ANNUAL JUNIOR EDITION
Beauty and the Beast starts early may
VOLUME 86, ISSUE 8
SANDPOINT HIGH SCHOOL
MAY 2009
Spring Sports Start Earlier
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As A
Side Note
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New cell phone policy
If you would like your group, club or event featured in the Side Note, please e-mail shscedarpost@gmail.com
Senior murals may be painted over this summer Facility Levy calls for new floors and walls JESSIE WEBSTER
Journalism contributer
Key Club Adviser: Connie Kimble Upcoming events: Key Club is closing out the year by working with Head Start on end of the year cleanup, as well as Jacey’s Race. Our president and vice president-elects for next year attended Camp Casey at Widbey Island to learn how to be successful key leaders.
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MERANDA CARTER
■ STOMPING OUT CELL USE: Sandpoint High School staff is frustrated with excessive cell phone use during school hours
Mime and Masque Adviser: Jeanne Hunter Upcoming events: Mime and Masque is currently in production of Beauty and the Beast. The next improv show is Thursday, May 14. Mime and Masque meetings are every Thursday. It’s a great place to meet people by playing improv games.
Creative Writing Club Adviser: Barbara Crumb Upcoming Events: Meetings are held on Tuesdays from 3-4 in E14. Creative Writing Club is planning on holding an open mic night. There is no finalized date. Officer elections will be held soon.
NHS Adviser: Wendy Auld Upcoming Events: NHS students are required to accumulate 25 hours of service hours throughout the entire year. NHS students are currently tudoring. If you are interested in getting help for a class, see Mrs. Auld in room E3.
the classroom when they’re trying to teach,” SHS Principal Dr. Becky Kiebert said. They say also Journalism contributer that cell phones are a distraction to a student’s The Sandpoint High School administration is learning ability and they are used for cheating. considering a cell phone policy, beginning this fall. Dr. Kiebert has visited several high schools, The policy will not allow including Lake City High students to use their cell phones School, where this policy is at all in the building during It was really nice to see already being enacted. She school hours. Students can still said the staff believes that the bring their cell phones with them, human interaction. current cell phone policy at but will have to turn them off SHS is not enough because and will not be able to use them students abuse it and text when in the halls or in the commons. -Dr. Kiebert the teacher is not looking. If they need to use their SHS Principal The administration is also cell phone, they will have to considering this policy because go outside. When a student they believe there is not is caught with their cell enough human interaction phone inside the building by a staff member, it between students. will be taken away and a parent has to pick it up. “It was really nice to see human interaction,” The final decision has not been made yet, but Kiebert said, when talking about her visits to the the SHS staff is “sick of cell phones being used in other high schools.
JULE PAUL
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Policy continued page 2
SHS Career Pathways class runs Safeway ‘Career Pathways Takeover’ gives students hands-on work experience TALA WOOD On April 28, SHS teacher Connie Kimble’s A-day Career Pathways classes were in charge of the Sandpoint Safeway. “The kids work alongside us for a while,” said Richard Knapp, the Manager of Safeway. The program is called “Career Pathways Takeover,” and Safeways all across the country participate in it. It is a little over 10 years old, and Safeway sees it as a win-win situation. “It gives [the students] an opportunity to see what it’s like to work in a retail grocery environment,” said Safeway Coordinator Charlotte DiCicco. “It’s a good way for us to recruit. They usually come away thinking it was a lot of fun.” Kimble agrees. “[It’s] to give students some exposure and experience in running a business [and] operating a store, “ she said.
Safeway continued page 2
24 days
NFL Idaho legends Jake Plummer, Jerry Kramer keynote speakers terback of the Arizona Cardinals and Denver Broncos and resident of Sandpoint, came together for the Assistant editor fundraiser “A Night of Memories” that raised over $10,000 for the Daybreak Center and Bulldog Bench. In the 1960s, the Green Bay Packers scrimmaged “What you’re doing is for a great cause, for in the 96 degree, July weather. One young player the Daybreak Center, for the high school foothappened to make two mistakes during the scorch- ball team…,” Plummer said to the 125 guests. ing summer weather, The Daybreak causing his coach, Center is a nonAST ACTS Vince Lombardi, to profit organizayell at him continution that pro• 5.3 million people in America live with Alzheimer’s ously. The football vides daycare for • Every 70 seconds, someone is diagnosed with player, very dispeople suffering Alzheimer’s traught, sat in the from Alzheim• Alzheimer’s is the sixth-leading cause of death locker room after ers or dementia. practice with his chin Both Kramer and in his hand, thinking Plummer have had about what he was going to do next because he could family members with the disease and undernever make his coach happy. Suddenly, Lombardi stand the emotional toll it takes on the caretaker. came up to him, slaps him on the back of the head, “An Alzheimer patient goes through a series of and says, “Son, one of these days you’re going to be the stages and in the final stages they become almost like best guard in football.” That man was Jerry Kramer, children,” said Kramer, whose mother and brother a Sandpoint High School graduate and Idaho legend. Fundraiser continued page 2 Kramer, along with Jake Plummer, former quar-
JENNIFER PRANDATO
Staff reporter
end of school countdown
‘Night of Memories’ raises $10K for Daybreak Center, Bulldog Bench
What’s inside?
News.....................................................................Page 2 Opinion................................................................Page 3 Arts & Culture.....................................................Page 4,5, Sports...................................................................Page 6,7
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Battle of the Bands winners plan feature concerts showcasing talent
feature
Meetings are held Wednesdays before school in room W8. Elections are going to be held sometime during May. French Club may hold a final crepe night if they can decide on a location and date.
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Adviser: Dana Stockman Upcoming events:
Administration says policy will help learning, human interaction
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French Club
Some Sandpoint High School senior murals may be painted and tiled over this summer due to the legislation of the Plant Facility Levy passed in 2008. The levy included funding for new flooring and walls. The plan to replace the carpet in the halls with tile includes covering these works. The tiling would extend several inches above the line of the carpeting and into some of the murals. The remainder of the partially covered murals would be painted over. “We have to follow through on the legislation. The public voted to have new walls and floors.” said Dr. Kiebert, SHS Principal. The facility managers find that the carpet is unsanitary to have in a school, which is why the carpet on the floors was taken out several years ago. The concrete floors are much easier to clean and do not trap bacteria and dirt. The renovation was so successful that its continuation was deemed necessary by voters in 2008. However there is strong opposition to the loss of some of the senior murals. “When I first came to this school it had no color, except for the gym,” Patsy Sletager, the school registrar said. “The murals gave it character.” When asked for her response to the murals’ possible covering, Sletager said, “I am totally against it. It is covering up history.” A similar response came from Nancy Miller, an English teacher. “I’ll chain myself to the wall before I’ll let that happen.” The murals represent many individuals’ legacies from their high school years. The memorials of students who passed away during their years at SHS would also be lost. Starting in 1994, the senior mural has been an annual tradition. “A lot of work goes into each year’s mural. It is a year long project,” art teacher Dan Shook said. Hours of work would be lost if the murals were covered. “I think it would cause a lot of controversy and heartbreak for a lot of people. I’m hoping that wiser heads prevail before it gets to that,” he said. “Nothing has been decided yet,” Dr. Kiebert said. The issue will be given to a committee that will make the final decision soon.
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You hear the stories, but until you get there you really don’t know what to expect. -Bryce Clark, freshman
Read more about school sports on p. 7
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Cedar Post
May 2009
2009-2010 Student Council elections held Next year’s officers look forward to improving school MOLLY BURGSTAHLER Journalism contributer
Sandpoint High School students voted for the Student Council and Associated Student Body elections April 22. Although several students ran unopposed for their positions, there were also a few good races. Michael Richardson and John Briggs ran against each other for ASB president, which Richardson won by a mere three votes. “I had a ton of help and support, I could never have done it alone,” Richardson said about the election. The ASB vice president will be Max Horn and Markie Franck was re-elected as secretary/treasurer. “I’m really happy I was re-elected as ASB secretary/treasurer because Student Council is a ton of fun and I am looking forward to spending next year continuing to help improve the school,” Franck said. Students will be auditioning for the positions of ASB
Fundraiser from page 1 suffered from it. “[The Daybreak Center] not only gives the Alzheimer’s patients something to do with other people, to amuse themselves, to have fun, and have a few laughs and giggles, but it gives the caregiver and the family a lot of rest and a lot of peace and it makes life easier for them.” Plummer started the Jake Plummer Foundation, an organization that gives charity to children and people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, to honor his grandpa, who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. Plummer is very involved with the Daybreak Center and Meals on Wheels, a service providing home-delivered meals to senior citizens. “It’s like I’m going across the street to see my grandpa and grandma,” Plummer said. “It puts a smile on my face every day, going over there.” Kramer showed praise for the Bulldog Bench, a local organization that supports Sandpoint High School sports, and the need for sports programs in a community. “I think sports themselves teach many lessons,” he said. Kramer believes participating
senator and representative because no one ran for them. Leonard Fister will be the senior class president, with Caitlyn Reeves as vice president. Samantha Trulock, Daniel Anderson and Meranda Carter will be joining them to lead the senior class. The junior class had four students run unopposed: Dakota Blaese, Barry Wilson, Graham Cole and Melinda VanDyk. Blaese will be the representative, Wilson will be the vice president and VanDyk will be the secretary/treasurer. Connor Griesemer will participate in his first year on Student Council as the junior senator and Cole was elected president. The sophomore class will have Courtney Windju as president and Nichole Pagano as vice president. Elly Engel, Keeley Pearlstein and Emily Briggs will also be officers of next year’s sophomore class. Next year’s upcoming freshman president will be Anna Andruzac. Brooke Obaitek and Sierra Kimbel will join her on the freshman council.
in sports teaches life lessons such as intention, preparation, commitment, consistency, discipline, focus and resolve. “Whatever profession you want to be, if you will just work as hard as you work at your high school sports, with the same focus, with the same intensity, with the same love and fire, you’ll be successful at whatever you do,” he said. The fundraiser included both a silent and live auction, put on by the Spade brothers, bidding off items, from SWAC memberships to signed footballs from both Plummer and Kramer. Local volunteer John Elsa, who organized the event, was pleased with the turnout. “What I’d like to make people do is realize the importance of our youth in the community,” Elsa said. “[They are] equally as important as our senior citizens. They need our support, both groups.” Both star football players expressed the desire to continue the event in years to come, hopefully making it larger each time. “Let’s do this every year, Jake,” Kramer said, referring to Plummer. “Hopefully double it every year… We’re with a group of people that we should spend time with and we should have respect for and love for and take care of .”
SYDNEY MORRIS
■ LEFT CLICK FOR VOTING RIGHT: Junior Zac Linscott exercises his right to vote. Every vote matters, proved by the three-point difference in the ASB President elections.
Policy from page 1 Dr. Kiebert is very enthusiastic about this new policy, although she believes it will be difficult to enforce at first and it will be a “nightmare,” but if all the staff members work together, it is very enforceable. The new policy will apply only to students. The staff will still be allowed to bring their phones and use them during their prep periods or step outside into the hall, because many of them are parents and need to be able to have access to a phone in case of emergencies. They will not be used “during instructional time unless there’s an emergency,” Kiebert said. Sophomore Elyse Edwards said, “I think they shouldn’t change the cell phone policy, because it sounds very inconvenient to have to go outside to use your phone.” Laptops will still be allowed, but the teacher task force team has not made a decision about the usage of iPods yet. The decision will be made based on what is best for students’ learning. Kiebert encourages students to talk to pupils at other high schools where the policy is already being enacted and understand that they only want what is best for students’ learning abilities.
Safeway from page 1 The students were assigned to job shadow in their selected department. They could sign up for Video Clerk, Produce Clerk, Bakery Clerk, Floral Clerk, Seafood Clerk, Deli Clerk, Dairy Clerk, Front End Help, Store Manager, or Employment Representative. “I had trouble finding someone to do Seafood,” Kimble said. Some students seemed to think of it less like work and more like a field trip. “[It] should be pretty fun. We were the only class that got asked to do it,” said junior Daniel Anderson, who was Floral Clerk for the day. “I’m going to sell some mad flowers.” A few students saw it as a form of career research. “[Safeway] is not my career choice, but I want to be the boss when I have a career,” said senior Eli Zech, who will be performing the duties of the Store Manager. “I’m excited, because I’m going to have lots of power, and I’m a little worried because I don’t exactly know how to run a store, but I’m sure they’ll give us pointers and tips.”
Cedar Post
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May 2009
O V Senior Murals: Our History
Sorry, the cartoon is being painted over too. JADE DONIGAN
4. There will be very, very angry people. Teachers have threatened to chain themselves to the wall in protest. People who have worked on the murals or have been part of a graduating class with a mural will be upset and hurt that their history is being discarded. The decision to tile over our history will be made by a committee soon, but why can’t that committee be of Sandpoint High School students? We’re the ones who spend the most time in the school. We should make the decision on whether or not we want to erase our history.
they were confiscated, which resulted in the loose pants and sloppy shoe look. And yet another reason for male prisoners to wear their pants low was to advertise they were “available.” This was brought to light when we had Student’s apparel offends teacher an inspirational assembly speaker who had worked with prisoners. Once this fact was mentioned many a young man was seen pulling his pants up. Maybe we need to bring this motivational speaker back to SHS As a high school educator, my prime focus is educating teens; however, to motivate our male population to pull up their pants. It’s one thing to this process can get interrupted by planned events, such as assemblies, have the boxer waistband show, it’s quite another to have the whole plaid tests, and fire drills. Sometimes the process gets interrupted by irritations pattern in plain view and then some. “Plaid Mooning,” for one possible and distractions such as cell phones, iPods, unwarranted talking, and dress descriptive term, is just short of indecent exposure. The idea of underwear is that it is kept under the clothes. To code violations. The first three distractions are enforce this simple concept some cities dealt by referring offenders to the established have begun to issue citations. According school/classroom policy. As for the dress code to Wikipedia, the Town Council of violation—now that one is a bit tricky. There Most claim the baggy pants is Delcambre, LA passed an indecent has always existed a problem with girls either exposure ordinance in 2007, which imitating the ‘gangsta’ look, wearing shirts too low or skirts too high, and a prohibits the intentional wearing of one’s discreet reminder to zip up, cover up, or see an and they want to look good by pants to show underwear. The Hahira, administrator is the usual procedure. However, looking ‘bad.’ Georgia City Council passed a 2008 in the last few years at Sandpoint High School -Pam Webb clothing ordinance that bans wearing guys have upstarted the girls with their fashion pants below the waist so that skin or English Teacher violations, namely wearing their pants low. underwear shows. In Flint, MI, “saggers” This baggy style is nothing new, having had its can get arrested with jail time and hefty origins back in the early nineties, but like most fines. The Flint police chief ordered fashion trends, it takes a little longer to find its way to the arrest of saggers in July of 2008. Idaho. Fashion trends and statements are part of the With the history of saggy teen culture. My own high school days shocked and bothered the administration and parents with our mini-skirts, hip-huggers, clearly in the open now, and the beginnings of decency ordinances and tight bell-bottom styles. This generation carves its mark in fashion being established, I suggest our own population of saggers get a clue. history by going loose instead of tight. Before too many guys decide to jump Unless you want to be deemed as violent, suicidal, “available” or be on the fashion wagon and drop their inseam to their knees they might want up for a “fix-it” ticket, than it is strongly suggested you pull up your to consider the history and ramifications of their newly adopted baggy style. pants and walk straight, instead of looking like a constipated penguin. While most claim the baggy pants is imitating the “gangsta” look, and they want to look good by looking “bad.” What they don’t understand is the gangsta look is derived from prison wear. In concern of prisoners using English Teacher belts, and even shoelaces as weapons, or as a means of committing suicide,
Letters to the Editor
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Pam Webb
I am a firm believer in the existence of climate change, and I am not alone. Still, it remains a hot topic of debate. In our school, there are those who refuse to accept the facts, and make it a topic of mockery. I have a hard time believing that anyone can look at ever colder winters as proof that global warming is a joke. They could not be more wrong. Climate change does not necessarily mean that heat is the only temperature we will be experiencing. The record cold winters we have had recently can also be linked to it. The changes are wreaking havoc with our normal seasons, creating extremes in temperature. The warming and rising acidity of the oceans is increasing the strength of tropical storms and hurricanes, killing more and more people: thousands of lives were lost in Katrina alone. These storms are not going to stop or lose their force. The number of Category 4 and 5 hurricanes has almost doubled in the last 30 years, and they will only get worse. The 10 warmest years in history were in the last 14 years, not some cycle that happens every
hundred years or so. These records are here, in our generation’s time. Heat waves are not a simple matter. Almost 15,000 people died in France alone in the 2005 European heat wave. We are also losing our glaciers slowly but steadily. The rising temperatures of the oceans are melting them, and their additional water is raising oceanic levels at an alarming rate, threatening to swamp major coastal cities. Cores of polar ice indicate that carbon dioxide is higher than it has ever been before in a quarter of a million years. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), have agreed that Global Warming is real. Over 3,800 people, all of whom are qualified and licensed from over 130 different countries, recognize this crisis. If that many scientists are in agreement, I think that we can safely say that it is true. Even without that almost unanimous agreement, both among scientists and among world leaders, I would be inclined to accept the reality of climate change. Our species is the most influential of all in the changes on our little green planet. We have caused the extinction of frightening numbers of other creatures. So why should we not be able to cause the extinction of Earth? Why is this a relevant subject? Because I hear from the people around me, people I respect, that it is a hoax. We cannot afford to look the other way. We are all affected, liberal and conservative, rich and poor, men and women. No country is immune to this crisis.
The Cedar Post encourages you to voice your opinion. This is where your thoughts go. Feel passionately about something? We are your public forum. Drop a letter with your thoughts and name in room E8 or e-mail shscedarpost@gmail.com
These are phrases Cedar Post staff members have heard from students of SHS. The views expressed in Word for Word are not necessarily shared by the Cedar Post.
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It’s no secret that Sandpoint High needs a new design for its walls. Why? Walls are not supposed to have carpet on them. This summer, the Plant and Facility Levy, passed in 2008, will change that with funding for new flooring and walls. The proposed tile design extends above the carpeting and into some of the murals. And, while tiling over the carpet is a very positive action, tiling over the senior murals is not. Why? 1. They are our history. Since 1994, it has been tradition for the graduating class to document their experiences at Sandpoint High through the murals. They represent events, such as the Bomb Scare of ‘99, as well as losses, like the memorials of students that have passed away in their high school years. By painting over the murals, we would essentially be covering up our history. 2. They take time. Tiling over the murals would erase the hours and hours of work that students have dedicated to our school. The AP art students, generally the ones chosen to paint the mural, spend the entire year planning what they’re going to create for future students to remember us by. Being given the honor to paint the senior mural is a glory that students cherish, and they put a lot of their own, individual time into the murals 3. They give Sandpoint High character. The murals make our school colorful. When walking down the hall, it’s interesting to see what was going on during different time periods, what kids our age cared about then. By tiling over what makes Sandpoint High unique, we are conforming with every other school.
• Oh my gosh, I can’t read my own tally marks. This is bad! • When I kill somone, I want them to stay loveless. • I wish they’d put speed in the water so people would move faster. • Everyone in the world is Swedish. • McDonald’s food is, like, limp. And thin. And half the size you think it would be. • What’s this? Layers? Pretty colors? Oh, my God, are you going preppy? • Take a deep breath. Now open your math book, it will kill any joy you have. • Did you see “Slumdog Millionaire?” It was like insulin for my inner optimist. • I’m on Janelle... No, the street, not the person! • This isn’t awkward silence, that’s just what happens when we run out of dirty things to say to each other.
” CHELSEA KARDOKUS Editor-in-Chief
JENNIFER PRANDATO Assistant Editor
ISAAC DUNNE
Arts & Culture Editor
KEEGAN DUNN News Editor
CARLY RICKARD Photo Editor
JESSE COBB
TEAM: a number of persons that are supposed to work together and not make a team worse by copping an attitude. One of my coaches had only one rule; do not do anything detrimental to your team, yourself and your family. You don’t have to be best friends, but at least have the decency to respect your teammates. It is impossible to function when you are in constant fear of having your teammate talk behind your back. Too often I see athletic talent wasted by acting as an individual on a team sport. What good is being on a team if you want all the glory for yourself? If you are that kind of person I suggest an individual sport where you can keep all your accomplishments to yourself; otherwise go back to kindergarten and learn how to share. Remember that old saying you used to hear in elementary school? T.E.A.M. Together Everyone Achieves More. Well as lame as it sounds, it is true. In a team sport you have to act as a single, indivisible unit. A team wins and loses together with no exceptions. No one individual can determine the outcome of a game, no matter how great they may think you are. So, for all the “superstars,” come back to earth and realize that you are only one person. If you are so much better than the rest of your team, then go play by yourself. If you are as good as you think you are it shouldn’t be a problem right? See how well you hold up alone, against another team. I’m betting that you would lose. Once that happens, have fun searching for someone else to blame for your failure, because individuals that play as individuals have no place on a team.
Graphics Editor
SOPHIE MILLER
Advertising Manager
CRISTINA WILSON Office Manager
MIKE GEARLDS Adviser
Editorial Policy The Cedar Post is governed by the same legal rights as the professional press. Under the First Amendment, we reserve the right to free expression and freedom of the press. The student newspaper of Sandpoint High School is an open public forum for the students of Sandpoint High School and the community of Sandpoint, Idaho, with its editorial board making all decisions concerning its contents; it is not subject to prior review by administration, faculty, or community members. Unsigned editorials express the views of the majority of the editorial board. Letters to the editor must be signed, although the staff may withhold the name upon request. The paper reserves the right to edit letters for grammar and clarity, and all letters are subject to law governing obscenity, libel, privacy and disruption of the school process, as are all contents for the paper. Opinions in letters are not necessarily those of the staff, nor should an opinion expressed in a public forum be construed as opinion or policy of the administration, unless so attributed.
The CP strongly encourages you to voice your opinion through the student paper. E-mail your letter or bring it by E8.
Sandpoint High School 410 South Division Sandpoint, ID 83864 (208) 263-3034 ext 244 shscedarpost@gmail.com
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BIG idea
May 2009
Cedar Post
Spot light
the
the
Senior Shawnn Carlson balances sports, art and community service
Here are a few ideas the Cedar Post staff thinks are just great u
Shop at steepandcheap.com - Shop at steepandcheap.com for great deals on outdoor gear. The deals will literally blow you away. You can steal a $400 camping tent for up to 75 percent off. They also have many nice North Face, Patagonia and Columbia fleeces for 50 percent off marked prices. One item sells at a time for about 20 minutes, so check in regularly for great steals! -Hannah M.
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of water, so why not use it? Kayaking, canoeing, swimming, and lots of other things are great with the warm weather. You can also grab some friends and a beach ball, and stage a water volleyball match. Lots of splashing, laughing and fun. -Spencer M.
Each Spotlight is focused on a randomly chosen student. Spencer MarkS
Journalism contributer The roar of the crowd, the bright colors of the palette, the wonderful feeling of having a toddler hit you over the head with a plastic spoon. Whether he’s on the soccer field, in the art studio, or helping out a local volunteer service group, senior Shawnn M. Carlson, 17, stands out among a sea of seniors. Carlson is a starting goalie for the Coeur d’Alene STING, since there are not enough soccer players for a club in Sandpoint this year. He has started for three years. In this position, he commands an unobstructed
view of his defense so he can tell them where they need to be. He plays all year long. Carlson is currently preparing a portfolio for AP Studio Art. He will have 24 pieces in many different mediums. He concentrates on emotions most often, such as the excitement of a soccer player after scoring, and portrays this through the body language and in particular the face of the subject. He especially enjoys when the picture starts to unfold and it looks like it is really going to work. Carlson is also a member of the Key Club, a Kiwanissponsored service club at the high school. They help out around the community,
Get in the Water - In North Idaho, we have a ton
u
MIkkA NostdAhl
n Painting the Future: Senior Shawnn Carlson works on his AP Studio Art Portfolio in the SHS commons
and most recently they helped baby-sit kids at Kinderhaven, a local shelter for abused children. So where is this busy guy heading after high school? Carlson plans to enroll at either Whitworth University in Spokane, Wash., or Seattle Pacific University, which are both Christian
colleges. Once there, he will minor in Art, major in Biology, and maybe go to medical school to learn about anesthesiology. With the perseverance it takes to play soccer, create a masterpiece, and deal with little kids, Shawnn Carlson is ready for the journey ahead.
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Join a Gang - There are plenty of gangs here in Idaho. Find one of your liking, and go join it. I’m sure belonging to a special group will boost confidence, and allow for you to sprout socially. What’s the worst that could happen? -Garrett D. Have a Star Wars Movie Marathon -
It’s a beautiful summer day outside: the birds are singing, the sun shining and your parents are nagging you to go outside and stop wasting the day. What better way to squander it than by staying inside and watching Harrison Ford laser some plastic-clad imperials? Make sure it’s the original trilogy though, because you can’t cover up Hayden Christensen’s bad acting with any amount of CGI. -Barry W.
Battle of the Bands winners prepare for upcoming shows Band members Kyle Miller, Cameron Brownell, Kyle McAvoy and Matt Haughton perform to adoring fans GrahaM cole
Journalism contributer As junior Kyle Miller remincses about Battle of the Bands, he remembers the crowd’s anticipation. “[My favorite part] was probably the energy when you get to feed off of the crowd,” he said. His fans share his sentiments. “The ‘Definition of Sex Appeal’ sounded like pros compared to everyone else,” sophomore Blake Plaster remembered about her favorite band at the Sandpoint Battle of the Bands. “I thought that they were the best and I knew that they would win.” The local band, previously called the Definition of Sex Appeal, first debuted at the Sandpoint Battle of the Bands Jan. 31 at the Panida Theater. They won the 18-andunder division with a rendition of “The Pot” by Tool. All of the winners were asked to play an encore and they returned with their own rendition of “Cochise” by Audioslave. The band deserves more credit than that, however. They are all talented musicians.
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“I play the bass. I’ve been playing for nine years now,” Miller said. He is also a part of the Jazz One Band, the most prestigious jazz band at Sandpoint High School. Sophomore Cameron Brownell is the lead vocals of the band. His voice has performed the songs of Maynard James Keenan, from the band Tool; Zach de la Rocha, from Rage Against the Machines; and Chris Cornell from Audioslave, as well as others. He is also part of the Men’s Choir at SHS. -Blake Plaster Junior Kyle Sophomore McAvoy is the drummer for the band. He has been playing the drums for 14 years and is currently a part of the Symphonic Band at SHS. “Playing every day and my dad [is my inspiration to keep playing music],” McAvoy said. The newest addition to the band is Matt Haughton, 23. Haughton recently joined the band as a guitar player, and was not part of the winning team at the Battle of the Bands. The band is in the process of renaming themselves. “We are just trying to find a name that feels
I can’t wait to find out when they are playing next. I really liked them.
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CArly rICkArd
n rockin out: Junior Kyle McAvoy performs at Battle of the Bands. He and his band will be returning to the Panida stage in late May for a concert of their own.
right,” they said. They recently played on Schweitzer Mountain at a professional snowmobile race on Saturday, April 18. The event was hosted by Schweitzer Mountain Resort. On April 24, they played at the Filling Station in Clark Fork, Idaho. “A few other Sandpoint bands were playing with us,” Brownell said. If you would like to see the winners of the Sandpoint Battle of the Bands in person, they are planning a few performances in the future.
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A performance at the Panida Theater is also in the planning stages. The concert would happen in late May. “We are waiting on another band, so we haven’t set an exact date,” Miller said. Whatever you want to call them, the band of Miller, Brownell, McAvoy and Haughton is very talented. They haven’t been together very long, but they are already winning awards and planning gigs. “I can’t wait to find out when they are playing next,” Plaster said. “I really liked them.”
Cedar Post
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The Music Review iLike Vetiver’s fourth fulllengthed album titled, “Tight Knit,” is the best album they have made so far in their musical career. The group really focused on mixing up the style of their songs in this album, and they definitely get a noteworthy applause for that. Each song brings something new to the table, and you will not find yourself feeling bored listening to any of the tracks. You can listen to “Tight Knit” in any mood and it will adjust to your feelings. There’s a clarity to the music Vetiver packs into “Tight Knit” that sets them apart from the standard indie-rock album. They have been compared to bands such as Stars, City and Colour, and The Shins.
iDislike
Vetiver FAST FACTS ■ Origin: San Francisco, CA ■ Members: Andy Cabic, Devendra Banhart, Otto Hauser, Kevin Barker, Alissa Anderson
■ Genre: Indie Folk, Freak-Folkie ■ Albums: Vetiver (2004), To Find Me Gone
(2005), Thing of the Past (2008),Tight Knit (2009)
■ Song to listen to: “Everyday”
verdict? You decide. Let us know what you think at shscedarpost@gmail.com
Vetiver is not necessarily terrible, but they are not exceptionally praiseworthy. While their genre under itunes is labeled as alternative, they sound a little too much like a mix between country and soft rock. It’s true that not all their songs sound exactly the same. However, they only have two types of songs: slow indie with a lot of emotion and upbeat acoustic rock with a lot of twang. Also, it seems as if each song is sung in the exact same tone with the exact same sentiments and feeling, which is not good for listeners looking for a really diversified artists. The lyrics, while “deep” and “meaningful,” seem as if they tried too hard.
Twitter: the new Facebook? ‘Tweets’ becoming increasingly popular with American culture HANNAH MEEK Staff reporter
First came Myspace, then came Facebook, now the newest rage in the technology world is known as Twitter. Twitter is a relatively new free social network that allows you to connect with virtually anyone via text messaging or on the internet. Twitter is, in essence, a blog for the contemporary person. You can ask simple questions, also known as “tweets” such as, “what are you doing?” to stay connected to people. They may answer to everyone in under 140 words to keep their friends and family up to date. Twitter is a public profile, which means that the whole social network of Twitter could follow your every move if they wish. However, you can control your privacy settings on who sees your Twitter messages using the “Protect my Updates” box.
You can follow popular news sites such as CNN, Fox News, E!, and others. And popular celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Britney Spears, and Angelina Jolie. “I don’t really know much about twitter, but I know my parents use it for business networking. It seems like more adults are using it then teens, but I know some of my friends who recently joined,” said Kelsey Sommers, a junior at Wayland High School. It is becoming more and more popular as it is becoming such an easy way to connect to people around you. You can also meet new people using twitter by using the “search” button. Twitter is directed towards persons of 18 years or older, but it does not ask an age when joining twitter. Twitter advises people to post “user friendly” updates to your “tweets,” as your message will forever belong to Twitter.
Briefly:
May 2009
News around SHS
Mime and Masque to present ‘Beauty and the Beast’ in May
The Drama Department of Sandpoint High School is always busy with a production, and this spring is no exception. This time, Ms. Hunter and “Mime and Masque” are preparing “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” based on the Broadway Musical “I’ve always wanted to be part of one of the plays and the fac that it’s a musical makes it that much better,” said senior Holly Miller, who plays “One of the Silly Girls Who Fawns on Gaston.” The Broadway musical is based on the version most of us are familiar with: Disney’s animated feature film of 1991. There are marginal differences between the play and the movie. In the play, the plot is slightly changed, there are expansions of certain characters, and songs appear in the play but not the movie “[I]t’s going to be a major responsibility, but it’s going to rock,” said Stage Manager Jessica Johnson, an SHS senior The production also transcends the drama department; Mr Brownell, the SHS Choir Director, will be joining the effort “It’s going to be a really big play,” Head Running Crew Treva Gee said. Despite its size, Ms. Hunter is optimistic “I’m really excited. I have a lot of great help and it’s going extremely well so far. I’m really looking forward to working with Mr. Brownell, Laurie Buck [the choreographer], Liam Mooney the Assistant Director and of course, the cast and crew.” said Ms. Hunter, the Drama teacher at SHS and the director of “Beauty and the Beast.” Tickets are available at the bookkeeper’s window for $10 a person. Performances will be May 7, 8, 9, 21, 22 and 23 at 7 p.m. in the SHS Auditorium. “It’s going to be awesome,” said Lead Sound Dalton Hawkins an SHS senior.
Ugandan children’s choir to perform at Panida over summer The Matsiko Ugandan Children’s Choir will be staying in Sandpoint this summer for 10 days. The choir will be hosted by the Pedersons and also several other families from First Christian Church and Cedar Hills Church. Heather Pedersen and Rio Pedersen went to Uganda for two weeks over spring break and invited the choir to visit Sandpoint. “It was the most amazing experience. The kids there are so nice and respectful,” said Rio Pedersen. The 20-30 Ugandan singers will be performing at the Panida Theater on July 6 at 7 p.m. Admission is free. “Matsiko” means hope in the Luganda language, one of the languages of Uganda. The choir’s songs are centered on that theme, and the goal of the choir is to raise awareness of the problems faced by orphaned children. The choir is sponsored by the International Children’s Network, a nonprofit organization that helps poverty-stricken children go to college.
Don’t feed these ‘Skinny Bitches’ any crap The newest fixation in the diet world is an egregious, fabricated book titled “Skinny Bitch.” From the title of the book, you can probably guess that it was written with attitude. And judging by the authors, two “self taught” models, you can probably predict that this book is going to be full of fiction and nonsense. The two authors promote a vegan diet and lifestyle that has sold nearly 850,000 copies. Now, don’t misunderstand me, I support the vegetarian and vegan lifestyle as long as it is consumed in an appropriate and healthy way. However, these models use crude language to attempt to grab the attention of the reader and brainwash them into thinking that everything is bad for you except for fruits and vegetables. The book is
tasteless and offensive and has left many young teenage girls obsessing over their bodies and developing eating disorders, because they don’t know half of what it takes to become a vegan. The book begins by telling the reader that we need to give up our gross vices such as junk food, soda (referred to as “liquid satan”) and coffee saying that coffee is “pathetic” and is “for pussies.” The crude language is what ultimately turns me off from reading this book. Nonetheless, I can see how it can allure people into reading and convincing them that everything is horrible for their bodies. The authors also go into great detail about the cruelty of the meat industry, which was interesting in a revolting way. It made me want to up-chuck the last piece of turkey I ate. However, it informs the reader how animals are treated in slaughter houses, and informs the reader on what hormones they use on certain animals. The meat and dairy section of this book was the most
compelling and interesting part, however, it still seemed little too far-fetched for my taste. Girls (and boys) if you decide to read this book, don’t tak it literally. A balanced diet is key, you don’t need to starv yourself to become a skinny bitch. Because frankly, sel esteem is the only thing that you will lose from reading thi book.
May 2009
Cedar Post Page 6
Spring sports start early
In 2008, spring sports started late due to excessive snowfall. This year, nothing is holding them back from competing for a state title. EddiE OglE
Assistant sports editor In the 2008 spring sports season, the practicing conditions were limited, the amount of games was limited, and the overall season was just not a success. All of these limitations were due to the massive amounts of snowfall during the winter. Spring ’09 has been a bit different, for the better. Outdoor practices started earlier, many more games have been played, and the season has just been superior to the previous spring. Last March, teams made a trek through feet of snow onto their fields and courts. The teams worked hard to shovel the snow off so they could get some outdoor practices in. Although the teams removed the snow, after many attempts to do so, numerous games were canceled due to the late winter weather. Unlike most winter sports, spring sports are highly dictated by the weather. The ’09 spring season has started with less snow on the ground and better early spring weather,
which took care of the remaining snow. Without the slow start this year, SHS teams are competing better with teams around the area compared to last year. “I think it’s great that the teams have been on the fields so early this year,” said SHS Athletic Director Cheryl Klein. Teams are deep into their seasons now and are doing well. Weekly, teams are traveling throughout the state and bringing home Sandpoint victories. The teams who have played home games and matches have contended well with other schools and are anticipating State Tournament finishes. “This year we can actually wear shorts instead of parkas,” said varsity golfer Morgan Braun.The majority of spring sport athletes say it has been a better season all around without having to worry about the snowy weather. Golf is not the only sport that is thankful of the improved weather. “With the great weather, the tennis team is doing just great as a whole,” said junior Crystal Clark. With the current outstanding conditions teams can Max Horn focus more on winning, and less on if they are going to n Racing: Sophomore Evan Rains holds a strong lead against a Lake City get an opportunity to play. competitor during a home track meet
Getting ready for summer sports Summer is on it’s way, and it’s just about time to start daydreaming about how you’re going to spend your break from school. Living in Sandpoint, there are many outdoor options for you to spends your time. This year, be creative and take up some recreational summer sports, as well as some traditional ones. By Jessie Webster, Susan Williams, Jennifer Prandato and Graham Cole.
1. Go Surfing.
Many people think that surfing is all about palm trees and big swells, but what they don’t know is that surfing is possible right here on Lake Pend Oreille. All you need is a surfboard, tow rope and a boat. Much like wakeboarding, wakesurfing is a fun alternative to the classic water skiing. Many think that surfing would be harder than wakeboarding, but it is actually easier for many people. You don’t have binding to hold you on, but you also have increased mobility and flexibility that assists in standing up. The process of getting up is almost the same in wakeboarding. Lie on your back with the board in front of you. Put your feet on the board slightly wider than shoulder width and hold the tow rope in your hand. When the boat accelerates, you put pressure on the board with your legs to stand up. For those who are just beginning, move to the outside of the wake first. You may also want to wait for a day when the water is smooth. You also have the choice of using a rope. Some people hold on to the rope for the duration of the ride; however, others let go once they have stood up. Letting go is a more accurate simulation of surfing, but the boat you are behind must have a large wake for this to be possible. As far as tricks go, wakesurfing is more limited than wakeboarding. Jumps are possible for both, but it takes much more skill to pull a 360 on a surf board than it does on a wake-board. Wakesurfing is designed for carving against the wake, much like real surfing. To get the quickest turns, you want to have your back foot close to the end of the board and keep your weight on the back foot. Use the transfer of weight to pivot in the direction you want to turn. For those of you who are more timid about standing on water, wakesurfing is a great option. You can also lie down on the board and be pulled. It is slightly less intense than tubing, however you can control the direction you
are going by shifting your weight, and because you have less distance between the water and your body it feels a little like flying on water. The best thing about wakesurfing is people of all ages can enjoy the sport. It is not as physically straining a wakeboarding and can be as intense or relaxing as you want to make it. So, make your own little Hawaii right here in Idaho and try out the newest trend in water sports.
3. Play Beach Volleyball.
Playing beach volleyball is a traditional summer activity that many teenagers partake in over the summer. It’s easy to do, considering City Beach has public nets for us to use. It’s also a great way to meet new people. If you don’t have enought players, invite some people to join you. Even though it’s an Olympic sport, you don’t have to have competitions to have fun. Just grab a volleyball, some friends and hit the sand.
2. Go Hiking.
Sandpoint is a great area for othrecreational activities as well. Between the lake and the surrounding mountains, the opportunities are endless. For examp l e you can go wakeboarding, tubing, waterskiing, mountain biking, camping, or a very popular choice of hiking.
er
Many kids in Sandpoint like spending their summer days hiking. It is an excellent way to get exercise, fresh air, and peace and quiet. And it requires no equipment except a pair of tennis shoes. You can set out for a short hike or a long all-day trip. It just takes a few hours to hike up to a remote lake or waterfalls and you can bring a picnic lunch. It can be a very roman-
4. Go Windsurfing.
On days when high wind make most water sports impossible you might want to try windsurfing. Unlike wakeboarding, choppy water and fast winds are preferable. Windsurfing was created around the turn of the 20th century in Europe but has only recently caught on in the U.S. Much like sail boating, windsurfing uses a triangular sail to propel the surfer’s board. To change direction, the rider tilts the sail and transfers their weight to cut through the water. The board is a cross between a wakeboard and a surfboard. While there are bindings to hold the rider on, they are easy to slip out of, making them unlike wakeboard bindings. If you have ever driven down the Columbia River gorge in summer, you have most likely seen these colorful sails playing on the white caps. The Gorge funnels the wind right on top of the river, this makes the spot ideal for this popular sport. Professionals compete in different competitions worldwide and usually in different events as well. Super X, speed sailing, slalom, freestyle, and wave are the most common; however, on Lake Pend Oreille wave windsurfing will be hard to come by. Wave windsurfing requires large waves so if you want to try this style you will need to go to the nearest ocean.
5. Go Biking.
Mountain biking is a great way to get exercise and have fun during the summer months. Mountain biking is the sport of riding bicycles off-road or over rough terrain. Whether you are riding up or down a hill, mountain biking can be an exciting experience that keeps your body fit and healthy. Sandpoint has many local mountain biking options. Local lake and river trails are a great place to start, and they often have established trails already. Also, Schweitzer Mountain Resort offers summer accommodations to mountain bikers. If you aren’t quite up to riding your bike down the mountainside, replace driving into town with riding a bicycle. It saves gas money, the environment and gives you exercise. Why waste a beautiful summer day in your car when you can be This summer, when the weekend is free, grab a helmet and go bike.
6. Go Rock Climbing.
Rock climbing is for the daring and what better time then summer to be adventurous? Before scaling up huge mountains, you should probably enroll in some safety courses to pick up some beginner’s tips. You can take some courses at an indoor course, and by the end of the summer, you can progress to the outdoors. If you don’t feel ready to climb up a full mountain, start with smaller cliffs and work your way up to them. Once you’re ready, you may even want to start rock climbing weekends and integrate camping trips into the activity. You’ll find that you will develop an intense love and appreciation for the outdoors. Plus, you’ll also have some exciting stories to tell your friends when you return to school in September.
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Cedar Post
May 2009
T P EDDIE OGLE
Player
Quick Facts Michelle Stone Team: Women’s Varsity Golf Height: 5’ 6” Weight: 120 lbs
T
Assistnat sports editor
Senior Michelle Stone is captain of the women’s golf team at SHS. She has been competing all spring with other top females from rival schools. Stone hopes to have a strong finish at the state tournament this spring. How long have you been playing golf? I’ve been playing for about 4 years. What is your favorite course you have played on? I really liked the Chewelah course! Who got you involved with golf? My parents.
What is your favorite part of the sport? I like how it is an individual sport, so you can see how well you did against others. Who is your favorite pro golfer? I like Phil Mickelson. What are your plans for golf in the future? I don’t want to play through a school, just for fun! Have you enjoyed golf throughout high school? Yeah, it has been a lot of fun because I have a lot of friends on the team.
Club vs. school sports With Varsity Tennis Coach
Kent Anderson What a great group of athletes. I can’t wait for practice to hit with the team. We are carrying 22 varsity players…11 boys and 11 girls. Only 18 can play matches on any given day, but they all have been able to gain valuable match experience over the course of the season. We will have a strong base going into next year. This is the year, however, that could go down in Bulldog history. Former head coach Jane Rockwell supplied me with a great foundation to work with. I had an elite group of players to build around. Dustin Pierce, Mikka Nostdahl, Abby Helander, Piper Wahlin and Justine Clawson have the ability to win at any level. Add to them two newcomers, Ben Hardy and Kevin Kirby, and Sandpoint suddenly can compete with anyone. I just needed to find a complement to this group to round out a powerful team…maybe even a state champion. I wasn’t disappointed. Even though we spent the first half of the season practicing in the gym (thanks to the great North Idaho Spring weather this year), I could see the potential of this team while we practiced hours and hours of volley drills at the net. By the end of the “Gym Season” we had some of the quickest hands in the state. The
team has put their volleying talent to good use over the course of the season and have won many matches because of their quickness at the net. With the season nearing its completion, it will be fun to watch how far we can progress at the state level. I expect great things. I know our top players will do well, but it is the balance of the team that will determine our fate and I do have faith in them! Meranda Carter, Susan Williams, Sophia Meulenberg and Jesse Cobb have been workhorses for us. They have played and won through injury, rain and cold. Crystal Clark, Brittany Claffey, Kyenna Jensen, Roxanne Imeson and Azumi Smith have all posted big wins during the season. On the boys side, Rob Carne and Jackson Bussard have been a great complement to our top four players. These two have been almost unbeatable. Steve Gavin, Ryan Novak, Mike Berg and Nik Thorell have all had big, consistent wins and battle each other every practice to gain spots on the final district roster. Add to these players Dash Kamp and we are very tough to beat. The State Championship is May 15-16 in Boise, and I predict Sandpoint will be well-represented!
Sandpoint High School student athletes participate in both types of activities for competitiveness, involvement BROOKE WILLIAMS
Journalism contributor Many students at Sandpoint High play both school and club sports. There are always pros and cons when one is involved in sports, but they are a great way to be competitive and get involved. School sports are a big part of high school. They are great because you have the constant support of your peers at games. School sports are a good way to get in shape by having practices multiple times a week and still having the weekends off. Athletes are consistently competing for starting spots, which can push an athlete to become a better player. Schools hold their athletes up to very high expectations: they must pass their classes and they must hold a good reputation to be eligible to play. Emilie Kuster, Junior, said, “I think the administration has high standards because we should have high standards for ourselves. We should always give our all if we are participating in a sport, because we owe it to our teammates. Playing sports is a privilege, and in order to be granted it, students must maintain a
certain GPA and stay out of trouble.” School sports are a good way to get involved and have a ton of fun, but because there are multiple teams based on levels of play, students of different ages may have different priorities that could clash.
“
I think the administration has high standards because we should have high standards for ourselves. -Emilie Kuster
”
Junior
However, this could be a good thing, because then students are playing at the level that they are capable of. Schools often have big teams because of a no-cut policy, but this also gives new players a chance to get involved. In addition, everyone has probably heard about the infamous Daily Doubles. Though Daily Doubles make the athletes ready for the upcoming season by getting them in top condition, they are often very difficult. Bryce Clark, freshman, said, “The first day I went to daily doubles it was definitely an eye-opener. You
hear the stories, but until you get there you really don’t know what to expect.” Club teams are a good way to stay in shape and continue to become a better player when the school season is over. Clubs often have coaches that can help athletes reach new heights. There are bigger competitions and tournaments which enable the athletes to travel all around the country and sometimes the world. Because clubs can control how many players they have on a team, there are often smaller teams. Not all athletes that play club sports come from the same school, which allows the athletes to meet people they would not normally. Club sports can be great, if you can afford them. They can be very expensive because they have to pay for coaches, equipment, fields and courts, along with game fees. Because club sports are very competitive, it can lead to some issues inside the club, whether it’s politics or drama with the athletes. School sports and club sports have many definite positives and a few negatives. One perfect thing about both of them is that the athletes are able to play the sport they love for most of the year.
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May 2009
Cedar Post
Thank you to our sponsors
A special thank-you to the following fine local businesses for their generous donations of gift certificates for the Ninth Annual Bachelor Auction 41 South Dish Dub’s Eichardt’s EFX Bowling Ivano’s
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