January 2013

Wigalow

Vol. 89, Iss. 6 • Salina Central High School www.chspylon.com • January 24, 2013

Hairspray photo story

pg 8

SIT photo story

It could be anyone; the smart kid, the gamer or the loner It could happen at any time.

The circumstances are unpredictable.

but are we prepared?

Pages 4-5

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What’s inside

Arguing their way to state A team of four debate students made their way to the state competition with help from their new coach, Mr. Nelson.

Page 3

‘Hairspray’ hits the stage For the first time, the drama department is finally able to perform the musical ‘Hairspray’. Check it out in the Wigalow.

THE

B

A

Check out

Presented by The Pylon Volume 4, Issue 1 / January 24, 2013

WIGALOW ‘HAIRSPRAY’ EDITION

DOING IT BIG

Huge wigs, fat suits an important part of the show Page 7

THE PRODUCTION IN PHOTOS Pages 4-5

for photos from every event!

January 24, 2013

2

News Updates Success at state due to new coach as numerous titles in 1A-6A. Bottom line: the guy knows The Pylon what he’s doing.

“He is the most humble After coming off of last person ever and I think that season without even going to comes from all of his success. state, seniors Ken Beck and He knows what needs to Dalton Willey were content get done and when,” junior with their fourth place finish Drayton Willey said. this year. The team says that Forensic’s teacher Mr. they owe their success to the Owen is among many of new debate Nelson’s coach, Mr. former Nelson. “(Mr. Nelson) is the most students that “He has gone on humble person ever.” have come in and to coach debate reinvigorated or forensics. the program Drayton Willey “Not only from the is he a great Junior bottom, up. coach, he also He is our Bill produces a Snyder,” Willey said. great love for the activity. He Although new to staff and taught me everything I know. students, Nelson is no stranger He is probably one of the to the world of debate. He’s greatest in the state,” Owen coached for numerous years, said. eleven of those being in Dalton Willey attributes this Hutchinson, his longest gig. As year’s success to the efficient a coach, he has won state titles practices that Nelson conducts in class 4A, 5A and 6A as well along with the vast knowledge

By Sydney Dauer

Editors-in-Chief Sarah Gage and Emily Wood editor@chspylon.com

Business Team Jorrie Dykes, Afton Miller, and Sara Ingrassia business@chspylon.com

Student Life MacKenzie Morris, Editor studentlife@chspylon.com

Opinion Sammy Jordan, Editor opinion@chspylon.com

Sports Sydney Dauer, Editor sports@chspylon.com

Fine Arts Hayley Hager arts@chspylon.com

News Updates Sarah Gage news@chspylon.com

Feature Emily Wood feature@chspylon.com

Web Editor Brantley Straub, Editor webmaster@chspylon.com

Photography Maggie Vernon, Brianna Chora, Lindsey Wood, TeeJay Johnson, Eli Berner, Sydney Kossow photography@chspylon.com

Videography Dakota Rowlison, Katie Kelemen, Ruby Garcia video@chspylon.com

Copy Editor Anna McHenry

Cartoons Staff reporters: Sydney Dauer, Chandler Burris, Bailey Driver, Austin Huynh, Genna Salstrom, Beth Cash

J.D. Garber, Adviser jd.garber@usd305.com (785) 309-3578

The Pylon wants to hear your opinion The Pylon is the official student newspaper of Salina High School Central. It is produced entirely by students of the newspaper production class, daily on chsPylon. com and monthly in print.

The Pylon gladly accepts contributions from guest writers on any subject.

Email your letters, preferably limited to 500 words, to editor@chspylon.com. Submissions must contain a full name for inclusion and we will contact you to confirm that you are the author of the letter. Letters may be edited for clarity.

of the activity he has.

“He keeps us focused and directs us in the right direction. We understand things quicker because he explains them better,” Willey said.

“The skills and experience Mr. Nelson brings to the team is second to none. Without him, we surely would’ve failed in our debate efforts,” Beck said.

Senior to perform in state orchestra

By Bailey Driver The Pylon For senior Quinn Katherineberg, being the first orchestra state qualifier in six years is a huge accomplishment considering she only had 30 short, terrifying minutes to prepare a piece that she had seen for the very first time. Countless hours of practice, preparation, private lessons and support from orchestra teacher, Mr. Book, led to Katherineberg’s success in her first attempt at state auditions.

On January 5th, Central held hundreds of orchestra students

from all around Kansas for the back in the hallway in groups state-qualifying auditions. Each of ten based on their audition student was given an allotted number and instrument where amount of they waited to pertime to look form in front of an over and “I’m really excited about unfamiliar face in practice their playing with some of the best a classroom. assigned “While I was in musicians in the state.” pieces in the the gym I was regym that ally nervous, but Quinn Katherineberg morning. for some reason Senior “I had thirwhen I was waitty minutes to ing in line I was practice the able to calm down two scales and excerpts before because I knew that if I was I performed,” said Katherinenervous it would’ve affected my berg. ability to play,” said KatherinePerformers were then taken berg.

After that process, the judge then gave them a rating that would either send them to state or back home. Katherineberg will head to Wichita during late February to play and compete in the state wide contest.

Before state performances, Katherineberg will be assigned new pieces and will have to perform another set of auditions.

“I’m really excited about playing with some of the best musicians in the state,” Katherineberg said.

Olive Garden opening in February

By Beth Cash

Joe McKenna

Kate Martens/ The Pylon

Seniors Dalton Willey and Ken Beck sort through files during their preparation for a tournament.

The Pylon Although Salina has an abundance of palatable restaurants, there’s only one place to get unlimited breadsticks, salad and soup: Olive Garden. After years of food fanatics petitioning for the arrival of an Olive Garden, the

Italian restaurant is nearing completion.

Despite being the most demanded restaurant along with Cracker Barrel and Outback Steakhouse in the Chamber of Commerce surveys since 2007, city officials took their time accepting an application for the long-soughtafter restaurant.

As Olive Garden’s opening date has already been delayed by two months due to construction difficulties, patience is running out.

“I’m really excited for Olive Garden to open. It’ll be nice to have a different kind of restaurant besides another steakhouse or fast food restaurant, especially one as

delicious as Olive Garden,” senior Devyn Schmitz said.

Finally, after six years of persistence and even a Facebook page petitioning for a Salina Olive Garden complete with construction updates, the restaurant will be making it’s grand opening on February 18.

January 24, 2013

Student Life

3

Countdown to Sadies R.I.P. Freshman ask early; upperclassmen ask younger guys

Date or

dateless?

As Sadie’s rolls around the corner, students make the decision to find a date or be on their own.

Do you have a date to Sadies?

YES 55% NO 45%

By MacKenzie Morris The Pylon Time is becoming scarce to find a date for Sadie’s, ladies and gentleman. While some girls are already planning their dresses, groups, and dinner plans, others are frantically running around trying to find an available guy to escort them to the dance on February 2nd.

This year, freshman were ready and prepared to ask their dates to Sadie’s early to get it out of the way. Freshman Olivia Opat asked her date, freshman Casey Campbell to Sadie’s over Christmas break.

“I thought it would be easy to ask and get it out of the way so I didn’t have to stress,” Opat

said. “I had heard that another person was going to ask him so I wanted to make sure I would be the first person to.”

Freshman Travis Bigler was also asked early by his date, freshman Lexie Edison, who wrote “Sadie’s?” on the back of his truck window.

“I’m just excited because this is my first Sadie’s dance and I think it will be fun,” Bigler said.

Others who have boyfriends, however, find asking to Sadie’s a much easier process.

Freshman Arin Schultz had no problems asking her boyfriend to the dance until she found out that he had a wrestling meet schedule the same day as Sadie’s.

“I asked him by putting him

through a scavenger hunt that was fish themed,” Schultz said.

“Now, he has a wrestling meet, though, so I am deciding to just go with a friend.”

While freshman asked early to get their dates secured, upperclassmen girls have found a new route by asking younger guys to be their dates.

“I asked a freshman because he’s my brother’s friend and I knew I would be able to have fun at the dance with him and things wouldn’t be weird,” senior Brittany Campbell said, who asked freshman Trey Cullins.

“It’s not a big deal,” Campbell said. “Age doesn’t matter when it comes to asking guys to school dances.”

2012

As many new popular fads and trends evolved in 2012, here are examples of some that need to die-off as 2013 develops on its own.

1.mirror iPad pics 2.“Middle parts” show 3.Nosocks ...no, just NO.

-Bailey Driver

PLEASE invest in a pair of high socks.

97 people were surveyed at lunch on 1/14/13.

4.#Team Follow Back

“Age does not matter when it comes to asking guys to school dances.”

Don’t be thirsty for followers.

5.

6.Planking Scholarships become factor this time of year 7. “Truth is...”

Jersey Shore

Brittany Campbell Senior

GTL comes to an end.

Photo courtesy of Olivia Opat

Freshman Olivia Opat stands with her Sadie’s date, Freshman Casey Campbell, who she asked with a pizza.

By Genna Salstrom The Pylon

To many, college seems out of reach due to its financial cost. However, by joining the military, becoming more of a well-rounded student and person, or by locating the right scholarship, almost anyone can attend college.

One way to find scholarships is by using scholarship websites, but counselor Janice Stelljes warns students about potential problems with this approach.

“Just make sure the scholarship websites you use do not require payments.

Scholarship searches or applications should never cost money. If they do, they’re most likely scams,” Stelljes said.

Counselors inform students of scholarships

It was fun for about a week.

through emails, posters, daily announcements, and school newsletters, and Stelljes recommends using www. fastweb.com to search and apply for up to 1.5 million scholarships.

“This website makes it easier for students to find scholarships by taking in information such as grade level, activities, and different affiliations,” Stelljes said.

Counselors also find other routes such as the military, which has always been a viable option for students. By signing up for the military, one could receive free education at any college of their choice. Some colleges, like the University of California schools, even guarantee free tuition to the children of retired military

officers. Many colleges report to be looking past grades and test scores, while having those definitely help one to get their foot in the door, and are looking more at well-roundedness. They they like to see applicants that have overcome diversity as well as applicants that work to help their community.

Because of the increasing direction towards diversity, many different scholarships are able to be found. There’s even a scholarship for skateboarding or making a prom dress out of duct tape.

Enrichment consultant Mrs. Eberhart says that the best thing a high school student can do, other than keeping grades and volunteer hours up, is to find their passion. Once one finds their passion, they can

most likely find some type of scholarship or way to attend college.

“You don’t have to be an A student, so long as you put in effort,” Eberhart said.

Stelljes and Eberhart recommend starting the scholarship search around junior year, so as not to miss out on any opportunities.

However, scholarships aren’t only for high school seniors.

There are many scholarships awarded to students already attending college. Usually, these are connected to the major or the type of degree they are going for. They advise to always remember that the door is never closed, no matter what income or background one comes from.

There is always a way if one searches hard enough.

Majority of the time, you’re LYING.

8.

Bike race 9.

The 10.ending world YOLO.

We get it.

Get on that Fun Run flow.

Stop with the predictions and live.

4

In depth

enough resources?

A crisis situation is unlikely to happen, but if it does...

do we have

Like it or not, a school crisis involves everyone - from the secretaries to the principal and resource officer to innocent students

What are the chances?

There are

5

January 24, 2013

332,446

By Emily Wood , The Pylon

W

hen school resource officer, Chris McFadden, walks into the building every morning, all sorts of different situations are running through his head. He is mentally preparing himself for how to handle anything that gets thrown his way.

Whether that situation be how to get someone’s stolen property back, how to talk to a struggling student, or how to react if a much more serious situation arises, his plan for action has already crossed his mind.

“All police officers are trained to run a great variety of situations through our head at all times,” McFadden explains. “It keeps you from being in a situation where you are at a loss for what to do next. It keeps you from being caught flatfooted.”

McFadden recently took over the school resource officer position following Officer Plank’s retirement.

McFadden has been a police officer for about 16 years.

The first half of his career, he worked the night shift as

“In a crisis situation I would want to try to stop it.”

Andrew Guise

a patrol officer. Although he enjoyed it, as he grew older and became married with kids, he decided he wanted a day shift with a more traditional schedule.

“I enjoy working with the students and staff as a resource officer,” McFadden said. Although he spends most of the year working as a resource officer, he still serves as a patrol officer in the summer.

As a patrol officer, he works as a “traditional police officer” investigating crimes and keeping the community safe. As a resource officer, however, his job is a little different. His main job is to, “Be in the building. I help the administration maintain a safe environment. I am here to give (the students and staff) whatever they need,” McFadden said.

“My favorite part of the job is all the positive stuff. The non-traditional stuff where I get to just talk to someone and help them with a problem,” McFadden said. “Its not the same thing time after time. I do the same stuff, but not repetitively. There is enough variety that it keeps it fresh.

I have more time to do things your typical cop wouldn’t.”

“I’m not that violent of a person and I wouldn’t do something like that. I don’t think video games lead to that kind of violence.”

Sophomore

Resource Officer

Senior, avid gamer

78

23/1000

percent chance that a shooting will occur at Central over the next 17 years.

1 2 3 4 5

19

97 students surveyed during lunch

33 32

Anthony Hanchett Senior

Scot Wilson Sophomore

Lucas Berndt

Scot Wilson Sophomore

I don’t like dying personally, that wouldn’t be fun. The adventure would be though.”

Do we need...

1

Violent ones do. They don’t show the consequences of what people can do.”

“ “ “

Kyler Bell Junior

No, killing real people wouldn’t be fun.”

Better gun control laws?

Locked doors?

Security cameras?

13

Junior

No, I don’t want to shoot real people.”

Doesn’t everyone fit in these categories to some extent? There is no profile to be able to predict something like that. You are about as likely to be struck by lightning as you are to be affected by a school shooting.

(1 being least safe, 5 being most safe)

Kyler Bell

Would you find things you do in the games acceptable in real life?

Extreme video- gamer Poor relationship with parents Boyfriend/girlfriend problems or feelings of being alone Super smart (capable of elaborate planning) Bullied

Poll: On a scale of 1-5 how safe do you feel at school?

“ “ “ “

No , it doesn’t instigate real life violence.”

Junior

Many factors contribute to crisis situations such as a school shooting. Here is a list of personal attributes that may contribute to violent behavior.

What we have:

Do you think gaming leads to violence?

No, although showing violence, it doesn’t lead to violence, just an aggression which can be found in any activity.”

Unpredictable

Focus on graduation/goal setting Bullying seminar Alternative school in the works Personnel changes (New resource officer, new school psychologist, new administration)

It could be argued that students who play violent video games are more likely to be violent in real life. Here is what some of Central’s top gamers have to say about that:

Yes, you get the idea of it being real life.”

there have been school shootings since 1996 If these statistics remain true, there is approximately a

source

“My role in a crisis situation is to move immediately towards the location of the crisis and begin to mitigate or stop it. While en route I will summon other police and emergency responders for assistance with my police radio.”

Chris McFadden

Cody Turner

public and private elementary and secondary schools in the U.S.

The gaming

An example of a task more out of the ordinary is picking someone up to help with transportation if their car breaks down.

With everything that has happened recently in the Colorado and Connecticut shootings, students may be concerned with the idea of coming to school or having a new resource officer.

“We are as safe today as we were last semester or any other day at school. We just have to look out for each other as a school community,” McFadden says. “Just because something happened in Connecticut doesn’t mean anything will happen here.”

The recent media attention naturally lead schools to consider increased protection such as security cameras or locking doors during school hours. For now, McFadden believes “we are prepared and safe and nothing jumps out that we are lacking.” That being said, the district will continue to evaluate what we can do to increase the safety.

“In a crisis, if we were made aware of a situation, we would sound the intruder alert over the school intercom as instructed by the administration. If we were the first people to see a suspicious person or incident, we would report it to the school administration and the school resource officer for further instruction. “

Kerri Berner, Financial Secretary

Anthony Hanchett Senior

Top 5 FPS video games (First person shooting)

1. Call of Duty 2. Halo 3. Battlefield 4. Borderlands 5. Dead Island “My role is to be the key communicator with the district office and building staff and get information out to the parents and students.”

Shanna Rector, Principal

Has a teacher ever told you what to do in a crisis situation?

“I would like to say I could be the person to stand up, but in all honesty I would probably be the one to panic.”

Hannah Schulte, Sophomore

63% 37% YES NO 97 students surveyed during lunch

4

In depth

enough resources?

A crisis situation is unlikely to happen, but if it does...

do we have

Like it or not, a school crisis involves everyone - from the secretaries to the principal and resource officer to innocent students

What are the chances?

There are

5

January 24, 2013

332,446

By Emily Wood , The Pylon

W

hen school resource officer, Chris McFadden, walks into the building every morning, all sorts of different situations are running through his head. He is mentally preparing himself for how to handle anything that gets thrown his way.

Whether that situation be how to get someone’s stolen property back, how to talk to a struggling student, or how to react if a much more serious situation arises, his plan for action has already crossed his mind.

“All police officers are trained to run a great variety of situations through our head at all times,” McFadden explains. “It keeps you from being in a situation where you are at a loss for what to do next. It keeps you from being caught flatfooted.”

McFadden recently took over the school resource officer position following Officer Plank’s retirement.

McFadden has been a police officer for about 16 years.

The first half of his career, he worked the night shift as

“In a crisis situation I would want to try to stop it.”

Andrew Guise

a patrol officer. Although he enjoyed it, as he grew older and became married with kids, he decided he wanted a day shift with a more traditional schedule.

“I enjoy working with the students and staff as a resource officer,” McFadden said. Although he spends most of the year working as a resource officer, he still serves as a patrol officer in the summer.

As a patrol officer, he works as a “traditional police officer” investigating crimes and keeping the community safe. As a resource officer, however, his job is a little different. His main job is to, “Be in the building. I help the administration maintain a safe environment. I am here to give (the students and staff) whatever they need,” McFadden said.

“My favorite part of the job is all the positive stuff. The non-traditional stuff where I get to just talk to someone and help them with a problem,” McFadden said. “Its not the same thing time after time. I do the same stuff, but not repetitively. There is enough variety that it keeps it fresh.

I have more time to do things your typical cop wouldn’t.”

“I’m not that violent of a person and I wouldn’t do something like that. I don’t think video games lead to that kind of violence.”

Sophomore

Resource Officer

Senior, avid gamer

78

23/1000

percent chance that a shooting will occur at Central over the next 17 years.

1 2 3 4 5

19

97 students surveyed during lunch

33 32

Anthony Hanchett Senior

Scot Wilson Sophomore

Lucas Berndt

Scot Wilson Sophomore

I don’t like dying personally, that wouldn’t be fun. The adventure would be though.”

Do we need...

1

Violent ones do. They don’t show the consequences of what people can do.”

“ “ “

Kyler Bell Junior

No, killing real people wouldn’t be fun.”

Better gun control laws?

Locked doors?

Security cameras?

13

Junior

No, I don’t want to shoot real people.”

Doesn’t everyone fit in these categories to some extent? There is no profile to be able to predict something like that. You are about as likely to be struck by lightning as you are to be affected by a school shooting.

(1 being least safe, 5 being most safe)

Kyler Bell

Would you find things you do in the games acceptable in real life?

Extreme video- gamer Poor relationship with parents Boyfriend/girlfriend problems or feelings of being alone Super smart (capable of elaborate planning) Bullied

Poll: On a scale of 1-5 how safe do you feel at school?

“ “ “ “

No , it doesn’t instigate real life violence.”

Junior

Many factors contribute to crisis situations such as a school shooting. Here is a list of personal attributes that may contribute to violent behavior.

What we have:

Do you think gaming leads to violence?

No, although showing violence, it doesn’t lead to violence, just an aggression which can be found in any activity.”

Unpredictable

Focus on graduation/goal setting Bullying seminar Alternative school in the works Personnel changes (New resource officer, new school psychologist, new administration)

It could be argued that students who play violent video games are more likely to be violent in real life. Here is what some of Central’s top gamers have to say about that:

Yes, you get the idea of it being real life.”

there have been school shootings since 1996 If these statistics remain true, there is approximately a

source

“My role in a crisis situation is to move immediately towards the location of the crisis and begin to mitigate or stop it. While en route I will summon other police and emergency responders for assistance with my police radio.”

Chris McFadden

Cody Turner

public and private elementary and secondary schools in the U.S.

The gaming

An example of a task more out of the ordinary is picking someone up to help with transportation if their car breaks down.

With everything that has happened recently in the Colorado and Connecticut shootings, students may be concerned with the idea of coming to school or having a new resource officer.

“We are as safe today as we were last semester or any other day at school. We just have to look out for each other as a school community,” McFadden says. “Just because something happened in Connecticut doesn’t mean anything will happen here.”

The recent media attention naturally lead schools to consider increased protection such as security cameras or locking doors during school hours. For now, McFadden believes “we are prepared and safe and nothing jumps out that we are lacking.” That being said, the district will continue to evaluate what we can do to increase the safety.

“In a crisis, if we were made aware of a situation, we would sound the intruder alert over the school intercom as instructed by the administration. If we were the first people to see a suspicious person or incident, we would report it to the school administration and the school resource officer for further instruction. “

Kerri Berner, Financial Secretary

Anthony Hanchett Senior

Top 5 FPS video games (First person shooting)

1. Call of Duty 2. Halo 3. Battlefield 4. Borderlands 5. Dead Island “My role is to be the key communicator with the district office and building staff and get information out to the parents and students.”

Shanna Rector, Principal

Has a teacher ever told you what to do in a crisis situation?

“I would like to say I could be the person to stand up, but in all honesty I would probably be the one to panic.”

Hannah Schulte, Sophomore

63% 37% YES NO 97 students surveyed during lunch

6

By the

numbers a quick look at numbers and stats from the winter sports season

186.5 12 17.5 133 :51.11 10

January 24, 2013

Athletes & Sports

Settling for second SIT championship losses motivate players for future games

the highest number of points diver Kyler Bell has scored in a single meet

the number of years it has been since a wrestler has taken first at the state tournament

the circumference of senior wrestler Kade True’s neck in inches

total number of free throws the girls basketball team has made so far this season

the fastest 100 Freestyle time swam this year by senior Matt Martin

the number of holes in a wrestling headset.

Maggie Vernon/ The Pylon

Maggie Vernon/ The Pylon

junior Shaelyn Martin.

Not only will this loss help them learn from their mistakes, but it should also serve as a huge motivation for the team to move

be ready in February when we play South again and we will let everyone know that we are still the best in town,” said junior Emily Wood.

The boys’ team is taking the same team approach to the loss as well. They know what they need to work on. Coming off of a 3-peat from 3 years ago, the boy’s team had a strong drive to start that streak back up.

“We came into the game confident and prepared offensively and defensively for anything they threw at us, but our early turnovers caused us to get down and we could just never climb back and take the lead. We learned a lot from that game and we’re gonna be ready for next week,” said senior Justin Bengston.

With the SIT behind the players, the only thing they can do is look forward to the rest of the season. The basketball teams will play Andover this Friday at Andover.

Maggie Vernon/ The Pylon

Austin Huynh The Pylon On Saturday, the crowd in the bi-center was filled with many supporters of our basketball teams as they both made it to the championship game of the SIT. Unfortunately, both teams fell into second place, with the boys losing to Andover and girls losing to cross-town rival South. Both teams played close to their opponents and the lead was never too far out of reach. As many players are down about the loss, they know what they need to fix and what to learn from the losses.

“I feel that we needed to play with a more sense of urgency. Our team chemistry wasn’t as good as it usually is. Those two factors are what we need to work on. I do not question our effort at all. We all played extremely hard and wanted to win,” said

“We have to take this loss as a motivation to work harder for the rest of the games this season.”

Emily Wood Junior forward.

“Of course it’s disappointing to lose, but we have to take this loss as a motivation to work harder for the rest of the games this season. We also need this to help us

On the Spot

Athletes in the mix

Go-to dance move

Animal you most resemble

Justin Bengston Boys’ basketball

“Raise the roof”

“A giraffe”

“‘If you were a burger at McDonald’s, you’d be a be a McGorgeous. ”

Favorite pick-up line

Jack Helvey Wrestling Marysa Bradshaw Girls‘ basketball Courtney Roberts Cheerleading

“Sprinkler”

“Tiger”

“I lost my number, can I have yours?”

“I’m about that twerk team.”

“A butterfuly cuz I’m fly.”

“My name isn’t Sully, but you can still be my Boo.”

Connor Martens Boys’ swimming

“‘The Dougie”

“‘Soulja boy”

“Zebra” “Bald Eagle”

“‘Did you just fart?

Because you just blew me away.”

“Are you related to the sun? ‘Cause you’re hot.”

7

January 24, 2013

Editorials & Opinion The fiscal cliff simplified and explained

By Sammy Jordan The Pylon The term “fiscal cliff” is a familiar phrase, used amongst talk show hosts for cheap laughs from the 60 and over generation. What the heck even is the fiscal cliff? Do I need a harness? What do you mean we’re falling off? You add the word “fiscal” in front of “cliff” and now, not only am I terrified but I’m as confused as Karen from ‘Mean Girls.’ (This will be the only article published over the fiscal cliff that references a movie staring Lindsey Lohan.)

Far from the assumed description, the fiscal cliff, in reality, is the date set by congress to compromise on a plan to raise taxes or cut government spending. The ominous title is purely for dramatic effect.

Basically, the fiscal cliff can be divided into two parts; the Bush tax cuts and sequestration.

The Bush tax cuts lowered taxes across the board during the presidency of George W. Bush, extended during Obama’s first term. Sequestration is a policy dealing with the federal

budget deficit, cutting major programs such as Social Security, Medicaid, federal pay and veterans’ benefits.

On January 1, congress ruled to extend Bush tax cuts to everyone except for those making over $250,000 and put off the sequestration cuts to March 1, 2013.

“Although congress was able to avoid falling off the metaphorical cliff, I am not confident in their ability to avoid catastrophe in March.”

Sammy Jordan Opinion Editor The problem with delaying the sequestration cuts for two months is that this deadline falls on the same day as the debt ceiling raise. Although congress was able to avoid falling off the metaphorical cliff, I am not confident in their ability to avoid catastrophe in March.

The amount of money on the table was a shockingly small amount at around $50 billion (comparatively to the

total $16 trillion deficit). To put into perspective, the amount in question is equivalent to the amount it cost to fund congress for the time they were in session debating solutions to the fiscal drama. Essentially, this means that the deadline for the cliff was simply a political move, purely symbolic to put congress in check and motivate the representatives to compromise.

Over the course of December, several plans were brought to the table. Obama offered a surprisingly bipartisan plan that was rejected by both the left and right. Republican Speaker, John Boehner proposed a plan to raise taxes on the upper and middle classes in return for democratic compromise for more spending cuts. However, the plan was rejected by the vast majority of the left and even some members of Boehner’s own party.

Though congress avoided the at hand crisis, I have little faith in their ability to deal with both the delayed sequestration and the debt ceiling at the same time. I fear that we will not be as lucky come March and the U.S. will spiral into recession that

The following are situations in which our students and faculty deserve praise for a job well done or to be called out for dropping the ball.

Kudos:

could last up to five years. At this time, most will be poor college students, getting ready to begin careers.

However, if the economy is in a state of repair or devastation, jobs for young people could be difficult to find.

Snapchat: Innocent snap or sexting app?

What is Friendly social app 3

By Sydney Dauer The Pylon While nude photos used to be sent via text message, Snapchat has become the more recent vice. Snapchat is an app that allows the users to set a timer on the picture so that the person receiving the message can only view it for a set amount of time before it “disappears forever.”

By setting the timer for a short amount of time, your body only has to be exposed for one second. This reduces the risk of naked pictures getting sent around or shown to anyone else besides the recipient. Many will think that this tool will make it easier to send your nude photos, but most users only use the timer to hide the gross faces they make simply to entertain their friends.

Students that would be more tempted to send these scandalous photos thinking that no one else would see

them, must know that these pictures aren’t always safe.

Many smart phones have the capability of taking screen shots and capturing the images on their screen. This means that there isn’t a difference between sending your goodies via text message or snap; the intended receiver will still get to see your goodies. The people that would be tempted to send these scandalous photos before Snapchat are going to be the ones using the app to send them now.

Those giving Snapchat a bad reputation because of a the Snapchat sexting “craze” need to realize that number of people that are actually using this feature for sexting is minimal. The creators of Snapchat didn’t design an app to make sharing naked pictures easier, they designed an app that allows people to have unique conversations using only pictures.

Do you use Snapchat?

3

YES NO

50 20

Have you ever sent or received inappropriate photos?

Yay friends! lol :)

YES NO

30 40

70 students were polled during a lunch survey.

SEXTING? The act of sending sexually explicit materials through mobile phones, deriving from the combination “sex” and “texting.”

Sexting is a punishable offence in the U.S. A teenager sending sexually explicit photographs of themselves, or of their friends or partners, can be charged with distribution of child pornography and those who receive the images can be charged with possession of child pornography.

Or “too” friendly app

By MacKenzie Morris The Pylon Take a picture, send it to a friend on your Snapchat list, they open it, and it disappears after roughly 5-8 seconds.

Recently, this app has been updated to not only allow for pictures, but now, also videos.

You can even screenshot the pictures that are sent to your phone if you are so inclined. But let’s get real. Teenagers are not just using Snapchat for innocent pictures of duck faces and smiles; there is picture sexting occurring throughout this snapping process.

Sexting has been an ongoing problem throughout high schools and colleges for years.

Even though you would think people would be more skeptical of sending nude or scandalous photos to other users through an app that offers screenshots to be taken, the scary truth is that these pictures are still being

Kudos & Call outs

opened and seen. Not only this, but some “rebel” teenagers find it humorous to send pictures of their booty to friends of the opposite AND same sex as jokes.

Yeah, it’s not funny.

What our generation does not realize is that one little picture, text or snap chat can ruin your future. That picture of you stripped down to a bra and underwear could be seen by your future boss and risk your chance of being hired. The snap chat of your backside that you sent out as a mere joke to all of your little buddies could be gotten a hold of by a potential college. Something that little could effect your plans you have been dreaming of since you were a youngin’. Is it really worth it?

Before you send out that next shocking or even humoring picture of yourself, especially through Snapchat, reevaluate it.

That one picture could impact more than you think.

-Debate team of Dalton Willey and Ken beck placed 4th at State.

-Les Miserables. If you haven’t seen it, then you missed some prime Anne Hathaway.

Our little Genovian Princess has grown up.

-Jackson Mattek for being accepted to University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music for Musical Theatre.

That might be the longest college name ever.

-Mrs. Hoeme recently had a little baby. Congratulations!

-Jesse Lennon and Tanner Montoy for committing to KWU. Fun fact: all 9 starting seniors on the boy’s soccer team are going to college. 8 of them are playing soccer.

-Coach Andrew’s beard. Fear it. FEAR IT. -Hairspray!

-The recent Disney princess marathon on ABC family.

-Crew neck sweatshirts -Both boys and girls made it to finals at the SIT. -The upcoming, revamped chsPylon.com. You all will be impressed with Brantly Straub’s creation.

-Shekhinah gettin it in his full out drag for Hairspray. You go girl...boy?

-The new Star Trek is coming out this year. YAY!

Call outs: -Having to pay to go to every SIT game. That’s like 16 doller bills.

-My fitness pal app will actually be the death of me.

-Dalton Willey ate a raunchy egg at debate state and got food poisoning.

-Scandalous Snapchats.

-The girls who procrastinated getting their dates to Sadie’s.

-Thrift Shop was nicer when it wasn’t on the radio.

-Bailey Driver for putting a dent in the floor of the Bicenter...with her head.

-Mr. Oldenettel for not wearing dress socks with his shoes.

-Garber’s iPhone case. Barf.

-MacKenzie Morris for being a hater.

-Katie Kelemen’s appendix.

-Those who believe the Sandy Hook shooting was a hoax.

-Flo Rida...whack.

-Burn out t-shirts.

-Camouflage outside of hunting and the military...we can still see you.

-Chewing tobacco.

-How does Leo Decap not have a Golden Globe?

-Mr. Andrews needs to calm down on the Macklemore and Catfish.

- Haters.

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Maggie Vernon / The Pylon

Tristan Alderson / The Pylon

Tristan Alderson / The Pylon

Sophomore Jordan McNelly lines up for a free throw in the game against the Sacred Heart Knights.

Senior Mark Vaughn awaiting a pass during the varsity boys basketball game against Sacred Heart.

Tristan Alderson / The Pylon

Junior Hailey Mayfield shoots a free throw during the game against Andover Central.

The student section was getting loud with school spirit during the varsity boys basketball games against Sacred Heart.

Photo story

Junior Treyton Hines looks around for a teammate to pass the ball to during Tuesday nights game against Sacred Heart.

Tristan Alderson / The Pylon

Senior Mark Vaughn intercepts a pass during the varsity boys game against the Knights on Tuesday night.

Tristan Alderson / The Pylon

A week filled with basketball leads both the girl’s and the boy’s teams to the championship game

Faces of the

SIT Sydney Kossow / The Pylon

Senior Damion Cooper waits by the sidelines to get back in the game to help his teammates out during the game against Andover Central.

Maggie Vernon / The Pylon

The Vets dancing in there halftime performance during Tuesday nights game against Sacred Heart.

January 24 , 2012

Maggie Vernon / The Pylon

Varsity boys Coach Finch yells plays at his team during the game against Salina Sacred Heart Knights.

Maggie Vernon / The Pylon

Junior Emily Wood follows the ball running down the court during Saturday nights game against cross town rivals Salina High South.

Eli Berner / The Pylon

Coach Andrews giving orders fromthe side line during the Varsity girls game against Andover Central.

Tristan Alderson / The Pylon

Sophomore RaShun Allen trying to decide whether to try and make a basket or pass the ball to another teammate while being blocked by Sacred Heart player number 23.