The Tiger Print — November 2005

Nov. 4, 2005 Vol. 35 Issue 3

tiger print

BV Bands Local bands make big impression. See more on page 10.

Blue Valley High School

Avian flu poses threat

Ready to rumble...

At the BV vs. BV West game last Friday, students arrived hours in advance to tailgate and show their support.

Analysts believe Avian flu could become the next big pandemic ellen thomas

opinions editor

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emily kuykendall

Sophomore William Steinwart throws a football in the parking lot before the West game on Oct. 28.

Middle: BV students tailgate by their trucks. Top right: Junior Nathaniel Chastain hangs the effigy of a Jaguar. The Tigers defeated West in a 41-13 victory.

For more on sports, see pages 12-15.

Tiger Fest finds warm welcome Over $100,000 donated for silent auction to help keep activities, sports jessica katzenstein news editor

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condo in Maui. A Chiefs’ football signed by Dante Hall. Four tickets, backstage passes and plane tickets to According to Jim. All are up for auction at Blue Valley’s first annual Tiger Fest, Nov. 19 at 5-9 p.m. in the gym and the commons.

Tiger Fest is a fund-raising activity for 30 participating BV clubs and sports. Parents and students in each activity solicited donations from businesses. The 900 donations — from 521 donors, 316 of which are businesses — will be auctioned off for profit.

Five percent of each activity’s proceeds go to the ParentTeacher Organization for next year’s Tiger Fest.

Donated items range in market value from $8 to $2000 and have a collective market

value of over $110,000.

Bidder registration for the event is $7 in advance and $8 at the door. Only people over age 21 may participate in the auction.

“Kids are definitely invited, though,” Tiger Fest chairperson Lynn Brown said. “They can come to dinner, walk around the gym and see the items.”

The marching band, orchestra and choir will play all night; Jose Pepper’s and Cactus Grill will contribute dinner, which is covered by the entrance fee. The Future Business Leaders of America Club will provide a coffee bar.

Foreign language students will provide desserts.

As of Oct. 26, nearly 200 bidders had registered.

“We’re really excited,” Brown said. “This is big.”

Almost 30 parents helped organize Tiger Fest.

andrew robinson Freshman Alex Robinson prepares a basket for Tiger Fest as part of the marching band. Each section of the band was required to put together a basket to donate for Tiger Fest.

aking up in the morning, he feels tired. Everything aches. His nose is running, and he just keeps on coughing. Just thinking about getting out of bed makes him nauseous. His parents come in and notice that he has a very high fever. They immediately rush him to the hospital. Doctors discover that he has Avian flu.

In a press conference on Tueday, President George Bush proposed a $7.1 billion plan to help prevent the Avian flu. The money will go to increase vaccine production and research new vaccination methods. Bush also stressed detection as the first defense to prevent the flu.

While only a few human-to-human transmissions have been reported, the threat of a worldwide outbreak is real.

All over Asia and now in Europe, the Avian flu has been causing bird farmers and other humans in contact with the infected birds to get sick with the potentially deadly disease. So far, 61 people have died in Asia from Avian flu since 2003. “[The Avian flu] is a strain of the flu that’s been seen mostly in Asia,” school nurse Barb Cecil said. “They expect it to be deadly, but right now all the cases have been from “This strain of Avian flu contact with the animals,” People who get the can kill quickly and jump flu have severe flu-like from birds to humans.” symptoms, simliar to a person with influenza, only worse, according to Cecil. Symptoms usually include cough, fever, sore throat and aches. Sometimes a patient can have eye infections or pneumonia as well.

What also makes this disease so frightening to health workers, besides the threat of a pandemic, is the prevention methods. The vaccine is not widely available to those infected with the virus due to the lack of production.

“They have a vaccine, but they are having a hard time mass producing it and getting it out to the public,” biology teacher Larry Hare said.

This strain of the Avian flu can kill quickly and jump from birds to humans. So far, only a few cases of the bird flu have been reported where the victim has caught it from another human.

Every so many years, the world experiences a worldwide outbreak of a disease that can kill millions. The world has not experienced a pandemic for over 50 years, causing various health experts from the United Nations, the European Union, the World Health Organization and various other health organizations around the world to worry about the outbreak that will happen in the future.

The Spanish flu of 1918, the last major pandemic, killed between 50 to 100 million people. Nearly everyone on earth was exposed, and half got sick with the flu. It is suspected that a strain of bird flu started the outbreak. A United Nations health official said that a flu pandemic now could kill five to 150 million people.

“President Bush has a committee and some pharmaceutical companies increasing the production of the vaccines to be ready,” Hare said. “They are also trying to make people aware that it can be transferred from bird to human.”

If there were to be an outbreak in the school district, the state would be responsible for vaccinating the population and taking other precautions. “[The state] would be looking more for the very old and the very young for vaccinations,” Cecil said. “Hopefully, a teenager would be able to fight it and be okay.”

2 news

November 4, 2005

Get ‘Tartuffified’

Fall play kicks off next week sara ster

AP Scholars announced

staff reporter

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he actors in Tartuffe will be hitting the stage Nov. 10-12. Directed by Dan Schmidt, Tartuffe is a play about a conman who pretends to be religious in order to freeload and steal money from a family. Everyone sees through him except the father (Orgon) and the grandmother (Madame Pernelle), who refuse to acknowledge the truth.

“A show like this is so different from what we ared used to,” senior Tosin Morohunfola said.

Tartuffe is played by Morohunfola, Orgon by senior Landon Boyter, Darine by sophomore Maggie Haren and Elmire by sophomore Stefanie Wienecke.

“I always choose something that ties into the curriculum,” Schmidt said.

The AP CA IV classes recently read Tartuffe, by French author Moliêre, in class. AP French IV will study the French version of Tartuffe soon.

Tartuffe reflects the message that people are not what they seem and is designed to be funny.

“I want people to laugh,” Morohunfola said.

Schmidt made the script memorization deadline early so the show and the

The College Board announced its AP Scholars recently.

Recent graduate Kristen Trum is the only National AP Scholar from Blue Valley. She received an average grade of at least a four on a fivepoint scale on all AP exams taken and grades of four or higher on eight or more exams.

AP Scholars with Distinction received grades of at least 3.5 on all exams taken and grades of three or higher on five or more exams. Current BV students who received the award are Christine Hansen, Zhitao Luo, Timi Okah and Steven Wallace.

AP Scholars with Honor received an average grade of at least 3.25 on all exams taken and grades of three or higher on four or more exams.

Recipients are Greg Allen, Brett Bolton, Jennifer Eliason, Regan Gangel, Ayushi Gupta, Jessica Katzenstein, Eric Min, Clint Sbisa, Ian Smith, Angela Solomon and Tony Tonev.

AP Scholars received grades of three or higher on three or more exams.

Recipients are Hoyt Banks, Sam Barton, Kristen Burchett, Kyle Combes, Paul Conrad, Christina Dickerson, Nick Goedken, Mark Gruber, Andrea Hiesberger, Philip Jennings, Adam Lary, John Liu, Schaeffer Nelson, Thomas Peterman, JP Prouty, Michael Rollins and Kelly Schute. emily kuykendall Senior Brett Bolton and Maggie Haren practice after school. Bolton plays Cléante, the voice of reason. blocking can be as good as possible. “[Schmidt] wants to go to state,” Morohunfola said.

“I always have a feeling about shows,” Schmidt said. “Other students in the state should see this show.”

Band heads to Atlanta for BOA Super Regional Championships frank lasley

co-sports editor

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lated to perform against nearly 50 other bands this weekend, the Stridin’ Tiger Marching Band is heading to Atlanta, Ga. for the Bands of America Super Regional. The band loaded up the buses at 5:30 yesterday morning to leave on its 15-hour bus ride.

The Stridin’ Tigers are performing tonight in the preliminary competition in the Georgia Dome in front of about 5,000 people.

“It’s really awesome if you think about how few people get to walk on the actual fields in these stadiums. It’s awesome performing in the stadiums for thousands of fans. It’s a one-of-akind experience,” junior Jason Hisle said.

The band has performed in multiple competitions this school year, but this one is by far the largest. The

Speaking Briefly

approximately 100-member band will be competing against bands with up to 300 students.

“It’s very hard to go against some of these schools that only march juniors and seniors and still have more than 250 people in their band when we have four grades and only just over 100 in our band,” senior Whitney Hunt said.

This past weekend, the band performed at the Blue Valley Northwest Husky Invitational. The band placed fourth out of the 11 bands at the competition.

The Husky Invitational was one of the many competitions the band has performed in this season.

At Blue Springs on Oct. 1, the band placed third out of 20 bands. The following weekend, the band went to Union, Okla., one of its larger competitions of the season.

On Oct. 15, the band went to Missouri State University for the Ozarko Marching Festival. The band placed seventh out of 40 bands.

Wireless lab up for grabs in Dell/ Microsoft-sponsored contest Blue Valley is currently competing in a contest sponsored by Microsoft and Dell for a wireless computer lab. The lab is valued at over $10,000 and includes six laptops, a printer and other accessories. The school that receives the most votes on the sponsoring company’s site, www.futureready.org, wins the contest.

Voters go to the website, find their school and vote. The company receives the votes and adds them to the school’s total. The voting measures how many people logged on to the website and voted for that particular school. The top five schools with the most votes by midnight Nov. 14 win the computer labs.

Six thousand schools in the nation are competing for votes. All the Blue Valley high schools are registered except Blue Valley Northwest. The other Blue Valley schools that were registered had about 10 votes each about halfway through the competition.

According to the website, Blue Valley had more than 10,000 votes about halfway through the contest, but was not close to the top school, which had over 200,000 votes about halfway through.

Coat and canned food drives aid needy

October was a month of giving at BV. KAY Club had its annual coat drive, raising over 100 coats for the City Union Mission in Kansas City, Mo. The coat drive was a class competition, and the junior class placed first. The seniors finished second, sophomores third and freshmen fourth.

Also in the last month, Student Council had its annual canned food drive, a competition with Blue Valley West. Stuco collected 1,878 cans for Harvesters but finished second to West, which collected over 6,000 cans.

Blood drive collects 75 pints of blood

BV held its bi-annual blood drive, organized by senior Maleeha Iqbal and the blood drive committee, on Oct. 31. Teacher Mark Mosier sponsored the event. Students, teachers, parents and members of the community donated blood--91 people in all. The blood drive was held in the auxiliary gym and lasted the entire school day.

Debate squad continues to dominate

The BV debate squad continued its season of wins at Blue Valley Northwest on Oct. 21 and 22.

Seniors Greg Allen and Eric Min took second place, and juniors Anthony Schultz and Anthony Bertolone took fourth. BV took first place in sweepstakes.

The team traveled to Piper on Oct. 15. Senior Brett Bolton and junior Austin Quarles took first, and Schultz and Bertolone took third.

At Blue Valley West on Oct. 7 and 8, seniors Sam Barton and Hoyt Banks placed first, and seniors Sarah Geoffrion and Ian Smith took third.

At Olathe North on Oct. 7 and 8, sophomores Andy Irwin and Stacy Carabello took first, and sophomores Megan Ritter and Andy Beye took second.

New Starbucks opens

Coffee-lovers, rejoice: a new Starbucks has opened on 151st Street, across from Price Chopper. Customers may walk in and order or use the drivethrough. Tables on the patio provide a relaxing spot to get a caffeine fix.

opinions 3

November 4, 2005

Staff Editorial

“Rob”bed

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Without Testing, Seniors Have Another Reason to Celebrate MAP tests provide learning opportunity for freshmen, sophomores

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n behalf of all current and future seniors at all the Blue Valley schools, I would like to say thank you. Thank you to all the men and women at district office whose decision it was to drop the Iowa Test of Educational Development (ITED) from the testing schedule Oct. 13-14. Because of their decision, seniors across the district received two days of relaxing class time while freshman, sophomores and juniors sat for hours of grueling tests.

According to counselor Sandy Fryer, we had on outdated version of the ITED. Buying the new tests would be very expensive for the district.

The decision was made at district office last spring.

At least for now, seniors no longer need to take any national assessments. According to Fryer, the district realized that the seniors were already bogged down with tests like the ACT and SAT. The district considered this in their decision to drop the ITED. At the same time, the district decided to start administering the Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) test for freshmen and sophomores (seniors, we are still okay). The MAP test is taken on the computer and adapts to each student. If a student gets

a question right, the questions get more difficult. If he gets it wrong, the questions get easier. Questions are given one at a time on the screen. For now, students are taking the math and reading sections of the test.

Assistant principal Tonya Merrigan says that the MAP provides better and more immediate feedback on each student. Less than an hour after taking the test, teachers can get on their computers and see graphs and tables of all MAP test results. The test is meant to be taken multiple times throughout the school year in order to measure the academic progress (hence the name) of each individual student. Ideally, scores should improve by the end of the year.

The district made the right decision. Why make seniors take a test that compares them to the rest of the country without benefiting education? We already take the ACT and SAT for a comparison.

And why did freshmen take a test that doesn’t help them learn? The MAP should give teachers a better opportunity to better educate their students.

With that being said, I have one last comment. Ha ha, underclassmen. Ha ha. One more reason to look forward to being a senior.

What would Goldilocks think?

Students are too cold in winter, too hot in the summer emily kuykendall staff reporter

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student wanders into his first hour. “This classroom is way too cold,” he murmurs to himself.

He asks to get a sweatshirt from his locker. Although he is still feeling the draft of the bleak classroom, he puts up with the cold.

With the sweatshirt still on, he is prepared to battle the chill of his next hour. He sits down, but this time, instead of getting random chills, he starts to feel sweat accumulating on his forehead.

“This classroom is way too hot,” he thinks. He throws the sweatshirt off and sits through another uncomfortable 50 minutes.

The student is determined that his next hour will be just right. But this version of Goldilocks has no such luck.

Which brings us to the question: What is with the classroom temperatures in this school?

“Some classes are so hot and some are really cold,” senior Keeley McVey said.

The temperatures in this school even affect the way students are choosing their wardrobes.

“In the winter, the school is always so hot, so you want to wear t-shirts and tank tops, but in the warmer weather they make the school so cold that you just want to wear sweatshirts. They just need to balance the temperatures out.”

According to Principal Scott

Bacon, it’s not the school that controls the temperatures.

“We have no local control over the temperature settings. It’s actually the maintenance department that sets those temperatures.”

So what happens when the temperature is at an extreme and we can’t change it?

“If it’s too hot or too cold, we’ll call and ask them to adjust those units,” Bacon said.

It seems like it would be a negative to have no direct control over the school, but according to Bacon, it saves a lot of money in the long run.

It’s safe to say that Goldilocks had better be prepared for the rest of school year with sweatshirts in case the temperature never evens out to be “just right.”

andrew robinson

editor-in-chief

A Barbie girl in the real world

ccording to USAtoday. com, toy company Mattel along with highend designers are working to create a line of clothing. This line for teenage girls up to 30 year olds is based off the American classic, Barbie.

What?

Yes, that’s right, Mattel, whose Barbie sales have been down in recent years, hopes that the 18-34 crowd will wear what Barbie is wearing, then the little girls (at what age do you stop playing with Barbies) will begin to look up to the older women and buy Barbie dolls. This seems like a marketing scheme that could only work in America. According to the USAtoday. com article, little girls are looking to the 20-somethings as inspiration and Barbie as aspiration.

I’d look at neither.

So now in a society where we are taught to be different from each other and to have our own style, one of America’s toy tycoons has decided that female Americans should be a part of the Ayrian society, have a perfect bust, perfect hips, and other perfect features. The person they get these features from is not Cindy Crawford, Molly Sims or Penelope Cruz; rather she is a plastic figurine that comes in box with the accessories sold separately.

Barbie is an American staple, and that is where she should stay; the foot-tall hottie has no business in the real fashion world.

Girls play pretend with her, to dress like her should stay a fantasy and should not be a marketing scheme.

Not only does Barbie wear nice clothes, but she lives in a dollhouse According to the and this USAtoday.com arbrings up another ticle, little girls are topic. Will looking to the 20females start building their somethings as inspihouses like ration and Barbie as dollhouses, aspiration. with tea parties set for when the girls come over? The fact that some people had the idea to start marketing a fictional character’s closet to American women is absurd, yet absolutely American.

Has anyone looked at Barbie’s morals lately? At one point a few years ago she had a child without being married. This adds more to the fire; we’re now teaching girls they have to be size 2s, have blonde hair, a perfect body in a world where eating disorders haunt school cafeterias, and we’re teaching them that it is okay to have children without being married. Yep, this is just who I would want my daughter looking up to.

They say sex sells, but sex appeal from a doll? Now you’re stretching it. Let Barbie be Barbie, and women be women, because if this whole plan somehow works and Barbie starts getting purchased because women are wearing her wardrobe, then I can only look forward to when men will be expected to dress like Ken.

R 4 opinions

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aise

your VOICE

November 4, 2005

What are you thankful for?

Compiled by Lindsey Hanson

“Food, friends and family.” - freshman Corey Britain

“Friends, family and cheese.”

- senior Brad Harris

“Food, friends” junior Whitney Coulas

“Ford trucks”sophomore Justin Brady

The Nation Around Us

Recent government nominees lack necessary experience

Racist remark reflects speaker, not targeted race matt galloway

entertainment editor

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do know that it’s true that if you wanted to reduce bad driving... you could abort every Johnson County baby in this state, and your auto accident rate would go down.

Feel persecuted yet? Perhaps that is the same emotion countless African-Americans felt after a statement from radio host and former Reagan administration Secretary of Education Bill Bennett on his radio show, Bill Bennett’s Morning in America.

“I do know that it’s true that if you wanted to reduce crime,” Bennett said. “You could, if that were your sole purpose, you could abort every black baby in this country, and your crime rate would go down.”

This ridiculous statement is not only a racially motivated slur, but it also shows Bill Bennett’s ignorance. Bennett can claim he is backed up by every statistic in the book, but at the end of the day, he used a poor example

the staff

that was ignorant, insensitive or racist.

Bennett’s profiling of every single African American baby as a likely crime committer should have been applied to poverty rather than race. Four out of the top 10 crime states in America are also in the top 10 in total poverty percentage (huppi.com).

Unfortunately, the majority of those in poverty are minorities. According to a 2003 survey by the Census Bureau, 55.1 percent of the American citizens in poverty are ethnic minorities.

The stereotypes Bennett expressed on his show provide more roadblocks for the civil rights movement before getting equality in both law and perception. These statements alone are not enough to convict Bennett as a racist, but the ignorant philosophy he holds does expose the bubble he is living in.

One would assume Bennett wouldn’t enjoy it very much if the tables were turned.

If Bill Bennett had been aborted, the world would have one less loud mouth political pundit.

tiger 2005-06 print

Blue Valley High School

Managing Editors: Adam Lary Andrew Robinson News Editor: Jessica Katzenstein Opinions Editor: Ellen Thomas Features Editor: Andrew Robinson

Staff Writers: Entertainment Editor: Colin Brown Matt Galloway Nina Humphrey Sports Editors: Matt Killen Hank Driskell Griffin Page Frank Lasley Sara Ster Brooke Thurman Photo Editor: Sarah Weaver Emily Kuykendall Emily Kuykendall Artist: Garrett Griffin Photographers: Adviser: Lindsey Hanson Susan Agee Autumn Fuller

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

jessica katzenstein news editor

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n alarming recent trend in government has unqualified people being appointed to government leadership positions, which could be harmful for the country and harmful for us.

President George W. Bush recently nominated Harriet Miers for Sandra Day O’Connor’s Supreme Court position. Miers, who withdrew her nomination last week, worked as a lawyer for major corporations and as counsel for Bush before her nomination; she has never been a judge.

Twenty previous Supreme Court justices never served as judges before being appointed, so Miers’s situation has many precedents.

However, just because other justices succeeded in overcoming this obstacle doesn’t mean that Miers would have.

Take former Federal Emergency Management Agency director Michael Brown as another example. He also lacked qualifications before being nominated by Bush.

Brown oversaw state fiscal issues, practiced law, taught at a law school and ran for office before becoming involved in the International Arabian Horse Association from 1989-2001.

He was hired by longtime friend and then-FEMA director Joe Allbaugh in 2001 and appointed director in 2003. Controversy surrounding recent Hurricane Katrina forced Brown to resign.

He has also been accused of falsifying his resume.

Disturbingly, on Oct. 11 the Kansas State Board of Education elected Bob Corkins, a man with no educational experience, as

education commissioner. Corkins is a lawyer and a lobbyist. Even worse, as the director of two research organizations, he voted against increased school funding.

Corkins is the first person in 80 years to become Kansas’s education commissioner without previous educational experience.

The last person was Lorraine Elizabeth Wooster, who served 1919-1923.

Why are inexperienced people being given positions that demand experience?

A new court justice who has been a judge before being elected would naturally have a shorter learning curve and would be more experienced and sure of herself in court.

A new education commissioner who has actually had anything to do with education besides opposing it before might have an inkling of what teachers and students experience when schools are short of funds.

At least in Miers’s case, Bush likely selected her because she was “out of nowhere”— her background was difficult to trace and her closet was not littered with skeletons from her experience as a justice. This helps forestall criticism from Democrats and others who disapprove of Bush’s pick, though it angered his supporters too, probably leading to her resignation.

Corkins is also out of nowhere, and his lack of experience and seemingly anti-education leanings could negatively affect us all for years to come.

Patronage has always existed, but now it has invaded influential avenues of government. Either leadership unknowingly appoints wrong people, or they hope to undermine the organizations they are designated to lead.

opinions 5

November 4, 2005

Life in the Check Lane

garrett griffin

Don’t hang up Christmas lights before Thanksgiving Pre-Halloween decorations are annoying, too griffin page

staff reporter

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here is no better way to get in the Christmas mood than by driving through neighborhoods looking at Christmas lights. The only problem is when these lights adorn these places in the middle of October.

“My neighbors already have Christmas lights up on their porch. It’s stupid-way too early,” sophomore Wes Kuykendall said.

Why do people put Christmas decorations up so early? We have one more holiday to celebrate before we should even begin thinking about Christmas (for those of you who don’t know, that holiday is Thanksgiving). Putting up Christmas lights in October is like proposing after three dates; it is way too early.

“People should wait until the first of December to hang up lights,” sophomore Mollie Wallace said.

A person does not want to be trick-or-treating and suddenly stumble into a yard that is lit up like New York City. How is that going to affect one’s mischiefmaking mood? And who can lie down to fall asleep after a big Thanksgiving

meal when outside it looks like the Land of the Midnight Sun? “People should decorate for the holiday that is coming up next, not one that is two months away,” sophomore Travis Brockmeyer said.

Hanging up Christmas lights two months early has many downfalls. Lights waste electricity and annoy the neighbors. It is not just the people that hang them up early that bother people, though; what about the people that leave them up all the time?

“People are just lazy if they leave their lights up year-round,” sophomore Devin Nutt said. Wouldn’t it make more sense to wait a month and then hang up lights with everyone else?

People must also consider their neighbors of other religious beliefs when hanging up lights. How do they feel when Christmas lights are shining like the sun in the middle of autumn?

“You don’t see us putting menorahs up three months early,” sophomore Michael Rawitch said. “It’s ridiculous.”

Now we know that American citizens are guaranteed the freedom of expression, but please, people, until after Thanksgiving anyway, just turn your lights off.

The staff appreciates everything from beef jerky to The O.C. this holiday season

I am thankful for...

“College applications that don’t require an essay.”

--Adam Lary

“Being a senior, finally.”

--Emily Kuykendall

“All the important things in life: my health, my family, my friends, food, fireplaces, dogs and hot chocolate.”

--Hank Driskell

“Family, friends and air conditioners in the winter.”

--Ellen Thomas

“My family, my friends and my health. And beef jerky. Especially beef jerky.”

--Matt Galloway

“The people that share this amazing life with me.”

--Autumn Fuller

“Food, sugar, family, the original Nintendo entertainment system and Sundays where I can sit and do nothing.”

--Colin Brown

“Fast food, iPods and ESPN.” --Andrew Robinson

“Tall ceilings.”

--Matt Killen

“Sweaters, chocolate, independent films and my loving mother.”

--Nina Humphrey

“Late nights with my newspaper staff.”

--adviser Susan Agee

“Country music.”

--Garrett Griffin

“My friends and The O.C.” --Brooke Thurman

“Everything going right in my life.”

--Sarah Weaver

“My friends, my family, Jack Johnson and not having to make up snow days.”

--Jessica Katzenstein

“Anchorman.”

--Griffin Page

“Friends, family and food.”

--Lindsey Hanson

“Passing period, root beer, people who say thank you, Jon Stewart, 311...and I guess friends and family.”

--Frank Lasley

“People that love me! And the 49ers.”

--Sara Ster

6 features

Thanksgiving Torture

Sleep deprivation affects students’ performance

sarah weaver

brooke thurman

For one BVHS student, Thanksgiving is time for food, fun, horde of annoying relatives

was doing that annoying chuckle that nearly shakes the house. My grandma had about 80 things going on in the kitchen. My aunt and hanksgiving is the one time of the year her family were already an hour and a half when we are able to visit with relatives. late, and I was starving.

I don’t see why Thanksgiving is the holiday Oh, and we get out of school. This is the time of year when we reflect on what we are where all we want to do is eat, and most of the time is spent waiting to eat. thankful for.

Finally, the last relatives show up, and it is Well, I am thankful for Thanksgiving only being one day. I know it is a shock because for time to dine. I was the first one into the kitchen, some this is a joyous holiday full of family and but who was sent to the back of line? Me. Once everyone was seated, the real fun fun, but not for all.

One year on that fateful November day, began. A murmur traveled through the room my family and I piled into the family car for among the table. Where was my uncle? Passed a three hour trip to a nowhere town in Iowa out on the couch. Nothing like family, right? to visit my relatives. Driving for three hours Nothing like a drunken uncle, who was unable with my family couldn’t have been worse. to actually eat the one meal that the family is My mom played an audiotape from a book supposed to eat together.

The meal was delicious. I could not have asked she couldn’t bring herself to finish. I managed to fall asleep amid the annoying audiotape in for any thing better. The turkey was cooked to perfection. The ham was just the background plus my brother’s snoring.

“My grandma stomped as good as I had hoped. The mashed potatoes were mashed I arrived at my grandparent’s house three out of the dining room and had wonderful gravy atop them. The meal was worth the hours later with a sore through the kitchen.” wait, but what was to come neck and my brother’s feet was less than enjoyable. in my face.

The aftermath of the Thanksgiving meal The first 20 minutes with the grandparents seemed to be enjoyable. Sharing stories, was setting in. My stomach was full to the laughing at stupid jokes and reminiscing rim. I was stuck to the chair because if I were about the “good times” were entertaining for to move, I might literally explode (or so I a while, but it got old. I knew that my cousins thought). I was forced to listen to my family were not going to show up any time soon, bicker. My youngest aunt mentioned her so I searched through the pile of videotapes new boyfriend, which we all knew upset my collected in a basket next to the TV. My uncle grandma. As their voices rose, so did my uncle from the couch, where he had laid motionless was already drinking at the table.

All I wanted to do was to try my best to fall for the past hour. My aunt ended the yelling asleep. I woke up about hour later to faint with a final statement. My grandma stomped laughter from the next room. My mom was out of the dining room through the kitchen, laughing with my grandma in the kitchen. down the hall and into her bedroom. She I could smell the wonderful aroma of the stayed there until my aunt left an hour later.

As I sat with my relatives, I thought to myself: smoked ham straight from the oven. The ham was always my favorite. I snuck into As much as I love my family, “Would I be with the kitchen to snag a piece. It was only noon, these people if I were not related?” I didn’t and my uncle was already drunk. My mom know the answer, and I’m afraid to find out.

staff reporter

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staff reporter leep. One of the many things teenagers lack today. Lack of sleep is something that people in all age ranges suffer from. Some people have reasons for not sleeping, such as sleeping disorders. Other people have lesser reasons like homework.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, many teens want to stay up late at night and then wake up late in the morning. The early start time for school the next morning interferes with this tendency.

Problems such as dozing off in class become a major issue.

In this stage of life, there is a delay in the timing of the body’s own clock which regulates when someone is tired. This causes teens not to be tired until 11 p.m. or later.

It also takes teens longer to transition to a sleep cycle.

The hardest time on a teen is the transition from a summer schedule to a school schedule.

The typical schedule that most teens follow during the summer is more ideal to the body’s clock. However, when school starts everyone has to find a sleep schedule suitable for them.

“If you don’t sleep at all it’s not too bad at school,” sophomore Kelly Cosby said.

“It’s worse if you get like three hours of sleep.”

The recommended amount of

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photo illustration by emily kuykendall

November 4, 2005

sleep for adolescents is eight to nine hours. However, most teens hit well below that mark.

“I usually get six hours of sleep,” Cosby said. “That is on a good night.”

Another thing that can deprive students of sleep is caffeine. After a certain point in the day, the caffeine starts to interfere with sleep at night.

“Mostly after four is when it will affect you,” nurse Barb Cecil said.

Cecil recommends a few things in order to keep students awake in class. “[I would recommend] going to sleep between 10 and 11, eating a balanced diet and doing occasional exercising,” Cecil said.

There are a lot of medical effects of getting no sleep.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, sleep deprivation can cause extreme moodiness, poor school performance and depression.

Cosby has many alternatives to sleeping.

“I procrastinate [on homework] sometimes and do it at night,” Cosby said.

With the winter coming and the days shortening there is less time to be spent outdoors and more reason to sit inside by a warm fire. Now is the time to catch up on sleep and spend a few extra hours drifting into dreamland.

jeans features 7

November 4, 2005

s t o ne wa sh e d (adj.)

Jeans keep up with times, changing styles, fits

andrew robinson

O editor-in-chief

riginally created for miners during the gold rush in California as a rugged, durable material denim has grown to be a staple of fashion.

Always in style, but the styles have changed, Denim went from being baggy and dark to lightly washed and tighter for both males and

females alike.

Senior Heather Piernick is a denim enthusiast who owns about 10 pairs of jeans, as well as few denim skirts and a denim jacket. “[Jeans] are really comfortable and they go with everything,” Piernick said.

This season jeans are coming in a wide array of cuts and washes. American Eagle currently offers 15 different styles for girls and 14 for boys. Hollister Co. offers 11 styles for boys and 19 styles for girls. Piernick does prefer her jeans a certain way though.

“They have to be stretch, low-rise and kind of faded,” Piernick said.

It used to be that moms would have to sew up holes in jeans created at recess during elementary school. Now it seems there are more and more pairs that offer holes in them right off the shelves.

Jeans take an even more worn look this season with dark and light washes, sandblasted thighs and even paint splotches on certain pairs. This fall and winter are sure to be a turning point in jean history as they continue to hug both sexes’ thighs and show more aging with each season.

Denim has also crossed over into the charitable arena on Oct. 7 Lee jeans teamed up with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer foundation as selected business and organizations offered their employess a day to slip into their favorite pair of jeans for a $5 donation to the Komen Foundation. Since 1996 the yearly event has been held and has raised over $52 Million.

As the years and seasons change, denim and jeans continue to keep up with the times fluctuating with the styles, needs and wants of the consumer. Whether it’s stonewashed, sandwashed, light, dark, tight, or baggy, denim always fits a style.

checks Welch y l r a C equipSenior from some fields, w the vie the practice ir of n pa ment o modeling a jeans. e l i h w

ion llustrat Photo I erth W

by Will

8 in-depth

November 4, 2005

in-depth 9

November 4, 2005

cancer

death

OBSTACLES injuries

drugs

Rehab helps students get through drugs, injuries matt killen

schedule, I’ll send them somewhere else,” Chonko said.

One of the most common forms of treatment after a severe injury is physical rehabilitation. Thats exactly what senior Emma Rothbrust went through for the past six months.

Rothbrust was injured in a car accident last November, when a Grandview police car hit her and fellow senior Ashley Wanger. “ No doubt about it,” Rothbrust replied when asked if physical therapy has helped her recovery.

Rothbrust’s original therapy lasted for 30 minutes, three days a week. During physical therapy Rothbrust endured strenuous exercises, which include various stretches and squats with lightweights.

“They give you the level of intensity you can handle,” Rothbrust said.

Although, physical therapy doesn’t seem to interfere with Rothbrust’s social life, most of her appointments are late in the day.

“It’s only 30 minutes long; it’s not that big of a deal,” Rothbrust said.

The injuries Rothbrust sustained have limited her physical movements. As a result of the car accident, Rothbrust suffered a shattered pelvis, broken tibia and fibula, collapsed right lung, bruised liver, bruised heart, perforated diaphragm and hearing loss. She also endured a punctured bladder, uterus and ovary.

Rothbrust has trouble standing for long periods of time and is easily tired. She also has difficulty sitting cross-legged.

“Things won’t be the same,” Rothbrust said.

Rothbrust attends physical therapy at Menorah Medical Center.

Rothbrust isn’t the only student in rehab. Many Blue Valley students are sent to rehab after a sports -related injury. Some of the most recent people in sports rehab are Jay O’Dell and Ryan Heil.

Trainer Jenny Chonko estimates she sends 60 to 75 students a year to rehab. Some are even sent off campus to receive treatment.

“If I can’t give a kid my full attention because of my

Drug Rehab

staff reporter

Sophomore diagnosed with leukemia One month ago sophomore Lindsey Fitzgerald was diagnosed with cancer called Acute Lymphocycitc Leukemia, which is a common kind of leukemia. Fitzgearld was confronted with a few of the most common symptoms. Before she became aware that she was diagnosed she visited the doctor looking very pale, feeling tired and acting weak.

The scientific explanation for Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia is a change in the cells in the bone marrow. But in most cases, no one knows why this change occurs.

Meanwhile, the school is sending two teachers to help her with her homework while Fitzgerald is being treated in the hospital.

Students move on, past parent’s death griffin page

staff reporter

An intense workout aside, drug therapy carries its own burden.

After being turned in by a friend, one BV student was sent to drug rehab for abusing marijuana.

He attends a Chemical Dependency Program at Crittenton, a health facility located near Adventure Woods. The class is made up of minors who abused any type of drug.

This student has attended rehab for four months, which often consists of group therapy monitored by a psychiatrist. An average day at rehab consists of talking about what he did, and watching instructional videos on what not to do. This student, however, feels that his rehab isn’t effective. “ The consequences aren’t high, the only discipline comes from your parents,” he said.

He has faced consequences though; he originally couldn’t hang out with friends. But since being sent to rehab, he has gained back some responsibility. He has been given more social freedom. “ I’ve gained lots of trust back,” he said.

Elements of Therapy Physical therapy- Includes light lifting, motion exercises, and various stretching exercises, mainly waist and below Stretching (part of physical)- proprioceptive exercises (hard balance activities), balance, and motion exercises. (above waist) Occupation Therapy- teaching people how to use a crutch, how to walk again, etc.

Speech Therapy- Teaching people how to speak, making sure people can swallow, focuses primarily on mouth and respiratory system

W

lindsey hanson

nina humphrey

staff reporter

hat would it feel like to wake up one day and find out that one of the people you love the most was gone forever?

“I was shocked,” sophomore Cam McCallie said. “I didn’t believe it.”

Cam McCallie is one of a number of students that has lost a parent. McCallie lost his mother to cancer when he was six years old. He doesn’t have many direct memories of his mother, but feels that losing her has made him a stronger person.

“I’m not doing too bad,” McCallie said. “I’ve got friends, and I’m enjoying school and life and having her around would only make things better. So yeah, losing my mom I think has made me stronger.”

When a child suffers a loss it is never easy. It is especially hard on the student when that person is one of his or her parents. Losing a parent is one of the hardest things that a person has to face. It can be especially hard when it happens at such a young age.

“It is tough since it is very new to them,” counselor Sandy Fryer said.

One in 20 students will lose a parent by the time the student turns 18 according to the U.S Cenus Bureau in 1990. Besides having to deal with the loss itself, students may have to take on

new responsibilities such as cooking, cleaning or even a part-time job to help support the family.

But one of the hardest obstacles a student must endure is grief. Grief is a part of loss, and it has five main stages: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. There is no set formula to overcoming grief. It is different for every person.

“Someone may spend one minute in one stage, but then get stuck in another,” Fryer said.

Talking about a loss can be the hardest part. Some students choose to talk to his or her counselor, while others join a support group such as the Solace House. Other students talk to their friends and use them as a support group. Students also sometimes focus on school as a sort of control, since they can’t always control what is happening around them.

“I was part of a grief group in elementary school with other students, which helped,” McCallie said.

Losing a parent is something that nobody wants to think about. For some, however, it is an everyday reality. Some students learn sooner that others what curves life is going to throw them.

Losing a parent is always tough, but if one gets a good group of friends and family behind him, he can look ahead and be ready for whatever is next.

lindsey hanson Sophomore Jay O’Dell goes through rehabilitation after school for his knee.

O’Dell is a football player and has been rehabilitating much of the fall in hopes of returning to the football field after tearing his ACL.

Cancer, leukemia patients try to keep regular habits

Despite setbacks, West keeps a teen-age lifestyle, good spirit. nina humphrey

staff reporter

W

eekend plans may revolve around what time to meet at Jalapeños for chips, when you and the guys are getting together to shoot some hoops, what shows to see at AMC 20, or when you’re going to get your I.D. But have you ever had to worry about tolerating large mouth sores during dinner? You hair falling out as you dribble down the court?

Fortunately, most high school students don’t have to face the diagnosis of cancer. However, Junior KT West has experienced and survived the depths

of this deadly disease. West was diagnosed the day after her 15th birthday. She went into the doctor with a swollen neck assuming that it was mono and came out with the news that she was diagnosed with leukemia.

“At first, it didn’t really hit me knowing I had leukemia, I was like what’s next? What’s going on in my life?” West said. Leukemia is cancer of the blood cells. Each year, nearly 27,000 adults and more than 2,000 children in the United States learn that they have leukemia. When leukemia develops, the body produces large numbers of abnormal blood cells that do not function properly. Treatment for leukemia is complex. For four month of West’s life she went

through both chemotherapy and radiation to fight off what had been growing inside of her. Chemotherapy is a procedure that involves sticking an IV through ones veins to kill both helpful and harmful blood cells. Due to the killing of so many blood cells some side effects inevitably appear such as; hair loss, neuropathy (a numbness in the hands and feet), mouth sores, fatigues, and frequent infections.

“The first time that I did chemotherapy, it wasn’t about school anymore,” she said.

West was home schooled for the four months of her treatment, except for the major tests, which she chose to take in school. West’s teacher brought homework and study materials to her house.

“The school sent to me a good learning center teacher,” West said. “My grades were okay.”

“When I had cancer, I was basically with my family all the time or sleeping,” She wasn’t able to go out with her friends as much because most of the time she was sick. Most of us would become angry if we were immediately take from our daily lives, routines, and successes West, on the contrary, has seen gifts in this experience.

“It was nice to be with my family and not to have any interruptions,” she said.

She was treated at Children’s Mercy Hospital for her cancer.

“The best hospital ever,” she said. “I would

definitely talk to the other families who were there also, but mostly, when you are in the hospital you want to spend most of your time with and around your family.”

Showing a more appreciative attitude, West has overcome one of the greatest obstacles of her life.

Her last treatment was in August of last year. West says that she has healed, but still goes in for cat scans and to draw blood.

“It was hard getting back to the normal life without having to go to the hospital for chemotherapy,” West said. “Everyone thinks it’s going to be traumatic, but it’s really not, it’s more of a part of who you are.”

10 entertainment

November 4, 2005

Rhythm and...

BLUE

Growing BV band Blue Tabu rocks students adam lary

editor-in-chief

S

enior Chad Bourgeois’ fingers danced across the frets on his electric guitar. The tune to “My Generation” by The Who flowed through the room. On cue, senior Grant Apple joined in with the lyrics. Blue Valley West senior Kyle Gillard was in the background on the drums while Blue Valley North junior Matt Patterson kicked it on the bass. Energy emanated from all of them at the Black Dog Coffeehouse on Oct. 7, their first show.

Bourgeois,Apple, Gillard and Patterson are members of the band Blue Tabu.

Gillard and Bourgeois started the band during spring break last school year.

“Kyle called me and we started writing a couple songs,” guitarist Bourgeois said.

“After that, we went bassist hunting.”

After a hit-and-miss, the band ended up with Patterson on the bass.

“The sense of funk he adds to our music sounds incredible,” drummer Gillard said.

Now, all they needed was a vocalist.

Senior Tyler Davis became the first singer, but the band parted ways with him after a few shows. Apple became the new lead vocalist around August.

“I am so lucky to be in a band with all these accomplished musicians,” Apple said.

The band had its first gig at the Black

Dog Coffeehouse on Oct. 7. Over 70 Apple, the band hopes to start moving people packed the small coffee shop on away from coffee shop concerts to 87th Street, including a number of BVHS more meaningful shows. Later this students, to hear the band’s debut. year, the band plans to play at the city“They played awesome,” senior Ryan wide Rock for Hope, a benefit concert, Ogden said. “Rock on Blue Tabu!” which will include bands from The band played three sets from 8-10 Missouri and Kansas. They also plan p.m. Sets consisted to release a of covers like “War demo CD Pigs” by Black after they Sabbath and “Radar find an Love” by Golden affordable Earrings, along studio. with many original “Even if songs such as “Love it’s just one Nectar,” “Baby record, we Don’t Tell Me So” want to get and “Scarlet Fever.” signed,” A combination of Apple said. blues and rock ‘n’ roll “I just want made up the band’s to ride this adam lary as far as unique sound. After the show, a number Matt Patterson and Chad Bourgeois play it goes.” of fans went up at the Roma coffeehouse on Oct. 29. VoWhen and congratulated calist Grant Apple could not attend due college the members on to an injury. c o m e s their performance. around, “It was great to have everybody they plan on hanging around Johnson cheering and clapping,” Patterson County in order to stay together. said. “That was the best feeling in the According to Gillard, the shared love world. It made it all really worth it.” for music brings the band together.

On Oct. 29, the band had its second “It’s the passion,” Gillard said. concert at the Roma Coffeehouse. “Everyone in their life should Apple was unable to attend the concert try to find what gives them that because of an injury. According to feeling. For me, it’s the music.”

Name: Kyle Gillard Position: Drummer School: Blue Valley West Status: Taken Inspirations: John Bonham, Aerosmith, Mike Portnoy

The Low Down On...

-

The Drawback

-

The Crew Vocals - Noah Collichio Lead Guitar - Will Werth Rhythm Guitar - Chris Swartley Bass - Bryson Schwarz Drums - Drew Young

The Schools Blue Valley - Will, Chris, Bryson Blue Valley West - Noah Blue Valley Academy - Drew

The Works Completion of a rough demo tape

Current Events “We’re playing at Drew’s house [right now],” guitarist Chris Swartley said.

“We want to push this as far as it will go.”

Name: Grant Apple Position: Vocalist School: Blue Valley High Status: Single Inspirations: The Doors, David Bowie, Neil Young

Name: Chad Bourgeois Position: Guitarist School: Blue Valley High Status: Single Inspirations: Eric Clapton, BB King, Keith Richards

Name: Matt Patterson Position: Bassist School: Blue Valley North Status: Single Inspirations: Louis Johnson, Jack Bruce, Larry Graham

Boredom to stardom?

Mix of punk, heavy vocals give local ATLOD band new popularity

The band plays a street punk style and has already cut a CD entitled The Secret Crack House Recordings. The CD features e were bored and we all played both original and borrowed songs. The instruments, so we decided band currently has about 50 original to make a band,” senior songs which are currently unrecorded.

Sam Stilley said.

The band takes turns That one stretch practicing in each of boredom proved other’s basements and lucky for the four garages. The band members of ATLOD, has traveled all over which has been the Midwest playing together for three in shows. The band years. The members has played in Topeka, of the band are Lawrence, Tulsa, Stilley, who does Oklahoma City, Dallas, vocals, junior - senior Sam Stilley Houston and Joplin, Mo. Sam Frickleton on “Yeah, it’s pretty drums and two cool headlining other members through Kansas that do not attend Blue Valley; Aaron City shows,” Stilley said.

Innes attends Park Hill South and If Blue Valley students are looking for plays guitar and Michael Lopez a new band to listen to, just find one of plays bass and is no longer in school. the members of ATLOD and tune in.

griffin page

staff reporter

W

“We were bored and we all played instruments,”

entertainment 11

November 4, 2005

No ‘Money’ in the bank All-star cast of McConaughey, Pacino fail to deliver a plot frank lasley

co-sports editor

W

ith the likes of Al Pacino and Matthew McConaughey in a movie, it should be destined for greatness. Well, Two for the Money completely disproves Al Pacino this assumption. Even with these actors, •Got his big break as the movie was a heroine addict in The extremely mediocre.

Panic in Needle Park Two for the Money (1971). is so aggravating to watch because •Known also as Michael the movie seems Corleone, a character in to pull itself apart the legendary Godfather with every added subplot.

Three series. fourths of the way through the film •Academy Award win- so much of the ner for Best Actor in subplot seem to 1992. be going nowhere.

Guess what? They stay that way.

•Captured a Golden At the end of the Globe for the film Scarface, a movie that would movie you sit there wondering what cement his legacy. could have been.

M a t t h e w • Stands at only 5’6 McConaughey plays Brandon • Although he has Lang, an ex-college never been married, quarterback whose he is the father of three football career ended with a severe children. knee injury. He works a 900 number at a local newspaper giving betting advice for sports gamblers. His ability to pick winners 80 percent of the time catches the eye of Walter Abrams (Al Pacino), a big-time New York City gambling adviser.

Everything seems to just keep getting better for the two when they land the biggest sports gambler in the world asking for their advice. From there, everything falls apart. Not only does Lang’s talent seem to go sour, Abrams’ company loses massive amounts of money. Unfortunately, the movie seems

emily kuykendall staff reporter

T

he Uptown Theater was crowded as hundreds of girls and a few boyfriends packed the area near the stage waiting for the show to start.

Three acts that delivered great, live entertainment, satisfied a packed house on Oct. 25.

The main act was Ryan Cabrera. Needless to say he was absolutely amazing. He is so goofy and friendly towards his audience that it’s like hanging out with

with...

nina humphrey

staff reporter

to go nowhere. Lang’s talent seems to evaporate along with the number of people willing to risk their money on the failing company. As the company falls further into debt, problems with Abrams’ Matthew wife also surface.

McConaughey Meaningless subplots sprout •His father was an NFL up along the way. player for the Green Bay Lang and a co- Packers. worker develop grudges against •Won an MTV Movie each other. The Award in 1997 for his role two constantly bicker and break in the critically praised one another down film, A Time To Kill. with demeaning comments, and •Starred in the $130 miljust when it looks lion film Sahara alongside as though they Penélope Cruz. could start going for each other’s •Attended the University throats, the of Texas at Austin. movie moves on.

Along with that, •In 1999, McConaughey a question arises was arrested at his home about Abrams’ in Austin, Texas, for posfidelity and thus session of marijuana and ensues another resisting arrest. meaningless sub-plot just left hanging wide open at the movie’s end.

The movie itself is very dissatisfying to watch. With mediocre acting and no amazing plot line, this movie is never able to develop or keep audiences interested. In the end, it finishes with no sense of resolution or closure.

While it’s true that the actors were misused and the movie seemed to be extremely anticlimatic, it could be blamed on the director. None of the actors delivered stirring performances.

McConaughey had a sub-par performance, as did Rene Russo (Abrams’ wife). As for Pacino, where have the stirring performances like Michael Corleone, Ricky Roma and Tony Montana gone?

‘absolutely amazing’ concert

Cabrera, Click Five shows greatly entertain audience

c i t i r C

r e n r s Co

a friend. He is truly a wonderful live entertainer. He performed new and old songs, including “Shine On,”and kept the girls screaming the entire time.

Click Five performed before Cabrera.

The girls started going crazy as the group filed out onto the stage and began its first song. When their hit “Just the Girl” began, those in the audience couldn’t avoid getting pushed a little because the entire crowd jumped up and down. The boys ran around and into the crowd to get a little more intimate with their fans and kept everyone completely entertained.

The first act was The Veronicas. They were very talented and friendly toward the crowd. They only sang a couple of songs, but it was all enjoyable and entertaining.

Whether one is into these groups or not, the show could keep anyone looking for a good time happy and entertained.

‘Aphasian’ sensation

H

aving been friends for many years, the band members of Aphasia, demonstrate their talent for producing truthful emotions into memorable songs. The most recent CD release Fact & Fiction has multiple tracks resembling very upbeat and encouraging songs.

Using a large variety of exotic instruments, this alternative rock/mallcore/emo band might not be the most original thing you’ve heard since the Ataris, but it is emotionally authentic, which goes a long way toward helping a band stand out. If you can laugh over a good break up story and still be able to sip your coffee, this CD should be your very next purchase.

Rising...or Falling?

M

any of you didn’t even know Fall Out Boy existed until you heard “Sugar, We’re Goin Down”. But if you heard their earlier work you’ll realize that these guys have grown up a lot since the latest CD, From Under The Cork Tree. However, the lyrics in this album are easy to memorize and truly unforgettable; they don’t make much sense at all. Throughout most of the album it’s not difficult to notice that the lyrics and simple rhythms are almost identical, but won’t discontinue the persuasion and seduction for the most unlikely people to dance.

Perhaps in their next album it would be much more interesting if it had a little more depth, but it seems to be more popular than it is unpopular.

The clique of five

T

he Click Five is just another variation of the Backstreet Boys and N’sync. They have been touring with lip-sync specialist Ashlee Simpson, which is a big minus for any critical respect. The Boston quintet can be reproduces so easily and soullessly, but is custom-made for teenage girls who are more partial to the later version of pop. Their newest CD, Greetings From Imrie House spikes up a new hit track entitled “Just the Girl,” which was written by Adam Schlesinger from the band Fountains of Wayne. There may be some definite talent and also some obvious improvement in the band’s works, they may burn out quickly though, like most boy groups do.

Click Five

Comes to Kansas City

12 sports

November 4, 2005

N TARGET

Photo illustration by Emily Kuykendall

Hunting gives fall bang

BV students enjoy ‘thrill of kill’ in popular hob-

hank driskell

co-sports editor

I

t’s early, very early, most high school students are sound asleep, laying in pools of their own drool, snoring loudly and floating on clouds in peaceful dreams. However, a certain amount of students’ peaceful sleep is interrupted by the buzz of an alarm clock. It’s hunting season.

Many students rise early, anxious to get out of the house and get hunting. No matter what the prey is, from ducks to deer, it often requires rising at an early hour.

“There’s been many times I’ve gone to sleep and as soon as I fall asleep, I feel like I’m waking back up,” junior Alex Freeman said.

“I usually leave the house when the moon is still awake, and the city still sleeps,” junior Carston Scafe said.

A variety of unique hunters attend Blue Valley. Just like athletes or students, these hunters are clearly motivated by different aspects of the hunt.

“The thrills and chills of the kills keep me hunting,” Scafe said.

For some people it’s the excitement of the kill, and for others it’s the whole principle of the hunt.

“It’s sport and it’s pleasure; it’s that simple,” Freeman said.

Hunting seems to require mental strengths along

with physical strengths.

“Hunting is psychological, when you can become one with nature, and get inside the mind of your prey, is when you get the kill of a lifetime,” Freeman said.

For some hunters, the hunt provides a temporary paradise. Hunters often go hunting to escape from everyday life. “It frees my mind, it’s kind of like my ‘happy place’ off the movie Happy Gilmore,”

Got duck fever?

We’ve got where hunters should go to get the cure.

• Marais Des Cygnes National

Wildlife Refuge, located six miles north of Pleasasnton, Kan., on U.S. Highway 69.

•John Redmond Reservoir- located three miles north and one mile west of Burlington, Kan., on U.S. Highway 75.

•La Cygne Reservoir- locatedfive miles east of La Cygne, Kan., on U.S. Highway 69

Freeman said.

The location of BVHS enhances the population of hunters. Location is also important for what a hunter wishes to hunt. Stilwell is located far enough south that good hunting property is never too far away.

Many students own land that can be hunted on.

“I like hunting on my friend’s property because the sense of familiarity allows me to really get into the hunt,” Freeman said.

Other students will travel a little farther from home and for different reasons.

“Some friends of my family have property in Rich Hill, Kan., it’s prime for waterfowl,” Scafe said “ and waterfowl is what gets my pulse going.”

Junior Derrick Peterson is glad he has family that lives in Mound City, Kan. “ I had the kill of my life I’m sure, a 13 point buck, probably the best I’ll ever shoot,” Peterson said, “ I don’t know if I could’ve shot it anywhere else.”

The state of Kansas also has many parks where public hunting access is allowed. Some of these places include Hillsdale Lake, John Redmond Reservoir, Tuttle Creek Reservoir, La Cygne Reservoir and the public hunting areas at the Marais Des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge. However, hunters still agree the best locations are the ones not known to everyone. “ My best locations are for me to know, and you to dream about,” Freeman said.

What’s your opinion on hunting?

Poll compiled by autumn fuller

Senior

Junior

Sophomore

Freshman

Shaun Kelly

Andrea Morris

Kandice Peterson

Sam Lutz

If you’re hunting to survive then that’s all right, but other than that it’s murder.

I don’t like it.

It’s not right and unfair to animals.

I don’t see a problem with it because we have to eat. But if it’s for recreation, no.

It’s good fatherson bonding.

If you hunt for sport and don’t eat it, then it’s bad.

sports 13

Hocus P ocus Superstitions prove vital part of game

November 4, 2005

colin brown

staff reporter

F

our. It has to be four. Not three, not five, four.

That’s how many Rock Star energy drinks Patrick Cocherl has to drink before every baseball game. Why four? It’s his own personal ritual. It seems every athlete today has some crazy superstition that will, in his or her mind, somehow affect the outcome of the game.

“If I don’t drink four energy drinks, then I won’t perform. If I drink three, I won’t have enough energy to play; five, and I won’t be able to focus,” Cocherl explained.

Last year we all saw Ryan Robertson throw it down on the hard court, but he also has a strange way of focusing himself.

“In order to put my mind at ease before every game, I put on my jester hat, look in the mirror and tell myself a good joke. I make myself laugh pretty hard sometimes,” Robertson said.

Whether it’s drinking gallons of liquid caffeine, or putting on a funny hat, there are signs all around us of the day’s outcome.

“No joke, the day we lost to BVNW 21-20, the first thing I saw on my porch that morning was a black

cat; now that’s just freaky,” senior running back Tywon Hubbard said.

Superstition and pre-game rituals will always be a part of sports, whether you believe in it or not, if you break the ritual, bad things may happen. At least some athletes believe this to be true.

“I don’t even want to think about what would happen if I didn’t drink my Rock Star,” Cocherl said, “odds are it would be a very bad day.”

“The day I don’t make myself laugh is the day I’d break my arm or something,” Robertson said.

Realizing The Dream

Although sitting on the visitor’s side, Blue Valley fans packed the stands Oct. 28 for the big game between BV and Blue Valley West. Clockwise from top right: Sophomore cheerleader Melissa Biagoli shows off her spirit Friday; cheerleaders played a big role in crowd involvement. Coach Steve Rampy discusses the specifics of a flag thrown for a late hit on the Jaguars. The Tigers celebrate in the endzone after receiver Stephen Blumhardt hooked up with Trey Hobson on a wide receiver reverse pass for their second touchdown of the year. Lastly, junior Carston Scafe waves his Tiger Pride flag in the stands.

One and Done

corey gray

Playoff atmosphere changes team aspirations, attitude colin brown

staff reporter

A

s students step outside and realize that they may need to start shopping for winter clothes and put their jackets on, something else comes to mind.

Playoffs. The football boys have been hard at work posting an 8-1 record in the regular season, with their only loss to the Blue Valley Norhtwest Huskies by one point. Things are looking up as the Tigers easily swept their district, wiping out Miege, Sumner and their rivals Blue Valley West by a combined score of 124-25.

Last Friday the Tigers came out on fire against the Jaguars, physically dominating them. The defense forced 27 incomplete passes, four interceptions and held the West ground attack to 14 yards rushing. Offensively, the Tigers put up 41 points as Stephen Blumhardt was involved in half of the touchdowns, catching two and throwing one to a wide-open Trey Hobson. The Tigers clinched the title of district champs last Friday with a 41-13 win.

The Tigers have secured home field advantage, and the sense of urgency on the team has risen considerably.

“We can’t be playing around; we’re not going to be playing Sumner Academy anymore. You lose and you’re done,” senior captain Jacob Tupper said.

When players now put on their pads and get ready for practice, the mood seems to have changed from, “It’s hot and I just want to go home after school” to “It’s

time to buckle down; I’ve been waiting for this moment since I was a kid.”

For many senior football players, this is it.

“I don’t plan on playing college football, so how sweet would it be for my last game to be winning the state championship?” senior Mike Rollins said.

The football team opens up the class 5A playoffs tonight against a Paola Panther team with an identical record of 8-1.

The Panthers, who are primarily a mid-line running team, should have their hands full facing a Tiger defense that has only allowed eight points per game and has the second-best rushing defense in the East Kansas League.

While Paola has an impressive record, they have a very unimpressive schedule, stacked with five class 4A teams. If the Tigers defeat Paola tonight, they will face the winner of the Olathe North/Turner game.

Many kids that play little league football pack the stadium and look on, saying how they can’t wait to play for the BV Tigers. For all of the football players who are now 18 and “grown up,” it is time for them to realize the dream that they have been working toward and thinking about since they were 10 years old.

“I used to watch Jeff Byers and say ‘that’s going to be me.’ I lived at a friend’s house the summer of my junior year just so I could lift with the Tigers. I basically forced my family to move back to Blue Valley to play for the Tigers; we’re going to go to state,” a passionate Tywon Hubbard said.

The fire that burns among these Tiger football players has just gotten more fuel; they have achieved their first goal and are only hungry for more.

14 sports

November 4, 2005

He Likes His Sports On Ice

BV student prefers hockey to common Call Me Hank scholastic sports Toughest league in town is EKL hank driskell

co-sports editor s there a conference in Kansas that challenges the athletic superiority of the East Kansas League (EKL)?

Let me answer my own question for you, no. The EKL has athletes and competition that no other conference in the Kansas City area, maybe even the state, can match. It would be possible to ramble on and on, boasting about the numerous team and individual champions the EKL lays claims to, so that is exactly what is going to happen.

Where do we start? Let’s talk about the nationally acclaimed girls and boys soccer teams of Saint Thomas Aquinas, which were both 6A state champions, the boys in 2004 and the girls in 2005.

The swimming dynasty at Blue Valley North claimed the girls’ 6A swimming and diving team championship in 2005. The lady Mustangs also were the 6A state champions in 2004 in both girls’ tennis and girls’ basketball. Our cross-town rival, Blue Valley West, has much to brag about.

They enjoy gazing upon their trophies, one for a 5A boy’s soccer championship in 2004 and one for a 5A girls’ soccer championship in 2005. They have one other trophy, a golf trophy for an individual state champion.

Now it is time to brag about the Black and Gold, our own Blue Valley Tigers. Just last year our golf team won the 5-A state championship, and Adam Blue brought home the individual championship. Blue Valley can also brag about Parker Sargent, our very own allamerican swimmer, who won the 50-yard freestyle state championship in 2004 and 2005. There are many good wrestling programs throughout the state; however, our wrestling program was among the best in the state, claiming four top five individual finishes in the 5-A state tournaments in 2004 and 2005, with Keaton Baker placing first in 2004.

Now that I’ve rambled on and on about the EKL’s athletic achievements, hopefully you agree with me about its level of competition.

It’s safe to say competing in the EKL teams are competing at championship level.

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sara ster

Other BV Hockey Players...

Name: James Schneider Team: Stars Number of years played: 10

staff reporter

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s his blades scrape across the ice and a crisp cool breeze flows through his helmet, sara ster sophomore Cameron Stowers plans his next move on the Cameron Stowers skates across the ice at a match against freshly cleaned ice.

Shattucks St. Mary’s competitive hockey team on Nov. 22.

Stowers has played hockey Stowers has played the sport since he was three years old. since he was three.

“My uncle owns a roller rink and will be traveling to Texas, his family, and his parents in Texas where I used to live, Colorado and Minnesota come watch his games when and I wanted to play a sport before concluding their current they can. Stowers stays in on skates,” Stowers said. touch with his friends in Texas season.

Straight from Spring, Texas, His favorite part of the game by talking online when he is Stowers has is the physical not playing hockey. been staying “My uncle owns a contact.

Stowers plays AAA hockey, with a host “I get to which is nationally the highest family since roller rink in Texas score a lot of level for his age until he is 17 the beginning where I used to live, goals, and and can move up to the Junior of August I’m always level. until the end and I always want- s k a t i n g , ” Although he would rather be of his traveling ed to play a sport on Stowers said. in Texas, Stowers has had the season at the Stowers, opportunity to see some of the skates.” end of April. aside from the excitement of Kansas City.

Although “I’ve been to a NHL game at Stars, plays Kansas City is not known for ice for fun with the Olathe East Kemper,” Stowers said, “and hockey Stowers is a forward for hockey team. Stowers practices I’ve been to a Chiefs game.” the Russell Stover Stars which Monday through Thursday When his season concludes is a very competitive traveling nights with the Stars and at the end of April or hopefully team with good coaching, Mondays with Olathe East. after his team competes in according to Stowers. The Not really homesick, Stowers Nationals, Stowers will be on a Stars have already traveled to goes back to Texas on long plane back to Texas to resume California, Iowa and Indiana weekends and breaks to visit his life at home and school.

BV Tigers on and off the football field Name: Zach Rampy Sport: Football What is your favorite thing about the sport? Being around all the guys What is your favorite sports memory? Beating West like we did last week.

Name: Tyler Vollick Current Team: Blue Valley West Number of years played: Six

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Name: Alex Solis Sport: Football Manager What is your favorite thing about the sport? “Watching my hero, Tywon” What is your favorite sports memory? Going undefeated freshmen year

How long have you played?

Since kindergarten Any pre-game rituals? Listen to music and eat at Jersey Boyz Any family history with the sport? “You could say there’s a little there.”

Any pre-game rituals? “Repaint gold shoes for Tywon and put glitter and tiger paws on my face.”

What do you do to get pumped up before a game?

Listen to mexican music

Come hang out and enjoy our full Espresso Bar, great lunches, and our homemade Gelato Italian ice cream. Call ahead to order at 913897-3800. Located in the Lionsgate Marketplace at 143rd and Metcalf

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sports 15

November 4, 2005

Girls’ cross country completes season, returns from EKL empty-handed Season may not have ended as some had hoped, but team members not disappointed brooke thurman

Miege. Freeman placed ninth. Many of the varsity girls did not compete at EKL and the team finished last. fter a winning season, the girls’ Smith was very happy with how the cross country team came to an season went, however. abrupt halt in 6A Regionals “[The season was] amazing,” Smith Oct. 22. Despite two individual said. “We won more than half of our qualifiers, the team came in eighth out meets.” of 11 teams, not qualifying for state as Many factors helped the girls’ season. a team.

Wiegers said that hard work and getting “We didn’t have much practice along with everyone on the team were running the 2.5, and since moving to their strengths.There were also some 6A our competition got things, she said, harder,” sophomore that became Mindy Smith said. “[The season was] amazroadblocks for “We have some things ing,” Smith said. “We the team. to work on.”

The girls’ won more than half of our Sophomore Devin team has three Wiegers placed 10th meets.” sophomores and freshman Devin that were on Freeman placed 11th, qualifying them varsity who contributed. Among those for state. State was on Oct. 29. Wiegers sophomores are Wiegers, Smith and finished in 22nd place and Freeman Allie Proll. Wiegers was optimistic placed 43rd. about this season and next year.

The team went to the Eastern Kansas “I think it went really well,” Wiegers League Meet on Oct. 15 at Bishop said. “The girls’ team is amazing.” staff reporter

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karen melton

The girls’ cross country team competed at Rim Rock on Sept. 17. The team’s season is now finished, although two girls, freshman Devin Freeman and sophomore Devin Wiegers continued onto state competition.

Fall sports wrap up season Boys’ Cross Country adam lary

editor-in-chief

At the cross country regionals competition on Oct. 22, the men’s varsity placed a disappointing 10 out of 11 teams. Junior Patrick Cooley had the best finish on the team at 25th place in the 5K. None of the runners qualified for the State competition at Rim Rock Farm on Oct. 29.

At the EKL competition on Oct. 15, senior Amr Abu Alnadi placed sixth and Cooley placed ninth. The team placed fourth out of six teams in the 5K competition.

The varsity team came away with its first medal at the Mill Valley Invitational on Oct. 6.

Alnadi took third place, Cooley placed seventh, sophomore Benjamin Loats placed 17th and sophomore Ryan Clark placed 28th. The team placed second out of eight teams.

Girls’ Golf matt killen

staff reporter

The Lady Tigers finished in a disappointing eighth in state on Oct. 17. Surprisingly, BV’s top golfers did not finish in the

top 10. Anna Frazier placed 23rd and Ashley Ratliff placed 30th out of 105 golfers. Frazier scored a 93, while Ratliff scored a 95. Other notables from state include Stacey Yowell, who scored a personal best 101 and finished 41st overall.

In Regionals on Oct. 11, the Lady Tigers finished second out of 10 5A and 6A schools.

Ratliff, Frazier, LeAnn Stilley and Mary Keegan carried the team. On Oct. 5, the Lady Tigers placed second in the East Kansas League, with allEKL golfer Ratliff leading the way.

Boys’ Soccer matt galloway

entertainment editor

The boys’ soccer season ended in heartbreaking fashion on Tuesday, Oct. 25 at Regionals with a quadruple overtime loss to Olathe South.

In the 3-2 final, junior Craig Cook scored a goal and junior Joey Mendrala scored an unassisted goal and also had an assist. Junior goalie Nick Zabeck had 13 blocks on 16 shots-on-goal. Despite those performances, the Tigers’ couldn’t finish their season with a record above .500.

Despite the rough loss, coach K. Dean Snell sees the positives laced in the Tigers’ 8-9 season.

“It was the best regular season finish in the last five years,” coach Snell said. “Marshall Stula, Joey Mendrala, Craig Cook and Nick Zabeck [were our standout performers].

Girls’ Tennis andrew robinson

editor-in-chief

With Karaline Nunnally on the bench looking on with a sprained ankle at the 6A regional tennis tournament, the girls’ tennis team was forced to rearrange their lineup at the last minute. The tough regional competition would prove too much for the Tigers as they fell short of any state qualifiers. The Tigers return five varsity players next year.

Tryouts matt killen

staff reporter

Winter sports are just around the bend. While no practices or workouts are scheduled during dead week, from Nov. 7 through Nov. 13, tryouts for winter sports are coming up on Nov. 14. This includes tryouts for all levels of girls’ and boys’ basketball, wrestling and boys’ swimming.

A quick reminder to those who did not participate in fall sports, physicals will need to be turned in prior to tryouts.

16 life in pictures

November 4, 2005

Homecoming was definitely a time for fun and games. With a 49-12 win against Sumner, it was a night to celebrate.

Friday’s weather for the parade was bright and sunny, the spirit days were well played out and the dance was a great time to let loose for all who went.

Junior Matt Delair and BVW student Emily Penner attend the Homecoming dance on Oct. 22. The theme for the dance was Welcome to the Jungle. Many students could be found dancing the night away with their dates and friends. emily kuykendall The freshmen ride their float through the parade and managed to come in second in the float judging. The Homcoming parade was held Friday Oct. 21.

Senior football captain Stephen Blumhardt speaks during the annual Homecoming bonfire.

The bonfire was held Thursday evening Oct. 20 as a rally before the Homecoming game. Although it was cold and rainy night, many students still attended.

emily kuykendall

mckenzi foster

Homecoming royalty Nicole Sowden and Jacob Tupper are announced at the Homecoming assembly which took place on Oct. 19. The assembly was a time for royalty to be introduced, showing examples of spirit days and sports announcements to be made.

Senior Andrea Hiesberger is crowned Homecoming Queen by last year’s queen, Hillary Freeman. The crowning took place during halftime at the Oct. 21 Homecoming game.

sarah rabe

emily kuykendall