Washington’s50thAnniversary Continuing the Tradition of Excellence
Events •Rather than having one big celebration, the WHS administration has decided to have commemorative events through out the school year. •Opening of the Grant Wood Gallery to the public. •Look for Washington High School alumni on the sidelines of all Washington games. •The publication of “From Tigers to Warriors”- the 150-year legacy of Cedar Rapids Washington- will be released Jan. 15, 2007.
Washington is celebrating its golden anniversary this year with a calendar full of activites. Maddy Halyard
staff writer
Fifty: lately, this number seems to be the buzz of Washington High School. Why? The reason: it’s the 50th and Golden Anniversary of Wash. “We’ve decided to celebrate our anniversary at several events over the course of the year rather than one major celebration,” said Principal Ralph Plagman. One of these is the opening of the Grant Wood Gallery in the main foyer of the school. An exact date for this has not yet been set. Throughout the year, selected retired coaches and directors are to be invited back to the benches and sidelines at featured events. “We’ve come up with a few special ideas to help celebrate,” said Paul James, athletic director, “At the Wash/Jeff football game, players are going to wear throwback jerseys or replicas of the jerseys. We’re also planning to honor former players, coaches, and cheerleaders at a parade around the track.” The Homecoming festivities will also
reflect the 50th anniversary. Student Senate is inviting former queens and kings back to be honored at the Homecoming football game. They are also creating alumni floats for the Homecoming parade. “Student Senate is thrilled to be a part and provide a chance for preceding alumni to get involved,” said Julie Cain, student senate advisor. There is even going to be a “Back to 1957 Week,” featuring ‘50s music during passing time, a ‘50s dress up day, and the musical Grease. “ We ’r e a l s o h o p i n g t o g e t a s o c k h o p t o g e t h e r,” s a i d C a i n . The musical Ahmal and the Night Visitor will be showing Dec. 14-16. “I can’t wait for this show. Internationally acclaimed opera stars from Wash will be performing,” said Michael Cervantes, music director. The show will star Wash alumni Karla Goettel, Austin Kness, Casey Prince and Dan Shaheen. Dec. 22 will be the boys and girls basketball doubleheader with Jefferson. At this time, there will be a 50 th
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WHS amps up its security with new member.
Senior Becker provides advice for freshmen.
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anniversary Hall of Fame Induction. Assistant principal Michael Johnson is preparing Athletic Hall of Fame and Patrons of the Performing Arts Hall of Fame directories with all members listed with threeline summaries of their accomplishments. Another upcoming event is the publishing of “From Tigers to Warriors--- the 150 Year Legacy of Cedar Rapids Washington,” schuedled for Jan. 15. This will outline the history of the three Washingtons and document how Wash has changed over the years. In April there will be a classic/antique car show on the front lawn and a faculty/retiree luncheon featuring the 2006-2007 staff longevity awards and honoring all retired staff members. May will consist of the annual vocal concert at First Lutheran Church, where alumni will join in singing the “Warrior Chant.” “Wash is unique in its celebration. Dr. Plagman is to be commended for spearheading these activities,” said Peggy Hardesty, ninth grade counselor.
focus
Robinson gets Can you guess picked up by a who this homerescue helicopter. coming king is?
•Washington/Jefferson double-header for menʼs and womenʼs basketball. •Back to 1957 week - ʻ50s music, ʻ50s dress-up, and possible sock hop, and the musical “Grease”. •Former Homecoming kings and queens of Washington High School were featured in the 2006 Homecoming week. •The Opera “Ahmal and Night Vision”, will premiere Dec. 14-16, and will be performed by Washington High School alumni.
sports
a&e
Warrior football Mr. Beans gains players gear up appeal among for tough season. WHS students.
Briefs
What’s up at Wash? Average ACT score up Megan Hartman
staff writer
WHS’s average ACT score was the highest in school history, rising from 23.5 to 24.3 , and there are many questions why. “ We were asking ourselves how this happened. They were just a better prepared group of test takers,” said Larry Simons, WHS counselor. Students tended to agree with Simons assessment. “They were tough, but I felt the teachers did a good job of preparing me for the test,” said Andrea Freeman, 07. This year, Washington faculty is hoping the trend will continue, but they are not setting any new goals for this year.
Student Senate plans Megan Hartman
staff writer
Student Senate is planning Homecoming festivities. T h i s y e a r ’s t h e m e i s A r a b i a n N i g h t s . T h e d a n c e w i l l b e h e l d S a t u rd a y, S e p t . 3 0 . “ We ’r e t r y i n g t o i n c o r p o r a t e W H S ’s 50th anniversary into Homecoming. “We’ve invited all of the former Homecoming kings and queens to take part,” said Julie Cain, Student Senate advisor. There will also be an alumni float in the Homecoming parade. Decorations will also be tied in with the 50th anniversary.
WHS AP tests success Megan Hartman
staff writer
WHS is continuing to excel with advanced placement tests as the average score and the amount of test takers rose. The average score rose to 3.14 from 3.05 in 2005. A total of 640 advanced placement tests were taken by 332 students, and 71% of students scored a 3 or higher. There were also 84 AP Scholars. . “This year I hope we can at least have 675 tests taken. That would be up 35 and I think we can do that,” said Principal Ralph Plagman. While faculty is pleased, students have mixed e m o t i o n s r e g a r d i n g A P t e s t s i n g l a s t M a y. “I thought my AP course prepared me very well for the test,” said Erin Johnson, 07.
WHS opens with a makeover Students applaud new computers, windows and Grant Wood gallery Lauren Glantz staff writer This year WHS students are experiencing new improvements that they will be able to enjoy for the next 50 years and beyond. When entering the building from the south lot, students are now able to enjoy using the newly installed doors, and as students walk down the south end of the building during passing time, they are able to view the campus through the newly installed windows. “ The windows are a great addition to Wash,” said Bets Hattery, ‘07, “they allow us to see our beautiful campus even more.” The window and door installation began in late July and was finished in early August. What was previously WHS’s student center ha been renovated into an art gallery, where Grant Woods’s art is being displayed. The newest addition to the gallery was “Autumn Oaks.” It was painted in 1932 and now hangs on the north wall of the gallery. One of the largest changes made at Wa s h i n g ton is the addition of all new flat- screen computers. All Heulitt Packard computers have USB ports; consequently, floppy disks can no longer be used on the computers. They also have
WALKING ADMIST THE NEW WINDOWS, Wash students are now able to enjoy the view of the campus from the south end. the capability to read and write CDs, as well as run faster and and with overall better resolution. “ T h e computers are simply bigger, better and faster,” said Dan Reyner, WHS’s computer overview instructor. Students have access to new versions of
“The windows are a great addition to Wash, Now we can see our beautiful campus.” —Bets Hattery, ‘07
Adastra officers and members hope to affect community with services Jenna Hackendahl co-news editor Adastra, Washington’s chapter of the National Honor Society, is a group embedded in the make-up of WHS, but this year’s officers and members are hoping to make a larger impact than years past. The selection process ran in teh spring trimester (Mar. 15- May 15). The Adastra Faculty Council evaluated candidated on leadership, service, and character. One hundred and forty-nine juniors and seniors with a cululative grade-point average of 3.5000 or higher were evaluated and 104 accepted. On May 15 those students were inducted into Adastra, Washington’s chapter of the National Honor Society. Inductio into the society does not end the evaluation process. The 95 sen i o r Ad a s t r a m e m b e r s are expected to maintain
THE ADASTRA OFFICERS for the 20062007 school year: (L-R) Hannah Rosenthal (secretary), Laura Socwell (treasurer), Kristina McLaughlin (vice-president) and Maddie Hansen (president). scholarship, character, leadership, and ser vice. “Overall, I am enthusiastically impressed with the members of Adastra. They are exemplary role models of scholarship, character, leadership, and service,” said Thomas Schnoeblen, Adastra adviser. Schnoelblen is also impressed with the officers elected last spring. The four officers of Adastra are: Maddie
Hansen, president; Kristina McLaughlin, vice-president; Laura socwell, treasurer; and Hannah Rosenthal, secretary. The officers are excited to fill the shoes of their predecessors. “I’m glad to represent Adastra,” said McLaughlin, “I know that we can accomplish a lot this year if we all work together.” Service is an area that Adastra is focusing on this year. Members already volunteered at the Brucemore plant sale on Sept. 9. “Brucemore seemed like a success...they were definitely not in short suply of volunteers. Everyone came out to help even though it was rainy,” said Hansen. The officers are also using creativity to make service projects enjoyable. Fri. Sept. 29 Adastra will be showing “Ferris Buller’s Day Off ” at WHS as part of Homecoming festivities.
numerous programs. The computers have Office 2003 and a new version of Encarta, which will help students look up information for researh assignments and papers. Not only will the new computers help with research, the computers are also equipped with a graphing calculator. Although the computers are generally being praised, a few students and faculty members have encountered some technological glitches. Some say that the computers are not connecting with network and internet correctly at all times and software, previously used on the old computers, is not compatible with the new ones. “I do not like that they are not ‘floppy friendly,’” said Maria Protsch, ‘07, “I don’t know what I am going to do if my printer breaks!”.
Campus security increases New security guard hopes his visiblity will add to student’s secuirty Laura Seyfer
staff writer Even though Jerry Copeland is now gone, Wash is still in safe hands. From cameras to the new security guard, students are secure. Rashar Morgan, the new security guard, is keeping an eye on student’s and their belongings as well as the building. Morgan recently worked at McLeod USA, but decided to change and take the opening as the Wash security guard. He doesn’t have much experience being a security guard, but he’s catching on very quickly with the daily traffic at Wash. Morgan plans on keeping Wash a safe environment by being as visible as possible. During the school day Morgan patrols the school, making sure students have passes and that people who aren’t supposed to be at Wash aren’t there. He is also in the hallways during passing time, directing people and getting students to class. After school, Morgan stays busy by making sure
PROTECTING THE HALLS AND CAMPUS OF WASH is Rashar Morgan, the newest member of the security staff. all students get out of the building and that the building is secure. Morgan also supervises all home sporting and fine arts events. Morgan is enjoying his first year at Wash.
“These first weeks have been great. I really enjoy the change from my old job and Wash is a great school, so why wouldn’t I enjoy it?” said Morgan. Wash also has an ad-
Soap Box with Plagman News editor Erin Wahle sat down with Principal Dr. Ralph Plagman to discuss the issue of fighting at WHS.
EW: What is WHS’s fighting policy? DP: Washington is starting the school
year out with harsher penalties for students who disobey the rules. There have been four fights this year and four out of the eight students involved will not be returning to Washington. In the past, Washington punished students with a three to five day suspension, but as a school, we feel the best way to deal with this problem is to enforce the most extreme punishments. In all cases, the police have been called and all participants were required to attend a hearing with their parents.
vanced camera system to keep students safe. There are 14 cameras inside the school and two outside overlooking the parking lots. The administration is hoping to add two to four more cameras in the near future. Problems usually occur with the technology of the cameras, but this year the administration is hopeful that they will be able to utilize the cameras efficiently. The cameras can help faculty by confirming the aggitator in a fight or even the criminal in a theft case. The cameras recieve the help of security guards outside because of the larger area. A main problem is illegal parking. Parking fines are ten dollars. The fees go to buying more security equipment, AP exam scholarships and other school related funds. The most common forms of illegal parking are practiced by students running late to class. Campus secuirty looks for students in the arcade and creating their own spot.
Parking Tips •Sign up for an early-bird (you’ll get out of school earlier anyway) •Protect the environment - roller blade or bike to school (don’t forget your kneepads!) •Carpool with your BFFs. •Have a picnic on the hill so you don’t have to leave campus. •Make sure to have good tunes in your car while you wait for traffic. •Either eat lunch at Wash, or leave 10 minutes early to get a spot. •Park between the two yellow lines. •Avoid parking in illegal spots because Mr. Nassif will get you. •Pull through parking spots for an easy exit. •Be on the look out for maniac drivers.
Freshmeat Floods Halls
EW: What do you think is the best way
Emily Kopec
DP: Just talk to someone.
With the new school year comes a new class of freshmen students. This year, the class consists of 450 new faces. “This class is a great group of kids to work with. I’ve definitely enjoyed being associated with them!” said Pegg y H a r d e s t y, f r e s h m a n c o u n s e l o r. The students and staff at WHS do their best to make the freshmen feel welcome. “Wash is definitely a lot different, but I really like it,” said Zoey Dietz, ‘10. When a student becomes a freshmen, it’s like entering a new world with a ton of new faces. The students have a much wider option of classes to take and they meet a lot of new teachers. Part of welcoming the freshmen to WHS is to have supportive teachers. “All my teachers are pretty cool but
students can stay out of trouble?
Whether it be a teacher, administrator, counselor, or even a friend, the majority of these problems could be solved by talking it through.
EW: Why is Washington taking on a new approach to the fighting situation?
DP: Last year students were given a survey that asked how Washington could make the learning environment feel safer to students. During the summer, Dr. Plagman carefully read each response at least twice. The number one concern for the student body was fighting. As a result, Washington is determined to be more aggressive this year so that all students can feel as safe as possible.
staff writer
I have to represent C-Rob! He’s the b o m b ! ” s a i d Ba n n i n g Yo u n g , ‘ 1 0 . Coming to a new school means new opportunities. Of the 450 students, 108 are involved in the music department. 46 of those 108 students are involved in Washington Singers and those 46 students are also participating in Vivace. Fifty-two freshmen are also involved with the warrior marching and performing band. “Show choir is really fun this year! I’ve met a ton of new friends through it,” said Kenzy Lewis, ‘10. “I’m currently in swimming right now and I really like it. It’s different and harder than it was in middle school but it’s also a lot of fun and the girls are a lot of fun too!” said Bailey Sande, ‘10. These past couple of years, Wash has even offered an AP class for freshmen. This year, 79 freshmen are participating in the class, AP Human Geography.
Early-bird students catch worm Auna McDowell
staff writer
Early-bird classes are extremely popular for WHS students this trimester. Students are filling up the early classes (which start at 7:00 a.m.) thus making them more popular than in past years. Scott Pameticky, early-bird biology teacher, and Francis McMann, early-bird AP economics teacher, are finding their class sizes much larger than in past years. Pameticky has 29 students in his class and McMann has 39. One reason early-bird classes are so popular is because students need to fit everything into their schedule. Freshman Kenzy Lewis is in early-bird biology and said, “I decided to take early-bird because I needed to fit chorus into my schedule.” Pameticky and McMann believe that the number of students per grade also plays a big role in how many students will take the class. Taking an early class seems to have great advantages. The classes are helping students fit all their desired activities into their day. “It (an early-bird class) gives the kids more flexibility in their overall planning,” said McMann.
Lewis sees an advantage in her early-bird and said, “I think because you have to get up earlier, you’re more ready for your day.” Pameticky believes early-bird can be great for students and said “It (an early class) builds character... You have to be dedicated and committed to do early-bird.” Students and teachers are also finding disadvantages in taking an early class. Early-bird adds more to a student’s day, which may be too overwhelming. It also gives students less time to sleep and get ready in the morning. Some students don’t eat breakfast because they’re trying to get to class, and skipping breakfast is unhealthy. On snowy days, early-bird students don’t always know whether there’s school because the news has not yet reported which schools are closed. Taking an early class is a decision every student must make for himself or herself. Some believe early-bird to be great and others consider it dreadful. Lewis says she would not recommend an early class unless it is needed to fit everything into a schedule. She doesn’t like having class so early in the morning. Pameticky and McMann believe early-bird to be great, but only for students who are committed to school, willing to sacrifice, or just plain busy.
CATCHING A FEW Z’S IN HIS EARLYBIRD is Tom Mescher, ‘08. Early bird classes are becoming popular at WHS.
Tweety on drugs? favorites, “The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy.” Here, the Grim Reaper, simply called Grim, is forced O v e r to become best friends with two chilthe course of dren because he lost a bet in a limbo the summer, contest. Billy is your run of the mill, thanks to my happy-go-lucky kid with the IQ of varied sleeping a rock. Mandy is a young girl who pattern that is smart, pessimistic, and extremely often didn’t malicious. She enjoys using her involve waking companions as pawns to gain power until after noon, I was able to become and control. If that’s not enough to well acquainted with many of the make someone have doubts about the cartoon shows available for children. material being shown to our youngest When I first started watching generation, then society is in far worse these shows, I didn’t think too much shape than I originally anticipated. These cartoons are hilarious if about them. I got my kicks for an hour or so and even found them to be you’re mature enough to understand surprisingly humorous and entertain- why exactly they’re so funny: the ing. It struck me odd that I, an argu- fact that what the characters are ably mature 18 year old, should be saying and doing is so contradictory amused by shows targeted for viewers to what would be expected of them. a good decade younger than myself. No longer are the stars admirable For a while I attributed it to nothing Ash Ketchum, who was dependother than my childish side getting able and always did the right thing. Instead, this role a good laugh. is being filled by a However, pessimistic, cynical after one particblonde-haired girl ular episode of who loves to see “Foster’s Home others suffer, and a for Imaginary self-centered imagiFriends” I renary friend who alized it was never thinks of anymore than just one but himself. an outlet for I’m not saying my inner kid. that this is going to At the end, the cause kids to grow main character, up depressed and Blue, decides full of issues, but it to wrap up nonstick.com certainly can’t help the show with to have role models a nice, warming that teach you to exmessage to help teach all the eagerly watching chil- ploit others and laugh at their toils. dren important lessons, “And re- Growing up in America with all member kids, you always have to the bad influences today can be ask yourself, how does this help me?” difficult enough for children as it I don’t claim to be a trained without throwing another factor expert, but something tells me that into the mix to make things tougher. Cartoons are pushing the edge the cartoon shows these days just aren’t sending the right message. further and further, and will continue Back when I was kid, about the to do so until they are stopped. I beworst you could get was the violence lieve we simply need to bring back the on “Tom and Jerry” or a glimpse of classics, get the kids hooked on some the effect of drugs from “Peewee’s Bugs Bunny or Mickey Mouse that Playhouse.” Neither of these in- everyone can enjoy without worrying stilled any lasting moral lessons, about the inappropriate teachings however, like the shows of today. younger ones may be picking up, and Take for instance just the gen- who knows? Maybe it’d even give eral plot line of one of my personal them some good examples to follow. Stephanie Steimel
cartoon by Alex Pearson
staff writer
High school for dummies: eight easy steps Erin Becker
opinions editor
Be true to yourself. Treat others how you want to be treated. Shoot for the moon, ‘cause even if you miss you’ll land among stars. These conventional words of wisdom look great on coffee mugs and classroom posters, but the transition from middle school to high school calls from advice that’s a little more to the point. Now that the school year is well under way, you’ve got the basics under control. You’ve found your locker, you know which lunch lines take the longest, and you’ve discovered the most discreet place or get dropped off by your parents before first hour. You’ve figured out how to survive life at WHS. And while that’s great, Surveyor thinks you can do better. With the “Easy Eight Steps!” below, you can do more than just survive that crazy first year -- you can thrive. So read along and get ready to transform from awkward freshman to cool, successful student at WHS. 1. Get involved in everything you can. It’s easy to sit back, thinking you’ll have four whole years to participate in school activities. But in reality, there’s no better time than freshman year to try out all Wash has to offer. Many activities, such as band and most sports, have smaller time commitments
freshman year. Once you’re the senior class prez, captain of the varsity football squad, lead soloist in the school musical and national champion debater, you may have to choose between activities. But until then, why not just do it all? 2. Homework = a fact of life. This may seem like a given, but first term freshman year can really slip by. (Whoops, finals are here and you haven’t made up the Chapter 2 test.) Freshman year graders are often the lowest average you’ll have all high school -- try to avoid this common phenomenon! Those marks will stay with you all through high school, as many seniors just missing a 4.0 can attest. Unless you want to re-take algebra third trimester of your senior year, just get it done in the classroom. 3. Places to avoid: The main staircase right after lunch, the front row of football games, the front row of basketball games, and Mr. Williams’ office. 4. Try to chill out. Though this advice appears to conflict with No. 1, some people need the clarification: not everything is a contest. Sure, it’d be great to get an A++ in every class, letter in five sports, and make first chair violin as a ninth grader. But what good are all those accomplishments if you aren’t enjoying anything you do? My ground rules: 1: focus on bettering yourself instead of beating others, and 2: no homework is worth staying up past midnight. Which leads us to... 5. Get some sleep. Seriously -- this is probably the No. 1 mistake high school kids make. With some clever time management and prioritizing, 7 1/2 to 8 hours a night should not be impossible. Avoiding late-night TV and Facebook helps as well.
6. You won’t click with every teacher. Bad jokes, an “unfair” grading system, interminable lectures... for whatever reason, you’ll always have that one teacher each year you just can’t stand. Don’t let it get to you. Go to class, get your work done, and get on with your day -- it’s great practice for those nasty bosses later in life. 7. Keep your “home base.” Yeah, those older kids are pretty cool (especially the Surveyor editors), but don’t entirely ditch your own grade. They don’t have driver’s licenses right now, but in four years they’ll still be here when all the other kids have left. Make sure you won’t end up a lonely senior whose friends are all in college! (Freshman girls, this note can be applied to the dating scene as well. Be sure to question why exactly those senior guys have resorted to girls four years younger.) 8. Enjoy yourself. I won’t say high school will go down as the best years of your life (that would be pretty depressing, actually). But play your cards right and it can be pretty sweet. Look at it this way: you only get four years to be a true Warrior. So wear that red and blue with pride and take everything away from this place you can. Yeah, make sure you take advantage of the free education while you can, and all that jazz (someone told me we have a pretty good AP program here, by the way)... but remember the important stuff: have a good time! Live your life so that four years from now you can walk across that stage at the U.S. Cellular Center with one thought in mind: “Wow, it really was always a good day to be a Warrior.”
Life is sacred, beginning with conception Sam Moorman
staff writer
Elections are coming up and abortion looks to be a hot topic. Jim Nussle, Iowa’s Republican candidate for governor, wants to make abortions illegal except in cases that would save the mother’s life. On e o f t h e b i g g e s t re a s o n s people think that abortion should stay legal is personhood, or what makes a person a person. Wikipedia gives a general outline of requirements for personhood: “That it is capable of reasoning, that it is self-conscious, and that it has an identity that persists through time.” John Locke, the English philosopher who inspired parts of our constitution, also came up with a definition for personhood that is a more in-depth look at what sup-
posedly makes a person “a thinking intelligent being, that has reason and reflection, and can consider itself as itself, the same thinking thing in different times and places; which it does only by consciousness, which is inseparable from thinking, and as it seems to me essential to it.” These “personhood” standards assume that things like the ability to reason and be aware of what’s going on make you a person, when the only thing that makes a person a human is being born (or to be born) of human parents. If these statements determine what makes a person; then infants, the mentally handicapped and some elderly don’t count as “people.” This can’t be used to justify abortion; otherwise it could justify killing infants, the mentally handicapped and some elderly. They would no longer be considered “persons.” We should not think of these people as any less human beings, because they don’t fit this mold. We should look at them as the least advantaged, but no less than anyone else. So when does human life begin then? At contraception? At birth? Medical textbooks and scientific works
consistently agree that human life begins at contraception. Time and Rand McNally’s Atlas of the Body states “In fusing together, the male and female gametes produce a fertilized single cell, the zygote, which is the start of a new individual.” A U.S. Senate Judiciary Subcommittee invited experts to testify on this very question in 1981, five experts specifically testified that life begins at contraception and none would claim that life started at any other point. Only one witness said, “No one can tell when life begins.” Now, if there is any doubt that life begins at any other point after contraception, wouldn’t it be worth preserving life? Why wouldn’t we err on saving a life? Would it not be wise to proceed with caution if we’re not sure when life begins? We can’t. Abortion should not be based on whether or not the family or mother can afford the child. Abortion should not be based on how the child was conceived, whether it be a broken condom or rape. Abortion should not be used as a method of birth control. Abortion should only be used in special cases that would save the mother’s life.
Once you pop Kalese Henry
staff writer
I am going to weigh in on one of the crushingly weighty problems of our time: The pop machines are turned off an hour before and after lunch. For the chronically sleep deprived, this is nothing short of cruel and unusual punishment, which, if I remember exactly what I was taught in my sixth hour government class, is strictly forbidden in this country by one of those old document thingies. The soda rule was created, no doubt, because the average student has become crushingly weighty (see, I told you this was a heavy problem). Unable to contain their desire to thrust government into the middle of social problems, and equally unwilling to give up the financial sugar fix that the vending machines provide the schools, legislators have decided to keep the machines but not allow them to be used during certain times of the day. This includes, of course, the specific times of the day they would be most useful, like around lunch. The hour before and after lunch is the time for all good students, those that have been up late studying, to nod off on their biology textbook, drooling little cellular stuff onto their Prentice-Hall portraits. This is precisely the time when a massive IV of Mountain Dew is called for, adding sugar and caffeine into a poor student’s bloodstream, a chemically induced wake up fix to a chemistry induced slumber. Conscious students mean higher test scores. Dr. Plagman would be jumping for joy. Students would be jumpy from Jolt. Everyone would be happy. This is why cookies are served during the ITEDs. Would they ban coffee from the teachers’ lounge during lunch? I don’t think so. wikipidia.com My problem is not so much with the ban as with the mixed message. If pop drinking is socially and financially acceptable during seventh hour, why isn’t it during fifth hour? If the school sponsors copious quantities of Iowa-produced corn sweeteners for 21 hours each day, what’s wrong with the other three? If the concern is fat kids and yellow teeth, ban the sale of soda entirely, send the wealth to the corner HandiMart, feel good about having shown some backbone, and let us sleep through it. If that approach pinches the already underfunded budget, open up the soda spigot of dollars and let us roll to class fully awake, Pepsi tightly clenched in our pudgy fingers, fat fannies ready to squeeze into tiny desk seats. My poor head hurts that we aren’t being taught moral absolutes. Shame on me for saying so, but I think we should keep the cash, maybe even enough to buy an improved set of AP European texts. How about leaving the machines open and letting the students make their own decisions, a lesson in life, economics, and tooth decay. Let a student organization organize a boycott, promoting both health and healthy activism. Let enraged parents storm the east hallway in protest, promoting parent involvement. Or leave it the way it is, our nap time undisturbed.
cartoon by Alex Pearson
GPA competition is dangerous Staff editorial When grades and transcripts come out every trimester it seems like the Wash campus turns more into a basketball game than regular day of high school. Students at Wash have become so highly competitive that the function of class rank has become more of an impediment to students than it is a helpful tool. With more kids applying to colleges each year, the new requirements to get into a school of choice are more grueling than ever before. Students have caught a competitive bug to fight for every class rank spot that they can move up, which has resulted in extreme loads of AP course classes and a little more stress than high school students should have at this point in their lives. This can be seen every morning in Dr. Wenzel’s room as seniors prepare to apply to college. Obsession over class rank at Wash has caused many students to turn away from extracurricular non-core classes that are only weighted on a 4.0 scale. Students are afraid to take these classes in fear that they will drop in their class rank and GPA; instead opting for AP classes that will vault a GPA and class rank. In
fact, sometime the regularly weighted classes do bring down students’ GPA, which is a slight flaw in the system because students have always been urged to get involved at school. The problem with this is students are being robbed of the best opportunities they have to spread their wings and try out new activities and classes that they normally wouldn’t enroll in. When students feel that they can’t take classes that they can enjoy and possibly find a subject they love and possibly follow a career path, then the use of class rank will be a detriment. This scenario could be happening very soon in the very halls of Washington High School. While Wash is renown for its academic prowess and how many AP classes it offers, we advise students to take school lighter. Have fun and take the classes that they want because a second chance to take a fun class in high school will never happen. Sit back and relax to the soothing sounds of Mr. Jans’ voice in Personal Law and Government, sing your heart out in concert choir or express yourself visually in a drawing or photography class. Also, try not to begin World War III over dropping some spots in class rank. The world won’t stop and most likely you’ll still get into the college of your choice.
Lebanon = / Hezbollah
Roses and Thorns: The monthly column where Surveyor lets you know what’s IN and what’s OUT at WHS
Fatima Wagdy
ROSES
A total of 1,137 Lebanese and 159 Israelis were killed during the fighting in Lebanon, according to BBC News. The suffering is immense, and the loss of life is unjustifiable. Neither Lebanese nor Israeli civilians deserve the hardship they are going through. Strangely, however, the news hardly mentioned the great deal of suffering on both sides. Most people in America have at least heard about the war that happened in Lebanon and Israel. However, one thing is certain: the immense loss of life and the destruction in Lebanon and Israel was almost forgotten. But the destruction was not equal on both sides. In Lebanon, the suffering has just begun. At least one million people are displaced from their homes. There is almost nothing to come back to because 15,000 houses and apartments were destroyed, 900 commercial buildings, 32 airports, ports, sewage treatment plants, dams and electrical plants, 25 fuel stations, 78 bridges, and about 390 miles of roads. In Israel, much has been repaired and most people are back safely in their homes. I understand that many Israelis suffered as well; however, it was in no way comparable to the destruction in Lebanon. In Lebanon, one of the first things to be bombed by Israel was the airport. Thousands of people were stranded and had nowhere to go. Bridges and roads were destroyed, and transportation was impossible, and purposefully made impossible. The entire country is not Hezbollah. Israel should fight Hezbollah soldiers, and not completely demolish all the means of life in Lebanon. Lebanon is now pretty much back in the Stone Age. It hardly has any electricity, water, or food, and their entire life has come to a halt. And they don’t have these basic necessities because of the Israeli government, Lebanon used to be a thriving free country where Christians and Muslims lived in peace together. Now, because two soldiers were tak-
-New version of I-Tunes, with “the bomb-diggity” games, gives us one more reason to love our I-Pods -Awesome new WHS raffles give away stuff we actually want. Fancy homecoming dinner or arcade parking, anyone? -Lower gas prices make cruisin’ the Ave affordable again. What up, Walgreen’s parking lot bikers!
Thorns -Four-week midterm reports. How can a grade be a good estimate of progress when it’s only based on one quiz? -Homecoming tickets: no key chain to commemorate the event? C’mon, Student Senate! -Facebook descends into stalker territory. The new privacy controls are a good step, but with the overflow of Internet information sometimes enough is enough. artwork by Alex Pearson
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 the Journalism Laboratory class at Washington High School, 2205 Forest Drive SE, Cedar Rapids, IA, 52403. The staff will report as fairly and objectively as possible. All activities and news will be covered to the staff’s best abilities. Surveyor accepts the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics and Criteria of a Gold Newspaper of the Associated Press Managing Editors Association as the basis for good journalistic ethics. Editorials and reviews that appear under 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 opinion of the Surveyor staff and the Washington High School community. Readers are encouraged to express their viewpoints through guest editorials. Surveyor also welcomes any letter to the editor, provided that: 1. It is not libelous or obscene 2. It explains the material clearly 3. It is not longer that 300 words 4. It is signed.
staff writer
en, Israel has fought a war against the people of Lebanon, and displaced 25 percent of the entire country, according to BBC News. Hezbollah may have attacked some of Israel, but the extent to which Israel attacked Lebanon is incomparable. Another aspect of this war that many do not see on the news is that America is a key ally of Israel and funds and gives them much of their military strength. Most of the destruction seen in Lebanon is funded by the US Government. In the media, the war is not presented this way. It is not said that America has a major role in the military actions of Israel, and is therefore somewhat responsible for the damage in Lebanon. These are clear signs of the bias portrayed in the U.S. media. For example, when the news talks about Hezbollah, they call it a horrid terrorist group. Although I do not support them, in the rest of the world, they are simply seen as fighting the superpower Israel with minimal weapons. On the American news, it is presented that Lebanon and Hezbollah are waging a terrible war on Israel. This however, is not completely the case. In the beginning of the war, Hezbollah, a radical group that controls southern Lebanon, captured two Israeli soldiers. The Israeli government says that this is the reason for the disproportionate way Israel reacted. However, many people do not know that thousands of Lebanese prisoners still occupy Israeli jails from many years ago when Israel previously occupied southern Lebanon. The American media does not say this fact, so it appears as if Hezbollah is ruthlessly capturing Israeli soldiers. Another issue is the fact that from the time Israel occupied southern Lebanon, there have always been Israeli soldiers on Lebanese land. Why doesn’t the world call for these thousands of prisoners to be released, or for Israeli soldiers to get off Lebanese land? Let me be clear: I do not support Hezbollah or Israel; I simply do not think it is fair the way the plight of the suffering of people just like us is not reported thoroughly. We are all people, and we must care for others, no matter where they are from. The crisis in Lebanon must be known, and the humanitarian crisis must end.
SURVEYOR STAFF
James McMenimen, Editor-in-Chief
Cassandra Albert, Profiles Editor
Erin Becker, Opinions Editor
Katrina Houmes, Business Mgr.
Erin Wahle, Co-News Editor
Staff
Jenna Hackendahl, Co-News Editor
Meredith Bell, Sports Editor
Anne Sullivan, Co-Focus Editor
Jackie Albrecht, A&E Editor
Rebecca Dennis, Co-Focus Editor
Miranda Bernstein, Graphics Editor
Mary Crumley, Photo Editor
Molly Briggie, Back Page Ed. Emily Penningroth, Asst. Ed. Fatima Wagdy, Asst. Ed. Brent Gasway Laura Hart Kalese Henry Lauren Glantz Barney O’Donnell Stephanie Steimel Kristina McLaughlin Molly Parker Aunna McDowell Maddy Halyard Megan Hartman Lauren Glantz Aunna McDowell Sam Moorman Emily Kopec Laura Seyfer Eleanor Vernon Alex Pearson (Art) Megan Barnes (Photo) Taylor Davis (Photo) John Runde (Web)
Adviser Steve Riley
Take 1: Berry’s view from behind the lens Kristina McLaughlin
staff writer
Crossing paths with movie stars, top-of-theline film equipment at your fingertips and talking shop with film executives can only be found among the lavish lifestyles of Tinseltown, right? Wrong. Driven by his passion for the cinematic arts, Patrick Berry, ‘07, spent a summer living and breathing film without setting foot outside the Midwest. When Cedar Rapids began to swarm with activity surrounding the making of The Final Season, Berry jumped at the opportunity to gain real-life experience and applied to be an intern with the production crew. As the youngest crew member, Berry took on many of the menial jobs. “Once I was asked to run to Target and buy 25 shower caps and 60 razors for a scene. I got a lot of weird looks, but what else is new?” Berry said. With patience, the perks of working on the set of a real movie began to roll in. Not only did Berry get a free lunch every day (his only form of payment), he was able to meet many of the stars of The Final Season including, Sean Astin (The Lord of the Rings), Rachel Leigh Cook (She’s All That), Powers Boothe, and Iowa native Tom Arnold. Finally, he was put in charge of the biggest shooting day of the production, which included finding, entertaining and feeding 1,000 extras at Kingston Stadium. Working closely with the radio personalities and the staff of local radio station Z102.9.
Photo compliments Patrick Berry
GETTING READY FOR ACTION is Northwestern film student Patrick Berry, ‘07. “Working with the crew in The Final Season was a great experience because everyone was so helpful and friendly,” Berry said. “They made the whole time a constant party.” With the experience of a lifetime under his belt, Berry set off to spend five weeks at a film program at North-
western University. There, along with 50 students from around the world, he gained hands-on experience in the film division of the National High School Institute. Set on Lake Michigan, students were able to spend lots of time at the beach and in Chicago. They enjoyed trips to Navy Pier, Chipotle, and coffee shops. The midnight excursions to the commons room for freestyle rap battles between his dormmates was his favorite activity. Berry continues to remain in contact with many of his peers, including one of his best friends who lives in Prague in the Czech Republic. Five weeks could not pass without a few embarrassing moments. Within the first couple weeks of camp, Berry broke his foot while running down stairs. He also slept on a borrowed rainbow polka-dotted pillowcase after a fellow camper sweat on his own pillowcase during a film shoot. During the week, each student would take two of the three different classes every day. The classes alternated between editing, production and screenwriting. Evening activities included watching movies and discussing them, or listening to lectures. On Saturdays, they would be given group assignments to create different types of short films and then view them at night. Sunday consisted of free time, but would finish with a movie at night chosen by the students. These unique experiences helped Berry to solidify what he had suspected all along: he was addicted to filmmaking. Recently, Berry co-founded a film club with Josh Poland, ‘07. Plans for the club include making movies, holding a film festival and simply watching great movies.
How did Wash students pass their summer? “I went to the E-Free conference,” — Katelyn Johnson, ‘07
“I met my grandparents,” — Jack Kohn, ‘10
“I went to Target to with Ziemer,” — Michael Jarvey, ‘09
“I went to Target with Jarvey,” — Zach Ziemer, 08
“I went to EWaly camp,” — Kelly Austin, ‘07
“I baked yummy cookies,” — Taylor Foster, ‘08
American tourist Wapsie provides Engmark embraces turned Frenchman memories, friends the great outdoors Laura Seyfer
staff writer
Your typical teenage summer consists of going to the pool, hanging out with friends or going to the mall. But for Caitlin Thirnbeck, ‘10, it was much more. This summer Thirnbeck went to France for three weeks. She stayed with a girl named Madeleine Brossier and her family who live just outside of Avignon. Brossier stayed with the Thirnbeck family last year so Brossier returned the favor and had Thirnbeck come stay with them. For Thirnbeck, staying with a family instead of staying in a hotel made her experience more personal. She felt more like a native frenchman than an American tourist. “Being with a family and living their way for three weeks was a great experience and made me feel more at home,” said Thirnbeck. “France is kind of similar but at the same time it’s different from America. They have weird traditions and a whole different way of living. But it was still a blast,” said Thirnbeck. While in France, she ate a lot of different kinds of French foods. Thirnbeck is a pretty picky eater so she didn’t enjoy much of it, but she sure did enjoy the desserts. She also experienced eating fish over there and it was very interesting experience for her. The fish is cooked whole so when it is served to her she had to peel the skin off and eat around the head and bones. Thirnbeck also interacted with the French people and they were very receptive. She tried to speak French whenever she could. Many times it was a mix of both languages. Although Thirnbeck didn’t get to see everything she wanted to because she ran out of time but she did manage to see and do quite a few things. She toured the Palace of the Popes in Avignon, she swam in the Mediterranean Sea, and got to hike in the Alps. “It was such an amazing oppor tunity and I am glad I was able to experience it,” said Thirnbeck.
Molly Parker
Taylor Davis staff writer
What did you do this summer? Did you spend your days pool side catching some sun, or were you at summer school trying to get ahead for next year? If you’re like Elizabeth Terpstra, you spend most of your summer at Camp Wapsie helping kids learn about independence and responsibility. Terpstra has been going to Camp Wapsie since she was around 9 years old and she has loved every second of it. She says it’s what she looks forward to each summer and can’t imagine a summer without all the wonders of Wapsie. During her four weeks at Wapsie, Elizabeth was a CIT for the camp. Being a CIT is an unpaid position but she didn’t seem to mind. During her four weeks away Terpstra sid she didn’t have time to be bored. She was kept busy with all the kids and activities. While she was away Terpsray stayed in touch with her friends by writing and recieving letter instead of long phone calls. Because she could write her friends so often Elizabeth didn’t get very homsick she explained. It’s very competitive to be bumped up from CIT to counselor, Terpstra explained. Unfortunately, only about half the kids who were CITs this year will end up being asked back for next year’s session. Terpstra wasn’t the only CIT at Wapsie from wash this summer. Others include Abby Meeker, Kristin Aerts, Kegan O’Neil, Kevin Kennedy, Connor Schulte, Kate Baushton, and Megan Banaszek. All of them are exctied for next year’s session.
staff writer
The low pitch of complained moans and groans in juxtaposition with the high pitch of whining can be heard emanating from the AP Biology class of Dennis Schlict, science teacher, on a mid-September afternoon. A passerby walks faster at the sound of what seems to be torture. He has just broken the news that the students will be spending a day trudging through hills of sand and mud, an idea that certain students find less than appealing. Dani Engmark, ‘07, is elated. She will return to her preferred habitat. This recently departed summer, she spent 26 days doing just that. Add an 80-pound pack full of food, shelter and equipment, a few 13,000-footers, and then ask your average high school student to come along. “I’ve always had a love for being outside and active,” Engmark said. “ I remember taking short camping trips with my family when I was younger. I would, however, give most of the credit to Manito-Wish for showing me just how much it’s possible to love the outdoors.” The route started in the Beartooth-Absaroka Mountain Wilderness in Montana and ended in Wyoming. Hiking without a trail without getting lost would be a difficult task. The group did get lost, and that process quickly turned into the most strenuous route on the whole trip. Navigation aside, Engmark and the backpackers kept spirits up with delicious meals like pancakes, hash browns or oatmeal for breakfast, peanut butter and jelly on pitas they made themselves for lunch, and some form of pasta or rice for dinner. “We all worked so hard physically and mentally to make it to the top, and to finally sit down on top of a mountain and see just how far we had gone was a feeling that I will never in my life forget,” says Engmark.
Lost and found: Robinson, Graham rescued by helicopter while hiking Stephanie Steimel
staff writer
Science teachers Chris Robinson and J.P. Graham went on their annual hiking trip this summer, but this year things didn’t quite go as planned when they had to be rescued by a helicopter. They left on June 8 and had originally planned to hike from southern Oregon to the Canadian border. However, due to a heavy year of snow in Oregon, they decided to hike down through northern California for a couple weeks, after which they flew up to Orgeon to continue with their original plan. When they arrived at the Pacific Crest Trail, conditions seemed manageable until the third night. They camped next to a snow drift that was about 10 feet deep. The next day they struggled to find clear patches of the trail. They managed to follow the general contour of the land using their maps and picked up bits of the trail. After awhile, the land flattened out making it more difficult to read their maps. Due to the result of several directional mistakes, they ended up a significant distance away from the trail, but still thought they were on it. At the top of a ridge, they realized their mistake, and decided to bushwhack through the trees that didn’t have snow to reach the trail. “We immediately figured out that the bushwhacking was thicker than we thought and limited us to a pace of about half a mile per hour,” Robinson said.
After about four hours of whacking at the trees, they finally made it to the “trail”, which turned out to be an old logging road. Because the sun was setting and it had begun to rain, they set up camp on a flat spot on the road. In the morning, they agreed that they needed to get back up to the ridge, and then follow the logging road back up. They soon realized the road went nowhere. “At this point, we realized that we didn’t really know where the trail was, or how to get back to the trail,” Robinson said. Their GPS showed that the area highway was about seven miles north. There was no way they could walk straight to the road, and it was going to take 20 hours of difficult walking. “As far as my thoughts at this time, I was stressed and a bit concerned about the fact that we were running out of food, but in no way was I scared for my life or even my safety,” Robinson said. Before starting their journey, they decided to call the state park to let them know their location as well as their plans. However, their cell phone couldn’t reach the park, so they called 911 instead. They informed the dispatcher of their position and gave them their estimated time of arrival. Two hours later, they began to hear planes and helicopters. Since they were in a very remote area with no other civilization nearby, they assumed that aircrafts were looking for them, so they called 911 again to let them know that they didn’t need to be rescued, and were even making decent time hiking.
Photo comliments Chris Robinson
SMILING AT THE TOP OF A RECENTLY CLIMBED MOUNTAIN are science teacher Chris Robinson and fellow hiker. When they got through to the commander of the operation, they were told several things. First, they were in a very remote area. Second, there wouldn’t be any publicity regarding a rescue. Third, they would get them right back on the trail after the rescue. Fourth, the rescue was free. Fifth, they wanted to rescue them and they really had little other choice.
They were given some GPS coordinates for a clearing where they would be picked up. After finding the location an hour later, they laid out their gear and began to make a fire. A little while later, a California Highway Patrol helicopter landed and rescued their hiking party. Not including the rescue, they hiked a total of 850 miles.
Stories compiled by Anne Sullivan and Rebecca Dennis
Mrs. Strait
Mr. Yuska
Ms. Byers
Wash Homecoming recall
Dance moves a level above
Monumental start to dating
Marlyse Strait, language arts teacher, gets a flashback every fall when Homecoming rolls around. Not because of her experience as a teacher at Wash, but because she experienced a WHS homecoming first-hand in 1968. Unlike current dances, Strait shook her tail feather with her friends to a live band. At that time, it was rare to have a DJ provide the music. The attire was not as formal as it will be tomorrow night, but it was still nicer than every day clothes. Strait’s mother made the green velvet dress above herself. Even though Strait would not be a Homecoming candidate until her senior year, in 1968 the first black Homecoming queen was elected. The tradition of a king was not instated until a later date.
Infamous for showing off his dance skills at Wash pep assemblies, not too long ago Danny Yuska, language arts teacher, perfected his moves. During every school dance, Yuska was a step above his peers. Literally. He would claim a stereo speaker and dance on top of it. “Everyone knew it was mine,” Yuska said of his stage. Other than the fact the dance occurred inside the school gymnasium, his Homecoming experience was similar to Wash’s. This includes a full week of spirit activities, such as a football game and a parade. Due to the smaller size of his school, only five boys and girls were nominated to the Homecoming court. Bowl cuts were popular at this time, as evident in the photo.
Even though it was ten years ago, Jennifer Byers, counselor, experienced the same pre-Homecoming dilemmas Wash students did this year. Dateless until two days prior to the dance, Byers recycled a dress she already had. Her freshman Homecoming dance was her first date ever. The pair did not know each other very well, so they avoided an awkward situation by eating dinner solo and going straight to the dance. Byers attended Wash’s in-town rival, Jefferson High School. After eating dinner, Byers popped in a piece of gum. At the end of the night when she came home still chomping, her mom reprimanded her for her rude behavior. She gave her the advice to never chew gum on a date.
Mr. Witte Crazy hair and unlikely win
Which teacher do you think would be most likely to have a half-shaved head in a purplish-black hair color? Which one do you think would be voted Homecoming king? Believe it or not, Adam Witte, language arts teacher, is the answer to both these questions. A self-proclaimed uncool kid, he was surprised to win the title. “My theory... is that the five other couples on the court split the ‘Cool Kid’ vote among them,” Witte says. As a result, Witte accumulated the most votes. Despite the unexpected win, Witte enjoyed the experience. What sticks out in his mind is the convertible ride during the parade and being able to throw candy at kids for the only time in his life.
Ms. Naso Unusual dance preparation Attending homecoming with a boy she dated on and off is Elizabeth Naso, art teacher. If you like the sweater her date is wearing, you and his mother are in the same boat. As Naso explained, her date was one of four boys in his family who all wore the same sweater to their freshman year homecoming. They also shared the same senior picture jacket. Her school included students from several small towns around Benton. Before her freshman year homecoming, between 15 to 20 of Naso’s friends got ready at her house. Being the youngest child, Naso was not used to sharing her bathroom space. She recalls throwing a “hissy-fit” to her mom about not having enough space to get ready.
Ms. Cain Homecoming’s step-sister Are you familiar with the term “court warming”? Even though Wash does not celebrate it, Julie Cain, foreign language teacher, fondly remembers the festive week. An equivalent to Homecoming week, rather than focusing on the football season, it revolves around a basketball game. Following the big game, the girls ask the guys to a dance called MORP. The week of court warming was filled with themes. For Cain, this included a career day in which she dressed up as a band instructor above. Instead of the traditional senior homecoming king and queen, for court warming, one boy and one girl were selected from each class. The pep club then selected the couple who showed the most school spirit in various activities.
How To Tie a Tie
Step One: Pull the wide end of the tie 12 inches longer than the narrow end and cross it over.
Step Two: Pull wide end through loop outwards. Step Three: Bring wide end around narrow end.
Step Four: Pull the wide end up through the loop again.
Step Five: Wrap wide end around narrow end. Step Six: Bring wide end forward through loop.
Step Seven: Pull wide end through knot in front.
Step Eight: Tighten knot snugly to neck.
How To
Dance
Sway to the music and find the beat of the song.
If you don’t know what to do with your hands, snap ya fingers and do ya step. Talk to your dance partner so there is less focus on your dance moves. Sing along to the music, but not too loud. You know who you are. Remember to have fun and don’t worry about what others think. Follow the crowd and pick up some hints, but don’t forget less is more. If all else fails, wait for the Chacha Slide to play so you have a step by step.
How To
Be a Good Date
Compliment your date on their outfit. Guys: Open all doors for your date, including the car. Girls: Thank your date after dinner and at the end of the night. Don’t forget your corsage or boutonniere. Smell nice. Put on deoderant but don’t take a bath in cologne. Reserve slow dances for your date. Don’t ditch them at the dance. Make sure you bring enough money so you don’t run out. Be courteous to your date’s parents and friends.
How To
Have Proper Etiquette Chew with your mouth closed and don’t talk with your mouth full. Don’t reach over and steal your date’s food. Keep your elbows off the table. Unfold your napkin in your lap so no accidents occur. Thank the waiter every time they bring you something. Don’t lick your fingers. No matter how tempting it is. While at the dinner table, don’t slouch. Sit up straight. Rest your silverware beside your plate (not on it) between mouthfuls.
Homecoming Court Nominees 1963
REPRESENTING WASHINGTON IN 1963 are six Homecoming queen nominees and their dates. At this time only females were nominated to court and the males were merely escorts. During an assembly, each candidate was put on the spot and asked varous questions. The student body then voted for their queen. The queen was then announced at their homecoming football game against Bettendorf. Their queen was Cheryl Kimm, ‘63.
2006
ELECTED BY THEIR PEERS, from the front left are Natalie Schneckloth, Victoria Munyakazi, Molly McPartland, Mikaela Fisher, Erin Becker, Pam Schroeder, Maddie Hansen, Andrea Freeman, Erin Wahle, Molly Grafft, Erin Johnson, Cassandra Albert, Meredith Bell, Alex Grafft, Corey Stone, Tim Colton, Ricky Mellor, Caleb Halstead, Taylor Drahn, Barney O’Donnell, Adam Hoffman, Peter Visser, Jon Brown, Dylan Hines, Tyler Thirnbeck, Patrick Berry, all ‘07.
Student Senate’s hard work Erin Wahle
co-news editor
Student Senate will sponsor the annual Homecoming dance tomorrow, Sept. 30th in the courtyard. The dance will begin at 7 p.m. and last until 11 p.m. Tickets will be sold today after school for $8 or ten dollars at the door. Preparations for the dance are made under the instruction of Washington High School’s Student Senate. Members of Student Senate meet daily during second hour and spend the majority of fall term planning Homecoming week. All members are split up into one of five Homecoming committees. The standing committees are chaired by one junior or senior and consist of eight to
Photo by Mary Crumley
DECORATING FOR HOMECOMING are Kylie Noecker, ‘07, and Lizzie Glantz, ‘07. 10 students. Committees include, Homecoming Parade and Bonfire, Dance Decorations, Assembly, Videos and Advertisement, and Chaperones, Tickets and Concessions. The theme for this year’s dance is Arabian Nights. The dance will be decorated with purple, red, and gold gossamer and accented with lights. There will be cookies, punch, and chocolate coins.
Professional pictures will be taken by Read Photography starting at 5:30 p.m. In the past, students have gone before dinner to get their pictures taken because lines may be very long during the dance. Students will need to present tickets and school IDs in order to get into the dance. All students that have dates from other schools must buy tickets before the dance. “Without the hardworking and dedicated students in Student Senate, the planning of Homecoming would have been very difficult,” said Kylie Noecker, 07. “Everyone in the committees got along great, and I think it’s going to be a very successful dance.”
What theme for Homecoming would you choose? “A pirate ship theme so I could have a peg leg.” —Nathan Menken, ‘07 “A Disney theme.” —Brooke Klasson, ‘10
WHS queen from 1974 tells all
Eleanor Vernon
staff writer
The student section today is clearly well defined with the facepainted, screaming, red-and-blue clad-best damn cheerleaders we have at Wash. However, it wasn’t always that way, especially for homecoming. Leave your spandex, body paint, and homemade t-shirts at home, it’s 1974 and homecoming is a bit different. Sarah Koines, the Homecoming queen of ‘74 remembers no parade or bonfire or NCAA day, because they simply didn’t exist. The celebrations merely consisted of a pep rally, a football game and a dance. In 1974 the homecoming celebrations commenced with an assembly. It was here where each finalist, voted by the senior class, was asked a series of surprise questions in front of the whole student body. Later that day, the entire school would vote the final time for the king and queen. On game day a pep rally was hosted to pump up the school’s spirit and rally for a swift victory. Later that night, students usually arrived not
“A poker theme.” —Kyle Freeman, ‘09
necessarily in red or blue, but in a more dressy attire, with their Homecoming date. At halftime, the candidates were paraded around the track in convertibles and the royalty were crowned. Today it is common for a group of friends to go together. However then, on the night of the dance, dinner with just you and your date was the norm. But no matter what your pre-dance plans were, you better have had a date. “When you went to homecoming, you had to have a date. It would have been too mortifying to go alone! I think that has definitely changed for the better,” said Koines. And as for the venue, forget that beautiful night in the courtyard. Try dancing in our very own cafeteria, complete with the permeating smell of pizza and fries. So this year, despite many imperfections and mishaps, just be thankful you can have your class t-shirts, bonfire and tutus, and don’t forget to let loose and get loud, truly showing ‘what it means to be a Warrior’ in 2006.
“A jungle theme.” —Lauren Mitchell, ‘09
Now and then: Themes of WHS Last minute? a tradition starts Homecoming Kristina McLaughlin
Emily Penningroth
staff writer
What is homecoming? If you ask most college or high school students, they will all give a unanimous response as if everybody knows what it is: a dance, of course. If you ask the dictionary what homecoming is, it will most likely tell you “a return to one’s home.” So how did this national trend among high schools begin? The word, homecoming, can be dated back to the 19th century when the word was used to welcome home traveling town residents town in the United States. Around the turn of the 20th century, universities began to create homecoming events for their alumni to come support their alma mater. These events were celebrations that were usually centered around a main event, typically football games. In fact, the University of Illinois began the homecoming tradition in 1910. The University of Illinois defeated the University of Chicago in football with a notable game, which became the main game each year and the start to homecoming week. Events such as parades, bonfires, dress up week, and the dance are all typical happenings in most high schools across America. However, one tradition Washington students are not familiar with is the wearing of the “mums”. On the Friday before the Homecoming dance, dates exchange very detailed corsages and garters to wear to the game and dance. These personalized accessories are complete with flowers, ribbons, and trinkets hanging from them. They could include special messages, the students’ names, birth dates, class, or their extracurricular activities. Even though no school is credited with the first Homecoming events, it is now a nation-wide tradition in high schools and colleges alike.
1966- “Misty” 1967- “Washington Square” 1968- “Cabaret” 1970- “Wonderland” 1972- “It’s a Small World” 1979- “Come Sail Away” 1981- “The Strip” 1982- “Warriors in Wonder Land” 1983- “Reminiscing” 1984- “Almost Paradise” 1985- “Somewhere in Time” 1989- “A Touch of the Old South” 1991- “Heaven Can Wait” 1992- “Evening in the Park”
staff writer
Nervous giggles and awkward hellos by perfectly groomed girls and boys trapped in a toxic cloud of perfume can only mean one thing: Homecoming is here. After the initial high of being asked to Homecoming wears off, reality hits and the logistics of the event become overwhelming. In years past, waiting to make dinner reservations or buying a dress would have simply been inconvenient. However, when multiple local Homecomings coincide, such procrastination can be disastrous. Last minute planning could result in no options. As reservations fill up at Cedar Rapids’ top restaurants, it is necessary to find an acceptable alternative that does not require reservations or sell Big Macs. Consider a sit-down pizza parlor like Godfather’s or Tomaso’s. Cafes such as Panera or Cork and Fork may also be viable options. To guarantee availability, many students arrange a special dining experience at home. Grocery stores rarely run out of spaghetti noodles and marinara sauce. The next challenge is always finding the proper attire. In desperate times, guys can always look in their closets, pull out a nice shirt and slacks or their band tux and the problem is solved. As formal gowns are more difficult to locate, a viable option would be to borrow a dress from a friend’s closet. If that does not work, wear a dress from a previous event. It already fits and looks great, and no one will remember that it was a dress from last year anyway. Despite the emphasis on how you look and where you eat, they are actually insignificant. In the end, it is not the outfit or dinner that people remember, it is watching everyone make fools of themselves on the dance floor.
Fashion Through the Ages 1950s 1960s 1980s 1970s
www.greasemovie.com
www.jerzbear.com
www.interinfo.com
www.amazon.com
What you want to know about the new staff Amy Bly
1. Born at St. Luke’s 2. Spent her summer in Lyon, France 3. Marched in the Rose Bowl Parade in 1998
Ericka Derrick
Sean McAtee
2. Makes her baby’s food from scratch 3. Went to the only boarding school in Iowa
2. Has four barbeque grills, on of them he calls his ‘baby’ 3. Has eight siblings
1. Has met Brad Pitt
Jacquelyn Bunnell
David Duer
2. She’s been doing yoga for four years 3. She is married to an artist
2. Has published about 25 poems in various publications 3. Was in a band ‘Pink Gravy’
1. Drove a juniper green 1953 Chevy when he attended Wash
Collin Fletcher
1. She speaks Mandarin Chinese and a tiny bit of Vietnamese
1. Hitchhiked across the US among other countries
Jennifer Byers
Paul James
Eric Thompson
2. She loves vegetables, but not on her hamburgers 3. Loves to sing opera arias
2. All three of his children went to Wash 3. Has been married 32 years
2. Has attended Columbia, Northeastern, and The New England Conservator of Music
1. Rides his bike to school to combat air pollution
2. Was a theater major at Texas State University 3. His favorite band is Wilco
1. Was born on an Air Force base in Louisiana
1. His wife is his high school sweetheart
Peter Clancy
Steve Singer
Joseph Taylor
2. Loves road trips and drove 19 hours to Toronto 3. Has a guilty obsession with pop culture
2. Bike rides because he can no longer run 3. Graduated from Grinnell College with a BA in history
2. Deployed to Baghdad, Iraw in 2003 and 2004 3. Recently went to New Zealand, his favorite trip so far
Joel Decker
Jessica Johnson
Steve Riley
2. Coaches 9th grade football and basketball 3. Has a brother who attends Dubuqe Hempstead
2. Is a huge Packers and Iowa fan 3. Began biking this summer and participated in Ragbrai
2. Is a huge Cubs fan and attended his first game in 1971 3. Car has 240,000 miles on it
Jaclyn Richmond
Sarah Howell
Anthony Lombardi
2. Has the only room in the basement 3. Teaches part-time
2. Is married to Mr. Howell 3. Has two cats: Buster and Neptune
2. Had the lead in his high school production of Fiddler on the Roof 3. Wife’s name is Kari
1. Enjoys theater
1. Has a wife named Shannon
1. Has studied in Spain and Costa Rica
1. Hopeless Steely Dan fanatic
1. Has Hawaiian ancestry
1. Taught at Springville High School for two years
1. SABIAN Cymbols endorsed artist/performer and drummer
1. Loves Ultimate Frisbee
1. Had a 23-year newspaper career
1. Has five children
Kanius part II: the The 411 on Ramadan French woman returns -Ramadan began on Sept. 23, and ends on Oct. 23 Taylor Davis
staff writer
Picture this, a foreign exchange student has the “luck” of being chosen to live in Iowa with a brand new family for three weeks in the summer of 2005. Three weeks may seem like a long time in Iowa, but there’s more: she’s come back for an entire year. To Iowa. One year! By choice? Yes. Lucie Kanius isn’t crazy, she has traveled the world and still sees Iowa for its inherent good and has chosen to comeback for one year between graduating from her French “lycee” (high school) and going to trade school (university) in France. She came to stay with the family of Annie Hardin, ‘07 in the summer of 2005. They kept in touch, and Kanius decided a return to the states was right for her. She’s studied English for nearly seven years, and this extended vacation will only improve her skill before she returns to study business, finance, and economics. “We had her for such a short time last year that it was just wonderful for her to come back for the entire year,” s a i d Ju l i H a rd i n , A n n i e’s m o t h e r. “I love Iowa and chose to come back because people are really welcoming. When I ar-
rived at high school, people were really happy for me to be here. And so was I,” says Kanius. Her sense of humor and outgoing nature makes anyone feel at ease in her presence. Kanius jokingly endorses our stereotypes of the French by confessing that her favorite foods are frog legs, sheep brains, and escargot. She admits to being quite excited about seeing a drinking fountain for the first time; they do not have them in France. “I discovered drinking fountains! Stupid for you, but very interesting for the French,” she said. Comparing her high school experiences in America to France, it might almost be easier to name their similarities than their differences. “High school is very different in France. Teachers are very strict, very serious. You could never joke around or have fun with a teacher like you do here...I do not think we learn any more in France than students do in America,” said Kanius. She added, ”There are no football games or ‘pom pom’ girls either, and it would be a lot more interesting if there were.” Lucie describes herself as an expatriate. Her love of travel has taken her to China, Senegal, Tunisia, Turkey, Maroc, Cuba, and all over Eastern Europe. “I want to live somewhere else besides France for the experiences. I love meeting other cultures. I’d like to live in China for a while, “ said Kanius, who also speaks a bit of Chinese. “I love having Lucie here because it’s like having the big sister I never had, and we have so much fun together,” says Hardin.
-The date changes each year due to the lunar calendar -It ends with the large celebration Eid ul Fitr -The main activity done during Ramadan is fasting, which includes eating, drinking, refraining from bad behavior from sunrise to sunset
WHS football 2006: the season begins New plays, hard work pays off John Runde
staff writer
A new season brings new challenges for the varsity football team. All 55 of the varsity players are working tirelessly to adapt to a different system under new head coach Tony Lombardi. The team practices before school during the early-bird slot, hitting the weights, rehearsing plays and doing drills. The idea is to improve endurance and agility, two aspects of the game essential for success. The training takes its toll on the young men. The routine does not end with class though--the players return to the field after school. The coaches frequently host meetings in the driver’s ed room, where they do chalk-work and discuss new plays. The team must prepare for the next opponent, and even the smallest strategies can make or break a game. Coming up with a plan is only half of the battle. After their meetings, it’s out to the field, where the real work begins. Andrew Rambo, 07 leads as defensive captain, and Barney O’Donnell, 07, as offensive captain. Both of these athletes lead the Warriors in small group finesse activities. The two are effective leaders and, as assistant coach Frank Scherrman describes them, “spark plugs.” The coaches do an excellent job of keeping confidence high. “We’re all coaches but deep down, we’re all teachers too,” said Scherrman. “We relate football to life, and motivate with a passion. When practice is going especially well, Coach Lombardi has been know to do a little ‘victory dance’.” On game day, the team is much more preoccupied with morale
Meredith Bell
sports editor
Tony Lombardi, one of the previous top high school coaches in Illinois, has graced the halls of Washington High School and enters the school year with high hopes of success with his students and victory on the football field. The Warriors have begun their season with a record of 2-0, crushing Dubuque Wahlert and Waterloo East. Lombardi began coaching after he finished playing, in 1986 at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. After four years, he left for Mankato State University in Minnesota and coached for eight years. From there, he moved to Eastern Michigan, and after four years he took a job in the professional XFL league. He remained there for a year, and moved to Homewood Floss Moor for a year. For the last three years, he has coached for Hinsdale, Ill., considered the “greatest job in Illinois” according Lombardi, but he
admits that he did not care for this job, because the school did not strive for excellence in all programs. “It was an uphill battle, a fight for the kids and a fight for space,” said Lombardi. “I wanted to be somewhere fun--there is no reason why we can’t have fun, and I see it every day here.” Lombardi’s passion for caring, hard wok and fun is not only reflected on the field, but in the classroom and in his home. It is safe to say Lombardi is a family man. Over his years of coaching, he had the opportunity to coach his brother (14 years younger) at Mankato tate, and to coach with his father at Eastern Michigan and in the XFL. Within the first few weeks at Wash, he has already earned the respect of his fellow staff members, students, and team members. “He is bringing a great system to our school,” said Robert Throndson, varsity football coach. “We’ve been working very hard -- both athletes and coaches.” Lombardi said he has felt a very warm welcome from Principal Ralph Plagman, Athletic Director Paul James and the rest of the administration, and is at Washington to stay.
“ There is no reason why we can’t have fun, and I see it every day around here.” - Coach Lombardi
RUSHING INTO ACTION is Lee Wilwert, ‘07 than individual aches and pains. The Warriors begin their morning with a light game of softball. They line up in a row and number off players into two teams. Out on the softball diamonds, both foul balls and strikes count as outs. They play until it’s time to go to second hour, anticipating their real evening game on the football field. Around 3:30, they gather for an appetizing team dinner in the cafeteria. Coach Lombardi shows highlight reels from his old school, as the team sinks into a more competitive mindset and the game is all that matters. The players hit the field at Washington for warm-ups before caravanning over to Kingston, not long before the first quarter. Coach Lombardi gives any last minute advice, and the players do their best to mentally prepare themselves and focus before the team takes the field. The team is a bit tense, but excited as well.
Football is a mix of contact and team camaraderie. Everyone is confident in themselves and the coaches all agree that “we’ve got to sock ‘em.” “Whatever happens, happens,” said fullback, Taylor Drahn, 07. After 30 minutes of hard work, the players head to the locker room for halftime. They take advantage of the opportunity to rest, eat oranges, and drink lots of fluids. The team then prepares any changes for the second half, where endurance and training really start to kick-in. “We want to make the other teams feel like they’ve come in from a battle,” said Drahn. Coach Lombardi is determined to win a championship when the final seconds of the fourth quarter come, and the Warriors go home--exhausted, but satisfied. “Everyone really believes in the system,” said Drahn. “If we show up and play our game, no one can beat us.”
Dance team shows spirit in CRW sports Faitma Wagdy
New football coach brings good news to Washington
staff writer
After a summer of practice and hard work, the Washington dance team hopes to be off to a great start. We’ve seen them perform at the football games, and will continue to seem them at other events throughout the year. This summer, the dance team participated in a summer camp at the University of Northern Iowa. There, they refined their techniques and showed off their talent. Not only did they learn more dance skills, they also created a greater bond of friendship among themselves. Coach Dana Melone, said, “We did so well at camp, and it was a good bonding experience.” In the end, their hard work paid off. The judges at the camp decided that they did very well and
honored them with the opportunity to compete at the national competition. This competition will be held in Orlando, Fla. this spring. The team will be practicing hard all year to do well at the competition. Dance team members come from all grades, from freshmen to seniors. There are 24 total members, 12 of whom compete in competitions. Despite the difference in grades, they get along very well and enjoy their time together on dance team. For many, it is a place to do what they love and make great friends at the same time. “I like how everyone is so nice and I have a lot of fun,” said Colbi Maxwell, 10. Other members also shared the same sentiments about dance team, like Bailey McCallum, 08, “The camaraderie is amazing,” said McCallum. “You make so many friends, its crazy.” Katie Chase, 07, a senior member of the dance team said, “I love all my pom girls. If we keep working really hard, we’ll do well at state.” The dance team will showcase their dances in several upcoming events. One of these is a competition to be held at Prairie in October. They will also perform at the PPA auction. We will continue to see them bringing spirit to the crowd and the student section at all of the football games in the fall, as well as all of the basketball games in the winter.
PRACTICING AXELS is Katie Chase, ‘07
FIRING UP THE TEAM at the game agains Waterloo East is new football coach Tony Lombardi (wearing backwards cap)
Coach Will Harte runs to success Meredith Bell
sports editor
Two years ago, you would have seen him around Washington or on the track hurdling with the boys track team. Will Harte is back at Washington this year, and he has returned with a story worth hearing. Harte seized the opportunity of teaching at an international school in Asmara, the capital of Eritrea, a small counry located on the horn of northeastern Africa. He taught high school math and English, to a student body of 112 other teachers ranging from Canada to the Unted Kingdom, he was able to get involved with his No. 1 passion: running. In the Great Rift Valley, a land of 7,500 feet altitude two hours from the coast, Harte was exposed to some very difficult training conditions--with some of the best runners in thew world. He quickly adapted to his new schedule: teaching each school day, and training with the team seven days a week. This was not just any team, but the Asmara national team. Composed of 150 runners, including Zersenay Tadesse, a bronze medalist
from the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Harte exchanged his own American training customs with those of the African speed-demons. While he observed the coach’s program under the infamous Ethiopian runner Abebe Bikila, he brought these runners some of his latest techniques. One point he emphasized was the importance of hydration; because of the high altitude and little sweat, these athletes would run for hours without a drink. For the latter part of his stay, he worked with the team while they trained for the World Cross Country Championships in Japan. The Eritreans came away from the race in 2nd, beating the legendary Ethiopian team. Harte is using his experience overseas to work with the Warrior men’s cross country team, and relates well to the four runners from Burundi who have helped the varsity team to a successful early season. “ I ’m l o o k i n g a t e v e r y o n e’s t i m e s ,” s a i d Harte. “[personal records] should be dropping as we continue speedwork and decent mileage.” Harte shows his enthusiasm for the rest of the season, and has high hopes for the team. He also hopes his friends from Burundi, who plan to play soccer this spring, will join him again on the track and run distance track. With his worldly running knowlege, patience and athletic talent, Harte sees his first year of coaching cross country as a way to not only teach and coach, but learn even more from the athletes he works with. “I am very hopeful that we will be a very competitive team,” said Hart. “We can show the state what kind of runners Wash can produce.”
Women’s X-country
Men’s X-country Burundi
runners
Laura Hart
build
Wa r r i o r
power
Ladies
run
Laura Hart
staff writer
The Washington men’s cross country team has started off to a great season. Expectations this year are very high for the men. The Warriors season started with winning the Prairie Invitational and taking second place at the Cedar Rapids Invitational. Then they won the Cedar Falls Invitational. The Warriors top runners are Gamariel Barutwanayo, 07, Liberio Niyiragira, 08, Elizazeri Niyonzigiye, 07, Lewi Manirumva, 09, James Beardsworth, 07, Jonathan Weatherwax, 08 and Andrew Marshall, 10. This year, the Warrior men’s team has a new head coach, Willis Harte. Harte expects the team to get stronger as the season goes on. Currently, the men’s team is ranked fifth in the state, among the 4A schools. They are behind Pleasant Valley, Marshalltown, Des Moines Roosevelt and Bettendorf . Harte said, “We should be in the top three by October. If we stay healthy and continue to improve, we will go to state at the end of the season and run with the best Iowa has to offer.” Brain Shea, 07, who joined the cross countr y team this year, said, “Varsity will do well this year. We have a very strong t o p f i ve w h o r u n i n a p a c k , m a k i n g t h e m h a rd t o b e a t .” Shea said, “Cross countr y is a fun spor t, but also ver y demanding. We run over two hours a day, however, the team is laid back and makes sure each run is fun, along with strenuous.” Barutwanayo, Niyiragira, Niyonzigiye and Manirumva, the top varsity runners are from Burundi in Central Africa . Burundi’s size is similar to the state of Maryland . These runners have lived in Cedar Rapids for several years, adding improvement to the men’s cross country team. Harte said, “Many of the new runners are mostly soccer players-Weatherwax, Phillip Kincheloe, 08 and Zack Harford, 09. This year’s team has a great set of cocaptains, Jimmy Beardsworth and Nate Menken, 07. We also have some strong freshmen who are working hard now and will be leaders in the years to come.” The workouts are varied each day to ensure the team works on endurance and speed and does not become bored with a daily route. “Coach is very knowledgeable about running. He used to be a cross country runner and he has coached some of the top runners in the world in Eritrea . He takes practices seriously, making sure we put in effort and focus every day. The most rewarding thing about cross country is you get to push yourself and accomplish things you never thought you would be able to do.” Shea said.
hard
Mary Crumley STRIDING OUT is Nathaniel Keslar, ‘08.
Miranda Bernstein WARMING UP is Carrie Nolan, ‘08.
into
the
season staff writer
Po p s i c l e s , c re a t i v e T- s h i r t s a n d e n d o r p h i n s a re a l l res u l t s o f t h e Wa s h i n g t o n w o m e n’s c r o s s c o u n t r y t e a m . The 2006 season started Aug. 29th at the Prairie Invitational with varsity placing third out of nine teams. The Warriors’ varsity leader for that meet was Meredith Bell, 07, who finished in 16.09. Varsity runner Madeline Steiner, 08 said, “This year, cross country is more intense. We have morning and afternoon practices. We have a strong conference and in order to stay with the competition, we our focusing and running with our all.” The varsity placed third out of 15 teams at the Cedar Rapids Invitational. Erin Becker was the top runner on the varsity team. “Our dedication and hard work shows at the races. The places we receive are improvements from last year,” said Steiner. Not only have the places improved but also the number of girls on the team. This year there are 65 girls out for cross country. Abbey Gesing, 08, a junior varsity r unner said, “Cross C o u n t r y k e e p s m e b u s y, a n d i n s h a p e . T h e s o c i a l a s pect, the coaches and the popsicles make running very enjoyable.” Dave Coates, head coach of the cross country team, is proud of the Warriors’ start. T h e Wa r r i o r s a re r a n k e d s e ve n t h i n t h e s t a t e , a n o t h e r improvement from last year. Each practice is different from the next. Coach Coates has creative routes, usually involving a theme. “In the past we have had a casino run, an apple orchard run, rainbow run and a horse and rider run. The different runs coach makes us do makes running more enjoyable,” said Steiner. The women’s cross country team is also famous for how well they do in their academics. The team is hoping to qualify for the state meet in Fort Dodge, Oct. 28. The Warriors placed first at the Cedar Falls Invitational, Bell the leader in the varsity race, 15:45. Last year Bell qualified for the state meet. “The team captains, Meredith Bell, Mary Crumley, Mikayla Fisher and Erin Becker bring more enthusiasm to the practices and meets,” said Steiner. Katherine Mehlhoff, 08, said “I was motivated by friends to do cross country this year. The coaches are positive influences on us. The team supports, cheers and helps you improve. Some of the practices are difficult, but the end result is always rewarding-especially the Popsicles.” Having fun might be the number one priority of Warrior women’s cross country, but this does not exclude hard work and determination. Wash runners continue to improve speed as the season moves forward.
Men’s tennis third at state Brent Gasway
staff writer
After two long and grueling sub-state matches against Newton and Cedar Rapids Jefferson, the warrior men’s tennis team came through to finish third in state. The Warrior’s first round match in sub-state was against Linn Mar, which Wash won 5-0. Against Newton, the team won 5-4 in a thrilling comeback victory in the last doubles match. The Warriors then had an easier match against Jefferson. They gutted out injuries and flaring tempers to win the match 5-1 to advance to the state team tournament in Des Moines. “In sub-state we had to play a real tough Ne wton team; we all wanted to get past that match and take it one meet at a time up through the state meet,” said Sam O’Donnell, 09. The state tournament, held in Des Moines, is something the team had been looking forward to since the beginning of the season. Because the Warriors lost five of their six starters, many thought that 2006 would be a rebuilding year for the team. In the first round of the state tournament, the Warriors got an unfavorable draw and were forced to play eventual state champion Iowa City West. Iowa City West won 5-1, with Barney O’Donnell, 07, beating the state champion in singles, Patrick Callaghan. O’Donnell had lost to Callaghan earlier in state singles. O’Donnell then played Richie Redfern and won, giving him the 3rd place title in singles.
The second round proved to be more successful for Wash after receiving singles wins -against Des Moines Roosevelt from Hunter Adams, 09, Brent Gasway, Adam Hoffman, and Barney O’Donnell, all 07, and Sam O’Donnell. ‘09. Tyler Vance, 07, lost a tough match to Roosevelt’s No. 2 seed. James McMenimen, 07, played doubles for the team in other sub-state and state matches. The warriors were proud of their accomplishments throughout the state tournament and the entire regular season. “I thought finishing third with a whole new team was really good. It’s hard to graduate so many seniors and have a young team do that well,” said Sam O’Donnell. “This year I can’t make any guarantees but with everyone back we should get to state and win.” For being a young team the warrior were still very confident going into the state matches. Hoffman said, “My goals going into state were to dominate with decisive dominance and determined drive. I think this year we have a better chance of going and being strong at the state level.” The warriors were coached to the state tourn a m e n t by h e a d t e n n i s c o a c h Da ve Me ye r. Whether it was playing in state matches, hitting up a little P.F. Changs for a good pregame meal, or just spending some time in the team van, the team is looking forward to the upcoming tennis season full of high expectations throughout the state.
POSING FOR A pre-meet picture are members of the men’s tennis team.
Men’s golf tees off a new year Brent Gasway
staff writer
The Warrior men’s golf team has really turned things around this year and stands a good chance of making it to state. Last year the golf team struggled and finished the season 11-52. They had already won almost double that amount by mid September, going 21-16-2. Adam Ford, 08, Brent Gasway, Ross McLaughlin, and Ben Rops, all 07, Jack Shey, 10, and Ben Stamates, 09, all were on the team after the Warrior’s 21-16-2 start. The Warriors have had a lot of crucial meets this year. One of those meets was the MVC Super Meet, where they finished 6th. At the divisional meet, they finished tied for fourth out of seven. Perhaps the Warrior’s best meet was at the CRANDIC meet where they finished second overall. To g o t o s t a t e , t h e w a r r i o r s w o u l d n e e d t o f i n i s h i n t h e top three at districts. The districts will be held at Clinton.
“I want to make state because we came so close freshman and sophomore year in a playoff with Kennedy,” said McLaughlin, “ I feel better than last year about our chances, our top six players are much more solid. Teams like Waterloo West, Iowa City West, and Bettendorf are tough but other than that everyone’s beatable at state.” Some of the top teams in Wash’s division are Davenport Central and Bettendorf, the three time state champions. “My goals are to go to state and be competitive, but my first goal is to get to state,” said Rops. “If we play to our potential we will definitely play at state.” Coach Chris Cruise said, “Two goals I’ve had for this season are to finish second in the Mississippi Valley Conference and qualify for state.” The golfers are aiming to go to state as a team, and some have their eyes on an individual placement. “I’d like to go as a team, but I’ll also d o w h a t I c a n t o g o i n d i v i d u a l l y,” s a i d Ross McLaughlin, 07. “It will be tough for the team to make the top five with a hard course and strong competition, but we could still do well.”
“I feel better than last year about our chances...our top six players are much more solid.” —Ross McLaughlin, 07
Miranda Bernstein SWINGING AN IRON is Ben Rops, ‘07.
Women’s swimming reloads after graduating two key senior leaders Emily Kopec
staff writer
The Warrior Swimmers are back, ready to step it up and have another good year. They have started the season with a Varsity record of 2-2 and a JV record of 4-0. Last year, the Warriors placed 12th at state with a 8-2 dual meet record, but finished the season with much momentum. Knowing that, it is clear that the Warrior ladies are ‘setting the bar’ appropriately, the sky is the limit for the 2006 Warrior women’s swimming season. “This year should be a good year for us,” said Emily Stewart, 07. “We have a lot of good swimmers and we all put a lot of effort into our practices to hopefully do well in the long run. My main goal for the team this year is to beat Kennedy.” Kathy Litow, coach, has high hopes for the team. “My goals for the team are to have a winning dual
meet record and place higher at state than we did last year,” said Litow. “We have a good chance to do better at state than last year, so I think that is a good goal for us.” Last year, the Warriors had a lot of seniors who contributed to the team, meaning the team lost a lot of swimmers for this year. It is difficult to replace what was lost, but the team seems to be managing fine with the 11 new swimmers to help make this season even better than the last. “I think we lost a lot of good swimmers,” said Litow, regarding last year’s seniors Amy Hadow and Claire Mattison. “We also gained new swimmers, which means new and beneficial talent for the team. We sort of balanced out the talent from this year by losing key swimmers last year, but gaining key swimmers this year. We have a lot of strength and talent on this team,” Litow said. The Warrior swimmers are off to a good start and are hoping to show signs of improvement each day. T h e i r u p c o m i n g m e e t s a r e Ti g e r - Ta n k er Invitational and a dual meet with Jefferson.
Warrior Women’s Swiming and Diving
2 0 0 6 Saturday Tuesday Thursday Saturday Tuesday Saturday Saturday
Setpember 30 October 3 October 5 October 7 October 10 October 14 October 21
S c h e d u l e Cedar Falls Tiger Invite Marshalltown Marshalltown JV Invite Jefferson Varsity Conference Soph Conference, Dubuque
There @ 9:00PM Here @ 6:00 PM Here @ 6:00 PM Here @ 10:00 AM There @ 6:00 PM Here @ 6:00 PM There @ 6:00 PM
Baseball players batter up for wins Emily Kopec
staff writer
Washington’s baseball team ended its season this summer with a strong finish. Their hard work payed off as they walked off the field with an outstanding 18-23 record. “As the season went on, everyone was improved and all the players were working on all the small things that needed to be fixed,” said Bob Buchanan, assistant varsity coach. “We ended up having a pretty decent season. I’d say we ended on a positive note.” Like most sport t e a m s , Wa s h b a s e b a l l h a s r i v a l s . B a s e b a l l ’s big competitors this y e a r w e r e Je f f e r s o n a n d L i n n - M a r. “Jefferson is always a big team so they’re always an opponent we hope to beat; also everyone wants to beat LinnMar so they would be our other big rival,” said Buchanan. This year, the team had many successful games, but this season’s best game was May 27, a pushover onWest Des Moines Valley. It was early in the season, but the Warriors stepped up to the plate and played a good game. “This is the game where we beat the state champions,” said Randy Matthews, varsity coach. “We were all focused, ready to win, and our players ended up playing a very good game.” Wash baseball season ended July 15 with a game against Jefferson. It was a hard loss for the players, but it was very close and the Warriors battled hard. “This game wasn’t good for us,” said Dylan Hines, 07. “The worst part was, we lost in the ninth inning and we had lost the year before, so we re a l l y w a n t e d t o b e a t t h e m t h i s y e a r.” The game was a good one, but disappointing at the same time. The final score was 4-3. Jefferson scored a run in the bottom of the ninth that brought them up in the lead to win the game. “Our players played really hard and they really wanted this,” s a i d Hi n e s . “ T h e p i t c h ing was great, and all the players did their best.” There were 18 players on the team this summer
and all are hoping to return next year. The coaches and teammates are expecting good things for season. “We have just about everyone back and with all the experience of the players from last year,” said Matthews. “I have high expectations to do well.” “We should be really strong this year with all the juniors back who are now seniors,” said Buchanan. The Warriors anticipate great outc o m e s t h i s y e a r. “We have a lot of experience and talent so it should be a good season.” “I think we will be able to make it farther than last year and we are capable of winning our division and making it to state,” said Hines. “It should be a really good year for us.”
“...our players played really hard and they really wanted this...all the players did the best that they could.” —Dylan Hines, 07
VICTORIES IN BASEBALL Mt. Vernon 11-8 Ottumwa 7-3 West Des Moins Valley 9-7 Cardinal 9-5 Oskaloosa 12-4 Waterloo East Varsity 5-4 Dubuque Wahlert 9-5 CR Kennedy 7-6 Newton 7-6 Cedar Falls 7-6 CR Prairie 4-2 CR Prairie 6-3 Davenport 8-2 Pleasant Valley 4-2 Waterloo West 5-3 Waterloo West 11-5
Ta y l o r
Davis
SPREADING HER ARMS IN THE BUTTERFLY is Sammie Puk, ‘10
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Stop in to fill out an application: The Play Station 200 Collins Road NE Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
If you have to work, you’ll like to work here.
Maddie Hansen enhances education with a variety of performing arts extracurriculars Taylor Davis
staff writer
As high school students, we are constantly told to maximize our educational experience. We are encouraged to do well in school, volunteer and find activities that interest us. With so many options, there are two big problems: No. 1, who has all that time? No. 2, how can you stay wellrounded in all these areas? Maddie Hansen, 07, could presumably write a best-seller about this puzzler because she has taken high school outside the box, and her excellence in the performing arts is just the beginning. She has been involved in the performing arts all four years at Washington, including: concert choir; the show choirs, Vivace, Celebration and Momentum; the plays: Les Mis, Cinderella, Tommy, Beauty and the Beast, Sweeney Todd, Steel Magnolias, Little Mermaid, the upcoming Grease; and other singing groups like Madrigals, Wash Singers and A Slice of Jazz. Not only is she involved in these activities, but she is also president
of Momentum and Slice. “I love singing pretty much everything. All the people that are involved in the choirs and plays are by far the best part. You not only get to do what you love, you get to do it with the people you love hanging out with,” said Hansen. Hansen did not truly realize her potentials as a performer until high school. Prior to this, she was involved in singing through elementary and middle school and was a dancer for 12 years. When a knee injury halted her dancing, she decided focusing on her vocal performance was the right thing to do. The fact that she was surrounded by all her closest friends at Wash made this an easier transition and for good reason. Hansen qualified for the All-State quartets for three years. Being involved to such a degree in the performing arts is no small commitment. Fourteen hours per week are devoted to practice, 20 hours a week when a play is in the workings. Hansen shares responsibility with Gerald Kreitzer, Matthew Armstrong and Mike Cervantes.
Mary
Crumley
PRACTICING HER SMILE FOR ONE OF HER many performing arts activities, Momentum, is Maddie Hansen, 07. “[Maddie] has one of those joyful personalities that makes rehearsing fun for everybody involved,” said Matthew Armstrong, vocal director. “She is always aware of other people in the group and how they are feeling. She leads by working hard, striving for excellence,
and having fun at the same time. She is an excellent musician, a fine leader, and above all a great person.” This year the show and jazz choirs have a lot to look forward to, including a trip to San Antonio for a competition in which Madrigals, Slice and Momentum are all
competing. It would be an understatement to say that Hansen, a member of all three, will be busy during this time. She is ecstatic about everything that she does in the performing arts, one of her favorite parts about it is the children’s theatre. “Children’s theatre is absolutely the best,” said Hansen. “April is no longer April, it is children’s theatre month and every year, I somehow or another get the chance to play an ugly evil step sister,” said Hansen. Her appreciation for the arts, she says is tenfold because of her knowledge and experience of the major commitment it all can be. Although she does not plan on majoring in music and performance in college, she is looking carefully at colleges that offer many opportunities in the area. “I really want to be a part of music because it’s such a big part of my life now, I just can’t picture myself abruptly stopping,” said Hansen. If you know Hansen, you know that she is down-toearth; she still laughs about herself being in the front row of a show choir competition
for the first and last time ever after a mishap involved her knocking over a microphone. You would also know that she’s committed, even if it is embarrassing for her to admit that everyday for two months she kept Moulin Rouge in her VCR and pressed ‘play’ every time she entered her room. It might seem impossible, but on stage Hansen’s personality is more infectious than ever.
Q&A Fav. Food: Steak with sauteed onions and mushrooms Fav. Music: Spanish music Fav. Book: The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles by Julie Edwards Fav. Movie: “Interpreter” or “Moulin Rouge” Fav. lunch spot: Subway or home
New seasons of TV shows now on DVD: Out in time for fans to recap before new premieres Katrina Houmes business manager
Katrina Houmes business manager
Emily Penningroth staff writer
Season two of Grey’s Anatomy was a blockbuster. Grey’s Anatomy is basically a soap opera based in a hospital. The love triangle is between Dr. McDreamy (Patrick Dempsey), Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), and Dr. McDreamy’s ex-wife (Kate Walsh). The show is about the doctors’ lives, and how hard it is to manage being a doctor and keeping a relationship . There is a lot of drama between the doctors and with the patients’ stories and medical problems.. The acting is superb. Sandra Oh won an Emmy last year for her performance as Cristina Yang. Season two was released just in time, before the start of the third season.
To enjoy Season four of One Tree Hill, you must get the newly released season three. Lucas and Nathan have little in common except for their love of basketball and a deep, dark secret. The secret is they have the same dad. Nathan is part of the wealthiest family in town and the star of the basketball team. Nathan is arrogant and self assured. Lucas is a loner and an only child of a single working mom. Lucas is quiet and moody. Lucas winds up on Nathan’s team and the rumors start flying. The boys battle for the control of the court and Nathan’s girlfriend. They figure out who they really are, and that they have things in common.
Smallville, for those who prefer a more actionpacked, sci-fi style show, would be the perfect choice. Season five is all about Clark Kent struggling to find his place in the world. He learns how to deal with his alien powers and deals with the typical teenage struggles. Smallville’s fifth season, was released Sept. 12. Returning actors include Tom Welling (Clark Kent), Kristen Kreuk (Lana Lang), and Michael Rosenbaum (Alexander ‘Lex’ Luthor). The fifth season of Smallville is out just in time before the sixth season begins on the WB. For fans who have been too busy to catch every episode check out the new season.
Katrina Houmes business manager If you are a fan of Lost, you must buy, rent, or see Season two of Lost again. A plane crash left almost 50 people wounded and stranded on the island in the South Pacific. Their first goal was to stay alive. Then they realize they were brought together for a reason. The reason is to help unlock the island’s secret and help each other battle their own personal problems. Each episode revolves around one person and their personal problems from before the plane crash. It also involves survival problems for the whole group. It is a gripping, edgeof-your-seat kind of TV show. If you like adventure, be sure to check out Lost.
Emily Penningroth staff writer The O.C., the complete third season, will be released into the hands of devout viewers Oct. 24. The cast includes Adam Brody (“Seth Cohen”, Peter Gallagher (“Sanford ‘Sandy’ Cohen”), Kelly Rowan (“Kirsten Cohen”), Mischa Barton (“Marissa Cooper”), and Benjamin Mc K e n z i e ( “ Ry a n A t wood”), among other actors. This seven-disc set is all about the gang of Orange County’s senior year, the suspense of awaiting college acceptance letters, prom, graduation, parties, old friends and new problems. The O.C. is rated as the 17th most popular TV show this season, according to TV.com, falling right behind The Simpsons.
All pictures compliments o f w w w. a m a z o n . c o m
Emily Penningroth staff writer The complete sixth season of Gilmore Girls, the popular TV show from the WB, was released to DVD on Sept. 19. Gilmore Girls is a drama mixed with a little comedy about the relationship between a single mother in her thirties and her teenage daughter. The show takes place in Connecticut. Actors from the show include Lauren Graham (Lorelai Gilmore), Alexis Bledel (Rory Gilmore), Melissa McCarthy (Sookie St. James), and Scott Patterson (Luke Danes), to name a few. Watching Season 6, viewers will observe many fun scenarios like Lorelai and Rory become mistaken for sisters, and both of their romantic entanglements unwind.
New fall television show guide 2006 Coming soon to a television near you “Brothers & Sisters”
“Studio 60 on Sunset Strip”
G e n r e :
G e n r e :
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D r a m a
Starring: Calista Flockhart, Rachel Griffiths, Sally Field, Patricia Wettig, Balthazar Getty.
S t a r r i n g M a t t h e w P e r r y, Bradley Whitford, Sarah Paulson, Nate Corddry, D.L. Hugley, Amanda Peet, Timothy Busfield.
“Brothers and Sisters” is ABC’s new compelling drama, which www.abctalentdevelopment.com portrays the life of the Californiabased Walker family. “Brothers L i s t i n g s : and Sisters” follow the grown Walker children as they enter the S u n d a y s “real world.” Each child must over at 1 0 / 9 c come a different aspect of life.
From the creator of the “West Wing,” NBC’s new drama series, 60 on the Sunset Strip,” L i s t i n g s : “Studio between two well known televipersonalities. The show deM o n d a y s sion scribes the balance between polia t 1 0 / 9 c tics, romance and professionalism.
“ T h e
C l a s s ”
G e n r e :
C o m e d y
Starring: Jason Ritter, Sean Maguire, Andrea Anders, Lizzy Caplan, Heather Goldenhersh.
w w w. d o c u p e n . c o m
“Celebrity G e n r e :
Duets” R e a l i t y
H o s t e d b y Wa y n e M o r g a n
CBS’s newest comedy, “The Class,” is about a group of about 20 people united once again, www.brandnoise.typepad.com being in the same third L i s t i n g s : after grade class. Two decades latonce again intersected and M o n d a y s er, they learn how each of them a t 8 / 7 c have will changed through the years.
Each week on FOX, a celebrity is paired up with a famous singer. Their challenge is to sing their song live for America. After listening to w w w. l o g o f a n . c o m the duets, fans will call in to vote, L i s t i n g s : all similar to “American Idol.” On Friday the top picks of the previous T h u r s d a y s nights, night will be announced and will be a t 9 / 8 C able to move on to the next round.
“MTV’s Little Talent Show”
“ R u n a w a y ”
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Genre:
R e a l i t y
Action/Adventure
Guest hosted by : Constantine, previous contestant on American Idol.
Starring: Donnie Wahlberg, Dustin Milligan, Karen Leblanc, Leslie Hope.
Seven contestants will come compete in a series of three rounds, including dancing, singing and w w w. s m s e r a . c o m They will then be judged L i s t i n g s : acting. by a panel of celebrity experts. The show has the feel of “AmeriM o n d a y s can yet staged to resema t 7 / 6 c ble aIdol,” high school talent show.
“Runaway,” a new CW show, follows the life of the Raders, who appear to w w w . w l g a t v . c o m be a normal American family. They just moved to Bridgewater, Iowa. they are also a family with L i s t i n g s : However, a secret: they ‘re on the run from law. Paul Rader is convicted of a S u n d a y s the crime he didn’t commit and the famat 8:30/7:30c ily is being chased by the real killer.
A&E Events Calendar
October
3: Washington Fall Orchestra Concert @ 7:30PM 7: “Seussical” at The Englert 12: Washington Vocal Concert @ 7:30PM 14-15: Cedar Rapids Symphony Pops Concert @ The Paramount
14: “Divapalooza!” @ Theatre Cedar Rapids 19: David Sedaris @ the Paramount 19-22: “Jungle Book” @ TCR 21-22: “Rent” at Hancher Auditorium 23: Indoor Marching Band Classic
A T T E N T I O N C O F F E E L O V E R S
Aunna McDowell
staff writer
Imagine yourself sitting in a colorful but calming room slurping down a smoothie and devouring a fresh, delicious sandwich. Does this sound good to you? If so, you have to visit Mr. Beans, a new coffee shop and restaurant located at 1080 East Post Road, Marion. M r. B e a n s’ f o o d m e n u c o n s i s t s o f sandwiches, soups, and salads. They have many drinks to choose from, starting with coffee and ending with your t y p i c a l f o u n t a i n d r i n k . My favorite drink would have to be the mango smoothie. It is incredibly creamy, soothing, and addicting. The smoothie has a whipped cream topping making it even more delicious. If you are not a smoothie person, do not worry. Mr. Beans offers so many different drinks that it would be impossible not to find something you love there. They have a great variety of fountain sodas (although I am pretty disappointed they don’t have Dr. Pepper), a cooler with juice and milk, and all your typical coffee orders. Sandwiches at Mr. Beans are to die for. Fresh meat and crisp vegetables in between lightly toasted bread make just about the perfect sandwich. Sandwiches also come with extra crunchy potato chips and a pickle slice. Mr. Beans has a very relaxing, peaceful atmosphere. The walls are freshly painted with many different fun but neutral colors, such as beige and green. I love the contemporary decorating.
For seating, there are plenty of options. Outside there are tables and chairs for customers who need some fresh air. Inside, you have your choice of a regular table, a high-seating table, or a cushioned window seat. The only down side would be all the tables are really close together, so you can’t have a private conversation. Looking on the bright side, however, those of us who are nosy can easily listen in on the conversations of those at neighboring tables. Mr. Beans is a great place to eat if you and your friends just want to chill together, but I wouldn’t call it an ideal study place. Every time I’ve been there, it’s been really packed. Distractions are unavoidable, and a good study time is close to impossible. Mr. Beans is not cheap but not extremely expensive either. Be prepared to pay a little more for food than you may be willing. Sandwiches cost about five or six dollars. I, however, believe the high prices are worth it. I feel a lot better paying more for something fresh and healthy than paying less for a fattening, processed fast food meal. The service is fantastic. The employees are friendly and appear happy to be on the job. They welcome me when I arrive and always holler a goodbye from behind the counter when I leave. The food always arrives quickly, although the smoothies take a while. The Cedar Rapids- Marion area has a lot of good coffee shops, but Mr. Beans is beyond good. This is a place everyone must try. Anyone who doesn’t love it has some serious problems with their taste buds. The restaurant has tasty food, friendly service, and a comfortable, peaceful atmosphere. I absolutely love going to Mr. Beans and encourage everyone to get down to Marion and check it out.
M a r y
C r u m l e y
OFFERING A GREAT, HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE TO FAST food is Mr. Beans. It offers a variety of food and beverage options, and has a great, social atmosphere.
‘Damn Yankees’ Cancelled Molly Parker
staff writer
“ I s Wa s h i n g t o n w i n n i n g d e a r ? ” “No, it’s those damn Yankees.”. That’s a quote from the recently cancelled play at Wash. “Damn Yankees” was supoosed to be showing in the auditorium from Sept. 14-16, but due to some miscommunication between Wash and the publishers of the “Damn Yankees”, the school couldn’t show it. “Damn Yankees” is a musical comedy about one fan’s desire for his favorite team, the Washington Senators, to win the World Series. He is so desperate for a win that he’s willing to make a deal with the devil. When he does his life is turned around. He becomes the team’s star player and the team finally starts beating the Yankees. When everything seems to be going well, he realizes that his deal with the devil obligates him to surrender his soul if the team does win. There is a worthy replacement for “Damn Yankees” though. “Grease” will be showing instead , and it will be in the auditorium from Nov. 9-11. The clinics were held last week and anyone can attend auditions whether or not you’ve been involved in past productions at Wash.
Welcome to the Jungle Eleanor Vernon
staff writer
It may be getting colder outside, but things are just heating up for the cast and crew of Disney’s Jungle Book. Theatre Cedar Rapids will soon be transformed into a tropical wilderness for its upcoming musical--and who better to take on the task than two Washington High School alumni, Casey Prince and L.D. Kidd. They aren’t the only Warriors involved. Almost one-third of the 35 talented young performers are students at Washington. The actors range from age 10 to 18 and auditioned back in August, competing with over 200 kids for a role in the musical. Alex Gassman, 07, who takes on the role of Baloo said, “It’s a lot of fun to work with all of the different ages, and it’s cool to meet new kids from all of the different schools!” The production is based off the original film, complete with the Disney classics, “The Bare Necessities” and “I Wan’na Be Like You.” The curtain is set to open Thursday, Oct. 19 with 4:30 and 7 P.M. shows and will run the duration of the weekend. Tickets can be purchased through TCR.
‘Hollywoodland’ is a cinema, box office success Jackie Albrecht
a&e editor
Superman is known as the Man of Steel. Bullets are supposed to bounce off his body. Yet ironically, George Reeves, TV’s first Superman, was shot to death back in the late 1950s. Although most people believed it was suicide, a few pursued another alternative: murder. Hollywoodland, released Sept. 9, examines this other alternative. The Los Angeles Police Department thought it had an open-and-shut case. George Reeves, unhappy with his life and dead-end career, decided to commit suicide in his upscale Hollywood home. Seems reasonable enough. But what if someone was actually behind the death of Reeves? Hollywoodland follows private detective Louis Simo, played by Adrien Brody, on a quest to figure out how Reeves, played by Ben Affleck, really died and hopefully make a name for himself along the way. Simo, hired by Reeves’ mother, soon learns of an affair Reeves had with Toni Mannix, played by Diane Lane. Toni Mannix was the wife of MGM Studio executive Eddie Mannix, played by Bob Haskins. Simo believes the affair could be the link that leads to the truth. However, in Hollywood, home of lies, deception and greed, there are no easy ways to find answers. Simo follows many dangerous leads, uncovers motives and also learns more about Reeves’ personal life. Simo discovers that Reeves, a man who could defy anything on TV, had a battle with himself. This drama, crime thriller is rated ‘R’ for language, some violence and sexual content. Overall, this movie was done very well. The picture color is dulled, which gives it an aged look. This makes it feel like it did take place 50 years ago. Another positive aspect of the movie was the fact that flashbacks took place throughout the movie. The flashbacks were well placed, and never gave away too much information at once. This kept the audience guessing and questioning all the way throughout the movie. The leads in this movie were fairly strong. Although some of his movies have been less than desirable, Affleck gave a very believable performance. Audience members could see and almost feel Affleck’s strong portraying of emotions. Brody also immersed himself into his prickly character. This gave viewers a deep sense that he truly was on a mission to figure out Reeves’ death. At some point in the movie, it did seem long and drawn out. Brody’s personal struggles with family and success, for example, sometimes seemed over-emphasized. Also, there were a few times where I wasn’t sure what was going on in the movie. However, most things were resolved at the end of the film. If you like thought-provoking crime dramas that keep you guessing throughout, you’d probably enjoy seeing Hollywoodland.
Where in the world are... Eric Owens, 10, Colorado Springs, CO Shayma Elsheikh,10, O m a h a , N E
Mariah Althoff, 10, Lake Mille Lacs , MN Kyle Rouse,10, Michigan Brea Dixon,07, Chicago IL Andie Jo Goodwin, 07, Bualo , MS Ashley Dixon,07, Los Angeles CA
Alec Varnum,08, Corpus Christi , TX
Chase Lehlman, 10, San Jose, Costa Rica
A n n e S u l l i v a n , 0 7 a n d Ro s s Su l i v a n , 0 9 Sa l s b u r y, Au s t r i a
Abby Ortberg,09, London, England Eleanor Vernon, 08, Chalifert, France Brent Gasway,07, Italy Gunjan Arora,10, Dehli, India
Washington Warriors? W h e r e W a s h i n g t o n students traveled to this summer!