Countryside High School Paw Print Newspaper Volume 28 Issue 2

THE COUNTRYSIDE HIGH SCHOOL

PAW PRINT 3000 SR 580

Friday, September 22nd, 2006 - VOLUME 28, Issue 2

Clearwater, Florida

New nutrition plan creates awareness beccaMORALES

staff writer

Thousands of fast food joints stretch across the state; all of which offer a quick fix for the time crunchers who can’t find the time or energy to prepare a home cooked meal. Nevertheless, when America’s increasing obesity problem is taken into account, few fast food consumers seem concerned.

More than 20 percent of school aged children are estimated to be obese. When does someone step in? And who?

In 2004, President George W. Bush passed the “Child Nutrition and WIC (Women, Infant, and Children) Reauthorization Act,” to be implemented later this year.

The act requires all American schools to include physical activities, nutrition education, school-based wellness lessons, and nutritional guidelines for all foods served on campus as a part of the curriculum.

Most schools complied with three of these requirements, (physical activities, nutrition education, and other schoolbased wellness lessons) even before the passing of the act. Countryside has always offered physical activities and nutrition education, however, lacked in presenting nutritional guidelines on all foods available.

In previous years, Countryside has been very generous with the portions sold during lunch and the fifteen-minute break. Fries overflowed from containers, requiring students to maneuver gracefully around campus to ensure that not a single fry would land on the ground.

However, the act makes it clear that schools are to avoid serving any deep fried food such as french fries, tater tots, and chips. Instead of simply eliminating such potentially harmful foods, the county has opted to limit food portions.

Now, fries are served in smaller servings and students may only purchase one tray. Other popular foods such as the mozzarella sticks and Gatoraid drinks have also shrunk in portions.

“I feel that the cafeteria is giving us very little portions

for what we pay. I used to get the fries, but since they reduced the size and kept the same price, I have stopped buying them. Even though the school reduced the amount of food we receive, the [students] will still find a [loop]hole through it and keep eating,” said senior Kim Yeung.

The Nutrition Act dictates that food that falls under the category of bakery items, such as cookies and fries, should have no more than eight ounces per portion. Also, the act states that candy and chips students purchase between classes should not be permitted when nutritional food is available, such as during lunch and the fifteen-minute break. The policy makers want students to make wise decisions, but feel that Paw Print photo by Kaitlin Montgomery students will not with the ever ophomore (front) Anthony Minutolo and freshman Evan Miller (back) present temptation of junk food. devour a new small portion tray of the school’s french fries while awaiting The new nutrition guideline the bus home. not only affects food, but drinks as physical activities should be part of a student’s daily routine. well. Low sugar fruit drinks have Throughout the state of Florida, schools require students replaced several soda options offered in vending machines. to complete at least one credit of physical education: half According to the policy, all drinks must contain less than of which is earned in personal fitness, the other half in a 30 grams of sugar per eight ounces. physical education class of the student’s choice.

Last year if a muffin enticed a student’s tastes buds, Can the new policy succeed when schools are only that student could simply walk up to the revolving vending enforcing one part of the program? machine and had a choice of two small muffins for a dollar “Though the requirement has always been one credit, or a large muffin for the same price. Now, the only option most students have participated in more [physical is to purchase one small muffin for a dollar. education classes] simply [because of the interest] in tennis “This is horrible. They shouldn’t raise the food prices, or basketball or other physical activities that we offer. they should lower the price of healthy food,” said freshman However, with the plan in place, the state will more than Rainy Chamberlin. likely raise the requirements in the future,” said Assistant The other main component of the act states that Principal Cynthia Saginario.

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Airport security tightens to a stranglehold alexHARRIS

people realize that terrorism just isn’t going to disappear, and its more than just a national issue, with the proposed terrorist attacks taking place across the globe,” said Senior Since the infamous 9/11 attack, flight security has Tara Brown-Ogilvie.

The attempt has brought back the once declining fear continued its ever tightening chokehold on America. and hesitation of flying. New security measures are now in However, the maniacal measures recently instated are eff ect around the globe. Most of the focus is on U.S. and a direct result of the August panic, when British and British flight security, as these are very evident terrorist Pakistani authorities thwarted a massive airborne terrorist targets.

For the first time the U.S. has raised the security risk attack. for British bound The terrorists planned to flights to red combine a British sport drink, alert, the highest with a gel-like substance, and he security was tightened during 9/11 possible threat then carry the concoction onto and the fact that it was tightened scared level for terrorism. planes. It is speculated that the The U.S. has catastrophic mixture would later people, because it made it clear that there was also adopted more be set off using a cell phone, a serious threat and problem. A lot of people stringent carry-on iPod, or other electronic devise. forgot about the World Trade Center terrorist restrictions, though Authorities are concerned not quite as strict by this new sophisticated attacks, but now that the new liquid band has as England’s.

No method of terrorism, as it taken affect, people realize that terrorism just liquids are allowed will be harder to combat and isn’t going to disappear, and its more than just to be taken along require implementing stricter for the ride (with regulations. a national issue, with the proposed terrorist the exception of In accordance, more attacks taking place across the globe baby formula and restrictions equate to longer medications, which security lines. Carry on luggage must be inspected). is limited to wallets, passports, Instead they must be stowed away in checked luggage. and the barest of necessities, contained only in translucent Th e airports are going to ask passengers more intrusive plastic bags. If you are planning on a visit to England, questions and conduct more invasive searches. expect to leave your cell phone, iPod, keychain, and even Unfortunately, all of this thoroughness takes a great your laptop in your suitcase. deal of time and like it or not, passengers have to arrive “The security was tightened during 9/11 and the fact at the airports much earlier. Major airlines such as Delta that it was tightened scared people because it made it recommend that passengers arrive three hours in advance. clear that there was a serious threat and problem. A lot Th e new flight procedures make flying a more time of people forgot about the World Trade Center terrorist consuming, and less care-free way to travel. attacks, but now that the new liquid ban has taken effect, news editor

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Newly Banned Items on Airplanes Aerosol spray bottles and cans All creams and lotions including mediacted ointments Bubble bath balls, bath oils or mostiurizers Bug and mosquito sprays and repellents Deodorants made of gel or aerosol Eye drops-no more than four ounces Hair styling gels and sprays of sorts, including aerosoles Hair straighteners or detanglers Lip gels Liquid lip gloss Liquid bubble bath, including gel or liquid filled bottles Liquid sanitizers Liquid soaps Saline solution Shampoos and conditioners Toothpaste Scissors with metal blades longer than four inches Wrenches or pliers longer than seven inches

FEATURES Professional drifting a dangerous drive 2

morganSWIM

artist

The smell of burnt rubber fills the air while drift race drivers run on pure adrenaline. As they rev their engines into fourth gear, they hit the turn, down-shift, slam the emergency brake, and slide the length of the turn.

Drifting, a new type of professional car racing with its main focus on steering and slick turns, is the hottest thing to hit the racing world in years and quite possibly, the most dangerous.

Even with its dangers, drifting is wildly popular and when done by a professional, can produce some extraordinary results.

To people who are new to the sport, or have little knowledge in general, the concept of drifting might be confusing.

Though it is considered in drifting competitions, racers are not heavily judged on timing, speed, or placement; drifting is all about control and smooth execution.

To the untrained eye, drifting may look to be no more than a car fish-tailing around a turn, however, there are three important elements to a successful drift: driving line, drift angle, and speed. The driving line is the path the car takes around a turn. Ideally, the car should be kept taut with the rear kept as close to the outside of the turn as possible. The angle of a drift is the angle of the car around a turn. A perfect turn would require the car to turn at a 90° angle, perpendicular to the track, completely sideways through the entirety of the turn. Conventional racing values speed above all else, but in drifting this is not necessarily true. Even so, the faster the drift, the better, as long as stability and control are not compromised.

Heel-toe shifting is a technique that is used specifically to maintain stability and downshift smoothly without jerking the vehicle. This technique is achieved when the clutch is pressed with the left foot and the right foot presses the break and accelerator at the same time with the heel and toe. Once the engine is revved the driver then down shifts.

Not all drifting techniques are purely practical, in fact, many are for show, as drifting is a style sport. One such ma-

neuver the Choku-Dori, a side-to-side rocking technique used to spice up boring sections in a race, is usually a crowd pleaser and hopefully a judge pleaser as well.

Technique and style are all well and good, but without a car, none of that would matter. The most basic requirement of an acceptable car is that it must have a front-engine layout and rear wheel drive. Of course, there are favorites among the racing world. It is not surprising that Japan, being the birthplace of drift racing, manufactures the most popular and efficient car for drifters – The Nissan Silvia, the newest model being the S15. It is overwhelmingly preferred by racers around the world. Another Japanese-made machine, the Toyota AE86, better known as hachiroku (literally “eight-six” in Japanese) in Japan, is not too far off second place. Essentially, these cars are the Rolls Royce and Mercedes Benz of drifting.

Perhaps the most important component of a drifter’s entire car are tires which can be the difference between a spinout and a perfect drift. Drifting burns a lot of rubber.

Sometimes whole tire chunks can spin off into the crowds at drift competitions. In fact, a single session of drifting alone can effectively rub out a new set of tires like a cheap eraser.

What is a drift racer to do about tires? They run on used ones. The slickest and most entertaining drifts are made on second-hand tires; at least the back tires are. For steering purposes, it is a general drift rule to keep the better tires on the front. Back tires are usually used 15” tires, as they are cheap and get the job done effectively. Of course, in drift competitions or in high speed races, drifters tend to soop up their tires to a higher quality for a better grip, as opposed to eroded tires which can become dangerous at high speeds Some companies even make tires specifically for drifting, such as Kuhmo, a South Korean tire company. These companies are so bold as to create tires that burn out colored smoke, to proudly represent drifting abilities. In the long run, car

Volume 28

models, tires, and other customizations are merely personal preferences which account for the wide range of “trickedout” drift machines in the drifting world.

Drifting Techniques Heel Toe Shifting-proper gear to get the car into the right gear for drifting.

E-Brake Drift-pull the E-brake to induce rear traction loss and balance drift through steering.

Swaying Drift-a slow side faint-like drift where the rear end sways back and forth down a strait.

Power Over-executed when entering a corner and using full throttle to produce heavy oversteer through the turn.

Clutch Kick-executed by depressing the clutch pedal on approach or during a mild drift, then the clutch is “popped” to give a sudden jolt through the driveline.

Learn more about drifting at: http://formulad.com/info.php?id=driftinghistory Information compiled by Christina Lupi

Wheels of television revolution keep on spinning christinaLUPI

features editor

Volkswagen van so when he was done surfing, he could dry his clothes.

The show usually ends up installing around $20,000 to $30,000 worth of electronics, custom paint jobs, and accessories the owner is sure to love.

Overhaulin’, another car improvement show, is programmed on The Learning Channel. The general idea of the show is to renovate a car of someone who has been nominated by friends and family. Hosts Chris Foose and Chris Jacobs then brainstorm an idea to get the car away from the owner. Usually, the hosting duo creates a scene in which the owner believes their car has been stolen, impounded, towed away, or somehow appears to be misplaced at a dealership or mechanics shop.

Foose and Jacobs play roles as insurance agents or law enforcement to make the scheme authentic. They somehow manage to buy themselves a week’s time to renovate the car and convert it into a total masterpiece. With only a week to transform the car, they must work hard and fast while still keeping the owner in complete suspense.

Fast Inc., Pimp My Ride and Overhaulin’ are all television shows about making the change from ugly duckling vehicles to beautiful swans. Shows about cars are being shown across the nation and becoming some of the most popular among teens.

Fast Inc. is a popular show being aired on Music Television.

Cameras present the inner workings of cusAdd Chrome tom car company Fast Ashley’s. The company specializes rims to your in finding and “tricking out” cars for celebrities, models, wheels to and millionaires. give them the On one episode, Tommy Chong from Cheech and bling effect. Chong brought in a 46’ Oldsmobile that he wanted Est, Cost: painted and renovated from the inside out. Chong also wanted Fast Ashley’s to equip the car with hydraulics $20-2000 and make it a a low-rider.

Pimp My Ride, also on MTV, originated in 2004 and is known for creating custom cars for the individual. The typical contestant is usually between 18 and 24 years of age and owns an extremAdding a bigly rundown, grungy auger exhaust tip or double tomobile in severe need exhausts cre- of some tender loving care. The owners talk ates a louder on camera about what noise. bad shape their car is in Est. Cost: and why it needs to be $250 “pimped”. Rapper Xzibit hosts the show and is often attacked by screaming girls and incredibly excited guys as he makes his appearance at their Adding a door. grill makes After Xzibit examyour car ines the vehicle he drives look more it off to West Coast Aggressive, Customs or the new Grrrrrrrr.

Galpin Auto Sports, where his crew will cusEst. cost: Paw Print photo by Megan Hays tomize the cars $60-500 enior Shannon Reed stands next to her upgraded 2006 Honda Civic. The car features The crew personalizadd-ons such as sport wheels, lower suspension, chrome exhaust, spoiler, and sport es contestant cars. For instance, they installed fenders. “I love my rims and my sun roof, but I love my car the most because it’s cute and Paw Print Photo by Kaitlin Montgomery a dryer into a surfer’s also sporty.”

How to pimp your own ride

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NEWS

Issue 2

3

Get Involved: Countryside Club Briefs Multicultural Club

Juniorettes

Poetry and Writing Club

The world has an unprecedented amount of culture. Simply walk into room A-6 and discover the vast assortment of cultures coexisting at Countryside. Participating in various volunteer efforts and many cultural ventures; Multicultural Club is distinctive for its diversity.

The Culture Fair will be held in April, where students of different nationalities represent their culture. Last year, ethnic dances were preformed in costume.

Contact Mr. Amstutz for more information on this club. Meetings are held once a month and usually take place before the buses leave.

Are you a girl? Do you enjoy taking long walks on the beach, while picking up trash? Do you need volunteer hours?

Then run down to Mrs. Hussar’s office in J-1A and join the Juniorettes. This girls-only volunteer club visits nursing homes, paints houses, plays with kids at the Safety Harbor Neighborhood Family Center, participates in the Coastal Cleanup and Relay for Life. If you need volunteer hours, want to have fun, or just feel like being a good samaritan, then look no further. Meetings are run by President Katie Harrison. The time, date, and location of these meetings have not yet been set. It’s a great way to have fun, interact with the people in your community, and gain a sense of pride.

Angst ridden writers, depressed poets, or up beat fiction writers, whatever meets your fancy, the Poetry and Writing club welcomes you. This club was instituted for students to share and give one another insight and critique on their writing. Meetings are held every Monday after school in room L-1 during lunch. Students join to enhance their writing by way of feedback from members. At each meeting, members may read their own works to certain themes, we provide constructive criticism.

The Laureate Countryside’s Literary magazine, the Laureate, is published at the close of every school year featuring student writers and artists. These works of art and literature don’t come together on their own. Someone has to put this thing together, and believe it or not it is a club. A team of students help choose what pieces are featured and how the final product will look. Anyone can submit works to the Laureate but students must be club members to contribute to the final product. Meeting times have not yet been decided, but will be held in the library. If there are any questions, see Ms. Rothfeld. Remember, getting published looks great on college applications!

Japanese Anime Club Although Anime Club has existed at Countryside for seven years, it just became official last year. It has an interesting mixture of members, all of which have passion for anime ( Japanese style cartoons). Most meetings consist of the comprehension of the Japanese culture and knowledge of the language. Members also watch and discuss various aspects of Japanese anime. Every year, the club participates in JACON ( Japanese Anime Convention) in Orlando. Some members dress up as the character of their choice.

“We are different from other clubs because during meetings you never know what will happen next,” said senior, and Vice President Kimberly Yeung. Meetings are Mondays and Wednesdays in room E-5.

Marine Biology Club Do you enjoy Sea World, camping, canoeing, and perhaps swimming with manatees? Well, these are just some of the many activities that Marine Biology Club has to offer.

Go behind the scenes at the Clearwater Marine Science Center with dolphins, turtles and other marine life.

Need volunteer hours? Marine Biology Club also participates in Coastal Clean-Up and the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. Members obtain a new perspective on local marine areas by being educated and having fun with friends. Meetings are held every Monday in room F-5 at 1:25 during lunch.

Student Government Association Do you love to plan events and decorate? Have a creative side? Then come join SGA, which formally stands for Student Government Association. Work with lights, sound, and see what it takes to make homecoming a success. Volunteers are needed for the coordination of facilities and student security. Plan and decide what goes into spirit week and the presentation of the homecoming football game. Meetings are held every Wednesday in portable 1 after 4th block.

Drama Club Come one, come all; the loud, dramatic, and outgoing.

Student officers run all meetings and plan activities, such as improvisation games. Participate in Grease, the spring play, or Broadway To Go, a showcase of a multitude of talents. But there’s a catch, you must be a member to perform.

Meetings are every Wednesday in the auditorium beginning promptly after school. These meetings cover important dates, activities, and other general information. Socials are Fridays from 1:30 to 3:30 in the auditorium. Don’t be afraid; they don’t bite, just act.

Information compiled by staff writers Samantha Malone, Jessica Congdon and news editor Alex Harris. Photos by Megan Hays and Kaitlin Montgomery.

Create an edge to land a hot job christinaLUPI

features editor

Once a teenager begins high school, priorities change and arise. New school, new friends, new classes and so much more. At 16 teenagers want new cars and spending money. Most parents say that in order to get those, they need to get a job; three words teens do not like to hear.

Jobs can be fun if you are doing something you enjoy or hope to do sometime in the future. For example, if you want to become a teacher, consider getting a job working with little kids, at a place like Kid Kazoo. Most teens want to work with their friends, but the experience around the workplace with unfamiliar people could pay off in the end.

With many enjoyable job opportunities around the community, these are a few that catch the student’s attention.

The AMC movie theatre allows for every day interaction with different people. Employees acquire communication skills by working at concessions or ushering.

“I love working at the movies. The managers are easy going and it’s not very difficult. Also, everyone there is really nice and makes you feel like part of the group. A plus is getting free movie tickets and advanced screenings. It’s a great place to work,” said senior Ashlee Carrasquillo.

Restaurants such as Chili’s, Louis Pappas’, and Johnny’s create busy environments where employees learn to memorize customers’ orders while also being sociable.

Students discovered that grocery stores are not enjoyable employment options.

“It isn’t very fun. It’s not a good place to work and have a social life at the same time,” said senior Travis Stortz.

With many interesting job opportunities around, getting a job might not seem so unappealing. After all, money is always a good thing.

shrutiLAKKANKIKI

staff writer

Searching for a job, whether part-time or full-time, might be a daunting task for some, for others, a walk in the park. Mastering the appalling process of applying and surviving the onslaught of mind-juggling questions during the first interview is imperative in order to score your dream job. Here are some helpful tips to help guide you through this turbulent, yet quite rewarding, quest for a job: Make a self-analysis. Ask these questions before you hunt for a job: What kind of a job am I looking for? Is it going to interfere with my school activities? Explore your talents and interests. Plan your schedule to fit in school, job, and time for yourself. If you are not ready for a job, volunteering is a good way to start.

Find the job. Many local newspapers provide job listings in your area. Don’t forget to search for a job in/ near your favorite hang-outs. If you are stuck, talk to your.

Countryside High School also provides a program called Cougar Career center (A-wing) and it provides important information about part-time jobs.

Find what suits you. When you find a job that interests you, apply for it right away. Find out how to apply; does the company provide an online application process or do you need to pick up an application form?

Your resume is an advertisement. Creating your resume might be an intimidating task but does not require a course in rocket science. For starters, write a simple resume that is easy to read and understandable. This is your chance to boast about your achievements and awards. Start out with a heading that includes your name and contact information. Your resume should include all of these and each should have a paragraph of its own. Also include any awards and honors or references. Recommendations from influencing people are very helpful, as well.

The Interview: Employers are looking for specific qualities in a personality such as how outgoing and mature you are. When invited for an interview, give the interviewers a firm handshake, a smile, and a confident introduction and do the same when leaving. Punctuality and politeness are plus points to add on to your personality.

Be ready for many different kinds of questions and answer them as best as you can. The key qualities to demonstrate during interviews are open-mindedness, confidence, good communication skills, and experience.

Follow up: Call after a week to follow up on your current status with the company and move on with your life if you get rejected. It is okay to try twice or three times for a job. Maintaining the job is also important so follow the rules/regulations that your boss sets.

Job ideas for teens in school $ Fast food restaurants $ Grocery store clerk or bagger $ Mowing lawns $ House painting $ Baked goods $ Cleaning houses $ Dog Walking $ Washing cars $ Errand Running $ Teach the elderly computer skills $ Creating web sites

OPINION

4

How short is too short? samanthaMALONE

staff writer

How short is too short? When does a skirt’s length cross the line, going from cool and cute to flirty or trashy?

Pinellas County School Board Policy states that school administration will be the final judge with hemmed skirts, at a mid-thigh length or longer.

An obvious assumption would be that if enough girls were caught wearing short skirts every day, they would learn their lesson and eventually the number of girls caught in a day would dwindle.

Perhaps the problem lies with the fact it is not the girls who are blatantly breaking dress code, but the teachers and administrators unable to enforce the code by the same standards because there is not a definite rule in place.

Some administrators are satisfied with the arm-length test, while others will obligingly detain a girl if her skirt merely looks too short. This is where the written rules begin to blur and become unfair to the students who are being punished for displaying a minor amount of thigh when others are getting away with skirts that show a considerable amount of curve with every step.

The length of skirts is not enforced fairly or equally. Is it the length of a skirt that is judged or is it really where the skirt falls on the thigh? If one tall girl and one short girl stand side by side in the same skirt one might look all

Speak Your Mind

set to go on a family outing of mini-golf while the other could be seen wearing only her skirt out for a night on the town.

And what about the new fashion of wearing leggings under a skirt? Question. Is wearing leggings under a skirt of questionable length a loop-hole or looked at differently, or is it just a pathetic and failing way to get away with breaking dress code?

What is the appropriate punishment for inappropriate skirts? With many teachers simply changing your skirt would suffice, however, some in administration feel the need to call parents to inform them their daughter is dressed inappropraitely and needs to change or she will spend her school day in IC or OCIP. Parents are expected to drop what they are doing at work and bring their child new clothes. But do all parents care about a skirt that looks too short or has no hem? Still some faculty and administrators cut right to the chase and give a referral, which poses a question: how can a student can be late to a particular class four times before a referral is even mentioned?

With so little specific language, and double standards with questionable rulings, nothing about Pinellas County’s dress code is concrete. A set standard of skirt lengths is needed along with clear cut rulings for all clothing, gender specific.

Hey you!

DressCode violation! That skirt is too short!

Hey you!

Great job cheering out there, keep it up!

Volume 28

When is a skirt too short?

“When you can see the cheeks.”

Madison Honig, Junior

“When you are sitting or standing and your butt is showing.”

Shanna Strout, Senior

“When your buttcheeks are hanging out, it needs to be to the middle of their thigh.”

Derrick Gibson, Junior Corrections: The Paw Print’s feature on the Europe trip in Issue One’s Focus reported that “Eight people were trampled to death” in front of the student’s hotel. The Paw Print misquoted the student.-It should be noted 79 deaths were reported during World Cup Celebrations.

MySpace receives its own graveyard xanderURBEN

staff writer

Death – the most unavoidable thing, next to taxes. Now, it appears equally inevitable that deceased MySpace users will end up on MyDeathSpace.

MySpace was a creation almost as chagrined as it was heralded, a subject that parents of reckless adolescents met with fear and paranoid lectures.

More serious young adults heartlessly berated the website and its shamelessness, filled with the results of online quizzes and flashing multicolored backgrounds; it is a site where popularity is shown through the number of ‘friends’ a user collects, although the list is more likely to include complete strangers and shady acquaintances than actual companions. Once, star signs were flirtatiously exchanged; then, phone numbers were shyly offered; now, a common

question is, “What’s your MySpace?”

MySpace users, littered with excessive glitz and glam, are Unlike its sister site, MyDeathSpace maintains a lower reduced to concise briefings upon their deaths. profile. Its grayscale layout and simple obituaries do not Although the concept alone is enough to snicker over, force people to brave obnoxious background music and even more amusing are the causes of death that MySpace records. “Fell off cliff,” one case reports. “Died from exertion and breathing difficulties from shoveling snow,” another crisply documents. It’s easy for a guilt giggle to escape while browsing the lists, and even easier to get hooked on prowling through the files, musing over murders and mulling over suicides. And for all of those who have never liked MySpace, there’s a spiteful elation on noting the bitter ends of its users.

In the end (pun intended), MyDeathSpace is an entertaining, albeit morbid, site that sedately collects over-saturated ID pictures; an organized archive and clean facts. Though the fans of MySpace will not be pleased with black text are all that dominate the morbid catalogue. this mocking form of competition, its critics might finally There’s a humorous irony in the fact that the profiles of find some solace.

PAW PRINT STAFF Countryside High School

3000 S.R. 580 Cleawater, Florida 33761 727.725.7956 ext. 146 Fax 727.725.7990 Editors In Chief Molly Hays & Scott Seel Design Editor Brandin Milton Copy Editors Tamika Martinez & Missy Willoughby Features Editor Christina Lupi Sports Editor Nick Schlereth Culture Editor Rebecca Morales Entertainment Editor Angie Forbes Technology Coordinator Andrew Tannahill Artists Bobby Marcellus & Morgan Swim Business Manager Alyssa Fortner Photographers Anna Ko, Kaitlin Montgomery & Megan Hays Adviser Joyce Dimmer Principal Gerald Schlereth Staff Writers Felicia Ashby, Rylie Burns, Jessica Congdon, Alex Harris, Shruti Lakkaniki,Samantha Malone, Marissa Martin, Xander Urben, Alessandra Young

Florida Scholastic Press Association- All Florida Southern Interscholastic Press Association- Superior Quill and Scroll- International Second Place Award The Paw Print is published by the newspaper staff at Countryside High School.

Advertising rates are available upon request by calling (727)725-7956 ext. 146.

Advertising which promotes illegal products under Florida Law, or opposes any religion will not be accepted.

The Paw Print has been established as an open forum for student expression as outlined in the Student Press Law Center’s model guidelines for student publications. The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the faculty and administration but rather of the author or the newspaper staff and its editors.

The Paw Print welcomes letters to the editor on topics of interest to Countryside High School and its surrounding community. We also welcome contributions from writers not associated with the newpaper staff. All freelance material should be submitted to room A-3. All submissions must bear the author’s name.

THE CORKBOARD

Issue 1

5

FRIDAY

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culture editor and staff writer

With more than 20 million visitors a month, YouTube is rapidly eclipsing Myspace in popularity. Launched in November of 2005, this new wave of video sharing has jump started alternatives to conventional television viewing. With more than 6,500 video clips ranging in variety from music videos to foreign films being uploaded and watched daily, it seems difficult to comprehend how corporate networks are going to compete.

According to statistics announced in July of 2006 by Alexa.com, over 100 million clips are watched on YouTube everyday. Some clips have gained popularity to the point of becoming internet catch phrases.

A prime example is the “Two Chinese Boys,” sometimes referred to as the “Back Dormitory Boys,” whom earned fame for lip syncing The Backstreet Boys song , “I Want It That Way.” In fact, the boys became so well-recognized they were asked to appear on a Chinese talk show to perform their YouTube legendary lip-syncing live.

These and many more have become immortalized and revered, and constant spinoffs, imitations, or inspirations appear to gain their fifteen minutes of fame on the World Wide Web. “Future film makers” may not be the description seniors Eric Barnes and Brian Detwiler had in mind when they filmed their three minute music video parody entitled “Es-ay Live in Brazil.” On just a spur of the moment idea after listening to an N’Sync song, their two hour production began. The video was shot while Barnes and Detwiler were in Brazil on a youth group mission trip. The video took more than an hour to shoot and another to edit. “It started out as a photo shoot, and turned into something bigger,” said Barnes.

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Case file: How well does the sex offender registry work?

Most sexual assualts are

Websites:

CAUTION

Homepage of the Florida Sex Offender Registry:

http://offender.fdle.state.fl.us/offender/homepage.do

National Sex Offender Registry: http://www.familywatchdog.us/

World’s Largest and Oldest Internet Safety Organization http://www.cyberangels.org/

CAUTION

CAUTION

CAUTION

committed by someone familiar to the victim, or knows the victim’s family

Most sex offenders were not abused sexually as children. (Becker and Murphy, l998 l998)

Studies show that females commit 2O% of sex offenses towards children. (ATSA l996) The average cost to jail a sex offender costs about $22,OOO 22,OOO per year (Lotke,l996 l996)

43% of all rapes and sexual assaults happen between 6 p.m. and midnight (Greenfield,l997) Juvenile sex offenders typically are ages l3 to l7 l7.

Information compiled by Scott Seel from the Center for Sex Offender Management

CAUTION

Registered sex offender Ricky D. Keith was arrested and charged for stalking a l5 l5-year old editor-in-chief girl on August 22 22nd, 2OO6 2OO6.

Keith was reportedly following the teen in his truck in a supermarket plaza, stopping and waiting for the girl, who was soliciting for her sports team. Thanks in part to the mother of the teen, her alertness of Keith’s presence helped the police with his arrest. Because Keith was convicted for first degree rape in Kentucky in l996 996, he is a registered sex offender. Keith said that he only drove right through the plaza, not even noticing the girl. The system is available to any citizen to use for the safety and protection of their children.

CAUTION

CAUTION

Young children at school bus stops, adolescents strolling about a shopping mall, and happy go lucky kids at amusement parks are all activities commonly displayed by the younger population and situations which are rendered innocent by most adults, not to mention our younger generation. Parents do not generally give a second thought as to the danger of these situations as they have been presumed safe for numerous generations; however, we live in a world which is waxing worse and worse.

“I was recently given the opportunity to view the number of registered sex offenders in the area and was shocked by the amount. Whenever our daughter goes out with her friends, we’re cautious and require that she calls to check in, but we always figure she’ll be alright,” said Countryside student parent Sharon Greenhalgh.

The general public watches news programs, usually televised daily, containing horrific child abuse cases and think to themselves, “how terrible” but do they ever really consider that it could ever happen to them? How close to home really are these scenarios? And, when a child is playing about in a rather carefree situation, perhaps even supervised by an adult, have you ever wondered who is really watching?

A new website entitled “Family Watch Dog” makes it available for anyone with internet access to view the whereabouts of local potential [and convicted] sexual abuse threats and predators. As the theme on their main page states, finally, a company dedicated to keeping home computers safe and secure which has long since been a growing need in our homes and communities. Having a website such as this brings a calming effect to anyone truly concerned about this

prot protecting t

matter of child abuse and sexual predators.

“I expected that there would be several in the area but I was astounded to see exactly how many and how near to my house and school they really are,” said senior Michelle Russell.

When it comes to protecting one’s family from sex predators, using the sexual predator mapping tools made available on the website is a great beginning. The databases exactly locate all convicted and registered sexual offenders. Nonetheless, there are many other potential sexual threats that have never been publicly convicted.

The Internet is also becoming an all too common meeting place for predators and victims. It behooves any concerned parent or adult to surf the net and website mentioned above, not to mention, other available links listed so as to become educated and up to date about potential threats in their community. Some of the links are: sex offender registry, instant criminal records and sex offender search, to name a few.

According to the website: “The National Alert Registry aggregates all of the sex offender records contained in the various state sex offender registries, providing a single database with nationwide coverage. Using state-of-the-art mapping, database, and e-mail notification technologies, National Alert Registry provides a simple yet extremely powerful arrangement of products to help you and your family be aware, be alert, and be safe!

CAUTION

tamikaMARTINEZ

CAUTION

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tecting America’s youth There are 107 registered sex offenders within 5 miles of Countryside High School.

5 live within a mile of our school. school

Photos courtesy of familywatchdog.us

scottSEEL

editor-in-chief

Teens are wired to the internet. They can show their unique personalities, and be themselves without worry, or so they thought. What’s driving predators or sexual offenders to use the internet as a way to interact with youth? They have computers too; they know how to use MySpace and other blogs, so there’s no stopping their preying nature.

Odd as it seems, the first thing on a teen’s mind when they log on isn’t about whether a sexual offender is going to message them or not. Here are three steps that every internet user should take notice of to keep unwanted eyes from entering their personal life.

The first step deals with MySpace or other blogs. Primarily, keeping profiles “friends only” or “private” prevents strangers from acquiring personal information off of a blog.

Without the ability to know more about you, the person can’t do a single thing.

In addition, don’t use first or last names as a blog address or headline because that could give potential predators more initiative to look closer. Don’t be afraid to deny a friend request of someone unfamiliar; it’s better to stay on the safe side than risk potential problems.

Junior Catherine Locicero said, “People should wise up, use their intelligence, and not just go out and meet people they don’t know.”

According to a study at the University of New Hampshire, 1 in every 7 youths is sexually solicited online. Step two is for teens to ask for guidance from a parent or trusted adult if approached on the web by someone suspicious. Adults are likely to take the necessary actions if a sexual offender is trying to contact a youth.

Step three is the most crucial precaution when dealing with the internet. Do not give anyone else usernames or passwords. This is the Pandora’s Box of internet use. Also, keep personal information out of public profiles, such as a home address, phone numbers, schedules, etc.

Freshman Ian Ricci said, “Everyone should have to put all their information in if they want to have a MySpace”, to help MySpace keep track of predators or offenders.

There’s no wrong in taking these extra steps for internet protection.

Sophomore Rachel Grzegorzewski said, “I don’t joke around about my safety online, especially when it’s on the line.”

Culture

8

Volume 27

Fashions soar to a whole new world this homecoming rylieBURNS

staff writer

This season, fashion statements include various animal prints, over-the-top beading, and “bunching”. Dresses this year are also to the point. If it’s short, it’s short. If it’s long, its got a train.

The season has a very “anything goes” aura. Elegant, sophisticated, formal, semi-formal, cocktail, short, long, sparkly, bunched, glamorous, chic. You name it, and it goes.

“I borrowed my dress from a friend, it is strapless and black, with a layered skirt,” said senior Nicole Skinner.

Many of the shorter dresses are very daring with lengths ranging from between knee and mid-thigh.

“My dress is short, strapless, gold and black, with a line of sequins around the mid-torso; it was only $30 at Dillards,” said senior Danielle DeMello.

Longer dresses are more on the Grecian side of the spectrum. Elegant, down to the floor, flowing dresses are “in”. Beading and unique hemming styles are often seen in the longer dresses.

“I have a navy blue, halter dress. It is knee length, with beads. I got it at Dillards for only $59,” said sophomore Molly McGovern.

Color is big. The brighter and more eye-catching, the better. Brilliant emeralds, royal blues, purples, and fuchsias have been brought to the front this season.

The use of floral and animal prints and fabrics has also come back to renew the avant-garde, or daring, style.

This season, designers know how to use these prints to accentuate an amazing look.

To really complete the look, big, sparkly jewelry“bling”- is vogue and in style. Earrings, rings, necklaces, and tiaras with sparkly jemstones are available in a rainbow spectrum. It’s all outrageously chic.

If preferred, skip the jewelry and buy a fabulous gown full of glitter or sparkle.

As for shoes, it’s whatever looks amazing. High, medium, and low heels, ballet flats, stilettos, pointed toes, or strappy. It’s all ripe for the picking.

Keep in mind that most girls take off their shoes during the dance, so shoes are only needed for the walk-in and pictures.

Whatever the final choice is, make sure it evokes your personality and style.

Spirit Week (September 25th-30th)

-College Day: Wear the attire of your ox Monday favorite college or university.

Tuesday-Twin Day: Finally, a day where your mirror image follows you.

Wednesday- Country Western Day: Drag all those plaid shirts, cowboy boots, and hats out.

No spurs allowed, please.

Thursday- Decade Day: Dress up in your favorite decade’s style of clothes.

Friday- Garnet and Gold Day: Support the

x

football team for the game on the 29th. There will be a pep rally during fourth block.

Paw Print photo by Rylie Burns

enior Sara Rueda Cuartes models one of the S many fashionable dresses for this homecoming season.

Saturday-Homecoming Dance

Con el Nuevo Plan Nutricion Crece el Aonocimiento Entre los Estudiantes rebeccaMORALES & alessandraYOUNG

culture editor & staff writer

Miles de restaurantes de comida rápida se encuentran en todo el estado; la cuales ofrecen un servicio rápido para las personas que no tienen tiempo ni energía para cocinar en casa. Sin embargo cuando la obesidad en América sigue creciendo, muy pocos consumidores se preocupan.

Más del 20 porciento de niños en la escuela esta estimado que son obesos. ¿Cuándo alguien se preocupará? ¿Y quién?

En el 2004, el Presidente George W. Bush pasó el acto “Child Nutrition and WIC (Women, Infant, and Children) Reauthorization Act,” para que se implemente este año. Este acto requiere que todas las escuelas americanas que incluyan en su currículo actividades físicas, educación nutricional y guías de nutrición para todas comidas servidas en campus.

La mayoría de las escuelas tiene tres de los requisitos (incluyendo actividad física, educación nutricional) aun antes de que pasen el acto sea pasado. Countryside siempre, ha ofrecido actividad física y educación nutricional, cómo sea, deja de presentar guías de nutrición en todas las comidas disponibles.

En años previos, Countryside ha sido muy generoso con las porciones que se vendían durante el almuerzo y el receso de quince minutos. Por lo que era común ver como los estudiantes caminaban con mucho cuidado para no botar ninguna de las papitas que sobresalían del pato.

Como sea, el acto dice bien claro que las escuelas tienen que prevenir cualquier comida que es frita como las papas fritas, tater tots y las papitas. En véz de simplemente eliminar todas esas malas comidas que los estudiantes tanto les gustan, el condado ha tomado la opción de limitar las porciones.

Ahora, las papitas son servidas en cantidades más pequeñas y estudiantes sólo pueden comprar una porción.

“Yo creo que la cafetería nos esta dando porciones muy pequeñas por lo que pagamos. Antes yo compraba papas fritas, pero como ellos redujeron la porción y el precio es el mismo, he parado de comprarlas. Aunque la escuela reduzca la porción de la comida que recibimos, los niños encontrarán una manera de evitar el acto y seguir comiendo las cantidades que comían,” dijo senior, Kim Yeung.

El acto de nutrición dice que la comida bajo la categoría “comida al horno,” como galletas y papitas, no deberían de tener más de ocho onzas por porción. El acta también menciona que los dulces y chips que los estudiantes compran entre clases no deberían ser permitidos, cuando alimentos nutritivos están disponibles, como en el receso de quince minutos. Los creadores de este acto, quieren que los estudiantes hagan buenas decisiones pero creen que ellos no podrán con la tentación de la comida chatarra.

La nueva ley de nutrición no sólo afecta los alimentos, pero también afecta las bebidas. Bebidas de fruta que son bajas en azúcar han remplazado algunas sodas en varias máquinas.

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Según el acta, todas las bebidas tienen que contener menos de 30 gramos de azúcar por cada ocho onzas.

Si el año pasado un estudiante podía comprar un muffin de las máquinas, y tenía la opción de comprar dos muffins pequeños por un dólar o un muffin grande por el mismo precio. Ahora la única opción es comprar un muffin pequeño por un dólar.

“Esto es horrible. Ellos no deberían subir el precio de la comida, ellos deberían bajar el precio de la comida saludable,” dijo freshman Rainy Chamberlin.

La otra gran parte del acto indica que actividades físicas deberían ser parte de la rutina diaria de un estudiante.

Alrededor del estado de la Florida, las escuelas requieren que estudiantes completen al menos un crédito de educación física: medio crédito será ganado en personal fitness, y la otra mitad en clases de educación física que el estudiante escoja. ¿Puede este nuevo acto sobre salir cuando las escuelas sólo están haciendo una parte del programa?

“Aunque el requisito siempre haya sido de un crédito de educación física, la mayoría de los estudiantes participan en mas clases de educación física simplemente por lo que los estudiantes están interesados en tenis, basketball, u otra actividad física que ofrecemos. Con el plan en marcha, es muy posible que el estado suba los requisitos en el futuro,”dijo Asistente del Director Saginario. *Special thanks to Mrs. Bachmann for translation assistance.

Issue 2

SPORTS

9

Swim meet discovers treasure chest of trophies and titles mollyHAYS

editor-in-chief

Smoke escapes the portals of a black pirate ship docked at the North Shore Complex in St. Petersburg. Cannons erupt and the ships accompanying “pirates” begin to dance and sing and shout.

In fifteen minutes, the current ensuing chaos will calm down as a majority of the teenagers loosely draped in torn white t-shirts, bandanas, and tattoos will remove their garb and prepare to participate in one of the 12 relays at the Total Team Challenge swimming spirit meet.

Schools across Pinellas county have gathered their swim teams for this crucial meet; crucial not for individual scores and times but for building and uniting the team.

“This meet is more team oriented than all the other meets. The events you swim in are relays, so, basically, you try and build the team up. No individual performances really, it’s all about the team,” said junior Biron Smythe, also one of the four Cougar swim team captains.

In the 2005/2006 school year the Cougars placed second in girls, third in boys and won the spirit portion.

“Last year we were the underdogs, this year we were the team everyone was gunning for.

We had to be ready,” said Smythe.

Planning for the meet began back in July with a team sleepover where the members discussed what needed to be done to come in on top.

At the beginning of this school year, theme ideas were presented and voted upon.

Of the suggested themes were Flintstones, Grease and Gangsters- which the team was not allowed to do. Eventually the majority voted for “Pirates of the Caribbean,” feeling they could greatly expand upon that theme more so than the others.

In the past the team has been cowboys, patriots and Greeks. Last year they won spirit with their Greek theme made complete with togas and a Trojan horse float.

The pirate ship float they brought to competition this year was built upon the existing frame of the Trojan horse. With the assistance of their coach and various team members’ parents, the male team captains (Biron Smythe, Tom Rich, and Matt Walker) were able to construct the ship and fully equip it with a generator, Paw speakers, an amplifier, and a fog machine.

Print Phot o by The building process for the ship began a Moll y Ha ys month before the meet and took an estimated 40 hours they’re to complete. hurricanes, A DJ system was hooked up to an iPod so the swim- so that’s always been mers could play any songs they chose, favorites being their song. So as soon as we put it soundtracks of cannon explosions and the infamously on they went silent. They went dead because t h e y rowdy “Yo ho yo ho” pirate song. couldn’t believe we actually were going to play it. Oh, we “We blew a speaker in the first ten minutes because we rocked out, it was great,” said senior varsity swimmer Katie were firing the cannons too loud,” said Smythe.

Kastes.

“The best part, I think, was when we played “Rock It Like In addition to the speakers on the ship, the team was A Hurricane,” because that’s Palm Harbor’s thing because musically supported by Countryside’s band. The band,

ranking 9th in state, showed up at the meet fully dressed to support the team and pirate theme.

“I don’t know why, but they love going down there early in the morning, it’s hot, but they’re great,” said Smythe.

“They got us louder than everyone else....We can’t do it without them.”

During the two fifteen minute breaks, swimmers redoned their outfits and tried to outdo the other teams in spirit. Along with the pirate ship roaring and the band playing, the swim team participated in multi-team cheers like “boom-chick-a-boom” in which they would cheer something at another team and then they would cheer it back.

Among the other teams themes were Fiesta, Under the Sea, Oriental and Superheroes.

“I think Clearwater took it a little too far though. Clearwater was ridicules. They were yelling at us, ‘We’re the real CHS,’ in our faces,” said Kastes.

“Even though it might have looked like we were yelling at the other teams, its all in good fun,” said Smythe.

The swimmers also cheer on their team mates participating in the events.

“We didn’t bring chairs to this meet. Everyone else had chairs and their teams were sitting down,” said Smythe.

Lacking chairs, the only relief the Cougar’s team tent offered was shade, forcing the team to cheer on.

Whether on the blocks, warming up or down, Countryside always had someone cheering for them be it the band, parents or other team members.

“We had a full section just with us and parents and the band. We took up half the bleachers and the parents really want to get into it. Without the parents we wouldn’t do it.

There’s no way, it wouldn’t happen,” said Kastes.

The parents also provided a private concession stand for the swimmers and band.

Despite the blistering heat the team, band and coaches dressed to support.

“I found a hat with dreadlocks on it, like a Jack Sparrow hat and I wore that,” said Smythe.

Palm Harbor has been the only team in the history of the event to win all four categoriess, until this year when Countryside took first in boys and girls and won spirit and total.

As for next year Smythe couldn’t release too many details, but “Its gunna be good.”

“I’m proud of everybody for not only cheering their hardest but also swimming their hardest. Even though I’m not going to be here next year, I can’t wait to hear how they do,” said Team Captain senior Tom Rich.

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SPORTS

10

Volume 28

Teeing up for another successful season nickSCHLERETH

sports editor

Teeing off for another season the Cougar Golf Team hopes to hit a hole in one and win a state championship. The Cougars lost a vital asset when P. J. Kolosvary graduated last May. Kolosvary led the team to the state tournament with a full team of five players. The Cougars hope to counter the loss of Kolosvary by tapping into the experience of underclassmen that were on the state qualifying team last season.

With Kolosvary gone, the Cougars now face a gap in the lineup for matches.

Last season the team by qualified for the state playoffs and then topped that by taking on a full team of five. The experienced members of the team will have to work together with the young talent to insure success.

Up-in-coming players include Zach Walters, Tyler Wilkins, Frank Ferguson, Cory Macdonald and Kevin Kunnen. “Losing P. J. means that the young players who didn’t start last year now will have to rise up and play to the best of their ability,” said junior Frank Ferguson.

Coach Steve Blumer is returning for his second season. Coach Blumer equipped the team with new Nike golf bags.

The Cougars have the potential for another great season. The team has high hopes in terms of what they plan to achieve. “We want to win a state championship this year after (we saw) what we accomplished last year,” said Ferguson.

Overcoming hurdles and running towards first jessicaCONGDON

staff writer

With a fortuitous last season under the Track Team’s wing, the Cougars are striving to meet the success of last years wins. Such efficacy is again expected of the team, but can they meet the challenge?

“We lost our number two runner Caitlan Golonia, she was captain and leader,” said Tony Atherholt, Girls Cross Country coach.

Unlike the girls, the boy’s team will have no affect on the loss of certain players. “Only a couple of seniors scored highly last year but we have a lot of underclassmen that are superior and will shine through,” said Eileen Givens, Boys Cross Country coach.

Promising players will help ease the transition into the new season. Senior Kelsey Sullivan and junior Gabby Dimattia hold high stakes for the girl’s team and their success at states as being the top two runners.

“It’s our goal to do our extreme best against Palm Harbor University High School, our main competition,” said Atherholt. “The struggle to find five solid female runners would help the team accomplish one of the hurdles the team [we hope] hopes to clear.”

However, the biggest competitors for the boy’s team are Seminole and St. Petersburg High School. The boy’s are relying on underclassmen to lead them to victory.

Freshmen Zachary Christenson and Cameron Lindahl; sophomore Nick Ribble; and junior Derrick Gibson are among promising underclassmen.

East Lake, Palm Harbor University, Plant City, Pinellas Park, Sickle and St. Petersburg are just a few of the many schools that compose the district 4A-4. The St. Petersburg Green Devils returned with most of their former lineup and are poised to be the breakout team in the district.

The Palm Harbor University Hurricanes girl’s team outnumbers that of every other team in the district.

However, numbers might not be enough to hook Sickles, whom ranked fifth in 4A by Flrunners. com and led by Derek Wehunt (third among individuals).

With challenges such as States, Regional, and District Champions set before them, Countryside’s team has risen to a new level of determination. Practices are longer and more rigorous than ever before, occurring five days a week and once over the weekend. Members average running 45 to 60 miles per week.

However, the girls run just four days a week; three miles per day.

“While trying to stay free and advance to States as a team, we try to motivate and encourage each other to do out best,” said Givens. Grueling practices and endless amounts of effort set the way for a triumphant season.

Paw Print photo by Ann Ko

B

oys cross country runners junior Jackson Herr and senior Steven Montoya practice six days per week and run about 45 miles.

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ENTERTAINMENT

8

Volume 28

Greased up and ready to roll missyWILLOUGHBY

copy editor

As audience members clap profusely at the close of a theatrical production, performers make their final bows, and lights are dimmed, no one besides the cast and crew realize exactly what was put into the production to make it a success.

However, a two hour musical such as Grease isn’t put together over night. It takes months of building, planning, and rehearsing to produce a quality performance.

Kim Florio, producer and director of Grease, recently invented the newly acquired Musical Theatre class to help bring together the necessary amount of people for a guaranteed 80 minutes a day. Due to the massive student response, the class was divided into two blocks.

In Musical Theatre, students participate in a wide range of activities directed at improving their knowledge, coordination, flexibility, vocal skills, and learn theatre basics.

In the beginning of the semester, students participate in aerobics three days a week to prepare for the immense amount of dance required in Grease.

All students in Musical Theatre, even lead characters, must belong to one of the seven different and equally important crews: publicity, props, costumes, hair and make up, lights, sounds, or sets.

Publicity crew is in charge of spreading the word. They come up with inventive ideas to encourage students and faculty to purchase tickets to Grease. They strive to go beyond the typical publicity outcries of posters and fliers. This year the crew plans to sell Grease merchandise and have scheduled a promotional showing at half- time during the October 13th Dunedin v. Countryside football game.

The Props crew is responsible for everything that belongs on stage. Often the Prop crew will dig through already acquired articles, sift through thrift stores, and have actors bring in items in order to find the different materials needed for the show.

The Costume Crew is responsible for designing the various outfits used in the performance and fitting them for the actors. Luckily, the mothers of some students or “Drama Mamas” are always ready to assist wherever needed.

“They are part of the boosters that help with funding.

They help put everything together. We couldn’t do anything without them,” said fourth block Costume head Jordan Gentry.

Although the Drama Mamas have been working on costume designs since summer, the end piece is still a collaborative product of everyone in the crew. It is up to the Costume crew to make sure the production accurately portrays the 1950’s period.

Erica Richey’s Hair and Make-up crew also reserves the task of keeping towards the 1950’s style. In their effort to do so, the crew researched the internet and movies from the period. Their main focus is giving each character a look that matches their personality.

“Sandy is going to be very natural due to her wholesome personality, while Frenchy will have both wild make-up and hair,” said crew member Megan Huffman.

While some characters are asked to apply their own make-up for time’s sake, boys and lead characters will have make-up artists.

“We are being very hygienically cautious. We are asking everyone to bring in their own eyeliner and mascara,” said Huffman. The Lights Crew decides how to best illuminate the stage during scenes.

The most difficult task for the Lights crew is overcoming the short amount of time they are allotted for arranging and practicing the

The Set crew is in charge of creating the setting. To do this for Grease, the crew must build flats, stairs, set pieces, and paint the scenery. Set crew is run through a student teach student system. Rydell High, the main stage for Grease, will become the base or stationary set. The most difficult part of building a set is making the set sturdy enough to stand on its own, yet light enough to be easily moved. For Grease, the ten foot high stairs present a unique problem. Unlike most set pieces, the stairs are not just for show; they must withstand the ultimate test of being danced, pranced, and jumped on.

Hopefully, exposing the smoke and mirrors behind theatre won’t interrupt the magic for the audiences, but

lights. This problem arises because the Lights crew needs the rather enhances their appreciation of the work sets to be complete before they may rehearse lighting. They put into such a large scale production. usually have only two to three weeks to rehearse. Thankfully, Grease will be performed November 15th through the between the catwalks, torm, and electric lights, they have 18th. Tickets are sold at the door; $10 for adults and $5 for around two hundred lights at hand, such as floodlights, students and seniors.

Fresnel, strip lights, follow spots, and Ellipsoidal Reflector Spotlights (ERS). Lights are an essential part of every production. They are used to direct or deflect the audiences’ attention.

It is up to Sound to make sure the audience can easily hear what is happening on stage. To assist in their endeavor, Countryside owns twelve body and two hanging microphones. Body microphones clip to an actor’s clothing and transmit the sound through the speakers.

Separately, hanging microphones are more sensitive as they are used to pick up multiple voices. Due to lack of microphones, only main characters will receive microphones during any scene that requires more than twelve dialogue characters; all others must project their voice. However, thanks to the $6000 raised by the booster club, Countryside Paw Print photo by Anna Ko will be able to purchase additional rom left, sophomore Nathan Daugherty, senior Chris Wilson, sophomore microphone equipment in time for Alex Flament, and senior Jarrett Koski practice a dance for drama’s producGrease. tion of Grease.

F

A new team of bands and fans feliciaASHBY

staff writer

The Forum, once again, is sold out. Thousands of fans eagerly stand in line waiting for the doors to open. Faded posters cling to concrete columns and promotional flyers blow across the ground and through the crowd.

The flyer is for tonight’s show. For the most part, the crowd ignores it and inches closer to the door getting hyped up for what is about to begin.

One young attendee donning a worn in concert t-shirt and old school chucks pauses to collect the flyer off the ground and saves it as a souvenir. Some big time corporate guy hired a flunky looking to get a leg up in the music industry to glue up the posters and distribute the flyers that now clutter the venue entrance.

The eager feeling for tonight’s concert began a full month ago for some kid who anxiously awaited the arrival of marketing materials. Two weeks prior to the show, the

package finally arrived with posters, stickers and tons of flyers.

Die hard fans promoting their favorite bands is no new concept, however, the organization of promotion is.

Originally, street teams began as grass root organizations arranged by followers of punk and unsigned bands. The StreetTeam, a professional network maintained by Time Warner, has been recruiting fans since 2000. The site has aided in the creation of a growing trend that allows fans to be more involved.

However, with the onset of the StreetTeams global assembly of band promotion and hence recruitment of fans, some critics have targeted major label promoters as exploiters of free labor.

Members work for free, but earn outstanding perks, such as insight to up and coming concerts, exclusive interviews, and personal newsletters.

The concrete pillars, stop signs and walls around skate parks, teen hangouts, and venues are littered with pleas to listen and buy. Posters often times are plastered over one

another and streetlights are layered in stickers.

StreetTeamers frequently fight for prime spaces to advertise but also must avoid crossing into someone else’s posting area.

Places with high foot traffic or traffic in general are major “must have zones.” However, before posting, permission to do so must be sought out. If a StreetTeamer is caught posting without permission they could face a pretty hefty fine.

Almost every band, from electronic to rap to rock has a branch in the StreetTeam.

“I’m on a StreetTeam for Alice Cooper, Hot Hot Heat, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers,” said senior Jaime Macejack.

“I heard about this (StreetTeam) because I was on Alice Cooper’s mailing list and they sent me an invite to join their StreetTeam and after that I joined the others by their websites.”

From Decaydance Records to Psychopath Records, StreetTeams span the music industry and are the one thread all bands have in common. The easiest way to get involved is to either go to the band’s official website, thestreetnetwork. com or clicking on the link on a fan site.

ENTERTAINMENT

12

Backstage Pass:

Providence

Volume 28

Music At a Glance Danity Kane: Danity Kane

Interview: Kaitlin Montgomery, Photographer- Photos courtesy of Providenceband.com

You’re such a small person. How do you keep that Jimmy Chisholm, lead singer of girlish figure while on the road?

Providence took the time You think I keep my girlish figure? I am a little guy to sit down with a member and I’ll always be a little guy. On the road we stay of the Paw Print staff to talk at people’s houses and end up destroying a lot of about his band. things, so we’re used to cleaning houses. So I guess ***** I keep my girlish figure by doing girl things, like What is your name? cleaning.

Pedro Menendez. Just kidding, Finally, any suggestions on a better idea for Y Jimmy Chisholm.

M JIM Snakes on a Plane?

How long has Providence been Frogs in a Blender. Beatles in a Beetle as sugtogether as a band? gested by Jared Coats, guitar.

Since January 2004, so two years Are you working on any new music if so, what? and eight months.

Absolutely. We have about five or six songs that Where can people listen to your we haven’t played live yet. They’re untitled still, music?

DEAN but they are more edgy and complicated. This www.Providenceband.com or is the first time Brennen has been able to put www.myspace.com/providencemore of his influences and beats into the music. band Right now we’re recording in our own studio Tell me an interesting story from but hope to get some help from Lucio (Lu) the road?

Rubino from StorySide:B over on the other We played and won a battle of the coast. bands in the Panhandle. We got to Who have been your major influences lately open up for Rebecca St. James and N E N BREN and how have they influenced your music? during our show a food fight broke Stryper has been an influence lately; their out and people were throwing cookies music is fun and catchy. Dean Pratt (guitar) and other food at me while I was on wrote a real technical song after listening to stage. Then, the girls in the front of the the new UnderOath album. U2 has always stage started grabbing at my feet and been an influence to the band; the edge has fighting over my legs until I fell over always been an influence to Jared (guitar). and got ripped off the stage into the Other bands like John Mayer, Keith Urcrowd of screaming girls.

JARED ban and The Muse have also been influI heard you were a back-up dancer for ences in their own ways, we don’t sound the Backstreet Boys, can you confirm or like them but we’ve definitely been indeny this? fluenced.

I cannot neither confirm nor deny that for What are your plans for the band in legal reasons. the future?

Well, I do know they are one of your faMARIO To not quit and keep doing what we’re vorite boy bands, can you elaborate on doing now. We’ve been away more than why that is? we’ve home and eventually we’d like to be I started buying Backstreet Boys and on the road for three-quarters of the year. That’s the ideal N*SYNC CDs at pawn situation. We’d like to get a decent recording and get out on shops as a joke and we’d listhe radio. Then as an investment we’d ten to them in the van for like to get a house so that we all have fun. I can’t deny that I liked a place to stay together when we are their songs. The Backstreet at home.

Boys’s new song came out What message do you try and get and I liked it, not even across to your audiences? knowing it was them. My We try and get across-especially to friend bought me the Christians- to be bold about their faith, CD and I went to their have fun, but at the end of the day they concert and no lie; it still need to continue their relationship was one of the best live with God, and keep growing in their shows I’ve seen. There’s faith. For the non-Christians in our audiso much money put ences we like to let them know that there into each show. I do is a God and there’s more to do than drugs, put the CD in a lot alcohol, and pre-marital sex. We just want because I’m a vocalist people to know about God and how we’re and I think listening to them not strictly a Christian band, we’re Chrishelps me to learn to sing better. tians in a band, but we’re normal guys like anyone else with a Fleas be jumpin.’ What does this mean to you?

I think it has something to do with women…fleas message that we’re trying to get out. can’t resist dogs, just as the ladies can’t resist “The Jim.”

The girls from Making the Band Three lack an ounce of creativity and sound just like any other girl group. Most songs on the 15 track CD are better suited for radio and two songs, “Press Pause” and “Ain’t True” should have been cut completely. Their single “Show Stoppper,” has a nice beat but like most Danity Kane songs, lacks any apparent meaning.

Reviewed by Marissa Martin

The Bottom Line Not as show stopping as expected.

John Mayer: Continuum Alternative artist John Mayer has been known to swoon college students and their parents alike with songs such as “Daughters” and “No Such Thing.” His latest album Continuum (not misspelled!) reminds listeners of his past albums, but with a little more funk Reviewed by Scott Seel and soul. His first single, “Waiting for the World to The Bottom Line Mayer’s new groove proves to be Change” echoes Mayer’s reminiscent of his old style, but political gust while providing listeners with some with a new twist. groove to tap their feet to.

Hellogoodbye: Zombies, Aliens, Vampires, Dinosaurs

Hellogoodbye fans eat your hearts out, Zombies! Aliens!

Vampires! Dinosaurs! is here.

This album has a powerpop base combined with love focused lyrics that are not quite guaranteed to please.

Those looking for the same upbeat carefree sound of Hellogoodbye EP will be severely disappointed. On Reviewed by Alex Harris the other hand if you think The Bottom Line they should have exchanged Less power and more romantitheir fun upbeat lyrics for cally popish lyrics make this melodramatic romance album less enthralling than the ones, then you’ll fall in love Hellogoodbye EP. with Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs!.

CD covers courtesy of Wikipedia.org

Sunday

Tampa Bay Bucs VS.

Tuesday

Monday

24

Wednesday

26

25

27

Friday

Thursday

Paramore, Cute Is What We Aim

Theater

For @ The State Theater

and Gold

29

30 Homecoming

SEPTEMBER

Carolina panthers @ Ray-

College Day

Twin Day

Decades Day

mond James Stadium

1

Bane, Strike Anywhere, A8

9

Global Threat @ State

4

3

2

10

Sister Hazel @ Jannus Landing

16

17

Football Game @ home VS. Tarpon

Apitheater

SENIOR NIGHT

12

Dance

6

13

18

7

14

Blue Oyster Cult @ Sims Park Ampitheater

The Ford Amipitheater

19

Nick Lachey @ Tampa Bay

A Change of Pace, Alexisonfire

Jenny Lewis and the Watson

Performing Arts Center

Moneen @ State Theater

Twins @ The Tampa Theater

Dance” @ Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center

5

Game

and Accusations Tour @ Ford

11

burg Times Forum

15

Dixie Chicks : The Accidents

Day Homecoming

The Cheetah Girls @ St. Peters- John Mayer with Sheryl Crow @

Theater “ So You Think You Can

Western Day

23

Horrorpops @ The State

28 Garnet

Country

22

Saturday

20

21

Say Anything, MeWithoutYou @ Insane Clown Posse @ Jannus State Theater

Landing