The Tiger Print — January 2004 by The Tiger Print

THE

PRINT TIGER

Vol • Issue

Blue Valley High School

Pg. 7

Phacts on Phones W th St • Stilwell Kan • Friday Jan

Fiesta Bowl brings season finale Marching band ends in Arizona T sportseditor

brandonmurray-mazany

he Stridin’ Tigers returned from the Fiesta Bowl festivities finishing well in the competitions. The Band marched in the Fiesta Bowl Parade Jan. 31, in Tempe, Ariz. The drill team took 2nd place in the Auxiliary category of this competition. After three hours of marching, the parade came to a close and the Tigers headed back to the hotel to rest up for the New Year’s Eve celebrations. The next day was successful for the Tigers; they took sixth place out of 14 at Bank One Ballpark, home to the Arizona Diamondbacks. “The trip was a good end to an ex-

citing four years,” senior Ryan Mundziak said. Their trip began Dec. 28 when the Stridin’ Tigers left KCI for Tempe, Ariz. “The first day was a little slow,” senior will Palmer said. “But it was what I expected.” The following day the band took a trip to the Grand Canyon. “I couldn’t believe how wide it was,” senior Andrew Fuller said. “It went on forever.” The rest of the trip included rehearsals, a stop at tourist attractions such as the Organ Stop Pizza Parlor, the home to one of the world’s largest organs, and Rawhide Steak Fry, an amusement park in the Southwest.

“The trip was a good end to an exciting four years ”

The Stridin’ Tigers march past the judging panel, which stretched past three blocks of the Fiesta Bowl Parade. The parade spanned 3.1 miles of Central Ave., Phoenix, Ariz. Photos submitted by Wendy Robinson.

senior Ryan Mundiak

School district announces new superintendent, Tom Trigg

he Blue Valley School District ended its four-month search for a successor to Superintendent Dr. David Benson with a Wednesday press conference. After 7.5 years with the district, deputy superintendent of administrative services, Dr. Tom Trigg, will succeed Benson. “This is a great choice for the district,” Benson said. Benson continued by telling Trigg, “I know you will take the district to the next level.” The school board shared Benson’s level of confidence in Trigg with a 7-0 vote in favor of offering him the position. Each board member gave a statement during a 15-minute meeting prior to the press conference, reiterating their reasons for choosing Trigg.

“Tom convinced us that he was the person to lead us to the next level,” board member Sheryl Spalding said. Don’t be fooled. Trigg was not hired simply because of his time with the district. Forty-two people applied for the job, proving that “we are a world class school district,” as president of the board John Fuller said. Board members narrowed the field to six finalists, and the final interviews were completed in the last week. Finalists interviewed for up to 10 total hours. “The process is more difficult for an internal candidate than an external candidate,” board member Clint Robinson said. “I’m very confident in the selection process we used.” Trigg, described by the board as “dedicated, compassionate and trustworthy” while at the same time “modest and

Coping

weirdnews:

lindsaypond

BV to host Relay for Life Blue Valley will host its first Relay for the Cure this April. Relay for Life is a program in conjunction with the American Cancer Society; it is a 12hour benefit campout for cancer survivors. Teams of 10-12 students collect donations prior to the benefit, and team members take turns walking laps for the cure at the event. American Cancer Society sponsor Cyndi Mackey and event chair senior Sameera Ali are coordinating this event. More information about participation in Relay for Life will be available Feb. 6 at the Sweetheart pep assembly.

humble,” believes he is prepared for his new role in the district. “I feel like my entire professional experience has been pointing toward this direction,” Trigg said. “I feel that each and every position I’ve held in education has been pointing me toward this.” The 51 year old joined Blue Valley in 1996 and was previously an assistant superintendent in the Gardner-EdgertonAntioch school district. With his son Aaron attending Blue Valley West, his interest in the district is multidimensional. The superintendent position may change hands starting July 1, but the direction of the district will not change. Trigg knows this is not acceptable. “Our challenge is not simply to continue our excellence we have in Blue Valley,” Trigg said. “We will not have the status quo here.”

In 1996, a Kansas City health facility established a “Chiefs Grief Hotline” to help fans come to grips with their emotions over the team’s season-ending loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Like this year’s loss, it kept the Chiefs out of the Super Bowl. “I think maybe that needs a revival,” junior Connor Humphrey said. “I have trouble dealing with the loss sometimes.” Used with permission from www.newsoftheweird.com.

Dr. Tom Trigg addresses media and district staff at Wednesday’s press conference. Photo by Kyle Rogers.

Excuses, Excuses

excusesexcuses:

opinionseditor

kylerogers

“I was stuck in perpetual summer,” senior Katie Hinsley said to her teachers of missing the first six days of the semester. Hinsley spent her winter break visiting friends in Australia and didn’t return to school until Jan. 14.

Senior Count Down: days

T HE TIGER

PR I N T FRIDAY JAN news Play ‘Kindertransport’ ranked first in Kansas

f any Blue Valley student doesn’t know that the football team won State on Nov. 29, he or she possibly lives under a rock. What some students may not know is that Blue Valley’s play, Kindertransport is ranked No. 1 in the state of Kansas. The cast of Kindertransport performed at the Kansas State Thespian Conference, Jan. 8-10 at Emporia State University. Twenty-six Blue Valley Thespians attended the conference, which included approximately 1,200 Thespians from across the state of Kansas. “It was so neat to see so many other students so passionate about acting,” senior Maggie Steinmeyer, who plays Evelyn in Kindertransport said. “It’s amazing to know that there are 1,200 other students in Kansas that appreciate theater just as much as I do.” During the daytime on Jan. 9 and 10, students attended classes, workshops and acting sessions taught by theater

newsnotes

Students go to Schulerkongress samboyd

week of June at the University of Nebraska. “I’m not confident in the fact that Kindertransport will perform at Internationals,” Schmidt said. “ Our quality is definitely Internationals quality, but it’s out of my control.” “During the performance, everything emotionally came together,” Steinmeyer said. “We experienced a lot of things onstage that we never had - I was crying in scenes I’ve never cried in before. Everything just went up a level.” “I’ve been to 12 state conferences, and this one was by far the best. Lots of people, and not just students, directors too, said t h a t Kindertransport Hayley Podschun, Eva, is searched by Nazi guard, Greg Allen, as was the best she arrives in Europe. The Fall Play cast performed during the state show at state,” competition in Emporia, Jan. 8-10 . photo by Mark Moiser Schmidt said.

professors and professional actors. Classes and workshops covered every aspect of theater: acting, dance, lighting, sound, costumes and even auditioning. Over the course of two evenings, four full-length high school plays were performed, including Blue Valley’s, Kindertransport. “The performance was bar none the best that I’ve ever seen,” director Dan Schmidt said. “There was something that was happening during the show the actresses were in the moment, and it was definitely the most emotional show for the audience.” “The performance of Kindertransport on Friday at 10 p.m. was the best performance ever,” said senior Shannon Boyter, who plays Lil in

Germans students throughout Kansas will be participating in SchulerKongress, a German forensics tournament, on Feb. 28 at the University of Kansas. Students will participate in such competitions as poetry recitation, prose readings, culture quiz, spelling and proficiency interviews. Students can also speak with native Germans to win prizes.

the play. “You would think that performing in front of our steam and had a good time with the show.” In the past, The Diviners and Lend Me a Tenor performed so well at the State Conference that the shows performed at the International Thespian Conference. This year, the International Conference will be held during the last

BV students worry about Mad Cow michaeljohnson

entertainmenteditor

staffwriter

katieabrahamson

scare of the bovine spongiform en cephalopathy Blue Valley students will start the enrollment process on (mad cow disease) epiJan. 29 when counselors will present a video on how to demic is beginning to hit enroll online. Students will enroll for next years’ classes the United States after a during their Communication Arts classes starting Feb 20. In case was discovered Dec. 9 addition to the new enrollment process new courses will in Washington state. be added. New courses include: Advanced Studies in Art Evidence of the disease broke History, which will be taught by Mark Mosier, Area Studies in out in 1996 that initially ongoAfrica and American Studies, following and discussing the ing outbreaks in Europe were 2004 election. increasing. The disease spreads Assistant principal Lyn Rantz said that there seemed to be a through the consumption of growing trend in the district to create new classes of a more infected beef and is considered rigorous level, including AP Calculus, AP History, AP Govt., a fatal brain disease. Ever since AP Stats, etc. The district wants you students to have as many the U.S. Department of AgriculAP college courses available as possible. It is the district’s hope ture announced a threat of the that by making more of these classes available it will better disease becoming an epidemic prepare students for the transition to college, as well as inthroughout the U.S., many concrease their overall knowledge level. cerns have arisen. Juniors Jonathan and Josh Rasa have a personal connecStudent grades will be available on BV Parents online be- tion with the rising fear since ginning Feb. 6. Originally the grade book was going to be their family owns over 260 available to parents in January; however, the schedule change cattle in two farming locations, allows teachers more time to adjust to the program. Teachers will only have to update their grade books every four and a half weeks, the same schedule followed for progress reports. Yet, many teachers expressed that they would update their grade books earlier. Teachers will be upgrading their grade books every two weeks in the 2004-05 school year.

chrisbubeck

Enrollment moves to the web

maneezaiqbal

Grades will be available online

spread over 256 acres. The Rasa twins work with the cattle and other various farming chores almost every weekend, and much of their income is based on the sale of beef. They take in an average of $35,000 profit per year just off the sale of beef, all of which would be lost if Mad Cow becomes more prevalent. “The value of our beef has already decreased just with the threat of Mad Cow Disease,” Rasa said. “The value of the entire farm has dropped to almost half what it used to be.” The spread of Mad Cow Disease would be catastrophic for this family as well as the rest of America. Those who rely on the sale of cattle could lose all business since a report from Canada said that a cow worth $1,300 would sell for a pathetic $15 with the scare of the disease.

Cattle and dairy farmers in the United States earn about $54 billion through milk and meat sales, and over $100 billion is made in addition through other related services. It is now obvious why cattle industries are worried about the outbreak of an epidemic. The biggest threat comes from the cows related to the British and Canadian areas. The United States has already put bans on the sale of Canadian and British beef. All of the cattle the Rasas own were purchased from Missouri. “Since our cows were raised in Missouri, the risks aren’t too great right now,” Rasa said. “However, we are still very concerned. If the epidemic did reach our farm, we would be required to give up all cattle, which is a requirement of the federal legislature.”

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T HE TIGER

news

FRIDAY JAN

PR I N T

What is AYP, No Child Left and what does it mean to YOU?

Behind Blue Valley student progress

Upcoming

AYP goals

80%

brandonmurray-manzany

ith standardized reading and math testing right around the corner, it has now become even more important to do well. Two years ago on Jan. 8, 2002, President George W. Bush implemented the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). The NCLB is designed to improve students’ math and reading comprehension skills. The mainstay of the NCLB is known as Adequate Yearly Progress, or AYP. The basic concept of AYP is this; by 2014, every student in a school, including subgroups, must score at or above the proficient level, hundred percent of the students must score 80 percent or above, on standardized math and reading tests. By the 2007-2008 school year, however, science will also be included. To achieve this goal, schools have made plans that involve yearly increments of improvement until the school reaches the AYP goal. The math tests include algebra and geometry while the reading tests include reading comprehension. “We want [students] to take advantage of the time and support that we have available to allow them to continuously do well in their courses. That’s the most important thing; their learning.,” Principal Dr. King said. “We [also] need students to understand that AYP is a law and that we need students to perform well on state assessments.” A subgroup is defined as any targeted group consisting of 30 or more students. Some examples of subgroups include low-income families, English learners and special education students. All subgroups must also perform at the proficient level. If the group contains fewer than 30 students, then they are counted

sportseditor into the general population. Blue Valley High has its own plan. It is one of only four high schools in the country who are part of the 12 Under 12 program. BVHS has higher expectations, according to Dr. King, for its students. In the 12 Under 12 program, students must meet the AYP goal two years earlier, by 2012. “The 12 Under 12 program provides national presence for our district,” King said. AYP also provides parents a chance to see how their child’s school is doing as a whole. The NCLB requires school districts to send parents report cards on schools and school districts. The report cards also include a breakdown of subgroups and how well each is performing, including teacher qualifications. Teachers also have a chance to survey student progress in order to improve on certain areas, where needed. However, there are also consequences if AYP is not met. Failure to meet AYP for the first two years results in the school having to develop a plan to improve their test scores. If a school fails to meet AYP for more than two years in a row, corrective actions must be taken. Possible corrections include replacing school staff relevant to AYP, extend the school year or day and possibly undergo a state takeover. The NCLB, however, doesn’t only include test scores. Graduations rates are also used to determine how well a school is performing. The graduation rate is defined as the “percentage of students who graduate from secondary school with a regular diploma in the standard number of years.” Attendance is also a factor in determining AYP. The NCLB is already starting to make an impact

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he juniors and sophomore will be taking state assessments this year, specifically reading and math. Tests will take place during math and communication arts classes . The assessments, which are reported in the paJuniors per, are directly tied to AYP. The tests are graded on a Readingfive-point scale and are useful March 1-5 in analyzing how a school is Writingdoing. Schools are rated as Unsatisfactory, Basic, ProfiFeb.9-13 cient, Advanced or ExemSophomores plary. Math “We have done very well in Feb.25-27 the past,” counselor Sandy Fryer said. “We have met the March 3-4 standard of excellence for several years in a row now.” As well as assessing entire grades, they assess subgroups of students as well. At BV there is one subgroup, and it is only found in grades 9, 10, 11; it is special education. A subgroup consists of 30 or more students that share the same needs. The results of this sub-group are also published in the paper.

Testing Dates

Deadlines approach for ACT SAT tests brandonmurray-manzany

sportseditor

staffwriter

75%

adamlary

Upcoming tests that affect AYP

s well as taking the assessments, junior and seniors are advised to take the ACT and/or the SAT. The registration deadline for the March SAT is Feb. 20. For the May 1 test, the registration deadline is March 25, and June 5, registration is April 29. The dates for the ACT are Feb. 7, Jan. 2 registration deadline, April 3, Feb. 27 registration deadline, and June 12, May 7 registration deadline.

across the country. In a CNN.com report, President Bush noted that fourth grade math scores are up nine points since 2000, and eighth grade math scores are up five points. Fourth grade reading scores are also increasing. “We’re making a difference,” Bush said. Sources: CNN.com and NCLB.gov

T HE TIGER

opinion

PR I N T

FRIDAY JAN

Transplanted student says BV should appreciate different cultures goin’iqbalistic

maneezaiqbal

oming from Chicago and De troit, I’m used to a level of diversity that isn’t present in Johnson County. I didn’t feel comfortable here at first because I didn’t know what to expect. My first instinct was not to talk about my culture and family traditions; I was afraid that I would be made fun of or shunned from middle school society. I could only think of one way to fit in. I had to act white. This didn’t work out so well; just by looking at me you can tell I’m not white. Everyone saw past my white façade and their reaction was not one of hate and shunning, but one of curiosity. The problem is that we, as students, have stopped exploring different cultures and remain ignorant, the typical American tunnel vision. But the thing is: most

people want to learn. They want to see beyond the tunnel. Instead of having a day off on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, in Detroit we had school. During school, we would experience different activities honoring Martin Luther King Jr. or learning about the cultures of different students. I’m not complaining about the day off, but how many students are actually learning about a different culture on MLK day or the days preceding the national holiday? At this point in time, it’s more than black and white; it’s also religion and ethnicity, and it’s about time that we explore these differences. Sure, it’s important to understand Black history and not repeat the errors of the past, but we are. Instead of discrimination against color, it’s also against religion and cultures: Scottish, Russian, Indian, etc. I know a lot of people whose families are from all around the world, yet since they are

white they all must be the same. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream was to have acceptance not just of blacks, but of all nationalities and races. Last year, a group of girls held an assembly for Black History month. It included a speech from a former a National Collegiate Athletic Association president, a documentary of Martin Luther King Jr., a dance by the girls and a high school band performed. It was a good idea, but it was limited. It reiterated what everyone learned through school about civil rights movement and tied modern pop music to ancient African music. People want to learn more about different cultures including their own. It’s important to recognize diversity so that people of different cultures will feel comfortable, and that we as a society would be able to escape tunnel vision. With more recognition, people won’t have to act “white.”

Staff Editorial

T HE TIGER

Blue Valley High School

6001 W. 159th Street Stilwell, Kan. 66085 (913) 239-4946 The_Tiger_Print@yahoo.com

Staff ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Managing Editor~ Lindsay Pond Opinions Editor~ Kyle Rogers News Editor~ Maneeza Iqbal Sports Editors~ Kevin Loftus & Brandon MurrayMazany Entertainment Editor~ Mike Johnson Photo Editor~ Jamie Hisle Assistant Features Editor~ Andrew Robinson Assistant Opinions Editor~ Sam Boyd Advertising Manager~ Kim Hieber Adviser~ Susan Agee Reporters~ Adam Lary, Katie Abrahamson, Chris Bubeck, Nick Speed, Austin Isham, Michaela Cross, Dusty Riedesel, Matt Galloway Photographers~ Kristen Palmer & Brandon Lutz Artist~ Kelly Baker 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 administration or Blue Valley School District # 229.

NO BULLYING ALLOWED A new school policy has students wondering what they have done wrong. Whether it ever existed or not, bullying is no-longer allowed.

his sticker, NBA, now placed in the window of most every teacher ’s door, has students bam boozled. Has every teacher suddenly become very excited about the already in progress National Basketball Association season? No, NBA stands for No Bullying Allowed. The teachers have decided to join together to put down this uprising and terrifying bullying problem that the school is facing by proudly displaying their No Bullying Allowed stickers. But, is bullying really a serious problem in our halls? Most students don’t think so. At least among the students questioned, they felt the No Bullying Allowed policy was a joke, simply another device the teachers can twist around to get students in trouble. Even if it isn’t a clever rouse, the students still feel that bullying never really has been a problem at our school; maybe it is more of a nationwide issue. The problem with creating a bullying policy is that no one knows who is really being bullied. So of course those who aren’t being bullied would deem the policy useless, and those who are being bullied don’t even stand up for themselves, much less the policy. The faculty decided the stickers would be the best way to bring the “no tolerance policy” to the attention of everyone. In fact, most teachers would agree that bullying isn’t the biggest problem at Blue Valley, but the stickers are a visual reminder that harassment of any form won’t be tolerated. The idea for the stickers was brought up at the faculty meetings during winter break. They pointed out that no tolerance for harassment was part of the vision in the mission statement and helped promote a positive community. Blue Valley has always been a leader in aiding the community and the faculty felt that this would be

another step forward. The administration says that they all have received positive feedback for the stickers. What it really boils down to is this: Do you really have a problem with a sticker in the door? Teachers really won’t punish a student for anything different than they would have without the policy. So, the next time you catch yourself bullying someone think of the sticker in the door.

Please Speak Out

ome on Blue Valley High! Let us know what you think. We have published articles calling teens thoughtless, articles about Blue Valley North and articles questioning the importance of school. Do any of these topics ring important to the students of BV?

Please, be clean and appropriate; we aren’t Playboy, but we are a forum for student expression. React to the paper, react to teachers, react to peers, react. Earlier in the year we heard complaints about the paper, but no one put them in writing. If we don’t get your feedback, we can’t

change. Now, it’s your turn, as it has been all year. Respond. Speak. Pick up a pen and write a letter to The Tiger Print, Room 452 or in care of our adviser Susan Agee. Even better — e-mail us at the address printed on the left.

T HE TIGER

opinion

FRIDAY JAN

PR I N T

Sound Off: Words on bettering MLK celebrations “The day before or after a speaker should come in and talk about the impact of Martin Luther King in remembrance of the day.”

“We should have a segment on Tiger TV like we did for Sept. 11 .”

“We should get more days off school.”

“School should be closed, but the cafeteria should be open and food should be free.”

sophomore Lisa Collins

junior Dustin Allen

SRO Ken Braden

senior Eric Redhair

photo poll compiled by Jamie Hisle and Kristen Palmer

Apathy could pose threat to AYP State math, reading assesments count no matter how tedious they are opinionseditor

kylerogers

s another round of school-wide testing ap proaches, the pressure on students at Blue Valley increases. Wait, no it doesn’t. According to this years ITED scores, some BV students didn’t seem to care about their scores or their school. Last year, our school scored in the 90th percentile nationally. Arguably, this year’s senior class is just as smart, and the girls proved that. Senior guys apparently took the two testing days off, scoring in the 78th percentile, while the girls took the tests seriously, scoring in the 92nd percentile. Though ITED scores are not used to calculate AYP, the tests indicate the attitude of students toward standardized testing. A similar showing on state assessments could spell trouble for the school’s AYP status. Blue Valley is currently far from the AYP danger zone, but in a few years, a similar score during test-

ing could mean failure to meet AYP for the year and cause BV to miss its goal of every student scoring in the proficient category by the year 2012. This does not seem to affect current students — the whole student body will be gone by the year 2007, but BV seniors may have a say through their actions on the future AYP assessments. Often, underclassmen learn from the upperclassmen during their first two years, so if this class of seniors blows off tests that are important to this school, the trend could continue for years to come. Some teachers hope to stop this trend before it starts by requiring the AYP tests (state reading and math assessments) for grades. It may seem extreme, but schools much continue to improve under the “No Child Left Behind” act, so BV can’t start to slack. NCLB also means no school left behind. With this

in mind, students face upcoming tests . They aren’t the most exciting things, but they are necessary. Te s t i n g days need to be taken seriously by everyone, not just underclassmen. So, step up juniors and sophomores, this is still your school. Take pride in it.

“Testing days need to be taken seriously by everyone.”

States rights not issue; stop flying Confederate flag lindsaypond

justpondering

onday marked the day: — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. It’s supposed to be a celebration. We are supposed to reflect on King, his dream, and our strides toward equality. Most importantly, we are supposed to continue that pursuit. But we don’t; we sleep late and catch up on homework. I admit that I enjoyed my three-day weekend as much as everyone else, but some of us need some schooling in terms of diversity. Blue Valley needs a reality check when it comes to “strides toward equality.” We need cultural education. By cultural education, I do not mean a cultural diversity assembly in which the school selects five students who are not Caucasian to sing the national anthem. We don’t need a presentation by the Schlagle band. Both efforts only confirmed the

stereotypes and prejudices that administration was trying to deter. We need to get a grasp on our own culture before we reach out to others. Blue Valley students need to take a long hard look at themselves. Why do some of us sport the Confederate flag on the front our trucks? Why do some students wear it? What do they think it stands for? We are not in the South. We are not in Dixie. We are not in a state that was ever part of the Confederacy. That flag symbolizes no part of the land we live on, so there is no reason to sport it here. It is not about states’ rights because Kansas wasn’t even a state when the Confederate flag came into existence. When Democrat Howard Dean stated his wish to be the candidate for “the guys with Confederate flags in their pickup trucks,” he didn’t mean affluent Blue Valley students. If the flag stands for heritage; it’s a shoddy, shameful one. Supporters of Confederate flags earn their own stereotypes —

trashy and ignorant. Plainly, they are trying to be hicks. That flag is a southern embarrassment, not southern pride. However, to call the flag an insult of class is to overlook the more important point. It’s racism, it’s offensive, and it’s wrong. Why condone a vice that our country is trying so hard to destroy? We don’t dress up as knights in white, why associate with anything tied so closely to them? If the Confederate flag ever symbolized any pure intentions, those are tainted by the underlying racism. As Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebrates the progress toward equality, the Confederate flag celebrates the opposite. It celebrates regression; it celebrates progress not made. The Confederate flag is a constant reminder of the lack of progress this country has made. The flag is a primitive symbol for a primitive message, and Blue Valley students should have more dignity and more intelligence than both.

T HE TIGER

PR I N T

managingeditor

lindsaypond

t appeared as if in a dream. Through the hustle and bustle of the crowded lunchroom, many students caught their first glimpse of the new slush machine. It almost seemed to emit its own glow, but it was really just the fluorescent lights overhead. It’s the hottest thing since the lunchroom began serving Bosco sticks. However, the student response has varied. For such a radical addition to the school’s diet, the slush machine has been surprisingly downplayed. Some students haven’t even seen the machine. “I’ve looked in the lunchroom, but I never see it,” senior Krista Vanwinkle said. “I’ve only seen people eating them, but they look pretty good.” According to senior Brian Oliver, the slush machine is the best thing that’s ever happened at Blue Valley. This may be a slight exaggeration, but the slush machine is definitely a positive force in the lunchroom. “It’s only 75 cents, and it tastes good,” Oliver said. Oliver is not alone in his love of the slush. Senior Taryn Jackson also enjoys the lunchroom’s tasty new treat. “Cherry is my favorite flavor,” Jackson said. Others find the school’s slush not as good as 7-11 slush. “This ain’t no 7-11,” senior Ryan Mundziak said. Well, one can’t expect a gourmet cuisine from a high school cafeteria. Still, the slurpees aren’t quite as sweet as those sold by commercial vendors. Also, 7-11 offers about three times as much slush for about 25 cents more. “It’s not quite 7-11, but at least you don’t have to drive to get them,” Oliver said. Senior Adam Pham suggested adding ice cream to the slush mix to create smoothies. “I would be willing to pay more than 75 cents for a better product,” Pham said. Although flavor may not be up to par, the slush machine can claim at least some nutritional value; some students are concerned that the slush machine is just more junk food. “It’s just another source of sugar that high school kids don’t need,” senior Lauren McCoy said. Au contraire. According to the vendor’s nutrition label, the slush contains 50 percent fruit juice. Overall, the students’ opinion of the slush remains ambiguous. Perhaps senior Bryce Gray puts it best. “Slushies are whack,” Gray said.

dustyriedesel

lindsaypond

managingeditor

Slush reviews vary, some icy, some hot

FRIDAY JAN

Boys eye girls, girls roll eyes I

’m not sure what it is, but I think she could be hotter,” a senior said of the sophomore he was checking out in the lunch line. He rated her Olympic-style: 9.5; she lacked that elusive quality of perfection, that special “something.” “Maybe it’s her nose,” his friend said. Well hotdog. Pass the ketchup and call the plastic surgeon. Maybe the girl would have powdered her nose a little heavier, if she had known she was in for a full evaluation at the salad bar; it is her lucky day, isn’t it? Someone special is

checking her out. Girls don’t come to school to be cheap thrills for boys with oversized libidos. Girls are people, not cars; they do not get “supped-up” for the big show Monday morning. Most girls are at school because they have to be or because they want to learn, not to be spectacles. For all their observation and analysis, boys don’t seem to reach anything progressive or even conclusive. Boys have strong opinions about girls, but it seems many of these boys lack the. . .courage to share them. If a boy can tell his friends that a certain girl has a nice face, bust, waist or butt, why can’t he just tell the girl the same thing? Oh right, he couldn’t do that because it would be incredibly vulgar, and he would probably get a slap in the face. If he couldn’t say it to her face, maybe he shouldn’t say it to his friends. The real issue with checking out girls is that it is a lot of watching and not a lot of acting; it seems cowardly. How hard is it to watch a hot girl walk down the hall? It’s a lot easier than actually talking to her. Boys check out girls, and, short of wearing bags over their heads, girls can’t do much to hinder their view. Go ahead and keep looking, boys, but realize it’s really lame to be caught gawking. Honestly, didn’t your mother ever tell you not to stare?

t was love at first sniff. Doesn’t sound right does it? That is because the first thing that a man notices is the way a woman looks. Oh sure, there are those rare, miracle connections over the internet, but that type of relationship is often looked at with ridicule because it so often fails. The truth is that relationships are one of the most important aspects of the human being’s life, and many men value a woman’s beauty as a valuable asset to their relationship. It may sound shallow, but it is the truth. Besides, girls make the same subjective statements about the way guys look, so why is it so bad that a guy expresses what he thinks about a girl? Girls check out guys the same way guys check out girls. A lot of guys can probably tell about a time when they have caught a girl looking at them, and they can definitely tell about a time when they have been caught looking. Considering both sexes are subject to the same curious eyes and the positives and negatives that come with them, is it really wrong that guys come out and talk about it a little? It can be bad, but there are a lot of things that can do potential harm. The problem is when guys reduce girls to nothing more than physical objects and a source of sexual pleasure, whether that pleasure is derived visually or bodily. Of course, that is not the issue at hand. The issue is checking girls out. That, in and of itself, is not bad. Truthfully, it is inevitable. A guy can’t go through his life blindfolded and muzzled. So girls have no right to complain about rubbernecks and lazy eyes, because it has been happening for thousands of years, and is going to keep happening, at least for our lifetimes.

Women

vs.

chics

Seniors graduate in winter, pursue college, work chrisbubeck

staffwriter

Is it cool?

opinion/feature staffwriter

s the first semester came to a close and finals were left in the dust, students looked forward to soaking up the long winter break filled with friends, family and fun. However, nine students will be soaking until their fingers prune as their breaks extend for the whole second semester. Graduating a semester early brings about every high school student’s dream. No school: time to sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery for a little while. But surprisingly, these early grads are some of the most ambitious and hardworking students that this school has to offer. Senior Max Jaben graduated early only to start an even more vigorous

lifestyle. Jaben is currently signed to attend school at Florida University and swim with the Gator’s next fall. He left school early to accommodate his extremely demanding schedule. It’s sun up: swim time, sun down: swim time, and in between: work, sleep and find time for his friends and family. Another early graduate, Jennifer Tangney, graduates early this year only to jump right onto another road that leads to her future. Tangney is currently enrolled at Johnson County Community College in a shadow, nursing program to help her prepare for a career as a pharmacist. She plans to attend St. Louis University, a well-respected school and said that this experience with her chosen profession could be very beneficial to her.

“I’ve never been one to just sit around on my butt. I don’t like that lazy feeling. I just have to be doing something all the time,” Tangney said. While this hard work and ambition is all well and good, what about the Prom, the Sweetheart dance, Graduation, opening up those time capsules, the summer kick off? These early grads will have the luxury of attending all of these momentous occasions while at the same time reveling in the freedom that early graduation brings. But won’t Jaben miss any of that fun homework, that to die for lunch food or those seven hours of the day he used to spend filling his brain with priceless knowledge? “Actually, I really don’t miss it, at least not yet,” he said.

FRIDAY JAN

T HE TIGER

feature

Dialing up the

PR I N T

Phacts on Phones

staffwriter

Plans control use of phones kimhieber

Minutes mean planning samboyd

mage is everything. Or is it. Most people focus more on the look of their cellular phones than how much they cost per month or how many minutes they have. But your service plan is the most important thing to consider when purchasing a cell phone. The first thing you must consider when deciding on a service plan is how much you can afford to spend per month. You must remember that downloaded ringers and wireless web cost extra. Plans can range from $20 to $200. Next, you must consider when you will be using your cell phone most. Sprint’s night and weekend minutes are unlimited and nighttime minutes begin at 7 p.m. Cingular has 5000 night and weekend minutes for all of their nation-wide plans. For most T-Mobile plans, weeknight minutes are unavailable, but for most, weekend minutes are unlimited. After that you need to consider how many anytime minutes you will need. If you don’t want to spend more than $20 T-Mobile offers a plan with 60 anytime minutes. T-Mobile ranges all the way up to $130 with 5000 anytime minutes. If you need more than 60 minutes, Cingular has a $30 plan with 250 minutes. But, for $5 more you can have 300 minutes with Sprint. Cingular ranges up to $200 for 3000 minutes and Sprint ranges up to $115 for 2500 minutes. You should look at all the cell phone companies and decide on a plan before you make a beeline for the display case to pick out the next hottest phone.

opinionseditor

lue Valley High School: home of the Tigers and their cell-phones. They are everywhere. Both students and teachers have them; yet, the interesting thing is: none of these phones are anything alike. The reason for this is there are so many options to consider when purchasing a phone and how these options are combined. The three most significant areas in which cells tend to differ are by brand name, service provider and features, each of these having a wide range of choices. It would be impossible to expand on all the different options out there so here’s information on the top three manufacturers that Blue Valley students use: Samsung, Motorola and Nokia. The first major way that these three phone types differ is by service provider. At BV, the most common service providers are Verizon Wireless, Cingular Wireless, and Sprint; however, the cellular phone industry is not limited to these three. For instance, the majority of Motorola phones are covered by Nextel, even though most BV students don’t use it. The same goes for Nokia; it has a very wide range of different service providers. Some of the other big provider companies out there are Cingular One, TMobile, AT&T Wireless and DSL Another way, and probably the biggest way, that cellular phones differ are by the features that each model includes. Just recently, students have been purchasing phones with a built in camera feature. There are also phones that can play the radio and for a while now most models have attained the ability to connect to the Internet. Different phones also include different games. For example, most Nokia phones have the game “snake” programmed into them; whereas, Virgin Mobile phones include the game “break-out” modeled after the old Atari systems. Then there is, of course, the matter of each owner. Depending on the model, faceplates ranging from sports teams to Hawaiian flowers can be purchased. Ring tones have become so advanced by now that they mimic any song from the radio to a college’s school song like Kansas University’s “I’m a Jayhawk.” With all these cool features and cute accessories, who wouldn’t want to purchase a mobile phone? One can easily understand why so many students have one, and why those who don’t are intending on getting one soon.

Privacy an issue with photo phones shanhoward

here are potentially pictures of you everywhere... that you don’t know about. How? Cell phones. New cell phones have “revolutionary” technology that makes it possible for a person to take a picture whenever they want... the downfall? Walking down the street, for the first time in history, it is logical to question how many strangers are documenting every step you take. Over $25 million has been spent this year on these high-tech gadgets... and a large portion more on legal settlements when these happy new owners run into trouble. “Mobile phones fitted with cameras may be the latest rage but a 25-year-old Emirati found it to be a very expensive hobby after a court fined him $1,360 for invasion of privacy,” Agence France-Presse, a French newspaper, said. The news article talked

about how the man bought a new phone and was learning how to work it while in a restaurant. Pushing buttons, he claims mistakenly, the man took pictures of some Muslim women sitting nearby. Taking pictures of Muslim women is a major invasion of their religion and their privacy. The mistake was costly. Another question is how much cell phone providers can record. Cell phones are virtual tracking devices through satellite systems. With the new picture phone, can the companies see everything you do? “...Your wireless provider may still be collecting and recording pretty detailed information about your whereabouts. What’s mildly disturbing is that the legal standards governing who has access to that location information remain unclear,” Declan McCullagh, a staff writer from zdnetindia said. There are really no laws as to what your cell phone providers can or can’t do. Camera phones may lead to consumer

lawsuits and expansion of corporate freedoms. The only way to prevent you from being affected is to ask as many questions as possible from cell phone providers before deciding on a phone.

T HE TIGER

feature

PR I N T

FRIDAY JAN

The holidays are over, were you Reveal a good samaritan:

Naughty kylerogers

“I’ve never been beaten up and left on the side of the road, so this question doesn’t apply to me.” senior Chris Morrill “Manda Richardson helps with the younger students in class.” Teacher Anita Lemons

As we enter a new year, some questions are posed before us. Where will this year take our school? How will our athletic teams do? How will our test scores stack up? Where have our morals gone? Though a large gap exists between test scores and morals, these subjects are closer than they seem. Occasionally blown out of proportion, the question of morals among teens have existed for generations. From the days of Elvis, parents and teens have not seen eye-to-eye on moral issues, and that will probably never change. With prominent studies on high school cheating and drinking appearing frequently, the moral question seems to be pervasive throughout the country. Included in those studies are opinion polls that show a large majority of students don’t feel cheating is wrong, and BV students tend to agree. “[Cheating] is okay as long as you don’t get caught,” junior Chris Lee said. “I look at it more like sharing answers and comparing.” Parents and kids may never see eyeto-eye, but can our generation accept the moral state of our generation?

opinionseditor

“My friend Nicole gave me a flower when I was feeling sad.” sophomore Kelly O’Shaughnessy

Look around the hall for longer than 10 seconds and one will see five to 10 different people with five to 10 different sets of beliefs. Since all students are different, philosophies on learning, cheating and drinking will differ from student to student. With all these inconsistencies, how can BV students deal with anothers morality that may be higher or lower than their own? “Religion is something great in my life,” junior Andrew Vance said, “and it’s a pity that [some other students] don’t have it, but that is their own personal beliefs and I respect them” Many students like Vance turn to their religion for answers. Churches have been a source of America’s ethics since the days of exploration, starting with the Puritans of Massachusetts and the Quakers of Pennsylvania, and they continue to provide guidance today. Church doctrines, however, have become more lenient since the inception of the United States, and this could be a reason that the conflict between differing levels of morality has arisen. Once-taboo divorce is now a

common practice in scandals involving Catholic Church and ther tarnished the lu in the country. This dents have abandon “I know there ar people out there,” sop Petrick said, “but tha my faith.” By looking at the between parents and turmoil of some relig try, one notices a pat definition a set of change over time. Rig moral of one genera ferent than that of an tion. Thus, parents a never agree on mo doesn’t mean Americ thing about it. Why not centralize about right and wron cannot control issues supernatural, but it zens’ attitudes towa ing, drinking and oth Views won’t be ident ing opinions shape t

Confess ! Do you have any bad habits?

“Slacking off senior year.” Senior Kate Dunleavy

admit whe wrong.”

“I kill bugs frequently.” Freshman Jason Browar

“Not being

Junior Shay A Photo polls by Jamie Hisle and Kristen Palmer.

FRIDAY JAN

feature

e the core beliefs ng? The country s of faith and the t can affect citird crime, cheather moral issues. tical, but dissentthis nation.

g able to n I’m

not always nice

Kids these days: Teens disprove stereotypes ageism maneezaiqbal

newseditor

age-old conflict children and the ions in the countern. Morals, by ideas, seem to ght or wrong, the tion will be difny other generand children may rality, but that ca can’t do some-

re you a goody twoshoes? A juvenile delinquent? What are your morals? What do you stand for? With the new year, many students begin to reevaluate their images, values, and goals. Whether it’s the resolve for better grades or a tougher image, students are defining themselves in 2004.

Case 1: Teenagers walk into a store; as they walk around, they notice that they are being followed by a salesperson. He eventually approaches them to ask if they need help. In reality, the salesperson is making sure that they don’t steal anything. He isn’t following anyone else around. Case 2: A car races through a 35 mph zone at 50 mph. The initial reaction of drivers is that it is probably a careless teenager because teenagers are bad drivers. Ageism, the prejudice against a certain age group, is a problem facing teens today. Sex, drugs, alcohol and crime at times involve the adolescent age group. This association leads people to believe in stereotypes about teenagers and discriminate against them in public venues. The media perpetuates this perception of teenagers as the essence of criminal activity. “People think teenagers are rebellious and break the laws,” senior Satya Upadyayula said. Seventy-nine percent of teenagers report being suspected of illegal activities, reports www.teensarenotadisease.com. The House of Representatives passed legislation in May 1997 saying that 14 year olds could be tried as adults and offered $1.5 bil-

lion to law enforcement to meet these standards. According to www.fair.org, this legislation was the product of the “super predator” image of teenagers. Examples of this type of treatment are everywhere. “I’m walking through Wal-Mart and the store manager came up to [me and my friends] and took us into the backroom,” sophomore Jessie Burke said. “I was at Price Chopper and the store manger accused me of stealing Pizza Rolls,” sophomore Dereck Lucas said. “I was taking pictures in my neighborhood and a guy came out to his stoop, locked his car doors, and stared at me the whole time,” junior Emily Bruschi said. However, these stereotypes disregard the fact that teenagers do a lot of good. Many volunteer at projects where teenagers play a major role. Teenagers paint over graffiti on walls, work in soup kitchens or hand sleeping bags to the poor. Many high schools have volunteer programs set up so teenagers can help people instead of hurt. “People don’t see the good side [of teenagers],” Upadhyayula said. “The bad things stand out more.”

PR I N T

o Nice? or

n the U.S., and g clergy in the others have furuster of religion said, not all stued their faith. re certain [bad] phomore Kristen at doesn’t change

Alford

T HE TIGER

students admit to: cheating on a test

93% lying to a parent

89% drinking alcohol

64% stealing

48% trying drugs

32% wrecking a car

13% 107 students polled

T HE TIGER

FRIDAY JAN PR I N T feature Junior Swatek’s stepbrother fights with Hodgkin’s opinionseditor

kylerogers

alk into that slate colored house, three down from the pool in Creekside, and nothing seems amiss. Katie Swatek, a Blue Valley junior, lies in front of her mom, and stepbrother Kenton Watkins sits on the couch, as he usually does, watching the Chiefs (38-31 loss to Indianapolis). “Finally!” Watkins screams as the first penalty is called against the Colts. “It’s about time,” his stepmom Kathy Watkins adds. Watkins father, Jim, sits in the Lazy-boy between stepmom and son. He is agitated by the game and has begun concentrating on his laptop instead. Swatek lies on the floor, making the family’s dog flinch as he attempts to sleep. Everything appears to be life as usual, but things aren’t always as they appear. Watkins, a seventh grader at Prairie Star Middle School, has been battling cancer for the last two months. The ordeal started on Halloween; that’s when they first noticed the lump. “Kenton said he had lost a lot of weight,” Jim Watkins said, “and he said ‘I bet you can pick me up.’” When Jim lifted his son, Kenton’s head hit the door jam and turned sideways, exposing his neck to an onlooking grandmother. “My mom was right behind him when his neck bent,” Jim said, “and she asked what was on his neck.” What had been obscure quickly became apparent to everyone: there was a large lump on Kenton’s neck. “I saw it a long time before anyone else,” Kenton said. “It just felt like a muscle; I didn’t think it was much more.” Kenton may have thought it was nothing, but his

family knew immediately what it was. “I knew what it was right away,” Kathy, a nurse at St. Luke’s South said. “In 25 years [as a nurse] that is the first [tumor] I have seen. The whole family was shocked.” At first, the thought of a son with cancer was terrifying, but as the family learned more, tensions settled. Kathy’s nursing connections came in handy quickly, as Kenton saw a doctor Sunday in the emergency room

Watkins poses for Halloween two years ago. The tumor is already apparent just below his left ear.

at St. Luke’s South. The doctor recommended a second opinion, and Kenton returned to the hospital Monday to have X-Rays done get a surgery date. “It’s good to have important connections.” Kathy said. “We got Kenton’s surgery moved up two weeks because I’m a nurse.” By the time Kenton was starting chemotherapy, most people would not have had surgery yet. “I don’t know how other people stand it.” Jim said. “[The amount of time] we waited was hard enough. I don’t know how other people wait longer.” Kenton underwent surgery on Nov. 7, and Kathy knew Nov. 10 that the tumor was malignant. Doctor’s returned good and bad news: Kenton had Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, but the disease has a 70 percent survival rate. “I wouldn’t say I was relieved,” junior Swatek said, “but I felt better knowing the survival rate was so high.” The process moved quickly after diagnosis. Kenton began chemo-perhaps the hardest part of the ailmenton Nov. 20. Kenton is on schedule to be done in May 2004. Therapy started with four rounds of chemo followed by two rounds of radiation. If all goes according to plan, Kenton will be done in May, and doctors will continue to monitor him for two years to make sure the cancer doesn’t return. The ordeal has been handled well, but it is never easy to have a family member with cancer. Kenton’s family has adjusted to the fact that he has cancer, but that doesn’t stop them from wishing he didn’t “You would never wish that on someone else,” sister Swatek said, “but just this once, you wished it was someone else.”

hocke

One family’s journey through the fight against an unnexpected bout of cancer

A Vicious Cycle: Inside the 5 days during, around cancer treatment Checks into hospital at 8 a.m. to spend the night. Receive first round of chemotherapy. This is hardest day and leaves Kenton the most drained.

Day

Receives second round of chemo at 4 p.m. This round is the second largest and the day is the second hardest of the eightday process. It gradually gets easier from here. Goes home at 8 p.m.

Checks back into the hospital for third round of therapy. This round is less than the previous two and the naseau and other side effects are not as strong.

No chemo treatment during these days. Used a buffer between treatments . Cannot eat aged meats and cheeses or things with brewers yeast at all during chemo, so food options are limited during this period.

Day

Days

Goes back to hospital for last, small round of chemo. This is the end of the cycle, so Kenton has a month to recover and get ready for next time.

Day

Watkins not only American youth dealing with cancer Disease most common cancer among America’s adolescents staffwriter

adamlary

he C-word. It may not seem like a dirty word, but to some kids and their families, its effects can be devastating. While cancer in adolescence is rare, its effects are more than just physical. The stress of treatment can have a huge psychological impact as well, and not just for the patient. Everyone around the person is affected. Cancer is ranked fourth among deaths in adolescents, after accidents, homicide and suicide. In an article written by Dr. Kathryn J. Klopfentstein, statistics show that in 1998 there were an estimated 12,400 children 20 years of age and

younger diagnosed with cancer. About 2,500 of them died. From 1986 to 1995, there were approximately 319.5 cases for every 1 million people between the ages of 10 to 19. In the 15- to 19-year-old age group, Hodgkin’s disease was the most common, followed by germ cell tumors and central nervous system (CNS) tumors. In children ages 10 to 14, acute lymphoblastic leukemia was the most common, along with CNS tumors. Hodgkin’s disease is a type of cancer that affects the immune system, called a lymphoma. Because the immune system runs throughout the whole body,

Hodgkin’s can begin almost anywhere. Treatment can include a variety of drugs, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Hodgkin’s disease accounts for about 16.1 percent of children with cancer in the 15- to 19-year-old age group. CNS tumors affect the central nervous system. They may either spread to the nervous system or start there. The most effective treatments of CNS tumors are radiation therapy and surgery. While cancer in adolescence is rare, studies show that survivors of cancer in childhood are more likely to die from other causes later in life. A study done by the Department of

Hematology/Oncology at the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC, shows that survivors of childhood cancer are more than three times as likely to die for reasons other than cancer later in life. The risk of dying later in life was greatest in patients who received radiation therapy and alkylating agents and for those treated with radiation only. Various other studies show that cancer is more prevalent in males than females. In studies evaluating race relating to cancer, white children were about 1.5 times more likely to develop cancer than black children of the same age.

profile

FRIDAY JAN

T HE TIGER

PR I N T

Senior explores theater directing staffwriter

katieabrahamson

Bedell thinks about the next move while directing a show photo by: Brandon

itting in the director’s chair, senior Becca Bedell becomes enthralled by every action and emotion portrayed. She jots down helpful suggestions and encourages the actresses starring in Repertory Theater ’s student-directed play, Agnes of God. Agnes of God will be performed on Thursday Jan. 29 and Saturday Jan. 31, at 7:30 p.m. each night in the Black Box. Bedell, a two-year member of Rep Theater and a fouryear member of Thespians, has been active in theater since kindergarten, but has been truly serious and devoted to Blue Valley Theater. She has performed in various Rep Theater shows, such as All My Sons (which was performed on the 15 and 17), Home Fires and The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe and main stage shows, such as One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Romeo and Juliet, along with the musicals 42nd Street, Once on This Island and Grease. This is the first time Bedell has attempted directing a fulllength play. “I really wanted to try a different aspect of theater,” Bedell said. “I thought that directing this play would be a good experience that would teach me lessons not only about theater, but also how to handle people.” Agnes of God chronicles the lives of three women, connected by the investigation of a baby killing. Agnes, played

by senior Kimber Van Cleve, is a young nun with a troubled childhood, who is thought to have killed her child. Mother Miriam Ruth, played by Britney Chrisco, is somewhat responsible for Agne’s troubled childhood. “Directing Agnes of God has definitely been a challenge for both myself and the actresses to create a meaningful production,” Bedell said. Although the subject matter of Agnes of God has been a challenge, the major challenge Bedell has faced is controlling and directing her peers. “Directing your peers is so hard, because you have to juggle between being their friend and also their authority figure,” Bedell said. The actresses also had some difficulty adjusting to having a fellow student directing. “Becca is such a genuinely nice person,” Chrisco said. “Before rehearsals started, I thought that Becca would be afraid of critiquing us. But, Becca has been so organized and professional everyday in rehearsal - she makes things happen.” Everyday in rehearsal, Bedell has a certain “gameplan” that she hopes to achieve. She sets certain deadlines for memorized lines, and makes sure to remind the actresses on blocking directions. “I try to give them as many encouraging comments as I can, but the girls should be very proud. Because of these hardworking, willing actresses, directing Agnes of God has become a reality.”

Cecily Miller: Grade 11 If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? My eye color. If you could be on any reality show, what would it be and why? Bachelorette, because of the selection. What is your favorite CD? Tim McGraw, Dance Hall Doctors. Would you prefer to be really short, or really tall and why? Short…I already am short. What’s your favorite restaurant? P.F. Changs.

tigerprofile Austen Lucansky: Grade 11 If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I wouldn’t break my bones so much. If you could be on any reality show, what would it be and why? Fear Factor, because it looks fun. Would you prefer to be really short, or really tall and why? Really short, because I don’t want to tease people; I think its mean. What’s your favorite restaurant? Japanese Steakhouse.

photo poll by: Brandon Lutz

Lutz

Experiencing the Pageantry Freshman competes in beauty competitions staffwriter

samboyd

t is kind of like [the movie] Miss Congeniality,” fresh man Alix Santa Maria said, “but with no swimsuit competition.” Santa Maria is referring to the many beauty pageants she has participated in since the age of four. She has stayed involved, as she has grown older, in the hopes of winning scholarships to the college of her choice. Scholarships are awarded to winners for all different categories, such as acting and dance. Though the competitions she competes in don’t include a swimsuit competition, they do include a talent portion. Santa Maria is a tap dancer. She has been in dance for nine years and practices three nights a week. Santa Maria has performed in plays and musicals and says that she loves to perform on stage. At the Kansas State Compe-

tition in 2002 she placed second in talent for her tap dance. She also placed first in photogenic, speech, acting, academic achievement and community service. Community service and academic achievements(GPA) are 30 percent of overall score. Santamoria has 4.0 GPA and is enrolled in honors classes. Santa Maria won overall Kansas Preteen last year. She has won six titles in eight years, including placing second at nationals in Colorado last year. Besides school and pageants she also participates in fashion shows for different stores in the mall, Fashion Bug being the leading store. However, her mind isn’t just filled with clothes and make-up; she has a special place for her favorite sport, football. “That covers me: dance, pageants, football and school.”

Santa Maria gets her picture taken following the Miss Kanas Competition. photo submitted by Alix Santa Maria

T HE TIGER

PR I N T

entertainment

FRIDAY JAN

LOCAL EATERIES

Good food has students flocking to Red Robin staffwriter

kimheiber

odeled after a modern sports bar, the Red Robin restaurant, located on 135 St and Antioch, appears to be a man’s place. What guy wouldn’t want to eat greasy food and watch sports? But don’t let the outside appearance discourage you from eating there. Once inside, the place is quite fit for a family dinner. Red Robin’s menu has some-

thing for everyone. For example, for those who do not enjoy eating greasy, fatty hamburgers, there are a variety of salads available to choose from. For the younger guests, there is a complimentary kid menu, and on Tuesday nights they have the opportunity to meet the Red Robin himself. And then of course there is dessert. Who doesn’t enjoy a great helping of ice cream? No matter which dessert is ordered, the guest is sure to enjoy an extra

big helping. There is no way around it, food isn’t cheap at Red Robin. The good thing is, it’s not as expensive as places like Gambucci’s and Yahooz. On top of that, one really does get his/her money’s worth due to the excessive ice cream and unlimited fries. While Red Robin may not be the fanciest place to eat or of Homecoming-dinner quality, it will easily suffice for a good date any Saturday night.

Red Robin offers an array of ice creams and shakes, a restaurant trademark. “It’s delicious,” junior Kevin Lynch said. “I could drink their milkshakes all day.” photo used with permission from Red Robin

Established restaurants remain popular in Stanley staffwriter

nickspeed

lthough there are many new restaurants in the area, it’s the veteren restaurants that act as the pillars of the dining out community. Some of these pillars such as Applebee’s, Freddy T’s, Jalepenos and Jerzey Boyz, have been around for the better part of a decade. Applebee’s has a great neighborhood atmosphere. They have a variety of different kinds of foods from salads to chicken fingers to steaks. Sometimes the service is slow, but the food always comes with a smile from the people that are “taking care of you tonight.” “Applebee’s is always fun to eat at,” junior David Tafreshi said. “I always go and look at the neighborhood section.” Freddy T’s at 159th is a bar and grill with stereotypical hamburgers and fries. As the bar part of the “bar and grill” suggests, if you are

underage, you can not eat there past 11p.m. on the meat, will fix it any way that you want it weekend nights. The service has a little and are very friendly to boot. something left to be desired, but that dosen’t take away from the good food. “Freddy T’s is always nice to go to,” senior Andrew Shorten. “Especially after we just killed someone in football.” Jalepenos is a Mexican resteraunt with good food, good service, good location and good atmosphere. The chips are always bottomless and free. The food always comes out before you expect it and they never get special orders wrong. “Jerzey Boyz is better than Subway or “Jalepenos is a good eating establishment Goodcents, because they never hold back on the where good people go to eat good food,” meat,” sophomore Jacob Tupper said. Freshman Zachary Rampy These veteran eateries have been serving our Last but not least on the list is, of course, hungry communities for many years. If business Jerzey Boyz. Jerzey Boyz competes with continues the way it has, they will be serving Subway and Mr. Goodcents for the best sub sandwhich in the area. They are never light on our community a while longer.

staffwriter

Students experience safari madness at Elephant Bar michaelacross

f you’re in the mood for some tasty cui-sine or have expensive taste, the El-ephant Bar is for you. Located on 119th St. and Metcalf, the restaurant is easily accessible. Upon entering the restauraunt, you will notice the door handles are elephant heads themselves, and as you walk in the door, animal prints overwhelm you. There is a cool, romantic feel with the dimmed lights and electronic safari fans. When it comes to popularity, the word has definitely got out. With no allowed reservations, the wait to eat starts at 4:30 on Fridays and Saturdays. The wait has b e e n known to reach two hours on their busiest nights. However, once you’re seated, the service is pristine. With a variety of foods from potato skins, calamari, Asian cuisine and hamburgers, there is something for everyone. The food is very presentable and appetizing as, and it is served quickly and hot. To end the night, there is a mocha mud pie big enough for four, a tasty brownie smothered in ice cream and whip cream, and a tasty original cheesecake. Everything is big enough to share. Make sure to be very hungry when you arrive. The Elephant Bar is a perfect place for a big family gathering or a date for two. The waiters are friendly and dedicated to their job and the cooks love what they do as you can look in on the open

“With a variety of foods there is something for every one”

Classic Restaurants

T HE TIGER

entertainment

FRIDAY JAN

PR I N T

Something Corporate in concert sportseditor

kevinloftus

et’s rock Kansas City! Something Corporate’s lead singer Andrew McMahon screamed during his hit single “Space” on Dec. 13 at the Beaumont Club. This was Something Corporate’s fourth appearance in the Kansas City area in 14 months. Something Corporate, who hail from Orange County, Cal., have a different sound from most “punk” bands. Not only does McMahon sing, he also plays the piano. With William Tell (guitar), Josh Partington (guitar), Brian Ireland (drums) and Clutch (bass) the group has released two major label CDs, including their latest, “North,” which came out last October. The show, which started at 7 p.m. to accommodate the needs of younger fans, was an energized two-hour performance from Something Corporate. The set included songs from North and their first album, Leaving Thru the Window, and their unreleased album, Ready Break. After Space, the band went into “Fall,” “I Woke Up in a Car” and “Break Myself.” After “Break Myself,” the band decided to

Q &A with William Tell

Before the concert, editors Lindsay Pond and Kevin Loftus entered the Something Corporate tour bus for a personal interview with William Tell. TP: What has it been like touring basically nonstop for the past three

Something Corporate plays in concert at the Beaumont Club on Dec. 13. Photos printed with permission from Something Corporate.

slow things down a bit. Starting with “Wait,” and then a rare acoustic performance of “I Want To Save You.” Only McMahon was on stage playing the piano. Afterward they returned to the stage to play the fan-favorite, “Konstantine.” During the song, it seemed the crowd’s singing was louder than McMahon’s. The mood went from somber to crazy when “Only Ashes” was played. “Only Ashes” was followed up by “If U C Jordan” and “I Kissed a Drunk Girl,” which featured a cover of Outkast’s “Ms. Jackson” during the chorus that left the crowd wanting more. The band then closed the set with “Hurricane,” which included McMahon stage diving at the end of the song. Even though his sleeve got ripped off, he still had a huge smile on his face. Overall, it was a good concert. The crowd seemed to be into it, as was McMahon, who was running around the stage the whole night. The only let down was how some of the crowd was complaining about all the pushing and shoving going on. Other than that, it was a great night.

years? WT: It’s been fun, but I’m looking forward to the break. TP: What are your plans for the two month break that you have? WT: Just going back to California, hanging out with friends, going on a camping trip. TP: How would you say North is different from Leaving Thru the Window?

WT: North is softer and darker. It was a more of a group effort than Leaving Thru the Window. On Leaving Thru the Window there were all these different songs that gave you different feelings. I think that it wasn’t as cohesive as North is. TP: What is the best part about being the headliner on a tour? WT: Just being in control. It’s also nice to have someone else carry in your own equipment.

If you weren’t in Something Corporate, what would you be doing? WT: I would probably be in college somewhere in Orange County. TP: “Space” is getting major airplay on local radio stations and has even been on MTV. Did you ever think you would make it this big? WT: I thought we would do well. You just have to remain true to yourself and true to the music.

ROCKHURST UNIVERSITY far enough away to experience

LIFE ON YOUR OWN (but close enough to bring your laundry home) You might think you know what Rockhurst University has to offer, but did you know . . .

You’re Invited to…

• Rockhurst joins other highly respected schools like Georgetown and Boston College on the list of 28 renowned Jesuit universities in the U.S. • U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks Rockhurst among the top 15 universities in its class in the Midwest. • The University offers 10 varsity sports, three club sports, a 30-event intramural program, more than 50 campus organizations and a strong Greek system. • Rockhurst offers generous financial aid and scholarships, making us an affordable college choice.

Come visit Rockhurst and let us give you the proper introduction. Then apply online for free at www.rockhurst.edu/apply. 7:54 p.m. every Monday night starting Feb. 2 at The Conveyor (151st and Travis/Metcalf).

A Rock Solid Foundation for a Rock Solid Future 1100 Rockhurst Road, Kansas City, MO 64110 | 816-501-4100 | www.rockhurst.edu

Come see for yourself, it’s not like anything else.

T HE TIGER

PR I N T

sports

FRIDAY JAN

Lacrosse The few the proud managingeditor

lindsaypond

Senior Jim Frazier plays midfield during a faceoff in a match against Rockhurst High School last spring. Frazier is one of the few lacrosse players at BV.

ootball season is over, and basketball season is well under way. Yet, for senior Jim Frazier, his season lies dormant until spring. No, he’s not anxious for baseball. Frazier is one of the few awaiting the start of lacrosse season. He is the only Blue Valley student returning to the district team, the BV Knights.

Lacrosse is an obscurity at Blue Valley. According to Frazier, it is the few and the proud. Unlike other area schools, including Olathe East and Blue Valley West, lacrosse just has not hit a mainstream. But why not? What could be more exhilarating than a sport that promotes hitting the opponent with metal rods? Of course, there is more to lacrosse than nailing people, but Frazier doesn’t understand why lacrosse hasn’t picked up more support. “We need more Blue Valley fans,” Frazier said. What may be an appeal to some, repels others. Frazier doesn’t deny that lacrosse players sustain many injuries. He has seen teammates come out of crosse-checks with the bones in their arms smashed. “[One player] lost his chin,” Frazier said. “The skin was just hanging by one side of his jaw bone.” Despite the horror

stories, Frazier still loves the game. It’s challenging, he says, a game for the well-rounded athlete. Lacrosse requires a little bit of everything: strength, endurance, agility, not to mention both physical and mental toughness. Lacrosse uniforms have less padding, and the sport allows more open play. “It’s like a mix of hockey and football as far as the hitting goes,” Frazier said. “It requires a lot more running, though.” Frazier began playing lacrosse in eighth grade. He joined the Knights’ varsity team his freshman year, and was a captain for the 2003 season. Aside from the club season in spring, Frazier plays in several different leagues throughout the rest of the year, including an indoor league. He also practices with his coach’s adult team, the Four Winds. Frazier couldn’t see a future without lacrosse. He plans to play for a club team at Kansas State University next year. For now, Frazier must focus on the present, which includes the upcoming season with the Knights. “We lost a lot of good players last year,” he said. “It’s hard to fill spots because many people have never played.”

Beyond the gridiron alternative sports seek spotlight mattgalloway

managingeditor

he sweat rolled down the foreheads of the athletes as they lined up in the formation. This had been the toughest game of their lives, yet they were so close to the championship. The defense shifted and the offense called an audible play at the last second. The ball was passed off and then thrown down the field in a desperate heave at the receiver. The final seconds passed and the ball was intercepted to end the game. So what sport is being described here? Most of you would say football, but that isn’t the answer. No, the sport in the scenario was lacrosse, and this is just one of the many sports that gets overlooked because of the glitz and glamour of mainstream sports. In lacrosse, the two teams are usually made up of 10 players. Each team must have at least four players (including the goalie) in its defensive half of the field. Three other players take the offensive side, and the remaining three play mid-field, an area where they’re allowed to roam. Games last 48 minutes and are broken into four quarters. The concept of the game is much like hockey because only the goalie can touch the ball with his hands. Lacrosse isn’t the only sport that doesn’t get as many props as it should. Fencing is a sport with a

rich history and a competitive tradition. Sword fighting as a sport has existed since ancient Egypt. Later in its history it was introduced into the first ever Olympic games and changed to be more player friendly, taking up the new name “foil and saber fencing.” The object of the sport today, though, is not to kill or hurt your opponent. A good, clean fencing attack hurts no more than a tap on the shoulder. Modern lighting systems judge today’s dueling events, but traditionally players use the honor system to decide competitions. Another sport that dates back thousands of years is karate. The difference between karate and fencing is that the body is the primary weapon in karate instead of swords. Although the fighters attempt to drop each other like a stack of bricks, they often have more respect for each other than in any other sport. Movies might depict karate as a blood-hungry death sport, but the competitors really only use it in self-defense, unless they’re taking part in one of the many tournaments across the world. Just because a sport isn’t played here at Blue Valley High School or isn’t covered on Sportscenter doesn’t mean it doesn’t have an interesting and exciting component to it. Try taking part in some of these sports and who knows, you may enjoy them enough to make them a part of your life.

What? You missed our state championship?

T HE TIGER

sports

FRIDAY JAN

PR I N T

Winter sports are heating up Boys’ Basketball

Girls’ Basketball

nickspeed

The boys’ basketball team departed for Valley Center yesterday but the opening games results were not available at press time. They played Derby last night. Other teams include Fl Schlagle, Wichita Southeast, Goddard, Shawnee Mission North, Valley Center and Garden City. The boys played Bishop Miege last Friday, Jan. 16. The Tigers were up by 10 points at the end of the third quarter and didn’t score on a last minute possesion. The Tigers lost 61-60. The Bishop Miege Stags have a 45 game winning streak at home. Traveling to Blue Valley Northwest on Jan. 13 didn’t turn out well for the Tigers either. The Tigers lost 69-57. Senior Marshall Banks led the tigers in scoring with 17 points. In a huge Eastern Kansas League matchup, the Tigers upset the Saints of St. Thomas Aquinas on Jan 6 at home. Leading the way for the Tigers was Banks with 21 points follwed by senior Travis Upah scoring 15 points.

nickspeed

The Lady Tigers took on Olathe Northwest last night. The scores were not available at press time. The girls team travelled to Olathe South last Tuesday to face a tough Lady Falcon squad. They were looking to rebound with a now healthy team. These scores were also not available at press time. Jan. 15 the team took on Bishop Miege at home. The Tigers put up a tough fight but fell short in the end. They lost 66-59. Freshman Kenzie Ziegler led the way with 16 points and 10 rebounds. “We played really well against one of the best teams in Kansas,” head coach Rick Rhoades said. On Jan. 12, malled by injury or illness to four of the five starters, the Tigers took on a good Blue Valley Northwest team and lost 70-49.

Swimming

austinisham

The boys’ swimming team is exceeding expectations and are excited to find michealjohnson out how the season will end. “We have a lot of potential to close The Tigers traveled to the Bob Cat out the season strong,” senior Ryan Classic at Basehor-Linwood on Jan. 16 Zeckser said. and 17. The team placed six wrestlers, The team recently was proud of their who were: Tyler Madl-112, fourth; finish at the Emporia meet. They placed Keaton Baker-125, third; Grant Baker3rd out of 15 teams. 130, third; Dane Hammett-160, fifth; Jon Among other accomplishments, the Edwards-215, fifth; and Adam Monks200-medley relay qualified for state and 189, sixth. the 200-free relay is in consideration. On Jan. 10, the Tigers went to Bonner But the strongest swimmer right now Springs and finished third as a team. Six Senior Jackie Paschang looks for an open teammate during the 70-49 loss is sophomore Parker Sargent, who has wrestlers advanced to the finals. Grant against Blue Valley Northwest on Jan. 12 at Blue Valley High School. The not lost an individual event this season. Baker placed first, Keaton Baker placed girls next game is against Blue Valley West on Tuesday at home. He won the 50-yard sprint at the Mofirst, Foster took second, Kyle Letujen, Kan Invitational at Center High on Jan 140, placed second, and Hammet took 16. His 21.64 second time is enough for All-American consideration. second along with Edwards. “I’m confident in my chances for the rest of the season considering I’ve been sick with Finally, the team defeated Blue Valley Northwest winning 42-20, Jan. 14. pneumonia for two weeks,” Sargent said. The wrestling team looks to continue its success at Piper on Saturday.

Wrestling

Name: Travis Upah Sport: Basketball Grade 12

Upah, who is one of seven seniors on the team, knew he had to be in top shape for this season. “I ran lots and lots and lifted weights to get ready for the season,” Upah said. Since the team returns all starters from a state qualifying team, Upah has high expectations. “My goals are to win EKL and go to state.”

playerprofile Stevens, a sophomore, is a lover of the little things of the game. “I like watching people dunk and good passing,” Stevens said. The girls team also returns majority of their starters and is looking for another state run. “I want to make it back to state and Name: Mellisa Stevens be competitive in every game.” Sport: Basketball , Grade: 10

Coaches select students for player proflie. Poll compiled by Kristen Palmer and Jamie Hisle.

profileeditor

New idea gives bad teams hope andrewaconclusion

nother new year brings us so many good things, but it has also brought us some bad, like the BCS, the computer ranking system, which decides which two college teams play for the national championship. But maybe folks, it really isn’t such a bad idea. It really proves that every week counts; you can’t have a bad week. Maybe it is such a good idea that the Kansas State High School Athletics Association should implement it next fall in football. Everyone says that the season starts when districts start. That’s why cupcake Blue Valley North made it as far as they did, because they were streaking at the right time against weak schools. On the other hand, I think that every game should have an impact on the season and how the playoffs are handled, and that’s why I’m recommending such a plan as the BCS. However, it would be different than the college version. In college strength of schedule and “quality wins” matter, as well as other factors like wins and losses. The high school side of things would be different; schools would score points based on other factors besides the team’s performance. The process would look at factors that made the atmosphere what it was and what made Friday night so special in the fall. Each week there would be four categories, each would be judged on a scale of 5-

20, with five being the best and the score a school would want to get in each category. Here are the four categories: the first would be school spirit. Those schools with fans there at least four hours before kickoff would earn some serious points, making it so that fans had to be there early at EVERY game and be loud. The judge would be a decibel meter to see how loud the fans got. The second category would be field conditions. Down the stretch some fields around the area were getting chewed up by cleats. The grounds crew would make sure it was beautiful week in and week out. To judge this category we would have only the finest green thumbs in the state. Our third category has to do with halftime. We would have a elite panel of judges judging each halftime performance by that school’s respective marching bands; also judged would be that band’s rendition of “Louie, Louie.” Our fourth and final category would be the outcome of the game; we have judged everything that makes the atmosphere what it is, and now we need to judge the actual outcome. If it were a win on the road, a team would do better; while a win at home wouldn’t get as many points. The score of the game doesn’t affect the outcome of the HSBCS. So there you go; how the two teams that play in the winner of the state championship is decided. The formula, the madness, oh how much fun it would be. No more playoffs, just the game’s atmosphere would decide how far that team got. Oh, the fun we could have.

“Oh the fun we could have ”

T HE TIGER

PR I N T

photo essay

FRIDAY JAN

kristenpalmer

Seniors Chase Holtom, Chris Bass, Andy Shorten and Brian Olney cheer the Tigers on from the Tiger Pit at the game against St. Thomas Aquinas Jan. 9.

Senior Travis Upah receives a high-five from injured teammate senior Tyler Newton before the Jan. 9 game vs. St. Thomas Aquinas. The Tigers defeated the Saints, 65-51.

jamiehisle

Gettinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Crazy in the PIT

Sophomore Melissa Stevens drives the ball down the court to score for the Tigers against Blue Valley Northwest Jan. 12.

kylerogers

Freshman Kenzie Ziegler jumps center against Blue Valley Northwest on Jan. 12. The Lady Tigers lost to the Huskies, 70-49.

Coach Andy Tylicki gives the team some pointers during a timeout at the Blue Valley Northwest game. The Tigers lost 69-57.