The Tiger Print — March 2011

the

print TIGER BLUE VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL twitter.com/bvtigerprint bvtigernews.com

Vol. 41 Issue 8

March 2011

Stilwell, KS

inside Tightening the belt

Mosier minute

Let’s get philosophical

page 3

page 7

page 13

After governor’s state address, district faces potential cuts

Veteran teacher hopes to inspire ethical behavior

Philosophy students ponder life’s biggest questions

inthenews

in the halls...

1. Colleges visits scheduled Several admissions office representatives from area colleges will visit BV this month.

Liberty University — March 21 Wichita State University — March 22 University of Missouri — March 23 Avila University — March 23 University of Nebraska — March 29 For more information visit the counseling office and sign up with counseling secretary Cindy Snell.

By Sam Brennan.

2. Stoles offered for seniors with high service hours Seniors with 100 or more hours of community service qualify to receive a stole for graduation and Class Day. Community Service Organization sponsor Kristin Asquith said students can use hours from past years, as long as they were completed during high school.

She said students must have hours from at least two different service activities logged by April 1.

Asquith said seniors can buy the black and gold stole for around $6.

Currently, there is no established time for stole pick-up. She said a letter will be sent to students, and she will also e-mail their parents.

“I can’t place the order ahead of time,” Asquith said. "Once I do place it, [the manufacturer] should have it done pretty quickly.”

By Odi Opole.

Forensics squad features large novice class jordanhuesers features editor With 13 State qualifiers after five weeks of competition, the forensics team plans to compete in their next tournament on Friday, March 11.

“Our goal is always to do well at invitational tournaments, to go to State and to qualify people for Nationals,” coach Chris Riffer said.

Typically, the squad competes in tournaments each weekend.

“We have a lot more diversity in the students on the squad,” junior Stephanie Shull said. “We are a team that usually focuses on speeches, but this year some of the new kids and freshmen have stepped up and are doing the acting events.”

Riffer said this year’s team has the largest novice class in his time at BV — including 37 freshmen.

“We do a good job so even the freshmen can have an impact on varsity,” Riffer said. “They all interact well.”

In the forensics class, students learn about different events and practice in-class performances. Freshman Ajay Subramanian said Riffer enhances their performing techniques by giving feedback, and helps them become great performers.

“We have a lot of really amazing speakers and animated actors,’” Subramanian said. “It is a nice blend.”

In class, Shull said Riffer focuses on the novices, yet helps to perfect the older students’ performances as well.

“He specifically makes sure people try different events to find out what they are good at and enjoy,” Shull said.

Possible events include: extemporaneous, oration, informative, interpretation, duet/duo, impromptu, prose/poetry, Congress, Lincoln Douglas and Public Forum.

Preparation for tournaments depends greatly upon the event.

March 10

Spring Break begins

March 21 School Resumes

March 23

Spring Sports Night

March 30

NHS Induction at 7 p.m. in the PAC

April 7

Academic Breakfast at 7:15 a.m.

on the cover...

The Relay for Life event highlights the importance of cancer awareness. The luminaria ceremony allows participants to remember those lost to cancer and those still fighting against the disease. Photo illustration by Maegan Kabel.

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Shull competes in the extemporaneous speaking event. She said this event requires more preparation than some. In the event, she informatively or persuasively speaks about current events and uses prepared articles from magazines, journals and newspapers.

The tournaments begin with three preliminary rounds, in which everyone participates.

The judges then rank the competitors -- the lower the rank, the better. The top six or seven students with the lowest score then compete in the final round.

“We’ve got a lot of junior and senior talent,” Riffer said. “They attend a lot of the tournaments and put in a lot of work.”

Auditions approach for speeches at Class Day, graduation anniematheis news editor

this month...

Freshman Ajay Subramanian presents his informative speech to his forensics class. Every student is required to give an informative speech once during the semester. “I love the opportunity to watch and perform in front of people,” he said. Photo by Olivia Roudebush.

Seniors may sign up to audition to give a senior speech for Class Day or graduation. Auditions are on March 29 in the PAC. Two speakers present on Class Day, while two different speakers recite for the Commencement Address.

Assistant principal and activities director Megan Allam coordinates the try-outs.

She said the judges usually look for a speech that will make the crowd think and incorporates the class’ defining elements. Judges also try to make sure the speech would be appropriate for the venue.

“A lot of the time people focus on the traditions that Blue Valley has had or recap some of the stuff that has happened that was unique about each individual class,” she said.

Allam said the judges evaluate the speech based on different criteria. Some teachers will take notes while listening to the speech, while others will fill out a personal rubric with what they are looking for. After all the speeches, the teachers

deliberate about what they heard.

“The teachers will discuss which ones stood out, or which ones would be good at graduation or something that would be good at Class Day,” Allam said. “Class Day is usually a little more informal than graduation. They are both very important events, but it is just different being in the gym rather than being at Kemper Arena.”

Allam said choosing speakers is usually a very difficult decision.

“There are always a lot of really good speeches because they practice it in their CA class, and they have had a CA teacher give them feedback,” she said.

Allam said the number of applicants varies from year to year. She said the most people she has ever seen audition was in 2009, when there were about 25 applicants.

Seniors can sign up to audition on the bulletin board in the senior hallway.

The auditions take place in the PAC because the judges try to simulate the formal atmosphere. The students must use a microphone and a podium, but do not have to have their speech memorized.

Eric Min, 2006 graduate, gave the Commencement Address at graduation.

Min said he focused his speech on how students might be scared of the college world after graduation, but in reality, the world should be scared of the students and their potential.

Min said the hardest part for him was avoiding predictability.

“Any graduation speech is going to have some sort of degree of being cliché,” Min said. “But I really didn’t want to talk about the first day I when I walked into the halls of Blue Valley. I think that was the biggest part that gave me pressure.”

Min said many attendants of graduation, including parents and people he had never met before, came up to him after his Commencement Address to give him positive feedback over his speech.

“It was surreal doing it in front of thousands of people,” Min said. “But it was really exhilarating — being able to do that was a big honor.”

Min said he would recommend any senior to audition to give a speech because it was one of the most rewarding things he did in high school.

“Even if you aren’t selected, you’ll still be proud of what you wrote and did,” he said. “It’s a great way to think about your time in high school and leave your mark.”

inthenews

District prepares to cut $1.8 million from budget caitlinholland editor-in-chief The Blue Valley Board of Education anticipates further budget cuts for the 2011-2012 school year after Governor Sam Brownback proposed a $75 reduction in the Base State Aid Per Pupil in his State of the State address.

The district would lose $1.8 million dollars of funding under this proposition.

The BSAPP is the amount of money the state designates to each student in Kansas for his or her education.

Assistant Superintendent Mike Slagle said he expects to see Brownback’s $75 reduction passed in the legislature this spring.

“Anytime the governor speaks in the State of the State address, it basically sets a suggested course of action for the state,” he said. “It served as a starting point for discussion. We’re listening and watching this pretty closely.”

Slagle said proactive initiatives like implementing a hiring freeze and restricting overtime for hourly employees were taken following the address.

“We’re trying to get a read on what they may do for next year,” he said. “They really haven’t taken up budget considerations for next year yet — they’re still working on the budget for this year. There’s still a lot of work left to be done.”

The district plans open forums and discussions with community patrons in the spring after the state’s official state budget is announced. At that point, Slagle said, the Board of Education will determine the budget for the 2011-2012 school year.

“We really start running into logistical problems from our end as far as time goes if it gets into May,” he said. “We’re hoping a budget will be finalized and have the dust starting to settle in to the month of May.” The Blue Valley Education Foundation is an organization independent of the school district that provides grants to fund activities

related to school curriculum. BVEF receives donations from teachers in the district, parents and community patrons.

The foundation, restricted by state law from assisting the district operationally, instead focuses on providing extra supplies, equipment and resources to teachers upon request. Foundation Executive Director Anne Blessing said if the $75 reduction passes, the foundation’s job will become more critical.

“We’re not sure what our role is going to be,” she said. “We may come full circle. The foundation has not funded essential programs that our school district has had to cut because of funding cuts, but we don’t know what is going to happen.”

Blessing said BVEF looks to work closely with the school district and its strategic five-year plan. The plan, presented in November 2010, outlines the district’s goals for future years. It details areas of emphasis such as technology improvement, personal responsibility and more AP and college-level courses.

Blessing meets with a technology representative and school board member prior to introducing a grant to other BVEF members. The request must fall in line with the district’s technology requirements and relate back to the curriculum.

“I think one of my plans as the new executive director of the foundation is to align the foundation more closely with the school district so that we are pursuing the same goals, and try to be more supportive of the programs that the school district is trying to fund,” Blessing said.

Items in the strategic plan represent the district’s critical areas of focus, Slagle said.

These areas will be considered last if cuts are necessary.

“The five-year strategic plan is our road map for the future,” he said. “Things that are associated with that plan would likely achieve a higher priority than things not associated with that plan. It forces us to prioritize and allocate if we have to when we

have scarce budget.”

Slagle said while BVEF provides assistance to teachers’ innovative classroom plans, a void remains in the operational budget.

Currently, Johnson County residents pay the highest possible property taxes for the local option. He said an increase in the local option cap would be an ideal way to The local option: preserve the district’s This keeps part of the money raised financial security. inside Kansas “It would be of counties to stay tremendous benefit,” within the county he said. “It would to benefit school allow for an ongoing districts directly. funding stream that we could plan for the future and get some things started or restarted in our district based on our needs and desires. That would be a huge help for us.”

The CAPS program will experience budget cuts in the same way the five Blue Valley high schools will, CAPS Executive Director Donna Deeds said.

Each year, Deeds said she allocates money the district provides to each of the CAPS classes after teachers submit their ideal budget plan.

“I have the actual instructors do an estimate of the amount they think they might need for supplies,” she said. “Then, depending upon if we have enough funds, I have to work with them to cut what they maybe could get rid of.”

At the departmental level, BV Family and Consumer Science teacher Kendra Smith said she anticipates a proposition to cut middle school FACS classes later this spring.

This proposition was on the list of cuts for the 2010-2011 school year, but it did not pass.

“If they drop middle school classes, students would not be as interested in high school FACS,” she said. “There’s always a chance that they could eventually even cut high school FACS.”

Smith said the Carl Perkins Grant, distributed to FACS programs throughout the country, provides substantial funding to her classes. She said the funding this grant offers will likely decrease in the future.

Executive Director for Career and Technology Education, Linda Affholder, said a $102.9 million-dollar reduction to the Carl Perkins Grant passed in the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this year.

“The one thing about FACS classes is that the state will pay us money for students to take our classes — that’s part of the grant money,” Smith said. “The school gets money when students take our classes as sophomores, juniors and seniors. In that way, we are bringing money into the district so it would be silly to try and cut our programs.”

Smith also said funding challenges arose when food prices increased earlier this year.

She said the department did not anticipate this rise when planning how much students will pay for supplies next year.

In the 2011-2012 school year, students in Foods classes will pay between $22-25 for materials.

“That is causing a big ditch in my budget because we planned on those food prices staying basically the same,” she said. “We didn’t charge any more this semester for students taking Foods, and we didn’t even up the prices for next year. We’re probably going to have to cut back the number of labs we do because of that.”

Despite concerns about funding at all levels, however, Foundation Director Blessing said she believes the district will manage the uncertain budget situation well — due, in part, to community support.

“As our enrollment increases we have more parents who can theoretically support the foundation and more businesses coming in to south Johnson County that can support the foundation,” she said. “I think, as the school district grows, so does our opportunity to raise funds.”

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EXPIRES MARCH 31, 2011 0 4 MARCH 2011

outloud

The Tiger Print editor-in-chief Caitlin Holland

web photo editor Conor Storm

managing editor Sara Naatz

ads manager Sam Brennan

news/web editor Annie Matheis

circulations Courtney Woodworth

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

Cartoon by Evelyn Davis.

Donated locker magnets take ‘honor’ out of ‘Honor Roll’ staff editorial 15

agreed

3

disagreed

Locker magnets for students on the Principal’s Honor Roll and Honor Roll were distributed Feb. 28.

Students with at least a 3.5 GPA are on the Honor Roll, while those students with at

least a 4.0 are on the Principal’s Honor Roll.

The Site Based Leadership team suggested the idea to have magnets on students’ lockers to show their academic accomplishments, similar to how athletes and club members are recognized.

Community America Bank donates several hundred dollars each year for the locker magnets.

But how many of us actually appreciate what is being shown by these magnets?

The students who do care about their accomplishments stick their magnets inside of their locker.

No one can see it there — but no one can steal it either.

This money is being wasted on the magnets.

They are being thrown down hallways, stolen or moved to lockers of students who didn’t achieve this accomplishment.

There are many other options on how to show the administration’s appreciation of hard-working students.

raise your voice

freshman Courtney Elven I would recognize students that were in the top of their class in each grade at an assembly.

Give them a certificate or a plaque — something tangible they can bring home to Mom and Dad. Don’t give them something that will be taken from them.

Getting on the Principal’s or regular Honor Roll is a big accomplishment.

Students right now simply don’t appreciate it.

Which is why we shouldn’t be using the donated money on the magnets.

Spend the money on doughnuts delivered during the day or a free cookie at lunch, while making sure the student body knows why they are receiving them.

Hang a large banner by the office with Honor Roll students’ names displayed on it.

Have an assembly one Thursday and call out every student by name who is being honored.

It’s not as if these students are just the normal people who skate through school with average work.

Getting at least a 3.5 GPA isn’t just doing what you are supposed to.

An ‘A’ on the grading scale stands for excellent.

When did excellent work become expected?

These students aren’t just doing average work.

They are going above-and-beyond what is required.

The same isn’t needed for their reward, but we need change.

Something needs to be done to make the Honor Roll an actual honor.

design editor Jordan McEntee photo editor Maegan Kabel

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

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

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

What would you do to recognize academic accomplishments?

sophomore Michael Hayworth Honors students should get a board in the hallway that puts up all of their names.

SEPTEMBER 2010 0 5

junior Anna Kerkhoff No real big award, because you’re doing what you’re supposed to.

senior Nik Franklin Honors students should be able to pick out parking spaces before the regular students.

MARCH 2011 0 5

outloud

No exceptions Dress code should be followed by all students Blue Valley High School Dress Code: No caps, hats, hoods or bandanas during school hours.

No tube tops or halter tops.

No sagging pants that show off boxers.

No spaghetti straps.

No provocative necklines or backless shirts.

No extremely short skirts.

Yeah, I know.

At times, not being able to wear that cute or cool clothing item stinks.

But our school stands for something more than style — something far more important.

BV is dedicated to being the best.

What exactly does that entail?

It means we need to be respectful and considerate of our peers, our teachers and our school administrators.

And in order to personify these virtues, we must follow the rules.

If the administration believes a dress code is beneficial to the school, then this rule should be taken seriously by teachers and students alike.

It shouldn’t be a sketchy guideline that some people follow and others don’t.

In the real world, if you break a law you get punished.

It should be no different here.

There aren’t lenient “guidelines” some people get away with.

And in that mysterious not-so-faraway real world, wearing hats or inappropriate clothing just won’t do.

The business world won’t look twice at you if you come into an interview wearing a micro-mini and a shirt that shows off your stomach.

You might be the most intelligent person in the world, but you won’t get your dream job. Just because you looked like a fool.

This dress code will get you in the habit of dressing appropriately for when your clothes really do matter.

Just think of it as a test for the future and keep in mind that the administration did not make this dress code just to irritate us.

They don’t want to encourage gangs. They don’t want to spread lice.

And they really don’t want you walking around, making an idiot of yourself in those less-than-classy

outfits.

So don’t complain when you get sent to the office to change into a Tiger T-shirt.

You should just be relieved that the punishment isn’t more harsh.

At public North High School in Akron, Ohio, dozens of students were suspended for insubordination. The students refused to take off their sweatshirts in protest of the school’s strict dress code.

Imagine not even being able to wear a comfy sweatshirt to school because it might hide weapons or other contraband.

Imagine not being able to wear certain colors or symbols that might be considered gang-related.

Imagine not being able to wear a jacket when you are freezing cold.

In 2008, a public high school student, Shabraia Dodd, was arrested for assault on a police officer after refusing to take off her jacket.

It went against the dress code of East Ridge High School in East Ridge, Tenn.

Obviously, it could be a lot worse.

Save the beanies, sagging pants and backless shirts for the weekend.

Photo by Courtney Woodworth.

As college tuition rates increase, applicants forced to make hard decisions I’ve been accepted to the one college I applied to — a school known for its strength in my intended major.

At first I thought this was great. I couldn’t have been happier with my decision to receive a quality education and get a little bit away from Kansas. I applied only one place because I was just so sure.

But the closer we come to graduation, the more I think about the dark side of my dream school.

Paying close attention to the news recently, all high school students have cause for alarm.

Many public institutions plan to raise tuition substantially for the 2011-2012 school year. For example, the university I plan to attend is expected to raise out-of-state tuition from around $27,000 a year to $32,000.

Unfortunately, this puts kids and parents in tough situations.

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More and more students opt to attend junior or community colleges rather than instate four-year institutions right out of high school. And more and more students are forced to say goodbye to their out-of-state school dreams because of rising tuition and a tough economy.

I feel this pain.

I worry so often about whether or not I am wasting my parents’ hard-earned money on an expensive school for a major that, many say, lacks promise.

I worry that I may struggle with college courses and fall behind, forcing my parents to either shovel more money into the college pit or say goodbye to my master’s degree dreams.

And, most of all, I worry I won’t make it in the job market and the education I received will be, essentially, worthless.

It’s hard for us, as broke high school students, to imagine so much money going toward one thing, and not even something tangible.

Education.

We get all the fun — the campus tours and extremely well-designed, simple, yet elegant pamphlets sent through the mail from schools we only vaguely know exist.

Our parents and families get the short end of the stick. They get to fund this amazingly promising future we hold. Our parents contribute, essentially, thousands of dollars in an investment for our futures.

That’s quite a bit of trust to put in kids our age.

That’s quite a risk to take on a person who has never lived on their own before.

For example, my mom still worries about my inability to wake up to my alarm clock every morning. She gives me a hard time about how I’ll accidentally sleep through all my morning classes in college.

While I get frustrated because she keeps bothering me about this, I do understand that a fair amount of her money will be invested in that class.

She has a right to be concerned.

The best way to avoid feeling guilty or uncertain about paying for college is to

begin talking with parents about it before second semester senior year.

Early in junior year, when all students prepare to sign up for ACT and SAT exams, is a good time to sit down and look at what schools are realistic to continue an education.

After taking college admission tests of choice, begin applying for scholarships.

Remember — every little bit of money helps.

Just because a scholarship found on Fastweb.com isn’t a full-ride doesn’t mean it isn’t worth the time of day.

And, most importantly, remember each of us only has one life to live.

Should we choose not to go to our dream schools and study what we want because we’re afraid to fail?

No. Some may call it recklessness or just blame it on youth, but I have a hard time giving up on my dreams this early in life.

And it’s not a bad thing.

We should be confident in ourselves and not be afraid to pursue our dreams.

upclose

Teacher’s expectations hold students to high standards

‘a missed opportunity is difficult to recapture’

Working with freshman Audrey Bamburg, arts teacher and StuCo sponsor Mark Mosier helps with a project in design fundamentals. Mosier started teaching at BV in 1987, and became the StuCo sponsor shortly after. Photo by Courtney Woodworth.

saranaatz managing editor Stop.

A red light looms overhead.

You see the sign — no U-turns.

The green left-turn arrow flickers on.

You glance around cautiously to check for cops.

None in sight.

You slowly snake around the median into an almost-graceful U-turn.

In a second it’s over — no penalty, no harm done.

No big deal.

Mark Mosier, art department chair and Kansas Student Council Advisor of the Year, said he often uses scenarios like this when talking to his students about the differences between right and wrong.

Mosier said he wants to inspire his students to consider what they do when no one else is looking.

“I think a sense of ethics is important — that you develop a sense of right and wrong,” he said. “Do you do the right thing if no one will find out? Do you help somebody else? Spend time with a charity even if no one is going to know you did it? To me, what you do when no one else knows is the true mark of who you are. Just because you can get away with something does not mean it’s right.”

Student Council secretary, senior Shelby Wallace, said Mosier teaches lessons that will help everyone later on in life.

“What I like best about him are his words of wisdom,” she said. “In StuCo we always have a Mosier minute, and he opens our eyes to not only our friends and our life but to everyone else.”

Mosier said he pushes his students not only to do the right thing, but to go beyond expectations.

“It makes me frustrated when I see students who don’t take advantage of opportunities,” he said. “We have so many opportunities today to do so many different things, whether it’s in this room or whether it’s art or technology or whatever. You don’t have to be 24 hours a day on the go, but I think to not be willing to try new things or use resources can be pretty frustrating. A missed opportunity is difficult to recapture.”

Michael Johnston, photography teacher and Mosier’s friend, said Mosier’s high expectation of students causes them to try new things.

“He has a way of forcing students to think for themselves,” Johnston said. “Part of that is high expectations and part of that is

really pushing them to do a little exploration on their own. He does a good job of forcing students to do a little of their own investigation and their own learning.”

After working at BV as an art teacher for only a year, Mosier became assistant StuCo sponsor in 1988. A year later, he decided to step up and become full-time sponsor.

“It initially appealed to me because, after a year or two of teaching here, I saw that a large number of very strong students didn’t necessarily take art at that time,” he said. “I wanted to get to know those people, and I was relatively new to the building.”

Mosier said his job is to oversee StuCo from an adult perspective as well as to help the students learn more about leadership.

“Leadership is just one of those general terms that people kind of throw around,” he said. “I think [being in StuCo] is an opportunity to have experiences that show you the value of good leadership or maybe experiences that show lack of or bad leadership.”

Wallace said Mosier helps make sure that all events for StuCo turn out well.

She said he often sends e-mail reminders to check up on their progress.

“He really cares that we succeed,” she said. “He’s a positive influence on everyone in StuCo. He wants what’s best for you, for the community and for the high school.”

Johnston said Mosier’s personable nature causes him to interact well with his students.

“He pushes kids to do more than they would have or could have otherwise,” Johnston said. “He has the ability to be patient and understanding with students. He’s consistent. You know where you stand with Mr. Mosier.”

Mosier said interacting with high school students allows him to be more open and learn more than he would in any other profession.

“The best part of my job is getting to be around [students],” he said. “That sounds corny but that’s exactly it. I don’t really like a lot of adults. I mean, adults are fine, but high school students are a lot more interesting. I don’t know if I could function if I had to live among adults. That would be a really boring life.”

To Mosier, high school students offer new insights to ideas that adults may not consider.

“Adults often, over time, tend to get too comfortable with themselves,” he said.

“High school students can be very passionate about something, but they also tend to be more willing to examine things. I learn as much from students as I hope students learn from me.”

MARCH 2011 0 7

upclose

Showtime shenanigans Improv troupe uses energy to perform in front of audiences jordanmcentee design editor “Hey, I’m Jake Miller, and I have four arms.”

“I’m Ben Gaede, and the red Power Ranger is my cousin.”

“I’m Hannah Stone, and I eat green gummy bears for dinner.”

“I’m Tim Smith, and I’m Bambi’s Father.”

“I’m Grayson Yockey, and I hate candy necklaces. Please, please take them off!

Why?” “I’m Mollie Chesis, and I’ve eaten polar bear.”

“I’m Joseph Davies, and I’ve learned when in doubt, don’t eat it. And we are the Fifth Wall Comedy Troupe.”

Fifth Wall cast members start off every performance introducing themselves in a funny way. Fifth Wall, a short-form improv group of BV students, performs around school and at local events.

Students in the group said they enjoy the low-key, energetic environment of the comedy group.

“We all do it for fun,” senior Ben Gaede said. “Before shows, we’ll just call each other up and be like ‘Hey, do you want to do this?’

It’s really relaxed because it’s student-run.”

Senior Joseph Davies said the group was created by Alex Nichols in the 2005-2006 school year.

“It’s grown, but at first it actually shrunk,” Davies said. “It gets handed down from senior to senior every year, but I got it as a junior from Tyler Duke. When he was in charge there wasn’t a lot of action, so then I really wanted to get out and do more. This year we’ve done a lot more shows outside of school.”

Fifth Wall member junior Sam Nicol said the group has really improved over the last few years.

“We’ve really become a respectable act,” Nicol said. “I remember my freshman year when the group performed like one time a year and would just stand up there and make weird noises and stuff. But then my sophomore year, Joseph really read up on

the different types of improv we could do, and then [Jeff] Yarnell taught us more of the technical side of it.”

Junior Jake Miller said he is impressed with how much Fifth Wall has developed.

“When it started, there were like five people in the group from rep theatre,” he said. “Now anyone in the acting community can join. I’m really happy with the growth we’ve seen and what we’re growing in to.”

The group is extra-curricular, so it requires time outside the regular school day to prepare the improv games for performances.

“We used to have practices every Thursday morning on late start, but we stopped having those because of the musical,” Gaede said. “We’ll probably start them back up soon, since it just ended.”

Fifth Wall performed at Relay for Life, school assemblies, Take Five Coffee Bar, the Jewish Community Center, Amoré Chocolate Pizza Company and Congregation Beth Torah.

“Most of the shows we do are for free,” Davies said. “I just don’t like to take people’s money for improv — it’s just not our style.

But sometimes we do have charge to cover basic needs.”

Gaede said the troupe mainly performs at school; however, they have several gigs lined up with a few places.

When it comes to getting ready for a show, the group said along with vocal and pump-up exercises, they all have different ways of getting in the zone.

Gaede said he and the other performers enjoy the upbeat vibe from the audience.

“Being up there in front of everybody feels really good,” Gaede said. “We just feed off all the energy from the crowd. We get funnier and funnier as the night goes on.”

Being an improv group, Fifth Wall members don’t know exactly what they will be acting out during the show.

But Gaede said he and his fellow members don’t really get nervous.

“You come in a little unsure about it,” Gaede said. “You haven’t practiced; you just know the games. So it’s kind of nerveracking.”

“We’ve been in it for a couple years and there are others who just jump in. But there’s definitely chemistry between all of us. We all really know each other’s limitations.” junior Jake Miller

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Playing Past, Present and Future, senior Ben Gaede and junior Jake Miller perform at the Jewish Community Center. Proceeds from the show were sent to Camp Rainbow to benefit children with cancer.

Photo by Maria Fournier.

Gaede said all the emotions going into a show are reassured when the crowd enjoys the performance.

“The best part is when you tell a joke that is really funny and everyone starts laughing,” he said. “It’s also great to be the straight man for someone else and they get the joke. You feed off that laughter.”

Miller said he enjoys the aspect of never knowing what’s next.

“All the improv is really, really, really fun,” Miller said. “When you’re up there, there’s so much adrenaline and sometimes even confusion.”

Nicol said being in front of people takes a combination of serious and comical attitudes.

“It’s really energetic up there,” he said.

“But there’s also this air of seriousness. We try to be serious, but the situations just turn funny.”

Miller said there is a strong bond among the members, especially the four regulars, Joseph Davies, junior Alex Petersen, Nicol and himself.

“We’ve been in it for a couple years, and there are others who just jump in,” Miller said. “But there’s definitely chemistry between all of us. We all really know each other’s limitations.”

Gaede said he finds motivation in his fellow Fifth Wall members.

“Joseph Davies, Jake Miller and Sam Nicol are super funny guys,” he said. “They really are my inspiration.”

Fifth Wall auditions are after school today for students wishing to be part of the cast.

“This year we’ve really made the group more open to people outside of the theatre group,” Davies said. “You don’t have to be an actor; it’s just for people who want to be funny.”

centerstage

Sit back, relax,

rock out 2 new albums feature ideal tracks to chill with Reviews by Odi Opole.

Adele — 21

Radiohead — King of Limbs

Striking piano solos.

Big sounds and soft tones.

That amazing voice.

The album, 21, showcases more of Adele’s talent and voice, and fittingly seems to be more mature than 19. This album is all about the ups and downs of relationships, and the songs cover everything from emotional breakups to dramatic exits.

Adele showcases range, musicality and versatility.

The album starts out strong with “Rolling in the Deep” and “Rumour Has It” — two songs about missed chances and moving on.

Adele incorporates rhythm and harmony beautifully into these two songs, and the drums and piano both play major roles. The songs are strong starters to an album that seems to be all about the rollercoasters that are relationships.

The album takes an emotional dip and a technical rise on the next track, “Turning Tables.” In the song, Adele gives the belting a break and croons with emotion, letting a piano and string accompaniment carry her through the tune. The song is well-written and well-sung, and it shows Adele doesn’t rely solely on the power of her voice.

The great thing about “Turning Tables” and the rest of the ballads and slow tunes on 21 is that Adele keeps her voice in check relative to the instruments. Her voice comes through strong on every note, but her volume is well-moderated.

A great sophomore effort, 21 reminds listeners of Adele’s talent while giving them some new and beautiful songs to listen to. However, 21’s shortcomings lie in the subject matter: Once again, a young artist bases an entire album on relationships. Love songs are OK in moderation — but when someone has an entire album about them, sometimes it leaves listeners wishing for something more. On her next album, Adele should make sure to show some diversity in lyricism, because once she finds her footing on that issue, her albums will be triple-threats of musicality, lyricism and vocal talent.

On Feb. 19, Radiohead surprised the music world and fans everywhere when it released King of Limbs, its new album, early.

Five days after announcing it, in fact.

The album’s early release affected how many critics reviewed the album. In a rush to be first, many reviews were posted hours after the release, most likely leading to general confusion over the album.

When I first heard King of Limbs I said, “What is this?”

Breathy tones and whispery vocals assailed my ears, leaving me dazed and confused.

I listened through the album, and decided it was... interesting. Not really my scene, but interesting. The soaring, sweeping tunes and strange lyrics were like nothing I’d heard before.

Then I listened again. And again. And again. Soon, I was listening nonstop. The tones and musicality of King of Limbs can seem off-putting to a first-time listener, but it’s definitely a great album.

King of Limbs has a distinctly ethereal feeling to it — ­a mixture of the otherworldly and the supernatural seem to seep through the tracks and into your brain. Radiohead uses traditional instruments as well as studio magic to create melodies that weave and wind, daring listeners to try to decipher them.

The lyrics are similar — incredible, once listeners figure them out. Although sometimes inaudible or hard to understand, if they choose to look up the lyrics to songs like “Bloom,” “Codex” or “Morning Mr. Magpie,” listeners will find those figurative language skills from CA class coming in handy.

Overall, Radiohead did extremely well — not only because they put out a good sound, but because their songs and lyricism will spark a good discussion. King of Limbs is also versatile: It can create a mood that is eerie, relaxing or thought-provoking. The new Radiohead CD is one to buy — if you’re up to the challenge.

MARCH 2011 1 1

payin’thebills

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no wrong answers Philosophy class facilitates open discussion kellycordingley staff writer Is there a God? Nature vs. Nurture?

Are we born good or destined to be bad?

Questions asked for centuries. Questions still unanswered. Questions any BV student can ponder — if they know the class to take.

Philosophy teacher Chris Riffer said he has enjoyed teaching the class for 10 years.

“No one else was going to teach it, and they figured the debate coach would be good,” Riffer said. “I was scared at first, but now I really love it.”

The class covers topics from the meaning of life to why we are the way we are.

Plato’s theory of the Allegory of the Cave is one of the first ideas covered. It delves into how humans learn the truth. In the allegory, there are people in a cave who can not see their surroundings because it is dark. One of the people breaks away from the pack and leaves the cave.

He is stunned by the light he sees outside, which represents the truth. When he re-enters the cave and tells his friends the truth, they don’t believe him because they are still literally and figuratively in the dark.

“There are no wrong answers here,” Riffer said. “The students learn about great thinkers and what they think.

They think about big questions.”

Although there are no wrong answers to the big philosophical questions, Riffer tests for understanding of terms and comprehension of philosophers’ thoughts. He does this by having his students write sentences using

terms correctly.

“I’ve heard really good things and it sounded fun,” senior Alexa Mealy said. “I had talked to Mr. Riffer about it, too, and he made it sound good.”

Mealy said her favorite aspect of the class is that everyone is entitled to their own opinion and no one is ever wrong.

“A lot of people like the class, and people really participate,” Mealy said. “Everyone feels comfortable expressing their opinions in class.”

Junior Joe Rolleston said he appreciates how the class is graded because students are judged on learning and comprehension. ”The goal is just to absorb what he puts out,” Rolleston said. “Other classes give us work — here it’s more like the real world.”

Even though philosophy students don’t receive much homework, Riffer said he hopes he prompts them to think about the topics even after class ends.

“I’ve heard from parents that my class sparks great dinner conversations,” Riffer said. “That’s what I like to hear.”

Riffer said he sees two main reactions from his students when they find out there aren’t always correct answers in his class. He said either there is a positive response or they see it as an excuse to take a vacation from thinking. Eventually, he said, they catch on.

“There’s a huge breakdown of different kids,” Riffer said. “There are the traditional good students, and then there’s the stragglers who don’t do as well in school.

They both really enjoy the questions and the two groups working together is neat.”

Lecturing in his fifth hour class, Chris Riffer discusses the theory of evolution.

Riffer began teaching the philosophy class 10 years ago when it was handed down to him by the previous debate and philosophy teacher. Photo by Courtney Woodworth.

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centerstage

Warming trend With winter coming to a close and Spring Break right around the corner, it’s time to consider new trends for the coming season.

Say goodbye to winter and hello to spring. By Evelyn Davis.

Say goodbye to: Uggs Say hello to: Rain boots

Put away the furry boots (which, let’s be real, were done four years ago) and pull out the rubber rain boots.

From red to green to floral, rain boots will take the school by storm this season.

Or, at least I hope so. This new shoe fashion statement will also keep you dry from all of April’s showers.

If you don’t know how to rock the rain boots, try them with cuffed jeans or leggings.

Say goodbye to: Plaid Say hello to: Gingham Plaid is fun, it really is. But, it just screams ski lodge and cold winter days. Gingham, on the other hand, is spring.

For all of you out there who don’t know what gingham looks like, think checker board or picnic tablecloth.

With clean lines and fresh colors, gingham is definitely the way to go. Be careful when selecting your gingham.

If you wear gingham with too many colors, or contrasting colors, the result will not be pretty.

I envision a blue and white gingham long-sleeve button down with the sleeves sloppily rolled up — the epitome of a spring look.

Say goodbye to: Cool Say hello to: Warm

More than just the temperature is changing this season — the color palette will also follow the warming trend. Colors such as coral, yellow, and a variety of reds will grace fashion this season. Personally, I find this tragic.

These colors are fun, but not exactly wearable. The idea of looking like a banana or orange isn’t all that appealing to me.

If you feel like I do, give the warm brights a shot with an accessory, such as a purse or pair of shoes. Try these colors and feel like the sun this season.

Say goodbye to: Layers Say hello to: Minimalist

With winter comes lots of layers — the tank top under the T-shirt covered with the bulky sweater. However, this spring, less is more. Obviously, this could be misinterpreted. Minimalist refers to a simpler way of dressing, not less clothing. Instead of layering eight shirts to create a “look,” pare it down to one. It’s time to go back to the basics. For once, being called “plain” is good.

Give this look a shot by wearing a loose, neutral-colored shirt paired with a bright pair of shorts.

Expires 4/30/11

Expires 4/30/11

Expires 4/30/11

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tigerturf

Shot put, discus thrower aspires to compete at Olympic level anniematheis news editor Senior Mizani Hobson prepares the same way every track meet.

She arrives about an hour and a half before the meet.

She relaxes a little and lays out in the sun.

She studies the throwing ring and stretches before warming up.

Hobson then approaches the ring to participate in the sports she loves — discus and shot put.

She plans to continue track throughout college.

Hobson started competing in track in seventh grade at Prairie Star Middle School.

She joined the team just for fun.

“I realized I was actually good at it, so I started to take it seriously,” Hobson said.

Many different colleges have looked at adding Hobson to their track team, including Emporia State University, Pittsburg State University, University of Central Missouri, Northwest Missouri State University, Drake University and Virginia State University.

Hobson said Virginia State offered her a part academic, part athletic scholarship, and her heart is set on attending school there.

She said she wants to continue to be involved in track through college to give her something to do other than just attend classes. She also has goals of competing in the Olympic trials.

“If I go to the Olympic trials, I hope I make it to the Olympics and qualify in around the top four,” she said. “It would be a great experience. Even making it to the Olympic trials and getting that opportunity would be great. But I want the outcome to be for me to compete in the Olympics.”

To qualify for the Olympic trials, Hobson plans to compete in national meets.

Along with shot put and discus, Hobson will add the weight throw and the hammer throw events in college.

Hobson said she enjoys the aspect of competing on her own in track.

“I can’t blame anyone else or anything else for me not performing as well as I should have,” she said.

Senior Mizani Hobson is ready to take her sports, shot put and discus, to the next level. Hobson plans to compete in weight throw and hammer throw in college, but she has not yet decided where she is going to school. Photo by Olivia Roudebush.

Girls track coach Paul Brown said Hobson contributes a lot of talent to the team.

He said Hobson’s love of the sport makes her a key athlete. “[Track] has been her first thing,” he said. “Her motivation to be really good is a good thing, and I think when you have people that are like that, it helps carry over to other kids to learn how to drive and really push themselves to excel at what they do.”

During the off-season, Hobson continues to refine her ability by lifting weights and working out.

“I love the fact that I keep improving,” Hobson said. “I think I have a lot of room to improve. But as far as where I am right now, I am at a really good spot for my age. I am just looking forward to what more I can do with the next level of

help.”

Brown said to play a sport in college, an athlete must be willing to give a much greater time commitment.

“If you are a college-level athlete, it is pretty much a yearround deal,” he said. “It is not like you just go out there and throw.”

Hobson holds the record for the second best discus throw in school history.

Brown said she has a very good chance of breaking the record this year.

Hobson said her goal for the upcoming spring season is to go undefeated in her throws.

“That is not very likely, just because everybody has their days,” she said. “But my goal is to win every meet in at least one event, including State.”

Sports In Brief Boys Basketball

Girls Basketball

Boys Swim and Dive

Wrestling

Record: 7 - 14 Previous Action: 3/3 @ Harmon, L (67 - 55) Key Athletes: Seniors Hayden Murray and Paul DeBey

Previous Action: Won 5A State Championship Seniors Cameron Gallet, Nick Sobczynski, Matt Olsen and Adam Chinery, junior Austin Averkamp and sophomores Chris Hearl and Vaughn Ericson won events

Record: 14 - 7 Previous Action: 3/2 vs. Pittsburg, W (53 - 22), 3/4 vs. BV Southwest (results unavailable at press time) Key Athletes: Seniors Aerial Smith, Taylor Popp and Emily Ball Upcoming Action: Playoffs

Previous Action: 5A State tournament Senior Tyler Hendrickson third place, senior Jon Hayward sixth place

MARCH 2011 1 5

incolor

Developing their skills

Sophomore Gracie Gallagher works with her camera and film.

Photo I students use film cameras to complete various projects that accompany learning in the darkroom.

Photo I students refine skills to produce quality artwork (Right) Swirling her canister, junior Bekah Nyman develops her roll of film.

After pictures are taken, the film is rolled on a reel and put in a container.

It is then filled with chemicals and mixed up, which is what causes the film to develop. “It’s really fun,” Nyman said. “It actually makes me like nondigital cameras better.”

(Below) Michael Johnston’s sixth hour Photo I students work on their projects. Students rolled film in dark, light-safe bags so the film wouldn’t be ruined by light.

Visit bvtigernews.com for more photographs of the Photo I class as well as other BV art classes.

1 6 MARCH 2011

Photo teacher Michael Johnston demonstrates to junior Lauren Doolittle how to avoid crinkling her film when rolling it for development. Doolittle said she likes having Johnston as a teacher. “He’s a fantastic person and he’s always willing to help me when I need it because I go at a slower pace than other people in the class on assignments,” she said. “He really knows his stuff.” Photos by Maegan Kabel.