February 2010

Surveyor The Washington

2205 Forest Drive SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52403 Volume 53, Number 6

February 22, 2010

Photos by Ellen Hart

Washington Speech Team shines at State competition Max Ernst Staff Writer For many students on the Washington High School Speech Team, State Large Group contest marks the annual culmination of group speech activities. On Feb. 6 Washington entered 24 ensembles in the contest, 17 of which received a majority of top ratings from three-judge panels.

The 24 large-group speech ensembles from Washington, which vary from miming to improvisational acting, were eligible for State based on a rating of “1” at the district-level competition. After presenting a show at State, each group was rated on a scale of “1”, a top rating, to “4” by a team of judges. Most groups from Washington earned at least two ratings of “1” and 11 teams were given all “1” ratings.

“We have lots of hard workers and talented performers,” said Speech Team coach Carrie Fattig. “Students have been willing to work hard, take risks, and manage conflicts.”

For months, Speech Team members underwent intensive preparation for State. Many large-group ensembles practiced two to three days per week for several hours, while smaller ensembles met once per week for an hour. Depending upon its category of performance, a group would typically spend practice time memorizing lines, rehearsing, trying out new acting situations, or critiquing fellow students.

This year, the Speech Team has been characterized by expanded participation. In particular, the size of the freshmen team has increased. Although fewer groups received straight “1” ratings at State compared to last year, the heightened involvement in speech events this year is evident.

“There are many new faces on the Speech Team,” said Meghan Freme, ’10. “I am especially pleased with the talent of the freshmen, and it has been interesting to see them progress.”

Regardless of ratings, Washington students have found the best parts of Speech to be team bonding, personal and group improvement throughout the season, and numerous chances for performance.

“The best part of State was that my improvisation group was nominated for All-State,” said Ben Schmidt, ’10, who had an additional performance opportunity after State at the Large Group All-State Speech contest.

Four groups from Washington were selected for All-State by a “best in center” designation at State. On Feb. 20 three musical theater groups – The Fantasticks, Shine, and 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee – and an improvisation group performed exhibitions at All-State. Although ratings were not given at the contest, three of the groups competed for the “Critics’ Choice” award within their respective categories.

After Large Group All-State, the Speech Team will shift its focus to individual speech activities, which are public speaking events for single performers.

Although Schmidt has enjoyed the large-group speech season, he now looks forward to the new challenges of After-Dinner Speaking and Reviewing, two different individual speech events.

“I am ready to switch gears to practicing and performing original compositions,” said Schmidt.

Those involved in individual speech will begin rehearsing exhibitions ranging from “how-to” instruction to delivering old commencement addresses. The district competition for individual speech will take place on Feb. 27 in Tipton, IA. “Students in individual speech will soon be selecting their material, memorizing lines, and in many cases writing their own speeches,” said Fattig.

Although large-group speech has concluded for the year, individual speech will require sustained effort from many Speech Team members as they prepare for a variety of performances throughout the months of February and March.

Four groups from Washington were designated “best in center” at the State competition. Three of these groups (listed below) qualified and performed at All State on Feb. 20.

Improvisation Seniors Ben Schmidt, Meghan Freme and Dylan Schulte qualified and are performing with an improvisation act. Improv acts are given a subject and an objective and have just a few minutes to prepare before they perform.

Shine!

The Fantasticks

Maggie Bridges, Haley Schulte, Hannah Wheeler and Dylan Schulge, all ‘10, and Ellen Hart and Allison Klasson, both ‘11, qualified with their song from the musical “Shine!”.

Three seniors, Filipe Camarotti, Jackson Bartelme and Bailey Sande will be performing two musical numbers from “The Fantasticks”. Sande is filling in for Anna Noreuil, ‘12, who is performing with Celebration.

“And the gold medal goes to...”

In this issue

Joe Eken explains the changing ways of the Winter Olympics

Meet the “wizards” of the Washington science department

Washington band program continues dominance throughout the state

Page 13

Page 10

Page 4

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News

2-22-2010

Dajabon, Dominican Republic: Feb. 4, 2010 A helicopter crashes in Dajabon, Dominican Republic just east of the Haiti border. The accident is said to have occurred around 7 p.m. The two men aboard the helicopter both died due to the incident. Aboard the flight were the pilots John Ward of Fort Myers, FL, and James Jalovec of Naples, FL. The two friends were on their way to deliver supplies to aid the victims of the earthquakes in Haiti.

Just so you know Events written by Emily Wicke

Andaman Islands, India: Feb. 5, 2010 The last member of an ancient Indian tribe has died. Boa Sr., was 85 years old when she died in the Andaman Islands, just off the Indian coast. Her tribe, The Great Andamanese, has inhabited the Indian island for more than 65,000 years, making it the descendant of one of the oldest human cultures on earth. With the passing of Boa Sr., India also loses one of its oldest languages, Bo.

Graphic by Trevor Polk

Punxsutawney, PA: Feb. 2, 2010 America’s most famous rodent emerges from his tree stump at the ceremonial location Gobbler’s Knob and sees his shadow, signaling six more weeks of winter. The ground hog commonly called Phil saw his shadow, marking the ninety-ninth occurrence of this phenomenon at the annual Ground Hog Day celebration in Punxsutawney. Phil’s predictions are only correct 39 percent of the time.

Kiev, Ukraine: Feb. 7, 2010 Former Ukraine Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich leads in the exit polls in the country’s presidential election. His opponent, the populist Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, has trailed his opponent in all of the polls by at least three percentage points. Tymoshenko’s campaign manager says it is too early to draw conclusions about the election results and states that the campaign has been a dirty one.

Washington Kiva club loans entrepreneurs an opportunity for success Sara Larson Staff Writer Sophomores Taylor Temple and Rodnika Carter have teamed up with science teacher Joseph Taylor to form one of Washington’s newest clubs, Kiva.

“One of our goals is to build a base of funds so we can keep on giving microloans to recipients in thirdworld countries. So far we are sponsoring 11 individuals from four different countries,” said Taylor. “Not only do we help people build wealth through loans, but also the loans are paid back to our account so we can then loan the money to others. The cycle continues indefinitely.”

Kiva is a non-profit organization that was created in 2005 by a husband and wife who wanted to help businesses in developing countries have the ability to make their entrepreneurial dreams become reality. They devised a system in which people could make donations that would help fund various businesses all over the world. Five short years later, over 150,000 loans totaling nearly $120 million have been distributed to more than 175 countries.

The organization’s microfinance process is divided into six steps. People called “field partners” are located all over the world. They are responsible for accepting and distributing loans to the local people. Once a loan is accepted, it is uploaded onto the website for donors to see. The public can look through the lists of applicants and choose specific recipients of money. Once the money has been raised to fulfill the loan, the field

partner gives the business owner the money. As time progresses, the loans are paid back and the money can be put back into the cycle.

The Washington Kiva club has done several activities to raise money.

“So far we have had a bake sale, an early bird waffle breakfast, and we’ve helped sort pop cans,” said Taylor.

The waffle breakfast, which was available to early bird classes has been their most successful effort, and they plan on having another one soon.

“We now have a good idea of how to organize this sort of fundraiser, so we plan to offer this again and expand it to the entire Wash student body,” said Taylor.

Photo by Lauren Johnson

Washington Kiva club co-founders Rodnika Carter and Taylor Temple, both sophomores, started the club this year with the goal of making as many microfinance loans to third world entrepreneurs as possible.

“One of our goals is to build a base of funds so we can keep on giving microloans to recipients in third- world countries. So far we are sponsoring 11 individuals from four different countries.”

- Joseph Taylor

News

2-22-2010

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Washington show choirs dance and sing to top Charlie Parks Staff Writer

Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” and “Scream,” “Yaleo” by Carlos Santana, “Harbor of a New World” from River Dance and “Jai Ho” from “Slumdog Millionaire.”

The students seem to enjoy all of their songs, but agree that their favorite is “Jai Ho.” “Nobody gets tired of it, not even judges,” said Camron Harrison, ’11. “We do the actual Hindu language instead of the Pussy Cat Dolls rendition, which everyone else does.”

When watching the performance on YouTube, it is easy to tell why Harrison believes “Jai Ho” is one of Momentum’s keys to success. The audience is cheering during the entire performance, and, a standing ovation is given at the end.

“It’s written in Hindu, and things don’t sound like how they’re written,” said Emily White, ‘11, in commenting on the hardest part of “Jai Ho.” The difficulty of “Jai Ho” and the energy of the perfor-

mance as a whole have stood out to the judges. Momentum has received awards for best male soloist (awarded to Miles Maurice, ’11), best band, best choreography and best vocals overall.

If the past has any bearing on the future, Washington The freshman group of singers, Vivace, has shown a lot show choirs can expect to present principal Ralph Plagman of improvement since summer camps began. While the with many more trophies on the Monday morning anshow is not as crisp yet as Momentum or Celebration’s, the nouncements. talent is present, along with the expectations of first place in The varsity show choir Momentum recently took first years to come. at the Muscatine River City Showcase and placed fourth at The junior varsity show choir Celebration has a strong the Linn-Mar Invitational. “Celebration”, the junior varsity group of singers. Five different soloists, Vintrea Davis, Tessa group, placed second in the prep division at the Muscatine Turner, Anna Noureuil, Clayton Willett and Nikki Stewart competition. are all sophomores looking forward to continuing the tradiBased on grade level and vocal ability, students audition tion of excellence. for either Vivace, Celebration or Momentum. Once the “They’re very good,” said Harrison. “They haven’t been students are divided into their separate groups, the hours, scoring the best, but they are winning best vocals and other weeks, and months of preparation and drilling of choreoghonors, so I don’t know how they’re not getting first place.” raphy and vocals begins. Students memorize their songs and All three perforof the show mances, and choirs have set dedicate high expectathemselves tions for themto proving selves. Placetheir worth ments they to vocal have received directors, in recent comGerald petitions show Kreitzer and they are living Matthew up to their Armstrong. goals and can This year, look forward Momentum Photos courtesy of Jessica Wohlers to more sucis singing cess in their a series of upcoming From left to right, Nicki Stewart solos for Celebration, the junior varsity show choir Celebration gets on their gospel groove and the Vivace 5 songs: performances. ladies shows off their talent.

Michael

The Mr. Washington Pageant: Rouse wins title of “model” Washingtonian Patrick Anderl Staff Writer On Feb. 15 eight men entered Washington high school’s auditorium in hopes of achieving greatness. The contestants shed blood, went for glory and left their hearts on the stage. As the night came to a close, only one left victorious with the title of Mr. Washington secure and their name forever etched in the history books.

The third annual Mr. Washington Pageant brought Washington students not only a new winner, but a good time for all as contestants put on an entertaining show.

The competition started out with a walk on the runway as emcees Hannah Wheeler, ’10, and Bailey Sande, ’10, read off infor-

mation sheets that the eight students had filled out earlier. While the contestants strutted, four Washington teachers judged their performance.

Following the walk, the aspiring pageant winners showed off their special talents in front of the judge’s panel.

After the first two events, the judges’ votes were tallied up and presented to the audience while the judges left their positions. The next two events would be scored with points as to how many events

or questions were completed.

The competitors then moved on to the “Are you smarter than a freshman?” segment of the pageant. They answered questions written by freshman teachers by writing on whiteboards. The topics ranged from literature to algebra to science.

The next -Filipe Camarotti, ’10 portion of the competition was an eating contest in which the competitors had to eat five Twinkies covered in whipped cream. To make matters harder, the opponents were covered in

“You know the feeling you get when you first learn to ride a bicycle? Yeah, it was just a little bit better than that.”

<----The rundown: Upcoming events-----> -> Friday, Feb. 26, Coe College Jazz Summit. Jazz Also will perform

at 5 p.m. in the Daehler-Kitchin Auditorium, and The Revolutionists will perform at 6 p.m. in Sinclair Auditorium. Be sure to stop by for an evening of free and entertaining jazz.

garbage bags, taking away the use of hands.

“You know the feeling you get when you first learn to ride a bicycle? Yeah, it was just a little bit better than that,” said Felipe Camarotti, ’10, in describing his experience at the pageant.

Finally, the competition advanced to the fifth and final segment. The five competitors were narrowed down to three. They then answered questions such as “How would you make Wash a better place,” in front of the audience. Following questioning, the audience voted Kyle Rouse, ‘10, as the winner. Rouse followed in the footsteps of Carter Oswood, ’09, and Wajeeh Arafat, ’08, to become Washington’s third Mr. Washington. As champion, Rouse was awarded $100 and a three-and-a-half-foot trophy.

       

-> Sunday, Feb. 28, CSPS. The Red Stick Ramblers featuring their

   “unique hybrid of Cajun, country and swingband” influenced music will be making their debut appearance on the CSPS stage. CSPS is located   at 1103 3rd St. SE in Cedar Rapids. The concert will start at 7 p.m. and  rush tickets are available to students for $5 if they arrive at the theatre  30 minutes before the show begins.  

-> Wednesday-Thursday, Mar. 3-4, Washington High School’s schoolwide final examinations.

   



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News

2-22-2010

Band program experiences long-term success Shana Matthews Staff Writer Throughout the state, Washington High School’s band program is known for its dedication to excellence. With four straight division 1 ratings from the Iowa High School Music Association for the Concert Band, and the Wind Symphony’s three invitations to perform at the Iowa Bandmasters Association conference in Des Moines since band directors Jim Miller and Steve Shanley took over the program, they have garnered great respect from the musical community across Iowa.

Both Miller and Shanley attributed their success as band directors to the positive atmosphere at Washington.

“Excellence is encouraged and rewarded in all areas at Wash. Students work hard at all things, and we are lucky to be at a place where that carries over to the music department,” said Shanley, who directs both jazz bands at Washington along with the concert band. The top jazz band, the Revolutionists, was the only jazz band in the state to be invited to perform at IBA twice, while Jazz Also has taken first place numerous times in the jazz band 2 division at competitions.

“If you want to be good, you have to put in time and effort, which is applicable to all aspects of life,” said Emily

2004: Wind Symphony is selected to perform at IBA

Photo by Megan Anderson

Members of the Revolutionists Jazz Band play in the band room during a rehearsal. Revs performed at IBA in 2009.

2007: Wind Symphony is selected to perform at IBA

2006: The Revolutionists Jazz Band are selected to perform at IBA

Meyer, ‘11, a flutist in the Wind Symphony.

Besides the Wind Symphony’s three invitations to IBA, in 2008 they were invited to perform at the National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis, the only band in the state ever to receive that particular honor.

“Going to Wash has been a really great experience for me. Wash’s band program is a big part of why I chose to go here,” said Jon Snell, ’10.

In the past five years, Washington’s band program has also had more students selected for the Iowa All-State Music Festival than other band programs in the state.

“I think I am most proud of the Concert Band for their streak of division 1 ratings,” said Shanley. “It is an impressive accomplishment for a school’s second band because they are held to the same standard as the school’s top band.”

Despite the bands’ successes, Miller and Shanley both agree that the real highlight of the program is its impact on the students.

“My proudest moment is at graduation, looking at the Wind Symphony and seeing all of the seniors about to leave. It is great to see how they have grown as musicians, and more importantly as human beings,” said Shanley.

2009: The Revolutionists Jazz Band are selected to perform at IBA

2008: Wind Symphony is selected to perform at the National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis

2010: Wind Symphony is selected to perform at IBA

District justifies Facebook decision Alyssa Christian Staff Writer

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“Access Denied.” To all those who have attempted to log on to their Facebook account at school, this phrase may look familiar. The Cedar Rapids School District’s decision to block the social networking site on school computers has left many students and staff feeling “denied.”

“There were concerns brought to the superintendent about inappropriate comments that were being made on some school computers,” said Gary O’Malley, associate superintendent for the Cedar Rapids School District, in regards to how the decision to block Facebook access was originally made. “It was discussed by the superintendent’s cabinet about what policies and procedures we had in place to address these concerns.

None of us were comfortable with the use of school computers for this type of [inappropriate] activity.”

Although this decision was made with the mental welfare of the students in mind, there are students and staff members who believe these drawbacks are greatly outweighed by the benefits of Facebook.

“I like [Facebook], because I can put everything [syllabi, notes, etc.] up on there and I know it’s a place where all my students are going to check. When you go

into the business world, you have to go to where your customers are and I feel if we’re ‘selling’ education, we need to go to where our students are,” said Heather Adams, Washington science teacher. “I feel like it is the best use of technology available right now for keeping in contact with parents and students and we’re not utilizing it to its fullest potential.”

Another concern with Facebook on school computers is the level of access that students have to the website in comparison to that of staff members. Currently, the site is blocked on both student and staff accounts, but the possibility of unblocking access to staff members is being explored.

“I think that may be a good compromise, but I think we need to look at our ability to monitor technology in Graphic by Gabrielle Lisinski ways that we do not limit its instructional value. I realize there are a lot of good resources that can be accessed online and be filtered by adults, and we wish not to take away all access to technology, but rather do a better job of using it appropriately,” said O’Malley.

Although the decision to not allow access to Facebook in Cedar Rapids schools is a controversial one, advanced monitoring and security measures may mean that future relationships with Facebook may no longer be “denied,” but rather just a few clicks away.

Opinions

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2-22-2010

Black history month:

Staff writer Isaac Halyard acknowledges segregation in the classroom

January ends, and Punxsutawney Phil ushers in Black History Month. But what could that possibly mean? A month filled with honoring the work of our ancestors is highly respectable. Unfortunately, the work of our ancestors is not enough. The dreams of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X are so ostentatiously appreciated in these 28 days, and Isaac Halyard quickly forgotten by the masses once Mar. 1 comes along.

Staff Writer For the other 11 months we are stuck in a system in which reparations and forced racial acceptance are the only modes of change. Rather, racial acceptance and integration must come naturally. This would obviously take more time, but the end goal must be a nation in which equality and acceptance is as close to universal as it could possibly be.

Although segregation laws have been terminated, segregation and many of the racist feelings that coincide

with it still exist. State implemented segregation has evolved into self-division of races, where different ethnicities tend to socialize in groups with one another.

Most of the time there is no problem with this, and it is a natural division in which people tend to clump together with others who share similar cultural and ethnic characteristics. The problem arises when divisions are established on the basis of academic ability or intelligence. For this problem, Washington High School is a perfect example.

As a student body we claim to be one of the most diverse schools in the state. When numbers alone are observed, this is true. A 26.7% minority population is a relatively high level of diversity, (for Iowa). But how dispersed the minority is within the school is an entirely different level of diversity. By looking at the number of minority students enrolled in upper level classes and AP classes, it is

clear that self-division still exists.

In my three AP classes, I am the only black student and in some the only minority. Why? The answer is not intelligence. The ability of the brain is not an ethnic characteristic, and one race is in no way more intelligent than another. But the problem is that many people do believe that they are less academically capable or even less intelligent than people of other races. When segregation laws were prominent, it was much harder for minorities to seek livelihoods through academic knowledge. Therefore, the idea that it was more likely to become a musician or an athlete than an educated entrepreneur was instilled in generations of minorities, and still exists today.

This ideology must be done away with. The belief that one is not good enough to strive academically is simply ridiculous. Until 56 years ago, minorities were legally kept out of top-level classrooms. Today, we are keeping ourselves out of these classrooms.

In these 28 days of Black History Month, rather than solely honoring the history of our ancestors, I propose we begin writing history of our own.

“The ability of the brain is not an ethnic characteristic, and one race is in no way more intelligent than another.”

Winter anguish overwhelms summer memories The winter storm this Monday dashed all hopes of the beginning of the end for this winter season. For three long months we Iowans have endured the worst that nature has thrown at us: minus 20 degree weather, 50 mph winds, weeklong blizzards and Tiger Woods. I feel like I haven’t seen the sun shine brightly since the O-bomb won the presidency back in November.

Looking back on my senior year Daniel Williams I’ve come to realize that two major Staff Writer epochs have been etched out of the chaos and confusion of twelfth grade: Snow and Before Snow (B.S.). The epiphany came to me Saturday afternoon when I was driving home and I saw that a full half of the sky was filled with the perfect shade of beautiful, pristine, clear blue sky. The site awed me to the point of total loss of all motor controls.

The incredible thing about the experience—what I’ve come to call “The Second Coming”—is that it wasn’t only the yearning for a future season without Uggs that moved me, but the overwhelming feeling of nostalgia and emotion that filled me. In an instant I relived all those chilly, meteor shower-filled summer and fall nights, the excitement and pandemonium of Lollaploo-

za and, of course, Marissa Carson’s house.

I mean where did it all go? You know, those incredible fall days when you could walk the 30 feet from your car to the entrance of the school without your hair freezing. Or when you could actually walk that same 30 feet without it having to take ten minutes because of all the ice. (I’ve yet to slip this winter, but not everyone’s been so lucky…Joe Berry).

And it was in that moment when I saw that stunning blue sky that I realized how much I hate winter. The other half of the sky—filled with ominous grey clouds that could only mean snow—seemed to already be overtaking the other half. I could only stare in horror as the dichotomy between blue and grey, snow and not snow, good and evil seemed to be unfolding before my very eyes. I knew before it ended that grey would emerge victorious, the foregone conclusion perhaps making the inevitable outcome only more heartbreaking.

By the time the blue sky had disappeared it had begun to snow; the irony of the whole situation only adding to the tragedy of it all.

Perhaps this last, miserable snow actually is the beginning of the end; as Socrates once said, “the light is always darkest before dawn”. And indeed the light is dark, and indeed the light is about to get darker, hopefully the darkest. Stay strong my fellow Iowans and remember: man is not a bird, to come and go with the seasons.

Nostalgic for summer nights like columnist Dan Williams?

Here’s ten unique ways to beat the Winter Blues: 1.) Take a bath full of lotion 2.) Go to the YMCA sauna 3.) Join a bowling team 4.) Build a living room fort 5.) Get really good at Mario Kart 6.) Re-enact Avatar (3D) 7.) Sit by a space heater until legs are raw 8.) Oil massage 9.) Buy several hamsters; build army 10.) Start a conspiracy theory

Surveyor Editorial Policy Surveyor is established as a school-sponsored open forum dedicated to informing and entertaining its readers. It is published nine times each school year by students enrolled in Sam Seyfer the Journalism News class at Washington High Editor-in-chief School. The staff will report as fairly and wellbalanced as possible. All activities and news will be covered to the best of the staff’s ability.

Surveyor accepts the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics as the basis for good journalistic ethics.

Jessica Wohlers Editorials and the reviews that appear under Photo editor a byline are the opinion of the writer, not necessarily the staff. Unsigned editorials represent the majority of the Editorial Board. The opinions section is designed to provide a forum for the opinions of the Surveyor staff and the Washington High School Community.

Molly James Readers are encouraged to express their Profiles editor viewpoints through guest editorials. Surveyor also welcomes letters to the editor, with these Writers guidelines: Patrick Anderl Natalee Birchansky 1. It is not libelous or obscene.

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6

2-22-2010

Opinions

No cure for unproductive senioritis symptoms For the past half hour I’ve sat in front of this enormous Mac computer in the surveyor editing room, contemplating my motivation for finishing the rest of the school day.

I have one more class, AP Calculus, and despite my honest, boundless love for Dr. Chmelicek, I’m contemplating just going home. Let’s consider my position: I’m a senior who knows what university I’m attending, I have Connor O’Neil just the grades that will keep me Opinions Editor content, and I’m extremely tired and hungry. If I go to class, I will inevitably sit in a half-conscious state while trying to sync Chmelicek’s mouth to the Wu-Tang Clan that I’m listening to. Eventually I will leave the class and wander around the school hoping that I run into Grant Gregory or Coach

Harte who may be in the same position that I’m in.

I have chosen to write the quintessential “senioritis” article this year for no reason except that I am diagnosed and suffering. On some days I find myself alone in the library reading ancient Buddhist text when I should be learning the subjunctive tense of the Spanish language. Other days I just sit on the verge of tears and watch Mr. Pearson read, convincing myself that it is the most beautiful image I’ve ever seen. Any given night will result in me looking at every single Facebook picture of Quincy McGee, or just watching Pulp Fiction.

I really would like to listen in class and do my assignments on time, but it is absolutely impossible to overcome the feeling that most of what I’m doing right now at Washington is useless. This is no insult to the high school, it is just a fact that I value sleep more than the Spanish language. My dad asked me what I was going to do when I get out into the “work world” (as if coaching youth sports isn’t legitimate work) and maybe have to complete tasks

that I don’t value. I guess all I can say is that my job better not have anything to do with Spanish or Shakespeare.

However there are certainly parts of my day that make it all worthwhile. For example, when I can snag a physics book from Kleman and sit in the Surveyor room while listening to Air radio on Pandora, having the ability to read about electromagnetic radiation freely with the resources of Wikipedia and YouTube at hand is incredibly enjoyable.

Talking to Rieck about chemistry or “Dear John” is usually pretty enlightening, and bowling is easily the greatest activity offered at Wash. It also seems that many of my teachers have a little senioritus (hour long female arm wrestling competition...?) so its a little easier to imagine Senora Johnanson also watching Pulp Fiction instead of grading our tests.

I suppose I’ll go to calculus now. I can only hope that my mom will call me wondering how to work the universal remote; a situation that I can draw out long past class beginning.

Busywork not worth the burden Strength and sweat of showchoir deserves its It’ssports waiver and that should not be the case. Not not that I

Charlie Hammond Guest Writer I am quickly scribbling down the answers to last night’s homework when I hesitantly look at the clock. It reads 8:47. I count the minutes until next hour-24. My deadline is quickly approaching.

Will I have enough time to complete the procrastinated assignment?

But what is the point in finishing the work?

I will not complete it to the best of my ability and will likely learn nothing.

Why should I have to complete every homework assignment if I can perform well on tests?

Students can learn without finishing every assignment. Tests should be the true measure of a student’s mastery of a subject. Homework accounts for a large portion of my grade in every class

only are many homework assignments not necessary for my academic achievement, they are monotonous and occupy much of my time.

Many times teachers assign homework on the sole purpose of keeping students occupied. I do not learn a thing from finding vocab words in a search-a-word or drawing an artistic representation of a Walt Whitman quote. These tasks are simply tedious in nature and take long periods of time to finish.

I am not condoning the purpose of homework in any way. Students need structured opportunities to develop their understanding of subject material.

However, I am swamped with homework. There is a point where enough is enough. I should not have to spend hours a night completing busy work in order to get an A in a class.

I know teachers have a “purpose” for each assignment, however I often feel their sole purpose is to keep students occupied with assignments that are unnecessary in learning the content of a class.

I do not feel like I’ve ever been intellectually stimulated by busy work, but have certainly wasted too much of my life getting it done.

Yumei’s Boutique

Located in Lindale Mall lower level

Phone:(319)378-2910

Ladies of the school age, looking for a different style dress for your school Prom, We have many different styles and colors of Asian dresses in stock and can also special order one for you in about 3 weeks, we will start taking orders Hours: Monday thru Beginning in March, We also Saturday 10am to 9pm have anime DVD’s and ac- Sunday Noon to 6pm cessories. Plus Asian artwork

don’t like physical activities. It’s not that I don’t like the gym teachers.

It’s just that I don’t have time to take a gym class. Thankfully my rotating 4th hour, Celebration the prep showchoir here at Molly Brown wash, allows me to take the alternative Staff Writer route. Celebration offers me the beloved sports waiver because I endure such grueling tasks that are unheard of in other sports.

Some people object to Showchoir offering the same excuse as much ‘harder’ sports such as football, or bowling.

But showchoir isn’t as easy as it looks. We too start before the school year. We have a week of backbreaking, strenuous, dance training.

We learn the choreography to a whole show in only a few rehearsals.

So after recovering from the week of abusive jazz hands and 3-point turns and backflips, we then start with our in school rehearsals. Every ‘A’ day us Celebration kids, trudge into the choir room, knowing that this hour will bring us more pain, and we will leave drenched in sticky sweat.

Roses - Seven foot substitutes who wear gangster glasses and track suits - Dr. Plagman’s participation in Mr. Washington - last finals for seniors - Shaun White -Chatroulette.com - Student Senate Haiti relief - Modern Family - sophomore Women’s Basketball championship - Lauryn Hill

Then after we endure all of this physical hurt, we smell bad for the rest of the day, and unlike some ‘sports’ we can’t ‘hit the showers’ after doing plies, and pourretts, and leaps.

Now that you know how we match the other waivers in physicality, one must understand how we go above and beyond. Sure maybe in soccer it is ‘difficult’ to dribble a ball and kick it places, but do you have to harmonize with your teammates?

Do you have grown men yelling at you to enlognate your vowels? There is a reason they call it showCHOIR. We practice until we are parched and our throats in serious need of cough drops.

Then after all of these ‘A’ day, every Thursday, and the occasional Saturday practice we walk into the competions. In showchoir there is something so unsatisfying about 2nd place. The emcee doesn’t announce how close it was, but only who came out on top. There is a twisted bunch in your stomach that grows as you watch the opposing showchoirs and know that you can’t pull out any trick play at the end of the game, you can’t touch the competition. The only thing you have to defend yourself is your choreography and your vocals. And at last if you do win 1st runner-up, you walk out of the competition preparing yourself for more long, hard, practices.

Thorns - Valentine’s Day - Bus hitting Bailey Lane’s car - Olympics death - entire sports teams on the announcements - Twinkie eating competition - Burnt popcorn in the new wing - cost of college - Brewed Awakenings maybe closing

Profiles

2-22-2010

7

Caught in a Warrior romance In order to profile the most successful couples at Washington, Surveyor turned to the staff, rather than the students. With love in the air during the Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day season, writers Catheryn Cooper and Natalee Birchansky asked three teacher couples about their relationships before and after â&#x20AC;&#x153;I do.â&#x20AC;?

The Lammers Q: How did you meet?

Bill Lammers: We met here at WHS in 1993 in the theater department. Â Q: How long have you been married?

BL: It will be 10 years for us this March. Â Q: How do you feel about working together?

BL: Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good. During the day we rarely get a chance to spend a lot of time together as we are in separate wings of the building; when it comes to the theater, we feed off of each othersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; creativity and criticisms. We enjoy that time here at school the most.

Q: What do you love the most about your spouse?

BL: Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s impossible not to notice her creative touch in just about everything she does.

Pat Lammers: I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just narrow it down to one, but I would have to say that he makes me laugh and is so supportive. Â

Q: Where was your first date? What did you do?

BL: I think we went out to eat and then to a TCR show. Honestly, I just donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t remember the details.

PL: We went to dinner at Haciendaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. Â Q: How did your engagement happen?

PL: We were sitting on a beach in North Carolina, and he asked me what I was doing for the next spring break.

Q: What is a funny memory you have together?

PL: I think it is so funny when people will talk to me and go, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Oh! Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re related to Mr. Lammers,â&#x20AC;? when they finally put the puzzle pieces together.

Q: When you first met, did you ever think youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d get married?

PL: Oh, heavens no, not at all! Â Q: What was your first impression of the other?

BL: Creative, funny and honest.

PL: He was just an all around nice and friendly guy. Â Q: What do you guys like to do together outside of school?

BL: We like to go to other theater productions and out with friends when time allows. We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go out a lot, so sometimes just sitting at home reading is what we both enjoy and need to do after a hectic day.

PL: We both love to cook and travel. Our favorite trip was when we went to Japan.

The Lombardis Q: How did you meet?

Kari Lombardi: We met in college.

Tony Lombardi: We met where she was going to school, and I was there coaching.

Q: How did your engagement happen?

KL: He proposed with a dozen roses and inside one of them was the wedding ring.

TL: We went to a bike trail in a little village in Minnesota.

Q: How long have you been married?

KL: 15 years.

Q: What do you like most about the other person?

KL: How motivated he is and how he inspires me.

TL: I truly admire everything she does. Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good teacher, an excellent coach, very dedicated, a great mom of five kids.

Q: How do you feel about working together?

KL: I think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great. He helps me out a lot.

I really donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see him a lot here to be honest.

TL: We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see each other much around school, but Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve always been her biggest fan in volleyball.

Q: How long have you been working together?

KL: Since he started coaching high school, so six or seven years.

TL: Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve worked at Wash together for two years.

Q: Do you play sports together?

KL: Actually, we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. We watch a lot of sports together as a family though. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re very involved in athletics, so weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re always attending or coaching an athletic event.

TL: Almost never. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a horrible volleyball player...now, sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pretty good at football.

The Howells Q: How long have you been married?

Sarah Howell: It will be six years in May. Q: How do you feel about working together?

Frank Howell: We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see each other that much, so Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d say itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nice being able to go to the same events.

Q: What do you love most about your spouse?

FH: Well, that she is my soulmate.

SH: His sense of humor.

Q: Where was your first date? What did you do?

FH: We went to a Chinese Resturant for dinner, and then I think we saw a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Star Warsâ&#x20AC;? movie after.

Q: How did your engagement happen?

SH: Around Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day we were supposed to go to an Italian restaurant in Des Moines, but there was a really bad snow storm, so we ended up going to a steakhouse.

Q: How long did you date before you got engaged?

FH: I think it was close to four years.

SH: Three, maybe three and a half years.

Q: What is a funny memory you have together?

FH: When we got lost in Kansas City and she saw me lose my temper for the first time. It wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t funny then, but it is now.

SH: How we always get lost. We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t prepare and just assume the other person knows where we are going.

Q: What was your first impression of the other?

FH: That she was smart and nice. Oh, and easy on the eyes.

SH: Intense, he was coaching a basketball game.

Q: What do you guys like to do together outside of school?

FH: Right now we take care of our two daughters. We used to go to movies and will probably do that again when the girls grow up.

SH: We take care of our kids. We would like to go to dinner, see a movie, or just do something fun. Personally, I would like to go to a play, but Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not sure if heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d want to do that.

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8

2-22-2010

Focus

Hope for Haiti Earthquake engulfs Haiti Lauren Kelley

It began as a day just like any other for the people of Haiti. The residents of Port au Prince went about their daily business, unaware of the disaster that was about to strike. Within mere minutes, this ordinary scene was turned into a nightmare.

The earthquake hit at 4:53 p.m. on Jan. 12, 2010 bringing panic and devastation to the country. The epicenter of the earthquake was only 10 miles from Port au Prince with a depth of just eight miles, making the impact even more severe. Buildings were collapsed, burying hundreds under the rubble. A recent update reports a death toll of 200,000 along with

300,000 injured, 250,000 homes lost, and 30,000 businesses destroyed.

Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere with a reported per-capita income of

$790. Even before the earthquake, Haiti lacked the most basic needs such as food, sanitation

and drinkable water. As a result of the natural disaster, conditions are worse than ever.

Although there has been an abundance of international aid given to Haiti, food distribution remains a large problem. Residents of Haiti have declared that food distributions are not big enough and often result in violence over the provisions. In a report on National Public Radio, one woman reported that aid groups had stopped coming to her camp due to the resulting fights over the limited food supplies. Part of the problem is the need for security at the larger distributions. Because of these security issues, the number of bigger camps visited each day is limited.

Many have resorted to buying what food they can off the street or at markets. As the recovery process continues, those left scrapping for food have found their money is quickly running out.

Animals are another issue many do not consider. The earthquake left countless animals abandoned. Programs such as Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH), have been working to provide the aid these animals so desperately need. One of the goals is to improve veterinary care and animal population control groups in Haiti. Even before this disaster struck, there was a lack

of medicine and vaccines to protect the animals in Haiti from disease. In 2009, only 100,000

out of 500,000 dogs in Haiti had been treated for rabies. This poses a problem not only for the animals but also for the health of the people.

Other issues include the growth in the number of orphans, need for medicine, clothing, shelter, the rising number of bodies littering the area and the list goes on. News stories and tragic statistics can only go so far. People have become aware. Now is the time for involvement.

TEXT TO DONATE “HAITI” to 90999 “YELE” to 501501 “GIVE10” to 20222

GOOGLE.

UNITED STATES INVOLVEMERCY CORPS.

UNICEF. RED CROSS. Yele Haiti.DOCTORS WITHCARE.

OUT BORDERS.CLINTON/BUSH. LAMBI.

After Haitian hospitals were quickly turned into rubble, the U.S. Navy had a quick and temporary solution. The Navy sent over their 894-foot long hospital ship “Comfort” from Baltimore. The floating hospital has accommodations for 1000 patients.

Focus

2-22-2010

9

Once distribution centers were established in Haiti, immediate action was taken. 130,000 food packets, 70,000 water containers distributed within the first week of the earthquake. -CBS News (18 Jan. 2010)

FORMATION OF TENT CITIES

On Jan. 31, a vacant soccer field in Port Au Prince, Haiti was transformed into a small tent city within 48 hours. With a total of

43 tents set-up, this empty soccer field now hosts a 400 patient

medical facility for earthquake victims.

Owner of General Motors and Honda dealership, Daniel Wozier, had loaned the land to the U.S. government free of charge. Having a 400 patient and helicopter landing zone nearby, the tent city’s functional purpose was to serve as a rehabilitation location for patients to recover more thoroughly upon returning home.

The site was created by a joint effort: the Marines, Army convoys, Navy, and Combat Logistics Battalion 24.

AMERICANS DONATE TO HAITI

“By Jan. 14, over 20 countries had sent military personnel to Haiti, with Canada, U.S. and Dominican Republic providing the largest contingents.” -Wall Street Journal (16 Jan. 2010)

Amid the recession, with close to 10 percent unemployment rate and diminishing personal wealth due to economic mishap, the U.S. has still been able to provide relief to Haiti.

The U.S. has over 20 Haiti relief organizations and within the first week after the di-

saster, $275 million dollars had been raised

by American charities for Haiti. (Chronicle of Philanthropy) Aside from direct money donations, texting has been the new choice of donating.

During the NFL playoffs, Red Cross alone raised $500,000 dollars per hour in texts.

WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL INVOLVEMENT Student Senate designed “hope for Haiti” bracelets and sold them for one dollar. These bracelets were donated by the company that created them. A little over 400 bracelets have been sold.

Student Senate has organized a school-wide penny war. Each grade is responsible for collecting the most pennies and dollar bills to gain positive points. Other grades can sabotage each other by putting silver coins in another grade’s collection bin, giving them negative points. The thousands of coins have added up raising over 500 dollars.

Student Senate members teamed up and collected money for Haiti at the Kennedy double-header basketball games on Friday Feb. 12. Kennedy students did the same thing as a little competition against our student senate.

The total money collected was split between the two schools. Wash brought home dollars.

10

2-22-2010

Profiles

Wizards of Washington High School Cole Rhatigan Staff Writer Teachers respect them, students admire them, and women wish they could have them. Who are these desirable figures? None other than the greatest minds of our school, the Einsteins among us warriors, the wizards of Washington High School. And these wizards include Terry Kahler, Ian Kleman, and Gary Rieck. However, there’s much more to these Dumbledore personas than a long robe, wand and brain power. Each has a very distinguished, intriguing personality, and despite their high intelligence, an obvious sense of modesty.

Kahler has the ability to make a classroom fill with both laughter and a sense of inferiority. His intelligence is overwhelming at times.

However he is also exceedingly modest. Despite persistent efforts, he refused to expose his numerous academic accomplishments.

“There’s absolutely no way I’m going to talk about that,” says Kahler with a smile.

Upon further investigation it was discovered that Kahler has a PhD in fast food management, coffee beans of the world, and successful cheating strategies (a grade’s just a grade).

Kleman and Rieck also share a strong modesty. When Rieck discovered he was considered among the “wizards” his face filled with shock.

“That’s a lofty group. But…thanks for the compliment! I might not be too popular among the other teachers after this though,” says Rieck.

When Kleman was asked to list his academic degrees, which include a bachelor’s in science from Indiana University, he chuckled and said, “Well my list is shorter than the other guys.”

Ryan Brown: scholastic nomad

The next question is, why teach? Why teach when their great minds could be earning them more money and recognition in other fields?

“I like teaching,” says Kahler. “Teaching’s important;

important.”

For Kleman, it wasn’t so much making a difference, but helping students think about the world in different ways that attracted him to teaching. And for Rieck, it was the chance to work with people rather than chemicals.

Each wizard possesses different hobbies.

For Kahler it’s gaming, with Counter-Strike as his favorite online game. Rieck enjoys old movies with happy endings. And for Kleman it’s jazz. He actually attended Indiana to study jazz before he discovered physics.

However, not once does he mention the talent he posseses. He only speaks about how he was unsuccessful in making the music school after audtioning twice. But when asked who his favorite jazz musician is, a broad smile lit up his face.

“Oh man, there are so many!” says Kleman, “You kind of go through phases you know?

But, right now I’d say I’m back to Oscar Peterson. He’s phenomenal on the piano.”

To perhaps give a boost to those who feel inferior, Rieck was asked to expose his knowledge and any secrets of life he’s dicovered.

However, instead of giving a solution to a crazy chemistry formula that would take the common 16-year-old days to solve, Rieck keeps Graphic by Gabrielle Lisinski it modest. “Everyone should know the speed of light, Avogadro’s number, and the density much more important than practicing law or being the suof water.” The true powers of these wizards may never be perintendent…or driving a truck. I always think someday revealed.

I’m going to train someone who’s going to do something

Micka anticipates artistic future, explores elite college choices

Natalie Neppl Staff Writer

Sanju Sathian Staff Writer

Former Washington student Ryan Brown ‘10, had a smooth transition from Xavier High School to Washington earlier this year. He transferred to Washington due to constant frustration with the administration at Xavier. Brown felt he was “treated unfairly and inaccurately accused.”

Beyond the obvious difference between a private Catholic school and a public school, Brown says attending school at Washington is a very different experience than attending school at Xavier.

“At Xavier, you do not have the privilege to leave during lunch or open hours. The dress code is much more strict also,” said Brown.

However, Brown recently re-enrolled at Xavier.

“Xavier is my home and where I belong. I started to really miss Xavier in December,” said Brown.

Brown’s high school wrestling career also had a lot to do with his multiple transfers. When Brown enrolled at Washington, he was hoping to wrestle on the varsity team. After gaining approval from the district, Brown wrestled varsity in the beginning of the season, but he was later informed that he was considered a transfer student and was restricted from wrestling varsity at Wash.

“Wrestling was keeping me at Wash, and when I was informed I could not wrestle varsity, I knew I wanted to go back home to Xavier,” said Brown.

Former teammate, Justin Cole, ‘11, has been in a similar situation.

“When I first came to Wash it kinda took a while to get settled, but once I did I really liked it, it is a really great place,” said Cole.

Although Brown is “back home” at Xavier, he misses the relaxed dress code, the girls, sleeping in, and the open campus at Wash.

As many seniors are narrowing down their choice of colleges, Spencer Micka, ’10, has almost reached his final decision. Micka has been accepted to Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Savannah, Georgia; one of the most prestigious art institutes in America.

Micka has chosen to study commercial photography, which includes advertisements, fashion, food, still-life, landscape, wildlife and photojournalism. In addition to the arts program, Micka has also been admitted into the acting program.

“Art, photography and theatre aren’t like any other subject; there’s not a definite answer for Lucy Matangira, ’10 something.

There’s really no right or wrong answer…that’s what I love about it,” said Micka.

Although Micka was accepted into SCAD, he has also applied to the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and Washington University.

“They all have incredible programs, so now it’s just the financial aspect. So far, SCAD has given me the most money for a scholarship,” said Micka.

The application process for Savannah Arts College took Micka around 8 months to complete. He included 12 of his original pieces of art, 3 teacher recommendation forms and had to obtain leadership recommendations.

Micka explained that the wealth of extracurricular activities, past and present, on his academic resume made him stand out from others. He is the president of Concert Choir, president of Drama Club and the layout editor of the Washington Literary Press. Simultaneously, he has involved himself in speech, theatre and the arts all four years of his high school career.

Ellen Barth, Micka’s elementary school art teacher, was the first to develop his passion for art.

“She made art interesting,” said Micka.

His father, Michael, has spent almost five thousand dollars on camera equipment for Micka.

“Spencer will definitely go far in artwork and photography. I can’t wait to see him on a billboard in the future,” said Lucy Matangira, ’10, a friend of Photo courtesy of Spencer Micka Micka’s.

“I can’t wait to see him on a billboard in the future.”

One of Micka’s photography pieces, “Terrified,” exemplifies his talent and potential, which makes his final college decisions difficult.

A&E

2-22-2010

11

The best places to grab a cup of joe to-go Washington students discuss their favorite spots to pick up a some coffee or chill with friends

The Blue Strawberry

T Spoons 118 Second Street SE. Cedar Rapids

301 East Market Street, Iowa City “The Blue Strawberry is a very nice and cozy place. They play music that is very chill and their food and coffee is really good.”

-Ben Matsuda, ’11

“T Spoons? T Spoons?!?! I LOVE T SPOONS!” -Emily White, ’11

yelp.com

hooplanow.com

Brewed Awakenings

Java House 15 South Dubuque Street, Iowa City

1271 1st Avenue East, Cedar Rapids

hidama.tv

“It’s hip, it’s chill, and its products are delicious. The atmosphere of Brewed Awakenings is awesome, but due to lack of business, it may shut down soon. Everyone should grab a cup of coffee there this weekend.”

-Grant Gregory, ’12

“It’s like a cave of splenderous things. The aroma of cofee sifts through every nook and cranny; the works of art on display are like cave paintings.”

-Lauren Manninen, ’10 thejavahouse.com

New Spoon album scoops below the surface

Channing Tackaberry, ’12: “The Soundtrack to my Life” Katharine Goodwin Staff Writer What is the perfect song for a date? “Pale Blue Eyes” by the Velvet Underground because it’s sweet and sentimental. It’s really great to listen to with a sweetheart.

What is your “theme song”? “Golden Years” by David Bowie because you can dance to it and it’s catchy and I know all the words.

What song would you like to dance to at your wedding?

“Heroes” by David Bowie. It’s been one of my favorite songs for a long time. It’s slow enough to be a first dance song, but it’s got a message too.

100xr.com

Mackenzie Hepker Staff Writer It’s been nearly three years since the music world has seen a full-length album from the critically-acclaimed Texan indie band Spoon. Famished fans are eagerly eating up their newest album, “Transference,” which was released on Jan. 18 and sold 53,000 copies in its first week alone.

Teeming with themes of confusion, obscurity and self-questioning, this collection of tracks abounds with philosophical introspection. With song styles reminiscent of Spoon’s past albums, combined with brooding and contemplative lyrics, it sounds almost eulogistic; like the band is thinking deeply about taking a leap of faith and diverging towards a new “light,” and leaving their old, beloved outlook in the past, whether that be lifestyle or love. The song “The Mystery Zone” exemplifies this idea more than any other—with abstract, metaphorical lyrics punctuated by the occasional whimper, vocalist Britt Daniel sounds like he’s raving.

Despite being your average Spoon album, “Transference” is a brilliant compilation seemingly illustrating the various processes of a mental breakdown. While it is very fluid and great to listen to as a whole, each song

beyondrace.com

stands out on its own as a separate work of art. Opening with the campfire blues-esque “Before Destruction,” the tones of the tracks shift from mournful, to demanding (Is Love Forever?) to dreamlike and engrossed (The Mystery Zone), to bitterly smug (Who Makes Your Money), to acidic (Written in Reverse) and back again.

An utter mess, but a beautiful and poetic reflection of getting knocked off balance by harsh and cruel reality.

Spoon makes uses of both acoustic and electric guitar throughout the album, as well as some semielectronic tracks and tidbits. The disoriented flow is briefly interrupted by the piano ballad “Goodnight Laura,” a melancholy song meant to calm and comfort the listener. Suddenly it’s all about love songs— but after such a dispiriting time, perhaps a happy ending is only humane. The change in lyrics signifies that Daniel (or the author of the lyrics) is being pulled out of his nightmare by a beautiful ballroom bella, who also scares the hell out of him. The man’s in a rut—but boy does Spoon break out the creativity.

For listening purposes, “Transference” is chill and retrospective, with excellent classic guitar action and gratifyingly raspy vocals. On the lyrical level, it’s a complete masterpiece. Boasting an impressive array of songs that embody Spoon’s classic sound, this profound and passionate album is sure to prove to be one of the best indie picks of the year.

Transference

Artist: Spoon Release Date: January 2010

What song do you listen to the most while you get ready in the morning? “Sweet Emotion” by Aerosmith because I can dance to it while putting on a shirt.

What song do you like to listen to while driving to school?

“No Diggity” by Black Street because it reminds me of a lot of things from when I was little. It always makes me laugh.

What song cheers you up when you’re sad? “Ragdoll” by Aerosmith. The lyrics are awesome. I love Steven Tyler even though he’s a jackass. His voice makes me smile and so does his very attractive body.

What song do you dance to the most? “Slow Ride” by Foghat. The guitar and drums together make it easy to dance to. It’s awesome.

When hanging out with friends, what song do you listen to the most? “The Imperial March” [from Star Wars] and “The Way” by Fastball. They are full of good memories.

What’s your favorite song you’ve listened to in the last 24 hours? “Little Bit” by Lykke Li. It’s really sweet and I was in a sweet mood.

photo by Sky Smith

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2-22-2010

A&E

Grammy winner imparts wisdom upon Wash musicians Joey Mescher Staff Writer Washington Jazz Band students had the privilege last month to work with Jeff Coffin, a saxophonist who is a member of three bands, including the Dave Matthews Band, and he has also produced his own solo works.

Coffin and his jazz quartet, Mu’tet, played in the auditorium at Washington on Tuesday, Jan. 26. Coffin plays saxophone/clarinet, Felix Pastorius, son of the famous Jaco Pastorius, on bass, Bill Fanning on trumpet, Kofi Burbridge plays piano and flute with Jeff Sipe drumming. The band performed with both jazz groups at Washington, Jazz Also and the Revolutionists, as well as a college jazz band. They practiced on the Monday before the show for four hours. Then on Tuesday, some members had private lessons for an hour.

“Aside from the fact that he was a beast, he was really fun and helpful,” says Jack Kohn, ’10, talking about his practice sessions with Coffin.

To conclude the show, Mu’tet played a 45 minute set. Coffin amazed the crowd with solos and tricks, including playing with two saxophones at the same time. Mu’tet has a classical jazz sound with innovative talents from each individual member.

Coffin graduated from the University of North Texas with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education in 1990.

He studied under Joe Lovano, while also teaching a few students when he

had time. Coffin has been a member of Béla Fleck and the Fleckstones since 1997, and performed on all nine of their albums. During a year long hiatus, Coffin recorded an independent album in 2005, called Bloom, which included Sipe. Coffin has been playing with Mu’tet since the late 1990’s, and since then, they’ve put out five studio albums.

Coffin is most notably known among Washington students as the saxophonist for the Dave Matthews Band. The band has been playing with Coffin since LeRoi Moore, their former saxophonist, suffered injuries from an ATV accident. Coffin joined as a temporary member for their 2008 tour, but after Moore died from his injuries on Aug. 19, 2008, Coffin decided to finish the tour. He joined the band when they offered him the permanent position on Dec. 27, 2008. He performed on their most recent album, Big Whisky & the Groogrux King, and plans on touring during their 2010 tour.

Washington’s Band and Jazz Revolutionists’ Director, Steve Shanley, was able to get in contact with Coffin through a mutual drummer friend who has played with Washington students before.

“I had tried a couple times to get Jeff [Coffin] at Wash, and once he had to cancel,” said Shanley, “so he gave me a great deal by bringing his whole band [Mu’tet] with him.”

Washington was welcoming to Coffin and his Mu’tet, and hope to see him again in the future.

THE GREATEST THINGS THAT COME IN PAIRS -Jeff Coffin’s Saxophones -Harry and Ron -Kidneys -Hugs and kisses -Zebra Cakes -Shiva and Vishnu -Briggies jeffcoffin.com

-Spongebob Episodes

JEFF COFFIN DOES EVERYTHING IN TWOS...

Graphic by Gabrielle Lisinski

THE PTA WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE STUDENTS FOR THEIR HARD WORK ON

ITED ACHIEVEMENT LIST Top 1% is in plain text Top 10% is recognized with ** Personal Best & Top 10% is recognized with *** Carly Rickey Trenton Greif** Theodore Welch** William Rings*** Katherine Hammond** Taylor Westpheling** Cameron Rogers** Blaine Hartman*** Clayton Willett*** David Rosenthal Robert Hogg Zoe Wolter Reid Rossberger Bryttanie Huff*** Grade 11 Nicholas Rozek** Lauren Johnson*** Jordan Abben*** Renee Runge Benjamin Jones*** Patrick Anderl Michael Russell*** Patrick Karamitros*** Trevor Arndt** Matthew Sickels*** Suzanne Keck Carrena Bailey*** Jessica Spurrell** Anna Kline** Gail Barnum Brianna Stastny** Chloe Kohl*** Allison Barr*** August Stolba** Liesel Kohn Ryan Beardsworth Matthew Strand*** Caleb Larson*** Brittany Bergquist Jack Sundermann*** Hannah Lodge** Brandon Besong Sophia Torrijos (Magee) Tucker Logan Natalee Birchansky*** Theodore Townsend** Paige Matthews*** Jill Broghammer** Thomas Werner Alexandra McFarland Wesley Carlson** Timothy Westrom** Anri Moore Marissa Carson Francesca Hidalgo-Wohlleben*** Sarah Wheeler** Vance Mueller Katharine Christiansen*** Joshua Hughes*** Matthew Wittman** John Noel*** Andrew Clair** Hannah Johnson Connor Zuber** Anna Noreuil*** Matthieu Corbett** Cameron Jones** Grade 10 Katie Nunemaker** Christophe Cummings*** Abigail Kacena*** Emily Arkenberg*** Jon Paramore** Benjamin Davenport** Grant Kamin Emma Azelborn Henson Pelzer*** Brittany Davis** Savannah Keister** Lakeisha Bailey*** Mark Pennebaker*** Shelbie Deford** Sarah Keppler*** Morgan Barnes*** Michael Peterson*** Josie Delgado*** Kristin King Trevor Riley** Zachary Detweiler*** Cassandra Kittredge** Sara Belay** Katharine Bergman*** William Roberts Amanda Dickens*** Megan Laverty** Hannah Bott** Brittany Rule*** Brandon Dixon*** Shelby Leeper*** Molly Brown** Alana Sabin Stacia Drafahl Evan Lehrman*** Tyler Burrell** Shea Sabin Michael Ehrenberger** Rosa Lemos** Karl Salamon Joseph Eken Sophie (Anna) Lenzen** Rodnika Carter*** Alyssa Christian Sangamithra Sathian*** Madeleine Ficken*** Bradley Lock Talia Ciemnoczolowski*** Anthony Schmidt*** Ian Fischer Abby Maxwell** Macie Collins** Dylan Shah Anna Fisher*** Quincy McGee*** Cooper Shields*** September Fuller*** Alexandra Mickelson** Elisha Cross** Ross Crump** Caleb Stafford** Celia Garner-Prouty Kiran Misra John Deal Shea Stobaugh*** Ariana Garrels*** Sarah Moore Avery Dement James Strobel Neeladri Ghosh*** Hannah Moyer*** Tarah Desousa** Elizabeth Summers** Karinne Graves*** Rachael Nading*** Alzuebeir Elsheikh*** Taylor Temple** Mo Green Amira Nash** Jessica Erb** McCauley Todd*** Isaac Halyard Robert Nesmith Braedon Tovey*** Charles Hammond Maximilian Newcamp Kyle Fliger*** Danielle Gallet Olivia Van Antwerp Maria Hanson Laresa Nilles*** Forrest Vega*** Ellen Hart*** Shannon O’Brien-Perry*** Meredith Gantner*** Brandon Garland*** Max Versteegh Robert Henry Jackson Ochs Lily Gasway Jennifer Vestle*** Susanna Herder*** Amy Parker*** Katharine Goodwin*** David Warner*** Rebecca Herron Lucas Pint** Grant Gregory** Brenden Weberg*** Oliver Hidalgo-Wohlleben** Joseph Podgorski** Grade 9 Nicholas Allen Megan Anderson*** Nathan Benya*** Madeline Berg** Joseph Berry** Bradlee Birchansky Colby Bjornsen** Mason Buonadonna Ian Butler*** Gloria Campbell*** Robert Carver Catheryn Cooper** Nicolas Corbett Abigail Cross** Madeline Dietz** Jairdin Engen Katherine Ernst*** Theresa Fuller** Jarod Hanover** Evan Hataway** Shelby Hehr**

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SENIORS IN THE TOP 10% fOR THREECONSECUTIVE Y EARS

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Sports

2-22-2010

13

Olympics keep up with the changing times New events and sponsorships keep the tradition alive Joe Eken Staff Writer Every four years the countries of the world manage to set aside all their differences and disagreements in order to come together and participate in the Winter Olympics.

The 2010 Olympic Games are being held in Vancouver, Canada, the second time the Canucks, the Canadian hockey team, have hosted the games.

The first, in 1988, took place in Alberta, and Canadian fans everywhere were forced to look on as their athletes failed to earn the country a single gold medal.

Fortunately for our icy neighbors to the north, the Winter Olympics have undergone some changes since that time.

The introduction of the Winter X-Games in 1997 created a complete cultural shift towards more extreme winter sports and, more specifically, turned a generation of youth on to snowboarding.

The success of events in the X-Games and huge influx of new athletes it created almost forced the Olympics to adapt a variety of first-time-ever snowboarding events in the 1998 games.

As the pioneer of many of these new events, the United States has experienced a great deal of success in recent years, and 2010 looks to be no different.

Red-headed sensation Shaun White was the overwhelming favorite in the men’s half pipe as he pushed the limits of the sport in hopes of repeating his gold from 2006, which he did on Feb. 17.

His run, which he showcased at the X-Games, featured Double Corks, a Double McTwist 1260 and enough spins to make a viewer dizzy from just watching.

Some of the more traditional American teams will look a little different this year as well.

When the DSB Bank NV declared bankruptcy this past summer, the U.S. speed skating http://www.sbnation.com team lost its biggest Hannah Kearney won the Ladies’ sponsor and was Moguls with a score of 25.96. thrown into a limbo searching for funds.

The answer to their problems came from the unlikeliest of places.

Stephen Colbert, the host of Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report”, took it upon himself and “Colbert Nation” (as his loyal fans are known) to raise the money for a team in need.

In return, the speed skaters will wear Colbert Nation logos near the hips of their skin-tight suits.

No matter what variations are made to their uniforms, the athletes clad in red, white and blue have a good chance at reaching the top of the podium in Vancouver.

Athlete of the Month: Zach Pilcher 1. How long have you been wrestling?

Since freshmen year. Coach Hatcher told me that I could go out to lose weight and not have to wrestle in dual meets.

2. What is your favorite part about wrestling for Washington?

My teammates. I have a ton of respect for them and for what we have to go through daily.

3. How do you prepare for a big match?

I listen to music and watch my teammates.

4. What is your favorite professional sports team?

The Atlanta Braves.

5. What is your favorite college sports team?

The Iowa Hawkeyes.

6. What is your favorite sports movie?

“Rocky 4.” I love the training part in the movie and, of course, when Rocky defeats the Russian.

7. Who is your favorite professional athlete?

Chipper Jones.

8. Do you participate in other sports at Washington or recreationally?

I have done cross country and football.

9. What do you like to do to wind down after a match?

I watch my teammates.

10. Does the Washington wrestling team have any traditions?

On meet days we practice by ourselves and warm up by ourselves.

11. Who has been your favorite coach of all time?

Coach Hatcher. He helped me to lose weight and become a better person. This year he picked me to be the captain of the team.

Last spring and summer he

worked out with me to make me become a better wrestler.

12. What has been the most exciting moment of the season?

When I got second place at the West Delaware tournament.

13. What are your expectations for the rest of the season?

I want to go to state and place at state.

14. How do you keep from getting nervous before a match?

I listen to music.

15. Describe your hardest practice ever.

The gauntlet. It’s where you stay in and your teammates rotate in on you after every 30 seconds.

You get no breaks and every time you wrestle a fresh guy. It gets really hard when you have to wrestle the big guys in the room.

16. What is your favorite practice drill?

Drilling from the top position.

17. Do you have to cut weight?

No, I don’t have to cut weight.

Cutting weight is difficult: you lose your strength and you have no energy left.

18. What’s your favorite thing to eat after a weigh-in?

A peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Gold Hannah Kearney

Freestyle Skiing, Ladies’ Moguls

Lindsey Vonn

Alpine Skiing, Ladies’ Downhill

Seth Wescott

Alpine Skiing, Men’s Dowhill

Shani Davis

Speed Skating, Men’s 1000 M

Shaun White

Snowboard, Men’s Halfpipe

Silver Apolo Ohno

Short Track, Men’s 1500 M

Johnny Spillane

Nordic Combined, 10 KM Cross Country

Julia Mancuso

Alpine Skiing, Ladies’ Downhill

Bronze J.R. Celeski

Short Track, Men’s 1500 M

Shannon Bahrke

Freestyle Skiing, Ladies’ Moguls

Bryon Wilson

Freestyle Skiing, Men’s Moguls

Bode Miller

Alpine Skiing, Men’s Downhill

Chad Hendrick

Speed Skating, Men’s 1000 M

Scott Lago

Snowboard, Men’s Halfpipe http://www.vancouver2010.com/

Swimmers find time for fun during the winter season Kitty McGurk Staff Writer

Zach Pilcher ’10 Wrestling

U.S.A. Medalists

The Washington High School men’s swimming team has been around for years. Some traditions have been carried along with it and others have been added recently.

One of the most prized traditions of the team is their ongoing winning streak. They have won districts 47 years in a row and if they continue this pattern, the swimmers of this current freshman class will win districts for the 50th year.

When swimmers join the team, they sign up not only for rigorous practices but also to commitment to many events outside of school.

Some think of it as more of a cult than a team.

Some activities the team is known for include rookie cuts, bleaching of the hair, shaving of the body and showing up to the Winter Sports Assembly in nothing but Speedos. Despite all of this, athletes voluntarily return to participate every year.

“The best bonding activities are the non-swim related parties after meets. It makes the team more of a family which is directly linked to

competing,” said Josh Hughes, ’13.

Between the hap-hazard rookie cuts and the “attention” they receive from upper classmen, it seems freshmen swimmers put up with a lot in order to participate in the sport.

Although the men’s swim team is known for being wildly funny and entertaining, when it comes to competing, they are very combative.

Breaking records and continuously winning competitions does not come easy. Morning practice for the team starts at 5:45 a.m. and gets over at 7:15 a.m. After school the team heads back to the pool from 4:35 p.m. until 7 p.m. or 5:45 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Members of the swim team only have Saturdays off during the season. Most weekends are also filled with meets and swim parties. The practices are brutal, but in the end it’s all worth it for these athletes.

“Warrior swimming is known throughout the state as the dominant program. Between bleached hair, 27 state championships, 47 straight district titles and rookie cuts, you can’t go wrong,” said seasoned senior swimmer Sam Gray, ’10.

Josh Hughes ’13

Bradlee Birchansky ’13

John Kopec ’13

“I resembled a lifesized troll doll. All I had to do was dye my hair green.”

“Most people thought it was funny, I thought it was funny too.”

“I got made fun of a lot. Every person I saw pretty much laughed at me.”

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2-22-2010

Sports

Finding common ground with athletics

Ian Fischer Staff Writer From the depths of the surging gulf, the New Orleans Saints have united the spirits of a once drowning city.

A failing city congregated behind a successful sports team to rise above the challenge and garner the spirits of its people. All around the world, sports have united the people.

In the box office hit “Invictus,” Nelson Mandela (played by Morgan Freeman) realizes the affects of sports on people.

He gathers the separated South African population under the success of the national rugby team. By diversifying the fan base and uniting the people in support, Mandela was convinced that sports would bring together the people against a common struggle.

When the Iraqi national soccer team rose to victory, people once fearful of leaving the house went out to celebrate in the streets. Sunnis and Shiites now sit together in the stands as they cheer on their country’s team. Once the first whistle is blown, tension is temporarily left behind.

“Soccer in Britain unites the social classes, and soccer in Iran has united the genders,” said Alex Stephens, ’11.

The vast differences in culture and economics of the people in Britain have split them apart, but at soccer games, they all celebrate together.

The women of Iran were prohibited from attending soccer matches for a long time. Protests by women have changed the public perception of gender equality at the matches. Although the government of Iran is hesitant to acknowledge these changes, many men in Iran believe that women should be permitted to attend the games.

Sports can create unity on a smaller scale, such as high school athletics, too.

“Meeting people at football games made an easier transition into high school,” said Grant Kamin, ’13.

Although the Washington football team didn’t bring home the state championship, they brought together many people in the stands.

“When you are all standing and cheering right next to each other, you just become friends,” said Kamin.

From the Middle East to Kingston stadium, there is no doubt that sports unite people in good times and bad.

Courtesy of http://www.ihavenet.com

Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) congratulates rugby captain Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon) after South Africa’s World Cup victory.

Graphic by Trevor Polk

Stress + Yoga = Ohmmm...

Abby Varn Staff Writer Greater flexibility and mental tranquility are two things that many athletes can appreciate. Some have found yoga to be a good source for these extra benefits.

Yoga has three major benefits, and anyone, whether an athlete or not, can obtain them.

The first is flexibility. Yoga offers moves to stretch muscles, tendons and ligaments.

The stretching also helps release lactic acid build-up, which causes muscle stiffness or pain. This would be very helpful to anyone engaging in hard physcial labor often.

The stretching allows better flexibility or agility.

Strength is another key benefit. Yoga tones muscles in a non-stressful way, making it appealing to a broad group of people.

Finally, yoga helps correct posture.

Posture is helpful in many sports, and is especially key in running. Many cross country and track athletes have found that practicing yoga along with their running season helps give them better posture, which sets up much better running form.

“Yoga helped me so much in cross country,” says Abigail Johnson, ’10. “I could feel the difference on the days I did yoga. It helps calm you down and it made me so much more flexible.”

Johnson is not the only one taking notice of yoga. It has quickly become a trend many students are engaging in and

Top 10 Weirdest Yoga Poses 1. Camel 2. Awkward Chair 3. Cat-Cow 4. Ear Pressure 5. Corpse 6. Little Thunderbolt 7. Pigeon 8. Half Lord of the Fishes 9. Happy Baby 10. Dolphin http://yoga.about.com/od/yogaposes/ An_Index_of_Yoga_Poses.htm

experiencing for themselves.

This past cross country season, many girls accompanied Johnson in completing a yoga class at Linn County Physical Therapy in Cedar Rapids. Following this trend, “Yoga Club” has recently been started here at Washington High School.

Anyone is welcome to join, regardless of previous experience.

“Meditation is the main focus more than anything else,” said Ben Watkins, ’10, a founder of the new club.

Outside of Washington, yoga opportunities are readily available as well. The YMCA, the Fusion Yoga Studio, Tri Yoga of Cedar Rapids and Serenity Center for Yoga are a few places anyone can go to get involved.

Sports

2-22-2010

The Saints marched through New Orleans following their first Super Bowl victory Joe Eken Staff Writer Tickets for the first Super Bowl in 1967 ran at what then was considered an excessive $12 price.

Things have changed a little since those days.

Tickets for this year’s game were being purchased at an average of around $3,000. The cost of a 30 second ad during the game was $2.6 million and around 100 million viewers tuned in to what has almost become a national holiday.

But the real question was how the game itself would stack up, considering the last decade or so had produced a plethora of moments that stand the test of time.

There are the images of Titans receiver Kevin Dyson stretching the football out only to come up one agonizing yard short of a tying touchdown as time expired in the Rams 1999 victory.

Fans watched as Adam Vinatieri established himself as one of the most clutch kickers in NFL history, deciding three Super Bowls with his magical right foot and cementing a dynasty for the New England Patriots.

David Tyree came up with his own version of the immaculate reception, somehow managing to lodge the

football against his helmet for the catch as he tumbled to the turf during the Giants 17-14 victory over the Patriots in 2008, one of the greatest upsets in super bowl history.

With star quarterbacks Drew Brees and Peyton Manning leading two explosive offenses, Super Bowl XLIV certainly had the potential to produce the jaw dropping plays of its predecessors, and it didn’t disappoint.

After a first quarter that seemed to foreshadow a Colts runaway, the Saints found their stride and quickly made the game interesting.

New Orleans coach Sean Payton showed nerves of steel in dialing up an onside kick to start the second half, a move that had the potential to turn him into a vilified scapegoat or a strategic genius.

Fortunately for the people of New Orleans, it accomplished the latter.

After an extended scrum, the Saints muscled out the recovery and drove the length of the field for the go ahead score.

The teams traded touchdowns down the stretch until Tracy Porter’s pick six with 3:05 remaining sealed a New Orleans victory and sent Saints fans into a frenzy.

The victory is the first championship in the franchise’s history, and one that was truly special to a community that was still recovering from a devastating hurricane.

As the final seconds ticked down, and chants of “Who Dat!” rained down from the stadium, fans on Bourbon Street were finally able to celebrate the end of a magical season.

Mardi Gras may still have been a few weeks away, but the party had already started in the streets of New Orleans.

Women’s Varsity Basketball Feb. 23 Regional at Prairie 7:00 p.m.

Mar. 3, 5, 6 State Tournament at Des Moines

As the temperatures begin to rise once more and our beloved snow days come to an end, Washington’s winter sports teams prepare for the end of their seasons. Surveyor staff writer Jill Broghammer provides a look at the post-season prospects.

Warrior Numbers

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Rebounds by junior basketball player Tia Dawson in the Warrior women’s victory over Prairie on Feb. 17. Dawson grabbed as many rebounds as the entire Little Hawk team.

MEN’S SWIMMING

2

Seconds dropped by Mo Green ’11 in his individual medley at the district swim meet, helping Washington secure its 47th consecutive district title.

Answers

Winter sports wrap-up

Women’s Track Mar. 2 Wartburg Indoor at Waverly

10

Courtesy of http://www.nfl.com

The Warrior men ended the regular season with a 54-46 victory over Iowa City West in the Washington gym. Their first substate game is tonight, against either Burlington or Kennedy.

“I’m always confident,” said coach Brad Metzger, regarding the teams’ prospects in the state tournament.

The men’s basketball team has improved greatly over the past few weeks winning many of their games or coming close to victory in their losses.

Junior Josh Oglesby hopes to continue winning games and would like to see the team go on to state. Oglesby says the team has been working really hard and believes that the hard work will pay off at the end of the season with key victories by the team.

“I would really like to get Washington on to state for men’s basketball. I think we all work really hard and if we keep working hard and winning games I believe that it will be a possibility for Washington,” said Oglesby.

Men’s Varsity Basketball Feb. 22, 26 Substate Mar. 10, 12, 13 State Tournament at Des Moines

Number of 1-point victories over Kennedy for the Washington men’s basketball team. In the second game, the Warriors overcame a nine-point disadvantage in the final five minutes, with Sean Bredl ’11 making the winning basket.

1. Which team has won the most Super Bowls?

2. Which team has played in the most Super Bowl games?

3. Which team has played in the most consecutive Super Bowl games?

4. Which team has lost the most Super Bowl games?

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Upcoming Warrior Athletic Events

Super Bowl Trivia

1. The Pittsburgh Steelers have won six Super Bowls.

2. The Dallas Cowboys, who have played in eight Super Bowl games.

3. Buffalo played in four consecutive Super Bowls, XXXV-XXVIII. 4. Trick question- three teams have lost four Super Bowl games: the Minnesota Vikings, the Denver Broncos and Buffalo.

Who dat? Dat’s the champs!

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The varsity men’s swim team wrapped up the regular season securing their 47 district title here at the Washington pool.

“I think all of the team has worked really hard and it shows at the end of the season,” said Cruise.

The men traveled to Marshalltown the following weekend, placing fifth at the state swim meet on Feb. 13.

Although there were many highlights, some moments stood out to the swimmers.

“Watching Ian [Ford, ’11,] go from ninth seed to placing second was really cool,” said Mo Green, also a junior.

“I’m kind of disappointed it’s over,” said Green. “The season goes by so fast, we don’t realize how fast it’s going by.”

Although the season only ended about a week ago, the team is already looking ahead to next year.

“It’s our goal every year to win state next year,” said Green, who adds working harder in the off-season could help propel the team to a higher finish in 2011.

Photo by Sky Smith

Jazz Royster, ’11, shoots a free-throw at a recent basketball game in the Warrior gym.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL The women’s basketball team is hoping to qualify for state this season and bring home another trophy for Washington.

Junior Ashley Piper says that the team had a rocky start this season with a few losses but hopes that the team continues to win their future games. Piper also hopes to get the school an early out to go watch the team at a state tournament game.

“I’m really hoping that we can continue winning our games since we have been doing better as a team this season. Another goal the team has is to get the school to come and support our last few games,” said Piper.

The team secured their first substate victory against Prairie last week, winning 66-32, and will play again on Feb. 23.

A.

Where Am I ?

B.

C. D. E.

How observant are you? These 5 objects are scattered throughout the school. They may be in class rooms, in windows, on walls, or hiding some place else.

Do you know where they are?

Answers: A. Room 220 B. Room 222 C. Room 217 D. Orcestra hallway E. Room 240

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2-22-2010