hosts the ABC and FOX don’t televise

“

game shows of any kind.

“I don’t watch any of them because I only watch The King of Queens because it’s the only show on television when I get home,” senior Skyler Nichols said.

The Columbia Broadcasting System has quite a few shows that have been viewed by many across the United States. Some shows are comedy, dramas or action. All the CSI shows are in the top 15 as mostly viewed in America, Two and a Half Men is a comedy in the listings and Criminal Minds is another.

According to the Nielsen ratings the top 20 television shows that were most viewed from February were CBS with 148.1 million viewers, FOX with 112.9 million viewers, ABC with 72.2 million viewers and NBC with 30.8 million viewers.

By comparing the four most viewed networks, CBS has the edge. But what you watch really depends on what you like to watch, not everyone else.

”

17 911! movie hits theaters mattkillen

news editor

R

eno 911!, a spoof of the popular TV show Cops, has enjoyed success as one of Comedy Central’s marque shows. The show made the jump from the small screen to the silver screen in the R-rated Reno 911! Miami.

Although Reno 911!: Miami may lack a great storyline, but it’s still good for a few laughs.

The storyline is simple: The gang gets invited to a police convention in Miami, and end up as the only cops in town after every other police officer in America is trapped inside the convention center.

The movie, according to Dave White of movies.com, features the same antics you might find on the TV show, except the movie is an hour and a half long and uncensored.

There are some pretty funny cameos included in the movie. Paul Rudd plays a knock-off of Tony Montana and The Rock plays a member from the swat team. Some highlights of the film include a late-night motel with open windows that reveals, well, use your imagination, an

encounter with an alligator in a private pool, and an attempt to move a beached whale.

While the movie definitely has some moments, the jokes kind of wear out half way into it. The movie mainly consists of dark humor and “lewd humor” and doesn’t change during the entire movie.

After you see the same type of comedy for an hour or so, it gets old. The other downside is that most of the jokes go for the quick guffaw, and usually aren’t that special. You’ll at least chuckle at every punch line. I’d have to recommend the movie as a rental. It’ll keep you entertained, but at the end you might feel a little disappointed.

While there really wasn’t one standout moment that sets this movie apart, the one-liners are at least good enough to keep you amused.

Even though the jokes lack the substance found in modern classics like the 40-Year-Old Virgin and Anchorman; they still find some way to keep you entertained. The movie can be seen at both Palazzo 16 and AMC Town Center 20.

18

redcarpet

March 14, 2007

Photo by Nina Humphrey

Incubus concert draws BV student fans ninahumphrey photo editor

W

hile a long line of people quivers patiently and stands on a sheet of ice, the television announces that everyone in close proximity of the chemical plant explosion should stay inside.

The Uptown Amphitheater is in clear view of the hovering

smoke. Some of these people have been standing since early in the morning and disregard all life-threatening dangers to stand 10 feet closer to Brandon Boyd. Feb. 7 marked the date for Incubus in Kansas City promoting their newest album, Light Grenades.

After an hour of waiting and quick coat checks through the doors, the opening act performed by the Albert

my Pod

Hammond Jr., the guitarist from The Strokes, warmed up the frigid crowds of fans with exceptional electric guitar solos and an overload of bass.

However, the crowd was not so taken by the steady sound of traditional garage rock and melancholy lyrics.

Fans started pressing closer to the stage and the space between each body became gradually occupied. During

three students hit shuffle on their iPods and shared their music taste

Junior Will Gilliam Now Playing: “This is Control” by Againist Me! Sophomore Sean Coleman Now Playing: “American Girl” by Tom Petty

Sophomore Andrew Katzenstein Now Playing: “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley Junior Will Gilliam ponders over what song to listen to next. photo by Morgan McMahon

the break between bands, a few restless fans were taken out of the theater due to aggressively pushing in effort to get closer to the stage.

Incubus performed in a much smaller venue. For the sake of the fans, Incubus chose to play at the Uptown Theatre because the sound is much more stable in a smaller venue. If the album was pre-ordered from the official Incubus fan site then one was given the first chance to pre-order tickets at a fairly reasonable price two hours prior to the tickets going on sale to the rest of the public.

The opening number “Quicksand” was a typical instrumental introduction for Incubus. The build up to the chorus was different, though, in comparison to how their other more aggressive songs have such climatic points, “Some people fall in love at times and touch the sky, some people fall in love in times and find quicksand!”

Brandon Boyd sang and set the theme for the entire album.

A disappointing factor of their opening number was the reaction of the audience. A crowd of people became a united mass of aggressive and animalistic movements and the pressure

of people made it difficult to hear every instrument that was incorporated into their first few hit songs.

Although the length of “Quicksand” is rather disappointing, the song “A Kiss to Send Us Off” emerges immediately after the lyrics fade into the instrumental transition. With this song most, who are also fans of S.C.I.E.N.C.E album, went wild. The crowd became an entire moving mass, and many in the crowd had absolutely no control of any of their body parts.

Incubus is appreciated for its strong originality of style and sound. The band became known in the ‘90s for its angst lyrics bass funk sound.

Every album interchanges old styles with new ideas.

Light Grenades brings all of that together and additionally highlights all the techniques.

Boyd shuffled his fans through a vocal performance of juvenile lyrics about unfair relationships in the latest album. The song “Oil and Water” was very well performed and was a decent song musically. Although the overall product of the album was disheartening, it was refreshing and new to hear in the live performance.

19

redcarpet

March 14, 2007

Illegal downloading harms music industry ninahumphrey photo editor

I

magine a world without copyright laws. Would this affect the culture of music? “The effect of music file sharing on record sales has caused a ruckus in the music industry not seen since the British invasion of the Beatles,” writes a Harvard professor.

This explosion of illegal music downloading has fueled an anticopyright culture as more students see the threats of violating copyright laws. The argument of whether music should be a controlled material is the Recording Industry Institute of America’s (RIAA) greatest challenge in the debate.

In the year 2003, an Internet monitoring firm confirmed there were up to nine million simultaneous file sharers and the RIAA has sued about 2,000 individuals to date.

The RIAA copyrights all music to be streamed worldwide through radio and television in an effort of promoting sales of music. Illegal music downloading sites such as Limewire and Napster to name a few can be an efficient tool toward promoting music from all genres, but they can also rob artists of profits. Consequently, they are limited in the amount of songs

available. Nevertheless, unknown music artists as well as established musicians can benefit from these illegal sites.

The competition that is created by the peer-to-peer file sharing sites forced Apple to create a service that would make music accessible and reliable for the customer to purchase. This resulted in the invention of itunes and ipods that allows the consumer to search all genres of music and more. The itunes program provides a 45-second sample of each song.

Unlike itunes, other illegal music sites cannot guarantee the consumer with fast, clear music downloads. In addition itunes offers consumers the opportunity to buy individual songs instead of the entire album which was an entirely new concept to the music industry.

Despite these opportunities, some consumers see the restrictions as unjust.

What determines the injustice of music downloading? Is it the downloader who may have no idea which music is copyrighted and which is not or is it the uploader making the music available for anybody on hand?

Why are the U.S. laws so lax when it comes to copyright

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infringement? Canada has a system that allows peer-to-peer networks to operate legally with fees for those

Fast Facts •27% of Americans download music, with 14% admitting to knowingly violating a copyright in the process.

•The Phrase “Illegal Music Downloading” gets about 35,000 hits a to Google search.

•Digital music sales are up 67% in 2006 •26% of the U.S. households have an MP3 player Information according to ZDNet Research. who use recording mediums such as blank CD’s.

What is the purpose of a copyright law? It is an exclusive right that is given to a person who originates

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Fans prepare themselves for the agony of defeat, glory of victory in NCAA Tournament ianjanes

staff writer

W

hen sophomore Ryan Magdziarz fills out his NCAA tournament bracket this year, there will be many questions that come to mind. Will Winthrop really make it to the Sweet Sixteen as a 13 seed? Or can Kansas finally make it past the first round this year? Upsets and great games are what make the NCAA tournament one of the top events on any sports fans calendar. “ I love the upsets and the thrill of watching college basketball from when I wake up in the morning until I go to bed a night,” senior Tyler Mikkelson said.

Everybody has a favorite to win the tournament, but it’s the upsets from the small schools that add to the fun of the tournament. Last years tournament was a prime example. Number 15 seeded Northwestern State Demons defeated the number two seeded Iowa Hawkeyes 64-63, on a last second shot. And

who could forget George Mason ranked as an 11 seed making an improbable run to the Final Four?

Now a year later, George Mason is doubtful of even making the tournament after losing their conference championship game that would have given them an automatic bid. Last year’s cinderella team sits at 18-15, a record that most likely will not gain them entrance to the NCAA Tournament. So that leaves open the question, who will be this year’s Cinderella team?

It may be Virginia Commonwealth who beat George Mason in the Colonial Athletic Association conference championship and gained an automatic bid. Different people have different cinderella teams.

“My Cinderella team that will go far this season would have to be the Xavier because of their excellent back court and ability to shoot the basketball,” freshman Zach Garber said.

This year’s tournament should be filled with multiple high-powered teams with many great players. Last year’s tournament champion, Florida, returns all five of its starters from last season. The school favorite, Kansas, seems to have the same firepower that they have every season. Young

#16 #9 #12 #13 #11 #14 #10 #15

March 14, 2007 #1 #16 #8 #9 #5 #12 #4 #13 #6 #11 #3 #14 #7 #10 #2 #15

players like Sherron Collins have been excellent additions to the experienced players like Brandon Rush. Can Kansas advance far this year?

“Florida is going to win; they have the most experience, and the best players,” math teacher and coach Matt Ortman said.

The NCAA tournament gives all Division-I schools, both large and small, the opportunity to showcase their talent and play against the big guys.

Which team will be this year’s Bucknell or Bradley?

These two teams knocked off Kansas in the first round the last two years. A 16 seed has never beaten a number one seed; could it happen this year? There are so many tough questions to answer. But how can they be answered when no one can really predict what will happen. Every year there are games that no one can explain.

“I love seeing the little teams stand up and fight against the big time programs,” sophomore Austin Smith said.

The tournament officially kicks off its 69th edition Tuesday, March 3, in Dayton, Ohio, with the playin game to become a 16 seed. The tournament will continue all the way until April 2 with the Final Four beginning March 31 in the Georgia Dome.

The little jobs that make a big difference in sports Call Me

Hank

Hank Driskell

A

ll hail the little men of sports! No, not literally little men like midgets or dwarfs, although they are a minority in the sports world and are deserving of much more recognition than they receive. I mean the men, women or children that have the little jobs in the sports world that are often overlooked. So, in no particular order I’ve compiled a list of the top five little men of sports. If I don’t give them a little recognition, who will?

1. Gatorade Guy at Basketball Games: I’m talking about the guy behind the bench that endlessly fills up those tiny cups of Gatorade. Then, after he’s filled them up, he offers them to the players that come off the floor. The only problem is most players ignore him. He doesn’t even get a ‘no thanks.’

2. Administrator of Drug Tests: Who wakes up one day when they’re young and says, “When I grow up I want to watch people urinate.” It takes a special breed to give these drug tests every single day. So here’s to you Mr. or Mrs. Drug Test Administrator, thank you for keeping the sports world drug free, minus baseball, football, body building…

3. Security Crowd Watcher at Football Games: With eyes like a fierce bald

eagle this man scans the crowd, paying no attention to the field. Then out of nowhere an errant pass is thrown, a receiver runs out of the back of the end zone and the crowd watcher is totally destroyed, sometimes even seriously injured. Then the TV station plays the clip as many times as possible before the next play. Thanks for the laugh security crowd watcher guy.

4. Sumo Diaper Washer: Wow…that is literally a large job. A routine day for this guy might go something like this: He wakes up and realizes that his job sucks. Then he goes to work anyway. In anticipation he watches 400pound men sweat for three hours. Then he watches them take off their diapers. Then he washes them. Then he goes home, burns his clothes and takes a two hour bath in hand sanitizer.

5. Streaker Tackler: You’ve seen him. He stands on the edge of the field with his arms crossed and waits anxiously. Then it happens. A naked masked man jumps from the stands and begins his 35 seconds of fame. He chases down the, more than likely intoxicated, idiot and grabs him, but that just won’t do it. He must tackle a nude man, on television, as millions watch.

He clutches the man in his arms and takes him to the ground, covering the man’s bare body with his own. Talk about being comfortable with your own sexuality.

Well, there you have it. Somebody needed to commend these men and women for the jobs they do. In a sports world that is filled with glorified greats on the field, we need to slow down and recognize these behind the scenes barbarians.

March 14, 2007

21

tigerturf

Blue Valley says goodbye to many senior athletes

Seniors sign with colleges big, small

hankdriskell sports editor

F

Head football coach Steve Rampy speaks to the large crowd of family, friends

and fans that gathered in the gym Feb. 7 to supports the record setting 12 football players that signed to play in college next year. The 12 players will be attending six different colleges next season. Photo by Nina Humphrey

Cuts place pressure on athletes

Students deal with getting cut from sports teams, focus on making team next year mitchsmith

staff writer

Y

ou spend hours in the weight room before and after school, give up vacations for offseason workouts. You’ve sacrificed your body, your social life and, in many cases, your grades for this sport.

And now you’ve been cut. For many, such as freshman Tyler Kalmus, this unfortunate situation has become a reality.

Kalmus tried out for the freshman basketball team last November before being let go in the last round of cuts.

Although this was a major disappointment for Kalmus, he tries to keep a positive attitude concerning the situation.

“You can’t take it personally. I’m disappointed, but not angry at the coaches,” Kalmus said.

Kalmus attended off-season workouts in the months proceeding the tryouts; however, he was left wondering whether or not the tryouts were worth his time. Baseball coach Larry Hare believes that attending off-season workouts is imperative to making the team. “[You need to] come to tryouts in shape,” Hare said.

Although this experience was certainly devastating for Kalmus, as

well as the other nearly 20 players cut from the boys’ basketball program, he will be back on the court in hopes of making the team as a sophomore.

“I hope I can show the coaches something and get another chance next year,” Kalmus said. “I’m playing rec ball this winter and am keeping in shape for next year.”

Although basketball always involves a certain amount of cuts, many other sports also have to release some of its players. The school’s volleyball, basketball, baseball, golf and softball teams all must cut athletes if the number of players trying out for the team warrants it.

After making the team as a freshman, sophomore Michael Cordes didn’t make the boys’ golf team this spring. Although disappointed, Cordes respects the decision.

“I didn’t deserve to make the team this year,” Cordes said.

While cuts are an unfortunate occurrence to athletes that have worked hard during the offseason to prepare for tryouts, many coaches believe that those that they must cut are often in that situation due to a lack of preparation. Still, coaches find the situation extremely difficult. “[Tryouts week] is the worst week of the year,” Hare said.

rom rodeo to soccer and Butler County Community College to Big 12 schools, Blue Valley had another big year for athletic commitments to colleges. With the fall sports seasons well over, many senior athletes have signed with colleges and plan to take the next step in their athletic careers.

Fifteen seniors have already signed, three of which are heading to Division-I schools.

Blue Valley is sending one football player and two soccer players to National Collegiate Athletic Association Division-I schools. Senior cornerback Trey Hobson will attend the University of Missouri on a full football scholarship.

For Hobson, the college decision was easy.

“I liked Colombia when I visited” Hobson said. “Coach (Gary) Pinkel seemed like somebody I would want to play for.”

Senior girls’ soccer player Erin Lewis will suit up in crimson and blue next year and take the field for the University of Kansas. Lewis had a more difficult time with the recruiting process.

“It was really stressful” Lewis said. “We were out of town on college showcases and tournaments every weekend.”

Senior Marshall Stula is heading all the way to Pennsylvania to play soccer at the University of Pittsburgh on an athletic and academic scholarship after scoring a 35 on his ACT. After the football team experienced much success in the fall, it was no surprise to see that it would send many players to the next level. Counting Hobson, 11 out of 21 of the senior starters signed to play football on national signing day Feb. 7.

Many players chose reasonably local NCAA Division-II schools. Seniors Zach Rampy, Ryan Heil and Tyler Mikkelson will all attend Emporia State University next season. Scott Hill and Anthony Digiovanni will attend Benedictine College. Miles Jaben chose Central Missouri State, Nate Wiechmann will be a gorilla next year attending Pittsburg State and Ben Ehret will be playing for the Division-II National Runner-Up Northwest Missouri State Bearcats next season.

Two football players chose an alternate route to NCAA athletics. Seniors Kyle Hoge and Cameron Kaman will attend Butler County Community College next year. Community colleges are often a place for players with Division-I aspirations to hone their skills.

“Butler is a winning program and I hope they can get me ready for a Division-I program,” Kaman said.

Also signing in the fall was senior Andrea Rowe. Rowe plans to swim at Missouri State next year.

On March 8 senior Derrick Peterson signed with Northwestern Oklahoma State to be on the rodeo team next year. While rodeo is not a sport at Blue Valley, it is a relatively popular sport in the area. There is a local high school rodeo circuit where aspiring rodeo athletes can display their talents.

Sports Profile

Blane Williams, senior Sport: Wrestling

Favorite movie: Seabiscuit

Pre-game rituQuote to live by: als: I drink frozen “Live everyday like Gatorade and eat a it’s your last.” protein bar.

profile by Morgan McMahon athlete selected by coach

What you do in your free time: Hang out or go bowling

Favorite professional sports team: Kansas City Chiefs

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tigerturf

All good things...

WRAP-UPS

...must come to an end, but ends lead to new beginnings. Winter sports finish up while spring sports get started.

BOYS’ BASKETBALL

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

The boys’ basketball team traveled to Shawnee Mission West on Feb. 28 for the first round of regional competition.

The Tigers lost handily 65-39. Josh Wormington led the Tigers in scoring with 12 and Matt Killen added eight in the losing effort.

The Tigers hosted Blue Valley North on Feb 23 as it was also senior night for Killen, Nate Chastain and Ian Janes. The Tigers jumped to an 8-2 lead before falling behind by 10 before halftime. They came out of halftime strong to take a two-point lead going into the fourth quarter. The free throw shooting of Blue Valley North proved to be to much in the 65-55 loss. Killen had 16 and Wormington had 12.

The basketball team finished with a record of 5-16 this season. The Tigers will return three of their top four scorers next season. The team will look to build off their experience from this season, as they vie for a spot in the state tournament.

The girls’ basketball team hosted a regional game as a number four seed against the fifth seeded Blue Valley North Mustangs. Trying to top the Mustangs for a third time this season, the Tigers lost 55-40. The game was close for three quarters, but the three point shooting of the Mustangs proved to be too much for the Tigers. Brianna Eldridge led the Tigers in scoring with 17 and Kenzie Ziegler had nine in her final appearance as a Tiger.

The girls’ basketball team also hosted North on Feb 22. The Tigers proved to be too much for the Mustangs, winning 58-49. Ziegler led the Tigers in scoring with 17, and Eldridge had 14.

The girls finished with a record of 129. With only one senior leaving, and both top scorers returning, the Tigers hope the experience they have will lead to a state tournament run next season.

WRESTLING Fresh off a regional championship, the wrestling team traveled to Wichita on Feb. 23 for the state competition.

According to coach Jason Peres, the team took a “very young” team to state, including two first time competitors.

“It went pretty well,” Peres said.

“Everyone who went to state got at least one win.”

Behind a second place finish in the 102 pound category by Austin Quarles, a sixth place finish by Parker Madl in the 112 pound category and a fourth place finish by Blane Williams in the 119 pound competition, the Tigers took 11th place, finishing behind first place Manhattan.

The Tigers arrived at the state competition following up a Feb. 17 regional championship and individual placements by Quarles, Madl, Williams, Conner Combes, Cameron Weir, Wes Park, Joel Hill, Andrew Leathers and Brett Newell.

Quarles, Madl and Combes all were the individual champion of their respective weight class at regionals.

March 14, 2007

PREVIEWS

GIRLS’ SOCCER Head Coach: K Dean Snell

Head Coach: Nelson Elliot

Assistant Coaches: Chris Paisley, Tim Cunningham, Greg Gehrig

Assistant Coach: Mark Rabbitt

Returning Varsity: Sara Ster, Niki Burczyk, Erin Lewis, Brianne Burlin, Elizabeth Baldwin, Lauren Mitchell, Lauren Penn, Mindy Smith, Laura Updike, Allie Proll.

‘06 Record: 6-15 Upcoming Games: 3/27 Topeka Seaman, 3/29 Shawnee Heights, 4/2 Blue Valley West

BOYS’ GOLF

Head Coach: Steve Rampy Assistant Coach: Dan Cromer Returning Varsity: Trevor Hampton, Will Steinwart, Park Ulrich, Connor Hickey and Tyler Dubay ‘06 Results: Didn’t qualify for state tournament as a team.

GIRLS’ SWIMMING

Head Coach: Monique Marquette

Senior Anthony Bertolone swims his way to state as a member of the 200-yard medley relay. Photo by Sarah Hockel

BOYS’ SWIMMING The boys’ swimming and diving teams capped off their season with a trip to the state championships in Topeka’s Hummer Sports Park on Feb. 16 and 17. The team placed 24th out of 35 teams while Shawnee Mission East took first place and Blue Valley North finished second.

The 200-yard medley relay team of Tony Britt, Austin Wright and Anthony Bertolone placed 15th and many other swimmers achieved personal best times at state. Members of the state team included Wright, Britt, Bertolone, Zach Hennig, Daniel Goergen, Andrew Katzenstein, Jake Geoffrion, Brandon Barlow and Sean Coleman.

BOYS’ TENNIS

Returning Varsity: Kolbe Joens, Matt Mulligan

Upcoming Matches: 3/12 SMW, 3/13 Olathe South, 3/28 Mill Valley Invitational, 3/29 SME

SOFTBALL

Head Coach: Anthony Orrick, second season

Assistant Coaches: Jim Laughlin, Gary Lindsey and Danielle Orrick

Returning Varsity: McKenzi Foster, Stacey Carabello, Kelsey Nance, Lizzy Nikoomanesh, Lindsey Muller, Leslee Kinnison, Heather Gruber ‘06 record: 8-13 Upcoming Games: 4/3 Washburn Rural, 4/5 Sumner, 4/9 Miege, 4/10 Topeka High, 4/17 BVNW

TRACK AND FIELD

Assistants: Bridget Allen, Jessica Schlick

Head coaches: Eric Driskell, boys Paul Brown, girls

Returning Varsity: Emily Selba, Abby Helmick, Sam Martley, Andrea Rowe, Kristen Ellison, Kiley Johnson, Christy Reinhardt

Assistants: Peggy Rose, Nic Madelen, Richard Gill, Nancy McRoberts, Diana Huber, Tyler Lasche

Upcoming Meets: 3/27 BVHS, 3/29 Chisholm Trail JH

BASEBALL

Head Coach: Larry Hare, 20th season Assistant Coaches: Rick McNerlin, Kevin Suhr, Matt Ortman, Andy Unrein and David Segui Returning Varsity: Kyle Hoge, Trey Hobson, Brandon Rusnak, Nate Kerkhoff, Tyler Mikkelson, Drew Mikkelson, Ian Janes, Cam Kaman, JP LaMunyon ‘06 Record: 12-10 Upcoming Games: 3/24 Wichita NW, 3/24 Maize, 3/27 Gardner Edgerton

Returning Varsity: Michael McDonald, Ben Ehret, Josh Robinson, Matt Killen, Zach Rampy, Morgan Snell, Patrick Cooley, Robert Alexander, Austin Ray, Michael Hodges, Chris Castor, Thomas McElwee, Scott Pinney, Valerie Hughs, Mindy Moeller, Sarah Miller, Stefanie Krull, Maggie McNiel, Brook Gorthy Elizabeth Minoofar, Kristen Daschke, Kevin Butorac, Derek Leutjen, Ronald Morgan, Michael Grant, Christopher McDermott, Ben Loats, Kimberly Burczyk, Ashley Deluca, Jennifer Santa Maria, Marlee Rogers, Devin Wiegers, Scott Dickson and Travis Loyd.

Upcoming Meets: 3/27 BVN, 3/30 Ottawa

upcoming

March 14, 2007

March April

2007

photos by Nina Humphrey and Hank Driskel

sunday

monday

Flash back to kindergarten!

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weeks left!

12 Spring Break

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saturday

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Spring Break 21

Bendin’ it like Beckham

Watch out: Smart kids with candles

JV/V girls’ soccer at Seaman

NHS induction 5:30 p.m. in the PAC

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Practice your God Complex I Am In Control Day

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Parent Teacher conferences

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Does anyone actually know what these are?

Eight Track Tape Day

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Prom

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No School

6 Only one more after this one Paper comes out

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It’s the last dance of the year already?!

It’s like a taste of summer

Is your homework in yet?

JV/V softball at Washburn Rural

National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day

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friday

Last day of classes

Here’s a fun thing to do during spring breakExtraterrestrial Abductions Day

Beware of the salmonella

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wednesday thursday

Senior Countdown

Johnny Appleseed Day

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tuesday

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7 Oh, the horror!

ACT Testing at BVHS

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pictureperfect

March 14, 2007

If anything, it is the lack of warm weather that makes us more anxious for spring. No more sheets of ice on the driveway, kids are getting outside and shooting some hoops. Photo Essay by Nina Humphrey.

. . . y a w a r a f o s t o n g n i r p S